Chapter 24: War zones are tragic…

Well as you can see I let the beginning dialogue off and am going to continue it at the end of the chapter. So up here I'm going to post important or semi important info, including answers to questions that you want answered. :) Thanks for reading through this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Even though I think about it sometimes…

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Mai's POV

"Why don't we go outside? I don't want to stay here anymore. It's friggin' boring!" I whined at Dak who was sitting on a chair reading a novel he had. Demetrius was snoozing near his leg.

"But Po said you were not allowed to go out of your room." Dak replied without looking up. I pouted.

"Well damn him! I don't fricken care anymore! I'm gonna get out of this room without anybody stopping me!" I jumped off of my bed and stalked to the door. Fuming for being locked in here. 'Brings back bitter memories.'

I opened the door to find that Hinata was collapsed in front of my room. "What is she doing all the way here? Wasn't she with Sin-chan?"

I helped her in my room, and placed her on my supersize bed. Dak noticed that I didn't run off and then he noticed that I brought a girl in the room. As I tucked the girl in, I spoke to Dak. "Dak, do me a favor will ya?"

"And what would that be?" He asked.

"Keep this girl out of harms way, I'll be going to find her teacher and if I get lucky then I might find the other kids. Including Kuro." I couldn't stop worrying about the things that the missing children would encounter. And besides, I was a mother, what mother wouldn't worry about their child?

I went to the hallway and went right. Down the flight of stairs, ran through a few corridors, and finally turned left. I opened a huge set of double doors, and was met by the smell of books. I smiled. 'This place sure brings back memories.' I walked in and searched a small section. I found the book I was looking for, a small black book with a silver embroidery. On it's cover it had gold letters that spelled out; SECRETS. I flipped through the book and chanted some words in my native tongue. I stopped at a map of the Palace and it had seven red dots; of which six were clumped together and a lone red dot separate. And it was in the library! Wow, what a coincidence. I shut the book and went to look around the, god damn, huge library.

A few minutes later, I caught wind of Asuma's smoke. I turned around a corner and found Asuma sitting on one of the armchairs, reading a book. His cigarette was put out, smoke still rising from it in wisps. "Yo."

Asuma jumped at my voice. He turned and saw me leaning on the bookshelf. He sighed, and placed his book down. "Ah, so you found me."

"We're not playing hide and seek. Come on, we have to find the kids." I sighed.

Asuma stood up looking worried. "Did anything happen to them?"

"They seem fine to me." I shrugged the matter off. "Now let's go. Before something does happen to them."

"Alright, lead the way your Majesty." Asuma huffed as he got up. Stretching as he did so.

I pouted. "Don't call me that, Mai is just fine."

Asuma chuckled as we started heading for the direction of the kids.

Kuro's POV

We kept walking the whole length. I finally stopped. "Let's take a break, I'm real tired."

The others seemed to exchange a glance but sat down anyways. Then Sin-chan broke the silence. "Hey Kuro, what happened when you were changing?"

I dropped dead on my back, slightly uncomfortable by the book strapped to me, but too lazy to even care. "Ah, that, let's say that don't just throw people to ANY room. But it was all epic all the same."

"Well? What happened to make it all epic?" Kiba asked. You could tell he was slightly curious.

"Hmm… alright I'll tell you." I sighed as I sat upright. "After Sin-chan shut the door on me, the floor started crumbling."

"WHAT!? Is that even possible?" Both Kiba and Sin said in unison. But Kiba was louder, I clamped both my ears and dropped dead again. Muttering about how loud he was.

"What happened after that?" Sin-chan asked, a little too eagerly.

"Well I did what instinct told me: grab my clothes and run. And I did just that, and safely made it to the bed on the far side of the room. Luckily the bed was on a sturdy pillar that kept it from falling down." I told them how the whole room's floor detorioted. And when you looked below, it was all water. As much as an ocean. I then explained how I slept and heard my dad in my dream, and how he told me to get out by saying a poem to summon Dragon. "And that was how I got out of the room." I finished and looked at them. Sin-chan and Kiba were like WTF. And Shikamaru was… well he was being Shikamaru. I dropped back down and started staring at the sky. Thinking about how to get these enemies out of here and send them flying to Honolulu.

'Well we could use explosives, but then that make inhumanely craters and cause pollution… there is the idea of the dragons going to war, but I don't think it would be enough… … … there is also the human way of fighting, but then we'd lose the majority of the clan… … and lastly there is an interrogation… I wonder if they did that already…'I yawned. "Hey guys."

There was no answer. I figured that they were trying to make me snap. So I went the opposite of that. "It won't work, I'm not gonna snap."

Still no answer. I frowned. 'Gami would have said something by now…'

I propped myself on my elbows. I couldn't see anything clearly, so I sat up. Looking around, I clearly saw no one. "I wonder if this would be considered ditching… oh well, I guess I'll try and find them."

A movement caught my eye, I stared at the spot for a long time. Before deciding to investigate. 'I should blend in with the shadows.'I did a hand sign that allowed me to become camouflaged with the surroundings. I called it the chameleon way. I figured this out before I came here. On one of the rest stops, on the way here. And thanks to Kiba, I learned that if you whisper loud enough for a person to hear you; they'll think that they are starting to get paranoid. I chuckled lightly at the memory.

FLASH BACK

I was lying down on the grass, watching the clouds drift in the sky. "I wonder how it would feel like to be something else…"

I laid there for a few more hours, just plainly staring at the clouds. Then I got an idea. I stood up and tried a few hand signs, but nothing happened. I tried again, each time I let a sign go or I gained one. It all went slow, but it paid off. Soon I could see myself but I was transparent. I went over to the river and peered at myself. But where my reflection was supposed to be, was nothing. Just the sky overhead, with the occasional tree branches. I grinned. 'Well it looks like I'm gonna test this out!'

I walked over to the camp site and spotted Kiba sitting on one of the logs. By now, I could fully mask my presence, so nobody could sense me. Not even the great Shikamaru! I went over and took my seat next to Kiba. He didn't look up. I leaned closer to his ear and started whispering. "You sleeping?"

Kiba jerked his head up and looked around with wild eyes. When he spotted nothing, he sat back down. Frowning, but he shrugged it off. I leaned again. "Tomorrow is going to be quite sucky, you know that?"

Kiba repeated the same actions, but he looked around more closely. When he saw nothing, he sat back down. Frowning even deeper this time, but shook it off again. I chuckled slightly, so Kiba wouldn't hear. I leaned again and started whispering again. "You do realize that if you keep ignoring me there is a price to pay?"

Now that statement made him talk. "Who are you?!"

"Geez, calm down. You'll blow yourself up. With all the screaming you're doing." I reasoned.

"Show yourself! This ain't funny!" Kiba shouted, looking around his surroundings. I had to stifle a laugh, before I gave away who I was.

"Show myself? I might not have a body. I could be the air around you." I stated bluntly.

"Agh! I think that I'm starting to get paranoid! Akamaru! Let's go back!" Akamaru barked and they ran back to their tent. I went over and peeked inside, Kiba was in his sleeping bag curled like a ball. And Akamaru was in the same position beside him. I went back to my relaxing spot and burst out laughing. I dispelled the jutsu as I laid back down watching the clouds drift by. I sighed as I ceased laughing. "You don't get to see that every day."

END OF FLASH BACK

I kept walking for quite a while before I heard faint talking. I followed the sound until it got loud enough for me to get words out.

"WHAT YOU SAY PUNK!?"

"I SAID THAT YOU STINK! SO GET AWAY FROM ME! TAKE AT LEAST TWO METERS AWAY!"

"NO ONE TELLS ME WHAT TO DO!"

"Could you guys yell a little quieter? I'm trying to sleep."

"HOW CAN YOU SLEEP TIED TO A TREE!?"

"Well if both of you could shut up, I can at least have a two minute shut eye."

"Your one to talk, I can't even concentrate on my own feet!"

"Why are you concentrating on your feet, Sin-chan?"

"Cause it helps me to think way better. Besides, it's either this or to soak in a bath of hot water."

There was a pause, and it seemed to go on for centuries. But thankfully, it was broken by a few awkward okays. 'I should try that when I'm doing homework.'

"Well too bad girl! You won't be thinking much longer, since we're going to k— AAAAGGH! WHAT WAS THAT FOR YOU BITCH!"

"First off I'm not a girl! Hello I'm a full grown teenager! 14 to be exact! Secondly, don't bother me while I'm thinking! I hate it when people interrupt my thoughts!" Sin-chan was practically seething her words.

"WELL THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN BITE MY FINGER!" I had to cover my mouth, to keep me from laughing. Partially because he had his finger get bitten, and partially because he sounded like a whiny kid. I began to turn purple, so I let myself breath. Biting my tongue so my laugh wouldn't escape.

I went into the clearing, and found the scene very funny. There were two people in front of three, who were tied up to a tree. I couldn't spot Gami or Akamaru. One of the guys standing was sucking on his index finger, while his partner in crime was trying not to laugh. Sin-chan was glaring at the guy who she bit, who was also glaring at her as well. Kiba was clearly creeped out by Sin-chan's comeback. Shikamaru was just staring at Sin-chan too, but his poker face was hard to decipher. All of a sudden Sin-chan's face seemed to have the 'oh that's it!' look. She then started to act like she had to go really badly.

"Um… can… I go?" She said as she kept up her facade.

"Why?" The second man asked, suspicions raised.

"Cause… I… need… to… go!" She bit her lip.

"Where?" The guy questioned her again.

"FOR GOD'S SAKE! I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM! OTHERWISE I'LL LEAK!" Sin was quite pissed off by the questions, still keeping up her 'bathroom urgency' act.

Both guys exchange looks, before nodding. The second guy spoke up. "Alright, but we'll have one of us go with you too. Just in case you are lying."

"Talk about invading privacy…" Sin muttered. As promised they untied her and the first guy grabbed her by her arm and dragged her to the other side of the clearing. I followed both into the gorse, just in time to see Sin walk behind a huge tree. I sped up till I was near the guard and hit him on his pressure point.

"Oof!" He collapsed on the ground without another word. I checked in case if he was conscious. He wasn't. I went around the huge tree, to find Sin preparing a weapon made of sharpened logs. 'Probably for the guard I took out for her.'I crept up behind her, a twig seemed to snap under my feet. Successfully catching Sin-chan's full attention. She got up and waved her half sharpened log stump in self defense.

"Who—" I quickly put my hand over her mouth to keep her from catching the other guard's attention. I leaned closer to her ear and started whispering.

"Quiet down, Sin-chan! You'll give us away!" I quietly hissed.

"Muro?! At u?" She asked shocked.

"Yes it's me. Now keep quiet. I want you to listen very closely. When I let go you scream for help, making the other guard come. When he comes near, I want you to run back to the tree, using another route. I'll take on this guy and his pal. Understood?" I asked her. She nodded her head and I let go. As I said she yelled out, making the other guy come to where we were. She left on her way. Leaving me to take care of this guy.

"What's — Hey! Tera! Are you sleeping on duty?!" The second guy ran up to Tera, the dude on the floor. Tera was stirring, but I couldn't let him get up. So I formed up a single needle, so I could paralyze him. As calculated it hit the target. I formed another needle and threw it at the other guard. He fell with a gasp, but didn't move. I went over to him.

"Well, looks like the guard left his post, because of the a hostage's call?" I snickered. "What could that possibly mean?"

"W-who are you!? Show yourself!" The paralyzed guard managed to wheeze out.

"Oh oops, looks like I forgot I had a jutsu on me." I smirked as I dispelled it and looked at the priceless expression on the man's face.

"Who are you?" He said as his eyes grew wide at the appearance of an eight year old kid in front of him.

"Your death bell." I grinned as I brought the kunai, that I stole from his belt, down.

Sin's POV

I ran all the way back to the tree, and started untying Kiba and Shikamaru.

"How did you get out from under the guards surveillance?" Kiba asked me.

"I was gonna take him on myself, but thanks to Kuro I got out unharmed." I replied, as I cut the last few ropes.

"Kuro was here?! When? Where?" Kiba asked. Looking around as if Kuro could appear any second now.

"Wait, so you didn't need to go?" Shikamaru turned the topic back around.

"Huh? Of course not! It was just a scam." I chuckled, as I cut off the ropes that held their hands.

Kiba ran towards a cage that was well hidden in a bush. Inside it was Akamaru and Gami. They were doused in chloride to make them fall asleep. "Akamaru, you okay bud? Let's go, here I'll take you out of there."

He took Akamaru out and then Gami. Gami was almost one of those young panthers in their teen years, not yet a full adult. But he was pretty big for a cub. So I went to help Kiba take out Gami. Once Gami was out and on the floor resting, we went back to the tree.

"So what are we going to do now?" Kiba asked.

"How about wait for Kuro?" I suggested, getting a nod from Shikamaru.

"Then at least sit down, we don't know how long it will take Kuro to come here." I pointed to the tree. On our way to the tree, we were stopped by a voice.

"No need to wait for me, I'm finished playing with the guards." We all turned around to find Kuro walking towards us. Blood was splattered all over his clothes and skin.

"Dude! What happened?! Your a bloodbath!" I exclaimed.

Kuro chuckled. "I was in close range when I killed those two guys. That's why I'm covered in blood."

All three of us stared at Kuro in disbelief. He really didn't look like the guy who would kill people. 'I guess looks can lie as well.'Kuro looked around and found Gami lying down. He walked over to the panther, and gave it a flame. A blue one with a white center. Somehow Gami swallowed it and woke up. He looked around and saw Kuro.

Ah so you're here Kuro! He purred and rubbed himself on Kuro's legs.

"Yeah, but thanks to you people getting 'napped I found a way to beat all these people." Kuro replied. He turned to Kiba. "And that's thanks to you."

Kiba looked dumbfounded. I looked confused as ever. "Wait hold on a minute! What has been going on that I didn't know!"

"I tested out a new jutsu on Kiba, worked swell too!" Kuro looked proud.

I was still dumbfounded, shaking my head I got back on topic. "Well if we're finished here then we have to go back to the Palace, I wonder if we can find your mother."

Kuro shrugged, Shikamaru was silent, Kiba was trying to figure out what had happened. "ALRIGHT! LET'S GOOOOO! WE'VE GOT NO TIME TO WASTE HERE!"

I ran forward, the others following. I brought up a map of the place that we were and found two dots coming toward us. Shrugging it off I kept on going. 'Who really cares if we stumble on more enemies at hand.'The dots were getting closer, until they appeared in front of me.

"Ah! There they are!" A slender figure said. "Sin-chan! Kuro! Kiba! Shikamaru! Over here!"

"Oh so it was Kuro's mom. Thought it was some bad guys. Oh well. At least we don't have to fight." I shrugged.

"How come you sound like you know everything?" Kiba questioned.

"Because! I'm just that awesome!" I puffed my chest out. Everyone just sweat dropped. "NOW! Back on topic! Why are you guys here?"

Mai and Asuma looked at each other, then back at us. Asuma spoke this time. "We came here to find you guys. What else are we here for?"

"Oh couldn't answer that myself…" I shook my head, looking back at him. "So what do we do now? I mean like we can't stay here forever."

"How about we go to my room? Hinata-chan and Dak are already there. So we can meet up with them." Mai explained. Everyone nodded, and we all started for her room.

"Kuro, why are you covered in blood?" Mai asked her son, the question being so obvious to the new people.

"I was at close range when I killed someone, and ended up being splattered with their blood." Kuro said plainly.

"You killed someone?! How could you? Your innocence has gone!" Mai began scolding Kuro.

"Actually I've already killed someone before these two people." He bluntly stated. Mai gasped in horror. Asuma sweatdropped.

"Mai, here you fight to protect. So killing is the least of one's worries. Except if it were a killing spree then they'd be hunted down." He said calmly.

"Good point." I interjected.

"That is true…" Mai began to worry. And so it was like this until we got to Mai's room.

When we went inside Mai's room, we didn't expect to see other people, besides Dak and Hinata. There were a total of five people, excluding Dak and Hinata.

"AH! YOU'RE THAT BUTLER GUY!" Kiba pointed to a guy wearing a red T-shirt that had the dork print on it, with faded blue jeans. It was that Sakamoto dude.

"Ah, so you guys are still alive!" He exclaimed, raising his eyebrows.

"What was that supposed to mean?!" I asked him.

"It's not an insult. Usually nobody comes out alive when they get hit with ambushes." He smiled. "It's been like this since a few months go."

"So this whole civil war started a few months ago?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, it happened after the present King got dubbed as King." A girl spoke up. She had black curly hair, that she kept tied up in a ponytail. Her amber eyes had a soft gold tinge to them. She wore a murky brown blouse with black shorts. She wore anklet boots that went an inch above her ankles. She seemed to be around 17 to her early twenties. She was a super light tan.

"Who are you again?" I replied.

"The names Peony. King Tye's best sharpshooter." Peony introduced herself.

"I'm Nico. Tye's sword scrimmage partner." A man with brown hair and streaks of white, introduced himself. He wore a white undershirt with black shorts that reached a good inch past his knees. He was quite tan for his age. He was wearing black leather boots, that was two inches below his knees. Nico looked like he was around his late thirties and mid forties. I raised my eyebrows questioningly.

"How many spars did you win against King Tye?" I asked him.

"As good as about twenty." Nico replied after giving it some thought.

"So you are horrible?" I asked him again.

"No. It wasn't about me being horrible, it's about Tye being real good." He smiled at the memory.

I shrugged. "Well nothing to do about it now."

I looked at the others. Scanning each one over. There was this guy who you couldn't see his eyes, because his blue hair fell over them. He had quite a neutral face. It didn't portray a single emotion on it's empty canvas. And his skin was peach. He wore black shorts that ended above his knees by an inch, with a long black T-shirt. His black jacket was slung over his shoulders. And his skin seemed to radiate white under all that black. Lastly, his white boots reached mid-calf. With black laces and soles. He looked to be around his late teens and early twenties.

There was another guy, he had bright red hair, with bangs coming into his eyes. But not as fully as the other ones, letting his turquoise eyes to evaluate us. His skin color was the color of soft peach. He was wearing a fishnet with a red sleeveless T-shirt overtop of it. He was also wearing the normal capriees that ninjas wore. And he also wore the sandals as well. He was also around his late teens and early twenties.

I turned to Mai, who was tending to Hinata at the moment. "Hey Mai, who are these remaining people?"

She turned around and introduced them. "The guy with blue hair over his eyes is Leighton. And the guy with turquoise eyes is Po. Po, Leighton, Peony, Nico, and Takashi, I'd like you all to meet Sinitria, Kiba, Shikamaru, Asuma, and my son, Kuro."

Peony was the first to start questioning. "Princess Mai! When did you get married!?"

"When I left this place. Is it a problem?" Mai asked, clearly not noticing the tension in the room.

"That's a huge problem!" Po exclaimed. "What about the other Royal family?!"

"There was another Royal Family?" Mai asked stupidly.

"Since when was there another Royal family!" I butted in. "I can live with one that comes out of nowhere, but two? Now that's gone way to far!"

"OH NOOO!" Everyone looked at who yelled. It was Kuro.

"Whats the matter Kuro?" I asked, slightly worried.

"I COMPLETELY FORGOT! ABOUT THE BATTLE!" Kuro was panicking and yelling. I was slightly confused, skimming over the outline of the book. Or at least what I remember of it.

"About what battle?" I asked giving up.

Kuro looked at me in utter disbelief. He came closer and whispered. "The battle where Sarutobi fights off Orochimaru, and dies because of the jutsu he uses."

My eyes widened. How could I have been so stupid! I had completely forgot about the sand and sound invasion on Konoha!

Lady Sinitria…

I didn't pay attention to the voice in my head. My mind was in turmoil. I turned back to face Kuro. "What can we do about it! Could we prevent him from dying?"

"No, but I was thinking that I could beat the crap out of Orochimaru before he went after Sarutobi." Kuro replied. "After all, he did have his hands cut off, by that thing anyway. Besides even though we get there on time, Sarutobi won't let us help him. He's that stubborn."

"What are you guys talking about!?" Kiba broke the conversation. We both exchanged looks with each other. Then somehow, we came to an agreement to not tell the rest of the people who are closely affiliated with Sarutobi.

"It was about a book that we've read. And Kuro just remembered the saddest part at a time like this. You can't blame him for that, it is the minds best quality, I guess." I swiftly lied. Covering up everything in question. Kuro nodded at my swift answer, his eyes were still far away; adding the effects on the scene.

"Is that so? Then I guess I was worried for nothing." He growled.

"How troublesome." Shikamru sighed as he shook his head. Mai and Dak were quite puzzled by the sudden outburst, and so were the others that were assembled in the room. Hinata twitched slightly before going back to her unmoving position again.

Nico coughed awkwardly, before steering us on the topic before we got side tracked. "The Dreamoni family won't be pleased if they knew you had a son from another man. And an outsider at that."

"Well it's their fault, their son didn't get my heart. So all is okay." Mai shrugged, with not a care in the world.

"IT'S NOT OKAY!" Everyone excluding Dak, Hinata, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Kuro yelled. I yelled only because my reason was there were two royal families in Naruto. Not because of Mai having a child with an outsider.

"This is nonsense!" Po exclaimed.

"Didn't I tell you that I wanted to take someone with me, while you dragged me here?" Mai pointed out, and pointed at Kuro who was blanking out at the moment. "Well that was my son that I wanted to take with me."

Po was taking this all in. Still not believing his ears. The same reaction was across the others as well.

Lady Sinitria!

"Huh?! Wha?! Where?!" I was startled. I looked around frantically before I remembered that the voice was in my head. I looked at everyone who were looking at me with clear puzzlement. "Uh… sorry? I'll be right back!"

I quickly went out the door and shut it behind me. "Alright what is it that you want to talk to me about?"

Lady Sinitria—

"First off, don't call me Lady Sinitria, it's too formal. Sin is just fine." I said.

But that is what I must call you.

"And why is that?" I replied.

It is because that I am your guardian dragon.

I was put off by what the voice just said. "W-wait did you just say dragon!?"

Yes. Is it a problem?

"Problem? Problem! Of course it is a problem! All this time you were in my head talking! Why don't you show yourself!" I yelled at the empty air in front of me. Hearing shuffling behind the door told me people were listening. 'Crap! Got to go find a more reliable place, without people listening.'I walked off in a random direction while holding my chat with this 'guardian dragon' in my head. "Now back to topic, why don't you show yourself?"

The time is not right.

"Screw that! From all the time that I've come here in this Palace, you've only been helping me in my head!" I huffed as I started to storm through the corridors. "There was a LOT of time for you to show up!"

…It said nothing. So I kept up my ranting.

"The whole time I thought I was paranoid!" I huffed.

Lady Sinitria! —

"Don't you 'Lady Sinitria' me! Listen to me when I'm talking to you!" I went into my lecture mode. "You know, it made me feel like I was an idiot when I start talking to you, nobody else could hear you; only me! Kuro has Gami to talk to, and guess what?"

Lady Sinitria! Don't—

"LISTEN! Gami isn't in his head!"

Lady Sinitria! Not there! Don't—

"I'M TALKING HERE!" I opened the big doors in front of me. And when I turned right, a whole bunch of sharp objects flew at my previous spot. I turned around and inspected the objects, quickly forgetting my quarrel with my 'guardian dragon'. "I'm pretty sure that I didn't notice anyone before me or when I opened the door."

Fool! I told you not to open the door! But you kept on your little rant, that you even neglected my warning!

"Wow, you didn't call me 'Lady Sinitria'… I guess that's a first." I retorted.

That's beside the point! Your going off track! — Lady Sinitria, we have company.

"Now we're back to the formalities." I sighed.

"I want gum." I turned around and found myself looking at a boy around his mid teens. His shaggy purple hair was brought back into a messy short ponytail. He had topaz eyes, which gave off the feeling that it could pierce your heart if he saw an opening. 'That felt exaggerated.' (Me: shut up! I felt bored!). He wore khaki shorts with a white and black striped shirt. He smiled. "Do you have any?"

"And who are you?" I asked.

"My, my. Answering my questions with yours. Isn't it rude?" He tutted.

"Well last time I checked, we weren't supposed to talk to strangers. Not unless we know the person very well." I stated a matter-of-factly.

"This stranger only asked you for gum. Not to join him on a murderous crusade of killing a royal family." He smiled.

"Da hell? Isn't that something you were supposed to keep a secret?" I asked.

"About asking for gum?" He replied, slightly confused. I face palmed. "I thought asking for gum was okay."

"That's not what I meant." I sighed.

"Then why are you even asking?" He smiled.

I stared at him from under my bangs. Sadly shaking my head, a few minutes later. "Once again. Da hell?"

"Now where were we? Oh yeah, you didn't answer my question; do you have gum?" He said smiling.

"Don't your cheeks hurt from smiling so much?" I deadpanned.

"Don't stray from the question!" He was still smiling, but an edge was audible in his voice. Plus he looked more menacing than before.

I held up my hands in the air. "Alright, alright, I'll tell you! Geez, so persistent… now listen carefully, I'm not repeating this anymore than once, I ain't got any. Got it?"

"Aw~ now that is a bummer. Guess I'll have to exterminate you. Have fun playing with my minions~!" I stared at the purple dude with the most common WTF look. He just flashed his signature smile and jumped away. As soon as he was gone from view, figures started coming out of the shadows.

I sighed as I got into a not-so-great fighting stance. "Well I hope I do survive this bloody crusade. One that involves refusal of gum stock."

You're telling me. The dragon in my head sighed. Watch out! To your left!

I reacted just in time to dodge a sharp kunai attack from my left. It retracted as soon as it missed it's target. "Man, you got to watch where you point that thing. Someone could get hurt."

"…" The attacker said nothing. He threw a few more blows at me, which I miraculously dodged. 'Well here goes nothing!' I sucked in air and kicked him in the side with the tip of my shoe. It made contact and had a couple of satisfying cracks. The dude fell to the ground; limp, and shriveled up into a stick of gum. I stared down at it with one thought going through my head: 'Da hell?'

I snapped my head back up when I heard running feet approaching, to see the rest were coming at me altogether. With sharp weapons. "Fuck!"

Kuro's POV

"Mmmm… lemme guess, your saying that Sin-chan has a dragon in her head?" I asked. Playing with Gami's tail. The people who went to the door, after Sin had left the room, went eavesdropping. Making Sin leave the current hallway and go missing.

"YES! THAT'S WHAT WE HEARD!" Kiba was practically hyperventilating. Something that Kiba is not meant to do. "JUST HOW ON EARTH DO YOU GET A DRAGON- I REPEAT: A DRAGON- IN YOUR HEAD!?"

I shook my head sadly. "Poor Kiba, your being OOC again."

Stop breaking the fourth wall!Gami chastised.

I looked up at the bewildered faces and bluntly stated. "So?"

The look of shock was registering on the present faces, excluding Shikamaru, and Mai. I let my one word answer sink in. 'Now's not the time to be reminiscing on leaving Sarutobi's fate unchanged. Poor guy, he did what he thought best for Konoha…' I got up and went towards the door.

"Where are you going, Kuro?" My mom asked. I faced her with determination.

"To go initiate a game plan." I opened the door. "The faster we get this done with, the faster we can get back to Konoha."

I left into the hallways, Gami trailing behind me. You do know that you are horrible at directions?

"No need to rub it in my face Gami. I am well aware of it. I just need to use my gut instincts to guide me through this maze." I sighed. "Now where do you think the kitchen is?"

If Gami had hands he'd be face palming this very moment.

Sin's POV

"Why don't these gum people stop!?" I wailed as I dodged another series of sharp attacks. I could have sworn that there was an unlimited amount of these people! Cause when you look at the ground now, and compare it to the ground before I got attacked, it was littered with sticks of gum. Of every kind! "This is just too crazy!"

Well this wouldn't have happened if you would have listened to me in the first place!The voice replied sarcastically.

"Why the sarcasm?" Sending in another kicks, and in return more gum sticks dropping to the ground. "I swear that I'll have armor on, the next time I see gum."

BEHIND YOU!I turned around just in time to see a kunai flying at me. So I did the limbo, and I could have sworn my back cracked from how low I went. I started grumbling while dodging the rest as best as I could. One nicked my side, but that was shallow. And HELL DID IT HAVE A LOT OF PAIN! It took almost every fiber in my body not to scream. Gritting my teeth I went and killed more stick gum-men.

"This is going to be a long day~" I sighed. "I wonder if they know manners?"

By the time you stop, they will move in for the kill.It retorted.

"Way to kill my last piece of hope." I muttered as I hit another gum-man. "Hey I just noticed something, these peeps look like shadows. So how can I hit shadows?"

They are physical shadows. Shadows that is tangible. Most likely, that boy is the user of shadows.

"So almost like Shikamaru?" I stabbed two at the same time, on either side of me and quickly pulling the kunais out to keep my front blocked.

No, Shikamaru's shadow is connected to his body. Therefore he can extend it and control others' shadows as well. If you looked closely to where the shadow should have been on that boy, there was nothing.

"No way!" I used my best imitation of a round house kick, knocking out three gum-men. "How could I have missed that?!"

One you weren't paying attention to it, and two it was dark, so it'd be hard to spot unless it was daylight.

"Oh yeah…" I flung two at a time, they all hit the wall and turned to gum instantly. But the gum-men seemed endless. "I swear there is a rejuvenation system involved."

Two to the left! I kneaded both in the stomach. The right! The right!

I whipped around, to face two with swords. "Dafuq? Where did they get those from?!"

Who knows.

"That's not helping." I sighed as I rushed towards them, ready to stab them. What caught me off guard was they just jumped. I looked up but didn't have to wait long, cause the came down instantly. Their swords pointing down. I quickly ran forward, but not fast enough. The sword sliced through my hair, cutting it short. About shoulder length. "Damn, my beautiful hair! Now it's all gone! It's payback time!"

I scowled and rushed forward, three kunais in one hand, with four shurikens in the other. I swiped the shurikens and they hit their target, which in turn turned to gum. And rushed forward with the three kunais, slashing their chests. "Just like wolverine~ Heh I always wanted to do that. But mom never let me near the knives. Said it was dangerous."

Shrugging the thought I repeatedly hit others the same way I did to the first. That brought down a good twenty gum-men. I got tired of slashing and threw them instead. It successfully hit their targets and they shriveled up as well. I kicked some butt, but accidentally slipped on a few gum pieces. I was fazed for a few seconds, but soon got myself together and rolled to the side just as a katana tried to stab my head. I raced to the wall and started feeding the gum-men shurikens and kunais. "These people are endless! How am I supposed to fend them off when I have a limited supply of weapons!?"

Just keep going, you do know self defense on close combat right?

"Hellooo! Did you even notice that horrible imitation of a roundhouse kick I gave one? Damn I should have accepted my parents offer to that Judo class that they wanted me to take!" I cursed softly hitting another gum-man in the chest successfully.

Then how can you hit your targets so well?

"I did this in class all the time. I kept hitting this one kid with eraser bits and that was a lot of practice. He got pissed as well and started chasing me around the school, lucky for me I am a fast runner, got second place in track and field." I felt my hip for another kunai, there was nothing. I brushed my other hand on my other hip, nothing. I swore softly and dodged the attacks that the gum-men made. "Okay, so now I don't have weapons, plan B run away."

I looked around swiftly as I dodged many more attacks. My eyes spotted a door, without a second thought I ran towards it. "Nuh-uh-uh, you aren't going anywhere dearest."

'Did he just…'I froze. From my escape route the purple haired dude appeared from the shadows. It took me a while to find my voice. "Dafuq?! A question, how the hell did you get from the roof to the ground when I was wide awake?"

"You were paying attention on the gum-men I created, to even look at me dearest." He smiled his sweet signature innocent smile. Made me want to puke, but I held it in.

'He said it again!'I shook my head. "Listen you. I don't even know you and you're calling me dearest? Dude that's just creepy…"

He seemed to pout for a second but it passed. I narrowed my eyes. "So why da hell you callin' me 'dearest'."

He looked away as he turned red in the face. He mumbled something that I had to strain my ears to hear. "Papa said, if someone defeats over a hundred of your gum-men you must make them your wife."

I gaped. 'Tell me what I'm hearing is not true!'

Aww~ looks like you have an admirer~ young love is so sweet sometimes.It sighed.

"Just how old are you?" It was a question directed to the dragon inside my head, but the boy answered instead.

"I'm 16." He smiled charmingly. 'That's like two years from my age!'

Such young ages~ The voice was cooing like a mother to a baby. 'I swear I'll shut him up when I get the chance.'

"Your name?" I asked, trying to hold back my anger on the voice.

"Sep. And yours?" His damn smile never left his face. Made me just want to hit his face so his white teeth would shatter. Instead I smiled sweetly.

"Sin." I said shortly. Giving my full name to a creeper was just plain creepy. I then remembered something. "You said that if I killed over a hundred I was to be made wife?"

A small blush appeared on his face when I mentioned wife. I heard the voice cooing again and laughing softly. "Y-yea."

"Just exactly how much did I kill?" I dreaded the answer from the bottom of my stomach.

Sep thought for a while, and then told his answer. "About three hundred."

"HOLY CRAP! I WASTED THAT MUCH TIME IN KILLING GUM-MEN!?" I started to get panicky. "Listen love to stay and all but I need to go back to the others' they must be worried sick and all that. Gotta go!"

I was about to leave when a hand grasped my wrist. And was met with pleading topaz eyes. "Please don't go."

'Well plan A didn't go so smoothly.' I sighed and thought of something quick. 'Hope this works. I am going to regret this very much.'

"Okay then here's the deal then." He perked up at what I had to say. "If you come to the good guys' side, I'll consider becoming your wife."

He thought and considered and thought again. And then what felt like hours, he smiled again. "Okay, I'll come with you!"

I sighed. 'And I thought it would work… guess he's a love struck fool(Me: Aw yeah I used it! I used it! Always wanted to use those three simple words').'

"Alright then follow me." I grabbed his hand and dragged him inside. We passed by the kitchen and heard loud voices. I went closer to it until I could make out the words that were being exchanged.

"What do you mean that you don't feed peasants! Do I look like a peasant to you!?"

"Yes you do, very much indeed. Now get out of my kitchen!"

"How about if I told you my mother was Princess Mai?"

"Nonsense! Princess Mai didn't marry anyone yet! She is still single!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Not!"

"Too!"

"NOT!"

"TOO!"

I sighed as I opened the kitchen doors.

Kuro's POV

I was just recently arguing with the chef when the kitchen door opened, revealing Sin-chan and some random purple haired dude. We both stopped our quarreling, and stared at the newcomers.

"Ummm… hi?" Sin said uneasily. My eyes went from her to the purple haired dude, then finally to their hands. I looked back up to Sin, with a sly grin on my face. She noticed and tried to cover up. "I-it's not what you think it is!"

I ignored her and started shouting randomly. "Sin-chan's got a boyfriend! Sin-chan's got a boyfriend!"

I felt a smack on my head. A real hard smack. I squatted and nursed my head. I turned around to a fuming Sin and pouted. "What was that for!?"

"It was for not listening to me and spouting nonsense. What would an eight year old know anyway?" A dark aura seemed to appear around her. A vein popped on the back of her hand that she used to hit me with.

I smirked. "But I'm not eight remember?"

"That is true, so shouldn't you be more helpful than spewing nonsense?" She seethed. But I was thinking about something else.

"Ah mister! Can't you give food to a poor eight year old?" I turned back to the chef who was sharpening his butcher knife, trying to sound all innocent-like. He just looked down at me.

"If what you said was true then I don't have to feed you, you could be an old man for all I know." He snorted and went back to do his cooking. I grumbled. Gami was watching the whole scene quietly.

Well the man didn't want to give his food away, so what are we going to do now?His icy blue eyes turned to it's master.

"If I don't have food, I can't think. And if I can't think, then I can't stop the war." I huffed, puffing my cheeks like any small child would.

"Kuro, how are you going to save this place again? You did mention it a while back, but what is the jutsu?" Sin asked, confusion in her eyes.

I smirked. "Turning invisible."

"…" There was silence and mistrust in the air. I turned and sat in my little anime corner, crying waterfalls.

I turned to Gami. Still crying anime tears. "Do you believe me?"

Gami looked at me for a long time before shaking his head. My face was suddenly dry as if no tears had made it's presence. "Fine if no one will believe me then I'll just go take out that damn boss myself!"

With that I turned and slammed the door. But I was still inside the kitchen. My face calmed and looked around, just realizing that I was on the wrong side. "Ehehehehe~ I guess I'm supposed to be on the other side. Lemme try that again."

I opened the door and this time went through and then slammed the door behind me. I remembered something and stuck my head back in again. "And NONE of you are going to follow me!"

I slammed the door again and left on my way. Thinking on where the enemy would hide their boss. I was still thinking when I heard a familiar voice. "Maa, maa. If it isn't the little Prince that I was supposed to cut to pieces."

"Ugh." I turned around and was met with a familiar set of gold eyes. "Do you need something Mr. Exaggerate?"

"To take you my boss." He replied.

I stopped to think. And agreed. "Alright. I was going to head there anyways."

The dude looked dumbfounded at my quick surrender but didn't question it, like the bad guy he was. He started dragging me by my arm. I sighed. 'Well this is going to be quite a long drag.'

Me: Argh!

Kiba: And what is going on this time?

Me: I can't believe it was this late! I'm probably going to dodge shoes now!

Naruto: This chapter is quite the deal.

Me: Ya think? I had trouble with this thing ever since in the middle of summer school!

Everyone: *sweatdrops*

Me: So because I am terribly terrible at the moment I am going to announce a short omake after this chapter. Hope you like it and review!

Kuro: You're speeding things up. Is everything alright?

Me: Yeah it's fine. Nothing new and I'm tired and am depressed at the moment. And let's do hope that depression isn't contagious.

Kuro: o.0" Okaaaaaaaaay~