Welcome to Gaia! ::

Chapter Two

Phoenix shot up out of the bed, tears in her eyes as she tried to calm down her quickly beating heart, fearfully recalling the nightmares of her fitful slumber, dreams of flying fire and falling…

“He’s in danger,” she whispered, “I can heal… but only if I can get to him,” she paced back and forth in her room, wringing her hands, “Temari can’t come, she’s a diplomat, but if I tell her that I’m…”

She stopped, fists clenched, and nodded to herself, “I won’t give her a choice. I’ll leave before she rises,” she glanced out the window, noting that it was still deep night, and went to gather her things needed for the trip.

Quickly but quietly heading down the stairs, she peeked around to the bar, noting that the only ones there were engrossed in the karaoke contest, and swiftly ducked into the kitchen, breathing a sigh of relief when she found it empty.

“I’ll be back soon,” she whispered, leaving a sealed scroll next to the recipe box on Mira’s table, and then opening the back door that went into the ally behind the Haven, headed down the passage to the harbor, not noticing the owl that followed after her.

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“You’d think that at some point he would figure out how to file the paperwork,” Saisei sighed as he locked the main office building and turned to Odin, “Come on, we’re finally done with all of this.”

“They’re still on honeymoon even if they did just get back,” the smaller Eidolon pointed out cheerfully, “You can’t expect them to worry about anything in the height of their happiness. Enough bad stuff has happened already.”

His brother glared at him, “Doesn’t do any good if Danshoku gets ruined because he ignores it for something like that. Besides, there’s a war coming,” he smirked, “And from the reports we’ve gotten there are some of Them on that side. I’m looking forward to…”

“What’s Sister doing out this late?” Odin suddenly asked, and Saisei whipped his attention to the direction that his brother was staring in wonderment, towards the autumn haired woman that was seemingly sneaking through the plaza, “It looks like she’s going somewhere too,” he added pointing at the satchel being carried over her shoulder.

Without another word to him, the elder of the two flew over to her, cutting off her path. “It’s strange to see you traveling in that form Sister,” he said quietly, “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen you in your bird form for a long time now.”

“Let me through,” she answered, “I have to reach him.”

His eyes flashed with anger, “You still choose that thing after all this time? I thought that prison would have cured you of that. Why do you insist on betraying us?”

“Because I haven’t,” she pinched the skin above her elbow, pulling out a brightly shining white-golden feather that shimmered with many other colors as she handed it to Saisei, “If I had, then this would be black, isn’t that what we were told at our creation? I propose a deal Brother.”

Odin had caught up to the two by then, “What is it?” he asked.

“I am going to him,” her sapphire eyes turned sorrowful, “He and Haru are both in danger, that much I can tell. If by doing so, I truly turn into what you fear, and that feather turns black, then you may kill me as I return to the harbor, even before if you like,” she placed a hand on her abdomen, “But if it stays the same feather of light that it is now, then you give up your hatred for the father of my child, and show this one none of that ill-contempt.”

Both of her brothers’ eyes widened at that, “You’re…” Saisei started.

“It’s impossible,” whispered Odin, “Only Mother could have created life, you…” he placed his hand over hers, “It’s true,” he said after a moment, then looked back up to her, “An Eidolon other than Cosmos is bringing life into the world. Saisei, this changes things.”

“This changes nothing,” he snapped, then held up the feather, “I’ll be watching it closely Sister. When it loses it light and turns black, I’m coming for you, you won’t get a chance to return,” with that he whirled around, stomping towards his home.

“Hurry,” Odin said, “The harbor’s guard is changing soon, you won’t be able to…” he chewed his lip and pulled out a scroll, pressing it into her hands, “Wait, use this. That way you won’t have to sing anyone to sleep and leave us open to attack.”

“Brother…”

He smiled at her, “No matter who the father is, a new life is worth protecting. And even though I can’t understand why you chose that one, I don’t agree with Saisei that you betrayed us; it’s just the way that you are,” he chewed the inside of his cheek, “Come back soon. I want to see the miracle when it happens.”

She smiled, “Take care of him,” she said gently, “Even when we lived on the moon, your red string bound you there,” with that, she hefted her satchel and ran towards the harbor.

A slight blush was on his face as he watched her leave, the tawny owl still flying after her, before he nodded to himself and turned to follow Saisei.

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Elsewhere on the ship, there was a light on in the medical center as Yuko sipped her tea, looking through the reports on her desk.

A tapping came to her window, and she got up, unlocking the window and not looking at the crow that flew into her office, nor to the dark haired man that appeared as it landed on her floor, “I don’t have anything to tell,” she said quietly.

“You should be more careful,” Itachi answered, lifting up a file on her desk and flipping through it, “You aren’t the only spy here remember?”

Her fists clenched, “I don’t even know what to do anymore. I’m tired of stepping on…” she sighed wearily, “Does he suspect anything?”

“Of course he does, luckily, he has other things to worry about than his spies here,” he looked up at her, “How are you feeling?”

She crossed her arms over her swollen abdomen, “Exhausted, I’m going to be going on leave soon,” she chewed her lip, “Are you still going ahead with your plan?”

“Even with this new life?” he smiled sadly, turning his attention back down to the report, “Sasuke is meeting me at the old clan seat. I intend to fully carry my burden until the end.”

“But…” she went over to him, grabbing his shoulders, “It wasn’t just you! Tell him about the execution method, the coup, Madara… you have to make him understand why!”

He shook his head, placing the file down, “It’s better that he never knows any of that, that he thinks I am the monster he believes me to be.”

“He’ll be coming back to this place,” she whispered, “His travel companion works here, he’ll notice that our son…”

He wiped the tears from her eyes, “You can tell our son everything, on the condition that you make him promise not to hate his uncle. This all was my plan, to make Sasuke a hero that redeems the Uchiha name.”

“But what if…” her voice cracked.

“Then our son will have to redeem it,” he kissed her forehead, “I refuse to let Madara win,” he sighed, “I need to be getting back now, shall I tell Sasori the usual about there being a bit of restlessness here?”

She swallowed hard, “No,” she clenched her fists, “There’s something else that he would be interested in.”

“You realize what it is that you’re telling him?”

“That’s the thing, she’ll forgive me, and it’s about to become public knowledge anyways,” she said bitterly, “If he finds out from another source, then he’ll know for a fact that I’m having second thoughts and you won’t be coming to receive my reports anymore,” she gave him the medical file that he had placed down a moment before, “Tell him I wanted to be sure that it was past the danger point before I reported.”

“Even if this is the last time we’re seeing each other anyways?” he asked quietly, “You’re sure of this?”

“Let me have that small bit of hope that it isn’t true,” she answered, “I want to think that you’ll survive the illness and the battle,” she closed her eyes as he placed his hand on her cheek, felt his lips on hers one last time…

A slight change of the wind and she opened her eyes to find that he was gone, vanished into the night. Blinking back tears, she went to close the window, then placing away the files on her desk, locked her office and walked out the medical center and into the plaza.

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Kaze frowned as he studied the dark sludgy contents of the vial that was sitting on the lab table in front of him, “It’s going to taste horrible,” he said to the shadow that entered the lab behind him, “But it should work.”

“This is how you did it the last time?” pale fingers picked up the vial.

“That time I actually was there, this was a bit of a difficult request,” he sighed, then held up a finger, “And it won’t be exactly like that one, you’ll be sealed in whatever it is that you choose. The last ingredient will be a part taken from that. Add it, then drink the whole thing right before you face him. After you die in that battle…” his voice trailed off, “It won’t be pleasant, and might take some getting used to.”

“All I need to do then is complete my payment.”

Kaze brought out a scroll and unfurled it, “Aim it here,” he said pointing at the sealing circle in the center, “All three of them.”

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“Stay still Big Brother,” a hauntingly melodic voice said and he felt small hands place themselves on the wounds on his chest.

And then there was a soft singing and a feeling of brightness, of love and light that was foreign to him, he opened his dark eyes to see bright sapphire eyes framed by shining autumn golden hair…

“Uhnn,” he groaned, as emerald eyes opened to find himself lying on a cot in a cave, his body wracked with pain, “What happened?”

“Five of the six cannons shot at you,” a voice said and Haru turned his head to see a dark haired man sitting with crossed arms next to him a pointed flail seemingly coming from his back curled next to him, “The only reason the sixth didn’t shoot was because I was the one manning it, and you’re lucky that it was one of the bottom ones, I was able to grab you before anyone noticed.”

“What’s the damage?” he asked, mentally trying to figure that out himself.

“The usual, broken ribs, shattered limbs, a few holes in you that weren’t there before,” he stood, “Why’d you come back?”

“Besides the treaty proposal, there was something I wanted to tell you,” his hand, one of the few parts of his body not completely bandaged up, was gently picked up by the man, “You look good Chain.”

“You look like hell. I thought Sin was going to take over if you got too stupid,” Chain sighed, “You realize that even if you do heal up, Jinxy’s going to beat you up again for even taking this chance.”

“Where’s my scythe?” he asked quietly.

“Destroyed. And you’re going back to sleep. I need to move you somewhere where they won’t find you,” he took a gas mask and placed it over Haru’s face, “Brings back some memories doesn’t it?”

He didn’t answer, he was already fading back into the dream-memories of the small winged girl dancing in the sun, memories he knew belonged to the demon that shared his body.

A small part of him wondered why he was able to see any of these scenes when for so long Sin had locked them away.

Chapter Four

“I really screwed up,” Naruto moaned into his ramen, “I only meant to be gone an hour or so, not all night.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Mira said as she brought him out another bowl, “Just get him something nice and apologize, and I’m sure that it’ll be alright.”

“But I don’t have any money!” he cried, “I haven’t done any missions in forever, and everything I had saved up I spent on souvenirs during our honeymoon.”

“And ramen,” Odin supplied, “You paid off your tab here remember?”

“You know, if you really wanted a job or something, Mira could use some help here,” Temari said from her spot at the counter, “Phoe’s gone out for a while.”

“Weren’t you going to a doctor’s appointment?” Mira said as she took up the blonde woman’s plate, “And you need to report to the academy after that,” she turned to Naruto, “She’s right though, I’m hiring if you’re looking for a job. It’ll be long hours though, you sure Shane will be alright with that?”

He gulped the last of his noodles, and grinned, “I’ll ask about it after I apologize. If I start saving now, I can get him something really good for his birthday.”

“That answers my next question,” she breathed a sigh of relief, “If I had to pay you in ramen, I don’t think I would make my profit margins.”

“I want to work too,” Odin said quietly, and the others turned to look at him in surprise as he blushed, “I think that maybe there’s something in this place that Sister was trying to tell us.”

Mira smiled, “If you still haven’t gotten what Phoe was saying, then you may not get it working here, but sure, I can use all the help I can get. I’m only going to use you part-time though.”

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“Your broken bones have mended at least,” Chain said as he looked over Haru’s vitals, “That’s the good thing about having Sin in you, but other than that, you’re still pretty bad off.”

“I kinda figured that from the annoying gut-wrenching pain,” the blue-haired nin groaned, “And let me guess, the old woman sent over some medicine?”

“It’s not so bad,” the dark-haired man said as he poured some green liquid into a bowl of soup, “The hard part is going to be sneaking you out and back to that refuge of yours.”

“So what’s the situation here? Taki decided to keep it’s neutrality or something?” he grimaced as Chain slowly poured the soup down his throat.

“The tree is dying,” he ignored Haru’s wide-eyed stare at that, “Possibly with the destruction of the last of the hero water, but we’re not sure. The council is not allowing anyone in, they don’t want this information getting out, because once it does…”

“Taki will be open for attack from the skies,” Haru said quietly, “The waterfall entrance won’t do any good then.”

“It’s a good thing that you showed up,” Chain looked over at him, “Because according to what the council did find, there’s a way to heal the tree. That same thing that Sin was searching for.”

A moment passed where Haru blinked in confusion, trying to think of what he meant, then he suddenly sat up, ignoring the pain, “The ruby?!”

He nodded, “There’s already an expedition out to search for it, but they don’t know about her being freed from it, they’re basing all their information on legends that started from Tsubasa.”

“Where the cripples walked again and the blind could see, and even death was almost eradicated… until the village was destroyed and the holy artifact lost forever,” Haru laid back in the bunk, “Until a small girl picked it up.”

“I’ll take you to Danshoku myself,” Chain said, “I figured that if I ask in person…”

“Phoe wouldn’t turn you down anyways,” he promised, “It’s just the way she is.” Pain shot through him, and Chain went to change the bandages that were soaking with blood.

“We can’t go anywhere until you heal anyways,” he said quietly.

Haru wondered if he imagined that sense of dread in his longtime friend’s voice as he fell back into a dreamless sleep…

Not quite dreamless, there was the softest sound of singing…

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“Do you sing for the dawn or does the dawn come because you sing?” the silver haired man asked with an amused look in his onyx eyes as he watched the girl’s dress change along with the lightening sky, her wings turning more golden, her dress slowly turning pink as the sun in the east rose, becoming stronger as her voice did.

The song ended and she turned to him, “All Children of Light can bring in the sun and the moon and the stars,” she said smiling at him, her hands behind her back, “It is our duty to be beacons in the dark night.”

“I have been fighting against the forces on this side of the river for a long time,” he said quietly, “And I can honestly say that I have never heard of any of your siblings bringing in the light in this manner. Not even Leviathan who was the warden of this forest once.”

“I don’t understand,” she said as she knelt down next to him, “Why can our families not coexist? The forest here needs the cool of the dark as much as the warmth of the light. One cannot enjoy the stars during the day, it is only at night that we can see their shine,” she chewed her lip, “Why must there be a war?”

He stared at her for a moment, searching the sapphire eyes for any sign that she was joking with him, and when he found none, a slow smile appeared on his lips, “Perhaps that’s why not one of your siblings can sing in the sunrise. They don’t understand the purpose of the Dark.”

She blinked at him in confusion, “Big Brother?”

“You know that I am not of your family, and yet you still call me that,” he brushed a strand of her autumn golden hair behind her pale ear, “Little Star, don’t lose this warmness. I couldn’t stand it if your light became as cold and harsh as your mother’s. The dawn will never come again if that happened.”

Her eyes opened at the sound of Tokei’s wings flapping, and Phoenix sat up, “I’m awake,” she mumbled at him, then blinked as she noticed the position of the sun, “It’s already late in the afternoon,” she said as she went to starboard to look at her position, “And it seems that we’re over half-way through Konoha’s airspace,” she said happily, “We’ll be in Taki before moon-rise…” her voice trailed off as she noticed the shadow in the clouds beneath her.

She glanced quickly back up at the sun, “That’s a ship from the Akatsuki,” she whispered, “And there isn’t much time left, after the sun sets I’ll have a more limited supply of power.”

Tokei flapped his wings and called at her, and she shook her head, “If I go to your realm, I’ll be safe, but Haru and Beloved…” she stared at the owl, “It isn’t an option. But you and I will be enough to fend them off here, I’ll just have to use the song that I don’t like to.”

She pinched her arm, pulling out a feather of golden light as the owl took flight, then with both hands took the feather and spread her arms, summoning a naginata that she grasped with slender fingers as her wings unfurled from her back.

As the black ship with the red cloud on it’s bow rose from the shadows beneath her small boat, her mouth opened in song, this one seemingly strange for her, full of pain and sorrow.

Yet her wings remained golden, even as she dove down to meet them, there was that underlying tone of light even in this song of hopelessness.

There was no bloodshed, the crew that was prepared to capture her fell asleep as she landed gently on their craft, the one leading this ship was one of the only two standing as she finished her song.

“I recognize you,” she said quietly to the orange haired man, “You were the shadow that led the others in taking Shukaku from Gaara.”

There was a step behind her, and she turned to see the woman with the flower in her hair, “I ask that you come with us,” Pein said, “With your power, we can rebuild this world.”

“For whom do you rebuild it?” Phoenix asked as she turned back to him, “For yourselves? For the one that is pulling your strings?”

“Perhaps for your unborn child,” he said as he held his hands out, “I don’t intend to take no as an answer,” he smiled at her shocked look, “Then it’s true? You carry a child of an Aeon and Eidolon?”

She gripped the naginata, “I will not hand her over.”

“We want the one who was the legendary artifact of Tsubasa as well,” Konan said, “You can heal…”

“Peace Angel,” Pein snapped, “Right now our mission is far more important,” he stepped forward, “You can come with us willingly or you can fight, but even an Eidolon will not hold against me, especially not one that has been weakened as you have.”

Her eyes narrowed as she heard the sound of five other steps coming onto the deck, “But I…”

“A sleep spell will not work,” he said as the other bodies of Pein came into sight, “If you cannot kill, then you will lose.”

Sing in the stars!

She blinked at the sudden voice in her head, one that was unknown to her, yet at the same time sounded strangely familiar, and she dismissed her weapon, clasping her hands as the sun started setting and singing another song, one of seemingly distant light.

Tokei flew down then, reaching his mistress just as a dark silver light surrounded her, and then…

Pein and Konan uncovered their eyes to find that Phoenix was gone, somehow escaped from their grasp, “What now?” she asked of him, and he frowned.

“We find her and capture her,” he said quietly, “That power was not hers…”

“But then how?”

“The one we seek,” he smirked, “We’ll definitely be able to bring in the new world now. Look at the power he has even without being born.”

Chapter Six

The light around Phoenix faded, and she blinked at the dark cavern that she was in, “Where…” she whispered as she slowly got to her feet, then turned to the soft moaning of pain.

She stepped forward when a blade pressed itself against her throat, “Just who are you?”

“I’m…”

“Phoe?” a familiar voice groaned, and she sighed a breath of relief as she recognized it, “Chain, it’s alright.”

The cavern lit up then from Chain’s torch and she walked to the bed that Haru was in, kneeling at his side, “I thought you said that you would be fine with this mission,” she said softly.

“Sin made me lie,” he whispered, “You know how he hates worrying you,” he smiled as she placed her hands on his chest, “Guess I’m lucky that you got here so quickly.”

“There’s a good deal of damage, so stay still,” she said as she closed her eyes and started singing.

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Sasuke breathed heavily as he stared with wide eyes at the remains of the battlefield, the body in front of him…

He didn’t hear the footsteps of the approaching man, he fell to his knees, laughing and crying at the same time.

And yet… even though his longtime goal of defeating his brother was finally complete… there was an emptiness here, something was missing.

“So we finally meet Sasuke,” a voice said and he looked up to see the masked man, the sharingan that matched his…

Black flames erupted on the mask, and Sasuke only heard a scream as darkness overtook him, his chakra depleted from the battle.

Madara knelt down, screaming in agony as the black flames engulfed him, then started laughing, “You failed again!” he cried as the fire slowly started to vanish, “And now I have your eyes!” he turned to the body, a hand touching the shoulder to turn it over.

It turned black, becoming a pile of feathers that flew away with the wind, “A clone?” he asked in surprise.

“No, it was him during the fight,” he turned to see Zetsu peeking out of the rocks behind him, “I can’t explain it at all.”

“He drank something,” the black Zetsu said, “He wanted his body to turn to dust like that. We thought it was medicine at the time, but he did put a feather in it before he drank it.”

Madara removed the mask, walking over to Sasuke, “This one…”

“I do hope that you’re not making plans without me,” a voice said, and both Madara and Zetsu turned to see the smirking blonde woman in a red dress, “You do remember our deal don’t you little Madara-chan?”

“I fail to see what purpose you have with this one,” he growled.

“The exact same as your plans, he’s so easy to corrupt, look at what a tiny promise of power did,” she stepped down to him, “And if he believes what you were going to tell him, then there’s no reason that I can’t enter this little charade.”

“I was only going to tell him the truth,” Madara crossed his arms, “He’s an Uchiha, he belongs to me.”

“You were going to tell him just enough truth for him not to spot your lies,” she wagged her finger at him, “Hasn’t anyone taught you that you shouldn’t try to teach your granny to suck eggs? I and my brother made you, we can unmake you.”

He narrowed his eyes, staring at her for a long moment before shrugging, “What would you have me do?”

“Have you heard the interesting news? A new god is going to be born,” she sneered, “That fool slip of a girl that Eldest corrupted is actually pregnant. Pein has already failed in one attempt to capture her,” she laughed, “But I have a much better idea than what he’s thinking, let the fool have his fun, but convince him that we need the bijuu right now more than the Eidolon b***h. When it’s time, we’ll collect the brat and it’ll believe whatever I tell it.” she pointed at Sasuke, “As for him, tell him exactly what you were going to, let him rage and fall even further into this wonderful darkness that you find yourself in. Even with that little creature that attached himself to him, he won’t be able to stop himself from becoming a fitting host to Wrath. Promise him power, let him believe that his vengeance isn’t over yet.”

“And what if he does somehow finish it?”

“Simple my dear boy, give him something else to hate,” she turned away from him and started to walk away, “Do all that I have asked you to do, and I will give you the one that is the source of the Uchiha and Senju clan’s powers.”

“What exactly will be the finale of this plan of yours?” he asked as he placed his mask back on.

She stopped, “Beautiful chaos, the dream of my Father come to life,” she held her hands up to the sky, “And when I present even the White Moon to him and all these wonderful souls full of darkness and despair, he will finally declare me worthy of his gifts of power! I will be the vessel chosen of the Aeons to bring everything into deep darkness!”

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He tried to scream in pain, the sound only coming out as a hoarse cough as he looked around, disoriented and wondering who he was.

“I’m rather tired of these ones that cheat their way out of my realm,” a voice said and he looked up to see a darkly tanned boy with blond hair and blood-red eyes that was writing in a book, “I suppose I can make yet another exception for Kaze, he has done some work for me in the past, but I hate the paperwork that this sort of thing causes.”

“You have eternity for all of that paperwork,” another voice said, as a woman appeared next to the boy, her long black hair flowing around her, “Besides, his body did die.” Slender hands wrapped themselves around him and he was picked up as she scratched his forehead, “Do you remember who you are little one?”

Images came to him, and suddenly he did remember all that he had done and why.

He flapped his wings, trying to get away from these two that were not human, were never human, he had to get back to his brother, warn him of the danger…

“You didn’t think that you would be allowed to prevent his fate did you?” the woman said sadly, “You would be better off watching quietly over your woman and your future son. He’s the only hope that your clan has of redemption now.”

He struck at her, clawing and biting, the only attacks he had now, and she nodded, “If that’s the way that you want it, I do have a gift for you. I can grant you a night of humanity every seven years.”

That caused him to stop, look up at her, and she stroked his beak, “The first shall be the night he’s born, use your time wisely, it shall only last from sunset to sunrise,” with that she let go and he flew away, landing on a branch above the two beings and giving them a strange look.

“He’s wondering what your catch is,” the boy said as he opened his book and started writing.

“You caught me at an interesting time in my lonely eternity,” she called up, her amethyst eyes dancing as she laughed, “The last of our circle is about to be born, my darlings will soon be returning to me. Take the gift and go before I change my mind!”

Still giving her a wary eye, he unfurled his wings, flying away, and she leaned against a tree, laughing as she fell to her knees, her hair flowing in front of her face.

“They won’t remember you,” the boy pointed out, “Or are you laughing about something else?”

“Strange how the children are all coming together isn’t it?” she said as she looked up, a somber look on her face, “Even more of my predictions are about to be fulfilled,” she flashed the boy a crooked smile, “Want to make a wager on how it’ll turn out?”

“I learned a long time ago not to take bets from you,” he said as the wind shifted and both vanished into the night.

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Phoenix stood, turning to Chain, “He’ll be alright now,” she said quietly, “Just give him a bit of time to rest.”

He nodded, his hand caressing Haru’s face, and she smiled as she waved her hand, letting the dark-haired man sleep for the first time in the few days since his old teammate had returned to him.

There was a crying, and she turned to it, walking out of the cave as she followed the sound, finding her way through the tunnels and into a clearing with a lake and a great withering tree at the center of it.

She studied the tree for a moment, placing her hands on the trunk and with the powers that she had left at this time, started singing, not realizing the crowd of people that drew around her as her wings unfurled, nor did she see the light that came from the sudden dawn.

Even if this was a very long night, and longer still were ones yet to come, it was still her duty to heal and to sing in the dawn, no matter what else happened, she had to keep singing that small bit of hope.

If she or any of the people of Taki, had looked up, they would have seen the strange blond boy and the mysterious midnight haired woman sitting in the boughs of the tree as the boy crossed something out of his book.

Chapter Eight

Temari entered the tavern, an unreadable expression on her face as she turned to Mira and Yuko, “Did you tell us everything?” she asked quietly.

“The council? They received every bit of evidence,” Yuko said, “What were the results of the committee?”

“Not the council,” the blonde narrowed her eyes and pointed at the bartender, “Her. Did you tell her everything? She has a right to know who the hell she’s giving sanctuary to.”

“Calm down Tema…” Mira started, “It doesn’t matter.”

“The hell it doesn’t!” she snapped, “Your medical records were part of the evidence! Along with Phoe’s!” she glared at Yuko, “So you better tell her what you did or so help me, I’m kicking you out to the curb.”

“She got Kei out, so what?” Mira said, “Calm…”

“That isn’t what she’s talking about,” Yuko whispered, causing the fiery haired woman to look at her, “You were rushed to the hospital after the crown was taken off, remember. I was the one who operated on you after Phoe got you stabilized,” she clenched her fists, “You were pregnant.”

Mira’s eyes widened, “Wai… what? But I was twelve, how the hell… my first cycle wasn’t until after…” she blinked, “You told me that it was normal for the first one to be that heavy.”

“And that b*****d better be glad that he’s already dead,” Temari growled, “Because if I ever get my hands on him…”

“Did the baby…” Mira sat down, “What happened to…” she took a deep breath.

“Kei took the remains with him,” Yuko chewed her lip, “He wanted to try and get your kekkei genki. I wasn’t given a choice, and you were so young and under all that other trauma, I couldn’t tell you what had really happened.”

“Just how far along was I?” she asked in a shaking voice.

“A few months, four at the most. There was no way she could have survived.”

Mira stood, “Tema, can you watch the place for a bit? And Yuko, don’t even place a finger outside that door, the council hadn’t made their final decision yet. Was there anything else that you…” she shook her head, “Nevermind, it doesn’t matter. You had your reasons, right?”

“Mira…” Temari whispered, a twinge of regret in her voice, “Baby sis, you…”

“I just need to go upstairs and rest a bit,” she said quietly, “With Phoe gone and my employees taking last night off, I just got a bit overworked,” she walked towards the stairs, “If Naruto and Odin come in, let them know not to let anyone pull her out. They aren’t quite as aware of my rules, since this is the first time it’s come up since they started living in Danshoku. And Yuko, when Kaze or Hayato come in, give them that list you need for setting up the clinic downstairs.”

“Damnit,” the blonde smacked her head on the counter after Mira had gone upstairs, “I was so pissed off at you that I forgot just how young she actually is.”

“You’re right though, I needed to tell her,” Yuko poured herself another cup of tea, “The Council is going to make everything public knowledge before voting on my punishment. I’ve seen it once or twice before Mira set this place up,” she shivered, “It wasn’t a pretty sight.”

“You ever see it after Haven got established?”

“She isn’t kidding, she’ll protect anyone that declares it, but she can only do it if they stay in this area,” Yuko folded her hands, “They’ll try and trick me into leaving, but I can hold on until after Karasu is born.”

“It’s an inter-village offense,” Temari pointed out, “I can try and get your punishment lightened somehow, but only because she did just forgive you for that, and you weren’t the b*****d that did it in the first place, you just kept it from her,” she narrowed her eyes, “The Akatsuki are going to be coming after you too. Got a plan for that?”

“Not yet,” she sighed.

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“Thanks for helping me out with this,” Iruka said to Odin as he climbed the ladder in front of the Academy, “The kids are really looking forward to this, it’ll be lots of fun.”

“A pretty good way to distract them from the war too,” the Eidolon said quietly as he handed up the orange and yellow streamers, “Why do you honor the dead so?”

“It’s a way of remembering where we came from,” the chunin smiled, “And remembering friends and family that passed before us. I’ve always liked this festival, the lanterns always look like little stars as they float away.”

“Your lives are like small flames too,” he whispered, then hugged himself, “Do you think I should have a lantern for Megumi? She always tried to explain this to me, but then I just didn’t understand.”

“She’ll like that,” a hand ruffled his hair and he looked up to see Naruto grinning at him, though the grin didn’t seem as happy as it usually did, “I’m going to make one for my parents too.”

“You both should come and help me with the pre-kindergarten class,” Iruka said as he climbed down the ladder, “I could always use some help teaching here.”

“There are a lot of kids running around the ship,” the blond noted, “Kinda surprising, I don’t think there were this many in Konoha.”

“That was one of the good things Yuko did,” the burnet looked up at the streamers, “She did a lot of genetic research. Though a lot of the children are orphans that somehow made it here,” he smiled sadly, “A few of us were real busy finding parents for all of them a couple of months before you got here. Konoha isn’t the only set of refugees here.”

He waved to the two as he went inside the Academy to do some more work, “I hope Shane wants to come to this,” Naruto said quietly, “It’d be good for him to take a break from everything.”

Odin slowly nodded, “Saisei will say that it’s a waste of time,” he chewed the inside of his cheek, “But even so, I like human festivals like this. There was one back…” he shook his head, “What did he mean by ‘one of the good things’ that she did?”

“You weren’t at the tavern last night so you didn’t hear,” he said, “She’s called Sanctuary there because she’s part of the Akatsuki. The Council’s deliberating all the evidence,” he sighed, “Come on, let’s go ask those two anyways. Maybe they’ll change their minds.”

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The next few days passed quietly for the people of Danshoku as they tried to place their current troubles out of their mind and prepare for the Lantern Festival.

“Kaze, how are you going to light all of these at once?” Mira asked as she stepped into the tea shop that was filled almost to capacity with the paper globes, they were crowding around everything, including a good pile that seemed to have fallen on the sleeping Hayato.

The silver haired man looked up from the one that he was painting at the counter, “I was just going to spend the night lighting them and sending them off, besides I figured that I’d add the few for Yuko since she can’t go out to the deck with everyone else,” he gave Mira one of the smaller orbs, “And this one is for you.”

“It’s beautiful,” she said as she traced the butterfly and petal pattern with her finger, “You know, you’ve got a real talent for this.”

He smiled, “So you’re here for Yuko’s order then?” she nodded and he went to get the tea together, “You haven’t ordered your usual tea in a long time, are you having an easier time sleeping?”

She smiled sadly, her fingers unconsciously brushing the glass bracelet on her wrist, “In a way. I’m still not sleeping all that much, but I don’t seem to have the nightmares I once did. So do you want Phoe and myself to come and pick you two up tomorrow for the procession? Tema and Haru said that they would keep an eye on the tavern while we sent them, though I think it’s to flirt with that guy that came back with him.”

“It starts at sunset, right?” Kaze smiled as he gave her the package for Yuko, “Sure.”

“I’ll go ahead and order a few dozen bottles of your best sake,” she said as she started to leave, “I have a feeling tomorrow’s blow-out in the bar is going to last for a long while.”

“I’ll ask Hayato to deliver it when he gets up,” he waved as the door swung closed behind her, then picked up the lantern that he was painting.

“You might be the only one I know that tries to honor everyone,” a voice said and he looked down to see the blond boy that was writing in a giant book, “You do realize that the festival is not supposed to be for those you took down in battle.”

“I don’t like to forget anyone,” Kaze said quietly, “You came for the White Woman tea and Serpent Tears sake, correct?”

“I haven’t changed my order in the centuries that we’ve known each other, why stop now?” he continued writing, “My sister has an odd way of celebrating this festival.”

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“Iruka-sensei was right,” Odin smiled as he leaned on the railing, “It does look like a bunch of stars are flying off.”

Next to him Saisei snorted, “This is a waste of time. Who cares about the dead?”

The younger Eidolon chewed his lip, “I do,” he said quietly, “I miss them when they go,” he shook his head, “It’s a shame that Shane couldn’t come, I think Naruto was looking forward to going to the party afterwards with him.”

“He had work,” came the snapped answer, “The council’s putting a lot of pressure on him right now.”

“Hey! Mira brought the ramen cart!” Naruto said happily as he ran up to the two with a pile of bowls, “I got as many as I can carry, wanna have an eating contest?”

“Su…” Odin started.

“That’s gluttony,” Saisei said as he walked away from the two, “And I wouldn’t eat any food that came from that place anyways.”

“Saisei,” the younger of them gave him a worried look.

“I’ll meet you back at home,” he said, “I’m just tired of all of this.”

Naruto chewed his lip, “Is it really gluttony?” he asked in a small voice.

“I don’t think so,” Odin hugged his knees, “Everyone in your clan ate like this,” he took the bowl that Naruto handed to him, “Besides, it’s not like it’s the only thing you do.”

“Something’s wrong with the two of them,” he said glumly, “I wish I knew what to do to help.”

Both nodded, eating their ramen in pensive silence when someone tapped Naruto on the shoulder and he looked up to see Iruka, “Hey…”

“Can you come to the tavern?” Iruka said quietly in a strained voice, “There’s news about Jiraiya, and you need…”

He didn’t finish, Naruto and Odin were already up and running, making it from the deck to Haven in record time and flinging open the doors.

“We found her floating in his boat,” Kankuro was saying to Temari, “She said that the white-haired man had given the toad to her and that she was supposed to bring it here to Naruto.”

“But she looks like…” the blonde chewed her lip, “And her age, she’s what, four? This is just too much of a coincidence.”

“You think I didn’t try and tell that to Gaara?” he sighed, running a hand through his hair, “Look, even if it somehow is, she’s still a genuine kid in trouble. She’s not being controlled by anything that I could detect and you know how thorough I am…”

“What’s the news?” Naruto blurted out, and both siblings turned to him.

“Suna found her in their airspace,” Temari pointed to where a small fiery haired girl was talking to a teary eyed Mira, “She was holding an elder toad in her arms…”

“And I can take it from here,” a elderly voice said and all four of them looked down to see the toad with bushy eyebrows that was leaning heavily on a cane, “You’re Jiraiya-chan’s student eh? He left a message for you.”