Authors Note: Yo this is Chp.4 well you know that but anyway cant really think of anything to write so enjoy and don't forget to review please.
Opening his eyes Takaru looked around and found himself in a large field laying in a bed of white chrysanthemums a warm relaxing breeze blowing over him while the sun began to set turning the sky a orange like color.
"I love to watch the sun set here and the smell of the chrysanthemums don't you Takaru-kun?" Asked a brown haired girl sitting next to him the sun light glistening off her sparkling white dress her long chocolate brown hair flowing with the gentle breeze.
"Umm yeah me too this place...I never want to leave." Replied Takaru looking up trying to see the girls face but not being able to the sun blocking his view.
"Promise you'll stay with me okay Takaru-kun promise?" Asked the girl placing her hand on his left arm that he noticed wasn't covered in bandages, giving him a familiar warm smile a smile that told him that everything was alright.
"Yeah I promise I'll stay and protect you..." Assured Takaru not being able to speak the girls name.
"Yeah here I want you to have this it's precious to me like you are take care of it okay." Ordered the mysterious girl getting up and walking to the top of the hill they were on the wind causing her hair to flutter behind
her increasing her beauty.
Looking at the girl she looked like a brunette angel to the boy as her white dress flapped in the breeze rubbing his eyes it looked as if she was getting farther away pulling himself up Takaru ran full speed after the girl wanting to know everything he could but to no avail as she kept moving farther away.
"Takaru-kun you have to..." Announced the girl her voice fading as the sky became dark and the wind cold.
"I'll find you I...I promise I'll find you!" Assured the boy as the black sky seemed to swallow him making his world dark and cold much like the starless night sky.
"Gahh! What the." Shouted the genin waking up in his bed realizing that it was just a dream as he rolled out of bed and went through his morning routine.
Freshly showered and dressed he walked over to his dresser and picked up the crystal necklace from his dream running his fingers over the small black kanji carved in it then placing it back on his dresser and exiting his home and walking down the road to the training grounds to meet with Dai and Tenten.
"Weird I've never had that dream before I wonder what it means?" Takaru pondered scratching the back of his head.
"Hey Baka why the long face?" Chuckled Dai walking up to Takaru using a name he had began to call Takaru due to his hard headed nature.
"Huh oh hey...Hey! who you calling Baka Shime." Grinned the black haired genin returning to his usual self in the blink of an eye putting the dream at the back of his mind to worry about later.
"Hey Takaru good morning." Smiled Tenten adjusting her utility pouch.
"Hey guys so where's Tatsuya he said he had something big to show us today?" Asked Takaru as the toothpick chewing sensei appeared in a puff of smoke the minute his name was mentioned.
"Hey team ready to get started?" Smiled the sensei a large backpack strapped to his back.
"Hey sensei what's that for?" Questioned Dai unsure he brought the correct supplies.
"Well we've all been training together for a good twelve weeks I think we're ready for our first mission don't you all think so." Smiled Tatsuya when he saw his teams eager faces.
"All right time for some action!" Announced the live wire of the group.
"So what are we doing for our first mission sensei?" Asked Tenten ready to get started on her first assignment but not as pumped as Takaru.
"Yeah what do we need to get to prepare Tatsuya sensei?" Dai added in.
"We'll if you must know we're gonna be transfering a royal dignitary through Kirigakure she's been targeted by bandits, assassins, and hitmen and its our duty to protect her and keep her safe and sound." Remarked Tatsuya coolly having the utmost confidence in his team.
"Alright those bandits wont know what hit them when do we leave?" Questioned Takaru eager to get started.
"Immediately once you all have your supplies ready meet me at the village gates." Announced the jonin vanishing in a puff of smoke.
"Wow our first mission you guys think we're ready?" Asked the kunochi.
"Without a doubt what do you think Takaru?" Dai asked looking in Takarus direction seeing he was gone and running full speed home to get ready for the upcoming mission.
"Hehe guess he's in a hurry to get started." Giggled Tenten walking home to prepare her own belongings.
" *Sigh* He's such a Baka sometimes." Chuckled Dai returning home to pack his bag.
XXXX
Arriving at the village gates the three teens adjusted the bags on their backs and began their long journey to the Land of waves ready to show the world the skill of Team 12.
Twelve Hours Later Entering The Land of Waves...
"Hey Tatsuya when are we gonna meet this delicate person anyway?" Questioned Takaru his first mission not living up to his high intensity expectations.
"The 'Dignitary' we are meeting should be at the hidden outpost in a few miles of our current position so sit tight and keep your voice down."
"Why because their could be assassins hidden in the trees sensei?" Asked Takaru bringing up his guard.
"No I'm just tired of hearing your voice right now." Stated Tatsuya simply.
"Wha...hmph fine be that way." Grumbled Takaru as they continued to leap through the treetops.
Stopping their long travel session briefly they arrived at a small outpost built into one of the large trees expertly hidden in the branches and leaves that only someone who knew where to look could find it. Walking up to a katana wielding guard Tatsuya said a few words and the burly blade touting man stepped aside and let them pass. Entering the outpost the teens were taken aback by how lavishly it was decorated from the velvet drapes on the windows to the large kitchen in the other room smelling of freshly made Yakitori causing Takarus stomach to rumble slightly.
"Wow looking at it from the outside you'd never guess it was this lavish on the inside." Remarked Dai having only seen things like this in books.
"Yeah whoever we're protecting must be really important and powerful." Tenten said taking in the beautifully designed room.
"I bet that kitchen has all sorts of food." Sighed Takaru still focusing on filing his stomach.
As the teens looked around more a rather important man wearing elegant silk robes walked into the room his aura demanded respect, stopping in front of Team 12 he cleared his throat and announced "Presenting her Highness Motome Ouke."
"Wait he's not the dignitary?" Asked Takaru slightly confused.
"No I am!" Responded a pink haired girl in a shrill voice.
Looking behind the man the teens saw a pink haired that was a year or two younger than they were wearing a green kimono made of fine silk and embroidered with small jewels at the neck. Her hair was clipped short with a jeweled hairclip attached to keep her bangs out of her deep purple eyes.
"It's nice to meet you in person your highness we'll be your escorts." Replied Tatsuya bowing respectfully.
"Uhh yes nice to meet you" Said Tenten bowing as well not wanting to be rude.
"Same here." Dai chimed in bowing in respect.
"I'm not bowing to her she's just a ki..." Before he could finish his outburst Takaru received a swift kick to the back of his legs from Tatsuya causing his to fall to his knees bowing his head.
"Forgive him your highness he was dropped on his head as a baby shall we get going?" Suggested the jonin.
"Your my bodyguards I was expecting more than this and there just kids couldn't you get Anbu shinobi or at least adult shinobi to protect me?" Asked the girl dissatisfied with her choice of protection.
"Please we assure you that we are capable of protecting you from any danger we run into." Assured Tatsuya.
"Yeah we're full fledged shinobi not some simple sell swords your talking to the Wild fire o..." Ranted Takaru his outburst silenced by a hard punch to the back of the head from Dai.
"Well I guess I'll have to settle with you lot even if you three look pretty weak especially you with the scar and what's with that katana on your back compensating for something?" Asked the girl wiggling her pinky.
"Grahh! Let me at her let me go let me go!" Growled Takaru as Tenten and Dai held him back.
'*Sigh* This is gonna be a long mission.' Remarked Tatsuya mentally as they left the outpost and began their long trek to the Kirigakure.
XXXX
"Are we their yet now all this walking is killing me!" Complained Ouke letting out a tired sigh.
"No we're not we've only been walking a few miles and second of all your riding on my back anyway!" Remarked Takaru his so called mission getting on his nerves.
"Well then walk faster octopus head!" Retorted Ouke pulling his hair.
"Oww are you referring to my spiky hair Dai has spiky hair too go insult him!" Said Takaru gesturing at his teammate.
"Hey leave me out of it she's your problem." Remarked Dai coldly.
"Quite you two I hear something get back." Warned Tatsuya stopping abruptly looking up at the treetops.
"Finally all this walking around with no action was getting boring." Grinned Takaru throwing the girl off his back and unsheathing his katana.
Suddenly hearing a branch snap they were surrounded by five masked men with katana and bandages wrapped around their mouths concealing their identities.
"Alright give us the brat and we'll only cut you up a little." Chuckled the leader of the bandit posse.
"Tenten you protect Ouke Dai and Takaru your with me." Ordered the sensei pulling out two kunai.
"Yes sensei." The two boys said in unison taking their stances preparing to fight.
"Guess we're doing it the hard way, you heard em boys lets go!" Replied the bandit leader as all of them charged the shinobi.
Making the first move Tatsuya brought his leg up delivering a bone breaking roundhouse kick to the lead bandits arm causing him to fly into a nearby tree. Bringing up his katana Takaru blocked two sword slashes aimed at Dai returning the favor Dai smashed his fist into a charging bandits face sending him flying due to his monster strength. As two more charged the kunochi of the group they activated a tripwire and were whisked away courtesy of a large log.
"Well that was easy enough." Laughed Takaru cracking his knuckles.
"Wow I have to admit you guys are..." Said Ouke her sentence cut off by a blade being pressed to her neck.
"Your coming with me sweetheart." Grinned a trenchcoat wearing bandit holding a curved katana to the girls throat the blade stained green with poison.
"H-help me p-please." Shuddered the girl never being this close to death before.
"If any of you move a muscle I'll kill her all I have to do is knick her and the fast acting poison on my sword with stop her heart." Warned the man.
"Ok I wont move but he will." Grinned Takaru pointing behind the man.
"Do you think I'm stupid kid I'll..." Before he could finish his sentence a clone of Takaru smashed his fist into the mans face forcing him to drop his katana and release his hold on the girl both of them falling to the ground, rushing to her side Tenten helped her up and got her out of harms way.
"Why you don't you know who you're messing with I'm Kaiser the poisonous haze of..." His outburst silenced by Takarus clone stomping on his chest.
"Takaru we need to get going we shouldn't stay out in the open for too long finish up." Ordered Tatsuya.
"How dare you I'll kill you!" Roared the bandit.
"Shut the hell up." Remarked the clone exploding causing a large cloud of smoke to rise through the trees.
"Good job Takaru every thief, bandit, and assassin will be able to see that." Scolded Tatsuya giving the boy a hard smack to the back of the head.
"Hey at least I saved the princess geez." Grumbled the genin rubbing the back of his head.
Meanwhile a few miles away...
"Hey Kakashi sensei what's that over there looks like smoke." Asked Naruto pointing out a large pillar of black smoke a some miles away.
"No need to worry about it doesn't involve us lets keep moving." Replied the masked jonin.
XXXX
The sun setting on the horizon everyone decided it was time to take a much needed rest and start again in the morning.
"Alright Ouke you'll be sleeping in the same tent as Tenten I hope that will be alright with you?" Asked Tatsuya hoping the spoiled girl wouldn't put up much of a fuss.
"Okay sure umm I don't mind I just need to rest it's been a long day...goodnight." Remarked the girl entering the tent without saying much else.
"Hmph guess all it takes is a near death experience to change her attitude." Remarked Takaru bluntly.
"Takaru!" Replied Tenten punching his shoulder.
"What...to soon?" Asked the genin not sure what he said as he and Dai walked into their tent.
"Hey Ouke are you alright sorry about Takaru he can be a little dense sometimes so don't take anything he says to heart." Said the kunochi knowing what it was like to have a near death experience.
"Heh thanks umm Tenten isn't it." Smiled the girl thankful for the brunettes company not used to having friends due to her attitude.
"Yep come on I'll fix you something to eat I'm a pretty good cook if I do say so myself." Smiled the girl.
"That sounds good I'm pretty hungry." Smiled Ouke happy to be making friends.
"I wonder what their talking about?" Asked Dai looking up at the night sky he and Takaru taking first watch.
"I don't know and I don't care that girl is getting on my last nerve I almost want the bandits to take her just to get her out of my hair." Remarked Takaru letting out a frustrated sigh.
"Come on you don't mean that your just mad cause she kept picking on you." Chuckled Dai patting his friend on the shoulder.
"Yeah whatever I mean she could lay off a little." Whined Takaru.
"You know they say when a girl picks on a guy like that it means she likes him they could be talking about you in that tent." Smiled Dai jokingly.
"Hey your right I should go check on them keep watch for the both of us I'll be back." Assured the scar faced boy leaping from the tree branch they were sitting on to the ground below.
"Hey I was just kidding get back here...Baka!" Sighed Dai crossing his arms.
"So what's it like being waited on hand and foot all day?" Asked Tenten handing Ouke a cup of freshly made green tea as they enjoyed Dango on a stick.
"Its great at first but after a while it gets tedious I'm more interested in the life of a shinobi the way you guys handled those bandits and that thing Takaru did with that copy of himself was amazing." Remarked the princess.
"Hmm guess Dai was right about them talking about me." Whispered Takaru to himself sitting on a tree branch that hung close to their tent.
"Hey umm Tenten would you consider us friends?" Asked the girl suddenly.
"Yeah why do you ask?" Replied the kunochi sipping her tea.
"It's just that I never had a friend before I've always been sheltered and pampered but never allowed to act like a kid you know so I never really got to make friends." Admitted the girl brushing a lock of hair behind her ear embarrassed to reveal her secret.
"Well now you have three new ones me, Dai, and even though Takaru doesn't act like it he is too." Smiled Tenten as the two girls finished their tea and continued their conversation.
"Huh never knew that she had it so tough I feel kinda bad now." Said Takaru adjusting his weight on the branch.
"Hey umm since we're friends can I tell you something?" Asked the girl blushing slightly.
"Sure what is it Ouke?" Asked the kunochi leaning in the girls voice lowered making Takaru strain his ears.
"I-I think I have a crush on Takaru." Admitted Ouke glad to tell someone.
"Oh r-really?" Asked Tenten her face turning crimson as well.
"Yeah really!" Exclaimed Takaru from outside the branch he was on snapping causing him to fall hard to the waiting ground.
"Hey what was that?" Said the pink haired girl fearing another attack was at hand.
"Umm I'll go check." Remarked the Kunochi drawing a kunai and walking outside to see what all the commotion was.
"Takaru what are you doing out here?" Asked the kunochi crossing her arms.
"Uhh keeping watch for bandits what are you doing?" Asked the boy trying to change subject.
"Your a horrible liar Takaru you shouldn't ease drop on people's conversations." Giggled the girl helping him up.
"See you tomorrow then." Chuckled the boy scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Yeah goodnight Takaru." Said Tenten returning his laugh with her own the bridge of her nose turning a shade of crimson.
"Umm Tenten..." Asked the boy taking a step forward.
"Yes what is it." Replied the kunochi brushing a strand of brown hair away from her eyes reminding him of his dream he had earlier.
"Uhh nothing it's nothing have a goodnights sleep we have alot to do tomorrow." Grinned the boy returning to his post.
XXXX
Waking up early everyone packed their belongings and finished their trek through the dense woods arriving at a large bridge.
"Alright we're near a small village called Gyokou good I'm tired of sleeping on the ground it'll be good to sleep in a soft bed." Remarked Tatsuya chewing on his toothpick.
"Hey did you say Gyokou my aunt lives here we can stay with her as long as we're here." Suggested Dai.
"Sounds awesome like sensei said I'm getting tired of sleeping on the ground." Groaned Takaru cracking his back.
"Well lets get moving I'm sure Ouke is tired as well." Said Tatsuya as they walked into the small fishing town.
Walking around the port like village they arrived at a good sized home with kanji carved in the door that read "A happy home is a well fed home." knocking on the thick wooden door it swung open revealing a long blond haired woman wearing an cooking apron and a simple cloth dress.
"Dai my little dumpling your aunties missed you!" Said the woman smothering the brown haired boy in a bear hug.
"Auntie I've missed you too but I can't breath!" Mumbled Dai trying to break away from the woman's python like grip.
"Oh sorry honey so who are your friends?" Asked the woman releasing her grip on him.
"Aunt Hime these are my teammates Tatsuya sensei, Ihara Takaru, Yukari Tenten, and this is the girl we're escorting Motome Ouke." Introduced Dai.
"Well its nice to meet you all I was just inside cooking please make yourself at home." Smiled the woman returning to the kitchen.
"Finally a real meal thank Kami." Smiled Takaru his stomach growling.
Removing their shoes and setting their bags down they all sat at the round table in the living room as Tatsuya laid out a map and explained their next plan of action.
"Ok everyone here's our next move we'll stay here for a day or two then we'll travel across the Gouki bridge and the Ishibe bridge to reach the second outpost in Kirigakure since the main bridge is currently under construction any questions?" Asked the sensei laying out their schedule for the rest of the mission.
"No sensei." The three teens said in unison.
Hearing the loud ding of a cooking timer everyone looked toward the kitchen seeing a large almost buffet like meal of Yakitori, Maruyaki, Gomukomeshi, Yakiimo, with skewered Dango for dessert. The large spread of food causing a happy squeak to exit Takarus throat.
"Wow that looks amazing." Replied Tenten her stomach growling slightly.
"You're right this looks great your an amazing cook ." Admitted Ouke.
"Well thank you and please call me Auntie Hime, please everyone eat as much as you want theirs plenty for everybody." Smiled the woman.
"Awesome I'm gonna eat till I cant eat anymore." Laughed Takaru picking up a pair of chopsticks and beginning to stuff his face.
"Hey come on Takaru save some for the rest of us." Complained Dai picking up his own chopsticks.
"Oh come now he can't really eat all this food by himself can he?" Asked Auntie Hime.
"Trust me he can so you should start eating before he finishes it all." Chuckled Tatsuya serving himself as everyone else sat around eating laughing and having a all round good time.
Two days later...
"Takaru...Takaru wake up!" Ordered Dai kicking the slumbering shinobi out of bed.
"Grah! What do you want Shime I'm tired." Mumbled Takaru pulling himself up off the floor.
"It's time to go that's what Baka get your stuff ready." Informed Dai grabbing his bag and leaving the room.
"Man it's been two days already I'm gonna miss this place...well time to go." Sighed the black haired boy grabbing his belongings and walking outside to say his goodbyes to Dais Aunt.
"Well it was nice of you to have us Ms. Hime we appreciate it." Thanked Tatsuya giving the woman a smile.
"Well it was nice having you all and you young man don't forget to vista your aunt more often you hear!" Laughed the woman giving Dai another enormous bear hug.
" Alright Auntie Hime I promise please I can't b-breath!" Stuttered Dai his oxygen supply being cut off.
"See ya Auntie thanks for the grub!" Shouted Takaru over his shoulder as he and the rest of Team 12 walked off to cross the Gyokou bridge.
As they arrived at the bridge a thick mist formed around them causing the sensei to halt abruptly a small chill running up his spine.
"Everyone get back now." Ordered the jonin a urgent tone in his voice.
"What is it Tatsuya some more bandits no big deal we can handle em." Grinned Takaru unsheathing his katana.
"I said get back you fool these aren't any simple bandits what we're dealing with here are trained assassins." Remarked the jonin bringing up his guard.
"Good observation." Chuckled a man with a voice that reminded Takaru of a rusty blade being dragged across stone.
"So your our next obstacle well bring it on!" Challenged Takaru raising his katana.
"Heh I like it when my prey are feisty it makes it all the more satisfying when their begging for their pitiful lives." Said the man stepping out of the mist he wore a long black hooded robe and a mist village style mask (think Haku) and had a large scythe strapped to his back with bloody bandages wrapped around both his arms.
"Now now Reigou we need to keep the pink haired girl alive to get the money for this job you don't want to lose control like last time." Remarked another man that looked exactly like the first except he seemed to be the sensible one.
"Dai and Tenten stay with Ouke Takaru stay close to me like I said before these aren't normal bandits if you make a mistake or do anything rash...you will die." Said Tatsuya grimly drawing a kunai from his utility pouch.
"Reigou get the girl I'll handle these two." Ordered the man in charge.
"What do I do with the pipsqueaks Ryouta?" Questioned Reigou grabbing his Scythe and twirling it.
"Consider them fresh meat." Chuckled the man Turning his attention to Tatsuya and Takaru taking out his own scythe and removing his mask revealing a normal looking face except for his bright blood red eyes.
"Now I know who you two are your Ryouta and Reigou Getsuki the brothers of chilling steel ex Anbu turned assassins." Remarked Tatsuya a grim look on his face a look that told Takaru that this fight wouldn't be easy.
"And I know you Junji Tatsuya the drunken devil of Kohonagakure it'll be an pleasure to test my blade against you unique fighting style." Smiled Ryouta cracking his neck.
"Sorry to let you know but I no longer indulge been sober for eight months now." Smiled the jonin.
"Pity it wont be as fun killing you now." Sighed the bloodthirsty assassin.
"We'll see about that wont we?" Said Tatsuya spitting out his toothpick his usual sleepy eyes becoming more alert.
"Enough talk you ready for your ass whipping yet you creep!" Roared Takaru pointing his katana at the man.
"Hahaha the boy has spirit I like that." Laughed the red eyed hitman.
"Alright Takaru here's how we do it you rush his left I'll take his right got it?" Informed Tatsuya.
"Yeah I got it he wont know what hit him. Grinned Takaru activating the Shakugan having learned to control it better so it didn't wipe out his strength so quickly.
Charging the hooded man first Takaru brought his katana up in a arch to slash his shoulder but to his suprise instead of dodging the slash he caught the katana with his bare hand grinning as dark blood trickled down blade. Then bringing up his fist he smashed it into the boys stomach knocking the breath out of him and brought the back of his hand across the boys face sending flying back a few feet and landing hard on his back his vision blurring slightly from the impact of the punch.
"Heh you'll have to do better than that even with a kekkai genkai you can manage to keep up with me." Smiled Ryouta tossing the boys katana back to him.
"Yeah you may be strong but my Shakugan has a trick up it sleeve." Said Takaru as his pupils dilated consuming the man in raging flames.
"Takaru keep your guard up you know that didn't kill him." Remarked Tatsuya as the flames died down revealing Ryouta perfectly fine with nothing but a few burn holes in his robe.
"Cute trick but now it's my turn." Smirked Ryouta making a quick handsign and announcing "Suiton: Suigeki no jutsu." As the mist around Takaru condensed into a pressurized blast of water smashing him into the ground.
"Dammit that one actually hurt a little." Groaned Takaru spitting up blood.
"Takaru go help the others I'll take care of things here I don't want you to die." Ordered Tatsuya clenching his fist.
"But sensei...!" Takaru began to object before being cut off by a serious look from the jonin never seeing him this serious before.
"Alright before I turn you into Sashimi any last words?" Asked Tatsuya pumping Raiton chakra into his kunai turning it into a lethalo f sword of lightning.
"Haha this is the fight I was looking for!" Laughed the man bringing up his scythe.
Looking back Takaru saw that Tatsuya and Ryoutas battle had already begun their movements so fast he could hardly follow them seeing that his sensei had everything under control he focused his attention on the other assassin who was trading blows with Dai as Tenten kept Ouke out of harms way.
"Leave my friends alone you freak!" Roared Takaru leaping at the hitman putting all his might into his fist smashing it into the mans face shattering his mask.
"About time B-Baka." Panted Dai his clothes torn in various places and a few small cuts on his face.
"Good job hanging in there Shime these guys are pretty tough huh?" Grinned Takaru patting his friend on the back.
"Grah! That kid has one hell of a left hook now your really gonna get it you bunch of rugrats!" Growled the man removing his hood and what was left of his mask his face was identical to the other assassins except for a long jagged scar that ran across his face and two lip rings that hung from his lower lip his long jet black hair hanging over his left blood red eye.
"Man I just noticed something man." Said Takaru tightening the grip on his katana handle.
"What's that meat?" Growled the lip ring sporting assassin.
"Your really fucking ugly maybe I shouldn't have smashed your mask in the first place." Chuckled the black haired genin.
"What you fucking runt I'll chop you up and feed you to the fishes!" Roared Reigou charging the boy head on raising his scythe.
"Takaru you take the left I'll take the right Tenten paperbomb!" Ordered Dai pulling a giant shuriken from his bag as he and Takaru leaped out of way of his blade stroke.
"Alright one explosion coming up!" Answered the kunochi hurling several explosive kunai at him that struck his chest exploding on contact.
"Takaru now!" Commanded Dai as Takaru increased the strength and intensity of the flames with his Shakugan.
"Haha attack plan Delta was a success!" Laughed Takaru pumping his fist into the air.
"Damn you little snot nosed brats really pulled one over on me." Remarked Reigou walking out of the flames the sleeves of his robes burned off and his metal lips rings glowing red hot burning into his flesh the pain not seeming to harm the man as he picked up his scythe giving the three genin a crazed smile.
"This man...he isn't human!" Muttered Ouke her purple eyes wide with fear.
"What the hell is this guy?" Questioned Dai bringing up his shuriken defensively.
"Fine you wana play hardball freak then get ready for a curve ball!" Shouted Takaru as he made a handsign and announced "Katon: Soensho no jutsu." Before exhaling five arrows of blue flame at Reigou.
Making his own handsign he announced "Suiton: Junsai no jutsu." A large orb of water forming around him blocking the explosive arrows. Using the smoke as cover Takaru and Dai charged the man bringing up their weapons, then seeing a glint of red they were in a blade deadlock with Reigou having to use all their might so not to succumb to the man tremendous strength.
"You with the orange eyes your kekkai genkai will go nicely with my eye collection." Smiled the insane man."
"Collect this you psychopathic prick!" Said Takaru activating his Shakugan again sending a burst of flame point blank into the mans chest the explosion sending him into the railing of the bridge.
"T-Take that you..." Panted Takaru his Shakugan beginning to take its toll on him.
"Takaru take five I'll try to stall him until I can think of a battle strategy." Said Dai.
"No way am I gonna let you have all the glory Shime I gotta look good in front of Tenten ya know." Grinned Takaru deactivating his ocular jutsu.
"Yeah lets show this guy our new technique huh Baka." Smiled Dai giving him a thumbs up.
"Yeah lets do it." Said Takaru cracking his knuckles.
Standing side by side both boys weaves different handsigns and announced simultaneously "Fuuton: Kaze Ryuu no jutsu!" Both of them exhaling a large blast of wind that formed a giant wind dragon that swallowed Reigou in a hurricane like windstorm a huge roar echoing through the air.
"Team 12 one lame assassins zero." Chuckled Takaru falling to one knee his chakra almost depleted.
"Takaru come on get up we wo..." Before Dai could finish his sentence Reigou appeared behind him and smashed his fist into the boys back causing the him to cough up blood.
"Dai! Why you fre..." Cutting his outburst short Reigou made a quick handsign a burst of pressurized water smashing into his left side shredding his sleeve.
"Now for the little brown haired bitch of the group." Remarked Reigou walking towards Tenten blood leaking from his body forming a dark red trail as he approached the girl.
Pulling her lucky kunai from her side pouch she charged the man head on burying her kunai into his stomach causing a dark laugh to escape his lips as he wrapped his hand around her throat lifting her up off the ground chuckling as the girl struggled for air.
"I guess I'll have some fun with you and wont kill you right away since your the only one left." Grinned the mentally unstable man brushing a lock of hair out of the girls face as it began to turn bright red from the lack of air.
Loosening his grip slightly he threw her against a tree her shirt ripping slightly as she fell to the ground coughing and gasping for air. Picking up his scythe and walking toward her to end it his dark shadow looming over the girl like death himself he brought his blade down quickly in a executioners arch hearing a wet crunch causing a small smile to form on his lips. Looking down his smile vanished as he saw Takaru blocking the blade with his left arm his left eye an eerie color of yellow the white of his eye pitch black.
"I'm not done with you yet...Tenten get Dai and Ouke somewhere safe I'll handle him." Commanded Takaru.
"But Takaru he's too strong for you to fight by yourself if you die...I...don't." Said the brunette tears brimming in her eyes not knowing what to do.
"I'll be fine now go I wont ask again!" Ordered Takaru his voice dark not belonging to the happy go lucky ninja she knew.
"Okay." Answered the girl picking up the unconscious Dai and calling Ouke as they fled into a safe spot in the forest so she could treat Dais wounds.
"Alright just me and you kid lets finish this so I can go kill your friends shall we?" Chuckled Reigou pulling his scythe blade from the boys arm.
"I knew this would happen sooner or later I'm just glad it didn't happen in the village where I could hurt someone I cared about...but now I can focus all my pent up rage on you and trust me if you think your a dark twisted person wait till you get a load of me!" Laughed Takaru a insane smile on his face as a black flame shaped pattern spread over the left side of his body the large gash in his left arm healing rapidly.
Charging the boy Reigou brought his blade up in a wide arch to slice the boy in half seeing the place where the boy was standing empty he looked to his left and saw the boy standing on the blade of his sythe bringing his foot across his face causing him to drop his weapon Takaru cut a backflip and announced 'Katon: Housenka no jutsu.' Mentally while exhaling several fireballs that engulfed the psychopath.
"That's it now you die!" Roared Reigou making a handsign the boy had never seen before the veins in his arms becoming thicker then pointing at the genin he shot out sevral bolts of hardened blood pierceing his body in sevral places knocking him back a few steps his wounds healing quickly and recovering he charged Reigou bringing up his knee hard into his chin knocking out one of his lip rings and bringing down both his hands down onto his skull a slight cracking sound echoing through the air finally grabbing two kunai from his utility pouch he rammed them up under his ribs causing a roar of pain to escape the mans mouth.
"Guess you can feel pain then that means you can suffer as well." Said the dark version of the boy activating his Shakugan engulfing the assassin in dark purple flames.
Finishing his technique Takaru turned on his heel his Shakugan fading the severely burned body of Reigou falling to the ground.
"You little punk I'll skin you alive!" Roared the undying shinobi charging the boy anger clouding his better judgment.
Turning around Takaru using the last of his chakra thrusted his hand out quickly stopping the raging psychopath dead in his tracks. Looking down Reigou saw a fist sized flaming hole where his heart should have been looking at the boy then his chest as if to confirm his death he fell to his knees.
"Finally." Said Takaru simply falling to his knees as well he looked up at the sky the sun beginning to set the dark pattern receding back to his hidden left arm the girl from his dream appeared in front of him smiling at him filling the air with the smell of freshly picked flowers.
"You did good Takaru-kun but don't die okay you still have more people to protect kay." Smiled the girl touching his cheek tenderly.
"I will I promise..." Sighed Takaru slipping out of consciousness getting a brief look at the girls face seeing she bore a striking resemblance to Tenten.
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Waking up a hour or two later Takaru found his head resting on something soft and warm and some cool liquid being trickled down his throat looking around a little he felt his head rest move slightly placing his hands above him he felt something round and soft above his head hearing a small yelp Takaru saw Tentens blushing face looking down at him.
"Gahh! Sorry Tenten I didn't know honest!" Apologized Takaru bowing.
"Heh it's ok Takaru it was an honest mistake." Smiled the girl sheepishly still blushing.
"Well look who's up." Smiled Tatsuya appearing in a puff of smoke a bundle of firewood under his arm.
"Tatsuya sensei your alright!" Exclaimed Takaru glad to see his teacher and friend had survived.
"Of course you think a simple assassin could finish me so easily?" Chuckled the man the only mark on him that suggested he was in a life or dead battle was the small tear in his jounin vest.
"Wait what about Ouke...and Dai?" Questioned Takaru fearing the worst.
"What about me Baka?" Remarked the brown haired genin playfully punching the back of his head.
"He just suffered a few cracked ribs that's all and Ouke is in the tent sleeping she's not really used to seeing this type of action." Informed the kunochi.
"Well I guess all we have to do is drop off the pampered princess and our first mission will be a success grinned the boy holding his ribs as a small twinge of pain shot through him.
"After you get some rest after you gave us time to escape we came back later and found you unconscious and you had lost a lot of blood so this time your gonna take it easy if you want to or not." Smiled the brunette.
"Fine I guess I could use a...quick nap." Said Takaru stifling a yawn as he placed his head down and looked at the girl he swore he could smell freshly cut flowers as he drifted off to sleep.
XXXX
Waking up for the second time in his tent Takaru stretched his arms realizing that his left arm was still bandaged.
"Good they didn't touch my arm that means they still don't know." Sighed Takaru changing his shirt and walking outside seeing everyone packed and ready to go.
Packing his own things and cleaning up the campsite everyone walked off preparing to cross the second bridge hoping that crossing this bridge would be less of a hassle. Crossing the bridge it occurred to Ouke that this would probably be the last time she saw her new found friends stopping abruptly she took a deep breath and stared at the countless stars in the night sky.
"Ouke what's up why'd you stop?" Questioned Dai.
"It's just that well...you guys I consider you my friends and it seems that our little journey is ending so I just wanted to say that I'll miss you all Tenten, Dai, Tatsuya, and even you octopus head uh I mean Takaru." Smiled the girl sad to have to leave her new friends so soon especially after everything they just went through tears beginning to run down her face.
"Hey your talking like we'll never see eachother again Ouke mark my words you haven't seen the last of this guy so no tears okay." Grinned Takaru ruffling the girls hair.
"Okay I'm looking forward to it Takaru." Smiled Ouke wiping her tears as they approached Kirigakure.
Entering the outpost the three shinobi were greeted with warm regards as they saw a pink haired man and woman sitting in elaborate jade lined thrones.
"Mother, and Father." Cried the girl running up to greet her parents as everyone seemed happy to have Ouke back.
"I thank you for returning my daughter back to me shinobi I will let your hokage know that the village of Kohonagakure has the full support of the Motome family at it's back." Regarded the man.
"Thank you sir." Said Tatsuya bowing respectfully the three teens bowing as well.
"Well we'll be leaving now so you all can catch up on some much needed family bonding." Smiled the jonin as the four of them began to leave.
"Wait!" Exclaimed Ouke suddenly running toward Takaru wrapping her arm around his waist.
"Thank you for everything Takaru-kun." Sighed the girl pressing her lips against his quickly.
"Grahh no problem!" Said Takaru his face flushing bright red not expecting what just happened.
Walking out of the outpost a cool breeze flowing through the village as various villagers walked through the streets Takaru was the first to speak up.
"Well now that all that's over lets go home I miss my bed...and Maruyaki-Sans." Grinned the boy scratching the back of head.
"Yeah your right about that." Sighed Dai rubbing his side his ribs still pretty sore.
"Well how about when we get back I buy all of us a round of Barbeque?" Offered Tatsuya with a smile pulling a toothpick from his front pocket and placing it in his mouth.
"Wow thanks sensei after all that's happened I could use some rest and relaxation." Said Tenten letting out a sigh.
"Well then lets go that Barbeque wont be there forever!" Laughed Takaru running ahead tasting the smoked meat already.
'*Sigh* That kid is something else.' Said Tatsuya mentally walking faster to catch up with the boy.
"Hey slow down Baka." Complained Dai jogging to catch up to his friend.
"Yeah slow down Takaru you can't run all the way back to the village." Said Tenten smiling running after him as well.
As the three genin ran their way back to Konoha with the starry night sky above their heads and a mission under their belts they felt as if nothing could ruin their spirits not bandits not assassins no not anything and this was only the beginning of something great.
Authors Note: Well that was chapter four how'd you like it enough action not enough action more romance maybe well leave a review and let me know I crave your reviews so leave one shoot maybe even two anyway I'm going to the moon!
Peace, Love, and Anarchy!