AN: Real life may call, but no one said I had to answer! Actually, I've just been hit with inspiration. The muse Calliope has been kind. :)

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Chapter 6

In which Captain Shino is featured

Captain Shino trudged through the desert with his bandit hunting squad behind him. Shukaku had only said to prepare for an attack, but Shino decided to go the extra mile. Not only did he have two squads on high alert back at the village, but he also had his currant squad to help him reconnoiter. Shino may have been the most light-hearted of the Captains, but that didn't mean he was stupid.

They had been searching for about a day, carefully back-tracking Sakura and Shinta's trail. So far they had nothing to show for their efforts.

Abruptly one of his advance scouts crested the dune ahead of him. He jogged up to his Captain, not bothering to conceal his presence.

"Report, scout," Shino tersely commanded. He'd had a long day, and the scout didn't look as if he bore good news.

"I've found the caravan, sir," the scout replied hollowly.

Shino commanded his squad to slit up and go around the dune from three directions, leaving a third behind as backup.

Shino figured there would be something pretty bad beyond the dune, as bandits were not known for their mercy. However, even he was shocked by the sight that greeted his eyes as he walked over the dune.

The attack site appeared blackened and charred. The wagons were ashy husks, while the passengers themselves were barely recognizable as human. One glance was all it took Shino to see that anything useful, any possible clue, had burned away. Several of the younger scouts looked queasy.

"Spread out in a search pattern," Shino ordered. "Keep track of anything out of the ordinary. We're lucky this hasn't been swallowed by the desert."

As his men started their search Shino thought, Shukaku-sama will not be happy to hear about this.

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Shino's thoughts had been correct, Shukaku was not happy.

"So you're telling me that the caravan had been burned, not to the ground, but just enough so that everything was useless. Furthermore, the only trail leading away from the massacre was Sakura's."

"Hai, Shukaku-sama."

"All of this means that no one escaped the freak inferno except Sakura and her brother. Is it just me or does this seem a little suspicious?"

Captain Shino decided that Shukaku didn't really want an answer to that question and stayed quiet.

This exchange took place as Shukaku and Shino strode towards the traveler's quarters. Shukaku had not been able to question Sakura further since she arrived. Akira had been keeping an eye on her, and he hadn't wanted to disturb her after the medic broke the news about her brother to her. Shinta, it seemed, was not getting better.

Now, however, his village was in danger of being attacked by someone with knowledge of fire jutsus. Bandits Shukaku could easily handle. Sneaky ninjas on the other hand …

"Sakura-san, I need to talk to you now!" Shukaku said as he rapped on the door.

"Of course, Shukaku-sama," Sakura said as she opened the door.

Shukaku immediately stormed in with Shino following a safe distance behind.

"Sakura-san, why did you lie to me?" Shukaku said in a voice tinged with anger.

Sakura's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

Shukaku spoke without preamble. "I don't think you were attacked by bandits, Sakura-san. Captain Shino inspected the attack site, the burnt by fire jutsu attack site, and could only find one trail leading away, yours. It also looks as if nothing was stolen. Now, I'm going to ask you to sit down and tell me exactly what happened during the attack." If you could wound with a look, Sakura would have been sent straight to the hospital by Shukaku's current glare.

Faced with that look, Sakura took the only intelligent course of action. She sat down and started talking.

"There were no ninjas involved Shukaku-sama, I swear."

Shukaku continued to glower, but sat down. Sakura took this as a good sign.

"The leader of the caravan knew some jutsus. The bandit attack was a complete surprise. Almost everyone had died before we realized what was going on. I grabbed Shinta and started running when I heard the leader shout something. Everything started burning; Shinta and I were just outside of the blast zone. That's what I meant by no survivors," Sakura finished in a low voice. She stared at the table as she awaited their response.

Shukaku seemed to gather himself. "So, Sakura-san," he said with forced politeness, "you told us of the bandit attack, but neglected to mention that they were probably all dead."

She nodded her head, looking slightly confused.

"Why, by all the stars in heaven and all the sand in the desert, would you leave out that information?" Shukaku hissed between clenched teeth.

Sakura looked absolutely bewildered. "I hadn't realized you would care Shukaku-sama."

"You didn't realize … Of course I care!" Shukaku exploded. "I hear about a bandit attack that leaves only two survivors and you think I won't care! That's enough power to mount an attack on my village! What did you think I would do with that information! I'm more than just the ruler; I'm the ultimate weapon of this village! The last line of defense! Everyone's been on high alert since you arrived, and you're telling me it wasn't necessary!"

Shukaku had stood up during his rant and trembled with barely contained anger. He took several deep breaths and visibly relaxed. He turned to Sakura and said formally, "I apologize for my outburst Sakura-san." He then quickly left the room, leaving behind a saucer-eyed Sakura and Captain Shino. Shino recovered first.

"Whew," he sighed, "he really let loose this time."

"I didn't expect that at all," Sakura commented, still in a daze.

"Yeah," Shino chuckled, "his protective streak usually surprises outsiders. He really cares about everyone in the village." He frowned. "I guess I should scold you for withholding information, but … I think the Wrath of Shukaku is enough punishment," he finished with a smile.

"Yes. But … surely there isn't much danger out here," Sakura observed.

"Unfortunately we're attacked fairly frequently. Oh, but don't worry. Shukaku-sama has always managed to stop them," Shino reassured her.

"Because he's the ultimate weapon?" Sakura asked.

" … Yes, but it's not really my place to tell you about that."

"I see." Sakura nodded decisively. "I'd like to apologize to him," she said, looking at Captain Shino.

"Wait 'til he calms down a little," Shino recommended. At her look of disappointment he added, "I'll take you to him in the morning. He's usually in a good mood after watching the sunrise."

"Thank you Captain Shino," Sakura said bowing. "I would greatly appreciate it."

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AN: Next up, a Bijuu battle!