Aoi led the way as his teammates and him ran on the forest floor to their meeting place with the princess. Neji and his team, consisting of Izumo, Kotetsu, and Murasaki, threaded their way through the trees, keeping pace in a slightly more concealed manner than those on the ground. The meeting place was just south of Konoha, in a closed off grotto. When they first arrived, the princess had yet to arrive, so the two groups settled down, silence stretching between them.

Shikamaru was on his back, and though there were no snores, the steady rise and fall of his chest suggested he was asleep. Shino was sitting with his back to a tree, watching as a beetle came and landed on his knee, quickly making itself comfortable. Aoi sat somewhere in between the two, poking at Hane as the bird tried to get past his finger to the pocket of his vest where Aoi kept the pocky the two had become accustomed to eating. Migota stood to the side, considering the three for a moment before sighing.

This caught Aoi's attention, and his eyes flicked over to her. "What is wrong?" Shino also glanced over and Shikamaru cracked one eye open.

"Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all." She looked at the stoic trio before shaking her head. There was a slight smirk on her face as silence once again settled over the group. From somewhere in the trees, she heard a mumbled remark before there was faint laughter. Perhaps a comment on how similar the three were sometimes.

It was another half hour before the princess and her entourage entered the clearing. Though Princess Kou's face was solemn as she entered the clearing, a brief light of interest passed through her eyes when she saw Aoi's team. Once it was verified that they were indeed Konoha shinobi, her guard left so they could escort the feudal lord when the time came.

They set off, and keen to fend off the silence that stretched when Shino, Shikamaru, and Aoi were together, Migota spoke to the princess. "Kou-sama, how are you these days? It has been quite a while since then."

Kou looked up into Migota's eyes, finally smiling faintly. "Indeed it has been a long time since then. A year and a half if I'm remembering correctly. I have been doing rather well since then, are you well?"

"Yes, quite well thank you. I don't think we had much chance to talk back then."

"No, we didn't." Kou agreed, nodding sagely. "In fact I'm ashamed to say I have forgotten all of your names."

Migota quickly introduced the group, and before she could move on, Kou was speaking again. "You're name is Aoi then?" Turning, Aoi faced the princess as she spoke to him and nodded. "Thank you for taking my place back then, though... you're male aren't you?"

"Yes, I am."

"It's odd, the way your features are so feminine." Kou, who had been peering at Aoi's face, suddenly gasped as if realizing what she had said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offense by that."

Aoi simply nodded, and when the worried look didn't disappear from Kou's face, Shino spoke up. "Do not worry, because Aoi is n-"

He was cut off as Migota spoke over him. "Aoi doesn't really mind."

Kou nodded, and the chatter continued for the rest of the day, light and meaningless.

_+_

They were a few hours away from the meeting point when an attack happened. It was midday and perhaps because of this the group wasn't as alert as it could have been. One moment the way ahead was clear, then there was a blur of motion before two figures seemingly materialized before them. Everyone blinked, as if it were a mirage, but Aoi was quick to draw his si, holding them before him and stepping in front of Kou.

A crackle was heard in Aoi's earpiece as Neji spoke. "Aoi, what's going on? Two chakra signatures just appeared."

Aoi narrowed his eyes slightly, almost noticeably. The fact that Neji and Murasaki couldn't pick up on the two attackers before now meant they were likely more than just fast. Keeping his voice low so the attackers couldn't hear, Aoi spoke, "It seems we are being attacked."

Any response Neji might have made was drown out by laughter coming from one of the figures. He turned to his companion, gasping between laughs. "Did you hear that N?" The face the man made said he either didn't hear, or didn't care. "'It seems we are being attacked.' So serious!" Almost immediately after saying this, the laughter disappeared from his eyes, though the smile stayed on his face. "I like that."

N sighed slightly, as if expecting the sudden change in attitude. "What's the plan here Fu?" Aoi took the chance to study the two as they held their conversation. N, or how he was being referred to, had stark red hair, with two chunks hanging long on the sides of his face with the back cut short. Though they were half closed, it could be noted that his eyes were a dull golden color. Other than the tattoo under his right eye, nothing else stood out.

Fu, the shorter of the two by at least a head, was whispering in N's ear. His hair was cropped short, with chunks clumped and hanging down to his ears. Despite the wide grin on his face at that moment, his eyes were narrowed, the dark green orbs shining behind the glasses that rested on the bridge of his nose. If it weren't for his outfit, some might have mistook him for a girl.

Both wore the same outfit, what appeared to be a uniform from what Aoi could tell. A white top covered only the chest, worn over a short sleeved fishnet shirt. Both wore tight, white shorts that went to just above the knee. Grey cloaks were slung over their shoulders, but neither seemed inclined to wear them. The only spot of color on the outfits was a blue circle on the right side of the tube tops.

Aoi's attention was drawn toward their hands when Fu finally stepped back from N. Fu had drawn two swords from the sheath held on his back. They were peculiar weapons, as they shared the same sheath, and the blades seemed more flimsy than that of a normal katana. N let out a sigh as he reached one hand behind his back and took out two tonfa, twirling them once or twice in his grip.

Almost on instinct, the Konoha shinobi all tensed, knowing that the two would be attacking. The tension grew as instead of charging forward as expected, Fu and N began to walk calmly in their direction. Shino's bugs slowly crept down his arms taking flight and surrounding him in a black haze, while Shikamaru held a kunai out. Both had a serious expression, as they sensed the dangerous aura around their opponents. Migota was next to the princess, ready to run, defend, or attack as the situation called for.

When Fu was three meters away he rocked back on one foot before shooting forward. Aoi shot forward as well and their weapons locked. Before anyone had a chance to process this however, both were gone, a cloud of dust stirring in the area they had been.

All three on the ground blinked, disbelieving what they had just seen. A brief spluttering noise was made over the radio, quiet enough so no one could tell who it had come from.

After looking around briefly, all eyes landed on N. He seemed utterly relaxed, as if nothing was happening and he had no worries. When he noticed that everyone was looking at him, he smiled ever so slightly. "Let me guess... 'what the hell just happened?' Am I right?"

Kou gasped a little, but other than that everyone stared quietly, waiting to see if N would talk again. The man didn't seem inclined however, as he just sat there twirling his weapons in his hands. After a few moments of this, he caught the weapons and lifted them up.

"I suppose I should fight a little then, otherwise that damn Fu will get angry." Everyone stiffened and widened their stances. "Sorry about this, but Fu is a grump if you don't do as he expects."

With that he charged forward, and within moments his tonfa was being blocked by Shikamaru's upheld kunai. Not even a second after that however, a cracking sound was heard as N spun the second tonfa in his grip, slamming the wooden weapon into Shikamaru's ribs. The younger boy took a step back, coughing from the force of the impact.

He had no time to follow through on the attack, as Shino's bugs took action then. Jumping back he was right in front of Migota. Her attack was already on the way when he landed. The point of her fingers had almost hit him when N flipped out the tonfa to block it. A crack was heard as it made contact with her forearm, but that didn't faze her.

Her hand was nearly at a pressure point in his neck when N jumped back once more. A good distance from the group, he looked them over before shrugging with a sigh. "It just isn't any fun. Such mediocrity." With that he took a step forward, weapons at his side with a dark aura around him.

_+_

After the clash of his weapon against his enemies, Aoi had felt a jolt. Immediately after there was a lightness and a blur of color. When he came back to his senses, Aoi flew across a clearing and slammed into a tree. Disregarding the pain that still lingered on his back, he quickly stood and faced his enemy with weapons raised.

The opposing brunette raise an eyebrow before laughing. He put the swords away, and Aoi tensed further at this gesture. He wasn't sure what had happened, but he couldn't sense any of his team nearby. Fu gestured with his hands as he spoke, "You can put those away now, I have no intention of fighting you right now."

As if to further prove this, he took a seat, patting the area in front of him as if expecting Aoi to join him. A few moments passed, with the two staring at each other. Aoi looked at him, his eyes skeptical and curious. Fu seemed laid-back and happy, his manner completely easygoing. The standstill passed, and Aoi sheathed the weapons at his hips. Hane chirped at this gesture, as if telling Aoi it was a bad idea.

"Hm... cautious aren't you Aoi?" At this the blue haired boy's eyes narrowed. "Please don't be so suspicious. We've been watching you for a while, so of course we know your name." When Aoi's expression didn't change, Fu seemed to think a little. "That didn't make it any better I suppose..."

"Why did you come?" If Aoi was all the way here, it was apparent that the two probably weren't after Kou. Otherwise there would be no point.

"Straight to the point huh? Suppose that's for the best." Fu straightened slightly before leaning back. "You've heard of the Akatsuki before right? Of course you have, the Hokage trusts you immensely for some reason. Anyways, our group is one that is trying to oppose them. We call ourselves the Enburu."

Seeing that he had Aoi's full attention at this point, he kept talking. "Right now we're still forming up, but we think that if we have a strong person for every tailed beast then we should be good. This is where you would come in see. I came here to try and recruit you Aoi, come with us right now and help us stop them!" He threw his hands out, a pleased expression on his face as if he knew the answer was yes.

Aoi stared at the excited man before bluntly responding, "No."

"Eh? Why not? It's for a good reason, and we'll be heroes and save people!" He leaned forward eyes showing he didn't understand.

Aoi was unaffected. "I do not know you. You are a stranger in a group with odd intentions. It is not a good idea to leave my village on those terms."

"Our intentions aren't strange!" Fu stood up quickly to defend himself. "We formed up to help people, to do good! Enburu has good intentions that will change the world for the better. Nothing is odd about that!" Seeming to stop in his tracks, he reeled in his emotion. "Anyway, I suppose I'll leave it at this today. You're going to end up joining us, just you wait Aoi. Oh! One more thing, I never properly introduced myself. I am Fuzake, one of the leaders of Enburu. I'm going to change this world."

With that he stood up and took out his swords. Aoi's weapons were in his hands in an instant. "Before I take you back to your team though, I'll have to make this less suspicious. If you went back unharmed it would raise some alarms." Without further discussion, Fuzake disappeared.

A noise behind Aoi made him turn, just in time to deflect an attack that would have cut deeply into his shoulder. He lifted the first sword, leaning back so it just barely grazed his cheek. The second sword followed in the same path as the first, and Aoi used his right si to stop it completely. Aoi breathed out a grunt at the force and power that the sword delivered, something unexpected given his opponent's small stature.

Before he was able to deliver an attack himself, Fuzake was gone again. Heightening his senses and ability to sense chakra, he was given a bit of warning when a sword was thrust up toward his left side. Aoi jumped back, avoiding the attack. Launching himself forward he made to stab his left si up into Fuzake's lung. Smirking, Fuzake launched an attack himself, using his right hand sword to block the attack with the left swinging in a similar arc aimed to decapitate Aoi.

Aoi placed his right si against his forearm and raised it to block. Suddenly, Fuzake spun, adding extra force to his attack and sending Aoi stumbling slightly. Using the advantage he had created, the brown haired man thrust his left sword once again, aiming for the abdomen. Partially regaining his balance, Aoi lowered the right si, still against his forearm, and managed to barely deflect the attack. Because of this, instead of stabbing straight through his body, a gash appeared on his side, blood immediately soaking his clothing.

Unexpectedly a flash of bright colors flew by their faces, leaving a scratch on Fuzake's face. Hane, who had flown off Aoi's shoulder in the beginning of the fight, now took the opportunity to land a strike on the opponent. Though it wasn't deep, it served to distract Fuzake. Aoi took advantage of this moment of distraction, his left arm swinging down to puncture Fuzake's neck. A potentially fatal stroke.

The brunette ducked to avoid the attack, but almost got stabbed in the face as Aoi's right si moved forward in a short stroke. Fuzake vanished, using his speed to create some distance between the two before appraising Aoi. The blue haired teen was barely breathing hard. The wound in his side hadn't quit bleeding, but the cut on his face had. Hane landed on his shoulder, looking at Fuzake sharply.

"Your eyes show some determination still," Fuzake smiled, though it didn't fully reach his eyes. "I know I chose right in picking you as a member. I suppose I should end this for today though."

Fuzake vanished, and Aoi felt that this would indeed be the final attack. Hane had crawled onto Aoi's back to give him more mobility. The shock came when Fuzake appeared directly before Aoi, his swords bearing down diagonally from either direction.

Slightly surprised by the forwardness of the attack, Aoi raised his two weapons, the left against his forearm and the right held regularly. Before the attack even hit, Aoi knew what was likely to happen. Not wanting to have his opponent completely unharmed, Aoi charged chakra into his weapons. The two si flared to life, flames licking at the metal.

Fuzake's swords clashed against Aoi's si. The fire flared higher where it was struck with the swords, leaving burns on Fuzake's arms. Then Aoi's right si slipped, lacking the support of his full arm. The sword bit into his right shoulder, and the instant it did Aoi once again felt that sensation of being weightless.

_+_

Murasaki, Shino, and Neji stood in front of Migota, Shikamaru, and the princess with Izumo and Kotetsu in the trees for backup. N looked at them dully, bored by the fight. Neji was slightly breathless, using his rotation to keep the man back. Shino was feeling effects of chakra depletion as he had sent his bugs out time and again to attack and distract the man. Murasaki held up one of the metal sticks in his hand, the other arm hanging at his side because of an attack that had dislocated his shoulder. Before either side could make another move though, the scene was interrupted.

Aoi was thrown backwards, landing in front of his comrades, while Fuzake stood before them with a cheerful smile lighting up his face. Everyone took in the few injuries and cuts that adorned Aoi's body as he forced himself up from the ground. Hane had flown off and landed near Kou, twittering in worry.

Fuzake's smile widened at this. "Well, it seems we've accomplished what we came here to do for today. We should take our leave, N." The taller man nodded, walking up to his leader. "Farewell for now, I expect I'll be seeing some of you in the future." With that he touched his comrade and the two disappeared in a dust cloud.

When the group was sure they had disappeared, everyone visibly relaxed. Aoi returned his si to the holsters and sank to his knees. Migota began to tend to injuries on Shikamaru and Murasaki, as well as herself. She had tried to care for Aoi first, but he waved her off toward the others. When Murasaki was healed, Neji's group took to the trees once more, scouting the area to be sure no other enemies were in the vicinity. After the battle, it had been decided that they would camp here for the night.

Kou walked up to Aoi, who simply sat there. She patted his head, gaining his attention as no one had ever done that to him. A smile graced her face as she took a seat next to him. "Seems like you had quite a battle as well." Aoi nodded and she went on. "You're injure this badly, and all for my sake."

At this Aoi shook his head. "Not only for your sake." A questioning look appeared on her face, so Aoi explained further. "He was trying to kill me too."

Kou stared at him a few moment before bursting into a fit of giggles. Confusion spread through his eyes at the sudden laughter, unsure of what was happening. Kou's giggles died down after looking at Aoi's face, but a smile stayed in place. "From the look in your eyes, that wasn't meant as a joke."

Migota came over then. "Aoi make a joke? That sentence should be considered a joke Kou-sama." Her hands began to glow green, hovering over Aoi's injuries.

"Oh surely Aoi makes jokes every once in a while." 

Looking back and forth between the two, Aoi's head tilted to the side. "Joke?" Both blinked at him, and then Migota lowered her head with a sigh.

"I'm sure you wrote it down. It's something you say to make people laugh, remember?" Kou looked back and forth between the two, her confusion at the situation growing.

Aoi pulled out a notebook from his back pocket, a slight stain of blood on it which he wiped off with his thumb. Flipping through the pages, he found what Migota had reminded him of. "I still do not understand jokes."

"Why am I not surprised?" Migota questioned with feigned exasperation.

Finally Kou spoke up. "Um... Sorry, but what is going on?"

Migota looked up before scratching the back of her head. "Ah that... Well you see, Aoi was more or less raised to be a shinobi, so he missed out on some things when he was younger."

"What do you mean he missed out on stuff? What was he doing for his entire childhood that made it so?" Kou looked at Migota, who just waved at Aoi to explain. "What happened to you, Aoi?"

Aoi's stoic expression met Kou's worried one. "I trained in a room until three and a half years ago."

"Trained in a room?" Kou leaned forward in interest. Migota had finished healing the wounds so they were no longer bleeding profusely and began to bandage the wounds. Aoi simply nodded and before Kou could question him more, they were interrupted.

Mist shinobi approached the group, a team of four adult males all in uniform with serious expressions. "Our sensory ninja felt signs of a group of people fighting. Are you the leaf shinobi protecting the princess Kou?" The man in front spoke black hair shading sharp green eyes.

Aoi stood up from his spot on the ground, facing the shinobi as well. Migota stood then helped Kou to her feet as well. Shino and Shikamaru joined the group as well. "We are. Are you the shinobi we are meeting?"

"Yes. My name is-" the apparent leader of the group was cut off as one of his teammates shoved him to the side. His eyes were wide, and locked on Aoi's figure as the younger shinobi stood there.

"You... what is your name?" Crystal blue eyes shone with a light of desperation.

"My name is Aoi, and I am a jonin of the leaf village." A light of curiosity lit up in Aoi's eyes.

"Shin, what are you doing?" The man Shin had pushed away looked at him confused and angry at the way he was acting.

"Were you born in the leaf? Did you move there?" Everyone became confused at those questions. What did it matter if Aoi was born in the leaf?

"I moved to the leaf a few years back."

"Who are your parents?" Hope began to creep onto Shin's face, and Aoi studied him for a moment.

"I have never met them."

"Where... where were you before the leaf?" He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Who raised you?"

"I was in one of Orochimaru's labs."

Everything seemed to freeze. Nobody moved for a moment, then Shin's team leader stepped forward as if to stop Shin. He was a moment too late however, as the golden-brown haired man shot forward towards Aoi.  Aoi readied himself for an attack, but Kou placed a hand on his arm, realizing who the man was.

Shin threw his arms around Aoi, engulfing the teen in a hug. Aoi quickly grew confused at what was happening, stiffening in the embrace. His confusion grew as he felt a drop of water on the top of his head, followed by others in quick succession. Lifting his arms, Aoi made as if to shove Shin off of him, but his wrists were quickly grabbed by his teammates.

Finally, the leader of the mist shinobi could stand it no longer. "Shin, just what is going on here?"

"I believe that Aoi is my son."

_+_

Ahem... I'll begin with: I'm so sorry it's been like a month since I last updated! I had writing overload. It's like, I had writers block, but because I was writing so much. Research paper for English, essay in history, procedure paper for science, translating a book from Latin, journal for karate, and a theory paper for my other history class. At the end of the day I just didn't feel like writing, and so now it's been a month. I'm hoping to make that up with my extra long chapter here.

Picutre of Fuzake's swords to the side. They are dao swords, and I love them so much.

I'll try to update as soon as possible, but semester finals are coming up, so I will not be making any promises. I hope you liked the chapter though! I had fun writing it. I'll leave after one more thing.

RQ: What is the worst joke that you've ever heard? Something truly face-palm worthy, if you can.

Um... without further ado, vote/comment/fan or whatever floats your boat. I'll be seeing you all soon! (Hopefully)

-Nicky~