Alright so just finished up with the new chapter! It was actually over 16,000 words but I turned it into two chapters because I felt like people would think it was ridiculously long. Also then I have an extra chapter for everyone to read while I am working on the next chapter for one of my stories. This one turned out being 8499 words without the author's notes!

Start Chapter 10

The feeling that something wasn't right set in after only a few hours of walking. Harri could smell people and a strange sickly sweet odor that made something in him want to bare his teeth and flee at the same time, yelling at him, Danger! Danger! No one else seemed to pick up on this though... Was he just being hyper vigilant? Harri forced his mind from over thinking it anymore than he already was. People used that road all of the time. It was a direct route all the way to the Leaf village from many different places. Harri's Dad had probably even used it when he brought him to the leaf all those years ago. Wow... that was a weird feeling, the last time he had been out of the leaf village was when he was a baby... huh.

Harri dug his fingers into his sleeve, trying not to stare at Kakashi. He still couldn't understand why he had lost control. Told him such personal information. The shame had been settled in his chest for hours over the ordeal that had taken place back home.

He felt like he was going out of him mind sometimes. His anxiety and dread and odd loneliness, the feeling of being abandoned crushing him until his chest was heavy with it. Much like when the smell of copper would fill his nose even when he wasn't crying and flashes of pain and voices would overwhelm him. He couldn't do it anymore, he couldn't be the adult. And Kakashi had smelled so safe like dogs and ozone and-and like... Like demon? Harri took another discreet, stronger sniff. Was that really why he felt so much better around the man? Because he smelled like he was part demon? Something in him wanted to cling to the man, nuzzle him, and cover himself with his scent at that realization. The feeling of being in the presences of a friendly adult, even though he didn't have the strongest concentration of demon blood, made Harri feel so protected. And Kakashi was so nice to.

A splash and then a noise like something was barreling towards them filled Harri's ears. He cringed at the shriek of metal. Immediately turning, dragging his head from foggy childish thoughts. It was too late to say anything. He let his legs collapse under him, if he hadn't he would have surely been decapitated as a razor sharp chain whipped by his head the moment he began to fall.

"Kakashi sensei!" Sakura shrieked in horror.

Harri flipped, before falling and forced himself up with the heels of his hands, immediately jumping back and away from the threat. He hard a splattering noise.

Harri quickly pulled out a Kunai when he hard a pained yelp from who he believed to be Naruto. Spinning on his heel he hardly had time to block the attack the man aimed at him. What the? Why did they have knives on their fingers and why were their arms covered in metal gauntlets? The sickly sweet smell he had picked up on earlier, it came from the clawed gloves! Was it poison? He would need to be careful to avoid that. Harri forced chakra into his arm and struck out against the man's armored chest, making him gasp and stumble back barely far enough for Harri to retreat.

"Harri! What are you doing? Get out of there let Sasuke take care of them!" Sakura yelled.

He couldn't though, Naruto had frozen if he did Harri was afraid the other boy would die. Another part of him knew that Sasuke could handle them though and Harri didn't want to show anyone, not even Sasuke what he could really do if he could avoid it.

Suddenly the pair of adult ninja were jerking their arms. Sasuke was there, a throwing star aimed perfectly had trapped the chain. Through the hole of the throwing star, a Kunai , to secure it. Landing on their combined aimed arms Sasuke kicked both men in the face, nearly knocking them to the ground with pained groans.

"AAAAHH!" Naruto yelped falling to the ground and backing away as the pair released their chain.

They were in full motion after that, once again speeding toward their targets, Sakura and the bridge builder. Pure terror made the Kunoichi's whole body tremble as she tried to guard the man. She almost seemed to have to tell herself to fall into a guarding stance.

Sasuke immediately darted over spreading his arms to protect the both of them. He bared his teeth, ready for impact right as one of the attackers pounced.

"Hi." Kakashi said, suddenly just there, chocking the life out of the two Chunin.

"You're alive!" Naruto yelled, completely dumbfounded. Looking to where the supposed shredding of his teacher had happened he gasped when he saw nothing but little pieces of chopped up wood.

"He did a substitution Jutsu!" Naruto said in awe.

"Of course, and Naruto I am sorry that you got hurt, I just didn't think that you would... freeze up like that." Kakashi said, looking mildly disappointed at his blond haired student. He walked over to Sasuke and Sakura, looking a little more cheerful as he drug the two unconscious ninja behind him. "Good job Sasuke, you to Sakura..." Kakashi praised. The glance he gave Harri made him grimace. They were likely going to have a talk later.

Harri sighed, this was so annoying. Cry once and now he's 'dying'.

"Hey Naruto, are you hurt Scaredy cat?" Sasuke cooed mockingly.

Naruto growled.

"Sasuke, don't be rude! Not everyone has had some training from an elite ninja before now!" Harri scolded his cousin. Giving him what Shikamaru had dubbed his 'disappointed mother' look.

Sasuke glared at Naruto after that. "Well it's true! He was so scared he couldn't even lift a finger he was such a cow-ered~ Even Sakura didn't freeze up and she hasn't ever had anyone work one on one with her like us! He's a total wimp!" Sasuke said, the look on his face just daring Naruto to go at him.

Being the act first, think later person Naruto was he of course lunged at the smirking Uchiha. A war cry on his lips.

"Naruto, don't move the ninja that attacked you had poison in the tips of their claws. If you move it will spread the poison further. We will need to open it quickly or it could get further in your bloodstream. It's in your blood so moving around will only make it spread faster."

Kakashi turned, "By the way Mr. Tazuna, we need to talk."

Several minutes later, after tying the pair of ninja to a tree with secure knots, Kakashi began to speak again. Glancing curiously at Harri who stood next to him, oddly close. He swore the 'girl' had been scenting the air but Uchiha didn't have noses that could be considered superior to others so that was unlikely.

"Those two are Chunin level Ninja, originally from the village Hidden in the Mist. They specialize in relentless attack and fight until they are unable to do so. No matter what they must sacrifice." Kakashi explained.

"How-how did you know about our ambush?" One of the bothers asked.

"The puddles, on a clear day... when it hasn't rained in weeks?.. Highly unlikely, so... of course they would be highly suspicious." Kakashi said, sounding mildly amused.

"Why did you leave them for the Genin to fight then?" Tazuna asked.

"Well I could have taken them out quickly...but then I wouldn't have been able to figure out who they were targeting. I had to figure out who there target was... and what they were after." Kakashi Explained.

"What are you getting at?" The bridge builder asked in a defensive tone.

"Well.. I needed to figure out if they were after us,... Leaf Ninja, ninja attacking ninja or you... the master bridge builder. When you put in your request you asked for standard protection... against robbers.. And highway men... You didn't say anything about ninja looking for you... That they were hunting you down.. If we knew this, it would be a B rank mission or higher, not a C." Kakashi said giving the man a pointed look of disapproval.

"Our task was to get you to your destination... and protect you while you were finishing up your bridge, nothing more. If we had know we would have staffed differently and charged for the cost of a B mission, not a C mission. I'm sure you have your reasons... But lying to us is not acceptable! We are now beyond the scope of this mission." Kakashi told the man in a conversational tone of voice but his eyes spoke a completely different story. He was furious and he was making it perfectly clear.

"We're Genin, this mission is too advanced for us, we should go back. And I also think we need to get the poison out of Naruto's hand as soon as possible before it makes him sick! I our village we can take him to a doctor to get it checked out." Sakura added. Nervously fidgeting.

Harri felt oddly unbothered by the situation. It was more stressful to him that he wasn't in familiar territory... His territory, than that they may get attacked by other ninja. He yawned in an attempt to release some of his discomfort as the tension was almost palpable in the air. He had noticed that it had a tendency to make him feel less stressed out. If a ninja tried to come after them he was sure Kakashi would kill them, his other teammates shouldn't worry so much. Though he did agree about Naruto's hand, he didn't want him to fall to the poison. He was just starting to really like the boy... even though he was sometimes painful to be around as he wasn't use to such loud boisterous behavior.

"Huh?" Naruto grunted, seeming not to have heard a word the girl had said. Instead he was completely focused on his bleeding hand.

"That's true... huh, I guess we should probably go back to the village." Kakashi said, sighing dramatically.

Naruto instantly snarled, pulling out a Kunai. Everyone made startled noises. He stopped right above the wound shaking. "Ugh! Why am I so weak? Come on I can do this." he hissed under his breath to himself.

"Naruto, stop! What are you doing?" Sakura called out in alarm.

"No, I worked hard to get here! I can't quite! I would train for hours all on my own just to get stronger! To-to reach my dream. I can't back down, I will never run away or lose to Sasuke ever again! On this wound I make this vow, believe it! Bridge builder I will finish this mission and protect you with this Kunai, a real ninja never goes back on his word or ever gives up so lets go!" Naruto pledged. The look on his face more serious than any Harri had ever seen on him. He flinched as the boy drove the knife into his hand.

"Uh... Naruto. That was real... um cool how you took the poison out and all... but if you lose any more blood... well... your going to die..." Kakashi said sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.

Naruto paled twitching.

"Seriously... it would be a good idea to stop the bleeding now!" Kakashi said, letting out a nervous laugh.

"What! No! I'm too young I have too much to do still! No, no, no, I want to live! Live! Gah!" Naruto shrieked waving his hand around and getting blood everywhere

"Hey, calm down and show me your hand." Kakashi sighed, pulling out a bundle of bandages.

Harri stiffened next to the silver haired man. A smell filled the air, dangerous but muted familiar but not a familiar smell. Making Harri oddly enough feel mildly contented and almost a little woozy off the feeling of it.

"Kakashi sensei is every-thing alright? That serious l-look on your face, it's s-scaring me!" Naruto whimpered, looking ready to be sick.

"Yes, I was just thinking is all... All done!" Kakashi said, giving Naruto one of his signature eye smiles.

Harri stretched, yawning. He felt like a little kid again all sleepy and ready to go curl up somewhere warm for a nap. He wished that he was still at an appropriate age to be carried, he felt strangely exhausted.

After a few more hours of walking Harri was officially beyond bored. He sighed, pulling out a scroll he had copied down a few family jutsu in it that he had wanted to learn. He bit his thumb and smeared it over the special explosive tag he had placed on it so no one could get into it.

He was sure that Naruto or possibly even Sasuke would end up killing themselves off trying to preform the Black Family jutsus. The warning against anyone outside of the main branch trying to preform it or not. He also didn't need anyone snooping in his things and finding out about his abilities or that it wasn't advisable for anyone with human blood to try and preform the jutsus within... he really should have just worded everything differently when he wrote it down instead of going word for word.

"What do you have there?" Kakashi asked, trying to peak over Harri's shoulder as he began to read while they walked.

"You're not allowed to read it." Harri immediately said, holding it against his chest defensively. "It's from family." Harri insisted.

"Oh, well it must be interesting if you keep a blood tag on it." Kakashi pressed, startled by how defensive Harri was acting. Harri was easily his most open and friendliest student. Though he found that 'she' lacked confidence and could be easily bullied into things most of the time.

"It's just a couple of jutsus." Harri explained in a clipped tone, slowing down in an attempt to get behind the man without making it obvious. It didn't work.

"Then if it's just a couple of jutsu... Why can't I just take a peak at it?" Kakashi wheedled, why would Harri be trying to hide something like that from him? Was it dangerous? Harri was already sickly enough he refused to allow any harm to come to 'her'. A strange protectiveness flooded his system.

"I can't... they. They're family jutsu. My mom's. I'm not allowed." Harri said through his teeth. A part of him wanted to show the man. Have the man praise him and to please the man. The look on Kakashi's face was deceptively friendly and open. His scent was... was worried or upset? He wasn't very good with those yet. His nose wasn't good enough.

"Well... your family head now, really... You're the one that makes the rules, aren't you? That mean's if you want to show me... then your allowed~" Kakashi pointed out.

Harri huffed, "I'm not showing you them, I was told not to show anyone and I won't." Harri said in a pinched tone. He hunched in on himself when he saw the serious look on his Sensei's face.

"Well then... I guess I'm just going to have to confiscate it then... I'm not allowing you to do anything that may injure you..." Kakashi insisted holding out his hand.

Harri glared, reapplying the seal before the man had a chance to take it. He had a spare in his bag anyway, just in case he messed up when applying the seal and accidently set it ablaze. It was killing him to be so defiant but he couldn't let the man know what he was. He hadn't even told Shika or his father what he really was. No way was he going to start with someone he had only known a bit more than a month or two. It was bad enough that he had spilled his worries to the man already!

"Alright, you... are being ridiculous.." Kakashi said in an exasperated tone. "Let's set up camp here. It will be getting dark soon anyway." He called to the rest of the group.

'Thank goodness! I'm exhausted!" Sakura said, smiling.

"Huh? Were are you two going, shouldn't we not split up?" Naruto asked watching Kakashi lead Harri away.

"We will be right back! Just need to talk in private for a second." Kakashi explained. Leading Harri from earshot of the group.

"Now, what has gotten into you? Why... are you behaving this way? I haven't known you long and even I know you aren't acting yourself." Kakashi asked in a disapproving tone that made Harri wilt and want to beg the silver haired Jounin for forgiveness. "Are you not feeling well.. And you just aren't telling anyone?" Kakashi asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

Kakashi crouched down and grabbed Harri's hand, making sure to examine the finger that had been cut to assure himself that Harri wasn't hemorrhaging. That strange smell hit him again. Almost Female but male and copper and distinctly inhuman. But that couldn't be right.. Harri was an Uchiha and Itachi's daughter, the smell made no sense at all. His nose must have been out of sorts or something that was the only explanation that Kakashi could come up with. Harri was around males all the time, that had to be the reason 'her' smell was all muddled up. Something nagged at him that he was in denial.

"Good, it closed up properly... I was worried it wouldn't stop bleeding if you do... indeed have a bleeding disorder... Better than I was expecting in the best case." Kakashi finally said after several moments of inspecting the cut Harri had made with his fangs.

"It's because I don't have any bleeding problems. I'm telling you, I'm fine!" Harri said, nervously tugging at the fabric of the dark purple forehead protector he wore around his neck.

"Well then, what's the problem? Is it the jutsu? Are you trying to learn something dangerous?" Kakashi pressed, ignoring Harri's insistence that nothing was wrong with 'her'. He wasn't buying that for a moment.

Harri hated lying but he felt like the only way to get Kakashi to stop pushing was to do so, he need to think something up. What if he knew though? Kakashi always knew when people were lying and it made him feel guilty to lie. The smell of dog and safety were distracting. "No. Not to me. My mom's family was rather vicious and... insanely possessive of their secrets. The scroll that I was reading... has... a seal on it that tortures people outside of the bloodline that attempt to read it. I think.. they somehow managed to write the seal out small enough to fit in the actual writing." Harri fibbed, though there were a few scrolls that actually did that... Poor Fugaku.

"Really? That scroll doesn't look very old though. I doubt that if the jutsu was copied down that the seal would be transferred or something." Kakashi pressed, eyebrow raised.

"It's just not an ancient scroll. It's older though." Harri insisted.

"Alright, but I'm still not giving it back. Now... lets get back to the others. I'm sure they are beginning to worry." Kakashi abruptly agreed. He wasn't buying it but he felt like it wasn't worth pushing it. He didn't want Harri to lose trust in him. Most people that he had spoken to seemed to have a soft spot for the meek, gentle Kunoichi. And he had found himself developing affection for the child as well.

"Harri? What was that all about? Did something happen?" Sasuke asked with a worried growl, looking Harri over obsessively.

"No, everything's fine..." Harri assured his cousin before he could get too worked up, though the boy was already flashing murderous glances at Kakashi who was focused on talking to Tazuna.

"Anyway, I'm going to go get something to eat, you hungry?" Harri asked his cousin.

Right at that moment the three other Genin's stomachs growled. Harri smiled. "I guess you are!" He said, taking out a kunai.

"What do you plan to do with that?" Sakura asked, giving Harri a dubious look.

"Getting dinner."

"Dinner? How?" Naruto asked, cocking his head to the side in confusion like a blond puppy.

"I'm sure I can find something for us to eat other than protein bars since you all already have everything set up here I'll go get us some food." Harri explained.

"What? No that's too dangerous!" Sakura squeaked worriedly.

"There isn't anyone around here, I'm not going to be gone long." Harri insisted, the only thing he smelled remotely human around was the 5 with him. But he could smell lots of rabbits and birds. He hadn't gone so long without eating in a very long time. The smell of the small animals almost made him drool he was so hungry. Something he couldn't remember ever happening to him before. Though small animals had a tendency to avoid the Uchiha compound like a barrier was around it or something. And in general small animals seemed frightened of Harri, treating him like more of a predator than the shinobi around the village.

Before the others could argue further Harri hopped into a tree and out of sight.

After a few minutes of running he finally felt he was far enough that he could be alone for a few minutes of quiet. He jumped down out of the trees landing almost silently in a clearing. It was full of wild berry bushes. Harri had thought he smelled something sweet. Seeing something move from the corner of his eye Harri turned his head and watched as a large fat grey rabbit of some sort greedily nibbled at the fruit, seeming to be unaware of him. Suddenly the berries didn't look so tasty as the scent of small mammal hit flooded his Harri's nose. It's twitchy nervous behavior had him unable to focus on anything else.

Harri jumped feeling confused and disoriented when he heard a loud crunch through the odd haze that had him only seeing the rabbit. What? He realized that he was crouched on all four ready to pounce. When did this happen? His attention was instantly back on the frightened rabbit when it keening in fear as it went to dart into the underbrush. He had to catch it, kill it, an overwhelming feeling that he had never had before screamed at him. He had no idea how to control such an instinct.

"Harri what are you-"

Harri pounced, an almost feral inhuman noise escaping his lips. The foolish rabbit froze for a moment in confusion and fear. It was just long enough to land on top of it, ready to rip its throat out with his bare teeth.

"What the?! What are you doing?" Sasuke barked, snatching his cousin up from behind. Harri squirmed in an attempt to break free. Sasuke's breath was ragged by the time Harri started calming down, the rabbit's lack of movement seeming to ease up his predatory instincts. Sasuke shuddered, letting out a relieved breath when Harri leaned back into him, exhausted. Thank goodness he didn't end up fried. The look in Harri's eyes. Like a hungry dog. It was unnerving.

Sasuke had never seen that before. He remembered seeing something similar as a child when his cousin would hunt down toads and frogs with an unnerving stare, stalk them like an animal but back then it was cute. Baby stuff, and he never hurt them just carry them around and would try giving them to his brother like... trophies. Wait? Could he have been practicing stalking pray like some puppy? He did have a thing for nearly raw meat... and Itachi would always insist that anyone that saw Harri stalking down animals to scold him so it would discourage such behaviors in the future from taking hold.

Sasuke couldn't understand why now after so much time he had suddenly gone into stalk and kill things mode though... He didn't do that with anything he could think of... Though he always was hyper focused on things like squirrels though he was still able to control himself. He froze when he heard a stomach grumble. One that wasn't his own. No, it couldn't be that easy! Was it because he hadn't ate most of the day?

The rabbit was still, its chest was unmoving and it's mouth was hanging open as it had died mid-scream from the fear of the ordeal. Sasuke grimaced, the sound of it's terror still ringing in his ears.

"You calm now?" Sasuke asked, nuzzling his face against his cousin's hair, loving the feeling of him so close. He so rarely got to do that outside of when they slept... It felt... Nice.

Harri stiltedly nodded against Sasuke's collar bone, still feeling a bit confused and more than a little embarrassed. He couldn't believe he did that!

"Is it okay?" Harri muttered.

"What okay?" Sasuke asked.

"The rabbit." Harri said.

"Hhn." Sasuke grunted, poking at the animal with his foot, it's lungs seemed to deflate at that. Eew.

"It's dead." Sasuke said in a blunt tone. At the same time hoping Harri wasn't too upset by it.

"Aww, I didn't mean to kill it! I mean I tried eating it but that makes me feel bad! Poor thing must have been scared to death!" Harri cooed, feeling a bit guilty that it had died in such a way though his mind still insisted that it was a prey animal and was food. "Well we at least have a good start on dinner I guess..." Harri finally said after a few moments, giving the fluffy little creature a look between guilt and hunger.

"Yeah... I guess." Sasuke awkwardly agreed.

After standing up Sasuke made sure to pick up the rabbit, the hungry looks Harri was giving it made him feel like it may end up going missing if he didn't.

"Sasuke, there you are! I was so worried when you ran off like that! It feels like I was searching forever for you!" Sakura whined, nearly in tears.

"Hn." Sasuke grunted giving the girl a pained look.

"Ugh! You killed a bunny?" Sakura whimpered.

"I'm not having those bars for dinner." Sasuke grumbled.

"Wow your so cool! You even found us berries to eat!" Sakura praised, hearts practically forming in her eyes as she rushed over to a berry bush, eagerly gathering them in her hands.

"I wouldn't eat those if I were you. They are poisonous." Harri called to the girl as he began to gather the safe berries into a small reusable grocery bag he often carried with him just incase he found a good deal on produce, just like Shikaku had taught him.

"What! But they look practically the same as those ones!" Sakura shrieked. Convinced Harri was just trying to make her look like a fool.

"They aren't, the small bright red ones are toxic. Smell them, they smell bitter and hot." Harri said, popping a dark red-purple acorn sized berry into his mouth, the taste was sweet, almost like a plum and had a hint of citrus floral flavor. It reminded him of the candies Shisui would get for him when he would have to go on missions for long periods of time. After he died, his dad would sometimes get them imported for him. He was definitely going to grab some more on the way home, they were delicious! He froze for a moment when an odd ache filled his chest at the thought of the man. He rubbed at a suddenly tender eye, feeling completely confused.

"What? I don't smell anything! You're messing with me aren't you?" Sakura growled narrowing her eyes at Harri.

Harri looked up at the girl and huffed, "Why would I be lying about something like that? Anyone that knows me knows that I wouldn't joke about a deadly toxin! It isn't my fault that you have a terrible nose." Harri said.

"You're no better than I am!" She hissed.

"I'm not saying that I am." Harri mumbled, giving the girl an uncomfortable confused look.

"Well you're an Uchiha, they have a sense of smell just as good as anyone else! I don't get where you thought it was okay to try and intimidate me with lies. These smell fine!" Sakura insisted, glaring at Harri once she realized that Sasuke was no longer in the clearing. Her jealousy taking over at how Sasuke showed Harri more interest than her. Family or not it wasn't fair! She tried so hard to get him to like her and he just ignored her, almost seeming to be bored with her! Why did that pipsqueak get more attention than her?

"What are you talking about? I am doing nothing like that I just didn't want you to get poisoned." Harri said, he couldn't help but lower his head and dig his fingers into his sleeves. Why was she suddenly so angry with him when he was just trying to keep her from getting poisoned of all things?

"Sakura! That's enough... Harri is right. Those berries are extremely toxic! Drop them right now. Go back to the stream and wash your hands right away before the neurotoxins soak into your skin. When you get back you will be apologizing. That is not how we treat our teammates, got it?" Kakashi said in a commanding tone of voice.

Sakura rapidly nodded, "Yes Kakashi sensei! I'm sorry I didn't mean anything by it!" She squeaked.

"I hope so." Kakashi said with a hard stare, watching the girl scurry away. He turned to Harri who had the bag nearly full. "She's right you know... People without... enhanced senses can't smell the toxins in those berries. How did you know?" The man asked with a curious look.

Harri blushed.. "I have better senses than most... My mom's clan." Harri explained, though tried to leave out as much as possible. The two decided to head back after a few minutes of awkwardly silent wild vegetation gathering.

"Huh... A good nose.. sounds like a useful skill... I forgot to ask about this... mysterious clan you mother was from.. So who were they? I haven't been able to dig up a single thing about that." Kakashi asked as they stepped into the little makeshift camp that had been set up.. His curiosity burning even brighter than before.

The other four were already there, two rabbits and some sort of large bird were being cleaned by Sasuke with a disgusted look on his face while Naruto whined about poor bunnies and the bridge builder grumbled about not getting food fast enough.

Naruto immediately turned, "Yeah! Tell us tell us! I've been wanting to know about that for ages!" He excitedly announced. Turning to face Harri cross-legged, like he was waiting for some bedtime story.

Sasuke snorted. "I don't know much about Harri's mother's clan and I still remember the day that Harri was brought to our home, why would Harri know even that much?" He pointed out.

"Harri has to know something at least! I mean her mom had to have married her dad. I mean you're from the head family so her dad had to be to! I doubt her dad would have a kid out of wedlock. I mean I guess it could happen but... well.. Why doesn't anyone ever hear about her clan or them wanting her back or something? Or is her mom even from a clan? She never answers any questions about it, I don't get it? I mean I heard some rumors but even Ino wouldn't talk about it!" Sakura said in a pushy tone.

Sasuke immediately tensed at her words. She didn't know anything. How dare she question the legitimacy of not only who he considered to be his betrothed but also the heiress of the Uchiha clan? "It's because it wasn't anyone's business!" He snapped at her.

"It's okay Sasuke. They'll just keep asking if I don't tell them. It isn't like it's some major secret anyway... not really." Harri said with a stressed sigh, sitting down and sitting the bag of berries and mushrooms he had found, next to him. The smile on his face not touching his eyes. He didn't really paying attention when the bridge builder leaned forward and Kakashi's eyes narrowed, an unsure look beginning to fill them. Instead focused on how to word what he was going to say next.

"Well... I was born in remote area that was said to be ruled by... storm gods... The family my mother was from was a powerful clan of shinobi. The... clan members were known for being beautiful with black hair and grey eyes... They were also known for insanity and eccentricity, likely from too much inbreeding...Anyway... I thankfully did not inherit that trait from my mother." Harri grimaced, the idea of pranking people, randomly bursting out into tears because something was just 'so cute', or being upset because his mate scolded him for coming to a council meeting in his footy pajamas sounded terribly embarrassing. He was so glad he didn't end up that weird. Though if he had been raised with him mom he was sure that he would rather be crazy to instead of suffered through that all of the time as apparently Sirius didn't seem to have any shame or understanding of what was acceptable behavior or not.

"Wait, but if they had gray eyes than why do you have green eyes?" Sakura pointed out, crossing her arms with a scowl.

Harri shrugged. "Everyone always thought it was probably a mutation or something. Gray eye color and black hair was just as dominant in their clan as black eyes and hair was for the Uchiha clan." Harri explained.

"But green eyes don't make any sense. Gray and black shouldn't make green eyes!" Sakura insisted.

"I don't know. As I said they thought it was a mutation." Harri said nearly biting his lip.

"But-"

"Sakura sometimes things like that happen when different clans mix, it is one of the reasons some clans refuse to allow marriage into other clans. It can sometimes create strange results or even be dangerous to others or the child created from the union. Sometimes such things can overwhelm the human body and cause genetic diseases to take hold. It could be a new Kekkei Genkai all together or just an odd feature that may get passed down the lines. One never knows in such situations. Though a lot of clans also make the mistake of inbreeding too much in an attempt to keep the lines as pure as possible, oftentimes making certain traits extremely dominant. Often times those clans develop specific diseases that are either extremely common in their clans or even exclusively from their clan lines." Kakashi lectured his student, though gave Sasuke a sidelong glance.

Now everything made perfect sense. Some lines didn't come together well. That often meant that there were two different, very powerful Kekkei Genkai lines involved that had a child together though. What was the Kekkei Genkai of the clan Harri's mother came from?

Thankfully, in reality, Harri didn't have to deal with such things, not being human meant that in most instances his children would end up at least relatively healthy.

"A-anyway. My mother died when the clan was slaughtered as they slept. Even the dogs they bred were killed. My mom was nearly dead already when my dad found us... He and a cousin or something. His name started with an R... I think... Anyway he was my mother's secondary guard and held off the killer of my clan, giving my dad time to get away with me. He ended up dying in battle along with the man that murdered my clan. It took a long time to get back to leaf apparently and dad brought Mai with to. And really that's it..." Harri explained. Trying to look at anything but the people around him.

"Wait? So why would your mom have some special guard? Was she important or something?" Naruto asked, puffing out his cheeks.

Harri froze looking like he wanted to be swallowed up by the ground. He felt dizzy.

Sasuke gave Harri a knowing look, taking over. "Are you deaf or do you really think the heir of the Uchiha clan would have a kid with just anyone, loser? Harri's mom was also an eldest child. That mean's future head of that clan. Harri and 'her' mom were vulnerable while Harri was so young with the unrest there. Of course they would have a couple of guards, around! It would be stupid not to if you have someone killing off clan members and you have a helpless baby around."Sasuke pointed out in a tone that made it quite obvious that he thought Naruto was an idiot.

"But what's the name of the clan? Do either of you know that? Do they have any diseases specifically known to affect them?" Kakashi asked. If he got a name he was sure he could find something on them. The more he heard the more it sounded more like they may have been killed in the Mist's line purge.

The way Tazuna tensed up and looked away made Kakashi suspect that the man was thinking something similar.

"Hnn, No... No one told us their name. They were very secretive about it. Just said that they had been highly respectable." Sasuke immediately answered, not even giving Harri a chance to second guess himself and tell them. He could tell it was killing Harri to lie to them the way he was... but he wasn't really sure why it was bothering him so badly. He still couldn't understand what he was thinking though, telling them anything let alone such detail. Some of the stuff even he didn't know! The best deception was one full of half truths but this one was far too close to the truth. It made his hands go all clammy in fear they would want elaboration. That they would go snooping around. And and that he called that monster dad! Itachi was not Harri's father, he abandoned him, said he never cared and acted like Harri was just some entertainment to pass the time or something! He couldn't understand how Harri could be so deluded to still talk about him with anything but hate and contempt! They... would need to have another talk.

"Really? That's... odd. I wonder what there was to hide?" Kakashi said, interest shown clearly in his uncovered eye.

"Yeah... No idea." Sasuke said, suddenly turning to Harri.

"What am I supposed to do with these? I know mom use to make both rabbit and pheasant sometimes but I have no idea how to cook it. Could you do it?" Sasuke asked.

"I-I yes. Yes I can. Can you get me some of those wild leaks, onions, and those tomatoes I already stewed and dried for you? I need them cut up. Then I need some of those berries and that box of oatmeal you brought... Kakashi sensei." Harri instructed the group. Giving his teacher an odd look.

"I like a filling breakfast." Kakashi said in an amused tone, trying to force the somber aura away. He pulled the box out with an eye smile.

"Wait, why did you ask Harri to cook and not me? I can cook to!" Sakura pouted.

"Why would I eat your food when Harri's the best cook I know? I mean Choji passes on having barbeque depending on what Harri plans to cook. Do you know how much that lump likes barbeque?" Sasuke said, curling his lip.

"Yeah! Harri's a really baker! She even made me a whole plate off chocolate chip cookies last week. It was super tasty! Her cakes are the best to!" Naruto excitedly agreed.

"Oh, that reminds me." Kakashi said, pulling out a Tupperware from his bag.

"Ugh! Is that all dessert? Where did you get that from? That looks like the cake Harri is always making for Shikamaru and Choji!" Naruto said holding his stomach dramatically when it growled.

Harri immediately pulled out his own at the reminder. "I forgot about mine to!" He said happily pulling a strawberry jam covered cookie from the tub and tossing it in his mouth.

"When did you make all of that?" Sasuke asked.

"Um really early this morning. I kind of stress baked... a bit." Harri smiled sheepishly.

"A little bit?" Kakashi said with a raised eyebrow. "So you consider at least half a dozen cakes, pies, several hundred cookies and several other things... to be a little bit?"

"Well at least Shika's taking it all.. It won't spoil!" Harri said in an embarrassed squeak, his cheeks turning red.

"And you say I have trouble dealing with things." Sasuke said rolling his eyes. "You could have at least made something edible for me." He huffed, crossing his arms.

"Sasuke's just mad because he's a weirdo and doesn't like sweets!" Naruto mocked.

Both he and Sasuke quickly got in a fight throwing back and forth irrational insults as Harri quickly got everything ready. A pot of water was already over the fire, beginning to boil. Harri added some herbs he had found foraging putting all three creatures in the pot, still wondering where it had came from. He then added some salt and pepper from some baggies he carried with him and after some time added the onions and leaks. After it was nearly done he added some of the mushrooms he had collected and tomato Sasuke had in a Ziploc bag. Feeling relaxed as cooked up a sauce with the berries he had picked and then added some of the oatmeal as more of a topping, letting it sit near the fire to cook as he ladled out bowls full of critter falling off the bone. He hated the small of it. Rabbit not being the best smelling meat anyways being cooked was terrible. Why didn't humans just eat meat nearly raw like him? They practically ruined it!

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Being in a boat was probably the scariest thing Harri had ever done. He really wasn't sure if he was nauseous because of the rocking motions that were being produced or because he was just so scared out of his mind that he felt like he was going to pass out any second. He still wasn't sure how he could have chakra so focused on water when he couldn't stand being around it more than a shower or when it rained. He actually liked rain. The smell of salt water and fish was pretty potent to. He wasn't sure why everyone was complaining about the fog though it wasn't that terrible it was hard to see much but it wasn't like they couldn't see each other or anything. It was cold though and made his clothes cling to his skin in an uncomfortable manner.

"Wow! It's huge!" Naruto yelled, looking impressed when the bridge they had heard so much about came into view.

"Quiet! Why do you think I said no noise? I even cut off the engine and have us moving through the dense fog! If they find out what I'm doing we'll all be cut down in an instant!" The man steering the boat hissed.

Naruto immediately covered his mouth as he looked around with darting eyes.

"Mr. Tazuna... before we reach the peir I would like to.. Ask you something... Why are those men after you? If you don't tell us... well I'm afraid we will have to end this mission and drop you ashore." Kakashi finally asked.

"Hmm. I guess I have no choice but to tell you then... No I want you to know the truth, as you said it is way beyond what you were hired for. The one that seeks my life is a very short man... Who casts a long and deadly shadow." Tazuna began, his tone grim and the look on his face was hard and sullen.

"A deadly shadow?" Kakashi repeated. "Hn, who is it?" He asked after a few moments.

"You know him at least I am sure you have heard his name before. One of the wealthiest men in the world, Gato, the shipping magnet."

"W-What? Gato? You mean of Gato transport? But he's a business leader! Everyone knows him!" Kakashi said, eyes wide and tone disbelieving as he stared at the elderly man.

"The very same. You see he isn't just a shrewed businessman. He rules our country through fear and underhand means. It was one year ago that he put our little country in his sights. He used his vast wealth to completely take control of all forms of commercial transport and shipping. He ruins everyone that tries to go against him or tries to make a living and whomever controls the sea in small island country like the Wave, rules everything. Anyone that tries to kick up a fuss simply 'disappears'. He uses our country to distribute drugs and contraband and kills anyone that gets in his way by using gangs and ninja! He rules everything, finance, government, our very lives but there is one thing he fears! The bridge! Once it is connected to the land he will have no more control of us! I am the bridge builder and I will help give our people life again. It is the only way that we can get away from his oppression. It will bring commerce and make our country flourish!" The man said, with wild eyed passion.

"So that it huh, since you're in charge of the bridge your standing in this Gangster's way?" Sakura asked.

"That means the guys in the forest were working for Gato." Sasuke added, the look on his face of understanding.

"And... t-that means that he likely has at least a Jounin level shinobi somewhere. Only a fool would hire a couple of Chunin to take out a possible... Jounin target. A smart man wouldn't use their trump card on the first go." Harri pointed out, dread filling him.

"I've been thinking the very same thing." Kakashi agreed, sounding grim. He turned back to Tazuna. "By the way, I don't understand... if you knew he was dangerous and would send people to eliminate you than why did you hide that from us?"

I'm-I'm sorry. My land, the land of Waves is a small improvised nation. So poor that even the nobles don't have much money. I only got what we could afford. The common people that are helping to pay for this mission can not afford to pay for an A or B rank mission. If you chose to end this mission when you drop me ashore there will be no bridge. I will be killed before I can get home... But don't feel bad~ I just have a sweet little grandson that's heart will be broken when he finds his dear grandfather's corpse mangled and my beautiful kind daughter will only be devastated and left alone to starve, no big deal~" The man wheedled dramatically sighing.

"Tazuna, we have been fortunate that no one has noticed us thus far." The man rowing the boat said.

"Good." Tazuna said, for once smiling a little as they entered a tunnel.

As they left the tunnel Naruto oohed and aaahed over the beauty of the lagoon they saw. Harri sat silently impressed as well. The mist lifted almost like a curtain drawn back. Shabby Homes were all around the beautiful blue water and the decks to them were on stilts just barely above it. They weren't the nicest sight on their own but with the way the wild mangroves were so artfully scattered around in the lagoon and the floating flowers and plants glowing from resting insects it looked magical, like something from a storybook.

Once they docked, they quickly got out single file.

"I'm going to have to go now, you know I can't been seen with you." The man in the boat said, starting its engine.

Tazuna smiled and waved, "Thank you for the lift, you took a big risk there. See you later at the bridge!" He said.

"You too." The man called as he sped off.

Tazuna turned to the group. "Okay, take me to my home and get me there in one piece, got it?" He commanded the group.

Harri didn't like the worried look his Sensei had on his face.

A feeling of impending danger nearly suffocated him as they walked, getting worse and worse as they walked past the houses into the woods. A few hours went by and eventually they saw no one new but Harri was able to pick up fleeting scents... He looked up to see Naruto yelling something about protecting everyone and hearing things. A scent hit Harri's nose making him freeze in his tracks. He wasn't positive what it was but something insisted demon.

"Naruto! You almost killed the poor thing, what is wrong with you?" Sakura yelled.

"Aw! You poor thing! I'm so sorry little bunny!" Naruto whimpered, snatching up the rabbit then cuddled it to himself, nuzzling its fluffy face.

Harri was frozen, eyes zeroed in on the fuzzy delicious smelling little creature. He was fixated, the urge to pounce on it and give it to Kakashi, like some little puppy, was almost consuming and muddled up his brain. He had something he was supposed to tell them but he couldn't even remember what it was anymore.

"Harri." Sasuke hissed, barely getting him to look away in time to drop to the ground.

"Watch out!" Kakashi yelled right as a massive sword went spinning at the group, imbedding into a tree.

A half naked man landed on it his face covered with bandages and he had a Mist headband tied to the side of his head.

Harri wasn't sure what to think of this new person that smelled more demon than he could remember anyone he had ever met smelling, other than a vague feeling that poked and prodded at him and the familiar strange flash of red hair.

"Well, well. If it isn't the rouge ninja, Zabuza Momochi from the village hidden in the mist." Kakashi announced in a casual tone. Harri could tell he was feeling anything but relaxed though.

"Naruto!" Harri hissed as the other boy went recklessly barreling forward. Harri could feel it, this Ninja was in a league far above the two other's they had faced. He was stronger than a lot of the ninja he had meet in the leaf even.

"Your in the way, get back." Kakashi snapped, holding out an arm much to Harri's relief. He didn't want to watch the other boy be killed because of some dumb competition that he held with his cousin.

The man... The part demon. Laughed looking down at the group of runts. His eyes catching on one in particular, with unnaturally green eyes... Apparently the leaf didn't carry the same superstitions.

"Copycat." Zabuza said in an amused tone.

End Chapter 10

So here is the new chapter. I should have the next one up in a few days. I love the next one as Kakashi is becoming clever when it comes to Harri and Sasuke's is being a clingy though kind of obsessive teddy in his own way.

So I finally have a poll up for this story! It is on my profile page! It is for who everyone wants Harri to be paired with so if you want a say please vote on there or if you don't have an account vote in the comments! So far Gaara is in the lead!

Also tell me what story you want me to work on next! I have the next chapter for this story already done by the way and soon to be ready to post. The choices are 'Not the Place I was Hoping for' And this story.

I am thinking about doing some more art for this story so tell me what you guys/gals think I should draw and I will post the resulting art on my deviantart account and on my facebook page. I have gotten a lot better as of late and I am always trying to find an excuse to practice!

Next Chapter Hint: Cooking up superstition and Cold Fog