A/N: So this is the last interlude I will have for a while seeing as the next chapter will return to Kagome and the group. However, throughout the story there will be more as to flashback to Hakudoshi and Bankotsu's time away. I hope you enjoyed these interludes as there will be more.

Again, these interludes won't really be that long but don't worry - I will have the next chapter up as soon as possible.

Please, review and let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I do not and will never own Naruto or Inuyasha. They belong to their respective owners, not me.

"Hey, look over there."

"Man, and here I thought he'd be gone for another month or so!"

"You should have known better… He trains under Killer B so its not a shock that he's back so early."

"I don't know. All I know is that this guy gives me the creeps."

Hakudoshi sneered as he walked by the group of children. They were nothing but little specks of a bigger agenda and yet they believe themselves to be better. Pathetic. Keeping his eyes forward, Hakudoshi continued towards his destination. Its been already a year since coming to the Land of Lightning though its only his third time actually showing his face within Kumogakure.

Reaching his destination, which happened to be a quaint but popular - wait for it - Ramen stand. Sighing, Hakudoshi pushed aside the curtain in front of him and was met with the team he was assigned to when he first arrived almost a year ago.

In front of him is a group that, had he not grown up in Root, he would have cherished completely. They were odd, like his old team, but strong. Best of all, they were like him: different.

Previously, Orochimaru sent him to Kumogakure for the sole purpose of creating an alliance. His mission: get close to the eight tailed beast. At first, he did wonderfully. He managed to get inside as well as get close and personal. He reported each and every week with no second thought.

That is, until the S-classed mission.

While the shinobi in Team Samui were young, they were strong. He was no different. They were given a mission to fulfil and, with the help of Killer B, they succeeded… at a price.

Karui almost died.

Had it been anyone else, he would not have cared. He would have continued on with the mission, both of them without another thought to who the team lost. However, she was his teammate, through and through. He was the only one who was capable of helping her and so, he did. He threw all caution to the wind, forgot about his previous missions with Orochimaru and Danzo, and unlocked the final stage of his Kekkei Genkai all for this small slip of a girl.

Fusing with his familiar and summon, Hakudoshi took off after the S-class missing nin - who he later found out was part of the Akatsuki - he saved Karui and left the shinobi near the brink of death.

He would deny it if anyone asked but at the moment of returning with Karui, Hakudoshi was scared. He was afraid of his team's dismissal and reaction.

However, upon returning, he was met with sighs of relief and proud smiles - all for him. At first he didn't know what to think; he was confused. He decided that although his new team fully accepted him, he will still carry out the will of Orochimaru.

Thing is, the more time he spent with them, the more he found himself pulling away from his old life. While he still kept his stoic demeanor, he found himself caring about the odd group of shinobis.

He trained alongside them, grew stronger, created bonds. He was no longer a tool for battle, no longer just a warrior. He was now a shinobi of Kumogakure with a new mission: serve and protect the Raikage as well as his new team. The headband around his left bicep shining in the light proved that.

To hell with Orochimaru.

Eventually, his reports dwindled. They were still sent in weekly but were less detailed. Then, he stopped sending altogether and when Orochimaru would send Kabuto to see to his mission reports, he claimed that he was constantly on missions which was half the truth.

Looking at the team now, Killer B laughing at Karui beating on Omoi with Samui sighing at the sight, he knew that he wouldn't betray them for anything.

But… when the time comes for him to carry out the final part of Orochimaru's mission, he'd have to leave. He just didn't know how he would or what he would say.

"Hakudoshi! Come and join the fun!" Omoi excitedly said from under the arm of Karui.

Karui looked up from her task and turned her head to smile at her friend. "Hey! You made it! Sure, it was a little late - I mean, a lot late but who really cares about that…"

"Shut up already, Karui," Omoi deadpanned from his claimed seat after Karui loosened her grip to approach Hakudoshi.

Karui opened her eyes and stopped her rambling to glare at the other dark skinned shinobi. "Who asked you?" She asked hotly.

"Quite frankly, no one needed to. It was unanimous the second you opened your mouth," Omoi answered back with a smirk.

Karui's glare intensified. "Why you!" She raised her fist and gained immediate satisfaction when she saw him shirk away. Just before her hand managed to meet its target, their leader decided to intervene.

"That's enough," Samui said, her authoritative tone putting a stop to all movement. The whole team turned to stare at her as she inhaled a bit before grabbing her drink and downing it in one gulp.

Hakudoshi sweatdropped as he realized that she wasn't planning on saying anything else. Turning away from her, he started over to the seat between Killer B and Karui. "Baka," Hakudoshi said which caused Killer B to grin and turn to him.

"No Haku," B said seriously, "it's Bakayaru, Konoyaru! Don't mess it up next time, dude."

Hakudoshi stared at his mentor with a mixture of shock and insult. He blinked a couple of times before shaking his head with a small chuckle. "Yeah, my bad," He said in a slight mockery of B's rapper slang.

"Are you going to order anything or not, kid?" Samui spoke up from her seat on the other side of B.

"Maybe, not that hungry," He answered.

"Haku! You have to eat. I'm pretty sure you just came back from training even though we just got done from a mission," Karui scolded her teammate with slight concern showing on her face.

"If he says he's not hungry, then he's not hungry. Leave him be," Omoi spoke from his seat before eating more of his ramen.

Karui growled in her spot before rolling her eyes and ignoring him completely. "Whatever."

Hakudoshi listened to the four of them converse in their usual way and knew that when the time comes, he would have to make the right decision. Sitting there, he realized one thing.

"I need to speak to Raikage-sama."

The reactions that his teammates had were simultaneous and quite similar making him smile. He was going to miss this.