Edit OOC: 200 already? Sweet.

IC:

Genonosuke grunted. Izzy had interrupted his sleep the previous night (actually, closer to morning by then) by noisily tearing through the brush under the tree he had been sleeping in. "...? What the hell? What's that knucklehead up to?"

Genonosuke had followed Izzy silently, with Hyuu also a bit curious. They had both seen, with shock, a white fox ghost bouncing along the forest. Izzy, Genonosuke, and Hyuu had tailed it to a clearing, where Izzy had suddenly ran into Rico'ki.

"That's the guy that showed up and weirded out during the fight with Goukamaru..." Genonosuke whispered, though he was sure Rico'ki could tell they were there anyway.

"That's Fokkusu Rico'ki. He's a complete badass, though I don't understand what you mean by 'weirded out'. He's an incredible warrior; I can feel it from his aura alone. Plus, he was the man who blinded your sensei."

"What?! That bast-"

"Don't judge him so quickly. I know things about Rico'ki you don't, but that's for later... Anyway, we have to decide what to do."

"That Rico'ki guy's standing over some sort of metal plate thing in the ground..."

"Yes. I sense three sources of chakra underground. One strong, two moderate. Your friend Akura could have been misled onto her location..."

"You saying Riko and Akura could be down there, guarded by that Zabusa guy?"

"Very possibly. It's worth investigating in any case."

"Then I'm going in. I'll take off this mask and headband for now, but not the rest of the gear, in case I need it later."

"Very well. I'll stay here to conceal my cover."

Genonosuke ripped off his headgear and jumped into the clearing. "Alright, you! Tell me where Riko is, now!" Izzy practially fell over, not expecting Genonosuke to appear out of nowhere in Mist Chuunin gear. Genonosuke smirked, thinking of the things Hyuu had trained him in the previous night. Rico'ki or Zabusa... Combined with his newest trick, the Identical Polarity jutsu, he might actually stand a chance in close quarters against either now... Unfortunately, this clearing wasn't exactly close quarters.

Rico grunted, "Looks like you were followed. Oh well, tell me something kid, what can you sense past this thing. Is there anyone down there?" The question was a little odd for someone that seemed to ooze power, and it wasn't patronizing either, it was like he couldn't detect other people's chakra.

Izzy - suddenly on the spot due to the arrival of Genonosuke (in a Mist Chuunin's uniform, no less!) - gulped as he mumbled, "Um...I sense two...no...three...one strong...two smaller ones...the two small ones...they're familiar..." His eyes suddenly widened. "It's...Riko and Akura!"

That immediately caught Genonosuke's attention. The Leaf Genin roared, "Out of my way!" He rushed forward, pried open the lid, and jumped into the darkness below. Rico'ki and Izzy blinked as they heard the sounds of the frustrated swordsman stumbling through the darkness.

Hyuu sweatdropped. Fool.

Suddenly, there was a scream.

Genonosuke screamed as he vaulted out of the hole into the mountain, barely missing the stream of watery spikes that soared into the sky. Izzy yelped. "WHAT THE HEY?!"

Rico'ki frowned. "What did you do boy?"

"NOTHING!" roared Genonosuke. "I was just walking through the cavern when those spikes came swarming at me!"

Hyuu, meanwhile, was frowning. This technique...what the heck is it?

Suddenly, the multiple needles of water zoomed towards them, intent on skewering their flesh.

xxxx

Zabuza calmly exited the Meditation Tower. That should do... The Mist Swordsman suddenly blinked at the sight of another fellow Mist Swordsman: Goukamaru the Double-Blade.

The white-haired swordsman giggled. "Enjoy your meditation?"

Zabuza snorted. "Never was one for meditation...did the Mizukage scold you for splitting the prison in half?"

"Not especially. It wasn't technically a mission anyway...more like a favor." The Double-Blade calmly continued, "Besides, it wasn't like that prison was under Kirigakure's protection anyway...for all we could have cared, it could burn to the ground; it wouldn't matter, not unless we were commissioned to guard it."

Momochi Zabuza snorted. "Fools...the current powers-that-be are incapable of running this place. They have no recognition for true power...and the foolish Mizukage disregards possible threats. He doesn't even try to chastise those who do wrong...if I were in power, I would've put you to death for failing to prevent the prisoner's escape."

Goukamaru lightly chuckled. "Yes...such weakness. After all, that's what all of our planning was for."

Zabuza smirked as he clenched his fist. Yes...soon, Kirigakure will bow to the powerful...and all of our weakness will be done away with forever. "Make sure all of our recruits have been adequately prepared for the coming battle...I'm going to fetch MY own tool of death." With that said, the Demon vanished.

There was a flash of green energy in his eyes, the red haired man slammed into both of the genin before they could react and sent the three of them sprawling to the ground before the attack hit.

It was a attack he hadn't seen but its purpose was obvious no other man's. Rico pushed himself up and glared at the cavern.

"Zabuza! You coward. Holding children hostage does not give you any leverage against me. Come out." The words sent echoing into the cavern.

Haku frowned as he stared down the dark passageway. "Fools... They think Zabuza-sama is here? Surely they could tell the difference between my crude chakra and his graceful power?"

Riko twitched. For a moment, he thought he had seen Genonosuke in the darkness. And then, he had heard a scream which was unmistakably Genonosuke's. His fate had been uncertain until he had heard Genonosuke's faint voice complaining from above ground. This Haku kid... He doesn't seem too bad, but he's really dedicated to Zabuza. He won't have any mercy for anyone that tries to defy his master's orders. I've gotta think of something.. Riko's thoughts trailed back to the guard's spear that he had Henge'd into a ball from earlier. He moved his body, and felt it roll around. It wasn't take... If I can just.... Riko forced some chakra into his pocket, and then...

SHINK! "AAAAGH!" The spear's tip raked across his back, but succeeded in doing what he had wanted: The force of the transformation and of the matter suddenly changing sizes(as well as lengthening to its original state) had cracked the ice restraining Riko's right hand, allowing him to break that arm free. He quickly formed a two handed seal as Haku turned, and melted the rest of the ice into water, then grabbed Akura, throwing the spear to distract Haku.

Haku frowned, then sidestepped the spear, and began to form a hand seal... *BAM* Haku flew against the wall as Riko pulled his Bo from nowhere. "C'mon Akura! HURRY!" Riko Henge'd the staff into the key ring again, and pulled Akura onto his back.

"NO!" Haku formed hand seals, and water erupted from the cavern floors, threatening to spear Riko and Akura's insides, but Riko forced out his chakra to slightly redirect the water. One needle of water, however... "GAH!" Riko's left arm had been pierced, but he kept running. Haku was pursuing them, but even a boy of eight with his power was still a boy of eight. Riko leaped straight up at the end of the tunnel, finally emerging into the sun.

Haku grimaced as he prepared to follow. "Zabuza-sama, please forgive me if I fail to retrieve them..." he said softly, as he began to emerge as well.

Haku blinked at the sight of a very large group.

A somewhat bewildered Shiranui Izumo.

A calm and detached Fokkusu Rico'ki.

A Mist Chuunin hiding in the bushes...

And the disguised Chakuya Genonosuke...who was currently giving a bear hug to Akura and Riko.

"ALL RIGHT!" yelled Genonosuke as he gave the two the most monstrous bear hug he could muster.

Riko yelped as his stronger cousin nearly crushed him. "ACK! GENO! CRUSHING! BODY! INJURY! HURTING! NEED! AIR!"

"Oh." Genonosuke released the two, chuckling nervously. "Heh heh...sorry." It was then that Akura got a good look at Genonosuke; he was in disguise. "Oh...you're wearing a Mist ninja uniform..."

Haku frowned. This isn't good...I might be able to handle the Leaf Genin...but all at once? Especially with Rico'ki? The young boy gulped as his childish impulses began to overwhelm him. Zabuza-sama...help me...

xxxx

Zabuza grunted as he hefted the boulder aside. "Haku. How are the hostages?"

The Mist Jonin suddenly frowned. The boy was gone. Odd...and so are the hostages. His frown turned into a scowl; he now sensed several sources of chakra on the other side of the long cavern. Among them was...

Rico'ki...

The Mist Swordsman growled as he charged, whirling his blade like a helicopter. The massive blade tore through the rocky tunnel, its perfectly sharpened edges rending everything asunder. He would give the foolish brat a rude awakening...along with all the others who would dare try to do away with his best weapon: Haku.

xxxx

Rumbling.

Haku gasped out of excitement. He knew that chakra! "Zabuza-sama's coming!"

Rico'ki frowned. So he is...finally.

In the bushes, Hyuu frowned. This doesn't feel good...

Haku immediately dove away from the hole, knowing what was coming.

Three seconds later, the hole exploded as the Demon leapt into the air, holding his spinning blade. He snorted. "So many pests...so many...who to dispose of first...? I know...the one who cowers..." He immediately fell down, aiming his blade for the chakra aura he sensed in the bushes: Hyuu.

Rico sneered, "Pests are those you run. Those who run and use children as shields." Then there was a slight smirk, it made Zabuza uncomfortable, the man had never wore any expression other than emotionless or anger before just then. The smirk was almost, sarcastic. The counterattack from the side he'd expected never came. Instead Rico positioned himself between the genin and Zabuza, the smirk getting wider.

"Cower, Zabusa? Never." Hyuu leaped to the side as Zabuza's blade came crashing down, and did a handflip. Most everyone suddenly snapped their attention to Hyuu, who had pulled out his chain of shuriken. "Looks like my cover's blown." he said, calmly. "Guess that means I won't be staying here in Kirigakure anymore." He began spinning the chain, eyeing Zabuza. "Genonosuke!" he called, and Geno nodded, stepping away from Riko and Akura.

Riko raised an eyebrow. "You're friends with a Mist Ninja, Geno?"

Geno shook his head. "More like... allies. That's all that counts right now, though. Let's do it!" he formed a hand seal, then opened his bag of shuriken, and tons of the little throwing windmills came out, and began attaching themselves to each other. He grabbed the chain with his left hand, and Kintetsu in his right. Shifting the weapons around in his hands, he made another hand seal. "Kinzoku; kyokuseidouyou kinjiki no jutsu! Metal element; Identical Polarity Magnetism!"

Zabusa snorted, and swung his sword as Genonosuke leaped at him. Genonosuke grinned as their two swords began to meet, and then... They hung in the air. "...?!" Zabuza stared for a moment as his sword and Genonosuke hung in the air, and suddenly both warriors were flung backwards. Zabuza quickly recovered, but Genonosuke landed on his back, and sat up, grinning. He stood up again, and swung his chain, as Hyuu began to do the same.

Zabuza simply frowned, and formed a hand seal, covering the area in mist.

Rico backslid until he was free of the mist. The smirk had faded into a glare of annoyance. Damn kids, always in the was, always attacking and never think... A blast of pain hit his mind again making him cry out as strange faces flashed in his mind. All he recognized was Konoha, but he knew the faces and people he saw made him depressed and angry all at the same time.

Dammit, I'm losing control. Tts too chaotic. Free of the chaos of the frenzy for a few moments he sunk to his knees and breathed heavily, trying to clear his mind of the nameless forgotten memories of Konoha. He didn't need those anymore, there was nothing for him there.

His meditation caught something, something small, something small and forgotten in the ruckess. The boy, Zabuza's prize weapon, was still shuddering and watching his caretaker battle the genin. The young man's eyes narrowed, looks like I can return the favor now, Zabuza. The muttered words came out stale of emotion, "Datto no jutsu."

Rico shot around the outskirts of the mist at breakneck speed, eyes focused for his enemy's prized possession. A small form moved slowly in the mist, he took his chance. His aim was true, grabbing the boy and darting backward just as fast so as to not become disorentated in the mist.

In his arms was indeed a small form, but the wrong one. Rico looked down scowling at Riko's surprised face.

Zabuza scowled as he hid himself within the mist he had conjured. Accursed fools...and Rico'ki isn't acting like himself. More like how he had been when first joining the Mist...this doesn't bode well. I have to deal with them all quickly!

From the mist, Zabuza yelled, "HAKU! TIME TO UTILIZE YOUR TRUE POWER!"

The young 9-year boy frowned. He had only just been able to first utilize his true Bloodline Limit effectively only a few months ago...sure, he had practiced, but... "Zabuza-sama...are you...?"

"Do as I command child. Your Bloodline Limit is powerful...even though you haven't mastered it yet, you can still use it." Zabuza chuckled, his voice echoing through the mist. "It will still be too much for these weaklings."

Haku smiled; Zabuza-sama had so much faith in him! "Yes sir!" Haku suddenly disappeared behind Zabuza's mist as he performed hand signs.

Rico'ki frowned as he stared at the blue-haired boy...then at the thickening mist. "Something's wrong..." Riko just stared at the man oddly, suddenly confused at his SECOND apparent abduction in as many days.

Hyuu grimaced. Genonosuke, Akura, and Izzy had both impulsively gathered around him. "The technique of Hiding in the Mist...Zabuza's hiding both himself and the kid. What are they up to...?"

Suddenly, within the thick mist, they heard Haku yell.

"MAKYU HYOSHO! Demonic Ice Mirrors!"

Suddenly, six mirrors made of ice swirled around them. Four more materialized in the air, slanted at 45-degree angles positioned to form an X-pattern...and one more, floating directly above them. The small dome that the mirrors formed was thirty feet in diameter. Chakra swirled around the icy mirrors...and Haku's image appeared in one of them. He was holding a kunai knife...borrowed from Zabuza.

Hyuu frowned. "What kind of jutsu is this? I've never seen it before..."

Haku smiled. "It is my kekkei genkai...by Bloodline Limit. This power is what Zabuza-sama wanted me for...and I shall show you how effective it is."

Genonosuke smirked as he pulled out Kintetsu. "I'll just slice through your mirror!" The Leaf Genin charged, slicing at the mirror.

The blade didn't leave a scratch. The invisible barrier surrounding all of the mirrors repelled Genonosuke towards the center...and Haku's image was now on a different mirror. "What the...?"

Izzy yelped. "Hey! He's right there!"

Haku smiled. "You won't be able to catch me...I can assure you of that. I may not have mastered the true power of my mirrors just yet...but even without the true number of mirrors...and even without fully utilizing the art of teleportation that this power uses...it'll be enough to destroy you!"

Akura feebly shivered. This boy...he wasn't like this in the cave...is he really so devoted to this 'Zabuza'...that he'll become this?

Haku's image suddenly appeared in all of the mirrors, much to the shock of the four ninja. The boy smiled in every single one; their lives were in his hands.

He soared out of the mirrors at high-speed. They all saw him coming, but it was from every direction.

Before they knew it, they were being torn apart by a storm of kunai.

xxxx

Riko paled at the sound of screaming. "Izzy! Geno! AKKI!" He struggled to get out of Rico'ki's grip. "LET GO!!! I HAVE TO SAVE THEM!!!"

Rico'ki just stared quietly into the young boy's eyes. It was odd...the nostalgic feeling those eyes somehow evoked. Pain suddenly struck as he wobbled, his vision becoming dizzy. Crap...not again...

"Impressive, no?"

Rico and Riko suddenly turned their attention to Zabuza, who calmly strode out of the mist. "The screams alone indicate the effectiveness of Haku's Bloodline Limit...a shame you won't be able to experience it first-hand." The Mist Swordsman chuckled as he held his massive blade, holding it over his shoulder. "But that's okay...I won't mind dealing with you myself."

xxxx

Hiroto suddenly stopped. This chakra... He turned towards the direction of the chakra that was suddenly coalescing.

Ryu, Kai, Daio, and Suki all stopped and looked in the direction that Jonin was looking at. Daio saw it first. "Mist...it's concentrated on the spot of the mountain..."

Hiroto was silent as he picked apart at the various sources of chakra...two were unrecognizable...he managed to pin one of the large ones on Zabuza...but the other five were easily identified as Rico, Riko, Genonosuke, Akura, and Izzy. "I believe that's where we'll find our missing companions."

Suki's smiled happily. "You mean we've found them?!"

"Hopefully," muttered the Jonin. "Hurry. Move as fast as you can." The five ninja became blurs as they moved toward that position as fast as they could.

SLASH!

Genonosuke winced. The Mist Chuunin gear provided decent protection, but this kid was being merciless.

Izzy had almost considered using his rain of needles attack, but figured it could possibly skewer them instead within this small area.

SLASH! SLASH SLASH!

"AAAGH!" Akura fell to the ground, bleeding profusely. "Akura..." Genonosuked mumbled. "AKURA!" was Izzy's cry of concern. The little bugger was too fast, and they were being torn apart...

Wait a damn minute... KUNAI!

"Kinzoku; kinjiki no jutsu!"

Haku stopped dead as the kunai he was holding was suddenly attracted to Genonosuke's hand. Haku simply smiled.

"It seems I'll have to use a different strategy." he said, calmly. Cue the water needles.

xxx

The screaming had suddenly stopped. Riko blinked. "Are... they... dead? No, I can still feel their chakra going strong... What's going on? And Akura..."

Zabuza too, was suddenly watching the dome intently.

xxx

The water needles were advancing, but these were much easier to dodge than Haku's teleporation attack despite the sheer number of them. They couldn't keep it up forever, though, and Akura... Akura was still crouched in the middle of the dome, but the water needles seemed to only be going after Genonosuke and Izzy, currently. She looked up, bewildered.Does he think I'm finished? Is that why I'm not being attacked...? Tears started to roll down her face. I've failed everyone... I'm just not good enough... If only... if only I could have been a little stronger... She looked up and saw her reflection in one of the ice mirrors, but... It wasn't her? Someone that looked a little like her was staring at her from one of the mirrors!

"Who...?"

The reflection in the mirror place a finger over her lips, telling Akura to hush. Suddenly, Akura was filled with a warmth as a green light surrounded her. My wounds are healing... What is this? Then, something clicked. Filled with determination, she stood up as the image in the mirror vanished, and with a fierce light in her eyes, joined the battle again.

Zabuza chuckled loudly as he stared at Riko and Rico. "Heh heh heh...Haku is indeed a very good tool. He should be done with those vermin in a few minutes...enough time for me to finish YOU!"

Zabuza swung his blade. Rico'ki ducked just in time for the Mist Swordsman's foot to meet his chin. The red-haired Kiri-nin scowled as a trick of blodd ran from his mouth, slowly yet surely. Riko remained frozen in his grip.

The Swordsman smirked. "What happened to all of that power you had? Was it all merely a red herring...to distract me from your weakness?"

Rico'ki said nothing.

A shadow leapt over him, blade aimed for Zabuza. The Mist Swordsman blinked as he impulsively raised his blade.

SHINK!

Metal met metal. Momochi Zabuza scowled as he stared at his reflection in the Leaf Jonin's hitai-ate. "You again..."

Yagami Hiroto smirked. "Hello again Zabuza."

Riko yelled, "Hiroto-sensei!"

Rico'ki, however turned his head to see four Genin staring at him.

Suki held both spears, ready to throw them.

Kai held his poleaxes in a defensive stance.

Daio had her small scythes crossed across her body in an X-pattern.

Ryu had an arrow primed, aimed for the thin Kiri-nin's temple. "Release our friend."

xxxx

Goukamaru smiled at the sight of forty Mist ninja gathered before him: 25 Chuunin and 15 Jonin. "Well...this number should do."

"Will we have to worry about running into the other Mist Swordsman loyal to the Mizukage?" asked a bald Jonin.

The Double-Blade shook his head. "Zabuza and myself may be the only ones deciding to rebel...but don't forget, one of the Mist Swordsman has already defected from Kirigakure, and the other four are out on missions at the moment. We strike now."

Goukamaru smiled. Today was the day where Kirigakure's weakness would end.

Ten of the Jonin suddenly performed over two dozen katas as water swirled upward from the moist ground...forming ten dragons of water.

"Suiton; Suiryuudan no jutsu! Water Dragon Blast!"

The ten water dragons tore through Kirigakure. Alarms sounded mere moments later. The rebels spread out into five groups of eight, with three Jonin and five Chuunin. Goukamaru went off on its own.

The revolution had begun.

"You have to let go of him. You can't be so attached to innocents, Rico. Especially not that one." The voice was familiar, yet he couldn't remember the face or the situation. He was frustrated again, but it was different this time.

A slight smirk returned to his face, "How do I get myself into these situations. Kids pointing weapons at me. What a glorious end to the life of a Tengoku."

"Tengoku?" Riko muttered lowly, seeming recognizing the name from somewhere. But... where? I can't remember... Riko struggled a little, trying to get free again.

xxx

Genonosuke and Izzy were amazed. While they could only manage to dodge the water needles, Hyuu and Akura were actually launching attacks at Haku, though missing. There seemed to be something vastly different about Akura... Her expression, the way she moved, the way she fought... Like she was someone else...

Hyuu grunted as he noticed the female Leaf Genin keeping up with him. "You seem to be pretty skilled for your rank." he said, dodging a water needle and slashing at the air that had been just behind Haku.

"Perhaps." she replied curtly, and did an evasive backflip; something Genonosuke had never seen her do. Suddenly, she formed a hand seal. "Meimei no jutsu!" she cried, and suddenly vanished.

Genonosuke paled. She mastered that jutsu already? I thought she was having trouble with it!

"Suiton; Yomikawa no jutsu!"

Genonosuke raised an eyebrow. What now?

Suddenly, the ground quaked, and water spewed forth from the ground, filling the dome area up to their waist.

"What the hell, Akura? How is this going to help us?! YOU JUST GAVE HIM MORE WATER TO KILL US WITH!"

Suddenly, Genonosuke saw something. Haku hadn't slowed, but Genonosuke could see the paths he was traveling! And... ?

"The water needles stopped..." Genonosuke mumbled, looking at the water. "What, he can't control this water? What's so different about it?" Even Haku's various reflections had a befuddled look.

Suddenly, Akura appeared on the surface of the water, a very determined look in her emerald eyes. She was holding Haku's kunai in her hand; Genonosuke hadn't even noticed it had been taken by her. She raised the kunai, and cut the palm of her hand...

"AKURA? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

She placed her hand on the water's surface, and the blood trailed around in palm in a circle...

"Summoning no jutsu!" There was a flash of light and a bang, and floating in the water was... a man-sized fish.

Once again, Genonosuke could do nothing but raise his eyebrows. It seemed at this point, Haku was staying inside his mirrors, unsure of what to do.

The fish turned to Akura, and leaned to its side, almost looking the way a dog would cocking its head. "I don't really understand what's going on..." the fish mumbled, "But I've been summoned, so let's do what you called me for." Akura nodded, and raised her hands in a hand seal. The fish began to swim in circles.

"Suiton!" came the fish's voice.

"Futon!" came Akura's.

"Combination! Choukakusuigufuu no jutsu!"

The water they were standing in began to churn, moving with the fish's movements. Suddenly, a blast of wind ripped the dome of ice, and the water began to spiral upwards with an incredible force, barely managing to lift the dome of mirrors above the ground. "Suisuberu no jutsu!" Akura yelled, and skidded across what was left of the surface of the water, grabbing Genonosuke and Izzy with a force that took them both by complete surprise. The fish had jumped out of the water spiral and was now carrying Hyuu on its back. Soon, they ran out of water to travel through, and Akura leaped to dry ground, turned to the fish, and nodded, placing Genonosuke and Izzy down. The fish chuckled, "Pleasure to serve again, Lady C!" and disappeared in a puff of smoke, dumping Hyuu indignantly in the mud.

As with all cliches where a warrior overextends his or her self in an unnatural, almost deus ex machina manner, Akura collapsed to the ground with shallow breathing. Genonosuke and Izzy knelt next to her, almost too tired and injured to stand. Hyuu simply stood up and "Hmph."'d. For all intents and purposes, it seems they had actually emerged on the other side of the dome from Zabuza and co, totalling a likely forty yards of distance.

The dome of mirrors came to rest on the ground again ten yards away, Haku none too happy.

OOC: Ok, so that was a bit out of left field. If I need to change it, let me know. There's story behind it, but I don't know if that gives me justification.

OOC: Wow, these Genin are more powerful than Rico'ki. And most of the naruto characters.

Tossing in a look to go with the human Rico. I'm picturing him like my character in GW looked back when I played that. Very Anime.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rico grunted and slid down to the ground, releasing to the still confused genin. "Just get it over with. The more I remember, the more convinced I am that I did far worse things than blinding a man. The fact that used to call myself Tengoku and now... this. Is bad enough. The visions are showing betrayal, abandonment, and worse now." He glared at the three pointing weapons at him, there was a very sad undertone to his furrowed expression, "Just make it quick."

OOC: It's not that Akura's more powerful... eh, it'll be explained. =P Besides, just look at Ultra's fanfiction if you want to see some awesomely overpowered stuff.

OOC: No thanks, nothing against Ultra but I got soured on fanfiction long ago. I need to get a grasp of the average powerlevel in this RP, if its that high I need to tone up Rico. Not saying anyone is powerplaying, just trying to figure out how to play Rico'ki.

OOC: Summoning techniques! Don't worry...I intended for Haku's dome to broken anyway. You just did the job for me.

And Rico...Naruto and Sasuke make a BIG case for being stronger. Also, there's Itachi...the Yondaime...Neji...(goes on...)

Even so guys, make sure not to go TOO overboard with the super-duper techniques from the Genin. Even if they were suddenly possessed by mystical beings from another realm. 😛

And as for my story, well, I'll say that in my defense it takes place WAY beyond the beginning, (as in, over 250 chapters), and everyone's gotten stronger.

Plus, I've just contacted Smeggedoff; he's given me permission to RP his characters whenever he's absent.

No posting for the meantime, if you don't mind; I've got a BIG post, so I'd like to pause the action for the meantime. Will edit in later.

Edit: Okay.

Rico...my, what a nice way of saying 'no'. 😛 Anyhow, you've already told me that Rico'ki's techniques can do (a sampler list, anyway). It's just that, at the moment, everyone's facing VERY POWERFUL enemies. After this mission ends, expect a degree of normalcy.

xxxx

Zabuza scowled at the sudden eruption of chakra...and the blast of wind from Akura and the fish man's combo-jutsu had done away with his mist. Imagine his distaste when he saw that Haku's mirrors were BROKEN! "WHAT?!"

Hiroto took this opportunity to swirl around and slam his heel into Zabuza's face with a roundmoon crescent kick. The Mist Swordsman gagged as he was sent skidding along the ground, joining Haku in the center between the two groups of ninja.

Hiroto and Rico'ki (the latter of which was being aimed at by Suki, Daio, Kai, and Ryu), and Riko (who scampered over to join his fellow Genin).

Genonosuke, Hyuu, Izzy, and an unconscious Akura.

Momochi Zabuza grimaced as he stood up. "Well well Haku...it seems we've underestimed the brats."

"Yes Zabuza-sama...I am sorry for failing you..."

The Mist Swordsman chuckled. "It's okay...we managed to distract these rabble-rousers long enough."

Suddenly, the sound of alarms echoed through the area, now that the roar of battle had subsided. Hyuu froze. "An attack?"

Zabuza laughed. "Yes...no more will weakness be tolerated! With a deluge of blood, Kirigakure will be cleansed of its cancerous sores...and it will rise even STRONGER. The revolution has begun!"

A strange thought crossed Rico'ki's mind. A revolution...is THIS what it was all about...?

Hiroto suddenly performed katas with his left hand, charging towards the two with his arm-blade bared. I'll keep them from leaving with an Earth Dragon Blast...

Haku suddenly paled. Hand signs...with one hand...? Zabuza suddenly grabbed the shocked Haku and threw a flasher and a large smoke bomb onto the ground.

The double dose of blinding worked long enough to let the two slip away. Of course, it didn't work on Hiroto, but he had more important things to deal with. He skidded to a halt, remaining silent as he stared at the spot where the two had been. They got away. He turned to stare the four Genin that had accompanied him.

First...

"Ryu. Daio. Kai. Suki. Lower your weapons."

The four Genin blanched. Even Rico'ki was somewhat surprised "WHAT? WHY?!" yelled Kai. "THIS IS THE GUY THAT GOUGED OUT YOUR FRICKEN' EYES!"

This sent a relative shock through Genonosuke and Riko; they had not been with Hiroto when he had revealed to the others who had blinded him. The blue-haired Chakuya stared at the red-haired Kiri-nin with a modicum of shock. This man...blinded sensei?

Hiroto said nothing as he glanced in the direction of Rico'ki. "A man such as him doesn't deserve it. He's suffered more than I have...you don't need to see it to understand."

Rico'ki frowned. "Sympathy won't get you anywhere Hiroto. It's wasted on me."

The Blind Sentinel smirked. "You've been in Kirigakure too long. Looks like you'll need a different avenue for unwinding." He calmly glanced at Riko. "Yo. How's your wound holding up? I can smell the dried blood."

Riko grimaced as he feebly touched his chest. "Um...sort of okay..."

Hiroto nodded as he walked over to the other group. "Genonosuke. Holding up well?"

The swordsman nodded.

"Izzy..."

THWAP!

Izumo yelped as he rubbed his aching head. "Ow..."

"Never run off on your own again."

The perverted boy nodded. "Yes, sensei..."

Hiroto turned to Hyuu. The wind that beat against his body signified who he was...specifically, the horns of his hitai-ate. "Hmm...a Mist Chuunin..."

"Don't group me with them," muttered Hyuu. "I'm no longer one of them."

The Leaf Jonin nodded. "I see..." Then he looked down at the unconscious Akura. And, of course, the strangest of them all...that was a lot of power she suddenly exhibited...and she managed to summon a creature...a marine creature of some kind, judging by the smell. Very interesting...

Rico'ki suddenly said, "Hiroto. I don't know if you got the recent report I sent...but part of it detailed murmurings I had recorded between Zabuza and other Mist Jonin. I never figured out what he was planning...but I think this 'revolution' he mentioned seals it."

"At least you can still be sensible when the situation requires it. There's hope for you yet," sarcastically said the Jonin, much to the chagrin of the red-haired spy. "Everyone...due to the situation, I'm afraid I'm going to have to fill you in on a few things. First of all...Fokkusu Rico'ki may appear to be a ninja of Kirigakure, but he's actually a spy for Konoha."

Special Squad One and Hyuu gasped. A SPY?

Rico'ki snarled. "Blowing a spy's cover isn't really wise, Hiroto."

Hiroto turned towards the spy. "I'm making this decision on my own Rico'ki. Besides...I can tell that this assignment's done much more than it was intended to."

The man said nothing.

"In any case..."Hiroto cleared his throught before speaking aloud. "Special Squad One. For the time being, Rico'ki will be with us...but before that, I need to clear away any inhibitions you may have about working with him. After all, knowing he gouged out my eyes is nothing without the context to back it up..."

xxxx

A little over three years ago.

And we hoped that he had become better after that...

"But as it seems," Hiroto calmly said as he looked at the former bodyguard. "The secondary goal of the mission didn't work."

Suki blinked. "What do you mean?"

The Leaf Jonin continued. "It...had to deal with something personal of Rico'ki's. It made him someone different...this mission was the Leaf's attempt at getting him back at his feet...but I guess it didn't really work, did it?"

Rico'ki said nothing as Hiroto walked up to him. The red-haired man's silence became deafening as he looked at his reflection in the Jonin's hitai-ate.

Finally, Hiroto said one thing.

"I'm sorry."

xxxx

OOC: There.

This mission is nearing it's climax people, just to let you all know.

One more thing.

(spites Rico)

*looks below* OMG YOU COPIED ME!

OOC: *Posts to spite you.*

Special case canon characters. But like I said, I'm just trying to get a feel for how powerful I need to make Rico. It's fine this way, I can make him more Ricoish now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rico twitched slightly, "I'm sure that would mean something, if I remembered why you would say it. I remember everything you described, but before that." He gritted his teeth, "Only my nightmares tell me anything about my life in konoha. All I know is I feel helpless when I think about it, but at the same time I remember actually being happy, even through the pain of helplessness. But I have no memories of anyone or anything, just emotions."

OOC: Reminds me of MGS 3 where The Boss had to cut out Snake's eye. Ocelot shot it out for her anyway though.

IC:

While he rubbed the knot on his head, Izzy digested this all for a while. "So...that's how you lost your eyes? He had to do it for a mission? To keep his cover?" This made no sense to Izzy. How do we trust this guy? Where is his loyalty? Is it to the mission or the comrade?

He whispered something to Daio. "Can we really trust this guy? I mean,if he had to gouge out sensei's eye's for a mission just to keep his cover, who's to say he wouldn't do it again?"

Hiroto frowned at Rico'ki's admission. Crap. Things didn't turn out like we wanted them to. "Then if that's the case...you'll just need a change of venue then. Besides, it has to get boring around here, considering the lack of sunllight most of the time."

His ears pricked as he picked up Izzy's whisper to Daio. "Because torture is something that is part of a ninja's world...particularly for those captured. Rico'ki is not a ninja...so asking him to do something like this was particularly cruel. In any case, he IS coming with us back to Konoha...but I'm in a bit of quandry at the moment."

Ryu blinked. "What do you mean, sensei?"

"Well...officially, the Leaf and the Mist are allies, even though we don't really have good relations...but this 'revolution' suddenly poses a little idea to me." He turned towards the others, his lips contorted into a small frown. "What if we helped the Mizukage by doing away with the attempted coup?"

The Genins' jaws dropped. Kai protested, "ARE YOU SERIOUS? HE ORDERED THIS GUY TO GOUGE OUT YOUR EYES! AND YOU WANT TO SAVE HIM?!"

"Moral judgments are very fickle and bound to change in the world of ninja. Personally, I'd rather the Hidden Mist just disappear forever, its bloody history gone with it. However, for the sake of maintaining alliances, such a move would only help Konoha in the long run. I'd rather the current system remain in power instead of a more radical one taking its place." He pointed at fourdifferent boys. "Riko. Genonosuke. Ryu. Kai. You four will help me stop the coup...or at least delay it long enough for the Mizukage loyalists to fight the others off." He turned to Hyuu. "What's YOUR decision?"

Hyuu grimaced. "Tough decision...save the village I hate...or keep it from becoming an even bloodier place." The Mist Chuunin sighed as he flexed his neck. "Oh well...I suppose the lesser of two evils will suffice for now. I'm coming with you."

Hiroto nodded as he turned to Izzy. "Izzy...I want you to take Akura, Daio, and Suki back to Mioto with Rico'ki. You'll wait for us there...try and find the Nautilus when you get there. Can you do that for me?"

The perverted boy was silent for a brief moment; he was being put in charge. He was tasked with being team leader...could he do it...could he prove that he wasn't just some girl-crazy guy...?

"...yes sir. I'll do it."

Hiroto smirked. "Good." The Leaf Jonin turned his gaze to the five ninja coming with him. "All right...let's move!"

The six ninja vanished as they leapt away towards Kirigakure.

Izzy was silent. Okay...you can do this. You can do this. You have the girls watching...time to prove yourself. "All right. Suki, pick up Akura...we're going."

xxxx

As the sounds of battle erupted around them, Hiroto was picking out potential targets. "Hmm...that building right there. What is it?"

"A library."

Hiroto smirked. "I see...Riko. Kai. You two take it."

"Yes sir!" yelled the two Genin as they rushed toward the entrance.

Hyuu then glanced at the Meditation Tower. "There's several sources of chakra coming from the Meditation Tower..."

"Thanks for picking the target you and Genonosuke will be taking then," retorted Hiroto with a sarcastic grin. As the Mist Chuunin and the Leaf Genin veered away, Ryu was alone with Hiroto. "What now sensei?"

Yagami Hiroto's grin became wider as he stared - if he could - ahead at the large palace in the distance. "We're going straight ahead...where the most chakra is coming from."

xxxx

Kai busted open the doors with his poleaxes. "...nothing. This place is a mess."

Chakuya Riko glanced inside; shelves and bookcases had been toppled over, scrolls had been tossed aside, and the electric lights had been shorted out. It was relatively dark inside...and there were many places to hide...

"Let's search," muttered Riko as he kept his senses about himself; Kai led the way. After all, he had the sharp, pointy thingy.

The two calmly swept through the library. Nothing.

Shiake Kai sighed. "Nothing...let's go."

Riko nodded...when suddenly, a shelf of scrolls caught his eye. Huh...these weren't toppled over. Out of slight curiosity, he grabbed one scroll and opened it.

His eyes widened.

The scroll provided the intructions for properly performing the Water Clone jutsu. Unreal...hand signs, direction of chakra flow, how to correctly manipulate the water...everything!

Feeling even more curious, he grabbed another scroll...and he nearly soiled himself out of absolute shock.

The scroll showed how to use 'Suiton; Suiryuudan no jutsu'...the Water Dragon Blast technique.

Are all the scrolls on this shelf for Water techniques? thought Riko out of shock.

xxxx

Genonosuke and Hyuu both leapt through a different window onto the top floor of the Meditation Tower. "So, we work our way down from here?"

Hyuu shook his head. "No...someone's already near."

BAM!

The doors flew open as a Mist Chuunin loyalist was thrown through the doors, skidding to a halt against the opposite wall. His body had been skewered.

Genonosuke and Hyuu both frowned at the sight of a white-haired swordsman with two bloody swords step into the room.

"Oh." said Goukamaru the Double-Blade. "You again...hmm hmm hmm...this is a pleasant surprise."

Riko stared at the scrolls intently, and then smiled. "The Mizu Bunshin, the Suiryuudan... I wonder what else is here?" He suddenly noticed a few markings on the Suiryuudan scroll and frowned. "So that's how, huh? I wouldn't have fooled any Mist Ninja with my Suiryuudan Genjutsu, then. It's too bad I didn't get to use it." He studied the Mizu Bunshin scroll carefully, then pocketed them both, and reached for another scroll.

"Riko!"

Riko quickly stashed the third scroll away as a Mist Ninja leaped through the window. The Ninja was a teenager of about 16, but didn't have the vest of a Chuunin. "A Genin like us, huh?" Riko said, curious. The Genin stared at Riko and Kai for a moment, ready to strike with his Kunai.

"Leaf Ninja... What are you doing here in Kirigakure?!"

Riko frowned, a bit fed up with the treatment he had been getting lately. "We're here to save your asses from the coup! Whaddya think?"

"And I suppose those scrolls just fell into your hands, thief?"

"Big words for a murderer."

"Grr... You... ...Fine. I see how it is. You're here to stop the coup? Then help us fight, and take whatever LATER!"

Suddenly, a noise interrupted the conversation as the wall simply blew apart.

"Tokoro. I told you not to leave the house."

The Mist Ninja growled in anger as he turned to face the Chuunin at the wall. "I'm not a child, brother! I can do as I please. And I'm not going to stand around while you traitors have your way with the village!"

"...The only traitor around here is the Mizukage, Tokoro."

"I serve the Mizukage! And if need be, I won't hesitate to kill you, either, Domon!"

Riko's eyes widened. Man... Going against direct family just like that? They ARE trained killers.

Tokoro readied his kunai, and Domon brought out a chain of kunai. Riko and Kai moved to Tokoro's side, and brandished their weapons.

"Leaf Genin? ...Pathetic, Tokoro. In allying yourself with these weaklings, you've made yourself weaker. ...Very well. I guess there isn't room for you in our new village. See you in Hell, then."

Kai struck first. He formed a hand seal, then slammed his axes into the ground. Domon easily leaped above the reach of the earthen fists that emerged; then swung his chain, smashing them all to pieces. Domon then whipped his chain at Tokoro, but Riko snapped out his Bo and forced the chain to wrap around it, then fell backwards, causing his weight to throw the Chuunin off-balance. Tokoro took the moment to slice at Domon's wrist in an attempt to make him let go of the chain. Domon rolled in midair and pulled the chain with his chakra, forcing Riko to be pulled towards Tokoro's kunai.

"Shick!"

Tokoro's kunai was lodged in Riko's chest. Riko collapsed, then vanished into a puff of smoke to reveal that a book had been stabbed instead. "Riko? Oh, well." Kai leaped at Domon, trying to get hits with his axes before Domon could work up the momentum to slice with his chain. Tokoro grabbed his kunai and followed suit. Domon simply frowned and knocked the two away with a spinning kick... and was then was introduced to Riko's fist while turning. Domon staggered back. The blow didn't hurt, but it had thrown him off-balance... just enough for Tokoro to stab the Chuunin directly into the spine between his shoulders. Paralyzed from the arms down, the Chuunin could do nothing but fall, groaning.

Tokoro quickly knelt down, pulled his kunai out, then slit his brother's neck. "...He'll suffer enough in Hell. No need for his death to be painful too."

Despite the words the Mist Genin had just said, Riko could feel the sadness leaking from the mouth of this brother-killer.

"So... it's not just about killing, huh?"

"...No."

Kai looked confused. "Wha?"

"Oh, nothing, Kai. We better get out of here."

Tokoro cleaned his Kunai on the uniform of his brother's corpse, then pocketed it. "Yeah. Let's go. The streets have a few Genin like me in them that need to be sorted out... most of the Chuunin and Jonin are at the palace. I don't think we can handle that. ...I don't know why you Leaf Ninjas are here, but you're helping us, so... thanks. We have copies of most of the scrolls in that library, so a few missing right now probably wouldn't hurt. Just don't tell any other Mist Ninja I let you get away with village secrets."

They began to leave the library, and Riko remembered to look at the third scroll that he had gotten. "Suiton; suihitoku no jutsu... The Water Hiding jutsu...?" A picture on the scroll depicted a Mist Ninja's head peeking out of a shallow puddle of water. Riko began to read this scroll as well, as they walked along.

Rico finally stood, still looking distraught. "I have vague memories of your home. I don't remember it being a place that forces children barely out of diapers, like you, to kill." He scowled in the direction Hiroto and the others had gone. "I remember I protected someone. Someone that tried to bring peace to Konoha. I also remember I failed. To think my failure meant this. Mist, Leaf, you're all the same. Training people to kill from birth, even through this I did not forget what I am. I did things that violated my beliefs in the belief that I was helping good people." He glared at Izzy, "Why are you on this mission? Answer carefully and truthfully."

OOC: COOL! Izzy as team leader. I just realized...I think Smedgeoff dropped out pretty much. Oh well...........

IC:

He thought about it for a while. He really didn't even know why. He didn't choose the mission at all. He didn't even know it would be like this.

"Well, I was assigned. It was supposed to be a quick rescue mission. Ya know, shoot in and out. The client talked about the Mist Ninjas capturing our main objective, but not that we would actually encounter any Mist Ninjas."

"So you were kind of stuck here with the rest of the squad huh?" asked Rico'ki.

"Yeah, but if there was a way to apply for a mission, I woulda' dunnit for sure! I don't think anybody in Special Squad One would pass up a RANK A rescue mission!"

Izzy made a casual glance at Suki who was on his left side, and Daio who was on the right of him and carrying Akura over her left shoulder.

"Here Daio, 'lemme help you." He grabbed Akura and slung her over his right shoulder. He didn't like to make girls do the work. It wasn't very chivalrous. "You okay Daio? Yo're looking a little tired..." he looked at his opposite side to see a pale Suki. "You're lookin' kinda pale. Do you guys need to rest?"

ooc: I haven't dropped out, I just have a lot to handle at the moment in RL, I'm following te RP so I won't be lost when I return, if possible I'll try and post a list of techniques for my characters for while I'm away.
thanks to anyone helping me out by RPing my characters and I'll try and sort things out as soon as impossible, I'm sure inspiration will hit soon, and in way of warning, I saw shaolin soccer recently

Rico folded his arms and closed his eyes, "So they didn't think you'd be running into any other ninja then?"

Izzy sighed as he calmly sat down on a large rock; since Suki and Daio were taking a small breather, why couldn't he? "Well...I guess I thought about it in the back of my mind...but hey, I seriously thought we wouldn't run into any guys. I mean, there were four Mist Chuunin, but Hiroto-sensei took care of them...all we had to deal with were guards, and we didn't even kill them."

Rico'ki snorted. "Trained to kill, yet not killing?"

Izzy managed to muster a glare. "We're not heartless like the Mist Ninja...we don't kill just because we can."

"Then there was that white-haired swordsman," muttered Daio, her strange eyes peering at the ground. "He's the one who wounded Riko and Akura."

Suddenly, as if on cue...

"Hey, she's stirring!" murmured Suki as her eyes fell upon Akura.

xxxx

A Mist Chuunin snarled as he stood over the corpse of a beheaded Mist Genin. "Foolish boy...you shouldn't have opposed your father. Now look...you'll be missing the revolution."

An arrow suddenly pierced his shoulder.

"AGH!" The adult Chuunin whirled around

SLAM!

A foot from Yagami Hiroto sent the Kiri-nin sailing through a building wall. The Konoha-nin followed him into the dark recesses of the building.

Ryu, from atop a nearby house, sighed as he put away his bow. The sounds of battle echoed everywhere throughout the village. I wonder how much blood has been spilled already.

Hiroto suddenly rejoined the Genin, his arm-blade now covered in blood. "Okay...we're close to the Mizukage's Palace. Let's keep going."

xxxx

Kai stiffened at the sight of a ninja corpse. It was kunoichi - a female ninja - and judging by her hitai-ate, a Chuunin. But after being killed...it looked like she had been violated...

The blonde-haired Shiake resisted the urge to retch. "Monsters..." Then he momentarily thought of Daio; sure, both of them got on each other's nerves (and he particularly enjoyed mocking her)...but even so, he would step up to protect her if it was needed. They were siblings; they watched out for each other. At least when it counted. "Come on Riko; let's keep going."

Riko never noticed the female body; he was too busy reading the Water Clone scroll. Memorized the hand signs...and I've almost got down the chakra flow...

xxxx

Goukamaru seemed amused at the sight of Hyuu and Genonosuke getting into a battle stance. "You wish to fight me? After what happened last time?"

"You won't find me to be so easy," growled Geno as he pulled out Kintetsu.

The Double-Blade smirked. "Very well...I'll enjoy eviscerating you." He unsheathed Mugenjin and Chaketsu. "Now...en guarde."

He swung Chaketsu horizontally, and a sickle of blue energy erupted from it, soaring at the two at high speed.

Rico sighed and opened his eyes, "Then I misjudged things, still, It should be Hiroto and I fighting, not those kids." He gritted his teeth, "But we can't be sure there aren't more of them waiting for us on our way back. I guess thats why we had to split up."

He seemed to be talking more to himself than anything, discussing the situation with him, out loud. Not a very stealthy or ninja-like thing to do. Finally he nodded, "They always did say he had better problem solving skills than me."

"You may be strong in spirit and heart, but its that heartfelt strength that inhibits your ability to plan ahead." The voice echoed in his still clouded mind, it was familiar but he couldn't place it. "Haha! Keep listening to the old man and I'll beat you to becoming hokage!" The second voice rang out in his mind very loudly, and even more familiar. He felt, lighter, suddenly. The voices seemed to take away some of the pained pressure the Mist village had put on him.

Izzy and Daio seemed busy with their friend, but the red haired young man blinked his eyes seemed to change. The straining seriousness seemed to let up a little, but he looked confused.

Akura's eyes fluttered open, but she could hardly move. She felt as though her body had exploded into a million stars; the light of which was just now gathering again into a single point. And then, she remembered.

"Shush." the reflection told her. "I'll help you, my child." Akura felt her body fill with a green light - healing chakra, and then... She knew things she had never known, saw that she had never seen. She was Bachiwaka Chuusi, and she meant business. And as Akura and Chuusi's minds temporarily became one, Akura saw powerful jutsu, loving friends, a thriving community of Leaf Ninja, and then something unexpected... A glint of purple hair, a familiar face... ...Chuusi had known Kukuru? But these thoughts were washed away as they did battle. Akura, Chuusi, they fought as one and with Akura's own strength were able to summon a fish and use a powerful wind jutsu. 'My own power is doing this...' Akura had thought. 'Am I dreaming?' Extremely exhausted from a huge amount of chakra expenditure for a Genin, she had fainted. But Chuusi did not yet leave.

And Akura had listened with widened eyes and fearful voice to the story of Chuusi, of the Oni, of Kukuru of the clan of White and the determination of the Chakuya clan as they fought the demon. And when all was said, and no more listening was to be had, Akura had nodded, accepting the truth. Chuusi had smiled, carressed Akura's face, and told her "Do not worry, child. They will save you, as their ancestors did to me." And then Chuusi had left, imparting a bit of jutsu knowledge to Akura. The invisibility jutsu was now truly hers, though she knew she could not hold it for long. A few other water jutsu had been passed as well, but the real knowledge came with that of the wind...

Akura slowly sat up, and whispered hoarsely, "Water...", then collapsed again.

xxx

Genonosuke glared at Goukamaru, furiously, and then it happened. The blade of energy flew. Hyuu and Genonosuke leaped in tandem over the energy, and aimed their weapons towards Goukamaru. As expected, Goukamaru was waiting for them, and whirled with Mugenjin, slashng in a horizontal sweep around him. The wall of flame surrounded Goukamaru, and Hyuu summoned a shield of water from the nearby pools and protected himself and Geno. The water evaporated almost instananeously, and the two were hit by what remained of the intense heat, as well as the steam that had resulted. Jutsus were being screamed out intensely as Mist and Leaf attacked, and Swordsman dodged. Goukamaru slashed Chaketsu at Genonosuke, who yelled, "Kinzoku; kinjiki no jutsu!" and sidestepped, trying to pull Goukamaru off balance. The Mist Swordsman laughed eerily, and went with the momentum, bouncing off the ground and flipping into another attack stance.

Hyuu suddenly began a series of hand seals. Goukamaru laughed again, and leaped at Hyuu, but Genonosuke struck again with his magnetic jutsu; he ran in front of the warrior and focused with his Identical Polarity Jutsu. "Hehe..." Goukamaru chuckled again as he got pushed away. Hyuu was still concentrating. "..9th Rat, Monkey, Ox..." Goukamaru did a backflip as he flew through the air, and landed on his feet, then simply waited. Genonosuke turned to look at Hyuu, then at Goukamaru, and realized he was about to be in one HELL of a crossfire. He scrammed just as Hyuu shouted "Bird!".

Summoning water from the collective pools around the Meditation tower, Hyuu formed a huge dragon with his chakra. "Suiton; Suiryuudan no jutsu!" he cried, sending the enormous water-creature towards Goukamaru. Goukamaru was laughing now, even higher and creepier than ever. Clutching both swords tightly, he screamed, "Chaketsu! Mugenjin!" he spun around, dropping to one knee, and slashed the two swords, clanging together at an odd angle. Genonosuke recognized that Goukamaru had formed a hand seal at the base of the two swords. "MAOU OUGI! Devil Swords of the Chakra Flame!" Blue and red light leaped from the two swords, and clashed in the air, exploding into a gigantic blue flame that rushed towards the Suiryuudan. Genonosuke paled as the Suiryuudan was dwarfed by this attacked, and the water began evaporating before the two even hit. The area surrounding Hyuu began to rip apart and disentigrate, and Geno could only watch as the Mist Chuunin was torn completely apart by the attack.

"HYUU!!!!" Genonosuke gaped as he simply watched the Chuunin be engulfed.

"Whew. That was fun. Hehehe." Goukamaru grinned as he turned towards the Leaf Genin.

Geno was shocked. He had brushed that attack -- and Hyuu -- like they were nothing. NOTHING. This man, who had injured Riko and Akura, and now killed this would-be friend...

"YOU. I'll KILL YOU!" Genonosuke ran at Goukamaru in a blind rage. The Swordsman shrugged, tired from the previous attack, but still able to beat back Genonosuke's strikes easily. "What poor swordsmanship." Goukamaru commented as Genonosuke repeatedly failed to get past the Mist Swordsman's guard. Goukamaru blocked one of Genonosuke's strikes lazily, and then casually slashed with chaketsu. Poof. "What the?!" Goukamaru stared. Genonosuke had vanished into a puff of smoke, while Kintetsu was hanging in the air, still attacking. Goukamaru looked over his shoulder... "Never underestimate a Chakuya!" Genonosuke cried as he lashed out with a whip of kunai daggers. Goukamaru leaped, but Genonosuke had been quicker, one of Goukamaru's leg muscles had been gashed. "Agh! You... you... worm!" Goukamaru fell to the ground, and then leaped up again on one foot as Genonosuke called Kintetsu back to him. "You'll never walk on that leg again, monster." Genonosuke said, smirking. Goukamaru glared at Genonosuke, and yelled, "You're not going to breathe again with those LUNGS, you..." SHLICK! "GRAAAH!"

Hyuu stood behind Goukamaru with his shuriken chain, which had just raked across the swordman's back. Hyuu smirked as he gave Geno a thumbs up. The Leaf Genin smirked back and nodded. "Ten points if you can behead him, Hyuu!" Hyuu frowned. "More like fifty, you cheapskate!"

Goukamaru glared behind him at the Mist Chuunin. Hyuu saw his expression. "I'm ashamed of you, Goukamaru. I didn't think you'd fall for the Water Clone Fake Death routine." Genonosuke switched out his kunai chain whip for Kintetsu, and Hyuu began spinning his chain. Goukamaru grimaced. He was tired from the Ougi attack, furious, and currently had one good leg. These two were more resourceful than he had thought, and he was injured, alone(most the Mist Chuunin with him had either been killed or were still fighting inside the tower), and more allies for these two seemed to be showing up... It was time to stop holding back.

Riko, Kai, and Tokoro ran towards Hyuu and Genonosuke, feeling the anger seethe from Goukamaru.

Goukamaru frowned; three more sources of chakra were nearing the Meditation Tower. They were too small to be rebels...so he had to assume they were loyalists.

There was no choice. He had to go all out. As much as he hated to use his true power on weaklings...he would do so. And he would RELISH it.

"...hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm..." Goukamaru giggled as his narrow eyes glared at Hyuu and Genonosuke. "You may have surprised me...but I am not through yet." Chaketsu suddenly glowed green. "Chaketsu the Chakra Blade is a very refined sword...due to the unique metal that it's made of, it channels chakra effortlessly...and, if I so desire, it can convert my chakra so that it will heal my wounds. My control over such a function is not as refined as a medical ninja's...but..." Chaketsu suddenly glowed green as he waved it over his leg wound. "It's enough for this wound."

Genonosuke snorted. "With your chakra levels as depleted as they are, it won't matter! Your nifty flames won't even be a factor!"

"Hu hu hu hu huuu..." Goukamaru smirked as he showed Mugenjin. "Fire-based jutsus require more chakra to actually manifest the flames than manipulating them...that is the key to Mugenjin's power. See the blade's saw teeth?"

Hyuu and Genonosuke were silent.

Goukamaru grinned wickedly. "Human flesh. That is what my sword uses as fuel for its flames. That's why I can start my fire with only mere friction...over the years, Mugenjin has carved off the bloody flesh of so many...that is why I have dubbed its fire the Blood Flame."

So that's how it works, thought Hyuu with a frown. "Monster."

Goukamaru giggled as untied his metal sheath, putting the base of Mugenjin against it. "And once the flames have manifested, it is simple to manipulate the fire with only a bare minimum of chakra! Now...FACE THE FULL FIRE OF MUGENJIN!"

He swung. The saw-tooth blade scratched against the sheath along its entire length. A cyclone of fire swirled around the sword. "FAIASENPUU! FIRE HURRICANE!"

Hyuu and Genonosuke both dove to the side as the fiery cyclone roared at them. They needed to put extra effort into the evasion; the suction by the hurricane was trying to pull them in. The immense cyclone tore through the walls of the Meditation Tower, revealing the misty courtyard far below.

The Mist Chuunin grimaced as the fiery whirlwind dissipated. Where did he go...?

SPLICK

Hyuu gurgled as Chaketsu pierced his body...right through the left lung. Goukamaru giggled. "I told you that you wouldn't be breathing with those lungs again."

The Mist Chuunin grimaced...his strength...what was...?

"Aside from being a channel for my own chakra, Chaketsu allows me to sap away at the chakra of those it pierces...and yours will do quite nicely..." When the Mist Swordsman felt that his chakra level was sufficiently replaced, he kicked Hyuu away. He fell out through the hole in the wall, landing with a pained thud in the courtyard. Goukamaru turned-

Genonosuke was right in front of him.

CLING!

Genonosuke snarled as Kintetsu slammed against Mugenjin; however, Chaketsu was still free. "Fool." Energy spikes sproued from Chaketsu as Goukamaru swung. However, the Leaf Swordsman leapt away...but the Double-Blade didn't mind.

The white-haired swordsman giggled as he leapt backwards, falling into the courtyard. Calmly, he stepped on top of Hyuu's neck, causing him to groan. "Heh heh heh...time to add more fuel to Mugenjin's fire..." Then, while Hyuu was down, Goukamaru slashed through his back with the saw-tooth blade.

Genonosuke paled. "HYUU!!!"

xxxx

Riko suddenly frowned as they neared the Meditation Tower. Something's wrong. "Let's hurry..."

Riko, Kai, and Tokoro increased their pace.

xxxx

Ryu and Hiroto calmly stared at the Mizukage's Palace. "Lot of fighting going on in there," muttered the Leaf Jonin.

SMASH!

A body went flying out of a palace window, his heart skewered by a spike made of mist. He landed on the ground with a thud...and then the spike dissipated, the chakra that held it together having worn off.

Ryu frowned. "A weapon made of Mist...is that a Jonin-level technique?"

"A technique of the Mizukage," remarked Hiroto. "His control over mist is remarkable...we should hurry."

Goukamaru smiled as he saw the approach of the three. I thought they were loyalists, but only one of them looks like a Mist Ninja. No matter. I'll simply kill them all. Hee hee hee... He lifted the hold of his foot from Hyuu's neck, and slashed Chaketsu. The familiar blue slash aura flew across the area, not towards Genonosuke, but...

"JUMP!" Riko and Kai leaped and avoided the attack. Tokoro... wasn't so lucky. The Mist Genin had gone flying, the two halves of his body suffering from a severse case of disattachment. The boy was dead before he hit the ground.

Riko was silent, but continued.

Goukamaru looked at Mugenjin, and for good measure, slashed its saw blade across the unfortunate Hyuu's back again. "AAAARHGHHRGHRH..." Hyuu screamed in a half-gargled howl. He was still alive, though blood had been seeping into his lungs. Goukamaru smiled, laughing again. "Huu huu huuu! It's time to die! FAIASENPUU! Fire Hurricane!!!"

Genonosuke was emotionally and physical exhausted. He couldn't move, and Riko and the others were going to be in the path of the attack, too. Genonosuke sighed as the wave of fire tore across the Meditation Tower's courtyard. "I guess this is how it ends." he said, softly as he stared into the tempest. "Oh, well. At least I died in battle... And Suki and Akura are ok..."

"Suiton: Aisu Suijinheki!" Water surged from nowhere and covered the area in front of Genonosuke. The Leaf Genin could clearly see chunks of ice floating in the water. The fire hurricane hit the wall and both erupted into steam which was offset by the wind.

Genonosuke, Riko, and Kai turned.

A man was standing in the branch of a nearby tree. He was robed all in black, and his face covered in a mask shaped like that of a fish's head. Long, blue hair trailed past the mask's sides, and green eyes pierced the air as he watched the landscape.

Goukamaru simply laughed. "Heeheehee... Rikimaru, I thought you had left on a mission for the 'Mizukage'? I didn't expect you to return so quickly."

The man known as Rikimaru replied curtly. "I never left, Goukamaru."

Goukamaru chuckled and said, "Yes, yes... It's a shame. We could have used you, the candidate for becoming the Eighth Swordsman, in our new order. Too bad, really. You might have actually ascended to our status sooner if you had used an actual type of sword instead of those pathetic dosukunai."

Riko's eyes trailed over the man, noting the especially large kunai he had hanging from the outside of his cloak at the waist. Their blades were curved, like scimitars, and each one was actually two kunai joined at the ring from an acute angle, meaning that with two weapons, he had four blades. For a better size description, the kunai's rings were large enough to slip a fist into comfortably. The weapons looked like an offshoot of katars, more than anything.

Rikimaru grimaced. "I wouldn't have joined you even if I had come back later. ...I'm just not that kind of guy." Rikimaru leaped into the courtyard effortlessly, and readied his kunai. He then tossed off his cloak, revealing a muscular yet lithe body, but more prominently, Rikimaru had headbands. Lots of headbands. Riko's eyes widened as he recognized symbols pertaining to the Mist, Thunder, Sand, and others he had never even seen before gleaming from the headbands wrapped around his arms and legs. And though he couldn't see it from here, there was a Leaf hitai-ate strapped to the man's belt.

Rikimaru began first, leaping high into the air, and yelling, "KONOHA HASAI ASHIGE!"

OOC: I'm off. I might come back and finish this post later, but if you want to do the battle Ultra, go ahead. Rikimaru's a Jonin level guy with skill in water jutsu, as one might expect. He's also extremely skilled in his dosukunai fighting. Master of Taijutsu and Ninjutsu - not so much Genjutsu. He also knows techniques that would appear strange for a Mist Ninja to know...

OOC: Um, Goukamaru and Hyuu/Geno were fighting INSIDE the Meditation Tower, but I fixed my previous post so that your post makes sense.

xxxx

Goukmaru suddenly swung his sword along the ground, creating a tongue of flames that rushed upward towards Rikimaru. The mysterious ninja kicked through the flames, coming out only slightly singed. "Hmm hmm hmm...so many headbands...so many shifting loyalties. I wonder how long it would've been before you left Kirigakure on your own...? Oh well. It doesn't matter." The Double-Blade aimed Chaketsu at the blue-haired masked man, the sword glowing with chakra. "TAKE THIS!"

Blue chakra needles soared towards the masked man.

Rikimaru dove to the side as he performed several katas. "Uddo; Kikuzunaifu!" A nearby tree suddenly splintered into several dozen knives. "Wood Element; Wooden Knives!"

The wooden knives easily countered the chakra needles...and more were left over for the Double-Blade.

The white-haired Mist Swordsmane smirked as he swung Mugenjin - its barbed edges scratching against Chaketsu - friction creating a small wave of flames. The knives were destroyed-

"Mizu bunshin no jutsu!"

Goukamaru whirled around to see several Water Clones leaping at him. With one swift swing of Chaketsu, he split the clones in half. This revealed Riko, charging at him with a kunai knife.

He suddenly brought his sword behind him. Kai - in a small ruse crafted by Riko and himself - had swung his poleaxes downward, with the intent of cleaving off the Mist Swordsman's shoulders...but they were caught by the swordsman's blade. "WHAT?!"

Goukamaru smirked. He whirled around - kicking Kai away - before bringing his foot up into Riko's wounded chest. The blue-haired Chakuya gagged as he landed several yards away, his sword wound being opened up by the blow.

Suddenly, the Double-Blade whirled around in time to meet Rikimaru's dosukunai. The two were at a standstill.

Meanwhile, Genonosuke was silent.

His eyes drifted over to Hyuu. Bleeding to death.

His eyes drifted over to Riko and Kai. Both were outclassed...and Riko had a horrible wound...yet they still fought.

...what am I doing...?

The Chakuya heir snarled as he brought up Kintetsu. I should be fighting too...I won't let death frighten me. NO WAY. I WILL NOT BACK DOWN!!! His chakra suddenly morphed Kintetsu into a thick hammer...and he charged.

Goukamaru, in an impressive move, used the leverage of his two katanas to bring down Rikimaru's arms in time to knee him in the face. The man in black groaned as his mask cracked...and then he was kicked away. "Ha ha ha ha!!! You can't defeat me...you can't defeat one whose blades have soaked themselves in the blood of hundreds! YOU ARE NOTHING!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHH!!!"

Goukamaru suddenly heard the roar.

He turned around to see Genonosuke, his hands holding a hammer, swirling with chakra...and undoubtedly for crushing his skull.

On impulse, the Mist Swordsman raised his blades to block the attack.

SMASH!!!

The fragments were like glittering shards of glass. Goukamaru's two blades broke and splintered due to the fierce force produced by the Kintetsu-hammer. Mugenjin and Chaketsu, long used as the signature weapons of the Double-Blade...had been broken.

Goukamaru's eyes widened - for the first time since SS1's first encounter - out of sheer shock. "My...my swords...my swords...Mugenjin...Chaketsu...you...YOU..." They suddenly became filled with anger, his irises focused on Genonosuke. "YOU BROKE MY SWORDS!!!" Goukamaru reached into his robes and pulled out a wakizashi; a short sword, little more than a dagger. "I'LL KILL YOU!!!!" howled the Double-Blade as he charged at Genonosuke, rage in every step.

SPLURCK

Goukamaru gagged as Kintetsu - now a katana once more - pierced his chest, going straight through the heart. The Mist Swordsman gurgled a strange, haunting sound as he fell to his knees, one last thought going through his mind.

I am a Mist Swordsman...how could I lose...to this brat...?

Simple; he had lost not only to Genonosuke...but to Hyuu, Riko, Kai, and Rikimaru.

Genonosuke grimaced as he stood, his body aching from the strain of such a hard battle. Suddenly, he slashed once across Goukamaru's back, creating a bloody gash. "My father is a great swordsman...and he told me these words: Wounds on the back are a swordsman's shame..." Geno spat on the Double-Blade's corpse as he knelt down, cleaning his blade on the wet grass. "Carry that shame with you to Hell..."

"Geno..." muttered Riko, his eyes fixated on his cousin.

Meanwhile, Rikimaru - his mask cracked - watched with curious green eyes. Interesting.

xxxx

Inside the Mizukage's Palace...

The Mizukage was in trouble.

His body was hidden by the robes of his office, and his head was covered by the triangular hat that bore the character for 'Water'. All that could be seen was his face, which was contorted into a ferocious scowl.

Becuase he was losing in a battle with seven Chuunin and four Jonin...and one little brat who had a Bloodline Limit.

He had already killed one Jonin and four Chuunin using the mist in the air; it was his special jutsu that controlled the mist around him: Ninpou; Kiritoujin...Art of the Mist Maelstrom.

However, he was trapped inside a dome of mirrors...and with the rebels attacking him from the outside - and the brat striking at him quickly from the mirrors - he was having difficulty focusing on impaling the traitors with his mist. They will pay for their treachery...

Meanwhile, Zabuza smiled as he stood outside the mirror dome, watching the Mizukage fight. It is pointless to fight...he'll only wear himself down, allowing me to kill him slowly...and painfully...then, a new era for Kirigakure will begin.

CRASH!!!

A thorny root tore through the wall, wrapping around a surprised Chuunin. Zabuza whirled around as the root retreated, taking the screaming rebel with it.

Suddenly, Yagami Hiroto leapt in through the hole, a smirk on his face. "Now you should know better than to start the party without me."

xxxx

OOC: I trust Geno's take-down of Goukamaru was to your liking DDK? ;P

OOC: Oops @ the location of the fight. My brain just sort of randomly generated a battlefield just outside the Tower when it was mentioned, I guess. My bad. =P

And yes, I REALLY like what you did with Genonosuke and Rikimaru. =D

Just to clarify for anyone who didn't notice, but I didn't pull Rikimaru out of nowhere. He appears earlier in the RP after Akura's Genjutsu fit at the Chakuya dojo.

I'll be back in an hour, probably, to IC some things.

Edit: I will say something though. Goukamaru faintly reminded me of a certain mad prince from Suikoden II... ^_^;;

IC:

Rikimaru frowned. His mask had been cracked, and the wood was now splintering apart as he thought. He considered a moment, then ripped off the mask, tossing it aside.

Riko looked at Rikimaru strangely. If it hadn't been for his sense, he would have thought he was staring at an older, athletic version of himself.

Rikimaru stood and began walking towards Riko, then stopped about ten feet away.

"You there... You're from the clan Bachiwaka, aren't you?"

Riko blinked. "Um, no sir... Chakuya."

Rikimaru's frown became a grin, and he shook his head. "Nope, definitely Bachiwaka. I can feel it from the way you hold yourself. And besides, I already know who you are, Riko. I was just wondering what you'd say."

Riko's expression became shocked. Not only did this guy look like him, he KNEW him! Who was he...?

"Don't look so surprised. After all, I did live in Konohagakure for over ten years... I was standing in the room with your father when you were born. Hmm?"

Riko was just about to ask Rikimaru about this subject, but the Shinobi's attention had been diverted to a pair of ninja nearby.

Genonosuke, covered with blood and sweat, had not been paying attention to this. He was kneeling over Hyuu's body, trying to fight back tears. I barely even knew this guy! he thought. Why am I feeling this way? He wasn't a friend, and I'm not homosexual...

Rikimaru walked over to Hyuu and Genonosuke and knelt down, feeling Hyuu's neck. "...He's still alive, but barely."

Genonosuke's eyes shifted to Rikimaru, then back down. "...It won't help. There's no medical-nin anywhere near."

"So you think."

"Huh?"

Rikimaru had fetched his cloak and had fished a first aid kit out of its confines.

"That isn't going to help!" Genonosuke yelled angrily.

Rikimaru simply smiled. He knelt over Hyuu's body and concentrated. "First, we need to get the blood out of his lungs. You can control metal, correct? Blood has a decent iron content. If you can spread the metal within the blood evenly, and then force it out of the lungs through his wound..."

Genonosuke stared at Rikimaru in shock, but began thinking it over. He formed a hand seal, then ran his hands over Hyuu's chest.

"Ku...GACK! COUGH!" Hyuu sputtered furiously as blood shot out of the knitting wound. Rikimaru worked quickly. He opened the kit and pulled out some sort of liquid in a vial, and poured it into the wound, then set the vial aside. Forming his hands into the sign of the Bird, he rested his hands on the chest of the Mist Chuunin. A green glow appeared over Rikimaru's hands, and then over Hyuu's entire body. The Mist Chuunin's eyes suddenly shot open as he was healed.

"What the hell... You came out of nowhere, turned out to be the guy who was going to be the Eighth Swordsman, look like Riko, and now you're a medical nin, too? Who the hell are you?"

Rikimaru simply smiled. "I am... a mystery. Many have not even seen my face behind that mask and lived to tell the tale. Except for those in Konohagakure. But... I don't really wish to talk about that."

Hyuu sat up, weakly. "I'm ...alive? You... You're that Masked Shinobi... The Wanderer, wanted dead by twelve villages. They say no one in Kirigakure knows your name but the Mizukage and the Seven Swordsman."

Rikimaru shook his head. "That might have been true a week ago, but things have changed. And even then, the ninja you speak of only know my alias. I've had several names to protect my identity..." He turned to Riko. "But you... You know me. My real name is... was Bachiwaka Reiki. This is all that I will say. However, I ask you to call me Rikimaru. That is who I have become..."

Riko's eyes widened again. "You...you're Akura's uncle!"

Genonosuke raised an eyebrow. "Akura's uncle? I didn't know she had one..."

Riko shook his head. "I only met you once at one of Akura's birthdays... It looked like you had wanted to avoid me, but I had seen you anyway and Akura's mother introduced you to me."

Rikimaru nodded, and then his eyes trailed to Riko's chest. It seemed Riko's wound had reopened from one of Goukamaru's attacks, but Riko seemed to be ignoring the pain as best he could. Rikimaru walked to Riko and formed a one-handed seal and the green chakra sealed Riko's wound again.

"I trust everyone is ready to proceed?" Rikimaru asked.

Hyuu arched an eyebrow. "To the Mizukage's palace? I figured you would desert us after this."

Rikimaru sighed, and began to walk away, motioning for everyone to follow. Riko tried not to look at Tokoro's body pieces as they walked past, and Genonosuke sheathed Kintetsu, struggling to walk along, but showing an expression of toughness.

"...I said I didn't want to talk about my past, but I guess I'll tell you something. I have had several alliegences to several villages, and you can see from my headbands. But my breaking of those alliegences was not out of spite to the people there. ...I am being pursued by Hunter-nin from every village I have left. Every time they find me, I leave the village I have worked for to prevent others from being hurt, and thus another set of misinformed or uncaring hunter-nin are set upon me to reclaim my secrets, the many techniques I now have at my disposal. I have managed to blend with those societies thanks to my and my brother's ability to hide our identities... My brother, as Riko knows, was Akura's father. ...Our times in Konohagakure were the best of our lives, truth be told. ...I have said enough for now, I think."

They were standing in the middle of Kirigakure; the dead bodies of fallen Mist ninja and civillians were strewn everywhere. Hyuu suddenly spoke up.

"...I'm finding a place to lay low until I heal. I'll join the battle when I can."

Genonosuke nodded, and then everyone else faced the palace, and began to run to it.

Riko smiled inwardly. He had managed to use the Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu correctly! To think of all the training he'd be able to do back home now...

Genonosuke frowned, determined. He had killed Goukamaru... One of the Seven Swordsman. Granted, Goukamaru had been taken by surprise, had been fighting for a while, and was fighting several opponents at once including this Rikimaru, but HE had delivered the killing blow... And come to think of it, Goukamaru was his first kill, wasn't it? Genonosuke didn't recall killing anyone before, and now that he had... He was proud, but something felt... cold, empty inside. In any case... I wonder what Hiroto-sensei will think.

Kai smiled as he brandished his axes in earnest. So far, he had gotten the lightest beatings from this mission. He had the most energy left among the Genin, and he was going to use it!

Akura - now fully refreshed and rehydrated - frowned as she once again gazed over her shoulder. "I hope Rico-kun and the others are okay..."

"Eh, you're worrying for nothing Akura!" reassured Izzy as he led his fellow Genin and Rico'ki away from Kirigakure. "Besides, I have a feeling they'll be joining up with us anytime now!"

Suki smiled as she put a friendly arm around the female Bachiwaka's shoulder. "Yeah! Come on and lighten up; they'll be just fine!"

Akura remained silent. I hope you're all right...but still...Rico-kun, please hurry back...

And all the while, Rico'ki remained silent, his thoughts keeping him company.

All of a sudden, Daio paused. "Everyone...hide!"

Before Izzy could say anything, Daiohad already hidden within a thrush of bushes. Following his lead, Izumo quickly ordered, "Come on, hide!"

The other three Genin calmly hid...and that's when they felt it too.

Chakra.

Powerful sources. All of them converging on Kirigakure.

"Lower your chakra aura," whispered Daio. "We don't want to be targets..."

Suddenly, two blurs passed by. Izzy managed to catch a glimpse of the two, but barely...one had three katanas strapped to his back, whilst another had a flexible steel blade wrapped around his waist, giving off the impression of steel belts. Two more Mist Swordsmen...?

Rico'ki - having hid as well at Daio's outburst - frowned as he emerged from the bushes. It seems that the loyalist ninjas out on missions have been notified of the trouble...and they're all coming back from all over the Water Country.

Kirigakure was about to get very hectic.

xxxx

Hyuu sighed as he calmly gathered the fragments of Mugenjin and Chaketsu. His reasoning was simple; he would offer the blades to Genonosuke as a memento of the battle.

The Mist Chuunin remained silent; the alliance he had chosen with the Leaf swordsman would be viewed as traitorous. Not only that, but he would be hunted and killed for merely associating with him...and there was the matter of the ANBU...

His life was forfiet if he stayed there much longer.

Even so...the Hidden Mist Village had been his home for his entire life...but the smell of blood so thickly permeated the very atmosphere of the village...it was nauseating...

Perhaps...it's time I truly defect...and live elsewhere...

Maybe he'd go to Konohagakure with Special Squad One...get asylum underneath the banner of the Leaf, if he could get the permission of their leader, the Hokage.

Yes...that sounds nice.

xxxx

As Rikimaru led the three Leaf Genin along towards the Mizukage's Palace, Riko calmly moved closer to Geno, his stride in pace with that of his cousin's. "Hey."

Genonosuke glanced at Riko. "Yeah?"

"You okay?"

"...sort of." Genonosuke sighed as a certain weariness came to his eyes. "I mean...I'm not saying that guy didn't deserve to die. He was a monster."

"Undoubtedly," agreed Riko.

"But even so..." Genonosuke calmly stared at his hands as he ran. He could almost imagine the blood of Goukamaru on them. "...it hurts to know my hands are stained now..."

Riko frowned; he wasn't used to seeing his normally-confident cousin acting so morbid. Geno...

"The act of killing means nothing without context."

The two turned their heads towards Rikimaru, who had spoken. "To kill for the sake of killing...just to see an opponent bleed...just to satisfy their own bloodlust, like Goukamaru...that is to be a heartless killer. However...to kill those who are evil, in order to protect those you care for...those are ideals more in line with that of the protectors and ninja of Konohagakure than the killers of the Mist." Rikimaru stopped, leaving it at that; he briefly remembered Konoha, and how so much better life had been back then...

Genonosuke was silent...then he stared at his hands...then he clinched them. I...I'll keep going. I'll settle this emptiness in my heart later...I still have a duty to perform.

The look in Geno's eyes made Riko smile. "Good Geno...let's keep going."

"COME ON!" yelled Kai as he pumped his legs. "We're getting closer to the palace!"

Indeed; they were getting closer and closer...as a matter of fact, they could even see Ryu...

xxxx

Zabuza snarled as he held his blade with both hands, growling at Hiroto. "You little pest...haven't you learned to leave well enough alone!"

"Not really. I guess you could say I'm slow," retorted Hiroto as he pulled out the whistle from his gauntlet and put it into his mouth; also, instead of just pointing with one finger, he aimed his whole palm at Zabuza. "Naruboisu no jutsu! Voice of the Echoes!"

Momochi Zabuza groaned as the powerful soundwaves slammed into him, pushing him backwards into the wall. At this moment, a Jonin turned towards Hiroto and threw a chain of shuriken at him. It wrapped around Hiroto's metal gauntlet as the Mist Jonin pulled out a kunai knife with his right hand. The Leaf Jonin grimaced as he was pulled towards the muscular Kiri-nin, kunai aimed for him...

SPLICK

The kunai knife went between his index finger and thumb, the edges cutting the thin flesh around his fingers. Hiroto immediately brought his knee upward, sending the Mist Jonin flying into the ceiling. With one quick thrust, he snapped the shuriken chain and threw it away. Okay, now onto the next one...

A Mist Chuunin glared at Hiroto before charging.

"HEY!"

The aforementioned Kiri-nin whirled around to see Shiake Kai swinging his axes downward. The ninja brought up his hands, which were covered by metal gloves...but his arms quivered. He was too tired...

"What's the matter?" challenged Kai. "Too weak from all the fighting? Well too bad for you...I've got plenty of juice left!" He headbutted the Chuunin and sliced at the ground; the Kiri-nin fell through the floor with a loud crash.

Yagami Hiroto turned around...and smiled at hearing the familiar muscle contractions, breathing, and heartbeats of Kai, Riko, Genonosuke...

The last one - Rikimaru - made him pause. Huh...never thought I'd hear from him again. Oh well; introductions can be done later.

xxxx

OOC: Fixed.

OOC: You may want to edit that a bit. You remember when they were at the mouth of the cave? What did Rico do? He didn't sense anyone, he asked Izzy. Think on that one, right now Rico's not one to waste time asking little kids if they can do something if he already can.

Spoiler is that he can't. Like I told you as powerful as he seems he's well rounded. Normally I assume the ninja sense others at distance due to their chakra. Rico uses all chakra his, others, and the ambient sources unless he's familiar with it he can't distinguish between them. In essence the thing that makes him so power, blinds his 6th sense. Of at least is for now, he depends on others to tell him if they're about to be attacked.

Like I said, he's not a ninja nor does he fight like one.

Kukuru sat in the familiar shrine, concentrating. This place was sacred, an area she knew well... Considering she had stayed within its confines for some time, ageless. But now, everything was different. The seal had been broken, and her vigil halted.

The shrine area was a typical oriental style, about thirty feet in diameter with an enclosed area for the center shrine. The enclosed area had once housed a flame, but this flame had been out for a while now; ever since the two Chakuya boys and Chuusi's doppleganger had found this place by chance.

xxx

The flame, called the Cion, had housed a rather nasty lesser demon in it. It had been sealed there by an amateur in the Chakuya clan, who had been berated by his family for doing so. Their mission was to banish or destroy demons, not seal them away. They attempted to break the seal, but the demon itself had held it together from within. They could do nothing but age and die while the demon waited. So the people had called upon Kukuru, the daughter of the patriarch of the Clan of White (a family of foreigners who had become accepted into the village at that time) because of her devotion to learn the demon fighting techniques of the Chakuya, and for a special and rare talent she possessed... They built a shrine around the flame as a place for Kukuru to live.

Using the power of twelve men and a technique now lost, they were able to push the Shrine of the Cion a half-step beyond the physical world. Not being present in the physical world completely, Kukuru would change - She would be lulled into a sleep while praying, a sleep that would halt the aging of her physical self. Her mental self, her mind, her soul, would still be awake to keep a vigil on the Cion. The people's hope was that Kukuru would be present when the flame's seal was near to break, and would pull the shrine back into the physical world and seek warriors whose techniques had been perfected over the years.

And so she slept. And slept. And slept. She could feel herself growing weaker despite not aging, and she felt the demon also grow infantile compared to its previous power. Finally, something happened. The second seal, the one keeping the shrine from the world, had failed.

Kukuru had awoken to find herself in the familiar forest, with the shrine in front of her. The flame Cion blazed brightly still. And just as she had meant to leave to find help, they had appeared.

Riko, Genonosuke, Akura. The three had gone on an adventure in a small forest outside the village. Though they did not leave the village often, they had gone into this because Genonosuke dragged them along. And they had found Kukuru.

Stories were swapped, and Genonosuke had been nonchalant. He stepped in front of the flame and used the Chakuya Clan's Demon Sealing technique on the flame itself, and to Kukuru's horror the flame froze, then shattered. The sealing technique had actually weakened the flame instead of the demon, who was able to break free. Without warning, Genonosuke had been tossed aside and rendered unconscious, and Riko had barely enough time to use the technique himself. The demon was still weak from the Flame, and couldn't resist the technique, and was thus banished from the world.

And so things came to pass - Kukuru was free from her vigil. She had appealed to the Hokage, and told him everything. And so, those five were the only ones who knew Kukuru's secret... Except...

xxx

"Chuusi, why do you remain in this world?" Kukuru asked, still concentrating. Her friend's voice echoed in her mind.

"I cannot rest while the Oni lives, Kukuru." she said, sadly. "If young Akura dies, the Oni will also die forever, but I do not want that to happen, either. The poor child will have to make some choices in her life. I still have duties here, things to teach her..."

Kukuru lowered her head. "And I don't have such duties. Why do I remain here? Why couldn't it have been some other girl? Did they choose me because of the Jonin ability I possessed combined with my other talent, and because I was a gaijin?"

Chuusi's voice spoke again. "You are needed here, Kukuru. You are a rolemodel to Akura, for her mother has not been setting a good example... You mean a lot to that girl. You, too, have a duty."

Kukuru hesitated, then nodded. "I suppose so."

"A question, though, Kukuru."

"Hmm?"

"I was with you when you talked to Akura's mother."

"Yes, I thought I felt something..."

"Why did you say you were from 'Konohamaru'?"

"Well, you know... They don't seem to adopt this practice in this age, but -maru is usually the type of suffix that's applied to fake names, and the village isn't exactly the same as it was before..."

"Oh. I see, then. Still, I don't know what you were thinking..."

"Oh, yes. That's right... The current Hokage's grandson is named Konohamaru. Juuli must have thought me odd."

Chuusi's voice began becoming fainter as she said, "Perhaps. But do not let that concern you. You have a wonderful life in this new age, and a duty to uphold; a person to protect. Your purpose here is meaningful."

Kukuru nodded. "Very well. Peace be with you, my dear friend. May you find rest soon..."

Kukuru left the shrine, and returned to within the village walls to resume her work at the library.

OOC: Ok, no more tired. ">

IC:

Riko was staring down a Mist Chuunin, who was eyeing him almost hungrily. The Chuunin leaped at Riko and swung a wakizashi at the Genin, who simply blocked with his staff, and then twirled in the opposite direction, striking the back of the ninja's hand while applying his weight, forcing the small sword out of the surprised ninja's grasp. "Disarming Staff Technique One!" Riko said, grinning, and then jabbed the end of the Bo into the Chuunin's neck. The Mist Ninja choked for a second, the angrily pulled out his chain of shruiken. Riko sighed. "Here we go again..." The chain of shuriken was sliced at Riko, who wrapped it around his Bo like during the fight with Domon. Using the same tactic, he fell backwards to throw the Chuunin's balance, then caught his own balance, sped behind the Ninja, wrapping the chain around his neck. Riko then gave his Bo a twirl for good measure. The Chuunin's head met the floor, and his body fell a second later. "No mercy for bloodthirsty murderers and malignant traitors to their village code." Riko said, quietly.

Genonosuke twitched. There was something poking into his back... He reached around and felt a coil of wire he had forgotten about in the excitement of battling Goukamaru. Cursing himself for being so idiotic as to forget this, he quickly wound and jutsu'd a length of the wire into a familiar leg snare, and tossed it at the feet of a Mist Ninja leaping over his head. The unfortunate ninja suddenly found himself hanging upside-down, with Kintetsu heading for his face.

Kai was in high spirits. He had found Ryu quite easily, and the two had decided on a plan that worked most wonderously.

"Doton!"

"Uddo!"

"Combination! Togetogeshii-hando no jutsu!"

A single, large hand of earth erupted from the floor, and suddenly sprouted countless roots from its fingers from the grass seeds dormant in the soil. These tentacles grabbed several Mist Ninja, and clumped them together in its palm, then slammed itself against the ground, grinding the thorns into the Mist Ninjas' flesh, as well as causing shock damage from the impact.

And there were Rikimaru and Hiroto, facing off against a squad of Jonin and Zabuza. Rikimaru turned to Hiroto and nodded. "Hiroto." Hiroto didn't turn his head, but simply nodded as well. "Reiki. Or should I say, Rikimaru?" Rikimaru smiled. "How about we not say anything?" Hiroto shrugged, and cracked his neck. "Sure." They began their attack, Rikimaru leading.

"Raiton; Raigenkonami no jutsu!" Rikimaru swept his fist in a horizontal swinging motion, and it suddenly charged with electrical energy. The electrical energy burst and split into several waves, knocking several Jonin back and giving a few burns. The waves of lightning, however painful they were, were not lethal as was the single concentrated attack of Kakashi; the Chidori.

Rikimaru pulled out his Dosukunai and began to cut a path from there, being careful to give Hiroto room.

Zabuza snarled as he watched the proceedings; his revolution was falling apart; with the arrival of the other brats and Rikimaru - what was he doing fighting with the Leafs in the first place?! - the Mizukage was gradually beginning to avoid the constant barrage of attacks from outside the mirror dome; now only Haku and two Chuunin were attacking the Water Shadow. This insanity shall end NOW.

He began spinning around as chakra coalesced around his frame. "Ninpou; Kazekenbu!" A whirlwind sprouted around his body, as wide as his sword. "Art of the Wind Sword Dance!"

The miniature whirlwind surged toward Hiroto, its tail tearing through the floor, kicking up debris.

The Leaf Jonin calmly bit into his thumb, letting blood trickle into his palm. He immediately performed a dozen hand signs. "...Uma, Saru, Tori, Inu, RYU! Chigatana no jutsu!" The wet blood in his palm suddenly grew into a long blade, fused and hardened with chakra. "BLOODY BLADE!"

He threw the blade at the ceiling, creating a large swath in the ceiling. Weakened already by the tremendous battle, a section of the rocky ceiling crumbled and fell, smothering the whirlwind.

Zabuza snorted. His attack had failed...but he still had plenty of chakra left to-

"ZABUZA-SAMA!"

Zabuza whirled around just in time to see Haku's Demonic Ice Mirrors splinter and break. The young boy fell from an airborne mirror at Zabuza's feet, whimpering, "I'm sorry...Zabuza-sama...I couldn't hold him in anymore..."

Momochi Zabuza's eyes narrowed as he watched the Mizukage rise, mist beginning to swirl around him. Not only that, but he could sense tremendous sources of chakra nearing Kirigakure...the loyalists that had been out on missions at the time.

His coup had failed.

I'll have to cut my losses and leave... Zabuza quickly grabbed Haku and vanished from the palace.

Ryu blinked. Where'd he go...?

All of a sudden, all of the mist outside surged into the room, hardening into spikes that skewered the rebels in the gut. The seven remaining rebels hovered in the air above the Mizukage, moaning in pain. "You...traitors..."

As more mist began to swirl around the Mizukage and the traitors - hiding them from view - Kai grinned. "Heh...we sure kicked ass."

Genonosuke found himself agreeing.

Riko remained silent as he tried to discern what was going on inside the thick dome of mist. Finally, he asked, "Hiroto-sensei...what's going on in there...?"

Hiroto muttered, "The Mizukage's undoubtedly punishing them."

Suddenly, screams echoed outward from the dome...but they were immediately cut off by the sickening sound of flesh being torn asunder. Ryu found himself gulping; so did the other Genin. What a truly terrible sound...

When the misty dome receded, it revealed the seven traitors.

Their bodies had been slashed, sliced, and ground up into finely shredded pieces of bloody meat. The mist in the room now carried a reddish color...the stain of blood.

The Mizukage merely snorted.

"And that is why he's a Kage," whispered Rikimaru. "His strength is greater than that of any other in the Mist."

The Mizukage suddenly tilted his head towards Rikimaru (and all those headbands...), Hiroto, Ryu, Riko, Geno, and Kai. "...Leafs...and Rikimaru..."

Silence. The six ninja were all tense and silent; if the Mizukage so desired, they would all be ground up like those seven rebels.

Finally...

"You have my gratitude for coming to my aid," muttered the Mizukage. The hardened glare never left his eyes. "In return, I won't stop your leaving...but should the ANBU or any other Mist ninja run into you, don't expect any mercy."

One second later, the six ninja had left the palace.

Genonosuke quickly yelled, "Just let me go get Hyuu!" as he veered off toward the courtyard surrounding the Meditation Tower.

Rico seemed less hostile and more sullen as they walked. Something was making his gut hurt, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. The longer the silence lasted the more time he had to suppress annoying emotions.

Genonosuke found Hyuu with little difficulty, considering that many of the normal Mist Ninja of Kirigakure were basking in pools of their own blood.

Hyuu turned to Genonosuke as the Leaf Genin approached, holding up a small cloth sack that had made from strips of a dead ninja's uniform. Thankfully, these strips had not not been on the bloodied part of the outfit.

"Hey, Hyuu! You holding up alright? ...What's in the bag?"

Hyuu nodded. "I am still weak, but otherwise okay, I guess... I suppose the battle is over already? And this bag... it contains the shards of that swordsman's blades. Chaketsu, and Mugenjin. I gathered them to offer to you as a momento of the battle."

Genonosuke cocked an eyebrow. "Huh? I didn't figure you were the gift-giving type. But thanks."

Hyuu smiled as Genonosuke took the bag. "I'm not, really. But my way of life has been completely shattered, just as those blades have. I have decided to give you those shards, and my life to Konohagakure, if they will have me. With so many dead ninja here, I doubt the Mizukage will file a report for Hunter-nin just to come after me."

Genonosuke shook his head. "That's a pretty big decision, but... if they don't find your body, and you're not present in this place... Won't they think you were a part of the coup?"

Hyuu also shook his head. "I believe the Mizukage is more concerned with Zabuza and the child than I. They made a direct attempt on his life, and the Mizukage is not a very forgiving man when it comes to such things."

Genonosuke nodded, and silently, they ran to join the group. Along the way, Genonosuke looked at the bag. The shards in this sack... Man, I can feel the blood just dripping from them... The taint of evil's still strong; I can feel it from the training Riko and I were put through in learning the clan's technique. I might could get them purified. Aunt Kukuru might know something about that. And... I could reform the blades back to their original form, but that'd be a waste. I like Kintetsu... And a momento? The only momento I really need is the blade I used to kill that monster. Maybe, I could merge the shards with Kintetsu? Chaketsu seems a good choice... Kintetsu being able to conduct chakra easier sounds almost too good to be true. ... ... ... His thoughts were silent the rest of the way.

Ryu stood, lost in thought, trying to regain some semblance of normalcy in his mind. All that had happened today was overwhelming to say the least, and he tried to keep his mind off of all the deaths that had occured in the past few hours.

All of a sudden, however, he remembered something from the heat of the battle, a tiny imbalance that had alerted him to something very strange, yet intimately familiar at the same time.

He looked at the new stranger curiously for a moment, before speaking up. "You... you used a wood jutsu earlier. I could feel it, even though I wasn't there. I guess this means you're from Konoha, and that you had had close contact with my family in the past, doesn't it? But... I don't remember you."

Rikimaru stood in silence, then thought for a moment. This kid had seemed familiar, but he couldn't place it until he mentioned the wood jutsu. There were only a few people he had knew in Konoha who could use wood jutsu, and judging from the boy's features, he belonged to the family he was familiar with...

"...You're Ryu, William's little brother? ...There are other ninja in the world that can use wood jutsu, but yes. I knew your family, and your brother. I don't think you ever met me, though. ...I guess there's not much reason for me not to be talkative about my past anymore, if I'm going to go back to Konoha. You're probably all going to ask me things anyway."

Ryu said nothing. He merely regarded the main with slight suspiscion...something was off about him...

Hyuu and Genonosuke suddenly rejoined the group. Hiroto grinned as he heard the two coming. "Good...now that this little group is all assembled, we can rejoin the others. Let's go."

The seven shinobi leapt off into the misty horizon.

xxxx

A man wearing black robes appeared in a small clearing on a mountain forest. He calmly glanced around, his face hidden by a white-and-red mask with the symbol of the Mist on it; it was the mask of an ANBU tracker ninja, an elite Black Ops shinobi.

He frowned as he glanced around, trying to pinpoint the faint sources of chakra around him. Where...where are you...?

SCHLICK!

A massive blade suddenly erupted from the ground beneath his feet, cutting through his pelvis and stopping just below the neck. The ANBU gurgled as the blade was pulled back downward...and he fell to the ground, dead.

A hidden metal lid - now split in half - opened up as Zabuza clambered out, bloody blade in hand. Haku was right behind him. The young boy said, "They'll be hunting us now..."

"Indeed," muttered Zabuza as he walked towards the edge of the forest. Haku started after him...but then, in a sudden stroke of preparedness (or maybe he just liked it), he grabbed the mask and shifted it into his clothes before following his lord and master.

Momochi Zabuza was furious.

His coup had failed.

The revolution had been unsuccessfull.

We were so close to killing that worthless weakling...so close to ushering in an even more perfect Kirigakure. But those accursed Leafs...

The Demon snarled. His plans had been set back by a few years...it would take that long to merely acquire the funds to support a second coup. Then there was the matter of gaining new followers...

The Mist Swordsman clenched his fist. He would leave Kirigakue. He would return...stronger...more powerful...and he would destroy all those who stood in his way...

Zabuza came to a stop atop a bluff overlooking Kirigakure; the mist was thick with blood, and a chill had settled through the air...

As Haku stopped behind him, he said, "I have bad news for you Haku...I'm leaving this land." Before Haku could say anything, he continued, "BUT...I've sworn an oath to return one day...as a conquerer, who'll crush them ALL beneath my feet!" He turned towards Haku. "And to do that, what I need from you is neither love, nor affection and support. What I require is-!"

"I understand," interrupted Haku as he gazed at Zabuza with an innocent smile. "I am your weapon and your tool. Keep me beside you, and I'll strike where you tell me to strike...and kill who you tell me to kill."

Zabuza smirked at those words. "Heh...good boy."

The two disappeared, fleeing from the Hidden Mist Village.

xxxx

A forest pathway southwest of Kirigakure. The other half of Special Squad One was on the road again, with Izzy leading them along.

Daio suddenly frowned. "More chakra sources...coming FROM Kirigakure..."

Izzy grimaced as he yelled, "HIDE!" He immediately jumped into a tree and hid, scowling angrily. Wonderful...two strong ones...five smaller ones...who are they? Mist ninja coming to kill us?

From her hiding spot, Akura suddenly gasped. This chakra...I know who it is...!

At that moment, the sources of the chakra came to a stop.

Yagami Hiroto.

Rikimaru.

Hyuu.

Genonosuke.

Kai.

Ryu.

And, most importantly to Akura...Riko. The one whom she had sensed most of all.

"Riko-kun!" screamed the white-haired girl as she charged, giving Riko as hard a hug as she could.

Kai calmly stepped up to his sister, looking her in the eyes. "Yo."

"So you survived," remarked Daio as a grin came to her face. "At least you're not as weak as I think you are."

"Remind me where I'm supposed to care," grumbled Kai as he walked away...but he hid the smile on his face. He wouldn't prefer his sister to act any other way.

Hiroto calmly walked over to Rico'ki. "How ya holding up? Wait...hold that thought. You can tell us on the way back to Konoha...because there will be ANBU out and about, and I'd prefer we get out of the Water Country before they find us."

"So let's keep going," said Rikimaru.

Suki suddenly tapped Geno in the ribs. "Who's he?" she asked, pointing at Rikimaru.

xxxx

OOC: Zabuza and Haku are officially out of the RP.

Rico remained silent, simply following his mind was too full of half uncovered memories to speak.

Genonosuke jumped a little, startled, and then looked at Rikimaru, then back at Suki. "He said he was a guy running from all sorts of hunter-nin from different villages, and said he even lived in Konohagakure once."

Rikimaru glanced at Suki and Genonosuke, then looked away again. Great. They'll need to know the whole story eventually...

Hiroto - hearing Geno speak to Suki - calmly said, "We'll introduce ourselves later...right now, there'll be ANBU Black Ops ninja searching throughout the entirety of the Water Country for rebels...and us. After all, we're not supposed to be here. Let's head back to Mioto...and head home on the Nautilus."

xxxx

Meanwhile, all the way back in the Fire Country...in the port of Sukyo...

A small man wearing a black business suit chuckled as Mr. Hurtz stepped into the small warehouse with Shirow in tow (wearing more presentable clothing). The midget held a small, gold-tipped cane, and his gray hair was bushy; almost like a flower. His black mustache was neatly trimmed, forming two slanted dots on his upper lip...and his greedy eyes were hidden behind black sunglasses. "So, you got my engineer back."

"It was money well spent, Mr. Gato," remarked Mr. Hurtz as he handed the ship engine blueprins to Gato.

Gato smirked as he placed the plans on a nearby table, where a bunch of other papers where stacked. "Good...once we outfit our ships with the new motors, no other shipping company will be able to beat us...we'll rocket to the top. Then, we'll spread out contracts outside of the Fire Country..." And by contracts, he not only meant shipping contracts...but contracts in the drug trade that his company did on the side. "...and in a few years, once we amass enough capital...we'll start centralizing our operations and monopolizing the industry in smaller places..."

"It will be a very splendid time," remarked Mr. Hurtz.

And as the two businessmen laughed, one of the papers fell off the table...and it showed rudimentary plans to take the company to the shores of another land in a few years: the Land of the Waves.

xxxx

One masked ANBU grumbled as he knelt down, feeling the grass. "Someone's passed by here..." He calmly whistled.

Seven masked ANBU, all wearing black robes, suddenly appeared around him. The first one said, "Several people have been through here..." He sniffed the ground. "Three adults...the rest are younger. They don't smell like Mist ninja...except one."

An ANBU with a mask fashioned like that of a dragon stared off in the direction of the nigh-invisible footprints. "Only one port lies in this direction...we head to Mioto."

The eight, Jonin-level ninja disappeared, dashing off toward the southwest.

xxxx

"...THAT DOUCHEBAG!"

"Well put Kai," snarled Genonosuke.

The Nautilus was gone. No where to be found. Mr. Hurtz had abandoned them.

Hiroto grimaced. How polite of him, he thought sarcastically. "Ryu, remind me to tell the Third Hokage not to do business with Gato Shipping & Transport."

"Will do sir."

"How do we get home now?" mumbled Akura.

Riko sighed. "I don't know...I guess we can buy our way onto a passenger ship."

"Or stow away," added Kai with a smirk. Daio grumbled out of distaste. "We're not criminals brother."

Suddenly, Rikimaru's head tilted to the side, as if he had been jolted by lightning. "Eight Jonin are coming this way. They've tracked us here."

Everyone froze. Hyuu suddenly started shivering. "Chakra sources this large...and they're moving in unison...they can only be tracker ninja...ANBU!"

Izzy gulped. "Ah crap...we've finished the mission! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE CLEAR! How do we get out of here now?!"

"Yes...any ideas Hiroto?" silently said Rico'ki, his eyes narrow, yet observant. He was still sorting things out mentally...he didn't want to take part of another battle just yet.

The Blind Sentinel sighed as he bit into his thumb. "Actually, yes I do." He immediately started tracing lines around his right gauntlet with his own blood...and after tracing what looked like angular wings on his right hand, he performed twenty hand signs.

Izzy gulped. The eight ANBU were only a few miles away now...

Finally, he slammed his right onto the stony ground. "SUMMONING NO JUTSU!" Red light erupted from his right arm as the bloody lines evaporated, soaring into the air and tearing a portal into the sky. The portal - a black discus - suddenly exploded into smoke...and when it cleared, a massive creature was there, calmly descending down towards them.

The creature wore a dark blue gi, wrapped tightly to his body with a black belt laced with gold. His muscular body was covered with thin brwon fur, as were his large wings. He was absolutely huge; at least seventy feet tall and twenty feet wide from shoulder to shoulder. His total wing span was easily greater than 140 feet. His hands were covered with silver gauntlets, ending with steel blades as sharp as his own, natural claws of ivory. His feet were large, and his toes ending in razor-like talons, as black as obsidian. The dark color matched his hair, which was long and almost shining, coming down to his waist. His face, save for the large fangs jutting up from his mouth and the red eyes, was surprisingly humanoid...oh, and ears were almost bigger than his head. One golden ring pierced each ear, each one larger than a human torso.

The nearby sailors and populace screamed as they ran for cover. The eight Genin stared out of astonishment. Hyuu was also in slight awe. At that moment, Suki made an astute observation. "It's...a giant bat..."

"VERY ASTUTE, LITTLE GIRL," rumbled the massive bat, startling the younger ninja. The bat turned towards Hiroto, asking, "WHY HAVE YOU SUMMONED ME HIROTO? I'VE HAD A BIT OF A LOUSY DAY; FATHER'S BEEN HAVING A BIT OF A BACKACHE, AND HE'S GRUMPY."

Hiroto chuckled. "Well, we all have our own problems...our ride to the Fire Counry is AWOL, and eight ANBU are almost here. Thing is, they're fresh, and we aren't. Mind giving us a ride home?"

The bat laughed; his deep voice somehow retained a kind of youth that shouldn't have been possible. "WELL...I DO OWE YOU A FEW FAVORS....VERY WELL!" He spread out his wings, making him look even bigger. "I, HENPUKU-OUJI, THE PRINCE OF THE BATS, WILL GRANT YOU THIS REQUEST. HOP ON." He turned around and knelt down, offering his large back as a platform for the twelve warriors a place to get on.

"You heard the bat," remarked Hiroto as he hopped on. Everyone followed suit (Akura got on after some assurance from Riko and Geno). Finally, Henpuku-Ouji rumbled, "HANG ON TIGHT. WE'RE TAKING OFF."

With one flap of his wings, the massive bat demon was in the air, soaring away from the port of Mioto. Izzy managed to look back down...and saw eight black figures watching them depart from the pier.

Hiroto calmly patted Izzy on the head. "NOW we're in the clear."

Riko slumped down onto his butt, sighing out of relief. "It's over...it's finally over..." Even as he spoke, the Water Country's shores fell away beyond the horizon.

They were going home at last.

xxxx

OOC: So everyone, how do you think we tied this mission in with the events of the Naruto anime/manga?

OOC: No complaints here. =D

As Henpuku-Ouji soared at high speeds over the ocean, Suki watched in awe at how high they were. "Wow...so this is what it would be like to be a bird..."

"Not exactly," remarked Ryu. "Birds have a different of sensing things...it's not just flight that separates them from us. I know this for a fact." He calmly whistled, bringing a flock of seagulls near Henpuku-Ouji...but their natural fear of such a large beast took in, and they refused to move in closer. Oh well. Can't blame them.

Izzy stared quietly as the wind rushed past him. "Ooh...man. Hiroto-sensei, how'd you summon this guy?"

"The Summoning technique...to summon a creature such as Henpuku-Ouji, you must forge a contract with a certain demon tribe, written in your blood. But the demons we forge our contracts with follow a code of ethics like we do...after all, a contract forged with murderous demons such as the ancient Oni is forbidden. My contract has been forged with the Bats. The Third has a contract with a powerful ape known as the Monkey King Enma...and the Fourth had a contract with the Frogs. As a matter of fact, he was the only one ever able to summon Gama-Bunta, the Boss Toad." In response to Hiroto's answer, Izzy became silent. Man...if Hiroto could summon this big guy, then the Hokage...they're so powerful...

Kai merely smirked. "Well I think the whole thing fits. Blind as a bat, and all that."

That's when another question came to Izzy's mind. "But sensei...what kind of favor did you do for this guy?"

"WELL, IF YOU MUST KNOW," interrupted the Bat Prince. "HE DIRECTED MY ATTENTION TO SOMEONE WHO KNEW THE RIGHT WAYS TO MAKE PLEASURABLE LOVE TO YOUR WOMAN. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE KNOWLEDGE I GAINED FROM THAT MAN WAS PUT TO GOOD USE WITH MY BELOVED MIYA."

Izzy sweatdropped. Okay... Then another thought hit him. I wonder who this 'someone' is...maybe he could give me pointers with girls.

"WE'LL BE AT THE FIRE COUNTRY BY NIGHTFALL, SO DON'T TRY TO FALL."

Heh. This beats travel by boat anyday, thought Genonosuke with a smirk.

xxxx

OOC: Guess who Izzy will be meeting once we get back to Konoha? You should be able to guess. >=D

OOC: Ooh, could it be the... pervert-sennin? =D *sits down and watches, and would right some internal thoughts for Riko and co, but it's 2:17 AM right now and sleep is required for this body to continue its function*

Ok, sleep'd. Time to write some stuff.

IC:

Riko slumped into the giant bat's fur, tired. He had been kidnapped, sliced, diced, chopped, and prepared with a fine sauce, it seemed. Or maybe he was just hungry. He hadn't eaten since... Since he couldn't remember when. The thoughts of ramen and curry floated into his mind as he drifted into a deep sleep.

Akura noticed Riko beginning to slip, so she grabbed him by his gi and supported him with her body. Riko-kun... she thought, You went through a lot, didn't you? We both did... ...I never thought I'd have the chance to talk with my ancestor... That whole experience was... surreal, almost. I'd be better off not mentioning it, perhaps. I'll be questioned about what happened, but I suppose they can write it off as the panic factor like before. The summoning might be a bit harder to explain... Oh, I'm so nervous now...

Genonosuke sat next to Hyuu, jingling the shards in the bag.

"HEY, STOP THAT, WILL YOU? IT'S GIVING ME A HEADACHE. the Prince of Bats boomed.

Genonosuke sweatdropped and set the bag down quickly.

"So... Rikimaru is your name?" Hyuu asked, looking at the former Masked Shinobi. Rikimaru had been looking at Akura, his niece, who hadn't seemed to recognize him yet.

"...Yes, for now. I suppose I won't need to use that particular name when we reach Konoha, though. ...Some of you are still in the dark about who I am, exactly, and the only reason I have now to keep my secrets is my own shame... So I will now explain the whole story. The story of I, my brother, and a very decisive decision involving my niece, Akura."

Akura suddenly looked at Rikimaru in shock. "Niece...? You're... uncle Reiki?!"

A few of the ninja showed shock, but Rikimaru merely nodded, and then began telling his story.

xxx

Reiki smirked as his brother Genki slapped the volleyball down. It was heading for the bottom of the cave floor, but of course Reiki wouldn't let that happen. He slid under the ball and kicked up, bouncing it off the ceiling of the cave and spiking it into the gravel before Genki could reach it.

"Good game, squirt." he said, as he slapped his brother on the back. Even after 20 years of growing up, he still called his three-years younger brother 'squirt'. It irritated Genki to no end.

They walked through the cave into a larger cavern, one full of plants, animals, real soil, and even sunlight captured from the surface of the water outside. Oxygen was extracted both from water and from the plant life, and the pressure of the cavern was maintained by a series of clever air pumps hidden in the cavern walls. This was the Village Hidden Under the Lake. Kosuigakure.

Despite their difference in age, these two brothers were both Chuunin and just about ready to take their Jonin exam. The two were excited beyond believe, and also pretty nervous. That friendly game of volleyball was not only fun, but a good stress deterrent. Unfortunately, it would also come to be the last game of volleyball they ever played together...

"Sir!" they stood with their hands folded, bowing their heads in a typical sign of respect. The village leader, called the Suifurou, the Water Elder, smiled warmly at these two candidates. The Suifurou was only a man of forty-five, yet he had become the village elder because of the passing of his predecessor some time back. The village was only sparsely populated; a mere thirty or so Jonin for the entire village, and even less Chuunin. Everyone else in the village was of Genin status whether they were a true ninja or not; with so few ninja able to defend the village, all citizens were trained in the art of ninja.

Of course, they really didn't have to worry about attack from others. Their village was in a cavern spanning slightly under a mountain, but mainly under a lake. To get in, one would have to go through the earth, which few could considering the solid granite sheeted above their cavern, or through the water, which would be suicide to most. Their trade with other villages and entities was small, considering that they were mostly self-supporting with their environment and lived on fruit and deer. All in all, they were pretty safe. Or so they had thought.

The Suifurou began speaking. "You two have proven yourselves to be the best Chuunin in our village, and very likely the best Jonin as well in time. This is very unexpected from the Bachiwaka clan, who rarely produces such capable warriors as yourselves. I believe it is time for your Jonin exams, however I have something different in mind from our normal procedures." He stepped to his desk, and retrieved a box, then walked to the two Chuunin. Opening the box, he revealed two wooden masks, fashioned to look like fish. "These are symbolic masks of your clan, correct?" The two Chuunin nodded. "Very well, then. I must ask something of you. Long ago, a section of your clan led by Bachiwaka Chuusi left the village and fled to Konohagakure. Our attempts to pursue with Hunter-nin failed then and every time after. Recently, I have recieved information that the Bachiwaka clan in Konohagakure has dwindled to two, both females." He handed a mask and two kunai to each of them. "...This task is a very dire one indeed. I do regret to ask you this, but your family asked me especially... They believe it as a matter of honor among their clan and of the village, and I reluctantly agree."

Genki's eyes narrowed. "Our mission is to assassinate the last Bachiwaka clan members in Konohagakure? That's insane!" Reiki sighed, and replied, "If this is the task you would give us, Suifurou-sama..."

The Suifurou nodded gravely. "This mission will not only put your skills to the test, it will also require some soul-searching, I'm afraid. You may refuse if you wish, but this is the task I have given you to become Jonin. If you refuse, you will have to stay Chuunin forever."

Genki dropped to his knees in shock and frustration, but Reiki merely nodded. "...I detest this, sir, but I will do it. For my clan and village..." He placed the mask over his head, then looked down at his brother. "You coming, Genki?" Genki was on the verge of tears, unsure of what to do. "Dammit... dammit! ...Yes! I'm coming, dammit, but I hate it! Ninja are supposed to protect their village and their clan, not destroy them!"

The Suifurou bowed his head, saying "I truly am sorry, but your clan, while not a group of warriors, is a dominant factor in this village's way of life. I could not refuse."

The Suifurou gave them both dark cloaks, and bid them on their way...

Later...

Genki looked into the pleading eyes of the young woman with blue hair as she lay on her carpet, with blood running from her nose and mouth. "Please... PLEASE..." she whimpered, "Don't kill me... I'll give you anything you want... E-even... even my body..." Genki's own eyes were filled with tears, and he cast his kunai down and ripped his mask off. "Dammit! I can't do this... I'm sorry..." He kneeled down and wiped the blood off her face with his cloak. "I was sent to kill you, but I can't... I just can't..." The young woman was shocked by her assaulter's behavior, and slowly drew him into her arms, cuddling him. They lay like that for a long time, and then they began to talk. They learned of each other, their names, their past, their related but very distant bloodline, and slowly, Genki and Juuli had found themselves in love.

Reiki was locked in combat with a man with particularly dark hair. "By Shoketsu's edge and the honor of the Chakuya, I, Chakuya Rikoku, won't let you hurt Nanami, you bastard!" he had said. They had then battled for an hour, deep in the dead of night, within young Nanami's house. No one heard the commotion, but Genki had known where to find his brother. "STOP!" Genki roared as he flung open the door. "Dammit, brother, stop!" Juuli was just behind Genki, staring in wonder. Reiki turned his head and gazed at his younger brother in wonder, and then Rikoku struck. Or tried, anyway. Reiki dropped down and flipped him over his shoulder with his foot.

"What the hell, Genki? Did you forget your mission?" Reiki said, angry.

"No, but I want to. I want to so bad... I've decided I'm going to abandon this mission."

"You can't do that Genki... They'll never accept you back into Kosuigakure!"

"I don't care, brother! I've decided... I've decided to live here. With Juuli."

Reiki stared at his brother in shock, while Rikoku grabbed Nanami and ran out the back door. Reiki spun and cursed. "Dammit... They got away... And I said the name of the village ...!"

Juuli spoke up. "U-um... You might want to go back to your village, then. That man was Rikoku Chakuya, and if what they say about the Chakuya are true..." She told him of their strong family bond, and what they had done to others in the past for attacks against their clan. Reiki stared with wide eyes and ran off.

Even later...

Kosuigakure had become Hell. The entire Chakuya clan and a few other clans they had called to arms had stormed the small village. They had gotten in by usage of the Tetsuhifu level 2 Bloodline limit - The Iron Body. Completely transforming their arms into metal, not just their skin as in the level 1, they were able to shatter the granite above the cavern like it was nothing. The village was almost completely destroyed even with Reiki and Genki fighting, but a voice saved the survivors. "ENOUGH! ENOUGH I SAY!" Everything became silent as the clans and the destroyed village of Kosuigakure looked upon the Fourth Hokage, who had appeared in a yellow flash. His eyes were burning with a bright fire, and his hands had swirling blue orbs within them. "Stop this senseless fighting, or I shall kill the entirety of the clans from Konohagakure who participated in this." he said, coldly. The clans fled like whipped dogs, and Reiki slumped.

The Fourth Hokage walked over to the body of the Suifurou and frowned, then turned to Reiki. "...I do not know the events that happened to cause this war. I can only say that any blood you may have spilled has been payed back more than needed and senselessly. In the name of our village, I apologize. Rest assured these clans will be punished." He had disappeared in another yellow flash. Reiki was on the verge of throwing up. It had been his fault, his fault...

"YOU." a feminine voice said, full of rage. Reiki looked up to see a familiar sight: The head of the village's ANBU unit and his ...former, considering the look on her face, fiance, Shisu. "We heard what happened from those clans before they attacked us... How could you have been so... so stupid?!"

"But..." Reiki had said.

"But?! BUT?! Is that all you have to say about the destruction of our village?! My entire family was killed, Reiki. All because of you and your damned little brother!" She drew a wakizashi and leveled it at him as the rest of the surviving ANBU unit approached. "From this day foward, you and your brother better be on your heels. I'll give you one day to do whatever, and then from that moment on you'll live in fear of us. One day, Reiki. That's the last courtesy you'll recieve from me."

Reiki and Genki had gone back to Konohagakure and talked with Rikoku, Juuli, and Nanami. As said before, Rikoku had been horrified at his clan's decision, and had stayed behind. After hearing Reiki's story, he shook his head.

"It seems that we both made very idiotic decisions, friend." Rikoku had said. "...I'm sorry for your losses."

Reiki shook his head. "I should have listened to my brother... We're not killers of innocents. And now..."

Genki had clasped Juuli's hands. "I'll come back some day..." he said. She nodded. "I'll be waiting for you."

And so Reiki and Genki had left Konohagakure, making the most of their one day to get ahead. Country to country, village to village... Soon, they had twelve ANBU units after them. By a very lucky coincidence involving these ANBU units meeting at once, they were able to shake off most of them, but Shisu's unit continued their close pursuit, though the two brothers didn't know it. And all these years later, they had gone back to Konohagakure, and became ninja there. Genki and Juuli had gotten married, and had a child named Akura. Around the same time, Rikoku and Nanami, already married, had Riko, named after his father. And then, it happened.

Rikoku and Nanami were killed while with Reiki. Killed by Shisu herself, trying to get at her former lover. It was only by luck that Rikoku's brother Tatsuya had not found the identity of his brother's killers. Reiki shamefully went into hiding into Konohagakure, but Genki had become the next target.

Genki had been poisoned with a small amount of a very lethal substance. Unconcerned at this point with recovering Genki's body, the rogue ANBU unit had left the young Bachiwaka to suffer. Genki survived the poison's initial effects, but he would never be the same. He became violently ill later, and gradually sunk into death. Reiki had floated around Konohagakure like a ghost, occasionally visiting his sister-in-law and niece, but...

The Third Hokage found Reiki, and gave him an official mission. "Flee." were the Kage's words. "Flee. Flee until you are strong enough to avenge the deaths of your friends and family. I was tempted to call a squad of our own ninja to kill these pursuers, but..." Reiki nodded. The Hokage understood that this was a very personal matter, and the deaths of these ANBU members would be by Reiki's hands. "When you are strong enough to deal with these murderers, return, and avenge those you love."

And so came Reiki to the village of the Mist, and then beyond, to our story.

xxx

Hiroto said nothing. The rest of the ninja aboard Henpuku-Ouji were in wonder, chattering amongst themselves in shock. The Bat Prince himself merely huffed. "WHAT COMPLICATED AND POINTLESS LIVES YOU HUMANS LIVE SOMETIMES. I DON'T SEE HOW YOU KEEP FROM GOING CRAZY."

Rikimaru didn't respond, but merely looked at the sun; it was lowering in the sky and turning orange. The sunset would come within an hour.

Akura had woken Riko up at the start of the story, and now she and him, and Genonosuke were in shock.

"The woman who killed my parents..." Riko had whispered, his eyes filled with tears. Akura hugged Riko, crying, and Genonosuke looked at his hands, wondering how such a tragedy had occured by his clan's own hand.

Hyuu stared at Rikimaru. "You didn't tell us about the decisive decision involving the girl."

Rikimaru cocked his head. "I didn't? Sigh... I guess I'll save that for another day. I'm tired." He laid on the Bat Prince's fur and began a nap.

ooc: O.O has anyone ever seen a bat flying? it looks like it's wings stay still and it's body moves up and down most of the time it's so erratic

I plan to post soon, sorry I missed that whole thing, big thumbs up to everyone who did manage to post, it was fantastic

Genonosuke looked down at his hands, suddenly filling a chill. These hands...they've killed...am I no better than those who destroyed Kosuigakure...did my father take part of that mission? He shook his head, trying to take the thoughts out of his mind.

"I agree with Henpuku-Ouji," muttered Ryu. "Clans washing blood with blood...never knowing when fate deals you an unfortunate turn...are we any better than the Mist ninja? Are we fated to spill blood...and nothing else?"

"Nothing is guaranteed," muttered Hiroto. "Life deals everyone unfortunate turns. The life of a shinobi is extraordinarily difficult...filled with an uncertainty and the knowledge that your life may end at any moment...however," He shifted his hitai-ate up, revealing his eyeless gaze to Special Squad One. "To endure...to survive while holding onto your ideals and ethics...that is the essence of being a Leaf ninja. My eyes are a testament to that...even without sight, I endured, even though it's sometimes tough. Sometimes, I forget what things look like...I've never even had the pleasure of seeing all of your faces. But I endured. And that's all I could do."

As Hiroto slipped his headband back over his face, the eight Genin remained silent as the words sunk into them.

Suddenly...

"WE'RE HERE."

The Bat Prince suddenly started to descend; Rikimaru awoke as they set down several miles westward of sukyo, inside a forest clearing. The twelve humans slid off, landing in the lush grass. The sun was barely above the horizon, and the air felt warm and the sky was clear; for the eight Genin, it was a welcome change of pace compared to the wet atmosphere and foggy skies of the Kirigakure.

"Hmm...I think I'll like living here," remarked Hyuu.

Rico'ki was silent; familiar scents began drifting into his nostrils, making more memories float to the surface.

"NOW WE'RE EVEN HIROTO."

"Indeed. Give your father my regards."

Henpuku-Ouji chuckled. "OF COURSE." He then disappeared in a puff of gray smoke.

Moments later, Izzy fell to his knees. "YES! WE ARE BACK IN THE FIRE COUNTRY! I FEEL LIKE KISSING THE GROUND!" He did. As a result, he got grass in his mouth, resulting in immediate spitting.

Suki snickered. Daio frowned. Dork.
Suddenly, Hiroto said, "Reiki. Rico'ki. Hyuu. I'd like to speak to my squad privately...if you please?"

The three nodded as they walked away. Rico'ki glanced back one last time before leaving the clearing.

Finally, Hiroto turned to the others, scratching his hair. "Well...our first 'big' mission...and it didn't quite go according to plan."

"No kidding," replied Kai.

"A B-rank mission, originally intended to rescue an engineer from a prison laden with human guards...and end up with a Super A-rank mission, facing Mist Ninja, two Mist Swordsmen...we end up getting split up...and we stumble into Kirigakure during an attempted coup...we get chased by ANBU before leaving the Water Country on the back of a bat demon."

The eight Genin nodded. When they thought about it, the loss few days had brought about so much...so much witnessed death...and so much attrition...yet they had managed to come through in one piece. Or had they?

Hiroto paused before saying, "Now tell me...what do you all think of how the mission went?"