Masaru sighed as he laid on his back looking up at the sky, a small fire kept heat to the one side of his body. He looked over to see Kenji drawing in the dirt with a twig. Masaru chuckled slightly. "That bored, Kenji?"

Kenji shook his head. "No, just in thought." He murmured his reply.

A frown came over Masaru's lips as he turned his head away. "What of?" He muttered back.

"Many things; our parents, our past, our home land…what we do…" He waited a moment. "That woman…"

Masaru let out a long breath as he closed his eyes. "You're thinking of the woman?"

Kenji nodded. "But it doesn't matter much anymore. I'm just imagining her husbands expression when she arrives - if she arrives."

Masaru's frown turned blank as he sighed. "

Beyond the darkness, the morning won't come anymore." He murmured in a lyrical way.

A slight smile met Kenji's lips and he laid back onto his back, looking up at the beautiful night sky. "It's getting late, brother. You should try to sleep now." Kenji murmured softly.

Masaru bit his lip as he shook his head. "Can't."

"How come?"

Masaru shook his head again as he rolled onto his side, his back to Kenji. "N-Nevermind…" He murmured.

Kenji sighed. Between the two of them, they hardly ever pushed. They had an unspoken mutual agreement that if it were important to verbalize, it would indeed be verbalized. He glanced over at his older brother before rolling onto his side as well. Might as well take his own advice, even if it took him a few hours until his brain would allow itself to shut down and get a little sleep.

After a few hours, Masaru seemed to snap from his thoughts. He slowly sat up to lean against the trunk of a tree as he looked at his younger brother, sleeping soundly beside the coals of the once blazing fire. He sighed deeply as he looked out into the darkness of the night. He felt like there were other people nearby.

Kenji stirred in his sleep; he rolled back onto his back and lifted his arm to cover his closed eyes. A yawn escaped him and he murmured a few words before falling silent again. Masaru smiled softly as he moved over to Kenji and picked him up gently, trying to be as still as he could so he didn't wake up. He slowly moved him over to the tree he had been sitting against to lean him against the same tree. Masaru sighed once more as he grew uneasy. Instinctively, he put his arm gently around Kenji, suddenly feeling protective of his younger sibling.

Kenji nestled himself into Masaru's arm and sighed slightly with annoyance. Is body seemed to tense and his arm twitched; a bad dream.

"Kenji…" A thick, deep voice called from the darkness.

Kenji lifted his eyes from where his feet were towards where the light faded into the dark. The voice was coming from there, calling, luring him towards itself. His foots began to move forwards, his eyes narrowed.

"You have a visitor." The voice said, and chuckled.

Kenji quickly swept his eyes through the area of darkness. "Visitor? Who would be visiting at this hour?"

"They just don't know how to leave us alone." The voice said and sighed. "Kenji, come forth."

Kenji turned his body towards where the voice was beckoning him, and began to walk forward. The familiar feel of sticky darkness surrounded him, enveloping him slowly as he walked forward. It began to seep into his mouth, and Kenji began to gasp for air. He reached out to no one in particular, crying silent for help as the darkness seeped down his throat and into his lungs. It took moments for Kenji to be consumed, and it was no more himself that continued to walk forward.

He laughed an eerie laugh and smirked. "Those pathetic, pathetic losers."

Kenji suddenly lunged from Masaru's arm, gracefully gliding to his feet as he jumped forward, tackling a large blunt object to the forest ground. The person below Kenji gasped.

Masaru's eyes widened as he looked down to the woman who was chuckling. "I was always told you two were good, but I've never faced you before!" She smirked.

Kenji snarled as he pushed his hand into her stomach. "Pathetic." He said as darkness began to consume the womans body.

The woman looked up at Kenji with eyes that had no pupils. She smirked as she narrowed her eyes, inflicting pain on him as she pushed him off of her and moved back to her feet.

"Hitama…" Masaru murmured with a smirk.

The female turned to face Masaru. "That obvious?"

He nodded. "Like the Uchiha clan, yours was of the Leaf village and was destroyed. It was believed to have no other survivors besides a female by the name of Natsumi."

The woman smirked and nodded. "And more have been showing up alive. But that does not matter."

Masaru nodded. "You're in the Akatsuki, that makes my respect for you fly out the door."

Natsumi chuckled and shrugged. "The Akatsuki is not that bad, in fact I went to it of my own will."

Kenji chuckled. "Between the Shi brothers, there is no room of respect for the Akatsuki."

"Then we'll just assume that you're going to put up another fight." Another Akatsuki member stepped out from behind a tree.

Kenji turned his head to face the newest addition. "So, after we killed one of your other members, and sent one back to reply with a strict, "No!", that pathetic leader of yours sends two more?" Kenji chuckled.

"He sent us to give you one second chance, you can either take it, or face death." The addition stated.

Kenji began to laugh. "Face death?" He turned to his brother. "We must be a big threat."

Masaru shrugged as he stepped closer to Kenji's side. "We're not going to your pathetic organization. So here are your options, leave, or die."

The addition chuckled and began to walk around the two until Natsumi was directly on the other side of the two; like a game of monkey in the middle. The moonlight caught the faces of the two brothers and she gasped, glancing at Natsumi.

Natsumi raised an eyebrow at her partner. "What is it, Kasumi? You're not getting scared, are yah?" She smirked.

Kenji chuckled. "Is Kasumi a little afraid of a little deconstruction of the face?" He smirked.

Kasumi shook her head slightly and her stomach turned. She couldn't pull her eyes away from the sight of his face. From the edges of his lips, back about two inches, the flesh from his cheeks were missing. Every single one of his teeth, from the front to back could be seen and counted, and his jaw bone could be seen. His eyes were a black, staring intently in her direction.

"Do I…make you quiver?" Kenji asked, his voice growing deeper.

Kasumi shook her head again. "What…happened?" Kasumi asked, her brows furrowing.

Kenji chuckled and turned to his brother. "We might as well show them before we put them out of their misery."

Masaru smirked and chuckled before shrugging. He pulled out a kunai and used it to cut the bandages that wrapped around certain parts of his face. The bandage fell to the ground silently as he smirked at Kasumi. The bandage had hid his bones. Masaru's face was missing skin and muscle. Masaru shrugged. "It's not that bad, is it?"

Kasumi shook her head and glanced at Natsumi. "These guys are freaks." She murmured.

Kenji glanced at his brother before lunging at Kasumi. Kasumi quickly caught her guard and dodged his attack. He quickly turned around and began swinging the kunai in his hand in her direction; she kept dodging.

Masaru watched closely when Natsumi suddenly lunged for him. He quickly turned and caught her wrist before throwing her into a nearby tree. "You're pathetic… both of you are." He hissed.

Natsumi pulled herself to her feet and growled. "Thought you were interested in my story!" She yelled at Masaru.

He shrugged. "I did… until I realized how pathetic you are…"

Natsumi gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

Kenji chuckled and swung his foot out, kicking Kasumi in the gut. She flew backwards and collided to the ground. Unscathed, Kasumi quickly shot to her feet and thrusted her hands to the ground. A larger spiked rock shot up from the ground towards Kenji, and Kenji jumped into the air. A dark blunt object came from the right and knocked Kasumi in the side, sending her flying towards Masaru and Natsumi. Before she could reach the two, Kenji pushed off and tree and dove towards Natsumi, tackling her to the ground before she could landed a hit on Masaru.

Natsumi gasped and snarled at Kenji. "You're hideous!" She growled trying to push him off of her. Kenji's eyes narrowed and he leaned down to bite into her shoulder through the cloak. A black goo covered his teeth and began to seep in through the wound.

Natsumi gasped again and winced. "Wh-What the hell is this? Get off of me!"

Kenji chuckled and pulled back, moving to the other shoulder and biting it as well; the same thing happened. Natsumi screamed out in pain. She managed to get her foot under his stomach and kicked him off of her. She winced as she sat up to inspect her shoulders. She screamed out again in frustration and pain as she sat helpless. A numbing feeling was taking over her body at a quick pace.

Kenji sat up and looked at Natsumi, smirking. He quickly got to his knee's and jumped to Natsumi, knocking her back the ground. He stared down at her and chuckled. "This is the power of Haraguroi Himitsu. " His eyes narrowed and he pushed his fingers into the wounds, causing her more pain.

Natsumi gritted her teeth as she tried not to scream again. In the fourteen years she had been in the Akatsuki, she had never fallen this bad in battle. She struggled beneath Kenji, but her attempts were futile. She was getting weaker by the second, her body no longer following her commands. Kenji moved his hands over her eyes, holding her down with his knee's on either side of her, pinning her hands down. A dark aura covered his hands and passed through her eyes, surrounding her mind.

Meanwhile, Masaru chuckled as he looked from his brother to Kasumi. He smirked and pulled out a kunai. "You're partner has fallen.."

Kasumi's eyes were wide as she stared at Natsumi. She shook her head and turned to look at Masaru. "I can see why the Leader wants you."

Masaru shrugged. "Oh well, too bad." He chuckled and spun the kunai around his finger as his eyes faded to black. "So, how should I finish you?"

Kasumi shook her head and stood up, dusting off her cloak. "I will not fall to you."

Kenji chuckled as the dark aura faded back into his hands and he stood up. "Maybe not to us…but…" He chuckled again.

Natsumi slowly stood up, her head lowered with her bangs covering her eyes. "Kasumi…" She murmured, her tone eerie.

Masaru smirked and stepped aside for Natsumi as she stepped closer to Kasumi. Kasumi narrowed her eyes. "What did you do to her?" She shouted.

"Just brought her in light of our side." Kenji chuckled.

Kasumi shook her head. "I'm sorry, Natsumi, but if you don't back down, I'll have to kill you."

An eerie laugh emitted from Natsumi as she slowly lifted her head to reveal black eyes. "You… will not kill me."

"I will." Kasumi stated and shot her hands towards Natsumi; the tree's around Natsumi began to cave in around Natsumi.

Natsumi remained unmoving as she watched the trees wrap around her. She smirked as she used her kekkei genkai, but instead of pure white eyes, they were a dark grey. She lifted her hands and pulled them together to form a seal. Her hand then flung outwards and the trees slowly moved back to their original place as she stepped closer to Kasumi, her eyes narrowed. "Poor… Kasumi. Too bad… you were never a match for me before either…"

Kasumi narrowed her eyes and disappeared from Natsumi's vision. She knew that the only way to escape Natsumi's power was to knock her from her concentration. She could feel an extra force on her chakra and she gritted her teeth. "Illutia Minito." Kasumi whispered and sweeped her hand over the dirt ground.

Natsumi just shook her head and chuckled as she lifted her hands again. "Give up, Kasumi!" She snickered.

Kenji's eyebrow raised as the space around Natsumi began to move. Slowly, it spread apart, warping the image around Natsumi in the faint moonlight. Suddenly, in one burst of energy, the space wrapped itself around Natsumi. Kenji's head tilted as he looked at the scene. It was as if the air was like a blanket and wrapped itself around her body. Her body could no longer be seen, but judging by how the image was; the bumps and the dents, he could tell where it was.

Natsumi just laughed as she focused her mind on Kasumi's chakra, slowly shutting it down. Kasumi gritted her teeth and forced the rest of her chakra into the jutsu. The air around Natsumi began to thin out, making it harder for Natsumi to breathe; like a vacuum, the air was slowly disappearing from the space Natsumi was held in. Natsumi gasped and gritted her teeth as she tried to break the jutsu.

Kasumi's jaw clenched as she felt her body growing weaker and weaker by the second. He shoved her fingers into the ground and whispered. "

Shiageru - Finish." She murmured. She looked out from behind a tree to see the space around Natsumi go back to normal, her body reappearing. She turned back around and closed her eyes as she breathed her last breath.

Natsumi gasped and wailed in pain before her eyes faded back to normal and her body fell forward, dropping to the dirt - dead.

Kenji looked down at Natsumi's body. "She killed her?"

Masaru shrugged. "Too bad, if she wasn't with the Akatsuki, I would've liked to keep her around." He chuckled.

Kenji nodded and looked around the area. He opened the palm of his hands and as he lifted them, a darkened gas lifted from the ground around the area. "She's dead as well." Kenji stated before the gas disappeared and his hands returned to his sides.

Masaru sighed. "Oh well. Maybe that stupid leader of theirs will finally give up…"

Kenji nodded. "Shall we finished our rest, or shall we move on our way, brother?"

Masaru sighed. "I'd like to rest. I want to put a new bandage on…"

Kenji nodded in understanding. "Get some sleep then, Masaru." He murmured.

Masaru's eyes drifted to meet Kenji's gaze. "What shall we do with their bodies?"

"We could give them to satisfy Haraguroi Himitsu."

Masaru nodded and walked over to bend down beside Kasumi's body. His eyes turned black as he placed his hand on her head. Darkness slipped through his hand and around her body, quickly consuming her before she disappeared in a black cloud. He sighed and stood back up. Kenji repeated the action with Natsumi's body. When they finished, Masaru sighed and set down his backpack against a tree. "I'll find some wood." He murmured, disappearing into the dark of the woods.

Kenji sighed and sat back down and leaned against the tree he was sleeping against beside Masaru. His eyes closed and sleep over took him; he still need an hours rest before he would wake again. When Masaru returned he chuckled softly at Kenji's sleeping form. He quickly put together a small fire and sat down in front of it. He ran his hands through his hair before reaching for his backpack. He quickly wrapped the bandage back around the visible bones and then returned everything back into his bag. He sighed deeply and looked back over at Kenji. The names Kasumi and Natsumi called the brothers seemed to float through his mind. He groaned in annoyance as he laid back beside Kenji and looked up into the sky.

Nikito looked down at his wife who was sleeping peacefully before facing Jatsu. "Are you sure I can trust you to do this mission?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.

Jatsu nodded. "Of course."

"But I know how angry you are. I do not want you seeing those men and attacking…"

Jatsu shook her head. "My mission is to reach the Leaf Village as fast as I can."

Nikito nodded. "Do not, stop. Go straight to the Hokage."

She nodded. "I will."

Nikito nodded. "I don't know what Kazue would do if she lost you. So, be careful."

Jatsu nodded as she glanced down at her sister. She frowned slightly before sighing. "L-Look after Tsuki for me… alright? I-I don't want anything happening to her."

Nikito smiled and nodded. "Of course."

Jatsu stepped forward to hug Nikito before running out. It took about four days before she reached the Leaf Village. She quickly ran through and reached the Hokage's mansion. When the door finally opened, she spotted five people inside. Naruto, Shikamaru, Tsunade, Sakura and Kakashi. Jatsu had been to the Leaf before, so she did know some village shinobi.

"Jatsu…" Naruto smiled slightly.

Jatsu noticed his shoulder was bandaged and his arm held in a sling. "Wh-What happened, Naruto?"

Naruto laughed nervously. "The Shi Brothers…"

Jatsu shook her head and sighed as she looked to Tsunade. "I was sent by the Mizukage to send a message." She murmured, moving to bow down on her knee.

Tsunade lifted a brow and crossed her arms. "A message?"

Jatsu nodded, her head still bowed. "Nikito has asked several different shinobi from our village to visit all other villages to keep on the look out for these Shi Brothers and kill them at any cost." She slowly lifted her head to meet Tsunade's gaze. "Kazue was almost killed by them…"

Tsunade eyed Jatsu carefully and nodded. "Kazue Olika…fragile girl. I'm surprised she survived." Tsunade murmured.

"As were we." Jatsu sighed and rose to her feet. "According to her, the two males she was with were murdered without hesitation, however the eldest brother stopped the younger from killing Kazue. It seems Masaru Shi has a soft spot for woman."

Tsunade chuckled. "A ladies man, is he?"

Jatsu shrugged. "I suppose so."

"Well he sure had no hesitation with Shikamaru and I!" Naruto growled, looking at his shoulder.

Tsunade's lips turned into a smirk. "Well, if he has no problem with men, but has difficulty with killing woman, why not send him some woman?"

Jatsu looked nervous as she bit her lip. "W-Well… Nikito… didn't tell me to say that we need to send people after them… h-he just said that he wants all villages on alert until we can locate them…"

Tsunade shrugged. "They put my village in an uproar, and I will never forgive them. They killed some of my jounin and almost killed Kakashi, Naruto and Shikamaru." She shook her head. "You send a message back to the Mizukage for me. Tell him that I will not allow these two brothers to stay alive. I will use all I can, even going after them myself, if that's what it means to protect this village. Keep your village out of this." Tsunade said and turned to walk to the window. She peered out for a moment and glanced over her shoulder at Kakashi. "Find Hibiki and Minako, Red and Yuuki, Hotaru, Airi, and Illrima.

Kakashi nodded and disappeared from the room. Tsunade turned to Jatsu and nodded. "You may be dismissed."

Jatsu nodded. She gave the group an apologetic smile before walking out to return to her village.

Once Kakashi gathered all the shinobi that Tsunade had suggested, they all made their way to the gate and left the village.

"Has any of you heard about the Shi brothers?" Hibiki asked as they ran along.

Yuuki shook her head. "N-No. But judging by how badly they hurt Naruto, I'm guessing they're strong…"

Airi smirked as she let her tongue flick over her fangs. "I bet their blood would taste good."

"Shut up, vamp!" Illrima hissed as she hit Airi over the head.

"We're not there to suck their blood, we're there to distract and kill them." Hotaru stated and rolled her eyes.

Airi shrugged and smirked. "Tasting their blood is necessary for my jutsu's."

Hotaru sighed. "It's disgusting."

"Become a vampire and say that again." She smirked.

"Alright, we're not here to fight." Red murmured.

Illrima sighed. "Hibiki, do you know anything of these brothers?"

"Anything and everything." He chuckled.

Minako's eyes widened. "Y-You do?"

Hibiki glanced at Minako. "Of course." He chuckled. "Their kekkei genkai is one of the world's deadliest." He shrugged. "I've read up on a lot of kekkei genkai's."

"Shikamaru said they also use Kinjutsu…" Yuuki murmured.

Hibiki nodded. "Their story is famous through the Land of Demons. In order to live past nine years, you must conquer Haraguroi Himitsu, which is their kekkei genkai. Unfortunately, one couldn't conquer it and it spread through the younger into the older and they turned against their parents. When the priestess felt the demons presence, and it's strength, she sent some jounin to the house. The children had fled their house and fled the Land. They've been all over the world to a variety of villages, and their only goal is to kill; which most seems to be men. The older feels pity for woman since he was the one who murdered his mother."

Minako lowered her head and gritted her teeth. "H-How horrible…" She murmured.

"Heh, doesn't that mean you can relate, Minako?" Airi chuckled.

Minako's head snapped back to glare at Airi. "I did not murder my mother!" She screamed.

Hibiki glanced at Airi, but before he could speak, Red butted in. "You do not know her life's story." He stated. "She did not murder her mother, nor is she the monster you make her out to be." Red hissed.

Minako's eyes widened as she looked at Red in confusion. Yuuki also looked shocked. "Wh-Why are you standing up for Minako?" She whispered.

"Because we're all in the same situation." Red whispered back before turning to Airi. "She has done nothing wrong."

Airi shrugged. "Whatever. Thought it would be fun to bring it up." She smirked before avoiding everyone's gaze.

Minako narrowed her eyes before looking to the ground. "So the plan is that having so many girls should cause Masaru to snap?" She asked, looking up at Hibiki.

Hibiki chuckled and shook his head. "The Hokage is a strange woman. She has the idea that Masaru is literally a ladies man, not someone burdened by his mother's death."

Re's eyes widened and he turned to look at Hibiki. "I'm not allowing Yuuki to do that."

Hibiki shrugged. "You think I'm going to allow Minako to do the same?" He glanced at the other woman. "I doubt they'd agree."

Red nodded and glanced at the others as well. "Although, I wouldn't think she'd mind." He nodded towards Airi.

Airi blinked in surprise. "Wh-What do you mean?"

Hibiki sighed. "The Hokage was hoping the woman would be a distraction for Red and I to jump in and kill them. She was hoping Masaru would fall for a woman's charm. Yet, even if that were the case, Kenji doesn't care at all whether you're female or male, so he wouldn't even fall for it. Although, it'll be interesting to find out what happens between the two when one is compelled to kill you, but the other won't."

Yuuki smirked. "They'd probably turn on one another…"

Hibiki shrugged. "That's a possibility, although they are inseperable brothers."

"Everyone has their breaking point. It just has to be triggered." Illrima muttered quietly.

"We'll see if we reach that point before something bad happens." Hibiki murmured.

Minako grabbed Hibiki's hand, entwining their fingers. "Nothing bad will happen…" She murmured.

Hibiki glanced at Minako before turning his head back around. "Don't underestimate them, Minako. They are a very strong pair."

Minako nodded. "I-I know… I will keep my guard up…"

Red glanced at Hibiki and frowned before glancing at Yuuki. He knew what Hibiki was thinking, and he didn't like it one bit. After a few moments they slowed down to a hault after running for so long, and Red quickly leaned down to kiss Yuuki. Yuuki gasped slightly before breaking the kiss.

"Wh-What's wrong?" She asked nervously.

"I love you." He chuckled.

Yuuki smiled slightly and hugged him. "Don't scare me like that…" She murmured. "I love you too."

He smiled and grabbed a strand of her hair, twirling it slightly and kissed her again. "We get to use what I've been teaching you for the past few years."

Yuuki giggled and nodded. "Yep, I'm stoked."

Red hide his frown with a smile and turned back to following the group. He entwined his fingers with hers and glanced back at Hibiki. As much as he thought the man was interesting, he was very surprised at how his brain worked. The amount of information that flooded his mind was enough to give Red a headache. The constant information of different clans, of jutsu's he has seen and read about. One thing he understood about Hibiki, although he was slightly confused with, was his ability to imitate anyone's jutsu. Simply by seeing the jutsu, he could make it his own. He had no kekkei genkai himself and none of his own abilities; he was just a collage of a variety of different people.

He watched as Hibiki glanced at Minako and squeezed her hand gently. Throughout all the information flooding his mind, he was focusing on Minako. He knew how they met; he only knew Hibiki's story through Minako since Hibiki's mind held barriers whereas Minako hadn't. Red sighed and focused in on Minako, trying to learn more about Hibiki.

Yuuki frowned as she walked along side Red. She connected her mind to his so she could speak to him privately. Kaito… why do you seem so upset… what have you read from Hibiki?

We're not all going to survive, Yuuki. As much as we are, and as strong as we are, no one has actually ever survived fighting them.

Red replied.

Yuuki's eyes widened as she looked up at Red. I-I can't lose you, Kaito…

Red nodded. I will die protecting you, Yuuki. I will do everything in my power to keep us alive. But… He stopped and turned to Yuuki, placing his hands on either side of he face. If we die…we die for the sake of the village, and I for you. He leaned in to kiss her gently.

Yuuki pushed back tears that were brimming in her eyes as her hands reached up to rest on his arms. I-I love you, Kaito… I will not allow myself to lose you… and I will not die myself… we will get through this. If we can defeat your brother, we can defeat these unstable brothers…

Red chuckled and brought her into a tight embrace, kissing her once again. We will use our genjutsu the best we can to defeat them.

Yuuki nodded as she let out a breath. I guess I'll have to let Mya out. She smirked against his lips.

Hibiki glanced back and cleared his throat. "We're on a mission here."

Red shrugged as he continued to kiss Yuuki. Hibiki sighed and turned to continue on the way. "Don't get too far behind."

Yuuki broke the kiss and took Red's hand as they started following again. "Lighten up, Hibiki. I'm surprised you're not taking the time to kiss Minako." She smirked.

Minako shook her head as she looked at the ground, a small smirk playing at her lips.

Hibiki chuckled. "I'm just more subtle at it."

Yuuki shrugged. "Uh huh."

Hibiki sighed and glanced at Minako, squeezing her hand gently and smiled. Minako looked up and gave him a small smile in return.

"Tayori, you're so beautiful!" Kazue smiled as she sat on the bench outside the hospital.

Tayori blushed slightly and hugged her mother lightly, being careful of her bandages. She pulled back and twirled once more. The dress was a brilliant yellow despite the cloudy day, and it lit up her beautiful dark blue eyes. Her blonde hair waving in the wind. Kazue smiled and glanced at Nikito seated beside her.

Nikito carefully moved his arm around Kazue's shoulders and smiled. "I'm glad you're feeling a bit better."

Kazue smiled. "It still hurts." She murmured and leaned her head on his shoulder. "But I do feel a bit better."

"When Itomi returns from his mission, I will have him heal you…"

Tsuki sighed as she sat on the bench on Nikito's left. "Where's Mommy and Daddy?" She asked for what seemed like the millionth time since Jatsu left.

Nikito sighed and ruffled Tsuki's hair. "Your father wont be back for a while, and your mom should be home any day now."

Tsuki lowered her head and frowned. "I-I miss them…"

Kazue nodded. "I miss them too." She looked across Nikito's torso to smile at Tsuki.

"Glad to know I'm missed." Jatsu smirked as she approached the bench.

"Mommy!" Tsuki gasped as she jumped from the bench to run at her mother.

Jatsu quickly picked up Tsuki and held her close. "Hey sweetie." She smiled.

"Mommy home! Mommy home!"

Kazue smiled at Jatsu and turned back to Nikito. "I guess duty calls now." She murmured.

Nikito sighed and moved to kiss Kazue before standing up to approach Jatsu. "So? How'd it go?"

Jatsu sighed. "I wish the journey was shorter… I'm afraid Lady Hokage plans on sending a group of shinobi after the brothers. She believes sending a large group of females will be the key…"

Nikito's eyes widened as he shook his head. "N-No… did you not explain-"

"Because I explained that Kazue is alive, and that Masaru had a soft spot, it led her to that idea.. I'm sorry. She would not listen to me. She intends to kill these two, even if she has to go into battle herself."

"Lady Tsunade is a strange woman." Kazue chuckled.

Jatsu nodded. Nikito sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. "I-It'd be useless to send another message?"

Jatsu nodded. "She's determined…"

Nikito sighed and nodded. "Alright, I guess theres nothing more that can be done besides to wait…"

"Are you going to send a group yourself?" Kazue asked as Tayori climbed onto her lap and sat on her good leg.

Nikito opened his mouth to reply when Jatsu interrupted. "Tsunade told me to also tell you not to interfere… she does not want any other villages help…"

Nikito's eyes widened. "S-So… she's willing to sacrifice her own shinobi?"

Jatsu shrugged. "I knew some of the names she spoke of. I know she was choosing some of her best shinobi… I mean, with Naruto being injured and all…"

"Naruto was injured?" Tayori gasped.

Kazue looked down at Tayori with a raised eyebrow. "You know Naruto?" Kazue asked and laughed.

Tayori shrugged. "He sounds like a nice guy, mommy." She laughed cutely.

Jatsu laughed but nodded. "It seems that Naruto's shoulder was hurt, and by the looks of his wound, it moved down his arm… Shikamaru was also attacked, as was Kakashi. She also said several other jounin had been murdered."

Nikito started pacing as he shook his head, drifting into deep thought. Jatsu chuckled slightly and looked to Kazue. "How do you snap him from this?"

Kazue reached up to scratch her cheek and she laughed lightly. "Well…"

Jatsu shook her head and chuckled. "Nevermind…"

"Hey, Nikito…" Kazue reached over to grab his hand, entwining her fingers in his. "Wakey, wakey…" She snickered.

Nikito blinked a few times before looking at Kazue. "Wh-What?"

"There you go." Kazue smiled at Jatsu and laughed.

"Nikito, what do you want to do? Listen to Tsunade or not?" Jatsu asked.

Nikito sighed. "I-I am not supposed to interfere with other villages if I am not called upon. I have no choice but to follow Tsunade's wishes…" He murmured before sitting back down beside Kazue, holding his face in his hands.

Kazue sighed and placed her hand on his arm. "Just have faith in her abilities and her knowledge." Kazue whispered. "She's sending her best shinobi."

Nikito sighed and nodded before sitting up and facing Kazue with a weak smile. "I love you, Kazue."

Kazue smiled. "I love you too."

"And I love you both!" Tayori laughed and smiled at her parents.

Nikito smirked and patted Tayori's head. "And we love you too, sweetie."

Tayori laughed and went to jump into Nikito's arms, in the meantime hitting Kazue's bad leg. Kazue gasped in pain. Nikito caught Tayori and moved her in his arms before looking at Kazue. "You alright?" He asked nervously.

"Sorry." Tayori whispered and buried her face in Nikito's chest.

Kazue let out a shaky breath and gritted her teeth while nodding. "Yeah."

Jatsu let out a sigh before looking at Nikito. "When is Itomi supposed to be home?"

"Anyday now." Nikito murmured, looking up at Jatsu.

"Any second you mean." Itomi stated as he walked up behind Jatsu and wrapped his arms around both her and Tsuki.

"Daddy!" Tsuki grinned.

Jatsu smiled. "About time you returned."

Itomi shrugged. "It urned out long then we thought it would." He glanced at Nikito. "We found out something that you are definitely going to like." He chuckled.

Nikito blinked in surprise. "Oh really?"

"Yeah, we…" His eyes drifted to Kazue and his brow raised. "What happened?"

Jatsu's smile faded as she looked down. Nikito sighed deeply and shook his head. "The Shi Brothers…"

"Shi…brothers?" Itomi asked.

"Long story short, they are two brothers that kill all in their path. Kazue just barely made it home alive." Jatsu murmured.

Itomi frowned. "Shall I go find them?"

Nikito shook his head. "The Hokage has her shinobi after these two already. She has asked no other villages to interfere."

Itomi nodded. "I'm considering defying both your orders." He chuckled.

Nikito narrowed his eyes. "Do not even try it, Itomi."

Itomi shrugged and ran his hand through his hair. "And if I do?"

"I'll be mad at you…" Jatsu murmured.

Nikito sighed. "Itomi, I need you here to help Kazue. You're the best healer we possess in this village. Because of her condition, it's more dangerous for her to be in this state than it would be for someone like Jatsu, you or I. Can I ask you to do this instead of defying my orders of keeping out of this fight?"

Itomi sighed. "Alright." He murmured and stepped forward. He placed hi hand lightly against her skin just below her neck and his hand started to glow a teal colour. Kazue's eyes widened and she looked up at Itomi with terror. Itomi shrugged and reached to grab her shoulder so she couldn't struggle to get away.

"I-Itomi!" Kazue gritted her teeth and shut her eyes.

Nikito's face twisted in confusion. "Th-This is new…"

A groan came from Kazue and she tried to push back. "I-It hurts!"

Itomi lowered his head and concentrated more. "Sorry 'bout this…"

Jatsu shook her head. "Kazue, relax…" She murmured, watching nervously.

His hand brightened from the teal colour until it turned a bright white. When it reached pure white, it shot like a shockwave away from Kazue and he stepped back. Kazue's eyes were wide as she leaned back against the back of the bench.

"M-Mommy?" Tayori shouted and pushed on her mother's arms.

"W-what…?" Kazue's mouth parted as she stared at Itomi.

He laughed nervously. "It's my strongest healing jutsu. I haven't really been able to experiment too far, but I've been able to heal major things with it." He chuckled.

Kazue turned her face to her leg and she slowly bent it. She did the same with her arm before attempting to stand. Nikito's eyes widened as he looked from Itomi to Kazue, his hands out, prepared to catch her if she were to fall.

"I-I had no idea you were this good, hun…" Jatsu murmured, also looking at Kazue with shock.

Itomi shrugged. "I don't particularily like to use it, because the worse the wound is, the worst it hurts."

Kazue nodded. "It hurt very much." She murmured.

"B-But… you are okay now?" Nikito asked Kazue nervously.

"Except for the pain in my chest, I feel better everywhere else." She chuckled.

"It'll go away in a few hours or so." Itomi said and scratched his cheek.

"Hours?" Kazue's eyes widened and she sat back down. "I'd rather be broken again."

Nikito shook his head. "It's dangerous for you to be… broken…"

Kazue shook her head. "I know, but it hurts." She grimaced.

Nikito sighed. "I'm sorry, but even I'd prefer you in minor pain for a few hours then having broken bones."

"It's not minor pain!" Kazue shouted and Itomi murmured at the same time. Kazue glanced at Itomi and sighed. "I'm sorry, Nikito." She whispered and gripped his kage cloak.

Nikito shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, Kazue. I wish I could take your pain for you…"

Kazue shook her head. "I'll…manage." She winced.

Nikito sighed and sat back down beside Kazue, placing his arm around her shoulders.

"So, what do you want us to do?" Jatsu asked Nikito.

"Until I get word on the Shi Brothers, I refuse to send any of my shinobi out. When shinobi return from their missions, no one leaves until I know what is happening with these brothers." He murmured.

"You can send me again." Kazue smiled.

Nikito turned to stare blankly at Kazue. "No."

"Aw, come on…" She whispered and grabbed his hand, entwining her fingers with his.

Nikito shook his head. "Not even two minutes ago, you were saying how much pain you were in. You're not going anywhere."

Kazue chuckled and shook her head. "As much as I would like to smash their faces in, I'm not in the condition or state of mind to go." She murmured and wrapped her free arm around his waist. "I can't bare to think of you and Tayori alone."

Nikito frowned and placed his chin on top of her head. "I'd be so lost without you…" He murmured. "And Tayori would never be the same without her mother."

Kazue nodded and buried her face into his chest. "I'd be lost without you too."

He smiled softly and kissed her head.