((This story is pure fan-fiction. The characters and locations are the sole property of Shonen Jump and the series's creator, Masashi Kishimoto. G.I. Joe is the sole property of those who created the toys, TV shows, movies, webisodes, and video games. At no time is this fiction an intent to infringe upon their rights nor properties.

"normal speech"/ flashback thought

thoughts/ flashback speech and action

[Snake Eye's sign translation/writing]

[Snake Eye's sign translation/writing during flashback]))

Three days and nights passed since the Battle of the Bridge. Three days of hard work as the villagers finished the bridge in record time. Without the threat of Gato hanging over their heads, the villagers put their full efforts into the bridge's completion. Every day followed by a night of ribald celebration.

During that time, the members of Team Hiroku were rarely seen individually. Even less so together. Hiroku had to do her paperwork and what not. Adding to that were the two scrolls her Apprentice handed in for submission to the Hokage. Handing them off to a passing courier, the older woman wondered how well the news about Zabuza and Haku would go over.

((Flashback))

Zabuza and Haku were led by Hiroku through a passageway of raised screens to the central area. An area large enough for them to speak privately without being overheard by anyone not invited. A low table was set up accompanied by four cushions. Two were occupied by an unmasked Snake Eyes and Mabui. Both dressed in their usual attire as they patiently waited for their guests to join them.

Once the missing nin and his...accomplice...sat down, Snake Eyes set a tray on the table and prepared tea in a single medium sized bowl. Using slow deliberate motions before he sipped from it with both hands. Rotating the bowl clockwise once before offering it to Zabuza.

Hiroku's eyebrow rose from where she stood, surprised at the formality being shown. The offering of tea, she knew, wasn't just a show of hospitality. It's also a means of showing good faith. She watched as Zabuza removed the wrappings from his face before he took the bowl and sipped. He then rotated it as well before handing it to a bare faced Haku who mimicked his master's actions and then passed it to Mabui.

Once the girl repeated the same actions, she returned it to Snake Eyes. He then finished the cycle by draining the tea and removing the set from the table. He then gave a nod to Mabui, who spoke up.

"Snake Eyes thanks you for coming and hopes that this meeting goes well," she intoned politely though there was a sense of hesitancy in her mannerism.

Zabuza studied them both, the boy more so, his eyes taking in all the details. "So, shall we begin?" he asked in a calm voice. "Haku and I have discussed your offer, but I want to know exactly what you get out of this."

Mabui nodded and answered, apparently the two had anticipated this particular question. "Snake Eyes gets two more members added to his Clan. One, a powerful figure known and feared in both the criminal underworld as well as the shinobi world. Two, a figure unknown but one of undeniable skill and potential. The reality of his Clan's rebirth is given...better teeth, if you'll pardon the expression, with your addition than without."

Zabuza nodded, a smile forming on his face. "And what would we get out of this arrangement?"

The silver haired Chuunin spoke evenly and calmly. "As was promised before; a Clan to call family. One that won't abandon you but will support you should you need it. A home to call your own. A place that will never shun you nor cast you off. Together, it means not having to run from Hunters ever again."

Haku's eyes narrowed, "By joining you, we'd be joining Konoha, yes? That's why you can offer protection. Does your Hokage know of this little arrangement?" A grunt of agreement from his Master made the boy smile slightly as he revealed his own awareness of the potential political factors at play.

"He does not. Yet," Mabui replied, "And there's nothing he can do to stop it should you agree. Technically he cannot involve himself in a Clan matter. Your presence would not constitute a potential threat to Konoha's security as you would not be going there. I have another duty for you to perform for the present. Details of which will come should you agree."

Zabuza made a show of rubbing his chin. "I suppose along with that, you will answer other questions?"

Snake Eyes nodded, his bright blue eyes unwavering as they studied both of the men across from him. He waited until the duo gave their verbal agreement before he laid out a large scroll and unwound it partially. Setting out a wakizashi and baring a two-inch stretch of the blade's sharp edge.

Mabui then spoke up, "This is the registry scroll of the Arashikage Clan. Obviously not the original but no less binding. As you can see my betrotheds' name is there as well as two others. My own name will be added when we wed. You will each sign your name in blood and place your fingerprints beneath the signature. You must keep your hand there until the mark is complete," she explained.

The pair shared a nod and did as instructed. Both of them studying their respective marks for a minute. Then Zabuza asked his "other" questions.

"So just how did you take out all those men?" It was apparent he was mostly curious, yet there was a hint of...concern there as well.

Snake Eyes set a small vial on the table. An innocuous item on its own.

Haku rubbed his shoulder, "That's...how did you?..." At his Master's expression, he explained, "That's the same bottle the doctor used to give us those shots…" his eyes widened in disbelief. "I didn't even sense it."

Mabui took pity and told them, "That was a Shadow Clone disguised as a doctor. And yes, you received a shot similar to those received by Gato and his men."

Zabuza's eyes narrowed, "I see. This will be your control method. You can activate it any time should I turn traitor again," he surmised.

Mabui shook her head, but only once she received the go ahead. "No, your shots were only vitamins and immuno-boosters. The others' injections had an addition to the mix," she paused to decipher the rapid hand signs. "You also have a reputation for being true to your word. Kiri coup notwithstanding. I'm taking a chance with you. One I hope to not regret later. As for you turning...none escape this Clan. Not once they sign the scroll," she added harshly.

Zabuza's eyes went to the scroll then his arm and he cursed. "It's binding all right," he waved his arm, "It's a damn seal!"

Mabui smiled grimly, "Correct. No matter where you go you can be killed. Snake Eyes doesn't even have to be anywhere near you to do it." She then added in a smug undertone, "The seal will transplant itself should you 'lose' your arm so amputation isn't an escape either."

Haku then interrupted as he studied the now understood seal then the bottle, "But there's no way you can accurately gauge a poison's effect to the second…"

Hiroku chimed in from her position, "Who said it was a poison?" she chuckled at their expressions, "That is a Snake Eyes special. Deception within feint within distraction."

Zabuza sighed as he silenced Haku with a hand on the shoulder. "Since we weren't given the special mix, it doesn't really matter. Just that it was damn impressive. It looked like they just keeled over dead." He paused to relax minutely, "So what's the job...Snake-sama?" he asked.

Utter silence reigned by the time the answer was given fully.

((End Flashback))

Have to hand it to him, he's thorough. Hiroku thought as she saw him nab some food from a vendor and use a Shunshin. Just as Mabui was about to catch up to him. She smirked at the look of frustration that crossed the Chunin's face before she too got some food and left on foot for the bridge.

((With Mabui))

Leaving the town proper, Mabui munched on some fruit and sipped tea as she walked to the bridge. She needed some more time to think. What am I going to do? I'm falling hard and fast...and I don't think I want to stop… she thought to herself as she stared at the open waters. I have to slow down...at this rate, I'll be dragging him into the bushes before we get back to Konoha… A flush on her cheeks as she thought how that would go. I mean we haven't even gone on any dates! No dinners, no picnics...where's the romance?! she wondered silently, resting her chin on her knees as she sat on the sand embankment. To top it off, I still barely know anything about him. He's changed the subject every time or there's been one interruption after another...Time for that to stop. With that thought in mind, Mabui set off once more to find her intended.

Not that it took long, as it seemed that great minds do indeed think alike. She found him atop one of the bridge's support pillars, sitting in a half lotus as if in meditation. She took up a spot nearby, leaning against the same pillar and waited. She sensed rather than saw his shoulders slump slightly before he stood up and dropped to the bridge. Landing nearby and giving her his full attention. Taking a breath, she said simply, "It's time we really have that talk, Naruto-kun."

His head hung a little as the shoulders seemed to slump even further before he rubbed the back of his masked head in a sheepish manner and gave a slow hesitant nod. Straightening he made a few gestures.

[This will go more smoothly with Shishou present. There're parts she can explain without me having to sign.]

Mabui pursed her lips and nodded in acceptance. "Fine with me. Just tired of the diversions and interruptions." She brandished a fist under his nose, "So no more avoiding me nor the topics, got it?" she asked threateningly.

Snake Eyes nodded even as he slid back a few feet in a smooth use of motion and Chakra. His hands raised to chest level in a helpless gesture.

With that concluded, the two left the bridge and made their way back towards Tazuna's home. Once there, Mabui explained the situation to her older cousin and got a chuckle in return. Which only served to make the young Chunin's eye twitch.

Shaking her head at the two, Hiroku gestured for them to follow her up to the room they had been using. Pausing only once to give Tsunami some money and asking her if she would get them a full dinner as they needed to have a slightly lengthy discussion and wanted a place that they felt comfortable in having said discussion. She closed the door firmly once the others were inside and seated.

Tsunami, to her own credit, blinked slightly at the amount of money she was given but nodded nonetheless and she went out to get what she had been asked. Walking outside, she paused to glance at a thick envelope in her other hand, pocketing it quickly beneath her apron.

((Behind closed doors))

Placing the privacy tags and activating them, Hiroku kept silent until she joined them. Only then did she speak, "So...it seems the time has come for you two to truly get to know one another." A soft sigh, "As much fun as it has been watching you two dabble at it, I have to say its about damn time," she finished with a smirk before continuing in a much more serious tone, "Please understand, itoko, this isn't easy for him. Until now, no one but his Guardian has ever gotten to see him as he truly is. Inside. He's never had anyone beyond his teachers honestly willing to see past the burden he carries to uncover the person."

Mabui nodded, actually understanding what she meant. "I get it. Just like with my friends, Kirabi-senpai and Nii-senpai. He's had to build defenses to keep everyone out. To keep from getting hurt where it would do the most damage," she placed a hand over her heart.

"Exactly. Which gives you an edge, so to speak," Hiroku said with a nod. "Before you ask questions, I think proper introductions are in order."

That was the moment Snake Eyes made his decision. He removed his visored mask and set it neatly aside. Running a hand through his crew cut to relieve the itchy feeling he always got when he wore his mask for a while. Then he removed his gloves, followed by the top. He straightened, not hiding the way the tank molded to the muscles of his chest and abs, nor how any uncovered area revealed scar tissue of some sort or another. Slipping to his knees, his hands slid lightly across the floor to touch the outside of his thighs before he lifted them and set them atop the muscles as he bowed his head slightly.

Before Hiroku could start, Mabui interrupted by mimicking his position and posture. Watching through her eyelashes, she saw him startle at her movement and spoke in a calm voice that hid the sudden tightness in her chest and stomach. A calmness that belied the bout of nerves she was experiencing. "I should go first," she said all the while watching him minutely. "Tanaka Mabui, eldest daughter and firstborn to Tanaka Roshi, Leader of the Tanaka Clan of Kumogakure and his lady wife, Tanaka Akemi. Chuunin Kunoichi of Kumo. I am honored to meet you."

Keeping her expression neutral, Hiroku was pleased that her cousin made the first overture. She's going to have to give something to get something… she thought before she took a breath and intoned. "I have the honor to introduce to you Uzumaki Naruto. Also known as Arashikage Snake Eyes. Legal Ward of Nohara Rin. Genin Shinobi of Konoha. As you had guessed before; Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune."

Shock sometimes has the effect of making the mind work slowly. Mabui knew that. It had saved her life once. So she knew, intellectually, what she was experiencing. Even so, it still took her nearly a minute to process the words she had just heard. Time seemed to slow down even further until it suddenly snapped back and she blinked, making everything come back into a sort of surreal focus. "Wait...Your Yondaime..." she trailed off. "He supposedly killed off the Kyuubi." Rational thought still escaped her, it seemed. "How..Wait, you said…" she jabbered momentarily. That is until Snake Eyes reached over lightly poked her on the forehead. Right above her eyes. She gave a startled, "Eeep!" and automatically rubbed her forehead. The sensation and action bringing the focus into genuine clarity. "Not funny," she groused. "Okay...How is that possible…" then her eyes widened, "Of course. Disinformation."

Snake Eyes nodded while his mentor added a bit of detail. "Right. You can't kill a living mass of Chakra. You can only seal it away. The rumor was sent out immediately after the attack to preserve Konoha's place in the status quo," Hiroku claimed calmly as she and Naruto watched Mabui digest this new information.

"Okay, so you were chosen to be the vessel to hold the strongest of the Bijuu," Mabui said after a moment and received a nod. A common enough theme...a child chosen simply because of birth date or some particular trait… she thought neutrally before she got her thoughts on track.

Intent on finally getting to really know one another, the trio began swapping stories and answering questions. It started out, of course, with the usual banter over training mishaps and childhood mischief. Then into other more personal topics such as stories about family events and the like. Though more came from Mabui than Naruto. A pause when Tsunami arrived with a large meal. The food was shared and soft laughter could occasionally be heard in the room as conversation picked up once more.

((The next morning))

Kakashi led his team away from the newly completed and christened "Arashikage Bridge", ignoring Sakura's latest attempt to get the now even more brooding Sasuke to go on a date with her. He didn't have the heart to feel...discouraged by the way the village had seemingly ignored his and his team's contribution to their freedom. Their contribution had been visible but minor in the overall scheme of things. Which of course, led his thoughts back to a certain black clad teen. I've got to get him on my team. The longer he's with that...woman, the harder it will be to get him. I failed once. I won't fail again.

((Elsewhere…))

Four figures rode a small boat in silence. Hiroku manned the rudder while the small engine pushed the boat along. Mabui ran a sharpening stone along the edge of her loaned kunai. Every now and then her eyes glanced at the ebon figure that sat at the bow most seat, his back to them. She had learned a lot of little things during their dinner, true. Yet she still had an incomplete picture. Something was missing. A big something and it genuinely bothered her. Why is it the more I learn about you, the more secrets there seem to be? Just that thought automatically brought up their earlier revelation.

((Flashback))

"Odd as it sounds, I'm going to be glad to see Konoha," Mabui said softly as she nodded yet again with a smile on her face when she was wished well by another town member. "All this attention is unnerving, despite the positive intent."

Hiroku chuckled lightly in reply, "Not surprising. We really shouldn't be in the spotlight like this," she then looked to her Apprentice. "We're not going to Konoha. Not for a few days."

She looked over to her older cousin in surprise, "We're not? Where to then?" She looked around, having not paid close enough attention since they had been on the bridge. She realized they had been deserted by the other two of their team and they were down by the water. Haku talking to the fisherman and handing over folds of paper.

Hiroku led her down to the where the others were, answering, "Uzushiogakure."

((End Flashback))

Any attempt to get answers to the most obvious questions were ignored. Snake Eyes had merely sat facing forward, a basket of fruit and flowers at his feet. She even tried to get Haku to talk to her, thinking he had an idea or two. But the pale skinned youth had no idea either. Plus he had made it clear with his silence that he had no intention of prying. She glanced at him, trying to distract her mind from the latest round of confusion her betrothed had induced.

Haku ignored the way the two women had given those narrowed, flat-eyed glances. The piercing looks they gave when they wanted answers right then. Despite his resolve to let Snake-sama lead, he felt a drop of sweat run down the back of his neck even as he mentally recounted just how he ended up in this...group.

((Flashback))

His expression had mirrored the shock of the others as Zabuza had oh so calmly declared he was going with them. "Zabuza-sama?"

The taller man looked forward, not glancing at the "tool" that had in all truth become more like a son to him than a emotionless weapon. "You heard me, Haku. I got this under control here. It'll be a while before word gets out that Wave is independent. Once it does, someone will come to try their luck. With me here and Snake-sama's...warnings," he smirked as he contemplated the netted bags hanging on either side of the overhang, "they'll think twice before trying anything. If not…" he shrugged, "I have plenty of bags."

"Bu...but, Zabuza-sama, why should I go?" Haku asked in confusion. Was his master now eager to get rid of him?

"Because, Snake-sama needs someone who doesn't know him watching his back," he said, pointedly ignoring how the woman bristled at the slight. "These two know him well enough to ignore some things that may threaten him. Figuring he can handle it...You won't make that mistake," he said just as bluntly. "Extra eyes can mean the difference." With that, he turned and left.

Leaving Haku to watch the departing figure before he turned to meet the stares of his new "companions."

((Flashback end))

After about an hour of uncomfortable silence, Mabui had had enough. Slowly, she eased forward until she could sit down next to her betrothed. Looking forward as well, she spoke very softly, "Talk to me Naruto-kun...Why're we going to Uzushiogakure? It's been nothing but ruins since the Third Shinobi War."

A gloved hand rose and fingers ran over the mask's material in a motion similar to when one would run a hand through their hair. He pulled his notepad out of an arm pouch and he began writing.

Mabui didn't try to read as he wrote, preferring to get a full answer. She accepted the notepad and looked down.

[Uzu is the ancestral home of the Uzumaki Clan. I'm going to pay my respects to my Clan and my ancestors.]

Handing it back, she replied, "I can understand that." She nodded, studying him from the corner of her eye. "There's more isn't there? More than what you're saying…"

He nodded curtly, took back the pad, and began writing.

When he handed it over, Mabui read and her hand came up to cover her mouth. "You can't be serious!" she whispered. The returned nod made her eyes widen in surprise. "But how? As soon as word gets out...and it will get out...they'll be coming for you."

All he did was stare at her in silence. Then slowly, he shrugged and signed.

[No matter the outcome, I have to try. Success or failure, doesn't matter. I don't want to add this to a list of what if's.]

Her response was cut off as Hiroku spoke up. "Heads up, people. We're entering Uzu waters. Thirty minutes before we reach the outer layer," she intoned seriously.

Mabui turned to look at her cousin. "Outer layer?" she queried.

Hiroku smiled grimly, "The outer defensive line of Uzushiogakure. Their first line of defense and the major reason why Iwa had to team up with Kiri."

Haku then spoke up, rubbing the inside of his right forearm absently, "Why did they? Attack at all, I mean," he asked, unaware of just how convoluted a question it was.

Naruto turned on his seat and nudged Mabui to translate as his hands began signing at a very rapid pace.

[Four reasons. First, the Uzumaki Clan in particular were to be feared. They were the penultimate Sealmasters. And Breakers. It was written that somewhere in their massive Clan Fuuinjutsu Library, there's a seal that can extract any Bijuu from it's vessel without killing the host.] he paused, his pride in them evident in his posture, [Which is given validity by the historical record in every nation that the Shodai Hokage gave out the Bijuu as a war deterrent, but he was able to do so only with the aid of the Uzumaki. Two, everyone in Uzushiogakure lived much longer than what we consider rational even by today's standard. If one didn't die in combat, on a mission, or some odd accident, any person of Uzu could live to well over a hundred years. Which is why it had the moniker of being 'The Village of Longevity.'] a pause to let this information sink in, [Three, they knew this war would involve Konoha. Subsequently, their ally would join in. An ally that was the undisputed masters of the Ancient Arts. Arts that didn't rely on Chakra but were no less effective than the jutsu we use today. Which made them undetectable. Untrackable. Not someone you want to have coming after you. Finally, there is the fact of its location. Uzu's a perfect staging area for troops and as a supply depot.]

Haku nodded as he considered the facts set before him. He didn't doubt the veracity by any means. Most of it was easily checkable once he got to any Hidden Village. "I've seen war. Fear being a common enough cause. For me, it was the fear of bloodline users like myself," he said bitterly, continuing on to tell his story to the group. Finishing up with a sad smile, "That's when Zabuza-sama found me."

Silence reigned for a bit until Hiroku shut off the motor and angled the boat. "We're here," she said unnecessarily. Like everyone else, even Naruto, her attention and awe was directed at the multiple whirlpools that raged ahead of them. "The outer ring of Uzu," she whispered softly, as if afraid of breaking some genjutsu. A ring of huge whirlpools encircling the atoll and the island within that. She turned her attention to her Apprentice, "How the hell do we get past that when it took nearly fifty of Kiri's best just to temporarily move one enough to get ships in for landing parties?"

((Ocean Floor))

{Objects stirred and exited their cramped spaces. Moving languidly through the deep deep water in widening circles. Something had disturbed their long slumber. Ignoring how other life seemingly scattered at their mere emergence. Every flick sent them moving faster and higher, their sleek bodies angled upwards. Others arrived, only a few, but more than enough as the receptors in their noses began receiving signals from a surface they hadn't been to in quite some time. The visible light brightened the waters, making their vision even better, expanding the range of their senses.}

((In the boat))

Snake Eyes slowly stood up, and eased to the very bow of the small fishing boat. His left hand gripped the right forearm tightly, his head tilted down towards the water. As if he was searching for something. Or waiting…

((In the Ocean))

{The signals they received were confusing. It was a small craft, not like the larger ones that came before. Only a few small scents drifted around its hull. Mainly human scent and fish oil. Definitely not like the ones before. Those had leaked out so many scents they had nearly been driven into a full frenzy. Taking precautions, two veered off, diving fast and deep while the others continued their circles until they felt their dorsals break the water.}

((Back the boat…))

Mabui spotted them first and she gasped aloud. "Oh Kami…" her hand came up and she pointed even as her other hand removed a kunai from her pouch. "Sh…sh…sharks!" she exclaimed as the triangular fins rose even more in a silent menace, the way the water flowed and broke around it barely a hint of the magnitude of the situation. She cursed when finally...finally, caudal (tail) fins emerged.

Haku turned to see and he nearly wet himself. It's never a good sign when sharks appear. he thought, remembering how he and Zabuza had spent nearly two months in a ship's hold hiding from Kiri Hunters. Wait...something's not right… his eyes narrowed as he tried to recall everything he had learned from various sailors. "They're too big," he muttered closing his eyes and beginning to mould Chakra, preparing to activate his Hyoton bloodline. He opened them as the tail fins became visible. He immediately began to sweat, "Way too big…" His mind clicked and he he waited until a thick fin passed and he counted the seconds. Estimating the speed, he shuddered. If I'm right...that one alone is over fifty feet long. What kind of shark is that damn huge?

Hiroku wasn't sure what the hell was going on, but she knew this wasn't going to end well. "Snake Eyes...if you're going to do something, do it now!" she yelled, not sure why but the almost lazy manner in their motion made her think they were the ones waiting for something. The sharks that is…

He jerked once, as if coming out of a daze. Which wasn't far off the mark. He had been going through his memories. Searching out the facts he needed now that he was actually there. He pulled a kunai out and removed his right hand glove. Moulding Chakra, he made it flow through the Network within his right arm. He shoved back the sleeve and found the hexagram glowing and pulsing to his heartbeat. Slicing his palm he held it out over the water and made a fist, forcing his blood to flow and drip into the water.

Drip..Drip..Drip..Drip

{Something new hit the water. One passed through it and its eyes dilated as the scent of blood was recognized. Human blood with all its hormones, oils, and a million other things combined. But it was the Chakra that infused it that made the Shark jerk almost spasmodically in recognition. This awareness was spread through body language, one completely unique to their species. The effect was immediate.}

All but Snake Eyes, who was wrapping a bandage around his hand, watched in confusion as the sharks suddenly dove en masse. The water's surface growing calm once more after their disappearance.

Snake Eyes sat back down as he had been, facing forward. But only after he signed quickly to his Mentor.

[Get ready. We will only have a short window to get through.]

"Get through? What're you talking about?" Hiroku said even as she began spooling the line to yank start the motor again. She jerked hard on the cord and was rewarded by the engine starting up with a minimal of fuss. Just as the boat began to move, she had her answer. Her decision to simply trust him was shown as true. Though she would never...ever...admit it was only the calmness he had projected. That unwavering surety that had kept her from simply reversing course and getting them all the hell out of there.

{Through the growing roar of swirling water, there was a noticeable change. Two of the closest whirlpools were...advancing. Slowly approaching even as they began growing farther apart. Making an opening large enough for the craft with barely room to spare on each side. Just enough they wouldn't get resolutely pulled to one or the other.}

Keeping a firm grip on the rudder, Hiroku steered with great care to keep the craft steady. Her eyes in a constant swivel from left to right and back again. Struggling with the rudder as the forces on each side pulled hard, she felt her blood pumping even faster as the muscles swelled in response to her need to increase resistance. All the while ignoring just how loud those deathly water pits were. The feel of the spray they cast out as the sight of the atoll came into view. Come on...come on...we're almost past them! she thought and suddenly lost her grip on the rudder as the whirlpools began moving in.

{In any Academy's more advanced target practice, there comes a time when you have to train with moving targets. For most that's when clay targets are placed in a launcher using two spinning wheels. They implement centrifugal force to launch the "pigeons" into the air. Caught between the two whirlpools, the effect was the same. The fishing boat shot out and bounced...that's right bounced as it skipped across the intervening water like a stone thrown by a child across a lake surface.}

Their immediate reaction was as necessary as it was comical. Hands flashed to grip the gunwales, their bodies leaning back from the force of motion. All of those capable shouting a mixture of curses. This only tapering off as the fishing boat slowed and came to rest alongside the end of a broken down pier that barely stood higher than the water. The group laid there, soaked thoroughly for a few minutes before they stirred and silently got the boat going until they drug it ashore so as to not lose it during a rising tide.

Once everyone had managed to calm down the two boys immediately went back the boat, hands reaching...until a kunai sank into the wood with a loud thunk. As one they turned from their respective positions with a very slow woodenness.

Hiroku stood there with her arms crossed, foot tapping imperiously as she glowered at them. Half in exasperation, half in amusement. "No...you can NOT do that again," she said firmly. Hmpf...boys... she thought as she gave up and laughed softly at their outraged expressions.

Mabui chuckled openly as even with the mask on, Snake Eyes's reaction was typical of any teenager. The kick of sand as he and the other disappointed teen drug the boat further onto the atoll before it was tied securely to a tree. She looked around and her eyebrow rose as she noted the many ruined buildings within eyesight. "What is all this?" she asked softly.

Hiroku answered in a matching tone, gesturing to include the barely visible posts that ran along the curve of the atoll. "Those all look like docking berths to me," she said with a tilt of her head. "At its height before the war, Uzu was a commercial hub for all the landlocked nations. Merchants from every nation could be found here at one time or another." She indicated the buildings, "Many of them set up permanent businesses here at the docks because of their commercial neutrality."

Snake eyes nodded in agreement as he began going over his gear carefully. Looking up as Haku asked the question that bugged him.

"Snake-sama...what were those sharks?" he asked in a calm voice belied by the way he warily watched the water in his peripheral vision. "They were too large to be normal."

Snake Eyes put down his sharpening stone and signed in a nonchalant fashion.

[Those are the Guardians of Uzu Island's territorial waters. An ancient Summons whose contract was worked out by the Sage himself on Uzu's behalf. They and one other species are honour bound to guard and protect the island from all who threaten it and its rightful inhabitants. Their full name is Carcharodon Megalodon, or "Meg" for short. A presumed extinct species of shark that is the established genetic predecessor to the great white most sailors are familiar with.] just as he finished signing and the others nodded, he turned to the waters pointing at a disturbance of the water's surface.

Several meters inside the ring, the water erupted. A gigantic streamlined body breached the surface amidst the rising seawater and foam, the snout's tip continuing upwards a good twelve feet in the air. In its mouth hung a bleeding and obviously dying sailfish. The Meg seemed to almost hang suspended in the air for a second or two, its still more than half submerged body glistening as it thrashed before the head filled with seven to nine-inch long triangular teeth snapped closed. It dropped back into the water with a tremendous splash seemingly ignoring the the head bits and tailfin of the sailfish it had left behind.

Snake Eyes stood there in absolute awe before his legs gave out and he fell onto his butt. Joined momentarily by the others. He sat there, unmoving, for a few moments in a sheer daze before he turned to the others and saw their expressions. His hands sat in his lap, useless. I guess it's true...No matter how much you research a topic, it never comes close to seeing the real thing… he thought numbly. Like any young boy, he researched two topics with a thoroughness bordering on obsession: Sharks and Dinosaurs.

Mabui couldn't speak, the spectacle she had just witnessed robbing her of speech for the time being. As she looked to her cousin and Haku, she read the same incredulity in their expressions she knew she herself wore. Working some moisture into her mouth, she said the only thing she could and that was in a bare whisper, "Holy shit." Her mind began whirling as she took what she witnessed and added that to what she only just learned about her intended's homeland. If those...if THEY guards the Island's waters, then what in Kami's name protects it's land?

((A/N: Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and I wish you all a Happy Holidays! The information on the fall of Uzu is my own personal speculation. The real world info on the Megalodon can be found on wiki.))