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It's kunoichi…not konoichi. Got it! :p
Oh…italized paragraphs or sentences are flashbacks or thoughts.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-o-o-o-
Chapter Twenty: The Raven (part one)
The arrival of Konoha's newest visitors has cost quite a stir within the village. There are a lot of opinions about it from the council and the local folks. The reason for their arrival has been kept confidential and only the Hokage and his trusted comrades knew about it. The council demands for explanations but Kakashi had asked for their cooperation and understanding for the meantime.
All will be revealed to them when the proper actions have been planned.
"Hmm." Senju Tsunade crossed her arms over her ample chest as her eyes narrowed, absorbing everything that her successor was telling her. "So the Uzumaki girl and that swordsman came here to warn the village of an impending doom eh?" Her wisdom filled eyes looked at Kakashi. "For people who has a long run with Orochimaru, they are quite…conscience filled."
"Well…Orochimaru-san did help us during war so I think it is safe to say that the legendary sanin has something good inside him too. Even just a speck…there is. '' The copy ninja pointed out. "And it may also be because of Sasuke. You see, Uzumaki Karin has some extreme feelings for the young Uchiha, and they consider Sasuke as a friend too."
"Where are they staying now?"
"At Sasuke's. The Uchiha mansion would be more than enough to lodge the two while they stay here."
Tsunade's eyebrows rose. "And the council is fine with this?"
"They have their doubts. So like the last time, I ordered guards to watch over them just to ease the elders…but this time, they requested two Anbu watchmen. I have no choice but to agree." Kakashi pulled out a file from his drawer. "For the time being that Sasuke's old comrades are here, Anbu would be watching them. I already have the Anbus to be assigned and their schedules."
"And Sasuke is fine with this? For all I know, he hates being guarded."
"Not him…only the two."
The great medic looked outside the window and her eyes rested on the great carved faces on the mountain. If Dan was alive, she knew that his face would be carved in that mountain instead of her. Sighing a little, she returned her attention again to the Hokage.
A few minutes ago, Kakashi has explained to her the real reason why the two "visitors" came in such an unexpected time and manner. Uzumaki Karin has explained why:
"The town was literally inside the mountain, and because we are weary travelers and unknown on those parts, we decided to stay there for a few days. There are three of us at that time. Me, Suigetsu, and Jugo. The people are quite accommodating and they are very knowledgeable about swords. Since Suigetsu has a knack on those kinds of weaponry," Karin rolled her eyes as she remembered the scene inside her head. "He convinced us to stay longer."
"And?" Kakashi prodded the girl to continue.
"We agreed, since we don't know of our future plans yet… we are rogues and we are still looking for our rightful places in this Shinobi world." The redhead sighed; a hint of sadness in that single action. "So, on our prolonged stay there, we accidentally found out that mostly of the locals who lived there are missing nins…some are even in the bingo book. It was like a haven of refuge you might say…a haven for very dangerous people."
The copy ninja raised an eyebrow, his eyes taking a glance at Sasuke and Naruto who were listening. Sasuke was leaning on the wall where the Hyuuga was before she was dismissed with Sakura, while the blonde Uzumaki was sitting on the window. "And this was somehow connected to Konoha?"
Karin nodded; her eyes too stole a glance at the young man that she has tackled to the floor an hour ago. "Hai. One night, when we are replenishing our supplies for our next journey, Jugo heard by accident that a few members of the local folks there died because of Sasuke Uchiha. It surprised us, for the town was far from Konoha and we knew that Sasuke is living in a peaceful way again."
"Peaceful way…?" Naruto looked at Sasuke with a frown.
"Dobe." Sasuke muttered.
"We postponed our leave and investigated. Then we learned that mostly of the people there is doing the black market trade. They stole eyes like the Byakugan and sell them at the highest bidder. Somehow, Sasuke was able to encounter them and ruined their next trade."
The Hokage nodded thoughtfully as everything was beginning to appear more clearly. "Does it ring any bells Sasuke?"
The Uchiha smirked. "It actually does sensei."
"And one of the people Sasuke killed was the son of the leader of that town. Because of that, they have been planning for months to get revenge. Months." Karin's hand shot to her chest. "We planned on going here as soon as possible but we got caught. We managed to escape but we got separated with Jugo…Even with our skills, those people could match it."
Naruto scratched his chin. "Well…assuming that some of them are on the bingo book, they should be really dangerous."
The other Uzumaki nodded. "Hai. But they are smart too. They knew that all the powerful villages now are allies after the war. That's why they are planning each move very carefully. Hokage-sama, not only will Sasuke-kun is in danger, but the village as well. If they can penetrate inside without you knowing, they would not hesitate to harm the locals. "
"Not to mention that we have a lot of potential black market goods here." Naruto added, his lips forming into a thin line. "We have a set of eyes that holds the sharingan and rennigan." He motioned at Sasuke. "And a whole district of people with Byakugan."
"So what are you going to do?" Tsunade asked. "The two also requested for help in looking for the lost Jugo." The last of the legendary sanin's brow furrowed. "And…I might add, that this so called Jugo is also a dangerous person. If you would ask me, I think that they are as dangerous as the people who lived in those mountains Kakashi."
"That is a fact." Kakashi nodded, considering the wise woman's words. "To answer your first question, I am actually planning on contacting the Kages and inform them of this so called mountain town. Assuming that a lot of missing nins are there from various villages. After a few days, I think we would be able to finalize our decision."
"Do you trust them?" Tsunade asked. "You know these three are still branded as criminals."
"I know and trust may still be a strong word at the moment… But I also take it to consideration that they are loyal to Sasuke. Those two for instance, they could have made the fight with the Hyuuga heiress and the Aburame bloodier…but they did not. I know that the heiress was beyond capable to protect herself, but I would not expect her not be injured and wounded if the fight was serious enough. It would have been bad for both sides, considering that all of them are very skilled."
"Your point is?" Tsunade raised her eyebrows for the second time.
"The two visitors are careful enough not to hurt Konoha's ninjas…and somehow, I believe them."
-o-o-o-
Shino Aburame let a bug rest on his finger as he observed its shiny bluish black color silently. He was sitting crossed legged on the porch of his house and waited for the first drops of rain as the heavy clouds started to grow dark.
The sound of insects warned him that it was going to be a heavy rain.
As he was rewarded with the first spatter of rain on the roof, he heard a soft thud beside him. Before he could turn his head to see who it was, for it was an unmistakable sound of Shinobi sandals, the faint scent of lavenders already told him it was his lady teammate.
The girl was wearing her Anbu uniform and the catlike mask was firmly tied around her head. The long blue tresses were not tied in its usual ponytail, for Hinata always ties her hair when she's on Anbu duty, but was let loose to curtain her back. She settled herself to sit beside him, saying not a single word.
"I'm doing fine." The usually silent Shino was the first to speak. He knew that Hinata came to see how he was doing. Sakura already fixed his broken ankle days ago and his chakra has returned to normal. "You did not have to bother." He noticed that her mask was wet with rain water, as well as the upper part of her vest.
"Shino-kun…" The voice from behind the mask said, but before she could say anything else, a coat landed on her lap.
It was Shino's favorite hooded coat.
"You are going to make yourself sick, Anbu." The Aburame's voice has a scolding tone into it. He motioned at her rain soaked self. "You can't protect anyone if you won't protect yourself first."
Behind the mask, Hyuuga Hinata smiled and shook her head in amazement. "Everyone treats me like a girl and not a kunoichi." Her mind began to make a long list of the people who do:
Neji-Nii.
Naruto-kun.
Kiba-kun.
Even Sasuke.
The Aburame was silent for a second, as his attention was occupied by the pretty little bug on his finger. Only after when it has spread its small wings and flew away did he answer her comment. "Everyone who does that holds you dear to their hearts…Anbu."
A few minutes later, an Anbu wearing a standard Aburame coat came bounding out of the compound. Despite of the heavy rain, it leaped on the roof and started to run in a graceful stride. Even if the roofs are slippery and the rain was starting to get stronger, the said Anbu moved with ease, leaping from roof to roof until it was replaced with branches.
Hinata landed on the wet ground with a soft spray of water. She was already on the outskirts of Konoha for she was assigned to check the barriers again. If that Uzumaki girl and her companion was able to slip inside Konoha unnoticed, that only means that there are still some weak points on the barrier that needed to be fixed.
I wonder what Sasuke-kun is doing with those two right now. Hinata thought as a swift flashback of Sasuke being tackled to the floor by that bespectacled girl entered her mind. How weird of her to think that Sasuke was going to ask if she was alright that time.
Weird and embarrassing.
Activating her Byakugan, she performed a few hand seals. Kakashi-sensei personally taught her the hand signs and told her that she was one of the few who knew of these for it was only passed on trusted Shinobis. Hinata swelled with pride upon hearing those words, for that only means that the Hokage trusted her enough to leave her a very important job.
Scanning the area with her dojutsu, she began to pinpoint the strong parts of the barrier from the weak ones. Her hands moving rapidly to perform hand signals that gives her the ability to control the barriers, thus, to be able to fix the weak points.
It was a long taxing job, but the Hyuuga princess did not mind. The strong rain did not even bother her for a second as her attention was entirely focused on the mission that was given to her. She did not even have time to think about the black bird that landed on a low branch just a short distance from her. With her activated eye ability, she knew it was a raven, and a faint chakra was emitting from the avian.
But this is a Shinobi world…Animals with chakras are not a rare sight.
-o-o-o-
"So…we are being watch eh?" Suigetsu crossed his arms as his mouth pouted to the direction of two Anbu watchguards who were standing at the porch of the large Uchiha mansion. He looked at Karin who was sitting next to Sasuke on a large chair. He scowled at the girl's dreamy expression while staring at the Raven haired Uchiha. "Oi Karin, wipe that drool off your mouth." Sasuke's not some kind of morsel…yeesh.
Karin's unfocused eyes suddenly glinted with fire. "Shut up idiot."
Sasuke closed his eyes as his right hand shot to press a throbbing nerve on his forehead. He was getting irritated at Karin and Suigetsu's squabble. Not a minute would pass that these two would not have an exchange of loud words and insults. It has been days since he has to endure such torture.
"Look at Sasuke…he is getting pissed. You are too clingy Karin." Suigetsu smirked. "Don't wait till he stabs you again." He added, but in a much lower voice.
"Don't sound so confident Suigetsu…especially when your ass is beaten by a girl." The redhead raised her eyebrow, her face smug. "And to think that they call you a demon."
"If you did not get yourself wounded I would not have to be distracted." The white haired one answered, his tone defensive. "Besides, we would have been in a much more trouble if we fought them seriously."
"That's it." Sasuke said and stood up. "You two stay here." He glared at his two former Taka members. "I am going to look for Naruto."
Karin shot up from her chair and cling at Sasuke's left arm. "Sasuke-kun! I am going with you."
"It's raining Karin." Sasuke answered, too tired to sound annoyed.
"I don't care."
"Hey Karin…" Suigetsu pointed at the guards. "In case it has slipped your mind, we are under Anbu watch. I don't think that we could go anywhere outside the Uchiha compound right now."
"Oh…" The girl's face fell when she realized the truth in her comrade's words.
"You two stay here." Sasuke commanded again, this time more gruffly. He has no time for the two's childish antics, especially when there are people who are planning something bad against him and Konoha.
After a few more words with the two, Sasuke found himself bounding to the rooftops to the direction of Naruto's apartment. The rain was still pouring and he was starting to get soaked. Leaping into another roof, he wiped the rain water off his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, clearing his vision on the process.
Suddenly, a few rooftops away from him appeared an Anbu. The masked nin came from the direction of the forest and it stopped on it it's tracks in a surprised kind of way.
One look and he knew who it was.
Even with a hooded cloak, her blue hair was long enough to be seen and he recognized the catlike mask. The pale complexion and the regal aura were also visible.
He signaled for her to stop.
She turned and started to run away.
Why does she have to make everything so hard? Damnit. Sasuke followed the fleeing form and increased his speed.
Why does he have to make everything so complicated? Hinata grimaced behind the mask. She just finished her mission and was about to return to the Hyuuga compound when she saw Sasuke dripping wet with rain water. When he motioned for her to stop, Images of the redhead Uzumaki above Sasuke flashed inside her head. The way she placed her face on his chest like she belonged there lingered far longer than the other images Hinata's mind has conjured.
She knew it was not a good sign so she made a run for it.
A few seconds passed, and a strong grip on her arm halted her mid stride. Hinata gasped as she felt herself being pulled back, the feeling of interrupted momentum knocked the air out of her lungs.
He caught her.
"Why are you running away from me?" Sasuke growled on her ear, his hand holding her firmly.
Sasuke eyed the hooded coat that Hinata was wearing, it does not smell of lavenders and he suspected that it doesn't belong to her. She tried to pull her arm away from his hold so he has to jerk her arm up, careful in case her hands glowed with chakra.
"It does not concern you what I wanted to do Sasuke." Hinata left out the honorific. Unknown to her, Sasuke liked the way she said his name without formalities.
"Yes it does."
"No it does not."
"Don't start Hinata." Sasuke warned. What was the matter with her? He can see the glare that she was giving him behind the catlike mask she was wearing.
"Let go of me Sasuke. I have to go."
"Where are you going?" The Uchiha asked, the rain water from his hair was dripping on her mask as he answered her glare with a glower.
"Why are you asking?" Hinata's voice was angry. "You did not bother to ask if I was fine the other day. Why don't you go your way and leave me alone." The Hyuuga jerked her arm away. A second later, she felt the need to slap herself with her hands. What the hell were those words that came out of her mouth? The cold must be getting into her head to make her say things…
Sasuke's mouths gape as he stared at the Anbu in front of him. "What?"
The heiress can feel herself flush. She shook her head vigorously. "N-no…I…did not mean to say that. Uhm…I mean-" When Hinata saw Sasuke's lips twitched on the sides, she knew that she just stepped into something she does not wanted to be in.
Oh boy…
Sasuke's confused face slowly turned smug when Hinata's words sank in. He looked at her with raised eyebrows. "I see…"
"Sasuke, I really don't-"
"I did not ask if you were fine because I know how capable you are." Sasuke cut her words, poking her ceramic mask with his forefinger on the spot where her nose was located. "I believe in your abilities alright? So don't be upset." Pulling her hand with him, he gestured at the dark clouds. "Come, the rain is getting stronger."
-o-o-o-
Here ends the chapter…(excuse the errors…I don't have time to edit.)
The next update would be after a few days…reviews are greatly appreciated!
-crazygurl12