Naruto: A Red Eye Hidden by Shadow

by Tatanka4Life

On the fateful night of the Uchiha Massacre, a girl of Uchiha and Nara blood is spared and left with no memories of her past. Now she must walk on the path left by her family to help her build a new future for herself. Her path will be hard, full of struggles and pain, but as long as she has her friends and family at her side she will keep forging ahead, even if it was a drag.

174. Chapter 173: The Circus and the Storm

Chapter 173

The Circus and the Storm: When Anything and Everything Isn't Enough

How can someone spend money this frivolously?

Stupefied, Amari rubbed the back of her head, trying to process everything around her. It had happened in an instant. Faster than a flash of lightning.

Everything was proceeding smoothly before a few moments ago. There had been no new assassination attempts, nor did they encounter any bandits seeking to score a hefty prize off one of the carriages.

The dry desert was far behind them, replaced by stretches of flat green fields that were growing more hilly as they neared the coast. The air was cool enough for a spring day.

All in all, a smooth journey. The mystery of their initial assassin's employers lingered, it nagged at the back of Amari's mind. However, with no leads to follow they could only march on, escorting the Prince and his caravan wherever they may go.

Including on detours. Especially on detours, based on the massive security risk presently surrounding the shinobi. And if Amari had any say, which she didn't, this would be the last detour they allowed the Prince.

Waltzing his caravan up to a busy circus tent full of strangers was the exact opposite of keeping a low profile. That the tent had enough holes in security to sink a galleon didn't help.

An attack here would be utter chaos, one they'd have limited to no control of.

By all logic, they should've kept marching on. They should've never approached the circus.

Logic didn't apply to royalty, apparently. So here they were. At a circus. Surrounded by security risks.

What fun.

Fun was the name of the game, after all. Michiru wanted to treat his son and himself to a touch of entertainment to break up the monotony of travel, a moment to indulge in greasy and oily delicacies, the warm scents of which painted vivid images, even at a distance, of freshly cooked popcorn, corn dogs, and funnel cakes, to name only a few.

Now, in the immediate aftermath of the show, they weren't merely audience members inside a circus tent. Surrounding her on all sides were animals and cages—the newest possessions of the Prince of the Land of the Moon.

Two giraffes milled about, eating leaves from the nearby trees; four polar bears were resting inside their cages; a mammoth lay freely on the grass, breathing deeply, calmly, every breath as heavy as he was enormous; a herd of antelopes and zebras grazed within a penned in field.

Amari couldn't see the circus's star sabertooth and tiny capuchin monkey from her current position, in the heart of the cages and circus animals, but they, and other animals being walked by their handlers, were somewhere in this mess.

A mess they now had to deal with.

Seriously, who the hell just decides to buy a circus on a whim?

The Prince of the Land of the Moon, obviously. Their dearest client, the sincerely kind sovereign of numbskulls.

He did it without any thought for the logistical nightmare he created. They would just have to figure it out, of course. Never mind figuring out how they would feed and care for the animals and the entire circus tent of performers and its promoter.

He didn't even consider how their small unit would manage to protect his already obscenely large caravan of purchases with this latest addition to his collection.

Lowering her hand, Amari sighed. This was all such a pain.

Does Prince Michiru even know how we're going to reach the Land of the Moon with his new circus? Amari wondered. Seriously, how does he expect us to get there? Did he forget he lives on an island? There's a whole sea we have to cross! Some small vessel isn't going to be able to bear the load of everything he has purchased.

On top of that, we don't even know if these animals have ever been to sea before. Sure, they're trained to perform tricks, they've likely been handled since birth by these people. But they're still wild animals. They aren't house pets. And a new experience like traveling on a boat, at sea…

Amari fought back the exasperated groan. This was an utter logistical nightmare, one they had no way to prepare for.

Nightmare or not, it didn't stop Hikaru from begging his father to buy the circus like it was an exclusive Princess Gale figurine set.

Oh no, he just had to go and interrupt the whole performance to show off his skill with a bow and arrow, shooting an apple out of the capuchin's hand before the circus's marksman could.

Then when the promoter, impressed by his marksmanship, asked what sort of prize he wanted, the boy decided he wanted the star of the show—the sabertooth named Chamū.

Upon the refusal of the promoter—after all, without their star, he wouldn't have a show—Hikaru begged his father to buy it like any child begging their parent for a puppy.

Thus the Prince purchased the entire circus, since he always wanted to own one anyway. All so Hikaru could have his pet sabertooth. Which wasn't a house pet. It was a wild animal, likely trained and handled from birth by specific members of the circus. And likely alongside its partner monkey.

I can't imagine how this could possibly go horribly wrong, Amari thought dryly. It's not like circus-trained animals have ever attacked their handlers before.

Yeah. Right.

Like they didn't have enough to worry about with potential assassins. Now they had to deal with a literal circus.

Amari shut her eye. She pressed the heel of her palm to her forehead. What a headache. Just when she thought the Prince couldn't exasperate her more with his frivolous spending…

All right, she exhaled. Enough whining. No matter how troublesome it is, we'll just have to make it work. Besides, persevering through struggles like this, even if they're dumb headaches, will strengthen the bond between our unit and the Leaf and the Mist.

And there's nothing like exasperation and annoyance at a common fool to bring people together.

A soft chuckle escaped Amari's lips. She lowered her hand and felt the tension headache recede, if only slightly. Her muscles relaxed.

The joke served its purpose. While the exasperation and annoyance were real, Michiru and Hikaru, although foolish and entitled, were products of their environment. Just like them.

Right or wrong, the Prince and his son didn't know anything else but the luxurious lives of royalty.

Like the island they hailed from, they were detached from the rest of the continent and the common struggles of everyday people, wholly unaware of their privilege when surrounded by others of equal or somewhat lesser wealth, relatively speaking.

Their view of their world was framed from the inside of a fantastical snow globe, where all was well, no matter the day.

Likewise, the world of shinobi was all they knew.

They were orphaned by the darkness of the world, hunted for their special power, forced to survive in harsh conditions where they sacrificed their innocence on an altar stained in decades of bloodshed. All to survive another day.

They were raised to be soldiers and tools of war, their once peaceful lives destroyed by the cruelty, prejudice, and fear of others. By their own father, no less.

They were forced to live up to unrealistically high standards set by tradition, and disgraced for their kindness, stripped of the title they were set to inherit, and, as a result of those traditions, their bond with their own flesh and blood became twisted—poisoned.

Our perspectives of the world are disparate, Amari thought, beginning to patrol through the cages, tallying the animals and circus people as she went. To us, they live in a fantasy world. They live in a world utterly detached from reality and that of common people.

To them, our existences are incomprehensible. Their view of the world is filtered through the crystalline glass globe securing them. It's a world where everything is up for sale. A world where the cards always favor them, like a casino where the dealer always wins.

I may not like it, she thought, pausing at four-way crossroad where circus handlers were guiding the two giraffes through. It may annoy me, as it annoys Natsumi, to see money wasted on pointless possessions that will be forgotten six months from now, instead of being used to help others.

But I understand why Prince Michiru is this way, she thought, adding the handlers and giraffes to her tally as she crossed the intersection. He may be an adult, but he's lived an incredibly sheltered life. Foisting my expectations onto him—the expectations of a shinobi—isn't truly fair.

Unlike us, he hasn't seen the world at large. For all intents and purposes, he's lived inside a closet—or a cave. This is probably his first excursion beyond the Land of the Moon.

Amari counted two jugglers, the sleeping mammoth, its six handlers, and three female acrobats.

His view of the world has only truly begun to expand, she thought, pressing on. And Hikaru is even more sheltered. He is even more unaware of the world beyond his palace.

No. They couldn't be blamed. To do so was unfair. Ignorant.

After all, had she been any different before her family was slain?

Had she been any less naïve about the world prior to the Land of Waves?

Had she shown any interest in discovering the flaws of the Village System and the world prior to the Sound Four and Kasai showing up?

No. No, she could not judge the Prince or his son for their sheltered lives.

Each new mission she was apart of, every new enemy she faced, from the moment Zabuza appeared to now, they all broadened her horizons in some way. They tore down the glass walls of the snow globe she had lived within to face the real world.

They opened her mind, shedding light upon the world she'd known so little about, allowing Amari to see through their eyes, through their experiences, the flawed world they all inhabited.

Even if they weren't trying to teach her, they had. They enhanced her vision, expanded her knowledge of the world. Little by little.

"You don't know what it's like to live in one of his cells. Starving. Experimented on by that puppet Kabuto. Being forced to fight and kill other prisoners for his entertainment and the right to survive. I survived. And with every day I lived, my hatred for him grew more and more. But his Curse Mark binds me to his Will. Which is fine. You're free. And you're his objective. You can kill him, and then his Will would demand I submit myself to you. That's as close to freedom as I can get."

Tayuya…

"What I want is to destroy everything my great-great grandfather created, from his precious Village to the Village system he's responsible for. My war is against this despicable world. This world consumed by an endless cycle of hatred and violence. I'll crumble its foundations and start a new world."

"We're all twisted! This whole world is twisted!"

Kasai…

"Tell me, Haya, what's the point of saving one Village from a cycle of hatred and bloodshed when the rest of the world drowns in it? Broaden your horizons. Look beyond the Leaf and your loyalty to it. Think about the world itself. The Village system has failed to maintain peace. War after war has been fought. Children have been killed for pointless causes. The Foundation needs to be stopped, yes, but it isn't the disease. It's just a minor symptom of a greater, systemic issue our world is consumed by."

The Masked Man…

"Senju and Uchiha were afflicted by the Curse of Hatred. Parents infected them with their cruel and harsh beliefs forged in war and death. They filled the vessels that were their children not with love or empathy, but with hate, suspicion, jealousy and fear. It led to siblings, like Tobirama and Izuna, spying on their own brothers for their fathers."

"The systems we—the generation before you—put into place weren't meant to be held sacred. They were experimental, a search for an answer to the peace so many of us never found, an attempt to create a home—a place—where we could all laugh and smile together without the hatred we were taught.

"We did not have answers. We had questions, and many of those questions went unanswered. Many remain unanswered, no matter what your Elders or traditionalists may think."

Lady Mito…

"I've seen many corners of this world. Know what I learned? There's always a system to keep certain people in certain positions of wealth and status. There's a system that dictates who rises and who languishes. The rules are not always explicitly stated. You won't find many who will admit there's a caste system at work, but it's there. Yeah. It's there, all right.

"That's how they divvy up power. How they keep peasants like me from stinking up their ballrooms. How they keep us fighting pointless battles over things that don't matter. They need us distracted, fighting for a minor advantage over other poor folk, that way we don't see them swimming in their vaults of gold. There's plenty to go around. Plenty to sustain all of us. But power is a meaningless currency if there's no one to rule over."

Kari…

"It may be difficult for someone such as you, who was born into a prestigious Clan, at the heart of a thriving Great Nation, to understand why shinobi flocked to Orochimaru and his Sound Village. But not all of us are born under such favorable circumstances.

"Some of us are painfully ordinary people, born to small Clans without reputation, or no Clan at all. We work hard, train to our very limits, but for people like us trying hard, training hard, giving everything we have will never be enough. We will still fall short. We will try to reach for the sun, and crash into the ceiling. We will be met by barriers those with Clans will not experience."

Even Takako the Sound shinobi, among many others, had taken the thin layers of her naïve filter and peeled it back. Bit by bit. Now she could see more of the world than ever before.

Lessons she learned from Kakashi, her mother, from Atsuko and Osamu, and Mister and Miss Anbu, through the letters she shared with Haku, her trip to the Hero World, and The Beyond, and the experiences of growth and frustration she and her comrades faced, they all provided a wealth of knowledge she wouldn't otherwise possess at her age.

And there was still so much more for her to learn, Amari knew. There were so many questions she needed to find answers to—questions she never would've thought of without the experiences of this past year.

Our environments, how we're raised, our experiences in life all influence us, the Nara thought. So, although its frustrating, I understand Prince Michiru and Hikaru. And understanding is half the battle.

The other half, she thought, looking around, is dealing with a circus. Literally.

Amari's headcount progressed smoothly as she calmly strolled along. There were more people than animals, at the very least, but each person was a mouth the Prince would need to feed. And a VIP they would have to protect.

Fortunately, the circus people were efficient in their work. The teamwork they displayed while breaking down their tent, handling and caging their animals, and preparing to hit the road reminded Amari of a seasoned shinobi squad.

Life on the road, moving from place to place wherever the money might flow, had prepped them well for a sudden new journey.

While walking through the camp, Amari paused suddenly. Her gaze was drawn to the outskirts of the encampment, to Haku and a spiral horned antelope who had strayed from the herd. It's shoulder matched the boy in height.

Now the animal buried its mouth into Haku's cupped hand, chowing down on the fresh seeds he acquired.

Once the antelope finished, it began to sniff Haku in search of more. It nudged his stomach, his hip, searching him. Haku stood still but relaxed, petting the antelope, unbothered by its search and curiosity. She noticed his shoulders shake slightly when it located the pocket which bore the seeds—a soft chuckle out of her earshot, but felt even at a distance.

He half-turned away from the animal, to move the seeds away from its mouth and nose, and scooped another small handful.

Amari smiled. She could sense his inner peace, feel it washing over her senses. His gentle nature warmed her heart.

She wanted to join him. Wanted to speak to him one on one. There hadn't been a moment for it yet, they hadn't had time to just…talk.

We will, she reassured herself. Once things settle down a little. Plenty of time to talk while we're at sea, too, Besides, I can't hog him all to myself. It'd be selfish. Too selfish. And probably annoying, too.

We have to build bonds as a unit. Natsumi, Hinata, Haku, Kakashi-sensei, and I, we're here to protect the Prince together, true, but we're also here to deepen the bonds between our Villages.

Luckily they'd hit it off from the start, although Amari could sense Natsumi was scrutinizing her far more keenly than she did Hinata.

With Hinata, the Mizukage's assistant was rather carefree, often entertaining herself at the shyer kunoichi's flustered expense, but never cruelly. She'd taken a real shine to the former heiress.

With the Nara, there was no cruelty, no scoffing, no animosity; they were friendly and familiar with one another, often sharing in banter or quips. Yet there was something else there—a standard set by the high esteem Natsumi's comrades held Amari in.

"I've heard nearly everyone sing your praises—Haku, Zabuza, Lady Mei, Atsuko, and even Chōjūrō and Haruhi. Those two are certain you're just like Lady Mei. We'll see about that."

Amari exhaled a small snort when the antelope, finished with another handful, pursued the next by going straight for Haku's pocket.

Haku chuckled again, speaking to the beast with a smile in his voice she couldn't hear at this distance. She could feel it in his chakra, though. His warmth, gentleness—his soul was smiling, too.

It's really no wonder why Natsumi is monitoring me more closely than Hinata. I've been compared—called the same—as the person she holds in the highest regard. The person she so clearly cherishes as much as I cherish Kurenai.

Would I be any less inquisitive if Naruto or Sasuke compared a stranger to Mom?

No. I'd be searching for similarities the same way Natsumi is.

Like with Haruhi, she thought, my words alone won't prove a thing. It's what we do that proves the nature of our heart, it's walking beside our values at all times that proves we have integrity.

All she had to do was be herself. Nothing more, nothing less. If that person somehow resembled Lady Mei, then she was pleased to share similar values and integrity to the Fifth Mizukage.

After watching Haku scoop the last handful of seeds from his pocket, Amari half-turned to leave, a smile on her lips.

Just being here, on the same mission with you… It makes me happy. Really happy.

I'll be selfish later—

The roar of the sabertooth startled the Uchiha, initially. The cry of Hikaru snapped every shinobi to attention.

Amari was already bounding over the cages, Byakugan and Sharingan activated, when the Prince's frantic voice broke over the sounds of the other animals.

"Hikaru!"

His son was on his butt, frozen but trembling. Chamū snarled and growled, head low to the ground, teeth barred, prowling forward one methodical, predatory step at a time. A fresh red apple lay on its side between the pair.

Dammit, cursed the Uchiha, teeth grit, I knew this would happen!

She hit the grass behind the quivering and paralyzed forms of Michiru and the circus promoter just as Chamū let out another ferocious, heart jolting roar.

Before she could act, a red blur flickered by from her left, snatching up Hikaru. The blur bounced, tumbled, and finally slammed back first against a nearby wooden fence.

Natsumi grunted. She wore a grimace, but kept her eyes open and her arms secured around the Prince's son.

Amari paused, crouching at the edge of the shadows with three tendrils already snaking along the grass towards the sabertooth.

Chamū, calm as could be, stepped forward. He picked the apple up between his teeth, turned away, then curled up beneath the shade of a tree, where its capuchin partner—Kiki—cautiously, with big wide eyes, peered around the tree trunk as though frightened for everyone involved.

Food aggression or dislike of a stranger? Guess it doesn't matter now. Amari let her Shadow recede, then exhaled a soft breath. That could've been a whole lot worse.

"What were you doing, sonny?" the promoter asked in fear and disbelief. "Chamū is a wild animal! He hasn't let anyone touch him since his handler passed, not even me."

Michiru, swept up in a swell of emotion, placed his large fat hands on the promoter's shoulders and began to shake him frantically.

"That animal is dangerous! You have to do something!"

"We- uh we'll get him locked in his cage right away!"

It's not Chamū's fault you've mistaken their tricks for domestication, thought the Nara, walking across the grass towards Natsumi and Hikaru.

Hinata, Haku, and Kakashi, she noticed, were all within the area, either standing on a cage or watching from the flanks.

"Well, that's certainly a way to get the blood pumping," Natsumi quipped dryly.

Her turquoise eyes fell onto Hikaru, who hugged his arms around her neck. He looked up at her with all his fear, child-like wonder, and fascination encapsulated in his wide eyes. His cheeks were flushed pink.

"Bet that was scary. Let's not do that again, yeah?"

"Are you both—"

Embarrassed, Hikaru suddenly wrestled and squirmed his way out of Natsumi's lap, accidentally shoving an elbow into her chin in the process. The Mist kunoichi grunted. Amari watched Hikaru run off, her expression softening.

Tears glistened in his eyes. His breaths were heavy, on the verge of whimpering and crying. It was a perfectly normal reaction. Perfectly reasonable.

It was a reaction she couldn't remember feeling anymore. Not often, anyway.

I wonder when the constant threat of death became…normal for me. When did it cease to leave me quivering, quaking, and ready to cry? I don't remember, honestly. Combat, violence, death, it all seems so normal now. Like it was always this way, when I know at some point I was like him.

Seeing Hikaru now… I'd forgotten how abnormal we are. Our casual acceptance of violence and death, our adaptation to it…

We really are a flawed society to consider this normal.

Prince Michiru and the circus promoter wandered off in search of someone to cage Chamū. Haku observed his teammate and Amari from atop the cages. Hinata hesitated to leave, eyes drawn both towards Hikaru in concern for the boy, and to Amari and Natsumi. Kakashi exhaled a long sigh from behind a cage, rubbing his neck at the close call.

Still seated against the fence, Natsumi rubbed her chin, shifting her jaw in tangible annoyance.

"Geez, thanks, Natsumi. You really saved my skin," she grumbled beneath her breath. "Don't mention it, Your Highness. Just doing my job."

"Don't be too hard on him," Amari said, standing beside the kunoichi in such a way to keep an eye on Chamū.

She watched Kiki descend the tree, pick an apple from the nearby basket, then roll it to his partner. He then plucked another for himself.

Natsumi glanced up at her, cocking a scarred eyebrow.

"He was the closest to death he's ever been," Amari reminded, shrugging slightly. "He's afraid. He's embarrassed by his fear, embarrassed by being rescued—the whole experience has mortified Hikaru. He's hurt because he was enamored by Chamū, and when he approached, thinking he could feed him like a domesticated dog or a friendly horse, Chamū became aggressive.

"Chamū may have attacked him if not for you, and although it may sound strange, that action hurt Hikaru's feelings. Despite the way he acts, he's a sensitive and vulnerable young boy. He just hides it, like most troublesome boys do."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," sighed the Mist kunoichi. "Just can't stand the attitude on that kid. Looking down on people, thinking he can just buy whatever he wants… Tch," she sniffed, irritated, "annoys the hell out me."

"I'd be a hypocrite to say it doesn't annoy me, either," replied Amari. "Trust me, I wanted to hit him square between the eyes with that arrow of his."

"Heh!" Natsumi smirked. "Now that would've been a sight to see."

"Still," the Nara continued softly, "Hikaru's front-facing personality is just a defense mechanism. He may be a bit of a brat. He tries to show-off with his bow. He may even think he can just buy whatever he wants—even a whole circus.

"But that last trait is something he's learned from his father's behavior, which to Hikaru is normal. Live a life of extravagance from the start and the life of a commoner is incomprehensible. The reverse is also true.

"However, his bratty behavior, being a show-off, I've seen it all before. The root cause is the same now as it was with Naruto and Konohamaru—loneliness."

"Loneliness?" Natsumi's eyebrows pinched. "He's got a loving and doting father who spoils him and servants at his beck and call. Where are you seeing loneliness?"

"It's here, right in front of you." Amari placed a hand on her hip, eyes wandering across the circus. "Yes he has a loving parent. Yes he has servants. He now even has a circus. But, truthfully, what does Hikaru have? Possessions, obviously. I mean deeper than that."

"Where are you going with this, Amaririsu?"

"Do the people around Hikaru actually see Hikaru?" she asked. "He may be surrounded by people, but I'd bet to most of them he's just Prince Michiru's son. Or Your Highness.

"They coddle him, doubtlessly. I'd bet their eyes look right through him. Or they don't look at all, like passing a portrait you have no attachment to. How many friends do you suspect he has? How many can he trust really are his friends because they like him. And how many are forced to put on a fake face to not upset the royal family?"

"And his father?"

"He's an airhead. He shows his affection by purchasing something for his son." She glanced to the seated Mist kunoichi. "I don't need to tell you that, though. Your eyes see everything, Natsumi. Have you seen any real affection between them? How many conversations have they had? Hugs? How many times has Prince Michiru shown more interest in Hikaru than the shiny carrot in front of his nose? A handful? Usually when he uses that bow, right?"

Natsumi pressed her lips together. "Yeah, that's about right," she nodded once. "Probably why he tries to show off with it so much."

"I agree. At first, I saw Hikaru for the front-facing personality," Amari said. Though she didn't know it, Haku, Hinata, and Kakashi were all listening in. "But the deeper I look, the more he reminds me of the way Konohamaru and Naruto were.

"Konohamaru is the grandson of the Third Hokage. When we first met he was a noisy, snotty little brat with an obsession for becoming Hokage. All because nobody saw him. They only saw the 'Honorable Grandson.' They treated him like a porcelain doll, like just a piece of the Third Hokage to be preserved at all costs.

"Nobody ever disciplined him. Nobody talked back to him. In a way, you could say they were afraid of him, because they were afraid to lose favor with the Third Hokage. Naruto and I were the first to just treat him as a normal boy.

"Before that he tried to 'kill' his grandfather and take the title Hokage on at least seven occasions. Little klutz never got close, though," she added with a chuckle.

"Heh! Sounds like a spirited and ambitious little snot," Natsumi said, smiling with appreciation.

"Yep," Amari chuckled.

It'd been some time since she last saw Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon. She'd have to check on them when they made it home.

"Konohamaru acted out so people would acknowledge he existed," she continued. "He didn't want to be seen as just the 'Honorable Grandson.' He wanted to be seen as an individual—as Konohamaru Sarutobi.

"Naruto was the same way. People either treated him cruelly or treated him like he had the plague. All for the stupidest of reasons."

"I can imagine."

That's right, she thought, caught in momentary surprise, you already know what—or rather, who Naruto contains.

"Before I returned to the Leaf, the only ones who ever gave Naruto the time of day were Shika, Chōji, Kiba and Akamaru," Amari explained. "He says I was his first real friend, though, so you can imagine how lonely his existence was for all those years.

"But Naruto, that little knucklehead, he was determined for people to see him. You could say even desperate for others to acknowledge that he existed.

"To do that, he set his goal on becoming Hokage someday, that way people would have no choice but to acknowledge him. In the meantime he pulled all sorts of pranks around the Village. He graffitied Hokage Mountain numerous times. He caused all sorts of trouble for our teachers and the shinobi of our Village. He was such a knucklehead," she added with a fond, nostalgic chuckle.

"All so others acknowledged he existed, huh?"

"Yes," she nodded. Then made a small, absent gesture with her hand. "It's the same for Hikaru. He acts high and mighty and shows off with his bow in search for that acknowledgement. In search of his father's attention, his approval, and his love, because although Prince Michiru does love him, he thinks money and possessions are how to show it. 'Anything and everything you could ever want,' remember?"

Amari frowned. "When I look at Hikaru, someone who has anything and everything he could ever want, I can't help but see a lonely boy who tries to fill a gaping hole in his heart with things…because what he wants most is out of his reach. And he doesn't know how to change that. After all, love, friendship, and family can't be purchased."

"Mm," Natsumi nodded knowingly. "True enough. Still, an attitude like his won't make it easy."

"No, it won't. I guess that's why I want to help Hikaru. I want to help him broaden his view of the world, I want to teach him how to find what his heart yearns for."

Amari smiled. "I'm sure it'll be a drag. I can't help it, though. I want to reach out to everyone I can, no matter how troublesome they are. So I'll find some way to reach through that thick skull of his. I'll find some way to free him from his loneliness. I mean, love, friendship, and family—there's nothing more precious in this world." She looked down at Natsumi, smiling. "Don't you think, Natsumi?"

Upon hearing her words, smiles crossed the lips of Haku, Hinata, and Kakashi.

Haku turned away and hopped off the cages. He felt affection flow through his spirit like the magnificent aurora he'd seen cross the sky over the Land of Water. And he savored the sweet flutter beating pleasantly in his chest—a flutter only Amari could cause.

Hinata pressed her hand against her warm heart and shut her eyes. Once more she was reminded of why Amaririsu, like Naruto, was an inspiration to her, and of the enormous love Amaririsu held in her heart—a love which made her smile unconsciously and her heart skip. Then she, too, returned to her duties.

Kakashi lifted his gaze to the sky, hoping those he'd lost were able to hear her. He was grateful beyond words to witness the growth of his precious student, to be one of those her hand reached, whether she knew it or not. He walked off without a sound.

"You have a kind heart, Amaririsu," Natsumi said, seeming to nod either in agreement or approval. Then she tilted her head to one side and smirked. "You're a bit preachy, though, you know."

"Hehe," Amari scratched her cheek and flushed. "Yeah, my teammates have mentioned I can…lecture quite a bit. I also use light and darkness metaphors a lot, too. In every world and timeline, apparently. I'm trying to work on it."

"Every world and time…" The Mist kunoichi shook her head. "Remind me to ask you later."

"I doubt you'd let it slip your mind."

"You're right. I won't," Natsumi smirked.

"Anyway," Amari extended her hand to Natsumi, "let's get moving. Plenty of work to be done and plenty more road for us to travel."

Natsumi took her hand and nodded. "Yeah."

---

I don't get it…

Sitting at the edge of a private wooden dock, adjacent to the main harbor and the civilian cargo ship being loaded with his father's purchases—their royal vessel was behind schedule or something—Hikaru looked out at the sea, burning red beneath the sunset. He didn't really see it.

He didn't pay any mind to how the water sloshed gently against the dock, he didn't hear the cry of those birds that loitered around the harbor. One of those shinobis was somewhere behind him, somewhere on the stone platform the dock attached to.

Hikaru didn't care.

Staring off into the abyss, he felt a strange blend of heartache and numbness.

Why? Why won't Mom come back?

His father had surprised him with a trip to see his mother, here, at the harbor town where her parents lived. And where she now lived, having left them and the Land of the Moon three years ago.

He didn't understand why. She never explained it to him. It wasn't like she didn't love him. He knew she did. Just today, after so long apart, his mother ran past his father, past his dozens of bouquets, to embrace him.

She wept, too. Hikaru could see the joy and love in her eyes, though he couldn't help but feel embarrassed by the displays of affection.

However, like the day she left, as soon as his parents were in the same room together another argument broke out.

Hikaru dug his fingers into his pants. His chest tightened at the memory of it, he felt the anxiety as he recalled raised voices. And the numbness he found to survive it.

Why…

"I'm so lonely without you. So is Hikaru. Please come home where you belong."

"No! I can't be with you anymore. My only regret it Hikaru. If I hadn't signed that stupid wedding contract I'd keep him here with me and raise him myself."

"Why do you hate me so much, Amayo. I gave you everything you ever wanted, didn't I? Wasn't it enough?"

"Oh, Michiru. You never gave me the most important thing."

The most important thing… What was it?

Why couldn't she just come back? Why couldn't she just tell his dad what it was, then they could buy it and things could be normal again. They could all be happy again that way.

I don't… Hikaru squeezed his eyes shut. I don't get it.

His father had offered her a whole palace to herself. He offered to give a new villa to her parents so they could all live on the island together, but…

Hikaru shuddered, recalling the sound of his mother's palms slamming against a table in frustration.

For the entire argument he'd been outside of the quaint hillside house looking out at the sea, but they, as usual, forgot to close the windows and the doors.

He heard it all. Even the sigh his mother exhaled when she collapsed into a chair, exasperated and exhausted by the whole ordeal.

What wasn't his father offering? What hadn't he given? If not a palace or a villa, what else could it be that his father was missing? They had enough money to purchase anything his mother could want…

If I only I knew what it was…then I could tell Father. And Mother would come home.

If only he could figure it out… If only he was smarter…

Opening his eyes, he stared blankly at the flames of sunset burning across the sea and sky.

If only he was better, more valuable, then maybe his parents wouldn't have separated to start with.

"You can have anything your heart desires. Do you want the royal jewels? You can have them, my love. Anything, Amayo. I'd even give the Land of the Moon to yo—"

The crack of his mother's open palm caused his heart to jolt, drew a gasp from him at the time. His parents hadn't known he could hear them. They didn't know he could see them through the open door.

His father, previously kneeling, was knocked onto his side by the strike; his father, he saw, was on the verge of crying. His mother stood over him, features harsh, and her voice cracking with heartbreak.

"You really haven't changed at all. Even now, you haven't got a clue, have you? About what really matters."

What really mattered?

"I don't understand. What more could she want?" his father's words from mere minutes ago rang through his skull.

I don't get it… What really matters? What does she mean?

If I could just figure it out, I could fix it. We could all be happy again, but…

"Even now, you haven't got a clue, have you? About what really matters."

Hikaru pursed his lips. He felt his heart sink.

He didn't have a clue, either. Did that mean…his mother would eventually hate him, too?

Would she never come home?

A searing ache pinched in his heart.

Shutting his stinging eyes, Hikaru hunched forward, his vocal chords trembled, and then he let the numbness wash over him. It was the only way to keep from breaking down.

To survive this awful pain.

With a blank expression, he rose. They would be setting off for home soon. Without his mother, but with plenty of valuables.

He was getting cold, anyway.

Up the dock and up the stone stairs, he paused briefly at the top of the platform to glance to his right, where Amaririsu sat shrouded in a beige cloak. She draped her left leg over the edge and propped up her right forearm on the opposite bent knee, bringing the book she was reading to eye level.

She was smiling. Affection emanated from Amaririsu.

Why, he wondered. Why would she feel such tangible affection for fictional characters? It was so different from that smile she forced after catching his arrow, and that sharp and uncomfortable gaze that he felt penetrate past his numb walls like an arrow piercing the core of an apple.

"I have to try. I have to try to change this world, even if all I manage to do is move it closer to peace by a few inches."

Hikaru flattened his lips together in discomfort. He didn't understand…

"I truly believe we can create a world where people can live in peace, harmony, free of oppression and free of fear, where they can smile and laugh, and love without restraint with everyone, regardless of Nation of origin."

Why was she so passionate about changing the world? Was the war really that bad?

In the Land of the Moon, people were already laughing and smiling; there was peace and harmony. No one was afraid. He couldn't imagine it was much different around the world. Everyone at the circus sure seemed happy.

"So I'll keep trying to reach out to anyone I can. I'll keep trying to inspire others to walk together, united by our shared humanity, instead of walking in pockets of isolation. I'll keep trying to break this cycle of war and change this world, if only so the children of the future don't have to suffer the same pains of those who came before us, and those who live now."

What cycle was she even talking about? What did she know about the world that he didn't? Her crusade to build a future without suffering sounded like a Princess Gale movie, it sounded like she was trying to be a hero or something.

When she spoke, it made him…feel. Just like Princess Gale always did and Princess Koyuki had in their short meeting. He didn't understand why. Worse…

"I can see why you were chosen to lead your Clan, Amaririsu. That's quite the dream you have. I am certain the Uchiha Clan will have a bright future under your leadership. And with your determination you may very well change the world."

Something sharp twisted in his chest.

Why… Why did Father acknowledge her so easily, yet I…

"I hope you are right. But thank you for your kind words, your Highness. For now all I can do is train hard and learn all I can of this world—its joys, its beauty, its failings, and its darkness."

He pressed his lips together. It was so stupid. His father acknowledged her so easily. All because she tried to sound like a movie hero. What did any of that stuff even mean?

Why did it make him feel the same way he did when he watched Princess Gale?

Hikaru stared at Amaririsu. He took in her warm smile and affection for the fictional characters. He recalled the laughter of the shinobi he heard at camp, the smiles she shared with her comrades. He felt his heart sink deeper into a murky pit of uncertainty and misery.

Why couldn't anyone ever look at him that way? His father's eyes were always somewhere else, usually on food or something that he wanted to buy. His mother was no longer around. He didn't know any other children.

…Why do I have to be alone?

Hikaru's eyes lingered on the girl. Then, as though possessed, his mouth opened.

"Is it any good?" he asked.

"Mhm," Amaririsu hummed in replied. "It's a tale of love between a Commander and a Thief that takes place after a galactic nightmare war, and… Well, I don't want to spoil it. It's my favorite book I've read so far." She shrugged. "But I'm also a hopeless romantic. Someone very precious to me called it cheesy and cute. Teased me a whole bunch, too.

"Hmhm," Amaririsu chuckled softly, shutting the book. "Yukiko… You troublesome girl."

Hikaru pursed his lips in the silence that followed. He didn't know what to say about her taste in fiction; he never really had conversations with anyone outside of his father and their servants. He wasn't much of a reader, either.

Besides, talking about love reminded him too much of his parents.

"Anyway," Amaririsu began, rising off the ground, "I suppose it's about time for us to return." She glanced his way with a kind onyx eye. "Ready to go, Hikaru?"

He opened his mouth. Not a sound came out, at first.

She'd only called him "Your Highness" until that moment, at least he couldn't remember her calling him anything else. It was what everyone always called him. The way she looked at him, though…

Her eye wasn't piercing. Yet he felt his stalwart defenses fall away.

She's looking at me.

"Um…"

Hikaru glanced away, at the ground, at the horizon, at the dock—anywhere. He clutched his fingers into his pants. He didn't have any friends, but maybe…

Feeling a sudden burst of determination, he raised his head and smirked.

"You should be my vassal," he declared, pleased by his own genius.

It was the perfect plan! With Amaririsu as his vassal, she would be at his side all the time. He would finally have a friend.

Amaririsu blinked in silence. She clearly hadn't anticipated his request. After a beat, her eye slid shut. She shook her head, snorting once, as one corner of her lip lifted.

"Wow. A vassal, huh?"

"Yeah, you could be my vassal," Hikaru pressed.

"I think I'll pass," she declined, then turned on her heel. "Come on. We should get aboard the ship. We'll be setting off within the hour."

For a moment, Hikaru's heart sank as she walked off. Then frustration pushed him to follow after her, determined to acquire her as a vassal. And he knew just how to do it.

"Come on, I'll give you anything and everything your heart desires," he declared.

"What my heart desires can't be bought," she replied evenly without breaking her stride. "Everything I ever wanted—everything that is important—is already within my grasps, and that which is not will remain out of my reach until my final day."

Frustration bubbled more. He grit his teeth.

What did any of that mean? She was talking like his mother.

Undeterred, he pushed forward. She had to want something. Everybody wanted something.

"You like books, don't you?" he tried. "As my vassal, I'll buy you all the books you could ever want. Anything at all. Even super rare ones you would never have a chance at buy—"

Hikaru bumped into Amaririsu's back, who had stopped suddenly. Heart racing, startled and embarrassed by the suddenness of it all, he stumbled back a step.

"Enough, Hikaru," Amaririsu stated without turning to look at him.

Her voice was even but sharp. Like his mother's could be with his father.

"Um…"

He struggled for words, feeling small and suitably chastised.

"I won't be your vassal. I'm not interested," she made her feelings clear. "I'm not interested in being looked down on by anyone."

"But… As my vassal, you could escape the war completely."

He couldn't see Amaririsu's face, but he felt something awful in the air around her. Something like sorrow that tightened one's heart, and frustration that burned one's skin.

Hikaru watched her inhale a deep breath, then she half-turned to face him, placing a hand on her hip as a firm but stoic expression crossed her face.

"There is no escape for me," she said with a terribly stoic grimness. A grim acceptance of an inescapable fate she inherited. Just hearing it made him flinch. "This war is frightening, I won't lie about that. But I have to face it. I don't have the luxury of running or hiding.

"Even if I did, there is nothing you can offer, nothing you can buy, that would stop me from facing it. Even if you somehow convinced Lady Tsunade to hand me over by offering obscene amounts of money, I would still return to the Leaf. I would still fight this war."

"Why?"

"Because my friends and comrades are fighting in it." She shook her head. "I won't abandon the people most precious to me. And I…"

She looked off at the sea, the stoic grimness, the acceptance of an inescapable inevitability permeating off her.

"I can't escape this war. There's nowhere I can run or hide. Nowhere."

Hikaru swallowed roughly, throat feeling tense. And heart tight in that unspoken sorrow he felt from Amaririsu.

"He and I," she said, "we're both shackled by this war. No matter where I go, this twisted bond we have will always connect us. It will bind us together as long as we're alive. If I hide, he'll burn the whole world to the ground just to find me. All to make me suffer," Amaririsu added quietly.

Her eye fell upon him again. "Besides, to me a vassal isn't much different from a slave. One just sounds more pleasant. It washes the rotten tang of the word 'slave' out of an adults mouth with freshly squeezed fruit juice.

"It's not what you even want," she added. "You don't want another servant or sycophant who tiptoes around you, afraid they'll upset you and lose favor with your father."

"…Are you refusing because I shot an arrow at you?"

Amaririsu snorted. "No. I'm not that petty."

"Then why? You could have anything and everything…" he trailed off meekly, looking away.

Everybody wanted something, right? So why? Why didn't Amaririsu want to become his vassal?

Why didn't his mother want to come home?

"You have access to anything and everything you could ever want." Amaririsu gestured to him. "Is your heart whole, Hikaru?"

He flattened his lips together, if only to keep them from quivering.

Stepping closer, Amaririsu crouched down in front of him. When she spoke, it was with a gentle voice.

"Wealth provides security and opportunities, I won't deny that. I've been poor. I've been hungry. It isn't fun," she shook her head. "Trust me. I hope you never experience the pains poverty and hunger cause. But there is more to life than what money can provide."

He didn't understand…

"The things that are most important, the things that make a heart whole, the things that make life wonderful no matter how rich or poor you are, they aren't things anyone can buy," she explained.

Amaririsu placed her finger over his heart. "In here, you already know that. I know you do. I can see it in your eyes."

She was wrong. He didn't know. He didn't have any idea what she or his mother meant.

Why couldn't they just say what it was they wanted?

"In here, you know what you really wanted to ask me, Hikaru," Amaririsu said. "You don't want me to be your vassal. That's the last thing you want, from me or anyone."

Amaririsu rose again. "When you're ready to ask, I'll be waiting. Until then, let's head back."

Again she turned around. Hikaru didn't follow immediately. He ducked his head down, squinted. He felt his vocal chords loosen and tighten. His eyes stung, his vision blurred.

Why?

He didn't understand.

Teeth grit, he pulled his short bow off his waistband and nocked his suction-cup arrows, drawing the string back as he took aim for the back of her head.

He didn't get it at all.

He just…

Why do I have to be alone?

Why does my father acknowledge you?

Why won't you…

Like a ghoul, a pale hand with fingernails painted teal slipped into his view, gently wrapping around the shaft of his arrow.

Hikaru gasped and released, but the arrow went nowhere. His eyes shot to the shadow now looming over him.

"Forgive me, Hikaru. I didn't mean to startle you," the Mist shinobi named Haku apologized, smiling a kind and warm smile.

He slid the arrow smoothly between his bowstring and its grip, then twirled it nimbly between his fingers.

"However, it is my duty to protect my comrades. Even from toy arrows," he added with amusement.

"Aw, Haku," Amaririsu groaned playfully, pausing and turning around. She tried to mock a pout but couldn't hide her smile as she placed her hands on her hips. "I wanted to surprise him by catching his arrow again."

She'd known…

Hikaru flushed. Frustration and embarrassment mingled together.

Haku smiled at her. There was so much affection in both of their expressions.

"My apologies. I did not wish for you to accidentally snap the arrow when catching it."

"Mm. That's a good point." She became serious, lowering her hands from her hips. "I didn't consider the danger of that. Thank you for stepping in, Haku."

"Of course." Haku then turned his attention to Hikaru again. He extended the arrow to the boy shaft first, his kind smile sincere. "I can see you take good care of your bow, it must be very precious to you."

"Uh… Yes… It is," he replied quietly, taking the arrow.

These two… No, not just these two. The shinobi his father hired were so…alert and talented. He still couldn't believe how quick their reflexes were.

They caught his arrow. An arrow! Amaririsu was prepared to do it again, Haku had appeared beside him without making a sound, and Natsumi… She had rescued him when he, his father, and the promoter were all scared stiff by Chamū.

They were all ready to save him that day. He'd seen them all there, ready to act—fearless despite how frightening Chamū was.

He didn't know how often their Villages worked together, or if Villages worked together at all, but they were always watching out for each other. Even from his toy arrows.

They're…amazing, he thought, cheeks feeling warm.

"If you would like," Haku continued, "we could set up targets for you to practice on while we sail. If only to save Amari's head from your fearsome marksmanship," he added smiling unconsciously when he glanced her way.

"Laugh it up, troublesome boy," she replied, rolling her eye, a fond smile on her face.

Caught in a snare of embarrassment and frustration, Hikaru rushed off without a word, cheeks flush and hand gripping his bow tightly.

He didn't understand.

Why did he have to be alone?

Why couldn't he have friends who were as close as Amaririsu and Haku?

Why couldn't anyone understand him?

---

Hikaru…

Amari pressed her lips together.

Had she helped him at all? Or had she only pushed him farther away?

She wasn't certain. Watching him retreat, how tightly he gripped his bow, and feeling the internal turmoil within him… He seemed to be farther from the answers he sought, he seemed to be sinking deeper into the dreadful loneliness.

The clap of Haku's sandals on the stone preceded his calm presence beside her.

"I feel like I've hurt more than I've helped," she admitted softly.

"I think you underestimate the power of your words," he replied, sincere and kind.

"I don't know…"

"Hikaru has had an emotionally taxing day," Haku reminded patiently, watching the boy as he ascended the ramp to the deck of the ship. "This is likely not the first time he has seen his parents fight. Although their words and actions were not directed at him, he is still a witness to them. They may try to keep him separate from it, yet Hikaru still feels their frustrations, exasperations, their hurts and anger.

"While I do not believe it is their intention, they have dragged Hikaru through their battlefield. They have caused him trauma. Hurts. Scars. They do so with every fight. With every moment they spend separated, pushing him away, outside of the lines they believe their battlefield is contained within."

"When they're really just forcing him to stand amid the explosions and screams on his own," Amari followed, heart sinking. "And they never offer any answers. The Prince doesn't understand why Amayo left him, he cannot see how his behavior and his inability to understand what's most important has poisoned their relationship.

"Meanwhile, Amayo is trying to teach him through separation. Rather than explain how she feels and why she feels that way, which could open his mind, she's shut him out entirely, thinking, perhaps, it will force him to finally understand what she wanted.

"There's so much dysfunction here," she said, shaking her head. "So much that could be easily resolved if they just spoke with open hearts."

"You are right," Haku nodded. "They've hurt one another. Their inability to understand, and their refusal to communicate, causes this wound to fester, bringing them no closer to healing. In the process, they have turned Hikaru into an unwilling victim of their conflict."

"And I, in my infinite wisdom, spoke vaguely, trying to guide him in the right direction instead of just…taking him by the hand and pulling him there." Amari frowned. "I'm an idiot."

"No you aren't. You've already taken his hand. Neither of you can see it yet, though."

Amari glanced up at him. "Think so?"

"I do," Haku nodded once. "There is a great hurt in Hikaru's heart, one which you and I cannot heal. He has had that wound reopened today, this is in addition to the recent incident with Chamū.

"He is hurting. Confused. He is filled with uncertainty, about how to help his parents, and about himself. It makes him awkward. His heart knows what it wants—you and I both see that. He has seen your hand reaching out; I believe he has already taken it.

"However, he is afraid to follow, for what you speak of is unknown to him. And the unknown can be frightening."

Haku turned his head, smiled at her. "Give it time. He will come around."

Amari smiled faintly. "I hope you're right. I still feel like I messed up by not speaking plainly."

"You shouldn't. Hikaru has heard the wisdom in your words. He hasn't yet fully grasped the answers, but that is not the result of your guidance. To truly understand what is most important, Hikaru must first unlearn all he has been taught in his short life. It will not be easy. Changing never is."

"True. But if I had told him… I don't know…"

"It would sound too simplistic. It would frustrate him. How could your answer be the cause of such grievances? Such hurts? He may think you were talking down to him, instead of speaking with an open heart."

Amari nodded slightly. "Yeah. That's sort of what I was thinking, too. I think Hikaru's right there, right at the point of grasping it. I hoped a little nudge was all he'd need to reach the conclusion for himself, that way it would be more meaningful. But…"

"But?"

"Maybe I'm thinking of it too much through the lens of the life of a shinobi and not through the eyes of a traumatized civilian child."

What else could seeing his parents fight be called if not trauma? He would always remember their raised voices, he would always remember the frustration, the anger, the exasperation, and the hurt in their eyes.

He would always remember the crack of his mother's palm against his father's face. And he would be afraid. Yes, he would be afraid he might someday say something, do something, which would lead to him feeling the same sting.

"I do not think the divide between our lives and Hikaru's is as vast as you may think," Haku said.

"Hm?"

Haku looked her in the eyes. "Are we not traumatized children ourselves?"

"I…"

Amari looked off towards the ship. Cranes were still lifting the animal cages and the crates from the Prince's shopping spree onto the deck.

"I lose sight of that sometimes," she admitted. "I lose sight of how many shinobi are just traumatized kids in uniforms. I've learned to see the failings of the Village System, I've begun to see the broader view of the shinobi world and all its flaws. But…even though I never forget what I've lost, I… Heh."

She exhaled a humorless chuckle. "I haven't finished my first year as a shinobi, I haven't even really fought in the war yet—not really. Not in the way my parents, Kakashi-sensei, or even Shisui did.

"Yet…I've accepted it all—the violence, the tragedy, and death. I've accepted it like its all normal. When it shouldn't be. When this should be the most abnormal thing in the world. When did I become so numb to it?"

The warmth of Haku's hand on her shoulder drew her gaze back to his soft expression.

"You aren't numb. We are trained to endure hardships, true. We are exposed to constant conflict to hone our abilities and reflexes, thus it becomes natural to us, allowing for split-second reactions in the heat of combat. That training—that adaptation—keeps us alive."

"We're a flawed society."

"We are," he agreed. Then smiled. "However, someone numb wouldn't seek to change it with the same passion you do. Numbness isn't in your nature, Amari."

It's sort of funny, a bolder version of herself wanted to say, you wield Ice Nature, yet you know exactly how to melt a girl's heart.

Instead, shyly, Amari lifted her hand, rested it on top of his and smiled. "I owe a lot of it to you and Zabuza. Had we never met, I would still be stumbling around in my naïveté."

"I thought friends did not owe such debts," he smiled knowingly.

"Troublesome boy. Twisting my own words against me."

"Hmhm," he chuckled warmly.

Her heart fluttered. She thought of Yukiko and the selfishness they indulged in. The same feeling was beginning to bloom within her heart.

She wanted to step away from this mission, from responsibilities, from grand goals and cruel wars, and just…be. With Haku. For a moment or two. A minute. An hour. A day.

Right now, she thought, losing herself in his eyes, here, with you, the world, the war, my lineage, my duty, it all seems so far away. It feels like forever since I felt this, but right now… I feel like I'm just Amaririsu again.

I know I'll have to wake up soon. But…

Cheeks flushed and warm, Amari squeezed his hand.

"I'm happy you're here, Haku," she said.

"And I'm happy you are here, Amari."

For now…I'd like to stay asleep a little longer.

"When this mission is over…could we ice skate together again?"

"Of course."

She was looking forward to it.

After savoring the peaceful moment for another beat or two, they agreed it was time to return to the ship; they couldn't appear to be neglecting their duty, no matter how selfish they wanted to be.

As they walked along the concrete pier, they spoke no more of their flawed society, or of their mission, the war, or the cruelty of their world. They did not speak of subjects of grief, like Shisui, or of strange experiences like the Hero World and The Beyond, for they were discussions that required significant time and would draw forth intense emotions.

In the moment, they ceased to be shinobi, they ceased to have duties or allegiances. In the moment they spoke as friends, as Amaririsu and Haku, as kindred spirits who were happy to talk about everything and nothing at all.

They smiled, chuckled, giggled, and teased, they walked nearly bumping shoulders, paying only the faintest attention to their surroundings and path as their eyes focused on each other, hearts warm and filled with light.

Eventually they would have to wake up. Sooner than they wished they would have to leave the peace they found together, this place where the grey veil of existence peeled back, and The Beyond's aurora borealis danced across the horizon once again. They would once more return to the world of shinobi.

For now, though, in their short but infinite moment, they did not allow themselves to wake.

Together they slumbered and dreamed peacefully.

And, for a moment, they were free.

---

Beneath a waxing crescent moon, the freighter cut through the pitch black sea on its journey to the Land of the Moon.

Decorating the stern of the ship were the circus's cages and the Prince's crates, some bathed in the enormous silhouette of the sleeping mammoth. The giraffes heads and necks appeared to be smokeless chimneys at a distance.

All remained dark on the stern. No light, artificial or natural, cast a glow upon the animals. The bow, however, lived in stark contrast to the dark stern.

Illuminated by artificial lights like large fireflies, the bow was host to several round tables covered in purple table cloths, occupied by members of the circus, servants, the ship's crew, and the shinobi.

The warm smell of freshly cooked food wafted from table to table, the chatter and laughter of lively people was joined by the joyful strumming of a lute, clapping, and quick, upbeat whistles of a flute.

Feet stomped upon the deck in and out of tempo. There was no shortage of laughter and drink beneath the crescent moon.

Among the acrobats and performers dancing, much to Hikaru's embarrassment, was his father, laughing joyfully, dumbly, with a face rosier than a bouquet and a long-necked bottle of expensive wine gripped tightly in his large hand.

Hikaru braced his chin on his palm, wincing and grimacing as he watched his father flail about; the circus bears had more balance, coordination, and elegance even while balancing on rolling balls. It was so embarrassing.

It's just like last time…

Last time, after his mother left the Land of the Moon, he'd mistaken his father's sudden happiness while under the influence of alcohol for something genuine.

Now he understood its temporary nature. Now he understood that alcohol, in the words of his grandfather, made his father act like a complete buffoon.

None of his problems would go away, though. In fact, he'd only have more.

Later, just like last time, his father would have a terrible headache and bellyache to go along with his heartbreak. And he, unfortunately, would have to help him nurse it. His father was a bit of a wimp when sick.

Michiru laughed jubilantly. He spun ungracefully on his toe, trying to mimic the ballerina.

Hikaru groaned quietly.

Could he bury his head in a pillow and just disappear now? He was going to die of embarrassment.

Glancing away from his father to a table directly opposite of his, on the port side, he quickly observed the shinobi. Amaririsu, Haku, Hinata, and Natsumi were all still eating. Kakashi appeared to be waiting. Perhaps he had already eaten.

They all spoke between bites, their attention not drawn to his father in the least, but to each other. He couldn't overhear their conversation. His attempts to read lips were ultimately futile. It didn't matter. Their smiles and gestures made their camaraderie tangible.

Hikaru lowered his gaze to his plate, full despite the delicious food on it—he wasn't all that hungry anyway. He crossed his arms on the table then buried his forehead into it, shutting his eyes.

Alone again. He was always alone.

As he sat there, face buried, Hikaru suddenly sensed movement beside him. Lifting his head, he caught a thin, hairy arm lowering down the side of the table, vanishing beneath the table cloth with an apple from a nearby fruit bowl in its grasps.

Hikaru quickly shimmied out of his chair and knelt beside the table, lifting the cloth. Two large, dark eyes locked onto him, wide in surprise.

Kiki!

The capuchin monkey, huddled over the apple he had already bitten out of, blinked twice. His small top hat balanced on his head, his tail, decorated with a bow, wiggled like a worm.

When had he gotten free? Wasn't he supposed to be in a cage?

Suddenly Kiki scampered out from beneath the table, dropping the partially eaten apple in his fearful escape; the red orb bounced and rolled a few arm lengths away. Then, quick as he had taken off, Kiki paused, sat on his haunches, and stared back at Hikaru. And the apple.

Pursing his lips, Hikaru nervously crawled to the apple, picked it up, and held it out towards the monkey.

Please… I don't want you to be afraid of me.

Kiki blinked. Then hesitantly closed the distance between them, taking the apple from Hikaru's hand. He sat back on his haunches before nibbling on it one bite at a time.

Hikaru beamed. A small joyful noise broke free from his throat as his heart bounced in his chest. Kiki nibbled away, tail swishing gently.

Was it a sign of happiness? He didn't know, but he hoped so. He really hoped Kiki was finally warming up to him.

The clapping picked up tempo. The lute and flute matched it, the stomping feet grew more energetic and jubilant. His father laughed drunkenly; he had really forgotten all of his problems in his stupor.

For a minute or so Hikaru sat on his knees beside Kiki, beaming, watching the monkey eat the apple.

He'd never been this close before. When he tried back at the circus, Kiki had fled up the tree, but now he was within reach. He could hear the crunch of the apple beneath his teeth. The little guy was clearly hungry.

I wonder if Chamū is hungry, too, he wondered.

The new thought struck him out of the blue. With it, trepidation knotted his gut into a balloon animal. Chamū… Chamū scared him. Yet…

Glancing up at the table, he spotted two magnificent fresh red orbs among the entree of grapes, bananas, oranges, and a pineapple. He looked back at Kiki, who stared at him with a cheek puffed out as he chewed.

If Kiki was willing to trust him more, then maybe he could convince Chamū, too.

He peeked around the table cloth at the festivities. Everyone was dancing, clapping, smiling, drinking, or eating.

One of the lady acrobats was twirling around his father as he, lost in his rosy-faced drunken stupor, giggled and chased after her while wobbling around in what was supposed to be a dance. It was better associated with a drunken bear trying to walk up a see-saw on its hind legs.

It was darker near the railing of the ship, too, so he could probably sneak off without anyone noticing. Even the shinobi wouldn't be able to see him.

Hikaru slipped back behind the table cloth. He rose onto his knees, carefully snatching an apple like Kiki had, before cradling it in his lap.

The memory of Chamū's rumbling growl and fierce roar rattled him from within. His unblinking gaze, his powerful and predatory steps nearly left his hands shaking.

Chamū… I want…

Hikaru swallowed down the anxiousness knotting his stomach.

He wasn't going to be afraid, he decided. If the shinobi could race to his rescue without fear, then he could approach Chamū. He could feed him, and then… Then maybe Chamū would trust him, too.

Nodding to himself in resolve, he looked to his partner in this brave adventure. Kiki merely stared at him, apple gripped in both of his small hands, tilting his head to the side inquisitively.

"Can you lead me to Chamū?" he asked in barely a whisper. He made a gesture with the apple. "I'd… I'd like to feed him this."

Kiki leaned his head forward, sniffing the apple. Then, tucking his apple beneath his arm, he turned around and made two big hops. Paused. He turned to look back at Hikaru with an expression that seemed to ask him to follow.

Smiling, Hikaru crawled low to the ground through the shadows beside the railing, following Kiki as he hopped in the direction of the stern.

Once they were beyond the lights he rose and followed the monkey; the music, clapping, and laughter grew more distant with each hop and step they took together.

It was dark. So dark he could barely see Kiki, the moonlight of the crescent moon was way too dim. Hikaru's heart raced. He liked to say he wasn't afraid of the dark anymore, but…it still made him anxious.

The cascade of the waves splitting around their ship, the din of the engine, the way the ship groaned and moaned, it made his heart tighten with each step farther from the safety of the light.

Hikaru swallowed roughly. He clutched the apple tightly, but he pressed on, following Kiki in spite of his gut instinct to flee.

There's nothing to fear. There's nothing in the dark. Nothing at all.

When he heard a heavy hoof strike the deck, he nearly jumped out of his skin. Head snapping up, he spotted the silhouette of a giraffe within a few strides of him.

Okay, there are some things in the dark. But they're just the circus animals. Nothing to be really afraid of.

Swallowing roughly again, his heart squeezing tightly up in his throat, he fought to keep his hands from shivering. Kiki had no such fears. He seemed to see and sense their surroundings perfectly.

Through the maze of cages and crates the sounds of heavy, beast-like breaths surround him on all sides. The ship and cages seemed to groan and moan at him. Pairs of eyes within the darkness glowed, following his every move.

His mouth was dry. His hands trembled. His eyes flitted about, then quickly flicked away back onto Kiki when he saw the eyes on him.

He could feel their gazes on his back, could almost feel them slipping out of their cages to stalk his every step. It was cold, he suddenly realized when he shivered. Really cold.

Hikaru pressed on.

Kiki led him through the maze of cages and crates until, finally, he set his apple down and made a powerful leap to a cage at the end of the row. He grasped onto the vertical bar, sat on the square locking mechanism.

Sharp eyes glowed within the darkness. A terrible growl-like purring rumbled within, vibrating through Hikaru's chest. White wisps of condensation hovered through the bars on every heavy exhale.

"Um… Hi, Chamū," his voice trembled like his hands. His eyes flicked about fearfully.

Chamū's gaze never left the boy. The sabertooth's body rumbled. He barred his teeth, lips twitching around his tusks.

Fear demanded him to stand still. He was too determined to listen to it. Slowly, hesitantly, trying to convey calmness and his peaceful desires to extend an olive branch, he approached the bars.

"I…brought…" He extended his hand slightly. "I brought…you this app—"

Chamū sprang up faster than he could react. He roared, slamming his massive paws against the bars of the cage. Kiki leapt away with a screech. Hikaru yelped, stumbled back, and crashed onto his butt.

Growls and snarls rumbled from the cage. Hikaru looked at the silhouette of the bars, of Chamū prowling within, and felt his lips begin to quiver. His eyes stung, his vision blurred as warm tears fell. He gripped the apple tightly.

I just… I just…

In the heat of hurt, fear, and embarrassment, he grit his teeth and drew back with the apple.

"Stupid tiger!" he cried, throwing the apple at the cage.

It bounced off the bar. Chamū roared again, but Hikaru was already on his feet, running through the dark maze as fresh tears poured down his cheeks.

Stupid tiger. Stupid dad. Stupid mom. Stupid, stupid! They're all stupid!

Who needed them. He was better off alone.

---

"Do you… Do you think we should have said something?"

In the shadows of the stern, Hinata pursed her lips in discomfort. The Byakugan granted her perfect sight despite near total darkness, and Hikaru's tears…

It left a twinge in her chest. It made her want to…help somehow. To assure him he was safe and he was not alone.

"Like what?" Natsumi asked, but not unkindly.

They'd mobilized together when Hikaru first snuck off; they'd seen and sensed his escape instantly.

Flattening her lips together, Hinata lowered her gaze.

"I'm…not sure," she admitted. "I wanted— I want to help him. Our circumstances aren't the same, but…"

"I seized an opportunity to taste freedom and power! To see a better future for myself by cutting free from my past. What would you know about that, Main Branch girl? You who has never had to want for anything, you who was born into the Main Branch of a prestigious Clan; you were born into wealth and power right from the start!"

Kasai had struck a well-aimed blow that day. So well-aimed, she squinted beneath its sting now.

"I was born into the strongest Clan of the Leaf," she reasoned. "I am the firstborn daughter of the Head of a prestigious Clan. Like Hikaru, I was born into wealth, power, influence… I was sheltered for many years."

"Mm. You may have started out that way, but it didn't last."

Natsumi's seemingly off-handed comment caused Hinata to jerk upright.

Casually, and with confidence, the Mist kunoichi strutted out from behind a cage, the heels of her boots creating a light clunk-clunk-clunk now, in spite of her steps being utterly silent while following Hikaru.

"Way I hear it, your younger sister is heiress now," she continued, voice soft and gentle—Natsumi was being careful.

"In such a prestigious Clan, where politics run amok, there's no such thing as a gentle fall from grace. Given what I know of your Clan's history, and what your cousin did to you in the preliminary rounds of the Exams, to say those old-timers and your father kicked you out the door after stripping you of your title is likely a gross understatement."

"I…" Hinata struggled for a reply.

She shouldn't have been surprised by the depth of Natsumi's knowledge; she was in charge of intelligence gathering in the Mist, after all, serving directly as the Fifth Mizukage's assistant.

It shouldn't have caught her off guard. Yet it did.

"Sorry," Natsumi apologized suddenly.

She kneeled down, picked up the apple Hikaru had thrown, twisting and turning it as though examining it for bruises.

"Not trying to make you uncomfortable or pry into your Clan's dirty laundry. Just meant to say your situation is more nuanced than that of a 'sheltered heiress.' "

"Perhaps. But…I was sheltered. Even when I was no longer the heiress, I…" She winced, hating the taste of her next words. "I never wanted for anything," she repeated Kasai's harsh and truthful point. "I never lived…like Amaririsu and Naruto. I never lived without. I've never been hungry. I've always been taken care of.

"In that way…"

She began to massage her right palm, anxious and uncertain. It didn't ache presently. The ache was something that came and went, wandering in and out of her life as it pleased like a nomad ever since that fateful battle.

"I thought, maybe, I could reach Hikaru and help him see what…Amaririsu, Naruto, and Kurenai-sensei taught me. About what's important. About how…to stand on my own and be proud of the person I am. About…family. And what it should be."

"Because you think your situations are similar?"

"Yes… Aren't they?"

"Hm." Natsumi rose, apple in hand. "Had you never been cast out, maybe. From where I'm standing, I don't see the similarities. I mean, sure," she shrugged, "you were born into wealth, power, and privilege. Never went hungry. Never lived in the streets. Never searched dumpsters for food. Anyone who isn't poor or homeless can say that, though. Doesn't make you special, just means you had a normal life.

"Peel back the layers even a little, though, and your privileged life reveals the rot. You had your own flesh and blood turn against you. The people meant to be your family, the ones meant to guide, guard, and love you, they tossed you aside.

"And for what noble purpose did they do that? Politics. Images of strength. Maintaining traditions.

"I don't know everything, I admit, but the way this story reads to me is your father and Elders washed their hands of you. They threw you to Kurenai Yūhi, because you were no longer necessary to them. Probably turned your sister against you. Their traditions poisoned your cousin's mind—he tried to kill you.

"Based on how your chakra feels, I'd say I'm pretty close to the truth, yeah? Tch, screw old timers like that. They make me sick," Natsumi scoffed.

"Meanwhile, Prince Michiru's greatest inadequacy is he thinks buying things for his son and wife—ex-wife, I mean, is how love is expressed. He misses what's important, 'cause he's a buffoon. A privileged airhead."

Natsumi shook her head. "But he's never tossed them aside. Never threw them out. Never raised a hand to them. He doesn't have a single cruel bone.

"So, no, your situations aren't that similar. You've been cut down by your own family. Hikaru's just a spoiled kid with dumb parents. He thinks he can have everything he wants, when he wants it. Like Chamū."

She took two strides closer to the cage. Hinata watched with intrigue, massaging her palm all the while.

"He expects this furry guy to accept him without hesitation. But animals like him don't trust easy. Human's aren't all that different.

"Chamū's been hurt. He lost his original handler—probably the person who raised him from birth. Who knows what these guys did to get him to perform their tricks, so of course he won't trust anyone outright. Why would he? He's never been given a reason to have faith in people. Hikaru is the same way, otherwise he wouldn't be so stubborn."

Natsumi gently tossed the apple into the cage. It crashed within, coaxing a growl from the sabertooth.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Scary apple drops from the darkness." Her eye roll was tangible in her voice.

The Mist kunoichi turned around, approached Hinata. "Anyway, not much you could've said to help him. Not saying you couldn't have said all the right things, but sometimes when a message is delivered is as important as the message itself.

"He wouldn't have listened. He got himself all flustered, psyched out, and heartbroken. Had we shown ourselves, we would've just embarrassed the little snot and bruised his ego." She shook her head. "We wouldn't have moved him closer to what he needs to learn."

"I…suppose."

Natsumi sighed. Lifted her hand. Then, before Hinata could react, flicked the Leaf kunoichi's forehead.

Hinata recoiled and squeaked.

"There'll be other moments if you want to help him." Natsumi placed her hands on her hips, then leaned down and in, coming nearly nose to nose with her. "So you better not go psyching yourself out about this or you're gonna have to deal with me. Got that?"

"Uh, um, I'll… I'll do my best."

"Good. Now c'mon," Natsumi ordered, spinning on her heel. "I'm tired of smelling hay and manure."

"Ri- right!"

Face flushed, Hinata followed behind Mizukage's assistant.

"Chamū's been hurt. He lost his original handler—probably the person who raised him from birth. Who knows what these guys did to get him to perform their tricks, so of course he won't trust anyone outright. Why would he? He's never been given a reason to have faith in people. Hikaru is the same way, otherwise he wouldn't be so stubborn."

Hinata pursed her lips.

Your words… You said Hikaru is hurt the same way as Chamū but…you were talking about your hurt, too. Weren't you, Natsumi?

---

The festivities had ended.

No longer did the whistles of the flute and strumming of a lute fill the air, nor did the clapping of hands, the stomping of feet, or the laughter and chatter of those gathered upon the bow of the deck remain.

Now only the cascade of waves parting around the ship and the rumble of the engine offered its company.

The warm scent of freshly cooked food had long departed on the sea breeze, buried beneath the tang of salt water.

Lights illuminated the bow, dangling like large fireflies, but casting no shadows, for the deck stood abandoned. The tables were gone. So were the people.

Kakashi found it peaceful. He patrolled the length of the ship, stuffing his hands in his pockets beneath his cloak, which fluttered and undulated with the breeze.

It'd been quite the party. He couldn't say he was a fan, though. Large crowds and get togethers weren't his style.

Now his comrades rested below deck, as did the Prince, who had already begun a downward spiral from joyfully drunk to miserably seasick. Kakashi didn't envy the man. Alcohol and heartbreak never ended well.

We still have no new leads, he ruminated as he patrolled. The servants and the carriage drivers haven't shown any suspicious behavior since we've arrived, so they may not be the ones who hired the assassins. We'll still need to keep them under surveillance, however.

Near the tip of the bow, Kakashi paused, casting his gaze out at the dark horizon.

Our only real option now is to wait until we reach the Land of the Moon. It's not ideal. I suspect there won't be a warm welcome awaiting us, but without any other leads…

They would just have to push forward. Together. Their combined abilities and experiences, and their trust in one another as comrades, would see them through whatever hardships awaited.

He had faith in that and that alone.

Flashes of light burst across the horizon, creating massive silhouettes of cumulonimbus clouds.

Kakashi hummed deeply.

I don't like the look of that storm…

---

Hikaru awoke with a start to voices in their private cabin.

Sitting upright, he heard a wine bottle roll along the floor, farther away from the bed as a moan reverberated inside a bucket beside him. His father was already sick. Maybe this time he would learn to drink less, Hikaru hoped. Especially while at sea.

Now the Prince lay belly first on the edge of the bed, hands wrapped tightly around a silver bucket, preventing it from spilling over and rolling away. His head was all but buried inside of it. Hikaru scrunched his nose. The stench was unpleasant.

The whole room jerked and sank. Conversely, Hikaru felt his heart jolt and jump into his throat. It felt as though the child of a god was playing with their ship inside an oceanic bathtub, thrusting the vessel ahead, then tugging it back, rocking it port and starboard without control.

With such violent movement, Michiru's full stomach sloshed noisily to his ears, churning with equally tremendous power as the frothing black sea ramming waves against their vessel.

A hollow glass—the wine bottle—clunked dully against the metal wall beside the door.

When Hikaru looked over, gaze foggy without his glasses, he noticed the vague long-necked shape, green as basil leaves, climb the wall a half a foot as other odds and ends rolled then fell from the top of a nightstand, bouncing upon the floor like carelessly discarded toys.

A servant, identifiable by the colorful sash he wore around his waist, occupied the doorway, gripping its edges with all his strength to keep himself steady.

"—storm is threatening to throw everything overboard, my Prince!" the servant warned.

"Well, do something," his father moaned. "I didn't…ugh…"

The ship suddenly shifted towards center. The bottle rolled off the wall, along the floor, and then crashed against the bed frame, halting despite the ship listing past center and towards starboard.

"I didn't buy it all to lose it at sea," his father said miserably. "Get the shinobi," he added. "Tell them I'll pay them double for…for saving everything."

"Of…"

Everything and everyone in the room jerked harshly again. Odds and ends around the room crashed and shattered on the floor. They had to be in the midst of tidal waves.

Hikaru clenched the bed sheets tightly. The servant grunted.

"Of course, my Prince," he said. "I'll go at once."

"Than… Thank yo— ugghhhh!"

Hikaru winced at the sound of his father becoming sick, the vulnerable and broken sound echoing off the inside of the pale. The boy felt his stomach flutter and churn. Just like last time.

The servant released the doorframe, turned to leave, and lost his footing as another wave rammed the ship. He stumbled into the outside wall, catching himself with a strained grunt. Then rushed out of view a moment later in search of the shinobi.

Who cares about those stupid animals? Hikaru thought bitterly.

His father moaned pitifully into the bucket again. It was an awful sound. As awful as the wrathful swaying, rocking, rising, and falling the sea forced upon the ship.

He bet the animals were all scared now. Chamū, too. The cages might even fall overboard.

Frowning, too anxious to sleep again, Hikaru crawled out of the bed and slipped into his slippers.

Would the shinobi really jump into action to save those stupid animals?

He didn't see any sense in it. The conditions would be way too dangerous outside even for the promise of doubling their money. They'd have to be crazy. And just as stupid.

Cautiously, almost numbly, he crossed the floor to the door first. He held onto its frame as the ship pitched again, undulating at the mercy of the waves. Only when it stabilized enough to move did Hikaru release the doorframe and exit the room.

Hugging the wall, he grimaced at the sound of his father upchucking his dinner again, the awful noise seemed to chase him from the room, demanding he not return.

Hikaru didn't want to. He had to see how the shinobi answered his father's request. He had to see if they actually risked their lives for some stupid animals.

They can't be that stupid, Hikaru thought as he moved through the ship, heart anxious and fearful the ship would capsize every time it pitched and jerked.

"Wealth provides security and opportunities, I won't deny that. I've been poor. I've been hungry. It isn't fun. Trust me. I hope you never experience the pains poverty and hunger cause. But there is more to life than what money can provide."

Hikaru wanted to sniff. He was too shaky and afraid, gripping tightly to a security rope as he slowly shimmed down the hall, as though shimmying along the edge of a cliff.

Let's see if you stand by your own words. If there's more to life than money, then you won't take anything Father will offer to help a bunch of animals. You'll just let them drown. And that's probably best anyway. Let it all fall overboard. None of it matters anyway.

When he found the servant who woke them—the young Prince didn't know his name—he was standing just outside the doorway with Kakashi, visibly desperate in his pleas to the shinobi squadron leader.

"Please," he begged, "the Prince will pay your Villages double what he offered to protect his valuables."

"We'll do what we can. But I'm more worried about the animals, honestly," Kakashi said. He turned his head to look in the room. "All hands on deck. Remember, that water is going to be like ice. Equip only what's necessary to withstand the elements and let's move!"

There was a chorus of acknowledgements. Without hesitation.

"Thank you so much," the servant bowed to the Leaf shinobi. "And I'm sorry for the trouble."

Kakashi patted him on the shoulder then took the lead, hurrying off to climb to the upper deck. The servant followed close behind.

Hikaru frowned. He leaned his back against the wall. One by one the others filed out after Kakashi.

First was Haku, tying his hair back in a tight bun with a senbon clenched between his teeth. He looked focus.

Amaririsu was second, also in the process of tying her hair back as she grunted in annoyance, muttering, "Icy water and wind. Great. Knew this mission would be a drag."

Hinata exited next, her shorter hair tied up on top of her head. She, like her previous two comrades, donned a weather resistant cloak; it was their only real protection against the elements.

She paused only once, glancing to Hikaru, before the mission and direness of it pushed her to hurry after her comrades.

A foul mood overcame Hikaru. He tucked his arms behind his back, gripping the security rope tightly beneath white knuckles.

They didn't even acknowledge the money. They were more worried about the animals than the valuables.

It didn't make sense. He didn't understand. So what if the animals went overboard. Not like the shinobi actually wanted them around.

Yet they were all running off, without hesitation. To play it like they were heroes or something.

"So much for our peaceful game of twenty-one," Natsumi grunted as she exited the room, arms raised above her head as she tied her crimson hair into a tight bun. "I swear, their chocolates better be to die for like Lady Mei said."

"…What's the point?"

Natsumi glanced his way, hands moving deftly. "Gonna be vague or do you have a real question? I don't have time to babysit your melodrama."

Hikaru grunted, turned his head away.

"Silence. Very riveting," she drawled. He heard her heel clunk against the floor as she began to follow after her comrades. "Go back to your cabin. It isn't safe for you out here."

"Just let the stupid animals drown."

Natsumi's heels halted so suddenly, the ship almost seemed to go still with her.

"Heh."

The abrupt chuckle sent a shiver shooting down his spine. Every muscle in his body, he realized, from his shoulders and belly to his legs, went rigid.

"Eager to throw them away, yeah? How very magnanimous of you, Your Highness. I mean, it's only the lives of some stupid animals, yeah? And those circus folk? Ah, to hell with them, too, right? It's just they're whole livelihood at stake."

The ship pitched again. Hikaru held a death-grip on the security rope. He felt a strange, unnatural feeling churning like seasickness in his tummy.

Natsumi didn't lose her balance. She didn't budge an inch. He noticed a faint blue hue glowing on the soles of her high-heeled sandals.

"How beautiful. How poetic," she said, sounding cheerful, but her voice…

Hikaru shivered, feeling the heart-skipping trepidation of a flash of lightning, and the anticipation of sudden crashing thunder. Feeling the fear of standing in a high place and looking down at the dizzying ground far below. Or being lost and alone in the dark.

Every word, carefully chosen, struck sharply the way his mother had struck his father.

"What a beautiful sight to see," she said in her cheerful but frightening voice. "The benevolent Hikaru has handed down his first royal decree. Chamū and Kiki, and all those other animals, they're all just some garbage to be thrown away. They don't deserve to live. They don't deserve compassion. Not when they've made the ultimate sin by upsetting you, oh magnanimous one. They're just a bunch of stupid animals, unworthy of the air they breathe.

"Tch!" The single noise carried the heat of fire belched by a dragon.

Every muscle, tight as could be, spasmed so sharply, he feared they might snap.

Natsumi half-turned to face him. He shrank beneath her turquoise gaze, burning like the sea at sunset.

"Let them drown? Grow the hell up!"

Her voice struck his ears like the cracking of a whip. Hikaru flinched.

"Those animals have just as much right to live as you do, you petty little snot. They didn't ask to be bought by you. But you," she hissed, seething, "because Chamū didn't trust you the moment you purchased him—trust you've done nothing to earn!—you say to hell with them all, throw them overboard! How disgusting can you get."

Hikaru shut his eyes against the sting of tears. He lowered himself to his knees.

"Taking out your pain on innocent animals, takes a real piece of work to do that. I had to fight off stray dogs, raccoons, and possums because we were scrounging for scraps of food in the same dumpsters and trashcans. We were trying to survive.

"And you? What excuse do you have? Oh, that's right, you don't have one, do you? You're just being spoiled and cruel because your idiotic parents don't know how to act like adults.

"I hope like hell it's not a sign of things to come. I hope Amaririsu can reach through that thick skull of yours. 'Cause at this rate, you'll end up like every rich, cruel scumbag I've ever met."

The Mist kunoichi turned away. "Tch, I don't have anymore time for your immaturity. Do the world a favor and grow up, Hikaru. Otherwise you'll prove what I've known since I was a kid: You can have all the wealth in the world, and still be utterly worthless."

Without another word Natsumi dashed off, vanishing down the corridor.

Hikaru collapsed to his stomach on the cold metal floor. He lay there, fists balled up, the ship creaking and moaning around him as though it were seasick as well. Warm tears dripped off his chin. He sniffled, shuddered.

He hadn't… He hadn't meant it. He hadn't meant any of it. He knew it was wrong, he knew Chamū and Kiki and all the others didn't deserve to die, but he was just…

He didn't mean it.

Natsumi had. She meant every word.

" 'Cause at this rate, you'll end up like every rich, cruel scumbag I've ever met."

"I'm not…"

"You can have all the wealth in the world, and still be utterly worthless."

"I'm not like that!" Hikaru declared to the abandoned corridor. "I'm not worthless!"

He pushed himself onto his feet and, with a flame burning in his breast, ran after the shinobi, stumbling along the floor and into the wall as the ship pitched, collapsing when it jerked roughly beneath the wrath of the sea.

He wasn't deterred. He gripped the security rope and pulled himself to his feet, shimmying as quick as he could for the deck.

If they could be brave enough to rescue the animals, then he could, too! He wasn't like those people Natsumi had met. He wasn't worthless. He'd prove it. He'd prove it to her—to everyone—that he could help. That he could take responsibility.

The circus people, the animals, they were here because he had begged his father to buy them, right? The least he could do was help them. Somehow.

Up the flights of stairs, corridors racing by, the door leading to the deck came before his eyes. The ship was suddenly rocked by another harsh wave.

Hikaru stumbled, grunting as he collapsed into the wall. Then he shimmied his way to the open door, grasping onto the frame.

Icy rain whipped against his forearms; it felt like needles. Flashes of light streaked through the sky and illuminated the deck of the ship in short bursts, before darkness subsumed the deck and all its occupants existences into its own once again.

A half a foot of water washed over the deck, rushing port to starboard when the ship listed. Bitter wind cut through the boy, rendering his muscles rigid. Hikaru shivered. He hugged himself closer to the doorframe, trying to use the cold metal as a shield.

Waves crashed against the hull. The ghoulish howling of the wind and monstrous roars of the waves nearly drowned out the thunder rolling across the sky, the sound resembling that of bowling pins blasted aside with a perfect strike.

Amid all the chaos, as light flashed through the sky again, Hikaru saw the circus people, the promoter, his dad's servants, and the shinobi all at work. All at the mercy of the elements.

The shinobi were clearly in charge. They shouted over the noise, pointing fingers in commands he couldn't actually hear, but seemed to reach the ears of the others.

Kakashi, he saw, was in the middle of opening an antelope cage, guiding and shooing them with the aid of their handlers. The animals trotted out, ears up, breathing roughly, frantically, before hurrying to the mammoths side like the giraffes. There they all laid themselves down beside the tremendous, furry beast.

Several Amaririsu's performed several tasks. Some worked together as they tied down crates beneath tarps with heavy duty straps.

Others waited for the ship to list towards port. Then, and only then, as empty cages slid on the half a foot of water, they pushed them clean off the deck into the sea; they were becoming massive projectiles, sliding rapidly across the deck and slamming into everything once they were without animals.

Left alone, they'd crush an animal or a person. And they didn't have enough straps to hold the cages and all of the crates down. No one had been prepared for this storm.

Hikaru noticed a red glow emanating amidst the darkness from the right eyes of every Amaririsu. Every shinobi's feet was possessed by a blue hue. They seemed to walk on the surface of the water.

Another jagged flash of light speared the sea off in the distance. Someone, he believed it was Hinata, yelled a command that sounded an awful lot like, "Brace!" or "Wave!" or something close to it.

Everyone who could heeded the command. Just then a tidal wave rolled over starboard and, with frightening force, surged across the deck.

Hikaru's heart jumped as everything and everyone on the deck disappeared beneath the wave, all except the mammoth and the necks of the giraffes.

A moment passed like an eternity. The wave suddenly parted as the ship rose on another wave. Amaririsu's Shadow Clones were either pinning themselves to the crates they were strapping down, or were beside the servants, handlers, and smaller animals, bracing them like unwavering pillars.

Kakashi was crouched beside two of the handlers, hands curled into the back of their shirts and holding them in place while the current passed over them.

A violet orb glowed on the deck, encasing Natsumi, the promoter, and Hinata, who was kneeling beside the man and holding him in place. The wave had parted right around the strange barrier, and though they weren't dry by any measure, for there was no escape from the rain, the wave itself hadn't touched them.

Hikaru made out the shape of Haku on the port side. He was braced against the railing, his arms wrapped protectively around Amaririsu, who cradled Kiki's soaked form in her arms.

Two jagged columns of ice, as tall as the cages, were erected upon the deck, blocking two empty cages from crushing the trio.

Haku's senbon glinted in the bun in his hair, a red glow emanated from Amaririsu's right eye; and Kiki tucked himself deeper into Amaririsu. They were all soaked to the bone, breathing sharp breaths. Hikaru was certain they were shivering, though he couldn't see it.

Haku and Amaririsu spared a quick word. So did Natsumi to Hinata, noticeable by the small glance back at the younger girl and the nod the Leaf kunoichi seemed to reply with.

He couldn't guess what was said. He could imagine from their previous interactions that Amaririsu had likely made a quip that matched the mood, likely obscured by chattering teeth and stiff muscles. Haku doubtlessly chuckled at it in spite of everything.

Natsumi probably asked Hinata if she was okay or ready, since the violet orb she commanded collapsed. Ice melted away as well, and everyone resumed their duties amid the chaos and wrath of the storm. Against the bitter wind and freezing water that pierced them like arrows.

They're…amazing, he thought, fingers digging into the metal. I can't move. But everyone else is doing everything they can to save the animals and all that stuff Father bought.

What could he do to help? It was dark out there. The howling wind was pushing the adults around. The thought of another wave scared him.

He saw Kiki leap from Amaririsu's hands, scrambling through the water after the promoter, who was hurrying towards a cage a few arm lengths from the edge of the port railing.

A handler and servant approached Amaririsu and Haku at the same time, the former yelling and pointing towards a cage holding polar bears. They both nodded and followed them quickly across the deck.

Another wave struck the starboard hull. Haku caught the handler as he fell, Amaririsu braced the servant as he stumbled.

The promoter was knocked onto his butt, the cage slid and caught itself on the railing. It was then the young Prince saw the silhouette of the animal inside the cage. Grey fur, sharp tusks, the sabertooth braced himself as best he could inside his cage.

Chamū!

Scared to his wits end, the promoter rose. Without a glance back he began to stumble and scramble for the entryway Hikaru occupied. An animal wasn't worth his life.

Inside the cage Chamū began to ram himself against the bars. Kiki watched his partner, gripping tightly to the vertical bars.

Hikaru couldn't see Natsumi, Hinata, and Kakashi anywhere in the chaos of animals and people. Amaririsu and Haku had their hands full trying to calm and guide the polar bears from their cages.

It was the cold water on his feet and sudden lash of wind and water against his back that alerted Hikaru to his sudden presence on the deck. His legs…

What am I doing?!

His legs were moving on their own.

Alert and afraid, he raised his arm as he was battered and lashed by the storm. His body trembled and shivered. It was cold. So cold. His slippers were soaked, his feet were ice. Almost numb in an instant.

A gale suddenly punched him square in his back. He stumbled forward, half catching, half crashing into the center mast on the ship.

Hikaru hugged it for dear life. He squeezed his eyes shut, briefly, heart tight and roaring like the waves and thunder crashing all around him. Then he opened his eyes and locked gazes with the sabertooth, who paced back and forth in his cage in-between throwing himself against it.

Chamū…

"Another wave!" Hinata's voice cried out.

The next moment he was submerged beneath a wave so cold it stole his air, his strength, and made the boy believe he had died. The current nearly tore him from the mast. He only realized he was alive when the overpowering desire to breathe and the knowledge he couldn't while submerged struck him at once.

Then, as quickly as it had arrived, the wave was gone. Hikaru gasped desperately for air, eyes wide, body shivering and weak. He couldn't feel his feet. Or his hands.

I want to go home. Father, where are you? I want to go home. Take me home. Right now.

Lightning flashed above. Frantic eyes snapped to the cage. Hikaru gasped.

The keys! They were still in the lock!

Have to save Chamū. Have to. Have to.

It was the strangest sensation he had ever felt. Where seconds ago there was only panic and a yearning to go home, his mind and body became hyper focused on the keys, as though nothing else in the world existed.

It took him another moment to realize he was already walking against the wind, towards the cage and the key.

The ship listed towards port. Suddenly he was trying to lean backwards as his feet slid along the deck. He was face to face with the cage a moment later, his hands, though numb, slammed against and clutched the vertical bars—weakly or tightly, he couldn't say.

Then the cage lifted off the deck. Hikaru felt himself being tugged with it, pulled by an invisible force towards the raging sea below. Chamū dug his claws into the floor, but he slid to the back wall.

I'm going to die, Hikaru realized vividly, horrified.

Over the roar of the waves and howl of the wind, he caught the sound of rattling chains, and then the whip like snap of metal pulling taut.

Glancing up and left, he saw a chain glowing golden wrapped around the vertical bar. Three others were wrapped around the other three corners of the cage.

Natsumi was yelling at him. He couldn't make out the words, but he was certain in being the source of her anger.

The chains pulled the cage back onto the deck, splashing water as it slammed flat against the ground. Relief was followed by intense focus.

Reaching over, Hikaru turned the key and, on trembling and weak legs, began to pull the heavy door open against the wind. Chamū leapt out as soon as there was space to fit through, Kiki hopped onto Hikaru's shoulder.

Relief turned into triumph as the chains retracted. Hikaru turned from the cage. He saw Natsumi's silhouette halfway across the deck; the golden hued chains were retracting into her body, strangely enough.

He tried to smile, feeling a hint of pride in his efforts, but his lips—his whole face was numb.

At that moment another wave struck the hull of the ship.

The cage flew overboard. He felt the railing against his back, then Kiki's absence on his shoulder.

As he spun his head and body, he reached out his arm. Somehow he caught the tail of the monkey, who was screeching in terror; the young Prince was leaning half of his body over the railing, monkey swaying like a pendulum in his hand.

Hikaru felt himself teeter forward. Then he was falling. The sea, black as pitch seemed to open its maw to swallow him whole, roaring as it did. He wanted to scream, it was his first instinct. But the sound was caught in his tight throat.

Suddenly his shirt snagged, it tugged up into his neck. His body jolted against the new resistance, halting above the churning water.

Kiki still in his grasps, he raised his eyes, and gasped.

Chamū!

The sabertooth balanced on the thin railing, paws and nails attempting to curl and grip the slick and slim bar. Two shadows leapt over the railing, connecting to the side of the hull. Before he knew it Amaririsu and Hinata were on either side of him.

Then another wave submerged them all. And his world went black.

The world came back for a moment. Long enough to see Kiki cradled in his arms, to feel Chamū's soaked fur beneath his head, and to see Hinata, soaked to the bone, leaning over him; her hands trembled and a green hue glowed against her pale, soaked skin. Her mouth moved but he heard nothing.

He couldn't see anything else from his position. His eyes fell onto Kiki. A faint smile crept onto his numb lips.

Then his world returned to darkness.