A/N:Just sum this up Akane stole Kakashi's things and used a jutsu on him. Genma left to Akane's village and Iruka and Raidou are...somewhere. (ha ha yeah I know...don't worry you'll find out more about those two.)

I'm really surprised at how little there is about Raidou. I personally like him. He seems a little shy but he seems to watch from the background.

This is a very crucial part. More questions show up here and a lot more assumptions. Some of them ture and some not. Problems seem to be coming up like crazy for the team of four.

So far so good you all like Akane. That's wonderful.

Anyways I can't say much still...but thanks for the reviews and keep it up.

What would you like to see happen in the sotry most?

Chapter 6: One Explanation

The next morning Kakashi came to with a throb lacing through his right hand. It hurt and a lot. He didn't remember hurting it last day but blood was flowing freely from the wounds, and from the looks of it, it had been for a long time.

Groggily he sat up and looked around.

What the hell?

What he saw shocked him. Their camp was empty, the fire pit destroyed and Genma gone. His pack was gone, but his mask and bed roll were all that remained.

"What the hell happened?"

Slowly as he rubbed his head the night's events slowly came back to him in flashes of images and smells. The first being Genma teasing him with water, Genma leaving, a loud crash in the woods, and then an ANBU of some kind, a woman!

"Was he in on it? Did he tell her to do that?" Everything was confusing. Right now at this point he needed to fully wake up and think up a strategy.

Genma was running as fast as he could, an angry Kakashi was something he did not want to meet. He wasn't far from his destination, maybe ten more minutes and he'd reach the gates.

Why did I do this? Kakashi's going to kill me the next time he sees me. If I return to Konohoa he'll have my head for sure. I've never even seen the guy mad, and I bet it isn't pretty.

Running faster Genma sensed something moving towards him. If he slowed down now his chances of getting away from his teammate were slim to none. He should have warned Akane about Kakashi.

The chances of Kakashi actually following her and not him were so slim. Kakashi would first find his missing teammate, either to chew him up or to save his life. Though right now he suspects Kakashi would chew him up, or worse kill him, but like he observed earlier the man was no killer.

No the man has a heart he won't kill me; but I'll regret it I'm sure.

Slowing down Genma stopped in front of a wall of vines and waited. Sure enough the shadow that had followed him was none other than Kakashi's thief.

"I still can't believe you took all his stuff, will he even survive?"

"Yes he will. ANBU are trained to rough it...you should know that, you were one." She wasn't wearing her mask for some reason. Genma wasn't too sure why but thought better than to ask.

Yes I was but not trained like you and Kakashi. My skills aren't like yours.

"Yes but..."

"Forget it." She sent him a stern look ending the conversation and walking towards the vines while performing a string of seals.

Man the more time goes by the more she acts like Umino.

Once she had finished the vines slowly disappeared. Revealing a path through the thick forest.

"He won't even be able to find this path and it's the only way into the village...unless he can fly. But I know he can't." she shrugged.

"No no he can't." Genma sighed; He was really not into this whole deceiving his best friend to save another thing.

"He's going to kill me for this."

"Well then you'll have to explain yourself later."

Yeah sure he'll want to talk to me, after he beats the crap out of me and leaves me for the dogs. Yeah then he'll probably want to talk to me...Or he'll talk to me and then make up some nasty rumor that goes around Konohoa that I can't get rid of, he'd make me regret living for the rest of my sorry life. Yes but I'm sure he'll want to listen...Che' get a grip woman!

"What part of kill don't you get?"

"Umm all of it!" She smiled. Genma had to admit when she smiled it was always sincere there was no such thing as a fake smile from Akane.

I should have known she'd be smart-alecky about that.

"You're just trying to be annoying on purpose."

Leaning close to him the woman next to him smiled. "And if I am what will you do about it?"

"I'll sick Iruka on you."

Good one now she'll tell him I said that and he'll come after me and not her...Then I'll have Kakashi and Iruka at my throat, nice one Genma.

"..." She stared at him in confusion.

"Yeah I know the guy worships the ground you walk on how can he not pick your side." He sighed as he slapped his forehead in frustration. They always took each other's side; never did one take his side.

"Yes that's right, so you lose." She beamed

"Oh no not yet, I'll tell Kakashi-san you kidnapped me."

"And how did I do that on my own?"

"Um I dunno you're like Tsunade-sama..."

That would take a miracle.

"No sorry no super human strength here, I can carry you but not far or fast."

"Fine you win." Genma grumbled as he followed the woman. He wondered where she got all her energy as she bounced past him making her ANBU uniform seem out of place for the behavior she was showing.

Walking further in the sight that came before Genma was one he never got used to. Nestled in a deep canyon was a rift valley full of tress. Just by looking at it there was no sign of human life; it was just a quiet forest. Birds sang and the water was clear, there was no garbage littering the ground. The place looked as if it were never touched.

Walking down the large hill out of the tress Genma watched a herd of dear eat in a meadow not to far to his left. The animals showed no sign of fear of humans. It was all just incredible. To think a clan that specializes in ANBU lives in a place like this.

"So I see this place hasn't been touched yet by that disease."

The woman stopped and put her mask back over her face ad shouldered his companion's bag. "Think again." With that she started to walk down the hill towards the canyon.

"Oh before we get down there, expect to be examined by the medics. They won't let you in no matter who you are if you aren't checked."

Something was off. He didn't like this. He had no control of the situation; it bothered him. All he had were a few Kunai and his hip pouch. Not much to stay alive with in a country you don't know. Kakashi was now at the point of cursing under his breath.

He wanted to curse Genma for running off like he did. He cursed the woman who did something to him and took his stuff. He cursed the something she did because he had no clue what the hell it was. He cursed the sun because he wasn't able to sleep for two days and still was exhausted. He cursed the nin chasing him...that part surprised him most, who were they and why did they have a fascination with killing him and anything that got in their path? And right now he wanted to curse the branch that smacked him across the face...even though his mask was covering his face the impact was enough to startle him.

To total it off he just wanted to curse everything that was in his way and everything that didn't work out for him.

"Damn you Genma, I've never had this happen but when I find you, you will regret this."

The worst of his problems were food. It wasn't too hard to find food in a forest normally...but something was wrong with this forest. He couldn't seem to find anything. Not a single fruit, no mushrooms, and no animals. It was as if the forest decided it no longer wanted to support life.

"Can this really be happening, I should be able to find something."

Looking to his left he spotted a clearing where two deer were grazing. Something inside told him to avoid them at all costs.

I'm no fool that's a genjutsu. I don't even need to use the sharingan to see that. The nin following me probably set the trap.

Then a loud noise erupted to his right and a nin clad in torn clothing and a few odd weapons came hurtling at him. He wasn't in the slightest surprised. The nin was probably upset that he didn't go for the trap and decided to go after him anyways. Not very smart.

Genma you will suffer for this one. I'll make sure of that.

Something wasn't adding up, he was just like the other two, who had followed him earlier. Luckily he was able to sneak away through the brush but he lost the path he had been following in the process.

Bruises covered the man's body and some were swollen enough to be considered welts. One eye was swollen shut and blood oozed from a wound in his leg. Overall Kakashi was convinced, under any normal circumstances this man should not be able to move, at least not like this.

What the hell is going on here? It's like this whole country has gone to hell.

Quickly Kakashi dodged the first blow but the second was one he wasn't expecting the man had managed to slam his fist into his shoulder but at the same time dislocating his wrist due to the sheer force of the blow.

The attack didn't hurt Kakashi but it did throw him off balance and surprised him greatly.

Am I getting sloppy? Did he actually get into my defenses because I wasn't paying attention?

"That wasn't to smart." Kakashi chided as he dashed at his assailant with his katana ready to immobilize him.

Before his blow landed the man managed to use the injured hand.

"What the hell, Damn." Kakashi's eyes widened as he stared into the man's face. The eyes were empty there was no life in them.

Quickly his attacker grabbed the hand holding the sword and a struggle for control began.

Kakashi would normally be the stronger in this situation but the man was pulling strength from unknown wells. He stared in horror, as the man's own teeth broke from effort.

What could make him want to kill me so badly that he would throw his own life away just to do it?

As time passed his assailant must have made up his mind and made a final pull towards him and sent Kakashi off balance. Grabbing one arm the man managed to land a bite in Kakashi's forearm breaking the skin and drawing blood.

"Arrggghhh" Pain flooded his senses as he attempted to get the man off him.

In moments the man fell to the ground in a heap and Kakashi fell over out of exhaustion.

The fight had worn him out faster than he had thought.
Was that man that much stronger than he or was he losing his edge? No that can't be right he was just entering his prime now so that can't be right. Kakashi was convinced as he lay in the grass breathing heavily that there was something wrong with the forest.

"What the hell was that all about?" Kakashi stood up slowly and glanced to the body on the ground and turned it over. The man was dead, but Kakashi was now more worried about the bite.

What could have caused the man to look like he did? Was it possible there was something horrible wrong going on in this country? The last question was answered by searing pain lacing up his arm.

"Damn and that bitch took my pack. I need to find a stream if I don't I could be in his situation soon." Cleaning the wound was his first priority the second was to find a village and fast. He needed to know the situation and to make sure he hadn't been infected with what ever it was the man had.

Iruka was running as fast as he could, but he knew that wasn't going to help him. He had to make it to their hideout before dark and before his followers did. If he were caught wandering around at night near the main shinobi village, he'd be dead for sure. He wasn't to far so chances were he'd make it with plenty of time.

Raidou had told him he'd stay behind so that at least one was safe during their search. A very wise decision considering the situation they found themselves in.

Apparently Kaji had gone missing weeks ago along with his ANBU team and no one has since found him. The team they had found earlier was a team headed by one of the older nin in the main hidden village. They were lucky to not be noticed. Iruka knew no one from that village and if he had approached them chances were he'd be dead.

The old woman they had been staying with turned out to be a distant relative of Raidou's who had been living in the Canyon country most of her life. According to her there had been an outbreak that had infected many from the main shinobi village in this country and at present the fight against it was failing.

Most infected go crazy and orders were out to kill any infected on sight. This would be standard but they went further. Any visitors were also to be killed and anyone out side the villages could also be killed on a whim.

Things were not going well in the Canyon country. All he could do now is give up the search and look for the twin. If he did that chances were he could have her find her brother.

Reaching the shelter Iruka rushed in through the door and bolted it shut behind him. The home wasn't a very large one but it had enough room for the three people currently living there.

"Thank you Raidou-san." He smiled as he took off his mask and sighed.

This place is wearing me out. I can't stand seeing people suffer like this. What the hell happened here? Why hasn't Akane done anything to stop this?

"I thought you needed the help."

Iruka snorted. "This place is going to hell. It used to be as beautiful as Fire Country but now it looks like a battlefield."

Walking into the kitchen Iruka spied the old woman.

He was regretting doing this to the old woman. It had been a long time since she had visitors and she was so kind. It really broke his heart to leaver her in the middle of the turmoil but it seemed she was prepared for it.

"I'm sorry Haya-san but I don't think we can stay much longer. If we stay here they may come for you and I don't think we can risk that."

He knew that the ANBU from the main village would find them soon. Leaving the old woman behind at her home was the best thing for her.

"Oh don't worry about me Iruka-kun, I am an old woman who has seen many things, keeping you here is a pleasure and I think you must agree that this country needs it's other protector back."

Iruka felt bad, they actually came to take him away, willingly or by force. "Thank you Haya-san, there is a chance that Akane-san can be of more help in our search."

With the mention of the girl's name the woman stood up. "If that is the case can you take something for her with you?"

Iruka smiled. "Of course but may I ask what it is?"

Raidou had just entered the room and answered for the old woman. "Haya-san is a medicine woman of sorts that many people go to when medic nins are unavailable or are useless. I'm betting she has something this Akane girl you are looking for would want."

"Why yes that it is."

"Well if it's that important why not." Iruka had no clue what Akane would want with a medicine woman of this sort...but then again this was Akane she usually did things that made next to no sense.

The old woman walked into a back room and came back with an old wooden box. "Before I give you this I need you to understand how important it is that you find her and that you also help those along the way if you chose to do so."

Both men stared at the old woman in amazement.

I didn't know Akane was into medicine she usually fell asleep when I tried to explain it to her. Or is this something more?

The old woman motioned for the men to sit and as they did she turned to Raidou.

"First I must explain to you who Akane is, it seems your friend here already knows her well but you too must know.

Looking back to Iruka she smiled sincerely and pulled out a string of feathers from a pocket.

Iruka froze. He had never seen a bird with suck feathers in his life. They were beautiful and nothing he could summon had any plumage like that. There were three feathers tied together with a cord. The center was long and silver. It seemed to shimmer in the light when moved the right way. The left feather was gold and the right was red. But what amazed him was that none were more beautiful than the other. It was total balance. Something that usually never happened naturally.

They must be fake there's no animal with feathers like that.

Gently she placed the feathers on the table.

"This country has two shinobi villages as you know."

Iruka nodded but Raidou stared, "Two but that's overkill."

"Yes and no." Iruka answered. "The second village serves as a place where the chunnin and jounin could continue further training, usually for ANBU. They specialize in assassinations and stealth missions and often the main village will turn to them if the mission requires a higher level of skill than they can accommodate."

"Why yes," The old woman smiled. "It seems you have been there."

"I have but I'm suspecting something has gone wrong." Suspecting was not exactly the right word. He knew there was something wrong.

"Yes Akane and her twin brother Kaji are the protectors of this country. They work between villages as ANBU and have teams they work exclusively with. Rarely would they let a new member in unless one of their own was killed. Unfortunately Kaji and his team have gone missing in the past few weeks and no one has seen them since."

Stopping for a moment the old woman sighed. Iruka frowned; he knew there was a lot of things going on all at once that didn't quite fit into place.

"The main village has been trying to fill their place but unfortunately the skills they possess are not up to par to deal with a problem such as this."

"So this Akane person has been over worked then." Raidou asked leaning forward.

"Yes she has, and from what I have heard she has other problems to deal with besides the outbreak."

Other problems? Those feathers, what's with those feathers...she's trying to tell me something but I don't get it. Wait Genma told me something once...she used an odd jutsu...could she be...

"Haya-san, can you tell me where you got those feathers from. I've never seen any bird with feathers like that."

"Of course, Akane-san has given them to me."

"From where? Did she find them on a mission?"

I know Akane has a knack for collecting things...she's the biggest pack rat I've ever seen but if she found something like this then she would normally keep it or try to find the animal it came from.

Haya laughed and smiled. "These feathers came from Akane-san herself."

Iruka was shell-shocked. He couldn't believe it! This woman was not crazy, he knew that. He also knew that there were many things in this world that cannot be explained.

She's like Naruto...I should have seen that coming. It explains her behavior. She's always been so strong willed and full of energy. Nothing could bring her down...this can't be good.

"Someone is chasing her!" Iruka concluded.

"My boy how can you know something has been chasing her?" The old woman looked confused.

"I just know, tell me." He was regretting asking about those feathers now.

"I do not know myself but it is a foreign group of shinobi with skills that rival her own."

"This is starting to sound familiar." Raidou dared to say as Iruka shot him a glare.

Never before had Raidou seen Iruka look upset like this. His comrade at first was excited to come to this country and see his friends whom have been away for a while now. But when they saw the damage done to the people by this disease, his spirit diminished.

Those feathers though seemed to ignite the vigor in the chuunin but only for a fraction of a second. He almost missed it.

"What do you mean?"

"It sounds to me like Akatsuki." Raidou watched as Iruka was letting the suspicion sink in.

He already figured it out. She's a jinchuuriki like Naruto.

"I'm sorry Haya-san but I can fill in Raidou-san when we go, but first I need to know about this box and the disease."

"Of course. This box holds the cure for the disease." Raidou watched as she slowly opened the box where two large bottles containing a yellow liquid were nestled.

"This disease is no ordinary disease, it attacks the brain. From what I have seen and been told it causes the victim to lose all sense of self and even reality, they become almost barbaric and hold no care for self preservation."

"Okay so that settles why they look half dead but what about the behavior?" Raidou needed to now this, too many of them seemed ready to kill them with a moment's notice and it was rather annoying.

"Well what happens is they become hungry to spill blood, and not just the blood of those uninfected but they will go even as far as spilling their own."

"That's not a pretty picture." Iruka mumbled resting his chin on his hand. "Who caused this and why?"

Raidou was wondering this himself. It definitely wasn't the Akastuki that was for sure, it wasn't their style, and they usually never left a mess.

This almost sounds like Orochimaru. He seems to have a hand in every country and anywhere he's been a mess of sorts develops making those living there suffer. I just hope Yamato and the others stop him and get the Uchiha boy back in one piece. It seems this mission is a lot harder than we suspected...Did Tsunade-sama know about this?

"No one really knows except for Akane-san, but I do know it's being used to set up the Akahoshi."

Iruka sighed. "I should have known that would make a lot of sense given the type of jutsu they use."

"What type do they use?" Raidou had a sneaky suspicion he already knew.

"Uhh well it's hard to explain fully without actually seeing it but it involves blood usually."

"What a nice jutsu." Raidou made a face. That was not what he wanted to hear. A justu like that could be very dangerous and he was surprised that it still remains unknown to a large degree.

"Well yes, and it was through Akane that I managed to get the antidote."

"Okay say what!" Genma was seated at a small table across from Akane.

"It's just what I told you."

"Okay leaving Kakashi-san out there alone without his gear was a stupid thing to do. Why did I let you talk me into this?"

Akane scrunched up her face. Why was it always her they blamed stuff on?

"Genma you called me...you told me what you wanted me to do...so! IT WAS YOUR IDEA!"

Genma immediately stuck a finger in his ear. "Gez, you could beat Iruka-san at a yelling fight, please don't yell. Hey you know what?"

"What?" Akane asked as she crossed her arms in annoyance. She was not in the mood for this. Not only did she have to deal with the stupid disease but she also apparently had to go save Kakashi from the forest too.

"With a voice like that you could beat some sound nin into the ground." Akane sent him a glare.

"I don't have time for this Genma. I got you here. Talk to my father but please stop making up distractions. Is there anyone else out there that shouldn't be?"

Genma swallowed hard. "Um yes."

"Who." She had a suspicion she knew. It been a long time since she had seen Genma, and if Genma was here now then Iruka wasn't far behind.

"Iruka and another from our village."

Damn I thought so, this could be bad, and I have to find him.

"The other ninja what's his name?"

"Raidou."

'Is it safe to let him here?"

"Yes I think so, he's a very quiet guy I doubt we would have troubles with him."

"Good then their first on my list. Looking for Hatake will have to wait. I can't run around looking without a clue."

"Are you going to give him his pack back though?"

Maybe...but I like this one it's far better than the one I have. Not to mention he has a few things in there I haven't seen for a long time.

"I might if he asks me nicely. It's bad enough he could be as mad as a hornet, I mean with you leaving and me cutting up his hand and all."

'Yeah he'll probably hold a grudge for a bit. Look I'm sorry for making you take that and then have you look for him anyways."

"No I knew I couldn't let him wander too long. I'll send my team out to look for him, hopefully he's okay." Akane didn't really care less if she found the silver haired man dead in a ditch but Genma seemed to be worried for him so she had no choice but to help.

"Oh by the way while I'm gone I have a jutsu for you to learn, I need you to go to my room, you know the one; and it should be in the cabinet near the bed."

"Oh sure, what is it?"

"You'll see, and you'll like it, I know you will. It took me a long time to perfect but to give it to you was the goal I had in mind, this is far less dangerous then sending it on a summon." Getting up Akane stretched sending snaps up her spine. It had been a long day but it wasn't done soon.

The sun was about to set and that was when the real works starts. Iruka and his comrade were out there and she was sure they weren't prepared with what's lurking in the shadows.

TBC...