Inner Destruction: Chapter Eight

The four Leaf ninja and the prince trudged through the woods. Their steps were rhythmic; they walked on without saying a single word.

Izanami glanced at Takeshi. He was such a bother! If he wasn't there, they could've reached the Cloud country in a day or two!

And he complained so much! If it wasn't the weather, it was the food. If it wasn't that, it was about how weak his protectors were.

She gritted her teeth as she watched him frown and kick a rock. If they didn't get there soon…

Tenten looked at Takeshi, too. She had the same thoughts as Izanami. 'If he complains one more time, I'll –'

Lee whistled a cheerful tune. It might annoy his teammates, but at least it kept his spirits up! -good guy pose-

Gai seemed happy enough, but inside, there was worry. 'That assassin…Why was he sent? The prince's story seems rather odd…'

"When are we gonna get there?" Takeshi whined childishly.

'One more word…' Tenten thought.

"We'll arrive soon enough!" replied Gai.

Takeshi didn't seem to notice the hostility radiating from his companions. "We're never gonna make it!" he moaned.

Tenten snapped. "Shut up!" she hissed. "I know our 'mission' is guarding you, but if you don't watch out, buddy, you're gonna end up being handed over to those assassins on a silver platter!"

"Tenten!" exclaimed Gai, shocked. "You shouldn't say things like that! Now apologize to Takeshi!"

Tenten glowered at both her teacher and the prince. "Sorry," she muttered resentfully.

"Not good enough," Takeshi said tauntingly.

"Don't push it." Tenten growled.

There was silence, and they continued on their journey.

x.X.x

"This is a sacred site of the kami," Gai said in a hushed tone of voice, looking at the abandoned temple. "Be very careful so as not to upset the spirits."

"Spirits, huh." Takeshi said scornfully. "They don't scare me."

"They should," Izanami said quietly from behind him. "They control everything – the elements, the forces of nature. They are our dead ancestors, and you should show respect."

"Right, like I'm gonna be respectful to a bunch of dead people."

"That would be wise," Izanami whispered in his ear, inching forward with every word. "Or they might – just – seek – revenge."

Takeshi shivered.

'Doesn't look half so cocky now,' Izanami thought with satisfaction.

"Now, we'll stay here for the night," Gai said as they made their way through the grounds. "Don't disturb the peace, or –"

"– you'll face the spirits' wrath." Izanami finished for him.

Takeshi yawned loudly. "Whatever. I'm going on a walk to get some alone time."

"Team, make yourself useful!" Gai instructed.

Izanami looked sharply at Takeshi from the corner of her eye. He glanced around him shiftily and then slunk down a small pathway.

Izanami followed him without hesitation, keeping to the top of the shrines and crumbling temple roof.

"Hey, Izanami, where ya goin'?" Tenten called after her.

When no response came back, she followed her comrade through the ruins.

Izanami crouched down behind a decrepit statue hoisted at the edge of the temple roof. Tenten stepped behind her.

Takeshi was pacing back and forth on the ground, apparently deep in thought. There was a small frown on his face.

Izanami held a shuriken in her hand. She drew her arm back and –

"Wait!" Tenten whispered loudly. "You can't kill our mission!"

"I'm not," Izanami murmured. "Just testing a new theory."

She threw the shuriken at Takeshi. It whizzed through the air, straight towards his neck.

He stuck out his hand and caught it deftly.

Tenten gasped. How could he have caught it?

Izanami's head was buzzing. Her suspicions were confirmed.

This was no ordinary prince.