V9 ch 10

Rumors and shaky paths

"Concentrate," he could hear Ryu's words as he stood out in the training ground area. Takeru kept his eyes closed, his arm slightly away from his body. His mind went blank. Ryu had mastered Chidori several days ago. And every night, Takeru had been sparring with his father to prove he was worthy of finding Onari.

A blink of concern caught his mind off guard. So much time had passed the guilt he felt popped up. Takeru's face turned into a frown. I was supposed to protect her, Uso. Not only for you, but also her father. Just as he began to demean himself, a voice echoed throughout his head. (To do so, would be to have broken her spirit. Isn't that what you admire the most?)

Takeru smiled. Thanks, Uso. He settled down again, his mind going still. The chakra in his body ran strong with determination. He could feel the power of the dragon flowing with his own form. He and Uso were not Master and servant, but God and guardian.

In the darkness of his mind Takeru saw a flicker of energy. It appeared as a blue ball of light. He approached it, the ball starting to flicker with the chakra in connection of his body. In his mind's eye, he lifted his hand over the ball of radiating light. The ball of chakra sizzled and exploded. The sound of a thousand birds flocked to his ears. Takeru opened his eyes the blinding light of Chidori crackling through the air.

This was one of the first powerful techniques his father had learned. Takeru stared down at the light as he tried to maintain Chidori. Off to his right were several twelve foot poles of lumber. Students used them as training guides. Takeru ran at the poles, his legs swift, as he neared the first one, he struck it, Chidori seeping into the thick wood. His hand came through the other side before the chakra in his body was let go. Takeru breathed hard. The technique was a lot to endure. Pulling his hand out slowly, he looked at his burnt hand. He felt a presence standing behind him. Takeru forgot his pain for the moment, his eyes looking to see the Hokage watching him.

Naruto stood at the end of the training ground, his eyes looking at Takeru Uchiha with a solemn expression. His coat flowed behind him with the wind. "Chidori. A technique Kakashi Hatake learned when he was a mere boy. I've known for some time that Sasuke had chosen to teach Ryu the same attack. But you I did not."

Takeru found himself bowing quickly to the Hokage, the man who had restored his father's position in the village. "I-I'm sorry, Sir," he said feeling ashamed he had not asked permission from anyone to learn it. "I didn't mean to go against you."

Naruto stepped forth, his hands on his hips. "But you have. That specific technique is so dangerous that whoever learns it, must remember it will drain his chakra – and end his life."

Takeru looked up quickly at the man, his eyes fearful.

"It's written all over your face, Takeru. You were not told of the side effects, or dangers of that technique," Naruto said. "Tell me. Who has been training you to use this?"

"My father doesn't know," Takeru said honestly to the village leader. "Ryu was kind of suckered into it. Only he and Daiya know that I've been trying to access it."

Naruto snorted. "You seem to have the same kind of cunning in you as your father. However, now that you've accessed it, how are you going to harbor it? Would you like to know more about that particular technique and the dangers you have overlooked?"

Takeru flinched as the Hokage came forth lifting his burned hand. He watched the man rip a piece of cloth from his robe. Takeru blushed as the man wrapped his hand delicately making sure the bandage was not too tight.

Naruto tied the bandage. He held Takeru's hand, his eyes focusing on the skin damage. "If you use Chidori more than once in a period of time, you risk the chance of dying. Your body can only sustain it for a brief time. Also, you've just found out that it burns the skin. Your hand needs to remain bandaged and protected when using it. This technique must have the approval of the Hokage before it can be used as a last resort on enemies."

Takeru slowly flexed his fingers. He kept messing up. "What do I have to do to get your approval?" His eyes met the Hokage's in all seriousness. "I'll do whatever you require so that I can gain the use of this."

Naruto knelt to where he was looking up at Takeru. "Are you wanting to get revenge on a particular person," he asked softly. Naruto feared Takeru was following too much in Sasuke's steps.

"No," Takeru said his eyes blazing, his mouth curling. "I want to be a proper Guardian for Onari. But not only her. I don't want anything to happen to the others that bear the marks of the Heaven's scroll on their arms."

Naruto lowered is head, his shoulders sulking. The burden was lifted off of his form. "Takeru, you're not entirely like Sasuke," he said raising his head again. "The fact remains I don't approve of you learning this technique as of right now. I forbid you to use it, until you are older."

Takeru's heart stopped. He turned his head away, his teeth clenched. All of the training he had been doing was washing away. "I thought you were a reasonable man!"

Naruto stood again, his eyes not leaving Sasuke's son. "For now, Chidori is too strong for you to use. How is that technique going to effect everyone around you? This is something you must think upon. I will say it again, in case, you did not take me seriously. I forbid you to use this. Until you understand, it will be out of your reach." Naruto turned leaving Takeru alone to deal with his emotions.

Takeru punched the lumber pole as hard as he could. He leaned his forehead upon it trying to think of a solution. "Dammit," he said kicking the pole with his foot.

Naruto stopped once he was a distance away from Takeru. He could hear the boy taking his anger out on the training poles. "It's not easy telling someone 'no', but it had to be done. He doesn't know it was you that told me," he said turning his gaze up into a tree where Ryu Yuhi sat staring off into the clouds. "When did you realize he was going to access it?"

Ryu sighed. He wasn't happy with himself for what he had done. "When I saw the expression on his face the moment I had mastered it. Takeru's eyes were glazed. Chidori isn't the answer for him. It never was. This is," Ryu said tapping his head. "I don't know whether he is trying to pass Sasuke sensei for the sake of argument, or to prove he really can get Onari back."

"Yeah, his age is defiantly against him right now. When he becomes wiser and more mature, I'll see about letting him, "Naruto said. "That is if he can follow the chain of command."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tachiba waited on the lower tree level for a rough looking Kinari. Naguru sat on his finger as he petted the blue bunting softly. "He stood up for us, Naguru, you can't be mad at him," he said as the bird twittered his answer. "I know, but if we get in trouble with Ateru sensei, he'll have our heads." As he said the last sentence, Kinari exited the hollow tree from the steps that led up towards the very top. He was dragging himself, bags under his eyes.

Kinari had to keep his feet moving, or he was going to crash. Staying up for two days was not his ideal idea of a good time. He passed Tachiba, not looking at him. "I don't need a babysitter," he said roughly.

"I appreciate you taking the wrap for us," Tachiba tried to say but Kinari gave him a mean look.

"I didn't do it for you! I don't want to answer to the Morikage about why we were in that place at that time. You think it's all about you, don't you? Well maybe it isn't anymore," Kinari said angrily. "All you think of is yourself and that bird! We have a real problem on our hands. If the dead get eaten, how will this look? We're not incapable of defending them!" He moved on leaving Tachiba behind.

"I expected him to be mad," Tachiba said to Naguru who had hunkered down into a ball.

Kaiya bounced the moment she saw Tachiba standing by himself. "Good morning, Tachiba," she said with extra sugar in her voice. "Are you ready for what Ateru sensei has prepared?" She noticed he was looking away down the path of houses on the large tree branch. "Tachiba," she called poking her head around him several times happily. "What has you so distracted today?"

"Kinari is mad at me," he said as an afterthought. He didn't feel like playing homage to Kaiya's girly feelings. He turned his head to acknowledge her. "Shouldn't you be more concerned with the Kasha? They're invading our village."

"Yes, but there's always a solution," she said putting her finger in the air. "We just have to find it together." She danced around Tachiba as he started to walk off. Naguru hopped off Tachiba's finger to twitter and fly ahead.

Ateru Yotsuka stood waiting for his team on an outward branch where a small building had been built. It was open to the elements, with a small roof like a gazebo. He crossed his arms, his hollow red eyes overlooking the team that had come from Konoha. "So the Morikage actually asked the Hokage from the Leaf to aid us. Quite interesting. He must have lost faith in our abilities."

Yanagi sensed the man didn't know what to think about their situation. Her team had just been briefed by Ateru on what they were called for. "Sensei, how long have the Kasha been coming to the village?"

"For five days now," Ateru said looking down at the ground. "We had sent out some of our comrades to check up on a rumor. It's been circling around these parts that a large bird of fire was seen in the sky. Some of the elders believe it is a bad omen. And there are others who want to harness a power like that." Ateru saw the expression on the boy with blond hair. "You know what I speak of?"

Yanagi punched Masaru in the gut. Masaru made a horrible face, holding his abdomen. She turned her gaze back to the man. "Exactly why would the Morikage send others out to check on a rumor?"

"As I mentioned, sometimes rumors are truth. There is no way of knowing unless you check. Honestly, I didn't believe it myself, until I saw it," Ateru said. "We were traveling at night at the edge of the Forest country. I had left the group to scout for water in the river that was near. That was when I saw something that disturbed me." He looked at Yanagi. "Standing in the middle of the river, was a young girl, about your age. She was up to her waist bathing. I was going to leave her be, for it's not right to look upon a lady – no matter her age- in the nude. Until a small bird of fire came soaring down the river towards her. The girl held out her arm and the bird landed upon it.

I had never seen such a bird in my life. It was slightly bigger than a hen, its yellow eyes piercing as it cooed at her. Its tail was long, the tips barely touching the surface of the water. I didn't realize that the others had came looking for me. I had been gone quite some time, mesmerized by what stood before my eyes. The way she was showing affection to the creature seemed to be somewhat sad, in my eyes. This couldn't be the large bird that people had sighted."

Idai kept his gaze looking out at the beautiful scenery, his arm hanging off the railing. Onari. So you're alright. And now we know where you've been. That still doesn't tell us what direction you went in.

"One person in the group shifted his movement. The girl's head turned around in alarm, the bird upon her arm lifting into the air. Suddenly, without warning, its size increased drastically. It rolled down until it slammed into the water, towering as large as a building. The flames upon the bird erupted in warning. The girl was gone from our sights briefly. I tried to find her again, but the creature – whatever it is- opened its mouth spilling forth a wave of fire. The ones the Kasha wish to feed on, are those of my team that did not survive the attack. They are the ones you must help us guard."

Masaru didn't like what he was hearing. He had to remember all of the details Ateru sensei had told them. Once they were back in Konoha, his team would report to Kiba Inuzuka and his father, the Hokage. Masaru wasn't sure if the death of Ateru's men were on purpose, or an accident.

Yanagi frowned. Onari's getting into trouble outside of the village now. Ateru sensei wasn't sure where she was from, so for now, we're safe but… what happens once he finds out? Will the Forest village demand war on the Leaf for her actions? I wish she would return home.

Idai's gaze shifted to see a boy standing outside of the gazebo. His long gray bangs hung over his silver eyes as he yawned sleepily. Soon a boy with short brown hair, yellow eyes, and a blue bunting bird came after the first one. A giggly girl with dark green ponytails wearing a goggle hat bounced up to them. Her blue eyes were surprised to see their trainer with another team.

"This is Team 6 from the Leaf," Ateru said as his team tried to figure out what was happening. "They are here to help with the Kasha by order of the Morikage. Show them around, be hospitable, and work together."

"Pretty bird," Idai said breaking the awkward silence as the two teams stared each other down. "What kind is it?" The girl with the goggle cap stepped in front of the guy with the bird.

"It's a bunting," Kaiya answered. "He's a special addition to our team." She didn't like the way the guy with red hair was sizing up her team. "And you can keep that look you're giving us to yourself. It isn't polite."

Idai stood up slowly placing his hands upon his knees to support himself. It had taken his team several days to make the journey to the Forest village. One wouldn't have thought the village to be located in a large tree, but it was. "I take it since you stepped in front of him, you're the team leader."

Kaiya put her hands on her hips straightening her back. "That's right, I am. Do you have a problem with it? If so, you can just leave as soon as you got here."

Ateru rolled his eyes. Women. Always thinking a man's out to prove he has more guts than they do.

Idai kept his gaze level his head tilted forward as his long bangs hung over his face. He smiled a bit unkindly. "I'm not interested in you," he said softly as his mouth curled into a sinister smile. "I want the demons that are invading your village. I want to break them."

Masaru grabbed the collar of Idai's blue kimono with a firm grip. "Not yet," he said trying to keep Idai off of Kaiya. Masaru knew if he let Idai go at that point, his friend was going to prove to that girl he wasn't going to take anything off her. One thing Idai couldn't stand was a tough talker.

"We've gotten in enough trouble for one day. Can we please stay out of another fight or anything to make someone mad at us," Kinari said sleepily. He gave a stern look to Kaiya. "Quit acting so tough. They're only here to help, not take your thunder away."

Kaiya turned her head looking at Kinari bewildered. "I'm the one that makes the decisions in the team," she said whirling around pointing to herself. "You stay out of this!"

Tachiba put his hand in front of Kaiya to block her view of Kinari. "Isn't our mission the most important right now? You two can feud later," he said ending the argument between his friend and the girl who had a crush on him. "You have to excuse Kaiya," he said gaining the attention of Team 6. "She and Kinari have always been at ends with each other. Since you're going to be working with us, let us show you around," he said trying to be friendly.

"It wouldn't hurt to know the important angles of the village," Ateru said keeping his arms crossed. "The real fighting starts later." He dismissed his team along with the team from the Leaf village. As they walked away he wondered exactly why the Morikage had been assigned this particular team.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lady Kiaria walked in the vast garden that was part of the Cloud village. It had been constructed to bring peace to those who had died at the hands of others in time of war. She passed a statue of a fish whose mouth flowed with water into a pond. The lotus blossoms moved slowly against the current of the water. Her eyes followed her fingers as they trailed in the cool liquid. She wondered for a moment about her decision to become the Inazumakage.

I would have never dreamt of meeting your daughter, Urei. That was her, wasn't it? She had your quick to act sense. And her regard for authority weighs heavily on the morals of what is right and wrong. I wish she would have known me sooner, instead of the other way around. The power she possesses has caught the attention of the foreign leaders.

She lifted her head, her eyes studying the pebble paths that twined around the trees. Each path led to a different part of the garden, where statues stood. Walking carefully, Kiaria strolled down the steps to follow a particular path of interest. Her robes dragged behind her upon the ground.

She passed the trees of old, their roots high above the ground, thick and twisting. Putting her hands on her robes, she lifted the robe to where it did not catch on the roots as she stepped over them. Her eyes trailed along each one, her memory of them fond. When she had been merely a child, Urei had met her here in secret. They often drew pictures in the ground to tell stories to each other. For an assassin, Urei was kind to those that did not deserve to be overtaken. Even though her tongue had been cut out to keep her from revealing the secrets of the Cloud village, her eyes showed her thoughts. Kiaria thought Urei was a wonderful, beautiful, mysterious woman. She had always admired her.

The pebble path loomed over a small hill. Kiaria strolled up it, her feet slightly slipping. She caught herself, then headed to her destination again. Once over the hill, the trees were spread out. A field of pebbles and statues lay before her. She walked to them, her eyes gazing over the area. Littered around the statues where monuments where the dead rested. She made her way to two columns that marked the front. Her fingers felt the copper bowls on top of the column. Kiaria closed her eyes until the flame lit itself. She did the same to the other.

As she stepped into the area, her arms spread out, her head bowing to respect those that had perished. This wasn't just a graveyard for the dead of ancestors, but those lost in battle. "Forgive me for not meeting with all of you earlier. I have been troubled deeply by events that have happened." She opened her eyes to see translucent figures monitoring her.

"And what is it that troubles the Inazumakage," a voice said on the wind. The figures floated above the ground. Kiaria saw that many of them had chosen to keep their battle wounds or scars as a sign of honor for the village. A spirit whose body was barely hanging on to his torso swayed from side to side. She figured it was he who was questioning her. "The past troubles me," she answered.

"The past is the past and nothing more," several of the spirits said in harmonies low tones. "It cannot be changed, for it is what makes the future and the present."

"It isn't that I wish to change it," Kiaria said. "I wish to understand it so I can be better prepared for it. There are things in motion now that I am baffled with how they came to be in the first place."

"And what is it that the Inazumakage has her eyes set on," a young shinobi asked. The girl appeared to be no older than fourteen, a shuriken sticking out the back of her head. Her death must have been swift, for face was not solemn, but contorted with expression.

"The legend of the four celestials has been playing in my mind since the witness of the phoenix's resurrection at the Chuunin exams," Kiaria said. "The phoenix is seen as a negative and positive omen. But which is it that reigns at this very moment?"

"The power of destruction," the spirits told her, their voices echoing off of each other. "For the phoenix has been detached from the dragon. Without the other, there is no harmony."

Kiaria's eyes widened. "So it's true. Urei's daughter has bonded another to her that can draw the dragon as a trump card." Her breath almost left her. "Why are they not together?"

"The phoenix caretaker does not know the dragon exists at this moment," an older ninja said, his gray hair flowing around his face as he floated.

"That would explain why I get this feeling that the heavens are out of alignment," Kiara said under her breath. "Where is the phoenix?" She wasn't sure if the spirits had that kind of energy to determine where things were in the natural order.

"We have not felt it for some time," the same ninja said. "It has left this plane. Maybe the caretaker or summoner has decided to not bring it here for reasons of her own."

"Or she's not wanting to jeopardize her life," Kiaria said. "Such power has caught the attention of the foreign leaders. They are seeing her as a threat. Whose not to say she couldn't set fire to each village as it lay under the direction of the phoenix?"

The spirits hovered constantly, not commenting further on anything Kiaria said. She bowed low thanking them for their help in the matter. She had always been able to speak with the dead since she was a child. Maybe that was why Urei comforted her when it scared her. Kiaria touched the copper bowls on top of the columns once again. The flames flickered out dousing her connection to the spirit world. As she walked up the pebble hill, she only wished Urei and Sashizo's ashes had not been scattered elsewhere.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Daiya heard Takeru scream into the pillow on his bed. He opened the door slowly trying to figure out what was going on. Daiya raised a brow his hair dripping wet from the bath, the pajama pants around his waist hung a bit loosely. He walked softly to the side of the bed placing his hand upon Takeru's head. "Hey, what's your problem so late in the afternoon," he asked.

Takeru looked up at his brother hatefully. "You told the Hokage didn't you?" He jumped off the bed with his arms outstretched. Takeru tackled Daiya to the ground in a fit of anger. His hands balled up as he hit Daiya hard on the shoulder. "You told him I was attempting Chidori!" His anger fumed, fist pummeling into his brother's skin.

Daiya reached his legs up and hooked them around Takeru's waist as he bent his body. Pushing Takeru back with his legs he came up into a sitting position arms holding onto Takeru's legs so he couldn't budge.

Takeru grunted as he tried to fight Daiya back. However, his adopted brother was older, his arms and legs thicker from rough routine training under his father. Daiya had the upper hand. He was calm and collected as Takeru's rage finally died down. He panted, his face red, eyes full of hatred. "You told him! I won't forgive you!"

Daiya just stared at Takeru. Working with Ryu had taught him a lot of things. One was to remain calm in tough situations. Another was to not argue when the other had no hope of listening. He waited.

"Why did you tell him? What was in it for you? You thought it would make you look good because you're a foreigner?" Takeru yelled at Daiya until he ran out of words to say. He simply met Daiya's gaze with a curled lip.

"Are you finished…," Daiya said without question. His grip on Takeru hadn't lessened. "Your physical strength isn't the only thing you need to mature," he said with an edge in his voice. "You're not fit to go get her," he said pushing Takeru's leg down as he let go. He loosened his leg hold on the boy. Daiya gave Takeru the sternest look he could pull together.

Takeru sat up quickly his eyes narrowed. At first, he was skeptical about what Daiya had said until he saw the look in his eyes. "You… didn't tell… him," he said slowly.

"No, I didn't," Daiya yelled as his fist came down on the top of Takeru's head.

Takeru tried to prepare himself for impact, but it was too late. His eyes welled up with tears as he held his head. His toes were curled in pain. He hits as hard as dad. The throbbing didn't go away for some time as he sat on the floor with Daiya watching him. He had every right to be angry at him.

Takeru glanced up at his adopted brother as he sat on the bed reading. He looked back down frowning. Takeru was slightly afraid to move for fear of being hit again.

Daiya was highly aware Takeru was watching him. He flipped through the book. "What is it…" His voice remained hard.

"You hate me, right…?" Takeru looked down. He was always misjudging Daiya. Sure enough, he was hit in the back of the head with a pillow.

"The only person I loathe that much is the woman who birthed me," he answered coldly. "You're not a child, Takeru. If you want to protect Onari, you better start protecting yourself." Daiya got off the bed leaving the room as he stormed out the door.

Takeru sat for a while thinking in the silence. Daiya's right. How am I supposed to prove I can handle tougher situations if I can't over him or Dad? Now he knew why the Hokage had stopped him with Chidori.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Azayaka Najimu stood with her hands on her hips eying Eiyu Hyuuga. Her green eyes searched his posture. "Something tells me you really don't like me," she said as Eiyu leaned against the tree. He hadn't glanced at her one time since she had arrived. "Look, I'm not here to cause waves," she said. "There has to be a third person in your cell."

"You're not Onari," Eiyu blurted out. "You're not going to be either. You're temporary," he said the last word with a low inferiority.

"So that's what it is," she said with a keen sense. "I thought it was merely the other boy, but it's you also. There's something about that girl you like."

Eiyu came off the tree turning his full body to face her. "I don't know why you're here, or what your real mission is, but you won't slam Onari into the ground. I don't care what you've heard about her. You don't know her like we do! She left because she would have endangered the entire village!"
"You're not the one who needs to persuade me," Azayaka said. "She has to. Like you said, I don't know her," she said crossing her arms, turning her gaze away.

Eiyu grit his teeth. "You defiant shrew," he said at the lack of respect. He almost lost his cool with Azayaka. He felt a hand on his shoulder as the anger started to show in his face. Eiyu shifted his eyes to see Rock Lee standing beside him.

"This is not how a team operated. Hatred and anger does not belong under my watch. It seems you tow need a low level mission to learn what teamwork is."

"He's the one with the problem," Azayaka said to Lee. "It's clear I'm not wanted here. I'm trying to do what I was told."

"Told by who," Eiyu asked with a hint of aggression. "We didn't get an order from the Hokage about a new person being added. It wasn't even discussed in our ranks!"

"I was informed of her arrival," Lee said ending Eiyu's rant. "Azayaka has proved herself to her old trainer. She's a fine replacement for Onari. You shouldn't judge her because you're angry at Onari's departure."

Eiyu turned his gaze away. "We were supposed to be an unbeatable team," he said softly. "Hyuuga and Uchiha on the same battlefield with one as equal to our own. She was trained by both of your parents! She-" He couldn't say it.

Azayaka sighed. "You're an idiot," she said. "So this girl was the little prodigy of the Hyuuga and Uchiha clans. And I thought her ability to perform ninjutsu was quite accelerated from what I heard."

Eiyu stared at her.

"You think the entire village wouldn't notice an exceptional child that stood out like a sore thumb as much as she did? Even the Hokage was treated such a way as a child. Or perhaps you don't know that was one of the reasons she was allowed into the village."

"She was allowed because she had been abandoned," Takeru said from behind them. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail, long bangs hanging down by the sides of his face. In the past twelve hours he had changed drastically. "Onari was given a chance at a better life with us. She came from the snow village where no one wanted her. Her parents were murdered trying to protect her from she holds- and those that want to retrieve it.

It's not her fault for gaining her father's inheritance. It's what he did as a last measure to keep her Uncle away. My father wanted her to not feel afraid any longer. Now if your intention is to hurt her, I'm going to stop you."

Azayaka put her hands behind her head. "I didn't sign up for this. I was only asked to find out what I could about her," she said honestly. "There's a lot of people that fear those with 'gifts'," she chose to say.

"I don't fear anyone," Eiyu said.

"Now that we know each other better, we can operate more functionally as a team," Lee said. "Azayaka, your mission is to collect information and not harm another member of this three- man cell without probable cause. I won't have that kind of brotherly love, unless there are fists involved," Lee said as he showed the girl his fist as he smiled big at her.

Takeru hung his arms forward. "Exactly how is that doing us any differently, Sensei?" Sometimes he wondered by Rock Lee's sanity when it came to group discussions.

Azayaka bowed. "I won't do anything without the Hokage's order and approval." She stood back up. Sorry guys. I didn't get where I am by putting personal feelings into my missions.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ryu laid on the back of Shogai as the turtle moved down the river with the current. He stared up at the sky, trees blowing in the wind. Did I do the right thing by ratting Takeru out? He closed his eyes. He wasn't sure anymore.

He felt Shogai dip into the water with a sudden bounce. Opening his eyes he saw Daiya bent over looking at him. "I'm trying to sort some stuff out," he said wanting to be left alone.

"You owe me ramen," Daiya said showing Ryu his bruised shoulder. "Takeru went straight for me. I don't appreciate being his target, Ryu."

Ryu sat up. "I wonder why he always accuses you." He was hit on the back of the head, his head moving forward with a jerk. "Fine, I owe you," he said with a sigh. "Did you tell him it was me?" Ryu's hand went up quickly to block another stroke. "Alright, I'm sorry."

"Do neither of you trust me because I'm not from here?"

Ryu raised a brow. "What?" He saw Daiya stand up and shake his head as he turned around.

"It was something Takeru said," Daiya passed off.

Ryu furrowed his brows trying to understand. "I asked simply because you're his brother. I wasn't trying to have an underlying meaning in what I was saying."

"Despite being here for the past few years, I still feel different from everyone. Like I don't belong here." Daiya sat down on Shogai again, his hand touching the water's surface. "There's something else I'm supposed to do. But I don't know what it is."

Ryu reached his arm out to forcefully push Daiya into the water. "It's called never expose your back to your enemy." He smiled. Ryu stood up dancing on Shogai as Daiya surfaced.

"Oh, you are so dead," Daiya yelled as Shogai continued to move along the river current.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Masaru Uzumaki walked with his team up the steep stair case that was inside of the tree the Forest village was nestled in. Holes about the size of his head were carved into the bark to let the sunlight through. It was the only way to see the steps. His head craned upwards. They were headed to the top of the tree where the corpses of the dead were being guarded. He swallowed. Does anyone else find this a bit creepy?

Kiaya Raikatuji walked ahead of the others, taking pride in leading her team to the top of the giant tree. She glanced over her shoulder at the team from Konoha. "It's customary for us to put the dead up here so that their loved ones can console them until they are ready to go to the next world. The day before the Burn Passage takes place, we go to each of them and give them offerings and advice. We also thank them for their life in the village."

Yanagi didn't know what to think about the Forest Village's Burn Passage ceremony. She found it quite sad. A lot of ninja that died in battle left family behind. And a lot of them were children too young to understand what death was. She had a problem adjusting to the idea of everyone in the village approaching the dead that way. It wasn't a place for children at all.

"Hey you look uneasy," Kinari said to the pink haired girl from the Konoha team.

"Oh, um," Yanagi started. "A person on our team died a while back. I don't like death at all," she said with a faint smile.

"So why are you forcing yourself to smile about it," Kinari asked. "It's something we all have to go through. We're Shinobi."

Idai looked down keeping his eyes on his footing. There were no railings along the steps. One wrong move and it was a long way down. The mention of death brought up bad memories for him. The flash of his father's body sinking down the wall caused him to stop abruptly. His eyes widened. The realization of his father's death was as clear to him now as it had been years ago. It played over and over in his mind like a broken record.

Masaru halted. He sensed Idai was lagging behind the group. "Hey, we've still got a way to go. What gives?" Idai's head was hanging forward, his body slumped over. "Y-Yanagi," he called a bit nervously.

Yanagi stopped as well turning halfway around. "What is it, Masaru?" She followed his gaze down the steps. "Idai?"

Tachiba stopped as Naguru went immediately into his clothing to hide. "Naguru, what's wrong? You're normally not afraid when we go inside the tunnel," he said. He turned around to see the team leader of the Konoha team standing quite a few steps away.

Kiaya stopped talking about the Kasha invading the village. Everyone seemed to have gotten eerily quiet. "Look it's not a big deal if you guys are worried about what you'll see when we get to the top. We're used to it. They can't hurt you." She looked over her shoulder. Everyone was still. "Hey, are any of you listening to me," she shouted.

Idai twitched at Kiaya shouting. It startled him. His hands went up to shield his eyes, his body sinking to the step. At the moment, all he saw was his father's body against the wall, the blood smeared all of the way down. Idai started to panic, his shoulders shaking. "Dad," he said in a feeble whimper.

Masaru almost lost control as he ran back down the steps towards Idai. He tumbled forward twice, his body dangling off the side of the stairway. Reaching up with his hand he pulled with all his strength to get back to safety.

"Masaru, don't do that again," Yanagi scolded. "You scared me half to death!" She brought her hands down from performing signs to summon her butterfly comrades.

Masaru ignored Yanagi and the others as he leaned down to see Idai's face. "Idai?" He placed his hand on Idai's shoulder. "It's not real, Idai. You're not there. You're here with us inside a large tree."

"What's going on," Tachiba asked sort of bewildered by the sudden change in Idai's behavior.

"A long time ago, Idai saw something very terrible," Yanagi started. "And it tends to come back when he least expects it. He'll come out of it, but I don't know when. It's bad timing."

"What exactly does he see? Is it a hallucination," Kiaya asked curiously. She craned her head to see if Idai was going to do something idiotic while he was in that state. I wonder if he'll act it out.

Yanagi didn't particularly like how Kiaya was treating her friend. "It's not a joke," she said defensively giving the other girl a mean expression. "He saw his father die when he was younger. I don't know exactly all the details, but it's horrifying enough for him. So treat him with respect and let us handle it."

Kiaya didn't know how to react to Yanagi's change of tone. The other girl had been rather polite. Kiaya had mistaken her attitude as being a person who let others walk all over her. She tried to brush it off by snuffing her nose. "Well, whatever. Take your time. We need to get up there, so I'll be going on ahead."

"Should we go or," Tachiba started to ask before Kinari pulled him along going up the stairs.

Yanagi made her way back down taking her time. Masaru was comforting Idai talking to him in a soothing voice. She kneeled down as Idai lifted his head. He was alright now, but the other team had left them on the stairway alone.

"I'm sorry," Idai said his voice cracking. He couldn't look at them. It was embarrassing to still go through the flashbacks at his age. He wanted to be back at home with his adopted father. Gai made him feel better after an episode. The man could tell when Idai had had one even if he had been alone. Usually Gai would ruffle his hair then pull him closer to talk to him in a fatherly tone. "I want to go back home," he said softly.

"Go back? For what," Yanagi said smiling at him. "We have to show up Kiaya and her team. I haven't known you to let anyone bully us around, or get the better of us."

"Yeah," Masaru said toughening up also. "If they can't stop the Kasha from coming, then we will. We'll show 'em what the Leaf village has in store for anyone who messes with us!"

Idai nodded slowly, even though, his mind was a nervous wreck. The images came to him every so often, usually when he was stressed out. He stood up slowly being careful to not lean. His team was in front of him waiting for his order and direction. "You guys are something else. We'll show up the Forest team," he decided. "I don't know what Kasha are, but they can't be all that bad. We've been in all sorts of places, met strange people, and done the stupidest missions," he said recalling the previous mission.

"I thought we weren't going to speak of that," Masaru said with a frown. "It wasn't my idea, either. But it was the last one. I've never seen the requests for help be so slim as of late."

Yanagi smiled in front of the boys. As they walked up the stairway to meet Kiaya and her team, her mind went straight to the source. The reason we're not getting as much work is because of the rumors going around. There were too many eyes at the Chuunin exams to witness Onari summoning Akaihi. For now, we'll have to take anything we can to lay low.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lord Gekido of the Lightening country sat with his mouth resting against his hands. He overlooked the garden he had known for some time. These past few years of searching for his brother's daughter had turned up little information. The only piece of knowledge he had was that she was possibly residing in the Hidden Leaf village. How Sashizo's daughter had managed to get there from where she had been left pondered his brain. "Kegasu," he called in the darkness.

A man with long black hair that hung loosely over his body, covering one side of his face opened the shoji door. He kneeled low, his one green eye staring at the floor. It was the middle of the night, but he was on duty to guard Gekido. "My Lord," he said lowly, his voice hollow, distant.

"I think it's time we pay the Hidden Leaf village a little visit," Gekido said, his eyes glancing at the man. "I want back what was taken from me." He signaled for his man to leave. Gekido reached inside the drawer of his desk taking out scrolls. He opened a particular one, his fingers tracing over the Fire country. "There's a young Hokage guarding the village. Well, this is one alliance you won't win," he said staring at the scroll.

Kegasu moved down the hall, his body loose, form hunkered over. He tapped on the wall next to the shoji door. "Buitai, we've got some action," he said with a horrifying smile, his teeth showing. "Rise and shine," he called.

Buitai opened the door, his dark green hair a mess. He yawned, his silver eyes looking at Kegasu. "Must be something really fun," he said, "for me to be woken up at this hour." He stretched his thick arms, arching his back.

"We're invading the Hidden Leaf village for the girl," Kegasu said as he turned around to wake the others. "Lord Gekido is a bit spunky tonight." He slinked down the hall to retrieve the other members of the two Lightening squads.