Author's notes: Not much. I'll have something for the next chapter though.

Disclaimer: Look at any other chapter

Chapter 37 Arrival

Zev was surprised that they had arrived during the night. Utsuha had found a shortcut, I'm glad Yukio isn't the one with us, Zev thought as he remembered all the times he had gotten them lost.

Leta was barely awake. She yawned. Zev realized he was somewhat tired as well, although not as tired as he thought he should have been. Not that he was upset with that. The group walked out in front of the gate. Zev turned and looked at the others. They all looked exhausted. Zev held up his hand and poured more chakra into the light. Making the sphere of light shine much brighter, he shouted "Open the gate!"

"Who's goes there?" someone shouted

Zev shouted back "Shinobi from the Village Hidden in the Leaves!

"You're early!" then the gates started opening. A man walked out, "You weren't due for another week. However I'm not complaining."

Zev was surprised, "Agatone-sama? Shouldn't you be a little more careful? After all you came out assuming we are who we say we are…."

"You can just use san. Besides, I'm good at judging a book from its cover, and I was told to expect you early. You actually fit right on time," Leta yawned again. Agatone looked closer at her, "she's half asleep. Why don't I get you all some rooms and we can talk in the morning?"

Zev nodded, "I don't need to rest but the others do. Thank you."

"You're welcome, now come inside."

Zev was surprised by the interior of the large castle. He at first thought it would be all grey brick but the walls were covered with murals. Zev looked back at the others. They had managed to shake themselves awake to look at the paintings. Leta was still dog-tired though. Zev noticed Agatone was walking slower. Zev guessed that was for everyone to get a good look at the paintings. Agatone brought them down several hallways and opened up two rooms, "One for the women and one for the men."

Zev nodded and brought Leta into one of the rooms and laid her down on the bed. Osona just fell down on her bed and was asleep. Zev looked into the room that he would be sleeping in later and saw that he wouldn't have a bed, "Dang it Kuro," he said aloud, "Oh well, I'm not feeling tired enough to need sleep anyways."

Agatone said without looking at Zev, "Aren't you tired at all?"

Zev shrugged, "I am a little, Agatone-san, but I do not need sleep at the moment. I am capable of staying awake for long periods of time."

"Then would you like to come with me and grab something to eat?"

Zev was about to shake his head no, but then his stomach growled, "Well, I guess I could use something to eat. Thank you."

Agatone walked down the hall. Zev followed next to him keeping good posture, "Is that really comfortable?" Agatone asked, "You don't have to be so proper around me. Trust me, if you were in a position like mine, you'd get tired of it too."

Zev let himself relax, he's a really relaxed person. He reminds me of the Hokage, Zev thought.

"There is one question I'd like to ask you."

"What is that?"

"Do you know a person you strongly resemble?"

Zev stiffened slightly, "I may, why do you ask?"

"You look a lot like Lobo."

"Oh? And what is your opinion of him?"

"First, I'd like to hear yours."

"It seems like we have a small predicament."

"Yes, because if I tell you I hate the man, and you are loyal to him. I have made an enemy."

"And if I tell you I hate him, and you are loyal to him. I'm trapped here until he can come and take care of me or he may send one of his men loyal to him."

Agatone smiled, "I really hate his guts."

"Me too."

Agatone put a hand on Zev's shoulder, still smiling, "Do be somewhat careful. The shinobi who were guarding my daughter are still here. I think they may be loyal to him."

"Thanks, I will be, but a squad mate of mine can tell the difference between someone who's loyal to Lobo, or loyal to me."

Agatone titled his head, "Loyal to you? Are you also arranging an alliance?"

Zev shook his head, "Somehow I emit a blue aura. Those who also emit a blue aura seem to think along the same lines as me and they become good friends. Lobo emits a red aura. Those who emit a red aura as well seem to be corrupted like him. There are people who emit a gold aura and they seem to be above other's influences, for good or for evil."

Agatone held up a hand, "We can continue talking about this later. There's the kitchen and you can see the others in there."

Zev nodded and followed Agatone.

Leta tightened her grip on Zev's arm and found he was no longer there. She sat up in bed. She put a hand to her forehead and remembered where she was. She didn't remember coming into the castle but she did remember getting close to it. She guessed Zev carried her in. She looked at Osona asleep on her bed. She activated her byakugan and looked for Zev. It wasn't long before she found him. Her connection to Zev helped her find him.

She saw another blue aura next to him but it was very dim and Leta assumed it was because he was so far away. Leta saw three red auras nearby Zev as well. Leta thought she should stay in bed but she decided not to.

Leta followed the winding corridors and was able to find the room where Zev was thanks to her byakugan guiding her. She noticed that all the auras besides Zev's seemed to grow larger. She guessed Zev's was already completely visible because of her strong emotions tied to him. Leta peaked around the corner. She could see the three red aura ninja completely. They wore simple tan clothes like what Zev wore as Tengin. But instead of brown boots and a brown robe they wore black. The robe of the one on the right had the kanji for hate, the one in the middle had the kanji for death, and the one on the left had the kanji evil. Each was sewn on them in red thread. Also they wore their headbands across their forehead protectors. They were from the village in the sand.

They were on the other side of the table in the room drinking sake. Leta had tried the drink once. She hated it. She looked at Zev. He was sitting next to some man who Leta didn't know. He was the source of the other blue aura.

The man noticed Leta first. He nudged Zev. Zev looked up and smiled, I'm scared, Leta thought.

Zev jumped over the table and stood right in front of her. He put a hand on her shoulder, "what's wrong?"

"Those men,they have a strong red aura…"

Zev turned and looked at the men. They were staring at him. He scowled and they turned away. Zev looked at Leta, "Don't worry, okay?"

Leta nodded a bit and gripped Zev's arms tightly, "O-okay," she said quietly.

Zev let a small burst of killer intent reach the Sand Ninja. Zev almost laughed as one ran out of the room. The others followed slowly trying not to show fear. When they were gone Zev looked at Leta, "That was almost too easy."

Leta smiled, "Thanks, Zev, they're gone."

Leta looked at Agatone, "Come in! Are you hungry at all?"

"Do… I know you… Sir?"

"You were half asleep when you came in so I'm not surprised you don't remember me. I'm Agatone."

"Oh! A-A-Agatone-s-sama!" Leta said bowing.

"If you're going to add an honorific, use –san please… I don't like it when people use –sama."

"Of c-course, Agatone-sama, oh… I mean A-A-Agatone-san!"

"Relax! I'm not going to hurt you. If it's really easier for you, you can call me Agatone-sama," Agatone said shaking his head smiling.

Zev smiled and pulled Leta into the room. It was somewhat small, especially if you considered the size of the castle. A table in the center filled up most of the room. There were cabinets around the walls of the room. Leta tried to get herself to relax and failed at it. Agatone moved and sat at the head of the table so that Leta could sit next to Zev. She sat down in his old seat and kept tapping her index fingers together nervously.

"Zev told me you can see people's auras. What color is mine?" he asked trying to get her to relax.

Leta did relax somewhat remembering that Agatone's was blue like Zev's. She put her hands in her lap, "Yours is blue like Zev's."

Agatone leaned back, "So I wonder if that means I'm being influenced by Zev."

Leta looked up at him, "Well, uh… actually I've seen some people who have blue auras as well. I think maybe there are people who are like Zev and can influence people."

Zev sat down next to Leta, "That's a scary thought…."

Leta looked at Zev. Then Agatone spoke, "You're right. If there are people who can influence for good like us, then there may be people who are just like Lobo."

Leta reached up and touched her face. The thought scared her. Agatone sat up straight again, "Anyways, um… Leta is it? Would you like something to eat?" he stood up and opened a cabinet, "We have quite a bit."

Leta stood up and looked through all the food. She found several ingredients and made a small meal for each of them. Agatone was surprised that she had made something for all of them. He sat down and took a bite, "You know…" he looked at Leta, "you'll make a great wife someday!"

Leta blushed a deep red. Zev put an arm over her shoulder, "she really is a good cook isn't she?"

Agatone smiled, "Yes, she's almost as good as my wife," he lost his smile and looked at the small meal Leta had prepared.

"We… heard about your loss, I'm sorry…" Leta said quietly.

Agatone shook his head, "It's nothing you two should worry about. Nothing you two could have done. She died… no, was murdered, a long time ago…"

"Murdered?" Leta asked.

"Yes, a man came to my house that day; back when I allowed everyone to come in and granted everyone who needed a place to stay a place in my house. He came in, asked for a place to stay the night," he shook his head, "I should have noticed it at dinner. He kept telling me that someone close to me might get hurt if I continued to earn money and grow in power. I smiled and told him, I have tried to appease everyone. But he laughed and shook his head. That night… my wife died. It looked completely natural and I would have thought it was. Except… Nagäku was gone the next morning."

Zev looked at Leta, "It can't be that easy…"

Agatone turned and looked at them, "What do you mean?"

Zev leaned forward, "Well, Agatone-san, recently a man came to our village, Orochimaru," Zev's hand went instantly to his curse mark. Leta put a hand over Zev's and Zev continued, "While there though, he referred to himself as Nagäku…"

"Is he dead?"

"No, but I plan on changing that soon."

"Good, tell me when you do."

"I promise, but… he has been surprisingly resistant to death in the past."

"I understand…"

Leta leaned into Zev, "Zev, do you… really plan on killing Orochimaru?"

"Yes, because I doubt he'll simply let me kill Lobo."

Leta slipped her hand into Zev's, "Please don't take unnecessary risks…"

Zev took great care in responding, "Leta, my clan, my blood line, is known for taking great risks." It happens in all our deaths… He thought forgetting she could hear his thoughts.

What do you mean? She asked frightened about what he could mean.

I pray, nothing, nothing at all. Leta, even if my fears turn into a reality… I don't want you to lose yourself in sorrow…

You're scaring me Zev… what do you mean? Please tell me…

Zev licked his lips, Leta… he took a lot thought about how to say what he needed to say Your father… would he give up his own life to save you or your mother?

Yes…

That's what the dying moments in our clan tend to pivot on. Do you see what I am saying?

I think so… you're telling me that most likely when you die… it will be to save someone's life?

Most likely yours, but I don't want you to morn my death for too long.

I can't promise that…and you can't ask me to.

Zev sighed, "Leta… you should probably go back to bed."

"What? B-b-but I'm-"

Zev out an arm around her and squeezed her tightly, "You won't be in the morning. Just because we're on a mission, it doesn't mean we won't be training."

Leta stood up, "You're right," she faced Agatone, "Agatone-sama, I-I-I mean Agatone-san, if you would excuse me."

He nodded and she walked out of the room, "How long have you know each other?"

"Quite a while now…" Zev said. He tapped his glass. Normally at the Village Hidden in the Leaves he wouldn't be allowed to drink Sake, but in his clan we would have been allowed to and he occasionally did. It brought back bitter memories. He sighed, "I feel sorry for her."

"Why?"

"Well… she's somewhat… dependent on me. If I grow stronger, she gets strength to grow stronger as well."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Zev shook his head, "not in this case, no, my clan is known for dying young. We have a jutsu. It sacrifices the user, but it unleashes a power that decimates entire armies. My brother, as you know, has several of the villages in an alliance, if he decides to attack the village I must use it. "

"Why?"

"Because, they could have turned me away, instead they let me enter the village. I have no doubt some may have thought that was a terrible decision. If Lobo comes knocking at the village gates with an army, it will severally damage the village's view of the Hokage."

"I see…"

Zev lifted his glass, "Sir, I'd suggest getting some sleep yourself."

"I'll do that… don't get too drunk…"

Zev laughed and shook his head, "No, I've had enough as is, besides I don't get drunk, my body breaks down the alcohol much faster than a normal person."

He shook his head, "Does everyone in your clan have so many abilities and powers?"

Zev shrugged, "Well… we have the same basics at least. Everyone's own power varies. Mine is much greater than others," he said quietly, "my end will be too."

"I see, well, I'm off to get a good night's sleep. Even though you don't need sleep, you should get some rest, you have a few days before you're on duty watching my daughter."

Zev nodded, "I know, but I sense something coming. I think it'd be better if I stayed awake." Agatone nodded and left. Zev stood up and drew a kunai out from a pack on his belt, "I can't let them live much longer."