Chapter Three;
-This is like a flashback/story telling type scene.. Just read-

Fifteen years ago, when Evelynn, Shoto, and Mira were still very young, Cadonia was a place of peace and freedom. It was divided equally into four kingdoms; The Northern, The Western, The Southern, and The Eastern. The Northern kingdom was the capital of Cadonia. Every five years a new leader was chosen to take over the Northern kingdom, and proceed to keep peace, justice, and freedom for all.

-The legend-

There's a legend behind the Western, Southern, and Eastern kingdoms as well. In the Western kingdom, where Evelynn was born, it was said to be created by a dragon, hence the capitol's name 'Dragon Valley'. It's said that the last of the dragon species protected the people of Western Kingdom until his dying breath, hiding it among the trees. Then, with his heart still barely beating, he removed it from his chest, and buried it into the heart of the kingdom. Stating that from now on the people who are born in Dragon Valley will have the heart of a dragon, and thus would always be known as strong, brave, and have the charisma of a true leader.

The Southern Kingdom, where Shoto was born, was told to have been created by a serpent. His clever and witty self hid the Southern Kingdom among the mountains. The serpent was known for his speed, and his cunning. As he died, it is said, he shed his final skin, and a turned it into a fog that would help keep Serpent Valley(the Southern kingdom's capitol) protected. He also blessed the valley, saying that all who are born there would be gifted with intelligence, speed, and grace.

The Western Kingdom is a farm land, where Mira was born. It was said to be ruled by a lion. He loved his people so, and was known for his kindness and mercy. The Lion's Valley, the capitol of the Southern kingdom, was created during the first great war. When the southern kingdom was attacked, and the lion finally had to join the battle, he let out a great roar, and with it be declared that everyone from his great kingdom would be blessed with kindness, mercy, and loyalty. As he died from his wounds his blood seeped into the ground, and from then on the one's from Lion's Valley were protected with the kindness of their once great king.

The Northern kingdom was created as a passage way for all three kingdoms. The legend says the the Dragon, the Serpent, and the Lion came together when they were in their prime, and built the kingdom together. Blessing with with their strength, cunning, and kindness. It is also said that they left a prophecy behind; That one day they would be reincarnated into the hearts of man during the second great war, and once again peace, justice, and freedom would rule the lands.

-End-

Evelynn was little eight year old girl happily running through the forest with her brothers. Her mother had five children, four boys and one girl. She had sent them into the forest to gather some tree roots that she would use to help create medicines. Evelynn was the bravest of her brothers. At least, that's what everyone said, so more often then not she collected the roots, and her brothers hung back to keep an eye on her. Currently, they were heading home. Father would be coming home today. There was a war going on. The village elders called it 'The Second Great War', but the children were none the wiser.

As they reached their cabin in the woods they noticed smoke. Lots of smoke. They five children looked uncertainly at each other, and then Evelynn took off running towards home. Her brothers called out to her, but she didn't listen. Mother could be in trouble! And Evelynn had to help her! So, the little red head ran and ran as fast as she could.

The sight that greeted her was awful. It still haunted her. Everywhere, there was fire. The trees were burning. The trees that hid their village was burning! That was when she noticed it wasn't just the trees, it was everything. The cabins, the tents, the elders adobe. It was all burning. There were men in grey and silver clothing on horse back. They had weapons, so many weapons. So much blood. Evelynn watched in horror as they sliced, stabbed, and butchered the villagers. Those who could escape did, but those who tried to fight back were killed.

This wasn't right. This had to be a nightmare. Little Evelynn turned when she heard her brothers. If she turned too soon, or too late, she would never know. As she turned a man rode up one by one sliced the throats of her brothers. Evelynn started to cry. No, what was happening?! Women were being dragged into a cart. Why? Evelynn could hear the screams, the clashing of weapons, the roar of the fire. It was turning into a blurr. What could she do?! Evelynn screamed as the man who slain her brothers rode towards her to scoop her up, and place her in the cart with the other women in children. Just as he was about to grab her a great fox leaped in front of her, and let out a great snarl. It raised a paw, and slaughtered the man who dared to come near the little red head.

Evelynn blinked as the fox turned around. It was the largest fox she had ever seen! Much bigger than her, anyways. It had deep red fur, dark brown paws, and a dark brown tail tip. It's eyes were a yellow green, and the pupils were only slits. Evelynn knew she should be afraid. Yet, as she felt her heart beat, she swore she could feel his, too. For they were beating the exact same pace, completely synonymous. The great fox studied her. Her red hair was wild and tangled from running through the woods, her green eyes were wide, and her face was dirty. Probably a mix of soot from the smoke in the air, and dirt from earlier when she was playing in the woods.

"We have to go." The great fox said. "I am Tokala."

"I'm Evelynn." The little girl said softly. Tokala smiled.

"I know. I'll explain everything, but we must go now."

"But mother.."

"Your mother is no longer with us.." Tokala said softly.

Evelynn sniffled, nodded, and climbed onto the back of the great fox. He leaped through the flames, and bounded off deeper into the forest. Evelynn, exhausted from what she had witness, fell asleep clutching his fur.

-Southern Kingdom, same year-

Shoto was always a quiet girl. She was only six years old, at the time. She loved to read, and she loved to listen to the stories her village elders told. It was almost like she sucked all the information up, and held onto it in her little mind. For only six years old, she could already read proficiency, and she could write full paragraphs with very little mistakes. The village elders told her she had a mind like the Serpent. Shoto remembered that the Serpent was a legend on how their village was founded, way up here in the mountains. It was an interesting story, she could admit, but only a legend, nonetheless.

Currently, little Shoto was getting water out of a well higher up on the mountain. She struggled a little bit, since she was very much shorter than the well, but she would get her task done. Mommy didn't give her much chores, so the ones she was given she did to the best of her abilities. With the bucket of water in her hands, Shoto started walking back down to mountain side to her home village. She was participating in a race today, with the other children in her village. The winner would win a piece of candy. A rarity in their village. Of course, Shoto was going to save the candy for daddy if she won. He would be coming home soon, and Shoto wanted to give him something special.

Lately the villagers elders have been talking quietly amongst themselves about a man named Hanzo, who was trying to destroy their peace, and take all four kingdoms for himself. Shoto wondered if it were possible. Now, even if she is a bright child, she was still a child nonetheless. So wars, evil lords, and death was not something she was familiar with. All she knew was daddy had to go away to fight, and he would be returning soon.

As Shoto approached the village she noticed something was off. It was very quiet. Far too quiet. Usually she would hear wagons being pulled, donkey's hooves, and quiet chatter as she approached home. Right now, Shoto heard nothing. She frowned, set down the bucket of water, and started running. She ran as fast as she could, and then skidded to a stop at the village gate. There was a man hanging there. More like hanging there, by his throat. he had been hung by the neck to the top of gateway door. His hands were tied behind his back, and he looked like he had taken a horrible beating. A sign hung around his neck.

'Hanzo's Law Reigns'

Shoto took a step back, and put a hand over her mouth. She felt like she might be sick. Slowly, she walked around the man, and made her way through her village. A couple of the huts were on fire, and there were dead bodies every where. Most, judging by their wounds, look like they died painfully, slowly. Shoto started to sniffle, and wiped her eyes as she made it back to her hut. Maybe.. Maybe mommy was alright, and they could leave together? Yeah, that was right. Her and Mommy would leave together, and Shoto could forget all about the horrible sight.

The little blue eyed, black headed girl opened the door to her hut slowly. She looked around. Nothing. She slowly crept inside.

"Mommy?" She called out softly. She couldn't see her in the main part, so maybe she was in the bedroom. It was the only other room in the hut. "Mommy.."

Shoto slowly opened the door to the bedroom. She froze, and regretted her decision. There was her mother. Laying on the bed, hands tied and placed above her head. She was naked, and had deep cuts all over her body. For a reason Shoto could not understand there was also a lot of blood between mommy's legs. Why? Did the men stab mommy there, too? Shoto's eyes were wide as they filled with tears. She was alone now.

"Mommy.." She whispered as she started to cry. "Mommy! Mommy!"

It seemed to be the only thing the girl could say as she sat in the doorway of the bedroom and cried. She didn't know how long she cried for. There was a suddenly shuffling behind her, and Shoto looked up as she wiped her eyes. She cried out, and jumped up. In front of her was a panda. Shoto was trembling slightly as it approached her.

"Little Shoto, do not fear me." The panda say in a deep, soothing voice. "My name is Armel, and I am your animal spirit."

"Wh-what's an animal spirit?" Shoto asked as she stepped forward. For some reason she felt no reason to fear this creature. It felt almost like she could feel her blood flowing through her veins, and in the veins of that animal the blood flowed synonymously with hers. It was hard to describe, but it was how she felt.

"Come with me. I'll explain everything. We can't keep you here, because soon more men will raid your village for supplies." Armel explained. Little Shoto just nodded as she climbed onto his back.

Slowly, Armel turned and left the hut. Shoto look one last look at her mother. The blood, the horrified expression, and the smell of death. She would never forget that sight, that smell. She clutched onto Armel's fur for comfort as he shifted through a forest of bamboo. Shoto was safe for now, at least. Still, she refused to sleep until she got her answers.

-Eastern Kingdom, same year-

Mira's mother loved her daughter so. She was only three years old, at the time. It was late at night. Mira's mother, Lilyanna, was weaving a basket for her daughter. Mira loved to help her mother on the farm by picking herbs. So Lilyanna was weaving a basket for her little girl to carry around as she worked.

Even at such a young age everyone could tell Mira would be kind. Already she smiled at everyone, and offered to help anyone and everyone whom she met. The sweet, little Mira seemed to bring a smile to all the villagers faces.

As was said, it was late at night. Lilyanna just finished weaving the basket, and was going to head to bed when she suddenly heard a commotion outside. She moved cautiously to the window. She gasped at what she saw. Hanzo's men were riding into the village on horse back. It would only be a matter of time before they raided the farms, pillaged the women, and killed the men who had not gone to war yet. Fear struck in Lilyanna as she turned to the bedroom where her little Mira slept.

No, Mira would not be taken. Lilyanna would not allow that. Quickly, Lilyanna threw on her cloak, and ran into the bedroom.

"Mira. Mira, wake up, darling." Lilyanna cooed. Mira rubbed her eyes.

"Mama?"

"We have to go, Mira. Come on." Lilyanna ushered her child out of bed, and slipped a cloak on her.

Cautiously, Lilyanna peered out of the door. When it was clear, she picked Mira up and ran towards the forest that bordered the farmlands. She clutched Mira to her chest, and ran as fast as she could.

"Mama, what's going on?" Little Mira asked as she peered up at her mother with her large brown eyes.

"Don't worry, little Mira. We just have to get away, for now." Lilyanna panted. She could hear the galloping of horses behind her. She had been seen.

Just as they were nearing the thick forest Lilyanna felt someone grab her hair. She was pulled back as she yelped, and dropped Mira.

"Mama!" Mira yelled.

"Mira, run!" Lilyanna ordered. "Into the trees. Don't look back, no matter what you hear! Understand!"

"Mama.." Mira looked horrified as the man yanked her mother onto his horse. Two more men on horseback were catching up.

"Run, Mira! Now! Go!" Lilyanna screamed as the man turned, ordered the other two to catch little Mira, and then he took off back towards the village. Lilyanna fighting with all her might to get away.

With no other choice three year old Mira turned and ran into the trees. She fell and scrapped her knee. No, mama said to not stop, not look back. Tears stung her eyes as she scrambled up, and continued to run. It was getting harder to breathe. She could hear shouting behind her.

'Don't look back, no matter what you hear!'

She continued to run, she didn't look back. She felt a hand grab her arm roughly, and Mira screamed. Suddenly, from behind her and the man that grabbed her a wolf growled, and jumped out. He tackled the man from the horse, and ripped his throat out. The wolf was so big! A little blood splattered on Mira's face as the wolf ripped into the man's throat.

Mira was shaking so badly that she fell. The giant wolf turned to her, and then laid down in front of her. Mira looked curiously at him. He.. he had the same coloured fur as she had hair. Black with blue tips.

"Little cub, you don't have to run anymore." The wolf said in a deep, comforting voice. Mira decided she liked him. "My name is Zev, and I will be your guardian from now on."

"Th-thank y-you." Mira stammered. It was a stutter that would remain with her for the rest of her life.

Quietly, the wolf pushed Mira onto his back, and carried her deeper into the forest. Mira buried her face into his fur and cried. She cried, and cried, and cried her little three year old eyes out. Mama was gone. The villagers were gone. Yet, she was not alone. Zev was here now. Still, Mira cried for the loss of her mother, and mourned for the destruction her village had faced. Zev let her cry as he curled up under a tree, Mira now asleep against his stomach, and his tail was draped over her protectively.

-Present time-

"We only met each other about three years ago." Evelynn finished. The room was silent. Mira and Shoto were avoiding the gazes of everyone, and the Akatsuki members were taking in all the information. "So far, Hanzo has gotten what he wanted. All four kingdoms. I won't allow it to stay that way. So, when we met we decided to start rallying rebels, and prepare a revolution."

"In return for our hospitality, we ask you help." Shoto stated coolly as she continued to look out the window.

The three Akatsuki members looked at each other. Currently, they had no chakra, no way home, and if they didn't obey this man they would be killed. With no chakra, that was actually a pretty big threat to them right now. After a moment of silent communication it was Sasori who spoke.

"Agreed. We'll help in any way we can." Sasori stated firmly.

After all, weren't the Akatsuki just a rebel group themselves..?

A/N; Someone messaged me, and asked where I get my ideas for my stories. Honestly, I just kind of wing it. Like this chapter, I just wrote it. It took about two hours. Then I edit them on the doc manager here. So, yeah.. That's it.

Anyways, review, and have a good day/night.!