Chapter 6
I dodged one of Kiba's punches, countering with a kick. He blocked with his right arm and brought his left around and clocked the back of my skull. I went flying to the dirt.
"Wow that was a good run, Janus. You really kept me on my toes that time."
"You still won, though." Kiba reached down and helped me stand up.
"Yeah, but you're definitely getting better. You're so much faster than two weeks ago. Hey Hinata!" We walked over to where Hinata was practicing. She was punching a post while Akamaru was on top of the post barking every time she hits. "It's about lunchtime, shall we go get something to eat?"
"Ok, Kiba-kun." Hinata wiped the sweat from her forehead. Akamaru jumped down to Kiba's shoulder. We headed off to Ichiraku for lunch. Hinata ordered a miso ramen, Kiba ordered pork, and I ordered shrimp.
"Umm, Janus-kun," I looked up from my mean.
"What is it, Hinata?"
"Umm, I haven't seen Naruto-kun around recently. Is he alright?"
"Oh, he should be fine. He left on his first C-Rank mission a couple of days ago. He left a note saying something about protecting a guy building a bridge but he didn't give many details."
"What! Team 7 has already had their first C-Rank!" Kiba shouted, spilling some of his ramen. "We're three times the team they are!"
"Umm, Kiba-kun..."
"Yeah, Kiba, are you sure we're ready for one? I know that my taijutsu still needs work and..."
"Your taijutsu doesn't need work. Your form and skill is near perfect. Trust me, all you really need is confidence in your own abilities and some speed and strength training. But we can handle most of the bandits that other genins have told me you get on C-Rank missions."
"Umm, Kiba-kun... I don't I could handle a C-Rank. I've just gotten the hang of the D-Rank missions we've currently been getting."
"Hinata, you're in the same boat as Janus. Confidence is what you need to learn, and I think a C-Rank mission is just the place to learn it."
"Well then, Kiba, your wish has been granted." The three of us turned around to se Kurenai standing behind us smiling. "Due to Team 7 getting a C-Rank mission, he decided to give all of the rookie genin teams a C-Rank. Meet me at the gate tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM. Oh, and bring your gear, ok?" With that, Kurenai vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Yes!" Kiba and Akamaru started dancing around the Ichiraku, forgetting the rest of his ramen.
"Well, Hinata, I guess we have no choice. Ready or not, we're moving up in the world. But," I looked over at Kiba dancing. "It is nice being around a loudmouth who doesn't treat ramen as ambrosia." Hinata giggled.
"...be back soon. Janus" I left a note similar to Naruto's just in case he got back before me. I walked out the door, locking it behind me. I slowly made my way towards the town entrance. I was wearing a black shirt with full length, netted sleeves, my beige zip-off kakis, and my scroll vest. It wasn't quite a flack jacket, because it wasn't as thick or have the neck guard but it did hold twice the number of scrolls. I packed away a couple premade binding seal scrolls and one of each level three elemental seal scroll. I had packed away a few jutsu scrolls that I have been practicing and about five blank scrolls incase I needed them. Other than that, I wasn't carrying anything that I don't normally wear to practice. When I arrived the gate, Kurenai, Kiba, Akamaru, and Hinata were already there waiting for me.
"Hurry up, Janus. Kurenai won't tell us the details of our mission till we're all here."
"Actually, we're still waiting for our client to arrive." Just upon saying that, three Fire Country dignitaries came from the forest.
"You must be Team 8. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ah, Ambassador, its a pleasure. I'm Yuuhi Kurenai. These are my students; Hinata, Kiba, and Janus."
"Pleased to meet you, Ambassador." The three of us said in unison.
"My my, aren't they well behaved. Shall we be off, time is wasting. You may fill in your students of the mission on the way." With that, we headed off.
"So, Kurenai-sensei," I said, catching up with her. "What are the details of this mission? I would like to know where I'm going on my first trip outside of Konoha."
"You've never been outside Konoha, Janus?" Kiba said, catching up, Hinata not far behind.
"Yeah, Naruto and I have never really had enough spare money for to plan a trip or anything." They nodded as Kurenai cleared her throat.
"As I was going to say, our mission is to protect Ambassador and his attendant on a trip to the Hidden Sand Village. Once there, we are to stay around until the new trade agreement is finalized and escort them back. Nothing majorly difficult is expected during the trip, considering the road is mostly safe. If anything really difficult happens, I'll take care of it, understood?"
"Umm, Kurenai-sensei?"
"Yes, Hinata?"
"What kind of encounters could we be expecting?"
"Just your normal, everyday robbers and bandits. Nothing that shouldn't be too difficult to handle."
"Ok," Hinata said, falling back a little. I fell back to see how she was doing. Kiba took the front, marching proudly flanked by an equally proud looking Akamaru.
"You ok, Hinata?"
"Oh, I'm, umm, just fine, Janus-kun. Don't worry about me." She said that with a smile, but I knew it was fake. She wasn't ready for this mission that was blatantly obvious. Kiba was more than ready for this mission. He was defiantly the best fighter on our team, save for maybe Kurenai. Myself...I wasn't sure. I know what I need to do to improve, but I don't think I'm quite far enough along to be able to handle any conflicts that might arise in the mission. Yet, Kiba says that both Hinata and I are ready for this. I'm so confused. Do I believe myself or should I believe Kiba? I spend hours pondering that question as I walked along.
The rest of the first day was quite uneventful. We kept walking till the sun started to set when we made a fire, had dinner, and set up watch shifts. Kiba end up with the first shift, I got the second shift, and Hinata got the morning shift. So, I laid down my bed roll and fell asleep.
"...Janus, wake up."
"Ugg, my turn already, Kiba? Alright, alright. Get to sleep." I sat up as Kiba and Akamaru laid on to their bedroll and fell asleep fast. I stood up and stretched, shaking the sleep from my limbs. I kinda wish I could tend a fire, but fires kill night vision, announce your presence, and assist with enemy ambushes. So, I just sat around, listening to the sounds of my sleeping companions and the forest. I looked up in the sky. Man I wish the new moon wasn't in a few days, if was nearly full I could read. Oh well. Time passed quickly and uneventfully and the time to wake Hinata up arrived. I quietly made my way over to her bed roll and kneed beside it. She looks so cute when she sleeps. I leaned over, placing my hand on her shoulder.
"Hinata, time for your shift." She turned over and opened her eyes groggily.
"Mmmmm, Naruto-kun..." She quickly reach out, grabbed me, and before I could react, I found my face buried between her developing breasts, a bright crimson blush forming on my cheeks. I gasped for air. Can't breath, but so soft... I felt a little drop of liquid on my upper lip and I franticly struggled to release from her surprisingly strong hold. Eventually I was able to free myself from her hold and I gasped for air, wiping the drop of blood from my upper lip. She stirred and sat up, still groggy.
"Naruto-kun? What's the matter?"
"You got the wrong Uzumaki." She squinted her eyes and gasped. A deep blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Janus-kun! I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry." She started apologizing, still blushing.
"Don't worry about it, Hinata. I know how much like my brother I look. And I could have been more aware and dodged your grapple. Anyways, I, umm..." I mumbled off, still blushing.
"I'm sorry, Janus-kun, I've never...umm...hugged someone like that before."
"Don't worry, I think I have you beat there. I've never been hugged before."
"Really? That's so sad. I haven't really hugged someone since my mother died..."
"Hinata, can I ask you something?"
"Umm, sure, Janus-kun."
"What's it like to have a mother?" Silenced cloaked the camp. Hinata and I were both watching our knees. It felt like eternity as I waited for Hinata's answer.
"Umm," she finally said, her whisper soft voice echoing through the silence like thunder. "It's like having someone who always loves you for just being you." I looked at Hinata's face. Her blush had long vanished and deep sadness flowed over her pearly eyes. "She doesn't care if you aren't strong, fast, or talented. If you break a teacup, she's more worried if you cut your self than the status of the cup. And she never plays favorites, she has time for all her children." I looked at Hinata with awe. That was the clearest thing I had ever heard her say. Tears started to fall down my cheeks. My eyes fell back to my knees. I was curious what it was like to have a mother, but she had one and lost her. Suddenly, I felt soft gentle arms wrap around me.
"Hinata?" I looked her eyes, she was crying too. I slowly wrapped my arms around her in a comforting hug, my first real one. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep. Visions of kind, white eyes graced my dreams.
I gasped for breath. Why can't I breathe! My lungs won't work! Oh, no wait, the can. I took a couple of deep breaths and looked around. Hinata was over serving breakfast to the Ambassador and Kurenai. Kiba and Akamaru however were sitting next to me, grinning mischievously.
"Kiba you!" I jumped at Kiba in an attempt to tackle him. He dodged and started running. I quickly gave chase. Nobody goes and wakes me up by knocking the wind out of me. We finally stopped when Hinata said if we didn't want breakfast she'd feed it to Akamaru. We quickly stopped and got our food, after Hinata made Kiba apologize. Soon we were back on our way. I gravitated next to Hinata after about a mile.
"Hinata, thanks. I kinda needed that." I said, barely above a whisper.
"It's ok, Janus-kun. I kinda needed it too." She replied, smiling. Kiba looked back at us.
"Are you two sure there isn't something going on between you." We both blushed.
"If there is, I'm quite sure that it doesn't involve you, Kiba." Kurenai said. "If they want to tell you, then can, otherwise just let the matter drop."
"But Kurenai-sensei!" We all laughed at Kiba's misfortune, lighting the mood for our second day march.
We approached the river near the end of the second day. Kurenai said that if bandits are going to jump us, it would most likely be here before we started the trek through the desert to Hidden Sand. We slowly approached until Kurenai gave the hand sign to stop. She looked over at Hinata. She nodded and activated her Byakugan. She scanned the area of the river. She started making some hand communications. Four on the left, four on the right, and eight on the other side of the bridge. Probably so they could ambush traders going both ways. I bet that there is a net a couple hundred feet downstream to pick up anything valuable that gets knocked off during the fight.
Kurenai made a few more signs informing us that she would take the eight across the river, and the eight on this side were ours. Kiba and Akamaru would get the ones on the left, Hinata and I would get the four on the right. We carefully set our packs down in a save location near the Ambassador and headed towards our targets. The ambush would start as soon as Kurenai activated a genjutsu to confuse the bandits. I waited for Hinata's signal to go, she was watching for the genjutsu to go off.
Hinata gave the sign and we rushed in. I heard Kiba and Akamaru encounter their four targets. He had hoped he would get to use his new jutsu this mission, some human beast transformation jutsu. Oh well, I just wanted to finish the encounter. I can do this; they are simple bandits and its two on four. Easy. I charged in and punched the first guy. That dropped him like a fly. He wasn't out cold, but he wouldn't be up for a while. I watched Hinata attack and disable one of the bandits weapon arm with her 'Gentle Fist' technique. The bandit drew a couple of knives and attacked me; I pulled out a couple of kunai and parried them. I looked over and saw Hinata having trouble with her two opponents so I quickly jumped into the air, retrieved an exploding note out of my pouch, and threw it at the nearer of her two bandits. It stuck to his calf and exploded, causing him to scream and fall to the ground.
I landed only to be slashed by my opponent across my chest. That stings so much! Focus, focus. I looked back at him, and charged. My other opponent would get up soon and soon it would be two-on-one. End it quickly, Janus... He attacked and I quickly replaced myself with a log and headed to a tree above him. I threw one of my kunais. It pierced the guy through the temple. He fell. I didn't give it a second look as I leaped down and started pummeling the guy who I had punched first. When he was obviously unconscious, I looked over to see how Hinata, only to get a knife in my leg. The guy whose leg I blew up had applied a turn-a-kit and charged me. I quickly made a couple of bunshins and charged him. He looked quite confused. He attacked one; it vanished in a puff of smoke as I swept under his leg, toppling him. I gave him a quick hit to the back of the head knocking him out cold. I looked to find Hinata, only to find her backing up, her sweatshirt nearly falling off because of cuts to it. At first glance it didn't look like any permanent damage. I reached into my shrunken pouch and threw four at him. The struck him in the back, two in his shoulder blades, one in the small of his back, and one in his right leg. He turned to look at me as I charged, giving him a good solid blow to the jaw, hearing the bone crack beneath my fist. He hit the ground in pain. I looked over at Hinata.
"Are you alright, Hinata?" She was panting very heavily.
"I...pant...think so...pant...But Janus-kun, your leg!" I looked down to see a stiletto lodged into my leg up to the hilt.
"Funny, it doesn't hurt. Its a little stiff, but no real pain."
"That will change when we pull it out, Janus." I looked up to see Kurenai walking towards us. "I've tied up and taken care of everyone on the other side of the river. Kiba's finishing now. Hinata, why don't you take care of Janus's wounds while I take care of these guys, ok?"
"Ok, Kurenai-sensei." Hinata lead me back to the packs so she could get out some medical supplies. She used her 'Gentle Fist' to numb the area around the stiletto before she tried to pull it out. I screamed anyways.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry..."
"It's all right, Hinata. It hurts, but it needs to come out. Just give it one quick tug and it will be out."
"But I don't want to hurt you."
"Here, let me." I grabbed the stiletto with my right hand, making sure I had a good grip. Ready, one, two, three! I pulled. Oh man did it hurt! I quickly passed out due to the pain.
I slowly opened my eyes. Kurenai looked at me and smiled.
"You know, most people rely on someone else to pull their first knife out." I smiled weakly, slowly sitting up.
"You haven't learned that by now I'm not like most people," I saw my shirt in a pile of cut clothing scraps. I limped over to my bag, fished out a extra shirt and put it on. Luckily my vest wasn't damaged. I looked over at Kurenai to see a concerned look on her face.
"Janus, pick up your stuff and come with me, everyone else we'll meet you on the other side of the river." We all looked at her curiously, but we've learned no to argue with her so we complied. I followed her over to where my fight took place. Three of the guy I fought were tied up to a tree, glaring at me. Where was the fourth guy? I looked around and saw him. My kunai still lodged into his temple, three inches deep. I feel to the ground.
"I...I...I..." I stuttered in shock, falling to the ground. The bandits looked at me funny. Kurenai kneeled down next to me and put a hand on my shoulder.
"The first time I killed someone I was like that to. I didn't realize what I had done until after it had happened. I cried myself to sleep for a week. Just let me tell you something. It never gets easier. Skill wise it is, but it still hurts to take another's life. Just think if it this way. If you hadn't, he would have taken yours or Hinata's. Come on. We need to get moving." Kurenai stood up, I mindlessly followed suit. I looked at the three living bandits. There gaze had changed from anger to a look of sadness. I could tell they were reminded of their first kill too. I slowly followed Kurenai across the bridge to meat up with the rest of the team. We walked in silence for the rest of the day.
I tossed and turned. Images of the man I killed, his wife, and children poured into my mind. I had taken their father, their husband away from their lives. I had taken away their happiness, their innocence. Something brushed my shoulder and I sat bolt up. It was dark I couldn't see anything. I started shaking in fear. Suddenly, soft but firm hand grasped my shoulder.
"Janus-kun?" It was Hinata. We had traded watches so that the situation that happened the previous night wouldn't happen again. "Are you alright?"
"I killed him...I killed him, Hinata. I'm a murderer." My face fell into my hands and I started crying. Hinata put a comforting arm around my shoulders.
"I know, I know. I saw his coils go dark. I thought you realized that at the time."
"I don't know, I don't know anything. I'm not cut out to be a ninja. I can't handle killing someone who doesn't deserve to die..." The tears continued to fall.
"It's alright, Janus. Just be glad you didn't do what I did. I froze on the battle field." I looked over at Hinata. "I'm pathetic, I know. I'm failure."
"Don't sniff ever say that about yourself," Hinata looked over at me. "You are not pathetic or a failure. You proved your father wrong and become a ninja. Every step you take shouts that you prove him wrong. You may not see it, but Kiba and I defiantly see the changes you are going through. I'm the one who is the failure. I killed a man without even realize it. I don't deserve to be a ninja."
"sniff Janus-kun stop. We can keep going like this for hours, but I'm tired. Lets just promise each other that we will change, alright?"
"sniff Ok, Hinata, I promise."
"And I promise too, Janus-kun. I'm going to sleep, see you in the morning." I watched at Hinata walked over to her bedroll and lay down. I got up and walked over to a stream we camped by and splashed water on my face to wake me up. I went and sat back down on my bedroll.
I can't do it, Naruto. I looked up at the sky. I'm not as good as you. You're strong, confident, and skilled. I only passed the survival because Kiba and Hinata pushed me. I'm worthless. How can Hinata and Kiba believe in me? I'm a book worm. Give me a library and I'll be happy for the rest of my life. Oh well, from here to Hidden Sand is a half day travel. Then who knows how long we will be there. Trade talks could go from days to months to finalize. Sigh, hopefully they have a good public library there.
I dodged one of Kiba's punches, countering with a kick. He blocked with his right arm and brought his left around and clocked the back of my skull. I went flying to the dirt.
"Wow that was a good run, Janus. You really kept me on my toes that time."
"You still won, though." Kiba reached down and helped me stand up.
"Yeah, but you're definitely getting better. You're so much faster than two weeks ago. Hey Hinata!" We walked over to where Hinata was practicing. She was punching a post while Akamaru was on top of the post barking every time she hits. "It's about lunchtime, shall we go get something to eat?"
"Ok, Kiba-kun." Hinata wiped the sweat from her forehead. Akamaru jumped down to Kiba's shoulder. We headed off to Ichiraku for lunch. Hinata ordered a miso ramen, Kiba ordered pork, and I ordered shrimp.
"Umm, Janus-kun," I looked up from my mean.
"What is it, Hinata?"
"Umm, I haven't seen Naruto-kun around recently. Is he alright?"
"Oh, he should be fine. He left on his first C-Rank mission a couple of days ago. He left a note saying something about protecting a guy building a bridge but he didn't give many details."
"What! Team 7 has already had their first C-Rank!" Kiba shouted, spilling some of his ramen. "We're three times the team they are!"
"Umm, Kiba-kun..."
"Yeah, Kiba, are you sure we're ready for one? I know that my taijutsu still needs work and..."
"Your taijutsu doesn't need work. Your form and skill is near perfect. Trust me, all you really need is confidence in your own abilities and some speed and strength training. But we can handle most of the bandits that other genins have told me you get on C-Rank missions."
"Umm, Kiba-kun... I don't I could handle a C-Rank. I've just gotten the hang of the D-Rank missions we've currently been getting."
"Hinata, you're in the same boat as Janus. Confidence is what you need to learn, and I think a C-Rank mission is just the place to learn it."
"Well then, Kiba, your wish has been granted." The three of us turned around to se Kurenai standing behind us smiling. "Due to Team 7 getting a C-Rank mission, he decided to give all of the rookie genin teams a C-Rank. Meet me at the gate tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM. Oh, and bring your gear, ok?" With that, Kurenai vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Yes!" Kiba and Akamaru started dancing around the Ichiraku, forgetting the rest of his ramen.
"Well, Hinata, I guess we have no choice. Ready or not, we're moving up in the world. But," I looked over at Kiba dancing. "It is nice being around a loudmouth who doesn't treat ramen as ambrosia." Hinata giggled.
"...be back soon. Janus" I left a note similar to Naruto's just in case he got back before me. I walked out the door, locking it behind me. I slowly made my way towards the town entrance. I was wearing a black shirt with full length, netted sleeves, my beige zip-off kakis, and my scroll vest. It wasn't quite a flack jacket, because it wasn't as thick or have the neck guard but it did hold twice the number of scrolls. I packed away a couple premade binding seal scrolls and one of each level three elemental seal scroll. I had packed away a few jutsu scrolls that I have been practicing and about five blank scrolls incase I needed them. Other than that, I wasn't carrying anything that I don't normally wear to practice. When I arrived the gate, Kurenai, Kiba, Akamaru, and Hinata were already there waiting for me.
"Hurry up, Janus. Kurenai won't tell us the details of our mission till we're all here."
"Actually, we're still waiting for our client to arrive." Just upon saying that, three Fire Country dignitaries came from the forest.
"You must be Team 8. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ah, Ambassador, its a pleasure. I'm Yuuhi Kurenai. These are my students; Hinata, Kiba, and Janus."
"Pleased to meet you, Ambassador." The three of us said in unison.
"My my, aren't they well behaved. Shall we be off, time is wasting. You may fill in your students of the mission on the way." With that, we headed off.
"So, Kurenai-sensei," I said, catching up with her. "What are the details of this mission? I would like to know where I'm going on my first trip outside of Konoha."
"You've never been outside Konoha, Janus?" Kiba said, catching up, Hinata not far behind.
"Yeah, Naruto and I have never really had enough spare money for to plan a trip or anything." They nodded as Kurenai cleared her throat.
"As I was going to say, our mission is to protect Ambassador and his attendant on a trip to the Hidden Sand Village. Once there, we are to stay around until the new trade agreement is finalized and escort them back. Nothing majorly difficult is expected during the trip, considering the road is mostly safe. If anything really difficult happens, I'll take care of it, understood?"
"Umm, Kurenai-sensei?"
"Yes, Hinata?"
"What kind of encounters could we be expecting?"
"Just your normal, everyday robbers and bandits. Nothing that shouldn't be too difficult to handle."
"Ok," Hinata said, falling back a little. I fell back to see how she was doing. Kiba took the front, marching proudly flanked by an equally proud looking Akamaru.
"You ok, Hinata?"
"Oh, I'm, umm, just fine, Janus-kun. Don't worry about me." She said that with a smile, but I knew it was fake. She wasn't ready for this mission that was blatantly obvious. Kiba was more than ready for this mission. He was defiantly the best fighter on our team, save for maybe Kurenai. Myself...I wasn't sure. I know what I need to do to improve, but I don't think I'm quite far enough along to be able to handle any conflicts that might arise in the mission. Yet, Kiba says that both Hinata and I are ready for this. I'm so confused. Do I believe myself or should I believe Kiba? I spend hours pondering that question as I walked along.
The rest of the first day was quite uneventful. We kept walking till the sun started to set when we made a fire, had dinner, and set up watch shifts. Kiba end up with the first shift, I got the second shift, and Hinata got the morning shift. So, I laid down my bed roll and fell asleep.
"...Janus, wake up."
"Ugg, my turn already, Kiba? Alright, alright. Get to sleep." I sat up as Kiba and Akamaru laid on to their bedroll and fell asleep fast. I stood up and stretched, shaking the sleep from my limbs. I kinda wish I could tend a fire, but fires kill night vision, announce your presence, and assist with enemy ambushes. So, I just sat around, listening to the sounds of my sleeping companions and the forest. I looked up in the sky. Man I wish the new moon wasn't in a few days, if was nearly full I could read. Oh well. Time passed quickly and uneventfully and the time to wake Hinata up arrived. I quietly made my way over to her bed roll and kneed beside it. She looks so cute when she sleeps. I leaned over, placing my hand on her shoulder.
"Hinata, time for your shift." She turned over and opened her eyes groggily.
"Mmmmm, Naruto-kun..." She quickly reach out, grabbed me, and before I could react, I found my face buried between her developing breasts, a bright crimson blush forming on my cheeks. I gasped for air. Can't breath, but so soft... I felt a little drop of liquid on my upper lip and I franticly struggled to release from her surprisingly strong hold. Eventually I was able to free myself from her hold and I gasped for air, wiping the drop of blood from my upper lip. She stirred and sat up, still groggy.
"Naruto-kun? What's the matter?"
"You got the wrong Uzumaki." She squinted her eyes and gasped. A deep blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Janus-kun! I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry." She started apologizing, still blushing.
"Don't worry about it, Hinata. I know how much like my brother I look. And I could have been more aware and dodged your grapple. Anyways, I, umm..." I mumbled off, still blushing.
"I'm sorry, Janus-kun, I've never...umm...hugged someone like that before."
"Don't worry, I think I have you beat there. I've never been hugged before."
"Really? That's so sad. I haven't really hugged someone since my mother died..."
"Hinata, can I ask you something?"
"Umm, sure, Janus-kun."
"What's it like to have a mother?" Silenced cloaked the camp. Hinata and I were both watching our knees. It felt like eternity as I waited for Hinata's answer.
"Umm," she finally said, her whisper soft voice echoing through the silence like thunder. "It's like having someone who always loves you for just being you." I looked at Hinata's face. Her blush had long vanished and deep sadness flowed over her pearly eyes. "She doesn't care if you aren't strong, fast, or talented. If you break a teacup, she's more worried if you cut your self than the status of the cup. And she never plays favorites, she has time for all her children." I looked at Hinata with awe. That was the clearest thing I had ever heard her say. Tears started to fall down my cheeks. My eyes fell back to my knees. I was curious what it was like to have a mother, but she had one and lost her. Suddenly, I felt soft gentle arms wrap around me.
"Hinata?" I looked her eyes, she was crying too. I slowly wrapped my arms around her in a comforting hug, my first real one. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep. Visions of kind, white eyes graced my dreams.
I gasped for breath. Why can't I breathe! My lungs won't work! Oh, no wait, the can. I took a couple of deep breaths and looked around. Hinata was over serving breakfast to the Ambassador and Kurenai. Kiba and Akamaru however were sitting next to me, grinning mischievously.
"Kiba you!" I jumped at Kiba in an attempt to tackle him. He dodged and started running. I quickly gave chase. Nobody goes and wakes me up by knocking the wind out of me. We finally stopped when Hinata said if we didn't want breakfast she'd feed it to Akamaru. We quickly stopped and got our food, after Hinata made Kiba apologize. Soon we were back on our way. I gravitated next to Hinata after about a mile.
"Hinata, thanks. I kinda needed that." I said, barely above a whisper.
"It's ok, Janus-kun. I kinda needed it too." She replied, smiling. Kiba looked back at us.
"Are you two sure there isn't something going on between you." We both blushed.
"If there is, I'm quite sure that it doesn't involve you, Kiba." Kurenai said. "If they want to tell you, then can, otherwise just let the matter drop."
"But Kurenai-sensei!" We all laughed at Kiba's misfortune, lighting the mood for our second day march.
We approached the river near the end of the second day. Kurenai said that if bandits are going to jump us, it would most likely be here before we started the trek through the desert to Hidden Sand. We slowly approached until Kurenai gave the hand sign to stop. She looked over at Hinata. She nodded and activated her Byakugan. She scanned the area of the river. She started making some hand communications. Four on the left, four on the right, and eight on the other side of the bridge. Probably so they could ambush traders going both ways. I bet that there is a net a couple hundred feet downstream to pick up anything valuable that gets knocked off during the fight.
Kurenai made a few more signs informing us that she would take the eight across the river, and the eight on this side were ours. Kiba and Akamaru would get the ones on the left, Hinata and I would get the four on the right. We carefully set our packs down in a save location near the Ambassador and headed towards our targets. The ambush would start as soon as Kurenai activated a genjutsu to confuse the bandits. I waited for Hinata's signal to go, she was watching for the genjutsu to go off.
Hinata gave the sign and we rushed in. I heard Kiba and Akamaru encounter their four targets. He had hoped he would get to use his new jutsu this mission, some human beast transformation jutsu. Oh well, I just wanted to finish the encounter. I can do this; they are simple bandits and its two on four. Easy. I charged in and punched the first guy. That dropped him like a fly. He wasn't out cold, but he wouldn't be up for a while. I watched Hinata attack and disable one of the bandits weapon arm with her 'Gentle Fist' technique. The bandit drew a couple of knives and attacked me; I pulled out a couple of kunai and parried them. I looked over and saw Hinata having trouble with her two opponents so I quickly jumped into the air, retrieved an exploding note out of my pouch, and threw it at the nearer of her two bandits. It stuck to his calf and exploded, causing him to scream and fall to the ground.
I landed only to be slashed by my opponent across my chest. That stings so much! Focus, focus. I looked back at him, and charged. My other opponent would get up soon and soon it would be two-on-one. End it quickly, Janus... He attacked and I quickly replaced myself with a log and headed to a tree above him. I threw one of my kunais. It pierced the guy through the temple. He fell. I didn't give it a second look as I leaped down and started pummeling the guy who I had punched first. When he was obviously unconscious, I looked over to see how Hinata, only to get a knife in my leg. The guy whose leg I blew up had applied a turn-a-kit and charged me. I quickly made a couple of bunshins and charged him. He looked quite confused. He attacked one; it vanished in a puff of smoke as I swept under his leg, toppling him. I gave him a quick hit to the back of the head knocking him out cold. I looked to find Hinata, only to find her backing up, her sweatshirt nearly falling off because of cuts to it. At first glance it didn't look like any permanent damage. I reached into my shrunken pouch and threw four at him. The struck him in the back, two in his shoulder blades, one in the small of his back, and one in his right leg. He turned to look at me as I charged, giving him a good solid blow to the jaw, hearing the bone crack beneath my fist. He hit the ground in pain. I looked over at Hinata.
"Are you alright, Hinata?" She was panting very heavily.
"I...pant...think so...pant...But Janus-kun, your leg!" I looked down to see a stiletto lodged into my leg up to the hilt.
"Funny, it doesn't hurt. Its a little stiff, but no real pain."
"That will change when we pull it out, Janus." I looked up to see Kurenai walking towards us. "I've tied up and taken care of everyone on the other side of the river. Kiba's finishing now. Hinata, why don't you take care of Janus's wounds while I take care of these guys, ok?"
"Ok, Kurenai-sensei." Hinata lead me back to the packs so she could get out some medical supplies. She used her 'Gentle Fist' to numb the area around the stiletto before she tried to pull it out. I screamed anyways.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry..."
"It's all right, Hinata. It hurts, but it needs to come out. Just give it one quick tug and it will be out."
"But I don't want to hurt you."
"Here, let me." I grabbed the stiletto with my right hand, making sure I had a good grip. Ready, one, two, three! I pulled. Oh man did it hurt! I quickly passed out due to the pain.
I slowly opened my eyes. Kurenai looked at me and smiled.
"You know, most people rely on someone else to pull their first knife out." I smiled weakly, slowly sitting up.
"You haven't learned that by now I'm not like most people," I saw my shirt in a pile of cut clothing scraps. I limped over to my bag, fished out a extra shirt and put it on. Luckily my vest wasn't damaged. I looked over at Kurenai to see a concerned look on her face.
"Janus, pick up your stuff and come with me, everyone else we'll meet you on the other side of the river." We all looked at her curiously, but we've learned no to argue with her so we complied. I followed her over to where my fight took place. Three of the guy I fought were tied up to a tree, glaring at me. Where was the fourth guy? I looked around and saw him. My kunai still lodged into his temple, three inches deep. I feel to the ground.
"I...I...I..." I stuttered in shock, falling to the ground. The bandits looked at me funny. Kurenai kneeled down next to me and put a hand on my shoulder.
"The first time I killed someone I was like that to. I didn't realize what I had done until after it had happened. I cried myself to sleep for a week. Just let me tell you something. It never gets easier. Skill wise it is, but it still hurts to take another's life. Just think if it this way. If you hadn't, he would have taken yours or Hinata's. Come on. We need to get moving." Kurenai stood up, I mindlessly followed suit. I looked at the three living bandits. There gaze had changed from anger to a look of sadness. I could tell they were reminded of their first kill too. I slowly followed Kurenai across the bridge to meat up with the rest of the team. We walked in silence for the rest of the day.
I tossed and turned. Images of the man I killed, his wife, and children poured into my mind. I had taken their father, their husband away from their lives. I had taken away their happiness, their innocence. Something brushed my shoulder and I sat bolt up. It was dark I couldn't see anything. I started shaking in fear. Suddenly, soft but firm hand grasped my shoulder.
"Janus-kun?" It was Hinata. We had traded watches so that the situation that happened the previous night wouldn't happen again. "Are you alright?"
"I killed him...I killed him, Hinata. I'm a murderer." My face fell into my hands and I started crying. Hinata put a comforting arm around my shoulders.
"I know, I know. I saw his coils go dark. I thought you realized that at the time."
"I don't know, I don't know anything. I'm not cut out to be a ninja. I can't handle killing someone who doesn't deserve to die..." The tears continued to fall.
"It's alright, Janus. Just be glad you didn't do what I did. I froze on the battle field." I looked over at Hinata. "I'm pathetic, I know. I'm failure."
"Don't sniff ever say that about yourself," Hinata looked over at me. "You are not pathetic or a failure. You proved your father wrong and become a ninja. Every step you take shouts that you prove him wrong. You may not see it, but Kiba and I defiantly see the changes you are going through. I'm the one who is the failure. I killed a man without even realize it. I don't deserve to be a ninja."
"sniff Janus-kun stop. We can keep going like this for hours, but I'm tired. Lets just promise each other that we will change, alright?"
"sniff Ok, Hinata, I promise."
"And I promise too, Janus-kun. I'm going to sleep, see you in the morning." I watched at Hinata walked over to her bedroll and lay down. I got up and walked over to a stream we camped by and splashed water on my face to wake me up. I went and sat back down on my bedroll.
I can't do it, Naruto. I looked up at the sky. I'm not as good as you. You're strong, confident, and skilled. I only passed the survival because Kiba and Hinata pushed me. I'm worthless. How can Hinata and Kiba believe in me? I'm a book worm. Give me a library and I'll be happy for the rest of my life. Oh well, from here to Hidden Sand is a half day travel. Then who knows how long we will be there. Trade talks could go from days to months to finalize. Sigh, hopefully they have a good public library there.