Chapter 2

Welcome in the World of the Shinobi

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Suigetsu, a water ninja from the Mist and Juugo, a Ninja from the Sound.

They were now surrounded by the Samurais of the Land of the Snow.

"Dammed…" whispered Suigetsu. No way he could defeat them all.

Juugo felt the sweat on his body. They had a resent attempt of escaping, but unfortunately, there were still too much of Samurais, and since they have a lack of Chakra because of their battle with the Raikage…

"If there is someone up there, please, just sent anyone here!"

Suddenly a strong wind came from above and a big shadow covered them.

"What the-" cursed a Samurai, but before he could finish his sentence, he and the other Samurais were blown away.

The dust of the snow covered the new intruders.

"Hmm, this place does not really match the description."

As the snow disappeared, the view became clear. Suigetsu and Juugo were looking surprised at the young girl who came out of the ground, before them.

"Maybe the map was wrong." Suggested Mouse who was still in his hawk form.

"Well, let's hope that! I don't want to walk the whole thing."

Jimmy whimpered softly as he jumped off. "Oh, don't worry boy. We are probably in the neighborhood, I hope."

Suigetsu and Juugo were still too surprised to say anything. Not only did this girl defeated a group of proud Samurais, she also talks to animals?

"At least you're not the only one, Juugo" Said Suigetsu dryly.

The girl now noticed the two men. "Aneth ara, strangers." She greeted and waved.

She walked towards then, and Suigetsu noticed that she had a stick and a bow on her back. She had dagger banded on her waist. No ordinary women. She was also quite small.

"I am looking for a Shemlen village called Konoha. Got any idea if it is near."

The man blinked surprised. "Do you have any idea what you just did?" Suigetsu said unbelievable.

The girl looked confused and Suigetsu pointed behind her.

"By Andraste's flaming sword! What have I done!" she shrieked by the sight of the fallen samurais. Some were moaning in agony while others just looked with a quite confused face.

"Nice move…" Mouse said sarcastic and turned back to his mouse form.

" Forgive me. I never intended to hurt them."

"Hehe, no problem! Believe me! You surely helped us out there." Suigetsu said.

"What he is saying is that we were a bit of a pinch back then. I don't know how you did it, but we are very thankful."

Suigetsu turned and mumbled something.

"Suigetsu, what are you doing?" Juugo said annoyed.

"I am thanking Kami-sama."

"Kami-sama?" the girl asked confused. "Ugh.. never mind. My original question. Can you tell if I am near Konoha?'

"You must travel further north. Then you'll reach it." Juugo answered.

The girl nodded and flipped over her long brown hair.

"Ma serannas. I should be on my way then."

"Wait!" Suigetsu said. "You… you're not from here, are you?"

"No, I am from Ferelden, now goodbye." The girl said shortly and walked further.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Suigetsu now spreading the way. "What's your name?"

"Why are you interested in my name?"

"Just wanna know how to call our savior that was sent by Kami-sama."

"I am not sent by this Kami-sama? And you my call me Saber, if you must. Now, if you have to excuse me…" Saber walked passed Suigetsu.

"My name is Suigetsu! Next to me is Juugo! Nice to meet you." Suigetsu yelled.

Saber just rolled her eyes and continued her way.

Juugo and Suigetsu watched Saber getting further away from them.

"Strange girl…" Suigetsu said. "But she saved our asses. I'm glad she didn't expected any reward!"

"That girl… had something strange…"

"If you mean her sense of manners, then yes."

"No, I mean that was something dark inside her. Something I have never felt before."

"Then I suppose it's a good thing she walked further, eh? But enough chit-chat. We must find Sasuke and Karin, if she is there."

Juugo nodded and they went on their way.

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"Is… this…Konoha?"

Saber looked at the fallen city. "What in the name of the Creators has happened here? I thought that Konoha was one of the biggest cities of the Shinobi Lands!"

"Well, it once was, but then some guy thought it was fun to blow up the whole city."

The voice behind Saber made her turn. Jimmy growled threatening .

"Hmm, you don't seem to come from this area. Great, more foreigners." A man with spiky black hair and a bandage over his nose.

"Aneth ara. May I ask who you are?"

"Aneth what? Wow, you really must be from some far away land. So, first you tell your name and what business you have here."

"Fair enough. I am called Saber, I am a Grey Warden from Ferelden, and I am here to investigate the darkspawn, but I need information first. I thought Konoha would be a good, since I was original sent here."

"Yeah sure! Darkspawn? Ferelden? Grey Warden? What kind of fool do you think I am?" Said the man sarcastically. "Leave, before something bad happens."

"You have no idea how tempting that is, but I have no intention of leaving and I think I am capable enough to stand against you, Shem."

"What? Why you little-" The man took a kunai and prepared himself.

Saber took her bow and Jimmy was already in the attack stance. Saber felt the mana from Mouse peeking up.

However, they were interrupted by others. Out of nowhere a puff of smoke came.

"Kotetsu, stand by. And you too, stranger." The shadow of two shapes were visible through the smoke.

The man who was called Kotetsu followed the order and so did Saber.

"What has happened here?" Said one of them.

The smoke disappeared and their appearance became clear.

One with a senbon in his mouth while the other had brown hair and bandana that covered his hair.

"Stranger, I don't know what business you have, but I shall recommend you to not use any weapons here, if you value your live." Said the one with the senbon. He glanced at Jimmy and growled. "And put the dog down, will ya? "

These people are indeed suspicious by nature… She thought sarcastically

"My apologies, I mean no harm. I am a Grey Warden from Ferelden, and my name is Saber. I only wish to look for resources of darkspawn."

"A Grey Warden, eh?" He said surprised. "Never thought I would see one. My name is Shiranui Genma, a Jōnin from Konohagakure."

"Good the know my order is known in these countries, unlike your friend, who didn't believe me."

Kotetsu was now looking away from embarrassment.

"How could I know?"He mumbled softly.

"I apologies one my partner's behavior. My name is Izumo Kamizuki"

"That's alright, my friend and well met." Saber laughed kindly. "Then I shouldn't shock you any further. Please, can I go my way?"

"Sorry miss, but we can't give the information you seek. As you can see is Konoha in stage of rebuilding. And we are in war."

"Yes, I already had that impression… well too bad then. Is there anything I can do here?"

Genma looked quite surprised at this. "Well yes, actually. We can use a couple of hands."

"Then I shall help, but do you mind if I use magic? It will faster the progress of rebuilding."

"Uhm.. sure?"

"Okay, maybe I am stupid, but I don't believe that magic exists! What are going to tell us next? That you're an elf?"

Saber took her staff and with a spell she restored a couple of buildings.

"And for your information, I AM an elf, Shem." She showed her ears.

Kotetsu was saying nothing with his mouth open.

"Please, just shut up before she's changing you in a toad."Izumo said with a sigh.

"Where to begin, Sir Genma?"

"Well…" he said as he looked around

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The sun was already settling down.

Saber helped some civilians with the water.

"Arigatou, now we can finally have streaming water in our houses." Said a woman.

"You're welcome."

Jimmy and Mouse were playing with some kids from the school. Not that Saber minded. In fact, it was quite a relieve that those kids didn't bug her about her ears.

But that didn't mean that Saber wasn't aware that she was being spied by three youngsters.

"Konohamaru-kun? Who is the lady?" Moegi asked.

"Don't know, but she is cool! Did you saw that? She just used… I don't know, but it's AWESOME! Hey maybe she can teach us! Than we can impress Naruto Nii Chan!"

Saber called the mambari and the spirit and walked towards Kotetsu and Izumo.

"I have completed the task. Is there anything I can do more?"

"Hm, nope, that's it for today." Izumo said.

Saber nodded, but she couldn't help to get annoyed by the young ninja's

Saber sighed. "Please come out already." She said annoyed.

Izumo and Kotetsu looked confused. "Excuse me?"

"Not you, but those three da'len. Please come out. I can feel your eyes pocking in my back."

Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon came out a bit hesitating.

"Konohamaru? Shouldn't you help?" Kotetsu said tiredly as his mind tried to figure out which prank his did this time.

"Yeah, well, I just saw the new person and we wanted to find her?"

"Find me?" Saber asked

"Well, the whole village is talking about the girl who uses hocus pocus stuff, so well…"

"Ah, words are spreading fast…" Saber said a bit amused. "Well, yes. I use magic."

"Really? It's true? Can you teach me too? Naruto nii-san would be very impressed and, and-"

"I am sorry, but I can't teach you magic, since you are not a mage." she interupted him.

"Ah really? Not a tiny bit."

"Not even the tiniest bit of magic. Forget it."

Konohamaru looked disappointed. Saber felt a bit sorry for him.

"Here," she said and give him a dagger that was surrounded by ice.

"F-for me?" Konohamaru asked unbelievable.

"You can borrow it, until I wish it back. But for that time it is to impress this person and to keep you safe. This dagger has been enchanted, which means that it was changed with magic and lyrium. It is something.

"Wow, thank you!"

"The name is Fang. It has been made by the Dalish people, my people, and I am very attached with this dagger, so please be careful with it."

"I shall protect it with my live." and Konohamaru and Udon left.

"I hope he realize that the dagger should protect his life first," she mumbled.

Moegi however stayed and looked questionable at Saber.

"Yes, da'len? What's on your mind?"

"Your ears…"

"Ah is see. I am an elf. I know that my people don't exist in these lands, but it is true. Believing it is your decision however" Saber looked for a moment amused at Kotetsu, who looked away.

"That's awesome! Is that elf's that you speak? What does it mean?"

"Da'len means little child."

"Little- What?" Moegi said offended. "For your information, I am a kunoichi of Konoha!"

"Your merely a Genin…" said Kotetsu dryly.

Moegi pouted at his comment.

"Those terms don't say a thing to me," Said Saber." But shouldn't you go to your friends? Come on, shoo!"

Moegi smiled and then ran away. She stopped and waved at Saber, who waved back.

"Well, the Shems here are better than in Ferelden." Saber said with a faint smile.

Izumo knocked Kotetsu with his elbow.

"Saber-san?"

"What? Yes?"

Kotetsu cleared his troth. "My apologies for my behavior."

"About that thing? That's alright, I am used to it."

"Thank Kami-sama! For a moment I was afraid you would turn into something like toad!" Kotetsu said relieved and fell back on his chair. "You're not going to, right?"

"I don't think my commander would appreciate that." She answered with a chuckle.

"Well, let's treat you on some food, since you deserve it." Izumo said

"Thank you kindly but, you have to help me to pick something out. I didn't had the chance to observe your costumes in food and culture. Everything has been a bit… overwhelming…"

"Don't worry. Have you ever heard about, ramen? Dango? Or perhaps a simple bowl of rice."

"Uhh… no, but I would be honored to try."

"Honored to eat a crappy bowl of rice? That's lame." Kotetsu said teasing.

"Perhaps I am more in the mood for a lovely frog, right Sir Kotetsu?"

"Please don't."

"Oh, well. It is not the first time I shared a meal with Shems."

"May I ask what shems are?"

"You are"

"And literally it means..?"

"Running children."

"Excuse me?" Kotetsu said with a raised eyebrow.

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"So Saber," Genma said. "We must thank you for your help. Was the food well?"

"The food was… unique." She said as she carefully choose her words.

I think the frog would have tasted better! Not that I could eat much with those damn sticks! Where was the bloody cheese?

"But back to business. I must find some information or anything."

"Ah. I suggest you go to the Alliance. I shall give you a couple of documents, so that they would let you pass. But I must warn you that they may react suspicious."

"Yes, I noticed that…" she mumbled. "I shall leave tomorrow,"

"Good luck then."

She turned away but stopped then. Saber looked at Genma.

"You know, I can easily be a enemy, yet you take the risk to sent me to the Alliance."

Genma chuckled. "Believe, if you are an enemy, then I suggest to avoid the Alliance."

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Saber was walking in the night through Konoha. She had left Mouse and Jimmy in the room of the inn she stayed.

Hmm, this place isn't so bad. And the people are kind when they learn to know you. Even Kotetsu and Izumo were fun to be with.

It was a bit cold, and she had to leave her cape and hat in the hotel. Mouse loved sleeping in her Hat, and well, he just love being with that thing. Even during their travels he always is near the hat. According to him it was nicely soft and warm. And the cape was taken by Excalibur. And even with a miracle of the Creators, no way he would be pushed aside from the cape.

Saber shivered. It's not as cold as at home...

"You're not from here, are you?"

A voice behind Saber snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked behind her and saw a girl with red hair and glasses.

"No, I 'm not."

"I… could sense it. You have no chakra, or at least something that's not from here."

" You… sensed… it?" Saber asked confused.

"Yes, my name is Karin by the way."

"Aneth ara, you may call me Saber."

Karin nodded. "So… what is it that I sense, then?"

Saber shook her shoulders. "Perhaps the magic, but-"

"Is it dark?" she interrupted her with a snapping tune.

Saber flinched a bit, but restored fast. "Ah I see. You must sense the taint then."

"The what?"

"Long story that doesn't concern you. Now forgive me, but I'll be on my way." Saber turned around and walked further.

"Wait! I… was just curious"

"I see."

There was an awkward silence between the two girls.

"Your ears… is it true what they say?" Karin said hesitating.

"Depends on what they are saying. If they say I am an Antivian whore, then I must disappoint you."

Karin laughed a bit. "No, if you are an elf."

"Yes, I am. But what about you? You're not from here either, right?"

"How did you know?"

"Well, I heard some people say about a red haired girl, and… well… let's say that it wasn't very decent what they said."

"I see… you're right. I come from another shinobi land and I ended up here. It's because of…

She stopped talking.

"Never mind me, I should let you go on your way."

"Very well, Dareth shirall."

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"To the Alliance, then."