I'm back! I got so many fanfics in store, but I juss need to prepare them: make outlines, have a happy ending, blah. I've been in a grumpy mood: my mom and I are arguing about the most needless things. Let's hope it passes by soon. For now, let's finally talk about the character models.

Let's start with the ninja of Earth: Raido Ikazuchi. He had a family when he was little, but the only ones shown were his mother and his older brother, Nekoro. As said in chapter 6, a close family member needs to be killed in order to be in the Kyuubi; it's like the process of getting a Mangekyo Sharingan in Naruto. In this case, Nekoro was close to his mother. After her death and his disappearance, Raido became a somewhat justified person: he believes in justice and "human rights" or what not; to protect as much people as he can.

Okay…he's done. So here's Chapter 8!

Chapter 8

Equanimity and peace spread through the quiet realm of Aquis. A hazy fog covered the vast lake, bugs floated steadily over the water. Everything was in silence…until Isamu popped his head out of the lake, gasping for breath. His white hair became drenched; his skin received no suntan, thanks to the fog. Isamu tried his best to stay afloat after swimming for two hours straight, fighting against the water's pressure.

'I wonder how the others are doing…I'm exhausted.'

He thought about swimming back to the shore, where his dry clothes waited. Every muscle in Isamu's body cried with exhaustion. He had no strength to swim.

'Too tired…What if I use a wave…' It was worth a shot. He made the sign of the rooster again, facing the sign against a small section of the water.

The section of the lake began to bubble from its still state. Liquid began to churn back and forth, causing a ruckus; it wasn't what Isamu had expected.

'I just wanted a simple calm wave…' His eyes grew wider as he noticed a long snout surface, emanating a low harsh growl. The eyes gave a piercing glare, snapping their jaws, desiring to devour Isamu. Crocodiles infested the lakes.

'Crap!'

He turned around, struggling to shore with panic blocking his concentration. The crocodiles slowly swam to his frantic form; their bloodlust grew higher and higher every inch they swim.

Isamu's heartbeat began to relax once he saw the shore. As he lightly sighed with relief, the growls behind him grew louder. He gave one final attempt of survival by swinging his arm around, summoning water to throw the crocodiles away.

One minute, they almost devour the water ninja with victory, and the next they are pushed back into the lake, tossing and turning before suffering and drowning into the water. Isamu was left to crawl up to the shore.

He frantically gasped for breath, searching wide-eyed for the crocodiles. Seeing their far distance, Isamu finally sighed with relief.

'Safe…' But he wasn't safe for long. Out of the small brushes surrounding, Gila monsters and bearded dragons hissed and snarled, smelling his crimson scent. Isamu was sure he saw a blood lusting color in their eyes. Their tails slithered back and forth in rhythm.

He was about to jump up and run away until…

"Going somewhere?"

A sly voice escaped the deep shadows. Isamu looked closely as an elder teen, a little older than the priestesses, stepped out of the darkness. Like him, the woman had long white hair, but the ends were a pure black color. Her eyes gave a chilly stare in their ice blue tint, which made Isamu froze.

"Y-You…you're…"

The woman portrayed an expressionless visage. "It's been a while…Isamu Gogyou."

He couldn't believe what he saw. It's been four years since Isamu's family was taken away from him…by his one and only half-sister. His old life was taken away just because his mother left her first husband and daughter.

"Ekika…" He saw the reptiles circle around their master until the truth hit him. "You're a Kyuubi…"

"Correct. I'm the fifth tail. As you can see…" A bearded dragon crawled up her side, digging its claws into her skin to do it. Ekika didn't give a flicker of pain once the dragon rested on her shoulder. "My creatures are reptiles."

Just the sight of her sent shivers up Isamu's spine. He could feel his newfound confidence retreat.

And Ekika could sense it.

"You're weak…as I thought." Isamu looked at her surprised. Deep down, he knew it was somewhat true.

"You're too kind, Isamu; THAT'S your downfall." Ekika began to sneer out of her insipid visage. "It's even a miracle you became a shinobi."

His ankles began to grow weak. Isamu fell on his bottom, avoiding the scaly reptiles. Her words drilled into his mind; why DID he become a shinobi? He was just a shy freshman at Ototachibana Academy; nothing special was within him. He had no strength to take Ekika down.

She turned her back on him with disrespect.

"I'll be seeing you…once you're actually worth fighting."

As Ekika wandered off into the surrounding woods, the young ninja thought desperately.

'I have to…I need to…I MUST be stronger!!'

He looked back at the calm waters; the ravenous sharks disappeared from sight. Isamu drifted back and waded in the lake, dampening his legs. As ideas and confidence rose in his mind, water erupted from the lake into a fountain formation.

Yeah…crappy stuff. But there's only about 10 chapters left, so stay tuned!