We've come a long way and Amaterasu and I are so proud! It does make us feel sad to see this collaboration come to an end, BUT! Stay tuned for the end of this Epilogue for an awesome treat! Bwahahahaah!! We love all our readers and thank you very much for all the support you have given to the two of us! :D Now without further adieu!

It finally looked like the village would see to some well-deserved peace and quiet. Hosting a successful Chunin Exam—and dealing with a 'Desert Storm' and pack of wolves afterwards—had really taken it out of Konoha. A certain wolf man didn't appear so tired. In fact, one could mistake him as very oblivious and care free. He was sitting outside a quiet tea shop that also served sweets. Beside him, of her own free will for once—and not torn to shreds by puppy dog theatrics—was Kinu. She didn't appear quite as relaxed as her companion. She was in the same state as the rest of the village—utterly exhausted.

Akio chuckled from next to her. "Don't look so down. The day is far too nice to be in such a mood, don't you think?" He took another sip of his tea.

Kinu's cheeks puffed out slightly as she tried to swallow her dango in slight embarrassment. "I beg your pardon, Akio, but if you recall yesterday's events—plus the past couple of months," She added under her breath, "it has been very tiring! Sure I wasn't around during the exams, but I was reduced to a pack mule, then dragged into the middle of your affairs. You owe me by the way."

Akio frowned. "What? But we're already here enjoying a nice treat, aren't we?"

"Hmph!" Kinu had set down her drink and crossed her arms "I may be a pushover at times, but I am putting my foot down on this one. What I was forced to endure is going to take more than tea and dango."

"Dinner then?"

"For the rest of the week."

Akio sighed. "Why am I not surprised? Hisayo said something similar, though it was more to the effect of no jokes or teasing for the rest of the week."

"Akio!"

Kinu's brow quirked up and a wry smirk appeared on her face as she saw the Hokage making her way to them, calling out Akio's 'surname' now.

"Nakamura!"

"Looks like we aren't the only women with a bone to pick with you."

Akio had paled; looking for a way of escape. "Er, here's the money for the bill." The coins were still ringing on the surface of the bench as Akio fled the scene. "I'll meet you later for dinner then!"

Kinu giggled as Tsunade ran past, issuing threats and demanding Akio stop running like a whipped dog. She flinched back when the Fifth paused and turned her attention to her next.

"Don't think you are scot free," she threatened, "you're next as soon as I tether that wild wolf to a metal post."

***

"Can I have another doughnut now?" Hiro whined after Kuro who was in custody of the bag of goods.

"You already ate half of them," Kuro pointed out, "and we've only been traveling for half a day."

"But I didn't get any breakfast."

"You ate three rolls before we were even out the gates. We'll starve thanks to you. The last thing we need is you on a sugar rush."

Hiro dropped his head and sighed. "But I'm hungry."

"We'll stop soon," Taryn told him, "we can catch some fish in the creek." She was focusing on their surroundings. It had been some time since the Chuunin Exams, which meant the temporary truce between nations was over. She didn't want to run into any surprises.

Daro was completely blind for his friends' behavior. He was holding his new katana as if it was made of glass.

Taryn smirked at the sight. "It's not going to break you know," she said, "I made sure it was made extra sturdy so it could hold its own with your earth jutsu."

Daro glanced at her shyly. "I've just never had a gift like this."

Taryn grinned. "Don't get used to it."

He smiled back carefully.

Taryn leaned back and glanced at her two other students. "You two should think of what to give Daro when we get back home."

The two boys stopped their current argument and blinked at her. "We?"

"Yes," Taryn said, "Daro is your teammate too. When you get your promotions, you will receive gifts as well. It's tradition."

Kuro and Hiro looked at each other.

"I can offer you a doughnut," Hiro said. He glared at Kuro, "as soon as Kuro will let me have the bag."

"What kind of gift is a doughnut?!" Kuro said, "and you're not getting your hands on the bag. It will be empty before we reached the next stop."

Hiro shrugged. "It was worth the try."

Taryn rolled her eyes. It seemed they were still a troublesome lot. And now a new brat would be added to the bunch. "Just when I thought I'd finally get some peace and quiet," she muttered. But she smiled. She wouldn't trade them for the world.

"What's that?" Daro suddenly asked her.

Taryn looked up. A large bird flew overhead in the direction they were following. "It's a messenger bird," she said, "from Konoha. It's headed for Suna."

She frowned. They had only just left Konoha. If there was an important message, wouldn't Tsunade have warned her? "Hiro," she called.
The boy looked at her in surprise.
"Summon Kera," Taryn told her, "I want to know what this is about. Let her follow that bird for a few miles and report back. Perhaps she can gain some information."

Hiro nodded seriously and did as she had asked.

"Come," Taryn told them as soon as the bird was out of sight. "We'll follow after. Pick up your pace."

She jumped up in a nearby tree and went in pursuit of the birds. Kuro and Daro were on her heels.

Hiro let out a deep sigh. "I guess this means there won't be a lunch break any time soon?" He groaned when is stomach gave a loud grumble and hurried after his team. "Guys! Wait up!"

***

Meanwhile, still atop the Hokage Mountain, Hisayo smirked as she caught sight of her father running away from Tsunade. Perhaps seeing him struggling against the Fifth would appease the wrath she had still held over all the meddling Akio had done during the last few months.

"Oh, I'm surprised your still here." Kakashi's voice drew her out of her current entertainment. She was not pleased and was now reminded of something else that she had still meant to deal with—which had also caused her grief.

Kakashi flinched back and gave a nervous chuckle. "Hisayo, why are you looking at me like you want to maul me?"

"I still haven't forgotten all you've done wrong from before."

"Oh boy," Kakashi sighed. "Don't tell me this is going to be the part where I'm swatted over the nose with a newspaper and told "Bad dog"."

One of Hisayo's eyebrows twitched. "Hatake..."

"Right, right! Bad jokes stop here! I'm serious now! I'm sorry, so please forgive me?"

"Not for a long time."

Kakashi appeared genuinely crestfallen now as he went after Hisayo, who had proceeded to leave him behind. She had decided she had stayed long enough and needed to plot out different paths in order to avoid Tsunade on her way home; it wasn't lost on her that she was also on the older woman's 'hit list'.

"A date then! A real one!"

Hisayo paused in her tracks. She didn't dare turn to face Kakashi or he might see the hint of pink over her cheeks. "Are you joking?"

"Not about this."

"A date..."

"Yes, anywhere. Just please don't be mad."

Hisayo let out a sigh. "Let me make it through Tsunade's wrath first and...we'll see."

Kakashi visibly looked relieved. "Thank you Hisayo."

Hisayo smirked. "I said, we'll see. If I'm not mistaken, you're also on her list of 'Most Wanted'. You were involved after all. I'm hardier than you, so will be more likely to survive that woman's fury. You on the other hand..."

The double standard was killing Kakashi right now. He couldn't tease or joke, but she could? Even if she was being serious, he was still reminded of that scary fact. He cleared his throat and tried to sound calm and collected. His voice still managed to come off as a little nervous. "Mind if I walk you home? I know several safe routes."

"I'm sure you do." Hisayo turned around finally. She was calm now as a light smile shown on her face. "I...would like that. Thanks."

As the two descended the mountain in quiet happiness, a certain pair of Ookami were still busily working to avoid the wrath of their blonde Hokage.

***

Gaara narrowed his eyes at the approaching bird. From the looks of it, it was one of the hawks from Konoha. A frown was edged on his face. What had his sister been up to? He knew her students had been injured during the exams, so it made sense she would remain in Konoha for a longer period of time, but he would expect her back now.
He let out a sigh and made his way over to the bird watch where Kuro's father had duty. It would probably be best to get this over with as soon as possible. He had a hunch he wouldn't like what that message was going to say.

"Shiraki-san," he greeted the man as soon as he had entered.

"Kazekage-sama," the shinobi bowed respectfully, "a letter came from Konoha."

Gaara sighed. "I was afraid of that."

The man blinked. "You were expecting the bird, my lord?" He looked concerned, "is... has something happened...?" He was concerned for his son.

Gaara unrolled the message and started reading. His eye twitched and he let out a deep sigh.

"Trouble, my lord?" the bird keeper dared to ask.

Gaara gritted his teeth. "Oh there will be, as soon as my sister gets home." He folded the message and left the tower.
Sometimes he wondered if he had been completely sane when he assigned his sister a team. There were days when he wondered who was the biggest brat of the bunch.
He encountered his brother on his way back to his office. One look on Gaara's face told Kankuro all he needed to know. He grinned. "What did she do?"

Gaara glared at him. "Send her to my office the moment she arrives."

"That bad huh?"

The only answer he received was the door closing in his face. He chuckled to himself. "I have to hand it to her, she sure makes things interesting."

***

"Where would you like these?" Akio must have sighed for the thousandth time that day. He sure did look like a kicked pup, as he held up the latest stack of papers he had just finished organizing.

From her desk, with a proud and triumphant smirk on her face, Tsunade pointed to the other side of the room at a vacant shelf. "Right over there."

After Akio finished his task and began on the next shuffled stack, Tsunade shook her head. "No, that doesn't look right. I changed my mind," she then point to the other side of the room to a different set of selves. "I want them over there."

Defeated sigh, number one thousand and one...

"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Akio trudged past Kinu who was dusting the latest set of tall filing cabinets. She still sneezed from the dust, despite having a handkerchief tied over the lower part of her face.

"Ah, Kinu," Tsunade called. "Once you are done with those, I have more in the study room next door that need organizing and cleaning. And once you are done there, I want all these blinds in here also dusted. And the window cleaned up after that."

"Yes, My Lady." Kinu sighed.

"Lady Tsunade," Shizune rushed in and gave a formal bow. "The hawk sent to Suna has returned. The Kazekage returns his regards."

Tsunade's smirk seemed to grow even prouder than before. For the last three days, she had Akio and Kinu cleaning and organizing every room on every floor of the building—after she had succeeded in catching them. She had finally succeeded in tracking Hisayo and Kakashi down as well. They were currently paying back their dues at the apartment complex that had been damaged during the game of 'Capture the Flag'. They had been given the fun task of clearing the whole floor of water and replacing every single stitch of carpet and tile that had been damaged. She had sent more orders just this morning to have them also repaint the walls of that floor and replace every door too. Already she was thinking of more to tack onto what they owed.

On the other side of town, where all the light pole damage had taken place, Hisayo's students and Naruto were replacing the old poles with new ones, and replacing the light fixtures.

She gave a light huff. She had let those kids off easy since that's all they had to do.

"All that had been left was that Taryn." Tsunade finally gave her nod of approval at the news. "I'm sure Gaara will seek equal retribution as I have in these last few days."

"Poor girl," Akio muttered, "she'll be turned into a slave like the rest of us—doing harsh grunt work for life!"

Kinu rolled her eyes. "This has been all your fault. You have none to blame but yourself."

"But it had been Taryn's idea."

"And she'll suffer just as much, if not more than us. Now stop being so melodramatic. We only have one last floor after this one."

"But that will take another full day to deal with."

Tsunade's white pearly teeth shown in a predatory way. "That's right, you old wolf, and it won't get done any sooner with all your complaining. Now get back to work. You still have five more rooms to finish up with today."

"Yes ma'am." Akio gave one last dramatic sniffle.

It was so easy for the blonde woman to picture black wolf ears falling low in complete and utter defeat atop the man's head. She had to stifle a laugh at the imagery she had conjured up.

...

"Gyah! Hold still! Stop moving!" Naruto called out below. He was currently balancing on Ken's shoulders, who was also balancing on Akira's. Naruto tried once again to fit the light bulb into the lamp post.

Ken gritted his teeth. "Don't get upset with me. Akira's the one who's got ants in his pants."

"Not my fault you two are so heavy!" Akira called up as he gritted his teeth and tried his best to hold both boys up.

Suzume, though amused, found the sight to be quite stupid. "You three are so dumb," she said with a roll of her eyes after all three boys crashed to the ground. "Akira, you're an earth user. Make a set of stairs or something. Ken, use a barrier to stand on top of. Naruto...well, I guess you could make a human pyramid that's at least a little sturdier than whatever it was you three just did."

All three boys couldn't hide the blushes of embarrassment. They didn't think of any of those ideas before. Why didn't they in the first place? It was so obvious.

"Ehehe," Akira scratched at the back of his head. "I was about to do that."

"I don't think I can walk away from this with any dignity left," Ken grumbled. He was supposed to be the strategic one, so how could he have not thought of Suzume's idea sooner? It sure would have made him look like less of a dummy to the red-head. He might have even been able to impress her, but not anymore.

Suzume sighed. "Hurry up boys. Akira, you still need to sort out that giant hole since you're the only one with earth jutsu. While you're doing that, Ken's supposed to help that poor old lady repair her market stand. Naruto and I will fix up the locations with the broken windows."

All three boys' head dropped with heavy sighs. Today had already been long enough as it was.

The red-head rolled her eyes as they continued with their street light repairs. "Don't look so upset. We're all lucky Lady Tsunade is only making us deal with the smaller repairs. Akio-san and the others have to deal with far heavier grunt work."

The boys gave small nods, still looking down. Suzume let out a heavy sigh as she knew what she was about to start. "We'll all go out for lunch later, but only after we finish up."

"Alright!" Naruto pumped a fist into the air. "Ramen, ramen!"

Akira followed suit, gaining a new sense of energy. "I'll start on the next light!" He ran down the road.

Ken smirked as he rolled his eyes and took after his teammate. "Guess I better make sure he doesn't break anything while he's at it."

Suzume giggled as she helped Naruto finish repairing the street light in front of them. "Let's hurry Naruto. I doubt they'll get very far without arguing. They might need a referee to keep an eye on them.

***

"Don't talk to me right now."

Hisayo had been irritated enough by the orders issued out by Tsunade yesterday after she had finally caught her and Kakashi—in the middle of their date no less. Seriously, what was up with that? The world was plotting against the two shinobi. She had even started to enjoy the date and grew more comfortable and less awkward, when the blonde showed up. She suspected Tsunade had done that on purpose out of spite.

Now, with just the two of them alone to deal with the apartment complex, while Akio and Kinu were busy at the Hokage Mansion, she wasn't sure if she could get through the clean-up and restoration of the lower floor without accidentally snapping at the man in her anger.

It appeared too late for that however as her words did come off as snappy. Kakashi's shoulders slumped.

"Are you still upset about last night? It wasn't my fault. How was I supposed to know the Fifth would show up in the middle?"

Hisayo let out a sigh of guilt. "I'm not upset with you. This all stems back to Akio if you think about it. I just didn't want to accidentally snap at you if we did speak. I just want to get this over with as soon as possible. I demand a retry afterwards."

Kakashi couldn't help the cheeky grin from behind his mask. "Of course. We'll have as many 'retakes' as we need to before we get it right."

Hisayo turned away with a blush on her face as she continued to clean. "I'll hold you to your word, Hatake."

It was one of the few times that Kakashi wasn't afraid of hearing his surname spoken by the woman. It gave him an added boost of energy as he continued their task of returning the building back to its former glory before it had been accidentally flooded days prior.

***

"Aaaaahhhh finally home!" Hiro stretched and grinned at the sight of the entrance to the village. He hadn't realized he had missed it so much.

His friends were smiling too. They had loved their time away, but it was good to be home and see their family and friends again.

"Before you go home," Taryn reminded them, "we need to announce our return with Gaara."

The boys nodded meekly and followed their sensei into the village. One of the guards at the entrance jumped down at their approach and Taryn smiled when she recognized him. "Kankuro," she greeted her brother, "it's been a while. How are things in the village?"

Kankuro smirked at her. "I should ask how have things been with you in Konoha? Got into any trouble?"

Taryn blinked at him confused. "No, I don't think so. Why?" She eyed him suspiciously.

"Gaara received a messenger bird from the Hokage and he told me to send you to his office the second you arrived. So, if there's anything you're not telling me, remember I gave you fair warning." He grinned at her and then at her students.

Taryn shook her head. She frowned confused. Sure they had seen the hawk, but Kera had found nothing suspicious and had returned to Hiro shortly after being dispatched. "I guess we'll find out then," she said. She turned to her students. "Let's go."

***

Taryn knocked on the door to Gaara's office and entered. Her students followed closely behind her. "You wanted to see me?" she asked her brother.

Gaara turned around slowly, an unimpressed expression on his face. "Street lights," he said.

Taryn blinked at him confused. "Street... lights?"

"Including the light fixtures," Gaara continued. He unfolded the list for the fifth time and read it aloud. "Light bulbs. Fifteen to be exact. Flooding of a lower apartment complex. One rooftop. One giant hole at the East side of the village. Three windows. One market stall. Two trees." He narrowed his eyes at Taryn. "We are trying to strengthen the ties with Konoha, not break them apart any further."

Taryn crossed her arms. "I did improve the ties. It's called collaborating with another nation."

Gaara sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "And how exactly did this collaboration take place?"

"Just a friendly game," Taryn said innocently, "with friends. From another village."

Gaara crossed his arm expectantly.

Taryn's students eyed him warily. This was definitely not good.

"I don't remember the market stall," Taryn continued with a puzzled face, "the trees and windows wasn't me. I think Tsunade added to the list. A rooftop? Really?"

"And a flooding," Gaara said annoyed, "do you have any idea of the costs?"

Hiro gulped and tried to sneak out, but Daro grabbed his collar. "Oh no you don't."

"Let go of me," Hiro whispered nervously, "I'm gonna get in so much trouble."

"We're still a team," Daro reminded him. A sly smirk crept on his face. "And I outrank you now, so you have to do as I say."

"Can I see that letter?" Taryn reached for it, but Gaara folded it and put it in his pocket.

"No," he said, "but I'll tell you what you can do. You can pay off the debt by community service." His eyes moved to the three boys. "All of you. Consider it a collaboration with friends. Long distance."

"Oh man," Hiro whined.

Kuro and Daro looked equally unsatisfied. "I told you it would be a bad idea," Daro muttered.

Hiro glared at him. "You should have just let me sneak out when I had the chance."

Taryn glared at Gaara. "It was just a game."

Gaara sighed. "What am I to do with you, Taryn? You cause trouble anywhere you go." But there was a brotherly affection to his voice. He took another deep breath. "Tsunade can be a very demanding person. I need to stay on good terms with her. Don't worry, she's set your accomplices to work as well. Be glad community service is all she requires of me." He opened a drawer in his desk and took out a list.  "The bakery needs cleaning and one of the ovens is out of order. One of you will be assigned that task."

"I'll go!" Daro volunteered before anyone could say anything.

Hiro sniggered. "Yeah sure, because Casey is waiting for you." He made kissy faces towards his friend.

"Shut up!" Daro growled at him, "or perhaps I should write to Suzume how much you miss her?"

"Don't you dare!" Hiro warned.

"Hiro and Suzu sitting in a tree..."

"Gah!" Hiro dove at Daro and the two rolled over the floor in the Kazekage's office.

Kuro sweat-dropped. "Guys...."

A cloud of sand swept through the window and lifted both boys in the air. They gasped and the sand dropped them again. Both looked at the Kazekage and gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry."

"As I was saying," Gaara continued in a sharp tone, "there's also the bird watch. All the cages need thorough cleaning. There's also the archive which needs organizing." He pointed at Kuro and Hiro. "You two." He looked at Taryn.

"I'll supervise," Taryn smiled.

"You're not getting away that easily," Gaara said. He crossed his arms. "First I want a full report of the Chuunin Exams and your stay in Konoha. Next you can organize my office. And you will write an apology to Tsunade."

"I think she got away pretty easily if you ask me," Hiro whispered at his teammates. His friends nodded in agreement.

"Apologize for what?" Taryn said.

"About you destroying half the village," Gaara said pointedly, "and the reimbursement for the damage is coming out of your paycheck, so be prepared for a lot of missions."

Taryn rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine."

"Now dismissed," Gaara said and he pointed at the door. He knew he could have made it a lot worse for them, but truth to be told he could see the humor of it. And his sister looked happier than before her journey to Konoha.

The group turned to leave the office. "And Daro," Gaara said before they could depart.
The boy turned. "Congratulations with your promotion."

A smirk appeared on the boy's face and he nodded. "Thank you," he said and he closed the door.

It was good to be home.

End of book 1

---

And here is for our special surprise! A sneak peek of book 2 :) More suspense, more characters. more mayham. And most of all... More Taryn and Hisayo and their brats! Stay tuned for Clash 2: The Wolf and The Desertstorm. 

"Give her this message: Make sure your new friend stays out of the forest."

Daro stared at him confused. "What?" But the man kept his emotionless expression.

"Make sure she gets it."

...

"They...specifically asked for you."

That was when Akio's expression had begun to grow dark. "May I see that letter of request?"

Tsunade nodded as she picked up the file and handed it to Akio. "Should I be as concerned as I am about such a request? Not many people would know who you are or where exactly you live. The ones who do aren't...friendly."

Akio simply nodded as he opened the folder. His emerald orbs widened, immediately recognizing the style of the final marks at the bottom of the parchment. It wasn't the usual writing system or style, but he knew it like the back of his hand.

He looked up to Tsunade with narrowed eyes as he tossed the folder onto the desk. "I'll do it."

...

A sudden tinge of cold, quiet air hit her. Hisayo skid to a halt with chakra laced feet and took in her surroundings.  Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she realized that not a single sound was being made from any wildlife. Even the breeze seemed to become dead quiet as they had ceased.

She slowly began to relax, but kept a discreet guard up. She took a step forward, about to proceed again, when her sharp ears caught the whirling sound of shuriken.

...

"It's been a long time, man," Daro smirked at Akira, "how are things? Learned any good earth jutsu tricks?"

 "You bet I have!" The two earth users bumped fists as Akira chuckled. "Even made a few of my old tricks better."

Suzume gave Daro and Kuro hugs next, though they hadn't been as wild as her first with Hiro. "Wow, have you three gotten taller?"

Ken resisted a roll of his eyes, however he still managed to smile...since Suzume wasn't latched onto anyone anymore. He soon blinked curiously as he noticed a little girl had come out of the bakery and joined the three Suna boys. However, no one had seemed to notice, too swept up in the greetings of their friends. "Who's she?" He pointed with a slight turn of his head.

 She looked even younger than Daro and the others, with her small frame and big eyes. Even her hair was pulled up in two cute pigtails that only seemed to add to her child-like figure.

"Huh?" Hiro turned around and noticed Kumiko standing behind him, a bag from the bakery in her arms. "Oh, she's Kumiko. She's our new teammate... from when Daro got promoted."

...

"Hey! I do not sound like that!" Kotetsu defended himself after Izumo had done a mock impersonation of him.

Izumo chuckled.

All fun and games came to a sudden stop as both witnessed a familiar wolf drag past the gate before collapsing.

"Hey!" Kotetsu rushed from his seat and to the wolf's side. The animal was not looking well at all. It wheezed, bleeding more from the bite marks around its throat. Its hind legs were just as bad, appearing at though something had tried to cripple him. "Izumo, hurry and go get an Inuzuka!"

Izumo nodded and ran ahead while his partner began to apply pressure to the worst of the wounds around the wolf's neck.

He gritted his teeth as the roll of bandages he had applied were becoming soaked through.

"Hang in there..."

...

Taryn turned away from the door and started to inspect her holding cell. Four steps to reach each side. Not very big, but not that small either. No window. The only exit was the door and through the bars on the other side.

 She took a closer look at the adjoining room. It seemed to be another prison cell.

She was about to turn away when something caught her eye.

A body hung in bonds from the walls. The person appeared to be unconscious. Taryn squinted her eyes and gasped when she recognized the prisoner. "Hisayo?" she said.

...

Kakashi came to a sudden stop. And remained quiet.

"What's the matter?" Kinu asked.

"I'm...catching a second scent now. It's Taryn's..."

Kinu's eyes widened a fraction before she focused and sniffed the air. It had been quite a while since she had seen Taryn like the rest, but she still remembered the woman's scent. She soon found it.

...

Gaara looked at the group in his office with a serious expression. "I received a message from Tsunade, with the request to dispatch you immediately. You are to rendez-vous with Akio Nakamura, Kakashi Hatake and Kinu Ookami. It is to be treated as an A-rank mission. Further instructions will await you there." He didn't miss the looks of panic they exchanged.

...

"What kind of game do you think you're playing?" Satoru frowned with an intense glare. "Trying to gain my favor since your situation is not to your liking? Hm...but...I'll humor you I suppose, and listen. It might be interesting."

Taryn smiled. "Well, you are the one in charge here. It couldn't hurt to gain your favor."

"What the hell do you think you are doing?!" Hisayo barked out the rare curse. Her blood boiled at the implications of the conversation. "You think to turn traitor?! Simple as that?!"

...

Akira paused as he thought he heard a sound of heavy foot falls.

"What's up?" Hiro began to ask, but was quieted by Akira holding out an arm with his other hand holding a finger to his lips.

A snap sounded, loud enough to alert all three now.

Akira quickly turned to face the woods behind them where it had sounded. Placing Kumiko behind him and with Hiro, he crouched low with a kunai now drawn. It was too dark too see, but there was definitely something out there.

And it was headed their way.

...

He felt the chill in his body before he and the others heard a terribly eerie sound that was all too familiar. The electrical killing intent was stabbing. With a look of dread, he warily looked around, hunched low, on guard.

"What the heck was that?" Kuro asked.

Suzume swallowed with difficulty, looking ahead to Ken. "Was that who I thought it was?"

Kakashi's eyes narrowed.

...

"Haaaaaa!" Zenko opened his mouth and let out a blaze of molten flames so dark, they were almost black.

Manda's eyes widened at the sight as he spiraled back and narrowly dodged, feeling their heat.

"Manda, stay here and hold off the enemy summon. I have other important matters to deal with."

"What?!" Manda hissed loudly, glaring up at his summoner with sharp eyes. "You will do no such thing!"

Zenko laughed. "That is right you measly worm! I smell all your fear!"

"Snakes know no fear!" Manda roared, springing to attack with more ferocity than before.

...

 "Sensei!" Daro cried out.

...

Eyes wide, Ken gripped the wall, falling to his knees from the force of the newest of quakes rocking underground. Pain and fear, anger and hatred—all those emotions washed over into his senses causing him to flinch as he struggled back to his feet.

"Hisayo-sensei!"

...

Hiro froze as the man's eyes met his. 'What's going on? My body... it's like I'm paralyzed. I can't move.' A panic set in. He was going to die. He could only watch as the man approached.

"Hiro!" Suzume scrambled to her feet, ready to take extreme measures. She drew on a kunai, ready to slash her hand open.

...

"Earth style: Rock Stampede!" Daro wasn't going to waste any time using lesser jutsu. They had to end this quickly.

"Chidori!" Kakashi too had had enough. No one was going to get in his way again.

...

 "Taryn!" Kakashi narrowed his eyes, calculating and staying on guard. "Set her down and back away...Itachi." He ordered.

dun dun dun....

We're working hard to finish the sequel. Stay tuned :)