Changes

Author Note: I always feel like I spend too much time when it comes to detailing things that aren't really important so ima try to decrease that a bit. Hopefully, that means half the story won't just be me describing how a single fight looks.

"Rei..." Recognizing his dark grey hair which had grown down to his neck and more specifically his piercing light orange eyes. From inside their individual sphere's all of Team 10 was left in a daze. Asuma who was in a sphere further to the right compared to everyone else was able to piece so much more together after seeing him.

'Ino had said he rushed to go fight Orochimaru but before he came out the building exploded... We had to convince her that he had died in the explosion after no one could find his remains.' Asuma along with the rest of Team 10 personally didn't know Rei that well but he had to guess Ino had gotten attached at some point due to how her motivations changed afterward.

On the other hand hearing, Ino says Rei's name Kuranai glanced at him and then to Asuma. "Rei? Does she mean the same Rei in the reports from when Orochimaru invaded? He killed Kabuto if I'm not mistaken." Killing Kabuto and so many Sound Ninja despite not being a part of the Hidden Leaf was worthy of a reward and all those who assisted were to be rewarded in kind.

However, Rei was declared killed after Ino told them what happened. Rei had looked over everyone there and while he recognized Asuma, Choji, and Shikamaru he didn't immediately recognize Ino due to how much she had changed. 'She really grew during these two years.' Compared to when he last saw her she was obviously taller but there was something else he couldn't put his tongue on.

Turning his gaze to the scene around him he couldn't believe how much damage had been done to this place. Everything was almost completely flattened out and their crater's along with trails all around the ground. Almost nothing of the lush greenery remained which caused Rei to both happy when it came time to build but also slightly disturbed.

"Well, I can't say I know exactly what happened here I only managed to sense you all fighting due to how much energy was being thrown around. But I suppose this isn't the best place for us all to talk." Seeing Rei was preparing to move them all somewhere else Kurenai called out to him pausing his actions.

"Wait we have one more teammate who fainted during the fight." Pointing in the direction of Hinata Rei turned his head and looked at an area closer to the wall. Lying on the ground was an unconscious girl that he didn't notice before. Not answering Kurenai Rei took a single step forward and disappeared from their view in a flash.

"Huh?" Seeing that up close everyone was surprised when the next second Rei appeared next to Hinata who was lying on the ground. With a brief motion of his hand an orb exactly like the ones they were in appeared around her keeping her in a zero-gravity state. "I didn't know Big Brother Rei could teleport."

Saying it how it looked Seiki was almost inclined to agree with her until he heard Ren speak. "I wouldn't say it's teleportation he's moving too fast for us to keep up. It's probably what he meant when he said he had been training on his own and what he used to dodge both of our attacks that one time."

Thinking back to when they had Rei cornered she had wondered how he had suddenly moved so fast and dodged both of their attacks with time to counter them as well. 'So he really was holding back... He was totally lying about us being even close to beating him.' Suddenly Fuyumi narrowed her eyes and pouted slightly feeling she had been fed false hope.

Appearing back with the main group with Hinata's orb following close behind Rei said something. "Sorry if you guys feel a little strange in those orb's but it will be faster for me to move you guys if you stay like that." Hearing Rei they all didn't understand what he meant and before they could ask everything became a blur.

Rei had already begun moving and the orbs were trailing behind him. All they could see was different color's moving by them for the next minute or two until finally, it stopped. Choji in particular felt he was going to throw up however everyone else was able to remain fairly stable despite being dizzy.

With a snap of his finger's the orb's surrounding all of them popped one by one disappearing into thin air allowing for everyone to see more clearly. "Wait this..." Looking around Shikimaru saw they had somehow made their way into a large room. This room had a large table in the center with chairs every foot or so.

Standing up they couldn't help like the Ninja before they admire how everything looked. It just seemed so unreal no matter how you looked at it. Glancing over at Rei and back at the room they were in it became obvious what was going on. "Rei your the one who had been building between the borders right?"

Asuma's question was sudden but it made everyone look at Rei. In response, Rei didn't actually know he was building between border's but hey he supposed it worked out. "I suppose so. And if I had to guess Tsunade had you guys sent here to run a more thorough investigation after the last ones?"

He had had so many run-ins with the Hidden Leaf at this point that he could predict why. He had talked about the political issues with himself before but now they had actually come to him. Thinking to himself for a moment Rei decided it would be best for him to resolve it now than later.

"Well since your all here because of me I should offer some hospitality. I ended up making a lot of spare rooms so it would be best if you guys got cleaned up first. Then we can all talk." Hearing Rei all questions they had were halted. They were indeed a mess and that went for Fuyumi, Ren, and Seiki as well who were actually happy.

'So he's not mad us pew.' Not letting it show on her face Fuyumi was happy that she didn't call them out but that disappeared when Rei continued. "As for you three, I'm pretty sure I told you to stay within a two-mile radius of the central building so I can keep track of you. So what were you doing so close to the wall?"

Rei's voice was kind enough but his eyes were just spelling out the words 'You're in trouble now.'. Gulping Fuyumi blanked for a second and so did Seiki who slowly opened his "We were playing tag and got lost..." Lying through his teeth he looked up at Rei with a crooked smile. Immediately Rei could tell he was lying but in the end, he had a weakness for them.

'When I'm not training them I really can't be strict...' It was something he had to evolve from but at the moment he just couldn't bring himself too especially since they always tried their best to be good. "Alright fine I'll deal with you three after everyone is done cleaning up. But Fuyumi and Seiki you two are going to be leading them to their rooms and Ren your going to be setting things up."

Giving them things that were more laborious than actual punishment the three of them didn't even bother refuting and just went along with it. Making their way to a nearby hallway Fuyumi raised her hand. "Alright, your guy's rooms are this way follow me and Seiki!" Originally everyone hesitated for a moment as Shikamaru looked towards Asuma.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? We're on a mission after all." However, Asuma slowly pulled out one of his cigarettes along with his lighter. "I don't know about you but all that traveling plus that skirmish has left me beat. If they're offering a break before we have to head back to the lead I'm not saying not."

Placing the cigarette in his mouth and lighting it everyone else eventually went along as well. Kiba and Shino were left with carrying Hinata which made Fuyumi feel slightly guilty since she was the one who knocked her out. Eventually, everyone made their way out of the main hall well almost everyone.

"Not leaving with the other's." Rei's voice echoed through the hall as he looked over at Ino. She continued to stand there and remain silent for the next minute or so before finally speaking in a happy yet monotone voice. "You know I thought you were dead this whole time." Listening to her Rei began to feel guilty as he lowered his head. "I'm sorry about that..."

Seeing Rei so apologetic Ino sighed and walked over to him. "It's not like I'm angry or anything and you don't owe me an apology if you had to leave... And in a way, you disappearing like that helped me." Listening to her Rei didn't know how but they eventually began to talk and walk. They weren't going anywhere in particular just slowly making their way around the building.

"I realized something that I don't think I bothered about before after you saved me. I was way too content with myself and where I was." Rei listened passively while wondering what she meant as they made their way down a hall. "Despite me not being able to see it at first you had done so much at your age. You managed to beat all of those Sound Ninja and even finished Orochimaru off."

Ino's voice had a hint of appreciation and idolization as she spoke about the different events. "But as for me I was useless and would have been knocked out by a Genjutsu if not for you. It was the realization of just how content I was of just being good enough that made me want to get stronger like you." Pausing their walk Ino looked over at Rei with a smile.

"So I guess in the end I'm trying to thank you." Looking at her Rei didn't know what to say and he was at a loss for words. 'I didn't think me trying to get revenge on Orochimaru would end up motivating her like that. Back then I was so focused on Orochimaru that I put Fuyumi and the others in a horrible situation.'

It was another reason why he went easy on them and wanted them not to wander off. So compared to his more dead set frame of mind from two years ago you could say he had broadened his horizons. And after hearing Ino thank him he ended up laughing to himself. "And here I was preparing to apologize yet I ended up being thanked."

Listening to him Ino ended up laughing lightly as well and soon enough two of them began talking about the different stories that have built up over the years. "Ya those three are a mess but they are ridiculously talented I'm sure you've seen for yourself." Ino nodded remembering exactly how many times she had to use one of her Jutsu to land any strikes on Seiki.

"Ya and I've never seen Jutsu like the ones they've used before. Though I'm guessing they learned all that from you." Rei lightly nodded his head as he seemed to remember something. "Actually there's something I want to show." Listening to Rei, Ino showed a look of interest as he grabbed her by the hand and led her outside.

Meanwhile, the remainder of Team 10 and 8 had followed Seiki and Fuyumi to the spare rooms. "We can stay here?" The spare rooms took up an entire section of the building making it out to almost be a sort of hotel. And each of the rooms was really expensive looking making them question if they could actually stay there.

"Ya, it's fine. Because of how much we usually play here Rei ended up making the walls stronger than around the rest of the building." In truth, it was mostly due to Seiki throwing his Zanpakuto around indoors but he would keep that to himself. Fuyumi began pointing everyone to where they could stay before mentioning something.

"Ren should be setting up the hot spring so let me know when you all get settled." Hearing her they all seemed to freeze for a second as Kiba spoke. "Wait this place has its own hot spring? This place is amazing!" On the other hand, Kurenai and Hinata seemed to think it was a little much especially considering the fact they were fighting not too long ago.

"There isn't any need for all that we won't be-" Before Kurenai could finish speaking Asuma nudged her. Seeing them being conflicted Fuyumi reassured them. "It's fine we have plenty of space here since no sou- I mean since its just the four of us. I think we have only used the hot spring-like ten times."

Catching herself Seiki looked at Fuyumi in disbelief as they left in a slight hurry leaving the two teams to themselves. "Why did you stop me?" Looking over at Asuma he directed her attention to the place they were standing in. "If you ask me even if he started two years ago this place makes no sense. The air is strange and everything is in pristine condition despite only four of them being here.

Listening to him Kurenai agreed but she didnt understands what they were getting at. "Asuma is right and most importantly if you had looked outside there are hundreds of buildings outside this place. Like an empty city just waiting for residents." Listening to them talk Choji who was still looking at all the different rooms turned around.

"So what you're saying that they're hiding something?"

Both Shikamaru and Asuma nodded as they continued to look around. "In any case, us staying here is the best chance we'll have to get some idea of what Rei is doing. After all, we're still on a mission even if he is an ally."