Ryu and Kasumi continued their search upstairs. In in effort to avoid detection they went from room to room as quickly and quietly as the could. Ryu knew that Kasumi didn't enjoy fighting or even worse killing and so to keep her from having to partake in such action he tried to avoid it for her sake. Kasumi however had other things on her mind. They made their way to a room with the Seven Swordsman store extra weapons. Ryu was looking through the crack in the door and motioned to Kasumi to follow him.
"Hayabusa, can we stop for a moment?" Kasumi said all of a sudden.
"Kasumi what is the matter?" Ryu said. "We must hurry."
"I know but I just need a break." Kasumi said falling to her knees. "I'm exhausted."
"As you wish." Ryu said giving in to pleading.
As the two ninja to a quick break, Zabuza made his way to Ganzo. Clutching the Kitesu in his one hand. The one armed swordsman kneeled before him.
"Zabuza...your arm." Ganzo screamed in shock to see his most talented fighter with only one arm.
"Forget about me father, please to the sword and hurry away from here." Zabuza said presenting him the blade. "It's only a matter of the before the ninja make their way here."
"Damn...our buyer isn't supposed to be here for couple more days." Ganzo said.
"I will guard the door." Zabuza said putting a kunai in his mouth and taking his blade in hand.
"Son, may your blade pierce the heavens." Ganzo said pulling Zabuza in for a hug.
Zabuza shed only a single tear knowing only death awaited him before exiting and standing guard.
Ryu was holding Kasumi in his arms while she rested. They stayed like this for a little longer until Ryu began to gently shake her.
"Kasumi, don't fall asleep on me." Ryu whispered.
"Okay, I'm ready to go." Kasumi said getting up.
Then Ryu and Kasumi made their way further and further into the upper reaches of the castle.
The Lightning Brothers were in the main keep talking to Ganzo who erupted into a fury.
"What do you mean your leaving?" Ganzo boomed. "I'm paying you both double your normal rates."
"We never said our loyalty was unwavering." Ginkaku told him unafraid of Ganzo. "There is someone else who requires our services."
"In exchange of granting of newfound power, we give him this." Kinkaku said taking the Kitesu.
"You can't take that." Ganzo said
"Silence." Kinkaku said striking Ganzo down.
"Killed by hired thugs." Ganzo said. "There...is…no..honor..in this...kind..of..death"
Ganzo died and Zabuza hearing the noise rushed in to see his adopted father lying dead at the Lightning Brother's feet. Zabuza blindly rushed to attack them in a rage and managed to cut Ginkaku's face but, in the end he was no match for the them. Zabuza failed to avenge his father. Zabuza spit out his kunai and crawled to his father's limp body. He reached for his father hand.
"Father...please...forgive...my...failure." Zabuza last words before dying.
"That's the last of the swordsman." Kinkaku said.
"What about Chojuro and the ninja?" Ginkaku asked.
"Leave them the scroll." Kinkaku said. "Our new boss doesn't want it so the scroll is of no concern to us."
"So what about the last swordsman." Ginkaku continued
"There is no point in killing a dying man." Kinkaku said. "It is a waste of time and we need to go before the ninja show up."
So the Lightning Brothers left the castle through a secret passage way. Unbeknownst to them Chojuro was listening in on their conversation and saw the entire event. It is true that he was dying and only had mere days but, he still found enough strength to move about the castle despite his illness.
Hayate and Ayane caught up to Ryu and Kasumi. They exchanged tales on what happened to them on their way to the main keep. When they got they there was only the bloody bodies of Zabuza and Ganzo along with a boy weeping over their bodies.
"What happened here?" Ayane said.
"Such is the fragility of evil." Ryu said. "They reap the harvest of seeds sown in greed and a lust for power."
"We did everything they asked of us." Chojuro said between sobs.
"Who?" Hayate questioned
"A group that called themselves Sons of Vigoor." Chojuro answered. "They gave us bags of money with a promise of more to come if we took somethings for them."
"I found the scroll." Kasumi said in a corner of the room. "Where is the sword?"
"Gone." Chojuro said. "The Lightning Brothers took it when the killed my father and brother."
"Where are they now?" Hayate said.
"I don't know." Chojuro answered. "They left a while before you guys got here."
"Move out." Ryu said. "We are returning to the village."
Getting all the info they could the ninja turned to exit leaving Chojuro alone to grieve over his the deaths of his once powerful family now reduced to shambles. Ayane then relized the there was something wrong.
"Wait." Ayane said. "Where's Obito?
Ryu, Kasumi, and Hayate stopped and also realized that he has gone missing. They search every inch of the castle in an effort to find their missing friend and ally.
"Where can he be?" Ayane said worried over Obito's disappearance.
"We will find him" Kasumi assured her half-sister.
Hayate noticed two massive holes in consecutive walls from the room he was in. He continued to inspect the wall and then saw the holes led outside followed by a few fallen trees.
"Take a look at this." Hayate said motioning for the rest of the ninja to come to his position.
"Do you think Obito had something to do with this brother?" Kasumi asked.
"It's our only lead so far." Hayate said.
"There is only one way to find out." Ryu said following the trail of destruction that was made by the battle of Obito and Kisame.
"This must of been some battle." Kasumi said checking the trees.
They continued to investigate the forest for any signs of Obito when Kasumi found burn marks on some of the trees. She continued to follow them and it led her to a pile of ashes laying on the ground.
"Guys...come look at this." Kasumi said.
Ayane, Ryu and Hayate soon found the remains of the body Kasumi was staring at.
"Do you think Obito did this?" Kasumi asked.
"I don't know of any fire ninpo arts that could result in this." Ryu said.
Ayane looking around spotted another body nearby and rushed over to find Obito laying unconscious.
"Obito, are you okay?" Ayane said.
Obito's stirred and struggled to open his eyes but, when he did a found his vision to be incredably blurry. Barely able to see who it was he manged to give he reponse.
"I'm fine Ayane." Obito said knowing he wasn't.
Ayane helped him to his feet.
"Obito, what happened here?" Hayate asked him.
"I was separated from Ayane then attacked by one of the swordsman." Obito answered. "I barely escaped with my life.
With that they returned to the village. Shiden was satisfied that they was able obtain the Scroll of Seals at least. He feared what the Lightning Brothers are going to do with the Kitesu though.
Ginkaku and Kinkaku made their way to an abandoned temple. Kinkaku planted the sword a few feet in front of him and the retreated back to his brother's side. He figure emerged from the darkness and the Lightning Brothers bowed to it.
"We have done what you have asked master Doku." The Lightning Brothers said in unison.
"I see that." Doku said picking up the Kitesu sword. "Now, there is one more thing I you two do before I can grant you two the powers of a fiend."
"Whatever you want master Doku." They again both said in unison.
"Attack the Spider's Nest." Doku told them. "The village of the Black Spider Clan and destroy the Uchiha clan. Their blood will cleanse you of your human shells and grant you a place among the everlasting flory of the fiends."
"My lord, if I may speak." Kinkaku asked
"You may." Doku said.
"The village is heavily guarded and the Uchiha are very powerful ninja." Kinkaku said. "It will be more than a two man job. Please, lend of some of your strength."
"I understand." Doku said as the purple flames in his helmet rose. "I give you my army of Van Gelf."
Doku took a step to the side and from within the temple the Lightning Brothers saw thousands of Van Gelf awaited orders.
"Make sure every single Uchiha dies." Doku said. "My army is yours to command."
"Understood." The brothers said
After one day of rest Ayane made plans to see Obito by the lake where the first met in the evening. His vision was better after resting but, he knew that he needed to return to his village as soon as possible to have his brother inspect his eyes. Obito was already there by the time Ayane arrivived. Obito was wearing his spare robes.
"Hey, do you like it?" Ayane said turning around for Obito to see the entire dress.
"It's beautiful." Obito said seeing her dress.
Ayane sat down on the grass and Obito put his head in her lap. Ayane blushed at the idea that her lap being used as a pillow but, it felt nice. Togather they watched the sun sink into the see for the day.
"Obito, am I pretty?" Ayane asked
"Ayane, in my eyes you are the most beautiful girl in the world." Obito said.
"Obitom there is something you should know about me." Ayane said tried to find the heart to tell him about her birth.
"If this is about your birth, I know." Obito answered knowing it was subject.
"You knew?" Ayane said.
"Ryu told me all about it." Obito said rather bluntly.
"Then why didn't you leave everyone else?" Ayane said.
"Because I don't care and no matter what I will always be there for you." Obito said getting up and putting his face close to hers so their noses touched. "I promise. Friends for forever and a day."
"Thank you." Ayane said as Obito wiped the tears of joy from her eyes.
Kasumi quickly appeared and was out of breath.
"What are you doing here, Kasumi?" Ayane asked upset that her and Obito's moment was not ruined.
"Obito, the Black Spider Village." Kasumi yelled still trying to catch her breath.
"What about my village?" Obito said as his sharingan appeared in his eyes.
"It's under attack," Kasumi said.
Obito mangekyo sharingan was activated in his anger. Ayane got up and was about to put her hand on his shoulder but, suddenly a swirling distortion appeared around Obito and his vanished along with it. Ayane didn't have to think to know that Obito was on his way to the village. She turned to Kasumi.
"Where are Master Ryu and Hayate." Ayane asked.
"With father on their way to the Spider's Nest." Kasumi said. "I stayed behind to rely the message to you two."
"We need to go now." Ayane said hoping they would make it in time.
Author's Note: Post reviews if you read I could really use feedback.