When the sun rose, no one was up. The past days took a toll on their bodies. Even Illrima had eventually fallen asleep in the night. Natsumi, however, stirred and slowly opened her eyes, almost forgetting the nights previous activities. The fight with Datenshi was still a blurr to her, and even though the poison was removed, she still had pain. She glanced over at Hikaru and smiled weakly - she felt complete now that he didn't hate her. Finally she looked up at Kaizen. She couldn't get over how gorgeous he was - even when she first saw him she noticed it. She shifted slightly, realising his arm was still around her. Did this mean he was her's, and her being his in return? Her mind drifted in thought, not aware that he stirred beneath her.
Kaizen's eyes opened a bit, noticing Natsumi was awake.
"Natsumi?" he said yawning slightly, as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "You're up early." He said with a caring smile as he continued to rub his eyes.
Yahasu was the third one up, she was unset that she had actually slept in today. What woke her up was her stomach, which had been growling most of the night. She had stepped past Natsumi and Kaizen and walked outside, to see if she could find things to eat for the group.
Natsumi nodded. ''Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.'' she blushed lightly, buring her face in his chest.
Kaizen had smiled, "You didn't wake me." He whispered gently as he watched Natsumi bury her face in his chest. "It's the sun, actually. It's... far too bright." He whispered. Kaizen looked at the top of Natsumi's head. Placing a hand to her head, he softly felt her hair. It was silky. "Your... Hair feels so soft. Do you do anything with it? I could use something like that." He whispered, smiling softly.
At this time Illua had woken up, and had already noticed Natsumi and Kaizen were up. Illua had just sat and pet her furry friend, still sleeping on her lap.
Natsumi felt her blush deepen as she shook her head. ''I-I don't do anything to it. It runs in my clan - Hikaru is the same way.'' she laughed softly, lifting her face to stare at Kaizen. ''You're extremely handsome, by the way.'' she whispered innocently.
Kaizen as very interested when Natsumi had said the soft hair ran in her clan. Kaizen was a bit jealous, he was never crazy about his hair, but it was not even as close as soft as Natsumi's. Kaizen was still playing with her hair. He had seemed entertained. When Natsumi had said that Kaizen was extremely handsome, Kaizen blushed slightly.
"I-I am?" He asked, quietly laughing sheepishly. "I never heard that before." He said, looking at her.
Looking at Natsumi, he had seen how beautiful she was. Well, He always known how beautiful she was, but anyway, he felt like the luckiest guy on earth. It was soon after that Yahasu came back. She had her arms filled with apples. She had noticed Illua up.
"When will we be leaving?" Yahasu asked Illua, setting the armful of apples down on one of the flattest rocks around, so they would roll everywhere.
Illua stood up, pushing Gensou off of her. "When everyone's ready, I guess. We aren't in much of a hurry now we rescued Hibiki and Hikaru." Illua said, standing up and walking over to Yahasu. Illua picked up an apple and examined it.
"I found an apple tree nearby. They don't look like they have worms in them." Yahasu said, picking one up and biting into it. It was actually good for wild apples. Illua had bit into it her as well.
Natsumi smiled up at him. She was slightly distracted as he played with her hair - no one had ever done it before and she was discovering that she liked it. Still though, she snapped out of it and finally answered him.
''Well you should.'' she stated with a small laugh.
She stared at him intently when she heard Hikaru's voice in her head.
'Kiss him.' she could hear him snicker.
Upon hearing that her face turned beat red. 'You're an idiot!' she shrieked at him in embaressment.
'You know you want to.' He teased.
She quickly glanced over her shoulder and saw Hikaru stretching. She frowned, she was enjoying her alone time with Kaizen. And just because her brother told her to do what she wanted, well she just didn't like the idea of him being up if she did do it...
Kaizen had seemed to still play with Natsumi's hair, when he noticed Natsumi stare at him. Then, he noticed her face turn beat red. Kaizen smiled at her, he had thought it was cute.
"How did you sleep?" He asked in a whisper.
She shrugged. "I slept well, thank you."
Kaizen smiled when he heard Natsumi's reply.
"That is good." He had said gently. Soon, Kaizen's stomach had growled. His face had turned red. "Oh, I am hungry." He had said, laughing softly. Looking over to Yahasu and Illua, he had thought that an apple sounded excellent. "Yahasu, Can you throw an apple over here?" Kaizen asked grinning.
Yahasu gave a single nod before throwing Kaizen an apple. Kaizen had skillfully caught the apple with a single hand.
"Are you hungry, Natsumi?" He asked looking for Natsumi to the red and green apple, examining it closely.
She shook her head. "I don't eat very often." She laughed, resting her head against his chest again as she shut her eyes. She enjoyed listening to his heartbeat; it was so rhythemic that it was almost like music to her ears.
When Natsumi had said she doesn't eat very often, Kaizen blinked. He usually ate a lot during meals... Sometimes Illua had scolded him over the amount of food he would take at one time. Kaizen then had bit into his apple. It seemed pretty sweet-tasting.
Hikaru yawned as he stood up, stretching. He strolled over to Illua and Yahasu and took an apple. He bit into it and let out a soft moan of approval.
"This is a good apple." He laughed before facing his sister. "Stop sleepin' sis."
Natsumi opened her eyes and stuck her tongue out at her older brother. "I'm not sleeping!"
"You could be." He laughed.
"But I'm not..." She rolled her eyes.
Yahasu had seen Hikaru take and apple and eat it. He said they were good. It was soon after both Yahasu and Illua finished their apples and waited for the others to wake up.
"When will be leaving back for camp, Illua?" Yahasu asked Illua monotonously.
"As soon as possible. We are wasting daylight. It will probably take another night or two to get to the new spot, so I plan to leave very soon." Illua said, sighing slightly.
Minako approtched the group with Hibiki close at her side. "We are not following you, we are heading back home, so you do not have to wait for us."
"Thank you for all the help though." Hibiki smiled.
Natsumi frowned but did not move. "Bye Minako, Hibiki."
They smiled before walking out of the cave. Ryo had soon woke up, along with Illrima, both getting up and taking an apple.
"We will have to leave too, Hikaru." Natsumi stated dully.
Hikaru nodded. "Yes, we will. We cannot stay here for much longer. I don't want to leave, but we must..."
Natsumi nooded, a wave of sorrow washing over her.
Kaizen's smile had dropped when he heard Natsumi say that her and Hikaru were about to leave.
"W-wait... You're leaving?" He asked, his once happy emotions switching to sorrow. "You mean, We will never see each other again?" Kaizen asked looking at Natsumi, then to Hikaru.
Illua stepped closer to Kaizen, "It cannot be avoided. Soon we are headed to OUR home across the seas." Illua explained, seeming to be a bit sad herself for not seeing Natsumi in a long while. "You two will have to be torn apart one day or another. They have their own things to do, just like we do." Illua said, keeping her gaze from Kaizen.
Kaizen had looked at Illua, then back at Natsumi. "But... I said I would protect you, Natsumi. With my life if it comes to that. But... How can I when we are a world apart?" He asked, seeming to choke on his words. He seemed to be taking this worse then any of the Oshue.
Gensou had approached Illua and seemed to sulk beside Illua. He had seemed also hating to see Natsumi go.
Natsumi frowned, feeling guilty. She didn't want to leave, but her and Hikaru had to find a way to restore their clan, just as Illua and the others did with their own. It seemed... wrong, for her to follow them to their home.
"Natsumi, what do you want to do?" Hikaru asked, leaning against the wall of the cave with his arms over his chest.
'You don't want to leave, do you?' His voice echoed in her mind.
Natsumi felt words caught in her throat. "I-I.." She looked up at Kaizen. "Hikaru and I need to restore our clan... we are the only ones left... it'd be d-diffcult to restore it from your island." She frowned, pushing back tears as she looked at her best friend, Illua. "I-I'm so sorry..."
Kaizen, though he understood why Natsumi and himself had to go their separate ways, but it still felt too soon for him. Kaizen had rested his head on Natsumi's shoulder. He was definitely sulking now. He was not one to cry in front of others, so he held it in with strength.
"Y-You really can't come with us... Can you?" Kaizen said, his voice cracking. "I... I don't want to lose you, Natsumi..." He said, placing his hand over hers.
Illua had stood silently, with her head down. She hated seeing them be ripped apart like this...
Yahasu, who had glanced at Ryo a couple times through Natsumi's, Kaizen's and Hikaru's conversation, also had stayed quiet, but was particularly upset they were leaving..
Hikaru just laughed. "Why can't we go with them?"
Natsumi's head snapped in Hikaru's direction. "Wh-what?"
"I never said we couldn't..." He laughed again.
Natsumi let out a breath as she spoke inwardly, 'You are being serious? We can go with them?'
'If they want us, I see no reason why not. We can't go to the leaf - we are rouges everywhere anyway...'
Natsumi smiled weakly as she looked back at Kaizen, forcing him to lift his head and look at her. "I-If you really want me to come that bad, I can... I mean... if you all really want Hikaru and I..." She laughed.
Kaizen's eyes lit up, "Yes, Of course I really want you to come with us!" He said, wrapping both of his hands around hers.
Looking over to Illua, He wanted to see if she would say yes.
"You all can come. It'll be an adventure for you guys... Different people, Different places..." Illua said smiling.
"Different enemies." Yahasu added in a monotone voice, looking beside her at Illua.
Natsumi grinned. "I'm always up for a good fight!"
Hikaru laughed. "You sure we won't be a bother?" He asked Illua.
Illua shook her head, "No, not at all." Illua said, smiling over at Hikaru.
When Kaizen heard Illua say that they could come, He had wrapped his arms around Natsumi and gave her a big hug. He had seemed to be MUCH happier now that he would not have to leave Natsumi.
Natsumi hugged him back tightly as she smiled.
Hikaru laughed. "Any chance I will at least get a girlfriend on your island? Been far too long..." He snickered.
Natsumi turned to glare at her brother.
"What?" He chuckled.
Natsumi just rolled her eyes as she finally pulled herself to her feet.
Illua herself had laughed aloud when Hikaru asked if there was a chance to get a girlfriend across the seas, "I am sure there is someone for you there." Illua assured him.
"I-I guess I'll see you later then..." Ryo murmured, heading toward the exit.
Natsumi grabbed his wrist, pulling him back. "Why are you going? You can come too-"
He pulled his arm from her grasp. "No, I can't. I ... just can't..."
As Natsumi stood up to stop Ryo, who went to leave, Kaizen had stood up as well, and dusted dirt off his pants. When Ryo had said he couldn't go, The Oshue had wondered why... He was always seemed... Mysterious.
Natsumi frowned as she dropped her hand back at her side. She and Ryo had been close friends when the Akatsuki was still run by Pein. She felt bad for him. Pein had killed his sister before his eyes and he was, like her, the last of his clan. He was innocent and never meant to hurt anyone. The only reason he ever did was to protect himself.
"Why can't you?" Yahasu asked, looking at the purple-haired male.
Ryo seemed shocked at the question; he had forgotten that, unlike Natsumi and Hikaru, the others did not know his story.
"I-I am just... very..."
Natsumi sighed. "He thinks he does not deserve to around people."
Ryo nodded, lowering his head.
Illua had quieted as Natsumi explained that Ryo didn't think he deserved to be around people. Yahasu had stayed quiet as well.
"Well, you can tag along if you'd like. I hate just leaving you here." Illua said, putting a hand to her chin. "Your company would be most appreciated around some people in our group..." Yahasu said quietly.
But she had became silent one she found out that sounded... weird. Sure other people would like him around, yes? Well, sure it didn't matter to her. ...Or did it?
Ryo's eyes widened as he looked back up at the others. "R-R-really? Y-You'd all want me th-there...?"
Natsumi nodded. "Please Ryo...?"
Ryo sighed. "A-Alright..."
Natsumi turned to face Illua. "So, I see Illrima ran off already... shall we just go then?"
Illua had smiled when Ryo had agreed to tag along. Illua had nodded as a response to Natsumi.
"Yes, That would be good. Since my sister and the rest of the group is waiting in the Mist Village. There, we will lend a boat from a friend of mine so we don't have to pay the fee."
Illua explained, glancing between all of the others. Kaizen had nodded, he remembered coming from his home years ago, it had cost a fair amount of money... But Illua always had her ways to avoid things like that.
Natsumi smiled up at Kaizen as she entwined her hand in his.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Hikaru laughed. "I agree, we are burning sunlight."
Kaizen had smiled in agreement with Natsumi as he looked down at her.
"Alright. Everyone is ready... I will lead the way." Illua said, as Gensou had hopped to her shoulder.
Illua had soon taken off into a sprint. Kaizen, still holding onto Natsumi's hand, had followed behind Illua. Yahasu had followed from behind.
Hikaru basically pulled Ryo along as the group followed Illua.
Illua, leading the rest of the group, had gone quiet. Gensou had shifted positions, getting more comfortable on Illua's shoulder.
"We really have to go back? Those children are so annoying!" Gensou complained.
"Well, it looks like you have something in common with them, then." Illua said, looking at the abomination from the corner of her eye.
"Well, don't you think that they are some-what annoying? You have to train one of them, after all." Gensou hissed back at Illua.
Hikaru had moved himself ahead beside Illua. "May I ask you something?" He asked, his tone almost serious.
Illua had noticed Hikaru approach from behind her, and Illua hushed Gensou instantly.
"Yes, what is it?" She asked, raising an eyebrow as she had gotten curious since she realized he had become serious.
"Is Natsumi and I in danger by coming to your island... her more than myself? I mean... I know Kaizen has made a vow to protect her, but I still feel the need to worry... even though I know Natsumi is strong..." Hikaru said, catching himself before he blabbed on too much.
Illua listened to Hikaru talk. "No, not you or your sister is in trouble going there." Illua said, with a small smile. Illua's face turned solemn as she looked ahead, "If anyone is in danger by going there... It's me."
Hikaru had caught onto what Illua had said. "Why you?"
Both Illua and Gensou had quieted. It really seemed that no one knew. She wasn't even exactly sure if Kaizen even known who Illua really was. Illua looked back at Kaizen and Natsumi, then at Yahasu. She had soon looked back at Hikaru, deciding to be completely honest with him.
"I have done some bad things in the past. Mostly things that are unchangeable, no matter what I do or say to try and change that... And because of these things, I have... Become not very liked by my people." Illua had said seeming to grow sad. "You shouldn't worry. They won't hurt you, your sister, or Ryo. Even though my enemies aren't fond of... Foreigners. I am not that sure about the other Oshue, but they already know this, and are prepared." Illua said, seeming to refuse to look back at Hikaru. Only because she was ashamed.
Hikaru nodded. "I knew all that, as does Natsumi." He snickered. "I don't think you realise all that our eyes can do. I just felt I should ask."
Illua raised her eyebrows as she looked back at Hikaru as he said he knew all that. "I guess I don't realize what you can do..." She said, looking back in front of her as she seemed to space out.
The group had seemed to be running forever, until Illua stopped a bit after the sun had gone down, and the stars above them shone in the dark night sky. She had stopped in an open area, she had not seen any caves in the area to take shelter in.
"I suppose we will sleep under the stars tonight..." She said a bit too quietly.
Kaizen had felt so tired from running all day, and as soon as they stopped, he fell to his back in the grass. It was the one time he felt comfortable in the whole day. The bottoms of his feet hurt and felt numb. Even Yahasu had felt very tired, but refused to let sleep wash over her.
Natsumi sat down beside Kaizen as her brother laid down on the grass on her other side. Natsumi was used to walking a lot, but even she had to admit she was tired. She rested her head against her knees as she sat still. Hikaru was already slipping in and out of consiousness. He was more than ready to sleep.
Kaizen had seen Natsumi sit down beside him and he sat up. "How are you feeling?" He asked in concern, smiling gently.
Illua had found her own spot, sitting against a tree, looking between the other people in the group. Yahasu stood standing, and looked from Illua to Ryo, before turning from them. Yahasu had walked a couple feet from the rest of them before sitting on the ground, keeping guarding.
Natsumi smiled from behind her knees. "Just tired." She responded.
Ryo looked over at Yahasu and frowned. "Do I gross you out or something?" He asked, unsure as to why she would always look at him for a moment before turning away.
Yahasu had jumped when she heard Ryo's voice form behind. Turning to look at him, Yahasu began nervously curling her index finger in her snowy hair.
"No. No you don't." She replied, glancing at him once before looking away. "Well, If you don't want me to look at you... I guess I know now not to..." She added quietly before biting on her thumb nail.
Ryo shook his head. "You can, I-I just thought I bothered you or something..."
Yahasu had quieted when Ryo thought that the sight of him bothered her. Yahasu had mumbled before speaking, "Mhm... No, Why would I be bothered by looking at you?" Yahasu had asked, looking over at him.
He shrugged. "I-I dunno..." He replied nervously.
'Natsumi, are you still sure about this?' Hikaru's voice echoed.
Natsumi lifted her head from her knees to look over at her brother who appeared to be sleeping peacefully. 'Of course I'm sure.' She answered him.
'Illua isn't exactly liked on her island...'
'I don't care! Illua is my bestfriend! I would risk my own life for her!'
'And that is exactly what I do not want you to do.'
'If it comes to it, I will. I love fighting anyway! No one can beat me!'
'You got beat by that Datenshi guy...'
'I meant besides him!' Natsumi let out a small growl as she diverted her eyes from Hikaru to ahead of her where a beautiful lake sat. The moon was high and reflected off of the waters surface, she found the sight calming.
Yahasu had not said anything more to Ryo and went back to her duties of keeping a watch. Kaizen, who seemed to have to space out, tuned back in when he heard Natsumi growl quietly. He had seen she was looking out where a lake sat. The reflection of the moon had seemed to sparkle. It sorta made Kaizen sleepy. Illua had not yet dozed off, she was too busy thinking about things. Gensou stirred on her lap, though he was not asleep yet.
"Illua..." He said, mumbling slightly.
"What is it, Gensou?" Illua asked with a sigh as she shifted her gaze down at him.
"Can you... Rub my belly?" Gensou said, turning on his back.
Illua frowned, "No, Gensou! Go ask someone else!" Illua said, pushing him off of her lap into the dirt.
Natsumi laughed as she watched Illua and Gensou. "I can if you want, Gensou." She told him with a smile.
Gensou had sat in the dirt for a moment, with his head turned looking at Illua. But when he heard Natsumi, He hopped over towards her. He had seemed happy. When he approached Natsumi, he had chuckled. Sitting in front of Natsumi, he had soon turned over on his belly to let Natsumi pet him.
Natsumi let her hand rest on his stomache and slowly started to pet him. With a small laugh she said, "You really are an abomintion."
Gensou had then started to purr softly. When Natsumi had said he was really an abomination, he frowned under his mask.
"Aww, now you sound like Illua!" He whined.
Kaizen had laughed when he heard Gensou, and joined Natsumi in petting him, scratching behind his ears softly.
Natsumi looked over at Kaizen and smiled, continuing to pet Gensou. She suddenly became aware how close their faces were and felt her face heat up. Nervously, she serached his face before pressing her lips to his, smirking inwardly.
Kaizen, noticing Natsumi look over to him and smile, had returned a smile to her, continuing to pet Gensou. Though, Kaizen was totally caught off-guard when Natsumi had kissed him. He had closed his eyes slowly, and had kissed Natsumi back. Gensou, this time sitting watching them, had let out an 'awww'.
"So, I WAS right about you two..." A voice echoed around the forest.
It was a voice that was known to all of them... Though Illua had known it best. Illua had stood straight up, looking around with her activated eyes, looking for a cloud of light: their life source. Soon, a dark silhouette appeared from behind Illua. The dark figure, placing a hand to Illua's face, gently yet playfully grabbed her chin. It was Datenshi. In the moonlight, he appeared to be winking over at Illua.