Shadowfox

Chapter 2

Sakura Hanamoto

Takuro opened his eyes to see a pair of blue ones staring down at him. "Huh?"

"Shishou, he's awake." The blue-eyed girl said.

"Good," He turned his head slightly to see a woman his age approaching.

"Where am I?" He asked in an attempt to sit up. The woman pushed him back down onto the bed carefully.

"Stay still, you're injured." She said. Takuro nodded slowly. Takuro was still somewhat dazed, but he was acutely aware of his hunger. At this thought, his stomach rumbled loudly. The woman smiled. "Natsuhime, get the man something to eat." She ordered.

"We don't have anything Shishou." He saw a red-headed girl answering.

"Fine, Yukina get us some food." She ordered the blue-eyed girl.

"All right, all right." Yukina stood up from her spot on the floor and snapped together all six sections of her staff and attached a foot and a half long glaive head. "I'll be back." She opened the door to the cabin and disappeared.

"Who are you?" Takuro asked the woman who was now poking his ribs experimentally. He winced.

"Hm, still tender." She murmured. The woman then looked up at him and smiled. "I'm Shadowfox." She said calmly. Takuro's eyes widened in surprise. How could she just introduce herself like that like it was an ordinary day? "And you're Uchiha Takuro."

"How did you-?" Hinari held up the book.

"I know quite a bit about you actually." She said. "Now then, let's take a look at your fingers. Give me your hand." Takuro complied, simply because he didn't know what else to do. Hinari examined them.

"Why did you save me?" He asked.

"Simple, my squad and I are headed for Konoha, and since I took the time to take out that advance army Orochimaru, it would have made me look bad if I just left the captive they happened to have there to die." She explained. Hinari took his other hand and checked his fingers on that hand. "Well, your fingers will heal well. They broke cleanly, there aren't any bone fragments floating around in there."

"How can you tell?"

"I just can." Hinari deactivated her Byakugan and looked up. "Man, you look like you went through a blender when you were younger." She traced the three scars on his face.

"Uh yeah, something like that." Just as he said that, Yukina burst through the door, dragging a dead boar with her glaive. Hinari sighed.

"Take that thing outside and prepare it there. It's unsanitary." She ordered. "Hyourinmaru, help your sister."

"What? Why me?"

"Because Natsuhime's helping me."

"No she isn't!"

"Just do as I say." Hyourinmaru groaned.

"Fine, fine." He got up and followed his sister outside.

"Who are they?" Takuro asked.

"My students. Takeda Hyourinmaru, or Demolition Drive, that's his codename. He's in charge of breaking the doors and gates down and clearing our path. His younger sister by two years is Takeda Yukina, Quick Strike. She does recon and sneak attacks. And finally, Yanagihara Natsuhime, Silent Strike, our medic, and assassin." Hinari explained.

"Did you say Takeda?" Takuro asked.

"Yep, the only two survivors of the Takeda Massacre, only by a stroke of complete luck. Hyourinmaru was four at the time, that's when the clan kekkei genkai manifested in him, saving himself and Yukina." Hinari said.

"So, what's your real name?" Takuro asked her. Hinari looked at him and grinned.

"Do you really think I'd tell you?" Takuro cursed under his breath, he'd been hoping she'd slip up in a moment of distraction. "Natsuhime, tell Yukina to prepare a broth." Hinari told her.

"Okay, Shishou how's his heartbeat?" Natsuhime asked.

"Excuse me," Hinari shoved him down carefully and pressed her ear to his chest. "Its fine, we don't need to use anymore Foxglove. We don't want to accidentally kill him anyway." She said. Natsuhime nodded and went outside to join the siblings.

"They call you 'shishou'?" Takuro asked.

"Yep, Hyourinmaru and Yukina have been with me for eleven years now, Natsuhime only for four." Hinari said.

"You guys must be close."

"Yeah, just like family." Hinari stood up and went digging through her pack. "That's an interesting necklace you've got there. Family heirloom?" She asked. Takuro looked down at the necklace around his neck.

"Uh no, its-," He wasn't sure how to explain it.

"Let me guess, someone close to you gave it to you."

"Good guess. She gave it to me as a parting gift."

"She?"

"Yeah, she wasn't my girlfriend or anything; we were just really close friends." He said.

"I see." Hinari was finding it quite entertaining to pretend that she wasn't herself. "Are you still close?"

"I don't know, haven't seen her for twelve years now. She was my teammate, if I was to see her now, then, to be honest, I don't know how I'd react."

"Well, if it's been that long, people change a lot over the course of twelve years. She could have a boyfriend by now, or she won't remember you, or a million other possibilities."

"That's true."

"Shishou, the broth is ready." Natsuhime said.

"Bring some for our invalid here." Hinari said. Natsuhime disappeared for a minute and returned with a bowl. She handed it to Takuro, he was about to take it when he remembered that he couldn't move most of his fingers. "Give it here, I'll feed him. Save some for me will ya?"

"Right." Natsuhime disappeared out the door again. Hinari picked up the spoon and held it up to Takuro's mouth.

"You wanna eat or not?" She asked him.

"Oh," Takuro opened his mouth and Hinari stuck the spoon inside. He closed his mouth and swallowed the broth. Hinari fed him a spoonful at a time until the bowl was empty. She set it aside.

"Get some sleep now, you need it." Takuro lay back down and was asleep in moments.

XxXxXxX

"Hokage-sama!" Hitomi burst into the conference room.

"Hitomi! This better be good for you to interrupt." Konohamaru snapped. The clan heads weren't too happy either.

"I'm sorry but, the advance army that was parked ten miles outside the village, it's been wiped out!" She cried as she yanked her mask off.

"WHAT?!"

"Arashi-taichou sent me to report it, and, it was done by the Shadowfox Squad." Hitomi said. "Everyone in the camp was dead, including the commander." At the mention of the Shadowfox, the clan heads burst into frenzied whispering.

"I thought the Shadowfox disappeared?" Hana muttered.

"Not likely, we sent our best after her; they came back without even having scratched her. She probably just stepped out of the spotlight." Shikamaru reasoned.

"Hitomi, take two I & S squads and continue the investigation." Konohamaru ordered. Hitomi saluted.

"Yes sir." She pulled her mask back on and walked out the door.

"What's this Shadowfox?" The clan heads fell into silence and they all turned towards Hideki. Each and every one of them wore the same look. A "Where the hell have you been?" look. Konohamaru sighed. Haruka and Mamoru glanced at each other. Even they knew of the Shadowfox.

"Shikamaru, pass me a cigarette." Konohamaru said. Shikamaru raised a surprised eyebrow but complied with the request. Konohamaru lit up and took a long pull on the cigarette then blew the smoke out through his nose. "Kakashi."

"Sir?"

"Get me the file on the Shadowfox." Kakashi nodded and left the room. After a few moments he returned and handed it to Konohamaru.

"This file contains all information on the Shadowfox that we've been able to gather." He began. "The Shadowfox showed up about nine years ago. She took jobs as a mercenary from the highest bidder. If you gave her the money she'd do just about any job for you, assassinations, protection, transporting of goods, anything, the only thing she didn't do was sleep with you." Konohamaru said. "At first no one really noticed, but when she took a job that involved an international affair, if it involved going against Fire Country, or any of its allies, she didn't do it. We didn't notice until it was pointed out. Based on that, we concluded that she was an ally to Konoha. All the same she was added to our Bingo book, simply as a safety precaution.

"She was active all over the continent up until eight months ago; she just seemed to disappear completely. And now, she seems to have turned up again, protecting Konoha." Konohamaru finished his explanation to Hideki.

"She sounds dangerous." Hideki commented.

"Indeed she is. She moves so quickly and silently that not even our most skilled have caught her. We don't even know what she looks like. The only physical description of her that we have is that her hair is always tied into a braid that reaches her waist." Sasuke said.

"An interesting woman." Hideki murmured. Mamoru and Haruka sighed; they knew the look on his face, once a woman caught his interest he didn't stop until he was satisfied, usually once he got her in bed. Konohamaru seemed to realize this.

"She isn't a woman that would sell her body based on our information. Though she is known to use it to lure her victims into lowering their guard."

"Has there been any word on my son's whereabouts?" Sasuke asked.

"None," Sasuke sighed. "Don't worry Sasuke, the I & S is still looking into it." Konohamaru said.

XxXxXxX

"Uh, I can't stand this anymore!" Takuro cried. Hinari smirked.

"Bored?"

"What the hell do you think? I can't do anything since my fingers still haven't healed." He said.

"I have an idea, why don't you guess my identity?" Hinari suggested.

"What would be the point in that? I haven't a clue as to who you are." He said.

"Awe, come on, I know you're curious, I can see it in your eyes." She teased. She scooted closer, but Takuro moved farther away. Hinari leaned forward and he leaned back. She giggled. "You're awfully shy for a man your age. Most men I've run into can't wait to get my clothes off."

"Uh, well, that is, uh-," Takuro stammered.

"Don't worry; most of those men are dead before they even get their pants off." She said.

"How's that supposed to make me feel better?"

"You tell me." Hinari stood up.

"You're weird." He muttered.

"I heard that." Hinari spun around to face him. She sniffed. "You smell funny."

"Well I haven't bathed in quite a while now." He said.

"Let's fix that, I can't stand a man that smells." Hinari grabbed him by the elbow and made him stand. Hyourinmaru looked up. "We're heading out for a bit, hold down the fort." She said.

"Whatever." Hyourinmaru muttered.

"Where are Yukina and Natsuhime?"

"Off gathering herbs." Hinari answered as she dragged Takuro off into the woods. After a few minutes of walking she paused to listen, she heard rushing water and followed it. They came to a stream and she pushed Takuro forward. "Well go on, get clean."

"But-,"

"Don't worry, I won't look," Hinari turned around to prove her point. "Much." She finished. Takuro blushed furiously. He attempted to push his pants down without unbuttoning them, but couldn't.

"Uh,"

"What?"

"I can't get my pants off." He said. Hinari laughed.

"Come here then." She said.

"Huh?"

"Poor boy, still so shy." Hinari smiled. Takuro ground his teeth, and then resolutely stepped towards her. Hinari reached down and unbuttoned his pants. "There," She turned around again to let him finish undressing. Takuro moved towards the river and stepped into it.

"The water's freezing!" He cried.

"Too bad!" Hinari retorted. Hinari sat down, her back still facing him. Takuro watched her apprehensively, not trusting her word. Then again, why should he? She was the Shadowfox after all. "I told you already, I'm not gonna look, it's not like there's much to see anyway."

"What was that?!" Hinari laughed at him.

"For as shy as you are, you're just like any other guy." Takuro sat in the water for a few more minutes, stewing. She certainly knew how to get under his skin. Takuro got out of the water and shook his hair out. He put his clothes back on. "Done?" Hinari asked.

"Yeah."

"Good, now it's my turn." Hinari was reaching down to pull her shirt off when Takuro stopped her.

"Wh-what are you doing?!" He cried. Hinari smiled. She spun around and poked him in the chest.

"You really are a virgin!"

"How can you tell?"

"If you weren't, you wouldn't have protested. I've traveled this continent, hell; I went west for eight months, all men act like this." She said. Then, she started heading back. "Hurry up, I'll come back here later, I was only messing with you." She said. Takuro sighed and shook his head.

'This woman is really strange.' He thought.

XxXxXxX

"Okay, that's it! Let's head back!" Arashi ordered.

"Right." Satoko wiped sweat from her brow and joined Arashi. The only man on the team was breathing heavily. Arashi flashed him a contemptuous look.

'I'll never understand why I let him join.' She thought. Hitomi soon joined them and they headed back to the village at an easy run.

"Taichou, do you ever think we'll find my brother?" Satoko asked.

"Yeah, he's a tough one, Takuro is. He's alive, wherever he is." Arashi reassured the young woman. Satoko nodded.

"If you say so."

"Cheer up Satoko; I hardly think Takuro would get himself killed. He's still got his whole life ahead of him, plus he's still hoping Hinari comes back." Arashi said.

"You're right. But I find it hard to believe that he's still waiting for Hinari." Satoko said unbelievingly.

"Good point. He's a patient guy, but not that patient." Arashi laughed. "Well, Hitomi, call those squads over, we're heading back to the village, we've done what we can. Pity there wasn't anyone alive to question."

XxXxXxX

"Okay! Your fingers are as good as new! And your ribs are healed too." Hinari poked Takuro in the ribs. "So that means, pack up kids we're heading for the village!" She announced.

"Finally!" Hyourinmaru scrambled up from his place on the floor and started packing. Natsuhime stuffed her medic supplies away in their proper places and shouldered her bag. Yukina made sure everything was secure and slung her bag over her shoulder. Hinari picked up her own supplies.

"Get up Takuro, we're taking you home." Hinari said.

"Right," Takuro stood and pulled his shirt on. He found his forehead protector under the pillow and tied it on.

"Right, Shadowfox Squad, Takuro, move out!" Everyone nodded and they spilled out of the cabin. They walked down the road.

"Shishou, what direction do we go in?" Yukina asked. Hinari pointed. Takuro noted the direction she pointed in.

"You're not going through the main gate?" He asked.

"No, why?"

"It'd be safer if you did."

"Yeah but they won't let us through anyway." Natsuhime said.

"Why not?"

"None of us have a Konoha forehead protector." Hyourinmaru answered. Then, Hinari stopped and began digging through her backpack.

"I know it's in here somewhere. Aha!" She pulled out a Konoha forehead protector. She rubbed the metal to make it shinier, but the cloth was tattered.

"Where did you get that?" Hyourinmaru asked.

"Silly, I did graduate from an Academy unlike you three. This is my forehead protector." Hinari tied it on and smiled. She saw Takuro staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing, you just remind me of someone I used to know."

"Shishou! You mean to tell us that all this time you were registered to a village?" Yukina asked.

"Yep, but they probably figure that I'm dead by now." Hinari said. "Well, let's go!" She cried, pumping a fist into the air.

XxXxXxX

A pair of chuunin watched as a group of five approached the gate. Once they got a clear view, they recognized one of them. "Isn't that Uchiha Takuro?" One asked the other. He nodded. Once the group arrived they stopped them.

"Halt! State your names and your business in Konoha!" One ordered. Hinari smiled and stepped forward.

"Is it really necessary?" She asked. The chuunin noted the forehead protector she wore. "We found Uchiha Takuro on our way here and saw fit to make sure he got back safely." She said.

"All right, you can pass." They walked through the gate.

"Wait! Those children wear no symbol of this village. We will have to confiscate their weapons." Hinari sighed. She nodded and they began removing their weapons. Hyourinmaru tossed down his hammer and removed his kunai holster and hip pouch.

"That's everything." He informed them. The other two however took a while longer. Natsuhime unbuckled one of her belts and placed the belt and bladed tonfas on the ground. Then she removed her kunai holster and hip ouch, but left her second belt on. She pushed up the sleeves of her jacket and removed the flat knives she had strapped to her arms.

"What about that other pouch?" One of the chuunin pointed to it.

"Those are just healing herbs." Natsuhime responded. Yukina removed the six sections of her staff and dumped them on the ground. She removed her belt, along with the pouch that held the bladed heads to her staff. She then took off her kunai holster and threw it in the pile.

"That's all I've got." She said.

"Onii-chan! Onii-chan!" A pair of voices called. They turned to see two boys, one with green eyes, and the other with black. Both had black hair tied into short ponytails. Both were dressed in the exact same thing, khaki shorts and a blue shirt with the Uchiha clan symbol printed on the sleeve. The green-eyed boy wore his forehead protector on his forehead; the other wore his on his arm.

"Raisuke, Renpachi, what are you guys doing here?" Takuro asked.

"Who cares? You're finally back!" Both boys were elated to see him. "Wait until Mom and Dad hear! They're gonna be so thrilled." Hinari gave Takuro a surprised look.

'So the Uchiha clan has gotten bigger since I've been gone. Those two are probably eleven or so.' Hinari thought.

"Hey, get out of the way!" The chuunin pulled Hyourinmaru and Yukina aside as three full squads of Shinobi entered. One of them paused by the chuunin.

"I & S squad one checking in. And so are squads four and seven." She added.

"Of course, I hope your investigation went well Arashi-taichou?" One of the chuunin asked.

"As well as it could have." Upon hearing the name Arashi, Hinari spun around to see her older sister. "Hitomi, go report to Hokage-sama. Satoko, huh? Satoko?" Arashi followed the young woman's line of vision.

"Ah! Satoko-'nee-chan! Look, it's Takuro-'nii-chan, he's finally back!" Renpachi pointed at Takuro.

"'Nii-chan?" Satoko stepped towards her older brother.

"Hey Satoko, sorry for worrying you." Takuro said. "I'd probably be dead by now, if it wasn't for Shadowfox here." He jerked a thumb at Hinari.

"Shadowfox?" Arashi turned to Hinari. "You're Shadowfox? You wear a Konoha forehead protector."

"That's right. I came from this village originally; I saved it just in case. It got me in here again." Hinari answered. She quickly adopted the pretense of never having met Arashi previously.

"Take this woman and these three kids here to the Hokage." She ordered the chuunin.

"What? But we can't leave our post."

"That's fine; Eiji here will take your place until you get back. Right Eiji?" Arashi asked the man.

"Uh yeah."

"Now then, Shadowfox, you will come with me, but first, your weapons." Hinari did not protest. Not that it really mattered to her; she could kill without a weapon. Hinari removed the only visible weapons she seemed to have, her kunai holster and hip pouch.

"Okay, that's everything." She said.

"I don't trust you. Byakugan." Arashi activated her Byakugan and studied Hinari. When she was satisfied that Hinari was unarmed she motioned for her to walk ahead of her. The chuunin followed with the three kids. Satoko had collected the supplies and weapons from the group and brought up the rear with her brothers.

XxXxXxX

Konohamaru rubbed his temples. "Let's get this straight. You and your three students took out a hundred and twenty of Orochimaru's best shinobi on your own?" Hinari nodded. "And then, upon discovering Takuro, you took him from the battlefield and healed his injuries and came here." Hinari nodded again.

"That's right sir."

"Then, tell me, what is your true name?" He asked. Hinari grinned. She knew this question would be coming, and instead of her customary response, she decided to tell the truth.

"Are you ready sir?" She asked.

"For what?"

"For my introduction of course."

"Fine, fine, just hurry up." Hinari's smile widened.

"I am U-," She was cut off by a knock on the door. Satoko opened it and a woman of average height stepped inside. She had blonde hair, a blonde that wasn't as vibrant as Arashi's hair, but still blonde, and brown eyes. Her belly was large from pregnancy.

"What do you need Tsubaki?" Konohamaru asked.

"I was wondering if you'd found Takuro yet?" She asked. Konohamaru nodded towards Takuro. The woman turned and grinned.

"I knew you weren't dead. And Asuma kept saying that there was no way you could still be alive." She gave Takuro a quick hug.

"Shadowfox, you were about to give your name?" Konohamaru said.

"Oh yes, of course. I am Uzumaki Hinari." She said. For a second, there was stunned silence.

"Hinari? As in, my little sister Hinari?" Arashi asked. Without asking permission, she yanked her mask off and studied Hinari intently. "Blue eyes, indigo hair, the whisker marks." Arashi moved Hinari's bangs from her face to see them. "There's no doubt, it's you!" Arashi hugged her tightly.

"What the fuck! You-you-you!" Takuro continued to stutter incoherently. Satoko punched him, causing his head to create a whole in the wall when he hit it.

"Language Takuro, there are children in the room." She scolded. Hinari heard loud stomping and turned to face Tsubaki.

"You told me in your letter that I could beat you up."

"You're hardly in a position to beat me up Tsubaki, by the looks of things." Hinari commented.

"You're right, so I get to beat you up after I squeeze this baby out." She said. Hinari laughed.

"Are you really Hinari?" Hitomi asked.

"My, you've grown quite a bit Hitomi-hime." Hitomi frowned.

"I'm hardly a little kid anymore Hinari, I'm sixteen already!" Hinari laughed.

"I know you are. It's just habit by now." Hinari said giving Hitomi a hug. "Now, for some proper introductions. Everyone, these are my three students, Takeda Hyourinmaru and Yukina, and Yanagihara Natsuhime." She said. Konohamaru looked at the crowd that had gathered.

"Could all of you please leave? I'll take your report later Arashi, Takuro, come back tomorrow morning, I wanna know what happened to you. Satoko, take a look at him and make sure he has no injuries." Konohamaru ordered. "And Tsubaki, I believe you're supposed to be off your feet."

"Ah, you won't tell Asuma will you?" Konohamaru chuckled.

"Only if you don't go straight home."

"Roger!" Tsubaki turned and left without another word. The others soon followed. Once the door shut, Konohamaru addressed Hinari again.

"It's good to finally see you Hinari."

"It's good to be home."

"How has your journey been?" Hinari shrugged noncommittally.

"So-so, had its ups and downs. Though a very enlightening experience." Hinari told him.

"Now that you've returned I presume you wish to return to the field as a Konoha ninja."

"Yep, but there's a problem."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"My old team has obviously moved on. And there is the question of an appropriate rank for my students." She glanced at the three. Konohamaru chuckled.

"Then, as you have not participated in the Chuunin Exam for the past twelve years, I could just promote you here and now to the level I see fit. Or, I could keep you a genin and send your students to the Academy."

"But, they're more than qualified to graduate already. I've taught them everything they need to know." Hinari said.

"Is that so? Well then, since I am rather curious as to how strong you've gotten, let's test you. Kakashi." Kakashi opened the door.

"Sir?"

"Go get me Hyuuga Neji and Hyuuga Tenten."

"Yes sir,"

"Uncle Neji and Tenten-san finally got married?" Hinari asked.

"That's right, and they have an eight year old son."

"Wow, things really have changed here."

"Indeed. While we're waiting, may I ask your students a few questions about them?"

"Only if they don't mind." Hinari looked at them. All three of them shrugged. "Yeah, they don't mind." Hinari stepped away and gate the three a shove forward. "Just 'cause he's the Hokage doesn't mean he's gonna bite. He's not as scary as the Kazekage." She said grinning.

"You've been to Suna lately?"

"Yep, passed through on our way here. Asked Gaara-sama not to tell you of my arrival." She said. Konohamaru turned to her students.

"Now then, please tell me your names, where you are from, and age." He said.

"Takeda Hyourinmaru from Water Country, I'm sixteen sir."

"Takeda Yukina, also from Water Country, and I'm fourteen."

"Yanagihara Natsuhime from Grass Country, I'm fifteen."

"Quite a group you've got here. Tell me how you came to be Hinari's student."

"Shishou saved Yukina and me from the streets, she offered us food and clothing, and helped us control our kekkei genkai." Hyourinmaru explained for them both.

"I was running away from a forced marriage and I ran into Shishou and begged her to help me." Natsuhime said.

"A forced marriage? How old were you?"

"I was eleven, my parents were desperate sir. I didn't want to end up the trophy wife of some old geezer." Natsuhime replied.

"Understandable." Konohamaru was about to continue when Neji and Tenten entered. Upon seeing Hinari they both stared.

"So Hitomi-sama was telling the truth." Neji murmured. "She has indeed returned."

"Neji, Tenten, thank you for coming. I wish to assign suitable rankings to these four, and I would like you to test them."

"Of course." Neji replied.

"I call dibs on the kids." Tenten said. Neji nodded.

"I wonder, have your Jyuuken skills improved much since I last saw you?" Neji asked Hinari.

"Perhaps."

"Why don't we go to one of the training grounds then, shall we?" The large group headed to the nearest training ground. Kakashi placed the box of the group's supplies down and they all geared up.

"Tenten-san is a weapons master, don't underestimate her." Hinari warned.

"Don't worry, we won't." Hyourinmaru said. Hinari nodded and finished strapping on her kunai holster. Hinari and Neji faced each other while the three kids stood before Tenten.

"Neji and Tenten will give the word to begin once they are ready." Konohamaru said. He stepped back to observe, Kakashi by his side. They waited for a few tens moments, then Neji and Tenten spoke in unison.

"START!" And the test began.

Chapter two is finished! Hurray! No preview this time because I forgot, and I'm half finished the chapter 3 already. :P Okay, review please.