Starlight

Don't own Naruto

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'Thoughts'

"Talking"

'Someone Else Talking in a person's mind'

(----) Different point of view

-+-+ Scene change

-/-/-/ Flashback

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Chapter 18

(---Depth---)

The council, Hor'Ja, the Hokage, and himself have finish reviewing the crimes that the group of eight have done over the past year. The group were all humans who hate and despise change, and therefore, the good two hundred and seventy-six members that came from lands beyond these countries named after elements. They have conspired with others outside of this village in trying to kill and/or sell members of the ten nonhuman races that are friendly to Light village.

He then breaks the silence that has descended over the room. "Then by your own words you are guilty of breaking not only the Third's words but also the laws set by your own council." That brings many out of their thoughts and one of the older members nods and says, "Then by your words and the laws set, you are to be executed tomorrow evening." The leader of the eight realizes that they weren't getting off lightly, and says, "But that weasel killed five humans! Are you just going to stand by and let that… THING get away with murder?" Hor'Ja then says, "It was in self defence. For you did plan for months to confront and kill May. I have heard from May's husband about how broken up she was over killing those five. It's in the report that Depth and I have made during the interview with May. So, not only have you tried to murder May, but also planned on skinning her, dry her flesh and bones, and pickle her organs, but also have the nerve to say that she should be punished for just defending herself? You are lucky that not of May's Holt have decided to ask to punish you themselves! Do you know what they would do to you?" Like the ignorant men they were, they just stood there and say nothing. He then cuts in by saying, "They would rape your minds and then let you live. I think death is preferable then that. You would be lucky to die during the process, for if would be unlikely that you'd still be sane or even able to look after yourselves."

Members of the council just sigh, for they have learnt more about the laws of the ten races now living among them. They have a small book for all the laws that the ten beings have long since used before the founding of Light village. He watches, as the eight humans just look stunned at that revolution. He wonders why the Holt of Maple hadn't demanded that they turn them over, but then, he could only guess that they just didn't to drag it out. It might have taken them a good three months before coming to an understanding, but now it's only been a week and now this whole thing will be over tomorrow evening.

He snaps out of his thoughts as the others begin to leave. It seems that he spaced out a bit too long. He finds that the criminals were already gone and sighs as he gets up off the couch made for him to lie on. Soon Hor'Ja and him were on their way to where the Holt of Maple has set up their house.

It takes them a good thirty some minutes to reach the large house. When the Maple Holt and a few others Holts first came here and saw the houses made for them, they then spent the night in it and then began to remodel the house. It took them a good five days to do it, but ask any Virel why they felt the need to redesign their houses if they're only going to be here for maybe five, now four years and the answers will be, "We live in a Holt not in a house!"

The large house turned Holt reminds one strongly of a large hill that the Virel like to make their Holts in. There were even openings on the third floor, but considering that Virel's also use chakra they have no problem walking up and down walls. 'Or on ceilings for that matter.' He thinks to himself as they walk right into the Holt. They were greeted by smells and sounds of the occupants, even if they don't see them.

Soon they make their way to up the staircase to the second floor. He lets Hor'Ja go in front of him, considering that he doesn't have any hands to knock on the door. They hear someone say, "Doors open." Hor'Ja opens the door and they walk in. They find Axe busy working on the loon and on seeing them, Axe gets up and says, "It's over?" He nods his head and Hor'Ja says, "They'll be executed tomorrow evening."

May's husband clicks his teeth and then looks thoughtful. "That's rather quick. I thought that they might take longer to be judged. I know that this might seem odd, but I thought that they might be going at this for at the very least take a month to come to a verdict." Axe tells them. He then says, "This village is at war, plus they had one of their telepaths go into one of their minds to learn more about the whole thing. They are now going to be watching certain individuals that weren't caught this time around. If they make any moves, they'll be killed before they get that close ever again."

Axe looks relived at this and then May walking into the room. "Did I hear rightly? They're going to be killed tomorrow?" May asks as she moves towards Axe. "Yes, they are. It'll look bad if they didn't show a strong front. They are at war with hidden sound." He tells May. May sighs and then nods, "I'm not in trouble?" Hor'Ja then says, "No, you were only defending yourself. We'll take our leave of you, then. Bye." They then turn and walk out into the hall. Hor'Ja then closes the door and they then leave the Holt.

He knows that Axe and May will speak with the leader of Maple Holt to tell them what happened. They then pause outside of the Holt and look at each other. "See you later, Depth. I got supper plans, bye." Hor'Ja says as he walks away. He watches as the Fell'Tor$ walk away. He then decides to go to get some grazing done before it gets any darker out. He heads to where the fields were for Kir!ron to graze.

(-------------------------------------Hinata-----------------------------------------)

She lets her mind drift and soon she see an image of Sasuke trapped in a barrel. She then focuses in on a spot of Sasuke's neck and finds an odd seal there. Remembering some of her train, she then looks under the surface and watches as some purple chakra begin to eat away at Sasuke's mind and alters Sasuke's our body.

She just stares dumbfounded as the image changes. She turns to finds a pale Koichi in an orange jumpsuit racing through the treetops. She blinks and looks under the surface and then images assault her, one image of Koichi kissing Sasuke as well as Sasuke standing in front of Koichi full of needles.

She just pulls away and comes out of her trance. She blinks and wonders why it was so different to look under the surface of that Koichi then it was for Sasuke. She then slowly gets up and then checks the time. She finds that she has a good hour before having to meets up with her teacher, elder Yusuke. She doesn't eat anything, but has a shower and then changes into some clean clothes.

She then ties her headband around her neck and then checks the time. She then leaves her small house and walks towards the council chambers. The current meeting will be ending soon and then she'll be supervised. She wonders if she should speak to elder Yusuke about what she saw in that vision.

She blinks as she sees Koichi also waiting. She notices that Koichi is deep in thought, for he didn't react to her at all. She stops and takes this time to study Koichi. Koichi has grown, much like everyone else, and seems to be carrying himself differently these days. How much of it was due to the missions he's been on or on becoming a teenager has yet to be seen. Terish and Yue are still Koichi's best friends and teammates. She then notices the odd looking thing by Koichi's feet.

She studies it and blinks when she figures out what it is. 'Why is there a red panda here?' She thinks as she then kneels down to get a closer look. The red panda opens one eye and then without warning launches itself towards her. Out of reflex, she grabs the red panda before it reaches her face. The noise snaps Koichi out of his thoughts and he then grabs the red panda's neck and says, "Drop the act, TerCa." The red panda then sighs and soon an odd looking monkey is being held.

She blinks at the TerCa, for it's the first time seeing one up close. The race was tricky and also likes to shape shift to boot. The creature complains to Koichi in its naive tong. "Ur sil fin aot!" Koichi says simply, "She didn't attack you, you started it." She sighs and castes the translation jutsu on herself. "… come here at risk and didn't want to, doing you a favour." The creature says. Koichi then says, "Favour? I caught you and you were looking to save your hide! You know that you're kind can only come within a thousand miles of our villages and such. You know the treaties we've signed with your kind. You also know the punishment too." The TerCa sends a glare to Koichi and Koichi sighs and then drops the monkey looking being on the ground.

"Sorry about him. Caught him trying to steal a necklace by the hamlet. He decided to trade some info for his life. That's why I brought him in." Koichi says. "It's my fault, I should have known better then to not think he was dangerous." She says. Koichi grins a bit at that and says, "It's usually peaceful around here, not your fault, I should have noticed you and warned you." She sighs and just nods, understanding what he means.

She remembers what she was told about the TerCa. They look monkey like in their true form. Also they weren't on friendly terms with Light village and some of the other ten races that were friends. TerCa couldn't do much outside of changing their forms. Most people don't think that they use chakra to transform either. TerCa live in large family groups and like to travel around. They grew to be less than four feet tall and their base colours were black, brown, and gold. They live to be a good three hundred years and could mate at thirty years old. They also don't usually mate for life and their breeding cycles were every ten years.

She sighs and looks away from the TerCa. She wonders what's taking them so long. Then after being there for a good thirty-six minutes the doors finally open and out come the elders. She smiles as she sees elder Ruki and her teacher. She straightens up and greets both elders. Koichi then greets them after her and then elder Yusuke says, "If I'm not mistaken, that's a TerCa." Koichi nods and says, "I caught the guy by the farms. He decided to give info to save his skin. Weather he as anything important to say is a different matter though." Then the TerCa says, "JenFe! are looking grouping together. Hear that they speak with some smart Oni about invading human territories." The elders both hiss at this and Koichi sends the creature a glare. She sighs and knows that this could be hazardous for the TerCa.

"So which chief of the JenFe! spoken to the gods this time?" Elder Ruki says. "Soaring Blood." The TerCa says. "Nothing new there then. Let me guess which tribe of Oni, it's the Grrroar ones right?" Elder Yusuke says. The Grrroar were the only real tribe of Oni. Rumours say that its leaders usually have some human blood in them. The story says that a human man raped a small female Oni. This female Oni then rumours say gave birth to a male child. Showing some of its human blood, the child then mates quickly and then gathers the children born out of those unions. They then formed into a tribe with the half human in charge. That group also lives in valley somewhere in the mountain range. Once long ago, this tribe caused many problems but now the human blood runs thin and they've been inbreeding since, in hopes to retain some of it. But they couldn't capture a human for they were too far away and they might get bored and kill the captive and eat them.

A look of horror slowly crosses onto the TerCa's face as he realizes that they seem to know more about this then he did. She then steps in and says, "I can keep an eye on him. Could a seal be placed on him to keep him within the village? We don't need to let him go, but he could come in handy later." They all turn to look at her, not elder Ruki though. Koichi grins a bit and says, "I'll even place the seal myself, if it's alright with elder Ruki and elder Yusuke." The elders think about it and then elder Ruki says, "Good luck with him then." Her teacher nods in agreement and before the TerCa knows what has happened, Koichi has finished with his seal and it's already on the TerCa's back.

Elder Yusuke then says, "Training for tonight is cancelled." She smiles and nods. They then leave her with the creature. She then asks, "What's your name?" The creature stops examining its back and studies her. Then he says, "Don't got one." She then thinks about it and then says, "How about Hige?" The creature looks stunned and then says weakly, "If you wish it." She smiles and says, "Hige it is then. You must be hungry, huh?" Hige nods and then she leads him away. "By the way, I'm Hinata." She tells Hige and Hige then transforms into a colourful bird and sits on her shoulder. She then walks back to her place to eat.

(--------------------------------------Hige------------------------------------------)

He looks at the human that defended him. He sighs and wonders if the gods were favouring him this day. Not only does he have his life, but also a name. If he remembers what it means in the human tong, it means whisker. He then sighs and curls up. He'll make it up to Hinata; he will show her that she didn't make a mistake in saving his life or in giving him a name.

He, Hige, son of Free Spear and Star Song will one day go back to his people with tales of wonder and of adventure. He'll show them that he wasn't some stupid dreamer, but a great warrior. He drifts off into dreams filled with humans attacking each other and a huge fox with nine tails caged by light.