Chapter 4

Rats and Raccoons on the Shores

Draken leaned against the railing, watching the waves wash over the black wood planks of the Sea Feather. The fast combat vessel skimmed along the sea current, it's sails open to the warm breeze as it carried it's deadly load. Deaumont, a large fat stoat in a red jacket and pants, swaggered up to the ferret leader and scratched the scars across his face. "So, what's the job you need to do, eh?" A stare was all he received so he cringed and walked away. Idiot. Peering across to the distant shore, the quiet fighter could barely see Salamandastron. A smile found it's way on his face as the memory of his 'recruitment' came back to him, which was quickly wiped away.

A quiet shuffle of feet behind him brought him back. "What do you want, Tannok?" Two sets of claws dug into the wood rail as a small furry creature stood next to the leader, its Mohawk barely reaching the ferret's chest. The thing was his second, a fur-ball armed to the teeth with almost every single throwing blade in existence. No one messed with Tannok; those who did were quick to die from those black gloved hands, and so he quickly rose in the ranks. Draken saw potential in this Small Furry Typhoon, or SFT for short, and made him a leader, his cool indifference contrasting the hot headed actions of the weird creature. No one really knew what Tannok was; those who did find out mysteriously vanished, except for the ferret, who was the only one to ever beat him.

Tannok scratched the spiky hair on top his head and pointed toward a group of warriors talking and laughing as they took swigs out of a large barrel of ale, a commodity found in most sailing ships. "Tannok see Lavet and his gang. Lavet drinking with sailors again. Tannok no approve of relations with dirty creatures. Ask to break up happy talk."

The Nin sighed and shrugged. "Go ahead. I don't really like them socializing either. Just don't kill."

Tannok smiled and hopped up the mast, looking for the perfect spot to bash the party.

Lavet, a large black rat holding a huge wrapped sword, leaned back against the coil of rope and took another long drink from his mug. "So, I said to the lead guard in front of the ale stores, " 'Eh, if you got so much, why don't you hide some and keep 'em? I mean, most of the guards already sneak in there on break and sneak a pint or two.' Ha, you should have seen the look on his face; he was like a fat toad trapped under a hot rock and when I said that I'd might take it up to old' Red Eyes, he gave me a full barrel just to keep me quiet." The other sailors howled and cheered as they drank the rich brown ale, letting their tongues flap and gab like there wasn't a care in the world. The drunken elite continued, unaware of the presence above him: "So as I just get it on board, the miniature fur-ball Tannok comes on and starts investigating the gear we're taking. Well the rest was scared like a bunch of lily-livered rabbits, but I was just about ready to-"

"What? Tell Tannok he's a small good-for-nothing right in his face?" The small creature dropped down and dangled in front of the unfortunate rat, looking every bit like a spider. The rat was speechless as the SFT dangled with two small knives an inch from his eyes. The others around Lavet scattered, muttering about duties they conveniently forgot, leaving the elite to his superior. Lavet finally got his tongue back as he tried to back up a little. "Sir, p-p-please let me explain. I wasn't going to insult you. I was only going to compliment-Aghhh!" The blade moved too quickly for the rat to stop, slicing his left eye out and took a good chunk out of his ear.

Tannok smiled as he cut his line, dropping on his bare feet and retrieved his blade kicking the doubled up Lavet as he passed and hissed in his ear, "Next time Lavet should be careful who and where Lavet talks, in case Tannok may be near." Draken watched with a half-smile. This was going to be an eventful trip indeed.

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The fortress of Salamandastron watched the ship pass silently, it's inhabitants not paying attention toward the seas. Chief Sergeant James Seabranch, now the leader of the hare forces of the mountain, sat in the large chair reserved for the Badger Lords, watching over the luncheon as the mass of hares went through their large suppers. A feeling of sadness was in the air as two recruits, Tangle and Victory, sat the end of their table and conversed quietly. "Hey, Vick, its like a bally funeral wake in here. I don't think His Lordship would want us like this."

The female scooped up her soup and smirked as she took a bite of some soaked hazelnut bread "Yeah. Even the food tastes bland. Everyone's like an old otter mum who lost her fish. Everyone should like cheer up and get back to work, wot?"

"Mm. Still, we should finish up and get to our pike training or we'll get in a boatload of trouble."

Unknown to the hares, two sets of paws snuck through the mountain tunnels, looking about unseen by the few patrols. The leader, a red raccoon hauling a large gourd on his back, waited impatiently for a small cat in another white coat like Neji's to catch up to him, the female hiding a bit whenever they moved. The raccoon looked back with his blue pupil-less eyes at the timid creature with slight disdain. "You coming or not?"

The girl looked at her companion with apprehension as she tapped the tips of her claws together. "D-do you think we should be sneaking around like this, Gaara? What if we're caught?"

Gaara only fixed her with a stare that set her back a step. I hate that look. Why does he hate me and treat me like this? Where are you Naruto? She noticed he moved again and hurried to catch up again. The pair turned the corner and stepped right in front of a pair of hares, Moonstream and Oxten, who were just heading to the mess hall. "Hey! You two!" They pointed their lances at the pair and closed in. "What are you two doing in our mountain?"

The girl hid behind the raccoon as he stared at the two with his expressionless face. "Get out of my way or you will sorely regret it." The stopper on the end of the gourd started to move on its own, wiggling as it started to free itself.

The hares didn't notice as they kept their spears leveled on Gaara. "Yeah right, bucko. Come on; we're just going to take you in to ask some questions, if you don't give us any trouble." The stopper increased its thrashing, almost freeing itself before the girl saw it. Throwing caution into the wind, she slammed her paw flat against the top, shoving the thing back down. Gaara felt the strike in his head, a piercing pain as he dropped to his knees, clutching his head in agony. The two hares stared at the girl and scratched their heads. "Err, just what happened 'ere?"

Bolstered by her successful averting of any trouble, the female cat said in her quiet timid voice, "He-he uses sand from that gourd to kill people. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. P-please don't be mad that we were looking for food. We woke up in a cellar and found our way up here. Please d-don't hurt us. A-and my name's Hinata." Gaara kept kneeling, but fixed the brown cat with a gaze that could pierce stone and she hid behind her tapping paws.

Moonstream lowered her lance, a sudden feeling of recognition overcame her as thoughts of a similar young lass coming to the mountain with her father came back to her. She motioned to Ox to do the same beside her and moved forward a little. "I won't hurt you, Hinata. I'm Sergeant Moonstream. Come on, we're not barbarians here. Let's get you guys something to eat. Hey, bucko," she looked down at the raccoon, "you need a hand?"

"Get your hand away from me or you'll lose it." The offered paw retreated and he gave her the same piercing look, but she returned it as he stood up.

"'Ey Ox, lead our little parade please. I'd like to talk to these two for a bit." The scarred hare nodded and marched forward followed by Gaara, Moonstream and Hinata trailing behind. The elder hare thought a good connection was possible with Hinata so she drew close to her. "So where do you two come from, Hinata? The northlands?"

Hinata adjusted her head protector around her neck and looked away from the hare. "I-I'm from Konoha and G-Gaara is-"

"Of the Hidden Sand Village. Now be quiet, stupid girl. Don't you see that she wants information about us?" The curt reply was rough, but did its effect. Hinata refused to answer anymore questions, no matter how many times Moon probed her. Obviously, Hinata's scared of this guy, the hare thought. And quite frankly, so am I. This Gaara; he isn't a safe guy to be around. That look he gave me, I got the chills just from that. But what did Hinata mean by he uses sand to kill? If he just doesn't attack but kill, I'd better warn the others here about him. Entering the mess hall, the visitors were seated at a small guest table and while Ox got them food, Moon went up to Seabranch and came to attention. Seabranch finished drinking and waved her off. "What is it, Sergeant?"

"Sir, I found two creatures wandering our halls, looking for food. A red raccoon with a killer instinct named Gaara and a cat named Hinata. There was a moment where we nearly got in a scuffle, but that was settled and they are sitting at the table there. What would you recommend I should do?" The old hare followed the pointed paw at the odd pair, paying special attention to Gaara. He caught his gaze and stared right back, challenging him with malice coming from those blue eyes. Seabranch turned his gaze to the cat as she gazed across the gathered forces then to him. She quickly adverted her eyes as soon as they had eye contact to her food. "Ask Miss Hinata to come to the forge and hold Gaara in a cell for now. Post guards at his cell but ask the guests if they would like a room after I talk to both. You're dismissed."

"Yessir!" Walking to a table, she picked out two recruits, who talked quietly to themselves, and tapped their shoulders. "You two. Your names?

The two hopped to attention. "Tangle!" "Victory!"

"Alright. I've got an assignment for you two. Finish your meals and follow me." The recruits quickly gobbled their food and grabbed their lances, listening to their instructions as they busied themselves. Marching behind her, the party stopped behind the two. "You two finished your food?" Hinata nodded and stood up. Gaara just stood and stared at the two others behind Moon. "Hinata, the Chief Sergeant would like a word with you in the forge room. Follow me there. Gaara, you're staying with these two while Hinata is talking. Understood?" Another stare. Hinata walked alongside the hare as Gaara followed the two hare recruits down the other way of the hall. As usual, the girl was still nervous and for another time the thought of Naruto crossed her mind as she was brought to the room and waited on the roughly hewn benches for the hare leader.