Chapter 37

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Wars.

AUTHORS NOTE:

Special shout out to IncandescentOne for some future plot twists in the Fireveil/Shamshir negotiations. Also, I broke 200,000 words with the completion of this chapter. Never saw that coming.

Last time:

"It's quite cunning; I like it." said Master Skaros as he turned to Lady Damasca. "As our chief military advisor I move that we implement Lady Hinata's plan and do it as soon as possible."

"How long do you estimate it would take to organize? I know our troops are mobilized but sneaking them onto the ships from Pamelor could be difficult." asked the Grandmaster.

"Give me one week." replied Skaros. "I'll have everyone ready. If we end up ahead of schedule so much the better. Lord Parthenos and Lady Pallas will be our key to coordinating this so I'll need their assistance in planning. I would also like the Ninja Branch and Outside Branch to sit in as infiltration and military are their respective specialties."

The invasion was on….

Planet Nardil

Naruto was lying on the bed on his stomach with his head resting on the pillows. Hinata was dressed in one of his (for her) oversized shirts she normally slept in and some short shorts. She was walking on his back giving him a foot massage and judging by Naruto's appreciative sounds she was very good at it. Sheena came in from training and wondered why her mother was standing on top of her father. "Ummm….Mommy? Did Daddy do something bad? It looks like you defeated him already." asked the curious redhead.

Hinata giggled. "I'm giving your Daddy a foot massage so I'm walking on his back. I use the ball of my foot and my toes to loosen up his muscles and help him relax. Naruto-kun and I have had some stressful days recently so a massage is nice." she said as she worked a kink out of Naruto's shoulder. "It's something that was traditionally done on Edo."

"Hinata-chan does a wonderful job of making me feel better." Naruto practically purred out. Hinata smiled at Naruto's look of bliss.

"Is Daddy going to walk on you next?" asked Sheena.

Hinata went bug-eyed at the thought and said "No! He's way too heavy to walk on my back. The only reason I walk on his is because I'm small and light enough. We don't want to hurt each other."

Naruto added, "When I want to give Hinata-chan a massage I use my hands and give her a back and shoulder rub, see?"

Sheena was nodding in understanding. "Can I help?"

Hinata looked at her daughter. "I'll teach you how to do it sometime but for right now you need to take a bath. You're all sweaty and dirty from training."

"Okay." chirped Sheena as she dashed to the bath.

Hinata laid down on Naruto's back and hugged him. "I hate that you're in on this invasion and I'm not." she said.

"It's going to be fine Hinata-chan." assured Naruto. "I leave in a few days and after I get back we're going to celebrate and officially adopt Sheena-chan. She's wanted to be 'Uzumaki Sheena' for so long and I know it will make her happy. I wish we could go ahead and get the paperwork done now but the whole Pamelor situation takes precedence. What about your old man? Are you going to deal with him while I'm gone? I'd really like to see you smack him around a bit."

Hinata sighed. "What Hiashi doesn't comprehend is his former noble status doesn't put him above the law. He is unrepentant and still seems to think he should run the show. He also believes that he should be let off the hook for his actions with Hanabi-chan and Konohamaru. I want to take him down a few pegs but I'm afraid my resentment towards him because of my childhood is clouding my judgment. What do you think Naruto-kun?"

Naruto pondered. "I think you should make him your full contact sparring partner for a week like you did with Neji and Hanabi. Seeing Hanabi get spanked with juken strikes was hilarious. I didn't even know there were chakra points on your ass!"

"There are chakra points everywhere Naruto-kun." Hinata giggled. "Besides, I was just wailing on her for being such a brat about it all. If I closed the chakra points on her rear it was just coincidence."

"What about Neji then?" Naruto asked with a twinkle in his eye. "After that chakra-enhanced bitch-slap he was so shocked that he didn't react in time to your 32 palms attack."

"At least he took his punishment with some dignity." said Hinata. "Hanabi-chan was screaming like a little girl the whole way."

Naruto rolled over under his wife and pulled her in for a kiss. "And yet your relationship is better with both of them now than it has ever been. You'll do the right thing Hinata-chan. I have complete faith in you." Naruto said sincerely.

Hinata shimmied up a bit and kissed Naruto more passionately. "How about we-"

"Mommy! I forgot my towel!" called a desperate voice they both knew only too well.

"I guess we'll continue later." finished Hinata as she kissed Naruto's nose. "I'm coming Sheena-chan!"

The Rock, Velus System

Ameer Isis had his blue light saber ignited. Likewise, Celia Fireveil had her red blade active. They were both staring across from each other panting heavily. It wasn't as easy to move in their space suits as it would have been in robes. She glared in hatred and asked, "Do you think it's dead Shamshir?"

"God's I hope so! What was it?" he asked motioning towards the smoking tentacles that were sticking out of the food storage unit.

She deactivated her light saber. "Whatever it was it either ate or evolved from the food in storage in the last 1000 years since our forefathers came here. First a flock of mynocks and now this –And I hate mynocks!" she ranted. "Well, I really don't want to know what else lives here on The Rock without an extermination crew coming through here first. I think Velusia would be a much safer place to conduct our talks."

"I concur." said Ameer turning off his blade. "I take it you had a bad experience with mynocks?" he asked remembering her girlish shriek when they flew at her.

"Let's just say mynocks and I don't get along," she said embarrassed. "It's not like I have a phobia or something." she obviously lied.

"There's a resort at Mount Hollow I've been to." volunteered Ameer. "It's mainly beach houses. If we rent one with two rooms we could probably negotiate in the common room with relative security."

Celia pondered for a moment. "Alright, that sounds acceptable, we should-" They heard another growl from the food storage and activated their sabers again. "Is it another one or did the first one not die?" she asked incredulously.

Ameer cringed at the writhing noises headed their way, "I don't know! Let just get the hell out of here!" With that, the two 'brave' Jedi warriors made a hasty retreat back to their ships and set off for Velusia never looking back at The Rock; historic site or otherwise. Their destination: the star port at Mount Hollow.

Planet Nardil, Kō's quarters

The next day Hiashi had spent the last three hours feeling sorry for himself and now was drinking Juri juice to put himself into a stupor. Kō sat down with his (former) lord to try to cheer him up and find out what was wrong. "You seemed to be in a better mood before Lord Hiashi, why are you so down?" asked a concerned Kō.

"Well, I sort of found a girlfriend." answered Hiashi glumly. "I just can't seem to stay away from her….but I feel like I'm in enough trouble as it is with Hinata…."

"Why on earth would Lady Hinata be angry about you getting a girlfriend?" Then Kō asked with a twinkle in his eye, "Is that where you've been the last three nights? You moved awfully quick my lord. She must be something special."

"Well, I-" Hiashi started blushing.

Kō had a revelation. "You think Lady Hinata and Lady Hanabi will feel resentment because you're moving on from their mother, aren't you?"

Hiashi took another strong drink. "It isn't that Kō, I found out something terrible about her today."

"What could it be that's that bad my lord?" He gasped, "She isn't married is she?"

"No, no. It's nothing like that. I met her a few days ago after my falling out with Hinata. She mistook me for being Neji's younger brother and I had to explain that I was his uncle. After that she invited me to join her. I don't know how one thing led to another but I ended up sleeping with her." Hiashi said with another blush. "She's an incredibly passionate woman and I just can't resist her touch. After I found out what I did I told her I would see her later but now I don't know what to do Kō."

Kō was tired of beating around the bush. "Just what did you find out Lord Hiashi? Is it really so terrible?"

Hiashi fidgeted, "Um, well I…."

"For god's sake, spit it out my lord!" implored Kō.

"….Well, she told me she was turning sixteen next week…." stammered out an embarrassed Hiashi. "She wants me to celebrate with her and be her boyfriend for good…."

At this point, Kō face-planted on the table. He sat back up and tried to formulate a sentence then snatched the bottle of Juri juice away from Hiashi and polished off the bottle in one go.

Hiashi stared at his companion for a moment. "I didn't think you drank, Kō."

Kō felt the burning sensation going down his throat and wheezed out angrily, "I do now! What the hell were you thinking my lord? A fifteen year old girl?!"

"In my defense she doesn't look fifteen and she'll be sixteen next week." stated Hiashi.

"So who is this young woman you're so smitten with, Lord Hiashi?" Kō asked through bloodshot eyes.

Hiashi perked up a little, "I don't know if you know her but she's a beautiful albino girl name Rahu Apep." Kō stared with a feeling of foreboding as Hiashi continued with a goofy smile on his face. "She makes me feel like a teenager again! When I told her my age she said it didn't matter to her because on her world young females often marry much older men. Then she went on to say that since I was cloned we were close to the same physical age anyway. She's so understanding. I just can't stay away from her!"

"Maybe you should just spend some more time with her and not worry about it…." said Kō in a dead voice.

Hiashi's mood brightened immensely. "You know, I'm going to do just that, Kō. Thank you for the advice. You really are a good friend." With that Hiashi left to see Rahu.

Kō kept staring at the empty bottle as he thought aloud, "Well, at least Lord Hiashi will enjoy what little time he has left. When Lady Hinata finds out he's having sex with her underage retainer no deity will save him from Lady Hinata's wrath. May Kami have mercy on his poor soul….I wish there was more to drink in this bottle. I think a self-induced coma would be welcome at this point."

Later at the Shamshir training grounds….

Hiashi was sitting down at the training grounds watching Rahu spar against her Master. It was obvious Master Talonis was holding Rahu off with practiced ease but nevertheless Hiashi found the style of kenjutsu utterly fascinating (that and he loved watching Rahu's lithe body bend and flex at amazing angles). He sensed several presences coming near him and looked up to find Terumi Mei and her three charges coming his way. He nodded to them, "Lady Mei, Sheena-chan; how are you all this fine day?"

"You seem to be in an awfully good mood Hiashi. What brings you down to the Jedi training grounds?" asked Mei.

"I might ask you the same," said Hiashi. "But for the sake of your curiosity I was invited by Rahu-chan to watch the way Jedi train. I've never seen kenjutsu like this; it's so far removed from what we had on Edo."

Mei nodded. "I see. Master Talonis invited me to watch Sheena-chan, Nagi-chan and Damascus-kun practice so I may get a greater insight to their training. Likewise, Master Talonis will be watching our shinobi training from time to time." Mei looked over at Rahu and Talonis practicing. "I see what you mean about their kenjutsu being very different though. How interesting."

"How are you granddaughter?" Hiashi asked Sheena.

"I am psyched!" said Sheena enthusiastically. "Today is full contact sparring so Master Talonis will really be tough. I hope to learn some new moves." Mei and Hiashi looked at the three children. They noticed Nagi and Damascus were both dazzled and excited watching Talonis and Rahu go at it. Sheena on the other hand was locked in and completely focused on the duel in front of her, analyzing every move. Sheena said in her quiet voice. "Rahu-chan has an opening on her left." About that time Talonis smacked Rahu on her left side with her practice saber.

They could hear Talonis say. "Your left was wide open Rahu. Assume the beginning stance."

This went on for another twenty minutes. Every time Rahu made the slightest mistake Sheena would call it and Rahu would get smacked and corrected. The adults were impressed. "That's amazing! How did you learn all this Sheena-chan?" asked a baffled Mei.

"My training was different." said Sheena mysteriously in a dark tone. "If I didn't learn and adapt I suffered."

Both Mei and Hiashi looked alarmed at her dark words but their thoughts were interrupted when Master Talonis called the kids over. She told Rahu that she did well today and asked her to stay around to help with the children. The kids went over to discuss what they were doing today while Rahu sat down with Hiashi and Mei. Rahu said, "It's hard to believe Master Talonis can thrash me so easily even though she's in her eighties. Of course she's got the body and looks of a thirty year old. I have to admit I'm a bit jealous of the Shamshir clan's longevity."

"Not to worry Rahu-chan. You're improving every day I'm sure." said Hiashi holding her hand.

Rahu got a big smile on her face. "Thanks Hiashi-kun. Are you feeling better? You seemed out of sorts this morning after we got up."

"I'm fine now." reassured Hiashi. "I just needed to visit with a friend and get his advice."

Mei cocked an eyebrow 'Rahu is Lady Hinata's retainer and I think she's really young. Hiashi is on thin ice with Lady Hinata and is a grandfather. What the hell is he thinking? Oh, wait. He's thinking with the head in his pants instead of the one on his shoulders. I guess it's none of my business. I wonder if those Shamshir robes I was issued would be appropriate attire to wear to his funeral.'

She was brought out of her thoughts by Rahu saying, "It looks like they are beginning. Master Talonis says Sheena-chan is some kind of prodigy. I guess we'll see now." At the word 'prodigy' Hiashi perked up in particular.

Nagi and Damascus were sparring with practice sabers. It was obvious that Damascus had an edge on reach and strength but Nagi was countering with speed and agility. Even though they were a few years apart Nagi put up a surprisingly strong battle though she eventually lost. Rahu and the others listened as Master Talonis helped them with their forms and corrected flaws in their styles. She then had each of them spar with her as she gently showed them how to improve.

Hiashi was getting impatient. "Why hasn't Master Talonis had Sheena-chan spar with them as well? I want to see her in action!" Rahu giggled at her boyfriend's antics.

Mei kept an eye on Sheena as the redhead sat on her knees in a meditative position. Sheena's eyes were closed and she held her practice light saber in her lap. Sheena had been motionless as if in a trance the whole time the others were sparring.

Master Talonis was facing away from Sheena when she told the other two kids to sit down and rest. Suddenly her blue practice light saber flashed to life and she brought it down arcing towards Sheena's head….only to be blocked by Sheena's orange blade. Sheena opened her eyes as Master Talonis withdrew her blade. "I was moving at above half speed Sheena. You parried it perfectly. Excellent."

Sheena stood up. "Thank you Master. I really wish you'd use your full speed so I could try to counter it. I would learn faster going all out. You don't even break a sweat blocking my attacks."

Master Talonis took a lecturing tone. "You are a seven year old girl, Sheena. A small one at that. I can't go full force against you without hurting you. You know this." Master Talonis had been studying a copy of the disk with Sheena's brutal force training under Lady Amara and her group. She was appalled. Her heart went out to the little redhead. Yet Sheena had taken up her father's nindo to become stronger every day so she could protect her precious people. Talonis actually was considering taking Sheena as her full-time apprentice. Sheena had that much raw potential but was not arrogant about it. She would be an ideal pupil for any Master.

Talonis smiled. "That is why we're having a change of pace today Sheena. Rahu, come here."

Rahu was surprised but came down to the sparring circle they set up. She asked, "What is it Master?"

Talonis explained. "I want you to spar with young Sheena here. Do not hold back. I want to see where both of you stand."

Rahu blanched, "Master, She is Lord Naruto and Lady Hinata's only daughter! I can't hurt her. My duty is to-"

"I will take full responsibility." said Talonis in a commanding tone. "Besides, I believe there's a good chance she could defeat you."

Rahu got irritated. "You think I'll be defeated by that pipsqueak? I could squish her like a bug!"

"Show me." said Talonis. "I'd bet a 60% odds in her favor. She has had training so brutal you cannot even comprehend it."

Rahu looked at Sheena. "You really want to do this Sheena-chan? I don't want to hurt you."

Sheena had a look of deep concentration on her face. "Come at me with everything you have Rahu-chan. I can take it. Even if I lose I'll be happy."

Rahu nodded. "Alright brat, prepare to get squashed." Rahu waited for a childish reaction but then was taken utterly aback when she looked in Sheena's normally lively eyes. Sheena's eyes and body seemed to flow from her normal self in an almost poetic motion into someone else. Rahu watched those playful eyes turn hard and calculating. She felt like she was looking down the barrel of a blaster with a sniper's scope under Sheena's gaze. Rahu felt the killing intent rise from the little girl and it sent chills down her spine.

Finally, Sheena activated her orange saber and settled into a stance that was unfamiliar to Rahu. The redhead said in a razor sharp hiss, "I'm ready. Come at me!"

Rahu ignited her red saber but hesitated. Before she knew it little Sheena was on her like a bird of prey. Rahu barely parried the first strike which Sheena had pushed all of her mass and momentum into. Rahu felt the pressure let up and tried to counter but Sheena was already on the move and was well clear when the strike landed in the dirt. The Albino girl leaped back to get some breathing room between her and the aggressive redhead. Rahu regained her bearings and went on the offensive. To her shock little Sheena was parrying and deflecting Rahu's slashes with ease. Rahu kept trying to overwhelm the girl with sheer strength but Sheena's defense was like an impenetrable shield.

Hiashi, Mei and the other two children were sitting there goggling as Sheena moved with surgical precision; not one bit of energy was wasted. Rahu on the other hand was burning masses of power trying to break Sheena's defense but the little girl kept redirecting Rahu's attacks in such a way that all the kinetic energy was glancing away from Sheena rather than her absorbing the brunt of it. Rahu overextended her strike with her sword arm and had her other arm hit as a result. Rahu grunted as she thought, 'That really hurt! What is she?'

While Rahu was lost in thought, Sheena moved behind her like quicksilver. With her hair flowing like the wind behind her, Sheena went airborne again and struck Rahu on the neck thus 'beheading' her and winning the spar….

Rahu sat on the ground in shock as the numbness wore off from the strike to her neck. "What happened?" she thought aloud.

Sheena deactivated her light saber. "You held back. That's what happened. You never expected me to be a threat. You underestimated me and you lost." Then the life returned back to Sheena's eyes. "But don't worry, Rahu-chan! Next time we'll both try harder and do better. It will be fun! I was worried you'd break my defense for a while there!" she exclaimed happily. "Do you want to go again?" Sheena asked eagerly.

"I think once is enough for today Sheena." said Master Talonis. "Rahu, I know you were caught off guard and it broke your concentration. Have a seat and relax with the others. I think that now you know not to hold back you and Sheena could learn a lot from each other. You will do better next time; don't worry."

Rahu bowed and said, "Yes Master. I will try harder next time." She then meandered over to where the others were sitting and plopped down beside Hiashi. "That little girl is dangerous. Even though it was just a spar I felt fear. I saw it in her eyes….I wonder what she's been through?" Rahu said in a concerned tone.

Damascus spoke up. "She doesn't talk about it. All she says is her training on Pristiq was something she wouldn't wish on anybody."

Hiashi looked shocked. "Hinata and Naruto allowed this to happen to their own daughter?" He couldn't believe Hinata would do such a thing.

Nagi immediately said "No! Lord Naruto and Lady Hinata rescued her from it. They took her in as their own child and made her very happy. Sheena said having them as her parents is the best thing that ever happened to her so don't say bad things about them!"

"You mean she's adopted?" asked Hiashi. Everyone nodded in return. "But she acts and looks just like them. I'm shocked."

"You didn't know Hiashi-kun?" asked Rahu. "They love her and treat her as their real daughter. But you are right. If I didn't know that she was adopted I would have assumed she was their daughter by blood as well."

The group turned back to Master Talonis and Sheena sparring. Master Talonis was showing Sheena some unusual and advanced moves compared to everyone else. "Sheena's amazing!" said Nagi with stars in her eyes.

A couple of hours later a happy but tired Sheena arrived back home and was greeted by a shadow clone of Hinata. It didn't take long for Sheena to put two and two together. "They are mating again aren't they Mommy?" she asked the blushing shadow clone. "I can smell the hormones out here."

"You really shouldn't speak so frankly about such things." chided the shadow clone. "Besides, all I can smell is how dirty you are. What have you been rolling around in while training?"

"Well, after I sparred with Rahu-chan I sparred with Master Talonis and crashed into something nasty when she dodged my attack." explained Sheena.

The shadow clone shook her head and said, "Well; I got filthy training too as a child. Let's scrub you down in the tub. I'll help get the muck out of your hair."

A few hours later a happy Hinata and Naruto got up and found Sheena playing cards with Hinata's clone giggling about something. Sheena hopped up and hugged Hinata. "Mommy! Your shadow clone was telling me about the devil cat Tora mission!" Sheena started cracking up. "Did Tora really scratch up Kiba's face when you caught her?"

Hinata dispelled her clone to 'listen' to the conversation. After a moment Hinata said, "Yes, poor Kiba-kun had to see his sister and get patched up from Tora more than once. Your Daddy went on that mission with his team too."

"So what happened?" asked Sheena.

Naruto groaned. "The damn cat always mauled me before we shoved her in a kitty-carrier. If I didn't heal so fast I would have ended up wrapped in bandages."

Sheena looked puzzled, "Isn't Sakura a medic? Didn't she heal you?"

"Sakura didn't know healing jutsus then, Sheena." explained Naruto. "She probably wouldn't have anyway. She didn't like me when we were kids."

"She didn't like you?!" asked Sheena looking at Naruto like head grown an extra head. "But now she's-"

Hinata quickly cut Sheena off. "Well, that's enough reminiscing for now." Hinata said with 'drop it' flashing in her eyes. "Are you hungry Sheena-chan? Daddy and I are ready for dinner so let's head down to the dining hall."

Sheena smiled. "You bet I am! I worked hard today. Daddy, do you still have to go to Pamelor? I wish you could stay here with Mommy and I." she asked with puppy-dog eyes.

Naruto scooped Sheena up to carry her. "I have to go Sheena-chan. You know this. When I get back after the mission Mommy and I have a surprise for you so no more tears okay?"

Sheena hugged Naruto. "Okay Daddy."

The Mission hall three days later….

Naruto stood before the gathered Ninja. "The following teams will go and be acting as independent units: The Sannin, Team Gai and Team Samui. I will be there in a command and heavy assault capacity. Yamanaka Ino will be with me to facilitate my orders and keep us in touch telepathically. Lastly, Hyūga Tokuma will be with me as a long range scout to overlook the battle. If necessary we will break up to join the other three teams or operate as an individual three man cell. You all have your orders, equipment and assigned commanders. We will cooperate with the Shamshirs the best way possible because they don't know our methods yet. I realize we all have war experience and they don't but do your best to bear with them and don't break the chain of command unless lives are threatened. Any questions?"

When he received none Naruto turned to the rest of the ninjas that were staying behind. "Gaara and Shikamaru will be in command in my absence with Terumi Mei acting as there advisor. Follow their orders as you would mine and wish us luck!" Twenty minutes later the ninja teams were spread out on different vessels with Naruto's group on the Ridgeback with Master Skaros.

A day later the invasion force arrived to 'assist' with the search for the 'missing' Kirovas….

The Ridgeback….

Master Skaros Shamshir had gathered all the Captains of Pamelor's 30 or so search and rescue fleet aboard the Ridgeback and informed them about the truth of Aeolus' actions. The appearance of Lord and Lady Kirova sealed any doubts they had about the situation. Two of the Captains already knew and were traitors. They were quickly detected by Ino who rendered them helpless with a senbon each coated with a paralyzing agent. At Naruto's behest she probed the two captive's thoughts and revealed eight others in the know about the coup. When the captains returned to their ships via shuttle they had Shamshir Jedi aboard with them and the remaining eight traitors were captured and brought aboard the Ridgeback.

Master Skaros stood before the captives along with Lord and Lady Kirova. He shrugged and said, "Miss Ino, see if you can find out if they know anything while I organize the fleet. We'll be headed to Pamelor soon."

Ino probed their minds and all but one were simply in it to advance their positions or for money. One actually was a firm believer that Aeolus should have been clan head but it was a bit late now. She found out a "Safety Code" the two Captains were to transmit to Aeolus to assure him it was all clear. They would duly transmit these signals when they entered Pamelor space.

Two hours later the invasion force was spread out neatly among the various ships of the search and rescue fleet. At Skaros' signal the fleet made the jump to Hyperspace to head back to Pamelor.

Pamelor space….

The search fleet plus the Ridgeback arrived just outside of Pamelor's planetary defense range and Master Skaros sent an emergency signal to Aeolus Kirova. Aeolus panicked when the fleet appeared and was afraid that he'd been discovered. He quickly answered Skaros' signal. "Master Skaros, why is the fleet here? Surely you haven't called off the search?!"

Skaros put on his best somber look and said, "Aeolus, I bring terrible news. We found remains of a ship that matches the Whitewind's mass that we believe suffered a catastrophic failure in Hyperspace. With the advanced sensors on the Ridgeback we are 90% sure it is what is left of the Whitewind. I've ended the search. There is no chance there were survivors."

Aeolus' eyes grew big as saucers and he motioned for his men the signal the two Captains with the 'Safe Codes.' He acted as if he was overcome with grief as he waited for the return signals. When he received them he looked up to face Skaros with tears in his eyes and exclaimed, "How I prayed otherwise! This tragedy will be mourned for years to come by the people of Pamelor. I cannot express how much I grieve for Uncle Parthenos and Aunt Pallas. I'll have to gather my wits and announce this to the people."

Skaros let out a weary sigh. "The fleet and crews are weary Aeolus, as is my crew. We need to land and rest. With your permission I'd like to begin a landing pattern for the fleet. To be so exhausted and bear such bad news is too much for many of them. They need to grieve with their families. I have a transmission recorded by Lady Damasca to explain their loss of Lord and Lady Kirova that I'd like to send out publicly once we land. It will save you the heartache of telling your people this.

"Of course Master Skaros" said Aeolus with a tear in his eye. "We now have things under control here so it will be safe to land again. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts though they turned out in vain."

"Very well," stated Skaros. "After the public announcement I will come see you in person. I presume you are in the Command Center of the main house compound?"

"Yes, I will see you soon." said Aeolus as his image faded out. Aeolus turned to his lieutenants and his Fireveil advisors. "I can't believe what a stroke of luck we've had. He solved our problems for us! Seeing that pompous old fool Skaros so broken just fills me with joy!"

One of his Fireveil advisors stepped forward. "I smell a trap. We need every gun trained on the Ridgeback when she lands. I don't trust that old man. He isn't a legend for nothing."

"You're being paranoid." Aeolus chided. "I'll keep the guns active but training them on the Ridgeback would give us away. We've outsmarted them and things have gone according to plan. Hell, I may be able to convince Skaros to actually help us smoke out the Elders once I explain they are traitors. A public address by Lady Damasca is all we need to cement our position in the hierarchy."

The Ridgeback and the other ships slowly came in for a landing over the next two hours. They took note that the planetary defense cannons were primed and ready to fire but Skaros predicted this. The invasion force was all on needles and pins waiting for the signal to disembark and begin. Ino contacted her friend Domini Kirova and told her the invasion was about to begin and to remain in lockdown.

Lord and Lady Kirova kept their faces hidden and went over to make a public announcement. They entered the override codes to the public broadcast and the planetary defense shutdown codes and began to speak.

"I, Lord Parthenos Kirova have had an attempt on my life and that of my wife Lady Pallas made by my traitorous nephew, Aeolus Kirova. He has secured the help of rogue Fireveil Jedi and troops to help in his attempted coup. I am here to return order to Pamelor. If you support the main house and are against Aeolus' traitorous actions I ask that you clear the streets and bar the entrances to your homes. We do not want any casualties of the innocent. Aeolus; if you truly love the people of Pamelor as you profess to; I ask that you lay down your arms and surrender. Your coup has failed and I do not wish for any bloodshed. If you decide to fight us you will surely lose."

The Shamshir troops started flooding out of the various ships pushing past the stunned security guards that protected the entrances from the many landing platforms.

Aeolus was in total shock and didn't know what to do. His well constructed plan completely imploded in mere seconds. One of his Lieutenants turned to Aeolus and asked him, "What do we do Lord Aeolus? They are rushing in. Do we surrender?" Aeolus continued to stare in shock.

Finally a Fireveil Master rushed forward. "Lock down all the defenses! We must prepare for battle. They will most certainly kill us all. This is a fight to the death!"

"The defense systems aren't activating! We can't lock down!" said a frantic coup member.

"They had this all planned from the beginning. If only Winthrop was here." said the Fireveil's lead advisor. We'll have to fight them in a delaying action in the streets until we can secure safe passage to our hidden ships. Every able bodied warrior get out there and fight. Our lives depend on it!"

Master Archer Fireveil walked forward. "I'll lead the troops in battle since Winthrop isn't with us, the rest of you in advisory positions stay here and try to secure the place." He glared at the catatonic Aeolus in disgust. "What a fool. Haul him out of here. He's just in the way."

Under Lord Parthenos Kirova's careful directions the Shamshir forces started taking over strategic points at a slow pace. While some wanted to rush into open battle with Aeolus' forces, cooler heads prevailed and Skaros decided to put the ninjas to use as stealth was what they advertised. The skyline of the Pamelor Enclave was largely city so the Shamshir forces were wearing urban camo in grays. This led us to Team Gai's current situation.

A Shamshir Master Jedi was looking over a Police Station with binoculars. He motioned to the six Jedi with him and Team Gai. "I don't know how many are in there but they control the east corner of this block. We have to neutralize them but if we try to attack frontally we'll be slaughtered Jedi training or not." One of his men grunted in indignation before he reiterated. "We couldn't take it with twice this number."

"Leave it to us." said Tenten who was checking over her gear. "All we need to do is infiltrate the building and we can eliminate them from within."

One of the Jedis who was very irritated with this problem said, "I know you ninjas have Lady Damasca's favor and all but you're not hot enough to take that station out with just you three. Stop playing tough. We have to get directions from Master Skaros or use a thermonuclear detonator to blow it up which has been forbidden to prevent civilian casualties.

"Your Flames of youth have dampened with despair my friend." Lee told the disgruntled Jedi. "Neji, how many are there?"

Neji was already focused on the Police station with his byakugan. "I count twelve with blasters and rifles and three with light sabers. There are four gun wielders preside of the building with covering arcs of fire. The presumed Jedi are behind them directing them where to fire. There's no back entrance and the front and side entrances are well covered. Almost all of them are on the first floor but there is one with a large sniper rifle upstairs alternating between the roof and the stairwell down. I'd say we could take him out and use the roof entrance to get inside easily since there are no internal guards."

Tenten smiled and said, "There you have it. We sneak in through the roof stairwell."

"Oh, simple." said another Jedi sarcastically. "How do we do that? Do you have some trick?"

"We do it." she replied. "Oh ye of little faith. Watch and learn." she said as she walked up the wall and said "Now you see me." She activated the transparent escape jutsu. Her voice echoed around, "Now you don't."

The Jedi that had taunted her before felt a hand grip his mouth and a blade at his neck. Tenten reappeared with a kunai knife at his jugular. "Now do you see?" she questioned. I just slit your throat and you died in silence. Now I can move on to the next target. My teammates in the meantime are doing the same. Before long there's nothing but a building full of bodies." She released him with a smile.

The Jedi Master and the others sat gawking for a moment. Finally, he said, "Can you pull it off?"

Neji nodded. "Sit back and relax." With that Team Gai seemed to vanish into thin air.

One of the Jedi said, "Umm….just what are they? Can they pull it off Master?"

The police station….

"There's a group of them on the opposite corner observing us but they haven't made a move yet." said a gunner.

Another asked. "What do you expect? We're too well protected for them to make a direct assault. They'd need a tank or heavy armor to get close. All we have to do is sit tight while our escape ships are prepared."

Upstairs on the roof….

Tenten pulled her kunai out of the sniper's throat and silently lowered the body to the floor. She whispered "One down." as her still invisible teammates went down the open stairwell that led into the dim building.

Lee was the first through the door and went right. Neji followed and went left. Tenten was right behind them and took the front area. One of the Fireveil Jedi said "Something's wrong!" and activated his light saber just as Neji's juken strike hit him in the back turning his heart to liquid. One of the gunners yelled "What the fuck?!" just as all hell broke loose.

Tenten threw a single shuriken at the Jedi and gunners in front of her whispering "Kage shuriken no jutsu" as she became visible. The Jedi pivoted around to defend with her saber just as the single shuriken multiplied into a hundred. The Jedi's eyes widened as a wall of steel rained down upon her and the gunners behind her. Two gunners and the Jedi perished in the onslaught with the last two gunners dying seconds later from kunai Tenten threw as a follow up. With her group eliminated she went to check on her teammates.

Lee attacked the older Jedi on the right the moment he came into view with a dynamic entry. The sickening crunch and snap of the Jedi's neck was the first clue the three gunners on that side that something was wrong. They heard the group in front cry out as Tenten did her work. By the time they reacted to the now visible Lee he was amongst them using his goken taijutsu to destroy them. One had a smashed in rib cage and was already dead on the floor before the other two could fire their blasters at Lee. Lee was moving far too fast for them to track. He got behind one and snapped his neck. The last gunner tried to shoot Lee but the ninja was using the dead gunman as a meat shield. The last gunner shot wildly in terror but Lee hit him with a kunai between the eyes. He was dead before he hit the floor.

The four remaining gunners on Neji's side found themselves on the receiving end of a brutal juken assault. One was taken out by and eight trigrams: air palm before she could turn around. Neji threw kunai with surgical precision and wounded two more before using a kaiten to deflect the blaster fire. A juken strike later liquefied the brain of the uninjured gunner. The remaining female gunner was pinned to the wall by her shoulder and had lost her blaster. She watched as her fellow traitorous gunner was hit by a 32 palms attack that methodically destroyed her body in an instant. Neji came over to the remaining gunner pinned to the wall. She looked at him with tears in her eyes and said, "I'm sorry…." Neji rendered her unconscious with a chop to the neck.

The Shamshir Jedi waiting on the opposite corner could feel the terror and the dying as blaster fire rang out from the building. Then they felt the cold silence of death….Neji's voice crackled over the Jedi Master's comm. "Fourteen targets dead and one unconscious and captured. We are opening the front doors so stand by." A moment later the Jedi saw Lee open the front doors and step out. He gave a 'thumbs up' signal and the Jedi came out from their position to see what had transpired.

When they got there Lee was standing by an unconscious woman with her arm bandaged off and Lee stated, "She needs medical attention or she will eventually bleed out." The Jedi Master nodded and motioned to his two healers to take care of the downed woman.

The remaining Jedi walked into the dim building with trepidation as they passed Lee at the door. They saw Tenten in the shadows methodically cleaning a pile of weapons she had gathered and was sealing them into a scroll. She seemed to take no notice of the gore and blood flowing liberally on the floor. Neji was neutrally searching the bodies with his byakugan and motioned them over to the Dark Jedi Lee had crushed with a dynamic entry. "I'd guess this one was in charge. He has a communicator and a data tablet of the area." the Hyūga said as he handed the two items in question to the leader of their group. "I haven't found any other items of interest. Tenten has already stripped most of the bodies of any useful weapons and supplies. You should talk to her for an inventory." Neji said motioning towards the occupied Tenten.

The Jedi Master was shocked. The ninja were standing around in a sea of blood talking 'stripping bodies' and 'taking inventory' like they were discussing the weather. The smell of blood was making him nauseous. He got on his comm link and radioed the command group. "This is Master Freler. Our objective is achieved. The east side of the block and the police station have been taken."

A voice crackled back. "I thought you were requesting reinforcements."

Freler simply said. "The ninja took care of the problem. We have one injured prisoner."

The voice sounded surprised. "Only one?"

"The ninja slaughtered the rest. Contact me when you get us further instructions. Freler out."

After a while the Jedi migrated to the roof to get away from all the death on the first floor. They found Tenten up there checking over the assault rifle of the sniper she killed earlier. The Jedi that was taunting the ninja earlier came over to her slowly and said, "Umm….I'm Marcas Shamshir from the Outside branch. I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I had no idea you ninja were so….skilled. You're a really pretty young girl. How'd you end up in this business?"

Tenten looked at him with narrowed eyes. "I was born in a village of assassins. Age, looks and gender have nothing to do with it. If you think that me being a woman means I can't keep up with my teammates you're fatally wrong. Besides, most of your branch is descended of Lady Kasumi who was a kunoichi, or female ninja just like me."

Marcas backpedaled realizing his faux pas. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything about you being a woman. It's just….you and your friends killed them all without mercy except the one. You don't act like a heartless killer and seem friendly but your actions shocked us all. If you are that skilled then why didn't you try to capture more of them?"

She looked at him for a moment. "It's inefficient to take prisoners. We were taught as children about war. For every prisoner you take it ties down two of your own troops to watch, feed and care for that prisoner. Unless the potential prisoner is high ranking, has hostage value or information, enemies should be eliminated. I don't know why Neji spared that girl. He must have felt guilt for some reason." Marcas was about to say something but Tenten held up her hand to stop him. "We are a pragmatic people. War is about victory be any means necessary. Honor and glory have no place in it. We are here to put down a bunch of usurpers that threaten us and our way of life."

"But those people at least deserve a respectful burial." he pleaded. "You've been-"

Tenten explained, "The reason I've been stripping the bodies is to gain resources for our side and deny those same resources to our enemies. I take no pleasure in searching the bodies of the dead. We ninjas aren't sick or bloodthirsty. We just do what is necessary. After the battle is over the bodies can be given proper burials. For now just think of them as objects if it helps you feel better. We don't have the time or the manpower to clean up the mess and bury them with honor right now. Concentrate on your duty. War is a hideous and ugly thing. We grieve for the dead and for the things we've done after the battle is over. Do you understand?"

Marcas slowly absorbed the information and nodded in understanding. "Thank you for explaining to me….I never did catch your name now that I think about it."

"It's Tenten" she said with a smile, glad that he seemed to understand.

"I hope we can get to know each other better after this is over Tenten." Marcas replied. He blushed and asked shyly, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Tenten face-faulted. 'He's asking me out at a time like this?! Even Lee has more tact!' She gathered her wits. "I don't really have a boyfriend but I'm a very busy kunoichi so I'm not looking for one."

Hope seemed to well up in Marcas' eyes. "Then I look forward to talking with you more Tenten!" he said as he went over to the other Jedi with a spring in his step.

'Oh, brother! What have I gotten myself into now?!' thought the distressed kunoichi. Mass battles and warfare she could do, but love struck Jedi? She wanted to stick her head in the sand.

POSTSCRIPT:

Well, the invasion of Pamelor has begun. Next chapter will have a lot of action in it. We'll also see if Hiashi can dig himself further into trouble. He seems to have a knack for that.–And what about the Fireveil/Shamshir negotiations? Blue out. 5/10/14