Chapter 85

"Auuu…," started the strange arrival as she came to stop in front of Tomo, floating in place as Tomo's disbelieving eyes scanned over the small figure, trying to figure out what was going on. Her brain quickly gave up.

"What is this? What's going on?" asked Tomo.

"Auuu, you don't recognize me Tomo?" asked the girl. Tomo shook her head.

"Should I know you?" asked the ninja.

"I'm you," replied the girl. Tomo raised an eyebrow.

"I've never looked like you- and I know I've never had fox ears…I'd remember something like that…I think."

"Well I'm not exactly you, but I've been a part of you for a very long time auuu~"

"I'm not following you."

Now looking distinctly annoyed the girl moved forward, making sure the ears were right in front of Tomo.

"My ears. My ears are like a foxes. I have been a part of you for almost your entire life. I have been with you and you with me auuu."

Tomo continued to look puzzled. The fox girl's eyes narrowed and her canines, far longer then a normal human's were bared as she became increasingly frustrated.

"I'm the fox demon!" said the girl, trying to stomp her foot but failing due to the fact she was currently floating in strange nothingness. "I'm the demon inside of you, the one you've been living with for all this time!"

"Awww you're cute!" said Tomo. "I didn't know fox demons were so adorable!"

At this point the nails of the girl elongated into claws to match the bared canines in ferocity. However at the same time a distinct tint of red passed over the girls face.

"This isn't my true form auuu! I just took this form so you wouldn't be completely terrified!"

"You've been part of me since before I can even remember," said Tomo reaching out to pet the girl's head. "Why would I be scared of you?"

"Stop that!" said the girl moving away from Tomo. "Do you really think you've ever seen all of me Tomo? Do you ever think you've had the full power of a demon fox? Do you think a bit of blood thirst and the ability to kill mere mortals is the true extent of what I can do?"

"Well I've never really thought much about it…I've never really been in proper control of it…"

"Of course you haven't," said the girl now looking smug as she crossed her arms. "A girl like you couldn't ever expect to control me completely, at least without help."

"So why are you out here now?" asked Tomo. "You've never come to me before."

The girl paused for a moment: "Tomo where do you think you are?"

The ninja shrugged. "I dunno…maybe this is a dream? But I've never really been aware of being a dream before…"

"Tomo this isn't a dream…well not technically. This is your mind Tomo; I'm talking to you directly. You don't remember being frozen do you?"

"Huh?"

"For now your true body can do nothing, and so for better or worse we both find ourselves in your mind. I can't say I'm overjoyed with that."

"So what's our next move?" asked Kagura.

"I don't about you lot, but I'm going to that building," said Chidori. "I'm stopping Sen before he can get anything. The others are probably already here."

"I did hear a commotion from where the gates are," stated Chihiro. "Perhaps it was them?"

"Perhaps," said Chidori. "So I'm going there now. Anyone else who wants to come, I'll be glad to have some help."

"What about getting more help?" asked Chiyo. "We can't do much by ourselves can we?"

"What if we don't have the time to try and get help?" asked Chidori. "And what if they just dismiss it anyway? Do you really think they'd believe any of you?"

"Yeah and how can we trust them anyway? Sen was one of the most respected ninja in the village" added Yomi. A hushed silence fell over the group.

"You don't think all of the higher ups are involved do you?" asked Fuka, pondering over just what she had got herself into.

"I don't think we can rule anything out," said Yomi.

"Well I could try and go ask for help," said Chiyo. "I could wait for a bit after you leave, just in case, and then go and ask."

"Why?" asked Kagura.

Chiyo paused for a moment, as though she had been thinking over something for some time.

"I know my limitations. You all support me, you all try your hardest when I'm around, but we all know I'm a weak link. I'm not as strong…I-I'm not as skilled and I couldn't…couldn't kill," said Chiyo. "Ever since this started I knew I'd have to excuse myself at some point…I just wanted to stay around for a while so I could help in anyway…I thought I might be able to help with the stuff I've learnt. I mean that's all I'm really good for," continued the girl, rambling towards the end.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Yomi. Chiyo nodded her head, her lip trembling slightly.

"I-I don't want to get in the way."

"I'll go with Chiyo," said Chihiro, stepping forward with trembling hands. "I can't say I'm not scared…not terrified by this. If I went with you…I can't say I wouldn't chicken out, run away, and maybe get some of you hurt. I could go with Chiyo, try and get more help…I mean it's the only thing I'd be able to do…"

"I'd prefer you all be truthful like the others instead of tagging along and getting me killed," said Chidori. "I don't care if you don't want to come. You can be scared, you can just be lazy. All I want is people who actually want to be there to come. The rest of you can try and get the others to help. At least then if we fail we might have a backup plan."

"I'm coming with you!" said Kagura standing up and flexing her muscles. Yomi smirked and adjusted her glasses.

"I'll tag along too," said the girl. Goro, stood besides the spectacled girl just nodded. Chidori turned to Fuka.

"Well I don't know much about this village, and I've only been here for a short time, but Tomo is my friend…I'm coming too."

Sakaki didn't look up from the ground as Chidori's attention passed onto her. Instead she merely took a step towards Chidori.

"I'm coming too."

"And you're certain it's this building?" asked Chidori holding up a surprisingly new map of the village.

"One hundred percent," said Chiyo. "Good luck."

"Don't forget about sending in the cavalry," said Chidori as the group split.

Feeling slightly awkward Kaorin passed through the gateway. She had been trying to think of a way to get inside, but finally decided to just take the direct approach. The sky was starting to dim as the evening lazily approached.

"Well well, I wasn't expecting to see you," said the guard who had halted the girl. "You do remember you made your choice to leave don't you?"

"This is more important!" protested Kaorin. "There is an army approaching! Someone is coming to attack the village!"

The moustache of the guard twitched slightly. "An attack you say? Any proof to back up that claim?"

"Go up the hill and take a look! They aren't being very discreet about it!" shouted Kaorin, surprising both herself and the guard. The guard paused for a moment and called for the other guard to call for reinforcements to go and check the situation.

"Well what do we have here?"

Kaorin glanced up and watched as Yukari walked towards the gate. And Kaorin. She came to a stop by the guard and was overcome by a large yawn.

"Yo. Didn't expect to see you," said Yukari.

"Yeah I've heard that already."

"So sightseeing are you?" asked Yukari. "This place is still as boring as before."

"She claims someone is planning on attacking the village," stated the guard. "I've sent for someone to go and verify that claim."

"So who is attacking then?" asked Yukari.

"I don't know," replied Kaorin. "But they didn't look like good guys. I have to get inside and find Sakaki and the others!"

"They're back? No one told me!" grumbled Yukari. "Hey guard man I'll take Kaorin with me while you go and check it out."

"How can we be certain it is Kaorin?"

"I know it is. And besides I take responsibility for this," replied Yukari.

"But you never take responsibility."

"Trust me. And besides if there is an attack coming, this isn't the place for two beautiful women to stay," said Yukari.

"Fine, but go and inform the council that we may need to be put on alert."

"Sure thing."

Chidori led the group once more, Sakaki running alongside her. Again Sakaki was wracked by self doubt. Her friend was in trouble, more then just trouble, in serious danger, and once again Sakaki found herself merely following. Again her nerves controlled her, her fears stopped her from reaching out. What would it actually take to properly do something? she almost screamed to herself in her head.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she almost ran into Chidori, who had come to an abrupt halt. She looked up, over Chidori's shoulder, to see Kimura standing in front of the group. The man paused for a moment before turning to Chidori. She stared back at him.

"You know, it is very odd. You happen to match the description of a prisoner who very recently escaped," said Kimura. "And I also hear that this particular prisoner didn't escape by herself, but was helped by others."

"We-," started Yomi.

"I'd be very very disappointed if this was the situation," said Kimura as he took a step forwards.