"How long has it been?"

"Six... seven... seven years..."

"Why do you sound drunk?"

"Because you've been drinking so much..."

"You realize, a drop of alcohal has never touched my lips..."

"Oh... then yeah, i'm drunk..."

Gryno walked at a normal pace back down the road to Konoha, it had been a while but he remembered the Valley of the End easily. He was actually happy to be past it now. "You think they ever forgot me?"

"I bet they thought it was some kind of 3 year anniversary, since you guys left for 3 years last time"

"Now you sound more depressed than drunk, maybe we should hurry..."

"*Sob* Please?

"OK NOW YOU SOUND LIKE YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING CHICK FLICS!"

"Oh Rachel, why did you choose a possession over your best friends..."

"... Yeah i'm gonna tune you out now..."

Just as he passed the front entrance, the gaurds actually woke up from their 'break', and the second they saw him they started conversing about something. "Hello Konoha"

Yuki put the finishing touches on her littel bit of make-up, which she rarely wore, and went to stand at the door to wait for her daughter.

"Ayeka, let's go! Hideki and Shino will be here any minute and once they are here, I'm leaving, little girl!"

Yuki straightened her obi and checked her hair one last time in a mirror on the hallway wall when she heard a knock ont he door. When she looked out the peephole she saw her nephew and Aburame-san. Both of them were dressed for festival time and looking quite sharp.

"Last call, Ayeka-chan! Hideki and Shino-san are here!"

-Gryno-

"That time of year again" He made a number of seals, before slamming both hands down on the ground in seperate spots. A tiny cub panda and one at least three time shis height blasted out in a puff of smoke. "Gamapanda, Spike, it's that time of year"

"Time of year when we fire projectiles?" Gryno sweatdropped at the panda. "No you do that every day, it's the Summer Festival, go and enjoy yourself." He kneeled down so he was just a few inches above spieks height as Gamapanda stomped away.

"Spike, remember Yuki from those years ago? You went to get her in the forest of death that one time. Try to find her, if you can, i'll give you something special later."

The small panda clapped it's hands together before spinning itself into a drill and grinding away through the ground. "Maybe i should have named him 'drill' instead of 'spike'"

"I'm going to catch ten koi with my net this year!" Hideki shouted as he took his cousin by the hand to get a look at what kind of booths they had set up this year. Yuki blushed a little when she felt Shino genlty place a hand against her waist as she spotted the Hokage and her twin sister preparing to announce the official beginning of the festival. Naruto, who was the current Hokage, was laughing and talking with children passing by as he made his way to the podium with his wife, Suki.

"Welcome, Konoha citizens and friends! I'm so glad to see so many have gathered here to celebrate the exctiement and beauty of summer with us. For anyone visiting for the first time, there's not much for me to explain about the festival. Just enjoy all of the excting activites and food and entertainment and be sure to join us once again the following year. As expected there will be a spectacular fireworks show at twilight to bring the first day of the festival to an exciting end. On the fifth and final day of the festival the show will be even bigger. That's also the day of the Fire Lily parade where all you young ladies can join so you can show off your beautiful summer kimonos. Now without further ado, let the summer festivities begin!"

You'd have to be deaf and blind to not notice it, and it easily attractd the attention of evetyone, who just stared with mouths agape. It was silent for a few seconds, except for the sound of a gentle wind blowing by. The silence was interrupted when out of Gamapanda's mouth, came Spike who landed on the ground covered in stomach acid, before running through the crowds towards Yuki. "MES FINDS HER! MES FINDS HER!"

"Good boy, Spike" He hopped down just in front of Gamapanda, who stared blankly at everyone. And once again, it was quiet as everyone stared at him.

"Yuki-chan, who is that guy?" Shino asked as the odd looking panda summon came her way. His destruction beetles were on alert just in case he had to defend Yuki.

Hideki held Ayeka's hand tight as he stared at the odd looking newcomers himself.

"Ayeka-chan, I wonder who he is?"

Obviously Spike wasn't, and the expression showed on his furry face. "And... i'll see what i can do later..." That alone seemed to cheer the panda up, who ran in circles before dispersing in a puff of smoke. Gryno back up to his feet and walked closer before finally stopping in front of Yuki.

"Long time"

"No see"

Ayeka just took a few steps away while still staring at him like he was madman

"How dare you just show up after all these years as if everything is all right, you sone of a bitch!" Yuki didn't like people seeing her have an emotional outburst like that, so before she said anything elase she hurried out of the park. Suki cheered when she saw her sister slap Gryno.

"Oh my goodness! It's like a dream come true!"

"It's more of lunchtime"

"Whatever"

"Sure..."

In a blast of smoke, Gyoukun shot up from the ground, only half his normal size. "HEY SUKI! Let's see who wins, half demon, or full seven tailed demon at least four times your height!"

"I like those odds"

As you can guess, not many people stayed quiet this time. But he just tried to ignore them. "Don't kill anyone ok? I'm only teasing"

"Yeah sure, just like every time..."

Gryno jumped down from the head of Gyoukun to the ground, giving it a wave before walking off. Soon he found Yuki and just barely caught her by the arm before she turned a corner on. "Hold on! I just want to talk to you!"

Aramei after all those years, was still not that attracted to thos noisy festivals, and thus we find her at the oh so familiar table, sipping a cup of tea.

"I feel old..."

"Meh... dont you always?"

"No... not that Im aware of anyways...."

"Your never aware of anything..."

"Not true!"

"Oh yeah? What about that time you had Senshi run off right under your nose?"

"I was sleeping! That doesnt count!"

-Far away...-

"ZEPHREX! Why aren't you helping Miriine!" Hiruki said as he angrily stepped into the room. He had grown to be 21 years old, and he even knew about what Miriine was going through. He knew that his brother could save her.

"Little Brother... Zephyr... She is destined to die... You're lucky she is being kept alive by Aurora... But she was destined to die 7 years ago(Fishy...)..."

"I don't care! Just save her..."

"I can't... When she dies, she'll drop a soulgem... Two actually... That guardian of hers... Those soul gems are what's important... That is why she must die..."

"Then I will kill her(ouch)! Why must she suffer?!"

"I told you! Aurora is keeping her alive... But not for long... Time has caught up with her... She will die soon enough..."

"..." Hiruki left his brother to ruminate right after that.

Yuki turned around to face him with anger and hurt in her opal eyes.

"Say whatever you have to say and make it quick before I slap you again!"

"Dad, who is that guy talking to Yuki-chan?"

"Someone I thought none of us would ever see again."

'This...complicates things. Ayeka doesn't even know you...and I started dating about five months ago..."

Her voice trailed of as she wondered if her daughter was all right. That's when something caught her eye near a tree to her left. She got a glimpse of two small faces peeping from behind the tree.

"Ayeka, Hideki, come over here."

"OH MY GOD! *pant pant*..."

"Gyoukun? What the hell happened?

"Never... make me... fight her... AGAIN!"

Ayeka obediently came over to the two, and was about to stand next to Yuki when Gryno's hands lifted her up and he took a look at her. "You're Ayeka?"

Ayeka stayed silent for a few seconds because of how awkward it was, but soon nodded and was unexpectantly pulled into a hug from him. "And you say, you started dating again? You didn't -may i ask- 'do it' did you?"

{i made a forum! heres the url

http://www.fanfiction.net/forum/Controlled_Chaos/42331/

SOON IT SHALL GROW TO BE GREAT!}

By now Geninji was standing next to Yuki with Banji and Chi in tow. From Yuki's expression Gen wasn't sure if he should be happy to see Gryno or not, so he kept quiet.

"I think she fainted... but i couldn't possibly say how sorry i am that i wasn't there when she came. Please i must make it up in some way, even if it must be through manual labor!... Because i don't really know any other ways if you and me... are done..."

"SOMEONE IMPORTANT IS HERE!!!" [Senshi is still young... and annoying...]

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN, AND WHY AM I SCREAMING?!"

"What do you mean Sen?" Aramei asked more calmly, as she whacked Kami over the head.

"Someone! That... Gry...no... Gry-no guy!! YEAH!! THATS IT!! ITS HIM!!!"

"Gry-no?"

"C'MON KAMI!!! LETS GO!!!" Aramei by now had already grabbed Kami by the scruff of her kneck and bodyflickered them to the park, Unfourtunatly, dropping them right in the midst of the family reunion. "Um.. yeah.. well... 'bout this... you see...."

"HI IDIOT!!!"

"Hmph. Looks like news travels fast around here. Hey, Aramei, Kami. Uh, Gryno...don't you think that's a little harsh stabbing Kami in the back like that just for saying hi?" Yuki sighed while holding Ayeka in her arms. "My poor baby just couldn't take the shock I guess. Listen, Gryno-kun. Let's go back to the festival. Ayeka will snap out of it soon. She was really looking forward to this day and I don't want to disappoint her. As for you and me...we can find a private place to talk as soon as she wakes up."

"Do you find a need to do that?" <- Talking deranged smart ass fox

"I thought you were gone for a moment..."

"Why? D'you miss me?"

"Hell no. Bye Yuki!" *poof*

"Bye idiot!" *poof*

"Aunty, he's not gonna hurt Ayeka or Mama and Papa is he?"

"No, Hideki. He's not that crazy. You can loosen your grip on my thigh before you leave fingernail marks." Yuki looked over at Ayeka as she stirred in her arms.

"Done some things he's not proud of." 'She still calls me Gryno-kun?' They walked back to the festival's location, and saw a huge ditch. "What the-"

"Don't make me fight her again!..."

He tried to avoid looknig at Yuki now. For two reasons. One was how he had somehow surpassed her height by a few inches in the last few years and would have to look down to her. And the other was simply how awkward it was.

"You know if you're happy i cold leave, i just came back because i thought you still loved me, so i wanted yout to be happy... but if you're happy the way things have been going then i should probably just go. I'd only make things more complicated."

"Ayeka-chan, go with Hideki and have fun at the festival. I'll catch up with you as soon as I'm done talking to your father." She kissed Ayeka on the forehead and sent her and her cousin on their way. "Gryno, see that gazebo over there with the two person swing? Let's take a walk."

"Listen, i know i can't make up for what i did at the Valley of the End. I felt the pain too, it was like a scar, right? like someone just punched a hole in your heart that could never be healed. I know i didn't show it but just from the look you had on your face... That look, i will never forget... i... can't say anything more then sorry..."

At this moment he wanted nothing more then to hug her close to him and just cry out how sorry he was for what he had done to her, not physically but emotionally. Yet he knew things had changed and that alone was enough to keep him staring at the floor in front of him.

"Even after all this time you still smell so good." Yuki noticed he wouldn't look her in the eye. She pressed a finger against his chin to coax him to face her. "I don't hate you and I never have. And I'm sorry for slapping you. I do still love you and I think you should have a chance to be a father to your daughter. I guess I have to deal with Shino on my own."

He would have continued had he not felt hot breath on his back, and he glanced back to see Gamapanda was sitting right behind them, outside the gazebo ofcourse. He looked like he was about to upchuck something before Gryno gave him the 'do it now and i kill you' look.

"Just try to... ignore him... anyway, i don't blame you for slapping me after what i did."

"I wanted to fight her"

"Is that why you turned on every cursed power i had?"

"Yes, and also in hopes that it'd scare the shit out of her"

Yuki was thinking it had better not be her because she had become an even more fierce fighter since she had a child to protect.

"I said yes"

"And i didn't tell him WHY i was going to take over until afterwards"

"And i went into my subconcious and beat him senseless"

"Speaking of beating, remember that time you-"

"Once again, did some things i'm not proud of!"

While he continued his argument with himself, he couldn't help but feel that Yuki was zoning in and out. "You ok?"

"You sensed it too, didn't you?" Ares asked. "He's back..." Miriine just nodded her head. "Would you like to go see him..."

"Yes... I would like that... please..."

Ares smiled and did both of their bodies disappeared from sight. When they reappeared, they were at the festival, and close to everyone who knew Miriine was watching her. "Remember... They think you're dead..."

"It can't be helped..." Miriine said as she scanned the crowd for a familiar face.

Yuki took him by the hand and headed towards the friend she had thought had died long ago.

"Hmmmm... Her will to live is stronger than I thought... Stay here...", the voice disappeared in a flurry of feathers.

-Konoha-

"Gryno-kun! I-," but immediatly she was cut off by a change in the winds she had noticed. Suddenly a flurry of feathers shot out of the ground, and in it's place was a man with wings, wearing an ANBU outfit and and ANBU mask. The only thing recognizable of him was his red pointy hair.

"Miriine... You've been alive for too long... Do you know you were supposed to die 7 years ago? I guess I'll just have to kill you now..."

(I having mixed feeling about where this plot is going... There are just sooo many plot holes or whatever...)

It's hilt was decorated to a high degree, it looked as if the hilt of it was a golden dragon head and the blade came out of it's mouth. The whole thing was so descriptive it looked like it was better use as money then a weapon.

"Only one person dies today!" He only heard one sentence from the man and already he rushed out at him with the sword, a strange bloodlust in Gryno's eyes that had never been there before.

Vulcan immediatly grabbed Miriine disappeared and reappeared behind Gryno (with Miriine...) "Your fighting style is reckless... But your courage is admirable... I suggest you stop fighting... This girl really does know that she is not long for this world..."

Miriine looked as if she was stuck in a trance, because she could barely move. 'What's going on?!'

Ares immediatly sent a ball of pure chakra flying until it engulfed Vulcan and pulled him away, shielding him from all attacks from the outside. "Enough! I kept her alive for a reason! Leave now, or I will be forced to destroy you!"

Vulcan sneered at Ares. "I would like to see you try! This village is quite admirable to say the least... Fine... I'll leave... But she will die in one week..." And with that... He disappeared in another flurry of feathers.

Ares canceled her jutsu and walked up to Gryno. "Gryno... I'm sorry... Miriine WILL die... Best say what you have to say now..."

(erh... Am I being too vague?)

"I'm gonna make that bastard pay right out the ass! No ifs, ands, or butts! I'm gonnna be really anal about this!"

...

"Sphincter!"

"Done with the bad jokes?"

"Yeah but seriously, Miriine, i'm not leaving your side for a second! I'm not losing another one of my friends!"

"Hey guys, want to play some games and rack up some prizes?" He hoped to win something good so he could give it to the pretty girl and make her smile.

"Can we use the comet this time?"

"Hmmm... maybe"

-Ayeka-

"Sure, Takamaru, Hideki do you u want to come?" She stood patiently waiting for his answer.

"Let's go to the ring toss first, then we can hit the koi pond. After that we can get something to eat! The fried octopus is sooo good!"

Hideki was diappointed that they wouldn't be catching koi first but he went along with Takamaru's suggestion.

"Please try not to destroy a whole city block this time, love." She then took Miriine by the hand. "C'mon, Miriine! Let's do something fun! Megumi-san is going to be singing with a group of women over in the musicians' section. I think Henubri's wife, Ten-Ten is one of the drummers."

"HI IDIOT!!!!!!!"

_________________________________________________________________________________

Henubri was out on his roof, looking up at the sky.A lot of things had happened to him in the last seven years.he had trained with the Legendary Monkey King, he had lost powerful weapons and gained many new ones.He had gotten marreid and had a son.He smiled at all the happy things he had in his life and then he stoped once he felt a famailar chakra signature. "It can't be." He jumpe doff the roof and ran straight for the festival at blinding speeds.

"I haven't seen Henubri all day. Perhaps he's somewhere in the park shwoing off," Yuki teased with a smile. She wondered how long it would take for TenTen to notice that Gryno was there with her. He was much taller and looked different from the last time they all saw him. Yuki mostly recognized him from his scent.

(This is for no reason, unless I get brwonie points for this...)

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