Hello! Here the rewrite. Enjoy!

Chapter Nine

Up on a tree branch a squirrel hopped along without worry. Leaves protected it from all angles except downward and nothing occupied the short grass below. Without worry the little critter went up to a peach hanging off the limb. With hind feet clinging to the branch it reached for the stem.

The squirrel never saw it coming. A shuriken pierced right through its midsection. Blood gushed out in seconds. The force of the blow threw it into the air and down to the unforgiving earth.

Only a bluette with enlarged veins around her eyes wept for the sudden loss of life. Rushing up up to the corpse, Hinata knelt down. "Don't touch it," ordered a familiar voice. "Who knows what diseases that creature may be carrying?"

The heiress pouted at her master. Strolling up, Silver grabbed the squirrel with a gloved hand and tossed it into the bag slung over his shoulder. "That would be one hundred and twenty," said the merchant. "Are there anymore?"

Shaking her head, the heiress said, "I think that's all of them."

"Finally," groaned a fox boy. Sprawled across the ground, the blonde twirled a kunai by a finger. "Pegging these squirrels is getting boring." A grin formed as he glanced toward a tree. "Hey Fu! I got every last one of them with one kunai."

Behind the same tree, Fu had her face up against it. Her eyes were examining the holes bored into the trunk. "Is he right Hinata?"

"Took them all out in one toss," said the heiress.

Sighing, the vertette reached into her pocket. As she rounded the tree she tossed a small brown purse onto Naruto's chest. "Better not spend it all in one place."

"Ramen on me," said Naruto as he sat up. Before he got far a smelly bag landed in his lap.

"Before doing that," said the merchant. "Ask your friend if he wants a free meal."

"Right," said the blonde. Pushing the bag off, he got to his feet. He brought his thumb to the back of his molars and chomped down. "Summoning jutsu," shouted the blonde as he slammed the hand into the earth.

A poof of dust forced the team to cover their eyes. When it cleared an eleven foot long snake the thickness of a light pole coiled beside the bag. Pointing to the bag, Naruto proclaimed, "Hey Haio. Care for a bag of squirrels?"

The dark red snake glanced to the bag. With his tail he pulled its lip open. "Aw," hissed the snake, "fresh and bloody." He coiled around his new possession. "Thanks for the gift. I'll make sure the others know that it came from you." Once around the bag the snake poofed away.

"Okay ramen!" shouted Naruto as he started off. "Here I…" A bop to his head halted him. "But Silver," groaned the blonde, "we've been working since six."

Withdrawing his hand, the merchant offered a smile. "There's still sunlight. We'll eat at five. Until then let's congratulate our employer on a rodent free orchard."

After a quick visit to the farmer's house, team thirteen meet the Hokage within his tower. He and a group of subordinates handled job requests. They sat behind a table and listened to the merchant's report. Beside him Iruka asked questions when he wanted something clarified.

"So you need another mission," said the Third. Picking up a sheet of paper, he scanned through its contents. "Well then. We've got several to choose from. There's a council member in need of a babysitter. An old couple needs their…"

"No!" shouted Naruto. Storming over to the table, he growled, "No more D missions. I'm tired of doing people's chores for them!"

Everyone cringed as a cane snapped against Naruto's head. "Manners Naruto," said Silver. Holding the top of his head, the blonde spun around. "But Mr. Silver…" whined the blonde.

"Listen to your sensei," exclaimed Iruka.

"Look," Naruto shouted back, "I'm just saying that these D missions are pointless."

"Naruto," said Iruka with a shake of his head. "This is how it works for new genin. You're permitted to do D ranks. Once you have more experience…"

"At pruning gardens," said the merchant. "No offense my good sir, but my kiddies can take lessons from Naruto for that."

"Silver," said Iruka with a sigh.

"He's right," interrupted the vertette from behind a book. "How does finding a damn cat teach us anything? Sure we can track it, but…" Shuddering, the vertette buried her face into the pages.

A quiet "excuse me" drew attention to the heiress. Fingers pressed together, she looked to the ground. Her mouth moved, but no words came out. Putting his cane away, the merchant offered a comforting smile. "Louder my dear," said the merchant.

"I agree with the others," came the quiet whisper. The breeze could have overpowered her voice. Yet the shinobis' well-trained ears caught it.

"Good to hear," said the merchant, "but that is not for us to decide."

While they spoke the Hokage hid his mouth behind his entangled hands. His lips rebelled as a small smile formed. "So our most unfortunate team is feeling up to a C Rank. Tracking does require field experience."

Without looking the Hokage picked a paper up. "Aw, now here's an interesting one. Silver, have you ever been to the Land of Ravines?"

Pressing his finger to his chin, the merchant said, "Isn't that the country that Kusagakure is set up in?"

"Yes," said the Hokage. "We just got a request from one of its villages."

"Why do they need our help?" asked Fu. "They've got a shinobi village."

"Their prices are outrageous!" exclaimed the merchant. Clasping a hand to his head, he said, "And I should know. Once I hired them for the simple task of escorting me through the country. First time being there and all. Creator have mercy on my wallet that day."

"Who cares?" shouted Naruto as he rushed his teacher. "So what are we doing?"

"Not sure," said the Hokage. "All it said is they need help in retrieving an important artifact."

"Artifact!" exclaimed the blonde. "Like an ancient sword that can be set on fire?"

"Whiskers," said Fu with a shake of her head.

"Maybe," said the Hokage. His hand hiding a mischievous smile.

Darting up to his master, the blonde exclaimed, "Silver! We must take on this mission."

"I see no harm in trying," said the merchant "Hinata, Fu?"

"I'm fine with it," said Fu.

"When c-can we start?" asked the heiress.

Silver reclined against the wall in the doorway of the village gates. The brim of his hat hid his eyes. Nearby sat his daughter, her face buried in a book. The sound of rushing feet drew the vertette's attention upward.

"Sorry I'm late!" shouted Naruto. Shifting the weight of his bulging backpack, the blonde stated, "Mother made sure that I packed the essentials." He shrank back as a hand rubbed his head.

"That's right brat," said Anko with a toothy grin. "Can't have you die because you forgot to bring a lighter."

"Mom," groaned Naruto.

Walking up to the merchant, Anko sneaked a kiss onto his cheek. "Take care."

"It's only a C rank," said Silver with a bored tone.

A finger tapped him on the nose. "With you around," said Anko, "it's never that simple." With that said Anko returned to the town.

Moments later a timid bluette arrived with a boy about her age. Naruto studied the newcomer with keen interest. His eyes marked him as a Hyuga and he had the trademark stoic face. Brown hair touching his butt had been pulled back to show off the shinobi headband on his head. Except for the family Naruto couldn't put a name to the face. Team thirteen didn't hang around Hinata's home that much.

Twirling around, the heiress bowed to the boy. "Thank you brother," said the heiress.

"You're welcome Lady Hinata," said the boy in a flat voice, his expression set in stone. Without waiting for another word the brown-haired boy marched off.

"Brother?" piped up the vertette. "I thought you only had a sister."

"He's my cousin," said the heiress. Her eyes lingered on the brown-haired boy until he disappeared from sight.

"Family matters aside," said the merchant, "it's good that you two finally arrived. I was tempted to keep your share of the award." Pushing off the wall, Silver tipped his hat up. "If we take the straightest path it should take a few days to reach our destination. Who's up for some tree hopping?"

With a wide smile on his face Naruto launched into the air and landed on a tree branch. "Hey Silver," shouted the blonde. "Whoever gets the farthest today will learn a new jutsu."

"Sure Naruto," said the merchant with a small smile. He jabbed a finger in the opposite direction to his kunoichi. It took a moment, but the vertette grinned. Leaping into the air, she landed on a tree branch and hopped away. Hinata gazed at the blonde for a moment before following her friend.

"Hey guys," said the blonde as he twirled around. "Where you going?"

The merchant leapt after the kunoichi. "It's about time you guys learn to be useful," said Silver, "but you have to be in the right place first." With that stated he disappeared into the distance.

"Hey!" shouted Naruto. Springing after them, he shouted, "Wait for me!"

The earth had consumed half of s bloody sun when Fu landed upon a river's surface. Standing up, she scanned the area around them. Nothing but trees to see for miles around. "Is this a good place to stop?" Fu shouted up to the trees.

On the right bank of the river Hinata and Silver landed. "This will do," said the merchant. A moment later a huffing Naruto landed behind them. "Nice to see you made it."

"You guys got a head start," stated the blonde.

"Yes, yes," said the merchant. "Let's set up camp for the night. Then we can work on those jutsu."

"Really?" exclaimed the blonde. All signs of wariness disappeared.

"I see no reason to not do so," said the merchant. "Once tents are set up meet me on top of the river."

Soon enough the chores were done and the group gathered on top of the water. Naruto invaded the merchant's personal bubble. "So what are we going to learn?" exclaimed the blonde. "Please tell me it's an incredible jutsu known only by you."

"I have my own tricks," said Silver with a grin. "But they're a bit complicated for kiddies like you."

"Hey!" shouted the fox boy.

"Cool it Whiskers," said the vertette. "That's just the truth of the matter."

"Even though the three of you already mastered B-Rank jutsu," stated the Kisame in a bored tone.

"Besides," said the merchant, "I'll be teaching jutsu fitting to the person. Hinata."

The heiress stood at attention. "Y-yes?"

"Watch carefully," said the merchant as he brought his hands together. "And please, no panicking. No harm will occur." With that said the merchant's hand flashed signs in rapid session. "Water style," proclaimed the merchant, "Water Barrier Jutsu."

Water erupted around the genins. It climbed against gravity to form a dome. Even the untrained eye could tell something wasn't right. The wall quivered. In several spots it sagged inward. Naruto reached out and pushed a portion of the wall back.

Whipping his cane out, Silver unsheathed his blade. Its edge glowed a soft blue. In a burst of speed he crossed the distance to the dome. One flick of the blade and the shield burst. Leaping back, he sheathed his blade and put it back. "You guys are going want to move for this one!" shouted the merchant.

From his pocket the merchant drew out a shuriken. With it in hand he flashed signs. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu," shouted the merchant. At the end of that statement he threw the shuriken. After a short distance three stars spilt from the original. The process repeated until a couple dozen shuriken flew through the air.

Fu took to the air while her companions leapt to the side. The flying stars dived into the water. "More shadow clones," said Naruto with a frown.

"The Hokage himself gave it to me to teach to you," said the merchant with a smile. "It's a higher rank jutsu then the shadow clones."

Looking to the heiress, Silver said, "And that shield will be more useful to one with water-based chakra. My own earth chakra makes it difficult to use."

"And my jutsu," said Fu with a pout. "What am I supposed to do?"

Without a word the merchant strolled back to land. He drew his sword as he neared the tree. Once the blue glow encased the blade he swung it forward. The sword sliced through the thick trunk. Sawdust flew as he flicked the tree several more times, making an S in the bark.

Sheathing his blade, the merchant bowed to his students. "Is that good enough for you?" asked the merchant.

"I guess," said the vertette, "but can't we all learn elemental techniques."

"No," said the merchant, "only Hinata can perform them at the moment." That earned him a couple startled stares. "Believe or not those elemental techniques generally take years to master. They need fine chakra control while also being able to mold the chakra's shape."

"So," said the vertette with a frown. "I can do that."

"Show me," said the merchant. Fu drew her sword, but before she could use it Silver flashed in front of her. He kicked the sword out of her hand, sending it twirling to dry land. "Without the blade," said the merchant as he crossed his arms.

Promise of pain came from Fu's orange globes. Shaking her wounded hand, the vertette muttered in annoyance. She brought her hands together and before they touched she paused. Looking down, she gazed at her hands if they were foreign objects. The merchant whistled a cheerful tune as he walked off.

Crossing her arms, the vertette proclaimed, "That's just because I haven't been taught any other wind based jutsu."

The merchant stopped by Fu's sword, which was sticking out of the river bank. As he yanked it out he pulled a handkerchief out from a pocket. "Maybe," said the merchant. Wiping the cloth on the blade, he cleaned it. "But for the time being we'll learn what we can."

Ridding the blade of mud the merchant walked back to his daughter. She ripped the blade from his hands. "Fu, Naruto, go wait in camp. I can't instruct the three of you at the same time." A groan came from the blonde, but both students complied.

Poking her fingers together, the heiress stared at the ground. "Mr. Silver," said the heiress, "what was wrong with your shield?"

"My earth-based jutsu was trying to reject the water," said the merchant with a sigh. "Some jutsu just happens to be difficult for me to use. I don't use that one most of the time, but any trick can be useful when employed correctly. Now Hinata, do you remember the twelve signs of the shinobi?" The heiress nodded her head. "I want you to forget them."

"Hmm?"

Clasping his hands together as in prayer, the merchant said, "Watch my hands." With that said the merchant performed four signs in slow motion.

"They're different signs," said the heiress with a frown. "I already knew that you use a different set."

"And you have to learn them," said Silver. "This set of hand signs was created separate from yours. I have no idea how to translate them into the shinobi ones. I also have no idea if this will have an effect on your chakra or not. So this experiment shall prove interesting."

"Now pay attention. For this jutsu there are four signs: Gamma, Beta, Sigma, and Mu. This here is Gamma."

The earth had finished its spicy meal when the impatient fox boy stormed over. Seeing the heiress hard at work he demanded to be taught as well. "Too late now," said the merchant as he strolled off. "I'd rather not blindly throw dozens of shuriken around in the dark."

Silver yelped as the blonde tackled his mid-section. "Teach me!" shouted Naruto.

"Tomorrow!" shouted the merchant. "We'll do it tomorrow!"

The trees never thinned out. If anything their size and density increased. The genin would have never guessed they left the Land of Fire if Silver hadn't pointed out the giant mushrooms growing on the trees. Pausing on a mushroom, the vertette drew her sword. She channeled chakra to the blade, laying it as thick as butter. Licking her lips, the vertette swung her blade.

It pierced the fleshy fungi, but halted after a couple of inches. Careful Fu. Memories of yesterday's training session returned. While the jutsu gives your sword a frightening edge, your own blade isn't meant for cutting. Push too hard and it will snap.

"Hey Fu!" shouted Naruto. The vertette glanced up. On a nearby tree stood Naruto. Aside from his whisker marks none of his fox features blemished his body. "Stop trying to beat me. I'll be done in no time."

"As if Whiskers," said Fu with a small smile. She examined her own body. How it would things be if she wasn't part bug. She thought back to when she first became part of the leaf.

It just occurred to me that your appearance might draw unwanted attention, the merchant explained one night. I would hate it if we were run out due to trivial non-sense.

"Which also means I'm grounded at the moment," grumbled the vertette. "That sucks." With a sigh she bounced after her companions.

With her special sight activated theheiress scanned the area around them. Stopping on a branch, she held her hand up. Her team stopped behind her. "The village is just ahead," said the heiress. "And I think there are a couple of grass shinobi there."

Sniffing the air, the blonde grew a lopsided smile. "Powerful ones two. Both have the chakra levels of a jōnin."

"We'll show them our passports," said the merchant. "And take care not to draw their irk. You shinobi need to work on your pride issue."

Team thirteen continued by tree until a wide ravine cut through the land, its bottom colored a murky brown by rapid waters. A wooden bridge connected the village to this side of the forest. Wooden huts were clustered away from the wide hole. One would be able to transverse the whole village in five minutes.

Just as the group entered the village a woman covered in cloth and a light-haired man dashed out. Naruto paused to glance at the duo, but Silver's calls moved him. Team thirteen got to the middle of the village when a wandering teen noticed them. One look at the genin's headbands and she rushed up to the blonde.

"Are you the leaf shinobi?" asked the teen.

"We are," proclaimed Naruto. Thrusting a finger at himself, he proclaimed, "Team Thirteen is ready to retrieve the artifact. Just point us to the way."

Without hesitation the teen lead them to a ravine flanking the left side of town. There a small pentagon-shaped building stood meters away from the ledge. Sitting at its doorway was a woman whose face had been stricken hard by time. Liver spots dotted her face and skin hung in large bags. She offered the team a toothy smile missing a couple of teeth.

"Good day shinobi," said the old woman. "I hope your travels have been gentle."

"No worse than any other," "said the merchant. "So…

"What's gone missing?" exclaimed the blonde as he bolted forward. "Because whatever it is we'll get back in no time!"

A hand clasped around his mouth as another yanked him back. "Ignore Whiskers," said the vertette, "he has a disorder. Ow!" Drawing her hand away, she glanced to her hand to see a pair of bite marks.

"I do not," declared the blonde.

Rolling his eyes, the merchant said, "So what happened?"

"Long story short," said the woman, "someone stole our Buddha."

"So you villagers figured out how to use cloning technology or reincarnation jutsu?" said the merchant. His eyes gleamed as he leaned in which prompted the elder to lean away.

"Mr. Silver," said the heiress, "I t-think she's talking about a statue."

"Oh," said the merchant in a disappointed tone. "And here I thought I would get to meet the man in person." As he drew away the merchant pocketed his hands. "So let me guess. A bunch of bandits stole the statue because of its value."

"If you mean money wise," said the woman, "they're stupid thieves. The Buddha was made from wood."

"Really?" said the blonde with a frown. "A bunch of bandits stole a hunk of wood?"

"It's Buddha," shouted the woman, startling the blonde, "but in earthly terms it has little value." Standing up, the woman pulled the temple doors open. It revealed a plain room for a man who preached for a simple life. Snug on top of a red rug was a table. On the table stood a miniature house, one big enough to fit two fist in.

"I'm the nun in these parts," said the woman. "It's my duty to care for this shrine. One morning I walked up and found that someone had stolen our Buddha."

"Know why anyone would take it?" asked the merchant.

"At first I thought a couple of teens were playing a prank," said the woman. From the inside of her robe she took out a piece of paper. "But I just got this a couple of hours ago."

Taking the paper, Silver scanned through it. "Tell us the secret of the Buddha," said the merchant, "or your village will not last another day."

"Secret?" asked the blonde.

"I don't have a clue what they are asking," said the nun. "It's just a statue. If one wanted they could carve another one."

"Well," said the merchant with a grin, "this should be easy enough. Naruto."

The blonde snatched the paper away. "Give me a second." Bringing the paper to his noise, he started to sniff. Tilting her head, the nun stared at the blonde. After a couple of seconds a foxy grin crossed his face. "They're not too far from here."

Shoving the paper into his pocket, Naruto dropped to all fours. He brought his nose to the ground and begin to sniff. "Is he alright?" asked the nun.

"He's fine," said the vertette.

"This way," shouted the blonde as he scampered off.

"Don't worry about a thing ma'am," said Silver. "We'll have that statue back in no time." With that said the merchant and his kunoichi darted off.

After hopping the ravine the team headed due north. Shoots of bamboo forced them to slow down. Scampering along, the blonde kept his nose to the ground. If his tail was visible no doubt it would be wagging.

Coming to a sudden stop, the blonde frowned. "Something the matter?" asked the merchant.

"Duck," said the blonde.

Without hesitation the group did as asked. Just as they got down a screaming man soared overhead. "Was that the thief?" asked the merchant. Naruto shrugged.

Creeping forward, the group halted at the edge of the bamboo forest. Again they ducked as a female crashed into nearby shoots. "Seriously," shouted a voice. "Is this the best you can do?"

Team thirteen tried to see the speaker, but a low mound blocked their view. "Hinata," whispered the merchant.

With a nod the heiress used her second sight. "The camp is over that mound. There's about a dozen people surrounding two others. One of them is clothed while the other is floating in the air."

"Floating?" asked Fu.

"A good few feet. The duo appear to be fighting with the others. The reason is beyond me."

"Whoever they are," said the blonde, "they've got plenty of chakra."

"More chakra doesn't equal strength," stated the merchant.

"Fu."

"Already on it." From her bag her bugs descended to the ground and dispersed. "So what should we do?"

"Wait and see," said the merchant. "If the enemies take themselves out that's less work for us."

"Lazy," muttered the fox boy.

"It's called the smart way. Hinata, what's going on?"

"The floating p-person is gloating," stated the heiress. "While his partner s-stands ready to fight. Something, something, s-something…" Cries of pain hinted to the next action. "The grounded person t-threw a spear at the floating one. He k-knocked it away with his hand and smashed the grounded man on the h-head. As you can hear the g-group are fighting each other."

Hinata's teeth sank into her lips. Eyes squeezed shut, but the Byakugan saw beyond the thin membrane of her eyelids. Her mouth opened, but puke replaced the words. Fu pulled her friend away from the digested lunch.

"T-the l-larger g-g-group," said the heiress.

"Are dead," said Naruto. His nose wrinkled in disgust.

This is what you signed up for, stated Kurama.

"Hinata," said Silver, "what's going on?"

"The d-duo are searching the t-tents," said the heiress.

"For the Buddha?" asked the merchant.

Hinata shrugged. For a while the team laid there, waiting. "They left," said the heiress, "based on their frustration they didn't find it."

Propping up, the vertette peered over the mound. She gulped to keep down her lunch. "How did those guys kill everyone?"

"With their bare hands."

That was hard to believe when viewing the limbs that had flown all over the place. Many of the torsos had wide mashed depressions in them. When the heads were intact the faces were frozen into expressions of pain and terror. As the fresh blood pooled insects came to feast.

Whistling, the merchant approached the death field. "Well, whoever they were they did some fine work. Better use it to our advantage. Hinata, use those eyes of yours to scan the area over." The heiress did as asked.

"There's a trunk in that tent," said the heiress. She jabbed a finger toward the structure. "For some reason the wood is flowing with chakra."

Naruto sprinted toward the tent. Sure enough a trunk was fit snugly underneath a cot. Dragging it out, the blonde played with the lock. A smile formed as it popped open. Pieces of clothing greeted the fox boy. He swiped those aside and found a small wooden Buddha deep in mediation and with the grass symbol on his head.

Yanking out the Buddha, Naruto dashed outside. He held it up in the air and proclaimed, "Found it."

"That was easy," said Fu with a smirk. "First C-rank and we pass with flying colors."

The pouting fox boy strolled toward his friends. "Yeah, but only because someone else did the hard part. Seriously, I was hoping for a little more…" Stopping in mid-step, the blonde grew rigid. His ears formed pyramids as he whipped his head around.

"Silver!" exclaimed Naruto. "Duck!"

At that moment a twirling mass entered the heiress' line of vision. "Move!" shouted Hinata.

Without thought the trio scattered. Leaping back, the merchant glanced downward at a shooshing noise. He grinned as a massive blade threatened to sever his midsection. As it spun away it descended and skipped off the ground. It twirled upward to an off shoot of a mushroom tree. As it reached the mushroom's cap a hand shot out from behind the stem and caught the blade by the handle.

"Not bad," said a rough voice. Stepping out from behind the stem, a tall, muscular man heaved the blade to his shoulder. No small feat when the weapon in question was easily longer and wider than the man. "For a couple of brats and a clown."

Jabbing a finger at the man, Naruto shouted, "What the hell is the big idea? Are you trying to kill us?"

It was hard to tell if the man smiled or not. Bandages covered his lower face. Yet his black eyes would be fitting for a shark, hunger covered by a cold shell. The blonde scanned the newcomer over. Black pants matched the sleeveless back shirt that hugged his chest. Spikey black hair was pulled downward. Wrapped around his forehead was a shinobi headband. Three connected waves declared him as one of the Hidden Grass shinobi.

"Now, now brat," said the grass shinobi. "I'm only doing what my duty requires me to do."

"Hold on a sec!" shouted the vertette. "We didn't kill these guys."

"It true my good sir," said Silver as he bowed. "We…"

As the vertette talked the grass shinobi summoned shuriken to his free hand. In one smooth motion he drew them. Behind a tent the heiress watched the events with her byakugan. With an eep she leapt away from the tent. Metal stars tore through its cloth and nipped her jacket.

"Hmm…" said the muscular man. His eyes lingered on the heiress. "Shinobi of the Leaf with a Hyuga. My boss is going to be happy when I drag you guys in."

As Silver straightened up he held his hands out in a placating manner. "Look good sir, I assure you that we're here on legitimate business."

"Legitimate," said the man in a mocking tone. "Of course. Just drop your weapons and come along quietly."

"I'm afraid that's impossible," said the merchant.

"And why is that?" asked the grass shinobi as he tilted his head.

"Because Mr. Zabuza," said Silver with a polite smile, "it's hard to take the word of the Demon of the Mist without a mouthful of vinegar."

So what you guys think? Admittedly, the story sound familiar, but there is more to come. As always leave your thoughts in the review.