A/N: Ah I'm really sorry this took so long, for some reason I thought I had already uploaded this chapter, but then I took a look today and it wasn't there! I am such a ditz sometimes! ^^; Enjoy!

Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose and heaved an exasperated sigh. It had been a hell of a night. When they had lost the coven, the Hunt's position of authority seemed to have slipped. The demon's influence was everywhere; her people were feeling the strain and in turn, so was she. More and more hunters had been coming back from a night's patrol with injuries of some kind, primarily from the out of control werewolf population. Many of the coven's best were currently in bed with the high fever that racked a hunter's body for several weeks after werewolf contamination and one had been lost forever. Like the werewolves, increasing their numbers seemed to be the primary goal for Konoha's vampire population and just this week Tsunade had received word of succubi related deaths in both Suna and Oto, whilst, all over the city, children were disappearing and all the evidence pointed toward hags, a subspecies that had not been sighted for many decades. Likewise, a fabled banshee had been spotted by Naruto and Sasuke who had been forced to make a run for it. Banshees were extremely dangerous and supposedly extinct; they hadn't stood a chance.

It was chaos and Tsunade was forced to admit that her hunters were not trained to deal with it. None of them had experience with these foe and they were dealing with the situation badly. Due to the city's state of emergency Tsunade had been fielding questions, arguments and accusations from every angle in the past two weeks. It was hard to believe that things had grown this out of hand so quickly.

It was also too much to hope that the civilian population of Konoha would not notice the evil that was treating Konoha as it's feeding ground. That was the issue that had been discussed today at Kakashi's and Iruka's apartment. Their place was bigger than Kotetsu and Izumo's home. Tsunade had invited the leaders of the few hunter organisations in Konoha to discuss the dire situation. As Shikamaru had predicted, most of them were willing to recognise just how important the coven safe house had been now that it was her fault it was lost. The Majo Buke chieftain had been eager to reprimand Tsunade for her decision to flee on the night of the winter solstice. According to him it was not the lives of her people she was trying to protect but her own.

Tsunade groaned at the memory of Kakashi's lover standing up and informing them that as the newly appointed Chief of Police he was highly concerned with the safety of the civilian population. He had looked extremely stressed out and very upset about the fact that his people were in mortal danger and he couldn't help them.

At that moment a disturbance caused her to look up; someone was shouting in the living room. Then her door was flung open of reveal a distraught Kiba carrying a fitting Hinata. Leaping into action Tsunade had him lay the girl on the bed.

"It was hag!" choked Kiba, his teary eyes wide and panicked. "Hinata tried to help this old woman up and I-I don't know what happened!" he wailed hysterically.

"Yes, yes," said Tsunade impatiently waving for a hovering Shizune to take him away and reaching for her medicine case.

As Kiba was led away with much resistance, Tsunade set to work. Luckily she was one of the few people who had lived long enough to have encountered a hag before. The treatment for such an ailment was just as archaic as the beast itself. However, with Tsunade's own gift she felt she could make some improvements. A hag was an old woman revived by demonic magicks and was sometimes known as a nightmare spirit. Hinata had the appearance of someone who had only recently been trapped in the confines of her own mind which meant she could be freed.

Tsunade quickly undid Hinata's thick coat so that she could reach the girl's pendant. As she had expected the kiyo crystal had grown dull due to the hag's ancient magick. Without hesitation Tsunade directed a rush of magick into the protective amulet to combat the evil magick moving through Hinata's shaking body. Then she took a smudge stick of Artemensia from her medicine case and lit it. With the sage smouldering she waved the smoke under Hinata's nose. As soon as the cleansing smoke had permeated her nostrils the girl gave one last, violent shudder and then lay still.

Sighing in relief, Tsunade laid the smudge stick on a plate on the bedside table. That was as far as traditional medicine went when it came to freeing the victim from their nightmares. Sometimes it took as long as six months to wake from the coma induced by a hag's magick. But that was unnecessary where Tsunade was involved. Placing her fingertips at her patient's temples she sent slow pulses of invigorating healing magick into her brain and within five minutes Hinata's eyelids flickered open.

Tsunade opened the bedroom door and watched as Kiba rushed past to kneel at Hinata's side. And then as Neji pushed him out of the way to check her over himself. She smiled to herself. This was the kind of satisfied feeling that made her glad she had endured years of medical training. Yet despite the fact that she could very easily take employment in a city hospital and save peoples lives everyday, she chose to look after these people.

Shikamaru leant against the doorframe to watch his boyfriend fuss over Hinata. "You look sad," he commented casually.

Sighing, Tsunade nodded. "I think I'm getting to old for this."

"Toumoku is an exhausting role but now more than ever, we need a strong leader."

"I know. But when this is done, it'll be my time to step down. Kakashi is the obvious choice for the next coven leader."

"He will do a fine job. But what will you do?"

Tsunade looked thoughtfully at Hinata for a moment. "I'd rather like to become a full time doctor. But the problem with that is I can't just use magick to heal someone in a hospital and I don't think I could stand by whilst conventional medicine fails knowing that I could save them by risking exposure."

"Didn't there used to be a healing unit for magical injuries in the city?" said Shikamaru, his voice was still casual but Tsunade got the impression he was probing.

"The Uchiha Centre for Magickal Healing. It was closed when there were no longer any Uchiha left to run it." Tsunade looked Shikamaru in the eye. "You think I should ask Sasuke if I can reopen it."

Shikamaru nodded slowly. "However, it is Sasuke so I'd expect some bargaining."

"Naturally," said Tsunade, glancing around the cramped apartment. "Well, he's not the only one with spatial issues. I'm sure we can reach an agreement."

-0-

They stood in a spacious, ground floor apartment in a quiet part of the city. It had quite clearly been empty for some time. Blinds were drawn over the windows and sheets covered the hospital beds and machinery that filled the large main room. Sasuke watched as Tsunade flitted around, lifting sheets and checking machinery. He saw her smile as she spotted the bedroom and kitchen that had been used by his aunt who had once lived here. The furnishings in the side rooms were more homey and comfortable than the main room and study where patients had been treated. Sasuke followed her into the study and frowned as she began routing through the books and scrolls stacked neatly there.

"Why did you want to see this place?" he asked when his impatience could no longer be kept at bay.

She looked at him before pulling the dust cover off of the desk chair and sitting down. "As you pointed out earlier the Hunt would benefit from a base. Something more spacious than our current arrangement."

Sasuke wondered for a brief moment if she planned to move them into this place; it was a decent apartment but the Hunt was far too big. But then he realised what she was suggesting and surprise flickered over Sasuke's face; he had never known Tsunade to cave on anything before. Naturally he was suspicious.

"The coven is relocating to the Uchiha estate?" he clarified.

"On a temporary basis, if the scouting team finds it secure."

"I'll need to be on the scouting team," Tsunade looked ready to refuse so he continued. "Only an Uchiha can get past our protective enchantments."

"Fine, but you are to follow Neji's command at all times, is that understood?"

Sasuke nodded stiffly and silence fell between them. Tsunade leant back in the comfy chair and surveyed the study while Sasuke stood waiting impatiently.

"Was that all or did you actually have a reason for bringing me here? I can't imagine it was simply for that little chat."

"No it wasn't." She took a slow breath, "I would like your permission to reopen this place as a magickal healing facility for anyone who has need of it."

Sasuke was caught by surprise, "Why?" he blurted.

"Aside from the fact that there is no decent place where one can readily find magickal healing and that having somewhere like this will save lives?" Tsunade paused for a moment, "See it as a retirement project. I am somewhat older than I appear and it will soon be my time to step down from the stressful duty of being the coven leader."

Sasuke said nothing for a moment. He doubted there would ever be a more perfect opportunity to get the information he craved. Even if she refused he would give her this place; she was right about the benefits of a healing centre, this place needed minimal work and it meant nothing to him.

"How about you tell me what you know about Madara?"

Tsunade gave him a calculating look. He thought she was trying to work out how he knew they were after Madara but he was giving nothing away. Sasuke wasn't about to stitch up his friends; he'd let her think he had taken a guess rather than get Suigetsu in trouble.

"I can't do that Sasuke."

Her flat reply was expected but Sasuke still felt a strong stab of disappointment. He opened his mouth to try every type of reasonable argument and coercion he could think of but she cut him off.

"I can, however, give you the chance to kill him."

Sasuke stared at her in shock. He was lost for words and wondering what kind of miraculous change had come over Tsunade to make her so agreeable. She smiled at him in an almost parental manner.

"You are a strong hunter and since you have your powers under control now, I think you would be a valuable asset to the team. I can not simply give you all our information at the risk of you running off half cocked but I can place you in a strong position to defeat him."

Sasuke nodded at the logical assessment. "Okay, I will transfer legal ownership of this place to you."

"Thank you, I think I'll stay here and familiarise myself. The scouting mission will take place tomorrow daytime, get some sleep and be ready at 7am. Tell Naruto that his skills are required, he will make searching the place much quicker." Sasuke nodded and turned to leave. "Oh and Sasuke, for the record I had hoped the holiday would do you good but I admit even I was pleasantly surprised at how much you have improved," she said sincerely.

"Thank you," he replied.

Only after he had left the premises did Sasuke wonder whether she had indeed been referring solely to his magickal control.

-0-

At half past 7 the next morning Naruto was sitting in the back of the Yamato's favourite old jeep playing with and being slobbered on by Akamaru. Kiba laughed as his dog once again licked Naruto on the face. Naruto cringed and pushed the beast away while Sasuke sniggered from his safe and dry seat in the front next to Neji who was driving.

They were speeding along a straight road through the moorland commonly referred to as the Misty Moors to the north of Konoha City. Quite predictably the moorland was misty. Actually, Naruto thought, it had started off as 'misty', but the further they travelled from Konoha the more it looked like dense fog. It was rather miserable really.

"Where exactly is the Uchiha estate?" Neji asked quietly. "Your clan were always so secretive I confess myself surprised at your choice to offer us residence."

"What do you know about Kikyo Castle?"

"It's not that far from here, practically falling from the high cliffs, owned by an apparently eccentric old man who has restored the parts that haven't already been claimed by the ocean. What of it?" Neji glanced at Sasuke who was smirking slightly.

"Yes, my grandfather played the part of 'eccentric' very well, but then he was a little crazy."

"Surely not..."

"Do you see any other buildings on this godforsaken moorland?"

"I had wondered... if the Uchiha clan did not live underground as we do in the city."

Sasuke looked mildly repulsed by the idea. "There are dungeons if you develop an allergy to sunlight."

"Not that you'll get much sunlight with this stifling fog," Neji pointed out.

"Actually the fog rarely touches the fortress," retorted Sasuke. "Turn here," he added as they approached the first turning since they had left Konoha.

At the side of the road was a sign hammered into the ground: 'Private Property: Trespassers will be shot'. They headed east for barely two minutes before the fog cleared and Kikyo Castle became visible. Naruto had of course heard about the place, everyone had, but he only knew enough about its existence not to go near it lest the crazy old codger shoot at you. When the castle loomed into view he wasn't the only one looking up in awe. Kikyo Castle was beyond any building Naruto had seen in his lifetime, an impressive feature with sloping walls jutting upwards so high that the only visible part of the buildings inside was a single tower. However as they drew closer the castle's state of disrepair became obvious as well as its precarious position on the cliff. At one time there may have been more buildings visible than just that tower but the waves had stolen the ground from underneath the huge structure sending a large portion of the castle tumbling into the ocean below. What they now looked at was the western portion of the castle wall, where two old stone statues stood guard over the entrance.

Neji drove up to large door embedded in the outer wall and Sasuke got out, walked over to the great double doors and lifted his arms. Nailed to each door was a plaque, the first read: 'Kikyo Castle' and the second: 'Strictly No Visitors' and in an alcove next to them was another, smaller door. The heavy doors were reinforced with crossbars of riveted steel, it was these that Sasuke lay his hands on and for a moment ancient symbols of silver magick were revealed etched into the metal before they disappeared and the doors swung inwards with their own will. Sasuke glanced over his shoulder and marched confidently into the courtyard followed by the jeep.

"What was that silver writing all about?" asked Kiba as soon as he got out. "Didn't look like any normal letters."

"The perimeter of the castle is protected by both barrier and cloaking spells," said Sasuke, continuing when Kiba looked nonplussed, "Barrier spells stop magickal penetration; no one with magick may pass these walls. The cloaking spells make the castle unattractive to the eye, difficult to remember and I expect they also stop anyone seeing through the walls," he said looking at Neji who nodded.

"Very clever," said Neji, looking up at the towering walls, "Because, of course, at the time when most of these castles were re-built, people were extremely paranoid about 'witches' and took every precaution against witchcraft," Neji continued in a coolly admiring tone.

Sasuke nodded graciously, "And with a small amount of adjustment the spells can be made to allow the entry of good magick, whereas a demon may not cross over that threshold while the barrier stands."

"You hide behind the very enchantments designed to keep our kind at bay," Neji confirmed.

"Precisely."

Naruto glanced between the two, attempting to read them both whilst taking in the conversation. It was clear Sasuke was boasting whilst Neji was prying. They were likely trying to ascertain whose homestead scored the highest. Naruto thought Sasuke's castle had won the defence competition hands down. Kiba was also glancing between the two hunters who were currently having a staring contest, but he was tapping his foot in impatience, he was obviously eager to return to Hinata's side.

"Can we cover the history later? It's just that we're supposed to be giving this place a sweep."

Sasuke and Neji looked at him, suddenly snapping back to the task at hand. "Yes, well," began Neji before Sasuke spoke over him.

"I should check the dungeons; they open onto the cliffs at the eastern side of the compound so they're weak to entry. Some of those passages are tricky so it's best if I do it."

Neji looked thoughtful. "Okay. Is it possible that the barrier could have a break in it?"

Sasuke considered for a moment. "It's unlikely, but if it did you wouldn't know unless you checked the incantations one by one."

"Right, then I'll walk the perimeter and see if there are any points at which I can see through the wall. In the meantime, Kiba; I want you to do a sweep of the main buildings," he looked back to Sasuke for instructions.

"Over there, the one marked with the Uchiha crest," he pointed towards the largest buildings which were all connected to form a central point within the castle walls. "Leading off from the main hall is the library on the left with the bell tower and the dojo on the right. The bathhouse is on the other side of the library. The garage and stables are under the wall to the right."

Kiba nodded and Neji turned away from him. "The other buildings are living quarters?" Sasuke nodded, "Naruto; split up and search the houses."

Naruto grinned at this chance to show them how far his power had progressed in Evergreen Forest. Concentrating hard he sent his magick out in as many different directions as possible enjoying Kiba's reaction as nearly fifty versions of himself split up to start the search.

"I see you've improved," said Neji as the clones ran away.

Naruto grinned. During his training he had found it increasingly easy to produce large numbers of himself and was now confident in his ability to keep them separate for at least five minutes before they started to compact.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Stop showing off, there aren't even that many houses."

-0-

Fifteen minutes later Naruto and Kiba were sat on a in the main hall. Naruto could see why Sasuke liked it here; the thick stone walls would have created a cold and unwelcoming environment had it not been offset by tall windows and comfortable furnishings. Though the wall hangings were a little military, effort had clearly been made to make the place more homey. The main hall was a spacious room with rafters high above them and smooth stone floors, worn by the passage of time. At each end was a set of double doors leading to either the library or the dojo but next to the doors were great fireplaces, now cold and empty, that once must have held roaring fires to warm the place through the bitter winter months. This room had clearly been a meeting place for the Uchiha hunters, Naruto could imagine a whole clan of people who looked like Sasuke sitting around the twin hearths chatting amiably on a chilly winter day. He imagined the smiling faces of children sitting happily on the plush rugs that covered portions of the stone floor whilst their parents discussed the latest happenings in the world of hunters and demons.

"Is the place clear?"

Naruto looked up to see Neji striding towards them and listened as Kiba gave their report. Naruto had found nothing and though Kiba mentioned Akamaru sniffing around an area at the back of the library neither of them had found anything really suspicious; no forced entry, nothing that was obviously out of place and generally no signs of life. Neji too it seemed had been satisfied with the results of his search; the barrier spells were in tact all the way along the castle wall.

"Sasuke is still in the dungeons," stated Neji, looking at a far off spot. "I wonder what's taking him so long, he's not moving around."

Naruto started, "Is he okay?!" he asked, ready to rush to Sasuke's aid.

Neji frowned, "He seems fine; his magick is only slightly disturbed. Naruto you should go to him, the dungeon entrance is through that door. Continue down the corridor to the sea and take a right, Sasuke is in the last room down there."

Naruto nodded and left via a smaller door at the back of the building. He found himself at the top of a dark staircase. He wasted no time hurrying down the cold stone steps, the only thing going through his mind was that Sasuke was down there and he needed to find him. The corridor was lined with torches that had obviously once been lit by witch fire but now they were bare leaving the many side passages dark. Still there was plenty of light streaming from the end of the tunnel to satisfy a hunter's eyesight in this main passage and when Naruto saw why he stopped and stared in awe. The corridor ended in a sort of walkway that ran parallel to the cliff edge to the right and disappeared into a dark entrance in the cliff face to the left. In actuality the walkway had been created when half the castle and its dungeons had dropped into the ocean but someone had then built a balustrade along the ruined edge turning it into a corridor completely open to the sea air. It was a beautiful and unhindered view.

After a moment's appreciation Naruto remembered his partner and hurried along the walkway to the right to the only door, passing several wide windows on the way. He then walked into what appeared to be a living room with a wall of glass where it overlooked the sea. It was clearly someone's home and he had an idea of whose.

"Sasuke?" he called.

Now that Neji's reasons for not following him down here were becoming clear Naruto suspected Sasuke was in a delicate state so he stayed in the main room and looked around while he waited for a response. The room was light and airy thanks to its cliff side position but the furnishings were very alike to those in the main hall above, everything ordered and matching. When Sasuke emerged from a side room Naruto was looking out at the sea.

"Amazing isn't it?" said Sasuke quietly coming up behind him.

"It is," Naruto agreed softly.

"These quarters were reserved for the clan leader and their family. My father was a stern man, never much of a father but a strong leader." His voice was quiet and tinged with sadness but Naruto knew he was proud. "I always intended to live down here if I was permitted to return."

"Will that be okay?" asked Naruto cautiously looking back at Sasuke. He was a picture of cool strength except for the tinge of red that rimmed his eyes giving him away.

Still Sasuke met his gaze with a cold indifference, "Of course it will."

Naruto looked at him sceptically. He was worried that if Sasuke spent too much time down here dwelling on the past it would be unhealthy. He slowly turned, taking Sasuke's hands in his own. Naruto didn't have to say anything, his questioning look clearly probed at the other man's stubborn answer. Sasuke looked as though he had half a mind to pull his hands away or electrocute Naruto. But still Naruto held tight and then he did something even more daring, he pulled Sasuke into a strong hug and held him there.

"It's not a weakness, to feel," he whispered.

They stood tense for a moment as Naruto wondered if he had finally pushed too hard at what his partner obviously perceived as a chink in his formidable armour. When Sasuke rested his head on Naruto's shoulder he nearly breathed a sigh of relief. It was comforting to know that in some ways he was getting through to Sasuke. He felt Sasuke nuzzle his neck in what could have been a nod of assent before he pulled away a little, still letting Naruto keep his hold on him.

"It's okay, it's in the past, there's only one more piece left to destroy. This place holds only good memories and I want to make more here."

He smiled almost cryptically at Naruto whose face lit up as he grinned with heartfelt joy. Lifting a gentle hand he brushed a strand of raven black hair away from Sasuke's eyes, revelling in the trust he saw reflected in those dark pools. And then Sasuke did something he wasn't expecting, he leaned forward and captured Naruto's lips in a light kiss. It was beautiful; soft and sweet, a testimony of affection that stole Naruto's breath so completely that he was left slightly dizzy moments later.

"You kissed me," he blurted out, feeling quite giddy.

Sasuke let out a disbelieving snort, "Your genius astounds."

Naruto smiled and leaned forward again only to have a hand placed over his lips.

"Did Neji send you to find me?"

"Aw," whined Naruto, dropping his head forwards. "Yeah, he did."

"Then you know he's probably watching us right now."

Naruto let out a half hearted growl and flicked the V in the general direction of the main hall. Sasuke then surprised both of them by letting out an uncontrollable giggle at Naruto's crude disrespect that was far from manly. Naruto burst out laughing as his partner flushed scarlet and covered his mouth in an attempt to take it back. With a frown the Uchiha shoved him backwards into the window, only to be dragged along by Naruto's hold on his coat.

They crashed into each other and Naruto took special care to make sure their lips collided as well. It was a badly coordinated move that lacked any grace but it was perfect all the same. Naruto chuckled into the kiss as Sasuke made a pathetically half-hearted attempt to resist before tangling his long fingers in his blonde hair. Naruto then used his considerable talent to switch their positions and press their bodies flush with the window, delighting in the undignified 'Mmph' that emitted from his partners occupied mouth.

In the heat generated by Sasuke's nimble fingers as they danced a lingering pattern down his chest to the point where a strip of tanned skin had been revealed, any thought of Neji and their priorities was effectively stolen from Naruto's mind. He was lost and drawn in to Sasuke's will, thinking only of ways to better attune himself with this wonderful man. However, when Sasuke broke away Naruto was disappointed to find that he had not forgotten their current situation. He was flushed, his eyes half-lidded and incredibly dark yet he was not to be distracted.

"We need to get back," muttered Sasuke as he brushed his lips once more over Naruto's.

"Stop doing that then," was Naruto's husky reply and he returned the kiss vigorously.

"I do hope I'm not interrupting."

Sasuke shoved Naruto backwards so fast he nearly lost his footing. By the time he'd whirled to face the newest addition to Kikyo Castle, Sasuke had already drawn his sword, all sexual energy effectively eradicated.

"Actually, I don't really care."

The man was dressed in an expensive black suit with a blood red shirt that matched his eyes. The lines of his pale skin made him look about sixty but he stood with the tall, straight back of a much younger man and his short black hair had only a smattering of grey. Naruto backed up next to Sasuke with his dagger in hand; he'd never faced a real demon but was ready to play his part.

-0-

"Who are you?" asked Sasuke bluntly.

The demon smiled maddeningly as he strolled across the room, ignoring the two hunters facing up against him he threw himself casually into an armchair, stretching luxuriously.

"It's good to be home, ne?"

Sasuke and Naruto both stared at him in shock and then he was gone. The demon had literally disappeared!

"The place hasn't changed much."

Sasuke spun around at the silky voice which suddenly spoke from directly behind him, instinctively sending lightening streaming down his sword. The length of sharp steel flicked towards the demon who jolted backwards as the glass behind him burst outwards in an explosion of electricity. Sasuke saw him fall in a rain of sharp shards. As though in slow motion he plunged towards the ocean foaming around jagged rocks and then with a last arrogant smirk he was gone again.

"What the hell is going on down here?!" asked Neji bursting through the door as Sasuke searched the rocks below.

"There was a demon; he was over there and then there. I think he was teleporting!" said Naruto, gesturing wildly around the room.

Sasuke frowned, "I don't agree."

"No?" queried Neji as Sasuke turned back to the room.

"My magick broke the window but I think he threw himself out; I don't think he was solid. When I whirled around I threw my arm out, I should have hit him but I didn't feel a thing. Besides the barrier spells weren't destroyed," he motioned at the silver writing hanging in midair, revealed by the destruction of the glass. "As long of these spells remain a demon can't pass through them."

"That would make sense."

"It does?" asked Kiba who had arrived in Neji's wake.

Neji nodded, "I felt Sasuke use magick but I saw no demon. There were only you two here."

"If it was an illusion, it's caster can't be that far away," said Sasuke, starting towards the door to track down the perpetrator before the sudden look of confusion and horror on Neji's face stopped him. "What is it?"

"I think I saw him; when I checked the wall he was stood above the gateway-"

Sasuke had run off before Neji could say another word. No demon could cross the wall but there was no saying they couldn't stand on top of it and project illusions inwards. When he reached the courtyard however there was no one there. Only the two statues stood over the gateway with their swords crossed. Neji and the others came up right behind him.

"He's gone," said Neji defeated.

"Yes, thank you, I can see that!" snapped Sasuke.

"You don't get it. When I saw him the reason I didn't attack is because I couldn't be certain of what I saw; when I look at you people I see you and then an overlay of magick. It's all very clean cut but this was just a blur and his actual body was completely invisible."

Sasuke looked at him shock, "He was invisible... But he couldn't have two powers so it's more like he erased his own image and planted it somewhere else." Why did that sound distantly familiar? "Where was he stood?" Sasuke asked suddenly, looking up at the statues.

"In front of the northern one."

"Why that one?" Sasuke mused pensively.

Something didn't feel right about this and strangely he thought the answer might be up there. By the alcove where the small door was situated was a metal ladder attached to the castle wall. It was this that Sasuke climbed hand over hand to reach the top where the life size statues of the castle's first hunter residents guarded their home. Each was down on one knee facing each other, their swords crossed between them. Carefully Sasuke walked around the nearest one whose wild hair fell far down his back. He stared long and hard into the stony face and sure enough it resembled a teenage version of the demon that had been here not fifteen minutes previous. Sasuke quickly climbed down from the wall and returned to the other hunters.

"It is weather worn so I can't be certain, but that statue looks rather like the demon we saw."

"Who's the statue of?" asked Neji.

"I'm not entirely sure," admitted Sasuke, ignoring the looks of surprise he received; it was unlike him to not know his own family's history. For the most part he was knowledgeable, but not here. "The statues commemorate the first private owners of this castle; 'the Uchiha Brothers', that's how people referred to them. They were powerful hunter's, one possessed a power not unlike Yamato's and was responsible for restoring the castle whereas the other was adept in the use of spells, I don't mean our common spells, I mean the Olde Language used for long written enchantments; he rewrote the original barrier spells and added the cloaking ones." Neji was nodding along, he knew how few people still used the old language; it was extremely powerful but dangerous if there was even the slightest fault in the lettering. "It was him. He's aged well, must be over a hundred by now."

"A hundred years old?!" burst Naruto.

"Yes, well that's about normal for a powerful demon left to his own devices," said Neji offhandedly as he gazed up at the statue. "If he has, to a certain extent, avoided combat his natural healing abilities will allow him to live to roughly 150 years. Sasuke, do you think there will be more information on him in the library, the Uchiha kept records didn't they?"

"Of course we do," said Sasuke, sounding only slightly offended.

-0-

Over 3 hours later Sasuke was forced to conclude that the Uchiha records were not as complete as he would have liked to believe. Neji had contacted Tsunade shortly after Sasuke had retired to the library explaining that even though there was clearly a demon who knew the true occupants of Kikyo Castle the place had proven it's defensive merits by demonstrating just how strong it's fortifications were; even the castle's original protector did not seem able to truly break in. Tsunade had subsequently refused to send out the order to move the majority of the Hunt into hiding in Kikyo Castle, until they knew this demon's background. She was apparently making this man a top priority target if he threatened the integrity of the castle; any demon who knew the Olde Language was a significant danger. Personally Sasuke thought it was a bit rich of her to be so concerned with the safety of his home all of a sudden. He knew she was only looking out for her hunter's but he thought they were likely in more immediate danger, touring the streets of Konoha with the city in such a state of disarray.

But, since he was equally curious about this man, he would give the investigation everything he had. The demon had revealed himself as one of the original Uchiha hunters which meant he was both important and powerful. All of which made it suspicious that he couldn't find any mention of the castle's founders other than they were strong brothers that had lived about a hundred years ago. It was as though they had disappeared.

A/N: Ah I'll try not to mess up the next one so bad! Gomen-nasai!

-Yasu