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Yule Eve Morning… (Sabaku’s)

Snow gently fell through the December air, falling down onto the village hidden in the valley of the two rounded peaks that gave Danshoku it’s name.

“Or was it the valley that gave the village it’s name,” Mira mused as she looked up at the sky, then walked inside the small house that stood next to her bar and turned to her kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron as she went to gather the materials to begin on breakfast and the bento for the day.

“Mama,” the teen with a lighter shade of fiery hair grinned as she came into the kitchen, “I’m going shopping with Kankuro-sensei!” she said happily, “Can you make me a lunch for two…” her voice trailed off as her mother gave her a stern look and sat down across from her.

“Karin, you’re thirteen,” Mira pointed out, “Kankuro’s eleven years older than you…”

“Sandy-daddy’s five years younger than you, and that didn’t stop you,” Karin pointed out, “And how old were you when you left Konoha with the b*****d?”

The fiery haired woman sighed, “I was twelve… but that’s not the point,” she fixed the girl with another stern gaze, “Junro Karin… I am not going to be made a grandmother until your brothers and sister are at least genin. Clear?”

“Crystal,” she said quietly, “But we weren’t…”

“Now, changing the subject before I go string up my unofficial brother-in-law by his own puppets,” Mira smiled gently, “How is Suna treating you? Gaara wrote that you were one of his best chunin.”

“I’m really glad Shane-sama fired me,” Karin grinned, “I’ve learned so much with Kankuro-sensei…” she held up her finger, a small flame appearing on the end of it, “I can really control the fire now.”

“Good,” Mira smiled, “What was that visit to the emergency room a month ago about?”

“Uh… nothing,” Karin said quietly, “It’s just…” she sighed as Mira gave her the all-knowing glare, “It’s my heart… Mama, there are some problems with it,” she smiled, “But nothing that is too bad, I just have to be careful.”

“I want you to see Yuko while she’s here,” the woman said, then turned to the meals, “She’s the best medic in the world… just as a second opinion.”

“Alright Mama,” she smiled, “I was thinking of doing that anyways.”

Mira smiled, and placed a box on the table, “Against my better judgment, here you go. And for the record... I think you two could have waited a couple of years.”

“I’m sorry!” Karin cried, “I didn’t even think that we would have…” she wrung her hands, “It was just a kiss!”

“That got caught by Neji,” her mother pointed out, “Who doesn’t remember that he was twelve when Lee kissed him the first time,” she giggled, “Or he won’t admit it, there’s never any telling.”

“It’s not like we didn’t have a reason,” the girl sighed, “There’s mistletoe all over the gates,” she glanced over at Mira, “Mama… that little girl of Neji’s… who’s the egg donor?”

“Yuko’s the one who knows all of that,” Mira said calmly, “Besides, who’s to say that it wasn’t Umbra?”

“Oh come on, just tell…” her voice trailed off as her younger sister came downstairs, “Hey Chi!”

“Hn,” the small six year old sat up on her stool, “Morning.”

“Still not sleeping?” Karin started, then chewed her lip at the glare, “Yeah, sorry,” she said as she held up her hands in defeat.

Mira placed a mug of coffee in front of Chihiro, “He’ll be home soon,” she promised, “Our house is just going to be a little full with all the rest of our family here.”

“How come he didn’t come with them?” she asked.

Karin chewed her lip, “He…he had to find the perfect gift…” she sighed at the glare Chihiro was giving her, “How come you have the Mama Look mastered already?” she leaned her head on her hand, “The council held him up, he’s busy running Suna right now.”

“You’d make a lousy ANBU,” Chihiro noted as she sipped her coffee.

“I know,” Karin cried, “I’m too damn honest!”

Mira walked to the stairs, smiling at Temari as she came down with Phoenix, “Haru sleeping in?” she asked.

“Nah, I was chasing down these two,” Haru said as he walked behind the two women with a silver haired girl under one arm and a blonde boy under the other, both about six or seven, “That’s what the crashing was about earlier.”

“Hoshi and Chain wanted to try sledding on the roof,” yawned the green haired girl of the same age as the two her father were carrying, “Daddy caught them as they were climbing out the window.”

“Yuri, you told on us!” Chain exclaimed, “It wasn’t fair!”

“I’m glad she did,” Phoenix said gently, “What would have happened if you fell off the roof?”

“But I have the wings…” Hoshi started, then closed her mouth at Temari’s glare, “They would have come out in time…”

“There are plenty of places to sled all over Danshoku,” Mira promised, “And much safer than my roof,” she nodded at Kankuro as he tried to sneak past her on the stairs, “Break her heart and I’ll serve you in my ramen,” she said as she crossed her arms.

“That’s almost the exact same thing Gaara and Haru said,” he sighed, “I think I preferred the a**-kicking I got from Neji.”

“Nice to know he cared,” Mira smiled, then turned her attention upstairs, “Boys! Breakfast!”

Upstairs, the younger twin was watching out the window that their bed was pressed against, smiling as he turned to the other occupant in the room, “Hey, wake up,” Sora said quietly to his brother, “It’s snowing.”

“Mmm,” Haru opened his eyes, turning to look out of the window, “Hey…” he grinned, “We should have a massive snowball fight against the others.”

“I say we find out who drew who for Secret Santas,” Sora suggested, “The party’s tonight… let’s see if we can guess it.”

“Nah, too easy,” the older twin sighed, “Karin will spill the beans in a heartbeat anyways.”

“Think Dad will make it in time?”

Haru stared at his brother, bending down to kiss the younger twin’s forehead, “He hasn’t missed Yule with us yet!” he said, “There’s no way that he’ll let that stupid council keep him from us and Chi and Mama!”

“Harukaze! Akaisora! BREAKFAST!” Mira called from downstairs, “That means now.”

The two looked at each other and giggled, “Mama’s worried about him too,” Haru pointed out.

“He’ll make it,” Sora leaned up and kissed his brother’s cheek, “He has to.”

Yule Eve Morning (Kiri, Kumo, More Academy, and More Sabaku)

“Hurry up or we’ll be late,” Karasu called as he leaned against the wall leading to the portal, “Mom, you’re going to get in trouble for hopping through to Danshoku like that.”

“I am not,” Yuko said as she looked down the hall where Choujuuro was getting Sachiko and Ryuuichi into their coats, “Besides, I haven’t seen my friends there in a long time, and the party’s going to be at Mira’s bar anyways. It’s the first time in years we’ve been able to get together like that, usually she and her kids go to Suna for Yule.”

“Don’t you think it’s odd that she wasn’t able to this year?” he asked.

“Aren’t you a little young to be worrying about things like this,” she raised an eyebrow, “I swear, you’re growing more and more like your father each day,” she smiled as the crow landed on his shoulder, “You know, if you wanted to take his family’s name, I don’t think anyone would fault you…”

“He doesn’t want me involved with that clan,” Karasu said as his small brother and sister finally hopped over to the portal with Choujuuro behind them, “There’s too much bad blood there.”

Yuko activated the gateway then, and they stepped through to the Academy, as she glanced at her oldest son, wondering how it was that he always seemed so old.

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“Alright,” the orange haired woman said as she took out a kunai, “The first person to decorate their half of Kumo gets to have five minutes with Shii under the mistletoe.”

“Agreed,” Tenten said as she flipped her kunai in her hand, “You’re going down Suzume.”

“Doubt it, I’m a native here remember Bun-bun,” Suzume smirked, “You’re just a diplomat.”

“Do I get any say in this?” Shii asked from where he was leaning against a telephone pole.

“No!” both girls said, as they watched each other.

“On the count of three,” Suzume said, “One… Two… Three!”

Both jumped and vanished, and Shii sighed as he heard the sounds of the various kunai, fans, and swords with strings attached being thrown as slowly Kumo became more and more festive.

“How come they like you so much?” Omoi asked, “And what are you going to do when one’s declared the winner, it would make the other girl depressed and then…”

“Stop worrying so much,” Shii sighed, “They’ll just announce another contest then.”

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“Ugh, I don’t want to dress up!” Sachiko complained, “This is so stupid, we’re supposed to be nin, not singers.”

Phoenix smiled gently as she helped the girls in the pre-kindergarten class change into their white dresses, “This is a season of peace remember? You can be ninja anytime, but tonight I want you to be children and enjoy your time as such.”

“We’re angels in the play,” Kozumi pointed out.

“And such cute angels,” Phoenix smiled as she stood back and looked at them, “Sachiko, come here, let’s get you in your costume… your father said he had made it just for you.”

“Daddy made it,” she chewed her lip as the Eidolon smiled at her, “Well, if he went to such hard work, then I guess it’s alright,” she said quietly as she reached for the dress.

“Usagi, you look cute like that,” Kozumi grinned as she walked over to the Hyuuga girl.

“I guess,” she chewed her lip, “I’m nervous, all of the villages are going to see this!”

Naruto peeked in the class then, “Phoe, are the girls ready? Iruka wants to start the rehearsal right away so we can break in time for lunch.”

“We’re almost there,” she smiled, “You’re not nervous are you?” she buttoned up the back of Sachiko’s robe, “Alright girls, let’s go join the other angels.”

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“Hey, your brothers are missing,” Kano said with wide eyes as he looked around the room.

“They got kicked out,” Chihiro shrugged as she looked up from her shamisen, “Iruka-sensei was mad at them for summoning skeletons in the girl’s locker room,” she sighed, “Sometimes I regret skipping a grade,” she muttered as she looked over at the group of girls that were snickering as they talked together.

“Words of hate cannot hurt you!” the dark haired boy grinned, “It was a noble sacrifice that your brothers made to not be a part of this wondrous occasion!”

“I’m pretty sure that they did it on purpose,” she said, then looked up as Karasu entered the room, dressed as the nutcracker, “Nice outfit.”

“I’m going to kill whoever wrote up this stupid play,” he muttered as he sat down, “It makes no sense!”

“I guess it’s a good thing I took extra music lessons,” Chihiro smiled as she went back to tuning her instrument.

“It is such a honor you have!” Kano said happily, “You are the…”

“Do me a favor and shut up,” Karasu growled, “Hey, Haru and Sora really did get in trouble huh?”

She shrugged, “I don’t think they care. Hoshi and Chain got in trouble for something too, I don’t know what, and they’re all getting some sort of special training today instead of this. Though I bet Mama heaped on some extra chores for them.”

“That would explain the glare Yuri’s giving everyone,” Saisei said from where he was sitting by himself, with his arms crossed “Don’t know why she’s so attached to that half-breed though.”

“Hoshi’s not so bad,” Chihiro shrugged, “Why aren’t you in costume?”

“I am not going to take part in this. I’m just here because Dad thinks it’s so important,” he glared at them, “Karasu looks stupid in that get-up.”

“No arguments there,” Karasu sighed, with a wary glance up at the crow that was hiding in the rafters.

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“How come Karin didn’t have to do any chores?” the twins chorused from their place at the sink.

“Because she doesn’t live here anymore,” Mira called from the utility room, “After the dishes are done, you can go on and have fun,” she came out with the basket of laundry, “So long as you stay away from the Pageant.”

Both smirked, “Iruka-sensei is still mad at us about that?”

“I’m still mad about that. I don’t mind that you did it to help out your friends, but you’ve got to stop torturing the girls like that.”

“Tell them to stop torturing Chi and Kano,” they shrugged as they placed the last of the plates away, “Now can we go?”

“Be careful around the lake, and be back around three so we can clean up for the party,” she smiled, waving them off, “And stay warm.”

The last words were almost lost as the two ran off to pull on their boots and coats, and Mira sighed, shaking her head as she went back to her chores, glancing back up as the twins ran back by the kitchen to grab their bento, “Remember, back by three!” she called.

“Sure thing Mama!” Haru said as they reached the door.

Sora took the boxes, pulling out a scroll to seal them in there, “We’ll stay away from the Academy too!” he called.

“We will?” the older twin asked after the bento was sealed.

“Eh, it’s Yule, might as well give Iruka-sensei a day off. Besides, Yuri can keep an eye on Chi and Kano for us,” Sora grinned, “Think Iruka-sensei’s regretting the group academy?”

“Probably,” Haru snickered, “Great idea of Dad’s and the other kages, but I hate to think of how much work actually has to go into keeping the portals clear and working.”

The two walked out of the house and ran to the forest, where Chain and Hoshi had already set up a snow fort, “There you are!” the silver haired girl said happily, “We were going to start without you!”

“You could have stayed and helped with the dishes,” Haru pointed out.

Sora shrugged, “I don’t know, that would have made up for us starting without them a few months ago.”

“We’re still waiting on Daddy,” Chain pointed out to Hoshi, “We need the referee.”

She pouted, “But he’s taking for-e-ver to get here!” a snowball hit her in the side of the head, and she giggled as she looked up, “Oh hey Haru-daddy!”

The blue-haired nin tossed another snowball in his hand as he grinned at the four, “Sorry Shi-chan, had to make sure that Yuri and Chi made it to school alright.”

“You were just goofing off with Mom,” Chain grinned, “Yuri and Chi left… Hey!” he dusted the snow out of his hair from where the second ball hit him.

“Alright, Mekagami training!” the older Haru said, “Team up and each of you can summon one regular skeleton,” he glanced over at Hoshi, “No wings,” he tossed a scroll to Chain and to Haru, “The object is to get the other scroll and bring it,” he pointed at the snow fort, “There. You have until lunch time.” he nodded to Sora who tossed him the scroll with the bento sealed, and opened it up to check it, “Nice job on that,” he said, before rolling it back up, “Alright. The team who brings back both scrolls wins. You have ten minutes to find a spot in the woods for your team’s base,” he looked at all four of them, “Begin!”

They vanished, leaving him alone in the woods, as he ran a hand through his hair, “This should be fun,” and grinned before jumping after the children.

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“Being punished?” Temari teased as she sat at the bar, “Orange Pekoe Tea and a slice of that dark chocolate pie Mira made last night.”

“Nah, I figured that I would help out while Karin was shopping and Mira was finishing up with the cleaning that she does,” Kankuro said as he brought out the kettle, “Hey, you remember her, did Mom ever do anything like that?”

She leaned her head on her hand, considering the question a moment, “She was real big on hugs, but I don’t remember much else,” she said a little sadly, “Uncle was the one who did all the cleaning, until he got kinda distant after mom’s death…” she narrowed her eyes, “I should have been able to tell…”

“You were three,” Kankuro pointed out, “Too little to protect people then,” he sat down as he brought out two plates, “So did you hear what the big emergency that kept Gaara in Suna was?”

“Had to be something to get him to have us come to Mira instead of the other way around,” Temari chewed the inside of her cheek, “You don’t think something’s up do you?”

“How many people have seen Hoshi’s wings?” her brother asked, “Or seen Phoe completely heal someone that was supposed to die? I’ve heard some pretty rough rumors this past year when Karin and I were in the field, the people of Kaze are convinced that those two are part of the reason the world is going right,” he took a bite of his pie, “That Hoshi is some sort of savior… what if someone acts on that?”

“You think someone’s going to try and take my kid?” Temari took a sip of her tea, “Don’t give me that look, she counts as one of mine,” she frowned, “I heard some rumors myself. There’s one about the Daimyo getting a new wife, some blonde that no one remembers seeing before she arrived at the palace. And then there are the storms that have been going through Kaze lately,” she folded her hands, “Damnit, we worked too hard for this peace to have it be torn apart now.”

“It may not be,” Kankuro pointed out, “They’re just rumors.”

“Rumors usually come from something though,” she said quietly, “What if someone does try to do something against the Academy? It’s the easiest target, despite all of those barriers in place.”

Nothing more was said as the siblings sipped at their tea, trying to figure out just who would even try it.

Yule Eve Afternoon (Academy)

“Alright children,” Phoenix smiled as the entire school gathered backstage, “It’s almost showtime,” she fixed the halo on Kozumi, “Remember to smile and have fun.”

“Sister dear, I must give my condolences,” a voice behind her said, and they turned to see the golden blonde woman sitting on a sword.

“Asura?” Odin asked, peeking from where his class was.

“What do you want,” Saisei crossed his arms, “I thought we were too tainted for you to come and visit us.”

“Oh, but our sister is going to be in deep mourning soon,” Asura smirked, “With the murder of the Princess of the Moon, there has to be a replacement to fix the natural order of things. And as the half-breed is still in touch…”

“You manipulated Sin to take the Princess’s place,” Phoenix’s hands flew to her mouth, “Sister, you…”

“I’m afraid that he is going to be quite dead by morning, even if he chooses not to,” the woman vanished into golden light.

Phoenix turned to Odin, grabbing his shoulder, “You’re in charge of the Wild Hunt, can you call it off?” she asked desperately.

He shook his head, “I haven’t ridden at the head of it since…” his voice trailed off, “That’s not the worst of it, if there’s no Princess…”

“Guys,” Naruto said, “Maybe in front of all these kids wasn’t the best way to discuss this?”

Phoenix turned, staring at the crying children, “Oh… there’s no need to worry!” she said wringing her hands, “The Princess is being saved! By the strongest shinobi there is!”

“Lying is a sign that Chaos tainted you,” Saisei said, “I’m going to go find a seat.”

“You know, the fact that he’s actually trying to save Yule actually counts for something,” Odin pointed out as he watched his brother leave.

“Phoe-mama, isn’t Sin-daddy still in Dad’s body?” Yuri asked as she pushed through the crowd of children, “Should we really stay here…”

“The pageant is too important to the allied nations,” she chewed her lip, “It goes on like normal, and then we grab Tema and go to rescue them… there’s still time before the Hunt begins.”

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“Have fun!” Suzume called as Tenten went towards the portal, “Bring back some of those little tart things that she makes!”

“Good job winning the contest,” she grinned, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t! Bye Shii!”

He lifted his hand in a wave, “So you want to go get something to eat?” he asked the fiery haired weapons nin.

“It’s nice having a day off isn’t it?” she said as she took his arm, “So how did you convince Tenten to take your place as one of Raikage’s body guards?”

“I have to spend five minutes under the mistletoe with her tomorrow,” he smiled as they walked away.

Neither one saw the shadowy figure follow the Raikage’s entourage into the portal.

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“Hey!” Karin grinned as she came into the portal from Danshoku with Kankuro, “Mama, what’s with that look?”

“Haru and Sora are playing hooky somewhere,” Mira sighed, “Not only that, but Haru’s missing with Chain and Hoshi too.”

“They’re off training and lost track of time,” Temari suggested, “But I’m so pissed at Haru for missing this.”

“Bad enough Gaara couldn’t make it,” Kankuro added, and immediately regretted it when Mira shot him a glare, “Come on, we need to go to the Kaze box,” he chewed the inside of his cheek, “They didn’t mean to miss it.”

“They are on so much dish detail,” Mira stomped away, leaving the others blinking as they stared after her.

“I haven’t seen her that mad since you flushed the hamster down the toilet,” Karin whispered, “What’s holding up Sandy-daddy anyways?”

“We’re not even sure,” Temari and Kankuro sighed, as they followed Mira into the auditorium.

Behind them other people started filing into the auditorium, no one noticing the cloaked figures staying in the shadows.

“This is suicide,” Tobi whispered as she looked at the sheer number of high ranking ninja in the school, “Damnit, I think Madara set us up.”

“Where is he anyways?” one of the Akatsuki with her asked.

“He and Kabuto went to…” she blinked then spoke into her wireless, “This is a trap! Everyone abort the mission!”

“I can’t believe you were fool enough to even try it,” a voice behind her said, and she turned to see Yuko standing there next to Choujuuro, “What was that about Madara and Kabuto?”

“Uh, Yuko! Long time no see,” Tobi laughed nervously, “Listen, you think you could let this one slide… for old time’s sake?”

“What the hell are Madara and Kabuto up to?” Yuko asked, her eyes narrowing, “I thought that they were banished.”

“You’re not getting anything out of me. At least I stayed with the Akatsuki, unlike some traitors,” Tobi crossed her arms, “You never were one of us anyways.”

“That’s right, and all of you are under arrest for crimes against the Allied Nations,” the Mizukage snapped her fingers, “Of course, if you want to talk and let me know what Madara and Kabuto are up too…”

“Like they told me anything.”

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Chi and Yuri peeked out from behind the curtains, “Hoshi and Chain are missing,” the green haired girl sighed.

“So are my brothers,” the red-head chewed her lip, “So we can assume that they’re with Uncle.”

“Alright,” Phoenix whispered, “Yuri, let’s go get Tema… Chi, act like nothing is wrong,” she turned to Naruto, “Thanks for covering for me.”

“No problem,” he grinned, “I figured this gets me on the really good list… I can get that ultra deluxe ramen bowl set!”

She smiled, and taking Yuri’s hand left from behind the curtains to go whisper in Temari’s ear, who looked up in shock, “You’re kidding.”

“No,” the Eidolon promised, “Can you come?”

“Mira cover for me,” Temari whispered, “And the boys are all saving Yule, so wait up, we’ll be home soon.”

“Wait, what do you mean by saving Yule?” she asked wide-eyed.

“No time to explain,” Phoenix grabbed Temari’s hand and left the auditorium, leaving the others staring wide-eyed after them.

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“Here?” Kabuto asked, staring up at the white walled tower.

The cloaked figure that was with him and Madara smirked beneath his hood, “Right here, the perfect target to destroy the allied nations.”

The doors opened and they stepped inside, looking around at the high empty hall, “Destroy the children and the nations will follow right after,” Madara laughed, “Why have I never thought of this before?”

“Find the teeth and gather them in the center,” the cloaked figure said, “Then we find and kill the master of this place.”

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“Yup, she’s dead,” Haru and Sora chorused, then looked up at Sin, “So now what.”

“Someone has to take her place, or everything will be thrown into Chaos,” he sighed, “Which is supposed to be my job,” he looked down at Hoshi, who was kneeling at the body of the Moon Princess, “Fine, hand me the robes.”

“Wait, what about the bunny attendants?” asked Chain, then stepped back from the glare, “I mean, they make all the toys.”

“You just volunteered,” Sin growled.

“So does this mean we get to eat the mochi balls and sake left out?” the twins grinned, “Alright, sign us up!”

Yule Eve Evening

“Mmmm, so warm,” Yuurei purred as she wrapped around Sora, her brother wrapped around Haru as the twins were working on the dishes, “How come you two are always so nice and comfy?”

“We tell you, and it won’t be a secret,” the red-heads grinned as they passed the plates between each other, “How did the cookies turn out?”

“It didn’t work,” Yuuko sighed, “How did your parents have you without eating each other’s faces.”

“I can tell you,” Haru pointed out as he started on the silverware, “It’s actually a lot…”

“There you are!” Mira cried as she entered the kitchen, “Boys, I was worried when I heard,” she sighed, “Next time, leave a note or something.”

The two nodded, crooked smiles on their faces, “Does that mean we can go to the party?”

“All four of you get ready,” she smiled gently, “I’ll handle the rest of this,” she waved them out of the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” Temari said quietly from where she was sitting in the bay window, looking out at the sky, “I really don’t feel like partying right now anyways. Not like Chain and Yuri are going anyways, not while Hoshi’s out.”

“Phoe won’t let anything happen,” Mira promised as she took a tray of appetizers, “And Hoshi will wake up to come running down first,” she went towards the door, “But I don’t mind the help at all.”

She went through to the main room of the bar, passing by the different couples and families.

“So the Princess really exists?” Shane was asking Naruto and their sons.

“It’s some stupid creation from faith,” Saisei sighed, “She used to just be a figment of imagination, but a few centuries back, something gave a bunch of power to those entities,” he crossed his arms, “Waste of order, look where it brought us.”

“I don’t know,” Odin said quietly, “I like the idea of the Princess, I like a lot of the mortal customs,” he grinned, “You’re just mad that Sin’s in charge this year, and you know you’re not on his ‘nice’ list.”

“That’s not it at all!” Saisei growled.

“I better be on the ‘nice’ list,” Shane crossed his arms, “He better not play any favorites.”

“All I know is that I’m getting a good present for covering for Phoe,” Naruto grinned, “She practically promised!”

Across the room, Karasu sat with Kano and Chihiro, “I am so glad that damn thing is over,” he muttered, “I’m looking forward to…”

“Karasu,” a quiet voice said and all three looked up to see Sasuke standing there, leaning heavily on his cane, “I know who your father is…”

“How did you find out?” Chihiro hissed, sand quickly trailing from the gourd, as Kano stared at her wide-eyed.

“It’s alright,” Karasu placed his hand on her arm, calming her down, “Don’t let the memories in the sand get to you, remember?” he turned to Sasuke, “How did you find out?”

“You look just like him,” Sasuke pressed his hands against the raven haired boy’s face, “It’s like he’s back from the dead… I need to give you…”

He stopped as the crow landed on Karasu’s shoulder and screeched at him, and the older Uchiha stared at it for a long moment, then crumbled to the floor, his head bowed and his hands out towards the boy, “I’m sorry! I didn’t know!”

All three children stared at him, then looked up when he was picked up by Kiba, “Sorry about that kids,” the canine ninja grinned, “He hasn’t taken his medicine yet, Sui! Juugo! I found him!”

“I have to give the eyes back to him,” Sasuke was mumbling, “He needs the eyes… Aniki told me to give them back…”

“I guess there really is no hiding what clan I belong too,” Karasu sighed, then turned to Chihiro, “Why’d you react that way anyhow?”

“You said it yourself, ‘memories in the sand,’ I know exactly what it was that he did, what our parents refused to tell us,” she went back to strumming on her shamisen, “Ask the crow sometime. And then ask what it was that your father did,” she looked towards him, “That part I know because Daddy was there when the evidence came forward, the sand remembers what was said that day.”

“One of those days, those memories not yours are going to get you in trouble,” Karasu promised, then looked back towards the party, “Mom won’t tell me anything yet, and there’s a good reason. There’s bad blood in my clan.”

“Just because it’s bad blood in the clan doesn’t mean that you’ll turn bad,” Chihiro said quietly, “You’re not anyone but yourself.”

“Alright guys!” Mira called, “Time for the secret santa! Come on when I call your name!”

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“The teeth are all here,” Kabuto said, “But I don’t get it, what are we doing now?”

“Someone who mastered the Edo Tensei would recognize another use for the jutsu,” the cloaked figure said, “Each of these teeth is still part of their owner, wouldn’t it be marvelous to control their faith,” he went to touch them, then jumped back as if shocked by something, “And the protections are still in place,” he growled, “We need to find the guardian here.”

“Madara is still upstairs, perhaps he found something,” the snake ninja said, then looked at the columns in the room, his eyes narrowing, “Did you hear…”

There was a scream from upstairs, and both ran up to find Madara flinging his arms in front of him, “Black feathers! They’re everywhere!”

“Black feathers?” Kabuto asked, his eyes narrowing, “What are you talking about?”

“Red eyes,” he whimpered, “Brother… brother…” he screamed again, “Itachi!”

“He has something to fear after all,” the cloaked figure said, “I had hoped the two of you would be immune to the tower,” he held out his hand, “Thus, this one is useless to me.”

Kabuto stared as Madara seemed to fade away, “Who are you?” he asked, “Just for purely academic purposes.”

“Someone who very much wants to mess with the natural order of things,” the figure said, “And someone who is waiting for a chance to take the child I mentioned earlier.”

Downstairs, Hoshi was staring at the teeth, “Why are these here?” she whispered, bending down to examine them, “There’s an old power here.” she glanced up as she heard voices, then pressed herself against one of the columns before Kabuto could peer down.

Her hand grasped her naginata, and she stared at it for a moment, wondering where it had come from, then she nodded to herself and started to climb the stairs.

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Phoenix bent down at the ragged little girl lying almost frozen in the snow, her hands clasped around a box of matches, “Why have such a sorrowful Entity?” she whispered.

“Nothing that we can do about it,” Sin said quietly, “Come on, we need to finish this.”

“It’s Yule isn’t it,” she said sadly, pulling a feather from her gown, “Miracles happen more at this time than at any other,” she placed the glowing feather on the girl’s chest, picking up the child before it could absorb into the skin.

Before the last bit of light disappeared, the girl opened her eyes to see herself in an warm hut, two worried faces looking at her.

“Hey,” Iruka said, “You alright?”

She looked confused from his face to Kakashi’s, “Wh…”

“Apparently, you’re our Yule present,” the masked nin smiled, “We found you near the fireplace with a note that said to take care of you.”

Yule Eve Night (Part II)

“Beloved, you really can’t do that,” Phoenix started as she stared at him setting up the toys in the playroom.

“Chain and Yuri are going to play with them too,” he argued, “Little Star has been exceptionally good this year.”

“Isn’t that playing favorites,” a voice said and both looked to see Gaara standing in the doorway, “I thought the Princess was supposed to be impartial.”

“How did the meeting with the Daimyo go?” Phoenix asked, “Did they go through with the…” she closed her mouth at the glare, “He told me,” she said pointing at Sin.

“Luckily I will not be marrying his niece,” he crossed his arms, “What did I miss?”

“An incredible deal,” Sin said, “I thought you would be leaving after the meeting was over.”

“I was on my way out when I saw the sleigh land,” the Kazekage raised an eyebrow, “Hoshi’s in danger, that’s the only thing that would get you to do this.”

“That obvious?”

“That, and the Daimyo and his pretty new wife showed an unprecedented interest in your daughter, something that led me to believe that both have an ulterior motive to the arranged marriage that was to be taking place. Luckily it became apparent that my supposed bride, Maya was having a whirlwind love affair and the girl disappeared during the proceedings, only to be found later with the boy that she was enamored with, one of the bandits in the desert.”

“And of course, you had nothing to do with her escape or elopement,” Phoenix smiled gently, “Mira seemed to be a bit more shaken than normal this time around, you might want to bring an extra offering with you.”

“If I leave now, I’ll be there by morning,” he sighed, “I have no time to find anything,” he reached in his pocket and took out a small glass ring, placing it on his finger, “One more refused contract, and then I can marry as I wish.”

“The last one won’t be as easy to get out of,” Sin predicted, “They’re going to do their research and make sure the girl doesn’t have any other desire but to become your bride.”

“The second one was like that, and I still was able to get her with the gardener,” Gaara smirked, “I’ve been playing this game just as long as they have,” he nodded to both of them, “Good luck. And Sin, aren’t there other children to deliver to?”

“I don’t know if it’s enough,” he stepped back from the pile, “Didn’t she want a pair of roller skates too?”

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Hoshi fell into the pile of teeth, scattering them as she stood back up, jumping away quickly.

“She was right here!” the medium brother said, “Bo go look there!”

Chewing her lip, she ducked into a sudden doorway, starting when she heard the slamming down of a portcullis behind her, “I’m trapped?”

The giant came down the hallway then, smiling as he saw her through the gate and went to the door, “Please,” she said, “Don’t tell them that you saw me… I think they want to hurt me.”

“Do you see something Bo?” the medium man snapped as he appeared next to the giant.

Hoshi held her breath as Bo slowly shook his head, then smiled, as he seemed to wink at her.

“You know they could be nicer to you,” she grinned as the brother stomped off and Bo lifted the portcullis. She walked out of the room and glanced upstairs, “I have to go save whoever’s in this place. Thanks for helping me.”

He smiled at her, patting her head, then lifted her up to his shoulder, “Safe with me,” he promised, “Koi doesn’t see.”

She nodded, “Weird isn’t it? Wonder why they can’t,” she looked around, “I dropped my naginata somewhere, I really need to find it.”

“Would this pretty thing be it?” a sinister voice asked, and her and Bo turned to see Kabuto holding the polearm, “Was this the blade that cut through the stone so easily?”

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“On to the last village,” Sin said quietly as the sleigh took to the air, “I’ll ask you one more time…”

“I’m not going home,” she looked over at him, “We’ve already discussed this,” the horns sounded again as the clock started to strike, “Eleven already?”

“One more hour until the Hunt begins,” narrowed onyx orbs peered from behind the bone mask, “Phoe…”

“They won’t come after me,” she smiled sadly, “And if this is our last night, then I want to spend it with you until the bitter end.”

Below them in the desert, Gaara watched them take to the sky before turning to walk across the desert to Danshoku, “I should hurry myself,” he whispered.

A sudden movement caught his eye, and he turned down an alley to see a nearly crushed box jerk and twitch as if something was trapped inside of it. A tendril of sand moved from his gourd and tentatively opened the lid, his eyes widening as a white kitten bolted out.

“MREOW!” it mewled angrily, eyes darting around all to see who had dared to place him in the box in the first place.

Gaara bent down, staring quietly at the feline as it turned towards him, then reached into his pocket for a bit of jerky he had for trail rations, holding it out to the small beast.

Slowly, the kitten walked towards him, grey-green eyes trained on the red-head as he deemed whether or not this human was worthy of his attentions.

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Hoshi’s eyes widened, “Give that back,” she said holding out her hand, “It doesn’t belong to you.”

“And what is a small child like you doing with something like this? This isn’t a toy,” he examined the blade, “I wonder, it cut through the stone so easily,” he swung it at the portcullis that had closed behind Bo and Hoshi, smirking as the iron bars fell apart.

“Daddy gave that to me,” she said, “Let it go.”

“Why don’t you make me?” he hissed, “How did one of the legendary blades end up as a child’s plaything?”

“I told you,” she said quietly, “Daddy gave it to me. It won’t work for you.”

“Seems to be working just fine…” he gasped as Bo’s hand suddenly wrapped around his neck.

“Give back girl’s pointy stick,” the giant growled.

“Bo! Drop our employer!” Koi snapped, “Report upstairs to help Ei with the door,” Kabuto’s hands released the naginata, and Hoshi jumped down, grabbing it up.

“Thanks!” she grinned at Bo then ran for the stairs, “Keep them down here, I’ll go finish my task!”

“Bo! Did you hear me?” Koi grabbed his arm, “Let him…” his eyes widened as Kabuto seemed to turn into a snake and fangs sank into Bo’s wrist, turning the giant to stone as the snake slithered out of the fist, “What…”

“Your brother is too simple to trust to tasks such as this,” Kabuto said as he turned back to himself, “I want that weapon, and I mean to possess it.”

With that he followed after Hoshi.

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Yuri looked up as she heard the clock strike the hour, “Eleven already?” she murmured, “When did I fall…” she stared at Hoshi, “Chain! Get up!”

“Ungh,” he slowly opened his eyes, “Whazzit?”

“It’s Hoshi, she’s…”

“Fading?” he sat up, “Shi-chan!” he shook her, “Get up will you?”

“…protect…teeth…” she whispered in her sleep, “gotta stop them.”

“Teeth?” Yuri’s eyes narrowed, “Chain, if the Princess is real, what about the tooth fairy?”

“What?” he stared at her, then grinned, “That’s where she is!” his eyes widened as his sister formed some seals and a small vine shot into his mouth, “Uh?”

“You’ve got a loose tooth right?” she said, “We’re going to go save her,” she grasped the end of the vine and pulled.

“OUCH!” Chain yelped as his hands flew to his mouth, Yuri grinning at him as she held up the molar she had pulled, “That wasn’t the loose one Ri-ri!”

“No time to think about that now!” she snapped, “Quick, put it under your pillow, we’re going to nab whoever comes to take it!”

Yule Eve Night Part IV

The horns sounded as Sin stood at the cliff, waiting on them, “Hnn,” he looked back, “Don’t think that you idiots are going to just kill me without a fight.”

His hand outstretched and a scythe made of bone appeared, as around him skeletons started to climb out of the ground, “Thanks to Phoe’s feather I’m able to go all out for the first time in centuries,” he smirked, “Let them come.”

“You really thought you’re going to be fighting all by yourself didn’t you?” he turned to see a figure in the darkness, one with long silver hair and holding a pole weapon with a blade on the end, “Since when were you a martyr anyways?”

His eyes narrowed, “That voice…”

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“Hoshi!” Yuri called, “I found the door, but it’s still locked!”

The girl ran into the room, gasping as she saw Ei on the floor, seemingly… “Is he dead?” she asked, then covered her mouth as the body disappeared, “Death can’t come in the tower?” Hoshi looked up at Yuri, “They said there were thirteen locks on that door, can you tell how many are left?”

“Move aside, and I’ll just cut it open!” Chain grinned, unhooking his swords from their scabbards, “It’ll be easy!” he moved forward as he drew the swords and then fell flat on his face as one of his sister’s vines tripped him.

“Idiot,” Yuri snorted, “There’s not telling what sort of traps are on this door!” she looked up at Hoshi, “There are only two locks left, and they’re the type Dad gave us when we were in pre-k. Chain, you and I can get them open at the same time and then Hoshi can run up there.”

Both nodded and Chain knelt on the other side of the door, grinning as he looked at his sister, “These are even easier than the ones Dad had!”

“Wait!” Hoshi cried, causing both to look up at her, “You both need to go on back home.”

“Shi-chan…” Yuri started, “It’s just a…”

Chain narrowed his eyes, then stood, “We promised to...”

“Go home,” the silver haired girl said as she walked to the door, “This test,” her hand glowed with a dark flame and the door opened to reveal a set of stairs leading up, “Is for me alone.”

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Karasu took a sudden breath, “Why can’t I see?” he whispered, bringing a hand to his face, “Where did these bandages come from.”

Leave them alone.

His hand stopped and he turned his head, “Who…”

I never thought that his insanity had reached this level, for that I am sorry.

Karasu felt the feathers as something landed on his shoulder, “No…”

There was a sharp sting on his ear like a beak biting him, Well. It’s about time you heard me.

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“So Haru doesn’t have Sin trapped in him anymore?” Temari asked as she watched Phoenix work with the bright flames, “But wouldn’t that kill him?”

“That’s why he did it,” the Eidolon frowned, “So that I would be busy healing Haru instead of going to save him,” she looked up, “How are the children?”

“They’ve been in their room the whole time,” Mira said as she came into the room, “When I checked on them a bit ago, it looked like they were sleeping,” she glanced over at the twins, “You two need to go on to bed too.”

“But Mama!” both protested, “We…”

“Upstairs right now young men,” Mira crossed her arms, “Not another word from either of you!”

They sullenly turned towards the stairs and she looked back at Phoenix, “Can you heal him?”

“The feather already did a good deal of the work for me,” she sighed, “All that’s left now is for…” her voice trailed off as the flames in her hands wavered, “I don’t have much power right now.”

Temari stepped forward at the pain in the Eidolon’s voice, “Phoe, you’re at your limit aren’t you?”

She slowly nodded, “Whether or not Haru lives is now dependant on whether or not the sun rises. Sin knew this, he knew I couldn’t stop it,” her fists clenched, “If only I had just a little bit more strength.”

Upstairs the twins were opening their bedroom window, “Even if it’s just a little, we can help,” Sora pointed out, “There was a cliff near that place where we found the body right?”

“That’s where they’re going to kill Sin,” Haru agreed, “But how the hell are we going to get there in time?”

“Jin,” Sora smirked, “If I summon him, then you can give Sin your strength.”

“Such precious darlings, loyal to their master until the bitter end,” a soft feminine voice said and both looked to see the woman with pale skin and long black hair sitting on a oar and floating outside the window, “I remember a time when I had my own precious darlings,” she raised a hand, “But this fight that is not yours is already being interfered with, so sleep now.”

Both fell unconscious against their bed, and she turned her amethyst eyes to the sky, “You can awaken again if the dawn comes.”

“You!” she turned to see the two blond boys standing in the street, “I don’t know who you are but you stink of Chaos!” Saisei exclaimed as a bow of light appeared in his hands, “You’re behind this entire thing aren’t you?”

“Such impertinence,” she smiled, “You two had better keep an eye on those mortals you’ve been bound to, things are going to get rather interesting,” the arrow shot right through her.

“Threats against my Chosen aren’t going to be taken lightly,” Saisei growled.

“Oh me, oh my, you do play rough don’t you?” her eyes narrowed, “And you’re the same imprudent brat that stole my precious darlings from me all those centuries ago.”

“Saisei, that’s the Oracle,” Odin whispered, “The one who gave the forbidden knowledge to the mortals,” his eyes narrowed, “She’s the one who made that prophecy about Sister, the one who manipulates the future!”

“You’re mistaken cute little one,” she smirked, “I merely watch time, it’s very simple to see patterns once things have happened enough before,” she raised her hand as purple flames surrounded it, “Your anger was misplaced that day, you killed my servants instead of striking at me.”

“They shouldn’t have jumped in the way of my fists,” Saisei snapped, then his eyes widened as she started to laugh.

“How very true! My precious darlings always did jump headfirst into things that they had no business with, and if that cute little sister of yours wasn’t with the two of you, then things might have gotten nasty this night,” she hopped down off of the oar, landing softly in front of them.

“What do you mean?” Odin asked wide-eyed, “She wasn’t there when the prophecy was made, Mother hadn’t created her yet.”

“Wasn’t she?” the woman seemed to stare off, “I must have gotten confused again. Still, what I said earlier still stands,” she looked at them both, “You should go and protect your Chosen like the good little guardians you are. I have no desire to fight either of you.”

“Coward,” the bow in Saisei’s hands seemed to melt into white flames surrounding his fists, “Just like any pawn of Chaos.”

“My dear little boy,” she smirked, “What on this earth makes you think I serve anyone but myself?”

With that there was a blinding light and both blinked to find the woman gone.

“Brother,” Odin said quietly, “The Oracle was an old woman before, how did she gain so much power?”

“And what did she mean by us going to protect our Chosen,” Saisei snapped, “There’s something on the horizon that we can’t see.”

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Hoshi walked into the small dark room, “Alright,” she said, “I made it, so what now?”

You die.

Her eyes widened as the gigantic claw went through her stomach.

“Hnn,” the giant Oni growled as he looked at the body and the blood on the floor, “Too easy. I guess she’s not the Demon Princess after all,” he gasped as he felt the naginata press against his throat.

“You’re really big,” Hoshi exclaimed, “Must be why you’re so slow!”

“Little brat!” the Oni growled, “You can’t hope to win against me on my own territory!” he swung again, blinking when she disappeared.

“Oh! So you’re the one who guards all the teeth!” she said from above in the rafters, “You must really like kids to keep protecting them like that!”

“I hate them! Noisy snots who cry as soon as they see me!” he punched into the beam that supported the roof.

She landed on his horn, “Chain and Yuri aren’t crying,” she said pointing to the doorway where the two were staring at the Oni, “And I didn’t cry, you’re not even trying to hurt me are you?” she grinned, “You just act all tough don’t cha?”

“Only the Demon Princess could see through that,” the Oni said quietly.

“Any idiot could see through that,” Yuri muttered and Chain nodded.

“What’s this Demon Princess anyways?” Hoshi asked with wide eyes, “I’m not taking any sides in that,” she smiled, “Because I’m like Mama, I love everyone.”

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“Seems like those annoying horns are getting closer,” the woman standing in front of Sin said as she looked back, “We don’t have much time before the sun’s supposed to rise.”

“There still needs to be a sacrifice,” he said, “The Hunt won’t be appeased otherwise.”

She smirked, and he tried to catch a better view of her face, something about this woman…

Horns sounded again, and the skeletons surged forward as she launched into the attack, “What are you waiting for old man? The end of the world?”