Destiny is inescapable. Once something had stared, it will never stop. Life continues without warning or consideration for others. We're all linked together in one grand plan. Life is kept in balance by another life, we all need each other. Time is just as important. Time is so delicate that the slightest second off could upset the tranquil balance. If he had not waken up that morning, if I had never met him, everything would still be okay. I would not feel this pain that I feel now; we both wouldn't have to suffer. But because he woke up, he started something that no one can stop. He started fate. He started our destiny. He has no idea that his actions brought us together. He has no idea that he created this. You can't change fate, but you can run from it. However, if you choose to run, fatigue will rear its ugly head and fate will eventually catch up. I wanted to run, but I didn't. The only thing we can do now is embrace our fate. We have no choice but to fight. This is our destiny and it must be fulfilled.

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Chapter 1: Back To Konohagakure

"Let me go dammit!" Shino yelled. "We have to save Airi!"

Kiba struggled as he pulled Shino along through the forest. "There's nothing we can do!"

"You're not trying hard enough! Let me go!"

"Stop it Shino!" Hinata begged. "Even if we could do something, we wouldn't win!"

"Yeah!" Kiba added. "We were getting our asses kicked back there! You Aburames are tough!"

"Don't say that!" Shino hissed. "I'm nothing like them! I would never do something like that!"

"Shino, we can't do this by ourselves!" Hinata said. "There's no way!"

Kiba looked back at Shino. "So stop trying to play the hero!" He hit something and fell backwards. "OW! Mother fu-"

"Sensei!" Hinata shouted as she looked up at Kurenai.

"What're you guys doing!" Kurenai demanded. "Where have you guys been? I've been looking all over for you! It's been two days! Your parents were worried about you!"

Kiba looked around frantically. "We don't have time to explain here sensei! Let's get back to the village!"

XXXX

Kurenai's eyes widened in disbelief. She listened to her students some more before she held up a hand. "Stop, no more." She sighed. "You guys should have known better than to get mixed up with a girl like Airi."

"How can you say that!" Kiba shouted. "She was an innocent girl in need! Aren't we supposed to help people!"

"Kiba…" Kurenai began. "…That's not what I meant…" She looked at Shino. "I know that you guys became attached to her. You committed yourselves to the wrong thing and now you're stuck in the middle."

"Sensei…" Hinata whispered.

Kakashi came into the room with his students. "Kurenai, we have a new mission."

She looked up. "Oh really? Now what?"

"Hey, you found your students." He blinked.

"Kakashi, focus."

"Oh, yeah. You and I, along with our students, have to find Shibi's attacker and assassinate him."

Shino's head shot up. "My father! What happened to my father!"

"Well, while you were off at the forbidden Nozomi village making enemies, your father got attacked by a fellow Jonin, Keisuke," Kurenai said. "A bit of hell broke lose, but Asuma and Gai were able to take care of it."

"So that's why the people looked so shaken up…" Hinata said.

Shino sat quietly. My father, Aburame Shibi. Airas said that my father and I attacked her village nine years ago. He looked up. I have to confront my father! "I'm going to see my father."

"Sh-Shino!" Hinata called. "W-Wait!" Shino walked out of the room. "Oh…"

"Kakashi sensei, what's going on?" Sakura asked.

"What is going on?" Kakashi asked.

Kurenai looked at Kiba and Hinata. "You two better start explaining yourself."

"Yes sensei…"