Sorry to all who have read and wanted more, I only just got my computer back, so I'll hopefully be updating on a more frequent basis. I hope you enjoy the next chapter of the Unknown Kunoci!

-Madame Red

Chapter Three

Shinrin sat against a tree, she was glaring hardly at her sensei, who was patching up Naruto, who had gotten a cut on his hand from the Demon Brother's poisoned chains. Kakashi glanced at her in concern, but Shinrin just intensified her glare.

Come on Kitten, you cant blame him too much, he was just trying to be a good teacher, you and your teammates weren't in danger. Ziraki was trying to placate her fuming host.

You know that's not why I'm angry Ziraki. Shinrin snapped back inwardly. the massive panther did not respond.

When Shinrin thought Kakashi has been torn to bits she lost control of herself so fast that Ziraki didn't even have time to reel in her chakra before it burst out of her host. Rationally, both Host and Elemental Spirit should have known something that juvenile couldn't have worked on their sensei, Copycat Kakashi, but Shinrin reacted too fast.

"No Kakashi!" Shinrin screamed, and instantly her appearance became feral. Her teeth lengthened and her hair became wild and spiky, and black tabby-like stripes appeared on her skin. lightning crackled off her skin, and water molecules seemed to stop mid air, becoming charged with the raw storm chakra. She had charged at the first Demon brother and leaped at him, teeth bared and lengthened fingernails raised.

she had managed to gash her claw-like fingers across his face before he gathered his bearings and swiped hat her, his fist connecting loosely with Shinrin's chest. She fell with the blow and rolled backwards, skidding to a stop on all fours, score marks left in the earth where her claws had dug in. she looked like feral tiger in this moment before she stood to launch herself at the other Demon brother,as the first was busy screaming and clutching at his bloody face.

But before she had a chance to charge, strong arms had wrapped around her, a soft voice broke through the haze of fury to her,

"Calm down Shinrin, I'm ok, it's ok, control your emotions."

What really irked her, is just as fast as he had started it, Kakashi ended it. while she was absolutely feral, she froze at his voice, and the fury, melted way when she realized he was ok. as she was calming, naruto and Sasuke dispatched the other brother, but Naruto got nicked by the poisoned chain, so of course, Sasuke made fun of him causing the loveable blonde to over react, now Kakashi was wrapping Naruto's gashed hand while Sakura ragged on him.

"Rin-hime, are you alright?" Naruto asked, "You kinda went berzerk right there." Naruto asked. the other two teen members looked over, Sakura looked curious, while Sasuke looked mildly intrigued.

"I'm fine, Naruto." Shinrin growled, glaring at Kakashi. the Silver haired jounen scratched the back of his head sheepishly, he hadn't expected the grey haired girl to react that way. He knew that from their study of Ziraki, that the creature was one of pure Chakra, much like a Biju. therefore it stood to reason, that if she lost control of her emotions, that she would instinctively draw out Ziraki's chakra and create a pseudo-Chakra cloak.

"Well, um," He eye-smiled, "I was just testing how you would all react if the squad leader was taken out. I suppose Sasuke won this contest... Sakura had a good idea, but Naruto and Shinrin you could use some work, Naruto, you froze you cannot do that in a battle. and Sinrin... I guess you did the opposite, but you cant lose control like that." Kakashi assessed their reactions to him getting torn to shreds.

"What your not saying," Shinrin growled, turning her amber-eyed glare to Tanzua, "Is why he has Chunin level Nuke-nin going after him."

"Ne, you are correct, Shinrin." Kakashi turned his visible eye to the old man, "Those two were higher than the C-rank you paid for. before we continue, you must tell us the truth."

"Yes, yes, I guess I better." Tanzua sighed, and he began to explain how Gato had taken over his town, and his people were too poor to afford a B-Rank or higher. "I'll understand if you want to go home and leave me out here. Of course, who is going to take care of my daughter and adorable little grandson? H'll grow up hating the leaf for letting his grandfather die..." H said to himself. Kakashi stard at him dejectedly,

"Well, I suppose it's up to my team, weather we continue with the mission or not, it is them, that is in the most danger." Kakashi says.

"Well, I think we can do it! Believe it!" Naruto crows.

"Tch. I'm strong enough to pull this off. better not drag me down, Dobe." Sasuke scoffs, causing Naruto to growl and glare at him.

"If Sasuke's going, so am I!" Sakura squealed.

"You three should take into consideration," Shinrin said as she stood, "That we're Gennin. there is a good chance that Gato will send an S-rank ninja after us." The other three looked at each other somewhat fearfully, and Tanzua looked crestfallen, "But," She continued, "Tanzua does have a point, If we abandon him, it will reflect badly on the leaf." She scowled at Tanzua, "If you had explained to the Third like you explained to us, he probably could have worked out a deal with you and assigned you an A-ranked team, rather than putting a bunch of genin in unnecessary danger. but it's too late, I think we should continue."

"Alright then, Tanzua, you will have to pay whatever fee the Mission becomes after your bridge has been built. " Kakashi says.

"Oh thank you, Konoha shinobi, the Land of Waves will be in your debt!" Tanzua exclaimed.

The ninja gathered their things, and got back into formation, this time, Naruto and Shinrin were behind Tanzua, and Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura stood in front.

"Hy, Rin-hime, what was that earlier? It was like you became a different person. your so... collected, I've never seen you lose control like that." Naruto asked Shinrin. Sasuke and Sakura turned their heads slightly, so they could listen to what Shinrin replied.

"I... I suppose I cant hide it anymore..." Shinrin sighed, she hoped that her team wouldn't judge her, or Ziraki too hard. "I am the host of a Spirit, her name is Ziraki. sh is a creature of Storm Chakra... if something upsets me too much, I lose control of her Chakra, and well... what you saw earlier happens." She explained.

"What a freak." Sakura hissed softly. Shinrin's face fell, her eyes clouding with hurt, Kakashi stopped, to berate her, but he was beat to the punch,

"Shut up." Naruto growled, he had stopped too, his fists were clenched as his sides, and he looking down, "Shut up Sakura! your so mean! I dont know why I ever loved you. Shinrin is a good person, she isn't a freak!" he burst out, "Shinrin is good person, and strong! And you... your nothing in comparison to her!"

Everyone looked at Naruto in surprise.

"Uh... Naruto... well..." Kakashi wouldn't lie, he wanted to tear into Sakura aswell, but Naruto had pretty much went over and above with what he said, "You shouldn't have been that harsh.''

"Yeah Naruto! You don't know anything!" Sakura snarled.

"But he has a point, Sakura." Kakashi continued coldly. "Shinrin is not a freak, she is a Konoha Shinobi, just like you, just like me. She opened up and told you three something she didn't have to, in full trust, and you turned around and acted like a shallow child. you should be ashamed."

"Oh." She looked over at Shinrin, Shinrin straightened up, narrowing her eyes at Sakura. "I suppose, your right... Kakashi-sensei... I-er- I'm sorry Shinrin." she said nervously.

"Apology accepted." Shinrin said stiffly.

Sasuke had watched the exchange with mild interest. So, Shinrin had some kind of extra power. that's why she was stronger than him. He had to give it to the dobe though, he had stepped up and grown a spine to stand up for Shinrin.

"We should keep going." he said softly.

"Right. I have a ride set up to get us on the island, we just have to get to shore." Tanzua said. the ninja all nodded, and continued on through the woods, and to the edge of the land. there was a boat with an older gentleman sitting in it.

"Get in, and be quiet, if we get found we will be killed." the man said.

"Thank you my friend," Tanzua nodded and

They landed quietly on the opposite shore and exited the boat. Team seven began walking quietly into the forest, and of course, Naruto was in a completely different mood from before.

What on earth..? Shinrin thought.

I do believe he is... as humans put it "Showing off? Ziraki said. I think he's trying to catch your attention, Kitten. The chakra-leopard purred in amusement.

Naruto was looking around and jumping about acting as if he had heard or seen something.

"There!" The blonde cried, throwing his Kunai. Kakashi turned quickly, and the three remaining ninja pulled out Kunai of their own. after a few seconds an nothing happening, they all relaxed their guard.

"Naruto! Kunai are not toys." Kakashi snapped.

"But there was something there! I swear!" Naruto protested. he darted over and parted the bushes, to find a dazed white rabbit laying at the foot of a tree, his kunai embedded in the tree above its head. "On noo! poor bunny! I'm sorry!" he cried.

"Naruto how could you! Its just an innocent rabbit!" Sakura screeched as Naruto cradled the rabbit.

"Dobe" Sasuke grumbled.

Shinrin frowned, She at first had thought that Naruto was being stupid, but then... there was something off about the white rabbit.

It's not supposed to be white, Kitten. Rabbits change with the seasons, remember? This one must have been kept as a pet... or for use in a substitution Jutsu. Ziraki growled causing Shinrin to let out a short gasp of realization. She looked over at Kakashi, who had a concerned, thoughtful look in his eye. his sensitive ears picked up on the sharp intake of breath from Sinrin, and he looked over. he gave a short nod, and raised a finger to his mouth, I know, be quiet about it. Shinrin nodded back, and kept quiet. They didn't want to alarm the others, there was a chance that it was just someone's pet that had escaped, which would explain why it wasnt scared of them when they were walking through the woods.

So would it being raised for substitution jutsus. Ziraki insisted.

The group continued, and slowly it was getting misty.

"Why is it so foggy!?" Naruto complained loudly.

"Well, we are in the land of water, the Shinobi Village here isn't called Village Hidden in the Mist for nothing." Kakashi said.

A few more minutes passed, when the scent of malicious chakra hit Shinrin's nose. She opened her mouth to yell, but Kakashi seemed to have noticed it a second sooner:

"Duck!" He yelled, grabbing Naruto and Tanzua and yanking them to the ground. Shinrin did the same to Sakura, she heard Sasuke hit the ground just behind her as a massive blade came swinging from the trees. there was a small 'tup' as a ninja's sandals landed on the edge of the blade.

"Thank you Konoha ninja, but I'll take the bridge builder now." A voice dripping with malice sounded, and Team Seven looked up. There on the blade stood:

"Zabuza Momochi, Demon of the Hidden mist."