Sakumo closed his eyes and chuckled, "Enjoy the scenery, huh?" He asked, shaking his head. "I've spent the last few years dedicating my life to purging this place of its evil. It's hard to think of it as scenic."<br/><br/>When Marise had finished healing him, he stood up, "The situation's changed. Now that we have Imouto, it isn't a race against the clock and we can take our time avoiding the spirits." The White fang scratched his head, running his fingers through his white strands of hair as he smiled, speechless as the Hyuuga began to tease him. Eventually he replied, "Now that I think about it... I wasn't much older than you when I first met Lady Koharu..."<br/><br/>He looked away, smiling as he closed his eyes and shook his head, "Now I find myself in her position. But for now... we still have a mission to do, girls."<br/><br/>"The forest will be safer at dawn." The shinobi said, kneeling and putting his hand to the ground as he made a sign with the other, "Tsuchi Yadori no Jutsu!"<br/><br/>From around them the earth rose, the grass was turned upside down and they were soon encapsulated within a 30 foot by 30 foot shelter. There was a single entrance that was staggered so nobody could see inside or outside the structure. Crude walls seperated the place into a few rooms. Rudimentary furniture even. It was all still made of stone, however. Without the moonlight illuminating them, they were almost completely in the dark. Unless the monsters tunnel through or break down the wall, there was only one way they could get inside.<br/><br/>The building suddenly lit up as Sakumo revealed a ball of chakra- a light source in the palm of his hand. He let go and it floated between them, "A genjutsu over the area should keep the dumber beasts from entering. And just in case, I'll lay down some traps." He lowered his head respectfully, "Please take care of things here while I'm gone."<br/><br/>Imouto was still sleeping soundly as she had been ever since they found her...