Crystal Inferno: Sorry, it's been awhile since I've updated (okay, like two weeks, but that's not a whole lot considering others wait two months to update!) Once again, thank you to GreatMarta and Hara-kiri Penguin for reviewing once again. You both rock my little world! All right, continue!

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Inari had felt pain all throughout his sleep. Colors of blood and water kept rushing into his mind, and he felt odd sensations rushing through his bodies. All he could think of was the pain. Nothing else mattered to him. Kisame did not matter, Adaha didn't matter; all that matter was for the pain to stop.

When he woke up from his slumber, the pain was fading. He fluttered his eyelashes open, and looked into the concerned eyes of his family. Nokosu, his little adopted sister, stood by his bedside, her tear-streaked face now looking at him with surprise. Haiki was there as well; his quiet presence in the background, and stared at Inari with some type of fascination.

"Inari finally woke up! After five days, Inari finally woke up!" Nokosu exclaimed, a grin now plastered upon her face. "Nokosu happy! Nokosu really happy!"

Inari looked at her with a small grin. The pain was fading to a dull ache, but it still hurt, and he was barely able to move himself around the bed.

"Where's my mother? Rosuto? Adaha?" Inari asked, Nokosu, although she wasn't really a reliable source, as she was a child. Haiki never even whispered a syllable, so he really couldn't do anything for support either. He was stuck with the least likely people for information.

"Mommy and Rosuto are looking out for Adaha. She's in bed just like Inari. Nokosu knows Adaha has been out as long as Inari has. Adaha very fragile right now, even more in pain then Inari!" Nokosu said proudly, knowing she ad given Inari the correct information. Inari face became troubled however. Adaha was also in critical condition? How could this be? He remember passing out, both of them should have been dead…how did Adaha manage to carry his body to the house while escaping the missing Nin?

Inari forced himself upright and got out of bed, ignoring the wails from Nokosu, telling him to go back in bed. He needed to see Adaha. She was the only one that knew what happened, as she was the one that took him from there.

Inari left his room, but as soon as he turned the corner, he felt a shot of pain at his side, his body growing numb at the hallow ache in his chest. He continued on, pressing his fists upon the wall, trying to reach the door that was only a few meters away. Nokosu and Haiki both looked in an awed horror, wondering if he would fall to the ground, as they knew that excruciating agony was flowing through him.

He finally made it to the door, and he turned very slowly, as to not have the pain course through him one more. With all his effort he spoke out to his mother and Rosuto, who were watching over Adaha, "How long?"

Tsunami and Rosuto jumped at the noise and turned around. Tsunami's eyes widened in fear and rushed to her son, wrapping him in a soft embrace, and with Rosuto's help, carried him to an empty chair.

"My God, Inari, why did you get up! You're not fully healed! You need to get back to bed this instant! I'm not stupid! I see the misery on ever corner of you body!" his mother yelled at him, frustrated tears running down her cheeks. He could see that she had been crying for a while, her tired eyes seemed like they were…well, tired of crying.

Inari looked at his mother with intensity. He was a ninja, a true shinobi, and now, more than ever, he used his ways to void emotion from a conversation so he could get straight answers from his weary mother.

"Mom, how long have I been sleeping?" he asked calmly and patiently, not trying to rush her, he didn't want frantic answers. "I need to know."

Tsunami stared at her son, scarred and angered by his insensitivity. Yet, she knew this was his way of calming a situation down, as he knew no other. "You have been sleeping for almost a week. Today is the sixth day." Her voice was slightly shaky, but she was building her composure throughout the words.

"What happened? What do you know of?" Inari asked once more, his voice cool and calm, no sense of any emotion within it.

Tsunami took a deep breath and began her story, "First, I heard the door open, and I knew it would be both you and Adaha. Yet, when I came to greet you, I was terrified. You were bloody and wounded all over, and Adaha was carrying you. There were…water wings sprouting from her back and her eyes were of the purest silver I have ever seen. She told me that you must see the Hokage, Naruto. The rest for was Adaha. But, you must go immediately, about three more days of recovery for you, and then it'd be best if you leave. I don't know what is going on, but this all lies in the hands of Adaha…" she trailed off, her stare confused and afraid.

Inari consumed all the information, and felt weight put upon his shoulders. What was Adaha? A demon, like Naruto? His idol had told him a couple years back that the nine tailed fox was locked sealed inside him, yet it had not fazed him, knowing of Naruto's past and heroics. But Adaha…was she a danger? Would she kill, use her powers for a great evil?

It doesn't seem like she would… Inari thought, but doubt and concern filled within them. For the first times, he looked at Adaha, and all doubt seethed from him. She was in a world of pain, just like him. Sweat trickled down her face and her expression was one of hurt and affliction. How could he blame her if a demon was sealed inside her? It was not her fault she was chosen for such a duty, a deep purpose in life.

Surprisingly, Rosuto spoke up, "Hey, since you're up Inari, you should really consider about going to the Hokage, and whom you will take. Because…I'm not missing out on this adventure! There's no way you can stop me this time either!"

"Rosuto, you know very well I can't take you," Inari spoke coldly, not liking his excitement. "This is a dangerous mission, one that involves mysterious forces that I have not, and many other greater and stronger ninja than I have encountered. The only other that will be joining me is Adaha, and since you have no involvement in this task, you would only make matters worse and get in the way."

At his statement, Rosuto stood up, his face screwed up in obvious rage. "I am not weak, Inari," he growled violently, flashing his canines in rage. "I may not be a ninja, and I may just be a boy who you found once in a forest, on the brink of starvation, but you showed me someone of your background to could become wise. That's why…I have taken the ways of the sword, and that of the samurais' long past."

Inari was stunned. "How do you know of the samurai, the ones before the ninja?" Inari never knew Rosuto had knowledge of the ancient art the ninja had originated from. It was a dead religion, as the ninja had grown much higher in demand than that of the honorable samurai. However, there were a few clans that still remained, and they were not to be taken lightly.

"Well, before you stumbled upon me, I was found by a samurai, a wandering one…someone who lived for one purpose: to roam and move on," Rosuto began, "He gave me water and food, and told me always to have my honor, for that was the way of not just a samurai, but of all dignified people. I am a dignified person, Inari. I won't be placed in the back of your mind and be considered a weakling! I know how to use a wakazashi and tanto and I know how to use them well. I've been training in the mornings, just like you, seeking to be stronger, wanting more of a purpose than to be a lost boy. I will come with you, or so help me God, I will commit seppuku!"

Inari looked at Rosuto and the determined look in his eyes. He had always been a fragile, but good-hearted boy. He had discovered him in his late night training sessions, searching for food. Then, he had a desperate, almost hopeless stare, but now, his eyes showed courage, and immense amounts of hope and faith.

"How can I deny you now, knowing all of what you told me?" Inari asked, a smile creeping upon his face. "You shall accompany both Adaha and I, as we will need your 'honorable' skills."

Rosuto eyes widen and soon, laughter shot from his mouth, "Yes! I finally get to go on an adventure! And one with a cute girl, no less…" his voice trailed off, his sights being set upon the sleeping Adaha. Inari turned his direction towards his rescuer as well. Had she known that there was this…demon or some type of force locked within her? If she had, she would have been obviously able to escape those dirty bums when they had first encountered one another…but still…more importantly…why was this force sealed inside of her? Why was it bound to her…there must be some type of purpose for it to lock in Adaha's soul, and her soul alone.

With his thoughts twirling inside of his mind, he did not notice the small moan escape the spirit holder's lips. He also didn't notice the sweat that had been on her forehead was now swirling the top of her head, zigzagging in a weird patterns.

"Inari!" his mother breathed to him, to amazed to yell. Inari snapped out of his trance and looked up and automatically noticed the pattern of the water was not just designs but actual words, a message from the creature that lurked within Adaha.

The strokes of the water came in rapid succession, so Inari was able to actually comprehend the letters and strung them along as words. At the end of the message, when the sweat had been placed back upon Adaha's head, he had read: Wake the girl up. She has rested. Start your journey tomorrow morning.

Well that's rather early, but I guess its' orders overrules our judgment. Inari thought logically, knowing the force within her was calling all the shots. Inari slowly walked towards Adaha's bedside and petted her head, twisting her locks of his hair with his fingers. She looked in so much pain…maybe waking her up from that woe and nightmare perhaps could make her feel better.

"Adaha…it's me, Inari…" he trailed off softly, barely letting any sound come from his mouth. "You need to wake up, or we can't go on that journey you promised. You probably don't need an adventure…you've been on so many dangerous ones before, haven't you? Escaping policemen and enraged or perverted hobos…your life is or was very similar to mine. Just like Rosuto, Haiki, Nokosu, and me…you have had your hardships…but if you don't wake up, you won't be able to triumph over them. So, I believe it best for you to wake, as your life and true dreams await you."

His pleasant speech was awarded by Adaha's eyes slowly opening; her silver eyes lazily curious as to what woke her up. Her face no longer held pain, rather a tired expression. She glanced over in Inari's direction and slowly said, "Is it…true? Am I…really…a water spirit?"

Inari looked at her, confused. Perhaps she had visions and other sorts of mishaps in her sleep for her to ask such a question, those being her first words out of her mouth for some time. Inari simply smiled and stated, "I'm not sure if that's true, but we have a journey starting tomorrow. Will need to prepare. Al I know is something lurks inside you, and the Hokage must know."

Adaha looked at him with some type of disappointment and looked away. Maybe she had wanted him to say she was not, and it was all just a horrible dream that she had concocted from her mind. But it wasn't. She would have to accept her fate and live with it. Yet, perhaps she wouldn't have to live with her burden alone. She of course had him and Rosuto in the beginning of their journey, and who knew of who was to come along in the process. All he knew is that she had him, and that she would be his mission: to save her from destiny and its fate.

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Crystal Inferno: Muwahahahaha! I finished my chapter! Yeah for sugar rushes! Okay, I'm glad that I'm giving Rosuto the samurai trait; he seems to me like that kind of guy (and in my mind, he reminds me of Kenshin!) I got the idea from Hara-kiri Penguin, just by looking at her name! Thank you for the (unintentional) inspiration! Review, as it would be most appreciated, and helps me to keep writing! So, see you guys soon and Adios!