Darkest Path of Pain Chapter 4, a Bleach + Naruto Crossover fanfic

Chance

Any shinobi could tell you what is, and what isn't in this world, that strength and power triumph on the battlefield, that it is the strategic minds, behind that power, that wins the war, that it is the Victor, that decides how the world should be.

~Akatsuki log 20~

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~Cave entrance~

Honestly... the one time something good comes up, there just has to be something about it, that just doesn't sit right with anyone. Seeing the distressed look on Konans face when ichigo carried his brother in, yeah he could understand that the kid was in pretty bad shape, looking as if a mountain fell on him but...

Why the hell! is he left out of all that goes on around here!

Seriously!? he just found out now that ichigo's little brother, who he might add looks thankfully unlike his scowling elder sibling, is still alive!? 'Well then again, he didn't say he was dead either' he thought. Struggling to get his mind around everything.

Since their first meeting between the two, which in his opinion, was nice and all for a few days, down the road several arguements and a fist fight or two a firm(Yet slightly strained.) friendship was made, which may have explained why he didn't tell him.

But then again, didn't anyone understand that he, decided to be the bigger person, by trying to mend things?

Also konan decided to get involved, so yeah... that happened.

'I swear to kami! im going to leave one of them out! when something comes up!' Yahiko thought childishly whilst he was pouting. It'll serve them right for leaving him out on the important stuff.

Turning his head to Stare intently at Konan's quiet form from the wall he was leaning against, closing his eyes as annoyance set in for another suprise, konan being quiet for once.

And she was never quiet, often finding something to say or do to pass the time, or just run around with her head stuck in the clouds, a big smile on her face, without a care in the world.

but today, seemed like one of those new days...

"Stop worrying will ya!" He said lazily while kicking the dirt at his feet, yahiko held back a glare since he was a little annoyed that she only glanced at him for a few seconds.

Groaning internally while rubbing the back of his head in irritation, "this a good thing, Ichigo has his brother back shouldn't we you know? be celebrating?" Yahiko asked, giving her a questioning look as she seemed to cast that worrying gaze of hers at the clouds again.

Glancing at him from the corner of her eye, before returning her gaze to the rain, she wasn't in the mood for explaining things at the moment, it wasn't as if she were jealous of Ichigo's brother it was just that he spoke of his family fondly on several occasions, and that Nagato would never go anywhere without their parents, and that's what worried her.

He had come alone...

She's was no stranger to loss, she had found it difficult to tell with Nagato though his eye's... weird as they were, never dulled or had a shine to them when displaying different moods, which would likely lead to guessing or nagging at him constantly... when he's better of course.

Also on the plus side, it would be nice to see his expressions if it weren't for that long hair of his, she sometimes wondered if all uzumaki's liked their hair blinding them.

Breathing softly in content, Yahiko was right she shouldn't be worrying herself sick about it, this is finally the biggest piece of good news they've gotten in a long time... but still certain questions are still left unanswered, one being the most prominent.

Where were Ichigo's parents?

Looking around boredly, face etched into deadpanned stare, yahiko seemed to ponder on things to do today, seeing as they don't really need to do anything yet.

Sighing through his nose, turning his gaze downward near konan's legs lay the unfortunate chibi, who's ear twitched when he felt a pair of eye's on him.

Blinking tiredly before tilting his head, chibi seemed to regard yahiko's blank expression for awhile before taking a step back, uncomfortable with the sudden predatory grin the boy had on his face.

Pushing himself off the wall, rolling his neck from side to side, getting all the kinks out of his shoulders to prepare for what he was about to commit himself to, staring the nervous pup down with an evil gleam in his eye.

"Prepare yourself dog! this will not be pleasant! as my boredem will now be sated!" yahiko dramatically exclaimed, pointing his finger at a creeped out chibi with his head held high and chest pushed up.

Frowning in confusion, before turning to Yahiko, she inwarldly rolled her eye's in amusement, a small giggle passing through her lips while she watched them both toss eachother about in a playful manner.

But it's sudden playfulness had left the both of them when Konan had laughed at them both, now they only sought to utterly destroy the other as they both snarled at eachother, yahiko adding some barks in the mix to show his superiority... for some reason?

His eye's widened when chibi bent his head down, snarling ferociously at him, his small teeth bared, before letting out a bark that was akin to a full grown mutt, than an innocent little puppy.

He knew when he bit off more than he could chew, and right now, he was more worried about what parts on his body chibi wouldn't bite and chew off.

He was about to turn and run, but chibi had already pounced, using his back as a pivoting board causing him to fall flat on his face.

Groaning in pain, the landing wouldn't of hurt as much as it did if he didn't end up kissing a stone via landing. It stung like hell!

Lifting his head up slowly, his expression drowsy whilst blinking continuously, trying to get rid of his blurred vision. He silently wished he didn't when his vision returned.

"Arrgghh!!" He screamed girlishly as he felt teeth scrape across his tender cheeks, twisting and turning sporadically to get the mutt off of him.

A sense of dread filled him, his brown eye's dilating in absolute terror when he figured out that chibi wasn't coming with the intent to cause injury, but something far more sinister... Humiliation!

"Wait! Argh! oof! Konan! Oww! help me! please!!?" Yahiko begged in the most shameful voice imaginable, trying in vain to hold his shorts up against chibi, who had decided to use his shorts as a game of tug of war, Yahiko's dignity lost as his bunny boxers were showing for all the world to see.

Or just konan, who seemed even more amused.

"Hahahahahahaha!!"she laughed hysterically, rolling around on the ground arms wrapped around her stomach find the current situation painfully hilarious.

Kicking chibi back with his left foot earning him a slight yelp of suprise, before taking advantage of chibi's slip of concentration yanking his shorts up quickly whilst lying on his stomach.

Looking over his shoulder, his eye's widened when he saw chibi pounce at him, his mind raced for a mere second before he rolled to the side causing chibi to collide with thin air, Tumbling about cutely before sitting attentively, scratching behind his ear in an innocent fashion.

Turning to konan scowling at her in annoyance, "Oh you find this funny huh!? how about I tell Ichigo about your little secret!?" grinning evilly, her laughter came to an abrupt halt as she looked at him shocked.

"You wouldn't." she whispered with a panicked expression, he really didn't need to know. well not yet anyway, and definitely not from him!

"I think I would." He said with nonchalance, while casually picking his ear with his pinky, flicking it off to the side, chibi giving him a disgusted look all the while.

Staring at him with the expression of a kicked puppy, her eyes glittering with cuteness "You'll be on my bad side." she said in a babylike voice, hah! no one could evade her cuteness!

Staring blankly at her for matter of three seconds, before chuckling, "For like ten seconds, you never hold a grudge, so you'll thank me later." he may of shown a strong front, but honestly, inwarldly he was breaking down like a thin sheet of glass, praying she wouldn't push any further.

Konan narrowed her eye's as she pouted in annoyance, puffing her cheeks out in the process, that insufferable grin of his wasn't going to help him in this situation in the slightest, she had to think about this logically, what could he want that would keep his mouth shut?

'Wait? something he wants?' Inwardly shaking her head in thought, the ramifications for giving him what he wants were too costly, and usually had a catastrophic outcome.

She just hoped nagato was nothing like her two trouble makers, honestly... she couldn't handle three of them.

Allowing her expression to sour whilst Inwardly fuming to herself, cursing yahiko for putting her in this type of position! and reminding herself to also have a word with ichigo about his temper spouts, they were starting to get infectous.

'Wait? Ichigo? yeah that could actually work, what would Ichigo do?'

While Konan was silently musing to herself, yahiko had a front row seat at the 'How many scowls could her face make?'.

First was an irritated scowl, he tried valiantly to hold back his laughter on this one.

Second was the confused scowl as she seemed to bite on her thumb her eye's looking slightly more pensive.

Third was the brooding scowl where she knew all hope of winning was out of her reach ok he wasn't gonna lie he was starting to reconsider a little seeing this one.

Ok the final one he fears especially wielded by her it is called the Ichigo scowl one where it is a perfect sychronised version of all three scowls technically speaking. the perfect scowl.

A smile sprang upon her lips that caused his grin to immediately deflate, a look of fear to take it's place when that smile turned rather angelic to most, to yahiko however, that smile was pure evil as it landed on chibi, who tilted his head in a questioning manner at her.

"Chibi?..." Konan drawled out sweetly, Getting a soft whine out of the puppy, "Yahiko's being such a meanie," Sending Yahiko a devilish grin when chibi grew angered at this, turning his head slowly towards the cowering boy. "Won't you be a good doggy, and teach him a lesson."

Well?... not exaxtly Ichigo's sort of style, but with the promises of pain and violence, and her charming skills added into the mix, her plan was fool proof.

Especially to the fool currently fearing for his shorts in front of her.

Hearing a slight growl from behind him, only having a split second to yelp as chibi tackled him to the ground, then proceeding to barrel roll backwards in mid-air, before landing perfectly onto all fours, glaring cutely with his small teeth bared again.

Staring up at the dog with wide eye's, he didn't want to admit it but the landing from that barrel roll looked pretty awesome.

Oh right! not the time!

Seeing the dangerous look in his eye's caused him to shrink back a bit, those were not the eye's you see on a cute furry animal!! Chuckling awkwardly, "Ok Konan! I get it lesson learnt! now can you uhhh?... you know, call it off!" He mumbled through clenched teeth, his eyes darting from one to the other in panic.

Rolling her eyes, looking at him with disbelief, "You seemed pretty eager to show your enthusiasm before." she said, her tone casual while she eyed her nails appraisingly.

Looking at her then quickly, turning back to chibi with a panicked expression, he wasn't against begging at this point, but seeing the eagerness in the puppies eye's gave him the sense that it would just quicken his fate.

Konan offered a small nearly unnoticeable smile to Yahiko for his thoughtfulness, knowing what he was doing was all but an act to get her mind off of things, knowing full well he had probably thought all of this up trying to cheer her up... it was actually really sweet.

Giving her a weird look, wondering why the hell she was smiling at him like that? also wondering offhandedly if his friend enjoyed the suffering of others? sometimes she just confused the hell outta him!

"Go on! go get'em chibi!"

"Wait! wait! wait! wait! whoAArghh!!!" Being barged over by a cute little dog, while being nipped continuously around nearly every part of his body except his sacred jewels, didn't really hurt as much as he thought it would, well maybe his pride was a little hurt, but atleast konan seemed to be enjoying herself since she's giggling in what he thought was sadistic glee, while chibi followed her every order.

'Honestly, the things he does for people.'

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~Cave~

Ichigo's mind lay in turmoil while he sat beside his brothers bedside, a sad frown marring his features, the light in his hazel gaze dwindling, he offered what little help he could, using a warm cloth to wipe the smudges of dirt off of his face Guilt tearing at him senselessly, for each smudge he would get rid of, a nasty bruise would take it's place.

Nagato had been in too much shock at the time, that added with his already frail health and mindset, he had scared them half to death! when he passed out right in front of them, none of them fully comprehending the situation until he had made a move.

He had been fast enough to catch him in time, thankfully, but whether he hit the ground or not he would of still felt pain regardless, given his body seemed sensitive to the slightest touch, which he prayed wasn't permanent.

Nagato's eye's also bared so many questions for him, and if he were honest with himself all it did was cause a headache, besides he didn't want to be so insensitive to question his brother in his condition, so he'd leave it for another time.

"Ichi... Ichig... Ichigo?"

Grimacing slightly at the amount of effort Nagato had to take to simply say his name, "I'm here little brother." Ichigo said softl,y placing his hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

Nagato moaned lightly while he tried to get up, most of his body had yet to regain any feeling in it yet, but the parts that had ached like a hot knife had dug itself into his arms and legs, the pain almost causing him to scream in agony.

"Hey take it easy! the muscle in your arms and legs took a real beating and are still raw, don't be such an idiot." Ichigo said sternly, face etched into a sad scowl, placing his hand on nagato's back to help him up into a seated position, scowl softening when he saw his brother gritting his teeth in pain.

Turning his head to the side, quickly pouring his 'special tea into a dish. "Here drink this." Nagato stared at the offered beverage longingly, before managing a small smile in thanks through the pain while Ichigo held the cup to his lips, feeling the warm liquid trickling down his throat, soothing the sore throat he had almost instantly.

The secret 'Uzumaki reserve' a tea that not only tasted amazing, but could also act as a sort of pain relief for the sick and injured.

"You were running on nothing but will alone..." sighing tiredly as he ran a hand down his face, " jeez. Mom and Dad would probably kill me if I brought you home like this..." it was hard not to shiver in fear as he went down that particular train of thought, knowing exactly what awaits him when he got home.

Then again? his Dad would likely gush at the fact that all of his teachings on being able to perform basic shinobi aid, and spot certain injuries around the body weren't wasted.

"Hey wait a minute? how the heck did you find me!?" Ichigo questioned, a puzzled expression on his face as he stared up at the ceiling in thought, completely missing how nagato's face had darkened, his bangs shadowing his eye's.

"I didn't...the blue haired girl did."Nagato murmured quietly.

Raising his eyebrows in surprise, "Konan did? huh." Ichigo said skeptically, looking up at the sky suspiciously as if it had unknowingly toyed with him.

Still looking up with a searching gaze, closing his eye's as he let out a slightly fustrated sigh. "Aw man!, I bet mom must be going crazy with the both of us gone! knowing dad, he's probably getting beaten up right now." Ichigo said with a chuckle, smirking as he took some amusement in his fathers supposed fate.

The less time he focused on the word 'Fate' the better.

Turning to his brother, his amber eye's alight with barely contained mischief. "hahaha, what do you think nagato?" He asked.

Nagato turned away to hide his pained expression, he couldn't tell him what had happened, the horrors of that night still plauge him constantly, having ichigo here just made it all the more worse.

"Nagato?"

His grin had slowly morphed into a frown, thinking his brother was angry at him for not coming home when he had promised, chastising himself for being so insensitive!

Sighing in understanding, knowing full well he would need to explain himself, "Nagato I need to-" stopping midway, seeing Nagato's shoulders start to shake while he was still looking away.

Concern had started to take over the forefront of his mind, seeing his brother turn to him with a broken expression, struggling to even raise his arm up as he tried in vain to open his hand out to him.

Softly grasping his arm before he could raise it any further, it was hard enough to see his brother cry and look at him with those tearful eye's when he'd go out every morning, then promise he'd be back before he knew he was gone.

To see him in pain. nothing could describe how useless he felt at this very moment.

Wait? what's is thi-...

"That's... That's mom's ring"

Staring wide eyed at the ring currently in the palm of his brothers hand, his mind started to put the pieces together of why nagato was even out here, his gaze turning to his brother who's painfilled eye's started to overflow with tears.

His expression went blank, his entire body feeling cold, "No..." He whispered tonelessly, feeling eveything around him fade away inti nothingness, his focus only on his mothers ring.

"No... They can't be!"He felt as if his body had just shut down his hold on his brothers hand grew slack, lowering lifelessly to the floor, standing up from his crouched posistion, taking a few steps back before grabbing his head, as if it were in pain.

"Why?... what?.. did..." Ichigo stuttered incoherently giving a shuddering sigh as he placed his hands in his hair clawing anxiously seeming to think gripping something physically would help him take hold of what's just transpired.

"They're gone Ichigo, I.. I." Nagato choked back a pained sob ripped through his very being, holding out the ring to him once again, "M.. Mom never... dad they never... never." stopping mid way, the pain in his arms amplifying his already damaged emotions.

Nagato's sobs had turned into pained sniffles, as Ichigo put his hand down slowly, handling his arm with care even as his own hands shook with uncertainty, A constant barrage of other emotions fell upon his mind in one fell swoop.

Inwardly shaking away any wayward feelings, His own sadness could wait for the time being, as his older brother and... only family member left, it was now his duty to protect the family.

"Shh... shh.. it's alright, You're safe now, everythings gonna be alright, don't worry, I've got you Nagato... I'll never leave you alone again." His voice cracking, as he stared at his crying brothers form with a sad smile.

Holding him more tightly to his chest trying desperately to comfort his wailing brother, his heart clenching painfully at the sound of his pain filled sobs that reverberated against his chest.

He felt shame and guilt at it's highest degree, both emotions tormenting him slowly, twisting and turning his mind, never halting in it's cruel act to blame him for his inaction, if he had only just left before...

If he had never entered that cave...

If he had never have found-...

Inwardly shaking his head furiously, no! if he had stayed put he could of done something! anything! but even to him, it felt like a hollow reassurance.

Allowing himself to stare forward aimlessly, with sorrowful amber eye's, holding nagato within a comforting embrace.

He didn't know what hurt more, the fact that the blame was solely on him...

Or that he didn't know if they were ever going to be alright... any of them.

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~Cave: 30 minutes later~

"Oh kami! does it really take this long to hug it out and stuff? im bored!" Yahiko said rather loudly, as he lay on the ground, giving the cave ceiling above him a bored look.

Glaring at Yahiko's insesitive remark, konan sat cross legged, Chibi curled up in her lap as her hand unconciously scratched behind his ear while he slept.

After he and chibi had there little deathmatch, all she's heard from him is non-stop whinging and moaning, about how they were taking too long, or how he was hungry, or how his butt still stung.

Rolling her eye's he could be such a hypocrite sometimes, he was just as worried as she was.

Hearing the tell-tale sound of feet approaching caused them all to perk up, Both konan and Yahiko casting concerned looks at Ichigo's slouched form, a look of regret on his face as he clutched the hilt of his sword tightly.

Chibi gently jumped out of konans lap instantly, yet cautiously watched Ichigo with a narrowed gaze, quickly passing by with the single intent to see that his master, and friend was unharmed.

The awkward silence that followed was really uncomfortable, what, with Ichigo's attention being taken by the floor, and konan's nervous fidgeting, all Yahiko could do was stare at them both strangely.

"Uhh...right? to make things less awkward than they already are, how'd it go with your brother?" Yahiko's question was sincere, but Konan knew by the perceptive look in his brown eye's that he was giving ichigo, he was asking two questions for the price of one answer.

Ichigo looked up scowl in place, yet the pain was all to noticable in his eye's, "He can speak but..." he seemed to pause, glancing at konan who was rubbing her wrist anxiously, causing his scowl to soften, turning his attention back to Yahiko's questioning look.

"He'll need rest, alot of it, a week, maybe even a month or two I don't know, but I'm not going to risk putting anymore stress on his arms, so we'll have to take turns caring for him, meaning, the small things he'll find difficult, we'll have to handle." Ichigo said with a hint of hopefulness in his tone, hoping the others wouldn't mind helping him with Nagato.

Yahiko groaned inwardly, he didn't want to start babysitting! but then again? he could teach him a few things, so he guessed he should do it, but they better get used to the fact that he's gonna complain!

Konan looked as if she enjoyed the prospect, a faint smile lighting up her features, even though he really didn't need to ask, she was still happy Ichigo was deciding to be more open to asking for help.

Ichigo seemed to ponder something else, causing the mood to plummet yet again, Eye's looking down as a saddened frown marred his features. "As for his mental state, I don't know if he'll ever recover..." Muttering the last part quietly, intent on keeping that to himself.

Turning around to stare back into the cave, hiding his solemn look, "To put it simply his body will recover over time, but mentally, I wouldn't have a clue."he muttered in a saddened tone, knowing full well how sensitive his younger brother is.

Even though yahiko, could sometimes got annoyed, fustrated, and just plain angered by ichigo, whatever was important to him meant the world to him! no matter the circumstance!

The silence didn't last long, seeing as yahiko had perked up, a certain gleam in his eye's, that konan had grown so fond of.

"You said may not? not will not." Yahiko said cheekily, an encouraging grin that only grew wider, as Ichigo turned back to him with a questioning look.

Closing his eyes with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah well... I say alot of stupid things! I'm not exactly an experienced healer!" he barked out in frustration, more at himself, than anyone else.

Shrugging nonchalantly at his negativity, "Give it time, if he's anything like you, he'll be fine." Turning to konan, who stared back at him with a deadpanned look.

She had a love\hate relationship with that grin of his, why she loved it so much was because it was bright, infectious, and always seemed to make her a little giddy!

But she hated it because he only used it if he wanted help, or felt exceedingly proud about something he did.

Turning her attention to Ichigo with a concerned smile, she softly asked. "Ichigo look at me?"

Head immediately turning to konan, earning an eye roll from Yahiko, "Typical." he muttered quietly to himself, Ichigo had the attention span of an owl for her, but when he needed him to listen, it was no different than asking a wall what the time is!

Deciding to feign betrayal, he began to childishly throw his arms up in an exasperated manner stomping his way into the cave to find better company muttering insults of how unfair Konan was and how she stole his moment.

Konan had given Yahiko's retreating form a quick narrowed glance, mouth setting into a thin line, promising retribution for one of those insults, that had really struck a nerve.

Staring intently at Ichigo, who was seemingly lost in thought, a deep concentrated scowl on his face while staring at his blade, As if he was stuck within a trance?.

"Ichigo?"

Eye's widening a fraction, blinking the glaze out of his eye's, giving Konan's concerned eye's a Questioning stare, "Ah! sorry, it's just-" Pausing as he started to give his blade a cautious look, before shaking his head dismissively. "nevermind what'd you need?" His tone taking on a more laid back approach, his body relaxing a bit.

Rubbing her forehead to soothe her impending headache, He could be so annoying sometimes! honestly! she didn't know whether to comfort him, hit him... or pout at the fact he ignored her, yet again!

She decided to go with all of them, one at a time.

Walking up to him with a comforting smile, "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself," Waving her hands around to emphasize their situation. "we may not have everything, but it's what we do with nothing that counts right?" She said cheerily, giving ichigo one of her dazzling smiles.

Eyes narrowing, his gaze went to the ground, missing the sad look that konan now sported. "Yeah, well, sometimes it'd be nice to, you know?have something to show for what we've done for a change!" Clenching the grip on his blade even tighter, "Because success, is starting to feel a little empty right about now..." He muttered dejectedly, often finding himself failing others over, and over again, dragging his already diminishing determination through the dirt, more than he'd like to count.

"Well... isnt the fact that you found me, and yahiko, an achievement to be proud of?" Konan asked, her tone and expression hopeful as she waited for an answer, seeing his unchanged demeanor elicited a pang of hurt in her chest.

Ichigo seemed unaware of konan approaching him, continuing to keep his depressed gaze aimed at the ground below, not even noticing that she had made her way towards him, standing directly in front of him.

Ignoring the wide eyed look ichigo aimed at her, grasping his hand that held his blade softly, running her thumb over his knuckles comfortingly, easing his tight grip on the blade, Ichigo understood what she wanted, allowing his grip to relax as she continued to stare at their joint hands sadly.

"You need to stop blaming yourself for how things are Ichigo, take a step back and breathe for once." Lowering his sword arm down till the tip of the blade was just inches away from the dirt, turning her gaze towards him, her amber eye's regarding him lovingly.

Turning his head away to hide his broken look, "That's easier said than done konan..." he whispered dejectedly, he didn't have it in him yet to her what was wrong with him, in a way it's easier for him to say nothings right than everything's wrong.

Her eye's cringed in sadness, she knew exactly what had happened, Ichigo just had a bad habit of bottling everything up, always thinking it was best to suffer in silence.

Konan knows when he gets into these sort of funks, it was always difficult to pull him out of it, there was really, only one thing she could do...

Attitude doing a total 180, konan let go of ichigo's hand her fingers sliding off slowly to get his attention, walking around him with a certain skip in her step, a sly smile on her face. "Oh? really? well you recite poetry so well, how is this any harder?" Her eye's alight with mischief, ichigo staring back, horrified.

Stuttering incoherently, his expression bordering on hysterical confusion, A nasty red blush lighting up his pale complexion, "What?! What the hell does that have to do with what we were just talking about?!" He exclaimed angrily, embarrassed and confused as hell!

I mean first she's trying to comfort him, but now she's bullying him?!

"Hey?!! I was gonna use that on Ichigo as blackmail Konan!!"

Oh great... he knows too! that's just perfect!

Hearing Yahiko whine childishly allowed her to sigh in satisfaction, seeing as she didn't have to keep that secret to herself anymore.

"I knew this day would come, Everyones turning against me..." Ichigo muttered quietly, a cloud of depression hung above his head, red bangs shadowing his eyes while he sat in a feetle position, blade long forgotten.

Rolling her eye's at his plummeting mood, with a sigh and a small smile she walked up to him and bent down to his level trying to supress the giggle at his pitiful glare.

Glare softening as he stared back into her sparkling amber eye's, a look of understanding passing between the two. "Thanks for this konan, I promise, I'll talk soon, just not now... ok?" he asked in a comforting tone, hoping that the look in his eye's conveyed enough for her to understand.

Eye's growing tearful, moving closer to wrap her arms around him, laying her head on his chest, The sound of his calm heartbeat indicating he wasn't uncomfortable with the embrace, "I care Ichigo..." Allowing her tear's to drop freely, "How are we supposed to help you if you start building walls up? how am I supposed to understand you ichigo? how are we supposed to be a family?" she asked in a broken whisper, baring her deepest emotions in the words she'd spoken.

Sighing, laying his chin on her head as he sprawled himself out more to accommodate her, wrapping his arms around her to ease her shaking as he let her cry, Staring outside the cave opening, a sad look on his face 'Great... first Nagato, and now konan, I'm starting to feel as if I'm just spoon feeding them tear's to cry with.' Ichigo thought, his self loathing attitude growing worse as he watched amegakure's eternal rain, an ever constant reminder.

"Ichigo?..."Konan asked tiredly, her voice soft, barely above a whisper.

Grimacing slightly at being drawn out from his downward thoughts, his chin still sitting stop her head. "I'm here konan...what'd you need?" Ichigo whispered back comfortingly, his solemn gaze still hypnotized by the rain.

"Can we stay like this...Just for a little while?"

Allowing a single tear to fall from his left eye, "Sure konan... we can stay like this for aslong as you want." Ichigo said softly, being mindful not to allow his voice to waver or his tear to fall on her head, unconsciously tightening his embrace.

Time seemed to tick by slowly as he kept a hold of her, his shirt damp from her tear's, her soft near inaudible snores indicating that she had fallen asleep, shifting a little so he could lean back a bit, chuckling lightly at the way she groaned and tightened her arms around him.

Knowing full well he was gonna be stuck with numb legs tomorrow.

"You know Ichigo, that can't last forever."

Turning to Yahiko with a annoyed frown, really not in the mood for the rant he was likely going to be put through, given Yahiko's serious expression and how his arms were crossed against his chest in a standoffish manner, he was gonna start an argument.

Great...

"I'm really not game for a lecture right now Yahiko, can't this wait?!." He growled out quietly, making sure he didn't rouse konan from her sleep.

Eyeing Ichigo sternly."They need to grow up and stop being crybabies, I know it's a mean thing to say bu-."

"Then why'd you say it?!" Ichigo cut in rudely, glaring heatedly at Yahiko.

Glaring back with equal intensity, a little agitated from being cut off, turning towards konan, his glare softening slightly as she moaned lightly in her sleep, Their negative aura's being the cause of her discomfort, turning his gaze but to ichigo's piercing glare, his own glare returning. "When you're ready, we'll talk during dinner." Yahiko muttered bluntly, turning around and walking away, not even waiting for a reply.

~Cave (Night)~

It had actually taken quite a bit of time to carry konan towards her futon, her moans and groans, added in with her clinginess it was a struggle just to pry her off, but in the end she got into her futon.

Only to wake up an hour later to remind them to make dinner...

Now, very rarely did Ichigo ever question Yahiko's motives when they were all serious around dinner, but his current plan to abandon the cave and continue moving through their war ravaged lands didn't really sit well with him.

Which had led to they're current argument...

"Look, all I'm saying Ichigo, is we need to think this through!"Yahiko said seriously, leaning foward with his elbow on the crate sending Ichigo a frosty look, food long forgotten through the discussion.

Scowling in annoyance at Yahiko's careless thinking. "You think I haven't? The thing is yahiko you like to forget that the war's just turned itself around! which means more danger! a higher chance of us getting killed, if we even bother going outside, not to mention the kind of people that enjoy a bit of child labour!" The condescending tone used was not missed by his orange headed friend, neither the fact that he was mostly implying that slave comment on one of their members which really pushed yahiko's buttons.

Glaring slightly in agitation at his friends thick headedness, "Always the negatives with you! could you for once! just trust in my decision!" Slamming his hand down as if he had just had an epiphany, "Oh?! staying here won't make a difference, we're practically gearing up for them to move in!" Yahiko shouted harshly voice seeming rising as he droned on.

Ichigo's eye's sharpened into deadly slits his jaw clenching. "Now who's being negative hm? but no go ahead I'm sureee... you have some grand plan, ready to use while we walk happily... through a warzone." he muttered with bitter sarcasm causing yahiko to close his eye's and groan.

Rubbing his eye's in an agitated manner, laughing bitterly as he did so. "You know what? I do have a grand plan ichigo, it's called 'A plan', maybe you could spend some time thinking one up for a change!" The tone of his voice increasing in volume, staring ichigo down.

Both looked two steps away from another fistfight, as ichigo ground his teeth in anger his fists clenching tightly at his sides, while yahiko stared back defiantly mouth set into a thin line trying to rein in his anger before they end up spoiling alot more than just their dinner.

"Hey!!"

Both of them cooled down slightly, Turning to see konan with her hands on her hips and a look both of them haven't seen on her face before... rage.

Staring at the two, eye's flicking from one to the other. "If you two haven't forgotten, this little room here isn't far from where im trying to feed nagato! and I am trying! to make him feel comfortable, hearing you both really isn't helping his mood, and I am not having him feel unable to relax!" Her voice seemed to rise from the start before ending on a more deadly growl.

Both of them now sported guilty looks, Ichigo especially, as he had been trying to rein in his emotions better for his brothers sake, feeling a little bit ashamed that he couldn't even do that.

While yahiko also felt that he should be a bit more sympathetic, Ichigo just lost his parents so he knows how he's currently feeling, at the moment to a certain degree.

"Hm? good so you both seem to get it." Her glare abating for the time being, a more calmer look taking it's place before turning to ichigo with a pleading look. "Ichigo listen to what yahiko's saying, we can't stay here forever and it'd be best if we leave soon, the wars always going to be here, but we don't have to be." She hated seeing the defeated look on his face, even though his scowl tried to cover it up it was all too noticable, but yahiko did have a good point, if they're not out of here in a couple of weeks they could be trapped or worse.

Eyes turning to Yahiko who stared at her in a thankful manner, "Don't stare at me like that, you need to stop asking for a fight Yahiko, you should of learnt that the first time you annoyed him." She tried to stop herself, but she just couldn't help it, seeing the utter shock and betrayed look on his face was just too priceless.

Sparing the two one more glance, while she was making her way out of the storage area, "Now play nice you two, and remember..."Her voice seemed to turn sickly sweet her smile devilishly terrifying. "Im only around the corner."

Both shivered at the ominous feeling she gave off, starinh at her retreating form with identical looks of fear, her humming would've been pleasant, if not for the fact that it only caused them to fear her more.

An awkward silence settled after konans scolding, both still a little tense even after the words she had tried to drill into their heads.

Glancing over at his berryheaded friend, he couldn't help but feel a little bad for causing the sad look on his friends face.

Letting out a breath that he didnt know he held in. "look... uhh... Ichigo, I'm sorry alright, its just, that I'm trying to do whats best for all of us." He said softly, his expression hopeful, that maybe he would see reason.

Closing his eyes in resignation albiet reluctantly. "I know Yahiko." Ichigo muttered, his gaze firmly set on his untouched food.

A sad smile took place as he spoke, "It goes back to what I said before, you can't coddle them forever ichigo," Turning to look at the dwindling latern, sparing Ichigo's sad look a sideward glance. "We have to toughen up, because if we start crying all the time we're no better than what's out there everyday." He muttered, his serious demeanor taking place again, he wasn't trying to push anything foward or start something, it was just the truth.

Scowl returning in full force, his annoyance from before returning. "My name mean's 'He who protects' Yahiko, I know they will need to grow strong to survive, but..." Hazel eye's growing more focused, "I will always protect you guys, so your opinions about it are rejected." Ichigo had said that with so much conviction and passion, Yahiko couldn't help but stare back wide eyed, dropping his chopsticks in the process.

Shaking himself out of his initial shock, rubbing the back of his neck with a childish grin. "Hahaha, is that before? or after? you learn how to use that sword of yours?"Asked cheekily his eye's shining once again with mischief.

Scowling angrily "Will you shut up about that! seriously?! it's getting old!" cheeks going red in embarrassment, which only caused his friend to find this more amusing.

Scowl losing more of it's intensity as he mulled it over, he knew he sucked with his sword, but come on! being on a learn as you go basis, while having no one to spar with never really allowed him to learn anything.

There were rarely any books on Kenjutsu since it was naturally declared a dying art among most villages, except maybe Kirigakure? but the 7 seven ninja swordsman didn't really interest him, mostly because they weren't the best with blades.

That honor belonged to the samurai.

He had been curious about them at first, not really in how they presented themselves but more on the fact that they were a total enigma, only passing notes in certain romance novels offered him a vague idea of their existence which at this point was barely anything useful at all.

Maybe if he were lucky he could meet one someday...

Focusing back onto the conversation, Rubbing his eye's tiredly, letting out a small groan. "You better not make me regret this yahiko, the only reason I'm agreeing to this is because we have no other options." Ichigo's eye's formed a piercing glare, that made yahiko shiver a little. "Nagato and Konan come first, so any sign of danger, you know what to do."He said tone stern giving a no questions asked look.

Yahiko paused before making his reply, facial expression hesistant on what he should say, before sighing and giving a curt nod. "Fine, but only if it comes to that, otherwise we stick together." Receiving an affirmative nod in return from Ichigo.

Ichigo grabbed the tea kettle, pouring two dishes of his special tea before offering Yahiko the beverage, Yahiko accepted it with a knowing grin, giving ichigo a nod in thanks.

Both took a sip of their tea's, yahiko giving a pleasant sigh, he didn't know how the double coloured berry does it, but his tea's were sublime, it made him wonder, how something so tasty, could come from someone so bitter, frowning slightly at ichigo's blank look while he drank from his cup, god! did he enjoy anything?

Giving a suggestive sigh, getting his attention. "I really never know why you don't seem to enjoy the tea like the rest of us." he said boredly, yet ichigo was not ignorant to the curious look he gave him.

Giving his tea a disinterested scowl, "It's just tea, I mean, do you expect it to have some sort of meaning?" He inquired bluntly, the lack of emotion in his voice was a dead give away.

Placing his hands up in defense, hoping to appeal to his better nature. "Alright, alright, I won't pry, but don't blame me for being curious." He said nervously, he knew when he hit a nerve, but damn! He was always so moody.

Then again, finding out you just lost your parents would do that to you, both him and konan know how it feels, she may seem insanely innocent and bright but he saw through her smile on day one.

but then again she saw right through him too... well? to a certain extent, not unlike Ichigo who called him out on his bullshit.

Tapping his fingers nervously on the crate, didn't ichigo know how uncomfortable he made people with the intense stare he gives people all the time.

"I've got everything planned up to leave when we can it's just..." turning his head to the side, staring at the food crates they had, seeing as where they're going, they'd need to travel light, but he really didn't want all this food going to waste.

Getting the hint, Ichigo gave a thoughful hum. "We could give it to the towns nearby, apparently foods been getting scarce there." He offered thoughtfully, seeing Yahiko's suprised look, Ichigo tried hard to supress the urge to growl.

Shaking his head frantically, understanding how his friend had taken his look. "No wait! it's not that it's just," giving Ichigo a pensive stare "How would you feel about, one last run with...umm? your brother, I mean when he heals of course!" he stuttered out nervously, waving his arms around for emphasis.

"Why?" Ichigo asked in a dark tone, his glare intensifying, his eyebrows scrunching further in irritation, always finding it difficult to read his friends motives.

Face growing passive in the wake of Ichigo's glare, "Ichigo, if we're to work well as a team, we all need to know eachothers strengths," voice hardening while his eye's narrowed. "I'll ask if your brother wants to do this, but you need to promise you wont interfere."

Sighing through his nose in irritation, "Fine I'll leave it up to you, but if, and only if, he heals and wants to do it, got it?" Ichigo stated in a tone of finality, he really just wanted some time alone now.

Staring at ichigo a look of suprise on his face. "What? just like that?" Yahiko asked, utterly stunned at how easy this had actually ended up being, breathing a huge sigh of relief leaning his back a bit "Thankgod! I honestly thought you weren't going to agree for a second."

Eye's narrowing lazily, but not yet in the mood to bite his head off, Ichigo just felt he was done with talking for the night.

Getting up tiredly honestly ready for a little sleep, and wish his brother a goodnight, but to his utter annoyance yahiko wasn't finished yet.

"Hey Ichigo Quick question before we go to bed."

Running a hand down his face fighting the urge to growl. "Yahiko, If you start crying aswell, and start asking for a hug, go hug the dog!" Ichigo gritted out furiously, he was physically, and emotionally tired, and just wanted to sleep!

Giving ichigo a bland stare, "If I planned on crying a river, trust me ichigo, you're the last person I would cuddle with." He muttered sarcastically, finding Ichigo's fuming a little funny now.

Ichigo clenched his fists at his side,"Then, what is it?" He growled out between gritted teeth.

All he wanted was sleep, is that too much to ask for?

"How did you know about your brothers injuries you know his torn muscle thingy?"Yahiko asked cheerily, purposely ignoring his anger, since well, he never knew Ichigo had a keen eye for those sorts of things.

Walking away with a disinterested look. "Too long of a story, goodnight." Ichigo muttered tiredly, his destination clear as he made his way to konans futon, since nagato now situated his.

Yahiko watched his slouched form with a concerned frown, before his natural cheeky grin took place, finding it rather ironic he'd sleep with her.

"Goodnight... yah dense idiot." He whispered to himself, before he blew the candle out, making his way to his futon to call it a night aswell.

He always hated being the last one up.

{~Two weeks later~}

"Dont interfere... pfft! might aswell have said don't come at all." Ichigo muttered bitterly, eye's closed as his face scrunched up in annoyance.

He honestly hated yahiko so much right now! the guy liked to be so vague in his explainations, which evidently lead to him finding everything out smack bang on the day itself!

He prided himself on the fact that he wasn't an overly jealous person about it, since his parents had taught him better, but yet, it still stung a bit, to see the eagerness in all their eye's when they had left.

Envy, would have been a much better term to describe how he's feeling.

Shaking his head to rid the incoming self-pity that likely would have come if his thoughts had drifted any further, yet he had to remember he had nothing to be bitter about, his brother had recovered in only four days... which had actually been his main focus on most occasions.

'How the hell did he heal so fast?! it just seems impossible for anyone to heal so fast without any medicine or pain relief, I highly doubt our family tea would've been the reason, especially someone in nagato's condition, something just doesn't sit right with me." He thought, opening his eye's that seemed glaze over randomly.

Shaking his head with an annoyed growl, he stood, turning to glare heatedly at his blade while it stood in it's pole-like position, seemingly only making it look even more creepy.

Everytime he relaxed with that thing near him, his mind seemed to drift through an ocean with his eye's closed, he knew he was underwater, yet he could still breathe, he could even feel the water on his skin! everything just felt... a little to real.

Sighing loudly while running a hand through his hair in an agitated manner. "ugh! I need to get out for a bit, god damn cave is making me see things." he muttered irritably.

Groaning slightly while getting up from his futon, feeling slightly lightheaded from lying down for so long, he decided some air and a little rain wouldn't hurt... much.

Grabbing his rain Jacket, and fixing the hood so it would cover most of his face, he decided an hour or two would allow him to clear his head a bit, least he go insane with worry or just the sheer fact he was alone.

Halting in his steps, turning to stare at his blade with an uncertain expression, feeling unsure if he should bring it with him.

Staring at his former nuisance intently, reaching out to the hilt with shaking hands, he gripped it hesitantly feeling the ordinary smooth texture of the hilt, he let out a sigh of relief.

His trust for his blade had dimmed over time, due to the constant humming it made when he either tried to sleep or just relax.

Fixing his expression into a concentrated scowl, the damn thing caused more mischief than it was worth! it kept tugging at his conscious every so often, like he was in two different places at the same time.

Finding himself standing outside, feeling the wet feeling of the rain hit his cheek, he couldn't help but groan in fustration as he tilted his head up with closed eye's.

"Not again."

He was honestly sick of this.

(Scene change.)

{~Team Ame~}

"Alright you two, know what your doing?" Yahiko questioned, staring at the two expectantly, narrowing his eye's as his gaze lingered on their newest member.

He was still slightly put off from Ichigo's earlier attitude towards being left behind, a bit of yelling here, a bit of growling there, but in the end he won out since he had konan on his side today.

And he used 'Today' lightly.

Both giving a nod as they sported determined expressions on their faces, although nagato's bordered on silent shame, but he was still willing to do what was necessary, even if it was stealing.

"Go on distract, the old man konan... you too nagato, i'll nab the fish when he's not looking." Yahiko ordered as he ran into the crowd, using their large numbers as a diversion to sneak under the stalls, leaving it's owners unaware.

Face showing slight shock, Nagato had been unable to keep track of where yahiko had disappeared to, and he had made sure to keep an eye on where he went from the beginning, he sometimes wondered how his brother met these guys.

Turning around, not even bothering to hide her cheeky smile from nagato as she saw his slightly widened eye's, she would have done the same if it were not for the fact that she was the teams best spotter.

Ichigo may be their current spotter, but thats only because he would never postrate himself in front of anyone, so begging was out of the equation.

The other reason being he sucked at stealing, most of the other times when they had gotten caught he either threatened them with harsh words and threats, or just shoved his fist in their face.

She had to remind herself to talk to him about his violent tendencies, it wouldn't do them any good if he kept using his fist to get what they needed all the time.

But that was for another time, right now she had another uzumaki to watch. "Come on." Konan said quietly, grabbing nagato's hand as they walked through the crowd, schooling her expression to one that looked alot like a kicked puppy, while squeezing nagato's hand to signal for him to do the same.

Nagato had a confused expression on his face for a few seconds, before he caught onto what she wanted, managing a grimace, deciding acting the hurt counterpart, could work to their advantage.

Konan stopped for a moment, sweeping her gaze across the stalls with a critical eye, spotting yahiko hidden beneath one of the tables near the fishing stall they had spotted a week ago.

He was just an old man, possibly doing his job selling his produce and earning his money, and then moving on, yet stealing from people like him was necessary for their survival in these times.

Glancing at Nagato from the corner of her eye, resisting the urge to smile at Nagato's quick thinking. 'He's not as hotheaded as Ichigo, and he's far more attentive than yahiko.' She mulled over in thought, finding him a pleasant change than her usual brash, and sometimes, arrogant friends.

"Get Your fish here! buy one of my premium fish, and the next time you decide to shop here, it will be half the price!" the old man exclaimed with a fake cheerful smile.

Standing in front of the man, expressions still in play, giving nagato's hand a reasuring squeeze. "Could you spare some food sir? we only need a little." Konan asked with a quivering lip, and babylike voice.

The mans eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. "I don't have anything for you." he said with mild irritation, he really didn't need this today.

"Please sir! we're only asking for a bit, it's all we ask."Nagato pleaded, causing the man's annoyed expression to falter slightly.

Seeing the state the two were in was usual in these parts, and most of the time he just shooed them away, but seeing the weary look in his eye's, added with what looked like a broken leg, he couldn't really say no to that now could he?

Sighing in defeat, his more softer side coming into play. "Oh alright Take one of the bags around back, and only one got it?" The man stated warningly, causing both of them to nod.

"Alright now scram!"

Nagato limped his way towards the back of the stall, silently jumping for joy as he wanted to move things along quickly, so he could tell Ichigo of his accomplishment.

Konan paused in her step with an uncertain look on her face, turning to the stall owner, Giving him a small smile her eye's gaining a certain sparkle in them. "Thanks old man." she said softly, before turning back to follow her friend.

Snorting indigantly at the jab at his age, failing miserably to stop a smile from forming. 'cute kid' He thought.

"Get your fresh fish here! for half the price of any vendor around!"

An evil grin formed as several of the other stall owners glared heatedly at him, he didn't care though, he wanted out of this land just like everyone else.

'Place is a dying cause anyway.'

(Scene change.)

{~Unknown Location~}

"I won't talk you hear me!!.. you will suffer from the- grrck gkaa!!" the nin choked helplessly as a kunai lodged itself in his throat, his killer glaring coldly at the nin for his lack of cooperation, mercilessly tearing his head from his shoulders, blood splattering across the ground as his body fell with an audible thud, proceeding to do the occasional after death twitches.

Flicking the blood off his kunai carelessly. "A pity, atleast you remained loyal, foolish, but respectable." The man said, his tone blunt, yet with a slight hint of praise. staring at the headless corpse with tired eye's.

The men and women still standing from the skirmish watched with varying looks of approval, it allowed him to feel a small sense of pride to swell inside him from his own loyal shinobi.

But of course there was always one subordinate who's loyalty must be tested... constantly.

"My lord was that really necessary? he could have aquired information to further our efforts." One of the nin inquired hesitantly, casting a disgruntled look towards the now headless corpse, finding it hard to contain the bile that rose in his throat. "Also.. he did not need to die so-"

"Brutally"

Casting a disapproving glare at his pitiful excuse for a subordinate, throwing the kunai off to the side, groaning inwardly at seeing his second flinch as the kunai clattered across the ground.

Glare intensifying, as he motioned to the dead scattering the field. "They came to die whether it was brutal or quick the matter of how it happened remains the same, they are dead and we are not."he muttered harshly.

Kicking the head a little to the side, making his way towards his unit, glancing back at his second with narrowed eyes. "Besides, he made his point clear, he wasn't giving any information, and I do not have time for an interrogation, so respectfully, there was no point in him having a head to keep it in. "He stated, staring back at the head with an intense stare, before turning his stare off to the distance.

He straightened his posture, his pale blonde hair drenched slightly from the rain, making sure his respirator wasn't damaged from the fight, whilst acessing the damage done to himself and his men.

"But what of the three leaf shinobi? was it wise, to let them live lord hanzo?" The nin questioned.

Inwardly frowning to himself, he did think it was a foolish move on his part for allowing those three to live, but he didn't really regret it all that much, they've proven to be a nuisance, yes he could've killed them that day, and they knew that, yet regardless they fought still.

The shinobi world has already suffered enough, snuffing out too many lights wouldn't do it any justice.

Of course they still had much to learn, first and foremost, never mess with hanzo of the salamander.

The nin stood quietly, observing as his lord continued to gaze up at the clouds, silently questioning his lords leadership and current state of mind.

"Has your search for the relic been successful?" Deciding to change the subject to something more productive, least his current second, started getting any suicidal idea's.

Jumping slighting in suprise from hanzo's authoritive tone, coughing into his fist nervously. "Locating it has been quite difficult, we just don't have the time nor the men, to put towards locating the relic, given it isn't really a high priority at the moment."

Hanzo groaned quietly at his second in commands idiocy, if he even knew the potential worth of that relic, he wouldn't be so eager to cast it off like common trash.

Stopping in his thoughts, casting a skeptical look at the mountain pass across from them, sensing another wave of enemy shinobi on the advance, taking a quick glance to his second, giving a dissapproving grunt at his fearful look.

"M...m..my lord, we should-" Cutting his fearful stuttering off with a swift slice from his kurisigama, narrowly missing the tip of his nose as he shifted into his battle stance, his second left whimpering as he stared at his back.

"You, and the others, will aquire the headbands of all of our dead, and formulate a retreat strategy!" Turning his head slightly giving the man a dissapointed glare. "Your position as my second will be questioned at your cowardice, and failiure to command, during combat when we return." He said coldly before he engaged the incoming Iwa nin.

Gulping nervously at hanzo's scolding tone, also at the implication of him losing his position, which he could not afford at the moment, turning to the men and women under his command while their lord fought, their expressions expectant yet thinly veiled with small pieces of dissappointment and disgust.

Glaring at them harshly. "Well you heard him! start gathering the headbands of our dead, move it!!" He shouted, all of them scurrying off to complete their task.

Turning back to hanzo's fighting form, a look of worry plastered on his face, the look was not for his lord, far from it as he was currently decimating the advance team, no, he needed to find something to please him, least he wants to be at the recieving end of his lords blades.

Wait...

"The relic..." He whispered in stunned silence, hope spreading through him at the thought, he didn't know where it was but he knew who it was with.

"I ordered you to formulate a retreat plan! and aquire the bands of our fallen! learn to follow orders or you may join the lesson I am currently teaching."

"Y...y..yes my lord!"

(Scene change.)

{~Ichigo~}

"hah.. heh... hah... oh god! what was I thinking! "Ichigo muttered breathlessly, finding it difficult to catch his breath.

Bent foward as he had both hands on his knee's to brace himself, rain droplets mixed in sweat fell from his brow, as he continued to take ragged breaths one at a time.

He had only meant to clear his Head for a few minutes, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the others, and ask how his brother had done with his 'initiation' as yahiko had simply put.

First, he had been too distracted by his own thoughts to hear the sounds of explosives and the distinctive sound of metal clashing against eachother, to notice the dozens of shinobi fighting eachother, which had unfortunetly landed him with a few inexperienced shinobi.

Second, he had forgotten, that no matter how inexperienced these younger nin were, they still had alot more experience than himself, which had led to a less than honorable retreat, and also the loss of his blade.

Yay...

And the third, they were still chasing him.

"I think he went this way!" A young female voice had shouted not to far from his location.

Stiffening as his eye's widened, 'Dammit! how the hell did they find me?!' Ichigo questioned fearfully in thought, quickly on the verge of panicking, his body was sore and he was too tired to continue running as it was.

Quickly darting towards an uneven crevice, where a large puddle of water was forming, closing his eye's nervously, before jumping in and keeping himself underwater, hoping he could hold his breath till they went.

He never thought of how conveniently placed it was, though.

Waiting quietly, as he lay at the bottom he was slightly glad that it was decently deep and murky that he was still well hidden, the only thing that worried him was how long he could hold his breath.

Thankfully within seconds the sound of footsteps neared, if he were lucky then they'd be gone faster than they came.

"Damn! how the hell did we lose him? we were just right behind him!" One of them exclaimed, slightly shocked.

"Maybe he was a genin from one of the other villagesit'd explain how he could outrun us for so long." This one sounded softer, the girl maybe?.

"No, he had no headband, he was probably just a scavenger looting off of corpses." Well this ones observation sucked!

"Makes me kinda sick, that people are willing to loot in times like this." Oh what a load of bull! whoever said that was in his shitlist!

These people knew next to nothing of how people lived here! And first and foremost, he'd never loot a corpse or from others that barely had anything, he didn't need to be told it was wrong, it's how things worked.

If it wasn't for the fact he lost his sword, and was technically outnumbered and undertrained, he would've kicked their asses and given them a piece of his mind, or maybe the whole thing so they'll just leave!

He was actually suprised, he was still able to make any coherent thoughts, seeing as he now felt himself start to struggle a bit.

"let's get this over with, I really wanna show sensei my new sword!" Hearing the same distinctive male voice that he remembered knocking his sword out of his hand, with a well placed kunai throw, caused Ichigo to scowl, he wanted to kill that guy.

"Pftt! shinobi don't need swords anymore, I mean jutsu practically rules the battlefield." Another male, it was difficult to focus on him underwater, while trying to hold his breath, but he could tell this one was an ignorant one.

"Why don't we just head back, he's probably long gone, and I don't feel like wasting anymore time than is necessary. "Yup the girl, her tone was nervous yet fearful at the same time, but she still had a bit of common sense, she still sounded a little cowardly though, but then again he couldn't talk.

Eye's widening, he saw a barely visible image of someone close to the water, his cheeks puffing up as he struggled to breathe, seeing him reach down into the water his hand just missing the tip of his nose before he pulled it back up.

Ichigo couldn't tell but he imagined this guy was probably pondering something, but at the moment he couldn't care less, as long as they left quickly! he could feel him self start to choke from the lack of air.

"Sensei would like to know about this, come on, let's go."

Barely hearing the shimmering sound, that signaled their departure, he burst out from under the water, eye's wide as he coughed up large amounts of water, his breathing coming out in struggled gasps.

He grabbed onto the edge weakly, resting his head on it while he continued to cough and gasp painfully, trying in vain to get some feeling back into his legs, the only thought going through his mind being 'I need to get out of the water!'

Using whatever strength he still had, his body shivering uncontrollably, he climbed out clumsily, his clothes absolutetly drenched through, his raincoat practically useless, rolling onto his back as his breathing turned more erratic, his lungs going overdrive as he tried to gather more air.

His entire body started to feel lethargic, he was barely able to roll over without struggling, his eye's getting weary as his vision started to go fuzzy, he didn't want to pass out but he knew he couldn't stop it, he just hoped he was still lying here when he woke up.

'Ugh! Yahiko, you better follow the plan.'

(Scene change.)

{~Team Ame (15 minutes later)~}

"Hah so what'd ya guys think?" Yahiko said cheerfully, as he walked with a kunai he had picked up a few steps back, taking every chance to show off a little while he spun it between his fingers. "Not as fun as our usual, but eh! better than the trash cans?" Grasping the kunai mid spin, looking at the two with a cheeky grin.

Rolling her eye's as she shook her head slightly, yahiko could be unbelievably cocky sometimes, but she'd let it slide, since his happy attitude seemed to be rubbing off on their newest member.

"He's right you know." Konan added appraisingly smiling brightly as she stared at her 'favourite' uzumaki, "Ichigo never told me that you were that great an actor." She muttered cheekily, giving nagato a sly smile.

Nagato allowed a small smile to grace his features, appreciating the praise he was given as he walked alongside the two, they were a real confidence booster for him that had inspired him greatly, he couldn't wait to tell his brother the good news.

Staring at the the two his smile growing sad at the thought of having friends again, his eyes brimming with tears. "Thanks you guys.." He muttered weakly, then sniffled as he was on the verge of crying.

Closing his eyes in mild agitation, sending a dissapproving look towards nagato. "Aww come on! what are you crying for?." He asked with an annoyed tone, not really getting the reasoning for the tears.

Rubbing his eyes to get the tears out of his eye's. "Im sorry, I cant help it, I'm just so happy." Nagato mumbled.

'Twack'

"Oww! what the hell konan?!" Yahiko shouted, rubbing the side of his head where konan had flicked.

Shaking her head slowly while giving him the evil eye, the unspoken message clear that he deserved it, yet didn't quite understand why just yet.

Turning her attention towards the slightly less tearful nagato, he stared, looking as if he wanted to apologise again.

When he knew the two werent looking, as they animatedly spoke, yahiko allowed a warm smile to grace his features, devoid of its usual cockiness, tinged with a generous supply of cheeky wit, he felt as if he were just a tad bit closer to his dream, having his friends here the people he could rely on and vice versa, that what he wished for wasn't as unattainable as he once thought.

"Hey guys?" Yahiko asked quietly, gaining their attention as they both stopped to stare at him expectantly, both feeling a tad bit nervous at yahikos serious expression, he pondered on how to word his thoughts whilst staring at the ground before, staring up at the two with a look brimming with conviction.

"What are your guys dreams?"

Nagato and konan turned to each other with strange looks, neither of them understanding what sparked this sort of question out of their self-proclaimed leader.

And neither of them knowing what awaits them soon enough...

(Scene change)

~Ichigo~

Ichigo couldn't feel much out of his body, he knew he should feel atleast a little pain, a smidgen of coldness, but he didn't, he felt nothing, just an empty void of utter darkness.

"Is this how it feel's to be dead?" He thought to himself, he was actually suprised he could still even have thoughts, if death lacked feeling then how could he still think.

So, that comes to the conclusion that he's not dead.

But, that begs the question.

"Where the hell am I?"

He could feel a sudden jolt throughout his body, the sudden sense and feeling of his skin alerted him of a familiar feeling of water.

"Am I in the ocean again?"

Out of nowhere flashes of images lit up his vision, brutal scenes of shinobi littered across the barren and harsh land of amegakure he was all too familiar with, their bodies mutilated to an unrecognizable state, with an absurd amount of blood pooling around the area.

"What the hell is this?!"

Before he was able to fully process what he had just seen, the blood fell towards him, drenching him completely, the thickness of the blood disgusted him, the feeling of it... felt all too real.

Slowly the blood parted, and what he saw made him wish for the darkness again.

The black blade, shining brightly as a single large eye with a yellow iris and black sclera behind the blade staring straight at him.

"I'm coming for you..."

And in a flash it was gone, his body felt lethargic again, but oddly warm and stronger than it once did, his mind was still reeling from what he saw, but he couldn't really place a singular word to describe the amount of emotions he went through in that short amount of time.

But what he did know for certain, was he was never going to find that damn sword again! but then again, after what that distorted voice promised, It was highly likely it was looking for him.

With a sudden pull he felt himself blacking out again, hopefully for the last time.

'Aww, not again!'

(Scene change.)

(Unknown location)

~The strangers~

"Hmm? is he special?"The figure eyed his companion with feigned curiousity, asking more out jest than actually expecting any real answer.

"Did you expect me to just leave him there?" He honestly didn't know why he even bothered asking that question, his 'Friends' answers always the same.

"In all honesty, no."

Hmm? not exactly the answer he expected out of the man, not hearing any cynicism out of him is actually kind of refreshing.

"That's why you're fool."

Nevermind there it is...

Eyeing his snarky companion with contempt, "Are you done? like I'm seriously getting sick of you being an asshole all the time."

"Hn, you speak less with your brain and more with your heart, it's annoying." Letting the words roll off of his tongue silkely, The figure enjoying how his partner twitched uncomfortably from his sharp comeback.

"Go to hell!"

"Hn."

Turning to stare at him as if he was the complete fool, "Honestly that all you got?" he asked challengingly, his tone just dripping with sarcasm.

"Then again, I believe 'she' would not like this."

"Why? because it's not something you would do?"

"Hmm...why must you twist my words so much, 'Sigh' fine I'll return to being your silent shadow if it'll please you."

Shifting the kid a little so he could readjust his arm, "You do that." He had to admit, the kid was small but he wasn't light that's for sure

He didn't know why, but ever since that bastard brang her up, he knew for a fact that she wouldn't like this new predicament at all.

'Argh! Dammit! she's gonna kill me...'

What he didn't notice was his companions snake-like eye's narrowing as he stared at the child, feeling something really off with his chakra.

'Hn, Jiraiya... foolish Jiraiya.'

Chapters end

Wow to be honest I actually thought I'd never finish this chapter, now... I'm not entirely sure on it's quality to some, likely because it seems to just pack in quantity. but your opinions matter alot to me and I'd love to hear some critisism out of you guy's soon. I would also like to apologise for the long... long... long... long wait, for this chapter, if it's disappointing I honestly do not blame you at all. And I'd also like to say I hope everyone is safe in this new year of ours, even though covids still around I wish everyone the best regardless.

Honestly though, I can't wait to start writing the next chapter! kinda scary though, ichigo doesn't really want to look for his sword... but unfortunately that doesn't mean it won't look for him, hehehehe!

Also his Team/Family don't know he's gone, kinda sad really, his brother finding him only to lose him again.

Oh and don't get me started on chibi! be a shame if he perished....

Goddamn it! I've got alot to work with next chapter!

If by some short luck I get this out early, yay! if not see you in another four years!

I did rush a bit because I wanted to get this out as fast as possible, so while I work on the next chapter, I'll polish through this one.

And yes I know that's unprofessional, but fuck It!, I've wanted to publish this for too long now!

Anyway stay safe guy's.

~Incrilix~