Chapter Six;

It was the night before they would leave to take majority of the women and children to the southern hideout. It was, in fact, actually a village hidden between the base of two great mountains. A place where Hanzo and his men would have a difficult time approaching. Shoto had a strategy planned out to move them farther west first, to make it look like they were heading to the ocean, and then when they were clear they would take the rebels down south, head back east, and eventually reach the southern hideout. Basically, a half circle.

Currently, the girls were sitting together in the bathing tent, washing themselves up before the long journey. All three were sitting in the large tub together, their backs against the ages, as they relaxed.

"So, how do you guys feel about the prophecy?" Evelynn asked as she rinsed the last bit of suds out of her hair.

"It's a far fetched idea.." Shoto replied slowly as she ran a comb through her wet hair. "Then again, a lot of far fetched things have been happening."

"L-like those b-boys showing u-up?" Mira asked as Evelynn scrubbed her back. Shoto nodded.

"I was thinking, those seals on them," Evelynn started as she rinsed off Mira's back, and then picked up her own comb. "Perhaps Ivanna the Gypsy Witch can remove them. She knows all sorts of spells and potions."

"Perhaps." Shoto said thoughtfully. "We'll have to visit her after we get the men to the eastern training hideout."

"D-doesn't Ivanna t-travel south a-around that time?" Mira asked. She and Evelynn were just finishing combing out their hair.

"That's right." Evelynn replied. "So we can leave them to train, and then search for her tribe."

"B-but Lady Giovanna s-said to search f-for the sacred weapons." Mira protested.

"We can do that once we get the seals removed from those boys. They'll be more helpful with their 'chakra' than without it." Shoto explained.

The three girls stood from the tub, and just as they did the very men they were talking about opened the tent flap. All six persons froze, and stared at each other with wide eyes. Then, Mira let out an ear piercing scream.

"Th-They saw me naked!" Mira wailed.

Evelynn chucked her comb, and it jabbed Sasori in the eye.

"Dammit, what was that for?!" He snarled as he held his eye, and looked away. Itachi covered his eyes as well, but Deidara just gaped.

"You could have knocked!" Evelynn snapped.

"On a tent?!" Sasori growled back.

"It's not that hard to at least say something before you enter." Shoto replied icily. Then turned to Deidara. "If you keep starting I'll rip your eyes out of your head."

This made Deidara flush a bright red, and then cover his eyes. Shoto grabbed the girls towels, and they wrapped it around them as they stepped out of the tub.

"Hope you enjoyed the show." Evelynn snarled as the men uncovered their eyes.

"I've seen better." Sasori replied coolly.

"What?!" Evelynn snapped. "You'll never see a body more miraculous than mine!"

Shoto rolled her eyes at this.

"Tch, I've already seen better. I've been with better. At least, they weren't all scarred up." Sasori drawled with a smirk as he gestured to the wound that was still present on Evelynn's shoulder.

Smack!

Evelynn slapped him, pushed pass all three of the men, and stalked off to the tent she shared with Shoto and Mira. Her two friends looked after her with concern, and then Shoto rounded on Sasori.

"How dare you!" Shoto hissed. "Everything Evelynn does for everyone she meets is for their benefit. She thinks little for herself when she fights, and you say something like that?!"

"Y-you should b-be more appreciative." Mira mumbled quietly. "A-after all, we h-have helped you."

With that, the two followed their friend. It was true. All three of them were scarred from the wounds they had attained from their battles. What did you expect? They were rebellion leaders! If they didn't have a battle scar or two, then they wouldn't quite be doing their jobs.

"You should apologize, Danna." Deidara said thoughtfully.

"Tch." Sasori walked away to the tent he shared with his comrades. Deidara shook his head and followed. Itachi went to the girls' tent.

"May I come in?" Itachi asked from the outside of the tent. There was a brief moment of silence, and a little bit of rustling could be heard.

"Enter." Came Shoto's cool voice. Itachi entered, and bowed in respect.

"I apologize for my comrades, and myself." He said. "Giovanna wished for us to tell you a message. She said, 'Look in the Lion's Den.' I'm not sure what it means, she only asked I tell you."

"Thank you." Shoto replied, and then dismissed him.

It surprised the girls, honestly. That the men followed orders so well. Then again, they had explained that taking orders was part of being a shinobi. With weary thoughts the girls headed to bed. Tomorrow they would be up with the sun, and they would be taking the two week migration.

Itachi entered his tent to see Sasori and Deidara preparing for bed. Deidara was looking with a bit of concern at Sasori, and Sasori was looking as nonchalant as ever. Itachi eyed the both of them.

"Deidara's right." Itachi drawled.

"I don't need to hear it." Sasori snapped as he laid down.

"If you say so." Itachi shrugged, and climbed into his own cot.

Tomorrow they would rise as early as the girls. As they promised to Giovanna, and themselves, they would stay by their sides. Help in any way they could. At least, until they could get back to their world.

"I don't want to leave, un." Deidara suddenly said quietly.

"Why is that?" Itachi drawled.

"Our world was awful, yeah. Leader was awful. I hate Akatsuki, un. At least here they don't force us to have partners, or force us to do things we don't want to do, yeah. Sure, we're being hunted by some guy named Hanzo, but we have a whole army of rebels to back us up, hm. Not just a few shinobi who deflected from their villages, yeah. Besides, the girls are nice,un. They respect us, and they hardly know us, hm." Deidara rambled.

"It doesn't matter to me either way." Sasori drawled. "Besides, I'd hardly call them respectful."

"Because she threw a comb at you, because you saw her naked." Itachi stated pointedly.

"She also punched Deidara in the jaw, and Shoto threatened to gorge Deidara's eyes out." Sasori argued.

"Because it's completely normal to meet people from another world, and also completely acceptable to have a man gape at your naked body." Itachi retorted sarcastically.

Sasori scowled, but didn't say anything further.

"I agree. I like it here." Itachi finished.

With that, the boys drifted off to sleep.

-Time skip!-

The next morning Itachi, Deidara, and Sasori rose at the crack of dawn. Giovanna had woken them, and brought them a breakfast of soup and biscuits, which the boys took and ate gratefully. When they emerged from their tent, they saw the girls were already looking over their own sections for the migration.

Evelynn was looking over the food supplies, and making sure everyone was accounted for. She was smoking a cigarette, and currently leading the children into a cart that was being led by a donkey. The mothers would walk beside the cart, and the men would be split up. Half in the front, and the other half in the back. Evelynn would be at the head, Mira would keep a look out for the women and children in the middle, and Shoto would take the rear. Giovanna was staying behind with the sick and elderly who weren't able to travel. A few of the younger generation were staying behind as well. Mostly orphaned teens and young adults who were able to fight and defend them.

"You're ready to go?" Itachi asked as they approached Evelynn. She looked at them briefly, and then returned to going over the food supplies.

"Just about. Mira is going to double check the medical wagon, and Shoto is going to check the weapons wagon. Then we'll head out." The red head replied. "Go see if they need help."

At her dismissal Sasori and Deidara went to check with Shoto, and Itachi went to help Mira with whatever they may need. Within half an hour they were ready, and the girls went to say goodbye to Giovanna.

"Lady Giovanna!" Evelynn called as they entered her tent. She looked up at them and smiled.

"My girls." She touched each of their cheeks affectionately, one by one. "This will be the last time we see each other for awhile."

"B-but it's not g-goodbye." Mira smiled shyly.

"No, not quite yet." Giovanna chuckled. "You take care of yourselves now."

"Of course, Lady Giovanna." Shoto gave a light smile.

They embraced momentarily, and then the girls went to take their places among the outlaws. Itachi, Sasori, and Deidara slipped into Giovanna's tent once the girls were out of sight.

"Thank you, for your hospitality." Itachi said with a bow.

"What he said, un." Deidara grinned, and bowed slightly.

"Take care of yourself." Sasori mumbled, and bowed as well.

"Of course. You boys take care as well. Don't forget your promise, now." Giovanna smiled, and gave them each a small hug.

It surprised them slightly, but Itachi couldn't hold back a small smile. Nor could Deidara hold back his grin. How long as it been since someone was so affection and caring towards them? Far too long. As they three left the tent Giovanna gently placed a hand on Sasori's shoulder. he turned to her with a curious look.

"Please, don't take everything Evelynn does too seriously. She's a little rough around the edges, but she's got a heart of gold.. Or rather.. The heart of a dragon." Giovanna chuckled. Sasori blinked in confusion, but nodded nonetheless.

"I'll keep that in mind." He promised, and then left.

Giovanna stared after him. Those boys would help bring rise to Evelynn, Shoto, and Mira. Giovanna just knew it. Old woman's instinct, if you will. Just how they would help the girls, she wasn't quite sure. She only knew it was no coincidence they were sent here. With a smile she closed her tent, and lay down to rest. Her old bones ached, and her mind weary. As she closed her eyes she knew that this was her final moment. Oh, how burdened her girls hearts would be when they learned. With a final sigh, Giovanna passed on into the next life. Shoto, Evelynn, and Mira none the wiser as they made their journey out of the cavern, and into the open field behind. The journey to the Southern hideout had begun, and the girls could very well guess what they would run into on the way.

A/N; Hey, guys. I know my updates have been pretty far between lately. I'm currently looking for a new apartment, and a second job. So, sorry if I don't update as much. I promise to have at least another two chapters posted today.

Anyways, reviews are always welcome, and I hope everyone had a good day/night.!