Alright, sweet! I'm not totally hated by everyone. That's good to see ^-^' 

AMV to the side~ I find it fitting with the whole village-under-attack thing going on right now, plus Thirty Seconds to Mars is a very good band ^.^  Also, some thing's will be changed around within this arc to better fit TPC, keep in mind this is but a fanfiction~

Let's see... What else? Hm..  Did you know my internet connection is terrible? I'm raging at it right now ._. Totally normal thing for a teenager on a Friday night... ;~; *sobs in corner*

Miyuto: Hello there! Ryu sent me to tell you we should be getting to the story now! Oh what a lovely home we're in right now, your's? Of course it is. My, my, how splendid this couch is! Would you mind if I sat down? 'Course not! Ohh, what is this- *rambles on about other things*

Me: ...Uh, Hana?

Hana: Yes?

Me: ...Who is that?

Hana: Ryu's grandfather. Akisha met him a few chapters ago, he's rather senile. 

Me: Ah... He's eating a couch cushion, Hana...

Hana: Yes, yes, he is.

Me: .....WELL, YOU ALL GO READ AS I SORT THIS OUT

***Akisha's POV***

I glanced around, more fires and screams breaking out within the village. "Keio, Tano," both looked at me, Keio ready to receive orders and Tano almost surprised to hear his name spoken. "I need you to go around, help villagers, put out some of the fires if you can."

Keio nodded. "Done and done. Cub, come along." Just before Keio jumped off with Tano, Ryu caught him by the scruff of his neck and slammed him down in front of him. A fierce look taking over the normal calm and kind gleam in his eyes. "Keio.. If anything- anything, should happen to my son-" Keio squirmed out from Ryu's grasp, his eyes narrowing where Ryu's touch had rumpled his fur. "Yes, you'll have my head on a stick or something. Got it. Now then, like I said before, come along." Keio jumped off with an awkward looking Tano, who probably was shocked to see his father act in such a way that had me backing up a foot or so.

Hana cleared her throat, making Ryu's eyes return back to normal. "Sorry about that." His voice was no longer dangerous either, proving he was no longer ready to tear off Keio's head at the thought of anything happening to Tano. "U-uh, it's fine." I said, suppressing the need to have a sweat drop drip off my head in nervous concern. "We should-" My sentence was cut off by a loud boom.

I leaned down, taking cover for the sharp wind that blew this way. As it ended I raised back up again, heading towards the area with Hana and Ryu. "The plan?" Hana shouted, finally her true feelings surfacing with the shakiness that had been in her voice. "Help Konoha's ninjas, attack anything else!" I yelled back, making her groan and mumble, "Such a brilliant idea... Can't wait to die.."

Ryu jumped down from the building he was on as did Hana and myself, one of the Akatsuki was surrounded by two other ninja. "I-It's impossible!" One the ninja, wearing a bandana claimed in fear. He moved back, evading a fire ball from the Akatsuki member. The other ninja looked up, spotting myself, Ryu and Hana. His face melted into relief. "Reinforcements!" At this the Akatsuki member turned around. He had orange hair combed back, a sturdy face, and looked to be bigger than most. His eyes were the most interesting feature other than the many piercings in his face. Ryu, having fire nature chakra, decided to not attack with his claws, but release a fire ball back at the Akatsuki member. The Akatsuki merely stood there, raising his arm Ryu's jutsu was enveloped by him. 

Ryu's ears flattened in alarm. "That-that was unexpected." Hana titled her head in question. "Where did the jutsu go?" The fellow members of Konoha jumped up, waving for attention. "That's what he does! He steals your-GAH!" The Akatsuki turned to the man, whether he spoke the name of the jutsu or not, I never heard, but several whips of fire coiled around the Konoha member. His teammate had frozen with fear, mouth open as he stared at the flames burning him.

"Wind style: Wind gale!" I preformed the hand signs and a moment later the wind gust blew out the flames. He collapsed, blood dripping from his burned wounds. I looked sharply to the frozen teammate. "You! Go, get him help." He snapped out of whatever thought had trapped him and rushed to get his friend help. The Akatsuki turned back to me, flinging out his hand and a crescent shape of sharp wind blew me way. 

I dodged, heading to the left along with Ryu as Hana raced to the right and tackled at the Akatsuki only to have him fling her back with what appeared to be a wind jutsu. Ryu propped an imaginary brow. "He can use two elements?" I nodded to him. "It appears so.. It's hard to accomplish, but possible." Hana raced back to us, luckily uninjured. The Akatsuki swung his arm, several winds coming this way and blocking around us, making dodging not an option.

"Wind style: Wind cutter!" After performing the handsigns, my jutsu countered his, causing it do no harm. "Run!" Came Ryu's voice, right after the wind jutsus came boulders of earth thrown at us. I moved with Hana, to the side. Ryu choose to go the opposite way of us, also dodging the attack, yet getting nipped slightly. "Three chakra natures!?" Hana breathed out, looking worried. "The Akatsuki have had immortals working with them, this shouldn't be too surprising." I murmured performing more handsigns and jumping to the Akatsuki, "Wind style: Hurricane fist!" Sharp wind gathered around my fist as I went to punch him, but he evaded too quickly, throwing back three giant balls of fire. 

Fear captivated me for the moment until Hana managed to get me out of the way. I patted her head, my eyes open wide. "Th-thanks, Hana.." She lifted her furry lips into a smile. "Not a problem, Akisha-sama." At the sound of a loud growl both of our heads turned to see Ryu latched onto the Akatsuki arm, biting down hard. Blood was dripping, yet his face still looked stern, not an ounce of pain to be seen. The Akatsuki member lifted his arm, but before any jutsu could be used, I sprung into action with Hana, throwing several senbon needles at him and continuing to send a kick towards his face. He ripped Ryu off of his arm, flinging the lion at me and causing us to collide, my kick never making it to the Akatsuki's face. "Oof!" "Ouu!" I moaned in the pain of the heavy lion weighing down on me. "Child, I am terribly sorry!" Ryu apologized hastily, getting off of me. "It's.. fine.." I wheezed out, then having to jump to the side, avoiding yet another blast of fire. I retaliated by doing another wind jutsu towards him, only to have it seemingly sucked in again like before.

"He doesn't like close up attacks. Absorbs jutsus. Doesn't seem to be bothered by pain." I spoke aloud to Hana and Ryu, marking up what was the known information. "So, how do we kill him?" Hana asked, trying to look determined despite her fearful eyes.

"Get him while he's absorbing a jutsu.." Ryu said lowly, almost a whisper. I went to respond when a mound of earth was flung towards me. I raced to the side, grabbing Hana with me. "Thank you!" "Not a proble-" I was cut short, a ball of fire hitting my side. "AH! SHIT!" I swore loudly, landing on my back.

"Akisha-sama!" Came Hana's worried cry, but after that the roars of Ryu drowned everything out. I got back up in a hurry, gripping my bleeding burnt side to see a boulder smashing Ryu to the side. "NO! WIND STYLE: WIND BLADE!" Jumping infront of Ryu, I preformed the jutsu and cut the boulder in half, the rest of the jutsu making it's way to the Akatsuki, and unsurprisingly being absorbed. Hana charged forth, digging her teeth into his shoulder blade, however she was knocked back. "I'm okay!" She yelled, letting me know it was okay to pay attention to Ryu, and looking down at him, I could see the blood dripping from splits and wounds covering his body.

"...I must say.. That hurt.." His voice somehow had hints of cheeriness. "Ryu.." I rested my hand to his head. "You're relieved, go home." Ryu shook his head, getting back to his feet. "No, no, I can still-" "That's an order. Go home." Ryu stopped, then dipped his head down. "Be safe, young one." With that, he poofed away. Not even having to look, I knew to dodge away, going back to where Hana had been waiting. Scratches were on her body here and there, other than that, she looked to be fine. "Hana, you remember the plan Ryu said?"

She looked doubtful. "Uh.. That was a plan?" 

Still having one hand rest upon the burns on my side, I nodded. "Best one we've got." 

Her round ears flattened. "Awesome.."

"I need you to use all the jutsus you know towards him, alright!?" I yelled, running to the side to position myself. Hana never responded, but took the Akatsuki's attention off of myself by blasting him with her own wind jutsus. He absorbed each one and used it back against her when during one of his own attacks, I flash stepped and few yards behind him. I preformed my handsigns and took in my breath of air, "FIRE STYLE: FIREBALL JUTSU!!" I breathed out the ball of flames, hitting him directly from behind. 

Hana appeared by my side, looking tired from all the chakra she had been using. "Is.. Is he dead?" She asked, the flames around him disappearing, revealing his body laying flat out and burnt to a crisp. I coughed, covering my nose at the stench. "Let's assume something like that.. Come on, other's need our help still.." I turned away, but stopped, clenching onto the wounds at my side. "Akisha-sama, perhaps you should rest while you can?" Hana voiced, at my side as if I'd need to lean on her.

My eyes wondered around, resting from each devastated spot to the next. "..I'll be okay, Hana. Let's go." "Wait! Look!" She stopped me and I followed her gaze back to where the Akatsuki had been laying, the spot completely empty of his body. A groan escaped my throat. "Are you kidding me?" Hana sighed. "He must have ran away for medical attention.." I shook my head. "I don't think so. He didn't even seem to react to pain-" Sharp screams cut me off, leaving a split feeling of annoyance to drift from being cut off so many times today, however it didn't last as I ran in the direction with Hana right by me. 

We were led to a house filled with flames dancing around and judging by the high screaming from the house, people were still trapped inside. "Hana, do you still have a lot of chakra left?" Hana looked to the house, back to me. "Akisha-sama, I don't know any strong enough jutsus to put out a whole house.." I raised a head to stop her from dragging on. "No, Hana, not for the house, just make sure it's not too powerful!" "Wha- AKISHA-SAMA! DON'T-" It was too late, I jumped forward into the house, bending my way low under beacons of fire and hopping over burning boards.

"HELLO!?" I called out, looking around. A mother grabbing onto her child called out, although her voice was drained by the crackles going off. Tears streamed down her face and down her child's, both clinging onto eachother. I made my over to them quickly, coughing as smoke forced itself down my throat into my lungs. "F-" I stopped to cough, but continued, "-Follow me!" The woman shook her head, shoving her son at me. The image of the boy sobbing without a mother burdened my mind, but I obeyed her, grabbing away the boy and rushing out of the house.

As the child and myself left the house; him against his will, screaming and flinging his arms about, cool wind hit us, coming from Hana. "Hold him." I ordered, setting down the sobbing boy, leaving Hana to yank him back by his ashy shirt. I raced back to the house, having to jump over more flames until I reached the woman, who was laying on her stomach, looking to be passed out from all the intake of smoke. I grabbed her quickly, slinging her over my right shoulder, feeling it'd go best that way incase my left arm were to catch any of the flames. Luckily, it never did and I made my way through the house, back to where Hana and the boy were. He was still crying heavily, and as I set down his mother, he clung to her like he'd never see her again. The woman still laid there, unmoving, causing a panic to rise within me. My hand raised to her wrist, checking a pulse. 

.....Ba-dum..... Ba-dum...... Ba-dum.... 

"Thank God.." I murmured, letting her hand drop back down lightly. She'd be fine after getting some more of the clean air in her lungs. Another loud crash caught attention from Hana and I. Our heads lifting up to see what appeared and of course what else would it be other than a huge dog like creature in the distance. A sweat drop finally took hold of my emotions and slung down from my forehead. "Why me?" I mumbled, Hana mumbling along, "I never even found my mate yet.. Gonna die before I even..." She kept mumbling til I sighed loudly, looking from the child and his mother who had awaken now. She caught my gaze, suddenly stumbling to her feet and bowing. "Thank you! Thank you! Th-UWH!" I stopped her from tripping over her own feet. "It's okay! You're welcome!"

Hearing footsteps move and the thought of the Akatsuki around I spun around, to only see two Konoha ninjas running; one appeared to be Iruka. "IRUKA! IRUKA-SENSEI" He stopped, turning around to see me. Iruka ran over, closer now for me to see the bruises and cuts gathered upon his body. The other ninja followed reluctantly. "Iruka-Sensei, I need a favor." Iruka chuckled, sending thoughts of the academy around my brain. "You haven't seen me in how long, and the first thing you ask for is a favor?" 

I rolled my eyes, "Iruka, save me the back talk, please." He propped an eyebrow at my tone, causing me to chuckle and raise my hands defensively. "Just kidding, Sensei! Although, I do need a favor," I pointed to the mother and child. "I need them somewhere safe?" My sentence coming out questionable. Iruka looked to his acquaintance, to the child, then back to myself before nodding. "I'll take care of it." I grinned. "Thanks Iruka, you know I have to say, you're looking young as ever."

Now Iruka rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah," He turned to them. "Ma'am, if you and your son could follow me?" She nodded hastily and followed Iruka and the other ninja off, hopefully safer than it was here. "How do you manage to keep so.. Casual?" Hana asked, almost scoffing. "I'm not sure.. This.. This is all happening so quickly.. We have to keep some heart, don't you think?" Hana's eyes drifting down to the ground, then back to me, a smile on her fuzzy lips. "Indeed, Akisha-sama. Before we move on, are you sure you don't want some medical attention?" She looked to my burns making me shake my head. "No, I'm fine, ready?" She didn't answer, but the answer was already clear as she ran ahead with me towards the dog in the distance.

We reached the animal, seeing clearly it was more monstrous than we thought. Three heads sprung from it's massive shoulders and it's eyes matched the Akatsuki I had seen earlier. We didn't get to observe for too long, both of us having to dodge to the side. "Oo! It's about time, Kitten. And other one." The so commonly smooth voice was damaged with the sharp notes of annoyance and heavy breaths. "Keio!? You look terrible!" My tune was shocked, and Keio had only lowered his ears, pulling back his lips in a hiss. "Er- Sorr-" I didn't finish my apology, dodging the giant swipe of the dog's paw instead. "Well, go on!" Keio yelled, his eyes narrowed at me still. "Are you serious right now!?" I was nearly screaming and doing a jutsu towards the dog was the only thing stopping me from going on to scream at Keio. 

The wind sliced the dog's foot, letting a loud howl rip out into the air. Hana sent a jutsu at it, making it turn it's paw from me to her. Hana slipped away before any damage could be done to herself. "I am being serious, but it seems we shall have that talk later." Keio flicked his tail at me, then concentrating on the dog, several mounts of earth flung into the beast's eyes. Keio smirked happily as the dog howled and blindly ran into a building. 

A realization dawned down to me. "Keio! Where's Tano!?" Keio's smirk vanished, the echo of serious to his face. "I sent him home. Took effort, but after we ran into this delightful fellow animal, I thought it'd be best to send the cub on his way." I patted Keio's head, almost causing him to hiss again. "Good thinking." Keio frowned where my head ruffled his already singed fur. "Kitten, why do you hurt me like that?" I shrugged. "Forms of payback for all your perverted-ness?" 

"DON'T MIND ME!!" Hana yelled, running around the dog, erupting frustrated growls as she was too fast for the beast to capture. "Hana!" The cry surprisingly came from Keio. As Hana looked back, one the dog's heads caught up to her and snapped down. Keio lounged over, inhaling and spewing out a barrier of protective mud. I took the time to grab Hana away when the strong teeth of the dog broke through. Keio jumped with me, all of us standing together to the side, huffing and panting. "What jutsu was that?" I asked. "Earth Style: Mud wall.. Impressive, no?" "Very." "Mhm." Hana and I both responding positively to the life saving jutsu. "I'm starting to run low on chakra.." I murmured, feeling like I should have taken Hana's advice when the dog's minds put together where we were, and it turned to us, roaring loudly. "Move!" Keio's voice reached me, but as he and Hana jumped off again, my legs glued to the ground. I looked up, seeing the sharp teeth before squeezing my eyes shut in fear. 

The impact came.. But, not strong as I thought it would be.. Infact.. My thought trailed off as I opened my eyes, seeing that I had been moved by a strong-looking female panther. A cockiness was in her aged looks, enhancing the strong feeling drifting from her. "It's been long, eh, Miyuto?" Miyuto, who I recognized as Ryu's grandfather, started to giggle by her side. "Hehehe!! It's been quite long indeed, Sarika! O! The human realm! O! The wonderfu-"

"Miyuto, you're still annoying after all this time."

"And you're still cruel Hiroh!" Miyuto spoke, still happily even though he had been insulted.

Hana, Keio, and myself, all gathered around eachother looked up to see the tall man with shorter, spiky dark hair, and bright blue eyes. Keio's mouth didn't seem to know whether to raise into a smirk or drop open in amazement, although, Hana decided to go with the later of those two.

The man stood inbetween his two summonings, looking down at me with an unreadable expression. I'm sure my face had looked to be the same, or perhaps totally taken over by shock.

"...Dad?"

He nodded. "I'm here, Akisha."

*****

Ohhh snap~!

Stuff is going down! =3= Hiroh's in the battle now and he's with his summonings and just like- Stuff, you guys, stuff is happening. 

So how do you all think this'll play out? Thoughts on Miyuto and Sarika? No, no Sarika is not related to Joka, she and Joka's father have had their moments though >-> *coughs* And she was awfully fond of Joka too.. Naughty Sarika, despite being a panther, she's more of a cougar -__-  ...Er- I went off on a mini-rant there ^-^"

So, yeah! Comment, vote, and fan/follow! ^o^