"Ayane, hurry up or you'll be late." Genra called to her from other room. "A ninja is punctual and always remains on task."
"I'm almost ready." Ayane said from her room
She was putting on her new purple ninja outfit that Genra had made for her.
"I'm on my way out now." Ayane said told Genra before leaving the house.
Master Shiden of the Mugen Tenshin clan called for Ayane personally to be present for a meeting. There was an important mission he wanted her to partake in. So Ayane made sure she was on time. Coming into the main room she saw Master Shiden, Kasumi, Hayate and Ryu already their. Shiden sitting in the back of the room with Hayate and Kasumi at his sides. With Ryu sitting by the wall on the right side in nearby Hayate. Kasumi wearing a pink and white side tie dress. Hayate wearing a red and black jumpsuit and Ryu always wearing his black jumpsuit that really shows off his muscles.
"Ah there you are please sit." Shiden greeted her and motioning for Ayane to sit down.
"So what is this about, master Shiden?" Ayane asked as she sat down.
"Patence child, we still are waiting for one more." Shiden told her.
"He is always late." Ryu said with a sigh.
After about five minutes a boy came into the room. He had own variation of the Black Spider jumpsuit that Ayane had never seen before. It was blue and white with a unique crest on the back. The boy's short black spiky hair reminded Ayane of someone but, she couldn't remember who is was. She tried to get a look at his face only to see that it was covered by a mask. It was orange with a black swirling pattern. The mask only shows his right eye. The boy sat down next to Ryu and bowed before Shiden.
"Now that you're here, we can begin." Shiden said.
"Father, is this about what happened at Nataka Shrine?" Hayate asked.
"It is, my son." Shiden answered. "It was the Seven swordsman of the Mist, and what they stole is of great importance.
"What did they take?" Kasumi asked.
"The Kitesu and the Scroll of Seals." Shiden told them.
"They have taken these sacred items and stored them within Kikyo Castle." Shiden told them.
"With the Scroll of Seals the White Shadow Clan resurrect the archfiend." Ryu said.
"Which is why I'm sending all of you will infiltrate the castle, retrieve the items and bring them here." Shiden told them. "Ready yourself with whatever items you need and be ready to leave within the hour. Ryu, you are in charge of this mission. Dismissed."
With that they left Shiden alone and went to the supply room within the village. Hayate armed himself with the Jinran-Maru the treasured sword of the Mugen Tenshin. He is also bringing some shurikens. Kasumi is armed with her wakizashi Shrouded Moon tying it across her back. Ryu was already prepared with the Dragon Sword and kunais attached to his hips. The masked boy took spare sword and was ready to go. With that they left the Mugen Tenshin village and headed for Kikyo castle. After a couple of hours of traveling they decided to make camp for the night.
"Okay, we will camp out here and head out at daybreak." Ryu told them.
"Ryu, at the rate we travel we should be at Kikyo Castle by nightfall tomorrow." Hayate told him.
"I know, and that's when we will strike." Ryu said "Under a cloud of darkness."
After gathering firewood for the group. The masked boy went and made his tent several meters away from everyone elses.
"Brother, who is that?" Kasumi asked Hayate
"I think you know him Kasumi." Hayate replied. "Do you know who it is Ayane?"
"No, but I'm about to find out." Ayane said making her way to the mysterious boy's tent.
Ayane enter to see the masked child in deep meditation. He stood perfectly still like a statue.
"Who are you?" Ayane asked
She received no answer.
"I will ask it again." Ayane said "Who are you?"
This time the boy awoke from his trance. Opening his eyes his golden brown eyes turned red. It sent shivers down her spin. The boy had three tomoe in each eye. When he locked eyes with her they began to spin. Ayane knew she had seen this somewhere before. Ayane shook the fears away from her and got back to the matter at hand.
"Who are you?" Ayane asked him for the third time.
"I am nothing special." The boy answered
"Well Mr. Nothing Special, do you have a name?" Ayane said
"Maybe I do and maybe I don't" The boy answer again.
It was obvious that he was messing with her. Tired of the games, Ayane attempted to remove his mask only for him to grab her wrists. He then guided her hands to remove the mask. Revealing the face of an old friend.
"Obito?" Ayane said.
"In the flesh." Obito replied
Ayane immediately pulled Obito in for a hug and he returns it. After a long embrace she let him go. Looking at the mask and back at him she smiled.
"Why didn't you tell anybody you were coming?" Ayane asked him.
"I wanted it to be a surprise." Obito said. "Also, it was kinda last minute. Lord Genshin, had insisted master Ryu had me to the team. He thought it was a good time to see how I work in the field."
Ayane continued to smile at him. Smiling is something that Ayane hasn't done in a long time. Their reunion was cut short when they heard Kasumi calling for Ayane. Kasumi entered the tent to see Ayane sitting with Obito.
"Obito, it's you." Kasumi said tackling him to the ground with one of her over the top embraces. "I knew father wouldn't send a stranger with us on a mission like this. I'm so glad to have another friend with us."
"Nice to see you to Kasumi." Obito said
"Sorry about that." Kasumi said getting off him and pulling him up.
"It's okay." Obito said.
"Ayane, are you staying with Obito?" Kasumi asked him.
"Yes I am." Ayane told her. "Unless you think I will be a bother."
"Not in the slightest." Obito assured her.
"Okay well then, I will head out and let the guys know okay." Kasumi said
"Sure." Obito said.
So Kasumi left the tent leaving Obito and Kasumi alone again. It was silent, uncomfortably silent for Ayane.
"Say something already." Ayane said getting irritated.
"Something." Obito said with a laugh.
"Ha ha very funny." Ayane said not amused.
After that it became quiet again.
"What's wrongm Obito?" Ayane asked him concerned.
He isn't this quiet at least not around her.
"Nothing." Obito said in a whisper.
"What did you say?" Ayane said sneaking in front of him and touching noses with him.
Obito fell back suprising and Ayane fell on top of him laughing.
"Don't tell me you're getting shy all of a sudden?" Ayane said.
Obito didn't answer.
"You are getting shy." Ayane said a bit hurt by her friend's withdrawn actions. "Why?"
"You grew since the last time we met." Obito said.
"What does me getting taller have to do with anything?" Ayane asked
"I meant your chest." Obito said in a low voice.
Ayane looked down to see her developing breasts pressing up against him.
"You are such a pervert." Ayane said getting off of him.
Ayane smile at Obito's shyness it seemed to make her comfortable. Looking at the mask again and his outfit she decided it was time to catch up on things with her friend.
"Where did you get his mask?" Ayane asked
"I made it myself." Obito answered. "It's in honor of a friend who isn't here anymore. Making masks has become something I started doing in my spare time."
"I'm sorry." Ayane said rubbing his shoulder.
"Don't be, he is in a better place now." Obito said grabbing her hand.
"It's been so long and now you're a ninja" Ayane said.
"And you have become a kunoichi and look..." Obito trailed off
"Huh, how do I look?" Ayane said putting her hands on her hips.
"Um..." Obito failed to find the right words.
"What is it?" Ayane said touching noses with Obito again.
"You...look very pretty." Obito said.
"Ayane pushed Obito back down and rested her head on his chest. Falling asleep in each others arms.
While they slept and Kasumi sleeping by herself in another tent the two elder boys were planning their plan of attack once the reached the castle inside the third tent.
"So how are we doing this?" Hayate asked Ryu.
"All five of us attacking the same area will draw too much attention." Ryu said. "We will divide ourselves into two units. You, Ayane, and Obito will take one end. Kasumi and I will take another."
"Why did you think it will work?" Hayate questioned his best friends plan of attack. "Ganzo a very catious man."
Ganzo is the leader of the swordsman. He was a master swordsman in his own right. Gathering legendary swords for his disposal. Kubikiribocho, Samehada, Nuibari, Kabutowari, Shibuki, Kiba and Hiramekarei. He master each sword using them to become a powerful enough to kill Onji. The former overlord of the Black Spider he got older and knew he needed successors. When the current swordsman were just homeless kids on the street Ganzo adopted all of them. Gave them each on of his seven swords and taught how to master them it. They are all fiercely loyal to him.
"I understand." Ryu said. "We'll need to keep our focus on our task and this is the best way."
"May I ask why you and Kasumi?" Hayate asked.
"Let me ask you something?" Ryu said "Do you know the nickname of Kikyo Castle?"
"I do not." Hayate answer a bit ashamed.
"It's called the Castle of the Mist." Ryu said. "During the night the castle becomes surrounded in mist and clear viability for more than two feet in impossible."
"I see now." Hayate said unlocking the reason Ryu is partnering with Kasumi. "With your and Kasumi's ki manipulation abilities you two would be able to make your way through the mist more quickly than if I or anybody else was with you.
"When we enter the mist we are in there world now." Ryu said. "We must for an attack at anytime."
"I understand." Hayate said. "Which is why you partnered me and Ayane with Obito because of his sharingan."
"Precesly." Ryu said. "I'm sure they separated the Kitesu and the Scroll of Seals.
"That why my team will head downstairs and your team is heading upstairs." Hayate said.
"Your understanding my plan of attack, good." Ryu said.
"The Kitesu is most likely upstairs while the scroll is downstairs." Ryu said
"This will be a piece of cake." Hayate said confidently
"But there is one problem that we will face." Ryu said.
"What might that be." Hayate asked raising an eyebrow.
"Ganzo has hired the Lightning Brothers to help him defend the castle." Ryu said.
"That is a problem." Hayate said.
"That's enough for one night." Ryu said "Get back to Kasumi and get some sleep."
"If you say so." Hayate said.
Hayate left the dragon ninja alone with his thoughts he knew tomorrow would be difficult. Fully aware of the dangers, he remained undeterred.
The next day Obito awoke to notice Ayane still sleeping soundly upon his chest. Gently shook her to wake her.
"Please just five more minutes." Ayane moaned. "It's so nice here."
"Ayane it's daybreak." Obito said.
She pouted a bit then got up and headed outside. Obito followed her to see everyone waited for them.
"Right on time." Hayate said.
Obito and Ayane sat down to listen to the plan Ryu had made. Once everyone was briefed on the strategy the left for the castle. Once they reached Kikyo Castle it was nightfall. The moon brightly shine down on the castle and just like the legend said it became shrouded in mist. With that the team separated into their groups to start the mission. With team one enter from the left side and team two entering from the right.
The seven swordsman stood on the roof of the castle watching the ninja move. Seeing perfectly through the mist.
"I grow tired of waiting." Kushimaru said.
Kushimaru Kuriarare was master of the Nubari sword. It was a very long but thin sword. It had hidden wires attached so he could penetrate several bodies at was and tie them together.
"Come Jinpachi lets engage them now." Kushimaru said jumping down ready to fight team two.
Jinpachi Munashi was the master of the Shibuki sword. A large sword with a bladed right side and the left covered completely in explosive tags that can be detached any time.
"Yes let's go." he said diving down to meet team one.
The rest of he swordsman merely looked on in and watched.
Feeling the presence of someone coming it fast Obito sharingan activated.
"Look out" Obito said getting Ayane out-of-the-way of Kushimaru's slash.
Hayate moved in front of the kids and drew out Jinran-Maru ready to fight. Kushimaru attacked only to be countered. However Hayate's attack was also blocked.
Meanwhile Jinpachi who likes more direct approaches quickly engaged the Ryu and Kasumi. Though the battle he is fighting is exactly going his way. Jinpachi was no match for the speed his body is covered in slashes from Ryu and Kasumi. Angered by his inability to kill them he decided to kill himself along with them.
"Return to dust." Jinpachi said laughing evilly as he is about to detach all the explosive tags.
Only to have has his head cut off by Ryu before he could do so.
"Underestimating your opponents is very foolhardy approach to battle." Ryu said to the fallen swordsman.
Kushimaru was also not finding luck in his battle and he two was cut down by Hayate.
"This battle is far from over." Kushimaru gasped out before dying.
With that the ninja entered the castle ready for whatever challenges await them.
Authors Note: I don't the Naruto characters that have and will make appearances in my story they belong to Masashi Kishimoto.