Here is a new story for the GrimmFall universe~! :3

nightmaster000: Again, love the reviews! X3 First off, no, Minato can't catch a break indeed~! XD But good thing for them the sensor network foiled the Hooded Claws plans. XD And I can't not include Dracon, not since he is a major player now. :3 And for the Anthill Mob, you will have to see what I have planned... ;3

merendinoemiliano: Thank you! :3

1800009trumbullpsnet: Thank you! :3

GCD: You will see in time what I have planned with the Hooded Claw... XD And yeah, the whole sensor network thing I had planned to pull out for a while. XD

Titanic X: Thanks. :3

NOTE: I have mentioned Penelope's mother is, in fact, dead in this fic. This chapter mentions Penelope assuming her mother is alive. This is, in fact, a coping mechanism for Penelope, to deny her mother is dead. This will be vital to a 'spectacular' confrontation to come in a few chapters~! X3

Note: If any reader has an account, please use that to review. If you do not wish to sign in to review, please at least put your account name so I can tell who you are. If you do not have an account, then please at least use a consistent name instead of 'Guest', as that makes the reviews seem impersonal to me.

The rest of the train ride to Denver went smoothly, although Minato couldn't help but get the feeling someone was watching him and Penelope for some reason.

The Denver Bullet-C pulled into the station, and Minato and Penelope left the train to head out and find their hotel.

The station where they had gotten off as more advanced than Minato had expected. He could see touch screen terminals for getting tickets, and even the TVs in the waiting areas for the trains were sleeker than other stations. All in all, the station was giving off a futuristic, yet modern feel.

"Here we are, Denver Station!" Penelope said eagerly to Minato before she grabbed his hand and began to pull the poor Shinobi along, startling him.

"H-hey! Penelope! Cut it out!" Minato yelped as he tried to yank his hand free from the heiress's sudden grasp.

Penelope realized she had been too eager to show her bodyguard around and released his hand, feeling sheepish about her sudden actions. "Sorry..." She apologized.

"Geez... give a guy some warning next time, will ya?" Minato muttered, rubbing his sore wrist, only to feel something wet. He pulled back his sleeve and saw the red, raw part of his skin on his wrist was torn slightly and bleeding now. Seeing this, Minato realized his injured wrist had been made even worse and he knew he had to get it taken care of right away.

Penelope, upon seeing Minato's reaction, couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. "Is something wrong?"

Minato blinked as he looked at Penelope before shaking his head. As long as they got to the hotel, he should be able to treat the new injuries without worrying the girl. Minato gave Penelope a small smile. "No, things are fine." He said, trying to reassure her; he felt bad for deceiving her, but he didn't need her to worry about him when the injuries were so minor.

Penelope smiled at his words. "That's good to hear." She said, taking what he had said at face value.

Minato felt his gut twisting at the fact Penelope had just accepted what he had told her as fact. It made him feel sick in a way he had never felt before. Even when he had been with Kushina and had often tried to hide any injuries or exhaustion from her, she had picked up on it right away; some part of him had taken comfort in that and had never thought anything of it due to being raised in a village of Shinobi. Minato realized he had never thought about how a civilian would react to his hiding things from them. But now that he was thinking about it, he felt his stomach twisting uneasily, and it made Minato feel really off, like he was actually feeling guilty for his deceptions. Minato felt it was odd he was feeling guilty for doing something that just came so second naturedly to him.

Shaking his head, the former Hokage forced himself to return to the present, not dwell on things he could think about when at the hotel.

The form watched the two blondes walk to their hotel from the shadows. To the form, it seemed like things were going well, especially given who was after the female. As if on cue, the form saw the familiar purple-cloaked form of the Hooded Claw approaching the hotel's main entrance, just behind the two blondes.

A sigh escaped the cloaked form before 8 objects shot out from under the cloak and sped towards the hotel. While the two blondes entered the hotel, as soon as they were inside and the doors shut, the familiar beam prism barrier flared into existence, causing the Hooded Claw to ram into it; he dismissed the beam barrier right after, his fin funnels darting away. A low chuckle escaped him as he watched the Hooded Claw look around, trying to figure out why he hadn't been able to enter the hotel's main entrance.

'It's always a good day when that happens.' The form mused before disappearing back into the shadows as the Hooded Claw ran in his direction. But when the villain got there, his adversary was long gone...

The Hooded Claw frowned as he picked up no sign of the one who had caused him to ram into some sort of barrier jutsu. Or was it even a barrier jutsu at all? It had felt oddly solid for a barrier jutsu...

Shaking his head, the Hooded Claw decided to get back to the mission at hand, which was to kidnap Penelope and off her bodyguard, just the usual in a day's work for him.

In the hotel room, Penelope and Minato were finally getting settled in. Penelope wanted to watch TV while Minato had said he needed to get cleaned up, which, in a sense, was true. With that in mind, the two had set about doing their own things.

Minato had just finished getting dressed after his shower, and was now currently wrapping his wrists in bandages, if only to keep them from bleeding anymore than they already were. He knew only a few mediocre healing jutsu, which were not as potent as he would've liked, so that meant he had to hold off on trying to heal his own wrist injuries and just let them heal naturally instead.

Finally, Minato got the bandages on and secured. He sighed before he lowered his sleeves, which would cover his injured wrists until they could heal. 'There... That should do it. Hopefully Penelope won't see the bandages, and I can just let this pass easily.'

However, Minato was all too aware that anything could happen, so he didn't get his hopes up too high. For all he knew, Penelope could see the bandages and then she would be worried about him, and that he didn't want.

Minato exited the bathroom and walked over to sit down on the couch. Penelope looked over and saw her bodyguard coming over and sitting down. His spiky blonde hair was sopping wet and not sticking up like it normally did. It was an odd sight that made her giggle.

Minato glanced at Penelope, wondering why she was giggling as he raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

"Just how you look with sopping wet hair." Penelope replied with another giggle escaping her.

Shaking his head, water was flung from Minato's wet hair onto Penelope who squeaked in surprise at the wet drops hitting her. "Hey!"

Minato couldn't help but chuckle at Penelope's reaction. Deep down inside, Minato found her squeaks cute. A rush of embarrassment flashed through the former Hokage as he realized what he was thinking. Minato shook his head gently as he closed his blue eyes tightly. He wasn't going to fall for the girl, he wasn't, not after losing Kushina! It was too soon! He hadn't even had time to truly process his late wife was truly gone yet! He was not going to use Penelope as a replacement for Kushina! He wasn't!

The former Hokage felt his stomach twist uncomfortably at the idea of possibly falling head over heels for the heiress. She didn't deserve someone like him, someone who was a trained killer, who had condemned someone to a life worse than being poor and homeless. She deserved someone of an upstanding position in society, not him, a trained assassin who had made the worst decision of his life in a previous universe.

Minato was so caught up in his self-loathing and memories, he actually jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder. His head snapped up to see concerned black eyes meeting his own lost blue ones. "Are you okay?" Penelope asked in concern.

Shakily, Minato nodded. "Yeah... I was just caught up in my memories..." He replied, trying to keep things vague.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Penelope asked.

At once, Minato became defensive and his eyes took on a guarded look. "No, and that's final." He said, his tone short and sharp. He was clearly not in a reminiscing mood.

Penelope pouted at his tone. "Why are you do rude when it comes to your past?"

Minato gave Penelope a hard glare. "Maybe because I don't want to talk about it."

"Why not?" Penelope asked, clearly sick of his defensive attitude. "It's not that bad, is it?"

Minato felt a flash of anger rushing through him. He desperately wanted to snap at her, to say everything on his mind, that his heart was screaming at him to reveal, but he squashed that urge as hard as he could. He had to remember (and keep in mind) she didn't know his real past, and he was going to make damn sure she didn't learn it, ever.

"I... went through some experiences I don't want to remember." Minato admitted at last. If she was going to ask, he could at least tell her that, which was true in so many ways.

Penelope's eyes softened as the slight scowl left her face. "I'm sorry... I didn't know..."

"Maybe you need to think about why someone would want to remain quiet about something next time before asking." Minato huffed before he looked away from her and out the door leading to the balcony outside their room.

Penelope realized Minato was right. She hadn't considered if there was a reason why he would want to keep quiet about his past. And yet, at the same time, it only made Penelope want to know more about the mysterious blonde. Like who trained him, why there were no records of him in any database, what kind of life he lived before meeting her, etc. But whenever Minato was asked about his past, he was either evasive about it, vague at best, or downright changing the subject at worst.

The few things Minato had revealed about his past were not really enough to tell her just who he really was. All Penelope knew about her guard was that he was an orphan, was trained by ninja in the arts of using a unique energy known as chakra (not the seven chakras), and had lost someone named Kushina, whom he was very close to. He also hadn't known what Grimm or an Aura were, the latter of which was unusual, but it wasn't unheard of for some people to not know what an Aura was. It was the former, not knowing what Grimm were, that stood out to Penelope. Everyone knew what Grimm were and where they came from, so for someone to not know that... It meant the person had either been so sheltered they didn't know, or the person just hadn't been told, but the latter was impossible because all people were told about the Grimm, and with Minato being an orphan, the former was also impossible since even an orphanage's staff and matron with explain the Grimm to the orphans living there.

All of this racing around in Penelope's mind made her wonder just what Minato was hiding from her, and why he was doing so.

The form watched the two blondes from inside another building. Things seemed calm, but there was no telling when the Hooded Claw could strike again. He had to be ready, just in case...

In the hotel room, Minato sighed as he stood up. Deciding to get some fresh air, the former Hokage stepped out onto the balcony and stood there, his hands resting on the railing as he watched the sun setting. The wind teased his still damp hair, gently drying it. The red sunset reminded him of Kushina's bright red hair, bringing tears to his eyes. He closed his eyes as he looked down, his eyes becoming hidden by his hair. Tears threatened to fall, to run down his cheeks, but he held them back. He wasn't going to cry, no way! He wasn't going to show the emotional turmoil he was experiencing. He couldn't. Not now, not when Penelope needed him at his best.

He had to be ready for anything, for any plot the Hooded Claw would come up with. Deep down, Minato knew what he was going to do was a bad idea, but he needed to distract himself from the approaching day that was a few weeks away. In about 4 weeks time, it would be October 10th, the day of his son's birth and his own, and his wife's... death. He had to stay distracted so as to not get drawn into his past. He didn't want to dwell on it when he had a job to do. It would only dull his reactions and sharpness as a Shinobi.

Minato always threw himself wholeheartedly into whatever he was doing; it was why he had developed the Rasengan in three years and why he had become a seal master at such a young age. It was also why he had become Hokage at such a young age as well. And he was going to do so again, just to become the best bodyguard he could for the teenage heiress.

Taking a shaky breath, the blonde let it out in a similar manner. He had to remain calm, keep his emotions separate from himself while he was on duty as Penelope's bodyguard. He would be the perfect bodyguard, the perfect defender, the silent assassin and killer of those who threatened her.

His mind made up, Minato stood up straight and entered into the hotel room. For now, he would let himself show his emotions one last time before he became the perfect guard for Penelope. Then it was all business...

It was two days into their stay at Denver when Penelope noticed something was different about Minato. There was a different air about him, like he had... changed in a way, and not in a good way. Something about him unsettled her now. The heiress was used to seeing him openly smile and even joking around with her. The cute way he would blush when he stammered around her or tried to hide his blush from her never showed up, which she found herself missing big time.

When Minato did speak with her, he was always professional. When he did smile, it wasn't a genuine one; it felt forced. The way he was so silent was unnerving as well, like he was trying too hard to be someone else. However, his efficiency as her bodyguard never faltered, and even seemed to increase, which made Penelope wonder just who Minato really was. What part of him was the real Minato, and what part was fake? Was this side of her bodyguard the real Minato?

Penelope shook her head. She had to remember he was hired by her ever caring guardian Sylvester Sneekly. He wouldn't've hired an emotionless assassin! Her guardian only wanted the best for her, and Minato had been open with his emotions when around her. She figured the other blonde was just focusing more on his job. Yeah, it had to be that.

It was getting close to the day her mother had been injured in the attack that had almost cost her her life too. In a few weeks, on October 10th, Penelope would be seeing her mother released from the hospital.

The day of the store opening, Penelope did her job as expected, and Minato was there at her side, her ever present protector and guard. The store opening went without a hitch, and the two blondes were soon walking back to the hotel. It was dark and night, but that didn't matter to Minato or Penelope. The former Hokage was on high alert, keeping his senses open for any attempt to hurt his charge.

Penelope looked back at Minato and smiled. "You don't have to so tense, you know. The store opening is done and over with, so there's no need to keep being so alert."

"You never know when the Hooded Claw could strike, Ms. Pitstop." Minato replied in that professional tone of his; Penelope felt her heart sinking when he didn't call her by her name. She missed hearing her name said by him. Not only that, but the male blonde's face was emotionless, which put Penelope on edge; she missed seeing him showing his emotions so openly.

"I suppose so..." Penelope agreed before she remembered something. "Oh! My mama will be released from the hospital in a few weeks!"

Minato stopped upon hearing that. For him, to hear that was a big surprise. As far as he knew, Penelope's mother was dead! In fact, it had made the news several years back. He couldn't stop the sheer surprise that crossed his face despite his best attempts to hide it. "Wait... what?"

"Yeah, she will be released from the hospital on October 10th." Penelope replied like it was the simplest thing in the world.

"She... will be released?" Minato asked, trying to make sure he was understanding this correctly. "But... if that's the case, then why did the newspapers say she... didn't survive her 'accident'?"

"Where did you hear that?" Penelope asked, confusion crossing her features.

Minato scowled; he couldn't believe this girl. She really thought her mother, who had been killed by a train, was alive? If she truly did think that, then she needed a heavy dose of reality to make her see the truth.

"It made the news." Minato replied in a calm tone of voice; he may have seemed calm on the outside, but inside he was frustrated with Penelope and her simple-minded views of the world.

"Really? Mama dying?" Penelope asked in a confused tone.

"Yes." Minato said through gritted teeth.

"That's not what I heard." Penelope replied. "I heard she was still alive and in the hospital."

"And when did the hospital say she would be released?" Minato asked, trying to keep himself in control of his temper. He was a Shinobi, he couldn't afford to lose control of his emotions.

"In four weeks." Penelope replied with a smile. "I can't wait to have her meet you!"

Minato actually took a couple of steps back at that last statement. "You... Are you kidding me?!"

"Nope! Mama would be so happy to meet you!" Penelope gushed.

Minato gritted his teeth as he clenched his fists tightly, tight enough to actually cause his healing wounds on his wrists to start to bleed again. "Are you for real?" He asked, a flash of his emotions showing on his face; Minato didn't even bother to hide his anger. "You really believe your mom is still alive?!"

"Why wouldn't I?" Penelope shot back, feeling her own anger rising. "She has been promising to come home each year, but she hasn't yet, so can you blame me for wanting to see her again!?"

Minato growled, something sharp in his mouth flashing briefly. Penelope blinked as she stared at Minato in surprise. Was it just her or did his canine teeth look just a bit too long and sharp for a human?

"Your mom is-" Minato was cut off by Penelope.

"Is alive and coming home in a few weeks." The heiress stated firmly, not even giving the former Hokage a chance to speak what was on his mind.

Minato's hands clenched so tightly, he was drawing blood from his palms. He opened his mouth to speak when his sixth sense for danger kicked in and he reacted, shoving Penelope to the ground as a large brick barely missed both of their heads. 'Of all the... Damn it! Not now!' Minato thought as he looked back over his shoulder. He only had his kunai with him, as his shuriken pouch had not been retrieved from the Hooded Claw, so all he had were explosive tags, his kunai, ninja wire, a flashbang or two, and his seals and scrolls with extra stuff in them.

Reaching for a kunai, Minato pulled it out; the kunai was a regular one (he didn't want to waste his special kunai if he could help it).

Getting to his feet, Minato looked around for any sign of the attacker. The sound of shuriken whirling through the air forced Minato to block the throwing stars with his kunai. Minato recognized those shuriken as his own from his missing shuriken pouch. 'Damn it! Someone is using my own shuriken against me!' Minato thought bitterly.

Glancing to his left, Minato saw the form of someone in a cloak that was torn and tattered running off into the shadows. Minato looked at Penelope. "Get back to the hotel. I will be there once I take care of that attacker." He instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. With that said, Minato took off after the attacker.

He was running, the cloak doing its job of hiding his true form. It also helped it looked like the cloak the' lair's' inhabitant wore. He was grinning as he ran and ran, making sure the blonde human was keeping him in his sights. This was too easy, he mused.

He made sure to throw a few more shuriken at the amateur ninja. The blonde human blocked them with his kunai easily.

He reached the alleyway where his other half would meet up with him. Soon, the Dragon would do the dirty work for them, and the heiress would be left defenseless. It was a foolproof plan.

He made sure to target the Dragon with a few shuriken. It was a foolproof plan; attack the Dragon and lure the big guy into an alleyway where his other half would lead the blonde bodyguard.

It was easy to get the Dragon's attention. All he had to do was throw the shuriken, and the weapons had gotten the Hunter's attention. Now he was being pursued by the Dragon himself, and the plan was coming together.

He ran into the alleyway where his other half was waiting. He saw the blonde coming and grinned before throwing the shuriken pouch down to the ground. The two of them then bolted, just as the Dragon made his appearance...

Dracon hadn't expected to be suddenly attacked by ninja stars of all things, but he had been. He had just been minding his own business walking down the streets of Denver after dark when someone had gotten it into their head that it would be a good idea to provoke the Dragon of Denver.

After the sudden assault, Dracon had given chase to his attacker. It wasn't hard to keep track of the person who had attacked him; it was difficult to see who it was though due to the attacker wearing a cloak of sorts.

Dracon kept on the trail of his attacker, trying to remain hidden from the man's sight. It was a lot easier since the two were running through a crowded city street. The man suddenly came to a stop, whirling around and tossing a shuriken the Gundam's way. Dracon reacted swiftly and ducked behind a nearby bus as his opponent skidded behind a parked tractor trailer truck. He crouched down and pulled his beam magnum free from its holster on his side skirt armor and leaned out, firing a single shot as another shuriken was hurled his way. The man and Gundam both retreated behind their respective shields, Dracon flinching as his adversary's weapon clanged off the side of the bus with a shower of sparks. His beam magnum's shot, on the other hand, exploded against the façade of the building closest to the tractor trailer truck, and his opponent retreated from the attack.

Dracon was in pursuit shortly after. As he ran, his optics narrowed dangerously as he expanded his sensors to keep track of the attacker. He could already get an idea of what his opponent was trying to do, and Dracon snorted.

'Nice try in luring me into a trap!' he thought. 'But too bad. I know this city better than you do.'

He ducked down an alleyway, emerging through it into a new intersection, this one under construction. The man weaved through the barricades as Dracon vaulted over pieces of pipe and concrete with ease. The sensations of the Gundam's powerful hydraulics always sent shivers down his spinal struts as it was proof that he was so much more than a mere human now, and it also reminded him of just why he was a Hunter now in the first place. He shook his helm and drove those thoughts from his processor. He had a mission, and he needed to focus.

The Gundam followed the attacker into an alleyway, only to come to a stop when he saw what looked like a blonde-haired man holding a pouch full of ninja stars and holding a cloak that was gray in color. The mech growled as he realized this had to be his attacker.

The only problem was he had no idea as to what this man was capable of. That meant he couldn't let his guard down even for one moment. Dracon scurried over to a nearby dumpster and ducked down behind it, crouching so he wasn't visible to the man's sight.

He waited to see what his opponent would do next.

The blonde-haired man looked around, as if in confusion.

Dracon snorted to himself mentally. He was not falling for this ploy, not this time.

Minato had been chasing his and Penelope's attacker into an alleyway, following the unknown person into the darkened pathway between buildings. But when Minato reached the location, all he saw was a gray cloak on the ground and his shuriken pouch placed on top of it. Scowling, Minato made his way into the alleyway and picked up his shuriken pouch. It felt somewhat lighter, indicating some of the contents had been used. Kneeling down, the former Hokage frowned as he picked up the cloak. He couldn't tell who had been wearing it at first glance, but the use of his chakra to enhance his senses told him it was a slightly musty scent, combined with the scent of dirt and a hint of a high quality perfume, lavender to be exact. Minato frowned a bit more at the odd scent combination. And yet... it was also familiar in a way.

Standing up, Minato looked around the alleyway, confusion on his face. It was clear this was a dead-end, so he couldn't tell where the attacker had gone. Walking into the alleyway further, Minato tried to find any sign of the mysterious assailant. "Where did he go?" Minato wondered aloud to himself. "I know he ran in here..."

The former Hokage scowled as he realized there was no way he was going to find the attacker who had attacked him and Penelope. 'So much for being the perfect bodyguard...' Minato thought bitterly. Already he had slipped up, and it was due to his and Penelope's arguing.

He was about to turn around and leave when his sixth sense kicked in. Minato ducked as a shot of energy missed his head, but barely. Whirling around as quickly as he could, Minato didn't see anything, which made him grit his teeth in frustration.

'Dang it... where did that energy shot come from?!' Minato wondered to himself.

Minato pulled out a regular kunai as he put his shuriken pouch back on his waist and then created a Rasengan in other hand. He had to be alert in case another energy shot came from nowhere.

Bright blue eyes flicked around to find the source of the energy blast, but to no avail. Minato didn't drop his guard though.

His eyes narrowed as he slowly peered around the alleyway, only for another energy shot to come his way. The blonde shinobi peeled to the right, his keen gaze locking onto a dumpster a few meters away, a figure crouched just to the side of it...!

He tossed the kunai right for the attacker, forcing them to duck back behind cover. The shape shifted behind their shield before the barrel of a strange gun poked up over the top, the figure's cloaked head locking onto his location, and then they fired, sending a pinkish-red-blue energy shot right for him. The man leapt to the side, turning and rushing at the figure with the Rasengan held at the ready.

He didn't even bother to let out a scream. Instead he lunged, thrusting his hand out in front, the swirling chakra orb ready to make impact with the figure's head.

Only for the figure to duck with inhuman reflexes!

Minato was caught by surprise as the figure suddenly bolted from cover, moving much faster than a normal shinobi or human here for that matter. His eyes narrowed as he started to try and scan the cloaked attacker over for any sort of Faunus or Mobian features. But other than the uncanny reflexes and speed, there was no physical indicator of the two other species that lived in this world.

The figure skidded to a stop, holding its energy blaster in two hands and aiming it once more. A third energy shot streaked from the barrel and the shinobi was forced to grasp a smoke bomb before tossing it right at the figure. The small orb exploded, causing the figure to throw up an arm and allow the shinobi to escape. But during that time, however briefly, he had seen a humanoid shape beneath. However, due to the darkness, it was close to impossible to get a good visual of the figure.

A nagging feeling began to fill his brain, but he ignored it as he dismissed his Rasengan and activated his chakra, using it to cling to the side of one of the many skyscrapers here. He looked down, his eyes narrowing as he watched the figure scanning for his location.

Dracon was caught off guard when he saw the man lunge for him, a swirling bluish-white orb visible in the palm of one of his hands.

It was only due to his mechanical nature that he was able to duck below the orb before it collided with his helm. As it stood, it barely missed his V-fin and ruffled his cloak's hood. The Gundam broke into a run, dashing past the blonde attacker and whipped out his beam magnum. He grasped the gun and pulled the trigger a few seconds later, using his targeting systems to keep tabs on his opponent.

He was further surprised when the man pulled out a small white orb before hurling it at the ground, creating a smokescreen that caused him to shield his optics with his arm. Although in reality he didn't even need to rely on them because of his sensors, but still...

His psychoframe pulsed a few moments later and he glanced up, looking for the man.

'Where is he?!' Dracon thought to himself. His optics narrowed as he scanned for the man's signature. He shifted his vision to infrared, but nothing showed up until he glanced up, and his optics locked onto the man's heat signature as he was plastered right on the side of a skyscraper.

Realizing his attacker had the upper hand, Dracon decided to deploy his secret weapon. He aimed his beam magnum again and fired once more.

The man saw his attack incoming though and jumped off, the energy shot missing him completely.

Taking the chance, Dracon ducked behind another structure to hide. His secret weapon darted out from under his cloak, hovering around his form. Dracon took out some strong, but light cable and tied it to his secret weapon, one per end of the cable.

Peering out from behind his hiding place, Dracon saw the blonde attacker looking around for him. A mental smirk crossed Dracon's processors as he realized he had the element of surprise. Secretly, he had his fin funnels hover up before they were sent in the man's direction with a mere mental command.

Minato looked around for any sign of his cloaked attacker, but it was hard to find the individual in question. He growled to himself before he closed his eyes and knelt down, putting a finger down on the ground. As a sensor-type Shinobi, Minato knew he would be able to sense his attacker if they had their Aura awakened. 'If an Aura is similar to chakra, I should be able to sense it.' Minato reasoned.

However, Minato was surprised when he didn't sense an Aura or anything remotely similar. Opening his eyes, Minato stared at the ground in shock. 'But... How? I thought... Is it possible this person doesn't have their Aura awakened yet?'

Realizing it was possible, just extremely unlikely, Minato stood up. 'If that's the case, then I have my work cut out for me.'

Something whipped through the air, catching Minato by surprise as it reached his hearing. He looked around, only to feel something pull taut around his body. Glancing down, Minato realized that whatever had sped through the air had had cable tied to it, and now he was effectively trapped. He couldn't reach his kunai holster, and while he could just teleport out, he didn't want to expose his signature technique to his attacker. Still, Minato realized he had to, and if he had to finish off his attacker to hide it, then so be it; teleporting to Penelope was out of the question.

Squirming, Minato slowly reached for his kunai holster on his right leg. One of the cables wrapped around him though pulled upwards, hooking his right wrist in it so he couldn't reach down any further.

Heavy footsteps reached Minato's hearing.

Glancing up, Minato was surprised when he saw it was his attacker that was approaching him. He scowled as he gritted his teeth.

However, the more Minato glared at his attacker, the more he began to see something he couldn't understand. The moon above shone down, illuminating the form in silvery light. The cloak was almost glowing, and twin eyes gleamed, almost glowing as well. The cloak of his attacker then spread wide, making Minato's eyes widen as he saw a form that he never expected to see again. Pale skin, a large knife in one hand and beads in the other...

His breathing began to quicken as his heart rate began to skyrocket. Minato felt himself shaking as he stared down the Shinigami. He was sure he hadn't performed that jutsu! He knew he hadn't! Hell, he didn't even remember it! But yes, the Shinigami was before him, ready to claim his soul once more.

Minato felt light-headed as he tried to escape, but he couldn't think of what he could do to escape with all the primal fear filling his body. The last thing Minato saw was the Shinigami raising up its big knife to finish him off.

Dracon hadn't expected his attacker to pass out, especially since he hadn't done anything to the man yet. A sweatdrop ran down the side of the Gundam's helm as he wondered what had just happened.

'I... think I may have looked a bit too intimidating...' Dracon thought in embarrassment.

Minato and Penelope are in Denver! But while things go well for them at first, The Hooded Claw's plans kick into gear and Dracon and Minato meet! What will happen next? Read on to find out and review :3 Well, enjoy~! :3