Chapter 27
A couple months later, Ayumi was finally over her depression, and Tsunade felt safe about putting her on a mission. "This is a B-ranked mission, so be careful! You're supposed to escort the prince of Grass Country to his home safe and sound, along with his father and all of their belongings." Ayumi sighed, saying, "Okay…did they come here, or do we have to meet up with them?" "They're here." That's when an older man came in, with light brown hair and light gold eyes. He was older than Kakashi, and considerably heavier. His son, on the other hand, was probably a year or so older than Ayumi, with darker brown hair and dark brown eyes. He was cute, to say the least, or that's how Sakura put it.
Ayumi could care less, but he seemed more interested in her than in Sakura, which made Naruto jealous. "It's midsummer in Grass Country, so wear extra cool clothes." Ayumi nodded, turning to Naruto. "We'll be meeting at the gate. See you soon, Naruto-kun!" she was gone in a flash, and Naruto noticed how the prince looked at her when she wasn't looking. Kakashi held back a jealous Naruto, saying, "We'll be ready in a couple of hours. We'll be meeting at the front gate at that time." Ayumi changed into a light blue belly shirt with spaghetti straps, and jean shorts. She put her hair in a low ponytail, flipping it over her curse mark so it wouldn't show, and pulled her sandals on before putting all of her weapons on.
She put her blades on her belt, and turned to Hara, saying, "You should stay home this time. I'll be fine." Ayumi smiled at the puppy-dog eyes she got before getting Hara plenty to eat. "You ready, Ayumi?" Kakashi questioned as he came out of his own room. He froze for a moment before saying, "I see why that prince stares at you." "Pervert." Ayumi muttered, shouldering her backpack. She packed some food and other survival necessities before saying, "I'm ready to go, Kakashi!" "Then lets go." They headed for the gate to see the prince and his father there with a bunch of bodyguards and three carriages full of things.
Ayumi's eye twitched lightly as she said, "No one needs this many things…" no one answered her, so she just sighed, sitting on a tree trunk. After noticing the prince had been staring at her the whole time, she was about to beat some sense into him when Naruto and Sakura came. "Hi, Naruto-kun!" "Ayumi-chan!" they kissed, obviously upsetting the prince, though Naruto wore a triumphant grin as Kakashi said, "Okay, we're heading out!" As they walked, Ayumi heard the prince's name. Nakashima. And his fathers name is Akira. Naruto stayed near her, glaring at Nakashima when he looked at Ayumi, and Ayumi smiled at Naruto's protective nature.
Kakashi often had to separate them so they could protect the carriages better. Kakashi had just split them up again, and the road was nearing a piece of the road where there was a rocky hill on one side…on her side of the carriages. She was looking at it warily, and the Ayaka Sharingan flashed before a band of shinobi tried to rush them, running down the hill. She pulled on her gloves quickly before punching the hillside as hard as she could, sending rock shooting at the shinobi. Some survived, and Ayumi ran to meet the small number, only about three.
She punched one, crushing him into the ground, and kicked another, sending them flying over the hill. The third shook at her strength, and she kicked him hard into the air, and jumped up after him, punching him even harder down to earth. "Ayumi-chan! You did it!" she smiled, saying, "It was easy." She noticed Nakashima was now staring at her with awe and respect, though she just shook it off. She didn't notice the shinobi that were actually alive crawl away to report to their leader…"So, you guys are safe for a little while longer. We'd better keep moving." Everyone nodded, following Kakashi's order as the carriages began to move again.
Little did they know that the shinobi would attack again, but this time to take someone that their young leader had taken an…interest in…