...Still alive. *dodge* *crash* Yes I get it, its been a while since I've updated this story. I've been in more of a fantasy mood since Total War: Warhammer came out, but that was unfair to you guys. This story continues to get follows and favs so I decided enough is enough and you all deserve a new chapter. Admittedly my computer finally died so I had to redo the entire half chapter I had on it before pressing on. I also have something for you all to aid me in with this story that will become apparent at the end of the chapter in conjunction with positive/neutral reviews. I don't like flames. Please review, follow, and favorite.

I own nothing except for my OCs.

"talking"

"thought"

"telepathic talk"

"demonic/powerful talking"

"demonic/powerful thought"

Chapter 19: Uncertain Tomorrows

Grey clouds blanketed the sky as the retrieval team was escorted to the emergency rooms of Konoha's hospital. Staff were rushing to save the genin and nin dog in need of urgent care. Choji had taken all three of his clan's special food pills in order to defeat the extremely strong Oto nin that he fought and was now suffering the consequences of the pills' back lash. Neji had been impaled and needed surgery to keep him alive. Kiba wasn't in immediate need, that was for Akamaru and his sister was currently trying to save his partner's life.

But Naruto had suffered the worst from the fighting. Most of his bones were broken, he was suffering major chakra exhaustion, and he had been impaled through the chest twice by the chidori. Tsunade herself was in the room personally healing the boy.

"Come on. Don't you dare die on me Naruto," she pleaded as she continued to apply medical jutsu.

Outside the room where Choji's procedure was taking place, Shikamaru sat waiting for any news. He, Kiba, Lee, and the Suna nin had gotten off with minimal damage that was easily patchable. But while Shikamaru wasn't suffering physically he was being drowned by guilt. His oldest and best friend was in the room in front of him heavily damaged, and it had been his call to leave Choji behind. Sure the husky boy had volunteered, but that didn't change the fact the Nara had gone along with it.

"Hey," a feminine voice interrupted his depression.

He looked up to see Temari looking at him. "Hey."

"How are you holding up?" she asked.

"About as well as expected. Don't take this the wrong way, but why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your siblings?"

"Gaara and Kankaro are outside Uzumaki's room while he's in surgery. I came to check up on you since you seemed depressed."

*sigh* "Thanks I guess. This whole mission was botched the moment we separated. I know the mission comes first, but if we fail anyway what's the point?"

"You did your duty like a good shinobi," Temari tried to comfort him.

"At what cost? What good is the mission if I fail to calculate the right solution?" he paused, "I-I can't lose him you know?"

Temari nodded. The light above the room blinked off. Shikamaru bolted out of his seat as the doctor walked out.

"Your teammate's lucky. A bit later and we wouldn't have been able to save him. All he needs now is time to rest," the doctor told him and walked off.

Shikamaru sat back down, covering his face with his hands. "Thank goodness. *sniff* Thank goodness."

The Nara sobbed into his hands as Temari could only put a comforting arm around him as he poured his emotions out.

Elsewhere Hiashi and Hanabi waited for any word on Neji's progress. Hanabi was worried not just for her cousin but also how Hinata would react. Since her infection she'd become more vindictive and dangerous to those who attacked her friends and family. Her father made it a point to have a messenger keep track of Uzumaki's ordeal as well, and from what she'd heard it was much worst then Neji's. She gulped at the rage her dear sister would have. She could imagine Hinata going on the warpath slaying any who had connections to this whole thing, including a traitorous Uchiha.

"Is something the matter daughter?" Hiashi asked.

"I'm just imagining Nee-san's reaction when she finds out what happened," she replied.

Hiashi blinked before shuddering himself. His beloved wife could be scary when needed and combine that with the alien element of the Zerg virus, Hinata would rip nations apart to find the Uchiha and Snake Sannin to end them.

The entrance of the hospital had finally calmed down when the doors were torn open. An eerily calm Hinata and Kin stalked into the lobby with Zerg security with them. Both girls had their hybrid features out for the world to see not caring if they scared people. Hinata truly wasn't concerned anymore, especially when Naruto's life was on the line. She and her company strode up to the desk.

"Is Naruto Uzumaki in and is he available to have visitors?" she asked the terrified nurse.

"M-m-mister Uzumaki i-is still in s-s-surgery right n-now," the poor girl managed to get out as her eyes shifted to the girls and the monsters at their heels.

"I see. And where is that operation room?"

"D-down that h-hall."

Hinata nodded and the group left. She saw the light was still on meaning the operation was still ongoing, but from what she could pick up from her psionic abilities they were still working overtime. She also saw people waiting outside the room. Kakashi, Konohamaru, two of the Suna nin from the exam, and Sakura.

"You!" she snarled at the pink haired girl. Her voice surprising the other people.

"H-Hinata-" Sakura was cut off as she was pinned to the wall gasping for air from an invisible source.

"Are you happy Haruno? Are you glad your precious 'Sasuke-kun' did this!?" the Hyuga asked with her outstretched claw.

"W-wait *gasp* p-please!"

"You who bashed his head all through our time in the academy, you who ignored every ounce of kindness he gave to you, who he adored before I finally found my courage, had the gall to make him promise you something. A promise that almost cost him his life!"

Kakashi wanted to interfere but the hissing creatures and a hand kept him in place. Looking he found the hand belonged to the former Oto kunoichi.

"Hinata-sama won't kill her and the girl needs to understand what her 'request' has done," Kin said with her tentacle hair ready if things escalated.

Sakura was still gasping and trying to respond. "I-I-"

"You know damn well that when Naruto Uzumaki makes a promise he keeps it no matter what. Because you asked him to bring Sasuke back you no doubt meant alive. If he didn't have to bring that traitor back alive he wouldn't have had to hold back as much."

*gasp* "J-just-" Tears formed in her eyes.

"And what about everyone else? I can sense several of the team in critical condition because of the Uchiha." Hinata then sighed. "Still I know Naruto-kun would've tried to bring Sasuke back first. Naruto did consider him a friend. Just know that you are currently on thin ice with me Sakura."

Finally relenting the pinkette dropped to the floor coughing and gasping for air. The Zerg queen ignored her to sit right in front of the doors. Sakura was fighting the stinging of tears that threatened to spill from the tongue lashing.

Gaara was impressed with the display of power and the psychological tear down, though only his raised eyebrow was the only evidence to such thoughts. Kakashi relaxed after Sakura was released but knew that his precious team was all but destroyed. Looking at the downed girl he hoped this confrontation did more good than bad, she was still a kunoichi and needed to get strong like one. Kankuro was freaking out a bit from the psychic powers and monster bodyguards, but he found a way to distract his mind.

"So…I'm Kankaro, what's your name cutie?" he weakly introduced himself to the tentacle haired girl.

Kin giggled a bit. It was kind of cute how he was trying to be suave to distract from his fear. "I'm Kin. Formerly from Oto, but now loyal servant to Hinata-sama."

"I see…So how did you, you know-"

"End up like this?" she gestured to her hybrid body.

"Y-yeah."

"Kabuto poisoned me because I essentially failed Orochimaru and was nothing but a loose end. The process saved my life, but now I'm not fully human anymore," she said as she played with her tentacles. "It's not so bad really I've got a much better life here than in Oto."

"Yeah you seem better than you were in the exams," Kankuro pointed out.

Sounds of rushing feet caught everyone's attention to show a disheveled Tenten running towards them. She stopped in front of the group to catch her breathe.

"H-hey guys. I *gasp* just got the news about the retrieval team. *pant* Do-"

"Neji-niisan's room is down the hall Tenten. The runner will take you," Hinata interrupted and pointed out the Hyuga Hiashi assigned to check on Naruto.

"I can take you to Neji's room Tenten-san," he bowed respectively.

"Thank you," she said and went to follow until the heiress' hand stopped her. "Hinata?"

"This mission proves that we have no idea what the future holds for us. Our line of work may put us into future danger we might not all escape from. Perhaps it would be good to take a chance and fail than to have never took the chance at all," she told the older kunoichi.

Tenten paused to think on her words before a dust of pink was on her cheeks. "No fair on the mind powers Hinata," she grumbled.

The Hyuga gave a sly grin. "I know."

Tenten then left with the runner. Hinata smiled at the push she gave her cousin's teammate. The light in the emergency room turned off and Tsunade came out tired from the ordeal. She saw Hinata's worried face.

"The gaki's too stuborn to die. He'll make a recovery in no time knowing his ridiculous healing," she said, bring sighs of relief to the group. Even the Zerg we relieved from the news.

"Tsunade-sama I have news that you need to hear," Hinata said professionally.

"Walk with me."

The heiress and her entourage left, Kin wave farewell to the puppet user, and kept up with the Fifth. Hinata was right next to the Hokage.

"What news?" the blonde asked.

"The aliens, the Protoss, have been dealt with but we encountered highly advanced human forces. I believe they maybe humans from wherever the Zerg originally come from," Hinata reported.

"Do believe they're a threat to us?"

"No but I believe that when they come here to talk they will ask about me and the Zerg presence on the planet. They will most likely be here in a few days."

"I see."

"Also my Zerg acquired something that you may wish to see at your earliest convenience at the hivecluster."

"Let me check on everyone else's conditions first and I'll head over."

"Very well Hokage-sama. I shall see you at the hive," she bowed and left.

Tsunade sighed in the mounting headache she had. Pinching her brow she prayed that whatever the Zerg found was good news. She'd need it after almost loosing Naruto.

Zerg Hive

Hinata and Kin waited patiently in the evolution pit as Zerg moved around doing their various tasks. Sulu popped out of his hole to gain their attention.

"My queen."

"What is it Sulu?" the Hyuga asked.

"Swarm lost some efficacy at broodmother Xendra's death. Request the use of remains to produce new broodmother," the strain spinner said coldly.

Hinata only shook her head. "No Sulu. I already told you it's too soon, Kin and I need time to grieve."

She had asked Sulu if there was any way to save Xendra but Sulu pointed out that he could only make a new broodmother. Xendra's personality and personal experience was lost at her death and her body was only good for making a 'replacement'. Hinata almost lashed out at Sulu psionically at his cold calculating sentence.

"As you wish," Sulu said before being quiet.

For a few minutes the Hyuga and her compatriot stood in silence awaiting the Hokage. Both were somewhat drained from their experience with the battle and the loss if Xendra, but the Hokage needed to see what the Zerglings had brought back.

"We cannot blame ourselves Hinata-sama," Kin told her queen.

"I know that Kin, but it doesn't make the regret less painful."

"If we did not stop the Protoss they would've steamrolled deeper into Fire Country and the shinobi wouldn't have been able to stop them in time. Especially the way Konoha is at the moment."

"I know that as well." Hinata perked slightly. "She is on her way. Sulu wake the prisoner."

"Yes my queen," the strain spinner said.

The biological doors opened to the Fifth and her ANBU guards, still worn out from the events in the hospital. Her eyebrow quirked at the sight of the Banelings and Roaches moving through the hive.

"I see you've been busy Hinata. Where did you get these organisms?" she asked.

"They came about as a result of my Zerg consuming the essence of an enemy with an acid based bloodline," Hinata told her superior.

"Interesting. So the Zerg can…consume bloodline users to gain abilities similar to them in the form of additional units." "Well what is it you wanted to show me?"

At that moment a groan came from a tangled bundle of tentacles coming out of the creep. The tentacles parted a bit to show the redheaded Oto kunoichi that was at the invasion that crippled Orochimaru. Tsunade, despite her being an enemy and being exhausted, quickly checked the girl's condition.

"She's sustained heavy injury that has mostly healed on its own. Her main problem is her spine. I don't think she'll be able to walk again," she said.

"Don't be so sure Tsunade," Hinata thought to herself, a plan forming in her mind.

"Ugh…where-" the girl stopped at the sight of the many chitin creatures around her and did the only thing sensible.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" She struggled to break free of the inhuman bonds, but the held strong. When that didn't work she tried to back away as much as she could. "Stay away!" she screamed in terror.

"I'm going to ask you to not scream at my Zerg any more please," Hinata said with her arms crossed.

The girl started to calm down a little after finally noticing other humans. "O-okay where the hell am I?"

"In a Zerg hive, but more specifically Konoha."

"Shiiiiiiiit," the kunoichi sighed out. "Great I'm in enemy hands. I know where this is going."

The busty Hokage stepped forward, "I believe you know who I am. We'd like to ask you a few questions."

"Called it." "Look I may now hate Orochimaru's guts as much as the next but I'm not stupid! I tell you what I know, then the next thing that happens is I'm top of his 'needs to disappear list'. I can't feel my legs so I can tell you I would be absolute shit in a fight for my own life. So here's the deal miss world's-best-medic, you fix my legs and I'll tell you what I got. Which by the way isn't much. Take it or leave it titzilla."

Tsunade pinched her brow. Fixing Lee's leg and arm from the preliminaries was one thing but to repair a spine was a different kind of difficulty. "Look I can't promise you that I'd be successful but-"

"Wrong fucking answer! Deal is a guarantee that I'll walk again," the redhead seethed.

Tsunade saw Hinata poke her arm. "If I may try Hokage-sama." She nodded to the Hyuga.

"What is your name?" Hinata asked.

"…Tayuya."

"Nice to meet you Tayuya, my name is Hinata Hyuga. I might be able to solve your problem if you are willing to listen."

"So what you're the good cop in this routine."

Hinata gave a slightly unnerving giggle to the entrapped kunoichi. "You don't exactly understand the position your in do you? You are crippled and left behind in enemy territory after helping a traitor to our village escape, which injured a number of our own shinobi. Two of whom are closely tied to me. You are fortunate that you might be able to give some useful detail since you were one of the Snake Sannin's closest guards. If you didn't I would've just let my Zerg finish what Shikamaru and Temari started in that forest." Letting her eyes glow with her disturbing smile chilled the bound girl. "Do you see now?"

Not trusting her voice Tayuya only nodded.

Hinata became less intimidating. "Now my idea is that you will go through a kind of therapy that will slowly repair and improve your lower back and legs to prevent something like this from happening again. I don't know how long that will take however. It could be a few weeks to a couple of years, but regardless you will be able to walk again. This treatment is not without price though, as it will no doubt change your legs physically. That and to pay back for the damage you've done to the Leaf as a whole you should join Konoha as a kunoichi." She turned to Tsunade, "Do you agree with the terms Hokage-sama?"

The Senju nodded. "It is Hinata, but she would be your responsibility since this is all your idea."

"I can accept that Hokage-sama." She turned back to her prisoner. "So what is your decision?"

Tayuya looked between the many faces before her as her mind processed everything. If what the girl had told her was true she'd be back to being the kickass shinobi she used to be, and no Orochimaru was a plus. But then she looked at the legs of Kin and Hinata. Were her legs going to look like that or something else entirely?

"I'll be a freak for sure, but at least I'll be a freak who can walk," she thought to herself.

Letting out a deep sigh she kept her head down. "…Fine you fucker, I'll do it."

Hinata gave a clap in excitement. "Excellent! Now please tell Tsunade-sama all you know and we can begin your therapy."

Tayuya spent the next hour and a half informing the Fifth Hokage on everything she knew about Oto and its ruler. Base locations, recruitment methods, locals, the Snake Sannin's labs, and many other things she could recall. Some information correlated to what Kin had told them not that long ago. The ANBU charged with taking notes had to edit what he wrote as the girl would have swearing bouts midway through her information giving. Privately saluting to her vast vocabulary of profanity. When Tsunade was satisfied for now she left with her guards, while Hinata would begin her part of the bargain.

The heiress had a drone carry the girl through the hive where they needed to be. Tayuya put on a brave face but deep down she was terrified. Sure her former master had given her the curse mark, but he never told her all that came with the power boost, unlike the 'queen' before her. Kin smiled in content of her queen's decision and the prospect of having someone else to talk with. The small entourage stopped at a pool filled with green liquid.

"This is a spawning pool where all Zerg units come from. You will soak in the pool's fluids for roughly a half hour a day until we see some improvements," the Hyuga told her guest.

"Fine! Let's get this over with already," Tayuya grumbled.

"Kin be a dear and strip her," Hinata commanded.

The redhead's eyes bulged. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the actual fuck?"

"Your clothes will get in the way of the pool's job. Not a lot mind you but your body should absorb as much from the spawning pool as possible to make the process go by quicker. And since you're not in any condition to get all your clothes off, I asked Kin to help you."

"I CAN TAKE MY OWN DAMN CLOTHES OFF!"

Hinata simply shook her head as the girl struggled yet managed to get herself ready. Fully striped, Hinata and Kin took both her arms and sat her down in the spawning pool to her bellybutton. Tayuya was a little surprised at the tingling sensation the fluids seemed to give her.

"You know this isn't so bad. Kind of relax-FUUUUUUCCCCKKK!" the former Oto kunoichi cried out as the fluids fully attacked the injury.

"I forgot to mention that this would happen the first time," Hinata said blankly. "Sulu said the procedure has to first alter your DNA slightly in order to begin healing you. I probably mentioned it would tingle a bit."

"Fuck you bitch! You're getting off on my pain aren't you-AHHHHH!" Tayuya's own rant was cut off and screamed herself horse from her first treatment.

Konoha Hospital-days later

Naruto Uzumaki lay in his bandaged state with a frown on his face. He'd been out for days after the retrieval mission ended in complete failure. His fellow Leaf nin and friends had their own varying conditions of health; even close to death at one point. His own body was broken by his former teammate and friend Sasuke, and put back together from Tsunade and Kyuubi's effort. But perhaps most disheartening was the fact that he was unable to keep his promise to Sakura and bring Sasuke back to Konoha. The feeling of that failure burned his heart as he felt the breaking of his own nindo at his inability at the moment.

*Sigh* "I hate hospitals," he said, glaring at the plain whiteness of the room.

A hand rested on his shoulder to pull him out of his depression. Turning his head he smiled at the silver lining offering him a comforting grin. Ever since he woke up Hinata had barely left his side for as much as she could help it, her psychic presence a constant companion for him. He touched her hand with his own to comfort her with what she had been through. She had lost Xendra, someone Naruto found 'interesting' to talk to, and had to watch him recovering while she could do nothing. And there was her new ward at the moment giving her some stress, Tayuya definitely made the hive interesting.

"We have that meeting to get to soon with those men who helped fight the Protoss. Are you sure you're well enough to attend?" she spoke tenderly.

The Uzumaki nodded. "Yeah. They wanted to meet me and you right? The longer they're here the more uneasy the village gets. I should know."

"If they did anything stupid like that they would be cut to pieces," Hinata said.

"Alright, help me up."

Council Chambers

The two sides of Konoha's political basin were uneasily quiet as the strange armored men waited patiently for the last people needed for the meeting. Raynor continued to wear his armor to aid in intimidation and present a more serious front for the meeting. Considering how the civilians couldn't look at him straight because of the skeleton design on the coal black plates he was doing something right. His two guards had their weapons trained on certain parts of the room that had hidden ANBU, both normal and Danzo's Root, that their gear could pick up.

Finally the doors opened and the two genin stepped into the chambers. Hinata chose the wise path of keeping her features human to ease the council and the armored men. The blond had to lean on his girlfriend a bit since he was still healing.

Tsunade cleared her throat. "Now that we are all here, we can get started. For the sake of our guests, my name is Tsunade Senju. To my left is the Civilian Council of Konoha, and to my right is the Shinobi Council."

Raynor's face guard finally lifted for the first time since he got to the village. "Name's James Raynor, leader of Raynor's Raiders. Friends call me Jim."

"Let's get straight to the point shall we," the Nara head opened, "Why are you here and are you a threat to Konoha?"

Raynor shrugged. "To be honest, we're here because of her," he pointed to Hinata.

She and Tsunade were unsurprised but others of Konoha were. The Hyuga head had the most reaction.

With his Byakugan flaring he pound on the table and stood in anger. "If you want my daughter, you'll have to kill me first!"

The giant put his hands in a non-threatening manner. "Nothing like that unless absolutely necessary. But we know for a fact that your daughter has a condition, one our people have experience in."

The Fifth rested her chin on her hands and scrutinized the man's exposed face. "Did your people ever find a cure?"

"The method uses ancient artifacts from a race of beings called the Xel'naga. Unfortunately the artifact is out of our reach. But more over we were asked to check in on her by the previously infected individual."

"The original Queen of Blades," Hinata surmised.

"Yep. I've gotta say, you handled the Zerg pretty well out there little lady. But as to the second question none at all," Jim said.

Danzo decided to chip in his voice. "I have the distinct impression that there is more you are not telling us."

Raynor gave the mummy man a cold gaze before turning to the blond kid then the Hokage.

"Yeah, there's more. The presence of Zerg on this planet greatly effects from here on out and to be honest her little hive is only the tip of the iceberg of what the Zerg are capable of."

The council began to sweat on the inside on more on the outside for the civilians. They had seen what the Zerg did during the Suna/Oto invasion and they had been given nightmares of what could've happened had they turned their attention onto the village. They had been everywhere and seemingly limitless. If there was more to the otherworldly species, even the ninja shuddered at the implications.

"That being said, if one Zerg hive was able to find this world, whose to say more can't. Not to mention that the Tal'darim now seem to have an interest here, which means you'll be dealing with them too. With things like that on the way we've decided to give some of our tech to help fight them off. None of it will be state of the art, but it should be enough to give you all a starting point from where to develop."

That was a shock. With the weapons and armor these strangers possessed-

"And if any of you get any ideas of misusing it we can just as easily leave your village as a smoking crater from orbit," Raynor cut off any overly ambitious thoughts.

"Understood. We'll keep that in mind but I can't promise anything with the state of the world as it is," Tsunade said regrettably.

"There's more. On our way here we ran into an old friend of ours, a Protoss named Zeratul. Don't worry, he ain't with the Tal'darim. Anyway, we ran into him and he agreed to help out covertly if we helped him find someone he said he needed to train."

At that moment the Dark Templar shimmered into view. His otherworldly yet more human-like appearance startled the other humans. Hinata shifted so she was between the Protoss and her boyfriend, glaring at the old warrior. He may not have been Tal'darim, but she still didn't trust him. Especially since she had inkling about whom they were talking about.

"En taro Tassadar Terrans of Konoha," he spoke in an ethereal and aged voice.

Tsunade was fascinated by the being, her inner scientist piqued at his presence. However her duty as Hokage came first. "Greetings Zeratul-san. On behalf of the people of Fire Country, we thank you for your assistance in dealing with the Tal'darim."

"It is no trouble. They are heretics who follow the fallen Xel'naga, Amon. Their presence to this world is troubling. Even with them gone, Amon now knows of this world and its warriors. It is more than likely he will strike here when the End War begins."

The news was troubling. This Amon would send more forces to attack their world.

"Forgive me, but what is this End War?" Inoichi asked.

"Just as the name implies. A war that shall decide the fate of all life in the galaxy, and should Amon win no world will be safe," Zeratul said grimly.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

"But that time has not yet come. To help prevent such destruction, I have come to teach this boy in the ways of psionics," the Protoss continued pointing at the Uzumaki.

"…eh?" was the blond's response.

"The your psionics and your psi-blades could mean the difference between this world's salvation or destruction."

An irate civilian stood up. "Absurd! I will not have the fate of our village in the hands of-"

Hinata shut him up with a low powered Kinetic Blast. The man wasn't dead, but the impact gave him a concussion based on the sound of it. Everyone, even the ANBU, watched the man slowly slide down the wall until he dropped to the floor.

"Please continue Zeratul-san," the girl said paying no regard for the man.

"I understand that the young boy shall be traveling with a teacher of this world's arts. I would join them for a time as a second teacher."

Naruto grinned. "Hell yeah! I'm gonna be learning from a…from a…What are you again?"

"I am a Dark Templar of the Protoss."

"Yeah that. Sweet."

"Not until you've recovered," The Fifth Hokage and Hinata lectured in stereo.

The jinchuuriki pouted, "No fair."

Days later

Naruto and Jiraiya stood outside Konoha's gates looking back into the village. There to see them off were Tsunade, Shizune, Hinata, and Kakashi.

"Well Naruto I guess we'll be seeing you in about three years," the grey haired jounin said in his usual casual attitude. But if one were to look closely, they could see the sorrow in his eye.

"I'm expecting you to get stronger Naruto. I gave you that necklace for a reason. Don't make me regret putting my faith in you," Tsunade said in her Hokage voice.

Shizune came up and hugged the genin. "You stay safe okay Naruto. Eat your greens they're good for you."

Naruto 'bleched' at that before turning to Hinata. She was fighting to keep her tears in check as he felt her sorrow through their telepathic link. No words were spoken as she flung herself at him before pulling into a kiss. Her emotions translated through their contact. He pressed his forehead onto her's as they gazed into each other's eyes.

"Come back to me," she commanded more than pleaded him.

"I will. And I'll be strong enough to protect you and help you find a cure. That's a promise."

As much as he didn't want to ruin this moment, the Toad Sage spoke up. "Alright you two, finish up. Naruto and I have a lot of ground to cover. See you later Hime."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. And with that they left. Two miles on the road they met up with Zeratul.

"I trust you know of me," he spoke to the sannin.

"Yeah. We've got a lot to teach this gaki in a short amount of time."

"Agreed," the Protoss turned to the blond, "I do not envy your trials ahead young Naruto. I shall only inform you that if you do not take my training seriously you shall loose a limb."

Naruto sweated. "Ah crap."

Evolution Pit

After bidding goodbye to her Naruto, she returned to her hive due to news from Sulu. Said creature appeared before her.

"You have news for me Sulu?"

"Yes. Unique strains taken from other Sound Four. Will enable higher evolution in our Hydralisks."

"Good. Start adding it into our forces."

"Decisions must be made. Two strains will compete for dominance. One must stand above the other. Can offer tests to aid in decision-making. Acquired targets through Tayuya."

"Then do it. I'll watch through my link with them."

Experiment 1

Hinata saw a flat area with many fields, yet none had crops to them in this growing season. All the residents, mostly male, wandered about and alert.

"Western Fire Counrty. Sound base disguised as village. All members are Oto nin."

From the edge of the tree line, her Zerg hind in wait. There were twenty Hydralisks, fifty Zerglings, ten Banlings, a queen, and fifteen Roaches. They had no Mutalisks for fear of their detection. Still the enemy had a sizable number of hidden nin.

"Unique strain acquired from individuals Sakon and Ukon. Reqiures two Hyrdalisk for evolution."

The Hydralisks seemed to pair off before enveloping into a cocoon. Minutes of gestation and the new Hydralisks emerged. This new breed was larger than a regular Hydralisk yet had two torsos that split. The two torsos had more feeble arms inwardly toward each other compared to their outer arms. This seemed to be reflected in their features having more pronounced feature outward. The heads each had a horn that leaned more to the left or right depending on which half it was.

"Twin Strain have increased rate of fire when merged. Can fire in two directions in a ninety degree angle."

Hinata smirked at that. She commanded the small swarm to wipe out the hide out. The Zerg burst through the brush in a surprise attack. Zerglings swarmed four nin as the new Hydralisks opened fire. The increased rate of fire shredded the retreating Oto nin who had to get their gear.

"I told you we needed to keep our kunai on us *gack*"

More dropped from the many directions they spines were fired at. Hinata noticed that the increased rate of fire only happened when the two torsos were pointing at the same target. The other Zerg units performed as they should but now they would have to whether the counter attack.

"Twin strain can burrow and fire at greater range within a one hundred and eighty degree arch of fire."

Hinata had the Hydralisk space themselves in a circle and burrow. Their twin torsos were sticking out of the ground waiting for their enemies. They didn't wait long.

"Charge for Orochimaru-sama!"

The Sound shinobi charged the horde of creatures but were immediately within range of the new Hydralisks. They peppered the attackers to soften them for the other Zerg if they couldn't kill them. When the last nin fell, the Zerg began to gather the corpses.

"Test complete. Swarm gathering biomass. Moving to second test."

Experiment 2

Now Hinata saw the vast deserts that Suna was famous for. She saw a large rock formation with Sound nin moving about and twisted scientist examining data. She did not care for them, they were working for that snake.

"Southern Wind Country. Intelligent Terrans work for Orochimaru. Research lab located in fortified rock formation."

"That will be difficult to break open even with Roaches and Banelings," Hinata spoke while observing.

A similar but smaller group of Zerg emerged from the sands but had three Mutalisks with them.

"Strain gained from individual Kimimaro. New Lurker evolution acquired."

The Hyrdalisks once more became enveloped in a cocoon but as individuals. What emerged later was a large front heavy creature on six legs with a mass of bone-like spins on its back. While there larger spins that jutted out the rest of the top was a mane of smaller bone quills. Two tentacles that were similar to human spines lazily around them, waiting to react to anything.

"Marrow Strain. Slow rate of fire, but high damage and armor piercing. Only truly capable when burrowed."

Oto nin spotted the creatures and moved in to engage. The new Lurkers burrowed into the sand leaving their huge top parts above the surface like spiny boulders. The spines moved out in directions before the larger spines were fired at the on rush of enemy shinobi. Not every spine hit a target but it didn't matter as the spines exploded on contact, turning the men into chunks of flesh.

"Spines detonate on contact. Large artillery capabilities."

Sound nin using earth jutsu burst from the ground near the lurkers but the spinal tentacles lashed out and gave grievous wounds. One man was ripped in half as the rest of the Zerg mopped up the remaining enemies.

"Tentacles react to melee engagement. Bone quills cause damage to attackers."

The Lurkers emerged and slowly moved within range of the rock formation before burrowing again. The spines hit their marks as explosions rocked the hidden lab. The bombardment continued as more Sound shinobi tried to attack. They threw five explosive tags and managed to kill one Lurker and wound another before they were made Zergling lunch. Eventually the lab turned into nothing but ruins and rubble, crushing or trapping the remaining forces and scientists within. Immediately they other Zerg swarmed to lay claim to the biomass within.

"Test complete."

Evolution Pit

Hinata blinked away her slight dizziness. She preferred to be on the battlefield with her Zerg around her, but saw the usefulness of the link sight.

"I'm impressed Sulu. Both strains are incredibly useful, it's a shame that one must be more dominant over the other."

"Regretful, but necessary. Now must decide."

She looked between two new base forms for her Hydralisks. The Twin Strain had two rows of fins down its back and a pair of small horns on its head. Marrow Strain had more spines on it and the larger ones were bone white in color.

Hinata saw the advantages of having either as they could significantly change her swarm's prowess. Her Zerg half preened at the thought of the might of her swarm growing even more powerful. This world was filled with other bloodlines that would no doubt make them even more powerful, an unstoppable force.

Hinata herself had no such ambitions but a feral smile worked its was on to her face.

Yes. You all get to help me pick which strain will be dominant. Twin Strain or Marrow Strain? Tell me via review or PM. Until next time.