A strange man dressed in a black cloak entered a dark cave. He climbed down a ladder that went about ten feet. At the bottom of the ladder was a chamber. In the chamber were eight figures, one hanging upside down from the ceiling, others sitting on the countless stalagmites in the cavern.

"Rikugun. You've returned. Where is Gobo?" Asked one figure.

Rikugun seemed to shiver in the figure's presence.

"Lord Sukeruton. I have terrible news. Gobo has been killed."

"What a shame. I was hoping I would be the one who would kill him." Spoke one figure. He had a deformed voice.

"Ssssssemsss that Gobo issssn't asss sssstrong assss he thought." Hissed another.

The figure known as Sukeruton thought for a moment. "Well," he said, "We're going to have to find the one who killed Gobo. Rikugun. I'm partnering you up with Kyūketsuki for now.

The figure hanging on the ceiling jumped down. He licked his lips. "I can't wait to find the one who killed him." He said. "I'm thirsty for blood. Don't slow me down."

Rikugun looked back at Sukeruton. "And if any innocent intervene, my lord?"

A smirk formed on Sukeruton's face. "Crush them." He said. "Crush them all."

Yuki added more pressure to Suigetsu and Juugo's necks.

"Alright!" She said. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way! Where's my brother?"

Suigetsu coughed. "W-we don't know! Honest!"

Juugo spoke. "He's telling the truth! He said something about fighting Danzou, and that's the last we heard from him!"

"Yuki. Juugo is correct. They're telling the truth." Said Bakiri. "Let them go."

Yuki sighed. "Fine." She let go of both Suigetsu and Juugo's necks. "Get out of here. I'm tired of you two."

Suigetsu smirked. "No wonder why Madara is so interested in you. You're Sasuke and Itachi's sister."

In anger, Yuki slammed the ground with her fist. "You shut up!" She shouted. "I said get lost!"

Bakiri walked up to the two men. "I suggest you do what she says, unless you want to die."

Suigetsu gulped. "Ok, ok. We're leaving. But we'll be back." The two men disappeared into clouds of smoke.

"Don't worry." Said Baraki. "We'll find Sasuke. I promise. Now let's go. It's getting late."

"Ok." Said Yuki.

Unbeknownst to Yuki and Baraki, they were being watched.

Kyūketsuki smiled. "So. It was the Akatsuki who killed him. Never thought they could pull it off. Gobo was stupid, though." Kyūketsuki jumped from his perch and his arms turned into giant bat-like wings. "I'd better head back to Rikugun." He flew off toward Otogakure.

Bakiri was lost in thought while he and Yuki headed twoard Konohagakure. Yuki noticed he was acting strange.

"Is everything ok?" She asked. "You're acting a bit strange lately."

"I've been thinking." Said Baraki. "I think it's time."

"What? Already?"

"Yes. I've left her for three years now. I must return."

"For good? Are you staying this time?"

"No." Bakiri stopped in his tracks. "I have something better in mind."

The two came upon a flower garden near the village.

"Wait here." Said Bakiri. He walked through the small flower garden, and came upon a young girl with blonde hair. The girl turned around to face Bakiri. She was frightened.

"Ino-chan. it's ok."

"H-how do you know who I am?" She asked.

Bakiri removed his mask. Underneath was a smile. Tears welled up in Ino's eyes.

"B-Baraki-kun?"

"Yes."

Ino ran up to Bakiri, crying, and kissed him. "I... I can't believe it's you. After three whole years. I thought you were dead!"

"I know. I thought I wouldn't have made it either. But I'm not staying here."

"What? Why not?"

"I'm taking you with me. I'm going to train you for six months."

Ino was confused. "Train me? For what purpose?"

Bakiri pulled out a summoning scroll. The scroll turned into a neatly folded Akatsuki Cloak. Bakiri had a more serious look on his face.

"It's time." He said. "Time for you to come with me."

Rikugun sat in a tall tree near Otogakure. He had just finished ransacking Gobo's house. Suddenly, a bat flew up near his face.

"Vermin." He said. He drew a kunai and threw it at the bat. The bat was impaled against a tree trunk.

A dark figure came up next to Rikugun. "You shouldn't treat bats like that. They might get angry."

It was Kyūketsuki. "I've found out who killed Gobo. It was Akatsuki."

"So," said Rikugun, "They've returned as well. What now?"

"We kill them."