A Shift Between Dimensions

Rue the Day

Sarah pondered that, remembering Orochimaru's words about Strider's network being different from both hers and Kakashi's.  She blinked as she looked at him again, "Oh shit... do you suppose that might happen with Melissa and Klaudia too?"

Melissa shifted her eyes over to Klaudia, noticing that their captors were beginning to get a little antsy.  "Something has gone wrong... how much you want to bet they were unable to get Sarah?"

Klaudia made a face, "I'd be a fool to take that bet.  Sarah's got a tendency of being a bit reckless sometimes.  Remember the rooftops?"

Melissa smirked and was about to say something when her vision suddenly swam together and she felt as if she was taken out of her surroundings for a moment as images passed quickly in front of her eyes.  She was just as abruptly back but she knew without a doubt what she had been shown was what would soon happen.

"Klaudia, you need to start meditating now," Melissa spoke softly.

"What?  I don't think now is the time or place..."

"Just trust me," she whispered.  "You are going to do something amazing and it's going to help our guys out."

Klaudia let out a soft sigh then nodded, "Okay, if you say so."

She closed her eyes and began to center herself.  She pulled her babies closer to her body as she started going inward.  She began to hear voices whispering softly but not voices of this world.  It had been a long time since she had felt the presence of the dead.  It had been almost like the ability had been lost when they had crossed over... or perhaps it had been just the business of her life that had overshadowed those whisperings.  Whatever it was, she could feel them now speaking around her.  A host... a multitude.  She gasped at how many voices she could hear.

"This was a battlefield... so many died here and lingered..."

"The Fourth Shinobi war," Melissa whispered.  "Yes, this was a site for that.  Focus, Klaudia.  You can do more than just hear them."

She tuned in tighter, listening as the voices became clearer.  She opened her eyes and Melissa was startled to see that her dark eyes had changed to violet.  She looked out across the field, seeing what was unseen.  Thousands were milling about the band that had taken them.  Many were looking at them with malevolent expressions, obviously angry at their activities.

"They're angry," she spoke softly.  "So many of them..."

Melissa noticed that the same woman that had grabbed her earlier was looking at them, her eyes narrowing.  She yelled something at a couple of men and started towards them.

Kakashi was barely able to restrain Konahamaru as they found the site.  The younger man was ready to charge straight into the camp, the Rasengan already formed in his hand.  His anger was great as he saw his wife and children.  Iruka was more restrained but he was obviously just as angry as the younger man as he saw his wife and son.

"There are more than I expected," Kakashi spoke softly.  "We will have to carefully plan this-"

"What in the hell is that?!" Iruka said with wide eyes.

Kakashi swung his gaze back and was stunned as he saw one ghostly specter after another begin to fill the open field.  They were wearing tunics from the Fourth Shinobi War and as he looked at them, he recognized some of them as men that had served under him.  Konahamaru waited no longer and pulled away from Kakashi before he could grab him again.

Melissa came to her feet as the woman marched towards her.  She then smiled slowly as the woman's face suddenly went ashen in color and she knew what she was seeing.  The field filled with the spirits of those that had not moved on from this world to the next.

"I told you...  Meet your future...  They don't look very happy do they?" Melissa taunted her.

Klaudia gasped as she looked up at her, "You can see them too?"

"Everyone can see them," Melissa spoke softly, "And boy are they pissed."

The bandits were so shaken and startled by the appearance of the spirits that they did not even notice Kakashi, Konahamaru, and Iruka as they came at them.  One by one they were either taken out or knocked out.  The woman was the last to fall as Iruka knocked her out before binding her up.  Klaudia smiled as she looked across the field to the spirits.

"Thank you for your assistance," she spoke to them all loud enough for them to all hear.  "Be at peace and move on.  You have fulfilled all that you needed to fulfill."

As if caught in a strong breeze, they all dissipated like smoke as they crossed over to the other side finally at rest.  Konahamaru was suddenly in front of her, holding her face in his hands.  His eyes were moist looking as he looked them all over.

"Are you okay, my love?"

"Yes, we are all fine," she answered with a smile in her eyes.

"What was that?  Did you do that?"

Klaudia laughed softly, "Those were the spirits of those that had fallen in battle... restless.  They did not feel they had died valiantly and lingered here.  I set them free."

His eyes looked long into her own as he chuckled softly, "You never cease to amaze me."

Iruka kissed Melissa hard then looked down at his son, "Are you both okay?  No injuries?"

"Yes, we are both fine.  You have no idea how happy I was to see you take down that bitch. It was so frustrating being unable to punch her in her smug face."

Iruka laughed at the words and held them both close.  "Let's go home."

She nodded her agreement then cast a glance at Kakashi.  "I'm assuming they tried to grab Sarah too and failed?"

Kakashi grinned at her, "You know my baby girl.  She doesn't know how to go quietly with anyone."

Sarah was anxious as she paced inside the home.  Everything was cleaned up and put back in its place.  Yamato had helped her get the place straightened up in the interim.  She would not be able to rest until she knew her friends were safe and back where they belonged.

Yamato was passed out on the couch holding Strider when Kakashi finally returned home.  He woke instantly, his Shinobi senses on high alert.  Sarah almost ran over to him as he came through the door.  He gave her the most beautiful smile and she felt her tension leave almost immediately.

"They're home safe and we captured or killed all of the bandits.  Naruto is deciding what to do with them since they invaded the Leaf village."

Strider made a loud squealing noise and they both looked over at him in Yamato's arms.  He was swinging his little arms and legs, his eyes on his father.  Kakashi laughed and immediately went to him, scooping him up.

"Well little man, I'm happy to see you too."

"Speaking of which... Kakashi Hatake, what in the world have you been doing with our son to make him squeal like that?!"