Unfamiliar with the mental link method, Mikka wasn't used to the energy drain it can cause. Once she returned to the present she fainted on the spot, hiding the floor with a thud. As she came to she realized that someone was carrying her down the hallway. She was hyper-sensitive to the touch: close contact against the chest, hands positioned under her shoulders and knees, and soft steady breath drifted down overhead. Her heart raced wildly in a blind panic. She immediately struggled to free herself without even realizing who was actually holding her. Shibi frowned in confusion as she squirmed in his arms. He instinctively he tightened his grip, not wanting to drop her. That made it worse. She twisted wildly out of his arms and stumbled to the ground. Her legs were still too weak to support her but sheer adrenaline kept her upright as she scrambled down the hallway, desperate to escape.

"Now wait a minute," he said firmly as he caught hold of her arm to stop her.

She whirled around with a fist raised to strike. His broad hand closed round her tiny fist just inches from his face. The glint of the light overhead hit her shades at the right angle and he saw the terror in her eyes. Yet he sensed that it wasn't directed at him; it was more like she was looking right through him, lost in some horrific memory. His brow furrowed in concern and he held absolutely still.

She blinked for a few seconds as she slowly realized who it was. "Uncle Shibi?" She mouthed his name as if waking from a dream. Then her face went beet red with shame and her legs gave out on her. She fell to her knees and he offered a steadying grip on her other elbow. "Easy now," he said soothingly.

She withdrew her fist as she buried her face shamefully in her hands. "I'm so sorry!" She gushed with guilt. "I didn't mean…I thought you were…" she couldn't bring herself to finish that sentence. Oh she felt like such a fool.

He knelt down beside her but wisely withdrew his hand. "Forgive me; I did not mean to startle you."

She turned away shyly, struggling to get a hold of herself. This wasn't a side of herself that she liked others to see. It wasn't the Aburame way. "Shino will recover," she changed the subject in a timid voice. "I…spoke with him. He will comply with the treatment."

"I'm glad to hear it. But what of yours-"

"I'm tired," she cut him off faintly. "I need rest."

There was no doubt about that but it made him sad to see her close herself off like that. Then again what he did expect? Why would she see fit to confide in an Uncle she barely knew? He nodded. "I cleared a space for you in the living room. Do you require assistance?" She stubbornly shook her head. He sighed softly to himself. "Good night Mikka." With that he stood up and walked back down the hall to his own room.

Mikka remained where she was until she heard the door click behind him. She rested her head against the wall as she groaned softly. Great…just great…now he thinks I'm crazy! She thought miserably. But in all fairness she felt unnerved by the events of this evening. The unexpected kindness of her Uncle and sudden suspicion of Shino…she had a sinking feeling that they knew too much. She struggled to her feet and leaned heavily against the wall as she slowly made her way back to the living room. A lone light remained on and she found a small cot set up with pillow and blanket. She blinked in surprise at a night shirt resting on the pillow. She hid a small smile behind her hand. What a kind gesture…but it seemed silly to wear her cousin's pajamas. She set them aside and let her jacket slip from her shoulders. She removed her sandals, switched off the light, and settled under the blanket. She stared up at the ceiling for some time, her brow burrowed in thought. This was all very nice of them…but she'd have to go home eventually. She frowned as her stomach knotted uneasily at the thought. But the events of the day had thoroughly worn her out so sleep mercifully spared her from worrying too long.

When Shibi rose early the following morning, he went to check on his son. Sleep had not been so kind to him as he laid awake for most of the night, worried for Shino's well-being. He was pleased to see that some color returned his face. He began to feel at ease and gently stroked his cheek with a secret smile. Then he turned away and closed the door behind him. In the living room he found his niece still fast asleep. She was buried under the blanket with her dark violet hair rumpled in a giant mess about her head. He briefly considered waking her but soon thought better of it. Let her wake in her own time.

He set about preparing for breakfast by pulling ingredients out of the cupboards. Suddenly he heard a knock at the door. He paused with a frown. Visitors? At this hour? He went to answer the door and was surprised at the sight before him. Ibiki, Inoichi, and a third male bowed respectfully. "Forgive us Shibi-san." Inoichi said apologetically. "Hopefully we didn't wake you."

His brow furrowed in a condemning manner. "Of course not," he huffed in offense. "However now is hardly the ideal time for visitors."

"I'm afraid that we come on business that cannot wait," Ibiki said firmly as he entered the house first. "We must see Shino-kun."

"He hasn't awakened!" Shibi protested. "His condition is still precarious!"

"He will come to no harm," Inoichi immediately reassured him. "We need only to read his mind."

Shibi frowned. "For what reason?"

"We can't wait for him to make his formal report," the third male said, introducing himself as Ozuru Nara. "Time is of the essence and we must know the end result of his mission now. Please…"

Ibiki grunted as he looked less than patient and Shibi again worried about what sort of trouble Shino had gotten himself into. He nodded reluctantly. "Very well then, you have my permission."

Inoichi nodded with a smile but his comrades looked considerably concerned. Shibi led the way to his son's room and opened the door for them. "You must wait outside," Ibiki said firmly as he caught hold of Shibi's shoulder. "This is official business in regards to a Sealed Case."

He paused for only a moment in resistance. However he knew the importance of a Sealed Case and his pride would not permit him to pry. "Please be careful," he murmured as he withdrew.

When he returned to the kitchen, he found his niece cooking some rice porridge at the stove. He noticed that she had also set a kettle boiling for tea. He recognized the scent as one of his mother's favorite brews and found himself looking forward to savoring its taste once more. He came up alongside and began chopping ingredients for miso soup. For the time being he was content to remain silent, trusting her to set the pace for conversation. She remained silent as she finished and set about setting the table. "Will your guests be joining us?"

He thought about it for a second. "I don't believe so. They come on official business."

She frowned. "At this hour?"

"That's what I said," he said with a hint of a chuckle in his throat.

"What a strange turn of events," she murmured as if to herself. "Perhaps you should hire the services of another medic, one with more experience."

"I trust that your skills will be more than adequate," he countered as he set food on the table. "You underestimate your abilities."

"It's not that," she countered in return. "I am capable for the task at hand but I know my own limits."

"Or is it that you don't wish to stay?" He gently challenged. "I cannot make you, you know. You are free to leave whenever you wish."

She frowned uneasily as she sat across from him. "I…I don't…" she blushed as she lowered her head shyly. "Thank you for your kindness," she whispered.

He inclined his head respectfully. "There is no need to thank me," he murmured. No, if anything she should curse his indifference. He couldn't shake the sense of guilt that gnawed at him. He should have been a better Uncle to her, protected her even. But how? Hisashi was highly respected among the Clan, completely above suspicion. He worried as his gaze rested on her bandaged hands. If that had been a result of Mitsuru's jealous rage…what would her Father do when he discovered her honor? To outshine his prized son would not do, it would never do…but if she were to accept the position she certainly would. He bowed his head in thought. He must think of some way to ensure her safety till she successfully enrolled in the internship. It was the least he could do after years of willful neglect on his part.

Meanwhile Inoichi pulled up a chair alongside Shino's bed. "It's not fair really," he protested on Shibi's behalf. "He ought to know what's going on since it regards his son."

"I would rather neither of them knew." Ibiki grumbled. "Some legends are best kept in storybooks."

"Even legends have modern relevance," Ozuro gently smirked. "Now if she shares the same rank as her Father then there's still hope."

"That is if she survived The Ordeal," he countered grimly. "The last two did not."

Ozuru's smirk faded at that and Inoichi set his hand gently on Shino's forehead. Closing his eyes he carefully searched through his memories of the past twenty-four hours. He saw his farewell with Isae, the desperate, lingering kiss before they parted. His heart ached at such a sweet scene. That moment alone showed him a tender side of the Aburame he had never before seen. In some ways he felt an intruder prying through such special memories. Still he was there for a reason and had a job to do. She disappeared with her hound and then something else appeared. A Kumori deformed by chaotic energy. The sight, even in memory form, made his blood run chill. What a truly monstrous creature! The odds were strongly against Shino but he did not falter from his duty. He fought bravely indeed. He was lucky to have survived at all but it seemed that the Kumori wasn't hell-bent on destroying him. Inoichi frowned curiously. How strange for a demon to refrain from murder. Clearly his attention was redirected elsewhere. But at this point he couldn't see the events, only dimly hear them. For Shino wasn't aware of what happened around him while he was unconscious. Inoichi felt nervous that was all they'd know. But what became of Isae? Suddenly there was a warmth and strength kindled as Shino's senses responded to something. Isae, in shadow form, provided immense chakra strength, saving her friend's life. Silver tears poured down her cheeks. He didn't know that demons could cry. Another Kumori approaches, not the one from before. This one was The Guardian, he recognized his profile. But she is hostile to him. Hiro limps to her and Isae mourns over her. Inoichi watched as the demonic pair led both of them to the hospital. The farewell scene at the end was quite revealing as she destroyed her ID tag with a burst of white flame. That confirmed their suspicions and he withdrew his hand. "The Right-Hand has returned."

Ibiki relaxed slightly in his stance while Ozuru let out an audible sigh of relief. "Oh good! The Nara will at last have an ally."

"Not if she's fallen into the hands of The Ebony," Ibiki warned.

"She's in the care of The Guardian," Inoichi reassured him. "No doubt she's safe from His grasp."

"She'd better be," he huffed. "For you know the danger that a corrupted gift brings."