Don't own Naruto, just the Egawashi characters.
"Did you hear the news?" a woman asked her friend excitedly.
"News? What news?" her friend replies as they walk down the street.
"That clan is back. The Egawashi clan," replies the first woman as they pass an alleyway. A shadow in the alley perks up when the name is mentioned, listening intently to the conversation as the women continue on, completely oblivious.
"Those monsters!?" exclaims the second woman. "Oh my poor little boy! I hope those brutes don't come to Konoha. Where were they seen?"
Her friend glances at her, "The Egawashi's were last seen near a village in the Land of Tea." Placing a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, she continues. "Don't worry. We've got the strongest ninjas and the Hokage-sama is one of the sannin. Our children will be safe."
As the second woman turns to look at her friend, she gasps as a blur shoots out to the alley behind them, headed for the village gates.
"What's wrong?" asks the first woman, following her friend's gaze to the alley behind them.
"N…Nothing," stammers the woman. "I was just remembering how previous encounters our ninja have had with the Egawashis turned out."
"Okay. That takes care of that assignment, "sighs Tsunade. She looks up at the two shinobi standing in front of her desk. "Dammit! Where the hell is Genma!?!" she exclaims as she slams her fist down.
The two jump as her fist strikes the desk and glance at one another, both silently asking each other what happened to their third squad member.
"Raidou!" yells Tsunade.
"Uh, yes ma'am Hokage-sama," responds the shinobi as he snaps back to attention.
"Where the hell is that idiot senbon chewer?"
"I don't know Hokage-sama," responds Raidou. "I saw him last night and informed him that you requested that he be here in your office this morning."
"Who does he think he is skipping out on me like this!" screams Tsunade, making the two shinobi flinch. A knock at the door distracts the hokage momentarily as Kakashi and his two genin enter the office.
"Well hello." the copy-nin says, ignoring the tension in the room. "My squad finished with their last mission Hokage-sama. Anything new for us to do?" he asks with Naruto and Sakura close behind him.
"Not now you three. I'm busy." snaps Tsunade as she turns her attention back to the other two shinobi still standing in front of her desk.
"What!?" yells Naruto. "Listen you old hag, you may be in a bad mood because it's your time of mon…" Sakura's fist collides with Naruto's head before he can finish the thought.
"Sorry Hokage-sama," Sakura says apologetically as Naruto rubs his sore head and grumbles. 'Naruto, you idiot! Are you trying to get us killed!' rages inner Sakura.
Tsunade ignores Sakura's apology and immediately focuses on Naruto. "My time of what!?! You little brat! Unless you three know where that idiot Genma is then I have nothing more to do with you!"
"Genma?" says Naruto, scrunching up his face. "Who's that?"
"He was the proctor for the third part of the Chuunin exam," whispers Kakashi. "He took over Hayate's role after Hayate was killed."
"Oh, that guy!" exclaims Naruto. "I saw him when we were coming back from our mission."
Everyone turns to stare at Naruto. "What did you say?" Tsunade asks.
"Yep, it had to be him," states Naruto, shaking his head up and down. "He was headed away from the village sucking that stupid senbon. Looked like he was in a hurry too."
"Well then, it looks like I do have a mission for your team Kakashi. You're to go with Raidou and Shizune to bring Genma back," says Tsunade. "Take Gai and his squad with you as well."
"So many?" questions Kakashi, his right eyebrow rising up higher in surprise. "Shouldn't a team of Anbu be the ones to retrieve a rogue shinobi?"
"He isn't a rogue shinobi," growls Raidou, glaring at Kakashi.
"Oh, then why did he leave the village like that?" inquires Kakashi.
"Enough you two," orders Tsunade. "We're shorthanded right now so after you find Genma, you'll be continuing Raidou and Shizune's original mission. Finding the Egawashi's in the Land of Tea. I was going to send them with Genma just to check on the rumor about them, but it seems I've gotten confirmation of it already that they are there."
Kakashi looks at the hokage incredulously. "The Egawashi's? Are you sure you should send genin on a mission like that, I mean even the Anbu…"
"I didn't ask for your opinions Kakashi, just get going!" Tsunade bellows.
"Yes ma'am," responds Kakashi, bowing quickly before leaving to find Gai and his team.
Genma rushes through the forest thinking about what he overheard the women saying. 'The Egawashi clan,' he thinks to himself furiously as he grinds his senbon between his teeth. 'I'll find those bastards before they cause anymore suffering and destroy them.' As he quickens his pace, the shinobi reflects upon his life before Konoha, when he first met Egawashi Kedan.
The small boy looks up at the man in front of him expectantly. The man seems nice, offering to let him pet the kitten cupped in one large hand.
"Come along little one, and I'll let you play with the kitten." As the child follows the man, he notices how empty the streets of his small village are. "My name is Kedan little one. What is yours?" the man inquires, grinning inwardly because he already knows about the boy. The villagers had begged him to take this orphan in exchange for sparing their own children.
"Shiranui Genma," the boy says quietly.
"Ahhh, what a nice name," responds Kedan. "And how old are you Genma-kun?"
"Three today!" the boy says proudly.
"Really! Is your mommy and daddy going to have a big party for you?"
Genma stops, tears rolling down his cheeks. "No. My mommy and daddy are gone. I'm all alone," he sobs.
"Poor little light. Come with me. My brothers and I will throw you a big party, with lots of cake!" Kedan tells the child.
"Really?" Genma asks hopefully as he follows the man out of the village.
"Of course. When we get to my home, I'll let you play with the kitten while my brothers and I prepare for your party."
Genma walks alongside the big man, happy to have made such a nice new friend. Soon the two arrive at a building hidden deep in the forest.
"After you my little light," says Kedan as he opens the door.
Genma hesitates, he has this strange feeling that he should run but looking up at Kedan who is smiling at him, his fears evaporate. Finally he goes through the door followed by Kedan. They walk down a long hallway towards another door at the end.
"Brothers!" yells Kedan. "I'm back and have brought a little friend!"
The door at the end of the hallway opens and the two walk into a room occupied by five large men. When the door slams shut behind them, Genma jumps, turning to see a sixth man leaning against the now closed door.
"Takun, you shouldn't scare our guest like that," admonishes the largest of the men.
"So sorry Kuro," replies the man leaning on the door.
"What a precious little friend you have there brother," coos another man with a frightening smile on his face. Genma backs away, afraid, but runs into Takun behind him.
"Don't worry my little light," Kedan says to him sweetly. "Misori," Kedan begins, turning to face his smiling brother. "Don't frighten poor little Genma-kun like that. Today is his third birthday and since his parents are gone, I told him we'd help him celebrate it."
"Wonderful idea Kedan!" exclaims Misori.
Genma moves closer to Kedan and gives a small tug on the man's trousers. Kedan looks down at the boy. "Can I play with the kitty now Kedan-san?" Genma asks.
"Of course my little light," Kedan responds kneeling down next to the boy. As Genma reaches out to take the kitten, Kedan uses his strong fingers to snap the mewing creature's neck. As Genma stares at the kitten in horror, Kedan reprimands him. "Oh bad little Genma-kun. You hurt the poor kitten. We'll have to punish you for that."
Tears form in Genma's eyes as he looks at the men moving closer to him, all with scary grins on their faces.