Chapter 18: Village of Eternal Rain

Kiba rubbed his eyes to adjust to the lack of darkness. "Man, it got dark quick."

"That's so weird," Airi said, "As soon as we got in range of my village, the sun just…" She shuddered. I don't like where this is going…

"We're really close to our village," Airas said. The sky began to grow darker. "What?"

"Okay, this is getting freaky," Naruto said.

"Shino?" Airi walked to his side. "It's dark now, can you still see with those sunglasses on?"

"I'll be fine," Shino replied.

"Well, just in case if anything happens, you should hold my hand so we don't get separated…" She blushed. "Is…Is that alright with you?"

He looked at her hand, and then to her face. "You…You don't mind if I hold your hand? Even though there are…"

"…Shino, I know you won't hurt me." She took his hand. "…You're a good person."

Aurion looked at Airi and Shino. Man, this sucks. Airi says that she doesn't like him, but she's acting as if she does. I wish she'd just stop lying to herself and admit that she's head over heels in love with the kid. He paused. But…I said that I didn't want them to be together…I really don't know what I'm supposed to think.

A branch of lightning branched across the sky. "Looks like it's gonna rain," Kakashi said.

"Guys, I think I see smoke," Sakura said. "It looks like it's rising in the direction that we're headed…!" Everyone stopped.

"Our village?" Airi, Airas, and Aurion said in unison.

XXXX

Airi looked around at her village. "This…" Several buildings and homes were on fire even though it was raining now.

"No…" Aurion whispered.

"This is horrible," Airas finished.

"Where are all of the people?" Sakura asked.

Airi closed her eyes. "…No…Not again…" Tears began to stream down her cheeks. "Not again!" She ran off.

"Airi, wait!" Aurion shouted. "Airas!"

"Right!" The two of them ran after their sister.

"Hey, wait!" Kiba called out. They were already gone.

"Who could have done something like this?" Hinata asked.

"Ooh…ugh…"

Naruto looked over at a man trapped under some rubble. "H-Hey!" He ran over to the man and pushed the rubble off. "Are you okay?"

"Th-Thank you," the man said as he coughed.

"Can you tell us what happened here?" Sasuke asked.

"Th-They attacked…" the man said.

"They?" Kurenai repeated.

"Yes…Aburames." Shino looked at the man. "I-I'm sorry, but it brings such pain upon me to try and remember the events that just happened."

"Then can you tell us where the other people are?" Kiba asked. Akamaru poked his head out from Kiba's jacket.

"The others? Most of them fled, but some of them are still here. ACK!" He spit out some blood.

"Are you alright!" Sakura asked.

"…Shi…" He shut his eyes and fell limp.

Sakura and Hinata covered their mouths. "No…He's…"

"He's dead," Sasuke said.

"He said 'Shi' something," Kakashi informed. "I wonder what he was trying to say..."

"We have to go find Airi and her siblings," Sasuke said. "We should get going."

"Okay."

XXXX

"Help! Someone, please help me!"

The ninjas looked around. "Is someone calling for help?" Sakura asked.

Shino looked around. Where is it coming from? He stopped and listened. He looked at a pile of rocks and ran over to them. He began to push the huge boulders aside. Ah, these things are heavy! He pushed two of the boulders and a girl crawled out. What?

"Oh my gosh!" Hinata gasped. She joined Shino. "Are you alright!"

"I-I'm fine," the girl said. She looked at Shino. "Thank you mister."

Kakashi came to the little girl. "Excuse me, but I noticed that you had a hole for peeking through under that pile of rocks. Did you happen to see a girl named Airi come by here?"

"You mean the Tengoku Taiga?" She nodded. "Yes, I did. She was headed to the shrine." She bowed and ran off.

"Then we have to go to the shrine," Kiba said. They ran north.

I can't believe this, Shino thought. My own clan. Why?

"There they are," Hinata informed.

"Airas, please help Kuan," Airi pleaded.

"Yes, I will." Airas held her staff over the Extraction Jester twin, Kuan.

"That was scary back there," Ruan said. "I thought I was gonna lose Kuan."

"But he's alright now, right?" Airi asked urgently.

"Yes. I know the Tengoku Kitsune will be able to take care of him."

"Ruan, is everything you said true?" Aurion asked.

"Every bit of it," Ruan answered.

"Ughn…" Kuan moaned.

"Kuan!" Airi shouted. She knelt back down and grabbed his hand. "Kuan, are you okay?"

"T-Tengoku Taiga?" Kuan responded.

"Just call me 'Airi', okay? Not 'Heavenly Tiger' or 'Tengoku Taiga', just Airi."

"A-Airi, I'm so glad to see that you have your soul back." He sat up. "I shouldn't have gone through with that ceremony…"

"Where's Yosaku?" Airas asked.

"He disappeared when the Aburames attacked during the extraction," Ruan answered.

"Do you now where he is now?" Aurion asked. Ruan shook his head. "That's weird."

"I'm just glad to see that you guys are alive!" Airi said. She hugged Kuan. "Kuan, I thought you were gonna die."

"Ow, ow. Hey, not so hard."

"I-I'm sorry."

Airas crossed her arms and smiled. Airi and Kuan were such good friends when we were little but I don't know why they suddenly stopped talking. She looked over to her right and noticed the soaking wet ninjas. "What're you guys doing here?"

"We came to find you," Naruto answered.

"You're from Konohagakure, correct?" Ruan asked.

"Yeah…Why?" Sakura asked.

"I would like to know if the people of Nozomi Village could reside in Konohagakure for a while."

Kakashi shrugged. "Sure why not?"

"Kakashi sensei?" Sakura asked.

"Their village is in ruins. I'm sure it's okay if they come and live in Konohagakure for a bit."

"Thank you so much," Ruan said as he bowed. "Kuan, we better get the survivors together and leave this place."

Kuan and Airi stood up. "Alright."

Airi looked down at Kuan's hand grasped in her own. "Kuan…"

"Mm-hmm?"

"…I'm sorry…"

"Don't look so sad, okay? Everything that's happened isn't your fault." They let go of their hands. "Oh, Airi, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Don't die okay?" She nodded. "Good." He hugged her tightly and then turned to his twin brother. "Let's go Ruan." The two walked off.

Airi stared off at the twins. Why must I cause everyone so much suffering?

"Oh, how nice!"

The group spun around and faced a man. "Who are you!" they demanded.

"Me?" he asked. "I'm the one that lead the attack on this pathetic village!" He chuckled. "My name is Gojou and I've come for the Holy Guides and Aburame Shino!"

"Man, what is up with people trying to kill us!" Aurion asked.

"Who're you working for!" Airas shouted.

"Now that, my forsaken girl, is a secret." He smirked. "But I'll tell you if you defeat me!"

"Get ready everyone," Kakashi said as they all got into a fighting stance.