Disclaimer: this is fan-fiction, and as much as I would like to say I own something, I don't. So yeah, I own nothing. Nothing!
Chapter 2 Mission: Retrieval
"Speaking/thinking inside flashback"
Thinking/small flashback
"Jutsu"/abilities
'Actions/actions'
Recap:
Kagome nodded back before looking back at them, a deadly serious look appearing on her face.
"I've found a trace of Sasuke."
Now:
"I've found a trace of Sasuke."
As soon as that sentence made its way passed Kagome's lips, a tense and heavy silence fell over the room, as all the occupants, except for a certain few who already knew the news, tensed up in shock, disbelief and some kind of twisted hope at the sentence's meaning.
Kagome stared at her two teammates, the serious look on her face, but with some sadness coming through seeing their expressions. Because it's the same thing she went through when the scent was just found, first the shock, then disbelief, and then some hope. Speaking, even mentioning of Sasuke still is taboo for them, it bringing some unwanted memories and occurrences but this has to be said.
They need to know, more like they would want to know.
And really, she wants to say it, to tell them. Because it means that now they can find Sasuke, they have that opportunity. After two years of waiting, training, searching for a chance they have it.
The door that's leading them closer to their promise has opened and they need to step through it before it closes.
Because if they don't follow it now, who knows when another trail comes up.
After what seemed to be forever, Naruto finally seemed to snap out of the shock-induced daze he and Sakura placed them in, and he turned back to her, his once bright face now set in determination and hope. "y-you're sure. You really found a trace of Sasuke?"
"Yeah, well not exactly Sasuke himself but someone that can lead us to Sasuke." said Kagome, placing a hand on the back of her neck and sighing. "The scent we really picked up was Kabuto. You remember Kenji and Ai right?"
Both Naruto and Sakura looked thoughtful for a moment before Sakura had a look of remembrance on her face and smiled. "You mean those summons you summoned while we were in the forest of death right?"
Kagome smiled back and nodded. "Yeah, well it was Ai and Kenji who picked up Kabuto's scent while we were traveling, that was about…" Kagome trailed off in thought, quickly counting in her head how long it's been. After a few seconds, Kagome turned back to them and gave a small grin. "Maybe a week ago. When we found it the scent was still fresh, only a few hours old at the most."
The silver-eyed girl sighed. "I would have followed after it then, but it was too dangerous and remember, we promised to bring him back together." Kagome gave them a smile at the memory of their promise and got two nods in reply.
Kagome's eyes turned serious again and she looked back to Tsunade. "I made a marker and sent a summon to kept the scent fresh so we wouldn't lose it." Kagome lightly bit her lip before continuing. "If you let us go we can still follow it…and I know how to get there too…"
Kagome stopped speaking, leaving the sentence hanging in the air and Tsunade inwardly sighed, knowing exactly what Kagome was asking and implying. Inwardly she has to applaud the teenager, for asking without directly doing so and even leaving a small threat in the air at the same time.
Tsunade resisted the urge to glare at Kagome who innocently looked away from her gaze. From how Kagome put it, it make it seems that she really has no choice but to let them go, otherwise they might leave without permission to follow the trail anyway.
And Kagome knows this, it's the reason she voiced her words in such a way. Clever.
Tsunade gave a narrow eyed stare at Kagome, who gave a small grin in reply before looking away again and out the window, her hands clasped innocently behind her back. With another inward sigh Tsunade turned to the other two, and saw them both giving her hopeful and serious looks.
They want to go, and nothing will stop them.
The easiest thing she can do is just let them, it'll save a lot of trouble and a lot of paper work she doesn't want to deal with, but still...
Kagome turned back to Tsunade, realizing that even after a few minutes she still remained silent. Is it possible that Tsunade still will forbid them from going, even after knowing that they still will just end up going regardless? Or is Tsunade trying to think around that possibility so they can't go?
"Granny we need to go! You have to let us! Kagome's found a lead!"
Surprised at Naruto's sudden declaration, Kagome turned to the taller blond next to her. He had his hands fisted at his sides but was staring at Tsunade with a maturity she's rarely seen in Naruto. He really has matured… Kagome smiled and turned back to Tsunade, deciding to help Naruto with her 'back-up' plan.
"He's right Tsunade."
Everyone turned to look at her. But she continued to remain facing Tsunade, her face set. "This is our chance right now; we don't know when another one like this will show up. We have to go. We need to go. Besides…" Kagome tilted her head to the side, faking thoughtfulness. "think of this as an…recon mission almost…if we go, not only do we get the chance of bringing Sasuke Uchiha back, which is a priority, but we also put a wedge in any of Orochimaru's plans concerning Sasuke…" more precisely Orochimaru's taking over of Sasuke's body, and becoming stronger than he already is.
Kagome left the unspoken thought in the air, having no need to say it aloud, everyone already knows reason for Orochimaru taking Sasuke; and they don't need to be reminded of it right now. "we also might be able to learn of any future plans he may be planning…not only those concerning Sasuke, but also of the curse mark and other things of importance…" finished Kagome, waving her hand in the air off-handedly to keep up her innocent act.
Tsunade stared at Kagome again. This time shocked, not just annoyed. Just how well did Kagome plan and prepare for this before she came here? Seriously, acting so innocent and like what she said she didn't actually prepare beforehand as a way to make excuses for them to go. Her eyes narrowed. Plus, since when did Kagome get so sneaky anyway?
Seeing that the three teenagers were staring at her, and she hasn't done anything but glare at Kagome, Tsunade sighed. Placing her elbow on her desk, Tsunade let her chin rest in the palm of her hand as she looked down at the papers in her desk trying to think of a way to keep them here.
It's true what Kagome said but still, it is dangerous. Really dangerous. For them to go out in the open like that, and all just for one person-Sasuke Uchiha no less. She inwardly frowned. Then there's the Naruto factor, but how does she keep them here anyway? If only Kakashi was here-that's right!
Inwardly grinning, Tsunade looked up at the three teens. Kakashi isn't here. Meaning there's no Jounin here to go with them. They can't go just on their own. The mission is about A-ranked, and two Genin and one Chuunin isn't partially qualified to take up an A-ranked on their own. "Alright, listen." All three perked up and she grinned.
"Even if I wanted to let you three go-." They perked up further and Tsunade had to admit that she feels partially guiltily about dashing their hopes. "I can't let you go on your own. Kakashi isn't here. He's on a mission-."
"We don't need Kakashi-sensei." interrupted Kagome, smiling brightly with a hint of mischief in her eyes and Tsunade instantly stopped speaking, looking back at the almost too happy Kagome. What is she planning now?
Without knowing Tsunade's thoughts Kagome turned towards her traveling companion for two and a half years the smile still on her face. "Kiyoshi might not be a ninja, but he's a really good fighter and will be able to help us if anything comes up. He has for me many times." Kagome grinned turning back to Tsunade. "I'm sure if he and Kakashi-sensei were to fight, Kiyoshi would give Kakashi a run for his money."
Tsunade turned from the smaller black-haired teen to the taller black-haired teen, to see Kiyoshi nod a serious look in his eyes. "I have had training in the art of fighting, and I know a few things of my own. I am not the strongest, but I do know a few…jutsu that could help us fight back and even escape if things get too bad for us to handle."
Tsunade bit her lip and looked to Naruto and Sakura. Both were still looking at her, eyes hopeful. With an even deeper frown, Tsunade turned back to Kagome and shook her head. "Despite that. I still cannot permit it. Sending two Genin, one Chuunin and even an unranked civilian-."
"We've had a tough mission in the past." injected Kagome, the look on her face showing she's not going to back down. "It was an A-ranked one and we all were just barely registered Genin then. We lived. We're still here."
Tsunade felt her eyebrow start to twitch in annoyance. "But Kakashi-a Jounin was there-."
"Yes, but if I remember correctly we helped Kakashi when he was trapped by Zabuza and were even able to fight them off when they came back a second time-."
"But there were four of you then!" snapped Tsunade, the last few stressed filled days and the happenings now getting to her.
Kagome's mouth immediately shut at that, momentarily shocked at Tsunade's outburst and what she just said to them. All three were tense and it took Tsunade a few seconds to realize what she said.
Cursing, Tsunade placed a hand over her eyes and turned her head slightly to the side. "…not only that, but Kakashi was still there. And the mission then was thought to be a C-ranked due to the client lying. But that is not the case this time." She shook her head. "This time you know the level. It would be an A-ranked mission. Possibly even higher. You're dealing with Orochimaru, not just a common thug."
"And you know how Orochimaru is. You've dealt with him in the past." Tsunade moved her eyes to Kagome's neck and Kagome immediately placed a hand over the mark, as if to hide it. "You've fought him. And you lost."
Kagome and the others looked down silent after what she said and Tsunade almost sighed in relief closing her eyes. Maybe now they'll leave it be, and she won't have to worry about them sneaking out. She frowned again. But just in case, she should place more guards up around the gates-
"Tsunade."
Interrupted from her thoughts, Tsunade opened her eyes and blinked, realizing that instead of the earlier sad looks, all three of them, Naruto, Sakura, and Kagome were smiling at her. "Since when has that stopped us?"
Tsunade froze and stared at the remaining students of team 7 but instead of seeing the three 13-year olds she remembers, three determined teens instead stood in front of her. Each with the same identical determination on their faces, and the will to not back down. They really will not let this go…
"Since when has that stopped us?"
Since when indeed. With a small smirk, Tsunade leaned forward and let her cheek rest against her hand, scanning over her current problems. After a few moments she finally spoke, giving them a raised eyebrow, and asking a question she already knew the answer to. "I couldn't stop you three even if I wanted to huh?"
Naruto shook his head and gave his fox like grin. "Nope!"
"Even if I threatened to de-rank you or force you guys to take D-ranked missions for a whole year?"
It was Sakura's turn to shake her head. "I'm sorry sensei. But no."
"And you already know that we'd go regardless of the answer right?" at the voice, Tsunade turned back to the cause of this whole thing who only continued to grin.
Nodding, Tsunade sighed again. "Yeah, I know…and I don't suppose anything I say or possibly offer could change any of your minds…"
Three loud choruses of 'yep' sounded throughout the room and Tsunade shook her head in defeat. She knows when she's been beat. They won't give up, it's simple as that, and the easiest and less headache causing way of action is to just let them go. "Fine-."
Right before they all could celebrate, she held up her hand to stop them so she could continue speaking. "You'll leave tomorrow to attempt the retrieval of Sasuke Uchiha and some recon, but only that." Tsunade gave them all a stern look. "If you do find him, try to avoid as much conflict and fighting as possible, I know it won't be completely avoidable since he'll fight back and will have help, but still be careful." Tsunade turned her stare towards Kiyoshi. "All of you."
They all nodded and Tsunade leaned back against her chair. "Kagome, since you're the one who found the scent, I'll place you as team leader, despite the fact that both you and Naruto are still Genin."
Said Genin both blushed at the reminder and Tsunade allowed a grin of victory appear on her face. "Don't think I forgot about that. Since you two were gone, you couldn't take the Chuunin exams. So you're both still Genin by the rules."
Kagome laughed nervously and scratched the back of her head. "Y-yeah…that's right. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned earlier..." Tsunade's grin widened before she shook her head and waved them off to leave.
"Anyway that's your mission, and you'll have two weeks to attempt to complete it." Tsunade looked towards Kagome. "That's a long enough time right?"
Kagome nodded. "Yeah, it really won't take us more than a few days to get there and from there we just have to follow the scent."
Tsunade gave her own nod. "Alright, you are dismissed."
All three teens nodded and grinned before leaving with waves of goodbye, Kiyoshi following after them.
Once the door closed shut, Tsunade placed a hand to her forehead and sighed again. "Shizune, was it really wise to let them go?"
Shizune who was watching the event in silence, turned towards her with a small smile and nodded finally speaking up. "I think so. You know as well as I do that they would have just left anyway. Besides, they need to do this."
"Yeah." Tsunade stared at the door before shaking her head. "I know."
A small silence passed between the two women before Tsunade interrupted it with a small and tired whine.
"I really need some sake."
. . .
Walking down the familiar yet unfamiliar road with her teammates on either side of her, Kagome smiled, and scanned over her surroundings as if it was her first time coming here again. Which in a way it was.
Nothing really has changed, the buildings still seem their usual self, but some shops she's never seen before or have known have changed or vanished to become other stores.
But otherwise, the place still feels like home.
"Kagome we should celebrate!"
Knocked from her thoughts by Naruto on her right, Kagome turned towards the blond, seeing him giving her that bright grin of his. "Celebrate?"
Naruto nodded and his grin widened, he quickly moved in front of her and Sakura, halting their walking with an excited look on his face. "Yeah, yeah! I mean both of us came back early, so we should celebrate! And besides you promised me ramen when I returned but you weren't even here!"
Kagome stared at Naruto, before grinning and raising an eyebrow at him amused. "Oh I see, I know the real reason. You just want to get the ramen I owe you right Naruto?"
Naruto blushed realizing he was caught and Kagome laughed before attempting to wrap an arm around his shoulders, which was much harder than in the past seeing as he now is about a good few inches taller than her. The only way now she probably can do so without looking weird or stretching her arm is if Naruto slumps forward slightly.
Seeing as she was unsuccessful in placing an arm around her friend, Kagome let it drop back down to her side and frowned. "You know that's not fair." Both Naruto and Sakura gave her curious looks and Kagome turned to Sakura pointing at Naruto. "That he got so tall over the years. I can't even wrap my arm around his shoulders anymore. That's sad." Kagome shook her head, looking remorseful. "No longer is Naruto the shortest. We can't make fun of him anymore…"
Kagome got a 'hey' in protest from Naruto and a few laughs from Sakura who nodded. "I know. It is sad."
Naruto seeing that he was out numbered gave both females a watery stare. "That's not fair, you can't gang up on me…wait you made fun of me?"
Kagome rolled her eyes at Naruto's actions but grinned nonetheless. "Don't worry Naruto. We didn't really make fun of you. But it is sad. I miss being taller than you." Kagome looked back to Sakura, and her grin turned evil. "But I am taller than you Sakura."
Sakura blinked then her mouth dropped open in shock, seeing that Kagome was taller than her, back then they were about the same height, but now, Kagome is taller than her by a few centimeters. Which now makes her the shortest in the team.
Naruto snickered at Sakura's expression. "Ha! Now whose the shortest?"
Sakura coming out of her shock, quickly turned a furious glare at Naruto, making him gulp and shut up.
Kagome seeing the actions only shook her head, before deciding to change the subject, she's not in the mood for carrying Naruto around village at the moment. "So, for celebration let's head over to the ramen stand yeah? I really missed that place and want to say hi to Teuchi and Ayame."
At her sentence, both stopped any argument that was about to form and turned towards her while Sakura lowered her previously held up fist. "Alright."
Already knowing that Naruto wouldn't object, Kagome turned her head back to her silent companion and sighed. "Kiyoshi, you don't have to stay back and away you know."
Kiyoshi nodded and gave another smile. "It's fine. You haven't seen them in a while." Kagome frowned but nodded, accepting his answer and leaving it be. If he wants to stay back then she'll let him. He's never been one to really socialize anyway; it took a few weeks until he actually started to really speak with her. So she'll allow him to settle and get used to them on his own. There's nothing else she really can do about it. "You don't mind ramen though right?"
Kiyoshi shook his head again. "No, not at all…it's been a…very, very long time since I've had some."
Kagome raised an eyebrow at the sentence, but only got that same secretive smile from her friend and sighed, shaking her head and looking back forward. "Well then, let's go! Ichiraku here we come!"
. . .
Lifting up the same cloth she remembered that led to the entrance of the ramen stand she's grown to love, Kagome grinned when the familiar smells came to her. Out of all the things she's missed while away traveling, she has to say that Ichiraku is one of things she's missed most. Teuchi and Ayame included.
"Welcome-."
The happy greeting was interrupted by the sound of a plate hitting the ground and a female gasp from behind the table of the stand, making Kagome look up in blink, but then smile at the surprised woman. "Hey Ayame! Long time no see? So how are you and Teuchi?"
Ayame blinked before smiling and shaking her head, turning to the other visitors. "First Naruto, and now you Kagome. It's good to see you guys. We missed you while you guys were gone."
Kagome turned from her female friend to Naruto. "You mean Naruto here didn't make up for my absence when he first came back?"
Naruto pouted and huffed while Ayame only laughed. "Yes and no really."
Finishing her second bowl, Kagome turned towards the others, Naruto on his fifth and Sakura already done, while Kiyoshi was on his third. How they can eat that much I'll never know. Shaking her head, Kagome gave her teammates a curious look. "So how are the others? I haven't seen any of them at all..."
She trailed off but Sakura picked up on the question and turned towards her. "Most of them are on missions, Shikamaru isn't on one from what I know, but he's going to be an exam proctor this year so he's probably busy and preparing with that…"
Kagome nodded and placed her chopsticks on the top of her bowl. "How about everyone's ranking…did everyone make it to Chuunin or even farther up?"
Sakura gave a small smile. "Everyone made it up to Chuunin except Neji, he's a Jounin."
"Everyone's a Chuunin or Jounin now…" Kagome turned away from the smiling Sakura and sighed, placing her chin in her hands with a small pout. "So sad…" Kagome turned her eyes to the still eating Naruto next to her. "Looks like it's only you and me now Naruto. But I guess the good thing is that if all goes well, we can take the test together…"
Finished with his sixth bowl, said Naruto turned towards her and nodded. "Yeah, and we'll show everyone else there who's the best!"
Kagome raised an eyebrow at Naruto, but nodded and looked back forward in thought. "And you know…if we get Sasuke back before the exams start….he can take it with us too."
Her teammates froze.
Confused, Kagome turned to her teammates. Did she say something? Kagome paused, thinking back and a few seconds later, she too froze realizing what she said. I'm an idiot.
Laughing nervously, Kagome quickly waved off the sentence, trying to ease of the sudden topic of their missing teammate. They already have to deal with the subject for the mission tomorrow, and she's just making it worse by continuously bringing it to the surface.
"S-sorry guys…I-."
"No it's alright Kagome! You're right." Kagome stopped and turned back to her teammates who were nodding. Naruto seeing that he had Kagome's attention continued. "Because technically, Sasuke's a Genin too."
"Yeah, he is, so when we get him back, if he wants to become a Chuunin he'll have to take the exams too." Sakura explained. "So you three can take them together."
Kagome grinned back at them. "Yeah-."
"Naruto! I know you're in there! Come out and face me!"
Stopping in confusion, Kagome turned her head to look behind her, where she saw a pair of sandaled feet, then raised an eyebrow. "Who…?" they sound familiar…
Next to her Naruto stopped before turning to look behind him with an evil grin. "He's back for another round already?"
Still completely confused on who Naruto was talking about, Kagome blinked and voiced her earlier question. "I repeat. Who-?"
Naruto got up before she could finish, but Sakura sensing her confusion gave a small smile. "Remember when I said that yesterday Naruto tried to show Konohamaru his ultimate sexy jutsu?" Kagome nodded. "Well, that's-."
"Konohamaru?" finished Kagome. Sakura nodded and Kagome smiled, getting up as well wanting to see the boy again after two years. That's why the voice sounded familiar but not exact…Konohamaru is older now...so of course his voice would start changing. He's also 12, so that means he's a Genin now too.
Walking out of the ramen stand, Kagome lifted up the cloth, to stop amused as both Naruto and Konohamaru stood, pointing at one another and yelling at the top of their voices. The scary thing was that they looked like one another. Or more like Konohamaru acted like a mini-Naruto.
Kagome shook her head in disbelief. Seems that Naruto has created himself a mini-me.
Suddenly, a large poof of smoke came into her vision, before it vanished revealing a very nude teenage girl with only thin things of smoke covering up her private parts and winking. Kagome sweat dropped.
Judging by the color of hair and the fact that Naruto was still in front of her, the one who transformed was Konohamaru. Maybe not just a mini-me, but exact clone. I didn't know that Naruto taught Konohamaru the sexy jutsu…
More smoke appeared then disappeared, revealing the normal looking Konohamaru and Kagome blinked, seeing that the boy now looks more mature, and starting to look more like a teenager than kid. He was taller too, probably up to her shoulders. He still had his long scarf wrapped around his neck, but now wore a long sleeve light green shirt that had a black strap going down the middle and dark brown pants that came to the middle of his shins with blue ninja sandals on his feet. And instead of the green goggles on his forehead, a Konoha headband was in its place.
Kagome was brought out of her musings when she heard Naruto yell and make hand signs. Realizing that what he was going to do was his 'ultimate perverted jutsu' she quickly intervened by appearing next to Naruto her hand placed on his. "Naruto. Please don't. I'm sure you don't want to get hit by Sakura again."
Naruto just noticing that she was next to him, blinked then looked towards her. After he processed what she said a second later, he shivered and nodded. "Right Kagome…Sakura is evil when it comes to her punches-."
"What about me?"
Naruto jumped up in shock when Sakura's voice sounded behind them, and the frightened blond turned around to face an irritated looking Sakura. "U-um…nothing! Nothing at all Sakura! Right Kagome?"
Sweat dropping, Kagome nodded but then turned away from her teammates to the preteen before her. She'll let them argue for now, right now she wants to say hi to Konohamaru. "Hey, Konohamaru. Long time no see huh? So how you and the others been?"
Konohamaru turned from the fighting duo to her and blinked staring at her. After a few seconds, he gave a small grin. "Kagome-nee?"
Smiling back Kagome nodded. "Yeah, so how have you been?" at least Konohamaru recognized her off the bat.
At her smile, Konohamaru quickly blushed a ruby red and looked down sheepishly. "U-um...I've-." he quickly shook his head, looking back up and cleared his throat, making Kagome raise an eyebrow at the act. "I've...b-been…fine..." he then proceeded to puff out his chest and place his hands on his waist, trying to look strong while making his voice slightly deeper. "And I've gotten stronger! Way stronger!"
Kagome raised an eyebrow further, but then giggled at the younger boy, nodding just to humor him. "Ah, I see. I guess the headband is a dead giveaway right?"
He nodded then turned back to her grinning and pointing to his headband with his thumb. "So you've noticed! I passed my test without any problems!"
Kagome smiled, and finally gave up, giving the younger boy a quick hug. She might not know Konohamaru as much as Naruto does, but she's still missed the kid. When she trained with him and his friends, it was fun and it was as if she had a few younger siblings instead of being the younger sibling.
After backing away from the hug and blushing boy, Kagome looked around noticing that said Konohamaru's friends were currently missing. "Hey...Konohamaru." he turned back to her and Kagome lightly frowned. "Where are Udon and Moegi?"
Konohamaru frowned himself. "They had to go home early to help their families after missions…so..."
Kagome nodded in understanding. "I guess I'll have to see them some other time then-."
"Stupid Naruto!"
The loud yell, followed up by the sound of a loud thump made Kagome stop speaking and sweat drop for what felt like the hundredth time that day. "Guys…"
. . .
After opening the door to her apartment, Kagome walked in with Kiyoshi behind her. After Kiyoshi closed the door Kagome looked around the familiar surroundings and smiled. Everything was just how she left it, except for the thin line of dust that coated everything.
Knowing that she's going to have some cleaning to do later, Kagome sighed and turned to face her silent companion.
But before she can do that, she needs to help Kiyoshi get settled in and show him around. "Welcome to my home." Kagome tilted her head to the side as a sudden thought hit her. "Well, actually I should be saying our home, since you'll be staying here with me now." Kagome shook her head grinning and waved a hand for him to follow her. "So come on! Let's give you a small tour and then I'll show you you're room."
Kiyoshi gave her a small nod. "Sure."
"Oh! That's right!" Kagome stopped again, coming to a realization. "We'll have to get you a key too, so if I'm not here you'll still be able to get in…"
She trailed off while Kiyoshi only chuckled at her. Catching the chuckle Kagome gave him a small glare behind her back before huffing and facing forward. "What's so funny, I'm just trying to think of the things you'll need. Unless you want to stay out in the cold while I'm on a mission."
Kiyoshi shook his head and grinned nervously at the evil look Kagome sent his way. "Na, I would prefer a key if you please."
Kagome went back to grinning back in her happy attitude. "Okay, so let's get this tour over with!"
The girl then proceeded to walk off down her hallway leaving Kiyoshi alone in the living room watching at she went. With a shake of his head, he smiled.
"What are you doing, don't you want to see your room?"
Turning back to Kagome, Kiyoshi nodded. "Coming Kagome."
. . .
Done with changing into her pajamas, Kagome walked over to her bed before allowing herself to drop face first into her very missed bed, and gave a soft but tired smile into the pillow.
After showing Kiyoshi his room and telling him where everything was, she cleaned up a small bit so the place wouldn't be completely dusty, then unpacked her stuff and took a shower, but now she's tired from all the work and traveling.
Kagome sighed and turned her head to the side to look at the picture frame she placed besides her bed after unpacking. Tomorrow…
Kagome's thoughts trailed off as she yawned and closed her eyes, finally falling into a much-wanted sleep.
But unknown to Kagome as she slept, a black figure vanished from her window seal.
. . .
"Kagome! Hurry up, you're taking too long!"
"Alright, alright! I'm almost done!" quickly grabbing the bag from the ground and hefting it over her shoulders, she sighed and turned to face the impatient voice with a glare. "You don't have to be so pushy you know!"
She got a glare and a huff as the person turned away from her, their hands in their kimono sleeves. "I wouldn't have to be if you weren't so slow-."
Having enough of them, Kagome's eyes narrowed. "Sit-!"
Quickly sitting up from her bed, Kagome blinked and placed a hand to her forehead with a sigh. Another dream…why do they keep coming? Getting no answer for the silent question, Kagome closed her eyes and shook her head. There's nothing I can do about I guess. They are just dreams anyway. Weird but still dreams…
With another sigh, Kagome let her hand drop back down on her lap and turned her head to her clock to see it was 6:20 in the morning. Guess it's time to go and get ready…
After removing the blankets over herself, Kagome got up from her bed and stretched her arms over her head. Once hearing a small pop from her stiff shoulders, she smiled and yawned walking over to her closet to grab her clothes.
Tossing them on her bed, Kagome then turned to grab her black bag, already packed and prepared for the mission a head, and too placed that on her bed.
A few minutes later, once she was fully dressed and her hair was brushed, Kagome grabbed the white ribbon she had on her dresser before wrapping her hair into a low ponytail at the middle of her back with the rest of her hair hanging down loosely and ended at the tips of her thighs.
Once that was done, Kagome looked down at herself. She wore a long light grey form-fitting sleeveless shirt that ended at the middle of her thighs and a fishnet shirt under that. The shirt itself had a square collar outlined in black, a thin black line going across her chest and lastly her clan's symbol on the back. For easier movement, slits were on either side of her shirt and came to her waist, also revealing the pair of black tights she wore under neigh and that ended at the middle of her thighs. Still keeping in habit, a long, thick black sash was tied around her waist with the ends hanging down simply and her father's headband still was in its original place; resting on her right hip. Unlike in the past though, instead of the two separate belts, Kagome had one long, thin cord like belt that was wrapped around her waist in an X-fashion with two pockets resting on her left side. Two arm-guards were on both her forearms and long black fingerless gloves on her hands. Also, instead of the simple black ninja-sandals, she now wore long black open-toed boots that came up to the tip of her knees. A small black Hollister, holding the black scroll Daisuke gave her was on her right upper-arm, and on each leg was a kunai Hollister. Lastly and like always, her black Konoha headband was tied around her neck.
Satisfied that she had everything but her black back-pouch that was still on her dresser, Kagome smiled and grabbed her side-bag before walking over to said dresser and grabbing the pouch. After hooking it in its original place on her back right side, Kagome sighed relieved and headed towards her door, ready for the day and mission ahead.
. . .
Walking out of her room and closing the door behind her, Kagome looked up and stopped walking, but was not surprised to see that Kiyoshi was already up and waiting for her, leaning against the back of the couch with his arms crossed over his chest and tan bag slung over his shoulder.
He wore a pair of black baggy shorts that ended after his knees that held two pockets on each side, and a dark green almost black colored t-shirt. Over that, he wore a tan almost brown colored sleeveless vest that was unzipped and had a pocket on each side. A single black belt with two pockets attached was on his waist and on his feet were black ninja sandals. Lastly, both his wrists were wrapped with black cloth.
Staring at the male for a few seconds, Kagome blinked. He's always up way earlier than me…I can never seem to wake up before him. No matter how many times I try.
And it's true. When she first met Kiyoshi, she was surprised to find out that he wakes up extremely early each day, for why she has no clue. She's asked him plenty of times in the past but she always gets the same answer and same smile from him.
"I was taught and forced to wake up early and it seems that I haven't been able to kick the habit yet."
Kagome gave the older teen a strange stare, and raised an eyebrow. "You were forced? So someone every morning would come and wake you up at such an early hour and you couldn't just choose to wake up whenever you wanted?
Kiyoshi gave an amused grin and shook his head from the other side of the fire pit. "No, if I tried I was punished and paid for it dearly most of the time…"
Kagome's jaw dropped. "Why were you punished so badly just for not waking up at the right hour?"
"Cause that the way I was raised most of my life. But it's okay, because I choose that lifestyle."
Kiyoshi's face changed to more of a serene look and Kagome tilted her head towards the boy, curious. "You choose it? Why?"
Kiyoshi looked up at her with a fond smile on his face and Kagome couldn't tell if it was directed towards her or something he was remembering. "To be able to protect someone I cared very deeply for."
Then when she asks why or who, all he does is smile secretively again and walks away or ends the conversation with a 'you'll know or I'll tell you soon' so she's just plainly gave up after a few times. If she is to indeed 'know' the reason why then she'll figure it out soon enough.
With a shake of her head, Kagome realized that Kiyoshi was up and standing next to her, staring at her with some concern while saying something. Blinking once then shaking her head again Kagome turned her attention back to Kiyoshi. "I'm sorry, what?"
Kiyoshi's eyebrows drew together and he scanned her over, checking if something was wrong with her. "Are you alright? I said good morning but you kind of spaced out on me."
"Oh! I'm sorry, I was just thinking. Anyway good morning!" replied Kagome, smiling. She turned to the clock placed on the table counter and saw that it was 6:45. "It's late and we planned on meeting Naruto and Sakura at 7:00. So are you ready?" Kagome turned back to Kiyoshi. "We can grab some food on the way there."
Kiyoshi nodded to her questions but continued to scan her over, seemingly not convinced that she was fine and she had to wave him off a few times to make him stop fussing over her. "I'm fine, I told you I just was thinking…about some things…"
Kiyoshi's expression turned serious. "More dreams?"
Kagome stopped shocked that he knew. "You know? How?" Kiyoshi turned his head away and started walking to the door.
"..When you came out, I noticed that you had the faint signs of bags under your eyes."
Kagome sighed again and closed her eyes following Kiyoshi. "Oh…I see." She placed a piece of stray hair behind her ear in thought. "Well, yes I had another dream, but I wasn't thinking about that…I mean a dream is just a dream right?"
Kiyoshi lightly paused at the door before nodding in agreement and grabbing the handle. "Yes, I suppose so…" he gave a backwards glance at Kagome once before opening the door for her. "But would you mind telling me what the dream was about?"
"Sure I guess." Walking out, Kagome waited till Kiyoshi closed and locked the door and was besides her before she continued. "It's the same as the other dreams, just a different situation again." A confused expression took over her face. "It's me of course, well, who I think is me, with the same people in it, I still can't see their faces to well, but I know their voices and what we talk about."
Kagome waved her hand in the air. "this time it was about packing to travel somewhere and that one voice telling me to hurry up and that I'm slow and whatnot, then I get annoyed and I yell 'sit' again for some reason."
Kagome frowned. "I wish I knew why 'sit' seems to be a favorite word of mine in my dreams though…" she mumbled quietly getting a small laugh from Kiyoshi.
She turned her head towards him. "What?"
Kiyoshi shook his head. "I'm sorry it's just that, you might not be aware of it, but maybe 'sit' is your favorite word seeing as in almost every one of your dreams you end up saying it."
Kagome nodded at his explanation, then frowned deeper. "But then why do I say it only when that voice makes me annoyed?"
Her companion was silent for a few seconds before he shrugged. "That I do not know, nor could I tell you."
Nodding in a reluctant agreement Kagome faced back forward, her hand holding onto the strap of her bag tightly. "True, but then who can? Even I don't know what it means…"
A small smile was sent her way from Kiyoshi as they walked down the hallway of her apartment building. "You will soon I'm sure. Things usually happen for a reason."
"yeah." sighed Kagome, her eyebrows furrowing together. "But when is that exactly?"
. . .
Here we go…
Kagome stared ahead of her at the gate before her, Kiyoshi and her team besides her. Everyone's here, she and Kiyoshi grabbed a quick breakfast, so now all they need to do now is start traveling.
And go after Sasuke.
Kagome bit down on her lip before sighing and turning to face Naruto and Sakura seeing them both facing her, each with a determined look on their faces and waiting for her to give the signal for them to start. Giving her own determined look back, Kagome turned back forward staring once more at the huge gate and the start of probably their most important mission yet.
No turning back, no giving up. We're going to do this the whole way and get him back.
Gripping her bag's strap tighter, Kagome took a step forward officially starting the mission. "Let's go."
. . .
"Kagome, how much farther till we are there?"
At Sakura's question, Kagome stopped on the branch she landed on, the others stopping next to her. Once she was sure they all were paying attention, she pointed ahead of her where a small village was coming into view. "Actually we're basically here. The scent was located in that village, near the outskirts and through the middle of the town basically."
Her teammates nodded in understanding and Kagome smiled. Turning away from them, and to a tree a few feet from the one they all were standing on, Kagome gave a small whistle. A few seconds later a rustle was heard, making both Naruto and Sakura jump and move for a kunai.
Raising her hand before they could attack, Kagome gave a quick glance to them. "It's fine. Don't worry." another rustle immediately followed her words before a brown head popped up from the leaves of a small branch.
Then as quick as lightening, the brown head vanished back within the foliage before reappearing in a brown blur heading towards the group of four at a fast rate.
Sakura and Naruto, not familiar with the blur took a few steps back making Kagome laugh at their surprise, before holding out an arm. The brown blur immediately circled up around her body before finally stopping on her shoulder and rubbing its head against her own. "Kagome-sama! You've returned!"
Kagome chuckled again and rubbed the summon's head. "I told you I would; I'm just sorry for taking so long…"
The summon shook it's head, its black eyes looking almost pleadingly at Kagome. "No! No! It's all right! I don't mind it, I like it here! And I had fun!" Kagome nodded back. "That's good."
"Um, Kagome?"
Having her conversation interrupted with her summon, Kagome turned back to her teammates seeing that they were staring curiously at the summon. Realizing that they haven't met her friend, she quickly face palmed and nervously smiled. "Right, I forgot you haven't met this summon yet, so..." quickly grabbing the brown ball of fur into her hands, Kagome held him out for the others to see. "Guys this is Taji."
Kagome turned back to Taji. "And Taji these are my teammates and friends, Sakura and Naruto and you have already met Kiyoshi." Taji nodded sniffing once then blinking at the two other teens. With a tilt of his head, he gave a grin while his tail flicked in excitement.
"Nice, to meet you, Sakura-sama, Naruto-sama!"
Both Sakura and Naruto blinked, nodding in agreement staring at the small creature, which now since it was no longer moving could be identified as a ferret. Said ferret was completely brown in color except for its feet where the brown faded into black.
Seeing that they were now acquainted, Kagome turned Taji over so he could face her with a small grin. "So, were you able to keep the scent fresh for us?"
Taji nodded, but then looked troubled, his nose and tail twitching. "Yes, I was Kagome-sama, but…I really didn't have to do much..." the summon trailed off and Kagome's eyebrows furrowed, while everyone came in closer, hearing the strange news. "What do you mean?"
At his summoner's question, Taji jumped from her grasp and stood on his hind legs, before pointing with a small paw. "what I mean, Kagome-sama, is that the scent of the trail you wished for me keep fresh, has returned multiple times since you left me here last. I haven't had to really pass and keep the trail up myself, because the man has returned of his own record."
Kagome nodded again. "Is there a certain amount of days?"
"Yes, every three days the scent becomes fresh again."
"Damn then it means he won't be back till tomorrow…" cursed Kagome, before looking towards her team. "Seems we'll have to wait till he comes tomorrow." Kagome then paused, thinking. "But also, in a way I think this way is better, why follow a scent when we can follow the actual person instead?"
Naruto, speaking up for the first time since they stopped grinned and fisted his hands determined. "Yeah! This way, we can follow Kabuto directly and beat the information out of him!"
Sakura sighed and shook her head towards the excited blond. "No, we can't Naruto." Naruto immediately stopped and turned towards Sakura confused and slightly put down at the fact he could no longer beat the crap out of Orochimaru's right hand man.
"Why not?"
"Because if we are to follow after him and find our objective, we have to do it secretly."
Everyone turned to see Kiyoshi leaning against the tree's trunk calmly. Kagome nodded in agreement to Kiyoshi's sentence, "he's right Naruto. We can't just beat the information out of Kabuto..." Kagome's hands fisted at her sides before she forced them to relax and placed a hand over her left arm guard. "…no matter how much we want to."
Both her teammates caught the action and faced their current leader with curious looks, but Kagome only smiled somewhat tensely before turning away and changing the subject. "Anyway, for now since Kabuto isn't going to be here till tomorrow, I think we should instead scan the surroundings and get a feel for the area, so when he does come we won't have a hard time tracking him." Kagome tilted her head. "Also for precaution in case he comes early, we'll take shifts searching through the village in secret. Since it's a small village though, only one of us will go at a time."
She got two nods from her teammates and Kiyoshi pushed up from against the tree he was leaning against. "I can go first."
Kagome turned back to him. "You don't have to, you know, I could go."
Kiyoshi shook his head and smiled. "I know this area pretty well, so I don't need to do as much recon as you guys might, so I can go first." He turned to look at the area where the small village was coming into view. "It shouldn't be too hard, Kabuto isn't supposed to show up till tomorrow, so I think I could handle It." he motioned to the small radio strapped to his neck. "And if I end up seeing anything, I'll radio in."
"…okay." relented Kagome before turning to Taji. "But since you don't really know what Kabuto looks like, take Taji with you. He'll be able to smell him if he comes back into the village." Kiyoshi nodded as Taji ran up to his shoulder.
Once the summon was settled and secure, Kiyoshi turned back to them with a grin and gave them all a mock salute before vanishing in a blur and heading towards the village. All three teens watched until he was out of sight and Naruto's jaw opened in shock before he turned to Kagome. "How does he do that? I thought he wasn't a ninja!"
Kagome grinned and shrugged at Naruto's question. "Not too sure myself Naruto. I was surprised too when I first saw." And she was, the first time she had to stop and stare because she didn't expect him to be able to follow her as easily as he did while she traveled. And even though he isn't, she's sure that if he was a ninja or tried to become one, he'd easily make it to Jounin despite not being taught as they were.
"Anyway, you can ask him about it after the mission Naruto." continued Kagome knowing that Naruto plans to ask Kiyoshi once he sees him. But right now isn't the time to questions, they're on a mission and they need to prepare for it. "Right now, we need to get the recon over with while Kiyoshi is taking his turn. We can't waste any time."
"Right!" both Sakura and Naruto gave their own mock salutes, grinning but with a serious tint to their eyes making Kagome grin and salute back. "Okay, so let's head out!"
. . .
Stopping on the roof of the building, Kagome kneeled and looked over the semi-crowded street, looking for anything that could or would lead her to Kabuto.
Today is the day Kabuto is supposed to come back to the village for whatever reason he's been coming here in the first place. So now all they have to do is try to locate him, since the times he's come in the past have always been different.
And it currently is her turn.
Seeing nothing after a few minutes, Kagome sighed and turned to the small summon placed atop her shoulders. "Smell anything?"
Taji shook his head looking down at the people walking past. "No, nothing yet Kagome-sama…"
Kagome sighed again and nodded. Turning to the sun, Kagome checked the time. Noon…it's Naruto's turn now…
As if her thoughts were being read, she sensed a figure approaching her and Taji but already knowing who it was, turned her head back and waved. "Hey Naruto."
The blond gave her a grin, walking over to sit next to her. "Hey Kagome, anything?"
"No nothing yet," said Kagome frowning. Standing up from her spot, Kagome stretched her arms over her head looking down at the people. "I hope he shows." There's no way Orochimaru changed hideouts already. We know he switches where he stays time-to-time, but switching already in less than two weeks? I don't think so…and there's no way Kabuto could have found out we found him, he wasn't even there when the scent was picked up.
"He'll show." Kagome turned her eyes back to Naruto. "Then when he does, we'll follow him and get Sasuke back!"
Kagome nodded back. "Yeah, well I'm going to go now." Taji jumped off her shoulders and moved to sit on Naruto's. Turning Kagome waved and started heading back to Sakura and Kiyoshi. "Remember if you find anything radio in."
"Right Kagome!"
With a smile, Kagome jumped from the roof she was on and down to the alleyway below. After landing on her knees, she stood before walking out and through the streets looking around occasionally at the village's surroundings.
The village wasn't big at all. Instead, it seemed like a very calm, almost homey village. With very few shops and restaurants. Every seemed to just really mind their own business and from the watches she had of the place, there also isn't a lot of crime or anything of the kind. So it makes me wonder what Kabuto is doing here…or what Orochimaru wants with this place if he's sending Kabuto to it multiple times.
At the thought, Kagome's frown returned and her eyebrows furrowed. Now that she thinks about it, what does Orochimaru want with this place? The village doesn't have anything really in particular or special about it. The few stores they do have aren't for weapons or that kind of stuff, it's more for medical supplies and medicine...but even that is in low supply. So why is Kabuto returning to the village so many times? What's his reason-?
"Ah, excuse me."
"No, no it was my fault."
Kagome immediately froze hearing the voices coming from behind her. That voice! But if it is him, how come we didn't see him when he came in? One of us would have found him. Quickly shaking her head, Kagome turned to look behind her, and zeroed in on a cloaked figure and elderly woman speaking. Is that him?
The figure had their hood drawn up so she couldn't tell if it was him or not, due to their back to her but Kagome still narrowed her eyes as if it would help her see their face.
Before Kagome could do anything else though, she noticed that the figure tensed up, before turning to look in her direction. Widening her eyes, and realizing she could be caught, Kagome quickly looked around before finding another small alleyway. Acting quickly she moved to hide behind it.
Once her back touched the cold wall, Kagome looked over the side to catch the person looking back forward, and her silver orbs widened further catching a thing of grey hair. That has to be him! Turning back to normal, Kagome faced forward. That has to be Kabuto, that was his voice and his hair…I have to call the others.
Looking back over the wall, Kagome's narrowed eyes watched as the brown-cloaked figure-Kabuto if she's right, which she thinks she is, walked away. But if I call them, there's a chance he'll notice. But I can't go following him on my own either-I know!
Quickly pushing from the wall Kagome started a list of familiar hand signs before slamming her hand down to the cold surface of the ground. Once the poof of black smoke appeared then disappeared. Kagome sent a quick smile to her closest summon. "Shirou."
The black wolf blinked his blue eyes before grinning his wolfish grin. "Kagome. Been a few days. So what's up?"
Kagome's smile changed and she gave the wolf a serious look. "I need you to follow someone for me…"
. . .
After seeing the wolf off, Kagome immediately turned to her radio, and jumped up to the roof of the building next to her.
Placing her hand to the small button on the radio Kagome moved the small microphone closer to her mouth. "Hey you guys can you hear me?"
Sakura's voice came through the small speaker. "Yeah Kagome? What's up?"
Ignoring pleasantries for now, Kagome went straight to the point. "I'm pretty sure I found Kabuto."
There were a few seconds of silence, then:
"What?"
At the three loud choruses of the shocked word, Kagome winced and moved the speaker away from her ear. Once it calmed she placed it back to hear everyone in her team asking questions.
"What do you mean you found him?"
"Where is he?"
"How come we weren't able to find him?"
Sighing, Kagome shook her head despite them not being able to see it and gripped her mouthpiece tighter, "it really was from a burst of luck. I was heading back and I ended up hearing a small conversation from behind me, one voice sounded like Kabuto and when I doubled checked, I saw a thing of his hair. It couldn't be some coincidence. Besides he was wearing a dark brown cloak with the hood up, that could be why we haven't found him till now."
It was Kiyoshi's voice this time that spoke. "What now?"
Kagome grinned into the microphone. "What else, we're going to follow him."
"But how? Are you following him?"
Kagome shook her head at Naruto's question. "No, I might be found out if I did, but before I explain any further we need to all meet up in the front of the village. I'll explain further then."
Another chorus of 'right' came through the speaker of her radio and Kagome released the button, now just focusing on getting to the front of the village to meet the others.
We're getting closer.
Reviews are loved, flames stared at, and advice appreciated! Until next chapter!