Possible

Possible

Chapter Five: Rain Village

Author's Note: I changed chapter four a little: I don't want any fluff yet, until the last minute (if you know what I mean). The Bijuu will be revealed in chapter six or seven (hopefully). Enjoy! Thank you fruitpunch123451 for the first two reviews :D you have definitely spurred me on to continue this story :D!

After three days of silent and undisturbed traveling, the two finally made it to the Rain Village. "Wait," said Ichiro, being the first word in the last few days, he looked at Ino whether she had realized he had spoken. Ino looked at him with a blank look, waiting for what he was about to say. "Let's take off our Leaf headbands. That way, no one will know we're here for more than just touring the world." Ino nodded and removed her forehead protector that was previously tied round her left arm. Why she never wore it on her forehead – well, that is the primary function of it – but on her arm instead, left Ichiro somewhat confused. As soon as they made themselves look much more like traveling traders, they approached the enormous – but not as large as Konoha's – gate.

They were stopped by the two guards, who narrowed their eyes at them suspiciously. "State your business here," growled the first guard, who had multiple scars on his face, which made him look rather fearsome. Ichiro smiled brightly (something that Ino had never seen on his face before) at the guard and said with a voice that didn't seem to belong to the cold, solitary Takahashi Ichiro, "We're both traders from the Stone Country and we thought we'd visit the Nations. Something like a holiday, is it not?" Ino had to stifle her laughter when Ichiro seemed to stone in front of the guard, with that fake smile of his. "Oh, alright, then," said the younger of the two guards. "Enjoy your stay."

Ichiro and Ino bowed with some sort of respect, and made their way into the village. As soon as they were about ten feet away from the guards, Ichiro's smile immediately disappeared. Ino couldn't help but to giggle. "I liked you that way," she commented. Ichiro looked at her and asked, "What way?" The blonde smiled widely at him and said, "This way!" Ichiro rolled his eyes and shook his head. "It's called acting," he reminded her shrewdly. "Let's get a place first, before we start looking around." They headed towards a nearby inn that looked homely enough for them. Ichiro got a room for two and they went up to the second floor. After getting ready, the two headed back outside.

As expected, there was a slight drizzle, but the both of them knew that it would get heavier soon.

"So… where do we start?" asked Ino, looking around the streets. Everyone acted normally, and went along with their daily activities, but deep inside, somewhere, the Akatsuki may be watching, lurking in the dark shadows of the streets. The Rain Village probably never saw the sun once, unless they traveled out of its boundaries. "I don't know. Let's ask around for a little background information," suggested Ichiro, and the both of them made their way towards the nearest store.

As soon as they entered it, the shopkeeper looked up at them and eyed them suspiciously. Ichiro approached the counter with another one of his fake smiles and asked, "Excuse me, but do you mind telling us who's the leader of your village?" The shopkeeper, sensing no threat from these two strangers, flatly answered, "We don't really have a Kage, y'know? But the building that has the tallest tower holds our leaders inside. We don't really see 'em that much though, so this village is practically clueless about who's leading who." Ichiro nodded and said, "Thank you." He looked at Ino and nodded silently, and the two of them left the store. "Now we have a rough idea of where they are, we need to get out of the rain, fast," he muttered. The two quickly checked around the village, and found a dark and domineering building in the eastern part of the rainy village. "Is that it?" whispered Ino. Ichiro seemed to think so. "Come on. Let's try finding a way in before we do anything first."

The two approached the building and looked around it for a moment, before attempting to push open the door. From a distance, a blonde Akatsuki member scanned their movements silently, making sure that he didn't move in case they noticed him. His right blue eye narrowed when the two had left right after realizing that the door could be opened. "Maybe they were just curious, un," said Deidara, following their every movement. They seemed to be saying some things to each other, but Deidara couldn't be bothered to worry over a couple of traders that were too curious for their own good. "Besides," he murmured with a smirk, "curiosity will eventually kill the cat, un."

"So… we're going to go inside that building tomorrow?" said Ino.

"Yeah, but I got a bad feeling about this mission." Ichiro seemed to be in his own world.

"Don't worry about the Akatsuki. I bet for a guy like you, they'll be no match for you," drawled Ino with a smile.

Ichiro shook his head in doubt. "I don't think so," he replied simply. Ino slapped him on his shoulder jokingly and said, "Stop being modest!"

They spent the night's dinner at a ramen bar, but it wasn't as good as Ichiraku Ramen. Ichiro ate silently, while Ino seemed to be deep in thought. Ichiro noticed her untouched meal and asked, "What's wrong?" Ino seemed to snap out of her current daze, and stared at Ichiro. "What? Oh, it was nothing," she replied. She started to eat her ramen quickly, as it had already turned slightly lukewarm. She must be thinking of my nightmare again. I'd tell her not to worry… but she won't listen anyway. After dinner, Ichiro and Ino went straight back to their inn to prepare their equipment for the tomorrow night.

"We're just going to check out the place for the Akatsuki, and just hopefully what they're planning, right?" asked Ino.

Ichiro nodded. "Why?" Ino shrugged. "If its just investigations we're conducting, why do you need so many weapons? We're not going to war, right?"

He frowned. Can't I worry over you? Ino seemed to read his mind. She forced a laugh and exclaimed, "You don't have to worry about that, alright? I'm not a shinobi for nothing! I can protect myself!" Ichiro's expression didn't change. "Unless you underestimate me," she added, with a wink.

"I didn't say that," he replied dryly. I'm just paranoid, okay? "You can never be too careful," he said, reciting the words she had said to him a few days ago. Ino sat down on her bed with a loud, exasperated sigh. "Fine, fine," said Ino in defeat. She knew that Ichiro was still raging on the inside about his nightmare, and would leave no precaution out to prevent his so called vision. Even though she didn't believe it, Ichiro was a guy that doesn't seem to be very fazed at times, or distracted, giving her some sort of dilemma over his nightmare. "I know inside that thick skull of yours, you're worrying like a chicken," she teased. Ichiro snorted. "Think what you want," he said, placing his needed items on the table. "I'm trying to be human, remember?" Ino smiled at that and shook her head. "Okay, fine," she replied, sort of giving in to this small little argument.

Late at night, Ichiro was busy conversing with Ookami in his head.

"Again with the worrying; what is it with you and that girl?" asked the black, ten-tailed wolf.

How should I know? I think it's only right that I put my teammates first.

"You always loved using excuses, even when you were a small boy," Ookami growled.

That isn't an excuse, Ookami.

"But I sense your deep passion over the kunoichi… it's almost making me fall for her as well," it mocked, in a harmless way.

Passion? That's a strong word to use…

"That's only what I feel in you. We are one, are we not?"

I guess. Maybe I do like her. Or maybe it could only be a crush, or infatu—

"Not infatuation, nor a crush, never a crush. You are serious in almost everything you do… and I gather you're as serious about falling in love as about this mission," it cut in. Ichiro could see Ookami hiding a wolfish grin from its container in his sub-consciousness.

Enough of your teasing, damn it! I'm pretty sure I don't – and won't – like Ino. Besides, after Sai returns, I'll be on my way back.

"Oh, back to that useless dump called the Demon Country, eh?" snarled Ookami, dreading Ichiro's return to that place it hated the most. "I remember. The place where I was sealed into you that very night, and then right after that you were abandoned. I feel so excited."

Look, it's not like I want to return or anything, but I don't have a choice. Besides, I don't belong here. My whole life is there, with my sister.

"Shion? Why would you spend the rest of your life with your god-sister instead of doing what you want for a change?"

You know I have to protect her. For a while longer.

"You've always been the loyal one," growled Ookami.

Too loyal, sometimes…

"Pein," muttered Konan to her partner. The auburn-haired man turned around and looked questioningly at the female Akatsuki member. "What is it, Konan?" The blue-haired ninja turned her head to Pein and said, "Shinobi from Konoha are here."

"What?" he growled loudly, staring at his partner in disbelief, "They dare to send shinobi under our very noses? The nerve of the Hokage!"

"Yes, it seems too daring. But I do not think they are looking for a fight here. It's far too foolish. I believe they're trying to guess what we've been doing all this while."

Pein sighed. "They've tried ways and means… but I'm sure they'll fail this mission of theirs. There is nothing more than the obvious: We need Naruto," he said with a dark tone in his voice. Konan frowned. "We've been acting too fast," she warned. "I suggest we now cover up our trail."

"No need," he grunted. "Send Deidara and Kisame… they will take care of the two shinobi with much ease."

"Fine," said Konan, with no other choice but to oblige. You seem to underestimate our enemies very much. Madara wouldn't be pleased when he hears about this.

A/N: Chapter Five, done! I think this may be a bit short, but the next one will probably be longer than this. The next chapter will probably be left at a cliffhanger, or maybe I'll end with a fight or something. I see my 15th chapter approaching! (: