Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Pieces of Our Past ❯ Chapter 6: Lizo ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

(A/N) Paralleltodarkness here - Crystalazer wrote this chapter.

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form. We do however, own all original characters and transcriptions in this story.

Chapter 6: Lizo

“Genjutsu?” Suoh looked around and shook his head, smiling knowingly. “No, dear escorts, we are merely off-course.” He pulled out a map and a compass from the rope tied around his waist like a belt.

As everyone gathered around, he pointed to a red dotted line that tied one area of land to another. “This is the path we should be taking; from Rain,” he pointed to a small island, “to Leaf.” he pointed to a section of the mainland,

“But currently, we are here.“ his finger moved to another position on the map farther northeast. “So you see, it is a simple navigational error. I've been charting where our boat has been going for the last several hours and because we are further northeast of where our course is supposed to take us, the sun rises earlier and therefore, the mist disappears earlier. Does this make sense?”

Hirana and Zaki nodded.

“I don't get it.” Said Lizo bluntly and was immediately whacked on the head by Amaya.

“Lizo, you really are a moron. Okay, basically, we're off-course and need to get back on-course. Even an academy student would understand that.” She sighed exasperatedly and scowled at her teammate. Honestly, how did she get into the same group as him anyway? They were obviously on different levels of understanding.

“So how are we supposed to get back on-course, Suoh-san?” asked Hirana, and Suoh pointed to another spot on the map.

“According to my calculations, there will be a wind coming from the direction we're currently going in later in the day. It should be enough to put us back on course.” Suoh folded the map and put it away.

“You know a lot about this kind of stuff, Suoh-sama.” Commented Zaki and Suoh turned in his direction.

“I'm a mapmaker and meteorologist, I am professioned in this field,” he explained, and tapped his forehead protector. “When I graduated from S—“ he yawned, “--from Sand, I was the one charting the best courses for our team to follow and planning every step. It was a hobby of mine and I turned it into my job.”

“So—“ Zaki began, but Amaya interrupted him.

“So Suoh-sama, when will this wind come and blow us back on course?” she asked, and Suoh shrugged.

“Maybe a few hours…four at the most.”

Amaya gave a groan of frustration. “So what are we supposed to do while we wait?”

“Get down!” shouted Lizo suddenly, and everybody stared at him.

“What are you talking about?” asked Amaya, clearly annoyed, but Zaki glanced behind him.

“He means to duck, and for once, Lizo's right!” he replied hastily as blasts of something incredibly hot and not at all friendly barely grazed the top of his head with a sharp buzzing sound.

“It's an attack!” shrieked Amaya as all five passengers flung themselves on the floor of the boat.

Lizo rolled his eyes as he shielded his head with his arms. Girls, he thought, they always have to state the obvious.

The kage stood at the edge of the pier, watching, with his inner sight, the boat bearing the five passengers sailing beyond the horizon. Something was not right.

“Phase one is complete,” said the commander, as three cloaked figured bowed to him. “You have your orders, Elite Team Eleven.” He nodded his head at each in turn. “Now go, and bring him back!” Straightening up curtly, all three disappeared.

“What do you mean, `right for once?” shouted Lizo as the dull buzzing became a deafening roar. The other four didn't answer, being too preoccupied with trying not to get hit by whatever it was that was raining down on them. Swearing under his breath, he chanced to raise his head, and quickly analyzed the situation. “Goukakyuu-no-Jutsu!” he yelled as another stream of fire came at them.

“Where is it coming from?” asked Hirana as the fire missed his right shoulder and splashed into the surrounding water with a loud hiss.

“From all directions, it would seem!” replied Lizo, as six streams of burning fire soared overhead. There was nowhere to run

“Well done, Zoutskuai. If luck holds, we will be able to capture the target once the vessel sinks.” The sole female member of Team Eleven smiled thinly as the three Chuunin watched the small boat bearing the four Rains and lone Sand rock back and forth against the suddenly choppy waters.

Zoutskuai, the one performing the jutsu, chuckled darkly as he prepared another flamethrower. “Yes, Anrui, our sensei will be pleased indeed. We will finally be able to unravel the secrets of which have been hidden from us for eleven years.” He turned to his brother, who remained silent. “Kyozou, lazy ass, get your gigantic elephant butt up and help us!”

Kyozou lumbered up reluctantly. “Doesn't look like you need any help,” he said in his slow, tenor voice.

“Really, Kyozou, I don't know how you graduated, good for nothing idiot.” Muttered Zoutskuai as he sighed and turned forward. “Why do I have to tell you how to do everything?”

You are older than Kyozou; therefore, that is why we have given you the title of Zoutskuai: Elephant Tamer. Kyozou is your brethren and it is your job as the tamer to control and steer the Elephant in the right direction.

The words of Zoutskuai and Kyozou's father came back to him. He rolled his eyes; their parents were old fools, always wanting to do the right thing and be peaceful. Under the supervision of his new sensei, he had learned of raw power and of how to obtain and use it. It was also how he had met his second comrade: Anrui.

She was often silent and acknowledged no one, suiting Zoutskuai well enough. For someone so thin and pallid, Anrui had hidden inside of her immense power. She could move as a shadow, soundless and unnoticed. This ability gave her the name of “Silent Tears.” It was odd how—

“Damnit!” muttered Zoutskuai. His mind had wandered for a moment, resulting in a temporary cease-fire. This wasn't good, the target and his friends would take the time to build up their defenses and possibly spot their opponents. Angered, he concentrated his chakra again in preparation for the Firewall technique. “Dispel the Genjutsu, Anrui!” he commanded sharply.

“What happened?” Amaya sat up. “Is the fire gone?”

Suoh looked up and his eyes widened slightly. “I think there's something worse.” He said, and everybody turned. There was a solid wall of fire coming towards them at an alarming pace.

Hirana stood up and prepared the hand seal to counter the fire, but the first word died on his lips.

“Suiton Suijinheki!” Suoh, Lizo, and Amaya stared in wonder as their blond-haired companion rushed past Hirana, summoning a giant barrier of water to battle the flames, pushing them back the way they came. The barrier held up for a moment after the flames all disappeared before Zaki lowered his arms. He turned his head, smiled guiltily at the other four awestruck passengers, and fell forwards, the last of his energy leaving him.

Lizo yawned. Maybe insisting that he was ready to go on S-rank missions at any time was too much. He would have liked spending more time with his students and enjoying the mischief they got themselves into. Actually, the nineteen-year-old would have been with his team, if it were not for the fact that he was called in late last night at the last possible moment. He glanced sideways at Amaya, who was standing beside him. She looked almost to be asleep on her feet. Atleast she had gotten the memo earlier.

On a regular Saturday, Lizo would have been obliged to sleep in until noon, but this was in no way a regular Saturday. For one thing, it was six o' clock in the morning and about half of the Jounin were assembled at the steps of the Kage monument.

“What are you doing here?” Amaya had just noticed him.

“Took you long enough,” Lizo replied and grinned at her, “I got called in last night and was rudely awakened by Hirana-sama pounding on my door at one o' clock at night. But don't worry; you'll always be the most annoying wake-up call to me.” Amaya smacked him on the back of the head with a resounding crack!

Only slightly fazed, Lizo rubbed the back of his head and continued as if nothing had happened. “He told me that more Jounin were needed for this mission than previously thought and that my `skills' might be needed in the field.” He stopped as the Kage, now with more white hair, but otherwise looking the same as he did seven years ago, came out and began to speak.

“This mission is of great importance, Jounin of Hidden Rain Village! I have called you here this morning because you are our best and we need you. In four day's time, the Jounin of Leaf, Sand, and Rain will meet against the forces of our long-time enemy. Since the events that took place seven years ago,” the Kage paused and tilted his face in Lizo and Amaya's direction,

“We have been hearing accounts of Rain's nemesis gaining power and corrupting the countryside of which this power spreads. Your mission is to travel as swiftly as you can to Leaf Country and to take down any enemy Shinobi you should meet without question. They shall only detain you from your path.”

“You will now be sorted into groups of three and numbered. These groups are based on whom your teams were when you graduated from the Academy. After you receive your groups, you will move out in the order of which you were numbered. I will call them out now.”

Lizo grinned, “Just like old time's sake, eh, Amaya?”

Amaya didn't return his glee and enthusiasm. “No Lizo, not like old times…he…he's not here.”

(End Chapter 6)

(A/N) Please read and review! Flames will be doused and Flamers will be torched.