Chapter 4

I reached out and gripped the hem of Eizō's shirt as we neared the village gates. We came to a stop and I motioned that we should double back and meet up with the rest of the group. It was best if we went over the plan one more time before we took action. If we weren't careful, this mission could turn into a massacre.

Eizō gave me a nod of understanding and we headed back, sensing out the others' chakra signatures. We arrived in a small clearing where the boss had already gathered most everyone.

"Ah, good. Eizō, Atsuki, you know your roles, correct?" The boss spoke in hushed tones.

"Yes, Sir." Eizō and I answered simultaneously.

"Good. Now remember, do not hesitate to do whatever it takes to get that scroll. It contains top secret information regarding the Hidden Cloud Village. If they've managed to break the seal… kill anyone who may have read its contents." I nodded without batting an eye. Killing wasn't new to me. I'd taken countless lives during my time with Dāku, it didn't bother me anymore. In fact, I somewhat enjoyed it. At least, the Eight-Tails did. Whenever I took a life, its chakra would spread around me, giving me unimaginable strength and power. It was like a drug. One that I'd had a taste of and now I wanted more. I didn't care if that made me a monster, it made me strong.

"Okay everyone, move out." My boss gave the signal and everyone dispersed into the trees.

I jumped into the braches and moved swiftly through the forest, Eizō hot on my trail. We would be working together on this mission.

Our job was to actually retrieve the scroll. The others would be watching our backs and creating distractions. It was a simple plan, but I was powerful enough that I probably could have completed the task on my own. All I needed to do was take a life and I would be unstoppable.

But that wasn't what Dāku had thought. Though they didn't doubt my skill, they doubted my loyalty. Apparently, I had a rebellious streak.

I stopped as I came upon the village gates and scanned the area. Obviously, we wouldn't enter through there, but it was good to get feel of the village before going in. From the looks of it, The Hidden Rain Village had pretty tight security. I saw multiple guards at the gates, more than was really necessary. Were they expecting an attack? Probably. They knew they had stolen from the Cloud and they weren't idiots. Oh well, too bad for them. That just meant that more of their men would have to die.

I turned to Eizō and mouthed the word 'Around' to him. We were out of earshot of the guards, but still, better safe than sorry. I moved to my right and silently sped through the trees, looking for a safe point of entry.

Finally, I came across what looked like a very busy market on the edge of the village. It would be perfect to slip into the crowd, unnoticed by anyone. I put my arm up to stop Eizō and pointed to the marketplace. He gave me a single nod, he knew what I was thinking.

I swiftly jumped to the ground and began to casually stroll towards the market. I reached out and took Eizō's hand. Now we would look like siblings. Our young ages often came in handy for missions like this. No one suspected a 10 year old.

I counted the seconds as Eizō and I made our way to the marketplace. This was the point in the mission when we would look the most suspicious. Two people walking straight out of the woods and casually entering the market would look odd no matter how old they were.

I let out a small breath as we made it to the edge of the market. It looked like this mission was going to go smoothly after all.

The next step was to find the building where the scroll was being kept. We weren't exactly sure of its location, so we had to make our best guess. We figured it wouldn't be kept in the village's government building, that was too obvious. But there was another building across from it, a laboratory. The perfect place to try and break a scroll's seal. No one would suspect a thing and its cover of dangerous chemicals would prevent anyone from wanting to snoop around. That was our best bet.

I had memorized the layout of the city and pulled Eizō with me as I headed for the lab. He came along easily, completely trusting my judgement. I gave his hand a small squeeze.

I kept my eyes peeled as we made our way through the village streets, but nobody seemed to suspect us.

Finally, we came upon the laboratory. Our timing had been perfect, as the last glimmers of the sun were stolen by the horizon. The cover of night gave us the advantage of stealth.

It was time to begin. I let go of Eizō's hand and tugged on his sleeve, letting him know that I was ready to start. He looked down at me and gave me a small nod.

We continued walking for a ways, passing the laboratory and hiding out in an abandoned apartment building a few blocks away. All there was left to do was wait.

Neither of us spoke, but the tension in the air was palpable.

Suddenly, fire erupted from a spot across town. The explosions shook the ground so fiercely that I had to grip Eizō for support.

But our plan had worked. Just as we had hoped, a swarm of Rain ninjas ran straight for the commotion. That would leave the laboratory at least a little less guarded. Everything was going perfectly. Maybe a little too perfectly.

"Okay, let's go." Eizō pulled me up from my spot on the floor.

"Eizō, wait." I caught his hand before he could move away. "Be careful, alright? I've got a bad feeling…" I let my eyes trail to the ground.

I felt the weight of Eizō's hands on my shoulders.

"Don't worry so much, Atsuki. I can handle myself. Just make sure you watch yourself, okay?" I lifted my gaze to meet his blue eyes and gave him a small smile.

He was probably right, I shouldn't worry so much. Odds were that the mission was just going smoothly.

"Right." I nodded.

Eizō gave my shoulders a final squeeze and then we headed out of the building. Keeping to the shadows, we made our way back to the laboratory. As we had hoped, the amount of guards in the area had significantly decreased, which only confirmed our theory that the scroll was being held in the laboratory. If there was nothing there to guard, all ninjas would have been dispatched to deal with the explosion.

Eizō and I crept around the building, looking for the most efficient point of entry. After getting a full scan, we settled on the back door. While it might have seemed obvious, it would be easy to pick the lock and enter without the noise of breaking a window. Also, the entryway was nicely shaded. We could use that to our advantage.

At the moment, two guards were stationed near the back door. They would have to be subdued before we could move any further. I moved into position to take out the one on the right, Eizō would take the one on the left.

I contemplated whether or not to kill him. If I did, the Eight-Tails chakra would awaken and I would become practically invincible. However, the blue chakra was fairly bright… and noticeable. I decided against it, simply knocking him unconscious would suffice.

I signaled to Eizō and we simultaneously made our moves. I swooped down and delivered a single kick to the guard's temple. He was out cold. I looked over to see that Eizō had had the same success.

I motioned for Eizō to pick the lock while I watched his back. Hiding in the shadows, he made quick work of the door and the hinges swung open with a creak. The entryway was pitch black and silent. The same uneasy feeling from before crept into my stomach, but I pushed it down. I had to focus on completing the mission. If things were going smoothly then that was a pro, not a con.

Eizō looked back at me and I gave him a small nod to continue. I followed him into the blackness ahead and shut the door behind me. Inside, it really was pitch black and we had to wait a few moments to allow our eyes to adjust to the dark.

I noticed almost immediately that there were no guards stationed inside the building. Not only did I not pick up on any chakra signatures, but I also didn't hear and sounds from within the building. It was strange. We had been sure that there would be guards positioned around the scroll. Had we been wrong about the location? There was no use questioning it now. It was best to just search the premises and if it wasn't here we would pull out and regroup. We had to move quickly. The explosion would only occupy the village for so long.

I stood up from my crouch and heard the rustle of Eizō's clothes as he followed suit. Slowly but surely, I skimmed along the walls, checking each room thoroughly before moving to the next. Soon, we had checked every room but one. It was just another lab, we'd already checked about five rooms that were identical to it.

I entered the room cautiously. My eyes scanning for anything unusual. And there it was. In a glass case on the opposite wall. I froze where I was. I looked over at Eizō to see that he had also frozen, seemingly have also spotted the scroll.

I did another scan of the room, looking for traps and sensing for any new chakra signatures, but there was nothing. What was going on here? Would they really leave the scroll so defenseless?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Eizō making his way to the glass case. I quickly reached out and grabbed his sleeve in my usual manner.

"Eizō, I don't like this. Why would they leave the scroll so defenseless, and why is their security so lacking in general? It's like they want us to take it, like a trap or something." My words were a hushed whisper, but even I could tell that my voice sounded frantic and panicked.

Eizō took a step back to look me in the eye.

"Atsuki, listen to me. The scroll is right there and I don't see any traps or sense any chakra signatures. I'm sure you've come to the same conclusion."

"Yes, but that's exactly what makes it so suspic-"

"Even if it is a trap, we've got you so there's nothing to worry about, is there?" He cut me off and ruffled my hair.

"Trust me, Atsuki."

How was I supposed to argue with him when he said stuff like that?

Reluctantly, I gave him a small nod and he flashed me his usual grin. Slowly, he made his way back to the glass case, reaching out a hand to open it. I watch with clouded eyes, expecting an attack at any moment. But nothing happened. Eizō reached into the case and pulled out the scroll. There were no alarms or surprise attacks, only silence.

I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding. Eizō turned back around to face me with his usual grin.

"Told you so."

But he spoke too soon.

Just then, the sound of shattering glass could be heard around the building, followed by footsteps and yells. Ninja? How could I have missed their chakra signatures?

I thought back. The last time I had truly been sensing for them was just before we entered the room, and if they had really been trying to mask themselves, it was possible that they could have slipped past me.

"Shit." I grunted as I reached for my kunai. If I could just kill one of them, the Eight-Tails would awaken and I would be able to easily take everyone down.

But my blade was stuck. I looked down to see that it was caught in its sheath at my belt, refusing to come out. I reached down, struggling to free the weapon as the first ninja entered the room.

That's when I saw his hand. That first ninja that was charging us was meant to be the end of me. His fist was crackling with blue electricity, the lightning fizzling in the air. He had a chidori, and he was only inches away from me. There was no way I would be able to move out of the way in time. I had gotten too distracted by that damn kunai.

And then Eizō was there, with the chidori through his chest.

My eyes widened in shock as I took in the scene before me. Tears formed in my eyes and angered bubbled up within me.

I tore the kunai from Eizō's own belt, abandoning mine and moved behind the chidori ninja in a flash, slitting his throat without a second thought. As his body slumped to the ground, I caught Eizō, lifting him onto my back with some difficulty. The blue chakra was already surrounding my body and the usual bloodthirsty feeling spread within me. But I didn't have time to deal with these men. We had to get out of here. Now.

I turned, picking up the dropped scroll as I passed, and busting straight through the wall.

I looked around for an escape, as there were ninja hot on my trail. I decided that my best bet was to head back to the abandoned apartment building that Eizō and I had been in before. I needed to get somewhere I could examine him. Idiot. What was he thinking, risking his life for mine? It didn't matter. He was going to be fine. I was going to make sure that he was fine. I wouldn't let him leave me. He was all that I had.

I managed to make it to the apartment building without being seen, but I figured that I only had a few minutes before we were discovered.

"Suki…" Eizō whispered as I tried my best to lay him gently on the floor.

"Shut up, idiot. Don't waste your energy." My voice was harsh, hiding the panic inside.

Eizō's wound was bad. Really bad. The hole in his chest was the size of a fist and there was so much blood. Blood on him, blood on me, blood on the floor, blood everywhere. Everything was red. Why was it that red seemed to follow me everywhere I went?

I choked back my tears as I pulled out my lacking first aid kit. Why hadn't I learned medical ninjutsu? I had been too focused on offense to think about learning it. I was so stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Suki, stop." Eizō caught my hand as I tried to wrap a bandage around his chest.

"I'm not going to make it, Suki." His words were weak and he was gasping for breath.

"Be quiet. I am not letting you die." I ripped my hand from his grasp and continued treating his wound. His wound that I was beginning to realize would never heal.

Sobs began to wrack my body and I could barely see straight as I continued to work.

"Suki…" Eizō's voice had become even quieter than before.

My hands stopped and without thinking, I pulled his head into my lap, my tears falling onto his face.

"Please, Eizō. You can't leave me. You're all I have. I-I need you. I can't live without you!" My words were slurred with emotion as my sobs rang out around us.

"Yes you can Suki. You will. You have to." His voice was suddenly stronger, as if he was putting every ounce of energy that he had into his statement.

"I-I can't. I can't! Not without you, Eizō!" My tears fell even faster than before.

Suddenly, what I can only describe as resolve formed in Eizō's eyes.

"Promise me, Suki. Promise me that you will go on."

His hand reached up to grip the necklace around my neck.

"Promise me that you will live and that you will find your sakura, your new beginning." His voice was desperate.

"Eizō, I-"

"Promise me." His hand folded around the sakura pendant.

I searched his blue eyes for an answer. Could I do this alone? Could I live without the only person who had ever truly cared about me?

"I promise." My words were no more than a whisper.

"Good." A faint smile came to Eizō's lips. "Goodbye, Suki."

I watched silently as that familiar twinkle drained from his eyes and his body went still. His hand dropped from my necklace.

"No. No-no-no-no-no-no! No!" I pulled him closer to my chest as my tears fell to the ground.

He was gone. He was dead. And it was all my fault. I hadn't been strong enough, skilled enough to save him. I was weak.

That's when I heard the shouts from outside the apartment building. I was reminded of the ninja and the attack and the scroll and everything else that was happening. I was scared, panicked, distressed. But most of all, I was angry. Fury ripped through me like a white hot flame. Maybe I hadn't been strong enough to save Eizō, but that didn't mean I couldn't punish those who killed him.

Gently, I laid Eizō's body on the ground, closing his still eyes and crossing his hands over his chest. I'd seen enough death in my life to know how to put someone to rest.

I kneeled beside him, gazing at his face one last time before leaning down and placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Goodbye, Onīsan."

I secured the scroll to my back and jumped from the building, then performing one of the very jutsu that Eizō had taught me.

"Fire style: Fireball jutsu." My words lacked any emotion as I set fire to the building.

I watched the flames as they consumed the building. I allowed my gaze to linger for a few seconds, and then I turned my back.

I looked at the blue chakra surrounding my body. I would need more power than this to accomplish my task.

I reached deep inside my brain, looking for something I had never found. Looking for the Eight-Tails.

I gasped as I found myself in a large cavern, water beneath my feet and a large gate before me. Behind it sat none other than the Eight-Tailed Lion. He was humongous and the sheer power emanating from him was enough to make me take a step back.

Neither of us spoke for a moment until I found my words.

"L-listen up Eight-Tails. I know how much you love death, killing, blood. Well, I'm about to give you a lot of that, but it would be a whole lot easier if you would give me some extra power. You think you can do that?" My words came out rushed and weak, not at all how I had intended them to sound.

The beast let out a menacing growl that sounded like a laugh.

His eyes met mine and for second I could have sworn he was seeing straight into my soul. Perhaps he was.

"Fine." The beast's voice was deep and ragged. "Take what you want. A little show should be quite entertaining, actually."

Before his words had even finished, blue chakra has begun seeping through the crack in the gate, surrounding me and covering every inch of my body.

"But don't blame me when you wake up."

Suddenly, I was snapped back to reality, out of the caverns of my mind and away from the Eight-Tails. But while I might no longer have been able to see the Eight-Tails' body, I could certainly feel its power. I watched as the blue chakra around my body began to grow, waving across my skin and taking the form of a lion around me. I needed power and I had gotten it.

Now I could begin.

A few ninja had spotted me and called out to others. I didn't bother to stop them. They would be dead soon enough.

As the first ninja approached me, I simply lifted a finger and a blade of blue chakra flew out, piercing the man through the heart. His body fell to the ground with a loud thump. I just kept walking.

None of the other ninja were any better off. I killed each and every one of them. Eventually, some seemed to realize they were outmatched and ran away. I never let them get very far.

I killed every last Rain ninja in the village, leaving piles of bodies everywhere I went. Every building was burning and by morning, the Village Hidden in the Rain would be nothing more than ash. I guess it was my lucky day that it wasn't actually raining.

I smiled to myself as I left the village boundaries, retreating into the forest. Now I was off to complete a new mission. I was off to find my sakura, my new beginning.

A/N – Finally a longer chapter! Maybe a little too long… I really wanted to get the mission done in one sweep so that I could move on to the next part of the story. Also, the next chapter will introduce some of our favorite Naruto characters, but probably not Kakashi yet. I know that this story may not seem like a Kakashi love story, and maybe it isn't exactly. This is more like an OC that I have placed into the Naruto Universe and just happens to have a romantic relationship with Kakashi. Sorry if that's not what you're looking for, but this is a story that I'm really enjoying writing and so I think I will continue. If you enjoyed, please vote and comment and let me know what you think! Thanks!