Well, I only recently remembered I had more of this to update.  I wasn't going to because I wasn't sure I could write more of CS, but I figured I should go ahead and try in case I get my Naruto fanficiton mojo back.  And disclaimer, the series belongs to Kishimoto.  Not me.  As much as I wish.

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"Zenjin?"  Ino allowed the name the roll of her tongue, testing it as it left her lips.  She had never heard of it before, but it had definitely received a reaction from Ryu.  Even if she suspected he was waiting to hear the name, he became rigid once it was out.  "Is that a Wind country clan?" she asked, though still unsure why that would cause such a sudden change in the atmosphere.

Ryu slowly shook his head.  He bit the inside of his lip, wondering if he should have asked his question so openly.  Ino was right beside him, listening to every word that was   said.  A quick mental war broke loose within Ryu's mind.  It was just a surname, and that couldn't do any harm.  It just wasn't something he commonly gave out.  Neither was his homeland, but that couldn't hurt either.  "Zenjin is my true clan name, and it comes from the Lightning country," he explained.

Without meaning to, he began to remember his home country.  He unintentionally avoided saying it whenever he could, so it felt somewhat nostalgic to speak it again.  Images of soaring mountains, twisting rivers, foggy valleys, monstrous thunder storms, and occasional plains flashed through Ryu's mind.

While he was lost in thought, Ino had been studying him.  "So, you're from the Land of Lightning?"  There were many unknowns when it came to Ryu.  One of those included where he came from.  All anyone Ino knew was he was a kid the Hokage took under his wing.  Where he came from and who he really was had been a question of many during his first year, though it had mostly faded afterwards.  It was still a treat to find out anything about her mysterious team-mate, though.  Then it registered what that meant about Raido, and possibly his team.  "That would mean you're from the Lightning, too," she summarized as her focus turned to him.  "But then why did you say you're from the Sand Village?"

Raido sent Ryu a questioning look.  Ino barely caught it, but Ryu gave a small shake of his head.  Whatever the unspoken question was, Raido got his answer.  The man sighed before addressing her question.  "It was just a simple change.  I had already adopted Kaine and Hime-" for Ryu's benefit, Raido gestured toward the dark skinned boy and pink-clad girl- "and then I moved to the Sand Village.  The reason is personal, so I hope you don't mind if I keep that to myself."

It was a lie, and Ryu was in on what the truth was.  Ino glanced between both Zenjins.  Something told her no amount of prying would get the real answer.  "Is your reason for leaving personal, too, Ryu?"  She couldn't keep the suspicion out of her voice, and Ryu's guilty expression confirmed he was keeping something from her that he didn't plan on saying.

"Yeah, it was personal," he replied as he averted his gaze.  It must have dawned on him only three names were mentioned because he looked at the other boy on Raido's squad.  "So are you from the Sand Village?" Ryu asked.

He definitely didn't look like he was from the Lightning country.  Then again, Ryu didn't think those in the Sand Village had such vibrant green hair either.  His eyebrows were strangely a brown color, mismatching with his bangs.  "That's right," the boy replied.  "I'm from the Sand Village.  My name is Taiki.  It's nice to meet you."

Taiki grinned, and Ryu smiled in return.  Before long his eyes returned to Raido.  He still could not believe the twist of fate.  He had expected his jump off the waterfall to lead to his death at most, not a blast from his past.  Raido even looked familiar, but he could not place where he had seen him before.  Questions begged to be let free.  Ryu kept them under control, more aware of Ino's presence than he had been when he asked for Raido's clan name.  Did any of his squad members know?  His eyes slid over them, pausing on Kaine, who eyed him intently.

"So you're both from the Lightning country as well?"

"Yep.  I'm Hime Enjin," Hime greeted.

A small smirk pulled on Kaine's lips.  "And I'm Kaine Zenjin."

Ryu nearly gawked.  Not just one, but two Zenjins sat before him.  He rubbed his eyes.  Could this just be a dream?  Would he wake up from it to find he was back at the Komichi's home?  Or, worse, within Daichi's clutches?  "I cannot believe this is happening," he said.  The thoughts had just slipped out, but it was true.  Their first mission outside the village had suddenly made many sudden twists.  I wonder if Naruto would mind switching me places right about now.  I'm sure he'd find this fun.

"It is hard to take in," Raido admitted.  "It almost seems as if we were supposed to meet."

"There must be something helping you out.  After all, no normal person could survive such a fall."  The truthful statement brought all eyes to Taiki.  For the first time, Ryu noticed a small metal device in his hands.  Although unsure of what it was, Taiki was obviously fiddling with it.  His hands moved with an ease that gave away how often he tinkered with things.  Almost a second later a small screw driver was in his hand.  "Unless, of course, there was an outside source that saved you.  If it was what people call fate, then something may have happened to suddenly slow your fall, or there was something else to break your fall into the water."  The young boy appeared completely oblivious to the attention he had caught.  "Of course, even then fate would have had to do something.  It wouldn't make sense for your body to just stay intact.  Maybe a giant fish swam past at the same time and slowed your fall.  Or perhaps-"

Ino's eyes widened, though it was doubtful the cause was the continued talk of fate.  "He's right."  She considered Ryu curiously while Taiki's chatter drew to an end as he noticed the topic had just been snatched from him.  "There was something that slowed us down.  It was some strange type of energy," she explained.  "It suddenly surrounded us and nearly stopped the fall a little above the water, but I don't know where it came from."

The entire time she spoke, Ryu felt Raido's eyes drilling into him.  He knew exactly what had happened.  Biting his lip, he began to play nervously with his ring.  Ryu could remember the fearful respect from before all too well.  With the reminder of what he was able to do, would Raido begin acting like most from his village had then?

"It was his chakra, wasn't it?"  Raido voice was bordering a whisper it was so soft.  He knew the delicate territory he was treading into.

Something about what he said caught Ryu's interest.  "His chakra?"  He lifted his head so he was staring into pale eyes similar to his own.  "How do you know it's male?"  Even if Ryu knew that its appearance was that of a teenage boy, he had never been sure if that was its actual gender.

Raido replied, "I'm not sure if that is what it actually is, but it has always taken the form of a male when humanoid."  When he saw no recognition in Ryu's eyes, the elder Zenjin raised an eyebrow.  "Wait, you were never told who he is, were you?"

Ryu shrugged and glanced away.  Kaine and Hime appeared to know what Raido spoke of, but Taiki was just as confused as his own team-mate.  "I was just told some things like it gave me some powers and stuff."

Raido sighed, shaking his head.  "Of course," he said.  "Knowing your father, he wouldn't have told you anything about yourself.  Do you even know why you hold the spirit?"  Sympathy shone in his pale eyes as he leaned forward.  "Do you want me to tell you who he is?"

Ryu's eyes slid to Ino, sitting perfectly still, her eyes flickering between him and Raido, her pale jade eyes confused.  He couldn't blame her.  All she could do was pick up small pieces of what they were talking about.  Nobody would understand what Raido meant when he asked Ryu if he wanted to know who it really was.

His eyes dropped, fear making him not want to speak.  How could he tell Ino his secret?  He'd been running from it, from what was inside him, for years now.  He had seen how Sakura reacted.  Would she fear him just the same?  What about himself?  Did he want to know?  After all, after either of them heard, they couldn't forget it.

Ino, feeling his gaze, turned to look at him as well.  Her curiosity was obvious.  "You don't want me to hear what he has to say, do you?" she guessed.

Although his mouth opened and closed multiple times, no words came out.  Ryu gave a half hearted shrug.  How was he supposed to respond?  If she found out, she would fear him, right?  He looked at Raido, hoping he could give him some kind of answer.

"It's up to you," Raido replied.  He was doing an exceptional job at reading Ryu's unspoken questions.  "It just depends on if you trust her enough.  As for Taiki, I can guarantee he will be fine."

Once again he turned to face his team-mate.  Ryu's jaw locked as he looked guiltily away.  He hated keeping secrets, especially from his fellow squad members, but it scared him to think of her expression.  What did he do?  If he said he didn't want to tell her, she'd be hurt.  But if he did tell her, she'd be afraid of him.  Wouldn't she?

Ino spoke, but her voice was soft and somewhat sad.  "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Ryu.  Everyone has their secrets."  Guilt surfaced in her eyes, similar to before.  Was she keeping a secret, too?

"How about this?  Why not tell me tomorrow?" Raido suggested after a moment of silence.  "If you still want me to tell you then, I will.  It can be alone or around the others – it's up to you."  When Ryu hesitantly agreed to the idea, the jounin rose to his feet.  "After that, we'll figure out a way to save your friends and this Forest Village," he added.

Ryu had been getting up himself, but paused when he heard Raido.  "Wait – you want to help us save them?"  He wasn't sure why he was so surprised.  Just like him, they were ninja who were supposed to protect the innocent.  "But don't you have your own mission?  Otherwise you wouldn't be here."  Realizing how he sounded, Ryu quickly said, "Not that I don't want help or anything.  I'm just, well, surprised."

Hime giggled.  She leaned back, the fire lighting up her chocolate-colored skin.  "Of course we will.  The mission is important, but if we were dead set to complete it, we wouldn't have stopped to help you out," Hime remarked.

With a nervous laugh, Ryu scratched the back of his head.  "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Then it's settled," Raido concluded.  "My team and I will take turns with watch while you two get some rest.  It shouldn't start raining again, but just in case, you two can have the tent that is already put up.  It's a bit small, but you both can fit."

After thanking the man, and a few failed attempts of protest from Ryu, he and Ino slipped into the tent Ryu had slept in before.  Raido had been right – it was a tight fit.  If both were on their backs, their shoulders were against each other and the tent edges.  The fire still flickered outside, illuminating the inside with an orange glow.  Ryu could not help but stare at its dancing movement, trying to process everything that happened.

"Ryu, how did everything spiral so much?"

Her voice had given it away, but Ryu still felt his heart clench when he looked over and saw trails of tears running down her jaw.  "I don't know, Ino," he murmured.  Everything had spun out of control so quickly.  If anyone else had been sent on the same mission, would it have ended the same?  After all, Ryu had been the catalyst that caused Daichi to move.  If he hadn't been a part of Team 10, they probably would have gone through the mission without a hitch.

"Do you think we can save them?  Do you think Raido and the others will be enough to help us out?" Ino asked.

Although Ryu wanted nothing more than to assure her, he shrugged.  "I really don't know, Ino.  They may be able to.  After all, the bandits aren't all ninja."  It was the only comfort he could give her, and the two fell into silence.  Ryu, assuming Ino had fallen asleep, wiggled until he was comfortable.  He was just about to drift off when Ino spoke again.

"Are you going to have Raido tell you about, well, whatever, Ryu?"

At first he wanted to pretend he had fallen asleep, but in the end sighed and collected his thoughts.  "I don't know.  I'm kind of afraid to get my answer," he replied, refusing to look at her out of guilt.  Ryu suddenly realized he was fiddling with his ring again.  Out of habit he had reached over and began playing with it.  For the first time he wished he would let Ino know.  Then he wouldn't have to be alone if Raido told him.

Another period of quiet followed.  Ryu remained awake this time, figuring Ino was thinking.  He was proven right moments later.  "I know it probably won't help, but I can understand if you don't want me to know.  After all, I haven't told you everything, and you know it," Ino said.  "Every time you've asked me what was wrong, I brushed it off and said it was nothing."

With a bit of a jolt, Ryu realized he was acting the same way Ino had been recently.  He felt guiltier remembering how he'd felt when she shut him out.

"I'm not saying this because I want you to tell me, but I also realize after today how much it stinks being shut out.  Your thing seems way bigger, and I only lied about mine because I was trying to face it myself.  I guess I didn't trust you enough before to help or something, but now I feel like you deserve to know.  After all, it's part of the reason this is all happening.  My mom is dying," the Yamanaka explained.

His eyes widening, Ryu shot up into a sitting position.  Ino was looking at the flickering shadow cast by the fire as he had been before, distant from the world around her.  Pain was etched into her features, especially her eyes.  Even if she tried to hide in everywhere else, her eyes betrayed her.  "How?"  Ryu's voice had dropped to a mere whisper

Ino rolled her head so their gazes met, the tears glistening before trickling out.  "My mom smelled a flower she mistook for a Tsubaki.  It was something called a Doudan(*1), and its scent slowly kills a person in a month.  One of the few cures for it comes from the medicine the Forest Villagers were making."  Ino's words trailed off as she lost her will to speak.  The tears streamed freely down her cheeks.  When she finally regained her voice, she continued, "Because of this, Asuma-sensei tried even harder to find the herb, and he even went out farther where he'd be all alone.  That Daichi guy caught him in his genjutsu, and now we're in this predicament."

Slowly digesting this information, Ryu settled back on his earthy bed.  So Ino was being eaten by guilt, just like him.  Also just like him, she was blaming herself for Asuma's capture.  Even if he tried not to think of it, the little voice continued to sneak up on him, reminding him of his own part in his sensei's capture.  Suddenly he realized that little voice wasn't just a devil on his shoulder.  It was the voice – no, it was him, as Raido had told Ryu.

If only you had allowed me to remain free, I could have killed both Daichi and Shiro and this never would have happened.

Ryu quickly shook off the thought.  "I'm sorry, Ino."  He knew all too well what little affect those words had, but he had to comfort her in some way.

After the first tear escaped, more followed to the point Ino was silently sobbing.  "This isn't fair," she muttered.  "This is just too much."

It was just like when he was kidnapped with Sakura, putting pressure on two people too young to deserve it.  The thought also gave him an idea.  Just like the first night of their kidnapping, though now by his own act, Ryu grasped Ino's hand.  The simple contact must have brought some comfort, because Ino's sobs began to lessen.  Ryu's own fear ebbed a bit with the knowledge he wasn't alone.

"Don't worry, Ino.  I promise you, we'll save everyone and get the medicine for your mother."  He was not letting Ino go through the pain of losing someone she cared about, not if he could prevent it.  And with his promise, he began to believe they, along with Raido and his team, could actually do it.  They had to do it.

All he heard in response from Ino was a few sniffles.  Once she managed to suppress her tears, she murmured in a voice barely audible to Ryu, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Ryu whispered back, a weak smile on his face.  He waited to see if Ino would say anything else, but a few moments later a soft snore emitted from his team-mate.  She was asleep.  With a slight chuckle, Ryu's attention shifted to the upcoming day.

They would be attempting – no, they would be rescuing the rest of Team 10 and the Forest villagers.  Not only that, but Ryu would choose whether or not to find out about the voice that had plagued him his entire life.  Two major life altering events in one day.  Finding out about what was in him was obviously the smaller occurrence, but he was facing it alone, and that was what scared him most about it.  He couldn't risk Ino finding out, though.

Why not?  Do you not trust her?  She trusted you enough to trust her with the problems of her heart.

That hadn't been her reason for telling him, though.  It hadn't been an exchange for him to open up.  He knew that.  And he also knew of the relief it brought to share something with someone else.  Both Hiruzen and Asuma knew his secrets, and because of that it was easier to bear.  If Ryu let Ino know, was he just being weak?  No, he was being weak by being too afraid to trust Ino just because of how she may feel.  Did he have any right to place that burden of the truth he would carry on her, though?

Was that going to be his excuse to always hide the truth?  Would he always hide who he truly was from those he cared for?  After all, even if Asuma knew the truth, he only knew because he had asked Hiruzen.  Would Ryu have ever told him directly?  No, he knew that for a fact.  When was the last time he had truly told someone anything since Hiruzen?  A cold chill ran down his spine as a face passed through his mind.  Not since then.  Why?  What was stopping him?  Why couldn't he trust Ino enough to still be there knowing the truth?

Similar thoughts danced through his mind, leaving him in a fitful sleep.  Almost every time a dream did manage to form, it would either be Sakura's face after seeing his unleashed form or a mirror image of one on Ino's face.  The only time he received any relief was when he dreamt of his team around him, not in the clutches of Daichi, but together like they should be.

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Something hard dug into her back, and any attempts to move brought her into more uncomfortable positions.  Her wrists felt sore.  It felt as if something was cutting into the skin.  Not only that, but a cold surface circled her ankles.

Yuumai's eyes slowly blinked open.  At first everything around her was dark.  As her eyes adjusted, she realized the room she was in wasn't even a room.  It appeared to be a cave.  Lights circled the ceiling, brightening the area.  This gave her a clear view of the circular walls, only one opening provided to exit.  The cavern wasn't too large, but it was big enough to keep at least eight feet between her and the other two captives she saw.  Across from her was Chouji, chained like she figured she was.  Between them and across from the only exit was Shikamaru.  He was in a similar situation, except he appeared to be asleep.

"Yuumai, you okay?"

Hearing Chouji's voice, her gaze returned to him.  His wrists were red from struggling, and he had a few bruises, but overall he appeared okay.  If anything he seemed relieved to see Yuumai awake.

Remembering that she had been asked a question, Yuumai flexed her body.  She felt sore, but nothing was permanent.  "I'm fine, just hurting a bit," she replied.  "Where are we?"

"The Shira bandits captured us and took us to their hideout," Chouji explained.  "So far they haven't really bothered us since they questioned if we knew anything about where Ryu would have gone and when they brought you in."

A shiver crawled up Yuumai's spine as she recalled her previous experience with Senshi.  The emotions he had made her feel somehow of being completely alone still lingered on the edge of her mind.  Even if she was angry with Ryu and Ino for running away, they didn't deserve to go through that.

Oh well.  Their fault for running, she thought bitterly.

"Looks like you're all awake."

It was as if thinking of him had summoned him.  The chill returned, only this time it wasn't fading.  Her eyes slowly slid over to Shikamaru, thinking he had been asleep.  After all, it gave her a reason not to look at the Shira bandit.  Even if moments before it looked like he was asleep, his eyes were now open, focused on their enemy.

Next she looked at Chouji.  His eyes were narrowed, his dislike for Senshi obvious.  When he felt Yuumai's eyes on him, he looked at her and smiled reassuringly.  Her fear must have been showing.  After a moment he returned his gaze to the man.

Finally Yuumai made herself look in his direction.  He had taken a seat on the ground, leaning back against the wall.  As if sensing how she felt, Senshi smirked at her.  "Looks like I am very welcomed here," he observed as he examined the prisoners.  "Don't worry.  You'll be absolutely thrilled in a few minutes.  Daichi planned on talking to you all when you were all awake."

Senshi's announcement only increased the tension as everyone stared at the opening beside him.  According to Chouji, the Shira bandit leader had already questioned them, so why was he doing it again?  Was he hoping to find out something new now that Yuumai was here?  But he had already known where she was for quite a bit of time.  Or did he think that she may have rendezvoused with Ryu before they found her?  After all, they didn't seem to know where he had gone.  For all they knew, she had met him before they had sent Senshi to spy on her.

Silence fell over the group as both Senshi and Shikamaru appeared to doze off while Chouji looked dejectedly at his growling stomach.  Apparently the other two had grown used to being left to just hang around.

Yuumai, however, glowered at the shackles holding her to the wall.  Even if she knew it was no use and would only hurt her, she struggled against the metal.  As she knew it would, the metal bit into her skin, but it didn't stop her.  This is nothing, the girl told herself, trying to ignore the stabs of pain as she twisted and wiggled her arms.  With a large, annoyed huff, Yuumai's attempts faded as she reasoned she needed a break.

"You know, if you want out that bad, I could help you."

Senshi smiled wickedly as Yuumai focused on him, twirling a kunai around his finger.  It took her a moment to understand what he was implying.  Goosebumps traveled along her skin as she forced a glare in Senshi's direction.  It only earned her a laugh.

Even if she hated Senshi, she preferred him over the person who stepped into the cavern a moment later.  "Enjoying yourself, Senshi?" Daichi asked.

The lower ranked bandit shrugged as he rose to his feet.  "Gotta amuse myself somehow when there's nothing to do," he said.  "This just proved a good way."  He barely glanced in Yuumai's direction, and then a silver blur flew between them.  Yuumai's yelp mixed with Senshi's laugh as the kunai pierced the wall beside her arm, cutting the top of her arm.  It wasn't deep, but it scared her and stung.

"Hey!" Chouji yelled, once again pulling on the chains that bound him.  It ceased, though, when Daichi turned to him.  Instantly he dropped his gaze, too afraid to risk being caught by a genjutsu.  At least that was Yuumai's guess.  For all she knew he was just afraid.

"Trust me, boy.  He could have very easily pierced her arm, so you should be thankful he was being nice."  Daichi's tone was surprisingly light, but it also had an edge to it that cancelled out any friendliness he tried to fake.  As if speaking of her reminded him she was there, Daichi turned to face Yuumai.  "So nice of you to finally wake up and join us," he said.  "I would suggest that you cooperate with any question I ask.  After all, isn't a family member of yours also in our captivity?"

The color drained from Yuumai's face.  He had just threatened Aiko.  How dare he?  She felt her anger begin to show, her lips pulling down in a near snarl and her eyes narrowing.

Daichi simply chuckled.  "I'll take that as we have an understanding."  He met her eyes, and even if every part of her screamed that it was dangerous because of his Kekkei Genkai, she refused to back down and look away after he threatened her sister.  "Did you meet up with Ryu before you were captured?"

Her stubbornness got the better of her and she simply continued to glare.

With a sigh, Daichi glanced over at Senshi.  "I used to have a partner who was in the Yamanaka clan.  He had the ability to cause great mental pain to a person."  He jerked his chin toward Yuumai, and the other man nodded in understanding.  "If there's one thing he taught me, it was that mental torture works better than any type of physical torture."

Before Yuumai even had the chance to be confused, a strong surge of loneliness and hopelessness nearly suffocated her.  She gasped for air.  It didn't help in the slightest.  Her body began to tremble, and if not for the shackles, she would have fallen to her knees again.  Images of her dead brother and parents flashed through her mind like they had before, only now they were accompanied by a new face – Aiko as Yuumai believed she would be if Daichi decided so.  The fear for this fate for her sister nearly overwhelmed the other emotions.  "Stop," Yuumai whispered, unable to make it louder.  Tears began to blur her vision, the images blurring together, each a new stab to her heart.  Finally the scream ripped itself from her.  "Please, stop!"

The feelings began to fade as quickly as they had begun.  Yuumai gasped for air, still trembling from her emotional whirlwind.  Tears slid free, making small paths down her cheeks.  Hatred burned within her as she momentarily glared at Daichi.  Then her face fell, hatred toward herself for being weak beating her hatred for him.  "No, I never saw Ryu.  Nor did I want to," she grumbled.  "Not after he left us during the fight."

"That's not why he ran away!" Chouji instantly defended.  "Ryu only ran away so he could go and get someone to help save us."

The only female snorted.  "No way.  People are selfish and only look out for themselves.  If it'll help save them, they'll go for it.  Maybe you think Ryu was being nice, but he's just saving his own butt."

"Now she's a girl that certainly trusts others, but both of you are wrong."

Daichi's words silenced them both.  Everyone in the room except Senshi focused on him, varying degrees of confusion showing on their faces.  Daichi was only a man who had held Ryu captive while Shikamaru and Chouji were his team-mates.  Wouldn't they know better than him?  After all, they had spent more time with him than anyone else in the cave except Asuma.

Their perplexed expressions only received another smirk.  "Apparently you don't know your own friend very well.  Then again, you've never seen him in a bad situation."  Daichi seemed very amused holding information they didn't know.  "Back when he was originally taken, he gave himself up to try and distract us from that other girl we took with us.  He refused to eat or drink for days because he knew we'd drug the food and he wasn't going to leave that girl undefended after the first time he was doused.  Even when going through great mental torture, he wouldn't give up a bit of information on the Leaf.  Even as a ten year old he's played the hero."   He suddenly gestured toward Yuumai.  "You should at least have an idea on this.  Even against four grown men he rushed in to try and save her. 

"No, he will not run to get help. He will stay in the Shira Forest and come back the first chance he gets.  Ryu will try and play hero just like before and save you.  Only this time he doesn't stand a chance.  You will accompany me to the village and you will watch as I capture him without a hassle."

The three teens remained silent, drinking in what he had said.  Yuumai seemed the most stunned by the information.  At ten years old he had dealt with mental torture just to protect a girl and his village?  But why?  What would he gain?  What did it give him to keep her safe?  It didn't make sense.  Humans were selfish and cared only for what kept them safe.  She had seen this proven many times.

Was that why he ran in and saved me without knowing who I was?  Maybe Seizon was just a selfish human.  My parents could have even been doing it out of selfishness.  But how could saving me have been selfish?  Her thoughts only confused her more.

"Why don't you just put us under your genjutsu?" Shikamaru asked.  "After all, then you could ensure our cooperation just like our sensei."

Why would he be so stupid as to ask that?  Yuumai wanted to slam her fist into his head.  What if he hadn't thought about that?  But even as she mentally fumed, she noticed how he intently watched Daichi for his reaction.

He hesitated for a moment before answering.  "I will not need to.  I can just force you to do as I say.  Or, if you wish, I could show you what it is like to be killed by your own sensei."

Shikamaru's eyes narrowed slightly in thought.  "That is, if you can.  What, is Asuma so difficult to control you cannot take control of more than one person?"

"Of course not," Daichi sneered.  "I have such great control of him he wouldn't even recognize you right now.  Have you ever been asked to completely forget everything?  When my genjutsu is strong enough, I can make a person forget whatever I want them to.  With Ryu's refusal to listen, I've done just that to your precious sensei."

If anything, this only confused Shikamaru.  What was he thinking?  Where was he hoping this line of questioning would lead to?  Was he trying to convince Daichi to use his jutsu on them?

Daichi eyed Shikamaru, waiting for him to ask another question.  When he didn't, the man smirked and turned to Senshi.  "Stay and watch to make sure they don't plan anything.  Especially the black haired boy," Yuumai barely heard Daichi whisper to Senshi as she was the closest to them.  "Make sure to get some sleep, children," he said, raising his voice so everyone could hear.  "Tomorrow is sure to be fun."

With that, he left, leaving them with the dark haired bandit.  Like before Daichi arrived, Senshi sunk to the ground and acted as if he was asleep.  It was nearly impossible to tell he wasn't.

"Guys, do you really think Ryu will come tomorrow?" Chouji asked, looking between Shikamaru and Yuumai.

Once again Yuumai found herself denying the fact.  "No, he won't.  He has no reason to come back and risk his butt to save us.  He'll probably do the smart thing and go to the Leaf for some help."

Shikamaru chuckled, making Yuumai look at him.  His lazy eyes were focused on her, a small smile on his face.  "Did you not hear Daichi?" the Nara asked.  Shikamaru leaned his head back, gazing at the ceiling.  "He's already done it once, hasn't he?"

"Doesn't mean he will again," she muttered, toeing a rock on the ground.  No matter how much she wanted to believe he might, she refused to let herself.  After all, she'd already been hurt enough after Seizon and just the everyday darkness of humans.  She was done putting her belief in others.

Right?

_______________________

1- This is made up. Both the flower and the situation with her mom. Doudan means ditto.