In one of Shredder's Hideouts, Karin walked along the cells of the prisoners or test subjects, counting them and marking them off. Doing as Stockman told her, not like it was any different from back when she use to work for Orochimaru. The only difference was she had only one place to keep in order, while working with Shredder it all his hideouts. Keeping tabs and count on everyone, it wasn't strainous work, but she just wished she could do something else. Though she would not complain, knowing well what would happen should she do so. Just thinking about it made her shiver in fear.

Done with these prisoners she makes her way further into down, to a much lower level. One that was away from the others, it was special to Shredder, his favorite actually. She never knew why at first, but she was able to get some answers from by ease dropping upon the others. The one he had back here was Shredders own personal punching bag. Having only caught a glimpse of them, she couldn't believe what she saw. Then again whom she was working for, it made sense. They had been a thorn in Shredder's side for too long, how they managed to get here, she didn't know much about that. She did know, they came from the same world as May, Shredder and the others. And the fact Shredder took extra precaution with them, meant they where someone not to take likely. So she had check up on them in a certain way, from the instructions Stockman gave here, that Shredder gave him. Since there were no cell bars she could not see them, like the others.

Finally reaching the place, she inhales deeply. Holding her breath, turning the last corner of trail when gasp in shock and fear. Dropping her clipboard on the ground, her body started to tremble. Fear frozen upon her face, this just couldn't be happening. How could she explain this? What could she say? More importantly what would happen to her? The thought was just to unbearable. Feeling Shredder looming over, in her mind scared her to death. Barely able to breath, she did the only thing she could...hit the alarm. To inform the others someone had escape.

Just as she does and before she could sense them, someone comes behind and karate chops her in the neck. Knocking her out cold, they catch her body and place it down carefully on the ground and in a flash, leave their cell. Thinking of only one thing, of only one person.

May.

In the dead of night everything was mellow and still, as still one could be in the village. The two guards posted at the entrance to the unsuspecting village, they saw no one coming or going. So there was little for them to worry about, which was good meaning this shift would be easy. Or so they thought, not fully paying attention, something cloaked flew overhead above them. Not more than a second the guards look not seeing the shadow that flew by them. Carefully floating through the village, being like the shadows, careful not to bring attention to themselves. Hearing others below them, the intruder would quickly duck behind something to conceal themselves and wait for them to pass. Once they sensed them far away, they come back out and continue on their way their illuminating eyes looking straight a head at the Hokage Memorial on the side of the mountain near the back and slight center of the village.

There. That was where they needed to go. Pushing faster to their target, they press their palms together which start to glow a faint golden yellow. And start to mumble something under their breath, causing their energy to expand more and more. Upon their forehead a symbol started to slowly take form, as their body started to body glow too. Reaching closer to the Memorial, they extend their hand resting it up on the Second's forehead. This was all they needed, closing their eyes. They say a few words causing energy vein like cracks to expend upon the stone face. Pushing harder, adding more energy into. They didn't care, they kept going and going. The veins spread out to the other stone Kages, reaching down to the roads and streets of the village. Crawling up the sides of buildings, pulsating to quickly vanish in a flash. Just a little more was all they needed, when they remember their reason for also being here in Konoha. Splitting their focus from what they where currently doing, using their energy to locate something specific that was locked away within the Koga's residence.

A place one had to tread carefully, calming themselves down they focus on what it was they came for. Locking their energy with it, bringing it towards them. Turning back to their main assignment, which was almost done just a few more seconds and...there. They finished, they almost fall out the air but managed to keep themselves a float, calming themselves down. Sighing to themselves, smiling at a job well done, they had finished their main reason for coming here, and now about retrieve the other part of it. Flying down to the area, they meet the rolled up scroll half way. Untying it, reading it over understanding it they roll it back up putting it away.

When someone comes out and just narrowly hits him, if they did not move out the way in time. Luckily they had the skies, while their attacker had the ground. But that did not stop them, they launch at them again missing them. Landing down below them, looking down at their attacker refusing to fight them. But that was not said for Konoha shinobi. They were ready to fight or so it seemed. Lucky to have their cloak that covered them, leaving their identity hidden from the look in their attackers eyes, told them they knew who they where.

The pain and confusion in their eyes, wanting to know why they where doing this. They could easily attack, but wanting some sort of reason as to why. They would hear it, but the other did not say anything. Keeping their mouths closed, looking away in shame so it seemed.

"Why...why are you doing this?"their soft voice demanded from them. They could hear the hurt and betrayal in their voice.

Nothing but silence came from them, so they asks again. Only to get nothing, not able to look at the one asking the question. What could they tell them? They where doing this for everyone's sake, but it didn't seem like it. Trying to search for some sort of sign, for some sort of reason, when they noticed the scroll in their hands.

"..."their eyes soften at them. Since they did not get an answer, reluctant they get in a fight stance.

Though wishing they did not have to do this, this was their village and they would protect it friend or not. Forming Chakra around their hands that formed into the head of Chinese Lion, one on each hand and charge at them. Activating their eyes.

(Days later)

The just rose above Sunagakure, the day was starting for everyone. Some slower than others, but it could not be said for the alarmed feet that ran through the village. Hurrying to the one person to report too. After finding, no having a feeling something was going to happen. They knew it, they just knew it. Seeing it in her eyes, the plan that formulated behind those innocent looking eyes. Then again they wondered if they actually thought of that plan, still though...

Out of impulse they wanted to go right after them, but they didn't know which direction to go. They wanted to send out a search party themselves to find them, angry now thinking of how reckless they where for leaving. Not being logic about this, that was always their down side to their personality. Always thinking other way, not using their mind when came sensitive matters. Which was why they needed them, to help them see clearly. She wasn't like this before, ever since...since her sister came. It wasn't bad that hope came back to her, the hope of being able to find the rest of her friends and family and who knows a way back home. A place she longed to return back too. A place she could be, a warm, safe, secure place. It was all understandable, what wasn't was again how she went about doing it.

Reaching the building, they waste no time and bust right in like lighting speed passed those in there. Who quickly moved out the charging bulls way, this was something they did not want to hear coming back from their mission. Racing up the stairs to the Kazekage's office, when someone calls to them.

"Temari!"Kankuro manages to get her, before she raced up the stairs.

Hearing her brother, she turns around to him breathing heavily. He saw the panic, the anger and grief on his sister's face. That was normally calm and collected, with a slight smug attitude. Now was cracked, oozing out every emotion about the situation. He could see the effect it was having on her, about what happened. She was her jonin after all, but it was more than that. Much more to Temari, feeling responsible for this all. It was her job, no her duty to look after them. She made it her obligation in doing so. Though she could be rough and harsh, she still held a soft for them. Having to be their guard upon first arriving in their village, suspicious like all the others. Which quickly went away, getting to know them more and more. Developing a bond, a protective one that she could not explain.

Seeing her brother standing outside the council room, she turns around racing back to him. He looks down at her, a look that told her something wasn't right, no something was wrong...because the look Kankuro had was one, someone had when there was bad news to follow or a death happened. To add more, the feeling she felt once she stepped into the room was just as Kankuro's look but heavier. Looking around she saw the council members along with Gaara. All eyes fell on her.

Her gut telling her something was not right, she steadily enters. Looking at them holding her breath from the heavy minefield she felt from them. Her eyes look at Gaara who gives her the most sympathetic eyes she had ever seen. Telling her everything through his eyes, even as he spoke each word. Words that she knew pained him just like her. They rang in her very soul, she refused to believe it all. Believe everything that Gaara relied, even with the evidence presented before her. She refused to believe it, become more upset with each thing being said. Cursing herself, no she cursed that sister of her's. None of this would have happened, if...if only...

Having enough she slams her hands down on the table, silencing everyone. She didn't mean too, it was just out of impulse. She glares hard at every council member, daring them to say something. Her eyes like a stalking snake, just waiting for someone to say something, giving her a good reason to react. Doing her best to keep herself together, her hand reaches to the file, she looks at the paper. Reading everything or pretty much skimming through them all, her own mind taking in everything. Which she still refused to believe. But it was here, plain as day. Feeling tears began to well up, believing there was some reason why. Why they did this, but nothing came to their mind for a reason why they would do the other thing. It just didn't make any sense, they liked them. Enjoyed their company. It was because him, she was able to become a medic-nin. Which was why it made little sense, why she would do this to them. All the time and effort they put in to heal them. To bring them back to their son, to end them. There was just no way.

And to add more to the matter, the report from Konoha about her presence there. Attacking others, mainly one of a well respected clan. A person who was their best friend, two peas in a pod. Both of them kinder spirits. Temari remembered the many times they would go off together, or her friend would come over or vice versa. There not a bone in neither of their body that would make them attack the other. To hear they put their friend in the hospital, not to mention taking important files from the Hokage. Who was also baffled by this as well, from what Temari read. She could see in the letter that Tsunade didn't understand, and was just as skeptical about this. This wasn't like them, not at all. This wasn't her genin, no not at all.

What was compelling them to do so? She had to figure out what it was, looking back at the members, she could see it in a few of their eyes too. Mainly Gaara, Kankuro, Baki and Ebizo's eyes. A few others, looking back at Gaara, she knew he didn't want to issue this. He was struggling inside with his own personal feelings just as she was. Deciding to put duty above his own intuition, but if he didn't he knew what it would lead too. She him cursing and blaming himself just as she was. Gaara saw the pleading look in his sister's eyes to not do it. To reconsider this, begging him. Something she rarely did, their eyes stayed locked together until a certain member broke them up. Getting Gaara's attention back to the matter at hand.

Ryota.

"Kazekage, there is no time to loose. You must make the decision." Ryota's words held surprising some concern. It was ice cold like before.

Gaara looks at him, nodding his head. Knowing the man was right. Clearing his throat, opening his mouth making his decision.

Naruto stood there, he couldn't believe what he was just told. Just like Temari was back in Sunagkure. This just had to be a lie, he knew it was it just had too. Right? But the words themselves did not feel like a lie, truth rang from them. Even as the person spoke them, their voice seem troubled, yet firm and believing the words. Which Naruto couldn't believe they did, these where just facts. Nothing but facts, the real answer needed to come from the person. Something just didn't seem nor feel right about it. It just didn't sound like them. There was something more at work, having enough of this he tells them to stop talking and runs away. Angry and confused, something in his gut telling him it was not true. They where to pure to do something like this, to innocent. By looking in their eyes, he could tell their soul was not like that.

He knew it had something to do with those things, those mutants that have history with them. Those unexplained feelings he felt, when something didn't seem right or something bothering them. Like omens they where, waking him up in the middle of the night screaming out their name. The times he was summoned by the Great Toad Sage, who told haunting cryptic things. To be weary, now he knew why. Something was going to happened, something that wasn't good.

And he knew May didn't realize it.