V11 CH 1

Understanding

Saori Nara greeted the guards standing at the entrance to the Sand Village. "Hi, I'm Saori Nara from the Leaf Village. We're here on official business to speak with Uncle- I mean, the Kazekage." She held out the scroll with the Hokage's seal upon it.

The guard took the scroll opening it with a kunai. He looked over the seal glancing up and down to watch the three in front of him. He handed it to the other guard. "Show this to Lord Kazekage. No one gets in without permission," he said to the Leaf team.

Saori placed her hand delicately on Areku's wrist. His tension was felt. This was unknown territory to him. Ichigo was laid on Areku's head her nose sniffing the air. Not now, Areku. One false move and it won't matter who I'm connected to here.

Takori closed his eyes. He was feeling out the place, his ears picking up on sounds coming from overhead. He curled his lip. Don't trust your own family, I see. "Saori," he warned under his breath.

Saori's arm went up her chakra strings attached directly to Rose. The puppet came at an arch above her head, the tack tack of kunai hitting it. With a disgusted expression all over her face, Saori shouted, "I just fixed her!" She moved backwards her feet sliding in the sand.

She wasn't backing down from the guards who had attacked her without probable cause. "Sandstorm," she ordered Rose. The puppet began to twirl with its arms out. As the wind picked up sand flew in all directions, the guards eyes were shielded. Rose opened her mouth sending a shower of kunai straight at the men overhead.

Kankuro came running from his post, his eyes watching his own niece attack. She's gotten more confidence since the last time I saw her. "Back down, she's clear!" But no one seemed to hear him over the wind.

Areku and Ichigo were already climbing the wall attacking more men with shuriken. Ichigo barked furiously for a pup. She jumped into the air urinating all over the men. As they yelled at the dog, Areku came in fast, hitting their sides with a side leg kick. The men went flying. He spun around his kunai coming into contact with Krow. Areku lowered his weapon. "Oh, Uncle Kankuro, hello."

Kankuro frowned. "Areku, tell Saori to knock it off. I didn't signal them to attack!" He pushed the boy back with Krow to where Areku was forced over the wall.

Areku hit the sand on his back. Ichigo was growling at Kankuro trying to keep him in her sights. "He could have just warned me he was going to do-" Areku turned his head to see the wind tunnel getting larger. Saori wasn't playing around. Areku hurried to his feet. He ran towards her waving his arms. "SAORI!"

Takori pushed two men away from him, his eyes watching for another attack. He didn't know what was going on, but no one was attacking them anymore. They can't be afraid of her. Takori could barely see with the wind tunnel Saori was creating. Rose spun around releasing kunai until Saori fell to the ground on one knee. She was breathing hard. Already worn out.

Kankuro walked pass the guards. "You're clear to enter. I didn't authorize anyone to make a move until the seal was checked out." He looked upon his men to try and figure out who started it. "Whoever started that doesn't get any dessert tonight." Kankuro heard a man yell 'What!' "Anyway, it's good to see you, Saori. What bring you to the village?"

Saori tied Rose back up. The one problem with a puppet is sand got into its gears and could damage it further. It was going to be a pain to clean. She threw the puppet onto her shoulders. "The village has been attacked."

(Scene Change)

Goro slumped his shoulders as he sat on a high branch above the hanging corpses of the Forest village. He looked down below at the fires built everywhere on the massive tree. People were mending the wounds of the villagers. The Retrieval Team had not parted yet to return home. Two days in the village had settled his anxiousness of the situation. Yanagi was constantly running back and forth tending to the group. She moved around checking on their needs, her motherly instincts taking over. Odd girl. Then there was Daiya. He was cooking for all of them. It was strange to Goro to meet a Genin who could cook as well as he could at that age.

Daiya blew on the spoon. "Open," he told Masaru who was propped up in Kiba's lap. Masaru was refusing to be cared for by anyone. Daiya nudged the boy's mouth with the spoon not taking 'no' lightly.

Kiba pushed in Masaru's cheeks with his thumb and index finger. "Just eat it. Your strength won't return otherwise."

Masaru was going to complain about the treatment until the chowder hit his tongue. He swallowed. Masaru opened his mouth, blushing a tad totally embarrassed. Daiya's food was incredibly good.

Yanagi smiled watching Daiya feed Masaru. She thought it was cute how he didn't realize he was actually caring for another. He probably thinks it's his duty. She glanced behind her at Idai. He had his back turned to all of them. I guess he's still upset over his argument with Daiya.

Idai had his arms crossed, his posture rigid. Kiba had choked him till he passed out. He was fuming at how everyone was on his case. I can handle missions on my own. I don't need a babysitter! Just as he was going over things in his head, he felt a pop upside his head. Idai whirled around expecting to come face to face with his best friend.

Instead, he was face to face with Ateru, the new Morikage. Idai's aggression was only lessened because his anger was misplaced.

Ateru leaned slightly to his right, hand upon his hip. "What did I tell you earlier? None of that seems to have sunk in, I see."

"Shouldn't you worry about your village," Idai said not really interested in a lecture.

"As long as you're here, you're part of the village," Ateru emphasized. "You don't believe a word of that. What's eating at you?" He wanted to know why Idai chose to be by himself all of the time. Ateru suspected it was due to the previous events.

"It doesn't concern you," Idai said ignoring Ateru. He just wanted to be alone. Walking away from the group, Idai went to the farthest part of a branch he could find. He looked down at the darkness consuming the tree. Clouds wafted around the bark appearing like a blanket of cotton. "They're all a bunch of morons. They don't know what it's like to not be in control of your own head." Idai grabbed his hair wanting to rip the red strands out. "That stupid demon has turned my hair a horrible color! It's the same color as the blood from the Kasha Ryukuzu slaughtered. The same as that person I killed! It's all over me!"

Idai took out a kunai. "I hate this hair! I hate how it makes me look!" He started sawing his hair off, throwing the piece out into the open air. Once all of his hair was cut off, Idai breathed hard his hand shaking with the weapon still in his grasp. The kunai. It can end all of this. It will be over. Idai aimed the sharp point quickly at his throat, but as he went for it, his wrist was grabbed.

Goro jerked Idai's wrist away from his throat, and with a hit of his own wrist, the kunai was dislodged. His green eyes glowed under the comfort of his hoodie. "At least you wake up to the choas being over and not the one really causing it," he growled. "You're not the only one with an unpleasant past." He threw Idai's wrist aside.

"I don't need your help," Idai shouted.

That was when Goro calmly gave Idai an uppercut blow to his chin. The red haired sixteen-year-old hit the bark hard, his ninja shoe actually flying off. Goro remained at a stance, his body turned, eyes focused only on Idai. He wanted to make sure the boy was immobilized. "I don't like doing that."

Goro threw Idai down onto his stomach, his wrists bound behind his back. Idai was slowly coming around. "I wouldn't bother," he said of the knots holding Idai. "It's a Heaving Line knot. The more you pull, the harder it tightens around your wrists." He plopped down on a branch. Goro leaned forward his elbows on his knees. "We need to have a talk you and I." Idai wouldn't look at him. "The world is not going to understand what you are and you can't make the world understand. The thing is, do you understand?"

Goro scrapped two rocks together sparking some of the wood to burn. He kept his eyes on the brewing fire, speaking mainly of his own accord. "Trying to find someone to blame is pointless. It is what it is. You have to adjust to what you are and know when to let this 'other you' trigger." He tapped his temple. "This is going to be your training ground. There's always going to be turmoil to fight- some battles you win; others you lose. You pick your fights.

When the madness steps in, you have to humor it. That becomes a warning to those around you. Not just the enemies you have, but those you care for. It gives them time to prepare and react accordingly. All of this is control. Strength comes from how well you can handle who you really are."

"Why are you telling me all of this," Idai said turning his head to see Goro's head slumped forward. He was quiet. Did he go to sleep... "Hey. Hey," Idai said louder.

Goro's head jerked upwards, muzzle full of sharp teeth in a complete snarl. His human hands had turned into large claws, green eyes still visible, but they held a now wild look in them. He growled, his mouth opening, saliva dripping out of his mouth. He lunged for Idai, arms out with his claws drawn. Idai's face turned ashen white. He yelled to the top of his lungs.

"Alright everybody, we have a long trip ahead of us," Kiba said clapping his hands. "This is what we're going to do. Daiya is going to scan for a period of time. Then Goro and I will take over. After that-" Kiba's eyes stopped at Idai who's hair was cut off, clothes filthy. "What the hell happened to you?" He noticed Idai was staring incredibly hard at Goro. He was also keeping away from him.

"Man talk," Goro said dismissing it.

Idai was slightly shaking. He-He's scarier than Daiya. He jumped when he felt a hand on his back.

Ateru stood knowing what full well had transpired. He had caught Goro dragging Idai back to camp earlier that morning. I see scaring him to death played out. He inwardly laughed. "You look better with short hair," he commented.

"Idai, snap out of it," Kiba said. "Yanagi's going to be bringing Masaru. Then Idai will switch with her. We'll alternate from there on."

Yanagi formed hand seals. An oversized butterfly appeared. She petted it fondly, her fingers grazing its feelers. "Okay, Masaru, I have to strap you on," she said making him stand to his feet.

"Are you sure I'm not going to fall off," he asked.

"No, that's why I'm tying you to him," she commented. "Put your back to his. It's going to be a bit scary when he takes off," she warned straddling herself right behind Masaru's feet. "Goro, if you don't mind, I need you to sit facing me on the other side of Masaru."

Goro had a goofy grin on his face. "I was hoping to ride that thing." Goro hoisted himself up on top of the large butterfly. He was leaned forward.

Yanagi placed her hands onto Masaru's legs. "You'll want to press both of his arms down to keep his shoulders stable. This is a little tricky. Press your thighs as hard as you can against Okeri. It's going to be what keeps you from falling off. Ready?"

"Let's do this," Goro said showing his fangs. The large butterfly began to flap its wings causing everyone around it to get low to the ground. It hovered for a second until Yanagi gave it instructions to fly. It came off the tree in a dive. Goro's rear was lifted up then Yanagi. As they soared through the open air, Goro laughed. "This is awesome!"

"They appear to be enjoying that," Ateru said watching the butterfly make its way away from the tree. "Until we met again, Kiba," he said saluting the man. He watched Idai jump off the tree with his trainer and best friend next to him. "And the same for you, Idai."

(Scene Change)

The soft lights of the Konoha streets came on in the battered village. Their luminescence a welcome sight. Izumi Uchiha looked out over the buildings wondering if the house she had grown to cherish was ever going to be the same again. Suiren, her dark water moccassin, kept her body in motion, slithering around the shadows. Even now, nothing was to be trusted. There was no way of foretelling if they were a target. Izumi kept her eyes watchful having learned in the past to question everything.

"You know better than to apporach me with the way things are in the village," she said to the open air. A stream of water shot in front of her face slowing the momentum of the kunai as it came within half an inch of her nose. She crossed her arms, her head tilted, long white bangs hanging to the side. "Honestly," she said in a bit of disapproval.

Sasuke dropped from one of the trees with a slight smirk to see his wife's unmoving gaze. "I like keeping you on your toes," he said also keeping his distance.

Izumi plucked the kunai from the water as it fell towards the ground. "Your idea of foreplay is a tad off the mark, Sasuke." She turned her gaze to see hi flick his wrist sticking another kunai in Suiren's mouth to prevent her from biting.

"As is yours," he threw right back, finally walking towards her. "So what has you out here so late?"

Izumi focused her thoughts on him, trying to drive her worry elsewhere. "I needed some fresh air," she said.

"Fresh air? You've got plenty of it since most of the buildings are in dire need of repair." Sasuke stepped closer to where he could look more clearly at her lavender eyes. "You're worried they'll come back regardless of the phoenix not being here." He was understandable about his wife's worry. The village could only retaliate for so long. Then again, Sasuke figured Gekido and his men were counting on it. He figured they wanted to gain all of the celestials.

"How are we supposed to protect the village as it is? Or Saori and Ryu who were also bonded with their own celestials? They won't stop at just gaining one of them. The phoenix is just the door, Sasuke. Takeru is the key. Destroy Onari and the other two will be spoon fed to the lightening-nin."

"There's no way of knowing where she is," Sasuke said despite Naruto trying to locate the girl in the shadows since her departure. "If we don't know, than they don't know," he said blandly. He glanced at the area around him. "You don't have to keep tabs on my whereabouts."

Ryu's form lifted out of the ground, his red eyes looking at his trainer. "You're not going to tell me anything I want to know." He leaned a little to his left. "Takeru's asleep anyway," he said of his night duty watching the Uchiha compound. "Besides, it looks more suspicious when the both of you are out hee like this - at night- instead of at home."

"So we're all worried about where we stand in all of this," Izumi said. "I'm worried more for the kids involved." She saw Ryu give her a strange look. "You're not fully aware of Shogai's power, Ryu. And neither is Saori about Josei. They've been treated as common pets up until now. Not as a weapon. Both are incorrect."

"Shogai is a pervert when he's not useful. I was told by sensei not to make him useful. I could have annihilated our enemies in one sweep when they entered the village," Ryu said angrily, not liking the decision thus far. "I can handle myself."

"It's not about what you can or cannot do. There's a lot at stake,' Sasuke intervened. "All they have to d is find Onari and kill her. That phoenix is the beginning and the end. Which path are we choosing? The end of Konoha and the beginning of the lightening-nin overtaking every land?"

"Makes you wonder what there is to gain in all of that," Ryu said. They both stared. "Oh, come on. Why would they want to take over every land if there is no one to rule? What is in each land that they could want?"

"He has a point," Izumi said.

"No idea," Sasuke said. "I wonder if the Hokage has found out anything else." They could only wait. No other choice but hold their own for the time being.

Naruto sifted through scrolls in his hands going over each document, eyes scanning. None of this is making any sense. The Legend of the Four Celestials should be nothing more than that. Then there's The Heaven's Scroll; a story that was told to children based on the first myth. He ran his hand through his hair with much frustration. Naruto became so angry with the stack of scrolls not revealing any clues, he flipped the table over.

Shikamaru Nara stood in front of the door. He simply pushed it open, his hands in his pockets. "It seems you haven't found anything out," he looked down at the scrolls all over the floor. "Maybe you're looking in the wrong place."

Naruto grabbed his hair making a grumbling noise. "I've searched all of the scrolls I could find about legends, ninjutsu, anything I thought would help, but there's nothing here related to information I'm seeking! What kind of clan harbors a power such as a celestial that links the three others - and there has been no witnesses to it before? If not for battle, then what? I don't understand how they weren't found out at all."

Shikamaru sat the table upright. He started to collect the scrolls, placing them back on the table. "Well, I know of one person you can ask, but you sent him to the Forest village with Kiba."

Naruto let his arms fall onto the table. "Daiya! Sasuke's son is from the lightening country! He would know about the clans in the area!" He stood up leaning forwards to look at Shikamaru. "When will they be back?"

"You sent them off a few days ago," he said. "You can wait till they get back. Daiya's only a suggestion. He grew up in the lightening country longer than Onari. Maybe he heard something when he was a kid."

Naruto plopped down, shoulders sulking. "Yeah, what choice do I have?" He never through in his wildest days to ask Daiya anything related to his life before he was found by Anko.

Shikamaru smiled. "I'll get you some coffee," he said patting his old friend on the shoulder. He walked out of the room with a new sense of the situation. Perhaps Daiya would be able to enlighten them.

(Scene Change)

Saori Nara sat on the table with her legs crossed over the other hands busy fidgeting with tools. Rose had taken a small beating by the Sand-nin. They were curious to know if it was really her. She sharpened her tools on a small stone on her lap trying to occupy herself.

Takori was glad he didn't have to worry too much about their initial arrival. "You're going to cut yourself doing that on your legs." He watched Saori sharpen faster. He glanced at Areku sleeping on the floor, his back turned over with Ichigo next to him. "Does he always sleep this hard?"

Saori swore almost catching the sharp point in her leg. "Areku's stressed out about his mom being hurt in the attack. He needs the rest to distract him from his thoughts. " She went back to sharpening.

"In other words, he trusts you to watch over him so he can rest," Takori said.

"Be better," Saori said having proven herself to the other Genin time and time again. She lifted her head hearing a knock at the door. "Come in," she said.

Kankuro of the Sand Village held up his hand to greet his rambunctious niece. "Hey, Saori, how's your mom doing?" He ducked as a kunai came over his head. Kankuro laughed a little. "Sorry about earlier. We had to be sure it was you. You haven't visited us for a long time."

Saori stood with her hands on her hips, not believing a word coming out of his mouth. "Uncle Kankuro, you know what happened to Konoha don't you?" She watched him fidget, his eyes trying to find something interesting in the room. "Uncle Kankuro!"

"Yeah, we know, Saori," he said calming her down. "We can't get involved unless our own village is in danger. You know that."

"So you're not concerned about Mom or us," she said standing on her tip toes looking him square in the face.

"Saori, we cannot react without Gaara's say so. You know that he's the Kazekage," Kankuro stated. "Right now, they're deliberating on how to approach the situation." Kankuro ducked as Saori came at him with her ifst, her anger boiling over. "You're as hot headed as Temari!" He ran around the room jumping over Areku to avoid his niece. Ichigo started barking at the noise.

Takori stood up immediately grabbing Saori by the arm. "Hold on, kid," he said as she began pulling away from him. "Your uncle is right. This isn't how a delegate is to act - family, or not."

Areku awoke groaning, his body aching, head spinning a little at the over exertion. Rubbing his eyes, he yawned hard. "What's going on," he asked groggily.

"Morning," Takori said. "Now's a good a time as any for you to get up. Saori was just greeting her uncle," he said with distaste.

"Morning, Uncle Kankuro," Areku said still trying to wake up.

Kankuro bent down with his hand held up. "Hey, Areku, how's the love life going with that Hire girl?" He smiled.

Saori about died. Her mouth fell open so fast a fly could have went on vacation. Those were private messages! Her fingers went out twitching with shock.

"Love life? I guess it's going fine," Areku said before he turned to look at Saori. "What exactly did you tell him about me and Hire?" He saw Saori jump with a leg up as if she was warding off an attack.

"It was probably nothing more than girl gossip or pride," Takori said trying to dismiss the awkwardness in the room. "When are we to meet with the Kazekage," he asked loosening his grip on Saori.

"Sometime later," Kankuro said with his arms to his sides. "I'll... send someone to tell you," he said not wanting to encounter Saori's anger again. She had a right to be upset. The village had been laid to waste in a short time. Her home and family had been attacked. However, the Sand Village had only learned of the battle when Saori and her team had left the village. Kankuro thought it best to leave the Leaf-nin for now. He had to hold his own anger in check. Temari was his sister. And he didn't know if she had been injured in the fights.

(Scene Change)

Yanagi Lee ran with the Retrieval Team through the forest. Masaru was being carried by Goro now. They had only managed to rest briefly, or at night. She thought it would have been fun to go camping with all of them. It was something he had always wanted, but once she had found out the condition of the village, Yanagi couldn't bear to enjoy herself.

The trees weren't moving fast enough for her taste. She wished they could all fly straight home at the speed of a flying kunai. Too many thoughts were on her brain as she looked from each person with her. What had happened to Idai? His hair was disheveled. He was also making sure that he and Goro didn't get too close to each other. For a moment, Yanagi thought they had had a fight, but that was impossible since they didn't know each other. Maybe he's just wary of Goro because he seems a little mysterious with that hoodie hiding his face.

Daiya signaled for them to halt their movements. His kekkegenkai was picking up on other energy waves. Occasionally, he would pick up on animals, but these were unlike the wild or dormant ones he encountered. He concentrated sending out a burst of chakra. This allowed him to check the area more clearly.

Yanagi blushed at feeling Daiya's kekkegenkai. Is this what he's been training with Sasuke sensei for? The way it felt to be targeted was like a warm wash against her body. It

wasn't threatening at all. It feels like sunshine hitting your skin on a warm day.

Kiba kept his eyes ahead, head craning to see anything out of the ordinary. Maebe shifted his ears also listening. The black dog caught a scent on the air. He immediately hunkered down, his head lowered. Kiba placed his hand upon the dog's head.

Masaru found it hard to hold onto Goro with one arm. He was looking around the woods, his own eyes trying to see something unseen. Masaru formed hand seals, his concentration there, but Byukugan wouldn't form. His head felt dizzy from trying the stunt.

Idai's hearing was just as good as Kiba and Goro's. He shook his head. "It's just a wood cutter," he said picking up the faint chops coming through the forest. The wood cutter was nowhere near them; quite a distance a ways. Amazing how Daiya picked up on him at such a distance.

Daiya only glanced at Idai before he leapt off again.

Idai came up right beside him. "What was that back there?" He kept his orange eyes on his best friend.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Daiya said continuing to keep his eyes ahead.

"You were testing me. You felt that man before any of us, even before you let that kekkegenkai of yours fully go out," Idai said with a frown. He knew Daiya better than he thought he did.

"Maybe," Daiya said still having the upper hand. It was the first time they had spoken since Idai's outburst. He wasn't going to admit the reason he let his kekkegenkai be felt was to make sure Idai's chakra was his own. He wasn't going to take any chances with Ryukuzu out here. Nor back at the village. Another wave of madness was not something The Hidden Leaf Village could brace itself for.