Akaya knew Aircirret was just a little kid, blind to the major evils and sadness in the world, but she was a great ninja nonetheless. She rolled her eyes at the irony of it all because it just had to run in the family.

It wasn't that she was jealous of Aircirret per say, but she wished that she could be more like a demon. The ability to control emotions would come in handy right now. She went up to her door and lifted up the doormat to find the front door key. It was dull and lacked any sort of luster. She looked down at the key intently. She could now compare this key to her own life. She quickly got out of her daze and slid the key into the door knob. With a turn to the right, the door creaked.

"You know that in the time I've known you, I have never been inside your house."

Aircirret looked over Akaya's shoulder as Akaya gradually opened the door. Akaya reached for her kunai with her left hand effortlessly and put that hand behind her back. Aircirret kept talking casually as they stepped inside. She knew there might be a potential fight for them tonight. Akaya reached for the light switch next to the door. As the lights flickered on, she turned her attention to Sesoni who stood right in front of her. She let out a sigh of relief and loosened her grip on the kunai.

"Sesoni, there is such a thing as courtesy. The least you could have done is just turned on the lights."

Akaya looked at Sesoni puzzled. He made no effort to say anything.

"You were right, Sesoni. She does have a keen sense of danger."

Akaya saw a tall figure step beside Sesoni from around the corner. She had seen him once before from somewhere she could not place. Still, she knew well of him because of Tajek's descriptions. This was the famous Shin Ryu. She smirked as she approached the two demons with Aircirret tagging closely behind her after shutting the door lightly.

"Normally, I would give introductions and have some small talk, but I am just guessing that that won't be necessary. Because you know who I am, and I know who you are, Shin Ryu." Akaya simply glanced between Sesoni and Shin. "So,why exactly are you both here then?"

Shin grinned and turned to Sesoni. "I like this girl. You were right." He turned his attention back to Akaya. He could tell she had grown up a lot since Tajek left because the girl that stood before him now barely fit the descriptions that Tajek gave but a year ago. "You can call me Shin. Shin Ryu is just too formal in this situation. But no wonder everyone speaks so highly of you. You seemingly don't give them any reason to speak otherwise."

Aircirret walked casually past Shin and toward the couch in the living room around the corner. "You should probably just cut to the chase, Shin. I mean, no need to flatter her. She knows all of that already."

"Well, maybe you should try being like her every once in a while. It might just make people like you more." Shin stated harshly, "You know that demons are not particularly liked, and you are a prime example why."

Akaya got it then. Aircirret took on the role of her best friend because she need someone too. She needed Akaya just as much as Akaya needed Aicirret.

Shin sighed. "Sesoni, I'll give you the honor, seeing that she actually knows you." Sesoni glanced in Akaya's direction and then at Aircirret's. He never could figure out why his niece was the way she was, but nevertheless, he put up with her because she was the last person on the list of people he cared about. "Akaya, after you stormed out of the Hokage's office, I spoke with him. We made a deal."

Akaya looked at him puzzled. She hoped this conversation was heading toward the outcome she wanted it to. "He will allow us to search for him if you get stronger..."

Akaya butted in. "So I'm guessing that's why you are here."

She looked at Shin, and Shin simply nodded. "I'm here for one week. I'm willing to train you if you are willing to learn."

Akaya knew that there wasn't really an option to say no. She wanted to find Tajek at whatever the costs. "I'll need to learn quickly then."

Shin chuckled. "I like your sense of humor. Now get some rest. You'll need it tomorrow."

Sesoni smiled at Akaya. "It won't be as bad as you think. Just do what he says. Do everything and anything he says."

Sesoni and Shin exited the house without anything else. Akaya turned to Aircirret who was halfway asleep on the couch. "Good luck, Akaya. From what I've heard, Shin's training is brutal. Then again, I don't think Sesoni's is much better."

Aircirret yawned as she stretched out on the couch. Akaya smiled lightly. "Stay here tonight, Aircirret. There's no need to leave."

Akaya grabbed a clean blanket from a nearby closet and draped it over the girl as she closed her eyes and was quickly asleep. Akaya then turned out all of the lights and crawled into bed. She slowly drifted off to sleep, knowing that this was a turning point in her dull life.