A/N: Thank you all who have reviewed.

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Chapter 4: Departure

The sun was barely out when Iruka slowly trudged up the path to the gate. Konohoa was still fast asleep at this time but soon there would be people stirring. Shops would be opening and people would start their daily chores with happy smiles. Today though Iruka didn't wake up smiling, no not smiling. Normally at this time he would be doing some morning exercises before he had to get ready to teach at the academy but not today; no today was not a normal day.

Instead he had to leave the quiet little village to go on a long and tiring walk through the bush. Of course he wasn't just like this because of the mission, he was also apprehensive because of the personality he had to take on. He didn't like wearing the armor of a killer. He was far from that kind of person. He liked teaching the children and watching them grow and develop their hopes and dreams in a safe place where they wouldn't have to worry about war, fighting, death and pain.

But Tsunade had made it clear she wanted him to be there as such. It was probably to keep other ninja from underestimating him or to keep them from bothering his half of the team while they journeyed. But still to go as a killer? That was not something Iruka wanted and he was sure he'd later make it clear to her that he won't do itagain unless there was no choice. As far as he was concerned there was a choice still, she could have put an actual ANBU on the team and not him. But he was being selfish and he knew it. He was a shinobi and was required to follow his Kage. There was no point in declining when she refuses him to anyways.

I seriously doubt other shinobi would leave us alone. The chance to take out a hunter would be to inviting. I know I will have to kill but I'm going to try to avoid that. Sighing Iruka kicked a pebble and continued walking slowly towards the gate, trying to make it look like he was just strolling and not procrastinating. The latter of course was what he was doing but no one needed to know that. With his mask no one knew who he was.

Reaching his destination Iruka saw that Raidou was already waiting. The firey haired man was leaning casually against the post of the gates. He looked like he was completely relaxed.

Great he's practically beaming at me, Jounin are nuts. This won't be easy and I'll be surprised if he wasn't looking forwards to it.

Frowning under his mask Iruka attempted to seem composed. How well he was doing he'd never know but he was sure the falter in Raidou's face gave him the answer.

"Iruka-sensei?" His voice sounded as though he was startled. Iruka tried not to snort in annoyance, it's not like he was fooling him.

Iruka knew better than to ignore it, instead he slowly lifted the mask to allow only Raidou to see his face. "Try not to use my name too much okay. I don't want the whole village to know."

Raidou instead of replying just nodded sullenly and glanced around for a moment.

He really doesn't say too much does he. I guess Genma was right.

"We'll just travel at a leisurly pace, it would be foolish going rushing off without an actual destination in mind." Iruka ordered calmly.

"Do we have any destination at all to aim at?" Raidou was confused, Iruka couldn't blame him.

"Yes, Canyon Country."

"But that's…"

"Suicide…I know but we have no choice. Before we leave Fire Country I suggest we gather as much water as we can carry without losing mobility."

"Makes sense." Raidou smiled suddenly. "I think I know someone out there." Now Iruka was surprised.

"You..You do?"

"Yes just on the outskirts, it should take us about a week and a half to get there, we can make that our base for the time we spend searching."

"Why not." Iruka was now feeling a bit better about this mission. He just hoped that the ninja there weren't involved in any wars, they would be a problem and he had few defences against them.

"Well then we should get a start then, you have everything?" Iruka had to ask.

"Yes..." Raidou nodded curtly as his face became more serious.

Looking back Iruka couldn't help but feel he was going to miss something in Konohoa while he was gone. He just hoped that Naruto would return after he did.

By mid afternoon Genma was still waiting for Kakashi…he was late like usual but he was too unpredictable for Genma to come later, he had to wait. So far he had been waiting three hours, which must have been part of Tsunade's plan.

"Damn him I can't wait anymore. If my gut lets me live through this I'll make sure he suffers just as much." He muttered as his stomach groweled loudly in agreement.

Che' If I'd have known he'd be late I would have gone to get lunch…but I guess even the world has to wait for Hatake Kakashi. I just wish he's stop this whole being late thing, it's getting ridiculous.

Reaching into his hip pouch Genma made sure he had the senbon he and Iruka had been talking about the night before.

Good still there. I'll make sure you pay Hatake, that you will.

"Arrrrggghhhhh."Genma growled again. "I'm going to…" He was getting frustrated and anxious. THe longer he had to wait the moer restless he would become.

"Going to what?" A voice announced behind him causing him to jump.

"KAKASHI!" Genma roared. "Can't you be on time for once."

"Aren't we a little anxious." Kakashi said as he walked calmly out of the shadows clad in his ANBU gear.

"Let me guess that was what was in your message." Genma snorted. He was jealous. Kakashi always looked so good in his ANBU uniform, Genma on the other hand felt scrawny and bare, it just wasn't natural for him to wear such tight armor.

"Yes…You knew the Hokage gave me a message?"

"Yeah Iruka gave me one too. He wasn't really happy about it though." Genma tried his best to sound as though he knew nothing but he felt Kakashi's eyes boring into him.

"Yes he certainaitly wasn't."

Kakashi knew there was something wrong from Genma's stance. The Jounin stood stiffly and seemed to jump every time he looked at him. Was there something nasty going around about him? He was also sure the Jounin didn't know he was making it obvious.

So Iruka went to see him twice, once before me and then after. What are they up to?

He knew after Iruka had seen him that he was visiting Genma for the second time by the reaction Genma gave him. He had followed the chuunin mostly out of concern but soon realized it wasn't just him who was acting odd.

(FLASH-BACK)

Genma closed the window and turned to his bed only to attack a shadow on his wall…but it wasn't a shadow and Kakashi was not to thrilled to be the object of the sandy hair shinobi's frustrations.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Genma growled.

"Just checking on you." Kakashi smiled.

"And I'm to believe that?" Genma frowned and crossed his arms more to prove he wasn't going to put up with the Jounin standing against his wall.

"Nope." Kakashi knew better than to lie.

"So then what?"

"You're up to something."

"What if I am?" Genma growed he wasn't going to cooperate that much Kakashi knew.

"I just what to know why Iruka-sensei is acting so oddly."

"What's it to you?" Genma mumbled as he narrowed his eyes.

"Well since we all have to work together it's best that all the members on the team are able to fulfill their part."

"Yes but it's nothing he can't deal with on his own." Genma sighed.

"His own?"

"Yes Iruka is quite capable of figuring out his emotions he'll be fine by tomorrow." Genma sighed.

"Alright I'll make sure of it…by the way I want to make sure your not hiding anything from me."

"I'm not! Seriously you're so paranoid, I wouldn't be too surprised if you thought your shadow was out to get you."

"Well you should consider the Nara clan's abilities, my shadow could actually be an enemy." Kakashi answered with a stright face. He was serious. They really could be trouble if they weren't leaf shinobi.

"…" Genma stared and then slapped his forehead groaning. "It's a figure of speech Kakashi it just brings home my point."

"Whatever, just remember not to hold any information back, it may come in handy."

"Yes I know I'm not a genin. I won't compromise the mission by withholding information that could help. Actually that would be down right stupid."

"I'm sure you aren't."

With that Kakashi disappeared leaving a really startled Genma staring at his wall.

Genma stared at the ANBU standing a few feet away, at the moment he just really wanted to kill him and leave without him but he had no choice.

"Well shall we?" Genma tried his best to sound nice about it but he said this through gritted teeth.

Damn him for spying on me.

"Just remember what we spoke about yesterday."

"Yeah…Yeah I do, now get going oh great leader, I'll watch your back."

"Ha ha ha Don't be so quick to stab me in the back Genma. I did nothing to get you so mad."

"Sure you didn't" Genma muttered as he shouldered his pack and follow the taller man out the gate.

You do things to get everyone mad without knowing it you smart ass!

For Iruka and Raidou the trip was long and uneventful. Only three days had passed and there were no rouge shinobi hiding in the shadows or missing nin chasing after them. Actually it was quite uneventful, just nice. But a few things were bothering Raidou about the younger man taking the lead.

"So how long have you been an ANBU?"

Iruka froze in mid stride… "Uh well I think it's been eight years or something I'm not to sure… It just all flew by so fast." He was being defensive and Raidou knew it from the start he would do something like that.

Raidou watched the man next to him, even though he couldn't see his face he knew Iruka was scowling.

He's worried I'd talk… I can't blame him. Maybe getting him to talk a bit may help him loosen up.

"I'm right to guess you hate it?"

"Yeah I'm no killer, just a gifted leader I guess that's why I was chosen." Iruka said that with more spite than was inteneded and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry I should be more proud of my position, but I take it very seriously; and because of that I try to take most of the responsibility for the lives I take." Of course there was more to it than that.

"I think there's nothing wrong with that, actually that's a very noble way to go about it."

Raiduo had seen too many young men that just got used to killing and in the end became less human in the process. They saw nothing wrong with killing and at time's he'd seen some so far gone that they looked forward to S class missions. Iruka was something different all together. Not only did he understand his responsibilities but he was humble about it and also made it clear that such missions were not something to enjoy but something to hate. Killing causes one often to lose a piece of themselves. It's no wonder he teaches at the academy all the time. He gets a part of himself back through watching the students grow and develop into smart and capable shinobi who would not take things as far as those in his own generation had. Through his teachings he makes sure the students understand the horrors and how to deal with them by not being the cause and to assess each situation clearly before making a move.

Without such skills, Iruka as an ANBU would have been killed by now or put away for insanity.

Raidou was astonished to see just how far Kakashi had made it but in truth he felt the silver haired Jounin shared the same beliefs as his more timid aquaintance.

"I think it's what kept you human." Raidou smiled.

"Yeah among other things. But staying human is very hard."

"Yes even for us Jounin it can be very difficult." It was true even he himself had been through his breaking point at one time. Iruka though he doubted would be a very pretty picture to see break….

Suddenly a rsulting in the leaves caused both shinobi to freeze.

"To your left." Iruka noted. Raidou was surprised that Iruka had found the location before he did.

"Is it a ninja?"

"No I think it's a…"

As if on cue a deer came walking in front of them.

"A deer." Iruka sighed. "A deer, we got jumpy over a deer."

Raidou laughed. "I think it's the tension your feeling."

"Oh and you feel none? I'm still having trouble figuring out how you can laugh about this." Iruka sighed under his mask.

"Not really I have nothing to fear aside from a possible attack but I don't think we will be with you being so jumpy. Although it might be better if you calmed down a bit. We don't want you to kill any possible allies who accidentally startle us."

He knew better than to rely soely on Iruka's jumpy behavior but he also knew they were being followed and he doubted Iruka was clueless about it either.

"Just keep your guard up, I suspect he may come at us at any moment."

"Humph…We're not even out of Fire country and there's already a shinobi trailing us." Iruka mumbled with a twinge of sarcasm in his voice. "He's good but not as good as he should be."

"He could be curious."

"Nah I think he wants to either steal our gearor its justcuriosity."

"So bitter are we?" Raidou smiled.

"And you're so talkative, Genma told me you keep to yourself."

Raidou laughed. "Only when I want to! Don't worry If you want me to be quiet I will be, but I think the conversation helps you calm your nerves."

"Oh I see." Iruka mumbled but Raidou had already noticed the tension leave his comrades body. It was about time.

"Just enjoy the walk, it's not like we're hunting any missing-nin or being chased." Raidou was relieved really to be on this mission after being in the hospital for what seemed to be the third time in the past two years he was starting to get a little restless. A bit of fresh air wasn't going to harm him, and from what he saw, the hunter with him needed the break from normal life in the first place.

"Well we should look for a clearing soon, and possibly one near a river we'll need to refuel on water, it's been three days since we left and I'd like to stay clean."

"Yes that would be a wise decision, we don't want him smelling us."

"Are you actually teasing or are you being serious?" Iruka stopped the cat mask gleaming in the afternoon sun.

"Hmmm I think a bit of both." Raidou laughed.

He's not as tense as he was when I wasn't talking. I should keep him talking until he stops it himself.

Raidou looked over his shoulder and scanned the trees.

Who ever he is he's been trailing us since we left the village, which could be a problem. Is he from the village or outside? I'm suspecting he's a Chuunin from the way he's been moving. Iruka was right to think he may be curious and I sense no killing intent. I think this is a serious case of curiosity, so probably from our village.

Glancing at the hunter walking a few paces ahead Raidou noticed the tell-tale twitch of an ANBU ready to attack…Would he really go after him?

Deciding it best Raidou ran up to the soldier ahead.

"I recommend you wait."

"I know."

"I don't know where he's from."

"I do." Iruka spun around in a fluid movement Raidou himself could not perform and flung his right hand towards a tree.

Wood flew all over spraying both men. Raidou had never seen anything like that before.

What the hell did he just do?

The tree had a neat slice through it's trunk, had it been any smaller and it probably would have been chopped down.

Alright I felt a chakra surge but how…it's rare to send pure chakra from the body like that. I just hope he can hold his temper… with that much power…

Again Iruka spun on his heal and this time leapt into a tree to his left catching a shadow and flinging it to the ground with sickening thud.

Surprised flew across Raidou's face…

It can't be?

"Shikamaru?…What are you doing?" Raidou asked as he knelt next to the teen trying to get himself into a sitting position.

I'm glad it's him and not some of the other new Chuunin. Shikamaru would not only understand but listen too.

Iruka was mad. How else should he feel when a former student decided to leave the village without permission?

"Yes what?" Iruka snapped as he leapt into a crouching position next to the boy. "You do know the danger you not only put yourself into but also us." He snareled. He hated it when they never listened. And Shikamaru of all people…this wasn't like him, there was someone else involved and they're hidden well where ever they were.

Shikamaru sat with an odd expression on his face. It was as though he were trying to place the voice with a face.

If I keep talking he'll know who I am. Damn this can go from bad to worse in seconds. Shikamaru is no fool and it would be a mistake to even think of talking again.

Quickly Iruka decided it wise not to let Shikamaru figure him out. Getting up he walked towards Raidou who seemed to not need a signal.

"He could have killed you, go back now before we drag you back."

"What did he do back there?" Shikamaru was obviously not only stunned but very confused.

Iruka froze. He wasn't going to give himself away, nor that attack.

"I don't know." Raidou admitted. "But I hink it's best we leave it be."

Shikamaru was still staring at him, he could feel it…it was unnerving and he wanted it to stop. Without even thinking he pulled out a kunai. If he wasn't going to listen he was going to make him. Shikamaru was not an idiot but he did openly admit to being a coward. If he could play on that then they would be able to continue their journey without any worries. However if Shikamaru saw through his bluff then he was toast and his identity would be in jeopardy.

"I will once you tell me why you left the village so early and only as two, not three or four?"

"We are actually a team of four." Raidou smiled. "But that is all I can tell you, please Shikamaru I do not wish to carry you back there myself, go on your own."

"Hmmph how troublesome. You expect me to accept that, the other team left much later and in another direction."

That was it! Iruka lunged without warning and pinned the youth to the ground with bone crushing force, literally shoving a kunai to the boy's throat. He was not in the mood for mind games.

"GO BACK" He snarled.

Shikamaru was scared that was clear but also working a plan together.

"Fine." He snorted as his eyes narrowed and focused on the only facial features he could see…the eyes.

Damn I've been pulling stupid stunts all day. Iruka growled once more pushing the kunai closer to the boy's throat.

"Good." Raidou came up from behind and placed a hand on Iruka's shoulder.

"It's best you stay behind where you'll be safe and where we can find you if we need you. This ANBU here has a very useful jutsu, he'll bring you a message if we need you're help. Now will you please return to the village? I'm sure you'll be needed there."

Shikamaru seemed to be considering this for a moment. "Alright, it does seem this mission is troublesome, too troublesome for someone like me." He muttered as he stood up and brushed himself off.

"That's better, now get going before he makes you run all the way back." Raidou said this as he pointed behind him giving Iruka a signal he had learned when he had first started teaching. It meant he could use force if necessay.

Such force was rarely needed but when training over twenty children learning to become killing machines, teaching could be a very dangerous profession. You not only had to be light on your feet, you had to have perfect balance, chakra control and enough strength to use them all at once. On top of all these abilities you had to also be able to be gentle enough not to kill.

"Hmm.." Shikamaru turned down the path and sighed. "If you ask me it sounds like suicide." But slowly he started to walk back. "Oh Iruka-sensei I'll make sure you won't have a pile of papers when you get back…you'll proably need the rest if you're headed where I think you are."

Iruka froze. Shit, I knew it, he probably knew from the start.

He knew better than to let him get away with it. If it was one thing He knew about his former student it was that there was no point in trying to fool the genious once he had you figured out.

"Shikamaru!"

The young chuunin froze and turned.

"I don't want a word of this out, got it?"

Slowly he nodded.

"If it does get out you'll be taking all of my classes until you retire, I'll make sure of that, I know how much you hate work. Trust me what they want you to do now is nothing compared to what I must do. So keep you mouth shut. It's either you wok it off if you talk or I kill you. It's really your choice."

Shikamaru wasn't surprised. "I won't talk, I haven't for a while…I already knew."

Now Iruka wasn't too sure if he wanted to know how the chuunin assistant sensei could know but he decided to let it be.

"Well since I think your going to fail I might was well say good luck." Shikamaru sighed. "That country is dangerous from what I heard my father say."

"It is if the locals don't know you, don't worry we'll be fine." Raidou waved as Shikamaru finally started back.

"Damn it." Iruka cursed as they start back on the trail.

"Well you'll be fine so what, it's one more person." Apperently the Chuunin-sensei could get even more wound up than earlier.

"Yes one more…three people…wait make that six." He muttered.

"Six?" Raidou wasn't sure if that was safe now. "How did that happen?"

"Well the Hokage has to know, two others were with me when I was promoted, Genma weasled his way in on it…don't ask. Shikamaru, which you just saw, and you. If anyone else knows I might have to take the proper measures."

"That's understandable, but what stopped you in the past?"

Iruka shrugged. "Why would I want to kill the people I considered friends just because they knew I was a hunter. What good is it to kill skilled shinobi over something so superficial? It's a fundamental rule and one I seem to be breaking a lot."

"No kidding. But why are you so worried, I mean everyone knows Ibiki works with the interrogation squad among the ANBU and people don't treat him any different."

"I don't know I always thought people were afraid of him."

"What about Kakashi?"

"Lets not go there." Iruka sighed audibly. Was there something going on between the two? Why would Iruka be scared of Kakashi? Outside missions the man was practically harmless, sometimes almost a clutz when it came to certain things.

"I'd like you to explain that one to me later it might be interesting, but first lets find a clearing."

"Yeah after all that I'm really tired."

A week passed rather quickly for both Kakashi and Genma. Neither seemed interested in talking and rather they were more interested with the pebbles by their feet as they went.

As the day wore on they were just past the border of Fire Counrty and the Canyon Country. The pace Kakashi had set was grueling and Genma was more pleased than anything for the break ahead.

Kakashi on the other hand was restless. There were no rouge shinobi anywhere, which was odd. Normally they would have been jumped by now but nothing. The scenery was nice but right now what he needed was a good fight, something to clear his mind, even his books stopped working on the first day.

Genma was definitely up to something; he had been since the first night they were out of the village gates.

He would wait till he thought Kakashi was asleep, and of course he wasn't. But Genma would as though on cue start rummaging through his hip pouch and pull out a single needle.

He wasn't worried if Genma attacked. He could handle it easily, but it was something more. It seemed there was something terribly wrong since he had no intent in attacking him.

Genma would eye the needle and turn away from him as though he didn't want him to see something he was doing. Was he possibly hurting himself with it? He had checked one night but no there were no marks on the man's writs, arms or even his legs. But what ever it was he was doing or trying to do it was bugging even Kakashi.

I should ask him about it tonight when we stop. I should find a place soon anyways.

Stopping on a sturdy branch Kakashi waited for his friend to catch up.

"Damn it Kakashi, where the hell did you get all this energy?"

"Hmm must be my diet."

"If that was supossed to be a joke, stop now."

"No I think it is."

"Lair."

"Fine so I lied big deal." Kakashi shrugged. He wasn't in the mood to fight now all he wanted was to get to the bottom of Genma's odd behaviour. "We'll be looking for a place to sleep now, I think we went far enough today."

Genma stared at him. He wasn't too sure if he liked how much people had been staring at him lately.

"What?" Kakashi was now feeling self-concious.

Is there something in my hair? He thought as he looked up. Nah that would be obvious even to me.

"Are we past the border."

Should it matter?

"Yes, we passed it yesterday actually, I just didn't tell you."

"How come the terrain doesn't change like it does if we pass through the border to sand?'

"Well that's an easy one, I'm surprised you don't know." Kakashi laughed. He was starting to feel uneasy, something was watching them.

"Well please do tell." Genma grumbled. "You seem to be in a good talkative mood."

Kakashi decided to ignore the blow on his habits and instead he went on. "Well Sand is located in a desert."

"Yeah hence the name Village Hidden in the Sand."

Kakashi was really now dying to hit him. "Well what if we went to rice country hmm? The terrain doesn't normally change so quickly and often we miss it. Do you know why?"

"Not really I guess because it's not a desert but an uplands. The terraces receive a lot of rain as do the plains below, but your point?"

"There is a transition zone between the two where the trees thin out and plains come into view, however there are still a few trees in the plains. Have you ever gone past Rice Courntry?"

"Not directly through it."

"You should one day it's nice."

"Okay enough story telling."

"Well travel to Sand and suddenly the terrain is barren, this is because of the extremes caused by the deserts and the mountains. It's in a rain shadow! That shadow gives us in Fire Country the rain, while sand and stone wind up with much less, allowing for the drastic change in terrain."

"Did all that just come out of your mouth? Or is there something helping you?" Genma crossed his arms.

"Nope I read up on it when I was younger it's kind of fascinating."

"Really but I think there was another motive to this long winded story neh?"

"Uh was there?"

Man is he ever suspicious of me, but he got me.

"As a matter of fact there was." And quickly he pulled out a kunai and a few shurikon and threw then behind him. Hitting a shinobi square in the shoulder.

"He was following us since we entered Canyon Country."

"Ahh so there was someone…and many more."

"Yes there are." A new voice chirped and then laughed maniacly.

I've heard this laugh before. I remember I didn't like it.

"As far as I'm concerned both of you are dead." Jumping down silently a black haired woman approached them wearing a mask depicting a wolf.

Well I smell no dogs so not an Inuzuka or anything like it.

"We haven't come to cause any trouble." Genma tried to reason but was stopped while he dodged a kunai aimed for his heart. "Damn it stand down, I swear if Akane finds out your trying to kill me she'll kill you herself."

Akane? Who's that? I have a suspicion Genma has been to this country before.

"Awww it's too bad for you since she's not here anymore. I made sure of that." The woman laughed. Kakashi had the distinct feeling that he didn't like her.

"Made sure of that?" Genma was now visibly shaken

Who the hell is Akane?…Some woman, but what does she have to do with our attacker and Genma?

"If I was you I would stand down, killing us would only cause you a war with leaf, and I doubt you have enough shinobi to handle that." Kakashi added.

"Numbers aren't everything." The woman roared as she pulled out a star shaped fuma shurikon.

"Listen to me there is only one way to get away." Genma suddenly whispered next to Kakashi startling him.

Like I wouldn't know that.

Reaching behimd him Genma pulled out the blue senbon Kakashi had only seen at night. He stared, it was perfect not a scratch, it looked as though it was never used. "Let them get me."

"What?"

"It's the only way."

Is he mad? They'll kill him on the spot. Glancing quickly towards what was obviously the leader of the group of ANBU-like nin, he was torn between what to do.

If I leave him they'll kill him and me in the process. Unless I make a distraction and allow him to escape, if he can find this Akane person they can obviously finish where I left off. Of course getting killed for me is still out of the question so the distraction would have to involve us both escaping, but what can I use. A clone? Maybe and possibly an earth attack. If Genma can keep her from hitting us both…

"NO!" Kakashi stated firmly. "No one will die."

"Don't make me laugh." The woman now took a tentative step back. She seemed really eager to throw that weapon.

Don't be so hasty to throw that, it could be the biggest mistake you'll make. Kakashi mused. Reaching behind him he grabbed hold of the katana on his shoulder. With this he can possibly hit the shurikon in mid flight, and hopefully change it's course. Once he's done that he can get Genma to catch it.

This is my chance to test something I've been thinking about. But first how many are there?

Glancing around him Kakashi pushed his chakra to his nose, and gathered as many different scents he could.

Five other than the woman, that's not bad for us then, she's got an awful lot more bark than bite.

"Listen to me carefully Genma, we're going to have to work fast and run faster."

"Uh okay."

Genma was really unsure of this…he knew Kakashi was at times crazy, but this…this was worse, he was downright insane and should be put away for this. Kakashi wanted him to do something dangerous.

"Damn it why did I have to agree to go with you Kakashi why couldn't Iruka?"

Of course he had hidden himself high in the trees leaving Kakashi to kill or knock out the five extra shinobi. The woman below was still being fooled by their doplegangers.

"She's not to birght. I guess they don't teach their shinobi about how to recognize a fake from the real thing." Smiling he had a feeling they might succeed, he didn't need the needle after all. He felt really stupid in the first place about the whole thing. To think he was about to give it to Kakashi and let them get him so he could escape. He learned early being a hero wasn't always a bright idea.

Slowly over time the genjutsu wore off and the woman suddenly realized she was alone and all her comrades were sprawled out uncncios.

Thank you Kakashi for not killing them. If you did I wouldn't know how to explain it.

Glancing below Genma noticed Kakashi appear infront of the woman.

"If I was you I would retriet while I still can."

"Don't be a fool, If I do that you would kill more of us."

Ookay. Not too bright. Definitely an idiot. Even I can see they're not dead.

"And may I ask what made you think I would slaughter you all." Kakashi didn't sound so happy about that accusation. After all he wasn't a killer that was obvious.

"I didn't mean you yourself but the things that will fallow." She growled. "I cannot let you enter any farther."

Just as I thought she's notfrom the hidden village,but main village. This sin't so confusing. But where is Akane she should be in charge of this group.

Damn it! I can't call her until I know where she is.

Suddenly Kakashi did something that made Genma pale. "May I ask you something before you attempt to kill me?"

"You may." She snorted. Of couse Kakashi was preparing his attack it was the plan but this question was not the one they had agreed on.

"Who is this Akane?" Genma nearly fell out of the tree. "What does this person have to do with my friend?"

"That's it…that's what you want to know?" The woman put down the shurikon. Again both of them knew she would do that. Holding a weapon that large would be too tiring and would leave the attaker weak after releasing it. "Lets see she used to be the leader of our hunter teams. She died just a few months ago."

"How?" Kakashi now knew why he had an urge to ask that. This woman's armour was a variation of that of the woman he had met eight years ago.

"Well no one really knows but it's said she was eaten by a giant snake. Of course that's an over statement, she probably got killed by a missing nin."

"I doubt that would be the case. A gaint snake hmmm…I've seen one before."

The woman now stared at him blankly. "What does it matter. You won't be needing her and what good can a dead shinobi be if she can't help you?"

"None you are right!"

"Good now that we agree on something I think it's time you die." And with that she picked up the large fumma shurikon and hurled it at Kakashi's head. In a sigle movement Kakashi ducked and swung his sword upwards from below the shurikon sending it in Genma's direction.

Sweat was now running freely down Genma's face. He hated this, he wasn't good at it and it was going to hurt but if they were going to make it he had to.

"Damn you Kakashi for this half brained idea!" Quickly Genma pulled his right hand forwards and started to concentrate his chakra to where the shurikon would hit his hand first. "Now or never, it's not like it's new I've seen this before."

Now the shurikon was inches away and coming still.

Sweat still running Genma fought the urge to shut his eyes as his fingers grazed the hold in the center.

There! Clenching his hand enough to stop the shurikon from continuing it's path behind him but keeping his hand lose enough that the shurikon continued it's spin.

Below him he heard his signal. A 'poof' which meant Kakashi was ready. Leaning forwards and speeding up the shurikon's spinning Genma flung it back to it's owner.

"Take this bitch!" He screamed as the weapon left his hand.

"Whaa" 'THWAK' the shurikon pinned her to the tree.

Just as she hit the tree Kakashi's sword came flying out of the bush embedding itself in her neck.

Damn that was harsh…I don't think I want him mad at me. Man that was grose though but she deserved it!

TBC...