It's a rare thing now a days… that is having time to myself. But with what little time I have to myself, I was able to write this chapter… that's all I've got to say, so I'll go on to the shout outs. Let's see… one for Wait.What and one for Incarnate009 and I know this sounds odd, but if you check out my review page for this story you'll see what I mean, and six for Laur3 Sincl4ir. Thank you all… sort of. I mean you guys are just as bad as Zabuza, threatening me with rabid chibis and the creepy music and just mean plain evil behavior… it's starting to creep me out. Any more bad things and I won't post the sequel to this story.

Dusk out

Chapter Nine

The breeze gently blew the leaves of the old giant tree. It was a nice, shady spot to sit and reminisce about the past, whether it was pleasant or not… it this case it was mostly not. But we did have some good times, I thought with a smile, especially that last month that we were all together. You finally started to depend on me like you did Haku. You stuck up for me, you didn't insult me… as much, you even listened to what I had to say… but you still didn't take my advice.

Not a sound could be heard, not a single bird, cricket or breeze. It was like the forest knew I wanted some peace and quiet. I did, however, wish the breeze would start; it was getting a little warm in the sun… really, really warm.

"That's summer for ya," I sighed as I got up and moved to a shadier spot, "back to work."

I had been working a few new techniques all morning. I still couldn't believe that Zabuza was actually leaving me alone. All I had to say was that I was going off into the woods and I wanted to be left alone for a few hours and he said go ahead. But I could let my amazement of his leniency get to me; I had a lot of work to do. The techniques I was working on were two that I had made up as a kid. One was extending my chakra from my body and using it to sense electrical impulses around me. So far, I could only sense up to three feet around me and I could only pick up a rodent or two. The other technique was a little bit more offensive in nature… a lot more offensive. It involved me pushing my chakra through my gensens and making long tendrils of pure electricity that I could use like a whip. Since I hadn't been able to test them on another living being, I didn't know how deadly they were. But like my other technique, this one wasn't going to well.

"Maybe I should ask Haku," I whispered to myself as I leaned against tree trunk, "he has really good chakra control."

"Ask him to do what," a voice came from above.

I closed my eyes and sighed, "Oh nothing… just need some help… that's all." I opened my eyes and looked up, "so what do you want Zabuza?"

He was standing upside down on the tree branch above me, smiling underneath his wrappings.

"You shouldn't be having an attitude with me, little girl," he snickered, "I could kill you at any time."

"Well excuse me for saying this," I snorted, "but you keep saying that and yet I'm still here…," a kunai landed in between my legs…, "point taken."

"Good," he jumped down and landed in front of me, "I hope you enjoyed your little free time, but it's time to go to work."

"Work," I whined, "I thought you didn't get that job from Gato."

"I never said that," he looked down at me, "I said that Gato wanted a demonstration and I didn't Want to do it…"

"But you never said that you wouldn't," I finished.

"You're learning," he smiled.

He signaled for me to follow him as he started to walk away. I slowly got up and brushed up the dirt from my clothes. I was hoping that it was going to be a nice quiet day and nothing to do, but Zabuza totally ruined that for me.

Oh well I shouldn't complain, it's not like I was making any progress on my techniques anyway, I gave a huge metal sigh, I just hope that Zabuza doesn't expect me to do much… because I really don't feel like showing off my skills, especially for a greedy old, probably a pervert, man.

One hour and a lot of grumbling later…

The road ahead was finally showing signs of civilizations. Small homes and businesses started to line both sides of the street. Both Zabuza and Haku were looking from side to side, making sure there were no surprises. I, myself, was watching the rear. As for the Demon Brothers, they were no where to been seen. Zabuza must want them to jump in if there are any problems… which I hope there isn't… I really don't feel like doing much.

"Don't slack off back there," Zabuza glanced over his shoulder.

"Believe me, I'm not," I snapped back to reality, "If your back it in trouble, then my ass is already in the fire."

"Hmm," Zabuza mumbled.

I sighed; I guess he agrees with me.

We made our way down the crowding street to a casino. It was one of the High Roller casinos that only a select few could enter. Two bouncers were guarding the doors and I was wondering how Zabuza was going to get in. The two guards parted ways as Zabuza came close, allowing him, Haku and me to pass. The casino was very different from most from stories I had heard about them. There were no slot machines, just tables and bars. A haze of smoke hung in the air, making it very difficult to breath. Zabuza lead the way pass tables of gambling and drinking men. They all looked up at our passing group, especially me.

"They're staring at me," I whispered up to Zabuza.

"What do you expect," he looked back at me, "they're drunk and anything right now looks good."

My cheeks turned red with anger, but I didn't let my emotions get the best of me. It wasn't the best time or place to start yelling at the person I was supposed to be pretending to be my boss. I just mumbled a few curses to myself as I continued to follow him.

We walked to the back where there were more guards, but they didn't look like they belonged to the casino. They were standing in front of a door labeled 'Gentlemen's Lair'. They must be Gato's body guards, I thought to myself as we came up to them. They, like the previous guards, parted and allowed us to pass. We went through the doors and emerged in a large room with a rectangular table in the center. A grey haired man sat at the end with two swordsmen standing on each side. They looked like they were ready for anything… but most likely couldn't handle a ninja or two.

"I see you finally made it," the grey haired man, whom I assumed was Gato, said impatiently.

"I believe I'm right on time," Zabuza smirked.

"Hmm…," he looked down at his pocket watch, "so you are…," he noticed me, "well, well, well… what do we have hear? A lovely young ninja," he stood up.

"No need to show such formalities to one of my underlings," Zabuza brushed me off, "she's one of my subordinates and she's not use to being treated…," he had to think, "treated like a lady."

Under normal circumstances, I would had gotten angry, but personally I felt better that Zabuza was telling Gato to basically ignore me.

"Young lady, would you care for a seat," he offered me a chair.

"No thank you sir," I bowed, "I prefer to stand."

I looked out of the corner of my eye and noticed that Zabuza was giving me an approving nod.

"Well then… enough of the formalities," Gato seated himself, "let's get down to business. This is the job," he gave a file to one of his bodyguard.

Zabuza took the file from the guard and glanced over it briefly. He didn't seem too impressed with whatever the job was. I didn't care to look to see what it was; I was most likely not going to do anything.

"So the job is an assassination…," Zabuza rubbed his chin, "obviously there must be more to it then just killing an old man. Otherwise one of your men could handle it."

"Mr. Tazuna has hired ninjas to protect him for his journey back to the Land of Waves, hasn't he," Haku asked as he looked over the file.

"Yes, Leaf Ninja," Gato leaned back in his chair.

"Leaf Ninja… they'll provide some entertainment," Zabuza laughed, "of course the price has to be right."

Gato smirked as he picked up a pen and started to write down some numbers on a piece of paper and then handed it to the guard. Zabuza took the paper and looked over it. I could tell that he was really happy about the figure written on the paper, but he concealed well. Then I noticed that he looked confused about something.

"What's the bottom amount for," Zabuza looked up at Gato.

"That one is for a service that the young lady could provide me," he started to smiled at me.

Oh Zabuza better not or he will die…, I looked over at Zabuza, or at least be castrated.

"Sorry Gato," he put his arm around me, "but she's for my own personally entertainment. Aren't you?" he pulled me closer.

I'll play along… this time, "of course Master Zabuza," I shyly smiled up at him.

"Sorry to hear that," Gato frown, "but if you change your mind…"

"You can understand that I don't like sharing my property," Zabuza put his hand on my butt and squeezed, "and she only has eyes for me."

"Yes Lord Zabuza," I falsely grinned.

"Well if we have no more to discuss," Gato sounded discouraged, "then I'll be on my way. Come to my forest residence in three days; there's a map in the file. Waraji, Zori let's go," he stood up and walked past our group then stopped and smiled up at me, "I'll see you in three days my dear," he gave a small bow.

With that, he left the room, leaving a happy Zabuza and Haku and me very creep out and very angry.

"Well that went well," Zabuza grinned, "let's go," he walked pass me and Haku.

We walked back through the smoke filled and out into the fresh air. I stayed behind Zabuza and Haku, trying to calm down.

"The job shouldn't be to hard," Zabuza was discussing with Haku, "the Demon Brothers should be able to handle it."

"Of course Lord Zabuza," Haku gently smiled, "you don't need to waste your time on a simple assassination."

"I think our little girl back here can take a job on her own," he looked back at me, but his face met with the back of my hand.

He stumbled back in surprise, "what… what was that for," he rubbed his chin.

"For saying those terrible things," I screamed at the top of my lungs.

He started to smile, "terrible things… oh you mean saying that you and I… have fun at night…"

"YES! That! How dare you say things like that! I can stand the insulting and threats, but saying that I'm… I'm… involved with you… that's just disgusting," I continued to yell, but Zabuza didn't seem to be affected.

"Involved… what an interesting word to use," he came closer to me, "I normally wouldn't go for a girl like you… too fragile… but I could use some… HUMPH!!!"

He went down from my devastating blow.

"Did you have to kick him… well," Haku tried to find the right words.

"Yes Haku… I did have to kick him in the balls," I turned my back to them; "I know when to go… see you in three days."

I jumped up into the trees and away from the high pitched curses of Zabuza. Finally… I kicked him in the nuts, I snickered to myself, I finally did it! Of course Zabuza is going to kill me when he finds me… oh well… I still kicked him in the NUTS! YAY!