Pic of Sai  --->

Ashley’s POV

“Sounds like one interesting mission” I muse, walking beside Sakura as we head towards the hospital. “I wish I’d been there.” The pinkette nods, stretching her arms up above her head.

“Yeah it was pretty intense” she agrees, before winking at me. “But come on, we’re Team Kakashi, so it’s no surprise that we won!”

I roll my eyes at Sakura and playfully shove her shoulder.

“Enjoying not having me on the team then huh?” I tease, making her shake her head vigorously.

“No, Naruto and I really miss you” she sighs, pulling a face. “It’s just not the same without you and that sarcastic personality of yours around.”

“Oh, well I can make up for the lack of sarcasm when you’re not on missions if you’d like?” I suggest, making Sakura sweat drop as we arrive at the glass doors of the hospital.

“Um, no that’s okay” Sakura laughs, waving me off. “I’m sure we’ll manage.”

“Whatever” I scoff, crossing my arms and walking through the automatic doors. “So what are we here for anyway?”

“Well, I’m here to help check on patients and conduct a few physical exams” Sakura explains to me, pausing in front of the reception desk. “It’s part of my job as Lady Tsunade’s apprentice.”

“Ah, so the old lady sends you in because she can’t be bothered” I smirk, shaking my head. “Very cunning Lady Tsunade…..”

“Good morning Miss Sakura” the receptionist chirps, smiling brightly and ignoring my quip about the Hokage. “Good to see you in so bright and early!”

“Thanks” Sakura replies, nodding her head and taking a clipboard from the receptionist. “I’ll get right onto this. Come on Ashley.”

“Um, perhaps your friend should wait here Miss Sakura” the woman seated at the desk suggests awkwardly. “As you are a Medic Ninja, your friend may get in the way…”

Before I can reply to the woman, Sakura grabs me by the arm and begins dragging me down a hallway.

“Don’t worry!” she calls over her shoulder. “Ashley’s a Medic Ninja as well!” I deadpan at that, glaring at the floor as I am dragged around a corner and tugged towards a door. As Sakura releases me, I straighten myself up and give her a blank look.

“What?” she asks, pausing in her opening of the door.

“I’m not a Medic Ninja” I state seriously. “I know some Medical Ninjutsu. Some being the key word.”

Sakura merely rolls her green eyes and pushes the door open.

“You’re a Medic in denial” she informs me, stepping into the room, with me reluctantly following behind her. Hopefully I wasn’t dragged here to assist with anything……

“Sakura-chan!” a cheerful voice greets, making me look up. Naruto spots me at the same time, and gives me a wide, closed eye smile, as Sai merely glances at Sakura and I with a passive expression.

“Hey Naruto” Sakura replies distractedly, striding over to Sai, whose arm is in a sling. “Hey Sai, how are you feeling today?”

“Hello” Sai greets softly. “I am well thank you. My arm isn’t hurting as much today, although this sling is rather uncomfortable.”

Sakura nods a few times, scribbling something down on her clipboard.

“I’m glad you’re feeling a little better” she says kindly, offering Sai a smile. Naruto tilts his head, glancing from me to Sakura.

“Ashley-chan?” the blonde asks, catching my attention. “Not that I’m unhappy about it, but why are you here?”

“I have no idea” I reply with a shrug. “Sakura dragged me here without much explanation.” Sakura pulls a face at me and shakes her head.

“No” she says pointedly. “That’s incorrect. I saw Ashley going for a walk with Kiba, and she ran up to me, asking about our recent mission. I was on my way for a shift here at the hospital, and I explained it while walking here. And now I’m leaving Ashley with you guys, so I can get on with my shift. So see ya later!”

As Sakura slams the door shut behind her, I can’t help blanching.

“So, I’m pretty much here to be babysat by you guys” I sigh, before pausing. “Or am I here to babysit you guys?”

“We don’t need a babysitter!” Naruto cries, pouting at me. Sai watches silently, dark eyes trained on me.

“Ashley-sama?” he questions, making my eyes widen slightly. “May I ask you a question?”

“Uhh….Sure” I reply uncertainly, shrugging one shoulder. “But you can drop the sama. Just call me Ashley…..Unless you’d rather call me by that nickname you thought up.” Naruto shakes his head.

“No way” he says, sweat dropping. “We’ve convinced Sai to stop making up nicknames for everyone. It just leads to trouble……”

“Ashley….” Sai says again. “I believe I have heard a few things about you, and I have been wanting to ask you something……”

“Fire away” I reply, leaning against the all and crossing my arms.

“Is it true that you once worked for Orochimaru?” Sai asks, making Naruto gasp, his blue eyes wide.

“Sai!” he exclaims angrily. “You can’t ask her stuff like that! Ashley’s one of the good guys!”

“It’s okay Naruto” I say with a tiny smile. “I don’t mind. In regards to your question Sai, yes, I did work for him. That was quite awhile ago now though.”

“I see……” Sai murmurs, before glancing back up at me. “And why did you decide to leave his service and come here?”

Naruto looks over at me too, obviously curious, as I’ve never really talked about my time spent with Orochimaru before.

I stare back at Sai for a few seconds, my eyes narrowing slightly. Why was he so interested in my past? None of my teammates had ever asked before, so why did he want to know?

“I left because I had grown arrogant” I eventually reply. “I decided that I didn’t need Orochimaru anymore. I had begun working for him when I was young and weak, but when I was eleven, I decided that I was strong enough to leave and live on my own. As for coming to the Leaf Village, that was unintentional. I had no interest in joining a Village. I was merely passing through the Land of Fire, to get away from Orochimaru, when I was captured by some Leaf Ninja.”

Sai nods slowly, as Naruto continues staring at me, wanting me to continue.

“Were you just using him for power?” the blonde can’t help asking, a look of sorrow flashing across his face. “Like Sasuke is?”

I shake my head.

“No” I reply coolly. “At first I went with him because I had nowhere to go, no one to care for me. I was only six, and not very strong, so it seemed like the smartest thing to do considering Orochimaru had just killed off my entire Clan-”

“Clan?” Sai interrupts. “You had a Clan?”

“Yes, the Minami Clan” I sigh. “From the Land of Ambience. You’ve probably never heard of it, but it’s an island just before the Land of Lightning. We have a Kekkei Genkai called the Katsuryoku, which allows us to control elements such as fire and water with our minds. We didn’t use chakra, or any kinds of Jutsu.”

“How interesting” Sai muses, nodding slowly. “Are you thankful for Orochimaru’s attention?”

“What?” I ask, my eyes widening. Naruto gives Sai a warning look, which the pale boy ignores. Sai’s black eyes stay focused on me, looking almost eerily calm.

“Are you thankful for what he taught you?” Sai asks again. “Grateful for the things you learned from him?”

“Sai…” Naruto says uncomfortably, watching my face slowly darkening at the boy’s words.

“Don’t you owe him for the gifts he’s bestowed upon you?” Sai continues, seemingly searching for something from me. “After all, without him, you wouldn’t be the powerful Ninja that you are today-”

Naruto leaps out of his chair, knocking it over, as I suddenly lunge at Sai, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and slamming him up against the wall.

“You listen here you emotionless little bastard” I grow lowly, baring my sharp teeth in Sai’s face. “I will never be thankful towards that psychotic monster. I’m not grateful for anything that he taught me. I don’t use any of the gifts he gave me, because they’re nothing but a curse! Maybe you’d like to be put through the things I was put through, and we’ll see just how thankful you feel!”

I push Sai harder into the wall, making him wince slightly. Naruto reaches out unsurely, concern in his blue eyes.

“Ashley” he says softly. “Sai’s already injured, you’re hurting h-”

“You say you don’t use any of the things he taught you” Sai interrupts, obviously having some sort of death wish, “but didn’t he teach you all of your survival skills? How to fight and use Ninjutsu? You did say that your Clan never used chakra after all. In reality, he taught you everything you know.”

My grip on Sai loosens a little, my eyes softening.

“What are you doing?” I ask quietly, my hands shaking. Sai’s eyes lose their coldness, as he uses his good hand to grab onto my shoulder.

“Though I may not understand feelings and friendship very well” he explains. “I have….grown to like Naruto and Sakura. They are my teammates, and although they trust you completely, I do not. I know you were suspicious of me when we first met, but I was also suspicious of you. We are Ninja, suspicion is wise.”

I release Sai, allowing him to sit back down on his bed, as I drop to my knees on the mattress, a look of understanding on my face. Seems that there’s a lot more going on behind Sai’s blank expression than I first thought.

“And you were suspicious of me because I used to work for Orochimaru?” I question, watching as Naruto picks up his chair and slowly lowers himself into it, looking ready to leap at the slightest sign of trouble.

Sai nods once, looking at me evenly.

“Once I found out, I wanted to know your feelings about Orochimaru” he informs me. “I have only met him once, and even I was quite surprised by how cold and well….crazy he is. I wanted to know if you feel that you owe him, or that you were still working for him.”

“Ashley hates that guy” Naruto speaks up, placing a reassuring hand on my knee. “Especially now that he has Sasuke. You don’t need to be suspicious of her anymore.”

Sai glances from Naruto, to me, studying the serious look on my face.

“Just one more question Ashley” Sai says, making me glance up warily. I really don’t want to talk about Orochimaru anymore. I’d really just try to forget about him if I can. Memories from my time with Orochimaru are less than pleasant…

“Fine….” I sigh deeply, closing my eyes.

“How do you feel about Orochimaru?” Sai asks. I open my eyes in surprise, before narrowing them at Sai’s face.

“Once I’m strong enough, I’m going to get revenge for my Clan, and kill him” I growl, making Naruto give me a worried look.

Sai nods, turning to give Naruto a closed eye smile.

“I am no longer suspicious of her” he informs the blonde, who lets out a relieved sigh. Sai then turns back to me, before I see his eyes fall to the window behind me. I see his eyes widen slightly, making me turn around.

A number of ANBU Black Ops are walking towards the Hokage’s Tower, with two people bound in chains amongst them. One is an old man with bandages wrapped around his head, while the other is a young man with purple hair, a headband tied around his forehead.

‘He’s a Hidden Rain Ninja’ I think, turning back to Sai, who is still watching the men.

“Who are they Sai?” I ask, snapping Sai back to reality.

“Oh….” he says softly, eyes closing as he smiles at me. “Nobody.”

I walk back towards my house, enjoying the warm dusk air. Having spent all day at the hospital with Naruto and Sai, I’m enjoying the peacefulness outside.

Though I can’t say I despise Sai anymore, there’s still something about him that just bothers me. I’m not sure what it is, but there’s something off about him. No one is as emotionless as him for no reason. Although he’s apparently a lot better now, according to Naruto, there has to be some reason he was like that in the first place.

Even I had emotions when I was with Orochimaru. They might have been negative ones, but at least I had them.

Although, I guess I can sort of relate to Sai in a way. When I first came here, the idea of happiness or friendship was foreign and confusing to me. Sai seems eager to understand those feelings though, unlike me. I didn’t want anything to do with them, as they scared me.

I suddenly pause, my eyes widening. The air……..I look up at the sky, before glancing back over my shoulder.

“That feeling….” I mutter to myself, watching the Villagers going about their business as usual. “There’s that weird feeling in the air again. I don’t like it……”

‘Chakra……’ I hear Hakuba whisper lowly. ‘That’s my chakra…..Give it back!’

“Chakra?” I ask out loud, my brows knitting together as the chakra source grows stronger. “How can it be Hakuba’s chakra? Maybe Naruto is using the Nine Tails?......”

I turn around and begin running in the direction I’m pretty sure the chakra is coming from, leaping up onto a building as to avoid crashing into any Villagers.

“No” I mutter, jumping over to another roof. “This feels different to Naruto’s chakra-”

‘My chakra’ Hakuba corrects. ‘That’s mychakra!’

“Okay, okay” I sigh. “I know it was originally yours……..But where is this chakra coming from?”

‘It’s not the boy with the Kyuubi inside of him’ Hakuba growls, obviously feeling very irritated. ‘As you said, it is different……But it is definitely mychakra in the air…’

“This doesn’t make any sense…” I say, narrowing my eyes as something explodes just up ahead, sending a huge cloud of dust into the air.

Third Person’s POV

Sora glares at Asuma hatefully, the long arm of blue chakra extending from his hand being blocked by Asuma’s chakra blades.

Asuma’s arms shake with the effort of fending off the raging boy’s attack, sweat dripping down the side of his face. He glances at the huge whole in the wall behind Sora, wondering how the boy could be so strong as to completely obliterate such a thick, concrete wall.

A stinging wind swirls around the two males, their Wind Nature Chakra being released from their attacks and whipping around wildly.

‘What’s going on with that right hand of his?’ Asuma wonders, before ducking under Sora’s chakra arm and delivering a swift kick to the boy’s stomach.

Sora’s blue arm vanishes as he collides with another part of the wall, grunting as he slides to the ground in a heap.

‘Sora….’ Asuma thinks, breathing heavily. ‘Just what kind of power is that?’

“You had no right….” Sora growls, slowly climbing to his feet. He holds up his right arm again, as it quickly forms into a brown, clawed hand. Blue chakra envelopes his transformed hand, sending out another wave of Wind Chakra.

“You had no right to kill my Father!” Sora shouts angrily, before charging forwards to attack Asuma again. Asuma raises his chakra blades, ready to counter attack, when Sora is suddenly tackled to the ground by something.

He tumbles heavily across the ground, before coming to a stop and letting out a low groan, the chakra disappearing from his hand again.

“What the….” Asuma trails off, seeing the large creature rise to its feet and cast its golden eyes on him.

“You’re one of Ashley’s Wolves” Asuma states, making the large animal roll his eyes.

“And you are quite obviously a genius” Jet replies in his deep voice, before he turns around, ears pricked up.

A barrage of shuriken shoot through the large cloud of dust, heading right for Sora.

“Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!” a voice calls, before a powerful gust of wind suddenly whips through the air, blowing away the cloud of dust and countering the shuriken, sending them back the way they came from.

Ashley lands in a crouched position next to Jet, as Naruto suddenly appears beside Sora, looking concerned.

“Good shot Jet” Ashley compliments, a serious look on her face as she glares at the ANBU who had thrown the shuriken.

“I could say the same Milady” the large Wolf replies, sitting back on his haunches.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Sora cries indignantly, angry that he’d been interrupted.

“Shut up!” Ashley snaps, glancing back over her shoulder to send Sora a withering look. She didn’t like the annoying boy, and his actions moments before hadn’t helped her opinion of him at all. If he wasn’t a temporary member of Team Kakashi, Ashley would have just let Asuma deal with him, but she didn’t feel it was necessary for the older Jonin to get injured in a ridiculous fight with Sora.

“We’re here to help you Sora” Naruto says kindly, as Sora just scowls at him.

“I’m not” Ashley scoffs, rising to her feet and ignoring the hard look Naruto gives her.

“Who’s the jerk that threw shuriken at Sora anyway?” Naruto demands to know, looking annoyed. He wasn’t exactly sure why, but he just wanted to help Sora out. Show him that he can trust people and feel like her belongs.

Asuma also spies the ANBU who threw the shuriken, as she disappears in a puff of smoke, retreating from the scene as Yamato, Lady Tsunade and Shizune come running out of the building Sora had blown a hole in.

“Sora!” Yamato shouts, before spotting Ashley, Jet and Naruto. “Oh, are all of you okay?”

“Yeah” Naruto replies, as Ashley continues glaring at Sora. She was now sure that Sora was the cause of the strange chakra she was sensing, but she just couldn’t figure out why she was able to sense it from so far away. Chakra isn’t that hard to sense, if you know what you’re looking for, but why was Sora’s chakra so strong? Sora clearly wasn’t a Jinchuuriki, or Hakuba would have informed her right away. He couldn’t stand Jinchuuriki’s, so he would have been more than happy to tell Ashley and demand that she kill them.

Sora scowls over at Asuma, pushing past Naruto.

“As for you” the boy spits. “You betrayed your comrades. And you betrayed my Father. Now, I will have my revenge!”

Sora suddenly charges forwards, aiming to attack Asuma once again, as a powerful wind tears through the air.

“Sora no!” Naruto shouts, covering his face with his arm, to protect it from the wind. As the wind quickly dies down, everyone glances around, looking for the angry boy.

“Where’d he go?” Yamato asks, looking concerned.

“That stupid jerk…” Naruto mutters, upset that Sora had become so full of anger and resentment towards the Leaf Village all of the sudden.

“So, I’m guessing Asuma is the reason Sora has Daddy Issues?” Ashley speaks up, placing one hand on her hip and using the other to stroke Jet’s fur.

Lady Tsunade turns around and glares at the blonde.

“This is no time for your stupid jokes” she says hotly. “We need to find Sora, and quickly. Everyone, send out the word and pair up. We need to find that boy before he does any more damage.”

“Ugghhh….So now we’ve gotta look for this guy?” Shikamaru complains, running a hand down his face.

“Yep” Ashley replies with a sigh. “Lady Tsunade’s orders I’m afraid. He’s such an idiot……”

“What a drag” Shikamaru responds, as Choji shrugs.

“It’s not that bad you guys” he says, trying to be positive. “Besides, if we’ve got everyone looking for Sora, it won’t take so long!”

Ashley and Shikamaru deadpan, their shoulders drooping.

“You’re so damn positive all the time Choji” Ashley mutters, crossing her arms.

“And you’re both so negative all the time” Choji retorts. “You’re a bad influence on each other.”

“Whatever” Shikamaru yawns, folding his arms behind his head. “Let’s just get this over with. Come on Choji…”

“Alright” the brown haired boy nods, before pausing and looking down at Ashley. “Wait, who’re you gonna partner up with Ashley? Wanna come and help us?”

The blonde shakes her head, smiling gratefully at Choji.

“Thanks, but no thanks Choji” she replies, performing some hand signs. “I’m gonna travel with one of my Wolves. They’ll be able to track his scent.”

“Okay, we’ll see ya later then I guess!” Choji calls, waving as he takes of after Shikamaru.

“Summoning Jutsu!” Ashley cries, slamming her palms down in the ground, suddenly becoming enveloped in a cloud of smoke.

“You rang?” a deep voice asks, making Ashley chuckle. She sees two golden eyes looking at her through the smoke.

“I need you to help me track down Sora Jet” the blonde explains. “I know you’re not the best in the Pack at tracking scents, but you’re the only one who has smelt Sora before.”

“I’m still very good at tracking though Milady” Jet reasons, leaning down and nudging Ashley in the back. “I’m just not as good as the kid.”

“Yeah, Chi’s excellent at tracking” Ashley agrees. “But he hasn’t met Sora, now get sniffing!”

Jet rolls his eyes, but lowers his head to the ground and walks ahead of Ashley, trying to find the missing boy’s scent.

“It will not be easy to find his scent” Jet sighs. “This is a big Village, and he could be anywhere……”

Ashley nods in agreement, hopping up onto Jet’s back and rubbing his neck.

“I know Jet” she replies. “But Lady Tsunade is adamant that we find him.”

Jet chuckles in amusement, and glances back at his Pack Leader.

“And since when did you ever listen to orders hmm?” the Wolf teases, making Ashley roll her eyes.

“There are occasional moments when I don’t mind following an order or two” she says loftily, glancing up at the sky. “Wow, the sky is getting really dark. I think we’re in for a storm tonight Jet.”

“I had best get this over with quickly then” comes the dry reply, as Jet picks up the pace, sniffing at the air.

Jet and Ashley search through the Village for the next hour, picking up small traces of Sora’s scent as they go, before the trail goes dead.

“There are remnants of his scent all over this Village Milady” Jet complains, coming to a stop beside a small building. “I’m getting tired of searching for him…..Milady?...........Milady?...”

Ashley ignores Jet, seemingly unable to hear him, as she stares up into the sky, a look of concentration on her face.

“I can feel it Jet” she suddenly says. “Sora’s still here in the Village. I can feel his chakra. It’s so…….angry……I don’t like it. Let’s go this way.”

“As you wish Milady” Jet complies, easily jumping on top of the building and trotting across the roof. “What are we following now, if not his scent?”

“I want to try and follow his chakra” Ashley explains, narrowing her eyes. “It’s not easy, but if we head in this direction and it grows stronger, I’ll know we’re going the right way.”

“Perhaps you need to practice sensing chakra a little more” Jet suggests teasingly, earning a smack over the head.

“Perhaps you need to practice being quiet” Ashley smirks, before her face suddenly drops. “Go faster Jet, I think we’re heading in the right direction. I can feel Sora’s chakra getting stronger.”

Lady Tsunade puts down her ink brush and leans back in her chair, momentarily closing her eyes. She sighs softly, as a clap of thunder sounds outside.

‘Sounds like we’re having a storm tonight’ she muses internally, folding her hands. Suddenly, the door to Lady Tsunade’s office bursts open, and Naruto charges inside.

“Grandma Tsunade!” he shouts, diving towards her. “Get down!”

Before Lady Tsunade can respond, she is tackled to the floor by Naruto, as a large shuriken explodes through her window and sticks into the wall across from her desk.

Naruto leans over Tsunade, protecting her from the falling glass, as someone jumps in through the window and lands on her desk.

“Sorry, but are you okay?” Naruto asks the Hokage, who responds with a nod. As Naruto rises to his feet, a surge of powerful wind sweeps through the room, making the blonde whirl around.

“Sora?!” Naruto cries, eyes widening at the sight of the angry boy. Sora ignores Naruto, gritting his teeth and glowering at Lady Tsunade. Chakra envelopes his already transformed hand, before he leaps at Lady Tsunade with a shout, knocking her heavy desk over backwards.

“No way!” Naruto shouts, blocking Sora’s attack with a kunai. Sora’s chakra covered hand easily destroys the weapon, so Naruto grabs onto his arm and tugs the boy away from Tsunade.

“Stay out of this!” Sora commands, making Naruto shake his head.

“What are you attacking her for?!” the blonde demands to know.

“Just get out of my way!” comes the angry reply, before Ashley, Jet, Shizune and two ANBU run into the room.

“Sora!” Ashley barks, baring her teeth at the boy, as Jet stands beside her, ears laid back and teeth pulled up into a snarl.

“Lady Tsunade!” Shizune cries, worried for her mentor. “Are you okay?!”

Seeing that he’s clearly outnumbered, Sora breaks away from Naruto and leaps out of the window, with the Uzumaki following suit.

“Sora! Naruto!” Lady Tsunade calls, leaning out of the window and watching as the two boys leap across roof tops, disappearing into the darkness. She watches as bolts of lightning flash through the sky, lighting up her office.

“We need to go after them” one of the ANBU says seriously, as a massive bolt of lighting lights up the ominous looking sky.

Ashley’s face darkens.

“I don’t like the feel of that lightning” she says. “It doesn’t look natura-”

Ashley cuts herself off, as the lights in Lady Tsunade’s office suddenly go out. Everyone rushes over to the window, watching with grim fascination as all the lights in the entire Leaf Village begin going out.

“A power outage” Ashley mutters. “How convenient.”

Lady Tsunade suddenly whirls around, glancing at Shizune and the two ANBU Black Ops.

“Send out the word” she commands seriously. “We’re going to have an emergency meeting right now. Gather every Team Captain in the Village.”

“Yes Ma’am!” the two ANBU salute, immediately disappearing. Shizune nods, turning and running from the room.

“What about me Lady Tsunade?” Ashley asks, as the blonde woman strides from the room. “What should I do?”

“Do whatever you feel is necessary to help the Village” comes the distracted reply. “Just don’t do anything stupid.”

Ashley sighs, before turning back to the window, looking down into the Village. She watches as the Villages pause in the streets, gazing around in confusion and no doubt murmuring amongst themselves about what the cause for the power outage could be. Jonin race through the streets, across the ground and along rooftops, heading for the Hokage’s Tower to meet with Lady Tsunade.

“Lady Tsunade!” a panicked voice calls, catching Ashley’s attention. “Lady Tsunade! All of the power has gone off!”

“I know Sakura” comes the short reply. “I’m sorry but I don’t have time to talk with you. I’ve called an emergency meeting.”

“Oh…..” Sakura says softly, walking into Lady Tsunade’s office and gasping. “what happened in here?!”

“Sora happened” Ashley says dryly, making Sakura jump. She hadn’t noticed Ashley standing by the window. “He attacked Lady Tsunade, and Naruto has gone after him.”

“No….” Sakura says softly, wanting to believe that Ashley is lying.

“Since we’re not Team Leaders” Ashley sighs, “I’m not really sure what we’re supposed to do….”

Sakura looks up, an idea coming to mind.

“In the field manual” she begins, making Ashley turn around, “it states that in a situation similar to our current one, we’re supposed to stand by in Area Three!”

Ashley tilts her head, giving Sakura a strange look.

“Really?” she eventually asks. Sakura nods, placing a hand on her hip.

“Yes” she confirms, raising an eyebrow. “Haven’t you ever read the field manual before?”

“Nope” Ashley laughs awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head. “It’s never even crossed my mind to do that. Actually, I didn’t even know there was a field manual.”

Sakura anime falls as Ashley continues laughing awkwardly, while Jet merely rolls his eyes and disappears in a puff of smoke.

“Sakura” Ashley addresses, suddenly turning serious. “I think you should wait here for Lady Tsunade to come back. You’re her apprentice after all.”

Sakura climbs to her feet, dusting herself off.

“Yeah” she says slowly, looking hesitant. “I guess I should but……What’re you going to do?”

Ashley climbs through the broken window, crouching on the ledge and smirking at Sakura over her shoulder.

“I’m gonna go and see if they need any help down on the ground” she explains. “That’s about as not stupid as it can get, right?”

Before Sakura can ask Ashley what she’s taking about, the blonde leaps down from the window, heading for the ground. She lands in amongst the crowd of confused and worried Villagers, making a few of them gasp and run out of her way.

Rising to her feet, Ashley quickly takes off running, trying her best to avoid colliding with any of the Villagers.

‘Hmmm…..’ Ashley thinks. ‘I probably should have asked where Area Three actually is…’

The blonde sweat drops, before deciding to head towards the main gates, sensing a large gathering of people in that direction. Even if she isn’t meant to be there, maybe they could at least tell her where she is meant to be.

“Whoa!” Ashley cries, feeling a huge movement in the earth beneath her feet. “What the hell was that?!”

Still running, Ashley reaches the main gates and spies a large group of Ninja standing a top the high walls that surround the Village. Placing a large amount of chakra into her legs and feet, Ashley crouches down, before springing up to the top of the main gates, landing beside two familiar Chunin.

“Huh?” Izumo says, glancing down. “Oh, Ashley!”

“What are you doing up here?” Kotetsu questions, before looking back out of the Village, towards the surrounding forest.

Ashley rises to her feet and gives the two Ninja a wary look, as she walks up to the railing and turns her head to look out into the forest as well.

“I’m not sure where I’m meant to be honestly” she admits, before frowning. “But I’m a rank above you guys, so it’s not like you can really tell me to leave. And besides…….I felt something really weird coming from this direction just before.”

“Hey so did I!” Izumo cries. “It felt like the forest was moving or something.” Ashley nods, a serious look on her face.

“Something moved, that’s for sure” she agrees, leaning over the railing and squinting her eyes. “Someone’s coming this way…..Actually……It’s four someones……”

Everyone on top of the main gates turns to the forest, as the ground begins rumbling again, birds squawking as they frantically dart out of the trees, disappearing into the dark sky.

“Well that can’t be good” one Ninja mutters.

“Didn’t we send some of our men out that way?” another questions worriedly. “Do you think they’re okay?”
“Don’t worry, I think I can sense them” Ashley assures the Ninja, glancing at him briefly. “They’re still alive.”

“Oh!” the Ninja sighs with relief. “That’s goo-”

He is cut off as Ashley suddenly gasps.

“What?!” one of the men cries. “What’s wrong?!”

“One of our men was just…..crushed by a rock” Ashley says lowly, hands gripping the railing tightly. “They’ve made contact with the four strangers…”

Ashley grits her teeth, feeling as a large hole is ripped through the ground, and the remaining Leaf Ninja are thrown inside, before the hole is closed up again.

She relays the news to the concerned Ninja around her, before one of them steps forwards.

“Let’s go men!” he shouts. “We must stop these intruders before they reach the Village!”

“No you idiots!” Ashley barks in annoyance, as the Ninja begin leaping over the railing and heading for the incoming strangers. “Don’t just rush in to attack an unknown enemy!”

As the four intruders stroll into view, barrages of kunai with explosive tags attached are thrown at them, only for a thick wall of earth to slide across, shielding the four approaching people. The kunai explode, leaving a small indent in the earth, before the wall disappears back down into the ground, with the four intruders uninjured.

Ashley and the other Ninja who had remained on top of the gates watch on as Jutsu after Jutsu are fired at the intruders, only to be blocked by massive walls of earth.

As one man performs a Fire Jutsu, a huge boulder is thrown at him, knocking him from the air and crushing him into the ground.

Another pair of Leaf Shinobi performs a combination Water and Lightning Jutsu attack, only for it to be blocked. Another hole tears through the ground, sucking the water, and a number of Shinobi, down deep into the earth.

“This is insane…..” Ashley murmurs, shaking her head as more and more Ninja leap over the railing.

“Keep attacking!” someone shouts.

“Don’t let them near the gates!” comes another cry.

“Stop ordering them to attack head on!” Ashley rages, watching when a few of the charging Leaf Ninja are crushed by a huge boulder.

Ashley glances over her shoulder, as someone leaps up onto the gates.

“Status report!” the Jonin demands, making Ashley turn around.

“Genma” she sighs with relief. “Finally, someone with half a brain…”

“Hey!” Genma suddenly shouts, rushing over to the railing. “Don’t order them to approach head on!”

Ashley watches in horror, as large ravines suddenly tear through the earth, causing all of the Leaf Shinobi to fall through them.

“Oh, this is getting ridiculous!” Ashley shouts, activating her Katsuryoku and throwing out her hands. Sweat immediately begins dripping down the side of Ashley’s face, as she fights against the Jutsu, trying to pull the earth back up so that the Leaf Ninja won’t die.

The few remaining Ninja atop the main gates suck in their breaths, as the ravines begin disappearing, Ashley using her Kekkei Genkai to shift the earth back into place.

“Hey look!” someone cries. “Our men!”

Sure enough, there are about sixty Leaf Ninja sprawled on the ground, glancing around in confusion and wondering how they’re still alive.

As Ashley heaves a big sigh, shoulders drooping, the earth suddenly disappears again, taking the seemingly rescued Leaf Ninja with them.

“Not again” Ashley groans, throwing out her hands to rescue the Ninja again. Before she can do so however, one of the four intruders steps forwards and slams their hand down on the ground.

Everyone throws their hands over their faces, protecting them from the wind that begins whipping around them wildly, a huge pillar of smoke billowing into the air.

“What…..what was that?” Genma questions, opening one of his eyes and trying to peer through the smoke.

“It looks like…….they summoned something…” Ashley says slowly. “A scroll. They’ve summoned a huge scroll.”

Everyone watches as the person who stepped forwards begins performing a rapid sequence of complicated hand signs.

“Well, you just know that can’t be good…” Ashley says, sweat dropping. “What on earth is going on around here?”

“Level two state of emergency” Genma says distractedly, watching the people down below. “Lady Tsunade feared we were under attack, and I guess she was right. All those good men…..Taken down by four individuals……”

“Barrier Defence Seal Jutsu!” the person performing the hand seals cries, slamming their palms down on the scroll. “Eight Gate Lock Up!”

Everyone reels backwards, as the ground begins shaking violently, a huge gate with a large bird on it towering up into the sky.

“What is that?!” Ashley cries, tilting her head back and looking up at the gate with wide eyes.

“Hey…..” Izumo says lowly, turning around. “There’s another one at the East gate…..”

“The west gate too!” another man cries.

“What…..” Kotetsu begins, gazing at the huge gates incredulously. “What are they trying to do here?”

The gates suddenly send out a powerful pulse of chakra, before a strangely coloured shield forms between them, covering the Village, like a dome.

“What’s that meant to be?” Izumo asks, as Ashley narrows her eyes at the strange looking shield.

“It looks like……some sort of Defence Barrier….” she muses, before pulling out a kunai and flinging it at the coloured wall. As the kunai makes contact with the shield, it is immediately engulfed in flames.

“Definitely a Defence Barrier” the blonde girl sighs, feeling perplexed. Why were these people trying to keep the Leaf Ninja inside? Just what were they planning?

“A Defence Barrier?” someone asks, making Genma nod, a serious look on his face.

“It’s like a wall, used for defending against enemy attacks” the Jonin explains, studying the coloured barrier. “Or to keep an enemy outside, keeping them from getting in.”

“The enemy is already outside though” Ashley speaks up, crossing her arms and glaring at the huge gate before her. “So they must be trying to keep us inside for some reason.”

“But why would they do that?” Kotetsu questions, making Ashley throw her arms in the air.

“I don’t freaking know!” she barks. “I’m not psychic!”

Before anyone can say anything else, a bright light suddenly appears from the bottom of the gates, causing everyone to turn around.

“Now what?” Genma asks rhetorically, as he leaps back down to the ground, landing in front of the crowd of Ninja that have gathered at the gates. The others quickly follow his lead, mixing with the other Leaf Ninja and watching as the four intruders appear in front of the main gates, the light disappearing.

‘How did they get in here?’ Ashley can’t help wondering, gritting her teeth as she glares at the four. ‘It’s impossible to travel through a Defence Barrier….’

“We are four individuals” one of the men announces loudly, “made one by a common resolve to pursue the cause of the Land of Fire! It is this indomitable resolve that has brought us here! Lend us your ears for but a brief moment, for there isn’t much to say. We have only one purpose, which is the greater good of the Land of Fire, the Feudal Lord supreme! The existence of the Hokage in this Village poses a lasting threat to the supremacy of the Land of Fire’s Feudal Lord! There can only be one true King……”

The man glances around, taking in the serious, yet determined faces of the surrounding Leaf Ninja.

“Don’t you all understand?!” the man shouts. “There is no longer any reason for you Hokage to exist!”

“What?!” Ashley growls, baring her teeth at the man. She may not always agree with Lady Tsunade, but there was no way she was going to let anyone try and get rid of her.

“Why you…” Kotetsu takes a step forwards, clenching his hands into fists.

“Your words will fall on deaf ears in this Village” Genma informs the man lowly, narrowing his eyes.

“We never expected your approval” the man sneers, unperturbed. “Never the less, you will help us achieve our purpose…..Even when you’re no longer alive.”