Hi! I know I should finish up my other Tales of the Abyss story, but I got hit with inspiration and I couldn't stop thinking of this. So here it is. I might make a sequel or make it a series, but we'll just worry about this now and that later. :) I also wanna thank my new Beta reader QueenOfCrazy.

I'm better at dialogue than imagery, so you're gonna have to imagine whats going on. Though I think I've made it easy enough to tell what's going on. When I read things, it comes out anime style in my head, so it has affected how I write. Sorry.

Also, Most of the time Chojuro, when he speaks, there will be some kind of stutter. It won't be in his thoughts, but most of the time it will be there. Though there are times where he won't stutter. That should be the last of all I need to say, so on with the story!


Time 8:00 AM Location Kirigakure, Mizukage Tower, The Mizukage's office.

*knock knock*

"Yes?"

"Lady Mizukage-sama, Ao and Chojuro have arrived."

"Good let them in."

"As you wish." And with the secretaries leave, the Mizukage, Mei Terumi, was left with her thoughts. Thoughts of a mission that the formerly mentioned ninjas may not come back from. It's not to say that Ao and Chojuro were weak. No, quite the opposite. Ao was a skilled veteran shinobi with his mastery of Konoha's Byakugan. And Chojuro, though shy and lacking in the confidence department, was a great swordsmen possessing great skill in Kenjutsu, enough to become one of the fabled Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. But the unknown threat they will be facing, might just be too much for even them.


Time 8:15 AM Location Kirigakure, Mizukage Tower, Entrance.

"The Mizukage will see you now"

"I see... Let's go Chojuro." And with that Ao headed out of the lobby and down a series of hallways that would eventually lead him to a stairway to the Mizukage's office.

"Uh.. Yes sir. Thank you." Seeing that Ao was leaving, Chojuro hurriedly bowed to the secretary and ran to catch up with the taller blue haired man.

After a few minutes of navigating the maze of hallways and walking up many flights of stairs, and then repeating the process a few more times they arrived at the doorway leading into the Mizukage's office.


*knock knock*

"Mizukage-sama, it's Chojuro and I. May we enter?"

"Yes, come in. There is something of importance I need to discuss with you."

'Eh- importance? Mizukage-sama sounds worried.. I hope everything's alright...' And with that thought Chojuro made to follow behind Ao who had just opened the door.

Upon entering the room they made their way to the centre of the room and kneeled down to show their respect. "Ao, Chojuro, rise. Do you know why you're here?"

"Is there a mission you have for us?"

"That is correct, but do you have any ideas as to what the mission will be on?"

"Uhh- is it about Okaizumi?" Okaizumi- Translated into hilly spring or The spring in the hills. About four days travel from Kirigakure. Its located on the base of the largest hill, Sarugomi, and surrounded by many other hills. Because of the geographical position of the said hills, the wind can be harsh in some places while other there is no wind at all.

"Yes, there have been many recent deaths in Okaizumi, and the cause is unknown." "With all due respect, why is Chojuro needed? I am sure I can manage this mission on my own-" '! Manage.. Marriage.. alone'

"I do not need somebody else to handle a mission such as this... Mizukage-sama?" 'What's up with that look? I can't see her eyes, and I'm feeling this killer intent..'
'Somebody.. Nobody.. My marriage will be alone..With nobody else..'

"Ao." as she motions with her forefingers to come closer,smiling the whole time.

"Yes Mizukage-sama?" he said as he leaned closer.

"Shut up. Or I'll kill you."

"! Huuh?!" 'What did I do? Was it something I said?' After hearing her response he quickly backed up, into the middle of the room, a safe distance away from the Mizukage. Or a relatively safe distance, he had to face the fact that even the hallway wasn't completely safe. As they say, "Hell hath no Fury like a Woman scorned."

"Um- why am I needed?" 'I don't think I could be of any help on a mission like this..' Chojuro asked, as he spoke up for the first time since he entered the room.

As soon as he finished talking, it was as if a switch was turned off. There was silence, however brief, in the Mizukage's office. Ao, and Chojuro both waiting to hear the Mizukage's answer. And the Mizukage wanting to put it off, even just for a few more moments. Because if they fail, it might be the last time she would see her allies, her companions.

"We have no idea what kind of enemy you will be facing. There is little to no information on what it could be. All we know is that people are dying. If it was an actual person who was just going out and killing people I would send Chojuro to take him out. And if it was some other kind of way that wasn't directly killing the people, I would send Ao. But the fact stands that we don't know what it is. So I'll send you both in, to cover each other's weaknesses, to watch the others back." And with the conclusion of her mini speech the full implications of what could happen if they fail. Knowing that they could die they could handle, its one fact that every ninja must face. But it's the fear of the unknown is what truly strikes fear into a man's heart.
And after giving them a moment to think it over, she asked the question that will change all their lives for however much longer they live. "So, will you two accept this mission?"

'If we don't, who knows how many other shinobi will die trying to find out the cause of the deaths in Okaizumi.'

'.. What if whatever is killing the people in Okaizumi comes to Kirigakure.. Then the Mizukage-sama and everyone who lives in Kirigakure.. They'll all die.'

'I can't let that happen.' Then simultaneously, as if it was practiced, they both came to a decision. "Mizukage-sama, I will find out what is causing the deaths in Okaizumi."
After hearing their response a smile forms on her lips and her eyes soften. "Very well then. ... Just make sure you come back alive. Don't die on me. Okay."
'Yes, I won't die. So I can protect that smile on our gentle Mizukage. So it won't go away because of sadness and hardship. I- no we- We will come back alive. I think.'


After agreeing to head to their respective homes and retrieving what they need, they decided that they would meet up at the village's Northgate, being that Okaizumi was to the located north of Kirigakure.

Unfortunately, for Chojuro, his apartment was located south of the Mizukage tower which is in the middle of Kirigakure, while Ao's was in the west. So since he had more distance to cover and didn't want to make Ao wait for him, he ran across the rooftops of the buildings in between him and his house. After gathering everything he needed, from extra Kunai, to food and water he was about to set off to the Northgate. But just as he was about to walk out the door he turned around and looked at his apartment.

'I might not see this apartment again. Even though it's a bit big for just me...It's still home. And I think I'm gonna miss it... But- No, I won't think about what might happen. I will keep going forward. So if something does happen, I know I tried my best, and then I will have no regrets.'

Pulling himself out of his self-reflection he noticed that he spent over five minutes standing at the doorway. "Ah! Oh no! Ao must be waiting for me by now!" And with that said he hurriedly locked the door and sped off northbound with some new confidence in him.


'There's the Northgate! And there's Ao! Maybe he hasn't noticed that I'm not there yet.' As Chojuro was running towards the Northgate he fervently hoped that his absence wasn't noticed.

Too bad one little piece of information slipped his mind in his rush to make it in time.

"Chojuro, there you are. Your late." Ao turned to the younger ninja with a slightly annoyed face.

"A-ah, sorry. I lost track of time, and when I realized what time it was I rushed to get here."

"Don't let it happen again. Ninja in my time were never late. Being late by even a minute can cost you greatly. Be it from losing an opportunity to kill your target or something bad happening in your absence. Oh and Chojuro." As he was saying that, he thought back on the days of when Kirigakure was known as the Blood Mist Village. When things were a lot stricter and more dangerous than they were now.

"U-uh yes?"

"It might help if you didn't spend 5 minutes just standing in one place."

'! Ah! That's right. Ao is a sensory ninja. He probably knew where I was the whole time.' "I-it won't happen again." Standing up a little straighter, as to not lessen Ao's already not so high view on himself.

"Good, then with that settled, we will head out. It will take us approximately four days to get there. Maybe less depending on what we encounter."

"O-okay then, let's go!" As they moved to exit the village a strange feeling seemed to settle inside of Chojuro. 'Somethings gonna happen. I know it, but the question is, will it be good or bad?' And with that last thought he and Ao took off at high speeds into the trees. Making their way north. Towards Okaizumi.


So thats it! I hope you liked it, I'm working on the second chapter, but I dont know when I'll update next. Though I would like to finish this, as Forest Gump once said "Sh*t happens". But I do have the whole story planned out plot wise. Its just putting it on paper (Or computer in this case) thats hard. And by word count, this is 1751 words.

Review!