[i]“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be okay. Just help the others!”[/i]

Dren shook his head. I"m sorry Lady Kaede, but I won't leave you. I screwed up big time last time when they attacked the village because I wasn't here. I failed my village, my clan and myself. Right now, your life is much more important than mine and by now at least a few of them must have noticed you and may already be on their way. As a member of the Hyuga clan, it's my duty to protect you."

Dren continued monitoring the surrounding area with his Byakugan, making sure that if anyone did approach, he would be able to spot them and warn Lady Kaede in time.

[i]“Hey, BITCH! EAT THIS!”[/i]

Karela had just managed to finish off another two solders but she was in a bit of trouble already. A spear had slammed into her right arm a short time earlier, rendering it nearly useless. Her left hand was gripping a handful of Kunai knives. She looked up sharply and one of her three remaining shadow clones jumped up in the air and slammed into the solder who had thrown the kunai at her.

The kunai slammed into the ground and her eyes widened as she saw exploding tags attached to the kunai knives. The exploding tags detonated a moment later in a large explosion that sent her flying through the air.

She landed on the ground in a heap.

She tried to get back to her feet only to see that her legs were blackened and burned by the explosion. Her arms were covered in burns as was a good portion of her face. She looked up at one of the few remaining solders with a hate filled glare. "Go ahead. Kill me. Make the Yatoma clan extinct.

The solders grinned and began surrounding her.