A/N: …I really need to update more often. Sorry to everyone who was waiting. wouldn't let me upload any documents for a while, which only added to the problem.

Dark-Princess-Hikari: Who doesn't love Lee? And don't worry about Iruka's kid; the balance of Iruka and Kakashi is enough to grant it a…semi-normal childhood. Or perhaps it's…them? ((If I could portray an evil devious smile using a clever picture constructed of letters, numbers, and miscellaneous symbols, I would.)) Thanks for the review.

Yersi Fanel: Only mess with the children if you're ready to get the parents. Thanks for the review!

SilverWing129: Yes, having my muse back is a wonderful thing. Especially since she's engaged to my alternate personality. And that's a pretty good summary to what's going on. Thanks for the review!

Chapter Six: Gina Onnen! Nimo, za Akuma Sussho! Watashi Mune Nokosu Waga Gokyoudai. (Gina's Hatred! Also, the Demons Released! I Will Save My Siblings.)

Irihi groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She was lying on her back, her arms and legs strapped down to a large stone table. A leather band went over her chest so she could move even less.

"What the…" Looking around as best she could, she spotted Aiji on another table. In between them was an empty table, made for someone much smaller. No one was on it.

"Gina?" Aiji groaned and his eyes opened. He blinked in surprise and looked around, spotting Irihi and then the empty table.

"Where's Gina?"

"I don't know. The last time I saw her was back in the cart. She fell out and then that guy knocked us out."

"She fell." Both children looked up as much as they could as Itachi entered. He had removed his hat and cloak and stood before them in a black outfit that showed off his well-defined muscles. Aiji growled and tried to get free, but the chains around his wrists forbid it.

"What do you mean, she fell?" Itachi regarded the clone of his brother for a few seconds before moving over to a table with various potions.

"We were going across a bridge when she pushed out the wall. It was raining, so the wood was slippery. She slipped and fell off the bridge." Irihi strained against her restraints, practically screaming.

"Why didn't you save her?! Why didn't you look for her?!"

"It was useless to look for her. It was too long a drop, the water was too cold, and we were right above the rapids. She's dead." Irihi fell back on the table, closing her eyes. Aiji struggled a bit longer before catching a look at his sister's face. Her face was scrunched up in fury and grief and a few tears managed to find their way down her cheeks. Itachi glanced back and noticed her tears, but said nothing. There was a long bought of silence in the room, broken only when Itachi moved over to Irihi with a needle in his hand.

"What are you doing?" Checking to make sure the needle was working properly, the raven-haired male moved it closer to the girl's arm.

"Bringing out your demon. Once we get the last piece we need, we'll be able to harness your powers. Until then, you'll need to get used to using your demonic powers. It's better to start now. This way you won't die." Irihi stiffened as she remembered what her father had said about her demon.

It wants to feed on humans, Irihi.

Don't let it control you. If you do, you could hurt or kill someone close to you.

Do not take advantage of it. That will end…

"No!" The redhead thrashed, trying desperately to get away. Anger flooded her veins as Itachi grabbed her arm to hold it still.

"I'm not going to kill anyone! I'm not going to let you use me! I'm not-" The needle pierced her skin and Itachi slowly eased the fluid into her system. Irihi felt her voice go numb as she watched the dark purple substance drain into her blood. She could hear Aiji calling for her, but his voice dissolved into the sound of her own heartbeat. Everything lost its definite form as the edges of her vision went black. She heard someone whispering in her ear, but she couldn't tell where they were or who they were.

Aiji watched in panic as his sister stopped struggling. She had been fighting a few seconds ago, but now she just lay still, as if she was dead.

"Irihi! Irihi, snap out of it! Irihi!" Itachi placed two fingers on her neck and turned back to the table.

"She's alive. It will take some time for the potion to take effect. Now then. Why don't you be a good boy and join your sister?" Pulling his whole face into a snarl, Aiji strained against his bonds.

"What did you do to my sister, you bastard!"

"Language, Aiji. What would your mother say?"

"Mom would be kicking your ass if he were here!" Shaking his head, Itachi refilled the needle. Aiji glanced over nervously at Irihi. Her eyes were wide open, but she wasn't seeing anything. Her mouth had fallen open and her lips were moving slightly to form words. Moving actually wasn't the best word, they were more of twitching into words.

She's still alive…but for how long? Itachi came to stand beside his nephew and firmly took his arm.

"Your turn."

"Why do you hate my father?" The male froze and stared at Aiji.

"…What."

"Why do you hate Sasuke? What has he ever done to you? Why did you kill his clan?"

"His clan, just so happens to be your clan as well. Since your mother took the last name Uchiha, you are part of the clan."

"Then so are you. Why did you kill them?" Looking down at the boy's arm, Itachi's face lost its expression.

"I wanted to see what I was capable of. Those pathetic rats were easy to slaughter." Aiji twisted his face into a hateful smirk.

"Rats are pretty pathetic. But then again, so are weasels. I guess grandpa had the right idea when he named you 'Itachi'. ((Note: Itachi means weasel.))" Turning a glare on Aiji, Itachi stabbed the needle into his arm and injected the poison almost all at once. Aiji jerked and his eyes went wide. He soon went limp like his sister. The Akatsuki member watched him for a bit longer before pulling out the needle and going to clean it.

…Stupid brat.

I AM A LINE PLEASE IGNORE ME BECAUSE I AM NOTHING MORE THAN A LINE

Hana sighed and, for the four hundredth and eighty-seventh time, wished she was at least allowed to get up and stretch. Her legs had begun to ache several hours ago. Now she couldn't feel them at all except for the few times she shifted. Then it hurt like absolute Hell. The girl shifted again and winced as pain shot through her legs and then went up to the rest of her body. Tears sprang to her eyes as she bit her lip and waited for the pain to pass.

Irihi, please help me! I'm scared, I don't know where I am, I need your help! Please, help me!

…na….

Hana's head jerked up as tears fell down her face.

Irihi?

…Ha…na… Before Hana could hear anything else, the head priest swept into the room.

"My lady, the preparations for the ceremony are nearly complete. All we require now are the children of the Shukaku and the Kyuubi." This got Hana's attention pretty quickly. She jerked slightly and turned her head to stare at him. Images of Irihi and Aiji danced in her head.

"The…the children of…"

"The children of the Shukaku and the Kyuubi, yes. Unfortunately, they were taken by a vagabond group of godless jackals. Not to worry, my lady, we shall soon retrieve them and you will be able to use them to control this world and show these heathens the light." Hana felt her mouth drop open a bit. Images of Irihi and Aiji as demons, killing themselves over her went through her mind. Tears formed in her eyes and began to drip down her cheeks.

Oh no… The head priest frowned. He had been sure Hana would be excited over the news. Instead, she was crying and looked as though her world was ending.

"My lady?" Hana gritted her teeth and glared at Toru. Tears continued to stream down her face.

"Leave them alone!"

"I…beg your pardon?"

"Don't you touch them! Leave my friends alone!" The head priest narrowed his eyes.

"Friends? My lady, those demons are nothing more than your pawns. You shouldn't treat them as your equals. You need only to use them until-"

"Shut up! Irihi and Aiji are my friends! I would never use them for anything! I'm not part of your religion and I'm not going to help you! I'm not going to take over the world for you! I won't do that to my friends!" Toru gritted his teeth and slammed his hands against the glass. Hana flinched as the sound magnified and assaulted her ears.

"You bitch! How dare you speak to me that way!"

"Leave my friends alone you crazy bastard!" The priest slammed his hands on the glass again. Hana winced and tried not to show her pain. Bringing his hands up, Toru began to slam them on the glass again and again. All the while, he yelled at her, his voice slowly getting louder and louder.

"You little harlot! You're just as godless as the rest of the world! I beat the fear of the demon gods into you! You'll be sorry you ever talked back to me! You'll do as I say! We are perfect! We are the ones who will triumph, and you will use those demons! You'll use them until they break and then you'll toss them aside! You hear me you slut?! Do you hear me?!"

"Head priest?" The priest wheeled around, eyes full of fury at the person who stood at the door.

"WHAT!" The man backed up a bit before speaking.

"There are some people here. They wish to speak to you about the chosen one." Immediately, Toru regained his composure.

"Very well. Make sure everything is ready for the ceremony."

"Yes sir." The head priest strode out and the man at the door moved aside and bowed as he passed. Once he was gone, the acolyte entered the room.

"My lady, are you all right?"

"I-I'm…f-fine…"

"Uh…huh. Is there anything I can do for you?" Trying to get rid of the ringing in her ears, Hana looked at her legs sadly.

"You could stop the head priest from using my friends."

"Ah. Well…is there anything I can do for you that wouldn't end up in my death or the equivalent thereof?"

"You could let me out so I could stretch my legs." The man glanced around nervously before moving forward and picking the giant glass dome up. Hana watched him, slightly amazed that he could do it without aid. The acolyte moved forward quickly and undid the ropes on her legs before helping her down.

"Shall I let you go?"

"Uh…no, actually. I think if you do that, I'll end up falling down." The man looked confused, but did as she said.

"Like this?"

"Yeah. Actually, could you untie my arms for me? It'd be easier for me." Hana couldn't believe her luck. Not only had the guy gotten the stupid head priest away from her, but he was actually dumb enough to untie her. As soon as her arms were free, Hana created three other clones.

"Thanks for the help bye now!" Sending the clones in different directions, Hana quickly hid herself and waited for the acolyte to sound the alarm. She was not disappointed.

"The chosen one has escaped! The chosen one has escaped!"

Bingo. Using genjutsu, the Hyuuga disguised herself as an acolyte and ran out in the crowd that had been forming. She made sure to send one of her clones near the crowded hall. Sure enough, they spotted the clone and ran after it. Hana pretended to start for the clone, but stopped and headed for the exit. She got to the door, flung it open, and raced outside. Her plan would have worked were it not for one unforeseen event. The people visiting were Itachi and Kisame. The girl ran headfirst into Itachi, looked up at his face, and immediately knew he knew who she really was.

"Oh shit." Before Hana could flee, Itachi grabbed her arm and forced her to dispel the jutsu.

"We've been looking for you, Hyuuga Hana."

"THE GODLESS JACKALS HAVE THE CHOSEN ONE!" The Uchiha's head snapped up and his eyes narrowed.

"The what now?" Acolytes began streaming out of the building, various weapons in their hands. Itachi smirked and pulled out three shuriken while Kisame readied his sword.

"Pathetic."

I AM A LINE PLEASE IGNORE ME BECAUSE I AM NOTHING MORE THAN A LINE

Kisho placed his hand on the trunk of the tree he was on and glanced around them, nervous about being in the same place for too long.

"Takai, hurry up. We don't have all day and the sky's lookin' pretty dark." ((This is backtracking to when the N/G/S kids are at the bridge)). Takai looked over at Tsume, whom was trying to find the scent.

"Anything Tsume?" The black pup looked at its master and whimpered. Haru, perched on a branch near them, gently stroked the tiger next to him.

"Kisho, Totei can't catch anything either. Maybe we should backtrack?" Sighing, the lazy nin scratched his head in frustration.

"No, we managed to follow the scent up to here. Backtracking will only lead us here again." Kane, whom was standing next to Ayame, scowled.

"So what do we do? You're the smart one here, Kisho." Pausing to glare at the girls, Kisho sat down and laced his fingers together except for the first two. He tapped the tips of those two fingers together, creating a rhythm that helped organized his thoughts. After a bit, he stood and turned to the west.

"There's a bridge over that way. It's the only way to cross the river this close to the rapids. If they tried to go any other way, they'd have to spend almost a day getting around the rapids and coming to a place they could cross. We'll go there first." The group nodded and headed for the bridge. As they ran, it began raining heavily. At one point, they had to stop for a few minutes and wait for the rain to lessen. It was almost an hour later when they got to the bridge. Kisho eyed the slippery wood with unease.

"Careful going across. One slip and you could end up dead." The group nodded and went slowly. Kane accidentally slipped at one point and everyone froze, waiting to see what would happen next.

"I'm okay." Kisho let out the breath he had been holding and went back to help her up. The girl accepted his hand, but froze as her eyes fell on a piece of cloth. Reaching down, she gently pulled it off the wood and showed it to the others. Mamoru was the first to speak after a bit.

"Isn't that the same cloth that was on Gina's shirt?" At the exact same time, everyone came to the same conclusion. As one, they rushed to the side and looked down at the rapids. No one said anything as they stared. Finally, Kisho spoke.

"There's no way. She couldn't have survived that fall. She was too young and the water's too cold this time of year. The only way she could have survived was if someone grabbed her and pulled her up." Almost frantically, Ayame spoke.

"That's possible, right? Maybe they noticed and caught her. It could have happened, right?" Taking the piece of cloth, Kisho studied it solemnly.

"Either way, this could be useful. Even if Gina didn't…her scent's still on Irihi and Aiji. This should be enough to find them." The boy turned to Takai and handed him the cloth to him. The dog boy looked as though it was the last thing he wanted to touch. Reluctantly, he took the cloth and allowed Tsume to take a whiff of it. Immediately, they found the scent on the bridge. It lingered just above the wood, moving across the bridge and to the other side.

"Got it."

"Good. Lets go." The group started off again, this time much more solemn than before. The thought of the Hokage's beautiful little girl falling to her death placed a shadow of doom over their hearts. Little did they knew Gina was still alive, and hungry for vengeance.

"I will save them, and kill whoever stands in my way!"

End of Chapter Six