The sun started to set under the mountains, casting a rainbow view above the forest. The air was still a tad chilly, though it was almost Summer again, and there was still little snow left. Soon, all the frozen water flakes would melt into flowing water, sparkling on all the green moss against the river bottoms. And as the snow melts, so would the people who live there. One kid, standing in the forest, with a boy and a girl at his sides, stood grinning.
"He he, This is going to be great!" He said in a scratchy adolescent voice.
CHAPTER 1
"Kitsune's Start!"
"Oh please, just save it for later. What are you so excited about anyways?" the other boy said in a low, unemotional face. His almost shoulder length black hair brushed over his face along with the wind. His face showed little emotion, however, betrayed some annoyance. His shirt was a simple purple top, short sleeves, a yin & yang symbol at the top middle. From his shoulder to his elbow, it was covered in black mesh. The rest of his arm were gloves that came to his fingers. He wore simple black pants, and a small chain that was hung over the side. But what stood out most was what he wore around his neck. It was a black cloth with metal bound to it in the middle. On the metal was the shape of a crescent moon, followed with another crescent moon opposing it. It was obvious what it was, everyone in the world knew, it was a ninja headband. Only students who'd graduated from ninja academy wore them.
The boy gritted his teeth. He hated they way his teammate always made him look stupid, while he was as cool as could be.
"Well, this is the first mission that's this far away from the village!" He shouted at his teammate. He just could not stand to let him get the last word, or insult him in any way.
This boy wore his headband on his actual forehead. His short, spiky brown hair barely lay over his cloth. His black shirt had a long collar, his left sleeve was long, while his right sleeve was cut short at the shoulder. His hands were covered in protector gloves, his shorts gray with black trim.
"Hey guys? Um, well... You know we shouldn't be fighting on a mission. So, um, please, can we go now?" mumbled the only girl on the team.
She fiddled with her fingers a little, looking at them with soft red eyes. Her purple bangs slightly covered her pretty eyes, while it shined almost silver in the sunlight, only touching her shoulders. She wore her headband around her waist, instead, with a red cloth. Her robe-like dress was teal with red trim and long big sleeves. It cut a little low, showing some of the mesh she wore on her legs, which stretched to her knees.
"It's really foolish of you to get so mad at Haru all the time. And Haru... you always egg him on. Er, that is..." She looked down at the floor in disappointment . "You know how Kuromi gets mad easily."
They both looked at her softly. Haru seemed a little ashamed for making her sad. Kuromi looked embarrassed to be scolded b by her.
"I'm sorry Kitsune. I'll try harder next time. Just please don't look so sad. You know how that makes us feel." Haru said in a sympathetically calming voice, while putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah. What he said." Kuromi folded his arms together, looking off in a different direction while blushing.
"Okay! So then, let's go!" She said with a bright smile, and with that, they darted off into the forest. Both boys would glare at one another here and there. Haru had a cold stare on his face. That was one thing Kuromi hated about him. He had icy stares. When he actually smiled, they seemed completely fake to him. It was like he had no emotions in his body. However, Kuromi knew him better than that. Haru had feelings for Kitsune. He liked her. But so do I, Kuromi thought to himself.
Just as they both liked the same girl, they both had the same dream. To be the top ninja of they're village; Tsukikage. You may have heard of Hokage or Kazekage, but probably never Tsukikage. That's because their village was not known like the other mainland villages. The village hidden in the leaves, hidden in the sand, hidden in the clouds, and so on. But their village was the village hidden in the moonlight. It wasn't a huge or big village, it was small, and quite peaceful for a place that possessed shinobi. Any who, the two boys shared the same dream. That's when they started to not get along. When they found out that they shared the same feelings for the same girl, they became rivals.
All three ninja came to a sudden stop. Through the bushes, they saw and older women. Her long black hair was pulled up in a ponytail laced with a red ribbon, with her bangs ending at her eyebrows and long sides. Her red robe-like dress v-necked quite low, revealing the mesh she wore on the top half of her body and arms. She separated her top half with a white sash, with a sideless long skirt, and mesh on her knees.
The three stared at her through the bushes.
"Do you think she saw us?" Kuromi whispered.
"No, but I heard you."
All three, startled, looked behind themselves to see the women there, smiling, about to deliver her attack. The three dashed forward to escape her grasp while she threw some kunai knives at them. Kitsune and Haru dodged, while Kuromi got nailed in the butt.
"Ow!"
The women started to laugh, while Haru looked at his partner with disgust and Kitsune let out a little giggle.
"I'm ashamed to be on the same team as him." Haru sneered while Kuromi tended to his embarrassing injury.
"Aw, shut it!"
"Enough you two! Is Kitsune the only one on this team with any class!" The women exclaimed. She stare down at them with folded arms.
"Sorry Yumi Sensei." The two boys apologized, both staring at one another.
"Well then, shall we get moving?" Yumi said with a smile. She started walking while the three Genin followed behind her.
"Aahh. What a relief to be back in the village!" Naruto announced while he and his team entered the big green village doors of Konaha, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. They just came back from a tragic mission involving two shinobi, Zabuza and Haku.
As they started walking, they heard a loud argument to the side. A girl their age was yelling at three Jonin. She was crying and looked to have suffered a good beating.
"Calm down, if you don't, we can't help you little lady. Now, talk slowly." One of the Jonin said, trying his best to calm the girl down.
"N-no! You don't understand! It's not me, you have to take me to your Hokage!" the girl said in a panic. Kakashi (Naruto's Sensei) noticed the ninja headband around her waist. Two crescent moons on it. The three Jonin looked at each other, then nodded in agreement. They rushed her to the Hokage.
"What was that all about?" Naruto wondered, still looking at the four in the distance, then disappearing.
"Well it's none of your business Naruto, you're so nosy!" Sakura said.
"Well, I'll leave you three while I go turn our mission." Kakashi said as he walked off.
"Hey! What do you mean just you? If we turn in a mission, can't we get another mission right after!" Naruto shouted at him. "What's the point of just you going? We're coming too!"
"Okay, okay. You don't have to make such a big deal out of it, Naruto. But don't expect another big mission like that one. We'll most likely just get a 'D' ranked mission." Kakashi explained with a sigh.
"But why? Didn't that last mission prove that we're strong enough for like, a 'C' ranked mission? I'd say we're good enough for a 'B' ranked mission!" Naruto sneered with both hands raised to the back of his head.
"For once, I agree with him." Sasuke said. "We may be Genin, we definitely are a strong team.
"Yes, while you did pass and complete that last mission, we were also tricked into thinking it was a 'C' ranked mission, when it turned out to really be a 'B' ranked one. Oh, and did I forget to mention that we almost died? Twice?" Kakashi looked down at them with the look of, yeah I don't think so. " I don't think the Hokage will be happy with that, so don't get your hopes up. And keep that mouth of yours shut, Naruto." He glared right at him.
"H-hey!" Naruto glared right back, sticking out his tongue.
They walked into the Hokage's room, and saw he was talking to the girl from earlier, the one who was panicking .
"Yes, I understand." She said gloomy. "Please forgive me for intruding so soon." she continued, staring at the floor, giving everything she had to hold back the obvious tears she held.
"Yes child, it's quite all right. Please, have your injuries treated, then worry later. I will speak with you soon." The old man said sympathetically to her.
She turned around, almost bumping into Naruto and the others, nodded her apology, and left the room.
"Hmph, she looks fine now." Sakura said with her eyes following the girl out.
"Ah, Kakashi, perfect timing, as usual. I have just the mission for your team." Old Man Hokage said with a big wrinkly grin.
"Really, already? Sweet!" Naruto exclaimed. "What is it?"
"You three will be escorted to your client while I talk to Kakashi of the mission details. Now, go on you three."
"Awesome! Let's go guys."
Meanwhile in the infirmary...
"That should do it." Said one of the nurses tending to the last bandage of Kitsune's arm.
"Hey, isn't that girl... You know, the one from earlier?" Naruto asked Dumbfounded.
"Um... Can I help you three?" Kitsune asked them, puzzled.
"Yes, actually, you can. We are told you are our client for our next mission." Sakura explained.
"I'm sorry. You must be mistaken. I do not need the aid of other ninja. You see, I too, am a ninja. I am ranked as a Genin." Kitsune explained with her head low.
"Well, you're not really a client." Kakashi said suddenly appearing. "More like a guide."
"I'm sorry? A guide?"
"Yes. I am Kakashi Hatake. And you are to guide us to your village. The Village Hidden in the Moonlight. "
Kitsune's eyes widened. She couldn't believe she had to go back there again. She that there a moment, figuring out her reply.
"I'm sorry, but I don't wish to go back there. Why do you want to go there anyways?" she asked in a concerning voice.
"A simple investigation mission, is all. We need you to lead us there, on orders of the Third Hokage." Kakashi ordered, in a kind manner. She looked up at him. Her eyes were getting watering, filling up with tears she didn't need. Her forehead wrinkled as a few tears escaped their cage. She looked down again.
"Alright. But only because I respect the title 'Kage'." She said in a soft voice.
"Good. Then we will meet at the gates." Kakashi agreed.
The sun was starting to set, casting beautiful shadows on the village. Kitsune walked the pebble rode towards the gates where Kakashi's team was waiting for her.
"We;ll then, now that we're all here, lets set out." Kakashi anounced.
"Yeah, yeah, let's go!" Naruto said.
"Why are you so loud?" Kitsune asked shyly.
"Get used to it. He's pretty obnoxious." Sakura said annoyed.
"Don't underestimate him though. Believe it or not, Naruto is stronger that he looks." Sasuke added.
"Hey! Hey! That's Naruto Uzumaki! And you!" Naruto said, pointing at Kitsune. "Remember that name, I'm going to be Hokage one day. Believe it!"
Kitsune Blankly stared at him. It was probably the first expression she showed other than sadness since they met her.
"W-what!" Naruto asked franticly.
"Oh nothing" Kitsune smiled. "You remind me of someone. A boy named Kuromi. Oh excuse me, my name is Kitsune Kiriyu. And you two?" She asked to the other team members.
"Sakura Haruno."
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"Okay, okay, can we go now?" Naruto asked impatiently. With that, they left the village, heading to the last place Kitsune wished to be.
