Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Rumiko Takashi's work. Nor do I own anything by Masashi Kashimoto. Ok I do own this story and characters not in any of the series by the authors of said stories. Anything that sounds like someone else's work is purely coincidental.

The Fox Siblings Ch 12

"Talking"

Shouting

*Sound Affects*

[Written Words]

{ Memory }

"How could you have done this to us." The elder said as she collapsed. "Now we may never get a summoner."

"Ok can somebody explain this to me?!" Ranma asked as he surfaced in the lava looking alive and well aside from having no clothes.

"Your alive?" The elder asked shocked as her headache suddenly got worse causing her to scream in pain.

Surprised at seeing that Ranma was fine Kurashi spun around in shock at hearing the elder screaming. "Elder are you alright?" she asked as she ran up to her leader while Ranma made his way to leave the lava pool.

"Well done son-in-law it appears that your unfathomable luck has made the phoenix pill take full effect at the most convenient moment." The elder stated phrased in such a way that Ranma almost fell back into the lava pool in surprise.

"Old ghoul what are you doing here? And as a Kitsune no less." Ranma asked shocked into a daze.

"Well most all of us decided to follow you though it appears that only you were able to keep your original identity." Cologne in the guise of the kitsune elder answered. "Who are you that you think you can just take over my body like that?" The original elder's personality asked indignantly. "Not sure what to say to that as it wasn't my intention to hijack your body it's just where the gate put me." "I see then that means we'll just have to try and get along." "Wow you are seriously old and here I thought I was old."

Ranma and Kurashi stood there as they watched the most bizarre argument they had ever seen. "I hate my life." Ranma said as he facepalmed.

"Anyways son-in-law it appears that the full effect of the phoenix pull has finally taken over your body." Cologne said.

"What do you mean by that?" Ranma.

"Well think about it a minute Ranma. What is a Phoenix?" Cologne said as realization dawned on Ranma's face. "I see that you figured that one out. Yes affects of pressure points are temporary where as the phoenix pills effects are permanent." "Would you be willing to let me put that particular recipe into our archives?" "Well I am now a permanently a resident of this body so I suppose I should let you have access to some of my knowledge as rent." "If that's the case then we'll get along fine."

"I don't know about you but this is really starting to freak me out." Ranma told Kurashi as they watched what appeared to be one person holding an intelligent conversation with themselves. Kurashi nodded her head in reply. "By the way do we have any other clothes for me at the moment?"

OOooOO

Several Years Later

"Naruto I know that you can perform the shadow clone jutsu but you really should learn a few other clone jutsus." Rin said sighing as they walked toward a village within Tea country.

"Ah come on that's no fun." An eight year old Naruto complained as she got hit on the back of the head by Tayuya.

"Baka you know by now that the only reason Rin-sensei suggests something is because she thinks that'll it'll help you in the long run." Tayuya stated before adding under her breath. "And because you're probably the only one that can pull it off." Looking up Tayuya asked with a look of envy. "Why won't you let us grow our hair out like you?"

"Because you're not good enough." Rin said as her own purple hair was now waist length.

"What does that mean?" Naruto asked skeptical. "We can take care of it."

"If you're a ninja long hair is a statement."

"A statement?" Tayuya and Naruto asked looking skeptical.

"Yeah a statement. Most all ninja with long hair are at least jonin level. It says that I'm better than you if you want to try me go right ahead. Don't grab if you know what's good for you and all that. Ok?"

"Ok we get it no long hair till we can back it up." Naruto said pulling his hood down a little lower as they walked into town.

They may have been on Konoha's secret payroll but with having to keep up appearances so they still had to take jobs like missing-nin.

Rin walked into the bar leaving her students outside and sat at the bar. "What can I get you?" The bartender asked walking up to her.

"If the kitchens open I'll take three chicken and bean burritos to go."

"Hmm your choice." The Bartender said shrugging as he turned to fill the order.

"You never change do you?" A short heavy-set man said as he sat beside Rin. "How's my buddy Kate doing?"

"I hear you have a job for me Smith." Rin said not looking up at the mention of her code came.

The contact known as Smith sighed. "Still not one for small talk. Yeah I have a job for you. Here are the details." He finished giving her a folded slip of paper before getting up to leave. "You can thank me by actually paying me for once."

"Don't I always?" Rin asked in a teasing manner as her order arrived. "Keep the change." She told the bartender leaving about two thousand ryo more than her bill on the counter as she left.

OOooOO

"Here's lunch you two let's get going." Rin said after leaving the bar.

"Where too sensei?" Tayuya asked as Naruto's mouth was currently occupied.

"We have a job and we'll need help." Rin answered as she walked toward out of town. "And I know just the person for the job."

OOooOO

Half a day of tree hopping later found the trio at the next town. " Wait here." She instructed as she entered a brothel and asked the man at the man at the counter if a certain man was there after confirming his presence she left and stood outside the window of the room he was occupying. "You know Zabuza this old woman doesn't suit you."

"The only type of place I can sleep without worry and you still can track me down." The missing-nin of Kiri stated as he looked at her. "I take it you have a job you need my skill to complete."

"Not so much skill as method." Rin answered pulling her hood back and looked the room over. "Why Zabuza you appear to be going soft in your old age."

"He's of use to me nothing more."

"You know that's not going to work with me. Right?"

"Believe what you will. We might as well go ahead and make tracks so you can tell me the details without anyone else being around" Zabuza said as he woke up the boy he had traveling with him. "Haku we're leaving."

In short order the pair was done and followed Rin out of town with Naruto and Tayuya.

"So where did you pick up this young unfortunate?" Zabuza asked referring to Naruto.

"Hey I'm not unfortunate I still have a family." Naruto began ranting before Rin hit him over the head to shut him up.

"He was put under my charge for training purposes." Rin answered.

"I see. Then he should go far if he's this fired up." Zabuza stated. "Be aware that the only reason I'm helping you is because I owe you a dept."

"I'm aware though you know it'll take a lifetime to pay it off." Rin declared

OOooOO

It was the end of the school day at the academy and Ino was walking home. Or rather she would be if she hadn't been following Hinata to make sure that she was alright. The already quiet girl had become even more withdrawn after her father had declared them recovered enough to function normally.

Other than Sakura the only other person that Ino considered a friend was Hinata more for their experience and knowing what the other girl was going through than anything else.

"So that's where she goes everyday." Ino said to herself glad that Hinata was unable to use the byakugan. "I'll still worry about her but it appears that she's dealing with it in her own way."

"Yes she is." A voice next to her said causing Ino to almost scream in surprise.

"Sasuke what are you doing here?" Ino hissed out as quietly as she could.

"Same as you." Sasuke replied not taking her eyes off of Hinata. "This is something she has to work out on her own. The adults have helped her to the best of their ability. It come down to your willingness to move beyond the pain and continue on with your life."

"Why Sasuke I didn't realize you could be so philosophical." Ino said impressed.

"I guess it comes with the territory of being one of the caretakers of the springs." Sasuke answered. "I'm just glad that the gained abilities aloud me to divert the planned coup attempt by my clan."

"It must have been hard for you to watch your uncle to get executed for it though."

"He was to weak willed and allowed himself to be controlled. And he asked for it so that he wouldn't cause the stronger ones within the clan to die for his and the others shame." Sasuke said as tears streamed down her face.

"I'm sorry." Ino said doing her best to comfort the other girl when the commotion alerted Hinata to their presence.

"What are you doing here?" Hinata asked coldly.

"We're worried about you." Ino said after separating from Sasuke and looking at Hinata.

"I don't need you're sympathy." Hinata said as she turned to leave.

"Naruto wouldn't wish for you to do this to yourself." Ino declared angrily standing. "He would want you to make use of his sacrifice and grow stronger so that you can protect those weaker than you."

"What would you know about my brother?" Hinata asked coldly.

"Talk to Kushina she's the one that knows best how Naruto would wish you to live after he gave his life to save us." Ino continued.

"He's not dead." Sasuke declared a look of certainty on her face that shocked the other two girls. "Trust me I would know. When the two of us fell into the same spring at the same time we formed an emotional connection."

"How is he?" Hinata asked her eyes shining with hope.

"Well at the moment I think he's a little worried." Sasuke said as she laughed nervously. "But otherwise he's ok."

Tears started forming in Hinata's eyes as relief flooded her body. "Thank goodness he's ok." She said as she collapsed and started weeping tears of happiness.

"Let it out. Don't hold it in." Sasuke said soothingly as she held Hinata.

"Poor Hinata." Ino said wiping her eyes. "I hope this will help her heal."

OOooOO

"It looks like leaving her to her own age group to help her was the right move." The third said sighing as he seemed to melt into his chair as the image in the eye of Una faded. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Hinata please forgive me."

OOooOOooOO

Jeez Shane you're on a roll.

Well Chris being laid off and not have much else to do that I can afford will do that to ya.

Hmmm Ok news flash I'll just hole up in my corner over here and stay out of your way.

Did I say something that offended you?

Nah I just think I should take a nap for now.