New chapter,very long if I do say so myself. Hope you enjoy! Please vote ,comment and share. That's not a suggestion,that's an order..

"How'd it go?" Scarlet says after noticing movement from Hagoromo's body. He exhales a large breath as he reverts back into this normal state. It seemed the more he used Kaguya's powers, the more accustomed he got to the constant whispers tickling his ears.

"Nothing much. I was able to replay a memory that showed Isagi and Nia together as kids,so there's definitely something between them Isagi hasn't told us. Alas,I can't fast forward the memory,I just have the follow the chronological order of events each night when I enter Nia's mind."

"I see,so what do we do now? You going in for another poke around?"

Hagormo shakes his head.
"No,Kaguya knows I need her powers now. She'll be ready to try and take over as soon as I transform again. It's too risky since I'm already fatigued from using her powers so much this night. For now,we're leaving this place after I get Isagi and he eats his food."

"Where?"

Hagoromo grins widely. "With everybody here, I think we're ready to head out to the Land of Stone."

"What us exactly waiting for us at the Land of Stone, captain?"

"Our first lead on the whereabouts of the Kurin hideout."

"Wow,OK. We'll I guess we're going in straight to the deep end."

"That for sure,is definitely true."

**********
"So I didn't get to tell you guys before because... Ahem.. Reasons. But I'll give you the rundown of our intentions in the future and all the information I've got so far on the Kurin."

Hagormo was now sitting cross legged on Bureibu,as was Isagi,Scarlet and Nia. Hagoromo had all let them sleep for the majority of the flight so far,6 and a half hours. Hopefully they recuperated enough to soak in the info he was about to drop on them.

It was eerily quite on the back of the Phoenix. It was still tense from the Isagi Nia confrontation. Everybody just kept to themselves,except Nia,who was playing 20 questions with Scarlet.

"OK,so you all know our enemy is the Kurin. What they want,mass destruction and the extermination of all the ninja in this world. They can achieve this,with a certain book. This book has the monster that was able to change the tide of battle to the allied nations during" the purge". I like to be a realist, if they're able to revive that beast, all hope is lost."

"So where's the location of this mysterious book?" Scarlet asks taking the opportunity to get out of her question game with Nia.

"I have an informant saying the whereabouts of the book are in the Land of Stone,we'll meet up with him and work from there. Although it took 6 months for us to locate it,this still feels kind of fishy."

"I agree Hagoromo-dono, the Kurin should've easily been able to find the whereabouts of the book as we did,if not faster."

"Yeah,we'll have to be expecting the worst, prepare for an ambush."

Isagi nods than returns to his neutral frown as he looks ahead of him again.

"But here's the thing,there was no way the Yohei could've sealed that monster in just a book. We're not that strong."

"Then where do you suppose we sealed the rest if him if you're so pessimistic about our clan?" Scarlet snaps. She swore,Hagoromo had no pride whatsoever in his heritage,what a disgrace.

"Here's my theory,when I went to the ruins of the Sun village,I came across a tablet. It said "not until the ground and heaven have been united,that the beast can't be stopped. The beast must be slain half assimilated or all hope is lost."

"What does that mean?" Nia asks.

"Heaven is usually referred to as the soul." Isagi ponders.

"And Earth,the body." Scarlet says putting two and two together.

"Exactly,the book contains the soul of the beast. We kill it,we win."

"But where's the body?"

"Do you believe in coincidences guys?"

"No,everything happens for a reason."

"I think so too. The "Promised day",the day the Kurin are destined to regain power. Is the same the day a comet that only comes every sixteen years will pass by Earth."

"Don't tell me what I think you're trying to say Hagoromo-dono."

"I think the body was sealed into that comet. If that wasn't the case,the Kurin would've retrieved the body years ago."

"It does make sense logically,but still. It's a bit far fetched."

"I read in a book once that there are sacred sealing techniques the Yohei used to know that we're advanced sealing techniques. I think they sealed the monster inside the comet. But a monster this strong ,the seal must've been pretty strong meaning sacrifices would've been made so unfortunately some Yohei would've died in the process." Nia speaks up.

Everyone turns to look at Nia,even Bureibu who wasn't really listening to the conversation and more focused on flying.

"What? I like to read."

"I knew I made a right choice picking you Nia." Hagoromo grinned.

"It was really nothing Hagoromo-san." Nia said bash fully. There it was,that strange feeling in her heart. It made her feel all wheezy and weak. Is there a way she could get rid of this sickness?

"Ok! Hagoromo! I'm not used to flying like this,lets land before I get sick." Scarlet says holding her stomach. She used to love flying. But not being able to control where she flew was a bit daunting to her...

"Tch,I thought the Yohei were fearless." Isagi scoffs.

"What the hell did you just say scar face?"

"Say that again,and I'll cut you a scar if you don't shut."

"Now now,settle guys. We're all friends here ok?" Nia said waving her arms at them.

"We're not friends!" Isagi and Scarlet say in unison.
"Were not friends??" Nia says heartbroken,she begins to sniffle at bit looking close to tears.

Jeez,what a troublesmome bunch of misfits Hagoromo had teamed up with,he loved their personalities so much!

"Ok,ok yeah. Bureibu,let's land."

"Thank god,I'm not used to carrying this many people at once."

********
"We'll take a few minutes to rest,then will walk by foot for an hour or so to give Bureibu a little rest. We still got a long way ahead of us." Hagoromo says unpacking their load from Bureibu.

"I'm leaving back to my cave."

"Yeah,get some rest,thanks for everything."

"Hmph,just because you're acting nice to me doesn't mean I consider you my master. See ya around,blockhead." Bureibu disppaers with a puff of smoke leaving an angered Hagoromo staring at just where he had been.

"I was only trying to kiss your ass for more freebies,stupid bird." He mutters. Hagoromo turned to his group and began rubbing his hands together.

"Isagi and Scarlet." Hagoromo points to the two pouty couple.

"You two go hunt for some food and water,we need supplies."

"Hagoromo-dono! Why would you put me with her?!"

"Hagoromo,you're pushing my buttons on purpose aren't you?"

"It's a team building exercise. Plus,now you two can be alone and express your feelings to one another," Hagoromo made a kiss face with his mouth which made the two light up.

"There's no way,I'd be attracted to such a rude woman like her!"

"A stick in the mud like him could never handle a beautiful goddess like me!"

"Alright alright,how about this? The one who brings back the most food and water gets to order the other around for a whole day. Here are your water tanks and crates to put food in. Try do this as quickly as you can -."

Without Hagoromo finishing his sentence,the two had picked up the boxes and tanks and sprinted into the forest.

"Get ready to be my slave Scarface!"

"Don't think I won't go easy on a woman,if you even call yourself that!"

With that,they were gone,which left only Hagoromo and Nia.

"Are we really not friends Hagoromo-san?"

"Of course not,they were just messing around. It's what friends do."

"Can we mess around then?"

"Eh?"

"Nothing." Nia whistles.

"Okay then,you should look at that beautiful tree over there behind you." Hagoromo gestures behind her.

"Tree?! Is it a new one I haven't seen before?-"

Hagoromo chops her to the back of the head knocking her out. He sets her down and begins clapping his hands together.

"Sorry Nia ,I've gotta know you and Isagi's history ASAP. Besides,friends don't keep secrets from each other anyway."

******

"It's here." Renji speaks softly as a messenger hawk glides into his arms. He removes the scroll attached to it's leg. Renji quickly begins to scan through the message as the hawk flies away.

Before he can return to his home, the man he had been with appears beside him,eager for him to read the letter. He glowers over Renji like hawk. It was a quiet night which only made Renni more scared because no one would see if he were to kill him righ now

"It says he's on his way and he'll be arriving very shortly. The meet up point is the town of Balbad."

"Balbad? What luck! Although quite too convenient... Oh well,all the better for us right Renji?"

"Yes my Lord."

"Yes,it's quite convenient that he would go into enemy territory like this. Just stomping in here,doing as he pleases. It pissess me off. Doesn't it piss you off Renji?"

The man rests his hand on Renji's shoulder. He begins to grip it tightly causing Renji gasp in pain.
"Y-yes it does. Please let go of me my lord."

"Don't wanna,why should I listen to a traitor of his own race like you? Using chakra is a sin,you should die right now."
A sinister crack is heard in Renji's body but he didn't dare cry out in pain. He wanted to fight back but that would mean certain death to him and his family.

"Huhhh? You ain't gonna cry in pain? How about if I add some heat?!"

"Please stop, you're burning my skin off." His armour singes his clothes off and begins to burn off his pink skin,this time Renji wails in pain as he drops to his knees in a distraught state. Small blue flames dance around in the wind on Renji's shoulder before disappearing.

"My arm,my arm! You broke my arm!"

"You should be lucky I'm stopping there,idiot. We should get going to Balbad,it's a good trek. I could get there in 20 minutes with my flames but a traitor human like you can only use chakra right? Guess we're walking,but quickly."

"Yes,of course my lord," Renji says only just able to mutter the words out.

"Also, carry this." The man reveals a large crate from behind an alleyway.

"It's got oranges in them,I might get hungry on the way there. And remember to carry it on your broken shoulder. Of course if you drop it,I'll kill you."

"O-Ok." Renji silently sobs. How'd he get mixed up with all these people?He wanted to go back to his pregnant wifeamd live the simple life.He was told helping them out would be the best thing for his family in the long term, but he doubted if he would live until then....

The man chuckles darkly, an evil smile spread from temple to temple.
"I hope he got stronger. Hagormo Yohei, you better make your last minutes before dying worth it."

*******

Princess! Princess where are you?!" Isagi called out. This was their fifth time playing hide and seek,it you can even call it that.

Hagormo had followed nia every time, and every time she b lined for the exit of the Sato clan compound, but every time her attempts her thwarted by Isagi who captured her and captured her in her room.

This time was no different from the others.
"Let me go Isagi-kun! Why won't you let me see outside these walls?"
Although Isagi was 7,he was able to easily lug Nia on his shoulders.

"It's my job to protect you,I do that best when you're in this compound. Plus,this world you keep getting exited over isn't that amazing in reality."

"I want to see for myself though! You're just a silly dog!"

"Excuse me?"

"You're like a dog. You listen to your father like a pet and never think for yourself. You probably get treats for being an obedient little doggie-" Isagi drops Nia on the floor violently.

Nia was about to insult him but saw the angry frown he had on his face.
"I'm one of the only Sato children to own my own katana. I earned it by showing a vast knowledge of sword techniques. Do you want me to show you some?"

Nia looks like she's close to crying. As Isagi grabs his katana from his side,he feels a hand grip shoulder. He looks up to see his older brother, Hakuryuu.

"Good grief Isagi, you always had a short fuse. You shouldn't let some petty comments like that rile you. Besides,I think an obedient soldier is the best kind."

Isagi's expression changes as he turns to hug his big brother.
"Big brother Hakuryuu! You're back from your mission. How was it?"

"Same old same old. Nothing difficult for your big bro. Forget about me,congratulations on your new job Isagi, I just heard!" Hakuryuu hugged his brother. Isagi was slightly startled by the sudden affection and awkwardly patted him on the back.

"Thank you?" He says.

Hakuryuu instantly removes his head from Isagi's shoulder to look at him. He scanned his face worriedly knowing that something was up.
"You don't sound too happy. Are you OK?"

"Yes I'm fine. Just a little tired from guarding this brat." Isagi says gesturing towards Nia.

"You're the brat Isagi-kun!"

"Hello Nia-san. How are you?"

"Hakuryuu-san,why didn't you guard me?!Isagi-kun is terrible at guarding. He's already let me out of his sight five times!"

"Because you wanted to play hide and seek! It's not like I want to guard you anyway."

"Come on now,you were chosen for this job because your strength in the way of the sword is recognisable."

"Of course,no one is stronger than big brother Hakuryuu. Except maybe big brother Hakuei and father," Isagi sheepishly grins.

"Don't worry,I maybe two years younger than Hakuei. But I'll definitely become stronger than him!" Hakuryuu gives off a muscular pose to show off the muscles in his arm.

"I'll be rooting for you,and big brother Hakuei too. I love you both equally."

Hagoromo couldn't help but smile at the brotherly love,Isagi really admired his brothers. Hagoromo wondered where they were now?"

"Aw come on Isagi, admit it. You love me more. Besides,who would love a stick in the mud buzz kill like Hakuei?"

"I'd rather be a buzzkill than a reckless good for nothing." Another man entered the conversation,Hagoromo assumed it was Hakuei. He had a much Hardee face than Hakuryuu and his hair was considerably shorter than Hakuryuu or Isagi. Other than that, the three brothers almost looked identical.

"Oh,Hakuei! Have you already talked to father?"

"Yes,I must speak with you at once."

"What is it?"

"I must speak to you at once,alone." He glowers at Isagi who meekly turns his head around not wanting to meet his gaze.

"And you Isagi, you are the Sato guardian of the Fairy princess.Act more like it."

"Y-yes of course." Isagi says looking away tending to Nia. Nia for once,complies to Isagi's wishes and follows him to her bedroom,Hagoromo could tell she was also scared by Hakuei's appearance.

Hagoromo now had to choose,he had about a minute left in Nia's mind. He had to either follow Isagi and Nia,or see what the two brothers wanted to talk about. He decided the latter as it didn't seem like Isagi and Nia would do much talking.

He hurried to their conversation that had already started.
"It's begun,neighbouring clans have begun to form alliances. They want to wipe us out and take our legendary swords with them." Hakuei says striding down a corridor in the compound with Hakuryuu.

"Already!? Our troops aren't near enough as ready for battle Hakuei."

"Both you and I know that they're ready. You just don't think we're strong enough to not lose a single man in this war,but that is inevitable."

"Does anyone else know of this?"

"This stays between you me and father."

"What about Isagi?"

"What about him?"

"Hakuei,we can't leave him in the dark! He's also protecting precious cargo! He deserves the right to know."

"And what?! Begin to breakdown over the fact that he has blades aiming for his head?! He's only seven Hakuryuu,he doesn't need to get involved."

"I guess you have a point,but when is this coup d'état?"

"Tomorrow evening." Hakuei says calmly but Hagoromo could tell he was terrified by these words.

"What!!? Are you sure about this information."

"Yes ,I tortured an enemy soldier to get it in our mission. To be honest,they could attack any time from now,tomorrow night is the latest."

"Good grief,if only the world was peaceful and humans weren't always out to kill each other."

"Don't worry Hakuryuu,we'll change this world with these hands and swords,together." Hakuei extended his hand towards Hakuryuu. He had a more warm and determined look on his face Hagoromo was surprised to see.

"Of course,I haven't forgotten the promise we made as kids. We'll correct this world that mother was unjustly killed in. Together." The two bros grip each other's hands tightly.

"We should meet up with father for preparations for this battle."

"Ok,I still think we should've told Isagi......"

Is all Hagoromo heard last when he began to hear Kaguya's whispers tickling his ears once again.

Hagoromo... One shouldn't pry in someone's mind without permission... One shouldn't also use someone else's powers as if they were their own.

Now... Give them... Give them ... Give them back Hagoromo......

.......
...
..

Give back my powers you lowlife thief!
The blood curdling cry reverberates in Hagoromo's ears.

Hagoromo quickly slammed his palms together to revert out of Nia's memory.
Release!

***
Hagoromo is somewhat startled by Nia gripping his wrist tightly. She wakes up in sudden fashion with her eyes wide open and her breath quite raggedy.

"It's ok Nia,I'm here."

"Hagoromo-san? I've had the most strangest dream. In fact,it wasn't a dream,it was more like a memory I had forgotten. Nothing scary happened but I feel if I fall asleep again,the story will and continue and I'll remember something horrid. I don't want to remember if that's the case."

"Even if it's traumatic,you have to remember Nia. One should remember their memories,especially the bad ones,this are the one that mood you into a better person in the future."

"O-ok. You seem very knowledgeable Hagoromo-san. You're like a teenaged philosopher."

Hagoromo awkwardly laughs off the compliment." Yeah well,it had quite a knowledgeable master to teach me."

"I see,I'd love to meet him one day." Nia says which causes Hagoromo to nod.

"I'll definitely introduce you when we finish our job,maybe earlier if we have time now. For now,I'd like you to explain to me your powers."

"My powers?"

"Yes,I'd like to know how your powers work. Then we can work from there in your development with them and you're role in the team."