As we get closer towards the Fourth Shinobi War, I will start using ninjutsu terms. When I write a story like this, I watch the anime and read the manga in order to get more round about research then use instances from both in order to create. I will be using the manga in the ninjutsu naming case, because those names just felt right to me. Also, once this story crosses over into the war, there will be three huge time skips. Why? Like I said before...I won't change what happens in the first part of the war. Too much vital character development happens. To me that time is sacred and mustened be changed or altered in anyway. Yahili will not make a true appearance in the main battling (I'm not a fighter writer so I tend to skip battle scenes. Still haven't conquered that skill!) until the final battle with Kaguya. I've developed a most intriguing connection between her and Atem, the Pharaoh from Yugioh, that I thought sounded plausible.

That being said, let's get to it!

Disclaimer: Naruto and Yugioh, their characters, settings, etc., belong to their respective creators. All original characters, settings, etc., belong to ME!

Chapter 11: The Five Shadows

It was quite intimidating standing before the five most powerful beings in all the shinobi world. Well...Yahili wasn't exactly standing before them; she hung back with Temari and Kankurou within the meeting hall, watching as the five shadows discussed the war to come. They were talking about something...Jinchuriki? What in the world was that? Whatever it was, there appeared to be two of them and this war was a means to protect them from an enemy that meant to capture them. Gaara began to speak then and all hell broke loose. There were a few angry shouts from the bulkiest shadow but he was soon calmed down afterword. Yahili could only assume the conversation had turned to her.

"Mutou Yahili...Approach." When she heard her name, Yahili froze. Silently she came towards them, five sets of powerful eyes upon her form.

"A kid!? Are you kidding me!?" The eldest of the five was outraged.

"Yahili is nineteen years of age." Gaara explained.

That got them all staring.

"Nineteen!? She looks like she's twelve!" The eldest barked out.

Gaara again spoke up. "The Mutou family has always been short in height."

The blonde haired shadow, a woman, looked Yahili dead in the eyes. Yahili actually swallowed a lump in her throat.

This lady...is scary…

"Lord Kazekage...You believe this...power...is greater than that of the nine tails and the eight tails?" The red haired shadow, another woman, asked.

"I observed it in battle." Gaara explained. "Though she does not remember...Yahili went against Kabuto. He retreated soon after with deep fear in his eyes."

"Are you serious!?" That came from the blonde haired woman that now had broken her gaze with Yahili.

"And what sort of battle was it, Lord Kazekage?" The red haired lady asked. "What technique was used to cause such?"

"...I do not know, Lady Mizukage." Gaara answered. "They stood still for an hour at least until Kabuto fell. It was no genjutsu battle...I am sure of it."

"Um...Might I speak?" Yahili's voice had them all turn to her. "Your...uh...graces...Please do not be mad at Lord Kazekage…He did he know about the power my family held…No one in Suna did...My family was thought to be gone, lost in time...Until like the breath of change...I arrived."

Those words didn't sound like something Yahili would say but she said them. A sudden air of confidence gave her the support she needed to speak to these five shadows.

"I too, know only a little of the power this puzzle holds but...If it will help end this war, I will gladly use it. Though...I have only recently acquired it and will probably need training to control it." Yahili frowned. "By the ferocity of your words, there is no time for such things to occur." Her gaze hardened. "However...This power was meant to protect Suna...Using it to help in the battles to come, will accomplish that. I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to speed up the process of harnessing what it can do."

"I ask this council that Mutou Yahili also go to the island." Gaara stated. "The enemy is more aware of Mutou-san than all of Suna of this power her family possesses...Keeping her away from battle for the moment with give her the time she needs to access her family's power."

There was a moment of intense silence.

"Ack!"

All turned towards the shinobi guards that stood across the way. A lone ninja with a patch over his eye was on the floor, out of breath and completely awed by something. By his headband, he was one of Lady Mizukage's ninja.

"Ao!?" Lady Mizukage shouted in concern for her guard.

"...Wh...What…!?" He pointed a shaking finger at Yahili. Gripping his patched eye, he screamed again. It had been made obvious...He had directed his lone Byakugan eye at Yahili.

"Calm down Ao…" Lady Mizukage stated as Ao slowly stood. "What did you see?"

"That...young woman…" Ao breathed out. "There...She has no chakra to speak of but…" His gaze went towards the golden puzzle at her chest. "There...is something there...in that object around her neck...I...tried to look deeper but...I was pushed away…" His body shook.

"It...was terrifying…" He calmed his breathing. "I could sense I was not welcome...It felt as though I was an intruder and…" His lone, unpatched eye went wide. "I...I saw eyes...They...were staring right back at me...glaring almost…" He stilled. "I...thought I heard...a voice…"

"Voice?" The blonde shadow frowned.

"What did it say?" Lady Mizukage asked.

Ao kept his gaze on Yahili.

"Do not venture into darkness, unless you are ready to play its terrifying games."

Dead, deep silence filled the room.

"My lords and ladies." Ao had calmed himself now, but by his facial expression, he was deeply concerned. "Whatever that object holds, it is not chakra...It is...something else entirely…"

More looks, more stares. What would be Yahili's fate now?

"Whatever the case may be...If what Lord Kazekage said is true...Then we cannot allow the enemy to possess this power." The eldest shadow frowned. "I agree with the Kazekage…"

"So do I." Lady Mizukage spoke her peace.

The bulkier of the five grinded his teeth. "Fine!"

"Agreed." The blonde haired woman also frowned.

"I thank you." Gaara told them.

Knowing she had won them over, for now, Yahili gave a bow.

"Thank you, your graces…" She said. "I vow...to not disappoint any of you."

Next Time: Round One