Been a good long while since I posted. Been in a bit of a writing rut, but getting out 10k chapters, my attempt at a personal standard for my larger serious stories is proving to be difficult to consistently meet. Thankfully inspiration came for this chapter from rereading all my content, old reviews and the story itself. So here it is. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or FFx.

Naruto and Rikku stood waiting on Training ground 12 for the others to come, they had managed to gather everybody they wanted and a number of spectators. "Think they'll play more than one game?" Rikku asked.

"I'm sure they will, there's enough incentive for each of them to come, we made sure of that. You got the scrolls for the training prepared?"

"Yeah, you got the money for bets and all that?"

"Of course. Hey, here they come now." Naruto pointed to the far end of the field where they saw team Gai and team 8 coming, headed by Tenten and Kiba. Their effectively closest friends in this world. Though come to think of it, Naruto should try spending more time with Kiba, he can use an honest guy friend. Not long after they came, the others followed, all with their Jonin sensei in tow, along with some other Jonin, some civilians and ninja who were probably parents and as agreed, the Hokage. "Take it away."

"Alright, Welcome everybody to our first Sports exhibition! Today we're going to introduce you all to blitzball!" Rikku exclaimed excitedly. "Would all our spectators please make their way to the small cliff overhand just over there to clear the field and we'll explain the rules to everyone. Seats have been prepared by yours truly." She said with a grandiose bow.

"Really putting on the theatrics now aren't you?" He asked and got a smack on the arm for his trouble. He just chuckled a bit though.

"Alright everyone seated, good I'll start this off." She spoke, clearing her throat. "Blitzball is a team sport based around ball carrying between team members on a prepared field to get the ball in the opposing team's goal while keeping your goal safe from being scored in. Simple right, well here's the problem. The other team will be gunning for the ball carrier to steal the ball from you to score in your goal instead, while your team members do their best to either guard you or stay open so you can pass to them. This is a Rough sport allowing for tackles, rushes, body checks and light, emphasis on LIGHT, confrontation. Meaning no direct taijutsu, no ninjutsu, or genjutsu. However, we are all trained ninja so misdirection, trick plays enhanced runs and jumps and aerial tricks or whatnot is allowed, within reason. The game stays in session until the ball is put into a team's goal, or a foul is called, based on rule breaking, injury or other infringements."

"Further, this is high speed intense paced gameplay in each play, thus we have two five minute rounds, 5 minutes to score as many points as possible, then we have a Five-minute intermission before moving on to the next five minute round. The shortness of games was originally designed for the game's original play style, being underwater." With that she got a satisfied smile seeing their gaping expressions.

"No way! How can something like this be played underwater!" Sakura spoke up.

"So glad you asked because that leads me to this. Where we learned to play this game, the people who taught us how to play also trained us in the particular skill set necessary to play it underwater. That is how to Hold your breath underwater for five minutes while maintaining high-end physical action while working against the resistance of water. Rikku and I can play and fight underwater on a single breath for 8 Minutes and 27 seconds. And today, to the winning team, of who either wins the matches or the most matches, depending on how we play today, will win the scrolls containing the first stage of this training. The training will enhance your physical capabilities sharply if you follow it to the letter, no shortcuts. However only those that win it will train in it, if we learn that it's been shared beyond that, say goodbye to the rest of the stages of training."

"Additionally, for those of your interested, there are bets you can make, so..." Both Rikku and Naruto produced several shadow clones who transformed into bet holders. Essentially themselves wearing dark clothes, holding odds boards and a tray to hold bets. "That's the gist of it. To be fair, Rikku and I will be captaining separate teams, and we'll both referee." Two more shadow clones, wearing striped shirts came out of a puff of smoke. "Separate into teams on who you want to go with, 7 to a team."

"Why are you, two captains? Why not Sasuke?" Ami spoke, the purple-haired girl huffing with her hands on her hips.

"Because we've played this game the longest so we know how to direct teams and blitz strategies. Sasuke is new at this and hasn't a damn clue, but if he wants to prove otherwise, then he'll do it on the field with a ball in his hands." Naruto chided. Said boy growled but walked over to Rikku, thus Sakura and Ami followed him immediately. Rikku looked over at him with an Evil expression promising pain later. Tenten took pity and went over with Rikku followed by Lee. Kiba left Akamaru with Kurenai and walked to Naruto, followed by Shikamaru and Chouji. Hinata walked over to Naruto, thus Neji walked over to Rikku. Finally, Shino and Ino took Naruto's side, Ino being slow on the draw for team pick.

Rikku - Sasuke, Sakura, Ami, Neji, Tenten, Lee

Naruto - Kiba, Shino, Hinata, Shikamaru, Chouji, Ino.

"Alright, teams are picked. Take notice, the clearing here is our playfield, using the obstacles on the field to your advantage to make this interesting, like the small stone monoliths and such. Now, Naruto, let's set up our goals." Rikku called, getting a nod. They walked to the end of their fields, running through a few hand seals and pushed them to the ground. Within moments two stone walls shot up, though an inverted triangle hole in each a few feet above the ground, the triangles quite large. Naruto produced two clones who got to work writing a sealed array around the triangle holes while another walked to the middle holding a blue dimpled ball.

"Alright Place your bets, assign your goalies. Let's have a nice fair and fun game. Ready!" The Naruto clone with the ball called out. Chouji took his team's goalie while Sakura took her team's goalie. "Go!"

What followed was the onset of chaos as everyone rushed for the ball when it was thrown up. However being more experienced in the game with greater physicality, Naruto claimed the ball first, and when he touched down, he raced down the large field toward's Rikku's goal. Seeing Neji came at him first, almost on instinct settling into his Jyuuken stance. "No taijutsu." He called out, catching the Hyuuga off guard before he growled and rushed Naruto. Taking a quick glance around, he spotted Kiba and smirked, before tossing the ball hard to him. Neji went wide-eyed and looked at the ball, as Kiba caught it, continuing on down the field.

"Hah, this is just like Frisbie with Akamaru!" He called, before throwing the ball in a straight line down the way toward the goal.

"Too slow their puppy. Want to tag Akamaru in instead?" Rikku called out as she landed in front of Sakura, grabbing the ball. She busted out in a sprint, using her teammates as blockers to get to the other end of the field. "Lee!" She hollered, before chucking the ball. Lee nodded and caught the ball before rushing down the way for the goal, getting close before shooting it in. Chouji wasn't able to get the ball in time, but as the ball went in, the seal script around the hole lit up and set off a sound. on the wall above both triangles numbers lit up, while above naruto's it stayed zero, but above Rikku's, it changed to one.

"Sorry guys."

"No problem Chouji, this is all in good fun anyway. Besides, if it's about the ball, no worries, that ball is full of air, it'll be like getting hit with a big ball of egg noodles." Naruto spoke to him, though got the boy's attention.

"Noodles?"

"Yeah it doesn't hurt, so no worries about getting hit. It's not a kunai after all." Naruto finished, leaving Chouji smiling. Looking over to Shikamaru, he thought a moment. "Yeah knows, have you ever tried cloud watching while lazily floating in the water, it's quite an experience. I'll tell you a few good spots later if you work a little more." He offered, and only got a sighing nod from the boy. "Hey, no worries, relaxing feel even better after a hard workout. Besides, the harder you work now in the moment, the more you can relax later when you're done."

"Ready! Go!" This time it was Rikku who caught the ball, but she was circling around the field before she tossed it over to Sasuke. Sasuke though glared at Naruto and barreled right for him.

"Sasuke, the hell are you doing, the ball in the goal!" Rikku hollered out, but Sasuke didn't listen. Naruto decided a little lesson was needed, backing up to a rock formation before he ducked and did splits down to the ground, got through Sasuke's legs and coming up, body checking him into the back and sent him to face first into the standing rock he was just in front of, breaking his nose.

"Hold! Injury!" A Naruto clone spoke, coming down with a Rikku clone, both wearing gloves. The dazed Uchiha put no fight to being checked as he was still seeing stars before his nose was put back into place and he was cleaned up, followed by a little medical jutsu from a medic Hiruzen brought to fix the damage. "Reset!" The clone spoke, but Naruto leaned into Sasuke who was now focused again.

"You're playing a game Sasuke, not fighting me. If you want to fight, we'll do that later some other time. Score points and play right." He finished, before shoving the ball into his chest. Once they were all reset, the ball was tossed back in and they resumed. Kiba managed to wrestle the ball from Sasuke in a tackle before really pushing it down the field, using the terrain to his advantage before jumping high to avoid a tackle. He tossed the ball to Naruto who caught it and then kicked it towards Rikku's goal. Sakura who'd been watching Sasuke more than keeping tabs on the goal, took the blitzball right to her forehead, knocking her back with a good thud, though left a big old red dot on her forehead. She hardly noticed the ball ricochet off her forehead to the far corner of the goal before going in. Thus scoring naruto's team a point.

The rest of the game didn't have any more problems as they came into a good rhythm and the teams were starting to show cohesion to one another. However only one could win it, and unfortunately, Rikku's team didn't have the best team dynamic, letting Naruto's team take the win. The scrolls were handed out and the bets were paid out.

"Alright, that concludes our first Blitzball Game. Does everyone want more in the future, we have the next scrolls up for grabs, as well as the first stage ones for those that didn't win. Betting can still go on and of course, we always welcome more Spectators!" Rikku pumped a fist in the air, before getting a round of applause and overall agreement for the future. The Naruto clone close to the old Hokage spoke out.

"So what do you think?"

"I think we can do more of this in the future, maybe set up a Permanent flatland field with seating to see how it goes. Though no rocks since Sasuke showed how they can be used against you, and this sport isn't supposed to have any accidental deaths or crippling injuries." He advised, making Naruto laugh sheepishly.

"Right Jiji. We'll set this more up later. Hope you enjoyed it and see you next time." Before he and the other clones all puffed away. Promises made were kept and finally, all the others left, leaving Naruto, Rikku, and Anko.

"Well, that was fun," Naruto spoke up with a smile.

"It looked like it kiddies. You might actually get this rolling. Thanks for the bet money naruto, I'll be enjoying Dango on my winnings I made off of ya." She called out, leaving Rikku looking dejected.

"She bet against me..." She cried.

"Sorry Rikku, but I'll make it up to you tonight." He spoke, breathing into her ear, making her mock tears vanish as she shivered thinking about how he'll do just that.

"Mmm, Tell me more." She whispered to him, making him chuckle as he whispered into her ear. The two shared a moment, holding onto each other and sharing a kiss that they held for a long while before having to separate. They cleaned and cleared out the field, leaving it as simple flatland and put the two goals back into the ground along with the stands. Sealing away the ball, the gathered anything else that was left and once done, really just decided to do whatever as they headed back to the village.

However, on the way back, they saw a girl sitting in front of an easel with a painting of Konoha. They watched her a moment, but before they could ask anything, she suddenly drew a lightning bolt on the painting, only for it to actually happen in reality, striking somewhere in the village. "The hell!?" Naruto called out, looking at the village where smoke could be seen.

Rikku was staring at the girl, hard, trying to figure out what she did because that was no jutsu like she'd ever seen before. Magic sure, a bolt of lightning could be called down with a wave of the hand, but not here. However, when the girl turned around, both Rikku and Naruto were struck with a feeling they hadn't felt for almost a year. Her eyes... they gave off the same feeling as... The girl however suddenly took off. "Naruto! We gotta follow her!" She stated and he nodded, both taking off after her to figure out what just happened.

They were quickly gaining on her when two med-nin and a small squad of Anbu landed down around the girl and warding them off. "It's handled, Genin. Return to your business." The Anbu closest to them spoke, making it clear it wasn't up for discussion. Naruto and Rikku looked at each other a moment before looking back to see the med-nin pricking her with a syringe of some kind before she fell limp, drugged. Once she was out of it, the med-nin and Anbu vanished, leaving the two blonde genins with more questions than answers.

"The hell just happened?" He asked and Rikku shrugged.

"Who knows, could be any number of things, but did you see what she did, no hand seals or anything, just a painting and then bam, it happened." She spoke, spooked over the lightning bolt a bit but fine otherwise. Then there were her eyes as well.

"Yeah, that shouldn't be possible...here anyway." He added, thinking of magic, though he too couldn't shake the feeling of her gaze and how familiar it felt. Deciding against it for now though he needed to distract Rikku and himself. "Well, whatever it was they have her in custody. Wonder who she was though." He spoke aloud, trying to think before turning back to Konoha."Come on, let's go to the village and see where it struck." He stated and She nodded, both of them taking off to find where it hit.

They didn't need to search long before they came upon the academy and saw parts of it still burning while others were put out and kept wet with water jutsu. "Iruka sensei, Mizuki Sensei! Are you both alright? Was anyone inside!" Naruto called out to the two academy teachers.

"Ah, Naruto, good to see you though I wish it were under better circumstances," Iruka called out.

"No Naruto, no one was inside it's an off day for the students so they weren't in the building, just a few staff members like Iruka and myself doing some work," Mizuki called out, the white-haired man turning back to the Academy building. "We got lucky on that if the students had been here..." He trailed off, not wanting to finish that thought.

"Still for a lightning bolt to strike on a clear day like this," Iruka remarked. Naruto and Rikku looked at each other, communicating with just their eyes, before nodding. They were told how it was weird how they could do that, but they didn't see it that way. However with the situation and the Anbu, it was probably better not to say anything, or they might end up in trouble since there were just too many unknowns.

"Alright, We saw the bolt and wanted to make sure no one was hurt. Since you all have it under control now we'll get out of the way." Rikku spoke up, while the two teachers nodded and returned back to controlling the fire and damage with the ninja who came to help with water jutsu.

Leaving the academy grounds, Naruto turned to Rikku. "I have a bad feeling about this." He stated, not liking these feelings of his and how they seemed to be right or meant trouble for him.

"You and me both...let's just go home before anything else crazy happens. You still owe me remember." She spoke and grinned deviously, remembering what Naruto said on the field.

"Hmm, I did say that didn't I?" He spoke idly with an aloof tone. He looked over at her a moment and smirked. "Hmm, I wonder what I could do then." He said, stepping up closer to her and rubbing his hands across her shoulders and leaning his head in on her neck, placing a few feather kisses on her neck nipping the skin with his teeth lightly. "Maybe a massage?" He started. "A full body rub always helps... Or maybe long tongue massage, at both sets of lips." He whispered into her ear, making her shiver in delight. Young and hormonal, this was bound to happen, but who better to do this with than the one you care for most. And with the tension gone between them, there were no limits besides their prior social and professional responsibilities.

They were making their way home for the day, where for the rest of the day they enjoyed themselves and sent clones out to do their chores and get food for them. They'd get the memory of several clones talking with a few others, Namely opinions on the freak lightning bolt striking the academy, the clones doing some investigating on the girl. Course Tenten recognized them as clones when they found her later and talked, and not so subtlely guessed where they really were and what they were doing. Embarrassing sure but oh well, Tenten was the closest to them in their sex life anyway without being directly involved so they didn't care. They didn't remember when they fell asleep, just thankful the door was locked and sealed.

[Next Day]

There was a banging at the door, a furious banging that woke up both blondes. Naruto held his head as he sat up groaning, staring daggers at the sun through the window and the front door where the offensive noise was coming from. Rikku groaned as she curled up into his back to block the sun from her eyes.

"Make them go away. It's too early for this Naru..." Rikku whined.

"Alright alright. Just give me-!" He stopped talking as his legs tangled in the sheets and he fell to the floor. Grumbling now, he got back up, trying to find his boxers at least. "The hell did we do with our clothes?" He asked, genuinely confused.

"Naruto! Rikku! Come on guys I need your help!" Now the person at the door spoke, and the blondes would have been angry at the source, but the tone now had them worried. That was Kiba's voice.

He just managed to find his boxers and slipped them out before heading to the door, undoing the seals and the locks before opening it. "What's wrong Kiba?" He asked, suppressing a yawn as he looked at his honest to fayth best guy friend he had...okay only real guy friend. He needed to fix that. Kiba looked distressed and a bit frazzled, even Akamaru did.

"Hey, bud. Sorry for waking you, but it's an emergency. You know my team's sensei is Kurenai Yuhi right?" He asked, just trying to get facts straight for Naruto so he didn't have to explain twice.

"Hmm, ah, yeah. Her and Anko are best friends actually. But what about it?"

"Well, she resigned as team 8's Jonin sensei." He spoke, and that woke Naruto straight up.

"Wait, what!? That can't be right Ank talks about her a lot and how she was looking forward to having a full team to train, even more than Anko was actually. Why would she resign like this?" He asked.

"No idea. She just said it was something she didn't handle right back in the day that she has to handle now. I got no idea what's she's going on about and I don't want to Lose Kurenai sensei. I remembered our sensei were friends and hoped you could help, plus you got the Hokage's ear whenever you want it pretty much. I hate asking but-" He was stopped by a new voice.

"Kiba! It's okay, just calm down. We understand and we'll help just give us some time to get together and we'll help." Rikku stated now standing at the door with Naruto...wrapped up in the sheet she slept with. Kiba's next words were stolen from him as he looked at her, then to Naruto, seeing he was in just his boxers, then back to her. Finally, it seemed to click and he got a really perverted grin on his face.

"Don't even think about it, Kibble," Naruto said, pulling an arm around Rikku.

"Who said I was thinking along those lines. I got my own options, I just need to pursue them." He said with the same grin, making Rikku shake her head while rolling her eyes. "Besides, I'd ask first-" Anything else was cut short by a fist from Naruto, knocking him out.

"Thank you for that. Now drag him inside then we'll get dressed." Rikku said before Naruto did just that. Akamaru whimpered as he sat on top of his dragged master inside. A little while later the three genins and puppy left the apartment, fully awake and ready to tackle the problem at hand.

"Alright let's go talk with the Hokage first. No doubt if she resigned then she'll have to go through official channels first, if we don't get much there, then Anko before going to the source." Naruto spoke coming up with a plan which the other's agreed to. They rushed to the Hokage tower where with Naruto heading the charge they were able to pretty much walk right into his office.

[Hokage tower - Hiruzen's Office]

The Hokage was finishing a document his civilian representative on his counsel to his attention relating to shinobi affairs when Naruto, Rikku, and Kiba knocked and then came in at his call. "Ah, Naruto, Rikku, and Kiba. Nice to see you...but judging from your faces this isn't a social visit I take it." He spoke, though, with Kiba's presence, he already had a good idea of why they were here.

"Sorry Jiji, not today. We wanted to ask about Kurenai and why she was resigning as sensei of Team 8." Rikku spoke, getting the Hokage to sigh as he put the document away.

"I'm afraid that matter can't be discussed, it's not something for Genins to know about. Suffice to say, it's a personal reason regarding her past that she determined she failed that's come up and has to be handled. In light of it, she doesn't feel she's qualified as a Jonin sensei because of it, so she resigned." He stated, giving them all he could give. Rikku seemed to catch onto something, but Kiba made his outburst known.

"That's Bullshit! She was doing an awesome job of teaching us and leading the team! There's no-!" He was suddenly muffled by Naruto with a hand over his mouth when Naruto saw the Hokage getting irritated.

"Sorry Jiji. But we're just concerned. Anko told us that one of the things her friend Kurenai wanted most was to be a teacher, so to suddenly resign like this is just unbelievable, and obviously you see how much her team cares for her, they're confused and just trying to understand, maybe even help." Naruto spoke trying to diffuse the situation. His time in Spira where he wasn't despised really did help him. If he hadn't gone to Spira he might be the one shouting like Kiba was now, if not all the time.

Sarutobi hummed a bit as he lit his pipe and considered the situation. "It's understandable and I don't blame him. But her mind is made up on the matter. As it is the recent incident that brought this up for her was just too much for her. I would suggest you talk to her yourself if you really want to get involved. Now if you will I do have other things I have to see to." He stated, motioning to a small stack of paperwork on his desk. Sure he could knock it out in an hour or two and be done for the day, but he ha other business aside from paperwork to.

When the three genins bowed and went to leave though he spoke up. "Just a moment Naruto, Rikku. I would like to talk to you a moment. Kiba you can wait for them in the lobby, this won't take too long." He stated and Kiba nodded, leaving. Once the door was closed, the Hokage activated a privacy style seal, seals to prevent sensory details such as sound and such from leaving the boundary of the room.

"What do you need Jiji?" Naruto asked.

"I took the time to review the sphere device you brought me with the message from your father Rikku. Did you know what it detailed?" he asked them.

"No. Said I was to give it to you and you only. It had a view once and self-erase feature so I wouldn't try to view it." Naruto stated, now a bit confused.

"I see. I guess that's just as well then. I'll have a response prepared soon for you to take with you to him when you return back to Spira. I'll have to ask the same thing to not open it or read it."

"Hai." Both blondes spoke in unison. Hiruzen smiled a bit at that. six months of the academy and several under Anko seemed to be enough to instill the soldier discipline they lacked before coming to Konoha. Now they weren't only trained, but also highly disciplined. "Good, now you're dismissed."

"Oi, wai,t Jiji, there is something we'd like to ask you. Something that's a bit...concerning." Rikku asked, remembering that girl.

"Oh?" he inclined, backing off from releasing the privacy seal.

"Yeah, yesterday there was this girl out in the field. We tried to talk to her but she wouldn't speak. She was painting of the village and suddenly she drew a lightning bolt that actually happened. We've never seen anything like that in this world, but that closely resembled magic from Spira, being able to control the elements with a wave of a hand or gesture is common in Spira but not here. However, before we could confront her she took off and captured by medic ninja and Anbu. Would you happen to know anything about that girl?"

Sarutobi's eyes narrowed, not like this information. The girl had fully used her ability directly. "I do and it's being handled. I assume the Anbu said as much?" He asked, getting nods from the blonde genins.

"They did it's just," Rikku started, looking to Naruto who nodded. "When she looked at us. When our eyes met we felt something we haven't felt since before we left Spira." She stated, now getting Sarutobi's full attention.

"And what would that be?" He asked, uncomfortable with all this now.

"Jiji, she felt like a Fiend," Naruto stated clearly and bluntly. The room was silent as everyone digested that statement. Sarutobi put his pipe down on the desk as he pinched the bridge of his nose as he thought this over.

"Are you sure that's what she felt like? Absolutely sure?" He asked, not wanting to make assumptions before coming to any decisions.

"Positive Jiji, we've fought plenty of Fiends, after a while, you get a feel for them and can even anticipate them if they're nearby. We might be rusty, but that's not something you forget." Rikku spoke up next. Hiruzen sighed as he thought this over now, taking up his pipe again.

"What exactly is a Fiend?" He asked, needing to gather information.

"Well, it's the unsent souls of the dead turned restless over their death and holding a grudge against the living. Their attachment becomes so strong that they become twisted and take on monstrous forms indicative of how strongly they feel that grudge toward the living. They can be as weak and as small as common wolves and large fish to monsters the size of buildings with immense power, or so we're told. Fiends typically become stronger the closer you get to the deadlands that used to be Zanarkand, souls that died in the great war over 1000 years ago. It's also typical that the longer a Fiend survives and the more it kills and such, the stronger it gets." Naruto stated.

"That's right, there are lots of really bad Fiends out there and all."

"Just to be sure, what of Sin?" Hiruzen asked but both blondes shook their heads.

"Sin is something different altogether, the fayth gave you an explanation didn't they?" Rikku asked.

"They did, but I just needed to be sure. If there were fiends capable of matching the Biju." He stated.

"...We're not sure. Maybe the oldest Fiends, but Sin is the only thing in Spira we can think of that can match the Biju." Naruto stated, not comfortable with this subject and Hiruzen saw this, so he dropped it for now.

"Is it possible for the living to become Fiends?"

"No. At least not that we know of. If it was, no one has ever heard of it." Rikku stated, getting a nod from the Hokage.

"This is a problem then... Do you think you and the fayth may be able to help her?" He asked.

"We can't be sure, but it's worth a shot. But before we do that, who is she?" She asked.

The Hokage looked to the two, really looked at them before he took a puff of his pipe and let out the smoke with a sigh. "What I'm about to tell you is a secret, but if there is a chance you can help her and this really is connected with a Fiend or some kind, I'll divulge everything. Understand though that you'll be involved in this matter from start to end now, and if you can't help her, you may have to end her, not just for the safety of others, but her own sake. Is this clear?"

"Hai, Hokage-Sama." The two blondes spoke, becoming serious as they assumed a proper at attention stance with arms behind their backs, eyes on their Hokage. Still, he couldn't help but smile at the results these two showed.

"Take a seat, this will take a while." He spoke, directing them to the wide leather chairs before the desk, widely spaced apart for people to stand between them. Naruto took a seat before Rikku jumped into his lap.

"Oooh, so this is where you got that leather chair of yours. They're comfy.~" She spoke giddily to the Hokage's amusement. Naruto just smirked at her before getting comfortable with his arms around Rikku's waist as she leaned back into him.

"That girl's Name is Yakumo Kurama, and she has a direct connection with Yuhi Kurenai and her recent decisions. It started about a year and a quarter ago..." He spoke, going on to tell the two the entire story with every detail he knew. About her and the clans genjutsu ability, Yakumo's immense talent, her parents, the fire, the sealing, everything, including the matter of the apparent Id being that rested in her mind. This particular fact struck a chord with Naruto over his own inner demon and his seal, but a hug from Rikku kept him grounded. Once he finished the full tale to the best of his ability, he looked at the two who processed the information.

"It honestly does sound like a Fiend, but to manifest and possess Yakumo like that, it's unheard of... Maybe it has to do with something unique about the Kurama clan or just Yakumo herself?" Rikku spoke, the more genjutsu savvy of the two.

"I would say with Yakumo herself since it wasn't displayed in the other clan members. Something about her made it possible for this to happen, which is connected with her immense genjutsu talent and likely a reason for her stunted physical ability." Naruto brought up, drawing on his Fuinjutsu experience to bring his own understanding into the matter.

"The Kurama state that she possesses a rare body type not common in the clan, but apparently sought after in the clan." Hiruzen filled in, making both blondes nod.

"That's likely apart of it then, but I won't jump to conclusions." Naruto voiced and getting Rikku to nod.

"So what can you do?" Hiruzen asked and watch both blondes slump a bit.

"Truthfully? Not much. I mean we both studied the summoner skills a bit, particularly sending but could never do it ourselves. It's a summoner's only skill it seems. Though we do have magic, its tied with our chakra but we just don't know the spells that could help, you'd need a white mage or Yevon trained summoner for that. We have limited spells as it is." Rikku spoke, both holding up a hand, Rikku producing a flame in her palm while Naruto produced a clump of ice to gather in his. They dispersed the magical elements to think on this further.

"Our best bet may be to take her to the Fayth. They're the most likely to have the ability to actually deal with the Id rather than just suppressing it like you all have with the seals. If that doesn't work, then we either seal up her chakra permanently or...deal with her." He stated, not excited about that possibility, but there it was.

"Agreed. Then our next course of action is clear. I'll send for Kurenai and Anko. From there you will guide them to the temple and take Yakumo to the Fayth. Kurenai will be best apt to help handle the genjutsu while Anko knows how to deal with the mind as an interrogation specialist."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Exposing the Fayth to others like that?" Naruto asked, now concerned. If word got out about the Fayth and another world.

"It's the only plan with any reasonable chance of success. Anko and Kurenai can be trusted, so you may reveal the full secret to them. We'll debrief them after Yakumo is seen to. Go tell Kiba you have been given a mission and Kurenai's situation will be dealt with soon, though whether she decides to come back is still her decision, a talk from her team may bring her back after the matter is settled. After you do report to the gates to meet Kurenai and Anko there, a medic and Anbu team will transfer Yakumo to Kurenai's custody where you'll head for the temple and proceed from there. Understood?" He stated.

"Hai, Hokage-Sama." The blondes confirmed before leaving. Informing a frustrated Kiba, the boy and puppy were surprised that they may have a way to solve this. Telling him what he needed to know, they saw him run off, no doubt to talk to his team while they went off t the gates.

[Main Gates]

Naruto and Rikku stood to wait for a little while, in full gear prepared for whatever may happen. They didn't have to wait terribly long for Anko, Kurenai following after her as they joined the blondes at the gate.

"Look, all I'm saying Kurenai is that you can't let this affect how you deal with your team. Yes, shit hit the fan back then, but that is not your team and now you may have the means to help the girl now. Just consider taking back your team alright? You loved teaching them and as I hear it, they loved it just as much." Anko stated, getting a sigh from Kurenai, though her gaze turned sharp on the two Genin.

"So you two have the means to help Yakumo then?" She asked the two, her stare speaking all of her doubt for her. Rikku just jacked an eyebrow up at the stare and snippiness of the comment, but let it go.

"We may have the means. But considering the circumstances the failed prior attempt, our method can't be any worse," Rikku returned, making Kurenai recoil. "Especially given the current orders if we can't help at all." And there was the low blow to kick the first one out of the water.

"Rikku, enough." Naruto chided, making the girl sigh.

"Sorry. I'm just not comfortable with our options." She stated.

"None of us are Brat, Kurenai most of all. So let's move on from it and do our best to make sure we don't have to resort to the backup options." Anko stated, not coming to Kurenai's defense, she was Kurenai's friend, not her crutch. "So what does this 'method' pertain to exactly?" She asked of her two Genin.

"Not here, but for now, it has to do with where we were when we were training, who trained us and the other things we can't tell you on the Hokage's order. Both of you will be informed and then properly debriefed in the Hokage's office after this is...concluded." Naruto stated, picking his words carefully. This was just entirely too stressful.

Needless to say, Anko was surprised, and a little explanation from Anko also had Kurenai more than just interested. What kind of background could these two young teens have that required Hokage approval to even learn of? Apparently, a sordid and burden filled one with many secrets, secrets that could help Yakumo.

It was a bit of a longer wait, one now in silence before the medic team with the Anbu guard arrived, carrying a girl on the shoulders of one medic. "It was difficult sedating her again. She'll be out for a few hours for now. Whatever you're going to do, make it count." The medics stated. After she was transferred to Kurenai's back to carry, they got a better look at the girl. Lithe frame, chestnut brown hair, one braid on the left side, clear complexion. She was a looker in her own right. But the Al Bhed both felt it, clear as day, the feeling of a Fiend.

"We need to get going, it'll be a good hard run for a few hours. We'll talk once we arrive, got it?" Naruto spoke, taking up leading position for the time being. Well, more of just naturally falling into it. As the more assertive of the two, Rikku allowed him the room to take the leading position in moments like these, she could do it just as well, but she was comfortable and more importantly, not the least bit challenged nor felt inadequate by giving him that role. It was just in their natures, Naruto took action quickly, thinking on his feet and very reactionary, while she provided the support to help him when he took the lead.

Just the same he had no problem letting go of the reigns to allow her to take control and change things on the fly. Often providing a different view of a given situation, while he would provide support instead. It was part of their dynamic and why they worked so well together like Kakashi had once described them. A bowl of water where when the bowl moves and the water shifts, one side the water rises, the other side the water dips, before shifting to do the same on the opposite side.

Once they were set they took off on the move towards the temple, staying in relative silence while tree hopping at speed, unaware they had unwanted followers on their tail.

They tree hopped for a while before Kurenai spoke up. "Okay, now I'm curious, we've kept up this pace for some time, how aren't you two winded?"

"We're very well trained," Rikku stated with a cheeky grin, making Anko snort.

"That's an understatement. You two are honestly chunin just waiting to be promoted."

"Heh. But seriously, remember that Blitzball game Kurenai?" Rikku spoke up, getting a nod. "It's that breath training we mentioned, completing and taking it as far as we have and still plan to give you an awesome body. We've trained our bodies to absorb most if not all the air it breathes in, wasting nearly nothing it takes in. It makes our bodies work very efficiently and at a higher level than normal. It's how we can be as intense as we are underwater as above water." She stated, making the Genjutsu mistress gape at the two.

"It's true Nai-chan, little runts are something special. Watched them spar for nearly ten minutes on one breath plenty of times." Anko supported her Genin with a proud smile. "Which you two still have to let me in on the training to do that."

"Well you were focused on our training before, but we can do that later," Naruto stated, looking back, but seeing the look of concentration on Kurenai's face, he couldn't help but ask. "Something on your mind Kurenai?" he asked.

"This breath training makes you strong despite not building much muscle mass or relying on chakra enhancement, like Gai or most ninja respectively?" She asked. Gai was an example of a ninja who built the body to bridge the gap to intense physical ability and taijutsu most ninja got to through chakra enhancement, the same for his student Lee who couldn't express his chakra past his body. Very few went more than the bare minimum of true physical training, to most it just wasn't worth it to go that route when they could easily just use chakra enhancement. But Gai's method was building muscle mass and hardening the body, creating more force.

Their method seemed to be maximizing the force already in the body to a higher level, increasing efficiency of what it had available before building up more mass or hardening.

"That's right. Big bulky bodies typically are slower in the water, the more mass you have the harder its to move it quickly. Same as above ground with weight. But our training takes it a step further. Now any further training we do to increase our physical ability makes us even stronger so long as we keep up our breath training." Rikku stated, looking to the Genjutsu mistress. "You're wondering if Yakumo could benefit from the training to move past her own handicap?" while it was asked a question, the tone was clear it was not.

"Yes. It was one of the detriments to her ability to be a proper ninja before that her body couldn't keep up with the demands. Being Taijutsu focused like Rock Lee is one thing, but to have a weak body is worse, especially if you can't keep up with your comrades." Kurenai stated, feeling for the girl on her back passed out.

"I gotcha. We'll talk about it after this is handled. If all goes well, then we'll allow her the breath training, but we have a few theories to run on our own about her apparent handicap. Regardless, we're almost there so let's-" Naruto stopped as he felt something and pulse his chakra to echo outward, using their developed sensory jutsu before clicking his teeth. "Damn, we're being followed." He stated, pulsing his chakra regularly now to stay aware of their enemy, who now felt they were discovered and moving in on their position.

"How many?" Anko ordered, sitting into mission mode.

"Seven and closing in now," Rikku stated, drawing her blades from her weapon seals, while Naruto produced his strike armor, the metal segments settling over his arms and legs comforting now.

"I can set up a Genjutsu to throw off our trail," Kurenai spoke up.

"No good. Our sensor technique relies on pulsing our chakra. We developed it to also dispel genjutsu with each pulse." Naruto informed before they saw a group of Konoha ninja land in front of them.

"Hand over the girl now and we'll let you live." Spoke the apparent leader, an aging man who had his arms crossed.

"Unkai!? The hell are you doing here?"

"Handling our problem as a clan. Yakumo is our responsibility, we know how to handle her best." He stated, drawing a unique Tanto with their clan symbol on it. Narrowing his eyes, Naruto growled at the man.

"So you're Unkai then and the Kurama clan? Step off, we may have a method to help her and deal with the Id."

"I'm sorry but I cannot allow that. The Id is too powerful to be subdued and she must be killed. It's regrettable, but it's for everyone's safety. It's safer to kill her now and a mercy while she's not aware."

"You mean it's easier and save's face for the Kurama clan rather than to actually try and solve the problem to instead just get rid of it and cover it up," Rikku stated, bring her blades to a ready guard position.

"You know nothing, you're just children, now stand down and hand her over or we will take her by force," Unaki stated. When the four did not budge he sighed. "I see, such a shame. But this is for the greater good. For what it's worth, I am sorry." He stated, moving his free hand forward in a silent order. The other nin by him made various hand seals before the first moved forward to attack.

Only to be knocked slick the fuck out by a gauntlet to the face and fall to the forest floor below. "WHAT!?" Unkai called out, seeing the blue-eyed blonde staring at them unamused.

"Was that supposed to be an attack? Honestly, he was very slow and easy to read." He stated, flexing his metal plated fingers before resuming his stance.

"It's Genjutsu Naruto. The Kurama clan are exceptional genjutsu experts, it's an eclectic art very few pursue as a strength an fewer still are prepared to recognize and counter quickly." Kurenai stated, smirking at the turn of events.

"Oh? So what your saying is that against us with our passive method of dispelling genjutsu..." Naruto observed while his wife picked up where he trailed off.

"Has effectively castrated them of their ability to fight us head on." Rikku finished for her husband, smiling just as much as her lover was.

"Exactly. You've crippled their fighting ability." Kurenai confirmed with a vicious smirk that made Anko proud. The Kurama clan hearing this paled. These kids had a PASSIVE ability to counter them without even trying!?

"Doesn't matter, we still have a job to do. Now we know what to not do though." Unkai stated as the other nin rushed them, faster and more focused.

"Naruto Rikku. These are enemy combatants threatening to kill the target. How do we deal with them?" Anko posed the question to her genin as she stepped back to Guard Kurenai, much to the woman's confusion.

"By ending the threat before it can deal damage." They stated, launching themselves at the Kurama shinobi. What followed was for the two elder Kunoichi, an exercise in lethality.

[The fight]

Naruto and Rikku both took a calming breath as the 5 other Kurama clan Shinobi moved in on them, abandoning their Genjutsu since it was now useless. Naruto grabbed Rikku's arm and launched her straight for the nearest Shinobi, she throwing her weight to orient herself while throwing her arms and blades forward to catch the unprepared Shinobi off guard, making two slices across his neck as she gracefully flowed around his body like water, landing on a branch behind the man while the man's body hit the branch he was aiming to land on, while his head was jarred free from his neck thanks to the cuts and fell down to the ground, his body hanging limply over the branch as blood drained from the neck.

Naruto jumped to his left to an adjacent tree, standing on the trunk before pushing off, launching himself at another Kurama Chunin. However, he aimed for where the man would be, not where he was. Therefore when the man landed on the branch he'd been aiming for, he wasn't in a position to defend from the grappling hands on his head that then pulled him forward, to suddenly finding his head with the kid's strength and full weight dragging down onto a branch below, crushing and snapping his neck, nearly tearing off his head. His body fell lifeless to the ground below.

Both Genin on their own branches and three chunin left aside from Unkai, their opening strikes killing two already. The chunin weren't given rest though as the blondes launched from their positions at the tree the chunin were on. The shinobi jumped away, but the blondes pulled free kunai and shuriken to throw at their enemies who used their tanto to deflect. However, both blondes chose a weapon to substitute with to close the gap, catching another two chunin off guard.

Rikku used her blades to combat her target, her blade skills outpacing the man's as they engaged. The man finding that his strength as an adult male wasn't giving him an edge as his strikes were being parried or diverted. A downward stroke was slightly sidestepped while a left blade came up and pushed to the man's right to complete the active evasion while the girl's right blade slung forward to cut at a leg. The man grimaced and came with a counter side stroke, only for the right blade and it's knuckle guard to be just to push the tanto higher while the girl just lowered her head for virtue of keeping her hair from being cut, while the left blade came in and made a deep cut on his right arm, his blade arm. Dropping his tanto, he went to jump away to get distance, but his leg buckled, remembering it was cut now, and he fell forward, right as the girl rose up with an ascending blade cut on the man's neck across the left side, severing his jugular veins and carotid artery. He bled out quickly enough to be dead before he hit the ground.

Naruto was significantly less graceful but just as efficient as a torso stomp sent the man hurtling into a branch. His diaphragm hit, ribs fractured and no doubt internal bleeding, but hitting the branch on his back did more damage to compound that. Holding onto the branch, his tanto dropped on impact, he got up just long to see the boy land on the same branch before a single, straight hard punch with the gauntlet-covered fist compressed his ribcage, the prior fractures snapping the ribs, puncturing his own lungs and with the freedom to move, the broken bones hitting other organs, such as the heart. The man slumped against the trunk of the tree to a sitting position, dead and lifeless.

The last of the Chunin was left speechless at how quickly the two had just run through them. Sure they were reliant on Genjutsu, but they were stronger than some genin, weren't they? He didn't have time to contemplate this though as his inattention cost him, a kunai from both blondes hitting both sides of his head, piercing through killing him.

"And then..."

"There was..."

"One." Both blondes spoke, Naruto starting, Rikku picking up before they both finished the statement. It was planned, but not for theatrics, but scare tactics. Psychological warfare was a bitch to fight against.

Unkai was speechless as he looked to the two Blondes, two Genin who had just in a matter of minutes, killed 5 of his chunin, the sixth knocked out, and he was the last one. He was stronger sure, but he had the same weakness in this situation as his clansmen did. Swallowing his pride, he growled. "This isn't over, we will deal with Yakumo." The man said, attempting to take off.

However, before he could he was suddenly struck with cold and pain as if he was in a blizzard in the nude. Looking down to find his feet frozen in ice to the branch. Ignoring the pain to look back to the boy with his outstretched hand. He managed a weak smile. "Foolish boy, trying to use genjutsu on me. It's good though, the pain feels real. KAI!" He stated, forming his chakra and release... but nothing. Eyes wide, he looked down at the ice. "Impossible, Ice jutsu require a Kekkai Genkai."

"Oh, it's real alright. But it's not blood-related. Though you'll never find out. Rikku if you will please?" He asked and she nodded. She threw her hand forward, a fireball forming halfway through the action before being launched at the man, the fireball growing in size before it hit him. Frozen to the branch and with no defense or warning such as a jutsu shout or hand seals, he was caught by the fireball which burned him alive, his screams immediate and loud before consumed by the fire. He dropped to the ground soon after.

Nodding the two blondes made a few shadow clones who got to work disposing of the bodies. Turning to the two elder Kunoichi, they smiled. "Threat Neutralized." They stated.

The two women were just dumbfounded at the display. Kurenai was the first to speak as she looked to Anko with an accusatory stare. "What the actual fuck have you been teaching these two!?" She accused, Anko now gaping at her in shock. Her Nai-Chan never cursed! Especially not like that, ever.

"Hey, they came like this. Mostly. I've just been refining what they came with, most of this was a package deal before purchase and pick-up! No assembly required! Honest!" She defended. Still, to see their progress in live combat was something else.

"She's right for the most part. Besides we've been pushing ourselves before we met...well, this Anko." Rikku stated, getting the two women's attention.

"This Anko?" Kurenai asked, fearful. By the way that was phrased.

"She apparently has a twin. The other Anko, same name, identical looks even, was the one to teach us the breath training." Kurenai grabbed Yakumo when she dropped her, far too shocked about that revelation to keep her wits about her. Her face though, absent of blood was indicator enough of her opinion on that knowledge.

"Anyway, we're done here, let's get a move on," Naruto stated, jumping back to the route they were taking tot he temple, both women following them now, just too shocked over the last 20 minutes.

[Fayth Temple]

When they reached the temple, it was clear the renovation work was top notch by the look of the outside alone. Carved out of the cliff face, the architecture matched that of the rest of the temple with mighty columns, reliefs of mighty creatures the blondes knew to be the Aeons in majestic poses. A brazier of blue flames under each relief to illuminate it, the flickering light and shadows almost bringing the reliefs to light. A Column was placed between each relief almost as individual shrines. Some seemed to believe this as little offerings were left in front of some of the braziers.

"What is this place?" Anko asked, Kurenai Mirroring the question as she looked around.

"The Temple of the Fayth." The boy smiled as he looked at the reliefs, being reminded of the fayth. Looking to Rikku who also had a smile, she nodded.

"I thought you two trained in the tropics, nothing was said about a temple," Anko said, drawing on her limited knowledge of the two.

"That's right. But it all starts with this temple, and this is where we'll get our help for Yakumo if she can be helped." Naruto said as he strode forward to the large stone doors.

"Well that's great and all, but those doors got to weigh a half ton each if not more. So unless you have some kind of magic key-" Naruto had placed his hand on the door, where a symbol appeared, glowed brightly before fading and the doors swung open. He and Rikku both looked at her with grins. "Little brats..." She grumbled as the two laughed lightly. The Braziers seemed to burn brighter a moment before dimming as they all walked inside. The doors closed behind them, while torches and Braziers lit up inside.

"Are you two sure this is safe?" Kurenai asked, a little creeped out by the atmosphere, symbols, self-lighting fires, moving doors and everything.

"Perfectly." Rikku supplied as they walked up a small set of stairs and through a door before following a stone passageway towards the main chamber. The temple really was restored or built up rather to perfection. They could practically feel the magic saturated in the air. The Air felt like Spira here, and both realized how much they missed their home. The final thing was the Hymn of the fayth, both blondes soundlessly miming the hymn themselves.

Stepping into the final and main chamber of the temple, they have greeted with the energy pulsing statues of the fayth. Looking at each fondly, they smiled before Naruto stepped forward.

"Bahamut?" Naruto asked aloud. Rikku waited patiently while the two women were apprehensive. Until they saw a small boy wearing a hooded vest Identical to Naruto's appeared, though he was semi-transparent!

"Hello Naruto, Rikku. Both doing well I hope?" He asked, smiling at the two. Soon after the others started to appear, the fayth all stepping forward the same as Bahamut, Anko and Kurenai could see Rikku's shemagh was identical to the one worn by the woman with large ornamented braids.

"Yes, for us personally anyway. Which, Rikku and I would like to thank you for the rings, while we may not have had an official ceremony, it was probably the best thing to happen to us since being back here." Naruto said, getting smiles from the fayth, both blondes smiling and blushing slightly.

"Happy to hear that. It seems people just need a push in the direction they are already facing sometimes to move forward on their chosen path." Bahamut stated. However, his gaze shifted over to the women, but his gaze focused on Yakumo. "However seeing them I take it this isn't just a social visit."

"No. There's a problem. You feel it don't you. She feels like a Fiend." Rikku spoke, stepping forward.

"Yes, we do Child. So you came to us for assistance?" Spoke the woman who's token Rikku received, Shiva.

"Yes, Lady Shiva. We've never encountered anything like this. She's still alive, yet seems to be harboring a Fiend, literally, within her own mind, but not of her own choice. We didn't want to just kill her if it could be avoided." She stated, but Shiva chuckled slightly.

"Just Shiva dear, I may like the respect, but you are apart of our chosen, you carry my token and you are worthy of the respect that entails. Now as for the girl you did not try to perform a sending or the like?" She asked. Both blondes looked to one another, before looking back to the Fayth.

"We've been unable to perform a sending before no matter how much we tried. We thought it was a summoner only skill?" Rikku asked, but Shiva shook her head.

"Anyone who's trained to can perform the sending. Summoners in this day and age are just the most common." Shiva clarified.

"Indeed, but that may not be the issue here though. This being has adhered to the girl, so we'll need to pull it free before we can do anything." Bahamut stated.

"And how do we do that?" Naruto asked.

"Well, you fight it of course. Fighting, defeating and killing Fiends disrupts their connection to the living plain. Fight it, defeat it and it's connection to the girl will be weak enough to break it and free her and it so we can deal with it. Whenever you're ready though, place her on the central Dais and we'll begin."

"Whoa whoa whoa! The hell is going on here, you got a bunch of ghosts coming out of statues and you two are acting like it's nothing. Now we're not doing anything till we get some answers!" Anko said crossing her arms.

"Crude as she can be, I have to agree. This is just too much to trust on point." Kurenai stated, holding Yakumo tighter to her back. The blondes looked at each other and sighed before looking back to the fayth.

"Anko, Kurenai, there really isn't much time. You came here with us because there was a chance to Save Yakumo, yes there are unknowns to you here, but the Hokage gave his go ahead and orders mind you. I know this is a lot to take in and things are difficult to take in. But we'll tell you everything after we've helped Yakumo. Now, are you going to try and save the girl or doom her to being forever sealed or are you going to kill her yourself instead?" Naruto asked, being blunt.

Kurenai flinched, hesitating, but a look to Anko and then back to the Blondes, she made her choice as she strode forward. "Fine, but I want that explanation immediately after." She glared.

"You'll get it. Now just set her down." Once the girl was on the central Dais, the fayth circled around her, placing their hands forward.

"Come forth, Fiend Dreamer," Bahamut stated as their hands glowed with power. Suddenly the entire chamber went dark and they found themselves in a space standing on nothing around a flat top rock pillar where a girl was sitting in front of an easel painting.

"Yakumo?" Kurenai spoke, and the girl froze before turning, looking at the group in shock. "How...how did you get in here?" She asked, clearly surprised. However before anymore conversation could be made the Fayth Bahamut waved his hand, and a blacked out canvas fell and started to melt of the canvas, revealing a depiction of Yakumo itself, before it shifted into the Likeness of a Demo with long fangs, black skin, elongated horns on the side of the head, long arms, claws, with the clothes and hair of Yakumo.

"Id." Kurenai uttered, looking on at the creature she had thought she fully sealed away.

"So good to see you again Kurenai. Not since I saw you last time have we spoken. Allow me to thank you for the treatment you gave Yakumo and myself." The creature stated before lashing out at the woman. Her charge though was stopped short by a spike of ice blocking its path.

"Outsiders." The creature spoke as it looked to the others. "No matter, you shall be dealt with shortly, my power is law in this space." It spoke, moving again, only to be halted by a stream of fire this time. "WHAT!?"

"Normally you would be correct Fiend Dreamer, but we have brought the space outward to us, where we all stand equal. Your nature truly is that of a Fiend it appears." Bahamut stated, looking to Naruto and co. He nodded. "It's all yours then." He stated and the group all smiled. However, Naruto and Rikku had their own plan.

"Kurenai, Go to Yakum and tell her the truth. She needs to know, otherwise, it will eat her up not knowing." Rikku said, taking off before the woman could protest. Naruto and Rikku both taking action against the Id creature, exchanging a furious display of elemental control, illusions and physical combat. Id breathed out blue flames to attempt to incinerate the blondes but was thwarted by a blast of ice and frigid wind from got in on the action with the use of her snakes and her other skills, working with her genin more as a tree man squad than teacher and students.

Meanwhile, Kurenai was speaking with Yakumo, revealing her the truth behind everything and her reasoning when the girl caught what Rikku had said asked her directly. Kurenai didn't want to tell her that, even indirectly, how her parents really died, that the seal she placed on her would end her chances to ever being a shinobi had it stayed, but her own shame had to be laid bare as it were. The talk was painful, and damning even, but as Yakumo stood, she slapped Kurenai across the face, the woman taking it, tears forming in her eyes before feeling arms wrap around her.

"Kurenai sensei...What do I do?" She asked, weak and vulnerable to know everything now.

"Yakumo...now... Now you fight. Make your own decisions and decide where you stand or go. Hear me?" She told her first student.

"How do I do that?" She asked again.

"By first, taking care of your Id. It's apart of you, but you decide how it's dealt with Yakumo. Choose to fight, or choose to run. Either way, this is your decision." Se stated, holding the seemed to consider it a moment, looking at the Id, before she stood, looking at the Id.

"I choose to fight." She stated, and space suddenly seemed to shift. The Id noticed immediately and its eyes widened.

"No no no NO! Yakumo I did this for you! Don't you-"

"Shut up!" The blonde whiskered teen roared, weapons put away now as the blondes capitalized on their chance and rushed the Id. Charging from both sides, they each held a hand t their side as they gathered the chakra there, taking shape before slamming the chakra right into the Id just as it stabilized into the coveted Rasengan. The grinding chakra spheres tore away at the Id as it screamed before forced to dissolve into purple mist. Space shifted back into the temple chamber, Yakumo was awake on the central dais, while the purple mist became a mass of Pyreflies.

Bahamut and Shiva looked at their chosen ninja and nodded. "Now it's done," Shiva stated, the fayth drawing back their hands before Bahamut waved his hand at the mass of Pyreflies, where it vanished soon after.

"So it's gone?" Yakumo asked, looking at everyone around.

"Yes, child. Your mind and soul are your own again. Though how that creature came to be is a mystery and concerning if something so much like a Fiend was able to take form in this world." She stated and the other Fayth nodded in agreement. Yakumo ran over to Kurenai and hugged her tightly, thankful for blondes signed, happy that was over. However, there was an elephant in the room, several in fact ad they were transparent.

"Alright Kiddies, it's done now start spilling your guts or I'll spill them for ya!" Anko declared a little too sweetly while holding a kunai. The blondes suddenly reminded of their Anko at Home Port. Once Yakumo and Kurenai were settled, the Blondes and the Fayth started explaining everything, just as promised.

[Hours Later]

"I call bullshit."

"Anko!"

"Well, I do Nai-chan! I mean come on, other worlds, magic, dead souls becoming monsters, a big fucking monster called sin that's thousands of souls because they're dreaming, no offense to attending Fayth. I mean some of this is just a little too unbelievable."

"Right, like me having a giant demon in my belly that can make Tidal waves, crush mountains, erase entire hidden villages, is any less believable." Naruto quipped, but heard a gasp from Yakumo. He blinked but smacked his forehead, remembering she didn't know since they were revealing the bigger secret here to her. "Right, sorry Yakumo. I'm the container to the damn furball, the Kyuubi. It was sealed the night it attacked into a newborn, me, not killed. My parents died in the attack. So trust me I know all about demons, seals, feared because of power, the works. Name's Naruto, nice to meet ya."

Yakumo just blinked and gaped. The hell kind of introduction was that?

Rikku just slapped the back of Naruto's head. "Forgive him for that Yakumo. He's a bit callous over the fact that he was sacrificed for the damn village that doesn't appreciate him in the slightest. My name's Rikku." She introduced herself, but seeing Yakumo's gaze on Naruto, she narrowed her eyes and smiled, holding out her left hand to shake, not so subtlely putting her ring to be seen. "His wife." She finished her introduction and Yakumo's gaze fell comically.

The Fayth however, were chuckling to themselves. "Se's quite proud of that fact now isn't she, eh Shiva?" Bahamut asked, clearly amused by the scene.

"Oh yes, she is. Maybe we should bring them back to Spira a little early for a proper Honeymoon then." Shiva stated, surprisingly it was shy Valefor who spoke up next.

"That's a good idea. A girl needs a proper Honeymoon!" She spoke excitedly, a slight spring in her step that despite not being physical, her robes, Besaid design of the temple, swayed about her. She blushed slightly as the other Fayth chuckled.

The living just looked at the Fayth and Anko was stared at by the rest of their group. "...okay so maybe I'll believe it. But it's still all crazy." She admitted.

"Never said it wasn't. But since you all know now, this has to stay a secret, no one can know, despite only the Fayth having the power to take us to Spira, we'd rather this Temple stay sacred." Naruto spoke, it was their connection to Spira after all.

"Not only that, but this place is their influence in our world, damaging it would be a bad idea, not just for them though," Rikku added.

"Alright, we get it...Who else knows about this?" Anko asked.

"Jiraiya, Kakashi, Jiji, and Itachi." Naruto listed off.

"Jiji?" Yakumo asked.

"The Hokage. Brats practically treat him like he's family and he lets them get away with it. I think he partly gets a kick out of it." Anko informed and Kurenai nodded. However, that last name grabbed her attention.

"Itachi knows?" She asked.

"Yeah. At the time he was my part of my Anbu guard, Weasel. He actually followed me as I left the village, looked out for me and slipped some supplies into my pack for me since I was running away until I found this temple and you know the rest. I still don't think the Uchiha massacre is what it seems. Not after what Itachi did for me." Naruto sighed, thinking of his protector gone rogue. Rikku rubbed his back to try and comfort him, Itachi had been a touchy subject since their return.

"Anyway, since you know everything, what now?" Rikku asked the group of Kunoichi.

The females all looked to one another, then shrugged. "We'll keep the secret, but aside from you two, this doesn't really affect us much once this day is over. Yakumo has her life back, something we're very grateful for, but aside from helping you two, we have no means of paying the fayth back for what they did to help us." Kurenai said.

"That will do just fine actually. Naruto and Rikku are apart of our chosen now, so helping them get stronger will help them toward our goal." Bahamut stated, getting the woman to nod. Looks like she was going to be training Rikku in genjutsu here soon.

"And we'll be teaching Yakumo...ah hell, we'll training all three of you in the breath training if you want it. Our friend tenten is almost there with the training, she's been our closest friend since we came back and since you three know our secret we'll share it with you too." Naruto stated.

"What about Kakashi? the toad and Hokage-Sama?" Anko asked.

"Kakashi learned it same time Tenten did, though it wouldn't surprise us if he mastered it already. That and our modified and enhanced techniques. We'll show you sometime, just promise not to train others except your own family or precious people." Rikku looked to each of them as they spoke, getting nods. "Good. I guess we can start when we have the time available then. we should get back to the village though, we've been gone a while and we don't want any schemers thinking Naruto went rogue or anything." SHe finished.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about schemes. Hokage-Sama makes sure to take care of the worst ones while you were world hoping brats." Anko stated as she stood up.

"Oh yeah? Who?" Naruto asked.

"Well for starts Danzo and his Root ninja. Though he managed to escape and took his root with him, he's bee driven out of Konoha and likely the land of fire, some of his roots has been captured and being integrated into controlled environments before into the village, if at all. His advisors and former teammates Koharu and Homura were found guilty of crimes against you and others, embezzling from clan accounts, and other charges. The civilian council was uncovered to be responsible for a lot of shit, a new civilian-counsel runs civilian only functions with a civilian rep on the Hokage counsel. What else...well, lots more. All in all, you leave when you did the improved quality of life in Konoha like you wouldn't believe since the council was using you as a hostage against the Hokage pretty much." Leave it to Anko to be as blunt as Naruto.

"Damn..."

"Yeah. Anyway let's go, I think we'll try for that training tomorrow. Agreed?" Nods all around and she smiled. "Good, lead on," Anko stated, watching as they said their goodbyes to the fayth and made their way out. Anko though made a shadow clone that stayed behind and looked to the fayth. She had something on her mind, something she needed to ask the Fayth in private...