A/N: I noticed just how many spelling mistakes are in here, it probably drove people insane. I have to aplogize. I should have read it over once I had uploaded it. Apperently haes vowels. Yep I checked and it moved vowels from every few words. So please keep in mind as you read further there are a fw mistakes, this will be fixed.

Well enjoy the chapter and remember to review.

Chapter 5: Camp

The sun had set an hour ago and Kakashi was relieved. He really didn't want to see anything...he didn't want to see at all for a while. However his wish wasn't going to come true. There was something more important on his mind.

"Genma-san? Are you really alright?"

"Hmm?" Genma looked up from the fire he had been staring at intently for over an hour.

"I was asking if you were alright, you've been staring into the fire for a while. It's not good on the eyes you know."

"Yeah I know that!" Genma shrugged. Maybe Genma was acting the same as he was. Instead of getting close to light like Genma was, he instead was hanging in the shadows. It made him feel comfortable. Being in the light of a fire had taught him to avoid it since and enemy could be watching but Genma wasn't as involved in the war as he was so he seemed to be opposite in many of these habits.

"Look I can't seem to figure out your behavior it's not normal even for you to be this quiet."

"Sorry I guess I'm still a little mad. Besides right now I don't want to have a heart to heart with you, it's not like you would get it."

Kakashi was confused. He knew what a heart to heart was and he might get it. The thing was, Genma was hiding something and he knew enough to not let it slip out whatever it was.

He's a talented shinobi I doubt I can trick him in telling me. The other problem is he knows me well which means nothing I can say will change it. So now what? Let him brood or make him tell me. Well if he was trying to do something, maybe I should let him and see what it is he's up to? It may not be wise but what else can I do? I doubt he would hurt me not with the stunt he tried to pull earlier.

"You're not going to tell me are you?"

"Nope!" Genma sighed.

"What choice do I have then?" Kakashi stood up and almost laughed as Genma flinched from the firelight. "Did you seriously think I was going to attack you?"

"I don't know what you would do." Genma sighed. "By the way I know you're still wearing the usual mask but can't you take that one off too, it's a bit creepy."

"This?" Kakashi pointed to the hound mask on his face. "I'm kind of fond of it. How's it creepy?"

"Oh never mind you wouldn't get it."

"Try me!" Kakashi crossed his arms at his chest and glared. The effect was enhanced by the mask and he knew it.

"Nah not today, I'm really tired." Genma was ignoring him, normally he wouldn't blow him off so easily but if he forced him to tell him the consequences could be worse than staying quiet.

"Ahh so you really are scared of me."

Call him a coward and he'll react.

"Am not!" Genma growled. "I just know what you can do and I respect that. Besides a fist fight now would only make us both to tired tomorrow in case we have more run-ins like the last."

Damn he's right. If I start a fight we'd both be to tired to defend ourselves properly and mistakes could happen, something we have to avoid. After all we're not really supposed to be here, even if our papers say so, the reception was one I'd like to avoid in the future.

"Good point, well then good night, I'm turning in."

"Good now I can think with out you chattering away."

"If I may be so bold to remind you but you talk a lot more than me."

"Yeah not lately though."

"Good night Genma I suggest you get some sleep too, it might help your mood in the morning." Quickly Kakashi dodged the rock that flew for his head.

"Shut up smart ass." Genma grunted. "If you keep talking and not sleeping I'm going to kill you when you do fall asleep."

Kakashi chuckled and decided it best to leave the grouchy man alone. He might as well mull over what ever it is alone. He wanted no part of his mood.

------------------------

The Fire was nice. He always liked fire. It was warm, gave off a lot of light and cooked things. Food would be nice not gruel like what they had to eat. However real food gave off smell and any shinobi within a mile would smell it.

"Damn him...smart ass."

"I heard that!" Kakashi chimed from where he had his bedroll.

"SHUT UP! THERE"S ANOTHER ROCK HERE, AND UNLIKE THE OTHER ONE IT'S GOT YOUR NAME ON IT."

"So?"

"DAMN YOU." Picking up the rock like he had threatened Genma flung it at the bedroll getting a satisfying thunk.

"OW that was my nose."

"WELL YOU SHOULD HAVE MOVED, ASS!"

"You know if you yell around like that I'm sure the rest of those guys will find us."

"JUST GO TO SLEEP."

"Why?"

What the fuck? What's gotten into him he's talking too much. Is it a fake?

"BECAUSE YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO!"

"Genma?"

"WHAT?" He could feel the anger overflowing.

"Could you shut up I'm trying to sleep." Came a quiet voice yards away where the can was thrown.

No that's him alright. Genma thought as he slapped his forehead.

"You know you yell as loudly as Iruka-sensei!" Kakashi mumbled as he rolled over.

Genma quietly got up and grabbed his canteen and poured the water in the bowl he had in his pack and quietly crept near the bedroll.

"Really?"

"Yes my ears are ringing. Just try to keep it down though okay." Kakashi looked up and realized what he had just fallen for. "What's that for?"

"I think you didn't drink enough today." Genma felt the sneer cross his face. It was just too good.

"No I'm sure I did, I'm not thirsty! Nope don't need it."

"TO BAD!" With that Genma poured the water, which to Kakashi's surprise was actually on the other side of him, the one on the left was a fake and he fell for it.

"Now look what you did, my bed's all wet."

"Live with it." Genma snorted as he stood up and walked back to the fire stopping with a sudden thought.

"I need a walk to clear my head."

"Are you sure it's not to get away from me.?" Kakashi just had to.

"Maybe, but really I need to walk around a bit."

Kakashi just shrugged and closed his eyes.

Easy enough for me. The sooner I'm away from you the sooner I can cool down. Asshole!

-------------------------------
After getting as far away as he could Genma felt he could go no further. He had walked for ten minutes and the further from his companion he was the more danger he could be in.

It's now or never I don't want a repeat of today.

Careful not to make too much noise Genma pulled out the blue senbon from it's place in his hip pouch.

"I can't believe I'm doing this." He whispered to himself.

Bringing the sliver of metal up to the light he felt it easier to stab his throwing hand, it would definitely bring out the message.

Holding his hand down on a rock Genma swallowed deeply.

Damn it I don't like this stuff.

Still holding the senbon needle high he plunged his hand down and...missed. Instead it landed between his index and middle fingers.

Idiot, now you can't even aim for your own hand. Just hit a nerve, that's it a big one. One that would make the person either release a weapon or scream in pain. The last one was the one he wanted to avoid, that would bring Kakashi to him. So a nerve by the wrist was as good a place as any.

Holding the needle high again he aimed carefully to a nerve he was sure he could use.

Pain lanced through his vision making white flashes appear where he knew there weren't any. Blood started to flow but just a trickle, nothing serious which was a relief to him.

"Damn you Akane!" He cursed. Now what though? Was he to wait or to keep going until she came?

There's no way that girl is dead, she staged that. But the snake there's no mistaking the snake. Orochimaru was after her that's for sure. Damn things keep getting worse.

Slowly Genma removed the needle from the wound he had just made. He was going to have to bandage that up soon and stretch the muscles in the wrist so he can still use it.

"Looks like I'm going to have to wait." Genma muttered. "Che' it's like her to make me wait like this. What I wouldn't give to have her or Kakashi's talent at first aid jutsu." Pulling off the hip pouch, Genma rummaged through it.

"..." Something was off.

Something was wrong, very wrong!

Once he had bandaged his hand he felt a surge of Chakra near by. It was coming at him.

"Shit where's it from!" Looking around wildly Genma couldn't find it.

"Killing intent, not her...Shit!"

Reaching behind him Genma noticed he had left his hip pouchby the rock. If he reached down to get it he would be toast.

Okay think clearly I can't go for that but I do have my kunai.

Reaching his kunai holder Genma pulled one out and stood in a defensive position bringing the kunai up in front.

Closing his eyes he focused on the chakra.

So he's in the trees, and to my right. So if I...Shit what's that? He's charging chakra? Doesn't Kakashi only do that...wait no no not just him but she wouldn't...no it's not her it's to big, must be male. He's very large and is making to much noise. Kakashi would have a joke for this now.

Genma couldn't help but laugh. Kakashi would say even a large shinobi was trained to be quiet this one was trained to be an elephant. Loud and distracting so there's a quiet one hiding behind him making him clear the way.

Not that it was much of a joke but it's usually the sarcasm and then it would quickly be followed by a snide comment to the shinobi.

This one wants to kill me that much I know so why not use Kakashi's tactic...Piss him off till he can't see his own opponent.

"Hey! I know you want to kill me but what good will it do you if you throw your weight around like that." Genma swallowed hard. How the hell did Kakashi do this with out sounding scared?

'Snap, crunch.' The answer. But now at least he could see the man's shadow.

"Wow are you ever big!" Genma swallowed. He really wanted Kakashi to be there. Why did he have to go for a walk?

From the man's size, Genma was sure he could snap him in half like a twig. As the giant came closer Genma could clearly see welts and bruises on the shinobi's face. The eyes were red and strained and the man had the distinct scent of death.

This is not good...what the hell happened to this guy. He looks dead...If I make it through this Akane's going to explain this one to me. Last time i checked nothing like this existed in this country or anywhere.

"BLOOD!" The huge man growled.

Ohhh Man why didn't I count that in. This is the damn Canyon Country where the Akahosi had move their clan to.

"Heh yeah sorry I was cleaning it."

"YOU BLEED."

Genma backed up slowly but the man crept forward towards him making his uneasiness worse.

This is not normal. Even if the Akahoshi lived here, they would have gotten rid of anything like this...it has nothing to do with them...someone's setting them up.

"Uh yeah I was in a fight." Genma was getting scared. What was this guy?

"BLOOD."

"Uh yeah blood." Genma answered back. He wasn't to sure if he wanted to see the red stuff ever again.

Suddenly he hit a tree. "Damn it." Keeping the kunai in a defensive position Genma glanced around him.

A replacement technique was all he could do backed into a corner like this. Still slowly the huge mammoth of muscle came towards him. A huge hand came out of nowhere to his right.

Oh crap!

Roughly it grabbed him by the shoulder and flung him to the boulder. Looking down near where he was sitting earlier was a mistake. He now saw what he had missed. Skulls and many, this man was a canable.

"Ahhh!" Pain lanced though his right hand.

What the hell why does it throb now! Shit it's bleeding through.

A loud screech came through the air and cause the attacker to bellow in return.

"Release him!" A demanding voice shouted.

Another screech.

Light lanced through his vision while the half human muscle mass before him fell to the ground a silver needle deep in his head.

The lights just seemed to go out, everything around Genma went blank.

-------------------------

Slowly he became aware of his surroundings and lurch forwards screaming and covering his face, the horror still fresh in his mind.

"You okay?" A female voice asked next to him.

"What do you want? And no I'm not okay I was just attacked by a mountain!" Genma was still covering his face, but nothing was coming at him. There was no more killing intent.

Slowly removing his hands Genma saw what he was expecting least. At only five six a young shinobi, he guessed a woman stood holding her hand out to him. She wore a very odd mask. It made him very uneasy, the mask seemed to glow in the moonlight as it filtered through the canopy. The glow made him feel safe and calm...

Shaking his head clear of what else he was thinking Genma took the hand he was offered and was pulled by more strength he was expecting.

"Genma-san are you okay?" She asked again. From the sound of her voice Genma felt she was suppressing a laugh.

Genma stared. She knows my name? How?

She must have realized he was confused since she had released the left hand and kept the right hand.

Something was warming him hand. It felt nice and warm. He could almost...SMACK!

A punch landed on his cheek.

"No passing out Shiranui Genma! You called me and I'm not going to have a vegetable to take care of for the rest of my life."

"Whaaa?" What else could he say that was all very confusing...A vegetable?

Quickly she spun him around and pulled out a piece of stone sliver that must have tuck in his back. It must have gotten past his flack-jacket.

"OUCH!"

"Stop whining, you deserve that for getting one of them all pissed off at you."

Genma muttered something under his breath as she healed the wound.

"Just what was that?" Genma had to ask. He needed to know the situation and he needed to now!

"Well it's a long story, lets just say someone has been experimenting and leaving his rejects wandering in the forest. Actually these things are causing a disease...it's claimed several of my people...It makes them go crazy."

"Crazy?" This was somehow very strange and failiar at the same time.

"Yeah, the disease affects the mind, it makes the victim enjoy spilling blood...it's hard to explain, I need more time to tell you." she sighed in frustration.

Genma simply nodded and watched as she approached the corpse.

"So I don't think that was the problem was it." She asked as she nudged the body with her foot.

"No" Genma said this as he hung his head. "Don't laugh."

"Laugh?" She cocked her head and stared.

"Take that damn thing off it's creepy!" Those masks always made him feel uneasy.

"Why I like it!"

"Ahhh nooo not another one!" Genma moaned.

"So now that you have had a chance to sit, tell me about what you called me for?" The young woman looked at him with annoyance crossing her face.

"Man I'm not to sure if I liked the mask or your face." Genma muttered.

"Is that a comment about my face or my mask?"

"Both!"

"Really?" Genma swallowed. Now he'd done it.

Getting up the girl leaned inches from his face. "Don't get me wrong but I'm sure there isn't much wrong with my face!" A grin spread through her features.

Back off damn it back off!

"N..No that's the problem!" Genma made an attempt to regain his footing in the argument.

"So what's it all about?" She asked returning to rummaging throught the large man's things.

"Do you have to do that?" He hated it, she was stealing.

"Yep, I came quickly since you seemed to be very picky about where you hurt me."

"Ha ha ha ha it hurt you too? I would have never thought." Genma chuckled. "Always count on you to do something like that. I should have picked a better place."

"Okay now lets not start that. Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Hmmm maybe but first I want my hand back to it's normal use." Genma held his hand out. He wasn't too sure if it was a safe thing to do but he doubted she would amputate it.

"Okay fine." She sighed as she flung a flaming paper slip on the body. "Let me see it."

Holding her hand above the wound a cool blue glow appeared around both her hand and his. Genma realized it was the same feeling as before.

So she had tried to heal it before.

"There! Done now speak or else I'll cut your hand off."

Damn she can read minds.

"Okay here goes nothing." Genma sighed.

"Yeah I've had a lot of that spit it out!"

Genma slowly got up making sure not to startle the girl kneeling on the ground and walked as silently as he could back to camp only to stop in the bushes before he reached it.

"Nice camp! You guys should really not use such a big fire in this country." She appraised. "Is this it? Okay I've seen a shinobi camp a hundred times before, heck I've built one."

"Shhh!"

"What?"

"Just be quiet and listen."

"Oookay!" she made her eyes big as though to make fun of him.

"See that guy over there."

"What the old one? Hey you left an old man out here at your camp alone. You really haven't gotten better have you."

Genma's mouth fell. She was clueless.

"You idiot he's not an old man."

"Oh he's not? The gray hair says otherwise."

"Akane! He's younger than me!" He snarled trying his best not to yell.

"Oh!"

"Geezzz I can tell you still jump to conclusions."

"NO I..."

"Don't yell! He'll wake up!" Genma shook the hand he had placed on her face to make his point and let go quickly before her teeth drew blood.

"Okay so what about him?"

"I need to see your father."

"Well he sure isn't my father!" She snorted, He knew she was joking but it wasn't the time to be funny, this was important.

"Akane!"

"Yes I get it stop being silly!"

"Please.!"

"So he can't come with you?" Genma rolled his eyes, she knew the rules of her village better than anyone. Outsiders were not allowed.

"No but I can't lose him either."

"I see so you want me to kill him?"

"Uh no that would be bad!"

"How so?" Did she have no conscience?

Does she not get anything? Or is this all on purpose...I think it's the latter, she loves to bug me.

"He's my friend and a very talented shinobi. He's better off alive."

"Okay so alive he stays. You want me to lead him astray, get him lost?"

"Yes, that's it! Lose him, get him to chase you. That way I have to go on ahead." Genma grinned.

If you just gave her enough time her mind would work the rest of the time it's a total mess.

"So how then?"

"Akane I thought you were good at this kind of thing?"

"I am I'm just checking to see if you had any ideas."

"Damn it, you're on your own okay. He's already on to me so get going."

"Gezzz now?"

"Why not?"

"It's late and he's sleeping!" He moaned. She came up with this now? What kind of reason was that?

"So he's off guard." Genma muttered in a matter of fact tone.

"I doubt it." The girl's eye's narrowed as she watched the sleeping figure. "What's that there on the pack?"

"That's an ANBU mask."

"Really?"

"Yes duh, you have two!" ducking Genma dodged a fist.

"What of?"

"A hound."

Suddenly her face went pale.

So she does know him, but not so nicely.

"Okay I'll start now."

"Thanks. I'll talk to you at the village."

Of course he wasn't talking to anyone anymore, she had already left.

----------------------------

Creeping through the underbrush Akane came as close as she could to the sleeping figure. Observing was a better thing to do at this rate.

He was definitely a sound sleeper or very good at pretending. She believed it was the latter. If she was to pull this off she would have to act fast and not get caught.

But what to do? She could just run up and smack him across the face and run. That would be stupid. She could just announce herself but then again that would be a little too dangerous.

She knew who he was now and Genma was right he can't reach the village not dressed like that and not in his current state of mind. She would have to convince him she wasn't the enemy first.

Effortlessly, she pulled out a foot from under her and crept forwards. Maybe a simple theft would work. Yes stealing, she smiled.

Pretending or not I can still take things from you!

In seconds she was crouched next to his pack when a hand grabbed her foot.

Oooppps.

"And just what do you think your doing." He had a good grip. She winced back the pain.

"Uh" she looked up. "Borrowing."

"Without asking?" The man cocked an eyebrow.

"Uh-huh, something wrong with that?" Blue and red eyes focused on hers. The comas in the red one slowly began to dance.

Too bad for you that I won't react to that. Now what would you want most back?

Glancing down Akane saw a very tattered book. "hmmm"

"Hmmm?" His hold tighten, she could now feel the pressure building around the bones in her ankle.

"If I was you I wouldn't squeeze any more, you might lose a finger." She grinned under her ANBU mask. "Did I ever tell you, you have such nice eyes."

"Why yes once you did, but I'm not falling for it!"

"Oh? I think you will!" Damn he knew her right away, she was hoping he had forgotten.

"How so?" She knew he was trying to figure her out but she knew one way to keep him from getting the upper hand.

Since he was still focusing on her she had one choice left if she were to take something. Slowly she moved on hand up to about chest level and made a few seals. She noticed his eyes go wide in shock... after all she was performing jutsu with one hand. He had no way of learning it either, sharingan or not. Finally finishing off with the final seal Akane spat out the incantation.

"HEAVEN"S SERENITY NO JUTSU"

"Bye!" She smiled as his grip relaxed and his eyes slowly shut. "You know you look cute when you sleep." She laughed.

He was lucky. She mused. He had grabbed her ankle just where the blade tapered off. The lacerations on his had were slight, he'd live.

Getting up she watched as Genma crept from the bushes. "It's okay he's out cold, he won't even remember a thing."

"Thanks."

"I want you to leave now! Go straight to my village, not the main village, they'll kill you. I'll meet you there, you should be there by morning?"

"What are you going to do?" She sensed the curiosity in his voice. She was annoyed. Could he not trust her?

"Take all his stuff, except the bed roll." She smiled under the mask.

Carefully she trudged over to his bag...

I think I'll leave him his mask...it would be wrong to take.

Grabbing the bag ad dropping the mask on the sleeping shinobi Akane left through the bushes as silently as she came.

TBC...

A/N: Okay now that I fixed this one I feel much better.

Please remember to review.