Hiya! As soon as my muse for Honest Curse stops playing keep away, it'll update. Until then the poll is on!
You might hate me for this one, though. *innocent, timid smile*

Naruto: Fangs of War
Chapter 5

By the time the light faded, Naruto was on the ground, in the fetal position, his eyes bloody.

"I apologize, Naruto. I had not thought of your human physiology to be so drastically different that it would caused this," Ignitus' voice sounded out, humbled.

"Don't worry 'bout it. I've had worse," Naruto said as he got up, determinedly grinning. "What's next?"

From Ignitus' chambers, he grew concerned. He should be worried about Naruto's almost totally disregard for pain and his recklessness. He made a point to read Naruto's history later.

"Now that we've awakened your element, now we find out what it is," the Chronicler's voice sounded. "Go through the threshold and on go on the next platform."

"Alright, let's do this," Naruto said barely above a whisper. Naruto began to walk with a slight limp into the arch. As he made his way through the stone, he started to notice a slight glow to him, an orange glow. "Hey, Mr. Chronicler! You doin' this?" Naruto said referring to the glow around him.

"No, I am not. Part of the seal's design was that it leak out some of the Nine-Tails' chakra into your system and integrate it with your own. It accelerates your own healing factor," Ignitus explained. "It is merely visible, because of you being so close to the Nine-Tails here."

"Oh, okay," Naruto mumbled, continuing his path forward, noticing that is getting easier to walk. The platform was still a ways off and even with the rate his healing was going, it would take a bit to think about jumping to it. "Alright, I'll just rest here for a bit," he unceremoniously plopped down to sit against a wall. Naruto closed his eyes and drifted off for a while.

With Spyro and Cynder…

"I don't understand if you're Naruto's parents, then why aren't you with Naruto teaching him instead of Ignitus?" Spyro asked, somewhat bitterly as he wanted to spend time with his mentor, as well as concern for his friend.

"It is because we are the only one who can effectively teach you about chakra, the energy that now flows through your bodies," Minato explained.

"Believe me, I'd much rather spend time with Naruto and be with him," Kushina said. "No offense to you two, of course."

"None taken," Cynder muttered.

"He is also not ready to know who we are yet," Minato said. "Both Kushina and I made many enemies inside and out the village. In this case ignorance is truly bliss for now. In any case, the chakra and crystal energy in your body are at some points, melding together, at others repelling each other like a couple of magnets," Minato explained. "What we'll be teaching you, it to release them, separately, then together."

"When do we get started?" Spyro asked. At this question Minato and Kushina gave a set of almost out-of-character smirks. Minato snapped his fingers and out of the golden mist, a great stone basin rose, between the two couples. Surrounding the concentric to the basin five platforms rose as well. "Right now."

Foundation Headquarters, Unspecified Location, Unknown Time

"You are the Roosts of the great tree of The Hidden Leaf Village; unseen, unheard, unsung. You are what truly protect this village; we are what keep the village healthy and alive. Even if the great tree falls, from us, from you it would regrow stronger than ever! Dismissed." Danzo spoke to his personal army of emotionless soldiers. The Foundation was established so that the Leaf would always have a presence in the world, everywhere in the world. It would become the World Tree.

"Number 012420, a moment," Danzo ordered one of his most junior agents, before he left. "I have a mission for you, one of vital importance."

"Yes, Lord Danzo?" Number 012420 replied, bowing onto his knee.

"Though you are one of my youngest members, you are by far a very strong member of the organization. You will be doing a great service to the village in this mission, one that I myself would have trouble with," Danzo explained.

"My lord?" Number 012420 asked.

"As you may know, the Academy's latest class is being assigned to their respective teams as we speak by Hiruzen. I have managed to integrate you into the team roster so that you will complete this mission," the war hawk continued.

"Am I to monitor and possible assassinate the jinchuriki, my lord?"

"No, not yet. You are to monitor a female and find any weakness or strengths that may surface," Danzo explained. "For this mission you will be posing as my adoptive son."

"I believe the proper term to use is 'honored,' my lord?"

Danzo internally smiled. "You will take on the name, Sai, for this mission. You will be removing your mask for this as well."

The newly dubbed Sai stood and removed his mask and revealed his pale face that contrasted with his dark hair and eyes. "I accept this mission," he gave an almost eerie smile. "Father."

With Naruto…

"Naruto! Awaken!" Ignitus's voice roared.

"I swear I didn't take all the instant ramen!" Naruto exclaimed waking then realized where he was again. "Oh, sorry Iggy. Must've dosed off," Naruto sheepishly apologize.

Somewhere in the caverns, Ignitus's right eye was twitching in great frustration. "For the very last time, Naruto Uzumaki. My. Name. Is. IGNITUS! IG-NIT-US!" Naruto flinched and reeled back at the sheer fury of the voice, he vigorously nodded his head. "Now get over to the next platform soon!" Ignitus boomed.

Naruto started to weave in and out of the obstacles and the gaps, Ignitus felt a twinge of pride as a teacher. He thought to himself. I've still got it.

"What are these?" Spyro asked looking in awe of the strange alter.

"This is what we can equate to an element identifier, Spyro," Minato explained. "Chakra, all chakra has some sort of affinity to one or more of the five natures: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Lightning." Minato lifted a finger for each element. "They can reflect out personality and dictate what kind of jutsu we can learn. For example, I have an affinity for Lightning, with some minor Wind Nature."

"And I have a Water Nature with Wind also," Kushina added. "Each village has its own way of identifying a chakra nature. In the Leaf we use paper made from trees nurtured with chakra. The Village Hidden in the Mist has a great fountain that shows changes in the water, I've heard that the Sand Village has some sort of secret oasis that has something in it to identify natures."

"This alter will tell us how much of each nature you have, and just how potent it is," Minato explained.

"Okay, let's do it then," Cynder said.

"You're not going to find out your natures just yet, most wait until they are Chunin or higher rank to do so," Minato denied.

"Then why did you bring this out?" Spyro asked somewhat irritably.

"To show you what is similar between our worlds, you now walk the path between them, you'll need to know the differences if you want to survive this road," Minato explained. "Step into the basin and we'll teach to release your chakra and basic control as well."

Spyro had to extend his leg far to step into the stone bowl. The moment he did, he felt a surge of unfamiliar energy. "Wha!" he exclaimed as tendrils of orange wind released itself from the basin, the chakra flaring in a whirlwind.

"Remain calm. This only the Nine-Tails' chakra releasing itself from you and going back to the seal, this is what created and jump-started your chakra network," Kushina explained. Soon enough the orange had gone and was replaced by a mild blue color. "Now try to focus the energy back into yourself." Kushina ordered.

Spyro try to feel it back in, but it only budge, the chakra was still wild and uncontrolled. He continued like this for another three minutes before saying, "I can't, Mrs. Uzumaki."

"Focus on one thing Spyro," Minato said. "Like what?" Spyro asked, his chakra flaring up more. "Spyro," Cynder said. He turned to her and found his head grasp and taken into a kiss. Spyro melted into the kiss and soon, his chakra's flaring became less and less until it was visible no longer. Cynder soon released the kiss and placed her brow against his, looking into his eyes and smiling. He smiled back and hopped out of the basin.

"Well done, Cynder," Kushina said, giving the black haired girl a bear hug. Cynder now knew what a pimple felt like. "You're up next, kiddo," Kushina said as she literally tossed Cynder in the basin. Upon landing, Cynder gave a sound of "Oof" and instantly the biju chakra started flaring from the bowl. She scrambled to her feet as quickly as she could and waited for the chakra to give into a noticeably dark shade of blue than Spyro's. She got control of it faster than Spyro did.

"Very well done, Cynder," Minato said, smiling and nodding. "That's all the training we can give you, your team leader will take care of the rest I believe."

"Team leader? What do you mean?" Spyro asked. "Everything will be explained," Kushina said. "Remember, not to tell Naruto that we know who we are yet." With that, a white light surrounded them and they saw Minato and Kushina waving them off before they were engulfed.

The two of them woke up with a gasp in the hospital room. The first thing they noticed was that they were in pale blue hospital gowns. They turned and saw Naruto fully dressed and sitting on the windowsill and looking out the window uncharacteristically. He turned and saw them awake and smiled. "Hey, guys! You're awake! The nurse is already coming with your clothes 'cause I told her that you would be waking up after I did." After he said that, the Hokage, Jiraiya, and Kakashi walked in. Naruto narrowed his eyes at the latter, but made no charge at him.

The three of them noticed this and felt varying degrees of guilt, Kakashi's the most. "Welcome back, Spyro, Cynder, Naruto," The Hokage smiled, with unadulterated joy. He went over to Naruto and did something that he rarely did, but always wanted to chance given, he hugged Naruto. "Do me a favor and try not to scare this old man again, my boy," Hiruzen said, not as the Third Hokage, but as a person genuinely relieved.

Naruto hugged back somewhat awkwardly, still not completely used to contact, but glad the Old Man did. "I'll try jiji."

"Now then," Hiruzen releasing the hug. "Your team assignments are tomorrow, Naruto will show you two the way to the Academy."

Kakashi stepped forward. "Spyro, Cynder, Naruto, I would like apologize for earlier. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but it brought up horrible memories, I lost myself in my fear and anger and self-loathing. I nearly killed you and there is no excuse for what I did, so I'm deeply sorry." Kakashi fell to his knees and pushed his brow to the ground, bowing in apology.

"I forgive you, Kakashi," Spyro said almost immediately. "Walking in the past and in regrets will only make us doubt ourselves; we should look forward and try to forgive ourselves for our past actions."

Jiraiya smiled. The kid has wisdom beyond his years.

"I should be the one apologizing, Kakashi, that attack uses Fear itself as an element, what you did, while extreme, was a natural reaction. I forgive you, too," Cynder said.

They all looked to Naruto and knew he would be the x-factor in this. "I'm not sure how I feel, but it's done. Like Spyro said, no sense in living in the past. So, I guess I forgive you, but do it again you'll be burping shoe for months, if you catch my drift," Naruto said crossing his arms.

Kakashi got up and smiled under his mask that visualized itself one his lone eye. "I'm sort of counting on it."

Hiruzen gave Spyro and Cynder their clothes. "Now, I'll go discharge the three of you, go home and get some rest." The three elder ninja started to walk out. But before he stepped out of the room, Jiraiya went back and tossed a key to Naruto. "I figured with that tiny apartment and three people, you could use some more room," Jiraiya said with a goofy grin. "See ya, later, brats." He closed the door behind him and waved with his free hand.

They all looked at the key. "Well, that was nice of him." Cynder said. Spyro and Naruto could only nod, looking at the key in Naruto's hands. She looked to the two of them. "Can you guys go so I could change? Or do you want to watch?" Cynder asked, sounding completely serious. Naruto went out the door and Spyro to the bathroom so fast that both doors slammed. Cynder evilly chuckled. "Boys; so easily manipulated; mention anything even close to mating and you have all their attention."

Fifteen minutes later, the three of them were outside the hospital fully dressed. "The pervert could've at least told us the address," Naruto said. A plume of smoke came from the key and Naruto found himself pinching a folded piece of paper as well as the key. They unfolded it.

Voice activated seal, kids. Bada-bing! The building is the red one just off the south side of the market; fifth floor, corner apartment. All of your crap is over there already, you can unpack it all. Enjoy.

-The Great Toad Sage, JIRAIYA THE GALIANT AND GUTSY!

The three of them stared at it with a deadpanned expression; Cynder even face palmed, and Naruto muttered something about perverts being idiots and pocketed the note. "Let's go, there isn't much, it won't take all day." With that they took to the rooftops and made a quick trip over to the market.

"This is the place," Spyro said, looking at the tall, six-story building. They stepped in and saw the superintendent sitting in the desk in the entryway. He looked up from his familiarly orange book. "Ah, Uzumaki. Master Jiraiya already came by with your things and is paid for a year's rent, maybe a year-and-a-half's," he said looking almost lovingly at the book that they noticed had an autograph freshly inked on it.

"Uh, thanks," they said moving to the stairs. When they were out of earshot, Cynder decided to say what was on everyone's minds. "Why would he take that book as a twelve to eighteen month's rent?"

"I saw that book once in the book store, complete smut," Naruto said, not saying more.

"Then it seems porn better than money here," Cynder said. Spyro only shrugged. When they got to the apartment, Naruto reached for the doorknob a seal appeared on the door and like seeing a cartoon bubble popped, making a floating ink message in front of the door. "Decided to furbish to apartment for you brats, as well as stocked. Eat your greens, kids!" read off Spyro, below the message was a floating cartoon Jiraiya giving two thumbs up and a huge grin. Cynder glared and chopped the message and the ink ignited itself and burn away. They stepped in and walked around. The kitchen was fully stocked with beige counter-tops and white cupboards with silver colored handles. On the counters were numerous boxes of a spice rack, coffee maker, toaster, rice steamer and numerous other kitchen-wares. The floor was a smooth cream ceramic.

The living room had a white leather couch and love seat against the wall cornering a black table that had a tall lamp, behind it.

"Guys, there's only two bedrooms," Naruto said from the master bedroom that had his little things sitting on a new bed.

"So? Spyro and I will just share one," Cynder said nonchalantly. Spyro snapped his head to her, blushing. She saw this and giggled slightly. "We're not going to be mating anytime soon, so don't get too excited." Spyro's blush went down, but his cheeks were still pink.

"Uh…" was all Naruto could say for a moment. "I guess it's settled?" Naruto asked awkwardly.

They all nodded, made some instant ramen for an early dinner, and went to bed. The same thought was on all their minds:

Why is it so hard to talk to people?

The Next Day...
Hidden Leaf Ninja Academy, 8:00 A.M.

Spyro and Cynder followed Naruto to the academy, with the three of them sitting together. After being insulted by what looked like that dog lady from the Council's son (whom Naruto named Kiba), they decided to sit in the back seats next to this blue haired girl that kept blushing and playing with her fingers.

Of course, everyone asked who they were; the cover story was that they were privately trained. They also were asked why someone who looked so noble and good looking (Kiba) were walking in with someone like Naruto. Cynder merely said in her usual grace (read: anger), "He's our friend; you got a problem with it?" Everyone shut up after that.

They were now waiting on Iruka-sensei to get here with team assignments for this class. They were sitting bored, a guy with black hair sat brooding. Every girl with the exception of Cynder and the blue-hair were googly-eying said brooder. There was someone eating chips, next to him spiky ponytail sleeping. That is when Kiba decided to throw everything to hell.

He walked up to Cynder, with a puppy smiling on his head, smug look on his face complete with a fang-full smirk. "Hey, babe, you want to go out to barbeque tonight after the team thing?"

Cynder merely looked away while Spyro was glaring at Kiba. Kiba being the mental playboy he was, decided to probe further. "Hey, can you hear me?" he decided to touch her shoulder. Spyro instantly grabbed his wrist tightly with his amethyst eyes burning. "She's not interested," he growled, having enough of this.

Kiba wasn't even fazed, continuing to smile. "What? Are you her boyfriend?"

Naruto decided to intervene and grabbed Spyro's wrist and pushed Kiba away. "Dude, just leave. Please."

By now everyone was staring at the scene, amazed. For one, they saw the new guy had some speed, second (and perhaps the most shocking) Naruto was being polite and calm!

Kiba was surprised but not enough to deter. "This isn't your business, Uzumaki!" he proclaimed as her moved to punch him. Cynder very quickly redirected his punch Kiba flew back.

Everyone was looking at Cynder in slight awe; Kiba was fairly skilled in taijutsu, so to throw him back was something.

Unbeknownst to everyone, including Kiba, the blue-haired girl had pushed him with a little bit of force and a lot of chakra. I'm sorry, Kiba, I'm not going to let you hurt Naruto so easily.

Iruka came in when Kiba went flying and snapped his attention to the direction the boy came from.

"Why the hell was Kiba soaring through the air? Naruto!?" Iruka yelled. Naruto merely looked down in and didn't say a word. Not the expected reaction.

"He tried to punch Naruto when he tried to intervene between Kiba and Spyro, so I redirected his punch," Cynder explained.

"Then he tried asking me when it was obvious I wasn't interested," Cynder said.

Iruka decided he didn't want to deal with the headache. He pulled Kiba up by his shoulder and told him to back to his seat. Which he did so grumbling.

Now it was Iruka's favorite part of graduation: his speech. "Congratulations all of you for making it thus far in your shinobi training. Do not think; however, that the road ends here. There will be dangers you must face, enemies you cannot beat. Train hard, keep your fiends beside you, and remember the Will of Fire. Do these things and you will make the Village Hidden in the Leaves proud!" He looked around, and saw more than what he expected. He expected to see Sasuke brooding, Kiba and the girls not paying attention as usual. He knew Shino, Choji, and Hinata would be paying attention. He guessed that Spyro and Cynder would be too, but what he didn't expect was Naruto or Shikamaru paying attention; each with eyes hard with determination in their own ways. He then heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

Everyone's attention snapped to the boy who opened the door. His skin was as pale as paper, his hair and eyes like ink. He wore a long sleeve dark purple shirt, black gloves with his right hand's index, middle and thumb fingers bare. He carried to scrolls attached to his hips on the same shade of purple pants. He also showed a midriff.

"I apologize for the tardiness, my father held me back for a speech of what it means to be a Leaf shinobi," the boy said with a smile that was easily seen as fake.

Iruka had been warned by the Hokage that Danzo would send in an operative, but was told to let things flow for now. He smiled in return. "It is alright, I just gave a speech myself. What is your name?"

"I am known as Sai, Sai Shimura," he said with a slight bow.

This kid was creeping Iruka out to new levels. "Alright, Sai take a seat. You're just in time for team assignments."

"Thank you, sensei," Sai said with another bow as he went to sit in the empty seat next Shino.

"Alright, Team 1..." Iruka began. Three by three, teams were assigned to each other and a sensei. It went on like this until Iruka got to Team 7. "Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno," Naruto smiled. "And Sasuke Uchiha," Naruto frowned and Sakura proclaimed her joy while Sasuke sulked more. "Your sensei is Kakashi Hatake," Iruka finished.

"Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Spyro, your sensei will be Kurenai Yuhi," Iruka said.

Hinata looked around and smiled at Shino, who nodded. She tried to find the one she didn't know and found that it was the boy with the purple eyes who waved and smiled. She smiled back.

"Team 9 will be Kiba Inuzuka, Cynder, and Sai Shimura under Anko Mitarashi." Kiba winked at Cynder and Sai merely gave another creepy, fake smile, knowing his target now.

"And finally, Team 10 will be Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi under Asuma Sarutobi." Ino groaned and face-desked. Choji continued munching and Shikamaru just mumbled something about troublesome blonds.

"Your sensei will be here momentarily to relieve you from my care. You are free to socialize until they do as long as it's not too disruptive," Iruka said going back to his office from the door in the front of the class.

Trying to get the message across to the dog ninja, she slid on to Spyro's lap, making the poor male blush, but he didn't really mind. She whispered in his ear, "Are you like that every time we do something really provocative or just with public displays of affection?" Cynder genuinely asked.

Naruto flicked a piece of paper her way that hit her nose. Even while being in a human form, her draconic nose was still sensitive and she glared at the boy who only had a small smile of mischief on his face. My money's on P.D.A. was written.

Cynder just playfully and friendly smiled at her friend. The teams went to get to know each other, the room was full of chatter, but it was relatively quiet.

The first six teams were picked up almost immediately. The next one to come in was a woman in mesh blouse with only a right sleeve under what appeared to be a dress made of wrappings with a long thorny vine design on the wrappings themselves. Her untamed, shoulder length, black hair framed her face and deep ruby eyes. Her eyes were deep enough that they almost thought she was a dragon like themselves.

"Team 8, come with me," she announced. Hinata and Shino got up and moved to the door and as Cynder was going to kiss Spyro goodbye, they all heard a flying and sizzling sound. Naruto paled and Kurenai muttered "Not again…"

"EVERYBODY HIT THE DECK!" Naruto yelled out diving beneath a desk taking Hinata with him as she was the first person he grabbed. Hinata being the trusting person she was went under with Naruto and went into a sitting position to brace for whatever impact was coming, too much worried about what was happening to blush, faint, and repeat. The others followed since if Naruto was taking cover, then it might be a good idea too.

They all heard a boom and the impact of kunai. Sasuke immediately lunged out from the desk into the smoking figure with a flying kick as did Kiba and Akamaru claws and fangs bared, Shino prepared to deploy his insects. The figure easily blocked the Uchiha scion and kicked away the canine duo.

"Nice reaction time, there may be hope for the human race after all…" the figure said from the thinning smoke. It cleared to reveal one of the most provocatively dressed women the class had ever seen. She had a form fitting mesh body suit that covered neck to thigh. Over that was a tan overcoat with the inside purple like her hair. Over the mesh was a rust orange skirt and black belt. Behind her was a huge banner held in place by kunai that read in white, Anko Mitarashi, sexy, single, and newly appointed sensei.

Kurenai wasn't impressed. "Anko, this again?" she deadpanned. Anko gave a cheeky grin. "You know me…" she replied. She then noticed everyone slowly getting up from their cover. "Alright, which one of you brats told you to duck and cover?" she asked, obviously annoyed. Every hand with the exception of a few pointed at Naruto. "Figures, it would be you, foxy… How are ya?" she said as she put an arm around his shoulder playfully.

Naruto wasn't really amused. "You said you would never try that again, Anko…" he deadpanned. She waved him off. "I said I wouldn't do that again. How was I supposed to know that by doing that in the marketplace would result in a few minor incidents?"

"Four crates of fish ruined, a department store destroyed, a dance and music number…" Kurenai and Naruto remarkably said simultaneously. The rest of the class didn't want to know.

"Anywho, I'm a sensei now, kiddo, so I'm here to pick up my team," Anko cheerfully. "I tried to get you, but sadly my request was overruled."

"Why was it overruled?" his eyes drifted down to his stomach. Anko quickly replied, "Not now, not here, later at your place, ramen and dango to celebrate deal?" Naruto nodded his acceptance. "Oh, to Naruto's team, find something to do, you're going to be here a while."

"Now Team Nine! Let's blow this pop stand!" she said as she started excessively marching out the door. Sai immediately followed as did Kiba while Cynder mutter a quick see ya later, and walked out the door.

Kurenai shook her head, but she was smiling too. "Team 8, if you'd please," she started to walk out the door. On her way out she bumped into someone. He mutter a gruff "Excuse me, miss." The man stepped aside for her to walk through. "Team 10, get out here," the gruff voice called to the room which he did not enter.

Ino and Choji got up and dragged Shikamaru's lazing behind out the door with them, curious as to their new sensei.

And then there was one team… Naruto had the gall to ask, "Uh, what now?"

With Spyro, Leaf Village Park…

Kurenai had led the team to a small area of the park where there were three stumps facing a tall copaiba. From what they could tell the stumps were of elm, birch, and ash. "Sit on whichever you'd like." Hinata sat on the elm stump; Spyro, the birch; and Shino, the ash.

"Now, I'm sure you all are proud of your graduation. This is a big step to your future as a ninja. Firstly, I'd like to start a little team building exercise; we'll introduce ourselves and say some things about ourselves. Who would like to go first?"

Shino raised his finger to indicate that he has a query. "Sensei, would it not be proper to ask you to proceed first, so we have an example to follow in this procedure?"

She smiled warmly, "So much like an Aburame, logical. Of course, I will." She cleared her throat. "My name is Kurenai Yuhi. I enjoy vodka, genjutsu, and sushi. I don't like spilled drinks, misogyny, overall discrimination, and some sweets. My hobbies include drink tasting, and creating new genjutsu. My dream for the future is to find someone I could settle down with, and if not; continue my career as long as possible."

Spyro racked his brain for genjutsu and its meaning, trying to figure it out. His frustration was getting to him.

Kurenai noticed this and decided to have a bit of fin with the boy. "Would you like to go next, Spyro?"

He looked up in embarrassment and had a light blush that made Hinata giggle and Kurenai smile at the similarities between the two students. "Um, all right… My name is Spyro. I enjoy relaxing with my friends, lamb and reading too. I don't like fighting unless necessary, my brother's antic sometimes, and discrimination because of the past. I guess I don't really have any hobbies. My dream is to see my brother and friends again," he said thinking of those he and Cynder left behind beneath Warfang.

"I'm sure you will, Spyro," Kurenai said with comforting warmth. "Shino?"

Shino pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "My name is Shino Aburame. I enjoy entomology and gathering specimen for my… collection. I don't like carnivorous plants, putrid scents and anything that will harm insects. My hobbies include my above enjoyments. My dream is to become head of my clan," he said almost completely on a monotone.

Kurenai thought this was very typical of his clan. She decided, after all, what she hoped to be the best for last. "Hinata?"

"Uh…" the girl started playing with her fingers. "My name is Hinata Hyuga. I like flower pressing, and cinnamon rolls. I don't like subjugation and improper judgment. My hobby is also flower pressing," she said. She hesitated for a moment, "One of my dreams, is to become to the head of my clan and change its ways."

Kurenai smiled warmly, and somehow knowingly. "Thank you, Hinata." Her entire presence then changed, from kind and warm to serious and deadly. "I hope you realize that once you go pass this point, there is no going back. Once a ninja, always a ninja," they all nodded. At that moment, Spyro saw Kurenai raise her hands and form them into a hand sign. He tried to get away, but found himself paralyzed. His vision began to swim and blur.

"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing," her heard from everywhere and nowhere at once.

Yeah, a cliffhanger again, I know. I just really didn't want a 10k chapter. Personally, I think be able to right that much is a huge accomplishment, but I don't want to set the bar to high for myself right now. So... yeah... REVIEW! IT IS MY SUSTENANCE!