Hmm…I don't quite like this chapter but…I guess it's all of your guy's opinion that matters.

Warning: Some Sakura bashing. I'll see how it goes.

-AU so however the story goes, IT GOES LIKE THAT…

Summary: After friends and family are killed, Kagome dies and is reborn into the Naruto world; but with some deadly secrets. She attends the Ninja academy and joins team 7 as a new life begins for her. But what happens when everything from Kagome's past returns for her…? AU


Pairing: Sasuke/Kagome

Chapter 3

"Sasuke, I'm at point B."

"Sakura, I'm at point C."

...

"Naruto, I'm at point A."

"You're too slow Naruto…" Kakashi's voice was heard.

"Kagome, I'm at point D."

"Target has moved!" Kakashi's voice rung through the microphone. The figure jumped in the bushes as Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto surrounded it. They glanced from their spots from behind the trees.

"What's your distance from the target?" Kakashi spoke quietly. Naruto spoke just as quiet in response, "5 meters. Give the signal already."

"I'm ready." Sasuke and Sakura stated at the same time. Kakashi nodded. "Ready….NOW!"

They sped at the figure as it ran away just as they leaped from their positions. Being faster, Naruto grabbed it just before it could get away. "I GOT IT!"

The figure, which so happens to be a cat, clawed at Naruto's face angrily as he tried holding it back. Sakura giggled in amusement watching.

Kagome rolled her eyes and walked from her spot to Naruto.

The cat stopped scratching the boy and ran to Kagome, who picked it up and started petting it, the feline purring against her contently. Kilala, who had been on Kagome's shoulder the whole time, hissed in jealousy and the two cats were caught in a fierce glaring contest while hissing.

"That's enough, Kilala." Kagome scolded her two-tailed cat and she stopped hissing.

Sasuke walked over, observed the cat and said into his microphone, "We have a positive ID."

"Good. Tora, lost pet, has been caught. Well done." Kakashi confirmed. Kagome yawned. She was bored out of her mind.

"CAN'T WE GET A DIFFERENT MISSION? I HATE CATS!" Naruto yelled while getting up and his face held many cat scratches.

Unfortunately for him, Kilala had heard and she pounced on his face, clawing at it some more and Naruto screamed.

Ouch.


Kagome awkwardly rubbed her head seeing the cat being squished against its owner, who looked very overweight. The lady also wore too much makeup for her complexion.

The lady happily rubbed her cheek against the cat as it struggled to break free. "My little Tora is back! Oh, mommy was so worried about you! Yes I was!" she cooed her feline, the cat still suffering. Kilala mewed victoriously on Kagome's shoulder.

Naruto laughed in enjoyment of the cat's misery. "That cat deserves to be squashed!"

Kagome leaned over to Sasuke and mumbled, "No wonder why it ran away…" Sasuke nodded in agreement, sweatdropping as the cat continued to suffocate.

The woman thanked the Hokage, paid her reward and left while he read a sheet over in front of him.

"You have other missions such as baby sitting a three year-old, shopping, picking potatoes…." His sentence was cut off by Naruto who screamed out his first word.

"NO! NO WAY! I want to go on a REAL MISSION! Come on old man, I'm through playing kid missions!" he crossed his arms and flung them back and forth in a 'not on your life!' motion.

'He's such a pain….' Sakura thought annoyingly.

'This was bound to come anyway…' Kakashi, Kagome, and Sasuke thought at the same time, sweatdropping.

Iruka furiously slammed his hands on the desk, yelling, "You're just a genin! You have no experience and you have to start with special missions to show your skills and prove yourself!"

Naruto shouted back with a tick mark on his forehead, "Are you joking! Babysitting isn't a mission, it's-!"

Kagome's closed her eyes and slapped the upside of Naruto's head which caused him to tumble over, making him shut up just before it could get serious. Kilala mewed happily and wagged her tails.

Naruto whined and rubbed the back of his head, some tears in his eyes as he glanced at Kagome while saying 'Why?' repeatedly. Kakashi scratched the back of his head nervously.

The Hokage smiled amusingly.

"Alright. Since you are all so determined, I will assign you a C ranked mission. You will be bodyguards on an escort mission." The Hokage said, who not really wanted to deal with Naruto's protests more than he already did.

Everyone's faces were shocked but they said nothing. Naruto smiled and jumped up shouting, "Believe it!"

Kagome sighed, muttering to herself, "For once his attitude did some good…"

Naruto jumped up and down, his excitement getting the best of him. "So who are we guarding? A princess! A lord!"

The Hokage shook his head and called out, "Send in our guest…" The door slid open, revealing…an old man, who looked drunk. Well, was drunk, since it was shown that he had red blush over his face and a bottle of sake in his hand.

"These are my bodyguards?" he glanced at all of them individually. "A bunch of snot-nosed kids?" his voice was slurred but held strong criticism. He took another gulp of his sake.

Everyone sweatdropped, minus Naruto who was angry at the man's comment.

Kagome shook her head as it was bent low, and sighed in a disappointed manner.

'This was not what I was hoping for…I thought this person would be more civilized…'

Kagome wondered how this man was able to make it to the Hokage's tower in his condition without passing out on the way. Kilala jumped on her head and hissed at the man in protest, which made him flinch thinking what the heck it was.

"Who are you?" Sasuke asked the old man.

The old man's voice turned serious as he spoke, "I'm Tazuna, an expert bridge builder. You will all escort me back to my land safely even if it will cost you your lives." He took another swig of his sake.

"We'll get the job done! Believe it!" Naruto said determinedly. Even if this man was a rude person, he still wanted to prove himself worthy.

Tazuna shifted his eyes to the blonde boy, and scoffed. "I don't think I could trust my life to this idiot."

Naruto's face fell and then turned to rage. If not for Kakashi who held him back, Naruto would've pounced on the elder. He still struggled in the jonin's grasp to break free and attack the drunken fool.

Kagome stared at the man, her eyes harsh and unforgiving. 'He's just lucky he's drunk…'

"Let's get going." Kakashi stated. The old man huffed and left the doorway, the others following. Kagome followed behind them all.


Kagome blinked as she watched Naruto cheer just as they walked out the main gates of Konoha.

Sakura called out through his excitement, "Why are you so happy, baka (1)!" her voice sounded annoyed.

"This is my first time outside of Konoha! I'm a traveler now!" Naruto replied/shouted back in excitement, ignoring the insult and still jumped up and down as Kilala joined him as well by prancing around. Sakura however was a little excited too, even though she wouldn't admit it.

It may have been all of their first time too, but Kagome and Sasuke were not as hyped up as he was.

Kagome looked around. 'This reminds me…of the feudal era….' She then looked to all her team. Her expression slightly dropped.

"What's wrong?" Naruto said, seeing Kagome's slightly sad expression. Everyone, minus Sakura and Tazuna, glanced at her. Kagome lifted her head and shook it.

"Forget it. Let's just go..." She said with her voice almost inaudible to hear, and started walking ahead with Kilala beside her.

This whole time they had not known that two figures were in the trees watching them.

"Kakashi-sensei. In the Land of Waves, will there be any ninja?" Sakura asked the jonin walking beside her. Kakashi shook his head, "No. There aren't. This is a C rank mission. So there won't be any battles."

The not-drunken Tazuna's expression changed to suspicious just as Kakashi finished his sentence.

Sakura sighed inwardly in relief, thinking she wouldn't have to fight. She still glared at Kagome walking ahead, between Sasuke and Naruto.

'How could Sasuke-kun stand being around her….I don't get it!' She thought overwhelmed with envy and hatred. Never once has she ever seen Sasuke be with any girl at the academy….or any girl at all!

Kagome looked around the scenery ahead, not knowing about the death glares that Sakura sent from behind her; it wasn't as if Kagome would care if she knew.

'The area…the trees…Something doesn't feel right…' Kagome thought as she felt an ominous aura from the sides. 'It's as if something…or someone is watching…' Kagome stared at the trees to the side, her paces slowed.

Kagome's eyes trailed to a small water puddle. She stopped in her tracks and stared at it. 'Hm….A puddle…' she noted the clear sky and dry ground.

'But it hasn't rained for a long time…'

Kakashi was next to her, who obviously looked like he noticed as well. "You noticed it too." Kakashi asked rhetorically to the girl without even looking at her. Kagome nodded wordlessly.

They both caught up with the rest a moment later. Kagome was still cautious every step she took.

As if her suspicions had come true, two figures appeared from nowhere, and chains that were attached to their iron claws wrapped around Kakashi's body in a vice grip.

Everyone looked back in shock. The two ninjas yanked on the chains and ripped Kakashi's body apart, the shreds falling onto the ground.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI!" Sakura screamed in horror.

Kagome hissed, 'Damn it all!' she thought, self-loathing for not noticing the ninjas before. Kilala growled as her furs bristled. "Kilala! Stay near Tazuna and Sakura!" Kilala nodded and ran next to Tazuna.

They both appeared behind Naruto, one of them whispering, "You're next!" and threw their chains at him.

Naruto never felt the chains and he opened his eyes with a gasp. Kagome stood in front of him and was holding one of her katanas in front of her as the chains were wrapped around them.

She pulled the katana back and knocked them away. "Naruto, MOVE!" she yelled in a fierce commanding tone and pushed him away before the chains could try and grapple him again.

Facing one ninja who threw the chains at her again, she grabbed it with her hand and pulled it towards her trying to make the ninja fall over. With a jerk of the chains, she made the ninja fly to the side and hit a nearby tree.

Sasuke noticed the second ninja and kicked him in the side of his face before he could strike Kagome's unprotected back.

The ninja that was kicked away regained his footing instantly and went for the old bridge builder.

Sakura blindly drew a kunai and stood in front of Tazuna. She was frozen with a fearful expression as the ninja got closer. She didn't know what to do.

"Sakura!" Naruto cried as he saw the ninja ready to strike the said-girl with his claws.

There was a clang a millisecond later and Sakura gasped slightly as Kagome stood in front of her, a hand held the arm that was supposedly going to strike Sakura with the katana in her other.

Even though this was a stupid time, Sakura thought, 'Hey! I was about to defend somebody and look good! What the hell!' peeved off.

Kagome's voice was strained while she grunted, "Sakura, if you want to protect the man, don't just stand there like a statue…." as she held against the clawed arm that pierced her shoulder, blood started dripping on the ground.

Kagome knocked him away forcefully and staggered slightly. Sasuke was running towards the three as the ninja was ready to strike Kagome before-

-someone caught the ninja in a headlock. They all choked in on their breaths in amazement at their savior.

Kakashi.

Sakura cried out, "Kakashi-sensei! You're alive!" with some tears in her eyes of relief and happiness. Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly. 'Show off…' he thought bitterly. He wanted to be the one to save Kagome.

"Yo." Kakashi said in a carefree way, still holding two struggling ninjas in a headlock under each arm.

"But-!" Naruto babbled out with a confused expression, and turned his head. He looked at where Kakashi once was, but there was only shredded pieces of log there.

Kagome chuckled slightly. 'I was right….. Kakashi would never let himself die so easily…' she had placed her two cents on him hiding somewhere as he was supposedly 'ripped apart' before. Kilala mewed happily a few times and ran around Kakashi before perching up on Kagome's shoulder.

Kakashi walked over to them all while dragging the nin. "Sasuke, Sakura, well done. Especially you Kagome." He directed most of his praise to Kagome. Kagome nodded.

Kilala mewed sadly and Kagome pet her. "You did well too, Kilala." Kagome praised. The cat mewed and rubbed against her cheek. Sasuke couldn't help but think how cute it looked as he watched from the corner of his eye.

Wait…cute?

Naruto stood up and glanced at her. "Kagome….you're hurt." He gasped. Sasuke immediately looked in her direction.

Kagome glanced down at her right shoulder and noted that some blood had trailed down her arm from her shoulder, some blood staining the black shirt.

She closed her eyes and 'hmph'ed, her bangs bounced from her grunt rattling her body, crossing her arms. She turned her head away. "I'm fine."

Kakashi shook his head. "No, you're not. There was poison in those claws. You can't move around too much."

Sakura pretended to look worried as she gave a fake pout,

"That means she will have to go back to Konoha and we have to continue it without her." even though on the inside she was smirking.

Kagome sent her a harsh glare and snapped, "Keh. I'm fine." She was being stubborn. Sasuke walked over and grabbed her unwounded arm, making Sakura flinch at the sight.

"No. You need go back, now. I'll take you there." He said firmly. Kagome tried yanking her arm away, but Sasuke held on tightly. "Let go." she hissed out, her tone sounding slightly annoyed.

She struggled some more against his grip. "I'M FINE!" she hissed, now getting annoyed. Kilala mewed in protest. Kakashi came over and examined her shoulder as she was struggling against Sasuke. His eyes widened slightly.

There was no wound.

"Kagome….you're healed." Kakashi stated. Everyone else said 'Huh?' at the same time. Kagome broke free from Sasuke and turned away. "Told you…" she muttered.

'Something about her isn't right…' Sasuke suspiciously thought to himself, staring at the girl.

Kakashi tied up the two ninjas to a tree and they all surrounded them.

"Tazuna." Tazuna jumped up as Kakashi's voice was stern, with the jonin's back faced him. This didn't look good for him.

"What…?" Tazuna answered, his voice lowered slightly.

"These are jonin from the village hidden in the mist. I suspected their main target is you as I watched them fight." Tazuna's head dropped, his eyes stared at the ground.

"This is a job for a B rank mission only, not C. Genin shouldn't have their lives on the line for this, even if it's just protecting." Kakashi said, his voice sounded disappointed towards Tazuna.

"I'm sorry." Tazuna replied, his tone sounding guilty. Kakashi decided to go easy on him and just nodded understandingly.

Naruto shook his head furiously and drew a kunai, stabbing it into his hand. Everyone turned their attention to the boy, obviously shocked by his actions.

"Naruto! What are you doing!" Sakura screamed out in shock and worry. Kakashi stared at him with widened eyes, watching the blood drip through the kunai to the ground.

"On this wound in my hand, I vow to complete this mission and protect the bridge builder..." he looked at Kagome who watched him on the sidelines, her face impassive. Thinking about what happened before, he continued,

"I won't let anyone rescue me from danger anymore. By this oath I will not run away from battle!" he declared, with a smirk/smile on his face in determination. If not for his good nature, that smirk would've passed off as evil.

'Naruto….' Kagome thought, the lighting in her eyes shifted as she stared at his hand.

Naruto had withdrawn his hand and more blood came out. Too caught up in his moment, he didn't realize that Kakashi was next to him.

Kakashi crinkled his eyes to an upside down 'U' and spoke, "You might want to stop the bleeding now."

Naruto sweated profusely as he nervously looked down at his hand and, realizing what he just did, panicked with his arms flailing around with anime tears flying everywhere.

Naruto kept on crying 'I'm too young to die!' repeatedly and Kakashi held his hands up in front of him, trying to calm him down.

Kakashi took his hand and observed it. 'The wound, it's healed…' he noted seeing there was nothing but blood. 'Just like Kagome's…'

Kagome rubbed the back of her neck in awkwardness, seeing Naruto crying like a distressed five-year old who lost a toy.

'Naruto…you never cease to amuse me in your moods…'

Suddenly, Kagome felt her balance off slightly and she wobbled. Sasuke caught her before she could fall forwards. Kilala mewed in panic as she jumped off and stood next to her master.

"What's wrong?" Kagome could tell that his voice sounded worried. "I-I don't know…." She mumbled as he helped her slowly sit on the ground.

"Kagome, you need to rest. Some of the poison is still in your bloodstream. It will go away if you stop moving, but it will spread if you continue to move around." Kakashi pointed out, seeing her eyes had glazed over.

"No." Kagome shakily stood up while supporting herself on Sasuke. She took a step before collapsing in Sasuke's arms again. Sasuke looked at her with worry, even though it was not quite shown on his face. Kilala was just about ready to transform and carry her.

"Kagome, how are you going to walk if you have the-" Naruto started but he was cut off.

"I'll carry her." Sasuke spoke up, not wanting to listen to any protests. Kilala mewed quizzically, cocking her head.

Sakura's eyes were filled with horror, feeling her stomach twist up in a knot. 'WHAT!'

Kakashi sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing against the Uchiha. "Fine. But don't jostle her too much." Sasuke nodded and, with the help of Naruto, got Kagome on his back. Sasuke walked slowly behind them all with Naruto by his side. Kilala jumped on Sasuke's head.

Kagome shifted uncomfortably and Sasuke turned his head towards her. "Just hang in there. It'll go away soon." He said, trying to provide some comfort.

Naruto blinked at Sasuke's kindness. Why did he act so nice to her?

Naruto's head perked up and he smirked secretly at Sasuke knowingly. 'Sasuke likes Kagome!' he thought deviously.

Now he had a reason to taunt Sasuke…


"The fog is so thick…" Sakura whispered, viewing the whole area of the lake clouded by a thick layer of mist.

The whole time they were on the small boat the squad, Tazuna, and the boat rower were quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the small waves and the creaking of the oar as it gently pushed against the water.

Kagome was leaned over the edge of the boat sitting on her knees, her arms on the sides and her head rested on them; was bored yet still alert, as usual. The poison she had went away hours ago as they got on the boat. Kilala was staring at the water, her head moving back and forth searching for fish in the water.

"Our destination isn't far now." The boat keeper said in a voice hushed just slightly above a whisper. "The Land of Waves is nearby just ahead."

A wooden docking port was seen in a faded image through the mist as the boat floated near it.

It looked big enough only to dock large boats, so compared to it they looked like ants. As the image cleared up slightly, it showed it being a construction area.

The boat keeper hissed at Naruto to be quiet as he exclaimed how large the area was.

"Why do you think we're traveling like this? Cutting off the engine and rowing?" he continued to scold the blonde, his voice sounded angry but still lowered.

Indeed, they were on an engine boat despite the fact it was being forwarded by a long paddle.

"Mr. Tazuna. I have to ask you something before we reach the end." Kakashi spoke to Tazuna who stared blankly ahead, his eyes hidden beneath his triangular hat (2).

"If you don't answer. I will drop this mission as we reach ashore." Kakashi said in a tone slightly threatening only verbally, not implying any physical harm to come. Kakashi's patience was waring thin.

Tazuna nodded without saying anything.

Tazuna lifted his head up and spoke, "As I remember, you were right when you said this is not a C ranked mission…" all the ninjas listened intently. Kagome did listen even though she wasn't looking back.

"My life is being threatened by a man who strikes fear into the villagers of the Land of Waves." Tazuna stated simply, even though it sounded lame. Kakashi raised a visible eyebrow. "Who is it?"

"You may have heard his name before. He is one of the richest men in the world. The shipping business man, Gato." Tazuna finished his sentence gravely.

Kagome shot her head up immediately.

Kakashi's eyes widened. "Gato? Of all people? But why?"

"You…." Tazuna looked in Kagome's direction, who had a shocked expression on her face. "He's sent jonin to assassinate you, hasn't he?"

Tazuna was surprised. Kakashi and the others stared at her in confusion. "Yes…but…how did you know?" Tazuna asked the girl curiously.

They all noticed the expression changed in her eyes abruptly. She snapped her head away. She stared at the water at her rippling reflection for a long time.

Naruto blinked a few times.

She turned her head slightly. "That's none of your concern." She finished, her voice lowered.

Silence.

Kilala sadly looked at Kagome and placed a small paw against her leg, shaking it as she mewed.

"Kagome-chan…" Naruto spoke, his voice sounded so confused and saddened. He had thought Kagome came to trust them by now and would tell.

Sakura said nothing. Sasuke's eyes were still slightly widened curiously.

"Gato is in a company, but he uses ruthless methods to control the nations and all businesses with his group of assassins such as ninjas and gangs.

It was a year ago when Gato focused on the Land of Waves. He took control of our island and our businesses every since. Anyone who stood in his way…had 'disappeared'."

"Despite all this, the only thing he fears is the bridge completing to join the land together, which will make him lose his control. He can kill anyone else even if they don't get in his way, just for his enjoyment."

"I'm the only one who can complete the bridge. That's why he's trying to kill me…."

He glanced at all of them individually. "The village is poor. We didn't have enough money to afford a B rank mission. I didn't expect things to go this far."

Sasuke spoke, "So those two we fought….they must have been part of Gato's group of assassins." Tazuna nodded. Tazuna added through the silence, "If I die, I'm sure my daughter and grandson would be blaming you for my death and the rest of the village will put you responsible for the discontinuation of the bridge."

Kakashi sweatdropped, seeing there was no point in arguing with that. "Well…I suppose we could continue the mission."

"Thank you very much." Tazuna said, relief flooding his senses.

Kagome continued to stare at the water. 'Gato….that man….who murdered my family. I finally have my chance…to avenge them!' She stared out in front of her determinedly.

The boat slowed down a little bit as the boat keeper stopped rowing. "We're here." He said simply. Everyone looked up front to see a tunnel up ahead.

Once at the other side, Kakashi and the others stepped off the boat, making a creaking noise on the moderately thin wood as they stepped on the platform.

Kagome trailed behind them all as they walked in a forestry area, hands in her pockets and she soaked in the environment. 'No doubt something bad will happen, I just know it...' She brought her head up and looked ahead.

Kagome resisted the urge to face-palm herself as she watched the stupidity of what went on between Naruto and Sasuke ahead; a who-can-walk-faster-and-look-better competition, obviously. 'Idiots…'

Naruto threw a kunai at a bush reflexively as he heard something. Naruto tried giving a smile of victory even though there was nothing there. Tazuna saw through his act and yelled furiously, "STOP TRYING TO SCARE ME!"

Kagome's eyes shifted while sensing something to the other side, and Naruto threw a kunai in that direction. Sakura ran up and punched the back of his head, "Stop it, Naruto!"

Whining, Naruto complained, "Something really is following us, I swear!"

"Yea, right!"

"I'm serious!"

Kilala jumped off Kagome's shoulder and walked past them and near the bush and observed it closely as they still bickered in the background. She mewed for her master and Kagome walked up, blinking a few times at the sight.

"Um…" Kagome muttered, staring at the thing that was there. A white rabbit…that looked like it nearly had a heart attack.

Sakura gasped. "NARUTO! Look what you DID!" she yelled angrily, pointing at the rabbit being picked up by Kagome.

Naruto ran over, "I'm so sorry little white rabbit! I'm sorry!" he kept on whining to the rabbit Kagome held.

Kakashi focused on the rabbit, as well as Kagome. 'A snow rabbit. The color…' Kakashi thought.

'Snow rabbit's fur only change to white during the wintertime.' Kagome's thought continued the same sentence Kakashi had.

Kagome handed the rabbit to Naruto and walked to the center of the small area. She glanced at every inch of the surrounding trees. There was definitely something not right…

A twig snapped. As if on cue.

Kagome took her boomerang charm from her bracelet, instantly it grew full size. Everyone looked at her confused. "Kagome! What are—" Sakura yelled. Her exclaim was cut short as Kagome threw it in their direction.

"HIRAKOTSU!"

They all thought she had gone insane at first, but then were more shocked when the boomerang had went over their heads and blocked a large sword that nearly cut off their heads!

The sword had bounced away and hit a tree. Someone landed on the hilt of the sword, the person's back facing towards them all.

Kagome kept her eye on the man incase he tried anything sneaky and put her boomerang charm back on her bracelet. Naruto stood a few feet away from her, exclaiming in amazement, "Nice reflex Kagome-chan!" Kilala growled viciously at the man.

Kakashi looked up the tree. "If it isn't Zabuza Momochi, from the village hidden in the mist." Kakashi spoke up as if he read this person like a book.

This 'Zabuza' person had short black hair and brown eyes. He shirtless and he wore camo armbands and matching leg protectors, which covered some of the lower part of his striped blue pants, and a headband slightly slanted down his forehead. Some bandages were wrapped around his face, making it look like a mask.

Naruto was ready to attack him, but Kagome held out an arm in front of him. Naruto looked at her, 'Why?'

Naruto decided to shut up, feeling a new aura radiating off of the girl. Even from looking at her back, her stance showed that she looked serious.

"Kakashi of the Sharingan eye, am I right?" Zabuza spoke, his voice sounded so amusingly deadly. Sakura gulped inaudibly.

Sasuke held his breath that moment. 'But only certain members of the Uchiha clan possess the Sharingan...'

"Give me the old man, and I may not kill you." The bandages shifted under his face, which made them swear they could see a smirk underneath it.

"Everyone. Protect Tazuna. Now is the time to use your teamwork." Kakashi ordered all the genin, who nodded in and stood around Tazuna. They drew their kunai/shuriken and Kagome drew both her katanas out from their sheaths.

Kakashi lifted his headband and revealed the eye that had been hidden beneath. The iris was pure red, the black pupil was surrounded by three tomoes.

"What is that?" Naruto said confusingly, not knowing what it was.

"The sharingan. They're very rare. They are able to see and copy a person's jutsus." Kagome explained, narrowing a long explanation down to have him understand it easier.

Mist suddenly appeared from nowhere and blanketed the area, hiding Zabuza.

"Don't let your guard down." Kakashi informed, his stance lowering just a little.

Kagome focused her senses for any noise that can be heard or charka that can be sensed.

Kakashi's form faded as the mist became thicker. Sakura was about to cry out, but Kagome hissed lowly, "Don't you say a word. Kakashi's still around."

It was eerily quiet, the agony of not knowing what might happen made it feel like hours had past instead of minutes. It was enough to drive them over the edge with insanity with the tension filling the air.

"8 areas." Zabuza's cold voice echoed. Everyone searched for the source.

"Legs…spine...lungs…liver…jugular…artery…kidneys...heart…where will I strike first?" Sakura felt her spine vibrate from the tone of his voice, how low and murderous it rolled off.

Kagome narrowed her eyes slightly, not quite affected by his threatening statement. She's heard worse.

A blue wave spread, blowing away the mist that surrounded them, with Kakashi standing in front of them all a few feet away with his middle and index finger pointed in a sign.

Sasuke felt overwhelmed with some fear, feeling the intensity of the Sharingan's power. Kakashi must have sensed it because he spoke, "Don't worry. I'll protect you all with my life. I won't let my comrades die."

Kagome was awed by his words. He sounded determined...yet calm. Kakashi turned with a reassuring expression and a smile. "Trust me."

Kagome narrowed her eyes at his carefree smile. 'That doesn't mean I will allow you to die for my sake.'

"I wouldn't be so sure." Zabuza's voice echoed. Instantly, Zabuza's form appeared in the middle of their formation. Kakashi ran towards them.

"It's over." Zabuza stated and swung his sword at Tazuna.

Kagome reacted quicker and used both her katanas to stop the giant sword that almost struck Tazuna. Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura grabbed the old man and jumped away. Kagome called out, "Kilala! Help them protect Tazuna!" and charged at Zabuza.

Kagome threw him off and swung her swords at Zabuza. As elite as the man was, Zabuza dodged and blocked all the strikes; he was even surprised at how forceful her attacks were.

'She's not like the others.' Zabuza noted her skills as he nearly avoided a swing to his neck. Kagome disappeared. 'Even genin shouldn't be this advanced. This girl can't be human.'

Zabuza hunched over as a sword embedded in his stomach. Liquid flowed down the blade and onto the ground. 'This girl is quick.'

'Zabuza' happened to be a clone since he had turned into water after Kagome retracted her blade.

A kunai was held against her throat. Everyone gasped and Sasuke's eyes widened. Kagome turned her head towards Zabuza behind her, the tip of the kunai poking against her throat. "You're first."

Kakashi was quicker and was able to hand-chop Zabuza's neck before he could have slit her throat. It was another water clone.

Sasuke came to an instant painful realization. Kagome could've been dead by then and he just stood there, doing nothing. He clenched his fists tightly.

Kakashi was sliced in half by a sword from another Zabuza behind him. But 'Kakashi' turned into water. Zabuza's eyes widened, 'He copied my jutsu!'

"Now it's over." Kakashi said, holding a kunai against his throat. They all felt relieved, but Kagome sensed something wrong.

'This guy can't be defeated this easily.' Kagome inquired to herself.

Zabuza started chucking darkly, yet it held a hint of humor. Kakashi tightened the grip on his kunai, slightly off track of what Zabuza was chuckling for and sensed something bad.

Kagome's ears perked and she yelled, "Kakashi, it's a trap!"

"Smart girl." Zabuza said from behind Kakashi. The other Zabuza had been a mere clone once again. Kakashi's eyes widened as he looked back.

Kakashi dodged and dived into the lake, anticipating the fatal blow Zabuza threw. Following, Zabuza jumped in the water as well.

Kakashi surfaced, his hair now limp as it hung low dripping with water. Kakashi looked at the water. 'This water isn't normal…it's heavy.'

Zabuza phased behind Kakashi and performed rapid hand signals.

"Water prison jutsu!"

Naruto and Sakura gasped seeing their sensei enveloped by a water sphere. 'No!' Kakashi thought horrified as he couldn't feel his body move in the dome. He was helpless now.

"This may be water, but it is stronger than steel." Zabuza chuckled. One hand held the dome in place, the other sheathed the sword on his back.

"I'll finish you off later..." Zabuza looked back at the others.

"But first. Your little friends will have to die…Water clone jutsu!" he used a free hand to perform a simple hand signal and another copy of him formed from the water.

"Kuso…(3)" Kagome swore under her breath.

The clone stepped onto the surface and disappeared, the fog thickening again.

Naruto looked around frantically, not sure where this guy may strike him. He felt a sting and felt flying away forcefully, landing on the ground painfully.

"Fools." Zabuza stepped out from the mist.

Kagome looked back and forth between the two Zabuzas.

"Listen to me! You have to take Tazuna and run as far as you can! The clone can't get far from the real body since he's using most of his charka to hold me in here!" Kakashi yelled out.

Kagome's eyes narrowed intensely, she grit her teeth so hard it nearly made them break. "No…I won't run." she hissed in a low tone.

Kakashi and everyone else looked at her as her expression turned to pure rage.

"As if I run….AND LEAVE YOU HERE TO DIE!" Kagome roared and readied her swords, as the scene showed her charge at Zabuza's clone in slow motion.

"Sir, we have some news."

A short man with a coffee mug in his hand turned to some ninjas from his seat. "What do you want?"

"This concerns the Higurashi clan you killed."

"What about it?"

The ninja straightened his stance and cleared his throat, "Well…it seems that we had not killed everyone."

The sound of glass breaking was heard.

There was now shards of the mug and spilt coffee on the floor in front of the man's feet as he shot up, yelling, "What!" The ninja handed some files to the midget and he jerked them away, reading them over.

"It seems that there is one girl who lives in the village of Konoha under the name Higurashi. We've traced all files and she's the only one we've found. Her ninja identification matches her picture." He handed a picture of the girl.

Eyes scanned the documents, then to the picture, then to the documents. He looked up and snapped, "Why wasn't I informed about this!"

"These files were not shown up until recently. We had not known there was another member in the family."

The short man threw the documents on the table and started pacing, stroking his chin.

He hummed thoughtfully, muttering "I see…" and sat back in his chair. He glared at all the ninjas. "Then I order this girl to be exterminated immediately. She is now considered a threat against me!"

With widened eyes and mouth agape, Kagome hunched over with a chunk of blood spilling from her mouth and onto the ground.

A fist was buried in her stomach and she shook visibly at the pain. Zabuza retracted his fist and Kagome fell to her knees, clutching her stomach with both her hands.

She coughed up more blood on the ground violently. Zabuza took out his sword. Kagome looked up, and her eyes widened. She flung her body to the side before the sword could have stabbed her as it plunged in the ground.

Her swords laid on the ground a few yards away and she couldn't get to them with the clone in the way.

Zabuza retracted it and swung it at her again multiple times. There was about 10 heavy swings thrown and Kagome had received 7 out of the 10. She had large gashes on her arms, legs and one huge wound across her stomach, about as thick as a thumb and it ran across from hip to hip.

A large puddle of blood formed beneath her shaky form. She was loosing too much blood. Her vision was blurring. Kagome's body collapsed onto the ground as she felt her legs numb out.

Zabuza's sword was right above her head as he was ready to finish her.

Naruto gasped and reached into his bag. He had to do something, quick, without a plan in mind. "Sasuke! Catch!" Naruto quickly yelled out, taking out something from his backpack and throwing it at him since he was the closest to the clone.

Sasuke quickly caught it.

"DEMON WIND SHURIKEN!" he threw the unfolded oversized shuriken at the clone. The clone didn't realize and it was hit, turning into water. Then it went towards the real Zabuza.

Zabuza's eyes widened amusingly as the shuriken came towards his real self. He jumped and the shuriken flew away.

Naruto gasped as he dodged it, Kakashi thinking, 'Damnit! I have to get out of this!' he tried struggling against his water prison, with no avail.

Zabuza smirked. "It's over, little kids." He declared confidently, as another clone was ready to attack the fear-stricken genin.

Something cut through the clone, which made it turn into water, and aimed at Zabuza.

"What is that!" he yelled out in his own shock. He was forced to break the prison, releasing Kakashi, to dodge the incoming object that nearly took his arm off.

A giant boomerang.

It retreated and stabbed into the ground.

They all looked back, only to see Kagome hunched over with her arm still outstretched from throwing it, the other holding her stomach.

Her form still shook visibly and blood dripped from her wounds and mouth, splattering on the ground as well as her clothes.

She let out a chuckle beneath her exhausted breaths she took in. "N-never...u-underestimate…me …" she stuttered and her eyes fluttered as she fell forward to the ground slowly.

THUMP!

"Kagome!" Naruto cried and Sasuke rushed to her side. Tazuna kneeled on her other side. Kagome coughed and more blood came out, as she weakly said, "I'm fine…just…a few scratches…." She smirked with false apprehension.

Sasuke didn't buy it. Her condition….he didn't even want to think what might happen to her at this rate. She slowly sat up with the help of Sasuke.

Kilala mewed rapidly and placed both paws against her arm in panic.

Zabuza drew his sword and charged at them.

Kilala turned and growled fiercely, her furs bristling as the man got closer. A large flame engulfed the cat and everyone else but Kagome were utterly shocked as the fire cleared up.

The cute little neko (4) they were so used to seeing was five times as big as it normally was, except it looked more ferocious with its large fangs sticking out and sharp claws with fire surrounding its tail and feet.

Kilala roared and flew at the shocked Zabuza, biting his leg and drawing blood. Zabuza struggled and freed his leg that had nearly been ripped off and swung his sword at the giant neko.

Kakashi interfered and caught the sword with a hand, the blade digging into his palm and blood dripped out.

Zabuza jumped and stood over the water, as did Kakashi and they started performing the same hand signs while saying rapid words for each one. As they both continued, their voices mirrored each other's chants in harmony with their rapid hand signs.

With one final hand sign, they both shouted at the same time,

"TORU! WATER STYLE: WATER DRAGON JUTSU!"

Both water dragons formed from the water and they clashed against each other.

"Impossible!" Zabuza yelled out in disbelief.

Kakashi performed more rapid hand signs and finished by pointing his middle and index fingers up on both hands and placing them together. His sharingan concentrated and the tomoes swirled around his pupils.

'What!' Zabuza recognized this technique.

"WATER STYLE: GIANT VORTEX JUTSU!"

Water circled in front of Kakashi. Then, a huge mass of water shot out from the portal and at Zabuza, engulfing him completely and wiped out some trees. Once the water level dropped, Zabuza was shown slumped against a tree trying to catch his breath.

Kakashi stood on the branch above him and drew a kunai, ready to finish him off.

But needles had shot from the side and hit Zabuza's neck, finishing the job for him. With a choked gasp and a shudder, Zabuza's head hung limply; he was dead.

Everyone, even Kakashi was surprised at the sudden surprise attack. Kakashi looked at another tree nearby.

A young man no older than Naruto stood on a branch, wearing a mask with red stripes across the front, hair tied into a bun with bangs hanging out in front of his face and a green haori.

Kakashi jumped from his branch next to Zabuza's dead body and checked his pulse. "He's dead…" He looked at the boy.

The child bowed politely. "Thank you." He said, his voice sounding as smooth as silk. "I have been tracking Zabuza for a while and waiting for this chance to finally kill him."

Kilala growled lowly and walked over to her master, licking her cheek affectionately. When Kagome smiled, Kilala mewed contently and transformed into her smaller form.

Kakashi nodded before speaking, "You must be a hunter nin from the village of the mist. I can tell by your mask."

The boy nodded.

'But he seems to be the same age as Naruto...he's no ordinary boy, what is he…?' Kakashi noted the boy's calm yet slightly elevated voice, which meant he had not hit puberty yet.

Kagome tried standing up but failed badly and slumped to the ground. Sasuke quickly ran over and helped her into a standing position. She brushed him off as soon as she was able to handle herself. Sasuke stood beside her just in case she looked like she was ready to fall again and he would be able to catch her.

Naruto was about to attack the masked nin but Sakura stopped him. "Naruto, don't. He's not our enemy. He's specially trained to hunt down rogue ninja like Zabuza and eliminate them."

"Correct. I'm one of the few trackers from the village hidden in the mist. It was my mission to stop Zabuza in the first place. But then you all seemed to have come in…"

Naruto ran in and pointed at the boy, "Hey! How is it that we had a hard time trying to defeat him when only you took him out in just one strike!" he shouted angrily. Kakashi walked and stood beside Naruto.

"Naruto. Believe it or not there are other children that are younger than you yet…they are stronger than me." He said with a small smile as he shifted his eyes to Kagome briefly and ruffled the blonde's hair.

Haku disappeared from his spot, right next to Zabuza's body by wind swirling around him. He hoisted the body over his shoulder and spoke,

"This body holds many secrets and I cannot allow them to get into the wrong hands. Your worries are over now. I will deal with the rest." then disappeared with the wind.

Kakashi slid the headband over his eye and looked back at them. "We should get going now."

Everyone nodded and started walking. Kagome stopped midstep and Kakashi noticed. He stopped and asked, "Kagome…are you alright? Kagome…Kagome?"

She didn't seem to hear him. Her mind felt numb and hazy, her vision blurring back and forth, and her eyes started closing. She let out an exhausted sigh and she felt her world spin as she rocked on her heels backwards.

The last thing she saw was everyone a few feet away looking at her in concern as someone started running towards her, hearing Naruto's voice shouting, "Someone catch her, I think she's gonna-!"

Feeling someone catch her, she blacked out.

What she didn't know was that Sasuke had been the one to catch her.

Kakashi's face grew stern as he checked her pulse. "She's lost too much blood. We can't continue the mission like this."

Tazuna walked up behind him and said, "She can rest when we get to my house back at the village." They never expected hospitality from him.

Kakashi nodded and was about to pick up Kagome, but Sasuke beat him to it. He lifted Kagome in his arms, her head lolling against his shoulder and her blood stained his clothes. Not that he cared.

"Alright. Let's go then." Kakashi stated and started walking, them following behind. Then, something happened.

Everyone gasped in horror as Kakashi fell to the ground.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI!" Naruto's voice echoed through the forest and some birds scattered from the trees.


Uhhh…yea...*scratches head* not sure what I have to say about this chapter. But I hope you guys enjoyed it…because I know I did a lousy job this chapter...(I need more self-esteem…heh)

Sayonara!

(1) 'Stupid', 'Moron', or 'Idiot' in Japanese.

(2) Don't know what they're called….

(3) 'Damn','sh*t', 'f*ck,' anything like that in Japanese.

(4) 'Cat' in Japanese.