„home sweet home"

It took a day but the group finally arrived to the said location.

"Sugoi! They really made the place almost invisible to the people around them.", Sakura says in amazement.

Aside from the big forest that they have traveled, the place was also hidden in tons of bushes and big rocks that a person might think of as a dead end.

"We're lucky that the place they've researched was actually accurate, or else, all of that walking was for nothing.", Neji says to the group.

Mia felt more anxious, they were finally here. She will finally have her questions answered, hopefully.

The place consists of many small houses, it looked like a place that prospered on its own. However, it's covered with weeds and rust already due to the lack of use and care.

"Alright Mia-chan! Can you remember now?", Naruto faces her.

"Gomen, Naruto-kun. I'm not feeling anything but worry.", Mia says to the blonde.

"Tsk, Naruto! Stop pressuring Mia-chan!", Sakura says angrily.

Naruto is so insensitive!

As they walked, the group spotted a giant symbol.

"Look, it's probably their clan symbol.", Sakura informs them.

As Mia's eyes landed on the symbol, her head throbbed in pain. The symbol consists of scales and a big tail that resembles a dragon's tail.

Why is it so familiar? Is this really it?

Mia loses her balance and falls back, startling her companions. Luckily, Neji was right on time to catch her.

"Mia-chan! Are you okay?", Sakura says with a worried voice.

"Gomen, I'm fine. My head just feels light.", Mia says as she stands up properly, "Thank you Neji-san."

"I can check you and heal whatever is causing it. You're probably tired from the travel. Don't you want to rest?", Sakura offers.

"It's okay Sakura-chan. I can handle it. Let's get moving.", Mia says and lets out a small smile.

"Mia-chan.", Naruto says in a serious tone as he suddenly grabs her wrist.

"Eh? Naruto?", Mia says in a surprised tone.

"Stop pushing yourself too hard.", Naruto says in a low voice.

Mia surprisingly moved her arm away from Naruto's grip, causing them to look at her in shock.

The girl in front of her had an expression that they've never seen her display before.

"I said let's go.", her voice was stern, it was nothing like her.

With that, they kept on walking and looking for clues.

I guess even with the people who are polite, they still can be frustrated enough to do that.

But really? Mia-chan looked scary.

Sakura thought to herself.

Mia couldn't help it. She felt bad for snapping at Naruto like that. It's true, she was exhausted, but none of that matters right now. She needed answers and it was so close already.

—

The group stumbled on the biggest house there is on the place. They assumed it was the leader's place.

"Let's check the house, and if there is nothing that triggers Mia-san's memories, let's hurry back.", Neji says to everyone.

The first thing that caught their attention was the big wooden door where the clan symbol was carved in. They pushed it open only to hear the sounds of a rusty door.

Mia was the first one to walk in, and as she did, chills went down her spine. It was a different feeling going in there. It was awful, she feels so awful, and she doesn't know why.

They scattered around the house and observed everything that may trigger Mia's memories. Suddenly, the group heard a gasp coming from Sakura. They hurriedly went to her, to check if everything was okay.

"What is it Sakura-chan?!", Naruto asked the pink-haired girl. Sakura had a shocked expression and pointed to one direction.

Their eyes fell on a painting of a family that consists of five members. The father had bright blue hair as Mia, and one child as well had the same hair color.

"It's really—", Naruto stopped what he was about to say and immediately looked at Mia, who had been quiet since they looked at the picture.

Mia held the same shocked expression as everyone else but it soon changed into a pained one. It felt like the blood flowing in her vessels were burning. She felt her head throbbing once again. It wasn't a nice feeling.

In an instant, memories flashed in her eyes. Her parents, her siblings, and her title.

While Mia was regaining her lost memories, her physical being was covered in bright blue chakra like her hair. Her skin was slowly turned into scales and her hair was turning black.

This image shocked the three ninjas who accompanied her.

What is this energy?

Neji though this to himself. They were trained ninjas, he should've felt this immense chakra if they were together.

Naruto quickly ran up to the girl.

"Mia-chan! Snap out of it!", he reached to the girl but he was pushed back.

"Naruto! Don't! It's too dangerous!", Sakura shouted at him.

"She's going to hurt herself!"

Neji activated his byakugan only to see huge chakra points coming from the girl. Seeing how powerful the girl in front of him is, he immediately took action and attacked her to block out his chakra.

"Neji!? What are you doing?!", Naruto screams at him. The air around them was spinning around and a ringing sound was heard in their ears that was caused by Mia.

Even though Neji was dealing with the force that pushes him back, he still strived to block her chakra points in order to let her stop.

"We need to let her calm down by force or else she'll destroy everything here! Including us!"

Sakura had tears in her eyes, she was confused and sad that her friend was suffering this much to unleash this unknown power.

Neji's body slammed on the wall as Mia unleashes a last full blow that made everyone around her fall back.

"Neji!", Sakura rushes by his side, helping him sit up.

Eventually, Mia passes out, having a couple of bruises here and there. The air was finally calm as it was before.

"Naruto, carry her, we're going to the nearest village to rest.", Neji commands as he limps in pain.

The blonde jinchiruuki nods and obliges his command.

Mia-chan, what was that?