Chapter Forty-Three: "Works Of Art"

A/N: To those who believe me to be Sasuke-bashing throughout this fic, I like to take a moment to make something clear:

Neji and Ryota both had egos and arrogance in their own rights and suffered both humiliation and defeat as a result. In their own ways, they were no different from Sasuke and both of them had to be humbled by a stronger ninja before they changed. In fact, Naruto too was arrogant and full of himself in the beginning and Sandaime had to humble him. I'm sure all you can see the repeating cycle.

Arrogance doesn't die overnight, especially when a person comes from a clan that pride themselves in their bloodline limit or special jutsus. Now on with the fic.

(Earlier Outside Konoha Walls)

A lone figure was walking through the forest in the shadows. This figure in particular was approaching Konoha with an objective in mind. After receiving information from a reliable source several days ago, the figure decided to take an unscheduled trip to Konoha and pay it a visit, though the actual intention was to pay a certain person a visit.

If anything, the figure saw that this trip might turn out fun. With that in mind, a sinister smile formed on the figure's face while continuing to Konoha…

(Later; At The Hokage Tower)

Tsunade was back in her office doing the bane of all Kages. No matter how powerful a Kage of any village was, it was the very curse that he or she could never completely obliterate: paperwork. She got through signing and stamping all of the documents registering Temari as an official Konoha citizen and Chuunin. Moments later there was a knock at her door.

"Yes," Tsunade answered. The door opened to reveal a group of Jounins entering her office. They bowed to her before standing upright in front of her desk. The Jounins were holding sealed scrolls bearing written statements with the official insignia of Konoha and Sarutobi's signature. They were also holding sealed envelopes possessing official insignias from other hidden villages.

"We've retrieved the bounties offered for Orochimaru's demise," said the leading Jounin, "It goes without say that he was a most hated man."

Tsunade knew that truth all too well, but she couldn't complain too much about it. Two weeks ago Sandaime had dispatched several Jounins to head out to hidden villages offering bounties on Orochimaru's head and retrieve the bounties. The bounties on the traitorous Sannin's head were high, especially since he was an S-class criminal.

Snapping back to reality, Tsunade said, "Excellent work. Place the envelopes and scrolls on my desk and receive your pay."

The Jounins did as instructed and before long they were all paid for their missions and dismissed from the office. The amount of money Naruto was getting because of all of those bounties was enough for him to have an early retirement if he so wanted to pursue that. Tsunade though thought up a whole lot of things she could do with that amount of money, most of which involved expensive sake and gambling.

Looking down at her desk, she saw another scroll in that was on her desk. It was for another mission. A moment later, the door opened again to reveal Kakashi and his team.

"Speak of the devil," Tsunade said in an undertone as the Jounin and his team entered her office, "I have a mission I want you all to complete."

Tsunade handed Kakashi the scroll containing the information about the mission. Kakashi opened the scroll and looked it over. The blond Hokage noticed the bruises on Sai's face.

"What happened to you young man," Tsunade inquired. Sai calmly replied, "I was struck down twice because both Ryota-san and Sakura-san didn't take too kindly to my form of logic."

"Your form of logic was insulting," Sakura retorted.

"Insulting to those who refuse to see it as it is," Sai remarked without any form of hesitation. Sakura moved to punch Sai again, only for her fist to be caught by Kakashi while Sai stood his grounds without budging an inch.

"Sakura," Kakashi said, "You react too irrationally to people's comments. That type of demeanor will get you killed if you don't learn to control your temper."

Sakura huffed before being released by her Jounin-sensei. She snorted with a low growl at Sai who flashed her one of his fake smiles. Sasuke remained calm and collective, not allowing Sai and Sakura's behavior to get to him.

"It'll be done," Kakashi said as he bowed his head to Tsunade before turning to his team, "Let's go. We'll leave for our next mission soon."

"I'll be sure to stop by the hospital to see a medic-nin to heal me before our mission starts," Sai said. Kakashi simply shrugged as he and his three Genins exited the office, leaving Tsunade with her thoughts.

Ever since Orochimaru's death by her son's hands, Konoha have been getting many clients from other hidden villages and the number of missions given to them sky-rocketed. The increased funding Konoha was getting from their daimyo after learning about Orochimaru's demise and Konoha's victory against the invasion was all the more reason why the council favored Naruto so heavily. In fact, many of the clients had requested Naruto in particular for missions. Tsunade knew that Naruto's high S-class reputation in the bingo books would earn him a lot of attention, much of which she didn't want for her son seeing he already has a lot to worry about.

Wanting to get her mind off of things temporarily and before Shizune appeared, Tsunade opened her drawer and attempted to grab her hidden bottle of sake when…

"We're here for our mission," Gai said as he and his team entered her office. The Slug Princess cursed under her breath as she closed the drawer of her desk.

"Yes," Tsunade said returning to her professional demeanor as she picked up and handed Gai the scroll for the mission he and his team were to perform. Gai opened the scroll and read through it. When he was done, he flashed Tsunade a nice guy smile with a sparkle to this teeth and a thumbs-up with a reply, "Yosh, we'll see the mission through! If we don't complete it on time, I'll run four hundred laps around the village!"

"And I too will run four hundred laps around Konoha if we don't complete our mission promptly," Lee shouted enthusiastically. Tsunade, Tenten and Neji just sighed to themselves.

They'll never change, Tenten grieved mentally.

"…," Neji just said nothing as he exited the office with this team. When they were out, Tsunade opened the drawer and pulled out the bottle and small cup. Giggling happily, she licked her lips with anticipation as she poured some contents into the cup. She brought the cup to her awaiting lips and proceeded to sip the alcoholic beverage when…

"Tsunade-sama!," Shizune barged into the office causing the Slug Sannin to spew the drink from her mouth and onto her desk.

"Damn it Shizune!"

(Meanwhile)

Temari was waiting in the waiting room where all over her luggage were. Her Suna Jounin escort had departed from her and left for their return back to Suna after saying their good-byes. While waiting in the room, she was wondering how her life in Konoha was going to be like, especially when word gets out about her betrothal to Naruto. Her train of thoughts though was derailed when the door to the room swung open revealing Gai and his Genin team with him.

"Temari-san," Gai greeted, "How nice to see you again."

Temari simply nodded to him. Gai then turned to his three Genins and said, "Our mission is to escort Temari-san and bring her belongings to her new home."

"Her new home," Tenten inquired. Gai smiled toothily, "Temari-san is going to be living here in Konoha now."

Both Lee and Tenten had raised eyebrows while Neji remained quiet. Neji wasn't at all surprised since he already knew about Temari's affairs from his uncle Hiashi.

"What," Lee yelled in disbelief, "But she's a Suna nin!"

"Not anymore," Temari smirked as she pointed to an authentic blue Konoha headband tied and hanging around her neck along with an official Konoha Chuunin vest resting by her luggage along with her Suna Chuunin vest and headband. Tenten looked at Temari and asked, "When did you become a Konoha nin and Chuunin?"

"It became official as of today," Temari said, "Part of the reason why I was sent here by the council of Suna was to become a Konoha nin as part of the Konoha-Suna alliance."

"An alliance," Tenten asked. Temari nodded, "Yes, the councils of both Konoha and Suna formed an alliance, and part of it entailed that I serve as a liaison for both villages as a Konoha Chuunin."

"Where will you be living at," Tenten asked.

"In the Namikaze Estate," Temari answered. Now both Lee and Tenten had raised eyebrows while Neji had an intrigued expression.

"You were sent to live in Naruto's estate," Tenten asked, "Why didn't they give you your own house or something?"

"You really ask a lot of questions," Temari retorted, "But can we please get on with escorting me to where he lives since I really don't know where his estate is at."

Tenten sensed that there was more to why Temari was going to be living at the Namikaze estate. Sure, she and many others already knew that Ryota lives at Naruto's estate since many refused to allow her to be their tenant since she's a former Iwa nin. Tenten figured that perhaps with recent events involving the Suna-Oto invasion that some in Konoha are sour towards the Suna nins. Whatever the reasons were, Tenten and the others knew that they were going to find out the truth sooner or later.

"C'mon Tenten," Lee said energetically, "Let's get on with today's assignment and give Temari-san a warm welcome in become part of our village!"

"Yosh," Gai agreed, "Let's show Temari-san our youthful flames!"

The group went over and grabbed Temari's luggage and started on their way to Naruto's estate. While on their way, Temari noticed Kakashi and his team heading in the opposite direction from them. She also caught sight of his new thick orange book: Icha-Icha Paradise, The Paradisiacal Forest Ninja. Kakashi knew that his new novel was based on his 'kid brother' Naruto and the highly detailed sexual content he was reading caused him to blush and let a few perverted giggles escape his covered mouth here and there. Temari was rather annoyed by the sight before she turned her attention back to where she was going.

After a good amount of walking, the group finally arrived at the Namikaze Estate. They walked through the large opened doors leading into the estate and made their way towards Naruto's mansion.

"This place is bigger than I thought," Tenten said out loud to no one in particular. Temari couldn't believe how beautiful and clean Naruto's estate was. She expected a lot of things but nothing like what she was looking at.

"Naruto-kun lives here," Temari said with a surprised expression. Gai nodded, "Yes, all that you see belongs to Naruto-san. I hope you'll find your new life here enjoyable!"

Soon the group arrived at their destination and stood in front of a large mansion.

"Here we are," Gai said as he went over and knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened and revealed Naruto.

"Gai-san," Naruto greeted. Gai grinned and nodded to him, "Hello to you Naruto-san. We escorted Temari-san here safely without trouble."

Naruto nodded in understanding, "Thank you. I'll show you guys where you can bring her things."

"Wait a minute," Tenten interjected, "You mean to say that Temari is going to be living in your house?!"

"That's right," Naruto said straightforwardly. Lee had a surprised expression while Neji had a small expression of interest. Tenten though looked at Naruto indignantly, "But you have plenty of houses in your estate! So why not give her a house of her own?!"

Before Naruto could give a reply…

"Tenten," Gai rebuked, "Where Temari-san is allowed to lodge at is neither your concern nor decision. We were assigned to escort Temari-san safely here, not to antagonize the Namikaze clan leader for his decision as to where Temari-san can live. So please have more respect for Naruto-san, we are guests in his estate after all."

After a moment of silence…

"I'm sorry," Tenten apologized as she bowed her head, "I was out of line."

"All is forgiven," Naruto smiled, "So don't worry about it. Please come inside."

Naruto allowed them to come into his house as she guided them upstairs. As they entered, Neji looked around the place and saw that the decorations were indeed works of art. Tenten was amazed at how beautiful the place was. Lee was wondering if Naruto had an indoor dojo they could train and spar in sometime. Temari's eyes scanned and took in everything she was looking at.

Naruto-kun must have deep pockets to afford all this, Temari thought to herself as she and the others made their way upstairs. A minute late, they arrived at the designated room and Naruto opened the door for them.

"You can place her things inside this room," Naruto said, allowing the Genins to enter the room and place her luggage down in her new room. They did as instructed and set her things down her the room as Temari walked in and looked around her new room. She saw that Naruto did quite a work in preparing her room, though she admitted that it could still use a woman's touch.

Living here will take some getting used to, Temari thought to herself. Naruto turned to Gai and his team, "Thank you for your service. I already took care of the payment of this mission so you guys can go pick up your payment back at the Hokage Tower."

"We'll see you later, Naruto-san," Gai said as he and his team turned to leave the mansion. After Gai and his Genin cell left the mansion, Naruto returned to Temari and found that she had already started unpacking and settling some of her belongings in the places she chose to place them. While standing by the doorway, he found her stopping for a moment to take out and look at a recently taken picture with her in her Suna Chuunin vest, Gaara, Kankuro and Baki.

"I know it must be very hard for you to be separated from them," Naruto said, "They're your family after all."

"Well," Temari said, "Life for us wasn't all that luxurious. After the death of my mother, life for my family turned sour and very bitter. My father wasn't much of a father and most of the time I had to look after both Gaara and Kankuro. It was harder looking after Gaara than it was Kankuro because we were all terrified of him; us and practically everyone else.

"Our uncle seemed to have cared for Gaara, but when he betrayed and turned on Gaara after being given an assassination mission by our father, things took a turn for the worst. Gaara started killing everyone who crossed him as his twisted way to show love for himself and prove his existence to everyone."

Naruto remained silent as he allowed Temari to get off her chest what she's been meaning to tell Naruto for sometime.

"Naruto-kun, during the first months my brothers and I first came to Konoha for the Chuunin Exams, you did something that no one else sought to do: you went out of your way to help Gaara who to you was a total stranger back then. At first I didn't know what your intensions were but when you revealed to us that you yourself are a Jinchuuriki, made into one by your own father, I saw that Gaara wanted to believe in your ability to help him. He saw that there was another person in the world who could understand life as a Jinchuuriki, that he wasn't alone anymore.

"Kankuro wasn't trusting of you at all to say the least…but I so badly wanted to believe in you. I wanted to believe that you sincerely sought to help my little brother and…you did. Naruto-kun…you saved Gaara from forever damning himself…you freed him from his hatred and uncontrolled bloodlust. My family and people…we owe you our thanks and gratitude. So…thank you."

"Heheh, it was nothing," Naruto smiled and rubbed the back of his head. Temari went over and gripped Naruto's hands with her own, causing Naruto to stop smiling as he looked into her eyes and saw…tears.

"I sincerely mean it, Naruto-kun. You made Gaara…feel human and alive in a completely new light," Temari started to shed the tears, "You want to know something?"

Naruto nodded, uncertain of what she was going to say to him.

"During the days we were back in Suna after our time in Konoha, Gaara allowed me hug him. I was able to embrace him as his older sister and he hugged me back! Before then, I can't remember when the last time was when I was able to hug him at all," Temari smiled, as she was now crying freely, even though it was in an undertone.

Naruto had a few experiences when it came to comforting females, female ninjas in particular.

"I'm happy that you're happy about all this…," Naruto said as he embraced and held her. Temari stopped crying and smiled, "That day we met you was the day you truly changed the life of my family. We used to be afraid of Gaara, and now we found that Gaara wanted to actually to practice and train with Kankuro and Kankuro actually got him to laugh at one of his jokes! Laugh, not in the maniacal way he used to but laugh with a true sense of humor!

"Gaara even started making more of an effort to be around people more, though many are still wary of him because of his past deeds. Still, the very fact that he wants to become someone they could trust and rely on gradually started making some look at Gaara differently than they used to. Though it presently doesn't look like much, but the fact that it's happening is testimony to the changes you made in his life Naruto-kun."

Naruto stayed quiet as Temari continued to pour out her feelings and thoughts to him.

"Believe it or not Naruto-kun," Temari continued, "Gaara admires and looks up to you as his role model. He personally made that clear the day we came to visit you while you were in a coma in the hospital. He told all of us that his new way of proving his existence is to find precious people to protect and make him strong. We thought we were dreaming when he said that with such conviction and zeal, and since then Gaara has been living up to his promise…and before I left for Konoha, he told me that Kankuro, Baki-sensei and I are one of his precious people."

Temari took the moment to wipe away the tears in his face and eyes. When that was done, she looked at Naruto face to face, "Naruto-kun, please promise me that you'll never become how Gaara once was and that you'll stay as a role model for him to follow."

Naruto saw the look in Temari's eyes. The look he saw was a girl who was not only truly sincere and solid in her words, but also wanted reassurance that her hopes will be met and satisfied.

"You have my word," Naruto assured with a toothy grin, "And I never go back on my word; that's my nindo."

Temari couldn't help but smile, and her already huge amount of respect for the Namikaze clan leader increased further. She just heard him declare his nindo, and that he would never go back on his promise. She couldn't help but smile even further, "You truly are a wonderful guy, Naruto-kun."

"Thanks," Naruto said, "Well, before you unpack the rest of your things, let me introduce you to Hina-chan and Ino-chan."

Temari nodded and followed Naruto to where Hinata and Ino were.

(Meanwhile)

At one of the training grounds outside the village, Konohamaru found himself trapped between a tree and an angry-looking kunoichi.

"C'mon," Konohamaru said fearfully, "I was only fooling."

"Really," Ryota retorted while cracking her knuckles.

"Ryota-san," Haku said, "Hurting the grandson of Sandaime won't earn you the villagers' respect."

"I had no real intentions of seriously hurting him," Ryota said, "Just roughing him up a bit."

"Don't be such a bully to one of Naruto-kun's precious people," Haku asked, "He won't be pleased with you if you do harm to Konohamaru-san."

Udon and Moegi looked on as Haku did what she could to calm the Jounin down. A minute later though Moegi's eyes caught sight of something that flew passed them. Curiosity got the better of her as she went over to investigate what it was that flew by them. When she arrived at the scene, she saw a small bird standing on top of a small pile of dirt. The bird started chirping a beautiful sound that the young orange-haired girl never heard before.

"Wow," Moegi said, "What a beautiful-looking bird!"

Udon went over to where Moegj went. He adjusted his glasses to see what his orange-haired friend was looking at and admiring.

"That's odd," Udon noted. Moegi turned to him, "What's odd?"

"That particular kind of bird doesn't come to Konoha," Udon said, "It's a bird you see in the tropics very far from here."

"So it's not from Hi No Kuni (Fire Country)," Moegi asked

Udon shook his head, "No, in fact it's not even from this continent."

"So what's it doing in Konoha," Moegi asked out loud with a confused expression. She moved closer to the chirping bird when…

"That's weird," Moegi said, "That bird look awfully white and clay-like."

Ryota turned to the two kids to see what they were looking at. When she caught sight of the bird however, her eyes widened with shock and fear after seeing the danger the kids were in. She hurriedly ran to the two youths and…

"GET DOWN!," Ryota yelled as she grabbed and ran with both youths.

"KATSU!"

The bird detonated with a large explosion, blowing the three of them off their feet, though Ryota took more of the brunt of the attack as a result of shielding Moegi and Udon with her own body. Ryota, though dazed, gradually got back up on her feet as Konohamaru and Haku ran over to them.

"Moegi! Udon!," Konohamaru cried out as he ran over to his friends.

"Ryota-san!," Haku called out as she and Konohamaru reached the trio, "Are you guys alright?"

Shaking the dizziness out of her system, Ryota got serious as she turned and looked over Moegi and Udon, both of whom were alright with no serious injuries.

"Haku," Ryota said, "Get the three kids back to the village!"

"What about you," Haku asked

"I'll stay and deal with the attacker personally," Ryota replied.

"By yourself," Haku remarked, "But you don't even know who our attacker is."

"Yes I do," Ryota replied with a hardened tone, "All too well in fact. He's a very dangerous S-class ninja and we can't risk the children's safety by keeping them here. Besides, this ninja in particular killed someone who was very precious to me a long time ago."

Haku understood that feeling and she acknowledged that whoever their attacker was, Ryota had a terrible history with him. Taking the children, Haku made her way back to the village. When they were out of sight, Ryota's attention turned to the attacker who was now standing in the shadows of the forest.

"It's been a long time little Ryota, yeah," said a masculine voice. Ryota fought hard to control her bloodlust as the figure walked from out of the shadows, with chiming sounds ringing from the small bell stringed to his ceremonial bamboo hat on his head. He stepped into the opening and fully into the sun's light flashing through the tree branches of the forest they were in. She saw that the very person, whom she once loved as her older brother who later betrayed her, was dressed in the same clothes worn by both Itachi and Kisame.

"Deidara," Ryota pronounced the name as though she spat venom laced with acid from her mouth, "What a revolting surprise."

Deidara smiled as he eyed the young teenage Jounin before him.

"Looks like everything that Kisame-danna said to me were all true," Deidara commented as he removed his ceremonial bamboo hat, "You've grown into a lovely young woman, yeah."

Ryota stayed calm despite her impulses to attack. She knew that attacking irrationally would mean her death.

"So you went from being a terrorist-for-hire to Akatsuki scum," Ryota spat, "Not a day goes by without me wishing for your death you bastard."

"Is that anyway to talk to your old sensei," Deidara said with mock hurt, "I merely came by to see what my little apprentice has been up to lately. When I heard that you, the Shining Stone of Iwagakure, betrayed Iwa and sided with Konoha of all villages, I had to come and see it for myself. You hated the fact that I betrayed and turned against our home village, and here it is that you go and follow in my footsteps in becoming a missing-nin and a wanted criminal in Iwa, yeah."

"Shut up," Ryota yelled, "I'm not like you! My abandoning Iwa has no relations to your betrayal!"

"So there were circumstances," Deidara deduced, "Would those circumstances revolve around a particular Elite Jounin?"

Ryota gave the blond Akatsuki member no reply. Deidara grinned, "I see. You've taken a real liking to Naruto-san. From what Kisame-danna told me, you two seemed rather close."

"Shut up!," Ryota retorted, "You know nothing about me!"

"I know you have feelings for Namikaze Naruto-san," Deidara taunted, "You may not say it outright, but I can read it off you like living art…one that will eventually wither away with the rest of everything you once had."

Ryota felt herself losing control of her anger as she clenched her fists tightly and grinded her teeth.

"I'm not here to see Naruto-san," Deidara stated, "I simply came to have a little artistic fun with my once prized prodigy. How would you like to become one of my greatest works of art just like how your sister was?"

Totally losing control of her anger, Ryota rushed recklessly at Deidara, "I'LL KILL YOU!"

(Meanwhile)

Haku arrived back at the village with the three kids.

"Go report what happened to the Hokage," Haku said with urgency, "I must go and find Naruto-kun!"

Konohamaru and his friends nodded their heads as they ran to the Hokage Tower. Haku ran as fast as she could to Naruto's estate. While on her way, she sincerely hoped nothing terrible happened to Ryota, though she herself felt bad for leaving Ryota behind to fight against whoever their attacker was.

Please be alright until I get help Ryota-san, Haku mentally prayed while running to Naruto's estate.

(Back In The Forest)

There was a series of explosions and earthquakes. Ryota, using her jutsu to summon her insane strength, formed craters with every punch she threw into the ground in the attempt to catch and kill Deidara. The blond Akatsuki nin however managed to easily evade all of her attacks. The status of the surrounding area was leveled trees and a damaged landscape with burning debris scattered all over.

Deidara dodged and ducked from another punch from Ryota and retaliated with a sweeping kick. Ryota leaped over it and retrieved a kunai from her pouch, attempting to stab her former sensei in the head. Deidara side-stepped away from the oncoming assault and somersaulted with his right foot kicked into her jaw, making her flip backwards off her feet and down on the ground facedown. She got back up before rubbing her sore and bruised jaw with some blood that seeped down both ends of her mouth. Putting his right hand straight out towards the teen girl, Deidara motioned her to come at him, "Over here little Ryota."

She growled and spat out a bit of blood before charging. Deidara stood his ground before he jumped with a swing kick that followed. The girl ducked under the blow, the older ninja's heel brushing her hair, and countered with brutal fist to Deidara's chest, the first blow she landed since the fight started, or so she thought as she watched him fly backwards and crash into a tree, only to burst into a pile of dirt that fell to the ground.

"Kawarimi," Ryota realized before a pale colored grasshopper jumped at her. She leaped backwards from it before it blew up. Knocked off her balance from the explosion, Deidara speedily capitalized on it before the female Jounin could recover. She was hit four times, three punches to her face followed by a roundhouse kick to her side, sending her rolling and sprawling to the floor. By the time she regained her bearings she found herself on the ground once again.

"Damn you," Ryota swore as she got back up off the ground with clenched fists. Going over to a tree, she grabbed and pulled it entirely out the ground. Aiming it at her former sensei, she hurled it at him like a javelin intending to plunge him with it. Deidara jumped into the air before the tree could meet up with him as he threw several clay spiders onto the tree.

"Katsu!," Deidara said before the tree exploded into and blowing burning pieces of wood everywhere. Ryota suddenly appeared behind him and grabbed him by the back of his neck tightly.

"Got you," she said as she dashed down speedily toward the surface of the ground with Deidara's face aimed to plunge into the earth. The ground shook momentarily with Ryota's hand impaled deep into the ground with Deidara's head smashed into the ground with his body hanging on the ground in the crater they were in. The body though dissolved into mud and lost its form. Deidara presently was standing on top of one the trees with a smile on his face.

"Little Ryota," Deidara taunted, "I taught you better than this. Your style of fighting lacks true art, yeah!"

"To hell with you," Ryota retorted before pulling her fist from out of the ground, "I'm just getting started!"

"Really," Deidara mocked. Ryota turned her eyes to see a bird flying to her from her left at a fast speed.

"Katsu!"

She barely had enough time to create an earth-manipulated shield from the ground to block the explosion that followed, but she managed to block most of the explosion. After doing a set of hand seals, Ryota raised her hand and yelled, "Iwa No Tsurugi!"

A katana made from stone formed together from the ground before she grabbed and held onto it. After swinging it around to get a feel for it, she jumped and charged at Deidara who was still standing on the tree branch. She swung the katana in the attempt to decapitate him. Deidara though leaned backwards as the katana's blade swiftly swung over him and through the tree, effectively slicing the tree in half as it fell to the ground with a loud thud. Standing back up, he jumped off the branch as Ryota chased after him. Landing back on the ground, she swung and slashed at Deidara who was efficiently evading all of her attacks.

After flipping away from him, she stabbed the katana into the ground before she went through a series of complex hand seals and…

"Doton: Mimizu Boketsu No Jutsu (Earth Release: Earthworm Grave Technique)!," Ryota yelled after clasping her hands together. From out of the ground burst forth four large earthworms made from rocks, dirt and gravel. The worms appeared around Deidara in all four directions and rushed at him. Smirking, he threw four clay orbs into the worm's open mouths and…

"Katsu!"

The four worms exploded into large chunks of gravel and crashed down onto the ground. Before Ryota could reform the worms, Deidara rushed at her and swiftly punched her hard in the guts, causing her to double over painfully before he grabbed and held her head down by her hair and brought his kneecap into her face. Ryota, dazed with a busted nose that now had blood seeping down from, was tossed away from Deidara to the ground. The injured Jounin gradually pulled herself together though her head was hurting from receiving that brute assault from his kneecap.

Moments later after getting her senses back, she heard sounds of footsteps hurriedly approaching her before she felt a pair of hands take hold and helped her up.

"Naruto-kun," Ryota muttered with her head still facing the floor.

"No it's me," said the feminine voice helping Ryota off the ground, "Are you alright, Ryota-imouto?"

Ryota knew that voice. She looked up with widened eyes as she looked at female figure in front of her. She thought she was hallucinating.

"Chizuru-nee-chan," Ryota said in disbelief. Before she could say another word…

"Yes imouto," Chizuru smiled happily, "It's me."

Ryota saw that this was no genjutsu as she couldn't dispel it. It was Chizuru as she last remembered her (A/N: Think of an older Sango from the anime "Inuyasha" with short black hair).

"Nee-chan…," Ryota muttered with disbelieving eyes, "…But you died."

"I know," Chizuru said sadly, "Deidara was too strong for me back then when I tried to stop him. I'm sorry for leaving you alone in this world. It must have been really hard for you."

"But how can you possibly be here and alive," Ryota asked quizzically.

"I'm not sure how or what force brought me back imouto," Chizuru said, "I'm just happy to be here with you again."

Ryota looked around for Deidara.

"Where is he," Ryota said, "Where's Deidara?!"

"He took off after I stopped him from killing you a few minutes ago," Chizuru said, "I don't know where he went though he was shocked and caught off guard to see me alive again."

Looking at Ryota, Chizuru said, "So it's true that you defected from our home village to Konoha. I was shocked to learn that you were labeled as an A-class missing-nin in the bingo books after I went in search of you in Iwa."

A feeling of guilt overcame the young earth-type Jounin, "…I'm sorry…But…I…What happened was…"

"Don't worry," Chizuru assured, "I'm sure you had your reasons whatever they may be. I'm just happy to be with you again."

Ryota nodded smiled happily.

"Imouto," Chizuru said, "Let me hold you again! It's been so long!"

Ryota wrapped her arms Chizuru who in turn wrapped her arms around Ryota as they held each other in a loving embrace.

"I really missed you nee-chan," Ryota said with tears coming down her face.

"I missed you too," Chizuru said as she held Ryota closer to her, "I'm so happy that we can be together now."

Moving her lips closer to Ryota's left ear a moment later, Chizuru whispered sincerely, "Ryota-imouto…there's something you must know."

"Hmm," Ryota muttered.

"Art is a blast," Chizuru whispered before she glowed brightly and exploded on Ryota, shaking and covering the large surrounding area in thick black clouds with dust and a blaze of burning debris blasting from where Ryota was last standing…

A sudden and seeming reunion between sisters turned deadly! What will result from this? Stick around and find out next time.