Enchantress
Chapter 3 – The Mission – Travel
A/N: WOW! So many reviews! I can't believe so many of you find this story worthy of being reviewed! (Begins to cry a bit)…I'd like to thank God, my mama, papa, Ryan, my husband I love you, my precious little angels Deacon and Ava I love you so much! – FYI, my impression of Reese Witherspoon. I LOVE REESE WITHERSPOON! I also apologize for the late chapter. It's also slightly filler…PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!
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Minako felt the summer breeze flowing through her hair with her cheek pressed up against something hard and slightly warm. At first she thought she was lying down on a comfortable bed but she only felt pressure from behind her knees and behind her shoulder blades. Basically the middle section of her body was dipped as if it were in a hammock. This…this is nice…She slowly opened her icy blue eyes and noticed the white, padded breastplate of Sasuke's armor. She was being carried.
"Sasuke…?" Sasuke looked down at the girl in his arms.
"Oh…you're up…" Minako blushed a little bit at the fact that Sasuke was carrying her. She didn't really understand why.
"Um…do you mind putting me down?"
"You sure you're ok to walk?"
"Um…yeah. I'm not really all that tired so there's really no point in continuing to carry me any further." Sasuke nodded and gently eased the girl down.
"I was about to take you to the hospital to get your wounds tended to as well as to give your body a rest. But it seems as though you don't need it. I assumed you would since you passed out during our match. It technically wasn't over since I was still standing but I guess your body just gave out."
"I passed out?" Minako held a hand to her head. Yeah…I did…but I don't think it was because I was tired. Sure the battle was intense and I was getting a little bit tired but not to the point of exhaustion that would lead me to faint.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the girl. She can't remember?
"Well…um..l-let's just forget about this for now and talk about it some other time ok?" Better to talk about it later when I can actually find out the reason as to why myself. Maybe Tsunade-no-baachan could figure out what happened after I explain it to her. "After all, we have a mission to attend to and because of your little 'test' we've been held back for…" Minako looked at her pocket watch "AN HOUR AND A HALF!"
Sasuke still remained as indifferent as ever. "It was necessary so see if you were able to become my team-mate. It was also a little critique session as to what you were capable of. It turns out, you're pretty good. It's been a while since I've had a good spar."
You're off the hook now, but I will find out who you really are. There's something about you that I can't put my finger on. As much as I don't wish to admit it, you're the first girl who I've actually had to strategize against in a fight. Interesting indeed.
"Besides, an hour and a half is not a lot of wasted time considering the distance between Konoha and Iwa. What I had planned for Naruto and me was for the both of us to reach the nearest Earth Country village from the border by around 9 pm. If I include the hour and a half we spent fighting each other, it will be a bit late, but it's nothing we can't handle. The next morning, it's straight to Iwagakure. There we will wait until night fall to execute our mission. It may be far, but it's not impossible…do you think you can keep up?"
Minako got a little peeved. "What are you saying? Are you implying that I still can't hold up to your standards just because I'm not Naruto? I got through your little test even though I blacked out for some unknown reason. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME?"
For crying out loud… "I was implying that after your 'black out' as you put it, you might have wanted our pace to be slowed down. I thought you collapsed from overexerting yourself but now that it wasn't the case, we can continue on without any further delay."
"Oh…well…FINE! But give me just a few more minutes. Thanks to you, my arms have been slashed and my outfit has been burned in numerous places."
"I was just about to suggest for a change in your attire. The colors are far too bright. You're too noticeable and you stand out too much. You're going to cause this mission to fail if we get intercepted at every corner because of your outfit."
"I…well…you!" Minako glared at Sasuke "You're walking on thin ice…" Minako stomped away in the direction of Tsunade's office. Then she noticed something. "Wait! Where are my–"
"I've got them here" Sasuke motioned with his thumb that Minako's weapons were strapped on to his back. "Now get going"
"Argh!" Minako vanished.
Sigh… She's exactly like Naruto, far too stubborn to listen to simple instructions and the eagerness to fight till the bitter end. Her fondness for the color orange is uncanny. I have a hunch…but not until I have the right amount of evidence to convict her. If she actually IS Naruto in disguise…this mission will get VERY interesting. Sasuke grinned .
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About five minutes later, Minako came dashing back towards Sasuke's direction. When Sasuke saw her speeding across the building roofs, he activated his Sharingan on her. Much to his surprise, Minako was not Naruto in disguise. She was her own person. Even though the evidence was there in front of him, he still has his suspicions about her.
Minako landed in front of Sasuke with a much more appropriate outfit. Although the design was practically identical to the old one, the shorts, elbow pads, shoes and her top were all black. The large ribbons behind her back as well as her shin guards were an off-white color – similar to an ANBU member's armor. Aside from the color being an obvious difference, the top had a hood, and covered only half of her upper body – much like Ino's outfit. Underneath her half-top was a simple off-white sleeveless leotard that mainly functioned to cover her mid-drift. Secured around her waist was her black Konoha Academy headband. Although Sasuke didn't really bother with minor details, he noticed that now the both of them were wearing the same colors.
"That's much better. Although the ribbons might be a little bit light, the rest of your outfit will allow you to blend in with your environment MUCH easier, day or night but most especially night." Sasuke grabbed Minako's chakrams from behind him and handed them to her. "Here…now we can actually begin our mission."
"Finally! We would've saved our lost time if it wasn't for your 'little test'. Are you certain it was for our benefit to work as a compatible team? Are you sure it wasn't an ego problem instead?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes as the two of them darted off out of the village and towards the Earth Country.
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As Sasuke predicted, the two were made it to their destination but a little bit earlier than planned – about half an hour earlier than planned. The closest village from the Fire/Earth Countries' border was only 27 km inwards. The both of them did stop for two half an hour breaks to give their feet a rest from the constant traveling. Unlike his usual missions with Naruto, this one with Minako occurred in complete silence. Neither one of them struck a conversation with the other during the trip – unless you count the momentary 'wanna take a break?' question. Sasuke found this a little bit strange considering when they first met they couldn't get out of each other's faces. But this IS a mission and so it wasn't necessarily a problem.
Both ninjas finished setting up their tents while Minako agreed to start a fire and Sasuke agreed to catch some fish for a late supper. Minako was gazing into the flames with her knees pulled up to her chest as she waited for Sasuke. She spent a lot of the silent travel time thinking of her life story, but her thoughts on her gender change continued to haunt her mind. She closed her eyes and emptied all other thoughts, focusing on the enigmatic life form that resides within her.
Kyuubi?...are you there?
Yes…
Kyuubi…we haven't really been on 'nice' terms so to speak…but I have a question that I need you to answer for me.
Such guts…you actually believe that I would humble myself down to answer a human let alone the one who's body is my prison!
This is urgent you arrogant mutt! It's not like I've asked for your 'wisdom' on a daily basis or anything! Just listen to what I have to say even if you don't want to answer it!
…
This morning…I woke up in this body…a female's body. My appearance has completely altered although I still have a few minor similarities to my original self. The change has been so drastic that the few people who I've come in contact to didn't even recognize me – and they are the ones who are the closest to me. At first I thought it was my Sexy no jutsu gone wrong but I've tried reverting back only to have nothing happen. I've only asked Tsunade-no-baachan for help on anything that could define both the cause and a possible remedy for my problem, but she was stumped for ideas. I could ask Kakashi-sensei and the perverted hermit – much to my disdain – for help on this too but if they can't find anything wrong with me either then who am I supposed to turn to? You're the only one who I can ask for help at the moment so…do you have any idea of what has happened to me?
"Sorry I'm late a few of the ones I caught earlier we're still small fries so I waited until I got the adults." Sasuke came back with two very large fish.
Minako jumped out of her thoughts and looked at the Uchiha. "Oh wow…they're huge! They must have been a little hard to catch considering their size."
"A bit…but at least we still won't be hungry once we're finished." Sasuke skewered the trout with a few sharp branches that he carved out before catching their meal and set them down on the fire.
As the fish were cooking, Sasuke broke the ice. "So Minako. Since the Hokage has chosen you as Naruto's substitute, I'm guessing she's informed you of our mission objectives?" Minako still waited the response from the Kyuubi and didn't hear Sasuke's question. Sasuke cleared his throat.
"Huh?...what?"
"I asked you if you knew what our mission was about prior to teaming up with me. Are you feeling alright?"
"Y-yeah. Yeah I am…sorry. Just have a few issues on my mind. But yeah…Tsunade-sama has told me what it's about. We're on a recovery mission right? She didn't get into specifics as this whole ordeal with me and Naruto was sort of a last minute decision. If you don't mind, could you give me a good detailed description of it? Just so I have a little bit of background knowledge as well." Although Minako lied, she had to make her acting as convincing as possible. She mentally smirked…I am SO good at this!
"Sure thing. An old mafia group in the Earth Country has somehow acquired a set of medical scrolls with highly praised information regarding chakra-based operational surgery. Although it seems a bit strange as to how they could benefit from medical knowledge, rumour has it that they have been linked to cases regarding innocent civilians who have woken up one morning only to feel lot worse than the day before. As the days progressed, no matter what medication or treatment they may have been prescribed with, their condition worsened and worsened until they eventually succumbed to death. Their autopsies had shown that their deaths weren't caused by a disease, wound, or harmful substance but from the result of an organ that had been completely removed from their body. There have been cases of a missing heart which obviously resulted in an instant death. Very few have survived but only to live with a missing eye, tongue, kidney or even parts of a limb such as the toes and the fingers."
"Disgusting…just…plain…disgusting…" Even though she knew about the mission, she still cringed at the gruesome details.
"The major hidden villages of the world these days pay large sums of money for organs used for transplanting surgery so it comes to no surprise as to what happens to the missing body parts. Higher sums are given to the professionals who can perform such operations and other surgical procedures – which also sparked the rumor that the mafia maybe performing illegal operations right under the village's very nose."
Minako was eating some of her freshly cooked fish while continuing to listen in interest.
"The Hokage wants us to not only investigate the rumors but to also retrieve the scrolls for her. I'm sure she has her reasons for it. The leader of the mafia, Takatori Reiji (1) has been known for his merciless band of shinobi followers as well as his philosophy on rising to power through fear and destruction. No one has ever located his headquarters but thanks to the spies the Hokage has sent prior to the mission, they have narrowed the Earth Country down to a small area northeast of Iwagakure.
The added bonus that the Hokage has given to us on this mission is the bounty she placed on Takatori's head for his capture. She made an agreement with the Earth Country's Tsuchikage indicating that he would get Takatori while she would get the scrolls along with additional reward money from Iwagakure for apprehending one of their most wanted criminals. I'm not sure if she has mentioned that extra little bit to you as she told me earlier this morning. This is most likely an A-rank mission than the supposed B-rank mission she had initially informed you for it to be. Don't worry, she wouldn't have sent you on this mission unless a qualified Jounin or ANBU member was accompanying you. We won't be alone on this either. There is a small inn, inside Iwagakure that is also our rendezvous point with the 5 spies she dispatched to the village 2 weeks ago."
Minako's heart got raced a little. At first it she thought it was just going to be another B/C-rank mission which were always boring but not to the extent of D-rank missions. But now, the new and sudden details of the 'revised' mission objectives, giving it an A-rank had gotten her blood boiled. This is mission is going to be better than I thought.
Sasuke noticed the girl's strange smile. She even acts like him too. Naruto's been dying to go on an A-rank mission ever since the mission in the Water Country with Zabuza and Haku. Idiot…he should know that that privilege is only given to Jounin or higher. Again their similar behaviors could be just a coincidence, but for some reason…I don't think that's the case.
"Anyway…that's as detailed as I can get about our mission." Sasuke began to eat his fish as well.
"Well at least I fully know what we're up against. Thanks Sasuke." Thank you indeed. Now I'm more than eager to complete this mission!
Sasuke nodded as he continued with his fish. The both of them ate in silence as the crickets chirped into the night air.
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When the two of them finished, Sasuke extinguished the fire and headed for his tent.
"We will wake up at around 7 am tomorrow. According to the map, it's around another 120 km northwest from our current destination. We should be able to get to the hidden village by the early afternoon. From there we will head for the rendezvous point and inform the Konoha spies of our arrival."
Minako nodded. "Well…goodnight Sasuke."
"Good night…"
Minako got into her tent and removed her ninja wear, sleeping in only a plain dark blue t-shirt and matching shorts. She lay her head down on her sleeping bag and rested her arms up behind her head.
"Well…day one is almost over. And so far nothing has really gone wrong." It was silent for a bit until her thoughts began to speak.
I'm still waiting for an answer Kyuubi.
Don't interrupt me human. But if you require an answer, maybe I have it and maybe I don't. That is all I will give you.
That's the most useless thing I've ever heard! Why won't you just simply tell me? We've known each other for 16 years and you ain't coming out of me anytime soon so SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND TELL ME!
…
You arrogant piece of…!
You better not provoke me human…you maybe my prison but we still share the same body. Just as you have access to my power, I have access to your heart. You wouldn't want me to do something impulsive now would you?
W-what do you mean?...
Don't be stupid…I know you inner most desire. And it is not to become the Hokage of that cursed village.
Minako gulped.
Good…you understand. Taunt me again human and I can easily take control of your body and fulfill your deepest lust filled desire…I'm sure HE wouldn't appreciate it if you just waltzed right into his tent and 'did a few things' right?
Minako trembled a bit. OK! Ok…I won't do it again. Just please…I…I don't want to lose him…even if we can't be anything more than friends…I can't have him taken away from me…not again…
You're starting to use your head…as for your predicament…I have an answer…but it could be the wrong one…who knows? Maybe I do, or maybe I don't. That's how it will stay.
You certainly live up to your reputation for aggravating people and playing mind tricks with them to no end.
All in due time…
Minako decided to stop thinking because she wouldn't be able to get another ounce of sleep if this continued. She looked to her left and saw her utility pouch.
Maybe there's something I can amuse myself with to get me to sleep.
Sure enough, her hands touched a scroll - a light green scroll with Konoha's seal on it to be precise. She practically forgot it was in there.
Naru…er…Minako. Take this with you. I will not explain to you what it is as the material should be self explanatory once you open it. Plus, it will help emphasize a few things.
"So…you old bat, what's this little present about?"
Minako ripped the seal and gently opened the scroll. Its writings contained the basic knowledge of becoming a medic-nin. The first few sections went into detail about using chakra to heal and mend open wounds. She was certainly surprised that the old hag would give her something like this but then it finally kicked.
…She is a recently accepted student of mine who had just started working under me a few days ago…
"Figures…how can you call yourself one of her students if you can't apply anything that she's supposedly taught you?"
Minako began to read the scroll and only focused on the sections describing chakra healing. Surprisingly enough, she read for about an hour until she decided to call it a night. Now that the knowledge was in her head and in her hands, there was only one more thing to do: practice. A small happy feeling swelled up inside her as she thought about everything that has happened to her within the last 15 hours – from her weapons and the few new jutsus that she used on the first try, to the medical scroll from Tsunade. Her thoughts about the Kyuubi and Sasuke had left her mind for this brief moment in time.
Maybe becoming a girl wasn't so bad after all.
TBC
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A/N: Just a little bit longer than the previous chapters but still a chapter none the less. I hope you guys enjoyed this! I tried to make it as interesting as I could so please don't kill me or egg my house should you decide to hate me for doing so (begs for mercy). I promise I will have chapter 4 up within the next two days!
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(1) For you Weiss Kreuz fans out there…that's right…I went there.
Response to Reviews:
Akume: I don't quite understand what you're trying to say but I think it's the result of multiple typos. Keep on reading!
Clèm: Sakura's a little jealous but not to the point of pure hatred for Minako. Ino is the same case. I decided to make them a little more mature – even though I despise Sakura. Keep reading!
Unrefined: I will respond to your review by restraining myself from saying what I really want to say. Be patient…this story has only been created 4 days ago. Your questions shall be answered the more you keep reading. (twitch, twitch, twitch)