Every one wants action, they want something to happen. Well, here you go.

Kukukukukuku

Thanks, as always, goes to ncpfan for his help.

There was a lot more I was going to say but I'm supposed to be asleep already so I'm just going to start the chapter and worry about the stuff I should have written down to say to you all later.

Raise the curtains!

When the need to inform Mai of her meeting with Inoichi had her going straight to the girl she had developed a rather friendly relationship with Tsume had not- for even the barest of seconds- considered that the young woman might not be alone.

Well, that wasn't completely true- a guard of Wolves was to be expected- but she hadn't thought the busy young woman might be sitting at a table sharing a meal with someone other than herself.

More than that, she hadn't expected that person to be Tsukiyomi himself- the top of the food chain.

She had most certainly not considered that she might further be invited to actually join them.

Understandably, she was caught more than a little off-guard.

Initially, after informing one of the Wolves who had been near the Inuzuka clan compound that she needed to speak with Mai immediately- as anyone knowing of their alliance was definitely something that had to be shared with the Voice of the Moon- and being led to a small apartment building near the market district, she had expected that the home she had stepped into under the watchful gaze of Wolves belonged to the young woman she had been spending so much time with lately.

She had been quite wrong.

A Wolf having entered before her, the mysterious Tsukiyomi had been given enough warning to cover his face from her sharp eyes and even as she entered the kitchen guards took visible positions around the room.

And, for the first time ever, she bore witness to the man to whose hands she had all but placed the future of her clan into.

She didn't know quite what to make of him, honestly.

He wasn't all that tall, standing not much higher than her own son- though her son was, admittedly, slightly taller than most of his peers, only the Aburame heir being taller and last Uchiha matching almost to the millimeter- and his form was lithe in a way that showed very little strength.

At the same time he carried himself- even sitting- like a man who wielded great power.

Perhaps that was what threw her off the most.

Just looking at him she could see he wasn't very strong- physically, that is, and yet she knew he carried political power of great weight.

It was power, just not the kind she was used to dealing with.

Not directly at least.

Still, whether he personally had great strength or not he nevertheless commanded such- it was undeniable.

So, with great care to remain polite in the presence- and the home, which was a bit difficult to wrap her head around. The man lived in a rather inexpensive apartment in the mart district? Really?- of Wave's Daimyo she took an offered seat at his table and gratefully accepted the food placed before her by one of the Wolves.

The Daimyo seemed to look over her in curiosity for a few minutes, his head tilted just so, and she had to wonder if the young man- for by his stature she couldn't believe him to be any more than twenty years of age- had ever seen her before despite having chosen them to work with.

Or perhaps he didn't know what to make of her practically unannounced presence.

That thought reminded her that this was, in fact, their first meeting and that even though he had chosen her clan her actions today would define his first impression of her.

Hopefully in a positive light.

"So, Tsume, not that I'm not happy to see you, but what brings you here tonight?" Mai's voice, as always, was pleasantly polite, but it lacked the usual warmth Tsume had become accustomed to. It was to be expected, seeing as now was a time for business more than a social call, but it still felt wrong to the woman who had been spending most of her free time with her.

Tsume took a quick glance at the leader of the Wolves who remained silent and regally relaxed in his seat. Voice of the Moon indeed, it would seem. Idly she noted that only Mai touched her food, taking small bites between sips of her drink. She herself- despite not wanting to seem rude- was rather hesitant of simply sitting down and sharing a meal that she had interrupted, mainly due to the fact that the interruption was rude already and Tsukiyomi was unable to continue with his meal with her present as it would require him to reveal his face.

What a brilliant first impression.

"I had information that I needed to share with you, Mai."

"Oh?" One brow rose in inquiry and even Tsukiyomi seemed to lean in closer to the table the barest amount- showing that he too was interested in what the matriarch of his chosen clan had to say.

"It's about Inoichi-" Before she could finish Mai had shot her lord a look as he lost his relaxed posture and sat rigidly in his seat. Tsume could feel his hidden eyes burn into her as his voice-soft yet commanding- practically hissed out his words.

"You have my undivided attention, Inuzuka Tsume." From his reaction, she didn't doubt that for a second. "Continue."

She really didn't need permission, she thought, but she heeded his word anyway.

"He approached me recently, said he knew I was allied with the Wolves. He wanted in."

Tsukiyomi was silent for a moment, moving not a muscle, as Mai gazed at him- worry in his eyes.

Then, in a single instant, he seemed to relax completely. Tsume could feel the smile hidden behind his scarf and she was certain that had they not been obscured by the shadow of his hood his eyes would have been laughing.

At what, however, she did not know, and it made her uneasy.

What about any of this was amusing?

"He knew did he?" She wasn't completely convinced it was actually a question but she still answered.

"He did. I'm not sure how he figured it out but he approached me directly about it. He couldn't offer anything but empty promises with his position in the Yamanaka clan but I figured the two of you would want to know anyway."

"Heh, you've got yourself good instinct then." She could feel the grin in his voice- and it wasn't a pleasant one. "This is exactly what I've been looking for."

Tsume knew that the Wolves and the Yamanaka had been at odds before, but hadn't they solved whatever issues they had long ago?

If that really was the case why did Tsukiyomi seem so pleased to learn of Inoichi's actions? What didn't she know? Moments later she learned exactly what it was that caused such a reaction.

"Mai," There was a dangerous undertone to his voice, like a soft growl in the night. "I do believe Tsume here has found us the source of those spies."

She understood then, at least a little, of the situation.

And from what she knew it wasn't going to be good for the Yamanaka head.

A shiver passed down her spine.

She was infinitely glad she hadn't made any solid arrangements with the man.

It was wary glances she shot his way, unsure exactly how he would react now that the one behind the death of his children was more or less confirmed. It wasn't a perfect certainty, but it was close enough for Naruto to act on- that much she knew without a doubt.

What she did doubt was the course of action he would take.

Her dark eyes followed him as he reclined in his chair, more relaxed than she'd seen him since she told him what happened. She was happy about that- not so much when thinking about what he might be about to do.

Still, for the remainder of the dinner- which was really just she and Tsume finishing their plates in the presence of Naruto- her lord seemed to be in high spirits. Well, high in the sense that his more negative emotions now had something to focus on and the thoughts of bringing pain and misery to them he found appealing.

It wasn't until Tsume left for her own home that everything changed.

In the dark of night they bayed, eager for blood. Figures of shadow sliding through the world like the breath of forgotten gods.

The village hidden in the leaves did not wake on the passing of the pack nor their herald, a smaller figure that launched itself over rooftops and through alleyways like an acrobat of a midnight carnival. He was their king, their god and tonight-

Tonight he would see them fed.

Wolves flew behind him, leaping great distances to remain at the heels of their master.

He hardly noticed, all his attention focused upon the task at hands.

More than a message, beyond justice, this was revenge.

And he could hardly wait.

While his pack nearly salivated at the thought of spilling blood in his name, he too felt his mouth water at the idea of taking reparations for his lost children from the flesh of his enemy.

The hunt was on.

They had not been subtle.

With the crashing sound of a shattered window Tsukiyomi himself led the charge, quickly followed by his Wolves. Darting around him they converged upon their startled target and had him pinned to the wooden floors of his bedroom before the rest of their comrades had finished slipping into the window .

Two Wolves immediately took posts at the door as yet another slipped through it- just in time to force Inoichi's wife away from the bedroom door that closed behind him. With the door secure they had a moment- but nothing longer. Even now he could hear the man's wife screaming and it would not be long until Yamanaka clan members came to investigate.

If they were smart they would recognize the Wolves for what they were- the top of the food chain- and stand down. Tsukiyomi did not have great faith in that happening.

In fact, he had no faith in that happening.

He knew for a fact that these people- the same who thought it was a good idea to stand against him before- would all to quickly try the same again.

Foolish, perhaps, but entirely too human.

He understood that well enough.

Purple eyes turning from the guarded door and down to their captive a wicked grin grossed his lips. He had a feeling of course, a suspicion, but now it was all confirmed as much as it possibly could be.

It was a pity, really, that the one now held down spread-eagle on the floor had to be Yamanaka Inoichi. He had thought highly of the man- still did- and it was a horrible waste to do what he was about to.

He knew why the man did what he did, understood that things had happened beyond his control, and approved of the steps taken in such a situation. What, then, determined he had done something wrong was the simple fact that it had been against him and had led to the loss of his children.

That was unacceptable, even if the mentality behind the actions taken were admirable.

Inoichi would have to pay regardless.

With nary a thought chains darker than the hearts of men slithered across the floor, roughly rubbing the hard wood as they rattled toward the target they bound tightly. Inoichi securely within his grip, the Wolves backed off without command.

"Inoichi, Inoichi, Inoichi-" Tsukiyomi shook his head in disappointment as he stepped towards the bound man. "I applaud your efforts, really I do. In fact, you nearly managed to get yourself out of the mess you found yourself in. But the fact remains that you should have known better than to try hiding this from me."

He gave the man an odd look, mostly because his face was still hidden behind his usual scarf and hood which meant no one knew what sort of look he was actually giving those around him. Still, his head tilted just so to indicate some sort of change. What that was remained at best guesswork but curiosity didn't seem too far off.

"I gave you that warning, you know. I had been unaware that it was really you behind it all, but it was still a chance for you to come forth or, at the very least, run far, far away."

The man had stopped struggling against the chains, aware that it was futile. Still, he did not gaze up in fear at his captors but rather in a quiet resolve. He fully expected to die this day for his mistakes, but there was still one last thing he needed to do before then.

It was only with tremendous effort that he managed to ignore the panicked shouting of his wife outside the door.

"I should have, yes, but that would only have confirmed the fact that the Yamanaka were behind it. I couldn't do that to the clan."

Naruto nodded twice, recognizing the sentiment, but quickly returned to shaking his head.

"It could have confirmed that it was you behind it, Inoichi. Even concerned with the safety of the clan, your daughter would be more focused on avoiding our ire and any members of the clan acting on their own you would have turned over to me to protect your family."

He stopped moving to gaze silently at his prey for just a moment.

"I know it was you and you alone. Previously your clan wished action to be taken and your heiress complied, but in this case it was the conscious decision of one man. It wasn't a good one, you see."

"No." Agreed Inoichi. "It wasn't. But what's done is done."

"Quite right, Inoichi, quite right. Are you ready to face the penalty for your actions?"

Inoichi's eyes darted briefly to the door behind which he could still hear the sounds of his hysterical wife. With a sigh he turned back to Tsukiyomi- no- turned back to Naruto and asked for what had sealed his fate.

"How did you discover it was me?"

"You approached Tsume too early." That said everything he needed to know but even as he nodded in understanding Naruto continued. "Had you waited longer it wouldn't have been so out of place to have discovered her connection now that the Wolves are more open but to discover it so soon? To discover it just as a spy in the company of a Yamanaka escapes our maws?"

He 'tsked' lightly in disappointment.

"You were so close, Inoichi, so close, and now you force my hand."

"Very well." His eyes closed, waiting for his end. From the words of Naruto it was only he to be punished for his actions and that was good enough for him. So long as his family was spared he would accept the consequences of his mistakes.

He did not see the nod Naruto sent to his Wolves nor did he see the tool removed from a bagg one of them had brought.

But with the resounding thunk of metal biting wood he felt it.

Even as he clenched his jaw to bite back the scream that wanted to tear itself from his throat the Wolves moved away from his severed arms, wasting none of the precious little time they had. Inoichi's eyes opened just in time to watch the two hand axes crash down simultaneously on his kneecaps.

It was not a pretty sever, the flesh around the joint mangled as the metal clashed against his bone. Unlike his arms, which had been cut off at the shoulder, they left his upper legs, though the reason behind that he could not fathom.

Nor was he even going to attempt to try.

He was only vaguely aware of the four Wolves- two of which had just been wielding those axes- that went to work field dressing his wounds, cauterizing them just enough to prevent him from bleeding to death.

What he was hyper-aware about, however, was the approach of Tsukiyomi, who silently accepted a blade from a Wolf without taking his eyes away from the limbless man before him. Through the pain he noted with curiosity the oddness of the particular blade. Beyond the wicked curve not seen often in the hands of Shinobi, there was something off about it.

It took a moment for him to realize the blade was glowing red-hot, probably by a low-powered Katon Jutsu.

He also had enough time to realize how strange it was that they were addressing his wounds when their lord was readying for the final strike. It seemed- to his pain addled mind- like quite the waste of effort. Unless, of course, the pain was the entire point.

It would be a few moments still until he realized that knife wasn't meant to end his life but it also wasn't something he would ever be able to tell others about.

For that knife had been for his tongue.

With quick movements the muscle had been removed from his mouth and Naruto looked at his prize curiously before turning his attention back to the newly crippled Shinobi.

"I told you, Inoichi, that you would be devoured." He began to walk away then, even as his Wolves set about wrapping the removed limbs and placing them in the duffel bag that had held the axes used to remove them. "But you don't need to be dead for us to do so."

"I have taken your legs to remind you the folly of trying to run, your arms so that you might not act, and lastly your tongue so you cannot speak." He continued towards the window he had entered in as he spoke, paying no attention to the man you might not even be hearing his words. "There are ways for you to get around this, I am sure, but I do hope you have learned today how foolish it would be to attempt so."

He turned now, to address the man one last time this night.

"Live, Inoichi, as a constant reminder to your clan of the cost of foolishness. Do not allow them to cross me again."

And with that, followed by his Wolves, he disappeared into the night.

There was a feast to prepare.

Stumbling into the situation once had been unexpected enough, but then she had actually been invited to join them.

Tsukiyomi, she noticed instantly, was in a very good mood. There was still something about him that seemed a bit displeased, no, a bit disappointed, but for the most part he projected a sense of victory that she couldn't help but think was somehow related to the information she had shared with him the day previous.

Perhaps that's why she had been invited to join them?

She also couldn't help but notice the massive increase of Wolves around them. Unless she was mistaken this was at least a full guard which meant almost every Wolf currently in Konoha.

Dinner was served and consumed in near silence, the Wolves standing around the room at relaxed attention, and it wasn't until after everything had been consumed that Tsukiyomi stood and motioned for one of the Wolves to bring a last drink for the group.

Unlike the meal proper, this time everyone in the room found themselves with a glass into which wine- and a very fine vintage, at that, if the bottle was anything to base it off of- was liberally poured.

Things only became more odd as the words of Tsukiyomi's toast rung in her ears.

Even so, she had brought the glass to her lips and drunk deeply before they had a chance to truly register in her mind.

"To consuming the blood of our enemies- those who would cut down my children and slay the siblings of the Wolves."

Much to her own unease, she couldn't shake the feeling that he had meant that quite literally.

Looking down at her half-filled glass, a shudder ran down her spine.

He hadn't, had he?

It would be a week until the fate of Yamanaka Inoichi escaped to the public of Konoha and the second that Tsume heard it she knew with absolute certainty-

He had.

She was surprised, at first, that every single one of them seemed so energetic but it didn't take long to figure out why.

The spy that had killed their kin and injured two of their members had been discovered and, while the spy himself hadn't been found, the one he answered to had been.

More than that, the Wolves had gotten a hold of him.

His limbs, it was said, had been severed from his body and his tongue- the very same one that had given the spies their orders- was cut out of his mouth by Tsukiyomi himself. They had left the man alive, a reminder of what price crossing them carried, but he was undoubtedly defeated- another foe of the Wolves vanquished.

Hopefully for the last time.

Then again, she didn't think the Wolves would mind crushing them again however many times it took to get the message across that they weren't to be messed with.

Eventually it would sink in, not just for their current enemies but for the entire world.

Still, now wasn't a time to think of that, now was a time to celebrate the fact that the one who had stolen from the pack their fellow Wolves had been punished for his foolishness.

She soon learned that there was more cause for celebration than even that for Tsukiyomi, in a barbaric gesture that appealed to the animalistic nature of his pack, had sent to them blood and flesh of the aggressor, to be consumed this night.

He had told the man the fate that would await him before his identity had been discovered.

'We will devour you.'

And now, from what she understood, that was exactly what the Wolves were about to do.

Almost the entirety of the Wolves stationed here in Nami no Kuni- which made up most of the Wolves in the pack itself- were gathered together to share this meal. She found herself, the only non-Wolf present, seated between Sai and Yūto, the survivor of the event that had led to this. High-Captain Keigo, the one who had been with the guard that caught the spies and received a face full of explosive note for the effort was seated beside him, still covered in bandages. Yakushi Kabuto sat on Sai's other side and beside him sat one of his leaders from the Sound group.

Seated before them were the Wolves, excitement nearly palpable in the air.

Stew had been chosen as the manner in which they would devour their foe, blood mixed into a broth made with boiled marrow and traces of fat. Naturally, despite it not being the flesh of their enemy, the stew was filled primarily of meet and only a scattering of potatoes and a scarce few carrots allowed it to be called anything more than meat soup.

Of course, that was for the celebrating masses. Those at the head table, like Hana herself were offered a smaller cup of soup and a plate of grilled meat. It wasn't hard to come to the proper conclusion as to what that meat was.

Sai and his fellow Wolves, unconcerned with the generally accepted morals of society, didn't waste any time in starting on it, no doubt considering it a great honor to be allowed so by their lord when the others had to settle solely with the stew the kitchens had prepared.

Kabuto and his fellow Sound Shinobi took part in the celebration by consuming the stew but politely declined the plates offered them.

And the left Hana at a cross roads.

Did she turn down the human flesh like Sound had at no consequence?

Or, did she partake of it like the Wolves?

It was immoral, she knew, but what place did human morals have in the pack she had become a part of?

And besides, no one had to know, did they?

Little did she know that her first bite was watched by every single person there and it was at the moment she went for her second that she cemented her position amongst them.

Inuzuka Hana was a Wolf, if not in name than most certainly in heart.

She ignored the inquisitive gaze of the dark room's only other occupant, instead focusing on the small vial that had been in her latest letter. Most interesting was the fact that she was being sent a letter that wasn't a reply to one she had sent- he had sent it for the express purpose of communicating with her.

Not that it said much, mind you, it was very little more than a paragraph, but it said plenty.

"Tobi- Mikoto- what were you sent?" A second voice from the same source continued the questioning. "And who sent it? Who are you in contact with?" The second voice was deeper and was noticeably suspicious. It was strange then, that they came from the same being.

Could they really be both simply curious and darkly distrusting at the same time?

"It's from a friend." She answered absently, holding up the small glass vial to the light to better see its contents. A light red glow splashed over her revealed face, nearly glowing against pale skin, as she pondered what it was she currently held.

"A friend?" That had been the darker voice, one that was rough and gravely.

"You don't have any friends." Accused the other. One could almost here the frown on their face.

"I do-" She claimed. "One. And he sent me this letter."

"And what's it say?" The lighter voice asked the question that the other undoubtedly wanted to know.

"Not much." One could hear the small smile in her voice even if it was hard to make out in the darkness. She was being intentionally vague just to annoy them and it was working- her enjoyment of that fact was easy enough to recognize. "Just an explanation of the gift."

"And the gift?" It was evident that the darker half was getting impatient with her and her uninformative explanations.

The smile hadn't left her voice but it took on a wicked edge.

"The blood of an enemy." Without breaking her gaze from the vial the letter burst into flame. It was an old trick from her clan, one few had known before the massacre purely because of its simplicity. None had bothered learning something that looked so easy when there were more impressive Jutsu to be mastered and, in many cases, stolen.

Still, she was able to put it to use now to rid herself the letter that had her watcher so suspicious. It wouldn't have hurt to let him read it, in fact, it probably would have been best for her, but it had been written by her beloved son just for her and she didn't want to share it with anybody.

Removing the stopper with her teeth she quickly downed the contents just as she had been asked to, swallowing easily.

Had the one in her room been anyone else they may have found the action even the slightest bit strange. Considering this particular individual had a habit of eating people, however, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

The fact that it recognized the symbolism as devouring one's enemy only made it seem more right.

Giving a shrug, the being with two voices left the woman's room. He didn't know who her friend was or what enemy had been vanquished but so long as it didn't affect the plans the master had entrusted to it before his demise it really didn't care what she got up to.

In fact, so long as the others believed her to be who he claimed she was she could go ahead and do just about anything she wanted to. Pein believed her to be the powerful apprentice and Voice of Madara and the others saw her somewhere between childish and psychotic.

Something like this wasn't likely to change either of those views, and that suited him just fine.

If she wanted to go about drinking the blood of her enemies so be it.

He just hoped that next time she might offer him some.

Orochimaru spent far less time than others when she found a vial of blood in her possession. The note was simple enough, telling her nothing more than that what she held was the blood of an enemy that had been suitably punished for his actions against the Wolves.

They had been punished and her godson had been kind enough to send her part of them.

With a single, quick movement she had uncorked the vial and taken the blood into her mouth where she took a moment to savor the taste of victory- not of her own but that of her darling godson's.

He was such a good boy, taking care of himself, his forces, his enemies, and making sure to send her presents.

And speaking of presents she still owed him quite a few. She would really need to devote some more time to finding something suitable for the young man who was reminding her so much of herself when she was that age.

It was absolutely beautiful.

Swallowing the blood and grinning as she felt it slide down to settle in her stomach, she turned back to the envelope she had withdrawn the vial from. Chucking it away she was only idly aware of it shattering against one of the stone walls of her hideout, more focused on neatly folding up the letter to be stored with all the others.

Even if it was nothing but a quick description of her gift it was still written for her by Naruto and that made it precious. She would make sure to treat it as such.

But first, perhaps, a quick retirement to her chambers.

That boy had the most wonderful effect on her.

Thank you for joining me for act XLIV, I look forward to seeing you again for next week's showing. Hopefully that will be the 10k word chapter that it's supposed to be but at the very least I can promise a regular length chapter.

I suppose I should probably start keeping track of all the words I owe you, because this is adding up pretty quickly.