Tenshi woke up and looked down to see the ground. The threads he had put up in the tree, swayed precariously. The sun was high and he heard some noise at Tsuki's. He cut the ropes and dropped to the ground to find Tsuki and Tenkei in heated debate. Tsuki was at the point of yelling and he didn't understand why. Tenkei growled twice and then she broke. She raced at Tsuki.

TENKEI! He appeared between them and caught the wolf by the throat. She struggled, a deep growl in her throat.

Kill. Kill. Kill.

Again? Oh no.

"Tsuki. Get away from here."

"Why should I leave?"

"NOW!"

"Why? What have I done?"

There was an explosion right where Tenshi was and Tsuki raised a hand to ward off the incoming rock. She dodged the shards easily, faster than the eye could see.

"Tenshi? Are you alright? Tens-"

"I'm fine. Get going. I will be right behind you."

The dark-haired woman nodded, and spun around, slipping away.

Kill!!!!

Tenkei! Stop it. Tenshi forced his way to her heart to find the true her. It was despicable that this bond had its cost.

DIE!... Tenshi?

You're doing it again. I don't want to fight you. Get rid of it as fast as you can. I am leaving.

I…Tenshi. She struggled more in the grasp and her teeth cut into his hand. He closed it more and then threw her as hard as he could into the nearest tree. He took off after Tsuki, catching up in a couple minutes.

The Taijutsu master was sitting on the branch of a tree, hands slung over her knees are she watched him. "What was that about? You seemed really worried."

"It's hard on me. Tenkei has a disease… a unique one. Every so often, her heart becomes corrupted by a sudden desire to kill and hurt. I ask you don't blame her. It hurts to see her fight it and lose." He looked back and stopped, wanting to go back.

"Come on," Tsuki said, standing up. "I don't blame her. We have to leave her to fight it out."

"But..."

"Tenshi," Tsuki said firmly. "Come on."

"I can't leave her!"

"You just said that it hurts you to see her fight it and lose. You don't have to watch her fight it."

Tenshi bowed his head and then slammed his fist through the tree they stood on.

The Kunoichi Jounin rolled out of the way of the splinters of wood, skillfully getting to her feet as she did so. "Calm down."

Tenshi saw an explosion and knew that the fight was coming to a close. He looked at Tsuki and saw the look of bemusement on her face.

"An explosion?"

A howl and yelp of pain reached their ears.

TENSHI!!! TSUKI!!!

Tenkei?

Tsuki's head whipped around. "What was that?"

Tenshi dropped to a knee in pain.

"Ugh. We…have to go back." He dropped to the ground and raced towards the house. They both reached the area and found Tenkei in a pool of blood. She hopped towards them, one paw over the ground.

Tenshi. Tsuki. Good morning… How are you?

"Better than you, that's for sure," Tsuki said, looking at the smears of blood in front of her house.

I… am deeply sorry. Tenshi.

Yes?

Do you mind?

Not at all. Come here. He healed her and brought her closer. Why must we deal with the pain in this world?

Tsuki felt she was encroaching on a private moment, so she looked away, focusing on the blood again. Luckily she lived at the back of the village, near the Hokage monument, so there weren't that many buildings around, and the rain would just wash away the blood from the grass to sink into the ground. "So," the Jounin said, turning her head back after she had finished her analysis. "Why did you come back to the village?"

Tenshi sat down and watched Tsuki.

"The reason for my visit is that Tsunade has a mission for us."

"What kind of mission? Rank?"

"S- Rank. She told me the details and told me to pick two ninja I want to go with me."

"And so, I'm guessing that as well as saying hello, you also picked me as one of your ninja… Who's the other?"

"Uh-huh. Actually, I told her I would only need one."

"Okay," Tsuki said, crossing her arms. "So what's the mission outline?"

"Orochimaru's location has been found and he hasn't moved. We are going to confront him and try to remove Sasuke from his care. Regardless of that, I was thinking that now might be the best time for a little revenge."

The Kunoichi nodded. "I have one thing to say. You're only taking me, but we're going against Orochimaru, one of the Sannin-"

Tenshi? Tsuki?

They turned to find the young wolf facing a second one of her, except in black. Red eyes stared out and growled deeply.

Tenkei backed up slowly and the wolf let out a roar that caused Tenshi to blink.

Tsuki fell down into an attack position. "Friend or foe?" She asked. "Or shall I leave it to you?"

"I didn't expect that I would have to do this. But unfortunately I have no choice. Wolf Cry: Piercing Fang! You wanted to see how powerful I have become? Then here you go." He brought up a single hand in the form of ox. "Kinshi Genjutsu: Kaze Yokoana (Forbidden Genjutsu: Wind Tunnel)." A searing wind rushed out of his left eye, the only one that could see. The pupil dilated as the jutsu tore through the wolf shredding her to dust in a matter of seconds.

"Uh… Did you even know who that wolf was?"

"No matter. She threatened Tenkei." He looked to find the young wolf, on the ground fast asleep. He walked over and picked her up in his arms.

Tenshi?

Hmmm?

Tell Tsuki I am sorry. And that I wish I could make it up to her.

He looked to Tsuki who looked back.

"Don't worry," the Jounin said. "I understand."

Good night Tsuki and Tenshi. I will be ready when the time comes to leave.

Good night, my love.

" 'Night," Tsuki said.

--

They reached the mansion and memories flooded Tenshi's head.

Tsuki pushed open the door, and walked inside, up the stairs. Two ninja's walked past them, laden with books.

"Izumo, Kotetsu," Tsuki greeted them. They exchanged a few pleasantries, with both Izumo and Kotetsu glancing occasionally at Tenshi, curious as to who he was, but too polite to ask. They each continued on their ways, Tsuki lightly stepping up the stairs.

"Who are they? Friends?"

"I wasn't always a Jounin, you know," Tsuki laughed. "When you work under the Hokage occasionally, you get to know the people around you."

As she finished saying this, they arrived in front of Tsunade's office. Tsuki knocked on the door. They heard a few mumbles, and the rapid opening and closing of some drawers.

Tsunade had been at the sake again.

"Come in," the Hokage said eventually.

The Jounin opened the door and ushered Tenshi inside, before shutting the door behind them. Tsunade looked up and gave then a crooked smile.

"Oh, Tenshi, Tsuki."

Tsuki bowed, as did Tenshi.

"So, Tenshi, have you chosen the two Ninja that are to accompany you?"
"Just Tsuki."

"Hm, just Tsuki?" Tsunade said, disgruntled. "Are you sure?"

"I trust her with my life."

"Well, it's your decision," the Hokage seemed to shrug to herself. "Anyway. The mission outline is still the same. You still have the information file I gave you, correct?"

"Of course."

"Good. Well, I hope you leave as soon as you can."

"Okay…we'll head out now!" Tenshi said eager to leave.

"Good luck."