Kazue slowly awoke and opened her eyes to peer up at her ceiling. She yawned and stretched, slipping off her bed to pull a house coat to cover her pajamas. She made her way down to the livingroom and sat down on the couch. The clock read only six a.m, and Kazue groaned. She sighed and laid down, curling into a ball and falling back asleep.

Nikito laid awake in bed. He was deep in thought, trying to piece together everything. He sighed deeply. "Mizukage... I'm not gonna survive to make it there." He chuckled, climbing from bed and to the livingroom to where Kazue slept peacefully. He smiled at her sleeping form before sitting down in a nearby chair. That was another thing, did she really like him? He sighed deeply. She was such a beautiful girl. When most people cringed at her albino looks, he just smiled. He could never deny that he liked her, possibly even loved her. But like his dream to become Mizukage, her ever feeling the same was a serious stretch.

Kazue stirred at Nikito's prescence in the room and slowly opened her eyes. She noticed that Nikito was gazing at her, but seeing as he wasn't reacting to her looking back, she asumed he was deep in thought. "N...Nikito..."

"Hm?" He mumbled, seming to snap from his thoughts. "Sorry. Did I wake you?" He asked with a slight frown.

"It's fine." Kazue smiled and turned to the clock. She slept an extra hour. "Did you get a good sleep?"

Nikito nodded with a soft smile. "I did."

Kazue smiled and sat up, pulling the house coat tightly around herself. "We can wait until dad wakes, or are you hungry now?"

Nikito shrugged. "I'm not all that hungry." He stated before drifting in thought again.

Kazue nodded and smiled. He was staring at her again. She looked away awkwardly. "Quit staring like that..." Kazue mumbled.

"Ah, wh-what?" He stuttred, looking at her while snapping back to reality. "I-I don't mean to stare at you.." he murmured, a blush forming on his face.

Kazue nodded. It wasn't the first time he'd drifted off in thought while staring at her. "What are you thinking about?"

Nikito shrugged. "A lot. Mostly about this plan your sister has. I'm trying to ensure that there is nothing left out.."

Kazue smiled softly. "That's all?"

Nikito shook his head and blushed faintly but avoided saying anything more as he divertd his eyes to the window.

Kazue raised an eyebrow and followed his gaze. It was morning, but the fog outside blocked most of the sun. "You're a nice guy, Nikito..." she smiled.

He chuckled and looked to meet her eyes. "I do try, but what did I do this time to make you say it?" He asked with a deep sigh, pushing his hair from his eyes.

Kazue shrugged. "You just are." She laughed and leaned her head back. She closed her eyes and smiled.

Nikito chuckled again before sighing. "So am I ever allowed to compliment you then?"

"You already have a few times, why do you need permision?"

Nikito smirked and shruged. "Guess you got a point..."

Kazue laughed and fell over on her side. "And just for future reference: you may."

Nikito smirked again. "So if I complimented on your beauty?" He chuckled, glancing at her.

Kazue tried to suppress her blush and buried her face into the cushion. "I guess...others have complimented me there too."

"Damn, I was beaten to it.." he snickered, leaning back in his chair as he glanced outside agin. "What about how kind-hearted you are? Have I been beaten again?" He questioned, looking back at her.

Kazue shrugged. "Maybe..."

Nikito sighed. "Is there anything I could say that hasn't already been said?" He asked though, he knew of one, but couldn't say it, at least not yet.

Kazue shrugged. "I'm sure you'll find one eventually." She unburied her face at peered over at Nikito with a soft smile.

Nikito chuckled. "What if I told you I did have one?"

Kazue shrugged. "How would I know if you have one?"

"Trust?" He chuckled and shrugged.

"Then I guess I will..." she smiled.

Nikito smiled, debating whether or not to say it. He decided against it and sighed deply.

"See, you can't think of one." Kazue laughed and closed her eyes again.

"You really want me to say it?" He murmured.

"I'm a bit too curious for my own good." Kazue laughed nervously.

Nikito smirked and crossed the room to Kazue. He bent down in front of her and took her hands in his. "Wh-What if I told you I really liked you... possibly even loved you?" He asked, his voice almost a whisper.

Kazue's lips parted and her heart began to race. "I..." Kazue's eyes were wide and her face was beat red. "Never got that before..." Kazue laughed nervously and slowly sat up.

"And what if I also told you it isn't a lie - that I actually mean it Kazue?" He whispered.

Kazue's heart pounded in her ears. "Nikito...I..." she laughed nervously again and bit her lip. "N...not me..."

"Its true, Kazue. I always have." He closed his eyes and smiled. "I think you're gorgeous and are no different from any other girl. You always see the best in me, and I always see how kind you are. I don't e-expect you to feel the same... I'm just being honest with you, like I always am." He whispered, moving back to his feet.

Kazue gripped his hands tighter as he stood and peered up at him. "..I...actually do..." Kazue murmured.

His eyes widened slighty before he chuckled. "Guess becoming Mizukage isn't as much of a stretch as I thought." He murmured quietly before looking down at Kazue. "Do you really?"

Kazue looked away and nodded. "Have for a while myself. And besides, how many times do I have to tell you that you have a great chance for becoming Mizukage."

He smirked. "After you admiting you like me, I think I'll actually begin to believe that statement." He smiled.

Kazue smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head against against his stomach. "I really have fallen for you."

Nikito blushed and moved to sit on the couch beside Kazue. He pushed a piece of hair from her eyes before placing a soft kiss on her cheek. "I'm glad." He whispered before pulling back to look into her eyes.

Kazue blushed and looked away. "Me too." She nervously began to play with her the ends of her long hair.

Nikito smiled before standing up. "I'm going to go change. Ill be right back." He stated, walking off upstairs.

Kazue watched Nikitos back as he ddisappeared up the stairs. His black shaggy hair swayed as he skipped every two steps while running. He disappeared and Kazue fell into the back of the couch. She definitely was not thinking he would do that... She finally realized that she was still in her house coat, and her hair was probably a complete mess. She hadn't brushed her teeth yet. She widened her eyes and gasped. 'How embarrasing!'

She quickly made her way back up to her room so she could clean up. After changing, she began to brush her long hair. 'He...loves me...' she smiled and sighed, melting as she leaned against her dresser.

Nikito pulled his headband tighter as he sat in Kazue's livingroom to wait for her return. It wasn't two minutes later when she arrived down the stairs and smiled at Nikito. "Instead of waiting around here, do you want to get out and do something?"

Nikito shrugged. "I don't care... i-its not a d-date, right?" He stuttered, his face deepening in colour.

Kazue laughed awkwardly. "I was more so thinking just a casual walk around the village...like we've done numerous times." She bit her lip and looked away.

Nikito smiled and ruffled her hair. "I'm teasing you. No need to make it awkward." He chuckled with a smile. "I only said that because I think your father would kill me..."

Kazue blinked and shook her head, heading for the front door and leaving the house. The two walked in silence. The clouds were heavy and blocked the sun. Nitito's eyes drifted to the Mizukage building as he sighed.

"You really think I could become the Mizukage?" He muttered, lowering his head to the ground.

Kazue laughed. "You're too self-conscious, mister! You've got great potential, and I really believe that you could make a great Mizukage."

Nikito smiled. He opened his mouth to reply when two men in plain black cloaks jumped in their path with their hoods up.

"And that great potential is why we must kill you, Olika Nikito." The shorter blonde stated with a smirk.

Nikito narrowed his eyes and pushed Kazue behind him. Kazue peered out behind Nikito, trying to get a glimpse of their faces. "It looks like the same cloaks Jatsu was wearing." She mumbled to him.

Nikito nodded. The blonde looked to his partner and chuckled. "How we gonna do this kill?"

"You will not be kiling Nikito on my watch." Kazue said and stepped out infront of him, eyes narrowed as she gripped her bow and reached for an arrow.

"Now, now little girl." The blonde laughed. "We don't want you."

"Kazue, stop." Nikito whispered.

Kazue shook her head. "You and I promised to assist Jatsu; you're useless if you're dead. And I'm not just going to allow them to attack you just because."

"Jatsu..?" The blonde questioned, looking to his partner. "Not..your Jatsu, could it, Itomi?" He whispered.

Itomis eye twitched and he looked at Kazue. "Whom is this Jatsu you speak of?"

"That's none of your business. What matters is that Nikito will not die here, not now." Kazue narrowed her eyes and pulled the arrow and string back, aiming it at Itomi first.

The blonde smirked as he stepped towards Kazue. "Shoot it girl, I dare yah!"

Kazue turned the arrow and aimed it at the blonde. "I'll only shoot if you move."

The blonde laughed and took another step closer. Nikito narrowed his eyes, noticing a weak purple aura around the male.

"Haruko.." Itomi whispered and shook his head. He turned to look at Kazue again. "We work with a girl named Jatsu. Blonde, tall-ish, and good looking." Itomi snickered at the last part.

Nikito narrowed his eyes more. "Deep blue eyes, and a lip piercing?" He asked Itomi.

Itomi nodded. "She just recently told us about a sister... are you her?"

Kazue narrowed her eyes and turned to aim at Itomi again. "Yeah. She's my sister."

Haruko stepped in Itomi's way. "Shoot that, and I'll kill you..."

"I'd like to see you try." Kazue smirked sarcastically.

Haruko chuckled. "Don't underestimate the Affani."

"That!" Nikito sighed, stepping in front of Kazue. "That name! Jatsu spoke of it..." Nikito sighed. "Maybe they don't know of the... thing... Jatsu spoke to us about..." Nikito murmured to Kazue.

"So you're the outsiders!" Haruko laughed outright, his purple aura fading.

Kazue narrowed her eyes on Haruko. "Just because you're taking a step back doesn't mean I'll let my guard down."

Haruko smirked. "If you're involved in Jatsu's plan, I think she'd have my head if I were to lay a finger on you..."

"Then I guess you can't do anything if I shoot this arrow." Kazue smirked.

Haruko shook his head. "Not true. It will not harm me... go ahead... I'll prove it. I wont harm you."

Kazue shook her head and lowered her hands, taking the arrow in one hand and the bow in the other. "You came here for Nikito. You said you were going to kill him because he was a candidate for the next Mizukage..."

Haruko looked at Kazue then over at Itomi. "Should we explain?"

Itomi shook his head. "We're still under the Affani, we're not at a whim to speak of our mission. For now, we will have to find the others, and leave this one be - for now. If Jatsu and Umi fail - and if we aren't killed along with them - we'll come after this one..."

Haruko chuckled. "What's with the dark-like talk? It's unlike you..."

Itomi turned around. "A bit impatient is all."

Haruko shrugged. "So we're leaving then?"

"We'll go find the others before we leave."

Haruko laughed. "Alright, if yah say so."

Itomi began to run off into the fog around them, leaving Kazue with, as Jatsu puts it, her boyfriend. Haruko hurried after and sighed. He quickly caught up with Itomi.

"Do you not believe that, that was Jatsu's sister? Is that why we didn't tell them?" Haruko asked.

"If she's Jatsu's sister, she'll already know."

Haruko shurgged. "So... where's the next one on our list?"

Itomi dug a picture out of his pocket. "This one." The picture showed of a pale female with dark red hair and light blue eyes. She seemed like she was very reserved, and one that wouldn't be afraid to attack when pushed. She didn't seem like Nikito at all, completely different actually. He looked more gentle, she looked deadly. He seemed to have emotions, she seemed to have none. Two opposites, but after she was dead, it would leave Nikito as the most probable, and only, candidate left. Itomi decided he was doing Nikito a favour instead.

Haruko smirked as he looked from the picture, back to the path ahead, "If I didn't have my heart set on Umi, she'd be a girl I'd go after."

Itomi shook his head. "Why do you seem to go after the ill-tempered, crazy women?"

Haruko laughed. "'Cause if yah can tame 'em, they're the best lovers." He winked.


Kazue stepped back in front of Nikito and looked up at him. "I still don't trust them..." She murmured.

Nikito wasn't looking at Kazue, nor was he listening. His mind was racing as he thought of Jatsu's plan, and how those men would, or even could be invovled. Kazue reached up and grabbed his sleeve lightly.

"Nikito..." She whispered.

Nikito blinked a few times before looking down at Kazue. "Ah... y-yeah?"

Kazue smiled and turned around, pulling him along as she resumed their walk. "You think...a lot." She laughed.

Nikito smiled as he matched his pace with hers. "Well, is that a bad thing?"

Kazue quickly shook her heard. "Nah..." She smirked and looked up at him. "Gives me a few seconds to get a good look at your handsomeness..."

Nikito couldn't contain his blush as it consumed his face, his eyes avoiding her gaze. "I'm not that handsome..." He murmured.

Kazue laughed lightly. "I was only kidding." She laughed again and looked away. "But there isn't anyone else who catches my attention."

Nikito smiled slightly and ruffled Kazue's hair. "No girl but you catches my eyes."

Kazue smiled as well, and walked on in silence.


The big wooden doors stood in front of Umi and Jatsu. Two columns stood on either side of the door, dark with the dim lit hallways. On the middle of the door was the symbol of the Affani; a triple crossed T with a line through the side. Umi personally hated the symbol. Umi took the knob of the one side of the door, and Jatsu took the other. They pulled the two doors open and and walked into the big office. Mikiito, the main leaders personal sidekick, as Jatsu and Umi joked, stood with her arms at her side and a failed attempt at a smile on her face. Her eyes were covered my a mask, but Umi suspected that she was glaring.

"Hey, freak." Umi smiled.

Mikiito's failed smile disappeared completely all together. Her arms moved up and her hands now rested on her hips.

Kenzu's eyes drifted from his co-leaders to Jatsu and Umi who had just entered the room. "Afternoon..." He smirked.

Jatsu bent down on on knee, lowering her head to Kenzu, Haito and Ryomatsu. "Leaders..."

"How is the mission going?" Ryomatsu asked, his voice flat.

Umi casted her eyes to the ground and gritted her teeth. Out of all three of the leaders, she hated Ryomatsu the most, and next was Kenzu. She hated Haito as well, but not nearly as much.

Jatsu let out a sigh, her head still bowed. "Two were killed off. Hitmichi escaped us, however we discovered his location."

"Did you now?" Kenzu smirked. "And where would that be?"

Jatsu raised her head slightly, her eyes narrowed. "The village hidden in the Mist."

Kenzu's eyes widened slightly before he closed them again. "Will this be an issue for you, Jatsu?"

Jatsu shook her head. "N-No. I can do it."

Ryomatsu glanced from Umi down to Jatsu. "You seem hesitent... why is that?"

"I was born there..." Jatsu murmured, forcing back a snarl.

"You will go, and you will return. You will remain here, as our good follower." Kenzu stated. "If you succeed, you shall be promoted."

Jatsu gritted her teeth as she clenched her fists. She wanted nothing more than to attack Kenzu - rip out his heart and present it to himself. "Wh-What an h-honour..." Jatsu murmured.

Kenzu looked to Umi. "And you... what would you like to see happen to your position? Move up? Move down? Or die?" His eyes narrowed as a smirk fell over his face.

"Anything that would get me away from your disgusting face." Umi narrowed her eyes at the ground.

Jatsu's eyes widened as she shot her head up to meet Umi's eyes.

"Do not scold her, Jatsu." Ryomatsu stated with a sigh. "She is not your child. She is entitled to an opinion, she had just better insure she knows what he opinion leads her to..."

Umi lifted her face to look at the three leaders. "How are you going to replace me?" She asked through clenched teeth. "You've already said yourselves that I have quite a unique ability. Kill me..."

Kenzu chuckled. "Keep asking and that may be just what you get."

"She's all talk and no bite, Kenzu." Haito stated, studying Umi closely.

Jatsu jumped to her feet and narrowed her eyes at Umi. "Shut... it... now." She whispered in a hiss before facing the leaders again. "We will waste no more of your time. We will head out now." She stated, bowing before turning to leave when Ryomatsu stepped in their way.

"Do not fail us, Jatsu." Kenzu murmured from behind her.

Jatsu slowly turned to face Kenzu. "You know what hopes we hold for you... we cannot see that go to waste. The thought of trying to replace you has been a burden to my life since we began to discovered your... unique... abilites." Kenzu stated with a smirk.

Jatsu gritted her teeth and nodded before dragging Umi out, pushing passed Ryomatsu. Ryomatsu watched the heavy wooden doors close before facing his co-leaders. "She's going to snap soon..."

Haito nodded. "You can feel it."

Kenzu sighed as he rubbed his temples. "This is going to be more... inconvenient than I expected... with her plotting against us, and her being as angry as she is... her plan may work..."

Mikiito appeared infront of Kenzu and stared up at him for a few seconds. "Shall I...kill them?"

Kenzu shook his head. "I have not decided... I was not completely lying when I said I held high hopes for her... she is one of the best we've ever gotten. I do not want to kill her off unless I'm sure there is someone as good if not better to step in her shoes. If it really comes down to it, I will order her kill."

Mikiito turned around and walked to the big wooden doors, putting her hand on one of the knobs. "Her plan is to riot. She has the help of outsiders." Mikiito waited a few seconds for any reply, but when none came, she opened the door and left.

Kenzu smirked as he started to chuckle, but it soon turned to a roaring laugh.

"K-Kenzu?" Ryomatsu stuttered as he looked at his co-leader.

Kenzu continued to laugh before he finally stopped, jumping to his feet with a smirk. "Outsiders... Jatsu thinks outsiders will stop us!" He laughed again. "She clearly does not realize how long we've been around for!"

"He's going loopy..." Ryomatsu murmured to Haito.

Haito nodded and turned to Kenzu. She shook her head and tossed the water in her cup at Kenzu's figure. "Wake up, idiot."

Kenzu stared blankly at Haito. "That was unecessary..."


Kazue and Nikito arrived back to Kazue's house after a quick walk through the village. Her father was now awake in the house making something to eat. Dodging her father, the two made their way up the stairs and to Kazue's room. Kazue paused outside her door and motioned for Nikito to wait one moment. She disappeared into her room and collected the scroll. It was still in one piece. She returned outside the door infront of Nikito.

"I forgot to bring this with us..." She murmured.

Nikito nodded, again deep in thought as he leaned against the wall.

Kazue laughed and rolled her eyes, hitting him on the top of the head with the scroll before making her way back downstairs. Nikito smirked and walked after her. At the bottom of the stairs, they were ambushed by Sora, a smirk at his lips as he looked at the two with a raised eyebrow.

"Kazue?" He asked, glacing at Nikito, the stairs, then back at her.

Kazue smiled awkwardly. "Yes?" She questioned and laughed nervously.

"Being good I hope..."

She rolled her eyes and hit his chest lightly with the scroll. "Dad! You don't have to...worry." She murmured.

"Yet you hesitate..." Sora's eyes drifted to the scroll. "What is that odd looking scroll?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.

Kazue smiled. "Hitting you two with." She laughed and looked between her fathers and Nikito's blank stares.

Sora reached to take the scroll from Kazue's hand. "Let me see it..."

Kazue retreated her hands behind her back and nudged it into Nikito's hand. "It's just for indications."

Nikito quickly put the scroll into his deep pockets and smiled. "Nothing to worry about, sir."

"I doubt that..." Sora stated, narrowing his eyes at Kazue.

Kazue sighed and glanced up at Nikito before leaning over to whisper into her father's ear. "It's just a love letter that Nikito made me..."

Sora's eyes widened as he looked at Nikito before narrowing his eyes. "Oh really?"

Nikito's face twisted in confusion. "Wh-What did you say, Kazue?" He stuttered, his eyes locked with Sora's.

Kazue laughed lightly and placed her hands on her father's shoulders. "It's alright dad. It's very sweet. He's a very nice guy."

Nikito looked between the two in confusion. Sora sighed and looked at his daughter before walking away. "I better be told when you start dating..."

"What? D-D-Dating? What did you say, Kazue!" Nikito gasped, looking down at her innocent smile.

Kazue shrugged. "Just how sweet of a poet you are."

"B-But I've never wrote you anything!"

Kazue smiled. "Well, you just wrote me a love poem." She giggled and made her way into the living room.

Nikito ran a hand through his hair as he let out a long and loud sigh. "I can't keep up with you sometimes!"

"Then you should work out more." Kazue laughed and sat down on the couch.

Nikito rolled his eyes and pulled out the scroll, tossing it back to Kazue. "Wont that hurt if it burns up in your hand?"

Kazue shrugged and placed the scroll onto the glass table. "There; hands are good." She smiled.

Nikito smiled and plopped down on the couch beside her, placing his hands behind his head. "We sure we're ready forn this? I've been piecing everything together... there's lots of gaps and tonnes of room for error... if one of Jatsu's followers slip up, we're all gonna die."

Kazue sighed and crossed her legs. "At least we'll be attempting to protect the shinobi world."

Nikito chuckled. "You know I'll give my life before I see you get hurt in this..."

Kazue nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I know." She mumured than lifted her head again. "For duty, or love?" She laughed.

Nikito smirked. "More on the love side, partly duty.."

Kazue laughed slightly. "We'll just make sure neither of us dies."

Nikito smiled. "If we both survive this, you owe me a kiss." He stated with a smirk.

Kazue bit her lip and looked away. "Is that the condition?"

"Condition of what? Protecting you? Of course not. I'll protect you, kiss or not. But, you can at least lie so I can think I have something to look forward to." He smirked.

Kazue shrugged and blood rushed to her cheeks.

"For all these years..." She leaned closer and kissed his cheek. "You deserve as much."

Nikito blushed faintly and smiled. "I'm kidding you know... I honestly don't expect it..."

Kazue shrugged. "You wouldn't have said it, if you weren't at the least bit hoping."

He diverted his eyes as his cheeks heated up a bit more. "Well... I-I have liked you for a while.." He murmured.

Kazue smiled softly and drew her knee's up to her chest, leaning over into his side and placing her head on his shoulder. "I know." She whispered gently.

Nikito smiled and kissed the top of her head before looking out the window, once again falling into a deep thought, this time about Kazue.

Umi and Jatsu were only minutes from hitting land at the Mist Village. Jatsu sighed as she looked to Umi. "We ready for this?"

"Speak no evil..." Umi nodded. "I'm bursting at the seams." She said sarcastically.

Jatsu nodded and pulled down her hood. She bit her thumb on her left hand before pulling off her glove off her right hand and touching the discoloured mark with her blood. She winced slightly before closing her eyes and forming several seals. "Flaming-scroll..." She murmured.

On the glass table, the scroll suddenly burst into flames, the paper turning to ash in seconds. Nikito glanced to Kazue. "Guess it's time to go..."

Kazue nodded and stood up. "Now we just have to find her." She laughed.

"Shouldn't be hard..." Nikito laughed, pulling his backpack onto his shoulders.