Title: A Demon's Tale
Author: swiftstar85
Genre: Drama/Friendship/Romance
Rating: T for some strong language, violence, suggestive material, and crude humor.

~Chapter Twenty-Eight

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, though I wouldn't mind if I did.

It was easy to say that quite a lot of people, including Kakashi were quite surprised to see Rin Hayashi as she knelt beside the Copy Ninja, healing his wounds. They hadn't said very much since she was revealed to them. Most of them just stared at her, still very surprised. They couldn't believe she was even there, more or less, even there. Many of them had believed that she was dead nearly over the past sixteen to seventeen years. They all knew that it would be a bigger shock to others when they returned to Konohagakure. Especially when it came to Tsunade. Many of the older Leaf Ninja knew very well that Rin had once been her student and they had been semi close.

So they knew that if Tsunade seen Rin Hayashi, they knew there was going to be a very loud lecture coming her way.

Other than that, all of the Leaf Ninja were staring curiously at the Shadoai, the Third Tail Jinchuriki, his brother and his Guardian and the Two Tail Jinchuriki when she re-arrived with Shikamaru from burying Hidan in the ground. They didn't understand too much about the new arrivals but they did get the fact that they were allies with their friends. So there wasn't going to be much of a fight with them.

However, once everything calmed down, quite a few people smiled when they watched Sakura race over and throw her arms around Gaara, which he did the same. It was too cute to see them being reunited again.

The young Shadoai, Sen Zangetsu, however, was smiling the brightest as she looked from Gaara to Sakura. She looked like she was getting excited over something. And eventually she balled up her fists and let out a cheerful squeal, getting quite a few surprised looks. "AWWWW!" She exclaimed brightly. She dashed over to where Gaara and Sakura were standing, who looked surprised. "You two are so cute together! You have got to be Sakura Haruno! Hi! My name is Sen Zangetsu! I'm the Shadokage of the Shadow Village! Gaara has told me so much about you! He was so right about you! You are so pretty!"

Sakura blinked several times before glancing side wards at Gaara, whose face was quite flushed. She had to smile coyly before she reached out and shook Sen's awaiting hand. "Oh, really? Is that what he said?" She asked.

"No! Actually his exact words were that you were the most beautiful girl he ever knew and that he loved you with all of his being!" Sen said almost just as coyly as she looked mischievously at the young Kazekage, whose face went almost as red as his hair and he tried dipping his head down to hide it.

Many of the Leaf Ninja and Gaara's siblings burst out with laughter as they watched Gaara's face turn even redder before he decided to glare at everyone to get them to stop. It didn't work out as well as he hoped.

"So, so!" Naruto suddenly blurted out, catching everyone's attention. He had been staring at both Yagura and Yugito Nii, almost astonished to have learned that they were Jinchuriki. He even bounced over a little, staring between them. "So, you're both like me and Gaara?"

Yagura raised an almost lifeless eyebrow at him while Yugito smirked and placed her hands onto her waist. She was the only one to actually respond with a nod. "Yup. I'm Yugito Nii. The Two Tail Firecat of the Lightning Country. And you're Naruto, huh? Lee, Tenten, Neji and Master Guy told me quite a bit about you. I've been looking forward to meeting you." She said, smiling.

"And I am Yagura, Fourth Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village. Third Tail Jinchuriki." Yagura said dully.

Naruto blinked as he stared at Yagura before making a face and pointing at him. "Jeez. You kinda sound like Gaara when he's in a bad mood." He grumbled before yelping when he saw twin glares from his best friend and the Third Tail. "UH! Not that's a bad thing! I mean…..!"

Sakura groaned and pressed two fingers against her temple as she stared dully at the blonde. "Ugh! Naruto, why don't you just stop before you start? You know saying things like that will just get you into trouble." She remarked before glancing side wards and seeing that Yugito and Lee were somewhat smiling at each other as they shared a shrug with one another. She tilted her head curiously before smiling faintly. "Hey, Lee. You and Yugito seem awfully close. And I happened to have noticed the way you stood up for her while fighting Kakazu."

"Yeah!" Naruto piped up, grateful that the subject changed so suddenly. He had started to sweat when Gaara peered at him dully with his sea-foam colored eyes. He only grinned as he reached over and nudged a blushing Lee's elbow. "So, is she, like, your girlfriend now? Huh? Huh?" He asked slyly.

Both Lee and Yugito glanced nervously at one another before taking a side step further away each other. They were both blushing furiously while everyone laughed a little. "Uh! No! It's not…..it's not…..!" The Leaf Taijutsu Specialist yammered.

Tenten snorted before she reached over and shoved Naruto away from Lee. "No, Naruto. They're not. They're just really good friends." She then leaned over and cupped a hand around Sakura's ear to whisper, "But they really, really like each other. Lee had a crush on her when he first saw her in Port City and she's just barely starting to develop a crush on him."

Yugito blushed even furiously as steam started to trail off of her. "Tenten!" She hissed, having heard her. Tenten just laughed rubbing the back of her neck as if sheepish, while Neji rolled his eyes and folded his arms.

Then, Naruto decided to turn his attention onto Kakashi next, watching as the woman beside him healed his wounds and then carefully help him sit up. He scampered over and nudged his former sensei's arm next, grinning slyly. "So, Kakashi-sensei. Who is this? Is she…?" He started to ask.

Kakashi gave him an annoyed look before shoving the blonde away from him, earning a yelp and a shout of protest. "Naruto, not everyone of the opposite gender are boyfriend and girlfriends." He glanced back at Rin, who was somewhat blushing as she wrapped an arm around his and helped him to his feet. "This is an old friend of mine. Rin Hayashi."

Rin smiled gently around at everyone and waved as she kept a hand on Kakashi's back, trying to support him. "Hello, everyone." She then blinked while quite a few of the ANBU were staring at her suspiciously. She knew very well why they were. "I guess I have some explaining to do, don't I?" She asked, faintly.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at her and nodded. "Yeah. That might help, Rin. After all, you've been supposedly dead for sixteen years." He remarked.

All of the young Ninja, minus the Sand Siblings and Yagura blinked in surprise. They weren't sure what to make of that. But Gaara just closed his eyes as he tilted his head downward. He knew that this was not the time for Rin's story. There was too much at stake right now. "Kakashi, everyone." He spoke quietly, making everyone look at him. "This can wait till later. Rin will just have to explain it again. The only thing we can say right now, she has been a Shadoai Ninja in the Hidden Shadow Village for the past several years." He reopened his eyes and looked over at Sen and Chiro. "As for that promise I made to you," He paused once again to point a finger at someone. "That is who you're looking for." He finished.

All eyes slowly trailed to who he was pointing at and to everyone's surprise, it was Sai.

For someone who didn't feel emotions very much, Sai looked just as surprised as everyone. Especially when Sen and Chiro blinked several times and stared at him. It just grew even more surprising when the young Shadoai gasped and rushed over to him, stopping only inches away from him.

"Uh, Gaara?" Naruto asked, skeptically. "What are you talking about? What do you mean that they've been looking for Sai?"

Gaara did not answer but watched as Sen stared directly into an uneasy Sai's eyes. He just watched like everyone else did. Though, other than his brother and sister and his new companions, everyone else was surprised while they weren't.

Sen stared right into Sai's eyes, quite astonished before she reached up to touch his face. But the young Artist Ninja caught her wrist and held her hand away from him while eyeing her suspiciously. "Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked, uneasily.

"She's just trying to figure out if you're her twin brother or not." Chiro remarked, sounding just as astonished as his young ward was looking.

Everyone, once again, but minus some people, looked very surprised. Naruto even grunted in surprise and started at Sen and Sai with alarm. He, like everyone else, couldn't believe that Sai could even have a sister, much less a sister from an entirely different village. They all knew that they didn't know him very well, but the way he was looking right now, he couldn't believe it either.

Sai stared, quite alarmed for someone who couldn't feel emotions, right at Sen as she stared right into his eyes. He couldn't believe what these people were even saying. He didn't believe it. "You must be mistaken. I'm afraid I do not have a sister, more or less, I am from the Leaf Village. I have lived in the Hidden Leaf Village for my entire life." He told everyone.

Sen shook her head as she stared with tears slowly filling her eyes. "No. No." She quickly shoved a hand into her waist pouch and pulled out the photo she had showed to Gaara and his siblings before holding it up. She looked quickly from the picture to Sai and then back again. She shook her head again as more tears filled her eyes and she looked almost breathless. "No. That's not true! You are! You are my twin brother, Sei!" She gasped.

Again everyone blinked in surprise before a few murmured quietly to others. Sai just shook his head as he let go of Sen's wrist and stepped back. "I'm afraid you are mistaken. I cannot be who you are looking for." He told her, emotionlessly.

"Sai." Rin spoke up, still supporting a rather surprised Kakashi. She tilted her head, looking almost curiously at the pale Leaf Ninja. "Where are you from exactly? You are the Elder, Danzo's subordinate, correct?"

Sai just frowned at her before glancing back at Sen. "I'm afraid….." He was saying.

"Yes." Gaara spoke up, closing his eyes and dipping his head down a little. He remained that way for a moment before reopening his eyes and looking directly at Sai. "Sai is Danzo's subordinate. But for who knows how long, only Sai can answer that. Maybe." He dipped his head down even lower. "Sai, how long have you been in the Root program? Do you remember where you were born?" He asked calmly.

There was a very long silence as Sai stared directly into Gaara's eyes before he closed his own and shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't answer that. I am not allowed to speak of my past. The Foundation of Root Ninja has no past…" He was saying.

Quite a few of the Ninja were annoyed to even hear Sai say that. Most didn't say anything, of course, but a few murmured that it was a stupid rule they had ever heard. Ibiki was one who voiced his opinion on the matter. He frowned deeply as he eyed the young Leaf Ninja almost sourly. "While that is true and the best for most, right now, Sai, you are obligated to answer the Lord Kazekage's questions. I may not be your supervisor, but I am a higher ranked ANBU than you are. And I don't care what Danzo's rules are right now. Him, being an Elder or not. I am just as curious as everyone else is about this whole thing and if I have to order you to answer the damn question, then I will." He grounded out.

For a moment, Sai looked surprised to hear such strong words from a fellow ANBU. Especially one of Ibiki's stature. He knew the rough reputation that Ibiki Morino held but he had expected to hear him say such things about an Elder like Danzo. "You don't understand. I am not at liberty to say anything. I'm afraid I can't." He told everyone.

"Why, Sai? Why can't you tell us?" Sakura asked frowning, slightly irritated at her emotionless friend's hesitation about talking.

"It's because of the seal he has on his person."

Everyone stiffened when they heard a new voice but what made everyone jerk their heads around to search for the source was the fact that it seemed to echo right off the trees all around them. It was the same voice but it was coming from all around the Ninja; Leaf, Mist, Cloud and Shadoai, who stiffened in surprise but in recognition.

Sen jerked around, her eyes dashing from one place to the next as her face lit up with happiness. She looked happy to hear that voice, if not surprised. "Oh, my! He never comes out when I don't call him!" She said brightly.

"Who is that? What's going on?" Naruto blurted out, looking around wildly.

It was then everyone began to notice the shadows on the ground. It was a strange sight to see as the shadows seemed to move as one, gathering in spot near the tree line. It was like they were coming to life or if Shikamaru was playing tricks on them. But with only a glance, everyone saw that he looked just as alarmed as they all did.

And from the very shadows, a large white paw step right out of the darkness, followed by a massive form of a wolf.

Everyone froze in shock as they stared at the wolf. They couldn't believe the size of it. It was nearly the size of a horse, if not slightly bigger. Its head was dipped down low, as if it was stalking prey but once it was completely out of the shadows, it lift it high and proud. It had dark blue and black markings running all over and through its fur, yet they seemed to move slowly as if they were living shadows their selves. The wolf's full yellow moon like eyes stared unblinking around at everyone, meeting every single Ninja's eyes before falling upon Sen as she was the first to move.

The very sight of the great wolf had made the young Shadoai Princess squeak in glee before she raced over to greet it. It did not move at all as it watched her approach quickly before allowing her to throw her arms around thick neck. It finally dipped its head down over Sen's shoulder, as if embracing her right back.

"Lord Okami!" Chiro finally spoke before sweeping down to one knee to bow in respect. He ignored some of the surprised looks he was getting but kept his head down low. "It is always a pleasure to be in your presence, my Lord. But why have you…..?"

The Wolf Lord lift its giant head before looking around at everyone. His eyes finally fell on the four Jinchuriki and it seemed as if he was smiling in amusement. "Four Tailed Demons. In the presence of one another and not fighting to bite each others' heads off. Now this is a sight I have not seen before." He looked each Jinchuriki in the eyes with his nearly soul piercing eyes before looking back at Chiro. "Chiro Nagataka, do I must always repeat myself? You do not have to bow down to me every time you see me." He said with a very kind but powerful voice.

A wide smile spread out on Chiro's face as he finally lift his head and looked up at the Wolf Lord. He couldn't help but shake his head as he slowly lift himself to his feet. "Forgive me, Lord Okami. But I've been brought up to respect you. This will probably not be the last time you have to remind me." He told him with light humor.

The giant wolf just shook his head before looking down at Sen. "Sen, you did not realize it, but your heart did call me. I have been listening to this entire conversation." He lift his moon lit eyes and looked directly at Sai. "Now, for the desire of your heart, I will be the judge of who this young cub really is." He side stepped away from Sen and lightly padded towards Sai, who stepped back as if alarmed. It was almost amusing to many others. But the large wolf paused in mid step at the unease in Sai's eyes. "Do not fear me, young cub. I only wish to look into your eyes. I am not one who harms humans unless they tend to harm my young Shadokage." He said, swishing his giant brush of a tail towards Sen, who smiled brightly.

Sai didn't step back again as the wolf slowly approached him but everyone could tell that he was feeling just a little intimidated. And no one could blame him. The Wolf Lord was quite big and it was known by many that wolves were rather fierce when they were angered.

Lord Okami, King of the Wolves, dipped his head down a little, since he was a good deal taller than Sai was. He lowered his head until he was nearly eye length of the young Leaf Ninja's own. His moon lit eyes looked directly into Sai's, staring almost intentively. And to Sai, it felt like something was poking at his very soul. He could almost feel as if the Wolf Lord could see into his very soul with those eyes of his.

"Is it…?" Sen spoke up, hopefully. "Okami, is it him? Is he really…..?"

For a long time, Okami stared into Sai's eyes, who found himself not even able to blink because of those piercing eyes. And for a long time, everyone watched as the wolf and the Leaf Ninja had a stare down.

Finally, the Wolf Lord broke eye contact by closing his eyes and lifting his head up. He sighed softly as he turned his entire body and looked back at the hopeful look on Sen's face. "I'm sorry, Sen." He spoke quietly.

"No." Sen whispered, sounding as if all of her hopes had just been crushed by his very words.

Everyone, including Sai, who was quite puzzled by very feeling, felt sorry that Sen's hopes were crushed. Nearly everyone had been hoping that maybe, just maybe, Sai really was her twin brother. It would have given Gaara, Naruto and Sakura some idea of who their team mate and friend was. It would have shed some light on him and probably would have helped them understand more about him.

"I'm afraid that this young pup is no longer Sei Zangetsu. He has been Sai for nearly sixteen years, since Caligo Zangetsu had kidnapped him and made all of us think he was dead." Okami said calmly.

Everyone blinked at the choice of his words, very surprised to even hear what he had even said.