Chapter 21: Chatting and Bathing

Me: Last chapter was epic. :)

Kuro: Ya. I agree!

Me: I wanted to do that sometime in my life.

Kiba: 0.o That was all? You wanted to crash an altar!

Me: Wha? No! I don't want to crash an altar! I wanted to kill someone like Kuro did! Now that was awesome!

Kiba: 0.o"

Kuro: o.0"

Sin: 0.o"

Me: Yosh! Enough diddle dallying! Let's start the disclaimer!

Sai: Yo. Peru doesn't own Naruto in manga or in anime format.

Sin: Sai you need to have some more enthusiasm when you do the disclaimer.

Sai: I do?

Me: Yeah, now let them read!

Sai: Well I'll figure it out somehow then. Enjoy!

Kuro's POV

"Well since we all met now, can we get something? I'm starved!" I said as the introductions were clearly done. Everyone agreed and we started shuffling to the dining room.

"WAIT!" We turned to see Kiba with the most frustrated look I've ever seen. "I WANT ANSWERS! DON'T LEAVE ME HANGING! YOU NEVER EXPLAINED ANYTHING!"

He pointed an accused finger at me, Akamaru whimpered at Kiba's behavior. I went up towards him and placed both hands on his shoulder, before he could ask a question I smacked my head into his. Real hard. Kiba came down unconscious while I turned to the rest of the group. "Let's all go eat first before we can talk about the past shall we?"

I started dragging Kiba behind me, as we went into the dining room. Of course, mom lead the way, I wouldn't last a day here in this maze. There wasn't much talk, until we reached the dining room. There was this huge table that was in the middle of the room with a lot of chairs (whose gonna bother counting them? I'll turn old by then!). I looked around. "Okay then how about we go sit on one side so we can prevent yelling at each other?"

"Good point. Then how about the right?" Asuma nodded as he pointed out his option.

"Well then, please take your seats. I'll call over a servant to get the food." Mom told them, shooing them to their seats. I went over and dumped Kiba at a nearby seat, while I sat next to him. Ya, I was too lazy to move away from him. I waited until everyone was seated before we began to talk business.

"Alrighty, so where to begin? Any suggestions." I asked the group, as I rested my chin on my clasped fingers.

"Yes, how about we start from the beginning?" Asuma said seriously. "Do you mind if I smoke?"

"… I don't see any signs that say no smoking, but I'd like you to refrain from doing so. It gets all musty when someone does so." I said gesturing him that he was allowed. In response Asuma lit up one of his cigars.

"Now you mentioned that there was a beginning to this," Dak looked at Asuma as he said this, then turned to me. "What does this mean?"

"Mmm… it all started when my mother got 'kidnapped' and was taken home." I closed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. As I recalled the memory. I faintly smelled of grass and dirt. 'I have to take a shower soon, I stink.'I then opened them again. "I was then called to see Third-sama, he then briefed me on what just happened, I accepted and left right away. A while after I left, Third-sama sent Asuma-sensei to find me and lead me here safely. And the rest you should know what happened Dak-san."

I looked at him calmly, as he nodded his head in understanding. Soon another question was raised. Sin-chan seemed to be the one who was questioning now. "But what about the palace? Where does this come into the story?"

"The palace… I'm sure Dak-san knows what it's history is, do you not?" I turned to Dak.

"The palace history is burned in my brain since childhood." He nodded. "And it goes all the way since the time of people finding dragons, only in a certain spot. These majestic dragons were to be found nowhere else. I think it was Troy the fifth who was in power then. He was a fine young man. His history was filled with wisdom itself."

"Dak-san, could you come to the point already?" Sin-chan asked nicely, but it didn't hide the fact that she was irritated.

"Ah right, back to the reason… well Troy the fifth was the one who found the land in one of his expeditions. So he built the castle that we are in today. All the passageways were built to confuse the enemies that managed to infiltrate it. The rooms also had that purpose, to confuse the enemies on finding their objective." Dak began to explain the many doors and corridors purpose of having so many. He then went on to explaining the marriages of the rulers and the next ruler to be. He finally finished with the present ruler. "King George is just some corrupted fat man, I don't even know how he became King. I think of it as a shortage of heirs to the throne… in fact that was the time when Princess Mai went missing. So in order to have a ruler the brother of the previous ruler was made King."

"Must have been irony." Mom came in and sat next to Shikamaru. She must have gone and changed, since she wasn't wearing the wedding dress anymore instead she wore her ninja outfit. Black tights that only ended up above her knees, a purple tank top with a simple floral design. "Father was a good person in attitude and in heart, but I only see the opposite in his brother."

She started grumbling about hating how he was her uncle and stuff like that. While she kept on complaining, Sin-chan spoke up. It seemed that she had a slightly heavy air around her since we came into this kingdom. "Well then, could we overthrow him? Cause I just seem to hate him, even though I didn't even see him myself."

"Believe me you don't want to see him. One look and you'd vomit, I can guarantee that." I replied grimly.

"Huh? What happened?" Kiba groaned as he got up from his chair. Akamaru barked happily.

"Oh good morning to you too." I said smirking. Kiba irked when he caught sight of me. Gami was just staring at the whole scene, unmoving. Mom was still spouting something about George, Asuma stopped his smoking, and both Shikamaru and Hinata were quiet. 'Come to think of it they haven't said a word since coming here.' I sighed. "Just sit down Kiba, food is on its way. We'll talk later."

Kiba was completely in a dilemma, but he finally gave up and sat down. "Fine! But you got to promise me that you will spill everything once we eat food!"

"I promise." I said as the food came into the room. The smells that wafted into the air was making me drool, yet I didn't recognize the food they brought in. There was some kind of goop in three colors; purple, green and blue, there were also noodle like strings, which I hoped was pasta, and three oval shaped sponges, which I thought was either cheese or spongecake. 'Its best not to know, otherwise I might lose my appetite.'I eyed the food suspiciously. Everyone must have did the same (with the exception of mom and Dak), because Mom laughed.

"There's no need to worry about the food, all you have to do is just eat it." She smiled as she took a big scoop of purple goop. I took the same, except it was a little scoop, turns out it tasted pretty good. I took some more and ate my filling with other dishes. Everyone else did the same with their helpings and finished up on everything. Soon after the food was finished me and Kiba were talking on to the way to the baths. Gami and Akamaru were trotting behind us, having their own chat.

"So then what do you want answers to?" I asked him as I took off my sweatshirt.

"Everything! Like how the hell are you a prince, and why were you at the Konoha forest when you had a place to live in! And the time you fought of that guy, Saki or something. How did you find those jutsu's?" He fired every question without leaving any room for me to answer. I sighed as I placed my book on top of my clothes and brought the towel around my waist.

"Kiba let's start from the beginning, on where you found me. When I came into this verse, I didn't know my whereabouts. Nothing was there, not until my mother came here as well; that's when I knew everything. It just so happened to be that she was a long lost princess that lived in a secret realm. I never knew of this before mind you." I felt the ears on my head starting to sprout same with my tail. I frowned, irritated. "There was also a time when I was a full human being, but since the first mission of team seven I couldn't comprehend that I was part demon, must be from my dad's side or something. And the only way to conceal it from human eyes is that I carry that book around with me. In fact maybe I should hide it properly, I don't want anyone stealing it."

I took the book and felt the ears and tail stop and recede. I found a small crevice and placed my book inside, the ears and tail began to come out again. Kiba just huffed. "And what about that Saki dude? He said something about assassinating you, and your lineage."

"Mmm… about that, if I remember correctly, there were many ways to assassinate a target. Usually a member of a royal family would be a target and kidnaps would be planned at the dead of night. When no one is around to listen." I mused at the thought. "Actually they are pretty smart in doing so. Almost every kidnapping was successful, even back at home small kids are going missing at some points in life. You never know when will be the next kidnapping plan happen, it's all normal."

We made our way into the bath, it was warm and steamy. Like any hot spring in Japan. Kiba was just staring at me strangely. 'The ears must have finished sprouting.' I looked over at Gami, who was chatting with Akamaru. How they understood each other was beyond me. I turned back to Kiba who was still staring. "No need to be so openly, sometimes you just have to ask about them."

Kiba was startled at my direct confrontation. "I wasn't staring!"

"Says the person who was staring the whole time." I sighed as I went closer. "Here, touch them. It'll help you believe."

"Wha!" Kiba moved back startled, but then he collected himself and brought his hand closer to my head.

"Go ahead, touch them." I encouraged him. He finally went past his wall and touched one of them, drawing back his hand after he did so. I smiled. "Now that wasn't so bad was it now?"

Kiba looked away, and Shikamaru came in the baths. With a towel around his waist. My smile grew wider. "Well, look who's here!"

Shikamaru didn't say anything, instead he slipped in the bath and laid down for a while, I grew impatient. "You don't have to be so mean, if you don't want to talk to me just say 'Shut up Kuro, just shut up!' It's not that hard! Now come and say it with me!"

For the next hours I was 'teaching' him how to bring me down with words, yet he wasn't responding. A moment later Asuma came along in the baths, he saw me arguing with Kiba and Shikamaru and laughed. We all turned (with the exception of Shikamaru), and I vomited. No not because Asuma was there, but because behind Asuma was the fricken' fatass King. And he wasn't even wearing a towel! I dunked my head inside the bath, holding my breath as much as possible. It felt like a long time, and I came out gasping for air. I looked around and found myself alone… with the fatass King. I mumbled my stream of swear words, noticing that he was still staring at me. "Shit."

Sin's POV

I got out of the bath and changed into the clothes that were left for me. It seemed fit and cozy, I smiled as I smoothed out a wrinkle on my top. "Now this is one sexy outfit!"

the whole outfit was a spazzy one, the top was a purple crop top, a nice deep purple too. The shorts were black tights that stopped at the mid of my thighs. And the boots, they were something! They went above her knees, about two inches above them. The color matched with the top and tights. It was tuxedo black with purple laces on the outside of each boot, it was just pure awesome. It had a small heel but it wasn't that big, perfect for running in and jumping around in. "This is just sweet~!"

I looked at myself in the mirror, glorifying myself in my new looks, that's when I noticed that had five purple piercings on each ear, barely visible with my hair down. My eyes dragged themselves to my hair next, it was getting darker and my light blue highlights were also getting darker. Then I stared at my eyes, if I stared without blinking I swear that I could see it was glowing. Almost, greenish… I shook my head violently. "Gotta snap out of it! It's just some hallucination! Just like the voice in my head!"

I consecutively slapped myself until my cheeks were ruddy red. Then went to splash some cold water on my face to soften the redness.

Lady Sinitria, …

I looked around, no one was there. As usual. I turned back to the tap, and let out a small gasp. My hair completely changed into black, with dark purple highlights.

"The change is still continuing?" I whispered as I looked in awe ay my reflection. Then the voice came again.

Lady Sinitria! The troops! They are advancing! Quickly tell the King! Hurry!

"Who are you?" I finally yelled at the voice but I got no answer. Ever since I came into this dragon realm, I kept getting faint messages, I decided to ignore them. But when I set foot on Palace grounds, the voice grew stronger and sent vague messages about some army setting camp on the outskirts of the palace walls. I rubbed my temples and heaved a sigh. "Well I better go find Kuro and team eight."

I got out of the baths and made my way to the front hall, that was another thing. Since our arrival I could see the whole layout of the Palace, which prevented me from getting lost like the others did. The more I looked at it the more I understood it. I was deep in thought when I bumped into Shikamaru around the corner. "Watch where you're going."

"The same goes for you too." He sighed as he got up from the ground. "What were you doing here?"

"Duh I just came from the baths!" I jerked my thumb at the girls bath area. I then noticed that Shikamaru was looking at me puzzled. "What?"

"Do I know you, ma'am?" There was silence that followed, before I giggled. Then stopped, it was my turn to look at him puzzled.

"Are you serious? You don't remember me?" I questioned him, he shook his head in reply. Then it dawned on me that it was the change that must have thrown him off. I sighed as I shook my head. "People really do 'need a sympathetic pat with a hammer'."

"I'm sorry?"

"Dude it's me! Sinitria! Remember?" Shikamaru just stared at me before realizing it was me.

"Oh! Sorry, you just seemed unrecognizable." He mumbled. I did a brief victory pose, but regained posture.

"Yeah, I get you're point. I didn't recognize myself either when I looked at the mirror." I nodded my head, then looked at him. "Where's Kuro?"

"He's in the baths." He said simply, with a shrug of his shoulders. Kiba came in the corridor, stopping to talk with us. He looked kind of pale. Almost greenish…

"What happened dude?" He looked up, there seemed to be dark bags under his eyes. 'Those only appear when…'

Kiba didn't answer, he looked more like a dead man than the Konoha nin that I knew. Akamaru was beside him at all times, not straying from Kiba's side. Shikamaru answered for him. "At the baths, the King came in, right after Asuma-sensei entered the baths."

I perked at the story, it has been a while since a good story caught my attention. "Then what happened?"

"Kuro threw up, and ducked himself inside the baths, for like thirty minutes." He said blandly, as if it wasn't something so serious. I pondered on the fact for a bit longer. But before I could catch the thought it disintegrated. Before I could think any further, Kiba started saying something.

"That King is one fat man! I couldn't stand him so I ran off…" He trailed off as he shivered at the memory. Hugging himself as if it would comfort him, and make him forget. I took a quick snap of this photo before turning to Shikamaru again.

"So if Kiba ran out, you came out too and Asuma-sensei? Is he still there?" I questioned him as I went over the details.

Gami is still there as well!

I turned around but nothing was there, I looked around cautiously trying to figure out who was there. But nothing stirred. I shook my head, and turned back to Shikamaru. He was silent before he spoke. "Me and Kiba stayed in the bath with Asuma-sensei during the time Kuro was under water. We chatted very little, but then Kiba suddenly got of the bath and ran to the toilet. I went after him a while later, and a few more minutes after that Asuma-sensei also got out of the bath as well."

Then something clicked in my brain. I grabbed Shikamaru by his shoulders and started shaking him, yelling at the same time. "YOU LEFT KURO WITH THE PIG OF A KING?"

I let him go, and being the typical guy he was he didn't even flinch. I started pacing, spewing out nonsense. "Didn't he say that he hated him? Why is he still there? Why didn't you guys stay with him? And why the hell am I even bothering with this subject at all!"

I crossed my arms across my chest and thought some more, which really didn't help at all. My mind was as blank on a summer day. Shikamaru was about to turn and go the other way, but I stopped him. "I know what we can do! How about we go together to the men's bath and I can see what's going on!"

Kiba's face seemed to send the 'are you stupid?' message in my way. Shikamaru shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Sin-chan! Are we going to find Gami?

I paused, and looked down at Akamaru, who was seemingly looking up at me. "You were talking to me?"

Of course I was! Luckily I was able to get through to you, otherwise I'd be barking non stop.Akamaru sniffed.

I shook my head. "I'm really going to go paranoid now."

"You can speak dog?" I looked over at Kiba, his face seemed to regain it's original color.

"It seems like I can understand him." I waved it off. Then the voice in my head began to murmur something.

Lady Sinitria… the attack has held off… it is to be continued… three days from now… must tell the King of the Palace of Flames to put guards around the castle base. You must hurry.

I started staring at a wall, thinking that if I keep looking the thing inside my head will appear. But nothing happened, Kiba yelled for me to hurry up. Shaking my head I went to catch up with them.

We were at the entrance when Gami came hurtling through, crashing into Kiba who was the lead. He looked at him as though he saw him for the first time, before recognizing him. He looked around wildly, and spotted me. His eyes perked. I'm so glad I found you Sin-chan! You got to help me! Kuro is being molestered, and I don't think that he will be able to hold out for long!

"Then why are we standing here for! Let's get there and save him!" I comically pointed the way to the baths before running after Gami, who seemed to be a mile away already. 'Boy, can he run fast!'

Me: This chapter feels shorter…

Kiba: …

Sasuke: Well you seem to be the same dimwit that was with us before this chapter.

Me: … When did you get here Sasuke? I am pretty sure that I shut the door pretty tight…

Sasuke: Never mind that, Hidan sent me here to pick up his scythe. He says he surrenders and that he doesn't want to fight you anymore.

Me: He's gotta point. *nods*

Kiba: … Ookaay…

Kuro: Well then I guess I'd better end this before things get complicated…

Me: Tell him I want 50 million dollars for it!

Kuro: … too late.