Thinking back on the last couple of days, Neji realized that this reality that had just crashed into him was making him happier than he had ever been in his life. He would never have thought that he would be chosen has Hinata's husband. All of his heart's most secret desires had been answered. It was as if some creature capable of granting wishes had read this thoughts. Neji smiled as he remembered what had happened in this very bed last night. He closed his eyes as images came into his mind and breathed in the scent of Hinata. No one else would ever guess at Hinata's adventurous side. That shy and blushing woman was an Angel to be sure. He could not think of one person who was as pure and kind as she is, however she threw her heart and soul into lovemaking. She was every inch the "Devil's Daughter" in his arms. He could feel himself become excited and heard Hinata turn off the shower. Obviously, she had thought to get an early start, but he had the growing feeling that she would be doing well to make it to the Hospital on time today……

Neji quickly dressed and went to meet his student. He needn't have hurried since his student was late as usual. Neji, however did not feel his usual impatience in waiting. Even with the added responsibilities, Neji felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. It was as if he could fly. To everyone else he kept up his usual ill-temperedness, but inside Neji felt different.

"You're late." Stated Neji flatly as Konohamaru rounded the corner whistling a tune. "Sorry, Neji Sensei". Konohamaru was a good kid, but not necessarily studious or prompt. However, that may have been because of how quickly he learned new things.

Like his grandfather, the Third Hokage, Konohamaru would be capable of powerful jutsu. He would grow into a "Splendid Ninja" to borrow a phrase from a former teammate. Losing so much of his family so young was hardly unusual in Ninja life, but that fact didn't make personal loss any less painful, a fact Neji knew intimately. His losses had changed this young man. The happy, playful boy had become a driven and brooding young man.

"Follow me" instructed Neji as he headed towards town.

"Neji-Sensei, the training field is in the other direction!" Konohamaru said excitedly, "I really need to work hard, especially since I have rated much of your time lately, with your new duties and your, ugh, honeymoon going on. Please, I need to become a powerful ninja!".

"Konohamaru, if I know you, you skipped breakfast and a smart ninja must begin his day from a position of strength" said Neji.

"The Ramen Shop?!" squealed Konohamaru "Hey, wait a minute here, Sensei! This is not your kind of breakfast, you eat yuckie healthy stuff. What's going on here?".

"We'll have two large beef bowls, please" said Neji, ordering for them both.

"Make that three, Teuchi-sama! It's good t o see you again. I'm back in town to continue my research" exclaimed Jiraiya..

"Hey you're one of the legendary Sannin just like Lade Tsunade, aren't you, old man?" asked Konohamaru. "You are the one that Naruto, our new Hokage always talks about, the Pervie Sage. You are really strong and you have summoning power. Cool! I want to do that too, just like my grandfather, the Third Hokage".

"That brings us to why we are here, Konohamaru. Jiraiya has agreed to take over your training because your strengths are similar to his and Naruto's and he can really help you with the summoning jutsus."

"Wow, that's cool! Naruto has been working with me and I can summon just like my Grandpa and you and Naruto. Her name is Akira and she is the daughter of Enma. My grandfather could summon him! She's been avoiding me lately though".

"Slow down, Tiger! Let's have breakfast first, then We'll get you started training and I will do some research." Said Jiraiya, diving into a steaming bowl of ramen.

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In a stream in the cave, Akira freshened the cloth she had on this mystery man's head to help calm his raging fever. She had not left his side all this time. She worried that he would die. He had spoken of all sorts of evil and she wasn't sure if all or any of it were actual events. Clearly, this beautiful man was haunted and troubled. She returned the cloth to his forehead and tucked the hides around him once again. He was shivering violently again. She didn't know how long she could hide out here. She had felt a summons earlier and she knew that her father would be missing her. What was she going to do with him? Who was this man? Was he in trouble, kind, lost….. or dangerous?