Missing Ninjas Chapter 4, a naruto fanfic

Chapter 4! Oh man, I can't say how happy I am…I got my reviews, and this story is on its way to being successful! I love all who read, and reviewed this little story, and I hope you continue to do so. Also I really want to thank Missanime!

Since you're anonymous, I can't thank you with a PM, so I'll thank you here. Your reviews were great, and I look forward to hearing from you in future chapters. I'm sorry in advance for all my cliffhangers that may happen later, and promise that there will be many, many more chapters. I'm so glad you like this, and thanks for all those awesome compliments! Thank You Missanime! XD

…And really sorry about the late update…damn school!

I own nothing…

Both stiffened at the words. Yukiko's eye twitched, no matter how hard he tried to deny it. Haruko clenched her fists and resisted the urge to punch her elder in the face. Said girl turned from her twisted position at the door, and smiled wickedly at the two. She folded her arms across her chest and bent her body so she was eye level with Haruko.

"My little brother should be down in a minute," she said "That is who you were looking for right, girly?"

"Actually, we came to give this to Sakura-san," Yukiko interjected, holding up the bag of herbs.

"I can take-"

But before the girl could finish, an older woman came around the corner. She looked very similar to the girl Haruko and Yukiko were talking to, but with shorter hair and wiser eyes. She put her hand on her daughter's shoulder as she looked down at the two chuniin.

"Ageha, why are our guests still standing outside?" Sakura asked.

"They only came to drop something off, mother," Ageha said.

"Come on in, Kids," Sakura said, pulling her daughter over and allowing Yukiko and Haruko to come in.

She shut the door and led them to the kitchen, offering them both a seat. As soon as Ageha was free of her mother's arm, she disappeared, leaving Yukiko and Haruko alone with Sakura.

"So, what were dropping off?" She asked

"Ma told me to give this to you today. She's leaving on a mission." Yukiko handed her the herbs.

Sakura looked inside the bag, her eyes widening. She hurried from the room, and Yukiko and Haruko were left in the room with no idea what to do. Quickly, and silently them came to an agreement to leave.

They stood from their seats as quietly as they could, and started their way to the door. Once reaching the hallway, they were stopped, by none other than Shinoske. He leaned against the door arms crossed and face devoid of all emotion. Yukiko slapped his forehead, letting it slid down slowly, pulling the skin on his face with it and making a face at the Uchiha boy. Haruko sighed and continued to the door.

"Shinoske-san, we were just leaving." She said, stopping in front of him, and hoping her would move.

"Oh, but you've only just arrived." He said back, not moving an inch, "Why don't you stay a bit longer?"

"Sorry, can't do that. We have a lot to do today, right Haruko?" Yukiko said, taking Haruko's elbow, and pulling her a bit.

"Yeah, lots to do."

"Well then, I won't stand in your way," Shinoske said, but still unmoving.

The hall became deathly quiet, and a dark aura flooded the space. Yukiko felt like her was suffocation, but Haruko and Shinoske seemed unaffected. They were locked in a death stare with one another, both with their arms crossed and brows furrowed.

Then, as quickly as it had started it ended. Shinoske moved out of the way and opened the door for them. The two walked out together, Yukiko still holding Haruko's elbow, and Haruko still glaring. Shinoske stood in the doorway, and watched until Haruko turned away. Yukiko heard the door close, and let out a loud sigh.

"Man, what a creepy kid!"

"Yeah, you don't have to tell me twice." Haruko said.

"And why does he always stare at you like that?" Yukiko shivered "It's so…unsettling."

"Hn, unsettling. Good word," she said. "I always thought it was more disgusting."

Yukiko laughed, strongly agreeing, before suggesting that they go off to find their teammate.

Kaito was definitely the most devoted member of their team. Most likely he was either with Lee-sensei running laps or practicing his shadow wind technique in their training field. He had so much determination that Yukiko and Haruko constantly felt like they were dead last students of the academy. But it was always Kaito that pushed them to do better, and to rise above the things that kept pushing them down. So Kaito was not only the drive and devotion of the team, but also the heart.

But after going to the training fields and asking nearly everyone in the village, Kaito still could not be found. He lived on the outer edge of the village, almost completely surrounded by the forest that was home to all the deer that the Nara family cared for. The pair set off to his residence with hands in their pockets and a shrug at the long distance.

"Yukiko?" Haruko looked over at the boy with a look he recognizes well.

"Haruko," he said her name slowly, returning the look and taking his hands from his pockets.

"Would you like to…" she paused, fixing her forehead protector and rolling up her sleeves. "Would you like to race?"

He had prepared just like her, unfastening his sheathed katana and offering it to Kana, who took it in his jaws gingerly. "Race? Hmm, well okay."

"Hn," she smirked

"The count of three?" he raised his eyebrows and continued "…1…2…-"

And she was already off, running down the dirt road and building up a cloud of dust. She could hear Yukiko's amused shouts behind her, and smirked. He was faster than her and they both knew it. She always took the liberty of a head start in these sorts of games. She heard his laugh, but dared not to look back, because if she did she knew he would be right there and it would make her loose her footing. Her smirk vanished and she pumped more chakra to her legs, praying it would be enough to outlast him for just a bit more…

"I've got you," he whispered in her ear and she gasps, her head snapping around to find him only inches away.

And then that damn (invisible) rock appeared, and caught her foot. The little roots (once again, invisible) growing around it snaked around her ankle and dragged her down, reducing her to a crumple on the ground.

Yukiko continued for a few more feet before skidding to a stop and putting his hands on his hips. He wasn't out of breath or even a bit flushed, he just looked…happy. He came back to her and helped her up, laughing a bit at her theory of the rock and roots.

"Nice try Haruko," he said. "It's cute when you do that."

She should have paled, but her face burned up. "I'm not cute, don't use that word."

"If I called you uncute, you'd punch me," Yukiko said, turning and continuing on.

"Uncute isn't even a word." She sighed.

"You're too modest anyway," Yukiko said. "You were the highest scoring konoichi in our class and mastered your bloodline just after graduation. The rest of the girls in our year have either dropped out or have gone into the medical field, not that that's a bad thing…You were made for this life, Haruko."

"Yukiko," he looked over at her, finding that her eyes were fixed on the ground. "Please stop saying things like that…Knowledge isn't wisdom…"

"Why can't you see how great you are!" He shouted, throwing his hands up into the air. "You can do things some those crazy main branch members still haven't figured out. You'll have to recognize your talents if you want to be made head of the clan."

"How could I ever hope to be head of the clan if my own family hates me! I was born out of wedlock, Yukiko! I shouldn't exist to them! I shouldn't be better than them!"

"But you are," he said.

"No I'm not. I have my faults too, just like everybody else! I'm far from perfect."

"Haruko, you don't have to be perfect to be great." Yukiko said softly, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as they walked. "Relax, okay? You've been through a lot in the past twelve hours. Be proud of yourself…you haven't cried."

"…Yes I did…" Haruko said, eyes still watching the ground.

"When?"

"That's not important," Haruko said quickly.

"Oh, Haruko…" he pulled her closer, but said nothing more.

"Yukiko…I'm sorry…I guess I am kind of great." She smirked and she looked up at him.

He noted her amused tone and looked down at her. "Great? Maybe I was exaggerating a bit…" he said as he tapped his finger against his chin.

She pushed him away and chuckled, staring down the dirt road that still held a long way to Kaito's house. She jogged a little way before looking behind her. As Yukiko quickened his pace as well, she disappeared in a puff of smoke. His eyes widened and he turned quickly, just in time to side step out of the way. Haruko leapt forward, preparing to jump on his back, before spinning gracefully after Yukiko moved out of the way.

"Not this time, Haruko!" Yukiko yelled as he whistled to Kana, who immediately grew in size.

Yukiko jumped on his back and pointed. "Quick, to Kaito's!"

"Yukiko, that's cheating!" Haruko yelled after the two, following quickly.

She pumped chakra to her legs, while Yukiko continued to laugh unaware of the burst of speed she was about to let out. She had saved this, waiting until he was completely convinced that she would never catch up to him. But as the blue glow flowed through her legs, she smiled. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when she came up behind him. Haruko was sure it was much better than when she beat him in a spar.

Soon she was in reach of Kana's fluffy brown tail, and only a foot or so from Yukiko's form. She called out his name, the smile still plastered on her face and nearly exploded with satisfaction when he turned. His face showed total shock, he was utterly speechless. Haruko laughed and continued, seeing Kaito's house approaching. Her feet carried her in front of Kana and closer to her goal. What she didn't see was the smile that etched across Yukiko face, and the look that glinted in his eyes.

'I want to see that smile again,' he thought.

Gradually the sound of Kana's panting and footfalls quieted and Haruko found herself skidding to a stop in the front yard of Kaito's house.

She took deep breaths, and wiped the light layer of sweat from her forehead. Haruko stared up t the sky from a while, still smiling, until Yukiko ran up to her and pulled her into a tight hug. He swung her around a few times, laughing loudly. The look she missed was gone.

"That was awesome! When did you learn how to run like that?" He asked, putting her down.

"I was saving it," Haruko said. "You underestimated me, Yukiko."

"Yeah, well don't expect to win on the next race, Okay?"

"You're just a sore loser," she said, punching his arm.

The two walked around to the side of the house and stood beneath Kaito's window. They waited a moment, knowing they had been loud and surely alerted him to their presence, but minutes past and Kaito still hadn't come to the window. Haruko picked up a few small stones and tossed them at the window, making little clicks as they hit. Still no one came. Just before they were about to leave to find the Hokage and ask him where Kaito was, they heard a loud grumble. The window was wrenched open and a head stuck itself out.

"Nara-san, sorry did we wake you?" Yukiko said

"No," troublesome kids "What do you want?"

"We're looking for Kaito-san." Haruko answered

"He was called off on a mission this morning," Shikamaru told them, pulling out a cigarette and sticking it in his mouth, unlit. "It was a last minute thing. Hokage-sama said something about Kaito filling in for someone."

"Thank you. Sorry to have disturbed you," Haruko said and bowed, as did Yukiko.

"Yeah," Shikamaru closed the window.

Their walk back was long and when they finally reached the village both agreed to go get some ramen. Hours had passed since their large breakfast and the racing had only further increased their hunger.

Ichiraku's Ramen stand was still humble in size, but was one of the most successful businesses in the village. With the Hokage's full support and numerous paperwork breaks spent here, the villagers naturally decided to give it a try. But even with business booming, the owner and his family had not made any major changes to the structure. The number of seating had increased only because of the number of people coming in, and the owner hated turning people away.

So there was plenty of room for Haruko and Yukiko. They ordered their food and waited patiently. The smell of the soup and the steam of the boiling broth wafted around them, creating a warm cocoon of relaxation and comfort. Haruko loved this place, as did Yukiko. As he was her uncle and because she was so close with Fumio, Naruto had taken her many times when she was young. When she learned of her parent's death, Naruto had taken her that night. He sat with her and didn't say a word. He ordered a bowl of chicken ramen and gave her a light pat on the head. Big fat tears rolled down her cheeks as she sat in front of the noodles. Quickly she shoveled the noodles into her mouth, choking back sobs. Naruto put his hand of her shoulder, mumbling words she couldn't remember.

She looked down at the bowl of ramen in front of her. Chicken Ramen. She took a clump with her chopsticks and raised it to her lips. She ate it slowly, savoring the taste and the memories that came with it. Haruko looked up at Yukiko, who was eating his favorite. It was about the spiciest food in Konoha, and Yukiko couldn't get enough of it. The smell of it burned her eyes, and she couldn't imagine what it did to him. Although everyone knew he was of Inzuka blood, no one knew who his father was. Yukiko's mother had had the red lines painted on his face when he was very young; she had always known him with these marks. She started to wonder now what he looked like.

Yukiko had never known his father, never even seems like he wanted to know. She felt awful, after learning that he parents were still alive and he was basically without either of his. She wanted to ask him why he never talked about his parents or even asked to know about his father, but she could never do it. She admired his strength. The way he was always stayed optimistic, and was able to pull both her and Kaito out of slumps of unhappiness and negativity. He usually lived alone, and sometimes had to take care of his own mother when she returned home, stumbling as she used to think. Suddenly she was struck by the urge to take care of him. She opened her mouth to speak…

"Yukiko!" They both turned to find a chubby little Genin running up to them.

She was in their year, but was being trained in the medical field. Under open eye was a little blue swirl, and her auburn hair was tied in a pony tail. She wore a blue sweater and a pair of black shorts. Her ninja shoes were also black and went up past her ankles. Just like her father she could roll into a ball and crush anything in her path, and just like her mother she had an exotic look and bright blue eyes.

"Yukiko, I've been looking or you all day." She sighed, coming up to them, "Hokage-sama is looking for you."

"Okay, thanks Cho," he said, slurping down the rest of his noodles and slapping some money down on the table. "I'll see you later, Haruko."

"Hn," she said with a wave before going back to her noodles.

Cho sat down a few seat away and ordered herself a bowl. Haruko finished and went to pay for herself, but the money on the table caught her eye. Yukiko left enough to pay for them both. She sighed and said goodbye to Cho. As she walked away she heard Cho's small voice.

"What a gentleman, he paid for Haruko-san too."

With nothing else to do that day, Haruko slowly walked back to the Hyuga compound. She planned to go straight to her room, climbing through the window of course, and spend the rest of the day reading or staring out the window as the scenery changed. Although she enjoyed music very much, she hardly ever had the chance to let the sound drift through her ears. Music was forbidden in the branch family compound, and was only allowed at family parties of ceremonies. Whenever she went to Yukiko's she tried to listen to as much music as she could. Yukiko knew what she liked and slipped in a few of her favorites often, and usually with only a sly look.

So when she was stuck in the compound, she pretended that the sound of a piano or violin was ringing in her ears. She imagined that a soft voice was whispering in her ear, only for her. AS she walked, she closed her eyes, and pictured just this. The instruments began and she caught the intake of breath before the singer began. The song began and Haruko stumbled, her eyes snapping open. She looked around herself quickly, making sure she was totally alone. When finding that she was, she turned back and took a shaky breath.

"I don't even know what Yukiko sounds like when he sings," She sighed. "What has he done to me that has him stuck in my head?"

Haruko decided to think about this later when she was locked away in her room, away from the prying eyes and ears of the villagers around her. But as she walked through the gate and prepared to move to the side of the compound, a voice stopped her.

Hiashi stood on the porch. His clean white robes contrasted with the oak beneath him and blended with the color of the walls behind him. His black hair kept her focus on his face, even though she wanted to look away from his menacing eyes. Since he had called her, she had to leave her safer part of the earth and move in front of him. She bowed respectfully and stood straight again, keeping her eyes on the ground.

"Where were you this morning? We called a meeting and you did not attend?" He asked his voice heavy with anger.

"I was training with my team," she lied.

"Then why are you back so early? And I see no evidence of effort on your robes."

"We worked on our genjutsu and meditation skills."

She heard the sound of clothing shift and felt her head start to burn. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to look like the pain wasn't affecting her, but small cry slipped out when the fire was increased. Her knees began to shake and her fists were clenched tight. She was about to collapse when the burning slowly stopped. She looked up, sweat caked on her forehead from the pain, and her teeth gritted. Her breathing was labored, and Hiashi just stared.

"Come with me, you must meet with the Elders."

She followed him on limp legs as he walked through the Branch hallways and into the Main Branch building. He walked quickly, and she tried to keep up without looking like a small child running after an annoyed relative. He zigged and zagged through the halls and she wondered if the Elders actually took this path to their court every day. How old were these Elders anyway?

Finally they came to a door and stopped. They stood there for a few seconds before the door slid open and they were allowed to enter. Hiashi went and sat behind a table with the rest of the Elders and Haruko was told to sit in the center of the room. Save for the way she came in, the Elders surrounded her, all staring with their white eyes and tight lips. She took her breath deeply, and sat proudly, showing that she was not afraid of them. Then one spoke.

"Hyuga Haruko of the Branch Family, you have failed to attend a mandatory meeting of the Hyuga clan. There will be punishment."

"I'm sorry, but you cannot expect me to be here all the time. I was training with my team, and was away." Haruko said, also showing that by speaking out she was not afraid. "I was also not informed of the meeting."

"We sent the letters through servants yesterday. It should have been delivered to you when you arrived home."

"I-I did not come home last night," Haruko said.

"Was it that?"

"We trained very late,"

"But you did not stay out all night and return to train again this morning, is that correct?" Hiashi asked.

"That is correct."

"Then where did you go?"

"I was invited to stay at a friend's," Haruko looked down at her hands, which sat in her lap.

"What friend? One of the Uchiha's daughters? Akamichi's, or Nara's perhaps?"

"No," She paused "Yamanaka Yukiko."

She flinched at the silence. She was underage and also in the branch family. She was only allowed with her male counter parts when training, other than that she was considered to be spoken for. The Main Branch arranged all the marriages for the Branch Family, and she was one of them. She didn't have a match yet, but she knew that soon she would and her life as a ninja would change drastically. Her HerksdfjmnfkSMNINXHer confession would get her a terrible punishment. It was considered adultery in her clan.

"Well now we have a reason to kill you."

Haruko's head snapped up. This kind of thing would never lead to a death. Her eyes narrowed. She knew something like this was going to happen when she was called in here. The Hyuga clan had always hated her. She didn't belong in their clan and she didn't deserve to have the Hyuga bloodline. Killing her parents had been a plan to break her, to make her submit to the rule of the Main Branch. But it had almost the opposite effect. She resisted them in nearly every way, and was proud of it.

One Elder stood, surprising good on his feet and moved to stand in front of the door. Quickly she moved and palmed him on a point at his neck, knocking him out. He poofed and disappeared. She looked around the room, seeing none of them move. They were all clones. Except one. Hiashi's hands moved to make a seal when they heard heavy footsteps coming.

"I thought that getting rid of Neji would be the most of my problems. We thought that by giving you the Curse Seal you would be nothing more than a Nat. But we were wrong, and now it seems that you have become the next target of the Hyuga Main Branch."

She went to attack him when the footsteps stopped in front of the door, and someone began to pound on it. Haruko growled and pulled out a kunai, whipping it around the room and taking out all the clones. She caught it again, and looked at Hiashi.

He stood quickly and jumped over the table, a kunai of his own in his hands. She stopped his blow with hers, but was pushed back against a wall. She went to kick him, but he blocked, pulling away and cutting her cheek slightly. He threw his weapon at her and she tried to move, but it sunk into her arm, as it seemed to follow her.

Then the door was blown open and in stepped Yukiko.

"Haruko!" he shouted.

Behind him came a flood of Kana's. The little dogs attack Hiashi, and as he swatted them away they turned to logs. Yukiko quickly stepped in and took Haruko's hands, pulling her with him out the door. Quickly they ran through the halls and he stopped them at her room.

"Get your things," he said

She slid the door open and went in. She filled her mission bag with all her weapons and bandages. She stuffed in a few sets of her training clothes, leaving all her fancy kimonos and dresses easily. The collection of burettes that were on her table were left from her mother, so she grabbed them and put them in their own pocket in her bag. Haruko shouldered her bag and joined Yukiko back in the hall. Her gave her a look and took her hand again, pulling her the rest of the way through the Compound.

They shot out the door and, Yukiko took her to his house again. The climbed the stairs and he pushed her into his room, closing and locking the door behind him. He went to the window and drew the blinds, after locking the windows tightly.

He took a deep breath and rested his forehead against the wall. Haruko stood in the middle of the room, with her backpack on her shoulders and a Kunai in her arm. She didn't feel it anymore, and the wound was not her main concern. What she really wanted to know was how Yukiko had gotten into the compound and knew something bad was happening through the door.

He turned and looked at her, eyes immediately moving to her wound. He rushed over, pushing her to the ground and taking off her pack. He went through it, pulling out the bandages and medical supplies. He was talking, but she didn't hear him, she wasn't listening. She was too busy looking at his face, wondering about that look he gave her when she came out of her room.

"Haruko!"

She snapped out of it, eyes focusing again and listening to his words.

"What the heck was going on?"

She looked down at her arm, seeing that he had pulled up her sleeve without ripping it and had already taken out the kunai. Now he was cleaning the cut.

"They want to kill me," she said.

"Who?"

"The Elders and Hiashi," she answered.

"Why?"

"Mostly because I'm just like my father and because they think we slept together."

"What!" Yukiko blushed "We didn't, why do they-"

"Because I spend too much time with you," She corrected.

He was quiet for a long time. He didn't say anything as he cleaned the cut on her arm, the same odd look she saw before on his features.

"I think you might need stitches or something," he said.

"I could burn it closed," she said, moving to try just that.

"No, let me do it."

Her wound was closed, and bandaged up. Now she sat on Yukiko's bed thinking.

"Yukiko," she began "I'm going to leave."

"No, they're still looking for you. You can't go back there."

"No," she said "I'm not going back to the compound."

"Then where are you going?"

"To the Village of Tea."

"You're leaving Konoha?!" Yukiko shouted, jumping up from the bed.

"Yes," she said "And I can't ask you to come with me."

"Of course not, because I'm coming with you no matter what."

So I made it super long! I'm sorry for such a long wait, but I wanted to have it be long and have a bit more background stuff about some more characters. Sorry if there are any mistakes. I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you can review. Please! PLEASE!.....Thanks!