...err...(peers around) yes people, this isn't a joke. This is an actual update. (cowers) I'm REALLY sorry about the long passage of time it took between this chapter and the one previous, but a lot of events have transpired in my life (some good but mostly bad) so I've been thoroughly distracted. I don't wish to talk about said things so let's just continue on with this very long chapter I've left you with. This chapter is more informative than the previous one was, but there are 2 key revelations near the end. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters of the Naruto world belong to Masashi Kishimoto and the different classes of the academy come from a mix of different games ranging from RO, Dungeons and Dragons, and Fire Emblem. The attacks will range from my own thoughts, to Golden Sun, and to the actual anime/manga Naruto. All unfamiliar peoples belong to me along with the new ideas relating classes and demons.

Chapter 7: Gaara

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind,"-Dr. Seuss

"I can't believe I had to be saddled with you for the trip."

"It's not like I'm fond of you either moron."

"This was supposed to be my training exercise. Mine. And then you and your girlfriend had to come along and take it just because it sounded good."

"She isn't my girlfriend, and you should know better than to discuss suitable training exercises in a public area. Besides, if I remember correctly, Iruka-sensei was the one who gave you the idea."

"It still gave you no right to leech off of it!"

"Your guardian gave us permission to tag along usuratonkachi."

"You could have said no!"

Cassandra spun around, eyeing the two arguing boys with disdain. So much for team morale. How the hell am I supposed to teach either of them anything if they keep competing for who is going to be alpha? They're worse than my sisters when it was their "time of the month"…or Gaara when it's his…when the full moon's out.

It had taken a lot of persuasion on Iruka's part—and a good deal of whining on Naruto's part—but the group had finally set off for Sunagakure that Monday. Chosun had told them to take only the essential supplies and tools in light backpacks, as well as lighter clothing for when they reached the desert. He also advised Naruto and Sasuke to leave behind their practice katanas and blunted daggers. Real weapons were preferred.

They had only departed from Konoha three hours ago, and the infamous duo had been at each other's throats the entire time (or so it felt like). Chosun had made the spineless but smart decision of traveling ahead of the group at a considerable distance. This left Cassandra in charge of the squabbling.

"Okay seriously, this is getting us—guys. Hey I'm sure we can work—guys you're not…look, we can work this out. Listen to me, I…guys." The boys continued to squabble with Naruto's voice growing louder and Sasuke's eyes beginning to carry a familiar tinge of red. She groaned. Damn it. This is REALLY getting on my nerves!

"GUYS!"

Sasuke and Naruto stopped glaring at each other long enough to face her.

"Unless you two want me to use you as moving targets for your first day of training, I suggest you stop arguing and pay attention. Arguing isn't going to help either of you pass your exam." Cassandra placed her hands on her hips, a firm frown set on her pretty face. "Do I make myself clear?"

The boys glanced at each other. Sasuke made a small noise of assent before turning away to focus his glare at a nearby giant tree, imagining it crumbling into dust. Naruto gazed at the earth floor, grumbling about "girls who liked to play 'sensei'".

"Good," said the sage. Smiling, she turned to greet Chosun who was just making his way back through the trees. The slayer had been scanning the perimeter of the forest they were traveling around along with the shortcuts to the Wind Country. "All safe?"

He shrugged in an inscrutable fashion. "Quite. No caravans or possible bandits in sight." One finger pointed at the bright blue sky. The afternoon sun was at an angle to where his finger was directing. "I've been keeping track of the time. At the rate we're going, it'll take about a day to leave Fire Country completely and another three days to reach Suna if we take the shortest route through River Country. We'll be able to make a stop in Tanzaku Town for extra supplies this way."

"Does that mean we're moving too slow for you?" Naruto asked, yanking the strap of his backpack over one shoulder. The strap snagged on his black jacket buttons. "Damn it," he muttered, prying it loose.

The slayer shook his head. "Normally, I do move at a faster pace than this, but moving at a slower pace will help your preparations for the exam." He continued walking, his reinforced shoes making prints in the dirt. "Special skills and talents won't get you anywhere if the location doesn't befit you. You need to know exactly what to do under any circumstances no matter how dire. With slayers, there's no room for hesitation. A moment's hesitation could spell a loophole for the enemy. For you, death or worse."

He said all of this as if he were reading a particularly dull textbook.

He's just a regular bundle of joy isn't he? Naruto thought with amusement. A green leaf, tinged with yellow, blew in front of his face from one of the trees. He exhaled, sending it over to the side to rest on top of Sasuke's dark hair. The other teen ignored it.

"Let's go boys," said Cassandra briskly. "We've got a lot of ground to cover before our first stop."


I change my mind. What am I getting myself into? I really should have considered a different job.

Seiya was beginning to have serious doubts about this mission that Tsunade tasked her with. She was no diplomat, having barely any say in the ophanin council meetings, and her role in the sanctuary was not treated as great importance.

Why should any of the humans care about what I have to say?

But a mission was a mission, and like a good messenger she would uphold her duty to Tsunade-sama.

So where do I need to go? Someplace that resembles a large tower? She glanced down at the bound scroll, the first name popping up. Hmmm…it's the Hyu…Hyuuga clan. Her face blanched. Didn't Kakashi-san say something about them being really powerful and renowned? Don't tell me I have to talk to them!

With a frantic peruse of the scroll, Seiya opted to find an easier clan to speak to as a warm-up. I won't be as nervous around the Hyuuga clan if there are others.

"Are you lost?"

The question came from a girl who looked a little younger than her. Seiya blinked and lowered the scroll. No, it wasn't a trick of the light. The girl's hair was definitely pink.

That's an odd color on a human.

"Um…did you hear me?" The girl's bright green eyes were curious. Seiya could see a lighter shade of green around the dark pupil. "I don't think I've seen someone like you around here."

Seiya smiled foolishly. "Um…sorry. I've just never seen…" She shook her head. "Never mind. I was wondering…do you know where there's a place around here that has a tower?" The scroll was tucked back into her sash.

The pink-haired girl frowned. "Hmm…um…I think you're referring to Shuryo's Tower." She shrugged. "I suppose I could show you where it is. It's not that hard to find." With a toss of her head, she walked down the paved street. The ophan hurried after her. "Sooo getting back to my original question…were you lost?"

"Not exactly," replied Seiya. She glanced at one of the shops they passed. A young girl with pale blonde hair was arranging brightly-colored blossoms in a vase at the large window. "I've been around this city before. I just don't know the specifics." I hope she's not going to ask me about why I need to visit the tower. "Thank you for going out of your way to help me…err…"

"Sakura," the girl supplied promptly. Her head tilted to one side, catching sunlight in her vivid hair. "What's your name?"

"Seiya." And that's all you have to say. You don't have to tell her you're an ophan. She was familiar with how the people of Konoha viewed demons. There was no telling if this Sakura was an exception to prove the general opinion.

Sakura nodded. "Nice to meet you," she said. A passerby waved to her. She returned it, eyes now on the forks in the street up ahead. "I take it since you don't know the way to Shuryo's Tower; you're not exactly a typical visitor." She took the right fork.

The ophan nodded, still following her.

"So are you just visiting it because you feel like it? Not many people are allowed into the tower unless it's official business. We can't exactly pop in on the council or the elders unannounced unless it's an emergency."

Friendly…and suspicious. "Do people of Konoha always question other people's motives?" I'm not trying to be rude but…this is a little extreme.

The wary look in Sakura's eyes vanished and she sighed. "I didn't mean to sound mistrustful or anything. I guess the natural attitude of the city is starting to sink into me." She rubbed one shoulder, gazing at the paved stones set into the ground. "By the way, your hair is a very unusual color…not like I'm one to talk but still."

Seiya agreed silently, eyeing the pink strands on the girl's head.

"Anyway, if I annoyed you with those questions, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to act like that." Sakura's green eyes were smiling. "I don't normally."

She sincerely looked it too, but Seiya still wasn't so sure how this girl would feel if she knew Seiya was a demon. Tsunade-sama said the people of Konoha don't trust us anymore. And that's what I have to fix.

"It's all right."

The girls continued down the bustling street in companionable silence. Occasionally, Seiya would point out a sight that had caught her interest and Sakura would explain as much as she knew about it. They passed by residential buildings which also required some explaining since Seiya had never seen so many apartments before. The sanctuary rarely built them, and even then they were only for those who wished to live closer to the administrative buildings. She also answered a few questions that the pink-haired girl tossed her way, although she was very careful in her responses.

I don't know her well enough to trust her with my duties.

At last, the girls found themselves in front of an ordinary-looking tan and white house that showed none of the typical prestige befitting of a noble clan. The entrance was set down a couple of steps with a low pagoda-styled roof. Behind the house was a large grove of trees.

"This is it?"

"No," Sakura replied promptly. "This is where the Naras live. I think Shikamaru's home, but I don't guarantee he'll get up to answer the door. He's so lazy."

Seiya stared down the steps and at the door in confusion. "Hmm. So why are we here?"

"I'm not allowed into the tower, but I heard from Shikamaru that his father is going there today for a meeting between all the clan heads. If anything, he'll allow you to come along with him."

"You sure?"

"Yes. He's one of the nicer clan heads. Just tell him what you need to do and you'll be granted a passage in." Sakura nodded and turned away. "I gotta return to the academy. Exams are starting soon so I have to practice brewing some healing potion." She waved over her shoulder. "Ja ne Seiya. It was nice to meet you."

The ophan nodded, still staring at the front door. She did not notice the other girl leave.

What's with the deer symbol?


Maito Gai was notorious for being one of the strangest of the six Masters that occupied Konoha Academy's walls, and with very good reason. He was not a devious person like Anko nor was he the epitome of stern patience like Hiashi. No, Gai was the living embodiment of energy and enthusiasm that more than made up for any that might have lacked in his classroom.

"OHAYO!" he shouted, bounding into said room with more youthful energy than small children on a sugar high. The group of fifteen in-training monks (who were there for further study to get ahead in the exams) was too startled to say anything back—except for Gai's favorite student and living human replica Rock Lee.

"OHAYO GAI-SENSEI!" he yelled back in an equally cheerful voice. The monks' startled expressions became slightly pained.

Like the slayers', the monks' classroom was large and mostly empty in order to allow room for practicing combat. However, there were no practice weapons in separate cupboards for student use and no real weapons lined the walls. A makiwara board was set up off to the side and several soft mats were strewn across the floor for warm-ups. There were also practice dummies but these were padded as opposed to the slayers' bare wooden ones. Swinging large bags, stuffed with sawdust and beanbags, hung on ropes from the raftars, which had all be reinforced with steel to keep them from breaking.

"Today, I'm going to teach you all how to relax your mind before you perform a fist flurry on an opponent. You'll need to grow accustomed to this when the exams hit." Gai gestured around at his students. It was amazing how he could go from being over-excited one minute to perfectly calm and serious the next. "First, you'll have to close your eyes."

The students glanced at each other. "We…aren't supposed to fight with our eyes open Gai-sensei?" asked one of the boys. His voice sounded perplexed.

"You won't need them for this exercise. This will test your abilities to sense another's presence by relying on touch and sound alone."

Though still apprehensive, the future monks closed their eyes. A hush fell over the classroom with the only sound being soft puffs of air.

Off to the side, Kirokose Usagi watched the progress of the students critically. I dunno, he thought. Some of them look promising but I can't say for sure if they'd be able to handle the rigorous training you need to maintain being a monk. His gray irises traveled over Rock Lee. The dark-haired teen's large brows were furrowed in concentration. Hmmm…he looks like he can handle it though.

Kirokose had originally planned to return to the city of Ame as soon as the week began, but a message from his father insisted that he should remain in Konoha as long as his cousin was staying. Being that his cousin's wife Hatsumi hadn't seen her father in a long time, he knew it would be awhile before he could return home.

It's not too bad I guess. I mean, I have something to do.

Plus, with Chosun having returned and left the city, Kiteru was not going home anytime soon. So he had to stay to ensure the hunter was teased as often as possible.

"Oi sensei!" One of the girls was calling from the back of the room. "What are we supposed to do after this?"

Gai smiled. "Patience—and close your eyes." He paused. "Now I want you to stretch your hands out in front of you. Don't close them into fists just yet." The class did as they were told. "Okay. Now close them." The class did. "Now slowly bring one fist out in front of you and just punch the air."

There was a swoop of air from all sides as the group of would-be monks did as they were instructed.

"Again."

They obeyed.

"Good. Now see if you can find the person next to you."

The room was silent except for one student who exclaimed, "Can we punch them sensei?"

Kirokose snickered. I was just about to ask him the same thing.

Gai smiled even though his students couldn't see it. The combined effect of his teeth and the bright lights from the overhead lamps was blinding. "I don't know why you would do such a horrible thing—"

I do, thought almost every member of the monk class. The only exception to the thought was Lee. He was hanging onto every word coming from his beloved sensei's mouth.

"—but if you think it would help you, feel free!"

Before anyone could ask if the abnormally cheerful man was serious, Lee acted upon his instinct. THWACK! The cleric across from him was sent flying into another pair of students, knocking them over onto a mat.

"Nice one Lee!" Kirokose commented brightly—then he frowned. "Um…Lee?"

The boy continued to move around the room, moving his arms in a practice flurry motion. The other students, now wide-eyed, scrambled away from him frantically but Lee appeared not to have noticed them. He seemed to be in a trance; going through the basics of the attack as if he were the only one in the room.

Gai approached his favorite student and peered into Lee's face. The teen's expression was calm and relaxed—but oddly slack. His eyelids were fluttering as if he were dreaming. Then Gai suddenly broke out into laughter. "It's all right everybody! He's just sleeping!"

The people Lee had knocked over twitched. The FUCK? Who goes around hitting people in their sleep?

Sure enough a strange grunt came from Lee's mouth and he swayed slightly even though his body fought to remain upright in the stance. He pivoted on one foot and spun around, punching the air as he went. His fist nearly missed another student who shrieked and ducked. Kirokose did not know why Gai was just watching this as if it were a very interesting show.

Shouldn't he stop Lee before he hurts someone else? The student he had hit before was knocked out cold, a purple and yellow bruise already swelling under his cheekbone where Lee had punched him.

But instead, Gai was grinning again. "Now this is what I hope you all can one day do! The enemy wouldn't stand a chance if you were able to fight in your sleep!" He brought his hands together. "This is excellent! Everybody copy his example!"

Kirokose snickered again and palmed his face with his hand while the monk students groaned simultaneously. Gai appeared not to have heard the noise as he was too excited.

Yep. He's definitely a loon.


Seiya wasn't sure what she should have been expecting. The interior of the Nara clan's house was about as normal as the exterior. The living room, dining room, and kitchen (all that she could see) had all of the usual furniture and appliances without a show of value or ostentatiousness. The tables did not have gilt tablecloths or patterns carved into their feet. The chairs, while comfortable, were not upholstered in velvet or silk. Paintings hanging on the walls were surrounded by plain wooden frames.

Are any of the four noble clans like this?

A sudden mental image of the pale-eyed boy, Neji Hyuuga, passed in front of her mind's eye. I seriously doubt it.

Shikaku Nara was not home but his wife Yoshino was kind enough to allow Seiya to remain in the living room to wait for him. The ophan thanked her, ignoring the curious looks the older woman was sending her.

It's been about twenty minutes since I got here…and I'm getting bored, she thought. She eyed a small carving of a deer on the table beside her. Hmmm…again…what's with all of the deer?

"And what are you supposed to be?"

The ophan's eyes snapped up. A boy with brown hair drawn up into a spiky ponytail was standing in front of her. His dark eyes were set in a bored expression.

"I'm Sei—wait. Huh?" He asked "what" I was supposed to be…not "who". She stared hard at the teenager. Does he know I'm not human?

The boy lifted his shoulder in a one-armed shrug. "You don't have to answer the question if you don't feel like it." He walked over to one of the chairs and plopped down onto it.

She stared at the boy, bemused. "You're not Shikaku Nara are you?"

A funny sound came from the boy's throat. It could almost be mistaken for laughter. "No, I'm not that old."

"Shikamaru, be respectful about your father even when he's not in the house," said a voice in the background. The boy stiffened as his mother came into the living room. A soup tureen was in one hand. "And if you're saying he's old, are you implying I'm old too?"

Seiya watched the brunette squirm with some amusement. Hmmm…so he's afraid of his mother. Interesting. Then again… she turned her gaze to the lady in question. She was a normal dark-eyed brunette with plain features. However, there seemed to be some sort of palpitating aura rising up around her in currents. It wasn't magic or anything of that matter. Just…some sort of ominous feeling. Wow…I think I'd be afraid of her too.

The boy, Shikamaru, straightened in the chair. He closed his eyes. "I'm not implying anything Mom," he said honestly. The ophan watched as he mouthed the words "troublesome".

Yoshino apparently hadn't noticed her son's silent remark. Instead, she addressed Seiya. "I'm sorry if Shikaku's late. He usually spends most of his time drinking away at the Bar-B-Q with his friends." Her mouth thinned. "I'll be surprised if he makes it back here sober at all, the idiot."

The corner of Shikamaru's mouth curled up. Apparently he was used to this sort of rant from his mother.

Before Yoshino could comment further about the antics of her husband, said husband walked through the door.

Amazing, thought Seiya. I didn't even hear him come in.

Shikamaru resembled his father greatly from the spiky brown ponytail to the seemingly permanent bored expression. However, Shikaku had a few scars on his tan weather-beaten face and a small goatee on his chin. His brown vest, unlike the bottle green one Shikamaru sported, was ragged and riddled with holes.

"So you finally decide to show," said Yoshino, her voice sounding very different from earlier. "We were just talking about you."

He blinked, a chuckle escaping from his lips. "Oh uh…you were huh?" He scratched his head.

Shikamaru sighed and got up from his spot on the couch with a muttered "Troublesome." Seiya stood up as well, her body automatically sloping into a proper bow like she did with the elder ophanin. I hope the humans do this too.

Yoshino noticed. "Oh! This is Sekai Seiya. She's a messenger from…" She frowned. "Where did you say you came from?"

The ophan sighed. I don't think there's any other way to say this without revealing my demonic heritage. She closed her eyes and allowed her aqua-white wings to unfurl from her back. Shikaku's narrowed eyes widened at the sight of them. Yoshino gasped.

Predictably, Shikamaru did nothing.

"I'm a messenger on behalf of Tsunade, leader of the ophanin demon race," she said slowly, her voice now molding to the official-sounding one she normally used in the sanctuary. "As her assistant, I was asked to come here to pay a visit to those who run this city." Her lavender eyes lifted to rest on Shikaku's face. "I was informed that you would soon be on your way to a meeting with them at Shuryo's Tower."

The man nodded warily.

Seiya smiled. "I am instructed to attend that meeting. May I accompany you there?"

Before Shikaku could reply, a derisive sound escaped from his son's throat. "Let me guess. You're crashing the meeting in order to speak on behalf of someone right? Someone much more powerful than you…your leader perhaps?" His fingers were now folded in twin steeples in front of his face, trained eyes fixed on the ophan.

Strange, but it felt like those beady black eyes were placing her on the spot. And she didn't like that feeling. It was too familiar…too similar to the scrutinizing gazes of the high-born council.

So she answered with just a twinge of defiance. "Yes that is correct." She paused before saying, "You must be proud Nara-san. You have a smart kid."

"Too smart sometimes," said Yoshino before her husband could say anything. She walked around them toward the kitchen, bopping Shikamaru on the head with the soup tureen as she went.

"OW! Mom!"

With a shake of his head, Shikaku addressed the ophan. "If you want, I'll take you to the tower. But…why couldn't you go yourself? You're here on official business."

She had an answer ready. "It hasn't escaped my notice that many of you humans dislike beings such as me. I don't guarantee that if I tried to go to the tower on my own they'd let me in. So if they know I'm with you, it'll be okay."

The implication was left unspoken: if they know I'm with you, they'll think I'm harmless.

Shikaku glanced at his son. "Um…okay."


After another hour of walking (all of which was done without any arguments between Sasuke and Naruto), the group finally found a shady spot surrounded by bushes and trees that Chosun deemed safe. The sun was now slightly lower in the sky, casting tiny ribbons of light through the thick leaves. No sooner had they dropped their stuff, he immediately ordered Cassandra to set up a perimeter with spells and traps to ward off unwanted attention. The young sage didn't argue.

"Don't go overboard on them okay?" she whispered to Chosun while out of earshot from the pair. "I don't want to resort to performing unnecessary healing potions already." That said she vanished into the trees.

"All right gentlemen." Chosun turned toward his two charges. "I'm not exactly familiar with any of your slayer techniques, so here's what we're going to do. I want you to show me a bit of what you've learned in your classes. This'll be done with a quick spar just so I know what I have to work with."

Naruto nodded. "So you're gonna watch us fight each other?"

He shook his head. "No. You're both going to fight me."

There was silence except for the whistling of the wind in the trees. Any animals they'd passed by had scattered as if sensing the reason for silence.

Sasuke nodded slowly, his face impassive. Naruto, however, looked confused. "Um…are you sure that's fair?" For you I mean.

"Oh don't worry about me Uzumaki. I'll be fine," he said calmly. "Rather…you should worry about yourself. Neither of you is familiar with my fighting style so stay alert." The deep green pools in his hazel eyes were glimmering in the shaded light, drawing attention to the ugly scar marring his face. "I'm not planning on going easy on you so don't hold anything back." He turned around and walked off until he was a few feet away from the boys. "Well…?"

They didn't move.

"Are you going to do anything or not?" One foot planted itself in a dirt pile in front of him, while he rested his weight on the back one. "Or should I?"

Sasuke too shifted his weight, furrowing his eyebrows. Beside him, Naruto was eyeing the experienced slayer warily.

"No answer?" A hint of a smile appeared on Chosun's face. "Fine then." Before either warrior could react, he waved his fingers. A rush of swirling leaves from the ground lifted up and hid his body from sight.

"Hey what—?" Naruto began.

Chosun appeared behind him with a nearly silent whisper. "Lesson one Uzumaki: don't get distracted."

THWACK!

The back of his hand collided with Naruto's shoulder, rapping it sharply. The blonde hissed, attempting to grab onto Chosun's hand. The slayer yanked it away and leaped back…just in time to dodge the barrage of kunai that Sasuke threw at him. One of the kunai barely missed his hand, but he caught it by the rounded handle.

With an enigmatic smile, Chosun twirled the knife around his finger. "Lesson two Uchiha: aim."

Sasuke said nothing but from the way his dark eyes were tinged with red, it was apparent that he did not appreciate being taunted. His fingers touched his chest, then mouth, as if allowing something to rise from within his body. A blazing aura seemed to surround him, the air growing hazy.

"Katon: Fire Breath!"

A steady stream of red-orange flames flew from Sasuke's mouth head toward Chosun. The older boy eyed it. Hmph. That's it? "You really have to ask Cassandra to teach you better tricks than that," he said, dodging the blast of fire easily. "Still need to work on that aiming."

Sasuke smirked. "No I don't."

The slayer frowned. What is he talking abou—wait. He whipped around. Naruto zipped past him, one of Sasuke's kunai in his hand. SLICE! The blade sliced against Chosun's arm, blood welling up from the wound almost immediately. Behind Naruto, the stream of fire had turned around and was speeding back toward its user.

Damn it. So he was using the flames as a distraction so I wouldn't notice Uzumaki…or the fact that his flames return to the user once he's finished.

Chosun placed pressure on the soles of his shoes and pushed up on them. FWIP! The jump sent him soaring over the torrent of fire, but the flames licked at the ends of his feet; singing his pants. Hmph. That was lucky.

He landed a few feet away and watched Sasuke smoothly suck the remaining flames back into his mouth. As expected, the Uchiha was naturally proficient with ka, the fire element. But I seriously doubt Cassandra was able to teach him everything she can do with that element. He's not training to be a sage anyway.

As for Naruto… Chosun touched the cut on his arm made by the kunai. The fabric of his long glove was ripped and he tore it off impatiently. Pride prevented him from reaching for a healing ointment to remedy his arm. I have to stay focused. Besides, the cut isn't too deep. It'll be fine until we quit for today.

"Not bad boys," he said. "You actually have me quite excited now."

Naruto rolled his eyes. He sure doesn't seem excited. One hand was kept on his weapons pouch attached to his waist, ready to draw out another kunai if needed. I wonder what he's up to now.

"Naruto, keep an eye on his movement," Sasuke said calmly. "He was relying on dodging our attacks before but now that he knows he can't do that anymore, he's probably going on the offensive."

The other teen blinked in surprise, but he knew the Uchiha was correct in assuming they would have to learn to cooperate if they were going to defeat Chosun. "Right."

Hmmm…so they're actually starting to work together. The slayer smiled. That's a good sign. Teamwork is a necessary part of survival.

There was another wave of rushing wind interrupted only by Chosun adjusting the guards attached to his elbows around his gloves. He looked up at his opponents through blank hazel eyes. The boys were now circling around him, one hand on their weapons pouches. I could attack both of them at once but they'd probably expect something so predictable. In that case…I'll just have to evade for a little longer. They assumed I wouldn't still resort to that. He smirked and hunched forward.

A frown creased Naruto's forehead. Chosun wasn't playing much of an offense. He looks like he's…doubled over in pain or something. But that can't be right. We barely touched him! So what's he up to?

"Doton: Earth Illusion!"

Chosun slammed his fist into the ground and dirt immediately flew up in a wall in front of him. Naruto recognized the gesture from one of Ero-Sennin's classes about deceptive enchantments. He'd always fallen for them when the Myrmidon Master had demonstrated. "Sasuke, watch it! It's some kinda feinting hex!"

The other boy slipped back as the dirt cloud fell away, revealing nothing. "Got it." He glanced around at their surroundings, including the earth floor. Leaves skittered down as the trees shook from the wind. Where is he? If he dug underground there would be a hole to show it…but I don't see anything. Unless…wait. Sasuke glanced at the spot where Chosun had been. It looked the same as it had before he'd used the spell, smooth and covered in twigs and leaves. Maybe there is a hole but we can't see it.

"Naruto I think he's somewhere beneath us."

"Directly beneath us?"

"Does it matter?" Sasuke asked. He took a few steps backward, looking around the clearing. He chose his tactic pretty well. We're surrounded by trees so I can't use fire to smoke him out. He could be hiding in the bushes, but those will also catch fire and it'd be too obvious to check them. I could send an electric current through the ground but there's a chance Naruto will get stunned since I can't control its direction very well yet. He glanced at his companion. "Any ideas Uzumaki?"

The blond warrior stared. "You're actually asking me for help? That's pretty desperate coming from you Sasuke."

"Shut up and just try to use that acorn-sized nut you call a brain for once." Sasuke smirked. "Don't hurt yourself now"

Naruto shot him a glare. "Oh thank you so much for your concern," he muttered sarcastically. He brushed one hand against the ground, picking up clods of earth and tiny pebbles. "Well…Chosun can't stand underground forever. The dirt is heavily packed together here so he can't puncture air holes without us seeing them. But if he doesn't get air, he can't stay under so he'll come up."

WHOOOSH! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

All around them holes were appearing all over the ground as the earth caved in. Dirt exploded up in arcs like miniature geysers. Sasuke and Naruto jumped away from them in alarm.

"You were saying dobe?"

"Well now he should be visible!" Naruto back-flipped a few centimeters away from a forming hole. "R-right?"

And then a voice came from above their heads. "Lesson three boys! Be prepared to be deceived!"

A gigantic web of sticky netting rained down upon them, the threads attached to several sharp knives that burrowed into the earth. Both warriors hit the ground as the sticky net clung to their bodies, forming a temporary prison.

Chosun landed neatly on the forest floor in front of them. He stood up straight, brushing silver hair out of his eyes. "In combat you must be able to expect to be deceived by your surroundings. Even when you've thought you discovered all of the loops and explored every corner of the area; don't expect it to remain the same if you have opponents in the same region. Got it?"

There was a hint of smugness in his voice.

Naruto lifted an arm, wincing as the sticky substance refused to yield. "What the hell is this stuff?" Sasuke grumbled beside him.

"Oh that. I researched the webbing spiders tend to use to catch their prey, and I was very impressed with how strong the threads were. So this is a variant of a spider's web although the material is not the same. It's much stickier. Notice you can't tear out of it so easily?"

Naruto, however, was not listening to the slayer. He was whispering something into Sasuke's ear. The Uchiha's eyes widened-then narrowed. "Don't use that you idiot!" he hissed. "You'll destroy this part of the forest and fry us, all even the animals. I don't want to die beside you."

"Well that's fine by me. I don't wanna die beside you either." Sasuke glared at him. "Okay, okay. I have another idea but you'll have to trust me."

The paler teen shook his head. Do I even have a choice? "Fine."

Naruto shut his eyes and focused all of his energy into the core of his heart. "Kage Bunshin!" BAMF! A large cloud of gray and white smoke covered the warriors and the web.

Chosun frowned,backing away until his heels hit the grass behind him. That technique…only higher ranked slayers are able to pull it off successfully. His eyes widened as the smoke cleared, leaving only a pile of Naruto clones in the sticky web. Where are the boys? He took out a sharpened knife and sliced through the threads, causing several of the clones to disappear in tiny poofs of smoke.

"Gotcha."

A tan hand reached up to grab Chosun's arm and yank him close to the ground. POOF! The rest of the clones vanished save for two: one being the real Naruto. The other, who was holding his arm, transformed into Sasuke.

"W-what?"

Sasuke smirked. "Not a bad idea Naruto. Using a technique like that combined with an illusion charm worked perfectly." He held a knife to Chosun's neck. "Now that I think you know what we're capable of, can we drop this senseless brawl and get to some real training?"

At this, Chosun allowed a small chuckle to escape his diaphragm. He slowly removed his arm from Sasuke's hold. "Technically, this was part of the training session Uchiha. I was just testing you to see what we need to work on."

Naruto sputtered. "Oi, you were toying with us?" He scrambled to his feet before deciding to pull Sasuke up as well.

"In a manner of speaking," replied the older boy casually. He jumped away from the boys, legs planted in an easy stance. "Good job you two. Now that I know where you stand, let's continue shall we?" It was as if their previous efforts had barely fazed him beyond interest.

The two warriors exchanged wary glances before facing the slayer. This is going to be loooooooong day.


The official council of Konoha City all glanced up simultaneously as Shikaku Nara entered the room flanked by a pale girl with vibrant sea-green hair. At the head of the large, carved wooden table, Shuryo Sarutobi stood up to greet them. Though in his early seventies, the man's wrinkled face still held the spark of wisdom and strength of a youth. His dark gray eyes squinted kindly beneath the brim of his large red-and-white peaked hat. "We were thinking of starting the meeting without you Shikaku-san." He peered curiously at the girl by the brunette man's side. "But…who is this?"

Shikaku shrugged. He wasn't the kind of guy to give introductions if the person was able to on his own. Too much work. Instead, he walked over to an available seat beside Inoichi Yamanaka and sat down.

Seiya, however, remained standing. Her lavender gaze traveled over the room's occupants, taking in the humans. So these are all of the heads of the families who run Konoha, including the noble families. The elders must be somewhere else. She recognized Haru Mikomi who was waving merrily at her from his place next to a fierce-looking woman with red tattoos on her cheeks and wild brown hair. She also identified the Hyuuga white eyes on a dark-haired man seated near the Shuryo. Seated beside him, looking nervous and tiny, was the violet-haired girl named Hinata.

And behind her…Seiya narrowed her eyes. That boy. The white-eyed boy she'd seen with Hinata only a few days prior: Neji. What is he doing here?

"Um…excuse me young lady." The Shuryo was trying to get her attention. "You were about to say something?"

Crap! Seiya tore her eyes away from the arrogant youth, remembering where she was. Focus you idiot! Tsunade-sama didn't train you to act like a dummy in the presence of Konoha's leaders.

She straightened and opened her mouth to speak. "I am Seiya Sekai. I am the personal assistant of Lady Tsunade." It was here where she decided to reveal her aqua wings to the council. "I think you might know her as the current leader of the ophanin demon race."

The council's reaction to her wings was close to what she had anticipated back with the Nara family. Shikaku didn't care of course, but the rest of the men in the room drew closer to one another. The tattooed woman crossed her arms, apparantly also at ease in the presence of a demon. Hinata's blank irises seemed to widen in awe as Seiya's wings unfurled and drooped around the ophan's body. Neji seemed to be looking past her.

"I was asked to attend this meeting in order to relay a message straight from Tsunade-sama," Seiya continued seriously. "If you'll please listen to my words, I will allow her to speak through me to you."

The tattooed woman next to Haru spoke up. "How will you do that? Do you demons have a psychic connection?" There was the hint of a growl in her speech.

Seiya smiled mysteriously, remembering the scroll listing the clan head's names. Dog-like and the only woman. This one must be Tsume Inuzuka. "Some of us are born with a distinct power to touch the minds of other ophanin and allow them to speak through us. Maybe it's what you humans would consider 'magic.' With us, it's basic genetic makeup." She closed her eyes and sought the mind of her leader up in the sanctuary office. Her body began to glow with silvery white light.

The council of clan heads waited in silence, some observing the ophan with suspicion mingled with curiosity. Sarutobi's expression was blank but there seemed to be an admiring shine to his gray eyes as he watched the girl tap into her unique powers.

"This is similar to a bloodline trait isn't it?" Haru commented. He too was watching Seiya with avid interest. "Cool."

"I don't think so Haru," said Hiashi Hyuuga. His hands were folded calmly in front of him on the table. "This isn't a trait that belongs to a single family. She did say that other demons are capable of linking their minds."

Haru grinned. "Say what you want. It's still cool though."

They waited for a few more minutes as the glow around Seiya's body centered on her face. She opened her eyes, the lavender pools shining with opaque silver. Her mouth opened and a deeper female voice came out.

"Well…this is weird. I didn't expect her to get here so soon." The glow in Seiya's eyes faded but they were not the familiar purple orbs. Instead, bright brown eyes stared back at the group. "Guess it can't be helped."Seiya's mouth twitched up into a smirk. "It's been a long time since I've seen you Sarutobi. You're looking good for a man who should have been in retirement by now."

Shibi, the bespactacled head of the Aburame clan, and Hiashi shifted uncomfortably at the lack of formal speech Tsunade used. However, Sarutobi smiled warmly. "It has been a long time. I hope you're doing all right for yourself Tsunade."

"Ha! You could say that." Seiya's lashes blinked once and she seemed to be laughing. "I could tell you horror stories about the council of high-born and how boring the world looks from up there…but I don't have long with this mind link so let's get down to business." The demon's tone quickly switched to serious. "I understand that many of you humans are still wary of demon contact after the tragedy seventeen years ago. I've seen how the people of Konoha treat Riaru as if she's something to be ignored. And don't get me started on what people think of Naruto."

At the sound of the blonde teen's name, a ripple of unease passed through the room's inhabitants except for Hinata and Neji. The pair glanced at the adults curiously. "Father, what is she talking about?" asked Hinata.

Tsume Inuzuka scratched one of her red tattoos. "Hiashi, maybe it would be best not to keep the kids in here. Remember?"

Hiashi visibly flinched, having just remembered that his daughter and nephew were still in the room. This is something they should not know about. He turned to his nephew. "Take Hinata out of the room. This information is strictly confidential."

The white-eyed boy obeyed and led his cousin out of the room. However, he couldn't help but cast a wary glance in the possessed ophan's direction. Seiya (or was it Tsunade?) ignored him.

All of the adults did not manage to breathe properly until the children were out of the room. Once they were gone, Sarutobi addressed the demon again. "What do you want Tsunade?"

"The ophanin high-born don't agree with me, but I wish for us all to start over. We made a grave mistake that day when our feud with the yokai reached an all time high. We shouldn't have involved you humans in our problems. For that…I offer my apologies. I speak on behalf of the entire ophanin race."

Shibi Aburame spoke up. "Your race has offered apologies many times in the past and we have taken them into consideration. Why are you doing this again?"

Seiya/Tsunade turned her brown irises on him. "Because I want more than just an acceptance of countless apologies,"answered the woman. "My brethren are satisfied with them, but I want something much more promising."

Sarutobi sighed and stared at the engravings in the table. "You want trust," he whispered.

"Exactly."

The council glanced at one another, sending unspoken messages. Seiya/Tsunade noticed and hurried on. "I know it's a lot to ask for but please consider it. I wish for us to start over with a new alliance where both of us cooperate with one another during harsh times. For now this time is peaceful, but there's no telling if the yokai will uphold their promise. And…I want us to be able to help you if they consider attacking here again. I know that's why you've set up your schools and adapted your own brand of magic. But I don't wish to make the same mistake seventeen years ago. So if we could just begin again…extend a hand of cooperation…" She took a deep breath. "Please tell me what you think."

The room was silent for several minutes as the group of humans took in her request. A few, such as Shibi and Hiashi, were skeptical of an alliance with the more powerful demon race. Others, like Haru and Shikaku, were more enthusiastic with the possibility. They appreciated change.

"You say you want our trust," said Choza Akimichi finally. He shifted his large frame in his custom-built seat, his girth casting a shadow over his side of the table. "That's a very delicate feeling you're asking for. The ophanin had our trust long ago. It's very difficult to gain back once lost Lady Tsunade."

"I know." Seiya/Tsunade nodded. "But I am willing to try if you are willing to accept."

"We can't guarantee that everyone else will feel the same way though," Shikaku answered. "Old prejudices are hard to lose." He yawned and settled back in his chair.

Sarutobi smiled, offering the ophan a peace of mind. "It will be difficult for the people of Konoha to regain their trust in demons, but…I don't wish for us to be at odds any longer. You were once our protectors and friends. It was a harsh time for us dealing with the yokai but it was a happy time as well. There was none of this tension that we now have." He gazed around at the members of his council. "As the Shuryo I find that I am prepared to accept an offer of friendship with the ophanin. But I will leave it up to vote amongst the rest of you."

At once the room erupted into noisy chatter.

Seiya/Tsunade snorted. "Not exactly the smartest thing to say in a room full of cranky adults Sarutobi." She blinked, her eyes retreating back into silver. "Damn, looks like the connection can't last much longer. I'll leave it up to Seiya to listen to the verdict."The silver glow faded from the ophan's eyes, leaving them once again lavender.

Meanwhile, the council members continued their prattle without noticing the change in the demon girl. "I think Sarutobi-sama has a point," said Choza, always eager to make amends. "We can't force the people to put faith in the ophanin again, but we can help by agreeing with Tsunade's request."

"The ophanin have kept to their side of the world for a very long time and have not interfered with us and our goals," agreed Inoichi. "Maybe it's time we give them another chance." He shrugged. "I don't know. What do you think Tsume?"

"Well…" She bit down on her lip with one fang. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot…but suppose something happens again. I mean, the yokai aren't exactly holy so we can't expect them to honor agreements. And if we do go through with this, we still need to run it by the elders. Who knows how long that'll take to sink in." She shrugged. "Then again, I might be biased. I'll go with the majority on this."

Sarutobi nodded, his gaze traveling over each of the council members. He bypassed Haru, knowing already what the archsage's choice was. Shikaku gave him a brief nod and a short "I concur." Now the only ones left indecisive were the two remaining noble clan leaders.

Hiashi folded his hands in front of him. "I'd like to hear what Shibi-san has to say about this before I give my decision."

All eyes turned on the quiet Aburame. He had not spoken in the past few minutes except for that one time to the possessed ophan. In a way, the final verdict mostly depended upon him.

"Our first priority in this city is the people's concern," said the bespectacled man slowly. He lifted his head, revealing the tracings of a moustache and goatee behind his high collar. "And the people are prejudiced against the ophanin because they're afraid of them. They fear what they cannot understand and they fear those who have more power over them. So by immediately granting the ophanin trust, we are going against what the people are ready for. Still…Choza has a point that old prejudices can gradually be reduced if we slowly allow the people to adapt to having the demons around. If we are all willing to work towards peaceful interaction then I will give my consent."

Everybody stared at the man, some clearly gawking. This was the most he had ever spoken at any council meeting. Apparently, the situation was interesting enough to warrant his contribution.

"Well you've heard Shibi's answer Hiashi," said Sarutobi. "What do you think now?"

The Hyuuga sighed and stared at the white wall, tiny little veins appearing on the sides of his eyes. After making sure that Hinata and Neji were not listening behind the doors, he returned his attention to his fellow council members. "I'm not sure if my opinion generally matters…but if Shibi-san has agreed to support your decision of an alliance with the ophanin then I will also offer my support. Who knows? Time may have changed a few mindsets. However, we will need some to have some changes around here to ensure we have the peoples' cooperation. Maybe we could arrange visits from the sanctuary to here every now and then to discuss problems. And like Tsume said, we will need to run this by the elders."

Sarutobi glanced at Seiya who inclined her head. "All right; looks like it's unanimous. You can tell Tsunade that we'll be expecting her sometime in two weeks. Oh and…" here he grinned. "Tell Hatori he can come with her."

"Yes…but why two weeks?"

Haru chose to explain for the Shoryu. "We're going to be pretty busy next week since we're preparing for the academy placement exams. Some of our children are working hard to advance to their next class levels. It's a pretty big deal so we won't have time for negotiations or meetings. Two weeks from now is the first examinations for the clerics so while everyone else is working hard to prepare, we can talk then."

Oooooh. This is what Tsunade-sama was talking about that day. Seiya smiled. In that case, I'm pretty sure she won't be sorry to delay anything to deal with work like this.

"Two weeks it is."


Chosun's training session nearly spanned the length of three hours and by the time he decided to call it quits, Cassandra had moved beyond setting up a perimeter. She'd gone ahead and set up camp complete with tiny spheres of soft light against the growing darkness. The trees had leeched away most of the light that could have been provided by the silvery waning moon.

"So this is light magic huh?" Naruto gazed at one of the spheres with interest. Paying attention to something else allowed him to momentarily forget about the aching in his body.

Cassandra nodded. "Yup. Unfortunately, my brand of hikari doesn't get much better than this." She shrugged. "I've never been too fond of this element so I don't know many spells beyond the basics I learned in class with Hiashi-sensei. I was lucky to pass at it."

"It's fine Cassandra," said Chosun briskly. If his body was aching after working up such a huge sweat, he didn't show it. The spheres threw half of his face in shadow. "This is better than building a fire."

"Well I didn't want to resort to that," she replied. "My ka techniques tend to be a bit stronger than most. I wouldn't have been able to maintain a steady small fire." Closing her eyes, she traced one finger through the air as if outlining the boys' forms. "Hikariton: Cure."

The air surrounding the trio suddenly became warm and the spheres of light huddled close to them. One ran along Naruto's sore arm and he felt a rush of healing warmth surge through his veins. The bruises and cuts he'd received from the training session vanished. Even the singe from the fire attacks dulled down to less noticeable marks.

"Wow." Naruto rubbed his wrists and examined his legs critically. "You'd put the clerics out of a job in no time."

Cassandra shook her head, watching as another sphere drifted over Sasuke's bruised fingers. "I doubt it. This is only a remedial healing enchantment using hikari. It's mostly for visible cuts and soothing aches. The more advanced forms of healing are reserved for the clerics and paragons. Sages are only taught enough for insurance when there aren't any healers around."

The blond watched the glowing balls of light drift back to where they were. "So besides clerics and paragons, sages and monks are the only other classes who can heal?"

Before Cassandra could answer, Chosun spoke up. "Excluding the highest classes like archsage, myrimidon, and shaman; that's correct. But it's very specific. Clerics are beginners so they don't have access to majority of the healing arts like paragons do. Monks are also limited to only healing themselves because their training focuses on mostly attack at the frontlines with no one else to worry about. They also use up too much energy for their skills anyway. The other classes must use potions or ointments brewed by the paragons if they wish to heal on their own."

The others stared at the slayer.

"You sound like you've memorized the teachers' lectures or something," Naruto muttered. He accepted a wrapped food package that Sasuke handed to him. "What did you do, sit in on all of the classes?"

Chosun smiled enigmatically. "Maybe." He lifted out a sandwich from his own pack.

For a while there was silence amongst the group save for chewing and swallowing. The evening stretched on before them like the cluster of trees that surrounded Fire Country. Tiny crickets strummed their music and fireflies came out to dance with the larger spheres of hikari. The wind from before had died down.

"So…" Sasuke laid aside the wrappings of his food package on the grass, wiping at his mouth with a paper napkin. "Who is this friend of yours we're seeing Cassandra?" His dark eyes were narrow.

Naruto grinned. "Awww, is Sasuke-kun jealous?"

Those onyx eyes were now zeroed on him, displaying clear annoyance even in the shadowed light. "No. I'm getting information."

Cassandra lowered the thermos of water she had lifted to her lips. "We'll be staying free of charge at the inn thanks to he and his siblings. His brother's the Shuryo of Suna."

Ka-thunk!

Naruto, Sasuke, and Cassandra glanced at the source of the noise. Chosun had just carelessly dropped his set of spare weapons on the forest floor. The slayer, however, ignored them in favor of staring openly at Cassandra.

"You mean…y-you never said…"

Chosun is…stuttering? What the hell? Naruto exchanged a confused expression with Sasuke. This is new.

"I never said what?"

The scarred slayer lost his dazed look and replaced it with one of disbelief. "You didn't tell me you were friends with Gaara." There was a hint of accusation in his tone.

Hn. Sasuke smirked. So his name is Gaara.

A frown appeared on the sage's face. "I don't see why I should have. What's it to you who I'm friends with?"

"It's one thing if you're friends with just an ordinary civilian," replied Chosun fiercely. "But this is Gaara you're talking about."

"And what's wrong with Gaara?" Cassandra demanded. Her bright blue eyes were beginning to darken with annoyance. The effect from the spheres did not help. "Look, I know you think he's dangerous but he's—"

"That's because he is dangerous Cassandra!" Chosun rarely raised his voice. "Why else do you think people outside of Suna fear him so much? You don't know what he is. He's unstable and—"

FWIP!

Cassandra had raised her hand in a slashing motion across the air and a jet of air seemed to slap against the man's cheek, directly over the scar. Naruto stiffened, noticing the sudden increase in tension in the atmosphere.

And for once, it's got nothing to do with Sasuke and me.

"It isn't his fault that he's the way he is," said the sage slowly with an icy glare. Her magical aura was ebbing and flowing around her body. "And he's working on controlling himself. You of all people should know that since Sunagakure is your home. Besides…" she glanced at Sasuke and Naruto. "I don't think this is the time to talk about Gaara's 'issues'. We have more important things to do." With a sigh, she stood up and walked away from the circle. Her wrist brushed by Naruto as she passed him and she suddenly stiffened. The back of her hand was tingling.

Where had she felt this before?

"Cassandra." Chosun spoke up from his spot on the floor. "I'm sorry. I just…"

The girl blinked. "It's fine Chosun. I think I'll crash early." She hurried off to her sleeping mat, casting Naruto a strange frown.

Naruto tilted his head. "Uh…what was that about?"

"You mean about Gaara?" asked Sasuke. He was staring at where Cassandra was settling down on her sleeping mat with an unfamiliar scroll and another sphere of light she was holding in one hand. Her brows were furrowed in bemusement. "Or about the funny look she just sent you."

"The second one."

Sasuke shrugged. "Who knows. Maybe she always sends you funny looks." He didn't really care.

"Hey I would notice!"

"She probably does behind your back," replied Sasuke nonchalantly. Ignoring the sputters from the other boy, he turned to Chosun. "So…just so we know what we're dealing with…what is this Gaara?"

The slayer flinched, his hazel irises fixed at a point somewhere in the trees above the Uchiha's head. "You'll see. Believe me, you'll see."


The door to Shuryo's Tower closed behind Seiya as she set off down the cobbled pathway of Konoha's main street. By this time the sun had set below the backdrop of the craggy mountain that overlooked the city and stars were beginning to appear in the sky. Lamps were being lit all over the place. I wonder what time it is.

"Seiya!"

She lowered her gaze from the sky. Haruno Sakura, that pink-haired girl from before, was walking toward her from the opposite end of the street. "Konban-wa Sakura. Are you heading home?"

Sakura shook her head. "Actually I'm meeting one of my friends for dinner. Then I'm going home." She nodded at the tower. "I hope you got what you needed there."

It wasn't exactly what I needed. "Yes. Oh and about helping me find a way to get inside earlier…thank you."

A laugh bubbled up from Sakura's throat. "You're welcome. You don't need to thank me. It was no trouble at all." She held up a finger and wagged it back and forth. "I wouldn't be a good citizen now if I turned down helping an ophan right?"

An opha…wait, she KNOWS? Seiya took a step back from the other girl. She knows I'm not a human. But I…how…I…

Sakura seemed to realize that she'd frightened Seiya. "Hey! Hey!" She laid a hand on the girl's rigid shoulder. "I didn't mean to scare you. I don't hate the ophanin. My parents don't particularly like them, but I can't hate those who I don't even know." The green pigments in her eyes were friendly. "Anyway, I knew what you were because of your hair and skin tone. Your skin is pale but it's too vibrant. Hair color like yours is bound to wash out the paleness but it doesn't in your case. So either you have a really interesting hand lotion that helps it along or your circulation is different."

Seiya stared at her. The observations Sakura had made sounded like she was conducting an investigation. "Are you some kind of detective?"

At that, Sakura burst out laughing. She brought it down to a few giggles when the ophan looked offended. "No. I'm training to be a paragon though. I need to familiarize myself with different skin tones and circulation so I know what kind of potions or herbs to recommend. It's all part of the training." She grinned at Seiya and the ophan returned it willingly. "I better be going now or Ino'll have my hide. And don't worry about me telling anyone that you're an ophan. I'll keep it a secret."

Seiya nodded gratefully and watched the girl continue on down the lit street, weaving around Shuryo's Tower. The yellow glow of the lamps caught the girl's short pink hair, softening it to a light rose. So she really is nice. A sigh of relief. At least I know I've made one friend on my own among the humans.

"So you're the ophan leader's assistant."

Seiya stiffened at the sound of the arrogant voice coming from behind her. She turned her head, just catching the sight of Neji Hyuuga in her peripheral vision. He was leaning against the tower wall with his white eyes trained on her. His cousin Hinata was nowhere to be found.

"What do you want?" she asked coolly.

Neji ignored her question. "That's why you were here the other day right? You wanted to observe humans in their natural habitat."

Why you… Seiya managed to maintain control and donned a sweet smile. "Of course you're right. I wanted to see if the other Konoha inhabitants were all arrogant little pricks."

At the word "pricks", Neji stiffened and glared at her. The ophan smiled back innocently. Innocent my ass. That pretty face just hides something really annoying. It'd been a very long time since he'd come across a female that did not swoon over him or fear him. In fact, the last girl that hadn't done either, besides Hinata, was Cassandra Mikomi…though she'd been only eight years old when they had met one another. That hardly counts.

"For someone who is of high rank you're not very polite."

"And who says people of high rank have to be polite all of the time," Seiya countered swiftly. She didn't know why she wanted to bicker with the boy. He is just a boy after all.

Neji walked toward her. His white eyes gave away nothing. "I suppose I'm just the lucky victim of your audacity then?" The tone of his voice was mocking.

"I suppose so," said Seiya in the same tone. She stood her ground even when Neji stared down his nose at her. "Not that my audacity is any of your business Neji Hyuuga."

His mouth twitched. "I don't remember introducing myself to you."

"I have my ways of figuring out names. I know you're part of the Branch family of the Hyuuga clan and that you serve as Hinata Hyuuga's bodyguard to some extent."

Neji raised an elegant eyebrow. "Am I supposed to be impressed?"

The ophan glared. Forget about maintaining poise. "Why do you wish to belittle me? Is it because you're prejudiced against demons?" She practically spat out the last word. "It wouldn't be the first time I've met someone like that."

The sage stared at her with a mixed expression. "I'm not prejudiced against demons."

"No?" Seiya looked unconvinced. "So it must be something else in me that you dislike if it isn't my demonic background. Let's see…I can think of a few things. Is it because I'm a girl?" Now her tone was scathing.

"I don't have anything against girls. Hinata-sama would vouch for that," said Neji calmly. "However…I do have something against people who I find uncomfortable and you're starting to fit that criteria joshi."

Seiya scoffed. "I don't think you're in a position to talk down to me Hyuuga-san, especially since I'm older than you."

Nani? Neji blinked. "Excuse me?" She…looks a little younger than Hinata-sama.

"Looks can be deceiving can't they Hyuuga-san?" The ophan smirked at the bemused look on the teen's face. "I'm actually turning twenty-one soon. That makes me about year or two older than you eh?" You look about Riaru's age…which still makes you younger than me. So who's the senior person in this case?

The Hyuuga said nothing. Instead, thin veins gathered at the corners of his irises; pulsing with life. His white eyes seemed to have acquired visible pupils although they were merely oval outlines within the cornea. In the darkness, they almost glowed.

Seiya shifted her body. The intense scrutiny she was being placed under was making her very uncomfortable. I feel like he's seeing through me. She blinked. What if he is seeing through me? I mean, in this world it's not completely illogical.

"What are you doing?" Whether he could see through her or not, the ophan did NOT like being inspected as if she were a specimen for the human druids to pick at. Her wings expanded from her back and wrapped around her body loosely.

Those creepy veins smoothed out and vanished into his pale skin. He shrugged. "You claim to know quite a bit about my clan but you clearly don't know enough if you can't even recognize the Byakugan. I was merely observing the amount of aura and energy your body holds. The aura is very different from a human's."

WHAT? Then he WAS seeing through me? Seiya's expression changed from nervous to furious. I feel violated. "You…ecchi!"She turned around, making sure the ends of her feathers smacked against his face. Before Neji could say anything else, she spread her wings and took off into the darkening sky.

"Neji-nisan!" Hinata had appeared in the doorway to the tower. Her pale eyes took in the sight of the flying ophan in the blue-black sky and her stiff cousin. She blinked. "I was wondering where you were. Are you all right?"

Her cousin did not answer.

"Neji?" Hinata took a step closer. "What did she say to you?" She had never seen him look so surprised before—not even when he'd been invited to Main House events as an equal.

That ophan…Seiya…One of Neji's eyes twitched rapidly. Did…did she just call me a lecher? But why would she…wait. Realizing exactly what the strange demon had thought about the Byakugan's power, he chuckled and shook his head. That girl has a weird imagination.


Two days later…

"It's…too…HOT!"

Sasuke covered his eyes with his hand, biting back a groan of exasperation. The border separating River Country from the harsh terrain of Wind Country was now far behind them. They had all changed into the lighter loose clothing Chosun had instructed them to pack. So Sasuke had listened to him, changing into a pair of longish black shorts and dark red shirt. Chosun also warned them to also keep their coats or cloaks handy as they were not used to the rough terrain.

Unfortunately, Naruto had been complaining about the blistering weather ever since they had set foot into this infernal desert and it was beginning to drive him nuts.

"Dobe, you're not helping anything by complaining."

"Sure I am," replied the blond warrior. A drop of sweat from his brow slid down his cheek to waltz along his jaw. He tugged impatiently at the hem of his thin gray T-shirt, peeling it away from his skin. He could not do the same with his blue jeans which felt extremely uncomfortable in the heat; Chosun knowing best or not. "I'm helping myself by voicing my opinion."

"What kind of logic is that?"

"I don't question your mindset teme. Don't question mine."

Cassandra exhaled beside them, her hair tied back in a high ponytail. The long strands still clung to her sweaty neck and the collar of her blue cloak. "Guys…please…it's too hot to argue."

Both boys fell into disgruntled silence but they continued to seethe. The bastard probably can't feel the heat because of the glacier stuck in his ass, Naruto thought darkly, glaring at Sasuke.

The Uchiha returned it. I should set him on fire. That'll show him the meaning of hot.

"I have a question Cassandra." Chosun was peering at a faraway sand dune. Unlike the others, he wasn't perspiring much at all. He also seemed perfectly fine with wearing his arm guards and brown flak jacket despite their heaviness. "If you're all so affected by the heat, why don't you use some of your hyo and sui to cool things down?" Before you all drive me up the wall.

The sage shook her head, wincing. "Sorry but I can't. Using my magical aura requires energy and I need my energy for walking across this." She gestured at the desert, wind billowing across the sandy floor. Sand rustled against the black leggings she chose to wear to protect her skin against the gritty feel. She drew the blue cloak around her, hoping to keep the sun off her tied, sleeveless shirt. "We'll have to do without until we reach somewhere safe to set up camp."

"How about burrowing into a sand dune?" Naruto suggested.

He was greeted by three pairs of eyes all displaying the same expression: annoyance.

"Or we could just find a spot with no hot wind…if that's possible."

Spontaneous combustion sounds like a really good idea right now, thought Sasuke darkly, his eyes fixed on Naruto from beneath his blue cloak hood.

Cassandra groaned. "Just shut up Uzumaki." She squinted at the dry mountain ranges in the distance. Dust rose up into her line of sight. "Suna is somewhere over there so we'll have to keep moving until the sun reaches the highest point in the sky. It'll be too hot to travel during that time so we'll wait it out until the early evening."

The experienced slayer snorted. "I knew it was going to take awhile to reach the city. I wouldn't have bothered about the heat and just continued on."

"Well not all of us are from around here Chosun," said Naruto airily. "So if you don't want to have to write down that your companions died from heatstroke, you'll take that into consideration."

Chosun frowned but refused to comment further. The other teen was right after all. He did have to take into account that the trio was not accustomed to the harsh regime that surrounded Suna from all sides.

The party of four set off across the vast desert. Hot winds continued to blow around them and stir up gritty yellow-white sand into piles and against their clothing, but not high enough to catch in their eyes or mouths. The blue sky seemed to blaze with the sun's flaming arms, sending hazy streaks across the few clouds.

Naruto walked slightly behind the others, thinking over the previous days spent leaving Fire Country and traveling through River Country. Chosun had kept up with his sparring lessons with him and Sasuke while Cassandra watched. The girl had also participated in the later training sessions by providing summoned elemental creatures as targets. Training in River Country's lush forests and waterways proved simple this way.

But here? He wondered if Kakashi-sensei and Iruka had expected him to do the same things in the arid desert. I'm pretty sure traveling through this place is good for toughening somebody up, but I'm not so sure about fighting. I don't think anyone wants to fight in this humidity.

Another drop of sweat ran down his forehead to the arch of his nose. He rubbed it away impatiently. I wonder what the people of Suna City are like. According to Chosun they seem like barbarians. Or maybe it's just that Gaara friend of Cassandra's.

They had not touched on the subject of Gaara since that day Cassandra had defended him against Chosun's accusations. However, Naruto was inclined to believe that neither of the elder teens had forgotten about it. It's such a touchy topic.

A hand on his clothed shoulder caused him to jump. "Relax dobe, it's just me." Sasuke removed his hand. "Just keep walking."

Naruto shot him a look. "Don't do that," he hissed. "And…wait, why are you walking next to me anyway?" Willingly that is.

The Uchiha tilted his head in the direction of Cassandra, his dark bangs clinging wetly to his face. She had pulled out that unfamiliar scroll and was perusing it again despite the hot winds blowing and scratching at it. "I want to see what she's reading and since you're walking behind her…"

"Oh." Come to think of it, I'm kind of curious myself.

Both teens continued moving while keeping their eyes carefully on the scroll in the sage's hands. Unfortunately, Cassandra held it close to her face so only a few letters seemed to be visible.

I see a "y" and a…an "i"? Naruto frowned and tilted his head sideways as if he could see it better from that angle. And there's a "d" that's not part of that same word.

"You can angle your head in any position and I'm still not going to let you read it Uzumaki."

Shit! Naruto snapped his head upward. Cassandra was still facing resolutely forward but her eyes were looking at him from above the scroll's edge. How was she able to see me and still read that thing while walking in a straight line?

Sasuke shook his head and opened his mouth to chastise the moron for getting caught but Cassandra cut him off. "Don't think I've forgotten about you Uchiha. Contrary to what you believe, I'm not deaf."

He closed his mouth with a click and struggled to keep his normally impassive face from showing shock and disbelief. Naruto was snickering beside him.

Usuratonkachi.

The sage glanced at her housemate over the parchment and smirked. Sorry Sasuke but this is part of that research I was talking about. I can't tell you anything yet. Her blue eyes switched their gaze back to the chortling warrior beside the Uchiha. They seemed to trace his bizarre whisker marks. You're a very interesting person Naruto Uzumaki. She glanced down at the calligraphy inked onto the scroll, etching out the differences between demons and humans. The back of her hand tingled. Very interesting.


SWISH! SLASH! Ka-shhhhkkkkkk…

"Give me another one! I can take it!"

Kiteru paused to take a breath. "Sen, d-don't you think this is enough? We should take a break. B-besides, it's getting close to noon."

"Just toss me another log. I wanna try something new before lunch."

With a sigh, he picked up the block of wood and threw it at the slayer. Senko leaped into the air, moving only one hand through air in quick slashes as it came in contact with the log. SLICE! She landed neatly on the grass, the log toppling in several pieces around her.

Riaru watched the other girl's progress with interest from the side. "How did you do that? I didn't see you draw any weapons and I know you're not strong enough to just chop away at the block like that. You've never trained to be a monk like Kirokose."

"That's because she's cheating," replied said monk. "She's got something hidden in her hands or something that's too small for us all to see."

Their friend grinned. The blue-haired boy had assumed correctly. "It was this." She turned her wrist over to display a retractable dagger attached to her black-gloved wrist. The ends of the dagger gleamed. "Pretty nifty huh? It's used for fast sneak attacks."

The ophan blinked. "Did they give you it at the academy?" she asked.

"Nah. My dad gave it to me for my birthday. I haven't tried it out until today though," said the short-haired girl brightly. She glanced over at Kiteru, who was dutifully collecting the fallen pieces of wood. "Oi! Leave 'em."

Riaru grinned. "Birthday huh?" The smile slowly faded from her face. "It's nice to be remembered on the day you were born." I don't remember anything from my birthday except for that one guy who looks like Naruto. And even then I don't know if my memory's just playing games with me.

She tried to recall the dream she'd had about the mysterious handsome man with blond hair. His image had been blurred as if someone had taken a knife and a wax candle to it. Only the blond hair continued to shine above the blurry facial features. Who was he?

Her friends noticed the sudden change in her face but took it as an expression of sorrow. Senko worried her bottom lip between two teeth. "Maa, sorry about that Riaru. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

Only the ophan was capable of pulling concern out of the normally fierce slayer.

Eh? "Oh! It's fine!" Riaru stammered. Her mouth pulled up in an easy smile. I think I better change the subject. I don't like my friends feeling guilty. "So, do you know what Kakashi-san has planned for Naruto and the other future slayers?"

The other girl shook her head. "Nope. He's been real secretive about the test. I'm not even taking it and he won't pass a word in my direction. It's not like I've spilled information about the slayer exam before." She ignored Kirokose mouthing the words "sure you haven't" behind her.

Riaru began to look worried. She knew Kakashi-san was notorious for giving his students difficult tests that had a high percentage of failure. She didn't want to be rude, but sometimes she figured the man was a closet sadist.

I hope Naruto knows what he's in for.

"If you're thinkin' about Uzumaki right now, don't," piped up Senko. "He's in capable hands."

"Y-yes. Chosun-kun and Cassandra will look after him," added Kiteru earnestly. He chose to abandon picking up the log pieces and simply sat on the grass, watching the short bristly stalks wave back and forth. "And I'm sure he'll learn to get along with Uchiha-san." Riaru sent him a strange look. "U-uh well…one can hope. I'm trying to be optimistic here."

The ophan nodded. I know you are. She sighed and brought her hand to her forehead. "But I can't help it. Cassie's never had to handle Naruto before. I hope she knows how unpredictable he can get."

Senko snickered. There was an odd twinkle in her red-brown eyes. "And who says that Cassandra isn't unpredictable?" She unsheathed one of her swords from its scabbard attached to her waist and started practicing with it. "We haven't hung around her for quite a long time but I doubt she can't hold her own against Naruto even if she isn't part of the same class." She spun the sword in a wide arc, transferring it from her right hand to the left. The blade whistled across the grass. "Sages aren't meant to be weak."

"A-and if not her then Chosun-kun is more than a match for him and Uchiha-san," Kiteru chimed in. "He's been a slayer for awhile so he's much more knowledgeable and clever with his weapons and—"

He stopped talking due to the looks the girls were sending him. Riaru looked mystified while Senko's expression bordered on amused. In the past few days, Kirokose and Naruto had filled her in about Kiteru's possible "crush" on the taciturn slayer. She couldn't understand it at all, but who was she to judge?

"Oh please do go on about Chosun's cleverness with his weapons," said Kirokose, grinning widely now. "How do you about that? Did you get a hands-on experience?"

"KIRO!" Kiteru was scandalized. "D-don't be such a h-hent-tai!"

"I'm the hentai? You're the one thinking about it," Kirokose answered with a small chuckle. The other boy was too entertaining when he began stuttering.

The hunter opened his mouth to argue—then shut it with a click. What was the point? He turned away to grumble (and stutter) about sadistic monks and their poor victims. Kirokose smiled, an invisible scoreboard floating over his head. Me: 1, Kiteru: 0.

"Who kicks ass?"

Senko sneered. "Keh. You don't."

"You're mean!"

Riaru smiled, amused at her friends' antics. I can count on them to keep my mind occupied from dreary thoughts. But still…it isn't the same as being around Cassie or Naruto. She shut her eyes to lose herself in the recesses of her mind. The sound of the others faded into the background. I wonder how their trip is going.

She tried to imagine them trekking through the hot sands that surrounded the city of Suna. Naruto would probably be complaining about getting sand in places he didn't think were possible. Sasuke and Cassandra would have blank expressions, but they probably wanted to complain about the heat and lack of water. And Chosun would be unaffected by the harsh weather, but annoyed with everything anyway.

The ophan laughed quietly. I'll bet it's grueling.


By the time the sun was high above the sand dunes and mountains, the little band of travelers had finally trekked across the difficult part of the desert. The ground gave way to rocks and short patches of sand and dried clay. The heavy wind had died down, leaving behind heat to blur distant images and raise the temperature about one degree short from Hell. That is, unless Hell was a frigid wasteland.

They walked a few more feet before Chosun found a spot in the shade of a rocky cliff that he deemed safe. Naruto immediately flopped down in the shade sending sand up from the ground and his clothes. It wasn't exactly any cooler but the shade helped keep the sun off.

Sasuke sat down beside Naruto but resisted the urge to follow the other boy's undignified example. He instead concentrated on brushing the sand off his cloak and pants. Chosun began laying down tarp on the sand and Cassandra conjured some ice cubes out of nowhere to help the boys cool off.

"Is the weather just like this in Suna?" Naruto asked Chosun. He pressed the melting ice cube against his temple. Oh that felt good!

The slayer paused in laying down the tarp. "You're lucky we're not due for any sandstorms, although Suna is protected against things of that nature.'

"How much further are we?" Sasuke stared in the direction they had been traveling as a bead of sweat traveled down his brow. The mountains were as blurry as ever. "I can't tell."

"We're almost there," Cassandra informed him. She tossed bottles of water (chilled from her hyo) at them and settled herself down to read the scroll again. She made sure to keep its contents hidden from the curious would-be slayers. "You can't see it now but we'll probably reach the base of Suna at nightfall."

Naruto shifted onto the tarp that Chosun had lay down and closed his eyes. Guess nobody should care if I take a nap right? They wouldn't be moving until the late afternoon anyway.

Beside him, Sasuke snorted. He should be going over what Chosun's taught us so far and instead the dobe feels like resting? He shook his head and closed his eyes to do just that. At least he could use this time to do something useful.

Chosun ignored the fact that Naruto was taking up so much space on the tarp and set about removing a few other supplies needed for the long waiting period. He then moved to the least shady side of the cliff to stand guard.

For the next half-hour, Naruto napped and Sasuke meditated. Chosun came back to retrieve some water and returned to standing guard. Cassandra finished perusing through the scroll and laid it back into her pouch.

It's a good thing we found shade. I only know so much about treating sunburn let alone sunstroke, Cassandra thought. She stood up, brushing some excess sand off her lap. Her eyes squinted as they stared into the distance where she was pretty sure Suna was. Hopefully I can have access to the library once we get there. I can't figure out everything from this one scro—eh? She frowned. While most of the area was blurred from the heat, a darker blob seemed to be coming toward them.

What is that?

Chosun noticed it as well. One hand flew to his weapons holder. He gestured for Cassandra to alert the boys as he stared at the approaching blob. This could be dangerous.

WHAP! WHUMP!

"OW!" Naruto shot upward, clutching his head. "What the HELL was that for?"

Sasuke's eyes snapped open and his hand closed swiftly around his housemate's wrist. Cassandra clacked her tongue impatiently against her chapped lips and yanked her hand away from him. "Geez, do you always have to attack me when returning to the world of consciousness?" She got to her feet swiftly.

"Sorry." The boy stood up and brushed his sweaty raven bangs out of his eyes. By now the blob had sharpened into two barely visible figures. One appeared to be slightly shorter than the other.

As the group watched, the two figures slowly approached the cliffs. Then their faces became visible and Cassandra let out an uncharacteristic shriek.

"TEMARI! GAARA!"

She took off across the sand, ignoring the blazing sun overhead, and flung her arms around the slightly smaller boy. The figure beside him, revealed to be a young woman with sandy blond hair, looked perplexed.

Chosun let his hand fall away from his weapons holder but his shock was apparent. Did she say…Gaara? He clenched his teeth. Damn it.

Naruto and Sasuke blinked simultaneously. So there wasn't any imminent threat?

The sage drew away from her red-haired friend and grinned. "Heh sorry about that. I got a little excited there." She took in his stiff appearance. "Oi, receiving a hug is not exactly a bad thing."

Gaara seemed to come to at that statement. He shook his head. "It just feels strange." His voice retained an emotionless timbre. "Are these your companions?" He tilted his head at the still shocked Naruto and Sasuke. Chosun remained in the shadows for just a little longer.

"Yup," said Cassandra. She motioned for the others to come over out into the sun. "You probably already know Chosun hiding over there. The blond kid with the goofy look on his face is Naruto Uzumaki. And the broody one next to him is Sasuke Uchiha." She nodded at the redhead. "Guys, I'd like you to meet Subaku no Gaara and his sister Temari."

Subaku no Gaara? Naruto blinked. That's a wierd name for a person.

He and Sasuke, not knowing what to do really, bowed. Gaara returned the gesture but Temari rolled her eyes. "Honestly! What's with all the formality? We're all around the same age right…except me probably. I'm way too old." She grabbed Naruto's hand and shook it. Up close, he noticed she was very attractive with piercing dark green eyes and a curvy figure her long black kimono did not hide. Her hair stuck out in four odd ponytails on each angle of her head. Her grip was callused and very strong.

"Nice to meet you," she said to him before turning to Sasuke. "So you're the Sasuke that Cassandra's talked so much about." The green irises raked over his body shamelessly. "You're cuter than she said."

"Hn." The Uchiha gave his traditional grunt while Cassandra suddenly looked very interested in a small outcropping of rock jutting from the ground. A small pink hue spread across her pale cheeks.

While Temari was shaking the onyx-eyed boy's hand, Naruto got a good look at Gaara. The boy was a little shorter than he was, although the slender build in the red overshirt and burgundy trousers was obviously hiding some sort of muscle; because there was no way he'd have been able to carry that huge gourd on his back. His hair, in contrast to Temari's sandy blond, was dark red and his aqua green eyes were surrounded by thick dark lines. Eyeliner…or lack of sleep? He also clearly lacked the tan complexion expected of people who lived in the harsh desert. How?

"How did you know we were here?" Chosun demanded.

Temari grinned and released Sasuke's hand. Her vivid eyes sparked. "Word got to us that you were coming sometime tonight but we didn't feel like waiting. So Gaara managed to locate where you were staying."

Chosun narrowed his eyes. "I see." He didn't press as to "how" Gaara had managed to do that.

"We figured that the reason your group would not want to travel during this time was because of the heat," said Gaara, allowing a millimeter smile to pass over his lips. "You're not used to it."

"Correction. They're not used to it," said Chosun. He jerked his thumb in the direction of his traveling companions. They scowled at him. "Don't group me in the same category."

"Hey, we can't help that we're not from around here," Naruto protested. "There isn't anything like this back home with all the trees and grass and water."

The siblings looked puzzled. Trees and grass were not foreign to them, but it was still difficult to imagine a place completely surrounded by greenery. Not to mention excess water.

"Whatever," said Sasuke. His dark irises were laced with impatience. "If Cassandra's friends are here, maybe it would be okay for us to travel at this time. Suna's not that far away is it?"

The redhead glanced at him, scrutinizing his appearance. His light green eyes seemed to flare with avid interest. "No." He turned his gaze to Naruto. The bright sun caught the green irises, making them almost blaze. "Not at all."

Temari noticed the look her brother was giving Sasuke and Naruto, and gulped. Oooh shit. I think the demon senses their aura. They must be pretty strong. "Um…hey…how about we gather up all your crap and get to the city before it gets dark? Consider walking through this weather as part of your training. It'll also help you adapt to the terrain around here a lot faster." She tilted her blond head. "Sound good?"

Naruto tore his gaze away from meeting Gaara's eyes. The intense stare the other teen was giving him was bordering on uncomfortable. I think he wants to kill me or something. "Yeah! That sounds good! What do you think Sasuke-teme?"

"Hn."

"…I guess that qualifies as an 'okay.'"

Cassandra worried her bottom lip between her teeth. She had also seen Gaara's strange expression as well as the malevolent atmosphere rolling off his body in waves stronger than the heat. Shukaku's itching for a fight. I can feel it. And yet…this weird sensation I've felt around Gaara…is that what I've been feeling around Naruto lately? Naruto's aura is different, but the undertone is the same. She bit her tongue. It couldn't be what she'd been suspecting. The mere coincidence was…

"Cassandra."

She looked up to see Sasuke nudging her shoulder. Naruto and Chosun were already gathering up their supplies while the siblings looked on. "I…what's up?"

"Are you okay? What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing too important," she said, choosing her words carefully. "I'm fine Sasuke." She smirked. "Be careful otherwise people would think you actually worry about me."

"Hn." Sasuke rolled his eyes. His stoic mask was back in place. "Like that'll ever happen."

"That hurts my feelings."

"I'm sure you'll live."


The wind rushed through Riaru's hair as she flew over the sanctuary grounds. The whole of the grounds bore little resemblance to Konohagakure's bustling streets since the ophanin preferred rolling green meadows and sidewalks that glimmered from frequent polish. I guess we can't resist showing off. She landed in front of the enormous council building and its surrounding walls. The fountain statues in front, depicting the three greatest ophanin leaders, gleamed as clear water splashed around them.

Riaru stared at the statues, particularly the top one. There's something familiar about that one. She couldn't see it too well due to her slight stature, so she used her wings to help her hover over it. Her eyes widened as she gazed at the carved features. He looks…like…that man in my dreams. She reached out to touch the handsome stone face. If I added whisker marks, he'd almost resemble—

"RIARU!"

"Eep!" Riaru squeaked and withdrew her hand from the statue. Unfortunately, the person had startled her so that she forgot she was hovering directly over the fountain.

SPLASH!

The girl came up for air, sputtering water. Across from her, the ophan that had called her last name burst out laughing. She glared at him through dripping green bangs.

"Was there something you needed Hatori-san?"

Hatori stopped laughing and brushed the tears from his eyes. "N-not really. Sorry about that." He grinned. "Got your attention though ne?"

The glare intensified.

"Err…yeah. I'll just be going now." The older ophan waved weakly and scampered off around the side of the council building.

Riaru sighed and got out of the fountain. Squelch. She winced, feeling the cold water run down her back and soaking her dress. Droplets rained down on the marble floor. I would kill him if I had the heart to. Sighing, she squeezed out the excess water in her hair and let the sun do the rest of the drying process. But my name isn't Naruto so he's safe.

She sat down on a wooden bench near the fountain. The statue of the Naruto-look-alike seemed to smile at her encouragingly. I wonder which leader you were. The first? The second?

"I can't believe you Hatori! That fountain is sacred!"

"And not to mention all that water is over the ground now! Water isn't cheap you know!"

Angry voices drifted over to her from the council building. She stood up. Are they chastising Hatori-san for making me fall into the fountain? She shrunk her wings and walked over to the side of the building. Whoever was speaking couldn't see her from this angle.

"Hey I didn't mean to startle her." Hatori's voice sounded earnest. "And now that I think about it…why are you so concerned for the fountain's welfare? Shouldn't you be more concerned about Riaru's?"

One of the voices, a female, snapped. "We were just getting to her actually. What if she'd injured herself?"

"But she didn't," said Hatori cheerfully. "Her wings shielded her from the brunt of the fall."

"Don't think you can excuse your actions just now!" said the female ophan harshly. "What if she couldn't use them to react in time? Or what if she hadn't learnt how to fly yet?"

Hatori looked confused. I don't get it. Then she wouldn't have been able to get up there in the first place.

"Why was that child so interested in the fountain anyway?" a male ophan asked. "She's never taken a glance at it before."

Hatori fell silent for a few minutes. When he finally spoke, his tone was serious. "She was looking at the statue of Minato."

The group of ophanin drew in a collective gasp. "Namikaze-san?" the female ophan whispered. The name sounded like a prayer. "Why?"

Minato Namikaze, Riaru recited to herself, fixing the name into her memory. The man in her dreams now had a name to add to the face. Minato Namikaze. Konnichiwa Minato Namikaze. You may call me Riaru.

"Why?" the ophan repeated and there seemed to be barely suppressed emotion behind her voice.

"I don't see why she would be interested in him," said another ophan. "After all, she was only a year old when he died."

Hatori deliberately took his voice down a few notches because Riaru could barely hear him over the chatter of the other demons. She leaned closer to the building. "Listen…the kid has every right to be curious about the sanctuary's leaders. We barely pay her enough attention when she does come up here to visit. You've all seen her hard work in the Tenshi Garden and I've never seen her complain about it. Minato knew what he was doing when he saved her."

"I'm sure he did." Another male ophan sounded skeptical. "But what about saving his son eh? I'm not sure it was a good idea to seal the demon. There's no guarantee it will hold."

Riaru took a step back when Hatori raised his voice in outrage. I guess he decided to forgo whispering. "Are you saying my cousin should have let Jin kill him? That's practically like filicide! Minato wanted his son to live."

"And we abided by his wishes. His son is still alive along with Riaru." The female ophan seemed to be doing her best to soothe the distressed man. "However, sometimes I wonder if it was kind of us to let the boy live. I mean…he still doesn't know what he is."

"Or what he can become," added another ophan.

"And isn't that our fault?" Hatori sounded sarcastic. "We could have allowed Iruka to tell him."

Iruka-otousan?

"You know he is sworn to secrecy as is anyone else who is aware of what kind of power the boy holds. Iruka stated that was part of the bargain with Jin."

Hatori frowned. "I still say we've been stupid this whole time. Forget our tension with the humans. We should have told Naruto everything years ago. Minato wouldn't have wanted him to be completely ignorant. Then at least he would know why he never fit in down there."

Riaru's jaw dropped. She stumbled backward, her heart racing. D-did they say…Naruto? She turned to look at the statues in the fountain. Minato's statue was smiling at her and she realized now how similar that smile was to Naruto's.

So that means…Minato Namikaze…was…is…Naruto's father?

If the previous leader of the ophanin was Naruto's father, wouldn't that make Naruto an ophan as well?

It was absurd. Naruto did not have any of the primary characteristics of an ophan. He had no wings or any means of flight. His skin tone did not have the vibrant glow that ophanin seemed to emit. Any of the unique gifts ophanin had were inaccessible to him. And he was very slow at mastering the magic the humans used when they should have come easy to him.

But…it kind of makes sense. He looks like Minato-san. He's very different from other people. The amount of energy he has is almost abnormal. And he has accelerated healing. I've seen it once before. But…but Naruto doesn't have Minato-san's last name. He's an Uzumaki, not a Namikaze. Then what does that mean? Was he illegitimate? And if I was saved along with him…is my father…Namikaze Minato? Are we…is Naruto really my brother?

Riaru pressed her fingers to her head. She felt dizzy.


The city of Suna was strange but beautiful in an aesthetic way. It was situated within a wall of earth and stone, hidden away from the desert winds. A large crack in the wall served as the single opening inside the cliff.

Gaara and Temari guided the Konoha group inside the "doorway" (bypassing the guards) and they emerged onto a paved street with large earthen buildings on all sides. Some buildings resembled domes while others seemed to be spheres and cylinders stacked on top of one another. Windows and doors were hewn into the craggy streets snaked around the buildings, forming a series of maze-like passageways and alleys. Wooden stands and signs were scattered along the edges of the streets just like back in Konoha. The air was thankfully much cooler than outside even though the sun was still angled toward the city.

"Sugoi." Naruto gazed at his surroundings in awe. "This place is amazing."

Temari smiled at him. "Glad you like it so far." She pointed at a large tan building in the center of the city. It was shaped like an upended bowl with the windows serving as designs. A large white circle with a red symbol for "wind" was etched along the front. Earth passages snaked around and out of the building. "That's the administrative building. It's where the Shuryo works and where the conference rooms are held. Some of the other city officials live there as well." She nodded at a spot of green that was visible behind the building. It looked strange compared to its arid surroundings. "We've got a greenhouse up there. Some of the plants are converted into medicine by the sages."

"You've got sages here too?" Naruto asked. He was surprised.

"We aren't as different from Konoha as you think," Gaara answered him tonelessly. "We have similar classes and we do have a small academy with which to teach the students. The only classes we lack are those in the healing department. Mages and sages take over that department."

"So what class are you supposed to be then?" the other boy couldn't help asking. He had a pretty good suspicion that Temari was from the warrior class or higher, but Gaara's status eluded him.

Gaara returned his curious blue gaze blankly. "Different," he said and left it at that.

A few of the city's inhabitants were coming out of their dwellings. Those who recognized Chosun greeted him with enthusiasm. Others took to staring at the group as they made their way under a rock-hewn canopy and into the administrative building. It was here that Cassandra hung back.

"Uh…guys…you can all arrange the living arrangements without me can't you? I'm going to check out the library."

"But we just got here," said Chosun. "Your personal studies could wait couldn't they?"

The girl shook her head. "I'm afraid not. If I delay this any longer I might end up forgetting what I was supposed to be looking for."

Temari noticed the discreet look Cassandra was sending Gaara. She had a pretty good prediction as to why the sage insisted they leave without her. She needs to speak to Gaara alone. "Come on then boys. Gaara will look after her. Won't you otouto?" Her speech was mockingly sweet.

Gaara glared at her for the addition of "otouto", but he nodded slowly.

"Go on then." Temari nudged each of the younger boys forward. Well…except Chosun that is. He just stalked on ahead, shooting a suspicious glance in Gaara's direction as he passed. The redhead merely gazed at him as if he were nothing more than one of the millions of dirt specks on the desert walls.

Sasuke shrugged and was about to follow the pair down the hallway when Naruto laid a hand on his arm.

"What dobe?"

"Sshh." Naruto gestured to the disappearing backs of Cassandra and Gaara. "I'm gonna follow them."

"You'll get in trouble."

"I know." The blond warrior tugged his rival after them. "That's why I'm taking you with me. Cassandra won't do anything to you."

Sasuke struggled to hang back even though he was warring with curiosity at what the sage was up to. "I'm not getting in trouble for anything you do! And just because I'm her housemate doesn't save me from her wrath. Besides, there's still Gaara. We don't know what he's capable of."

Naruto cuffed him over the ear. "Shut up will ya? They've stopped." He muttered "Fuuton: Cloak" under his breath and managed to cover both his and Sasuke's bodies with the spell before anyone could spot them. "Now just stay quiet."

"You're not one to tell me that you loud-mouthed knucklehead."


Once the others were presumably out of earshot, Cassandra tugged on her red-haired friend's arm to get his attention. "Before I tell you about what I've figured out about your condition, please tell me why you were staring at Sasuke and Naruto like they were your next prey."

The boy lifted a nonexistent eyebrow. Seeing as the motion confused Cassandra, he opted for tilting his head to one side. "I can smell the power on them." He sniffed. "It's very enticing."

"Ah. Well while that's pleasant Gaara, I don't think it would be a good idea for them to fight you. It isn't safe."

He narrowed his eyes. "You mean I'm not safe."

"It's Shukaku and not you that's the dangerous one," Cassandra argued. "Well…it doesn't mean you're not dangerous but…forgive me for feeling just a little protective. They haven't seen what you can do." She held out the scroll she'd been perusing through the entire last leg of the journey. "Anyway, I wasn't lying when I said I needed to use the library. Does it have any books about hybrids? This scroll doesn't give me enough information."

"I don't think so." Gaara lifted his shoulder in a one-armed shrug. "I don't think my people found it necessary to contain any information on the relationships between humans and demons. I'm just a genetic hiccup for all they know." He rolled his eyes. The strangest genetic hiccup I've ever heard of.

Cassandra nodded; her mind back with the time she'd brushed against Naruto in Konoha's forest. The tingles she'd felt were similar to the traces of demon aura she could detect coming from Gaara's skin.

"Gaara…did you sense anything about Naruto? Anything at all?"

His kohl-edged eyes narrowed. "Like what?" Inside him, the aura of Shukaku burned restlessly. The instinct to find a strong opponent was calling and he had to rein it in.

"Like maybe…maybe he was just like you?" Cassandra chewed on her bottom lip, catching a dark strand with it. It tasted of sand and rosemary. She shoved her hair away. "Like maybe he's a hybrid just like you?"

Gaara's light eyes stared into hers for a long time. There was no malice in their green depths, but a burning inquisitiveness.

"No." He shook his head. "He isn't like me."

The girl sighed in disappointment. "I see." So my theory's off. "He isn't a demon then."

"You misunderstand." Gaara's irises were still burning. "I said he isn't like me. He's…this power…is something else. It's demonic, yes, but not the same kind I'm accustomed to."

Cassandra stared. Her nerves began to click and whirl as impulses traveled up and down the grooves of her brain. "But he's not an ophan or a yokai. He doesn't have wings and he can't transform." So if he's not really a demon…and he's not human…what the hell is he? "Unless he's a new kind of hybrid. But that's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Gaara crossed his arms. He smiled thinly. "The idea of a yokai taking advantage of a human is not uncommon. Why should a yokai mating with an ophan be?"

But that would make Naruto a hybrid of demon races, the sage thought. And that is too weird. He looks nothing like what two demons would create together. I mean, he isn't ugly but he's not…irresistible. Besides, the two races hate each other. They've always hated…unless…they didn't always hate each other. She furrowed her brow. Maybe there was a time when a union between two demons was not considered taboo.

She found it odd that her mind had taken such an avid interest in Naruto Uzumaki when it was usually focused on dealing with Sasuke. Perhaps she was sticking her nose in business where it didn't belong. But, her mind argued, this information could be useful in helping Gaara deal with his insomnia and other problems Shukaku left him with. Besides, she figured she was doing her family a favor by actually relying on the bloodline trait to separate aura.

Those scars on Naruto's face…they weren't etched there by any kunai I know. Suppose they give me a clue as to… She raised her head. "Gaara, your library may not have books about hybrids, but it does have books detailing the different types of yokai right?"

"Yes."

"Good." She walked down the hall with the quiet boy trailing behind. "'Cause I'm going to find out which yokai had whiskers. And then I'll see about your condition."


Naruto disabled the cloaking spell shakily. Sasuke pushed away from the rock wall, frowning after Cassandra's retreating back. "She i-isn't telling the truth…" Naruto gulped. "Is she?"

Am I really…not human? All this time, is this the reason why the people of Konoha hate me so much? I'm not…I'm not a demon! I CAN'T be a demon!

"Sasuke?" The Uchiha was still staring down the hall. "She's wrong…right?"

C'mon teme. Answer me. Tell me something!

Sasuke didn't say anything, but his onyx eyes drifted to rest on Naruto's whisker scars. The blond had had those scars for as long as he'd known him.

"Sasuke?"

Slowly, he reached over and touched one of the whisker scars. It felt slightly rough, like a callus developed from wielding weapons all day. The skin surrounding the scar was smooth from sweat and very warm.

Naruto flinched and backed away from him, feeling his shoes scuff on the paved walkway. The feel of his rival's semi-soft fingers on his face was unsettling. "What are you doing?"

"…I don't know."

Sasuke straightened and walked toward the opposite end of the hall where they'd last seen Temari and Chosun. Both of the Suna residents would no doubt notice their absence soon enough. The other warrior shrugged and followed him.

What Naruto didn't realize was that Sasuke had answered both of his questions with that single statement.

To Be Continued…


Explanations (behind some names, phrases, and other important stuff):

Shuryo: means "leader." In this universe, the title of "Shuryo" signifies the leader of the different cities same as "kage" meant leader of the hidden villages. Unlike "kage", there is no distinct title for the "Shuryo" (Ex: not like Ho-kage or Kaze-kage).

Katon: Fire Breath: means "Release Fire! Fire Breath." This spell utilizes the fire element to jet flames from the user's mouth. The attack is one of the more basic spells with its key advantage being that the user may call it back.

Doton: Earth Illusion: means "Release Earth! Earth Illusion." By hitting the ground, this earth spell allows the dirt or whatever is underneath to fly up and create a barrier/illusion around the user. This is one of the spells that all classes are able to learn.

Hikariton: Cure: means "Release Light! Cure." This healing spell allows the caster to call forth spheres of light to heal minor cuts and injuries. Larger injuries will be subdued to bruises or scars.

Konban-wa: means "good evening."

Joshi: means "girl." Another word for girl would be "shoujo."

Ecchi: means "pervert" or "lecher." While this insult is similar to the word "hentai", it is milder and focuses more on the connotation of something dirty.

Hentai: means "pervert". This is the stronger form of "ecchi" (not much explanation is needed for this one XD).

Sui: means "water."

Filicide: means to commit an act of murder against a family member.

*For those of you who might have been wondering how Cassandra gets around (since she knows Neji pretty well), all of the noble families have interracted with each other on occasion so Shino and Neji and Hinata would also be familiar with each other. Plus, her siblings are married into the Hyuuga clan so they're basically related...sort of.

**Japanese phrases used in this fic will be used depending on the situation and who is the speaker. Usually the more polite the characters are trying to be, the more often they will use the Japanese phrase or word (except in Naruto's sarcastic case).

Next Chapter-Origin: I have no promises as to when this chapter will appear (as I'm returning to school in a matter of days) but it will probably be the longest in this fic. Naruto and Sasuke will be dealing with the harsh terrain of Suna and of course the new information they've uncovered (while spying that is). They will also be returning home to Konoha to participate in the slayer exams so expect return appearances from Kakashi, Iruka, Jiraiya, and the other teachers. Ibiki and Genma will also be in the next chapter as the exams draw closer. Cassandra will be playing a smaller role than she did in this chapter (and those previous) except for when dealing with the Uchiha clan's past (which will be one of the major plotpoints in the future books). Riaru's role will not be reduced but it won't be much more than it was in this chapter.
Some of the things not mentioned in this chapter such as Naruto and Sasuke being forced to battle Gaara and a bit on the Hyuuga clan's past will be passed onto the next chapter. Also...I've been focusing on the ophanin and their status for quite awhile now. The next chapter will shift the focus over to the OTHER side with the yokai (who we haven't seen since Chapter 2 I think). It's about time I returned to them.

Until then read and review if you have the time my readers! And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.