I have two things to say about this chapter. One, this is un'betaed and therefore I will be replacing this chapter with the edited version someday. Second I changed Mighty Guy to Maito Gai. Feel free to comment if you think I should change it back.
Chapter 14: Nasu Province
"Target is at 50 degrees north from 'Leaf's' location." Ayame heard Neji say though her ear piece.
"I'm on route now." The soul female of their team said, already jumping to the next tree.
How the hell did a house cat even get out here?
"No need to worry Flower-chan! I got it this time! ARGGG!"
Ayame flicked from Lee's battle cry, but still was able to grab the scroll she was looking for. A few more jumps latter, Ayame found Lee being attacked by the cat from hell.
"We are meant to capture the cat, not the other way around Lee." Neji said as he come up with Gai-Sensei behind him.
"Oh No!"
Ayame watched as the cat bolted pasted her, and followed it in a quick walk while Neji and Lee argue.
"Hey Kitty, do you want a little treat?" Ayame asked as she unsealed her scroll, to reveal a fish.
Tossing it over, the hell-cat sniffed it before being to eat at. All the while glaring at Ayame.
As the cat eat, Ayame carefully stepped forward. Once the cat became more interested in the fish then the human, Ayame stricken.
"Got the target." Ayame said over the com as she walked back to where the rest of her team was.
"Nice Job Ayame, But Don't be Afraid To Use Your Teammates In Your Plans." Gai-Sensei commented, obviously just getting done telling Lee and Neji off for arguing during a mission.
"Let's just turn this mission in."
Within moments, they were back in the village with Ayame still carrying the cat that was purring up a storm.
"I don't get it. Tora was most cautious around you, but..." Lee questioned, waving at the evil cat that was looking quite content in her arms.
Ayame shrugged. Her past family had adopted a lot of rescue pets, so she knew how to deal with temperamental cats. But it was like she could tell him that. Ayame could lie, but being vague seems like a better option. Exceptionally after spending four days looking for the damn cat.
"Team Gai Reporting In Saying That The Cat Tora Was Found." Gai Announced to the poor Chūnin that was working the mission desk.
"Right. You can just..."
"OH MY BABY!"
The cat was ripped out of Ayame's arms by their client.
"THANK YOU NINJA-SAN!" was the last thing the lady said before leaving, almost everyone take a collective breath at the sight.
"Another d-rank for team 2?" The desk ninja asked, drawing Ayame attention back.
"Actually, I Think Team Gai Is Ready To Take On A C-Rank." Gai announced, and without batting an eye, the desk-nin started looking through the c-ranks.
"Really Gai-Sensei? We are going on a c mission!" Lee yelled and Ayame felt like cheering along with him.
It has been three months of nothing but d-ranks. At this point Ayame would even take the wave mission.
"There is a escort mission to a farm in the Nasu Province that will be leaving in two days. Sights of bandits along the main road, but none with Chakra training."
"What Do You Think Team?"
"YES." All three of them said at the same time with Lee yelling, Neji begging, and Ayame Wanting to take back her previous thought about the wave mission.
No need to jinks this one.
"ALRIGHT! Team Gai Will Take This Mission!" Gai told everyone as the man gave them the mission scroll.
Two day before my first real mission.
"Sorry Ino-chan I can't today. I have to get ready for a week long mission." Ayame told the two girls who were standing in front of her.
"Well, then we can just help you pack." Was the blonde resolve was she forced her way inside.
Sakura had the decency to look apologetic, but never less followed Ino.
"I want to put most of my stuff in sealing scrolls so there isn't much packing to do."
"That just mean once we're gone we can do something else before you leave."
Resigning to her fate, Ayame lead the girls to her room. It is pretty funny for how often Ino and Sakura come over neither have meet Kakashi yet. Infact only Naruto has in order to help Ayame with a payback prank.
As it turned out it was a good thing they come over. Sakura and Ino ended up take out everything she planned on packing it, and replaced it. It was easy to forget for how girl the two act, they definitely know their Kunoichi stuff.
Expect for...
"Ayame-chan, why didn't you ever try growing out your hair?" Sakura asked as she took the brush out of her hand and put a comb instead.
At Ayame's confused look, Sakura sighed. "Iruka-Sensei told us that Comb are easier to stab with, now Sasuke-kun likes girls with long hair and we both know you use to have a crush on him."
Use to? When did they decided I was 'over' him?
"It wouldn't be good to have anything an enemy could grab."
"But there was lots of ninja with long hair. My dad has long hair" Ino added in, and Sakura nodded.
"That may be, but normally it's because they are strong enough to no longer have to worry about any weakness long hair would bring." Ayame said, but ended up letting the conversation move on.
If she remembers correctly, Sakura doesn't cut cut her hair until an enemy tries to grab it. It was either during the wave or Second part of the Chūnin exam, but would things change if she cut it sooner? Ino at least keeps it in a ponytail, but Ayame does worry about the two.
"Whao, do you think that is enough Kunins?"
"I don't think it's possible for a ninja to have too many Ino." Ayame said with a smile as she finished making the seal.
"I still don't get how your handwriting is so perfect." Sakura complained while Ayame just grinned.
Her handwriting was the only reason she was able to pass Chinese in high school.
"Are You Ready?"
Ayame stifled a yawn as she stood up and stretched. They have been waiting for their clients for the past hour, and only now did she see the cart.
"Yes Gai-Sensei!"
Lee on the other hand was way too excited to rest, pasting the whole hour and practicing his forms.
"Such A Youthful Attitude Lee!"
Ayame shared a look with Neji, though Neji didn't find it as humorous as Ayame did.
"Are you the Ninja-San here to escort us?" the young women in the front asked politely.
"Yes Ma'am! These Are My Genin Students, Lee-kun, Ayame-chan, and Neji-san. And I Am Maito Gai!"
"My name is Nakamura Keiko, please take care of me." She said with a bow.
They were escorting the Nakamura family back to their farm. Besides Keiko, there was her little brother Takuya, a second cousin named Daichi, a grandfather named Youta who wanted the kids to call him ji-chan, and another young woman named Akiko.
"What were you doing in Konoha Keiko-San?" Lee asked after they got into the main road, patched with gravel instead of dirt.
"Lee, asking the client personally question isn't part of the mission." Neji interrupted, and if Ayame was in the front with them she would have called him out.
"Oh, Sorry Keiko-San!"
"There's no need to apologize. I don't mind tell you, but I'm afraid the reason is bording. We perform bi-annually trades with the hidden village. Selling our crops and buy the necessary that we can't get on the farm."
For being what sounds like a small farm, I'm surprised they can afford a c-rank mission like this. Though maybe it has been doing on since the village founding and they have a deal in place.
Tuning out the rest of their conversation, Ayame turned her attention to the surrounding forest. She still wasn't use to seeing that all the trees are the same. In the academy she learned that the first Hokage was the one not only to make all the houses in the old district, but also the trees. Which was why there was only one type of tree in this whole forest.
Still think it's weird.
They would still be in the area Konoha ninja regulatory patrol for the day, so there isn't too much of a need to worry yet. However, Ayame doesn't know what a normal c-rank is even like. The few c-rank Ayame remembered enough to write down, ended up getting bumped. The only danger they should expect on this is bandits, but what does that mean in a world where people can control the element with only a few years of practice?
With a sigh, Ayame tried her best to let go of her worries. Having a few will keep you alive, but too many is distracting.
And wouldn't that be embarrassing, dieing on my first c-rank.
The day ended without any trouble. Ayame took the first night shift and wake Lee up when the moon was high in the night sky. Then after their employees shared a hot breakfast with them, the second day of the trip began.
Ayame knew when they entered bandit territory when Gai-Sensei changed up their positions. Ayame and Lee on either side, Neji with the civilians, and Gai in the back. Ayame could help but feel excited at the idea that she will finally be doing something worthwhile, that she will have a hand in protecting these people on this mission.
"Hey Ayame-chan, do you think we will see any action?" Lee asked in a hushed voice, as to not worry their clients.
"If we are lucky, we wouldn't. This is a escort mission."
Ayame also knew, that she needs to remain objective of the situation, and that she shouldn't be hoping for an attack just so she could play hero. It may be selfish that Ayame wants to help others to make her feel better, but the end result is the same.
Naruto might be the only person I know in both lives that helps others out of the goodness of his heart. Why else would so many kid stories have good karma style morals?
"Oh, Right. That wouldn't be great if others got hurt..." Lee trailed off, looking over to the cart with the old man in the front this time.
"That's why we're here." Ayame said, cheering Lee up a bit.
One moment Ayame was giving Lee a small smile and the next Neji was yelling at them.
"Gai-Sensei, there is a group of seven individual with chakra levels above civilians but below Chūnin coming our way."
"Fiddle sticks. I was hoping we wouldn't grab their attention this time around." Ayame hear the old man compline, surprised he seem so at easy at the fact they were going to be attack.
"ALRIGHT TEAM GAI! Stay In Formation. Neji, Watch The Cart And Take Care Of Any Bandits That Get Too Close. Ayame, Lee? You Two Are With Me." Gai said as he appeared down the road.
Ayame gave a sharp nod before quickening her steps so she was in front of the cart that hasn't even slowed down, Lee not too far behind.
Are we going to ambush them? No this is a combat team, most likely Gai wants Us to keep the attention away from the cart. With Neji as back up it should be impossible for them to sneak up on him. Ayame reasoned as she meet up with Gai, her heart starting to race.
"Alright You Two! I'll Take On Most Of Them, But If Any Get Past Me, You Two Work Together And Watch Each Other's Back. They May Not Be Ninja, But Bandits Are Desperate Right Now And Will Not Care About Killing You Or Our Clients. But With Your Youthful Spirit, There Should Be No Problems!" Gai said, and Ayame calmed down from his prep talk.
It will be fine. We have being training, and we are ready for this.
Ayame nodded as she dropped into a loose fighting stance. A Hybrite she started making from all the different Taijutsu style Kakashi has taught her. Ayame thought it was strange to be all together like this, but Neji would tell them if any try to get around them.
Plus we were frequently thought that Bandits were straight forward, only dangerous from their weapons and numbers. Ayame told herself, trying her best to keep calm.
This will be similar to any other time. There is nothing to worry about.
Between one breath and the next, Ayame saw them. A group of people who looked like any generic Hackman. Still, is was shocking to see them running at them with weapons in hand.
She watched as Gai started to fight them. It was amazing how he was able to effortlessly take them all on. Yet just as she thought them, a man got past. Most likely Gai let him, to let Lee and Ayame see some action in a control situation, but Ayame didn't think of that in the moment.
Ayame dogged the first swing of the battleaxe on instinct alone. Then when she turned to face the man, she froze.
"Ha, Going to fight me little girly?"
Ayame dogged again, rolling out of the way long before the weapon was anywhere near her. Then agian, and agian. Not once while striking back. The man was thinking the little ninja was toying with him, when Ayame was having a bit of an internal crisis.
Come on, just struck back! He'll try to kill Keiko and everyone if I don't. Ayame tried to motivate herself.
Yet thought she pushed away keep coming up as she danced around the man, make her hesitate before sticking him down. Ayame knows that low bandits like this are killed, and while Gai will most likely be the one to do if first, it still doesn't make her feel any better. There people are lawless, but most have a reason. Family or friends that they need to support. Sure doesn't make what their doing good, but that had a reason. And it a reason Ayame didn't think was worth their death.
Yet I'm going to die if I don't do something.
Just as Ayame forced herself to stop and take the hit head on, thinking pain might motivate her to stop thinking, Lee jumped in the way.
"Do not worry Ayame! I am here to assist." Lee said even as the cut from his brow starting bleeding into his eye.
Shit.
Lee who had his back to the enemy, didn't noticed as the man got up and swing faster and more powerful than before. It might have a cutely been a challenge if Ayame didn't perform weights training for the past months. As if was, her mind was blank as she preformed a palm hit on the man's hands, forcing him to let go of the weapon from the crack of bones.
Then before he could do anything else, Ayame followed up with a quick kick to the chin, knocking him unconscious. Looking around, Ayame saw that everyone else was done with their fight. Neji was already tieing them up.
"Sorry Ayame, I shouldn't have interfered with your fight." Lee said and Ayame gave him a dumbfound look.
"You shouldn't be apologizing! I was..." Ayame took a breath. "I should have finished my fight sooner. I apologist that you got hurt."
"LEE! YOU ARE INJURED?" Gai yell, and ran at them at a frightening pace at only served at make Ayame feel more guilty for her actions. Or lack of action.
"It is barely a cut." Neji called out, apparently still having his Byakugan activated.
"But There Is So Much Blood." Gai said with a frown as he pushed Lee's hair back.
"Head Injuries bleed a lot. I have a first aid sealed up..." Ayame said as she got said scroll out.
I really need to find a way to put multiple things into a scroll without having to unseal the whole thing just to get some gaz.
"How Very Youthful Of You To Be So Prepared Ayame-chan! I Will Finish Up Here While You Three Go Ahead With The Clients."
"Hai Gai-sensei!" Lee yelled as Ayame nodded.
Lee's cut was quite shallow, which was a relief since Ayame still can't perform any medi-Jutsu. As it was, she just wrapped Lee's head enough so the boy would stop bleeding all over the place.
"Thank you Ayame-chan!"
"There is no need for thank, Lee-senpai" Ayame said as an afterthought.
I wanted to be a ninja. This isn't just a story anymore, it is real life. I know that and yet...
Ayame looked back to Lee and took in his happy expression along with Neji's bored one.
Neji should have been out there. Hell, I shouldn't even be here!
Then, a slap on the back of her head drove all thought s out of physically young girl. Turning sharply around showed a smug looking Hyūga.
"We are still on a mission." Was all that the boy said before hopping of the cart to ran along side it.
"AYAME WAS HELPING ME!" Lee yelled back before huffing.
With a hollow laugh, Ayame revealed her stuff and stood up. "He is right. Why don't you guard inside until Gai-Sensei come back."
"Fine." Lee said, still glaring out at Neji even though there was no way for Lee to see him.
Ayame bit the inside of her lip as she made sure to take the other side from Neji. Ayame knew that the boy will be bring up her mistake, but was it bad the girl wasn't to pretend it didn't happen?
Who am I kidding. I'm not someone who just pushes things away! If I still want to do this... Ayame thought as she started a slow jog along side of the road.
I need to get my act together and stop treating this like a game.
I've taken a look at the romance poll I've posted on my profile, and I find it hilarious that currently Gaara is second/third considering he hasn't even been introduced yet. Also with what I have planed for him in this story... well lets just say he and Ayame will be interacting with each other. Like I said last chapter, I'm also using the poll as who Ayame should interact with more in this story since if there is any romance it would be until shippuden era at the very earliest.
Thank you Shadowpawzz, Cissnei69, Guest, Lizyeh2000, ErzherzogKarl, TrackHer, and helenGet for taking the time to review! It is always nice to read them, and thank you to everyone who favorite and/or followed this story. Maybe when this story gets 100 favorites I will tag a POW from Kakashi to the end of chapter?