Aoba and his team stood in front of Daiyajin in his office.

"Aoba," Daiyajin said by way of greeting, and Aoba saw that the events of the day were most definitely taking their toll on the village leader. The leader's eyes seemed heavier and he appeared to stand stoop shouldered.

"I have no words that could possibly begin to offer sufficient apology for what has happened."

Daiyajin held up his hand, stopping Aoba from saying anything further. "Aoba, did you intend deliberate harm towards us?"

His voice was tired, but Aoba still picked up the strain behind the words. The jonin paused for a moment before answering, realizing as he did so that he had actually allowed his mouth to fall open in surprised response to Daiyajin's blunt question.

Schooling his features to resume his normal, composed expression, Aoba said, "Of course not. We were as horrified to learn of what had happened as you undoubtedly were."

"I somehow doubt that, Aoba." Daiyajin said. "As I am sure you are aware, Aoba, today's unfortunate events have caused a significant amount of unrest among the villagers. Many are calling for an immediate departure and severing contact with you altogether." The small, tired smile returned as he added, "Naturally we have no means of expelling you from our village or of taking any other form of offensive action against you, but I am being pressured to ask you and your team to leave. Don't worry, Aoba. You and your team have more than proven your sincerity. I believe those who do not currently share my opinion can be swayed but it will take time."

Aoba nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"Someone is coming."

Dozing fitfully in his cot, Satori opened his eyes at the sound of Gin's voice.

"How many this time?" Satori asked as he rose to a sitting position.

Listening to sounds, Gin replied, "Only one, though he may not even be coming here."

"But if he is, this might be our chance." Satori said, the first root of a plan already forming in his mind. "If we can get the drop on him, do you think we can get out of here and back to the team?"

Gin nodded. "But we'll have to do something before we leave this place."

"Which is?"

"I want my katana."

FLASHBACK

The ten year old Gintokin ran down the streets of Konoha. He sported his new Chuunin vest that he got for his participation in the final round of the Chuunin exam. Although he made it to the next to last round and ended up losing, because of the skills and abilities he showed, the Third Hokage made him a Chuunin. He sprinted into his house to see his sister lying on the couch. He knew she was ill and had been for sometime. She was still strong enough to do what she had been doing but one could see some deterioration of her health.

"Nee-san, look at my new vest. Hokage-sama promoted me."

"That's good, Nii-chan."

"I'm becoming somebody that can take care of you. That's what I'll become. Someone that will be strong and take care of you so you don't have to do anything anymore."

A smile crept across his sister's face. "I know you will. You'll grow up to be a strong man one day." His sister sat up more as she changed the subject. "You know what tomorrow is?"

"Not really other than Saturday." Gintokin said.

"It's your eleventh birthday."

"Really?"

"Yeah and to celebrate your birthday and your promotion, we'll go out to eat."

Gintokin leaned over and hugged his sister tightly.

"I love you, nee-san."

"I love you too."

END FLASHBACK

The door to the cell opened and revealed a guard holding a tray. Both Satori and Gintokin remained seated on their cots and the guard stayed in the doorway as he knelt down to place the tray on the floor. "There is water here," he said, pointing to a large bottle. "And food on the plate."

"Sounds delicious." Satori said, making no effort to keep the sarcasm from his voice. Forcing himself not to make eye contact with Gintokin, in case he alert the guard to what was coming, the young jonin moved to stand up. "What do you call…?"

The question turned into a grunt of surprise as he stepped forward and felt his leg held back, throwing him off balance. Satori almost fell to the floor. He noticed that his pant leg got caught on the bed frame.

His unfortunate tumble did have the effect of startling the guard, however. The guard steeped to his left to avoid becoming entangled as Satori attempted to catch himself, causing him to move closer to Gintokin. He quickly realized his mistake but not before the jonin lunged from his cot. His hands grabbed the guard's head and quickly twisted it, snapping the guard's neck.

"Well done, Gin." Satori said. "Now let's go get our weapons back."

Nidan still stood in the desolate area as his minions returned. Once they landed they bowed. Even though the creatures seemed savage and unintelligent, they seemed to know who their master was. At that point, Kalsha also appeared. He too bowed.

"Report." Nidan said.

"Nidan-sama, the Konoha team is under scrutiny by the villagers because of what I did to the outer rim. Daiyajin-sama is still hopeful that they can help but he also has his doubts. Two of their members have been captured and are being detained. The rest of the team is unaware of their capture."

"Excellent. Execute the two members you have and I'll send my minions out to take care of the rest."

"It shall be done, Nidan-sama."

Kalsha stood up and disappeared. Nidan turned to his winged followers.

"Go. Go and kill the Konoha team."

The winged creatures howled and screeched as they flew into the air. Nidan was left to his thoughts as he watched them fly off.

Once the team from Konoha is taken care of, I'll be able to complete the rest of my plan and no one will stop me.