Kaizen had woken up in the morning, He slipped from Natsumi carefully, so he wouldn't wake her. He stretched and yawned quietly, his back had felt stiff and his feet still ached from running the past days. Standing up, he had collected the rest of his clothes from the floor. He slipped his fishnet shirt over his head and put on his vest next. He didn't bother to put on his headband, which he had carried in his hand. Kaizen exited the sleeping room to go to the surface towards a delightful smell. Once above, Kaizen had to squint his eyes, the sun seemed to bright.

The rest of the Oshue were awake though, Kasumi was giving tips on fighting using kunai, and the three children watched in awe with tehir own kunai in their hands. He seemed to do this to get attention from Mirai or Ayuri, who were still blushing at Datenshi, muttering to each other about how 'handsome' he was. As usual, Datenshi had followed Illua around like a lost puppy the whole night, which means they both did not sleep. You could tell that from Illua, who had dark circles under her eyes. Illua was mixing something in a pot, Kaizen had guessed oatmeal due to the smell. Kaizen loved oatmeal. Shugo, the captain was sitting around the pot of oatmeal, he seemed to be hungry. The two blonde twins talked together with their girlfriends, seeming to enjoy the nice weather on the sea. Yahasu, unusually, was one of the last ones to wake up. She nudged Ryo softly to wake him up, Not wanting to leave him in the engine room. Yahasu knelled beside him holding his hand.

Ryo stirred slightly before waking up. His eyes instantly met Yahasu's and he smiled. "Is it morning?" He yawned, unable to tell from the darkness of the engine room.

Natsumi had stirred awake and realised she was alone. She frowned slightly but sat up and yawned, looking over herself.

"I heard you last night." Hikaru's voice said with a snicker.

Natsumi pulled the blanket over her chest and looked at Hikaru with widened eyes and a red face. "Y-You're kidding, right?"

Hikaru snickered. "Well, kinda. Doesn't matter though." He shrugged as he walked over to Natsumi's discarded clothes and grabbed his jacket, putting it back on. He turned back and smiled. "Are you going to be living with him on the island?"

"I-I-I-I don't know!" Natsumi stuttered, her face seeming to heat up even more.

Hikaru shurgged. "Maybe you should figure it out." He snickered before heading upstairs.

Natsumi let out a deep sigh as she jumped from bed and grabbed the rest of her clothes. "Dammit, dammit, dammit! I thought he was asleep!" Natsumi groaned, feeling embaressed.

When she finshed putting her clothes back on, she straighted out her hair and headed upstairs. She spotted everyone around a pot that Illua was stirring. Natsumi tried to pervent the blood from rushing to her face as she went over to Kaizen and smiled. Hikaru, however, had been right beside Kaizen and had a 'I know what you did' smirk on his that made Natsumi bury her face in Kaizen's shouler.

Yahasu had smiled, "Yup." She said, standing up, still with his hand on hers. Yahasu had pulled him to his feet. "We should get to the main deck. I think Illua will be making breakfast soon." Yahasu had said, leading Ryo to the ladder.

Kaizen had just turned around to see Natsumi awake, He had smiled over at her as she approached him. But as Kaizen looked to his side at Hikaru, who had an odd smirk on his face, His smile vanished. His attention was brought back at Natsumi, who buried her face in his shoulder. Kaizen was wondering what exactly was going on. But somewhere in his mind... He already knew.

Ryo smiled and followed along, with his hand tightly in Yahasu's.

Hikaru began laughing at is sister's actions, which only made Natsumi blush even more. "How're you, Kaizen? Sleep well?" Hikaru asked, before chuckling.

Yahasu had only let Ryo's hand go when she went to climb the ladder. As she finished climbing, she had waited for Ryo to climb the ladder, so she could hold onto his hand once again.

"I am good. And I slept well... You?" He had said, looking from Natsumi to Hikaru. He was still slightly confused.

"Illua, When will we be arriving?" Datenshi said, Looking over at Illua. He didn't sound happy about returning to his land, though...

"Well, I have been thinking of another path to take..." Illua said, looking from Datenshi back to the pot of oatmeal which was almost done. "Shugo, Could you take us right to the Land of Bog? I have friends there. Powerful friends..." She said, looking at Shugo.

At Illua's comment, Shugo had practically dropped his empty bowl on the floor. "The Land of Bog? Ye must be kiddin'! I'ma be scrubbin' for days just tryin' to get that stuff off me boat!" He had exclaimed, as he adjusted the pipe to his mouth.

Datenshi had shuddered. The Land of Bog? who would be crazy enough to dock there? Illua shook her head,

"You are our only chance. We cannot dock at the Land of Ships. It's too dangerous. For me or for the rest of my people... The leader of that land despises me..." Illua said sadly, She seemed to be sulking.

Ryo and Yahasu were still holding hands as they entered the top deck where everyone else was. "Morning all!" Ryo greeted with a laugh.

Hikaru snickered. He put his hands behind his head and actually began laughing. He had not heard a thing from the previous night with Kaizen and Natsumi, he was too weak to remain awake. But whenhe had woken up and looked at the two and he condition their clothes were in, he could guess. Besides, his sister's actions also proved his theory.

Natsumi had temporarily forgotten about Hikaru, even after he laughed as she listened to Illua. "Despised? So, this land really isn't safe?" She asked, slightly confused.

Kaizen had watched Ryo and Yahasu entered from the hull, Kaizen waved to the two, "Good Morning!" He had greeted back, smiling. He had seemed to come out of his shell a bit. Most of the other Oshue had also said 'good morning' back and waved. Illua shook her head at Natsumi's question.

"I do have friends and allies, But I also have enemies. As already mentioned before. My friends in the Land of Bog can help us. They are the leaders of that land, And I know they would let us stay there as long as we need." Illua said, looking over at Natsumi.

Natsumi nodded in understadning. "Well, if the captain wont go there willingly, I could mess with his head a bit..." Natsumi whispered to Illua with a snicker.

The captain looked at her with fear in his eyes, and Illua could contain her laugh. "I think that is unnecessary, Natsumi. I am sure we can reason with him without using force or threatening.." Illua said, looking over to the captain, who still looked fearful.

Datenshi frowned, he seemed to agree with Natsumi for once. "What do you say, Shugo? Will you take us straight there?" Illua asked, looking over at the captain. "

It's a deal. But ya have ta give me a second servin'." He said, noticing the oatmeal had finished. Illua smiled, the deals he made were always so... Different.

"It's a deal, then." She said, scooping out oatmeal from the pot, then into his bowl.

Natsumi frowned. "Damn, I wanted to mess with his head."

Kaizen smiled as he approached Natsumi from behind, "You will soon enough.." Kaizen said, looking from the sea to Natsumi. He knew that there would be a number of enemies that she could use the Hitima on.

Yahasu's hand gripped Ryo's hand a bit tighter as Kaizen spoke, worried she'd lose him.

Natsumi smiled up and Kaizen and leaned against his chest.

Hikaru began laughing again and Natsumi tackled him. "Damn you!"

Hikaru just laughed and caught his sister in a headlock. "You can't beat me sis, you know that."

Natsumi groaned as she tried to escape Hikaru and failed miserably. Hikaru remained a tight grip on her as he looked up at Kaizen and smirked.

Kaizen had smiled when Natsumi leaned against his chest and smiled. He even laughed when Natsumi tackled Hikaru for laughing at her. His laughing stopped when Hikaru put Natsumi in a headlock. As Hikaru looked at him and smirked, Kaizen looked at Natsumi as she struggled to get freed from Hikaru. Kaizen was wondering if he should join in or something... But... Wouldn't it be awkward? He even thought of breaking it up.

Ryo had felt Yahasu's grip tighten and he smiled at her, placing a small kiss on her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." He whipsered in her ear.

Yahasu had smiled when Ryo kissed her cheek, and said he wasn't going anywhere. That had made her feel much better. She had came in closer to Ryo and leaned her head on his shoulder. She had loved being around him.

A wave had splashed up against the boat and the boat rocked slowly as very small water droplets flew up in the sky gracefully. Kaizen could feel the cool moisture on the side of his face. He was then reminded of where his is. Kaizen was just about to say something until his stomach felt... Not very good. Kaizen put a hand to his stomach and covered his mouth. He had ran passed Natsumi and Hikaru, even passed Ryo and Yahasu as he bent over the railing of the boat on the opposite side. He had thrown up.

The captain laughed hysterically, "Kaizen hasn't got no sea legs!" He said, seeming like he could die from laughter. The rest of the Oshue had laughed to themselves, finding it was funny. Usually the Oshue were people who loved the sea, and fished, swam and boated in it almost all the time. Kaizen had seemed the opposite. Getting sick almost every time he was at sea. Illua had even laughed a little, find it funny that this happened once again.

Hikaru had finally released Natsumi and she too, couldn't help but to laugh a bit at her love. She rushed over to his side and lightly rubbed his back.

"You alright, hun?" She asked, holding back a laugh.

"Heh, Natsumi and I can even handle this, and we've never been on a boat!" Hikaru laughed. Natsumi gave her brother a death glare and he instantly shut up.

Ryo smiled as Yahasu leaned closer to his side.

Kaizen moaned when Natsumi lightly rubbed his back. His stomach didn't feel good at all. As he turned around to her, his face looked sickly pale compared to his natural tanned colour. "I am alright." He said, putting a hand to his stomach, the same hand that gripped his headband. Kaizen had frowned over at Hikaru, He wouldn't understand.

Natsumi shook her head at her brother before placing a quick kiss on her lover's cheek. "Ignore Hikaru." She whispered in his ear with a soft smile.

Kaizen smiled at Natsumi as she kissed him on the cheek and smiled at him and whispered in his ear.

Afterwards, Illua had served out the oatmeal, and filled bowls for Ryo, Hikaru and Natsumi, If they wanted them. Illua wasn't quite sure if they liked oatmeal, but she did not want to see them go hungry.

Natsumi smiled as she took the bowl from her friend and ate it. Hikaru smiled and nodded as he ate. Ryo looked at the bowl nervously and shook his head. ''Sorry.'' he murmured. When Natsumi had finished she looked over the side of the boat and frowned, she wanted to go swimming.

Illua had laughed slightly as Ryo had apologized. Illua couldn't blame him. Though Illua ate everything and was not picky, she was never a big fan of oatmeal. But that was the only thing they had on the boat.

Yahasu had also laughed as Ryo rejected the bowl of oatmeal, "It's really alright. Maybe we can get some real food once we land." She said, reassuring Ryo. Illua nodded in agreement, Illua couldn't wait to get there and see her friends as well. Though she knew Datenshi was the opposite, just because of how girls act round him and because of... Miame.

Datenshi had nodded in surprise after he finished his bowl. "Hmm. For me never liking oatmeal, This stuff is not so bad." He said with a straight face as he examined his spoon. He appeared to be very bored. Illua had just laughed at that, as well.

Kaizen had passed eating oatmeal, the way his stomach was now he couldn't keep it down. After Natsumi had finished, Kaizen had thought to join her as she looked over the side of the boat. Once beside her, Kaizen noticed she was frowning. "What's the matter?" He asked curiously.

Ryo smiled at Yahasu as she told him it was alright. "Thanks." He whispered.

"Nothing." Natsumi replied, looking over at Kaizen. "I just wish I could go swimming." She laughed softly.

Kaizen raised an eyebrow. "Swimming?" Kaizen said, looking from Natsumi to the sea. "That's too bad we cannot stop to relax... Once we enter the Land of Bog, there will be no more waters good enough to swim in... Not unless you want to get covered in goop." Kaizen said, frowning. Even though he didn't like the sea very much, swimming sounded good to him at this moment.

At this time the captain finished eating his two bowls of oatmeal, As promised by Illua. Most of the Oshue finished as well. Illua sighed, she appeared to be getting impatient. "I would like to reach the Land of Bog by tonight." Illua said, looking over at Shugo. The captain looked over at her and laughed. That seemed nearly impossible. "I'd had ta push my boat if ya want ta get there by night. But I knew ya would say that." He said, calming himself as he stood up and walked through a door. It was the control area. Illua smiled as she watched him get up to gain speed.

Natsumi sighed deeply as she looked at Kaizen. "You know why Hikaru is ... acting weird... right?" She asked him, a blush forming on her face.

Kaizen blinked as Natsumi blushed. She seemed to be embarrassed. "Um, Uh..." Kaizen had said, pondering. "Um, not really... why?" He asked.

Natsumi's blush seemed to increase as she leaned closer to Kaizen. "He said he ... heard us... but... I think he was lying... but again I also don't and he wont tell me..." She rested her head on his shoulder, watching for his reaction.

Kaizen had blushed when Natsumi said that Hikaru told her he had heard them last night. ...S-so... That was why we was acting strange this morning! "W-What...? He did?" Kaizen said as his blush had grown, He didn't think he felt this embarrassed in his life. Kaizen calmed a bit when Natsumi said she thought he was lying. Kaizen sort of hoped he was. Kaizen wasn't exactly sure what to say after this.

Natsumi turned to look up at Kaizen. She smiled as he pressed her lips to his before pulling back. "Do you feel any better now?" She asked him innocently.

Kaizen smiled as his lover pressed her lips to his, and he grinned as Natsumi pulled back. "Much better." He said reaching for her hand and gently grabbing it.

Natsumi blushed faintly. "I-I actually had a question, Kaizen." She told him, glancing at the ground.

Kaizen blinked, "What's your question?" Kaizen asked, definitely growing curious.

Natsumi smiled. "Hikaru had questioned me on this eariler. What are living arrangments going to be like when we get to the island?" She asked, looking up at him. "Are Hikaru and I living on our own or... will I-I be wth you?" She asked, her blush returning.

Kaizen listened as she spoke, He didn't blame her for being curious about it. Kaizen quieted as Natsumi spoke, thinking of what to say. "For now... Or in the future?" Kaizen asked, blushing as he thought of growing old with Natsumi. That suited him just fine, in fact, that was his idea of heaven. But as Kaizen thought, no matter what path he chooses, it still came with sacrifice. If Natsumi had stayed with Kaizen on the island, she would be away from Hikaru, and seeming farther away from recover her clan. Another is if Kaizen stays with Natsumi and Hikaru and help recover the clan, he'd be from his home and clan. Kaizen seemed to come to a fork in the road. "I don't want to tear you from Hikaru. Even though I don't have any siblings and don't know of this personally, but I can see the bond you and Hikaru share as brother and sister. I cannot destroy that out of my own selfishness." Kaizen said, suddenly becoming sad as he thought of the outcomes.

Natsumi raised an eyebrow at Kaizen. "How would you tear us apart? Do you not remember that Hikaru and I are rouge ninja? We cannot go back to our own home." She let out a small laugh. "As long as all of you want us, we can just stay on your island with you."

Hikaru had been eavesdropping and walked over to lean against the railing of the boat beside the couple. "Natsumi and I are the only Hitama's left. We can bring the clan back just as easily on your island as we could back in the Leaf." He snickered.

"See? We don't have to be split, love." Natsumi smiled brightly.

"Besides," Hikaru smirked. "I'm curious as to what an Oshue and a Hitama could create for a Kekkei Genkai."

Natsumi couldn't help but blush again, thinking back to the previous night.

Kaizen had smiled, he didn't even realize that they were rogues. "Rogue ninja? Now, that's something I never realized..." Kaizen said,scratching his head awkwardly. Well, that made sense, maybe everything could work out, anyway. Kaizen had turned to see Hikaru join in on the conversation. Hikaru had said they were the only two Hitama's left, though Kaizen still wanted to have hope for them.

Though Kazien couldn't help but feel happy because he didn't have to leave Natsumi.
As Hikaru said he was curious to what an Oshue and a Hitama could create for a Kekkei Genkai, Kaizen had blushed deeply, his whole face turning red.

Natsumi wrapped her arms around Kaizen. "So, now that know it wont tear Hikaru and I apart, what are we gonna do?" She asked, laughing.

"Bleh. I need a girlfriend." Hikaru sighed, looking over the boat into the water.

Kaizen had shrugged, "Well..." He said, pondering on the thought. "I am thinking of staying on the island. Maybe not always in the same place. I like to move around, visit friends in other lands..." Kaizen said looking from the sea to Natsumi. As Hikaru seemed to randomly say he needed a girlfriend, Kaizen couldn't contain his laugh.

"According to Kasumi, there are plenty of beautiful women in the Land of Bog. ...Though Kasumi says some of them aren't the most nicest." Kaizen said looking over at Hikaru. As Kaizen spoke, Kasumi had stopped doing what he was doing, and looked around for someone who said his name. He soon realized it was Kaizen. He just smiled and waved.

Natsumi shrugged as she pulled from Kaizen's arms and looked around the boat. Hikaru seemed interested in what Kaizen had said. "Guess I'll have to keep my eyes out."

Natsumi rolled her eyes as she hit Hikaru in the arm who in return caught her in a headlock again.

"Hikaruu!" Natsumi groaned, trying to pull away.

Hikaru had merely smiled before looking back at Kaizen. "Think I should throw her overboard?" He snickered.

" You wouldn't dare!" Natsumi hissed though, she doubted her own statement.

Hikaru smirked as he picked Natsumi up with ease and held her over the side.

"Hikaru! Don't!" Natsumi screamed, not completely in fear - she was a good swimmer.

Hikaru smirked at Natsumi. "Nah."

Kaizen had seen Hikaru trap her in a headlock once again, As Hikaru asked if he should throw her overboard, Kaizen blinked. "No, don't Hikaru." Kaizen said, reaching out towards Natsumi, to pull her back if necessary.

Natsumi seemed to tremble in Hikaru's hold as she dangled over the side of the boat. She doubted Hikaru would drop her, but then again...

"Tell me how much you love me, Natsumi." Hikaru snickered.

"I-Is this about what you mentioned this morning, 'cause I call you a liar..." Natsumi murmured.

"Ehh, so?" He laughed. "I could guess pretty easy..."

Natsumi blushed again as she jumped from Hikaru's grasp and caught the side of the boat before she fell into the water. She did a quick backflip and landed on Hikaru's shoulders, pulling him to the ground, pinned.

"So you're a liar! You didn't know anything!" She sighed.

Hikaru began to laugh hysterically, not even bothering to push Natsumi off - her reaction was hilarious!

Kaizen was very surprised with this turn of events. Not to mention this all happened fast. Hikaru had lied about hearing them all along? Kaizen frowned, not even sure what to say.

Natsumi puched Hikaru in the gut before standing back up and looking over at Kaizen who was still by the edge of the boat. Hikaru continued to laugh even after getting punched.

Kaizen had seen Natsumi punch Hikaru in the gut. Kaizen almost felt like punching him as well. Kaizen, through his frustration at the time at Hikaru, was still unsure if he should say anything.

Hikaru's laughing got Illua's attention. "What's going on here?" Illua said, with an eyebrow raised as she approached the group.

Natsumi turned to Illua and sighed deeply. "He's just being a smartass."

Hikaru had finally stopped laughing but laid on the ground with his arms and legs sprawled out.

"Get up idiot, before I step on you." Natsumi hissed with a tone of amusment.

Hikaru did not move, however Ryo smirked and walked across Hikaru's stomache, causing him to cough slightly.

"Hey!" Hikaru growled at his friend who went to stand beside Natsumi.

"I dunno why you're beatin' on Hikaru, but I wanna help!" Ryo grinned.

Natsumi smiled and bumped shoulders with Ryo. "Take a free hit then."

Hikaru jumped to his feet and put his hands up in defence. "No! No one said this was, 'Beat on Hikaru' day. Especially not me!"

"Aw, but it'd be so much fun." Natsumi snickered.

Yahasu had followed Ryo over, yet did not step on Hikaru. She thought that'd be... Very rude. And slightly awkward because she didn't know him.

As Hikaru had said 'beat on Hikaru day', The three children looked over in his direction. "It's beat on Hikaru day?" Kaumi said with a big grin as he ran over towards him. Kaumi chuckled once more as he lifted his wooden kunai, he poked Hikaru with it. The other two children joined in not too soon after. Illua just had to laugh at this moment. Datenshi even smiled as he stood beside Illua, wondering what was going on.

Natsumi smirked as she watched the children and Kasumi pick on her older brother. Hikaru sighed and stayed still, wincing slighty when the wooden kunai's hit him. Finally he had enough and jumped back.

"Had enough yet, Hikaru?" Ryo laughed.

Hikaru narrowed his eyes on Ryo beore glaring Natsumi. "You started this." He sighed.

"Oh don't be such a baby! We're just having some fun-"

"At my expense!" Hikaru growled, cutting his sister off.

Natsumi shrugged and walked over to Illua, putting arm arm around her shoulders. "He actually started it by trying to throw me overboard." She laughed.