When it came to packing for a mission, there was no one faster than Nanako. It was a very big switch, because according to Naruto, she is the slowest person to get ready for any other day; but when mission day came along Wil couldn't even keep up. She wore her signature orange and black track jacket that was always short on her so you could see her stomach even through the tails. It was also zipped down in the front a little too much showing off a little more cleavage than necessary, but she didn't mind. She never took into account what other people thought about she dressed. Her parents seemed fine with it, and Wil, being his usual self, always complimented her on the way she looked. She wore matching short shorts with some mesh extensions for protection of her legs. She smiled a little, she hadn't really thought of it until now, Wil's little acts of kindness. She never paid attention to them, but when Wil ever complimented her on something, like how she looked, or whenever she got something right whether it be in training or a mission, it always brightened her day a little. She felt respected and valued, like she was of importance in his eyes.
She quickly packed her essentials for the mission; kunai, shuriken, a few scrolls, a medical kit, camping gear, and other small things a girl would need traveling to another world. She was packed and suited up in a matter of minutes and was on her way down the stairs to the kitchen to fetch something to eat. She walked into the kitchen/dining room into a conversation with her father and another figure she hadn't seen in years. He was tall, pale complexion, and had long, jet-black hair with matching eyes. He wore white, regal robes, like he was a head of a clan. And in this case, he was.
"Umm, morning?" Nanako said as if she wasn't sure. The two turned to look at her and their serious faces melted into smiles.
"Morning, honey," Naruto said. He must have been over the whole incident they had earlier. "I'd like you to meet a very close friend of mine, Sasuke Uchiha."
"Nanako Uzumaki," The man began. "The last time I saw you, you were but an infant."
Out of customs, Nanako bowed respectively and said, "Good morning. Sorry if I do not remember your face, my apologies."
"It does not matter, the last time we met, you were barely walking. Your father has told me so much about you in the later years though. And might I say, I'm very impressed with your accomplishments."
Nanako blushed in embarrassment. She knew who Sasuke was and what he is known for. "Thank you, mister."
"Sasuke is here to help Kakashi Sensei and me with the Summoning Jutsu for your boyfriend's brother and sister," Naruto explained.
"He's not my boyfriend," Nanako argued softly.
"Ah, yes, young Wilhelm is it? He's a real find. Congratulations."
"Thank you," Nanako couldn't stop blushing and tried to hide it by busying herself by packing an extra bag full of food for the journey. She never knew if it was going to be a jungle world they were going to, or a super advanced society, so she prepared for the worst.
"Speaking of Wil," Sasuke began again only this time he was talking to Naruto. "What are his siblings like? I've heard rumors that they are quite the formidable tag team."
"Yes, they are very… special," Naruto started to describe them, but Nanako zoned them out as she munched on her cereal. She wanted to be out of the house and out with Wil as soon as possible.
"How are things in our neighboring countries?" Naruto finally asked. "How is Gaara keeping up?"
"All is well in the Land of Wind. Gaara and the council are actually beginning an excavation," Sasuke told him. "Apparently, a stone the size of a small house landed on the outskirts of the Sand Village. The collision was so strong it caused an earthquake, toppling some outer houses and complexes in the village…"
Their conversation droned on and on, and Nanako could see no ending. Gladly, she had finally filled her pack with enough, non-perishable food and was ready to go to Wil's house. She was stopped short though by her father.
"Nanako!" He called from the table.
"Yes, daddy?" She called back.
"Tell the triplets to be on top of the Hokage Monument at dusk," He instructed.
"Will do! See ya!" Nanako bid adieu and slammed the door behind her. She raced down the streets towards Wil's house.
Wil walked upstairs with all his acquired items, ready to go as he plopped his pack onto the kitchen table.
"No equipment on the table," Ashley absconded. Wil just sighed and hefted his pack off and moved it by the door. Ashley and Jake had finished pre-mission preparations a little before Wil and had already begun to prepare breakfast. Ashley wore her orange, sleeveless button up shirt that was always buttoned down a little too much for Wil's comfort. Under her arms was mesh, fishnet pieces of clothing. She had tight, black pants on with a belt with an orange spiral design on the buckle. Her headband was around her neck like a necklace and her scarlet red hair was tied back in a ponytail, reaching down to about her waist. Jake had his Jounin Flak Jacket and traditional shinobi apparel. His headband was tied on his left arm like a brace.
Wil sat down across the small, rectangular table from Jake, who was reading the morning papers. The table was set for four people, because usually Nanako joined them. "What's on the menu this morning, Ash?" Jake asked without taking his head up from the papers.
"Since we all have missions today, I've made something a little hardier to keep our strength up," She said joyfully.
Will sniffed the air and instantly fell in love. He could hear the satisfying sizzle and pop of bacon and sausage. He smelled their meaty aroma as well as freshly toasted toast and scrambled eggs. The table already had designated places where the food would go, as well as a variety of drinks to choose from. Wil always had a tall glass of Orange Juice, because he thought it was the perfect complement to Ashley's cooking.
"Whatever it is, it smells great," Wil stated. "It probably tastes twice as great."
"Why thank you," Ashley said happily. "It feels good to be appreciated."
"No problem," Wil replied. There was no lie in his words; Ashley's cooking was second to none, the best.
Suddenly, the front door burst open and inside walked in Nanako. In the house of Wil, Ashley, and Jake customs were not required unless an adult was around, so whenever it was just them, they came and went as they pleased.
"Morning!" She proclaimed with a wide smile. She put her pack right next to Wil's shut the door behind her.
"Morning!" The triplets greeted her in unison.
Ashley turned around from her stove and smiled. "Wow, I see someone's ready for the mission."
"Not quite, I had to come and see what the great Chef Ashley has prepared for the morning," She said.
"Well, you're in luck. The sausage and eggs are finally done with the bacon well on its way," Ashley told her but it was also meant for the boys. "Feel free to help yourself to some toast and any one of the drinks. We have more than enough of that."
"Thank you," Nanako said and slid into the chair next to Wil and kissed him softly on the cheek.
Jake saw this from behind his papers and raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Getting a little close, aren't we? He asked Wil telepathically.
Wil just stuck his tongue out at him then turned to Nanako. "You look great, Nanako."
Nanako instantly blushed and started to obsess over her appearance. "Really? I kinda just threw something together. I didn't even have time to do my hair."
"Relax, it looks wonderful," Wil told her and smiled.
"Oh, thanks," Nanako blushed. Wil slipped his hand in hers under the table so Jake and Ashley didn't see. When they held hands, they both felt comforted, but above all; safe.
"Breakfast is served," Ashley announced from the kitchen and skillfully brought three platters full of sausage, eggs, and bacon to the table.
"Thank you for the food!" Everyone said in unison to Ashley.
"Well don't just sit there, dig in!" Ashley didn't have to tell them twice. Within seconds, all their plates were filled with food.
They ate mostly in silence, until Jake asked, "Has anyone heard word from Kakashi Sensei?"
Wil shook his head, and so did Ashley. Nanako swallowed a piece of sausage and then spoke. "Yeah, dad told me that he was out preparing the grounds and gathering things for the summoning. Oh! I almost forgot to mention!" But before she finished what she was going to say, she took a big gulp of her orange juice.
"Well?" Jake asked impatiently.
"Sasuke Uchiha is in town,"
"The Sasuke Uchiha?" Jake asked excited.
"Yup! Apparently he was called by Kakashi Sensei to help with the Summoning Jutsu," Nanako explained.
"Are the stories true?" Ashley asked. "Does he look as powerful as the legends have said?"
"It's hard to say, because I was in a hurry to get here," Nanako told them. "but he was certainly interested in you three."
"Interested in us?" Ashley clarified. "Why would someone like Sasuke be interested in us?"
"I don't know," Nanako said in between bites of a combination of eggs and sausage. "Maybe he heard how strong you guys were and wanted to see it in person."
Wil, who was quiet this whole time, mostly focusing on his meal as well as to why Sasuke Uchiha, the only survivor of the Uchiha Clan and one of the great descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, would come back to the Village after being away on a diplomatic mission at this very time? He would ponder this for the next few minutes while listening to the others talk.
"I would love to spar against someone like him," Jake wished.
"You'd get butt kicked," Ashley told him coldly.
"Hey! I could hold my own," Jake snapped. Nanako and Ashley laughed and Wil smiled a little. It became quiet once again as everyone continued eating. The telepathic lines between Ashley, Wil, and Jake were also quiet, because their minds were set on their missions. The small talk they had was simply a stress-reliever to them. To Ashley, it felt good to laugh in the midst of the seriousness. Nanako was the only one who noticed Wil's silence, but decided not to point it out until they were alone. She had always wondered and often dreamed of taking a gander into Wil's mind. Whenever she was around him (which was a lot) his attention seemed to be split, as if he was thinking of something different than the situation at hand. It seemed to help in battle though, some of his attention would be focused on the now, but the rest would be focused on the after. Nanako had always thought that was his secret to being one step ahead of his opponents. Besides that, she was always curious of what goes on in his head, what makes him tick.
Wil finished his food first and went over to the sink to clean his dishes and put them back where they were pulled from. He grabbed his pack and started to head out the door, but before he did, he bent down and kissed Ashley on the cheek quickly. "Thanks for breakfast, sis."
I'll be on the bluff overlooking the flower meadows if you need me, He said telepathically to his siblings. He never knew why he told them where he was going because he could always reach them no matter what. The three had one special thing in common that outweighed all the other similarities: they all had rings, family heirlooms they called them, that are connected so wherever they are, each one knows where the others are. Wil took it one step further and implanted the Flying Thunder God Seal into Ashley and Jake's rings so he could reach them. The three rings also have another special power, they can transform into their weapons of choice. Wil had already used his, which transformed into a golden FTG Kunai. Jake's ring is similar to Wil's but is silver and turns into a different weapon more fit for his fighting style. Ashley's is more feminine with a slender shape with a single diamond inlayed on the top of the ring. With those rings, they have shown their mighty prowess in battle.
Wil finally turned to Nanako. "If you need me, you know where to find me," He winked and left the house.
"That kid," Ashley said with a gentle smile. "I wish I could know what really goes on in that head of his."
"Me, too, Ash," Jake agreed and stood up to put his dishes away.
Nanako just sat there, smiling. She had always wondered the same thing. He was her life's great mystery. Nanako and Ashley simultaneously gulped down the last of their orange juice and followed the same steps as the boys. After that, Nanako grabbed her packs and was about to head off when she was stopped short once again by Ashley.
"Hey, Nanako, where ya going?" Ashley asked.
"Oh, umm… nowhere," She tried to conceal her true location, but Ashley saw through her clever word choice.
Ashley smiled slyly. "Okay then, have fun. Make sure to give him an extra kiss for me."
"I don't think that will be a problem for them," Jake budded in. He had the same mischievous smile on his face. "They'll probably be kissing within the first five seconds they're together."
Ashley and Jake laughed while Nanako's face turned bright red. "Is it really that obvious?" She asked them.
Ashley saw Nanako's embarrassed body language and put an arm around her comfortingly. "Oh, honey we don't mean to tease. Even if it is obvious, you two make a great couple. Wil needs a strong girl to look out for him when he gets into trouble."
"He has you two for that," Nanako countered.
"Bah, we do that to an extent," Jake explained. "but we are only his brother and sister. There is only so much we can do to rein him in."
"Besides," Ashley added. "He's lucky to have you. Now, go get him."
"Thanks, you guys," Nanako was relieved to hear that they approved of her relationship with Wil. "Oh, I almost forgot, daddy said to be on top of the Hokage Monument at dusk. I'll see ya then!"
With that, she left and headed for the flower meadows.
Even though Wil had an FTG seal on top of the bluff, he decided to walk the distance. As he walked alone, he was accompanied by his everlasting companion, the sun. He never talked to it, nor did it speak, but the sun helps him in ways unimaginable. Even when it's not in the sky and night has fallen, he still senses its presence. In battle, the sun cloaks him in its powerful rays of golden light and gives his chakra strength, though it has one drawback: his powers fade when the sun goes down. This is Wil's fury and Wil's bane. Now, though he sits on top of a bluff overlooking a field of beautiful flowers basking in the suns prevailing gaze.
Wil pulled out his Space-Time Ninjutsu research and started looking over it. His portable portal barrier was close to being finished in the scrolls, but he had high expectations for the Jutsu and hoped he could master it to a point where he could use it at a moment's notice with his hands to teleport say, a lot of kunai coming straight at him that he can't dodge. Instead of using his chakra to blow them all away, which would be exhausting, or simply being more predictable and teleporting to a FTG Kunai in expense for his chakra; he could simply use a lesser amount of his chakra to absorb the kunai into a field that transported them to another dimension and dispense them out at the person who threw it. But that idea was a ways off. For now, he just focused on completing it on paper and copying to other scrolls.
Wil had always thought better outside and in the sun, or whenever no one was around him like in his bedroom. He was lucky to have both aspects as well as the pleasant scent of the flowers as an added bonus. He carefully wrote in the proper seal attributes crucial for the Jutsu's success. The text and symbols ironically made a sun pattern on the scroll with a blank circle in the center of it. He had finally written down the last bit of text and finished up the symbols when he sensed someone sneaking up on him. There was a slight breeze that went over the person and Wil, blowing their scent towards Wil. He detected the slight smell of citrus coming from the person, which could mean two things: it was an assassin with a lot of oranges in their pocket, or it was Nanako.
"Care to join me?" Wil asked politely.
"I didn't want to intrude, you looked deep in thought," Nanako said.
"Actually," Wil started as he rolled up the scroll and stuffed it in his pack. "I just finished." He turned around to see Nanako, slender and beautiful as ever.
"Oh, cool!" she said excitedly and walked over and sat on top of the bluff next to Wil. She took a deep breath in through her nose, smelling the nice aroma of the flower fields. She lay back a little on her hands and took in the sunlight.
Wil relaxed next to her. "I never get tired of this view," Wil told her. "I don't know what it is, but something about is so familiar."
"Don't you remember?" Nanako asked like Wil had forgotten a very important detail. "This was where we used to play and train as little kids. It was here where you got your only victory in a sparring match against me."
Wil smiled as the memories came flooding back to him. "Ah, yes. Those were the days. I remember how I won that match, too."
"It shouldn't even count," Nanako protested. "You blinded me with flower peddles."
He chuckled a little. "All is fair in love and war. And besides, you have gone undefeated ever since."
That was true; Wil had never won a sparring match against Nanako after that day. Now though, it seems to her that he's letting her win. She didn't let that bother her though, instead she held her head high and said, "That's right, and don't you forget it."
She scooted closer to Wil, a subtle movement. "Oh, I won't. I would like to see anyone else try and spar against you."
Wil moved towards her and met halfway. She rested her head against his shoulder and gazed at the scenery. The rolling hills of the iridescent flowers flowing gently in the morning breeze made the scene all that more tranquil. On Wil and Nanako's days off, they almost always met on top of the bluff and just talked. The topic of conversation was very sporadic; they could go from talking about prior missions to hairstyles in the blink of an eye. Wil then suddenly fell backwards onto his back and dragged Nanako down with him. She let out a surprised scream which then turned into laughter. She nestled up close to Wil and laid her head on his shoulder and arm that was trapped under her. Wil rested his head on hers and lay there on the slanted slope of the bluff. There was silence as they both enjoyed the others company. It wasn't until about a minute later that Nanako broke the silence.
"Hey, Wil," she started. "Have you had any other visions of this new world? I mean, it's a completely new environment. It's not like going to the Sand Village for the Chunin exams or other missions."
Wil had to think about this a bit. She had a point, this new world would be different, but from what he has seen through visions he received from his kunai it wasn't as different as she expects. He sensed that she might be scared.
"You're right," Wil began. "This world will be a whole new animal. Its inhabitants are armor clad warriors that fight the ferocity of a blood thirsty lion."
"Okay, not helping," Nanako said flatly.
"But in a way, this new world is similar to ours," Wil continued. "Days go by much like they do here. The warriors train and learn, the birds sing, the wind blows, and it's all the same."
"But you said there were monstrous creatures there as well," Nanako pointed out, clinging to him a little more.
"Oh, please, we've faced plenty scarier creatures than the ones from my vision, you have nothing to fear," Wil reassured her. "And besides, you are the Hokage's daughter. You are stronger than you may realize."
Nanako felt a little safer now, knowing that it wasn't all that bad. She also had one more thing that would help her keep out of danger. "Don't forget I have the Yellow Flash to protect me as well."
She smiled up at him and snuggled in closer. Wil smiled as well. "I guess I'll be there, too. I'm glad you're my partner for this mission."
"Me too," Nanako agreed. Wil's body was so warm, it was like she was snuggling her own ray of sunshine. She could lay there all day, comforted by his presence. She closed her eyes and listened carefully for Wil's heartbeat. A steady thumping noise came from his chest that soothed Nanako and it almost made her fall asleep, until something unexpected happened.
Climbing up the bluff behind them was Kakashi Sensei. "Well isn't this a touching sight; the Hokage's daughter cuddling up with the boy of legend."
Instantly, Wil and Nanako popped up and dusted themselves off acting like nothing happened. "W-we weren't cuddling," Nanako stammered.
"It's never a good thing to lie to your sensei," Kakashi told her.
"We were just enjoying the view," Wil tried to defend her.
"Really? I didn't know close, physical contact was required to look at a view," Kakashi pointed out.
"Wil was just trying to show me something," Nanako said quickly, but she knew it was useless.
"Relax, child," Kakashi eased. "I'm not here to criticize your relationship. I'm simply here to offer you some insight that will help you on your journey."
"Oh," Wil exhaled. He thought he was in trouble. "What do you have to say?"
"You will be transported to a camp in this new world," Kakashi started. "In ways, it's like an academy, but more dangerous and you don't graduate. Wil has already seen this in his visions, so this is more to your benefit, Nanako. In this camp, called Camp Half-Blood, there are many things you must be aware of; like the warriors who train there, their training in general, and especially their customs. It is imperative though, that you don't lose sight of your training or your own abilities. Those are what will save you."
"What are these warriors like?" Nanako asked.
"They are much like the Samurai of the North," Kakashi explained. "They wear cumbersome armor and prominently use broad swords, bows and arrows, or spears in combat. Don't be fooled by their sluggish look though, they are quite accustomed to their style and are masters. They are also very smart and strong in their own way."
"So are we," Wil pointed out.
"That may be true, but I don't want one of you coming home with only one half of the other," Kakashi said coldly. That put a damper on the conversation. "These warriors are the offspring of their world's gods and mortals."
"Demigods," Wil said. "Mortals with the power of a god."
Kakashi nodded. "Their reflexes are quick, their abilities enhanced. Most can use magic blessed by their godly parent to turn the tide of battle in an instant."
Nanako and Wil thought hard about this. Neither of them knew they were going to enter a world of demigods. Things were different now, instead of hiding their skill and powers they might have to show more of it to gain the upper hand and their trust.
"What must we do?" Wil asked.
"Unfortunately, that's all the information I have for you," Kakashi told them. "If you wish to hear anything more, you will have to talk to Naruto. He's been there before and has experience fighting against demigods like these."
"Where is my dad now?" Nanako asked. She was eager to learn more about their new friends or foes, depending on how it all played out.
"He is preparing the Summoning Technique with Sasuke at the moment, he also says to remind you that at dusk you will depart," Even though Kakashi only had one small portion of his face visible, his right eye, Wil and Nanako could tell that he was scared for the two of them.
"I will leave you now, there are a few more things I have to take care of until I see you guys off on your journey," Kakashi was always good at changing subjects and there was nothing more Wil and Nanako could do.
"We'll see you at dusk then," Wil said casually.
"Indeed we will," Kakashi agreed. He turned around and started walking down the bluff. After a couple feet, he looked back and smiled through his mask. "See ya."
Kakashi flickered out of existence and Wil and Nanako were alone again.
"Demigods," Wil exhaled and sat back down on the grass. "That should be fun."
"What are demigods anyways?" Nanako asked curiously and sat down next to him.
"According to some of the scrolls I've read, they are the offspring of a god and a mortal man or woman," Wil explained. "With the combined immortal and mortal blood, they inherit extraordinary abilities rarely ever possessed by mortals."
"Does that mean they are immortal?" She asked.
"Not exactly, they can still die, but the traits inherited by the godly parent speed up the healing process and, depending on the characteristics of the god, have amazing resistances towards things,"
"That means as well, depending on the god, they inherit different powers?" Nanako was picking up on this pretty quickly.
Wil was a little surprised at her deduction. "You're right, though I fear it's a little more complicated. But in a sense, if the god was like lord of the sea or something, the demigod offspring of him or her would have some control over water, but I doubt that it's like that."
"How would we fight against warriors like that?" Nanako had pondered that ever since they started talking about demigods.
"There is a very good chance that they don't know how to use chakra or have any idea what it is," Wil thought. "Our Jutsu will definitely prove useful, but as for hand to hand combat, it might be a little tougher."
"For you, anyways," Nanako jabbed at Wil playfully. "I think I'll be fine."
"Just because you can beat me in a simple spar doesn't mean you are capable of beating a demigod," Wil said with more seriousness than anticipated.
Nanako was taken aback at the tone of Wil's voice and the sudden outburst. He was really passionate about this mission, and to be honest, it scared her a little.
"Is something wrong, Wil?" She asked. A sudden outburst from him was so out of the ordinary, she knew something was wrong.
"It's nothing," Wil said standing up and looking away.
"Come on, I know you better than anybody, that means I know when something is bothering you," Nanako pressed. "Is it something my dad said this morning?"
"No, it's just…" He trailed off.
"It's just what?" She walked closer to him. Her tone became more irritated now, but she compressed her annoyed feelings for the time being. Instead, Nanako spoke with a caring tone saying, "You can tell me anything, you know that right?"
He turned around to look at her. "I know, and I wouldn't hesitate to tell you if something was wrong for a moment."
"Then what do you call this?" Nanako blurted out and right after the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back.
Wil looked like he was being scolded and hung his head. Nanako instantly hated herself for lashing out at him like that. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Wil put a hand up to stop her. "It's okay, there's no need for apologies."
"I just didn't mean to say such—"
"It's okay, Nanako," Wil told her. He looked at her with his brilliant blue eyes. She was on the verge of tearing up, she felt so bad. "I'm just anxious about this mission. We are going to have to face, and somehow befriend, a new species of warrior that we've never encountered before. To be honest, I'm scared as hell."
"So am I," Nanako confessed. She ran and buried her head in Wil's chest and started to sob. He comforted her by padding her head slightly and holding her. "I'm going to miss this place so much. Daddy said to me that we would be gone a long time, weeks or maybe months. Who knows what the time flow is there?"
Wil just let her vent her feelings out as she cried into him. In a way, she was speaking for both of them when she talked. Wil wasn't sure how long they would be gone, or even if they return at all. He had a lot of confidence in his Flying Thunder God Technique to transport him where he needed to go, but he had never tried between worlds like this.
"And what if you're Flying Thunder God Technique doesn't work? We could be stranded there forever!" Nanako sobbed again.
"Hey, now," Wil said softly. He touched her chin softly and lifted her head to his smile. "We will return, whether by FTG style or by the gods themselves. There is one thing we will leave behind though, and that is our fear and doubt. Do you remember what I said in the meadows all those years ago?"
How could Nanako forget, that was when she fell in love with him. She said through sobs, "Together, there is nothing we can't do."
"Right, we will always be together, no matter what," Wil told her and hooked his two fingers in hers. "I will always be there for you, like you will always be there for me."
Nanako wiped away the tears with her hand and tightened her grip on Wil's fingers. "I never want to leave your side."
"I will be here," Wil reassured her.
"I love you, Wil," Nanako finally said.
"I love you, too," Wil replied. Though they were never aware of it, a bond has been formed on that bluff, overlooking the meadows; a bond strengthened by love between two people and reinforced by the passion they share.
The rest of the day was a blur of preparation on all ends; Wil and Nanako shared what they packed, though he didn't tell her about his new Jutsu that was in development. Jake and Ashley gathered last minute information and packed for their own journey. Finally, Naruto, Kakashi Sensei, and Sasuke prepared the grounds above the Hokage Monument for the Summoning Jutsu. When dusk descended over the Leaf Village, all seven shinobi gathered atop the great mountain. Wil finally was able to see what Hokage and his accomplices prepared for Jake and Ashley. What he was faced with was nothing short of amazing. On a solid, tiled stage was the formula for the Reverse-Summoning Technique that was written in what looked like blood.
"The Formula is written in a rare ingredient, dragon blood," Kakashi said as if reading Wil's mind.
"How did you get such a thing?" Jake asked in awe.
"I know a guy," Kakashi winked.
Wil surveyed the other features. The formula was a circular pattern with a blank hole in the middle plenty big enough for two people to stand in it. Candles were lit and placed at certain junctions within the scriptures. Finally, outlining the whole circle were three wooden statues of dragons. It was a very impressive sight, especially considering they only had a day to prepare it.
"This is truly amazing," Ashley said as she slowly stepped into the circle. "Is all this really necessary to send two people to another world?"
"Every part is crucial to the transport, if something was missing, the aftereffects could be catastrophic," Kakashi Sensei told her.
"We should get started, the lunar eclipse is almost upon us," Sasuke said out from the shadows of one of the wooden dragons. Sure enough, he was right; Wil could feel the sun's power slip away until the next morning, hindering his own strength. It was Jake's time of night, but something different was in the air. In a Lunar Eclipse, the sun, Earth, and the moon are aligned perfectly so the sun seems to illuminate the moon with a mystic yellow or orange glow. Legend has it that during eclipses, the heavens grow closer to the mortal world and strange things can happen.
"Right," Naruto agreed. "Jake, Ashley, if you would please stand in the middle of the summoning circle."
"Take up your positions," Kakashi said to Sasuke and Naruto. Then he turned to Wil and Ashley.
"You might want to back up," He whispered to them. They did not hesitate to clear the premises.
Wil looked at his brother and sister one last time. He made eye contact with Jake, then Ashley. Jake gave him a strong salute and Ashley winked mischievously toward him.
"When you get to the other side, search for Dumbledore. He will help you on your journey," Naruto shouted to them. "I wish you the best of luck, and may the Will of Fire burn brightly in you both."
With those last words of wisdom, Kakashi Sensei, Naruto, and Sasuke started performing the hand seals for the Jutsu simultaneously. Instantly, beams of chakra shot to the left and right off of each of the ninja onto the dragons on each side of them. Sasuke's dark, purple chakra intermixed with Kakashi's lightning blue chakra on one dragon and with Naruto's bright yellow chakra on the other. The last one had Kakashi's and Naruto's chakra combined into it, and they kept pouring it in.
If you are ever in need of assistance, just call me, Wil said telepathically to them.
And if you ever need council, you know who to talk to, Jake said and pointed to his head.
Go kick some ass, guys, Wil said as a parting. After he said that, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Naruto held out their hands towards Jake and Ashley. The three dragons shot a triple blast of concentrated chakra straight at Wil's siblings and exploded in a spectacular light show and violent shockwave. Wil and Nanako were blown back a couple feet but never lost their footing as they shielded their eyes from the light.
When the shockwave passed and the lights went out, the circle was completely empty; not just void of life, but the formula and the candles were also gone. An eerie silence fell over the scene. Did it work? Wil wondered. There was only one way to find out.
Jake! Ashley! Are you alright? Wil shouted telepathically.
There was a long silence that almost made Wil go insane, but then he heard Jake's voice in his head, We're fine. I'm glad to hear that telepathy works worlds away.
I guess there really is no distance that you can put between us where we can't reach each other, Ashley budded in.
Wil took a big sigh of relief to hear that they are still alive. Just be careful, don't die or anything.
Come on, Wil you know us better than that, Jake chided. But we best be off, this cave really stinks. We'll talk to you later.
"Are they alright?" Nanako asked. The question would have sounded Ludacris to anyone other than Wil, who actually knew.
"They're fine," Wil said with a smile. "They said they were in a cave."
"How do you know that?" Nanako asked, shocked.
"We're triplets, our bond stretches throughout the fabrics of space and time," Wil told her.
"Now it's your turn," Kakashi said turning around. Any normal shinobi who poured that much chakra into the Jutsu would have been unconscious from the serious lack, but Kakashi didn't even break a sweat. Naruto and Sasuke were the same way, unaffected from their use of chakra. Wil really wondered how powerful they actually were.
"I could teleport Nanako and I to our world without your help," Wil told them. "There's no use wasting your chakra for that."
"We're fine," Sasuke said confidently. "But what you do need is some information, a starting point."
"Wil, focus and concentrate on the general area your kunai is in," Naruto told him.
Wil closed his eyes and concentrated to where it was. Slowly, an image of an open, grassy plain came into his vision. To the right was a beach that opened up to a sea and the right was a forest with trails entering in it. There was no one around the kunai, but Wil thought the geography was familiar.
"The kunai was dropped in a field next to a forest and a beach," Wil told them. "It's actually pretty nice."
"Focus, what else do you see?" Kakashi asked.
Wil looked again, but nothing about the scene has changed. "Nothing has changed, but the place looks familiar. It's close to the Demigod camp."
"That's good, Hera did her job then," Naruto said.
"I guess it's our turn," Nanako said. Her voice was full of confidence and she showed no sign of falter. Wil slipped his hand in hers and held it firmly.
"We're ready," Wil told the three shinobi.
"Good," Kakashi said.
"When you get to the camp, look for a man by the name of Chiron," Naruto said. "Mention my name and he'll know what to do."
"Will do," Wil confirmed. He then turned to Nanako. "Shall we be off?"
"Let me do one last thing," she said and went over to her dad. She gave him a long hug before she returned to Wil's side.
"Stay safe," Naruto said with a sad smile. "Good luck."
"We'll be back before you know it," Nanako said confidently. She grabbed Wil's hand and said, "Whenever you're ready."
"I was born ready," Wil told her. With those last words, he turned and saluted the Hokage, Kakashi Sensei, and Sasuke Uchiha before he teleported to the Kunai worlds away.