Name: Moriko (forest child) Munera

Age: 16

Rank: Jonin (anbu)

Race: Human(ish)

Appearance: long blonde hair in a pony tail (kind of like ino) with silver metallic eyes

Anbu Mask: white with grey and red swirls shape is the face of a wolf with the one corner missing so one ear and one eye hole since the top left corner is cracked off

Name: Aika "love song" Munera

Age: 24

Rank: jonin (ex-anbu)

Race: human(ish)

Appearance: short blonde hair (like Alice's in twilight) and blue green eyes

~~~Story Start~~~

"Again," Aika-Sensei commanded. I focused and did the handsigns. My chakra built up as I focused it into my hand creating a 5 foot staff of glowing silver chakra. Aika-Sensei created her weapon and we sparred again. The sand started swirling around us. I glanced up and saw Gaara and Baki, my cousin's boyfriend.

"That's enough for today. Remember we need to leave tomorrow," Aika seemed anxious about something.

"How'd training go?" Gaara questioned as he slipped his hand in mine.

"Good, Aika seems a little off though. Something's up, more than usual," I said deep in thought.

"She's got a lot on her mind," Gaara tried to reassure me, but I wasn't so sure. It was never just 'nothing' with my cousin. She wasn't like that. She was cautious and caring.

"Gaara, Aika just told me we were leaving tomorrow. I don't want to leave we were supposed to stay for two more weeks but she seems pretty weird about it. I'll just miss you though," I told him a single tear sliding down my cheek.

"I'll miss you two. I wish I could come visit you so you don't always have to come to me but that's a little hard right now. Just remember that I love you," Gaara said as you two kissed. The kiss was short and sweet but it showed both of your feelings for each other.

Aika's P.O.V

As I walked up to Baki we kissed. We walked behind Moriko and Gaara. I felt bad for her, she's going through the same thing I am with Baki.

"You said it's almost time for her?" Baki asked.

"Ya, and if she is the one our clan has been waiting on than she won't be allowed to see Gaara for a long time. I'm afraid for her. If she supposedly is supposed to have the powers of our grandfather she must destroy everything around her. I need to keep a close eye on her. And the elders put me in charge of watching over her and keeping her calm. Depending on what her animal is depends on pretty much everything though. If she gets something like a tiger we're dead meat but if she gets like a deer or something I think she'll be easy to keep calm than. I just wanna know what her Rune eye will be?" I questioned as I explained to Baki. My own Rune Eye swirled into being as the water mark was present in my left eye. Messing around I focused and sent water to fall on the two love birds.

"You trying to start a fight!" she joked shaking her hair out.

"Oh come on you shouldn't be so blue! What don't like a little water?" I yelled back at her. She just chuckled and walked on.

"She's acting off. I'm afraid it's sooner than we think," I said as we went back to his house.

Moriko's P.O.V

As I walked back with Gaara since him and his siblings pretty much forced me to stay with them while I was in the Sand Village with Aika training.

"You two are late," Temari commented with her hands on her hips as me and Gaara walked through the front door.

"Haha sorry," I laughed.

"If she cooked we'll go out to eat," Gaara whispered in my ear.

"Agreed," I whispered back. Temari might be my best friend but she can't cook. One of these days she's going to kill someone by that. Of course, no one would tell her her cooking sucks for fear of being murdered but hey she can't stay clueless forever can she?

"I made dinner!" she said cheerfully from the kitchen. We glanced at each other in fright. Kankuro came down the stairs grumbling about dieing tonight.

"Actually Temari since Moriko is leaving tomorrow morning with Aika we thought we would go out for dinner," Gaara said smoothly putting fake hurt into his voice.

"You can't go outside there's going to be a sandstorm tonight," she said pulling back a curtain. It was in fact looking bad outside. The sand was kicking up and everyone was taking cover.

"Of course," Gaara said quietly. We shared a look as she turned back to the kitchen.

"If we die, I love you Gaara," I said as we walked hand-in-hand into the kitchen.

"I love you too," he said back very quietly.

"I thought you guys were staying for 2 more weeks?" Temari questioned setting everything on the table.

"We were going to but Aika seems pretty adamant about leaving tomorrow morning. I'll really miss you guys," I said looking at all of them.

"We'll miss you too!" Temari said hugging me.

"And guys thanks for letting me stay here," I said smiling at them.

"If you remember correctly I wouldn't take no as an answer!" Temari scolded. I just chuckled at her. As soon as Temari had gave us food and turned around we all got rid of it in our own way. Kankuro simply used his chakra strings to throw it in the garbage and Gaara carried it to the garbage as well with his sand. Me? I used my lightning style chakra and just incinerated it. Temari turned around delighted we had already finished it when we all quickly ran away before she could give us more. Kankuro ran to his workshop while me and Gaara headed upstairs. We were standing on his balcony (on the inside portion) watching the storm outside.

"Oh, here," Gaara said digging behind his bed and pulling out food he had stored away for just this timing.

"Really? You seriously smuggled food in here?" I giggled at him. The face he made was priceless as he winced.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," he says simply, putting an arm around my waist.

"Your funny Gaara," I told him as we sat together at the end of his bed.

"Well-" Gaara cut off as I suddenly collapsed. It was so cold. So, so cold and so dark.

Gaara's P.O.V

I was about to respond when suddenly she collapsed falling in the floor. My sand caught her but I was really worried. I mean she was acting fine so what could be wrong!?

"TEMARI! KANKURO!" I called fo rmy siblings. Temari was there in an instant.

"What happened!?" she yelled kneeling down at her head and propping it up.

"I don't know she suddenly collapsed!" I was begining to be worried.

"I'll get Aika!" Kankuro said as he took off to find her cousin. They were back momentarily as we picked her up and put her in the bed. She had started sweating so Temari put a cool rag on her head.

"We need to get a medical ninja," I told Temari.

"That won't be necessary," Aika said quickly coming in the room with Baki at her side.

"What do you mean? Theres something seriously wrong!" I told her. Thats when she moaned and glancing at her I could see sparks around her eyes. Then it turned to water and then fire. It kept changing throughout the elements.

"What the heck is happening!" Kankuro freaked.

"It's all my fault I thought we had more time. I should have known it would happen this soon," Aika bent down next to Moriko.

"Whats happening?" I asked her not understanding.

"Baki will explain it to you. For now I have to get her back to the clan elders NOW," Aika said standing.

"How will you do that theres a sandstorm outside?" Temari asked incredulously.

"I'm going to have to transform. Do you have some rope. I can't have her fall off my back," Aika said picking Moriko up in her arms bridal style.

"Ya give me a sec," Kankuro ran off downstairs to his workshop.

"What are you going to do?" I asked Aika.

"Baki will explain what is happening but do not worry Gaara she will be ok, this is normal, well for our clan," she tried to laugh it off but I didn't think it was too funny.

"Here's the rope," Kankuro said re-appearing in the doorway.

"Alright follow me," Aika said as she carried her down the stairs.

"When I transform you need to set her on my back and tie her down so she can't fall off. I have to run the whole way back at top speed," Aika said simply like this was all normal.

"What do you mean transform?" Temari questioned.

"I'll explain it to all of you but for now listen to Aika if you want Moriko to live," Baki said simply. We complied and soon Aika was handing me Moriko. Kankuro got the rope ready. Aika stepped outside and closed her eyes focusing. Green chakra swirled around her and than you could hear bones snapping. When it cleared where Aika was standing was a pale blonde horse. It neighed at us as motioned to its back. We did what it asked and tied her down. Soon all that was left of my girlfriend was a dust trail that was soon gone.

"Man that horse can move," Kankuro whistled.

"Come sit down, this is pretty big," Baki told us. So we all gathered around on the couch.

"As you know they come from the Munera clan. Aika told me that when Moriko was only 5 their clan was slaughtered by the Uchihas. The Uchihas were afraid that they were becoming too powerful, more than them so they killed them all. Now the real target was Moriko's bloodline. She supposedly died so one of her younger cousins that was only a year younger that died they made her look like Moriko so they believed she was dead. Moriko supposedly has the same powers their first clan head had. Of course this was the most powerful of their bloodline and with that power one person could destroy the Uchihas so their target was Moriko. Of course as you know she lived. Well soon after that Itachi killed the Uchiha clan. Now their is only about 6 or 7 Muneras left but they were waiting on Moriko. She's supposed to be the most powerful and that'll tip any scale greatly. Now their clan also has a visual prowess. Their called the Rune Eyes except they only have one. To not get one is exceedingly rare and two has only happened once, but they believe Moriko will have two, just like their first clan head. Well the Rune Eye when activated will glow with a symbol for a certain element. Now Aika's is water so she can control water like you can control sand Gaara but they can do it mentally with enough practice or using their hands. Though it will use chakra they don't have to do handsigns. Now Moriko will get an element and that will depend on a lot. How your element is chosen Aika is not sure. Now they also have another power. Like you saw they all have one animal they can transform into. They also get it's senses. So while she does not have heightened senses because her's is a horse they can sense danger and stuff. Now we don't know Moriko's as of yet but the first while is tough Aika said. The animal instincts take over. Now if Moriko's is a deer or something she'll run away from danger a lot. If her's is a tiger or something how did Aika say it? God help us all. She'll be even sassier and pick fights with everyone. So until she can control it she has to stay away. They're afraid she'll kill you if that's the case Gaara and than Moriko would never be able to live with herself," Baki explained.

"So what you're trying to tell me is that my girlfriend is turning into an animal that wants to kill me?" I asked not knowing how to react to all of this.

"Well that is not definite if her animal is a predator yes she will try to kill you but if it is prey she'd probably run away from you for a while either way it won't be safe because of her Rune Eye. She'll have to learn to control it all," he explained not seeming phased at all.

"I don't get it. So why are they waiting on her. What if she's not the one they've been waiting on?" Kankuro asked.

"Their clan elders have learned who was behind the Uchihas destroying them all and they want their revenge. She won't have a choice it's either kill or be killed. Aika wasn't happy about it and than she learned who it was and now she goes along with it. She understands and with them being Anbu they know how bad The Foundation is and their leader," Baki explained.

"It was Danzo!" Temari was shocked.

"Yup, he felt they could cause problems and so he pulled strings and got them eliminated. They found out the truth about him and his Foundation so he got rid of the problem," he said casually.

"Why does she have to return to the Leaf like I get why but why was Aika so adamant about their elders?" I asked him.

"They know how to help her through the change. She'll be ok like Aika said. She's faster in her animal form than you believe. She'll be at the Leaf before tomorrow afternoon. Everything will work out one way or another. Aika won't lose her cousin so easily," Baki assured us.

"So my girlfriend is an animal," I stated trying to believe it.

Aika's P.O.V

Moriko was starting to thrash. It was getting bad and this desert storm wasn't helping matters. I had to get her to the clan elders. They'll know what to do. I was told to watch for the signs and bring her back than. I already failed they won't be so lenient a second time if I don't get their soon. I jumped a log and was immediately cut off. In front of me was Sasuke Uchiha.

"I was told to fetch Moriko," he was with two guys and a girl. I neighed and reared in response. He obviously knows who I am.

"Sasuke why are you talking to a horse?" the guy with Executioner asked.

"Thats not just a horse its Aika Munera her cousin and thats Moriko on her back," so Sasuke did know. Not surprised. I reared again kicking my front legs at him.

"You can't use your Rune Eye in your animal form. Your out of luck," Sasuke said casually.

"Sasuke that girl doesn't look so good," the one with orange hair said worriedly. The rain was causing the sparks from her eyes to jump higher.

"She's begun the change already. Perfect. We'll be taking her now," Sasuke drew his sword.

"Moriko's chakra is fluctuating. It isn't staying stable. Its real high and than drops rapidly and the form keeps changing too. One second its a bear and than some dog and than something else. It's changing shape," the girl said. So she's a sensory type.

"Keep an eye on that I wanna know what animal she'll be. That's right your clan's chakra will change shape to match your animal. But enough talk," Sasuke said running to attack. I leaped over him and bounded for the trees. I had to shake them. I could sense them following but I had to get farther ahead. I had to make it. I ran faster than I ever had before. I saw a deer on my left and a jackal on my right and they started following. Kai and Dahan (day-han). Good. I'd made it, I got back-up. This will be ok. I slammed to a stop and so did they. We all turned to face them. Kai changed back (deer). He was tall with purple eyes. He had a glowing red fire Rune Eye. His pale blonde hair was dark in the rain. Dahan changed as well (jackal) turning into a short but muscular man with black cropped hair and gold eyes. He had a light Rune Eye that was glowing gold.

"Get back to the elders sis. Just help Moriko we'll hold them off," I glanced back at them afraid this would be the last time I would see them. I ran through the trees as I heard Sasuke laugh at the two. The sounds of fighting were soon drowned out by the rain.