He was tall, hair long and jet-black he looked the spitting image of Hinata. His eyes were blank green and stoic, his face looked completely comatose aside from the wide grin that spread across his features. He was pale, body looked feeble, almost in a way that made you question how this man was such a big time assassin. He looked… weak and incompetent. But Hinata knew better than anyone that looks could be deceiving.
"Kazimoto." Kakashi acknowledge, voice dripping with disgust.
They could tell he wasn't very fond of the assassin, but who would be hearing all those rumors? He killed men of all forms; he wasn't very likable. But the tall Kazimoto seemed unfazed as he waved extravagantly at Kakashi.
"Good day Copy Ninja. Surely is a lovely day to travel no?"
His voice sounded oddly cheery but when he looked down at the children his eyes seemed to twitch and his tone completely changed.
"I had no idea I would be escorted by ones so young."
His morbid green eyes scanned each one over as he finally nodded and crossed his thin arms.
"Ok, so I think introductions are in order. And then we're out of here." His eyes rested on Naruto. "You first kid."
Naruto smiled, stepping forward from the group and fidgeting with his headband in excitement. He couldn't wait to start this mission. He had waited for this moment so long and now that it finally came up he thought he'd explode.
"The name's Uzimaki Naruto number one hyperactive ninja and future Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Ninja. I'm totally going to be respected one day and I've been waiting for this moment with Team 7 forever and you bet you're going to be impressed with me before this is over. Believe it!"
Sakura, Sasuke, and Kiba groaned but a slight giggle escaped Hinata's lips in response to Naruto's monologue. Kazimoto caught the sound and smiled over at her.
"Now you."
Everyone turned their gaze onto Hinata and she could feel her face creeping red as her gaze cast to the ground. She didn't like so many eyes being pressed onto her, especially not Naruto's.
"My name…" her voice trailed off as she felt the embarrassment swell within her, "My name is Hyuuga Hinata. I--" she stopped, fidgeting with her fingers and feeling as if she'd pass out with her words.
Kazimoto's jet-black eyebrow arched as his smile fell slack slightly.
"Hyuuga huh? Kakashi, you didn't tell me we'd be grace with the presence of a Hyuuga."
Kakashi sighed, not liking the fact that the man was calling him names so informally as if they were the best of friends. Kakashi wanted nothing to do with this man but he had already paid and they were entitled to protecting him now no matter what, even though he doubted this man would need much protection.
"I'm sorry Kazimoto," he muttered sadistically, "remind me to tell you about the Uchiha among us the next time we meet for a swig of sake okay?"
Kazi smiled suggestively at the sensei.
"Sure, no problem Kakashi. But you're paying my friend!"
The leader of Team seven sighed, still wishing he could engross himself into his book. This was an obvious waste of valuable reading time and the fact that he was nearby someone he was so disgusted with didn't help much either. He sure as hell wouldn't even consider breathing near this man let alone sharing an alcoholic drink with him.
Kazimoto looked over the group again.
"So we have the Uchiha with us as well? Well what luck. I heard about what happened to them. Pity it is but I didn't think any of them actually survived really. But look what we have here! I bet this is him huh?"
His jade gaze turned onto Sasuke and the corner of his lip turned up with curiosity.
"What's your name boy?"
Sasuke paused a moment, looking the man over with undisguised repulsion, examining him as if he expected the worse at any moment.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. That's all you need to know about me."
His harsh and bitter tone seemed to have no affect on the melodramatic Kazimoto as he nodded and turned to Sakura. His smile widened at the sight of her and his gaze shot up and down her entire figure before he finally spoke.
"Okay Cotton Candy. What about you?"
Sakura hid her annoyance very well, grateful he hadn't called her Forehead but she didn't think she appreciated the nickname Cotton Candy either. Especially not from a man with a reputation like this man's…
"My name is Haruno Sakura."
She didn't know what else he wanted her to say but even if she did, like Sasuke, she didn't think it so smart to give out any information he might use against them in the long run. She really didn't trust this guy and for good reason. He was considered an assassin, said to have the ability to kill you in such creative ways that they called him the Resourceful Ninja.
Stories floated around about how the man had covered a trunk with shuriken and tactlessly backed his victim up against the tree. Poor man had no idea he was backing up into his own doom. The ninja was pinned there for days before anyone found his rotting body.
Or the other tale they heard where the man was so covered in blood that they could barely tell whom the fatality was. To this day they still wonder but some have their theories.
So of course they had reason to be careful around this man; they could not trust him with any personal information and it was safer the less he knew about them. Of course Naruto hadn't thought of this but what did it matter? As long as he didn't do anything stupid no one would bother to want to kill him anyway.
Kazimoto nodded, shrugging off the short reply and turning to Kakashi.
"So," he said, shoving his hands into his black pants' pockets, "Did you tell the children where they are taking—"
"Wait a second."
Kazimoto paused, looking behind him and frowned.
"What?"
A spiky-haired ninja stepped forward, his eyes blazing with annoyance as he balled his fists. A little dog wagged its tail on his head as the ninja glared at Kazimoto. Kazi appeared indifferent.
"You forgot about me." He snarled, obviously not pleased. He was just as important as the others if not more. Who did this man think he was?
Kazimoto glared down at the boy coldly, almost as if he was prying straight into his soul. Then he smiled.
"Very well. Tell us your name and we can all move on."
"The name is Inuzuka Kiba and my dog's Akamaru."
Kiba balled his fist in annoyance as he glared up at Kazimoto.
"And I don't care who you think you are but you won't treat me like I don't exist!"
Naruto said nothing, simply watched beside Hinata as she contemplated trying to calm Kiba down. She reached out a delicate hand to him and rested it on his shoulder and Kiba looked back in awe, his whole demeanor calming slightly as he stared back at her.
"Not here Kiba." She whispered and he stepped back, the little dog nipped at his hair and growled.
Kiba nodded. They were right.
Kazimoto's frown vanished just as quickly as it appeared and suddenly his whole demeanor seemed to change.
"Okay so you expect these kids to protect me?"
Kakashi sighed.
"They're not kids and they're perfectly able to do anything they put their minds to. Don't doubt them Kazimoto."
The assassin nodded, his jet black-hair bobbing on his head as he adjusted the coal vest on his scrawny body. He looked completely unable to protect himself. The way his dark clothes seemed to hang off his lanky body only emphasized this observation. How were these rumors possible? How could a man that smiled so much and looked so thin be able to kill men of any rank so easily?
"So I guess I should tell you kids what we shall be doing then huh?"
No one spoke but Hinata caught a glimpse of Naruto shaking impatiently by her side. She smiled slightly beside herself knowing very well how excited he was. Oh Naruto-kun.
Kazimoto took a seat beside Kakashi and crossed his arms, meanwhile the jounin pulled out his book thinking it was finally an appropriate time to read. Come, Come Paradise could only wait for so long and Kakashi surely didn't want to prolong its wait. Kazi's eyebrow arched with amusement then turned to face Team 7 and their new members.
"We will be entering other territory. I have business in just outside the Hidden Sand Village and I don't want any interruptions if you know what I mean. I have been asked to visit someone. A child--very much like you. There will be no further questions understand?"
Kakashi's eyebrow rose but everyone simply nodded, Naruto muttering something about not being kids anymore. But they all had the same thing on their mind. Could that person be Gaara? And if so, what business did Kazimoto have with him?
A/N: That's it for this chapter. Mostly just a quick filler to get intros out the way before the big separating scene. XD But yea, so thank you for reading and remember to R&R! Now for my favorite part. Reviews!
Uzamaki-Girl: Thank you. XD Haha. I can already tell you're going to be a loyal reader. Thanks so much!
Dumbledork: Mine too but I must admit I'm becoming a bit of a Saku/Sasu girl seeing as Sakura is my favorite female Naruto character. But Hinata takes a strong second as my overall favorite character.
Jak Uzumaki 4 Eva: Thank you and I hope so too. You never know with me. XD Plz read and review again!
All reviews appreciated. Arigatou!