Edited 10/01/2020

Third Person's POV

"Are you sure that you still remember the way Ashley-chan?" Naruto questions dubiously. "We've been walking for ages now! It all looks the same to me."

"It's a forest Naruto" Sakura sighs. "Of course it all looks the same."

"So how do you know where we're going then?" Naruto presses, walking after Ashley with his hands folded behind his head.

".....The Temple is at the highest point of the island" Ashley explains quietly, feeling too anxious to get annoyed by Naruto's pestering. "It doesn't matter which way we go through the forest, as long as we head towards that point."

"Well, how do you know where the highest point is then?" Naruto asks, to which Sasuke heaves a sigh this time.

"Would you shut up already?" he asks rhetorically, sending his blonde teammate an irritated scowl.

"I'm just trying to make sure that we're not going in the wrong direction!" Naruto defends himself. "No offence Ashley-chan!"

"Seriously Naruto" Shikamaru complains from further back in the group. "Don't you think that out of all of us, Ashley would know the way?"

Ashley can't help sweat dropping at that comment. Despite walking at the front of the group and leading the way, she very well could be going the wrong way. Sure, Ashley had lived here as a kid, but that didn't mean she could recall every tree and rock she walked past. They had headed off in the right direction almost two hours ago though and the terrain had begun to climb uphill, so Ashley was taking that as a sign that they were heading to the right place.

"Well duh Shikamaru" Naruto mocks, turning to glare at the Nara with a peeved expression on his face. "But she hasn't been here for ages, so she could get us lost."

"I can smell the ocean" Kiba speaks up helpfully, to which Akamaru barks his agreement. A faint salty scent now hung in the air, mixing with the earthiness of the forest.

"If I remember correctly, the Temple was on the edge of a cliff overhanging the ocean, right?" Kakashi recalls, looking to the back of Ashley's head as she nods a confirmation.

Suddenly, the girl stops however, her body tensing up. She turns her head slightly to the right as everyone comes to a halt behind her, wondering what the problem is.

Kiba sniffs the air again and wrinkles his nose in distaste, eyes narrowing in the same direction that Ashley is looking.

"Ashley" Kakashi address, "What's the ma-"

"Greetings Leaf Ninja!" a male voice calls out, causing everyone to turn and look towards it.

Four men wearing uniforms and carrying various weapons step out of the trees, serious expressions on their faces. Ashley grits her teeth into a snarl and glares up at the men as they approach, holding back a growl. The lead man stares down at her as the group stops in front of the Leaf Ninja, his face steely.

They were Sirius' men and Ashley didn't like them one bit. Not to mention, she didn't want the soldiers knowing where they were all heading. Who knows what sort of drama that would spark.

"You must be Lord Sirius' men" Kakashi responds, immediately walking forwards and stepping between Ashley and the newcomers. "I'm Kakashi Hatake."

"Ah yes, Kakashi" the man greets, blinking as his view of Ashley is cut off, before he raises his eyes to the Jonin instead. "Lord Sirius mentioned your name to us. We're currently on an emergency patrol."

"Emergency patrol?" Kurenai repeats, also stepping forwards. "What for?"

"That's none of your concern Leaf Ninja" another one of Sirius' men snaps back, only for a look from his superior to shut him up.

"Please excuse him" the man asks, bowing his head slightly. "Some of the men are a little high strung at the moment. There was an incident last night."

Ashley turns her head and looks back at Kiba, troubled, as some of the Genin exchange worried glances. Did they know what had happened?

"Two of our men who were sent on patrol last night and didn't return" the soldier continues seriously. "We're currently out searching for them. We fear they may have had a run in with the rogues again."

"......I see" Kakashi says simply, internally hoping that Ashley will stay quiet for once. "Well, we're currently searching for the rogues as well. We'll be splitting into our usual teams to aid your efforts soon, once we get a better lay of the land."

"Thank you for your assistance Leaf Ninja" the solder says, actually sounding grateful as he bows his head again. "We appreciate your efforts. Please report any findings to Lord Sirius immediately."

"We absolutely will" Kakashi agrees, raising his hand as the four soldiers straighten up and march away, continuing their search. "......Well that's made things a little more difficult."

"There are probably more of them out searching as well" Asuma surmises, rubbing the back of his neck. "We'd better be careful about where we go and who we're seen with."

"We need to make sure none of them see us approach the temple" Kurenai agrees, looking down at all of the Genin.

"It's not our fault those guys attacked us" Ashley justifies immediately, before anyone has outwardly accused her or Kiba of anything.

"We know Ashley" Kakashi says calmly. "We're not blaming you, we just need to be very careful. We don't need Sirius thinking that we're conspiring against him with the enemy."

Ashley's expression darkens at that, something that causes Kakashi to sigh, his shoulders drooping slightly.

"I know you said that your Clan aren't the enemy" he clarifies wearily. "I just meant that Sirius sees them as the enemy.....Look, just keep leading the way, alright?"

Saffire leans back on her hands and swings her legs back and forth, sighing for what felt like the hundredth time in the last five minutes.

"Have patience Saffire" Fang calls up to the bored girl, lying on the ground underneath the tree her partner is sitting in. "Ashley will arrive soon, I'm sure of it."

"We should have organised a better time to meet" Saffire complains, turning her head to look over at the Minami Temple up on the nearby cliff. "We could be sitting here for another three hours!"

"If you hadn't run off in a huff" Fang reminds the girl smartly, "Maybe we could have."

Saffire's face falls at that, before she leans forwards to look down at Fang and poke her tongue out. The Wolf merely rolls her eyes good naturedly and raises her nose to the air, once again searching for Ashley's scent.

"Maybe she got lost" Saffire suddenly realises, tilting her head. "I mean, it's been what, six years since she was here?"

"The Temple is really not so hard to find" Fang answers patiently, her ears perking up when she catches a familiar scent. "Ah! I can smell h- Oh.....Oh......."

"What is is Fang?" Saffire asks urgently, jumping into a crouch, eyes looking around wildly. "Is it soldiers?!"

"Uh, I'm afraid not" Fang laughs awkwardly, her ears now lying back. ".......Try not to be too upset alright?"

"Upset about what?" Saffire questions, dropping down to the ground and giving her Guardian a suspicious look.

"Um, that" Fan states pointedly, her eyes looking past Saffire and causing the curious girl to turn around.

A broad grin spreads across the Minami's face at the sight of Ashley approaching, before the girl pauses. Her face slowly drops into a deadpan expression, when she sees all of the other Leaf Ninja standing behind a fidgeting Ashley.

"It's that girl again" Sakura points out unnecessarily, feeling a little wary after their last encounter with her.

Kiba hoods his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, unimpressed with having to see Saffire again. While she and Ashley may have been best friends a long time ago, Kiba couldn't stand her already. She was unpleasant to say the least.

The other Genin look on with interest, unperturbed by the irate look on Saffire's face. She wasn't attacking them this time and after hearing that she was Ashley's friend, many of them are curious as to what she's like.

"Hey, she has a Wolf too" Ino points out, smiling to herself as Fang tilts her head, blue eyes drifting uncertainly from Saffire to the Leaf Ninja.

"So this girl is the friend you were talking about?" Kakashi asks, stepping up beside Ashley.

"Yeah" Ashley sighs, knowing that Saffire is angry. "Before you get mad Saffire, I wasn't able to come al-"

"What'd you bring all of them for?!" Saffire explodes, stomping over to Ashley and gesturing pointedly to all of the Leaf Ninja. "I told you, they won't be welcome inside the Temple!"

Ashley sweat drops and leans back from the angry girl, rubbing her neck.

"I know that" she laughs awkwardly, pointing to Kakashi with her thumb. "But my Sensei wouldn't let me come on my own. He insisted that we all some to the temple."

"Sensei?" Saffire repeats sharply, her attention immediately switching to the silver haired Jonin. "What could a Ninja teach you?"

"Hey!" Naruto barks, jumping forwards. His sudden loud voice causes Saffire to blink, her eyes widening slightly.

"Kakashi Sensei is the greatest!" Naruto defends vehemently. "Don't make fun of him or you'll have to deal with me!"

Saffire stares at Naruto for a few more seconds, before she places a hand in front of her mouth and giggles.

He may be loud, but this blonde guy was cute!

"Well, we wouldn't want that now would we?" Saffire flirts, only for Sakura to march forwards and shove a confused Naruto out of the way.

"Alright, alright" Sakura commands, hands now on her hips. "Leave him alone. He's just an idiot."

"What are you, his girlfriend?" Saffire challenges, to which a horrified expression crosses Sakura's face and Ino bursts out laughing.

"Gross!" Sakura cries, rapidly shaking her head in protest. "No way!"

"Then shut up" Saffire says simply, dismissing Sakura with a wave of her hand. She crouches down next to Naruto, who is sprawled on the ground, rubbing his head.

"Whoa, those are some seriously blue eyes you've got there" Saffire points out, her own eyes widening slightly as she grabs Naruto by the collar and pulls him to his feet.

"Uh.....thanks?" Naruto replies unsurely, looking to Ashley for help.

The blonde girl merely sighs heavily, her shoulders sagging. Despite not being the friendliest person, at least Saffire hadn't attacked anyone.

"Everyone" Ashley announces, grabbing Saffire by the arm and dragging her away from Naruto, "This is Saffire Minami, an old friend and a member of my Clan, like I mentioned last night. Oh and this is her partner, Fang."

".....Uh, pleased to meet you all" Fang greets awkwardly, nodding her head.

Saffire stares at the Leaf Ninja coolly, her arms crossed and her eyes now half lidded. She didn't care about any of these Leaf Ninja, even if they were Ashley's friends. All she wanted was to get Ashley to the Temple to be with her real friends.

".....This is my team" Ashley continues, seeing that Saffire isn't going to make any effort. "I already introduced my Sensei. This is Sakura Haruno."

"Nice to meet you" Sakura says in a dry tone, being polite despite her immediate dislike of Saffire.

"Wish I could say the same" Saffire responds rudely, something that causes an anime vein to begin throbbing on the side of Sakura's head.

".......Do all Minami start off super mean and then eventually get nicer?" Shikamaru wonders out loud, sweat dropping when Saffire's eyes dart over and narrow in his direction.

"The guy who yelled in your face is Naruto Uzumaki" Ashley says quickly, rerouting Saffire's attention.

"Naruto...." the girl repeats thoughtfully, tapping her chin with one finger.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" the blonde reiterates proudly, grinning as he puffs out his chest and points to it with his thumb. "I'm the greatest Ninja to ever live and one day, I'm gonna be the Hokage of the Leaf Village!"

"Make sure to invite me to the party when you do" Saffire chuckles, twirling her hair around her finger.

Ashley rolls her eyes at Saffire's cheeky behaviour and turns to Sasuke, only to pause before introducing him. Saffire wouldn't recognise him, as she'd never met Sasuke before, but as soon as Ashley said his name....

"Uh....and this is my other teammate" Ashley introduces carefully, her hesitation earning her a strange look from Sasuke. "His name is Sasuke."

Saffire shrugs her shoulders, not overly caring, when the Uchiha quirks a brow at Ashley.

"I'm Sasuke Uchiha" the boy states pointedly, correcting Ashley's introduction. It was pretty annoying of her to introduce all of her other teammates properly but not him.

"Uchiha?" Saffire repeats, suddenly sounding very interested. She stares at Sasuke unblinking for a few moments, tilting her head slowly as she inspects him with curiosity.

"Sasuke Uchiha?" the Minami asks, turning now to look back at Ashley, her eyes round.

"Yeah" Ashley sighs again, trying to send Saffire a telepathic message to shut up.

"How interesting!" Saffire grins, crossing her arms and closing her eyes as a bored Sasuke turns his head away.

"Okay, seriously" Ino snarls, stomping forwards. "Are you gonna fuss over every guy you get introduced to? I almost feel like I need to wipe the drool off of your mouth!"

Saffire opens her eyes and glances down, slightly taller than Ino.

"Keep your hands off of Sasuke!" the blonde girl warns. "You can take Naruto, but not my Sasuke!"

"....And who are you meant to be?" Saffire inquires, amused.

"I'm Ino Yamanaka!" Ino announces. "And I'm the prettiest girl in the Village, so don't even try to get my Sasuke's attention!"

"Ino....." Sakura seethes, fire burning in her eyes as the blonde latches onto Sasuke's arm and hugs it protectively.

"The prettiest?" Saffire laughs, something that causes Fang to sweat drop. She knew how Saffire liked to tease other people and it often didn't end up showing her in a very good light.

Before the fired up Ino can step forward to attack, Shikamaru walks over and grabs onto her shoulders from behind, his eyes hooded as he looks to Saffire.

"I'm Shikamaru Nara" he introduces himself boredly, hoping to diffuse the tension a little, "And that's Choji Akimichi. We're Team Ten."

"Hi" Choji adds, lifting one hand in a friendly wave.

Saffire wrinkles her nose slightly, looking between the members of Team Ten. Didn't these people get it? Saffire didn't care who any of them were. They were as important to her as the dust on the ground.

"This is Asuma Sarutobi, their Sensei" Ashley states wearily, motioning towards the tall man, before turning to Kiba and deadpanning.

He glares at Saffire with his arms crossed and his lower lip jutting out in an ugly pout. Ashley heaves a huge sigh, her shoulders drooping so low, it feels as if they're going to touch the ground.

Right now, she should be full of joy and excitement at the thought of seeing her old best friend. But her rough personality was already wearing Ashley down. It was fine when they were kids and all knew each other's personalities, but Saffire really didn't seem to fit in with the Leaf Ninja. Or at the very least, she wasn't trying to.

"You already know Kiba" Ashley begins, only for Saffire to roll her eyes and snort.

"Unfortunately" she scoffs, to which a vein begins to pulse on the side of Kiba's head.

"Yeah well, I could say the same to you!" he barks back, with Akamaru growling in agreement, down at Kiba's feet.

"This is Hinata Hyuga and this is Shino Aburame" Ashley continues loudly, though she sounds highly unenthusiastic by this point.

"H-H-hello....." Hinata greets shyly, looking up at Saffire through her lashes and fiddling with the hem of her jacket.

"Be nice" Ashley hisses a warning to Saffire, sending the girl a pointed look from the corner of her eye.

Saffire turns to look at Ashley for a few seconds, before glancing back at Hinata and smirking in amusement, something that causes the Hyuga to quickly drop her gaze.

"How cute" Saffire muses, though no one can tell if she's being sarcastic or not.

"....Greetings" Shino says simply, not really interested in offering Saffire anything further than that.

The Minami was anything but pleasant and it seemed she didn't care about them, nor did she have anything kind to say. So what was the point?

"I'm Kurenai Yuhi" Kurenai finishes the introductions, the sight of her causing Saffire to blink. "I'm the Team Eight's Sensei."

"Woah, you're super beautiful" Saffire points out shamelessly, to which Kurenai pauses.

She hadn't expected that.

"Who knew?" Kiba says smartly, rolling his eyes. "She can be nice."

"Whatever" Saffire sniffs, shrugging her shoulders. "Are we done here? Can we go already?"

Ashley smiles to herself wryly, as Saffire turns on her heel and marches off, with Fang following close behind.

Whether it was kind or cruel, Saffire was the kind to say exactly what she was thinking. She'd never seemed to really notice the impact of her words, which had led to many tears and much embarrassment for others in the past.

"Why does your friend hate us so much?" Sakura grumbles, as all of the Leaf Ninja begin to follow after Saffire. "We never did anything to her...."

"I don't hate you" Saffire calls over her shoulder, not even bothering to turn around. "I just couldn't care less about any of you."

"Oh like that's so much better" Ino retorts hotly, her arms folded over her chest as she begrudgingly follows the Minami girl.

"It doesn't matter" Saffire smiles meanly to herself. "You're all gonna get killed when we reach the Temple anyway."

"Woah, what?!" Naruto exclaims, coming to an abrupt halt, panic in his eyes as he looks between Kakashi and Ashley. "Seriously?! Are your friends gonna kill us Ashley-chan?!"

"Of course not" Ashley assures the blonde, before turning to Saffire with a harsh scowl. "Can you stop it already? They're my friends. Stop being difficult."

Saffire pouts back at Ashley, hurt in her eyes. Why would she take their side?

"Well, I'm part of your Clan" Saffire answers back childishly.

"So what?!" Ashley finally shouts, annoyed by Saffire's behaviour. "They've helped me a lot you know? And I'm really getting sick of you picking fights with them! Just stop already!"

Saffire stares at Ashley through wide eyes, as all of the Leaf Ninja blink in surprise. Fang looks between the two Minami girls, feeling conflicted. While she was loyal only to Saffire, Fang didn't want Ashley and the others to leave. She wanted Ashley to be reunited with her Clan members and perhaps she and the Leaf Ninja would be able to help with the Sirius problem...

"Saffire" Fang speaks up carefully, breaking the awkward silence. "Perhaps we should be a little kinder to the Leaf Nin-"

"You've never yelled at me before" Saffire sulks, hooding her eyes.

"I'm not six anymore" Ashley responds, brows still furrowed.

Despite being younger, Ashley had always been the responsible one when they were kids. She was always protective of Kiyumi and the others usually looked to her when guidance was needed. Despite that, Saffire had always been the loud one and the troublemaker. It was mostly fun when they were kids, sometimes frustrating, but right now it was just driving Ashley insane.

"It's been a long six years for me Saffire" Ashley continues, a little calmer this time. "I just want to see my Clan members. And I want you all to be able to get along with my new friends as well.....Please?"

Saffire turns her head away and continues to pout, her pride causing her to act stubbornly. She ignores everyone for a few moments, before sighing in defeat and closing her eyes.

"Fine" the older girl concedes. "I'll be nice. But I'm not happy about it."

"Well, here we are" Saffire announces, stopping in front of a huge building and looking up, her hands on her hips. "This is our Temple."

Everyone stares up at the large, pure white building in awe, the very top of the structure domed and shining under sun. While everyone whispers amongst themselves about how pretty the building is and how much taller it looks up close, Ashley feels her heart beginning to flutter in her chest at the sight of it.

A mix of excitement and a nervousness, but something else as well.......Dread perhaps. Sure, the building was pretty and it was beautiful inside as well, but that didn't mean that it was a wonderful place.

Ashley glances down and raises her hands up, only just noticing that they are now shaking. When had that started?

"Calm down" Saffire grins, grabbing onto one of Ashley's hands and dragging her towards the entrance. "Everyone is gonna be so excited to see you!"

"Please be careful everyone" Fang says responsibly, sitting at the entrance and ushering everyone inside. "Oops, be careful, don't trip over."

"I wouldn't if Naruto wouldn't shove me" Shikamaru complains, straightening himself up as an eager Naruto barges past him.

"Everyone keep it down okay?" Saffire orders, placing a finger to her lips as she leads everyone down a wide, yet dim hallway. "The others don't know you're all coming, so I'm gonna have to explain this somehow."

"I doubt they'll care when they see Ashley" Fang reasons, bounding to the front of the group.

Everyone's steps echo against the marble floor as they walk, harsh against the silence hanging in the air, the Leaf Ninja all too engrossed in their new environment to chatter amongst themselves for the moment.

After only a minute of walking, Saffire turns a corner and everyone follows. Ashley however freezes in place, her eyes fixed on a large wooden door at the end of the hallway. She feels her heart beating against her chest now, pounding in her ears, as everyone walks past her.

'......I remember it well' Hakuba growls, recalling what had happened. 'A miserable day for us all. I was so close....'

Ashley takes a step back, her breath quickening. Behind that door, an almost unspeakable thing had taken place, seven years ago. That day, the last vessel of the Ten Tailed Wolf had passed away and then...

Hakuba had taken advantage of the situation and tried to break free. Ashley had become the next vessel, against her will. It had been so painful. Ashley didn't remember ever being in pain like that again...

"Are you alright Ashley?" Kakashi questions, snapping the blonde out of her stupor and causing her to look up at him with panicked eyes.

Before she can answer however, Saffire grabs her by the hand and roughly pulls her out of the hallway. She doesn't say anything, but casts the wooden door a wary look, before smiling in a reassuring way at Ashley.

She knew what had taken place in that room. Everyone in the Clan had known. But it wasn't to be spoken of.

"Alright" Saffire whispers, pausing to the side of a large doorway, voices floating out from inside the room. "Wait here for a sec, okay? Be quiet, all of you."

Before anyone has the chance to protest, Saffire darts through the doorway and shouts a hello.

"Saffire, Fang, you're back!" a female voice greets eagerly.

"I thought you said you were bringing someone back with you?" a second voice states blandly.

"Oh, they're here" Fang chirps, sounding a little nervous.

"Haisee kuin monet ihmiset ovat täällä" a raspy voice teases, to which Fang giggles awkwardly.

(Smells like a lot of people are here.)

"Oh uh...." Fang trails off, clearly panicking. "Yes um.....Well you see..."

"Look, look" Saffire commands. "Before you all get too excited, lemme just introduce you to the person I brought with me okay?....Come on over!"

Ashley's POV

I find myself unable to move when Saffire calls to me from the next room over. I feel so apprehensive, so afraid of what I might see in that room. Or rather, what I might not see.

Will the other Minami know who I am? Will they even be happy to see me? They might not be as accepting as Saffire is. I don't think I could stand to finally see other Minami, only for them to reject me. I'd rather not even go in there if that was the case....

I jump at the sudden feeling of a gentle hand on my back.

"Go on Ashley" Sakura encourages me softly, nodding her head and balling her hand up into a determined fist as I turn to glance at her. "Go and meet your Clan members. You can do it."

Looking away from Sakura, I find myself staring into the equally determined and supporting faces of the other Leaf Ninja. Even Sasuke's dark eyes are conveying a tenacity I hadn't expected from him. Almost as if he's trying to say good luck to me.

Naruto furrows his brows and grins at me with that signature smile, one that could reassure anyone in the worst of circumstances. Catching my eye, Kiba also grins and sends me a thumbs up, just as Akamaru appears on his head, tail wagging.

Nodding back at my friends, I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes, before straightening up and walking around the corner.

Standing in the middle of the room, Saffire closes her eyes and gives everyone a huge smile, gesturing at me with both hands as if she is presenting something grand. I pause close to the entrance, looking between the three other people in the room, as well as another Wolf.

A girl sits on the couch directly to my left, long pink hair pooling around her. She's so short, her feet don't even reach the floor. She leans forwards, her fuchsia eyes wide and her mouth open. Sitting on the ground beside the couch, a large Wolf with brown shaggy fur stares at me, his head tilted to the side.

Close beside the girl, a very tall guy with spiky red hair sits as well. He regards me with a calm expression, his eyes hooded and the corners of his mouth turned up into a soft smile.

Lastly, on the opposite side of the room with his arms crossed, a boy with green hair glares at me, though he seems to be growing more and more shocked by the second. His sharp, yellow eyes slowly widen as he continues to watch me.

I hadn't noticed this person before, but suddenly a very tiny person appears on the boy's shoulders. The tiny person has caramel hair and Wolf ears, which are perked right up as he also gazes at me.

"No way" the green haired boy finally exhales, dumbfounded. "There's no freakin way!"

"I....I can't believe it...." the pink haired girl whispers, sliding down from the couch, her hands clasped together and her eyes wavering. "This has to be a miracle....Ley-chan...."

I feel my heart beat at that familiar nickname, something causes a lump to rise in my throat.

"Kurai" I whisper back, having immediately recognised her.

She was one of my last memories of my homeland, and while her being carried off by a demon had been the last time I'd seen her, her face was burned into my memory.

Seeing that I remember her, Kurai jumps up and down in delight, before running forwards and throwing her arms around my waist. I take a step back from the unexpected force of such a short person colliding with me, before I hug the girl back just as eagerly, the two of us giggling like crazy people.

"I just can't believe this Ley-chan" Kurai tells me, her eyes glittering and her face full of affection. She raises one hand and places it on my cheek. "Look at how pretty you are......You're so grown up. How can this be possible?"

"You didn't grow at all" I say before I can stop myself, something that causes Kurai to close her eyes and laugh cutely.

Kurai is four years older than me and while I'm short, I'm still a whole head taller than her. She's grown up to be extremely pretty though, that much I can tell. She was always cute when we were all kids, but now she looked more like a beautiful women. Albeit, a tiny one.

"You haven't changed at all" Kurai realises in amusement, before turning and holding out one hand to the shaggy Wolf, a loving smile on her face. "You remember my Guardian as well?

I look over, as the Wolf climbs to his feet and strolls over, before bowing his head.

"Se on ollut aivan liian kauan" the Wolf tells me in his rough voice, his teeth visible in a grin. "On hyvä nähdä taas."

(It's been far too long. It is good to see you again.)

"It's good to see you again too Tamashi" I greet the Wolf, crouching down to wrap my arms around his neck in a hug.

Kurai squeals with delight and claps her hands.

"I'm so happy" the girl cries, jumping up and down again. She quickly scurries back over to the couch and grabs onto the hand on the red haired guy, the two of them exchanging secret smiles.

"Ley-chan" Kurai begins, her eyes sparkling again. "This is Shimei-kun, my boyfriend. He's a Minami as well."

Still crouching, I blink as I look at the red haired guy. I don't remember him at all. Perhaps he'd had a different friend group when we were kids, but I certainly don't remember ever hanging around with him. He looks older than me too.

"......Hello" I say, somewhat awkwardly, as I rise to my feet.

Shimei merely closes his eyes and smiles at me, one hand raised in a wave.

"Sorry Ley-chan" Kurai apologises. "None of us were really friends with Shimei-kun when we were younger, so you might not remember him. He's a year older than me."

"I don't remember him at all" I say apologetically, shrugging my shoulders.

"Oh, it's fine" Kurai assures me, before turning to Shimei. "Shimei-kun, you know about Ley-chan right? I've told you all about her before."

Shimei nods his head, his closed eye smile now directed at Kurai, much to her delight.

"Ley-chan, Ley-chan!" someone calls urgently, causing me to turn around. Aside from the green haired guy who is still silently staring at me, shell shocked, I can't see who is addressing me, much to my confusion.

"Aw come on, down here, down here!" the voice calls again.

I glance down, only to see the tiny person with Wolf ears standing at my feet and staring up at me with large, imploring eyes.

"Ley-chan!" he squeaks happily, his small tail now wagging back and forth. "You remember me right? Of course you do, you totally remember me and Atsui-chan! We're super unforgettable and even if you did forget us, you'd totally at least remember Tsumetai-chan. Atsui-chan is forgettable, but not Tsume-"

"Atsui......chan?" I repeat dubiously, raising one eyebrow as I glance up at the green haired boy.

He's now glaring down at the tiny Wolf person, a blush creeping across his face.

"Tsumetai, how many times have I told you?" he demands to know, frustrated. "I'm not chan! I'm Atsui-kun!"

"Chan, chan, chan!" Tsumetai sings, dancing in a circle. "Atsui-chan!"

Something finally clicks in my brain and I jab a finger at the angry boy, my eyes widening.

"I remember you!" I cry. "Atsui! Yeah of course......You were always picking fights with everyone!"

"No I wasn't!" Atsui immediately denies, turning away from me. "And anyway, how is that all you remember about me? Can't you at least remember how cool I am, or how tough I am or something?"

"No" I answer honestly, though my bluntness seems to irk him more.

"Ley-chan, Ley-chan" Tsumetai barks again, raising his arms up to me now. "So you remember Tsumetai-chan and Atsui-chan now?!"

"I sure do" I confirm, grinning as I lean down and scoop Tsumetai up into a hug, "Tai-chan."

With a whoop of joy as I recall his nickname, Tsumetai wraps his tiny arms around my neck, almost choking me.

"You look a lot different though Tai-chan" I say slowly, trying to figure it out. "Last I saw you, you were.....well, a Wolf.....Weren't you?"

"Tai-chan is still a Wolf silly" Tsumetai giggles. "Tai-chan's ability is shape shifting, remember? Tai-chan likes being a Wolf, but he likes being a chibi too."

"....A chibi?" I repeat, turning to look at a now deadpan Atsui.

"I've told him it's stupid and he shouldn't" the green haired boy mutters, "But he said he likes it so......whatever..."

I smirk to myself at that. Now that I've seen them both, there is actually another thing I remember about Atsui and Tsumetai. While Atsui was always angry about something or rather, completely the opposite of his ever cheerful Guardian, Atsui was always a sucker for Tsumetai. He would basically go along with anything Tsumetai wanted.

"How are you even here anyway?" Atsui asks rudely. "Aren't you supposed to be dead?"

"Atsui-kun" Kurai admonishes, horrified by his question.

"I could ask you the same" I shoot back.

While we hadn't exactly hated each other, Atsui and I had never really gotten along. He was always getting mad and picking fights, mostly with me, because I was extremely stubborn. We had often butted heads.

It looks like nothing has changed. Which is both reassuring and annoying at the same time.

Glancing around the room again, I take in the faces of my fellow Minami and can't help feeling a little.....disappointed. I should be elated, crying with joy at this reunion with members of my Clan, which I thought had become extinct, aside from myself.

And yet, I don't feel anywhere near as happy as I thought I would be. It's so selfish of me, but ever since Saffire had said that there were more Minami on the island, I had hoped that maybe.....just maybe......my sister would be here.

And now that she's not, I can't help but feel a pit in my stomach. Is it wrong to feel that way? Probably. But I can't help it. I really can't.

"Ah, Ashley-chan" another voice suddenly greets from behind me. "I knew you were coming, yet I'm still late."

My heart immediately starts to beat faster as I instantly recognising that voice. A smile already finding its way onto my face, I whirl around to face another doorway. Standing almost as tall as the door frame, a man with long, white hair smiles at me, his eyes filled with warmth.

I feel my own eyes well with tears at the sight of him, before I charge forwards and tackle him in a hug.

 "Grandfather!" I exclaim, my voice muffled as I press my cheek against his chest. "Grandfather, I can't believe it!"

The older man, my Village's Chief, chuckles and places one hand on the top of my head, gently patting my hair. Upon his request, my sister and I had only ever addressed him as our Chief. In this unexpected situation however, I can't help myself.

"I couldn't believe it either" Chief Dashi says kindly. "When Arelle told me this morning, I thought perhaps she was sick. Yet here you are, standing right in front of us, alive and well."

"Y-Yes!" I confirm, stepping back from my Chief and looking up at him. "I'm very well. Wait.....Arelle knew I was coming?"

"She saw a vision of this moment only this morning" Chief Dashi explains, winking at all of us. "I had to keep it a secret from everyone else all morning."

"Aw man" Saffire drawls, throwing her head back. "You knew Chief? That sucks! I wanted it to be a surprise!"

"It's still a surprise for everyone else" the Chief reasons innocently.

"I feel betrayed Chief" Kurai says jokingly.

"Well, it's sure gonna be a big surprise for-"

"Shhhhhhh!" Saffire hisses, lunging at Atsui and slapping a hand over his mouth before he can protest. "Shut your big mouth Atsui!"

"......Uh...."

"D-Don't worry about it Ashley" Saffire laughs awkwardly, shoving Atsui away from her and rubbing the back of her neck. "It's nothing important eheheh....."

Saffire sweat drops as I stare at her dubiously, before Chief Dashi breaks the silence by turning back around and walking into the room he had just appeared from.

"I'll be back in just a moment" he says mysteriously. "I forgot something."

We all watch him leave, with Saffire heaving a sigh of relief. I'm suspicious as to why she started acting so weird just then, but something else has caught my attention.

"So, if Tamashi, Tai-chan and Arelle are all here" I wonder, turning to look at Shimei, "Then where's his Guardian?"

A sad looks crosses Shimei's face at my words and Kurai places one hand on his knee comfortingly, before looking to me.

"Shimei-kun and his Guardian got separated during the....well, you know" Kurai mumbles, not wanting to speak of the invasion. "Shimei-kun never saw him again."

"Oh........" I trail off, feeling awful for asking. "I'm really sorry....."

I can't even imagine how painful it would be to lose your Guardian. I don't think I could even continue to live if Ace died. There would be a void in my soul for the rest of my life if that happened.

"I can't believe I forgot to wake up these two sleepyheads" Chief Dashi says teasingly, as he walks back into the room. "They were up all night trying to locate food for us. Having to evade those soldiers has made it even more troublesome now too."

"Ugh, what's like, the big deal man?" a tired voice asks, just as a lean, grey Wolf stumbles into the room, looking half asleep. "I was totally in the middle of a super great dream..."

I swear the blood in my veins freezes at the sight of that Wolf. I recognise him instantly. I recognise his voice instantly. I remember every single thing about him.

I'm highly aware of the fact that everyone is now grinning at me, but all I can do is stare at the Wolf.

"Keilor...." I whisper, my voice so soft, it's almost inaudible.

The Wolf turns to look at me, one ear drooping as he slowly blinks a few times.

"Kiyu-chan?" he eventually asks, shaking his head. "What the heck man? Weren't you just behind me? Am I still like, stuck in my dream or somethin?"

"Behind y-" I cut myself off, my eyes growing round as another person steps out from the doorway and into my view.

I immediately feel that painful lump rise to my throat again, my eyes filling with tears. I can't feel my heart beating anymore and I feel as if I can't move. I can't speak. I can't breathe. I can't even blink. All I can do is stare at her.

Leaning one hand against the doorway and using the other to rub at her bleary eyes, a short girl with blonde hair, a girl almost a mirror image of me, stands behind a now very confused Keilor.

"Wha.....Kiyu-chan?" the Wolf asks, looking back and forth between us, perplexed. "How are you like, doing that? That's like, seriously amazing."

"Doing what Keilor?" the girl asks in a soft voice, something that makes my tears begin to fall.

As I sniff and raise one hand to cover my mouth, the girl finally notices me and looks over. Her brows furrow in confusion at the sight of me, before her expression slowly begins to fall into one of disbelief.

Her skin is as pale as mine, a gift from our Father, and her hair is just as blonde as mine, though hers is longer and more wild. Her face and her body shape are mirror images of my own. Her now wide eyes though, are a gorgeous onyx colour, another gift from my Father and perhaps the only natural difference in our appearances.

She's beautiful. And I can't believe she's standing right there.

"Kiyu....." I breathe, something that immediately causes my little sister to burst into tears.

This seems to break me out of my stupor and I rush forwards as she sobs loudly, wrapping my arms around my sister and hugging her tightly. I close my eyes, my own tears falling silently as I hold onto Kiyumi for dear life.

"A-A-Ashley!" Kiyumi bawls, hugging me back and curling her fingers into the back of my shirt "Ashley!"