Naruto stood at the front gate, patiently waiting for the rest of his team and the client to arrive before they would leave. Kakashi would be on a mission near by and by using a chakra pulse in the wireless communicators around their throats, Kakashi would be there in a matter of minutes to assist the Genin. Unable to seal all his gear in the small storage seals on his person, a small pack, matching on colour with his garb, was pushed as flat as it could be against his back, keeping his profile slim.

His teammates and the client, an older man with graying hair and beard by the name of Tazuna, were walking slowly towards the gate. Sakura's look of barely concealed disgust alerted him to the disposition of their client and he sighed.

"We ready?" he asked as they pulled near. Sasuke nodded but said nothing.

"Yea we're ready, but we have to wait for Kakashi-sensei, he was supposed to meet us before we left." Sakura frowned. "He better not be late…" she grumbled darkly.

Someone landed behind Naruto, a unfamiliar chakra signature, and the group acted immediately. Naruto rolled forward as Sasuke closed in on the unknown and Sakura maneuvered into a position to block Tazuna and support her team.

"Hold on hold on! Jeez Sarutobi-sama was right, you guys probably wont need my help at all." The Genin stood down; at least easing out of a visible combat readiness. "My name is Daisuke and I will be your mission backup. Kakashi was called into something a little more serious so I will be here to assist and give advice when asked."

They said nothing but Sakura nodded her affirmation as they looked him over. He was young, not as young as they were but young nonetheless, anywhere from 17-19 years of age; Chunin most likely. Light brown hair, hazel eyes, a few nondescript scars, standard gear and garb; dependably average.

"Right, Daisuke-san, I am Sakura, this is Sasuke, Naruto, and our client Tazuna-san." She gestured to each in turn. "We'll head out right away; I intend to get as much distance as possible this afternoon before we have to set up camp." She turned to Tazuna. "You will let us know when and if you need to rest, we will need to know that you will be able to move effectively when and if the proverbial shit hits the fan." The feral grin she gave the man was not to friendly.

"Excellent, well lets get to it Sakura-san, I'll take mid with the client and let you handle it unless there is something you'd like to hear from me." Daisuke smiled and stood near the client, who visible relaxed at the calm young mans proximity.

They traveled for three hours, following the main trade routes at a civilians traveling pace. Sakura had worried about Tazuna keeping up the same pace for long periods of time but he held up fine and at times demanded that they skip little breaks they provided for him. Sasuke and Naruto took turns scouting ahead of the group and spreading out into the woods on either side of the route, just in case there was something out there.

Clients lie, they lie all the time in order to get assistance at a lower fee then what they really needed; and often that was death of proud and inexperienced shinobi. Because of this they would be over cautions, almost to a fault. They had passed their trial and they would not lose face for their village nor their team by letting something stupid or unexpected ruin everything. Sakura knew something was up; every time on of her teammates left Tazuna's eyesight he stiffened up and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief every time they returned.

Sasuke returned after his scouting run, a puzzled look on his face.

"When was the last time if rained?" Naruto shrugged, but Sakura answered.

"A week ago I think; why?"

"There is a puddle off to the side of the road. At first I thought it was because of recent rain and the slope of the road causing it to pool on the sides, but if it hasn't rained then it could be a trap."

"We could go around," Sakura mused. "better safe than sorry."

"If it was a trap and we never come by, wouldn't they just try and take us from behind when we least expect it?" Naruto voiced his concern.

"Shit, you're right. We'll we need to make sure it's a trap then, which means we have to go by and hope we can take who ever is waiting for us."

"They might not even be waiting for us…" eyes flickered to their client. They slowed their pace as they thought through the situation, weighing pros and cons, seeking the viable answer that would have the smallest chance of failure.

"Clones." Sakura and Sasuke looked to their smaller teammate. Recognition flared in their eyes. "See if they attack the clones and who they attack, then from ambush eliminate the threat if there is one."

"Alright let's do it. Daisuke, please watch over Tazuna while we find out what we have ahead." The young mane nodded to the girl, making hand signs, and sending his doppelganger with the Genin. Quickly they made their own and Sasuke made one that turned into a replica of Tazuna. Sending the images ahead, the Genin spread out and took to the woods around the road getting into position. Sasuke and Sakura were behind the puddle a distance and Naruto was across the road from them. They didn't have to wait long for "them" to walk by the puddle.

Naruto and Sasuke's images walked by; nothing from the puddle. Daisuke walked past and still nothing. Then as "Tazuna" came in line with the puddle, chakra spiked and two shinobi launched from the puddle only to pass through the image of Tazuna and spin around knowing they were screwed.

Sasuke and Sakura moved to engage, a screen of shuriken getting the attention of the two shinobi. They turned and attempted to capture the Genin with their chain, blocking and parrying the flying projectiles. Sasuke leapt up and ran through hand signs that were most familiar to him, inhaling a deep breath of air. Sakura leapt back throwing more shuriken at the pair. A massive fire ball launched from Sasuke and the pair leapt back to avoid the attack, only to meet their death. Naruto rushed, only using the strength of his body to close in fast and undetected, his long thing blade slid into the shinobi's skull at the base of his skull with ease. He shuddered once then died, his weight pulling on the chain the connected to the two shinobi together.

The enemy ninja released the chain the connected them, and spun on the blonde hoping to scratch him with poisoned claws before he could leap away from the kill. Reflexes saved him from being impaled by projectiles thrown by the other two. He rolled back and launched at the Sakura hoping is sudden change in target would throw them off.

He closed in swinging a vicious right with his claw, in his head there was no way a fresh kunoichi could block the blow.

Sakura read; she read a lot. She also happened to stumble across some scroll from her idol in the library, in a dusty forgotten room she had been cleaning. One thing she had begun to teach herself was to be able to infuse her attacks with a bit of chakra giving her far greater strength then her body could produce. She could throw a punch with the strength of a high Chunin, not nearly as impressive as the great Tsunade, but damn it was impressive for a new Genin.

With her left forearm, Sakura tossed the right hook away and wide, and followed through with a devastating right of her own, feeling the ribs she truck crack as the enemy's momentum was halted and then reversed, pushing him back a meter and half. Sasuke's axe kick to his head killed him, wearing a stunned expression on his face.

Daisuke came upon the Genin, going through the unknown shinobi's possessions. Tazuna paled as they neared the trio. Sakura walked to the two as Naruto and Sasuke continued their search and made ready to remove the bodies.

"They attacked the image of Tazuna. Probably high Genin to Chunin level enemy shinobi, eliminated without trouble thanks to the surprise factor." She turned cold eye upon the client. "We will continue along the missions parameters, though your dishonesty has been and will be officially noted Tazuna-san. Please tell us everything you about the current situation so that we may better defend you." Though her words were polite and respectable, her tone spoke of a quiet rage, clearly lying to this girl was a large mistake.

The messenger hawk arrived at sunset, perched in the open window. Sarutobi walked over the bird and retrieved the message. It was a report from Daisuke, mentioning the lies of Tazuna, which he had already suspected, the actions of the Genin when faced with enemy shinobi, and they're resolve to push on and complete the mission. He nodded to himself. He sat back down at his desk, packing his pipe and lit it with a small Katon Jutsu. He leaned back with a content sigh. Some times one had to just sit back and let the pieces think for themselves.

They were smart kids, and they had passed the trial, one that was beyond the scope of what should have happened, and he had faith in their judgment and skills. Plus Daisuke was there should things get a little hairy. Sarutobi couldn't see this Gato as a person who had enough influence and power to get the high ranking Missing Nin of the area. Even Missing Nin had standards, especially the high ranked ones.

He blew smoke rings into the air, eyeing the files and mission reports on his desk. What he wouldn't give to be in the field again. Ah well, that was a life time ago, and he would do what he could to keep his village safe, even if it was through paper work and speeches to the troops.

The boat ride across the river was quiet, and the Genin were tensed and ready for anything their paranoid minds could think of. They had made good time, even after agreeing to move off the roads and followed lumber and game trails. Tazuna, though a little worn from the increased pace and lack of regular sleep, kept up the pace and they managed to make it to the boat on the previously set up time and date, and for that he was grateful.

Once they reached the far shore, Naruto and Sasuke immediately spread out into the area scouting, shadows sliding through the undergrowth and fog. They returned shortly, and they moved into the mist, Tazuna pointing out the way from the middle of the formation. Daisuke, whose countenance was usually cheerful and almost child like, was severe, something was off with the mist, and he heard no birds or insects, nothing at all, not even Tazuna's civilian steps on sticks and gravel.

The Genin noticed the look, and pulled the formation a little closer in the event they should be under attack. Normally grouping together was a bad idea when under attack, but wit ha civilian, they had to keep close to be able to move him should they have to and block his body with their own. Sasuke and Naruto spread to the front and back should a replacement with the client should they need to get him out of the combat immediately.

Daisuke sensed that attack at the last minute, and managed to slow the massive blade with a kunai, his eyes wide at the power and size of the man before him. Momochi Zabuza, a foe they didn't stand a chance against. Naruto and Sasuke engaged Momochi with Daisuke, even working together they couldn't land a hit on the man nor could they take control of the fight, being pushed slowly farther away from Sakura and Tazuna. They realized this but none of them could safely disengage to regroup nor could they force him back towards the two.

Sakura stood, kunai in hand, before the trembling client, her right hand reached back and laid flat against his side, should anything happen she would be able to move him and defend, keeping him behind her at all times. She saw their enemy, a name she had read about, and knew that if they managed to walk away it would either be a miracle or he would have killed Tazuna. Fear surged within her once, but she crushed it. This was the life she had chosen and she would die doing her job.

A vicious kick sent Naruto off into the surrounding trees, where he crouched waiting to use his assassination skills to get in unnoticed for a fatal blow. Sasuke maneuvered behind the large man and tried to work with Daisuke in keeping the man still so Naruto could hopefully get a good hit in. Sasuke was forced to jump back to avoid a full swing of the huge blade, and watched in horror as Daisuke attempted to block the full powered swing when his footing lost hold. Daisuke knew he was dead as soon as he lost footing; he was unable to dodge but he sure as hell wasn't going to die staring stupidly, he moved to block, throwing his entire body weight against the blow.

With unbelievable strength, Zabuza altered the hold of his blade swing over the block and back around faster then anyone thought possible with such a large weapon. It bit, deep into Daisuke, severing his spine and turning him to jelly. With a laugh he jerked the blade loose and exploded into motion towards Sakura.

"No!" Both boys moved to intercept, but there was no way, they were to far and to slow. Sakura faced death in the face, she threw Tazuna to the side, but was shocked when a kick threw her away from the man, Zabuza's blade seemed slow to her brain, she knew what she had to do. Throwing all her chakra into her legs, she nearly flew into Tazuna, who stared at the blade in acceptance of his death. Her right arm flung out as she punched the stunned man in the side, tossing him a like a rag doll out of the blade's path.

Red sprayed into the air, and a shrill scream echoed across the mist and lack. Rage, at his own inaction, his own weakness and his inability to do his master proud, Naruto grabbed the power his Master bestowed upon him, and in his fury, rushed the large man. Sasuke suddenly could see everything slower, and he knew what had happened. He refused to let his new surrogate family die while he sat there helpless, not again.

Zabuza turned to intercept the androgynous blonde and the brunette, who he now noticed was an Uchiha, but his dearest weapon, Haku intercepted them, ice mirrors trapping them within his technique. He turned back to the girl, sobbing on the ground, her arm clutching the shoulder, her other arm a meter away, he walked to the old man, who lay on the ground balanced on his elbows as he stared at the injured girl, the girl who had saved him at the expense of herself.

"Kill me and leave them." his voice trembled but he would not see children suffer because of him.

"You are the mission's objective, not them. Should they attack when I am finished they will die." Tazuna nodded at the gruff voice, and stood before the tall man.

Sakura stood, her balance was off, she vomited in pain and struggled to moved, his guard was down, she could do this! Gripping her blade in her remaining arm, she lunged, clumsily at the man, who backhanded her away, spinning into the dirt, landing on her wound.

The blade was faster then Tazuna's cry at Sakura's plight. He was suddenly vey very short looking up at the sky, a look of confusion on his face. Zabuza picked up the severed head. "Haku, mission complete, release them."

Raging the two other Genin were crouched over their fallen teammate, trembling in rage and possibly fear.

"My mission is over, yours has failed, take her and go." He commanded. The blonde androgynous Genin, snarled as red chakra began to form around him, he tensed waiting for the lunge; he would cut this Genin in half before he could reach him. The Uchiha placed a hand on the kids shoulder. Immediately he leaned back on his heels, watching Zabuza as he backed away to the other ninja. "Hurry or she'll die." The other Missing Nin placed a scroll on the ground; he opened it and revealed medical supplies, before they vanished.

They waited two minutes before they moved. Sasuke rushed for the scroll and ran back to Sakura. Naruto rolled her over, infection was likely to begin. They built a fire, and placed a blade within the flames. Sakura, though her vision swam in pain, knew what was going to happen. She read enough to know that she need immediate medical attention to reattach her arm with full function. It was gone now. Gently they placed a stick, thick and wrapped in cloth into her mouth; she bit down and managed to nod. Sasuke grabbed the blade, and pressed the glowing end to her cleaned wound.

It was raining, large drops of clear liquid, it had been for two days, two days that Tazuna should have returned. Tsunami continued to look out the window, fear gripped her heart in icy cold talons. Inari sat in her lap, watching and waiting. He couldn't lose another person to this conflict. It would break him. Down the road three figures appeared through the gloom and rain. Dark smudges against the grey background. Her elation died when as they got closer, she noticed they were children, and they carried some thing between them.

"Inari, go to your room please." The boy, confused, complied with his mother's wishes. Tsunami waited until she heard his door closed before she rushed out the door and into the rain.

Before her stood three children; a girl, a boy, and another one that she couldn't tell from appearance alone. The boy, was bloody and bruised but supporting one end of a stretcher. The blonde was at the other end, also covered in blood, and battered. The girl, was pale, and unsteady on her feet, but most notably covered in blood, her entire side that was turning away from her was covered in dried blood, soaked into her clothes. The rain made it look as though she was still bleeding. She straightened, and Tsunami gasped, she was missing an arm! A child stood before her, covered in blood and missing an arm! She placed at hand to her mouth, fighting back sobs and the urge to vomit.

They placed the makeshift stretcher on the ground and stood on either side of the girl, placing a hand on her to help her balance.

"T-Tsunami-san?" she inquired, her voice rough and painful, as if she has spent a great deal of time screaming in agony, and by the looks of it she had. Tsunami nodded, her eyes now on the stretched.

"We're sorry, we…failed. Tazuna-san is dead. You will not be charged, nor will the dishonesty of the mission be recorded." She barely heard the words. On the stretcher was a man sized body, missing a head, and wrapped in a blanket. She knew who it was, and collapsed to her knees. She was vaguely aware of the pink haired girls swaying and slurring words.

"We ran out of scrolls, so we improvised." A bubble of blood made its way from her lungs to her mouth, she spit away from the distraught woman. She shook her head slowly to clear it and tried to talk again, confusion on her face as she couldn't seem to get her body to work properly. She began to fall, but Sasuke caught her.

Tsunami stood, "Come inside, you need medical attention, and food." When Sakura shook her head, Tsunami used her stern mother's voice. "You will come inside if I have to drag you!" They almost laughed at her, almost.

"Thank you." Sasuke spoke up. The weary group, Sakura leaning against Tsunami, the other two lifting the litter, they moved into the house.

Naruto sat in form fitted shorts and shirt, cleaning his blades on the floor. Sasuke sat in the corner eyes on the door and window in the room. Naruto watched over Sakura would lay on a futon, a fever already halted in its rush to burn her alive. Tsunami has fetched a local healer, who was willing to help the children who had fought to save the people and Tazuna.

'Master, I have failed you. We failed.'

Yes you have. You will rectify this situation. Kill the Gato. Make it worthy of my power.

'Yes my Master. It will be so.'

"We will kill the Gato." Naruto stated out loud. He looked to Sasuke from the corner of his eye, the Sharingan already spun and an evil grin came across the boys face.

"Y-yes…he will pay…arm AND leg…" Sakura's feverish voice confirmed the statement.

"Guerrilla tactics; we'll kill them all. Every last one…" is was not a threat, but a promise. Tsunami, who listened from outside the door, shuddered, what could make children like this? She wept silently in the hall. For Inari, for Tazuna, for herself and the village, but also for the children, who were clearly no longer children, not fully. Such is hatred's resolve, the hatred of failure, they would free the villagers, and take their hatred in cuts and stabs upon the body of their ire; Gato.

Tsunami walked away, hearing the singsong voice of Naruto, "There's no where to hide Gato-kun, Sakura has an arm to steal from you!" The rain was loud, it was cleansing, and it was the tears of hundreds, but hidden within, hope, a terrible evil hope, flickered.

A/N: Sorry it's been awhile, very busy. Ending is a little sloppy, and I'll say ill go back and fix it, buuuut, probably wont happen, but hey ya never know.