Chapter 3: Underneath the Underneath

A/N: Yes, Yes I know I'm late… again I'm sorry guys. But hey I'm officially back!!! I just had a BIG problem to take care of but its history. I'm gonna start updating my stories now so hang on to something… read and review guys… (I missed saying that…)

Running his fingers through his long waist length hair, a shinobi sat on a distant rock as he watched the training commence in the clearing. "What's up?" a whiskered boy about twenty appeared behind him. Strangely, the shinobi was not surprised, he didn't even bother to turn his head or even move his eyes. "Things got screwed up," a feminine voice came from the shinobi. "Sasuke-sama is not longer in control of the situation… the higher government moved in. From this point onward, we'll be walking in complete darkness," the kunoichi looked at the blond's nervous expression.

"What are you saying Sakura?" Naruto managed to ask. Its been three months since they were taken in my the Red Sand. Every move they did and every word the Red sand made… they reported secretly. Twice in each week, an ally from General Uchiha's house would meet with either Sakura or Naruto to report what are the next plans of the government. For the time being, they had made an excellent job in preventing a clash between the government and the rebels but they know this peace is not permanent.

"I know you already understand what I mean Naruto," she met his ocean blue eyes. "I think whatever it is you're planning to do… you better do it quick," Sakura's thin eyebrow rose in question. "The red sand army are preparing for an assault… I don't know when," the kunoichi stood up and glared at Naruto. "Don't look at me like that… I just found out," he said defensively as he raised his hands in surrender.

"Saeki," a deep, strong voice called from a far. Hearing someone call her pseudoname, Sakura turned around to see a certain red haired shinobi approaching them with two of his siblings at his tail. "Naruto," he acknowledged the other. "Gaara, what's wrong?" Naruto was the only one other than his siblings who had the nerve to call the death reaper of the desert, Sabaku no Gaara, only by his first name. on the other hand, Sakura disguised a mute shinobi bowed in respect which Gaara and his siblings returned.

"We saw your skills in the battlefield and I'm glad we have you as our ally not our enemy. Come with us to the town in the distant north, we'll be guarding an official that has supported us for sometime. Gaara believes that he's life is in danger," the man about a year or two older than the red haired shinobi explained as they head towards the camp.

Without hesitation, Saeki gestured his approval by a nod of his head while Naruto reluctantly did too. If you are truly the man you say you are… I want to see it… with my own eyes. For a split second, Gaara and Saeki's eyes met each not showing any weakness until the blond lady with four ponytails started something about the trip.

The village of the north was nothing like the village they visited before. Here, women can still wear whatever they want, speak whatever they like. As the red haired shinobi entered he city, everyone bowed and greeted him politely. Saeki and Naruto looked at each other before they too entered the village. Children running in the streets, streets full of people it is the exact opposite of the previous village.

They proceeded to the manor of the village leader. At once, they were recognized and given much attention. "Gaara-sama," a very old man with knee length beard yet bald head welcomed them. "Suzuki-san," the three siblings bowed respectfully while the two newbies blinked in cluelessness. "Naruto, Saeki… show your respect for the village leader," Kankuro said in a hushed tone. "EEHHH?! You mean this wrinkled old prune is the village leader you talked about so much?" the blond rudely pointed at Suzuki soon after he felt something really hard hit the top of his head and forced him to bow. It was later before he realized that that was Saeki's fist.

The old man laughed out loud as Naruto grumbled about not knowing while rubbing his sore bump. During the trip, Kankuro and Temari told them about how great the village leader is. He was the one who took them in when they were still young… fresh victims of war. The way of the shinobi, life on the streets, path of politics everything he taught it to them until finally Gaara took the first step to create a rebellion against the government. All in all, Naruto was so excited to meet such a man. Kankuro, Temari and Gaara have excellent fighting skills. Meeting their shishou would truly be an honor… that was what he taught… up until… he came face to face with a laughing old geezer.

Saeki smiled as she saw how Gaara's eyes were very different when he's looking at Susuki it was as if… he was looking at someone superior… someone like a father. "I assume you're all very tired," old man showed them inside. "Grandpa!" a little voice called from inside the house. On the doorstep of the main house was a little girl about five standing glaring at the man with long black hair.

"What is it Risa-chan?" Temari ask the little girl with a smile. "You're very pretty onee-chan," Risa was looking directly as Saeki. Mentally, Sakura stepped back and swallowed hard but on the outside she retained her cool. "Saeki? He's a boy, Risa," Kankuro tapped the little girl's head then went inside.

The ice breaking in the nearby river signifies the impeding death of winter. In every part of the house, you could hear the cracking of ice and the rushing of water. As Saeki stared at her barren ceiling, her eyes slowly gave way.

"She's a woman!" one agitated voice erupted from the room. "Yes, but her skills surpass even those of the other captains," the other argued. "I don't care even if she kills a hundred men in battle… all I know is that women held no position higher than a maid's. We already desecrated that law when we made her into a shinobi now you want to push it further as to turning her into a captain?! That I cannot allow… train your men harder so that that woman won't get too cocky… she should know her place," with that the conversation ended.

As the frozen river began to crack, a pink haired woman wearing a kunoichi attire stared at the room where the conversation was held while the blood from her clenched fist mixed with snow covering the ground.

Her dark eyes opened abruptly then she sat up quickly. Something doesn't feel right. Upon instinct, she retrieved her kunai under the pillow and head outside. The cold air bit her skin soon after she stepped outside. With each breath she took, Saeki let out a smoke like puff. Cautiously looking around, she heard a splash of water. Instantly, she ran to the nearby half-frozen river.

The river was already alive… it's current were already swift despite its half frozen state. Straining to see something else, Saeki's black orbs searched swiftly. A small hand waving made her jump in the freezing waters. The cold temperature was almost like fire in her skin. With every move she made, the worse it felt. Her muscles were slowly going numb and her breath was very hard to take but yet she swam to where she last saw the hand. Diving while fighting the strong current, she strained to open her eyes under the cold waters as she tried to find what she was looking for.

Extending her hands in front of her, she touched something resembling a cloth. Saeki grabbed it immediately and broke the surface. The child was very pale and was almost lifeless. As the current pushed them further away from the banks, Saeki hit the girl in the face to make her wake up. Indeed, the girl did wake up. "Risa, stay awake," her voice was shaking while she forced her numb body to swim towards the banks.

With the use of her chakra, she stepped out of the freezing river and was about to walk land when a hand appeared beneath her and pulled her down back into the water. Risa screamed as they sank. It was a struggle. Fighting under such conditions would be impossible even for her. She managed to bring Risa to the banks before she was again dragged into the water.

Each blow she gave was dodged while she received each and every attack her enemy gave. Alright, no more playing! Taking in a deep breath, she dived swiftly to the bottom, focused her entire chakra in her fist and smashed the river bottom, making the water temporarily explode in all direction. During that time, Saeki clearly saw her opponent. That symbol! For a second her eyes reflected a symbol of a swirl then she reluctantly planted her kunai in her enemy's exposed throat.

She was too weak to swim back to land. The last thing she saw was a tendril of sand. "Onee-chan!" Saeki woke up hearing a familiar voice. The door slowly slid half open to let a little girl slip in. "Are you alright?" Risa's worried face made her smile. Upon sitting up, the blanket covering her body slipped. It was then that she realized that she was naked. Hastily, she grabbed the blanket and covered her body.

Thankfully, someone called Risa from the other room. Did… they?... that means… that… they… already… her thought was on slow-mo as her hands quickly found her change of clothes. Standing up her naked back against the door, she was about to dress when somebody opened her door. "Saeki…" a red haired shinobi stepped inside without an invitation to be welcomed her naked behind. Sakura stood there stunned… as his jade eyes reflected her body.

A/N: Read and review please…