Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"You ready?" Sasuke asked, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

No. No, I was not ready.

"Yeah," I lied, doing the same with my backpack.

"Why don't you want to go on this mission?"

"I don't know, I just really don't like the idea of living with my parents and whatnot. I like having you as a roomie." I replied.

Sasuke smirked. "I can guess why," He said.

I shrugged, blushing a light pink. "Yeah, I guess you can."

"Come on, let's not be late."

I followed Sasuke out of the house, my weapon pouch in my backpack and my twin katana on my back.

We walked into the Hokage's office, only to be greeted by a pissed off Naruto.

One thing I learned; a cranky or hungry Naruto is very bad for you. Take it from someone who's had experience.

"YOU'RE LATE!"

"No we're not, you're just early." I said.

"WHATEVER!"

"Anyway," Tsunade shot Naruto a glare, "Here."

She passed a glass of water to everyone but Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura. Now I was confused…

"What's with the water?" Shikamaru asked.

"It's from the Spirit River," Tsunade replied.

"So the legends are true…" I muttered, "Is that how Team Seven got to me?"

"Yes."

"Then if the river is in Konoha, how did the Akatsuki get it?"

"The river is now an underground pond, just to clarify," Tsunade explained, "And it's under the Hokage Tower. I was sending the water in jars to neighboring countries, but unfortunately, the Akatsuki intercepted it."

"So the legend about it giving unimaginable powers to the drinker is true, then?" I asked.

"That," She replied, "We don't know. The legend says that when you drink the water, the powers it gives unlocks at certain times – almost as if it's alive. Now, your mission is to retrieve Katana's brother, along with a scroll to further enhance Mia's powers."

"I did not know that Mia's spirit had a brother," Gaara said, "Why is that?"

"We honestly don't know," Tsunade sighed, "But our spies found out, and after more research, the boy has a high chance of being stronger than Mia and Katana."

We drank the water in silence, pondering what Tsunade had said. The water had a burning aftertaste, and tasted slightly like plums.

You never told me you had a brother, I thought.

You never asked.

"Who is the spirit's container?" I asked.

"Does the name 'Ian Crane' ring a bell?"

I racked my brain for the name. I had heard it somewhere, but I couldn't remember.

"Uh…no…" I trailed off.

Tsunade sighed, taking a picture out of a folder.

"How about now?"

I looked at the picture. The boy was oddly familiar, around my age, Sasuke's height, slight build, tanned skin, chocolate brown eyes, mid-length brown hair…

"Oh!" I exclaimed, "That Ian Crane!"

Tsunade rolled her eyes.

Ian Crane was the normal high school jock, as I recalled. He was in my class, but ignored me. All in all, he was one of the nicer jocks in school. But still an arrogant bastard, in my book.

"Yes, that Ian Crane," Tsunade sighed, "Anyway, before the year is over, find that scroll, and get Ian here. I think you should tell him about it first, before kidnapping, or whatever you did to Mia."

Tsunade pulled out a scroll from her desk and unfurled it.

"Sign it with your blood," Tsunade instructed, "Then either Naruto, Sasuke, or Sakura will teach you the hand signs."

I pricked my thumb with one of Gaara's kunai, and pressed my thumb on the scroll, after Temari.

After we had learned the hand signs, we faced Tsunade.

"You're gonna turn up in an alleyway, and meet up with an ANBU by the alias of John Riker. He is to take you to your apartment, the girls share one, and the boys share another. There is also a bank account for you, don't ask how we got it, we just did. Oh, and before you leave, change into different clothes, you're going to look like freaks if you walk out like that."

I snickered quietly, ignoring the little stab in the heart at the mention of the name "John".

While waiting for the others to come back from changing, Tsunade spoke.

"Mia, while you're gone, don't go out alone, the Akatsuki or Orochimaru or anyone may be out there, and still be after you."

"Got it."

"And don't let anyone…take advantage of you."

I gagged. "Ew," I coughed.

"You know what I mean. Just kick his ass if a boy touches you." Tsunade sighed, taking a swig from her sake bottle.

"Fine," I said.

Do I know why she said that? No, I had no clue. But did I care? Nope.

When the Rookie Nine had come back from changing, Tsunade stood.

"Remember, stay inconspicuous," Tsunade instructed, "And here are your files with the information you need – alias, school, grade, etcetera."

Everyone nodded, silent.

"What are you waiting for?" Tsunade exasperated, "Get going."

As was the start of our new mission…

Author's Note: Okay, sorry for the shortness and my hurry. I just want to get to the mission as soon as possible, 'cause the first few chapters are usually the hardest for me. Anyway, please review.