By the time you and Shirou had returned to kage mountain the face off had begun.

Five of your ex-clan members and Himawari on one side and the entire hidden leaf shinobi guard on the other. This can only mean they won't be willing to let you or Shirou go without a fight.

"Holy shit." Shirou comments on the vast majority of ninja littered across the mountain and roof tops.

"Yeah...it's not going to be easy...." You reply, stopping on a roof top out of sight.

You tuck yourself behind a vent just like before to get a plan of action. Shirou follows you although clumsily and very slowly.

"Can you try to be a little more ninja-like? You're just the worst right now!"

He growls at himself.
"I'm really trying. It's hard using ninja skills when you see everything in twos..." He lifts his hand to examine it.

You slap it down and pull him behind the vent with you slamming him against it.

"I want to be as close to the portal as we can for the exchange. I don't want anyone interfering with it."

"You sure about helping them? I mean they did kidnap a little girl aaaand sealed her in a vex portal...." Shirou says, making a good point.

"I know...but...they used to help me out back in the day. When father was too harsh. I owe them."

Shirou hums to himself trying to remember those situations.
"I don't remember any of that. I was pretty sure it was just me who did all the helping."

That catches you off guard slightly. You replay what they had said and how detailed those stories were. It is hard to believe Akashi and the others didn't help you. No one else knew you were starving during most of your disciplines, no one else knew you couldn't swim..Aside from Shirou. All discipline was done behind closed doors. For if any other clan members found out your weaknesses they would use it to their advantage. Father knew that and he liked to see a challenge not exploitation of weakness.

"I'm pretty sure they did. They also knew I was set up back at the warehouse."

Shirou scowls very confused.
"Well I don't know...if you say so I guess."

"I do."  You Reply with tone.

"Ok then!"  He says back equally.

Peering around the corner you see an undetected pathway towards the same shrubbery you hid in the first time the portal opened.
You point to it.
"You see that bush over there?"

Shirou peers around the corner beside you squinting hard.
"I see many bushes over there."

You huff at him and point your finger at it again.
"There! It's right there!"

Shirou looks off to the left, focusing in on a tree.
"That's a tree, Neko." He says in monotone.

Growling you snatch his head in both hands then force his face towards the direction of the shrubs.

"Ohhhhhh thooooose bushes...." He replies.

"Yes dumb dumb. Those bushes. Are you going to be able to make it there? Or do I have to throw a leash on you and drag you?"

"Should have brought my leash..." He mumbles.

You then remember one of his booty calls sporting a collar and leash. Instantly you cringe at how tacky that is.
"There's something wrong with you..."

He looks at you with raised brows.
"We know this already. I'll be fine. Have faith in your intoxicated brother from another mother..."

That comment brings a small smile to your face.
"You're such an idiot....Alright... on the count of three we body flicker over there ok?"

"Uhhhh....you can do that?"

"Yes Shirou, I have learned to body flicker."

He blinks at you.
"And what does your Kekkei Genkai think about that?"

Your face goes noticeably red.
"She's fine with it ok?!"

His eyes widen.
"I'll put up a shield just in case you decide to get all explosive and stuff."

"You sound exactly like Kakashi!" You reply. He just said the exact words Kakashi said to you on your first training lesson. Jerk...

"He is my brother and all..."

You sigh defeated.
"Ok! On the count of three..."

"One"

Shirou gets into position.

"Two"

"Three!"

Both of you perform your jutsu in record speed however Kekkei Karen decides to mess with you both and takes your bodies far beyond your point of destination. You both appear in the air above the treeline fifty feet away from the portal and thankfully no one has even noticed. Even after you hit the trees and take out a substantial amount of branches and limbs, grunting and crying out in pain until you finally land on top of each other in a more swampy area of the forest.

He shoves you off himself and you both lie back in the mud trying to catch your breath. Huffing and puffing, feeling every hit you took from every branch.. you curse yourself so much. Your cohort is now sending you thoughts of how stupid you are...again...

"You're out of control.." Shirou states.

You slap a slimy mud covered hand to your forehead in frustration.
"I knoooow. It was much worse the last three times. Consider yourself lucky."

"I don't feel lucky....at all..." He grunts and removes himself from the suction cup of the mud formed around his body then stands shaking thick black chunks off his hands and arms.

"You going to just lie there?" He asks.

In all honesty that sounds a lot better than getting up and trying to live again.

"You know what, Shirou? I think I'm done...I really think I'm done this time...the gods can take me from here. Or leave me be all together, maybe I'll become one with the earth. Maybe the forest creatures will accept me as one of their own and I can live here for the rest of my life as a peaceful swamp creature."

Shirou begins to laugh hard, holding his sides.
"Yeah right. Although I don't doubt you can survive for long periods of time in the wilderness, I know you like your luxuries. Like showers, makeup, perfume, and what about all your cute little skirts and outfits? I would give you a month or two then you'd be crawling back to hidden leaf all filthy and wild for some pampering. Now get up!."

You blow out a breath. He's not entirely wrong. You do love to play dress up, and on shampoo days your hair shines like ribbons and is just as soft.

"You have a point." And reluctantly you reach out a hand to him. He grabs it then plucks you from the mud, examining the hot mess you are.
"Well, we will definitely be making an entrance like this."

At that you begin to laugh at how ridiculous this looks. You will bush wack your way through the forest and return to kage mountain from the opposite side of hidden leaf village covered head to toe in black mud and blood from various wounds. This will send Kakashi into a hysterical laughing fit or it will bring out his daddy tone. You just know it.

"Let's go sis." He says and wraps a muddy arm around your shoulders stabilizing his drunk self as he stumbles through the mud with you.

..............

Ten minutes later....

"So it wasn't really my fault. Those girls basically followed me home and forced me to..."

You stop him there and slap a hand over his mouth, before something you don't want to picture slips out..
"Hold it! What you do in the bedroom from what I saw is far beyond anyone's normal imagination. Especially mine. It's none of my business so you don't need to explain yourself."

You're not sure why Shirou feels the need to explain himself to you so much. Maybe it has to do with his feelings for you...who are you kidding it most definitely does.

"I know. I just don't want you to think less of me I guess." He replies while running a hand through his hair.

And now you feel bad for his shame. To save his own feelings you give him a small confidence boost.
"I don't think less of you at all. Those women were lucky to have had you."

He looks over to you as he ducks under a tree branch.
"You're just sayin that."

You shake your head and duck under the same branch.
"No, I know you're a catch. You have a lot to offer a woman. If you would just let go of your Jun game. You would probably have better luck keeping a girl."

You reply, putting emphasis on the words Jun and game.

"Jun game? You think I get my lady skills from him?" He asks very taken back by that assumption.

"Oh I know it is! You spent far too much time as his third wheel back in the day."

He ponders over that thought as he hops over a log and holds out his hand to help you. How chivalrous...

"See that? Holding out a hand to a lady. You need to do more of that. And maybe stop making sexualized comments like it's about that size ....if you were wondering.... Or....you're like the light to my shadow....."

He scoffs back at you.
"What the hell...I have never once said those things to a woman!" Then something clicks in his head and his jaw tightens. "Was Jun hitting on you?!"

"Oh yes...it was relentless. He also got gropy." As you say that you watch his expression turn dark and his fists clench.

"That fucker! I told him you were off limits!...He knew you weren't to be touched!...." He growls.

"Well he did...you should probably do something about it." You say, fueling him even further.

"Oh I will! Don't you worry!"

You snicker to yourself.. isn't this the karma Jun needs...

Finally the tree line begins to thin out and you can see the cliff edge in the distance.

"Looks like we're here. How should we present ourselves?" You ask.

Shirou blows out a long breath.
"I don't fucking know. Let's just do this. I'm tired and hungry and want a damn shower now."

"Truth be told...." You reply and walk forward through the treeline then out into the open cliff side.

Immediately the entire entourage of ninja stop their bickering and turn to look at you both. Your eyes catch Kakashi's wide ones and he doesn't hesitate to burst out laughing. You now wonder if his daddy tone will follow...

"What in the?"  Naruto asks without even finishing his question.

Everyone else stands shocked and silent watching you two approach completely filthy and disheveled.

Shirou stumbles to a stop examining everyone then sets a stern glare on your ex-clan members. His eyes instantly fall on the tallest half masked shinobi and he doesn't hesitate to tear him a new one.

Puffing and flexing he points a finger at him and marches forward.

"JUN! You son of a bitch!"

Jun raises his hands in surrender and begins to back away towards the portal.
"Uhhh...hey Buddy! Long time no see!"

As much as you want to see this go down, now is not the time. So you quickly snatch the back of his pants and stop him before he gets any further and remind him with a great amount of tone.

"Not right now Shirou! You'll have plenty of time to smack him around in a few minutes. We have an exchange to make!"

He growls back at you.
"Fine, let's get this over with."

You release his pants and step forward gathering everyone's attention again then slam your fist into your palm taking the lead.
"Alright! Everyone listen up. This is going to be a smooth transition. In no way is anyone to interfere with this exchange. Shirou and I have agreed to join these shinobi for the time being." You wave your hand over them. "In exchange for the child." Then you wave your other hand over Himawari.

Kakashi begins to protest this immediately and steps forward.
"That is not going to happen, Hana!"

"It is going to happen, Kakashi, and no one is to interfere or I will personally throw you off this cliff side. So whatever plans you all have, throw them over the side please. Shirou and I will take care of this."

Kakashi crosses his arms with a disapproving look on his face and the others don't look much different. It stirs some nerves inside you making you falter in your confidence.

Then Naruto steps in with fury in his eyes making you feel even smaller.
"You are NOT the kage here, Hana. Step aside and let us handle the situation, we don't need anymore problems!."

You can feel Shirou watching you, analyzing your attitude, just like he always has done. He must have noticed your nerves acting up for he whispers to you some motivation.
"Keep it up, don't let anyone take control. They know they don't have it so carry on with your plan. We are the targets therefore we control the situation."

And for the first time, Shirou has not stood up for a high ranking senior. He is in fact standing up for you. Boy does this feel good.

"I'm sorry Naruto. But we are the ones who have control here. So we will be handling the situation as we see fit." You turn your attention to Akashi and the others.

"We will enter the portal all together except for the girl. Once we have entered, the portal will close and you will release her seal. Do I make myself clear?"

Akashi nods and so do the others.

You look back at Naruto and his fellow ninja.
"What happens after that is our business and does not include Konoha in any way shape or form. If anyone decides to get curious and dimension jump I will send them back the way they came."

Despite your orders not many seem to listen and you are abruptly interrupted.
"Or we could hold these shinobi hostage instead. I'm sure we can get that seal off in no time." Shikamaru suggests while cracking his knuckles. His words seem to rile up the leaf ninja and everyone on their side begins to cheer.

"They're not listening well are they." Shirou whispers.

That just angers you. What are you chop liver?...again? It is time these ninja learn to respect you.

You walk over to Akashi and stand in front of him. You take two of his Kunai and flip them around in your hands then presume a fighting stance in their defense.
"Make one move and you will have to fight me. This exchange will happen. For the sake of that child! I give up my freedom for her, and so does Shirou." At this point Shirou saunters over to your side to stand by you.

Jun chuckles behind you, very pleased with your efforts and informs Naruto of another secret.
"If you're thinking about torturing us into getting your way, good luck. Our bodies don't feel pain like that anymore...we don't feel much of anything. You'd be wasting your time."

Now that is interesting and sad all at the same time. To think these men can only feel cursed pain and nothing else.

You look over at Kakashi who is doing that thing where he stands still like a scarecrow, watching you with emotionless eyes. If not for the slump in his shoulders and the glistening corners of those eyes you would have no idea if any of this is affecting him or not.

Shirou begins to speak, backing you up further.
"If anyone moves, Neko will stop you. So please keep your distance." At that he turns around to meet Akashi and the others then nods and proceeds to the portal opening with no one saying a damn thing.

Looks like you have hidden leaf at checkmate and no one is protesting about it. Not even Kakashi.

Akashi checks his tablet on his wrist.
"Time to go."

You lower your Kunai and back towards the portal keeping your eyes on Kakashi. It was then you noticed the heaving in his chest, and a flash of fear and panic in his eyes. He is terrified, and only now do you see the shake in his hands.

In your mind you apologize for making him feel like this. But you won't be gone long and once you return, you will have gained respect from hidden leaf village and more knowledge over your stone.

As you back up towards the portal Akashi positions Himawari in a safe place between the two clans. He forces her to her knees and gives her final instructions.
"Stay here and don't move." He says. Then he walks towards the portal with Jun and the others following and together everyone slips into the portal leaving hidden leaf behind once again.

Just as the portal closes you hear Kakashi call your name making your heart ache. You turn back to see him running as fast as he can towards you but he is too late. The portal closes before he can even reach it.

Once again your eyes focus on the vast desolate scenery of the land of wind. You cuss loudly at it, hating this so much. But are suddenly pulled out of thought by a fight.
"Did you release the seal?" Shirou asks as he holds Akashi up above him by his shirt with sparks of red dusty stone energy and chakra fill the air.

"Y-yes...it's been removed! I swear!"

Shirou throws him to the ground cursing his name.
"Fuck you assholes! Who the hell do you think you are!"

Akashi slides to a stop on his ass and pulls his mask down to reveal his cursed self.
"We are your clan members...." He grunts.

Shirou looks around at them taking in their decrepit appearances and focuses on Jun.
"You fucking creep!"

Here we go again....

"I told you years ago she was off limits! The minute you get her alone you're all over her like a fly on honey!" He storms over to him fists blazing with rage.

"I'm sorry bro, I couldn't help myself. I mean look at her! Even covered in mud....she's just.... so damn hot..."

Shirou pauses a minute to look back at you and your face heats up at all the ogling going on right now.

"You have a point...However! If you touch her again I'll cut your arms off!"

Jun nods vigorously.
"I won't even go near her, you have my word."

It was sort of sweet seeing your brother stand up for you like this. He is a true gentleman under all of that trashy behavior...he is more like Kakashi than you ever knew....

"Alright, we have a curse to cure don't we?"

Akashi approaches him, removing his mask at the same time.

"The sooner we do this the sooner you get back to Konoha." He then removes his vest and shirt, dropping them to the dusty ground.

"What happened to you two anyways?" Jun asks as he removes his shirt as well.

"We had a jutsu issue, that's all." Shirou replies in a don't ask me any more questions tone.

The shinobi glance at you confused but thankfully no one asks any more questions. It wouldn't be wise to tell these ninja that you're hopeless at jutsu and have an explosive bodily disorder.

"So are we all removing our shirts now? Neko won't be participating in that." He says and stands beside you very defensive.

Something is up with him. You're not sure what he is sensing but he is being extra cautious and extra defensive right now. You can feel his cohort instincts kicking in as he triggers a constant pull of energy from his stone. Maybe you should be more on edge. Maybe there is something you can't see that they are plotting. Maybe they aren't telling the truth...Paranoia fills your mind of different possibilities and you can't seem to find a resolve.

You probably should have read more from the book. It may disclose something you're missing here. But time isn't in your favor right now....damn...

"Neko?" Akashi calls you. Your eyes flick over to him. "The book."

"Right." You scramble to find it tucked into your shirt and pluck it from your breasts half expecting Jun to say something about it. But he doesn't, it is very real right now, no jokes or casual talk. Which means everyone is picking up on Shirou's edginess and preparing themselves for this curse extraction.

You begin to read the instructions below the seals you read earlier...

"We need to form a circle around the first body that was infected."

You search the desert floor for a nice level spot and point to it. "Here."

Akashi nods and takes his seat cross legged getting into position.

"This is sort of like a seance. Five seals will be placed on each cursed body following the chakras. You will start with the seal of Yokai."

"Yokai? Like as in the demon?" Shirou asks. His expression growing more and more suspicious.

You shrug.
"I guess so? This is what father had written to remove the curse and or stone."

"Let me see that!"
Shirou grabs the book from you skimming through the pages. After several moments he hands the book back to you.
"I can't read this shit."

You roll your eyes.
"We already knew that! Let's just give it a shot. If it all fails then we kill them." You say half jokingly.

Each shinobi begins to protest.
"It won't fail!" Akashi replies. "I have trust in you both. We just need you to place the seals Shirou."

Shirou glances at him skeptically.
"What makes you think I know how to do that?"

Akashi scoffs at him.
"Of course you do! You have an affinity for it, do you not?"

Shirou scowls.
"You seem to know a lot about me. More than a blood fang should know about another clan member. Why is that?"

And Akashi makes a good point.
"We need to know how to remove the curse. This is all relevant to that cause is it not?"

Shirou huffs and pauses for a moment to think. He is definitely sensing something isn't right.

"Has this ever been performed before?" He asks.

The shinobi shrug in unison.
"We have no idea as the elements needed for extraction have never been available until now. If temujin was successful I don't believe it is written anywhere."

That seems a little irrational for father not to test this out first before writing it down. How else would he know? Unless he was going based on assumptions....

You carry on ignoring the paranoia as you just want to get this over with.
"The next four seals are

Akuma

Tengu

Obake

And Yama..." ok this does sound a little on the satanic side....

Shirou tugs on your sleeve and whispers his concerns into your ear.
"I don't like this. Those are all demons. What if this book you have is some type of fake? Father wasn't into all of that demon shit was he? He had always said to stay in the higher vibrations. This is negative chakra use. Dark jutsu is not something to toy with."

Jutsu? Who ever said it was Jutsu?...maybe this is what he is sending...And he is right...completely. Something is strange about all of this. But what can be done about it now?

By now all cursed shinobi are in position waiting for you to finish your instructions.

"Is There a problem?" Akashi asks.

You glance up from the book.
"Slightly....give us a minute to discuss this."

And suddenly Jun's behavior grows dark, his eyes dim further and his voice drops several octaves sounding more inhumane.
"We don't have time for a review. Carry on with the process!"

"Give us one minute, we want to make sure this isn't going to send us all to the underworld!" Shirou snaps back.

Each shinobi shares suspicious glances towards each other but nod in agreement.

Shirou hooks a heavy arm around your shoulder and guides you further away from the group for a more private conversation.

"Are you sure this is fathers writing?"

You blink dumbfounded at that thought. Instantly you begin to analyze the writing. It looks the same as it always has been until you get to the seals. That is where you notice a change in the ink pressure. There is more of a curve to the symbols and something embedded into the seals....you trigger your cohorts eyes to see heat signatures and sure enough these seals have chakra infused into them.

"Father didn't write this. I mean the previous chapters he had written but anything from the start of these seals is not him. There is dark chakra in these pages." You whisper.

Shirou lifts his chin, clenching his teeth. 
"Isn't it strange how the other two shinobi here never talk? They haven't even removed their masks. I don't think they are human anymore. The only three who seem somewhat normal are Akashi, Jun, and Tarot. Although I don't really recognize Tarot at all. And you know what? I bet they haven't released the little girl either..."

Your eyes widen at the realization. You've been set up once again by your ex-clan and doesn't that boil your blood.

"Let's kill them." You hiss.

"I think that's a very good idea, if we don't they will come for us and who knows who will be stuck in the crossfire next time."

"Are you finished yet? The sun is setting, it would be much more difficult to do this in the dark." Akashi says impatiently.

Shirou holds up a finger indicating you need one more minute.
"We need to get them at their own game. I've studied seals for a long time now. This ceremony is exactly the same as a summoning ceremony. They are trying to summon these demons most likely into themselves.... But it can be reversed. Flip the seals and they should be sent to the dimension those demons come from."

You suck in a deep breath as you know this could backfire on your both and there is a possibility you will get sucked in too.
"We will need a way out once the summoning circle has been established." You reply.

"You're right, I haven't even thought about that yet. What about activating the beacons? You said you did it once already."

You nod.
"Yeah but it needs someone pressing each trigger button of each beacon all at once. It also needs Himawari."

He looks up at the sky for a moment thinking hard.
"My snakes can do it, they can help activate the beacons. Himawari is definitely still under the vex seal..I can sense it...that is our escape."

And a sense of relief washes over you both.
"Perfect."

You snap the book shut as you have already memorized each seal and their placement. Shirou just needs to reverse the order. And you both join your enemy clan members.

Akashi sits centered in the middle with the rest surrounding him in a perfect circle. Each eye you up suspiciously.

"Ready?" Jun asks.

"We are ready. Shirou will now place the seals. Thank you for being so patient. It took some time to memorize them." You lie.

That lie seems to place smiles on their faces except for the mute shinobi who sit emotionless staring at you.

You watch as Shirou does his work, marveling at his talent and what he has learned over the years. His skillset outdoes yours in so many ways. He is so diverse, and has mastered so much. It is hard to believe Kakashi can outdo him in a fight...then again Kakashi is the smartest man you have ever met. You are actually surprised he hasn't found a way to interfere with this whole endeavor by now..or maybe he has.

As Shirou continues placing the seals you begin to carry out your escape plan in your head. Analyzing the pros and cons, predicting different possibilities just like Kakashi has taught you.

—