Chapter 8

A/N: So I don't have any scheduled posting times. I'm finally returning home in a couple days after 3 1/2 months in Europe. Things might be a bit slow for me to post. Thanks to those who have reviewed. I appreciate it! Keep letting me know what you think!

Disclaimer: Every time I have to write that I don't own Naruto, a little part of me dies


Ayato stood at the training grounds with Shisui and Itachi. They were supposed to start training ten minutes ago and there was still no sign of Jayne. He felt the presence of someone running towards them. That must be her.

"Ayato-sensei!" Jaynes roommate, Nanami, was the one to approach them.

"Nanami? What are you doing here? Where is Jayne," Ayato asked.

"Jayne is sick in bed with a fever. She asked me to tell you guys she won't be able to make it and will see you guys at your next training session after the weekend," Nanami said readjusting her large glasses.

"Thank you, Nanami, go ahead and go on to your own training," Ayato dismissed her.

A fever? Ayato furrowed his eyebrows. Is she really sick or just upset about what happened a couple days ago? She still seemed pretty upset during training yesterday.

"Jayne didn't seem to be feeling well yesterday," Itachi said.

"When I asked her she said she didn't get very good sleep," Shisui added.

So they noticed too. "Well, we will just have to continue without her for today," Ayato said.


Ayato made his way to the hokage's office one training was over. He knocked on the door waiting for a response.

"Enter," The Hokage's voice called from the other side of the door.

"Hokage-sama, do you have time to discuss something important regarding one of my students?" Ayato asked as he entered the room.

"Are the Uchihas giving you any trouble?" the Hokage asked, referring more to the boys' parents.

"No, this is about Jayne Kushinada," Ayato said.

The Hokage was silent for a moment, "She is an orphaned child so I'm afraid I don't know much about her. I'll see what I can do to help though."

"You know more than you're letting on," Ayato handed the Hokage the letter written by Rindoh Kushinada. "She showed these to me a couple days ago."

The Hokage grabbed the letters and quickly read over them. The expression on his face was hard to read. He set the paper down on his desk. "What do you want to know?" he asked.

"Just explain what happened," Ayato sat down in the chair across from the Hokage's desk.

He sighed, "You and I both know that the current Mizukage hasn't been leading Kirigakure in a good direction. Ever since Yagura became a jinchuriki and the hokage, he started behaving differently. As you've learned from the letter, some of the noble clans of Kirigakure suspected there was something wrong."

Ayato cut in, "Noble clan? I know Kiri has a caste system, but just how high up were they?"

"The Kushinada is to Kirigakure what the Hyūga is to Konoha. They are a very powerful clan with an incredible Kekkei Genkai. They have the Ice release ability, which you've seen through Jayne I'm sure. Other than some of the war legends from their clan, not much is known to those of us outside of Kirigakure. They prefer to keep to themselves inside the Land of Water, just like the rest of the people. I only know so much because Rindoh Kushinada reached out to Minato and I."

"The coup?"

"He approached us a couple months before it happened. He wanted to know if Konoha would support Kirigakure if they got rid of the current Mizukage. He was not very happy about the new "bloody mist" that was taking over. Minato and I were also concerned about what was to come from Kirigakure so we agreed to support him in small, discreet ways. We didn't want to get Konoha involved but we also knew that whatever storm is brewing over there will one day hit Konoha. Until the coup was a success we would stay out and if it wasn't then we agreed to hide Rindoh's wife and children."

"If you agreed to protect Jayne's mother and brother then where are they?" Ayato asked.

The Hokage frowned, "The plan was to send them after Jayne's birth. Unfortunately the Mizukage had heard about the coup from some spies. They also planned to take action on the day of Jayne's birth. They knew the main Kushinada household would be in a bit of disorder that day so they had troops staked out. When the time was right they attacked and killed all the members of the clan."

Ayato sighed in frustration. Hearing about the downfall of one of his student's clan is not something he enjoyed. "How did Jayne end up here then?"

"That is something we still haven't been able to completely figure out. At some time during the massacre her brother escaped with the newborn and fled towards Konoha. He had been seriously injured, yet somehow made it all the way here. We aren't sure how he not only kept himself alive with the injuries he received, but how he also kept his newborn sister alive. It is quite the miracle. If the coup succeeded it was Ryuga they would have placed as the new hokage."

"So what happened to the brother?"

"When he finally arrived in Konoha he was at his end. He got her into the city and then collapsed. Our medics did everything they could but they lost him within an hour of arriving. He woke up briefly before his final breathe. I remember like it was yesterday. I hadn't seen such a heart wrenching scene in a long time. He asked to hold his baby sister. When we asked him what her name was he said she didn't have one yet. Our medic asked what he wanted to name her…" The hokage paused. "It was the last thing he ever said"

Ayato slammed his fist into the desk, "Fuck! This is so messed up. How can someone just slaughter an entire clan? Children and all?"

The hokage was silent.

"Why does Jayne still have her last name? What if word got back to Kirigakure that there was a Kushinada in Konoha?" Ayato was now on his feet.

"Calm down, Ayato. If you look at her birth records her name is Jayne Hayate. Her father was a shinobi who died on duty and her mother died during childbirth. When Ryuga Kushinada brought her here he was also carrying a chest that we allowed Jayne to keep in her possession. Jayne was told it belonged to her father, we apparently didn't realize what kind of contents were in it. We assumed family heirlooms. She discovered the Kushinada name engraved on the chest and made the connection. She realized her background was a lie from a very early age. Stubborn as she is, she refused to be called Hayate and would only accept Kushinada. We couldn't sway her so a deal was made that nobody would argue with her calling herself Jayne Kushinda as long as she always used Hayate on any official documents."

"So there is no way anyone outside of Konoha would be able to figure out her last name is Kushinada unless she told them?" Ayato asked.

"Correct. Most people in Konoha also shouldn't know anything about the Kushinada clan. If they do, they might just think she has the same last name but has no blood relation. It is believed that all members have been killed and that even though Ryuga escaped, he never made it out of Kirigakure due to his injuries. Everyone believes the baby died during the massacre. Nobody has even thought to search for her and I'm sure it will stay that way. Don't worry too much for the child. I already know not to send her on any missions to the Land of Water."

Ayato nodded. He knew she was safe. He would always be there to protect her and so will her teammates. She will be safe as long as she is here with us in Konoha.


*The next morning*

Jayne stepped onto the Eastern docks of the Land of Fire. Turns out Ayato-sensei's conditioning was pretty helpful, she was able to run a pretty long distance. It helped cut off several hours of walking. Now she had to figure out what boat would take her to Taki Island. She looked around the dock with no idea where to start looking. She spotted a women not too far away leaning against a stack of crates. The women looked a bit intimidating, but Jayne felt more comfortable approaching another girl.

"Excuse me, ma'am, do you know where I can find a ship to Taki Island?" Jayne asked.

The women looked down at her, "What's a kid like you doing looking for a boat to Taki Island?"

"I'm visiting family," she lied.

The women narrowed her eyes, "Where are your parents? Shouldn't you be with them?"

"They are already at Taki Island. I got held back because of a mission," Jayne pointed up to her forehead protector.

"Your parents left without you?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Not all kids have great relationships with their parents," Jayne rolled her eyes hoping the lady would buy her lie.

The women smirked, "Tell me about it, my parents would have done the same thing. What's your name kid?"

"Abigail Hayate," Jayne said. She used her mother's first name and the last name Konoha gave her at the orphanage.

"Well Abigail, you're in luck. I know of a ship heading that way in a few hours," the women said.

"Do you think they will give me a ride?" Jayne asked excitedly. Maybe this would be easier than I thought.

"No."

Jayne's face fell. Never mind.

"But, they will let me on. If I say you are my little sister, they may let you on with me," the women gave a confident smile.

"Would you really do that?" Jayne felt a new hope rise in her chest.

"No."

Jayne almost fell over. Why is she doing this to me?

The women started laughing, "Just kidding, I wanted to see your reaction."

Jayne's eyebrow twitched, "That's not funny! I really need to get to Taki Island."

She started laughing some more, "Alright, alright! Stop looking so serious. The ship is on the Southern side of the dock. Follow me. My name is Kin, by the way."

Jayne followed the Kin as she made her way through the crowd of the docks. Luckily, Kin was pretty tall so Jayne could see her head above most. Jayne noticed the men checking Kin out in her short skirt that made her legs seem even longer than they already were. Jayne had to quicken her pace to keep up with the women's confident walk through the docks.

"Abigail, when we get there, let me do all the talking," Kin glanced back at her. Jayne gave her a nod. "Oh, and take this off," she pointed to Jayne's forehead protector. "Put it in your bag for now." Jayne did just that.

The ship they approached was a medium size with about eight crewman running around getting it prepared to sail later. Kin approached a man, who was probably the ship's captain, who stepped forward to greet her.

"We don't have anything for you to take," the man said with a stern voice.

Kin batted her eyelashes, "What do you mean? I haven't come here to take anything. I just need to catch a ride with my little sis, here." Kin wrapped her arm around Jayne's neck putting her in a headlock.

The man huffed, "Training her into the family 'business?'"

"Of course, how can I let there only be one female pirate? Don't worry, like I said, I'm not here to steal from you. Since my ship is under repair and half my crew in jail, I need to find a way to get her used to the open seas. What's more of a challenge than the waters around Taki Island? You boys are much better at navigating those waters than I am so I thought she should learn from the best," Kin flashed him a smile.

"And what would be in it for us?" The man crossed his arms.

"You mean you want more than just the gift of our presence?" Kin teased.

He was not amused.

Kin sighed, "The next time we meet in the waters, I will feel more inclined to help you rather than sink you."

The man scowled, "If I let you on, you have to work for your stay and meals."

"Deal!" Kin grabbed his hand to shake it.

"Now go make yourselves useful," the man pointed in the direction of the ship.

"Yessir!" Kin gave him a playful wink and dragged Jayne onto the ship.


After a long first day of sailing Jayne collapsed into her hammock next to Kin's. They were placed in a small room away from the men. Ship work was hard and frustrating. Every time she would mop down a part of the deck, ocean water would splash on board ruining all her hard work.

Kin entered their small room and climbed into her own hammock.

"Abby, you did a pretty good job helping the cook with dinner," Kin said. She started calling Jayne Abby since Abigail is "too formal" for sisters. "The last cook I had on my ship wasn't too great."

"So you are some kind of pirate captain?" Jayne asked already kind of knowing the answer.

"Yup. Like I told that guy earlier, my ship is getting repaired. We encountered some bastards in lightning country that almost sank my ship. I'm glad you came around though. I was starting to get bored and looking forward to a little adventure," she said swinging in her hammock.

"You mentioned the waters around Taki were rough?" Jayne recalled the earlier conversation.

"Very. There are tons of Icebergs and the water is super choppy. Not a very good combination if ya ask me. You don't get sea sick do you?"

"Well, I haven't gotten sick yet."

"Atta girl," she laughed. "Now do you want to tell me what you are really doing travelling to Taki Island?"

Jayne felt the color drain from her face, "What do you mean? I told you already."

"You told me something, just not the truth. You are a pretty bad liar you know. You look down at the ground and your ears turn red. Two pretty obvious giveaways. You don't have to lie anymore now that you are on the boat. It's not like I will throw you overboard."

"I… I have to find someone and the last I heard about them is that they were at Taki Island," Jayne said. Kin deserved to know a little bit since she is helping her out.

"Who?"

"His name is Zabuza Mamochi," Jayne said.

Kin shot up, "I take it back, I will throw you overboard. What the hell are you doing seeking out Zabuza?"

Jayne frowned. Ayato had a similar negative reaction. It doesn't really boost her confidence on her journey. "He knew my father. Zabuza is the only person that will be able to tell me what he was like. Or anything else about my family."

Kin was silent for a moment, "He is a dangerous man."

"That's what my sensei said," Jayne sighed.

"I will go with you then," Kin said. "If your sensei thought this was a bad idea then I'm guessing he doesn't know you are doing this. I'll take care of you for 'em"

"I don't need to be taken care of. I am a shinobi and I'm able to protect myself," Jayne said stubbornly.

Kin chuckled, "Alright Miss shinobi, then that means you have to protect me from Zabuza. It will be your payment to me for getting you there. And I really don't want to get cut by that giant ass sword of his I've heard so much about."

"Deal," Jayne said then rolled over in her hammock for bed.

Her hammock swayed with the rocking of the ship. She furrowed her eyebrows. Am I really making the right decision? Well it's too late to turn back. If this Zabuza person really did care about my father, he wouldn't attack me would he? I just have to trust that my dad's former student won't cut me with his "giant ass sword."