The Shadow Realm was a haven for the Kumori, more of a state of being than a place pinpointed by location. There was no scenery to really speak of; all structures were soft and sketchy at the edges. All was free-flowing, like a watercolor in motion. Here Kumori dwelt with no regard for the world outside, for it was considered meaningless and frivolous.

Goro growled as he scratched at himself, cursing bugs under his breath all the while.

"You're still sore about that?" Teruo gently smirked in spite of himself. He didn't flinch as his fist went right through his head. "It's nice to be home again, isn't it?" He asked dryly. Being transparent sure had its perks.

"Just you wait," Goro scowled.

Teruo turned aside. "Don't you find this business of Akihiro's strange?"

"Meaning what?"

"I thought he was dead," he said softly. He still felt the betrayal from someone he once considered to be both mentor and friend.

"Death would have been preferable to masquerading as a human that whole time," Goro huffed. "Such limitations would be unbearable."

"He used to say that humans were spineless, weak creatures despite their solid structures…I wonder what changed his mind."

"Not like it matters now," Goro said grimly. "In the end he was a deserter, going against everything we believe in, betraying his own kind."

Teruo raised an eyebrow. "And you believe in everything He does?"

Goro narrowed his eyes. "It is not our place to question Him," he said firmly. "Watch yourself Teruo…that was the beginning of Akihiro's downfall."

Teruo kept his mouth shut but his mind couldn't stop questioning.

Just then another figure materialized into the room: female, petite, and elegant. "Has Nori returned with the child?"

Goro rolled his eyes. "That pervert? He's too stupid to pull it off. If we couldn't do it-"

"Hmm," she grunted in response. "Perhaps he will show his worth in the midst of your failure. Then he would be in His favor…like you used to be."

Goro scowled darkly but turned away.

The woman turned towards his companion. "Tell me Teruo, what is she like?"

He had a hint of a wistful smile. "She is like her Father in every respect."

She seemed pleased. "Then she will be a remarkable asset to The Ebony. Let us hope she will prove more faithful than fickle."

"This all seems rather unusual, doesn't it?" Teruo ventured cautiously. "When we found Akihiro, there was no mention of a child. Then suddenly she turns up out of nowhere. Surely He would have known all along."

It was silent for a moment and the female chose her words carefully. "He moves in mysterious ways and it is not our place to question Him," her tone was deathly serious. "He must have had His reasons."

Or perhaps He is not as all-knowing as we give him credit for, Teruo thought treacherously but wisely kept to himself. He knew that doubting their Leader simply wasn't done. Akihiro certainly never had…that is until…he shook his head to clear it.

"Nori's methods are unconventional but most effective…especially upon females. They are especially weak." Her mouth twisted into a sadistic smile.

"You certainly enjoy those perks when solid," Goro said smugly, finding the opportunity for a comeback.

She glared at him murderously. Just then a sudden chill went through the room; dark, foreboding, and ominous. All three dropped to one knee as He appeared in their midst.

He towered overhead, easily twice as large as any Kumori, his power shrouded round him like a billowing cloak that rippled with authority. His face was long, slender, with a narrow nose and thin lips. His almond eyes were aloof as he gazed upon his loyal underlings. "Nori has failed. His shadow has been shattered." He said smoothly as he drew out Nori's soul knife for proof.

All three stared incredulously. "How is a mortal child capable of such power?" The woman said in awe.

"She is not," He said firmly, his eyes narrowed shrewdly. "I sense Akihiro's hand in this."

A hush fell over them as they looked warily at each other. Surely he was dead; he had been considerably weakened after living among humans for so long. While Kumori assumed mortal form from time to time, it was never meant to be a permanent position. Teruo felt a flare of hope and relief at the knowledge that perhaps Akihiro wasn't completely gone. As long as he was alive, there was hope he would return.

"Master, let me find favor in your eyes and allow me to continue the search!" The woman pleaded. "I will find the Shadowling!"

He considered her for a moment. "She is under Akihiro's protection and hidden from my gaze. I do not know her current whereabouts."

"Be that as it may, she knows nothing of the Perils of Transition. She will reveal herself in time. Please grant me the honor of retrieval."

"Very well," He murmured. "You have my favor Hisoka."

Isae stirred gently at Hiro's prodding nose. They had traveled for most of the night, determined to put as much distance between them and Konoha as possible. By sunrise she was thoroughly exhausted and sought refuge in a secluded grove of trees, far from the main path. She groaned as Hiro's wet nose snuffled against her neck. Still dreaming, she imagined lips drifting along its length, moist and soft. "Hmm Shino…" she giggled softly to herself.

Hiro growled low and let out a sharp, reproving bark, effectively startling her mistress awake. It took Isae a few moments to come to her senses. She pressed a hand against her sore head, sleeping on the ground proved harder than she'd thought. "Fine, I'm awake, happy now?" She growled softly. Hiro seemed to wear a wolfish grin. Do dogs grin?

She sat up slowly, stretching her sore limbs. Then she sighed and she hugged her round the neck. "It's just the two of us now…I wonder if Shizako and Satoru have figured it out." Her grip tightened for a moment. "I miss them already." Hiro whined gently in sympathy. Her gaze lowered sorrowfully. What about Shino? Her brow furrowed as she remembered what Kiba said. He likes me? So silly. It's a good thing I'm gone, it'll give his hormones a chance to settle. As off-handed as her thoughts were, part of her felt a strange sense of longing linger on. She drew a shaky breath and slowly released it. His gentle touch was going to haunt her for some time. She shook her head to clear it. Reaching into her knapsack, she pulled out some food to share with her hound.

Her other hand slipped into her pouch full of scrolls. "I wonder what any of these mean. I kinda lost the first one." She frowned in memory. That brilliant light had driven the Kumori away. Were the others like that too? She let them roll about in her hands absent-mindedly as her gaze looked out over the horizon. Every day used to be the same, now it never would be again.

"So where to go now?" She asked Hiro wryly. "Of course it wouldn't occur to Dad to just include a map huh? No, that would be far too easy." The best Shinobi do not just follow orders, they chart their own course, he used to say. Still a map would have been appreciated. Hiro danced about as she stood up. "Got any ideas?"

Hiro gestured with her snout in an Eastern direction. Isae shrugged. "Might as well. Lead on." She hurried on her way with Hiro bounding ahead with unusual speed. "Woah, slow down!" She called out. "I don't think we're in that much of a hurry!" She struggled to keep up. Part of it was that her wounds were still healing, she wasn't fully recovered yet.

Hiro slowed down a little but was clearly focused. Isae did her best to keep on the move. They continued east for most of the day, pausing only once for lunch. Hiro seemed uncharacteristically antsy. Did she know something Isae did not? She trusted her hound to remain in the lead; she didn't have any other ideas. The speed of their pace distracted her from the heartache of leaving her friends behind. The wind whipped through her hair and the adrenaline made her heart race. It felt incredibly liberating!

Her arm suddenly constricted painfully. It was happening again, she realized with a sense of dread. She stumbled and clutched her arm as the burn mark twisted and contorted. The pain was blinding, and she tripped and fell. She grit her teeth as it spread down her other arm, searing with agony along every inch of flesh it conquered. Hiro, sensing trouble, immediately turned around.

Isae's partial shadow form grew misty as she thrashed on the ground. Her eyes darkened and her teeth sharpened as she screamed an unearthly tone. Hiro's eyes narrowed as she lunged forward, biting her hand. Isae didn't even notice amidst her pain. The seal on her forehead glowed, halting the spread of the curse. The marks began to fade back and Isae lay still on the grass. With an heavy sigh, her eyes fluttered closed. Her white skin glowed in the light of the setting sun.

Hiro released her hand and stood over her protectively as she began to fall asleep.

We'll never make it at this rate. It's spreading faster than I had anticipated.

Shino was a bit out of sorts for most of the day, even so much that he was distracted during training with his teammates. Kiba managed to score a hit on him, which sent him flying backward.

"Geez, what's with you? Are you even paying attention?" Kiba asked as he helped him up to feet.

"I'm afraid not," Shino confessed as he rubbed his bruised cheek.

"This doesn't have to do with Isae-chan again, does it?" Kiba grumbled. "Seriously dude. Get over it already."

"I heard about Isae-chan leaving, I'm sorry Shino," she said sympathetically.

Kiba looked at them like they were both crazy. "Since when is checking out of the hospital such a big deal?" Now it was their turn to look confused. "What?" He asked. "Did I miss something?"

"Isae-chan has left Konoha," Hinata gently explained.

Kiba blinked in surprise. "Really? Wow." He frowned in thought. "I guess that's what she was up to then."

Shino grabbed hold of his jacket. "Explain."

"I bumped into her last night; she said she was staying the night with friends. I didn't think she was running away."

"Did she say anything else?" He pressed earnestly.

His face went a little red. "I…uh…tried to warn her off of you. Suggested that she leave you alone. She's no good for you anyway dude."

Hinata's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh Kiba…"

Shino's brow was awfully condemning. "That was not your decision to make."

Kiba swallowed hard. "I was just looking out for you," he offered meekly. Never before had he feared his friend.

"What else?" He demanded.

"I told her that you liked her…and she didn't believe me."

Shino narrowed his eyes. "You are not privy to my sentiments," he fairly growled. "Do not make assumptions." He released him and turned on his heel. "Please excuse me; I have lost all interest in training."

"Shino wait!" Hinata called after him but he didn't turn around. His mind was already on other matters. What possessed Kiba to feel the need to intervene on his behalf? His interest in Isae had nothing to do with him. His heart pounded in his chest. Interest? That seemed so fleeting. What was a better word to describe it? Again he felt at a loss. She didn't believe his feelings to be sincere? That stung. And yet…what were his feelings? He realized with shame that he had never declared them. And yet, surely she sensed them with each kiss they had since shared. He sighed. It could not continue this way or he would be driven mad.

His father was not home when he arrived so he set about preparing dinner. It was a welcome distraction from his troubling thoughts and yet it did little to sooth his aching heart.

Just as he set about placing dishes on the table, he suddenly doubled over. Intense pain ripped through his shoulder. The bowl slipped through his fingers and shattered on the floor. His tracking beetles fled in panic, swirling around him in an agitated manner. That's right…he thought in a corner of his mind. I placed one…on Isae…The pain was suffocating, driving him to his knees. He closed his eyes tightly as the pressure continued.

Shibi walked in to find his son wheezing on the floor and ran to his side. Losing all restraint Shino screamed as he trembled in his Father's arms. Shibi placed a hand on his brow and muttered something under his breath. Soon Shino relaxed and his head tipped back as he struggled to stay awake.

"What happened?" Shibi demanded.

Shino slowly shook his head. "I hardly know…I hardly know."

This was nothing like the usual alert he received when his insects were agitated. This…was something else entirely new.