*Hatake walks in and inspects her new Naruto Rpg, and hopes its as good and her last one.* lets get the Rpg rolling!

---

Yondaime looked over the files that Saratobi gave him for his new team and inspected every inch of their being. ' Looks like I get the Prodigy child, Kakashi, and a Uchiha.' he thought as he waited for Kairi to get back, she always seems to go to the mountain for thinking and training nowadays.


Keir came in without saying a word and placed some files near Yondaime. "From the hokage..." She muttered flicking some stray hairs from her face. She had been in a recent fight and had been injured and was now a 'carrier pigon' intill she was fully healed.

"Sir and ma'am, where do I go?" asked Squall


Keir ned and glared. "Why the hell should I know?! Sheesh, why the hell do you have to go somewhere?! You didn't even give us something so we could actually tell you where to go!" She yelled, hardly making any sense.

"I apologize, I'm just a little eager to meet my students?" asked Squall the young Jounin.

Yondaime took the files."thanks" he repied to Keir "I would suppose the Students were in class now." he said to Squall.

'Darnit, im late. he going to be so mad at me for not being there to see his new "team" pass or not' thought Kairi as she raced to the Acadamy. she got there and found him in the file room. "Sorry" she murmured as she saw two other people in the room. one of her ear twiched.

Yondamie looked up from the file."Ah, Kairi there you are, I was wondering if you'd get here before I left."

Kairi hated when other people was around but, she was unstable right, not to mention she couldn't get the demon's voice out of her head since the incident years ago, but she nodded to Yondaime like she always does when people were around.

Squall turned to Kairi and Yondamie and spoke "I guess I'll be heading to the classrooms too..the students should be getting out in a little bit.." He then turned and started to walk away.

Yondaime nodded his head without looking up from the files.

Kairi just stood there half menicingly with her eyes staring at the files in Yondamie's hands. Her yellow/golden eyes blinked and became a deadly crimson then slow fades back to yellow after awhile.

Yondaime took notice of the change.

---

Mercury was running around in circles."Damn!"She mumbled to herself.

Umeko paused on her way to class when she saw the other girl, and upon looking around and seeing no one she might be talking to or cursing at, she raised an eyebrow. "Are you.. allright there?" she asked, ready to bolt if need be.

mercury stopped."Yes I am fine.I just have no idea where Im suppos to be right now."

Umeko looked her over. "Genin?"

Mercury nodded."Yup."

"Then you be going my way," Umeko smiled and motioned with one finger for Mercury to follow her. She turned and walked down the hall, taking a left then a right and at the open double doors she motioned for Mercury to go in first.

Mercury smiled adn walked through the doors."Thank you."

"Welcome," Umeko said and walked in. She squeezed her way past a couple groups of other ninjas before making it to the raised seats. She walked up a few rows before choosing a seat almost dead center of all of them, turned the seat backwards, and sat, leaning on the back of it with crossed arms, smiling at all the genin among the room.

Mercury blunk.She walked through some groups of ninja and made her way to a seat at the back of the room in a corner,hoping her dark outfit would blend in to the darkness.

Squall just happened to be walking by when he notice Mercury and Umeko "..Aren't you two supposed to be in class or something?"

Mercury looked at Squall."Why would you care?"

"Well..hmm..maybe because of the fact that I'm a Jounin..and that I might be your teacher perhaps?" Squall replied

"Well then..You might wana hope that you dont have me as a student."Mercury said with a smirk.

Squall laughed a little "We shall see, we shall see..till then!" he spoke as he walked away.

Mercury smiled evily."Til then.."She whispered.

Umeko raised an eyebrow at the two, mostly at the man. They were in class. What was he on about?

Mercury laughed."Man I love messing around with people!"

Squall vanished and suddenly appeared in front of Umeko "Hello there."

"Hello, sir," Umeko replied with a respectful bow of her head and a smile.

Mercury looked at Squal."Where'd you come from?"

"..Shadow clones, the only way to travel!." he said with a smile "..So where are YOU supposed to be? Hmm?" he spoke to Umeko.

"Right here," Umeko said simply, keeping her eyes locked on his and still smiling, awaiting more questions.

Mercury yawned.

"Unyielding, eh? Well, how about this, What is your teacher's name?" Squall said with a smirk.

"I, just like everyone else, don't know yet, sir," Umeko said, again in her kind voice. She was trying hard not to laugh.

Mercury played with a butterfly dagger that was in her pocket.

"Mercury, get up here for a sec I want to ask you something, too!" He yelled to Mercury, then looked to face Umeko

Mercury rolled her eyes."Fine."She got up adn walked to them."What do you want?"

"Okay, the question..why aren't you two in class? I never really got an answer before." replied Squall.

Umeko sighed. "With all due respect, we are where we are supposed to be," she said, holding her hand straight up and jerking it to emphasize her words, then she put her hand back down, looking around at the other genin in the room.

"What she said."Mercury said.

.< "Okay..since it's just the two of you, you guys stick with me okay? And if anyone asks, you were helping me do a few chores. Sound good?"

Mercury blunk."Why?"

Umeko gave Mercury a look that distictly said 'this guy must be crazy..' before turning back to the Squall. "Umm... Have you looked around?" she said carefully and motioned with one of her hands around the room where about two dozen other genin stood, some sitting, and some beginning to glance at them curiously.

Mercury turned to the genin looking at them."What are you looking at?"She said glaring at the other genin.

"Nevermind, I forgot the other Genin were getting out now.." just made a fool of my self

"You're new at this.. aren't you?" Umeko smiled, knowing the answer.

Mercury smirked

"I just became a Jounin the other day.." replied Squall "In fact I am the youngest Jounin here, 16 in fact.^^"

Umeko nodded, a knowing smile gracing her lips. "Well you see, all these Genin here? They are all waiting for assignments. We come here, get our senseis, then we leave."

Mercury blunk."Your 16?"She asked.She started poking Squall's arm.

"No lie! ^^" Squall smiled "Why? How old are you?"

"14."Mercury said.

Yondaime and Kairi walk out of the room and headed toward the class room. when they got there, they stopped and stared at the three.

Umeko turned her head and smiled. "Hello th-" she started, but stopped when she noticed who they were. She seemed to brighten even more and she stood, bowing to them respectfully. "Good day to you both," she said, smiling.

"Ah! Nice to see you too, Umeko." said Yondaime smiling afterward.Kairi just nodded her head as her eyes turned to crimson again.

"That's a wicked trick," Umeko noted to Kairi before sitting down again.

Kairi blinked a few times in confusion and her eyes changed back to yellow."Huh?"

Yondaime looked over to Kairi and saw her eyes were crimson again. he sighed heavily. he had a feeling he was oing to explain it to them.


Mercury blunk.

Squall looked over to Umeko then Mercury and smiled at "Are you two ready to meet your senseis?"

Umeko smiled brightly. "No doubt!" she said excitedly. "Are you ready to meet your genin?"

"Can't wait!" Squall smiled back "I wonder which Genin I'll be getting.."

Umeko let out a small teasing laugh. "I wonder if they'll learn anything."

"Aww..come on..you can give me more credit than that!" Squall laughed

Mercury looked bored and started playing with the spike on her wrist band

"Mercury you ready to meet your sensei?" Squall walked up to Mercury and smiled

"Pretty much."Mercury said in a bored tone.

"Aww..don't be like that!" Squall made a wide smile to try and get her to laugh "..Come on, smile!"

Mercury stared at Squall with an emotionless face."Your not guna get me to smile."

"It would look out of place on you're stony face, wouldn't it?" Umeko noted to Mercury, a frown of her own settled on her lips.

"Ill take that as a complament."Mercury said.

"Well it certainly wasn't an insult." Umeko returned to looking around at the other genin.

"If you won't smile, then I won't make you." Squall smiled and out of the blue he blushed

Mercury blunk and tilted her head in confusion."Impossible.You cannot make me smile."

"Well.." Squall smiled "..I guess it would seem that way...but just, you know out of the blue, why are you so gloomy?"

"I am normally gloomy."

"Okayy...but why?.."

"Because no one has made me happy."

"Then I'll make a mission to get you to smile. There's a pretty face under that gloomy face..and I'm gonna get you to show it." Squall smiled as he said this

Mercury started laughing sarcasticly."Hahaha...Thats funny.There is no 'pretty face' in me."

"Oh..yes there is." Squall stated "You just don't know it yet."

"Your really guna try and get me to smile arent you?"Mercury asked.

"Yep!" Squall said "I'm not gonna stop til I get you to smile for me."

"Nope.Besides,if you end up as my teacher,you'll live a life without a smile from me."

"You know I've not had a good past, and I hate to see someone not smile at least once." Squall started "My family was taken from me..so I hope you can understand all I've seen is frowns..and I hate to see that."

"I dont have a real family...I was there to watch my real parents die...I dont know why,but everytime I get new parents,they end up leaving me..."Mercury said."That is why I dont smile.."

"Just to let you know..my family was poisoned and I was the only one left alive..and noone would take me in..I had no family left..and the only person who took me in was the hokage."

"Your lucky you dont have people constantly throwing you aside and the second you think you have a real family...They push you aside like some piece of dirt."

"I have no friends to care for me..and I still have no family, I took care of myself..I know exactly how you must feel..." Squall started to look depressed

Mercury looked at Squall sadly and hugged him."Ill be your friend and I will care for you.."

Squall tried to cheer up as he said "Thank you..that means alot."

"Man...You did it..You got me to smile."Mercury said as she smiled lightly.

Squall started to smile as he wiped a tear away and hugged Mercury

"Aww!!"Mercury said with a smile.

"Now I'm really hoping I get you as a student Mercury." Squall smiled

Mercury giggled."And why is that?"

"I don't know.." he smiled "I guess it's really the person"

Mercury smiled lightly.

"You wanna know something?" he started and smiled "You really are beautiful."

Mercury blushed."Your just saying that to be nice.."

Squall blushed and smiled "..I'm serious you really are very beautiful."

Mercury meeped adn pulled the hood of her trench coat over her head.

Umeko gently cleared her throat. "Ahem. There are others within hearing distance you know, and I really don't think that this behavior of shitei is acceptable... right, Yondaime-sama?" she asked, looking at the other sensei.

Squall turned around with a nervous laugh "Sorry about that, I didn't know anyone could hear.." he felt kinda embarassed.

"Only Yodaime-sama, Kairi, and myself," Umeko said kindly, smiling. "But I doubt you'll be on the same team now..."

Squall straightened himself up "So where are my students?"

Mercury hid herself in her trench coat.

"Mercury, will you be one of them?" Squall said sternly but with a smile.

"Sir, we don't get to pick. We will be assigned," Umeko said gently. She wasn't looking at him anymore, she was once again looking at the other ninjas.

Mercury wasnt hiding anymore.She smiled lightly at Squall.

Squall smiled at Mercury then looked at Umeko. "I'm well aware of that Umeko..I'm not that dumb."

Mercury giggled.

"You didn't seem to know it when you came in this room trying to get us to leave," Umeko pointed out, and smirked at him.

Squall drooped his head "You got me there. I couldn't help it..I'm new at this."

Umeko shook her head and looked back at Yondaime. "Are we going to get assigned soon, Yondaime-sama?"

"I already recive my team , you have to go to the Hokage's office to get them, Kairi and I are hoping to get a worthy team this year. Right, Kairi." said Yondaime brightly.

Kairi again nodded her head. Her eyes turned normal when Mercury and Squall were talking.

Yondaime sighed." Hey Kairi, I've got a mission for you. I need you to go cheak on the places and parents of these three kids for me alright. Oh and when you Kakashi, just cheak on the place. ok."

Kairi grabbed the file and walked toward the exit.

"And actually talk to the parents would ya...." Yondaime called after her. she left. "I'm tying to get her to be more social this time, ever since I found her, I the only one that she talks to freely."

"She seems nice," Umeko noted, then smiled. "Well I guess the Hokage was serious when he said I had a squall for a sensei. And here I heard he had a sense of humor." She shrugged.

[Mercury blunk.She sighed.

"Hey Merc, you want someone to go with you to the Hokage's office?" Squall said as he walked up to Mercury

Mercury blushed and nodded.

"Alright, then..let's go." Squall smiled

Mercury got up and followed Squall."You lead the way.Im kinda new here..."

"Sure" He grabbed her hand "I'm pretty familiar with this place."

Mercury blushed madly when Squall held her hand."Where exactly is the Hokage's office?"

"Well..let's see" Squall replied as they started walking "..it should be...right about.." he looked around and pointed to the Hokage's office."..over there! There we go."

"Cooooooll....."Mercury said

Squall smiled "Here we are..the Hokage's office."

"Why exactly is the Hokage so important again?i forgot."Mercury asked.

"Well, the Hokage are the best ninja there are.." Squall started "..you become a Hokage if you've mastered many ninja techniques.."

"Why hasnt there ever been a female Hokage?"

"You know..I don't know why..but I wouldn't mind if you happened to become the first." Squall smiled

Mercury blushed adn smiled.

"If you want..I can help you achieve that goal.." Squall smiled "..Not because I'm a Jounin, but because I..love..you." He blushed

Mercury's eyes grew wide.Tears came to her eyes.She turned around and started running.

"..Mercury.." He dropped his head, then went after her and caught her by the arm "Mercury..please..what is wrong?" He said in a very concerned voice

Mercury fell to her knees.She looked at him."But why do you love me?"

Squall let go of her arm "..When I saw you smile today..I started feeling a wierd feeling but I tried to hold it back..because I didn't know what you'd think of me.." he dropped his head once more and got down on both knees and looked at Mercury "..Mercury, I love you..I love your smile..everything about you makes me weak in the knees...cause I truly DO love you..you must believe me, please.." He finished in a saddened tone

Mercury turned around and kissed Squall on the lips.

Squall was stunned when she kissed him and he started to blush, he then kiss her back as he hugged Mercury.

Mercury hugged Squall tightly."I love you to.."

Squall smiled at Mercury and blushed "..You mean so much to me, Mercury.."

Mercury was blushgin madly."I dont know how you could love a gothic freak..."

"..Mercury..that doesn't matter to me..I love you anyways, despite it.." Squall began to blush madly as he hugged her.

Mercury smiled and hugged him back."We should go to the Hokage now.."She said.

"All right..^^ " Squall replied "..I guess it's into the Hokage's office we go."

Mercury blinked and laughed nervously."Which is...Where?"

"Umm.." Squall tried not to laugh "..we're standing right in front of it." Points to the office and smiles

"Oh yea..."Mercury looked embarrassed.

Squall smiled "Shall we?"

Mercury nodded and stoodup."You are so sweet Squall^^"

"I try.." Squall replied slightly laughing.

Mercury poked the door to the Hokage's office.

"But.." Squall pondered "..I wonder if they are even in today.."

Mercury opened the door."Who cares?"

"Okay..you're right.." Squall said as he walked in letting Mercury go first.."Ladies first.." then looked into the room "Helloo..is anyone in here!"

Mercury walked in.She started poking everything she saw."Oooo..."

"We'd better not get caught here...we'll get in trouble if we are seen just touching everything.." Squall smiled "..I know...it happened to me.." (anime-style sweat mark)

Mercury kept poking everything."Pretty."

Squall looked at Mercury, "Try to be careful..they take thing a little too much sometime.."

Mercury saw a shiny sliver necklace."Shhhinnyy.."

"Wait..that's..." Squall was surprised by the sight of the necklace "..m-my...m-mother's..necklace..."

Mercury stared at it.She picked it up.

"But how'd they..get a hold on this?" Squall spoke still surprised.

"Who knows...."Mercury turned and gave him the necklace.

Squall was shocked that she gave him the necklace "Thank..you..very much.." he looked at Mercury and gave her a tight hug.

Mercury was a bit shocked by the hug but she smiled and hugged him back.

Squall looked as though he was about to cry.."Mercury, let's go..too many painful memories coming at once.."

Mercury looked at him sadly."I guess its worse to have something to bring back your memories...Than to have nothing to remember.."

"Yes, I think you are right.." Squall said trying to cheer up.

Mercury grabbed Squall's hand.She was blushing and smiling."Dont worry...New memories can be made.."

"Right..^^.." Squall replied as he began to smile again as well as blush

Mercury gave Squall a kiss on the cheek.

Squall started to blush even more and he knew it "..Well..uhm.." he began to stutter "..thank you.." he smiled blushing madly.

Mercury giggled and hugged Squall.

Squall smiled and hugged back "Thank you ..I probably would have never known about this..if we hadn't have come here..thank you." Squall turned to Mercury and kissed her...on the lips.

Mercury was a bit shocked and was blushing but she acepted the kiss.She smiled

Squall smiled even more and blushed. "You're so wonderful, Mercury."

Mercury blushed and smiled."No Im not.."

"Well to me you are..you have shown me things I never would've expected to find..I'm glad I met you." Squall kissed Mercury again, blushing still.

Mercury meeped and blushed.She looked at the ground."I wish I could be a great ninja...."

"I can help you achieve it." Squall looked at Mercury blushing and smiling. "..You've been assigned as one of my students, I do believe." he smiled even more

Mercury seemed unusually happy."I dont really think I can be great.Im from the sand village and most people hate me."

Squall smiled some "Well, with my help people'll have to change their minds..you've got what it takes..we've just gotta put it to good use. Let's go, the rest of the team is probably waiting for us."

Mercury hugged Squall."Thanks for believeing in me.."

Squall hugged back. "No problem" he smiled

Mercury giggled adn blushed.

Squall blushed and held his hand out and smiled "Let's go.."

Mercury grabbed Squall's hand and smiled.]
_

Meanwhile, back in the class room...

Umeko laughed. She was pinned against a wall, arms and legs spread, with a sword through the shoulder part of her shirt (not touching her skin). The person who had pinned her pulled back, removing his sword and laughed as well as everyone smiled, laughed, and clapped in various degrees. It had been quite the scene, even if only acted out from a famous past fight between two ninjas, and a humorous reinactment at that. Umeko and the boy both took bows then retired to a couple of desks and talked with each other.

---

Mercury turned.She had let go of Squall's hand and began walking back.

Squall also turned around and walked off "I guess they'll be wondering where we were.." he let a smile and took off toward the class rooms.

---

Kairi got to Kakashi's and looked around his house. the place was full of broken Kunai and shurikens and scrolls practicly littered the place.'Wow, and he's only six!' she thought grimly.

---

Mean while in the nearby forest a figure with a staff on his back stumbled into the village."help...me", the man said as he collapsed.

---

Umeko laughed and waved goodbye to everyone. She had her leader, and was excused until the next day when her training would begin. She was walking outside, staff across her shoulders and her wrists resting on it when she came across the man. She went over to him and poke him with her staff. "Umm.. sir? Are you... allright?"

"uhhhhh...", the man moaned, turning over and reveal in numerous cuts and brusies, clearly in need of medical help.

Umeko sighed and shook her head at him before strapping his and her staffs to her back and lifting him into her arms to carry him to the infirmary where she layed him on a bed and watched him while the nurse there took care of the cuts and things. "Where did you come from?.." Umeko wondered quietly as she leaned on the side of the bed, watching him with a curious expression.

"uhhhhh...where am i", the man asked sitting up.

Umeko set back to give him room. "At the academy, sir," she answered as the nurse left, having given him almost a full shirt of bandages to cover the cuts. "For genin."

"Genin?", the man asked. "then i must be in a hidden village...which one though..."

Umeko frowned. "Well if you don't know, I'm afraid I can't tell you. I suppose I'll have to take you to the Hokage....He'll know what to do..."

The man looked up quickly,"that wont be nessacary,", the man said as he grabbed his staff,"i must be on my way." The man then paused as he saw the symbol on your head,"hmmmm, strange". The man then stood up and started walking out of the room.

"Uh, sir!" Umeko called after him, jogging to catch up with him. "You can't just be walking around, especially when no one knows why you're here. Well.. I mean.. if you are here and are supposed to be here someone must know you were at least coming but I can't tell you where we are so, hm..." She thought for a moment while walking with him. "What do you suggest we do about your situation, sir?"

"hmmm?", the man paused again and took a closer look at you,"hmmm, a Genin if i ever saw one,", the man then stops compleatly and says,"this is the village hidden in the leaves, isnt it?"

"I told you," Umeko answered firmly, a bit ruffled at the way he was talking to her. "I can't tell you were you are until I know who you are and what you are doing here. And it's not my place to judge how honest you are. You need to go to the Hokage and I need to escort you there..."

The man smirks,"i'm not in the nood for a fight so i guess i'll follow you, for now".

*ahem* THEY WENT TO THE INFIRMARY!

As Squall and Mercury passed the forest, Squall noticed a man and Umeko coming from the forest. "Umeko!" he ran to her with Mercury close behined "Who is this? Is he hurt?" he said a little concerned.

The man looked up and stared at the others who had walked up,"i'm noone...and i dont think anyone but you three know im here,"he said,"now if we can keep moving i am apparently being taken to the Hokage".

Squall nodded and looked at Umeko "Let me help him there, you should go and inform the Hokage of our visitor, okay Umeko?" he spoke as he put the man's arm over his shoulders

The man looks up and says,"I can manage thanks", as he trys to stand and falls against Squall,"well maybe not", he says.

"Alright now let's get going.." Squall turns and heads towards the direction of the Hokage's office

The man limps along,"if i might ask, who are you?",the man said.

Squall looked at the man "The name's Squall, I'm a Jonin..and you are?"

The man looked at Squall carefuly before responding,"The name is Hiro, Hiro Kitaki, and as for my rank...i have none".

"Ah, I see.." Squall looked at Hiro, then noticing they had arrived "Well, Mr. Kitaki what brought you out there, may I ask?"

Hiro Lokked at him,"well im not quite sure, you see i havent been in a village for some time now and i was badly injured as you can see, so i chose a direction and started walking,", Hiro says as he pulls out his staff and leans on it.

Man, he IS seriously hurt.. "Um, Sir..I'm sure we should be getting you to the doctor first.." Squall said with concern "You do not look to be in any condition to be walking around anywhere til we've gotten you there first."

Hiro smiled and said,"with all due respect, your doctors wouldnt know where to start with me...they've tried."

"Hm, man..that's bad..well.." Squall began urgently "..we'll need to get you to the Hokage fast, then." Squall hurried to the office of the Hokage "Here it is.." and knocked on the doors.

Hiro walked into the office with squall.

"Hokage, a man named Hiro Kitaki to see you." Squall said bowing.

Hiro bowed and said,"i come with urgent news lord hokage", he said.

"I shall take my leave, lord Hokage" Squall said as he backed out of the office, then stood outside and laid in the grass, hands behind his head.

Hiro took out a scrool and laid it on the hokage's desk,"that scroll is secert information on the hidden mist village increase in milatary might in violation of the treaty."

---

Mercury hid in the shadows.

Umeko stood some way in from of where Squall was sitting and pulled out a small pack from her belt. She looked at the darts it contained then put it away and took a defensive stance with her staff. She began moving through a basic set of katas.

Squall stood up. "You don't have to hide, Mercury.. I know you're there. We should begin training..Dontcha think?" He smiled.

Umeko shrugged between poses, but didn't change her pattern or falter.

"'Kay then, let's get started.." Squall pulled out three darts
and tossed them at Umeko "Dodge this.."

With pleasant surprise, Umeko's eyes shot to the darts and she turned and slid to the side, her staff turning and striking the darts into the ground.

"Good job.." Squall spoke clapping his hands lightly "A ninja must always be ready for anything right?..Well then.." he smiled and unattached his big Shuriken and threw it as well.

Umeko kept her eye on it until it was close enough then dropped to the ground in a kneal, her staff coming up to strike it past her and causing it to hit the ground.

Umeko's pretty good Squall thought to himself "Great..is there anything that you'd like to brush up on?"

Umeko smiled. "My katas," she said and returned to doing her practice poses.

"Okay..You do that." Squall smiled slightly then turned to Mercury "What about you, Merc?" he spoke still smiling slightly

Mercury shot an evil glare at Sqall."I dont feel like training."

"Well, you don't have to if you don't want to." Squall shot a smile at Mercury, then walked over to a nearby tree, laid down, and fell asleep....a dream came to him of his parents and their killer..the killer looking straight at him..then suddenly he woke up in a sweat "Agh!" crossing his arms as if defending himself then relaxed as he realized it was a dream and noticed Umeko still training What was that dream about? Were those..my parents?..but who was the other guy?

"You're a terrible sensei," Umeko chastised him lightly. She gave him the smallest of glances before continueing her focus on her practice.

---

Hiro limped out of the office looking for squall,"hmmm...maybe i should of taken him up on his offer".

"Sorry, I apologize..excuse me for a second I'm going to take a walk for a little bit..I'll be back in just a bit." Squall spoke a little shaken..As he began walking he notice Hiro in front of the office

Hiro waved,"well the hokage has allowed my presence here...so i guess i'll rent a house for now"

"You could just room with me," Umeko suggest to him, giving him a grin in between moves.

Hiro grinned,"you really think so?", Hiro says as every one hears the clink of coins in his pocket.

"Why sure!" Umeko said with a smile, seemingly having not heard the coins. "I don't mind at all. It would save you the money of renting a place." She had stopped her katas and came over to talk.

"well...it would save me the money that i need to buy some tools with", Hiro said with a grin.

"Then it's settled," Umeko said and put her hands palm together. "You'll room with me." She bowed to him slightly.

Hiro nodded and waved,"i would bow to but...", Hiro nods to the staff which he is leaning on,"but i do feel the need for some sparring..."

Mercury looked at Hiro and Umeko through the corner of her eye.Stupid of me to let emotions get in the way again...

Umeko frowned thoughtfully and looked at Mercury. "Are you sure you don't want to spar?" she asked the other girl. Mercury needed the practice, and Hiro wanted to.

"I don't feel like sparring with lowlives.."Mercury snapped.

"Then spar with me," Umeko said seriously.

"No!"Mercury barked.

Umeko threw a dart at her head where it stuck in the tree right next to her. She had her eyes narrowed. "Stop being so immature. You're not better than me."

"I never said I was."Mercury growled.She pulled the dark out of the tree and through it next to Umeko.

"Then be a sourpuss," Umeko said with an easy shrug as she took her dart, spun it, and returned it to its place.

"Just leave me alone!Im not ina good mood!!"

"Hey Hiro," then noticed Umeko and Mercury "What the heck's going on? Why are you two arguing like this?"

Hiro shook his head,"i dont know, but it is kinda confusng".

Mercury kept silent.

Umeko shook her head before rapping Hiro on the shin with her staff then took a step back away from him, already in a fighting stance. "Well, come on then," she said, face set.

Mercury watched.

Hiro grinned,"...very well.", he said as he readied his staff leaving himself open to attack,"ladies first"

Just to get things moving more than to actually attack, Umeko twisted her staff around and aimed an easy to dodge leg sweep at his ankles.

Hiro did not move instead he suwng his staff around revealing a blade at the end of it and placed it against Umeko's neck,"...dont hold back."

Mercury looked slightly interested.

Hiro looked at Umeko suddenly,"are you a genin?"

"If we weren't genin,we wouldn't be trainnig out here...Or at least she wouldn't."Mercury said.

Hiro flinched and limped off,"...i wont fight genin", he said

"Do not answer questions for me," Umeko snapped at Mercury before turning her attention back to Hiro. Her staff spun almost quicker than could be seen and rapped Hiro on top of his head before she returned to a fighting stance. "And my rank means little. It is skill that is important."

"i see.", said Hiro's voice from behind umeko as he spun through the air and hit Umeko with the wood part of his staff several times,"...and so you will see".

Umeko blocked all by one of the hits and hissed as it struck her arm. This time, she spun as she could and struck his knees, making him fall and spun around again, bringing her staff down to strike him.

Mercury glared at Umeko.

Hiro smirked as the staff hit his prone form, and vanished in a puff of smoke,"you really need to learn where your opponet is at all times."he said as he appeared out of nowhere with his bladed part of the staff resting on Umeko's neck,"...dead".

"Who said I didn't?" Umeko smirked and the opposite end or her staff was already level with his neck at the end of her strike to the fake Hiro. It didn't have a blade, but it did have a slight needle on the side and it pokes Hiro's neck when he showed up and she moved away from his now paralized form. She stood in front of him and leaned on her staff, smiling slightly. "Rank doesn't matter, skill does. Don't be so presumptuous of people."

Hiro smiled,"...needles huh?", he said as he leaped up and pulled it out of his neck,"...i've had to learn to resist these in my life...now, im ready for areal attack."

Umeko came foreward again with a happy smile and attacked him with her staff, knowing they would be blocked. Blow for blow they met, becoming harder and harder as well as quicker, speeding up as they went. She wanted an idea of how good the other guy was.

Hiro returned blow for blow, then suddenly drew back and made a few hand signs and leapt into the air,"FIRE STYLE, PHONEIX FLOWER JUTSU!"

Umeko silently swore and through down a smoke bomb, appearing in a tree some ways away, glaring death. "Knock it off!" she yelled.

Hiro smiled and made another hand sign,"...KAGE BUSHININ NO JUTSU!".

Umeko tried not to growl as she dissappeared again and came behind him, striking him on the head. "I SAID KNOCK IT OFF!!"

The Hiro that Umeko hit was a clone and dissapeared with all of the rest except one,"...why?"

Umeko landed again and leaned on her staff. "There is no need to use tricks when one can see through them. So just stop-" She coughed suddenly into her hand then looked at it with revulsion. It quickly changed though into a look of horror and she pulled out a cloth to wipe her hand.

Hiro flinched and limped over,"...whatis yourng Umeko-chan?", he asked kindly.

"It's nothing," Umeko said quickly and wiped a drop of blood from her bottom lip before putting her cloth away. "I'm going to get lunch." She turned on her heel and strode away into town.

Hiro, havin no where else to go, followed...

Umeko hurried home, picking up only a couple of pieces of fruit before she found her home- a small flat at the end of town- and quickly dissappeared inside, locking the door behind her.

Hiro, slightly confused jumped to the roof and sat down,"...i guess she forgot that she said i could room with her".

The door clicked open and Umeko called up to him, "Get off my roof." She didn't sound mad and the door didn't close as she returned inside. The first room one entered in the japanese style house was a main room with stairs that led to the attic, a door of the far wall that led to the bathroom, a door to the right that led to Umeko's room and the one on the left led to the kitchen/dining room.

Hiro chuckled and leapt off her roof,"then may i come in?", he asked...

"Yes, come in, find your way around," Umeko called to him in a subdued voice. "Not that its hard," she added in a mumble to herself as she went up the stairs.

Hiro removed his shoes and outer cloak, revealing a lean body and stepped inside,"nice place."

Nice body. "Thanks," she said before she dissappeared to the attic. She could be heard moving around almost soundlessly upstairs.

Hiro smelled his shirt,"...uck, hey umeko! is there a place to take a shower near here?"

"The door across from the front on the far wall is the bathroom. Shower, bath, towels are all in there," she called down to him.

"ok", he said as he walked into the bathroom accidentaly leaving the door cracked and turned on the shower and got in.

Umeko came down stairs, staff resting on her shoulder. She saw the crack and with an aggravated sigh went over to it and was about to slam it shut but paused. She could see him plainly and took in every detail quickly, in a moment's pause, before actually slamming the door the rest of the way shut and went to the kitchen to eat her fruit.

Hiro smirked and turned around revealing a seal on his back,"...hope she liked what she saw...'cause its the last time she will see."

Hiro came out of the bathroom a bit later dressed in new clothes he had brought and walked into the living room pushing his damp hair out of his face,"...oy, really nice bathroom."

Umeko shrugged easily as she leaned in the doorway to the kitchen eating an apple. "Serve's its purpose," she said.

Hiro nodded,"how old are you umeko?"

"Sixteen, why?" Umeko was looking at him curiously now. She was hoping this wouldn't lead to prying into her private life.

Hiro seemed to take the unspoken hope and replied,"...well...im 19 or 20 dont really know".

"Lose track on your travels?" Umeko said with a smile and tossed her apple core away and strode into the living room to take a free chair and sit crossed legged in it, staff held loosely as she regarded him. "Close the door when you take a shower next time, ok?"

Hiro responded,"...yeah...kinda", he then bowed his head,"so you i guess you saw it huh?"

"I saw everything," Umeko said calmly, as if she was talking about seeing a tear in his shirt. "Why do you have it?" she asked.

Hiro nodded,"it is to limit my chackra, you se at birth i was so power ful i was marked for death, i flead at age six and at age 10 i placed this mark on me to prevent myself from destroying again".

Umeko listened silently, and when he was finished, she asked carefully, "May I see it again? I didn't look for very long before for... obvious reasons."

Hiro nodded and blushed,"...as you wish.", Hiro turned around andtook off his shirt revealing a tightly muscled form and the seal.

Umeko stood, for once leaving her staff behind, and walked over to him. She reach out and touched the symbol, tracing it with her fingertips. As she did, she told him, "I have only two marks.. smaller than this.. both of them..."

Hiro blinked,"...may i see them?"

Umeko stepped back and nodded as she unclasped her shirt and removed it. She wasn't worried as her chest and stomach were covered with binding. She pushed her shorts hem down to reveal the mark of the waterfall village on her hip, then turned to show the mark of the ANBU on her shoulder.

Hiro was surprised,"...anbu?", he then looked with wonder at Umeko,"...but so young and still a gennin".

Umeko gave him a slightly annoyed look and put her shirt back on. "I told you, don't judge by rank, judge by skill."

Hiro bowed,"...i cry your pardon, Umeko-chan...it seems i have underestimated you".

"You're already forgiven," Umeko said, though she still sounded annoyed. "And don't you dare let it affect how you look at me. My skill doesn't determine who I am, just what I can do."

Hiro ginned,"...never...i would wish to challenge you once i am healed, as i havent fought anbu in a long time".

"Challenge not accepted," Umeko said and returned to her seat, picked up her staff and examined it.

Hiro smirked,"and why not?"

"Why should I waste my time with an egotistical ninja who underestimates people?" Umeko said curtly.

Hiro frowned,"...egotistical?", he said. Hiro got up and went toward the door and retrived his shoes,"...i am not egotistical". and with that he left.

"Ok.. Too self assured and emotional," Umeko corrected lightly and returned to looking over her staff.

Hiro leaned against a wall shaking,"...no...not again!", hiro said as he fell hiting the front wall of Umeko's house with a bang before slipping into unconshiousness.

Umeko dashed outside and upon seeing him, groaned and looked skyward. She sighed though and went over to him, lifted him with amazing ease and carried him inside and to her room to lay him on the bed. Then she went and got a basic of cool water and a cloth, which she dampened and placed on his forehead. "Hope you wake up quickly..." she said quietly, slight worry in her eyes.

Hiro groaned and his eyes flutter open,"...run...", hiro faints again as chackra begins to flow from his body.

Umeko's face became more worried when she felt the chakra and she dabbed his forehead with the cool cloth. "Shh.. No need to worry here..."

Hiro's chackra began to flow faster, lifting his limp body and riping apart his loose clothing leaving his skintight suit.

"I'm just not prepared for this kind of thing..." Umeko said quietly and quickly grabbed him around the middle, pulling him to her so his back was to her and she still had an arm around his waist. She placed her palm on her his back to anchor the chakra and altered between taking what she could handle and trapping the rest in him.

Hiro awoke suddenly and pushed away,"...no...it must be released...take me away from others...so i can do so...".

"I'm not-! You ju-! I-! GRRR!" Umeko was so mad at this point she grabbed the front of his clothes and hauled him from the bed and dashed outside, making sure to close her front door, and ran out into the woods, far from anyone near. She sat him down and with a last glare, ran back to the edge of the woods. "Curse be his existance!" she swore.

Hiro shook his head dis-heartned by her outburst,"...ok...this has gotta count...i can barly stand", hiro concentrated, and made a hand sign..."DARK STYLE: CHACKRA DESTROYER JUTSU!", Hiro yelled as the forest around him for 100 feet ceased to exist. Hiro staggered and fell to his knees,"...this...it was much harder this time," he said as he fell over.

Umeko looked at his prone form from her crouched position in the tree just outside the destruction. "Loooooads of fun..." she said with a roll of her eyes. She hopped down and collected him before returning home. She left him to rest in her bed while she made something to eat.

Hiro fell into troubled dreams.

Much later Hiro awoke,"...where am i?"

"In my bed," Umeko said, sounding annoyed but she was quiet and concerned mostly. She pushed out of the doorway she had been leaning in and walked up to the side of the bed and sat down, gently feeling his forehead. "How are you feeling?"

Hiro shook his head,"...good, i guess...'< he suddenly stiffened rembering what happened,"...was any one hurt?!".

"I was the closest. Take a guess," she said bitterly, as she turned away to get the cloth dampened again and dabbed his forehead again.

Hiro bowed his head,"...i am sorry, but that is my curse.", hiro looked around,"...how long was i out?"

"Few hours," Umeko answered, vaguely motioning to the window and the darkness outside. She set the cloth aside and gave him a once over. "Are you sure you're feeling ok?"

Hiro grined ruefuly,"...not really, but i ave no choice, i must leave". he said as he tried to move.

Umeko placed a hand on his chest and pinned him to the bed easily. "Why do you have to leave?"

Hiro replied,"...because, there are too many in danger here with me around".

"No. I think you'll stay," Umeko stated calmly, her hand still holding him to the mattress gently.

Hir sturggled a bit more before laying back breathing heavily,"...ok...i guess i could stay".

"Knew I'd win," Umeko said smugly. "Now, are you hungry?"

Hiro grinned,"sure...", he said then flinched.

Umeko frowned at him, worried. "What's wrong?"

Hiro looked at her,"...i have a long way to heal", he lied.

Umeko regarded him a moment before seeming to give in. "Well you can stay as long as you need to," she said.

Hiro smiled,"...i thank you umeko-san".

"Just 'Umeko', please, and you are always welcome." She gave him an uneasy smile and removed her hand from his chest. "What do you want to eat?"

"I'm not picky as long as its warm", Hiro said.

Mercury was watching through the shadows.Curiousity is guna kill me... she thought.

Hiro stiffened,"...mercury, curiosty killed the cat."

Mercury appeared out of the shadows."I guess I cannot hide in shadows forever...."

Hiro nodded,"...how long were you watching mercury?"

"Long enough..."Mercury said softly."You are an interesting human,Hiro..."

Hiro stiffened again,"...mercury, are you going to inform the hokage?".

Mercury walked over to Hiro.She looked at him closely."No.Although it would be fun to watch you suffer,I won't."

Sudden anger washed over hiro,"...do not seek to anger me...for only a demon could kill me".

"I might be human,but that doesnt mean I am not as evil as a demon.Long ago,one of my family was a demon.They say that I recieved that demons stregnth.So do not underestimate me..."Mercury growled.

Exaugstion swept through hiro's body,"...i apoligize mercury, iam not myself after releasing so much chackra...as you saw, that was only a taste ofmy curse and gift."

Mercury's eyes held sadness."I wish I had a gift....But all I am is a monster..."

Hiro looked at her and gently toched her cheek,"...tell me, of your curse...".

Mercury looked away."If you really want to know...I'll be in the shadows."She made a hand sign and dissappeared.

Hiro's morals bid him to follow so despite his pain,"...i shall come
,"...he followed.

---

Mercury appeared in the forest.She was playing a sad song on a wooden flute.

Hiro limped to her,"...such a sad song for such a beautiful girl, yes you were right i can see traces of the demon n your looks."

Mercury finished the song and put the flute in her pocket.She had taken her trenchcoat off and hung it on the tree,revieling her gothic outfit."Don't complement me."She commanded.

Hiro gave no indaction he had heard,"...tell me your troubles."

Mercury jumped down from the tree."You should sit down.You are in pain."

Hiro shook his head,"...i am fine, now tell me.", he lied.

Mercury kept silent.She stared at Hiro.

Hiro's legs trembled and he sat down with a sigh,"...happy now?"

Mercury sat down next to Hiro."Happy doesnt exist."

Hiro turned to her,"...then tell me what has made you so angry, for i sense it in you".

"I became a ninja to help people.But I know that I will only destroy."Mercury sighed.

Hiro looked at her,"...and you know this how?"

"Because no matter how many baths I take,I still smell like the blood of innocent people."

Hiro smiled,"...do not let it bother you, i bathe many time a day, i still smell like death, your senct is natural and very becomming of you, for you are of demon breed."

"Unforturnatly,I am but a meer human that is cursed with a demon."

Hiro smiled again,"...do not doubt...for i can tell...it is within my power to know...you ar of demon blood, and therefor share their scent."

Mercury sighed."I don't want to be a demon...I want to be normal...But then again....I cant stand normal people."


Hiro nodded,"...i see what you mean."

Mercury was silent for a moment."I'm I acually beautiful?"She randomly asked.She shook her head."Never mind..."

Hiro smiled at her,"...yes you are...and dont let anyone tell you different".

Mercury blushed."How can a person like me be beautiful?"

Hiro smiled kindly,"...because, you just are mercury." he said then winced as a shot of paincoursed through his body.

Mercury took out a black bottle from her pocket and gave it to Hiro."Rub this on your wounds.It will make you feel better.'

Hiro smiled,"...i hane not wounds, but just pain that is from my chackra."

Mercury took out a water bottle from her backpack and handed it to Hiro.

Hiro smiled,"...thank you."

Mercury smiled."I guess I should go and train....."She sighed.

Hiro looked at her,"...shall i join you?"

"You can,but I might end up killing you."Mercury said.

Hiro smiled,"...even you would have a very hard time killing me."

"Do not take me for a fool."Mercury pulled out her doubleblade.

Hiro smirked,"...do you mean to challenge me mercury?"

"Maybe.."Mercury grinned.

Hiro smiled,"...well for now i must decline, because of my condition...and your beauty.", he said as he rose to walk back to umeko's house.

Mercury ran and pinned Hiro against a tree.She then put a kunai to his throat."Stop complememnting me...."She growled.

Hiro winced because of his weakened state,"...as yo wish O daughter of demons, i bid you fare well.", Hiro said with a single tear and walked away.

Mercury felt bad,so she walked up to Hiro and held him tightly."I'm sorry.."

"no", Hiro said,"the blame is mine...i know better than to provoke a demoness...i apoligize...but i will not withdraw my statement, for you are beautiful beyond even demons...and you know it."

"Your eyes are fooled.A demoness's curse makes her seem beautiful...."Mercury sighed.

Hiro looked into your eyes,"...my eyes cannot be fooled,"he said as he blinked and revealed something similar to bayukan.

"Squall's eyes were."

Hiro smiled,"...yes, but mine arent...so please do not lie...it is futile, for you are beautiful and i will not let others say other wise".

Mercury smiled sadly

Hiro smiled and touched her cheek,"...come, walk with me."

Squall noticed what they had said My eyes are not so easily fooled.. then he noticed what Hiro had asked Mercury "What's going on here?..Mercury?" He then started having a bad feeling about Hiro This aura, I've felt it before..but where? his eyes widened sharply NO!! It..ca-can't be! That face..I-I..saw it in my dream that I had just a couple of nights ago! But is it..really him that killed my parents? He calmed his mind down a little bit, then asked sternly "Hiro, may I ask you a question?"

Hiro turned,"...sure."

"W-where you the one that killed them? My parents, I mean." Squall asked seriously, but said it as if he didn't like asking.

Hiro looked at him,"...i have killed many people, i am not proud of it but i have, i need you to tell me more."

"It was a little over ten years ago..both my parents were poisoned..I remember..you have those same eyes." Squall seemed a bit shaken "I was scared of you then, but..not anymore. Do you remember now? I was that little kid that you didn't kill."

Hiro looked thoughtfull,"...i have used poisioning only once, and i was being controled then...but i rember...pain, a child crying...".

"I..guess..I was right.." Squall spoke shakenly, with a tear running down the sides of his eyes "Do you know how much that tears me up? Do you?" Squall said softly, restraining the anger that burned inside of him "And you said you were being controlled, right? By who? and why? Please..Tell me now.."

Hiro nodded sadly,"...i feel your pain, but it was a mind transfer jutsu."

"Mind Transfer Jutsu?!" Squall seemed shocked "..The hokage warned me of that jutsu..it's evil."

Hiro nodded,"...yes, it is normaly easy to avoid, but once it connects, the victim is helpless."

Squall looked at him almost in disbelief "Who would do that to you, though?"

Hiro shrugged,"...i dont know, was there any who had a grude against your parents."

"Noone that I know of, they were alway kind and generous to everyone." Then Squall started to think "It might be someone from a rival village. You think?"

Hiro frowned,"...i am not sure."

Mercury had jumped into a tree."What the hell am I doing?Damn this demon in me..."She whispered to herself.She took out her wooden flute once more and started playing another sad song.

Hiro sat under her and chanted softly to himself.

Mercury stopped playing on the flute and jumped into the shadows of a tree.

Hiro remained where he was as his wounds began to heal.

Mercury watched from the shadows.

Hiro stood up as he was now healed and looked right at mercur,"...goning to say something, or just going to watch me?"

"Theres nothing to say..."Mercury whispered.

Hiro grinned,"...then you must be admiring the view?"

Mercury blushed and looked away.She stepped out of the shadows.She kept silent

Hiro looked at her,"...whats on your mind?"

"Nothing..."Mercury said softly.

Hiro looked at her,"...my ears cannot be folled either, tell me please?"

"No."Mercury said simply.

Hiro shook his head and tured to walk away.

"And yet,another who leaves me in the shadow of darkness..."Mercury sighed.

Hiro stopped and said,"...and the darkness shall consume me.", he turned to face her,"...where did you learn that?"

"I've always known."Mercury said softly.

Hiro looked at her, but remained slient for a time.

Mercury walked until she was 3 feet away from Hiro."You seem familier for some strange reason....Like i've seen you in a memory."

Hiro looked at her,"...really?"

She nodds.

Hiro looked at her closly,"...when was this...and why do you rember only now?"

"Atleast 5 years ago...I dont know...I remember things that I dont know I remember."

Hiro looked away,"...why me? what was in the dream."

"I remember a burning building.....Blood....Bodies everywhere...Death..."Mercury starts to laugh."Ha!I love that memory.."

Hiro smiled at the beautiful young woman before him,"...you'll have to be more spefic."

"I thnik I remember you stabbing someone...Then....You walked away...But you never saw me in the shadows..."

Hiro looked at her quickly,"...it was no dream..."

"I know..."Mercury smiled.

Hiro looked at her,"...you were the child i choose not to kill...".

"Why?"

Hiro looked at her, realising that she might just like him for that and answered,"...to kill a child is an unforgivable offence...one i will not commit."

"You should have killed me..."Mercury said half heartedly

Hiro looked at her kindly,"...and denie you the chance to grow into what you have become?"

"What have I become?A monster?"

Hiro smiled,"...no, a woman."

"I'm 14.Still a teenager."

Hiro looked at her,"...not by your age...but by your maturity."

Mercury blushed."Stop with your complements."

Hiro looked at her sternly,"...it is not a compliement, it is a fact,"he said then softened,"...and you seemed to enjoy that one."

Mercury growled."Stay out of my mind!"

Hiro looked at her,"...you must have felt it...you are different as well as i am."

Mercury was blushing madly.

Hiro looked at her,"...you do feel it...as i do."

Mercury looked at Hiro."I dont feel anything."

Hiro looked at her,"...your tongue says one thing...but your body and mind say another."

Mercury glared.

Hiro refused to look away, forceing her to accecpt his words.

Mercury looked away.

Hiro sighed and turned to walk away,"...mercury...i thought you would understand...i guess i was wrong.", he said as a tear slid down his cheek.

Mercury looked at Hiro."I'm not allowed to understand things..."

Hiro looked at her and the pain was evident on his face,"...neither was i..."

Mercury walked close to Hiro.She held him tightly.

Hiro looked at her,"...mercury, i-"

Mercury kept silent.

Hiro continued,"...i have been searching so long for you...after i spared your life i realised your strenght and came back...to look for you but you were gone...and finnaly i found you...and you reject all emotion and relationship."

"Do you remember what my face was like when I watched you kill those innocent people?I enjoyed watching them die...I am not suppous to have emotions..."

Hiro nodded sadly,"...then allow me one kiss before i leave this acursed place forever."

Mercury blushed lightly.She looked up at Hiro.

Hiro smiled and kissed her passionatly, putting all his love his hate, his joy, and sadness into the kiss then pulled away,"...farewell mercury."

Mercury grabbed Hiro and kisses him again.

Hiro's eyes widened at the passion and force of her kiss and kissed her back.

Mercury pinned Hiro to a tree and kept kissing him.

Hiro smiled and let himself go, deepning the kiss and kissing back.

Mercury pulled back.She was blushing madly.

Hiro blushed as well,"...see? i told you...", he said as he kissed her again.

Mercury blushed adn kissed Hiro back.

Mercury..I love you..I hope that you know that..and um Hiro, may I ask you a question?" Squall turned to look away.

[Where the f*ck did he come from?!?!]

Hiro looked at him,"...yes?"

Mercury sighed."Damn me...I'm sorry Squall,and I'm sorry Hiro...But I cannot fall in love with humans...Its agaisnt my rules..."Mercury said and jumped back into a tree.

Hiro looked at her, then walked away to hide his tears.

"Dont walk away Hiro...unless you are weak and afraid..."Mercury grinned.

Hiro looked at her then joined her in the tree,"...then why do you reject me?"

"I'm suppous to."Mercury said.

Hiro just looked at her.

Mercury looked at Hiro.She was smiling an evil smile.A demons smile.

Hiro took a step back,"...what?"

"Nothing."Mercury said.


Hiro nodded,"...good i must go now.", he said as he leapt from tree to tree...

"When the time comes,Hiro, you'll find out it was a mistake to kill me...hehe.."Mercury grinned.

Squall began to feel a swell of anger burn deeply right then, "I want payback for what happened to them, Hiro." He looked enraged "Find out who did that to you..I will deal with them personally..alright?"

Mercury was watching Squall.She grinned even more."I havent seem anger be with you,Squall.."She whispered to herself.

"I..just..want..the pain to go away.." Squall spoke softly

With a sigh,Mercury jumped down to Squall."Pain will never go away."

"..Mercury.." Squall spoke again in a soft tone, then looked at her "..Please..I just want it to stop..I want to..find the one that is..truly..responsible..and make them pay.." his other side again began to take over

Hiro appeared,"...you are weak, squall...you let anger take over. you need to be emotion less to kill."

"Maybe I am..but that's not gonna stop me from my goal." Squall stood up in a firm manner "I will become stronger, Hiro."

Hiro nodded,"...good, i look forward to it."

"Hiro?" Squall asked sternly "May I ask a favor of you?"

Hiro nodded,"...what is it?"

"Can you..umm..well..Train me?" Squall spoke in less-than-straightfoward manner and kneeled with one knee "..Please, help me become stronger."

Hiro looked at him for a long moment,"...i cannot accecpt now, maybe later."

"Perhaps later, then" Squall stood up "I guess for now I'll train myself to get stronger." he held out his hand as to shake hands with Hiro "I promise you..I will become stronger by the next time we meet.."

Hiro shook his hand as an equal,"...i look forward to it squall."

Mercury had retreated back into the shadows.

In his mind, Hiro chuckled,"...that is why i left you alive." he then turned to mercury, and whispered,"...i was not being controled."

Mercury smirked."Arent you cruel."

"Until then, I guess.." Squall smirked as he began to walk off into the distance One day, Hiro.. he smiled as he walked off.

---

Back to Unforgetable memories of them.