Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon's of Konoha ❯ Mamoru's cursing ( Chapter 15 )

As the small entourage wandered on the fresh ocean air greeted the group. The breeze cooled the travelers nicely as they made their way to the waters edge. Hinata took a deep breathe and felt herself being refreshed, as if there wasn't a battle found ten miles ago. The sound of the waves and water crashing was creating music to Hinata's ears. The wind blowing gently into her short hair, sounded like music and Hinata truly felt relaxed. Considering they were on a mission was quite a feat.

 

`Water. Perfect. And salt water at that this will truly be perfect.' Tani said taking in a deep breathe following Hinata's actions. It had been a while since the demon had been around salt water. Konoha had a lot of trees, and lakes but nothing rejuvenated you like the ocean.

 

`Perfect for what' though Hinata as she asked her demon, while being slightly scared at what her demon was in love with now. When ever Tani fell in love with something new Hinata was always in for an experience. It had varied from flower arrangements to cooking classes then from learning the piano to taking dance lessons. All of which Hinata gained useful knowledge of, just wasn't something she was originally interested in.

 

`Tell me Hinata, how do you feel the closer we get to the water?' Tani asked off-hand as if she was just asking about the weather. She could tell her vessels awareness at her comments made about salt water.

 

`If this is just your way to ask for thanks for making me feel refreshed and full of energy again, thank you.' Hinata said while wondering why Tani was hinting at thanks. Last time something like that happened Hinata was in a world of pain as new training methods were used. Not that Hinata didn't get stronger from them, no far from it, she just didn't like being the sadistic pleasure Tani got in training her.

 

Waiting for Tani's evil laugh that always showed her sadistic side Hinata was shocked when Tani said instead “that's not me. I'm not doing anything. Now tell me exactly how you feel. And stop being so untrusting of me geez, it's not like I am going to kill you.'

 

`With you training techniques I sometimes wonder if you are trying to kill me. Besides you are inside of me, it's not like you can't tell.' Hinata thought unable to keep her thoughts from reaching the demon.

 

`What was that?' Tani asked cracking her knuckles menacingly. “Now humor me and give me specifics. I need to see if my hunch is correct. Later we will deal with you comments.”

 

`Nothing, nothing Tani' Hinata thought. `Fine, I will humor you. Every step closer we take to the water I feel as if my energy and even my chakra are restored. It is almost like I can feel the water floating through my veins. I feel as if there is something out there waiting for me to guide it. It sounds as if the ocean is singing, as if something is trying to lure us into something. Almost like the Sirens did in that book `The Odyssey' you made me read. What ever is making that sound it feels like it wants to pull me towards it?' Hinata answered `does that help?'

 

`OH HO HO HO HO THIS IS PERFECT' Tani said. `You are a true Water Master.'

 

Visually cringing at the shivers that went up Hinata's spine she knew she was in trouble at hearing that laugh. She looked up and met the eyes of most of her travel partners and shook her hair silently showing she was alright. `So that wasn't you doing then? I thought you said I could become a water master since you were sealed inside of me.' Hinata thought still cringing on the inside at hearing that laugh. Tani had just come up with new ways to torture, mean train Hinata.

 

`Let me explain' Tani said. `I basically wasn't doing a thing. When I said you could be an `artificial' Water Master it was because I was sealed inside of you. That means that as long as you had my help and chakra you could control the very water in the air. If, and when, I die then you would no longer have the control over water as you once did. Instead you would have to rely on jutsu's again.

 

With the way you described the water to me it is calling you without my aid. That means you are a true Water Master and as such you are in luck. I am the last of the Water Masters in the realms so I can teach you everything I know. This will be so great, OH HO HO HO.' Tani laughed bringing her right hand next to her mouth as she bellowed out her laugh. Hinata seriously wondered if there was anything scarier than that laugh. `Alright because of this messed up seal, I need information. Ask you sensei if he knows any water jutsu's.' Tani asked `Although I could always do it for you.'

 

`I will do it' Hinata answered before taking a deep breath and mentally reminding herself to stutter. “K-Kakashi-sensei, d-do y-you k-know a-any w-water j-jutsu's?” Hinata asked thankful that she remembered to stutter every word.

 

“Out of all the jutsu's I know, I only know about ten of them Hinata. Water really isn't my affinity, so I didn't learn a lot of them. Why do you ask Hinata?” Kakashi asked looking at the teen as she stared at the ground. He knew if Hinata asked a question it was for a reason. He just hated that stutter with a passion, but knew the reason for it.

 

“N-no r-reason, t-thanks K-Kakashi-sensei” Hinata answered as she watched Kakashi turn back around and raise his hand as if in a no-problem answer. She knew that she was going to have to ask to learn them later and then Kakashi would have his answers.

 

“ONLY TEN!!!!!” Tani screamed in outrage. “THE MAN IS A WALKING JUTSU LIBRARY AND HE ONLY KNOWS TEN!!!” Taking deep breathes to calm herself down she continued on “Fine then, Hinata watch out for any water jutsu out there. The minute you see one memorize it completely. We have to start from scratch since this seal is messed up.” Tani continued to pace in her garden until she looked up at the scenery again. “What a pitiful excuse for a boat. That's it I am off to plan your new training regiment. Oh and don't answer the call of the water yet. You are not ready, but in a while you will be.”

 

Hinata sighed as she felt Tani leave her consciousness and disappear behind her seal. No matter what it was Hinata knew she was in for a world of pain. Looking up though she did see the boat and could only agree with Tani it was pitiful. At least it was pitifully small. The small wooden fishing boat looked like it could hold three comfortably and that included the man standing at the motor of the boat. There were oars in the boat and a fishing pole which Hinata knew it was a personal fishing boat.

 

“Tazuna glad to see you are still alive” The man driving the boat said. Everything the man wore was grey, and checking out the mist Hinata could tell why. Everything was grey and was the perfect camouflage to hide in.

 

“That's for picking us up Mahito. How are the wife and kids?” Tazuna asked glad to see his friend had made it alright also. Secretly he was wondering because of the dangers awaiting him.

 

“Good for now. If it wasn't for the food you paid us with we would be hurting more. If you don't mind Tazuna, we really should get going. It's going to be dark soon and I want to get home.” Mahito explained as he motioned towards the boat.

 

“You are right, everyone on we need to get going” Tazuna said as he stepped onto the boat “I would like to get home before dark also.”

 

“You heard the man everyone on” Kakashi said as the group made their way onto the boat. It was very cramped for the group as Naruto had help putting Sakura at the front of the boat to lean against should she begin to stir. Naruto and Hinata were sitting on one side with Hinata next to Tazuna and Naruto next to Sakura. On the other side it was Kakashi and Sasuke with Sasuke sitting closest to Sakura, not by choice but because Kakashi took the seat next to Tazuna also.

 

“How far away are we?” Kakashi asked keeping an eye out as if he was attempting to pierce through the mist with his glaze.

 

“We go five miles by water, than another two to my house” Tazuna said. “How long will she be out?” Tazuna said motioning towards Sakura. As if on cue Sakura started to groan and stir as consciousness was regained.

 

“W-what happened? Why does my head hurt?” Sakura asked as she sat up with her hand on her head. “I had the weirdest dream, that we were going on an escort mission and” at this time Sakura looked up and noticed they were on an escort mission and parts of it was reality. “What happened I remember an attack and then what? Why are you all wearing different clothes?” Sakura asked not noticing that her voice was that of a normal girl, albeit a screeching one. It seemed even with her vocal cords fixed, she could still screech with the best of them.

 

“You must have hit your head harder then we thought Sakura” Kakashi said with his eyes closed as if he was showing concern. “You got hit in the head by a fallen branch during the attack and were knocked out. With the Demon Brothers defeated we headed on with the mission, since you were just knocked out and not injured. We have always been wearing this, what on earth are you rambling about Sakura?” Kakashi asked placing his head on Sakura's forehead as if to check for a fever.

 

“I guess you're right I remember the brothers coming out of a puddle and after that nothing. I must have been just imagining things.” Sakura said shaking her head to remove Kakashi's hand from it. “I am fine Sensei. What is left to do just dropping our charge off and then head home?”

 

“You would leave an old man to his death?” Tazuna asked feigning shock. “Food is scarce in our country since the bridge isn't done and the rest is stolen by bandits. My only daughter is seven months pregnant and we don't have a doctor in the village to deliver the baby, and with all the stress she is under she could deliver at anytime. My grandson would cry and bawl and never trust another person or ninja from Konoha again, because you allowed a poor, old man to die.” Tazuna said putting his face in his hands and acted like he was crying.

 

`Damn, he's good' ran through everyone's mind from Konoha.

 

“We wouldn't leave you Tazuna. We will leave when the bridge is completed.” Kakashi said raising his hands up hoping to appease the crying man.

 

“Great then let's go” Tazuna said with a smile on his face and not a trace of tears in sight. Soon things were back to normal with Sakura asking Sasuke if he wanted to personally train with her. And tried to ask him for details about how great he was in the fight.

 

The boat ride was in relative silence other than that but it wasn't long before Hinata felt a buzzing on her neck, behind her hitae-ate. Silently she was thankful for she really wanted to answer the singing in the water. Reaching up under her hitae-ate's cloth as if to scratch her neck Hinata activated the radio communicator that she wore turning it on. Grabbing the ear piece that was hidden with it Hinata quickly secured it in her right ear nearest Tazuna avoiding Sakura noticing. Holding her hand up in front of her ear Hinata moved her hand just enough so that it seemed like she was playing with her hair.

 

“Hinata are you there?” the smooth voice called out softly not to be overheard by Sakura's talking.

 

“I'm here, what's the problem?” Hinata asked while quickly moving her fingers on her left hand in a rapid motion using one-handed sign language.

 

`Itachi is on the communicators, keep Sakura occupied' Hinata signed making sure Naruto and Kakashi at least go the message to keep there pink counterpart occupied.

 

“Where are you headed?” Itachi asked softly again, not wanting to alert the attention of others who might be listening in.

 

“The Land of Waves” Hinata answered. “We are escorting someone and will be gone a few months.”

 

“Do they have a hospital there?” Itachi asked.

 

“Let me find out” Hinata said as she turned to Tazuna. “T-Tazuna-san d-does t-the p-place w-we a-are g-going h-have a h-hospital?”

 

Tazuna looked at interest in the girl and knew she was communicating with someone, but looked to their other companions and noticed they didn't seem worried, although aware. “Yes, it does but without any doctors or medical personal the building just stands empty. They were some of the first people to get killed or kidnapped to help Gato's side. It is roughly three blocks from my house and is located in the middle of the village. It is the only building that is two stories high there. It even has a sign out front that says `Wave Hospital.' You can't miss it.”

 

`Thank you' Hinata mouthed to Tazuna as she watched him nod. Thankfully Tazuna knew to give exact directions to help with the information without it seeming like giving information.

 

“Very well, I shall be there in roughly two hours. Meet me at the hospital there on the second floor. I have a special case for you. I got all the information I could, but Hin I've never seen anything like it. Over and out” Itachi said releasing the communication.

 

“What kind of food does your village grow?” Naruto asked trying to keep talking to cover the silence and read the message Hinata was relaying to them. Plus he was trying to tune out Sakura's repeating on asking Sasuke out. After a while it was really getting on him nerves.

 

“We do have a few lakes and such, but mostly they run into the ocean here. Nothing grows here for long, that's why we are building the bridge to help import more fruit and vegetables. We do get the occasional fish now and again, but it is nothing like it used to be. People are starting to starve.” Tazuna answered watching as they continued to sign amongst themselves. “You will see it when you get there.”

 

“What about schooling and educators? Do you have a ninja academy or anything?” Sasuke asked, completely ignoring the pink girl hanging on him. When she heard him talking though Sakura finally began to take in the others were talking about where they were going.

 

“The teachers in our village were paid to teach our kids, so when the money left us so did they. We haven't had a teacher in over six months. The kids are starting to run amok. Hopefully when this is over the teachers will come back.” Tazuna explained. “The only good thing is the last three months have been off for summer vacation. I know it's off from other places, but here we go with the fishing seasons, so our schooling is different than most.”

 

“Gato you said, as in Gato industries?” Kakashi asked. He knew his students are well versed in the world, but he wasn't sure they knew about Gato.

 

“That's the one” Tazuna said. “On the surface he deals with trades and merchandise, but in the shadows she deals with slave traders, and drug dealers. He has made money by illegal means that legal. Because of him people are starving that shouldn't be. He has taken too much from us, and we can barely support ourselves anymore.”

 

A mile from the village the motor was cut on the boat. “Sorry but I can't safely run the motor this close to the bridge without causing suspicion.” Mahito explained grabbing the two oars. “From here on out we have to row into shore. If we take turns we should be at the docks in about an hour.”

 

“Hey Teme” Naruto said to Sasuke as he grabbed an oar. “Bet you I can row better than you.” An hour was not something they wanted to waste, especially if Itachi was going to be there in two. One thing Naruto didn't want to do was piss off Itachi. If the clone can still kick his ass, he hated to see what the real one would do if they were late.

 

“You're on Dobe” Sasuke said grabbing the other oar and positioning himself on the other side of the boat. “First one to tire out loses.” Sasuke was wondering how to get there faster than an hour and now they had it. With Naruto and Sasuke's fake rivalry in tact, they were going to make it there as soon as possible.

 

“You're on” Naruto said as he latched his oar into place. When Sasuke had his latched on in place also Naruto looked at Sasuke and said “Ready.” When Sasuke smirked Naruto knew he was. “Then let's go” he said as the boys begun to row. As a team the two boys rowed to the island in twenty minutes much to the amazement of Tazuna and Mahito. With in thirty minutes the boat was docked and everyone was already standing on the deck.

 

“Best rowing I've seen in years” Mahito said as the boys stood their panting, both with their arms screaming in pain. Both refused to show it but with the occasional twitch of an eyebrow it could be seen if you knew what to look for. “See you guys around and good luck. If you weren't ninja's I would ask you to join our fishing group.” Mahito said as he waved goodbye on his way home.

 

“Weird guy” Sakura said as they began to walk towards Tazuna's house. It was weird that they were again walking though an area that might qualify as a forest, but being from Konoha, it didn't.

 

“Pinkie, you have no reason to talk” Tazuna said under his breath wishing for his sake again.

 

Looking at the trees Naruto noticed that they were familiar although not something that grew around Konoha. Thinking through his gardening books Naruto smiled as he recognized the trees. “Hey Tazuna how is your maple syrup? I mean it's got to be fresh with all these trees right. That sounds good pancakes with maple syrup. Yummy” Naruto said thinking of the food.

 

“We don't have any maple syrup. What on earth are you talking about?” Tazuna said. “I'm a builder not a plant person.”

 

“O-kay” Naruto said softly not wanting to anger his employer. He knew he was right about those trees and when he caught Hinata's eye she gave a small nod. He just got it confirmed that he was right. They were sitting on a possible gold mine and didn't even know it.

 

“Geez, Naruto you're such an idiot. What do you think you know about stuff anyways? You were the dead last of our class. So leave stuff like this to Sasuke-kun” Sakura said in her new voice, although she was still screeching.

 

`Remember Naruto, you have to act like an idiot. An idiot you can do it.'

 

`Yes, you can be an idiot very well sometimes' Kyuubi said in his mind. `Still don't understand what you see in her anyways.'

 

`Can we discuss this tonight in training? I have to come up with some way to act like an idiot. Come on Naruto you can do it' Naruto though before coming up with an idea. Running to the front of the group Naruto threw a kunai into the bushes on the right side of them. “Nope nothing there I thought I heard something. I know it's over there” Naruto said as he threw another kunai into the bushed under a tree.

 

“Naruto remember kunai are weapons and not toys.” Kakashi said as he watched Naruto grabbing his kunai under the tree. `Although good job coming up with an idiot ploy, it's just too bad you had to use it.' Kakashi thought as he watched his student go for his thrown kunai.

 

`Naruto-baka you can hurt someone like that' Sakura screamed as Naruto pulled out a scared, white rabbit from under the tree. “You could have killed that poor defenseless bunny.” Sakura stalked over to Naruto to hit him in the head completely missing Naruto's look to the others.

 

The look clearly said `we are not alone.' Everyone knew that a rabbit is no longer white in the summer time, but in Sakura's tirade she completely missed this fact, instead was mad at Naruto wasting time. Hearing a whooshing sound Naruto shoved Sakura onto her butt, catching her completely by surprised before diving to the ground also.

 

Hinata pushed Tazuna's back into a tree and stood in front of him with a kunai in hand incase something happened. Sasuke got into a defensive stance with another kunai in front of him. Their hands up holding the kunai in place, and there bodies ready to move at a moments notice.

 

When the whooshing sound stopped a loud hacking sound was made. Looking up to the source of the noise they had seen a giant sword sticking out of the tree, blade in first. Standing on the handle of the sword was a grey ninja. His shoes were a dark grey that met up with grey and black camouflage pants. Around his waist he wore a belt with his pant's tops sticking up over the top. The belt went up his shirt. He was shirtless, except for his belt crossed on his chest. His coloring had a grey tint to it, as if he was dying and never seen the sun light. His arms had camouflage arm guards on it that stopped just above the elbow. His hair was black and sticking up on the side with his hitae-ate on the other, showing he was a missing ninja from the Mist. His mouth was covered by thick bandages

 

“Well, well, well I come to see what stopped the Demon Brothers and find out they were stopped by mere children. So disappointing, looks like I will have to clean up the mess now.” The man in the tree said “this should be fun.”

 

`Everyone remember protect Tazuna that is our goal. I will take care of him” Kakashi said as he raised his hand to his hitea-ate and uncovered his left eye.

 

“Copy-cat Kakashi, the ninja who has copied over a thousand jutsu's, it is an honor to face you.” The man said still standing on the tree.

 

“Momochi Zabuza, former ninja from the Hidden Village of Mist. Also known as the Demon of the Mist for killing off the previous years graduating class and was one of the former Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.” Kakashi said “shall we begin.”

 

Jumping down from the tree and grabbing his zanbato in one smooth motion, Zabuza secured it on his belt in the back. “Yes shall we” Zabuza said before going threw some hand signs.

 

`Hinata pay attention he is from the Mist so he has to know water jutsu's.' Tani said inside of Hinata's mind.

 

`Got it write it down as I go: ram, sheep, boar, tiger' Hinata begin calling back to Tani to write down for practice later. Inside Tani was writing down each sign as Hinata relayed them.

 

Sasuke at this time looked over at his teammate and noticed the veins sticking out on the side of her face. Deciding not to break her concentration, Sasuke figured he would ask her about it later. Soon the area was covered in a thick mist as Zabuza's voice rang out. “Liver, kidneys, heart, lungs tell me which one first?”

 

The killer intent in the fog was suicidal as Zabuza's killer intent was on the very waves themselves. `Bastard thinks this will scare us then he obviously is not a true demon. Pathetic, but we are able to learn water jutsu's from him. Hinata pay attention, look through the mist he is doing something again' Tani said giving commands to her student.

 

Hinata sharpened her glaze and added extra chakra to it, making her able to pierce the thick fog. On the other side she saw Zabuza begin more hand signs. `Here we go Tani, boar, ram, horse' Hinata continued as her demon wrote down the signs for another attack. `I wonder what he's doing' Hinata thought before feeling someone behind them. Turning around and swiping her kunai in the space in between, Hinata eyes widened as she seen Zabuza disappear into a puddle of water. `Water clones' Hinata thought, `Very interesting.'

 

“Good job Hinata” Sasuke said softly so not to alert anyone as they watched their teacher fight the swordsman from the Mist. “To bad we are not suppose to join in, I think this guy would be fun to fight,”

 

“True” Hinata said with a smile “but at least we are learning something with his moves though.”

“Good point” Sasuke said. “Although now it looks like sensei has himself in a bind.” Motioning towards their Jounin instructor trapped into a water ball “do you think we should help?”

 

“Lets” said Hinata thankful she had learned four new jutsu's just watching the two as they fought. The dragon jutsu had even brought a squeal of happiness from Tani as they memorized the attacks.

 

“You're not having fun without me again Teme are you?” Naruto asked as he joined the three looking at their teacher. “Nata help watch Tazuna, while I show Teme here how a real shinobi fights.”

 

“In your dreams Dobe” Sasuke said as he pulled out a handful of kunai. Hinata recognizing the request as it was went to stand next to Sakura guarding Tazuna. In reality Naruto was asking her to protect Tazuna incase something happened and they couldn't stop Tazuna in time. Hinata was the last line of defense. “Remember Dobe, we can't fight to our level of skill only to what Sakura thinks we should be at.”

 

“She better get to our level soon, so basically get our asses kicked while occasionally getting a hit in.” Naruto said softly as if not to make Sakura or Zabuza aware of their plans.

 

“Pretty much” Sasuke answered. “Want to go first or do you want me to?”

 

“I get to go first” Naruto said as he charged Zabuza, bringing his fist back to strike a blow. Before he could even get close to connect though Naruto was kicked in the stomach making his fly twenty feet away. Putting his feet under him and using his left hand, Naruto released chakra into to slow his devastating speed. `A plan that could work that won't give my intelligence away.' Naruto thought. `I got it, and Sasuke knows my chakra by now.'

 

Sasuke went to attack Zabuza using his Tai jutsu's skills and was quickly beaten down, also. His kick was block, and using the momentum he brought his left arm back to ready his fist, flowing into the next stance, as Itachi taught them in the beginning. He was prepared to for almost any attack, except for the elbow to his neck. With Zabuza's force in the blow Sasuke felt his consciousness ebb, before he began fighting it off, as best he could. While he was able to stay awake he wasn't able to block the blow to his chest as he went flying off.

 

Naruto caught Sasuke as he was flying towards the blonde ninja. “Thanks, Dobe” Sasuke said as he grunted in pain. He knew he was going to have a bruise, but could only be thankful Hinata was there to make sure he wasn't going to die.

 

Naruto set Sasuke down on his feet as he handed him a giant shurinken. “Think you can get him with this?” Naruto asked as the two go ready to attack again.

 

“Go for it, it shall fly in a moment” Sasuke said as he stopped and unfolded the giant shurinken. “Good idea Dobe” Sasuke muttered as he watched Naruto's clone go flying again. Unfolding the giant shurinken Sasuke grabbed it and concentrated his chakra. With a burst of speed Sasuke let it fly towards Zabuza.

 

“Is that all” Zabuza said with a gruff laugh. Moving his head and looking to the left, Zabuza smirked as it passed his head. When he brought his head facing front though his eyes widened as another shurinken was flying right at him `it was hidden in the shadow'. Jumping over the shurinken Zabuza wanted to laugh again at the close call but instead screamed “AUGH” as intense pain hit him in the shoulder forcing him to release his hold on Kakashi.

 

Turning around to see what hit him Zabuza saw a kunai sticking him in his shoulder and the orange-clad ninja behind him. “Why you little' Zabuza said bringing his arm back to prepare a hit to the ninja when his kunai his metal with a clank.

 

“Your battle is with me” Kakashi said as he stopped the kunai with the metal plates on the back of his gloves. “Naruto go back to the others and guard Tazuna that is your job. Zabuza and I have some unfinished business.”

 

“Alright Kakashi-sensei” Naruto said as he swam to the shore and joined Sasuke by the girls.

 

“The kids got lucky” Zabuza said to Kakashi as he attempted to dislodge his kunai from the glove.

 

“If it helps you sleep better at night you can say that. But truth is those kids could own you.” Kakashi said “but enough talking shall we continue?”

 

“Yes, lets” Zabuza said as he let go of the kunai and jumped onto the lake behind him. Quickly he began moving through hand signs for an attack with the last of his chakra. `if this fails my backup better get here soon.' Zabuza thought as he watched Kakashi catch up to him until he was performing the same hand signs he was. `How did he catch up so fast, no wait it looks like he passed me? How could he know this attack? Is this the power of the sharingan?' Zabuza thought before releasing his jutsu in an attack. `His dragon is stronger than mine. This is the end for me, I am out of chakra' Zabuza thought as the water dragon crashed down on him.

 

Struggling to stand back up Zabuza was brought back down with a sebon needle to the neck. “Thank you for tiring him out for me, I shall take it from here.” The voiced belonged to a person with long dark brown hair wearing a white mask. On both sides of the mask two separate bunches of hair was tied while the rest was in back. A beige turtleneck was worn under a green kimono and brown shorts were underneath. The kimono covered just enough you couldn't tell for sure if the person was male or female. The voice was muffled making it tough to tell the gender of the person also. A dark brown sash was tied around the person's waist. Their legs were bare and there feet were in wooden sandals.

 

“Who are you?” Sakura yelled as Kakashi slowly made his way to the group.

 

“I am a hunter-nin from the Mist. This ninja is a missing ninja from there and as such is required to be returned there. I thank you for your help. Goodbye.” The person said as they grabbed Zabuza's body and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

 

“Let's go” Kakashi said “Tazuna I will need to lean on you along the way. I over used my chakra.”

 

“Not a problem let's go” Tazuna said. He grabbed Kakashi's arm and threw it over his shoulders. Naruto grabbed Kakashi's other arm and put it over his shoulder also. “We have less than a mile to go.”

 

The trees started to thin out and disappear as they neared the village of Waves. The village itself looked to be towards the right, but they headed to the only house on the left, as if it overlooked the village. Opening the door Tazuna said “Let's get your teacher in this room here” Tazuna said opening another door on the right hand side. Gentle Tazuna and Naruto placed Kakashi on the bed. “Looks like my daughter and grandson isn't here at the moment. Why don't you guys look at the village and come back later?”

 

“Good idea” Sasuke said “it will be good to get a feel of the town that we are suppose to help. Let's split up and meet here in an hour.”

 

“Shouldn't we stick together, at least in pairs?” Sakura asked, hinting she wanted to be paired with Sasuke.

 

“We are going to be here a while Sakura” Sasuke started to say. “We need to get a feel of the people and see what we can change and help. Zabuza is down for now, but won't be forever. We should be alright on our own for a while. If you run into trouble just throw an exploding tag into the sky and we will come running.”

 

“What do you mean he's not down forever?” Sakura asked a little rejected because Sasuke didn't want to spend time with her.

 

“Hunter nin's kill on their target on sight, so other villages will not be able to get any information or secrets from the body. The Hunter Nin who was after Zabuza ran off with his body. Who ever it the person was, they were not a Hunter Nin if anything they were an accomplice. We need to be on the lookout for anything odd or different. Now let's go we should meet here in an hour.” Sasuke explained before walking out the door and headed into town.

 

“Teme's got a point” Naruto said. “See you ladies in an hour” Naruto said as he walked out the door and headed into the village by a different way than Sasuke.

 

“B-bye S-Sakura-san” Hinata said with a small bow. Once Hinata was out of sight of the house and villagers she appeared to disappear into mist as she traveled to the hospital. In her form, Hinata was able to slip under the door of the hospital where she broken the mist and appeared into her normal form.

 

“About time you got here” Sasuke said stepping out of the shadows.

 

“Shut it Teme, she left last” Naruto said picking up Hinata's defense. “Now if we are done talking let's go see what Itachi-sensei wants.” The hospital was dark and the windows were covered as Hinata and the boys found the stair ways up. On the second floor they noticed things were cleaner than they were down stairs as the windows weren't covered as before. Down the hallway there was Itachi standing next to a closed door. Seeing there teacher they headed towards him.

 

“Good you made it” Itachi said as he opened the door. “I have never seen anything like this before. That's why I had to get him to you as soon as possible.”

 

On the table in the room covered by shadows was someone who looked like he had deep orange skin and dark green hair. “We found him like that, in Orochimaru's hideout. He appears to have been experimented on. I grabbed all the information I could find. It's there on the table” Itachi said motioning to the small table next to the larger examination table. “He's been drugged, I know that. From what was used he should be out for roughly three days. I have to go before Leader-sama gets suspicious. I wish I could have stayed and talked. Keep me updated. If you need anything call me on the communicators.” Itachi said before disappearing in a murder of ravens.

 

“So who is he?” Naruto asked walking up towards the body to see if he really was orange, or if it just looked that way from the lack of light.

 

Grabbing the top of the stack Hinata opened it up and saw a picture staring at her of someone they all knew. “It's Mamoru Kusinagi.” Hinata said with shock on her face. Grabbing the information that Itachi provided Hinata quickly sealed it in a scroll and put it in her jacket. Checking Mamoru's vital and agreed with Itachi's assessment. After some encouragement from Sasuke and Naruto to come back tomorrow, Hinata reluctantly left her sleeping patient on the table. The trio left the hospital and made there way back to Tazuna's house, each silently praying for their peer sleeping on the table.