Chapter 10

Meetings

Back at the bar where Jiraiya, Kakashi and Tsunade were at; the two male shinobi were talking to one another while Tsunade kept her head down on the table. They continued talking until Kakashi noticed someone enter the bar. Hiashi waltzed towards the trio's table as he took a seat with them. His expression was a sign to both Kakashi and Jiraiya that he wasn't exactly in a positive mood.

"Lord Hyuga…what brings you to this side of the village?" Kakashi asked.

"I was told you two were with Lady Tsunade…somewhere on this side of town." Hiashi answered as looked over at the blonde kunochi. "Is she alright?"

"She isn't injured, but as she said earlier she is far from fine." Jiraiya answered.

"I see…what happened?" Hiashi asked.

As Kakashi and Jiraiya both began to tell Hiashi everything they had learned about Kikoshi and Sakiko. A short time later at Ichiraku Ramen restaurant; Naruto was digging into his second bowl of ramen when his bowl began moving away from him.

"Hey!" Naruto cried as he tried to grab his bowl back, but it suddenly floated up into the air dangling right above the blonde haired shinobi while at the same time Iruka was wide eyed at the sight. "What the hell is going on? My ramen is possessed!" Naruto tried to grab it again, but the blow floated higher and began flying around the ramen restaurant.

After four attempts to recapture his ramen, the bowl slowly lowered itself back onto the table allowing Naruto to finally grab it.

"What on earth was going on with your bowl Naruto?"

"I don't known sensei, but" Naruto stopped when he noticed glowing light blue threads attached to his bowl.

"That was funny…the same guy who faced down Gaara and went against dangerous shinobi would have taken out the average ninja couldn't keep his hands on his lunch." Naruto turned around to see a laughing Kankuro standing there with a wide grin on his face.

"You!"

"Yeah it's me…me and my family decided to pay Konoha a visit, but while we were here we decided to pay you a visit." Kankuro said as Gaara stepped into the Ichiraku Ramen restaurant and walked up to Naruto as Gaara took a seat next to him.

"Hi Gaara" Naruto said as he greeted the young shinobi leader with a friendly smile.

"Naruto…you should address him as Lord Kazekage." Iruka scolded.

"Its alright…I prefer it if Naruto address me by name." Gaara noted.

"Yes sir." Iruka replied respectfully.

"So what are you doing here?"

"I came here to speak with Tsunade about the chunin exams and other matters involving our villages, but on my way here I heard about an alliance treaty being drawn up between the allies of Konoha with Sound and Mist. I suspect you two might be able to provide me with details until I can find Lady Tsunade…according to her assistant she had gone out for a few hours."

"Well I am not sure what is going on, but I know Tsunade knew nothing of any treaty until yesterday."

"What do you mean?"

"The village elders and the daimyo were arranging to sign this peace treaty behind Tsunade's back." Iruka answered.

"So they went over Tsunade's head to sign a peace treaty with Sound and Mist." Kankuro asked to verify what he was hearing.

"Pretty much" Naruto replied.

"I see…I am curious to know why they would go so far to do that."

"Beats me? I thought Akatsuki was our only problems?"

"Speaking of them, my village has been investigating Akatsuki ever since Sasori was defeated with aid from Jiraiya-sama."

"Really…what did you find out?"

"We discovered who the leader of Akatsuki is."

"Really?" Naruto exclaimed as his eyes lit up.

"Yes…according to our information it's a formidable shinobi from Amegakure in the Land of Rain. His name is Pain and he is the leader of a faction of shinobi who are at civil war with Amegakure."

"A civil war?" Iruka asked curiously.

"For some time now the Land of Rain has been in a civil war with the leader of Akatsuki leading the faction that seeks to topple the current ruling shinobi and government." Gaara explained.

"But lately it seems they are losing the war" A new voice said as Temari stepped in and joined her youngest brother and Naruto on a stool. "Lately we have been requests from Amegakure for aid because their shinobi have either joined Pain or have been killed."

"So are you guys planning to go after him?"

"That is what I came to Konoha to discuss in person with your Hokage."

"Of course no one has seen where she has gone. We assumed the casino was where she went, but we didn't find her there. Last we heard she had gone somewhere with Jiraiya after an incident occurred at the casino." Kankuro added.

"Incident?"

"From what the owner of the place told us…Tsunade was asked to stop a young woman from the Sound Village who was clearing the place out with her winning streak. A fight nearly broke out, but Tsunade was able to put a stop to it. Afterwards she left with Jiraiya."

"Why did she go with prevy-sage?"

"I don't know…the owner didn't know the specifics." Temari answered.

"I wonder what happened." Naruto asked.

"I have been wondering that myself, but it seems this day has been anything but uneventful." Gaara pointed out.

Late that evening inside the hotel where Maya was staying at; Kikoshi was standing before his mother as she was giving him extra instructions to take care of while on the hunt for Sasuke.

"Do you understand your instructions?"

"Yes mother…once I eliminate Sasuke if he doesn't manage to get away again I'll head to Kirigakure in the Land of Water and then I'll go to Kumogakure to finalize our alliance with them on my way back to Konoha."

"It doesn't matter if Sasuke escapes or is killed my son, but what I am hoping for is that he'll kill some of Konoha's shinobi or better yet some civilians." Maya explained.

"Of course, but to be on the safe side I am leaving Sakiko and Kimimaro with you to watch your back."

"Good idea…I'll take care of things here in Konoha to make sure all of our plans will be carried out."

"Then I'll head out." Kikoshi said as he turned to head out the door, but his mother stopped him.

"Be sure that you say hello to Fumiko for me. She is coming with two platoons of Kirigakure shinobi to assist you in the Land of Waves."

"Ah…Fumiko" Kikoshi smiled "it will be nice seeing her again."

"Yes that girl is quite something…by the way have you two…gotten any closer?" Maya asked with a mocking grin.

"What exactly do you mean?" Kikoshi asked with a blank expression on his face.

"You know…have you two shared a first kiss or even started getting intimate."

"MOTHER!" Kikoshi snapped his face turned red as a lobster with embarrassment "I am freakin seventeen for crying out aloud. You really think I would get into bed with a girl at my age."

"Well Hiashi and I"

"I don't want to hear it." Kikoshi said stopping her while he was trying to push the stories of her and Hiashi's romance days out of his mind. He didn't want to hear those stories again.

"Oh come on…you read Jiraiya's books and what do you think what kind of material is in those books?"

"And your point? You read them too and so does Sakiko." Kikoshi asked as he rolled his eyes.

Maya sighed "never mind, but I hope you have been looking into finding a suitable wife and matriarch for our new Hyuga Clan."

"I have been, but I'll marry whoever I think is the right girl for me."

"What about Sakiko?"

"I had thought about her…sure she is hot, but the girl is too crazy for me. Hell did you see what she did to one of the guys who tried hitting on her."

"Oh yes…that poor man. We never did find the rest of his remains. Not to mention her mutating genetics may cause problems in our family line." Maya commented.

"I don't care about the genetics, but it's just her easy to anger attitude and habits concern me. I still have a few years before I even decide to marry so maybe she'll change."

"Maybe…but despite her genetics I think she is the best choice for you. Next to Fumiko…now she is a very attractive woman who would make a good wife for you. She already likes you."

"What a gal…Fumiko is differently an interesting one" Kikoshi began as a smile appeared on her face. "I remember when she tried to summon the Sword of Kusanagi from the mouth of the serpent she summoned from her throat. She gagged on the snake while the sword was coming out." Kikoshi chuckled as he played with the memory.

"Yes I remember that…she wanted to learn the same snake jutsu you and Orochimaru use. Since that incident she has been summoning the sword from under her shirt sleeves." Maya let out a brief chuckle herself "She is quite the character…a beautiful one mind you."

"Don't forget she very adapt at water element jutsu and taijutsu." Kikoshi noted.

"Too true"

"Anyway…enough talk on what kind of woman I should marry and love. I better get going." Kikoshi said as he opened the door as he proceeded to leave.

"You'll have to choose someone."

"Well I still have at least two to three years left to worry about it." Kikoshi answered with a smile. "However I would like to go one week without you asking me about what woman I am interested in, how beautiful they are. The kind of woman I want is one as tough as nails and attractive."

"A tomboy is the kind of girl you are interested in."

"More or less…some of the women I have seen are too concerned with their looks. Those types annoy me."

"I guess that's true. Two tough shinobi as parents will mean strong children."

"Enough of this" Kikoshi walked out closing the door behind him. Once he was gone the closet door opened and Sakiko stepped out with a teary-eye expression.

"He thinks I am too crazy?" Sakiko sobbed.

"Now, now dear"

"And YOU said I am not a good choice because of my mutating genetics." Sakiko snapped.

"I only said that because I was trying to probe the matter to learn my son's other reasons if there were any." Maya said as she held her hands up in defense. "You're genetics mutates because of the experiments Orochimaru did to enhance your abilities. We both know that is how your body became photosynthetic...like a plant. That ability allows you to draw on sunlight and nutrients from water and soil to replenish your stamina."

"Yeah I know."

"Sakiko…I want you to accompany Kikoshi…I'll send Kimimaro to the Land of Waves along with you."

"Me." Sakiko replied happily.

"You three with Fumiko assisting you…Sasuke and his lackeys are as good as dead. After all Haku and Fumiko should both take out Suigetsu and recapture Juugo since Fumiko was a former member of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist."

"You mean Swordswoman." Sakiko corrected.

"Good point…she was the only member of that group to be accepted at the young age of 12. She is a very talented shinobi…her mother was formerly a member of the Rain Village, but had her sent to the Land of Waves to be trained as a shinobi there due to problems she was having.

"I had expected her to turn out like her mom, but I guess she is more like her father and a bit of a tomboy. Anyway I am out of here." Sakiko replied as she hurried out of the room so she wouldn't miss Kikoshi and Kimimaro while Maya sat on her chair with a smile on her face.

The following morning Hinata arrived at the training field on time wearing an old pair of her training clothes she still had. They were a little small, but they would be sufficient for training under Anko today. As requested by the Jonin she brought a second pair of clothes as well in a backpack she was carrying.

The young Hyuga girl stood near the wood pillars waiting for Anko to arrive. After spending twenty minutes waiting Anko arrived as she appeared standing on top of the middle wooden pillar.

"Right on time little girl"

"Yes I am here and I brought a change of clothes just like you asked."

"Good…because starting today you will be part of my little boot camp." Anko said with a smile.

Hinata swallowed hard as she faced Anko while the young woman leapt down from the wooden post she was standing on. "Alright first I am going to fight you so I can see where you stand in terms of abilities, technique and strength."

"What?"

"How…you ask? Well it's quite simple" Anko answered with a smirk as she pulled out a single sliver bell on a string. "See this bell you need to get it from me if you want to win. You can use any jutsu and fighting technique you know…anything goes basically. Piece of advice though…in order to get this bell you need to be fully prepared to kill me for them otherwise you'll never get this bell."

"But…I don't want to kill you."

"Well then you better work up the nerve otherwise Kikoshi will kill you." Anko tied the bell onto her belt. "Ok ready set go!" Anko shouted as she pulled out three kunai knives from her coat and threw them at Hinata.

The young heiress didn't have a chance to shout out that she wasn't ready as Anko began her assault on the young girl. After avoiding the kunai knives Hinata dropped the back pack and ran for the trees with Anko hot on her tail.

The Jonin watched as Hinata ran into the forest as she used a fourth kunai she drew from her jacket to cut her finger. Throwing the kunai knife to the ground Anko began performing hand signs before slamming both hands on the ground as she shouted "Summoning Technique!"

In a puff of smoke a pair of large brown and black serpents, both large enough to wrap themselves around a small vehicle appeared around Anko.

"Ok guys…I want you two to go into the forest and find the little Hyuga girl and give her one hell of a fright. Don't kill her, but just chase her around towards me or my shadow clone I have waiting in the forest for her."

The two serpents understood their instructions as they zipped off into the forest to hunt down their prey. Hinata was currently sitting on top of a tree branch breathing heavily while she was using her byakugan to search the surrounding area for Anko, but someone appeared behind her smirking.

"You got to do better than that."

Hinata turned and saw Anko's shadow clone standing right behind her. Without a chance to attack Hinata was kicked in the face and sent falling out of the tree. As the young woman fell Anko began performing another series of hand signs

"Fire Release: Phoenix Immortal Fire Technique!"

Anko spit out four fireballs and all were failing straight for Hinata who managed to turn her body when she hit the ground to barely roll away from them before they struck the ground. The kunochi hurried to her feet as Anko leapt down and drove both feet into Hinata's face knocking her back onto the ground.

"Come on you have to come at me with the intention of killing me if you ever one to win."

Hinata flipped back up to her feet as she rushed at Anko ready to unleash a fury of gentle fist strikes, but something grabbed her leg and tripped her causing the poor girl to fall flat on her face. Behind her one of Anko's serpents had stealthy crept up on her and reached out with its tail to catch the young woman by her leg.

The young kunochi struggled, but with no success was Hinata able to free herself.

"What's the matter…you could easily kill that snake or free yourself by using your kunai to cut its tail off."

"But I don't want"

"Want to what? I saw you during the chunin exam and you did better then this."

"What is going on here?" A voice came as everyone looked to see Kakashi standing on a tree branch behind the two. The real Anko appeared next to Kakashi a moment later patting his back.

"Hi Kakashi what brings you here?"

"I came here to meet up with Naruto and Yamato in the near by clearing when I noticed this going on."

"I need Anko's help to get stronger. So I can be stronger than Kikoshi."

"I see…you know Kikoshi is your brother then."

"I was there when my father confronted the Second Otokage."

"Then you sought Anko out for training because she received similar training that Kikoshi received from Orochimaru."

"Yes…because I know I'll have to face him someday soon. I saw malice in his charka and hate when he looked at me. He claims he has no intention of harming anyone in the clan, but I know he is lying. I need to be stronger to face him to protect my little sister from him."

"You believe Kikoshi intends to wipe out the Hyuga Clan main family?" Kakashi asked him.

"Yes I do…tell me you don't think he would."

Kakashi was silent for a moment as Anko offered something to the conversation.

"He has a point…with the kind of hatred that man has I wouldn't be surprised if he was planning to take out Lord Hiashi and the rest of the Main Family. This whole alliance they want is nothing, but a front so they can back stab the village later."

Kakashi still remained silent for another moment before he said.

"You're right…I can't argue with you I know those two are planning something, but the question is what. Anko you better toughen Hinata up, but I'll keep an eye on you two since you may end up killing her." Kakashi answered as he looked at Anko with a look of concern for Hinata's well-being.

Anko smiled innocently "oh me? Come on Kakashi what kind of person do you take me for?"

Kakashi looked at her blankly "Is that a trick question?"

"Not funny." Anko remarked gruffly.