My mind was slowly brought back in to my body, the muscles of my shoulder, stomach, and back still very sore, my body still extremely tired. I could hear the chirping of birds, and the sounds of footsteps. I was aware of a gentle rocking motion, but I disregarded it. I buried my face in to a warm cloth that I was leaning against, planning on drifting back to sleep. The smell that was soaked in to the cloth was comforting.

That's when I noticed the arm hooked under my knees, and around my back. I opened my eyes and tried to sit up out of habit. All that accomplished was who ever was carrying me dropped me with a sharp intake of breath of surprise. Pain shot up my spine at the hard contact of the ground, causing me to let out a whimper.

"She's awake."

I pushed myself to a sitting position, wincing slightly as the sore muscles of my back stretched painfully. "That one hurt," I muttered.

I turned my head slightly to the right. I was being watched, and I could hear murmurs. I sneezed, the sound coming out more like a squeak.

"Are you okay, Rai?" TenTen asked.

I nodded, and pushed myself up on to my feet. "Just a bit sore," I admitted.

I was handed my pack, slinging over my shoulders, buckling the strap under my breasts. I could not help but wince as the weight of my pack strained my sore shoulder and painful back. It felt like the pack now weighed over one hundred pounds.

From about ten feet to my left, I guess, a few giggles came. Giggles I didn't recognize.

"Where are we?" I questioned softly, stepping backwards closer to my teammates, and the feeling of security.

"We're in Getsuigakure, the Moon Village," TenTen answered.

"We are welcome here, right?" I questioned. Some of the looks I was feeling didn't seem exactly welcoming.

My sensei laughed. "Of course. Now come along, we're almost to the Shuhan's building."

We fell in to step behind our teacher. First TenTen and Lee, then Neji and I.

"You carried me all the way here?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Hm."

I smiled slightly. "Arigatou, Neji-san."

More voices sounded around us, letting me know that we had made it to the town center. The stones were uneven beneath my feet, causing my tired body to stumble, and fall hard.

"Rai!"

I winced as I pushed myself up, my shoulder throbbing slightly. Two sets of hands pulled me to my feet, one arm remained around my waist, pulling my left arm over his shoulders. I winced slightly. "Arigatou, Neji-san," I said softly.

"Hm."

The sound of hinges squeaking rang through the air, and we passed in to the cool shadow of a building. Our footsteps echoed, signaling that we were in a large, long hall.

"Welcome, shinobi of Konohagakure no Sato. I'm pleased to find that you have arrived safely," a loud voice rang out.

"Bow," Neji ordered, his voice coming out as a hiss.

My body folded in to a deep bow, my hands folded in front of me.

"Please, introduce yourself, and students."

We were allowed to stand up straight as we went down the line.

"TenTen."

"Rock Lee."

"Maito Gai."

"Hyuuga Neji."

"Kohana Rai."

"Welcome all of you. I am Natsu, the Shuhan of Getsuigakure no Sato. Do the five of you have lodgings for the festival?"

This confused me. We had not been informed of a festival, nor that we were to attend.

"No, sire, we do not," Gai-sensei informed the ruler.

"Not a problem. Mika!" His voice echoed loudly throughout the entire room.

"You called, sire?"

"Yes, please escort these fine shinobi to the finest hotel, all expenses to me."

"Of course, sire." A set of light footsteps headed our way.

"Arigatou," the five of us sounded, grateful for the older man's hospitality.

"Oh, pish-posh, it's no trouble."

We were lead back out in to the warm sun, the peaceful village full of happy chattering.

"Mika-sensei! Mika-sensei!"

And one girl's terrified screams.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean too. I only turned my back for one sec-"

"Mitsuki, where is Aiko?"

"That's what I'm talking about! Right now, she's dangling off a cliff!"

"What?!"

"I don't know what happened. I looked away for one second, and then she's halfway down a cliff over Gyouko Lake."

"Gyouko Lake? 'Freezing Lake'?"

"Hai."

"Doko desu ka?" I questioned, speaking up.

"Excuse me?" Mika sounded confused.

"Where is it?" I repeated, "I can probably get her."

"It's impossible! No one has the ability to climb down that cliff," Mitsuki shoved in.

"Well, impossible basically sums up Rai," TenTen offered. I rolled my eyes, but said nothing.

"The northernmost part of the village."

"On my way." I disappeared in a breeze of petals.

Where I reappeared, there seemed to be a large commotion. Guess I found the place, I mused.

"Hey! You there! Foreign girl, what are you doing here?" A large man stopped just in front of me.

I kept my gaze at the ground. "I have been sent to help."

"What? Can you climb anything? Can you brave freezing water?"

"Yes. I am a medic nin of Konohagakure no Sato," I answered.

"What's your name?" the older man snarled.

"Kohana Rai."

He seemed to ponder this. "Fine. Come on." He led me to the edge of the cliff. Down below, I could hear the whimpering of a small child. "Most of us are too heavy to climb down. Those of us who are light enough, are not strong enough. You better not let this child die."

I smiled slightly. "I will not, sir." My hands folded in to hand seals and I pressed my hands in to the dirt after the last one. "Shigemi no Jutsu." Vines spread from under my palms, heading down the cliff to where the girl was, stopping a few feet below her, creating a long, stable rope. I discarded my pack, and began the treacherous climb down.

The girl whimpered. "Aiko slipping!" she cried.

I moved more quickly toward her, grateful for my gloves, which kept me from just falling.

I heard the cracking of rock below me. Screams came from above. "She's going to fall!"

I slid down the vine another twenty feet. A couple more and I'd be able to reach her.

A loud 'crack' resounded, followed by a scream. The girl had fallen.