Five days later...

The sky above Arata , slowly fell into a deep blue hue with a black horizon connecting it to the endless ocean. The streets gleamed with street lights and the city as lively as ever. The cold breeze pushing forward the sales of the battle ships that were gathering at the harbor. There was a strange coldness in the air that Manami  could clearly feel as she stood in the balcony of her room, staring at the long gone sun.

Manami's thoughts: Tomorrow's the day.... The winds talk to me.... a big fight they say....I'll be leading our military ships to that island in hopes of saving the missing sailors and fishermen.... And see what or who, exactly awaits us on that island..... I can't make a mistake...But...What if he's there? The one guy I never want to see again...... Satome....... Oh Gaara!...You should've been here right now....

.....................THE NEXT MORNING...................

Manami, in her formal royal warrior attire, walks through the streets with Yuki beside her and the soldiers marching behind. As they made their way to the ships, the citizens looked at them with great pride and admiration.

When they reached the harbor, Manami saw a little girl crying, trying to get on one of the ships, while her mother tried to hold her back with tears in her eyes too.

Girl: Let me go Mama! I wanna go to papa! He needs me!!!!!

Mother: Magumi! Pease stop this! You can't go there!

Manami walked up to the girl, earning her and her mother's attention.

Manami: What's the matter?

Magumi: I wanna go to papa!

Manami: Is he one of the soldiers? (asking the mother)

The mother shakes her head sadly.

Mother: No your majesty.... He is one of the sailors who are trapped in that island. It's been two weeks now.... (She tears up)

Manami puts a hand on her shoulder and looks at the child.

Manami: Stay here with your mom dear. We'll bring him back..... I.... promi..

Girl: Don't! Don't make false promises!!!

Saying this the girl runs away crying. Her mother apologizes and runs after her.

Manami just stands there, staring at the ground.

Manami's thoughts: Damn..... what have I been doing?!  Where was I? My home needed me..... I'm so stupid... I should've just stayed......

Yuki walks up to her.

Yuki: I heard leaf ninjas tend to be very stubborn and fierce. 

Manami's eyes widen and she quickly looks at yuki who is holding Manami's headband. 

Yuki: You forgot to take your greatest weapon with you.

Manami smile.

Manami: Right.... I forgot.... myself...

(So yeah, Manami has deeply connected with the leaf because it's a place she chose and wasn't forced to accept. Her own world. It gave her, her SELF.)

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

The ships get closer and closer to the island. Everyone was on high alert, waiting for any sort of a disaster that would try to stop them as it always happened. But nothing came and they reached the island. Everyone was surprised. Yuki and Manami were very worried and suspicious.

Manami: This is too easy.

Yuki: I know.... there should've been a storm or whirlpool here to stop us. There always is!

Manami: Proceed. But be on guard.

Yuki: Right! Proceed to drop the anchors! We're getting on the land!! Be on guard for the enemy!!

They all get on the land. Manami could feel the dark chakra in the air.

Manami: Do not start the search yet. I'll go in first.

Yuki nodded and ordered the soldiers to stay on hold. Manami slowly walked towards the deep forest. She could feel the darkness but no individual. "Was there no one here?"

She went back and addressed the soldiers.

Manami: Begin the search for the shrine. Inform me as soon as you find it!!!

The search began. In just an hour, a group of soldiers found it and informed Manami. Yuki and Manami got there.

Manami's thoughts: Something is wrong.... This is too easy.... where is the enemy?

She steps forward and puts her hand on the door of the shrine. She instantly senses thousands of people inside. She kicks the door open. Inside, there are all the missing people lying unconscious on the floor.

Manami: Get them all out of here!

Soldiers begin to move the victims to the ships where medics begin treating them.

Manami: Make sure everyone who was missing is here.

Yuki: Right! But... Where are you going?

Manami: I need to investigate.

Yuki: Be careful.

Manami nods and enters the shrine. She looks around for any clues but there is nothing. Then she finds the back door and walks out of the shrine through it. There, she sees someone standing by a far off tree.

Manami: S..Satome....

He turns around and begins to walk away. Manami runs after him.

Manami: Come back here! You're not running away!

She follows him deeper in the forest but then he disappears.

Manami: Where did he go?! Satome!!!! Show yourself!

Just then, someone back hugs her and she paralyzes. She could see his face from the corner of her eye as he rested his head on her shoulder. She wanted to scream but nothing came out.

Manami's thoughts: What the hell?! I need to move!! Get away from me!!!! Come on MOVE!!!!! AAAAAAA!!!!

Satome whispers in her ear: Missed me my love? I'm back.... I have a special gift for you.....

Satome comes in front of her. She's still paralyzed, trying to figure out what is about to happen. He holds her close and slowly places a kiss on her neck.

Manami's thoughts: No! get away! don't touch me!!! Stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!

Manami closes her eyes and when she opens them, she's lying in a bed on the ship. She immediately sits up as she breaths heavily, cold sweat on her forehead. Fear in her eyes.

Yuki walks in her cabin.

Yuki: Manami! Thank goodness!

Manami: H..How did I get here?...

Yuki: You were lying unconscious in the shrine. The medics say you fainted due to stress.

Manami: oh.... Where are we?

Yuki: Still on the island. We've brought all the victims. No one is missing.

Manami: I see. Please wait for my orders for the departure. 

Yuki: Okay.

Yuki leaves the cabin. Manami wraps her arms around her knees and buries her face in them.

Manami: It was.... all a dream? How and when did I faint?

She gets up and goes out. She walks up to the edge of the ship and stares at the island.

 Manami: What is this place? Why is it so...... black? Why do I feel like I lost something here?

Yuki sees Manami and walks up to her.

Yuki: So?

Manami: We didn't find Shinimi's coffin right?

Yuki: Not physically at least. But I could sense it in the ground. Do we dig it out?

Manami: It's best to leave it where it is right?

Yuki: Yeah. but I don't understand..... why is no one here?

Manami: Exactly my concern. You sure they searched the entire place?

Yuki: Yes. There is no sign of the enemy.

Manami: What do the victims say?

Yuki: None of them know how they got here. There is definitely something wrong.

Manami:  Indeed there is. But all we see are the trees and a rundown shrine. 

Yuki: So now what?

Manami: I will stay back with a group of soldiers. You take the victims with you.

Yuki: But...!

Manami: I know something is missing! We can't leave without knowing.

Yuki: Then I'll stay!

Manami: No. I need to see for myself. Please ......

Yuki: Manami...... and what about Gaara? He is waiting for you back in the leaf. You are supposed to leave tomorrow.

Manami: He'll understand.

Yuki: He will. But for how long? You have kept him waiting too long.

Manami: Please! Not now! 

Manami was just as surprised at her sudden outburst as Yuki.

Manami: O..Onee-chan I'm...

Yuki: I'll go tell the soldiers.

Yuki looked down sadly and left Manami alone. Manami sat on the wooden boxes on the deck looking at the floor.

Manami's thoughts: What has gotten into me?! Why am I like this?..... She's right.... He's waiting... a little too much. How much longer?...... God! Why is everything so hard?!

Just then, the underwater beds begin to shake vigorously as well as the entire island. Manami runs to the edge. 

Manami: An earthquake?! 

Yuki: EVERYONE! GET ON THE SHIPS NOW!!!!

Manami looks at Yuki who's standing beside her.

Manami: What's happening?!

Yuki: Can't you see! The island is going underwater!

Manami: What?! No way!

Manami looks back at the descending island in panic.

Yuki: Move the ships away from the island! Leave no one behind!

In just a few minutes, almost the entire island was underwater. Luckily everyone made it out and the ships were now slowly moving away from the island. Manami just stared at the island. Yuki tapped her shoulder and left to make sure that everyone was safe.

Manami's thoughts: They got rid of the evidences. They were definitely there.... and hiding something big.....

That's when Manami saw him. Standing on the almost gone island. He was smirking. Her eyes widened. She blinked and he was gone.

Manami: You are there..... aren't you...?

She said while narrowing her eyes and placing her hand on her neck.

Manami: I know you are.

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

Ok....... Hi!!!!! 

Please don't kill me for such a late update..... I'm sorry....... ( I_I )

Love, Mary.