Chapter 6:

~3rd POV

Weeks have passed. Tsuki was adjusting well to the new missions her team would take. They were simple missions, mostly helping villagers with basic chores or errands. But this was just to allow Tsuki time to adjust. The team was ready for something more.

Nanako stood in the Hokage's office. She stood with her hands clasped behind her back, waiting patiently for her leader to speak.

"How is Tsuki adjusting, Nanako?" Hiruzen asked.

"Quite well, actually," she answered. "With her disability, it was good that we had her training with Ryoma and Yoshiko from the start. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel safe allowing them to take part in the upcoming Chunin Exams. Those two have been looking forward to it."

"I see. So you believe they are ready?"

"With a little extra training, they may be. Worth a shot."

"Perhaps a final test is in order," Hiruzen said, grabbing a file.

"Sir?"

Hiruzen held up the file. "A reconnaissance mission. A small village to the south is experiencing abnormalities in their villagers. They requested we send a team there to review the situation and debunk foul play."

"Abnormalities?" Nanako took the file and skimmed over the pages inside. "Behavior changes? Disappearances? How basic is this mission?"

"C-level," Hiruzen replied. "Is your team up for it?"

Nanako faced Hiruzen confidently. "I'll tell them to pack a bag."

Hiruzen nodded. "Good. I suggest you leave tomorrow morning. An elder will be awaiting your arrival in the village."

"Sir!"


~Tsuki's POV

"A mission?" Yoshiko asked excitedly. "Like, a real mission?"

"That's right, kiddo," Nanako-sensei grinned. She looked at all three of us. "Take tonight to get rested up. We leave first thing in the morning. I'll explain the details when we get on the road."

"Yes, sensei!"

I just nodded. With all of the training we've been doing for the last year, I couldn't help but to feel a bit excited to go on a real mission with my teammates.

"Tsuki, this'll be your first time outside the village since you've returned," Nanako-sensei said. I could tell she had chosen her words carefully. "I'll walk with you back to the Hyuga Compound and talk to Lord Hiashi for you. You know, just to let him know that we're leaving."

Once again, I nodded. We said goodbye to Ryoma and Yoshiko and left for the Hyuga Compound. It was getting late so most of the villagers were turning in for the night. The sun was still out, but it was ready to set behind the horizon.

On the way to the compound, we passed one of the training fields. It was downhill from where we were, and the shadows from the setting sun made it difficult to make out. But I could just see a few figures below.

It was Neji and his team. I recognized them easily, even with the dim light. Neji and Lee were sparring. Both excelled at taijutsu, so it was a pretty amazing sight. Tenten was playing referee it looked like, watching them closely.

Nanako-sensei looked over as well. "Is that him?" she asked. "The Hyuga boy?"

I looked up at her curiously.

"I'm friends with their squad leader," she explained. "He told me about how you and that Neji boy were friends as kids."

I nodded. "It must have been fate that he was the one who saved me," I signed.

Nanako-sensei chuckled. "Perhaps."


~3rd POV

Tsuki and Nanako arrived at the Hyuga Compound and were greeted by Hanabi. Tsuki bid Nanako goodnight and left to her room. Hanabi led Nanako to a lounge where her father was waiting.

"Thank you, Hanabi," Nanako said.

She bowed and left.

Nanako faced the door. "Lord Hiashi, may I come in?"

"You may enter," she heard from the other side.

Nanako slid the door open and stepped inside, sliding it closed behind her. She walked forward until she was in front of him and rest her knees on a pillow.

"You must be Nanako Tsuzumuchi," Hiashi said. "Lord Hokage told me of you."

"Yes, I am Tsuki's squad leader," she said. "It's an honor to meet you, Lord Hiashi."

"Yes, quite so," he nodded. "I must ask. Why is it you've come here?"

Nanako smiled politely. "Just to formally introduce myself. You are technically Tsuki's guardian since you've taken her in. And since she's a special case, I figure you should be in the know."

Hiashi caught on. "Is there something I should know?"

Nanako's expression turned serious. "My squad is taking a mission outside of the village tomorrow morning. We'll be gone for a few days."

"I see. Will it be dangerous?"

"Nothing is certain yet. It is however a C-ranked mission. It'll be her first one, so her teammates will have a leg up on experience. Still, it's a simple investigation. No need to worry."

"Then there is more to your visit."

Nanako nodded. "It'll be her first time outside of the village since her rescue. We're taking extra steps to guarantee her safety."

"You believe her former captors will return for her," Hiashi guessed. "Lord Hokage has also mentioned this possibility."

"I assume she is well guarded here."

"Of course," Hiashi answered, almost insulted. "But really, it's been nearly a year since she was rescued by Neji and his team. Surely her captor isn't interested in her."

"Don't be naïve, Lord Hiashi," Nanako said harshly. "No disrespect, but you shouldn't fool yourself. I know Lord Hokage must have told you who was behind it all."

Hiashi furrowed his brow. "The rogue sanin Orochimaru. Yes, I know very well he is the one who took Tsuki and destroyed the Senjo Clan."

"Then you should know he is dangerous. Years after he went rogue, he dared to come back to the village and attack an entire clan. We don't know the intent, but Tsuki was taken for something. We must be cautious and assume she is still being targeted."

Nanako closed her eyes and sighed before opening them again. "Furthermore, Tsuki is not the only one in danger."

"I'm afraid I don't follow."

Nanako gazed at him steadily. "Your nephew. We must assume Neji is also in danger."

"Neji? You think that snake would target him as well?"

"If he really is after Tsuki for something, he may try to use Neji as leverage against her," Nanako explained. "His squad leader has been made aware of the situation as well, along with a few other select jonin overseeing genin squads. While the investigation of the Senjo Massacre is still ongoing, myself and the other jonin will be watching for any signs of trouble surrounding the two of them."

"Is that why you've come here?" Hiashi asked. "To warn me that my clan may be targeted because of Tsuki and Neji?"

"I've come here to warn you that with their engagement, their lives are more vulnerable. Orochimaru probably doesn't even know about it. But should he find out, those two kids will be in for a rough ride."

Hiashi studied Nanako carefully. "Very well. We will take extra precaution."

"Thank you for understanding, Lord Hiashi."

Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was heard by wandering ears. Neji took a moment a register what Nanako told Hiashi. He walked away, his footsteps quiet.


~Tsuki's POV

I made my way through the village, heading for the gates. Before I left the compound, Neji stopped me. His words ran through my mind.

"Be careful on your mission. You never know what can happen. Any situation can become dangerous in the blink of an eye."

I felt like he was holding something back. It worried me. Had something happened?

"Hey, Tsuki!"

I looked up, my thoughts diminishing. Yoshiko was waving at me from the gate. Ryoma and Nanako-sensei stood with her.

"Come on!" she called excitedly.

I smiled and jogged over to them.

"Ready to go?" Nanako-sensei asked.

I nodded.

"Let's get a move on then!" she cheered lightly.


"Neh, sensei, what exactly are we doing on this mission?" Yoshiko asked as we walked down the path.

Nanako-sensei looked at us. "Apparently this village is experiencing strange phenomenon. People are acting bizarre and some have disappeared. Lord Hokage said there will be an elder waiting for us. They'll explain in more detail, but basically our job is to investigate. Think you can handle it?"

"No sweat," Ryoma said confidently. "I'd be ashamed if we couldn't."

"What do you think Tsuki?" Yoshiko asked me.

Neji's words replayed in my mind. "The mission may seem simple. But we should be cautious anyway."

Nanako-sensei nodded in agreement. "Tsuki's right. Anything can change a situation in an instant. Never let your guard down."

"Yes, sensei!" the others said.

"Alright, how about we pick up the pace?" Nanako-sensei suggested playfully. "Think you can keep up?"

Ryoma smirked while Yoshiko grinned. I smiled and adjusted my bow, keeping a grip on the string. All at once we jumped up and started racing through the trees, skimming across the branches.

"Sensei," Ryoma called as we kept moving. "Should the situation become dangerous during our investigation…Say we uncover what is actually going on and find out foul play is involved. What do we do?"

Nanako-sensei hummed, looking ahead. "I say we'll cross that bridge when, if, it comes to that. But if it does turn out that way…Then I guess we'll just have to handle it, won't we?"