Just outside the Village of the Rails, hidden deep underground in a bunker.
"I have gotten word that the Leaf Village is assembling a team on ninja to come here to tie up loose ends leftover from Lady Whittum. Two of them are the demon children from the Miles clan. They should be arriving in the Village of the Rails later this morning. Do you want me to prepare a greeting party for them?" A cool toned voice said into a dimly lit room.
"The two demon children of the Miles clan?" A husky voice replied in surprise. "Colby and Suzanna both command a decent bounty. We should be proceed with caution with these two. We will take our time in getting them, because the Miles clan is well known in the village and they mobilize the entire clan rapidly. We saw that when Lady Whittum tried to kill Suzanna by first luring her in by holding her father captive. All they need is to get word that one of them is in trouble and the whole clan comes running. We will take our time we need to be careful from this point on. My plan to take over the Village of the Rails will not fail. Also good work Sasuke." The husky voice said.
"Thank you, Lord Kakazu." Sasuke said as he turned and left the room.
The sun crept up from its hiding place below the horizon as the first rays of light shown through the window. Colby slowly started to wake up, as he opened his eyes he found himself looking up at the ceiling and on the floor of the living room. Confused he looked to the couch to see Ino still sleeping on it. He chuckled as he stiffly sat up and heard all his joint creek and groan as he stood up. He walked down to the bathroom and saw that he was the only one up.
Ino was reluctant to wake up as the warm glow of the morning light landed on her face. She slowly opened he eyes as she yawned and stretched before rolling onto her back and realized Colby wasn't there. She got up and headed for the kitchen to fix up some breakfast. As she waited for her toast to toast she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist.
"Good morning beautiful." Colby said with a smile and a kiss. Ino smiled into the kiss and gave on back.
"Akamaru! Five more minutes!" Kiba wined as he felt a weight on top of him as the sun light shined through the window.
"Well since I'm not Akamaru, you don't get five more minutes." Kiba's eyes shot open and saw Suzanna on top of him.
"Then do I get ten more minutes with you?" Kiba asked hopefully with a lazy grin on his face.
"Not this morning. Come on Colby and Ino are already up and ready to get going. Now move your lazy butt." Suzanna said as she got off of him and grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the bed. Kiba and Suzanna got dressed and grabbed their gear as they headed down the hall to the kitchen where Ino and Colby were waiting for them. Naruto and Sakura were also waiting in the kitchen for them. Colby and Ino were wearing the sweat shirts Tallus had given them last night. Kiba and Suzanna were finishing putting there's on as they walked into the kitchen.
"What's with the sweat shirts?" Naruto asked as he pointed to the back of Ino's sweat shirt. Sakura also looked at the sweat shirt curiously.
"My dad gave them to us last night. The symbol on the back is the mark of our clan. When we get to the Rail Village stick close to us and nobody will bother you. Now let's get moving we are burning daylight." Colby said as he slung his backpack onto his shoulder.
"Wait what? So if Ino has one then that means you two have already…" Naruto was about to finished when both Ino and Sakura punched Naruto in the face and sent him flying to the ground.
"No we have not, Naruto. Not yet." Colby said as he offered a hand to help Naruto up.
"Wait. What do you mean not yet!" Ino asked curiously.
"It's not official that you are a Miles but you will be one day." Colby smiled.
"Not if your COCKiness is higher than your head." Ino as she walked past him. Colby looked at her and opened his mouth to speak but was at a loss for a snappy comeback. "Now let's get moving." She said. "Naruto you take point."
"Alright! Guys follow me to the Village of the Rails!" Naruto said as he walked out the door, the group followed him until he started walking towards the main gate. Then the group stopped following him. "Umm, say which way is it to the Village of the Rails?" Naruto said as he turned around and saw that nobody was following him.
"Idoit!" Sakura said as she slapped him across the face.
"We aint walking to the Rail Village. You dumbass. We are taking the train there." Suzanna said as she started to walk towards the train station. Kiba, Akamaru, Ino and Sakura followed her. Colby hung back as Naruto started to follow them.
"Hey Naruto." Colby said.
"Y-yeah?" Naruto replied hesitantly.
"You up for kicking some ass?" Colby asked with a grin on his face which surprised Naruto.
"I guess." Naruto said confused.
"I thought you were supposed to be the hyperactive numb nut of the Leaf Village?" Colby joked as he and Naruto walked behind the rest of the group. Naruto looked away then shot a quick glance at Ino as she walked towards the station. Colby saw this. "Let me tell you this right now. When shit hits the fan on this mission do what you have to too keep your comrades safe and keep your head in the game."
"That is it? Or you going to give me some warning to stay away from Ino?" Naruto said as he looked to Colby with a hard look on his face. He grinned as the echo of a whistle came down the tracks.
"None of that matters now. Things change as the situation changes; we are on a mission now. This is not the time for stuff like that because we have more important issues to take care of. You think you got what it takes to see this mission through? Comrade?" Colby asked a shocked Naruto. Suzanna and Kiba had been listening to the whole things and they stopped and turned around. Sakura and Ino noticing that Kiba and Suzanna had turned also looked back at Colby and Naruto.
Naruto stared blankly at Colby for a moment before a grin starts to form on his face. "You got it" Naruto said with a nod.
"Good. I want to know I can count on the people in my squad and not have to think about it." Colby said as a whistle screamed through the air and the ringing of a bell filled the platform as the train glided into the station. Colby stuck out his hand to Naruto. He hesitated for a moment then smiled as he shook Colby's hand.
"Hey come on you two!" Ino, Sakura and Suzanna shouted as they got on the train. The two of them nodded to each other and darted to the car as the conductor yelled out "ALL ABOARD!"
On board the train, Ino and Colby sat together and Suzanna and Kiba sat together as did Naruto and Sakura. The train rolled through the hills and the click-clack of the wheels of the cars rolling over joints in the rail was all that was heard in the quiet car. Naruto looked out the window as Sakura leaned against his shoulder and fell asleep. Kiba and Suzanna a game of five card stud with each other to pass the time. Colby was leaning against the window with Ino asleep in his arms.
"Hey Suzanna? Why is Colby so relaxed with Naruto being around Ino, now when before he would instantly get all up in arms?" Kiba asked as the train rattled across a bridge. Suzanna chuckled as she looked at her hand and threw 2 cards into the junk pile and drew two cards from the deck.
"You heard him didn't you? Things change as the situation changes. We are on a mission now. We all have more important things to be worried about that Naruto hitting on Ino or trying to get Ino for himself. Besides, Ino, is madly in love with Colby and not Naruto. And a sister knows all, when it comes to her brother, and guess what." Suzanna chuckled.
"What?" Kiba asked as she showed her hand to Kiba.
"Royal Flush. I win." She laughed.
"Awe come on not again! You are cheating at this!" Kiba wined.
The train pulled into the crowed station. People were rushing across the platforms trying to make it to their train on time or running up to friends and family just arriving. Suzanna, Ino, Kiba and Colby were the first to step out of their car with Naruto and Sakura behind them. Colby slung his backpack onto his back, slung his rifle onto his shoulder and adjusted his camo baseball cap. Ino put on the camo hat she had first gotten back when on their first mission together, on backwards and threaded her long bang through the loop. They were both wearing camo pants with combat boots, but Ino had purple laces for her boots. Suzanna and Kiba both adjusted their sweatshirts as they walked down the platform. The once busy and loud platform suddenly went quiet as they walked along it, People looked at them with surprise and questioning looks on their faces.
"Hey bro are you feeling what I'm feeling?" Suzanna asked Colby.
"Yeah I do Suz. I don't like it at all. Something isn't right here. Be on your toes guys." Colby warned. As they walked through town people closed their doors and the shutters on the windows as shops closed instantly as they walked by.
"Come on lets pick up the pace and hurry to my Dad's place." Suzanna said as she broke out into a jog. "Double time!"
"Suzanna we are being watched." Rensha's warning echoed through Suzanna's head.
"Where are they?" Suzanna asked as the group ran through the streets.
"It's only one, and it's Sasuke. What business does he have here?" Rensha question.
Sasuke watched from the roof top as the group made their way to Suzanna's house and darted inside. "They have arrived." Sasuke spoke into a radio head set. "What do you want to do with them?"
"Just keep a close eye on them for the moment and don't engage them in combat just yet." Kakazu said.
Inside Suzanna's house, the team went to the living room where Steve and Tallus were watching Morgan, Zeek, Joe and Taylor playing cards with each other. Colby, Ino, Kiba, Suzanna, Naruto and Sakura took off their packs and set them on the floor. Morgan looked up from the cards she had in front of her and as she saw Suzanna, "SUZY!" she yelled as she dropped her cards and tackled Suzanna who scooped her little sister up in her arms. Zeek, and Joe looked up in surprise and then followed suit and tackled Colby who lost his balance and fell to the floor with Zeek and Joe on top of him. Taylor then jumped on top of Joe, Zeek and Colby pile.
"Who are these three little munchkins I have here?" Colby joked around laughing.
"You don't have us! We have you!" Zeek and Joe laughed to together.
"I duno you guys. Taylor looks like she has all three of you." Ino laughed. Taylor looked up in surprise to Ino's voice before a big smiled broke across her face.
"Ino!" Taylor yelled as she jumped off the boys and ran to Ino who picked her up.
"So how has Miss Taylor been?" Ino asked smiling, Taylor giggled as she smiled at Ino.
"Good. So Miss Ino has Colby been taking good care of you? If he hasn't me and Morgan and Suzy and Jazzy can beat him up for you." Taylor said with a sassy 8 year old attitude.
"Oh geaze!" Colby said as he lay on his back and covered his face with his hands. "Just one of you girls is a handful, never mind four or five of you!" He peeked over at Taylor and Ino and saw both of them pouting and glaring at him.
"What? I didn't say anything. It was Zeek who said it." Colby said pointing to Zeek.
"Hey! I did not!" Zeek said. Suzanna and Morgan started laughing. Zeek's face got all red. Colby sat up and wrapped his arms around Zeek as he tried to attack Suzanna and Morgan.
"Hey Zeek Monster where is your brother?" Colby asked. Zeek perked his head up and looked around to find his brother, Joe, wasn't around. In a flash he darted out of Colby's arms in search of his brother.
"Gease you girls are so mean trying to bully the Zeek Monster. Now I can't be bullied or intimidated by the female gender." Colby said with a smirk on his face. Suzanna and Morgan looked at Ino and Taylor who looked back at them and nodded. Ino put Taylor down and Suzanna put Morgan down and suddenly the four of them piled onto of Colby. Naruto, Kiba and Sakura burst out laughing as Colby tried to crawl out from under the girls but Ino grabbed his arm and kept him from getting away.
"You are mine." Ino said as Suzanna and Ino each laid on top of Colby and had their heads on either side of his. Morgan and Taylor were on top of the pile.
"Well this is not what. I. was. Expecting."
"You will make supper for us girls." Ino said and Colby looked at her.
"And if I refuse?" Colby asked then Suzanna bit him on his shoulder. "OOOWWW! Gease sis I aint your personal chew toy!"
"Alright kids, play time is over." Steve said chuckling as the girls got off of Colby.
'Did that hurt bro?" Suzanna asked innocently.
"Come here, dear sister." Colby said with a grin.
"Nope. I'm staying right here." Suzanna said with a witty grin.
Colby glared at Suzanna. "The shark will get even with the wolf."
"Like Steve said 'Play time is over. We need to have an adult talk with Suzanna and Colby and their friends." Tallus said in a stern tone. "Taylor and Morgan would you two go find Zeek and Joe and go upstairs and play in Morgan's room."
The kids nodded and headed up stairs quietly, the echo of trains rolling through town, carried through the air that grew thick as Tallus heard the door to Morgan's room close and began to speak.
"There are leftovers from Suzanna's mother's tyrant rampage. There is a man named Kakazu who has taken the leadership role that was vacated by Lady Whittum. He has been keeping a close eye on the family and from our intel is planning on taking over the village by force then setting his sights on the Leaf."
Everyone in the room was quiet as, Naruto clenched his fist in anger as did the rest of the squad. They knew that more was on the line than was originally expected. Tallus drew a breath before continuing.
"He probably already knows you are here, he has an Uchia working for him by the name of Sasuke."
"What? That bastard!" Colby burst out as every looked at him. "When I get the chance he will be taking a dirt nap for the rest of time."
"You know him?" Steve asked. Colby's face was red with anger.
"Colby fought Sasuke a few times back in the Leaf, and it was usually over me. Every time Colby came out on top but it felt like Sasuke was holding back during those fights." Ino piped up.
"Also Kakazu has under his control an army basically of mercenary ninja. Many of them are highly skilled but the majorities are more of a pain to deal with than a real threat." Tallus said as a loud creak was hear coming from the stair case. Suzanna's ears perked up as she glances behind her. Colby looked to her and motioned with his head to check it out. The two of them went to the stair case and looked up to the top of the stairs to see Morgan, Taylor, Zeek and Joe sitting at the top of the stairs.
"Suzy are you going to fight the bad guys again?" Morgan asked her voice quivering. Suzanna walked up the stairs but Colby sayed at the bottom and looked at the floor and scratched the back of his neck. Sakura and Ino walked over and looked up the stairs as Suzanna sat in front of her sister.
"Yes, I am going to fight the bad guys again." Suzanna said "But I need you to be strong for me."
"I don't want you to have to fight again get hurt." Morgan said as she tried to keep from crying.
"Morgan, don't worry. Suzanna won't get hurt. I promise, but we have to fight the bad guys to keep you, Taylor, Zeek, Joe, Uncle Steve, Uncle Tallie and everyone in the family and the village safe. " Colby said from the bottom of the stairs and he started up the stairs with Ino in tow.
"Don't worry my little sis, I'll be ok I have Colby, Kiba and Ino with me. Nothing will happen to me". Suzanna said.
"Promise?" Morgan asked with a sniffle as she wiped her eyes.
"Promise" Suzanna said as she hugged her younger sister.
"If something happens to you, I'm going to beat Colby first for not keeping you safe. Then I'm going to beat you for getting hurt. Ok?" Morgan said and Suzanna could only smile at her little sister.
"Ok, Morgan I understand." Suzanna said.
"Yeah Morgan, we have cousin Colby and Suzanna to protect us! We don't have nothing to worry about." Zeek said smiling. Joe nodded in agreement as Colby and Ino got to the top of the stairs.
"Colby are you going to protect Jazzy too?" Taylor asked as she looked to Ino and Colby. He smiled as Ino knelt down to Taylor.
"Don't worry Taylor we will protect everyone in the family including you and your sister, Jazz. You just leave the important stuff to us." Ino said.
"Zeek, Joe, huddle time." Colby said and the two boys darted over to him as he knelt down. "I need you two to start training to become as strong or stronger than either Uncle Jerris, your dad, myself, Uncle Tallie, Uncle Steve and Cousin Denny. When we can't fight anymore it will be down to you guys to protect Morgan, Taylor and everyone else. You two are Miles boys, never forget that. Questions?"
Joe raised his hand.
"Yes?"
"When do we start?" Joe asked with the most serious face an 8 year old could possibly have. Colby couldn't help but smile with a light chuckle.
"Tomorrow morning. 0530. Now off to bed with you two. 0530 comes early." Colby said as the boys nodded then darted to the extra bedroom and closed the door. Ino looked at the brothers as they went then looked to Colby with a questioning look.
"It's part of the plan for this mission. Explain once the kids are in bed. Get Naruto and Kiba up here."
"Hey Naruto. Hey Kiba come over here." Sakura called to them. The two boys came over as did Tallus and Steve.
"Ok, plan for tomorrow. Ino and I will start training Zeek and Joe. Suzanna and Kiba will take Naruto and Sakura around to meet the family. The master plan being this is an extended mission, basically just act like we live here now but keep an eye open and an ear out for any news about Kakazu and his plans. Always be on guard but also be relaxed and look like you have your guard down. They may wait for us to get comfortable and then make their move."
"And if they decide to make their move tomorrow?" Suzanna asked.
"We ensure the safety of the kids first. That's priority number 1. Then we deal with the threat in a manner that we feel appropriate or slightly overkill depending on what comes to mind first, but we have to ensure the safety of the kids before anything else." Colby said, the hardness in his voice was clear to the others. Naruto yawned and rubbed his eye as the group looked at him.
"Tired already Naruto?" Kiba asked.
"Yeah I am" Naruto said.
"It's been quiet the day anyways. We might as well call it a night." Colby said. "Sakura what did you being for medical supplies? Actaully, Ino you and Sakura go with Suzanna to catch up with the family and talk with Cousin Jason and his wife about medical and weapons supplies. Kiba and Naruto you will be with me but Naruto I want you to have a few clones around town scouting but no more than 4 and keep one with Suzanna, Ino and Sakura. Ino when get an opportunity to us your mind transfer on a bird to scout above the village for anything unusual or whatever catches your eye as odd. Kiba if you can summon like ninja hounds have them be with the Naruto clones, Suzanna's squad and with us." The group nodded in agreement with the plan. As they came down the stairs there was a knock at the door. Suzanna went to open it and was surprised to see an old friend at the door.
"Hey Suzanna." A voice said.
"Hey Nagato, come on in." Suzanna said "Hey Colby, Gator is here!"
"Hey Gator! It's been a while how you been?" Colby asked as he shook Nagato's hand and gave him a bro hug.
"Pein?" Naruto, Sakura, Kiba and Ino said in shock.
"Naruto? Sakura? Ino? Kiba? What are you doing here?" Nagato asked in shock and confusion.
"The same can be asked of you. Last time we meet you were the leader of the Atkusti and had just about destroyed the Leaf!" Naruto said as he lundged at Nagato but Colby slammed him up against the wall before he reached Nagato.
"Let me go! He is responsible for the destruction of the Leaf and I'm going to….." Naruto shouted.
"What the hell is going on here?" Tallus and Steve said as they both came running in.
"You are not going to do anything! Listen and listen close Naruto because I'm only going to tell you once. Nagato is on our side this time around. I am friends with him and have been for a while now. You try to do anything along the lines of getting even with him for what he did I will personally give you the ass whooping of a life time. I don't have to put up with any of this kind of bullshit on this mission." Colby tried to look Naruto in the eye but Naruto looked away. " Now before you answer without thinking I will tell you what your answer will be, you will look me in the eye and say "Yes Sir, I understand sir." If you don't we will have issues. Now do you understand what I'm telling you?"
"Colby let Naruto go!" Ino said as she rushed up to the two boys and tried to separate them.
Naruto looked Colby in the eye. Naruto's eyes had changed into the Nine Tails' eyes. "Yes sir. I understand sir."
"Good." Colby said coldly as he let go of Naruto his eyes changed back to normal.
"This mission you kids are on is too important for you guys to be settling old scores. Not only does the future of this village hang in the balance but possibly so does the Leaf's future." Steve said flatly as he gave everyone a hard look.
"Alright let's get sleeping arrangements made up. Suzanna, Kiba, Akamaru, Naruto can stay here. Nagato can Ino, Colby and Sakura stay at your place tonight?" Tallus asked.
"Of course they can. Though I have a guest over but I am sure he will understand." Nagato said. It was quiet for a moment as a light rain began to fall and quickly picked up into a down pour.
"Alright, it's been a full day and time to call it a day." Colby said with a little edginess still in his voice. As he pulled a camo rain jacket with the family emblem on the back, out from his pack and gave it to Ino. She put it on over the sweat shirt and flipped the hood up. A quick goodnight was all that was said as Ino, Sakura and Colby headed out the door with Nagato leading them. The rain was heavy, cold and steady as they crossed town.
"You have changed a lot in the time I have known you, Gator. The last time we meet" Colby said as he got an uneasy feeling and locked and loaded his rifle then slung it back onto his shoulder. Ino walked next to Colby as did Sakura as the street lights gleamed in the falling rain and the sound of the rail yard was drowned out by the sound of the rain as it came down.
"Was on the battle field." Nagato said finishing Colby's sentence. "I've seen a lot and done many things many of which I now regret doing."
"I still can't believe the thorough job you did of leveling the Leaf" Ino said as the memory of that day came back to her and she shuttered.
"I hope I never have to use that jutsu again." Nagato said regretfully as they arrived at his house. "I'll show you to your room"
The house was nothing to brag about, unpainted wood siding that was weathered and sun beaten to a sliver grey. The living room was modest sized with a small kitchen attached to it and two modest sized bedrooms.
"Here is your room. Place make yourself at home and I'll see you in the morning." Nagato said before heading to his room and closing the door without a word more.
"I think we should have stay back at Suzanna's house. Something doesn't feel right here." Ino said nervously as Colby closed the door to the room. The tapping of the rain on the roof calmed down but then pick right back up.
"I know, I feel it too as does Shinkasen but for tonight we will have to deal with it. I'll sleep between you and the door if that makes it easier for you to sleep." Colby said as he pulled out a revolver from his bag and loaded it. Ino nodded as she climbed into bed still with all her clothes on only taking off the sweatshirt and the rain coat. Colby followed and put the revolver between the mattress and the opposite wall in case it was needed.
"Is everything read for later this weekend?" Sasuke asked a shadowy figure.
"Everything is ready, just need the right timing to attack." The figure said as the rain picked up even more and thunder started to roll across the sky.
"Good" Sasuke said as he took off. A crack of lightning lit up the sky reviling the shadow figure to be Nagato.