Contrary to what I'm sure a popular belief is by now, I am alive and working on my fan fictions! I've just been busier and more fatigued than I would have imagined. I sincerely apologize, and hope everybody enjoys this chapter.

Chapter 39:
Child's Play

Konohamaru did not have a chance to respond as the invader's massive fist drove into his gut. His lungs felt like they exploded in hot fire, and his breath violently escaped. "Konohamaru!" His friends exclaimed as they could only watch helplessly as he flew back, and they barely regaining their senses in time to put their guard up for the next assault.

"Oh!" Kaede exclaimed as he watched the genin guard against his katana. Moegi and Udon held their arms crossed in front of the faces for added support while kunai blocked the tempered steel. "Kaede is impressed, impressed indeed." Arrogance saturated his every word. With a chuckle, he slid his katana across their guard.

Udon took notice, rebalanced, and pulled Moegi away before the invader's hook could connect. His attention focused; he stopped his female comrade from looking over her shoulder. "Don't look back. Don't take your eyes off him." He swallowed hard and nervously licked his lips. "We have a duty to protect the civilians."

Moegi watched him stand and pull explosive tags out of his supply pouch. "Konohamaru's fine." He realized he was also trying to convince himself. "He can handle himself, and he's known boss longer than either of us." He threw his kunai, fully expecting the big guy to dodge. "We've got to buy time until help arives!" The explosive tags triggered in midair, and the conflagration that followed forced their target back.

Before they could prepare to press their attack, Kaede erupted like a force of nature through the debris the explosive tag kicked up. Though he shielded his face with his arms, they could clearly see the insane gleam in his eyes. In an instant, his frightful aura brushed across their minds. Legs shaking, they froze. They could only look on as death approached.

Sun glaring off tempered steel, they felt sudden relief as blue waved past them like a flag waving in the wind. Kaede grunted first in surprise then in pain as Konohamaru pumped his fist into the invader's cheek. "What are you guys doing?" The troupe's leader exclaimed. "You think boss would stand for this?" He crouched low, preparing a renewed assault. "He's nothing compared to Pein!"

He pushed off fully realizing he started a spark. His friends were not cowards, but they still had to be reminded. Pein was strong. Though Kaede was definitely a madman, he simply could not compare. Pein could win with his ability, but Kaede required a paralyzing thirst for blood. Konohamaru could not recognize the invader as a worthy foe!

Udon managed to find his bearings first. "Konohamaru is right…" He tightly clenched his fists and molded his chakra to follow their team leader's charge. "I haven't really had the chance to use the jutsu Ebisu-sensei taught me in battle."

Moegi slapped her cheeks and clenched her eyes for a moment. "Right…" She took a deep, calming breath and crossed her arms over her abdomen. "I'll be sure to back you up!" A moment later, she sprang forward while launching kunai from both hands.

Kaede paused as four objects approached him. "Hmph, these brats aren't too bad. I'd thought they'd still be paralyzed with fear. Oh well…" He spread his arms to wide and welcomed the kunai as if a father welcoming a child. "…this is just too fun!" The first two kunai simply vanished into the ether, but the second round sunk into his flesh.

Without a moment's pause, he lunged forward to stab Moegi, but she vanished exactly as the first kunai that struck him. "Ah, those were Bushin then." A pebble scuffed the ground, and he turned just in time to meet steel with steel. "Kaede must give you thanks…" He sang honest praise to Konohamaru. "...'cause if it weren't for you, this wouldn't be any fun!"

Sparks flew as he slid his katana across the genin's kunai. Before he could bellow a victorious laugh, Konohamaru burst into chakra smoke. Kaede blinked dumbly in disbelief. "Were green gills really capable of such a move?" His head naturally jerked when a silhouette emerged from the unnatural smokescreen. His katana was still at an awkward angle, and he was unprepared to counter or defend with his off hand.

When Udon landed and threw a half-punch, Kaede found himself again blinking dumbly. He almost laughed, but a sudden, inexplicable pain in his gut silenced and sent him flying. He landed in a pile of rubble and groaned in pain. Emerging from the building refuse, an insane smile marred his features. "Oh! Now you show Kaede interesting tricks!"

An overhead shadow drew his attention. He looked to the ground in confusion as he tried to figure out exactly what he was seeing. He looked up only to tilt his head to one side, and the general confusion escaped in one, simple breath. "Huh?"

Moegi, for lack of a better description, slid on mid air. The way her hips swayed and body twisted suggested a snowboarder navigating a snow-covered mountainside. She launched kunai before he noticed, and he only realized when they bit into his flesh. Squirming and nearly free of the rubble, he froze for a second as a figure fell from the sky.

Udon landed just above and behind the invader. He arched both arms over his head, and he used his angle and position to hide his fists for only a moment. He joined his hands together with laced fingers and proceeded to hammer his opponent. Again, Kaede noticed the fists only made it halfway to him, and, again, he felt inexplicable force and pain.

Udon jumped back and joined his friends. He wiped his brow, the exertion getting to him. "What's with that? That jutsu wasn't designed to finish an opponent." He looked at his friends in turn, and they merely shook their heads and shrugged. They were just as confused. From how their opponent boasted, they thought they would have to act as a distraction for more experienced fighters to arrive or get lucky with Konohamaru's Rasengan.

In the distance, Bat and his team watched the situation carefully. He looked over to one of his subordinates report on the situation. The subordinate shook his head. "Ebisu-jonin knows how to train an effective squad, but this guy may be too much for them."

Bat returned his attention to the billowing cloud. "Not all of us have your perspective." His eyes studied the scene intently for any sign of the giant emerging. "After all, we just saw a squad of genin surprise an unknown and completely tear through his defenses." He nodded in approving appraisal. "Their teamwork was top notch as well."

The same subordinate elaborated. "Of course captain. They are a cut above, and I've heard Naruto-dono may have influenced them." He caught his entire team's attention, if only briefly, with that confession. "However, that unknown is…" He took a deep breath in apprehension. "…can only be described as a monster."

Their attention immediately focused on a silhouette freshly emerged from debris. Still settling dust obscured the assailant, and his maddening laughter brought fear to even the seasoned ANBU assassins. They stood, poised to fly to the defense of the young genin. However, Elephant and his squad interrupted.

The squad captains faced each other for a moment as Konohamaru and his partners in crime rejoined their battle with Kaede. Elephant calmly responded to his colleague. "Let the children fight a bit longer. Despite their opponent's obvious strength, they have control of the situation, and we can jump in at any time."

Bat bowed his head in thought before returning his attention an acknowledgement. "Okay, we'll let the kids handle this, for the moment." He emphasized his temporal statement. He was not one to argue with a senior captain. He watched for a moment as his peer's squad set up mannequins and painted fuuin in preparation. He knew nothing would be left to chance.

Kaede responded to his opponents differently. While he still left himself wide open and defenseless, he punished every injury with a powerful counterattack. He left kunai and shuriken where they bit into his flesh, and, to the young shinobi's eyes, only grew more fearsome and monstrous. He was unlike anything they had faced before.

Moegi stuck to the air, and she tried her best to pull her teammates out of any situation that seemed too much for them to handle. With her bird's eye view, she had a clearer picture of the battlefield. She coordinated with one of Udon's attacks to pass Konohamaru a message. When he called on a Kage Bushin, she fell back to a secure position.

The copy ran up to Udon and yanked him by the collar. The sudden action barely saved them from Kaede's next counterattack. With a few, quick gestures, Udon nodded; he knew to retreat. When he found his friends, he was the first to speak up. "This guy has insane stamina."

Konohamaru opened his mouth to say something, but Moegi interrupted. "It's weird…" She started, waiting for her teammates' attention. "He just bypassed security, appeared right before us, and…" She paused and licked her lips. "…and hasn't used a single jutsu."

"You think he's working with somebody?" Konohamaru sounded surprisingly calm.

"I don't know." Moegi shook her head. "We can't ignore the possibility, but it does seem strange."

Udon tapped his chin. "Not…" He paused when his friends looked at him. "…necessarily." He opened his mouth to continue but thought of another question and restarted. "What about your Kage Bushin?"

Konohamaru jerked his head back for a moment, folded his arms over his chest, and tilted his head to one side. He picked up the habit from Naruto. "Well…" He hummed. "It hasn't been dispelled, so it must still be fighting." He narrowed his eyes. "He's unconcerned. He knows we retreated to regroup, and he just doesn't care!"

"He's underestimating us, Konohamaru!" Moegi tried to reason, but she was just as worried. She turned her attention to Udon. "You think he might have a kekkei genkai or something?"

He nodded. "It's a possibility. He could also simply have a very strong alignment with time/space jutsu." He scratched his chin. "Ebisu-sensei did mention two elemental schools. The one we're used to has five elements."

Konohamaru snapped his fingers. "Boss said something like that!" He nodded his head proudly. "Boss was bragging about it after his Fuuton training." He paused to think then groaned. "Ah, but he never told me what the second school was." Konohamaru suddenly jolted to attention as if struck by electricity.

"What's wrong?" Moegi asked in concern. She looked worriedly to Udon when their de facto leader did not respond, but she released a startled gasp when she was tackled to the ground. She looked up to see Konohamaru held aloft by his scarf. He was kicking and scratching to get away from their assailant.

Udon responded before she could. He stomped the ground just in front of the invader, and Kaede braced for another unexpected blow. When no pressure came, he relaxed and prepared to throw his captive to the young genin utilizing a strange technique. However, Udon followed his strong stance through to a nearly hidden uppercut.

With his grip loosened and muscles lax, he unwittingly released Konohamaru and bit the soft flesh of his cheek and tongue when the curious pressure connected with his chin. He landed flat on his back and coughed blood and spittle. As rose to his feet, he wiped his mouth and laughed. He stared at the genin who made him taste his own blood. "Well little genin, it seems your little punch left you weak, and your friends aban…"

He stopped midsentence as he tried to throw a punch. He turned to determine why his hand was suspended in midair. The sight confused him. Moegi tightly gripped the air as if she held a noose tightly around his wrist. Without hesitating, Kaede twisted around and took a single step towards her. She trembled slightly under his wicked grin, but something caught his attention before he could retaliate for stopping his fun.

A strange whirring sent a shiver down his spine. A change in air pressure chilled the sweat and blood against his skin. "Rasengan!" Kaede turned too late when he heard Konohamaru name his attack. Offhandedly, he noticed his hand was freed from Moegi's technique. Absently, he realized he was spinning rather rapidly.

He also felt no pain. Even as he slammed into a newly refurbished wall and heard joints pop and bones crack, he felt no pain. As the world turned to darkness, he smiled and spat out blood as he tried to laugh. He tried to get up, but something pinned him down. He tried to identify what held him down, but his body refused to listen to him. With a last gurgled breath, he turned his attention to the civilians the genin fought so hard to protect.

Thinking he might try something with his dying breath, they prepared to move. When instead his body went limp, they released a collective sigh of relief. They were a little worse for wear, but the worst had not come to pass. As they approached the invader's body, Bat and a single cell of ANBU appeared. The genin looked around, realizing only then that they were being watched.

They accepted it in stride. Either the ANBU were confident in their abilities, or they were watching for an opportune time to jump in. As Moegi and Konohamaru were about to ask Udon if he was okay, a surprised reaction from one of the ANBU drew the genin's attention. Before they could take a step forward, a young woman's cry echoed past them. "Ojii-chan!"

Bat looked over and signaled one of his men to investigate. After checking the old man's pulse, he looked up and shook his head. As the young woman cried over her grandfather's corpse, he appeared next to his commander and reported his assessment. "It appears the ojii-san's heart gave out in the commotion. There are no signs of physical trauma or poison."

Bat nodded and returned his attention to the invader. Moegi noticed something off and turned to Konohamaru and Udon. "You guys see that weirdo's hand?" They looked and nodded. His fingers already showed signs of rot. "He wasn't like that when we were fighting him. It's…" She paused. "I don't really know. It's really strange."

"'Strange'?" A woman's voice drew their attention. "'Weirdo'? Is that any way to treat such a worthy adversary?" Obscured by the sun, they could only look to the silhouette with puzzlement clearly adorning their features. She laughed. "Oh, this really is such a quaint town. Looks like Kaede's going to have some fun…"

Yamato and Anko stopped in front of a man at the border to Void. Their teams stopped immediately behind them. The team captains showed the envoy the same hand seals they showed the hawk. The man nodded and opened a satchel at his side. Without a word, he passed out slips of parchment to all shinobi present. He hesitated in front of Hawk.

"We were concluding another mission when we received your messenger hawk." Yamato explained. "She was sent to lead a cell to provide medical attention and protection."

Void's envoy nodded. "You may proceed then." He looked around. "Some of you are wondering what to do with what I handed you." He pulled another slip of parchment out. "We are a safe haven from the shinobi world. If their armies descended upon us, we would stand no chance. However, we have maintained our independence."

Anko chuckled. "If an army does enter Void uninvited, there is an ancient secret ready and waiting to repel them."

The envoy eyed her. "Yes, we minimize our involvement in your wars, and don't think Lightning has taken advantage of our guardians. They have been successfully invaded on several occasions. However, we are not here to discuss history or military secrets." He redirected attention to his parchment slip. "We are safe because the guardians respond to hostility and bloodlust."

The teens shared confused looks. The envoy continued. "The details are unimportant. Needless to say, you would be unable to fight without those passes. For one day, you are free to fight." He paused. "That is, if it becomes necessary."

Yamato nodded. "Of course." He looked past the envoy for a second. He saw the disturbance in the distance. "However, we do need to know the mission details."

The envoy tilted his head in acquiescence. "Follow me. I'll explain on the way." He turned and expected them to follow. Yamato, Anko, and their teams quickly ran into the underbrush after him. The teens were impressed with his speed, but they still progressed slower than they would have liked.

"Several hours before we sent out our messenger hawk…" The envoy broke the silence after a few moments. "…a lone shinobi crossed our border. He showed clear hostility to the nearest village, and the guardians attacked." He paused to let the implications sink in. Entire armies would rather retreat than face the guardians. "It isn't too unusual to see shinobi foolish enough to test their metal. It is unusual to see one last this long."

"So you want us to deal with this problem?" Anko practically cooed.

The envoy did not as much as flinch. "It is a rare case. However, we have requested your assistance." He paused for a moment. "The guardians will not ignore you. They will recognize you as allies and coordinate their attacks with yours. If you want to observe the battlefield before you engage, do so. If you need to retreat and regroup, do so."

"Just what exactly are these guardians?" Kiba spoke up. He did not like the idea of heading into a situation blind. He also disliked the smell drifting in the air. He discerned several, powerful chakra scents ahead, and one smelled fish-like. However, the smell was dissimilar from and pungent compared to Isaribi.

"Kiba!" Yamato scolded.

"No, he only wishes to protect his teammates." The envoy interrupted before he could continue. "They are ancient relics, secrets long lost. The shinobi world has no hope of recreating them, and we have no desire to share them. They are our military edge, and they give those who cannot mold chakra sanctuary." He looked over his shoulder for a moment to eye the teen. "It does not answer your question, but that is all we are willing to share."

Kiba nodded, and the conversation ended. Besides, they were near the combat zone. When the envoy stopped, the shinobi cells leapt into the forest canopy. They could only gawk at the site. The very elements appeared to attack the invader. When one element alighted, a vague, animal-like shape emerged for a fleeting instant.

Yamato turned to Kiba and nodded. He licked his lips and shook his head. He felt at a loss. "Well, they're powerful…" Akamaru whined. "Yeah buddy, I know." He tilted his head to Sasame. "Unfortunately, I don't think we can take our medic's advice. Whoever that guy is, he can back his bravado up and then some."

"He's Kisame." Anko announced; Yamato nodded. She turned to Isaribi. "See if our escort has an imprint." She held up a hand to forestall her question. "Don't worry; he'll know what you're talking about." She turned to the rest of her cell as Isaribi took off. "Sai, I want you to back Hawk and me up. Your arm isn't completely mended yet, and your peripheral vision is shot." She turned to Yamato, inviting him to chime in.

He had less to worry about. Except for him, his team was uninjured. "Sasame, you stay back to treat any injuries. Shino, you'll have to guard her and back Sai up. Kiba, you and Akamaru follow Anko's lead while I shape the terrain to our advantage." He sighed. "Kisame is not going to be an easy opponent, even though we outnumber him. Watch out for his sword and keep moving."

"Kiba, it is wise to keep Yamato-taichou's words in mind." Shino added as he adjusted his glasses. "Why? Naruto told us years ago that the head cleaver Samehada can steal chakra from its wielder's opponents." He focused his eyes on his longtime teammate. "Kisame has a distinct advantage. Why? He may be able to take any stolen chakra for himself."

Anko chuckled. "Okay you brats, you know the situation! Don't let Samehada touch you, or you're in for one rude awakening!" She turned her attention to rustling branches as Isaribi returned. The spy handed a wooden square to her. She took a moment to study it before tossing it to Yamato.

With a worried expression, he guided it back to Isaribi with freshly grown branches. "Our escort will want that back." As he expected, she did not budge. "The guardians take an imprint to attack invaders. The imprint ensures they are at least as strong as whatever group or individual they have to repel. Kisame has already absorbed enough of their chakra to grow stronger than any of them one-on-one."

Kiba snarled. "Then we go down there and bust his skull before he can do that!" Akamaru yowled his approval. He looked to Isaribi and Sasame. He did not want them involved if he could help it.

Yamato sighed, and Anko chipped in. "Oh, we'll make sure to knock him straight into Konoha's best interrogation squad." She smiled widely as she cooed. "We might even soften him up a bit." She almost laughed at the teen's expressions. "First, our escort is expecting the imprint back." Isaribi quickly complied. "Now, you care to lead this dance, or shall I?"

Yamato bowed and indicated Kisame's position. "Please, by my guest." She did not hesitate to charge ahead with Hawk in tow. He tilted his head in their direction. "What are you waiting for, Kiba? You didn't suddenly get cold feet, right?" Kiba nodded with a smirk. He followed after Anko and Hawk with Akamaru. "Shino and Sai, cover would be much appreciated."

Yamato left as Sai pulled out his scroll and ink. Shino looked at him for a moment before holding his arms out. As the first of his hordes left the nests in his body, ink paintings came to life and either scurried along the forest floor or took to the sky. The shinobi of Konoha joined the battle to defend Void from Akatsuki invasion.

Tenten felt her shoulders tense. She wanted to turn around. She wanted to make sure Shion was safe and sound. She could not afford to take the opponent before her lightly! It took several breaths, but she loosened her shoulders and took several steps forward. She tightly gripped her bladed staff and searched for an opening.

Zetsu tilted his head as he observed his opponent. Her knuckles were white from gripping her pole weapon too tightly. "She's obviously distracted." He allowed his attention to focus on Shion for a moment. "Madara-sama might have use for her, and I won't be able to confirm the 'red-haired demon' without her." He knew he had to make a decision, but he felt he would not enjoy it. "If something so infantile is going to distract you, this is going to be a boring fight."

Tenten blinked, not sure she heard him right. She shook her head to clear her soaked bangs from her eyes. "Enough talk! I just need to end this, so I can look after Shion-sama and look for Neji." She was more surprised he had not moved to attack. She knew better than to believe he was defenseless. She saw no openings.

A bolt of lightning struck a nearby tree, splitting and setting it ablaze. Zetsu noticed a small distortion in the air, likely a barrier. Ignoring it for the moment, he waved his white hand dismissively as a spear of vegetation formed from his black hand. "If you want to settle a score, then I won't stop you." Amusement clearly saturated his tone. "You'll die all the more quickly. I just won't be able to enjoy myself if you're distracted."

Tenten licked her lips and tried to study the plant-man's expression. She knew she was not as capable at reading an opponent as Neji, but she was dismayed to find her opponent unreadable. She abandoned the endeavor after a moment and took a hesitant half step back. When he did not react, she took several steps back. When he absorbed his plant spear, she dropped to her knees to inspect Shion. "How is she?"

"I'm fine!" Shion protested before Mizukura could respond. "My bodyguard is overreacting like a schoolboy separated from his mother for the first time!" Rather than recoil angrily, he sighed in relief. She winced in pain and turned her attention to Tenten. "What are you doing?" She argued over the sound of fabric protesting as it was torn at the seams from the shoulder.

Tenten continued to carefully pull cloth from the wound. "I've got to inspect the wound. We don't want it getting infected." She squinted her eyes as she inspected the gash and explained. The daimyo priestess shook her head as the shinobi opened her supply pouch. She pulled out some clean cloth and ointment. The cloth was immediately soaked in the downpour. "It may be wet, but at least it's clean."

She handed the ointment and cloth to Mizukura. "Here, apply this as I prepare some stitches." He nodded and followed her instructions. She noticed Shion watching her as she prepared to stitch the wound. "My family always worried about me. Papa taught me how to patch up battlefield wounds. It's not as good as being treated by a medic, but it's better than bleeding to death or letting a fever take hold."

"I do not concern myself over scars." Shion was happy to see Tenten chuckle, if only minutely. She was certain seeing Neji disappear distressed her to no end. Still, she was confused. "Can you trust him?" When the teenage shinobi looked at her with a raised brow, she elaborated. "Do you really think he'll just continue standing there while you treat me?"

Tenten heaved a sigh and returned to the daimyo priestess' wound. "Oh, I'm sure he realizes that I'm also recovering what little chakra I can." She looked over her shoulder to their adversary for a moment. "It's obvious he's lying, but I don't know what he's deceiving me about." She started stitching the wound when Mizukura backed away.

"He doesn't care that I'm distracted." Tenten continued easily. "If he was, he'd prove Neji's status or bring him back." She winced slightly when Shion moaned in pain. "Sorry, I don't have any anesthetic." She motioned for Mizukura to apply more ointment. She continued when he backed away again. "He's more worried about you."

"Why?" Shion asked confusedly.

Tenten half shrugged as she tightened the stitches. "I dunno, but I doubt it's out of the kindness of his or his master's heart." She breathed a slight sigh of relief as she inspected her work. "They probably have some use for you." She turned to Mizukura after pulling out some cloth wrap. "You can use kekkai jutsu, right?" She carefully started wrapping Shion's upper arm.

He nodded. "I erected one a moment too late." He directed his glower to their assailant. "Still, his unfamiliar jutsu or weapon or whatever it was penetrated my kekkai as if it wasn't even there." He returned his attention to Tenten with a somber expression. "I'm not sure even three layers are enough to slow one of those 'spears'."

She sighed. "All I can really ask is that you do your best…" She was almost done wrapping Shion's wound. Her lip twitched. "Hey, can any of your guards create a genjutsu or make something look like me. I might be able to surprise him and get behind him. At least then it's less likely that a stray 'spear' heads your way."

Shion shook her head and frowned. "I'm afraid such a broad art as genjutsu is not permitted in my court. A few of my guards can permanently change their appearance, but none are present." She paused and bit her lip as Tenten finished and tightened the wrap. "I'm sorry I can't be of any assistance."

"No, it's f…" Tenten flinched as a plant-spear crashed into the mud behind her and tore through hard rock beneath. She stood with her bladed spear, poised and ready. "Keep Shion-sama safe. I'll see what I can do…" She took a step forward and raised her arms level with her chest. "I'm sorry Neji, but I've got to use it." She pulled a scroll halfway out of her sleeve, and she appeared to tilt to one side as she walked forward.

She took a moment to observe her opponent. Zetsu held his plant-spear with some level of uncertainty. She concluded he thought he was simply mentally unprepared for the coming attack. She knew he was underestimating her. He had no reason not to. She did not know if she wanted to scowl in frustration or smirk with confidence. Holding her emotions in check, she stepped forward. As he tensed in preparation, she launched into an attack.

He braced for the attack. "A charging attack? How reckless." He swept his plant-spear outward and prepared to snap it back to her exposed, outstretched neck. He felt the blade at the end of her spear penetrate his side. Feeling no resistance, he looked to his plant-spear, and then his arm. Her bladed spear passed through his arm, but he felt no pain. He jumped back to try observing her.

Tenten did not relent. She pulled her bladed spear back and thrust it forward once more. He barely dodged; a slight gash opened at his side. Pumping chakra into his legs and feet, Zetsu jumped back as far as he could and stay in range. He prepared to throw his plant-spear, aiming for her legs. She flipped her bladed spear over and gripped it with both hands.

He was momentarily distracted by the sound of her scroll splashing in the mud, but they launched their weapons at the same time. Zetsu chuckled when her weapon appeared off course, and he prepared to grow another plant-spear as she dodged to one side while unfurling her scroll. As he took aim, he was shocked to see the bladed spear disappear along one trajectory and appear along another.

He was forced to dodge, dropping an incomplete plant-spear into the mud. He turned a glower to her as it wilted and disintegrated, but his expression turned to surprise when she was nowhere in sight. Before he had a chance to look around, he looked up when he felt no rain falling against his body. His eyes widened at the sight. Internally, the inexplicable sight filled him with fear.

When he dodged, Tenten took advantage of his momentary distraction and launched into the air with the weapon she unsealed from her latest scroll. It was immense in size, and it was likely equally as immense in weight. Zetsu surmised she unsealed it while in midair, and quickly evaporating chakra smoke only served to backup his assessment. Regardless, she shifted her weight and twisted her hips, and the truly massive hammer arched nearly one hundred and eighty degrees to plummet towards its mark.

For a long moment, his body was frozen. He could no more feel his limbs than he could move them. When it felt as if eternity was staring him in the face, he took a breath that felt hot to his suddenly parched throat and leapt into a diving roll to one side. He took several short breaths to calm himself as mud cascaded over his body. His anger felt hot enough to boil his blood.

As he turned around and prepared another plant-spear, Zetsu observed his defenseless opponent. She held tightly to the hammer, but she clearly focused her attention on him. She was calm and unflinching. He liked her attitude, but she drove herself into a situation where she had no hope of winning. However, the hammer was not as deeply buried in the mud as he had expected. Nevertheless, she could not summon further weapons with her hands occupied.

He walked towards her, confident and smug. He was not going to throw his weapon to finish his opponent. He wanted the sensation of eviscerating her himself. He watched her hands for any signs of releasing her latest weapon. She clenched it tightly as if intending to wield it. Standing behind her and ready to strike, he assessed the situation as a final, sarcastic kindness to her. "There's no way you can lift that."

Tenten looked down for a moment. "Yeah, you're right." She lifted her foot for a moment before pushing it into the mud and shifting her weight. She felt some pleasure seeing the dismay flash across Zetsu's face as the hammer first slightly lifted out off the ground. He released a heavy breath in disbelief and half stumbled backwards.

Every muscle in her body tensed as she flipped the hammer's head from vertical to horizontal. She twisted her entire body and brought the entire length of the massive hammer level with her opponent's head. As her ankles rotated to signal the end of her swing and alignment of energies, Zetsu could only see the impossibly large, flat surface a hair's breadth from his face.

"…uto…" A husky, female voice danced across his subconscious. "Na…-kun!" He tried to open his eyes only for bright light to assault his senses. "It's time to wake up kit!" He jolted to an upright sitting position only to regret it. He held his head and clenched his eyes closed as a vicious migraine molested his brain. He felt hot breath as the bijuu he jailed spoke. "You had the pale-eyed vixen worried."

Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose as he watched colors dance across the back of his eyelids. "Okay, I can understand why you call me kit, and I can sorta understand calling Sakura-chan pinky…" He opened his eyes only to see three very blurry Kyuubi no Kitsune swirling and rippling. "Is it really necessary to call Hinata-chan pale-eyed and/or vixen?"

The massive fox shrugged. "Why not?" He opened his mouth to try arguing, but nothing came out. "Besides, that's not really important right now." Her host harrumphed and crossed his arms over his chest with a slight pout. "I think, now, we have enough to take Junichi in."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, but I still hope Sakura-chan and Shikamaru found something." He tried to stand only for his limbs to give and fall flat on his butt. "Ow…" He paused and shook his head. After a moment to collect his thoughts, he looked to the bijuu. "Why do I feel so weak?"

The bijuu heaved a heavy sigh and shook the entire length of her body. He watched as hair and dead skin shed and sank into the mindscape. She took another few moments to collect her thoughts as she scratched the back of her ear. "You know how to give everybody a scare." She stopped scratching and looked down at him. "You still can't properly control my chakra."

The jinchuuriki was taken aback. He stumbled on his words for a moments as he tried to counter her assertion. "Y-You're cooperating with me now." She rolled her neck in some disbelief and opened her mouth, but he interrupted and continued. "I can control your chakra!" He shook his head and searched his memories. "I didn't go feral when I faced Nagato's final Pein, and I got away from my cell here easily enough!"

Kyuubi no Kitsune slammed her paw into the ground and growled commandingly. "Listen!" He stood at attention, silent. "Just because you can control something doesn't mean you know how to control it!" She again itched that stubborn spot behind her ear. Mildly satisfied, she continued. "I was hoping to have some more time to explain the details to you, but it appears that was the point of this mission." She shook her head.

Naruto stood with his mouth agape for several moments. "'…the point…' What do you mean by that?" His words held obvious anger. He paused, feelings of hurt entering his psyche. "Are you saying Kanaeru…?" He paused and clenched his eyes shut. "Are you saying my family knew what was going on here?"

She sighed. "It's a distinct possibility." She shook her head. "No, it's almost certain." She held up a paw to forestall further argument. "You weren't trained by Uzumaki. You don't know the does and don'ts. You just gained control of me or, more importantly, learned of me." She paused to stand. She talked as she paced. "There are a lot of secrets left for you to learn, and I think they felt a need to prepare you."

He watched her and let her words calm him. He felt some relief seeing her anxiety. It reminded him he had family, and she was just as eager to see them. No, she was perhaps more eager. She was also equally confused by their actions, but she was willing to think through and rationalize things. "What are they preparing me for?"

Kyuubi no Kitsune stopped and looked up to the artificial sky of Naruto's mindscape. "All your life, my chakra has only ever flowed into you with rage, hurt, hatred, and other negative emotions." She turned sharply to look him in the eyes. "You fought those emotions. They never sat well with you, and they became perfect gateways to control you through." He took his normal, thoughtful pose.

"I helped you control my chakra. When you faced Pein, I purposely withdrew, so you could use senjutsu. When you wanted to escape, I flooded your mind with memories to elicit positive emotions." She stopped with her mouth half-open. After a moment, she took a deep breath and looked at him sadly. "What were you thinking when those guards talked about selling the child like cattle to the Akatsuki?"

Naruto felt his emotions ready to boil, but he controlled himself and thought for a moment. "I thought of all the bad things that happened in my life." He looked up and contemplated. "I thought of Gaara." He shook his head. "I thought of Kumo kidnapping Hinata-chan just to breed their own Byakugan."

Kyuubi no Kitsune nodded. "Exactly." He looked at her confusedly. She sighed. "You grabbed my chakra because you wanted to hurt those mercenaries. You let your negative emotions take over and influence you, and then you violently mixed my chakra with your own. When you get right to it under those circumstances, my chakra is like a poison then."

Naruto blinked. "Wait, 'poison'?"

She nodded. "Haven't you ever wondered about it?" He scratched his head. "It's chakra. No matter how immense it is, how can it hurt you? You hold it inside all the time, but it only tears your body apart when you summon and use it." Though he looked confused, he nodded. "I am an immortal being composed of chakra and contained within a jinchuuriki. I have to feed off of something."

He shook his head. "You're saying you feed off of emotion, right?" She nodded. "It makes sense." He sighed. "It really does. You're blamed for natural disasters, but they've all happened when there were wars or famine or something." He paused and pushed his forefinger to his lips. "However, wouldn't that mean that I can't control you?" He held up a finger to obviate her response and clarify. "The emotions of people around me, especially my opponents, would influence you and disrupt my control."

She nodded. "I suppose it's a good thing the Uzumaki captured and contained the bijuu then." She shook her head, some humor entering her voice. "That is a story for another time. Needless to say, you're right. You have to constantly watch how you feel, or you might just lose control." She paused and brought her head down to look him eye-to-eye at his level. With a serious tone, she gave a dreaded warning. "I feed off of you, and you choose how to use my chakra."

Naruto took a deep breath. It was a lot of information to digest, but somehow he knew most of it already. No, he had to admit some of it should have been obvious. He never wanted to see the truth. He never wanted to admit the bijuu he contained might not be the vile and evil force he always thought it was. She was different from the expectations he had built up. He did not need to force her down and cage her. He had to get to know her and understand her.

Kyuubi no Kitsune pushed him slightly with her paw. "Now, get out of here kit. Don't worry pale-eyed vixen any more than you have to." He shook his head in disbelief. As he turned to walk away, he rolled his eyes. As he faded into a tunnel of light, he waved. The bijuu chuckled. "See you later kit." She looked up and wondered just what her human family was up to.

Naruto woke up to see Hinata leaning over him, tucking a tuft of hair behind her ear. She smiled and blushed lightly as she stood and offered her hand. He accepted and was soon standing. He looked around the room to appraise the situation. Kyuubi no Kitsune explained what was not immediately apparent, and Hinata filled him in on more mission details.

Junichi was a pragmatic man, an old dog set in his ways. While Naruto was isolated and chained, he was a special case. Their target stored the child in a well-used, large room. The room contained dozens of cages, each capable of holding dozens of prisoners. More importantly, it contained scores of filing cabinets storing every record from his less than savory business.

Of course, Hinata helped herself to the extensive library of evidence. While Naruto was captive, she read through any records she could, and stored everything inside scrolls. They had everything they needed to present an airtight case to the courts of Old Tree. There were only a few concerns left. They had to meet up with Sakura and Shikamaru, capture Junichi, and escort him to a waiting jail cell.

Naruto did not like Junichi, but he was confident he could stop himself from tearing the old man apart. He was a leech on society who thought nothing of selling a small child to Akatsuki. Even if the child was the son of powerful shinobi, one of which was a former jinchuuriki, it was still unfathomable. One thought gave Naruto solice. Junichi was going to spend a very, very long time in a dank, dark cell.

They approached the door once they were prepared. Naruto created a Kage Bushin to carry the child, and Hinata rested her ear against the door to listen for approaching guards. When she determined that the coast was clear, Naruto sliced the door hinges with a thin, well-placed Kazeken. They looked into the hallway just in case any mercenaries heard the jutsu.

Without a word, Hinata slipped into the hallway and led the way. Naruto's Kage Bushin took center position, so Naruto and Hinata could easily defend the child it carried. They flitted through the caverns easily and quickly. They were almost to Junichi's office when they sprung a trap. Hinata barely saw it with her Byakugan, and a massive wall made of interlocking electricity forced the teenage shinobi to skid to a halt.

As they looked around, the ground on the other side of the barrier wavered. From the ground, Fugui emerged wearing an insidious smirk. He quickly ran through hand seals to erect a similar barrier behind his captives. "Oh-ho, well if it isn't a little Hyuuga so far from home." He ignored their dangerous glowers. "Well, it appears Yorukage's information was wrong. I see no Sharingan Kakashi."

The teenage shinobi looked at each other for a moment, and Naruto smiled. Hinata closed her eyes as she held back a small giggle. He raised his arms, interlocked his fingers, and rested his head comfortably. "Eh, we don't need his help for small fry like you." When clear anger flashed across their captor's face, Naruto swept his arms forward and set up hand seals.

Hinata fell back defensively to protect the Kage Bushin and child. Fugui fumbled in confusion, but he successfully cast his shorter jutsu to make the electric walls rapidly collapse to his prisoners. However, Naruto was more than prepared. "Fuuton: Kazeken!" He knew Fuuton trumped Raiton, so he simply cut his arms across his chest in either direction.

Naruto's Kazeken enveloped the walls of electricity to either the front and back. Fugui took a half-step back in fear. He was not a jonin for his power. He was a jonin for his wit and ability to teach the next generation. He watched helplessly as his jutsu collapsed and combined with the jinchuuriki of Konoha's jutsu. It pulled wildly, but the young shinobi confidently directed the pooled forces.

As wind and lightning crashed into him, Fugui tried to hastily construct an armor of Doton. The combined jutsu slammed him into and through the thin, cavern wall. Junichi, Miyagi, and Aina looked up in surprise. As Fugui stood with a groan, Naruto and Hinata entered. Behind them, the Kage Bushin remained with the child.

Junichi stepped up. His confidence was obvious as he stood beside the still recovering Fugui. "It appears my guests are uncomfortable with their accommodations." He paused to look at the freed child. He heaved a heavy sigh. "I suppose distasteful acts catch up at some point, but a hefty paycheck from Akatsuki tends to mollify any frail sense of morality."

Naruto felt his rage flare, but he caught himself before doing anything rash. "What sense of morality?" Their target tilted his head and cast a non-apologetic gaze. "You think you can just barter and trade somebody's child like some cattle or linen cloth?"

"Why not!" Fugui spat. He did not question the action. To him, it was the only right thing to do. "The child of a monster is still just a monster! It's some beast to be bartered and traded just like cattle!" He flew backwards, face nearly smashed in. Naruto stood where he once did, and he groaned as he slid off the wall.

"I wasn't speaking to you!" He was completely in control. His appearance was normal. Nothing of the Kyuubi no Kitsune overtook his countenance. He returned his gaze to Junichi. He had to admit a certain admiration for the old businessman. He never flinched and regarded his fallen ally with only a passing glance. "I was asking you."

Junichi removed dust from his arm and shoulder. "Fugui-san, I told you it was dangerous to trifle with shinobi unprepared. You should know better, but I suppose the arrogant truly fall before pride." He returned his attention to Naruto. "Unlike Gato-sempai, I have a great deal of respect for you shinobi. Even the youngest and lowest ranked are like living weapons."

He turned and slowly walked to Miyagi and Aina. "As I said, distasteful things sometimes catch up at some point." He paused when he stood next to his hired shinobi. "I never liked trading children, but they were safer under my care than my less scrupulous competition." He looked over his shoulder. "Unlike others, I scrutinized my clientele to ensure the best, possible owners." He sighed. "In the end, I suppose even my 'moral high ground' was nothing but thin ice to the prospect of money."

Naruto took a step forward, and Junichi signaled to Miyagi and Aina. "Yorukage, please deal with my retirement fund. I do require them alive."

Miyagi sighed. "Naruto, you are just too troublesome." Junichi looked at the rogues he hired curiously.

The reason this chapter took so long is mostly researching Moegi and Udon, besides what I mentioned above. I honestly had the fight scene nicely outlined, but I drew a blank when I started imagining their reactions. I spent entirely too long going through every single manga and anime chapter they appeared in only to come up with zilch. In the end, I just constructed their fighting syltes from the ground up.

I must note that I absolutely hate having to build fighting styles for characters that already exist in the cannon universe from the ground up. I'm looking at you Moegi and Udon! Anyway, I'll reveal where my inspiration came from. Moegi is pretty much a direct rip off from a fairly new character Claymore. Udon is primarily a composite from Ranma ½. Though, he'll employ an originally concocted jutsu in the coming chapters. Do enjoy!

The next chapter shouldn't take nearly as long. In fact, I plan to release it and the next chapter of Fate, Alchemy, and Bridges before June 30. Of this year. 2011.

As always, reviews are appreciated, and flames outright ignored.

Story Word Count: 8,016
Story Page Count: 14

Terms:

none