I finally come up with the next chapter... Hate to admit it but it's tiring, and the previous chapter was pretty short, in my opinion, so hopefully this one would be longer... -. -|||

Now enjoy the chapter~

~SiP


Chapter 9: Getting a job and running into trouble

Reaching the ocean side was the easy part, but getting across the ocean... That was the hard part.

"Kya, we're finally here! I thought that we'd never stop all that walking!" I slumped onto the ground grateful to finally have some goddamn rest!

Kuro was looking around without a single sweat. I rolled my eyes and focused on resting only to stare at him horrified with what he said next. "Now just how do we get across?"

"Kyaaa~?! How do you get the idea to go somewhere without thinking of how you're gonna get there? AND HOW DO YOU NOT THINK OF SOMETHING ON SUCH A LONG-ASS WALK!?" I snapped at him, the stress finally getting to me, only to settle on pouting sulkily.

"That's easy, it was because I was walking." He stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I can't think while I walk, and being a genius doesn't have a single thing to do with it."

I glared, slowly stalking towards him and hit him upside his head. "Walking... DOES NOT TAKE THAT MUCH THOUGHT!"

"To me it does, since that's how I had gotten used to it. Walk first, think later." Kuro sighs and resumes his search, rubbing his head. "Now all we have to find is how to get across..."

"...that's lame bro." I shake my head in the lameness that is referred to as Kuro Shinigami, but freeze up with the dawn of a new idea. One that should have solved everything before this whole fiasco started... "HOLD ON! Why didn't you just ask me to think of something before we started walking?"

He stares at me as if I had grown a second head... On the side note, I hope I didn't, I didn't want to be considered part hydra, that thing is creepy as it is. "In case you have forgotten, you were the one who said you wanted nothing of it before we even came here."

"...I did?" I return the stare, but a bit blanker. Okay, it was a blank stare, who was I kidding?

"See? So I'm not the only one to blame here, am I?" He smirks before resuming his search. "Now how am I supposed get across?"

"Well I told you to figure something out... You could have told me that you lack the ability to multitask." I scrunch up my face at the thought.

"It didn't come to mind. Oh isn't that Tazuna's ride?" Kuro points out to a man standing near a boat by the shoreline.

"OMFG A BOOOOAAAT! YUSH!" I cheer, pumping my fist into the air only to stop when a realization hits me. Thus causing me to sulk in a corner. "Wait... I just remembered that I actually like swimming... and that we're both broke..."

Kuro smacked his face with his hand, dragging it down to reveal exasperation. "Now you should have told me that before... Whatever. Let's go before that guy finds us. It wouldn't do us any good if he did spot us."

"But that wouldn't have been as much fun~ And how come he isn't allowed to see us?" I pout, crossing my arms, out of my sulking mode.

"If he's alone, then that means Tazuna is already looking for ninjas to escort him home and to guard him to complete the bridge." He replies curtly, heading towards the water. "Now let's go and swim."

"Oh yeah... I'd forgotten about that. HOLD ON! What about your book? Won't it get wet?" I yell out, frowning.

"Yeah, is that bag of yours waterproof?" He pointed to the bag slung across my shoulder.

"Not that I know of... I think it's just fabric." I shrug, distress gone.

"Then we're out of luck, I'll just dry it out once we get to the Wave Village." He turns back to the water and starts going through it. "So let's go swimming."

Distress back, I run after him, just in time to stop him from going too far. "But your booook~!"

He looks back at me, the exasperation far from concealed. He crossed his arms and gave me a pointed look. "Well what do you suggest we do then?"

"Well, I have a plan, but first I need to ask a question: do you mind waiting a bit, and are we supposed to get there before the ninjas?"

He blinks as if the idea had just recently dawned at him, and spoke up not a second later. "Well let's think of it this way, aside from being detained by tricking them twice in a row, we'll have front row seats when the action comes. And if we go back along with them, we could make our way to the Sand Village. How's that for an answer?"

"Wait... so you want to go back with them? I thought we were avoiding them... And my plan so didn't include getting caught..."

"I did just think of it now. What is your plan anyway?"

"I suppose so. Anyways, my plan was to wait for the leaf nin to show up, and when they sail away I can tie this," I motion towards my skateboard on my back. "to the back of the boat and we can ride on it."

I figure it was my imagination, but it seemed that Kuro was growing pale by the second. Then the fidgeting started and uncomfortable was written all over his face. "Like water skiing? What if they take us back?"

"Yeah! Like that! And nobody has to see us~" I wiggle my eyebrows after I cheer, already pretending that I was skiing behind the boat. Though Kuro still looked uneasy.

"And just how will they not see water splashing about behind them?"

"Um... cause I'm awesome?" I grin nervously, stopping my awesome mimic of the sport, rubbing my neck sheepishly. "...okay fine, whatever. Let's just stow away then."

"That sounds more reasonable, but just how are we going to get in without him noticing?" He nods, still pale in the face, and looks back at the boat.

"Uh... how about we throw a rock over there," I suggest, pointing the far off bush on the other side of the clearing. "and then we sneak on. Or you can just make a shadow clone and disguise it."

"Okay, let's try the first one. You good at throwing?" He picks up a random rock and holds it towards me.

"I have 'inhuman strength' according to you, so I guess so." I take the rock and throw it at the targeted bush. "There we go~"

Kuro watches the man intently as he turned to look at the bush I had just hit with my awesome throwing skills. "Doesn't look like he's going to go investigate..."

"Plan B, then." I sigh, my hands on my hips. I pat him on the shoulder, grinning. "It's your turn to shiiiine!"

"But I don't even know how much chakra I have..." He grumbled, grudgingly doing the hand signs for the clone. "If this doesn't work than I'm off swimming!"

The clone this time was disguised as a random kid from nowhere, and it wasn't worthy of any description to be mentioned, other than it's nasally voice when it spoke to the man at the bow of the boat. The sound was more like nails grating a chalkboard, shivers included.

"HAZA! Now... ONTO THE SHIIIIIIP~!" I shout and made my way to stow away. Although it didn't work since I was caught by the arm and my mouth covered.

"Will you not yell?! He hasn't even moved from the boat!" Kuro hissed into my ear.

I remove his hand and whisper back. "But he's still distracted~"

He whispers back, though slightly out of breath. "And how will we cover ourselves once we get there?"

I pout, half in thought, and the other half in… well, pouting. "Don't you know any jutsus that could make us invisible?"

"No..." Kuro was quiet for quite some time and soon spoke up with the tone of a person who shouted 'eureka!' "I have spreadsheets. But I need to place my book in your bag."

I shrug and hand over my bag to him. "Sure thing."

I was given a spreadsheet in return as he placed his book inside my bag. "Should I carry it?"

I shrug, not caring for the question in particular. "We could take turns carrying it. Anyways, what's on this spreadsheet of yours?"

"There's nothing on the spreadsheet, but it was a spreadsheet at the hospital, that you took, in order to strap my book onto myself. And I incidentally took two." He explained as he strapped my bag onto him. He gave it a firm tug to make sure that it wouldn't fly off anytime soon. "Alright we have at most two minutes to sneak, get in and cover ourselves."

"M'kay~" I crouch down in a ready position, a small smirk playing on my lips. "Just tell me when."

Kuro took the second spreadsheet, looking over at the pair in time to see that the doppelgänger had started to drag the man away from the boat. He calmly states as he starts his way to the boat. "Now."

I run as fast as my legs could carry me, successfully clearing the distance with no sweat to spare and jump in order dive in, making sure I wrap the spreadsheet around myself. I peek out and whisper hurriedly. "Hurry Kuro!"

He dives in and covers himself right next to my bundle. He grunted as he made himself comfortable, whispering back. "No matter what happens, do not move or make a sound."

I roll my eyes, muttering. "Yeah yeah..."

"Just saying." He sighs, quieting with the incoming footsteps.

"I swear that kid was just there a second ago... Huh, must have been my imagination..."

I hum a small tune, as quiet as possible, whispering. "I'm bored yo."

"You will be really annoying if you ever met up with Bee." Another sigh escapes from his bundle. "At least keep your mouth shut when the ninjas are here."

"Can do! Who's Bee?" I replied, purposefully ignoring the insult he threw at me.

"Killer Bee is the guy who holds the Eight Tails in him." He answers before clamming up with another bunch of footsteps coming towards our location.

"Alright! We get to go on a boat! Believe it!"

"Would you shut up Naruto!"

To say it was easy to not talk, in order to keep our secrecy, is and will not ever be easy. At least not in my good graces, since I personally don't let anything go without a reply. It's just in my nature, whether I like it or not. But I settled, all the more pouty, on listening at the conversation that took place, right above us.

"Tazuna, you're finally here!"

"Yeah, we had super small problem, but we can super leave now." A laugh boomed.

"Small?" Naruto spoke up. "How was being attracted my Mist ninjas a small problem?"

"Naruto will you just shut your mouth! Why can't you be like Sasuke for once?" Sakura yelled, most likely hitting Naruto.

"Let's just go, before he notices."

"Yes we should."

The boat, as small as it was, shook with the amount of people it had on board. I had to hold my tongue just to make sure I didn't spit out curses when I felt the boat rock dangerously at one point. Now that I think about it, wasn't this Tazuna a really fat guy? I guess it is the appropriate time to call out to any kind of god out there to hope, and pray, that we would stay afloat until we got to dry land. I just hope we do…

The journey soon came to an end, much to my relief, and ending the silence that had ensued after the headache of a story from Kakashi and the rest. I still happened to be praying to any god out there, but this time to keep my silence a few minutes longer until they got out of the boat.

"Hey, hey, Kakashi-sensei!"

"What is it, Naruto."

"Do you think Kuro is here too? And that girl as well?"

"... Who knows."

The voices grow faint, and I feel relief flooding in. On the other hand, Kuro stirred as he jumped out of his makeshift bundle, cheering loudly. "Finally! Thanks for the ride Mister!"

I take this as the cue to jump out, a smile on my face for the end of that pain in the ass, as I drag Kuro by his wrist and yanking out my skateboard from the bag that was still strapped onto my bag around him, and skated off. I wave back in thanks. "See you guys on the flip side~!"

Before turning around fully, I caught the shock painted on his face as he looked at us, then at the crumpled spreadsheets, then back to us. Only to shake his head in a disbelieving manner. I smirk as I focus on the road in front of me.

"My spreadsheets..." Kuro pouted, managing to get out of my grip and walk on his own feet. "Oh well, I'll have to find something else..."

I slow to a stop and grab my skateboard from the ground and catch up with him, board in hand. "So, what now?"

He sighed, ruffling his hair. It couldn't get any messier now could it? "I dunno, live in the forest? I'm out of ideas..."

Making a face I comment on his statement. I swing my arm around his shoulders and draw him in a headlock. "Living in the forest is lame."

"Then what do you suggest?" He questioned, glancing at me. "And could you let me go?"

"NO I WON'T!" I hold him in a tighter headlock, grinning cheekily. "Um... we could always go to a village... or spy on the Leaf Nin!"

"But where are we going to stay for the night?" He asked, giving up on getting out of my headlock. "Sure we could go around and stalk the Leaf nin but we don't have a place to stay for the night..."

"Um... we could always go to a village inn or something~?" Sin suggested, shrugging.

"A good place to get spreadsheets..." He nods at the thought absentmindedly. "But we're broke. So how are we going about it now?"

"...what is it with you and spreadsheets?" I look at him weird, who wouldn't? Here was a guy who was currently obsessed with spreadsheets for no reason whatsoever! "I dunno, we could always work..."

"Right, work." He replied, a near sarcastic tone tinged on his words.

I defended my idea with a shrug. "Just juggling some ideas."

"Well, we'll see about what to do when we do arrive." He sighed, rubbing his face like how stressed people do. "I'll end up getting white hair with all this thinking..."

I snicker, in order to hide the oncoming laugh, pointing out the obvious. "You already have white hair!"

"Damn you're right, I am old..." Kuro crouched in his own corner, and started sulking.

I being so awesome, go on with the act, crying comical tears. Comical, but epic. "Wha? No, I didn't mean it like that! Please don't be sad~!"

He sighs deeply, no longer in his corner of… sulking. "Yeah, ok, let's keep moving, and see if we can get a job for the time being."

"Okay~! Let's go Kuro!" I also do a 180 degree and drag him by the hand, a skip in my step.

"I can walk on my own, you know..." I hear him mutter, but I pass it off as nothing.

After an eternity, or so it seems we finally reach the village. Everyone bustling about and minding their own business. I swear the atmosphere could kill someone, being all gloomy as it is. Luckily, and I have no idea how, we avoid the pick pockets that those creepy hobo-ish men did for a living. Ugh… it gives me shivers just thinking about them.

Kuro didn't even give a glance towards these guys, and took his time looking around the crowded street. "Tell me again, on how we are supposed to get a job?"

"Hmm..." I tap my chin in a thoughtful manner, bringing up the ideas at the top of my head. "Can you do any circus stunts?"

I receive a deadpan in reply. "I'll break my back before I do any of that crazy stuff."

I pout at the rejection but bring something else up eagerly. "Hum~ Can you tame animals?"

"And how do you suggest that I tame them without getting my hand bitten off?"

"With your AWESOMENESS!" I shoot him a thumbs up, smiling.

...

"And how are we going to find an animal?"

"...with your awesomeness?" I answer nervously after another long awkward pause.

Kuro smacks his face, dragging his hand down. "Another plan?"

"Why don't YOU come up with something?" I shout out, throwing my hands up into the air. All this thinking was giving me headache.

"Then what about that delivery job?" He points the innocent looking sign standing outside an innocent looking shop.

I stare at the sign, then at the shop, and then back at the sign. "How did I not see that..?"

"How should I know? Well let's get going and see if they're still hiring." He shrugs making his way to the shop, and I don't miss the slap he gave to the outstretched hand that was no doubt reaching for my bag that was still strapped on his back. I mutter under my breath, but follow after him, making sure to glare at the hobo-ish dude with an unsightly beard. I've seen better in my days!

Kuro's POV

It had been a few days since we had arrived in the Wave Village. And currently I was trying to get through the crowded streets in order to deliver a package to a certain store. Sin had been given a different package for a different recipient, thus explaining why she wasn't near my head yelling.

"Excuse me, sir."

The news went around this town as if the plague had invaded all over again, and as I knew, Gatō had everyone under his finger. I would love to pay the guy a visit, but he ends up dying anyway. So what was the point?

I slapped another protruding limb that reached for the package. I made sure that it would sting long enough to get away from it. I felt like I was playing a Mario game, albeit more crowded...

Luckily, I didn't have the bag with me, however I did take my book in a couple of new spreadsheets at the current area of occupation. Now it won't be much of a hassle when going around the crowded streets.

"Sorry ma'am."

I looked around from where I stood, and spotted my destination, not so far from here. That is minus the crowd walking around. Well it'd do me good if I can get there on time.

Our employer, a kind man he is, has a tendency to stick to a rule that he has set his life by. Something like a Golden Rule, or some goal achievement. Main point here is, that he doesn't agree with late parcels, once the said parcel arrives, immediately goes the carrier to deliver the parcel and face the enemy known as the crowded streets.

And with such a hard core ideal, I wouldn't be the one to test out his patience.

"Keep your hands off the package, sir."

The remaining walk is a little less than 5 Km away. And being stopped in the middle of getting there made something snap in my head. "Kid, you got any valuables in that box you holding?"

"I'm sorry, nothing special is contained in this package." I reply as sweetly as possible, making sure to smile and be polite at the same time.

"Come on, I know it goes to someone." The man in front of me tried 'honeying up'.

Not on my clock he won't. "I'm sorry sir, but I have no right to look at what's inside the parcel."

"C'mon kid, it won't hurt to peek, would it now?" The smile on his face was disgusting. No doubt one of Gatō's men. Was it possible for the Mafia to be here in this world? I look at the man in front of me and shake my head. Probably not.

"Sir, if you get in my way, then I won't hold back on beating you up." I reply grimly, I've already lost too much time as it is.

"Nonsense! Now open the parcel, boy! You can hardly break something made out of glass!" He snorted at the vision he made for himself.

I raise my brow at his statement. Enough was enough. "First of all, sir, your made up ideology of me not being able to break something made of glass is stupid. Secondly, sir, your sentence did not make any sense, seeing as even your grandmother can break something made of glass. Thirdly, sir, I'd like you to get. Out. Of. My. Way. Sir."

The fear flickering in his eyes satisfied me, as I gave a nod to his stumbling posture. Now what were the ethics I was taught? Right, give a smile and a bow. "Good day, sir."

I made my way the rest of the way on my destination route, finally getting there. Handing the parcel with the damn smile stuck on my face, I thanked for the money in return. Walking briskly out of the shop, I lost the smile while counting the money I had received. I nod in satisfaction. "Not a dollar less. Now to get back-"

"Kuro-kun?" I freeze. Nobody other than my employer and Sin should know my name. And the honorific only came from the old man, but he wouldn't sound so girly... I slowly turn around and was met with the surprised green eyes of Sakura just a ways from my own spot, Tazuna beside her, was looking at his escort then back at me with a raised brow.

I broke our staring contest, with a small twitch of my lips. "Sakura-chan, it's a pleasure meeting you once again."

Something akin to relief flooded her features. "So you've been here all this time, do you realize how much worry you placed on the others?"

"No idea." I deadpan, before I could stop myself. "I would know how Naruto-nii would react, but Sasuke-nii, and Kakashi-sensei and the rest, nope."

"I see..." Her pink bangs covered her eyes as she looked down. But saying as I was in the clear would be the understatement of the century, when she looked back up. Nobody left unscathed after angering Sakura. That's just how it was. And this is the small bits I pick up from the manga.

"Okay, okay, just don't kill me now!" I panic, waving my arms in front of me, as if they could stop her from rushing over here and taking my head. "Just let me deliver this money and I'll talk to you later."

I turn around, in order to flee. But was stopped with a hand on my shoulder. "Not so fast, I'm going with you."

When was she this fast? That didn't even make any sense. I gulp and nod, leading the way to where I've been hiding out. So much for hiding until the grand finale on the, yet to be named, Great Naruto Bridge.

The walk there was terribly quiet. And it felt like eternity when we finally arrived. Sin came out, fuming as per usual when she came back from a delivery. "And what took you so long! I nearly had to do all the chores!"

"I'll make it up to you later." I promised her, and pointed to Sakura and Tazuna. "Right now we have guests to consider."

Omake:

Nami landed on a tree branch, Deidara and Sasori a step behind her, bickering as usual. Something about art being explosions and immortal, but being her, she didn't care.

Right now her mind was working overdrive. From the meeting less than 42 hours ago.

42 hours ago...

Pein had gathered the Akatsuki again, he scanned the table to make sure that everyone was accounted for. Then he spoke up. "Hidan and Kakuzu both came in with nothing."

Gee, what a great start. It surely didn't help with the nonsense spouted out. Nothing to pay attention to.

Pein cleared his throat, gathering all their attention once more. "They didn't bring anything, but they have brought in valuable information."

His ringed eyes turned to her, and it was all in her willpower not to flinch under his gaze. It wasn't her fault that she wasn't used to it. "And I believe it ties in greatly with our newest member."

Another bunch mutters and whispers and outbursts colored the room. Nami only stared blankly.

The room quieted once more. Their gazes settling in between the two. Pein continued. "I believe you need to tell us of your origins, Chi-shu."

Nami stared blankly. Tilting her head she answered innocently. "I have no clue on what you are talking about."

"It might be of no coincidence that you have appeared when you did, and through a portal no less. So spill out your secrets." Pein's gaze hardened.

An unnoticed flinch was drawn out from her. She still held her ground. "I have nothing to hide, I may have come through a portal coincidentally but I know nothing of this Chi-shu you speak of."

The temperature in the room dropped a few degrees with the silence. Hidan broke it, with a cough. "I believe she is telling the truth."

"And how do you know that?" Pein turned his gaze onto the immortal member of the group.

Visibly holding back a shiver, Hidan proceeded to back his point. "That weird guy had the audacity of hinting that the children were clueless. He pretty much knew where they had come from, if the sass talk wasn't for show."

Another silence descended on the ones gathered. Pein broke it this time. "You have been having a smart streak since these things have been going on, quite a change you have brought upon yourself."

Snickers ran throughout the room, as the said man fumed. Wasn't bringing up some light on the situation a good thing? Not to mention that they were supposed to be solemn when thinking it over? Let's see how they do when he wouldn't talk for days. A nice payback would satisfy the rash on his ego.

~o~

The meeting had dwindled after that, letting Nami off the hook and also briefing her with the two art nut-jobs behind her to head for the Wave Village.

There they were supposed to assassinate a man that went by the name of Tazuna. She snorted at the thought, there wasn't much that she could do to reject it, and it was her first mission on top of that. So the killing would be placed on her anyways.

Looking back, she realized that the other two were far behind her, sighing, she stopped on a branch lying in wait. Rummaging through a strapped bag on her leg, she brought out a small flute shaped whistle. The object wasn't much to look at, other than the gold rat crest carved out.

"Art is still best when it's explosive, Danna!" Deidara yelled at the shielded Sasori.

"Immortality brings out more beauty to art than explosives!" The latter countered.

Nami sighed as she pocketed the miniature flute. "Will you two ever stop bickering? We have a mission to accomplish and we're already behind schedule."

"Sorry, Nami, let's get going now, shall we?" Deidara apologized, whilst Sasori snorted.

They soon picked up their speed and left for the Wave Village.


SiP: Yes! Finally!

Kuro: Bringing up the chapter this late, what is it with you?

SiP: Well... well, I was busy!

Sin: I stand witness, all this business is from those wretched schools.

SiP: *smug* See? I'm not lying!

Kuro: *sighs* Right, well hope you enjoyed the chapter and don't forget to review.

Sin: I second that! *raises hand* And my awesomeness!

Kuro: You second your awesomeness?

Sin: The first was in the chapter. *points to the crinkled pages*

Kuro: *shakes head* Whatever...