Disclaimer: I do not own any of Masashi Kishimoto's work nor do I own any of Inuyasha's characters. If you see a name you don't recognize then it is OC.

Chapter 36

Genma watched as Minako's eyes opened the next day. "Good, you're awake."

Minako sat up and stretched. Looking around, she asked, "Where are we?"

"We're in a forest." Takeo said. "Where do you think we are."

Raido asked, "Did you tell them anything?"

Minako looked at him frowning, "No, why would I do that?"

"Just wondering." Raido held his hands up, looking at her again he asked, "Where did you learn that jutsu?"

Minako looked at him questioningly, "The transformation jutsu you used to become a man." Raido said.

Minako, understanding, smiled, "I learned it from Konohamaru. I saw him do it one day and I thought it would be a good jutsu to learn."

Takeo looked up from where he was sitting, "You want to know something guys." Everyone looked at him. "Minako can't go into the village."

Minako looked at them and asked, "Why can't I go to the village?"

Raido told her, "You are classified as a rogue shinobi. And you are to be killed on sight."

Minako sucked in a breath sharply, "Who classified me as a rogue shinobi?" she asked shocked.

Genma looked at her sorrowfully, "Danzo, the new hokage did."

Takeo who had been trying to get in a word asked, "How long can you hold that transformation jutsu?"

Minako thought about it. "If I get enough rest, a whole day. But if it ends up being a little sleep here and there, for a few hours."

"Is that why you were hysterically going on about them calling you a pervert?" Takeo asked grinning.

Minako, standing up now, placed her hands on her hips. Getting in Takeo's face she said, "I don't go on hysterically."

Genma cleared his throat to get her attention. Minako looked at him, "Actually you were. So since you were, exactly how much sleep did you get?"

Minako stood up and thought. Looking at Genma, she said, "I'm not sure."

Takeo sighed and leaning against a tree said, "Let's get home."

"It'll take us at least a day to get back." Shiro said.

Takeo pushed away from the tree and transformed into his dog demon form, "We can get there in a few hours if we travel this way."

Minako picked up the blankets she had been using. Turning to look at the others, she asked, "Do y'all know what happened to my pack?"

Genma shook his head. "We didn't see another pack."

"All well." Minako shrugged her shoulders. Takeo laid down to make it easier for them to climb on. Genma got on first and Minako got on, holding his waist. Raido climbed on, followed by Shiro, they held Takeo's hair. Takeo took off for the village and got there in record time. Landing, Takeo went back to looking like normal.

Turning to Minako, he said, "Now, because you are classified as a rogue shinobi, you need to come into the village about an hour after we do and in your man form. That way you won't be suspicious."

Takeo continued after he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. "You are this guy here."

Raido pointed, "He died in the Third Shinobi war."

Takeo looked at the picture, but then looking back at the others, "Okay, Minako you are going to be Genma's cousin. Your name is going to be Eri, named after this guy here."

Minako held up her hands to stop Takeo, "Okay, I get it now."

She stepped back and transformed into the man. Minako, just then thought of something, raising her shirt, she saw the burn and knife scars still there.

Shiro said, "Sorry, I couldn't get rid of them."

Takeo cleared his throat, Minako looked at him. Pointing to her finger, he said, "You're going to have to take that off. Everyone knows that was Minako's ring."

"But," Takeo stopped her.

He pulled out a scroll and looked at it. Then said, "If you have to wear a ring wear this one." he pulled out a plain band.

Minako removed her ring and gave it to Genma, "Keep this safe."

Minako took the ring from Takeo and put it on.

"Oh, and one other thing, I found this cloak in the forest and figured it would help with your disguise." Takeo gave her a black cloak. "Now you are going to be met by Izumo and Kotetsu. Act as if you don't remember them."

Takeo led the others to the village. As they walked among the debris a man came up to them and asked, "Where have you been?"

Raido said, "We took some stuff to the dump."

The man looked at them suspiciously. Aoba came walking up and called, "Hey Raido, hurry up. Shizune needs you and Genma."

Raido and Genma followed him while Takeo walked down the road, looking for Izumo and Kotetsu.

Finding them, he said, "Ah, the two people I need."

Kotetsu and Izumo looked at him questioningly, Takeo picked up some boards and gave them the stack. Bending closer, he said, "You are going to run into Minako. But you won't know it is. She is to go by the name Eri. Make sure she gets to Genma and his group. She is pretending to be his cousin."

Izumo and Kotetsu nodded in understanding. As they walked down the road, Kotetsu said, "I thought she was classified as a rogue shinobi."

Izumo said, "She was, but apparently Raido and Genma went against Danzo's orders."

Kotetsu said, "I'm glad. She's fun to be around."

"She's also very knowledgeable." Izumo said looking down the road after they dumped the wood.

They saw a figure walking towards them. They watched him approach. The man raised his hand in greeting.

"My, my, my. Kotetsu and Izumo, you've grown since the last time I saw you." The man hugged them. As he hugged them he said, "I'm Minako."

He pulled back and Kotetsu and Izumo smiled at him. Izumo reached his hand forward and said, "Long time no see Eri. What are you here for?"

One of Danzo's men came up behind them, "Who is this man?"

Kotetsu place his hand on Eri's shoulder, "This is Genma's cousin, Eri"

The man looked at him suspiciously. "Why are you here?"

"I heard that Konoha had gotten destroyed and I came to help rebuild it." Eri/Minako said.

Izumo grabbed him around the arms and said, "Let's go get you started."

Danzo's man watched until the were out of sight. After walking around a corner, Izumo and Kotetsu sighed.

Looking at Izumo, Kotetsu said, "That was close."

"No kidding." Izumo looked Eri up and down, "But I do have to admit, you look pretty good, Minako."

Minako shushed him, "It's Eri."

"Sorry." Izumo led Eri and Kotetsu in the direction Genma and Raido were in.

Raido looked up and nodded when he saw them coming. Genma looked up and seeing Eri walking towards them, he dropped what he was doing. Running over he grabbed Eri in a hug, causing one of Danzo's men to look at them funny.

"It's been a long time, Eri." Genma pulled away, "What are you doing here?"

Eri smiled and placing his hands on Genma's shoulders said, "I heard that Konoha was destroyed and I came to help."

Raido came up then and held his full hands out. Eri took the stuff while Genma and Raido gathered more stuff. Izumo and Kotetsu walked back to where they had been working.

As they walked to the dump, Genma asked, "Did you have any trouble?"

Eri shook his head and said, "We were questioned to begin with, but Izumo got us out of there."

Takeo came walking up. Throwing the stuff into the pile, Takeo placed his hands on his hips and said, "We have a problem."

Genma and the other two looked at him puzzled. Eri stepped forwards, "What do you mean, we have a problem?"

Takeo crossed his arms, "You have to stay with Genma."

Eri asked, still puzzled, "Why do I have to stay with Genma?"

Takeo sighed exasperated, "You are pretending to be Genma's cousin. Hyintai and her family are still living at Ino's house. If we have you stay with the Nara's it could get suspicious."

Eri crossed his arms and placed his hand on his chin, "You have a point.

There was a call for lunch break. Walking back to the village they were met by several people. Everyone asked who the new man was, Genma told them it was his cousin come to help them rebuild the village.