Tada! I've finally started this one! It's a much better REVISED version of my deleted story, The Call Of the Raven. Frankly, it makes so much more sense and such.

This is just the prologue- as there always is, but I think I did a very good job.

Please Review

Commence - Ninja of the Swamp

A small figure flew backwards into a thick tree, back cracking up against it with such force that it echoed throughout the forest.

It slid down the bark tree and landed in a heap on the dirty ground, dark blood staining the bark. From the base of a tree, a wounded, bloody boy wearing a red bandana which kept his shaggy raven and violet hair from his face, clutched his fists. He clutched them so hard that his knuckles were white and his teeth were grit. His brown orbs were flaring in annoyance and anger.

"R- Ryoko. D- don't let him beat you. Kick- kick his ass." The small figure forced itself up to its feet, stumbling slightly, its head bowed so that its face was hidden.

In front of it, stood a tall, scarred, muscular man. He had a malicious smirk upon his face as his black eyes flashed with bloodlust. A slight trickled of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.

"Heh, shut it boy. Once I'm done with her, I'll finish with you." The small form remained still, its hands shaking violently.

"Hey. Don't talk to him like that." Was the cool response, laced with amusement.

The figure, obviously female, raised her head, raven hair and purple bangs shifting to reveal the same brown eyes of the boy against the tree. The loose ends of the red bandana upon her head blew slightly in the small wind, the moonlight. All of these factors melded into one made her look rather intimidating. Especially since her face was bloody, due to a cut lip and a slash under her eye.

She slid a silver kunai from the pouch on her left side and held it in horizontally in front of her face, the smirk remaining.

"No one talks to him like that. No one, hear me?" The Swamp forehead protector wrapped around her forehead, glinted briefly before she ran forwards.

The man prepared himself, soon going wide-eyed when she disappeared and came up behind him.

"Wha'?! How-?!" The kunai sliced through him before he could get another word out and his lifeless body collapsed to the ground.

The girl stood, the bloody kunai dangling limply by her side as she panted heavily. Her eyes drifted to the form of the boy against the tree, his own Swamp forehead protector reflecting the moon.

Compared to herself, he was in horrible condition. His wounds were serious. She tallied them up.

A hard hit to the head, so he's probably got a concussion. The kunai wound to his left side, between his second and third rib. A possibly broken ankle. A diagonal cut along his right cheek. Ryomaru is in serious condition. This mission turned out to be almost LETHAL. Lord Kage will be pleased with our success. However, first things first.

"We should get you out of here." She murmured and the boy called Ryomaru stared at her, his brown eyes seeing double.

Her brow furrowed when he didn't respond.

"Ryomaru?"

"I- I'm fine. I- may be able to walk. Possibly." She released a weak sigh and knelt down in front of him, her legs quivering slightly as she slid her kunai away and then suddenly collapsed down to her knees.

Ryomaru shot up, and then let out a small groan. The girl called Ryoko looked up at him blearily and then gently pressed her right hand to his left shoulder to set him at ease.

"Relax, Ryomaru. If you stress about my condition, you yourself will only worsen."

"Wh- what about- nng!" Her eyes flashed as his face paled and contorted with pain.

Damn it. We need to get medical attention immediately. At this rate, he'll be vulnerable to infection. However- the closest area to receive medical attention would be three days walk from here and I don't have enough chakra to pick up speed as well as carry him.

"I should be fine. At the moment, I happen to be more concerned about your wounds." Ryomaru didn't respond.

His eyes merely moved towards the lifeless body of their enemy.

"Did- did you- kill him?" A tiny, forced smile formed.

"No. Remember? My silver kunai is laced with sedative."

"Oh- right." Her forced smile faded.

He didn't remember. He more than likely has a concussion which is affecting his memory. Best use what chakra I have to ATTEMPT to heal the worst of his wounds. But- the jutsu is only just new. I haven't had much time to practice and test it out. It might not even work. Damn it. Once I get back, I'm definitely going to train more.

"Ry- oko." Her eyes flickered to Ryomaru's pale complexion and she immediately took a deep breath.

"I have a plan. Just- try not to sleep right now. Wait until I have you situated-" His eyes became extremely dull and closed half-way.

Immediately, she grasped him by his shoulders and shook.

"Ryomaru, stay awake!" Her calm demeanor shattered as her concern for her companion grew.

"Hah. I'm not- gonna die, Sis. You have- no faith in me if you- if you think that." His voice was weak and she bit down on her tongue.

"Though- it's nice. You're- you're actually concerned- about me." Ryoko stared, concern flowing through every part of her face as she carefully hoisted her brother onto her back.

His arms wrapped loosely around her neck and she felt his sticky, warm blood beginning to soak her through black clothing.

"Ryomaru- Brother, hang in there. You're going to be okay soon." She shifted his body slightly so that it would be easier to carry and then began to run, jumping tree to tree.

It's going to be close. I just hope I'm fast enough to run from trouble and strong enough to withstand another ambush like that last one. Luckily, the closest place of rest seems to be the place where we need to fulfill our mission.

Her eyes became dull as she picked up speed.

Three days. I hope we can last that long.

--

Her feet met with the branches of the trees, each step becoming quieter as she went. Ryoko allowed herself to glance up at the barely conscious form of her brother, giving her the adrenalin needed to pick up pace.

"Hang in there." She murmured, as she had been doing for the past two days, attempting to keep her sibling conscious.

Her eyes then flickered to face ahead as she felt his arms shift and squeeze her weakly.

"Hmm." A groan escaped his lips and his eyes parted, revealing his dull brown irises.

"R- Ryoko."

"I'm here, Ryomaru. Stay awake for just a little longer." No response and Ryoko glanced back up, seeing that he had closed his eyes again.

Hang in there. Just a little longer and you'll be saved. Just a little further.

Her own eyes closed and temporarily lost herself. She had no sleep for nearly three days. It was catching up with her. Especially since she hadn't stopped moving in that time.

Her eyes immediately snapped open as she lost her balance and tumbled from the tree. She used what strength she had to cling to her brother and land softly on her feet. Ryoko stood still for a brief moment and her eyes fell closed again as her legs, though desperate to buckle beneath the weight on her shoulders, moved again.

That was close. I almost lost myself. My energy is spent and my chakra is almost nonexistent. I doubt I'll last another day like this and with Ryomaru in such condition, he stands less of a chance than I do.

A frown made its way to her face as she tried to keep a steadily fast pace, in the end not getting any further than three feet from her landing space.

"Damn." She dropped to her knees.

"I'm- sorry, Ryo- maru." As her eyes were about to close again, the sound of footsteps could be heard.

Loud footsteps.

Someone. Coming.

Ryomaru's body slid from her slender shoulders and Ryoko attempted to place him down gently. He landed with a quiet 'thud' beside her as her eyes slipped shut as she listened to the sound of footfall. She immediately, even in her weakened state, picked out four sets of feet and her eyes opened half-way to reveal a blurred version of the world around her.

Her eyes shifted to the still body of her brother and a weak smile formed.

"Ryo- maru. You're- going to be okay now. Just- hang in there. Just a little- longer." Her head hung and her body fell forwards, soon being caught in someone's arms.

Brown orbs, however blurry and dull, caught the bright color orange. Whoever had caught her was wearing it for clothing.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Her eyes rose up to the loud voice, but was unable to make out who had come to their rescue.

It doesn't matter. As long as Ryomaru is okay, that's ALL that matters.

Her breathing became laboured and extremely shallow and it was then that she felt herself be lifted. She gripped the orange clothing in her fist, and stared up with blank eyes as she used the last of her strength to speak.

"Ryo- maru. He- needs immediate- medical attention. He- needs to- live. He- help him. Keep- keep him- alive. P- please. It's- all I- all I ask. My life- is nothing without- without him." Her eyes fluttered closed and the grip she had on the orange colored clothing fell limp, her hand falling to dangle over the chest of a blue eyed blonde boy just after he placed her on his back.

In the meantime, a tall, silver haired man picked up the unconscious Ryomaru beneath his arm, his masked face serious.

"Swamp ninja?"

Something isn't right about this. It's unusual for shinobi of the Swamp to be this far from their home, even for a mission. They usually take place closer to home, especially since the village itself is so small.

A pink haired kunoichi looked up to the man worriedly.

"Kakashi-sensei? Shouldn't we get them to the hospital?" The man focused down at the girl and then nodded.

"Naruto, give me the girl. I'll take it from here. As for training- it's over for the day." And in a cloud of smoke, he was gone with both the girl and boy tucked beneath his arms.