A/N Thank you for your support and the reviews guys.

Whitelfelder: Don't worry. Things will work out just wait and see my friend.

DarkRevie: As always thank you for your support.

Harry's POV

All he saw was white. Was this death? Had he finally got what he wanted? Something told him that he wasn't dead. At least not yet.

A whispering voice said in a tone that vaguely sounded like approval," Very good. You are not an idiot of a guardian. You are not dead yet child. In fact you could make a choice here and now. You can continue on with your journey. Or you can pass into death peacefully."

He asked tilting his head to the side," What happens if i choose to continue with my journey?"

An amused chuckle sounded and then a reply," You will be deaged to 12. Your friend will be deaged to 15. You will be dropped off at a village that had just been destroyed. What happens is up to you from there."

He almost groaned. To be deaged to such a young age. It would definitely prove to be a challenge for him. Then again he couldn't just say no. He promised to come back with techniques. Another duty to fulfill. Something to keep him from passing on.

He said straightening his shoulders," I choose to go. I have a duty to complete."

There was a hum of what sounded to be like both approval and disappointment. Either way he had made his choice. Like they had suspected his ki protected him.

The voice said after a moment," Good luck, guardian. You will need it. This world is different from any you have ever known. Hide your magic for they will not understand. Learn their ways."

He solemnly promised," I will. Thank you but what are you?"

At first he thought it would not answer. His vision was fading into darkness as he heard," We are the viel. We protect the guardians especially when they are as hurt as you. This will be your chance at a new life young one. Push aside your sorrows and look to the future."

With that the world went black. When he came to something heavy was on top of him. Vaguely he could hear shouting but couldn't completely understand what was being said.

He felt what was laying on top of him be lifted. A black haired boy with a bowl cut hair style came into view.

He asked checking him over," Are you okay? Are you injured anywhere?"

Blinking at the other he took stock of any injuries. Besides a bruised rib cage he was fine. He said as much.

The boy said loudly," Gai sensei we have a we have a survivor over here."

An equally loud voice replied," We have another one over here, Lee. It seems that the bandits killed everyone else."

Bandits? Oh right the reason why they appeared. Three people came into view and immediately he was on edge. He could see Ha Ill next to the two teenagers. They all were wearing strange headbands.

Ha Ill was stiff and rigid. It was obvious that he was as suspicious of them as he was. Still they didn't have much of a choice. Neither of them knew where they were. Much less how to get to town.

He could feel the eyes of the long haired boy's on him. At first glance he thought the boy was blind. The way that the boy's eyes tracked him though he knew it wasn't so. If he wasn't blind what was with the white eyes.

The white eyed boy said to the man," Gai sensei they are the only survivors. I can't see anyone else that is alive."

The other two looked away in sadness. For his part Harry was surprised at how cold the young boy sounded. He was probably thirteen no older than that. Yet the boy sounded like a war veteran. It made his heart ache at the thought. Had they left one war zone only to enter another?

A gentle touch to the small of his back brought him back to reality. Ha Ill always knew when he was losing himself to the darkness. He could give the appropriate comfort without overstepping his bounds. In the last few months their friendship had grown. The blond was part of the reason he kept going on. Trying to find something to live for.

The one called Gai said," Lets head back to the village. Lee see if you can find out these two youthful boy's names. Neji, Tenten you both will bring up the front. Watch for any signs of the bandits returning to finish what they started."

All three of them said," Yes Gai sensei."

If Harry remembered correctly from his studies of the Japanese language and culture sensei meant teacher. Was this man some kind of teacher?

He studied them closer. Gai had the biggest bushy brows that he had ever seen. The boy called Lee was like a clone of him. They both looked like they could be skilled hand to hand fighters. Yet the man wore an unfamiliar kind of jacket.

The other two though looked completely different. It was hard to tell if there was a set uniform or not. By the way they looked that didn't seem to be the case. The only thing they all had in common was a headband some where.

"So what's your name? How old are you?" Came a voice from right next to him.

It caused him to start in surprise. He hadn't even sensed the others presence. As calmly as he could he replied," Shioon. My name is Shioon Lee. You're Lee right?"

The boy's face brightened up with excitement as he said," Yes! Nice to meet you Shioon. I'm sorry about your village. At least you and your friend will get a place to stay at our village. Maybe your can become ninja like us."

The one called Neji growled," Lee that's enough. Don't talk nonsense to them."

That boy raised his hackles like none other. This person reminded him of both Draco Malfoy and Dudley. Both bullies. Both learned their lessons eventually. Mistrust was almost immediately formed about this one. He would be one that Harry watched closely. Ha Ill gripped his shoulder to calm him. As it had before it calmed and settled him. At least for the moment.

The one called Gai said," Stay close to us. I don't want you getting lost out here. It will take us most of the day to reach the village. From there Lord Hokage will find a place for you."