AKIRA POV

Akira paced from one end of the turtle to the other, her thoughts shifting between her two worries like a metronome.

Yuki chan!

Naruto-kun!

Yuki chan!

NARUTO KUN!

She shook her head aggravated by the constant assault of doubt and fear which flooded her conscience.

"UGH!" She shouted, punching her fist at a wall, the sound of her knuckle breaking, echoing off the dense walls. Blood poured from the wound, which healed in a matter of seconds, as her chakra increased the speed of her healing process..

"Yo, walking around all day concerned, will only leave your mind burned. How about we take some of that stress out, and kick each other all about? Yeahhh!"

Akira glanced at Killer Bee who had been watching her the entire time. She'd endured his constant raps with half a heart, and now found herself without a single person to turn to.

They had sent her lover down to the battlefield mixed in with thousands of shinobi. She'd been attentive to the news on the battlefield which had been extremely grim. After hearing of the resurrection of the Gold and Silver Brothers, she had almost jumped ship. The only thing that had prevented her from tearing every shinobi a new asshole on the battlefield, was that the wood style user, had informed her that he could suppress all her chakra and immobilize her. Another thing, was she was more than capable of keeping an eye on his condition. She let out a low breath, before returning to the other matter.

How could she? I gave her my heart and soul as, much as I have with Naruto, and she abandons me! Especially now, in my greatest time of need!

Akira stared at the ground, feeling her eyes warm up again, with unspilled tears. She held them at bay, revolted by the idea of showing any emotion other than worry in front of the other bijuu. He might assume she had gotten soft over the years.

She slowed her breathing, and tried to calm down, flexing her muscles individually as she tried to regain control over her feelings.

I want her to return, yet I don't think I will ever forgive her. She left me alone to dream of her leaving Konoha, only to awaken to the cold hard fact that she was gone.

She bit her voluptuous lip gently tearing into the skin, before facing Killer Bee.

"Fine…let's go a couple rounds."

Anything to take my mind off of her.

NARUTO POV

Naruto wiped his dry mouth with the sleeve of his shirt, glancing at the incoming horde of enemies. Even he knew that everybody had their limits. He was close to his, and was already feeling the effects of overusing Sage mode on his body. His breath came in rasps, and although he was concerned with keeping himself safe, his immediate thoughts were filled with protecting his friends.

Hehehe. Akira-koi would be upset if she knew that I was putting myself in danger.

He exhaled slowly, and started to enter Sage mode again.

"NARUTO-KUN!"

He opened his eyes, shocked to see a White Zetsu towering over him. He reached for a kunai, only for a foot to slam into his face sending him sliding across the ground. He rebounded, searching for his opponent. His eyes shifted left and right

He's gone…

The sand shifted underfoot, and he looked down to five other Zetsu who emerged from the ground.

"EIGHT TRIGRAMS SIXTY FOUR PALMS GUARD!" a female voice shouted, right behind him.

He immediately became engulfed in a blue sphere of chakra which repelled his attackers. As the jutsu dissipated, he turned around, facing his blushing savior.

"Thanks, Hinata!"

He smiled and hugged her quickly, watching her face blush bright red.

"N….no problem, N-naruto-kun."

"Naruto!"

He turned, catching sight of Shizune waving him towards her. He retreated in a single leap, watching his friends and comrades continue to fight, his heart longing to join them.

"You need to rest," Shizune stated, her eyes sympathetic.

"I'm fine! I've still got a lot more in me."

"Naruto! Don't play these games with me. You've been fighting non stop for the past two weeks. You need to sleep. As the head medic of this squadron, get some rest. We will ensure you can return to battle as soon as possible. Until then, go rest."

He shook his head, and felt his eyes droop a little.

No…I should stay in the fight. I can't let myself give into…

Before another thought could complete itself he passed out, the toll on his body too much.

AKIRA POV

Akira dodged another tentacle, when she was hit by a wave of exhaustion. She immediately withdrew from combat drawing a look of concern from her sparring partner.

"You alright there, 9 tails? All this fighting making you pale?"

She shook her head, internally reviewing the information she had received.

The mark on Naruto is letting me know he's just passed out. Is he dead? No…that would mean that I wouldn't have felt that, but rather a massive amount of pain. What would cause him to pass out? Has he been captured? Is he okay? So many questions, but no answer.

Akira shook off the waves of questions with a single nod, and sat down, staring out over the ocean.

"Yeah…Just some things on my mind."

"You can worry about them later, I thought 9 tails was all hardcore, you fool ya fool!"

Akira glanced in his direction and let out a low growl, shaking her head. He made no sense, yet she acknowledged that he was right.

"I'm getting hungry. Let's grab something to eat," she said, walking towards the center of the ship. She'd figure out her next course of action, over a hot meal. For now, she would wait patiently for the answer to come to her.

KAZUYO POV

OUTSIDE OF KAZUYO'S HOUSE

"How dare you! You'd suggest that I put her through that!" she snarled, leaning towards her friend. The demon fox and the Jounin sat outside, after convincing Yuki to learn the new technique. Their argument had been fierce, though quiet so as to not be overheard by their guest.

"You know as well as I do, that to learn Fotou In less than a week requires that she endure that method. We don't have the luxury of time or resources right now. If there was more than one shinobi who was capable of teaching her, then we could teach her some other way."

"NO! You're sentencing my only sister to die! I'm supposed to sit here and just let it happen?" Kazuyo threatened, closing the gap between her and the demon. The air became electrically charged as the older woman stared down the creature, her eyes radiating concern.

"I should listen to you why? You don't care. You're a heartless shinobi. You and I both know you have only expressed emotions twice. Since then, you have kept what you felt a secret from everyone including those closest to you."

I can't deny the facts…she's right. Still-

She backed up, and unclenched her fists, her hair obscuring her vision.

What is this feeling? This overprotectiveness of that which is not even mine to claim? This love and-and

Realization hit her, and in that instant, Kazuyo touched her face shocked to feel tears pouring down her face. She was afraid for her sister, and the recognition of such an emotion, only made the reaction even more powerful.

"I won't lose her. There has to be another way. She's my only sister, and I don't want to throw away her life as though she is nothing to me," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. She allowed herself to cry just this once. If anything she hoped, it would delay the inevitable.

"She means that much to you, huh?"

The jounin nodded silently, inhaling deeply.

"Kai-sama. I don't want to send her there. But we don't have a choice. Who knows? She might survive. She might learn the technique, and harness the power she's inherited. You and I both know that to send her there is dangerous, and the rewards of such a feat would be equal to what you have accomplished in your time with Fotou. Give her the chance to answer for herself. If she chooses to do it, then very well. If not, we train her as we normally would for a week, until she can fend for herself with it. Even a rudimentary knowledge will help her on the battlefield."

The older Hazukashii returned to the door, opening it in a swift motion. She wiped the tears away with a single hand, and tried to restore her cold demeanor.

"Onee-chan! Hey, so I was thinking. You have to teach me some new water jutsu! I only know fire and earth style, but a water tech-Kazuyo? You alright? Your eyes are red."

It was clear to the older sibling that trying to hide her emotions had failed miserably. She decided to go with the truth since it would be easier on both of them.

"Listen up, Yuki. I don't want to waste time or beat around the bush. There is a way to learn Fotou in a day. To learn it in a day, is almost impossible and the results of such training would take you to the doors of Death, if not into his hands. This is not training for the faint of heart or the feeble minded. Of the 834 attempts, not a single shinobi has survived. There is a hallway in this temple. A hallway of such terror and fear, it is known as the Hall of Tears. If you survive you will have as much control over Fotou as I do and a much better understanding of it. You will be able to use it to its fullest extent . But the cost of such control could be your life. I cannot force you to make this-"

"If it means, becoming as strong as my older sister, then sure."

Kazuyo Hazukashii's stumbled backwards in shock, tripping over her feet and slamming against the door. She stared at the younger woman, confused by the look on her face.

She wishes to die? She knows that by attempting to get through this training, she very well won't survive! So why? Why would she put herself through such a torturous regimen?

"Look, Onee-chan. There is more to me being here than just to find out about my parents. I needed a chance to discover who I am, and what I want. The edge of death sounds like a good place to start. At least if I die, I'll know that it wasn't in vain. It will strengthen you to fight in my stead. So take me there."

Kazuyo stared at her sister in admiration, before dashing to her sister, and wrapping her up in a tight hug.

"I-I love you, Yuki-chan!"

"I love you too, my Kazu-nee-chan. I promise to make you proud."

You already have.