V7 Ch 2

Fate Entwined

Shikamaru waited near Yakedo's shipping business. He kept his form low, eyes searching the area. Shikamaru crawled on his stomach to where he had full view of it. He was suspecting Nattoku to not leave the business to waste away.

Ryu remained near Onari as they stood high in the trees. They were trying their best not to show they existed. Ryu thought Nattoku had a better chance of showing himself here than anywhere. The shipping business remained active as of a few months ago. The ones who were left in charge had gotten word of Yakedo's imprisonment. They stole what they could from the old man and cut their ties with him. "Onari, can you use that special technique of yours to surveillance the area?"

Onari looked over at him. She stood from her crouched position on a lower branch. Onari formed hand seals rapidly in front of her body. She concentrated. Her vision shot up and away from her body. The tops of the trees were below her. She started to turn her vision in three hundred and sixty degrees.

Ryu stood guard. His fingers were wrapped around a kunai. His eyes moved across the area slowly. Hurry up, Onari. Ryu felt uneasy with the situation.

Onari shot back to her body in a rush of colors and movement. She placed her hand on the tree to keep her balance. Awakening from the use of her technique made her feel groggy. "Onari saw a man waiting not far away. He is not alone. Onari could see smoke faintly rising past the trees."

Ryu glanced at her. "Whoever it is, is keeping his distance for a very good reason. We have to notify Shikamaru. Someone might be expecting us."

Shikamaru glanced at the two figures who poofed near him. "You two are supposed to be keeping an eye out." What he wouldn't give for a cigarette right now. The waiting was getting to him.

Ryu laid down next to Shikamaru. He looked at the man whose daughter he was courting. "Onari saw a lookout not far from here. She also detected a thin trail of smoke lifting from the trees. It's not enough to be a fire. Any ideas?"

Shikamaru signaled for Onari to get down. "Someone might be expecting us to know about the shipping business. The trail of smoke could be from someone with a bad habit same as mine," he said as he pulled out a cigarette. "Onari, can you check again to see where they are now?"

"Shikamaru, if Onari uses technique too much, it will make Onari sick," she said. Onari looked at him seriously. As with any kekkegenkai, it drained her chakra significantly if overused.

"I understand your problem, Onari, but we may have an army on our hands. Scouts are used to alert a lot more people of whose waiting for them. If you can use it now, I need you to. I wouldn't be asking if I didn't need your assistance," Shikamaru stated. "Do it."

Onari performed hand seals quickly. Her vision soared to the tops of the trees again. She turned her vision around to scan the area. The scout had moved closer. The smoke she had seen before was now gone. Before she could find out more, her vision shot back down to her body.

Onari brought her hand up to touch her forehead. She felt terrible. "Closer. The scout is closer," she said as she tried to shake it off. Onari fell to the ground dizzy.

Ryu went to her on all fours. He moved his hand to touch her face. "Onari. Onari? She wasn't kidding. She's out of commission for the time being."

Shikamaru stood. "We don't have much time. They could spot us this close to the building. We need to move back."

"There's someone in there, isn't it? Why are we waiting out here instead of rushing in to retrieve Nattoku," Ryu said as they moved Onari to a safer spot where she wouldn't be found. He had to keep her out of the way.

"Ryu, did you honestly think I was going to stake out the business for days on end? I had to be sure someone would show. My guess is Nattoku has been inside the entire time. If he knows his father's death is going to rouse suspicion, it's the only place for him to lay low. We have a mild advantage having that information. He suspects us to be waiting at Konoha for an attack, or the ANBU to be searching for him. He doesn't realize that Neji, Kurenai, and Engi found the hidden room in the house."

Ryu stared at Shikamaru. "What hidden room?" He kept his eyes on the area around him, his ears listening.

"In the room where Yakedo held his family meetings, there were traps present for anyone who dared to search the house. Neji triggered the traps to deactivate them. A closet opened on the other side of the room that held three candle holders in it. Kurenai helped him figure out the riddle they held and a trap door opened that led underneath the house into another room. Engi, one of the captains of the ANBU, found important documents related to the shipping business Hire had mentioned. It contained who was the main beneficiary, what was being exchanged, how often, who was involved, and even the co-beneficiary."

"So it told right off, that in Yakedo's death, Nattoku would inherit everything, I'm assuming. He would get the rights to the business, the authority to negotiate power rights, and also the money involved," Ryu said as he became disgusted. "It seems like Nattoku wasn't that worried about being caught. He was more interested in how long he was to remain in prison before he sought to attack the Inuzuka. Exactly what are his concerns with Kiba and his clan?"

Shikamaru started to whisper as he saw birds moving. The scout was not in the area yet. He suspected the man to be waiting for a signal. "Nattoku is after the annihilation of a clan. Can you tell me why someone would want to get rid of the Inuzuka? Think hard about what and who they are."

Ryu lowered his vision as his mind reflected on Kiba's family. He knew Kiba to be strong, loyal, and had a strong sense of smell. The man was a great tracker and kept on his target until he succeeded. "He's after the ones most loyal to Konoha," Ryu answered. "Kiba's clan are the type that can not only track with their abilities and training, but also have the strong mindset to keep going. He's afraid they'll find out everything. They would ruin him and his plans. Do you think he's going to try and overthrow the Hokage?"

"I don't think he's that much of a fool," Shikamaru said. "Nattoku would be a moron to go after the Hokage. The Hokage's ties to his people and allies are great. It would start a massive war. The catastrophe numbers would soar."

Ryu didn't like what he was hearing. "Maybe Nattoku is as stupid as you don't assume, Shikamaru sensei. Maybe he wants to start a war so great that he would benefit from it. If his allies are just as great as the Hokage's, we have a reason to fear for Konoha. I think Kiba's clan is going to be a scapegoat for the real reasons behind Nattoku's scheme."

"I hope your thoughts are incorrect, Ryu. You're not one to voice anything that doesn't need to be said. I'll have to say this much, you're as intelligent and precise in reasoning as your father," Shikamaru commented. Ryu's eyes widened. It wasn't time to be sentimental.

"Are we going to let Daiji approach Nattoku," Ryu asked as he saw the answer in Shikamaru's eyes.

"We're going to let this play out. Daiji has no idea where Yakedo is. He only knows his father and brother were captured by the ANBU two years ago. Nattoku will be the one to inform him of the whereabouts of their elder. It will determine Daiji's allegiance to his brother," Shikamaru said. He was suspecting a fight to happen between the brothers. Nattoku was ruthless and uncanny in his actions. If he was right, then their eyes might not be on the right target.

"The coast is clear," the scout informed Daiji as he approached. "There is no one else in the area near us. As for the shipping business of your father, well, you are on your own for that," he said with an evil smile coming across his face. "We can't be seen. So sorry."

Daiji narrowed his eyes. "There is also no noise coming from the harbor ahead. I fear my father's business may not be available."

"Last we heard, the business was still prospering. Sad to know that in such time it would have vanished without a trace. " The man watched Daiji pass him without a glance.

"If it was doing that well, Nattoku wouldn't have come here to hide. His appearance would cause upheaval in the very least. If I don't return, you all have your orders. Kanoko knows where the payment is at the house." He left the scout immediately.

Daiji approached the old shipping business cautiously. He looked around amongst the trees. It appears Father's business is no longer operating. Word of his imprisonment has leaked out. Daiji stopped in his tracks. There was a small mud golem hidden near the building amongst foliage. He sensed it right away. So Nattoku is here. I wonder if he's expecting me or someone else. As Daiji moved closer, the golem reacted. It shot into the ground. Daiji watched as it burred under the house. Within a matter of moments, Nattoku showed himself.

Nattoku exited the shipping business slowly. Daiji looked the same as he had last seen of him. "As suspected, you are still loyal to our father's purpose."

Daiji stood stiffly. Nattoku had always been the one controlling their father. He had known it for some time. "Where is our father, Nattoku? I was expecting his business to still be present."

"What news has reached you from the hole which you've hidden yourself," Nattoku asked calmly. He watched his brother remain where he was. The trust in him was not there. Nattoku wanted to know what was going on before he did away with his brother. He wasn't accustomed to sharing power with anyone; not even his own father.

"As soon as you and father left, Fushigi went mad. He killed Ashioto," Daiji said. He saw no remorse or sadness creep across his oldest brother's face. "Hire's whereabouts are in Konoha. She has taken refuge under the Hokage and the Inuzuka." Nattoku's eyes changed to that of hatred. "You don't seem to be too concerned with our siblings demise. Nor our sister's influence. Where is father? Perhaps he will be concerned."

Nattoku reached into his clothing to pull out a thin toothpick. He picked his teeth carefully as if he had just eaten and the matter did not concern him any further. "Our father died in prison, Daiji. As for the deaths of Fushigi and Ashioto, they are best left out of the way. Fushigi was mad from the start - that is, once he knew of Father's plans."

Daiji clenched his fists. "You mean your plans, don't you? You've been putting ideas into Father's head since you were a boy. I suppose over the years your forked tongue has grown long to influence others," Daiji said as he began to form hand seals. Nattoku only laughed at his effort. "I'm not blind to what your true intentions are! I know you were the one that probably killed our father!"

Nattoku watched the mud creature form out of the ground. It had two nasty looking heads with muscular arms and body. On its chest were long hard as rock spikes. On the end of its arms were long thick pinchers. "As always, Daiji, you've watched from the sidelines as the other siblings. I had to keep you in line as I did the others. Don't be a fool. Your only option is to carry out my plans. Whether it is you who issues the orders, or myself doesn't matter. I know you've led Kanoko and his men here. Scouts are excellent at keeping an eye out for people, but not golems. I let another golem loose so that it could learn more while you were busy," he said cackling.

Daiji sent his creature after Nattoku as he brought out a metal scythe that was as long as his arm. He swung it over his brother's head as the man avoided the golem. Nattoku moved his feet swiftly laughing at his efforts. "You're not going to get away with this!"

Nattoku moved his body in a rotation as his arms came out to his sides. In his hands he held two vials of acid. When the golem came barreling down on him, he opened each vile to spread it on the golem's body. Nattoku moved away quickly as the material started to break quickly apart. Large chunks of mud and earth hit the ground. "There's still one vile left for you, dear brother. Would you rather try to attack me now, or take your death on your feet rather than you knees?"

Daiji went after Nattoku angrily swinging his scythe. Nattoku blocked the scythe's sharp end by using his small mud golems to take the hits. They shattered on contact, as suspected. Nattoku tried to trip Daiji, but he was onto his brother's move before he attempted it. Daiji countered him by moving his hand back to grab the end of the scythe. He started to rotate it as Nattoku brought up his hands to shoot sharp toothpicks at him. He narrowed his eyes. "And you thought that was going to work."

Nattoku only smiled at his brother. "You haven't learned much in your training. Maybe the toothpicks weren't the weapon I was going for," he said to give a hint about what his real plan was. Daiji's mind was turning wheels, but as soon as he saw his brother try to grasp the answer, Nattoku completed the hand seals. A section of the earth in front of them fell away. Nattoku moved his arms up to create three walls around his brother with the hole in front. "You won't be escaping me."

Daiji plants his feet into the ground as the wall behind him started to move. He skidded his feet to prevent himself from going into the hole. Daiji stuck the scythe into the ground , but it wasn't holding the wall. The other two walls started to come towards him. Daiji's eyes widened as he lowered his body below the scythe. It was at the right angle to hold the walls from advancing, but how long?

Nattoku sneered at his younger brother. It was as if taunting a small child. He laughed as he concentrated more. The walls started to shake. Daiji was holding them in place, but not for long. Nattoku made the mud wall on his right suddenly move back then move forwards again with sheer force and speed. It caused the pole of the scythe to snap. The scythe came down. It's weighted blade rotated and cut Daiji's head off.

Nattoku watched as a man catching a child's ball. The head of his brother rolled down the path into the hole he had created. The body fell to the ground. Nattoku lowered the walls. The pole fell also. "It seems Daiji was rather infamous for losing his head." He didn't have long to mourn the passing of his brother. Three figures poofed behind him. Nattoku turned around to see a man with a lazy gaze, a boy with spiked hair, and a girl with yellow eyes watching him. They all wore the symbol of the leaf village. "You all are a bit too late. The plans are already in motion."

"Just because something is in motion, doesn't mean we can't put our foot on it to stop it from rolling," Ryu said as he stared at Hire's brother. He was trying to keep his eyes away from the headless corpse. He wasn't used to seeing gruesome people, or situations.

"Ryu Yuhi, I presume," Nattoku said as he looked at the boy before him. "So you're the one my cowardly sister had a thing for." Nattoku said quite mischievously. "How it would break her heart if you never came home!" Nattoku threw the vile of acid at Ryu.

Onari moved in front of Ryu quickly. She formed hand seals. Her hands stopped on the seal for tiger. "Fire ball jutsu!" Onari's lungs inhaled quickly. She held it then unleashed a large amount of fire at the acid. The fire caused the acid to explode. Nattoku was sent back with the blast as they were.

Shikamaru went flying so far away that his body rolled onto the ground. He covered his head at once. He groaned as he started to rise. "Onari, don't do that again! Chemicals react with fire!"

Onari was not around to hear Shikamaru's warning. She was on her feet after Nattoku in an instant. The man was already using his two-headed mud golem against Ryu. The older boy was using his chained scythe to block the creature. Ryu was doubling back on his feet as the creature opened its mouth. It sent sharp spikes of clay at him. Ryu used a substitution jutsu to avoid the hit. The spikes hit the log instantly with a tacking noise. Onari put her hand on the shuriken in the casing on her leg. She withdrew several shuriken. Onari approached the man controlling the creature; not the creature itself. She threw the shuriken at the man aiming at his arms and abdomen.

Nattoku narrowed his eyes at the girl. He signaled the creature to block the hit. The creature moved in front of him with its mouths open, body bent. It swallowed the shuriken. "You honestly thought that was going to work, did you?" The girl was staring at him with no emotion in her face. Nattoku did not rest long. Ryu was back on his feet after him. The boy his sister had been in love with, extracted a scroll from his vest. Nattoku signaled the creature to go after the girl with yellow eyes. "Kill her. Leave the boy to me!"

Ryu unraveled the scroll in his hands. He bit his thumb and quickly formed hand seals. His genjutsu was advanced for his age. After all, he had been trained under Sasuke Uchiha. Ryu smeared his fingers across the scroll quickly. The scroll glowed as it came to life under his red eyes. The boy took out a special brush. He started to paint onto the scroll with the blood canvas. Ryu concentrated. "Fortress of Peril!"

Nattoku watched as Ryu's form faded from his view. The area around him turned into an old Japanese castle equipped with stone walls. Nattoku eyed the area. He knew it was a trick, but where was Ryu in all of this? He tried to move forwards but metal spikes sprang up to block his way. The ridiculous thing about genjutsu was it was highly believable. It ensnared the mind to believe every sight, sound, smell, and touch effect was real. He knew if he moved forward, his body and mind would respond to the spikes and he would die.

Nattoku formed hand seals to counter Ryu's move against him. "Devil's jester!" The earth before him started to mold. The ground moved back and forth as if a snake was swiftly darting from place to place. Nattoku grinned as his dark eyes saw the mud turn into a large ball with a nasty looking face upon it. It resembled an old man whose eyes were dark, mouth hollow and small, tiny arms were upon its form to propel it about. Yet, inside of its body were spikes. A hundred clay spikes lay inside of its round belly as it stood fifteen feet high and eight feet wide. There was no escaping the jester.

Ryu kept his genjutsu going as the mud creature formed before him. Unlike Nattoku, this thing was not tricked by the genjutsu. He was in real trouble. Shikamaru and Onari were gone to find the army that lay in waiting for Daiji's return. Sadly, Daiji was dead. As Ryu stood, the golem's large bulbous body moved right in his direction. Its head was watching him with a blank stare. The small mouth upon the golem started to spread wide and long. Ryu could see inside of its body. If it got a hold of him, it could shred him to pieces. He breathed hard and fast. This was over his head. Nattoku was more skilled than him and he knew it.

Nattoku smiled evilly as he tried to decipher where Ryu was. The golem was turned slightly to his right. Its body stayed still, head watching. "So you're over there are you, Ryu? Unlike me, this golem won't be fooled by your genjutsu! It doesn't have a mind of its own. It only obeys me! Escape him if you can!" Nattoku relied upon this particular golem for its swift departure from him and also capture of his enemies. It wouldn't stop at retrieving, or killing someone. No, this mud creature was too big to break down with water, or explode entirely with bombs. Sure, pieces of its body would crack off, but it was still mobile. He favored it highly. "Turn his body into fodder for the earth, Tanuku!"

Ryu ran. The golem's large body was after him. He swiftly darted trying to avoid it, but it wasn't fooled by his movement. Tanuku, Nattoku's golem, opened its mouth. Ryu threw kunai and shuriken at it, but it did mild damage. Its mud shelled body was thick. He swore. The dark eyes were watching him sinisterly as he managed to place his foot on a tree. The golem rotated its body trying to latch onto him as he twisted in the air. Ryu watched as Tanuku's body turned inside outwards. His eyes went wide as the golem became spiked all over. It doubled over and rolled upon the ground as Ryu managed to get his footing. The spiky haired boy from Konoha ran for his life.

Shikamaru spotted the army below him and Onari. He breathed out nervously. There were at least fifty well armed men from the grass country. He signaled Onari to not move. They were going to have to back off. "We can't win this, Onari. There are too many of them. We have to alert the village."

Onari's hard yellow eyes looked at him as if in disbelief. "Onari stronger than Shikamaru and Ryu. Onari can use Akaihi to get rid of men," she said with confidence. "Onari will not let men harm Brother Kiba."

Shikamaru knew Onari's strength had increased over the years. However, she was often sworn to not unleash Akaihi if she could help it. An enormous fire bird such as that could alert the wrong people. He had to make a decision. Shikamaru stayed in the shadows as he analyzed the situation. There are fifty men below us who wish to rip the Inuzuka apart. Not to mention Nattoku who is highly dangerous. We have to alert the Hokage and also get back to Ryu. Onari is inexperienced with a huge responsibility such as this. It's my call. What should I do? Should I let her unleash the bird to get rid of these mean? It could mean extra trouble for us. I recognized that guy as Kanoko. He's an old friend of Yakedo's. I would say he's about as threatening. If we go ahead and get rid of all of them without prior notice from the Hokage, would it start a larger war? Shikamaru became entangled in his thoughts. A small battle was bad, but a large war with multiple countries would be the end of Konoha. Nattoku knew what he was doing to make sure Daiji called upon these men for help.

Onari waited. She had promised Sasuke to listen to Shikamaru and Ryu. They were teaching her the ropes of dangerous missions. However, time was running out. She wished to end this quickly before word got out of where they were positioned. It was an unnecessary complication. Onari had to protect the ones she resided with. Would Shikamaru let her hold true to that oath? She glanced at him.

Shikamaru's heart was beating fast in his chest. As he thought about the consequences, his mind flashed to all of the others in the village. He thought of Kiba and Areku who these men were out to destroy. His mind also shifted to Saori, his daughter who was in love with Ryu. Their mission was to stop these men at all costs. Nattoku could and would be dealt with. "Onari, release Akaihi," he said as he turned his head to look at her.

Onari bowed low to Shikamaru. The decision was made. "Onari will listen to Brother Shikamaru," she said with her hollow low voice that was all too much like her brother's when she was in battle mode. The girl from the lightening country rolled up the netting on her arms. The bandages covering her tattoos was removed. As the bandages hung in the air, she bit both of her thumbs. Onari smeared the blood onto the tattoos. She began to form hand seals so rapidly that her hands could not be traced for which signs they were performing. She slammed her hand upon the branch of the tree. Symbols began to form in a spiral of light around her body. Onari was lost in the light as she shouted to the top of her lungs, "Summoning jutsu, Celestial God of the South Gate, Akaihi!"

Kanoko and his men looked up at once into the trees as they heard a girl's voice shout. They were being attacked. He signaled his men to grab their weapons and be ready. As he expected to be attacked by a large army, the earth shook as part of it broke away to form a massive black hole in the ground. Kanoko stood. Was this some sort of trick. He narrowed his eyes at the two ninja above him. "We don't fall so easily to pranks!"

Shikamaru stood confidently as he matched Kanoko's gaze. "No? Well, then you won't be disappointed for this is no prank!"

Kanoko moved forward with his men as orange and red light started to lift from the hole. He signaled his men to stay where they are. Something was in the hole. What had that girl unleashed? Just as he thought it was safe to move again, he and his men heard cries coming from the abyss. "What is that," he asked as they stood motionless watching as a large ball of red fire shoot out of the earth. His men were ready to attack.

Onari and Shikamaru moved behind the men once their focus was on Akaihi. The phoenix was capable of taking care of himself. Akaihi touched down with grace as it focused its yellow eyes upon the men below him. It opened its mouth issuing a high-pitched warning. The men covered their ears. Onari ran up to a few men near her. As their backs were turned, she attacked strong and fast. Her lightening quick punches hit four men in the back of the head so hard their bodies were thrown forwards.

Shikamaru was on top of several men himself as he threw shuriken and kunai to move them towards the phoenix. Akaihi was waiting for those who got near him. It opened its mouth and opened fire. Shikamaru heard the screams of the men as they ran around setting fire to the woods. Soon all of the men were fighting he and Onari in a rush of kunai meets kunai. He could hear the pings as Onari deflected several kunai at her.

Onari moved her hands in front of her body at her targeted limbs as her palms caught the shuriken with her chakra. She held two there until she managed to reverse her chakra flow. "Reverse. Back!" Onari threw the shuriken back at two separate men. She heard them gack as it hit their throats. She was playing for keeps as they were. Onari moved her body forward, leg back as a man came behind her trying to grab onto her. She kicked him with such force between the legs that his body lifted off of the ground as his pelvis shattered.

Akaihi turned his head to see several men approaching his daughter. He lifted his head to blow a stream of fire right in their path. (Think again.) He began to move his long fire licked legs to snuff out a few men. Akaihi stomped on men who weren't fast enough to get away from him. He heard their bodies crunch as they were forced into the earth.

Shikamaru used his shadow possession jutsu to take hold of an opponent who was trying to use hand seals to unlock a jutsu. "Sorry, not quick enough," he said as he began to change the man's hand seals to another jutsu. The man struggled to break free. Shikamaru sent the man bending his body back to where his head hit a tree. "I love using that old trick. It brings back memories," he said.

Kanoko opened his vest to get a scroll. "You won't touch me, you little witch," he said as the girl with the scarred face moved closer to him slowly. His men were running around like cowards throwing weapons at the phoenix. He opened the scroll towards her and waited.

Onari tilted her head at the scroll. It was nothing more than scribble to her. "Man's scroll is not working on Onari. Man might want to run now," she said as he closed the scroll.

Kanoko threw the scroll away. Why the hell didn't that work? It was enclosed with a mind erasure! He moved his body back as the girl lowered her body. Kanoko rotated a kunai in his hand and threw it, but the girl's body blurred. She moved. He searched the forest wildly his eyes and ears alert. Where is she?

Onari busted through the earth to grab onto Kanoko's leg. She pulled him under the earth so fast that his head lifted all to quick. The force of the pull caused his head to snap back.

Kanoko narrowed his eyes as he growled at the girl who was crouched before him. She was watching him with an intense, unfavorable look as he yelled at her. "You filthy Konoha brat! I'll get you for this!"

Shikamaru approached the scene slowly. Akaihi had chased off, or crushed most of the men. The phoenix snorted fire out of its nose as it stood triumphantly. He smiled as he lifted his hand to mess her hair up. "I see Sasuke taught you one of Kakashi's old tricks. Nice work, Onari. And as for you, I'll give you the answers to the questions that are darting around in that old head of yours," Shikamaru said as he blew his cigarette smoke onto the man. The man coughed. "One, a mind erasure scroll is useless on Onari. She can't read. Two, she's not originally from Konoha. She was taken in. Three, as for the filthy remark, she bathes regularly. Have a nice day," Shikamaru said as he raised. He whistled to Akaihi. "You've done your job for the time being." Akaihi only regarded Onari. He watched the phoenix search the girl for her decision.

"Akaihi, defuse," Onari said as the phoenix obeyed. It stayed in its large form. As they took one last glance at Kanoko, they turned around to walk off.

"You can't leave me here like this! Get me out of this confounded trap," Kanoko shouted with rage. The veins in his forehead were popping out.

"Actually, we can," Shikamaru said as he glanced over his shoulder at the man. "Traitors and cowards deserve nothing more than to be at the lowest possible level they such deserve: the dirt. Enjoy sleeping with the rats and snakes."

Suddenly, a blood curdled scream echoed through the forest. Onari flipped her head to catch Shikamaru's worried look before she sped off. "Shikamaru, that sounds like Ryu!"

Shikamaru flew through the trees with Akaihi lifting into the air. The phoenix was flying overhead as they came upon Nattoku laughing. Shikamaru saw no sight of Ryu Yuhi. "Where is he? What did you do to him," Shikamaru yelled as he met Nattoku kunai against kunai.

Nattoku's dark eyes met Shikamaru's with an evil smirk. "That little genjutsu user of yours is in Tanuku's belly. He is digesting him as we speak," he said softly.

Shikamaru turned his eyes cautiously to see the mud golem who remained motionless. It's body was rotating strangely as if it were churning cement. "Onari, get Ryu out of there!" He began to fight Nattoku heavily as his anger increased. Ryu's screams of terror were echoing inside of the mud golem.

Onari went after the golem with her leg outstretched, arm back. The golem started to move towards her at an alarming speed. Just as it came within yards of her, Onari flipped her body onto her one hand, balancing as she started to kick and punch all at once. The mud upon the creature's body broke piece after piece.

Akaihi moved between the men as they were forced apart by each other. The phoenix turned its head to regard the man with dark hair and dark eyes. (This man is evil.) Akaihi saw nothing but demise and sorrow in this being's reach. He went for the man.

Nattoku threw wave after wave of mud at the phoenix as it charged him. The phoenix opened its mouth to blow fire upon the mud. The mud hardened and broke to the ground as it butted its head through it. Nattoku withdrew a shuriken. He threw it at the bird, but it moved its head to the side. The shuriken chinged off of it. "I don't know what you are, you stupid animal, but I'll slaughter you!"

Akaihi stood tall and proudly at the mortal before him. It caused the flame to ignite upon its body. Akaihi chose to speak to the man inside of his head. The man's eyes were wild with fright. (I am Akaihi, Celestial God of the South Gate. I am sworn to protect those Onari protects. In regards to that oath, I will make ash of anyone who threatens her existence, or that of the ones she cares for.)

Nattoku turned around to run from the phoenix. It wasn't true! There was no way this creature was a celestial! It was only a myth from the Heaven's Scroll! As he ran for his life, the phoenix opened fire upon him. Nattoku, eldest brother to Hire, screamed as his body became flame. The last visions he had were of the trees and sky as his singed body fell to the earth.

Onari managed to finally crack through the golem. She stopped in her tracks as her eyes fell upon Ryu, Takeru's best friend. Ryu's body was mutilated from the spikes inside the golem. Onari screamed, "Shikamaru!" As the man ran over, she touched Ryu's face. She turned his head towards hers. "Ryu? Ryu!"

Shikamaru quickly ripped Ryu's clothing away. His vest was shredded as well as his under clothing. Shikamaru Nara checked for a pulse. It was weak. He turned his gaze to Ryu's face. He forced the boy's face mask down. There was blood flowing out of his mouth. "Hang on, Ryu!" He tore his vest off quickly. Shikamaru began to shred his own shirt for bandages. "Onari, signal Akaihi to defuse! We have to get Ryu back to Konoha as quickly as we can!"

Onari stood on her feet. "Akaihi, defuse! Shikamaru needs you to help us!" The phoenix turned its head around with concern. She lowered her form to watch Shikamaru desperately trying to stop Ryu's body from bleeding. There were deep gashes all over his entire body. The golem had ripped flesh off of him. "Shikamaru?" Onari's tender eyes met his.

"If we don't get him back as fast as that phoenix flies, he's going to die, Onari! Ryu's severely wounded." His hands moved around Ryu's arm to secure the bandages. As Akaihi lowered his body for the three of them, Shikamaru looked back at Ryu's pale face. All he saw when he looked at Ryu, was Saori's happy smile. Shikamaru quickly lifted him onto his back. He and Onari ran at the phoenix, jumped, and Akaihi took off.

Sakura Lee checked a patient's clipboard as she stood in the room with another nurse. She confirmed the dosage required for that patient's medical diagnosis. "You'll be back to your old self in no time," she said with a smile.

"Do you really think so? To think I was so foolish to think it was just a cold," the old woman said. "I promise I won't garden that early in the morning when it's chilly like that. I guess I was more worried about my baby buds than I was about myself."

"Take care of your plants, but also yourself," Sakura said as she put the clipboard back on the end of the bed. As she turned to leave a flash of fire was seen in the sky. Sakura moved closer to the window as she stared. "What on earth, is that?"

Akaihi dived towards the hospital. He turned his body with his wings at an angle as he touched down. The phoenix slid on the ground trying to stop its momentum. Akaihi lowered his body as doctors and nurses came running out of the hospital.

Shikamaru lifted Ryu's limp form off of the bird. He jumped off of the phoenix and made his way to the first doctor he saw. "He's been severely injured! He needs medical attention!"

The doctor took his eyes off of the phoenix at once. "Yes! Nurse get a stretcher! This ninja is wounded!" Within seconds two people took the boy and had him on a stretcher.

Onari watched in horror as the doctors and nurses rushed Ryu into the emergency room. She stood with the wind blowing through her hair, Akaihi looking over her form at the hospital sadly, and Shikamaru kneeled to the ground with his hand upon his forehead, eyes closed. Ryu Yuhi, the jokester of Team 2, was in grave danger.