Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Girl Named Yama ❯ Chapter 22 - The Sea ( Chapter 22 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Notes: Why hello everyone. XD :3 I believe I owe everyone an apology for my stupidity of not sitting down and seriously looking over my story sooner and continuing it. However, as you can see, even though I did sit down seriously, it took me one month to edit all chapters and tie up all the loose ends. And I was working on it virtually everyday (except on days I had to work) but now that all that icky stuff is over and done with, time to go on with the story!

For good measure, a lot and I mean lots of things have changed. A lot. I'm going to line out a few of the main ones but I recommend WHICH chapters you should go and re-read. (it's worth it)

Chapter 1: Not much changed at all, I merely changed the `sharingan mark' on Yama's forehead to a criss-cross scar. (because the damn sharingan mark just seemed… stupid)

Chapter 2: Not much changed, I altered some places to make Kakashi more in character. He was definitely OOC in several places.

Chapter 3: Character changes. Altered Taka slightly to make it seem like he didn't expect Yama to land in this world. Made Naruto more mature. Made Sakura not so… prissy (lmao). Sasuke didn't change. :3

Chapter 4: Major changes. I suggest rereading this chapter. Altered Kakashi slightly to make him more in character. Meeting with Hokage: Yama finds out they had treated her as a spy at first (that's a given) and Yama LIES to them saying she's from another time period (not telling them the truth that she's from another universe)

Chapter 5: Not much changed. Battle scenes are flashier

Chapter 6: Not much changed. Romance is held back a bit, because I don't believe that two people should just jump together so fast.

Chapter 7: Not much changed. Battle scene flashier. New jutsus introduced.

Chapter 8: Not much changed. Merely grammar corrections.

Chapter 9: Adequate changes. Since I made Naruto more mature, had to change some scenes to make him more mature here. Sasuke was made more in character… he seemed to sissy before in this chapter lmao. Made Kakashi more in character.

Chapter 10: I suggest rereading this chapter. Since Yama had told the Hokage and Kakashi she was from another time period, it means she shouldn't be related to anyone (in the same generation) from this time period. This is broken as Sasuke claims Yama as his older sister (by only a few years). Yama's sharingan is also different. She contains commas in her left eye, but absolutely none in her right (it's completely red, that's it)

Chapter 11: Major changes, I mean major. I suggest re-reading this chapter for sure. Yama no longer meets her parents. Taka does not turn out to be her dad. We don't find out anything about how she got to this universe. Nothing, zip, nada.) Instead, a whole new section replaces it.

Chapter 12: Nothing new. Battle scene improved. More in character. Itachi isn't the mysterious figure she had seen back in chapter 1 that dropped the shuriken. Rereading this chapter would be a good idea though— I made the scene between reunited siblings more plausible.

Chapter 13: Major changes. Suggest re-reading. I changed Akatsuki ranks—followed the manga more so SPOILERS for the manga! Just a warning, lol. Changed the fact that Itachi didn't take Yama for Akatsuki reasons (since no one knows she's from another world, no ones knows she knows the future), but for his own reasons. Kisame didn't leave with Itachi. Itachi didn't deliver her to the hospital, fight scene added here. Added Team Gai's appearance as well.

Chapter 14: Major changes. Yama is blind due to a jutsu she used during the fight with Akatsuki. It is temporary. Just re-read the damn chapter. XD Too many changes. Yama's eyes, although blind, remains in a sharingan-like state. It doesn't mean she is using the sharingan. Her eyes are merely red with the commas. Reveals the true past as to why Itachi killed the clan (Spoilers for manga chapters 350+).

Chapter 15: Major changes. Had to add changes due to Yama's eyesight. As in, her eyesight has returned but her eyes remain in the sharingan form. Her eyesight is slightly deteriorated but the sharingan is still usable. It just means that if she turns sharingan on her eyes do not change. But the Hokage decided to report that her Sharingan is damaged so the council members don't get on her back (which is explained in chapter 14—read it if you want to know).

Chapter 16: Major changes. Yama is being trained by Inuzuka Tsume now. Since her sharingan is `damaged' she will need another style of fighting. She is given a dog companion. She also gets into an unpleasant meeting with the council members.

Chapter 17-22: Nothing major. There are adequate changes but that is mainly due to the major changes in the previous chapters, nothing new.

Now then, read on for the New Chapter!

A Girl Named Yama

Author: XoXSilverDragonXoX

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from `Naruto'. The only thing I own is my main character, Umari Yama, and maybe some unrecognizable characters that you may see.

Brief Summary: A girl finds herself dumped into Hatake's bed one day in a different world to deal with an emotional Sasuke, a hyperactive Naruto, a flirty Genma and lazy Kakashi. And of course, to deal with all the glory of life in Konoha to boot! How does she alter fate?

Notes: A long chapter this time— and no worries about my horrible update habits. I've already started on the next chapter! I'm planning on updating every month from now on. I admit I didn't know where I was going with the story during this past year but now I know where it's head, so I can write normally (finally). Enjoy.

Also made some reference to Bleach.

Last Chapter:

After meeting Souzu-tachi, it's time to exchange information. It turns out Yama got sick and the Hokage had been hiding information from them… again. So what does the new mission of `assisting Souzu and his father' entail?

Warnings:

Language now and then.

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

Chapter 22 - The Sea

So much for that promise to be home in one week. It took us nearly two weeks to reach the Water Country alone. Now, I know you're thinking; `Two weeks? It only takes a couple days to reach the water country! What's taking so long buddy?' Yeah, I know, I know. But bad weather and injured comrades slowed our advance quite heavily. And by injured comrades I mean myself (and Kotetsu, if you count the beating he received after Genma finally caught him).

It seems like `Gen-ni' is a taboo word for Genma; but at least I know a way to make Genma go completely red in two seconds flat. I just need to do it when I'm confident that I can get away in time.

And during these two weeks, let's just say that I have gotten to know everyone very well. Perhaps a little too well for my liking. Since I was bedridden for nearly a week, I have spent an ungodly amount of time with all of the members of the Konoha team. I've also gotten to know Seiran and Souzu (to my dismay) pretty damn well too. However, the good news was that my voice had returned after the first week. Kuro had been so happy to hear my voice he would continuously slobber all over my face. Thanks Kuro. I appreciate it, really.

That was partially because the two took over some of the shifts to look after me when Kotetsu/Genma/Izumo got tired. Apparently Itachi wasn't included in the count, seeing as he was there 24/7. And Gunter didn't like me. However, I did know that he would disappear now and then; and I couldn't help but wonder where on earth he had disappeared to.

Anyway, I've learned that Kotetsu was a lover of flowers - especially lilies. Not what you expect, hey? But what's even more shocking was discovering that Izumo—innocent-looking Izumo—has a mean streak for gambling! Well, I discovered the fact by accident, but nevertheless, come on! Izumo! The innocent one!

Seiran and I had discovered it by accident. One time when Seiran had been escorting me back from my bathroom break. And just so you know, they were escorting me everywhere because they feared that I would faint and wouldn't be found until later. And don't tell me it won't happen because it did. I had to find out the hard way.

I had been stupid and too proud to ask for help. I had thought that I could walk the ten meters away and do my business! Genma, being the one with me at the time, had disagreed but I, of course, had insisted.

“I'll be fine, Genma! I'm not going to keel over and die after ten meters!” I croaked.

Genma raised his hands in surrender before releasing my shoulder he had been holding to steady me.

I had felt a victorious feeling flow through me and taken only about five steps before a wave of nausea had hit me. Momentarily stunned, I kind of stood still for a few seconds when my vision was completely encased in black.

“Yama,” Genma's concerned voice drifted over urgently. I raised my hand slowly without looking at him, eyes closed tightly.

“I'm okay!” It sounded like a stage whisper. Clearing my throat, I tried again. “I'm okay!” He must've heard that time because Genma's advance stopped.

I took another few steps as soon as my vision returned and dropped like a sack of potatoes.

Okay, so apparently I wasn't okay.

I came to about an hour later with Genma glaring at me. “Do you know how worried I was?” When I opened my mouth to reply, he continued. “I was worried that I would be decapitated by rampaging Uchiha's and an irate Hatake.” I glared at him. “And a biting puppy as well.” Genma added. I rolled my eyes towards my left where Kuro sat, glaring at Genma. I mellowed out slightly.

“So I'm guessing I won't be walking anywhere myself any time soon?” I asked timidly.

“What do you think?” Well, there went my freedom.

So anyway, Seiran had been escorting me back when there was a loud commotion from the back of the cabin I had been staying in. Seiran, being the prince's bodyguard he was, decided that I should stay put by the trees while he checked it out.

Which in turn had pissed me off slightly. I mean, all those hours of training weren't for nothing you know! I bet Kuro would even agree! But learning my lesson from the Genma-incident, I decided to be a good girl and stay put.

A few seconds later, Seiran had returned, a rather odd look in his eyes. At my questioning look, he had said, “Perhaps it would be better if you go in to rest.” Oh? What was so bad that I wasn't allowed to see?

I glared at him, and despite his attempts to stop me, stomped over towards the back. Err, `hobbled' more like it. I wanted to give the pretense that I was annoyed. And what I saw will forever change my opinion of all serious ninjas.

“I'll fold.”

I blinked.

Izumo smirked— smirked! I wasn't seeing things— and uttered, “Three of a kind.”

And then here's the kicker. The next pair of hands laid down a set of cards on the makeshift crate table.

“Royal straight flush.”

Guess who?

Itachi.

I guess it was at this time that Kotetsu noticed me. “Oh, hello Yama-san. How're you feeling?” I didn't answer him. I was too busy gaping. Kuro! The traitorous dog was sitting in Itachi's lap!

The group (consisting of Itachi, Izumo, Kotetsu, Souzu, and even Gunter) took no notice of me as Izumo grumbled and pushed the pile of cash towards Itachi.

And I guess that Itachi thought that since I just so happened to be standing behind him I looked like a good carrier bag; because he all but collected the pile of yen notes and dumped them into my arms.

I gaped at him some more.

He didn't even glance at me. That asshole! Taking me for granted, was he?

As a matter of fact, the entire poker façade was freaking me out. I'm not surprised at the `ninjas gambling' thing because I'm sure they did that at home. But what I was surprised at was that Izumo was gambling! He was supposed to be the serious one! Kotetsu I could see, but Izumo?!

And Itachi! What the hell? Did he develop a gambling streak as a kid and— is that another royal straight flush?!

He's got to be cheating.

When he once again dumped another pile into my hands, I guess all the stress I'd had all week snapped because I promptly slapped the Uchiha upside the head and stuffed the yen notes down the back of his shirt.

I let loose. “Here I am, sick as a dog all week and thinking you guys would actually take the time to figure out the situation and explain it to the Hokage (and me) but you're all here…” Souzu winced and the rest of them even look slightly chagrinned. “… gambling! Playing poker! In the snow! What the hell!? What if whoever's after the King manages to scope us out? Didn't you guys say that this was virtually an A-class mission?!”

Yeah, it turns out the mission went from C-class to A-class in less than two days. The news of the `prince' leaving the country had reached the ears of several bureaucrat members and they had hired mercenaries to -ahem—get rid of the competition for the throne. That meant there would be ninjas after us. Luckily the blizzard had acted as a protective shield for the first week. But in the second week, the blizzard had slowed to a dull squeak.

Itachi, merely rubbed the back of his head, shook out the back of his shirts and allowed the yen notes to float to the ground.

“Relax, Yama-ne.” he muttered stonily, “There's no one—” He froze.

I felt Seiran stiffen beside me and there was a dull thud beside us.

A kunai.

… with an exploding note attacked to the end.

Shit—!

I had barely blinked before I felt myself tackled into the snow bank to our right. I coughed weakly as a loud boom shattered my senses. Even with all the snow, I was surprise at how much smoke had emerged from the spot we had been in mere moments ago.

I tried to push weakly at the heavy weight that had settled on me. I blinked twice. To my surprise, it wasn't Itachi but Seiran. The tall man gave me a quick look and said something. I couldn't hear it. I managed to choke out a “What?!” and saw him wince. Oops. I had probably said that really loud.

My ears were ringing something horribly and my eyes were still experiencing hot flashes. Damn, could this be good for my eyes? How on earth did ninja manage to survive experiencing minor bomb effects all the time?

I think Seiran realized what was wrong because all I saw was him flashing one hand seal and touched my temples slightly. Immediately the ringing and flashes lessened greatly. I stared at him in surprise and gave my head a light shake.

“Woah.” I gaped at him. “That was—?”

“A minor healing spell.” He gave me a small smile. “All personnel to the prince and King are taught healing spells.”

Hot damn. Now I wanted to be a medic-nin. Minor headache? Give me two seconds! Instant relief! Fast than Tylenol or Advil! It's every woman on the planet's dream come true!

Seiran stood and I scrambled to mimic him the best I could. My limbs still felt numb and tingly and I almost tumbled back to the ground. Seiran's arm shot out and discreetly steadied me. Well, at least he knew how to not throw me off. I suppose my recent behaviors about being able to fend for myself made him considerate.

What? Let's see you get bedridden for a week and then on top of that, have your teammates treat you like glass. We'll see how you feel after that week.

I surveyed the smoking area. The site we were sitting at moments ago was no longer visible. Smoke was blocking the view. Black, icky, smelly smoke.

Seiran gripped my arm. “Let's go.”

I glanced at him. He gave me an amused look. “We'll talk as we move.”

He took off towards the trees. I followed, trying to keep up as best as I could. Once we hit the tree line, Seiran took towards the middle branches in the trees. I paused momentarily before leaping up to join him. It had been surprisingly easy to get up there when I had first learned how to travel by trees. It had been Sasuke who had showed me after I had gone on a few of the further missions with Team 7 (before Itachi had decided to kidnap me). The furthest one was a mission to the hidden village of Lightning to retrieve a merchant's daughter. His three year old daughter. The middle aged man had laughed and told the Hokage that he had forgotten his daughter there.

What kind of man forgets and leaves his three year old daughter in another country?

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

Anyway, after I had been running on the ground and slowing the team down for about the fifth time, Sasuke had gotten fed up and pulled me aside during one of our breaks.

“I'm going to teach you how to travel in the trees.” He had said bluntly. In return, I had replied, “Then you might as well get Kakashi to show me how to use that healing jutsu as well.”

Sasuke had looked confused for a second until Naruto piped up, “What are you so confused about you bastard? She's just saying she'll get hurt a lot...” It figures that a person like Naruto would understand something a `genius' like Sasuke wouldn't. Ten bucks he figured out how to do it without falling once.

And so Sasuke proceeded to stare at me as if I had suggested he should elope with a rabbit.

“Why are you going to get hurt? You're only jumping trees.”

And then Naruto and I proceeded to stare at him as if he just suggested Naruto and I should elope together. That just shouldn't happen… because Naruto and I… that's like not going to happen. I think Naruto would drive me even more insane. Heck, he already drives me insane some days! But he's a good kid.

“Just… never mind.” I said finally. “Just teach me already.” Sasuke shrugged and nodded. “Watch with your sharingan. You'll need to see chakra.” Activating my sharingan, I watched as he took two steps and leapt up several meters to land on a large branch. He had used chakra to boost his jump, of course. I watched as he used the same method to jump from branch to branch.

It didn't actually look all that hard. But I didn't know how well I would be able to handle the depth perception.

Sasuke landed beside me and Naruto rolled his eyes, “Show off.”

The Uchiha only snorted and glanced at me. “Your turn.”

Was he serious? That was it? That was his so called `teaching method?' Why don't you just throw me off a cliff, yeah?

I shrugged and readied myself; getting up seemed to be the easy part. The hard part was going from tree to tree (even if Sasuke had made it look like it was like taking candy from a baby) and using the right amount of chakra. That would come with practice. After filling up my feet with a small amount of chakra, I jumped and was surprised to see that I went right up to the branch I had been aiming for. All right then. I blinked. That was easy.

Landing on the inner part of the branch, I braced myself against the trunk and glanced back down. Naruto waved at me. Sasuke merely gave me a bland look. Fine then, be that way— don't praise me on a job well done. Even though it wasn't difficult, I still think that I deserve a little encouragement.

Staring at the next branch ahead of me, I estimated it to be about three or four meters— possibly longer. I pushed another shot of chakra down my feet and propelled up and forwards.

This didn't seem so hard—

Too late I noticed that I was going to land short. Too late did I hear Naruto's cry of warning from below.

I shot out both of my hands and managed to catch the branch with chakra. Then I just hung there, groaning from the impact. I wondered how the gymnasts did it. That hurt like a bitch!

“Daijoubou ka, Yama-chan?”

I choked slightly. “I think… I think I'm fine!” However, I soon found that I was no so fine after all. I deactivated my sharingan.

Crack.

No… hell no. No, no, no! This was soooo not happening! The branch I hunt from was starting to break. Come on! You're a branch! You're supposed to be able to sustain weight!

It gave a lurch— as if to prove me wrong and I let out a short scream.

“Yama-ne!”

“Okay!” I called back shakily. “Maybe I'm not so fine!” I reinforced my chakra hold around the bark slightly. “Hang on! We're coming!” Naruto yelped. I don't know how long I hung there, but it fell like they were sure taking their time.

“Well by all means, take you time! I think I can hand here for another oh, let's say… four hours!” I snapped. My eyes scanned the area. What could I do? Man, I just had to choose the perfect branch to leap to. Absolutely nothing underneath me… except the ground that was oh, about fifty feet below. And the two trees to the sides were too far for me to maneuver towards.

I froze when I felt it. `It' would be my chakra. I had felt it falter slightly. I glared at my hands. “No way in hells are you doing this to me!”

Oh, but it did.

The second time it faltered the chakra surrounding my hands disappeared completely. Wah!

I swear I was hanging in midair for two whole seconds before I shot another dose of chakra up my arms.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I managed to tighten my grip again. I couldn't just hang here while I waited for them. Chakra never stays constant; losing my concentration slightly could mean I would fall.

Wait, how were they going to get me down anyway? They couldn't get on the branch I held or it would break—

Lurch!

I held my breath. Nothing. Letting it out, I filled my left leg with chakra and tried to reach the tree trunk. I even stretched out my toes.

No use. It was too far.

The third time's the charm, they say, and I went plummeting when my chakra decided to shift again. My fault really, I shouldn't have tried to use chakra in my leg to grip something else.

“Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!”

All I managed was a shriek and Naruto came flying towards me from the right. He grabbed my shoulders and threw me to the left, where another Naruto caught me.

“You okay?” he asked urgently. I felt my stomach lurch. “Yeah… just let me wait until the butterflies stop playing tennis in my stomach.”

“Sorry, there really was no quicker way to get to you.” I twitched. So all he had done was wait for me to fall? Well you could've told me to let go! It would've saved a lot of my nerves.

“Whatever.” I whispered finally. “Where's that stupid brother of mine?” I steadied myself on the branch we were standing on. That's when I saw Sasuke standing on the branch in front of us.

I glared at him. “You have crappy skills at teacher people things.”

“I can teach just fine!” he retorted.

“You're 13! You can't teach diddily-squat!”

“Well maybe you just can't control your technique very well.” He looked away pointedly and crossed his arms. “Besides, you need to learn it sooner or later. It requires less chakra than running on the ground.”

Well whatever. I don't have to learn it from you!

I turned to Naruto. “Can you teach me?”

I ended up learning and getting it down-pat in half an hour— without killing myself. I turned to Sasuke after, “I take that back. 13 year olds can teach. It's just you that can't teach.”

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

So, thanks to Naruto I can now travel in the trees without the fear of splitting my head open on a rock someday. And if you asked Sasuke if any of what I had just told you was true, he'd merely say he had never tried to teach me anything. Arrogant bastard. His pride's going to get him killed on day.

Continuing to follow Seiran, I managed to catch up and travel beside him (though I had half a mind that he had slowed down for me to catch up.

“We had expected they would try to ambush us once the storm died down,” Seiran said quietly. “Therefore a backup plan had been prepared in case something like this would happen.” Ah, so maybe we weren't as unprepared as we thought.

About what felt like five minutes since we had started moving, I could feel my breath get heavier. Not wanting to slow us down, I slowed my breathing to hide it from Seiran. There was no way I was going to be a liability. If we slowed down they could find us.

I don't know how long we continued to travel, but after a while I felt like the trees were starting to blur. My chest was heaving heavily, despite my attempts to hide it so I purposely trailed behind Seiran to avoid his gaze. Just when I thought I was going to pass out, Seiran slowed to a stop and leapt down to the ground.

I landed a bit heavily behind him but managed to right myself. Something tackled me to the ground. Landing flat on my back and throwing up a cloud of snow, I groaned. Something fuzzy was nuzzling my chin.

I glared up at the cloud sky. Why oh why did Tsume give me such an attention-seeking mutt?

Kuro continued to burrow his cold wet snout into the crook of my neck. I knew that he wouldn't stop until I had acknowledged him somehow. I reached up, gave him a small pat, and pointed to the ground. “Off.”

And off he went. Well, at least he was obedient… most of the time. I sat up. A hand stuck itself in front of me. It was Souzu. “Sorry, he wouldn't stay put and kept trying to run off… presumably to find you, I think.” I managed a small smile. Well, at least Kuro was trying to do his job. “Thanks for grabbing him by the way.” I took his hand and allowed him to pull me up. The second I stood, Kuro decided to sit in between my feet; he just squished himself in there. I stared at him. “What?” I demanded. “Are you cold or something?”

He answered with a whine and stared up at me, his tongue lolling out the side. I rolled my eyes, but allowed him to stay and glanced around. Huh, Genma must've done some serious scouting to find this place. Two huge boulders blocked off two sides in s a V shape while other side was a steep cliff. In other words, no one would be able to find us unless they peered down. And I couldn't see the trees above the boulders anymore. What a nice little hideout.

Everyone else seemed to have arrived.

“Now then.” Genma said quietly. “I had thought that we could give Yama another rest day and start off tomorrow but it looks like mercenaries have scouted us out. To my knowledge, there are three of them. Kotetsu sensed them as we escaped. We don't know who they are and all we can tell is that they are possibly hired to assassinate your prince.” Genma nodded at Seiran and Gunter. The two tensed slightly. “It looks like we'll have to travel swiftly to the Wave Country right now. It's only a day away.”

Standing uneasily I backed up so could lean against the boulder. I was still a little dizzy from the travel. Seiran noticed immediately. “Are you not feeling well, Uchiha-san?”

I laughed sheepishly. “It's nothing; I think I pushed myself a little too far…” I tightened my grip around my stomach. I think the butterflies were playing having a little too fun at my expense. Kotetsu frowned and stepped up. I felt him run a quick diagnostic chakra scan. “I don't understand,” he admitted. “My scan tells me all you have is a minor cold, but it shouldn't have lasted this long, not with the chakra treatment we've been given you.”

I kind of just stared at him. Please don't add another worry to my list— there's too much on the damn list already.

That's when Souzu stepped up, laughing sheepishly. “Well actually… it might actually be my fault…”

We all stared at him. I raised my fist. “Why would it be your fault, Souzu-san?”

He gulped and back up, “Well…” He hesitated; throwing his two subordinates a nervous look. Seiran tensed and took in a sharp breath, “Souzu-sama, you didn't—!” As Seiran started to approach Souzu, said man immediately waved his hands frantically. “It was only supposed to last a couple of days! I didn't know it was going to last this long…”

I felt something rising in my chest and I gave Souzu an exasperated look. “Do I even want to know why you decided to cast that stupid jutsu on me?” Souzu froze and I rolled my eyes. “I'll take that as a no.”

Genma let out a loud sigh, “Is this the same jutsu that we invented back when we were kids, Seiran?”

Seiran, for his part, managed to look slightly chagrinned. “Maybe.” Genma rolled his eyes. “Fine then, would you mind releasing our teammate from the horrible Saeyuku no Jutsu?” (literal translation: To gradually get a cold) Seiran nodded and turned to Souzu. “Souzu-sama?”

Said prince raised his hands together and pauses. “Promise you won't kill me when I do?”

My fingers twitched and I managed a tight smile. “Promise.”

“Kai!”

… But I hadn't promised that Kuro wouldn't.

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

Okay, so my plan backfired. Kuro is one nasty little bugger that is very disobedient. Well, not usually anyway. But he refused to attack Souzu… in the way I wanted him to. When Souzu had released the jutsu, I had felt my limbs weight lessen and my breath returned to normal. Yay! Goodbye to stuffy nose and nasty cough!

I had pointed at Souzu and glanced at Kuro.

Kuro, for his part, had run at the man, but didn't mangle him like I wanted him to. So much for companion animals being able to feel their partner's feelings and assess the situation correctly.

All I had gotten was the satisfaction of seeing Souzu's fearful and terrified eyes before…

…Kuro attacked Souzu with licks and slobber.

So now, as we waited for Gunter to come back with news about the ship they had docked, I was busy staring accusingly at Kuro. Souzu had steadily avoided me even though I had made no attempts at revenge. Not yet, anyway. I'll get him back one day. Maybe I'll get Genma to teach me that jutsu and I'll use it on him!

“By the way,” I murmured aloud. “Where are we?” I didn't recognize the place. I thought we were headed for the Wave Country? The town we had entered was a little small, but I hadn't really taken notice of anything. I had been preoccupied with walking while reading some of the scrolls Sasuke had allowed me to take. Now that I think about it, we'd never crossed the Great Naruto Bridge either.

“We're in Port City.” Genma answered, setting down a folder. I perked up with interest. Was that the one with the mission details in them? Genma hadn't shared it with the rest of the team yet. Since the previous mission folder I received was obviously botched (seeing as the mission was not as it was supposed to seem), I didn't really know what we were up against.

“Hmmm…” I rolled up my scroll and shifted slightly. It was interesting, and I had learned a hell of a lot of things I didn't realize were true. I stared down the scroll. The words encrypted on the side sat there for the whole world to see. Uchiha. I think that said it all. It had been about the Uchiha clan history.

I know what you're thinking. Why would Sasuke or the Hokage for that matter allow me to take something so important out of the village? What would happen if it fell into other hands? Well, no worries there, only Uchiha blood can unlock the seal around it and only sharingan eyes can read the specially encrypted words. But that knowledge isn't all that well known. Sasuke had told me; he had even asked me how that heck I was going to read it.

Since I'm supposed to keep the fact that my sharingan still works as a secret, I said that Itachi would explain it to me. There! Problem solved! But Itachi isn't really going to read it to me; I'll just read it myself. Since my eyes don't change when I used the sharingan anymore, I just kept my chakra levels to the minimum and read the damn scroll.

I think Kotetsu had been curious during the time when we arrived closer to the town and Genma said we could relax because he had meandered over and glanced over my shoulder. He had damn near given me a heart attack. You see, at that time I hadn't actually thought about what would happen when another person without sharingan eyes had looked at the scroll. I didn't know what I was expecting… but I figured some sort of punishment would happen.

But apparently that wasn't the case.

Kotetsu had calmly asked me why I was looking at a blank scroll. I had blinked at him and replied that I was reading up on some history. He had given me a strange look, but nodded and moved away. Now that had confused me. Wasn't he going to ask anymore questions about the blank scroll?

Itachi had later answered me that Kotetsu probably thought I meant family history (which I did). And then Itachi had asked me why I was reaching up on the clan's history. I suspected he might've activated his sharingan to read a bit of the scroll behind my back.

And that was when I knew that Itachi knew my sharingan still worked. Itachi isn't stupid; he'd know that reading the clan's scrolls required the active use of the sharingan. He was probably going to confront me later. I'm not looking forward to that.

So now that I've read the scroll, I've found a little bit of information that could pertain to the state of my weird right/left eye sharingan (two commas in my left and none in my right, remember?). Or not, there wasn't that much that helped me. So, in the history of the clan, marriages have also been within the clan. That means no other blood has been mixed in. There was a little bit of strange information at the beginning, talking about the Hyuuga clan and whatnot but that part of the scroll was sealed off, and even I couldn't unlock it. I would have to ask Sasuke later. I'd asked Itachi, but he seemed preoccupied with something (I don't know what).

The rest of the scroll had listed the family trees, which people had awakened the doujutsu (I had recognized my father's and Itachi's name!), as well who had done this, what had occurred, etc. All in all; history. That was it. Nothing else. Nothing that would help me. All I learned was that I was the first half-blood in the entire history of the Uchiha clan. Joy. I couldn't have been second, could I? At least then I could have some sort of information to go off of.

I had a feel that the stuff I needed to read was the part that had been sealed off.

Snapping the scroll shut and resealing it (which required a drop of blood and a quick hand seal); I dropped it into my bag and hoisted it back onto my back. Hmmph.

“Genma.” I said suddenly, causing the brown-haired man to turn his attention momentarily on me. “Are you going to brief us on the new mission details?”

“Not here.” He replied, “When we get on the ship.”

Ah yes, the ship. We hadn't actually seen the thing yet, but I'm going to assume it's a decently sized ship. Not too extravagant (seeing as there were horrible assassins after us) but not too shabby, since Souzu was a prince. Or the lord's son. Whatever you want to call it.

Just when I had settled down comfortably on the pile of lumber wood near the docks, Gunter came wandering back, “The ship is ready for departure.” The green-head announced. “We can go now.”

Izumo stood up from where he was sitting, giving Kotetsu a quick shake to wake him up. Itachi seemed to appear out of nowhere in a swirl of leaves, and glanced towards the ocean. I think he was still a little shocked that I hadn't been surprised to see the ocean. What did he think I lived under? A rock? I lived in Japan! It's surrounded by the ocean! Of course I would've seen the damn ocean.

But he didn't know that, did he? Itachi had yet to question me on where I had been all those years since I had been taken away. I had yet to answer him. I probably would never tell him, unless something happened.

Genma glanced towards Seiran and Souzu, who were just standing up (well, Souzu was just standing up; Seiran was holding a sleeping Kuro). Wait… what? I did a double-take. Kuro was sleeping again… in Seiran's arms. Frowning, I let out a shrill whistle that caused Kuro to wake almost immediately.

The pup stared at me. I stared back, before giving him a stern look and pointing towards my feet.

Flattening his ears, Kuro leapt from Seiran's arms and trotted towards me, plopping his behind on the ground once he reached my feet. I gave Seiran and apologetic look. “Sorry about that. You should've told me earlier.” I had thought that Kuro was with Itachi. Seiran shrugged. “Iie, it was nothing, Uchiha-san. I think I enjoyed his warmth as well.”

“Call me Yama.” I repeated automatically. Seiran gave me a look but didn't reply. I think I've asked for him to call me by the first name since we'd met, but he had yet to do so. I had a feeling it had something to do with his upbringing. Not that I minded… but Uchiha-san made me feel weird. It didn't sound like me. After being brought up for so many years under the name Umari, it's kind of hard to change so quickly.

“Right then, let's board.” Genma said quickly, shooing us towards the direction of the ships, “The sooner the better.”

As we headed down the docks a sharp cawing noise caught our attention. I glanced up to see a brown hawk circling overhead. I frowned. It was carrying something tied to its back. Genma's eyes sharpened and jerked his head at Kotetsu.

“Roger, taichou.” Kotetsu disappeared.

Souzu gave Genma a questioning look. “It's nothing; just a messenger bird.” Genma said quietly. “Kotetsu's gone to retrieve it. We'll board and wait for him on the ship.”

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

Nervously tapping my foot repeatedly on the ground, I stared out towards the ocean as we set sail for southeast. We were headed for the Umi no Kuni (the Land of the Sea), which was passed the Wave Country. It turned out that Port City was just a little bit North of the Great Naruto Bridge (which connected the wave country to the mainland).

I began to chew the side of my mouth in worry. Half of it was because of the messenger bird that Kotetsu had received and half of it was due to the fact that I couldn't recall anything about the land of the Sea.

Well whatever. According to the navigator the trip should take up to 2 weeks, depending on the weather. I wasn't looking forward to this. So much for getting home in time for the Chuunin exams! Would it be over by the time we got back? I felt a twinge of worry. Sasuke…

`Don't do anything stupid.' I thought.

I glanced nervously towards one of the cabin doors. Genma and Kotetsu were within, discussing the message we had just received. I think they were debating whether or not they would discuss it with us (meaning Izumo, Itachi and I).

Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I turned to see Itachi motioning towards the back of the ship. I sighed but followed him, hearing Kuro's claws click against the wood behind me. When we reached the back end, I noticed that no one was there. But that wasn't really a surprise; there were no other people besides our group and the crew members on the ship.

“What is it?” I asked quietly, leaning against the railing and leaning over to look at the water.

“Were you researching the family scrolls for the… condition of your eyes?” Itachi asked quietly. I pulled myself back and turned to watch him. His eyes were studying mine carefully. “Kind of,” I confessed. “I'm also research a lot of other things… like how I got here…” I added absently.

“…”

“Yes?” I sighed. When Itachi stares at you without talking, it usually meant that he had a question.

“Where did they take you?” He didn't need to elaborate. I knew who they were.

I stiffened. I had thought I could deal with this after. The Hokage and Kakashi had already not taken my `keeping a secret' little dealie very well. How could I explain it to Itachi so he didn't blow up on me? “Very far away…” I started slowly, “Further than you could ever imagine. I don't even know how I got back. That's what I'm researching.” Hopefully that would quell his curiosity.

“How did you get back?”

I rolled my eyes. “I just said I didn't know. I just woke up in Konoha one day.” I glanced out towards the receding mainland. “I was at home one night and then the next day I woke up in a totally different place.”

When Itachi spoke next, his words were tight. “Your home is here.”

I twitched and retorted. “Maybe, but I did live in my previous home for nineteen—” I froze. Nineteen? I had always thought I had been raised and brought up in my world. But if… if Itachi's memories (or my slowly returning ones) were any indication… that was not the case. I lived in Konoha in my earlier years. For at least… at least until I was four. The most recent returning memory was one where I had celebrated my fourth birthday with father, Itachi and Itachi's mother. Now that I think about it… no more memories had been popping up lately. Does that mean I had been four when they sent me away?

“Anyway,” I gave my head a shake. “I've lived back there for over ten years, at the very least, so I don't believe I should rule out that I shouldn't call that my home too.”

“I looked for you.” I glanced at him, startled. “I tried to request the missions that took me further and further away from Konoha to look. I… I never found you.”

The seventeen year old set his jaw tensely and looked away. The seventeen year old. Sometimes I forget that Itachi is two years younger than I was. It wasn't hard to, most of the time it felt like he was taking care of me.

And he had taken care of Sasuke in his earlier years as well.

I wonder how long it's been since someone's taken care of Itachi?

Sighing, I stepped forwards and incased Itachi into a hug, and managed to bury my face in his chest. I stifled a scowl a second later. It was hard to comfort someone who was taller than you. I shivered slightly. “Sorry…” I whispered.

A few seconds later, I grumbled, “Cold.” The wind was blowing against my back. I heard Itachi sigh and he untied his cloak and flipped it up, so that we were both encased in it.

“You are trying to hide something from me,” He said quietly. I managed to laugh into his chest. “Yeah,” I mumbled, “You figured it out pretty quickly.” I felt his shoulders lift in a shrug.

“I will not pry… for now.”

I stepped back and glanced up at him. “That's all I ask for right now.”

“Woof!” Something jumped up between us and knocked into my chin. “Ow! Kuro!” I rubbed the bottom of my chin as Itachi and I separated. I glared down at the pup that seemed to be laughing at me in short wheezes. “You're getting big now. No more jumping on me, got it? You might break my arm or something next time.” He answered by giving me a woof.

And he was. I don't know how I didn't notice before, but after a while I started to notice that Kuro was getting big. Waaaay bigger. Getting way too big, way too fast. He might've been the size of a basketball before, but he was the size of regular large dog now. Hana had warned me that when and if he started growing, he would grow fast. I guess she wasn't kidding around. Hana had also told me his growth depended on his strength and stamina. Did that mean all that stamina training I'd done with him was starting to pay off?

“Yama.”

“Mmmhhh?” I answered distractedly, giving Kuro a quick belly-rub. That's when I noticed that Itachi hadn't bothered with the suffix. He only did that when he was serious. Standing up straight, I nudged Kuro's prying nose back slightly as a warning. He understood and sat back down quietly.

“I want you to… learn something for me.”

I frowned at him. What was it?

“I have a feeling that whatever you're researching will be dangerous.” I winced. Observant one, wasn't he? “If it isn't, they wouldn't have taken you away so many years ago,” he continued quietly. “I want you to stay safe… when something dangerous happens.”

I watched him seriously. “I'm going to show you Shunpo.” Itachi explained quietly. “It's a move that will allow you to almost move instantaneously to another location.”

“Isn't that… the same as Shunshin no Jutsu though?” (Body Flicker Technique) I frowned. “I already know the Shunshin.”

“Oh, so you know it isn't the teleportation jutsu now, do you?” the brooding brother said wryly. I tried to glare at him, but failed when a blush took over.

“I didn't know it wasn't really a teleportation jutsu all right?!” I mumbled. “I thought it was…”

Okay, so I thought that the Shunshin no Jutsu was actually a teleportation jutsu. I was so wrong. I'm surprise Kakashi or any others hadn't actually corrected me on that. But the again, I had only used it a few times since I learned it. It was Itachi who had corrected me when he heard me refer to it as such. He had then gone on to wonder how on earth I had learned the damn jutsu without knowing what it really did. I blame it on luck.

“Shunpo is similar to the Shunshin no Jutsu, but is mainly used for close-up battle scenarios.”

My shoulders tensed slightly. “What do you mean?”

Itachi cocked his head at me. “The Shunshin no Jutsu is slower, and usually requires some sort of shielding so the user can move quickly.” Now that I understood. The Shunshin no Jutsu usually used some sort of smoke, sand, water, to shield the user's movements. “It also doesn't require as much chakra.”

I nodded and leaned back against the railing.

“Shunpo does not require shielding, the user moves quickly enough so that it is not needed. It doesn't require a lot of chakra, but it requires massive chakra control.” Itachi paused. “It's also a kinjutsu.”

“Not learning it then.” I drawled.

Itachi whipped his head at me and gave me a soundless glare. “…”

“Well it's a kinjutsu for a reason, right? So then I shouldn't learn it.” I paused. “It's like that with the Kage Bunshin too, right? It's a kinjutsu because the user retains the memories the clones had gone through when it dispels.” `Even the battle wounds and psychological damage,' I added mentally.

“It's a kinjutsu because the last person who used it put a ban on it.” Itachi said quietly. “He's the one who created it and he refused to let others to learn it.” I focused my gaze on Itachi. Who had it been? “Who created it?”

Itachi abruptly turned away. “Watch carefully.”

My hand twitched. “I said—!”

There was a gust of wind and Itachi suddenly went from being beside me to being on top of the cabin. I stared up at him with my eyes wide. Holy fuck! No warning, no disguise, no nothing. I hadn't seen him move at all.

“This technique can also create illusions if you master it completely.”

Illusions?

I flicked on my sharingan.

“Watch.”

Itachi went from being on the cabin to being on the left railing, and then the right. I stared at the right. He wasn't there. I blinked and glanced towards the sound of his voice, “Over here.”

He was on the left railing. Itachi gave me a bemused smirk, “You saw me on the right, didn't you?” I didn't nod. I hadn't seen him move at all, sharingan or not. “I only stepped to the right momentarily,” Itachi confessed. I stared at him incredulously. What?! “Because of the high speed, the lasting image of my body projected further and ended up showing up at the railing.”

Crap.

And he wanted me to learn how to do that?

“I will not lie to you. It is not an easy technique to learn. Remember, it is not a teleportation technique, you do not appear in another space instantaneously,” he gave me a look and I looked away sheepishly, “You are merely moving to fast for the eye to see.” I rolled my eyes. I still didn't see it as being different than the Shunshin no Jutsu.

“To move, you will need to push chakra bursts to each extremity at the same time.” Each extremity? So to each foot and each hand? I narrowed my eyes. That's not going to be an easy feat. “Like the Shunshin, it does not require a lot of chakra.”

Itachi nodded towards the deck, “Try it.”

I stared at him. Brothers were definitely alike. Wasn't this just like what Sasuke had done while trying to teach me how to travel through trees?

Whatever. I'll give it a try. I turned off my sharingan and closed my eyes. Okay, focus chakra… shoot down each extremity— I opened my eyes. “Uh… what exactly am I aiming for?”

Itachi sighed. “When you use the chakra, you merely need to travel— just like running or walking. Pick a destination.”

Okay… fine.

I closed my eyes again. I'll try to get up on top of the cabin then.

Now! Whipping open my eyes, I instantaneously shot chakra down my arms and legs and shot forwards.

Woah! Weird feeling—

Slam!

I let out a moan, collapsing onto the ground. I had charged straight into the cabin wall. So much for aiming for the top of the cabin. I held my head, grimacing at the new bump I now sported.

Itachi sighed from somewhere behind me. “What did I do wrong?” I demanded, staring at up at him. The sun was behind him, so I couldn't see the expression on his face.

“You didn't time it right.”

O-kay.

“Chakra traveled to your arms faster than it traveled to you legs,” he elaborated. “So it didn't hit your extremities at the same time.” He stressed. I crossed my arms, biting my lip in deep thought. Crappy.

“The chakra burst allows your body to move.” Itachi said softly. “It travels from your center to your limbs, so your entire body can move quickly.”

I stood up again. Fine, I'll try again.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I stared at the railing. `I'll aim for the spot in front of the railing this time.'

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

“Can we take a break…?” I wheedled. Itachi watched me behind hooded eyes. It had been three days, and the ship was currently docked at Nagi Island, in the land of the Tea. Gunter had explained that we were stopping for supplies. The green-head obviously still doesn't like me, and made a great effort to ignore me, despite the weeks we've already spent together as a group. I distinctly remembered that he had refused to watch me while I had been sick.

However, his attitude had changed slightly after learning that I had been sick by his hecca's doing. But that still didn't stop him from disliking me. He showed respect, but still picked on me whenever he had the chance to. I could only hope that the relationship wouldn't reflect in any conflicts we were going to be expecting.

“One more time.”

I moaned. “Fine.”

Struggling to my feet, I once again concentrated and in one big flush, shoved chakra to all my limbs. I felt myself zip across the deck and I stumbled suddenly skidding across the last few meters of my destination. I blinked. Woah. That had felt different from all the other times I had done it.

“Did you feel it?”

I looked to my left, where Itachi stood quietly, watching. “What was that?” I asked suspiciously.

“That was you executing your chakra to all limbs perfectly.”

Oh. So that little tingly feeling I got as I moved across the deck was what told me that I had done it perfectly? Sweet. “Oh goodie!” I said. “Does that mean I can stop now?”

“You've completed the first step.”

Frozen in the motion of reaching for a water bottle, I stared at Itachi. “First… step?” I repeated weakly. “Yes,” he replied. “The second step… gets more complicated.” I stared at him in horror. No! No more! I've learnt that Itachi is nothing like Sasuke while training someone. He's like… a slave-driver times ten! Endlessly practicing… I've already forgotten how many hours I've trained. It was all just a repetitive cycle; train, eat, sleep.

Kuro had been training too. I'm not sure what kind of training but I think it had to do with strength and agility. Itachi had been doing that while I had been practicing. When Kuro wasn't training, he was watching me.

“The second step is to administer the right amount of chakra.”

“What do you mean?” I asked tiredly.

“Every person has different amounts of chakra coils, meaning that everyone has a different peak point in their chakra. The second task is for you to identify that point— it is at that point that you will move the fastest in Shunpo.”

Oh. I get it. Use the right amount of chakra to travel the fastest my physical body can go. Got it.

“Continue.”

I gaped at him. “Please can I have a break?” I asked.

“No—” Itachi broke off, his dark eyes scanning the deck. “Fine,” He vanished. I wiped the lines of sweat running down the side of my temple away. I didn't even body trying to see where he went nowadays. I don't think I'll ever be able to match his speed in Shunpo.

It was then that I saw Genma walking towards the back of the boat from the other side. Oh… so that was why Itachi called for a break.

Half of me was glad that the boat was a decent size. There were two large decks (one up front and one in the back), we usually trained on the one out back, since less people tended to gather there. And seeing as I was learning a kinjutsu, obviously we didn't want people finding out, yes? So Itachi tended to keep track of where everyone was and stopped me whenever someone came near. Kuro helped too. I suppose it could be considered as a type of training for his tracking skills.

“Yama-san.” Genma greeted me. I managed a small nod.

“It's been a busy three days.” I commented. Genma watched me quietly and then waved for me to follow him closer to the railing. Confused, I did.

“Kotetsu and I decided it could reveal what the message was about.” He said finally. I brightened. They had been keeping it a secret, worried that it would affect our performance on the mission. Had they changed their minds?

“The Sandaime decided it would be safe for us to know, since we are out of the country.” Genma started slowly. I could feel that same feeling dread creeping up my chest again. “There's been some… complications in the Chuunin exams.” Genma rubbed the side of his neck. “There have been a few attacks since the second test has started and ended.”

“Who?” I asked quietly. There were two possibilities at the moment; Akatsuki or the Sound. I was praying that Akatsuki had attacked. Orochimaru would only attack for two reasons. One, to annihilate Konoha and two; to get a body container. Akatsuki would only attack for two reasons. One, me (seeing as they tried before) and two; the Kyuubi.

I felt myself go pale. Naruto. Okay, maybe I don't hope that Akatsuki attacked. Maybe with luck it was someone else besides the two possibilities.

Genma was watching me carefully. “Who did you just envision had attacked?” he asked curiously. I waved it off, “Just tell me who already.” I said wearily.

“Sound Ninja.”

I fucking knew it. Maybe I should've asked Itachi to behead Orochimaru way back in Amegakure.

“So there's nothing else? Nothing happened?” I pressed. Genma gave me a strange look, “Besides reports of the ex-sannin Orochimaru being spotted in the Forest of Death and one of our Tonkebetsu Jounins getting killed? No.” Genma's voice was bitter. I winced.

“Sorry.” I apologized, “I just thought… that something else...” I trailed off. No point in bring up the point that something worse could happen. As if the Sound attacking and one of the Jounins being killed wasn't bad enough already, “Who was it?” I asked softly.

“Yamashiro Aoba,” Genma said quietly. “He's the one you met the other day. He was found dead yesterday morning. Killed by what seemed like were wind blades.”

He was the one with the shades and short maple-brown hair. Wind blades… He wasn't supposed to die. Hayate was supposed to die. What else had fucking changed?

“…”

Not knowing what else to say, I turned to stare out onto Nagi Island. “On another note,” Genma started after a moment of silence, “We also received somewhat of a treat from our resident sharingan user.” I felt myself starting to feel hopeful. Kakashi?

I have to admit it, I missed him. I had figured I'd only be gone a week but it turns out this was going to be way longer than a week. I didn't know when I would see him next.

So had Kakashi sent something?

Genma let out a whistle and I shielded my eyes when something came flying out from the open cabin door.

It landed on Genma's outstretched arm. That's when I noticed that Genma was wearing a thick leather arm guard.

It was a hawk.

“Is that—?” I started. Genma nodded. “A trained red-tailed hawk. The Hatake clan used to train birds of prey for messenger or hunting purposes.” He continued quietly, “I believe this was one Kakashi had trained when he was in his early teens.” The hawk let out a bird call and its yellow eyes trained on me.

“It may recognize you,”

I glanced back at Genma and frowned. “What do you mean?”

“These hawks are trained to stay nearby their trainers at all times. Seeing as you spend a lot of time with Kakashi, I wouldn't be surprised if this one recognized you.” Genma then reached into his pocket and pulled out a scroll, “He delivered this.” Taking it from Genma, I took a step back and untied the strings, letting it unroll.

Yama,

I suppose that by the time you've received this you're out of the country by now. I've heard from the Sandaime. Gone for nearly a month? How will I even think about living without your presence?

I glanced up Genma, rolling my eyes, “He's an idiot.” I said blandly. Genma only laughed as I lowered my eyes to continue reading.

—You called me an idiot, didn't you? Anyway, that matter aside, it looks like your little brother is doing quite well in the exams for the time being. Naruto and Sakura are as well. Sakura did well in the third test's preliminaries but didn't make it through. Sasuke and Naruto did. Hopefully you'll get back in time to see them. Sasuke is being more moody than usual.

I snorted. Well that wasn't new. Did this mean that Orochimaru hadn't met Sasuke in the Forest of death?

Perhaps you will talk to him when you get back. I have a feel that his moodiness has something to do with the fact he has yet to be able to control his sharingan very well. He hasn't used it in the exams yet.

I jerked in surprise. Sasuke? Not using his sharingan? Why? I bit my lip. But wait, was this why Orochimaru had yet to attack Team 7? Orochimaru wanted a vessel with the sharingan. If Sasuke showed now signs of having it… I brightened. Then the damn snake wouldn't go after him!

Oh, by the way, the hawk's name is Taka-chin. He already knows who you are. You can use him to deliver messages back to me—he knows the way back.

Perhaps it is better that you are not in the village at this time as well. Stay safe and come back unharmed.

Hatake Kakashi.

P.S.: No need to feel all embarrassed about others reading this, Genma probably already read this.

I whipped my head up to glare at Genma. He gazed back at me innocently. “You read it, didn't you?”

He offered a shrug and started to walk away as the hawk took off and settled one of the flag poles.

“You did! How rude!” I rolled up the scroll again and studied it carefully. I wasn't expecting any I-miss-you's or any kind of affection. That just wasn't Kakashi's style. His joking manner at the beginning and his `stay safe' at the end already let me know that he missed me.

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

Lounging on the dock a few hours later, I sighed and chewed thoughtfully on the back end of the calligraphy brush and stared up at the clouds. I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to write to Kakashi. Taka-chin was perched on one of the wooden stumps nearby and watching me.

“I don't suppose you'll give me any ideas, will you?” I asked. He answered with a flick of his wing. Nope, I thought not. “How about you, Kuro?” The dog was sunbathing behind me. A whine answered me and I rolled my eyes. “Lazy mutt.”

So far all I had down was a few questions inquiring about Sasuke (specifically—I knew Kakashi would tell me if something like getting a cursed seal would've happened), and a couple of accounts as to what was going on, on our side (not mission details, but general travel details). I had also scribbled down a version of my `i-miss-you,' which consisted of telling him not get himself killed before I got back because that would I mean I had to go find another Jounin-companion. I figured that would keep him on his toes.

“Well, whatever, I think that's enough for now.” I said finally, rolling up the page and twisting a quick ribbon around it. “Oi, Taka-chin. I motioned and the hawk hopped closer. Flipping open the small bag that was attached to the hawk's leg, I slid the scroll in and snapped it shut. “There ya go. Bring that back to your master for me, all right?”

He let out another couple of calls, poked me hand as a response and took off. I watched as he started to fly back northwest.

“Yama!” I turned around to see Souzu coming up the walk, with Gunter behind him. I also saw two hooded figures behind then and my eyes narrowed suspiciously. Souzu noticed my look. “It's okay, they're coming with us. I'll introduce you once they get settled.”

O-kay.

“We're all stocked and ready to set sail now, Souzu-sama.” One of the navigators called from the ship. I gave Kuro and nudge and meandered back up the ramp, the dog at my heels. He hadn't growled at the two newcomers, so I'm going to assume they had no ill intent. Kuro had been training with Itachi on developing the senses for sensing ill intent from shinobi as well as his strength training.

I turned left as soon as I made it up and started to head towards the back of the ship. I suppose Itachi wanted us to continuing training now. I tenses when I felt one of the newcomers brush my shoulder slightly. My gaze moved but my head didn't and I watched as they entered one of the cabins almost immediately.

If I hadn't watched, I wouldn't have noticed it, but the smaller figure had paused slightly before going in. Who were they?

Someone cleared their throat. I jerked away as the door slammed shut and saw Itachi waiting silently for me. “I'm coming!” I called, glancing back momentarily at the door before heading towards my irate brother.

“Remember,” Itachi pointed out. “The second step.” I rolled my eyes, yeah, yeah. The second step; figuring out the right amount of chakra to move the fastest my body can move. “I know.” I replied.

I glanced towards the cabins. Genma had asked the ship's captain how long it would take to reach their destination. The captain had answers that their next stop wasn't their final stop—it was another port to restock supplies—Degarashi Port in the Tea Country. It was about a four days trip.

I now understood why we traveled by ship instead of land to the end of the Tea Country and then take a ship across to the island we were head to. We had no encounters with enemy mercenaries since we'd left land.

Perhaps they'd given up after all?

Oh how wrong I was, to think that.

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

It wasn't until we were about two days sail into the ocean that the first attack happened.

Like usual, I was training at the back of the ship. I waited patiently for Itachi to give me the signal to go as I prepared my body. At Itachi's brief nod, I instantaneously shot towards my destination. The goal was to get there before Itachi managed to catch me.

I felt it again, the weird tingling feeling as I moved left and forwards.

Within seconds, I was just starting to give the flagpole a tap when I yelped as something nicked the side of my arm. I whirled around and instantly went into a defensive stance. My gaze wandered over towards the right of me, where a kunai was stuck in the wooden floor.

Itachi was staring at me dispassionately. “What was that?” I demanded.

“You are not moving fast enough,” he replied. “I still managed to nick you.” I grimaced and check the side of my forearm. Sure enough, there was a paper thin cut in my skin. Grumbling I went over to retrieve the kunai and stood up again. “Well it's not like this is as easy as it was for you!” I retorted.

“But it seems like you managed to get a good grasp on what levels of chakra you need to use.” Itachi commented. I perked up. Really? Huh, but I seemed to be nowhere near as fast as Itachi was.

He must've known what I was thinking. “Remember that I said that chakra levels differ from everybody. It also differs according to physical ability. If you wish to become faster at the shunpo you will need to train your physical agility as well.”

Oh. Well at least that I can do.

That's when the first explosion went off. The deck shook wildly, the waters around the boat churning as well. I flailed my arms, falling against the railing. Itachi frowned, his sharingan already on. “What was that?” I gasped when the trembling finally stopped.

I saw Genma, Kotetsu and Izumo exit the right cabin.

“What was that?” Izumo demanded. Seiran and Gunter followed, coming out of the center cabin with Souzu only standing in the doorway.

“An exploding note,” Itachi guessed, “In the water close to us.”

“There!” one of the ship's crew members was pointing towards the east. A smaller ship was there, too far for us to identify. As it sailed closer, another explosion went off behind us. I went pitching forwards; Kuro skidding across the deck beside me.

Something whistled passed my cheek and I turned my gaze in its direction.

An arrow.

They were firing arrows now?!

“Souzu-sama! Stay inside!”

I heard the prince retort, “I can fight! I am trained as a ninja as well!”

Genma managed to shake his head, “You're a Genjutsu specialist aren't you? You're better off staying inside and letting us handle this.” Souzu made a sound of protest but Gunter shoved him into the cabin and followed himself, shutting the door.

“Kotetsu! You stay inside the cabin and help protect Souzu as well.” Genma snapped, “Izumo, formation!”

There were two identical affirmatives as Genma addressed Itachi and I. “Itachi-san, we'll need your eyes in case they decide to throw some sort of shielding. Yama, try and see if Kuro can do some tracking for us in case they get on the ship.”

I nodded.

That's when something whistled through the air and we all glanced up in time to see something flying straight for us.

“It's a transport hull!” Genma shouted, “Get down!”

A transport hull? What the heck was that?

My question was answered next when the round ball burst open and three ninjas came out of it. Stupid, because now they were in clear view of us. But that was when one of them threw a ball in front, which burst into smoke.

A smoke bomb!

I tensed, backing up when the cloud of smoke settled on the deck.

“Kuro!” I hissed. I heard an answering growl right beside me. Good, he hadn't been picked off yet. “Locations?” I whispered. There was another growl, followed by a couple of whiffing noises. Kuro and I had a system set up now. One growl mean in front, two meant behind. A whine meant right and two whines mean left. If he didn't answer, it meant the attack would come from above.

A loud bark would mean he didn't know where they were.

My hand inched towards my leg pouch and I pulled out a kunai, gripping it in my left hand. The sharingan would be useless here, despite Genma's warning that the sharingan may be needed. If you can't see, you can't see. Perhaps that is why the Hokage had decided that Tsume would train me. Dogs were very useful.

Two whines.

Left!

Time to use that wonderful shunpo I had been training for the past five days. Since there was smoke coverage, I wasn't worried about any others seeing me use the kinjutsu. I whirled and shot backwards, feeling a whirl of smoke that told me someone had just whistled passed me. There was a sound of confusion in front of me and I threw my kunai straight. A strangled choke of pain told me I had hit my target.

There was a growl beside me. Surprise, I glanced down to see Kuro still following me. Had he managed to follow my shunpo? How? Well whatever, no time for that. I was sure I hadn't hit a vital spot, so my attacker wasn't dead yet. But he had been injured. That just makes it so much easier for Kuro to find him.

I nodded at the black dog and he leapt forwards, me following him.

There was a scream and a dull thud and I saw the black form on the ground as I got closer. Kuro had tackled the man and tore in his right arm. I acted quickly, using shunpo to speed-run to his back and I brought my arm down in one swift strike. He was knocked unconscious.

One down.

Kuro yelped a warning bark and all I had time to do was look up and see several kunai heading straight for me. Oh crap—!

“Koori no Tate!” (Shield of Ice)

Startled when water seemed to jump from nowhere and form a hardened shield in front of me, I heard the kunai clash into the ice, falling harmlessly to the ground. I whirled around in time to see one of the mysterious newcomers step closer to me.

Even though they had been with us for two days, they had yet to show their fact to me.

“It's been a long time, Kunoichi-san.”

I frowned. I knew that voice.

A larger figure stepped behind him and my eyes widened at the oversized broad sword this new figure swung around to set in front of him. Wasn't that—?

The cloak was shucked off and I was left to stare at an all too familiar visage.

“Now then, I suppose it's time for our debut, yes?” Sharp teeth showed themselves to me. “Haku, you stay on the ship, I'll take care of the other ship.” Zabuza jumped and disappeared into the smoke. Seconds later, I heard a loud boom that shook our own ship as well. This was followed by screams and cries.

Haku…

Wait… Haku?!

I gaped at the small figure that now stood no more than three feet from me. The hood was dropped to reveal the smiling shinobi. He was about my height, maybe a little taller. More than he was when we had met so many months ago anyway. He had thrown away the mask, and his eyes were no longer sad, but the fact did not change.

Haku was still standing in front of me, smiling as if he hadn't tried to kill me all those months ago.

To be continued…

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

To my reviewers: Thank you for all or your support throughout this past year and still sticking with me (ff dot net):

Spellcasterz, himitsuri, starStruck272, Rice-Ball247, Ishiko Kitsune, YamiKitsuneKami, Outlaw-Lanaya, gaaraluver32294, Little Fox Kit, Anime-Kunoichi, AznPuffyHair, ANBUluuver91, Shinobi Alchemist, wolfXchica19, saki-kun, Kylria, tlpg92, tuxisgirl, Tamuril Telrunye, EternityZ, TogetherAtLast, Chuni Luni, KiTurner, Darkmoon9192, MistressofMacabre, Khaori-san, Wandering Hitokiri, Failing-Emotions, iiceanger3.o, SwitchinGemini, Hermit33, misammi, WhiteDragonShiro, Eryn Goddess of Chaos, cloudydreams4, aderine no miko, Vangelus, neko kitty, archandis, snowcakes, Readerfreak10, iChimp.

To anyone who I had missed, gomen and thank you all! And a big welcome to a bunch of new readers/reviewers I have gotten - thank you for your encouragement!

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

XoXSilverDragonXoX

Completed August 27, 2008