Chapter 14: Reunited

"Alright Shino, you get to learn some new attacks today!" Inochi said. "Oh yeah, like what?" Shino asked. "Just wait and see!" Shino ran forward and grabbed Airi. "I'm really sorry about this Airi, but you need to settle down!" He pulled out his kunai knife, but Airi jumped away. "Get ready Shino!" He reached into his shuriken holster and pulled out several shuriken. "Binary Ray Shuriken!" The shuriken began to glow a bright white, then Shino threw them. Airi jumped out of the way, but the shuriken changed course and hit their target. Airi staggered forward, but she pulled out her cards again. "Kikai Hoshi No Jutsu!" More of Shino's bugs shot out of both of his sleeves and formed a star around Airi. "Photon Blast!" The bugs began to glow a yellow color, then engulfed Airi in light. When the light disappeared, Airi fell to the ground. "Well, Airi's been subdued. All that's left is the matter of Keisuke," Inochi said.

Keisuke began to laugh. "Do you really think you can beat me? Ridiculous! You're a Summon Spirit without a body Inochi! Your power is only half of what it used to be!"

"Keisuke, you pitiful man," Inochi began, "I can practically smell your fear," Shino finished. "You know you're gonna die here."

"…N…No!" He turned around and ran the other way. "I'm not gonna die!"

"This is for my father you bastard!" Shino held up his hands. "Soul Cage!" The Kikai Bugs of Destruction once again came out of Shino's sleeves and surrounded Keisuke in a spherical cage. With an ear-piercing shriek, Keisuke was no more. Shino panted and took a deep breath. "Phew, I didn't think I could pull off something like that!" Inochi said. "Oh, Shino, are you okay?" He nodded. "Well, I'm done possessing you now, I'm gonna come out. This might be a bit painful, so bear with me." Shino's eyes widened and he clutched his sides. "A-Ah…Ugh…AAHH!"

Inochi's spirit stepped out of Shino's body. "Sorry about that Shino, I didn't think it would be that painful." She looked at his pale face. "You okay?"

"I…I'm fine." He picked up Keisuke's keys and walked over to his trapped friends. He unlocked the locks and removed the tape.

"Ow, that hurt Shino," Kiba said as he rubbed his mouth.

"Shino, you were amazing!" Sakura and Hinata said in unison.

"I could have done the same thing if I didn't get caught," Naruto said as he crossed his arms.

"That was some intense fighting Shino," Kakashi said.

"Very intense," Kurenai agreed. "But you don't look so good Shino. Would you like to sit?"

"I said I'm fine," Shino responded.

Inochi walked over to Aurion and Airas. "It's time to wake up you two."

Aurion and Airas shakily sat up. "Ugh, my head," Aurion said. "What happened?"

"Yeah, I'd like to know too…" Airas stopped as she saw her uncle's dead body. She remained silent as she stared at it. …Uncle…

"Let's talk later!" Inochi said. "We have to get Airi's soul!"

"She's right," Sasuke said. "So let's find it already." Although, I'm somewhat ashamed that I was captured so easily…

"Well, this is the only other door in here," Sakura said as she stood in front of a door. "Let's check it out." Aurion picked up Airi's body and they headed inside. The inside of the room was like a bedroom.

"Wow, swanky," Sakura said. "Nice bedroom."

"Is someone in the bed?" Kiba asked. Akamaru poked his head out from Kiba's jacket. "Well, it's a fine time for you to show up Akamaru!" Akamaru whined.

Airas walked over to the bed. "…It's her…"

Aurion walked over to the bed as well. "…My sister…"

"You mean Airi's soul is sleeping?" Naruto asked. "Souls sleep?"

"Souls are like spirits, so yeah, we sleep," Inochi answered.

"Airi, you need to wake up now," Airas said. The soul opened its eyes and sat up. "We brought your body back." The soul blinked, then smiled. It got out of the bed and walked over to Aurion. It hugged Airi's body and was slowly absorbed back inside. Everyone waited silently for a sign of life. "Airi?" Airas tapped Airi on the head. "Are you back now?"

"Uhn…wh-wha?" Airi opened her eyes and looked up. The first thing she saw was Aurion's face.

"Hey Airi, long time no see," Aurion said.

Airi blinked in shock. "…Lemme go!" She rolled out of Aurion's arms and shook her head. "…You…"

"Airi, you seem upset," Aurion said.

She bit her lower lip as tears filled her eyes. "B-Bi…BIG BROTHER!" Her tears wouldn't stop as she threw her arms around Aurion's neck. "Big brother!"

Aurion started to cry as well. "It's alright now baby s-s-sis, d-don't cry!" He hugged her tightly.

Airas stared at the two. I…I have…I have a family again… "Airi…Aurion..." The two siblings looked at her. "I'm sorry…" Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry for everything!" She embraced her siblings and they all fell to their knees.

Sakura and Hinata watched them and started to tear up themselves. "This is so touching and so sad as well," Hinata said.

"Yes, it is," Sakura added.

Naruto rubbed his eyes. "M-Man, now they got me doin' it too!"

Kurenai sniffled. "They really do love each other…"

Aurion wiped his sisters' tears away. "Airi, I'm so happy to see you."

"I'm so happy to see you too!" Airi said. "And Airas, I'm glad to know that you still care about me."

"Airi I…I've never stopped caring about you," Airas said.

"Your friends are here to see you Airi," Aurion said.

"Wh-What?" She looked at the ninjas. "Hinata! Kiba! And…" She noticed Shino standing by the door. "…Shino…" She got to her feet, never taking her eyes off him. "Shino!" She ran towards him and jumped into his arms. "Shino!"

Shino, somewhat startled by Airi's reaction, smiled. "A-Airi…"

She looked him over. "Shino? What happened to you! You're hurt everywhere!"

"It's a long story," Kiba said.

"But you're pale!"

Shino's head dropped onto Airi's shoulder. "That's because I used too much chakra when Inochi was sharing my body."

"What!" Airi asked.

"He's right Airi," Inochi responded. "Airi, I'm so happy that you go your soul back."

"I-Inochi!" Airi exclaimed.

"Aurion and Airas summoned me to help find you. I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your body for a while."

"No! I don't mind at all!"

"Airi, I can tell that you're nervous. Don't be, okay? The things that happened in the past were not your fault, alright?"

"O-Okay…"

"Airi, now that we've found your soul, I'd like to continue traveling with you."

"S-Sure, alright. I'd like that."

"But Airi, would you mind if I chose you as my master?"

"M-Master? You mean…! You want to become my Summon Spirit!"

She smiled. "Yes, that's right."

Airi blinked. "…I accept then! D-Do I need a pact though?"

"Nope. I'm not a summon spirit that requires a promise. I chose my master based on the pureness of their heart. You, Airi, are one of the purest souls I've ever met." Airi remained silent as she put her head down. "Okay then, I'll be part of the Nozomi Charm then! I look forward to you summoning me some time soon!" She smiled as she turned into little light orbs. The orbs were absorbed into the Nozomi Charm.

Airas looked at the charm and removed it from around her neck. "Here Airi, you deserve this more than I do."

"Airas…" Airi looked down at the charm.

"This is all dandy and stuff, but don't you think we should get out of here?" Kiba asked.

"Yes, I agree," Kakashi said. "Chances are that we attracted a lot of attention by now." Everyone paused and looked at each other.

"Shit, he's right!" Aurion shouted. "We better get out of here!"

Airi pulled one of Shino's arms around her neck. "Come on Shino, let's go!"

"I'm coming," Shino replied.

Aurion looked at his youngest sister and Shino. …How can I deal with something like this?