At sunrise Tsunade made her way to the hospital with some trepidation. She was still in a state of shock over the news the Konoha Council had revealed to her last night. The death of Kiyoko Inuzuka and nearly that of her daughter…that alone had been unbelievable. How did two shinobi manage to sneak past patrol stationed both inside and outside the village? And why did they target such an ordinary family?

The answer was obvious before Danzo even voiced it. "Because they were not." Then he produced a thick scroll from his pocket, marked with the Third Hokage's seal. The sight of it made her heart drop into her stomach. Once appointed to the position she had been informed of the Sealed Scrolls. They contained secrets of the past, truth that was too dangerous to be considered general knowledge. In the past their emergence from the vault was never ever a good thing…nervously she took the scroll from his hand and broke the seal.

Danzo sat across from her with the other two members Koharu and Homura as she read through it. She frowned. "Akihiro Inuzuka?" What was this about? It had been general knowledge that he had once been a member of the Inuzuka Grand Council, a position that wasn't lightly given. She wasn't a close friend of his, that she knew of he didn't have any. But he was completely devoted to his family and his dedication to the village earned him recognition. For years she had been skeptical about his traitorous end. She considered herself to be a fairly good judge of character and he had been one of the elite in terms of spirit and raw, unflinching courage. Truly he had been a credit to his clan. She had attended his execution more to honor his memory. He looked so grief-stricken that he seemed oblivious to the animosity that surrounded him. He was nothing but a hollow shell of the hero she knew. And that was it. Over time, travel, and new experiences abroad she had begun to forget. Time was a way of dulling pain or at least distracting from it.

But now she felt the fresh sting of old memories especially when combined with the harsh reality that Akihiro had successfully kept undercover. Her jaw dropped. "What?!…He was a…a…?" She was utterly speechless. Before coming Hokage she would have been tempted to dismiss it. This sort of thing belongs in a horror story. Sometimes the line between fantasy and reality blurs too close for comfort. She pressed a hand against her mouth as she read the Third's account of his final interaction with the disgraced Inuzuka:

"I can delay this," I assured him. "I have the authority to. We just need a little more time to prove your innocence."

"No Lord Hokage. The truth must be kept secret for as long as possible. Besides there is no denying what I've done. I must pay the price; I owe that to my clan." His gaze had been so earnest as he began to plead on behalf of his family, more particularly for his daughter. "Please protect Isae. So far they are unaware of her existence but I know that it will only be a matter of time." His expression crumbled miserably. "My little girl…I wanted the best for her-to give her the freedom I didn't have. Have I cursed her as well?"

As she walked down the still, silent street streaked with faint sunlight, Tsunade felt as torn now as she did then. She felt at a complete loss. How was she going to tell the genin something like this? Her world had already been turned upside down; this damning news would surely destroy it. She shook her head sorrowfully. How will I ever manage? How can I expect her to believe what I barely can?

Ibiki Morino fell into step with her on the quiet street. She was surprised to see him so soon. "I have bad news to report," he said reluctantly.

"The interrogation didn't go as planned?"

"It never took place," he confessed. "They have disappeared."

She stopped and looked at him in horror. "How is that possible? Were the seals properly placed?"

He scowled slightly. "I was as thorough as always, Lady Hokage. These are no ordinary shinobi we are dealing with. Legends are legendary for a reason. They'll be back."

She nodded. "We must be ready."

He frowned. "If I may be permitted my opinion, this isn't our concern. We should turn her over. It's the only way to protect the village."

She frowned severely at that. The Council had been of the same opinion: sacrifice one for the good of the Village. "And betray one of our own?" She demanded.

His eyes narrowed. "She is not our own."

"Her mother was, that alone should count for something," Tsunade huffed.

Once at the hospital, they were greeted by Shizako and Satoru, with Hiro dancing about impatiently. "Lady Hokage, they won't let us see her!" They protested in unison.

Her gaze softened at their concern. She was pleased to see that Isae had made some friends. "I'm sorry but we must see her first. Come back later this evening." Both looked upset but knew better than to press the matter. She rested a hand on Hiro's head. "I'll take her with me." Once in the elevator she turned to Ibiki. "The will of fire can convert."

His eyes narrowed. "But she cannot be saved."

They walked down the hallway in silence, each one pondering their own thoughts. They stopped short as they peered into the room. Shino was fast asleep in the chair. His head rested on his arms which were on the bed. Isae cuddled close by, making them head-to-head. Hiro bounded into the room, yipping in excitement.

"Fond indeed," Ibiki chuckled to himself.

"I won't tell Shibi-san if you don't," she said with a gentle smirk. She knocked on the door, startling them awake. "Shino-kun, while your concern is appreciated, you are not supposed to be here," she gently scolded as she entered the room.

Shino bolted to his feet and made a deep bow. "Forgive me, Lady Hokage, I meant no harm."

"I asked him to stay," Isae tried to cover for him.

"And now he must leave," Ibiki said firmly.

"No wait!" She protested but Shino was already out the door.

Ibiki locked it behind him. The solid click made her flinch. Her heart dropped into her stomach as he turned ominously towards her, eyes narrowed. "I expect full cooperation, Isae Inuzuka, nothing less."

She shrank back against the headboard, pulling the sheets up to her nose. Few things scared her more than this man. Tsunade sat in the chair that Shino had occupied. "We're here to help," she assured her. Isae warily looked between the two of them and slowly lowered the sheets.

"What happened last night?" Ibiki pressed.

She flinched at his question. "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you," she grumbled. Suddenly it dawned on her. "My mother…" her voice caught in her throat. She clapped a hand to her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. "She's dead…isn't she?"

Tsunade reached out to squeeze her other hand in a sympathetic gesture. "I'm afraid so."

Of course she was dead. The memory was seared in her mind, a scar she knew she would never fully heal from.

They had been sitting in the living room together, playing a game and laughing like old times. It felt so nice. Then she noticed a shadow separate from her mother's, which caused her to pause. It slithered along the floor like a snake and disappeared behind the couch.

"Is something wrong?" Her mother had asked. She leaned forward to feel her forehead. "Are you feeling ill?"

A shadow hand appeared with a twisted blade forming in its palm. Isae opened her mouth to scream but the sound was muffled. Something clamped over her mouth. She clawed at her own face; nothing was there but clearly was. Just then the blade slashed across her mother's throat. Her eyes widened in shock and she coughed as she gagged on her blood. She reached out towards Isae as she slumped forward and collapsed onto the floor.

Blood was licked off the blade with a soft groan of pleasure. The shadow solidified into the figure of a male. He was dressed in shinobi gear but had no forehead protector to mark his affiliation. He stretched in a dramatic fashion. "Ahh…it feels good to be solid again."

She struggled to get up but pressure bore down heavy on her shoulders.

"Here, have a taste Goro," He held the blade up over her head. "Savor it."

Brawny hands solidified around her as another male took shape. She was wrenched up to her feet and she struggled between the two.

"Wow…she looks just like him," the shorter said in awe.

"Just as spirited too," the burly one grumbled. "Let's hope she's easier to tame."

He punched her in the stomach and she doubled over. As they dragged her back into her room, she reached out for her Mother who stared back with glossy eyes.

The door slammed shut and Hell began.

Tsunade and Ibiki exchanged sympathetic glances as she cried. "I think Inoichi should come, his skills would be useful here." Tsunade suggested. Ibiki nodded and sent a summons to his friend. Tsunade gently comforted the girl as best she could, all the while thinking of how Akihiro had hoped this would never happen. What would he say right now?

Inoichi arrived within minutes and Ibiki pulled him aside to quickly explain the situation. He nodded and approached Isae with a soothing smile. "Hello Isae-chan, I'm Inoichi Yamanaka. I understand that something traumatic happened last night, something you have difficulty sharing verbally?" She nodded warily, not sure what to make of this man. He definitely seemed friendlier than Ibiki. He sat down on her other side. "There is a special technique that I possess that will allow me to read your mind." She looked visibly disturbed by that and he quickly reassured her. "I will only read your thoughts of the event, nothing more. Would you be willing to let me?"

She looked from him to Ibiki whose stoic demeanor was less than friendly. No doubt his method would be more invasive and threatening. There wasn't much of a choice. She swallowed hard, closed her eyes tightly and nodded.

"Please relax," he gently shushed as he rested a hand on her trembling head. He closed his eyes in turn and concentrated on the images: they were truly horrific and brutal. The room was silent as he worked. At its end, there were tears in his eyes as he stepped back and folded his arms. He took a moment to compose himself before turning towards Ibiki. "It is just as Akihiro-san feared. I will deliver my full report to the office."

Ibiki nodded as he left and looked solemnly at Tsunade. "You know what you must do."

Isae felt panicky. "What's going on?" Suddenly she gasped and grabbed her right arm. The burn marks darkened and twisted in a pattern along her arm, spreading up to her shoulder and the side of her neck. Her teeth clenched to keep from crying out in pain. The skin began to fade away, from flesh to thick shadow. That's when she screamed. As suddenly as it came on, the marks began to fade and her skin returned to normal. She felt so drained and panted softly as she stared incredulously at them. "I'm…turning into one of them…aren't I?"

"Yes," Tsunade said gently. "There isn't much time left."

"In less than a week you will be one of them." Ibiki said solemnly. "A Kumori – a shadow demon."

Isae gawked at both of them. "You're joking right?" The silence was suffocating as each softened sympathetically. She slowly shook her head in disbelief. "It's not possible. Everyone knows that Kumori are just stories to scare kids. It's like not they're real…right?" They still wouldn't contradict her. She pressed a hand against her aching forehead. This didn't make any sense. "Please tell me this is just a nightmare," she mumbled pitifully.

Tsunade gently took her hands in her own. "Look at me Isae-chan. Do you trust me?" She nodded. "Then believe me when I say that your Father was a Kumori."

She frowned in exasperation. "But how? He was an Inuzuka."

Tsunade shook her head. "He adopted that persona but his original form was shadow." Isae looked understandably unconvinced. "Think hard to the blade those Kumori used," Tsunade pressed as she produced one from her knapsack. "It was the same design as your father's." Isae cautiously accepted it. She immediately recognized it as her Father's knife. "The metal is made from a unique element. It cannot be made by human hands."

The twisted blade shook in her hands as she found it hard to breathe. "They were…looking for this."

Ibiki nodded. "They were foiled in their attempt to complete the initiation so they improvised with their own soul blades."

She flinched at the memory of the blade slicing through her bandaged hand.

The two men loomed over her.

"What are we to do?" The short one protested. "Without Akihiro's blade, we can't seal The Ordeal."

"We can't delay any longer; we can at least begin the process. He sealed yours so give me your blade Teruo," Goro instructed his companion. Teruo drew it from his chest and handed it over.

"You stay away from me!" She tried to kick them back.

Goro easily sidestepped her wild kicks and turned her bandaged hand upward and slashed deeply through it. It was pure fire that burned her veins black. She couldn't hear her scream over the searing agony.

"Pain is endless," he murmured reverently. "Continuous…fulfilling."

He ran the blood along her right arm, dripping in patterns that seared her skin.

"Agony is freedom," he continued in monotone. "Enlightening…enriching…"

He then wrenched her head back and dripped some blood from the blade down her throat. She coughed and sputtered, trying to spit it out. He grabbed her by the throat and shook to make her swallow it.

"To exist is to suffer…"

Her eyes went solid black.

"Your gift is your curse."

"Is it possible to undo it?" She asked hopefully.

They shook their head. "Once begun, it cannot be undone," Ibiki said solemnly. "They will come back to finish the job. You must finish it first."

She stared at him open-mouthed. "A-Are you s-serious?"

Tsunade removed her pouch and laid it beside her. "While your Father had hoped that you could remain mortal, he knew there was the chance The Ebony would find you. They do not tolerate defectors and hunted him down."

"Were they responsible for his death?" She asked in a hushed tone.

"They were involved, yes," Tsunade lowered her gaze for a moment. The memory of Akihiro haunted her. Konoha had truly lost one of their finest. As much as she wanted to tell, she knew he preferred to do so himself. "It will be a lot for her to take in." The Third had recorded. "I wish to be the one she hears it from." He then handed him the scrolls she now removed from her pouch. "These are from your Father. He saved them…in the event of your transition."

Isae gingerly accepted them. Dad made these for me? She gently stroked the textured paper, colorful and delicate.

"If left to yourself, you will become mindless, subservient to The Ebony." Tsunade looked the kunoichi in the eye, steadfast and serious. "With these, you have a chance of remaining independent like your Father."

She felt a sliver of hope. "What must I do?"

"You must leave," Ibiki said firmly. "Konoha is in danger every minute that you remain here."

She nodded mutely. Goro had said as much. "To be human is to lose a part of yourself. Should you remain so; more will die to compensate for your selfishness."

"I am not just tossing her out the door!" Tsunade said just as firmly. "She may leave in the morning. That is the best I can offer."

Isae hesitated. "But what about my teammates?"

"You may say your goodbyes tonight," she said sympathetically. "Though I must insist that you keep this information private. No one must ever know the truth of what has happened."

She nodded for it was an easy promise to keep. Who would possibly believe her?