Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Eyes piercing the darkness ❯ Go team Gai: Protect the princess! ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Here I am once again, giving you the best I can do. I thank everyone for their support and The awesome reviews that I get. I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter and enjoy this one as well. Now to thank the people I couldn't e-mail.
Tokei Shiro: I don't know if that was your actual name though, but I thank you for your awesome review, and I'm glad you like JJ and Mika. In truthfulness, I actually did plan for him to be on team Kakashi for a while, which is why Raizen got hurt. I originally planned for him to be a temporary replacement for Raizen. I always plan out my entire story before I write page one, but while writing a chapter I usually just tend to go with the flow. If something doesn't feel right to me I may just erase it. Although I did always plan for JJ to be his teammate eventually, it wasn't going to be so soon. More accurately, not until Tsunade showed up. Then I just decided that that would take too long so I made Claire a medic-nin. Anyway Thank again and I hope you enjoy this chapter too.
Mastermike89: Thanks, that was actually just me being goofy. I like to compose my stories like things that actually happen in anime or things you could see happening on an anime you watch, but I love to put in my own touches too. That was something I thought about alot and it was planned to happen from jump street, but for a second, I almost didn't do it, thanks to you, I'm glad I did.

As always I am going to list off the references I made.
Breath of Fire 4: Fou Lu is an emperor who ruled a kingdom many years before the game's timeframe, who was revived along with Ryu. In this story however, they are brothers who served side by side on the throne as the dragon kings.
Resident Evil: Everyone should know who Leon-sensei was, it was pretty obvious.
Megaman: The name Trigger belonged to Megaman in the Legends series, so yes Trigger is Megaman.
Devil May Cry: I'm pretty sure that a lot of you caught on to that one. Dante-sama is the bad ass demon slayer from the popular series that just happens to be one of my favorite games.
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams: Soki and Jubei were my two favorite characters in this entry of the awesome fanchise.
Street Fighter: If you didn't catch on to this obvious reference, then I just don't know what rock you've been hiding under in the 90's, but it must have been in one sad and distance land.
Strength's Wake: Most of you may not know this, but the Nores clan that Norugi belongs to is the clan that my OC Glen in my other story belongs to as well. Both believe that they are the last of their clan. Glen also has a dragon, but for a different reason than Norugi and they both believe that they are the last of the clan. Even If I do plan on making him show up in this story, I'll leave his background to Strength Wake.
Akiba Girls: Um....yeah.......well the part where Raizen said "THE PIT" was actually something I got from the series. I just wouldn't suggest looking this one up on youtube.

Anyway, I will be leaving the rest to the chapter and tell you a little more about my newest OC Ishi-hime. I thank everyone who reviews and a special treat for you all will show one of my specialities in action. I really accel at combining the specialities of characters together. In other words, I'm good at making team attacks. I'll display that early in this chapter.

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Go Team Gai: Protect the princess!

Neji lifted up his backpack and sighed as he thought back to his mission breifing.

[Flashback]
Neji: So we're to protect an important diplomat from attackers.
Sarutobi: Not only that, but I would like for you to gather information on these attackers as well and eliminate them.
Tenten: Why would they want us to do that? We're only genin.
Sarutobi: That is part of your investigation. I want you to find out more about the people around said princess.
Lee: Then you can count on us Hokage-sama. Will Gai-sensei be accompanying us?
Sarutobi: No, I have assigned him to a more important assignment, he wikll be back after your mission. Be cautious, I suspect fowl play.
Neji: Yes Hokage-sama.

[Flashforward]
Neji looked up and pulled his bag onto his back.

[Flash]
Naruto walked lazily through the village and looked toward the sky, because of the fact that Claire was busy at the hospital; being as she was the "miracle healer" Naruto wasn't able to actually do anything as a team yet. Mika seemed to be busy preparing and JJ decided to wander around the village for a while; it seemed he liked to know his surroundings. Hinata and Hanabi were home being scolded by their father for disappearing the middle of the night, while Lee, whom was the only other person he really could call a friend at present, was going out on a mission with his team. Yubiki had left his seal and made her day walking around the village as well, and Naruto had never felt so empty.
????: Hey Naruto.

The said boy turned to the voice that called after him. It had come from a ramen stand and an old man who appeared to be the restaurants owner waved at him.
Ichiraku: Com'n over!

Naruto simply lifted an eyebrow and slowly walked over to it. He stepped into the stand and sat on a stool.
Ichiraku: I never really got a chance to speak with you.
Naruto: So, you wanted to speak with me?
Ichiraku: Yeah, your Father and "Mother" were some of my best costumers.
Naruto: I don't have any money, but-
Ichiraku: Don't worry, for this time only all the ramen you order is on the house.
Naruto: Okay?

Ichiraku went into the back and prepared Naruto a bowl before he came back and set it in front of him. Naruto stared at him for a second and then down at the ramen. He leaned down and sniffed it for poison before a woman walked from the back and said.
Ayame: Don't worry, there's nothing funny about it.

Naruto looked up at her and nodded before he pulled apart his chopsticks and picked up a noodle from his bowl. Naruto simple a single noodle and his eyes dilated. For a second he sat stationary and seemed like he keeled over, but suddenly he snapped back and devoured the food in front of him like a starved wolf.
Naruto: More.

Ichiraku smiled; this boy was diffinitely Minato's son. Once another bowl was sat in front of him Naruto activated his byakugan and stared down at it.
Naruto: [Where do they hide all the flavor!? This must be where Hinata-hime and Hanabi-hime learned to cook.]

Naruto dropped his eye technique and dropped face first into the bowl. When he pulled his face back up the bowl seemed to be licked clean and he somehow managed to keep from getting a drop on his face.
Naruto: More.
Ichiraku: Alright.

Neji walked passed the stand and looked in to where Naruto was before he smiled slightly and sat down next to him. Naruto peeked his eye over the him and closed them both with a snicker while still holding the ramen in his mouth.
Neji: So this is what demons do in their free time?
Naruto: No, but I guess everyone has to eat Hyuuga-san.
Neji: Hyuuga-san?
Naruto: Oh yeah, I called you that because I don't respect you enough to call you by your name.
Neji: Is that so?
Naruto: Yeah, you know, way before I met you I actually knew alot about you.
Neji: I can guess how. I'm also guessing that you didn't hear things that you liked.
Naruto: You'd guess right. You see when people conceal anger and sadness for a long period of time, they tend to look for a vent. Hyuuga-san, I was that vent for a very long time.

He said between eating his ramen.
Neji: Oh really?

Ichiraku backed away slowly seeing where the conversation was going.
Naruto: You see, it seems that girls don't like being told that they would grow to be nothing more than figure-heads that will make their clans future by lying on their backs.
Neji: I call them like I see them.
Naruto: Really?

He asked pulling forward another bowl of ramen. He placed his chopsticks into the broth and pulled up a noodle before he spoke again.
Naruto: So what if I said that you were nothing, but an asshole who's insecurities leads him to malicously insult two people who have done nothing to him only so that he could feel that he was supereor when in truthfulness he knows that no matter how hard he fights he'll never be able to achieve what they have just by being born.
Neji: What!?
Naruto: I'd say that you have an inferiority complex.
Neji: So, the kyuubi also taught you pyschology?
Naruto: No, it's something I picked up on my own. It's not hard to miss either.
Neji: You think that you are strong, but your fate just threw you a better hand than most. Your power is not your own.
????: I'd say you were wrong.

Neji looked up and turned around to Yubiki standing behind the two.
Yubiki: This boy is indeed strong, he doesn't need my help.
Naruto: Besides, I don't remember mother helping yesterday when I kicked your ass up and down the training field.
Neji: Shut up, you could never match me on equal terms. Besides I know you're only tricking everyone, I'm not as naive as Hinata.
Naruto: What do you mean?
Neji: You try to act as if you really care about her and Hanabi, but I noticed a couple of days ago that they couldn't fight the urge to go to you. That mark that you gave Hinata makes it hard for her to be apart from you, it drove her to free you. It was a clever plan.
Naruto: Ha, you're right, it is a clever plan.

Neji smiled at Naruto and stopped to eat some of his own ramen.
Naruto: Too bad I didn't do that.
Neji: What was that?
Naruto: You seem to think that I'm you. Look, I never even thought of doing something like that, both of those girls are worth more to me than even myself. I am a knight for this village, but my highest priority is the safety and well-being of my princesses. I will crush anything that harms them, mentally or physically. That includes you.
Neji: You have no opinion, you are not a Hyuuga and you only achieved our bloodline limit because of the mark. You should stay out of what happens between me and your so called "princesses".

Naruto smiled and for the first time since Neji sat down, he stopped eating and set down his bowl. Neji noticed and activated his byakugan. Naruto snapped up form his chair and grabbed Neji by the collar and pulled him to his face. His act knocked his food from the counter and it fell to the floor. Yubiki looked at the spilled ramen and tried to hide her anger. Neji placed two fingers at Naruto's heart and Naruto placed two fingers at his head. Neji looked into Naruto's eyes as Naruto's byakugan was active as well.
Naruto: I should kick your ass twice, once for what you just said and the second for making me spill my ramen.
Yubiki: Yeah.

She said weeping over the spilled deliciousness.
Naruto: You say it has nothing to do with me? Do you know how times I had to watch them cry because of something you did or said to them? I will kill you if I ever see them cry like that again because of something you did.
Neji: And you think that scares me? If they cried then it was their fault for being so weak. You may intimidate some people, but I don't fear you and I never will.
Naruto: I don't want you to fear me, but you will respect me.
Neji: Tell me why I should.
Naruto: I just did.
Neji: Killing me would destroy your chances of ever becoming hokage. You wouldn't take such a risk.

Neji responded with an arrogant smile.
Naruto: Some things are worth it.

He said making Neji's smile vanish and be replaced by a glare.
Naruto: What makes me madder is that each time either one of them referred to you, they called you nii-chan. They don't even hate you and they feel as if they did something to invite your wrath. Being born is nothing to be punished for, and I will not let you convince them that it is.

Naruto said removing his hand from Neji's collar and walking away.
Naruto: I'm outta here.

Naruto suddenly stopped and walked back to the counter before removing five bowls of ramen and saying.
Naruto: Now I'm outta here.

Naruto walked off and shouted.
Naruto: I'll pay next time I come and I'll return the bowls.
Yubiki: Hey some of those better be mine.

She said running after him.
Naruto: No get your own!
Yubiki: No give me some.

Neji watched them walk away and turned back to behind the counter. Ichiraku and Ayame were fiercely glaring at him. Neji huffed and walked away, but stopped briefly as he heard Ayame say.
Ayame: Asshole.

Neji picked back up his pace and walked toward the gates of the village.
Lee: Where is he?
Tenten: Neji's never late, I wonder if something happened.
Lee: Wait I think I see him. Neji, hurry up!

He shouted to his friend, who ironically seemed to start going slower. Lee frowned and ran down the path to Neji and dragged him back to the gates.
Neji: I can walk on my own.
Tenten: Well not fast enough. What's wrong with you?
Neji: Nothing, I just had a talk with Naruto.
Lee: So he told you about what Hinata and Hanabi told him?

He asked as they finally started walking away from the village.
Neji: You know about it?

He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Tenten: He talked to us after he and Lee sparred with each other. When we said that we were on your team he said that you were an asshole and he wanted to have a word with you.
Neji: I'm not an asshole.

Both of his teammates looked away from him quickly and ahead at the path they were walking on. Neji lifted an eyebrow and looked at them before asking.
Neji: What? Are you saying I'm an asshole!?

He shouted in outrage. Lee covered his ears and sighed before saying.
Lee: Kind of.
Tenten: I won't say you're an asshole, you just have assholish tendencies.

She said trying to be as nice as possible.
Neji: Is that what you really think?
Lee: Gai-sensei says that it is against the ways of youth to lie to your friends.
Tenten: What he said. Neji you're not a bad guy, you just have your flaws.
Lee: Don't worry though, I will always be on your side my friend. You could be nicer at times though.
Neji: Hmph, who said we were friends?

He said as he set himself in front of the other two and jumped into a tree to quicken his pace. Tenten looked up at him and turned to Lee.
Tenten: He didn't mean that.
Lee: I know, he just needs to find someone who he can care about, he'll loosen up after that. I never liked people that much either until I met Gai-sensei. Sometimes I know that he may seem weird, but he is the closest thing I've ever had to a father, I was alone before that. He hasn't found anyone like that yet.
Tenten: Well, let's hope he finds someone soon. Maybe we should try to catch up with him.
Lee: No, let's go at our own pace. He will need the space to think.
Tenten: Maybe you're right......race you!

She said jumping into the trees.
Lee: I accept your challenge.

He said jumping up behind her as they raced among the trees and actually passed Neji on their way. Neji looked at them and shrugged before joining the race as well.

[Flash]
Hinata sat back and watched her team as they trained along side each other. She had been excluded because of a strange sickness that she felt. It didn't seem to hurt, but it hindered her from doing certain things. Suddenly her entire body became hot and her eyes grew wide. She collapsed to the ground Shino looked over and stopped his training before he, Kurenai, and Kiba ran over to her. Akamaru jumped from Kiba's head and sniffed her while whimpering.
Kiba: Hinata!? Hinata!?

Kurenai removed Hinata's jacket and checked her heart, but found that it was beating regularly. Naruto sat in his room finishing his ramen until he felt something. He jumped from his chair and Yubiki followed him [He shared.]. Naruto knew exactly where he was going, he found himself standing in the training grounds looking at Hinata; collapsed on the ground.
Naruto: So it happened already?
Kiba: What!?

He said as he quickly stood up and walked to Naruto. He grabbed Naruto by his collar and growled.
Kiba: What did you do to her?
Yubiki: He didn't do anything. She's just changing.
Kurenai: What does that mean?
Naruto: Remember what I said about her gaining my powers, well because like me she was born a human; her body has temporarily shut down to adjust to the changes her body is taking. Think of it as her body rebooting, she needs to rest.
Shino: How long does it take?
Naruto: Well, I hear that I had to sleep for a whole day. Kurenai-sensei, can you take her to your house to rest?
Kurenai: Not that I mind much, but why me?
Naruto: Because Hiashi might freak out if you took her home looking like that, and if I took her home people would probably get the wrong idea. Besides, she always spoke fondly of you, so I think maybe you should look after her for the time being.
Kurenai: Good reason. Alright, I will take her to my house. Yubiki-san, can you teach my students in my place?
Yubiki: Sure, I was bored anyway.

She said with a devilish smile that made both boys, and the canine on their team, sweatdrop. Naruto smiled at Hinata as Kurenai picked her up and made her way away from the training grounds.
Yubiki: Now let's begin.

Naruto turned back to the boys and shook his head as Yubiki began what he called torture training. Even the always cool-headed Shino was freaking out. Naruto smiled and chuckled, at least it wasn't him this time.

[Flash]
Tenten: Is this it?
Neji: Yes, the kingdom of flowers. This is where Ishi-hime is waiting for us.

He said as they stood in a raidiant and beautiful city. The flowers seemed to glow in the midday light. The buildings seemed to be covered in the beautiful flowers, but the people were no where to be seen.
Lee: So where do we go?
Neji: To the palace of flowers.
Lee: Where is it?
Neji: Just a guess, but I'd have to say that it's the giant palace with the flowers around it over in the center of the city.
Tenten: Well what are we waiting for?

She said as she walked quickly down the road. Lee looked at her as she bathed in the light that the flowers emitted.
Lee: What is it about flowers that women love so much.
Neji: How should I know? Let's move.
Lee: Right.

He said as he quickly caught up to Tenten. She spun back and grabbed Lee's hand before saying.
Tenten: Lee, let's look around.
Lee: But Tenten, the mission-
Neji: Do what you want, I'll go and annouce our arrival. Just make sure that you gather information from the people.

Tenten looked around and noticed something.
Tenten: What people?

Lee looked up and scanned the area.
Lee: Now that you mention it, I haven't seen anyone since we arrived.
Neji: You two check it out, I'll head to the palace.
Lee: Okay.

Neji jumped to the roof of a house and made his way to the palace of flowers. Lee looked at Tenten and nodded before they started to survey the area.
????: Help.

Came a weak plea from a building. Lee ran over to it and saw a man bleeding onto the ground.
Lee: Are you alright.
Man: Please, save Ishi-hime, please....save....her.

He said with his last breath. Lee stood up and clentched his fist. He had finally looked around the entire room. The man wasn't the only one who was killed, there were bodies of even women and children litered on the floor.
Lee: What kind of monster would do this.

Lee slightly peeked back and saw a ninja falling down at him. Lee snapped his head up and jumped sideways before delivering an air spin kick to the ninja's head that sent him flying back through the wall. Lee walked to the door and charged out before kunai began to rain down at him. Lee frowned and jumped away before Tenten ran in front of him with a sheild that stopped all of the kunai in their tracks.
Sound Ninja: I will not be stopped by mere genin. We will capture this kingdom in the name of Orochimaru-sama.
Lee: Orochimaru?
Tenten: So sound ninja are behind this?
Lee: Look out!

Lee jumped down and scooped Tenten away from a flying chakram. Lee held her up and she climbed onto his shoulders before she bit into her thumb and wiped her blood onto a scroll. She leapt into the air and spun upside down before she whipped the scroll around in the air causing various weapons to come flying from them. Lee flipped back onto a roof as the weapons hailed onto the ground. As the weapons killed most of the ninja on the ground. Two ninja ran into the scene and looked upon the chaos before they frowned at the two. Both had caught many of the weapons that flew at them. One of the men threw twelve of the weapons back at Tenten as she came back to the ground and she tried her best to dodge, but most of the weapons hit their mark, although no serious damage was done. Lee jumped up and grabbed the last mark on Tenten's scroll and pulled out a giant hammer. Lee grabbed Tenten's hand and threw her down to a roof before he descended to the ground and slammed the hammer at the two men. Both jumped in different directions and landed on the ground around the dead bodies and jumped back at Lee.
Lee: Why have you done this!?

Neither answered as they both kicked at Lee, who flipped back away from the attack. One ninja jumped onto a wall and leapt at Lee who ducked under him and spun sideways to dodge a kunai that came from the other ninja. Lee placed the head of his hammer on the ground and pushed himself into the air before he pulled his weight down and flipped the hammer into the air. Tenten jumped up to the hammer and placed both feet onto it before she kicked it back down at the men before she flipped down to a roof. Both ninjas dodged the attack and kicked the hammer back at Lee. Lee failed to dodge and caught the hammer head on which caused him to go flying back into a wall.
Tenten: Lee!

She was given no time to help him, the second she jumped from the roof a rope tied her legs together and pulled her to the ground. Both ninjas walked toward her as they pulled swords from their backs. Lee recovered slightly and looked at her as Gai's words rang in his head.
[Gai: Only remove your weights if the lives of important people are at stake.]
Lee: [In other words, a moment like this right Gai-sensei?]

Lee struggled to his feet and pulled off his leg warmers to reveil weight straps on his legs. He unlatched the strap on his right leg weights and kicked as hard as he could, causing the weights to fly off. One of the ninja turned just in time to catch it right in his chest, killing him on impact. Lee unlatched the other weights and did the same with the weights on his left leg. The second ninja, however was aware of the attack and he dodged it by stepping to the side, but he also let go of the rope binding Tenten. She pulled a kunai from her hip and slashed the rope before she jumped into the path of the sound ninja.
Tenten: It's my turn.

She lifted her arm and punched furiously into the stomach of the ninja and followed with three hooks. The man leaned to the side and Tenten followed with a spin kick then made the man spin backwards. Tenten charged at him and jumped into the air before delivering a fierce straight kick to his chest.
Tenten: Dynamic Entry!

The ninja flew back into a wall and collapsed to the ground. He struggled back to his feet and looked at the girl. He roared in rage and ran at her, but was stopped as a green blur appeared in front of him.
Lee: You haven't forgotten about me have you?

Lee ducked down and uppercut kicked the man into the air. Tenten smiled and pulled two scrolls from her pouch and placed them at both her sides before she began to do a series of handsigns.
Tenten: Flying twin dragons!

The scrolls shot into the air, shrouded in a cloud of smoke that resembled two serpentine dragons and circled around her and the airbourne ninja. She jumped into the air and placed her hands on the scrolls causing weapons to appear from them. Lee smiled and ran as fast as he could up the scrolls while at the same time grabbing weapons as well. Both genin tossed the weapons they grabbed at the unfortunate ninja caught in the spiral. Lee threw weapons as he made his way to the middle of the spiral and he grabbed a staff before he jumped from the scrolls and slammed it into the man's back causing him to go flying higher into the air. Tenten flipped to the top of her scrolls and grabbed the last weapon; a giant mace. She flipped from the scroll and slammed it down into the man causing him to plummet back to the earth. Lee landed on the ground and looked at the falling ninja before he wrapped the scrolls around his arms and Tenten wrapped the tip of the scrolls around her arms before both spun in opposite directions and wrapped the ninja in the middle. Tenten fell and latched onto the man as Lee jumped up to the ninja. Both grabbed opposite sides and Lee began to spun them in a whirling spiral.
Tenten/Lee: Dragon Lotus!!!

They both screamed on their descent back to the ground. A loud explosion of dust and rubble resulted after the combined attack finally finished. Both genin slid in different directions and Lee fell to one knee. He had trained to absorb all damage that may have come from the technique so that Tenten wouldn't be hurt, but that left him in a bad spot. Tenten ran over to him and he nodded before standing up. Both genin checked the sound ninja that had been the unfortunate recipient of their attack. He was no longer breathing and the area was now filled with the smell of death. Lee stood to his feet and quickly turned as an explosion went off in the palace of flowers. Tenten looked at him and he nodded before they made their way toward the building.

[Ten minutes earlier.]
Neji ran at breakneck speed toward the palace of flowers and gazed upon the massive set of stairs that led upward into it. He began to ascend the stairs and stopped for second as he saw something zoom behind him. His byakugan now flaring he found that there was nothing behind him, or at least nothing he could see. He continued his walk upward and found himself standing in front of a large door. He opened it and walked into the palace cautiously while scanning every corner of the room. The entire place was made out of beautifully carved stone. He walked into the main hall and opened a door that seemed to be a throne room. Once the door opened someone ran right into his arms. He looked down and locked eyes with the most beautiful onyx eyes he had ever seen. The girl was dressed in gorgerous white robes and her long black hair was slightly ruffled and she gave him a pleading look of fear. She slowly walked back away from him before collapsing to the floor. Neji looked down at her and gazed behind her as two ninja came after her, she must have mistaked him for one of them. Neji stepped forward and the girl flinched on the ground, but Neji walked in front of her and slammed two fingers into one ninja's heart before he thrusted a palm into the face of the second ninja, shutting off the flow of charka to his brain. Neji watched as the man dumbly fell to the ground and twiched until finally dying. Neji looked down at the girl and spoke.
Neji: Are you princess Ishi?
Ishi: Yes.

Neji reached down his hand and grabbed hers before pulling her to her feet.
Neji: My name is Neji Hyuuga, I am a ninja from the leaf village and I am to protect you.

Ishi gave a giant sigh of relief and hugged Neji, much to his surprise.
Ishi: Thank goodness.

Neji blushed slightly and pushed the girl to arm's length before asking her.
Neji: Please inform me of the situation.
Ishi: Yes. We are being attacked by the hidden sound village. I don't know why, but Loni-sama believes that it is because they wish to claim our kindgom as their territory.
Neji: Why attack only now?
Ishi: Because my father died recently and I am the only one left to take the throne.
Neji: So they figure that it would be an easy target because of your age.

Neji looked slightly to the side and thought.
Neji: [It makes sense. This kingdom is small and it is close to the border of sound. If they could claim it then they could widen their hold on this land.]

Neji looked back at the girl and grabbed her hand.
Neji: We're leaving.
Ishi: No we can't, Loni is still in the palace somewhere.
Neji: [Damn.]

Neji gripped the girl's hand tighter and covered her as the door behind him blasted open. Both doors flew right passed them and Neji looked back as three ninja pointed and ran after him.
Neji: Go up.

He commanded to the girl. She turned around and ran toward the stairs leading higher into the palace. Neji looked toward the ninjas and slowly made his way to the stairs behind Ishi. He burst out running back and the ninjas gave chase. He watched Ishi ran up the stairs in front of him and looked around at the narrow hallway and windows at the left wall.
Neji: [Perfect.]

He thought with a smile. He flipped back down and shocked the ninja coming after him. He kicked down into the head on one before sending a quick strike to the stomach of a different ninja. Neji landed into a crotching position and sent three strikes into the chest of the same ninja before rising with a thrust kick to the man's chest that sent him falling back into the crowd. Some of the ninja were dragged down with him and Neji started to run up the stairs once again. He looked up the stairs and gazed as a ninja looked at him through the window. The ninja smashed the window and jumped through it. He landed in front of Neji and stared down at him. Neji looked behind the ninja and smiled. Ishi lifted up a vase and smashed it into the back of the ninja's head. It didn't really hurt him, but it did distract him. He turned back to Ishi and Neji grabbed his neck and pulled him back before slamming two fingers into his back. Neji looked back down the stairs toward the ninjas that were coming back after him. Neji quickly reached into his puch and grabbed hold of an explosive tag before slapping it onto the man's back. Neji slapped his back against the wall to his left and lifted his leg. He dropped it down into the stomach of the man he held and knocked him down the stairs toward the ninja ascending them. Neji dived up the stairs and the ninja looked down at the body that laid before them.
Sound nin: Shit!!

The resulting explosion took all of the sound ninja down with it. [The same explosion Lee and Tenten heard.] Neji landed in the corridor on the second floor and stopped himself right in front of Ishi. She grabbed his hand and led him down the hall. Neji looked at her for a second while trying to catch himself. She looked scared to death earlier, why is she taking charge now? She opened a door and pulled him inside before closing it tightly.
Neji: What are we-
Ishi: Shh, there's a secret passage in here, as long as they don't find us, we're okay.

She walked over to a wall pulled down on a light fixture.
Neji: Isn't that kind of cliche?

He asked her before she pulled a lamp, stepped on a tile, punched a spot on the wall, threw a ball at a certain part of the back wall, and knocked on the bookshelf three times then wall by her side opened. Neji narrowed his eyes and looked at her as she walked into the secret passage.
Neji: Well that was unneccessarily complex.
Ishi: Com'n.

She said to him as she continued down the path. She pressed down on one of the inner walls and the passage closed. The second it did one of the sound ninjas came flying through the door and crashed into the wall. Lee walked in and looked around.
Lee: Where are you Neji?
Tenten: Com'n let's look somewhere else.

Neji looked back for second in the passage.
Ishi: What's wrong Neji-kun?
Neji: I thought I heard someone I know. Never mind, where are we going?
Ishi: This passage connects to the rest of the palace. If we can find out where Loni is then we can rescue him and escape.
Neji: What then?

Ishi stopped and stood still.
Ishi: I don't know. Loni was the one who came up with the plan. I requested that we seek help from the leaf ninja, but they attacked before you got here. If I fail my kingdom, then my parents will have died for nothing.

She quickly looked back at Neji with teary eyes and grabbed onto him.
Ishi: What do I do?
Neji: Live.

She pulled back and looked at him.
Neji: It is my mission to protect you and quell the sound uprising. That is what I intent to do. It is your fate to rule this kingdom, you must face it. If you wish to give up on yourself, then there is nothing I can do for you.

Ishi looked down and Neji closed his eyes.
Neji: But-

He said causing her to look back at him.
Neji: If you wish to fight, then I will do everything in my power to assist you.

Ishi smiled and wiped her eyes before she blushed and turned away.
Ishi: I will.
Neji: Then shall we get going?
Ishi: Yes.

Ishi grabbed Neji's hand once again and led him through the maze-like passage.
Neji: [Why did I say that?]

He pondered as he let Ishi lead the way. He activated his byakugan and stared through the walls of the passage.
Neji: I see someone. Above us.
Ishi: The third floor. Com'n.

Ishi ran toward one of the walls and jumped onto it before she pounced off onto the wall behind it. She triangle jumped on the wall until her back face an opening to the floor above them. She kicked up and flipped back onto a ledge and looked down at Neji.
Ishi: Com'n.

Neji looked at her in awe. It wasn't that she was that acrobatic that shocked him, it was that the next floor was fourty feet up. The girl may not have been able to fight, but it did seem that she wasn't without skill. Neji focused the chakra into the soles of his shoes and ran up the wall before he jumped back next to her.
Neji: He's right ahead of us. He appears to be tied up.

Ishi ran and looked at one of the passage's many walls before she pressed a stone next to it that caused the passage to open. Ishi looked down at a tied up man on the floor and ran over to him.
Ishi: Loni, are you okay?
Loni: Ishi-hime, you are unharmed. That is wonderous news.

Loni looked up at Neji and flinched before he laid eyes on his headband.
Loni: Oh thank goodness, the ninjas from the leaf are here.....are you the only one?
Neji: No, I have two allies who I believe may already be in this palace as we speak.
Loni: Thank you for protecting our princess, now we can retreat from the castle.
Neji: I would hold back on that plan for a while.
Ishi: Why?

The door behind them shot open and five ninja ran into the room.
Neji: That's why.
Sound ninja: Kill them.

Neji dropped into stance and the ninja began to run after him. One ninja threw a kunai at him, but he caught it watch two fingers and flicked it back into the man's neck. All of the ninja charged at him from all sides,but he simply smiled back at them. His byakugan flared and he dropped into a phoenix stance. While they thought they had him caught, he actually had them right where he wanted them.
Neji: 8 Trigrams: 2 palms.

He shouted as he sent two lightning fast strikes to the chest of the ninja in front of him.
Neji: 4 palms!

He shouted as he did the same to the ninja at his left.
Neji: 8 palms!

He said hitting the ninja behind him while leaning completely backwards.
Neji: 16 palms!

Neji sent eight strikes into the chest of the man to his right.
Neji: 32 palms!

Neji went into a complete 360 rotation as he struck the ninja encircling him.
Neji: 64 palms!

Neji's speed almost made him invisible to the naked eye. He stopped at his sixtith palm and flipped sideways before he thrusted a palm into the chest of the man at his left and right. Once his strikes landed he twisted around and sent two palms to the chest of the ninja in front of and behind him. As the men slid back along the ground Neji landed on his feet and recovered into his stance. Neji looked at the door and waited for more ninja to come after him, but instead he saw a ninja fall to a hail of kunai. Neji dropped his stance and smiled.
Ishi: Who is that?
Neji: I'm guessing that my teammates finally arrived.

He said with a smile. Lee walked passed the door and looked inside. He smiled and called back to Tenten.
Lee: I found him.
Tenten: Really?

Tenten ran into the room and took a sigh of relief.
Tenten: Man did we have an adventure finding you.
Neji: I can imagine.
Ishi: Neji-kun, who are they?
Lee: I am Neji's teammate, my name is Rock Lee, the handsome devil of the leaf village!

He said while striking the good guy pose causing everyone in the room to sweatdrop.
Tenten: Well, my name is Tenten. I'm guessing that you are Ishi-hime.
Ishi: Yes I am grateful for your help.
Tenten: No need to thank us.
Lee: We are glad to be of assistance.

Loni stood to his feet and looked to the side as a one of the ninja stood up and ran after Ishi.
Loni: Princess look out!

Ishi turned around just as the ninja pulled a kunai out on her. Before he could strike Lee appeared in front of him and grabbed his wrist with his left hand.
Sound ninja: How did you do that?
Ishi: Man he's fast.
Neji: So you removed your weights.

Lee pulled the ninja's arm back and slammed the back of his right hand into the ninja's face before he followed with a kick to the kidneys and a spinning back hand that knocked the ninja back. Tenten jumped over Lee and scythe kicked down into the ninja's face before spinning to the ground. She spun sideways back up with a fan spin that connected with the face of the ninja. She finished with a shaolin style thrust punch to the man's chest. Neji ran in front of her and sent fifteen strikes to the chest of the ninja before striking up ward into his chest and dragged him up with it. Neji jumped into the air and delivered a spin kick to the ninja's face and sent him flying back through the window behind him. The ninja fell fourty stories to the ground to become nothing more than red paint on the cement. Neji stood tall and turned back to his team.
Neji: Are there any more ninja in this palace?
Lee: No, we cleared out everyone while we were looking for you.
Tenten: Not to mention that we cleared out a bunch of ninja on the way here.
Neji: Then I say we do a little recon.

Neji walked over to the window he busted earlier and walked up the wall until he stood at the top of the palace. He activated his byakugan and scanned the entire village. There were no more ninja to be found. He sat back and closed his eyes as he laid back on the roof.
Neji: All clear.

He said silently before opening his eyes once again.
Neji: [That was more than an assassination. That was an entire battlion, someone wanted to make sure that Ishi was dead, but also to kill everyone here. It must be like I thought. The sound ninja are trying to capture the land that this kingdom stands on. At least we stopped it, for now.]

Neji slid down from the roof and flipped back into the window before crossing his arms.
Neji: Loni is there some special reason that you are being attacked?
Loni: As far as I know it is only to get the head of our princess. For that reason I wish for her to retreat to a safe place.

Ishi looked back at Neji and then to Loni.
Ishi: No.
Loni: Excuse me your highness?
Ishi: I will not flee while my country is being threatened by a tyrant. I will stand before them and fight, if I ran now what's to stop them from killing everyone here.

Loni chuckled slightly in his worry and replied.
Loni: Nothing stopped them from doing just that a moment ago. It doesn't matter if you're here or not, they will attack.
Ishi: I will no longer run, besides, I've been given new hope.

She said looking back at Neji, who just blushingly looked away from her.
Ishi: Will you stand by me Loni?
Loni: As I have stood by your father. Your wish is my command Ishi-hime.

He said while bowing before her.
Ishi: Thank you.

She said before bowing in return. She raised her head once again and turned back to the genin behind her.
Ishi: Can you help me check on my people?
Lee: Yes, I will scout out the rest of the the area.
Neji: I'll go with Ishi-hime. Tenten I'd like for you to check the southern area of this town.
Tenten: Right.

She said as they all ran in different direction.
Loni: Wait, what do I do?

He asked to an empty room before sitting back down with a sigh. Hours passed and the search turned up no clues to the sound village's ambitions.

[Flash]
The next day Hinata awoke from her comatose state with a scream as her chakra raged around her. She rolled from the bed and clutched herself before Kurenai ran into the room.
Kurenai: Hinata.

She called out as the girl writhed in pain. She ran over to her and picked her up.
Kurenai: Hinata!

Hinata's eyes shot open and she looked into the eyes of her sensei before her chakra calmed down and her beautiful light blue eyes turned red. Her hair became wild and her canine teeth became fangs. Her cheeks became outlined with the whisker marks of the fox. She looked over and smiled.
Hinata: Kurenai-sensei.

Kurenai stared down at the girl before she shook off her shook and smiled.
Kurenai: I'm relieved.
Hinata: About what?

Kurenai closed her eyes and said.
Kurenai: Follow me.

She said grabbing the girl's hand. She lifted her up and walked her to a mirror before allowing her to see her reflection. Hinata stared long and hard before she screamed to the top of her lungs capacity, which from what the village could hear, was very loud. Naruto looked up from the training grounds where he and JJ were sparring [Claire was still playing doctor.] and said.
Naruto: I guess she woke up.
Mika: What was that?

She asked jumping from a tree.
Naruto: Hinata, I'm also guessing that she's coming for me.
JJ: What makes you think that?
Naruto: She's my mate, she'll probably be here in three, two, one.

As he assumed Hinata ran right in front of him.
JJ: How did you get here so fast?

Hinata stopped to catch her breath before she snapped her head up at Naruto.
Hinata: What's happening to me?

She asked with worry.
Naruto: Nothing.

He replied with a shrug. Hinata frowned at him grabbed onto his jacket. She looked into his eyes. Naruto sighed and said.
Naruto: You're becoming like me my hime, it's okay, you're not hurt, nor are you dangerous.
Hinata: But, what do I do?

Naruto looked at her and noted something; her fox chakra wasn't red ike his was, instead it was dark blue.
Naruto: [Mom, what's wrong with her chakra?]

Yubiki exited Naruto's body and folded her arms.
Yubiki: Fox chakra takes the form of the individual's natural affinity.
JJ: So that's why her aura is different.
Mika: What's an affinity?
JJ: It's a person's affinity is an element that their body is adapted to. Some have an affinity that is molded by where they live, for example, since I'm from the hidden darkness village my affinity is darkness, and yours is earth Mika. While others are different. I'm guessing Hinata's affinity is water.

He said with his hand to his chin sagely.
Naruto: So, my affinity is fire?
JJ: No, it's wind. [A/N: Think back to the prison fight]
Naruto: Then why is my chakra red?
Yubiki: Because, my affinity is fire and you were changed because I was sealed into you.
Naruto: Oh. Well, does that answer your question Hinata-hime?

Hinata stared at him for a moment and said.
Hinata: That's not what I asked.

Everyone stopped and looked up.
JJ: Oh yeah, that was your question wasn't it, Naruto?
Naruto: Yeah, I guess it was.
Hinata: Why is everyone ignoring me?

Yubiki walked to her and smiled warmly.
Yubiki: It's okay, if you want to change back just calm down, think of something that makes you happy.

Hinata closed her eyes for a second and relaxed. When she re-opened her eyes she was back to normal. She smiled at Yubiki and she smiled back.
Hinata: Yubiki-san, how do I change back?
Yubiki: Just think of something that makes you mad, soon your powers will activate. Just be creful not to overdo it okay.
Hinata: Yes.

She said with a smile. Naruto walked over to Hinata and asked.
Naruto: So, what did you think about that made you happy?
Hinata: It's a secret.

Naruto stepped back.
Naruto: Alright, have it your way. Oh yeah, you might want to return home, Hiashi was looking for you.
Hinata: Alright, thank you Yubiki-san.
Yubiki: You're welcome.

She said as Hinata happily walked home.
Naruto: You're getting soft Mom.
Yubiki: Oh, shut up.

[Flash]
After investigating the town the genin walked around the town that had somehow sprung back to life in no time. It seemed that all they needed was to know that their princess was safe and they were ready to stand on their feet once again. Tenten finished her check of the area and met up with Lee on the other side of the village while retrieving his leg weights. She told him that she just wanted to look around the village, but instead he had fallen subject to her shopping spree. Lee carried enough boxes that even he was struggling to hold it.
Lee: Not that I'm complaining Tenten, but do you really need all this?
Tenten: Mom told me to bring her back something.
Lee: All this?
Tenten: Well, I have to bring back something for myself too, don't I?
Lee: Yeah.
Tenten: I'm just thinking of your training Lee.
Lee: Really?
Tenten: Yeah, think of the balance you'll have if you can carry all those boxes without dropping one.
Lee: What?
Tenten: But I guess you don't want to be as strong as Gai-sensei.

She said turning her back to him and shrugging.
Lee: I will do this training to the best of my abilities. I will not fail.
Tenten: [Sucker.]

She thought as she looked around the town for the next shop. She noticed a clothing store and shreiked in excitement.
Tenten: Lee, com'n!

She shouted as she grabbed his hand and led him into the store as she ran and he tried his best to not drop the boxes he already held. Lee sat down at a bench and laid down the boxes as he watched Tenten browse around the store. He placed his elbow on his knee and held his head up before he took a deep sigh. He looked outside for a second and gazed at the people who filled the streets and lived their normal lives. They had enormous strength, not many people could even think straight after something like that.
Lee: I will do my best to stop the sound village. These people deserve peace.
Tenten: Hey, Lee?

Lee looked around to Tenten and his eyes shot wide. Tenten was wearing one of the sexiest outfits he had over seen. She wore a dark green dress that didn't go far down her thighs and was cut at the sides to show off her back and "assets". She smiled at him and spin around to give a better view.
Tenten: So, what do you think?

Lee said nothing, but his nose erupted with blood and he fell over to the ground. Tenten ran over to him and looked down at his unconcious body.
Tenten: I guess he likes it.

She said to herself. One outfit change and two nose plugs later the two were walking down the street once again. Tenten laughed at Lee and he frowned as they walked.
Tenten: Com'n are you still mad?
Lee: I'm not mad.

Him saying that, however, only made her laugh harder. He hid his face behind the boxes he carried as for her not to notice his extreme redness. Not to mention that he could only see that outfit whenever he looked at her.
Tenten: We're almost back to the palace.

Lee stopped and looked up at the steps and smiled.
Lee: I will race you to the top Tenten!

He said as he began to run.
Tenten: Hey, wait!

She shouted as she ran behind him. Lee ran up the stairs and somehow managed to dodge the people coming down them even though he couldn't see beyond the boxes in front of him. Tenten ran not far behind him, she knew that Lee could have dusted her if he wanted, but that would be bad for him and those around him. She sidestepped away from a woman coming down the stairs and jumped up four steps. She caught up to the side of him and shouted.
Tenten: I'm beating you! What's wrong with you Lee?
Lee: I am just holding back, I could beat you if-

He said before accidentally looking at her. His sight of her jumping up the many stairs morphed into her spinning in the dress she showed him earlier while giggling seductively. He looked dead ahead and tried to focus once again. Lee stumbled and almost fell down the stairs, but he caught himself, however that made him drop the boxes. They all flew into the air and Lee kicked back causing himself to go falling down the stairs. He landed right below the first box and caught it. He jumped up and then grabbed the second box on top of the first. He spun out of the way of a man and grabbed the third one. He flipped up and grasped the fourth with his left hand before throwing it on the top. He reached out his right arm and caught a bag on his arm. Tenten stopped and looked down at him for a second. Lee ran upward and caught the next box on top before leaning to the side and piling the other boxes on the top of the ones he held. Lee jumped up to the top of the stairs and stood tall with all the boxes in his hands. Tenten finally regained herself and ignored the applause of the crowd below them as she ran to catch up to him. Lee burst through the doors of the palace and saw Neji sitting at a table with Ishi while drinking tea. Tenten ran into the palace breathing heavily before Neji said.
Neji: Lee wins.

Without ever turning back to them. Tenten sighed and grabbed some of the boxes from Lee before walking up the stairs to her room. Lee carried the other boxes up with her.
Ishi: What's up with that?
Neji: Tenten always finds some way to trick Lee into carrying her stuff.
Ishi: Clever.
Neji: Very, so he always tries to turn it into some kind of training.

Lee walked into his room after dropping off Tenten's boxes and collapsed on his bed.
Lee: I guessed she would used the "training" trick again. Do I really seem that naive?

He asked to himself. Little did his friends know, Lee never truly fell for her tricks, he just played along. Sometimes it really did help him, but at others times he just thought that it was nice to help his friends. It certainly beat how he felt when he was alone. Besides, Tenten never really thought of him as a pack mule, she just thought he was the right person for the job. Lee looked at the ceiling and once again caught a sight of Tenten in that dress. He blushed and said.
Lee: That was probably the most youthful thing I have ever seen.

Lee shot up, shook his head and gazed out the window.
Lee: No, I must not think such things. For such impure thoughts I must do one thousand sit-ups.

Neji looked upward and sighed.
Ishi: What's wrong Neji-kun?
Neji: Shouldn't your people be more worried about the attack that took place yesterday? Why are they all so calm and happy?
Ishi: Because they aren't.
Neji: What?
Ishi: Strength isn't measured in how well you can punch though something or how many people you can kill. It lies in your ability to carry on even when things seem tough. Becoming upset and depressed on what happened means giving up hope, if we do that, then we have already lost.

Neji looked away and gazed at the ground.
Neji: It doesn't matter how much you hope you have. If your destiny is to fail, then you cannot change it.

Ishi looked at Neji and grabbed his hand before standing up.
Ishi: Follow me.
Neji: Wha?

Was all he could say as she led him from the palace.
Neji: Where are we going?
Ishi: You'll see.

Tenten sat up in her room and called a carrier pidgeon to her arm. She wrapped a note around it's leg and sent it on it's way back to the leaf village through the window. She caught the sight of Neji and Ishi running down the street and smiled. She jumped from her bed and ran down the hall. She ran out of the palace doors and secretly followed the two.
Lee: What was that?

He asked stopping his training and noticed Tenten running down the street.
Lee: Where is she going so fast?

He asked himself. His head snapped up he frowned when a thought came ito his head.
Lee: Maybe the sound ninja have returned.

He said out loud before he ran from the palace. Loni watched Lee run down the hall and asked.
Loni: Where is everyone going in such a hurry?

Loni dropped his head and sighed once again before continuing his work.
[Flash]

Ishi led Neji into an extreme large field of flowers. He gazed at them in awe and let his eyes wonder around.
Ishi: This is our kingdom's pride.

Neji turned around to her.
Ishi: You see, this field is what gives our villagers hope. The beauty of these flowers make everything seem so simple. The world is full of things that fate can decide for us and destiny is definitly something we can't avoid.

She said turning to him.
Ishi: But destiny and fate are never something that we can't change. Everything in this world is determined by choices we make, if you are born with flaws and impovished. Then it is you who chooses to give in to that fate or fight it with everything you have. You told me yesterday that if I wished to fight that you would help me, then maybe my fate is to fight against them and fail. Or maybe it's your fate to save me. But I only lived because I enlisted your help, if I was fated to die then I would have been killed before you arrived. I changed my fate by seeking you, and you changed my fate by saving me. Your fate and your future is never written Neji-kun. Not as long as you have the will to fight it.

She smiled at him warmly and he gazed at her. Then he dropped his head.
Neji: Some fates are unavoidable.

He said rubbing his forehead protector, Ishi walked over to him and rubbed it as well.
Ishi: I don't know what hurt you, or what makes you think the way you do, but I believe that you can over come it if you try.

Neji looked back at her and blushed. Tenten sat down in the large feild of flowers and spied on them.
Lee: What are you doing?

He asked her before she shrieked and pulled him down while covering his mouth.
Tenten: Shhh.

She pointed over to the two standing up and Lee looked over to where she was pointing.
Lee: What are they doing?
Tenten: Just watch.

She said with a blush. Neji reached up and grabbed Ishi's hand.
Tenten: Kiss her.

She said silently cheering on her teammate.
Lee: Yes Neji, make a move!

He shouted standing up from the flowers. Tenten quickly jumped up and pulled him back down before the two could see him.
Ishi: What was that?
Neji: I don't know.

Tenten frowned at Lee and he mouthed "sorry" to her before they turned back to the two.
Neji: I don't know what makes you believe in me. We only met yesterday and besides, you know nothing about my torments.

Ishi frowned up and shouted back to him.
Ishi: Everyone has problems! I have a fear that I might lead my country into the ground because I'm not fit to be a leader!
Neji: Yeah, but you aren't cursed to be under the thumb of someone who has no power.
Ishi: Is this about Hinata and Hanabi?

All three of the leaf ninja almost jumped from their skin when she said that.
Neji: How do you know that?
Ishi: Look, even if you do act like an asshole it's only because you fear that you'll be sacrificed like your father.
Neji: Shut up.
Ishi: Maybe it wasn't fair what happened to him, but those girls aren't like that. You're not like that.
Neji: Shut up.
Ishi: Neji-kun, that curse doesn't hinder your life, please don't give in to it.
Neji: Shut up!!!

He shouted as he reached out and grabbed her furiously by her wrists. He pulled her close to him and she stared into his eyes as his byakugan flared. He saw everything, even that his teammates were right behind him. She looked down and he asked in a growl.
Neji: How do you know that?
Ishi: If I place my hand on someone's forehead I can read their mind. It's one of the powers I was born with.

She said without looking at him.
Neji: How dare you!?
Ishi: I just.....
Neji: You have no right.
Ishi: I just.....
Neji: Just what!?
Ishi: I just wanted to know more about you!

What she said caused him to let go of her and step back in shock.
Ishi: I never thought that you were hurting so much, and I wanted to know.

She backed away from him slowly and looked down at her hands.
Ishi: My mother feared this power I have, and she hated me. She was so afraid of me touching her that she killed herself. My father took care of me alone for years after that, then he died. I read his mind on his deathbed, and you know what I found out?

She asked as she looked at him with tears filling her eyes. Neji stared at her crying smile as she finished.
Ishi: He hated me, he hated that I drove away the woman he loved. He only raised me because I was his only daughter, and the only heir to the throne.
Tenten: What?
Lee: How sad.
Ishi: Then he told me with his dying breath "please protect them, I know you never could, but at least try your best.". He kept up a farce until the day he died. Two months later this happens. I know I may fail, but I'll try the best I can because.....you saved me. You gave me a reason to live Neji-kun and I just wanted to know the real you. I won't give in anymore, I'll stand up to them, for those who died as well.

Neji deactivated his byakugan and looked down at the ground before smiling.
Neji: Then if you're willing to fight, I will do everything in my power to assist you.

Ishi smiled and wiped her tears before walking closer to Neji. All of the ninja looked up and jumped up.
Jousinto: How precious, hehehe.
Neji: Ishi-hime, look out!

The ninja ran for her a single sound ninja jumped from the flowers and shouted.
Jousinto: Sound style: sonic wave justu!

A gaint sound wave blasted back the leaf ninja and Neji covered Ishi shortly before taking the brunt of the sound nin's attack. All of the genin were knocked unconcious and Ishi crawled from under Neji. He cringed a little and Jousinto walked over to him. Ishi frowned and laid down over him. Jousinto grabbed her hair and pulled her to his face before punching her in the stomach and knocking her unconcious. He threw her onto his shoulder and looked down at the other genin.
Jousinto: Bring them with us, we'll get the secrets of leaf with them as hostages. Lord Orochimaru will be pleased.

[Flash: one day later]
Sarutobi looked at the window as a pidgeon pecked on it and he open the glass to allow the bird in. He pulled a piece of paper from it's leg and looked down at it. His eyes bulged and he called out of the door. An ANBU black ops ninja appeared in front of him and bowwed his head.
Sarutobi: Gather team fourteen and tell them that I have an emergency mission for them, they are to leave at once!
ANBU: Yes hokage-sama.

Moments later the three genin, minus their sensei, were standing front of the hokage.
Naruto: What is this about, I was busy being bored.
JJ: I wasn't doing anything either, and I was enjoying it.
Mika: Queit you two. What is the matter hokage-sama?
Sarutobi: Naruto, I'd like for you to read this out loud.
Naruto: What is this, first grade?
Sarutobi: I believe you will find this quite interesting.

Naruto reached over and grabbed the letter before he began to read.
Naruto: Our report is as follows; on our first day of our mission we encountered the cause of the recent attacks on the kingdom of flowers. It is headed by sound ninja, and one of them uttered the name-

Naruto's eyes opened to their widest and Yubiki emerged from his seal with an eerie smile.
JJ: What?
Naruto: Orochimaru.
JJ: Orochimaru? The guy you mentioned?
Mika: The same one who killed Neko and insighted the incident twelve years ago.
Sarutobi: So are you interested?

Naruto and Yubiki turned back to him at the same time and smiled.
Naruto/Yubiki: Oh yeah.
Sarutobi: Then your mission is as follows; go to the kingdom of flowers and exterminate the sound ninja forces, extract our ninjas there and return here alive, that is all.

All turned to him and bowwed.
All: We accept.

JJ and Mika waited at the gates of Konoha and looked down the road at Naruto who was heading to their position. Suddenly he stopped and turned back to two girls standing behind him.
Hanabi: This'll be your first time out of the village, be careful.
Naruto: I will, trust me.
Hinata: Orochimaru is the one who caused everything, that means he's strong right?
Naruto: I guess.
Hinata: The team there, who is it?
Naruto: Team Gai, if I remember correctly.

Both girls grew silent and looked away from Naruto.
Naruto: What is it?
Hinata: Neji-niisan is there right?
Naruto: Yeah.
Hanabi: P-Please bring him back safely.
Naruto: Huh?

He said taking a step back.
Hinata: Please don't let him get hurt.
Hanabi: I know he doesn't deserve it, but he's our family and-

Naruto held up a hand and smiled.
Naruto: If that is a request from my himes, then I will gladly bring him back to you.

He said before he turned around and walked toward the gates and his teammates.
JJ: You ready?
Naruto: Yeah.

He said as they walked away from the village. After a while of walking Naruto asked.
Naruto: So, who knows where we're going?

Suddenly both of his teammates came to a halt.
Naruto: So neither of you?
JJ: You don't know either.
Naruto: I was sealed in a room for twelve years, what's your excuse?
JJ: I was living in a village so descret that only a handful of NINJA know of it's existence. Not to mention that I was exiled into the woods when I was a child, I don't know much about the outside world except for things I learn on my way here.

They both looked over to Mika and she shrugged.
Mika: Ganzumaru, forbid me from leaving the village. The first time I'd really been out of the village was the day we came here.

Yubiki sighed and appeared from Naruto's seal.
Yubiki: Follow me.

She said as she led them to the kingdom of flowers to assist the ninja a;ready stationed there.
[Flash]
Ishi opened her eyes slightly before she looked at the face of her captor. Ishi opened her eyes wide and screamed.
Ishi: Neji-kun.
Joushinto: Sorry, but he can't hear you my dear princess.

She snapped her head at him and frowned.
Ishi: How didn't he see you.
Jousinto: We have a few strategies against the hyuuga clan's eye. Using a sound barrier that Orochimaru-sama created can make anyone invisble to even the byakugan eye. He really is a wise man.
Ishi: Why are you doing this?
Jousinto: Let's just say we have something to prove.
Ishi: Why do you need me?
Jousinto: We are going to have you give the rights of your village over to Orochimaru-sama. Then we'll do away with you.
Ishi: Let the others go.
Jousinto: Sorry, that's not in the plan.
Ishi: If you don't I'll bite my tongue off and bleed to death.
Jousinto: Well, we can't have that can we? Then again, why do I care? I'll never let them-

Jousinto heard his earpiece go off and the sounds of people grunting in the background.
Sound ninja: The hostage have escaped!
Jousinto: WHAT!?
Sound ninja: Arrrgggghhhh.

[Earlier]
Lee: Graahhhh.

He screamed while being tortured. They chained his arms to the ceiling and his legs to the ground while putting a chakra restrictor on his chest. He smiled and looked at them. Each punch hurt more than the last, but he was too strong to be crack. He was only buying time and gathering his strength. Then he pulled his arms down and his legs up, shattering the binds on him. He dropped down and slammed his hands into the face on the sound ninja that was torturing him, sending him flying back through the iron door and breaking the chains still on his arms. The two gaurds outside the door looked in just in time for Lee to broke the chains on his legs and ran at them. He ran through the doorway and punched one sound ninja into the wall behind him before he turning with a spin kick to the face of the ninja behind him, while at the same time smashing his head into the wall by the door. Lee pulled a pouch from a ninja's back and threw four kunai down the hall into the ankle of a ninja and ran down the hall before sending a straight kick to his face. Lee noticed two ninja's at his side and he kicked at both sides in one fluid motion before he spun with a low kick that tripped the ninjas to the ground. Lee grabbed one ninja from the ground and slammed him against the wall.
Lee: Where are the other prisoners?
Sound ninja: Bite me!

Lee pulled back and slammed his fist into the ninja's stomach before kicking back into the stomach of the ninja trying to sneak up on him. He pulled the unconcious ninja from the wall and threw him into his ally before he punched into the back of the ninja whom he had thrown and sent both flying through the wall. Lee picked up his pace and ran around the corner. Lee looked as a horde of ninja looked at him. Lee dropped into stance and said.
Lee: I don't think that this is a wise decision on your part.

Tenten shot her head up in her cell and screamed.
Tenten: Lee!!!!

Lee heard the shout and frowned.
Lee: Now I think it would be very unwise to fight me.

All of the ninja charged at him at once.
Lee: I just put these back on, but oh well.

Lee pulled off his leg warmers and unlatched his weights once again. He lifted them up to his side and looked down toward the ground. The ninja continued their advanced and he opened his hands, releasing the weights and letting them fall to ground in a loud boom. As dust and debris flew into the air he looked slightly up at the ninja, before vanishing completely.
Sound ninja: The hostage has escaped!

He re-appeared to the side of a ninja and he bashed him into the wall. He disappeared again appeared in front of another ninja before he uppercutted him into ceiling. Lee flipped back and sent a vicious downward punch to his face causing him to roll back along the ground. Lee ran at another ninja and grabbed him in a full nelson. He jumped sideways and placed both feet on his back before thrusting them forward and hurling the ninja along the ground. When Lee landed he rolled onto the ground and flicked his wrist on the ground causing himself to go flipping from the ground. He thrusted his elbow back and smashed into the face of a sound ninja. The impact made him spin in the opposite direction and he slammed his fist into the stomach of the ninja he had hit. Lee flipped back to his feet and disappeared right as a kunai came flying from behind him. He jumped in fight of one of the sound ninja's and kicked him back into a wall before he spin back with a low kick.
Lee: Leaf whirlwind!

The ninjas who took the hit found themselves sliding back along the ground before Lee threw three kunais back that deflected each other and struck right into the heads of the ninja. Lee quickly pulled his right leg forward and kicked into the jaw of one of his opponents before spinning into a straight kick that leveled the ninja into the crowd. Lee looked around at his defeated opponents and stood tall.
Lee: You should've listened to me.

He said as he moved the body of the ninja he had knocked into Tenten's cell door. He lifted his right fist and tapped slightly on the door before it fell to the ground. He looked at Tenten, who was chained up much like he was before her.
Tenten: My hero.

Lee smiled and ran over to her before he ripped the chains binding her. She landed to the ground and she rubbed her wrists.
Tenten: You don't wanna know what they said they'd dop to me if I didn't talk.

Lee's eyes shot wide open and he looked at her.
Tenten: They said they'd pull me to death.
Lee: Oh thank god.
Tenten: What, how can you be relieved by that!?
Lee: Oh, I'm not, just........let's go.
Tenten: Huh?

She said as he checked down the hallway.
Tenten: What did you think I was talking about!?
Lee: Nothing, we have to find Neji. Ishi-hime is probably somewhere far from here, we'll need Neji's help to find her.
Tenten: Right, so how do we find him?
Lee: I don't know, all of the ninja were keeping it very discreet and I doubt that they are ignorant of our escape.
Tenten: That's because you came in breaking down everything.

Lee looked back at her and said.
Lee: Sometimes that is the most effective way to get things done.
Tenten: Can't argue there.
Lee: Com'n.

Lee ran out into the hallway and ducked under a kunai. Tenten caught the kunai and launched it back down the hallway into the neck of the ninja who threw it. Lee reached back and grabbed Tenten before he sped down the hallway. He flipped onto the wall and jumped off with a spin kick to a ninja's face. Neji looked up from his cell and activated his byakugan. He smiled when he saw Lee and he sent chakra into his hands before he grabbed onto his chains and shattered them from the main link. As the shattered to the ground he looked over to the door and yelled.
Neji: Lee.

Lee heard the call and he ran over to it before he kicked it down with extreme force. Jousinto stood tall and stared down at Ishi who smiled at him.
Ishi: Neji-kun is going to kill you.

Jousinto moved his face to hers and returned her smile.
Jousinto: We'll see about that.

He said as he opened the cell door and slammed it behind him. Jousinto had his eyes closed when he came out, but he opened them to the sight of all three genin staring back at him.
Jousinto: You really are stronger than I thought, but I really don't mean that in a good way. I'm sorry, but I can't let you live any longer.
Neji: Where is Ishi-hime!?
Jousinto: Behind this door, but you have to pass me first.
Lee: That will not be a problem.
Jousinto: Implore you to try you luck.

He said with an arrogant smile. All three of the genin looked at each other and charged at the man.

[Flash]
Only moments earlier the ninja arrived in the kingdom of flowers and their eyes were shocked at the sight they saw. Naruto frowned and looked back at JJ.
Naruto: Are they here?
JJ: No, I'm not able to identify them among anyone. I can sense them, but they're not close to here. They're far off and I have to focus just to keep an eye on their aura.
Mika: Can you take us there Norugi-kun?
JJ: I'll try, but may not be able to make it there in time.
Naruto: Well then, I say we make tracks then.

Naruto said with three chakra tails behind him and JJ smiled.
JJ: First form: Dragon.

He said as he changed and he grabbed Mika as he flew away, leading Naruto behind him.

[Flash]
Lee led the charge and he punched at Jousinto who only slapped his fist away before crashing his fist into the boy's face. He kicked Lee in the face and sent him sliding back before he swing the same leg back and kicked Tenten shoulder before he pulled his leg back and kicked her in the face. Neji ran toward the man sent a strike for his chest. Jousinto dodged and grabbed Neji's arm, he smiled and punched Neji in the stomach five times before he kicked him in the stomach. Neji tried to attack back, but Jousinto ducked under it and grabbed the back of Neji's head. He punched Neji in the face and low kicked his feet causing him to go flipping to the ground. Lee ran at the man and kicked at him, but Jousinto simply lifted his foot and blocked the hit. He kicked forward into Lee's stomach and Lee grabbed his foot on impact. Neji kicked up and knocked Jousinto's hand from his arm before he spun into a kick to his chest. Tenten jumped onto Lee's shoulder and jumped off into a kick to his face. As Jousinto fell back he started to do handsigns and he pointed his hand forward.
Jousinto: Sound style: Sonic wave jutsu!

He shouted as he slammed his hands on the ground. The insuing wave blasted the three genin back against the wall. Neji fall back to his knees and and looked at the man in front of him. Tenten looked at Neji and he looked at Lee, each one shot to their feet and ran after Jousinto. Lee pulled back and punched, but Jousinto ducked under it, then Lee dodged an uppercut that man sent for him. Tenten ran from behind Lee and kicked into the man's chest. Neji charged behind her and shot fifteen strikes into the man's stomach before he began to spin.
Neji: Rotation!

He said he spun a sphere around himself. Jousinto's body was thrown back from the attack, but Lee grabbed him by his head and ran back toward Neji. He slammed Jousinto into the rotation and held him there.
Jousinto: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Words couldn't express the pain the man was feeling. Lee moved his arms and let the man blast back into the wall. Jousinto tried to stand up, but his sight caught onto Tenten as she opened a scroll and flapped it at him. The last thing he was metal objects flying toward him. He became pinned to the wall and his blood streamed down behind him. Neji walked over to Ishi's cell and opened it. He saw someone standing in front of Ishi and she looked frightened of him. Neji saw the man turn around and it was Loni. Neji breathed in releif and took a step forward.
Neji: So they captured you too, Loni-san?

Loni smiled and opened his hand at Neji.
Naruto: Look out!

Naruto yelled as he grabbed Neji and spun him out of the doorway just in time to dodge a large metalic blade that appeared to have emerged from Loni's palm. He pulled the blade back and smiled.
Loni: I missed.

He said in a chuckled. He whipped around and slashed the binds around Ishi before he grabbed her by her mouth and pulled her to him.
Loni: It seems you'll have to come with me Ishi-hime.

He said as he lifted her to his shoulder and blasted a hole in the wall behind her. He looked slightly back at Neji before he leapt through the hole and into the forest.
Neji: Loni!!!

He shouted as he jumped through hole after him.
Ishi: Neji-kun!

Hearing her call his name made him run faster. Loni sped up as well, easily losing Neji in the process. Lee and Tenten looked at Naruto's team and asked.
Tenten: What are you doing here?
Mika: Special mission. We should go after them, that Loni guys must be dangerous.
Lee: If he is in league with Orochimaru, then he was playing us from the beginning.

Lee said as he ran after Neji. With the genin hot on his trail. Finally reached his destination and he roughly threw Ishi to the ground before he looked ahead.
Loni: I tried to avoid this you know.

He said without looking at her.
Ishi: What?

She asked as her eyes wondered around the feild they were in. She stared at one thing particular that caught her eye; her father's tombstone.
Loni: This is the royal cemetery. This is where the previous rulers were buried.

Ishi crawled over to her father's tombstone and Loni grabbed her shoulder.
Loni: I just wanted you to run.
Ishi: When did you turn?
Loni: Com'n Ishi-hime, apparently your genin team wasn't very bright, I guess you get what you paid for. I wasn't really trying to hide it. It was obvious, ninja attacked the village and killed everyone they saw, but they tied me up.

Ishi's eyes went wide.
Loni: I was only preparing for the outcome, if you had died, I would have just untied myself, but if you somehow found me, I could continue a facade.

Neji finally laid eyes on them. He tried to jump down, but Naruto stopped him and put a finger to his lips before he turned to the others behind him.
Ishi: Loni...why?
Loni: I really didn't want you to die, you were like a daughter to me. But if it had to happen, I wouldn't bat an eye.
Ishi: You're joking right? Please tell me you are Ishi, please I beg you.

She said while crying.
Loni: That's what makes this so hard. You're so adorable, but that's all. I always admired your psychic powers, but you were always to afriad to use them, even on me. However, you have no other uses, you have no strength and you're easily scared. That is no quality that a leader should have.
Naruto: Psychic?

Neji's rage boiled over and his eyes bulged. Naruto however just held onto him tightly.
Loni: Orochimaru-sama started to show interest in this kingdom and I happily gave my word that I would deliver it to him. You were almost gone, but that boy that you've become smitten with arrived on the scene. He wrote your fate for you. Your father was strong, but I knew that you couldn't be trust to take the throne. So, a new leader had to take the throne, Orochimaru-sama would fill that throne nicely.
Ishi: It's not his kingdom.
Loni: Neither is it yours! What would it need with a useless figurehead who only accomplish anything by lying on her back.

Never before could she ever imagined Loni saying something like that her. Her tears seemed to flow harder after it. Neji had never been so angry before in his life, his entire body screamed to kill him.
Ishi: Then why did you listen to me and seek help from the hidden leaf.
Loni: Orochimaru-sama ordered it. I can't imagine why.
Ishi: Loni, what do you want from me?
Loni: You see Ishi-hime, if you used that power of yours everything would change. Your power is not limited to reading minds. Swear your allegience to me and I will spare your life.
Ishi: No, your life belongs to me!
Loni: ............That's unfortunate.

He said as he walked through the many headstones and placed his hands on on her father's.
Loni: Your father said the something. And that's why he had to be removed.

Ishi's tears dried and she growled.
Ishi: What?
Loni: It was......for the best.

He said turning to the now boiling girl.
Ishi: You killed my father?
Loni: Yes.

He said with a smile.
Ishi: Hehehehehehehe.

She turned back to Loni and fire sparked from the air and blasted the man's arm. Her eyes were wide and she alked toward him as fire raged around him and crashed into his body. Loni made black marks cover his body and his changed into a form that resembled a lizard. He slimed as the spark collided with and burned him.
Loni: That's it, show me the power of pyrokinesis! Show me how strong a psychic's power truly is!

Ishi's flame blasted him endlessly, but he kept walking forward.
Loni: It burns so good.

Eventually he stood in front of her and she looked at him with shaky eyes before he pulled her to is face and added.
Loni: You lack the will to kill.

He said before he tossed her back into a tombstone and she rolled back to the ground. Neji finally ripped Naruto's hand from from his shirt and tried to run down before JJ stood in front of him.
Neji: What are you doing?
Naruto: Stopping you.
Neji: Why!?
Naruto: Because our orders are to stop the sound forces and retrieve your team. No where in our mission discription did it say to save that girl.

Neji's eyes went wide and he frowned at them.
Neji: I will not allow him to kill her?
Naruto: Why, because it's your mission?
Neji: No!
Naruto: Or is it because that guy reminds you of yourself.

Neji's eyes went wider and he took a step back.
Naruto: I feel bad for her. But not you, you do the same thing every day without a concience. That look that girl wore, was the same way they looked each time they came to me. Why should I care about someone you care about when you disregard those I treasure.
Neji: I-I'm not like him.

He said in a weak protest.
Naruto: Really? I don't see a difference. You would've killed Hinata in that sparring match we had, if I hadn't been there.

Neji saw out of the corner of his eye; his friends looked away. They caught onto it as well. Neji looked down and his mind rewound to him standing in front of his cousins; his sisters, saying those exact same words. His ears caught the sound of Ishi's voice and his doubt was washed away. He turned back and tried to run once again before Naruto grabbed him.
Naruto: Why do you want to save her Neji!?
Neji: I want to protect her!
Naruto: Because it's your mission, or because you're a man?
Neji: I-I will not allow him to hurt her anymore! I will save her! I will not allow anyone to hurt her like that, NO MORE!

Neji felt himself get lighter and he turned back to Naruto as he stepped back and JJ moved out of his way.
Naruto: Then go. Become a knight.
JJ: It's the job of a man to protect his woman.

Neji nodded and turned once again.
Naruto: Just know, if you begin to lose, I will jump in.
Neji: I never knew you cared.
Naruto: I don't. Your sisters asked me to bring you back alive. That's what I intend to do.

Neji looked down for a second and Naruto added.
Naruto: If you're going to fight, then make sure he goes down......Neji.

Neji gave an arrogant smile and jumped down to the ground before running over to Loni who stood over Ishi. Loni turned just in time to catch a foot to his face. Neji landed right next to Ishi and he looked behind Loni as the rest of the genin jumped down. Loni wiped his mouth and looked back at Naruto.
Loni: So, Orochimaru-sama's puppets have arrived.
Naruto: If I were you I'd worry more about him.

He said pointing back at Neji who was now staring at him with burning pure rage. Neji stood to his feet and nodded to him. Neji nodded back and walked for Loni and he laughed at him. Neji charged at Loni and vanished from sight before he re-appeared behind him. Loni smiled and grabbed Neji's leg with his own tail. He lifted Neji into the air and slammed him into the ground.
Loni: I am not one of those pathetic sound ninja you fought.

Neji grunted and charged his chakra into one finger before he jabbed it into Loni's tail. Loni screamed and his tail retracted. He turned back and Neji smiled. Loni snapped back and swung at Neji who dodged it and followed with three quick strikes to his shoulder. Loni's arm fell useless and he looked down at it. Neji jumped back gain distance and Loni grabbed his useless arm before ripping it off. Neji just stared at him, Loni however smiled at his own self-mutilation. Another arm slowly sprouted from his shoulder and he grabbed his useless arm and ripped the hand off making two blade appear from each side. He reached out and swung the blade at Neji who leaned back under it. He spun it to the side and began to whirl the blade. Neji couldn't dodge in time and he caught the blade's edge right across his chest. Neji span back and flipped back as the blade came flying at him like a buzzsaw. Neji landed on his hands and flipped back onto his feet his charged forward at Loni and watched in horror as he stretched his tongue out and grabbed his blade back with it. Neji dodged again as Loni tossed it back at him. Neji ran to Loni's and struck him five times before he kicked him in the face. Loni spun back and recovered with a backhand punch to Neji that sent him flying back through a tombstone. Before Neji could even stop sliding Loni's tongue wrapped around his leg and swung him around smashing his body through two trees before slamming him face first to the ground. He pulled Neji back to him and Neji began to spun.
Neji: Rotation!

The sphere that apeared around him drew Loni into it. Loni flew face first into the sphere and went flying back along the ground. Neji landed on the ground and charged after him. He sent twelve strikes to Loni's face then spun into side ways flip kick to the back of his neck. Loni fell to the ground and let out a blade from his plam before he spin into a slash across Neji's chest. Loni walked forward and stabbed down at Neji. Neji rolled to the side and flipped over a tombstone while simulteanously throwing kunais at Loni. Loni blocked them all at kicked a tombstone into small rocks that pummeled Neji in the chest. Neji fell from the sky and rolled back along the ground. Loni ran after him and grabbed him by the neck. Loni used his free hand to repeatedly punch Neji in the stomach. He lifted Neji higher and slammed him oon the top of a tombstone before spinning around and throwing him across the ground. Neji rolled to a stop and tried to picked himself up, but he collapsed back to the ground.
Loni: Is that it? I should have known not to expect anything from an asshole like you.

Neji's eyes shot open and he pulled himself to one knee.
Neji: I'm really starting to hate that word.
Loni: So.
Neji: Call me that name one more time.
Loni: Asshole.

Neji shot to his feet and charged at Loni. Loni threw his blade at Neji once again,but he just spun out of it's way. Loni waited for Neji to get close and he punched at him with his right hand. Neji leaned his stomach back and drove both his knee and elbow into Loni's arm; shattering it. Loni tried to attack with his left, but Neji just kicked it away before he placed both palms on his chest. Neji leaned down and smiled.
Neji: 8 trigrams: 2 palms.

Neji jammed two strikes into Loni's stomach. He pushed him back and sent two more strikes into his chest. Neji grabbed Loni by his shoulder and pulled him forward and Neji turned to Loni's back before sending three strikes into his back and one into his neck. Eights strikes followed after that and Neji seemingly teleported to Loni's front. He sent fifteen strikes to Loni's chest and finished with a palm upward into his chest ad sent him into the air above him. Neji spun under Loni and sent thirty strike into his stomach. Neji pulled Loni down and slammed him to the ground under him before he slammed two final palms into his stomach.
Neji: 64 Palms!!!!

Neji's chakra was so powerful on the last palm that it was visible and it erupted into the air. Loni's eyes were wide and he couldn't move himself any longer. Loni smiled and laughed.
Neji: That strike I sent into your neck reversed your body's blood flow. I redirected it to go to your brain. In minutes your head wil explode for the pressure and you will die an agonizing and slow death.
Naruto: Where is Orochimaru? You have one last chance to do answer me.
Loni: He was here, but he's gone now. You will never stop him. Long Live Orochimaru-sama.

He shouted with a laugh. Ishi walked over to Neji and he placed her face on his chest to sheild her from the sight of what happened next. Loni's head bursted and liter the cemetery with his blood. Neji turned around and walked from the cemetery with his teammates following.
Tenten: Now we can go back to town and return the princess to her kingdom.

Naruto and his team stopped. Ishi turned back to them and asked.
Ishi: What's wrong?
Mika: I'm sorry.
Ishi: For what?

She asked with a shaky voice. She turned around and ran as fast as her legs could take her as Neji followed close behind her. Her body grew tired and threatened to drop under the fatigue, but she was running on pure adrenaline. Neji tried his best to catch up with her, but when caught sight of the kingdom of flowers he stopped. His teammates caught up behind him and froze as well. The kingdom had been destroyed. The people were gone and the buildings were smashed, even the beautiful flowers were crushed. Ishi's eyes teared up and she ran through the town as lightning struck behind them. Rain poured down on the street and Ishi's running led her to the kingdom's treasured flower field. It laid burned to ash, nothing was left standing.

[Music que: breathe no more by Evanescence.]
Ishi collapsed to her knees in tears as the cold rain fell on her back.
Ishi: [Father, I've failed you.]

She thought as her memories of her father came flooding back to her mind. Even through his feelings he watched after her and raised her lovingly. Never once turning her away, and she allowed the kingdom he raised to fall. Neji looked down at her from his perch and with a flash of lightning, he stood behind her and asked.
Neji: So you give up?
Ishi: You were right, my fate was prewritten. I was never meant to be a leader. I could never be a great leader. Maybe I was destined to die as well.

Neji looked down and frowned.
Neji: No. I was wrong.

Ishi looked up at him and he looked up at the rain as it splash on his face.
Neji: You were meant be great and destiny can be avoided by some. From the ashes a phoenix rises more powerful than even before. From the ashes here will grow a stronger kingdom as well. Your people have been scattered to the wind, but they will return as long as you live.
Ishi: Neji-kun?
Neji: You cannot do it now, but in time you can return and rebuild. However, if you are unwilling to even try then you have already lost. You will have truly failed. I will be right beside you.

He said as he extended his hand to her.
Neji: Will you stand?

Ishi nodded and grabbed Neji's hand before she collapsed on his chest and let it all out. Neji placed his hand on the back of her head and aimed his head once again to the sky. Lee sat back and looked to the clouds as he thought.
Lee: I thought they wanted this land for themselves.
Naruto: No, Orochimaru wanted us here. He was sending us a message.
Tenten: What message?

She asked as she stood up. Naruto looked at the land and replied.
Naruto: A message that reads "I can destroy you".

He finished by turning around walking away from the ruins of the kingdom. JJ grabbed Mika and followed Naruto. However Lee and Tenten waited until Ishi stopped crying as Neji silently swore to never let her cry like that ever again. With a fist clencthed so tight his palm bled, he silently screamed to the heavens.

[Flash]
Sarutobi: So you are Ishi-hime?
Ishi: Yes lord hokage.
Sarutobi: If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me your full name?
Ishi: Uh,.......Ishi Kusagani.
Sarutobi: Then that will be what I ask you to call yourself here. I would like for you to keep your identity a secret.
Ishi: Wha?

Naruto leaned back and placed his hands to the back of his head. JJ smiled and Mika smiled as well. Neji walked next to her and bowwed as his team did next to him.
Neji: Thank you.
Ishi: I am eternally grateful.
Sarutobi: No need to be. I will have your lodgings prepared. It will not be close to as comfortable as your castle, but I guess you'll be safer here.

He said with a smile.
Sarutobi: Please rest well, and we will have a guide prepared for you.
Ishi: I have one in mind.

She said with a smile. A few hours later Neji found himself waiting in front of a shop. Kiba walked passed and looked back before asking.
Kiba: What're you waiting on Neji?
JJ: His girlfriend.

JJ answered as he, Naruto, Mika, Hinata, and Hanabi walked up.
Hinata: Neji-niisan has a girlfriend.
Kiba: Yeah right. Like Mr. "you can never avoid fate" over there could ever get a girl.
Sakura: Neji's got a girlfriend?
Sasuke: Hmph.

He said in a mock tone.
Ino: Really Naruto?
Naruto: Ask him.
Choji: I really can't see him as the boyfriend type.
Shikamaru: Why does it even matter?

Lee walked up with Tenten trying to find Neji.
Lee: What's with the crowd Neji?
Neji: I wish I knew.
Kiba: You're joking. Hahaha next you're going to say she's a princess.

All who knew looked at each other and began to whistle.
Neji: Would one of you please explain how you ALL maganed to be here at the same time?

Everyone looked at each other and then at Neji. After a good thirty seconds they all shrugged. Neji's eyebrow twitched until he heard a call come out to him.
Ishi: Neji-kun.

She shout as she ran over to him and grabbed tightly onto his arm. Kiba froze into stone and the guys looked on in shock.
Ishi: I've been looking all over for you.
Neji: I apologize Ishi-sama.

Ishi looked over Neji's shoulder and asked.
Ishi: Are these your friends?

Neji looked back as well.
Neji: I don't know if I'd call them that. I'd use the term comrades.

Ishi smiled at him and said.
Ishi: Sure you would.

Before she walked over to Hinata and Hanabi.
Ishi: Hi, my name is Ishi. Neji's told me alot about you.

Neji tried to make a protest, but Ishi quickly put her hand over his mouth.
Ishi: I look forward to spending more time with you two.

Neji turned around and said.
Neji: Let's go.
Ishi: Alright.

Neji walked off and Ishi looked at him for a while as they walked down the path and Neji sighed before extending his arm a little. Ishi smiled and wrapped her arm around it. Everyone began to walk away and JJ walked over to the still frozen Kiba and said.
JJ: I'm sorry, but it seems you have a little egg on your face right there.

He said pointing to his cheek. JJ turned around and walked off to find his sensei and anime style crumbled to the ground. Akamaru walked over to Kiba's piece and began to bark. Shino just nodded his head made his bugs carry the Kiba pebbles. Ishi looked at Neji one last time and squeezed him.
Ishi: [I won't give up. No more will I run anyway. I'll fight as hard as I can, because you gave me this second chance. Thank you so much Neji-kun.]

She thought as they walked through the beautiful streets of the village.

[Flash]
????: Loni failed sir.
????: No matter, I was done with that puppet anyway.
????: What of the other puppets?
????: Keep them on their strings, I may need them later. It seems that they got my message. For now let's worry about the chuunin exams. What a beautiful show we will give them. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He said looking over a hill to the desert. All of the pieces fell into place.


Chapter four end!

Preview:
Gaara: This world is full of those who don't deserve to live. I'll sacrifice them all to you mother.
JJ: Back then I was all alone. They world seemed so empty.
Gaara: I have no purpose expect to kill everyone. I will not be a useless existence.
JJ: I had no purpose, until.
Gaara: I was wasting away, until.
Gaara/JJ: Everything changed.

Next chapter: Tragedy: The wound that never heals.
Gaara: No one deserves life, right mother?



In this chapter I wanted to take a slowly approach to the action and for that reason there wasn't much of it. I forgot that I made this to focus on story, and I kind of focused more on action. With that it kind of drops because I'm good at making fights. I decided to focus more on the upcoming chapter during the middle of this so some of the scene I had planned for this chap kind of got kicked out of my head. Either way it came out pretty good, even though I think made it a little fluffy. Anyway, the next chapter is set to take emphasis on Gaara's relationship with his sibling in the past. We know they get along now, but how were they back then, Also to show how JJ became so strong as well as have a little fun with the pairing I mentioned, but didn't hint to yet. Anyway as I always say, Shine eternal. P.S. My birthday is August 9th so I might not be able to get back to the next chapter too soon. Might not........I say that because I hate to keep my fans waiting. I promise I will update soon.