A/N: And here's the second typed chapter! I'm so excited that i'm getting it up today! I let Aki read it first (she's almost like my own little beta, but she never criticizes enough. For shame. :D) and she absolutely loved it. Seriously, I wish I could post what she said without giving the chapter away. Personally I think I was a little shaky on some of the scenes, but hopefully, if Aki loved it, so will you guys. I think I trust her judgement, I mean, have you seen the things she's written for Instrument Trio? Pure genius! So, before I start, a round of applause for Aki, because she's the greatest...or one of them. Well, after this chapter I have stuff to do. Assignments to read, Gaaraxoc and Sasukexoc things to write...so it may be a while until my next update. I hope I get a new one up soon though!

Disclamer: Instrument Trio does not own Naruto, but does own a few characters and elements of the plot.

Ch. 25 A Slight Delay

The ninja I was fighting against almost immediately forced the kunai out of my hand, and came at me with his own. In retaliation I grabbed his wrist and twisted it with one hand, and with my other in a fist smashed down on his wrist. He cried out as his wrist cracked and the kunai dropped from his hand before leaping back, glaring at me. I grabbed two more kunai and ran at him while he was still of guard. As I approached he threw a kunai at me, forcing me to jump. I flipped over him, chucking one kunai at his neck and landing behind him to parry his strike with my other kunai. I ducked as he tried to punch me, only to get a firm kick to my ribs that sent me flying into a tree with the air knocked out of me.

"Gah" I muttered, spitting blood out to the side and wincing in pain as I coughed. That might have cracked a rib. I gasped and jumped into a tree as I noticed the shadow of two shuriken heading toward me even though I saw no actual shuriken. A few seconds later I heard two thuds as dents appeared in the tree I was standing on. Shadow shuriken. What…?

"Heheh, confused, aren't you?" the ninja laughed, smirking as I scowled.

"Fireball jutsu!" I said as I quickly finished a few hand signs, sending a good sized fireball at the ninja. I leaped after the retreating ninja, completing more hand signs as I landed.

"Flaming Shadow Chain jutsu" I exclaimed, holding my arm out to the side as what looked like a chain of fire formed in my hands. I glanced up at the sun quickly before turning back to the nin and running at him. I narrowly dodged the shuriken he threw, though I felt one imbed itself into my arm. With a scowl I cracked the flaming whip at him, smirking as he dodged, only to scream in pain and fall to the ground, holding his side which had just burst into flames.

"But you missed..." he growled out through clenched teeth.

"Doesn't matter if the whip misses" I replied shortly with a shrug before snapping the whip at him again. The ninja used a substitution jutsu, and I ducked as a large branch burst into flames over my head. As I was recovering from almost being scalded by a giant burning piece of wood, the ninja appeared behind me, hitting me with a roundhouse kick that sent me flying into another tree, even though I barely blocked it with my arm. I winced as I rotated my shoulder, ducking as the ninja tried punching me again, only to get kicked again into the tree. I coughed as I got up, covering my ribs with my arm, while cracking the whip with my other hand. With a determined scowl, I ran at the ninja, aiming the whip for his neck this time. Just before it or its shadow met him, however, he flipped out of the way, only to smack his head on a low hanging tree branch, knocking himself out. I blinked as I watched him fall, glancing between the branch and the unconscious man on the ground multiple times before shrugging. Unfortunately, I stopped concentrating on the flame whip and it…exploded, I guess…or something happened. I yelped, feeling the intense heat, before I managed to cool it down to just a flaming fist, though I just know I'm going to have burns all over my hand.

Hinata yelped in pain as she went flying into a tree near me. I watched her wipe a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth as the kunoichi she was fighting sped at her. I dashed at her and punched the kunoichi in the gut, only to find myself punching another log.

"God that's annoying" I hissed as Hinata stood up and stood with her back facing me. Her byakugan was on and she was scanning the trees as I scanned the bushes.

"Are you o-okay Ashi?"

"Decently. You?"

"P-pretty go-Ashi, your right!"

I ducked as Hinata performed a Jyuken on the kunoichi's fist, deflecting the punch and cutting off her chakra. As the kunoichi turned slightly with the force of the deflection I shoved the heel of my palm into her side knocking the air out of her and sending her stumbling back. Hinata slid into a Jyuken stance and I copied, sliding into the stance that Rock Lee had taught me. The kunoichi raised an eyebrow before sliding into her own taijutsu stance and pulling up the sleeves of her kimono styled shirt to show an odd contraption. Hinata and I stared at it in confusion before jumping out of the way as senbon needles flew out at us. I hissed as I felt two enter the arm that I used to block my face before looking back to the kunoichi, who merely smirked at us. I frowned before forming a few new hand signs and letting my hands fall down to my sides. I haven't practiced this jutsu much…

Beside me I could feel the chakra in Hinata's hands flare, and a few seconds later I felt, rather than saw, sparks flying between my fingers. With one quick glance at Hinata, I used a substitution jutsu to appear behind the kunoichi, and attacked her from one side as Hinata attacked from the other.

While Hinata and I were fighting the senbon user, Kurenai-sensei was fighting the kunoichi who seemed to be the leader, while Shino and Kiba each fought against their own opponents. Kiba, with the help of Akamaru, knocked out his opponent pretty quickly and started helping Shino's opponent who had a nasty habit of using ice jutsu to freeze body parts and make it aggravatingly hard to move. Akamaru's left front leg and right back leg were frozen, as well as his tail, and had to move away from the battle to prevent getting crushed by the ninja. Kiba was bruised all over from slipping and falling constantly, and covered in cuts from his previous opponent whose vest actually damaged those who came into contact with it at high speeds. Not to mention that his leg was pretty damaged from an odd shuriken. Shino's glasses were cracked, and he had a few nasty cuts from kunai and shuriken. There was one especially bad one on his side. Their opponent, however, had been hit a few times by the Fang over Fang, and winced with every few breaths he took, and was unknowingly losing chakra at a quick rate thanks to Shino's kikai beetles. While they were battling their opponent, Kurenai-sensei was facing off against the lead kunoichi whose lightning jutsu made it tough to get close to. To add to the problems, her previously injured shoulder had been hurt again by another kunai, and there was a deep gash on her thigh. She managed to deal just as much damage to her opponent though. The kunoichi had a few broken fingers, due to the genjutsus she fought to get out of, and there was a deep gash stretching from her shoulder to her waist.

While Kiba forced the ninja they were fighting to back up in Shino's direction so Shino could deliver a finishing blow to his back, a figure in the trees shifted slightly. With a sudden movement, the figure threw something forcefully at the two boys just as Hinata managed to throw a kunai at the kunoichi we were fighting, hitting her in the stomach. I turned, confused as to why I could still hear the sound of metal slicing through the air, before my eyes widened in horror.

"KIBA!"

"SHINO!" Hinata and I both yelled at the same time. She had turned at the same time I had, and both of us noticed the familiar sword hurtling toward our two friends.

"DUCK!"

Both of them just managed to dodge the spiky sword, but while they were in the process of standing up again, a familiar figure was racing toward them. By the time Hinata and I had yelled at them to duck, we were already in motion, sprinting toward them, Hinata ready for a Jyuken, and me with my hands still sparking electricity. We both struck at the same time, hitting the ninja right before he could attack Shino and Kiba. Hinata had done a Jyuken on his lower back, shooting chakra up his spine, while I hit his neck, sending electricity down his spine. Our two opposing chakras and attacks clashed in a place they really should never clash, and the man went down, twitching spasmodically on his way to the ground. It was Chimaru Sosuke. Hinata gasped as we finally caught a look at the man, and I stumbled back. It wasn't from shock however. When I had attacked him, whatever had happened previously with the fire shadow whip happened again, but this time the chakra and electricity backfired up my arm painfully. I cried out in pain as I landed on the arm I just fried, and sat there for a few seconds, nursing the pain as Hinata stood in front of Sosuke, staring blankly.

"A-ashi…" Hinata said shakily, and I glanced up quickly. Her voice was full of tears, "I-I th-think we k-k-k-killed h-him..."

I gaped at her, uncomprehendingly for a few seconds before crawling up to the felled man. I took off my glasses with one hand and held it up to his open mouth, frowning when they didn't fog up. I hurriedly put my glasses back on and placed my fingers on his neck. I felt like my heart had stopped as Kiba and Shino walked up.

"Thanks guys, we would've been de…what are you doing Ashi?"

"H-his….hearts not beating…" I whispered breathlessly, barely noticing when Shino bent down as well to check for a pulse on the other side of his neck.

"Shino?" Kiba asked, glancing at Shino for confirmation.

Shino shook his head in response and stood up slowly. Kiba looked serious for once as he walked over to Hinata, who was shaking, and put his arm around her shoulder. Hinata turned immediately, burying her head in his shoulder as he rubbed her back comfortingly. As Shino leaned down to brush my hand away from Sosuke's neck, I finally remembered that I needed to breathe as I fell backwards against Shino's legs, still in shock. I barely felt his hand on my shoulder as my mind flashed back too all those dreams and visions of the scientist who didn't actually die. When was that? Yesterday? Two days ago? Oh my god, I just killed someone…oh my god…oh my god.

I didn't realize I had been muttering out loud under my breath until Shino's face appeared in front of mine as he rested his hands firmly on my shoulders.

"Listen. You may have killed someone, but you are a ninja, and would have had to anyways. You have to move on"

I closed my eyes as I shuddered, bending my head down to hide the tears starting to pool in my eyes.

"But you didn't hear…the scream…he let out when…we hit him" I whispered shakily, clutching the fabric of my pants in my fists.

"Ashi, look at me"

I shook my head as I clenched my fists harder. The scene of Sosuke getting hit, screaming in pain, and falling down replayed itself in my head as I bit back a sob.

"Ash"

My eyes snapped open as I felt his fingers gently raising up my head. He reached his other hand out and brushed the bang that usually fell over my eye behind my ear before resting that hand on my cheek. I felt my face heat up slightly as his thumb gently brushed a stray tear away from my cheek, causing my mind to go completely blank.

"Don't linger on it" Shino said softly, his thumb still stroking my cheek, "It's okay to move on. Just remember that I'm always here when you need help"

I sighed, closing my eyes as I thought about it. It's already hard enough for me to ask for help, and I linger on everything, but…

Before I could answer, a harsh whistle rang through the clearing, surprising all of us. Shino and I jumped to our feet, immediately turning toward the sound while Hinata and Kiba looked over as well, Hinata wiping tears from her eyes.

The lead kunoichi was standing on a tree branch with her hand raised up in some hand sign. We all watched, confused, as she dropped her hand back down.

"The alpha is down. Retreat!"

"Hai!"

I looked around in confusion as two ninja, Kiba and Shino's opponent, as well as Hinata and my opponent, immediately picked up their fallen comrades and disappeared.

"O…kay?" Kiba commented with a shrug as he placed Akamaru back into his jacket, "What was that about?"

"Good job team" Kurenai-sensei complimented wearily as she limped up to us, "Let's leave and find another clearing to recuperate. The commotion may have alerted other ninja or bandits to our location"

We all nodded in response before heading off to pick up our littered weapons. In the middle of picking up one of my kunai, I paused as I flashed back to what happened before that whistle.

"Oh…my…god"

Oh my god is right girl! Wow!

Heh, that was amusing. Not only did you blank out, but you froze too.

If you even try to ask what that was I'll come out there and deck you

Your point being?

Isn't it obvious? He l-

Okay, no more. Shut up. Go back to whatever you were doing.

Mm?

We've got injuries, we need rest, and we need to get back home. This can continue later

I think she just doesn't want to hear it

For once imouto, I think you're right

Tch. When are you gonna learn? I'm always right

Feh, keep dreaming

I shook my head, still in shock, as I bent down to pick up a few of my kunais that were littered on the ground. I paused as I heard the soft sound of cloth shifting, and I turned, looking around. From where I was I spotted some items lying on the ground next to Sosuke's body. I took a deep breath, and though I was still shaken from killing a man, I slowly made my way over to where the items were, only to stop in my tracks.

My eyes widened as I bent down to pick up the three weapons. One was a shuriken, almost of the standard make, if it wasn't for the sharp barbs all over it. It was specially made to cut easily, and be a pain to remove. I should know, I've had firsthand experience with it many times, including today. The second item looked almost like a smoke bomb. It was black, big enough to take up the space in one palm, and there was a familiar design carved into the surface. The design was unfortunately worn down, making it hard to see what it was. I rolled it over in my hand until I found a hatch, and carefully lifted it up, looking inside. I bit my lip, willing my heart to stop beating so quickly as I caught site of the orange and green tags designed with the familiar chain and ball scythe in the background that could cause blinding if blown up in close proximity. The last was a kunai, almost normal except for two features: the wrapping on the handle was made of green and faded orange cloth, and inscribed on the blade were five kanji signifying letters and a symbol. A, K, A, Y, and D with a fist that looked like it was coming out of the darkness beneath them.

"Y-yoroi…" I whispered, clutching the kunai in my hand as I stared at it, "Why does Sosuke have this…?"

A sudden wheezing cough startled me into dropping the shuriken and flash bomb as I whipped my head toward Sosuke's body.

"He's the first….and will not….be….the last…" I heard a raspy and grating voice whisper as I stared in shock, "I will…..collect….you all…"

"HOLY SH-" I yelped as Sosuke's hand shot out and grabbed my ankle as his head slowly turned toward me. There was a bloody grin on his face and I yelped again as I stomped on his wrist with my foot, breaking it as I stumbled back, hyperventilating.

"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, holy crap" I repeated as I backed away, only to bump into someone and jump, still freaked out.

"Whoa, Ashi, what's wrong?" Kiba asked as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"O-oh my freaking god, he's s-still alive" I replied, stumbling over my words as I clutched at my chest, trying to calm down.

"What? Dude, breathe" Kiba replied, as he peered around me to look at Sosuke's body, "Holy- what the???? He's not there!"

I spun around as Kiba yelped and heard three pairs of footsteps as Shino, Hinata, and Kurenai-sensei rushed over to see what we were yelling about.

"What's going on?" Kurenai-sensei asked as we started to explain what had happened. A frown appeared over her face as she patted the still shivering Hinata on her shoulder.

"I see…" she replied slowly, looking over at the site where the previously dead body had lain with searching eyes, "And Ashimakase, what are you holding?"

"Huh?" I replied smartly as I glanced down at my hand. I was still clutching the kunai, "O-oh, I found this near Chimaru Sosuke's body…I…had a friend…who used this exact kunai. I think Sosuke has kidnapped him or something…"

"And you said he's alive?" Kurenai-sensei replied with a concerned and upset look on her face, "This is not good. Did he say anything?"

"He said…" I said after a few second, "That he was the first and not the last, and that he'd…collect us all"

"First and not the last" Shino repeated. I could tell he was frowning, "What or who is he referring to?"

I frowned as I stared at the kunai, clutching it even tighter in my hand.

Guys…Shoot…I hope they're alright

We made camp eventually after we had left the clearing and bandaged our many wounds. Kurenai-sensei and Shino had lost a bit of blood, but we didn't realize anything was wrong until Kiba noticed Kurenai-sensei leaning against the tent pole, and Hinata and I saw Shino with his hand to his forehead looking lightheaded and pale. Kiba and I set up camp while Hinata attended the both of them. We managed to set up the two tents, start the campfire (we had a few issues and I eventually just shot a fireball at it), and catch and cook some fish with few problems. While Kiba was watching the fish, I switched between bandaging up Akamaru's few cuts after heating him back up by the fire and helping Hinata with the salves she was making. The ice jutsus had left Akamaru chilled, and even being in Kiba's jacket hadn't helped much. Akamaru was still shivering, and there was no doubt that he was going to become sick later.

Hinata, Kiba, and I all had injuries of our own that were bad; they just weren't as bad as the other three's. Hinata was having trouble using her hands for a lot of things. We suspected she had injured her chakra channels from over using the jyuken. Her arms and legs were also wrapped up to the point of mummification. She was currently walking around the camp wearing a dark blue shirt and black shorts. Kiba was limping from the gash in his leg, and he had a few cuts on his arms and a cut over the tattoo on his cheek. Hinata and I had to argue with him for a few minutes in order to get him to sit down and not aggravate his injuries. I was feeling a bit sluggish and dizzy, probably from chakra deprivation. I had managed to get one of the barbed shurikens stuck in my shoulder, so now I actually have a gash there, as well as various cuts all over, and burns on my hand from my chakra mishap.

After eating dinner, we all crawled back to our tents after a brief argument over who would be taking watch. Eventually Kurenai-sensei's logic beat out ours and we agreed to take as close to equal as possible shifts, though Kurenai-sensei still managed to get the longest shift. Shino had taken the first shift, and we went to catch as much sleep as possible. I felt like I had closed my eyes for only a few seconds, and suddenly Hinata was shaking me awake after having taken her own shift. Time passed slowly and I found myself dozing off after listening to the sounds of owls in the treetops. I stood up when I heard the sound of the tent unzipping and faced Kurenai-sensei when she stepped out of the tent.

"Ashimakase" she yawned as she walked up to me, "Go get some rest"

"Hai" I replied quietly as I nodded and walked toward the tent. I paused for a few seconds before entering. I should apologize. I really should. There was no need for me to snap at her like I did yesterday…

"Ashimakase, is something wrong?" Kurenai-sensei asked as she turned to look at me. I frowned faintly before putting a smile on my face and facing her.

"Um…no. Goodnight Kurenai-sensei"

Kurenai-sensei smiled faintly as she turned away and I crawled into the tent, immediately climbing into my sleeping bag next to Hinata. I fell asleep within seconds.

The sound of whistling metal met my ears as I spun around. I spotted a sword flying straight for Shino and Kiba and yelled out to them…but nothing came out. I could only close my eyes and cover my ears as Kiba and Shino finally noticed the sword, but it was too late. I felt, rather than heard the thuds as their bodies hit the ground.

"A-ashi…"

I spun around again, only to see Hinata behind me, lying on the ground. There were senbon sticking out of her body, and a few in her neck. She was bleeding from a gash in her side and looked at me with fading eyes.

"A-ashi …"

I covered my mouth as her eyes slowly dimmed, biting back a sob. What in the world had happened?

"Kurenai-sensei!?" I yelled frantically, searching for her and hoping that she too wasn't dead.

"Looking for this?" I heard Sosuke ask as I spun around once again, coming face to face with Kurenai-sensei. She was being held by her hair as Sosuke held a bloody kunai to her neck. She was covered in so much blood that I didn't know if she was alive or already dead.

"Kurenai-sensei!" I gasped. I could already hear the tears in my voice.

"They're gone Nozomii" Sosuke stated, dropping Kurenai-sensei's limp body to the ground, "All of them. And now you're alone"

Sosuke's cruel laughter filled the air as I crumpled to the ground, sobbing. I felt something wet seeping into my clothes. I looked down and immediately wished I hadn't. The ground was covered in blood.

I sat up, choking on a scream as I woke up immediately. My hands were clenched, and I was hyperventilating. As my vision cleared up, I noticed the sound of someone sobbing, and after a few seconds, I realized it wasn't me. I turned to the side and noticed Hinata was shaking beside me. She had curled up into a ball, and was crying in her sleep as she clutched her arms.

"Hinata….Hina-chan…wake up" I whispered with a cracking voice as I shook her awake. Her eyes snapped open as she covered her mouth with her hands, muffling a scream. She sat up quickly, with her hands still covering her mouth as she sobbed quietly. I crawled closer and hugged her.

"A-ashi" she whimpered as her hands clutched my shirt, "A-ashi, y-you were a-all d-d-dead…all of y-y-you"

I was at a loss for words, even though I dreamt the exact same thing. I didn't even know what I'd want someone to say to comfort me, so how was I supposed to comfort Hinata?

"Let's…go find Kurenai-sensei" I whispered. Hinata gave a small nod as she detached her hands from my shirt. I opened the tent and crawled out first, holding Hinata's hand. I located Kurenai-sensei after a few seconds of searching around the dark clearing.

"Um…Kurenai-sensei…?"

"Hm? Oh, Ashimakase, Hinata, what's wrong?" Kurenai-sensei asked, turning as we approached. I paused, wondering how to respond. I mean, how stupid would it sound to tell her 'We had a bad dream.' How old are we? Five? Well, Hinata solved my problem for me.

"W-w-we c-can't sleep s-sensei…"

Kurenai-sensei sighed as she smiled faintly at us, "Well, I can't say I have anything I can recommend for you…why don't you get a drink of water? Or even better, go visit the boys, I'm sure they can help"

Hinata nodded meekly as Kurenai-sensei patted her head and gave her a smile. As Hinata headed toward the boys' tent, I paused once more.

"…Sorry for…yesterday sensei…" I all but whispered, hoping my voice would carry since it was quiet. It probably should. As Iruka-sensei told me once, my voice isn't made for whispering. It carries too easily.

I caught up to Hinata, who was standing in front of the boys' tent, hugging herself tightly. I sighed as I walked up behind her, stopping to stand awkwardly in front of the tent as well.

"Um…guys…can we come in?"

I heard shuffling inside, a yawn, and a curse before the tent was unzipped. Shino appeared with a disgruntled look on his face, rubbing his cheek with a slight scowl before glancing at us and immediately letting us in. Hinata crawled in first, and I followed, sitting at the entrance. I watched, shivering, as Kiba pushed a pillow in between the large space between his and Shino's sleeping bags before holding his arms out for Hinata to crawl into. A faint smile appeared on my face as I watched Hinata get comfortable next to Kiba with a faint blush on her sleepy face.

I eyed the space left and frowned slightly as I bit my lip. I might as well go back to our original tent. It was snug enough already with the three of them there, and I could deal with lack of sleep in the morning anyways. Hinata was okay, which was what mattered. She had an interesting talent of making people want to watch over and take care of her.

So, your decision has nothing to do with the fact that you'd be sleeping next to Shino?

Why are you still awake? Sleep!

Heh…

"Ashi?"

My eyes landed on Shino, who was sitting on his sleeping bag watching me. Kiba and Hinata had already fallen asleep, and I smiled faintly as I noticed Kiba's hand lying protectively across her waist.

"I was…just about to head back…sorry for disturbi-"

"You're shaking" Shino interrupted.

"I…I'm…cold…" I replied, looking down instead of at him.

"You're wearing long sleeves"

"I-I'm still cold" I replied, with a faint stutter as I continued to look away.

"And stuttering. Bad dream"

I stiffened before nodding slightly, feeling a bit sheepish. Shino patted the spot next to him. I glanced at it before shaking my head and scooting closer to the door of the tent.

"I kick" I protested. A muscle in Shino's cheek twitched as he nodded his head toward Kiba.

"So does he"

I glanced at Kiba with a faint grin on my face before glancing back at the spot, undecided.

"Your tent is empty" Shino reminded. I felt my eyes widen slightly. I forgot about that. I really didn't want to sleep in the tent alone.

"Okay" I replied softly as I crawled over to the spot, avoiding Hinata's legs as I lay down. Shino lay down after me, and I turned around so that I was facing him.

"…Good night Shino"

"Good night"

As my eyes started to close, I felt Shino drape his hand over my waist. I sighed softly, feeling safer here in this tent with Shino, Hinata, and Kiba, than I did in the other tent. I fell asleep within seconds of closing my eyes. Outside the tent, Kurenai-sensei glanced in our direction before turning her gaze to the moon with a smile. It seemed like things were working out.

Haha! Two chapters out in one day! New record! Anyways, since there obviously haven't been any reviews yet, I guess I'll find something else to comment on. I decided that when I get to the chunin exams I'll probably start posting another fic if I have any that are ready for posting. Either that, or I'll start working on my rewrite of What Could Start with a White Camellia. I've decided to make it your choice (I never could chose anything. I still can't). So the choices are:

White Camellia

Sasukexoc (if I've written and typed enough)

Shikamaruxoc (I have to find my backup disk. It was deleted from my first computer when it crashed)

Gaaraxoc (if I've written and typed enough)

Fic/one shot that I've worked on but haven't posted (Aki wants another chapter. How troublesome)

Please feel free to pm me or cast your vote on your review if you have a choice. No more than two votes please. I'll announce the winner on the next update. And sorry for the lack of information on the last one. If I get another chapter written up for it, it will most likely contain a bit of nejiten. If I don't, well, lets just say it's about light hearted revenge.

::Preview::

It looks like there's a problem. The after affects of the battle turn out to be nastier than first thought. And finally they return home. What? More suckish missions? Come on