Inari squeezed Kakashi's hand as they walked down the dark corridor. She paused as she let Nova take her place, "Come child, it is safe here, there is a room on both sides of the hallway, and one at the very end. Strange noises are in the one directly ahead." She let Kakashi sink in the information then continued to speak, "There is a nice aroma of blood to the one on the left, though I love it, I would greatly advise you to take the right." Inari's voice came through, "I say we avoid blood in case Nova has a blood frenzy..." "I agree, blood baths are for when my vessel's life is not in danger." Inari thought that Nova would creep him out, afraid he'd leave her after they got free, or during, she wouldn't blame him if he did. It was common when Nova came out.


Shikamaru sighed and rubbed his temples, "So troublesome." He mumbled as he thought, "There is never a case where someone single has been kidnapped. The chances are very few. I'm more worried about you Alara, are you okay?" He questioned as he walked a little further and stopped. "I don't know how this missioin will turn out but I promise you that I will stay by your side no matter what and try my best to protect you. We might not even get kidnapped." He walked up to Alara and kissed her with more passion than he ever had, "I'lll be next to you until I die." He admitted to her.

Kakashi wasn't creeped out about Nova, in fact he was more curious about the creature within Inari than anything else "That would probably be a good idea, so lead the way warrior angel" Kakashi said following her to the way to the door he wouldn't let her open it, so he put his hand out there first turning the knob slowly opening it the room was dark until the light came on as they stepped inside and then the door shut behind them. A tiny cry could be heard from off in the corner of the room as it was filled with dangerous sharp objects all over the place.

~ ~ ~

Alara was lost in thought until Shikamaru began to speak about what he thought and meant. When he pulled her into a kiss she returned the kiss as Sakura had kept her eyes up to the trees wishing to see something knowing she wouldn't. "And I will never ever ever let you die"Alara hugged him laying her head against him not wanting to let go of that moment. She knew what would happen if he got hurt and she knew she wouldn't stop until he was safe again. If he died in front of her or near or at all, well she might not be as strong as the beasts in Gaara or Naruto, but she could be a hell of alot worse. "come on, we should keep moving" she kissed him on the lips quickly taking both hands again and walking. After awhile they finally found a small village that seemed almost empty.

Inari was quiet, she didn't know what the cry was from, it could be anything. Looking at Kakashi she frowned, "Should we go check it out? We could easily avoid most the sharp things.. I want to make sure it's not anything like a child or animal, you know?" Looking at the room she found a path she would only get cut a little bit, nothing major. Sighing she pointed to the corner, "i wont go if you don't want me too, but the door is by whatever made that noise babe." She said to him as she looked up at the ceiling, seeing a camera she flipped it off and stuck out her tongue. For the life of her she couldn't figure out why any of this was funny or cool..... it was cruel and she would kill the person in charge of it all.


Walking through the village Shikamaru got a bad feeling, no one was paired up with another. Sighing he stopped someone walking his way, "Sir, do you know where an inn is?" The man stared at their intertwined hands and shook his head, "There is a saloon type place just down the road, can't miss it... And I advise you both to not act all lovey dovey or y'all will be next." With that he walked off. Sighing Shikamaru and the girls walked to the so called Saloon. It looked just like one out of a weastern. "Can I help you?" A sweet voice called out. Looking at what he assumed was the owner he polietly nodded his head, "We need two rooms. Please" The woman nodded her head and motioned them to follow her. As they stopped at the first room Shikamaru made Sakura stay there. About four rooms down was where Shikamaru and Alara were to stay. "I need a drink." Shikamaru mumbled under his breath as he sat in a chair in their room.

Kakashi wanted to throw a kunai he kept hidden in his boot at the camera, apparently people thought that they were normal citizens which would work out greatly, but he didn't care right now. Concerned with protecting only Inari for the time being and that meant less ninja like things until he greatly would need it. "Alright, but don't let go of my hand" Kakashi said keeping her closed avoiding the sharp objects as they slowly made their way through the room. Once to the other side there was a little girl crouched down in the corner crying. Kakashi didn't go near the child and he certainly didn't want Inari to, but then what should they do?

~ ~ ~

Alara took notice of this, what was so wrong with having someone to be close to, and to love. She wondered if the place was bugged or something and figured maybe getting kidnapped wouldn't be such a bad thing. That is as long as she could kick someones a**. Once the door was closed she sighed heading over to Shikamaru "Maybe we should get ourselves kidnapped? This way we can help Inari and Kakashi take down the one in charge. If we go looking aimlessly we will just get lost anyways, so it's the best bet. We can't just sit here and do nothing" then she thought about something going into her bag and pulling out a very small bottle that looked like a bottle of wine or something. "Lady Tsunade gave this to me awhile back, saying drinking is a good way to relax, want some?" the bottle said Sake and it was small only for a couple shots, but she knew Lady Tsunade meant well.

Inari looked between the girl and Kakashi, she squeezed his hand to let him know she was okay, although her favorite leather jacked was cut in a few places. "little girl.. Hey... Are you okay?" The girl didn't answer she just sobbed more, it kind of freaked Inari out so she automatically clinged to Kakashi, "I don't like this, I have a bad feeling about this.. I don't like it at all." She hid her body behind Kakshi she never let go of Kakashi's hand though. Soon Nova spoke, "I smell explosives, i'd leave now." Her voice was urgent. "Kakashi lets go!" Inari really didn't want to be around explosives at all. That's when Inari heard the cry again, it was repeating. "I don't think this is any normal girl, I think she is a fake. Set up to hurt us." She mumbled as she pulled on Kakashi's arm to make him follow her out the door.


Shikamaru shook his head, "I think that we've already been spotted now we just have to wait for when they decide to attack." He rubbed the back of his neck tiredly. "I would love some." He mumbled as he walked over to Alara, smiling at her when he reached her, "Not what I expected from you." He chuckled as he sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Grinning how he kissed her cheek, "You're the best, you know that?" He questioned her as she gave him a shot glass full of Sake, "What should we cheer for?" He asked thinking deeply, "To us? To our relationship? ummm I'm not good at these." He mumbled blushing a bit.

"You're telling me, they said they don't kidnap the children" Kakashi spoke as they backed away while he picked her up and ran through the door as he opened it. He wasn't about to let one of them get left behind in this crazy house like place. No idea where they were they couldn't just run out blowing the place up without knowing what they were walking into. Stopping right in the hallway choosing to go left and not right this time he stopped dead in his tracks. Something was coming and he had a feeling he wished for one of the other leaf ninjas with his specialty to be there with him. A spider like creature that looked monstrous had come down from the ceiling looking at them. Kakashi wish it was friendly, but clearly the blood around it was not it's own, and obviously bugs were not the food. "Inari we have to fight, the mission was a success we found out why and got captured. That's all we had to do, come on we have to go"

~ ~ ~

"I don't normally drink, I can be the worse drunk out there when I drink, and the most I have gotten is tipsy" Alara spoke remembering what Tsunade told her about drunks, the worse kind is a happy drunk, and for that reason you never knew what was going to happen or what was running through their heads. Pouring them both a shot she made sure to pull out here cherry flavored syrup she kept with her for things like this and poured some in her shot "Want some?" she asked "Hm...maybe to the future? Oh I know, to our love, after all we did get together on the night of the festival" Alara spoke happily. If they were going to drink she made sure to stick some extra viles of alcohol that was stronger than vodka in her boot heels in case she wanted or would need them later. In fact every outfit she would wear had something hidden to where people wouldn't easily find them.

Inari jumped out of his arms and stared, "We should kill this spider, I have a feeling something special is at the end of the halway.. like we're getting closer to get out." Pulling her hair up she made a messy bun, tying it up with a stretchy bracelet that was on her arm. Growling slightly she popped her knuckles. "Do you have any Genjutsu that would work on it or shall we tear into it with Taijutsu?" The spider wasn't moving that fast, like it was waiting for them to come near it to strike, like a snake would... That's when it hit her, "Could Orochimaru or one of his minions be the mastermind behind it all?" She growled, "We need to do something about this beast though. I don't want to get near it if you have a Genjutsu that will work on it." Inari was getting antsy, she wanted to blow the place before Alara and Shikamaru had a chance to get in.


Shikamaru nodded his head to her infamous cherry flavor, holding up his drink to hers they clinked it together, "To our love!" After taking the shot he could feel the alcohol disperse into his stomach. Smiling he tilted his head as a cheshire grin, "Have I told you how amazing, beautiful, and perfect you are today?" Shikamaru wanted to tease her a bit, being in a silly mood that only Alara could bring out of the brainiac. Moving to site next to her he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap chuckling, "It's nice to have some time alone with you gorgeous." He mumbled nuzzling his face in her neck as he just continued to hug her, "Sorry if I make you feel uncomfortable, I just really needed a hug." He mumbled hoping she would be okay with it. He was worried about Kakashi and Inari, two of his favorite people besides his own team and Alara. He needed to be comforted.

"He could be behind this, but I don't know if he would be the one controlling this place. It would take time and patience, he might have both, but to set up something such as this steps outside his boundaries." Kakashi spoke "Let's see if I can use this, get back" he said making her get behind him as he got ready to use a simple jutsu. Doing the correct hand signs, Kakashi called out "Fireball Jutsu" blowing fire right out at the spider, he stopped when he figured the spider was gone, and saw nothing left not even the flames danced around the place. "That was too easy" he said suspiciously looking around until something shot out making him react to push Inari back even further as the web entangled him up within it's grasp making Kakashi fall to the floor in silk.

~ ~ ~

Alara smiled taking a quick drink of hers shuddering at the foul taste of it. Still it was better than Vodka, but stronger. Ugh. She couldn't stand the taste of alcohol unless it was sweeter or more distilled. She instantly felt herself feel sluggish knowing how quick it would work on her, she was almost bad as Lee when he would get alcohol for some odd reason or another. Alara giggled when he pulled her into his lap to cuddle the way they were. Alara then turned around to push him back against the bed, but before she had the chance to tease him she laid down upon his chest. Seeing as they both could fit on that one bed as soon as she closed her eyes once she was fast asleep, alcohol could easily knock her out.

Inari screamed as he fell down to the floor, shocked at first. Growling she knelt down beside him and tried her best to untangle him. She ripped of the web from his face so he could breath, knowing it hurt him made tears well up, she continued as she pumped chakra into her hands to help rip off the web. Inari wasn't really paying attention to what was around her as a person started to approach, it was a male. Sighing as she got to the end of the webs she felt a tingling in her back. Chanting latin as the man tried to choke her, chakra wings like Chouji's wings but were purple shot out, making the man fall backwards. Her eyes turned completely black and her voice turned more menacing, "Who are you?" She walked towards the cowering man as the spider reappeared. "Really?" She flew to the spider full force as she screamed "RASENGAN!" She ripped through the spider like it was butter. Guts flew everywhere and the man ran away unfortunately. As her wings disappeared she walked to Kakashi to help finish untangling him, her eyes still completely black.

Biting her lip she sighed, "I turned to quickly, I'm sorry you had to see me like this, it was just so frustrating to me." Looking away as tears welled up in her eyes. She had overreacted and felt like crap because it. Nova was now the dominant one but Inari didn't care, she knew Nova would protect both her and Kakashi. She just hated that she acted like a stupid teenager, like she was showing off her power when she could have done something else besides turning...


Shikamaru was surprised when she pushed him back but smiled when she laid down on him. Wrapping his arms around her protectively he pulled the blankets around them. Sighing happily he petted Alara's hair and smiled. Thinking to himself, 'I love this girl I think. It's pretty early to say that but it's the truth. She isn't as troublesome as other women are.' He moved to make her more comfortable, 'i think that she's the one for me.. I feel complete with her. I know it's far to early for a marriage purposal... But I can get her a promise ring. Matching ones, with the promise for her to be the only woman in my life... well besides mom....' He started feeling drowsy and soon fell asleep, dreaming of the night at the festival.

Kakashi couldn't do much in the state he was in, the web was cutting off all oxygen from his body, and even if he tried to stay calm it didn't help. When Inari turned to protect the both of them he was surprised, but not scared by the sight of it. Kakashi, as soon as he got a moment to breath calmly, got on his knees and wrapped his arms around her shoulders and waist whispering "Thank you" figuring it was best to leave it at that. "We need to get out of here, come on" Kakashi spoke not wanting to waste too much time in one area.

~ ~ ~

During the time they were sleeping, something creeped into the inn at night, and started going on a rampage for anyone who looked like they were lovers or close. Not counting mother and children obviously. Something grabbed them in the middle of the night as they were appeared to be totally out of it and without waking them they were gone. Once in the building and after they would wake, the first message appeared, and the door was their choice.

~ ~ ~

Sakura didn't know what to do, if she got captured no one would ever know what happened, but she didn't even know the answer to give to Lady Tsunade. She hated this, every moment of it; she was put on this mission without a say, she was forced into it because she kept to herself, and people thought she was acting strange. When she heard a crashing sound down at the bottom of the Inn she went over to the window she left open to get some air and look at the beautiful full moon that shined it's wondrous glow upon her. Hiding there against the corner of it, she wanted to jump out, and well...she did.

Sakura made a jump for it and ran out into the shadows of the darkness leaving the village behind. She felt like a coward to leave the others, but she was told to run and tell what they wanted her to tell the Leaf Village. She didn't want this life anymore, she wanted to be free, not tied down like a bird, and expected to take everyone's deeds as a kindness to her. She never asked for kindness, she never asked to be taught things, and she surely didn't ask to go on this mission. She started crying with the sadness she held inside from so many different mixed up emotions that she didn't know what to do as she fell to her knees just finally stopping to cry. The monster came up behind her only to knock her out of the way with one of it's tentacles as she flew through the air unable to react at that time in moment.

Inari blushed as he hugged her and said thank you. Helping him up she let him lean against her for support, she knew he was needing to breath regularly. "I feel like at the end of the hall is something important. Why else make a huge spider guard it?" She questioned as they started walking towards it, "Maybe it will be the room holding the crazy fucks that are trying to kill us." She grinned hoping that she could rip them apart. "I'll be the first to go in though, you need to catch your breath hun." She slowly let them walk towards the door at the end of the hall. Praying to any god that they would be in there and that they could be ripped apart as they tell them where the exit is.


Shikamru woke up and saw Alara in the floor, running over to her he slipped her underneath his arms, holding her bridal style and tried to gently wake her up. As soon as Alara woke up the message was heard over the announcement. Sighing he helped stand Alara up and let her lean against him if she needed to. Opening the door slowly he looked at the hallway. "Left or right my love? I would choose the dark hallway, only because it is in my element and I can keep us safe with my shadows." He mumbled to her hoping that it wouldn't be heard on the overhead announcement thingies.


Itachi had been watching from a distance and started to go up to her when she was on her knees, suddenly the weird beast knocked her out of the way, catching Sakura mid throw he held her close and started running. Never looking back he held Sakura bridal style and kept running, soon Kisame caught up to them, staying silent. As soon as they were far enough away he opened his mouth, "So this is the new recruit?" The blue man asked. Itachi looked down at her with soft eyes, "If she wishes to be." He said honestly, knowing good and well he would follow her wherever she wanted to go. No questions asked.

"I know your friends will be okay Sakura, they are very powerful and the weaklings pulling this stunt isn't half as smart as your team." Itachi whispered to her knowing it would probably calm her down. As they stopped finally at a campsite Itachi let her down to stand on her own. Making a small fire he made Kisame hunt for food and came back with a deer so they could all eat enough. Sighing he looked at Sakura, "You're not mad at me for taking you are you?" He whispered so Kisame couldn't hear.

Kakashi calmed himself down enough to quickly follow her to the door, however when a trap opened up right below his feet he almost fell in, though he used a switching jutsu which allowed him to change places with someone in the room he found. Escaping to the other side ready to open the door, Kakashi reached his hand out carefully opening it, the door led to fresh air, a cloudy sunny day, and the birds were chirping. Kakashi felt a little suspicious, this was waaaay too easy to begin with.

~ ~ ~

Alara blushed when she woke up finding Shikamaru had picked her up. "Uh left, I welcome the darkness not the light" she was honest about that, she always felt safe in the dark even before she met him, and was glad to choose it always. Alara opened the door herself as they walked along the hallway coming up to..."I-is that a dead s-spider?" she asked looking a bit freaked, nature like ninja or not she hated hard shell bugs, and spiders most of all. They creeped her out and made her shudder. "Please tell me that it IS dead?" Alara clung to Shikamaru not liking being near it dead or alive.

~ ~ ~

Sakura clung onto Itachi when he caught her in the air until he set her down in which she had chosen to sit. Though with Kisame there it wasn't easy enough to throw herself at Itachi, she was actually trying to hold back, and she was doing a damn good job at it. Considering she used to like the younger Uchiha, but she had her reason too for switching her love life around. Why wait for someone who would never love you back? When you could have someone who would love you and more? Sakura shook her head "No, I'm not upset about it, I'm rather happy actually. I am so glad you came for me, but how did you know I would be on the mission?" Sakura asked curiously.

Inari was behind him and gasped, "This can't be right." She mumbled shaking her head, "Kakashi, tell me something only both you and I know, and no one else. If this isn't a genjutsu then you would be able to know that." Her voice sounded urgent, she knew that there was no way they could both in a genjutsu together, only very powerful ninja could do this. "It has to be a trap." She mumbled to herself questioning what was going on and what to do. This mission sure is a lot more stressful than I'd imagine.' She thought to herself, 'I better get a vacation after this.'


Shikamaru chuckled and patted her reassuringly, "Kakashi and Inari must have been through here, let's continue and see if we can meet up with them." He paused for a second and looked at the spider, it looked like it went down without much of a fight. Tilting his head he interlaced his hand with Alara's and started to walk away from it, "Enough dead bugs for you." He teased Alara as they walked hand in hand, unsure just what they would stumble upon.


Itachi looked away blushing slightly as Kisame spoke up, "You must be mighty special, Itachi over there spent this past few days following you, waiting for the perfect time to get you... Though I say he was trying to protect you." Chuckling the loud blue man started to eat, Itachi looked back at Sakura and motioned to the plate he had fixed for her. "Eat, you'll need all your energy for when you get to the base. They are going to test your med-nin skills." He bit his lip, feeling bad to have put her through this.

"Alright, well on the festival night right before we left, you called me Ashi in front of the younger two ninjas" Kakashi spoke adding "If that's not enough, I won you the butterfly prize at the festival" Kakashi then wondered if they should walk through the door or not "Come on, we'll have to find out for ourselves" Kakashi led her slowly through the door being very careful on what or could happen.

~ ~ ~

Shuddering again as she saw it twitch as a late reaction to whatever happened to it, Alara moved with Shikamaru until they found the end of a hallway seeing the two older ninjas "Isn't that?" she didn't finish it thinking she didn't need to and hoped she was right "Kakashi! Inari!" Alara called out taking Shikamaru with her as she began to run towards them jumping over the trap door.

~ ~ ~

Sakura smiled "Don't worry, they can throw anything at me, I can handle anything" Sakura was trained not only by Kakashi and Tsunade themselves, but Alara trained her on her inner spirit as well as a few jutsu's that Sakura could use to surprise others involving her hidden inner strength.

Inari heard her name being screamed and turned around, "THANK GOD YOURE SAFE!" She squeezed alara and then let go doing the same to Shikamaru, "We need to get out of here soon as possible... But it just seemed to easy to come out here. It's strange right?" Shikamaru nodded his head and stared outside. "We'll probably be ambushed." He looked around at the clear looking area that was just beyond the door. Tilting his head he squented his eyes. "I think you should look Kakashi-sensei, I believe there are about ten people total. Think we could handle them?" His voice was strong but Inari could see the worry in his eyes.


"Well I'm glad then, and i'm definitely glad to have you by my side, my love." He whispered the last part in her ear and then took a seat right next to her, eating his fair share of the food. "Hidan will probably be the one on death's bed but remember he is immortal so don't get to stressed, plus his organs and tissue will heal faster than a normal person. He is rather noteworthy to the medical field." Itachi said, impressing the blue man on the other side of the camp.

Being hugged Alara listened to Inari and figured it would probably be a trap. What else could it be. Smiling as she was getting ready figuring she would have to reveal herself on this mission, she would do anything she could in order not to, but if it came down to it, she wouldn't hesitate. Squeezing Shikamaru's hand she let go of it taking out a kunai from her boot handing one to Shikamaru and then one to Inari as well as Kakashi "I keep spares" she smiled.

~ ~ ~

Kakashi nodded "Alright, let's just get this over with. We're going to have to go out here this way no matter what" Kakashi spoke walking out into the sunlight, he felt the warmth it wasn't a ginjutsu, he could tell by the way everything wasn't pre set up like one would make it seem. Plus, he would have seen it through his sharigan he had yet to use. Once Kakashi stepped out he noticed that there were no ninjas they had to fight, but a large creature resembling an old fossil. Though it was strange it looked like a Chimera with a lion like body, horns of a ram, and a snake for the tail.Chimaera

~ ~ ~

Sakura nodded "Alright, I know a little about each of you already, and alot more about you Itachi" Sakura said adding while looking at Kisame "Kisame Hoshigaki, Former Mist Seven member, Wields large head-cleaving sword, S-Ranked criminal, and you have a huge amount of chakra. You appear around the age of 32 since you were born on March 18th" Sakura took a bite of her food not even blinking when she said that "Kakuzu has been seen with Hidan. Kakuzu is very focused on money, using bounty hunting to help ensure his desires are met. His bounty hunting side-trips always delay he and his partner's missions, though I can't say Hidan would probably like that" Sakura finished her meal "I can go on, but I don't feel like it" she yawned a little staring at the fire, though she was content, and wondered if she would get to dress up like them as well.

Inari smiled and hugged her again, "I shouldn't have worn outfits I couldn't keep weapons in, then again I didn't know we were going to have a mission like this." She smiled and let go of Alara. Watching Kakashi go out into the middle she so desperately wanted to follow him but knew he wouldn't want that. So instead she watched everything to make sure he would be safe.. The ninja in the surrounding trees were lounging around, making her wonder what the beast could actually do. Staring, she wouldn't take her eye's off of Kakashi unless she absolutely had to.


Shikamaru was glad Alara carried extra weapons with her, so he kissed her on the cheek before he paid attention to what was going on. "Kakashi and I could start with that... thing... while you girls go take out the ninja one by one. They aren't even watching you guys, their focus is all on Kakashi. You both would have an amazing chance to assassinate them all fairly easy." He scratched the back of his neck not really wanting them to do that but then again he wanted them both to be safe, though he had a inkling idea that both women were stronger than Kakashi and him combined. It was just this feeling he had.


Itachi knew Sakura was very intelligent and resourceful so he didn't have the face of shock like Kisame did. Smirking he pulled her closer to his side then looked back at kisame, "You want first watch? Then I can grab second, and if Sakura here wants third..." He paused to let her answer, it was okay if she said no, both men were use to splitting the night into two sections for watch. As he got his reply he smiled, "Alright then, time to pitch tents." He was going to share one with Sakura and let Kisame have his own. Normally on missions they wouldn't bring along such things but this mission was a long one so they carried their packs.

Kakashi walked out into the midst of the field "Let's see what this thing can do Shikamaru, be careful we don't know anything about it" Kakashi had never dealt with a Chimera so obviously he had no idea what it could do. Kakashi thought for a moment "Alara don't you read about myths all the time?" he asked her. Waiting for her reply to hear her in the background he charged at it using a scroll he brought with him in his back pocket and used a jutsu like Tenten normally would to attack with a lot of weapons. The Chimera didn't attack, it just avoided the weapons as the chimera swung the snake like tail at Kakashi who dodged it.

~ ~ ~

Alara replied back "Yea, all the time, if I am correct. Oh what was it called...Oh! I think it's a Chimera all I know is one of the two animals is a fire type, so you have to be careful with that, as far as stopping one I don't exactly know that. I don't even have any idea as for that" Alara wondered if the snake was poisoness, it was a possibility, but at least it wasn't a cobra. Alara raced out, she might not have been the fastest, but she was defiantly quick as far as getting in and out of things. Attacking one of the ninjas from behind she used her natura jutsu to raise a vine and wrap it around him until he passed out. She would rather not kill them unless they went after one of the others, she wouldn't care about herself, she knew just what she was capable of.

~ ~ ~

Sakura nodded "Sounds fine to me" she yawned waiting for the tent to be put up and then climbed inside to go to sleep, she was really tired from the long day, and was even woken up to find Inari along with Kakashi gone. She hoped no one would hate her for following her heart, but her heart verses her duty would always come first.

Shikamaru came up behind Kakashi and tried to catch the animal in a shadow but it was swifter than he orifonaly thought. Sighing he rubbed the back of his neck avoiding the creature. "This is going to be troublesome. Kakashi, distract the creature so I can catch it in a shadow then while I keep it still you can defeat it." Looking at the creature he listened to Alara speak and waited for action on Kakashi's side.


Inari watched and shot off as Alara did. Going behind one ninja she covered his mouth as hard as she could with her free arm wrapped around the guys neck until he passed out and then she tied him up. It was fairly easy but she knew as they took out the ninja one by one the others were bound to figure it out. Especially since the women ran off. Sighing she continued to another one. Pulling out a little glass butterfly filled with some type of poison (one that made the victim pass out) and made the correct signs as it fluttered up out of her hand it went to two guard ninja that were obviously not to keen on being by themselves. As the butterfly injected it with a small needle into both of the men it came back to Inari. "Four down two to go." She whispered to herself as she watched Alara.


Itachi nodded to Kisame as he entered the tent after her. Laying down beside her he wrapped an arm around her. "I've been waiting to be able to feel your touch again." He whispered to her in his deep, tired voice. He had stayed up the past three days and definitely needed some sleep. Pulling Sakura close to him he closed his eyes, "I love you." He said before drifting off, his ninja skills still activated.

"Alright try to distract it with your shadow, I'll see what I can do" Kakashi attacked it trying to take it down as the girls went for the other ninjas. Soon the ninjas realized what was going as Alara and Inari worked with those they could. Being that Alara didn't eat last night or that morning plus she drinked before eating (not that she did eat either) that day made her run out of energy alot faster than she had hoped.

~ ~ ~

Alara looked over watching the snake spit out a stream of fire at Kakashi who dodged it using a wind style element on it not realizing that oxygen aka wind actually would make it worse. Kakashi got caught up in the wind tunnel of fire landing on the ground near Shikamaru hurt, but still trying to get up. He could feel the searing heat of the flames even if his body wasn't on fire. The lion distracted Shikamaru to where it would slash at it with it's sharp paws until the snake bit Shikamaru on the neck near his heart filling it with a poison serum. Once enough went in, it let go, and Alara looked over after that happened since a ninja grabbed her attention while down on one knee knocking him out.

Inari watched in horror as her teammates fell one by one, 'Nova, what do I do? If I let you take control again I will pass out and would be of no help after.' Sighing she stepped out of the tree line. 'We have to do it.' All of a sudden Inari's eyes rolled into the back of her head and turned complete black. Chakra spilled out of her back making purple wings. Dropping to the ground on her hands and knee's she growled and stood up, "Alara, I'm weaker than normal, We need your help if you want to defeat this enemy." Standing up straight she made some handsigns as a blast of Chakra shot forth from her hands and stabbed into the beast, disappearing shortly after. She got the beasts attention, while at the same time wounding a back leg.

When Alara watched Shikamaru fall to the ground she completely dropped to the ground to where she was sitting on it and no longer kneeling. Her tears that had began without her consent turned red dripping like blood and her thoughts were unheard as tattoo like vines formed on her skin starting with her eyes making it look almost like a masquerade mask. Her body looked beautiful with vines as well as thorns and her hair began to look like there were roses in it here and there. Standing up without bothering with her actual strength as her eyes became brighter as her blue-green eyes turned even more aquatic silver than ever before. "Oh, you're so dead" Alara glared as her eyes became so cold knowing that once she turned more into her nature like self that it would be hard to revert it back and it could take awhile before she would be normal again.

Never letting anyone or anything to hurt Shikamaru or Kakashi or Inari, she felt the power rise inside her as the nature around her beckoned to her call "Inari, play time is over" Alara spoke to the ninja as vines with roots and thorns rose up behind her and then around the creature wrapping it up hurting it with the thorns only to bind the creature. Moving to where she could be directly in front of it she said "Get Shikamaru and Kakashi away from here, NOW!" she ordered Inari knowing the girl didn't have the power she needed and knew what she could do.

inari looked at all that was happening and sighed, she knew that things escalated rather quickly. Without a word said she picked up the boys, her wings fluttering so she could fly. Lifting up in the air she nodded to Alara and flew off. As they started to leave Inari yelled out "BE SAFE, I'LL BE IN THE CAVE BY THE WATERFALL!" flapping off she went straight to the waterfall where Kakashi and herself were first kidnapped. As soon as she made it to the cave she set the guys on the floor gently. Wiping her eyes tiredly she groaned as she sat down. Crying out in pain she transformed back into herself she passed out.

Alara knew how quickly her powers had kicked in, she was starting to wonder if she did that on purpose, or if that was just the way it was. "I won't give in and you're so dead" letting the power rise within in her she made more roots and vines rise up wrapping all around the creature's body "You're one mythical creature that needs to stay dead" and with those final words she tightened the hold on the creature as best as she could, but it broke out sending her flying into the trees behind her. Alara felt the wind knocked out of her and knew she had to do something soon, so she did. Sending off a wave energy towards her teammates who were still wearing the necklaces she had given them, she switched back her focus to the creature running over to it, and jumping on it's back "If I go down, so do you!" Alara let loose the little power she had left wrapping the vies and roots up one more time, but this time she split the ground in half making them both fall down in the empty abyss closing the earth up one final time.

~ ~ ~

The necklaces that her team mates were would have started to heal them faster than expected. They were crystals though, used for protection and healing in which so many would forget about, and not only that but they were quite powerful in nature. Kakashi woke up wondering what had happened while he was out. Inari was unconscious and Shikamaru appeared to be struggling. 'Kakashi sensei' a voice in his head appeared, well the voice was all around him not only just in his head, 'Shikamaru is poisoned and Inari is out of energy, get them back to the village, quickly, I've sent for help' and with that the voice that reminded him of Alara had disappeared.

~ ~ ~

Some time had passed as Kakashi worked out moving the two far enough about halfway to the village now that they didn't have to hide their ninja abilities anymore. If he found that puppet tear who started all of this he was going to be sure to kill him. Right now Shikamaru was on a deathbed with the poison and he couldn't leave Inari alone. Once Gai's team arrived they rushed them back to the village, Inari was put in a hospital room along with Shikamaru who was stable as far as the poison was gone, and Kakashi couldn't bring himself to leave her. Though he feared where Alara was, why hadn't he gone to look for her? Maybe she used a jutsu to make him focus on the two problems at hand with his other team mates. Lee stayed near Shikamaru as a friend to make sure he would wake up, Lee didn't want to train until then, and Gai sensei thought it was alright, not like he could complain anyways.

Shikamaru woke up in a start, not expecting to be in a clean white room that smelt like germ-x. Frowning he looked around and noticed Kakashi holding the hand of Inari, who was passed out in her own bed. Turning to his left he saw Rock Lee was asleep in the chair next to him, clearing hiis voice he roughly called out, "Kakashi-sensei, where is Alara?" He asked curiously, looking around again. Not sure what he was expecting. 'Was she hurt? Is she dead? Please don't ttell me she's dead!' He thought to himself.


Inari was still passed out, nothing was wrong with her, she just had depleted chakra and needed to restore it. Soon a nurse came in and checked her vitals, as she checked the machines Inari's hand shot out and grasped her wrist tightly, confused as to where she was. "Where am I? Where's Kakashi?" She asked as she attempted to sit up but was to soar. Looking around she saw everyone and let go, sighing assuredly.