V8 Ch 1

Shape up, or Ship out!

"Idai, have you given up so soon? We're here with you. Don't you see us," Yanagi asked as she crouched to look up into his face. His orange eyes were unwavering, not blinking as he stared straight ahead at the wall in front of him. Yanagi's eyes drifted to the short chains around his wrists. He was chained to the floor for everyone's protection in the circular room. Yanagi wondered what had happened to have caused him to be chained like this. She reached her hand forward to caress his cheek. "Idai, please look at me," she said sadly. "We miss you so much."

Idai was not aware Yanagi or Masaru were in the holding cell with him. His mind had been overtaken by Ryokuzu weeks ago after Gai confronted him. The demon was not bending well to the interferences of others concerns. It was to the point of breaking Idai once and for all. Ryokuzu knew it had to make the final move soon. He was anxious and nerved by Idai's encounter with Gin. The girl was unknowingly depleting his energy. Her aura was pure and it effected him greatly.

Masaru came closer when Yanagi lowered her head. She was letting her hair cover her face. He knew she was upset over many things. He placed his hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her. Team 6 had lost Jinrin on a previous mission. It was Yanagi's first encounter with the death of a friend. Idai was so far gone, he didn't respond to people's voices, or touch. He was stuck in his own torment. Perhaps, the most painful news to her was her boyfriend's current diagnosis of chronic heart failure. The energy levels in the boy were too high for his heart to contain.

Masaru reached forward to touch Idai's hand. He held onto him as he watched for any signs of a reaction. Idai only breathed softly, his body not changing as he sat on the floor. "Idai, if you can hear me, fight it! Fight Ryokuzu! You can't let him have your body! I won't settle for him taking you. Do you hear me, you slimy, loathsome bastard? I won't let you get far if you gain it! I'll end it the moment you think you have triumphed! I swore it to Idai!"

Idai's black eyes moved slightly to stare at Masaru. The Hokage's son met the gaze with truth and determination. Ryokuzu moved with a jerk to lunge at the boy - to scare him. As the chains rattled, Masaru jumped in front of Yanagi to defend her. He was staring eye level with Ryokuzu.

Yanagi's heart raced as she saw Idai almost fully standing. The movements were not his, but the demon's controlling him. She knew Ryokuzu couldn't strike her and Masaru due to the chains weighing Idai's body down. The boy's body had not taken nourishment to be able to have the energy to move. She narrowed her eyes as she stood. "You're a fool to assume we will hand him over to you."

"And the both of you are naive to depend on devices to hold me," Ryokuzu said as he forced Idai's right arm to pull with an enormous amount of force. He laughed evilly as the chain started to bend. The moment they started to pop, the two kids moved back and towards the exit. Ryokuzu tried to go for them, but Idai's left arm was still chained to the floor. "When I'm free, the two of you will have a dying appointment that you'll want to keep."

Kiba rounded the corner as he heard the commotion. He pulled Masaru and Yanagi back. Kiba slammed the heavy iron door. He narrowed his eyes through the small slot. "Not if I can help it." He glanced at the two kids. "From now on, I'd prefer to be with the both of you if you want to visit Idai. The demon would like nothing more than to slaughter you right here and now. It would allow him to fully gain Idai's body. It would drive him over the edge."

Masaru lowered his eyes as he stood next to Yanagi. "I'm sorry, Kiba. I let my temper overtake me. I want Idai back! There has to be a way to vanquish that thing!"

Kiba led the kids out of the building. As they exited the long hall, he bit his thumb. Kiba smeared blood on the frame of the door before he formed hand seals. The kids watched as symbols were placed on the frame of the door. They watched as the symbols duplicated to cover the entire building. The seal would keep anyone out who got too close and Ryokuzu in. he stood to look at the remaining two of his team. "Anko and Gai have gone to the Sound Village."

"The Sound Village? How are they going to be able to find out where it is located," Masaru asked. "Idai is getting worse day by day."

"I know, Masaru. Gai had encountered an old woman who knew Idai on the outskirts of the village. They're working together to decipher Idai's connection to Ryokuzu. We know he was sacrificed to the demon for the sake of his clan. No one know why," Kiba said disgustedly.

"Why would someone give their child to a demon," Yanagi said horrified.

Masaru gritted his teeth as he stared at the door with the seals upon it. "How much you want to bet it has something to do with Idai's father? From what I know, Idai was Orushin's most prized possession. It had to be a way to get back at his father over something."

"I think you're on to something, Masaru," Kiba said as he put his hand on the boy's head. "Let's hope Gai and Anko can get to the bottom of this. We can't defeat Ryokuzu without that knowledge."

Onari sat on the porch with Daiya. Her yellow eyes were fixated on him. He was staring at the ground, his thoughts heavily weighed on his future as a ninja. Onari leaned towards him to kiss his cheek. She kept her eyes focused on his face. "Daiya, Onari wants you to play with her," she said as she grabbed his hands.

Daiya faintly heard her. The touch of her warm hands made him realize how cold he was. "Onari, I'm cold," he

said despite the warm air.

Onari felt his bare arms. His skin was cool. She reached forward to wrap her arms around him. Onari loosened the yellow and white kimono she wore to wrap Daiya in it. Before she knew it, her brother was laying his head on her shoulder. Onari knew he was depressed. She placed her hands on his back to comfort him. "Daiya has cold toes," she said as she wiggled her toes on his.

Daiya looked up at her. Onari tilted her head. He touched her face fondly. "I wish you were my real sister," he said lowly. Daiya lowered his hand and his gaze. He could be insecure in front of her. He didn't dare do it in front of Yanagi, or his brother. Onari wasn't the type to judge another person. "Onari, what do you think happens when we die?"

Onari ran her fingers up and down his back. "Onari

thinks we go to our family. We go to those that wait for us."

"I don't have a family," Daiya said with heartache in his voice. "If I die, I'll be alone." He closed his eyes.

"Daiya is Onari's. Urea and Sashizo will open their arms to Daiya. They will shelter Daiya from burden," she said.

"Why do you think your parents might accept me? I'm

the son of an enemy," Daiya said. "My father killed your mother."

"Daiya did not perform actions of Gekido's men. He is not accountable for their actions - only his own." Onari laid her head on his. "Daiya is tired. Onari won't move so Daiya can sleep."

Daiya nestled in to her as he sat on the porch. If he could, he wanted to feel someone next to him while he slept. He wanted to know he wasn't alone - even in his last moments in life.

Ryu Yuhi ran through the forest in the thick of night. He breathed hard as he slid on his tracks to round a tree. His feet picked up speed as he ran through the dark forest. Ryu formed hand seals quickly as his eyes narrowed. He saw the slit eyes of the beast as it came towards him. Ryu's body started to slip through the earth as the animal went for him. Josei barely missed his scalp as he leapt for him.

Josei retracted his claws. He turned his head to look at Saori as she dropped from the branch over head. (Your significant other has gotten better. I wasn't able to take off as much of his hair as last time.) He turned around, his muscular body facing the girl as his tail swished.

Saori rotated the kunai blade in her hand. "Hmm… He was able to anticipate your move, Josei. However, he took the easy way out." Saori lodged the kunai into the tree. "Well, come on. Ryu's bound to fall into my trap."

Josei padded after her as he gave a tiger's grin.

Ryu looked around the area as he dangled upside down. He growled lowly as he heard Rose, Saori's puppet moving around below. He flipped his head the second he heard claws digging into wood. He knew Josei had tracked him again. "Damn tiger," he said as he let go of the branch. That was when he saw Josei running down the bark of the tree after him. Ryu swore again. He should have figured a celestial would be able to glue chakra.

Josei growled as he started to leap from branch to branch. He was beginning to pick up speed. He was so close to Ryu that he could see the boy's red eyes. Josei opened his mouth to release shards of crystals at the boy.

Ryu had a split second to react. Before the shards hit his body, a shell popped in front of him rotating. He saw Shogai shield him, catching the shards, as he fell curled into a ball.

Shogai spun his shell as his head popped out of its hiding place. He opened his mouth to catch Ryu's vest as he touched onto a branch. Shogai clicked his shell down to where the pieces started to interchange. Large spikes appeared to rise on the shell. Shogai sent the spikes on his shell up and away. They burst off with loud pops.

Ryu crossed his arms as he dangled. His eyes widened the moment he felt something tugging at his legs. Ryu watched Rose slithering up his leg. "Ah!" He tried to kick her off but the puppet had a strong hold of him. He watched as Rose's multiple arms came out to brandish weapons. "Saori Nara, you wouldn't dare!"

Rose came all the way up to cock her head at him. As Ryu sweated the situation out, Rose came closer to his face. She poofed into Saori. "Checkmate, Ryu," she said as she kissed him gently.

Ryu thought he was going to die. As he stared at her in a panic, he yelled, "You almost gave me a heart attack!" He narrowed his eyes fully at her as he heard Shogai meep. Ryu turned his gaze to see Josei taunting the turtle. Before he could scold the tiger, the turtle opened his mouth to let him go.

Saori and Ryu screamed as they feel through the abyss holding onto each other. Saori was too scared to try and snag onto something with her chakra strings. She felt Ryu grab onto her tighter as they connected with the water.

A huge splash soared into the air as they hit. Saori popped up dragging Ryu with her. He was wheezing and coughing. As they threw themselves onto the ground, she turned Ryu onto his side patting his back. "Ryu, try to get it up." She watched him lower his face mask to spew water. Saori raised his arms above his head.

Ryu coughed hard as he bent over to let the water drain out of his throat. He was going to kill Shogai the second he got over it. "Blasted turtle!"

Saori rubbed his back. "No, I think it's Josei's fault. He taunted Shogai. I wish I knew why he enjoys doing that."

"He's an ass," Ryu said looking back at her as she wiped his mouth. He blushed as he felt her fingers brush across his lips. "I wonder if we're allowed to use them in the Chuunin exams. The entry date is coming up soon," he said thinking more about his team's chances of survival.

"I'm not sure. Onari might suggest we don't use them. Don't you know it would bring us a lot of attention?" Saori wasn't sure if summons were allowed. "Has sensei found out where the exams are to be held?"

Ryu closed his eyes. "I'm not supposed to say anything yet. All of the trainers are waiting for the Hokage to announce it officially."

Saori put her hands on her hips as they stood. "Well, how come he told you and not me or Daiya?" She blinked as a splash sounded behind her. Saori turned her head to see Shogai swimming towards them.

"All of the team leaders were told initially when the trainers found out. Why do you think we've been training at night?" Ryu smiled at her.

"Ryu, when you smile without the mask, it makes you look devilish," Saori commented. He only grinned more. "Josei, leave Shogai alone," she said as she saw the tiger's head pop up out of the water. "We better head back. It'll be dawn soon."

Gin Akimichi ran at Kandai swiftly as she slid to the side. She threw three poisonous seeds at his head. As suspected, he threw kunai at one to plunk it against the bark of a tree. The other two were wide open.

Kandai reached out with open palms to hit the seeds with direct hits. As his skin came in contact with the seeds, they shattered. Kandai's eyes widened as his skin started to feel as if it were being bitten by ants. He scratched at his skin repeatedly. "Ah, what kind of seeds were those?"

Areku and Ichigo went after Gin as she conjured a tree to grow under her feet. They hopped from branch to branch the more it grew. As he tried to catch up to her, Gin conjured other trees to grow. She leapt off to each one trying to escape. "Ichigo, sniff her out!" If Areku knew Gin, they were following a decoy.

Ichigo barked numerous times at Areku to get his attention. She could smell the girl overhead in the leaves. Ichigo saw Gin's from camouflaged with the leaves.

Gin let herself fall the moment Areku was underneath her. She threw kunai at him to get his attention. Areku whirled around to miss her strike. She twirled with his body, her eyes narrowed.

Areku brought his hand up to protect his face from Gin's fist. He tilted his body to the left and brought his leg up to come around towards her back. His foot came in contact with her, but went through her. Gin's form poofed into a log. The moment he swore, he felt the vine around his neck. It began to tighten.

"Say it, Areku. I was three steps ahead of you and Kandai," Gin said with her soft voice. "Say it." She tightened the vine around his neck as she shot another vine from her sleeve to wrap around Ichigo. Ichigo whined as she was lifted off the ground.

"Un-cle," Areku said as the vine loosened. He felt the vine fall off as he coughed. "That was dirty, Gin."

Kandai hopped around scratching his entire body. "Gin, make it stop! It's burning my skin!"

Gin threw the ointment for the seeds at Kandai. "Training needs to test all of us. I know your moves too well, Areku. Yours too, Kandai. Ichigo should be working with you -not being used as a last resort. You should respect her more. An enemy isn't going to let either of you off easily. Things are changing around us," Gin said as she looked up.

"We're all older and our experience makes us who we are. We have to live for those who are not here any longer and those that can't live for themselves," Gin said as her eyes lowered. "Shikamaru sensei told me to push the team. The Chuunin exams are upon us, Team 4."

Takeru focused his mind as he blew a fireball to ward off Onari. The girl slid on her feet as suspected. Onari wasn't used to him attacking her. Team 9 worked together - not against each other. As the fire ended, he heard Eiyu blow a whistle. Takeru turned around.

Eiyu let the whistle drop from his mouth. "Onari, when someone is attacking, you never halt your actions. I see you didn't know how to react when it was Takeru. You have to be prepared to fight anyone and everyone at the exams."

Onari tiled her head. She looked comical with the scary face mask covering her face. "Eiyu, Onari has already taken the test to train. What has Eiyu had for breakfast?"

"I had rice, fish, and be-. It doesn't have anything to do with what I had for breakfast! I'm not talking about the Academy exam!" Eiyu clenched his fists as the veins popped on his forehead. "This is a different test!"

Onari tilted her head the other way. "Is it the test to see how far Lee's eyes bulge?" Eiyu slapped his forehead. "The test to answer questions over and over?"

"No, we're not playing twenty questions! We're taking the Chuunin exams, Onari! It's the most important test to a ninja. We compete with all of the ninja in the neighboring villages. We have to fight all of them to get the title. Do you understand now? We'll be fighting each other for a very important title." He relaxed once he was said and done.

"What is the title for," Onari asked.

"The title tells everyone in neighboring villages how strong you are, Ri. It also proves to everyone you can take tougher missions and your skills are better than anyone else's," Takeru said as he covered Eiyu's mouth. Eiyu couldn't handle Onari's misunderstanding over an important matter.

"Onari does not want a title. Onari is only on a team to further her strength," she said. "Onari must defeat Gekido."

"Who is Gekido," Eiyu asked.

"Her uncle - the man who killed her parents," Takeru said softly. "He's after everyone, Eiyu. Every person in every village. He wants to be the only leader - more like ruler over all of the ninja." His dark eyes watched Eiyu raise a brow.

"That's completely ludicrous. How would he get thousands of ninja to obey him?" Eiyu believed it was a farce. "He'd have to fight every country to put that kind of fear in everyone." He crossed his arms trying to end the discussion.

"If he gains the four celestials of legend, he'll have that kind of power. Truth is, he'd only have to claim Onari's link," Takeru said. "He'd have the phoenix at war with the dragon. I'm not sure if I'd lose Uso, or if he would be able to control the rest of them."

"Then if I were Onari, I'd take the opportunity to defeat others at the exam," Eiyu said stressing the fact. "You won't further your knowledge on how many different techniques there are if you don't participate. We have to go in as a team. Takeru and I can't sign up without you." Eiyu wanted her to understand the importance of the competition. However, Onari had the option to refuse.

Kandai looked around as they stood in a large area with all of the other hopefuls on the roof of a building. He could see the usual faces from Team 2, 6, and 9; along with others who were more advanced. "Hey, Areku, isn't Team 6 short a member?" He turned his gaze to look at the Inuzuka boy with long hair.

Areku searched through the crowd of students to signal out each member. "Jinrin died on a mission, Kandai. They are short one person." Ichigo sniffed the air as she wagged her tail.

"Why are they here? They can't participate with just two members," Kandai said. Yanagi was mesmerized by the amount of people. Masaru had his arms crossed and frown upon his face.

"Idai is worse, isn't he," Gin asked as her blue eyes lifted to look at Areku. "He's not able to step in to help his team." she closed her eyes as she remembered how Idai had kissed her hand. Don't you know I'm cursed, plant girl? The comment echoed in her mind.

Areku put his hand on Gin's shoulder. "Yeah, he is. His body has been overtaken, Gin. Ryokuzu is the one who answers now."

"I won't let him use Idai!" Everyone stopped talking and began to stare. Gin was angry. She had waited so long to confess to Idai.

"We're being watched," Kandai said. He felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. They waited until everyone started to talk again before they continued.

Areku cupped Gin's face in his hands as he looked down at her. "If you know of a way to help him, tell me." Gin's eyes showed confusion. "You have to find a way to aid him. You're the most clever girl I've met. Soon Idai will be completely trapped in Ryokuzu's world."

"How do you know he isn't already," Gin asked sadly.

"Because Ryokuzu isn't always the one looking back. Dad told me Idai stares most of the time - like his mind is away. There has to be a way to get him back," Areku said as he heard the students go silent. He turned around to see the Hokage move to where he stood in front of the mass.

Naruto put his hands behind his back as the students from various teams looked back at him. "Morning, everyone know all of you are aware the Chuunin exams are happening in one month. As it stands, two-thirds of you are ready based on the reports I have received from your trainers. The rest of you need to increase your training routine. My position as Hokage is to make sure all of you have a fair chance against ninja from the surrounding countries. You must be alert when facing opponents during the Chuunin exams. Everyone has their reasons for entering this event - and a lot to lose. There have been ninja to be seriously wounded to the point of giving up their lives as Shinobi, or even worse - death."

Naruto reached into his pocket. He unrolled a scroll with the team names listed upon it. "I'm fixing to read very important information to all of you. I want everyone to listen and pay attention. The Chuunin exams are being held in the Hidden Mist Village. As everyone knows, the exams is held twice a year. The locations changes during each trial. All countries are participating for the first time in many years. Being said, the lightening country is the one of particular interest to everyone."

Onari growled under her mask as she stood with Eiyu and Takeru. The lightening country was choosing to react to the trials. She wondered if Gekido had any influence on that decision. He was one of the strongest clan leaders of her country. There was no Raikage for the lightening country as far as she knew. She didn't trust the situation.

"The lightening country is going to be in the Chuunin exams. They don't have a leader for the village." Eiyu raised his hand to question the Hokage. Naruto pointed at him to speak. "Excuse me, sir, but I thought the leader of the village was the only one who could send ninja to an exam once the trainers were approved. The lightening country does not have a leader."

"A Raikage was appointed to the lightening country six months ago," Naruto said. "She has sought out the scattered ninja in the past few months. They are re-grouping as we speak. I have no had the privilege of meeting this young woman."

Takeru looked at Onari. "It's not Gekido. He's not the ruler of the lightening country. But I suppose since he's been searching for you the entire time, he's failed to regard his own country's politics."

"Gekido will be after the new leader. You can count on it. He wants her position. He might slip younger ninja into the exam who work for him," Onari said. Her eyes drifted through the crowd. Daiya was not reacting well to the news.

Naruto continued, " The following teams are cleared for entry: Teams 1, 2, 5,7,8,9, 10,12,14,17,18, and 21. Teams 3,4,11,13,15,16, and 19 must get their teams up to par. I will be heavily focused on these teams progressing in the next few weeks. Teams 6 and 20 need a 3rd person for the Chuunin exams. There must be a 3rd man for the cell. If a cell cannot be completed by the time of the Chuunin exams, these two teams will remain behind. I wish everyone the best. May all of you return safely," Naruto said as he exited the roof.

"The Mist Village is known for ruthless ninja," Saori said. "Well be fighting each other, too. Do you think we can make it?" She looked at Ryu. He glanced at her.

"We have no choice. Sasuke has been preparing us for this moment. I'm serious about becoming an ANBU. However, we need to go in as a team and leave as a team," Ryu said the moment he looked at Daiya. "You're going to have to trust us fully. Your life depends on it."

"Without Idai, we can't take the Chuunin exam," Masaru said as he slumped his shoulders while he sat on the fence.

"No, we can't," Yanagi confirmed softly. "There are so many obstacles before us. Our team has fallen apart. Kiba is weighed down with our progress and what's happening to Idai. I'm worried if Daiya will survive the strain on his heart that's to come. And yet, I have to keep walking forward. My feet are heavy. I feel as if I'm walking through mud." Yanagi leaned her back on the fence. "I want the two most important guys in my life to be alright. Is that asking too much, "she asked no one in particular.

Masaru let his arms hang from his knees. "You only want them to live a happy, meaningful life. It's all you've ever wanted for anyone. Maybe you don't need to do it alone, Yanagi. I'm sitting right here."

Yanagi turned around slowly to look at Masaru Uzumaki. He had grown so much in the past few weeks. She hugged him around his neck. "Thank you, Masaru."

Masaru didn't know how to react to the hug. He brought his arms up with an attempt to hug her back, but his hands twitched. He was confused. Masaru lifted his gaze to see Daiya watching them with a brow raised. He flailed his arms in a panic. "It's not what you think! I haven't touched her!" He pushed Yanagi off. Once he was clear, he whirled around to jump off the fence. Masaru ran.

Yanagi sighed as Daiya stood behind her. "Forget the Chuunin exam. All you have to do is look at him. He's still scared of you."

"He has every right to be. I trust you. I don't trust him," Daiya said lowly.

Gin approached the building slowly. She stared at it as she brought the lotus flower closer to her body. Gin's hand touched the soil. Her eyes drifted to the kanji on the leaf of the lotus. Idai's name was faded. The lotus' color is fading. I have to find a way to help him. Areku said it had to be me.

"Gin, what are you doing here," Daiya asked as he watched her turn around. He could see the concern all over her face. "We're not allowed to go in. Kiba won't allow it with the way Idai is."

"He's getting worse, Daiya. His name is fading from the lotus," she said as she moved the pot out to make him look. Daiya approached with a quizzical expression on his face. "It's a special flower that tells me if Idai is alright."

Daiya listened patiently to Gin explaining how she had meditated and prayed for Idai every day for two years. The girl's voice was sincere. Gin talked fondly about how she snuck glances at Idai without him noticing. Daiya saw her stroking the petals of the lotus. "You love him," he said as she looked up suddenly with a red face. "And he doesn't know."

Gin shook her head averting her eyes. "We've only mildly kissed," Gin said. "I knew he was more worried about the demon in him. I didn't want to trouble him."

Daiya put his hands on her shoulders. "Idai needs to know who cares for him, Gin. It increases his chance of survival. But I'm not sure if he can hear you. Ryokuzu controls him now."

Gin bit her bottom lip. "why does the demon want him," she asked sadly. "Why does it have to be Idai? He doesn't deserve to be overtaken," she said as she covered her eyes. Her mind was surfacing images of Idai's happy face; of how he kissed her cheek; how he played the flute at the hot springs.

Daiya wrapped his arms around the normally shy and quiet plant girl of Team 4. His eyes moved over the markings placed upon the building. They glowed with warning that something terrible was encased inside. Daiya felt a lump in his throat. We're still here fighting for you, Idai. I hope Gai sensei and Anko find out why some bastards did this to you! Daiya growled lowly as his eyes narrowed. He started to spark slightly. Gin moved back quickly. He glanced at her. "I'm angrier than you can imagine about what someone has done to him," he said trying to explain his actions.

Gin turned around suddenly as she heard the building behind them shake. Her heart started to race. "Idai," she said as the symbols glowed brighter. She felt Daiya pull her back. Gin clutched onto the pot in her hands as she heard Ryokuzu snarl loudly through the walls. She and Daiya jumped as he yelled in outrage.

Gin moved closer with the lotus to test her theory. Ryokuzu caused the building to shake even more violently. Daiya grabbed her arm to pull her back. "It's the lotus! He's afraid of the lotus," she yelled above the commotion.

"Don't temp it! Idai's body is exhausted from being used. We can't go in blindly, Gin. If we screw up, we lose Idai," Daiya said trying to make her understand. "We can't," he said firmer. She was determined to challenge the demon.

"If we don't do anything, Idai has no chance," gin said as Daiya lifted her kicking. She held onto the pot with all of her might. As they moved away from the building, Ryokuzu calmed down. "I want to help him," she said softly.

"We have to have faith in the others who have left to try and find out the truth, Gin. Without knowing what the connection is, we can't take it away. Please don't be rash. Ryokuzu wants Idai alive. He's worthless dead," Daiya said as he lowered his head to look at her.

Gin held the lotus flower to her chest, cradling it. "It's afraid of the purity of the lotus. It's Buddha's lotus," she said choking on her words. "It has to work. It has to!"

Daiya could only watch Gin cry. There was nothing he could say to her. He knew Idai had a lot against him. A demon was a powerful negative force.

Anko stood at the river where she had found a young boy nine years prior. The river was still flowing in the late hours of the afternoon. A few trees had fallen in due time. Yet, everything still appeared the same. "This is where I found him," she said crouching to touch the ground.

Gai stood facing the river. "That must be the direction he came from. If Idai had been wandering away from the village, he might have been lost at this point."

Anko tilted her head back to see birds flying in the sky. They were flying away from one specific direction. "Or he could have been following the birds. Our best bet is to cross," she said rising to her feet. She and Gai started to glue their chakra to the surface of the water. They crossed successfully, hopefully headed in the direction of the mysterious sound village.

Kiba Inuzuka searched through the scrolls and books of the Hokage's about everything regarding demons. His wild eyes moved frantically over myths, legends, and demons associated with known clans. He threw a book angrily at the wall. Kiba watched it hit. He crouched to the floor putting his hands on his head in aggravation. "There's nothing about a demon called Ryokuzu!"

Naruto stood in the doorway watching his long time friend stress over the situation with his student. He entered the room slowly, his arms hanging by his sides. "Kiba, I know you're worried. Everyone is trying to find a way to help him. I had no idea you would become so attached to the boy when I asked if he could go to your team."

Kiba took a deep breath. "Idai is the same age as Areku, Naruto. He and Areku bonded during our camping trip a few weeks ago. Idai was so happy to be with my family. He laughed, Naruto - actually laughed." Kiba closed his eyes. "He even requested to live with us, but I couldn't deny Gai his right as a father. I had to object - despite the pain I bear for my decision."

Naruto walked to Kiba's side. He looked over the books and scrolls scattered in the room. "I understand how hard it is to accept lift for the way it is right now. I'm not sure I can offer any comforting news regarding Idai's situation. I'm trying to come up with an approach on how to attack the demon. That's what I've been doing since he was chained. Every angel I've attacked, has had the same consequence - Idai's death."

"There has to be another way," Kiba said aggressively.

"There's always another way," Areku said from behind them. He pulled Gin in with him. "Gin has found Ryokuzu's weakness." He watched his father stand and turn. The Hokage turned around, as well. "It seems demons fear the enlightenment of Buddha."

Naruto's eyes befell upon the blue lotus in the pot. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "How did you find out the demon was afraid of it?"

"I visited the building where Idai is sealed inside," Gin said averting her eyes from the two men. They were displeased that she had approached after being told not to. "The closer to the building I got, the angrier Ryokuzu became."

"The lotus may help in keeping Ryokuzu at bay, Gin, for a while. However, don't go there again until Anko and Gai return. I'm afraid if you try to defeat the demon on your own, it will end up killing you and Idai both. I know you want to help him, badly - it's all over your face, but I am a father, the same as Choji. I must keep his daughter safe as I keep my own," Naruto said to the long, brown haired girl.

Gin nodded slowly. "I understand," she said as she put the pot on the desk in the room. "Maybe it can stay here for a while. That way, if it fades anymore, you'll know Idai is worse."

Naruto watched Gin leave the room quietly. He saw Areku turn around to walk her out. "She's a brave girl," he said. "The only thing I question is how to get the lotus closer to Ryokuzu without him noticing. If the purity of the flower alerts him, it won't be easy." Naruto and Kiba's gaze watched the blue lotus intensify in color.

"The color is returning to the flower," Kiba said as he moved closer to it. "Do you think it's because Gin picked on the demon earlier?" He saw Naruto's confusion.

"I'm not sure. Whatever she did, she weakened him. I think our answers lay in Gin's ability with plants and whatever Anko and Gai find out," Naruto stated. "We have to be careful, Kiba. I don't take losing a child to a monster a light matter." He walked out of the room with his mind heavy in thought. He had to get back to coming up with a plan to help Idai.