Miu hugged Daimyou Toki tightly upon her setting foot in the castle. Two friends reunited with happiness. Toki was a beautiful woman with round, black eyes and purple hair. Two strands of hair hung to the apples of her cheeks, framing her flawless face. She's still gorgeous, TenTen muttered. In an attempt to reassure her she was pretty too, Lee said Neji thought she was really attractive.
Realizing he let the fact slip, Lee put a hand over his mouth. "Oops!"
After TenTen finished playing inquisitor, Toki offered her home to them for the night, which they took. The flushed brunette fell asleep in the middle of Hana's teasing. When she became bored, Hana stood on a balcony overlooking the village. She kept thinking about how life would be once everyone found out the truth. How could she possibly keep her past a secret from everyone? She looked over her shoulder, seeing TenTen roll onto her stomach.
Knowing her, she would chase Hana to Kumo and have the Raikage strike her with a bolt of lightning for lying all this time. Sakura supporting her actions.
All her friends would desert her after the truth came out. It's her own fault, she knew. How was Naruto going to react? Surely he would hate her- she was once after him with Them. If she explained things, he may understand like he did with her going rogue. But she couldn't risk him finding out from someone else. Soon or later Naruto would learn what Hana was really like back then.
Thought, a tear ran down her face. She roughly wiped it away. No chance of her getting sleep now.
The following morning they were ready for take off, Hana dragging behind. At the castle gates, Toki awaited with Miu. Both females thanked them with hugs except Hana, who just stood their as she was held by Toki. However, Miu did neither but stood with a saddened smile.
"Arigatou, Hana-san for taking care of me during the mission."
An embarrassed blush showed itself as Hana hesitated. "Uh-huh."
Naruto chuckled. "Hana-chan is blushing again!"
She gave him a good pound in the head while he was in head lock. "Shut up, Dobe!"
"Naruto-kun," Miu smiled and he stopped his squirming, he still in Hana's headlock. "Hana-san does a lot to keep you from harm during trouble. You should be nicer to her since she cares so much about you."
Hana smacked him in the head and crossed her arms in a huff. "That's right, be nicer to me!"
He looked up quickly. She didn't exactly deny that she cares about him. "So, you care for me now?"
"Always, you idiot," she answered without thinking. She covered her mouth quickly in embarrassment, red taking over her cheeks. Meanwhile, Naruto's complete face remained as red as Miu's tomato colored hair. "I-I care for you. So what? It doesn't mean anything!"
Team Guy's three members caught up with an impatient Hana at the village gates. As Lee apologized again for embarrassing TenTen the previous day, Hana stopped in place. Guy stopped only a second after. Just as they finally made it to the border, They decided to show up for "fun".
Lee looked around for danger and found none. Neither did TenTen, though, she still kept her guard up. Naruto had not a clue what was going on, but decided he should act like it just incase something was there.
Hana began panicking on the inside, but refused to show it on the outside. They were planning on going through Wind country so they could go around Ame. Akatsuki would be avoided that way except They came to them instead. She knew exactly who was nearby too. Shit, she thought.
Guy remained calm while telling the others to keep their guard up. Someone was definitely waiting beyond the borders.
"Ten-Ten cover one side of Naruto; Lee take the other," Hana ordered.
The team leader, however, kept walking towards Suna. Lee walked backwards while covering the enemy's target, TenTen covering the front. Observing every movement of every tree that moved from the breeze. As another bush slightly shook, the brunette realized there was no breeze for the moment. She threw several weapons into the bush but heard no cry. Instead, a boy appeared in front of her swinging her kunai on a finger.
He easily caught Ten-Ten's arm when she swung at him. Green eyes taunted her while his partner struggled with Lee. Both struck and Guy, along with Hana, jumped in.
Naruto struck at the female in vain as Guy struck from behind. "Naruto, move!" Ten-Ten tossed a weapon at the male, but he caught it. Lee and Hana ducked as they tossed weapons at an enemy from either side.
The green-eyed male appeared behind Ten-Ten without her knowledge.
"Souta!" Hana yelled.
The redhead froze in place long enough for Ten-Ten to jump out the way. Souta's new partner joined his side with a frown.
"Hana-chan! Long time no see ~" Souta waved.
Guy stood at Hana's side and the rest of the group behind them. He asked what they wanted, but neither would answer. Souta mentioned Hana's wound was gone, leaving only a tiny white scar barely visible above her navel. "Regret it yet," he asked in double meaning. He would love nothing more than to hear her say she regretted sticking up for the damn Jinchuuriki.
A brow raised at his assumption. "Nope," she answered. "I'd kick your ass all over again."
His partner held her chin high. "Tough talk for someone who couldn't even stand on her feet then."
"Keep talking, Scarface," Hana dared her. I enjoyed giving you that one - a lot. I'll enjoy giving you another one just as much. Possibly more."
Deep blue eyes laughed back at her. The female Akatsuki member flipped a copper brown pigtail over her shoulder. The forehead protector she wore as a choker showed off a scratched Suna symbol. Hana always headed butted with Haruna, during her time in Akatsuki. Souta frowned at the girl. His shirt matched his amber red hair, a fishnet underneath and wrapping covering his left arm, a fishnet glove on his right hand. He avoided Hana's eyes and cast his green eyes on Naruto.
"What are you looking at," Naruto snapped.
He hated this guy for harming Hana so badly. Souta was suppose to be her best friend yet he stabbed her? He could never forgive him for that.
Haruna kept her voice monotone, "Jinchuuriki should show respect."
Anger swarmed in Hana's belly. Without thinking, her body formed lightning into her right hand. It crackled and Souta finally looked her in the eyes. He recognized the fury swimming in her violet orbs. Haruna face dire consequences.
"You're one to talk," Naruto lashed out. "Why not show me respect and quit following me everywhere?! Akatsuki's my own stalker!"
"I assure you when we are taking your Kyuubi, you'll have wished you paid us more respect."
A lightning whip snapped forward and sparked the grass as Haruna jumped away just in time, pulling Souta by the shirt as well. Hana's chest heaved in anger. "I assure you," Hana mocked, "if you even think or trying to try something, I'll kill you."
Ten-Ten stood by her in all seriousness. It seemed Hana knew the male, but it wasn't important for now. She was more concerned about fighting them off. Hopefully she could remember to ask Hana how she learned that whip-thingy. Perhaps it could be taught to her? Or something along the lines of it.
As Guy advised they get ready for a fight, Haruna took a step forward. Immediately, Ten-Ten was in the air flying between two scrolls. Weapons rained down rapidly, falling and sticking into the ground. Lee fought Souta with Guy, having only hit him once. Lee flipped backwards in avoiding a kick. Guy landed another two hits with his nunchaku.
Haruna wasted no time going for Naruto. Hana piled chakra into her fist and punched Haruna in the ribs. A loud crack was heard, causing Souta to glance over, giving Lee the time he needed. Hana and Haruna threw blows at each other, but only Hana's hit enough to stop and think. Haruna finally landed a hit on her arm, though, it didn't do much damage. Souta and Haruna decided switching up opponents may be better.
Shadow clone at his side, Naruto attempted forming Rasengan. Unfortunately Souta already knew what was happening and moved out the way. Instead of hitting him, Naruto almost hit Hana and she hadn't seen him coming. Guy hurried to try to move her out of the way, but he was too late. It struck her and sounded throughout the perimeter. She lied there for a moment in shock. Her body hurt like crazy and she began wondering how anyone was really able to move after being hit with a damn Rasengan.
"Are you crazy?!" Naruto yelled at Souta. "You made me hit Hana-chan!"
His opponent smirked. "That's what I was hoping for."
Back on her feet did not give her a steady view. Her vision was blurred from the knock her skull took, too. She squeezed her eyes shut then reopened them without better results. Damn Souta, she slammed her hand against a tree's trunk.
Without her vision at its best, she wouldn't be able to tell what was going on. In substitution she brought out her Sharingan. Right when she saw Naruto kick at Haruna, Souta grabbed her. They came back to the group, Souta holding Hana by the shoulder and another arm around her neck.
"Stop or I snap her neck," Souta threatened.
"STOP!" Lee yelled to his comrades.
Guy kicked himself for not protecting one Chuunin and his teammate for this mission. Everyone froze in place while Haruna kicked Naruto down before appearing by Souta's side. She grinned down at the hostage in menace. Her partner came through for once. Usually he let his feelings slide in the way of completing their mission. It had always been like this when it came to Hana; Souta never let any of Akatsuki speak badly of her except himself. Obviously it got under her skin that he defended a traitor. But this time…This time he cast them aside.
"How did he manage getting Hana-sama," Lee asked loudly.
None of the others knew, but Guy saw the bags under Hana's eyes. Souta managed getting her because her body wasn't rested. She was tired and her strength was low. This was why he advised sleep last night.
Ten-Ten said, "He's Akatsuki."
"Your flower isn't as innocent as everyone believes either," Haruna informed.
Please, Guy thought, even Kakashi-san, my arch rival, says she's at a high Jounin level! Hana obviously allowed herself to be caught. Looking closer at her scrunched face, he realized he may be wrong.
Souta told Naruto to screw off after he demanded Hana be released. It would've been pointless in catching her if he did so. Hana being extremely still, waited for it. She knew Guy and Naruto's plan of rescue. Nothing else could be expected of them, she remembered Ten-Ten told her last night. Her sensei always sought to rescue his students before carrying on with the mission. It was just all about timing.
Haruna was sent into the trees by Guy's kick and once Souta looked behind him, Naruto grabbed the hostage from the other direction. When he figured out what happened, Souta couldn't feel more naïve. "Clever."
Ignoring the redhead's snide compliment, Naruto made sure Hana was alright. She claimed yes, but he knew this would take a lot of work if her eyes showed tomoe. They were in over their heads without Kakashi and Yamato. On the other hand, Souta and Haruna were impossibly easy to land a hit on, when struck at the right time.
"Hana-chan, I have an idea. You remember when I sparred with you in the dojo?" She nodded, still locked in his arms incase Souta came back. "Guy-sensei has that girl distracted, so I think we have enough time. Use your whip on Souta. While he's paralyzed, I want you to do a fireball on my Rasengan. I'll do the rest, okay?" She flushed when he looked down at her with a smug grin. "Guess you needed me to save you this time, huh?"
She glanced away. Then she swallowed and caressed his cheek. "Thank you."
This time he flushed deeply. "Um, the plan…Let's, uh, start it."
"Hai."
After she shook herself, Hana used her whip and successfully whipped the enemy. Souta groaned at the hissing pain numbing his leg. Unable to move, he sat watching Naruto come at him. A fiery blast shook the ground on impact. A minute passed until the dirt settled. Souta's body had many scratches on it accompanied by burn marks.
Guy ran out the trees, Haruna hot on his tail. She slowed seeing Souta injured then sped up. She no longer ran after the bold haircut but towards blond. Out of nowhere, Hana appeared in time to catch Haruna's fist. Lee saw them struggling and Naruto duck out of a weapon's path.
Haruna's blue eyes narrowed at the flower holding her off. She cursed at her without any thrown back. Tenten scraped her side with a shuriken, giving Hana the upper hand. Haruna was pushed then skidded into a crouching position. After a breather, she ran back at them.
Hana kicked Naruto back further before catching both fists. They ground their teeth at the force each other used. She heard Haruna spewing crude words at her and everyone else there.
"This entire team is nothing but amateurs who can't tell a kunai from a shuriken!"
"And you're a bitch that needs to be put to sleep - permanently!" Hana shot back.
Ten-Ten and Lee covered Naruto, watching the two fight as Guy kept his eyes on Souta. Unlikely he would get up with his injuries, but you never can take a risk with Akatsuki. Hana bent Haruna's wrists back but it didn't stop her.
"Give it up, Hana! We'll capture him if not today, soon enough! Uzumaki's mine!"
Turned with a better view, they saw Hana's eyes narrow before bending Haruna's wrists back further. Now she was just playing with the enemy, Ten-Ten observed.
Hana watched her wince in pain and said, "Sorry, but Naruto's mine."
Guy returned by this time and was out of breath. In pants, he asked Hana to calm down. The brunette was now inside Hana's Sharingan world being pierced with stakes. She cried out loudly, though, the action wasn't working in her favor. The woman fell to her knees coughing while Guy held her down. Everyone stayed quiet, which gave off an eerie silence.
Just like her first mission with Lee and Ten-Ten before, it was too quiet for her liking. Birds should be chirping wildly consider the country they were in. Her ears pricked at a noise behind the group. Grabbing a kunai from her pouch, Hana darted towards Naruto.
At the time she was running, it didn't matter how she stopped Souta, just that she did. So when her kunai pierced him, she remained unfazed. Crying for him could do nothing; he was still dead.
"H-Hana…" Souta called out weakly. She chocked back a sob as she hid behind her bangs. He managed, "I'm so s-sorry I hurt you. I wanted to hurt y-you for running away."
"I know. I know, Souta," she brushed the hair from his eyes.
Haruna yelled Souta's name before pushing Guy with strength. She snatched him away from his murderer's grasp. "This will not go unnoticed, Hana! From this moment on, Uzumaki is no longer my only target! You've taken Souta's life and I'll make sure I take Uzumaki's! While you protect him, who will protect you? I'll take down all of Konoha!"
Watching them disappear into the woods was, probably, Hana's breaking point. Tears rolled from her eyes. Naruto, being the only one who understood, wanted to comfort her. When she suddenly hunched over, he was right there by her side.
Red escaped her shut eyes. Hana felt as if her eyes were going to burn through her skull. She held a hand over them, hoping that it could stop the pain. Someone gently pulled her hand away and let out a gasp. Her face was mixed with grief, tears, physical pain and blood.
"Hana, your eyes are bleeding!" Ten-Ten knelt beside her. "You need to open them."
"Hana-chan, come on!"
This was not a time for her stubbornness. Something was horribly wrong with her eyes, and for all they know, she could've been struck, and not know it because of an adrenaline rush. She slowly peeled them open and let her eyes focus on the boy in front of her. When her vision refocused, she saw he stared at her.
"What?" She put a finger against her eyelid. "What's wrong?"
Frantically, she touched the other eyelid, making sure both eyeballs were in place. He swatted her hand away saying it could do more damage. Tenten examined from over his shoulder.
"Whoa," Tenten breathed. "I've never seen one so…pretty."
Guy and Lee stood bye gushing about her new pattern. On the inside Guy pondered the version. Wait until Kakashi-san finds out, he said, he'll be jealous!
Hana rose while Naruto absent-mindedly kept her hand in his. "What are you talking about?"
Sharingan advanced when…you do what she just did. Everything made sense now. Hana nodded in understanding. Quicker than needed, they began walking home. Her head was swarming with thoughts. Is she more powerful now? Why did she have to do such a hanious act to gain a more advanced pair of eyes. Is she like Itachi now that she killed her own best friend so easily?