Onari

by DigiAnimeArtist

A strange girl from a far away land holds the key to forces greater than anyone in Konoha could have ever imagined. Myth and legend come to life in this exciting comical, dramatic, and heart felt story of a girl wanting to belong in a world where she is seen as an abomination. Will she be able to control her secret, much less, her own anger and stubbornness when she learns the true

88. Chapter 88

V9 ch 7

Returning

"No, Sasuke," Onari said as he picked her up, putting his arms around her to prevent her from leaving the Uchiha compound. "I've got to help Takeru!" She was attempting to fight him for all that it was worth. However, he was not easing up in his grasp or his strength. In fact, Sasuke had sent Daiya to get Lee to help him. Rock Lee was one of the few people who could contain her. The man was faster than she was. Onari tried to break free before Lee came.

"You can't go, Onari! Takeru is injured! If you leave the compound and go to the hospital, I won't forgive you," Sasuke said with anger. Onari didn't understand that she wasn't able to help his son. However, it didn't stop her from defying him. Izumi had remained at the hospital to watch over Takeru. Sasuke had to keep an eye on Onari. She was bent on returning to aid Takeru. "Why can't you understand that my son is dying? I don't want you to upset Izumi more than she already is!"

"I'm supposed to protect Takeru! He's mine," she screamed as she kicked her legs trying to get Sasuke to loosen his hold on her. He simply didn't get it. She knew that. At that moment, Onari didn't know how she was going to help Takeru.

"Onari, stop fighting Sasuke," Rock Lee said as he showed up. He grabbed a hold of the girl's legs. Onari was defiantly trying her best to kick him aside. He was glad he arrived when he did. Sasuke was worn out, his face stricken with grief. "You will mind him! There is no need for you to throw a tantrum!"

Daiya was watching his sister sadly. He knew she was upset with what had happened to Takeru. Yet, he wasn't acting the way she was over it. Onari had pushed Sasuke all of the way up against the wall with her back. Daiya grit his teeth. "Stop it, Onari! Have some respect for Takeru! He's dying and I can't babysit you all of the time like you're a child!"

Lee turned to see around to glance at Daiya. Daiya ran off, his emotions getting the better of him. He was out the door in a matter of seconds, slamming the screen with a loud clack.

"I will handle Onari. You go after him," Lee said. He held Onari firmly against his body. "You need to calm down. Sasuke and Izumi do not need you lashing out."

Onari shook her head at Lee. "I'm not trying to go against them, Lee! I need to help Takeru. Sasuke doesn't understand my connection to him," she said emphasizing a type of plea bargain.

"How are you going to assist him? He has had the medic-nin tending to him since Ryu brought him back. They are not able to wake Takeru. The wounds on his body are worse than they thought. Sasuke and Izumi are having to face the death of their son," Lee said sternly. "You need to have more respect for them at this difficult time."

Onari grunted as she tried to wiggle out of Lee's grip. It was no wonder Sasuke had wanted him to be her trainer. "Let me go! I love Takeru!"

Rock Lee looked down at Onari. "Is that why you wish to defy Sasuke and risk his wrath?" He watched her shy away when questioned.

"I know what love is. I see him smile at me despite how I look or the way I am. He stays with me no matter what crosses his path," she said. "Eiyu is jealous of him – even after this."

Rock Lee set Onari down, not realizing he had her lifted off the floor. She didn't run when he let go of her. Putting his hands firmly on her shoulders, he looked her straight in the eyes. "Sasuke does not want you to go to the hospital, Onari. If you upset him, he won't allow you to come back to this place. Are you willing to risk that?"

Onari looked at Lee seriously. "I will risk my life for his son. I will risk my home. There are no risks when Takeru is involved." She narrowed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Lee sensei. I'm not as obedient as you think I am." She raised her hand quickly, her palm out as she did a fierce chakra push at Lee's abdomen. He went flying backwards, slamming into the wall so hard that he was knocked out. She was determined to save Takeru. The boy had been protecting her. Did no one realize that? She walked past her trainer. His head was slumped to the side. "I'm sorry," she said again as she walked away.

Where could he have gone? Sasuke walked the area around the compound slowly. His mind was on Takeru. His son was suffering badly and he couldn't stop it. It was a father's worst nightmare. Sasuke put his hand on the wall surround the area. He lifted his hand to his forehead. Sasuke leaned against the wall, his feet feeling as if they were going to give out. "Daiya, where are you," he shouted. Sasuke closed his eyes gasping as his emotions got to him. He let his body sink against the wall. My son is dying. He couldn't take it. His whole family – entire clan- had been slaughtered by Itachi many years ago. The most important thing him, was his son. Takeru was the reason Sasuke and Izumi had a life.

Takeru came running down the hallway happily to his parents room. He started to beat on the door. "Mama! Daddy! I got accepted to the Ninja Academy! Mama! Daddy! Wake up!" Takeru jumped at the door eagerly. He grabbed onto the knob and tugged. It wouldn't open.

The door finally clicked open. The boy jumped at his mother. "Mama! I got accepted to the Ninja Academy!" Takeru looked at his father who was yawning and scratching his head. Takeru went for his father, tugging on his shirt. "Daddy, look!" He waved the acceptance scroll at his dad.

Sasuke crouched down to his son. He smiled at him. "What did you get? An acceptance scroll?" Sasuke teased his son a little. He closed his eyes and fell backwards as if he couldn't wake up entirely. He pretended to be asleep as Takeru crawled over him. His son was tugging hard on his shirt, straddling his abdomen. "I can't hear you, Takeru. I'm asleep."

"Daddy, get up. They don't accept everybody," Takeru said pouting. He crossed his arms as he saw his father open his eyes.

Sasuke reached his hand up to rub his son's cheek. "I know they don't. I'm very proud of you, Takeru. Are you excited to start training and making friends?"

"Daddy, what if the other kids don't like me," Takeru asked. He lowered his head. He only has Masaru, the Hokage's son, to talk to. And even so, he didn't see much of the boy.

Sasuke sat up. "You have to think positive, Takeru. You need to be yourself. Others will respect you for who you are. Not what you can give them. You'll make friends."

Sasuke walked out into the garden. His son was sitting on the bridge crying. Walking over, concerned, Sasuke stopped a few feet trying not to be too overbearing. "What's wrong, Takeru?" Takeru turned away. Sasuke new the boy didn't want to show emotions around him since he had began his training at the Academy.

Sasuke sat down beside him. It was terrible to see his child upset. Takeru was trying to avoid his father's gaze. He lifted his hand and tried to coax Takeru into looking at him. "You only come out here when you're upset. What happened at the Academy?"

Takeru wiped his eyes. "I don't have any friends. No one likes to talk to me. They all avoid me." He started to cry again, not able to help himself. "Masaru made friends with the other kids. He also trains with his cousins. I don't have any family."

Sasuke grabbed his son and held him hard. Takeru was lonely. He had hoped that his admittance to the Academy would keep his son focused on other things besides how alone he was. Sasuke had wanted Takeru to make friends, but he was having trouble. "Takeru, you need to detach from Masaru. Both of you are growing up. Each of you have a different path to follow. Stop concerning yourself with what you don't have. You need to look at life as it is. I cannot change the future for you. You have to change it yourself." Sasuke had been on his own since he was nine-years-old. He had had to grow up at the same age his son was now. He wanted Takeru to be more independent. It was time he stopped wanting to follow someone else and learn to lead.

Takeru looked up at his father. "But-," he lowered his head the moment his father's stern gaze held onto his. He swallowed hard.

"You must learn to protect yourself, Takeru. Your mother won't always be around. You have to lead from here on out. Your future is in your hands – and in yours only. I had to grow up at your age. You need to do it, too," he said seriously.

Sasuke covered his face. Had he pushed Takeru too soon? His son was only thirteen-years-old and he was mortally wounded. The medic-nin were keeping blood in his son's system, but it was difficult to maintain the flow to the brain. There were always medical advances over the years in Konoha. Where Takeru had been wounded was a huge factor in his outcome. His body did not have regeneration capability like Tsunade had had.

Sasuke clenched his teeth. He threw a kunai out of anger. It was his duty to protect others. His son had been injured when he was on a mission with three others. "Damn it," he said lowly. Everything was out of his control.

"Dad?" Daiya walked up to Sasuke slowly, his head slightly lowered. The man was his trainer and his adopted father. Daiya knew Sasuke was upset. Takeru was his real son – unlike Daiya. He crouched to put his arms around his father's neck. He laid his head on the man's shoulder.

Sasuke looked down to see Daiya grabbing onto him. He put his hand on the back of the boy's head. "Daiya, don't run off like that. I can't handle something happening to you," he said softly. He put his other hand around his son and held him closer. Sasuke worried about Takeru more when he thought of his household – and his students. Right now, he was supposed to be preparing those kids for the Chuunin Exams.

"What will happen to me and Onari," Daiya asked. He figured if anything went drastically wrong, that his place would be pointless at the Uchiha compound. He and Onari had been accepted by the Uchiha for the sole purpose of bonding with Takeru. Daiya had figured that out a long time ago. If the purpose was gone, then he had no existence.

Sasuke kept his dark eyes on Daiya. He knew what the boy was thinking. "You two will remain with Izumi and I. You are our son, Daiya," he stressed.

"Onari isn't your daughter though. She wasn't adopted like I was. I think of her as my sister, but she isn't. What is she to you..?"

He was taken off guard by the question. What was Onari to him? He thought of her as a daughter, but didn't feel the need to giver her his surname. "I think a lot of Onari. You're right that she isn't my daughter. I don't want to change her name by giving her mine. I've noticed Takeru's-," he paused. It was starting to get difficult to mention his son. "I've noticed his feelings regarding her. She's been something else to him the entire time."

Daiya reached up moving his father's long bangs out of his face. "Neither of them are very good at communicating," he said in his monotone voice. "What's the point of being with someone if you can't talk openly?"

Sasuke tilted his head. He laid his cheek on the top of Daiya's head for a moment. Both of his sons were attached to the other like glue. Daiya reminded him so strongly of himself. He had Sasuke's defiance down pat, anti-social behavior, emotionless expression, smart alike comments, protective issues, and the need to know where he belonged. Yet, Daiya also had strong feelings that he showed. All of those attributes were what attracted Takeru to him. Takeru was a fairly quiet kid that directed others with their problems by instructing or giving advice. His son had a playful nature that reminded him of Naruto, in a sense. Takeru and Daiya get along because they are opposites. They are very different from each other, but they also cherish each other for who they are. I know Takeru loves and respects Daiya greatly. He gets loud and obnoxious when Daiya is injured. And Daiya tries to put on his best 'tough guy' routine when someone has verbally or physically tried to show superiority to Takeru.

"Dad, shouldn't we go check on Lee sensei? Onari drives him crazy during regular training. She was trying awfully hard to get away from him. If Onari is that determined to defy you, she'll do it," he said seriously as he broke his father's train of thought.

"I don't know why she is insisting on going to the hospital. Izumi won't tolerate her behavior. If she touched Takeru with the state he's in, I'm going to be extremely mad with her," Sasuke said as he rose to his feet. He urged Daiya to hurry along.

Rock Lee awoke to someone shaking him. He looked up to see Sasuke's face watching him. "Sasuke?" It took him a moment to register what had happened. Lee grimaced as he felt the pain on his abdomen. "Where is Onari?"

"Lee, she attacked you, didn't she?" Sasuke holstered Lee's arm over his shoulder. He lifted the man up. Daiya came back from checking the compound. "Is there any sign of her?" The boy shook his head. "Onari is going to have to face Izumi. It's fixing to get ugly. We've got to get to the hospital."

Onari walked into the hospital in the late eve with a serious gaze. A medic-nin from behind the counter told her the hospital was closed for the night. She disregarded the woman's voice passing her without a glance. The woman called to her again, then signaled another medic-nin down the hall. The man stood in the hall issuing for her to turn around. Onari saw a stretcher in the hall waiting in case another patient arrived. She put her hand upon it and without another care, she pushed it towards the man sending him flying. Onari opened the casing on her leg. Withdrawing two kunai she turned to face the woman who had came from behind the counter.

Sakura Lee came running down the hall when she heard the commotion. She was on night duty watching over the injured and sick. Normally, she would have been at home only working day shifts, but due to Sasuke's son getting hurt, she obliged her time to tend to the boy along with the other medic-nin.

Sakura stopped in her tracks. One of her co-workers was lying on the floor in the hall getting up with his hand on his head. A stretcher was turned on its side, its wheels spinning. There was a girl with ebony hair walking down the hall holding two kunai. She attacked him. Who is that girl? Sakura approached the young girl without fear. "Who are you? You are not allowed to be here," she said as she kept approaching. The girl did not back down.

Onari sent one of the kunai at the pink haired woman standing in her way. The woman stopped. "I'm not going to let you stop me. I must help Takeru," she said lowly. She sent the other kunai at the woman who had moved from behind the counter, but it was deflected by her clipboard.

"You are the girl Sasuke took in. I've heard about you from Yanagi." Onari was tilting her head. "Yanagi Lee is my daughter. You have no business here. You must leave!"

"I must protect Takeru. I promised, Yanagi's mother," she said as she walked at Sakura. Onari ran at the woman in a blurred motion. The woman before her didn't anticipate how fast she really was. Onari's speed was close to Rock Lee's, but was not quite there yet.

Sakura Lee put up her arms to block the attack. As Onari came straight at her, another figure appeared beside her. Izumi Uchiha stood as a threatening figure her eyes focused as water coming from under the hospital doors shot out. They formed together to become a stream blasting straight at the girl. Sakura watched as Izumi knocked Onari off of her feet. She used the water in the patients' rooms!

Izumi was starting to fume internally at how Onari had managed to disobey her orders to remain at home. "Thank you for refilling the pitchers," Izumi said to Sakura who was watching her with wide green eyes. "But I must ask you to fill them again for I've used them all." She saw Onari stand in disbelief that she had reacted so quickly. "You're not getting any further. I won't allow you to disrupt this place."

Onari hated water to the very essence of her being. She stood dripping wet wringing out her kimono. Growling, Onari started forming hand seals, but before she executed one of her techniques, she was grabbed roughly around the wrists. Onari's arms were forced behind her back as a foot was pressed between her shoulder blades to keep her lowered. She turned her head to see a Rat Mask looking straight at her from an ANBU.

Engi, Captain of the ANBU B squad recognized Onari immediately from the time she had saved Jigen from certain death. For caution, he took out his short sword aiming it at her throat. "You've no business here," he said trying to keep his voice hollow and without feeling. "I wouldn't try it," he said watching the gleam in her eyes. "We follow no orders but those from the Hokage. We're sworn to protect Konoha from harm – and that means you."

Sasuke breathed hard as he entered the hospital afraid for the worse. When he rounded the corner with Rock Lee they skidded in their shoes. Onari was being held at bay by an ANBU. He narrowed his eyes furiously at the girl. "Onari!"

Onari turned her head more to see Sasuke Uchiha's angry face showing no contempt or remorse for her situation. She was in a lot of trouble. Even Rock Lee was frowning at her. Engi loosened his hold on her, but only because he knew Sasuke could take it from there. Engi poofed on contact, his form vanishing from the scene. Not only was Sasuke angry at her, but a lot of medic-nin were watching her wondering what was going on.

From then on, the outcome of Onari's time with the Uchiha had been met with demise. She couldn't be trusted. Not regarding authority and choosing to act on her own accord, she had been banished from the compound. Kiba Inuzuka understood what she had done, but also being her 'brother', he had vowed to watch over her – to make sure she didn't leave his home.

The memories of that fateful night played over in a sort of nightmare for Izumi as she lay resting on the bed. Her body was tense despite slumber. If she had not been there, who knew what could have happened. Onari was determined to get to Takeru regardless of being approached by hospital staff. It took everything she and Sasuke had to reconcile with the Hokage on how to handle the matter.

Izumi opened her eyes looking around at the dark room. It was strange not having activity in the house even though it was only 10 p.m. Daiya liked to stay up as late as he could to star gaze with Onari and Takeru on the roof. It was a fond hobby of his to point out which ones he knew. She rolled over laying flat with her head turned to glance at her son. His eyes were closed, body stiff. She rubbed her knuckles down his cheek.

Turning over, Izumi propped her head up with her hand as she played with Takeru's soft black hair. "I wonder what your father is doing. Think he's chasing Ryu, Takeru?" Izumi smiled. It was better to pretend Takeru was listening to her than to know he couldn't hear a word she was saying. "I hate to tell you this, but your brother has had an accident. I'm not sure if he's alright. There's been no word from Sasuke since the exams started." Izumi looked out the window at the stars. "What I wouldn't give to have you see what I see," she said softly.

Where…am I..? Takeru's eyes opened to see a ceiling in his view. He tried to open his mouth to yell, but his voice wouldn't come out. My body… It won't move. It's so heavy. Takeru closed his eye trying hard to lift his arm off the bed. He turned his eyes to see white hair out of his peripheral vision. He was lying next to a person.

Am…I in the hospital? Takeru opened his mouth emitting a low grunt. I can't get up. Where is… everyone? Why was I left here? Takeru tried to remember what had happened. Last he recalled, he had been pulled out of the Ice Fortress he had created to protect Onari. The feel of the razor whip around his wrists binding him brought back a terrible sensation he could still feel upon his skin. The pain of it was forever etched in his mind. Kakumei had attacked him for letting Onari get away. Ri… Her eyes had shown fear as she remained with him in the Ice Fortress Takeru had wielded. How long have I been here? All he wanted to do was get up and find out where he was. He wasn't even sure if she had gotten away. "R-R-i-I," he groaned. Takeru moved his head slightly trying to see the room. The way the bed was positioned in the room, the furniture, and the layout of it seemed familiar to him.

Takeru moved his fingers slightly his head turning a bit to his right. The more he focused his attention to the person next to him, the more he realized who it was. "Mo-m," he said trying to make his voice louder. Sadly his speech was coming out in a low call. I can't get her attention. "Da-ad," he tried but there was no sight of his father. Sasuke was highly alert for a ninja – even when at home. He thought his mother would have at least stirred. "Dai-ya," he called. Takeru wanted to slap himself but he was too weak to lift his arms. Daiya was the hardest sleeper in the house. Man, where are they? Is Dad on a mission or out training his team this late? He took another glance at his mother. Well, I'm not going back to sleep. He sighed. There was no choice but to wait until morning.

Saori Nara picked up her back pack. Rose was attached between her back and the pack smothering her. "I wish we were staying to find out who wins," she said.

Ryu hated himself for losing to another but Sasuke said it was a learning experience. He shoved his clothes in his own pack adding more. The last battle was between Hashano Maeno from the Fang country and Akikazu Okakura from the Marsh Country. "We can't because of Daiya," he said then added, "We've all lost our battles. What's the point?" Ryu stood with his head slightly tilted, his arm holding onto one of the backpack straps.

There was a knock at their door. Ryu reached forward turning the handle. Yanagi suddenly hugged him around his neck throwing him off guard. He almost fell on her. "What is this for," he asked a bit blandly not showing any other kind of reaction.

Yanagi had never been this close to Ryu. He felt stronger and firmer than he appeared. His hair wasn't rough, but soft despite the spiky appearance. Ryu also smelled like the wind and water. He had a clean scent that was pleasing. "For being a wonderful person," she answered before she let go.

Ryu raised a brow. "Who've you been talking to?" He turned around muttering 'Wonderful person' as Yanagi entered the room. "There's too many people in here," he continued to mutter as he looked out the window.

"Did you come to wait for Daiya," Saori asked figuring that was the reason for Yanagi's arrival.

"No, I just wanted to see Ryu and wish you guys a safe journey back to the village," Yanagi said. She saw Ryu putting forth his best effort to ignore them. "Really though, Saori, he's a good guy despite his attitude," she said with a smile. Yanagi walked up to Ryu's side put her hands on her hips and said in a serious, authoritive voice, "Hey, Turkey!" As Ryu turned his head she placed her left foot on the wall gluing her chakra. Yanagi ran bent her form, tilted her head and kissed Ryu right on the cheek. She jumped down waving, "Thanks, Ryu," she said before leaving.

Ryu stood a little wide-eyed. "What… just happened..?" He heard Saori laugh from behind him. "No, what just happened? Woman, answer me!"

"I think she's thanking you for what you did out there." The expression on his face showed he didn't think much of what had transpired at the Chuunin exams. "You have no idea what you mean to others. You saved Daiya's life, Ryu."

"No, I didn't," he said crossing his arms. "All I did was yell for the medics. Besides, he was pronounced dead after they got to him."

Saori touched his face gently. "Ryu, look at me. Please. You lost your head for a minute until they got there, but when they gave up… you didn't. you were the only one out there who tried his damn hardest to bring someone back. Everyone else froze. You didn't care that anyone saw your face, either. It was forgotten."

Saori pulled his face mask down her blue eyes admiring his features. "I wish you'd get rid of this," she said rolling it all the way down his neck. "You're not undeserving. You deserve more than you realize," she said kissing him very softly several times. Saori's fingers trailed down his neck, tickling his skin.

The hair on the back of his neck lifted as Saori kissed him. Ryu moved his hands up to her sides kissing her back. He leaned closer to her pushing back with a bit of force. Saori didn't object to him at all. In the back of his mind, Ryu secretly wanted to be older. He parted the kiss before things became too heated between them. "Ask Shikamaru sensei when you're allowed to have a permanent suitor," he breathed into her ear as he leaned over.

Saori turned her head towards him. "I thought you were my suitor," she said kissing his lips tenderly. Her gaze softened. Saori knew her father disapproved of Ryu because he was goofy. He wasn't a serious person. She figured her father thought of him as an immature kid who hung around his daughter.

"You know what he thinks of me," Ryu said breaking her thoughts. "And I'd like to stay with you." His eyes searched her face.

"I don't have any intention of going anywhere," she said. "Are you worried that I might ditch you?" The moment Ryu's facial expression changed, she understood why he wore the face mask. It was easy to tell what he was thinking with the facial display of emotions. She lifted her hand to touch him, but he lifted his face mask, avoiding the caress of her fingers. Saori's hand froze in midair. She didn't understand why he was acting this way.

Ryu moved away not wanting to explain himself to her. It was normal for him to bury his feelings deep down into the recesses of his being. It was unwise to let anyone too close for fear of losing that person. Saori was the first person he had let get this close to him. She liked him for being goofy, laid back, and a smart alike. He didn't want to change her view of him.

Sasuke pushed the door open to the room with his foot as he carried Daiya on his back. The atmosphere in the room was unpleasant. "Did I interrupt something?" Saori lowered her head shaking it. "Okay. I'll ask later. Are you two ready to leave?" Ryu walked past him out of the room without a word.

Daiya watched him walk down the hall and finally made his way down the steps. "Hi to you, too," he muttered. Suddenly Sasuke leaned over to retrieve the two back packs surprising him. He gripped tighter around his dad's neck. Sasuke rose again and coughed. Daiya loosened his hold. "That's your fault. You should have warned me."

"Sensei, why are you carrying him," Saori asked forgetting her own sadness for the moment.

Sasuke handed the backpacks to Daiya telling him to attach them both to his back. "Hmm? Oh. Precaution. It's only been a week since surgery."

"Oh," she said looking away as her thoughts returned.

"Strap it tighter to the first one. No, try the other hole. Now pull. There. I don't want our stuff falling off. It's a long way back," Sasuke said. He moved his gaze back to Saori. "Not to be nosey, but what's gotten into Ryu?"

Saori looked up. "I'm not sure," she said softly. "It always has to do with the way my father views him. It bothers him a lot. And I want to know Ryu fully, but when we get on certain subjects he pulls away-"

"And hides," Sasuke completed for her. "It may not be my place to say, Saori. He's sensitive to the reactions of others regarding himself. Even though you two accept him and the team he's on as improved, Ryu deep down fears betrayal. He doesn't trust anyone a hundred percent. I'm not sure if he'll ever be at that point in his life. He's spent a lot of years alone," he told her.

"I understand that most about him. I do," she said back. "But if you want something, you have to fight for it. Shying away doesn't show me I'm as valuable to you as you are me."

"Ignore him," Daiya said out of the blue. "Tough love is what he needs. If he wants to think he's not good enough for you, then he isn't. Maybe your dad is right about him. Maybe it's you who wants to hold onto him because you don't want to hurt him. That's pity and no one deserves it."

Sasuke placed his hand on Daiya's head. "How she handles it is her decision. All I can say is this: Whatever you decide is one that you have to withhold. The team will remain as it is."

Saori nodded. Was it really only her that wanted things to remain the same? Ryu's insecurities were pushing her away. Saori loved him, she did, but in the back of her mind Ryu wasn't going to change. "I'll wait until we get back to the village before I decide anything."

"Alright, well, we're ready to go," Sasuke said going out of the door before her.

"She's really weighing out the pros and cons," Daiya said noting the expression on her face as Saori let the thoughts run through her head. "I can't blame her for anything she does."

"Nor can I," Sasuke answered. "It's something they'll have to work through. Just don't say anything else about it around them."

Kiba led his team away from the Mist village as they shot through the trees. Their goal was to catch the next ship leaving the island. They were placed in a diamond squad formation with him at the front and Idai at the back. After all, he had the Hokage's son on his team. Masaru had unwittingly blabbed about the position he held to a girl from the Hidden Hot springs team. Idai had decked Masaru for his stupidity. Kiba frowned. He defiantly has Naruto's arrogance at times.

"Hey, you think Indo will write me like she said," Masaru asked as he smiled rather big. The girl had been flaunting herself all around him before he had left with his team. Masaru couldn't help but admire her features much to the disgust of his team mates.

Idai started to reach upwards to take out one of his swords. "You're an idiot that I can't deal with anymore," he said wanting to go ahead and take Masaru out right then and there. Kiba glanced at him from over his shoulder. "We'd be better off without him."

"Put it away, Idai. Masaru, telling another ninja who you are isn't wise," Kiba said in his gruff voice. "That girl may be falsely acting like she's interested in you. We have no idea of knowing her true intentions since the Hidden Hot Springs is not a country we are in alliance with."

Masaru frowned puffing out his chest as they flew through the trees. "Aw, you guys are just being over cautious. She was all over me during the exams. I went and saw her several times. All we did was talk," he said in defense.

"And in these talks, did she seem really interested in anyone on the team? Or other rookies," Yanagi asked. The moment the words escaped her mouth, Masaru's eyes got wide. "I agree with Idai. We take him out now."

"Hey! The only one she seemed really interested in was Onari. Onari did it to herself to show what force she had behind that brutal strength of hers," Masaru snapped with his head turned.

"What did you tell her about Onari," Idai said his tone getting very strict. "You're not supposed to say a word about anyone's techniques or who they are! Indo was interested in Onari because she was snooping. You have a loose mouth! You were an easy target for her!"

"For your information, I didn't say anything about Onari that would have led Indo to believe she had to be worried! I only told her that Onari was always rash like that. She's more like a rhino than she is anything on her team!"

Yanagi looked at Masaru out of the corner of her eyes. "That just suggests that Onari's instructed by someone of higher power to obstruct anything that stands in her way. You shouldn't have said anything! That makes her appear like she has a concealed intent."

"They're both right, Masaru. It's Ninja Academy learning that needed to be enforced. You're not to breathe a word about anyone on any of the teams, or what goes on in the village," Kiba said. "You have no idea who Indo is going to tell that information to. Or who was listening to the conversation."

"A lot of favor you did everyone," Idai said staring hard at Masaru's back. "It's bad enough Onari fled. Do you have any idea what your father is dealing with right now? All of the village leaders witnessed her actions. She's seen as a threat!"

Naruto Uzumaki folded his hands together his mouth and nose pressed against them as he sat at the table. All of the teams from the Hidden Leaf village had been ordered to depart that day. He was left behind, guarded by the ANBU in his quarters. After the stunt Onari had pulled, he had to have met with the village leaders to ensure Konoha's safety with the alliances that it held.

"What do you take us for Leader of the Hidden Leaf village," Ido Sanda from the Haze country said as he sat at the table his arms crossed. The arrogance at the Chuunin exams amongst the leaders was surely a brilliant display. "Are you insinuating that we ignore the power your village has built up against us? What do you take us for," he said as he slammed his open palms on the table.

Naruto, Hokage of the Hidden Leaf village, remained still as the other leaders from the foreign countries stared in his direction. If he tried to calm Ido Sanda down, it would only escalate further. Instead, he chose to soften his view of the situation. A hard gaze would only put the leaders on guard against the leaf village. "I cannot say the display that you all witnessed was not intended or intended to alert any of you of the capabilities that we have."

Uku Hagiwara of the Sea Country glanced around the long table that all of the leaders were sitting at. He lifted his head to where his face could be seen by the other members. "So you're telling us, Lord Hokage, that this girl that is from your village acted without your prior knowledge of her abilities?" He waited giving the man time to answer. He wasn't in any hurry.

"She acted due to the threat arising around her from the Field Coordinators of the Mist Village," Naruto said.

Roka Hirayama, leader of the Mist village, coughed as his eyes narrowed to turn their gaze upon Naruto Uzumaki. "My men are dispatched during the exams to prevent renegade behavior from students at all costs. The final matches between the rookies and those to be Chuunin will continue regardless of what occurs in the holding cell. There was already interference from two others from the Hidden Leaf – one of them, I believe, is your own son," he said in a gruff voice.

Naruto Uzumaki had only managed to question a few of the students who had witnessed what had shown to be an embarrassment for the village. He tried hard not to rub his temples, to show that he was getting agitated. Yanagi Lee had confessed she had stepped in the way of Daiya Uchiha to prevent a Field Coordinator from charging at the boy. Daiya had reacted due to the attack on Masaru, his son. Right now, Naruto was in a tough spot. If he got angry, it would only show that he, as a leader, could do no wrong.

Okata Jouda, leader of the Bear Country, flexed his large biceps under his cloak. He didn't like the tension rising in the area amongst the leaders. Understanding the situation from both sides might put an end to this mess. The last thing he wanted was a breakout of War occurring between everyone. "Perhaps, all of you need to examine the angles of each involved in the instance that happened."

"Yes, that would be most logical," Gaara of the Sand Village said. It was known to few that he had been one of Naruto's good friends over the years. He also knew that Naruto didn't attack others without probable cause. He had heard some about Onari, the girl in question, from his niece, Saori Nara.

"And whose views do you expect to be taken into account," Iden Arima said from the Claw Country. "It's nothing more than hearsay from those that saw, or were involved. That kind of information can be tangled to benefit the village in question. I don't approve of it."

"Nor do I," Hame Mayeda rule of the Sound Village exclaimed in a flabbergasted tone.

"So you all wish to condemn a man before hearing him out, or giving him a basis of a trial," Kiaria Shimizu said from the Lightening Country. She folded her hands together on top of the table, her eyes looking at each of the leaders. "It's no wonder that we're sitting here like this not able to solve the problem. Perhaps Kumakage is correct on the way to perceive things. And perhaps, maybe the rookies who are involved were acting upon the incident in question on loyalty to those around them."

"How can you be so sure of that," Tetsu Nakama from the Rice Country asked his eyes befalling upon the woman.

"No offense, Komekage, but most men cannot view another's footprints unless it is pointed out," Kiaria Shimizu said. The man stiffened a little, his mouth turning into a frown. "Tunnel vision is the main problem of this meeting. All of you are worried about what the Hokage has in store for your villages – whether he plans to attack, or not. But has any of you given thought that the girl who committed the act is now missing? She is a threat to each of you and the village she came from."

The men started chattering to each other in a kind of hush-hush voice as Kiaria locked her eyes with Naruto. He didn't know what the woman had up her sleeve. Was she trying to help him out of this mess, or elude the leaders to another pressing matter? Onari was in fact, capable of doing harm to anyone that came across her. She was not adhering to follow previous orders given to her by Rock Lee.

"This meeting is a profound mess," Bukimi Kokawa from the Swamp Country said breaking the discussions occurring around him. "It's common for fights to occur when a competition is at hand. And even thought it is frowned upon, missing-nin happen for reasons that we cannot all understand. I hope, Lord Hokage, that your men find the girl who disrupted the matches. If not, we will be forced to act out of alarm. Her power has been clearly demonstrated."

Naruto had no choice but to surrender for the time being. He bowed his head low. "I appreciate your concern over this unfortunate event. When found, the village will decide what actions to partake." He stood dismissing the matter. Each of the leaders also stood bowing low to respect one another. Quietly, he remained standing as each of them left. Naruto's blue eyes moved to see Kiara Shimizu from the Lightening Country still in the room. His ANBU stood behind him at different posts.

Remaining where she was, Kiara Shimizu also stood with her guards, her red eyes locking again on the Hokage's. She lifted her hat eager to take the annoying contraption off her head. Reaching up, Kiara rubbed her head. "It's nice to finally have met you, Lord Hokage," she said letting her long brown hair fall from the four buns on the back of her cranium. "As Leader of the Lightening Country, I have been waiting patiently to have a discussion with you - If that is alright with you."

Naruto nodded raising his hand to issue for his men to stand down. Naruto held his hand out for Kiara to sit. They lowered to the table again. "What would you prefer to discuss?"

Kiara Shimizu looked at the table gathering her thoughts before she spoke. "The girl at the Chuunin exams – the one who took off on the phoenix… she isn't originally from your village, is she?"

Naruto didn't know if he could trust this woman. It was his pride as a leader to protect those in his village. "Why is your interest upon her?"

"I suppose I ought to have known better than to ask you outright such a question. The loyalty between our villages hasn't been established. When I was younger, there was a young woman who worked for a particular clan as an assassin. This might not be of interest to you, or it may be my own curiosity getting the better of me, but that girl reminded me of the young woman I often saw."

"Why is that," Naruto asked relaxing a bit at the woman's openness towards him.

"The girl that I saw had the same woman's attitude of defiance, yet her ability to protect those kept resurfacing in my head. Also, her features looked so much like the clan leader that we used to serve. Surrounding the clan leader I knew as a child, was a previous artifact guarded by that clan – The Heaven's Scroll." Kiara saw the change in the Hokage's eyes. "So you have heard of it, or seen it," she said pushing a little further. "The phoenix that was conjured is the gateway to unleashing the other three celestials."

Naruto had to play it safe regarding what the woman knew about Onari. She could have heard the information down the line, or was speculating to get him to reveal what he knew. "The Heaven's Scroll is a myth," he said trying to dismiss the atmosphere happening around him. But the woman only smiled in return nodding her head.

"Yes, it is a myth, but all myths have to start somewhere," Kiara said in return to the Lord's dismissal of her choice of topic. "The assassin that I knew was named Urei. She was not able to speak due to her tongue being taken out." She could tell that the action was not a favorable one upon the Lord. "Each clan has rules and other forms of pride that we cannot understand as Leaders. It was this clan's jurist diction that her tongue be removed as a child to prevent her from speaking about what she heard.

I often felt sorry for her, but despite my age, Urei was kind enough to me. She often helped me carry food that I was unable to lift due to my age. Oh, I'm sorry. I was only ten-years-old. My responsibility was to help my parents cook for the Lords of the Lightening Village. We were seen as inferior – except..," she started to say with fondness, "Lord Sashizu was a kind man. If I made a mistake, he would sneak away from his normal duties to help me correct them. One morning I heard a lot of commotion coming from the main house. His brother, Lord Gekido, was furious. My mother took me aside and hid me under the plank flooring of our small house. We were not allowed to eavesdrop on the conversations of the Main House. It was forbidden. Upon seeing my mother hastily trying to evacuate his sight, Lord Gekido had his men kill her."

Naruto furrowed his brows at the openness of Kiara's past story. He knew she was building up to what her interests were of Onari. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said with sincere kindness.

"That's very thoughtful of you," Kiara returned bowing her head. "As horrified as I was at witnessing my mother's death, I remained where I was – probably out of fear. What I heard from Lord Gekido was that Lord Sashizu had vacated the Main House with the assassin, Urea. He was speaking to a guard of his, Kakumei Eimino, of the Lightening Users, telling the man that it was against the Main House's decree for anyone of superiority to partake with someone of inferior status. At that moment, I had wanted to run to Lady Urei and Lord Sashizu with what I had heard. He had declared an announcement of their death upon capture. They were never found to my knowledge."

Naruto thought it to be a dream of Kiara's that she had found a link to her own past. "What I must ask is why you are chasing a myth. The girl that you witnessed at the exams was taken in when she was found in a snow village far from this location. It cannot be the same as you may think."

"Maybe," Kiara said looking away with memories plaguing her. "But the only reason I know of the Heaven's Scroll is because Urei was entrusted with that knowledge from the Main House. She wasn't able to discuss it by words. She had told me by drawing in the sand, Lord Hokage," Kiara said turning her gaze back to him. "The only way to use the Heaven's Scroll was to undergo a horrible procedure where the user was etched with the symbols upon his or her form. A phoenix is not common – in any myth. It is not a creature one can conjure with a regular summons."

Naruto crossed his arms upon the table trying to concede with himself what he should tell Kiara. What he decided that this woman's facial expressions, her body language, and tone of voice showed she was concerned for Onari, and not against her. The woman before him had already given up valuable knowledge to him. She could have very well sold the knowledge to the other leaders, had her views about what she had witnessed been any different. "You have shown me your loyalty, Lady Inazumakage," Naruto said lifting his head once his thoughts were clear. "That girl was given the name, Onari. She resides in our village having been found struggling to survive in a land of snow. From what was found out about the mission, the girl had been bullied and kept in that village under the authority of a Captain. He was dealt with by my ninja and also the girl. She had summoned a phoenix to attack and defend my men at all costs of her life."

Kiara was watching the Hokage intently. Was this girl connected to Lord Sashizu and Lady Urei? Had they perished and been found out by Lord Gekido? She had to know what had become of the woman who had befriended her as a child. "Is Onari her original name..?"

"No," Naruto answered. "It was given to her by a friend of mine. Her real name has never been spoken by those who she was around. The ones that know of her past are…incapacitated. My apologies."

"Incapacitated?" Kiara looked at him with sadness that her search had come to a halt. "You mean they are dead," she asked with a greater grief at hearing the words. She lowered her head.

Naruto held up his hands trying to calm the woman. "No, not that I am aware of. One of the boys is headed back to the village. He had to undergo heart surgery during the exams. The Jounin responsible for him made the call to return once he was well enough to make the journey."

"But there is another," Kiara said her hope rising a little.

"Yes, but he is on the verge of life and death," Naruto said. "The boys in question are Daiya Eimino and Takeru Uchiha." The first name caused a huge reaction of shock in Kiara as she sat trying to remain posed in front of him and his men. "The only reasons I have divulged this information to you is because you spoke of a man whose name I have heard. Kakumei Eimino is the one responsible for attacking my best friend's son."

Naruto had subjected himself to answer a few more of Kiara's curiosity over Onari. He wasn't afraid of what he told the young woman. Kiara seemed lost in memories at what she had learned; as if her heart had been healed over the loss of the assassin she had known as a child. I'm not sure if we can find Onari. There's no way of knowing where she has gone, or why. He sipped his tea before placing it back on the tray. An ANBU entered the room. Naruto turned his blue eyes to the woman.

Boton bowed with her arm across her chest. She stood back up the sheep mask on her face hiding who she truly was. "Lord Hokage, the plans are in motion. We are ready to assist you back to the village," she said.

"Alright, thank you," Naruto said putting his Hokage hat back on. He rose from the table slowly. Turning his head he took one last look at the Mist village from the window as Boton waited by the door. What an adventure we're having, Sasuke. That girl that you brought back has stirred the blood in my veins. He smiled tipping his hat forward a little. Naruto Uzumaki walked through the door with the ANBU surrounding him as he left his quarters behind.

Izumi woke later in the morning than she had originally planned. Ever since she had brought Takeru home, she had been taking care of him as if he were feisty toddler. For her, it was a way to keep her mind off of the Chuunin exams. Izumi rubbed her face with her hand. "I just hope you're both okay," she said to herself. As always, she lifted her body slightly off the bed, halfway turning to check on Takeru lying next to her.

"Morning," Takeru said as his mother looked at him. Her head was slightly turned, sleepy gaze staring at him. It didn't seem to be registering in her brain that he was speaking to her. "Mom..?"

Her lavender eyes became wide the moment she saw Takeru's mouth move. The reaction caused her to scream, losing her balance as she fell backwards off the bed. Izumi regained herself, popping her head back up over the side. "Takeru?" She sprung back into action like a cat onto the bed hurrying to crawl towards her son. Grabbing his face with her hands, Izumi checked him over several times like she'd never seen him before, or didn't believe what she was seeing.

"Mom, stop. Mom," Takeru said as she dote over him. He grunted as she unexpectedly lifted him off the bed, holding him in her arms. Takeru looked up at her with his dark half lidded eyes. "Where is everyone? Is Onari okay? I left her-," he tried to say before his mother put her finger on his lips to silence him.

"Shh," Izumi said rocking her son comfortingly on the bed. "When your father returns from the exams, everything will be alright. You'll all be home again where I can watch over you."

"From the-. How long have I been asleep," Takeru asked. He felt himself being picked up off the surface of the bed. His mother was holding him as she used to do when he was younger. Izumi was leaving the room with him, his limbs hanging heavily off her.

"You've been in a coma for an entire month, my handsome, adorable son," Izumi said walking down the hall to the main bathing area. "I think it's about time you had a regular bath." Izumi kept her arms firmly around her son. It was rather difficult to be carrying him as dead weight.

Takeru tried to move his body as he was carried to object to his mother ignoring his questions. "Mom, where are they," he asked again. He heard the clack of the shoji screen as they entered the front part of the bath.

Izumi proceeded to take delight in stripping Takeru of his clothes. "It's sort of fun to be able to bathe you when you can't fight me," she said much to her son's disgusted facial expression. "I'm hoping your father is returning from the exams, Takeru. I really don't know anything about what's happened since the last message I was told by Shikamaru."

"What..message," Takeru asked as his mother started to turn on the running water to the tub. The tub felt cold to his back as he was pressed against it. His mother was holding him up until the water inside of the tub filled.

Izumi looked him over trying to figure out what she should say. Upsetting him in his current state wasn't going to help him heal. She chose to only tell him about his brother, and to avoid any subject matter on Onari. "Daiya had an accident at the exams." She saw the look on his face. "He's alright, Takeru. He underwent surgery, so he should be coming home with your father," Izumi said not knowing in what condition Daiya was coming home.

Takeru relaxed, but the one person he was worried about was Onari. "Mom, where is she," he pleaded as he felt himself being scrubbed with a sponge. "Why won't you tell me where Ri is," he said using his pet name for the girl he adored and was in love with.

"I won't explain anything until your father is here," Izumi said strictly her eyes turning cold and hard. "Once he sets foot in the door, you'll be better off. Now be still, Takeru. I want to wash your hair," she said reaching for the shampoo.

Why won't she tell me where Onari is? Did she get taken by Kakumei? What happened that day? Tell me! Takeru closed his eyes his teeth clenched as his heart raced. His mother saw the frustration he was dealing with, but chose to ignore him. Onari, where are you? Please tell me you're not in the hands of Kakumei!