Chapter Nine

The maniacal laughing ceased suddenly and the assassin charged the three genin. Mizuki, mind scattered by the danger recklessly shouted

"Shadow possession jutsu!" Only to have her target leap above. While in the air he rained kunai down in her direction. He was so quick- or was she just scared stiff?

"Move, Mizuki!" Hoshi shouted and pushed her out of the way, and was cut by one of the knives on her leg. The man laughed once more and charged the two girls who were on the ground but was cut off as Rikku blocked him off.

"Fireball jutsu!" He yelled and spewed a huge fireball at his adversary who was seemingly engulfed by it. After the fire went out and nothing but charred ground was in its place, Rikku relaxed. That is, until, he felt cold steel against his neck. But the smirk didn't leave his face.

"I know this is genjutsu. You can stop now, Akaru sensei."

Suddenly their entire surroundings reverted back to in the trees before Akaru- or not Akaru was killed. Their sensei frowned slightly.

"How'd you know it was an illusion?"

'Did he already awaken it?'

"Oh, Zensha tested me on genjutsu techniques before I left and taught me about attention to detail. When you got hit, I noticed that the mark on the tree where Hoshi unintentionally scratched wasn't there." He said simply while Hoshi and Sayuri checked her leg for the earlier wound.

"Well, anyway. Let's rest here for the night."

Everyone was sleeping, Akaru and Rikku in one tent with the parcel and Mizuki, Hoshi and Sayuri in another. In the midst of the night two ninjas stalked their campground. They eyed the two tents menacingly.

Rikku got up and sighed. He couldn't sleep. He was too antsy. He decided to go for a was surprised to be met by Mizuki along his walk. Although something seemed off with her.

"You okay? It's late out." He said to her.

"I'm fine. Just some stuff on my mind. Spar with me." She challenged. He frowned but nodded and fell into his stance. Suddenly the sound of clashing metal was heard in the direction of camp. They gave eachother a grim, knowing look and rushed back to the site. Upon reaching it, they found Hoshi cornered by a red headed girl who seemed to be controlling water and Akaru parrying a kunai with his own struggling against a boy with messy red hair. He smirked and made a one handed-sign, and water formed around his free arm, in the shape of a mallet and swings it at Akaru, who is knocked backwards. Rikku rushes to Hoshi's aid, only to be hit by a round-house kick from the girl twin. Hoshi takes advantage of that distraction, and shoulders the girl across the campsite. Mizuki went to make her clans handseal but was interrupted, having to duck under a water blade, closing her eyes, although she felt it cut her hair a little shorter. She froze when she opened her eyes and another one was heading straight for her face. She looked into the eyes of the male twin, but sighed in relief as his jutsu released and the water fell harmlessly to the ground. The ninja groaned in pain as two kunai plunged into both his arms. Mizuki looked towards her sides to see Rikku and Akaru giving her reassuring looks. on the other side of the clearing, Hoshi shouted

"Ninja art: Beast mimicry!" And suddenly two Hoshi's appeared, but they were more ferocious looking, with canines more evident, slitted eyes, and longer nails. They growled and charged with a speed that Hoshi had never reached before. The first Hoshi punched the girl, knocking her off her feet. The second wasted no time, rushing behind the girl to launch a hind kick, send her into the air. Both Inuzukas let out a howl and jumped into the air, and they simultaneously kicked downwards, sending the rogue ninja down the ground with crushing force. Rikku, Mizuki and Akaru all looked on in awe.

'Geez, she's progressing nicely. To be so quiet at times, she's fierce.' Akaru thought.

After restraining their assailants, and questioning them, (to no avail) Akaru decided to leave them, tied up, for nature or karma to deal with. They packed up, and were on the move again.

"So, I had to save you again, I see?" Rikku said to Mizuki, in a teasing tone. She glared and swung in his direction, but he easily ducked and sped up.

'Jerk.' She thought, although she had a smile on her face.

They reached Tani the next night, after a few pit stops to rest.

'Open up the letter attached to the parcel once you reach the village and get into a hotel.' Akaru remembered Naruto saying to him. He booked them a two room hotel, although this time he had his students room together, and had a room to himself. He opened the letter. It read:

'The parcel you carry is very important. It must not fall into the wrong hands. Bring it to the mountain in the outskirts of the village on wednesday, by seven a.m- Sakura Haruno.' He gasped. Sakura, the now renowned medical ninja with frightening strength. He then realized they'd have to hold on to the package for almost another three days, it was currently only saturday night. Oh well, atleast, he'd get to train them some more.

In their room, all three genin were ready for sleep. They were tired from the long journey. Rikku flopped onto his bed, exhausted. Hoshi curled up with Sayuri and Mizuki got under her covers, no intentions of moving until morning. They said their goodnights and let sleep overtake them.

Generally calm chapter, feedback please.