Chapter 28- Team Higurashi Departs and A Mystic Goes Missing!
Border of the Fire Nation…
After the early morning events and trying to explain who Naraku was Kagome was pretty tired and pushed everyone out of the room before questions could bombard her again. Kagome had tried to go to sleep but had been unable to. Not just because of the hour of departure was arriving, but the constant image of Naraku in the back of her mind. She shook her head and tried to think on what the village was doing at the moment, soon she fell asleep.
Meanwhile…
Serikuna had realized, even with her white gloves on, that the tea had gotten cold. She looked up to see the Hokage had nodded off with saliva coming out of his mouth and giggled. She grabbed both of their cups, his empty, and put them in the sink. She turned around and almost laughed when she heard him snore. She walked up to him and picked him up bridal style. "You know…for an old man you weigh a lot…hmm, probably all that damn ramen that Uzumaki kid makes you eat." She carried the former Hokage to his bedroom and tucked him in. The room was almost bare besides the queen sized bed and the two drawers on either side. Serikuna walked out of the house and locked the door behind her with a flick of her wrist. "Pays to be a Mystic…" Serikuna smiled as she walked towards no place in particular. The night sky was adorned with stars of different shapes and colors and Serikuna stared up in awe at them as her legs kept moving by themselves. She smiled at what had happened since that night. She trained under Karakuto, became a Mystic and was given immortality. Mystics that were not born a Mystic, Karakuto had told her, are given immortality for the powers they posses. She didn't mind and was actually glad that she didn't have to worry about growing old. A Mystic never gets older in appearance, their just born the way The Kami intend. Serikuna was glad that she was not only not going to grow old but the fact that she had an eternity to help others and help her try and come to terms of what had happened in her past. She dearly missed her friends; Lexi, Sam, and the General would all probably miss her the most. Serikuna smiled sadly and almost shed a tear when she remembered them and pushed their faces out of her thoughts. "I can't…I won't cry. Their safe, I saw to that." Serikuna told herself sternly as she continued to walk in the night. She had checked on them now and then. Lexi was now the top general in the Unified States and Sam was a scientist for the Freedom Fighters, now named the Peace Keepers. The General, which had not surprised Serikuna, was chosen to be the co-leader of the Unified States of what used to be Magna and the Federation along with the general of the PFF of Magna, his wife no less. The streets were empty and a few lights hung here and there. Serikuna looked at the pavement and tried to focus on a single thought. "Why had Karakuto teleported her to this universe and not himself?" Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard water nearby. She looked up to see the lake her friends and villagers had eaten ramen all that time ago. She smiled as she saw the same ramen stand across the lake. Serikuna got on the railing and stood on it as she felt the morning wind blow in her mask and into her face from the east, her white hair moving a bit. She looked down at her reflection and smiled sadly. A girl of 18 years of age stared back at her. Violet hair waved just like hers and violet eyes stared back at her silver ones. She wore a Federation uniform and scarf to go along with it. She held a rapier in her left hand and a sidearm in the other. When Serikuna was given her Mystic Robes and mask she had placed her items in a special chest. The chest was inaccessible to anyone without her blood. She had kept the chest with her at all times and was now in her room under a secret compartment in the castle. The only time she ever used her real weapon, her Mystical Rapier, was in the Kami's domain a few hours ago. She hid the weapon in a place somewhere that no one could or dared reach. She had hidden the blade in Alexander's grave, where he held onto it until she had needed it. She watched as her reflection disappeared and a dark object beneath the water caught her attention. She back flipped off the railing when she noticed the object was getting larger, which meant it was getting closer. She calmed down when she realized that it was just a fish jumping out of the water to get an insect and gave a breath of relief. She scolded herself for being so jumpy and walked towards the railing again. She reached behind her back and produced a small bag when she leaned against the railing. She always thought the idea of a belt that could produce anything she thought of was a brilliant idea. She smiled as all the fish started to get closer to her. "How do you know what I have in here, you don't have noses!...Do you?" Serikuna giggled and watched as the fish looked up at her through the water, their heads poking out of the water and gills just underneath the water top in order to breathe. "Alright…here." Serikuna pulled the string on the bag and removed her glove before she reached into the bag. She placed her glove across her other arm before she reached into the bag. After a few seconds Serikuna produced what looked like crumbs from the bag and threw them out into the lake. Serikuna smiled as she looked at some of the fish try and jump for the crumbs, one even doing a back flip in the process. Serikuna clapped her hands. "10 out of 10 buddy! That was awesome!" Serikuna praised the fish as she threw a couple more crumbs into the lake and tied the string on the bag again and put it where she retrieved it from. She leaned across the railing and dipped her hand in the water, trying to clean it. When she pulled her hand out, she laughed when she saw a small fish on each of her fingers and almost fell over the railing. She dipped the fish back in the water and watched as they went after any other crumbs on the surface of the lake. Serikuna put on her glove again and walked along the lake. She reached the ramen stand and looked inside to see it was open but no one at the counter. "That's strange…" Serikuna muttered as she looked around the stand for a note of some kind that would tell her the owners were taking a break or something. She looked over the counter and gasped when she saw the stand owner on the ground with blood along his arm and on the ground around him. Serikuna jumped over the counter and looked at the man's wounds. "Its not as bad as it looks missy…" she heard the man say. Serikuna picked up the man and leaned him on the nearby wall. It would have been amusing to see Serikuna swat the man's hand away every time he tried to remove her gloved hands from his wound had it not been for the blood and all. "Look at your gloves…the blood will be hard to get off you know that right? Especially since its white." The stand owner commented, Serikuna just shook her head and continued to check his wound. When Serikuna was done she looked up at the man through her mask.
"Who did this to you sir?" the man grumbled and muttered something under his breath. "Can you say that again, a little louder this time please?" Serikuna asked. "A bunch of thugs, that's who! They came into my stand before I closed and were about to leave with this rare gem some people gave us as payment when I told them to give it back. They came back but they didn't give the gem back. They just beat me up and took what I had collected for today. I don't really care about the money, and the gem is more of a memento than a payment; I'm more concerned with Ayame. I sent her to get some ingredients for tomorrow morning and she has yet to return. I'm worried those men might have taken her!" Serikuna grew angry at that. She was all too familiar with such tactics of the power hungry, be it man, woman, or beast. "It is alright. I'll go after these men and bring her back, along with what they took. Any ideas as to where they were headed?" the old man pointed towards the village gate. "They headed that way a couple hours ago. I find it strange that the gate guards didn't stop them when I called out. Can you check on them for me please?" Serikuna nodded and sent a telepathic message to any nearby Nin of an assault, robbery, and possible kidnapping. Serikuna felt the questions come back, mostly how or who was talking to them but shrugged them off and gave them the location of the stand as she jumped over the stand again and ran towards the gate. Near the gate she found a sandal, too small to be a man's and too large to be a child's. Serikuna picked up the sandal and placed it behind her on her belt and stood up. She jogged the last couple steps up to the gate and looked to the sides. "No guards…" She said to herself as she continued to look around the entrance of the gate and followed a path of blood to some bushes. Serikuna followed the trail to two men, one unmoving and the other almost unconscious from what she thought was blood loss. She heard their labored breathing and ran up to the two when the semi-conscious soldier pulled up a spear. "Stop where you are!" Serikuna walked up to the man but he held the spear firmly. Serikuna thought it might have been a good idea to just knock out the man but the process might have her or even the man hurt in the end. "I'm friendly…My name is Serikuna Aneway, I'm not with the village but-." Serikuna said with her palms up in a submissive way. She yelped and ducked when she saw the spear thrown at her head. She rolled up to the man and held his hands on his sides before he was able to reach for another weapon. The man resisted for a few seconds and managed to punch her in the face. Serikuna wasn't fazed in the least as she kept trying to get the young man still. He finally stopped moving when he realized Serikuna was not going to loosen her grip and surrendered with a huff. "Look…just make it painless okay?" Serikuna grinned at the young boy and thumped him in the head with her gloved index finger. He stared up at her with confusion clear on his face. "If I were going to hurt you I would make it as painful as I can. But I'm not here to hurt you so just calm down alright?" Serikuna said in a calming light tone. The young man relaxed a bit and Serikuna removed her hands from the man's arms. "Now let me just-" before Serikuna finished she saw something that caught her eye. The two men wore similar tattoos in the form of a hawk with its talons reaching for something that looked like a snake. The man in front of her hesitated for a second and his not so unconscious friend yelled. "Now!" Serikuna heard some brush move behind her and before she fully turned around she felt something hit her hard against the side of the face and fell to the ground unconscious. The mask cracked but kept its function of concealment. The 'unconscious' man stood up and smiled evilly down at Serikuna as five other shapes appeared around Serikuna's fallen body. One of the men held a large piece of wood, some blood on it from the latest act. "Take the girl and let's get out of here before the guards gets here." One of the men stated. The one that had been talking to Serikuna had a regretful look in his face as he picked up the young woman in his arms. He started to follow the others when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see the other man that had taken the guard uniform. He felt a sharp object placed behind his back, near his heart. "That's the second time you've done that Kid. First with the gate guards and now this wench. I'm starting to think you're not cut out for this kind of work." The man said as he pressed the knife a little harder on the 'Kid's' back. "I can handle it. It's just I thought we were only to get money not..." He motioned to the guards and the woman in his arms. The other man smirked. "Because you're new I'll let that stupid act slide. WE take what we want and keep what we want. Taking things and selling them to the highest bidder is what we do. Killing people in the way are just obstacles that need to be moved. We killed those guards because they are in the way of money and now that you're holding our next pay I suggest you keep moving and your mouth shut." The man hissed. Kid stared at the man in disdain but kept moving. "Oh, and Kid," Kid turned around and saw the knife fly past him. He felt blood trickle down his left cheek and started to shake in fear. "You ever do something like that again and I'll gut you like a fish like I did them…" the man whispered as he nudged his chin towards the two hidden human shapes in the nearby brush. Kid gulped and nodded. The man smirked and brushed past him and retrieved his knife from a tree. Kid turned around and watched as the man jogged off after the others. He looked at the two dead soldiers and then at the masked woman in his arms. He shook his head and walked into the forest.
Sometime later…
A large group of Nin had gathered around the Ramen Stand and had searched the area for any clues. A group of villagers had assembled to watch the spectacle. A large man stared at everything with a critical watch. Ibiki Morino looked at the ANBU that had appeared in front of him. "Report." Ibiki said in a deep voice. "Two gate guards were found nearby with uniform and weapons missing…K.I.A…Their families have been informed. The stand owner has been taken to the nearby hospital and stated that a female ANBU had helped him and is searching for his daughter, Ayame, which is missing. Nothing else has been found sir." Ibiki scratched his chin. "Does anyone know who this female ANBU is or if anyone was out on patrol yesterday?" The ANBU shook his head. "No sir. All members are accounted for and no one has a clue who she is." Ibiki cursed and was about to nod the man away when someone cleared their throat. The two looked behind Ibiki and dropped to one knee as fast as they could. Tsunade and the former Hokage stood looking at the scene. "I may know who that is Master Interrogator Morino." Sarutobi stated. "Sir?" Ibiki asked. Sarutobi moved the pipe in his mouth left to right. "The person you're looking for is the Mystic Serikuna Aneway. I know this because she was at my home yesterday." Tsunade face palmed, the ANBU choked, and Ibiki tried to conceal a smirk with a fake cough. Sarutobi looked at all three and blushed when he caught his choice of words. "It wasn't like that you perverted brats…She told me that she was teleported to our world by her brother, Karakuto Karyo, to come and help us again. Unfortunately her ability to see the future and the Mystic ability for her and Karakuto to travel through time has ceased. Apparently at the current time her visions are blocked by an unknown force that brings her pain whenever she tries to see. Because they can no longer see into the future, the Mystics will not be able to warn us of another attack on the village." Sarutobi turned around and began to walk away. "Sir?! She might be a Mystic and all but shouldn't we send out teams to search for the two women, especially this Aneway if she is so important?" the ANBU stated. Sarutobi turned around and saw Ibiki look at the ANBU angrily. "Just incase she can't handle herself, sir?" the ANBU asked nervously. Sarutobi smirked. "I'm more worried with those that had the unluckiness to cross her. She can handle herself well, but just incase send teams to search for Ayame and her. This could turn up to be larger than we think…" He turned to Tsunade and smiled when he saw her waiting gaze. "If that is alright with you Madame Hokage?" Tsunade smirked and nodded. "Right away ma'am!" Ibiki and the ANBU disappeared. Sarutobi smiled and walked away from the scene. "Old man! Are you sure she can handle herself?" Sarutobi grinned at Tsunade's words. "She certainly can…according to history." Sarutobi stated. Tsunade walked alongside him. "What do you mean?" They went through the checkpoint and started to head towards the Hokage tower. "I'll show you and you can read the rest on your own time…" Sarutobi stated as they walked towards their destination.
8:32 A.M. Land of Fire Border…
Kagome walked out of the building that was being used as their sleeping quarters. She covered her eyes with her gloved hand when the glare of the morning sun shined brightly against them. She looked around and saw people were still in abundance. "Must get really crowded at times…" Kagome said to herself. "Noisy too." Someone said behind her and made her jump. Kagome looked behind her to see a tall man in his mid twenties wearing white armor holding his helmet at his side. His face was handsome; catching many eyes, brown short hair that went in different directions complimented his face as well. His eyes were the real attention grabbers though. Sea green eyes were looking at the people as well with Kagome. Kagome smiled at Captain Kasiyama. "Good morning captain. How was your night?" the captain looked at Kagome and smiled. "Well, it went relatively well. Except for one incident where I heard some commotion earlier today. You have any clue to what that was about?" the captain smirked as Kagome blushed and turned again to look at the townsfolk. Both of them turned to someone groaning and walking out. Rin walked out in her black ANBU armor with her mask on the left side of her head. Rin used one of her hands to wipe her eyes as she started to head out of the hotel. She looked at the captain and Kagome and smiled. "Hey kiddo, how was your sleep?" Kagome asked. Rin placed her fingerless gloved hand to Kagome's mouth, held a hand to her head and shook it slightly. "Don't call me that…Mother." Kagome stared blankly at Rin and Rin did the same. "How about you just call me Rin or honey. Anything else would make me puke in embarrassment." Kagome smirked behind Rin's hand and removed it. "Fine and only if you call me Kagome or mom. Anything else makes me feel old." The two laughed. They calmed down a bit and heard someone cough to catch their attention. They turned to see the Captain with a confused look. "Yes captain?" The two asked in unison. The captain looked at the two women and then opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again. Finally after a few seconds of looking like a fish out of water, speech had returned to him. "How…Are you her mother?" The captain asked as he pointed at the two questioningly. "Yes captain. Rin is my ōkami oni daughter." Kagome said. The captain looked at the two strangely, not in a bad way but in a 'your kidding' way. "Rin, would you mind?" Kagome asked as she pointed to the captain. Rin nodded and turned into her demon form. Rin kept most of her human features. The only things that changed were her ears, teeth, and a growth of ten tails. Her ears were no longer on the side of her head but on top of her head. The color of them was black and a rosy color in the inside. Her teeth grew into sharp fangs that could be seen with a glint of the sun or when she opened her mouth. Her jet black tails with blood red tips swished left and right playfully as she stared at the captain waiting for a reaction. The captain stared dumbly at her and then looked at Kagome waiting for an answer. "I adopted her Captain. But she's as close as kin. If it's her or five hundred people I'll pick Rin every time." Kagome said as she smiled and walked off into the town, Rin following behind. "He took it a little better than most. I'd say he didn't expect it but he didn't fully accept it either." Rin said as she turned back into her human form. The ANBU mask on the side of her head made a clinking noise whenever it tapped her head lightly as the two kept walking. "Not many people will accept it at first. This universe is a bit untrusting of oni, even if they mean no harm. Naruto has the same problem." Kagome stated as they turned into the market. "Naruto? He has oni blood?" Rin asked surprised. Kagome looked at her strangely. "You didn't know? Naruto has a kitsune demon inside him. The Nine Tails Fox…it's a very powerful being that could destroy the very ground we walk on and heal Naruto's wounds almost instantly. But all that power and great prowess has caused Naruto to become an outcast. For most of his life he's been treated worse than a stray with rabies, maybe even worse than a plague. He has been constantly shunned and kept away from other people because of the demon. He almost died once when a group of villagers had gotten out of hand when he was a boy." Kagome was stopped when Rin held an arm out in front of her. Kagome looked at Rin and saw the anger in her eyes. "How the hell could they do that?! He was just a kid! It's not like it was his fault that the demon is inside him! He deserves better than that." Kagome could see that the subject was pulling somewhere deep inside Rin. Kagome smiled. Rin cared for Naruto. Kagome grabbed Rin's hand and held it with both of hers. Rin, somewhat, calmed down. "Blood is thicker than water Rin. Naruto understands that and even though he has no real family he has us. He has only known hardship but we're his beacon in the dark world. He would do whatever is in his power, and even perhaps more than that, to keep our bond intact. He doesn't care about what has happened in the past, he cares for the future. That and ramen and being Hokage." Kagome watched as the corners of Rin's mouth went up a bit in a smile. "Now let's go get some breakfast! I'm starving!" Kagome grinned at Rin and squeezed her hand. "Yeah…Yeah sure, let's go get some food." Rin said as she squeezed back. The two of them walked around the market and found an almost strange sight. "Is that a…?" Rin started. Kagome grinned. "Yup, that's an Iruka Ramen Stand." Both women felt a gust of wind pass them. "What the hell?" Kagome stated as she saw dirt fly this way and that heading towards the stand. "Is that…?" Kagome asked. Rin smiled widely and dragged Kagome towards the stand. "Yup, it's him! Let's go!" The two reached the stand just when their favorite knucklehead started to order his meal. Both of them sat on each side of him. "You might have a better nose than I thought Naruto." Rin smiled at the blonde. "More like a six sense for ramen…" Kagome stated under her breath. The three started to eat their food when it had arrived. The three started conversations and stayed at the ramen stand for quite awhile after eating. Before Naruto was able to finish his conversation though, Kagome saw something that made her blood turn into ice. Some distance from them was a dark figure looking straight at her. There was a dark and evil aura surrounding it and it just screamed of death. She was startled when she heard a familiar voice. "Die…" Kagome tried to think where she had heard that voice before but couldn't place it. There were many people walking in the way but the figure stood out like a soar thumb. "Kagome? You alright?" Kagome turned to see Naruto and Rin with worry clear on their face. Kagome looked back at were the figure was and saw it was no longer there. "Yeah…yeah I'm fine. It's just morning daze or something." Kagome said and smiled weakly at them. "You sure? Your look says something else." Rin said as she looked at her adoptive mother with worry. Kagome just shook her head and smiled at the two. "I'm fine really. We should get back to the hotel. Our friends are probably waiting for us already." Kagome said as she got up and went to the stand owner to pay for their food.
Kagome walked behind Rin and Naruto, who were engrossed in a conversation about some genjutsu or the like while she nervously kept looking behind her and around them. Her nerves were elevated when the group walked past alleyways and small streets as a dark figure kept appearing every time she looked. She shut the world off and closed her eyes. She reopened them when she heard the same familiar voice that she could not place. "Kagome..." Kagome screamed and turned on the saber with a flick of her wrist. People around her, including Rin and Naruto, stared at her in fear. Kagome looked around her like a feral beast searching for its pray. She found it when she saw the figure walking away and into an alley. She gave chase and pushed and shoved people out of her way, Naruto and Rin hot on her heels. For about half an hour Kagome and the figure had been running around the whole place, Rin and Naruto nowhere to be seen. Kagome saw the figure turn another corner and ran as fast as she could.
Kagome turned the corner into the alley and saw the figure standing at the end, their back to her and looking at the wall that made up the border. Kagome held out the saber and tried to calm her breathing as she stared at the mysterious figure. "Why are you following me?! What do you want?!" Kagome yelled when she finally got her breathing back to normal. She heard the figure chuckle darkly.
"Following you? You're following me…" Kagome grew angrier. "Enough games! What do you want?!" Kagome could feel the man smile darkly even though she could not see him. "What I want? I don't want anything right now Kagome." The figure said. Kagome shook her head. "How do you know my name? Who are you?!" The figure laughed evilly. "Have you forgotten me that quickly Higurashi?" Kagome stared at the figure as it started to turn around. "It's only been a few years hasn't it?" Kagome started to shake as the man walked up to her. The man now stood before Kagome, the saber between them. He lifted his hand and placed it on her neck, Kagome too scared to move as he moved his other hand towards her hand with the saber. Kagome felt the hand start to tighten around her throat and started to fight back, kicking and trying to pull the hand off her throat. The man lifted her up and held her up in the air, bringing her face to his. The saber on Kagome's arm shown brightly between his and her face, moving slightly as she tried to get the hand off her throat. "It's me…" The man said as he squeezed even tighter. Kagome started to see spots in her sight and tasted blood in her mouth as it started to drip out of the corners of her mouth. Even with the air leaving her she was able to mutter out a name that she even felt goose bumps go through her body. "Naraku?" The man smirked and shook his head. "Naraku was my weak father, I'm the one who killed you and your family…I'm Hakudoshi." Kagome heard an audible snap and felt her body go numb. The world slowed down, minutes feeling like hours. She felt the man that looked like Naraku let her go and felt herself fall slowly to the ground. Her vision darkened as she looked up at the man. "Looks like we didn't need him after all..." The world turned dark.
? P.O.V.
The universe was different. The world was different. I…was different. Something was missing, but I couldn't place it just yet…
Normal P.O.V.
Machines and monitors beeped nearby alerting one of the technicians. Of all the figures moving in the large lab, one stood out the most. Orochimaru stood in front of the large water-filled container and smiled sinisterly. "What's Subject Zero's status?" Orochimaru asked as he kept staring at the person in the container. "Subject Zero is at optimal capacity. He has had a…small hiccup of sorts though." Orochimaru's smile fell. "What sort of 'hiccup', professor?" Orochimaru spat. The professor looked at Orochimaru fearfully. "Subject Zero's body has tried to reject the new additions we've placed on it but through constant medication and suppressors, we've been able to make his body not only accept the changes but enhance them. It is predicted that within the week he will be field ready." Orochimaru's smile had returned. "He is not needed anymore…" someone said behind them. Orochimaru turned his head around. "Hakudoshi…What the hell do you mean?" Orochimaru questioned angrily. Hakudoshi smirked and raised his hands up. "The problem has been taken care of. The final stage of the plan can now commence without obstructions…" Orochimaru stared at Hakudoshi skeptically. "Are you saying what I think your saying? How? When?!" Orochimaru asked with increasing excitement. Hakudoshi grinned evilly. "As of today Kagome Higurashi is no longer a problem…she is dead. I personally crushed her neck and watched the life leave her body." A bang was heard nearby, followed by monitors and machines lighting up. "What the hell was that?" Orochimaru asked as he searched for the source of the noise. "Sir…?" one of the professors began as he pointed at the container. Orochimaru and Hakudoshi looked at the container…a large crack on the front of the container and a single red eye staring at them with malevolence.
? P.O.V.
It was strange. I've heard the voices before but couldn't place them either. My mind kept playing the guessing game when the name of someone was said nearby. But the feeling of curiosity was immediately turned into the feeling of complete and utter anger for a strange and unknown reason when the same voice that said the name said that she was dead. A fire burned within me as I opened my eyes to see the world. I saw the large crack that I had created just with my feeling of anger alone. And then I saw the people in the room…
Normal P.O.V.
"Subject Zero's signatures are off the charts!" A scientist stated from his station. "His power levels and heart rate are increasing! At this rate he would be able to destroy the entire facility! We have to shut it down!" Another yelled through all the commotion. Orochimaru turned when he notice Hakudoshi was no longer in the area and a door was ajar. Orochimaru went into the room and closed the door behind him. "Your positive the blast would be contained by this?" Hakudoshi looked skeptically at the container they were in. "You doubt me? I guess we'll just wait and see." Orochimaru countered. "I'm surprised he woke up from the sedatives so quickly though. Something must be wrong…" Orochimaru added. Naraku laughed. "You don't think it has to do with what we did to him?" Orochimaru stared angrily at Naraku but before he could say a comeback the room they were in was flooded by light.
Hokage Tower, Konoha 8:56 a.m.…
"So what's this thing you wanted to show me old man?" Tsunade and Sarutobi walked into the Hokage's room, Sarutobi leading. Sarutobi shook his head and looked around the office. He motioned for her to sit down and grabbed a book from a book case once he found it. "Do you know why we have books Tsunade?" Tsunade shook her head. "To burn when we are cold?" Sarutobi stared at her blankly. "To record history, to let the next generations know what happened in the past, and to improve on ideas that may not have been so great." Sarutobi said as he sat across Tsunade and placed the book in front of her. "What the hell is this?" Tsunade asked as she picked up the book. A tiger, wolf, and snake were embroidered on the cover. The design was worn and the title was unreadable. Even if it was readable, it was in an unknown and dead language. But strangely enough Tsunade was able to read the text inside, as if the book knew the reader's language. "That is the accounts of thousands of eye witnesses throughout history of 'Kami Messengers' or Mystics as we know them. Most of the book is filled with little information about their backgrounds, physical appearance, and powers. But others can tell us what we need to know." Sarutobi said. Tsunade opened the book. The first few pages contained superstitious myths and information of where the witnesses believed the Mystics came from. Next was the accounts themselves but was stated before hand that the accounts were not 100% accepted. The accounts varied from people reporting seeing large animals to human figures in strange armor. The large animals were sometimes denounced as strange occurrences in nature or a completely different animal all together. But there were the accounts that stated that each animal had an increase in intelligence, strength, and docile or complete lack of hostility against humans and actually helped them when in need. Tsunade thought it was strange but not hard to disprove. Until she came up to the animals that were seen; large bears, tigers, snakes, and even whales and giant birds that could easily overpower a human were reported to have helped people against other people, natural disasters, and demons. The accounts just got stranger as the subject started to talk about the strange armor wearing soldiers, healers, or mercenaries. The accounts were also not widely accepted because of the increase of technology and population. The armors differed widely and not one was the same. Tsunade looked up from the book and looked at Sarutobi. Sarutobi just motioned her to continue. Tsunade shook her head and kept reading. She flipped the page and looked in surprise at the painting of what a witness thought she saw was a Mystic. She kept turning the pages and saw more and more paintings and drawings of what others thought were mystical beings with immense power, strength, and intelligence that were messengers of the spirits of loved ones and the higher powers. Tsunade was reaching the middle of the book when she came up to the 'Believed powers and curses'. Tsunade read through the pages with great interest and her eyes widen at a certain point. "Have you read the book with a critical eye Sarutobi? There's this section that states when a Mystic dies…the area were they die is completely destroyed." Tsunade looked at Sarutobi, who just nodded. "A Mystic's death is destructive, yes, but they are considered more helpful than evil." Tsunade just shook her head. "If one died here in the village…" Sarutobi shook his head. "They aren't stupid Tsunade. They know ahead of time before one dies and try to save as many people as they can, or die somewhere secluded. That's why most Mystics died of old age; they didn't wish such burden on the living." Tsunade just kept reading, still skeptical. 'Most seen and acknowledged accounts' of certain beings thought to be Mystics. She turned the page to see a green tiger with silver stripes in front of a tall figure in silver and green robes. The figure held a large sword in front of him. Tsunade was reminded of a father figure. An attractive man that looked like he was in his mid-30's, green striking eyes, white hair that reached his lower back, and a distinctive scar on his face looked back at Tsunade. "Karakuto Karyo, the fierce and loyal Mystic. Believed to be the current leader of the Mystics. He is thought to have been the first Mystic to make other humans Half-Blooded Mystics. He is also the last of the Full-Blooded Mystics and the last known Mystic known to be able to turn humans into Mystics. Many see him as a father figure or protector." Tsunade turned the page to see a young woman, her face hidden from view, unlike the other painting. The animal this time was a white snake with blue eyes and was coiled around the feminine figure, most of its body being held on her neck and arms. The figure had a pure white robe with sky blue designs, her hair a similar way. "The cunning and always mysterious Half-Blooded Mystic Serikuna Aneway. Karakuto's first transformed human. "She goes by many names; The White Rose, Striking Viper, and more. One name that did catch my eye that she went by was The Angel of Death. She is believed to have 'purged' thousands of corrupt and evil beings with extreme prejudice. Over time her intolerance of the corrupt has decreased and is believed to think before acting. Her ability to blend in her surroundings and use her silver-tongue to get what she needs has helped her survive longer than all the other Half-Bloods. Like Karakuto, not much is known about them except they appear throughout history at different intervals and at times of crisis. I think you've notice that her depiction has no face? That is because no one alive has been able to see her face. That or they didn't get the chance." Tsunade felt a chill go down her spine. "Remind me to stay away from her if she has no mask on." Sarutobi smiled and watched intently as Serikuna turned the page once again and reached the final part of the current section, a large amount of the book still unread. The next page was of a sketch not a painting. The picture contained a black wolf with red eyes and an unfinished sketch of a young man in black and red robes. His face was also hidden from view. Tsunade was more intrigued at the weapon the man held on his arm though. It was pure gold in color, a purple orb of some kind on the middle, a blue energy emanated from the top of the weapon. "The outcast and confident Gakuto Minamoto. Like all mystics not much is known about him, but incredibly, less is known about him, as if he disappeared for a large portion of time. He is stubborn, bold, and some may even say stupid and selfish for thinking of others before himself. He willingly puts his life in danger hundreds of times, even if the person he is trying to save can save themselves. His weapon is, at the moment in the care of Kagome Higurashi. It is unique not just because it does not use metal as a killing material but it uses the Sun's sunlight to grow in strength. It is all pure speculation but since the weapon is named the Sun Gauntlet, the speculation holds. He is thought to have mysteriously died a few years ago and is now the subject of Kagome Higurashi's search." Sarutobi nodded as he watched Tsunade close the book and rub her eyes.
"So…where is Karakuto Karyo? Isn't he like the leader or father figure for these two?" Tsunade looked at Sarutobi expectantly. "That is unknown. Like I said before, Serikuna said she was the only one sent back to us, not Karakuto. He is probably still were he is, in the Kami Domain." Sarutobi removed the pipe from his mouth. "So we have no idea where any of these people are? Great. So this Gakuto kid is MIA, possibly KIA, Karakuto is in another universe, and this Serikuna is missing since early morning…" Tsunade sighed and got up from the desk to look out at the village, Sarutobi stood up from his chair. "Hopefully we can find at least one of them if not all of them. Serikuna can take care of herself and I have no doubt in my mind that Kagome can too." Sarutobi said as he walked out of the room.
Rin P.O.V.
"We…we lost her. Where the hell…could she have gone?" Naruto said beside me as we both had our hands on our knees, trying to get our breathing back to normal. "I…I don't know but…but I do know she was frightened by something." Naruto took one more breath and stood up, placing his hands on the back of his head. I stared at his toned body for awhile and felt heat rising to my face when I smelled his pheromones. That's when it hit me. Mom had pheromones as well and I could track her that way. "Naruto! I think I can find her!" Naruto looked at me expectantly and smiled.
Naruto P.O.V.
"Really? How?" I asked and watched her blush but thought nothing of it since we were just running. "Well…you know how everyone has a unique scent? She also has one and I think I can find her by following it." I smiled at her great idea and she smiled back, making me blush and thankful that the red from running so much had yet to come off. "Let's go then!" I said as I followed her through the streets of the town.
Normal P.O.V.
Naruto had followed behind Rin looking every time she looked down a street and alley to make sure she didn't miss anything, which was doubtful, but since they were moving so fast one could miss the small details. They just passed another alley when Rin asked the same question she asked after they passed ten streets or alleys. "Anything?" To which Naruto repeated the same answer. "Nothing. Where the hell is she?" he added, frustrated. "If I knew that we wouldn't be looking for her." Rin said jokingly. Naruto pouted. "It was a hypothetical question. I know you don't know." Naruto said. Rin turned her head and smiled, Naruto almost tripped when he saw her smile. "I know dummy. I was kidding." Naruto sweat dropped and Rin giggled. "Naruto Stupid Moment..." Rin thought. She turned a corner when Kagome's scent intensified and ran faster towards the scent, a little faster than Naruto who was trying to catch up. "Naruto, she's somewhere around he-" Rin stopped mid sentence. It was early afternoon and even though it was a dark alley Rin was able to see the shape on the ground with her keen eyes. Naruto ran into her but she didn't even flinch as she felt Naruto fall at her side. "What did you say?" Naruto said as he stood up and rubbed the back of his head. Rin didn't answer him and walked towards the shape on the ground. As Rin got closer she felt heavier and heavier. She tried to tell her legs to stop. To turn around and run, run as far as she could for as long as she could, but her need for an answer droved her more. She fell to her knees when she got her answer. Rin raised a hand and ran it through Kagome's hair, smooth and silky to the touch. "…Mom?" Rin closed her eyes and tried to keep the tears from coming, failing miserably as she dropped her head and cried over Kagome's still body. Rin felt Naruto close by and felt his hand on her shoulder. "Rin...?" Rin knew what Naruto was trying to ask and just dodged the question. "You know what's funny? She is in no way related to me. She's human and I'm…demon. But she took me in when she didn't have to. I remember the first time she called me Rin. I was just kidding about calling her mom but she accepted it, which surprised me. She has hundreds of people that depend on her, including me. She protects me and I failed to protect her." Rin felt more tears fall. That's when she felt something wet touch her arm. She turned to see Shadow. "Shadow? What are you doing here?" Rin said, as she hiccupped, to which Shadow 'laughed' at. "He's helping me find you." Someone said behind them.
Rin and Naruto turned around to see something that they could only describe as impossible. "What's wrong with you? You guys look like you've seen a ghost." Naruto was the first to speak. "What the hell?!" Naruto felt a gust of wind pass him and watched as Rin jumped on top of the owner of the voice. "Nice to see you too Rin." Rin cried loudly as she held onto the neck of Kagome Higurashi. "We thought you were dead!" Naruto yelled through Rin's whimpering. "Why did you do that?! You scared me half to death!" Rin yelled on top of Kagome. Kagome smiled up at Rin. "Nice to see you too Rin, what have you been doing?" Rin stared at Kagome blankly.
Half an hour later…
"So that's what happened…that was both smart and terrifyingly scary. I didn't even think he would fall for it." Kagome said as she walked towards the border gate with her team and some of the military group; Rin on her left, Naruto close behind Rin, and Shadow and Sasuke to Kagome's right. "So let me get this right, you made a copy of yourself? But not a Shadow Clone? How did you do that?" Sasuke asked. Before Kagome answered, Naruto cut in. "Forget how! Can you show me?! It would help me a lot!" Kagome smiled and shook her head. "Sorry Naruto. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to teach you. Karakuto showed me the skill." Naruto grumbled and looked to his left, trying to think of something else. Kagome slowed down and walked beside Naruto. When Naruto turned to see who was next to him, Kagome grabbed his head and gave him a nuggie. "Don't get too sad Naruto. You're already growing in strength." Naruto stood up and smiled at Kagome, she returned the gesture. She looked up at the border gate and saw the military soldiers near the entrance, her expression changing into a questioning one. All the soldiers had different armor since last she saw them. They wore dark green armor with red marks where the heart was. She also noticed that their commanding officer had also changed attire. He had steel colored armor with a yellow shoulder pad. He turned and looked at her with his green eyes. "Ms. Higurashi. Are you ready?" The captain asked. Kagome nodded and looked at her friends, who also nodded. The captain smiled and started to walk towards the gate when someone yelled at the group. "Hey wait!" The group turned around to see a boy and an old man on a wagon being drawn by oxen, another wagon behind that one and a large group of horses tied behind the wagon. "You aren't leaving without the things your father ordered are you son?" the old man said, to which the captain smiled at. "What are you talking about you old blacksmith?" The captain asked with a smile still on his face. The old man laughed and pointed at the things behind him with his thumb. The old man jumped down off the wagon, with help of his grandson, the boy that was with him and caught their attention. The old man motioned for them to get closer. Kagome and the captain looked at each other and walked towards the wagons, the soldiers and her friends following close behind. Kagome walked on the left side of the old man and Captain Kasiyama on his right. The old man walked to the back of the first wagon and looked at Kagome and the captain with a smile. "Your father told me to get you some supplies for you and your friends." He said with a grin and raised the flap of the wagon. A couple of the men that stayed with their commanding officer, or CO for short, grinned and whooped as they saw the contents of the wagon, Kagome smiled at their antics. Food, water, spare weapons and armor were all seen. "I was able to get you ten horses," the old man turned around and pointed at the very back of the caravan, some of the soldiers and Kagome's friends already petting and on the horses. "Two wagons full of supplies for two weeks each drawn by two oxen each; the animal's food is in the wagon in the back and then, to top it off, I made some unique armor at the request of your father for your lady friend." The old man said and nodded towards Kagome. Kagome blushed and the captain choked a bit. The old man laughed heartily and lifted another tarp to reveal some beautifully made armor. Kagome gaped at the unique looking armor and subconsciously raised her hand towards the armor. She stopped half way and looked at the old man. The old man smiled and shook his head. "Its find kid, it's your armor." Kagome's eyes widen and she shook her head. "No it's alright, really. I insist." The blacksmith said as he grabbed a chest piece and placed it on her hands. Kagome smiled at the man's kindness and looked at the armor with more detail. It was a beautiful sky blue color, strange looking scales lining most of the armor. "The armor comes with two other articles of armor and a cape with a hood." The blacksmith said as he reached into the wagon and produced knee high boots, elbow length gauntlets, and an ebony colored cloak. The gauntlets and boots the same color of the chest plate and the same strange scales. Kagome ran her fingers across the armor and felt each individual scale glide underneath her touch. The texture looked rough but felt quite smooth and cool. "What kind of armor is this? I've never seen these kinds of scales before…" Captain Kasiyama asked as he touched the armor as well. The blacksmith smiled proudly. "It's made of kyodaiji scales." Captain Kasiyama looked at the armor in amazement. "How the hell did you get your hands on giant snake scales?!" The old man just shook his head and covered the wagon again. "Doesn't matter right now. When you come back I'll tell you." The old man smiled and patted the captain on the back and left Kagome and the captain alone as he walked off with his grandson. Kagome kept looking at the armor and felt pride and joy. She looked up when she felt a hand placed on her shoulder. She saw the captain smile at her and pointed to the hotel nearby. "If you want, you can put on the armor now. More privacy like that than on the road…and time." Kagome nodded and walked towards the hotel.
Captain Kasiyama P.O.V.
Captain Higurashi walked away with the armor the old blacksmith gave her. I had to admit, even though only to myself, I was quite jealous of her. Not because she got some amazing armor, but because of her job. She was able to go to paces that I couldn't. Ever since I was a child I always wanted to see the world and living on the border made me want to travel more. Seeing people coming and going from different places around the world made me jealous of others, such as Captain Higurashi. "Sometimes some people are luckier than others…" I said to myself as I turned around to look at the soldiers and Captain Higurashi's friends. "You alright sir?" Lieutenant Bamako asked by my side. I nodded and looked up at the sky. "Looks like it might rain. We'll have to travel quickly. I will ride ahead on horseback. You take command of the first wagon and fit as many of the soldiers as possible. Ensign Hashibo will take the other half of the men and command the second. I don't want the men tired or drenched. Give the horses to Captain Higurashi's group. We'll alternate between who goes into the wagon and rests and who goes on horseback every three hours." I said and watched as the lieutenant nodded and walked away.
Normal P.O.V.
Kagome walked out of the hotel after thanking the tenant and looked at the large group near the border. She walked towards the group and felt a small hint of pride when she saw many people in the caravan look at the armor she was wearing in awe. She saw Captain Kasiyama ride towards her with another horse in tow. "Captain Higurashi. Would you like to ride in horseback or ride with your friends in wagon?" Kagome smiled up at the captain and got on the horse. The captain nodded and rode towards the front. Kagome saw four people on horseback between the wagons and four in the back. Kagome rode up to the front of the wagon and nodded at the captain. "You're riding ahead as well?" The captain asked. "Yes. Can't let my escort's leader get lost now can we?" Kagome joked and the captain chuckled. Kagome looked up ahead at the other side of the border. "We're coming Gakuto…"