Author's Notes

I'm sure nobody was expecting an update this soon after the last one, and believe me, neither was I. But inspiration takes hold of me sometimes, and what do you know?

I hope you all enjoy.

Uploaded

08/11/2021

Revised as of 03/06/2022

LEGEND BELOW

"In the beginning..." = Normal speech.

''I kinda wanted to know.'' = Normal thoughts.

"You dare to defy me!?" = Bujuu/Naruto talking.

''That's what I thought.'' = Bujuu/Naruto's thoughts.

Chapter 9

The silent killer...

Team 8 had a dilemma. Although putting it like that was really understating the problem at hand.

After handling the two ninja, who after a moment of searching through the bingo book were revealed to be the Demon Brothers, the team came to a startling realization.

They had been lied to. They and the Hokage had been duped into this low ranking mission. It was a dangerous and terrible truth that put them all in a foul mood, but…

It was the fact that they were lied to by Tazuna, who because of his deception placed the entire team in a danger they weren't fully prepared for, or really mentally ready to handle. Naruto had seen and smelled just how rapidly Kurenai's heart was beating, and her neutral facade had cracked.

But more then that, he could have lost the one he cared most for, the one he devoted everything to. Hinata could've died, and it would've been Tazuna's fault…

When that realization settled into the large fox's mind, he went terrifyingly silent, his gaze suddenly snapping to the man in question. Tazuna was being reprimanded and questioned by both Kurenai and Hinata, because the black haired woman was currently struggling for words.

For his part, Tazuna looked genuinely upset at himself that he had lied to them and placed everyone in danger. But whatever he said after that seemed to fade out, because all Naruto started to see was red.

He tried to breathe, to calm his racing emotions. He tried taking Hinata's advice, counting to ten, thinking of anything besides what was making him angry. But… With the cause of his anger standing only so may feet away, unpunished despite his transgressions, it made his blood boil.

No one seemed to notice him until it was almost too late. Very quickly his control he'd been honing in seemed to snap, and with it his control over his other features. His fur immediately turned blood orange again, all nine of his tails snapping about in the air angrily. His eyes seemed to turn wholly red, leaving seemingly no trace of the person within.

A hissing growl escaped from his sharp teeth filled maw, a maw that alongside the rest of his body had apparently doubled in size. The two ninja still held within the grasp of his tail went deadly still, suddenly very afraid for their lives.

And then, that is when it hit. The killing intent. The oppressive feeling so hateful and filled with spite that it could've probably been felt for over a mile.

The rest of team 8's gaze snapped over to him, their eyes suddenly filled with surprise, and then dawning horror. Hinata's mind began to race, as she stared down the fox that easily doubled Naruto's usual form in size.

Her eyes snapped from his baleful red orbs, to Tazuna's shaking form, and she began to connect the dots. ''He's losing control! No no no, please don't! Not now Naruto-Kun..!''

Not a moment later the fox charged the man, getting with bitting distance, before stopping. He was large enough now that he could almost eat the man whole if he so desired. But those terrifyingly sharp set of salivating white teeth stopped, only a foot away from the man.

At the last second Hinata threw herself in front of him, and he stopped only half an inch away from her. The Hyuuga Heiress stared unflinching into the mouth of the beast, not fearing for herself even slightly.

She gently grasped what part of his face she could reach, running her soothing and delicate fingers through his fur the same way she always did. "It's okay, Kurama-Kun… Calm down, please.." She begged quietly.

His eight free tails thrashed around behind him, slamming into the ground, ripping up the land. Fire was leaking from his open mouth, only just barely not touching Hinata. Tazuna lay shaking on the ground beneath the Hyuuga Heiress, not daring to move a muscle, for the fear that if he did, he would die.

"It's over now, it's alright, it's alright…" She repeated softly, not daring to stop running her fingers through his fur.

He looked past her, eyeing the dead man behind her.

His head was pulled down, his eyes locking with hers again. "No, don't look at him. Look at me."

His hate filled eyes stared almost lifelessly at her lavender orbs, and then finally, the killing intent began to fade away.

Slowly he shrunk back down, stopping once he returned to his usual size. The orange fur seemed to remain for the moment.

His eyes finally regained their normal red slitted look, scrunching up in anger.

"I-I- He-…!" He choked out a growl. The Heiress shushed him, pulling him in close, resting her forehead against his own.

"I know, I know.." She whispered, completely understanding what he was going through. She ran her hands up and down his long ears, stopping occasionally to rub at the tips. His eyes fluttered, and the hate filled energy seemed to filter out of him.

"He lied to us.." He managed to grumble, his legs starting to give out from underneath him. He finally rested on his haunches, with the anger leaving having taken with it his energy.

She nodded lightly. "Yes, I know. And I'm sure that the Hokage's not going to let it go easily."

Finally his golden-white colored fur returned, and full control was, for the moment, regained. His ears flopped down, as he averted his gaze.

"I'm sorry, Princess…"

Her face softened. "Please, don't be. It wasn't your fault…"

He knew what she said was true, but that didn't change the fact that he completely lost his cool in his opinion. He finally glanced away from his everything, to take a look at the rest of his team.

Sakura was holding her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. Meanwhile Ino was doing something similar, leaning up against the pink haired girl, seemingly out of breath. The blond seemed to glare light accusation at him with her eyes.

"Hey… Foxy-Kun… Next time you plan on scaring us to death… a little warning would be appreciated…" The sole Yamanaka of team 8 managed to breath out.

She felt like her damn heart was in her throat. That got a small weak grin out of the fox.

"I'll.. try to remember next time." Was seemingly the best he was willing to offer at that point in time. That was enough for both girls, because neither spoke up after that.

Seeing that everything had calmed down considerably, Kurenai decided that it was high time they discussed the mission they were on. Or more specifically, the mission that was falsified, and was most likely going to end in mere moments.

"I think we should leave. This mission is over. Hokage-Sama will be very upset…" She sounded concerned, not about the mission as a whole, but how her village leader was going to react. But…

Tazuna suddenly got up. "Wa-! Wait! Please!" Naruto's head snapped to the sound of the old man's voice. He felt his annoyance quickly rising again just by looking at him.

Ino's face contorted at his outburst. "Why the hell should we? You lied to us, and almost got us killed!" The blond accused in righteousness indignation, refusing to give him any more of her time.

He got down on his knees, actually bowing, not to the people of team 8, but specially to the resident nine tailed fox of team 8. He was very aware of who he had offended the most in this situation. "Please, there was nothing else I could do! The money I offered to pay this mission was the entirety of my village's account! We spent it all just to even get you…"

For some reason, despite wishing to leave this man by the wayside and return home, they listened. Naruto stared heatedly down at him, but didn't move.

"My entire village is being held captive by a money grubbing, slave keeping madman. He has gained total control of the water surrounding our land, he controls our people with an iron fist. If only I can complete the bridge, then Wave will be free!"

Despite himself, Naruto found himself contemplating the man's words. And a quick glance at the rest of his team found that they were doing so as well. Kurenai's face belayed little of her inner thoughts, but he could tell that she was nervous about continuing the mission.

"You could have told us about this sooner, but you didn't…" The fox accused lowly, his irritation at the situation very visible. Tazuna flinched, accepting that truth.

The man bowed even lower now. "I know I've wronged you all, and nothing can make up for that, but… I feared what you would do if I offered the truth…" Naruto had to admit that if he knew the truth earlier on, he might not have been too keen on throwing his people into danger.

"My family, my friends, my daughter… He's got them all locked away… I don't.. I don't want to imagine what he's doing to them…" Then the damn broke, and he began crying.

Hinata looked at him, her heart going out to him, before glancing to Naruto to gage his reaction. He was still miffed, but his expression had definitely softened. Because, despite his anger towards the man and his actions, he understood why Tazuna did what he did. It was for family, and because of that, the fox could accept his actions…

To some degree anyway…

"Tch… Fine…" The fox's sudden exclamation caught everyone's attention. "We'll kill whoever tries to break your damn bridge, I suppose…" He stated resolutely, already turning to gather the rest of his team's gear. "Team 8 doesn't fail missions…" He muttered as he began walking off.

"So we're going through with this..?" Ino spoke up, arms crossed. "Because as pissed as I am, knowing about this jerk-weed now, I don't think I could ignore him now." He didn't need to question her further, because that was her acceptance to the continuation of the mission.

A quick glance at Sakura confirmed her will to continue too, if he was reading the cute yet determined nod she threw at him as such.

Kurenai seemed troubled, but eventually decided to continue the mission. She was a big woman, she could handle herself. She was afraid of what the Hokage might say if she were to back down now. She knew that some part of her was being unrealistic about the situation, but she couldn't help not wanting to disappoint.

Kurenai cleared her throat. "Then it is settled. Let us continue Team 8. This mission isn't over."

Hinata ran to catch up to the fox that was already leaving, quickly mounting him. "I didn't believe you'd wish to continue this mission, after what happened. Why did you change your mind..?" She whispered into his ear.

The fox huffed a flaming breath. "I don't forgive him for putting you in such a dangerous situation… But besides that… It'll look good on your record…" He muttered lowly.

She smiled lightly down at him. "I suppose you're right. I'm sure that not many of the new ninja teams have had to face enemy ninja on their first tour outside the village."

Silence passed for a few moments, before she leaned down closer to his ears. "Thank you, by the way…" She whispered gently, rubbing his ears lightly. His cheeks heated up, although it was impossible to tell.

"What for..?" He asked.

She smiled lovingly. "For getting angry over me." She cooed, running her fingers through his fur. "Again." She added.

He coughed, forcing down the heat that filled him at her words. "Of course, Princess…"

"Hey uh, big thick and fluffy..?" Ino came running up alongside him. He raised an eyebrow at the nickname, but didn't question her. Now that he thought about it, she could definitely continue to call him that. "Listen, I think we are all for moving forward right now… But what do you plan on doing to those losers?" She jutted a thumb over her shoulder, pointing at the two ninja he was still constricting within the grasp of his tail.

His expression belayed little of his internal thoughts. But he definitely considered just ending them to be rid of the problem.

"They are wanted by their nation. I am sure the Hokage would pay good for their heads." Kurenai responded coolly from the side, having regained her neutral expression. In a matter of a few hand signs she summoned a clone. "Kurama-Kun, having them conscious is going to make this difficult…"

The fox didn't need to be told twice, before he slammed them into the ground. They didn't get up after that…

Why they finally arrived on Wave's borders, they were met with a thick all consuming fog. It was dark when their feet began treading water, but it wasn't time to camp for the night.

They were fully in enemy territory now, and letting their guard's down could spell disaster.

Tazuna apparently had a house hidden in the forest, one that he offered to let them use as a sort of home base during the duration of the mission. The only person that was there was his grandson Inari. Apparently the little boy's father was one of the first to stand up to the oppression, and he was one of the first to be publicly executed for it.

That aside, the entire village was petrified for their lives. Wave was a smaller nation, and one that lacked any friendly ninja of any sort. So when Gato came, no one had the power to stand up against him and his hired army.

Despite their assistance, Tazuna seemed still unsure if they could truly stand up to the threat Gato posed against them all.

While Ino and Sakura lost a little of their cocksure attitudes, Naruto snorted, completely and utterly nonplused.

Sure Tazuna had seen how he took down the two ninja from before, but Gato had many, many more where they came from. Why the beast seemed so sure of himself, he didn't fully understand.

He didn't get the chance to pose his concerns to the team of ninja, because not long after they properly arrived in Wave, something became very clear…

They were being watched…

They most likely wouldn't have noticed it, since none of them were sensor types. The fog that persevered thoroughly throughout the area was by all accounts normal looking, and by Tazuna's report, was something that was a constant most times. So there shouldn't have been anything to worry about…

But, one thing Naruto was very, very good at picking up, was killing intent. It was faint, heavily suppressed, but it was there. He wasn't surprised that his team didn't pick up on it, since it was faint even to him.

He didn't want to blow his cover, because as far as his enemy was concerned, he and the rest of his team were completely unaware. But he couldn't leave his team in the dark, they had to be aware.

Danger was approaching…

Riding atop his shoulders was the Hyuuga Princess, who had picked up on her fox's sudden shift in mood. He hadn't spoken a word, but she had felt his shoulder muscles tighten, and his steps became a little more ridged.

He was on edge, and that alone said everything it needed to. He was concerned, eyes darting back and forth, searching the area without being too obvious about it. Furthermore, despite his obvious concern, he had said not a single thing, even though his first priority was to warn and protect her. Which meant one thing.

Whoever was out there was much stronger then the previous Demon Brothers, but not only that.

Naruto couldn't place their location. She had to warn the rest of her team. But if Naruto's silence was anything to go by, he didn't want the enemy to know that they knew. That meant hand signals were out…

She had to think, something…

!

A sudden coughing caught both Ino and Sakura's attention, as Hinata was wracked with an intense and fitful cough. Ino and Sakura were beside her quickly.

"Woah girl, you okay there?" The blond chipped in, her expression softening. Her eyes met the lavender haired princess.

Hinata smiled. "Oh, please don't worry about me, Ino-Chan. I am fine. It is just this vile mist…" But…

Her eyes said something else entirely. The blonde's azure gaze met wide eyed worry, shock, and concern. She looked as if she'd seen a ghost, but she wasn't saying anything. Her face and tone of voice completely contradicted the words held within her eyes…

!

Ino suddenly smiled back at her. "Ah, I understand. Yes, this mist is very annoying. Almost, dangerous even…" She stepped back next to Sakura, patting her back reassuringly.

The pink haired mute gave her friend a skeptical look, one that the blond returned with a smile, her eyes suddenly very serious.

Sakura nodded ever so slightly, and then pretended as if nothing changed. Obviously, this close to her team, Kurenai definitely noticed something was going on. And from the tense yet fake casual silence that surrounded her team, something tipped her off.

The black haired beauty focused hard, not wavering in her walk. There was nothing for a moment, but after a few quiet moments she felt a trace of it…

Killing intent, laced within the mist that surrounded them. And even further beyond that, light traces of chakra emanated from the fog as well. She knew then just as the rest of her team did..

They were being stalked, and from the tightness in Kurama's shoulders, he was very aware of it. Try as she might however, she couldn't pinpoint just where it was coming from.

There was a shift in the trees, a sudden burst of speed upsetting the silence. Kurama twitched, and the team were instantly alert. Whoever was out there, was only moments away from attacking.

But, after a few tense moments of silence, nothing happened…

We're they being played with? Was there actually nothing there, just their imagination playing tricks on them.

No..

That couldn't be rig-

"Get down-!" The throat wrenching cry came from Kurenai as she tackled her team to the ground. The fox didn't hesitate to throw Hinata away from the danger, the sound of the air being torn at high speeds sounding closer.

The Jonin barely made it in time, the hair atop the younger girls heads getting nicked by the massive blade that came flying out of the mist. Good thing she was farther away from the attack, unlike Naruto, otherwise she probably wouldn't have been fast enough.

The weapon flew past, like a massive eight foot long shurikin, before being stopped dead by a dangerous set of teeth.

Hinata landed beside Ino, instantly drawing a kunai. The ninja gawked in surprise at the golden Kyuubi who held the massive sword in his mouth, having stopped its momentum entirely.

"Team 8, defend Tazuna! Formation A!" Kurenai called out, drawing forth two kunai. The shaking old woman was instantly surrounded by the three younger females of team 8, each with weapons drawn. The fox placed himself between his team, ready to rip and tear should he have to.

A laugh echoed throughout the mist. "Ahhh… You weren't supposed to catch that..." The tone became deadpanned from somewhere in the mist. "I'm surprised that you all managed to dodge that. Your heads should be rolling right now…"

The mist finally began to clear, and it revealed a figure standing atop a tree. He was tall, barely tanned skin tone shining in the darkness. He wore no shirt, only baggy white camouflage pants. His face was obscured by thin white wrappings, and marking his forehead was the Hidden Mist headband, a thick slash gouged out down the middle.

"Oh well, it matters little to me. Now, I'm going to strike you a deal. Hand over the old man, and no one has to die." With his ultimatum set, he pointed at Naruto. "And you, damn Yokai, hand the sword over before someone gets hurt." He demanded. Naruto's eyes narrowed as he spitefully bit down, chipping the legendary blade. The man looked like he was about to blow a blood vessel at the audacity of the beast.

"Zabuza Momochi, Jonin from The Hidden Mist." Kurenai stated seriously, her neutral expression shifting into one of unease.

The man, Zabuza, frowned. "Ah, I see someone here is well educated, Ice Queen of Konoha. Now, since your dumb beast has refused to listen, I'm going to have to kill you." He snarled.

"Your face annoys me. So why don't you leave, before I rip you in half?" Naruto threatened lowly, a vicious sneer marring his maw. The man snarled, brandishing two kunai.

"Who do you think you are? Some cheep look alike? Do you honestly want me to believe that Konoha would send the Kyuubi to stop me? You flatter." Zabuza grunted. Naruto raised an eyebrow, turning to Hinata. She nodded at him, and he shrugged, before turning back to the enemy ninja.

"Oh? You're a funny one, I suppose." Naruto stated, refusing to let the weapon go. However it seemed he wasn't keen on fighting. "Go on, challenge my cute team. If you don't think I'm a threat then I shall sit here until you do." Following his statement he sat on his haunches.

Zabuza looked stumbled, before grinning eyes widely.

"Haha! Even the beast knows when he's outmatched!" Zabuza laughed. In response to his statement the legendary blade cracked even more.

"Oooh, I'm intimidated. My scared little self must be too terrified to move, I suppose." Naruto shook, even adding a playful quiver to his tone. "Or, option number two. My team wishes to test themselves against a serious opponent without me to assist them."

"Enough playing around!! I will not ask again, hand over the man and-" He was cut off when Kurenai appeared behind him, weapon drawn to slit his throat.

The Yuuei's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Back off!" Her swing only narrowly missed his throat, cutting his cheek instead. She was forced to back away when he took a mighty swing at her head.

"Wrong choice lady!" The mist ninja grinned. He was genuinely thinking about letting them go before, but that choice was made for him when the woman attacked.

Back with the Hyuuga Princess, she'd prepared to release her strongest attack on the man should he approach Tazuna. However, should the man let his guard down, she was prepared to go in for the finisher.

Ino and Sakura were raring to go, refusing to back down.

And if they couldn't handle Zabuza, well then their was a certain Yokai that definitely could.

"Sakura, get down!" Ino's shout was the pink haired mute's only warning before she and Tazuna hit the dirt, just narrowly avoiding a swath of kunai that came their way. With his initial attack having missed, he was forced to backpedal lest the blond gut him. And she almost had him too. Sakura threw a kick at him that if it connected would've probably ripped his jaw off.

He was going to avoid her at all costs…

"Eyes on the prize, girlies!" He bit out a laugh, winding up for another swing with a smaller yet still dangerous sword.

Ino growled. "Bite me, you pussy! I'll cut your dick off!!"

The ninja almost tripped at her explosive statement, but then laughed.

"I'm surprised, Ice Queen. Your girls have bite to them! But that won't save you!" Zabuza suddenly lunged, faster then either Sakura or Ino react to.

Kurenai appeared from thin air, stopping his attack with a kunai of her own. Zabuza growled, pressing his attack. However he was forced to backup as Ino and Sakura surrounded him.

"Girls, handle him. Formation three!" Kurenai exclaimed, throwing a faint to trip the man. Zabuza fell for it, losing his footing for just a moment.

"Right!" Ino shouted.

"Yes, Sensei!" Hinata exclaimed, running in low. Zabuza was forced to jump away, narrowly avoiding the kunai slash aimed at his lower region. The blond wasn't kidding earlier!

Yet as he backpedaled, he suddenly went on the offensive. Ino and Sakura were hard pressed to defend themselves, as Kurenai was busy flying through hand seals for a genjutsu.

The two girls watched as if in slow motion as death approached, and they were too slow to avoid it. But, just when it seemed that their death's were at hand…

"Kurama-Kun!!"

Clang!

"-the hell!?" Zabuza was only a few feet away from the younger members of team 8, when his blade was stopped by the same beast he mocked moments ago. A vicious bloodthirsty snarl met his attack, the beast grinning as he stopped his sword with the legendary weapon he'd stolen.

"Fuc-!" The Mist ninja was suddenly yanked forward with such power that he probably would've lost his arm if he didn't let the weapon go. He leapt back, cradling his suddenly dislocated right shoulder. His expression faltered as before his very eyes his own legendary weapon was turned against him.

A low and terrifyingly dangerous growl echoed out. "Okay, playtime is over, I suppose." The golden fox bit out, wielding the weapon by the handle in his mouth.

Zabuba's gaze was drawn from the sword, to the nine tails waving in the air behind the fox.

"Were you honestly under the assumption that I wouldn't intervene if I so wished, I wonder?" Naruto muttered. "Perhaps you are not as smart as you thoughtyourself..."

"It seems I've underestimated you, Kurenai. But this doesn't end here." Zabuza growled out. The man suddenly flew through hand signs, before vanishing into the mist.

Fuck that. If the Yokai before him was actually the Kyuubi, then he was being toyed with. He was getting the hell out of there.

Only to recoil in pain as some of his chakra pathways were violently closed by team 8's resident princess. He had taken his eyes off of the other girl, and she had wasted no time in sneaking around him.

"You little bitch!" He snarled, slashing out with a kunai to rip her throat open. She didn't even blink as she easily dodged the first slash. And then the second, and the third, and so on.

"Die." Hinata stated with a blank face, closing off even more of his pathways. His movements slowed drastically, and his ability to block her attacks faltered.

He was forced to retreat when the girl threw an attack aimed at his heart. He just barely managed to avoid the attack, but his failure keep proper tabs on the enemy would cost him. He felt his right arm break suddenly, as Sakura came flying at him with a powerful chakra enhanced kick. He was sent flying with a roar of pain, landing painfully against one of the many trees lining the area.

Before the man even had the chance to stand back up or escape, he suddenly found himself pinned to the tree by two kunai thrown from a pissed off Yamanaka. He blinked in shock, as the Ice Queen of Konoha suddenly faded out of existence, only to melt out of the tree behind him.

He'd been tricked, and the cursed red eyed woman had placed him in a Gen-Jutsu. His eyes narrowed in spite as she placed a blade up against his throat. Her face was serious, yet despite that, she was shaking.

"I'm sorry to inform you that whatever plans you had against Tazuna have failed. Now please tell us, who are you working for?" Kurenai requested, despite herself. Slowly flanking behind her was the golden Kyuubi, still brandishing his trademark weapon.

He had played around for too long instead of taking them seriously, and because of that they were able to mount an offense against him. His own ego had just cost him everything.

His eyes narrowed in rage, glaring daggers at his opponents. "You'll not get anything out of m-" His statement was cut off when seemingly out of nowhere, two senbon struck him in the neck. In a matter of seconds his life seemed to fade away.

The entire team was instantly on guard, their attention snapping to the direction the attack came from. They quickly spotted a masked ninja standing atop a tree branch, but otherwise making no hostile move. However her affiliation with the Village hidden in the Mist was made apparent by her unmarked headband.

Then Kurenai made the first move, and backed away from the downed ninja. The mystery ninja quickly landed beside Zabuza, before picking him up.

"I thank you, Leaf Ninja. Your battle with Zabuza made him easier to take down. I have been tracking him for several months now, but I am not afraid to admit that I could not take him myself. I am in your debt." She bowed out of respect, before jumping into the night, vanishing into the mist.

It was only after the woman vanished that the entirety of team 8 could finally take a breath. The battle was won, and no body died.

"Thank you... Kurama-Kun..." Hinata breathed out.

"Of course, Princess. I think you did well."

"Hey... Big thick and fluffy?" Ino groaned, falling to the ground in exhaustion.

"Yeeesss?" He slowly dragged out. Ino's eyes twitched.

"Next time could you just fry him?" She complained. He laughed.

"If you wish."

"I-.." Tazuna felt as if he had to say something, but the neck snapping glare the Hyuuga threw at him killed the words before they could even be uttered. He knew his place, and wisely shut up.

Kurenai threw a look at the rest of her team, and pointed to the rest of their gear. Ino and Sakura glanced at each other, before slowly gathering up their scattered supplies.

The Yamanaka glanced back to her silent counterpart. "Come on Sakura, let's…" Only to trail off as the pink haired girl held out her hands in request to the fox. "What the hell are you planning on doing with that…?" Naruto let the pink haired mute of his team take hold of the legendary weapon, the girl immediately struggling to hold it.

Her legs shook underneath the weight of the mighty blade, managing to rest the six foot long executioners sword on her shoulder. It took most of her strength to simply carry it, and it contrasted rather strangely with her petit and slim stature.

That being said, Sakura was probably the only one on their team that could actually hold and use it, besides Naruto anyhow. The little girl was deceptively strong, and was stronger then her, Hinata, and even Kurenai. She was a rare case of a ninja, born with the innate ability to harness chakra to enhance her physical strength exponentially.

Once she managed to settle it over her shoulder, she turned back to her blond girlfriend with a cute little grin. Ino couldn't help but feel sorry for any enemy that they might face in the future.

"You're seriously going to keep that?" She questioned. Sakura's grin widening was her only answer...

CHAPTER

9

END