Naruto Akatsuki Souzoku

[mesmerized]

Aiko was not suprised that Daaku had known so much about her hidden life. It was always like him to care so deeply about his students. The only problem with that however, he talked way too much.

“Raiden.” He looked into Kaito’s eyes, his blacks ones reflecting in her’s. “That is a good name for a child of yours Aiko, I expect that he is no less committed to the art of ninja than you are, just on a smaller scale.” Aiko said nothing, yet stared at Daaku for a long second.

She shivered a bit when she saw Soujiro out of the corner of her eye looking her down, drooling. Kei jumped up and smacked him in the side of the head……..”Owwww!!!! What the hell Kei?? You just like busted me in the head.” Aiko wanted to laugh so hard but in light of the mood of things she kept quiet and nodded when Kei apologized for Soujijo.

Then there was silence. Aiko looked down at Kaito, and was sure he was going to have a heart attack, it was an possibility. No one had known about Raiden yet, and she was saving the news for a later time. This was all too much in so little time back.

Your wrong..." Aiko began in responce to Daaku, looking down at Kaito allowing herself to pause before beginning what could bitterly change their whole reunion. "...He's way more dedicated then I have ever been." She ran her hands through Kaito's hair once more and, surprisingly, kept her composure. "Kaito... you're a dad."

Aiko forced a smile she closed her eyes. "Heh... Daaku-sensei, you have a way with words."

[Kissui Tensai]

Rayex fell back on the pillow of his hospital bed. Left in the room happened to be Tsunade-sama and still the fifth hokage. It intrigued him more so because this was his mother-in-law after all. Having such a thought in mind, the suddenly thought of Ayumi and how the gap in their time away for the mission became evident. His eyes flickered and body spasmed up yet again nearly causing Tsunade to have a heart attack at what he yelled out.

"Ayumi! How could I forget?? Tsunade-kaasama, is she ok??"

"You nearly scared me, and as for Ayumi we had to move her here yesterday. She felt the baby kick."

"Oh my god, the baby is almost here. Why am I panicking?!"

"Could you not yell, and calm down. Someone in your condition shouldn't be jumping the gun so quickly after a fierce battle, Im a doctor, I know these things."

"Yes ma'am. So tell me, how's she doing?"

"She's fine, and pretty on edge. She nearly crushed one of my attendant's hand from even the smallest contraction."

The image burned into Rayex's mind, and quickly faded.

"Ouch...I wouldn't want to be that guy...so when can expect the baby?"

"If I had to make a guess, I would say any day now."

"Any day?? It's only been eight months and three days!"

'Impressive, he's been tracking the days. She could never find anyone more dedicated.'

"I might be in rough shape, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit here by myself while she's going through the real ordeal of patience."

Rayex slid off the slide, clutching his bandaged left arm and moved for the door. It wasn't surprising to see him leave, and his mother in law let him. She had experience with shinobi that didn't listen to her suggestions. His limp in his step didn't discourage him as he walked out blindly. Not even a full thirty second before he came back with a question.

"Uh...where is her room exactly?"

'Another lovable idiot...heh.'

"Upstairs, third door on the left."

"Thank you kaasaama!"

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

The camping around a base in the forest.

"The seeds of deception have been planted. We can call upon that fool whenever we want now. Seeing as your still here Deidama, where is Hidan?" Tobi said.

"....Hidan, was captured by that shadow kid. Shikamaru I think. He said he had unfinished business, and yet only managed to get himself caught. I was pretty useless at the time...had my hands full with attempting to blow up an entire village by myself, not exactly an easy job when one ninja attempts to wipe your shit out of existence."

"Onisan and Marx haven't returned yet. I'd imagine a simple hand over would've been plain and simple."

In came three, robed in akatsuki clads.

"Ah, Karin, Juugo, Suigetsu, nice of you to join us."

"Cut the slick talk Tobi-sama. What exactly do we need to do to bring back Sasuke-kun."

"Don't fret, so far we're piecing it all together, I've a jutsu in my arsenal to bring my apprentice back. Eyes like those are more valuable than my own." The flicker of his sharingan from behind his mask was potent. "For now all we can do is wait for Marx and Onisan's return, then we'll move into our next phase. Village Corruption."

"What exactly do you mean by 'Village Corruption'?"

"Its simple. Kumo was at our mercy, our objective is to destroy them from the inside out. There was no tailed beast exchange for the hidden cloud, but there is for Suna and the hidden waterfall were we've camped the one tailed shukaku and three tailed kaku. They will use them the way they see fit, however, their is a fine line between the political and moral issuues of abusing a tailed beast. The one man that knew this better than anyone was none other than the first hokage himself." Tobi paused.

"Hashirama Senju, more predominately known as the first hokage of Konoha. During the ages of him controlling numerous tailed beast there was an outbreak of war over him possessing so many. At this time there were mostly clans and little villages with the exception of Konoha run under finger tips. So he lent out his power, and distributed a tailed beast these larger villages which later became the five great nations. With the sudden disappearance of the tailed beast on our parts, people eventually began to forget them over the twelve year period of wait. Reintroducing them during the war, will further coincide with us and disrupt the balance of the society and their government. Moral v. Political issues. It's quite grand scaled. Konoha after loosing their most beloved shinobi since the third and fourth hokage have come to realize full blast its not worth having a tailed beast among them as a military weapon, which made having arrangements with them impossible. I had no choice but to attempt to wipe them out, which in return I sent Hidan and Deidama for that job...it too failed. It occurred to me, only two potential options could break our greatest enemy. First option was the use of Pein and his extra arms and the other the resurrection of a certain Uchiha, fueled by rage and revenge of the village that called to slaughter his clan. That is why I need you three, as well as the explanation provided."

Tobi sat on his throne catching his breath.

"We'll do it for Sasuke-kun and no one else."

"Yeah, what the hag said."

"BAKA!" Karin turn slapping Suigetu's liquid face.

'I'm never at peace with these two...'

"When your ready, go to the old Uchiha compound at which Sasuke and Itachi fought those many years ago and bring back any shreads of cloth or anything that could carry his DNA."

With that they were dismissed. Madara's taking control and putting his plot to crush the villages around him into motion.

[Relliks Ban]

Hotaru continued to watch from behind the tree. Aiko and Kaito, Kaito and Aiko. It had always been that way. Even when they were a team. "This is getting heated." Hotaru said, making a funny face. "I wonder where Daaku is." He said to himself, looking up at the sky. When he looked back at the scene, Daaku was there. "Whaa!" He said, dumbfounded. Hotaru jumped out from behind the tree. "Daaku-sensai!" He said, excited to see his old teacher. "And Aiko, Kaito!" Hotaru smiled. "It's like a family reunion!" Hotaru went over to stand by Daaku.

"Damnit Daaku-sensai. If you would have waited a bit longer, I'm sure they would have gotten hot and heated." He said with a grin, nudging his sensei a bit. The Kumo jonin looked at his old teammates. "My have you two grown. What big eyes you have. And Kaito.....what big...hair you have." Hotaru chuckled. "What a happy day. We're all together again." Hotaru sighed. "Coconut." He randomly said.

[Xelhes]

Of all people to make a appereance it was his old teacher Dakku-Sensei. so many words were spoken between everyone that it was so much to take inthat kaito just stayed silent for a minuite just overlooking the situation.was this true was all this actually happening. Daaku then begain to speak to Aiko directly. “Well Aiko, you are quite the gorgeous woman, I am merely saddened that you and Kaito are not married with children, though the child thing may be a bit settled.” Kaito then thought to himself" What does he know that i dont...."

Just as he said that thought in his mind Daaku spoke to him. “Raiden.” He looked into Kaito’s eyes, his blacks ones reflecting in her’s. “That is a good name for a child of yours Aiko, I expect that he is no less committed to the art of ninja than you are, just on a smaller scale.” Kaito looked away for a second. the thought of her with someone else was simply to much for him to bear. but he shook it off and grinned at the young ninja's who were bickering one seeming to check out aiko. the same boy nodded at kaito and said "Wow..."

Kaito raised his eyebrow as to why the boy said that but then again payed no attention to any of it. afteweards Aiko then spoke but all the same Kaito still Remained silent.


Your wrong..." Aiko began in responce to Daaku, looking down at Kaito allowing herself to pause before beginning what could bitterly change their whole reunion. "...He's way more dedicated then I have ever been." She ran her hands through Kaito's hair once more and, surprisingly, kept her composure. "Kaito... you're a dad."

Kaito sat up and stood to his feet. his mouth still closed and his facial expression remained the same. at the same moment Hotaru then appeared in such a joking fashion.and for some reason he blurted Coconut. kaito didnt speak but he looked at Hotaru with a odd face " O.o???"

Finally kaito took a deep breath and leaned against the sakura tree" So.....im a father thats......." he moved closer to aiko.' Thats.......just.." he moved even closer 'Thats Great news!!!" He grabbed her hands. the only bad part is him accepting me as a father in his life...consedering ive never been around......but i never knew why didnt you tell me. whats his name whats he like how old is he and is he anywhere around here?"

Kaito was excited to hear such news and it was easily told by the sound of his voice.

[mesmerized]

Randomly, Hotaru popped out from behind the tree. It had been an eternity since she had seen him, but he had not changed much. Aiko had come to this conclusion after he had spoken. Who the hell who says "Coconut" at the end of a sentence. Instead of laughing Aiko rolled her eyes, now wasn't the time or place.

She was still nervous about the reaction that Kaito would give her. He had already left Aiko's lap and had walked away from her. It could be worse, she thought, he could be having a conniption fit. Leaning against the tree, his expression hadn't changed from before. He leaned against the sakura tree. Shame and guilt had hit her all at once. She wouldn't cry though she felt like she was about to. She should have told him long ago, but there was never a "right" time.

" So.....im a father thats......." Kaito began as started to walking towards her Thats.......just..", Kaito now was in front of her, "...thats Great news!!!" He grabbed her hands. "The only bad part is him accepting me as a father in his life...consedering ive never been around......but i never knew why didnt you tell me. whats his name whats he like how old is he and is he anywhere around here?"

Aiko was now in shock. Her head pounded and her entire face was red. Everything was happening at once. "Well umm..." Aiko began taking one hand away from Kaito and placing it on her forehead. "Raiden is back home training with my mom." Her eyes flashed towards Daaku, then to Hotaru, then finally back to Kaito. "Well, you remember when..." Aiko began to whisper in his ear, "you know that one time. Aiko stopped whispering, "Well umm.. Raiden is twelve."

[Mono Morsa]

Marx sighed, letting the ninja just talk. As he began his technique Marx watched intently, the gekkou capturing every movement in perfect clarity. The chakra was like a wave, an incredibly powerful wave, ready to rip through everything. Marx had never really incountered anything like this. It was almost a perfect offense. Almost. Marx had possibly found a weakness in the attack.

He quickly body flickered to the edge of Shukaku's head and then watched the wave destroy his magnet. With a quick nod to the Kazekage as if to say, "You're on your own," and then he began to let himself fall back, face upwards to the sky and within moments Gaara and the mist ninja. He simply closed his eyes and as he hurtled to the ground he allowed the gravity to slow his descent and his metals to wrap him in an incredibly dense coccoon. Then he just waited for what was next.

OOC: Really short and crappy

[S/\|T0]

OOC.. OK this isn't night =P better early then never lol

Sano stared as Kaito walked off, probably to blow off some steam. He told Sano he didn't fail, but he wouldn't let himself believe BS like that. Shira looked up at Sano, still keeping him on his feet.

"Shira, let go of me..." He spoke in an upset tone.

She let go without a say, and he walked a little bit away from her. Sano stared at the wall Kaito had busted a hole through. This time he threw his fist through the wall, causing the whole wall to shattered like glass. He fell down on his knees, grabbing his face. His pride was broken. Shira ran to him, and lifted his chin up to have his eyes leveled with hers.

"Sano, please, don't do this." She couldn't bare watching him downgrading himself. "For better or worse, you did what you could... please, I don't want to see you die over me. Don't beat yourself up over this."

"Shira, I failed to do my job as your husband. What good am I if I can't even protect you when you need me the most. I don't want to lose you..." A few tear drops fell across the ground. "I couldn't protect you now, but I will what I have to to keep you safe, even if that means burning this village to the ground."

Both their eyes had went red, consumed by the tears the two both shared over the events that had just taken place.

"I can't protect anyone without having to lose myself up in the process. It was that way when Daaku attacked me before, I was willing to sacrifice myself for Kurenai, and now it is the same with the Akatsuki. Tobi left his mark on me with his eyes. He plans to use me for his own plans. He gave me visions of what would happen if I didn't follow the Akatsuki's plan."

Shira hugged Sano, clinging to him.

"Don't worry, I will stay with you all the way. You, our family, means more to me than anything else." Shira admitted to Sano, trying to console him.

Shortly after, the two had went back to their bedroom. Shira was helping Sano's bruises and cuts by bandaging him up, applying styptics and ointments. He wasn't beat up to badly, oddly enough. The chakra he surmised had absorbed the majority of the attacks he had taken, though the first time use of an outwordly chakra quickly drained him.

"My love..." Sano said quietly, gazing at her beauty, her caring, as she finished up the final touches, cutting medical tapes.

"Thankfully, the damage done wasn't to significant. It's seems they just subdued you before you escalated." Shira figured. "That's good news. I'm so happy."

Sano smiled, he was surprised he could even smile at a time like this. It wasn't to long before his smile died once again and he turned away towards the window over looking the village. The village was so blind to the events that had just occurred, innocent in a sense, as he planned to keep it.

Shira walked up beside him, grabbing his hand and holding it.

"What happened back there? You suddenly... changed." She questioned, troubled by it. "I need to know exactly what you did right now."

Sano turned in her direction, quickly activating his new sharingan with the opening of his eyes and as he closed them, it dispersed.

"I used them..." He announced subtly.

Shira gasped, surprised by the statement.

"I can't believe you had pushed yourself that far, just for me... I don't deserve..." Her sentence broke as Sano kissed her.

"You do deserve that much, maybe more..." Sano consoled her. "Enough of this already, it's time we relax. The fighting is over as of now."

Though he was just trying to ignore the inevitable, it wasn't working. Shira could easily see it in his eyes that he was nervous, unsure of the future may hold. They had no idea how many days the Akatsuki would return. It may be tomorrow, it may be a week from now, nothing was for sure.

"Alright, then let's go get Joi and have some lunch." Shira smiled, pulling Sano out of the room in search of their daughter. "I have no work today, we can finally do some family stuff."

[Kissui Tensai]

In the darkness of the hospital halls, Rayex climbed the steps with a slight limp from his fatigue. He'd been following the directions instead of walking around blind. With a bit of a smile on his face, one could easily establish that he was thoroughly content. Lifting his eyes, that came upon the door and the patient Kunokai Ayumi, he sighed and then took a gulp. As he slowly opened the door, to a room with a single light near the hospital bed he called in.

"Ayumi?"

The stir from the bed as she lifted her head from the other side.

"Rayex? Hey, I knew you'd be here asap."

"I nearly panicked which isn't like me, but how are you feeling?" He said with a warm smile sitting at her side.

"The doctor said the child could come any day now, but my water hasn't broke yet so it seems we've got time. Also, you went to Kumo right? How's Sano?"

"You wouldn't believe it but he's doing exceptionally well, and his wife runs the village, and finally to top it off I have a baby sister."

"What??"

"I know, thats what I said. Her names Joi and she's amazingly cute...even called me old because of my hair...heh, only eight years old and really sweet."

"She sounds like me when I was that age."

'Yet, I find that slightly hard to believe, you were probably punching kid's lights out at the academy at eight.'

"Things are going great and I hope they continue to stay that way. Now for the stuff thats really going to bite. The sixth came to see me today."

"Kakashi-san? What did he say?"

"Apparently I was an elected candidate for akatsuki confrontation. I've been elected to lead my team through a final act of training before their Chuunin evaluation which in the spirit of things is done by the hokage himself. I won't be able to interfere until the third part of the evaluation, so ultimately i'll be here for the baby's birth I hope."

"Your really going through a lot, did you catch any word from Ryoku in Kumo?"

"Ryoku....is the reason I was hospitalized..."

"What??"

"He's with the akatsuki now...it can't be helped. It sucks that I have to worry about a second confrontation, but I decided a long time ago to let my comrades and foes live by the choices they make...and he decided to be another Marx..."

Rayex sighed and rested his head on Ayumi's shoulder.

"Get some sleep, you've got to train your students tomorrow."

[S/\|T0]

Shira and Sano had made their way to the family room the two had created. (The secret room Sano had shown Rayex earlier.) Anyone could live in that space. It contained it's own kitchen, and bathroom, as well as a space to sit and relax. Up until he met Shira, he never really thought of living in a house. His return so long ago, he bought his own living space in Konoha, and now he lived what had seemed to be an peaceful life with Shira in a mansion. Now with the arrival of some unwanted friends, it seemed things were beginning to crumble.

The life he wanted was always running away from him. As soon as he thought he could have his hands on it, it would run away. A game of cat and mouse. He was tired of it already...

"Shira-hime, it's been a while since we had made anything on this stove hasn't it?" Sano asked her, watching the food in front of him cook.

"It has been, huh?" She smiled, the only thing that always made Sano happy. She needed it now more than ever for him. "It's been too long. I wish I could be more of a wife and mother, but being the Raikage is so consuming. I still question if I was right for the job, but I know I shouldn't."

"Don't say that. Your great at everything you do." He said solidly. "This village adores you, I am almost jealous."

In the hidden space they were all at, so to was Joi. She sat in a couch not to far away from the cooking, humming a mesmerizing melody. She saw her mother and father talking, but something was odd between the two, as if something had happened that she knew she didn't want to know, but the curiosity was overwhelming. She decided on being a good little girl though. If they wanted to say anything, they would of done so already.

"You always know how to say the right things, don't you Sano." She said kissing him. "The foods almost ready, we make quiet the team."

"As always, you are the one who taught me how to cook so well." He responded. "This would taste even better if I had something nice to drink with it."

"Your still not drinking any sake. I am surprised you still have a taste for it after I told you to never drink it again." She gave Sano a funny look as she placed the rest of the simmering food into large plates. "Mind helping me with the table?"

Sano picked up a few plates and placed them down.

"You know how I am about it. Just one little cup wouldn't kill you would it?" He complained.

"And I am not enough to quench that thirst?" She questioned with a bit of sass, placing the last plate of food as well as Sano finishing placing the rest of the things they needed. "I always thought I was all you would ever need."

"Your so cruel..." Sano backed off on the subject.

"At least I know how to tease you next time." She muttered. "Joi, lunch is ready."

The small family sat down around a table close to the kitchen. In the middle of the table was a large plate of rice, baked chicken, steamed broccoli, and scrambled eggs mixed with mushrooms. A brunch for a change. The food was passed around as they got their share of it.

"Thank you, this is delicious. It's been a while since I have seen you cook together, Daddy and Momma." Joi smiled as she ate pleasantly.

"I am glad you like it, sweet heart." Shira smiled, as she looked over at Sano, he was picking at his food, not something you usually see from him. "What's wrong, love?"

"I am not as hungry as I thought..." He said in disdain, upsetting himself with the notion. "I'll be fine. Just ignore me and eat."

He slowly ate his food.

'Sorry, Shira. Am I even allowed to live with someone like you? What makes me so lucky?'
'Sanosuke...'

[Xelhes]

Aiko was now in shock. Her head pounded and her entire face was red. Everything was happening at once. "Well umm..." Aiko began taking one hand away from Kaito and placing it on her forehead. "Raiden is back home training with my mom." Her eyes flashed towards Daaku, then to Hotaru, then finally back to Kaito. "Well, you remember when..." Aiko began to whisper in his ear, "you know that one time. Aiko stopped whispering, "Well umm.. Raiden is twelve."

Kaito had a puzzled look on his face but as she told him about the way that raiden was created Kaito's face went entirly red and his face made a odd expression"O.O" He looked around at everyone and rubbed the back of his head. "So twelve huh...man the boy is my age when i ...." Kaito shook off the thought of when his brother died and his clan was murderd" In any case Twelve years old wow that sure is somethin. i realy would like to meet my son. but Tell me why didnt you tell me sooner." He glanced over at daaku and hotaru" Sensei it has truly been a long time since we last saw one another ya look good and whos the young ones the guy looks like somethin powerful" Kaito walked up and rubbed the boys head playfully.

"As long as you guys are here why not come to my house its big enough....so many rooms and im the ony one that lives here."Kaito motioned them to his home and held the door open" Well come on in ooo...and aiko darling...Welcome Home"

[Relliks Ban]

"As long as you guys are here why not come to my house its big enough....so many rooms and im the ony one that lives here."

Hotaru was looking at the ground when Kaito spoke, but the thought of getting to hang out with his old friends again forced his head to shoot up with excitement. "This is quite the place you have here Kaito." He said. "I'm still staying in the Mansion. Been there since the day-" Hotaru cut off his words. "Wait." He whispered and turned around to Daaku. "Where the hell did you go?" he asked his old Sensei in a serious tone. "You left the three of us." He said, wondering how his sensei could disappear and pop up as if nothing happened. "But that doesn't matter now. Look how we all turned out." He said with a smile.

"And as long as you have food in this house Kaito.....I'm ok." He said, looking around. "But seriously, where did you run off to all those years ago?" he asked Daaku. Hotaru looked at the floor, the back up at Daaku. "I'm just curious Daaku-Sensai." He said, remembering the first training session he and Kaito had. 'That rock.' Hotaru thought with a smile.

[mesmerized]

"I really would like to meet my son. but Tell me why didn't you tell me sooner."

Aiko looked flushed now, her facial expression became blank. She began to answering this question but was cut off by Kaito again when he started questioning Daaku-sensei. Same old Kaito, never letting her explain. Aiko decided this was for best, she'd would speak with Kaito in private later.

The wind began blowing and Aiko turned around abruptly when she felt something touch her shoulder.
-----

"It is not a matter of thinking that doing it is a possibility. You you must know you can, and you will achieve it."

Raiden sat in his mother "spot" listening to his grandmothers voice. Listening to the "old nag" was always difficult for him because she spoke in a monotone.

"Envision a goal. Where is it that you would like to go, envision yourself there."

The only place that he wanted to be at this very second was away from her. He envisioned Kumo as his mother had described to him when he was little. He imagined his mother, he imagined her scent that only she had- that of fresh flowers in the morning just when the dew has hit. He thought of her voice, how it was nothing like his grandma's.

He could hear her voice so clearly now, as if she was right in front of her. His vision began to change from the black of his eye lids to that of a dream. Foggy a little but he could see an amazing sakura tree in front of him. He turned around and seen a group of people talking, he couldn't make out exactly what they were saying. There, a few feet away from him he could see Aiko, it was unmistakable. Walking over he placed his hand on her shoulder, just realize that his hand was see through. This surprised Kaito and he held his hand in front of his face.

His mother was now turned towards him, but he felt something pulling him away from her. Reaching out his invisible hand towards her he slipped backwards. The whole area became black.

Raiden opened his eyes. He was now back where he started, in his mother's "spot". He opened his eyes and his head, hell his whole body, felt as light as a feather.

"Well done, Raiden. You have successfully astral projected."

--------


When Aiko turned around there was no one there. This freaked her out a little, she could have swore something, no someone had put their hand on her shoulder.

"As long as you guys are here why not come to my house its big enough....so many rooms and im the only one that lives here."

Aiko turned back towards the group. Kaito had already began walking and was apparently already holding open his door. Faster then I remember Aiko thought. " Well come on in ooo...and Aiko darling...Welcome Home"

Nodding she walked in front of everyone, straight into his house.

[Kissui Tensai]

The night had taken them by surprise and brought with it the dawn of the sun. Peaking through the blinds of the hospital room, laying silently asleep in the empty bed beside the window in Ayumi's room. Not so empty as it was occupied by the lofty jounin. He stirred as the sun hit his eyes and released a yawn, beginning to lean forward and rub his tiresome eyes. To his realization there was no sudden spasm that would cause him to jerk around in pain. A grim thought of Neo weaving chakra appeared in his mind as it was something he'd relinquished years ago. Without haste he'd had a schedule to keep and students to train as was he duty as their sensei.

"Today's the day we 'break the limit' in more literal case than anything..." Rayex whispered as he was sitting up.

On his right, still asleep was Ayumi and he'd not want to disturb her rest. A warm smile in the morning reassured him that she would do fine by herself so he could seize the day with no worries. Within seconds, he exited the room and returned to his own on the bottom floor. Returning to open his door, he peered inside looking at the empty room. Suddenly looking down, the quiet was something he wasn't exactly used to...no visit from old comrades or even Sano or Daaku whom looked after him when he was still growing up. Before he would completely loose himself in his memories, he reached for his vest, sandals, clad and more vital his headband.

"Let hope their prepared." Rayex said fastening his headband and leaping out the window.

The morning was young and people were still getting up and starting the day. Shops lifting up their windows and opening their doors to pass their neighborly gestures. Rayex popped in for a quick grab of a bagel and a cup of coffee to start his morning. To say the least, it didn't stand a chance when he got a hold of it. Bidding the ever growing lively streets farewell he headed along the gates and appointed training grounds.

"1....2.....3. Here we are, I wonder if they beat me here or not." He smirked passing through the gate to check.

[Nebula Zero]

Morning in Konoha. 5 AM.

It had felt like a long time since he saw it, being in Kumo. He always had the impending feeling that he might not come back to Konoha, killed in the line of fire. This was sort of to be expected, being a shinobi. He prepared himself, and took a jog out. He decided to visit Yuki once again, ignorant of a repeat of last time. He sneaked back to her room via the same window and found her sleeping, and would be late if he was not here. Playfully, he made his way beside her, and laid down. He placed a finger on her nose, pressing lightly. Soon a fist came his way, but expecting anything, was able to block it in time.

"Hey" he said in a light voice.

"Figured it was you." she said with a smirk.

"Save that spunk for today. We got training."

"A little early, you think?"

"I guess."

She snugged herself a little closer and just laid her head near his chest. Everything went silent for a moment. Azuke simply wrapped his arms around her, and everything was content. For a second, nothing had mattered.

"..You scared me, falling from the sky like that."

"I ain't going anywhere. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that one."

Time passed, and the two were ready to head to the training grounds. When they reached the place, Kai had been already waiting for them, the usual early bird. The three of them sat on the grass, staring at the sky. Trying to discern what the clouds resembled, and overall enjoying their brief moment of free time. Azuke looked over his shoulder and found their sensei, who had just came in. He waved, as did the rest of the team, all three of them getting up to address him.

"We're ready, sensei." said Kai indignantly.

[S/\|T0]

Sano looked over as he saw Shira playing some hand game with Joi, as he cleaned up. He a small grin showed itself on his sad face. The war had taken it's toll on the old mercenary, and the only thing keeping him going insane was his small family. He finished up washing the dishes, something he hadn't done in sometime ever since the piles of work Shira had.

He walked out of the kitchen and stared at them for a moment, and left the room. Shira looked up as Sano walked outside. She grabbed her daughters hands and smiled.

"Joi, can you go to your room and give me a moment to talk to your dad?"

"But, Mom!" Joi complained. "Fine..."

Shira and Joi walked out of the secret room, turning off the last light.

Sano stood on the torn up roof looking across the stretch of land the village filled, several buildings across a small section of a mountain range. They, the people of the village, had no idea what had just happened, yet they were right in the heart of the village. He had possibly ruined the lives, in a single moment, of several thousands of people.

"God... DAMMIT!!!!" He yelled as loud as he could, wanting the whole village to hear him.

He hit the floor, frustrated with himself. His home would have to deal with his downfall, but he had to repay them somehow. Providing him with a home, with his beautiful wife and child. He would get his honor back whatever it took, he would destroy make sure the akatsuki found it's fitting end, each member one by one.

"Shira-hime, how long are you going to wait?" He said as he turned around in her direction.

Shira was still behind the door, watching her husband as he looked out. This was the first time he had ever seen him so caught up over something other than her and Joi. The anger in his eyes spoke out to her, and she knew he may do something he would forever regret.

"Crazy morning, huh?" She tried to lighten up the mood.

"I can't get my mind off it, Shira... It's as though I am still in that battle. It's not over yet, and it won't be... until they..." He didn't want to taint her ears with the word of death. "I will do as they say for now, but not for long. I will figure them out..."

"Sano-kun, promise me, you won't let this take over our life. Maybe after this is resolved, I can give the title of Raikage to someone else. Then we can live the rest of our lives only us, and nothing in are way. Maybe another child as well." She smiled, with visions of a hopeful future. "Maybe you think that you need to prove yourself to me, but you have already, before any of this. You are my husband, the love of my life, the father of my child, and that is enough for me."

"Thank you, but this is something I have to do. To finally put an end to the name that still follows." He said with hope.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug.

"Oh yeah, Kaito dropped this." Shira got out of his brace and handed him a letter.

"This must be the letter I have been waiting for from Kage..." He placed the letter in his robe. "I will read this later, for now, let's think of something to do. Get are minds off everything but us and Joi."