Chapter 14: New Problem

"That guy gave me the creeps," shuddered one of the Iwa-gumi as they huddled together over booze in a small bar. The others gave half hearted nods as they bolted down sake.

"Will you shut up about that freak?" snapped the leader. "Man, if I ever see his sorry ass face again, I swear I'll..." He trailed off as the others looked at him expectantly. He muttered something incoherent as his companions looked down, apparently disappointed at their leaders shortcomings.

"We'd have to be, I dunno, shinobi or something to go up against a guy like that," one of them muttered, "I mean, did you see his eyes? And what was up with that freaky tattoo? 'Love'? Yeah right." They all murmured in agreement.

"You guys are pathetic," spat the leader as he gulped down more alcohol.

"Hey boss, here's an idea," the booze was getting to their heads. "Why don't you go after him? Since he seemed so intimidated by you." They all sniggered as their leaders face turned redder than it already was.

"Hey, shaddup!" he hollered as he slammed down his saucer. "You'll see, I'll get that freak and his girlfriend." The group was suddenly uncharacteristically silent. He glared down at them as they shrunk back.

"Hey man, we don't want you to get killed or anything," one muttered, "That guy doesn't look like he wants to fool around."

"Yeah right," he puffed his chest out boldly, "NO one can take me on. Besides, I've gotta plan..." All the guys huddled closely as he leaned in and sniggered his plan to them.

"Oh my Gods!" Kitai laughed hysterically as she stumbled down the path, clutching Gaara's arm. "That was so fun!"

"I didn't think a train could go so fast," Gaara chuckled.

"It's not a train!" objected Kitai, "It's a roller coaster!"

"Whatever," grinned Gaara. Of all the rides they had ridden, the roller coaster was definitely the fastest. Kitai had nearly lost her "Anbu" mask as they sped through the dark night, clutching the metal bar before them for what they considered dear life.

"Ahh," grinned Kitai with wonder, "Let's go on this one next!" She pointed at the Tilt-a-whirl happily as she led Gaara towards it. Just by looking at it, Gaara could feel his stomach churn. He gingerly followed Kitai towards the line as he watched the people in the large suspended swings fly at ridiculous speeds in one large circle. Kitai saw his uneasy face.

"Relax!" she exclaimed reassuringly, "It's perfectly safe!"

"It's not that I'm worried about. What if..." Kitai cut him off.

"Who cares!? Live life so you won't have any regrets!" She happily pulled Gaara into one of the large swings.

Everything seemed to be a large blur as Kitai and Gaara stepped down from the swing. They could still feel their stomachs spinning rapidly as they walked off.

"Remind me never to go on something like that again," Kitai muttered as she held her head in her hands, trying to stop the spinning. Gaara didn't answer, but just clutched his stomach and closed his eyes, trying to urge the cotton candy to stay in his stomach. Kitai laughed as she turned towards him and walked backwards.

"You don't look so good," she giggled as she stepped back. "Is this training too tough...?" She stopped suddenly as someone wrapped their arm around her neck tightly and pressed a small dagger to her throat. Gaara was suddenly back to normal as he glared at the person holding her.

"Hey man," Kitai recognized the gang leader's voice, "Don't make any sudden moves or your girl gets it."

"What do you guys want now?" Kitai asked coolly. She saw Gaara getting ready to attack. "Hey, what'd I tell you? These guys are complete losers, I can take care of them in a few minutes. So don't butt in!" Gaara looked at her questioningly, but Kitai just grinned at him.

"Fine," he gave an exasperated sigh as he crossed his arms, "Do what you want." The gang didn't see Kitai's dark grin.

"Some man you are," laughed one of them, "Ditching her like that."

"You guys should learn how to tell if someone's stronger than you," Kitai said forebodingly.

"What're you talking about, wench?" the leader growled in her ear, "I've got you completely defensele..." Kitai's hand darted to his wrist and twisted it painfully. The knife clattered to the ground as she swiftly grabbed his forearm and flipped him over her shoulder. Gaara stepped to the side as the leader rammed head first into the ground by him.

"You guys are barely worth my time," Kitai said as she hopped lightly on her feet, putting her hands in front of her.

"Get her, you fools!" hollered the ground ridden leader as he struggled to get up, holding his wrist in his hand. The rest of the gang let out a loud war cry as they charged her. Kitai stood her ground and faced the first guy that reached her. As he jumped she darted in front of him and pushed her palm against his chest. He flew into one of his comrades that was behind him, knocking them both out instantly. Kitai turned to the one next to her as he flew by her with a punch. She ducked under him and swiftly jabbed his stomach. He collapsed into the ground as all the air was forced out of his chest. Kitai spun around and kicked the ribs of the guy that appeared behind her, sending him flying into a wall. Kitai slowly turned to the horror stricken leader as he slumped down, acknowledging his defeat.

"That'll teach you to stay away from unsuspecting tourists," grinned Kitai as she bent down towards his face with a bright smile. He was shaking with fear. "Don't worry, I didn't kill them or anything." The grin had a hint of worry and pity. "Just a few days in bed and they'll be back to their loud, unruly, stupid selves." The leader nodded frantically as Kitai stood up again.

"And I'd put some ice on that," Kitai motioned to his wrist.

"Are you done yet?" Gaara asked, a tone of impatience in his voice.

"You make it sound as if I enjoy beating people up," Kitai grinned at him. "Let's go." Gaara nodded as he and Kitai left the mostly unconscious and awestruck gang.

"How interesting," a dark figure laughed malevolently, "that he should show up here..."

"Okay, okay, how about this?" Kitai puffed out her cheeks and narrowed her eyes so much that the blue was barely visible. She and Gaara were walking down a quiet street. The festival had finally ended, and they were exhausted after so much partying.

"You look like you ate some bad ramen," Gaara said as he suppressed a laugh. Kitai threw her hands up in defeat. She had been trying to copy his stony glare as they searched for an inn, although now she was just fooling around.

"Argh!" she cried, "I give up. What if I just wear this all the time?" She slid the cat mask down from the top of her head onto her face. Then she held her hands out as menacing claws.

"Now you look like a seventeen year old girl who likes to play with masks." Gaara grinned as Kitai slid the mask back to where it was, both eyebrows raised skeptically.

"You shouldn't be talking," she said with a sly grin, "Since you're the one that jumped back with fright when you saw this."

"I was surprised," he shrugged, "There's a difference between surprised and scared."

"Whatever makes you feel better, buddy," she laughed. They reached another inn. "Your turn." His brow furrowed as he sighed.

"Hey, come on!" Kitai exclaimed when she saw how dejected he looked. "I checked the last two! Let's just hope we actually get a room, since nearly all the inns are filled because of the festival." Gaara shrugged as he walked towards the inn. Kitai let out a sigh of relief as she watched him enter.

She tilted her head up and let the night breeze play with her hair. The festival had been so much fun. She hadn't been to one since she was with her family in her old village. She wondered how they were doing in the other world...

A step in the packed dirt of the street interrupted her thoughts. She looked down towards the shadows, but didn't see anyone.

"It'd better not be that stupid gang again!" she called, hoping to scare them away. But she frowned. She got an ominous feeling from the person in the dark. Suddenly, two pin sized darts flew towards her at an incredible speed. They were in her neck and she was falling backwards before she could realize what had happened. The stars above her were slowly swallowed into the growing darkness as her eyes grew heavy and she passed out.

"Kitai," Gaara stepped out of the inn into the street, "We've got a room... Kitai?" He didn't see her anywhere nearby. She wouldn't leave without telling him. His skin prickled with uneasiness. Nearby, he noticed her mask on the ground. He walked to it and picked it up, examining it slowly as a growing dread consumed him. A small note dropped out of the mask.

If you ever want to see her again, meet me at the north edge of town in the forest tomorrow at noon.

Gaara crumpled the note in his clenched fist as he glared at it fiercely.