Halfway through the fight between Umi and Ryomatsu, Kenzu had appeared and began to attack Jatsu. Itomi fought furiously beside Jatsu, but Kenzu proved the reason as to why we was the head leader of the Affani. Kazue stood far away, trying different ways to hit him with her arrows. Nikito fought closely along with Jatsu and Itomi, trying to hit him anyway he could but Kenzu proved to be too fast. The male smirked as he stood in between the four. "You all think you can compare to me?"

Jatsu gritted her teeth and charged at Kenzu, giving Nikito a look that he undertstood as they both advanced toward the male. Kenzu quickly dodged Nikito's sword and kicked him back before catching Jatsu's wrist. Before she could rip her arm back, the group could hear a loud snap followed by an agonizing scream from Jatsu. "Weak. I can't believe I even taught you..." Kenzu stated.

Itomi stepped forward quickly and struck his arms out towards Kenzu, sending a shockwave that knocked him back a few yards. He stepped in front of Jatsu and narrowed his eyes at Kenzu. "You're pathetic."

Yumiki ran forward, slamming her leg into his and moving around him to push her hands up to his chest, but he caught her wrists. Yumiki narrowed her eyes quickly, knowing that he was going to break her wrists too. She quickly turned her wrists in his hands and gripped on to his. Her eyes narrowed and she smirked as every bone in Kenzu's wrists snapped.

Kenzu hissed in pain as he kicked Yumiki back and tried to bare the pain. "No more hand seals for you..." Nikito smirked. Jatsu gave a weak smile but couldn't say anything from the pain still throbbing through her.

Kenzu narrowed his eyes and turned to Kazue heading toward her. Jatsu and Nikito's eyes widened at the same time as Nikito chased after Kenzu, determinded to stop him before he reached Kazue. Kazue's eyes widened and she aimed the arrow at him, charging chakra into it and letting it go at him. Just before the arrow hit him, sparks bursted from the tip and the arrow exploded as it reached him. Kenzu made an attempt at dodging and gasped in pain as the arrow hit his shoulder.

Nikito quickly ran up behind Kenzu and jumped up to slash the sword down his back. At the last second, Kenzu turned and kicked Nikito to the ground before stepping onto his left side. Nikito screamed out in pain as he felt his ribs crack. Jatsu narrowed her eyes and finally moved to attack Kenzu again, trying her best not to move her wrist. Kenzu growled as Jatsu tackled him to the ground and started slashing his face. The two rolled around on the floor, each having difficulty inflicting injuries with broken bones.

Finally, Jatsu got another hit as she slammed her knee onto his groin. Kenzu hissed in pain as the two both struggled to their feet. Jatsu suddenly found herself being rammed into the wall. She screamed again as she felt something shift in her right shoulder. She crumpled to the floor in tears. Kenzu smirked as he stepped back a bit with a smirk. The other girls that were watching nearby quickly stepped in and took turns landing hits on Kenzu. Yumiki was able to break the bones in his left arm while another girl sliced his arm with her sword, cutting it off.

Nikito weakly pulled himself to his knees as he watched the girls take hits on the leader. Finally he saw his arm get chopped off and he used it as his oppourtunity to attack. He stifled a scream as he got to his feet, picking his sword back up and charging at the basically helpless male. Kenzu's eyes widened as Nikito knocked him to his knees. "B-By order of the future Mizukage... I-I vow to never let you harm any man woman or child ever a-again..." Nikito stated before swinging the sword around and slicing his head off his shoulders. Blood splashed against his face as the body fell over onto its side.

Darkness suddenly spread through the entire room, and a hush fell over every. No one could hear each other, or even their own voices for that matter. The blackness was so dark, it was pressing. Nearby, the feel of something more darker and terrifying lurked nearby. It lasted a short while before disappearing. Itomi looked around and watched as Umi dropped to the floor. A few feet in front of her, Ryomatsu lay motionless with Haruko coughing on the other side of him. He quickly moved across the room, and bent down to Haruko. He had two stab wounds in his chest and blood spilled from the edges of his mouth. He placed his hand to Haruko's wounds and began to heal them the best he could. The wounds were deep, but Itomi's chakra penetrated the entire wound, cleaning and repairing. "You did well." Itomi smiled half heartedly.

"I-I heard y-your girl s-scream..." Haruko mumbled weakly, his voice barely a whisper. "Sh-She alright?"

Itomi nodded. "Her wrist is broken." After finishing the healing with Haruko he made his way back to Jatsu, grabbing her wrist gently and holding it out. He moved it carefully so it was straight and tried his best to heal the broken bones. Jatsu winced as tears streamed from her eyes.

"Th-Thanks..." She choked out, giving Itomi a smile before wincing again. "S-Something i-is wrong with m-my shoulder too..." She whispered.

Itomi inspected her shoulder and moved on of his hands to carefully feel it. He smiled partly and moved his other hand so that he gripped her shoulder in both hands. "Just a little extra pain." He stated and moved her shoulder quickly so that it was placed back into the joint.

Jatsu screamed out as she rested her head against Itomi's chest, tears slipping from her eyes again. "A-At least i-it's over..." She whispered after gaining the ability to speak again.

Itomi nodded and stroked her hair gently, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I...don't think...Umi..."

Jatsu moved to search his eyes before looking over at Umi's motionless body. "D-Did you actually check her?"

"I don't feel anything coming from her." Itomi frowned and grabbed her wrist gently again to continue the healing.

"Haruko!" Jatsu screamed at him as he weakly sat up.

Haruko looked from Jatsu, around the room and then down at Umi. He winced as he pulled himself to her and pulled her into his arms as he bit his lip. "U-Umi? Please don't be dead... p-please..." He whispered, tears brimming in his eyes.

Umi's eyes remained closed, her body motionless. All along her arms and legs, bruises quickly formed. Haruko shook his head and held her closer, tears slipping from his eyes. "U-Umi... p-please! W-Wake up!" He gritted his teeth and tightened his arms around her, more tears slipping down.

"Haruko..." Umi whispered, barely audible.

Haruko moved to look at her face, tears still slipping. "U-Umi?" He stuttered, his voice rough and cracky.

Umi's eyes opened partly, her pink eyes slightly visible as she looked up at Haruko. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes and her mouth parted slightly as she winced. He let out a sigh of relief as he gave a weak smile, wiping the stray tears and blood from his face. "I thought you were dead..." He whispered.

Weakly, Umi reached her hand up to lightly touch her fingers to his cheek. "Thank you..." she breathed.

Haruko shook his head. "I said I would protect you..." He stated softly.

Umi's hand fell back to her side and she rested her head against his arm. Right now, she was too weak to do anything. Lifting her arm was more than torture. Why the jutsu had turned on Umi, surprised her greatly. She knew that jutsu inside out, and only used occasionally for the simple reason that it took so much chakra. The fact that Ryomatsu died before the darkness could suck the life out of him, made it turn to find someone that it could attack and suck life from. When it started to go after Umi, the pain had become unbearable and made her go unconscious, cutting the jutsu before it could finish feasting. Despite the bruises covering her body, she was suprised that she escaped with her life from that thing.

Haruko weakly moved to his feet with Umi in his arms as he walked down to Jatsu and Itomi. Nikito winced as he held his side in pain, trying to keep his breathing regular as he stayed sitting on his knees.

Kazue was by his side, helping him to stay still. "You succeeded with your goal...protecting people." She smiled.

Nikito winced as he opened one eye to look at her and smiled. "I-I guess I did... but wh-what really matters to me... while I'm still me... and not the Mizukage... i-is if you're okay..." He whispered, using his other hand to touch her cheek.

Kazue leaned her face into his hand and smiled. "In better shape than you, that's for sure." she laughed lightly.

Nikito gave a small smile before wincing again, pulling his hand back to hold against his side. "S-Seems we all escaped a-alive..." He smiled softly.

Kazue smiled and nodded. "We did."

Once Itomi finished healing Jatsu's wrist to the best of his ability and stabilized it against her stomach, he moved over to Nikito and helped him to lay down onto the floor. "Just relax." He stated and opened the jounin vest and slicing his sweater open. "Sorry 'bout that." Itomi laughed and placed his hands to his chest to heal his ribs.

Nikito laughed slightly. "I-I didn't like the shirt that much anyway..." He murmured, taking a glance at his chest and seeing that it was all bruised where Itomi was healing. He hissed and pain and rested his head back against the floor as he used his other hand to run it through his hair.

Kazue smiled softly and reached down to push his bangs out of his face. Her fingers trailed down to his cheek and lingered there. "I'm so glad you're going to be okay."

Nikito smiled and laughed. "C-Come on, Kazue... y-you've seen me get hurt worse than this..." He smirked before wincing again.

"And each time makes me worry." Kazue frowned.

Nikito shook his head. "D-Don't... g-go to Jatsu... I'm just being healed a-anyway..." He whispered.

Kazue looked over to Jatsu and turned back to Nikito. She nodded and made her way over to Jatsu. Jatsu and Haruko had set Umi on the floor and were looking over her when Jatsu saw Kazue headed toward her. She gave a weak smile, followed by a wince. "I'm so glad you're alright, Kazue..." She murmured, holding out her good arm for Kazue to be embraced by.

Kazue bent to give her sister a hug and sighed. "You guys are worrying about me when I barely got hurt. I'm more thankful that none of you died." She sighed.

Jatsu shook her head. "I've had worse than this... all of us in the Affani have... and I just heard your boyfri- Nikito say that he's had worse. So don't worry. We'll all get through this." She smiled softly.

"How's Umi?" Kazue asked, looking at the girls bruised body.

Haruko sighed deeply before looking up and smiling at Kazue. "Weak... but alive..."

Kazue smiled, tightening her embrace on Jatsu. Jatsu winced slightly before smiling and kissing the top of Kazue's head. "Wh-When Itomi is done with healing Nikito, we will head out..."

Kazue nodded and looked back over at Nikito. His eyes were closed, but his face was facing her. A smiled played at the edges of her lips. He was so handsome in Kazue's mind, and with him wincing, it made him look vulnerable. She thought that his deep-in-thought- face made him look vulnerable, but now she felt that this expression was more suitable to the term.

Jatsu noticed that Kazue was looking at Nikito and smiled. "Didn't his rips get broken when he tried to protect you?" She asked quietly.

Kazue nodded and frowned. Jatsu smiled slightly. "Don't frown... it's just a way men like to prove their love to woman. You know what really made me fall for Itomi? One time a girl was about to kill me and he stepped in the way and ended the fight." She smirked. "It's a man thing..."

Kazue laughed lightly. "He could've proved his love another way other than getting his chest crushed."

Jatsu shrugged. "I doubt the ribs being crushed were intended, but protecting you surely was planned, and he did."

Kazue smiled slightly and looked at the ground. "I guess so... You should have seen his expression when he noticed the leader charging at me. I've never seen his expression so intense with worry, and I've never seen him run so fast like that."

"He loves you and refused to see anyone harm you. Clearly he knows you well, and probably realized that if the leader even laid a hand on you, he could snap your body like a twig..." Jatsu shook her head and sighed. "He probably didn't realize that until after my wrist was snapped though... Nikito appears to be very smart. That tells me that he can piece things together faster than most of us would." She smiled. "He'll make a great Mizukage... and an even better husband to my little sister sometime in the future..."

Kazue gasped and turned away with a blush. "...H-husband?"

"You've known him forever, right? Neither of you are interested in anyone else? I'm sure you two will be together for a long time, that is... if you gain the courage to accept his love and become his girlfriend." Jatsu snickered.

Kazue's face brightened more and she bit her lip. "I can't deny the fact that I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with him..." She mumbled under he breath.

Jatsu smiled. "I think you'd be a great couple." She whispered, hugging Kazue close.

Kazue smiled and turned to look at Nikito's closed eyes. Her smile widened more and she turned back away.

Itomi smiled and slapped Nikito on the chest with a grin. "There you go big boy!"

Nikito gasped, expecting pain but reciveing none besides the sting of the slap. He pulled himself into a sitting position and looked down at his chest, seeing a small amount of bruising but besides that he was fine. "Th-Thanks, Itomi." Nikito smiled at him.

Kazue pulled back from Jatsu's arms and crawled towards Nikito, wrapping her arms around his neck and sighing with relief.

Nikito smiled and wrapped his arms around her with a smile. "See, told you I'd be alright." He smirked.

Jatsu smiled and looked to Itomi, gestering for him to come to her. Itomi nodded and went to stand beside Jatsu.

Kazue nodded and buried her face into his neck. She shrugged. "I-I guess I worry too much."

Nikito shrugged. "It's alright. I was worried about you too, remember?" He smiled.

Kazue nodded and sighed again, pulling back to look into Nikito's eyes. She smiled lightly, graditude showing through her eyes.

Nikito smiled and blushed faintly, looking away from her. "You got everything you wanted... your sister is coming home. Everything you've wanted since you were four has now come true."

Kazue shrugged and looked away as well. "I-I guess so..."

"You guess?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "What don't you have?"

"I'm sure you know..." Kazue murmured, lightly blushing.

Nikito thought hard but couldn't figure it out. He shook his head. "No, what?"

Kazue frowned and loosened his arms around his neck. "Nevermind..." She whispered.

"It can't be me." He smirked, pulling her closer. "You already have me." He whispered with a soft smile.

Kazue's blush deepened and she shrugged. "Do I?"

"I've been yours since we met." He whispered softly. "All you need to do is give me the okay..." He smiled.

Kazue closed her eyes and turned her face slightly away. "Y...yes."

Nikito smiled and pulled her closer, hugging her tightly. Kazue tightened her arms around his neck and covered her blush in his shoulder. "You got the girl..." Kazue mumbled and laughed.

Nikito smirked and laughed. "Guess this makes me your hero..." He whispered.

Kazue pulled back and nodded her head firmly. "Always." She smiled softly, giving up on trying to hide her blush.

He smiled at her blushing face and traced his fingers lightly over her cheek. It'd been fifteen years since they met, and he was happy that Kazue was finally his. Kazue diverted her eyes away from his as his fingers traced along her cheek, her mouth parting as she tried to calm her heart beat. Nikito hesitated before leaning closer to Kazue's face and lightly pressing his lips to hers. Kazue's eyes shut tightly as her lips moved against his softly. After a few moments she pulled back to take in a deep breath. "We...kissed..." She whispered and smiled, touching her fingers to her lips.

Nikito chuckled and smiled. "About time if you ask me." He whispered. Kazue nodded and laughed lightly.

Jatsu had stood up with Itomi's help. Haruko stood with Umi in his arms and they all looked down at Kazue and Nikito. "Come on, lovebirds." Jatsu snickered. "We need to go... Haruko, I figure you and Umi can stay with my family until we can get a home for you..."

"Will Umi be alright with that?" Haruko asked.

Jatsu shrugged. "I think as long as you're with her, she wont care." She turned to face Yumiki. "Gather up all children from the mist. They can follow us. The rest will need to be escorted to their correct villages..."

Yumiki nodded. "I can stay here and prepare for all the children to go to their villages." Yumiki smiled. "Thank you very much for bringing us freedom. I'll be back with the little Mist-lings." Yumiki smiled and turned to leave the room.

Kazue and Nikito stood up and followed after the others as they left the room. Itomi had long ago made the bodies diteriate, so there was nothing left of the three leaders. Kazue took one last look back at the room before following quickly after Nikito.

The group made it outside and Yumiki had already brought out all the Mist children. They gathered up a few boats and all headed out back to the Mist village. On the boat ride back, Haruko tried to wake Umi. He lightly traced his hand over her cheek as he pushed some hair from her eyes. "Wake up, Umi..." He whispered softly.

Umi's eyes fluttered open and she looked tiredly up at Haruko. "Haruko...?" She whispered, a bit confused.

Haruko gave her a soft smile. "Hey, feeling any better?" He asked pushing some more hair from her eyes.

Umi closed her eyes again and sucked in a deep breath. "Your hands are cold..." She murmured, leaning into his touch.

"S-Sorry?" He laughed nervousy.

She shook her head. "It's hot."

Haruko smiled softly. "I hope it's alright, but I agreed for us all to stay with Jatsu's family until... well... whatever plans are made... I know Jatsu and Itomi plan on finding their own home... I-I dunno what you want to do, or if you even want to be in the Mist Village..." He trailed off, feeling like an idiot as his face heated up.

Umi shrugged weakly. "As I said, I have no family to return to..." She murmured.

Haruko nodded. "Well, you ah, don't have to decide anything yet... just something to think on.." He murmured.

Umi nodded and tried to sit up. She realized that she was in Haruko's lap and gasped, her face lighting up. "S-Sorry..." She murmured and moved to sit on the bench beside him.

Haruko shrugged. "It's fine... I've been carrying you since you passed out again..." He murmured, glancing away from her.

Umi diverted her eyes, murmuring a thank you. After a few seconds she turned to face him again awkwardly. "I'm sorry about what Mikiito did..." She mumbled.

Haruko's face turned redder as he sighed. He held his face in his hands and shook his head. "It's fine, really. If anything I should apologize to you for not realizing her trick right away..." He murmured from behind his hands.

"I tried to fight her...but I wasn't strong enough." Umi frowned. "She took advantage over my...weakness.." Umi diverted her eyes and sighed.

"Weakness?" Haruko mumbled from behind his hands. "You mean your dislike towards men?"

Umi nodded. "N-now you know why, though...I mean, why I hate men..."

Haruko frowned and nodded. "I-I'm so sorry..." He whispered, his voice barely audible.

Umi frowned and turned away slightly. "Before I was taken, my father would...do things to me behind my mothers back. After a bit, mom found out, but she didn't do anything because she was afraid of dad. When the Affani came to take me, my parents willingly gave me up." Umi sniffled and let out a short laugh. "I thought I had escaped...but then Ryomatsu began to call me to his suite." She shook her head and fiddled with the edge of her skirt. "At first, he was just speaking to me about my abilities and the potential I had if I could train harder...then it led to more...and more..." Umi closed her eyes as tears fell from her eyes. She turned her face further from Haruko, not wanting him to see her tears. She sniffle and reached up to wipe her tears with her arm.

Haruko frowned and reached his arm around her, pulling her into his side. "Umi... I promise I will never hurt you... I will never leave your side or betray you... I will protect you with my life and try my hardest never to upset you..." He whispered, closing his eyes.

Umi nodded and turned to face him again, using her fingers to wipe the tears away. "You're the only guy I will ever trust." Umi stated. "Whenever any other guys are near, I hate their presence, I want to escape; the closeness is just too uncomfortable, but you're different. I feel more at ease with you than anyone else. Wh-when I tackled you that day, and you tackled me back, I became afraid. I thought you were going to do something...but then you backed off and walked away. It made me think of many other incidents where you've gotten semi-close, but you were cautious about my personal space, and it created a respect in me for you..." Umi shrugged and her face deepened a little. "All these emotions just suddenly flooded into me. I wanted to escape your presence, but at the same time I was being drawn to you. I was attracted, but at the same time disgusted with my attraction... I know you will never hurt me, Haruko - at least not intentionly. I know I can trust myself to you, knowing that you wouldn't take advantage of me..."

Umi snaked her arm around his and leaned her head on his shoulder. She took in a deep breath and bit her lip as she moved her hand into his to entwine her fingers with his. After a few seconds, Umi laughed softly. "You're hands aren't cold anymore..."

Haruko smiled softly and squeezed her hand as he rested his head against hers. He couldn't really explain how her words made him feel. He knew he was happy, but he was sure it was more than that. Did that mean they could possibly become a couple sometime in the future. He sighed deeply and moved to look at Umi's face and smiled. "I'm glad you've figured things out, Umi." He stated, reaching up and pushing a piece of hair behind her ear as he looked into her dark purple eyes, his hand lingering at the side of her face.

Umi turned her eyes away as her cheeks deepened in colour, her mouth parting slightly. "Haruko...I want..." her voice faded and she closed her eyes partly.

"Want what?" He asked softly. "You can have anything you want..." He smiled.

"I...don't want you to leave my side..." she whispered as she played nervously with his hand.

Haruko blinked in surprise before his expression softened. "I don't plan on going anywhere usless you tell me to." He smiled. "D-Does that mean... you're going to stay with me when we return to the Mist Village?"

"If you want me to..." Umi whispered.

Haruko smiled. "Of course I do... think you could handle living in a house with me though?" He asked with a chuckle.

Umi placed her other hand lightly over the top of his. "I wouldn't want to share a house with anyone else."

Haruko blushed and smiled. "Not even Jatsu?" He snickered.

"We've shared a room for fourteen years." Umi laughed lightly. "Along with three other girls...I think the time is up."

"To go from a room of girls to a house with a guy though?" He chuckled.

Umi's cheeks darkened and she bit her lip. "If you vow yourself to me and me only, I don't think I'd have a problem..."

"Vow myself?" He chuckled and smiled. "Alright. I, Haruko, vow myself to you, Umi. I vow myself to you for the rest our life until you tell me otherwise." He smirked. "That what you meant?"

Umi shrugged and leaned her head on his shoulder again, bringing his hand up to her face and resting her cheek in the palm of his hand. She closed her eyes and smiled slightly. The feeling of Haruko's skin against hers was enough to send shivers up her spine, but if it hand been any other man's skin, she would've already distanced herself long ago.

Haruko smiled and turned to kiss the top of her head softly. "Mikiito had used you to ask if I loved you, remember?" He whispered, bending closer to her ear. "I really do love you, you know..." He whispered, his face deepening in colour.

Umi's gasped and her face darkened more. She thought back to the encounter where Mikiito had momentarily taken over her body. She was powerful, and Umi was truthful when she said she couldn't fight against her, but with some of the things Mikiito did, Umi hadn't fought against Mikiito. Part of her asked the question while Mikiito asked Haruko, allowing Mikiito a further control over her body.

Umi turned her head to look into Haruko's eyes. "What colour are my eyes?"

"Dark purple... why?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Umi closed her eyes and moved her mouth closer to his ear. "Now you know what colour indicates that I'm madly inlove with you." she whispered.

Haruko's eyes widened as he moved to look into her eyes. "S-Seriously?" He stuttered.

Umi nodded slowly and turned away. Haruko smiled and pulled her back into his arms. "You just made me happy..." He whispered.

Umi smiled softly as she gripped the front of his cloak. "I'm glad."

"We're only a few minutes from the Mist." Nikito had stated to the people in the boat as he smiled at Kazue.

Kazue grinned as she peered at the advancing shoreline. The fog around wasn't as thick, but it was enough to blind you from seeing a few hundred yards away. "I wonder what it going to happen."

Nikito laughed. "Well for one, I know your father will flip..."

"I'll just show him the love letter." Kazue laughed and winked at Nikito's expressionless expression.

"Does this mean I have to write you a love letter now?" He murmured with a blush.

Kazue laughed nervously. "I mean...if you want to, but I was only kidding." She laughed again.

Nikito laughed. "I'm sure your dad will stop being so protective once I become his boss." He smirked before winking.

Kazue laughed. "I don't know about that. You may be the leader of the village, but dad would probably put up a pretty good fight."

Nikito smirked. "I'll fight your dad in order to have you."

Kazue blushed lightly. "I wouldn't mind seeing that." She laughed. "He may have a premenant injury, but he'd put up a pretty good fight to protect his daughter."

"What about me?" Jatsu asked, smirking as she joined in their conversation.

"This relationship is between Nikito and I, Jatsu." Kazue laughed.

Jatsu rolled her eyes and laughed. "I meant, will Sora try to fight off me being with Itomi?"

Kazue laughed. "I know...and I wouldn't be surprised. Men took you when you were young, and now another is going to take you now."

Jatsu smirked and looked up at Itomi. "Itomi took me fourteen years ago..."

Itomi chuckled just as the boat landed.