Author's Note: Enjoy!

Bijū talk or think/Jutsu

"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Communication"

Flashbacks – Everything is slanted in flashbacks and Raiura's dreams

Summons Speaking (When they are not in the summoning world)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything other than my own creations and ideas.

Chapter 24

Slitted Gaze, Hidden Lineage

or

From Dream Grandma to Archive Chaos: Raiura's Day of "My Family Is Officially a Mess"

Raiura slid out of bed, the lingering chill of the dream still clinging to her like a damp shroud. The weight of Minori's revelations pressed down on her, a strange mix of awe and trepidation. She moved mechanically, her mind still replaying the ethereal encounter, the swirling vortex of power, the whispered secrets of her lineage.

As she entered the bathroom, the harsh fluorescent light of the mirror snapped her back to the present. She stared at her reflection, expecting to see the familiar cerulean blue of her eyes. But what she saw made her gasp.

Her pupils were slitted, a vertical, predatory slash in the vibrant blue. It wasn't a fleeting occurrence, a momentary flicker that sometimes happened when her emotions ran high. This was different. The slitted pupils remained, unwavering, like a permanent mark.

Raiura knew about this phenomenon. It happened at random times, a subtle shift that hinted at the Kyūbi's influence. But it always receded, returning her eyes to their normal, circular shape. This time, however, they were stubbornly fixed, a constant reminder of the powerful beast that resided within her.

She leaned closer to the mirror, examining the slitted pupils with a mixture of fascination and unease. The blue of her irises remained unchanged, a stark contrast to the dark, vertical slits that now dominated her gaze. It was as if she were looking at two different versions of herself, one human, one… something else. The black slits were exactly like the Kyūbi's.

A shiver ran down her spine. Was this a permanent change? Was the Kyūbi's influence growing stronger? Or was it something else entirely, a manifestation of the newfound power Minori had spoken of? The power of her ancestors, the Senju, the Namikaze, and the Uzumaki, all swirling within her, vying for control.

She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to shock her eyes back to normal. But the slitted pupils remained, staring back at her with an unnerving intensity. She looked less like herself, and more like a predator.

Within the swirling chaos of Raiura's mindscape, a low, guttural growl rumbled, shaking the very foundations of the mental realm. Kurama, the Nine-Tails, glared with undisguised fury at the ethereal form of Minori, who stood before him, her cerulean eyes, though still unfocused, radiating a calm that only fueled his rage.

"You!" Kurama snarled, his voice a thunderous echo. "You're supposed to be gone! I saw you die, felt your essence fade within that blasted Mito's seal! Your soul should be in the Pure World!"

He bared his teeth, the massive fangs gleaming in the dim light of the mindscape. "Unless…" he growled, a flicker of understanding dawning in his eyes, "that fool Tsubaki decided to alter her little soul-splitting trick this time."

Kurama's gaze narrowed, his eyes burning with suspicion. "You were supposed to be dead. Mito should be here, not you. What game are you playing, woman?" he roared, his voice shaking the mindscape. "What trickery is this?"

He remembered Minori. He remembered her warmth, her kindness, even amidst the chaos of her time. He remembered her gentle touch, her calming voice. He remembered the brief moments of peace she brought him, even as he was sealed within her. He also remembered her sacrifice, her willingness to bear the burden of his power, not as a weapon, but as a responsibility. He remembered her death, the agonizing fading of her life force as she gave birth to Minato.

And now, here she was, standing before him, radiating the same familiar warmth, the same unsettling calm. It didn't make sense. It defied the natural order of things.

"You're not supposed to be here," he repeated, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and confusion. "Explain yourself, woman. Now!"

Minori smiled, a radiant, familiar smile that instantly soothed the raging beast. Kurama's growls subsided, replaced by a low, almost bewildered rumble. He remembered that smile, the warmth it radiated, the calming effect it had on him.

"Kurama," Minori said, her voice soft and gentle, "I told Raiura I would be here when she needed me. And I am."

She gestured around the mindscape, her unfocused gaze seeming to take in every detail. "My presence here is… fluid. I can become invisible, a mere whisper in the currents of Raiura's mind. Or I can choose to remain, hidden, observing, ready to offer guidance when needed."

She paused, her smile turning slightly mischievous. "As for Raiura's eyes… they are a side effect, yes, but not solely of my awakening. They are a consequence of both my presence and the summoning of the Akuryō contract."

Minori's expression turned serious. "The slitted pupils, or their absence, will depend on Raiura's personality. As she grows, as she embraces her heritage, her personality will shift, sometimes dramatically, to align with her spirit animal, the Akuryō she has summoned. This is a natural progression. A reflection of the power she wields."

She then added, her voice dropping to a near whisper, "And finally, there is the choice… the path she can choose to walk. The path to becoming a half-demon. If Raiura chooses to embrace the power of the Akuryō, to fully integrate it into her being, she can transcend her human limitations."

Raiura, her reflection in the bathroom mirror still unnerving her with its slitted-pupiled gaze, decided to push the unsettling discovery aside for the moment. Training was on the agenda, as always, but a detour was necessary first. She had a mission, a quest for information about Minori, and she knew where to start.

"That stupid big brother of mine," she muttered under her breath, a hint of exasperation in her voice. Kakashi was her key to the Hatake Compound, a place she needed access to if she was going to find any records about Minori. He hadn't lived there since his father's death, choosing the solitude of his apartment instead. She sighed, knowing this wouldn't be easy.

"He's probably still asleep," she reasoned, picturing Kakashi's notoriously late mornings. "Which means I'll have to drag his lazy butt out of bed."

The Hatake Compound was off-limits without a member of the clan present, and she wasn't about to resort to breaking in. She needed legitimate access, and that meant dealing with Kakashi. She knew Hiruzen would have records of Minori, he had to, if this woman was as important as she seemed. If not then she would have been famous.

"This is going to be so annoying," she grumbled, already anticipating the inevitable eye-rolling and exasperated sighs from her brother. But she was determined. She needed answers, and she wasn't going to let Kakashi's habitual laziness stand in her way. She set off towards his apartment, a mixture of determination and annoyance fueling her steps.

Raiura marched towards Kakashi's apartment, her slitted pupils a constant, unsettling reminder of the dream and the secrets it unveiled. She felt a strange mix of impatience and anticipation, eager to find answers about Minori, yet dreading the inevitable confrontation with her perpetually late brother.

As she walked, a low rumble echoed in her mind, Kurama's voice cutting through her thoughts. "You know," he growled, his voice laced with amusement, "you're going to wake him, aren't you? The great Kakashi Hatake, disturbed from his slumber. This should be entertaining."

Raiura rolled her eyes mentally. 'Just be quiet, Kurama,' she retorted, her thoughts focused on the task at hand. 'I need to get into the Hatake Compound, and he's my only way in.'

Kurama chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that vibrated through her mind. "He's your brother, yet you treat him like a tool. Just like those fools in the council would have treated me."

Raiura ignored the jab, her attention fixed on Kakashi's apartment building. She reached his door and, without hesitation, began to pound on it. "Kakashi! Open up!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the quiet hallway. "I know you're in there!"

A muffled groan came from inside, followed by the sound of shuffling. The door creaked open, revealing Kakashi, his silver hair disheveled, his single visible eye half-lidded and radiating an aura of profound weariness. "Raiura," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "What's the… the disturbance?"

"I need you to take me to the Hatake Compound," she stated, her voice firm. "I need to look at some records."

Kakashi blinked slowly, his sleep-addled mind struggling to process her request. "Records? What… kind of records?" he asked, his voice trailing off.

"About Minori," she replied, her voice impatient. "I need to find out more about her."

Kakashi's eye widened slightly, then narrowed again, his expression shifting to one of mild curiosity. "Minori? Who's… Minori? And… are your eyes…?" he started, but then seemed to lose his train of thought.

"That's what I'm trying to find out!" Raiura exclaimed, exasperated, ignoring his question about her eyes. "Now, are you going to help me or not?"

Kakashi sighed, a long, drawn-out sigh that seemed to express the very essence of his weariness. "Fine," he grumbled, rubbing his temple. "But… you owe me. A nap. A really long nap." He then closed the door, and she heard him moving around, or rather, shuffling around, inside. After a few minutes, he opened the door, his hair slightly less disheveled, but his eye still half-lidded. They headed towards the compound, Kakashi moving with his usual, languid pace.

Kakashi, with a yawn that seemed to stretch the limits of his jaw, led Raiura through the familiar streets towards the Hatake Compound. His movements were slow, almost sluggish, as if he were still half-asleep. He offered no commentary, no questions, simply a silent, albeit lethargic, escort.

Upon reaching the compound gates, he produced a key from his pocket, unlocking the heavy doors with a minimum of effort. He ushered Raiura inside, then pointed towards a large, imposing building. "Archives are in there," he mumbled, then found a nearby bench and promptly sat down, his eyes already drifting shut. "Wake me when you're done," he murmured, his voice fading into a soft snore.

Raiura, ignoring his immediate descent into slumber, entered the archives. The room was vast, filled with towering shelves packed with scrolls and documents. Dust motes danced in the shafts of sunlight that filtered through the high windows, illuminating the countless records of the Hatake clan.

She began her search, her eyes scanning the labels on the shelves, her mind focused on finding any information about Minori. She moved methodically, her fingers tracing the spines of the scrolls, her frustration growing with each passing moment. There were records of every Clan Head, every significant event, every notable member of the Hatake clan, but no mention of Minori.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she spotted a scroll tucked away in a dusty corner. The label read: "Fifteenth Clan Head - Minori Namikaze." Her heart pounded with anticipation as she pulled the scroll from the shelf, unrolling it with trembling hands. This was it. This was the information she was looking for.

Raiura's eyes scanned the scroll, her breath catching in her throat as she absorbed the information.

Name: Namikaze-Hatake Minori

Birth: June 30, year is blurred

Death: January 25, year is blurred

Age: 23

Affinity: Lightning, Wind

Position: Jōnin, Clan Head

Team: -Storm Twin Duo -Team Satoshi

Family: -Hatake Saisakuya: 14th Hatake Clan Head: Father -Namikaze Manakayū: Mother -Hatake Sakito: Brother (Twin, Younger) -Hatake Taigākurō: Cousin -Senju Tōya: First Cousin Once Removed -Hatake Sakumo: Nephew: Son of Hatake Sakito -Hatake Kakashi: Grandnephew -Uzumaki-Senju Fujirama: Son: Elder -Namikaze Minato: Son: Younger

Raiura's mind reeled. Minori was a Namikaze-Hatake, a dual lineage. The year of her birth and death were blurred, the ink faded and smudged from disuse, hinting at the long years since the file had last been consulted. The age of 23 struck her. So young. A Jōnin, a Clan Head, and gone so soon.

The list of teams was intriguing. "Storm Twin Duo?" she murmured, wondering what that entailed. And "Team Satoshi" was equally mysterious.

But it was the family tree that truly captivated her. Minori's father, Hatake Saisakuya, was the previous Clan Head. Her mother was a Namikaze. This explained her dual lineage. Her brother, Sakito, was Sakumo's father, making Kakashi her grandnephew. And then, the names that made her heart pound: Uzumaki-Senju Fujirama and Namikaze Minato.

"Fujirama?" she whispered, the name unfamiliar. "Who is that?" Why was he listed as her elder son?

She reread the list, trying to piece together the fragments of information. Minori was Minato's mother, and her grandmother. But who was this elder brother? Why had no one ever mentioned him? And why was his name Uzumaki-Senju? This changed everything.

Raiura stared at the name "Uzumaki-Senju Fujirama," the unfamiliar syllables echoing in her mind. A sudden jolt of recognition pulsed through her. She remembered a fleeting, fragmented memory from one of her earliest dreams, a hazy tableau of Minori and Tobirama Senju engaged in a heated, yet ultimately amicable, conversation.

The memory, though brief and indistinct, was undeniably linked to the name on the scroll. Fujirama was someone Minori and Tobirama knew, someone they cared about. But who was he? And why was he Minori's eldest son?

A wave of questions crashed over Raiura. Why had no one ever mentioned Fujirama? Why was his name a combination of Uzumaki and Senju? And what had Minori and Tobirama been arguing about?

She felt a surge of urgency, a desperate need to find answers. Her first instinct was to seek out the Sandaime Hokage. Hiruzen, with his vast knowledge and long tenure, would surely know about Fujirama. But a flicker of doubt held her back. The Daimyo's recent revelations, the sense of hidden agendas and unspoken secrets, had eroded her trust in the old Hokage.

"I can't trust him right now," she muttered, her eyes fixed on the scroll. She needed to find another source of information, someone who could provide answers without hidden motives. But who? And where could she turn?

Raiura, her brain still doing mental gymnastics over Fujirama and Minori's mysterious past, decided, "Okay, mystery time is over for now." She shoved the scroll back where she found it, like a library book she'd borrowed and was returning late. "I'll get back to you, weird family secrets," she muttered, patting the shelf.

'Ugh, seriously, though,' she thought, 'who is this Fujirama guy? And why does my family have to be so complicated?'

A low rumble echoed in her mind. "Complicated? You think your family is complicated?" Kurama scoffed. "Try being sealed inside a human for decades. That's complicated."

'Yeah, yeah, I get it, you have a hard life,' Raiura mentally retorted, rolling her eyes. 'But I have more pressing matters, like, you know, not letting the Uzumaki Compound turn into a giant mess before the Kage show up.'

"Kage, huh? Bunch of pompous windbags," Kurama grumbled. "Just make sure they don't touch my chakra reserves."

"I'm on it," Raiura replied, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Anyway, I have to do a round of 'are you still alive and do you need more snacks?' checks on the teams still chilling at the compound. Then, I need to make sure their rooms are stocked with, like, actual necessities, and not just empty ramen cups and half-eaten dango. The Kage are coming, and they probably wouldn't appreciate a 'lived-in' aesthetic."

"Hmph. Humans," Kurama muttered, but his voice was quieter now.

"Okay, operation 'Don't embarrass the Uzumaki Clan' is a go," she declared to herself, exiting the archives. She spotted Kakashi still snoring on the bench, looking like a silver-haired pillow. "Eh, he's earned his nap," she shrugged, and left him to his dreamland.

She marched towards the guest quarters, mentally running through her checklist. "Okay, teams, supplies, Kage-proofing... and maybe I'll sneak some extra snacks for myself," she thought, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Because, you know, running a compound is hard work, and dealing with a grumpy fox in my head is even harder."

In Akuryō, within the sprawling, cloud-piercing peaks of Skylands, the home of the Griffin Demon Clan, Rias and Satoshi stood before Kyōfū, the Juichi no Gurifin. The air crackled with a subtle energy, a tangible sense of power that emanated from the elder griffin. Kyōfū, her feathers shimmering with an iridescent sheen, had summoned them for reasons yet unknown.

Her golden eyes, sharp and perceptive, scanned their faces. "I have called you here," she began, her voice a low, resonant rumble, "because I have felt an… unnatural feeling in the wind."

Rias and Satoshi exchanged a glance, a silent question passing between them. They knew Kyōfū was deeply connected to the very essence of Skylands, her senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the environment. If she sensed something amiss, it was undoubtedly a cause for concern.

"The wind," Kyōfū continued, her gaze drifting towards the distant, swirling clouds, "is not merely a force of nature. It is a living entity, a network of energy that connects us all. And lately, that network has been… disturbed."

She turned her attention back to them, her eyes filled with a grave seriousness. "There is a guardian," she explained, "a griffin I trust implicitly, who watches over the Wind Gem. A giant crystal, a conduit of the wind's power, directly connected to my own being. It is a well-known fact among the higher ranks of Akuryō. The gem and its guardian are vital to the balance of Skylands."

"This guardian," Kyōfū elaborated, "is a griffin of exceptional strength and wisdom. But even the strongest can be deceived, or overwhelmed. I have felt a tremor in the gem's energy, a dissonance that troubles me."

"I do not believe the guardian has faltered," she stated, her voice firm, "but I cannot ignore this feeling. I want you two to investigate. Go to the Wind Gem, speak with the guardian, and assess the situation. If there is a threat, you must neutralize it."

"This is not a mission to be taken lightly," Kyōfū warned. "The Wind Gem is a source of immense power, and any disturbance could have far-reaching consequences. Be vigilant. Be cautious. And trust your instincts."

Rias and Satoshi nodded, their expressions serious. They understood the gravity of the situation. The Wind Gem was a vital component of Skylands' stability, and any threat to its integrity had to be addressed swiftly and decisively.

"We will not fail you, Kyōfū-sama," Rias said, her voice filled with determination.

Satoshi echoed her sentiment, his expression resolute. "We will investigate thoroughly and report back with our findings."

Kyōfū nodded, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Good. The guardian's aerie is located in the highest peaks, where the winds are strongest. You will find them there."

She paused, her gaze softening slightly. "Be careful," she added, her voice laced with a hint of concern. "The winds can be treacherous, and the unknown can be even more so."

With a final nod, Rias and Satoshi turned and departed, their minds already focused on the task ahead. They knew the journey would be perilous, but they were determined to fulfill their mission and protect the Wind Gem.

End of Chapter 24

Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed! See you in the next one!

Bye loves,

Slivia