- "Hey there, how ya doing?"

She blinked, shivering, shaking her body; her tail ended it with a flick as she yawned. Blinking curiously, the pokégirl looked up at the eighteen year old Tamer.

"T... Tamer?"

He grinned bashfully; it looked really cute when he did, "Heh, that's right. My names Trent, hope ya don't have a problem being the first in my harem?"

She had been shelved for nearly four months now, being tamed by a machine was both humiliating and unsatisfying. Her tail wagged in disbelief, out of all the pokégirls in stock, he chose her.

"Nya!" she shook her head and lunged at him, licking the side of his face gratefully, he laughed.

"Hah hah, alright calm down."

Reluctantly she pulled herself away, sitting on all fours impatiently; Trent rubbed his chin, "I think I'll name you... Yue, huh ya like that?"

"Nya!" The Catgirl purred, glomping the teen she lifted him off his feet.

"Hahaha! Alright Yue it is then," he grinned, scratching the back of her ear, her tail wagged eagerly, "Hey, whatcha' say we buy you some clothes and get something to eat?"

The young Catgirl nodded happily, "Nya!" -

Yue shifted uncomfortably, moving to lie on her back, she stared at the ceiling without a show of emotion. Lying there for five more minutes she glanced over to Tashira who was sleeping like a log.

Returning to the ceiling she released a remorseful sigh. Sadness, frustration and similar feelings began to flow into her all at once. The memories of when she first met her previous Tamer seemed to flood her mind.

Her first Tamer since she had been captured and given to the town's professor to widen his stock of beginner pokégirls for Tamers to choose from. He was the one who taught her everything, yes she had basic knowledge due to the pokéball, but she could still remember only speaking a human word at a time, how he taught her to speak, whether certain acts were inappropriate in public or not.

Yue felt herself getting more and more depressed as she continued, it was lucky for her to have gotten such a kind Tamer or else her personality would've been a whole other story.

- *Hiss!* The mere look of superiority, his minor snide remark directed at Trent was enough to set her protective instincts to full as her fur stood up, her nails coming forth she was preparing to lunge.

The cocky sixteen year old boy stared in surprise, stepping back.

Just then Trent rested a hand on her shoulder drawing her attention, he gave a grin, "Come on let's go Yue, no point in wasting energy on him."

Confused, her protective stance slacked as she reluctantly allowed him to pull her away. -

Which was why it hurt all the more that she had lost him because of her own weakness.

Yue winced, her throat began to hurt every time she swallowed her saliva, she was getting a headache the more depressed she felt.

She turned over to look at Hinata, at her beautiful-... no, her angelic face. The girl who took her in, cared for her, and shared her gentle heart with her. She was just every bit as wonderful as Trent had been. Truly grateful that she had wound up in Hinata's harem just like she had been with Trent-

Yue's eyes watered, her breathing trembled into whimpers- Which... Which was why the thought of losing Hinata as well hurt so much more than she could bare.

Her Tamer's expression was hardened, brows narrowed in discomfort, she was curled up under the sheets, her fists tightened.

Tears finally began to drip into her fur, 'and what's more... she keeps having nightmares every other night because of that...' She had no idea how to help, how to stop her nightmares. The look of discomfort was like a stab to her heart whenever she saw it.

Yue scooted closer, wrapping her arms protectively around the young teen girl, she pulled her close, mumbling soothing words to Hinata to try and help.

Xx

xX

"How did you end up joining those two?"

Tashira's cheek twitched "That's none of your business."

The Dracona raised a brow, she had been curious the more she found out how interesting Naruto was. She huffed "Hm, and here I was starting to think we were getting along." she muttered, feigning hurt despite her smirk.

Tashira rolled her eyes "We've spent the past two days talking to each other... Not nearly enough time to share my life story." she rejected.

"What is your life story?" Myrel wondered, shoving the Dracass pesteringly.

Tashira pushed her away, "Knock it off."

"You know mine: Regular life until I was captured, then it's been hell ever since with each Tamer. You could at least tell me yours." she continued.

Tashira scoffed "I didn't ask for your sob story, you told it to me and Yue yesterday when we came back!" she reminded.

Myrel crossed her arms "You seemed to turn much nicer after I told you, I didn't hear you telling me to shut it."

"Because it was sad and pathetic." Tashira replied offhandedly "Just like the rest of us." she muttered, losing her biting tone.

Myrel perked up "The rest of us? So Kiya isn't the only one with a messed us past?"

"Hinata and Naruto attract pokégirls like us it seems." Tashira grumbled.

Myrel grew even more curious as her wings began to flap in interest "I wonder what Yue's story is?"

The Dracass looked annoyed "Do you enjoy basking in misery? Why do you want to hear sad pasts?" Tashira asked.

"Well no, but I'm intrigued in learning what drives your loyalty and determination to a girl?" Myrel teased.

Tashira looked at Myrel, trying to strike her pride by stating how a dragon-type was dominated by a girl in the sack?

The Dracass didn't show any care for the taunt, instead she gave warning "Be careful about what trouble that curiosity gets you into. After all, you already stuck your nose where it didn't belong when Hinata and Naruto were away."

Myrel was left speechless "You... know about that?" she asked slowly.

Tashira burst out laughing at how naive she seemed "By this time, I'd be surprised if one of us still didn't know!" she revealed.

Myrel didn't move, shocked as she watched Tashira laugh at her "Wait- And you're okay with that?" she asked surprised.

Tashira's laughing cut off right then.

...

The Dracass looked embarrassed, rubbing the back of her neck "I contemplated dumping your corpse behind the ridges of those mountains." she admitted, pointing off into the distance.

The Dracona's body grew cold inside.

Tashira smacked her on the back "But it's good for you that Kiya confronted you about it before I did." she finished with a dark grin on her face, clearly pissed off that she looked through her master's stuff "Heh, I bet Yue had an even darker plan." she chuckled.

Myrel's feet were glued to the ground "I guess I dug my own grave with that huh?"

Tashira nodded, smirking tauntingly she nudged the fear-filled Dracona "Kiya's got you wound pretty tight with that blackmail doesn't she?"

Myrel choked on air.

"I wonder if she's the only reason why you decided to talk to me and Yue?" Tashira pondered aloud.

Myrel had spent practically all day yesterday with Kiya, Yue, and Tashira. And with Naruto and Hinata's urging, gave them a handful of credits to spend, they had spent nearly the entire day in town, at the park, and exploring the buildings for all it was worth.

Did Myrel think her blind?

Turning sour at Tashira's laughs and taunts she looked at the Dracass, "Kiya gave me a hint about what blackmail she has on you." she made aware.

Tashira snorted "Tch, yeah right like that Kitsune has anything on me." she denied.

Myrel smiled and tapped her chin, "Something about bonding with Naruto at a resting center." she mumbled.

"Urgk!" Tashira choked as she froze, then she grew dark, "Kk! That damn fox!" she growled bitterly.

*Pant... Pant*

Yue ran through it again, honing her skills, her precision... She needed to. The Cheshire readied her stance and then delivered a solid kick to the air, imagining her opponent's head where her foot reached.

Bringing her leg back she kicked again, bringing her foot back to the courtyard tile she kicked again. Maintaining balance, form, quickness and effectiveness.

Her leg trembled in exhaustion as it stayed in the air.

The Cheshire narrowed her eyes, 'First objective...*Pant* perfect my form.' She brought her foot back and quickly transitioned to throwing a punch, twisting her body, her right arm shooting out forward, straight, fast and hard.

She spun and punched behind her, '*Pant* Second objective...*Pant* apply it to battle.'

A pained memory flashed through her thoughts as she grunted in frustration, bringing around a quick kick to her opponent's head length.

- "Great Job Yue! Now, finish her off with Quick Attack!" Trent cheered.

Dropping to all fours, Yue charged at the dizzy pokégirl, dashing from left to right she rammed into her, knocking her to the ground ensuring she was down for the count.

*Pant... Pant* Yue stared in shock, surprised that she had won her first spar.

Today had been the third month; Trent was a wonderful Tamer to be so considerate of her. Having officially spent three months' time to come to know Trent, he had told her that he decided to prepare Yue for the life of a Tamer's pokégirl.

They had not traveled or done any journeying yet, in fact they were still in the same town of which he had first released her, still in his hometown. They had spent the first month getting Yue clothes, supplies, food, sleeping bags and tents.

The second month had been entirely focused on their bond, he and her both getting to know the other, teaching her to talk- and after an incident with his mother's couch -showed her the proper mannerisms and rules to abide by.

And finally the third and final month, spent on training her, how to throw a punch and a kick, and teaching her how to properly use her techniques. Now that the final day had come he took her to the PokéCenter to request a spar with one of the pokégirls they had in stock.

And she had done it, she had beaten the Titmouse!

- - - - xXx - - - -

Trent fastened his backpack anxiously; Yue glanced at him curiously, noticing his nervousness.

Trent looked at his Catgirl, then cracked a side smile "Don't worry, I'm not scared or anything... In fact," he looked back at the entrance of his hometown in fondness before looking out at the road ahead "I can't wait to get started!"

Yue gave a toothy-feline grin "Yue ready too!"

Trent livened "Then this is it Yue, the day we begin our Journey!" beginning to walk, Yue kept pace, he couldn't stop grinning.

But the Catgirl waved her tail curiously "Master?"

"Yeah?"

Yue was confused "What's our goal?"

"Goal?" He paused, his grin turned questioning, then smiled "I don't really have a goal Yue. Just new objectives and an adventure."

Yue tilted her head "Objectives?"

He nodded as they continued walking "Yeah, like my first objective: Get starting Pokégirl, check. Next objective: Make sure Pokégirl is prepared for travel,"

Yue began to smile, "Check."

He nodded, looking out to the path "And now, our next objective."

"We capture two Pokégirl?" Yue guessed.

He chuckled, "Nah, that comes later, first: Journey; Next: Evolution Stones; and then: we need Money."

The Catgirl's ears lowered, "Many objectives hard to do."

He laughed, "Don't think of them all at once Yue, only one at a time, step by step." he advised.

Yue raised her head questioningly, "Why Master want stones?"

He grinned as he looked at her, "It's something I've always wanted to do, ever since my mother told me about evolution stones, I decided that I want to collect every evolution stone and crystal out there, heh, maybe even the E-Medals while I'm at it."

Looking around suspiciously he waved for her to come closer, Yue blinked as she leaned closer, seeing him reach into his back pocket he pulled out a beautiful amber colored stone with a glowing fire insignia on it.

"Wooow...!" Yue whispered, completely taken by the stone's beauty she peered closer at it, watching as the fire seemed to literally burn and change in size, she could even feel the heat coming from it.

"This is a Fire stone that my mother gave me for my eighteenth birthday, beautiful isn't it?" he asked, before pocketing the stone.

Yue looked up, "Master plan on using them?"

He considered it, "Well that would depend on which pokégirl would benefit from it, but I don't think that far Yue." he looked sheepish.

"Then why?" She asked.

He smiled, holding up a finger, "Remember this Yue, it's important to always set objectives for yourself and also to have a reason for doing something. Sometimes those reasons can add some fun to the adventure, give excitement and wanting for travel and to explore! You, my future pokégirls, and also these lovely beauties here are just my reason to go to the greatest places on this Earth."

The Catgirl listened intently, "Like what Master?"

"Well, we could check out the famous Cursed Jusenkyo Dump- Ooh! And find the great Elven Council deep in one of the Leagues; maybe do a bit of trading with the Hun Tribes eh?"

He grinned giddily, "Either way Yue, looking at the road ahead, our journey will be a journey worthwhile, because there is always something to see and places to explore!"

His Catgirl brightened, "Yes Master! Yue remember to always have objectives!" -

Hinata looked at the sun already overhead, sighing at how fast the day was going and still very paranoid since the moment she got up.

Naruto rested his hands behind his head, "Don't worry so much Hinata."

Hinata merely gave him a sour look, bags under her eyes, it was clear she was still a little tired.

"Everything's gonna be just fine."

"Easy for you to say Naruto!" She snapped, reeling on him, "You've had time to speak with the Kyuubi! This is the first time I'm finding out my youki is an entity in itself!" she stated none too kindly.

Naruto winced, "Sorry Hinata, I didn't mean it like that." he apologized, having coped with having something alive sealed in him for a little more than two years now since he found out, he guessed he didn't realize how scary it could be for someone who never knew what it was like.

Hinata's bitter expression slowly faded to regret as she sighed and lowered her head, "I know you didn't Naruto, I'm sorry," she murmured, "I... I just didn't get much sleep last night."

Naruto looked at her sympathetically, "The nightmares... this whole time it was her reaching out to you..." he went off shifting his gaze, then glanced back, "What are you gonna do?"

Hinata shrugged, troubled, "I don't know Naruto." she sounded incredibly sad, 'Even if I didn't have this dark chakra... She'd still be here as my second personality, in my head...'

Naruto saw her hand trembling, grabbing hold of it he smiled comfortingly.

Hinata looked lost, "I'm scared Naruto-kun," she whispered looking down, "I don't know what to do." she whimpered. Her youki was alive and it had a mind of its own, the thought that she could lash out if she lost control scared her.

Naruto smiled comfortingly, "It's going to be okay Hinata," she looked up at him, "I promise."

She looked into his calm cerulean blue eyes, then let out a shaky breath, "But what do I do?" she asked.

He grinned, "We go along with your plan, learn how to control it, nothing's changed Hinata. She can't take control if you don't want her to."

Hinata gave an unconscious smile at his words. Closing her eyes she thought about what he said before she nodded, "Right," she looked at him gratefully, "Thanks Naruto-kun."

"You were right when you said that we needed to do something. No matter how scary it is, we gotta go through with it, for our sake and for the girls." he repeated.

Hinata stood back, resolving herself, "When should we begin?" she asked.

Naruto blinked, "When we get somewhere safe, but for right now we need to start our usual training again, jutsu and all."

"But you're not fully healed." Hinata argued.

Naruto laughed, "I'm not saying today." he waved off, he had just finished working out with Kitsuto half an hour ago and was beat.

Hinata nodded, "At least you're able to mold chakra and withstand it, and you've recovered some of your jutsu." she reminded optimistically.

Naruto laughed, "Still sucks that I have to take it easy when doing so though."

Yesterday he had done so. After working out with Kitsuto and Hinata he wanted to see if his coils were repaired and could handle Jutsu. So far he was able use Henge, Kawarmi and Kage Bunshin, but too much chakra at one time and he'd be in a world of pain. At most he could create twenty Bunshins maximum before his coils began to become overwhelmed, so he still couldn't use the Rasengan, it was a shame, he planned on showing it to Kitsuto.

Hinata monitored his coils as he performed his techniques and they seemed to be coming along nicely, by the time they had to leave he ought to be back to normal.

"You need to confront her Hinata."

Her heart skipped a beat as she snapped up, "C-confront her?!" Just the thought...

He looked at her, "These nightmares Hinata, they're not healthy. You need to address them, tell her to fuck off," Naruto stated seriously.

"F-fuck off?" Hinata stuttered, lowering her head timidly, "Naruto I-..."

Naruto rested his hands on her shoulders and gave a genuine smile, "You're in control Hinata." he reminded confidently and perked up, "Who knows, maybe you can strike a deal with her."

Hinata stared at him, "What?"

Naruto nodded, "Since you're going to learn how to control your youki anyway, maybe if you talked to her, you both can work out a deal."

"You want me to ask her to help me learn how to control herself? Naruto-kun that's just-"

"Crazy I know. But if you convinced her to help you it'd be much easier for you, she can keep you under control if you begin to become overwhelmed, she can retract the youki, and in turn it'd help keep me under control when training with Kyuubi's chakra, honestly what do you have to lose... I'm not saying you have to... But just give it some thought."

Hinata looked doubting, "I-I don't know Naruto," she muttered, trying to think of how to go about it, "How am I supposed to convince her?"

Was Naruto right, She really had no reason to be scared of her Youki?... She couldn't take over unless Hinata willed it, as long as she was in control she couldn't do anything, but the thought of giving her Youki the ability to control her dark chakra, putting the safety of Naruto and the girls in her hands wasn't too comforting.

"Didn't you tell me that she said she wasn't evil?" He asked.

Hinata looked surprised, "Well, yeah... But she also tried to kill everyone Naruto!"

Naruto's expression hardened, crossing his arms he mumbled to himself, "Well technically she has your personality."

Hinata closed her eyes, pained at the reminder, "Created from all of my crazy emotions." she began to become sad, "I was going insane." she mumbled.

"Hey!" Naruto snapped, "It isn't your fault Hinata, so don't even try to blame yourself because I won't allow it!"

Hinata flinched, taken aback at his outburst, "N-Naruto-kun."

He narrowed his brows, "We just have to think about what she'd like. Think Hinata, what would appeal to you no matter what?"

'Fucking you...' Hinata blushed at the stray thought; pushing her fingers together she smiled stupidly, "I-... I'm not sure, sorry." she apologized.

A common goal, '... To be stronger.'

'Freedom...' A reason to work together.

Hinata narrowed her eyes, "Maybe I can ask her what she wants..." she decided, "Naruto how do you go into your subconscious?"

Naruto shook his head sadly, "Ah-sorry Hinata, I usually end up there when I'm unconscious or I get knocked out."

Hinata tried to think of a way, 'Perhaps meditation?' Sitting in the lotus position she sat there in silence for a solid twenty minutes, unfortunately that didn't seem to be the key.

'I shouldn't be afraid of her... I control her after all.'

"Hinata? What are you doing?" Naruto asked.

"I want to try something." she murmured. Black chakra sparked into existence, twirling around her, Hinata's nails grew just a little sharper. 'I need your help Youki, I want to talk to you.' as if on command she could feel something pull her in.

- - - - xXx - - - -

Opening her eyes Hinata looked around... Then glanced down, '... I'm already on her side?'

*Crash!*

Hinata snapped at the sound of Ice shattering, spotting her yards away.

"Woow~" her voice echoing around unimpressed, "Can call on your dark chakra but can't even enter your own mind, boo~!" She stuck out her tongue and gave her a thumbs down.

Hinata frowned, feeling her insides go cold at the sight of her.

The youki influenced female huffed, "What do you want anyway? As you can see I'm quite busy!" she gestured.

She appeared next to one of the figures, "We're playing freeze tag-*Hehee*- get it?"

Hinata stared at the ice sculptures of her friends in slowly growing confusion, "Are you... that childish?" she whispered actually confused.

Her grin dropped to a frown as the ice figures shattered, "Give me some credit," she pleaded whispering into Hinata's ear, "I'm only six months old."

"Six months?"

She appeared in front of her with a smile, "Well I am your youki, and you got your youki when you- I mean- we jumped between Naruto and Sasuke." she explained.

"And also... You gave me this body remember...? You pervert." she scolded teasingly, pushing her breasts together, "Because this is what you looked like on that day, only shorter and less developed, right?"

She became overjoyed, "But I'm only as smart as you are, just-" the ice figures formed again, only the male and female figures paired off in vulgar positions, "With a different perspective." figures of hundreds of bodies lying on the ground littered the surface- mimicking the dead.

"Well!" She snapped, "Did you get my message?" eyes piercing the teen with excitement.

- Her home bathed in flames, the bodies of her family... were burning. -

Hinata shut her eyes for a moment, then opened them with a different look in her eye, "Yeah, I got your message."

She brightened maliciously, "What did you think? Tempting...? entertaining...? I could come up with much more vivid images if you'd like?" she questioned, stalking closer.

Hinata's expression hardened, "I want you to stop."

Her smirk was swept off with surprise, "That's it? No thank you, no praises!" she crossed her arms stubbornly, "The least you could do Hinata is-"

Hinata snapped up in a glare, her Byakugan ablaze, "I don't have to do anything! I'm telling you... to fuck off! No more nightmares!" she demanded.

Her condescending expression vanished, her prowling posture was gone leaving her standing upright, with a slightly shocked stare.

Hinata glared.

Then she glared back.

… She huffed, finally breaking gaze, "Whatever, I didn't want to show you my badass ideas anyway!" she pouted angrily.

Turning away from Hinata, a Hinata ice replica shot from the floor before immediately shattering as the youki female knocked her head off to vent.

Hinata sighed, her muscles tensed, adrenaline slowly began to run thin as she calmed herself, bewildered that she actually... listened.

For the next, out of what felt almost like an hour, Hinata watched the bioluminescent Hinata look-alike vent, complain, destroy and murder ice replicas, command ice to blow up and many other strange ice-related things.

Hinata watched silently, the last of her anger faded, as the childish female stomped on shards of ice of what remained of a rather-obese Hinata sculpture.

'It's strange; she's acting like a child, if she is me... Do I get like that too?' Hinata crossed her arms curiously, "What's your name?"

She froze, turning away from her ice figures, "What?"

"What should I call you? Youki isn't exactly a name."

The ice figures shattered, her anger suddenly vanishing as her eyes widened, "Name?" pacing back and forth she scratched her head confused, "I don't really have a name, why would someone name their chakra?" she laughed at the thought of it.

Hinata hummed, "Maybe I should name you."

She looked offended, "What am I your pet?"

Hinata slowly lifted a smile, "Kind of... I mean I do control you."

The blue bioluminescent female was struck frigid, "Tch, fuck you!" she seethed.

Throwing a fit, "Name me like a fucking pokégirl? No-no wait! Think: Bijuu." she proposed.

Hinata lost her mirth at the mention of the Bijuu, realizing a similarity, 'A Bijuu... They are masses of chakra with a form... Naruto said Kyuubi gained a consciousness only after being sealed, at first a mindless beast but then smartened off the experiences of its vessel.'

Hinata stared in shock, 'My youki was created from that clash, from Kyuubi's chakra and Sasuke's cursed seal. Then gained consciousness from latching onto my second personality gaining a mind of her own... And I gave her this form... She really is... almost identical.'

"Oi! Snap out of it!" she demanded.

Hinata blinked, coming to and looking up at her she narrowed her eyes, 'Her personality is my polar opposite.'

She thought of a perfect name.

But right now she had to stay focused, finding what she could use to negotiate with this girl, Hinata cleared her throat, "Tell me Youki, What do you want?"

She looked annoyed, "I want you to stop day-dreaming!"

Hinata remained serious, "Not like that," she muttered, "I need your help." ... Pausing the youki seemed to consider it before she crossed her arms and sneered, "And why should I help you?"

"So you can get what you want." Hinata answered.

She raised her brows in surprise, then grinned, "Smart, and what exactly do you want me to help you with Hinata?"

"Controlling my youki."

"Me?"

The Hyuuga smiled, "Is it surprising?" Hinata teased, "You have better control of it than me, you are it after all."

Her pale grayish face slowly lit up at the compliment, her chest puffed out as she looked at her nails proudly, "I am."

"In the future, you can help me with my training," Hinata continued, "When I begin to lose control. When the youki starts to overwhelm me, you have the ability to pull the dark chakra back and bring me under control. I want your word that you'll help me." Hinata stated.

Perking up at the last part she snorted, "Tch, and what makes you think I'd do such a thing?"

Hinata looked straight into her glowing eyes unwaveringly, "I can offer you more freedom."

The female stopped, snapping to Hinata she appeared next to her, wrapping her arm around her shoulder, "And what are the limits to this Freedom you speak of? What can I do with it in here?"

Hinata raised a brow, she had no idea, she hadn't thought about what freedom would mean for the girl.

She grinned, tapping the top of Hinata's head, "Thought you had me huh?"

Hinata sighed, "Then what do you want?"

She spat, "I don't want your freedom, nor do I have any fantasies about breaking out of here. I'm actually feeling pretty good about being right here." she revealed.

Hinata's brows shot up, "Really?" It was hard to believe that she liked it in here.

"But!" she appeared in front of her, inches from her with a dark grin, "What you can offer me... Or rather promise me is sex and blood!" She cried out with dark glee, baring fangs.

She turned away and clamped her hands together, "Lots and lots! Of BLOOD! Ohahahaa! You give me control and allow me to spill blood and fuck Naruto and your girls dead!"

Hinata's expression morphed into rage and disgust, "You're sick... I won't agree to it! You're not going to kill anyone! Not Naruto, our pokégirls or my friends!" she refused.

The pale woman was silent, facing away from the Hyuuga... arms falling to her sides in seeming disappointment.

But then, she slowly turned with a malicious grin, "But Trauma right?" she asked, walking toward her, "And criminals, and the Legendary chasing you, your enemies?" she asked.

Hinata was taken back.

Her eyes quite literally pulsed with blood thirst, "Oh you made it clear not to hurt the ones you- I mean- we care for. But when the time comes, I ask that you allow me to slaughter those bad Trauma people who hurt poor Tashira, along with any enemies that you can't handle," she explained, hugging Hinata from behind, "You just call on me and I can take care of them, ne?"

She leaned down, licked her ear... then breathed on her neck, "And about the sex... I didn't mean 'Fuck them dead' literally, can't you take a joke? I mean what would be the fun in that? What I meant was that once a month I want to be let out... to fuck our crush raw, along with each and every one of our loyal pokégirls along with his. Just once a month is all I'm begging." she then giggled rather madly, full of lust and desire, "Hehee! I do have your hidden desires after all." she reminded.

Hinata was silent, unsure, how could she agree to these terms?

She had killed, but she wasn't a killer. She had sessions with her pokégirls and with Naruto... But she wasn't that sex-crazed... was she?

Her enemies... She could bare that burden she supposed, but if she agreed, how would Naruto and the girls feel, having to deal with her once a month?

Hinata narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "How can I trust that you'll keep your word?"

Her Youki appeared three feet from her, "Come on Hinata, does this look like the face of a liar?"

Sharp fangs opened in a dark grin, her eyes wide and menacing, her maliciously pulsating eyes pierced her soul.

Hinata glared warningly, "If you break the agreement, I swear if you try to take over I'll-"

"You'll do what? Attack me?" she treaded forward menacingly, "Attack Chakra?... Ohehehee! I guess you're just going to have to trust me now aren't you?" she laughed.

Hinata's glare faded into slight fear, reconsidering this agreement.

Her pale grayish face looked down at her intently, invitingly, "Well Hinata, do we have a deal?"

The Hyuuga stared at her trying to search for any kind of hidden motives behind her pulsing bioluminescent eyes. Reluctantly she shifted in thought, shutting her eyes.

But ultimately, while hesitantly, she gave a single decisive nod.

The woman brightened in glee, "Atta girl! I knew you'd make the right decision!" She cheered, hugging the Hyuuga.

Hinata looked up into the grinning face of her youki, and she herself smiled, "Then we're done here Tsuki."

"Ohahaha-eh?" Her laughing cut off, "-What?" snapping to the Kunoichi in her arms. Hinata's solid form faded away, leaving Tsuki to clutch air...

Blinking, Tsuki stared at nothing for a moment.

Hinata = Sun... Tsuki = Moon...?

Polar opposites.

Tsuki glared, "No she did not!"

- - - - xXx - - - -

Hinata opened her eyes to find Naruto staring at her.

"Well?"

She sighed, "We've come to an agreement."

"That's great! What was it?"

Hinata looked away blushing, for now she'd tell him the condition that mattered most, quickly she blurted it out to get it over with, "You-and-all-the-girls-are-going-to-have-to-have-orgy-sex-with-her-once-a-month!"

"... Eh?" his expression screwed with confusion.

Naruto stared for a moment to let her words catch up to him and take effect. His eyes widened, "EEEHHHH!-?"

Her forefingers pressed nervously, "I'm happy that you're so understanding Naruto-kun!" she laughed nervously.

Yue began to tremble, unconsciously holding her breath as she entered Hinata's room, her room, walking over to the dresser she arched her back as her emotions began to build up in inevitability.

Picking up her purple-lined scroll with her name titled on it she unfurled it, spotting the square with the weapon that brought back memories.

She took a deep breath, and then unsealed her Ninjato with a purple handle and sheath, the very one that Hinata had bought for her at the Weapon shop in Ruby.

Yue stared at it in slight regret, running her fingers over the sheath; she was reminded of the one that was destroyed, the one she use to have.

- "Hm..."

Yue looked over in slight concern at Trent's grunting, "What's wrong master?" fearing that he was upset.

Trent smiled sheepishly, "Oh sorry, I was just thinking about home." he muttered, rubbing his neck in embarrassment.

Yue finished setting up the fire and setting a pot of canned stew over it, the sleeping bags were set for tonight, deciding to lay by the fire on this warm night, "Home?" she asked.

Trent nodded, "Yeah, like what mom and dad are up to, or maybe what professor Oran would be doing right now." he muttered.

Yue smiled, "Master is feeling a little home sick?" she asked, they have been away from home for five months now, and what a five months it was.

They got to attend a League tournament and watch the best of Opal battle each other, Trent aspired to be just as strong as them someday, they also took a cruise across the sea over to the White-Lotus league and got to explore some fine areas, meet new Tamers and people, she even got two Pokébattle victories under her belt at a beginning Tamer Tournament, it was a good feeling to have such an accomplishment.

Afterwards they had taken a ride back across the ocean to Edo. He couldn't believe that they had got to attend one of the great Professor Kenzel's lectures on Pre-Sukebe tech and Philosophy at Edo's capital. He had been feeling so happy that he had even bought her an authentic Ninjato that the famous Kunoichi show group there in Edo used; Yue had admitted that she was interested in learning how to use such a weapon.

On their way to the border of Edo and Opal league they had come across a mystic lake where they had discovered some Psi Crystals, so Trent also managed to collect both a Psi Crystal along with the Fire stone he had, before selling a few extra crystals for money.

They had traveled back into Opal and were planning on stopping at Trent's hometown for a visit, while on their way to Ruby League. Yue could understand why Master Trent was feeling a little homesick.

Trent grinned, "Hey can you blame me?"

Yue laughed, "I look forward to seeing Miss Helen and Mister Harper again as well Master." she agreed.

*Snap!*

Quickly their laughter stopped, both hearing a twig snap Yue prepared herself. Pulling out her black sheathed Ninjato she faced the darkness of the woods, despite her month and a half of amateur training with the weapon.

A rather hungry looking Furrite came from the darkness; looking possessive, and willing to fight for the good-smelling food on the fire.

Yue gave a toothy grin, rushing at it, "Don't worry Master, I can handle her!"

The Furrite shot off at her in return. Trent grinned as he witnessed his Catgirl overwhelm the Furrite, knocking her unconscious with a Kitty Swipe.

"Wow good job Yue! She could be the next Pokégirl to join the Harem!"

"Really?" Yue mewed excitedly, watching as Trent took out his Pokéball and enlarged it. Preparing to throw it at the unconscious Furrite he paused at the sound of whimpering.

Yue blinked, turning with her blade at the ready.

Trembling in fear, but running to the unconscious Furrite, were three young Furrite Pokékits. They huddled next to their unconscious mother and whimpered in fear.

"Huh? Pokékits?" Yue mumbled.

Trent slowly stood straight in realization, "She... was just looking for food to feed her kits." he realized, looking down at the Pokéball in his hand, suddenly not feeling very enthusiastic.

Yue blinked in confusion, "Master, what are you doing? Are you not going to capture her?" she asked, watching in confusion as he placed the pokéball back in his pouch.

"No, no I'm not going to capture her." he replied, instead he gently offered them bowls of stew, and when the mother came to he fed her as well.

Yue watched, and reluctantly gave the Furrite she beat, a bowl of food to eat out of. An hour later they had scurried back off into the forest with a full stomach.

She looked at Trent, "Master? Why did you feed them and not capture the Furrite?" she asked curiously, was that not the Tamer way that had been introduced to her upon capture?

He looked up at her from his sleeping bag and smiled, "Yue, here's another lesson I want you to always remember,"

The Catgirl listened intently at another lesson.

"Never forget your bonds."

She blinked, "Bonds?" she muttered.

He nodded, "Yeah, bonds are very important Yue. They are very strong emotions that tie together with another person or pokégirl, and they are the world to each and every one of us." he explained.

Yue narrowed her eyes, "Why are these bonds so important Master?"

He lost his smile in thought, "Yue," looking over at her, "If someone were to take you away from me. I'd be heart broken."

Yue froze, "I would be very heart broken as well Master!" she exclaimed worriedly.

He nodded with a smile, "That, is a bond Yue," watching as her fear slowly turned to understanding, "The time we spent together, I don't think I can imagine a world without you Yue."

She bowed, "I don't want to imagine a world without you either Master." feeling very emotional.

He sat up with a gentle smile, "That Furrite had three little kits, and each of them care so much for her and her for them. I'd be a monster to separate them from each other, I mean, I could never imagine if someone just came and captured my mom and took her away from me and my dad." he muttered.

Yue slowly sat back, looking at Trent with comprehension, "I... I understand now Master, these bonds are very important, aren't they?"

He nodded, "Yes, very, each and every person and pokégirl is someone new to meet, and if we're lucky enough, a new bond to be formed, a new array of emotions and experiences that can build so strong that they can never be broken." he explained.

He smiled at her, "Make sure to never forget the bonds you make Yue, even if the person you made them with isn't there, those bonds will never disappear, never forget them, because they make you who you are... That's why bonds are so wonderful to have." he finished.

The Catgirl slowly nodded, smiling with this new lesson realized, "I understand Master, I will never forget the bonds I have, and the bonds that I make." -

Yue looked upon the Ninjato in sorrow. She hadn't used this weapon at all, in fact she had not seen the weapon ever since Hinata had bought it.

"Perhaps it's time that I start using it." Yue muttered, it would serve as a reminder of the lesson that she'd forgotten, and because she did, she seemed to be damaging many of the bonds she had now, while struggling to hold true to the one she use to have.

Looking up at her reflection in the mirror she felt even worse for having gone back on her word, "I'm sorry Trent... I promised to never forget... and now you see me struggling to do the opposite," she apologized, feeling tears well up.

He was right, because she had tried to forget, she nearly almost forget who she was.

She bowed her head, "I promise that I will not look upon your memory with regret, and I will heal my bonds with those dear to me now."

Kiya... how could she snap at her?

*Click*

Yue composed herself.

Tashira yawned, tossing her towel to the floor as she looked up, "Hm? Hey Yue." She acknowledged.

Sealing the purple sheathed weapon back into her scroll she turned and bowed, "Evening Tashira, how are you?"

The Draconic-pokégirl slowly narrowed her eyes, taking note of her formal behavior that she usually took up whenever she was uncomfortable or feeling guilty, "Peachy," she answered, heading for her scroll to put on some sleep wear.

Yue teleported to the bed as Tashira grabbed her scroll, "So Yue, has Kiya told you?"

Her eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat as she fell on her side onto the bed, "Told me what?" she mewed reluctantly.

Tashira pulled on a pair of panties and sweatpants, "Kiya and Myrel are bunking with us for the rest of the time here, so Hinata's gonna be sleeping with Naruto." she relayed.

Yue was silent, glancing over at the door, "No, Kiya didn't say anything to me." she mumbled, sadness starting to take a spot within her.

Tashira shrugged, "Hm, figured Kiya would've told you first." pulling on a tank top.

"Perhaps she knew that you would come tell me..." She just kept being reminded of her mistake.

The Alpha pokégirl considered it, "Good point."

She would apologize and make up with Kiya, but right now there was something else that started to steal her attention.

Yue glanced over, "Hey Tashira, why are they sleeping with us, did Naruto tell them to move?" she questioned, narrowing her brows.

Tashira shook her head, "Tch, it was her idea; I dunno what her reason was. Maybe to give Naruto and Hinata some alone time, Kami knows her frustrations are beginning to show," she chuckled, "Humans and their puberty." muttering under her breath.

Yue sat up, pursuing her curiosity, "Tashira?"

"Hm?"

Her expression hardened, "Is Myrel... No longer a threat? She definitely won't hurt Hinata or Naruto?" The Cheshire wanted to make sure, looking ready to kill Myrel if Tashira said otherwise

Tashira stopped what she was doing, looking at Yue in the reflection of the mirror, the Dracass cracked a smile, "She's no longer a threat to us... In fact, I think we should get used to seeing her around for a while."

Yue sat still in consideration, before falling onto her back with a small bounce, "... Good." She honestly felt relieved, and with that, a small smile came to her at what it meant.

A new bond could be formed.

"Oi Naruto."

"Huh?" broken out of his thoughts and worries about Hinata's agreement with her youki, he glanced to see Kiya ascending the stairs, "Ara? Kiya what's up?"

"Me and Myrel are going to be sleeping in Hinata's room with Tashira and Yue so you and Hinata can sleep together."

... Naruto slowly turned red.

"I didn't mean it like that but that's a plus I guess." Kiya giggled.

Naruto snapped out of it, "W-wait, Kiya why are you and Myrel sleeping in Hinata's room?"

Kiya stopped at the step he stood on and looked straight at him with the utmost seriousness, "Ever since we've arrived here, you, my Tamer, have been sleeping on the couch! That I cannot, and will not allow, so I decided to let you get the comfort you deserve, plus you and Hinata also get to have some alone time as well." she hinted with a grin.

Passing him she continued up the steps leaving Naruto speechless, "Uh-... Thanks?"

"It's also a good chance for Myrel to interact with Tashira and Yue." she stated.

Naruto blinked.

Unbeknownst to Naruto, she had moved Myrel and herself purely so she could observe how Tashira, Yue, and Myrel would interact with each other, only after she did so she managed to get lucky and come up with the excuse to tell Naruto.

- - - - xXx - - - -

"Mmnn!" Myrel grumbled under her breath as she walked into the room, Kiya behind her pushing her in "Don't see why we have to change rooms." she complained.

"Quit whining!" Kiya demanded.

Tashira stood at the foot of the bed with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face.

Yue stayed silent, lying on the bed as her tail waved curiously.

Myrel stopped in her tracks as Kiya shut the door with all four inside.

...

"What the hell happened to the couch?-!" Myrel gawked seeing it turned upside down and then literally mummified in tape that attached it to the ground.

Tashira and Yue glanced at it in surprise as if it was the first time they had noticed it as well, "Huh, looks like someone turned the couch upside down, hid the cushions and then taped it to the floor with Psydike tape," Tashira looked at Myrel's shocked expression and shrugged, "Weird."

"That doesn't usually happen." Yue added.

Myrel glared at the two of them, "You girls are Mazoukus'!" she growled.

The Kitsune's surprise quickly turned giddy as her tail wagged, "Guess we'll have to sleep on the bed!" Kiya yipped, this worked better than she could've hoped for!

Lowering her head Myrel trudged to the bed.

Yue teleported next to her.

"Gah!" She jumped, stepping away from the Cheshire the Dracona inwardly grunted uncomfortably.

"What's wrong?" Yue asked, her tail waving curiously behind her as she stared attentively at the Dracona.

"Rrgh! Nothing!" she denied, looking away frustrated.

Tashira seemed to suddenly be at her right the moment she looked away from Yue, "Ah!" The startled Dracona hissed.

"What's up Myrel?" Tashira grinned as she pulled on her cheek, "You're not shy to strip naked and get in your pj's are ya?" she teased the dragon pokégirl.

Myrel shoved her away, "Back off dammit!" clutching her sleep wear for tonight.

Standing behind her Kiya grinned mischievously, "Come on Myrel we're all Pokégirls here!" she encouraged.

"What are you doing? Get Away!"

... Three Hours Later ...

"Damn it." Naruto hissed under his breath, he had trouble walking, a deep sting ran throughout his thighs, calves and the soles of his feet and had just begun to wear off, not being able to sleep he walked down stairs and noticed that the dining room lights were still on.

Naruto blinked with intrigue as he inched into the dining room.

Looking up, Hinata turned from the few scrolls piled on the table, "Mm? Naruto-kun." She waved, seeing him rubbing his eyes.

"Eh? Hinata you're still up?" He blanched as his eyes drifted to the clock on the wall, "It's almost eleven." He muttered and yawned again, everyone was already asleep.

Hinata looked slightly embarrassed, "Ah- Sorry Naruto-kun. I couldn't sleep, I've just been a little hyper lately." occupying herself by reorganizing the supplies Myrel had mixed up and also sealed the recent supplies Tashira had gotten for her.

The blond blinked, and then sighed aggravatingly, "Don't tell me you've been messing with your youki." With the sudden blush on her cheeks and the widen of her eyes he already knew the answer.

Hinata lowered her head for a moment, "I wanted to talk with her again... I'm sorry," it didn't last, quickly she brightened, "D-demo- Since you're up!" She looked at him pleadingly, Naruto stared unsurely as she reached for her scroll with her name on it along with his own, "Since we're both wide awake, and I've finished organizing the supplies. Let's go!" She ushered, standing up she brushed past him, grabbing hold of his arm.

"N-na? Hinata, now?" He muttered tiredly.

She glanced, "Please? I don't wanna just be doing nothing." She begged, reading pokégirl data had its perks, but it got boring real quick. Since they were both up and everyone else was asleep, now was the perfect time to train.

Naruto was reluctant, "I'm not completely back to full health so I can't do any major sparring." He argued, really he was more afraid of re-injuring himself and having to wait even longer to recover... Although, he was feeling different.

"After that I can help you train to gain control of your chakra again Naruto-kun, please?" She asked.

Naruto stared into her large lavender doe eyes, he groaned, "Alright, fine."

- - - - xXx - - - -

The training courtyard, at each corner of the squared courtyard held a lit torch to provide a dim lighted atmosphere, but it wouldn't hinder them any.

Naruto having just finished setting out the equipment from both his and Hinata's training scrolls, turned to see Hinata's progress.

"Kah! Damn it!" Hinata cursed in frustration as the Bunshin dispersed, "I can't figure it out Naruto-kun!" She fumed in frustration, she had the correct seal, the Tiger seal, hell it was the last seal to the clone jutsu.

Naruto sighed as he scratched the back of his head, "You're not using enough chakra Hinata. I told you, in order to perform the Kage Bunshin you have to cut your chakra in half before making the clone." He repeated.

"Even if you say that..." Hinata mumbled, if she didn't put her chakra into two portions evenly it only resulted in a Bunshin, sometimes eight to compensate for the amount of chakra she put into the technique, but that still wasn't enough to make a Kage Bunshin. Hinata had the distribution correctly, the seal, and technique itself, the only problem seemed to be that she didn't know how much chakra she actually had, so she couldn't properly distribute half of her overall chakra capacity.

Naruto wasn't quite sure himself, he was pretty sure the technique wasn't all that complicated to perform; even Konohamaru had gotten it down within an hour. So why was Hinata having so much trouble? With her excellent chakra control she should've had it down by now, if not sooner? Thirty minutes into training, Hinata continued to make Bunshin after Bunshin, and after each time she'd raise the amount of chakra just a little higher. At the rate they were going, she'd be pouring more chakra into the technique than him.

He paused, "Then again..." Naruto muttered in thought.

- "I've just been a little hyper lately." - Naruto palmed his face.

Hinata stopped concentrating chakra, head snapping to the blond, "What? You come up with something Naruto-kun?" She asked, seeing as how the way they were going wasn't necessarily getting them anywhere.

Naruto rubbed his chin in thought, "Ne Hinata? How exactly does your youki work?" He asked.

Hinata stood up, brows rose in confusion, "What does that have to do with anything?" Not knowing where he was going with the question.

Walking around for a few moments he shrugged, "Well the Kage Bunshin isn't exactly a hard technique to learn, it's just dangerous to perform. And plus, you said you were messing with your youki earlier which got you all hyper. The difference between your chakra and your youki to my chakra and Kyuubi's is that there's no barrier preventing your two chakra's from linking together whenever they please. So maybe since you have some of your other chakra's influence running through you right now, there might be a small amount of it within your regular chakra." He summarized.

Hinata paused, then replied gratefully, "You really are amazing ya know Naruto-kun?" She joked, "I didn't even think about that." This whole time she had been trying to cut her chakra in half at the amount it usually was when it wasn't being interfered with by her youki, but with that small bit of youki in her regular chakra reserves, it easily increased her regular chakra twice as much.

Naruto grinned at the compliment.

"Which would mean," Hinata mumbled, "I've been far below the half-point." She finished, now suddenly confident she smirked and put her hands together in the Tiger seal, "Alright, I understand what to do now."

Naruto's eyes widened for a moment, "Hold on Hinata! Instead of making one clone, just to be safe you should make at least three." He warned cautiously.

Hinata raised a brow, "What for Naruto-kun?"

Naruto blushed for a moment, "Well concentrating all that chakra, with just a bit of youki within just one clone could corrupt it. You see, clones are more easily exposed to our other chakras than we are. At least from what I've seen of my clones reacting to the Kyuubi's chakra, and since yours is similar it could go that way too."

"What's it matter if my clone's exposed to it?"

"Well, say that now you're just tipsy due to your other chakra; if you create one clone, she'd be really drunk, meaning she'd be under your Youki's complete influence... ya know? Your dark perverted side." He explained with tinted cheeks, "Even if you dispersed the clone, the experiences, feelings and such are transferred to the original..." He finished.

Hinata blanched, then her cheeks reddened slightly as she lowered her head, "Oh, I see," She mumbled then nodded, "Okay, I'll create three clones then."

Concentrating her regular chakra she quickly began to cut her chakra into four portions, the end result would leave her with the amount of chakra she was at normally. Putting her hands together in a Tiger seal she expelled the chakra, "Kage Bunshin No Jutsu!"

She felt like she had lost weight, her body splitting and over half her chakra vanished, the quick events made her slightly dizzy.

Naruto's eyes widened, "Yatta! Hinata you did it!"

Three clones, similar to the original appeared; Naruto noticed the slight differences between her clones and the real her almost immediately. The clones' hair were a little more wild, their nails were slightly longer as well.

Quickly Naruto was at her side the moment he saw Hinata lean to the side, winded, "Hinata, you alright?" He asked worriedly.

She stared at nothing for a second, then her face bloomed at the sight of three Hinatas looking at her in surprise, "I-I did it!" The one on the far left looked down at her 'claws', the other two glancing at each other.

Naruto helped her stand, "Are you tired Hinata? Anything at all?"

She looked at him, then down at herself, her mouth open and eyes wide in astonishment. Flexing her hands she smiled, "Not even a little, I don't even feel tired... That's awesome! Is this how you feel after you create clones Naruto-kun?"

Naruto laughed, "A little."

"So you're saying she came a long way from how she used to be huh?" The second Hinata clone asked with a grin.

"You mean 'us'." The first corrected.

"Sure it's not just 'me'?" The third asked.

"A-ano, not all at once." Hinata stuttered, standing on her own she looked them over, also noticing their features quickly as well. She stood in silence, awing and admiring Naruto's signature technique, "... So that's what I look like with mangy hair?" Hinata asked, more to the others than to herself.

The second clone developed a tick-mark, "Mangy? It gives you a sexier look!" She argued.

"Tch- you wouldn't say that while trying to kill your opponent." The first one argued.

Hinata blanched, 'This is just with a minor influence from the youki.' blushing in realization how much she changed when drunk off dark chakra.

"We should continue with the training." She reminded.

The third Hinata grinned, "Just tell us what to do Mistress!"

The other three Hinatas present stared at her.

"What? I was just going off how Naruto's clones call him 'boss'; less confusion." She huffed defensively, the other two clones considered it.

Naruto clapped his hands together, "Alright then, I think the first thing we should do is see how much your clones can do."

"We don't mind if the original and you join in Naruto-kun!" The second clone winked, Hinata blushed as Naruto laughed.

Sobering up he carefully put his fingers together and created nine clones. Grunting under his breath he winced as his coils stung under the large use of chakra, his legs weakened for a moment.

"Are you alright Naruto?"

Naruto stood up, breathing a little harder, "Yeah I'm fine."

Simultaneously the three Hinata clones sized up the Naruto's, "Let's just focus on the training for now." The first clone stated, the third clone cracked her knuckles with a grin, "And what exactly are we trying to do?"

Naruto gestured to his clones, "Each of you will take on three, we're going to see how much combat knowledge you've maintained from the original, each of you will fight a different way to demonstrate what you can do; After that, disperse and we'll see if the experience returns to Hinata, simple enough?" He questioned.

"Awesome, we get to bash in other clones!" The third laughed.

Seeing them nod Naruto turned to Hinata, "Ne Hinata, How do you want each of them to fight?" He asked

Hinata raised a brow, then looked over, "The first will use Jyuuken, the second with only jutsu, and as for the third..." Hinata tapped her bottom lip in thought, then an idea came to her.

Going to the laid out training equipment, Hinata tossed the third a Bokken (Wooden Training Sword) that she had bought in Ruby league. The third clone caught it with a surprised face, then looked at it questionably.

"We should also begin practicing on Kenjutsu; I've been meaning to get to that for a while now." Hinata stated.

The clone stared at it before looking at Hinata carefully, "Yo Mistress, we don't even know the first thing about Kenjutsu." Hinata nodded, "Just improvise, like Naruto said, your experience will come back to me." she assured.

"Hey boss, do you want us to fight seriously or is this just to warm them up?" One Naruto clone asked, "Try to disperse them anyway you can." He replied, simultaneously they cried, "Yosh!"

Naruto nodded, "Alright are you three ready then?"

"I'm ready." The first replied, the second grinned as she winked, "I'm all for taking on three Naruto's at once." the third still staring at her Bokken sword, smirked, "Bring them on."

Without warning the three Hinata clones spread out, the first taking the far right area of the Courtyard, the second dropped back to the end, and the third dashed to the left side.

Naruto's clones branched off into three groups, and charged the female clones.

Hinata watched for a few surprising moments, the first Hinata clone activated her Byakugan and dashed at them, dropping below one of the clones fist she drove her palm in and through the clones chest as it dispersed, she then did a sweeping kick to the clone coming from behind. She was quick and didn't hesitate as she expertly dodged and attacked swiftly, the clones didn't even last a full minute before they were all reduced to smoke. Hinata's clone snorted, deactivated her Byakugan and crossed her arms as she waited.

Hinata looked over to the second clone, suddenly her eyes widened, 'What the-?' The second Hinata clone was grinning as she Kawarmi'd around; merely toying with the clones as they accidentally attacked themselves once she switched herself with a clone. She giggled and didn't even show a slight bit of interest in actually defeating them, she Kawarmi'd next to a clone and kissed him on the cheek, then Henge and caused confusion amongst them. She laughed before returning back to normal, and with a wave of her hand and concentrated chakra she manipulated the water out of the nearby pond and blasted through them, effectively dispersing them.

Hinata blinked, 'Her behavior, it's completely different from the first... But why?'

"So you're beginning to notice the difference?" Naruto asked, Hinata looked up at Naruto then looked back, "Their personalities are different..." She muttered, "Why is that?" She asked.

Naruto put his hands behind his head, "Well when I first used the Kage Bunshin I had figured that they were exactly like me, I mean that's how it was supposed to be right? But after a while I noticed that each one of my clones showed a different part of my personality, and whichever behavior they embodied, it affected how they acted and in turn how they fought, sometimes my anger would show in a clone and they'd fight with no mercy, maybe even ruthlessly; My mischievous side laughed and played tricks on them; and I even saw one clone refuse to fight because I didn't agree to give him ramen." He laughed.

He gestured to Hinata's third clone, grinning with a wild streak as she just whacked away at clones with the bokken, tore through them as she back flipped and spun, chopping until the last clone was gone.

"So, each of these clones are a part of Tsuki's personality?" Hinata summarized, which also meant, based on which part of her was within them, it affected how well they cooperated.

"What?"

Hinata blinked looking to Naruto, "Oh, I named her Tsuki." she replied with a blush.

Naruto stared at her, "You named your youki Tsuki?" he asked dubiously.

Hinata pointed her fingers together as she smiled nervously, "Well it seemed to fit, I mean she's the opposite of me." she explained.

Naruto grinned and laughed, "That's true!" he confirmed.

Her clones dispersed, the third tossed the Bokken back to her, and Hinata caught it without a thought.

She felt tension in her muscles all at once, Hinata blinked, dropped the wooden sword, then staggered for a moment as Naruto hurried to steady her, "You alright?"

Hinata's eyes shrunk for a moment, before enlarging back to normal as she began to accept the information brought to her, she stayed quiet for a few seconds, then smiled, "That's... really cool." She awed, it was like fusing with three people... only not. Oh! The delicious benefits this Jutsu would bring!

"Heh! I already knew you could do it," He complimented.

Hinata blushed, tapping her fingers at the praise she grinned, "So what comes next Naruto-kun?" ready to hurry with the endeavors of the Kage Bunshin technique.

Naruto crossed his arms, "Well, we already know that your clones are capable of everything the original can do, now we just got to get you use to using clones, ya know? Learn how to cooperate with them, although I dunno if you can make a new fighting style out of it, you'd use up to much energy." He went over in thought.

Hinata raised a brow as she smirked, "If I ran out of chakra I could just suck off you." She replied, giggling at his shocked expression.

Naruto's cheeks reddened quickly before he turned serious, "I'm being serious Hinata, I don't want you getting hurt." He warned.

Hinata waved him off, "Don't worry, I'm not that confident of my chakra capacity, emergencies only right?" She asked, he nodded doubtfully hoping she would listen.

"Since I need to learn how to get use to using Kage Bunshin how about..." She looked around for something before her eyes drifted to the bokken on the ground as a last resort, picking it up she presented it to Naruto, "I use my clones to get to know the basics of Ken?" She asked.

He stared at it, raised a brow, then stared at her before he shrugged, "That could get you started with experiences and skills, you could have them learn the basic stances and attacks... sound good?" He asked.

Hinata nodded, "You're the sensei!" She replied, "Three clones coming up!"

Naruto's eyes widened, "Matte! Hina-"

Three more clones came into existence beside her; the one on her left quickly caught her as she leaned onto her, "M-mistress! You okay?"

Naruto palmed his forehead, "-ta..." He finished, watching as she looked around dizzily for a minute before rubbing her head in a slight headache before appearing back to normal.

She looked confused for a second, then remembered as she apologized to Naruto.

"Just try to be more careful." He pleaded.

Hinata looked at her Bokken and stared at it before looking to Naruto, "A-ano Naruto-kun? Even if I have three clones... I only have one Bokken, not including my real Katana." She explained the dilemma.

Naruto just quirked a smile, "Didn't think about that?"

"So you have an idea?" Hinata questioned suspiciously.

He chuckled before offering his hand, Hinata tossed him the Bokken, swiping it out of the air he performed five quick seals, "Taifukusei: Kage Bunshin No Jutsu (Object Duplication: Shadow Clone Technique) AN: Naruto's variation of Shuriken: Kage Bunshin No Jutsu

Suddenly there were four, including the original; Naruto tossed each Hinata a sword as they all caught it dubiously.

Hinata raised her brows, "You can clone objects too?" She found her clones asking simultaneously as well.

Naruto looked sheepish, "I came up with it about half a month ago. I figured that if I could clone myself, and anything I had on me was also cloned, I could also just focus on copying the object itself and... taa-daa!" He finished, gesturing to the Bokken.

"Should've figured." The Third clone shrugged.

"What do you need us to do mistress?" The second queried.

Turning back to the matter at hand Hinata had the first clone grab the Kenjutsu scroll containing the basics, for the other two to go into Jiroshi's shack filled with training supplies and bring out three dummies.

Nodding they hurried to do what was asked, Hinata went over and dropped the original bokken back onto her laid out scroll with more scrolls on top of it, each filled with either knowledge of pokégirl techniques, Kenjutsu, or training equipment.

"You're not gonna practice Kenjutsu Hinata?" Naruto asked.

Hinata shook her head, "No, I'm going to focus on making more clones, I have an idea."

Naruto looked skeptical, "More clones, what for? -Gah!" He yelped, Hinata slid close to his face large lavender eyes staring innocently, or maybe mischievously, at him.

Hinata chirped, "Wanna help me Naru-kun?"

Taking a cautious step back Naruto asked slowly, "What would that be?"

Hinata glanced to the side, then back, "A simple Kage Bunshin spar." She replied.

He rubbed the back of his neck, "You've already created more clones than what a regular ninja can, it's getting more and more dangerous with each clone you create." He warned worriedly.

She pouted, "I still got five Kage Bunshin's in me," she replied stubbornly, "I feel fine Naruto-kun." She reassured before creating another clone, without the strain of multiple clones at once, Hinata didn't even seem fazed by the drain in chakra.

'Could she really...' Naruto averted his gaze, realizing he was staring in awe, her chakra definitely was much higher than what he remembered, 'I really need to start paying attention.'

Smiling he nodded, "Okay Hinata, I'll spar with you." A clone appeared beside him, "Just a heads up, usually if you're thinking about a way of fighting, chances are your clones have thought of it as well. At least that's how most of my fighting works."

The Hinata clone beside her tilted her head curiously, "Couldn't you think of a plan beforehand, that way any clone you create afterwards already knows what to do Naruto-kun?" She asked.

"I was thinking the same thing." Hinata giggled.

More than one Naruto grinned and averted her gaze, "We usually act in the moment." His clone replied, the original Naruto laughed awkwardly, "Anyway let's get this underway!" Naruto cut in.

Both Hinata's nodded before holding up their fists, ignoring all Jyuuken or types of techniques.

The Naruto clone charged forward, Naruto himself following behind him, one ahead the other, both Hinatas' prepared themselves.

The clone attacked, and Hinata intercepted the clone, meanwhile her own copy deflected the sweeping kick from Naruto.

His clone jumped with a spinning kick, the original dropped underneath and performed a leg sweep.

Her clone was knocked in the shoulder and sent tumbling, Hinata's feet were swiped from underneath her and her back hit the tiles.

His clone charged after Hinata's while Naruto focused on the original. Rolling onto her feet she back-peddled whilst blocking his assault trying to right herself.

Hinata jumped to the right, only focused on Naruto she was kicked in the back and forced to roll forward giving a shout in surprise.

Naruto and his clone charged with a sudden switch of partner's that caught both Hinata's by surprise as her clone was suddenly blown backwards and sent tumbling next to her. Coughing to get air back into her chest Hinata and her clone stood up, rushing at them to try again.

- - - - xXx - - - -

"Ka!"

"To the left!" - "Ka!

"The right!" - "Ka!"

The Hinata clone in the middle raised her bokken, "From above!" And in unison the three clones brought their swords down upon the dummy with a KIA. They continued in this manner so as to first get the feel of a weapon, one much larger than a kunai or shuriken, the basic stance somewhat sloppy in one way or another for each clone, their strikes off key, some too hard, or too slow at first.

Each had their Byakugan's activated, the clone on the left grunted, "Three- Your left is stronger than your right!" That would set off coordination and balance.

The clone on the opposite side nodded as she reported her findings, "Two- Your stance is too stiff." At least, from what she could see of the laid out scroll beyond the dummies with her enhanced vision.

The middle clone nodded, "Clone one- your breathing is becoming more ragged, your putting too much energy into your strikes." She finished, each picking out the flaws in one another that didn't match the Kenjutsu basics.

"Hai!" She replied.

Simultaneously they inhaled, held, then exhaled before the middle clone narrowed her eyes, "Again! Diagonal strike!" She called out, "Ka!" They shouted. A strike at the left hip to the right shoulder, now reversed, then opposite side- A horizontal slash from the right, now from the left- From above, now from below.

They had been at this for the past hour, and in that hour they had managed to figure out how to properly hold a wooden sword, how to attack with it, not accurately or precisely, but it was adequate.

"Wanna rest?" The clone on the far left asked.

"I do~" The clone on the right whined.

"But we're not going to." The middle sulked sadly.

In unison they sighed before looking back to the dummy that was apparently made of steel cloth because it sported no wounds whatsoever. They grunted before raising their bokken.

"One- You're too wide." Clone three snarked.

"You're too loose." Hinata on the opposite retorted with a mischievous smirk.

"Wanna say that to my face!" The third Hinata growled, breaking out of formation, tired and fed up with the same routine for the past hour and more, it's been nearly two hours now.

"With Byakugan I can see inside your face!" She joked.

"Naruto's looking." The middle muttered. Quickly the Hinata's on the sides snapped to the blond, only to see him and his clone still sparing with Hinata and the other clone.

They glared at the Hinata clone between them... then they turned back to the dummy in boredom, "Wanna dispel?" The one on the left asked.

"Shut up." The other two muttered. The three raised their bokken's back into training.

- - - - xXx - - - -

The original Hinata had noticed it, as time ticked by she could see each clone beginning to grow restless and more difficult to maintain, not focusing on the spar a Naruto clone caught her from the side.

"Uah!" Hinata cried out as she flew into the arms of her clone.

"Ah! M-mistress!" Her clone called.

Both Naruto's stopped, not a second later his clone dispelled, Naruto narrowed his eyes, "Oi Hinata, I think that's enough now."

Wincing Hinata nodded, "Uh- Right." She muttered, nodding to her clone she nodded before going up in smoke.

Hinata leaned forward, pushing her palm to her head as she felt slightly dizzy just then.

"Oi! You can dispel now!" Naruto called over to the three clones at the dummies, they turned, stared in shock, then relief before they went up in clouds of smoke.

Lavender eyes shrunk, body trembling for a minute as she fell forward, Naruto suddenly catching her and calming her down with words she didn't hear. Her eyes enlarged back to regular size, her hands hurt with invisible pain from gripping the wooden sword, information ground into her, what she did wrong, flaws that were corrected, what she learned, what had been said, emotions and feeling all returned into one.

"Amazing..." She whispered.

"Don't get used to it, you've pushed the clone jutsu to its peak for now don't ya think Hinata?" He asked in concern, seeing Hinata torture her mind like this made him worry.

Hinata blinked a few times testing to see if she was back to normal before she brightened suddenly, "Ja! Thank you Naruto-kun!" Hugging him Naruto staggered, "O-oi! Hinata!" He stuttered as she laughed.

After a few moments she released him; all the knowledge and experience she had gained in the two hours of training now felt like eight hours had passed and for a moment she had lost her sense of reality before everything began to make sense, clearer sense too, she now knew all of the basics of Ken! All her flaws corrected in one another leaving only perfection.

"This is... amazing Naruto." She whispered staring at her pulsing hands, the feel of the wooden sword in her hands even though she personally hadn't trained with it. This was simply... unbelievable.

Hinata looked up to her blond friend; and she couldn't have experienced this if it wasn't for him.

A large 'Naruto-esque' grin overcame her features. Naruto chuckled at her dumbfounded happy face, before he laughed, she laughed with him and hugged him again, "Thanks."

He patted the top of her head with a grin, "Don't mention it, anything for you Hinata!"

Releasing him she blushed as she put a finger to her lips somewhat coyly and smiled, "I suppose I need to return the favor now, huh Naruto-kun?" She asked.

Naruto blinked, then his eyes drifted off to the side before his cheeks reddened and he grinned nervously, "Aha- Hinata we really shouldn-"

"Baka~ I meant training you to regain your chakra control Perv-kun." She cut in with a teasing smile.

Naruto stopped, then recollected himself, "Ah- yeah! I knew that, what are you talking about?" He played off as he turned away and flexed his right arm laying his left hand on his bicep, "With your help and my awesomeness I'll get this manipulation thingy down in no time -Tebayo!" He boasted, then faked a laugh.

Hinata giggled at his show before she tapped her lip in thought, "Ah- but we should start off small," Smiling knowingly and with slight scolding, "I don't want you overexerting yourself like you usually do..." She stated as she paced a few steps.

Naruto sweatdropped, 'That's what I've been telling you this whole time and you didn't listen.' He thought ironically.

"What do you have in mind Hinata?"

Yue's tail waved precariously as she folded her arms on the window sill. Her chin rested upon her wrist as she glanced back and forth.

Everyone else was still asleep behind her on Hinata's bed.

The Cheshire watched in avid interest for ten minutes now, how different Hinata acted under the influence of her youki... and how formidable it made her, already she learned Naruto's technique and could create so many without being significantly winded.

Already she had used the benefits of her technique to learn how to use a sword.

Yue's ears flicked, then she smiled to herself, "You really do share his personality... Master Hinata." she mumbled out loud.

The purple-furred feline leaned her head to her left, resting her cheek on her forearm, and looked up at the stars.

- "There it is Yue," Trent whispered, arms folded on the railing as he leaned forward breathlessly, he had to admit, the city lights of the Southern Opal bay had him feeling anxious.

Yue's fur prickled as she unconsciously held her breath, "Yeah." was all she could say, her pupils grew as she felt a shiver run across her.

"So that's Opal huh?" She asked, shoving Trent over to get a space on the railing of the boat herself, despite there being plenty that Trent hadn't been taking up, she leaned forward and scrunched her nose, "Looks homey." she concluded.

Yue's ears perked up as she glanced over at Trista's Chikotit coming up beside her, leaning onto the railing with them. The plant pokégirl winked at the Catgirl and Yue smiled in return.

Trent flinched, stepping over in slight surprise "Trista... What are you doing awake?" He wondered.

She gave him a side-glare "Look who's talking."

Trent blinked, then rubbed his neck sheepishly, leaning back on the railing beside her he sobered, "I couldn't help it."

Yue nodded, "It's been a while since we've been to Opal." she explained.

The Chikotit glanced at her with an intrigued brow.

Trista squinted at the two, then looked back toward the city they'd be docking in a few hours, "So this is the League that has the annual winter festival that we've heard so much about?" she asked.

Trent quirked a smile, "Technically it's celebrated across the Leagues, we just happen to have the biggest one." he replied.

"Smartass." She muttered.

Trent chuckled at the Tropic League tourist, during their time in Tropic League, Yue and Trent became good friends with Trista and her Chikotit.

She had wanted to get out and travel she said after he had told her about all of the places he and Yue have been to, so she jumped the next ferry to Opal.

He nudged Yue gently, "We're home."

Yue couldn't help but fill up with anxiety, a smile springing across the Catgirl's lips.

- - - - xXx - - - -

Yue could see Trent tense as he took the first step onto land, just watching how anxious he was made her smile. Trista following at his side she looked up and down Shore City in amusement.

As they talked, Yue looked around herself, not having seen this place for seven whole months; she had to admit that it made her feel foreign.

The plant pokégirl nudged her. Glancing, Yue flicked her tail curiously, "What is it Chia?"

The Chikotit looked at her questionably, "You and your Master grew up here?"

Yue nodded, elaborating that their home was on the northern part of Opal, answering any questions that the Chikotit asked, carrying a conversation of their own.

Suddenly, "Hey! Hey hold on!" Trista interrupted, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, her eyes widened.

Trent grunted, "What is it?"

Turning toward the window with a shelfful of television sets all on the same channel she listened with interest.

"Isn't that- hey! This is the stuff that's been on the news for about a month now!" she pointed.

Yue blinked as they all came to a stop, the Catgirl glanced at the news on the TV's. The familiar sight of a camera zooming up from ground level to focus on a man wrapped in rope dangling off the side of a building came on screen.

The Catgirl felt her fur stand up recognizing the sight immediately. Looking over to Trent in concern she could see his curiosity turn sour the moment the familiar scene showed.

"Yeah... I've already seen it. Come on let's go." he muttered, starting to walk away.

"Wha- Hey? Don't you wanna hear the story again?" She asked, following after him their pokégirls followed their lead, "I mean they finally got Intel on the Trauma organization's plan to create some form of mind control on-"

Trent waved an exhausted hand in the air "Yeah, yeah I know all about it." he replied.

Trista paused, then pouted stubbornly "Well? You don't look surprised?"

"Another criminal was captured." he downsized.

Trista sputtered "Another Crimin-... That's professor Kenzel man! One of the most famous Pokégirl professor's! Philosopher, Researcher, Pre & Post Sukebe informationalist expert-"

"Tch," Trent grunted "I know who he is." he answered, his pace slowing down.

With each emphasis, Yue's ears lowered, her happy mood fading.

"Why are you so interested?" Trent asked.

Trista slowed down, staring at the nineteen year old and crossing her arms stubbornly, both silent for a moment.

She peered at Trent and sighed, "Come on Trent, ya know there has to be more to that story than it lets on. Look at the connections." she brought up.

Trent's brows raised, turning to her, "What connections?" Yue blinked with her Master, the Chikotit looked at them as if they should've known.

Trista perked up, her back straightening, "There's other factors coming into play here, you gotta look at the bigger picture Trent."

"What are you talking about?" he sighed, not enjoying her vagueness.

Trista looked side to side suspiciously before taking a step closer, "Universals." she whispered.

Trent slowly face-vaulted, "... Universals?" he repeated unimpressed.

"Think about it Trent, last year that guy-... Ranma Saotome! He was brought into this world by "Accident" with the forbidden Sukebe-Tech the scientists found right? He makes a big inspirational speech and rivets the people around the world as being the first other dimensional brought into this world since Sukebe was still alive." She began.

Trent and Yue blinked, "So what's Ranma's significance?"

Trista narrowed her eyes, "He was an accident, my guess is that they were experimenting with the tech and brought him here by accident, however nonetheless he winds up being Pro-Pokégirl and makes a big speech in the Capital League that brought many anti-pokégirl supporters to reconsider and brought many people and pokégirls to support the use of Forbidden Tech. They used him to further the Governments Pro-Pokégirl and Forbidden Tech propaganda. And then they send him back, or so they say." she muttered.

Yue listened in avid confusion, "But how does that tie in with Kenzel and Trauma?" she asked.

"I'm getting there," she calmed, "Ranma wasn't the only other-dimensional traveler to be pulled into our world." she stated ominously.

"Alright then, who else is there?" Trent played along.

"Nendo-Kata," She answered.

Yue tilted her head, "I've never heard of him before."

"I'm not surprised," Trista nodded knowingly, "Instead of announcing his presence to the world like they did with Ranma. The Governments scientists' tried to keep it under wraps from the public. With the public supporting their use of Forbidden-Tech they experimented and brought Nendo-Kata into the world, he was just the result of the Scientists figuring out how to use the technology."

Trent crossed his arms, "Okay so they didn't tell anyone, how exactly do you know this then?"

Trista looked determined, "Because there were small leaks, rumors began to develop across the world, suddenly it grew into a big enough controversy that the Conspiracy theorists did a segment on it. Investigating discreetly, they captured photos of Nendo-Kata walking amongst the public as a common pet owner and then all of a sudden he's captured by security cameras in a World Alliance PokéLeague meeting, taking a seat by the scientists who brought in Ranma." She explained, smiling wryly at the Governments poor job at concealment.

Trent looked as intrigued, yet confused as ever, "That still doesn't explain how they're connected with the bust." he argued, "And also why not send him back after they figured out the tech, they didn't need him for fear of stirring up all of what you just said."

"I'm getting to that, shut up!" she growled.

The foreigner huffed, "Now, my guess is that the Scientists are using these Universals to gain support on their use of dimensional tech by letting them vouch for them, while also showing a positive face about it,"

Trista hit a fist into her hand, "They used Ranma to gain the support of the public with his speech and positive actions. Then they used Nendo-Kata for the Alliance meeting to gain the approval of the Governments to fund and pursue this Dimensional technology, persuading them that the dimensional tech could be used to their benefit. Nendo-Kata vouched for them at that meeting, and that's why they couldn't send him back."

Yue stared at Trista, "What kind of benefits are you talking about Trista?"

The eighteen year old Tamer grinned, "Now this is where it ties in with Trauma. In return for funding, tech and resources, those Scientists would need to be careful on selecting just who to bring into the world, and if the Multi-Verse theory is true, then there could be humans as powerful as a Legendary out there. The agreement would probably be things like: Using Universal travelers to help maintain peace and destroy criminal factions for the Alliance; Going in for under-cover operations concerning Sanctuary in the Dark League; or even maintaining a strong alliance between the Alliance Council and certain Legendaries."

Trent paused, rubbing his chin, "Which would mean the scientists get to experiment and the Governments are having the results deal with the threats we have now." Trent concluded, and then raised a brow, "And you know this how?"

Trista grinned, "It's all in between the lines. Like those craters that were discovered two and a half months ago." she replied proudly, buffing her chest.

"What craters?" Trent perked up.

Trista and her Chikotit blanched "Really, you don't know? Don't you watch the Conspiracy channel?" she asked, Trent only stared at her.

"My Thousand Gods- Alright, three craters were found deep in the Edo Mountains spaced two hundred yards from each other. The strange thing was, the gravity was slightly fissured, it was... heavier than it was fifteen feet away the researchers found. They brought in the theorists that developed the Multi-Verse theory in to analyze the area. They had psychic-types, ghost-types, dark-types and groups of researchers and small time scientists analyze the area around these craters." She explained.

Yue's eyes seemed to be getting bigger as this whole conspiracy grew larger and larger.

"They found traces of foreign atmospheric properties around the craters and within the dirt, the air was also harboring a lingering presence of some kind of corrupted energy for each."

Trent grunted, waving a hand as he frowned, "The recent theories on the multi-verse sound too vague, I mean the only reason there was a division created surrounding the Multi-Verse and the Government's hidden conspiracies was because of Ranma's arrival. They can't be sure what energy and atmospheric traces were around those craters, the multi-verse theorists are just quick to relate any strange thing to dimensional activity. No way that can be solid, coulda been anything."

Trista huffed, "Well you'd think that, but they identified that those corrupted energies harbored similarities with the Chakra energy-type." she argued.

"So what?" Trent wondered.

"So what!" Trista blurted, "Don't you remember one of the Edo Mountain's collapsing? Buried in the debris structures resembled a Sukebe base, and dead Trauma agents were found! No matter how you look at it the mountain wasn't what killed those agents, it was something else." She sounded definite.

"Hm?" Yue perked up "I remember that being on the news a few days ago, after the Kenzel incident."

She turned to Trent "Remember Master? The Alaka-Wham that released a statement to the press that the energy traces around the area were found to be a strange form of Chakra... the same traces found around the craters." she realized.

Trent looked skeptical.

Trista nodded "Those craters are found and examined, fifteen days later an Edo Mountain collapses showing a hidden Sukebe base and dead Trauma agents, then TWO weeks later Kenzel turns up to be beaten, and tied up with a confession tape in his pocket."

Her voice peaked "Those two voices on the tape interrogating Kenzel, it was them! Those three craters that were found were made by them! Those Scientists brought three new Universal's into the world and the Governments are having them go after the Trauma Organization." she finished.

Trent stared at Trista "... You watch too much TV. That conspiracy channel's got you overthinking." he waved off.

Trista was left speechless for a minute, and then she huffed in frustration "Grrr, Fine! Don't believe me, but don't come crying to me when this all blows up in their faces because I'm just gonna say "I told you so"!" she grumbled, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Ah damn." Trent muttered annoyed catching everyone's attention, Yue seeing her Master staring into his wallet with a frown.

"What's up?" Trista asked.

"I'm short of credits... Mn, we don't have enough money to stay at a hotel." He relayed, sighing in contentment, nothing he could do about it now.

Trista grinned "No problem, just bunk with us, I can pay for you." she offered.

Trent chuckled as he stopped walking "That's alright Trista, me and Yue can start traveling from here, we can camp out in the woods."

Trista and her Chikotit paused, her hand stopped from reaching for her own wallet "Are ya sure?" she asked suspiciously "It's almost midnight and it can get pretty dangerous out there."

Suddenly Trista's eyes widened "Ooh! In fact, I think that there were some rumors going around that there was a-"

"Ya, whatever it is I don't need to know," Trent interrupted with a smile, gaining Yue's attention as she turned to him.

Trista drew back, somewhat uneasy "But- the bodies found around Opal! It's been happening for months now! I heard that there was a Pokégirl released by-"

Trent waved his hands and shook his head "I've heard all the rumors and theories I can for one night." he assured.

Trista looked flustered in disbelief before she reluctantly sighed "Alright fine," she gave up with a quirked smile "Just make sure to be careful punk."

The nineteen year old nodded with a definite smile "Don't worry. We'll be fine." giving Yue's now worried person a reassuring pat on the head.

Trista shrugged "Alright. Guess this is where we'll part ways."

Trent nodded "Don't be careless with your money, it goes faster than you think." he suggested.

She looked annoyed "Shut up."

Laughing, Trent and Yue said their farewells.

"Hey punk, I better see you at that festival!" she warned as they walked away.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Trent waved, Yue also waving goodbye as they left the city, heading north.

- - - - xXx - - - -

... Two Hours Later...

"Master aren't you tired at all?" Yue wondered, she had begun to droop her eyes, and every little groan or hiss in the distance put her on edge, those rumors Trista had been about to tell Trent before he stopped her made her cautious.

Trent shook his head "Nah, I did enough sleeping on the ferry, just a little further and then we can make camp for the night." He replied, knowing that Yue was the one getting tired.

Ever since he had his pocket picked so many months ago, Yue made it a habit to watch over him while he slept, and then rested when she returned to her Pokéball, the poor Catgirl had been keeping watch as he slept on that ferry since the other night.

Yue nodded gratefully, stopping at a grassy precipice the ground stopped to drop off at a very steep Cliffside, the grassy hills and forested plains continuing three hundred feet below.

Trent looked around, the trees surrounding them, and then at the cliff before he sighed "We'll stop here for the night."

Yue nodded "Have a good rest Master."

Trent looked over "You're not staying up Yue, and you can barely keep your eyes open. You need to get some rest." Trent demanded.

Yue seemed horrified of the idea, ignoring her bodies desire "But Master, what about the rumors? The dangerous Pokégirl? If something happens-I- I'd-"

Trent raised his hand, looking at her seriously "This isn't up for debate Yue,"

Reluctantly she drew back, lowering her head "... Yes Master."

Trent then gave her a light-hearted smile, "Don't get so worked up Yue, I think we'll be fine for one night." he soothed.

Nodding in resignation, Yue set out her sleeping bag and rested her head down, almost immediately falling asleep once she did.

"I... love you Master, good night." she whispered.

It was strange, she had only started saying I love you a week ago, it still made butterflies well within her stomach, and her cheeks heat up.

Trent smiled, "I love you to Yue, good night." he bid, lying down on his own sleeping bag. -

To think that it had been Hinata and Naruto that Trista had been talking about. Although after hearing Hinata and Naruto's story, she doubted Trista's theories were entirely accurate. Yue stared out the window for a long while, her eyes searching for something, but nonetheless she was left disappointed.

The Cheshire's smile faded as she looked down in memory, her throat started to hurt, and her eyes felt hot.

She never got to hear Trista say who that Dangerous Pokégirl was, but after the incident, the Cheshire knew who she had finally been referring to.

- *Hiss!*

Yue's ears flinched, her head shot off the ground at the sounds in the distance, alarmed. The Catgirl was silent for a few minutes, attentive and cautious, however just when she began to think that the sounds had been nothing.

*Tak-tak-tak* Quick footsteps in the distance!

Yue was on her feet immediately, hurrying to Trent's side she shook him, "Trent! Trent wake up!" she pleaded.

Trent was bewildered, "What is it? What's going on?" he asked tiredly, looking around in panic as he sat up.

She hurried him to his feet in growing fear, "Trent there's something out here! We need to leave!" she whispered as urgently as she could, her instincts were screaming for them to flee.

Trent looked uncomprehending, about to say something-

"KAAAAHHHH!" A loud screech tore through the night forcing Yue and Trent to cover their ears, the scream echoing all across the Cliffside and over the mountains.

*Tak-tak-tak-tak!*

Trent and Yue looked the opposite way from the Cliffside, there about fifty yards away within the throes of the trees was a black monster running at them rapidly, two sinister purple glowing eyes were evident in the dark, charging at them in a blur Yue could see she had four legs and two sets of arms.

"Master!" Yue tackled Trent out of its path just as she tried to snatch them up.

Trent gasped, wide-eyed as he stared at the purple skull on her abdomen, "T-that's- it's a Dryder!" he shouted, "H-how!-?" it couldn't be.

Yue gripped the back of Trent's shirt and brought him to his feet, "Run Master! Go now!" she ordered shoving him away.

"Y-Yue!"

As the Dryder spun around to face them she snarled, seething and wild, The Catgirl ran to the left, gaining its attention.

Quickly she shot a string shot at the Catgirl, Yue's eyes widened as she was blown over, the web sticking to her chest as the Dryder began pulling her over.

Yue gasped, feeling her body dragging across the grass toward the monster, she quickly reached for her Ninjato and cut the rope-like web, then tried to get to her feet.

The Dryder snarled, shooting three more string shots at the Catgirl.

"Awaah!" Yue cried out, smashing against a tree, the sticky webs keeping her pinned, three feet off the ground, her front body covered in webs.

*Gasp! Gasp!* Yue stared in fear as the Dryder headed for her.

*Thunk!*

"Wrrraacck!" The Dryder screeched, snapping to the right she was hit with another rock.

"Hey! Over here!" Trent called out, throwing two more rocks, "Come and get me you insect!"

The pitch-black widow opened her mouth and bared her sharp teeth, shrieking before she charged for him.

Yue's eyes widened, "TRENT! NOO!" She screamed, seeing him run into the dark and past the tree's, the Dryder barreling through the crowds of trees quickly closing the distance.

Panicking she struggled, grunting and hissing to get herself out of the webs, roughly rotating her wrist, the Ninjato in hand slowly began to sever the webs around her hand, tearing her arm free she cut herself off.

Touching ground again she shot off in the direction they went, through the tumbled trees, Yue prayed that Trent was safe.

The ground rumbled, in the distance trees toppled as screeching and howling rang through the night.

She could see the Dryder on her rampage, near a rock wall, just before Yue entered the clearing something grabbed her arm and pulled her down behind a rock.

*SMASH!*

Trent covered her mouth, shushing her as he panted, slowly taking his hand away.

Yue stared in shock, "Trent!" she whispered, breathing ragged.

*GRRROOOAAAHH!* the ground rumbled as a roar tore through the area.

Trent gulped, trying to catch breath as he peaked, "Haah... She isn't gonna hold her off for long." he breathed.

Yue peaked over the boulder, her eyes widening. There at the rock wall, at the entrance of a cave was the Dryder and an Ursine, the ten foot tall pitch-black bear-type trying it's best to defend its home.

She clawed the Dryder and bit into one of her legs earning a screech from the Dryder before she gripped the bear and tossed her across the clearing against the rock wall.

*RUMBLE!*

"There's something wrong with her." Trent muttered.

Yue turned to her Tamer, "What do you mean?"

He narrowed his eyes, "She's on a rampage... she doesn't match the data at all." he whispered, looking down at his Pokédex.

DRYDER, the Gentle Widow Pokégirl
Type: Tauric Animorph (Black Widow spider)
Element: Bug/Fighting
Frequency: Extremely Rare
Diet: Omnivorous with raw minerals to supplement
Role: Living Myth, Scientific Anomaly
Libido: High
Strong Vs: Bug, Plant, Fighting, Ice, Normal, Steel
Weak Vs: Flying, Fire
Attacks: Bite, Drain, String Shot, Web, Tackle, Takedown, Wrestle, Stomp, Harden
Enhancements: Enhanced Strength (x12), Enhanced Speed (x15), Multi-limbed, No time limit, Moderate Feral state
Evolves: None
Evolves From: Widow (special; ejecting all poisons from itself)
Confirmed Capture: 3,685,000 SLC (Ferals Only)
Confirmed Kill: 1,575,000 SLC (Ferals Only)
Reporting sighting & Getting out alive: 84,000 SLC (Ferals Only)

For almost 200 years since the first Widow attack, rumor and legends abound about a 'Gentle Widow.' Rumors about some strange Pokégirl with the body of a Widow, but far less dangerous than others of her breed. In the year of 299 AS, Young Ben Valentine, better known as the Widow Slayer met face to face with one of these creatures, he dubbed her, the Dryder.

Dryders are extraordinarily rare, even compared to Widows themselves. No one is sure what to make of them. Evolution into one is only possible during the Second Phase of a Widow's life cycle, when the Widow regains the knowledge and intelligence they had before. If they are aware of their limited lifespan and are capable of controlling their breeding instincts, they can forcibly rid themselves of all their poisons, ejecting them all at once through their various stingers. Once this is done, the Widow evolves.

The Dryder's evolution doesn't happen in a flash of light or a flare of darkness, but in the toxic cloud created by the lethal toxins and acids seeping from her body. A controlled recording had shown that the armor covering the Widow literally melts, breaking down and flowing off of the Widow's body, revealing the Dryder from underneath. The Dryder herself stands between 5'9" and 6'4" on average, their skin now pitch black all over, plump breasts, an upper C-cup most often, bounce from their now soft chests. Their eyes, now only two, since their others vanished upon evolution, replaced by flowing locks of hair, give off a hauntingly beautiful glow, the colors varying from Dryder to Dryder. Their second arms, once deadly scythes, are now normal hands. Their lower torso, once fully tauric, now resembles more humanoid legs and rumps, plural for a reason. Upon close inspection, while they only have one vagina, the Dryder's lower legs are built more like those of a Cheetit, strong, smooth, and sensual. Where the vagina on the second buttocks would be, connected to the first, comes the spider-like abdomen, which has also gone through a transformation. Gone is the hairy form of the widow's abdomen, the Dryder's is almost always smooth, and the red hourglass shape once prominent on the abdomen has changed, it's new shape and color varying based on the Dryder's personality, one Dryder, known as Gwen, even had a neon green infinity symbol.

If they're not taught new techniques to use, Dryders will often fight using their environment, often moving around the battlefield with nigh frightening speed and using triples and webs to move off of the ground. They like to set traps, both in official combat, and to capture prey to feed on. When the battle gets serious and escape isn't an option they'll use Harden liberally to boost their defenses before charging in at full speed with Tackle or Take down. An odd fact about Tamed Dryders is that they seem to learn new techniques rather easily, some finding a type of technique easier than others.

A Dryder's harem mechanics are surprisingly smooth, aside from combat they'll often find a duty of their own that they're good at and will enjoy doing, often making getting them something to do rather easy. They also seem to enjoy working around Pokékits for some strange reason. While Dryders are safer and friendlier than Widows, they're still extremely dangerous

Pokégirls, mainly because they have the memories of the things they did as Widows, and many, if not all feel remorse for their actions and fear retribution from the survivors of their attacks. This has caused the Dryder to be generally violent and skittish while without a Tamer, it's known that their Feral state is fairly mild, since they seem to be able to better assess threats along with most consequences. A good example of this is the first officially recorded Dryder faced the Widow Slayer, she didn't seem like the brightest Pokégirl on the battlefield, but she was smart enough to know that she was outclassed and would likely die, she promptly ran with high hopes that he'd be too surprised that she could speak to chase her. She was right. Rumors and hearsay of them having a poison equal to or more lethal than HyperVenom haven't helped their outlook, and clearly irritates those out there who've become fans of the breed. Harmless compared to the Widow, the Dryders are still a major threat, thanks to their power, speed, and tendency to make a meal of anything stuck in their web, have a steady bounty and a ranking among the Alpha Level Menaces for the sake of safety and a fair warning to be cautious around them.

Recently, scientists employed by the WAPL announced that they were doing a year-long research study on Dryders and their potential usefulness. Ten Combat Tamers volunteered to take a Dryder into their harem and be their Tamer. After three months, no problems have been reported, and one Tamer and his group report that they are getting along with their Dryder, whom has been named Gwen, quite well. Still the warning stands for Dryders found in the wild, as the research-study Dryders were captured and calmed by powerful dragon, fighting, and psychic-type Pokégirls in the League's employ. One of the major things that they've discovered is that it's completely IMPOSSIBLE for a Dryder to evolve, or to relapse into a Widow.

Due to the circumstances of their evolution, and their sheer rarity, it's completely impossible to threshold into a Dryder.

Yue grabbed her master's wrist, "It doesn't matter now! We need to get out of here!" she urged, about to pull him.

Trent rested a hand on her's, "Yue... She's too fast, if we move, she'll see us." he whispered.

His hand was trembling.

*CRASH!*

Yue froze... Staring at his hand.

Her expression hardened, protecting, "Then I'll lead her away!"

He looked up, he couldn't even imagine it, "Yue, No!" he ordered.

Yue hid her tears as she glared at him, "I want you safe! Yue always protects her master!" she shouted, pulling out of his grip she ran back the way she came.

Trent stared in disbelief, "Yue!"

The Dryder pulled her teeth out of the junction of the Ursine's neck, the spider-type bleeding slightly and a bruised leg, but nonetheless spotted a body fleeing.

Dropping the bear corpse she hissed and charged after her.

Yue ran as fast as she could, only getting about a hundred yards between her and where Trent was, but nonetheless the Dryder was already behind her.

The Catgirl looked back just before the Dryder back-handed her sending her through the air and crashing against a tree to her left.

"Aaahh!" Yue cried out, her right arm taking the brunt of the Dryder's swipe and the crash to the tree, now she couldn't move, blood was trickling down her arm as Yue whimpered, her entire right arm was shattered.

*Schrrk-Schrrk!* Two more string shots and she was pinned to the ground.

Yue looked through bleary vision as the Dryder gripped her with all four arms and lifted her up, snarling and baring her teeth she dug her teeth into the Catgirl's shoulder.

"AAARRAAAHH!" Yue screamed as loud as she could, tears streaking down her cheeks as she could only see the sky, her legs kicking but to no avail, the Dryder began to use Drain.

Yue could feel whatever energy and blood she had starting to exhaust, her vision going black as she began to stop struggling-

"HEY!"

The Dryder took her teeth away from the Catgirl, turning around.

Trent glared at her, Yue's Ninjato is his left hand, seething with anger, "LET HER GO!" he yelled.

The Dryder dropped Yue.

"WELL? I'M RIGHT HERE!"

The Dryder hissed, then charged with the speed of a cheetah, swiping Trent up with her two right hands Trent yelled as he drove the Ninjato into her left shoulder before breaking the blade off to remain lodged in her shoulder, earning a scowl. Barring her teeth, a certain liquid dripped from her teeth.

Trent stared in shock, "Hypervenom...?" He whispered.

Yue stared in horror, sitting up, left hand covering the bite in her right shoulder, she witnessed the Dryder tear into Trent's neck, his legs spasming as he cried out weakly.

"TRENT!" she cried, more tears bursting forth as she struggled to breathe, watching Trent's body twitch and hearing him groan as blood splashed to the grass.

...

"Hyper Beam!"

A yellow chaotic cannon shot past the trees toward the unsuspecting Dryder, shooting into her side, debris shooting up.

"KRRRAAAHHHH!" It screamed, the cannon tearing away one of her legs along with the right side of her arms, her body was pushed off the side of the cliff as it skidded down the steep hill.

Yue could hardly make sense of anything, four blurs rushed into the area, but she paid them no heed with Trent as her only concern, Yue struggled to crawl to Trent's body.

"Kiya! Keep your distance; try to confuse her with your Psychic Illusion! Tashira, stay airborne, keep her attention and time your Hyper Beams! I'll be there soon, go!" A male ordered.

"Right!" the two Pokégirls chorused as they bounded off the Cliffside after the Dryder. The two humans rushed to Trent's side.

"He's lost a lot of blood, there's also poison running through his veins!" A female with very strange eyes relayed before undoing a hand seal, she took out a scroll and unsealed medical supplies.

"We gotta do something!"

"I'll try my best."

Yue crawled closer, tears streaming down her cheeks due to the immense amount of pain she was in both mentally and physically.

"Dammit! Naruto, put pressure on his wound!"

"Stop," Trent whispered, holding up his hand.

The blond Tamer glared at him, "What do you mean stop? We need to get you to a hospital!"

"You'd do that?" Trent whispered, sputtering blood, "Why? Urgh!... why risk your own lives?"

"... Because you need help!" He argued, "It doesn't matter right now you need-"

"It does-urgh..."

The girl continued to apply healing salves, "What?"

"It-.. *Sputter*... does matter." he whispered.

"Master… Trent." Yue whimpered, crawling between the two Tamers to look upon her Tamer.

Trent grunted, "Yue... Yue," he whispered gratefully, "Are-Ulgk... you alright?" reaching up with his left hand.

Yue trembled, weak, gripping his hand hopefully she rubbed her cheek against it and forced a smile, "Yes Master-Ggh... I'm fine." she wept, her eyes watered and her smile disappearing the more she looked at him.

"Hey! You guys are gonna be fine! I'll carry you guys to the nearest hospital if I have to!" The blond cut in.

Trent chuckled, "That's nice... Ughk," he rested himself, showing no motive of trying to survive, "But it's too late... It's- hyper venom." he whispered.

The two Tamers didn't seem to understand the finality, but Yue knew what it meant as she gasped and cried, "No... No," she sobbed, "Why-aah... didn't you run away?" she blubbered, blood and saliva leaking from her mouth.

"Naruto!"

The blond looked at the cliff side, gritting his teeth, he stood "Hinata, I gotta help them!" he said before pointing at Trent "Don't you dare give up!" he yelled at Trent before jumping off the cliff side.

Trent chuckled "Funny kid." he choked.

"You stayed... to save your Pokégirl?" The girl asked.

Trent looked over to his Catgirl cradling his hand, his eyes tender, "I'd..-ggh, do it again." he replied, shutting an eye.

Yue looked up at him.

Trent could no longer see, so instead he settled to rest his head to look up to the sky, "I don't regret this..." he whispered, shaking his head to try and convince himself, "I don't regret this…" tears began to run down his cheek, but he smiled even then, "I don't regret becoming a-grrk... A Tamer."

He tilted his head last where he saw the girl, "I-I've gotten to-... See a lot of amaz-ggnn-ing things," he looked at her, eyes closed, "Amazing people... you and that kid... tell me why?" he nearly pleaded.

The female Tamer looked so torn, unable to help, "... Because it was the right thing to do." she answered.

He was silent, then gave a single, happy nod, "I-if not for this-Ggrrk... I'd not have met you," more tears, happy tears fell down his cheeks, "There still are good people..."

"Krrgghk." Yue spat, splotches of blood hit the grass as she tried harder to stay conscious.

He turned to Yue, "... Yue... Please," he reached for his pocket and pulled out a single Psi Crystal, "Never-grrgh... Change." he begged.

"I... love..." Trent sputtered, his body going dull, before he stopped moving altogether.

"Master?" Yue whimpered, the crystal touched her chest as she passed out "Trent…" -

Yue shook her head, wiping hot tears away from her eyes at the memory. Silently she looked at her coat of fur, thinking about her evolution and how it healed her wounds, keeping her alive.

It was nearing midnight and yet all he had been doing for the past half hour was walk up and down one of the trees in the backyard and then walk on top of the pool.

They were difficult at first, not like the first time, but he had struggled slightly as he did the tree-climbing and water-walking exercise. Honestly it had been a while since he had done both he realized, not since his fight with Sasuke.

He had nearly forgotten how much chakra he needed, then applying the steady exertion of chakra to his feet, he had to take ten minutes on both to remember how to do it and five minutes to maintain control.

He supposed it was beneficial, it helped a little and he was a little better with regaining control of his chakra than he was thirty minutes earlier.

"Very good Naruto-kun!" She encouraged, "You can still focus small amounts of chakra."

Naruto nodded, "Let me guess, the leaf-floating exercise?"

"Exactly!" she brought up a leaf between her fingers cheerily.

Staring at the leaf he sighed and grabbed it, crossing his legs he sat down and concentrated.

Hinata sat down in front of him, "I know you don't like boring training, but this is how it's done Naruto-kun. Lee-kun had to do it when he was going through chakra therapy." she offered optimistically.

"Lee?" Naruto perked up curiously, "I thought bushy-brow couldn't use chakra?"

Hinata stared at him, "Lee can use chakra Naruto, he can still exert it to walk on walls, water and even this exercise. He just can't mold it to perform jutsu." she explained.

"Ah- sorry, I forgot." he apologized, focusing back on the leaf.

He breathed a little harder, as if the air was thin. It was harder than he remembered, but then again he hadn't done this for at least a month now.

Focusing a little harder and exerting chakra through his palms the leaf began to levitate again and spin.

"Naruto you're exerting more chakra through your right than your left." she helped.

"I am? Oh sorry, ggh!" he narrowed his eyes and stared intently at the leaf trying to get the chakra exertion even on both amounts.

After a minute he finally got the leaf to stop spinning.

Looking over he grunted "You must be really good at this right Hinata?" chakra out of their palms was their fighting style after all.

Hinata glanced and smiled "You're right Naruto, but it's expected I suppose. The Hyuuga created the leaf-floating exercise after all."

"Ara? Really?" Naruto asked.

Hinata nodded "Mhm, every Hyuuga must know how to do this exercise by the time their five, it's a basic fundamental for all Hyuuga's." she explained.

Picking up a stray leaf she placed it on her palm, Naruto watched intently.

With a single-hand the leaf floated up, turning her hand sideways she brought up her other hand and placed them a foot apart, "It's necessary for all Hyuuga's to be able to do this." she stated.

Very carefully the leaf floated over to the other side and touched her left palm before floating back to touch her right, then settled in between her palms in midair, "The farther your hands are, the farther you have to extend your chakra which increases the reach of our Jyuuken," she looked over at him with a smile "You have to encase the leaf with your chakra Naruto-kun, not just exert it to push in on the leaf... Otherwise,"

The leaf fluttered and shook violently before suddenly flying up into the air above them "It's unstable." she finished "Neji-nisan was at this level during the Chuunin Exams, while I was only able to get it to half of a foot." she muttered.

Naruto's expression bloomed in amazement, compared to his hands which were cupped so close that he could hardly see the leaf, "Woah, that's amazing Hinata!"

Looking back to his hands he tried to spread a little space between them, but just as it was about to fly off he clamped his hands shut again.

His brows narrowed frustrated "Mnn- darn..." he growled.

Hinata giggled, scooting closer she took hold of his hands, Naruto looked up "Huh?"

"Here, let me show you something." she helped, opening his hands she took the leaf and set it on the ground "Don't just chance it hoping to get it right Naruto-kun, control it." she whispered.

Giving about five inches of space between his hands she smiled "Exert your chakra evenly, and focus it into a steady stream, not wild and uncontrolled. Condense the chakra, and feel it push against each other, like two magnets of the same side."

She demonstrated by holding both his hands, turning them upright and pushing them together in a prayer position. She pushed his hands to his left, then brought it to his right and then back, "Understand Naruto-kun? It should feel like this only put space between your hands."

Naruto stared at her, his cheeks tinting pink once Hinata looked up into his eyes asking if he understood "Oh-Ah right." he snapped out of it.

His heart beat faster. Exerting chakra he tried to control it, instead of just exerting it, he condensed it, it was trouble at first, he didn't usually play with magnets, but he got what she was saying. His hands had to push from the other evenly, but it had to be controlled.

It reminded him of the Rasengan in its use of chakra control, grinning in recognition he concentrated. For a straight hour he had kept at this, and finally Naruto's eyes widened "He-hey Hinata! I think I got it!"

Curiously she bounded over and peered at his hands; while not perfect he had indeed managed to get the fundamentals of the exercise down and that in itself deserved praise.

'Amazing... non-Hyuuga's don't normally pick it up this fast.'

"That's great Naruto-kun! You're learning much quicker than I expected!" she cheered, hugging him.

Naruto blushed, eyes widened as the side of his head pressed against her chest, he cracked a modest embarrassed grin.

- - - - xXx - - - -

"Hey Hinata?"

"Hm?"

"Are you feeling tired yet?" He asked from his seated position, still hard at work on the exercise Hinata showed him and seemed to be gaining significant progress for a first-timer.

Hinata stopped her pacing in front of the blond and leaned forward to stare at him eye to eye, she pondered "Tired?... Mm nope! Still wide awake!" she chirped, hopping away.

Naruto sighed.

"Hey Hinata?"

"You ask a lot of questions Naruto-kun." She said wondering, hands behind her back as she took large playful steps at the edge of the tilted courtyard to balance herself.

For the past hour he had been constantly asking her random questions out of sheer boredom, 'Hey Hinata-Hey Hinata.'

His hands were steady, five inches apart they trembled as he pushed, it looked as if he was pushing on an invisible solid object that wouldn't budge.

"Heh, sorry. But this one's important I swear." he laughed.

"Okay then, what is it?"

"How exactly do you control the water?"

Hinata paused, then turned to Naruto "Why do you want to know that all of a sudden Naruto?" to her memory, she couldn't remember Naruto ever asking her.

"Well I've wanted to know ever since I first saw it." he piped

Hinata's cheeks quickly heated up "O-oh... I see."

Naruto blushed "Remember? Back when we had Tashira that first month? When we were sleeping in the woods in Edo, I remember I woke up in the middle of the night and had to go to the restroom," He said slightly ashamed "I saw you training on that river naked. You did some cool movements and then the water went 'Whoosh!' and floated around you in a sphere and then did some other amazing stuff, it was really awesome."

Hinata nodded "I remember Naruto-kun, you tripped and almost got washed down the river."

Naruto looked back down to his exercise "Ever since then I had been wondering what my affinity was and still don't know," he reminisced "I asked you and you said the easy way to find out was having one of those special chakra papers."

Naruto raised a brow "It didn't look like you were performing a jutsu, also you didn't make any hand signs or say anything."

Hinata walked over "I was trying to control my affinity, by practicing nature manipulation." She answered, sitting down in front of him.

Naruto raised a brow "Nature manipulation?" he supposed he should've asked her about this the day after he found out.

Hinata smiled innocently 'I guess I'll have to start from the beginning with him.'

"Well, nature transformation is an advanced form of chakra control. It involves molding and defining one's chakra into an innate type of chakra nature, altering its properties and characteristics." she explained.

Slowly Naruto nodded "Okay, but what does it do?"

"Its how we use jutsu Naruto-kun," at his confused expression she elaborated "Nature transformation is one of two methods for creating a technique, the other being shape transformation. From what Kurenai-sensei told me, it's how Kakashi-sensei created his famous Jutsu: Raikiri."

Naruto leaned forward in interest "Wait- so, by using either nature manipulation or shape manipulation Shinobi can create techniques?"

Hinata nodded, now he was catching on "Yes. Kakashi's Raikiri is created from both. He used nature manipulation which is his affinity: lightning, Raiton (Lightning Release) and used shape manipulation to condense and compact the lightning to be used with his hand."

Naruto's eyes widened as he grinned, "Hahaa! That is so awesome! So the Rasengan was created with just chakra and shape manipulation right?" at Hinata's confirmation he began to fidget excitedly, two of the strongest Jutsu's he knew of!

"That's right, it takes extreme concentration to use even one of these and even fewer can use both transformations." Hinata explained.

"There are five basic types into which the nature of chakra can be transformed and these five types are the foundation of all elemental Ninjutsu. The five basic natures are all connected to each other in a circle, each being weaker than one and stronger than another," Raising her hand she counted them off "Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth and Water. With each of these elements allow for Katon, Futon, Raiton, Doton, and Suiton techniques."

Pushing her fingers together at the memory Hinata lost her mirth, "I'm trying to master water manipulation, Suiton (Water Release) and once I master the manipulation of water, I can then move on to be a more advanced user: Being able to create my own water... by turning my chakra into water."

Naruto's head snapped up, "Huh? You can do that?"

Hinata nodded "I've seen it, on a B-rank mission with Team 8 we ran into rogue mist ninja and one of them could turn their limbs into masses of water." she said in memory.

"I asked Kurenai-sensei about it after we finished the mission and she explained nature and shape manipulation to us. And allowed us each to find out what affinity we possessed after some pleading." she closed her hands into fists, "It's much more difficult to create water you can't see than to manipulate what is already available."

Hinata unconsciously smiled "But when I found out that my affinity was water I couldn't have been happier. Because out of the five elements, water is one of the most versatile of the five, Suiton techniques can not only change shape but state as well, the water becomes more solid in the process as well. Contrary to other elemental attacks, water causes internal damage rather than external." perfect for incorporating it with the Hyuuga's Jyuuken.

"Whoa, so Kurenai taught you guys how to do nature manipulation?"

She blinked "Huh? Oh no, Kurenai-sensei said it was too difficult and dangerous for Gennin only a few months out of the academy to be messing with and that it was something we would get more familiar with once becoming Chuunin." she replied.

Naruto blanched "But, how did you get so good then Hinata?"

Hinata tapped her fingers together with a nervous smile "I taught myself actually." She had expected Naruto to say something, but looking up she saw him stare at her in awe.

Quickly her face heated up as she bit her lip nervously "What?" she murmured wondering what it was that she'd said.

"Hinata that's amazing! I'm lucky to have you telling me this stuff!" He complimented with a wide grin.

Hinata blushed bashfully "Thank you Naruto-kun!" she smiled.

Naruto sat back in thought 'I was a real idiot back then... Nature and shape manipulation... I remember now and I finally realize what Jiraiya was trying to say,' The Yondaime had planned on combining the pinnacle of shape and nature manipulation with that Jutsu, the Rasengan, but never got to.

Looking down at his hands focusing on exerting chakra he narrowed his eyes 'The Jutsu wasn't even complete and it's already an insanely strong and legendary Jutsu... Could I?'

Naruto sighed "I think I'm ready to try that leaf-floating exercise again." Putting a leaf into the palm of his hands he lifted his other hand five inches over it and focused.

The leaf slowly levitated in between his hands and unlike all the other times when he believed he had gotten it right, the leaf remained still.

Naruto was breathless and Hinata's smile bloomed. Slowly he turned his hands side by side and let the leaf float between them in midair.

Naruto stared at it "Whoa..." he whispered in amazement.

"You did it Naruto-kun!" Hinata congratulated, 'Amazing, he's already mastered it to this level.'

But Naruto seemed to be in a trance of his own, utterly enveloped in what he was doing he stared at the leaf intently, both curious and determined.

'An affinity allows someone to master an element much easier than the rest of the chakra natures, the nature we're born with allows us to create our own jutsu with it, both with our chakra... and with that nature.'

The leaf began to shake just a little, but Hinata noticed it immediately "Naruto? What are you doing?"

He narrowed his eyes and concentrated his chakra, forcing more out to pressure it. Unconsciously his chakra began to become sharper as the pressurized chakra emitted a small breeze.

'What's happening?' Hinata's Byakugan came to life.

Chakra was being forced through and he was compacting it, the breeze slowly picked up enough to make the leaf flutter and to slowly wave both her and Naruto's clothes and hair.

"Naruto-kun be careful, don't force too much chakra-"

"Gah!" Naruto cried out.

The leaf was sliced to little pieces, the condensed chakra burst from being pressured too much releasing small violent winds cutting his bottom palm open.

Hinata gasped using an arm to shield herself, the small winds merely tore a few tears into their clothes like a mini-whirlwind before dissipating. Staring in shock Hinata looked at Naruto, he held his right bleeding hand, hissing at the sting.

"What was that Naruto?"

Grunting he shook his hand to try and ease the sting "It was an accident... When I was doing the leaf-floating exercise with my clones, one of them accidentally cut the leaf. I mean at first I thought it was chakra... but now," he stared at his bleeding palm, "Now I think it's because my affinity is actually wind."

He could at least remember what each element was capable of... and wind chakra was performed by making chakra as sharp and thin as possible. He had entertained the thought ever since that tiny cut had been made on the leaf months ago.

Slowly Naruto grinned as he looked up at Hinata "Bwahaha! Who would've thought I'd turn out to have wind as my affinity?" he laughed.

'Me.' Hinata looked at his hand in concern "But- your hand, maybe we should take some time to rest."

Naruto glanced at the cut on his palm "What this? Please, this is only a little cut." he waved off reaching for his pouch he unsealed a healing salve. With a run over with his salve-covered finger, his cut healed with a hiss. Shaking his hand he opened and closed it experimentally.

Naruto grinned as he showed her the bloody but healed palm, "See? All better."

Hinata sighed, knowing she wouldn't be able to change his mind "Fine Naruto, but we're going to have to take it slow; you're trying to run before you can crawl."

"I could say the same about you." Naruto smirked earning a mini-glare.

It was almost two in the morning so Naruto had to deal with something small for tonight.

"Okay Naruto, blow out these torches and then we can call it a night and head to bed." Hinata gestured to one of the four torches at the corners of the courtyard.

Naruto scratched his head, standing three feet from the torch "Alright, sounds easy enough." his eyes narrowed in determination, all he had to do was exert his chakra and turn it into wind chakra and put out the flame.

Putting his hands at the sides of the flame he focused on exerting chakra. It was just like the leaf floating exercise, encase the flame, then turn the chakra into wind.

The chakra wouldn't affect the flame as it had no elemental or physical properties, so while it would be encased in chakra, it would still burn, this relied purely on Nature transformation.

Perhaps she should've told him to blow out one torch. That night Naruto stumbled in exhaustion as he carried a sleeping Hinata to bed at five in the morning.

He fell asleep with a stupid grin, finally he knew his affinity.

Xx

xX

- Yue opened her eyes and in the next moment shot up in panic. Looking around she saw four strangers sitting around her. Her hand darted to her neck only to find that there was no wound nor was her arm shattered like she remembered. Looking around she began to breathe harder.

She was inside a tent.

The female Tamer was at her side "It's okay, you're safe." she comforted.

"W-what happened?" Yue stuttered fearfully, looking at her "Trent... Trent." she mumbled looking at her hands.

Her eyes widened, fur was now all over her body! Different purple shades of fur reminiscent of a Tigress.

Her heavy breathing slowly began to die down in memory... Trent evolved her to keep her from dying.

The sixteen year old female Tamer looked at her seriously "You're not injured, he saved you. But still, we should get you to the nearest PokéCenter to make sure you're okay."

PokéCenter... Months in storage... Alone.

Yue's eyes widened in fear, staring at Hinata "I-I don't want to go," she refused, sitting up further "I want Trent, I-I want my Tamer!" she cried, tears beginning to build in her eyes "Don't make me go back, I don't want to go back!" she cried, tears spilling over.

The male, and their two Pokégirls watched silently, remorse and sorrow in their eyes as they watched Yue begin to bawl.

"Give him b-back," she wept, whimpering as she was pulled into the girl's arms, Yue let loose and cried into her shoulder for all it was worth.

Trent was gone...

- - - - xXx - - - -

Yue woke up, lying on her side she saw the tent's exit, the cover zipped down so she could see the outside.

The Cheshire simply laid there wrapped in a sleeping bag for warmth, trying to understand, her eyes were red and puffy with dried tears.

Staring outside she could see that it was night, the stars outside, the tree's and even the campfire with four individuals sitting outside.

"She's awake."

"I know." she replied.

Five minutes passed before Yue slowly sat up, expressionless, her mouth opened in disbelief. Yue simply looked around, then down at her arms again.

Sure enough, she had fur all over her body now, naked as well she noticed.

A small hiccup escaped, Yue wanted to cry, but her body spared none, instead what her body did was grumble.

Yue's face morphed into severe sorrow and regret as memories came to her. Before she could delve into depression she heard the tent unzipping, her head snapped up.

It was the female Tamer, blue eyes and dark hair, the sixteen year old was carrying a plastic plate of food "You must be hungry." she said, placing the food in her lap "You should eat, keep your strength up."

Yue stared warily at the female, and then looked down at the food in her lap. Without a word she began to eat.

- - - - xXx - - - -

... Two Days Later...

Yue stared at the ceiling of her tent, motionless, expressionless, simply nothing. The scenario of that Dryder and Trent's death replaying over and over.

The words 'I love you' that use to hold such meaning to Yue was painfully ripped away. What did anything matter now?

Two full days had passed since the female had offered her the food that night. Each night she would come in, speak to her even if Yue didn't reply, gave her water and food and left.

Yue spent countless hours staring at nothing and trying to comprehend what happened, how to cope with this... No matter how much she just wanted to die, to disappear, one thing kept her from doing anything about it, Trent's last words.

To never change.

He gave his life for her, made sure that she would live and begged her to not regret anything she had done.

She wouldn't end it all because she would be disobeying her Master... To squander his efforts to protect her, that was worse than her desire to end the pain.

The Cheshire dwelled on these emotions and memories that fourth day, from morning to night. Until finally the four strangers who had given their lives for her and Trent were once again sitting around that campfire cooking their catch of fruits, fish and rabbits.

She could hear them babble these past few days, she didn't care to listen however, whether it about her, what happened, or their plans.

But she knew she needed to recover... for Trent's sake.

She moved like as if it had been her first time. Her hand fumbled and shook when she unzipped the tent, her first steps shaky, foreign and clumsy, and as the four turned to watch her walk over to them they kept silent.

Yue slowly sat down on a log around the fire, glancing cautiously to her left the Dracass gave her a nod of acknowledgment. She looked to her right; the Kitsune carefully offered her a plate of food with a gentle smile on her muzzle.

Yue stared, then slowly took the food, "... T-thank you." her voice cracked, she hadn't spoken in two days.

The two Tamers watched her with concern.

- - - - xXx - - - -

... Next Morning...

Yue's ear twitched, hearing the zipper come undone from another tent outside she opened her eyes… so she had enhanced hearing, she couldn't hear so intricately as she did now.

From the light, it was early in the morning. She could hear those people walking around outside.

"Hinata, we already lost a few days," Yue listened intently, the voice wasn't the female Tamer's and it sounded too tough for the Kitsune, she guessed it was the Dracass, "We need to get moving soon before the trail goes cold."

Yue stared, her muscles slowly growing tense.

"No," the female Tamer refused "We're not leaving yet."

"Hinata's right." The male encouraged "It doesn't matter how long it takes. We're not leaving until she's better." He stated.

"But-... She's Tamerless, and she doesn't want to go to a PokéCenter. We can't stay here forever." She sounded impatient, pleading.

"Tashira," This 'Hinata' started gently, "I understand... what these people did, what Trauma put you through. You want to make them pay... I want you to think how important that is to you, we won't let you down." she explained.

The Dracass was silent, the shuffling of steps across the grass, "You're right... I'm sorry."

Yue's muscles began to relax. Why? That was all she wondered, why did these guys care about her well-being so much?

Trent was right about them... Good people.

Yue went back to sleep with a grateful smile, a tear dampening her fur.

- - - - xXx - - - -

*Zzziiipp*

Yue slowly looked up, blinking away her sleep, she saw the Kitsune coming into her tent. Sitting up Yue looked around in confusion, seeing that it was night outside.

"How are you doing?" The Kitsune asked, sitting at her side with a genuine concerned smile.

Yue didn't say anything.

The fox-type looked around, before coming back to her "My Tamer probably wouldn't like me sharing this with you, but..."

Yue stared at her questioningly.

The Kitsune looked at her with sorrow "I'm sorry about what happened to your Tamer. I can understand what it's like to lose someone that close to you." she spoke.

Yue's ears lowered in sadness, but continued to look at the Kitsune in confusion for she could only wonder where she was going with this.

"Believe it or not, each of us have been through a dark time before in our lives... Before we found each other that is." she muttered.

There was something in the Kitsune's eyes, a memory "I lost my mother and sisters when I was a Pokékit. I was the only one who made it out alive." she explained.

Yue's eyes widened, sorrow and sympathy filling her as she listened to the Kitsune's past intently.

As she finished, Yue found her head lowering "... I'm… sorry." she whispered.

The Kitsune looked at her seriously "Don't say that, it's not you who should be feeling sorry," she replied, resting a sympathetic hand on her shoulder "If you ever need someone to talk to, we're all here for you."

And then she left.

- - - - xXx - - - -

... Six Days Later...

Six days had passed since the Kitsune's confession. While Yue had known that these people were hospitable, until that day, she hadn't been comfortable with them.

However, since then she had forced herself to leave the tent, to pursue the Kitsune and ask questions on how she managed to cope and grew even more intrigued at the mention that the rest bore similar troubles.

She simply walked with them; listened as they talked to her to make sure she was alright, uttering an occasional word every now and then.

Yue could feel the good aura surrounding them, the kind that Trent had undoubtedly felt when they had come to their aid.

She had grown... comfortable with their presence, attached even. These people were the last ones to gain Trent's approval, so in turn the Cheshire felt connected to them.

As she took the extra training uniform Hinata spared her last night, she exited the tent that early morning with a solemn expression.

The four looked up at her questioningly.

Yue gave a shaky breath, "What happened to Trent's body?" she asked, her voice trembling but she composed herself.

Hinata and Naruto glanced to each other before the blond Tamer pointed south. Yue followed his finger and looked on, about three miles away was the cliff side where Trent had been bitten and even higher, at the rock wall where the Dryder faced the Ursine, at the very top, the very precipice of the rock structure, was a small dot.

Yue felt her body tense, but nonetheless looked down into her palms. For the first time she felt the strange new energy course through her, within a flash she was gone.

The Cheshire opened her eyes, coming to at the rock wall, the entrance to the cave and a decaying bear-corpse off to the side. It had been nearly two weeks afterall.

Yue looked around silently before looking up atop the rock precipice, she was gone again. There... Before her was a coffin made of stone, stacked around and over his body to make his grave at the edge of the rock cliff side.

Yue was breathless, unconsciously holding it in; she walked to the foot of the coffin, staring at it ever so strangely.

The Cheshire stood still, waiting at the bed of her Tamer's coffin, she didn't say a word. All through the morning, to the evening and nearing dawn she stood there in respect to her master.

The sun was minutes from disappearing, to be overtaken by night before her ears twitched, but she didn't turn. She knew that it was the female and male Tamers climbing up the stone structure to make sure she was safe after being gone for over thirteen hours. They stood with her as the sun descended.

She softly rested her hand on top of Trent's grave, not even noticing that her tears began to drip onto the coffin "... Rest well... Master. I'll continue our journey for the both of us." she whispered "… I love you."

Yue wiped away her tears in acceptance, slowly turning around to see their saddened faces.

She calmed herself, gaining composure "What happened to that Dryder?" she sniffled, a hardened expression upon her.

The blond looked at her "We managed to kill her." he answered positively.

Yue was quiet, lowering her head "May I see it?" she requested.

He and the girl glanced at each other before she nodded. The blond teen took out a scroll and strangely unsealed the Dryder's head from that night.

Yue stared at the head, even held it, and as twenty minutes passed looking at the Pokégirl she sighed... in relief "Thank you." she muttered, handing the head back to him.

She could let Trent rest with no regrets.

- - - - xXx - - - -

That night Yue gratefully received the beef soup with a thank you. She ate slowly, deep in contemplation, she thought seriously about what she would do.

"Are you alright?" The girl... Hinata, asked.

Yue glanced up "Thank you Hinata, for not taking me to a PokéCenter."

Hinata looked over at her "Do you have problems with PokéCenters?" she approached gently.

Yue stared at her for a moment "When I was first captured... I was given to the town's professor- Professor Oran... But..." Yue looked into her soup in memory "I spent months on that storage shelf, doing nothing... Feeling like I'd go insane." she remembered the countless days she spent trying to pass the time, months felt like years.

Then she smiled "Trent... My Tamer: He had just turned eighteen, and out of all the pokégirls, he chose me."

She didn't know why, but she found herself telling her story to these Kind-hearted strangers. Everything that she and Trent had been through, she retold it all, leading up to the night of the Dryder attack.

All except Trista's theories that is, she didn't think that she could retell it as eloquently as she did.

Yue was tired of crying, but she found it beginning to surface again "That night... *Sniff* I'm grateful that you tried your best to save him," she looked at all of them "All of you... thank you."

She began to whimper, her voice cracking "And thanks for saving me. *Sniff* for taking care of me." she teared up, her bowl of soup trembled due to her shakiness.

Fear began to well up at what this would eventually mean; her last Taming was two weeks ago...

They did look sympathetic, but Yue gave a shaky, begging look to Hinata "I think your Dracass said it best. I'm Tamerless... And I don't want to go back to a PokéCenter." she whimpered.

She wiped her tears, the grateful nod Trent gave to Hinata when she answered him.

Yue looked at her, "You have his heart, you're caring, gentle... and kind." Yue complimented, placing her bowl of soup on the ground she got off the log and onto her knees.

Hinata stared in shock as the Cheshire bowed before her, "I know it's not fair to ask..." she looked up at her, "But please, let me join your harem."

"But why?" Tears were welling up in Hinata as she stared uncomprehendingly.

Yue touched her forehead to Hinata's toes, "You're the only Tamer I want... I don't want to be alone again... You and him, your pokégirls even, are good people," she explained, crying into the dirt, "Master always said that good people were rare, a-and out of everyone... you were the last to earn his approval." she answered.

Yue flinched when Hinata touched her shoulder, looking up Hinata had tears of her own as she brought Yue into her arms.

- - - - xXx - - - -

"Master?"

"Please Yue, don't call me master. Call me Hinata."

"... Hinata? I wish to travel back to my hometown... To tell Trent's parents about the incident."

"Of course Yue."

"Hinata's right," Naruto nodded "They have the right to know."

"... Thank you... So much."

Xx

xX

~Yawn~

Pokégirls littered the building, headed to the showers, headed downstairs for breakfast, or headed outside for regular morning routine.

Jiroshi sat down on the couch yawning.

"Morning master!" Arimi chirped, kissing him on the cheek before she headed out for morning yoga.

"Ah good morning Arimi." he returned, turning on the television. Four other of his pokégirls joined him on the couches, snack or various breakfast in hand.

"Enjoy your sleep master?" Anya inquired the Atelesona sitting at his left.

"Not likely, last night was Riza and Suya's night." Kawana cut in, the Hottie sitting at his right.

The Whorizard and Sayjin grinned and smirked as they stretched comfortably on the couch.

Jiroshi laughed, "Of course I'm well rested Kawana dear, fully prepared for the day!"

"Huh, guess we shouldn't hold back anymore." Suya grunted sourly as if a jab at her pride.

"You perverts making adult jokes?" Kitsuto grumbled, walking into the living room with a bowl of cereal, Kyu at his side eating away at a bag of jerky.

"Not at all, just about the sex last night." Riza waved off.

Kitsuto raised a grossed brow "Oh is that all?" he glanced at the master pervert, then shrugged "Must not have been a long discussion then."

"Pwhehehee!" Sei and Nyana giggled, the Foxx and Boobcat holding their stomachs.

Jiroshi waved him off "Hush boy, what's this?" turning up the television.

"In recent news, patrol has yet to find out the identity of- what dog-types had been tracking their scent say- the seven criminals that destroyed a large portion of the border gate between Blood and Crescent Moon nine days ago. Pokégirls and guards on patrol claim three of them were human in the company of four pokégirls, one assumed to be a dragon-type due to the Hyper-Beam that destroyed an area of the border."

Kitsuto and Kyu tensed as they stared at the TV.

"Nine days ago?" Anya muttered, wasn't that when Kitsuto came back?

Jiroshi shook his head "Destroyed part of the border, those ferals." he muttered.

Kitsuto reached for the remote "Hey uh- why don't we change it to something interesting, Nya-Nya the Cat-type's about to come on." The student suggested.

Jiroshi pulled it out of his reach.

"Kitsuto you hate that show." Nyana reminded.

His Kyubi stepped forward earnestly "Then how about the Sex Battles?" Kyu proposed nervously.

"It's too early for that." Sei rejected, even a firefox like her had her moods for that, and early in the morning wasn't for that.

Kawana narrowed her eyes, staring at the television "Think, nine days ago there were three Tamers who crossed the border, and one of them had a dragon-type that could use Hyper-Beam."

Kitsuto felt himself begin to sweat.

Deep in thought the silent Air Maiden raised her head "I think I might-"

"AAAAHHHH! WHAT THE FUCK!" A sudden scream rang throughout the entire complex, interrupting everyone's train of thought.

In a flash, all of Jiroshi's pokégirls were up, with years of training and discipline, were ready for anything.

Kitsuto blinked, "That sounded like Myrel?"

Jiroshi snapped to Kitsuto "Really?... Damn that made me jump." he muttered, putting down his hand formation already preparing a spell, canceling, he sat back down.

"Oh." His Pokegirls reciprocated as they all slowly sat back down.

Naruto and Hinata ran from their room, rushing through the corridors as pokégirls gave way for them to pass.

Panicked, Naruto and Hinata burst into the room, kunai and shuriken drawn "What happened! Are you okay?" They yelled, ready for a battle if necessary.

"Bwahahahaha!" Tashira bellowed, laughing her ass off as if she was told the funniest thing in the world.

"Huh?" Naruto and Hinata grunted, confused.

Myrel was at the foot of the bed, on her feet, arms shielding her chest as she glared death at Yue.

Kiya was sitting up on the bed, rubbing her eyes "Huh? Wha's going on?" she yawned.

Naruto and Hinata's adrenaline slowly died, "W-what happened? What was that scream?" Hinata asked concerned slowly concealing their weapons.

"It was her! That damn Cheshire!" Myrel growled.

"Yue?" Naruto muttered confused, the two looking to see Yue tasting the aftertaste in her mouth in confusion, still not fully aware of what was happening "Nya?"

The Dracona turned to Naruto "Look what she did!" she yelled, only for Tashira to laugh louder as Myrel dropped her arms to her side.

Naruto and Hinata stared, slowly their lips twitched upward.

Hinata hid her growing smile.

*Snicker*

She began to giggle as Naruto tried to hide his snickering but it was too much, soon they too burst out laughing "Hahahaaha!"

Myrel stared at them humiliated, embarrassed and in disbelief "This isn't funny! I wake up and She's trying to suck me dry like I'm a fucking Milktit! What the Hell?-!" she roared.

The Dracona's right nipple, along with a little more around it was now dark black purple. Her natural unmolested left nipple was thankfully unsuckled and remained violet blue atop her golden tinted scale-skinned mound.

"Hah! Black nipple!" Kiya snarked, yipping and laughing as she pointed to her wet saliva covered bruised and sensitive nipple.

"Yue ~Giggle~ why did you do this to Myrel?" Hinata asked through her fit of giggles trying to calm down.

Yue looked flustered "I-I thought she was Tashira, I didn't mean to-!" she exclaimed ashamed, still licking her lips and tasting the aftertaste.

Naruto couldn't stop laughing "Alright come on take a shower, training starts after breakfast." he ordered through boistures of howls as he left, Hinata following him still giggling.

"Right." The three echoed obediently, starting to get up.

"Wha-?" Myrel's jaw dropped seeing Kiya walk past her.

"You can't be serious!-? You're not punishing her?-! My whole tit's numb dammit!" she complained, violated and furious as Yue followed Kiya out the room.

"Oh boo-hoo~" Tashira teased, flicking the Dracona's black nipple with a chuckle. Myrel covering it with a pained groan, glaring at Tashira.

"I guess you just made her into a real close friend, she likes you!" she taunted.

Myrel growled still blushing, "Rrgh shut it Tashira!"

"What?"

Tashira, Yue and Kiya stared at Naruto and Hinata in confusion, standing before them out in the courtyard.

"You... want us to learn how to do the three chakra exercises?" Tashira repeated, confused just by hearing it.

Hinata gave a definite nod, "The fastest way to learn how to better control your energy is through the Tree-climbing, Water-walking, and the Leaf-floating exercises. Through this you can better execute your techniques faster and more precisely, not only that, you can build on it, adding more or using less energy on a technique to increase or decrease its strength and size."

Putting her hands on her hips she smiled, "Each of you have the basic ability of channeling, summoning, or suppressing energy, but with these exercises you'll have more control over it."

Kiya stared, "But, we don't exactly have chakra, are you sure it'll work for us?"

Hinata turned to Naruto, "Naruto?"

Walking forward, arms folded contemplatively, he narrowed his brows, "As far as I've come to understand it, all energy-types have the same fundamental uses: Channeling, Suppressing and Controlling. Even further by practicing control they can use the energy to manipulate, expel or gravitate. The three exercises should apply for every energy type, despite us developing these exercises first through chakra: tree-climbing, water-walking, and leaf-floating is indeed the fastest method we know that gives you the ability to control your energy and, theoretically, should work regardless of whatever energy you use." he finished.

"Eh?" Looking up he blinked at their dropped jaws, and wide eyes, "... What?"

"Since when did you find the time to figure all this out?" Tashira asked.

"You didn't know the first thing about other energies a few days ago?" Kiya questioned surprised.

Blinking slowly at the memory, Naruto blushed, grinned and rubbed the back of his head, "Oh, I didn't tell you?"

"Unfortunately not." Yue answered.

Hinata gave a bright smile, "Naruto and Kitsuto shared a spiritual connection, I'm assuming it's because they are counterparts and basically, the same in spirit. This connection allowed the other to live through the other's life within seconds," Hinata interrupted, at the uncomprehending stares pushing her fingers together in boredom, "So... Whatever Kitsuto knew Naruto now essentially knows which includes this world's energies."

Naruto stood awkwardly, "Yeah what she said."

They blanched and sat in disbelief for all of three seconds.

"... Cool!" Kiya Awed.

"Let's just get on with the training." Tashira grumbled, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Hold on. About these exercises, how difficult are they and how long would it take to master each one?" Yue inquired.

"The tree-climbing exercise is the easiest and took about a week to get the hang of, and then the water-walking and that took about three days, and as for the leaf-exercise I got the hang of that in about a good two weeks." Naruto answered.

Tashira frowned, "We don't exactly have that kind of time."

Naruto looked sheepish, "I have horrible chakra control, and also my team and I didn't have our Sensei to supervise us, not to mention Sakura wouldn't give me any help. Hinata?"

Hinata counted off her fingers, "One hour for tree-climbing, three for water-walking, and... five minutes for leaf-floating?" tapping her chin in thought.

"Holy Milktit!" Kiya blurted.

"Haha- Naruto must've been really bad!" Tashira laughed.

"Hey!"

Hinata brightened, "Well with any luck it'll take two days at the most, we've been teaching you girls to suppress and channel energy for months so it should be easier for you then it was for Naruto!" she chirped.

"Hah." Tashira snarked

"Hmph." Naruto shut his eyes and crossed his arms.

Yue nodded, "Where should we start? More importantly, how is it done?"

"We'll start with those trees," Hinata pointed toward the six trees thirty yards back, "In order to do this training you have to focus a fixed amount of energy to the bottom of your feet and climb the tree without using your hands. If the stream of energy is too weak, you'll fall. If it's too strong, you'll be blown off."

"No problem." Tashira smirked

- - - - xXx - - - -

"Dah!"

Kiya couldn't help but burst out laughing this time, "That makes thirty!"

Tashira grunted, back against the grass, legs up against the tree; she glared up at the tree she took to.

Yue grunted, landing back on her feet she immediately ran for the tree again.

"You almost got halfway up that time Tashira!" Hinata cheered.

Myrel walked around the building toward the courtyard, rubbing her left mound through her clothes where her bruised nipple was, it still ached, a sour frown on her draconic face.

The Dracona stopped massaging her bruised breast once she looked up, then blinked, her feet stopped moving the moment she saw those three pokégirls trying to run up a tree, 'What in the... what are they trying to do?'

Crossing her arms Myrel raised a brow, spying Naruto standing a little ways away observing, the Dracona made her way over to him.

"What are they trying to do?"

Naruto glanced over, then smiled as he turned back, "Training."

Myrel snapped to the short blond, "This is training?"

He chuckled, "Anything to improve yourself can be considered training Myrel." looking up at her.

She looked confused, but didn't say anything, instead she turned back to watch Kiya be blown away from the tree halfway up all of a sudden, a flicker of intrigue lit in her eyes, '... Training.'

Naruto slowly smiled knowingly as he looked up at Myrel who seemed glued to what the three were doing, "You wanna give it a try?"

"Huh?" Myrel's eyes widened as she stared at him, "Me?"

"Of course you." Naruto chuckled.

The Dracona shied away, "Well... -erm, I don't know what they're doing." She muttered, using her hand to rub her other arm.

"It's a training method called the tree-climbing exercise; basically you focus energy to the bottom of your feet to walk up the tree. It's supposed to help you control the flow of your energy better."

"Walk up a tree using energy to stick to the surface? I-I've never heard of such a thing." Myrel became noticeably interested.

"I could show you. Walk you through the steps." He encouraged.

Myrel's cheeks reddened, her tail waved nervously, "Really?... but why, I'm not even your pokégirl." She muttered reluctantly.

Naruto laughed softly, "You don't have to belong to me in order for me to help you ya know? If you want to try the training you can, and I'll gladly help you."

The dragon-type shifted, glancing at the three pokégirls for a moment, then hesitantly looked down at Naruto's grinning face.

*Cough* awkwardly she scratched her head, "-Well... how do you-I mean-"

Naruto watched her in amusement, "... Heheh, come on I'll teach you." he gestured.

Hinata couldn't help but stare foreignly, for the past three hours she watched Myrel voluntarily try to do this exercise with them and it just seemed... so alien to her.

Wasn't anywhere near getting the hang of it, in fact she couldn't make past the first five steps up the tree, but no matter what Naruto was there to encourage her. It was truly a spectacle seeing how much her crush's words gave Myrel the determination to try again and again.

Kiya and the others were shocked when Myrel had walked up to a tree beside them, but slowly they got used to it, then began joking, taunting, but also encouraging and cheering her on.

Hinata smiled to herself stupidly, 'I really need to stop doubting him. He got her to open up... just like he said he would.' She thought, you think she would've learned when he surprisingly became Gennin at the last minute, or him passing the test during the Chuunin exams, or his match against Kiba and Neji... Or any other doubtful obstacle he came to, Naruto always proved her thankfully wrong.

She had nearly sprung forth and clamped a hand over Naruto's mouth when he blabbered to Myrel about chakra... and jutsu... and techniques, all as he helped her try to focus her energy.

To the Hyuuga's great confusion Myrel didn't seem surprised, like she knew what he was talking about; she'd have to ask him about that later.

Calming herself she returned to watching Tashira and Yue, slowly she smiled and felt her body warm up at the sight of Yue finally getting the hang of it.

Yue inwardly gleamed as she slowly, euphorically, walked up the tree. She had finally mastered it! It felt amazing, her energy was being exerted at a calm, rhythmic rate to stay attached to the tree, 'Amazing... So we truly can train to master things we weren't supposed to do.'

After so many tries, trying to find the middle ground of how much energy she needed to focus. When she finally stuck to the tree she slowly, and shakily began to ascend, now halfway up.

"Heheh! Nice going Yue!" Kiya called over from the tallest branch on her tree.

Yue's eyes were narrowed in concentration as she looked up at the Kitsune whom managed to master the technique within the first hour.

A small spark of anger lit up within her.

- Kiya turned and grabbed her shoulder, "Please stop Yue, you're going to hurt yourself." she pleaded. -

Her glare vanished, replaced by surprise, surprise at herself. Her tight fist slowly unfurled, the memory told her to reconsider her emotions.

Taking a second look at her sister's supportive expression she smiled hesitantly, returning to the task at hand... Her anger replaced by determination.

At the tallest branch she remained silent, panting, and resolved to watching Tashira's progress.

Twenty minutes of continuous tries, Tashira finally, purely by chance as well, guessed the correct amount of energy to exert to stay attached to the tree, perhaps trying over and over again constantly without rest for three straight hours experimenting with how much or how little energy to focus, she was bound to get the right one eventually.

Taking five more minutes Tashira familiarized herself with exactly how much energy that was before finally she too managed to master the exercise as well.

Tashira panted, covered in sweat, leaning against the tree out of breath, "See?... Piece of cake." she gasped.

"Yeah, just like a pro, you showed that tree!" Kiya teased landing on the ground in front of her chosen tree.

"The important thing is that she managed to do it." Yue reasoned as she landed lightly on her feet without a sound.

Kiya blinked, glancing at Yue in surprise. Making eye contact, Yue blushed and lowered her head.

Slowly, the Kitsune quirked a small smile.

Yue turned to look over, expression curious as she watched Naruto and Myrel walk over to the three, Hinata walking over as well, "Great job girls, much faster than the average Gennin!" Hinata congratulated.

"Only our year wasn't filled with average Gennin." Naruto muttered under his breath with a laugh.

Kiya huffed, "Still faster than your time."

Naruto blushed scratching his head with a sheepish grin.

Myrel grunted rubbing and rotating her bruised shoulder, falling one too many times for one day she opted to simply observe from now on.

Tashira crossed her arms and looked at the Dracona, "So what made you come out of your cave on your own?"

Everyone turned to Myrel.

Myrel blanched, "No reason... I just wanted to see what you guys were doing." she explained.

"Fair enough." Tashira shrugged.

Hinata clapped, "Ja! We're all glad you are interested in the training Myrel-chan! In any case we should move on to the next exercise!" Hinata voiced.

Yue nodded, although curious, "Where are we going to practice the water-walking Hinata?" the Cheshire questioned.

Naruto recovered, smirking, "Simple, the lake outside of town. 'Member Kiya? The river you were ogling when we first saw Kitsuto's home? It leads to the lake Jiroshi takes his girls to, that'll be the perfect place!" He punched a first into his hand excitedly.

Kiya perked up noticeably, "Really! Awesome come on let's go!" she yipped.

Hinata giggled, seeing Tashira and Yue's eyes begin to gleam at being able to get out of town and roam the grass hills and the lake.

'Well, they have been cooped up in this mansion ever since we got here, they deserve this.' Hinata had to remind herself, pokégirls still had the instincts and behavior of animals, what Kiya had said about wanting to go out for a walk came back to memory.

Tashira grinned, "Well what are we waiting for? It's already eleven."

Nodding they headed out.

"Myrel you coming?" Naruto called over.

Myrel stared in shocked stupidity, but quickly she found herself running to catch up.

Yip! *Bounce* Yip! *Bounce* Yip!

Myrel sweatdropped, all she could do was watch as Kiya trotted and jumped around yipping excitedly.

About two miles outside of town the group walked calm and precariously, not in any real hurry, they contented themselves with walking through the grass fields. The hills of green stretched for miles, waving back and forth by the easy-going wind, the Kitsune couldn't help but jump around and roll in the grass.

"Heheh! Oh boy, oh boy! Grass, lake, grass, lake!" Kiya yipped, her tail wagging energetically.

"Will you calm down?" Tashira growled, seeing her act as if she was on a sugar high was beginning to get to her.

"I can't help it, look at these fields, I just want to run!" Kiya tittered, eyes gleaming, she hadn't been in any wide open areas for about a week now, seeing the large fields looked inviting.

"Tch." Tashira scoffed as she continued to walk, as for Yue, the Cheshire had been mostly quiet throughout the walk, concentrated, thinking, completely enveloped within her own thoughts.

Looking over to the group walking ahead of her, Kiya's eyes found themselves lingering over to Tashira's easily irritable self. The Kitsune's fur shot out as an idea came to her, a mischievous smirk replaced her excited expression, silently getting onto all fours she stalked close to the grass behind Tashira.

*Smack!*

"Ow!" Tashira hissed, her hand went to her stinging butt. Anger flashed in her eyes as she snapped behind her, seeing Kiya crouched ready to flee, a large grin on her face.

Everyone looked at Tashira slightly alarmed, then calmed, Hinata giggling as Naruto shook his head with a chuckle. Yue and Myrel continued watching curiously, and silently.

"Ggrr- You're asking for trouble!" Tashira growled.

"Ooh~ Whatcha gonna do about it!" She stuck out her tongue, turning around she waved her butt tauntingly at the Dracass, "Nananana~!"

Tashira bared her teeth, "Why you!" and off she charged the Kitsune who giggled mischievously and fled on all fours.

"Hahaha! Kiya." Naruto laughed, Hinata giggled along with him as they watched the Dracass chase the Kitsune who yipped teasingly.

Yue stared, her eyes zipping left to right as they ran in circles and around the group. She felt slightly off at the display, how they seemed to be so easily entertained, happy, easy-going.

- "Haah... Haa, *Gasp!*" Yue couldn't run anymore, leaning over onto her hands and knees she coughed, and gasped for air. Never before had she been through such intense conditioning, especially alongside humans who could keep up and even surpass their kind.

She looked up, they had took their run across the mountainside, surrounded by cliffs, rock walls and pathways, Naruto and Hinata were a sizeable distance ahead, in a race of their own she left her behind along with Tashira and Kiya, however even they were ahead of her by at least a few hundred feet.

Trying to catch her breath she just looked at the ground, sweat dripping from her damp-furred body.

"Come on Yue, don't give up!"

Yue's head shot up, seeing Kiya headed back for her. The Cheshire stared in silence as the Kitsune ran to her side.

"K-... *Gasp!* Kiya, what are you doing?" she coughed in confusion.

She grinned determinedly, "Well I gotta make sure you're still alive, come on only four miles left!"

"Four Miles?" She wheezed.

Kiya ran behind her and pushed her to move, "Come on let's go Yue you got this!"

Reluctantly, Yue slowly began to jog, she wasn't use to these 'Weight Seals' it truly made everything so much harder.

Glancing over to Kiya running by her side, she couldn't help but smile to herself, seeing the Kitsune show her up made her feel the need to compete.

Grunting she forced herself into a run, to try and at least feel that she could perhaps surpass the Kitsune someday.

"That's the spirit!" Kiya cheered. -

The Cheshire lowered her head with a sigh, 'I owe her an apology.' ever since she had become aware of how different she was beginning to behave she was wrought with guilt. The recent flashbacks of him... intently focused on getting stronger that she was growing frustrated, agitated, and distant from everyone, it became noticeable just how concerned they all had been, but she just brushed it off, and Kiya's plea had gone past her ears that night because she was overcome with frustration and stress.

Yue looked up to see Tashira and Kiya playing and wrestling with each other, regret filled her eyes, 'Kiya, as well as everyone else, have always been there for me, how could I snap at her like that?' Yue berated herself, she had let her insecurities affect her negatively... and realizing this hurt more than any wound could.

"Hurh!" She gasped, shooting back.

Myrel's eyes widened, her head snapped to her right, Yue suddenly gone. Slowly, an amused smile grew as the Dracona chuckled.

The Cheshire twitched; swirls in her eyes as the world became dizzy, not expecting to be run over.

Tashira grunted, "Ugh... Huh? Oh, sorry Yue." The Dracass apologized, rubbing her head she glared at the Kitsune waving her behind at her.

Yue blinked stars, "~I want milk, Nya~" Yue spouted in a daze.

"Snap out of it Yue and help me catch that fox!" Tashira demanded picking Yue up by the back of her shirt and pushing her toward the Kitsune.

"I- Wha?" Yue mumbled dizzily, she rubbed the stars out of her eyes.

"Gotcha!" Kiya laughed from behind, her arms coming up under Yue's arms groping her breasts.

"Nya!" Yue cried.

"You'll pay for this!" Tashira swore as she ran at her.

Rubbing her arm Myrel walked closer to Naruto and Hinata, feeling only slightly out of place.

"Not gonna go play with them Myrel?" Hinata asked turning toward her.

Myrel stared at her, "Play?" she repeated incredulously, glancing toward the three pokégirls acting like mere kits, completely unbecoming of them, "No thanks." Myrel denied slightly disturbed.

Naruto snickered to himself, walking with his hands behind his head, "What's on your mind Myrel?"

The Dracona lifted her head, "Nothing, it's just the training." she muttered, ignoring the three pokégirls she focused on the two pint-sized kids.

"What about the training?" Hinata inquired, looking at her out of the corner of her eye.

"You two, how do you know about all this?" She finally let out, "You're only fourteen! Shouldn't you guys still be attending some academy or something? How do you know these techniques and training exercises that I've never heard of?" Myrel questioned.

Academy?

Hinata gave a hoping glance toward Naruto because she still didn't know how to speak to anyone from this world without tipping themselves off.

Naruto glanced at Hinata, and then he began to laugh, "Myrel not every league has a certain age to graduate from an academy ya know? As for the techniques, well Kitsuto is Jiroshi's student, and he's literally the closest thing I have to family." he waved off.

Not at all a lie, only carefully worded.

Hinata went to observe Myrel's reaction.

The Dracona looked skeptical, only slightly flustered as if forgetting about Jiroshi and Kitsuto, but still she didn't seem to believe the whole story.

"Even still," she continued, narrowing her eyes, "You guys are much more... Aware of things than an average fourteen year old would be, you're cautious, and you seem to plan ahead for things, why-"

"Haah! Why is it always serious questions!" Naruto interrupted childishly, shutting his eyes in agitation, he kept his hands behind his head, and took larger steps, like a child losing his patience.

Myrel paused, staring at the frowning blond now refusing to talk to her.

Hinata stared at Naruto for a few moments, realizing cunning through his act, "Why don't we just talk about something casual instead Myrel? We've been through enough serious talks already and it has us a little bored."

The Dracona looked at Hinata, then to Naruto before she sighed, sweatdropping at his childish behavior that contradicted what she was beginning to believe of him, "Nn... Fine." she sighed annoyed.

Crossing her arms she looked off into the clear fields, "What do you want to talk about then?"

"Well, how about what you like to eat?" Hinata asked.

Myrel rolled her eyes, "You can read that in my breed's-" she caught Naruto's frown as he looked at her, sighing she tried to think, "I like meat, chicken... basically anything carnivore."

"Raw?"

Myrel looked at her, "... I prefer well done."

"Kind of picky for a dragon-type." Naruto chided in, eyes again shut with a childish frown.

"I can eat it raw!" She snapped, "I just rather it be cooked."

Hinata clapped her hands in front of her chest, "In any case, we won't have you balled up at Dinner tonight so you can eat all the meat and chicken you want!"

"At least that's some good news." Myrel huffed under her breath.

"Haa! Got you, you little rat!"

Turning their attention to the three pokégirls they stared.

"No-no-no please don't Tashira! I'm sorry, I really am!" Kiya cried, eyes wide in fear and horror as she shook her head left to right, kicking her legs, trying to get free.

"Too late! Hold her down Yue!" Tashira smirked; Yue had an apologetic expression hidden within her face as she held down Kiya's hands. The Dracass pinning the Kitsune, she sat on her stomach and held her arms down, head above Kiya's she gathered her spit to let it drop on her.

"NO-NONO-Aww Tashira! WHY-HYYY! That's disgusting!" Kiya whined, Tashira getting off her.

Kiya quickly wiped her furred muzzle across the grass to dry her damp spot of fur, blowing out the spit that got in her nose as Tashira laughed.

Hinata shivered, Naruto grimaced as he returned to walking normally, arms by his sides.

"Your pokégirls are poorly trained." Myrel remarked.

Naruto tilted his head, quirking a brow, "I think they can fight pretty well."

The Dracona growled, "That's not what I meant." confused as to why they would let their pokégirls act like that, "How can you guys let them act that way? You're supposed to be Tamers." Myrel berated.

Naruto looked up at her, observing, a glint in his eyes, "And how would you have them act?" He asked.

Myrel scoffed, "Not like that." gesturing to their unorthodox behavior.

"You want us to strip away who they are and take away their free will?" Naruto assumed, raising an unsatisfied brow.

The gold-tinted dragon blinked, caught off guard, "Well, no... I didn't mean it like that." She muttered hesitantly.

"What Naruto's trying to say is that we don't control our pokégirls. They are who they are, and as long as no one harms anyone they should be allowed to have their fun and do what makes them happy." Hinata clarified.

Myrel was slow to understand, she might as well have said they could kill anyone they wanted. She tried to wrap her head around the foreign concept, "Hold on... You guys, don't discipline them when they get out of hand?" She asked.

"Don't misunderstand us Myrel," Naruto began, "If they do something wrong then we will definitely address it and make sure they know that it isn't cool. But if you're asking if we beat them... No, we aren't those kinds of Tamers." Naruto answered.

Myrel simply stared at him in some sort of disbelief, "... I see." she nodded. She didn't know why, but she warmed up at his answer, and even more as she began to realize that Kiya, Tashira, and Yue were being treated like... like they were equal.

It was such a strange thing to say.

The violet-eyed dragon-type shut her eyes, and bit her bottom lip in slight envy, 'How... Lucky of them to be treated in such a-'

"You!"

"Gahh!" Myrel opened her eyes- suddenly hit by a blur- the world rolled as she hit the ground- finally she skidded across the grass out of breath, someone sat on her chest.

Kiya gripped her shirt, tears seemingly dripping on her face, "Why didn't you save me! Why I'll-grrgh!" she growled, shaking the day-lights out of the dazed dragon-type.

She came to, grunting in anger, "What the hell did I do?-! Get off me Kiya!" swiping at air, Kiya was already up.

"I was counting on you!" Kiya growled.

Myrel glared at the Kitsune, getting to her feet she ran at the pokégirl, arms outstretched to grab her, "That's your own fault!"

Surprised Kiya ducked and slid around her, "Ha! Missed!" her tail smacking Myrel's butt she evaded again, before running.

Myrel growled about to chase her, but then she froze, 'Hold on... What am I doing?'

Before she had time to ponder the skeptical act, Tashira came up behind her, putting her in a headlock, "Are you ready to play with us now?" she smirked, rubbing her knuckles over her scalp, Yue gliding around curiously as she stared at Myrel.

"The hell? Get off before I-"

"Before ya what?" Tashira antagonized.

Naruto and Hinata stared, surprised at how fast that escalated.

"Okay guys listen up because I'm only explaining this once!" Naruto forewarned, arms crossed as he stood mere feet from the lake behind him, Hinata at his side, the four pokégirls stood in a line before them.

"Water-walking, unlike the tree-climbing exercise, is much more difficult to get the hang of. It's the next step toward controlling your energy better, and what this includes is... walking. On. Water." he stated ominously making Kia's fur stand on end.

"Yeah we get it, just move it along will ya?" Tashira urged, crossing her arms.

Naruto dead-panned, "You're no fun, hmph- to do this exercise you have to be emitting a constant stream of energy from the bottom of your feet and use the force of the surface to walk across the water," He explained easily as he walked onto the lake, looking at them to show his ease.

"Like this, it's a lot harder than the tree-climbing exercise because the amount of energy you need to exert is always changing, but once you get the hang of it there's nothing to it!"

They looked intrigued, in awe as Naruto walked across the water like it was a hard surface.

Kiya gave a toothy grin, "Haha! That is so cool! I wanna try- I wanna try!" quickly she sprinted toward the lake, but instead of running on top of the lake her feet fell into it, and soon lost her balance, "W-wahh!" *Splash!* falling face first into the water.

Everyone sweat dropped.

"Idiot." Tashira muttered, Yue looked concerned.

Naruto scratched his head, "Almost exactly like that only entirely different." he reviewed as Kiya lied on her stomach in the shallow water, propping her head up on her elbow she spat out a fountain of water, glaring at Naruto as if he had lied to her.

"Everything gets easier with practice." Hinata comforted as she walked onto the lake, helping Kiya out of the water, "After you master it and get used to it soon you can stand on water without even noticing it or even trying."

Tashira narrowed her eyes in concentration as she begun taking off her boots, socks, tank-top and sports bra, all but her compressions. Myrel's brows raised in surprise, stepping away from the stripping Dracass.

"W-what are you doing Tashira!?" Hinata blurted as Tashira's breasts bounced freely making Hinata and Naruto blush.

"I don't want my clothes getting wet and weighing me down," Tashira answered without much of a care.

"Oh, good idea!" Yue encouraged.

"Wish I thought of that." Kiya grumbled, walking back onto solid ground, her boots dragging her down, her training clothes hugged her wet fur, she worked on getting her soaked boots off.

Myrel rolled her eyes; crossing her arms she turned her head away.

Tashira huffed, "What, not gonna join us this time Myrel?" She asked feigning shock.

The Dracona humphed in return, "I'm not stripping." she stated.

Yue blinked curiously as she took off her sports bra, "It would seem that Myrel is uncomfortable with showing herself bare to us."

"Hn!" Myrel's brow twitched, "Don't assume things because that isn't it!"

Kiya snorted, forcing her other boot off, "Pfft- We've already seen her naked, Yue got to second base with her-"

Yue blushed and lowered her head.

"Rrgh- Kiya!" Myrel growled, flustered.

Hinata covered her mouth. ~Giggle~

"-She just doesn't want to show her tits off to Naruto and "The girl" especially since one's blue and the other's dark purple." Kiya snickered, outlining her nipples.

"Kk!" Myrel's face was hot, "Shut up Kiya that's- Just shut it!" growing more self-conscious with Hinata's giggling.

Naruto grew red; smiling bashfully he waved his hands, "its okay you don't have to."

The Dracona reared on him, "It isn't like I was going to anyway!" Myrel growled, shutting her eyes, her wings were beginning to flutter uncontrollably.

- - - - xXx - - - -

... Two Hours Later...

Gasp!

Kiya burst from the water again, gasping for air, her fur soaked, her limbs tired from trudging through water every time she fell through, she crawled back onto shore, coughing.

"What happened to all that confidence?" Myrel questioned curiously, squatting down at the shoreline where Kiya laid face-down exhausted.

*Gasp... Gasp*

Kiya looked up with an exhausted dissatisfied glare, "Shut it, you aren't even doing this exercise." She snarked bitterly, her tail was soaked, too heavy to rise in anger.

Myrel was mere feet from her, squatted down and smirking at the Kitsune, "Seeing your progress? I'm glad I decided not to." she chuckled, offering her scaled hand.

"Hmph." Kiya pouted, her cheeks puffing out as she took it, the Dracona helped her to her feet, even with her Hyper Sensitivity technique this exercise was still pretty hard to grasp.

Shaking her body of the dirt in her fur the Kitsune looked out to Tashira's smug face, every time she was beginning to fall through she morphed, hovered up, and then returned human to continue the exercise.

With the one second use of her draconic form once she began to fall through, she managed to stay out there ever since they started, and thanks to that she was getting the hang of it much quicker than her or Yue. Right now it looked as if she was walking in mud, but still she remained afloat for ten minutes or more each time.

And to think she was teasing Tashira during the Tree-Climbing exercise, whilst she was the one to master the exercise first, it was now reversed and Kiya was reaping what she had sown.

Kiya pouted and growled to herself, Yue was also ahead of her in this exercise, standing on water for at least five minutes, whereas Kiya could only manage three minutes. Stubbornly she rushed back out to try again.

"Hey Naruto-kun?" Hinata walked over to his side, taking his attention away from the girls still trying to master the water-walking exercise for two hours now, each completely wet.

"Hm? Yeah what's up Hinata?" He hummed, looking over at her, he was rubbing his shoulder, in fact he looked slightly distracted.

Hinata stared at him, slightly concerned, "Naruto, are you alright?" it wasn't her original question, but she could see that since this morning, he forcibly arched his back more than he usually did, not to mention he seemed bothered.

He gave her a fake smile, "It's nothing, my back's a little sore is all, now what were you gonna ask Hinata?" he quickly changed subject.

Hinata was silent for a moment, not at all convinced but she left it alone, "I was curious... about why Myrel isn't surprised by all of this? You were talking with her about chakra and our training during the tree-climbing exercise and she didn't even look shocked?" she pondered, making her confusion aware.

Naruto blinked, "Huh? Oh yeah, it's because I already told her about chakra and jutsu." He answered off-handedly.

"You did what?" Hinata asked, worried.

"Don't sweat it Hinata, its fine." Naruto waved off with a sure smile, "I mean at first I was skeptical about how much I could tell her without her getting suspicious." He elaborated.

Hinata's brows rose curiously, "How?"

Naruto brightened, "I came up with a great idea! I decided to test how much I could talk about by using everything Jiroshi and Kitsuto were capable of as something a lot of people in this world would be familiar with ya know? If everyone knows Jiroshi and what he can do, then talking about those subjects wouldn't tip them off right?"

Hinata blinked, it really did make quite a bit of sense, she tapped her forefingers nervously, "And?" wanting to know more.

"Well," Naruto put on a thinking face, "Since Kitsuto can use chakra I assumed it was okay to talk with her about chakra, it really puts a load off knowing I can talk to people here about sealing, and jutsu's and even our training without getting worried!" He grinned, hands behind his head basking in his greatness.

Hinata stared at him carefully, "That... was really clever Naruto-kun." She admitted honestly.

"Heheh! Thanks, I try." He laughed, pretending it was no big deal, he hardly ever got complimented back with his team, not Kakashi, or Sakura, and definitely not Sasuke gave him any... Then again was being called a knucklehead a compliment?

Hinata smiled, "Show off." pushing him playfully, he grinned, and rubbed the back of his head with a laugh.

"I'm really proud of you girls, mastering two exercises in a day is very impressive." Hinata praised.

Yue blushed.

Naruto nodded, "Yeah, and it's only seven." he remarked, pocketing his pokedex. The sun had just begun to set and they were heading home.

Tashira's chest pushed out, "Tch, of course, hell bring on the third I still have energy to spare." The Dracass announced, a victorious air surrounding her, opposed to Kiya's resigned aura.

"Who's awesome?... Say it." Tashira pestered, shoving the Kitsune with a smirk.

*Sigh* "You are." Kiya muttered annoyed, "So you aren't the worst at controlling energy, give it a rest." she begged.

Tashira leaned in close, "What? Couldn't hear ya over the sound of me beating you on the lake!" she gloated.

Kiya's ears perked up, "Hey! I mastered the Tree-climbing first so we're even!" she defended.

Tashira raised a brow with a laugh, "Yeah, the easiest exercise out of the three." She shot down.

Kiya huffed, "Whatever." Crossing her arms.

Myrel shook her head at their banter, "You're being quiet." She noticed, glancing at the Cheshire.

"Hm?" Yue raised her head, "Oh, yeah. I'm really tired." She yawned, her body shook ending with a flick of her tail to wake herself up.

"Hinata? Are we going to do the leaf-floating exercise tonight?" Yue asked, her tail waved eagerly.

Hinata and Naruto looked surprised, "I figured you girls were all tired out." Hinata remarked.

"Not me." Tashira shook her head determined.

"I want to train more as well." Yue answered.

Kiya curled her fists, "Yeah me too! I wanna try the third as well!" she stated.

"Geez." Myrel muttered under her breath, she was too lazy to keep up with these three.

Hinata looked inspired, turning to Naruto's dumbfounded self, "Well Naruto? What do you think?"

Naruto considered it, "Well it's almost eight o'clock so I guess we can start the training after dinner if they're still up for it. You guys won't have to run around with this exercise so you don't have to worry about throwing up, sound good?" he proposed.

The three nodded decisively, "Awesome! / Its fine with me \ thanks masters."

As they walked, their dry socks, bras, and spandex shirts in arm Yue glanced down, "Hm? I think my fur's almost dry." She muttered, stopping to put on her clothing.

"Its times like this I wish I could transform like Tashira." Kiya dreamed, pulling on her shirt.

"Tough." She grunted with a smirk, fully clothed and already dry, with only her hair damp.

Stopping their walk back to town they waited for Yue and Kiya to finish getting dressed as they finally pulled on their boots.

"Naruto?"

The group turned at the call of his name.

Naruto raised his head, "Huh?" his expression morphed to surprise, "Kitsuto? Guys, what are you all doing out here?"

Kitsuto and his harem, along with Miss Suya and Riza, walked over toward them, clothes worn, dirt, and sweat on their faces, but nonetheless they looked just as surprised as Naruto, Hinata and the Pokégirls.

"Out training with Miss Sensei Suya and Riza." he answered.

Hinata's memories came back to her, "Oh, yeah that's right. You and your harem train with Miss Suya and Riza every Friday." She remembered.

The Whorizard and Sayjin crossed their arms, "So what are you guys doing outside the village?" Suya asked.

"We were training, there are three exercises that we introduced to the girls and after they mastered the first one we took them to the lake for the second." Naruto explained resting his hands behind his head.

Kyu looked intrigued, "What were the exercises?" she asked, her nine tails waving calmly and precariously behind her.

Hinata turned to explain.

"- It was the water-walking exercise wasn't it?" Kitsuto cut in excitedly

"That's... right." Hinata confirmed slightly caught off guard.

Myrel quirked a brow and tilted her head, her tail beginning to wag.

Kitsuto grinned, leaving the Pokégirls to stare at him, his Atelesia looked disturbed and shivered, "God that creeps me out." Leslia muttered.

The Avariel grew serious, taking a step forward, "What did you do to Kitsuto? He's been spouting strange training exercises and chakra techniques that we've never heard of for the past few days." she questioned the blond.

Naruto and Kitsuto blanched, the air going quiet, then he laughed nervously and scratched his head, "Uh, haha it's kind of hard to explain," Kitsuto started looking flustered, like sharing an intimate secret, the fact Myrel was here stayed in the back of his mind.

"Me and Kitsuto have been sharing information with each other on our techniques and skills and how to master them... -erm, like how to properly control Ki whilst remaining calm and channeling your life force into your energy." Naruto quickly explained.

They stared at him slightly shocked that he knew of that.

Naruto smiled, seemingly brushing it off, Looking over to Kitsuto, "And since you're here you can probably already guess what I'm gonna ask you next."

Kitsuto and Naruto stared at each other for a mere moment before he brightened, "Well we got about an hour to spare, sure we can spar with you guys!" the silver-haired teen agreed.

His Atelesia growled frustrated, "Seriously, stop doing that it's creeping me out!" Leslia shrieked.

"I'm feeling out of the loop when you guys do that as well." Mika muttered, crossing her arms.

Naruto ignored them, "Glad to hear it, well? Do you girls mind doing some sparring before dinner and still do the third exercise?" he inquired, turning to them.

Tashira gleamed, she had been eyeing Kitsuto pokégirls since they arrived, she'd like to have a spar, "I have no objections." the others withheld any objections as well, shaking their head.

The Whorizard shrugged, "Well you kids can do whatever you want, we're gonna clean up before dinner." Riza waved off.

"Thanks Riza-sensei, Suya Sensei." Kitsuto bowed, his pokégirls echoing him, "Kyu, you think you and Yue can teleport us as close to town as you can?"

"Of course," Kyubi nodded, looking over to the Cheshire, "Yue?"

Yue blinked, looking at Hinata for permission, she smiled, "Go ahead Yue, just don't overdo it." she allowed.

Nodding the Cheshire went forth, she glanced at the Shrine Maiden.

Yuku eyed the Cheshire curiously, remaining silent. The group all grabbed ahold of each other.

Kyu and Yue closed their eyes, then they were gone.

Tashira, Kiya and Yue all stood on the courtyard arena, Naruto and Hinata a ways away on the grass.

Kitsuto's pokégirls stood before the arena in a line, The silver-haired Tamer walked in front of them, "Alright, the ones who will spar Naruto and Hinata's pokégirls will be: Ariel, you're against Tashira; Leslia you're up against Yue; And Mika will spar with Kiya."

The three nodded solemnly.

"Now, the purpose of this spar is to test their bodies to determine whether they are up to full strength! If you sense them taking it easy, push harder; if you see that they are hesitating, do not relent. It's you girls' job to push them to their limits, without seriously hurting them. So, if they collapse, draw back; if they are constantly on the defensive for more than necessary; they're struggling to move; any sign that they are being forced to do what their body won't allow them to because of their handicap, You Back off Immediately. Got it?" Kitsuto questioned.

They all nodded some way or another.

Myrel watched inquisitively, observing from one pair to the next. The most interesting she found was Tashira and Ariel trading blows. Hardly ever did Tashira back onto the defensive; she kept up with the Ariel who was several levels ahead of her.

They fought fiercely, the Dracass was determined, stubborn, violent, and merciless, in fact she could see that it was beginning to anger the Avariel who blocked, back peddled, took to the air, and returned her blows, Tashira knew that the Avariel could take anything she dished out, so she spared no expense. However it was obvious that she did not expect Tashira to take it so seriously, it could barely still be considered a spar... Why of course... This was a dragon-type.

Myrel listened to Naruto and Hinata share observations, Tashira was doing very well, in fact she fought as if she was fully healed... Perhaps, maybe she was.

Yue, opposed to Tashira's merciless attacks, was a strategist in mind, waited for an opening, then quick, to the point, and immediately after put some distance between the brawling monkey-type who much like Tashira's way, charged and attacked intent on pushing her to her limits. Instead Yue would teleport, strike her, give a combo of three or four, evade, dodge, slide in close and attack even more but remained subtle, there was no urgency in her quick movements... She couldn't allow herself to be tripped up after all, her expression in pure focused concentration.

The Atelesia was strong, trained by her mother, Jiroshi's second in command, shrugged off the attacks, evaded, or even countered them. She used all of her limbs to her very benefit which the Cheshire was not yet experienced enough to use her tail in such a way to block quick attacks. Why, Leslia looked entertained more than anything, but the Cheshire wasn't deterred.

They traded blows, Yue was quite resilient for a pokégirl that only had an experience level within the teens, everyone could see that, she used her techniques wisely so as not to waste energy, knew how to last. Myrel glanced over to the two pints; apparently Yue also seemed to be nearing full strength.

Myrel felt the need to wince. Kiya was strong, but unlike Tashira and Yue it was obvious that her muscles were heated within a short amount of time, but she took it into account. When she struck she made it count, she kept coming she didn't give up, stayed close to the Kunimitsu, that special sensitive technique helped in evading most of Mika's attacks. Kiya was good at gliding around and through defenses, good at using her tail as a third arm or leg, Mika didn't expect that.

Mika was constantly pushed onto the defensive, Kiya stayed close so her still sensitive muscles wouldn't be used too much. The Kunimitsu was indeed surprised, her tail sought to confuse, distort, defend, and attack. Waved across her face to confuse her allowing Kiya to attack, and yet her tail was strong enough to feel like a kick to the ribs, fast enough to sweep her punches to the side.

She didn't carelessly waste energy neither, just before she attacked, fire covered her fists to make the most out of her attacks, even if Mika happened to counter or brush them to the side she'd still take damage... That was her tactic; she had a good combination of a defensive and offensive style... But the Kunimitsu wasn't Kitsuto's second strongest for nothing, she merely allowed Kiya to come, blocked, countered, evaded.

The moment Kiya fell crying with a cramp in her leg, Myrel knew she was still only half-way toward full strength, face bruised, lip busted, muscles aching.

The Kunimitsu backed off the writhing Kitsune. Mika had got her good while the Kunimitsu looked like Kiya only got one or two punches in and that was only because there were two singe marks on her vest, other than that she looked physically untouched.

Myrel narrowed her eyes, 'But still... The look in each of their eyes, Tashira, Yue and even Kiya. The expression of determination... I don't know what to make of it.'

Each of them came up with their own strategic battle plan, taking all factors into account to compensate for weakness or inability... Remarkable was the first word to come to mind.

Myrel looked at Naruto and Hinata tending to Kiya, 'How did you train them to think like this?'

*DING!... DING!*

"Alright! Dinner's ready come in and eat before it's gone!" An Ironchef bellowed, hand beside her mouth she called for them.

... One Hour Later...

*... Buuuurrrrp!* "Bwuh... I am so full." Kiya groaned.

Tashira fanned the air, "I haven't noticed." She muttered annoyed.

Yue smiled quietly.

"You don't have to worry Kiya-chan, with this final exercise you won't have to move much, or at all really." Hinata comforted.

"That helps." Yue agreed.

"Now, the leaf-floating exercise is fairly different compared to the previous two exercises," Hinata began, without any more stalling Hinata explained the Leaf-Floating exercise, "With this exercise you have to be careful to control the pressure of your energy, exert it steadily, but also without urgency, because unlike before, the focus is to levitate a leaf using your energy, if you focus too much it could fly off, too little and it won't lift, and if the pressure is too much, the leaf will be crushed." she warned.

Naruto gave each of the three a leaf and as they sat in a Lotus style position the three pokegirls got straight to it. Myrel stood by Naruto and Hinata's side watching the exercise intently.

- - - - xXx - - - -

"Haah... Haa..." Yue breathed, eyes narrowed in concentration, she focused her energy for the final time, now refined, honed and mastered, the leaf floated in between her hands slowly, steadily, not one mistake was made this time.

The Cheshire said nothing, and neither did anyone else for a moment as they studied the leaf, but finally, Yue cracked a smile in self-astonishment, "Hinata!... I-I mastered it!" She exclaimed, fur damp with sweat.

"Huh?" / "Wha?"

Kiya and Tashira snapped from their own Leaf, still practicing like amateurs, grew shocked at how quick she had gotten this one.

Myrel looked up, surprised.

Hinata and Naruto rose their brows in slight awe as she did indeed perform the exercise successfully, "S-sugoi, that's unbelievable Yue! Only within the first hour?" she awed.

Yue couldn't help but stare intently at the leaf floating in between her hands in delight, success, as if she herself could hardly believe it.

"Grah! Man, now Yue beat me too!" Kiya grumbled.

- - - - xXx - - - -

"Man you girls are really something else." Naruto laughed, the three pokégirls sitting before him, Hinata and Myrel, each now steadying a leaf in the air, between their palms. Energy was carefully and calmly focused, so as not to harm the fragile leaf.

Hinata and Naruto smiled proudly, seeing sweat trickle down Tashira's face, the gritting of their teeth, their hands trembling, they knew that they had pushed their energy control to its limit for tonight.

"Okay, job well done girls, let's call it a night and get some rest."

Simultaneously the three sighed and let their leaf fall to the concrete floor. Getting up they headed to the shower.

Kiya nudged Yue fondly, "Nice job Yue, being the first to master the leaf-floating exercise." she congratulated.

Yue lowered her head and smiled, "Thank you Kiya, but you and Tashira were also the first to master the other exercises too." she reminded.

Kiya merely nodded, shrugging off the compliment she made Yue quickly aware of the real reason for her accompaniment, her tail waved curiously, now staring at Yue.

The Cheshire's ears twitched under the scrutiny.

Kiya glanced over to make sure Tashira and Myrel walking ahead of them, were out of earshot.

The Kitsune looked back at her, concerned, as she gave a comforting smile, "Are you okay now Yue?" Kiya asked, changing subject.

Yue's eyes widened, she didn't say anything immediately, but lowered her ears, 'She already realized I was masking my doubts...'

"... I'm fine."

The Kitsune's ears perked, "Fine? Compared to the Yue from yesterday? Frustrated, stressed and bothered, then all of a sudden your acting normal again?... You're gonna have to try a lot harder to convince me." She muttered.

"You think anyone else bought it?" Yue asked hopefully.

"Probably skeptical, but it's me who's asking." Kiya answered.

Yue nodded, "... I'm sorry, for the other day. I was frustrated... I shouldn't have said and done what I did." she apologized.

Kiya sobered; resting a hand on her shoulder she cracked a genuine sisterly smile, "All I want is for you to be okay Yue."

Yue was silent, looking over at her out of the corner of her eye, her mouth dropped unknowingly, before she grew solemn and gave a single nod.

The Cheshire forced a small smile, "I'm better now than I was... before." she brought up optimistically.

Kiya quirked the side of her lip, then lightly bonked the feline on the head, "Of course." she teased softly.

Yue mewed with a nod, exhausted both mentally and physically, she just wanted to curl up and go to sleep, wanting comfort... as a matter of fact, Tashira was at her disposal due to their deal... perhaps that would relieve any lingering stressors on her mind.

Kiya pushed her head further into Naruto's chest as he carried her in his arms, her fur still wet after just finishing a shower, Naruto wore a casual orange T-shirt and black shorts. His hair was also wet.

"Kiya, your fur is getting my shirt wet." he muttered, but the much larger and taller pokegirl continued to sulk by latching onto him harder and buried her head into his armpit.

Naruto sighed with a small smile, their room door left open he entered and slowly placed her on the bed.

She sat crossed-legged, and arms crossed with a bitter pout on her muzzle, the fight still on her mind, "I need to strengthen my defense, up my agility and stamina, if I concentrate my Hyper-Sensitivity, I can train my senses to predict where she'll be before..." she went off muttering to herself.

"I thought you did pretty well." He shrugged as he took her towel and proceeded to dry her, taking her left arm to start with.

Kiya stared at him incredulously, "Not that bad? I was the only one who couldn't even hold my own!" she whined, tail lashing out and smacking the bed.

"To be fair, Mika is a higher evolved you, plus you're technically kind of incapacitated and it's a miracle you're able to train at all." Naruto brought up, he finished drying her arms, and moved down to her main body.

"I need to step up my game!" She grumbled, ignoring his picker-upper she raised her arms to the ceiling as Naruto ran his hands rapidly over her ribs.

Struggling not to giggle she silently waited, then crossed her arms again as Naruto moved from her back and torso to drying her legs.

"Sure you do." Naruto sweat dropped half-heartedly, "Kiya this takes time. There is no short cut for this, you just need to continue your training and soon you'll be back to normal." he explained optimistically.

The Kitsune stared at him unsatisfied, thinking to herself as he began to finish with her legs. Kiya then shook her head stubbornly, "No. What I need to do is train inside my Pokéball in my spare time, spar with each and every pokégirl, and Tamer in this hou-" Naruto rolled his eyes as he shoved a towel on her head.

"Mmf! O-Oi! Cut i-it out I'm t-tryin to t-talk here!" She protested as he rubbed all over her head and face, muffling her.

Naruto chuckled as he dried her head before moving on to drying her ears. He could see her tail visibly vibrate and twitch as she grumbled in protest, a few minutes later he stepped back, "There, all done."

Kiya pouted, her fur bushed out all over her body, she watched Naruto try to stifle his snickering.

the bushy Kitsune deadpanned, "Yeah go ahead, laugh it up." shutting her eyes, she shook her body to get as much water out of her damp fur as possible, her tail gave a final flick once she finished, "I'm serious Naruto, we need to go into super-training." She emphasized to let him know how serious she was.

Naruto walked over to the deep-thinking fox with a brush in his hand, "Alright, Kiya lay down." he grinned knowing this was Kiya's favorite part.

Ears perking up, her eyes snapped to the brush in hand, her tail trembled dramatically as she felt a blush arising in her cheeks, noticeably struggling to restrain her grin and remain serious. Without a second command she lay down on her stomach and rested her head on her folded arms.

Going over he sat beside her and began to comb down the hair on her head. Kiya felt her body shiver and her eyes roll up for a few short moments before concentrating on the problem at hand.

"Anymore training than you just did and you're likely to keel over like you did when you were released from that Pokéball training." Naruto argued.

"A minor hiccup." Kiya denied.

"Minor or not it's still dangerous." Naruto rebuked.

Frowning, Kiya humphed, "Tashira and Yue are almost back to full strength." She vented.

Naruto raised a brow, "Weren't they training while you stuffed your muzzle and teased Myrel?" He reminded with a knowing smile.

Kiya's tail shot up into his face, her body tensed as she stared at the bed frame in surprise; finally she gave a wry smile knowing he was right.

Pushing her tail out of his face he continued, "Kiya you need to stop, take a moment to think and get back into the groove of things, vacations over. Without pushing yourself beyond what you can handle." he warned.

Kiya sulked, she had gotten used to being lazy. Her toes suddenly curled, tingles spread throughout her body, Kiya's cheeks heated up and her smile formed as she struggled to stifle a yip, feeling the brush travel along her back, over her left butt cheek, then down the back of her thigh and finally ended at the bottom of her calve just above her ankle.

She shut her eyes as the same thing happened to the right side of her body.

"Kiya, your tail." Naruto laughed.

"Huh?" Her head whirled around, then her eyes widened with an embarrassed blush, her tail was pointed straight up and visibly trembled, jittered and shook with pleasure that she tried to contain.

Kiya shifted her gaze from Naruto's teasing expression with a blush, "O-oh." she murmured bashfully, and slowly lowered her tail between her legs.

She laid her head back down in silence, a smile on her lips as Naruto brushed her fur down, then onto her tail.

After he was nearly finished with her backside Naruto glanced at her between every other brush, "Don't feel so down Kiya, a few days of good training and exercise and you should be back to full strength." he encouraged.

Kiya opened her eyes with a glint behind them, her smile widened, expression brightening in determination, "Then it's settled, no more miss's lazy-fox. It's time to get serious!" She yipped, a small grin showing on her muzzle.

Naruto grinned, "There's the Kitsune I know!" he rejoiced, smacking her left cheek making the Kitsune yip, "Alright sit up."

Doing just that her tail wagged playfully, a mischievous smirk on her face. She relished at the feel of the brush patting down her fur, and Naruto's other hand scratched the back of her ear.

Naruto chuckled at Kiya's soft excited yips. Finally finishing he nodded, "There, go check out your fur."

Excitedly Kiya jumped off the bed to look at herself in the mirror. Staring for all of a second, her face bloomed with awe and appreciation, her fur shined beautifully, healthily like any furred creature's fur would after bathing and brushing.

"Wow, that is some top-quality grooming!" She complimented, giggling she twisted left to right, smirking, "Now who is that sexy Pokégirl in the mirror?" she wondered, her tail wagged with life and happiness

Naruto laughed, "The beautiful and mischievous alpha: Kiya, that's who." he answered as he stood up, hands behind his head.

"That's who I thought it was." But then she squinted at the mirror, "Wait," twirling around she pointed behind Naruto, "What's that? Behind you!"

"Huh?" Naruto turned fearful as he whirled around, "What? Where? I don't see it!"

She crouched and pounced on the blond, "Rawr! Gotcha!"

"Gah!"

Tackling him the two landed on the bed, the Kitsune was quick to straddle him, a predatory look in her eyes as her fingers and tail struck forth at his vital spots, "There is no escape for you!"

"HAhahahehehee! K-K-Haha-Kiya don't!" he begged through his fits of laughter.

Kiya leaned closer, head hovering above his intimidatingly, "Then swear to me forever blond headed one!" she demanded, lowering her voice to sound more intimidating.

Shutting his eyes he stifled his laughter, building strength, "Never!" rolling her over he lashed out, "Feel my Uzumaki wrath!"

"Nuuu~!" she cried, he had her pinned; his fingers tickled her to whimpers, yips and laughs.

"Naruto pl-please! I can't take anymore I give in!" she pleaded through giggles, tears at the edge of her eyes.

"Then you have decided your fate." he stated ominously, opening his mouth his head dived for her stomach to land the decisive 'blow'.

*Pffft!... Pffft!*

"Noo! Ahahahaha! N-Naruto I'm gonna pee!" she giggled as she twisted left to right, "I surrender!"

*Click*

Myrel blinked, her feet stopped at the doorway, eyebrows rising in surprise at what she had walked in on, not sure what to make of the scene.

Naruto was blowing on Kiya's stomach to make fart sounding noises and tickling her, all Kiya could do was writhe underneath him, giggle and yip her heart out with tears building on her eyes.

They didn't seem to notice her. Silently, shocked and frozen by the two all she could do was watch for the next twenty seconds.

Myrel felt strange within, why were they doing this? What purpose did this serve? She was confused... They were playfully messing with each other.

She would never forget how utterly happy Kiya and Naruto looked; she couldn't but feel... curious, wishing, and a twinge of jealousy.

Nervously she cleared her throat, "Ahem!... What are you guys doing?"

Naruto and Kiya glanced up, his tickling ceased allowing her to finally be able to breathe. *GASP!*

Naruto grinned, "Hey what's up Myrel?"

Kiya slowly got her breathing under control, "Hoh... Oh, thank you Myrel..." she breathed exhausted.

Looking at Myrel the three stared before Kiya grinned as well, "Hey Naruto, we should have Myrel join!"

Naruto blanched, "Huh?"

Myrel was at a loss, "I... What?"

Jumping off the bed, Kiya bounded over predatorily, "None are safe from the fox's fingers!"

"W-what the hell! What are you d-do-heh-ing! Get the hell away-Ah!" Stumbling backwards, her hands raised to fend Kiya off, her scales were unfortunately nearly half as soft as a human's.

"Bow to me!" Kiya war-cried leaping into the air.

Myrel's eyes shot open, "Gah!"

Naruto burst out laughing, bounding over as well, pointing to the downed Dracona being straddled by the Kitsune, Naruto cried, "Right behind you Kiya, Yahh!"

Myrel froze in shock as Naruto leaped into the air.

"Bwaaahh! What The Hell?-!"

*Thump!*

Hinata paused at her doorway, her hair damp and a towel in her hands. Raising a brow she looked down the hallway, 'Huh, wonder what that was?'

Shrugging, she opened her door.

Hinata froze at the doorway, her eyes widened and her brows shot upward in speechlessness at what lied before her.

Tashira's head snapped to Hinata, a shameful blush on her cheeks, "H-Hinata!" Tashira blurted.

*Purr*

Slowly taking in the scene Hinata couldn't help but smile, it wasn't long before she felt the need to squee, "Awww, you two look so cute!" she gushed.

Tashira's face reddened further, Yue's purring couldn't have got any louder, her tail curled all around Tashira's leg and pushed between the crevice of her butt, her head continuously nudged against Tashira's breasts, and her arm wrapped around Tashira's waist... they were cuddling!

Confused at the sight of this seldom act, Hinata needed to question, "You never cuddled with Yue willingly before, what happened?" She inquired, closing the door as she asked, not taking her eyes away from the scene for a second. ~Moe and Kawaii~

Tashira's eyes averted her Tamer's, now hopelessly humiliated and stripped of any pride she had left before Hinata walked in on them, "I don't wanna say." She mumbled, arms wrapped around the Cheshire, Tashira and Yue's legs intertwined as they cuddled in a naked harmony.

*Pop*

Yue relinquished Tashira's nipple, "Hinata, would you please join us?" Yue pleaded, eyes looking into the pit of Hinata's gentle soul, the doubts and concerns that plagued the Cheshire were being ebbed away with each second she cuddled in the Dracass's arms, having her Tamer would make everything so much more amazing.

Hinata paused as she considered it, then she grinned, "I'd love to."

- - - - xXx - - - -

Pulling on her pajama socks, Hinata sat back on the bed, after a good hour of dazed naked cuddling, Tashira and Yue wanted to go to their Pokéball to see if they were at full strength.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed she stared intently at the healing unit with her pokégirls attached to the device, before finally, Hinata took her eyes away from the two Pokéballs and glanced at the clock.

Her heart warmed in relief, "That's ten minutes." she timed, getting off her butt to release the two pokégirls.

As two red zigzagging lines of light materialized outside their Pokéballs, Hinata waited impatiently.

Once Tashira could finally feel her body turn solid she couldn't help but sigh loudly. Bringing her hand up she curled a fist and flexed experimentally.

"Well? Did you girls find out?" Hinata asked curiously.

Tashira and Yue looked at each other, then Tashira smirked, "I'm back to full strength."

"And so far, I am to." Yue added.

The news sent flutters through her nerves as Hinata couldn't help but clap and chirp, "Oh that's wonderful! I'm so proud of the both of you!" she complimented.

Tashira blinked, then rubbed the back of her neck and blushed, Yue acting much the same way as her tail began to wag.

The only problem that remained was to train to be able to handle their maximum speed, along with proper use of techniques, but other than those concerns, they were fully rejuvenated and were in fact stronger than they were before their weights had been taken off.

Next, to re-evaluate themselves to see how much they truly progressed.

"Come on, we need to tell Naruto and Kiya the good news!"

Tashira and Yue snapped up, "Huh?"

Running over Hinata grabbed their wrists, "Come on let's go!" she encouraged as she dragged them out of the room.

"Hold on -Eh, Hinata!" Tashira stuttered.

"Let us get dressed first!" Yue meowed

- - - - xXx - - - -

"What!" Kiya yelped, fur spiking out as she jumped to her feet, eyes wide in disbelief, "T-That can't happen yet!" she cried.

Tashira crossed her arms superiorly, "What's wrong Kiya, not feeling supportive of your sisters all of a sudden?" she taunted.

Yue blinked curiously as she turned to Kiya.

Myrel sat on the couch watching the exchange in amusement.

Naruto grinned and congratulated, "That's great news Hinata! Good job Tashira, Yu-Urgk!" he grunted suddenly.

"I know isn't it a relief?" Hinata interrupted jovially, bear-hugging the blond she lifted him off his feet and waved him left and right.

"H-Hinata I j-just ate." he grunted as he began to get dizzy.

Kiya sulked, "Noooooo~!" she whined dramatically.

"Drama Queen." Myrel muttered, rubbing her aching stomach, still feeling where Naruto and Kiya's fingers had been.

Under her golden tinted scales, blood rushed to her cheeks, a small smile graced her lips at this odd feeling in her stomach.

- It had nearly been over two days since Yue had told them the news, as Trent's parents were filled with sorrow and mourned for their son's passing, Yue hadn't moved an inch from their side, but she didn't speak.

At first they hadn't recognized her, due to the evolution, but her behavior and knowing of Trent quickly made them realize. Naruto, Hinata, Tashira and Kiya stood outside on the third day, waiting as they grieved.

And once their tears had begun to cease, Yue put her head to the floor.

"I'm sorry Miss Helen, Mister Harper," Yue kneeled, head bowed to the floor before them, "It's my fault that Trent... passed. I-I wasn't strong enough to protect him a-and I-"

"Yue," Helen interrupted, touching her shoulder, Yue's head snapped up in fear. Her body visibly trembled.

Bringing her to her knee's, Helen knelt down herself and hugged the Cheshire, "Please don't blame yourself, *Sniff* you did everything you could." she comforted.

"He was always so proud of you Yue, so p-please don't blame yourself for his death." She pleaded.

Yue wrapped her arms around her, clinging to her as she cried along with her, finally spilling her tears.

Harper was silent, wiping at the edges of his eyes he remained on his feet. He had made sure Yue told him everything of the great journey Trent had always wished to travel, knowing that he had at least experienced his dream before he had died, comforted him.

Hinata and Naruto tensed, Tashira and Kiya standing twenty feet behind, each nearly holding their breath as Trent's parents had finally came out of their house with Yue, walking right up to the two.

Harper looked at the two of them earnestly, "You two Tamers are the ones who came to Trent and Yue's aid against the Dryder?" he asked.

They both nodded seriously, "Yes sir." Naruto answered.

The NurseJoy stepped forward, "Why? Why did you risk your lives and the lives of your pokégirls just to help someone you didn't know?" she asked, wishing to know.

Naruto and Hinata glanced at each other.

Hinata looked at them kindly, "It was the right thing to do." She answered honestly, and simply.

The two seemed to be taken back by the response, "For that petty reason?" Harper asked in disbelief.

"That's the kind of people we are Mister, if someone is in trouble," Naruto looked at them determinedly, "We'll do everything in our power to help."

His hardened expression slowly dwindled in doubt, "But even so, we weren't able to," he whispered, tightening his fist angrily at himself, and they could see that he blamed himself, "I'm sorry that we weren't strong enough to save your son." he apologized.

Hinata looked at the parents of Trent with remorse, and sorrow, "I used every medical aid in my possession..." she explained with sadness.

Wiping her tear Hinata built up her resolve, "We're sorry. Trent was truly a good person, he told me that he didn't regret his decision to become a Tamer, that he got to see a lot of amazing things, and got to meet some amazing people... he told me that he was glad that he met us, to know that there were still good-hearted people that would still try to help no matter what." Hinata finished, a tear dripping from her chin.

They were silent, staring at the two teenagers that were so affected by his death that it brought them to tears.

Helen walked over, and hugged the two of them tightly, heart filled, "Thank you..." she whispered, genuinely glad that Trent had been truly happy with no regrets when he had died.

Pulling away, Harper gave a definite nod to the both of them, before looking to Yue, "I can't think of anyone more fit to be your Tamer than one of these two here." He told her.

Yue nodded, wiping away her tears, "This is my Tamer, her name is Hinata. And this is her best friend, Naruto." she introduced.

They both nodded, and Trent's parents nodded in return.

"Promise me that you'll take care of her." Helen asked.

Hinata bowed, "I promise."

Harper nodded with a finished grunt, "If you guys are ever in the area and need a place to rest, please feel free to stay here."

"Thanks Mister." Naruto bowed as well.

With their consciences cleared, and her last tethering objective cleared, Yue left with Hinata and Naruto, hugging Trent's parents' goodbye. -