The city's flames had long since been extinguished by the time Yukino and Kaida arrived. The odor of charred building materials hung thickly in the air. Whatever was used to construct homes anywhere, the smell of destruction seemed pretty much the same.

People, despite the late hour and the chill in the air, were cordoned off behind barricades, and the local peace officers were assessing the damage. From what Kaida heard from the officers, about a quarter of the city had been destroyed. The rebuilding would take months. They both looked around for the hospital and found it, what remained of it. The two ninjas ran over to it and just stood there in awe.

"Let's get started." Yukino said.

The two started digging through the rubble. As the time passed, their pace at finding Satori quickened. After almost an hour of searching they found the remains of a destroyed bed. They both pulled away the debris to see Satori lying on top of a patient as if he was protecting him. Yukino's hand went to Satori's neck to feel for a pulse and found a faint one. The patient was alive as well. Yukino pulled the unconscious ninja to his feet and leaned him against herself. Kaida did the same with the patient but didn't have to hold him long because a group of nurses came up and took the patient away.

Yukino pressed a button on her collar. "Yukino to Aoba-sensei. We got Satori. We're on our way back to Hanako's position."

"Acknowledged. Keep me updated." Aoba replied.

They turned to leave but in their way was people, lots of angry people. Another mob was on its way, having somehow broken through the barricade. Kaida began scanning the immediate area and started pointing. Kaida tightened her grip on her two chain scythes. She hoped that she didn't have to use it but she would if she had to.

More people emerged from around the corner, and Kaida saw they were armed. In fact, they were fairly well equipped, almost as if someone had organized them into a fighting force. Several brandished knives, a few seemed to have kunai like weapons and others had sharpened pikes made from, it seemed, like tree limbs. They were not here to protest Konoha's presence; they were here only for violence.

As this was going on, Satori regained consciousness. Yukino was slightly surprised.

"Satori. You're awake."

He slightly smiled. "Like I'm going to miss out on a fight."

Kaida walked towards the mob, positioning herself between the mob and Yukino and Satori. Their safety was top priority at the moment.

Several in the front pointed and shouted as they spotted her. Kaida intentionally made herself the target, walking at a steady pace until she reached a spot less than ten meters from the people in front.

"Can I convince you to go home and let us fix what's going on here?" Kaida asked.

"Sabotage is more like it! You've poisoned the people. You killed Hyosetsu, and now you want to take the rest of us." One said.

"Konoha bitch!"

"Really," Kaida said, keeping her tone light even as her body tensed. "Name-calling will not get you your water any faster. If you don't disperse. We will do anything to protect ourselves."

"You can take down a few of us, but we outnumber you!" One yelled.

"Have it your way." Kaida said. She launched her weapon out, wrapped it around the leg of one and pulled on it, tripping the man.

Others saw this as their chance and rushed her. They got close, closer than Kaida would've liked, but then an echoing voice came from behind her.

"Kuchiyose no jutsu."

In a giant cloud of smoke, a giant panther like feline appeared. It was Satori's giant summoning, Sorasumaru.

He released a loud roar directed at the mob. Finally, people got the idea that scattering and retreating might be the best thing to do.

Some, though, clearly wanted a fight. They charged forward. Kaida was able to take them down. Satori created a few clones to help with the people who decided to stay. One woman reared back and hurled her sharpened branch at Yukino, who was defending herself against a man.

The wet sound the spike made as it pierced someone's abdomen could be heard from Kaida's position. Kaida turned around and saw that Satori had taken the spear instead of Yukino. Kaida's heart jumped into her throat but she relaxed when Satori disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"That's why I hate shadow clones sometimes." She said to herself.

Someone tackled Yukino from behind. She was able to turn around and wrestle with her Shokei attacker, a burly male who was fighting in a frenzied way. Satori came running in and slammed his right foot into the head of the attacker knocking him off balance and giving Yukino the edge she needed to break free. Yukino took out another attacker and Sorasumaru sent out a shockwave of nothing but air to knock the attackers off their feet. Finally the attackers retreated.

"Thanks for your help, Sorasumaru." Satori said.

"No problem, boss." He said before disappearing.

Once the fighting stopped the Konoha ninjas relaxed a bit. Satori and Yukino hugged each other tightly.

"I've been worried about you." Yukino said.

"You were the one that kept me alive. All I thought about when the building came crashing down was you." Satori said.

Yukino placed her hands on Satori's cheeks and then kissed him. They broke their kiss when a transmission came in on Kaida's radio.

"Kaida here."

"Kaida, I need you all back here on the double. Junshin and Gintokin will eventually be overrun. They need more help."

"We're on our way."

"Junshin and Gintokin need our help. The mob on their end is getting out of hand."

Yukino and Satori nodded. The three of them leapt away to go help their friends.

Aoba threw himself over a metallic planter, landing behind it and waiting for the next volley. Sure enough, a hail of stones rained down around him, but none came close to hitting him. He risked looking over the top of the planter and saw Junshin standing up, hiding behind a tall, thick tree. They made eye contact, reassuring each other they were fine.

Since Aoba had begun shuffling back and forth between the Council rooms, he had heard angry changes and shouts from the people in the streets. They were blaming Konoha and the Council for their lot in life. There were scuffles and occasionally rocks were tossed.

By this time, though, they had figured out Aoba was making regular trips between portions of the building and they were ready. No sooner he had exposed himself in the courtyard than rocks began flying over the low iron fence. The first struck his shoulder, and the Jonin dove for cover.

And now he felt stupid and angry, hiding from a rock throwing crowd.

Junshin gestured to catch Aoba's attention and then made a show using his kunai to cut down the mob. Aoba gave the idea consideration, hoping it might scare them off. He was afraid it could just as easily incite them to further violence. Before he could make a decision, a giant fireball flew by, causing the first row of people to duck. As expected, some scattered, but a few threw more rocks. A second fireball flew forward and more people ducked down and created a gap in the center of the mob.

"Go home!"

Aoba glanced over his shoulder and saw Satori, Yukino and Kaida standing there, weapons in hand and ready to take on the crowd. Their fearless stances made the crowd hesitate. Gintokin emerged from his hiding spot and took up a position at their right, with his sword raised. Junshin did the same on the left. People finally began to back away, drifting off in small clusters.

Now the lead Jonin was feeling a bit foolish, crouching on the grass.

"Excellent timing, Satori." He admitted.

Aoba walked back inside the Beigun base, he watched Chikaku wave away a steaming pot.

"Ah, Aoba. Whatever strain he felt certainly did not show on his features. If anything, he seemed particularly pleased.

"Chikaku, how go things here?"

"Well enough, I suppose. Got everything wired up, getting identical reports from all over the place. I'd say we're ready to start handling the problem."

"And how do you propose to do that?"

"First, we must protect the general populace. Your people have been most kind in helping us."

"How can you keep people from fighting?"

"That's a very good question. We don't have an immediate answer."

Aoba saw that behind the confidence was uncertainty. It was all there in the man's eyes. And he was too proud to ask for help. At least Kazuko had the sense to admit he was in over his head.

As Aoba bit back the comment, Chikaku said, "One thing we can do is lodge the appropriate diplomatic complaints with Konoha. Clearly, they were at fault for what has befallen this country. They will need to send in more support until the problem is resolved."

You do realize that what you're asking for is most likely weeks away from arriving. We have our own issues to deal with and we can't just drop everything to deal with this problem. Be realistic, what would happen in the weeks between now and when aid does arrive?"

"Won't you help keep the peace?"

"We can't stay here indefinitely." Aoba said flatly.

"Your government is at fault, Aoba…" Chikaku began.

"QUIET! I am tired of the Council pointing its finger at the very body it asked for help and now trying to repudiate."

"Trust me; we are going to file a formal complaint concerning the medial malfeasance that has taken place." Aoba saw that Chikaku was using bluster to hide his fear, and wanted to rid himself of the man's company. Duty, however, demanded he stay.

"Accidents happen, Chikaku. You're starting to sound like one of the protesters, not a leader of this country."

"Does that mean I cannot protest actions taken against this country? I don't recall my office being denied that privilege."

Aoba grew concerned, wondering if the disease had finally found its way to the Council.

"Of course you can protest. It's a basic right. But Chikaku, as a leader of the people you need to set priorities. What is the Council doing now to help?

The councilor fell silent at the question.