Chapter 4: The Witch of the Mist Village

The eyes of the Ambassador of Mist nearly bulged out of its sockets when he caught a glimpse of Aya. " Are you serious, the Witch of the Mist is my guardian? I rather take my chances and go home alone than allow that woman near me. It still a mystery how that woman survived she should've of been killed years ago. I'm postive she sold her soul to devil or something to survive the attack on her home."

"Masato," Tsunade spoke calmly from her chair facing the red haired ambassador. "Old friend I can not allow you to go home alone. Unfortunately, Kakashi and Aya are the only ninja I can afford to send out right now."

Kakashi stared at Aya to gage her reaction to Masato words but he saw noting. It was like she was use to such reaction from people. Kakashi spoke in a hushed tone. "Do not worry sir she is under my control she will do as I say."

Aya glared mutinously at Kakashi but she held her tongue and she said nothing. Crossing her arms she leaned against one of Tsuande multiple window instead and pretended to be bored with the procedure that was taking place. Kakashi however knew better her entire attention was focused on the present conversation. He smirked to himself as his attention was once again drawn back to Masato.

"You can not trust that animal Tsunade she will turn against you at any chance she gets." Before Masato could get anything else out Kakashi had Masato by the throat.

" I admit I don't like her but as long as she under the protection of Konoha I will not allow you to speak about Aya in that manner do you hear me?"

Tsunade spoke, "Kakashi let go of Masato now."

Without a moment thought Kakashi let go of the Ambassador of the Mist with a grunt of annoyance. Masato collapsed to the ground in a coughing fit. "You are crazy." Shockingly the person who helped Masato back to his feet was none other than Aya.

"I will not hurt you," Aya spoke in quiet tone.

As soon as Masato was on his feet he shrugged Aya off of him roughly which caused Aya to stumble slightly but she regained her balance in time to hear his cruel words.

"Do not touch me, witch."

Kakashi saw the pain fleet quickly across her face but she covered it quickly in embarrassment when she noticed Kakashi attention was focused on her in sympathy.

Before Kakashi could get anything else out Tsunade spoke in a voice so cold it made Aya shiver. Masato, you will treat my ninja better or I personally will kill you. Now if you would stop complaining and leave I may be able to get some work done today."

Sighing in defeat Masato walked out of the Tsunade's office door leaving behind Via and Kakashi in stunned silence.

"Hokage is their in other orders." Kakashi asked.

"No, you two are dismissed."

Kakashi turned quietly and headed for the door but stopped when he noticed that Aya had not moved. He however continued walking when he felt her presence behind him.

The lush forest flew by as the three ninjas jumped threw the boughs. Aya, though alert of danger, her mind started to wander in boredom. They had been traveling for two days straight now only stopping to eat and sleep. As they got closer to the Village Hidden in the Mist her nerves seem to be getting worse. She had not been back to village since she was a little girl. Barely noticing that Kakashi had stopped she almost hit a tree but was able to stop herself. She silently landed on a tree branch nearest Kakashi.

Kakashi spoke in hush tone. "Aya do you sense that."

Aya head snaps up as soon as she noticed the traces of Chakra that was leaking out. It was five no wait six people dead north of them and they were coming on fast.

"Kakashi do you think it's a greeting party."

"No, Kakashi spoke it is to many people usually it's one or two people but never more. We should hope for the best but prepare for the worst they will be here shortly are you ready Aya." Kakashi spoke all this while he pulled his forehead protector away from his covered eye.

"I am a ready." Aya spoke as she got into position to protect their charge.

"Well, well, well what do we have here." A voice spoke out of the mist. "Look boys the legendary Witch of the Mist has come back to our village."

The leader of the group showed himself to both Kakashi and Aya. "I thought you died 15 years ago. I never believed those story of seven old child getting way from a whole platoon of ninjas. Well I guess I was wrong but we can resolve that issue now."

Kakashi jumped infront of Aya before the man with a scar running down his nose could afflict anything on Aya. "We are here on a special business we are escorting your ambassador back home. We do no want any trouble so just step aside."

"The man who spoke early shook his head in denial. " I am sorry but we are under streak orders to kill the Witch of the Mist if any of us ever run across her."

Before Aya could do anything the Ambassador of the Mist grabbed hold of Aya in tight grip. " Go ahead Juro kill her she won't be able to move now."

But before Juro could respond to anything Kakashi had already pulled Aya out of harms way and into the relative safety of his arms. All the men looked around for Aya and Kakashi but they lost track of him as soon as he hid his chakra.

Kakashi put Aya back down onto her feet and spoke in a hushed tone."Aya we have to run for it we will not be able to fight them all off. Since all of them are at Juuni level." Luckily for Kakashi and Aya the Ambassador of the Mist safety was apparently a priority of the village because they all disappeared as quickly as they had come.

Kakashi was a task master he would not let Aya stop until they were safely out of the limits of the Village of the Mist. They kept up the grueling pace for three hours until it started to get dark and Kakashi decide they were safe enough to make camp for the night. However, Kakashi had reached his limit and collapsed falling towards the ground at a shocking speed. Aya acted out of reflects and caught him before he could hit the ground. She shook her head in disbelief at Kakashi. "Why did you not tell me you were exhausted I would've helped you."

"Sorry, Aya, using my eye wears me out but I thought I had a little more energy."

Aya continued to shake her head in disbelief but to Kakashi relief she did not leave him to die as he had suspect she would do if she ever got the chance. However, she took care of him. She set up camp and help him climb into his sleeping bag after a makeshift dinner.

She spoke to him in hushed tone. "Sleep Kakashi I will watch over the camp tonight. You will feel better in the morning."

Kakashi started to complain but quieted down when he saw the determination in her eyes. He smiled to himself as he thought that Aya was kind after all she just need to be shown the right path. His mind was muddled but he smiled to himself as he thought she just needs a home and he did not mind helping the lost ninja find a place to feel welcomed. Even if she was a witch like the people of the mist said she was a good a person underneath her tough exterior she just need someone to show her kindness. That was his last thought as sleep finally claimed the tired ninja.

Aya smiled to herself as she heard Kakashi snore lightly. He was the first person she ever meet that stood up for her and oddly enough she felt protective of him. Had she finally made a friend? She ponder this question fAuthor's Note : I've finally caught up on my editing for my story. From the responses I'm getting it seems to be going a little better. I still appericate reviews as you can see I do take them into consideration. For all of you have reviewed me and favorited me I wan't to thank you sincerly from the bottom of my heart. I do not own Naruto.