Okay when Mitsuki switches to Terra, Mitsuki is known as he because Terra is male. When Luna takes over, Mitsuki is known as she because Luna is female. Same goes for Fuoco and Ilma. Ilma is female and Fuoco is male. Sorry for the confusion, please enjoy. ^-^
It's been a couple of weeks and everything seemed normal. Everything was the same at lunch. People talked, laughed, and Luna Misma gave concerts. Sakura made amends with Kiba and Naruto. She even gained Hinata's forgiveness. Mitsuki was anxious the first week after she had that dream or vision, but then after a while she started to feel doubtful again. She knew that she had to be prepared though, so she started to train, every chance she got. Even during lunch. Everyone knew she was training, but nobody knew why.
Then the oddest thing happened. Mitsuki, Neji, Sasuke, and Hinata were called in the office. When they arrived, the Hokage was sitting in the principal's chair. They all bowed.
"Ah, Neji, Hinata, Sasuke and Mitsuki, I hope you've all been well." The Hokage smiled.
"Yes, sir." They said.
"Hey, Mr. Mask Man." Mitsuki waved and the mask man just stared at her.
"I've called you in because I have a mission for you."
They all looked at each other. Mitsuki was the only one feeling weird because she's never been on a mission before. "A mission?"
"Yes. I want you to retrieve a scroll that was stolen a week ago." The Hokage smiled.
"Cool." Mitsuki smiled. "I've never been on a mission before. This is going to be awesome."
"Sir?" Neji stepped forward. "Why are asking for us individually? Why didn't you just ask for a certain team?"
"I could've, but I wanted Mitsuki to experience a mission. And she's not officially part of a team, so I put together a temporary team."
"Thanks, Hokage-sama." Mitsuki smiled. "So who's leadin' this mission?"
"You."
"Me?" Mitsuki was just as surprised as the rest of the team. "Why me?"
"Well I figured you could have this chance to prove yourself, that you're capable of being a leader." The Hokage smiled.
"…" Mitsuki was a little nervous. "Uh thank you, sir, but don't you think someone with more experience should be the leader?"
"No. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Well I must be off. Have fun now." The Hokage left with the mask man.
Sasuke, Hinata, and Neji just looked at each other then at Mitsuki.
"I can't believe you're leading this mission." Neji sighed.
"Me neither. I don't even know what to do first." Mitsuki looked to Hinata. "What should I do?"
"Uh" Hinata blushed. "I guess, you should tell us to meet somewhere after school with our bags prepared."
"Right. Okay, let's meet at the entrance of the village an hour after school. That should give you enough time to pack." Mitsuki smiled.
Neji and Sasuke looked at the two girls who were talking, then at each other. They shook their heads thinking the same thing. It's going to be long mission.
-.-
"Okay, is everyone prepared to go on this mission?" Mitsuki sounded like a perky cheerleader.
Hinata just smiled.
Neji and Sasuke couldn't wait to get this mission over with.
"Let's go!" They started walking.
"Do you know where we're going?" Neji asked.
"Of course." Mitsuki turned to them. "We're going to a small village in the mountains. That's where the thief was last seen. Then we track the thief's trail and take back the scroll."
"Sounds simple." Hinata smiled.
"I don't think it'll be that simple." Neji shook his head.
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Mitsuki smiled before coming to a cross-road. "Uh…" Mitsuki looked in all three directions.
"You do know which way to go, right?" Sasuke smirked.
"Of course." Mitsuki knelt down and touched the ground. "Let's see, we're going toward the mountains, so…" Mitsuki focused before rising again. "Alright, let's go left."
"How do you know?" Neji asked.
"Because I could feel caves coming from that direction." Mitsuki smiled.
They went on 'til night fall. Mitsuki was exhausted so she finally collapsed on the floor. "Okay, let's… rest for the night." She noticed everyone staring at her. "Right… Um, Hinata get the firewood, Sasuke and Neji catch dinner. There's a stream to the left if you haven't noticed it yet. I'll set up camp."
"How're you going to do that? We only have our sleeping bags."
Mitsuki sighed. She stood up and threw her arm out as if they were sharp swords. One huge earth tent formed, big enough for four people. Mitsuki was already exhausted, she landed on her butt. "Okay, go." Mitsuki waved her hand.
Everyone did their jobs and came back to camp. Sasuke made the fire, while Hinata and Neji prepared the food. Mitsuki was lying on her back the whole time, just resting. After everyone ate, they all squeezed through the entrance of the tent and laid out there sleeping bags. They all had to sleep next to each, just about an inch from each other. From left to right, it was Neji, Hinata, Mitsuki and Sasuke.
"Shouldn't someone keep watch?" Sasuke asked.
"It was only a scroll stolen; I don't think it's important enough to kill people over. Besides, I don't think anyone's expecting us." Just as Mitsuki said that, it started to rain outside. "Just a coincidence." She smiled.
They all stared at her.
"Look, if someone was approaching, I would sense their vibration. We'll be fine, just go to sleep." Mitsuki covered her eyes with her arm and fell asleep.
Hinata glanced at Neji. "I'll keep first watch."
Neji nodded. "When you start to feel sleepy, wake me up and I'll take over."
"Okay." Hinata got up and put on her jacket. She put her hood up and stepped out into the rain. She hid in a tree just behind the tent and made herself comfortable on a branch.
Nothing happened the first few hours. When Hinata started to feel sleepy, she finally gave in and jumped down. The rain let up a little, but it was still sprinkling. Hinata was about to go in when she heard something cut through the air. Hinata looked up, but saw no one. Hinata looked around with her Byakugan, but she didn't see anyone. Hinata was too tired to investigate so she just told her cousin to be careful as she finally went to bed.
Neji walked around the campsite, but couldn't find anyone. He did find foot prints in the grass. As Neji bended down to examine the foot prints he sensed someone behind him. He quickly dodged a fireball. Neji looked to see who attacked but no one was there. When Neji turned on his Byakugan, he still couldn't find anyone. Who ever attacked was fast. Neji put out the little fire and went back to the look out spot.
It was finally morning and Hinata slept in. Mitsuki was reenergized and gladly caught the fish this time while Sasuke got the firewood. Neji rested inside the tent with his cousin until the food was done. After everyone was up and eating breakfast, Neji and Hinata told them about the mystery guest.
"So this person… is really fast, can maybe fly, and uses fire." Mitsuki concluded as she finished her fish.
"I thought no one would attack us?" Sasuke said.
"Well the scroll… I don't even know what's in the scroll, but I guess who ever stole it, doesn't want to give it up. The fact that they know we're coming…" Mitsuki said.
"Well they stole from the leaf village; they must know that we would send someone to get it back." Hinata noted.
"True, but to know where we're at... I chose the less obvious path though." Mitsuki was troubled with this. Who ever is hunting them is no one to fool around with.
"Wait, why would the thief attack us? Wouldn't he run?" Neji asked.
"True, but maybe this person wasn't really after the scroll." Sasuke noted.
Everyone looked at him in puzzlement.
"Why would they steal the scroll then?" Hinata asked.
"To draw us out." Mitsuki said.
"Who ever stole the scroll knew Konoha would send a team after it. But if the scroll was merely bait, who was the bait meant for?" Sasuke threw a stick in the fire.
"Right, this thief must've wanted someone or a group in peculiar." Neji said.
"But how would he know that who ever he's after would be in the same team sent to retrieve the scroll?" Hinata asked.
Mitsuki sighed. "Either the thief got lucky or he knew before hand."
"Before hand? As in this thief was in Konoha after he stole the scroll? Waiting to see who would come after him?"
"I guess so, Hinata." Mitsuki sighed.
"So that means the thief is after one of us." Sasuke said.
"That makes this thief a hunter." Mitsuki stood up. "Well whoever this hunter is after won't get him. Because as long as I'm leader, no one's going missing." Mitsuki put the tent back into the ground. "We better get moving. We'll just be more careful from now on."
The team did proceed with caution. Neji made sure to stay closer to Hinata than usual, if that's even possible. Mitsuki took off her shoes, trying to sense any near by vibration while Sasuke just kept an eye out. When they finally reached the mountain they came upon a trail that would take them to the village, the sign said so.
"What's wrong Mitsuki?" Hinata asked as Mitsuki was kneeling down to touch the ground.
"I have an idea." Mitsuki stood up. "Let's catch this hunter and see who he really is."
"How?"
Mitsuki smiled as she put her shoes back on. "Come close, I have a plan to share with you."
-.-
Mitsuki and the others were hiking up the trail. It was long and little too steep. On the left of the trail was all forest, but on the right. There were rocks and boulders. They had to stop a number of times because Hinata was getting tired easily. Mitsuki complained that they were already behind schedule but Hinata couldn't help it. Then things got worse when Hinata cried of pain.
"Ow, ow, ow." Hinata was on the floor, holding her ankle.
"Oh man." Mitsuki whined. "Let me see."
Sasuke and Neji sighed as they knew for the billionth time they would have to stop to rest.
Mitsuki bended water out of her water bottle and examined Hinata's ankle. "This sucks." Mitsuki healed it as much as she could. "It should be fine, but it'll take at least an hour off of it for it to be completely healed."
"An hour?" Hinata complained even though she knew she was the one holding them back.
"Maybe longer, but this is taking way too long. We're not even half way there." Mitsuki sighed.
"Now what?" Sasuke asked.
"Neji, carry Hinata to the side. Hinata, make yourself comfortable, because you're going to be resting for a while." Mitsuki turned to Sasuke. "Okay, we'll have to split up."
"Split up?" Neji said as he set Hinata down gently against a tree.
"Yes. You and Sasuke, go ahead."
"Wait, you're the captain, you have to go."
"…" Mitsuki was thinking. "Okay, Me and Neji will go. Sasuke and Hinata will stay behind.
"What?" Neji protested. "I'm not leaving him with Hinata-sama!"
"Don't worry; I'll make sure to take care of your princess." Sasuke smirked.
"No, I'll-" Neji started.
"Enough!" Mitsuki interrupted. "There needs to be one person with the Byakugan in each group. Since I'm captain, I have to go. And Hinata is staying put for a while, so that leaves you Neji. Now do as I say and let's go." Mitsuki fixed her backpack. "Sasuke, if it gets too late, camp out. I don't want you guys traveling at night. Got it?"
"Sure." Sasuke smiled.
"Okay, let's go Neji." Mitsuki took off.
Neji hesitated, but ended up following Mitsuki, grumbling.
Sasuke sat on the branch while Hinata was leaning against the tree.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke. I became useless again. I only held everyone back." Hinata sighed, feeling depressed.
"It's fine." Sasuke didn't look at her. He just tossed a few rocks in his hands.
"…" Hinata used her Byakugan and looked at the direction Neji and Mitsuki were headed. Hinata was losing sight of them. She focused more until she noticed someone following them. Hinata smiled as she saw the person's charka disappear with Mitsuki and Neji. "It worked. The hunter is following them."
"Good." Sasuke jumped down and held out his hand.
Hinata grabbed his hand and got up. She dusted herself off and followed Sasuke.
"How far away are they?" Sasuke jumped atop a tree branch and took off.
Hinata easily followed. "Just barely in my Byakugan range, which should be far enough to follow without detection."
-.-
"Will you relax? Hinata is fine."
"He better not hurt her." Neji mumbled.
"Man, you're such an over protective watch dog." Mitsuki smirked.
"I'm not a watch dog!" Neji yelled.
"You sure act like one." Mitsuki looked behind her.
"Shut up." Neji glared.
Mitsuki looked up, noticing dusk arriving. "Well, we made up most of the distance we lost, thanks to running. We could rest and hope the others will catch up." Mitsuki walked off the trail to the right. She made a tent. "I'll take first watch. You can sleep." Mitsuki jumped across the trail, landing perfectly on a branch.
Neji sighed and crawled into the tent.
Mitsuki sighed as the sun set and the moon rose. "At least it won't be raining." She made herself comfortable and waited.
It's been a couple of hours when Mitsuki started dozing off. Her head nodded when she heard a sudden crash. Mitsuki almost fell off the branch at the sudden rumble. Neji came out and they both look down the trail.
It was dark, but the moon shined just enough to see three figures fighting. Mitsuki jumped down, bending the tent back into the ground. She smiled and waited for one certain figure to touch the ground. Then she pulled her elbow in and heard a grunt. Neji and Mitsuki walked to the scene.
"We got her." Sasuke said.
Mitsuki looked upon the head that was sticking out of the ground. She sunk the hunter's whole body. "So, what's your name?" Mitsuki lowered herself.
"…" The head didn't say anything, but disappeared into a puff of smoke, leaving a log in the hole.
Mitsuki was suddenly blinded by a wall of fire circling around them. "Substitution." Mitsuki mumbled.
"It was a nice effort though."
They all looked up to see a girl floating in the air. In the light they had, she looked about their age. She had her hair in pony tails. Her bangs were red, but everything else was white as snow and she had pure white eyes to match.
Mitsuki felt a sudden urge to run, but she couldn't move at all. Who ever this girl was; she scared Mitsuki witless. For some reason she felt she knew this person, but she feared her as well. Mitsuki was barely audible when she spoke. "Who are you?"
The girl floated down gently and took a bow. "I am Ilma." She smiled. "Why Mitsuki, you look like you've seen a ghost."
"…" Mitsuki couldn't speak, but she was trembling. Everyone noticed this.
"Mitsuki are you okay?" Hinata touched her hand. "Mitsuki?"
Mitsuki just stared at the girl in front of her.
Sasuke and Neji walked in front of Hinata and Mitsuki, getting into their fighting stance. "Let us go."
"Oh, how sweet. The men protecting the princesses." Ilma smiled evilly.
"Hinata-sama, get Mitsuki out of here." Neji commanded.
"Right." Hinata gently pulled Mitsuki away from the three in front of her.
"Oh, don't leave." Ilma's eyes flashed red and she bended a wall of fire between Hinata and Mitsuki. Hinata barely dodged it. Ilma separated Mitsuki from everyone else. "I need to have a talk with Mitsuki. Please give us a moment." Ilma eyes flashed back to white and she floated in the air.
Sasuke and Neji attacked her, but they were easily deflected by a wall of wind.
"Tsk. Tsk." Ilma easily made Sasuke and Neji fly with a wave of her hand. Hinata tried to dodge them, but Ilma made them move with her hand and they flew into Hinata, knocking her out as she banged her head against the ground. Sasuke and Neji were trying to rise, but Ilma made a wind barrier that made them stay down flat. "Now stay there, while I speak to your captain." Ilma floated down to Mitsuki, who was still trembling helpless.
Mitsuki looked up with tears in her eyes.
Ilma laughed at this. "Such a weak human." With a flick of her hand, Mitsuki was rising in the air in a tornado of wind.
Mitsuki was struggling to breathe.
"Do you know who I am? Why don't you let me talk to my brother or sister? Terra, Luna, you're sister is here to see you." Ilma smirked.
Mitsuki was struggling to breathe, but then she calmed down as she closed her eyes.
Please help me!
"It's okay, Mitsuki. Everything will be fine." Terra said.
Mitsuki opened her eyes to reveal their muddy color. Terra took over.
"Ah brother. I've missed you." Ilma smiled.
Terra gripped his fist which made a pillar aim for Ilma, but Ilma easily dodged.
"Now, now. That's no way to greet your sister." Ilma smiled.
"Release them." Terra gestured to Sasuke and Neji as he put the pillar back.
"As long as they don't interrupt our conversation." Ilma looked at Terra and them.
Terra glanced at them and nodded.
Ilma let them go and walked to Terra.
Sasuke and Neji ran to Hinata who was barely gaining conscious.
"I see your human is worthless."
"…"
"She was scared out of her mind. She's weak!"
"And you're human is any better?" Terra mocked.
"Yes. She's completely useful as long as she's quiet."
"Our human understands us." Terra's eyes flashed blue. Luna took over.
Ilma smiled and she blinked. Her eyes turned red.
"Long time no see, Fuoco." Luna smiled.
"Luna." He greeted. "We only need one human and our human is best."
"We'll see about that. Our human is strong, she is capable."
"She is a coward. A coward will not be able to handle it."
"Fine then, shall we settle this in a fight?" Luna's eyes twinkled.
"Very well. The survivor shall be the possessor of all elemental demons." A wave of Fuoco's hands made the fire disappear, leaving a burnt trail behind. Then he blinked as he tossed Luna the scroll. "We shall see who will be master." Ilma laughed as she floated in the air and disappeared into the night.
Luna's eyes blinked back to purple. Mitsuki came back, feeling emotionless. She stepped back, catching herself. She turned to her team. "Look," She showed the scroll. "Mission accomplished." She smiled before Sasuke caught her as she fell forward, passing out from exhaustion.