As always,

Enjoy!

~Kyvena

::~9~::

Shisui's spirit form landed on the platform and immediately gained a look of complete and utter shock when he was forced onto his stomach on an empty pocket of space that almost seemed as if he were lying on glass. The gods knew as to how much of a hardhead Shisui was, but they were curious to see if the mirroring scenario that Izuna had initially passed in would work the same... but in reverse. They obviously KNEW that it wouldn't work, but they internally sighed and once they snapped their fingers... everything that Izuna had witnessed to pass was then reversed with added bonuses. Sure, their spirit forms watched from the heavens, but they were the ones to actually live through the hell.

The male teen was hastily yanked inside of the throne room with an ashamed gaze. No matter how much he tried to escape, the sixteen year old was firmly held in place by two guards as they explained his transgressions. Right at that moment, a soft scolding was heard before Indra walked into the throne room while placing her jeweled crown on. The major difference this time around... Indy was still a virgin. Once Shisui lifted his head, he witnessed a beautiful young lady grumbling over having to wear a crown of all things... but he immediately began to blush softly the moment her eyes made contact with his, only to begin sparkling. Tilting his head towards his daughter, Akuma IMMEDIATELY released a heavy groan.

The last time he had attempted to put a prisoner to death, his daughter continued to REFUSE to let it happen. Placing a single hand over his face, Akuma huffed heavily, "Put that fool in the dungeon right NOW!" Shisui didn't understand in the slightest that his saving grace had been the little brunette missy, but the guards gave a stern nod, "Yes sire!" It was obvious that they understood as to what was transpiring now, but the dummy had NO clue and slightly tilted his head while thinking, 'Yo... usually someone is put to death over these matters...' Once he was dragged to the dungeon and taken inside of a holding cell, the short haired raven was then chained up before he was merely left to rot in this cell.

Sitting in his cell with dirtied skin and a beyond filthy and ratty attire, along with a rumbling belly; all he could do was internally groan over the matters presented towards him. However, he had to admit to himself that this was better than sleeping on the streets every single night. Even though he was still starving, he felt that he had hit the jackpot due to the fact that even prisoners were given a meal every single morning, afternoon, and night. As spaced out as he was once night time rolled around, he wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention when Indra silently entered his holding cell and knelt down before whispering softly, "Hey... are you okay...? I hope that they weren't too rough on you..."

Peering up and giving a cheeky grin, he then shook his head as he looked at the young lady that now held a candle up as her source of lighting. Smiling tenderly at him, little miss Indy began to clean his sullied face off... only to blush deeply the moment she gained a clear image of what he truly looked like. Chuckling at the missy, she could only slap her hand over his mouth and whisper, "Be quiet! If father finds out that I'm here, then I will be in a LOT of trouble!" His onyx jewels then snapped behind the princess as Akuma walked up behind her and groaned, "Dammit Indra, he's your new favorite!? UGH, whatever! Here!" Tossing her the key, she caught it with ease and took his chains off, but left his shackles on.

Taking his filthy hand, Indra lead him out of his cell as Akuma blew his bangs upward, "I trust that you know where to take him, right Izuna?" Hearing a new name, Shisui peered over and burst into a bright fit of laughter almost instantly, "WHOA, HE IS ONE HELL OF A PRETTY BOY!" Izuna nodded towards the king, but allowed his brow to begin twitching rapidly at being called a "pretty boy". Izuna scowled heavily at the name calling and grasped the shackled man's wrists before spitting out angrily, "Shut up and MOVE! Indra, come along." Nodding her head, she then jogged to catch up and frowned as they made their way inside of the castle, "Izuna... you can be nicer, you know. It's not like he meant any disrespect."

Silence...

Furrowing her brows at the long haired raven, Indra slapped the back of his head, "You were in the SAME predicament once! Now, I don't wish to see or hear anymore disrespect!" Peering towards the endearing little missy, he could only release a soft chuckle as the sound of his many keys clanked against his thigh, "You don't need to remind ME, Indra. I am merely here to act as your bodyguard, nothing more." Pausing once they got to a certain wing of the castle, Izuna took in a deep breath, "You will now have the choice to have your shackles removed and become a guard, or, you can keep your shackles on and return from whence you came." Shisui nodded in agreement and sighed softly, "I don't have anywhere else to go..."

Right then Indra caught sight of one of her favorite guards before bolting towards him and jumping in his arms while happily yelling, "SASY!" Sasuke snickered at the brunette and gave her a gentle hug, "Hey Indy! Oh, you found yourself a new favorite!" Once Izuna removed the shackles, Indy waved and rushed to follow as Izuna exclaimed everything, "While being trained to be a guard, you will have a set of rules to follow. First and foremost, considering the fact that I have removed your shackles, you have agreed to this arrangement and your quota to the king begins today. All of the other guards here that you see are either guards or bodyguards in training. They all stay because they owe the king and princess."

Shisui nodded his head that he was at least listening to the long haired raven, making him continue, "You are given your own room to stay in that will only be fully stocked by the king ONCE. After that, you will have to pay the king with your own money to gain the supplies that you are needing. Itachi, please follow us to measure him." Itachi then nodded and began to follow before coming to a stop and measuring the newest favorite before running off to get attire made once Indra darted forward and pounced on the back of one HELL of a moody male, "Hiya big brother, Ma~da~ra!" Jumping in a startled fashion, Madara scowled, "GUH, INDY! PLEASE, DO STOP THAT!"

Realizing that he hadn't thanked Indra, he waited for her chipper burst of giggles to subside before she ran back to the group, "Indra...? I do have to thank you for coming to my aid..." Looking towards Shisui, she then realized that her name coming from his mouth didn't exactly feel right, only making Indra chuckle, "You're more than welcome! My full name coming from you doesn't really feel right though, so please call me Indy! I'm pretty sure everyone, EXCEPT Izuna, calls me Indy!" Nodding his head and giving a bright smile, he then snickered playfully, "You got it, Indy~!" Izuna then peered towards Obito, whom obviously knew what in the hell that meant by now before nodding and dashing off.

Agitated at this point, Izuna darted a glare towards the brunette... who merely glared right back at him. Sighing heavily, Izuna then folded his arms as he began to walk again, "You will now be gaining schooling that you must attend each and every day at six in the morning. Tardiness is not permitted. You will also be taught as to how to fight and defend yourself. You will also be required to spend one hour a day training outside with no complaints over the matter." With that, Obito rushed back with a ring holing various keys as they came to a stop at his room. Holding up the short haired raven's room key, he then opened the door and walked him inside before Itachi ran in with a brand new set of clothing.

Giving a cheeky grin, Shisui then nodded his head, "Thanks man!" Izuna then took the attire and hung it up in the wardrobe before explaining, "This is the first and only free attire that you will be getting from the king." Shisui nodded in a slightly dumbfounded manner while walking around the small living quarters. Looking towards the newest guard in training, Izuna internally huffed softly before speaking, "Now, I should not need to explain the importance of keys that are given to you, for you shall only receive the keys once and once only. There's one for your room, the study hall, the library, the dojo, the outside training yard, the courtyard, the mess hall, and the throne room. Now, go and clean yourself, you smell vial..."

Way to make it obvious that you DON'T like this man.

Indra was then latched onto and dragged out of the room, "INDRA!" Blinking rapidly, little miss sass groaned heavily, "What are you going to bitch about THIS time!?" Watching his eye twitch, Izuna then dragged her right back to the throne room and she didn't fuss for once. Walking inside and placing her crown on, the little lady then sat down silently. Akuma peered at his daughter sadly, "In-" He cut himself off the moment he witnessed a bruise on his child's arm, no thanks to Izuna's jealousy. Madara then walked in with a look that screamed 'DOES IT LOOK LIKE I CARE IF I WEAR MY CROWN!?' as Sasuke lightly scolded him for not placing it on in the first place, but didn't press the matter too much.

Once Madara sat down WITHOUT wearing his crown, he then noticed his sister's bruised arm and frowned deeply, "Indy? What happened to your arm?" Peering down to stare at her lap, she then shook her head, "O-Oh, I don't remember..." Madara wasn't going to buy that BULLSHIT, considering the fact that her bruise was in the form of a handprint that was OBVIOUSLY not her own, "Indy, come on, don't lie to me." Huffing, Indra groaned and attempted to run her fingers through her hair until her crown stopped THAT "nonsense". She honestly hated this damn crown and wanted to throw it across the room each and every time she wore it, "Madara, just let it go!" - "GUH, THERE IS NO REASON TO ARGUE WITH YOU!"

Akuma internally chuckled at both of his children for this, considering the fact that his TWINS absolutely HATED wearing their crowns. Indra sat there with a pure look of agitation before huffing, "BIG BROTHER, CAN WE PLEASE TRADE BODYGUARDS!?" Peering at his sister, he merely laughed, "HELL NO! IZUNA IS WAY WORSE THAN SASUKE!" Little miss Indy gained a dry look at the explanation given before blowing her bangs up and muttering, "You don't have to tell me that..." Sasuke began snickering at the fact that NEITHER of the royal twins wanted Izuna as their personal bodyguard. However, the cheerful bodyguard sighed softly as he thought about how Izuna used to be Indy's absolute FAVORITE.

Once Izuna became Indra's bodyguard, he changed and became rather cold and overly strict. The longer he was her personal bodyguard, the more she avoided him as often as she possibly could - almost as if he carried the plague. There were many times he had caught his older brother yelling at Indra for hours over avoiding him and going out into random villages all by herself. Sasuke never saw any issues with how she did this, because he knew what she was doing it for. She did it to simply hand out a bit of money or food to those in dire need of assistance. Indra was one hell of a free spirit that could NOT be tethered down so easily by a set of laws or rules, no matter what one said or did to her.

Indra ended up sneaking her crown off of her head while she leaned her head against her elder twin's forearm and held his hand in her own for much needed comfort and support. Peering down at his obviously exhausted sister, Madara smiled softly and began to stroke her hair softly. He knew that she would never tell on the long haired raven... because if she did, her rescuing him would have been for nothing. If she told everyone that Izuna had been the one to do this, then he would quickly be put to death, or be thrown back in prison. Looking at her face with a slight frown, Madara couldn't blame her for being so drained, considering the fact that she was constantly dealing with Izuna's horrible mood.

The long haired raven was overbearing and on the borderlines of being suffocating, which the elder twin knew far too well. Hell, even when Madara spoke to Izuna, he acted NO damn different and forced him to become exhausted almost instantly. The moment Izuna peered over to Indy and caught that she had taken her jeweled crown off, had him sighing in a highly displeased manner until she shot her orbs towards him, "Tell me, Izuna, do you see my FATHER or BROTHER wearing a crown!?" Akuma blinked rather innocently at this before looking towards his daughter's bodyguard's rather agitated facial expression, "Izuna, remember that you would be dead or still imprisoned if my daughter had not saved you!"

This was a fact that he knew far too well for his own liking. If Indra hadn't stepped in on his behalf, Izuna would be one of two things as of now. Those two things still irked him to his very core. As much as he wished it weren't so, he knew that if she hadn't been there for him... he'd either be dead or still imprisoned as of now. Sasuke internally groaned and pushed Izuna away from Indra before standing by her side silently to allow her to rest. By the end of the night, Madara picked Indy up and walked her back to HIS room silently. He knew she was in dire need for a full nights rest... hell Izuna constantly checked on her throughout the night, which woke her up each and every single time.

Being her twin helped a LOT, so he definitely knew how to help her sleep the full night through. Walking the two inside of his room, he then closed and locked the door before the two undressed and got into bed. Curling up on her twin's chest, Indra's mind was quickly put to rest. As the two bodyguards walked back to their rooms, Izuna stopped and opened Indy's door to see that she wasn't there, which only proved to make the normally so chipper younger brother give a lofty sigh, "Izuna, Indy is a light sleeper! Why would you even CHECK on her as if she is merely a small child!? I should not have to tell you of this, considering you are her bodyguard!"

With the way that Izuna glared at him made it so painfully clear that he was already well aware of this, which only proved to make Sasuke glare in an almost hateful manner, "Don't tell me that you were already AWARE of this, yet you continue to do it anyway! Did you not see as to how exhausted she was!?" With the way that the long haired raven merely continued to glare made it so DAMN obvious that Izuna was obviously ROYALLY PISSED that she had picked up yet another favorite that was NOT him. Sasuke knew that she would always be like this, so it never bothered him all too much. However, what ticked Izuna off the most... was the fact that a man that HE didn't know too well, Shisui, was her new favorite.

I wonder who's fault THAT is...

The next day at six in the morning, Indra wiggled free from her brother's hold before bathing and dressing in a new white dress that held cutouts on her hips. Darting out of his room, little miss Indy knocked on her knew favorite's door before pulling out his key that she had effectively stolen from Izuna's keyring the day prior and unlocked it before entering and closing the door, "Shisui?" Hearing nothing, Indra walked to his room to see his peaceful face as he slept. Walking to him, she brushed his bangs away from his forehead lightly before speaking, "Shisui, come on! You have to get up! Your class starts in fifteen minutes!" Nothing. Groaning, she then walked to his kitchen and prepared breakfast for him.

The scent alone had him cracking his tired onyx jewels open. Sitting up and noticing the time, he just about had a heart attack as he threw his bedding off of him and quickly bathed. Walking out without a shirt on as he toweled his hair off, had Indra bright red in no time at all, but her eyes softened as she set his meal down and walked to him, "Your hair is a MESS!" THAT had his eyes flying open, "I-I-INDRA!?" Chuckling at him and brushing his ebony mop of short and spiked locks, only to pull his new attire out and dress him while speaking, "Hey, you have class in ten minutes! You might want to eat before it gets cold!"

Seeing that there were two plates on the table, her stomach released a growl; making his eyes soften, "Common, breakfast time for you too." Nodding her head and sitting across from him, Indra then chuckled, "I'll bring the half of the used ingredients back to you while you are in class!" Nodding his head, a gentle smile graced his face, "Thanks Indy. Er... by the way, how did you even get in here?" That made little miss clever wink as she pulled out the stolen key, "I stole Izuna's copy!" Shit, even SHISUI could see as to how much the long haired raven loved the brunette, which only made him comically flail his arms around, "YOU DID WHAT!?"

Blowing her bangs up, Indra then slightly scowled, "It's Izuna's job to wake all of the guards in training up a while before class started. He didn't even attempt to knock on your door! Do you understand where I'm trying to go with all of this?" Blanks... All Shisui could find... were damn blanks, "Uh, he forgot...?" Slapping her palm to her face, the beautiful brunette slowly tilted her head down with a frown, "Izuna doesn't forget... I heard all of the other guards' doors knocked on... but he purposely skipped yours." Pausing for a second and taking a deep breath, little miss Indy then continued, "What I'm trying to say is-" - "He's jealous," he finished for her, making her blink rapidly.

Shisui had been the first to decipher the coded message... and he had done it pretty damn fast. Lifting his brow, he then gained a cat-like smirk towards the princess, "Didn't know you were so worried about me~!" Once the two finished their breakfast, he held his arm out to her and she took it before leading him to the classroom since Izuna FAILED to show him where everything even was. Standing in front of the door, little miss Indy blushed heavily as she held a lunch out to him, "I-I made your lunch for you..." Chuckling at her and kissing her cheek as he took the lunch, the playful male gave a wink towards her, "Thanks for making me lunch too! You are the best Indy!"

Smiling tenderly towards him, she then giggled, "After your class, I'm going to show you where everything is. Key number two is the key to gain access to the classroom, so I'll say this before you go... Do your best Shisui!" Shisui grinned at the little lady and kissed her cheek, "You know, I've never been to school before. People call me an idiot... so I'm sure that I'm already doomed!" THAT made Indra rapidly blink before her puzzled tone projected, "Shisui... you are the first guard in training to decipher what I was talking about earlier. You are smarter than you lead others on to believe, that I can easily see. In my eyes, your problem solving skills are bodyguard class material. This, I will be telling my father."

Chuckling at her and placing a single hand on his hip, he then gave a cheeky grin as he spoke, "Ah, I wouldn't go that far! I mean, it was pretty easy to see. He gave me bare minimum explanations, didn't show me around, continuously looked at you, and basically ripped ya out of my room yesterday." Leaning forward, she then chuckled and put him to the test over his wits right on the spot, "Then answer this Shisui. What can run but never walk, have a mouth but never talk, have a head but never weeps, and a bed that never sleeps?" This was one of the hardest riddles that, to this day, Izuna had yet to figure out.

Tapping his chin and thinking, Shisui began repeating the words, "What can run... but never walk... have a mouth... but never talk... have a head... but never weeps... and a bed... that never sleeps..." Humming for a split second, he figured the riddle out pretty damn fast as he chuckled softly, "A river, yeah?" Blinking rapidly, she then knew that THIS changed EVERYTHING for his future, "I'll tell ya if you're right if you can get my secondary riddle correct. I run forever, but do not move at all, I have no lungs or throat but a roaring call." That made him laugh INSTANTLY considering the fact that it was obvious to him, "Same as my name, a waterfall."

Clasping her hands together with a bright face, little miss Indy tossed her arms up into the air happily, "Dear GOD! You are the FIRST person, that isn't my twin, to get BOTH right on the first try! Seriously, if I asked Izuna to answer those two riddles for the millionth time, he'd still get it wrong! SHISUI, YOU ARE A GENIUS!" This had him blushing heavily at the clear praise before clearing his throat and laughing softly, "I seriously doubt me figuring out a riddle makes me a genius, but I do appreciate the praise." Indra then looked him dead in the eye, "Shisui... I don't think you get it. You had a face that pondered the question and sorted through various conclusions before giving me your solid answer."

Hearing the bell for class, Shisui then winked and unlocked the door before smiling, "See ya later Indy!" - "INDRA!" Izuna yelled furiously as he darted up to her. Once the playful male entered the class, Indra turned around to look at him while tilting her head, "Yeah? What's wrong Izzy?" Scowling at the nickname she had given him, he then released a heavy huff, "My KEY for Shisui's room is MISSING! What did you do to it!?" Tilting her head as if confused, little miss sass played her role perfectly, "Huh, what do you mean? What is so shocking is the fact that YOU actually LOST a KEY!" Madara watched his twin from a distance and blew his bangs up before muttering, "Geez Indy... you don't have to play the man..."

But it's fun to!

Walking towards the throne room, Indra glanced at her bodyguard before doing something just to piss him off, "Say, Izzy? Riddle time~! I run forever, but do not move at all, I have no lungs or throat but a roaring call." She had actually NEVER given Izuna this riddle and she could see his face twisting in thought over the initial riddle before groaning, "What in the hell is THAT ONE supposed to mean!?" That made little miss Indy smirk as she walked inside of the throne room before placing her infuriating crown on and bowing to her father. Looking at him, she smiled brightly and spoke sweetly, "Good morning father, I hope that you have slept well!"

Noticing his daughter's joyous face, he then chuckled, "Yes, I slept soundly. Now, I can see that you have something of much value to tell me." Nodding her head, she then walked up to him and whispered in his ear so that Izuna did NOT smother her all day, "Father, you will be surprised and more importantly, happy, once I tell you about the newest guard in training. His problem solving skills are off of the charts. He figured out two of my riddles with EASE and well, let's just say he problem solved that Izuna is in love with me." Akuma looked immensely shocked at this and leaned back, "Good lord, if he can easily figure out YOUR riddles, then he is a genius!"

Nodding her head, she then shot her sapphire orbs towards Izuna angrily, "Also, I have to report that Izuna did NOT carry out his duties to wake ALL of the guards. If I hadn't picked his lock, Shisui would have been in trouble by the head master and you. He did this deliberately because he finds Shisui to be a THREAT." Akuma peered over to Izuna and scowled deeply, "Izuna, you are off of bodyguard duty for a year and you will be sent back to all classes, but will be demoted back down to be an instructor. Hand over all of your keys except for the ones needed. You will also be moving back inside of the dorms. Madara, I need you to go and inform the head master of the changes."

The elder twin sighed heavily as he stood and bowed, "Yes father. Come now Izuna." As they walked, Izuna handed all of the keys, except the ones needed, over to the moody older twin. Madara then shook his head, "Izuna, honestly? You were so petty that you did not even go to wake Shisui?" Izuna kept quiet over the matters and opened the classroom door, only for the head master to be heard, "My! Such promise! I have to say that you are FAR smarter than general Izuna!" Madara cleared his throat and internally laughed at this before the head master looked up, "Well, well, it appears that your old best student shall be rejoining you for one year's time."

The head master appeared rather shocked at this due to Izuna's ranking, but Madara explained, "For one year, Izuna has been stripped as his ranking of general and will be joining your class for the duration of that time. He has temporarily been demoted to be an instructor at the combat and defense lessons and is being placed back inside of the dorms with the rest of the guards." The head master looked rather startled by this and gasped, "But who will protect princess Indra!?" That's when the moody prince released a sharp 'TSK' before speaking, "My sister can fight just as well, if not better, than any of the guards. For now, that is all that you need to know." Bowing towards the prince, he then snapped around and left.

Returning to teaching as Izuna stood there in a furious state of mind, the head master then barked out, "IZUNA, TAKE A SEAT! YOU ARE DISRUPTING CLASS!" Once the long haired raven took his seat, the lesson continued... only for Shisui to answer any question before Izuna could. Looking back to his newest student, he peered at Shisui and could only think about how he had never had any schooling before... yet he was THIS brilliant. In the head master's eyes... he did not even believe that he even required schooling, considering his mind was about as sharp as they got. Once it was time for study hall and lunch, the head master approached him, "Shisui, I heard princess Indra testing you earlier with her riddles."

Nodding his head innocently, he then chuckled, "Yes, yes she did! She riddled 'What can run but never walk, have a mouth but never talk, have a head but never weeps, and a bed that never sleeps' along with 'I can run forever, but do not move at all, I have no lungs or a throat but a roaring call'," he answered respectfully. The head master nodded his head at this... but couldn't figure it out for the life of him, so he asked, "And what did you reply with?" Shisui blinked rapidly before smiling brightly, "A river to the first riddle, but a waterfall for the second!" The head master gazed at this teen as if he were a prodigy before asking, "And did she give you her final verdict?" Nodding his head, he merely snickered.

"I was correct!"

He was amazed now. Indra's riddles were tough and challenging to the brain, yet he answered the questions with ease. This made him motion a random guard over after writing a letter down and handing it to him, "Please take that to our king." Nodding his head towards the head master, he gave a stern, "Yes, head master!" With that all said and done with, the guard bolted off before the head master peered at the young man, "Shisui, it is to my belief that you do not need my classes and should be able to pass the final test with much ease. However, passing my class does little to aid in your fighting skills-" - "I already know how to fight, head master. I did have to fend for myself before getting caught!"

The guard made it to the throne room and bowed, "My lord, the head master sends word to you and wishes for a reply." Nodding his head, Akuma then held his hand out before handed the letter. Opening the letter, his eyes gained a look of surprise at what had been written, "You've got to be kidding me... ah, right, a reply. Go ahead and give the head master my seal of approval." Akuma then signed the proposal before handing the letter back, making the guard nod and take the signed document before bowing and darting back to the classroom to return the signed document. He had watched Shisui the entire class and was amazed at how smart someone with no schooling was.

He easily learned how to read, write, figured out how to do math, learned and memorized all lessons and rules concerning the kingdom with much ease, and more than anything... he was swift to solve the princess's riddles. Entering the classroom and walking to the head master, the document was then handed back to him. Nodding his head, the head master opened the parchment and his jaw just about dropped. He had been in the middle of a lesson, but stopped to clear his throat, "Shisui, the king has ordered that you take your final exam now." Shrugging and nodding, the test was then handed to him and he began as the verbal lessons continued.

Merely ten minutes passed... when Shisui walked up to the head master with a cheeky grin, "There ya go! All done, sir!" Simply looking at the test... he could tell... it was a perfect score. Motioning the guard back over, he handed the test to him and he made his way back to the throne room. Once he made it, the guard bowed again and Akuma's eyes widened, "Only TEN minutes have passed! There is NO possible way in HELL that he is already DONE!" The test was then handed over and Akuma skimmed it to see the perfect score, "Holy hell... Oh, Indra dear, one of the instructors for combat is sick and Shisui already claims to know how to fight; test him for me... and show no mercy..."

Nodding her head, she then stood up and took her crown off - but actually hurled it this time before she walked out and grabbed her rapier. Taking out her keyring, she opened up the door to the training grounds, only for Shisui to see her and become pale. Yeah, he didn't know she could fight, so she would crumple him like a wad of paper. There were many ways that this could play out, but she never lost. The head master chuckled at Shisui's face before pushing him forward, "SHE is your final test." Noticing her rapier on her belt as she walked forward, Indra then gave a polite bow, "Instructor Indra, here for the final examination."

Little miss Indy could see his internal panic attack that was ongoing, but she stood there like a dignified young lady as she spoke up, "Rules, though we are using real blades, you are to not strike me... no, you are to come at me with the intent to KILL. You will have thirty minutes and three chances to fail or pass on my authority as an instructor." Shisui figured her riddle out pretty damn fast. She gave no FUCKS if she were to actually be injured and if you came after her with a half ass resolve, you will surely be defeated. HIS test... was to see if he had the resolve to protect her with his life. Akuma secretly watched this young man's calculating face and was amazed when he smirked. Right at that moment, Akuma knew.

He had called his daughter's bluff.

Considering Indra was the one testing him, the head master had to be the one to start the battle. All of the students watched in awe as Shisui was given a sword and skillfully twirled in in his hands, but Izuna glared at him scornfully. Raising his hand, the head master called out, "COMPETITORS, DRAW YOUR SWORDS!" Indra then smirked and stood still, making the head master sweat drop. He knew as to how RUTHLESS little miss Indy could be, so he swiped his hand down, "BEGIN!" Shisui darted forward as Indra took a deep breath, suddenly snapping her heaven bound orbs open, Indra's fist shot up and ALMOST slammed against Shisui's face.

Right before her fist made contact, Shisui slid to the ground to dodge and swiped his blade at her, only for her to make three graceful backflips and knew that she was going to have to take this much more seriously. Grasping the hilt of her blade and pulling it out, her right leg slid back as her face lowered with her blade held up at eye level while her left hand reached out. The two stared at one another for only a split second before darting forward and clashing their blades together in a strike so powerful that it slightly shocked Shisui and threw him off balance. Allowing himself to fall while blocking an attack and ramming a foot into her stomach, he then rolled over his shoulder to stand before kicking her harshly.

Level two was apparently needed. They were in each other's faces in little to no time at all. The sword play was fast until Indy flipped over him and before he could cut her, she slid between his legs and her fist went somewhere that made ALL men cringe. Watching him fall to his knees, Indra giggled playfully and slammed her foot against his face before feeling it... he had cut her leg. With blood sliding down her thigh, she sulked forward with a darkened smile, "It's been ages since someone has ACTUALLY struck me. I will treasure your scar long after you have died by my blade." That made the dummy burst into a chipper fit of laughter until she sliced his cheek open, "Be sure to treasure mine as well..."

With a battle, everything was a weapon... so he actually sliced her dress OFF. Thinking she would forfeit was stupid as hell, making him blush furiously until noticing her blade at his throat. Shedding his sleeveless top, he placed it on her body with kind eyes; making her smile, "Thanks Shisui... but you lost the first round." His face pouted, but he realized that her sword was still at his throat, making him chuckle, "Sheesh, you and your damn RIDDLES!" With that he kicked the hilt of her blade so hard that she lost balance, but was caught by him with his blade firmly held at her throat. Indy instantly began to laugh until thrusting her fist up and hitting the blade out of his hand.

Her fist, now bleeding, now held another gash and it stung... but it would also mean that she had another scar from him. Flipping away and grasping her blade, with a bloodied hand; Indra began to sulk towards him like a lioness as Shisui rushed forward with no weapon, grasped her free arm and twisted it behind her back while he grasped her bleeding hand and was just about to bring it to her throat until a rock slammed into his bleeding cheek from an outside party. Indra then snapped her eyes to the side to see Izuna smirking. Furious that he had just interfered with a final test, she knew that he... had just broken the law... considering her twin was now beside him looking like SATAN.

Biting her bottom lip, she called the match, "WINNER, SHISUI! I, INDRA, PROCLAIM THAT SHISUI HAS PASSED!" Madara immediately groaned at his little sister, knowing that she was protecting this punk AGAIN. However... she would have been in the position that she would have lost no matter what. He also knew that his twin hadn't been going full out in the slightest. Walking out, the moody twin chuckled, "Would you look at that Indy, we found your new bodyguard." All of Izuna's old keys were then tossed to the newfound bodyguard and chuckled, "Your new room is right beside Indy's." That's when the moody twin noticed... Shisui hadn't even broken a sweat. Meaning...

He had been holding back as well.

Shisui's spirit heavily sweat dropped at this and chuckled, "Oh man... if that had actually been Indy, I would have been dead for marking her body up. Both sets of our twins would have slaughtered me as well, especially Minato and Madara." Shisui peered at Izuna as he held the keys, yet frowned, "I... uh... I don't know if I actually should take these. Izuna has known her for much longer... and as such... has loved her much longer. To be honest, if it had been me in his place... I might have done the same thing. I can only imagine as to what this is doing to him, but I honestly can't blame him. He's trying to protect the one thing that he loves, and it really doesn't feel right for me to just take that love away from him."

Looking down, he then chuckled sadly, "I enjoy being around her... that's true, but if I had loved someone for as long as he has, then I'd be pissed off if that were taken from me. However, love isn't a toy to be passed around like some child's toy. I can't or won't promise that I won't act the same as he just did if she gains a new favorite. Rage could overtake me in the same manner that it did with Izuna if I end up falling in love with her and she finds someone else to favor... and that's no way to live your life. Life is filled with so many different aspects of love and beauty that having a heart full of that much jealousy and rage would be painful. I can only imagine as to how broken his heart is right now..."

Everyone then peered at him in disbelief, considering it only took him a single day to gain the rank of general. Shisui then frowned deeply as he spoke out, "In all honesty... I'd rather not be the initial cause of that much heart break if it can be avoided. I haven't known Indy for that long, but he has known her for much longer and I don't want to strip him of his humanity and his own form of love - whatever that might be. I am truly honored that you'd even consider me for the part, but I'm going to have to respectfully decline the generous offer made. I don't mind being a bodyguard for someone else, but I refuse to take her from him..." With that, Shisui tossed Izuna his keys before laughing sadly.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't smitten with her, because he was. He enjoyed that sassy attitude, her test of wits, her strength as a female warrior, and all of the care she had already shown him. More than anything, he was merely grateful for everything that had been gifted to him thus far. A smile from her was more than enough. He had lived this long without her in his life, so, as long as he could see her now and again... that was plenty. Looking at Izuna and smiling, he then turned and began to walk away with his head tilted down slightly. Izuna recognized this man's posture and sorrowful tone of voice, he knew... because he had once been in the same boat. It was a man in love.

Izuna then gave a sharp whistle towards Shisui, making him turn his head in his direction before the keys were tossed back, "I'm on probation Shisui. I have been stripped of my title as a bodyguard for one year. You think you can watch over her reckless behavior until I'm reinstated? Though, I'm sure her brother is now conjuring up ways to murder me without being caught." This made Shisui blink rapidly as he peered at the elder twin's face and did notice the terrifying expression. Whistling at the moody jester, he then chuckled, "Madara, let the man regain his dignity and honor." For some reason, that actually sounded doable, making him sigh drastically, "Ugh, I will do as you have asked."

Well THAT'S a first.

Shisui was QUICK to find out that bodyguards were paid handsomely and lived in EXTREMELY lavish rooms that were spacious and finely decorated. They didn't have to wear what everyone else wore and were allowed to wear whatever they wished as long as they had a belt for the keyring and were always armed. Bodyguards were something he wasn't used to... they were almost... spoiled in a sense. However, Shisui gave a good portion of his money to the less fortunate, the same as Indra. Crime was going down by a landslide thanks to the efforts of Shisui and Indra, which is something that everyone thought was noble.

It had been one month since he had begun his services to the, as Izuna rightfully put it, RECKLESS brunette; but he didn't smother her and was actually just as reckless as her. Indra ran out of her room and Shisui leaned his back against the wall with his eyes closed as he snagged the back of her attire while laughing, "Yo! Indy, throne time!" Hearing her whine over not wanting to do it always cracked him the hell up, but she didn't today and held his hand while walking, "Say, Shisui?" Blinking adorably towards her as his keyring clanked against his thigh, she merely smiled as he answered, "Yes~?" She loved and adored his bright personality to the moon and back, "Nah, it's nothing..."

Giving her a look, he slowed to a stop; which she hadn't expected in the slightest. Slowing to a stop and facing him, she then got on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to his. His eyes could only widen, but he did respond accordingly. Hell, if she wanted a kiss, he wouldn't stop her. However... he could feel the MOTHER FUCKING tease coming. Once she leaned back, she snickered and kept walking to leave him hanging, which only proved to make him explode, "INDY, DON'T DO THAT TO ME!" Hearing her snicker at him as they entered the throne room, he was then handed her crown and he blew his bangs up out of frustration, "NO! INDY DOESN'T LIKE WEARING THAT! JUST SELL IT, FOR FUCKS SAKE!"

Indra began to laugh hysterically at him as she sat down at her throne. She absolutely LOVED having Shisui as her bodyguard. He didn't check on her on every hour on the dot while she was trying to sleep, he let her have a free spirit, and he did NOT force her to wear that INFURIATING crown. Everyone began to notice how much happier she was having Shisui by her side. For one as reckless as her, she hit the damn jackpot with having an equally as reckless bodyguard to stand by her side. Looking up at him, he chuckled and held his hand out for her to take - which she happily did just that. Madara peered over and chuckled before teasing, "Hey Indy? Can we trade bodyguards?"

A dry face was almost INSTANTLY gifted to her twin before huffing, "HELL NO!" Sasuke and Shisui were now pursing their lips to not laugh until Shisui caved and began to laugh hysterically. Hearing the doors open, he instantly zipped his lips and straightened up as a law breaker that had been caught was brought in. He was a handsome young man, but the minute Akuma peered over suspiciously... he noticed his daughter lean her head against her bodyguard peacefully as the transgressions were listed. The convict instantly noticed Shisui and slightly scowled due to remembering him from the streets. However, he mostly scowled because of the pretty little lady that was now glued to him.

Akuma was now internally laughing at this and cleared his throat, "Hm... Indra, what do you believe we should do?" Indra then peered towards her father and blinked rapidly, "We can test him to be a guard or a prisoner. I honestly could care less." Nodding his head, he then chuckled due to the reason that she could care less was right beside her, "Alright, Shisui, why not give the test." Shisui blinked rapidly before nodding, "Yes sire." Turning to look at the teen he used to know from the streets, he questioned, "What can run but never walk, have a mouth but never talk, have a head but never weeps, and a bed that never sleeps?" This made Indy smile softly as her fingers laced through his own.

The teen had no damn clue as to what he was saying, but ended up guessing correctly due to sheer luck alone, "A... uh... river?" Indra then looked at her father and shook her head, telling him that it was nothing more than a lucky guess. Akuma then hummed, "Indra, give the last test before making your verdict." Nodding her head, her heaven bound gaze pierced the teen as she spoke, "I run forever, but do not move at all, I have no lungs or throat but a roaring call." That one confused him further as he gulped, "The... uh... um... wind?" Indra then shook her head, "Inadequate. Prison." Akuma then nodded, "Take him away." They found that giving riddles was a much more simple way of dealing with convicts.

Nearing the end of the day, Shisui's free hand shot over his mouth as he began to roughly cough. Three sets of eyes then glanced at him before Indra spoke up, "Shisui...? Are you okay...?" Nodding his head and quickly wiping his blood stained glove on his dark blue attire, he then chuckled, "Yeah, don't worry about me! I'm as healthy as a horse!" Worried heaven bound orbs nodded slightly, "Okay, if you insist..." Sasuke then clapped his hands together, "Alright guys, your work for the day is done!" Shisui then helped the brunette up and held her hand as they walked back to their rooms. Letting Indra into her room, he then smiled, "Have a good night Indy."

Closing her door, he then made it to his room and entered before Shisui began coughing harshly again. Indra was in the room next to his and could hear those harsh coughing fits, only to go to the connected door and opening it to see Shisui's pale skin as he took off his attire that was covered in his blood, "S-SHISUI!" Rushing to him and taking him in her arms once he collapsed to his knees, he then took in labored breaths before Indra placed her hand over his heart, "C-Calm your heart Shisui..." Leaning his head against her chest, he frowned, "I'm sorry Indy... I probably should have told you about this sooner..." - "TOLD ME WHAT!?" - "Indy... I'm dying..."

Frowning deeply as he watched all of this transpire, Shisui's head then tilted down as he whispered shakily, "She's watched me die twice already and now a human version of myself and Indy are being put through the same damn thing... I can only imagine as to what this actually did to her heart, mind, and soul as a whole..." As much as they wanted to pass him right here and now, not enough had been seen on their part to actually come to a conclusion that would result in them passing him. Turning their heads to tune into the real Indra, they witnessed her holding her mating mark while crying miserably and telling him about her day and how their children currently were.

The gods presiding over the mark of eternal love could only frown at this as they watched him place his hand over his mating mark and tears began to fall from his crimson orbs, "How much more pain must she go through and endure all alone...?" The gods then hummed softly before speaking to him, "Tell us, why is it that you love her so much? Give us your valid reasoning that differs from the obvious reasons that you have known her ever since the two of you were children." Shisui chuckled softly, but sadly, before answering, "Just as she calls the first set of twins... she is my heart. She is why I draw breath each and every single day. She is also the one thing that I strive to protect and love."

Not knowing if they should believe him or not, they have witnessed first hand as to how much not only he loves her, but Izuna, and Sasuke as well. They then chuckled at him softly, "Yes Shisui, this, we already knew as a die hard fact. You acted like the bad guy because you were well aware that your time of impending death was rapidly approaching with no say in the matter and wanted to remember each emotion. Your tale is such a sad an unfortunate scroll to read. In that scroll contains far more hardships that should have been avoided, yet could not be avoided in the first place. Your love for her is a powerful love, indeed. However, who's to say that Izuna's and Sasuke's lives and love are no different?"

Shisui frowned at this comment before speaking, "There is no way of saying that one life or love differs. Sasuke was Indra's best friend and he probably loves her just as much as I. During the war, he chose to die by the hands of the woman he loved the most in this world and gave her no hatred for not being able to save him at that given time. Izuna met Indra much later and they were the ones who first gained the marks of eternal love. Eight thousand years of torture and pain was basically the equivalent of dying, at least in my eyes. They both had probably wished for death many times over. For me... well... I didn't just die in front of her once, but twice. Neither of the options were preferable, or by choice..."

Sighing, the gods could only push the matter much further, "First, you lost her to death by inner Akuma's hand, then you lost her again to Izuna's greed for six years after Erena's birth, then you truly lost her when Izuna's daughter... Sarada... challenged her for mating rights and won from her inner demon's frustrations, then you lost her heart by placing her in such an unfavorable position that you deeply regretted, many years later... you lost her mind and soul many times over and had to place the broken pieces back together, then you lost her from your own death, then you lost her from her own death, and finally... you lost her by your own devotion to her many times over."

He was well aware of all of his losses... he held many more losses than he held victories. It was more bitter than it actually was sweet. The gods seemed surprised that he actually acknowledged this fact that his little tale held more failures than anything else, so they asked, "Shisui, what is it that you actually have to give her and why would would you do so in the first place?" Taking a deep breath, a gentle smile then appeared on his lips that held nothing but love, "Well... All though we have eight children together, she wants more little rays of sunshine so that she can hold the entire sun in the palms of her hand. Why would I do it for her is such a simple answer..."

They waited for his response as his eyes shimmered with many emotions. Taking a deep breath, he then gave a soft chuckle, "She always told me that she wished that she had more blonde children, like Minato, to represent the sun in the same manner that my own personality appears to her. She always said that I was her ray of sunshine... and when she lost me... Minato became her last actual ray of sunshine that had come from both of us. I am merely a lowly father that is only capable of helping her reach that goal, no matter how many trial and errors it might take... I would help her achieve her goal no matter the cost."

With his eyes gaining a deep softness, he could really only feel admiration for the feisty little lady who refused to erase his mating mark after his second death. Releasing a gentle smile, all of the love in the world could be felt radiating from this demonic male as he tenderly spoke, "She wants a large family... and boy, she already does have a large family. Fourteen children to be exact. Eight are from me and all eight of my kiddos love their mother unconditionally. The truth of the matter is... to this day, I still feel so much guilt for everything that I have done to her. If she were to pick Izuna or Sasuke, I'd just feel honored that she blessed me with eight healthy children."

The gods were astonished...

Smiling sadly, Shisui then continued, "The thing is, it doesn't matter where she goes, who she is with, or even if she loses all love placed in me. The whole truth is that no matter what, I will love her always... whether that love be from a distance, by her side as her mate and husband, or if we are just friends from this point forward. Her happiness comes before my own and nothing will change my heart or mind over that. For once in her life, she deserves to feel that victory and not the loss that this world continues to shove down her throat. However, I know that she doesn't look at it that way. She has fourteen children that she loves and cherishes... and in her eyes, that is a victory that no one can take from her."

This little chat that they were having as he watched his human self slumped against Indy's human self had tears falling from his eyes as he spoke, "However, seeing this again brings a great deal of pain and stress to my healthy heart. If it hadn't been for her giving away her angelic rebirth, I would always be plagued with that very same illness each and every time you brought me back. I can only hold a great deal of admiration for her love. She is only capable of being herself, even when I wish that she would think of herself more... I know that's not who Indra is in the slightest. She holds far too much love in her heart to hold a grudge or penalize another for something they have done in the past."

There it was. The gods then chuckled softly at him, "My, my, you men need to teach Indra how to do these trials a bit quicker in the same manner that you three do. Sasuke passed after three different lives, Izuna passed after two different lives, but you... you are going home after ONE life. Congratulations Shisui." Vanishing from the domains of the trails, Shisui noticed blue. Shooting his head down, he immediately shouted, "I-INDRA LOOK OUT BABY!" Freezing, Indra did it again and looked around before humming to herself, "That's odd, I could have sworn that I just heard-" - 'SLAM' - Groaning, the brunette SENSED him and her orbs flew open, "THE HELL!? HOW DID YOU PASS EVEN QUICKER!?"

Rubbing the back of his head and chuckling as he sat on her, he merely leaned over and cried against her chest. Indra pushed herself up and held the demonic male close while stroking his hair, "Hey, why are you crying...?" Shisui's tears would not stop as he wrapped his arms around her securely, "I-I WATCHED THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN IN HUMAN FORM!" Frowning, she could only guess that the gods presiding over the mark of eternal love had put him through his own death again... but this time... made him watch as to what transpired on that day. Indra had never witnessed Shisui's emotional inner demon cry as hard as it currently was... and it hurt immensely.

Sitting there, she placed her hand over her mating mark on him before kissing it tenderly, "Calm down baby..." Soft sniffles and little hiccups were soon to follow as he snuggled against her warmth. Finally tilting his head up and taking her face into his hands, he then guided her lips to magnetize against his own for a long lived moment before breaking away and leaning his forehead against her own, "Damn you, I love you so much..." Eight voiced were then heard in shocked unison, "D-DADDY!?" All bolted towards him and wrapped their arms around their parents happily, making him smile softly before taking in a deep breath, "Yo! You guys been good for your mother!?"

Minato then effectively punched his father across the face, "DON'T YOU EVER MAKE MOMMY THAT SAD EVER AGAIN!" Shisui groaned and rubbed his cheek tenderly, "Yeah well, I wasn't exactly given the option of saying NO!" Madara then folded his arms and blew his bangs up, "I do believe that you owe us and mommy an APOLOGY, YOU DICK!" Snapping his head towards the younger twin, Shisui began to fume, "I JUST TOLD YOU THAT I WASN'T GIVEN THE OPTION TO SAY NO, SASSY! NOW, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL GODS IN THE UNIVERSE! TONE DOWN YOUR MOTHER'S INHERITED SASS!" Hinami then hugged her father tightly while crying hysterically, "W-WELCOME HOME DADDY!"

Little miss sass herself then chuckled, "Hey now, gods never claimed to be merciful or kind."