Kankuro glaces back at the mysterious little girl who now accompanied the group, now being the new addition. A decision no one made really, just allowed her to come. Since she made a choice to follow after them, Inoijin was at first against it. Believing anything in this fog should not be messed with, but Naruto and the others felt she should accompany them. Knowing the limit amount of time they had, the girl was allowed to come with them. It was harder for her to keep up with them, because her strides where smaller than theirs. Not to mention her physical condition made it difficult too. So she had be carried. Guy had tired to carry her, but she refused his assistance because the way he came at her scared her. She ran behind Kakashi's leg and clung to him, to which Guy accused him of bewitching her to love him. Because of the girl clung to him, Kakashi was the one who carried until she started to fall asleep. Kiba offered up Akumaru, where was now. But awake. She didn't seem to mind riding the large animal, but kept her head down barely looking up at the others. Still, she looked rather frighten her eyes shifted left and right alerted for some reason.
"So is that May?"Kankuro questioned."She seem to resemble her."
"I'm not sure."Inoijin answers him, while still staying focus leading everyone deeper into the fog."I do believe the little girl is apart of all this, the fact she actually has a physical form and is able to interact, she no doubt represents some part."
"Are we getting closer?"Tsunade interrupts.
Inoijin stops for a few seconds looking around, there was no doubt they had moved deeper. Though going in the right direction on where the actual person was...The mind already being a tricky place and the fact she managed to manifest her actual mind to reality and how her mind was clearly different for any normal human mind. Made it a bit more difficult, still it was a mind. The deeper one got, the closer they became to that person. To their center. But that wasn't what worried the man, it was the fact they hadn't come memories. Certain memories, the memories that would tell him and the others they were indeed becoming closer. The more darker memories in a person, the ones buried deeply in the mind. Hidden away.
Ino noticed her father's concern."Father, is everything alright?"
The man looks around a few more seconds."I don't understand, we should have run into some of those memories..."
From the back the little girl still kept her eyes down staring at the back of Akumaru's neck."Hey, you doing okay?"Naruto question startled her a bit. That she almost jumped off the dog."Whoa, sorry."he apologizes."I didn't mean to scare you."he smiles at her."It seems you really like riding Akumaru, don't you?"
The girl looks at him again with those deer eyes, slowly she nods her head looking away. It was like talking to a brick wall with her, Naruto noticed. She never seem to respond when talked to. Only doing small gestures and movements. Even then she seem afraid, yet at the same time eager to talk. It was strange really. But if this was how she going to communicate than so be it. During the walk, Naruto talked with her about May. Telling her stories and as much about her as he could. When he did, he noticed the intriguing and curious look she had. Seeming to want to know more as it clearly interest her, during those she would actually give him full eye contact and her full attention, only to stop when she ponder it.
He gets ready to bring up May again, when noticed everyone had stopped. Looking up ahead at Inoijin who seem a bit puzzled."I wonder why we stopped?"He starts to walk over, though not before telling the girl he would be right back. She watches him leave her side, her follow him all the way to the others. She couldn't hear what they where saying but she had feeling. Looking around realizing how deep they had become, she started to panic. Shutting her eyes tightly.
Back with the others, Inoijin starts to fill them on what wasn't right, to be interrupted by voices again. Everyone stops talking giving their attention to changing surroundings. That began to form into May's memories, they weren't really sure which ones they would be this time. Having come across a few back when they started, but not seem to become more frequent. Though it did slow them down, it was actually nice to see. It gave everyone for those who didn't know May all the way, a chance to see what her life was like back in her world. Having already meet her humaniod turtle friends, human friend Casey, her sister April, another mutant name Leatherhead and among other things.
This time the memories showed May with her friends out at night, patrolling the city. Another one the seven of them engaging in the fight/s against the Kraang or against Shredder and his men. Watching them, they where surprised at the skill/s May presented. The girl clearly knew what she was doing, truly skilled and a force to be reckoned with. Which seem to contrast against her innocent and sweet appearance.
"Is that actually her?"Konohamaru gasp in shock. Watching May pile drive one of the Kraang's gorilla suits. Another when Leo ordered her to trap them, she slammed her hand, just her hand on the old abandon building. She brought it down. On top of them.
"Whoa!"Kiba moves out the way just a Kraang stealth ship zips pass him, for be followed by none other than May. Who was charging up her energy in her hand, her eyes glowing furiously. She unleashes the huge blast damaging the ship.
Looking to another part of her memories they hear her meekly say she's ready. She was standing on rooftop on its edge communicating through some sort of shellphone. Telling the one on the other end she was ready. No second had she said, three Stealth ships fly in direction. Her friend Donatello yells for her to go. Without a second thought, she jumps down off the side. Forgetting they where memories, Lee and Naruto panic. Everyone watches May drop down, but kept herself in the air. She seem nervous as the ships came in direction. Closing her eyes, she claps her hands together muttering to herself. Next thing she opens her hands some strange circular symbol appeared and expanded. She finishes what she was muttering and seal flashes along with her eyes. Crossing her arms in front, she releases them sending a huge stream of energy at them that took shape of something, they couldn't quiet pinpoint. All they knew was, what every that stream or wave was, it messed up the ships. They fell out of the sky, all except one that went off its trail. May didn't waste time and fly right after with ineradicable speed. She managed to get in front of it, and flies straight towards it. With her hands out, she collides with it. And with sheer strength manages to stop it mid-air from crashing into one of the buildings.
All this from her, a girl her size. Most would admire this, though that couldn't really be said for group. They stood there in shock. This was May!? This was actually her? A small girl, a harmless looking girl who always had a smile on her face, willing to help and offer assistance to anyone. Her sweet demeanor wouldn't make someone think twice. Sure they knew she strong, though not this strong. She never exhibited, her touches to delicate and gentle. Like a silk. They didn't think her fighting skills would be so sharp, then again Splinter was her Master. They did manage to see some of it, when she was battling against Razhor and the other person during the rescue mission. But they weren't sure if that was programming or not. But clearly here it wasn't. She did manage to go toe to toe with Guy when spared with him. They wondered why she held back so much?
Those memories faded away and became replaced with a living room setting. And there in the center was May, though she looked a bit different. She was dressed in a white lab gown. Staring the T.V. intrigued, she was poking the thing. Stopping when she heard April call her name, her sister came around the corner with something for her to wear. That memory fades out, still in the same setting to be replaced with April waiting for May by the door, calling for her, as they had school. May's voice was heard down the hall, and in a few seconds she comes around the corner dressed differently than the last memory. Wearing a jean mini skirt with emerald green blouse and flat dark brown boots her hair was down, having a emerald green hairband in it with a golden flower on it. She looked rather cute, as she walk over to April wondering if she looked alright.
Temari stood there stun as it seem that May was directing the question to her. May looked at her asking the question again, Temari was about to answer, Shikamaru places his hand on her shoulder stopping her. Snapping her out of it, April chuckles saying May looked fine. With that the two of them leave, May following her sister. That memory faded, still with the surrounding was replaced with a night one. May was sitting with her family, April and a man in his 40's with the same hair color as April. He was bald on the top but had hair on the side with a full goatee and side burns connecting. All of them dressed in their night attire, May had her hair up in a ponytail. All three of them surrounding the coffee table playing a card game. Enjoying family time. The memory fades and becomes replaced with many other heart warming memories. Mixing in with them, memories and moments with May and her father. Hearing her call to him. Watching him help her walk correctly for the first time. Reading. Tucking her in. Smiling with pride and love. Waving bye to her and April as they left for the day. Family time with both April and her father.
The memories faded, the fog returned just for a second. To be flooded with more memories across the vast area. Above, on the sides, in the corners. Some showing May in a school setting racing up the stairs. Her in class, raising her hand eagerly. Meeting up with her sister and Casey, enjoying everyone moment. Taking it with great satisfaction. Over head, memories of her spending time with her friends and Master Splinter. Who was shown putting a flower in her hair and another gesture.
"Her memories are filled with so much happiness."Lee comments in awe."She had a really good life, with her family, friends and Sensei. It makes you wonder..."
"There so warm..."Hinata focusing on a memory of May sharing a laugh with April. Watching the two sisters dancing together for fun.
"And so inviting..."Konohamaru fawns over a memory of May and her sister in their swimsuits walking to the school pool. Which May gets perks up waving to some getting ready to run over to them. Which Konohamaru runs to her memory to embrace her, only to be yanked back by Temari who stepped on his scarf. Nearly almost chocking the boy.
She sneers at him."I don't think so."He looks at her, to become deathly scared from her glare along with Sakura's, Tsunade's both women cracking their knuckles threatening the boy, should any perverted thought come to his mind. Feeling another sharp glare, he slides his eyes a bit to find Neji glaring at him and he was sure he saw Gaara too. Either way he gulped hard.
Looking at her memories, Tenten made a valuable point."I wonder where her memories of us are?"
From that the memories faded out, during the transition Inoijin noticed something amiss. Something wasn't right, "...Something isn't right."he speculates. Holding out a hand into the fog, yanking it back."I thought so."
"Hey look!"Kiba takes notices of a memory involving him with May and his teammates, when she joined them in training. He grins."I remember that."
Hinata looks at the memory when her and May spared together. Training of course. Spending quality time together, May taking her flying for fun but to Hinata's fright. The girl would not let up unless Hinata did it. Mostly everyone took joy in seeing the memories, they started to forsake the actual reason they came. Even memories with those back in Sunagakura. Mostly with the ones she was close with. A few times spending time with the children at the academy, who greeted May enthusiastically. Her moments living with Gaara and his family.
"Enough!"Inoijin snaps, standing over the little girl. All eyes fall on him, shocked by his sudden action. Seeing the fear in the girl's eyes, Naruto rushes over to her standing in front of her protectively.
"Hey?! What's the big idea?"the genin demands."You're scaring her."
"Father? What's going on?"Ino comes over wondering too. Looking to his daughter then to Naruto and all around.
Pointing upward all eyes follow to see the memories now having thick red pulsating cracks in them. The memories from her time in her world, twisted with her memories in their world. Mashing up together, some looking like a shattered window. A couple of pieces started to fall, to break the second they hit the ground."What's going on?"Choji moves out the way before a piece hits him."Her memories their falling apart."Bending down picking up a piece sadly.
Before Inoijin could answer a loud screech erupted out of the blue. Piercing everyone's ears."Argh! What the...?!"Kiba who's ears more sensitive than others experienced more pain, dropping to his knees, along with his dog. A few of the others managed to remain standing. The curing scream didn't stop, it just amplified shattering and breaking the happy memories, the ground beneath them suddenly split open everyone begins to fall. They move out the way just in time, Guy saved Kiba and Akumaru, who accidentally threw the girl off his back.
Her screams get everyone's attention."Damn it!"Guy curses. Quickly he places the two down, to go back and retrieve the girl. To be beaten by Temari who jumps in after her.
"Hang on, I've got you!"
Diving faster and deeper down, she didn't care, all that mattered was getting to the girl. Seeing the fear plastered in her eyes calling to her. Pleading for Temari to save her. Thrusting her arm, her hand strains to grab hold of something. Nothing but her tips touching the girl's gown, like a string to a cat. But, Temari wasn't going to let her slip away, not this time. Her determination pushed her further. She saw May in place looking to Temari the same. Her golden eyes filled with the same amount of fear. Tear of guilt came to her teal eyes, reflecting her own memories and moments with May. From the first day she meet her, trained with her, quality time, everything. But the most prominent memory for her, when she gave May the scarf. What she told the girl: "Your my genin, I'm your jonin. How you feel reflects upon me. So understand this, I'm strong making you just as strong..."
Those where so true and meaningful, she meant every word of it. And as far as she was concerned, May held onto her part. The stayed strong, all the way through. Being from a different, she took integrating into this world with a strong front. Never breaking. Never complaining. When it came training, May didn't stop nor cry. She took it and took it well. On missions extremely diligent, doing missions above her rank. There seem to no doubt in her eyes, never did she seek admiration or favor from Temari or was that Temari never fully gave it. And the one time May asked for something, her she turned her down. The words she used towards the girl, shattered her. The hurt and broken trust, lead up to all this. There was just no way Temari could forgive herself for it. She let May drift away from then, she wasn't going to let it happen again. Not this time.
Extending her arm further than ever, blocking out the tearing muscle fibers, the pain she was enduring. It meant nothing to her, all that matter was...Her hand grasp fits full of the girl's clothes. Gripping tightly, she yanks the girl into her arms holding her tightly. Tucking her head into her chest, to prevent her from seeing anymore darkness. Enough was enough, the two of them falling deeper and deeper in the abyss it seem like they were floating instead. Feeling the little body trembling slowly began to stop, the beating rhythm of her heart started to sync with Temari's. It was calm, soothing...
"I'm so sorry..."Temari whispers to her, her hold becoming tighter."..."
Closing her eyes, accepting what was waiting for them at the bottom should they reach it. They would together. Neither of them alone, they had each other.
"Temari. Temari."
The sound of her brother's voices calling to her, made her open her eyes. To find herself back with everyone, no longer falling. Realizing this she sits up straight, alarmed and confused. Everyone looks at her wondering if she was alright, but she paid them no mind her eyes darting around for only one person.
The girl.
Where was the girl, looking down noticing she wasn't holding her anymore, not feeling her weighting. Kankuro see the distress look upon his sister, he get down to her level."Hey you okay?"
Before he could lay his hand upon her shoulder, she stands up staggering a bit. She almost fell down, but Kankuro and Ino managed to catch her. Hosting her up, only for her to push away telling them was alright.
"Where is...where the little girl?"she demands. Everyone looks at her. So Temari repeats herself again this time her words coated in frustration and confusion."Where is she? The little girl? Where is she?"
"Father."Ino looks to Inoijin, who steps forward.
The lament look in the man's eyes told Temari what she dread."She's gone."he said."She was blockage. A mental block, trying to prevent anyone from going further. In a sense May's defense mechanism, I assume. Trying to encase everyone here, but the strain was to much for her. Because this mind is too tattered, there was only so much she could actually do. Normally with defense like this would have seen us as threats, but instead it seem to be sense something else. It was afraid not it's host, but for us. We're already deep enough in the mind, the deepest part holds memories of a person they wish to keep buried. It is the hardest and most dangerous to go through. To keep the actual person buried. There clearly is something dark in here, the girl was just trying to protect us from going by preventing us. That way within the short amount of time we have to find her, May. She would die. Taking off us the path...hoping we would become distracted enough to do so."
"B-but..she was...I..."Temari though she understood, it still take away the presence had felt from the girl being her hold. The two of were falling, how was that she made it back to the others, that's what she wanted to know. Seeing the question lingering in her eyes, the man begins to tells her.
But he could see she knew, he didn't have to explain anything. All he could was."Be proud."
Accepting his praise, she nods her head standing up fully now. Her face became more determine than ever, focusing back on the mission."Are we there yet?"
"Yes."Inoijin takes the lead again. He stood there for a few seconds holding his hand out flat palm facing away from him. Closing his eyes he could feel the darkness and cold upon his palm. Clenching his fist, the fog whooshes away giving everyone somewhat of a clearing. With a trail made out of shattered dark bricks or something else. The air was thick, cold, damp. It leaked of foulness. A place where lost souls would wonder, a cold drift blew their way. The feeling from it was overpowering. If fear and darkness could manifest this would be their home."A treacherous looking place, I will understand if you do not wish to keep going. But, May is just beyond this...if you choose to come. You must not let yourself become attached to what you see. Mentally and emotionally. You must kept your own mind clear and spirit. If not, than you will be swallowed up and overcome with every single thing. This part will no be easy, you will see things you have heard brought to life."He turns around to everyone, some seem hesitant, others uncertain. It was to be expected. He opens his mouth to say something...
"We're not turning around. I know not."Naruto tells the man. The fury of his determination was unwavering."The good thing about this, is May won't have to deal it this on her own. I made promise to myself, to you Gaara remember?"he looks at the Kazekage."I promised I would bring her back home. And I intend to keep that promise, not just to you but to everyone. We're May's new family now, we're all she has. She's done so much for any of us, without us even asking. And never once she did she asks for our help or complain. Always there when we needed her, offering something new we thought was gone. She put us first before anything, all the while she was hurting inside. And I never noticed..."his words trail off."Until now. It was too late than, but...I won't do that again. I won't be late to get to her. Again. Ever. So I don't care what that place has in-store. It won't stop me from getting to her. Even if I'm fighting with my last breath, I'll bring her back. This time it's our turn to save her, but everything we have on the line." He digs in his pocket and pulls out her forehead protector, looking down at it."As far as I'm concerned, May's re-paid back her kindness more than she knows. She's a true shinobi. So let's go! I'm ready"he stares at Inoijin.
About to rush in, when a hand holds him back."Hold on there."Shikamaru tells him, halting the boy."You make it sound like none of care. You're such a annoyance at times, geez. I wanted to save this till after her recovery, but since you insist...I have my own reason for bringing her back."He takes his hand back taking a step ahead of Naruto. Looking down the long dark trail. Scoffing he turns around to the others."I've decided to have May live me and my family. She's going to need one when she wakes up. And as her soon to be brother, it's my job to go in head first and to bring her back. Okay?"he looks directly at Naruto, who was just shocked. In fact pretty much everyone. Though Shikamaru wasn't bothered by it."What? I told you, the girl rubbed off on me."he says nonchalantly.
Thumbing over his shoulder."We all have our own reasons to go through this to get to her."he said to everyone observing the look in their eyes."Some as a friend. Forgiveness. Promise. Even love. Whatever our reason is, it still is the same. We want her back, back with us. To see her smile again."he pauses to smirk to himself."Who knew having a sister, would be so troublesome." Turning to Inoijin."We're ready."