Chapter 6: Saying Goodbye To A Friend? The Journey To Konoha
The four Shadow shinobi where around a little burial plot that they made up for the fact there was no body. Kuniko still laid in Reptile's arms seeming immobilized bare witnessing to her best friends death. Cory almost in the same state with a blank stare as she looked at the grave with Ryuujin's name and Dayu doing his best to hide away his emotions, his whole body shaking; wanting to let out the tears but didn't feel it would be right considering he already blew it earlier. The poorly made grave marking of just some planks of wood with Ryuu's name carved into it stood in view for everyone who may pass. Kareru just stood against a tree watching from a distance at the group who mourned the death of their friend.
Dayu stood there gripping the sheathed Shuurai tightly, he stood with his head lowered his hair draped over his eyes leaving only the center of his face visible. He then attached the sheathed sword to his back, 'Ryuu.I'm sorry.I wish I could had helped you more.' Dayu said to himself as he placed his hands in his pockets waiting till they started on their way.
Kuniko laid with her eyes closed not wanting to see the grave not wanting to believe that Ryuu was really gone from her life. It was the same with Cory-chan but she didn't have the option of keeping her eyes closed and hiding from it, she knew that she had to bare the truth and know that Ryuu was really gone. She then thought the phrase she had heard before was now true, Only The Good Die Young. Reptile stood there holding Kuniko and a clone of Reptile who was really his snake Stephanie, he couldn't carry her because she liked to slither around and was sometimes hard to keep track so to make it easy he made her into a copy of himself.
What Reptile could not see was that Kuniko was now holding Ryuujin's head protector keeping it close to her and was not going to let go of it for anything. 'There is no one else like you Ryuu-kun.' Kuniko thought to herself as she closed her eyes tightly and slightly shaking a bit in Reptiles arms remembering Ryuu's demise.
"Alright.lets get going." Reptile said slowly to everyone that stood around the grave but loud enough for Kareru to hear.
Dayu clenched his fists tightly but took a deep breath and got ready to leave. Cory put one arm over the other looking away from Reptile and the grave, ".o.okay." she said choking out the words with the tears that dripped off her face and down to the ground.
Kareru got all her things gathered back up from the scramble of the battle and then with the grave of Ryuu she had to get everything back together again. With the swordsman Arcane suddenly appearing along with Kareru, Dayu became suddenly suspicious of the young female shinobi. She had no real reason as far as he knew to be with the group, she didn't know either of them and no motive to travel and be around them. Now Dayu was consumed in two different frames of thought, the death of his best friend, and now Kareru and if she had anything to do with the attacks at all.
He then felt that now he was the on in charge to look over everyone else like Reptile and how Ryuujin started too when he was older. Wielding the Shuurai, Dayu felt it was his duty to carry on what Ryuu tried so hard to do, though costing him his life. The group of four shinobi and one mist shinobi all headed out to get to Konoha village so they could proceed in carrying out their mission.
Back In Sand Country.
Amatsu brushed his hair back away from his face letting out a troubled sigh but he got up and started out. He had staid over night in care of some helpful people from the village, Amatsu Mikaboshi though pure evil could be very deceiving and after his battle when he transformed back to normal he made it appear as though he had been badly beaten. His body bloodied bruised and much more, his headband was missing so they did not know what village he originated from which made it easier for them to take him in. They helped patch up his supposed wounds and gave him some food for his stomach before he left the home.
Amatsu now clothed in his original look casually walked down the street some distance from the place he staid until someone had caught his eye. Mikaboshi standing there with his demonic looking sword turned his head to look and found a young man of the village bearing red hair and the kanji symbol for Love on the top left of his forehead with his hair seeming to part away from it. The young mans eyes where dark, Amatsu could see an evil presence inside the boy, and a maddening grin crossed the dragons face. Suddenly Amatsu projected his dragon form off from him that even caught the eye of the boy with one eye growing in interest but the other staying in the calm mood that he projected out for everyone.
The image went away, but Amatsu's grin did not, for he knew whom the boy was, he had heard the description and name of him all too much. Anyone could have red hair and a mark on their forehead, but it was certainly an addition for that person to have a gourd made of sand on his back. Amatsu raised his right hand, then put his middle finger and thumb together then snapping his fingers and behind him the home burst into flames with the people screams echoing through, their pleas for help only made Amatsu's grin grow further. He then turned to the red haired young man, "I suppose you should call upon the other sand shinobi for what I have done.Gaara." Amatsu said in a low tone that was almost demonic.
Gaara stood there with his arms folded, his other eye returning to its calm exterior look. "Or.do you plan on taking me on.Amatsu Mikaboshi." He asked in curiosity as he still stood dead center of him.
"Not my concern." Gaara said coldly looking at the flames that towered into the sky now with black smoke filling the air.
"Hm, I see, well I hope your life will be a concern when you are in the Chuunin exam." Amatsu smirked now waiting for his response.
This seeming threat caught Gaara's ears and interest, as he was waiting to head to Konoha with his companions to take place in the exam. Gaara thought that Amatsu was either very skilled, or very stupid for not only making a death threat but to also ignite a house on fire in the depths of the village where the shinobi's reside. Amatsu didn't really care for an answer as he then proceeded in walking by Gaara with out a care in the world, as he left two sand shinobi came running up, a women with blond spiked hair in four pony tails and a man dressed in all black with an odd object on his back wrapped in bandages and what seemed to be hair sticking from the top. "Gaara did you see who started the fire?" Asked a sudden group of five shinobi who kept their distance from the red haired man.
Gaara simply pointed in the direction where Amatsu was walking off too; after he pointed them in the general direction he folded his arms again. "So Gaara, who was that guy?" asked the man in the black.
"His name was Amatsu Mikaboshi." Gaara answering the question in a slightly annoyed tone but then proceeded in the opposite direction.
A slight worried look came across the man's face, "Kankuro what's the matter?" asked the blond haired girl.
"Amatsu Mikaboshi, from what I have heard of the guy, he was once apart of some elite group of shinobi.an S ranked criminal shinobi's. For some reason though, Amatsu left the group.motives not really known.so Temari any time you run into that guy.don't even attempt to face him.I plan avoiding that man at any cost.as for Gaara.who knows." Said Kankuro as he watched Gaara walk away from the two.
Horrific screams where then heard in the air as a mangled body of a sand shinobi came crashing down with a sick thud at the feet of Temari and Kankuro. The lifeless body simply stared up at the two with an empty expression in his wide eyes and their images could be seen in the dead mans eyes. The two turned instantly away to where Amatsu was, but all that was seen where the corpses of the other four sand shinobi and the god of evil nowhere in site. Blood now filled the air that gave Gaara a slight twinge of the smell that hit his nostrils so suddenly though he was so far away.
Amatsu now hidden away in the shadows simply grinned a sick grin thinking how great everything was going to be with a slight exception of one event he did not plan on. "Uchiha Itachi.Gaara of the Desert.and Orichimaru.all at the Chuunin exams.Haahaaahaaa." He let out a demented laugh, "This will be a very interesting exam."
Amatsu though not definite on his thoughts of the additional two who would be there, he some how knew that they would not pass up such a chance to raise hell on the Konoha. Especially Orichimaru, but he knew that with the task at hand for Itachi it would be all business and nothing more. Amatsu was anticipating the moment when he would get to come face to face with his rival again. "I'm sorry though.that you.brother.could not be around for what I have planned." Amatsu said to himself as he now headed off into the shadows off to Leaf Village.
A Distance From The Grave.
Arcane finally came two under a large group of fallen trees, but with a satisfied look on his face, as he had accomplished the task he set out to do. He pushed the logs off from him, the broken trees fell around him as he sat up from the cold ground. Arcane rubbed the small of his back where he collided with the trees, "Shit.that little bastard packed one hell of a punch when he blew up like that.but heh at least he is dead now." Arcane said with a sick grin.
He put his hands to his side and applied pressure pushing himself up to his feet, "I better get back to Sierra, don't want her to worry." Arcane stepping over the lumber and making his way back to the campsite where Sierra laid resting.
Arcane walked slightly hunched over, but he finally stood straight and a big crack was heard, a sigh of relief came from him, "Ah that feels so much better." He said walking again, but stopped suddenly noticing a shimmering light ahead of him.
He pressed forward and came to what he saw, it was his sword, and "Huh guess I let it go well at least I found it again." Arcane picked the sword from out of the ground and put it back into its sheath.
Arcane came to the little area where Sierra laid resting, he walked right up next to her and sat down on his knees smiling down at her. He leaned forward and lightly kissed her on the lips and leaned back waiting for her to awake. Her eyes fluttered slightly opening slowly gaining focus and as soon as she saw Arcane she shot straight up ignoring the pain and wrapped her arms around him, happy to see he was still alive. "Miss me?" he asked returning the hug.
"Yeah.that and I was worried that you weren't going to return." She said hugging him tighter then before.
They slowly let go of one another, "So feeling better?" Arcane asked in curiosity.
Sierra smiled a bit, "Getting there." She said just relieved to see him by her side again.
The two sat there for a while longer, the swordsman Arcane told her about the whole fight and went on from his point of view. Sierra gave him her full attention listening to it all, and when she heard the situation of the relationship that Arcane noticed between Ryuu and Kuniko, Sierra was able to put herself in place with the girl knowing the pain that she felt, as she thought that the whole time Arcane was away to fight. She just took his hand into hers and listened to Arcane's story. After the story their soon gathered their things and left the area, Sierra convinced Arcane to let her walk, she was feeling better, the initial pain went away over night and other then the wounds she was fine to go on with him.
The Desert Battle Ground.
Kyoushu walked through what was left of the desert holding his ribs, blood trailed from his mouth, one eye squinting slightly but he kept walking on despite what pain he was in. Kage then fell to his knees, "Shit.I can't.keep walking with this injury." He said trying to figure out what he could do to ease the pain.
The Kuragari shinobi wanted to kick himself in the ass for being so stupid as it finally hit him, "I can heal these damn wounds myself, damn Amatsu.got my mind in too many places at once I forgot about what I could do to fix this stupid problem." Kyoushu then began to perform the hand seals and placed his hands on his ribs and controlled his chakra to go to his hands and then heal what damage was done to him.
He climbed back to his feet and took a look at his clothing really quick, noticing that it was torn, bloodied and dirty beyond belief. "Amatsu did a number on me, damn.that guy really is insane, and I never expected all that out of him." He said to himself as he began to walk on preceded into a grassy area with plenty little mountains and hills around.
Kyoushu kept thinking about the match up he had with Amatsu Mikaboshi and how it all went to hell once he transformed, 'That was unreal.I would hate to think that there are others like him.that's all I would need to deal with.two dragons.'he thought as he soon felt a massive serge energy.
"What the hell is that?"
He came out to a clearing seeing a group of people fighting it out, though somewhere down and out for the count. He looked and saw some little kid taking on a big brutish ape with out any hair and looked as if he where on steroids as unnatural as he looked. Also a small looking man off to the side just smirking at the match that was taking place, 'Hm.that guy must be running things.or else he would be fighting not the big guy.' Thought Kyoushu as he watched from a distance.
"TAKE THIS!!!" Yelled the bald idiot as loud as humanly possible.
A massive blast was then emitted from the man's hand and it charged at the little kid who now was cowering in fear of the attack. Kyoushu stood there tapping his foot waiting to see the attack actually hit the stupid kid who wouldn't seem to move. It was like everything was happening in slow motion for Kage as he grew very bored of seeing this sad event take place. Finally though it got interesting as he saw some green man run out towards the boy, 'Hm seems someone finally decided to get that stupid kid out of there.' He thought to himself.
But no, common sense was denied in that situation as the man stood there in front of the blast instead of getting both out of the way. Kyoushu stood there with a dumbfounded look trying to figure out what the hell the point to that was. He just threw his arms in the air and said, "Screw this, I have better things to tend to." He said as he walked away from the battle and then screaming of a person in a great deal of pain.
"God, the biggest display of stupidity ever." Kyoushu said aloud as he now trounced into a forest area now trying to find a decent place to train so he could perfect his techniques and kill Amatsu.
He sat down for a couple a minutes though, as he had been traveling for a good deal of time to get to where he was now, and watching that fight just standing there didn't help him any. His legs where defiantly feeling weak, the rest was well deserved as he placed himself against a tree slowly feeling himself drift off to sleep. Kyoushu decided it be best to get some rest, he folded his left hand over the right and closed his eyes finally going to sleep and slowly regaining what energy he had already lost. The sound of voices could be heard a short distance away from where Kyoushu laid. One voice belonged to a women and the other belonged to a man, he just wondered what they where speaking about and he soon would.
The sound did make his ear twitch slightly, though he felt he should move away to hide himself he was unable to summon up the strength and decided to wait for the two to approach. "You know Arcane you were lucky in that fight." Said the female voice.
"Why do you say that?" asked Arcane.
"Well for one the shadow shinobi did not interfere at least not the one that stopped you once already." She pointed out.
"Sierra even if that guy had jumped in I could still beat him.and that damn snake of his." Arcane responded in an agitated tone.
She ignored that one and jumped on to the next point, "You were also lucky that, that dragon kid didn't tap into his power like he did before when we faced him."
Kyoushu's eyes shot open, 'T-there is another.like HIM!?' he thought to himself, knowing that one was bad enough.
The two happened to stop in front of Kyoushu as Arcane stepped in front of Sierra, "LUCK has nothing to do with it, that stupid kid was weak end of STORY!" he said slightly raising his voice. Kyoushu then glared up at the two but mainly directing towards Arcane, "She is right." The two's attention was caught, especially Arcane's.
"Those dragons are one's not to be taken lightly. They are defiantly a crafty group, I have incinerated one and stabbed him in the place that should had ended his life.but no.and trust me I know each point to go for a good kill.but it didn't kill him.he just got right back up." said Kyoushu with a dead serious look on his face.
"What's your point here? Maybe this just shows you aren't as good as you might think you are stranger." Said Arcane defending himself, thinking this guy was just full of himself.
Kyoushu just shook his head sighing, "Boy.you where lucky trust me, if you did supposedly 'kill' this dragon that you encountered then he allowed you to an."
Before he could say anymore Arcane interrupted him, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW? YOU WERENT THERE!!! HOW CAN YOU JUDGE ME IN ANY SUCH WAY OF WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THE BATTLE WAS WHEN YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ME!!!"
Sierra just looked between these two, she was unsure of what to do as she saw how angered this unknown man made Arcane. "I saw that fucking dragon kid blow up right before my eyes! I KNOW that damn guy is dead and he DID NOT let me!" Arcane trying to tell Kyoushu his side for him to understand.
"I say again kid, he let you, he had it planned out I wouldn't doubt that for a second! They aren't a dumb breed, the one I ran into was a clever one.his skills reach far above anyone that I know, but the one that he spoke of." Spoke Kyoushu who seemed to generate nothing but anger out of Arcane.
A slight bit of curiosity hit Sierra and she stepped into the conversation, "Um.I am curious, who was the man that you ran into and the person who was mentioned?" she asked curiously.
Kyoushu looked over to her and took a moment to remember who it was Amatsu mentioned and it came back to him. "Well the man I faced was Amatsu Mikaboshi." That name sent a chill down Sierra's spine as she awaited the second name.
"The man he claimed to be equal with was uhhh.went by the name Uchiha.something." The second name suddenly escaped his memory.
"Uchiha.I-I-tachi?" Sierra asked in a nervous voice, as Arcane now looked at her curious as they already discussed before but not in that same tone.
"Yeah.that's the one, the guy kept rambling on about how they where rivals and all this other kind of nonsense, but Amatsu does have incredible power and if he IS rivaled with that Itachi guy who ever he might be then that man must also have great power which is hard to believe for two people to have such abilities." Kyoushu said letting out a big yawn.
Sierra had no idea that Amatsu was a dragon like Ryuujin, the whole thought scared her more then knowing of just Amatsu on his own. "Y.you okay Sierra?" asked Arcane feeling slightly worried.
"Arcane.I want you to promise me something." Sierra said in an emotionless voice, her nerves where shot and unable to comprehend knowing what she did now.
"What's that?"
"Never, and I do mean NEVER take on either Itachi or Amatsu, they will KILL you in a heartbeat, they are beyond your level of your swords skills." Said Sierra staring wide-eyed down at the ground.
"Hmph right, like I am going to listen to some rumors and what some beat up guy says. Right." Arcane not convinced by any of this.
Sierra looked straight at him right into his eyes, "They aren't just rumors. Itachi really is the master of his clan's special gift the Sharingan. Amatsu was exiled from his village for his dangerously psychotic behavior and his own advancement in the dark arts. Itachi did kill everyone in his clan leaving only his little brother, hell he could be about as crazy as Amatsu for what he did but I really don't know."
"Yeah I will agree with you there, Amatsu is about as crazy as they come.he has a dark twisted mind and his abilities with the dark elements is disturbing, I don't know how that kid did it but.he did." Kyoushu slightly adjusting himself where he sat.
"Give me the chance and trust me I can beat either one of them. They are still mortal, they can be killed and I will do it and show they are not that tough." Arcane turned his back to them folding his arms feeling confident that he could defeat another Dragon warrior and a Sharingan user.
Kyoushu sat there thinking things through wondering what could be done about all this, how he could defeat Amatsu. He thought it would be better to do it alone, but he might need the additional help for the time being. "Alright, you seem to be a strong and very proud warrior, how about this." Kyoushu struggled getting to his feet letting out a groan of pain once he did.
"Ugh.the three of us join up, we have a mutual enemy these dragon shinobi that have come from no where.there is going to be an exam held in Konoha known as the Chuunin Exam, with out a doubt I bet our enemies will be taking part in this match up." Kyoushu stood against the tree holding his side.
"Pfff I have no reason to take part in such an exam, I don't need to prove myself to anyone, besides my enemy is dead. Nough said." Arcane not wanting to fallow this unknown man anywhere, he was sure that his enemy was no longer of the land of the living.
"You are one stubborn s.o.b. but sometimes the stubborn ones are the best, or maybe just stupid who knows. But trust me, with our combined efforts I am sure we can eliminate these dragons once and for all, nobody deserves such abilities as theirs. I am curious, what was the name of the boy who you faced?" Kyoushu asked now changing the subject slightly.
"Don't really remember, didn't care TO remember." Stated Arcane.
"He said his name was Ryuujin of the Ryu clan." Sierra spoke up letting her presence be known.
Kyoushu stood there for a moment thinking it all out, wondering if that clan name sounded familiar in anyway at all. His eyes then grew sharp, fists now clenched tightly even the one holding his side, his anger was at a boiling point, Sierra and Arcane just looked at the man then Sierra asked, "Is the name familiar?"
With his thumb and index finger he rubbed the temples of his head and took a deep breath to calm himself. "No, not the boys name.but the clans is very familiar to me."
"How is that?" Sierra asked in general curiosity on how he did know the clan.
Kyoushu slammed his fist against the tree, "I should had known.Damnit!" he hit the tree once more ignoring Sierra's question.
"Well, how is the clan name familiar?" Sierra restating the question wondering what he knew of the clan.
"It's not important, what has gone on in my past is something that you do not need to know, as I don't need to know of yours." Stated Kyoushu. "Alright, listen in order for us to enter into the Chuunin exam a team of three is needed, that's why I need the two of you, it works out better considering you two have run into a member of the Ryu clan. Also, along the way we will need to train till we get to Konoha."
Arcane put his arms across his chest in an 'x' form and threw them to his side, "WHOA!" he protest with anger in his voice. "Where do you get off, telling US what we are going to be doing? What gives you that right?" he asked as he grabbed the neck of Kyoushu's coming face to face with him.
Before Arcane could do anything he found himself flying face first into the ground and a foot planted into his back with the tip of a sword right into the back of his neck. Sierra scrambled to reach for her kunai's, but before she should prepare to attack a sword was pointed right at her. Kyoushu knelt there with his foot planted into Arcane's back his first sword drawn on Arcane's back and his second blade pointing right at Sierra, "This is why." He said in a cold tone, "You have a lot to learn boy.you try and be calm and cool.but it is ruined as soon as someone shows a strength either equal to yours or greater. Here I.have beaten you and I am still injured with out any rest, I think I have proven that my abilities are greater then your own!" Kyoushu applying pressure into Arcane's back with his last two sentences.
"." Arcane was in a bad spot and even he knew that he had to admit defeat to this guy.
"Now.here I am offering to train the two of you, I doubt you would want to refuse such a thing especially now after I have both of you beaten." Said Kyoushu as his eye brow slightly twitched and his second sword turned and he placed the blade facing his back.
The first Sierra that he was pointing at had just disappeared and he now had his blade pointed right for the real Sierra. "I am truly not someone to be taken for a fool." Kyoushu stated looking between the two.
"Fine.we will go with you."
Outside Mist Village
The shinobi of Shadow Village now approached Mist Village, where their report said the group from Konoha Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura and Hatake Kakashi. Reptile looked out to see a completed bridge that he believed shouldn't had been just yet but he wasn't about to question it. He let out a sigh as he knelt down and motioned for his clone to come over to him, his clone that was really Stephanie his snake knelt beside him, "Roll up the sleeping bag and place it down for me." Reptile instructed her as she did what he said and placed the sleeping back on the ground.
Reptile then laid Kuniko down on the ground her head set on the sleeping bag as a pillow. It had been a week sense Ryuujin's death, and her condition had still not changed. Cory-chan had slowly become herself again but slowly, as she conflicted with her personal feelings and the feelings a shinobi should have in blocking it out. Dayu only grew cold and angry, he felt partially responsible for his friend's demise, and he strived to grow stronger to hopefully meet up Arcane and avenge his friend's death. Reptile was worried about the mental conditions of Kuniko and Dayu, once completely distant and shut out from people, the other bitter and angry snapping quickly at those who got on his nerves even a little bit.
With the shadow shinobi the way they where it made it difficult for Kareru to interact with any of them and it seemed that her and Dayu where the main source of fighting. Dayu had also become very distrustful and it was all directed at Kareru who had only just joined the group a week ago. Reptile tried talking to him about the situation but he could not get through to him, he was being to thick headed and all Dayu did now was train so it made it just as difficult. "Listen guys there is a contact in town here that I need to seek out and speak to about our mission, you all wait here for me and PLEASE try and get along." Said Reptile who then undid the clone on Stephanie and had picked her up and placed her onto his shoulders so she could rest for a bit.
Dayu unsheathed Ryuu's sword, the Shuurai and began practicing with it. Swinging the blade up and down and then left to right trying different angled strikes with it to get it all down. Cory walked over and sat by Kuniko just to be there incase she snapped out of the state she was in and needed something. Kareru sat at the area over looking the village, "So Kareru, why DO you ware those bandages on your face?" asked Dayu in the middle of swinging the sword making it ding against a tree.
An annoyed sight was heard from Kareru, "Why do you always asked that stupid question?"
"It's not a stupid question, what are you hiding?"
"Your right, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people." She said looking over her shoulder glaring right at Dayu to hopefully get him to shut up about it.
"Now, now guys why must you have such pity fights." Said a familiar voice walking up to the group.
Cory's eyes grew wide as her head bolted to the person along with Dayu.
Meanwhile.
Reptile leapt through the tree's the leaf's brushing by him as he sped forward to get to the home where he though the group from Konoha might be. 'Hm I hope this town is close, didn't seem to far from the spot overlooking the bridge.' He thought to himself as he finally found himself outside of the little village.
He pulled the envelope from his side pocket with all the data and found the address of the home to hopefully find the people they are to protect. "Okay there it is, now just gotta get there with out scaring to many people." Reptile placing the folder back into his pocket and leapt off into the air and now went from roof top to roof top getting closer and closer to his destination.
The shadow shinobi had then landed down in front of the home, "Well this is the place." He said walking up to the door and knocked three times.
Reptile was then greeted by a young boy in a hat with a bit of his hair coming out from beneath the hat. The boy was unsure what to think, the appearance of this man wasn't normal and with Stephanie around Reptiles neck his appearance defiantly seemed threatening due to the size of his snake. "W-who are y-you?" the boy asked in a nervous voice.
Reptile had wondered why the boy seemed scared of him, and then looked to his left shoulder remembering Stephanie was there just relaxing, "Oh heh don't worry about her she's a sweetheart never bitten anyone that didn't make her feel she was in danger." He assured the young boy.
"Now, uh I am curious are there by any chance some leaf shinobi here one by the name of Hatake Kakashi?" Reptile asked of curiosity.
The boy still seemingly scared by Stephanie just deftly shook his head 'No' to answer the question. Reptile scratched his chin thinking for a quick moment, "Okay well thank you for your time." Said Reptile with a smile and then turned and leaped off heading back to camp.
"Inari who was that?" Asked a women's voice.
He stood there for a moment and then shook his head clearing his mind, "Some guy with a really big snake." Answered Inari.
Back at the camp site.
There stood Ryuujin looking healthier then ever with a big smile on his face, his cloths still the same, no cut marks or any sign of damage. Cory ran up to him and gave him a big hug, "Im so glad you are alive!" she said happily, as she then pulled out from the hug slapped him as hard as possible right across the cheek now leaving a red mark, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE PUT US THROUGH!?...but its good to see you." She said smiling.
Ryuu rubbing the side of his face, "Heh yeah, I guess I did deserve that, and it's good to see you to Cory-chan." He said still smiling as he rubbed away the red mark.
Dayu didn't know what to believe, he couldn't understand how Ryuu was standing there before them. He gripped the hilt of the Shuurai turning the blade towards his back and walked right up to Ryuujin. Narrowing his eyes Dayu then slammed the hilt right into Ryuu's stomach causing him to lean forward a bit coughing. "You asshole." Dayu said simply as he turned and walked away going right back to practicing with the sword not even caring to ask if Ryuu wanted his sword back.
"God, I sure hope that when Reptile gets here he doesn't have Stephanie eat me right up." Ryuujin rubbing his stomach catching his breath.
"Well Ryuu, after what we thought happened to you, Kuniko pretty much seemed to leave with you, you know that Dayu has been there for her ever sense they were children. I really don't blame him for being so upset with you." Explained Cory who walked up next to Ryuu watching Dayu go back to his sword work.
"Yeah.I know.so she is really out of it?" Ryuu asked as he turned to where she laid.
"Yup, we tried to get her out of it, but nothing worked." Cory looking slightly worried of Kuniko's condition.
"Hm, well.maybe she just needs a kiss from her prince charming." Ryuu said smiling at Cory as he walked over to the sleep Kuniko.
Ryuu sat on his knee's looking at the sleeping Kuniko, he noticed that she was still holding onto his forehead protector as he traced a finger of her hand. "She wouldn't let go of it, not for anything." Said Cory-chan.
He then moved his hand away from hers and brushed aside some strands of hair that where draped across her forehead. Ryuujin then knelt forward and gently kissed her on the lips. Leaning back slightly he then said in a soft and kind voice, "Kuniko-chan its me Ryuu-kun."
Ryuu suddenly found Kuniko's arms wrapped around his neck hugging him tightly. "R-ry-ryuu-kun I t-hough y-you died!?" Kuniko sobbing into his chest holding onto him tightly.
"No, I was just injured pretty badly and had recovered the past week." Ryuu wrapping his own arms around her.
"But, then how did you know where to find us? I didn't even think you looked at the mission folder?" Cory-chan wondered in curiosity as she approached the two folding her arms over her chest.
Dayu was also hit with a bit of curiosity with her question to Ryuu. "Yeah, I checked it out during breakfast before we where attacked by that guy." He responded as he rubbed Kuniko's back soothingly to help calm her down a bit.
Cory and Dayu looked at one another with an unsure look, Cory didn't recall him looking at the folder then. At least she didn't think he had, though even that morning was a little hectic. Dayu sheathed his sword just looking at Ryuu then Kuniko who still had her face barried, 'Kuniko...I hope you will be happy now that he is back.' He thought to himself as he then sat down to take a break.
Kareru just sat in silence with out a word being said about the whole situation. Reptile was finally soon getting back to camp to report the news to the rest of the group.
The four Shadow shinobi where around a little burial plot that they made up for the fact there was no body. Kuniko still laid in Reptile's arms seeming immobilized bare witnessing to her best friends death. Cory almost in the same state with a blank stare as she looked at the grave with Ryuujin's name and Dayu doing his best to hide away his emotions, his whole body shaking; wanting to let out the tears but didn't feel it would be right considering he already blew it earlier. The poorly made grave marking of just some planks of wood with Ryuu's name carved into it stood in view for everyone who may pass. Kareru just stood against a tree watching from a distance at the group who mourned the death of their friend.
Dayu stood there gripping the sheathed Shuurai tightly, he stood with his head lowered his hair draped over his eyes leaving only the center of his face visible. He then attached the sheathed sword to his back, 'Ryuu.I'm sorry.I wish I could had helped you more.' Dayu said to himself as he placed his hands in his pockets waiting till they started on their way.
Kuniko laid with her eyes closed not wanting to see the grave not wanting to believe that Ryuu was really gone from her life. It was the same with Cory-chan but she didn't have the option of keeping her eyes closed and hiding from it, she knew that she had to bare the truth and know that Ryuu was really gone. She then thought the phrase she had heard before was now true, Only The Good Die Young. Reptile stood there holding Kuniko and a clone of Reptile who was really his snake Stephanie, he couldn't carry her because she liked to slither around and was sometimes hard to keep track so to make it easy he made her into a copy of himself.
What Reptile could not see was that Kuniko was now holding Ryuujin's head protector keeping it close to her and was not going to let go of it for anything. 'There is no one else like you Ryuu-kun.' Kuniko thought to herself as she closed her eyes tightly and slightly shaking a bit in Reptiles arms remembering Ryuu's demise.
"Alright.lets get going." Reptile said slowly to everyone that stood around the grave but loud enough for Kareru to hear.
Dayu clenched his fists tightly but took a deep breath and got ready to leave. Cory put one arm over the other looking away from Reptile and the grave, ".o.okay." she said choking out the words with the tears that dripped off her face and down to the ground.
Kareru got all her things gathered back up from the scramble of the battle and then with the grave of Ryuu she had to get everything back together again. With the swordsman Arcane suddenly appearing along with Kareru, Dayu became suddenly suspicious of the young female shinobi. She had no real reason as far as he knew to be with the group, she didn't know either of them and no motive to travel and be around them. Now Dayu was consumed in two different frames of thought, the death of his best friend, and now Kareru and if she had anything to do with the attacks at all.
He then felt that now he was the on in charge to look over everyone else like Reptile and how Ryuujin started too when he was older. Wielding the Shuurai, Dayu felt it was his duty to carry on what Ryuu tried so hard to do, though costing him his life. The group of four shinobi and one mist shinobi all headed out to get to Konoha village so they could proceed in carrying out their mission.
Back In Sand Country.
Amatsu brushed his hair back away from his face letting out a troubled sigh but he got up and started out. He had staid over night in care of some helpful people from the village, Amatsu Mikaboshi though pure evil could be very deceiving and after his battle when he transformed back to normal he made it appear as though he had been badly beaten. His body bloodied bruised and much more, his headband was missing so they did not know what village he originated from which made it easier for them to take him in. They helped patch up his supposed wounds and gave him some food for his stomach before he left the home.
Amatsu now clothed in his original look casually walked down the street some distance from the place he staid until someone had caught his eye. Mikaboshi standing there with his demonic looking sword turned his head to look and found a young man of the village bearing red hair and the kanji symbol for Love on the top left of his forehead with his hair seeming to part away from it. The young mans eyes where dark, Amatsu could see an evil presence inside the boy, and a maddening grin crossed the dragons face. Suddenly Amatsu projected his dragon form off from him that even caught the eye of the boy with one eye growing in interest but the other staying in the calm mood that he projected out for everyone.
The image went away, but Amatsu's grin did not, for he knew whom the boy was, he had heard the description and name of him all too much. Anyone could have red hair and a mark on their forehead, but it was certainly an addition for that person to have a gourd made of sand on his back. Amatsu raised his right hand, then put his middle finger and thumb together then snapping his fingers and behind him the home burst into flames with the people screams echoing through, their pleas for help only made Amatsu's grin grow further. He then turned to the red haired young man, "I suppose you should call upon the other sand shinobi for what I have done.Gaara." Amatsu said in a low tone that was almost demonic.
Gaara stood there with his arms folded, his other eye returning to its calm exterior look. "Or.do you plan on taking me on.Amatsu Mikaboshi." He asked in curiosity as he still stood dead center of him.
"Not my concern." Gaara said coldly looking at the flames that towered into the sky now with black smoke filling the air.
"Hm, I see, well I hope your life will be a concern when you are in the Chuunin exam." Amatsu smirked now waiting for his response.
This seeming threat caught Gaara's ears and interest, as he was waiting to head to Konoha with his companions to take place in the exam. Gaara thought that Amatsu was either very skilled, or very stupid for not only making a death threat but to also ignite a house on fire in the depths of the village where the shinobi's reside. Amatsu didn't really care for an answer as he then proceeded in walking by Gaara with out a care in the world, as he left two sand shinobi came running up, a women with blond spiked hair in four pony tails and a man dressed in all black with an odd object on his back wrapped in bandages and what seemed to be hair sticking from the top. "Gaara did you see who started the fire?" Asked a sudden group of five shinobi who kept their distance from the red haired man.
Gaara simply pointed in the direction where Amatsu was walking off too; after he pointed them in the general direction he folded his arms again. "So Gaara, who was that guy?" asked the man in the black.
"His name was Amatsu Mikaboshi." Gaara answering the question in a slightly annoyed tone but then proceeded in the opposite direction.
A slight worried look came across the man's face, "Kankuro what's the matter?" asked the blond haired girl.
"Amatsu Mikaboshi, from what I have heard of the guy, he was once apart of some elite group of shinobi.an S ranked criminal shinobi's. For some reason though, Amatsu left the group.motives not really known.so Temari any time you run into that guy.don't even attempt to face him.I plan avoiding that man at any cost.as for Gaara.who knows." Said Kankuro as he watched Gaara walk away from the two.
Horrific screams where then heard in the air as a mangled body of a sand shinobi came crashing down with a sick thud at the feet of Temari and Kankuro. The lifeless body simply stared up at the two with an empty expression in his wide eyes and their images could be seen in the dead mans eyes. The two turned instantly away to where Amatsu was, but all that was seen where the corpses of the other four sand shinobi and the god of evil nowhere in site. Blood now filled the air that gave Gaara a slight twinge of the smell that hit his nostrils so suddenly though he was so far away.
Amatsu now hidden away in the shadows simply grinned a sick grin thinking how great everything was going to be with a slight exception of one event he did not plan on. "Uchiha Itachi.Gaara of the Desert.and Orichimaru.all at the Chuunin exams.Haahaaahaaa." He let out a demented laugh, "This will be a very interesting exam."
Amatsu though not definite on his thoughts of the additional two who would be there, he some how knew that they would not pass up such a chance to raise hell on the Konoha. Especially Orichimaru, but he knew that with the task at hand for Itachi it would be all business and nothing more. Amatsu was anticipating the moment when he would get to come face to face with his rival again. "I'm sorry though.that you.brother.could not be around for what I have planned." Amatsu said to himself as he now headed off into the shadows off to Leaf Village.
A Distance From The Grave.
Arcane finally came two under a large group of fallen trees, but with a satisfied look on his face, as he had accomplished the task he set out to do. He pushed the logs off from him, the broken trees fell around him as he sat up from the cold ground. Arcane rubbed the small of his back where he collided with the trees, "Shit.that little bastard packed one hell of a punch when he blew up like that.but heh at least he is dead now." Arcane said with a sick grin.
He put his hands to his side and applied pressure pushing himself up to his feet, "I better get back to Sierra, don't want her to worry." Arcane stepping over the lumber and making his way back to the campsite where Sierra laid resting.
Arcane walked slightly hunched over, but he finally stood straight and a big crack was heard, a sigh of relief came from him, "Ah that feels so much better." He said walking again, but stopped suddenly noticing a shimmering light ahead of him.
He pressed forward and came to what he saw, it was his sword, and "Huh guess I let it go well at least I found it again." Arcane picked the sword from out of the ground and put it back into its sheath.
Arcane came to the little area where Sierra laid resting, he walked right up next to her and sat down on his knees smiling down at her. He leaned forward and lightly kissed her on the lips and leaned back waiting for her to awake. Her eyes fluttered slightly opening slowly gaining focus and as soon as she saw Arcane she shot straight up ignoring the pain and wrapped her arms around him, happy to see he was still alive. "Miss me?" he asked returning the hug.
"Yeah.that and I was worried that you weren't going to return." She said hugging him tighter then before.
They slowly let go of one another, "So feeling better?" Arcane asked in curiosity.
Sierra smiled a bit, "Getting there." She said just relieved to see him by her side again.
The two sat there for a while longer, the swordsman Arcane told her about the whole fight and went on from his point of view. Sierra gave him her full attention listening to it all, and when she heard the situation of the relationship that Arcane noticed between Ryuu and Kuniko, Sierra was able to put herself in place with the girl knowing the pain that she felt, as she thought that the whole time Arcane was away to fight. She just took his hand into hers and listened to Arcane's story. After the story their soon gathered their things and left the area, Sierra convinced Arcane to let her walk, she was feeling better, the initial pain went away over night and other then the wounds she was fine to go on with him.
The Desert Battle Ground.
Kyoushu walked through what was left of the desert holding his ribs, blood trailed from his mouth, one eye squinting slightly but he kept walking on despite what pain he was in. Kage then fell to his knees, "Shit.I can't.keep walking with this injury." He said trying to figure out what he could do to ease the pain.
The Kuragari shinobi wanted to kick himself in the ass for being so stupid as it finally hit him, "I can heal these damn wounds myself, damn Amatsu.got my mind in too many places at once I forgot about what I could do to fix this stupid problem." Kyoushu then began to perform the hand seals and placed his hands on his ribs and controlled his chakra to go to his hands and then heal what damage was done to him.
He climbed back to his feet and took a look at his clothing really quick, noticing that it was torn, bloodied and dirty beyond belief. "Amatsu did a number on me, damn.that guy really is insane, and I never expected all that out of him." He said to himself as he began to walk on preceded into a grassy area with plenty little mountains and hills around.
Kyoushu kept thinking about the match up he had with Amatsu Mikaboshi and how it all went to hell once he transformed, 'That was unreal.I would hate to think that there are others like him.that's all I would need to deal with.two dragons.'he thought as he soon felt a massive serge energy.
"What the hell is that?"
He came out to a clearing seeing a group of people fighting it out, though somewhere down and out for the count. He looked and saw some little kid taking on a big brutish ape with out any hair and looked as if he where on steroids as unnatural as he looked. Also a small looking man off to the side just smirking at the match that was taking place, 'Hm.that guy must be running things.or else he would be fighting not the big guy.' Thought Kyoushu as he watched from a distance.
"TAKE THIS!!!" Yelled the bald idiot as loud as humanly possible.
A massive blast was then emitted from the man's hand and it charged at the little kid who now was cowering in fear of the attack. Kyoushu stood there tapping his foot waiting to see the attack actually hit the stupid kid who wouldn't seem to move. It was like everything was happening in slow motion for Kage as he grew very bored of seeing this sad event take place. Finally though it got interesting as he saw some green man run out towards the boy, 'Hm seems someone finally decided to get that stupid kid out of there.' He thought to himself.
But no, common sense was denied in that situation as the man stood there in front of the blast instead of getting both out of the way. Kyoushu stood there with a dumbfounded look trying to figure out what the hell the point to that was. He just threw his arms in the air and said, "Screw this, I have better things to tend to." He said as he walked away from the battle and then screaming of a person in a great deal of pain.
"God, the biggest display of stupidity ever." Kyoushu said aloud as he now trounced into a forest area now trying to find a decent place to train so he could perfect his techniques and kill Amatsu.
He sat down for a couple a minutes though, as he had been traveling for a good deal of time to get to where he was now, and watching that fight just standing there didn't help him any. His legs where defiantly feeling weak, the rest was well deserved as he placed himself against a tree slowly feeling himself drift off to sleep. Kyoushu decided it be best to get some rest, he folded his left hand over the right and closed his eyes finally going to sleep and slowly regaining what energy he had already lost. The sound of voices could be heard a short distance away from where Kyoushu laid. One voice belonged to a women and the other belonged to a man, he just wondered what they where speaking about and he soon would.
The sound did make his ear twitch slightly, though he felt he should move away to hide himself he was unable to summon up the strength and decided to wait for the two to approach. "You know Arcane you were lucky in that fight." Said the female voice.
"Why do you say that?" asked Arcane.
"Well for one the shadow shinobi did not interfere at least not the one that stopped you once already." She pointed out.
"Sierra even if that guy had jumped in I could still beat him.and that damn snake of his." Arcane responded in an agitated tone.
She ignored that one and jumped on to the next point, "You were also lucky that, that dragon kid didn't tap into his power like he did before when we faced him."
Kyoushu's eyes shot open, 'T-there is another.like HIM!?' he thought to himself, knowing that one was bad enough.
The two happened to stop in front of Kyoushu as Arcane stepped in front of Sierra, "LUCK has nothing to do with it, that stupid kid was weak end of STORY!" he said slightly raising his voice. Kyoushu then glared up at the two but mainly directing towards Arcane, "She is right." The two's attention was caught, especially Arcane's.
"Those dragons are one's not to be taken lightly. They are defiantly a crafty group, I have incinerated one and stabbed him in the place that should had ended his life.but no.and trust me I know each point to go for a good kill.but it didn't kill him.he just got right back up." said Kyoushu with a dead serious look on his face.
"What's your point here? Maybe this just shows you aren't as good as you might think you are stranger." Said Arcane defending himself, thinking this guy was just full of himself.
Kyoushu just shook his head sighing, "Boy.you where lucky trust me, if you did supposedly 'kill' this dragon that you encountered then he allowed you to an."
Before he could say anymore Arcane interrupted him, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW? YOU WERENT THERE!!! HOW CAN YOU JUDGE ME IN ANY SUCH WAY OF WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THE BATTLE WAS WHEN YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ME!!!"
Sierra just looked between these two, she was unsure of what to do as she saw how angered this unknown man made Arcane. "I saw that fucking dragon kid blow up right before my eyes! I KNOW that damn guy is dead and he DID NOT let me!" Arcane trying to tell Kyoushu his side for him to understand.
"I say again kid, he let you, he had it planned out I wouldn't doubt that for a second! They aren't a dumb breed, the one I ran into was a clever one.his skills reach far above anyone that I know, but the one that he spoke of." Spoke Kyoushu who seemed to generate nothing but anger out of Arcane.
A slight bit of curiosity hit Sierra and she stepped into the conversation, "Um.I am curious, who was the man that you ran into and the person who was mentioned?" she asked curiously.
Kyoushu looked over to her and took a moment to remember who it was Amatsu mentioned and it came back to him. "Well the man I faced was Amatsu Mikaboshi." That name sent a chill down Sierra's spine as she awaited the second name.
"The man he claimed to be equal with was uhhh.went by the name Uchiha.something." The second name suddenly escaped his memory.
"Uchiha.I-I-tachi?" Sierra asked in a nervous voice, as Arcane now looked at her curious as they already discussed before but not in that same tone.
"Yeah.that's the one, the guy kept rambling on about how they where rivals and all this other kind of nonsense, but Amatsu does have incredible power and if he IS rivaled with that Itachi guy who ever he might be then that man must also have great power which is hard to believe for two people to have such abilities." Kyoushu said letting out a big yawn.
Sierra had no idea that Amatsu was a dragon like Ryuujin, the whole thought scared her more then knowing of just Amatsu on his own. "Y.you okay Sierra?" asked Arcane feeling slightly worried.
"Arcane.I want you to promise me something." Sierra said in an emotionless voice, her nerves where shot and unable to comprehend knowing what she did now.
"What's that?"
"Never, and I do mean NEVER take on either Itachi or Amatsu, they will KILL you in a heartbeat, they are beyond your level of your swords skills." Said Sierra staring wide-eyed down at the ground.
"Hmph right, like I am going to listen to some rumors and what some beat up guy says. Right." Arcane not convinced by any of this.
Sierra looked straight at him right into his eyes, "They aren't just rumors. Itachi really is the master of his clan's special gift the Sharingan. Amatsu was exiled from his village for his dangerously psychotic behavior and his own advancement in the dark arts. Itachi did kill everyone in his clan leaving only his little brother, hell he could be about as crazy as Amatsu for what he did but I really don't know."
"Yeah I will agree with you there, Amatsu is about as crazy as they come.he has a dark twisted mind and his abilities with the dark elements is disturbing, I don't know how that kid did it but.he did." Kyoushu slightly adjusting himself where he sat.
"Give me the chance and trust me I can beat either one of them. They are still mortal, they can be killed and I will do it and show they are not that tough." Arcane turned his back to them folding his arms feeling confident that he could defeat another Dragon warrior and a Sharingan user.
Kyoushu sat there thinking things through wondering what could be done about all this, how he could defeat Amatsu. He thought it would be better to do it alone, but he might need the additional help for the time being. "Alright, you seem to be a strong and very proud warrior, how about this." Kyoushu struggled getting to his feet letting out a groan of pain once he did.
"Ugh.the three of us join up, we have a mutual enemy these dragon shinobi that have come from no where.there is going to be an exam held in Konoha known as the Chuunin Exam, with out a doubt I bet our enemies will be taking part in this match up." Kyoushu stood against the tree holding his side.
"Pfff I have no reason to take part in such an exam, I don't need to prove myself to anyone, besides my enemy is dead. Nough said." Arcane not wanting to fallow this unknown man anywhere, he was sure that his enemy was no longer of the land of the living.
"You are one stubborn s.o.b. but sometimes the stubborn ones are the best, or maybe just stupid who knows. But trust me, with our combined efforts I am sure we can eliminate these dragons once and for all, nobody deserves such abilities as theirs. I am curious, what was the name of the boy who you faced?" Kyoushu asked now changing the subject slightly.
"Don't really remember, didn't care TO remember." Stated Arcane.
"He said his name was Ryuujin of the Ryu clan." Sierra spoke up letting her presence be known.
Kyoushu stood there for a moment thinking it all out, wondering if that clan name sounded familiar in anyway at all. His eyes then grew sharp, fists now clenched tightly even the one holding his side, his anger was at a boiling point, Sierra and Arcane just looked at the man then Sierra asked, "Is the name familiar?"
With his thumb and index finger he rubbed the temples of his head and took a deep breath to calm himself. "No, not the boys name.but the clans is very familiar to me."
"How is that?" Sierra asked in general curiosity on how he did know the clan.
Kyoushu slammed his fist against the tree, "I should had known.Damnit!" he hit the tree once more ignoring Sierra's question.
"Well, how is the clan name familiar?" Sierra restating the question wondering what he knew of the clan.
"It's not important, what has gone on in my past is something that you do not need to know, as I don't need to know of yours." Stated Kyoushu. "Alright, listen in order for us to enter into the Chuunin exam a team of three is needed, that's why I need the two of you, it works out better considering you two have run into a member of the Ryu clan. Also, along the way we will need to train till we get to Konoha."
Arcane put his arms across his chest in an 'x' form and threw them to his side, "WHOA!" he protest with anger in his voice. "Where do you get off, telling US what we are going to be doing? What gives you that right?" he asked as he grabbed the neck of Kyoushu's coming face to face with him.
Before Arcane could do anything he found himself flying face first into the ground and a foot planted into his back with the tip of a sword right into the back of his neck. Sierra scrambled to reach for her kunai's, but before she should prepare to attack a sword was pointed right at her. Kyoushu knelt there with his foot planted into Arcane's back his first sword drawn on Arcane's back and his second blade pointing right at Sierra, "This is why." He said in a cold tone, "You have a lot to learn boy.you try and be calm and cool.but it is ruined as soon as someone shows a strength either equal to yours or greater. Here I.have beaten you and I am still injured with out any rest, I think I have proven that my abilities are greater then your own!" Kyoushu applying pressure into Arcane's back with his last two sentences.
"." Arcane was in a bad spot and even he knew that he had to admit defeat to this guy.
"Now.here I am offering to train the two of you, I doubt you would want to refuse such a thing especially now after I have both of you beaten." Said Kyoushu as his eye brow slightly twitched and his second sword turned and he placed the blade facing his back.
The first Sierra that he was pointing at had just disappeared and he now had his blade pointed right for the real Sierra. "I am truly not someone to be taken for a fool." Kyoushu stated looking between the two.
"Fine.we will go with you."
Outside Mist Village
The shinobi of Shadow Village now approached Mist Village, where their report said the group from Konoha Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura and Hatake Kakashi. Reptile looked out to see a completed bridge that he believed shouldn't had been just yet but he wasn't about to question it. He let out a sigh as he knelt down and motioned for his clone to come over to him, his clone that was really Stephanie his snake knelt beside him, "Roll up the sleeping bag and place it down for me." Reptile instructed her as she did what he said and placed the sleeping back on the ground.
Reptile then laid Kuniko down on the ground her head set on the sleeping bag as a pillow. It had been a week sense Ryuujin's death, and her condition had still not changed. Cory-chan had slowly become herself again but slowly, as she conflicted with her personal feelings and the feelings a shinobi should have in blocking it out. Dayu only grew cold and angry, he felt partially responsible for his friend's demise, and he strived to grow stronger to hopefully meet up Arcane and avenge his friend's death. Reptile was worried about the mental conditions of Kuniko and Dayu, once completely distant and shut out from people, the other bitter and angry snapping quickly at those who got on his nerves even a little bit.
With the shadow shinobi the way they where it made it difficult for Kareru to interact with any of them and it seemed that her and Dayu where the main source of fighting. Dayu had also become very distrustful and it was all directed at Kareru who had only just joined the group a week ago. Reptile tried talking to him about the situation but he could not get through to him, he was being to thick headed and all Dayu did now was train so it made it just as difficult. "Listen guys there is a contact in town here that I need to seek out and speak to about our mission, you all wait here for me and PLEASE try and get along." Said Reptile who then undid the clone on Stephanie and had picked her up and placed her onto his shoulders so she could rest for a bit.
Dayu unsheathed Ryuu's sword, the Shuurai and began practicing with it. Swinging the blade up and down and then left to right trying different angled strikes with it to get it all down. Cory walked over and sat by Kuniko just to be there incase she snapped out of the state she was in and needed something. Kareru sat at the area over looking the village, "So Kareru, why DO you ware those bandages on your face?" asked Dayu in the middle of swinging the sword making it ding against a tree.
An annoyed sight was heard from Kareru, "Why do you always asked that stupid question?"
"It's not a stupid question, what are you hiding?"
"Your right, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people." She said looking over her shoulder glaring right at Dayu to hopefully get him to shut up about it.
"Now, now guys why must you have such pity fights." Said a familiar voice walking up to the group.
Cory's eyes grew wide as her head bolted to the person along with Dayu.
Meanwhile.
Reptile leapt through the tree's the leaf's brushing by him as he sped forward to get to the home where he though the group from Konoha might be. 'Hm I hope this town is close, didn't seem to far from the spot overlooking the bridge.' He thought to himself as he finally found himself outside of the little village.
He pulled the envelope from his side pocket with all the data and found the address of the home to hopefully find the people they are to protect. "Okay there it is, now just gotta get there with out scaring to many people." Reptile placing the folder back into his pocket and leapt off into the air and now went from roof top to roof top getting closer and closer to his destination.
The shadow shinobi had then landed down in front of the home, "Well this is the place." He said walking up to the door and knocked three times.
Reptile was then greeted by a young boy in a hat with a bit of his hair coming out from beneath the hat. The boy was unsure what to think, the appearance of this man wasn't normal and with Stephanie around Reptiles neck his appearance defiantly seemed threatening due to the size of his snake. "W-who are y-you?" the boy asked in a nervous voice.
Reptile had wondered why the boy seemed scared of him, and then looked to his left shoulder remembering Stephanie was there just relaxing, "Oh heh don't worry about her she's a sweetheart never bitten anyone that didn't make her feel she was in danger." He assured the young boy.
"Now, uh I am curious are there by any chance some leaf shinobi here one by the name of Hatake Kakashi?" Reptile asked of curiosity.
The boy still seemingly scared by Stephanie just deftly shook his head 'No' to answer the question. Reptile scratched his chin thinking for a quick moment, "Okay well thank you for your time." Said Reptile with a smile and then turned and leaped off heading back to camp.
"Inari who was that?" Asked a women's voice.
He stood there for a moment and then shook his head clearing his mind, "Some guy with a really big snake." Answered Inari.
Back at the camp site.
There stood Ryuujin looking healthier then ever with a big smile on his face, his cloths still the same, no cut marks or any sign of damage. Cory ran up to him and gave him a big hug, "Im so glad you are alive!" she said happily, as she then pulled out from the hug slapped him as hard as possible right across the cheek now leaving a red mark, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE PUT US THROUGH!?...but its good to see you." She said smiling.
Ryuu rubbing the side of his face, "Heh yeah, I guess I did deserve that, and it's good to see you to Cory-chan." He said still smiling as he rubbed away the red mark.
Dayu didn't know what to believe, he couldn't understand how Ryuu was standing there before them. He gripped the hilt of the Shuurai turning the blade towards his back and walked right up to Ryuujin. Narrowing his eyes Dayu then slammed the hilt right into Ryuu's stomach causing him to lean forward a bit coughing. "You asshole." Dayu said simply as he turned and walked away going right back to practicing with the sword not even caring to ask if Ryuu wanted his sword back.
"God, I sure hope that when Reptile gets here he doesn't have Stephanie eat me right up." Ryuujin rubbing his stomach catching his breath.
"Well Ryuu, after what we thought happened to you, Kuniko pretty much seemed to leave with you, you know that Dayu has been there for her ever sense they were children. I really don't blame him for being so upset with you." Explained Cory who walked up next to Ryuu watching Dayu go back to his sword work.
"Yeah.I know.so she is really out of it?" Ryuu asked as he turned to where she laid.
"Yup, we tried to get her out of it, but nothing worked." Cory looking slightly worried of Kuniko's condition.
"Hm, well.maybe she just needs a kiss from her prince charming." Ryuu said smiling at Cory as he walked over to the sleep Kuniko.
Ryuu sat on his knee's looking at the sleeping Kuniko, he noticed that she was still holding onto his forehead protector as he traced a finger of her hand. "She wouldn't let go of it, not for anything." Said Cory-chan.
He then moved his hand away from hers and brushed aside some strands of hair that where draped across her forehead. Ryuujin then knelt forward and gently kissed her on the lips. Leaning back slightly he then said in a soft and kind voice, "Kuniko-chan its me Ryuu-kun."
Ryuu suddenly found Kuniko's arms wrapped around his neck hugging him tightly. "R-ry-ryuu-kun I t-hough y-you died!?" Kuniko sobbing into his chest holding onto him tightly.
"No, I was just injured pretty badly and had recovered the past week." Ryuu wrapping his own arms around her.
"But, then how did you know where to find us? I didn't even think you looked at the mission folder?" Cory-chan wondered in curiosity as she approached the two folding her arms over her chest.
Dayu was also hit with a bit of curiosity with her question to Ryuu. "Yeah, I checked it out during breakfast before we where attacked by that guy." He responded as he rubbed Kuniko's back soothingly to help calm her down a bit.
Cory and Dayu looked at one another with an unsure look, Cory didn't recall him looking at the folder then. At least she didn't think he had, though even that morning was a little hectic. Dayu sheathed his sword just looking at Ryuu then Kuniko who still had her face barried, 'Kuniko...I hope you will be happy now that he is back.' He thought to himself as he then sat down to take a break.
Kareru just sat in silence with out a word being said about the whole situation. Reptile was finally soon getting back to camp to report the news to the rest of the group.