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Kimiko's Time Skip part two!!


"I see, so you're leaving already?"

"Yes ma'am." Mikito said gruffly, "Thank you kindly for your hospitality."

Kimiko thanked her as well, her smile bright as she said "I'm glad I got to meet you
Hikari-san...I'm sorry about..." Hikari patted the girl's head affectionately.

"Don't worry Kimiko-san...I know you didn't mean any harm. You've got a good heart."
Kimiko glowed at the compliment, and Yukimaru and she headed for the door, only to
look back and see Mikito and Saijo hadn't moved.

"You guys go on ahead and wait for us by the road okay? I just wanted to ask Hikari-san
about the roads ahead. It'll only take a little bit."

Kimiko looked slightly curious, but nodded slowly, her trusting nature taking hold.
"Alright...um...we'll wait for you then. Come on Yuki-chan." Yukimaru nodded, and
followed as the two left the cottage.

For a moment...there was silence, before Mikito gave a slow, low sigh. He looked at
Hikari with the same intense eyes as before dinner. "What was it you wanted to know
Miki-kun?" Hikari inquired pleasantly.

Mikito seemed to be appraising her somehow. Then he spoke. "Those pictures on your
mantle...they look alot like a friend of mine." his hands were outside his pockets now, "In
fact, I'd say it WAS him...if I didn't know better." Saijo was actually keeping a hand near
his Kunai pouch. "Funny thing is, what I didn't tell Kimi there, is he let slip once to Saijo
and me that he was from this village. The last Survivor..he even told us this whole story
about why this happened...pretty big tradgedy you know." Hikari's smile didn;t falter at
all. "See, turns out though, his Mother's dead, she got killed by the people here, and
shortly after that everyone here got killed." he frowned. "My buddy though, he says he
didn't do it, says he was way to young, and that he didn't hate the people at all for what
they did...says...it was someone else...someone who he thinks has been following him for
a while now...with a black cloak." the black cloak hung up by the door seemed to take on
a new meaning now.

"What an interesting story." Hikari noted.

"See," Mikito looked grim. "Here's where it get's awkward...as a Shinobi, I'd be honor
bound if to arrest any mass murdering rogue nin I came across while on duty..." he looked
up at her seriously. "If I ran into this Mom of his, Hikari-san...what would you do in my
position?"

Hikari's smile was gone now, a serious. all to Xenon like expression on her face. "Walk
away." she said calmly. "And never say what you've discovered here to
anyone...particularly to Xen."

Mikito frowned. "See...that's not how I work." Saijo actually fell into a silent fighting
stance. "Threats just don't get through this thick skull of mine. You gotta actually prove
something to me before I listen to damn thing you say."

Hikari sighed looking somewhat weary. "And that would be?"

"You gotta prove to me that you're on Xen's side, and that him not knowing about you is
in his best interest." Mikito's chakra seemed to be alive in his coils now, his potential
anger just below the surface. "I don't really give a damn about following village law. I
follow my own code and killing a buncha a$$Holes who tried to kill me and mine don't
have any flack with it...but..." he looked over at the the mantle. "Xen's a friend of mine,
and if it comes down to loyalty to my friends versus the smart choice..." he reached up
and straightened his ski cap. "Well, I ain't about to stop livin wreckless now."

Hikari was silent for a moment, before the smile returned. "I see...Xen's made himself
some good friends."

Mikito gave a small smirk. "I don't know about good lady...but Xen spared my life. He
apparently thought their was something about this life of mine worth living, and I aim to
show him he wasn't wrong."

Hikari slowly shook her head, still smiling. "You may do as wish then..." she turned
away. "But know that knowing I'm alive will cause Xenon needless pain...and that I have
only ever wanted him to be happy."

The pair stared at her for a long time, before Mikito narrowed his eyes. "Hey Saijo...it's
too bad about Xen's Mom being dead huh?"

"Yeah." Atsuki confirmed dully.

Both turned and headed towards the door. "See you around Hikari-san."

"Yes..." the woman looked at the mantle, then the cloak on the wall. "Goodbye." So that
had been Sanako's little girl. She still couldn't believe it. The odds that the woman she
hated most's daughter, would be her own sons closest link. She smiled. But seeing the
girl, meeting her, she was nothing like he mother. Her heart was bright. Yes, she could
accept that girl as her sons friend, as his teammate. Perhaps that bright eyed girl could
accomplish what she could not...

**Excerpt end**

As they continuined along their journey, they at last arrived at the border village of
Konosuke. Another Team of Chuunin were escorting the most recent batch of refugee's,
while Kimiko's group was scheduled to take the next group. The Chuunin's actually
laughed that a group of Genin and a fresh Chuunin had been asigned such a mission,
Yukimaru's odd behavior further amusing them. That is, until one of them recognized
Kimiko. Apparently this Chuunin had been among the 5 that she had defeated in her
mother's mad training excercise not a week before Maboroshi had departed. This rattling
the other Chuunin, they weren't entirely sure they believed their teammate, but let it go.
As the team of Chuunin went on ahead of them, they waited around the village for a few
days, Kimiko of course keeping her training every morning, and actually having a few
encounters with the villagers of Konosuke, and befriending them.

At last the time came when the next group of refugee's arrived, and they set off back to
towards the capital, their intended destination. The entire mission really was quite simple,
but a day after they'd left Konosuke village, they recieved devastating news. The village
had been taken. Occupied by millitant deserters from the Daimyo's army, under the
command of a rogue officer. Having to make a difficult choice, Mikito chose to side with
Kimiko's decision to go back and help them. Leaving the refugee's with the Genin team
they'd gotten the news from, they went back against orders.

Scouting out the village with Kimiko's Shadow clones under Henge, they were able to
determine the enemies strength, and the fact that while they did have a good deal of
deserting soldiers with them, the only one's who seemed skilled in the ninja arts were the
Officer himself, a young upstart named Ryousei Edo, and his apparent confidante, who
they only heard refferred to as M.

With the help of the villagers, and combining their abilities, Mikito planned out and
conducted a battle to take back the village, Yukimaru finally showing that her general
weird assertions about killing were not just talk. Wielding Water Jutsu alongside Mikito's
wind, Atsuki's earth, and Kimiko's fire, the four Ninja rained the four elements on their
enemies in a single assault, their numbers bolstered by Kimiko's shadow clones. Kimiko's
abilities since her training had begun made her far more formidable then even her
teammates could believe. With her clones, and indeed most notably her Hien technique,
the girl's talent with the blade and immense chakra allowed her breeze through the enemy,
hastily cutting them through to the heart of the village, the villagers taking up arms to
assisst them. Ryousei Edo seemed to be waiting for them, his elites among his unit
around him, aswell as the enigmatic girl M.

**One who would seek to tear down the Gods**


Kimiko landed first in the square, jumping down from the roof tops ahead of the villagers
and her team, three of her clone's joining her, all with their Katana's drawn. Her emerald
eyes sought their foe wrathfully, eager to see the face of this... "Rogue Officer" she'd
heard so much about.

She didn't have to look very hard.

Sitting amidst all the pilfered property, in a chair she noted he'd taken from the elder's
home, sat a young man of 19 or so. He was dressed in the oficer's uniform of Fire
Country, but the colors had been stripped, and adorned now in gold thread across the
front, was the same symbol that had been emblazoned upon the other deserters. He had
vibrant blonde hair and startlingly silver eyes that reminded her of the steel of her blade,
and even a confident smirk to compliment them. Sipping from a cup of sake, the youth set
it aside as she arrived, handing it to one of the twelve elite soldiers that stood about him.
Kimiko even saw the stern young woman the Elder had mentioned standing just beside
him. Once his cup was handed off, the man actually had the audacity...to start clapping.

Kimiko and her clone's faces fell even more intense. That smug little- "Brava, Brava,"
The young man said with a dark charisma. "Stunning, I must say. Here I was expecting
my noble opponent from Oto to be a Jounin at the least...but I suppose I can settle for
Kimiko Momoe." Kimiko's eyes went slightly wide. How did know who she was? Had he
gotten something out of the villagers. Her silence seemed to speak for itself. "Oh come
now Miss Momoe, you sorely underestimate me. I have my contacts, I've been planning
this defection for quite some time. You didn't think I would face the threat of Oto
unprepared? You're Team four was actually among the top things that the grape Vine was
abuzz with about a year ago, when I started gathering my information. I've no doubt
you've grown even stronger since then." he rose to his feet, his very air as proud as one
who owned all he surveyed. "Still, I must admit I didn't expect Oto to be so...on the spot. I
wasn't able to smuggle out much of my needed supplies... my hat off to you for that."

Kimiko suddenly realized. "You never intended to hold the village."

The leader of the deserters gave a harty laugh. "Of course not? Who would be so mad as
to believe they could take a village without people taking note? Particularly a border
village, warzone or not." he looked at her and the villagers now arrayed behind her, her
teammate's now dropping down to block the exits. "No this was a temporary move, a way
to supply myself."

"So you're just a petty thief!" Mikito accused, preparing to form hand signs.

Again Ryousei laughed. "Certainly not no, a Petty thief would take only what they
wanted, I assure you I was quite impartial." he gestured around. "I intended to take
everything."

Kimiko gripped her blade tighter. "You b*****d...what did you hope to Achieve from this!
The Fire Country won't take you back even if you do bring them supplies. That jerk of a
Daimyo of yours doesn't have any mercy."

"Too true." Ryousei admitted with a slight of his head. "However you assume that I ran
away with any intention of returning." he smirked. "As I said, I've been planning this for
quite some time, gathering those in my unit loyal to me, planning which village.
Everything besides you're early arrival was all within my design."

Kimiko and her friends looked somewhat taken aback. "You actually wanted to be hunted
as a Deserter, Zam? But Momoe-senpai is correct, zam, what would you hope to achieve
by such a thing?"

The former officer shcoffed, still with a smile. "Please, I'd outgrown that pitiful country.
A true leader of men knows when to abandon a sinking ship for the sake of himself and
the future. Fire Country will fall into Ruin...you have my word on that. This war is the
mad designs of an inept fool, and it will soon he will soon collapse...The Daimyo has
made enemies of the world...and the world does not suffer fools, breed them perhaps, but
suffer them? No." his strange charisma really was remarkable, even as every soul
listening outside his followers was trying to hate him. "I am far too important to fall with
that man's design, so I merely removed myself from them."

Kimiko was still set into her stance, prepared to charge at the slightest sign. "And so
humble too." she said sarcastically.

"Being humble, is for people like them." he cast his hand at the villagers standing behind
her. "Just look at them, they were broken and shackled before you arrived, crumpling like
frightened children with no one to protect them, yet now they've a force to hide at the
heels of, they take up arms." he chuckled, drawing anger again from the surrorunding
crowd. "I am not so weak of heart." indeed one believed it as he faced them all down,
stepping a few feet ahead of his guards. "I am Ryousei Edo, Clanless, villagless, bereft of
home a hearth, I have made my way here from nothing, because I am better then them,
they who are content to remain insects under the foot those in power." he gestured at
them. "I ask you people of Konosuke. You've fought valiantly this day...you could have
done much even without the help of these shinobi, at the very least managed to escape
and find help...yet you did nothing." he smiled confidently. "Are you under the delusion
you would be anywhere but back in your bindings if these four had not come to aide you?
No, of course you aren't." The villagers were actually a mix of emotions now, some
growing even more angry, while others somewhat ashamed.

"They might have been able to fight," Kimiko countered in their defense. "But so many of
them might have lost their lives! Some stolen property wasn't worth dying over!"

Ryousei merely shook his head. "I suppose that's logic in it's own right. If one does not
shoot, one cannot miss..." he smirked again. "But one cannot win either. Let me ask you
this, would that have stopped you?" Kimiko didn't respond, to which he leered. "No I
thought not. I can see it in your eyes Miss Kimiko, the hunger for the stars." Again people
looked at him curiously. "Yes." he suddenly pointed upwards. "In this world, people like
us, people of influence, people of greatness, are so because we have in us the will to seize
the stars, to catch the heavens. One cannot aim at the ground and miss, yet we who aim
for the stars may someday just find what we are seeking."

"This guy's a loony, Zam." Yukimaru noted brandishing her spear.

"Seconded." Mikito called.

Kimiko though, was looking pensive. "So what is it that you want...to rule the world? Do
you really think you can? Are you that delusional?"

Ryousei merely shook his head. "I've no want or care for this world, It may turn at it's
leisure, so long as it adhere's to my strength." he clenched his fist with meaning. "My goal
is much greater...you see I will tear down the gods from the heavens themselves, I will
become the unchallenged god of this world, definition, that of which no greater can be
conceived. That is my determination, the destiny I have chosen for myself. That is the
future." While he said all this with absolute certainty, Kimiko merely grit her teeth.

"Do even get how crazy you sound!? I know someone who wants to be the strongest too,
but he's not FREAK about it!"

Ryousei merely shook his head. "And that is why he will fail, and I will succeed him. My
will is my weapon, and it is sharper then any blade you may wield." he drew a katana at
his own waist. "So you would try to block my escape? You would seek to break me? I
accept you challenge! And know with the utmost assurances...that you will fail."

Kimiko gave a small sigh. She didn't know if this guy's determination was a strength, or
borderline retarded. He seemed to think he already was God...seemed to disregard the
idea he could be flawed. Well...she'd show him. "Have it your way!" Kimiko and her
clone's yelled. With a charge, she, Mikito, Saijo, and Yukimaru attacked, Ryousei and his
guards stepping into action as well. The elites were definitely stronger than the others,
and they seemed skilled in the ninja arts to some degree, the men able to hold off the
villagers, Saijo, and Yukimaru by themselves, though they weren't nearly skilled enough
to hold off Mikito and Kimiko. With three blinding slashes Kimiko cut herself a path and
charged Ryousei, Mikito having blasted himself a path with his wind Jutsu. As one they
attempted to coordinate their strike, aiming to finish the overconfident upstart
quickly...only to have a stone wall block their efforts. Kimiko jumped back quickly, one
of her clones being dispersed as the rock wall shattered, and the young woman burst
through, firing hunks of the rock at them with her chakra, which was now glowing about
her silouette. It seemed the elders guess had been right. Just like Kimiko, the girl had an
incredible supply of Chakra. Ryousei was looking rather unruffled as the girl stepped
before him protectively, her crimson eyes retaining their stern nature. "My lord, you
should retreat now, I shall hold them off and rejoin you shortly."

Ryousei smiled. "Indeed, that would be prudent, I cannot afford to die here." he jumped
back unto one of the roof tops. "Neither can you though M...see that you do not fall." he
turned to flee, Mikito jumping on high after him, propelling himself past M's defenses
with wind jutsu to give pursuit. M started to hurry off to intersect him, but a blazing ball
of fire suddenly rushed towards her, forcing her to evade. Landing on the side of one of
the houses, she quickly had to dodge yet again, Kimiko's remaining clone lunging forth
and cutting the stone she'd been secured not a seconds breath after she'd left it. Kimiko
herself jumping in to compliment her clone's efforts, Ryousei's apparent right hand was
practically having to dance her way about the roof tops now, the twin blades of Kimiko
and her clone whisking always just a movement behind her. M's skills showed themselves
again as she preformed a flip, sending a stone wall up through the roof and slamming
Kimiko's clone in the midriff, also having evaded it's strike. The Clone vanished and
Kimiko seemed to take a defensive stance, her foe doing the same.

"You are skilled indeed," M admitted. "However...you'll have...to...do..." suddenly her
face sweat and she clutched her midriff,a long slash blossoming blood into her own
uniform. "B-but...that's impossible...I dodged..."

Suddenly though, she saw the glowing rim of chakra admitting from Kimiko's sword.
Kimiko shifted to depectively laz stance. "The Hien technique... you avoided the blade,
but not the chakra." Kimiko had to admit she was pretty impressed though, the cut was
shallow as a result, and she would be shocked if M wasn;t still more than ready for a
fight.

"Clever..." M took her own stance back up again, "But you won't defeat me..I must
Protect master Ryousei..."

Kimiko's brow twitched slightly, annoyance entering her expression. "Why would you
fight for someone like that? He's crazy, but worse then that he's blind to other people."
she swung her sword at the air. "There's nothing wrong with being weak. The Strong
shouldn't penalize people just because they aren't strong enough to stand on their own! So
these people aren't warriors, that's what the strong are for, so they don't have to be!"

M blinked. "I believe their is truth in what you say."

"So why!?" Kimiko demanded.

"Because..." the young woman seemed almost to think it was obvious. "I love him."

If Kimiko had been expecting an answer, it certainly wasn't that. Her guard was almost
completely thrown off. "What?" she seemed suddenly flustered. "But...why?" she asked
almost helplessly.

M seemed unbothered. "You've never been in love before have you...why is not a
question one can apply to it...it is merely so." the cold girl's face smiled. "Thus, I will help
him achieve his dreams...so long as I am by his side...I am happy."

A shadow fell over Kimiko's eyes. "Is that...love?" she looked suddenly angry. "No! I
refuse to acknowledge that love! Blind Dedication to somone isn't love!" she pointed her
sword at the girl. "I won't allow someone like you, someone who's a slave to such a thing
beat me!"

M merely formed a hand sign. "You would...deny my love for my master? Then let us
see...we shall see who is stronger, who's conviction has brought them greater power."

Kimiko lunged foward, he sword whistled in the air as the girl evaded, her chakra rushing
forth as he broke large chunks of stone from the houses, hurling them with her will at
Kimiko, who with a powerful of Chakra of her own summoned four Shadow clones into
being, the girl's own chakra resources finally being tapped into. As two of the clones and
Kimiko rushed forth, two more jumped to send a twin blast of Grand Fire balls ahead of
them, the trio attacking with their blades in the fire's wake. While M was able to call forth
a wall to black the fire balls, the attacks destroyed the wall, knowing her off balence as
Kimiko and the two other clones rushed through to attack her. The girl's metal bracer's
aswell as her fair Taijutsu, managed to save her from being cut to riddens, but despite her
best efforts, she recieved two more gashes from Kimiko's blade, her amazing ability to
dodge the only reason, she realized, she was not already dead.

This girl...this Kimiko Momoe. She was like so many would be heroes that she'd beaten
effortlessly before, like the sermon spouting villagers who her master ran rough shod
over...yet she was...strong. There was no other way she could describe it. Despite those
naive eyes, this tan skinned swordswoman was a force unto herself, like there was
something behind those eyes, something behind the naive facade, driving her, pushing her
to excel and become greater. In a way, M found herself hauntingly reminded of her
Master. Reach for the stars...though this girl denied her master's ideals...she thought
perhaps they might not be so different. Still she had too-

Yet suddenly Kimiko gathered chakra into the blade, turning it like a guard for her arms
as she tilted it towatds the sunlight. M never knew what hit her. Suddenly a blinding light
obscurred her vision, pain wracking her eyes as her sight was taken out of commission for
a time. This though, was all the shock that Kimiko needed. In another instant, the fight
was over, M's impressive skills beaten anti climatically as three swords cut her
through...or so it seemed. The Log split into three sections as the other two Shadow
Clones fire enemourmous blasts of flame at the retreating girl, who despite still
recovering her sight, was far faster on foot than Kimiko, who still had yet to master the
Shunshin. Cursing under their Breath, Kimiko and her clone's gave chase, hoping that
Mikito had managed to stop Ryousei. They couldn't let these guys get the best of them,
Kimiko refused to let it happen.

Kimiko finally jumped out of the tree's to land on a large stone like pedastal, a large
waterfall and subsequent valley stretching out before them. She noted that Mikito too
stood upon the stone, looking across the falls with a deep frown. There, on an opposing
rock, were both Ryousei and M, the girl obviously wounded and actually being supported
by her master, who's pride seemed undaunted by the act.

Kimiko started to take step forward but Mikito held out his hand. "Wait... we can't follow
them." Kimiko looked at him askance.

"What?! We're just going to let them get away?"

Mikito looked none to happy about it either, but he seemed rather determined. "Don't you
recognize this place?" Kimiko looked around quizacally, until it suddenly struck her. Not
stones they were standing on, but the heads of two giant statues. This vally was...was...
"The Valley of the End?"

Mikito clenched his fist. "We don't have Jurisdiction here...he's outside of rice...there's
nothing we can do without Permission from Kasuke."

Across the falls, Ryousei smiled triumphantly. "It seems that I escape after all...though
you have all certainly proven yourselves this day. I shall not forget your names, you have
my most soul felt promise. Though we part as enemies, please know I hold you in the
highest respect." He gave them one last smile, before taking M and jumping off into the
tree's on the other side, gone from sight.

**Except end**

Kimiko was frustrated that Ryousei and his accomplice got away, but she was conforted
by the fact they had saved the village without his plan to plunder it succeeding. The
village was deeply grateful, and volunteered to step up on their behalf should they face
punishment for going against orders, but this was unnessecary. Kasuke apparently knew
nothing about assigning them to escort detail, and of course they were assigned to liberate
the village, and if someone thought to argue, they'd be very hard pressed to find any
paperwork helping their case in the belly of a certain hunger spirit. Commended for their
efforts, Kimiko actually stayed with Mikito and her friends for a bit escorting refugee's on
two more trips to Konosuke, receiving a warm reception each time, before finally
returning to Oto. Glad to home, Kimiko had a few weeks to get back into the swing of
things and spend time with Raine and Dash, before her world once more was flipped
upside down. Her many months of training and missions added up to nearly a Year now,
and though her skills had grown considerably, one morning, she found herself once more
feeling unprepared.

**Reunion**

Kimiko stepped out the door that morning with one boot half on. She'd stayed up late the
night before training, and her mother, much Kimiko's own displeasure, had actually let
her sleep in. While she was feeling well rested now, she'd already missed her usaul
morning training. She didn't have any missions scheduled for today, but she still wanted
to get a jump on the rest of the day. She'd head to the Team Training grounds...and...

She stopped, where she was, her boot still not completely on as she stood on one leg in
the door way, face to face with someone who'd apparently just been about to knock.

"Good Morning Kimjko-san." Kimiko merely blinked, her expression having taken on a
deer in the headlights look. "Have I...caught you at a bad time?" the guest smiled in mild
amusment as he lowered his hand, which he'd been reaching up to knock on the door
before it flew open.

Kimiko slipped her boot on and set both feet on the ground standing to her full height as
she blinked a few times, as though she didn't quite believe what she was seeing.
"Ma...Maboroshi?"

Xenon raised his eyebrow, looking further amused as his eye lids fell slightly, giving him
a somewhat bemused look. "Yes, that would be me. Or so you've always seen fit to
address me as. Or, were you actually asking me if this was dream? With a family name
like mine that can get confusing you kno-"

"Maboroshi!" Kimiko smiled gleefully, clapping him on the shoulder in a comradrary
manner. "It really is you! When did you get back?"

Xenon straightened his glasses, ignoring the fact his shoulder had gone slightly numb
from the girl's disproportiate strength. "Just a little while ago actually. Mokutan and
Medusa are settling back down in my old apartment, and I just finished visting Raine and
Dash-Taichou."

Kimiko released his shoulder and placed her hands on her hips, still smiling brightly.
"Did you remember to bring them back sovenirs like you promised?"

Xenon gave a slight laugh. "Truly your memory is rather impressive."

Kimiko closed her eyes in a strong smile. "Of course."

"As a matter of fact I did," Xenon noted. He looked suddenly rather curious. "Though I
still don't really know what the point of wind chimes are...and I got Raine something
called a Weather Rock." he shurgged "It looked like an ordinary Rock to me, but
Mokutan insisted it would be perfect for Raine, and it's not as though I really have any
defining exprience with gift giving."

Kimiko sweat slightly. "You know Maboroshi, you're easily the dumbest smart person I
know."

Xenon looked somewhat perplexed "Oh? Did I say something naive?" Kimiko laughed
openly.

"Oh wow, Mister Crow must have really rubbed off on you or something," she pointed at
him hysterically. "That face!"

Xenon smiled again. "And you certainly seem far...less..." he blinked searching for the
right word. "Insane?"

Kimiko's brow twitched, her eyes narrowing. "Ha, ha, I'll have you know you know that I
was just..." she herself seemed to be seeking about for an explanation. "Innocent." she
finally supplied smiling victoriously.

"Innocence and insanity are not exclusive to each other." Xenon pointed out with a small
smirk.

He'd been expecting her to get riled up, but instead her eyes maintained there wide
softness. "Boy ain't THAT the truth. Have you ever met Yukimaru?" Xenon looked more
curious.

"No, I haven't had the-" then he thought about it more. "Wait...now you mention it...isn't
she that odd girl in the class behind us...ended her sentences with zoom or some such
thing?"

"Zam." Kimiko corrected calmly. "Yeah that's her. I was assigned on a few long term
missions with her, Atsuki and Miki, I don't think I've ever met someone so crazy...and
yet so oblivious about it..." she shook her head. "And I mean, I know my DAD."

Xenon looked humorously alarmed at the prospect. "Yes...your father would certainly
have been my first choice for the award. No offense."

"None taken." Without even noticing it the two were now walking down the street
together, Kimiko's original destination of the Training Ground apparently their own
unspoken destination. They both seemed to know what was coming next. After all, Xenon
and she had made a challenge almost a Year previous when he'd left....and it was time
that it come to fruition.

Kimiko adjusted her coat, and subsequently the katana strapped at her back. "So, what
have you been up too, besides traveling around I mean? My mom said that Crow took you
into Fire Country right?"

"That's right." Xenon confirmed. "Or rather, a afriend of ours took us there." Kimiko
raised an eyebrow at him curiously, causing him to shake his head with a smile. "It's a
rather long story. Perhaps another time."

The girl smiled at him. "I see, keep your secrets then, I had a few adventures of my own
you know." she poked him gently in the shoulder as they continued to walk along. "And
what's more, I even saved a whole village, did YOU save a while village Maboroshi?"

Xenon blinked. 'Well, to be fair it wasn't the WHOLE village...I'm sure the fire's would
have stopped with about half of it." he then looked slightly considering. "On the other
hand if Itskani had been allowed to continue his reign of crime I suppose the entire reigon
would have been effected...does that mean I saved the entire reigon? Hmm...' "No you're
absolutely right, I didn't really do any of such significance, you've out done me again
Kimiko-san."

Kimiko was squinting at him suspciously. "Then what's with that gleam in your eye..."

"Hm?" A strange spark seemed to flicker in his eye, a touch of mischeif entering his usaul
grin. "Why, I've no idea what you're talking about."


Kimiko and Xenon talked rather...casually, for two close friends that hadn't seen one
another for long. Both of them had changed, yet it seemed as though they'd only been
apart for a few days. As they made their way to the training grounds, Kimiko noticed that
Xenon looked...happier, then she recalled. He'd always been hard to read, but there was
something there that wasn't before, a small thing perhaps, but Maboroshi had definitely
become...happier. That was the only thing she could think of to describe it. She wondered
if it really was Mister Crow's influence.

"I see," Kimiko was saying a bit more seriously. "I guess that would make sense...the
people blame Kohnoha for not stopping the Daimyo..."

Xenon nodded "Yes, Shinobi are not very welcome there right now, particularly those
with Kekke Genkai. It seems that Fire Country may see a rather violent revolution before
this all over."

"Do you suppose Rice is in any danger?" She inquired. "I was actually Patrolling the
border for a while, but besides Deserters and Bandits, and the refugee's that sought
asyllum here, there haven't been any real Problems."

"There wouldn't be," Xenon confirmed. "Not yet. The Daimyo is not a wise man, but he's
not entirely stupid either. He's already stretched himself thin as it is, and this war will
likely destroy him if his own country does not from within. Making an enemy of Oto
would be a buckets worth of water into his already overflowing cup. He knows he can't
afford another foe." Xenon placed his hands in his pockets. "It's actually rather good news
for us all around, though it may seem harsh to say so. Our own economy and national
regard grow, while all around us others are weakned by the war. If we do not get dragged
into it, we may be in quite the position by the end of it..." he gave look of bemusment.
"Not that Lord Kasuke would think to abuse it."

Kimiko nodded. "Yeah, I'm not worried about that...but what happens if the Fire Daimyo
wins?"

Xenon shurgged. "Then it will mean the next Great war...and I have a feeling that the
Daimyo doesn't quite know what he'll start. A War against Ninja's, the elite of Hiumanity,
will only lead to humanities destruction. The Weak, though they shouldn't persecuted,
also forfeit the right to effect such change...should such a conflict arise..." he looked
somewhat grim. "It would not be pleasant for anyone, and when Ninja's won, I'm not so
sure we'd feel inclined to step down from power...humans would becomes slaves to
Shinobi..." he crossed his arms. "And I'm not sure I would be able to approve of such dull
world."

Kimiko and he were now at the training grounds, standing in the large snad pit that they'd
fought in so long ago for the first time...this time though, it was different.

"No kidding." Kimiko agreed with intense eyes. "There's no way that Lord Kasuke would
let something like that happen though. The People of Rice respect Shinobi, they wouldn't
turn on us like that without good reason, too many things would have to change. If we
defeated the fire Daimyo, then we could still restore order...right?"

Xenon removed his hands from the pockets of his white coat. "True enough...I suppose
that makes us and those few other not involved in the war the last hope should the current
one be lost... hopefully though, Kohnoha will stop cowering within it's walls and take
care of their own mess."

Kimiko nodded. "That would be best huh? I actually heard a few younger Shinobi left
when the war broke out, to go help Kohnoha. I wonder if they can pull it off. They aren't
the superpower they once were, especially with their own lord turning on them." she
reached up and drew her sword.

"Perhaps, perhaps not, the info we recieved indicated they were still plenty capable,
certainly stronger then our own village at present. We'll have to wait and see." he flicked
his wrists as Senbon appeared in them, both of them now falling into their stances, each
noting how the other's had changed drastically.

"I guess so..." Kimiko's face was now a bit more like her mothers, as it often was when
she brandished her sword, the girl's body now in a heightened state of tension as the
coming battle seemed to be on the verge of beginning...

This was it. Though she might not have openly admitted this to herself, this is what she
had been training for, this was why she ha tried so hard to grow strong over the past
year...this moment, this fight. It wasn't even her last year apart from him though she
realized, Maboroshi, her friend, had always been her reason to grow stronger. Stronger to
defeat him when she thought him her nemesis as children, strong enough to keep up with
him as a teammate, and strong enough to defeat him as a rival. Deep down she'd always
thought of Maboroshi as the better Shinobi, always ackowledged that of the people on her
team, she was the weakest. but that was no longer the case. She was exceedingly stronger
now, above and them some of the average Chuunin, even as young as she was. She was
under no delusions that this would be easy of course.

Xenon had always been a Genuis. It taken her some time to realize that she wasn't stupid,
she'd always just seemed so by comparison. For all his lack of exprience interacting in
everday social life, Xenon's mind didn't seem built like a normal teenagers should be, it
was like he, as indeed he probably was, was born to understand Genjutsu, to understand
people and how they thought. His bloodline was not, in so many words, some great power
like the Sharingan or the other Doujutsu...it was almost like it was the way his brain was
wired. Xenon saw things differently, percieved things that generally people twice his age
did not. indeed...in a way she was the same.

When Kimiko held a blade in her hand, she knew this was the way that Xenon must have
felt when he weilded an illusion for the first time. Like she'd been born to control this
folded steel, her life's cruxis the art of the sword. Molding Chakra, the art of Ninjutsu,
when she'd truly taken the time to apply herself to them, they two had opened to her in an
amazing way. It had taken her a long time, but she'd finally come to accept that they were
both Geniuses in their own right...merely different.

Now though, now they would see who was the stronger, who among them had come the
farthest in the name of their chosen goal. Kimiko's to become a true Heroine that could
protect what was precious to her, and Xenon's to achieve...well...Kimiko was fairly sure it
was to be capable of protecting his own happiness. In a way, their goals were the same.

A few seconds passed in silence...until...it began.

Xenon's needles had grown faster in their time apart, but Kimiko wasn't about to let that
give her pause. Her sword flickered in the sun light as she blocked the projectiles, before
preforming a hand sign with one hand, three Shadow clones appearing around her. As she
quickly mixed herself in with them, it seemed that Xenon had no intention of letting her
flank him. With amazing finesse, the boy suddenly Shushined forth, appearing in the
midst of her clones, and with speed that outright amazed her, sdispersed all three of the
clones, catching she herself in the shoulder with with Senbon. Though she swung her
blade, his ability to manuver astounded her yet again, the boy Shunshining away back to a
safe distance. She wasn't about to give up just yet though. Ignoring the needle in her arm.
Kimiko quickly ran through a series of hand signs, her chakra flowing around her she
blasted her trade mark Grand Fireball in his direction, the mass of fire seeming to large
for him to avoid normally. In the wake of her fire, Kimiko formed two clones, charging at
onnce with one while the other stayed back.

Xenon Shushined to the other side of the fire ball at the last moment, avoiding
successfully, only to caught in Kimiko's gambit, while his quick reflexes allowed him to
avoid the clones strike, Kimiko's cut into his side, forcing him to take more drastic
measures as her now hein enhanced blade quickly reposteds for another strike. He formed
a hand sign and his true forte assualted the girl's mind, leaves suddenly swirling up
around her as noted the familiar sign of the Hell viewing technique. He'd used this on her
last time. Quickly she gathered her chakranas the world of her perception fell under
Xenon's control.

"Kai!" Her powerful chakra drove the illusion from her mind, but Xenon had bought
himself enough time to once more gain distance, Kimiko's clone which she'd left behind
blasting yet another grandfireball in his direction. Evading this one as well, the next hand
sign he formed forcused chakra to the hidden seal on his tongue, wasp like needles
suddenly spitting from his mouth with deadly acuracy as he monce more rid her of the
help of her clones. As she charged in an attempt to close the distnace again, bloc,kin ght
needles sent her own way, Xenon launched yet another Genjutsu this one exceeding more
powerful. With a hand sign, to Kimiko, he seemed to vanish enitrely, fading into the air
like a transiet mist. Kimiko looked bewildered for just a moment before she gathered
chakra into her blade in retalition. So he was going to stop her from seeing him? Two
could play at that game." She quickly turned her blade to face the sun, the reflection
magnified as she used the Touei technique, a blinding flash illuminating the battle field.

Xenon's eyes burned as he lost use of his sight while they recovered, his medical chakra
trying to immediately speed up the process, but he could feel that she was still in
Genjutsu.

Kimiko wheeled about waiting for the now blinded Maboroshi to make his move, when
suddenly a tree burst from the earth, constricting her tightly in it's grasp as she struggled
in vain against it, a feeling of hoplessness sudeenly seeping into her. Her eyes widened as
she gathered her chakra once more. Darn it, this was the one he'd used on Dash Sensei!
Of course, she should have realized when he became invisible. She didn;t even want to
think what it would do her if she let it run it's course, as Xenon emerged from the tree
weilding an impossibely long scythe, Kimikounleashed the wave of Chakra "Kai!"

She snapped out of the Genjutsu, though she'd truly had to battle with it for a moment,
only winning out in the end because of her impressive Chakra stores. On reflex she
summoned two clones seeing that Maboroshi hadn't really moved, but she quickly noted
that he'd had regained his sight.

'So soon? But how? my Touei should have blinded him for at least, then she noticed the
slight gren illuination to his eyes. 'Medical chakra...you sneaky fox, Maboroshi...' she and
her clones deflected the barrage of Senbon sent their way with their hien, cutting the
needles down with amazing skill. before all three stuck their swords into the ground and
gather their chakra. Let them see how Maboroshi handled three Grand Fire balls!

Yet Xenon's chakra too was now alive in it's flow, his energy dispersing into the air as he
struck an unfamiliar stance. As Kimiko took in a breath to unleash her grand fire ball,
Xenon brought down his fingers as though ordering a volly from the heavens
themselves...much to Kimiko's surprise, they accomdatied him. A Lightning bolt struck
from the heaven's destroying her clones and filling her with pain as she was blasted back.
Though she quickly recovered, her own chakra drvinf the shock from her system, Xenon
seemed to gathering up for yet another. Leaping nimbly to the side, she avoided this
second lightning bolt, and launched one of her own fire balls as a cover while she made
yet more clones.

Xenon was astounded. Was the girls chakra supply limitless? he smirked slightly.
Yes...this was what he'd been wanting...a battle he didn't know the outcome of. It was
quite clear to him now, that Kimiko was stronger than Kyojin.This fight would truly push
him to to his limits...if he even won at all.

Though he once more dodged the fire ball, three more, even larger, trailed behind it as
Kimiko and her newly formed clones attacked at one, this wave of fire looking
completely unavoidable. Xenon's eyes widened for a moment, before reached up his
thumb, biting it quickly as he slammed his hand into the earth.

Kimiko was shocked as her gambit of fire surged forth only to halt, exploding in a torrent
of flame as it made contact with a large stone wall. For a moment she was shocked at
Maboroshi knowing that technique, before the wall crumbled, and standing at the ready, a
massive Cobra now coiled about him defensively. Kimiko grinned slightly as she
summoned yet more clones. She supposed fair was fair. With a great charge she and her
clones dashed forth with a darting a weaving, Xenon and his serpent not dallying in the
least. Though Kimiko had made an abundance of clones, Xenon's Senbon, coupled with
the Cobra's spitting acid, reduced their number greatly, and when they at last got in range,
two more were removed with a powerful strike of the snakes Tail, Xenon jumping up
only to avoid Kimiko's strike, with three of her clones engauged the snake with a complex
series of sword strokes. Kimiko jumping up into the air after Xenon, she noted once more
his familiar pose as he gathered chakra for the lightning technique, Making hand signs of
her own as the blot hit her, replacing herself with one of the her clones on the ground,
only to barely avoid the fangs of the Cobra. Slashing at the Summon to keep it at a
distance, she jumped back yet again, launching a Grand fire ball as he clones joined her,
the Snake only once more slamming it's tail to the ground to summon another wall. This
time Xenon landed on the wall, his Genjutsu once more striking at her mind ashe noted to
her alarm that the snake too had charge through the wall, wripping up a large chunk of the
earth and Preparing to through it while she was occupied with the Genjutsu, summoning
her own chakra as fast she she could to break the Genjutsu as darkness began to consume
her and sensation of falling took hold, her clones intercepted the snakes attack with yet
another Grand Fire ball, the explosion causing a thick haze of of dust to fill the air,
Kimiko breaking free of the Genjutsu just as the cover fell.


For a moment...silence...then... Fire blew back the dust as two Grand fire balls swept at
Xenon and scalle from the side, Scalle summoning up a wall to block them, only to have
three more approached from the side. In a split second, Scale took the blow for his
master, the powerful flames burting him back to summon realm, while Xenon Himself
struck with lighting, hitting the real Kimiko amidst her clones, sending her to her knee's.
With a wave of skillful senbon throwing Xenon began to pick of her clones again while
Kimiko reeled from the pain of Dividing Thunder, through one got close to slash at him.
This wouldn't have been a problem, as he'd avoided the main strike, had it not been using
ther Hien, which he'd failed to evade. A deep cut now tore through his chest, leaving him
as wounded as Kimiko after withstanding two of his Divinding thunders...yet neither
seemed willing to stop. As Kimiko charged, not bothering to make more Clones, Xenon
gathered his power to the seal on his tongue yet again, firing numerous Senbon from his
mouth once more with vital accuracy. Kimiko was more sluggish now, and was gored by
many of the needles, blood now bloming in trickles from her many wounds, but She
charged on as though possessed, Xenon himself unable to avoid another Hein strike as
she cut him across the chest in a X, to compliment the cut that was already there, while he
stuck her in the neck with yet another Senbon. Both seemed to waver slightly as the effect
of the attacks began to take hold, but then both gathered the last of their chakra, small
volts of Lighting skirting acorss Xen's skin as Kimiko let out a small breath of fire. With
one final clash, the two launched their Jutsu.

"GRAND FIRE BALL!"

"ORIGIN OF LOVE!" The two attacks each met in titanic hissing of fire and lighting
before exploding, sending both Xenon and Kimiko skidding back into the sand, a massive
cloud of dust now filling the training field...


Xenon was laying on his back, his eyes closed peacefully, conciousness gone from him,
while in a mirror position, Kimiko Momoe was the same across the field from him, each
secure in a small crater of sand. Slowly, they seemed to rouse at the same time, Xenon's
chakra once morekicking in as it began to heal him, though he'd used a bit too much to
quickly to heal the wounds entirely.

Kimiko herself managed to raise herself up through she force of will, taking her feet at
the same time as her rival.

They were both looking at one another, each silent as their expression seemed unreadable.

A draw.

Then Kimiko smiled, Xenon taking on his own bemused smirk and they started laughing.

Typical.

**Excerpt end**


Kimiko and Xenon seemed to understand one another in that moment, each coming to
terms with the others strength. It meaningful in many ways to them both, as well as
marking a turning point in their friendship. They were far more open with one another
afterwards, and though their new maturity seemed have caused them to stifle their child
hood...feelings, for one another, they now seemed closer friends because of it.

Besides...the future was long. A many things besides dark thoughts hid within the
shadows of the heart.


Over the next Year, while Raine went off on his own journey of self discovery, Kimiko,
Xenon and Dash composed Team four, the trio going off on missions, and of course
keeping up the semi-insane teams training regime. Kimiko and Xenon would spare many
more times, and Kimiko and he even joined her old Patrol team for another run to the
border, but this battle marked the first days of a time of peace in Kimiko's life, even when
Raine returned and three attended the Chuunin exams together. That year, those days of
peace, would shine brightly in Kimiko's heart...tand she would need that light...for the
dark times that lay just ahead...

Xenon time skip part 2

Ryoko weaseled her way into their group, her up beat if miserly ways further adding to
their groups mix, as they acted on a former employee's info, and headed towards the south
eastern stretches of fire country, where Itskani apparently resided. They also learned along
the way, of the group of missing nin the man had under his employ, a dangerous
collection of mercenary Nin ranks Chuunin to Jounin by the name of Shi no Saakasu, or,
Circus of death.

Through a few mis-adventures and almost constant training, Xenon's life continued, with
Ryoko and Patsu almost leading him about in their antics. After months travel, they
arrived where Itskani was rumored to reside...only for one of Ryoko's scheme's to risk
revealing their presence before intended.

Convincing Patsu into putting on a show, so they could collect a bit more funds for
gathering info while Crow was off doing just that, Xenon hid in the shadows close by
upon coming across the pair after they had split up. As he watched from the side lines of
the center square of the tight nit slum like village, the show concluded without
incident...however...just when he was feeling they'd gotten lucky...

--Kyojin and Braago appear, The groups first encounter with Shi no Saakasu--


Patsu preformed to Impress as usaul however, the crowd ooohing and aaahhing at all the
right moments as the boy made use of his skills. As he'd promised, he didn't use any
Shinobi level tricks, and yet still remained undoubtedly impressive. If nothing else Xenon
granted him, the boy knew how to work a crowd. Ryoko merely stood by once the show
began, and the young Maboroshi was sure she was just trembling at the thought of all the
Ryo they'd pull in with all this illegal money changing hands all around them. People
making illegal deals felt like big spenders, and most big spenders didn't mind flipping a
coin to something that gave a quick slice of entertainment.

Xenon folding his arms leaning against the red wooden pillar outside one of the shops
and waited out the show, pleased as anything when it seemed at last Patsu had had
enough. With a final bow and Ryoko's charismatic prompting, Xenon gave a slight grin at
the faint echo of clinking coins. It seemed the eccentric Bounty hunter's evil plan had
gone over well, The girl taking a moment to giggle the bag of money they were collecting
at him with a cheerful leer before going back to chatting up the crowd.

Xenon grew more and more at ease as the crowd thinned, and at last the general buzz of
the plaza was restored. Just as he was about to write the entire potential disaster off as a
lucky break, though, his eyes darted to the left of him. A flicker in the nearby shadows
caused him to fall on edge, his chakra spiking into the seal on his tongue lest he need to
spit senbon at a seconds notice. All he saw however, was another young man walk up to
stand beside him. Xenon frowned though, something...was unsettling about him.

The young man was probably about the same age as Akio, 15 or 16, a year older then
Patsu and Ryoko, though it was difficult to tell at first as his long blonde bangs fell down
to almost completely obscure the upper half of his face. As the boy stopped beside him,
facing the same direction as himself with a broad grin, Xenon found himself almost
immediately set on guard, if he wasn't already. The boy wore a long black coat with
various buckles and belts, a red and gold striped shirt underneathe, and westernized dress
pants of things that looked a specially tailored to be a tighter fit. His smile was what
most set off Xenon's alarms, it looked almost manic, smug, yet aimless, like the smile of
some deranged jester. His eyes and nose almost completey obscured by his hair, the boy's
strange smile seemed all one could really make out of his face, yet one could almost feel
his gaze, the knowledge that his eyes could see you almost omnipresent.

For a moment, Xenon merely turned his gaze back to the plaza, watching the boy
carefully out of his periphary, until without prompting the jester smiking youth spoke.

"That was quite an impressive show." He remarked in an unassuming tone, his voice
bespeaking an innocent casual manner that completely mismatched his grin.

"Yes." Xenon agreed, his own expression and tone plain.

"You don't see many non ninja with talent like that, I'd imagine he has a Circus
background, wouldn't you guess?" his tone was still harmless "Of course, one can tell he's
used to preforming before crowds, but...I just can't figure out his trick," the young man
tilted his head, his smile unmoving as though it was stuck in place. "He's clearing not
using oil, the color of the flames is all wrong, and he doesn't appear to have any devices
on him." Xenon's plain expression remained, but his arms were now straight, preparing to
flick out his senbon at the slightest hint of a threat. "I wonder..." the young man's own
hands left his pockets in a shrug. "I've heard of a Ninja clan who could do that without
focusing Chakra once...what was their name? Hmm... I guess it slipped my mind." his
innocent tone now only served to blatantly accuse. "You know that girl looked over at
you like she knew you huh? She looks pretty interesting too. I'm almost sure I caught
glimpse of sealing scrolls in her bag... Pretty weird huh?" the young man's head turned.
"Uh oh, this doesn't look good."


Xenon only half noted two armed men approach Patsu and Ryoko with a familiar
swagger. Xenon's already tense posuture straightened further as he perked his ears, his
golden eyes locked to them suddenly intense.

"Well, well, you two must have a lot of nerve." Patsu frowned at their tone while Ryoko
seemed far to absorbed with counting the ryo in the bag to notice them. "I hope you got
Mister Itskani's permission to put on that little show of yours punk... he owns this square
ya know."

Patsu's expression looked suddenly enraged, his hands twitching as though they wanted to
reach for his knife. Ryoko meanwhile finally looked up toward them. Her expression
annoyed. "I was under the impression that this was a public plaza."

"Well I guess that you're "Impression" was wrong then huh? Tell ya what though, we'll
overlook your most...agreivous oversight, if you just hand over that money you got right
there, eh?"

Ryoko tryed to smile them off, her tone cajoling. "Come now gentlemen, I'm sure we can
come a reasonable understanding."

The Men just smirked. "Sure, sure, you can "reasonably" hand over that money. Sound
fair?" the apparent senpai of the two took another step forward. "Or maybe I should just
tell Mister Braago-"

"Tell me what?" Xenon's eyes shifted suddenly behind the two men, a tall figure suddenly
standing out as he stepped from the shifting street traffick. He was a tall man, but young,
perhaps no older than 30, and he was garbed in western dress attire, though he wore it
unconventionally. He had the standard white dress shirt and black suit pants, but the suit
itself was draped about his shoulders like a cape, his arms not through the sleeves. While
his face was moderately good looking, a small splotch of burns showed themselves on the
left side of his chin, and just over his right brow. His hair was spiked back with gel, and
though his face was giving a small knowing smile, his entire bravado radiated
intimadation. That name...

"M-mister Braago!" The two men suddenly stood at a attention, facing away from Patsu
and Ryoko. "We were just uh-"

But Braago ignored the two completely, strolling between them as he turned his full
attention to Xenon's comrades. "That was a pretty interesting show you put on there kid.
Well done." his voice was low and baratone, granting his intimadating persona all the
more weight.

Patsu didn't respond, merely returning the man's look with utter distain, the fire in his
eyes burning without ceasing as he clenched his fists. He'd recognized the name it
seemed. This man worked Itskani.

"Hey Kid, Mister Braago gave you a compliment, you bett-"

"Shut up." Braago said slowly, his eyes dancing with amusment as he looked at Patsu.

"Uh...y-yes sir."

Braago continued. "I haven't seen the Irathin Kekke Genkai in quite some time." Ryoko's
body tensed while Patsu merely continued to stand resolute. "I'm a bit of a fire user
myself you know, perhaps you and I could spar sometime. Swap tips."

Patsu's height was at it's fullest, his eyes practically aglow with determination. "Yeah, I'd
be glad to teach you a thing or two." The two men looked at the boy like he was insane,
but the only reaction this drew from Braago was a deep, hardy, laugh.

"Hahahaha...I see." he turned around. looking passed the two men as though they weren't
worth his notice. "Let the kid preform as much as he wants, I give my permission."

"Uh...sure Braago, whaetever you say man."

"Heh." Braago passed between the two men yet again, before looking back at Patsu. "The
names Braago kid. I didn't catch yours."

Ryoko started to warn him but Patsu, without a seconds hesitation, said proudly "Patsu
Irathin."

Braago gave a another low chuckle. "I see... I think we'll be meeting again soon...Patsu
Irathin." he reached into his suit and tossed a bag of Ryo over his shoulder, clinking on
the ground at Patsu's feet. "I enjoyed the show." with a final smirk the man walked off
slowly, his dress shoes making clopping sounds even amidst the noises of the plaza, the
two men quickly splitting the scene before Braago thought them harrassing the kid he'd
quite plainly told them to leave be. While Patsu and Ryoko looked at one another
suddenly pensive, Xenon's attention was returned completely to the young man standing
beside him.

"Heh, heh, that's unsuaul... it seems Braago's taken a liking to the kid...I guess he does
have guts if nothing else."

"I'd prefer if he had a bit more of a brain, but we must each play the cards we're given."
Xenon remarked, his own facade still casual despite the tension in the air.

"The best we know how," the young man agreed "Life's a game where you're all in from
the start after all. You can't just fold and wait for the next hand." he turned his head
slightly, clearly looking at Xenon now. "You know I really gotta wonder what a Shinobi
of your skill is doing with a Genin level Carnie and delusional second rate Bounty
hunter." Xenon's face betrayed nothing. "I couldn't even sneak up on your properly, and
something tells me that you're pretty quick on the draw with those Senbon you have up
your sleeve." In single instant the two moved, their hands untracable by the untrained as
they were suddenly at one another's throats. Their faces not moving at all as each held
their weapon side ways to the others neck, both still facing towards the plaza. Xenon's
senbon were, one between each finger, prodding the jester smiling stranger's jugular,
while the thin blade of what he'd barely noted as a throwing knife was at his own.

Silence...before as quickly as they's moved before, the two removed the weapons from
one another's throats, neither particularly having a death wish as they quickly slid their
weapons back up their sleeves, and returned to their unassuming stances.

"Yep...I figured as much." his smile seemed even wider somehow.

Xenon adjusted his glasses. "Your quite quick yourself, and I almost didn't spot you. I
assume that your one of Itskani's infamous Shi no Saakasu? You're too skilled to be some
random hire, and I doubt you'd have stuck around when Braago appeared if you'd been
anything but expecting such a strong ninja breaking in on the scene."

The youth gave a light chuckle. "Heh, heh, heh, not bad. If you don't mind me asking,
what brings you to our little slice of hell?"

"We're here to kill your boss." Xenon explained bluntly.

"Oh yeah?" The boy looked pleased. "Interesting...I wondered if that was it, Braago
certainly seemed to think so. He recognized that kid you know. Your Irathin comparde'.
Apparently he looks just like his dad." Xenon didn't show surprise at this remark, but the
meaning behind it was obvious.

"My, I only wish I someday have the spare time to memorize the faces of everyone I kill."
Certainly he hadn't killed very many people yet because of his picky tendancies, but still,
he was under no illusions that they wouldn't start to blur together after a while...what had
been that Uchiha who tried to kill him's name been? Hadn't that been his first real kill?
Weren't you supposed to remember that one forever? Takata? Tokino? What had it been?

"AHA! Yeah I know right? There's no way I could remember every one. Braago isn't
really the type either though. That's I found it so funny."

Xenon shrugged slightly. "He must have made an impression."

The boy agreed with a laugh. "I'd tell you to stay away from matters that don't concern
you...but..." he tilted his head, his bangs parting slightly to reveal an icy blue eye. "I can
tell just by looking at you that there'd be no point."

Xenon's own face was slightly alarming now, his glasses shining over as he tilted his head
at an angle. "Of course not. I'm not so skittish as to back down just because an enemy
suggests it, particularly when I haven't really been given an accurate assessment of your
skills yet."

"Of course not, you wouldn't want to miss out on such a potentially amusing diversion, I
can tell just by looking into those golden eyes of yours...your just like me, you're only
here with those fools on a whim, a flight of fancy."

The two seemed to be locked now in a battle of wills as they exchanged disturbing leers,
their over all air growing heavy with intimadation. "Maybe so, but I'm not so whimsical
as to be here if I didn't at least enjoy their company...their quite entertaining once they get
going you know."

"Oh really?" The other youth sounded nearly excited. "Sounds like fun. I'd like to see that.
But truth be told I find you far more interesting...just look, my hands shaking right now,
did you notice? I'm actually afraid!" he sounded highly amused.

Xenon's own smile seemed sharper now "Well, perhaps you should work on that, after all,
fears welling up in me as well, and I'm not showing it at all."

An unsettling laughter was coming from the pair now, their eyes looking nothing short of
insane as they held each others gaze. "Really? You're right it doesn't show at all, I feel
even more terrified now. Heh heh heh, if I'd been just a second slower on the draw, I'd be
dead right now...heh, heh, heh, heh. You know I really have to thank you...heh, after all
fear is what gives us humans our power you know." his laughter seemed beyond his
ability to reign in.

Xenon's head tilted at an odd angle. "Oh, do you think so, I must say I think it's bit more
complex than that...fear may be a crucial component...but fear alone relies on a web of
other driving emotions... that's like saying ones elbow is what allows one to grasp things.
True without the elbow the arm beyond would not exstant, but without everything before
and after the elbow, grasping would be equally impossible."

The youth suddenly fell into a long stream of quiet high pitched laughter, his jester smile
spreading to it's fullest "I suppose that's true...I may have to think about that."

Suddenly both of them seemed to return to their default expressions, Xenon's dull facade
returning while the young man's jester grin became...less extreme, his eyes once more
hidden behind his bangs. "So how does this end then?" Xenon asked calmly "I doubt that
you're intent on starting a fight here and risking your employer's business."

"Astute call." The youth confirmed "No, this was just coincidence. In fact I don't even
intend to mention this...it'll make things more interesting that way... though..."

Xenon finished for him. "You just might be looking forward to our visit?"

"BiiingO." he said with an odd emphasis on the word, an airy almost childlike excitment
to it. He placed his hands back in his pockets. "My name is Kyojin Kotei, it's a pleasure to
make your aquaintence."

"Xenon Maboroshi, likewise." Xen introduced as he too put his hands back in his
pockets.

"Heey, it was fun meeting with you, Xen-kun. Ciaou'." he gave a small two finger slice
into the air, and walked off adapting a tunless whistle, disapearing with a shunshin as
soon as he hit the shadows."

Xenon's breath seemed to catch up with him, the sounds and noises of the rest of the
square seeming to fall on him again all at once as he finally confirmed the other Shinobi
was gone. Mokutan looked very much like he'd like to remark on the recent exchange, but
kept his beak shut for the time being, noticing the sweat on Xenon's brow.

That guy...Xenon's fists clenched slightly while he face battled to stay neutral. Who the
heck was he...Kyojin Kotei. He lowered his gaze slightly. He hadn't felt fear like that in a
while...and it wasn't the Missing Nin's power alone that had spawned it either. It was
something else, something more than mere power or killer intent. There was something
so unsettling about that cheshire grin, about the boy's manner, about the way he'd met
Xenon's most disturbing grin with one of his own...

It felt like he'd been facing down the Devil...

--Excerpt end--


That night, despite the day's earlier mishap, the group decided to act upon their
information and attack Itskani's compound. With Crow conducting the operation from
outside, Xenon, Patsu, and Ryoko infiltrated it under cover of darkness, hoping only that
Itskani wasn't expecting them.

They found success, yet surprising failure though, as they broke into Itskani's quarters to
find Kyojin and his flunkeis within Shi no Saakasu, the Twins. Kyojin explained that
while Itskani hadn't been expecting them specifically, they'd actually been led to the
wrong location by the result of a trap for another. While they'd actually been clever
enough to avoid the true trap, Kyojin had anticipated this, and had been waiting for them.
After briefly engaging the trio, Xenon and company escaped Kyojin, blocking off the
passage, and robbed him of the ability to cut them off by having Crow attack elsewhere as
a distraction. Despite this cunning manuver though, they found themselves once more
face to face with Braago, who managed to block them. Braago hinted that he had been
there when Patsu's family was murdered, and indeed, that he himself may have done the
deed, but just as things were looking grim, another person entered the fray, faciliting their
escape with the use of a smoke bomb, and explosives to decimate a nearby wall.

Leaving the compound behind and escaping the village, they found themselves in the debt
of the person the trap had originally been set for...a enigmatic Kunoichi...

--Toko's introduction--

Xenon was now helping Ryoko with Patsu, the three of them jumping over the roof tops
as they quickly made their way over the walls of the village, but his attention was almost
entirely concentrated on the mysterious facilatator of their escape. It was rather
unbelievable, but he already had a theory as to who they might be.

The Trap that had been sprung had not been meant to catch them that night, indeed there
was another enemy of Itskani's being lured there.

The dark woods that surrorunded the village now consumed them as they left the lights
behind, finally calling for a halt as he looked down at Patsu's wounded ribcage.

"Stop." He called, the figure ahead doing so as they landed lin a particularly large tree.
Xenon immediately hinting for Ryoko to put the mutal friend down.

"Ah! Watch it!" Patsu complained as Ryoko set him a bit too hard against the trunk.

"Hey! Maybe I should have just left you there." She poked him in the fore head. "Are you
out of your mind attacking a Jounin head on like that!? You're lucky he didn't kill you!
Always engage people like that at a distance! Mister Crow told you that like seven-
times!"

Patsu winced, partly in shame, partly in actual suffering. "I...never mind...forget it." he
looked away, something obviously weighing on his mind, though it would have to wait.

"Hold still." Xenon said kneeling next to him. He touched the rib with an indifferent face
while Patsu shouted in pain again.

"OW! Hey!"

"Good, it doesn't seem broken."

Ryoko crossed her arms, "Does it matter? He's no condition to move around anyway."

Xenon's hand however began to glow emerald, the chakra surrounding it visible as he
place his hand over the Irathin's injury, the other boy's face looking surprised as it started
to feel better almost immediately. "Wha...what the..."

Xenon elaborated. "I can't heal broken bones, but any besides I can work with." prodded
just above where he was heling with his other hand. "You should be more careful, a few
inches higher and he would've hit your heart...I can't even explain to you difficult that
would be to heal...if you even survived." While his face was mellow, Patsu seemed to
note the mild, if reluctant, concern.

"Heh, gotcha...sorry, I'll be more c-." he seemed to have trouble saying the word. "Cccc
that thing were you not as wreckless."

Xenon shook his head. "You needn't apoligize, just don't do it again." he didn't even
sound reprimanding, more informitive, as though he was explaining a casual fact.

Ryoko in the mean time had turned her attention to the black garbed stranger, who was
watching them silently. They were obviously feminine, but any other features were
hidden by their outfit, a standard assassin's ninja garb clothing them. Two identical
wakazashi strapped behind her waist, a tanto was even tucked at the front of her Kunoichi
vest, arming her to the teeth as she beheld them all through the slit on her mask, her eyes
a frigid grey.

"Um...thanks for you help back there...we appreciate it." Ryoko didn't seem entirely
certain, cearly not sure how to react to this person.

"I was merely returning the favor. Your own diversion assisted me in my
infiltration...though it seemed both of our endevors proved fruitless." the girl's voice
seemed no older then Xenon's, yet also cold and emotionless, despite it's pleasant quality.

"You were after Itskani too?" Patsu asked plainly, the pain from his injury fading now.

"Yes." The girl answered in a monotone, he hand reaching up slowly as she pulled down
the mask over her face, revealing her to be a rather attractive face, if her sharp expression
didn't spoil it. "I seek him in order to find another..." he eyes narrowed slightly. "I take it
you had other reasons?"

Ryoko actually seemed slightly awkward for some reason, falling silent, but Xenon
replied without hesitation. "Patsu wishes to seek out and avenge the death of his parents,
of which Itskani was the main Orchestrator."

The girl blinked, her grey eyes seeming to be oddly fixated on his face, though the look
they were giving was so intense it was almost a glare. "And what of you others then...you
are merely...helping him?"

Again, Xenon answered, removing his hand from Patsu's now restored midsection,
getting to his feet as the fire breather tested himself expirimentally. "Ryoko is a bounty
hunter, allied with us out of convience in claiming the reward...I..." he dawned a slightly
amused grin. "Yes, I suppose I am merely helping him."

The girl's eyes narrowed at him, Patsu not picking up on this as he rose to his feet.
"But...what about you? Who are you looking for? Why were you after Itskani?"

"I seek a murder." The girl stated plainly, her eyes still resting on Xenon. "I recently
learned that this murderer was seeking out the crimelord Itskani, possibly to seek
employment with him, so I have tried to draw him to me by hunting what he is hunting."

Xenon adjusted his glasses. "Chase the deer to seek the lion eh?" he raised an eyebrow.
"So you were the one for whom the trap was orignally set."

The girl blinked. "I must assume so."

Xenon nodded. "Indeed..." he reached into his coat, causing the girl to in flash grip her
wakazashi, both Patsu and Ryoko looking taken aback, while Xenon merely looked
intrigued. Slowly, he pulled out his radio, showing that was all it was. The girl blinked,
suddenly looking surprised, and loosened her grip on her weapons. "Sensei." Xenon
spoke into the device.

"Xenon," the reply was immediate. "I take it you're out?"

"Yes." Xenon confirmed "We all escaped...though we've encountered...a complication."

"A Complication?"

"Yes, we had some help in our escape...it seems Mister Itskani's talent for collecting
enemies truly is something to marvel."

Crow was silent for a moment. "I see...Mokutan left to find you, he should be able to
bring you back to my location. We'll rendevous and...well we'll decide what to do next on
the run, it's not safe here."

"Understood." He turned off the device and put it back, slowly showing his hand was
empty as he took it back out. "A bit jumpy aren't you." Xen then observed, his eyes on the
unnamed girl.

She looked somewhat embaraessed, though it was subtle, her face still seeming to be
eternaly stuck in a stern, almost stereotypically Hyuuga like, expression.
"I...apologize...but surely you are not so quick to trust me either...I know nothing about
you."

Xenon nodded. "Well, I understand that names a good place to start. Xenon Maboroshi."

The girl's face was actually a marvelously still thing, for a moment he was almost certain
that she'd completely ceased to move. Heart, breath, eyes, all feel completely still. Yet a
moment later he was sure it was his imagination.

"Ryoko Masaki." Ryoko introduced gaining back a bit of her own happy go lucky nature.

"And I'm Patsu Irathin." Patsu gave a trademark cocky grin "I'm actually alot cooler than I
seemed just now, trust me, that Braago guy got a lucky shot." the fact he actually seemed
to believe it himself was what made it even more amusing.

The girl blinked, looking between the three, then returning her unchangingly frigid eyes
to Xenon. "My name...is Toko."

Patsu stepped forward, catching her attention. "Say, if you're after Itskani too, then you
should come with us! If we keep collecting all his enemies then we're sure to take him
down."

Ryoko looked at him skeptically. "Listen pepper breath, you can't just keep inviting
people into our group all willy nilly, we don't even know anything about her."

Patsu shurgged innocently. "So? We didn't really now anything about you and we let you
join...she hasn't even attacked us yet." Toko gave them both an odd look. "I say we let her
join if she wants, she's already helped us out of a pinch once." he looked back to her. "So
how about it?"

Toko seemed taken aback by the sudden offer. "I..." she seemed to collect herself. "I told
you...I seek another, not Itskani himself."

Patsu shrugged "So? Like you said he's working with him right? If you come along with
us you're sure to find him."

Toko cast her eyes back to Xenon, "And...you would trust me so easily...? Why?"

"Dunno." Patsu looked puzzled himself. "But, you already saved us right? So...I guess
that's the reason?" he seemed cheerfully clueless. "Maybe I just think your a nice person."

Toko again looked rather unfooted. "But..." she turned yet again to the silver haired
Maboroshi. "..." she looked back to Patsu. "And...what should happen if I find the person
who I seek...will you promise to let me deal with it as I see fit? Not inferfere?"

"Huh?" He blinked "Uh, sure I guess so."

Tokoseemed preoccupied for a moment longer. "Then...perhaps I will help you for
now...but when I find the one I seek and deal with him, we shall part ways."

"That works I guess." he suddenly remembered and looked at Xenon. "Oh...uh, I guess I
should've have asked you too huh Xen? You think Crow will mind?"

Xenon was looking at the girl as mellowly as ever, looking harmlessly bored again. "I
doubt it. So long as she can hold her own and pay her way, it shouldn't be any problem."

"Great!" he turned around and shook the girl's hand before she could register what was
going on. "Welcome aboard then Toko!"

Toko again looked wrong footed, as though she was trying to fathom what was going
through this boy's mind.

"Chief!" Toko's free hand reached for her Wakazashi, only for all to see Mokutan soar
down and land on his master's shoulder. "Whew, man finding you at night is alot harder
Boss...what the heck happened to-" he turned his head to look more closely as Toko
caught his attention. "Huh? Who's the new chick?"

Before anyone could explain, the girl's previously cold expression was completely blown
away, as though her sense of reality had just taken a heavy hit. "That...that bird is
talking..."

Toko kept up with them easily as they at last reunited with Crow, the events of night
unfolding in conversation as they retreated into the darknnes. They wanted to be long
gone from the area before Itskani's men even started thinking about looking for them.
Toko, it turned out, was also a rogue ninja, insisting that she didn't belong to any village,
though she likewise refused to say anymore. Apparently her only goal was to hunt down
and kill this certain someone, the girl almost implying it was her entire reason for
learning the Kunoichi arts in the first place. While Crow listened intently to their
retelling, Patsu actually giving his own life story to their new aquaintence, Xenon hung
back a ways, Mokutan on his shoulder as they picked up the rear.

"So boss...ya reckon we can trust this chick? She seems a bit more dangerous then the
other two..."

Xenon and his bird were both speaking in an undertone. "True enough." he agreed "but I
think we can afford to give the benefit of the doubt in this case. I don't believe she's lying,
and she DID already help us once." he tilted his head slightly, "Although... she may bare
closer watching. She still hasn't said what her real motivation is. True she says she's
looking for someone...but who? Why?"

"She said something bout a murderer right? So probably the same reason as Patsu."

Xenon's face betrayed nothing, considering this. "But revenge is a weapon few can wield
as he does...hold it to tightly, and it will destroy you." he adjusted his glasses. "We'll need
to watch her, even if she doesn't mean us harm."

Mokutan turned his head about to look ahead with the other eye. "I gotcha...geesh,
humans really need to learn to let some stuff go ya know what I mean? Uh, no offense
boss."

"None taken." Xenon said with a small grin. "It's true enough. But I don't think harboring
revenge is a mistake, so much as relying upon it."

Mokutan blinked a golden eye at him. "Huh?"

Xenon elaborated. "Revenge is a weapon, a sword to be kept sheathed at one's side, yet
some people who are left weak insist on using their sword as a crutch, subsituting it for a
walking stick. Not only will this dull the sword, but in the end the tip of a sword was not
made for walking, it will scratch up the road you take, causing harm you don't intend, and
if you truly lose focus, you may end up stabbing yourself in the foot."

Mokutan gave a short caw of laughter. "Heh, you really got one of those foreverything
huh boss."

Xenon dawned his smug smile. "Perhaps...at any rate my point stands."

Mokutan agreed with a nod. "Yeah, I gotcha chief, don't worry, I'll watch yer back."

Xenon's Time Skip Part (I'm really sorry it's this long!! gonk ))


--Meeting Senkyo--

"I...isn't it hard to see with those on?"

Xenon opened his eyes, looking sidelong at the other one person spa next to his own,
opposite Medusa. Only their head was visible out of the spa, but they were looking at him
with wide curious eyes that almost gave the impression of child. Though it was clear they
were at least as old as himself. The boy's hair was rather odd, in the sense that it looked
unruly, but at the same time, like it HAD been tame, until a few seconds ago, when the
boy might have ruffled it up himself due to stress. Indeed the boy looked rather insecure
even now, though all Xenon could see of the boy was his slightly uncertain face.

"Oh," Xenon reached up and removed his glasses, setting them on the side of his spa as
he insisted. "I suppose fog does not a clear view make."

The young man blinked, his large purple eyes still oozing a nervous innocence. "Oh...um,
yeah, I guess...but...I meant, you...don't really need those to see do you?" Xenon's eyes
turned to him sharply, his eyebrow raising. The boy sunk into the water slightly,
submerging his chin as though Xenon had cracked a whip at him. "I'm sorry! Was I not
supposed to notice! I'm so sorry. I'll prentend I didn't."

Xenon then looked slightly intrigued, his eyebrow raising higher. This boy seemed about
a stable as two legged table, his very air exuding a sort of nervous trembling, as though he
lived in the eternal fear that someone might find fault in his actions. He'd literally never
seen anyone so tense.

He smiled. "It's alright. You must have pretty sharp eyes yourself to notice."

The boy turned slightly red, poking his fingers together as his eyes swept from left to
right. "D-do you think so? I just...yeah, I guess I can see pretty good..."

"Are you a Shinobi then?"

The boy twitched "W-well...yeah. That's right."

Xenon tilted his head curiously. "Are you here on business as well then? What village do
you work for? Or are you rogue?"

The young man seemed to relaxing now, sinking more comfortably into his spa. "W-
well...I'm actually not really rogue...what I mean is, that I'm going to have a village
soon...I think...maybe." he looked up towards the ceiling."The Elder said so...so I guess."

Xenon continued to smile, "I see, so you're thinking of joining a village then."

The boy nodded "Um...yeah... I guess."

"Interesting. My friends and I are here on business ourselves. My name's Xenon
Maboroshi by the way," the silver haired youth introduced. "I didn't catch your name."

The boy blinked, lowering his chin into the water again as he seemed to fall somewhat
shy once more. "Oh...um...Senkyoku's my name. Senkyoku Oto- Oto-" his eyes went
nervous again. "Otogawa...yes...Otogawa."

Xenon gave a smug grin. "You're not a very good liar you know." Senkyoku looked as
though he was about to drowned himself in another spell of self defacement, but Xenon
cut it off. "Still, that's a probably a good thing as any. It means your an honest person
right?" Senkyoku's eyes suddenly widened in child like wonder again. "If you don't want
to tell me your name, you don't have to, I just wondered what to call you."

Senkyoku seemed cheered somehow, a small smile appearing on her previously
distraught face. "Senkyoku...really is my name. You can just call me Senkyo though,
everyone does."

Xenon nodded "A pleasure to meet you then Senkyo-san."

Senkyo seemed gleeful. "Oh...uh, nice to meet you too? Yeah, nice to meet you too
Xenon-san."

Xenon grinned "You may call me Xen if you wish. Not everyone does, but I've grown
accustomed to it with my current traveling companions."

"Xen-san then." Senkyo confirmed, apparently pleased with the way the conversation was
going for now.

"So, what brings you to The Eye, or is that a secret?"

Senkyo sweat slightly. "Um, it's a secret...I'm sorry...I think it is anyway. I'm not supposed
to tell anyone...so yeah. I'm sorry."

Xenon actually looked amused. "You certainly do apologize a lot don't you. You needn't
worry. I actually assumed that was the case. If your clan names a secret, then your
business was probably duly so."

Senkyo again seemed encouraged that Xenon wasn't angry. "Oh...well, yeah." he nodded,
his fragile cheer returning.

"So then, how do you like it here so far? Have you been here at the eye for long? We just
arrived today."

Senkyo nodded. "We've been here for a week now, the men here are bartering with us, or
something. Apparently they want a high price for the info. I think, maybe, they're making
my comrades angry...but...I dunno." he seemed to be looking in every which direction.
"I'm not that good at anything like reading people...so I can't tell."

Xenon seemed to think otherwise, but let it pass. "Well, at any rate at least you have a
chance to relax right?"

Senkyo looked at him like he was speaking a foreign language, relax!? "W-well...yeah. I
guess so..." he looked about the room. "I just...I don't know...I can't relax here. There are
so many people everywhere, and I don't know how to deal with that."

Xenon gave a small laugh. "I suppose can understand. I appreciate the occasional bout of
solitude myself."

Senkyo shook his head looking down trodden. "No, it's nothing as cool as that. I'm just...
pathetic. I can't deal with people ya know...I don't know what to say or anything..."

Xenon closed his eyes, leaning back as he relaxed. "Well you're talking to me right now
are you not?"

Senkyo looked a little taken aback. "Well...yeah... I guess so." he smiled again, copying
Xenon as he leaned back in his own spa. "Yeah." his child like cheer restored itself.

Senkyo was an odd sort, that was certain, and as soon as he got out in the open the boy
seemed to take every human measure to stay invisible, but Xenon took a shine to him. He
had an amusing child like innocence that made the boy, who he was shocked to learn was
three years older then himself, look far younger then he was, and while almost comically
nervous, not to mention extremely jumpy, he seemed to be able to block that out once in
one on one conversation, and though the boy seemed rather dull witted, he was actually
far more intellegent then he seemed to think he was. His wisdom was merely delivered
with the usaul "Um...I think" or "But that's probably wrong huh?" The Maboroshi
honestly wondered what sort of upbringing could possibly destroy someone's faith in
theselves so completely... it was almost like it was deliberate.

"S-so...do you have many friends Xen-kun?" Xenon raised an eyebrow at him, a smile in
place. They were now walking through the complex Medusa in snake form so as not to
bother Senkyo's already nervous disposition, and Mokutan silently upon his masters
shoulder. "W-what I mean is...you seem like a really nice person...so I was just
wondering..."

Xenon gave another laugh.

"D-did that sound like an odd thing to ask? I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Xenon assured. "But, there are many who consider me a scary person I'll have
you know, I just found it funny is all."

Senkyo looked flabberghast. "B-but, but your not a scary person at all! I would know, I'm
scared of everything!" he flushed "Um, what I mean is," he stood with one arm grasping
the other in his usaul insecure stance. "You're a dangerous person, but I don't think that
makes you scary."

Xenon seemed somewhat alerted, a knowing smirk on his face. "What makes you think
I'm dangerous?"

Senkyo's fragile cheer seemed back. "Oh that's an easy one, I could tell from your sound.
You're sounds really sharp. Only people who's chakra's strong have a sound like that."
Xenon's face actually looked intrigued now.

"My...sound?" he smiled again "You are truly a man of many talents my friend."

Senkyo's face split into one of utter shock, as though god had parted the clouds and
declared him supreme ruler of the universe. "F-friend...?" he suddenly beamed. "T-
thanks...I guess...heh."

--Excerpt end--

Xenon and Senkyo didn't have long for peaceful conversation however, for shortly after
they met up with Ryoko and Patsu, the Eye fell under attack...


--The Attack on the Eye (Somewhat abridged, so if it seems like it skips over some parts,
that's why)--

Crow clenched his jaw silently. He'd fingured they'd pull a stunt like this. They wanted to
use Xenon, to get in good with him so they could ask for favors in the future. No, while
Xenon probably wouldn't mind, he wouldn't have his student tied up with this lot
anymore then he had to be...not to mention what Hikari might do if they told Xenon the
truth.

"Nothing to say, Crow? If you won't let us speak to the son of Hikari, then we've no
business here." Crow opened his mouth to retort when suddenly a rattling
disturbed the structure, a distant boom echoing through the complex.
"What was that!?" Demanded one of the three.

"It sounded like an explosion..." Crow muttered. "But...not gunpowder..."

Suddenly the doors burst open and a man in a guard uniform bowed to the three. "Sirs,
the front entrance has been stormed! We're under attack!"

Crow looked shocked while the three stood almost as one, fury in their voice. "What!? By
whom!?"

"It's...it's Shi no Saakasu sirs."

Crow held back his smile, his jade eye turning to them. "Well...it seems that Itskani
doesn't share your feelings on betrayal." they scowled at him.



Xenon flicked his wrists, senbon going into each hand as alarms blared through the
facility.

"What's going on!?" Patsu yelled suddenly reaching for his knife.

Ryoko's Tri-section staff was out in a flash, spinning it as she fell back to back with her
comrades. Senkyo in the middle looking utterly terrified. "Did something happen at
Crow's meeting...or-"

Senkyo suddenly closed his eyes, interupting her. "Intruders...alot of intruders have
broken into this place from the front entrance. They're...attacking people
indiscrimnantly."

All looked at him in surprise. "Huh? How can you tell?" Patsu asked looked bewildered.

"I can...hear them." Senkyo's face seemed a bit more stoic, as though his soul was
slipping away. "They're dangerous..."

Ryoko looked at Xenon. "Do...do you think it's the circus?"

"I'm not sure...but we need to find Toko and Sensei, if it is Itskani's men, there here for
us."

"Right," Patsu nodded with the fire springing into his soul. "Okay, Senkyo, you need to
find a safe place to....hide?" he blinked. "W-where did he go?" Sure enough, with another
glance around, Senkyo seemed to have disapeared.

"Huh?" Ryoko looked worried. "But, he was just here a second ago."

Medusa, who was currently curled about Xenon's chest as she slithered her head up near
his own, whispered something in her master's ear. Xenon frowned, then seemed to lighten
slightly, as though he decided better on something. "He'll be fine, we need to find the
others."

"Right!"




"Chi chi chi chi..." Kyojin twirled a knife in his fingers as another one fell before him,
their blood squirting unto the nearby wall. "I suppose non Shinobi Orginizations can't
afford to hire people who might over throw them...but they call this security?" His icy
blue eyes darted in a different direction and another man, who'd been cowering in the
corner, clutched his head screaming, before falling limp. "Chi chi chi chi..." he cackled.
"Ah, what fun... this really is such a blast." he looked behind him, still with his mad
cheshire smile. "Gentlemen." Yakuza ran past him now, heading down the hallways to
flush out their targets. Kyojin smirked.

He personally wouldn't have approved of this strategy, as it was anything but subtle, and
risked too much, but he did see the logic in it. Now they had their prey cornered, just as
he'd originally suggested. He supposed even that fool Itskani had his moments. At any
rate he wasn't going to complain.

"Chi chi chi chi, come on out to play, Xen-kun."





Toko cut down two of the men with ease, turning to kick yet another in the face before
hurling her wakazashi into his skull. Retrieving the blade quickly, she rushed past the
fallen bodies and rounded the corner, only for a bolt of lightning to flash from a nearby
display vase, gutting another man rushing up from behind her. Whipping her head about,
she noted Xenon and the others rushing up towards her.

"Toko!" Patsu cheered slowing to halt beside her. "Glad we found you! We thought these
guy's had got you or something."

Toko turned back down the hall, checking for more attackers. "I'm not so easily
dispatched, as you should know, what's going on?"

"We're not sure." Xenon mused "but off hand I'd say-"

"Allow me to clear up your confusion, young man." all eyes turned to the end of the hall,
but Ryoko's face went pale, her eyes wideneding to their brim.

"That voice..." she muttered, her grip trembling slightly.

Around the corner came a man wrapped heavily in black cloth, his face deeply wrinkled
and wizened, large disfiguring scars ropping across his features. Her barely looked
human. His voice croaked, like some heel born fish gasping for air, as he addressed them
again. "I assume your the ones that have been giving Kyojin such a chase...how
delightful...it seems I have you all to myself...children too...indeed, how delightful." he
raised a hand from the black folds of the cloth that encompassed him, a shining metal
claw gleaming in the light.

Xenon narrowed his eyes, the others taking their battle stances. "So," Xenon noted
casually. "It's Shi no Saakasu after all..."

The hideous man chuckled. "Indeed...that it is. I suppose I should introduce myself,
manners being as crucial as they are." he sneered. "My name is-"

But suddenly Ryoko pushed past the others, weilding her staff as she glared at man with
the purest hatred that any of them could recall seeing from her. "Satsujin the ripper,
Sideshow freak of Shi no Saakasu!!"

The man raised a knotted brow, his twisted lips forming a sick smile. "Well, it seems that
some of you know me already...have we met before little girl?"

"You..." Ryoko pointed her staff at the man, still filled with utter hatred. "You mascred a
village in Tea Country three years back...do you remember?"

He laughed. "Oh my dear, you can't expect me to remember every village I've helped
mascre...we'd be here all day."

Ryoko's eyes convulsed as her glare became almost inhuman. "b*****d! I'm here to make
you pay! I'll make you pay for what you did with your life!!"

The man chuckled yet again. "47." Ryoko looked shocked. "Oh sorry, don't mind me, I
just started counting everytime someone said that to me, I hear these pitiful taunts of
revenge so often you know."

"You monster!" Patsu bellowed suddenly joining Ryoko in her rage.

"359." The man taunted smugly.

Xenon meanwhile was looking sidelong at Ryoko. So that was it, that was why she was
after Itskani, she was just like Toko, no, just like Patsu as well. He gave a short grin. Was
he the only one not seeking vengence these days? He turned his eyes to Satsujin. This was
the man she was hunting though? It was a little anti climatic. This man seemed Chuunin
level, at best. Still, he supposed one didn't need power to be murdering scum. "I'd run if I
were you." he suggested plainly.

He was about to retort, when leaves suddenly flew up around him, Xenons eyes flashing.
"W-what? What is-" yet suddenly Xenon burst from his chest, blood pouring everywhere
as the boy's expression had turned demonic. "After all your just a coward who picks on
the weak, I can see it in your eyes!" Satsujin recoiled suddenly spittling in fear. "You'll
find no prey here only DEATH! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Xenon's laughter was loud and
demented as he brought down a heavy kitchen knife in his hand right down unto the
man's skull... then Satsujin snapped aware again, the vision only having taken up the
space of a few seconds. He was pale now, taking quick steps backwards away from them,
none of them having moved.

His hand trembled 'A...a Genjutsu...so quickly...I never even saw him start it...he's as
skilled a Kyojin...' he grit his teeth in panic. "Damn it." he swore before turning tail, and
fleeing back up the hall.

Xenon merely smirked, his Genjutsu having done well, until he saw Ryoko run after the
man. "You're not getting away!" Patsu took after her, Xenon and Toko starting too, only
for Xenon to shunshin backwards after taking a few steps. Toko looked back at him only
to see the Knife that was now stuck in the wall where he might have been. Her eyes
darted again to the wall, where a sheet, perfectly camoflaged into it, fell, resuming it's
normal appearence as the chakra left it.

"Chi chi chi chi.." Toko's eyes widened, and Xenon's, in contrast, narrowed.

"Xen-kuuun," Kyojin said, as though surprised to see him. "fancy running into you here."

Xenon never took his eyes off his opponent as he shouted to Toko "Go, help them, I'll be
fine!" Toko looked slightly reluctant, but nodded, running after their comrades.

"Chi chi chi, Oh Xen-kun, you're so funny...you know that with help you just might beat
me handly...but..." his smirk widened "You don't want help do you..."

Xenon's own knowing grin spread across his face as he seemed to relax. "Well, you have
been a particular bother since we met...I thought it only proper to handle you personally."

Kyojin chuckled again. "Isn't that my line?" he rolled his head slightly. "Oh well...I
suppose it doesn't really matter how the stage is set...I got what I wanted." he slid slowly
into his own deceptively lax stance, throwing knives in hand as his mad smile went to it's
widest. "I get to fight you without anyone interferring..."

Xenon raised a brow slightly. "Hm...if that's your wish, then I have a request."

Kyojin looked tickled. "Oh? Let's hear it then."

Xenon looked sidelong at Mokutan, who was still on his shoulder. "I've two more
companions here, would you let them escape without incident?"

Kyojin snickered. "Naturally, take your time, so long as you don't try to run yourself Xen-
kun...though I suppose I know better then to think you would."

"Both of you, go find Crow." The Snake quickly shot from his arm, taking human form as
Mokutan took off, Medusa and the crow off to seek out his sensei. Both now headed
down the hall, Xenon straightened his glasses, the lenses gleaming over as he met
Kyojin's gaze again. "I thank you for patience, though, if you don't mind, I have a
question."

"Fire away." Kyojin insisted.

"Why attack us here?" he seemed pleasantly curious. "There was no garuntee that they
would give us the information, and now, should your attack fail, it's assured that they will.
It just seems to me like a hasty move..."

Kyojin gave a another tilt of his head. "Chi, You see right through it Xen-kun...your
absolutely right. But this wasn't my idea. Once again I've been dragged into the plans of
the one with the wallet. I think Itskani underestimates you...or perhaps over estimates
us...it's hard to say. Though I personally think we've got quite the odds for success. With
Braago at the entrance, and you occupied fighting me, I don't think your little friends have
much of a chance."

Xenon shurgged. "Heh, maybe not... I suppose I'll have to deal with you quickly then." in
a flash both of them formed hand signs, Genjutsu springing forth at one another's minds.



Patsu skidded to a halt, catching his breath as Ryoko screamed in rage.

"We lost him! Damn it!" She swung her staff at the nearest wall, cracking the plaster. "I
was so close!"

Patsu looked suddenly stern. "So...that guy...he's why you wanted to join us huh?" Ryoko
was silent for a moment, before she nodded mutely. The Fire Breather clenched his fists.
"I'm sorry..." she looked up surprised. "Next time I'll help you get him for sure, I won't let
him get away from you again...okay?" The girl actually turned a shade redder, before
nodding.

"You two!" they both looked as Toko caught up with them, the distant sounds of battle
only barely reaching them. "It's Kyojin, Xen's fighting him but-"

"Sorry," they all tensed as two simultaneous voices echoed in the hall. cart wheeling
towards them to a halt, the twins appeared from around the corner, each grinning as they
gathered their chakra. "But I'm afraid that we can't have ya interupting Kyojin senpai
while he's playing."

"Don't worry though," said the other. "We'll keep you entertained."

Crow was running through the passages, trying to locate the kids in vain as he only ran
into more and more low rank Yakuza battling the Eye's security. If the whole Circus was
really here, then he needed to find and engage them, the kids didn't have a chance against
them alone. If he was right, they would block off the main exit, with their strongest
members, save perhaps Kyojin, and then just wait them out. If he wanted to have a chance
at fighting them off, he'd have to get there before the kids did, and deal with Braago
himself. He wasn't sure if he could beat the fellow Jounin, but it was bet he was willing to
take...or rather, he didn't have much choice.

A whirling ball of water crunched bitterly into the wall as Xenon narrowly avoided,
casting several of his needles back in respiral while Kyojin flipped about in the air to
avoid them. Their battle had actually carried into the casino, the various machines and
such already partially damaged by their efforts.

In genjutsu, it seemed the two were perfectly matched, neither could score a deciesive
blow against the other that way, so it was now that they resorted to Ninjutsu and their
throwing arts, knives and senbon peircing walls and such only to be retrieved seconds
later as the violent shoot off continued. Both Kyojin and Xenon had even been forced to
avoid their own weapons several times, Xenon actually getting stabbed with his own
bloody needle, Kyojin actually having ripped it out his own shoulder to throw it back.
Neither was unscathed now, yet they battled on without relent.

"Do you much like games of chance Xenon?" Kyojin called in the heat orf battle. "I
myself adore them."

Xenon swerved quickly too avoid another of his own senbon as he hurled one of the boy's
knives back at him. "I've been known to entertain in them from time to time."

Kyojin leered. "Indeed. Life itself is a game of chance, where the roulette spins and you
must accept the outcome...all you can do is prepare...and play the numbers..." he smirked.
"The trick is, of course, that the roulette keeps spinning, and if you win once, you can
stack the odds in your favor..."

Xenon spun about, evading yet another projectile before answering with an entire volly of
his own. "What's your point?"

Kyojin took a hit to the mid section, but evaded all the others, not seeming phased at all.
"My point, Xen-kun, is that I have a question for you...a question I've wanted to ask of a
worthy foe for sometime." he gathered chakra into his hand, the phocet behind the bar
exploding as water rushed from it to fuel his Jutsu. "If all humans are objects of chance,
then what is the goal of a god who judges them on the outcome of that chance?" Another
blast of water shot forth, shattering the machine that was behind Xenon as he Shunshined
to avoid. "Surely there's nothing anyone could call such a god but evil!" Kyojin cackled as
he avoided a knife that narrowly whistled by his ear. "God who judges those by the faults
they were delt by chance, when it was he who spun the wheel." his smirk widened. "Such
a cruel and sick minded God indeed."

Xenon still said nothing, both of them now once more facing each other down amidst the
veritable feild of thrown knives and needles, each having used their last weapon.
"Whether he's real or not, that's the way all supposed, "Champiuons of justice" are." he
leered. "They claim that they are in the right, and yet, in the end, they are merely thinking
themselves the instrument of some divine will, some sense that there's truly something
evil about their opponents. Just like god they judge others and think, "I am right, this is
justice." Chi chi chi chi..." he tilted his head at an odd angle. "But not you Xen-
kun...you're not like them..."

Xenon's expression, though somewhat weary, a thin cut running along his cheek,
remained casual, his golden eyes sharp as he said nothing in reply.

"You judge without delusions of some, great sense of justice. You acknowledge that you
are merely following your own will...I could tell the first time we met...something about
that look of yours spoke straight to me." he then returned his gaze to Xenon. "To the point
though...why are you with those others? Those sickening fools who's eyes burn with that
naive wickedness that is a sense of jutstice. They cling to evil and condemn those who are
merely following their own paths in life, but what's more think themselves justified in
doing so...how can you even tolerate them?"

Xenon was silent for a moment, before he gave a laugh. "I see..." he stood straight. "I was
wondering...I knew I saw something of myself in you...besides our abilities."

Kyojin's cheshire grin turned a tad more upwards. "We are very simalar aren't we. Great
minds think alike."

"However..." Kyojin's grin faltered. "you and I, are completely different." Xenon's own
knowing smile was in full force. "You condemn those pure hearts for merely following
their convictions, hating them for their misuse of justice, but how is that any different
from what they are doing?" Kyojin's eyes widened behind his bangs. "As close as you
might seem to be, Kyojin, and as simalar as we may seem..." his smirk seemed entirely at
ease. "You're still miles behind."

For a Moment Kyojin grit his teeth, fury radiating from him, until her stopped, and his
smirk returned. "Chi chi chi chi chi chi chi...chi chi chi chi..." his voice seemed almost
filled with hysteria. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-" he erupted into laughter. "Xen-
kun, you really are something...I suppose you're right." he cackled still further. "Then, let
me word it differently, I just can't stand them."

Xeno shurgged. "I suppose I can understand. Heroes and people who weild justice can so
easily fall astray in their blind pursuit, and they often preach to those far wiser then
themselves."

"Exactly."

"However," Xenon continued. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. certainly
they can be annoying at times, but that moment, that passion in their eyes that's only
possible when someone has no real concept of the truth of this world..." he chuckled. "I
find that beautiful about them..." he looked up at Kyojin. "That's why I like them. That's
why my will wants to help Patsu and the others." his own smirk grew almost sinister,
matching Kyojin's in it's cheshire nature. "I'm not a "good person". At least, that's not how
I see it. I'm merely a person, one who has seen the truth and understands the selfish nature
of the human heart...but I don't find that truth repelling at all...nor do I think the happy
illusions that delude the minds of heroes and the truth, are completely irreconiclable. I
am, just as you said, someone who follows my own will. I've no higher purpose...nor
want." he put his hands in his pockets now, seeming at ease. "Someone like you though,
who's will is twisted by the very things that should make you stronger...heh," his
expression seemed terrifying for a moment. "My will is disgusted by you..."

"Chi chi chi..." Kyojin was almost convulsing with every laugh now, his smile in human
was spread so far to each side. "So interesting... I think you really might be the most
interesting guy I've ever fought. Tell you what, let me give you some advice." he held up
one finger. "You should join us. Someone like you, someone who lives freely by his own
will shouldn't be tied to some pathetic institution like a ninja village, it's practically a
crime. Like caging a wild bird." he twirled the finger about in the air as though this had
meaning. "Authority is nothing more than a crutch for those who would submit to will of
others... people like us, don't need such a thing. Even if my will's methods disgust you,
surely you have to admit I'm right."

Xenon merely shook his head again. "Sorry, but I'm afraid I make a point not to betray
others. After all, those who betray are betrayed in turn, and I'd rather not test karma's
patience." he stared at Kyojin with a condecending gaze "Besides, unlike someone who's
will seems completely without moral preference, I suppose you might say my pride
wouldn't allow me to resort to such measures unless I had no other choice."

"And yet it would allow you to be chained to will of a bunch of ancient relics behind a
desk?"

Xenon adjusted his glasses calmly. "My pride isn't so cheap as to be bothered by
something such as that. I'm using the resources of the village to improve myself, and gain
a reputation in reasonable security, all the while repaying my debt to them. It's not so
much a bird in a cage as it is a snake." he grinned at the analogy and was glad Medusa
wasn't around to hear him. As pleased as she would be, he'd never hear the end of it.
"Large snakes make good pets when they're still small, and are very reliable and loyal to
their masters, however, as they grow, they become too large to take of, outgrowing all
their confinments. Eventually their masters must release them into the wild of their own
accord, because they can no longer confine their size."

Kyojin was actually looking on in interest. "Heh...facinating...you really are an odd one
Xen-kun." he then seemed a bit more serious for once, his smile growing small "I suppose
though, that there's no chance of us coming to terms...is there."

"Not likely, no."

"Hm...shame." Kyojin suddenly flicked his wrist, throwing his last knife, it caught Xen in
the chest...only for him to burst into smoke.

"Hm? A Bushin?! But when did he-" suddenly his eyes widened. 'It must have been when
I was laughing, when I took my eyes off of him.. heh.' He looked down at his feet, "Chi
chi chi...well played Xen-kun...but I'm not about to let you escape!" as he started to head
out into the hall however, his communicator erupted.

"Kyojin! Come in!"

He answered irratably. "What is it?"

"We're retreating! NOW!"

Kyojin looked suddenly shocked. "What!? Why? We have them cornered just as planned,
what-"

"Braago's getting ripped apart out here! This thing isn't even human! We have to get out
of here now!"

Kyojin's expression was actually one of shock. 'What? Who could possibly be beating
Braago that severly? Is it that Man that's traveling with them? We've never seen him fight
before besides the night he acted as their diversion...could...' he swore. "Damn it!"





Braago soared backwards, grunting in pain as his back cracked the marble floor. All
around the hall lay a masscre. The front entrance awash with blood as Itskani's men lay
dead. Crow's eyes wer wide in shock as all he could do was stare. Braago was badly
wounded, his chest slashed brutallty across as blood poured from his lips, his usaully
unruffled dress attire soaked his own blood. He was getting up, but he looked as though
he could barely stand.

"What...the hell...are you...?"

"Hahahahaha." a small man chuckled borishly from behind his opponent, acting as though
he himself had done the damage. "Honestly little worm, it was inevitiable when facing the
likes of Sir Senkyo. You were doomed the minute the young master arrived." he folded
his arms behind him. "A mere human could never match the might of even the lowest
among our warriors...let alone the Black Sonata himself."

Senkyo merely blinked, his eyes glazed over as though he was entirely empty.
"Wow...you're not that strong huh...you were acting like this would be hard... I'm glad. I
wouldn't have known what do if you were really strong."

Braago stuggled to stay standing, the other members of the group behind him looking on
in shock. "Who...who the hell are you people?"

The little man cackled. "That's none of your concern. Sir Senkyo...finish him."

Senkyo blinked. "Huh? But...why? He's beaten."

The little man frowned. "He's dared to challenge the clan, we cannot show mercy to those
who are so foolish. Kill him."

Senkyo blinked, his souless eyes considering this. "No." The little man seemed to recoil.
The other two that were with him taking a step back as well, at which Crow took good
notice. Though there'd been nothing in the boy's tone that implied a threat, it was clear
that these people were terrified of this boy, however aimless his eyes might have seemed.
Though looking around...he couldn't blame them.

"You can go now." Senkyo informed in his detatched voice. "Run away so I don't have to
kill you."

Braago looked furious. "You...you think you can just send me away with my tail between
my legs...no," his breath seethed with fiery chakra. "Do as he says, finish me! I refuse to
flee!"

"Braago!" a woman behind him started to step forward but he stopped her with a gesture.

"Go ahead kid...this was a fight to the death...so finish it."

Senkyo looked at him, his mouth open in an innocent look, that was none the less offset
by the far away look in his eyes. "But...that's not fair." Braago started to retort but Senkyo
continued. "I won, so I should decide whether I kill you or not. A loser like you doesn't
have the right to decide. So... run. I don't want to kill anymore people today..."

Braago looked like he'd been smacked across the face. Before he wavered slightly, and a
smirk appeared. "Heh...I guess... you got me there kid. Alright...you win." the woman
from before ran up to support him as he fell into her, unable to hold his own weight
anymore, yet she seemed perfectly capable of keeping him steady.

Senkyo nodded, doors opening as three figures jumped passed him to join the others,
Kyojin and the twins reunited with the rest as they all looked in surprise at the slaughter,
before they fled back up the passage, Shi no Saakasu making their escape.

Senkyo's eyes closed, his ears apparently telling him all he needed to know. They were
gone. When his eyes opened again, they were once more childish, their innocent shimmer
restored. He turned, the six foot dai katana he wielded bursting into smoke as he put it's
tip to the surface of a scroll that lay on the floor. Bending to pick up the scroll, he was
muttering to himself as Crow finally found his voice.

"You...that was...incredible." The three others turned as one, their faces taking on a high
and mighty air almost at once.

"Hmph, one of the eyes rabble? Tell your masters their little intrusion has been delt with.
We intend for this to improve our negotiation." the little man looked back at Senkyo. "Sir
Senkyo, should you like to rest sir?"

Senkyo looked rather unruffled. "No...I'm fine." he turned, walking directly passed them.
"Um...I'm gonna go..." he shuffled nervously. "Do stuff." with that he made a hand sign,
and promptly vanished into thin air, though the door did open seemingly of it's own
accord a second later.

The little man immeidately took on a more bitter expression. "That boy...it's like he's born
to kill and nothing else...perhaps it is a sign of the turbulent revolution to come. He is
loyal to the clan at least...no higher praise can be given." the other two nodded, if
uncertainly. "Come...this place is starting to smell of vermin." he looked dismissively at
Crow. "We expect this to be cleaned up promptly."

Crow didn't say anything, his mind a whirl at what had just happened. Who in the world
were those men?

Xenon skidded about the corner, his allies coming into sight, all looking thoroughly
confused. "Xen!" Patsu looked relieved to see him in one piece. "You're okay."

"You're wounded!" Toko observed taking a step towards him.

"Not any more." He noted "I've already healed the wounds, only the blood remains, what
happened?"

Ryoko looked as though she'd like to know herself. "Those guy's, the twins show up. We
were fighting them off when all of a sudden they got a some message from their
communicators and they split."

Xenon looked somewhat intrigued. "Is that so..." he seemed to thinking. "I managed to get
away from my battle with Kyojin, but I was surprised when he didn't chase after me...he
might have gotten a similar message."

"Xenon-sama!" "Boss!" Xenon turned to see Mokutan and Medusa heading toward them,
both looking rather winded. Medusa got around to reporting first. "We were unable to
find the old man, but we weren't able to search the whole facility either, certain sections
locked down during the attack it seems."

Xenon nodded, turning back to the others. "I assume the attack is over now though, the
alarms fell silent..." he narrowed his eyes. "We need to find Sensei. Something isn't right
here..."

--Excerpt end--

@Aruil: You are rewarded 2312exp for your time skip story.

Er... Ghost... couldn't you like make it so you do not page stretch so much? Like I dunno, using the whole speech bubble post this way <---> as well.

Wow... eek

@The Ghost of Xmas Awesome, Kimiko: You are rewarded 6478exp for your time skip story.

*~*Day 1*~*

Before the sun could reach the slight break over the cool window panes, small lavender eyes began to flutter open with the morning. The silver lightning of vision was greeted by unfamiliar sights that caused the child to suddenly snap back to consciousness. With breath caught in her chest, fearful that she was somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be, her suddenly energized orbs darted around the room in search of familiarity, recognition. Her heart thudded violently in her chest with the abrupt start of daytime. Her pack lay on the seat of a wooden chair and her sweatshirt hung limply across the backing. There was a thick quilt resting over her legs as she sat in a bed not familiar to her. Leaning her head against the cool wall, her hair splaying messily in a sort of stringy halo circling her face, the young child thought back. Then it hit her, coming to Konoha, training with Rhiam, the exams with that odd proctor, being declared a genin by the Kage in all of his bizarreness, moving into the Nara compound, dinner and having to set the tea, the ceremony to welcome back the Hokage and instate the children into their new ranks. Yes, she had been out late celebrating and shopping with her new sisters and mother. After that she had gone to see the Hokage. It had been an odd experience.

They had been so patient with her. It was almost as if the men escorting her to see the Kage knew what she had been through. Then again it was quite probable that one of them, or possibly both, had been amongst the shinobi that had found her unconscious body just a week before. If she recalled correctly there were also numerous men and women that came in to see her during her four day stay in the blindingly white room. In an attempt to recognize either of them she took a hard look at the details of the two. On her left there was an oddly short man, he was perhaps five foot ten at the most, and his hair was a practically glittering blonde; his features were soft with a rounded chin and rounded eyes that made him feel young and inviting to the child. To the right was his opposite: a tall man with broad muscled shoulders, his features had been sharp with a square, jutting jaw; but still, even with his intimidating stature, there was an aura around him that made him easy to be around without a hint of tension. However, just as that hint of identification came about her there was a sudden stop as the trio arrived at what was, evidently, the Hokage’s office.

Upon entering the room the small genin paid no heed to the decoration, to the arrangement of furniture, to the scrolls and literature that littered the place. No, that wasn’t important at the moment: at the desk in front of the child was the Hokage and he was all that mattered to her right then. This was the one person that could sign off on her immigration and answer the oddly political questions she had for him. With a deep bow she was introduced as Fujiko Tenma of Amegakure, one of the three new genins of the village. After her two escorts were shooed, it was just the seven year-old girl and the, politically, most important man in the village. He was patient and calm, occasionally asking a question about how she came to Konoha, what her motivations were, the wheres and the whys for everything. It took far longer than the girl had anticipated, but she wasn’t about to become impatient in a situation where she was seeking approval.

After a great deal of talking, recalling tales, explaining relations, the child finally left the office, unescorted, with her immigration papers and approval to wear both the headbands of Konohagakure and Amegakure. While walking she took in a deep breath of comparatively dry air, taking in the idea that this was now her new home. She had been sent away for a reason and the child knew this is what her grandfather would have planned for her. Actually, by the sound of it, the Kage wasn’t at all surprised and seemed fairly knowledgeable in her matters. Regardless, she was on the path to developing her own life in a new land filled with bizarre and unique opportunities for someone as young as her.

As the conversations, sights, smells, places, and people all came flooding back to her in a surge, the child of Ame suddenly felt her heartbeat settle back into its proper step. Yes, she was supposed to be there: this was her home now. With silently padding steps the child clambered out of the warmth that was provided under the blanket and replaced everything that her tossing and turning had managed to throw about. All of the blankets were tucked in and the pillows were all resting neatly at the top of the quilt. After making sure she was content with her work, that child turned to her provided dresser. Within the drawers were the clothes that she had acquired with the assistance, and money, of the Nara women. They had been so kind to her and, still, the girl had no idea how she was going to repay them for it. A gentle tug was all the force needed to make the drawer glide out, suspended in the air, exposing its contents to whomever cared to open it. When one peered in they could see shades of blues, purples, blacks, grays, and the occasional bright color speckling the otherwise monotone canvas.

With careful hands and somewhat drooping eyes the girl shifted through the depth of the drawer until she stumbled upon what she had been looking for: a midnight blue shirt with short cap sleeves that just came over the thin curve of her shoulder. One of the elder sisters had picked it for her…someday she would learn their names, but until then she would simply smile and pretend she knew. Now that she had the top half of her body taken care of she would have to find some shorts: based on the words of the youngest Nara, it was fairly warm in Konoha so there was rarely a legitimate need for full length pants. Following the advice she was given the child grabbed out a pair of pitch black shorts that would almost reach the tops of her knees. Her feet remained bare, as they always did, so she could feel the earth beneath her; which left her the most important task of that morning: dawning the genin markers of the Fujiko clan.

Slightly trembling fingers searched through her pack until she found the smooth, worn wooden box that her grandfather had sent with her. The finish was of a dark willow tree that had been felled beside her beloved river that ran behind her home. On the front was a small ornate latch with twisting vines laced with flowers. The brass had lost its sheen through its years of use, but the details were still alive and sharp against the soft, curved features of the box itself. Familiar digits gently moved one of the flowers out of place, though it looked no different from its sister ornaments. A soft click pushed the lid up enough to see a miniscule gap between the flowing, ceaseless wood so that one could peer into the contents. This particular box held a necklace of brown wooden beads that had lost a considerable amount of their diameter from years of endless abuse. Some of the cylindrical pieces had been so roughly worn that they threatened to break off of the rawhide cord that held them in formation for so long. Catching her breath and stopping her heart the girl untied the firm knot in the cord and allowed the beads to slip into it container. They were too precious and there were too many memories for her to risk losing them to a fight or a bit of roughhousing.

With her mind made up and the cord unraveled into the box, the child lifted one bead out, there was a feeling about it that caught her attention: yes, this would be the one she wore on her cord. Through the trembling, her fingers were surprisingly nimble and easily slid the bead back where it belong and knotted it in place. Next was possibly more important than the wooden necklaces the shinobi wore: it was a mark of your status in the clan and the young girl had managed to ascend to a new level that still felt foreign to her. A limp black ribbon held the excess strings of hair out of her face as she began unknotting the three colored beads from her hair. They had marked her as child ever since her hair was long enough to hold the beads in place, but now she had no more need for them. Once her stringed mess was wrestled free of the colored markers they too were placed in the box to be kept hidden away safely and, in their place, a white bead, a red bead, and a new tan bead came out. The box was then closed and locked; she had done enough damage for the time being.

A mirror leaned against the wall as the girl began threading the bead onto her unfamiliarly bare locket of hair. First the tan followed by red and finished by white. With her new identification in place she tied the rawhide chord around her neck, not leaving much room between the bead and the pale flesh of her throat, and allowed it to rest in “U” shaped indentation where the clavicle met with its pair. Only when she was assured that they were both secured did she dare to peer in the mirror at her reflection. Her mouth was slightly agape as she saw that there was an actual difference in her appearance; she hadn’t expected such a change. The tan against her left eye and the darker brown of her wooden bead seemed to further emphasize her alabaster skin. The contrast of the red bead against her light purple eyes made them jump off her features; they seemed to have life that she had never noticed before. Finally was the white bead, this piece emphasized her pale skin but, even more noticeably, gave new energy to the silver lightening in the girl’s eyes. It danced and played as her reflection never wavered in the smooth glass. Perhaps her grandparents would have been as shocked as much as she was; maybe they would now be proud that she held the mark of the shinobi all across her body. No, not yet – not without her two headbands, otherwise there was no real proof; she would just be a child playing dress-up without them. Though it was awkward and slightly difficult, the child managed to latch her Konoha headband onto her right bicep and her Ame headband onto the left. It was done, now she had more than the title.

One final glance in the mirror, a slight n** to her lip, and she left with an image of her shinobi self in mind. The sun was just beginning to peak in through the curtain and a swift hand drug the fabric away from the morning light. Radiant reds and pinks flooded the room while the child smiled into the glowing orb. Swiftly she took the second box from her pack and opened it as she folded her legs in front of her body to support the treasures hidden in the wooden containment. The sun doused the black shadows in the box with its ray, revealing various scrolls of different shapes, colors, sizes. Her grandfather had packed her scrolls? But of what sort she had to know then and there. Without giving thought to which she grabbed, the child lifted out a scroll and pulled the seal to open the reel of thin paper. It easily rolled out before her and the girl instantly recognized her grandfather’s handwriting. Any time he wrote to family she would stand at his side and watch the ease of the brushstrokes, how every motion, every trace of hollow black ink was purposeful, flawless. As her fiery eyes danced over the parchment she noted the title of the piece before her: Etai Jisshitsu. This was the three nature essence techniques that all genin were to learn before advancing in rank. Almost excitedly she rolled it up and reached for the second scroll, curious yet expecting of what would be hidden behind the seal. The next two scrolls revealed specific details about breathing underwater and the ever haled Divine Truth technique. Another scroll had descriptions and illustrations of the Kapchico Fighting Style, but the child would require a partner for this task. The last scroll had gold accents on the wooden ends and the child almost found herself fearful of the contents. Holding her breath she undid the seal and rolled the paper out before her. Without much time to process what was in front of her, the girl’s jaw fell from its clenched position from astonishment. Staring her in the face was a massive drawing of a water spirit and there was miniscule scribbling at the bottom, it appeared that her grandfather had been suddenly rushed, that explained the beast and the techniques, abilities, responsibilities, and danger that came with it; however, if one could gain the trust of one they were a Fujiko’s strongest ally.

Tucking all but the Nature Essence scroll back into the wooden box the girl hid it under her bed, where she had kept all of her valuables back in Ame. There was a sudden pause as the child placed the box and her hand brushed up against something cool and smooth: her mother’s sash. Biting her lip the child pulled it out, since her pants fit now she had no need for the makeshift belt, but she didn’t know if she would part with it so easily. Unrolling it she pulled out her crystal pendant and wrapped it around her right wrist like a bracelet and she thought of how to have her mother’s sash. No, it just wouldn’t work out. Instead of attaching it to her body or her clothes the child wrapped the sash around the pillow she had been using at the Nara house. That way it would always be nearby.

There was a sudden knock on the door, causing the child to jump slightly, and high pitched chatter spilled forth. It was the youngest Nara female calling for breakfast and the girl was soon being tugged along for food. Upon arrival everyone but the two were already there so they quickly claimed their seats and assaulted the food. Today she was next to the two youngest girls and Rhiam was at the opposite end of the table. Somehow Madame Nara had managed to mix prawns into the breakfast, though the girl had no idea how the woman managed it, and it left the young girl baffled. While attempting to eat and fend off others the girl got into a conversation with the people in her general vicinity but was astonished to see the father Nara stealing food off her plate…again. Well, if that meant that he liked having her around then it was fine by her. After the food was gone, however, everyone dispersed and the child took this as a sign to go train. Stopping by her room she grabbed her pack, with her scroll and a couple extra articles of clothing inside, and headed out to the meadows that she had always trained in.

Upon arrival the girl was glad to see that there was no one else in her selected area. Sure, it was always fun working with others, but these were clan abilities that she refused to share with others. Once she was happy with her area the child found a vertical log that had, apparently, been used for training taijutsu numerous times. With a final scan around the arena she opened the scroll to read about the first task: A Bear’s Strength.
The bear is one of the strongest animals, pound for pound, in the world. Their swiping motion and thick claws make for maximum damage to all targets. However, the greatest point of focus in this technique is the bear’s use of energy movement. Power is moved from the legs, up through the torso, to the arm and all is released at the point of impact. In order to harness this it is imperative that chakra is worked through the body, beginning at the furthest most point from the area of exertion, and allowed to gain momentum while building so the point of impact has the greatest possible energy output.
Feeling that she had an accurate image of what she needed to do, the child placed everything back into her pack and placed it by a tree so it was out of the way. That was how things began: the girl continued to build chakra from the lowest focus point and released it through her fist into the standing log. Splinters would fly when she focused her chakra correctly, but when she didn’t the wood tore into her knuckles which left lacerations. Only stopping to rebuild chakra the child continued to work through the necessary fluidity until she was confident that she had it. Blow after blow she was beginning to deal more damage than she was receiving. The inches wore away as she pushed on through the pain, eventually her crimson hands numbed as the nerves began to lose their sensitivity.

Exhausted from her work, Tenma was sure that she had finally caught on to the concept but she was hungry and the sun was beginning to set. Lifting her pack she ran back to the Nara compound, getting in an aerobic workout before the day was up. Upon entering the house she smelled dinner on the stove and, after dropping her pack off in her room and wrapping her knuckles, the girl poured the tea before dinner was served, just like she had the night before. There was discussion about the day’s training, Tenma’s bloody knuckles, and the previous night’s ceremony. It was entertaining, but time was also slipping away as the night rose on the sky. After turning in for the night, held tight to her mother’s sash, the child drifted off to sleep, slowly gaining familiarity in her surroundings.
*~*Day 2*~*
Just as she had the day before, Tenma rose from slumber before the sun could strike her eyes and rouse her. However, this day was also different since there was no panic when she was greeted by the still slightly unfamiliar surroundings. After once more tidying her bed, the child moved over to the rug at the foot of her bed and sat in a meditative position. If she was to keep her connection with the spirits strong then reflection would have to be a daily activity. But if this was going to keep her connection strong it could never be a chore, this had to be something that she looked forward to; and how she did. The spirits had been something that fascinated her, all of her life she was capable of seeing the spirits but they never spoke to her – not that she knew of – but they were always around. How could something so majestic, mysterious, and powerful fail to capture someone’s interest? It couldn’t, especially not Tenma. Thus, during meditation, the child would focus either on the various spirits that she had seen in the past or she would become centric on the self within herself. When this happened, as it did this particular morning, the girl could follow her breathing go from her nose or passing between her lips down to her lungs. In her lungs she would then see how much control she had over the pressure the air made in her chest. If her breathing didn’t interest the child she would listen to her heart beat instead. Then, on the rare occasion, she would follow the lines of her chakra to better know the various reservoirs and veins that she could eventually utilize in combat. Today was a heartbeat day; the double pulse was rhythmic and calm much like her mind now that she was in Konoha.

A full hour of meditation passed before she finally stood to dress. She dressed much like she had the day before, but she didn’t have to fret over the somewhat ceremonious dawning of her necklace or beads since, from now on, they were not to be removed. With her clothes donned and her mind cleared with meditation the girl ran out to serve the tea for breakfast, loving that she had something she would assist the family with. Just as it had before, the tea was served, everyone sat down and fought over food, and the father somehow managed to steal food off of Tenma’s plate. That sudden sparked something, the girl would have to make a mental note to sit further from the father next time; then again that didn’t seem to work for anyone else. Another thing that seemed to be, once again, the same was the presence of prawns in breakfast, which Tenma oddly ate.

Once more like the day before, the child dashed off to train and first ended up in the meadows to continue her strength training. She stood before the log without her bandages and began moving with her chakra. Ever successive strike chipped away more and more wood until the girl was content with the hole her hand kept on disappearing into. If one was to watch her from the side her arm would be swallowed by the log up to the elbow. Yes, she had it, she figured it out! Now she was moving in sync with her chakra and it was creating one of the strongest hits to ever come from a person her size or her age. With a smirk, the child once more gathered her belongings after her hour long session and travelled to the mighty river of Konoha.

There was a sudden weight in the air as excess water hung around the child, the roar of the river seemed ever clearer this particular day. A smile spread across the child’s face as she scanned the turbulent surface, knowing that there were shifting and opposing currents beneath. Shifting through her pack, Tenma pulled out her scroll and looked over her next task: The Dolphin’s Swimming Prowess.
As we have seen before, the dolphin is not only an elegant swimmer, but one of the swiftest and strongest. Their speed is rarely out done and the power produced when propelled by their fin is what makes them a threat to the largest of animals. Humans, however, do not possess a single fin but two separate and independent legs; when used in unison these appendages can create incomparable power. The flippers of a dolphin are also used as propellers, which can also be achieved in a human by rotating their arms, but these particular appendages can also be used in congruency with the legs in order to propel and create power. This is the chakra-enhanced version of the “butterfly” stroke, as you used to call it. By focusing energy in both the arms and legs one is capable at propelling themselves with equal or greater speed and strength of the dolphin.
Avoiding the urge to jump up and down Tenma yanked off her street clothes to reveal the single piece bathing suit beneath it. It too was midnight blue and it fit the child well. With an overly vigorous leap the girl found herself submerged in the swift current of the river; hair being forced to one side and her body suddenly registering the intense cool. As she peered around beneath the surface she thought she saw movement, but dismissed it as nothing since anything would be carried downstream anyways. Eventually the air in her lungs began to run out, the burning sensation filled her chest, and she forced her way to the precious oxygen that she had been depriving herself of. Her fingers and toes were numbing by the time she began training, making her chakra flow with the waving motion of her body. It was almost as if she had been attempting to swim like a fish on its side since her feet, or fin, were moving up and down instead of side to side.

Water continued to lap over the girl as she continued forcing her chakra flow to empower her limbs and speed her constant crossing of river. Every time she managed to reach the shore she would revert herself back from whence she came. It was the constant motion, she joined with something so perfect and ever changing, that made this so easy for Tenma. She never bored of the repetitive nature of it because it was never the same as the time before or the time before that. However, this time she was on edge, as if something else was watching her; as if she wasn’t alone. Sure, a sensei or other shinobi could be hiding; trying to figure out what she was doing would make perfect sense. After all, she had yet to be assigned a team and she was new amongst the shinobi ranks so they wouldn’t recognize her. Then again, it didn’t feel like someone was attempting to mask their energy and, even if they were, they would probably do a better job than this. Three more laps and she began to grow uneasy at the sensation. After returning to the side of the shore where she had left all of her clothes and her bag Tenma gave herself a second to pull strands of hair from her face before looking up into crystalline blue eyes. The child felt her muscles lock as she stared into the endless eyes of a spirit; she was both fascinated and horrified. Had she done something to offend the spirit or was it simply that it was bored and decided to watch the girl in the waters? Unfortunately, Tenma was still incapable of speaking to spirits, but hopefully it was speak to her so she could at least listen.

It felt like hours had passed when only seconds crawled by. The creature with the unwavering gaze was just as staggeringly large as the spirits back home. Its transparent blue hinted that it was a water spirit though what source of water Tenma couldn’t be sure. Unable to move, even to shiver from her rapidly cooling body temperature, and unable to avert her eyes all she could do was wait as time seemed to stop entirely. Suddenly, as her vision had begun to tunnel, the child felt something smooth yet scaly pressed against her cheeks. The tendril or whisker-like appendage that extended from the spirit’s muzzle was touching the child and she wasn’t sure if she should move away, run away, or sit there like a statue. Statue seemed to be working. This was odd situation and Tenma wasn’t exactly sure what to do; but her answers soon came.
I have been watching you, little fish. Dedication and passion combined in the perfect flowing balance that we both love in the river. You have caught my eye, little fish, for you are the human embodiment of the water. Do not change your ways, for I will be following your progress. We shall see where you go, little fish.
Even quicker that it had arrived the spirit disappeared, no longer wishing to be viewed by human eyes. Tenma had just been approached by a spirit…a water spirit. A smile appeared on her lips as she let what had just happened sink in; she actually had a chance to become a spirit host. As her smile began to settle her muscles began to relax and she suddenly found herself lying on the shore. Contentment rose in her as she found another sense of drive and of hope, she had so much riding on her success. Pulling herself up the girl rinsed off the sand, dressed, and headed to the Nara’s for dinner. After all, she had to set the tea again.
*~*Day 3*~*
Upon the morning Tenma was greeted with a sore aching in her shoulders that had once been familiar in Amegakure. They burned with the overexertion of swimming so much the day before, but she was both content and convinced that she had caught on to the technique that she had been training in. As the dawns before the girl made her bed and curled her legs for her meditations. The child pushed out all of her plans for the day, her happiness with the day before, the memories of where she now was, what her situation was like, and all of such contemplations in order to bring forth her inner self and peace. It felt so natural, almost easy, since meditation had become such a habitual practice of hers. Then, as the mornings before, she dressed and served the breakfast tea then joined in with the onslaught. Again the father managed to steal the majority of Tenma’s food, but she wasn’t quite sure how.

Before departing, the child pulled out her final scroll that entailed the details for her third and final Nature Essence that she had a scroll for. It was the Chameleon’s Camouflage and it would assist her in not only physical disguise but in deception and other such social facades. However, the most important aspect was the public hiding of intentions. Just like the two times before, Tenma broke the seal and rolled out the scroll, this time onto her bed. For the last time her grandfather’s handwriting lay before her as the lavender orbs scanned the jet black letters.
It seems that progress you have made has brought you to the final Nature Essence technique. The chameleon is a master of disguise, with every minute change or alteration in their environment. Though this is an invaluable technique, even academy students manage to blend into their surroundings. Instead we focus more on deception of citizens and enemies. When no one can read a person’s true intentions that particular person has ultimate power over their standings and situation. Learn to make yourself transparent or to blend with the necessity of times.
Though this would be one of the odder tasks she would have to perform, the child was confident that she had devised a method of training that would not only help her but it may also provide some entertainment for the younger members of the Nara clan. She would plat two and one: a game where you had to tell someone two truths and one lie, then they would guess which the lie was. This happened to be a game the girl had only read about, but she figured the concept was fairly self explanatory. After checking in with Madame Nara, Tenma was able to play her little game with anyone who was willing and who had the time. There were often bouts of rolling laughter as someone came up with something ridiculous to tell each other. Not only did this increase Tenma’s ability to lie, but it also forged relationships between her and the female Naras. Even the mother sat in for a round.

With only an hour of sunlight left, the child left to go swim in the river once again; if she was so sore that morning, then it would only get worse if she didn’t go work in the water a bit more today. Temperatures were rapidly dropping as the girl leapt into the choppy river and continued her training from the day before. It couldn’t hurt for her to continue working on her technique after all. The rushing waters continued to lap over her head every time she finished coming up for air. This was all the girl did until night fell and she could no longer see the opposing shore. Though the spirit never showed itself, Tenma placed a flower amongst the currents and let it be pulled downstream.
*~*Day 4-20*~*
Though Tenma continued with her daily ritual it was time to work on preparing for her trip to Amegakure. In order to do this, she began working full time at the Ichiraku Ramen Shop. For eight hours each day, after breakfast and meditation, she would be in the back of the shop cleaning plates, pots, pans, cups, and any other pieces that were sent her way. It wasn’t a high paying job and it wasn’t very lucrative, but it was assisting to fund her trip. One of the best parts of the job, however, was that during slow times or when she had no dishes she was able to perfect some of her jutsus and she also completed the rubix cube. Once she grew more comfortable she would move larger stacks or, if she was feeling particularly frisky, she would attempt juggling the dished. Now, this would occasionally break a few plates and it would come out of her pay, but she soon reached the point where she could confidently toss around the dishes without dropping anything.

It was a daily regimen that seemed to be making Tenma far more confident in her and it also developed abilities that she never would have thought she possessed. Not only that, but after work she would go down to the river to run laps up and down the riverbanks, go through as many push-ups as she could manage, gradually add weight to her squats, and she would use a tree branch for pull-ups before practicing and perfecting one of her jutsus, whether it was one of the academy skills or one of the skills from her grandfather’s scrolls. Her skills developed and grew as she remained faithful to both her shinobi abilities and clan talents. With the time allowed the girl became capable of drowning out the world in meditation. Soon Tenma grew very close to the people around her, as well as the family that took her in.
*~*Day 21-25*~*
It was with hugs and kisses that Tenma departed that morning. After work yesterday she had visited the Hokage’s office to acquire a travelling visa and light camping gear, particularly a tarp for over her tent to protect her from the constant rain. It was time, now that she had the money and the gear, to make her trip back to Amegakure. Waving good-bye, the girl reassured the younger ones of the group that she would be back in good time. Then, with a final check in with the guards at the gates, she was on her way back home. In her pack she had a tent and a tarp, a waterproof blanket, food reserves, changes of clothing, her scrolls, and anything that could be useful. Yes, out into the open air and the groomed path.

Just the night before one of the younger children had been asking why she would go back to Amegakure. It was something that had been buzzing in her mind ever since it was brought up: why did she want to go back? Well, she didn’t know what happened to her grandparents for one. Perhaps they were alive, dead, missing, or just fine; Tenma had no way of knowing. Also, she needed training from people of her clan, only then might she be ready to accept a spirit – to be a host. Then again, she would first have to meet people from her bloodline; she had never been to the Fujiko complex. She wanted to learn the history of her people and their ways, but first she would have to navigate to the compound. Finally, she would have to copy scrolls and techniques before she went home so that she could continue training once she returned to Konoha.

As the girl continued walking on the sun rose gradually, increasing the light and the heat surrounding her. If she had her way, the girl would be submerged to her neck in the cool flow of the river; the water that occasionally trickled down her throat wasn’t enough to soothe the urge. In order to take her mind off of her impulses, Tenma held a pebble in her palm and encased it in her chakra, lifting it and throwing it about as she pleased. Hopefully this would increase her control and focus. Not only was it a useful training tool, but this was also assisting a passing the time. It drew her mind away from her water separation and the length of the trip.

From there they days went on without a hitch: walked, eat, drink, walk, walk, walk, drink, walk, walk, walk, all while tossing around the pebble, walk, stop when there was no more light, set up camp, eat, sleep, repeat. It was tedious and long, but soon the girl’s legs stopped aching and her feet stopped burning from the heated dirt against the bare flesh. However, even with those slight pains and aches out of the way, the child couldn’t help but do a little dance and splash about when it finally started to rain. But even with her excitement she still had enough of a mind to double check that her clothing were water proof, but since they were made from the same materials as from Ame, so they were naturally so.

Even though it took her longer than she had projected, Tenma soon saw the swamps on the outskirts of the village. She had decided to take this particular route because it was far less travelled and she was less likely to run into a patrol; the child was uncomfortable with the concept of being imprisoned or interrogated. Instead she would take the risk of traversing her old stomping grounds and play field. However, instead of attempting to cross at midnoon, the child waited. Though she knew the place well, it wouldn’t be in her best interest to push getting through before dark. Instead, she hung her blanket in a tree, out of reach of wandering crocodiles, and practiced her jutsus until sleep beckoned.
*~*Day 26*~*
When the dawn struck her eyes, Tenma was greeted by the moss covered branches of the Ame swamps. She smiled while drinking in the heavy earth scents and sights. The child took it easy trying to untangle herself from her dew covered blanket as she didn’t want to suddenly find herself chest-deep in mud at the bottom of the tree trunk. Before she clambered down, her bare feet digging into the rough bark for grip, the girl ate her breakfast in the safety of the canopy.

There was a squishy sound as Tenma’s rough, fleshy soles sunk into the thick mud. It was the cool liquid feel that she had been craving ever since her travels begun and her addiction was finally being fed. Crocodiles were attempting to bask in the dawning sun and bugs were beginning to flit about in the light. With every careful, sinking step the odor of dirt and life drew up to the child’s senses. Memories of slashing around the swamps, gathering plants, watching wildlife, all came flooding back as she worked her way through the thinning fog. However, she was soon ripped from her thoughts as she noticed a hooded figure in the distance.

Her muscles tensed while her eyes strained to make out the figure, but she couldn’t make out any discernable details with the loose fitting, tattered brown cloak. When her eyes travelled down she saw straw sandals but nothing else. Once it was somewhat clear that this wasn’t an offensive or aggressive person, the girl decided that, if she was going to keep moving, she would have approach the person or go around. But going around wasn’t an option as far as she was concerned. Calling out to the man, she watched his movements; if he would startle or stay, run off or talk, attack or ignore her. There was no telling what would happen but there was nothing she could do now.

It felt like time had stopped as moisture hung in the air and gripped the child’s throat. After being gone, even for such a short amount of time, she had forgotten how thick and heavy the waters and swamps made the air. Tenma’s eyes never left the figure, wary that she had just made a mistake but firm in her decision to do so. Her body grew more and more rigid with anticipation as the moments crawled by, no longer aware of time or space – not even of the crocodiles resting on the shores. With the twitch of nerves her fingers brushed against the lip of her leg pouch that contained the senbon she carried. She wasn’t planning to attack, but it would be easier to defend herself if she was closer to her weapons. No, she wasn’t planning on it, but she would do what needed to be done.

With an almost unnoticeable movement the figure shifted more in Tenma’s general direction and began waddling over to the child. Perhaps this was an elderly patient that wandered off…or not. Just as the child’s shoulders began to return to a natural position with the release of tension an almost inhuman speed struck the corner of her eye as the figure before her disappeared. Only because her hand had yet to leave the vicinity of her senbon was she able to bring out one of her needles to catch the blow of the kunai. However, this man was far stronger than the girl and Tenma suddenly found herself sliding across the muck of the swamp on her back. The wind was knocked out of her and she needed to move, fast. A blow came towards her torso as she slid out from under her aggressor. Her heart was pounding violently in her chest as she planned a route of escape, but there was no way that was going to happen. With the splattering of swamp gunk into the air Tenma’s face was also covered in the reeking mass of deep brown soil. It was odd, the man had just stopped – that was it – and when he turned back towards her, Tenma with her senbon out and ready for an attack this time, the child swore she saw a smile. Creepy.
“So what is a youngster doing lost in my swamps?””
His voice was neither young nor old but it held the wisdom that leapt about with a youthful twang. The man’s muscles were loose and his posture calm, as if he was talking with a familiar face; which was quite effective in confusing the young girl.
“So these swamps belong to you? I was simply exploring.”
“Did you know there are toe-eating fish in the waters?”
“There are toe-eating whats where?”
“Oh my, looks like rain, I better put up the carpets.”
“Wait…what?”
“Oh, hello, and who are you, sir?”
“I’m a girl!”
“Well I know that but do the gators? It’s quite important that you introduce yourself, yes, yes.”
“Why is that so important? I’m more interested in avoiding the gators thank you very much.”
Tenma was beginning to both tire of the man and become intrigued. Did he really speak this way or was he just messing with her? If he was just looking to talk then why had to attacked her? For the time being she would have to go along with it.
“Look! The sun is coming out…I must prepare a sacrifice.”
“Um…”
“Now, now, you mustn’t be late little one! They’re expecting you at the village!”
Before the child could reply the scraggly man disappeared, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and suddenly the gates of Amegakure appeared before her in all their familiarly foreign glory. There was a foul gurgle in the pit of her stomach as she gazed upon the metal figure. Since she hadn’t left during the best of situations there was a twinge of concern as she entered, showing her Konoha identification to the guards at the gate. Without blinking or pausing momentarily they allowed the child to enter; simply unconcerned with the presence of the small child. A simple sketch of her name down on list and she was sent on her way with the simple explanation that she was there to see family: which happened to be partly true. After it was to the hotel for the evening, the hermit had given her a slight fright and she had a lot to prepare for in the morning.

*~*Day 27*~*
With the pale blue dawn of the grayed sky creaking through the cracks in the curtains Tenma found herself raising in yet another unfamiliar bed. It was an uncomfortable familiarity, but she was determined to gather the information she came for and, after she was done, go look for her family. While using the mirror, Tenma made extra-certain that she was as presentable as she could make herself. There wasn’t a single stray strand of string-like hair that fluttered from her face and her beads were clearly, proudly, displayed next to her eye. However, for security, the child tucked away her headbands simply because explaining would be far too great of a risk amongst her people. Her clothes were straightened and smoothed one last time before she picked up her pack and left the room, listening for the click of the lock before descending the stairs out into the flawless sheet of rain that arrived to greet her return home.

Though the girl was saturated within minutes of walking outside, she continued out to the Amegakure swamps where the temple was gently masked. It wasn’t difficult to find, but remembering how to enter was another issue. Swimming with the crocodiles wasn’t her first choice and her grandfather had showed her the one time her brought her to the temple. Within five minutes of walking the perimeter Tenma finally found the entrance, and calmly glided toward the large, elaborate doors until she met one of the guards. To her recollection, her family had a sort of password to enter thanks to her grandfather’s past reputation. He was only to give the phrase to those he trusted the most and, only a week before her flee to Konoha, he had whispered that greatest of secrets in her ear as she carried her mind off to sleep. Lucky for her, it was about to come in very handy.

An almost skeptical peer trailed down the guard’s nose as he looked upon the child. Yes, she stood before him dripping wet and not exactly screaming of a threat. However, his eyes grew slightly at the meek little voice that spoke that one phrase that everyone in the temple knew. Without much of a choice he allowed the girl to pass without any hindrance, staring slightly as she entered the grand halls that gleamed in all their glory. There was such a shine on the floors and the walls, it couldn’t be manmade – but the Fujikos had their ways. Though it took her a couple of minutes, the wonders and hidden glories of the Fujiko library loomed before her. With a slight incline of her head to the man at the interest, more to make sure he saw her beads than to greet him, and then a bow as a second thought, Tenma slinked into the rows and columns of history and jutsus and all things Fujiko. It was here that she would learn all that she could, to a certain point, so that she could continue her clan’s training outside of the country.
*~*Day 28-42*~*
It wasn’t until her second day in the village that Tenma realized how tiring her journey was; but with the healing effects of home it only took her until the end of the week to feel like herself again. Her legs had burned and her feet had been aching, but some home cuisine and a healthy washing of rain had cleared it up flawlessly. Almost ritualistically the child travelled to the Fujiko compound early in the mornings in order to continue her studies and it was there that she remained all day. She memorized the inking on the scrolls as not to create suspicion by writing them down; else she might appear to be a thief. However, there was always the fear that someone was following her back to her hotel at night; her clan was jealously secretive about their ways, so she also never wrote in her room. If she was to take manuscriptual notes it would have to be back in the Fire Country. Her final goal for her little visit: gather all of the techniques expected from a Fujiko genin.

During the day Tenma was adamant about gathering knowledge and understanding, but at night she trained. She would swim the torrent river and meditate in the heavy earth of the swamp. Every morning she did push-ups, sit-ups, and she used anything taller than she was – which were quite a few things – to do pull-ups. As gathered strength and increased repetitions, if she had access to weights she would be strapping them onto herself. Then there was the constant run through of her handseals to ensure that they were always practiced a fluid during her time of mental gain. She wouldn’t allow her body to fall behind as she pushed her mind to new limits with her clan’s scrolls.
*~*Day 43-57*~*
With her training highly successful and her mind constantly developing, Tenma had managed to, for quite some time; leave her small savings of money unchecked. Since she was constantly moving or working her appetite had increased considerably, deceivingly in comparison to her still minute size, the stock had been rapidly depleting and was almost empty. However, she was content that she had gathered all of the information that she needed from the clan, if not more than she required, and obtained a job at the local ramen shop. Again it was back to cleaning and putting away dishes; but it kept her in the hotel, fed, and with a slowly growing fund for her trek back home to Konoha. It was tedious and it took her a few hours but she was soon washing and stacking like the pro she had been back in the Fire Country.-
*~*Day 58-61*~*
After her funds grew to an again comfortable amount Tenma decided to cut back on her hours and focus on the training that had been unfortunately lacking in the past two weeks. True, she had kept up with her morning routine and her meditations, but the child wasn’t learning anything knew. So, before her evening shift at the ramen shop –since that was the busiest time of the day – she would go to the water in order to train herself to breath underwater. It was a special technique to Fujikos, one that would allow them to stay submerged for up to ten minutes at a time without surfacing for air. With her new training, Tenma knew to use her chakra to convert the water around her into an O2 compound while releasing the excess hydrogen. It was quite difficult at first and it took her longer to master than she expected; but her energy grew and her precision multiplied to the point she could stay under for nearly thirteen minutes, but then she wouldn’t make another attempt that day for fear of running out of air too quickly. The girl’s stamina and control had expanded so immensely, she was just disappointed that she may never get a chance to show her grandparents. If only they were with her.