An: Thank you for all the reviews as always. Also, for some reason I forgot that Iwa and Konoha don't actually share a border and had it pointed out to me. Therefore, all the action in the previous two chapters took place on Konoha's side of the border with Waterfall Country. I already corrected the mistake in the previous chapters. Also, I changed where Naruto and Jiraiya were going from Kumo to Taki. So again thanks for the reviews S. o t. A.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit
Chapter 39: Past Mistakes
Ami was sitting in a tea house waiting on Hinata who had invited her out since they were both free at the moment and she couldn't be sure if she would be able to see Ami off when she left for Suna. Ami was excited that Suna had agreed to the exchange so that she could study their puppet making techniques. After her fight during the Sasuke Retrieval Mission she had come to realize she needed to be a little more diverse in case she met another opponent that could resist her Human Puppet Jutsu.
She had been a little put off that she hadn't been asked to go along on the Bikouchuu mission last month. But Shino had told her that it wasn't personal merely he had only been allowed to take two others and Kiba having recently gotten out of the hospital had all but begged to go. She supposed she couldn't fault Shino for giving in, she had felt bad for Kiba too. He had easily been the most severely injured out of all the genin that had gone on the mission.
Pulling out her wallet she looked at the picture of her team that she kept inside of it. Kurenai-sensei was standing behind her three pupils looking as serene and as beautiful as ever. Shino stood in the middle looking like a statue. Hinata was standing to the right of him somehow looking both shy and confident at the same time. Finally, there was her. Face scrunched up into a scowl and back turned to her two teammates looking angry. She looked so miserable in the picture and had been.
That's why Hinata had been such a god send for the young girl. The hand of friendship that she had offered had saved her from her own anger. As she waited for Hinata she remembered Kasumi's funeral which had happened a few days after the retrieval mission.
She had been allowed out of the hospital on a day pass due to her wounds not being nearly as bad as many of the others. Ami had gone because despite their recent falling out Kasumi had still been nice to her just a little nervous to be alone with her. She had been glad she did as Fuki and many of the other girls she had supposedly been friends with in the academy had not even bothered. Standing in the damp weather as it had rained all morning Ami realized that if not for Hinata it may have been her funeral.
In many respects she had been exactly like Sasuke. She had keep the world at arm's length convinced that nobody could understand her feelings of confusion and anger. However unlike Sasuke, when somebody had offered her friendship she had leapt at it. Nothing proved that Hinata was a true friend like when she had showed up at the funeral being pushed in a wheelchair by her cousin Neji.
Ami knew that the Hyuuga princess showing up to their daughter's funeral had meant a lot to the murdered girls parents. After the funeral as Ami was pushing her back she asked why she had bothered to come.
Hinata had simply answered, "She was your friend and I didn't want you to have to grieve alone."
"It's a shame she's obviously head over heels for Naruto, otherwise I could fall hard for her," Ami thought wistfully.
Looking up from her cup of tea she saw the person she had just been thinking about approaching in a hurry probably worried Ami would be upset that she was running late. "Sorry Ami," Hinata said sitting down across from her, "Training with Lady Tsunade and Sakura ran late, and I wanted to clean up before coming."
The image of Hinata in the shower entered her head which she quickly pushed it out saying, "That's okay, I wasn't waiting long."
"That's a relief," the Hyuuga said looking through the list of teas the shop had to offer. She gave her order to the cute waitress that had been serving Ami while she waited. Ami had been a little surprised at how often the young teen came around to ask if she needed anything to be honest. She was still too shy and nervous to actually approach anybody, afraid of being rejected.
When the waitress arrived she had two cups of tea with her handing Hinata hers. She told Ami she thought she could use a refill. As she handed her the glass Ami thought she could almost feel the phantom touch of the girls fingers rub against hers. The girl gave her a little half-smile before walking away to see what another of her patrons needed.
Ami watched her go wondering if maybe she should take a chance after Hinata left since she still hadn't told the Hyuuga that she preferred girls to boys. However the soft spoken Hyuuga's, "If you want to, you should ask her out."
Ami quickly shifted her gaze to Hinata her face a mixture of panic and fear as she said, "What are you talking about?"
Putting the tea she had been sipping down Hinata said, "That waitress is giving out subtle hints that she is interested in you. And you are reciprocating. So why don't you ask her out?"
"Because I'm not a lesbian," Ami said unable to meet Hinata's eyes.
"Ami…"
"Drop it okay," Ami said standing to abruptly leave.
She stopped however when Hinata said, "I don't care if you are or aren't, Ami. I'm your friend."
Ami sat down slowly whispering, "How long have you known?"
"I've suspected for a while," Hinata answered, "I've noticed the way you look at girls sometimes."
"Why didn't you tell me that you knew?"
"I couldn't be a hundred percent sure, for one," Hinata replied with a soft smile, "and I was hoping that you would eventually trust me enough to tell me."
Sipping her own tea to buy herself some time and with her cheeks beginning to turn pink Ami finally said, "I'm sorry I guess I was afraid…"
Hinata waited after Ami trailed off but figuring the girl wasn't going to continue supplied, "I would respond similarly as Fuki."
Ami nodded weakly in response but Hinata said, "I'm your friend Ami and wouldn't reject you over such a silly reason." Leaning in Hinata asked, "So are you going to ask her out?"
Ami looked at the waitress who happened to look at her about the same time giving the same smile she had before. Thinking for a moment Ami said her voice lighter than it had been before, "Maybe when I get back from Suna. I do leave in a couple of days."
Hinata nodded glad that a wall that Ami had been keeping up had been torn down. The two had changed the subject to more trivial matters when Sakura joined them having been looking for Hinata.
After she ordered some tea Sakura excitedly said, "Hey are you guys doing anything tonight?"
Both kunoichi shook their heads no with Hinata asking, "Why?"
"Do you want to spend the night at Ino's?" Sakura said while swirling her cup of tea, "I ran into her today and asked her why her team has become one of the most dysfunctional."
"Not that it could top yours," Ami said teasingly.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Sakura replied, "For a time yours was right up there with mine."
That surprised Ami who sent a quick look Hinata's way who nodded causing Ami to blush since she realized it most likely had been a result of her earlier attitude. Sakura continued saying, "Anyhow, your team got past it. But now Ino's is in the process of self-destructing."
"Did Ino tell you why?" Hinata asked.
"No," Sakura said shaking her head. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear she continued, "She said she didn't want to talk about it, but she appeared to be kind of depressed so I suggested a sleepover. Like we used to have before we all went boy crazy and stopped hanging out. She really liked the idea and told me to invite our fellow kunoichi. You're more than welcome to come too, Ami."
Ami was about to say no, especially after the way the last one she had attended ended but a quick, "We'll be there," from Hinata stopped her rejection short.
Sakura finished and paid for her tea to go find a few more kunoichi to invite. As soon as they were alone Ami said apprehensively, "I'm not too sure about this Hinata."
"It'll be okay Ami," Hinata said, "You don't have to bring it up if you do not want to. But remember, its part of who you are, so you shouldn't be ashamed."
"Yeah, but what if they react like Fuki," Ami said afraid of being ostracized by the rest of her peers.
"They won't, but if they did. I'd stand by you. I promise," Hinata said with a smile that bolstered Ami's confidence.
Tsunade arrived at her office to see another delivery toad sitting on her desk. After collecting the scroll that contained the letters she thanked the summons and told it to come back in a few days so her and the girls could compose their replies. The toad gave a salute and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Opening the first letter addressed to her. She found like usual it was all business. In it she found two designs for a seal that Jiraiya told her to send to the research department for testing. Based on what they found he would make adjustments to the design as necessary. He also asked Tsunade to check her grandfather's archives for any mention of a ten-tailed Bijuu convinced that the Akatsuki or the masked Kage associated with them was interested in either its existence or location.
She knew that Jiraiya didn't ask lightly, as the only place that Tsunade had never visited upon returning to Konoha had been the deserted Senju Compound. Its empty halls held the most painful memories for the Senju princess. Due in part to as she grew up, more and more people stopped coming home and eventually all that was left was her. But if returning to the halls of Senju could help shed more light on the threat to Naruto then she would do so.
The next letter was also addressed to her and was from Jiraiya as well. The letter was more personal in nature. In it Jiraiya explained how he felt and the doubts he experienced. He also explained that Naruto had learned about Kushina. It further told of his regret about missing so much of Naruto's growth over the years. That he should have fought harder to get Sarutobi to let him take Naruto with him or let him train him from a far earlier age.
It was a side of Jiraiya she had never really seen before but these letters between them helped her discover. However, she supposed that wasn't quite right. As it was a side that had always been there, just one she hadn't been interested in. She also realized that he wasn't giving her the whole picture of the trip or at least not the women and sake portion of it.
Nevertheless, the third letter was from Naruto and gave her more than enough information on those nighttime endeavors of the Toad Sannin. She found her hand gripping the paper tighter as Naruto described having to drag Jiraiya home from the two twenty-something woman who Naruto said seemed sad to see him go. It was then that she realized she was actual jealous of the floozies. It wasn't till she began to look at her reflection in the window of her office that it really set in just how bothered she was by it. The only thing that mollified her was that Naruto commented that the pervy sage seemed to be a light weight when it came to Sake as the girls had said he only had a couple of glasses. The idea that the Town's Madman had been felled by a few glasses of sake made Tsunade confident that it was just a façade to throw off any of the other patrons' suspicions. Despite his peculiar methods they were the reason Jiraiya was the best spy master in Konoha. But it didn't mean she had to like the idea of two buxom women hanging off of him.
Tsunade sighed at the feeling that she had missed her chance for happiness with the Toad Sannin. She truly had nobody to blame but herself though. She knew that despite his boisterous ways and beneath the flamboyant exterior beat the heart of a gentleman. She experienced it firsthand shortly after the death of her brother. Before she had been straight laced and had never so much as enjoyed a sip of sake. However that all changed two nights after Jiraiya and Orochimaru had delivered the news of Nawaki's passing, when hoping just to make the pain go away she had stumbled into a bar. A short time later she was seven bottles in and barely lucid. A matter somebody tried to take advantage of to get her into his bed. She had even allowed the man to begin to lead her away, when Jiraiya had stepped in. When the man protested and even went as far as saying, "It's obvious the little slut is just begging for it," well the fool found himself violently ejected from the bar. Yet, it had not been her who did it.
A short time later, she was in her own apartment having wanted to experience the joy of living on her own. A state of being she found highly overrated now. That was when she made her move. When as he began tucking her in for the night, she quickly leaned up and kissed him. She tried to deepen the kiss and had felt him respond. He had even begun to crawl into the bed, but ultimately he had stopped. She hadn't given up though, attempting to lure him into her bed. He merely told her that she was drunk and confused. A truth he highlighted by placing two aspirin by her bed as well as a bucket. As he made his way to leave she said angry at being rejected, "You've just blown your chance Jiraiya. I should have known all the talk about you was just that, talk."
Jiraiya had merely replied, "That maybe. But I bet in all that talk you've heard, you never once heard about me taking advantage of a woman while she was drunk, princess." She hadn't and even though he had been a ladies' man none of the woman he had charmed had ever spoken badly about him. The modern Jiraiya that seemed to have absolutely no luck talking to women was just a charade to make people underestimated not just how deadly he was, but how easily he could charm the secrets out of the most cunning of woman.
Shortly after he left she found herself employing the bucket as she emptied her stomach and in the morning used the aspirin wishing he had left the bottle. Furthermore, she didn't even leave her apartment all of the next day. The hangover had been one of the reasons, but the other had been not to run into Jiraiya. A week later was the first time she had seen him at a meeting of the various jounin and he made no mention of that night. It was the same meeting where her proposal for adding a medical-ninja to the teams had been shot down and where she had met Dan. For a time she had forgotten all about Jiraiya, at least until Dan died and the only people who had tried to help her through her grief had been Shizune, Sarutobi, and of course Jiraiya.
Eventually instead of gambling on another relationship she had planned to run and after the Kyuubi attack had decided to do just that. By then Jiraiya had been in and out of the village already establishing his spy network to keep an eye out for Orochimaru. He had been in the village when she left one night without a word, something she knew that bothered him. But she had been all about her own pain then, unable to see how her actions might affect others. Now though she had given thought to the idea, but found that maybe it was her that had blown her chance. After all, it was apparent he could still charm ladies half his age. Why would he settle for an old woman like her?"
Figuring she put off work long enough. She put away her letters and placed Hinata and Sakura's on her desk confident one of the two would be by sooner or later to pick them up and got to work. But, with a more wistful face than normal. The first file she picked up was a special request for a particular kunoichi, opening it she began looking over the details.
Ami was practically being dragged to the Yamanaka's home by Hinata. As the time got closer and closer Ami actually was considering coming up with several excuses not to go. All of which fell flat on their face in the front of Hinata's calm insistence. Eventually, Ami was packed for a night at Ino's.
As Hinata knocked on the Yamanaka's front door Ami tried to make a last second break for it, but the Hyuuga grabbed her by her shirt collar just as Ino began opening the door. Sighing Ami accepted her fate and turned to meet the blonde.
"Hinata," Ino said with brilliant smile that faltered slightly as she addressed the purple-haired girl, "Ami."
"Ino," both girls said but Ami's just as guarded no doubt a result of their past together.
Stepping to the side, Ino invited them in to see that her living room was already occupied by several of their fellow kunoichi. All of Team Anko was there most likely a result of them being neighbors to Hinata and Sakura. Tenten was also sitting off to the side snacking on some popcorn that Ino's mother had set down. Ino's mom was doting on the kunoichi glad that her daughter was again hanging out with other girls her own age. Hoping that it meant she wasn't as boy crazy as she had been when she had allowed her desire for Sasuke to drive away all her female friends.
As Ami and Hinata took a seat among the girls Tayuya was telling how Kin and she paid back their sensei for forcing them on the trip to Demon Country. "So basically it was fucking perfect as she had her back to us," Tayuya said with a victorious smirk that was mirrored on Kin's face as a result of the memory. "We came up behind her and said as loud as we could, 'We have returned from our youthful jog Anko-sensei.' When she turned around she almost shit a fucking brick as we were both in a Henge that made our hair look like we had cut and dyed it to match Guy-sensei's."
Kin took over saying, "And since we were still wearing those awful jumpsuits," to which Tenten mumbled, "They aren't that bad," not having heard her Kin continued, "she absolutely went as white as Orochimaru."
"But it was the genjutsu that sold it," Tayuya added, "We did that little song and dance those two do. Kin"
"Tayuya"
"Kin"
"Tayuya"
Then both girls hugged and using genjutsu cast a familiar looking sunset behind a cliff that had the other girls laughing."
"What happened next?" Ami asked relaxing a little.
"She fainted," Kin said laughing. The other girls laughed at that even Tenten, knowing and accepting that when together Lee and Guy-sensei could be a little much.
Sakura showed up a short time later bearing a letter for Hinata from Naruto. Hinata excused herself to read it in private. Ino decided to comment asking, "Are you really both always hanging on the edge of your seat for letters from him?"
Unable to tell Ino about Akatsuki, which was one of the reasons both she and Hinata would anxiously await Naruto's letters. Sakura replied, "Don't be jealous Ino. It doesn't look pretty on you."
"I'm not jealous, Forehead" Ino said, "You couldn't even get him to notice you."
"Oh yeah Ino-pig," Sakura shot back, "How many boys are chasing you around? Miss Gorgeous."
Remembering what Sai said to her Ino looked like she was about to get really riled up, but as if sensing the coming storm Ino's mom said, "Dinner's ready."
As the girls headed into the kitchen, Ino and Sakura continued to glare at each other before following. Ino's mom was a little afraid that she would have a lot left over due to the way Ino ate. Luckily she listened to her husband who had said to go all out as he was sure that kunoichi trained by Tsunade, Guy, and Anko would need all the energy they could get. Exactly as he said, all the girls and a famished Hinata who had been lured away from her letter by the smell dug in. All except Ino, who picked at her meal, eating only a fraction of what the other girls had. Ino thought about commenting on that, but put the idea out of her head because she was obviously the only one dieting at the moment. It really made her mad that all the other kunoichi didn't seem to need to diet to maintain their weight.
After dinner the girls settled into a game of truth and dear which was a breath of fresh air for the two former Sound Kunoichi, as there hadn't been a lot of light enjoyable moments in the various Sound bases. But they both found it enjoyable from the various things they learned about their fellow kunoichi.
Ami had felt a little dread at playing the game and sure enough knew why when she had chosen 'Truth' and Ino asked, "Which boys have you set your sights on now that Sasuke's gone?"
Ami knew she could lie, but a look at Hinata told her what the Hyuuga princess thought of that idea. After an agonizing few seconds she said, "The thing is I…well I prefer girls to boys."
That of course stopped any side conversations as all the girls stared at her for a moment. Finally, Tayuya said, "Then what girl do you prefer?"
Ino however was flabbergasted saying, "What since when? I mean sure Sasuke might have been the most attractive shinobi our age but still to swear off boys."
Despite Ino's outburst seeing the acceptance on the other kunoichi's faces really bolstered Ami's confidence causing her to say, "I guess I've always felt that way."
"Come on," the disbelief evident in Ino's tone, "You don't remember being the most fanatical girl after him?"
Embarrassed at her past actions Ami said, "I only got like that because he was going after Hinata." Before Ino could comment she continued, "The reason I chased after Sasuke was because everyone else did and it made me fit in. But I guess you could say my wanting to land him really took off after the council passed the CRA."
"CRA," Sasame said, "What's that and why would a lesbian be interested in a boy because of that?"
"The CRA pretty much gives any clan that is whittled down, through death or just a low breeding rate, to a sole male the ability to take as many spouses as he wants."
"There are no laws against having a second or even third spouse in Konoha though," Sakura said.
"That may be," Ami conceded, "However due to clan and village politics it is very hard to take a second one. Even a marriage between clans is hard enough to arrange let alone from an outside country or another shinobi village. The CRA clears many of those hurtles."
"Then your interest in this Sasuke was solely for the other wives you imagined he would take," Sasame said catching on.
Ami got a slightly perverted grin on her face as she said, "Yep."
Sakura began giggling at that saying, "That's actually kind of diabolical using Sasuke for all the women that would have flocked to him. If that's the case then why did you flip out when he asked Hinata out?"
"Well look at her," Ami said pointing to Hinata who blushed as all the girls did as she told them, "She is the Hyuuga golden child and bloomed a lot sooner than a lot of us," pointing to her own recently changing bust to emphasize her point. "I guess you could say I imagined that if Hinata had said yes that would have been it for my fantasies of living in a female harem."
That caused a few of the girls to laugh and the mood remained light until it came time for Sakura's turn. She decided to ask Ino when she had selected truth, "Why are you and Shikamaru fighting so much lately?"
Sounding indignant she said, "Shikamaru doesn't think I'm a real kunoichi."
"Oh," was all she received in reply which didn't sit well with Ino causing her to say, "Is that it?"
"I'm not really sure what you want me to say Ino," Sakura said defensively.
Getting agitated at her friend's lack of support Ino said in a huff, "Oh I don't know. Maybe that Shikamaru is wrong and way off the mark. That I'm as real a kunoichi as the rest of you."
Sakura though said, "I can't really say that though. Since I kind of agree with him."
"What!" Ino said. Standing and pointing at Sakura she continued, "Don't be getting all high and mighty on me just because the Hokage chose you as her apprentice, Forehead."
"This has nothing to do with that," Sakura countered calmly despite the comment about her forehead which threw Ino off her rant for a moment. Ino however quickly recovered and was about to give Sakura a piece of her mind when the pinkette held up her hand saying, "Look Ino, I'm not going to get into a debate about this with you. If you are happy as you are as a kunoichi that's one thing and you need to discuss it with Shikamaru. But the reason I say that I agree with him is because at dinner today you barely ate. Why?"
"Because I need to watch my figure," Ino said with reservation.
"I guessed that was the reason," Sakura said with a knowing smile, "And the reason I knew that was it was because up until recently I was the same way. So let me give you the same piece of advice that I was given. And that is you need to decide what type of ninja you want to be. You can spend your days worrying about how you look if you want. But you can't get upset if people decide to call you on it."
Crossing her arms Ino said, "Fine whatever…I believe it's my turn right."
"Yeah," Sakura said with a sigh as she knew Ino wasn't really listening. She just hoped her friend came around before she ran into a really bad situation and it was too late.
Shikamaru was outside and could hear the voices of his dad and Inoichi who had escaped his house of young women for the more male friendly Nara household. Inoichi probably hadn't taken his mom into account when he said that however. As the woman had banished both of them to a guest house as they drank. Shikamaru was concentrating on a shogi board outside of said house when a feminine voice said, "The game is better when played with somebody else you know."
Giving his attention to the speaker he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Well hello to you too," Temari said her tone showing she was a little put-off by the welcome from the young Nara.
"You didn't answer the question," Shikamaru said lazily.
Rolling her eyes Temari sat down across from him saying, "Our two villages agreed to trade genin for awhile. I'm the Sand Villages representative of that trade. Now why are you out here staring at a shogi board?"
"Before my dad's friend arrived we were playing a game," Shikamaru said resuming his staring at the board.
"Are you waiting for him to come out to make another move?" Temari asked seeing that both sides of the board still had quite a few pieces and that neither of Nara had committed to a particular strategy.
However, Shikamaru surprised her saying, "No my dad already defeated me. I've recreated the game from the beginning. This is the point when my dad beat me."
Staring at the board again Temari said, "I don't know about that. You still had several options at this point in the game."
"I know," Shikamaru said. "Yet this is the point when I fell into his strategy, and that is why he beat me."
"Taking the game kind of seriously aren't you?"
"Recent events have taught me the value of learning from my mistakes," Shikamaru said pushing the board to the side. "Any particular reason you decided to stop by here?"
"Well I don't really know anybody here besides you," Temari said her cheeks brightening a little. "I was hoping you could show me around."
Lying down with his back turned to her, the Nara said, "Too troublesome. How about you hire a tour guide?"
A demonic aura washed over him, which surprised even Temari, as the pair turned to see Yoshino Nara standing there with her hands on her hips. Glaring at her lazy boy, she said, "I know that I didn't raise a good for nothing son that would leave a young woman in distress when she came to him for help."
"Come on mom. She's not in distress, she merely wants somebody to show her around," Shikamaru said.
"Well then she came to the right place," Yoshino replied walking up to Temari, "Welcome dear. Shikamaru will gladly show you around, just as soon as he freshens up."
Shikamaru knew better than to argue with the headstrong woman and decided to quickly shower hoping to limit the time his mother and blonde spent together. Taking a quick shower, but still making sure he would pass his mother's inspection. Sure that she would send him right back if she didn't feel he had washed properly. He arrived in the kitchen to see his mother chatting pleasantly with Temari. He didn't like the glint in his mother's eyes as he entered the kitchen. As soon as Shikamaru had his sandals on she got up and ushered them out the door telling them to have a good time. Shikamaru was sure he could see a smirk appear on his mother's face as the door closed.
Walking through Konoha, he was keenly aware of how close he and Temari would occasionally drift together and how when the wind blew just right he could smell a hint of desert wildflowers. He showed her many of the principal attractions of Konoha, like the Hot Springs, which she didn't get to enjoy the last two times she had been in the village. Yet, vowed to this time. After leaving the hot springs Temari asked, "By the way did you ever square things with your teammate?"
"No," Shikamaru said his annoyance at his blonde teammate's recent attitude evident in his voice, "Instead of taking what I said to heart, she's acting like a troublesome pain in the ass. She's been throwing off our team dynamics. Chouji's trying to play peacemaker, but I can tell she won't be happy until I apologize."
"Doesn't she realize that's kind of proving what you said is true?" Temari asked and while she waited for his answer stopped to look into one of the shop windows.
"If she does, she doesn't seem to care," Shikamaru said finally.
Sensing he didn't really want to talk about the subject anymore she asked, "Okay so where to next mister tour guide."
Wondering why his life was filled with troublesome women Shikamaru led her to Tea Avenue to view some of the various shops that it had to offer. He also tried not to think about despite how troublesome he found the task he was now performing he was having a good time.
Ino's mom stepped through the sleeping bodies early the following morning to gently shake her daughter awake. Ino responded somewhat quickly, however she found herself feeling a little self conscious when she noticed that all the other girls had instantly awakened not needing her mother's gentle prodding. Apologizing for waking the others, Ino's mom informed her daughter that Tsunade sent an Anbu for her to report to the Hokage's office for a special mission. Smiling despite the doubt Sakura's words had risen in her. She swiftly prepared and left telling the others to go back to sleep.
Arriving at the office in good spirits she said, "Ino Yamanaka reporting for her special assignment."
"Ah good," Tsunade said surprised by the girl's jovial attitude considering some of the recent Team Reports she had read, "Ino a mission came up that the client claims only you can do. Unfortunately, she has been a little short on details, but she claims at most this is a C-ranked mission. You'll receive a full briefing from the client herself once you arrive. Any questions?"
"What about support," Ino said excited, "Well the client doesn't expect any violence on the mission, but due to her not divulging many of the mission details I'll be assigning Chouji Akimichi to act as support if the need arises. I trust that will not be a problem."
"No problem Lady Hokage," Ino said while thinking, "Ha, would a worthless kunoichi be chosen for a special mission that only she can perform? Take that Shikamaru."
"Good," Tsunade said with a pleased grin hoping the recent reports were merely Asuma being a little oversensitive due to Team Seven's collapse, "Chouji will meet you at the gate in one-hour then. Go prepare."
Leaving the office Ino hoped the girls were still at her house so she could rub it in their faces that she was chosen for a special assignment. Feeling her spirits bolstered she hurried home to prepare and get ready who knew what sort of hunks she might run into over the course of the mission.
Waterfall Country lived up to its name, as there were literally hundreds of them doting over the landscape. Naruto didn't doubt the one he had been training by while waiting for Jiraiya to heal was being feed by one of the many ones he had seen thus far. While the country didn't lack in beauty it did lack in hospitality. Even the hotels seemed to begrudgingly take in guests. When he had raised this point to Jiraiya. He had chuckled lightly before saying that as far as Waterfall was concerned outsiders were just one step removed from being invaders. He had further elaborated saying that although Waterfall had been a battleground many times between Iwa and Konoha it had never been successfully invade by the far larger country. Jiraiya attributed it to the close ties between Konoha and Taki. Which was also why, they were the only minor country to receive a Bijuu when the first Hokage had been giving them to the various countries to secure peace.
Naruto had wondered if the two Countries were so close. Why didn't Jiraiya know where the village was? The Toad Sannin had said that was one of the reasons the country had been so hard for Iwa to conquer and that was because they didn't know where to send their armies. But the Toad Sannin did have a general idea of where the village was located having fought besides the previous village leader who had passed on recently. While searching the forest, where Jiraiya guessed the village may have been located, they stumbled across the remains of a small camp. Going over it a bad feeling swelled in Jiraiya's gut having seen many such camps in his time. Whoever had spent the night here was undoubtedly planning trouble for the village of Taki, which was made evident by the crudely drawn and scribbled over map in the dirt that he assumed represented the village. While it didn't clarify where the village was, if his hunch was correct the sounds of battle should lead them right to it.
Suien eagerly awaited his return to the village of Takigakure. The former jounin couldn't wait to show the weak-willed coward that had inherited the position of village leader who ran things. After explaining the plan to his team of recently defected Rain-nin, who claimed the civil war had turned against Hanzo, they had waited until word reached him from the advance team he had sent to eliminate Taki's protector. The small caecilian, an amphibian that resembled an earthworm but with a recessed mouth that was used in Taki for communications as a result of the the creatures ability to travel in water or burrow through the ground, had reported that his team had eliminated the jinchuriki. With the path clear he had given the order to move out.
Arriving at the spot they were supposed to meet the advanced team, he suspected that something was wrong since nobody was there to meet them. Kirisame, one of the Rain-nin and the most bloodthirsty member of his team asked, while raising a hand to his bandana clad head to cover his lone visible eye as he scoured the area, "Where the hell are they Suien. I really want to start busting some heads. Guess this is what we can expect from your fellow Waterfall ninja's then."
Getting annoyed at having to constantly reign in the cruel and masked Rain-nin, Suien replied, "How many times have I told you, this operation does not necessarily require a large body count. Our goal is the Hero's Water that's it. Get your jollies after we have it, until then try to remain professional."
Not really intimidated by the harsh looking former Taki jounin Kirisame replied, "Well how professional is it for your fellow traitors to keep us waiting. You should have sent us instead."
"That's rich coming from somebody who abandoned his leader as soon as it appeared that the civil war he was fighting had turned against him," Suien replied, seeing his comment had made the other Rain-nin bristle slightly he continued trying not to anger them further, "Regardless, the only reason my fellow shinobi would have been able to get close to her was because of the headbands they wore. That jinchuriki hates humans."
Before he could elaborate further the sound of several metal objects hitting the ground could be heard behind him. Murasame, a Rain-nin with grey hair and wearing a black sleeveless shirt and gray pants walked up to the objects. Picking up one of them he saw that it was a bloodied headband with the Taki symbol on it. Turning towards the rest of the group he said, "I don't think the rest of your pals are going to be joining us."
Unbeknownst to him and before his fellow shinobi could warn him, a spinning cord of rope wrapped around his neck from above and he was yanked into the air disappearing into the canopy of leaves. Seconds later he reemerged as he fell to the ground but the boneless way he fell showed he was already dead. Most likely a result of a broken neck.
Hisame the tall and slender brown haired woman that had been Murasame's lover disregarded Suien's call to stay near to check on him. Rolling him over the last thing she saw was the exploding tag affixed to his chest right before it exploded.
"Fuck'n hell," Kirisame shouted as a result of watching two of his fellow shinobi being killed in a handful of seconds.
He was just about to bolt when Suien placed a restraining hand on him saying, "Don't that's exactly what she wants to separate us and pick us off at her leisure. She lives in these woods and nobody knows them better."
"Are you blind," Kirisame said, "She killed half of us while we were together. She doesn't need to separate us."
"Don't panic, she merely used surprise and played off of the fact that she suspected at least one of us would be close enough to Murasame to run in stupidly."
"What about your fucking advanced team," Kirisame said his voice indicating just how panicked he was.
"Most likely," Suien replied calmly, "They scattered and then died. Isn't that right Fū?"
A young girl about fourteen years of age dropped down from a tree in front of Suien saying, "It is surprised to see that you would be so foolish as to return Suien."
Kirisame surprised that all that havoc had been wrecked by the young girl dressed in a white shirt that covered a fishnet one beneath it and whose arms were similarly adorned in white armlets. Her Taki headband was worn around her right arm. She was also wearing a white skirt that hid the fishnet shorts she wore. Strapped to her back was a large red cylinder and if what Suien had told him was true, most likely contained all her possessions in the world. Feeling a little emboldened by her appearance he said, "This little speck of a girl is the great protector of Taki. I'll finish this in two seconds."
Suien threw an arm in front of him saying, "Don't be a fool. You can't judge this girl's power by her age we need to proceed with caution."
"It will allow you to leave now Suien; otherwise she will be forced to kill you."
Narrowing his eyes at the girl he said, "I respect your abilities Fū, but don't forget your place little girl. I know how you operate. Now that surprise is no longer on your side, I have the advantage. And let's not forget, you're all alone out here. So how about joining me in getting back at all those who pretend you don't exist, while expecting you to protect them."
The young green haired girl's pink eye widened for a moment before coldly narrowing as she replied, "Its duty has always been to watch over this forest much as its father did before her. Do not presume to think it would abandon that task to help the likes of you."
"So be it," Suien said lowering his arm.
As soon as he did so Kirisame launched himself towards the girl a pair of water whips trailing from his sleeves behind him. Fū jumped backwards landing on a tree behind her and then propelled herself up into the canopy of leaves above. Kirisame followed behind lashing at her every chance he could. Fū jumped up grabbing a branch and used it to turn herself around launching herself into the trailing Rain-nin feet first. Catching him in the chest she was momentarily surprised as he burst into water. Before she could react one of his water whips wrapped around her neck from above.
Pulling up with all his might he was surprised when her head was decapitated from her body. He got over his shock as he saw the head and body of the girl break apart into the various insects found in the forest. He avoided Fū's counter-attack, a downward axe kick, by the thinnest of margins. Her kick went all the way through the tree branch severing it. While they were both still in the air, she kicked the large branch at the Rain-nin throwing it into him and smashing him against the tree. However, Suien had been biding his time waiting for an opening and attacked.
Fū was sent into a nearby tree, the wind knocked out of her as a result. Before she could fall to the ground, Suien slammed into her a second time propping her up against a tree his forearm across her throat. Giving a wicked smile he said, "How about it Fū, is it really worth dying all alone out here for a village that doesn't even allow you to step foot in it?"
"It will do its duty, just as her father did," Fū said defiantly.
Creating a blade of hard water Suien said nonchalantly, "What a waste," and slammed it into her heart hard enough to pierce the tree behind her. He was about to walk away to go get Kirisame when he noticed his feet being covered in mud as the clone lost cohesion behind him. He moved just in time as a giant rhinoceros beetle made of dirt slammed into the tree where he had just been standing. Forming another water blade he turned to see Fū descending towards him. A savage grin split his face, which disappeared as he slammed his hard water blade into the girl only for it to shatter against her hardened skin. Smashing him through the branch and following him to the ground. She reared back her hand, it matching the same density as the rest of her body as a result of the Hardening Jutsu she was using, preparing to cave his skull in.
Before she could a water whip wrapped around her throat which didn't bother her in the slightest until Kirisame used a weak lightning jutsu on it to send an electrical charge running through her. Due to the convulsions she was in she couldn't release her jutsu which amplified the effects of the electricity due to Earth Release's natural weakness against electricity. Extracting himself from beneath her Suien said, "Cook the bitch."
Kirisame grinned beneath his mask and kept the weak charge he was capable going. Fū's cries of pain filled the forest as the electricity ran through her. She knew that nobody was coming for her and felt despair at her impending death so was surprised when a voice shouted, "Let her go you bastards."
Suddenly a boy wearing combat wraps around the lower half of his face and a black flak-jacket with orange pants burst from the bushes behind Kirisame who only had enough time to gap at the new arrival before he was split from shoulder to hip by the ninjato that the boy carried.
Standing between the girl lying on the ground and the bastard that had been grinning as she was slowly electrocuted Naruto said, "You stay out of this Pervy Sage."
Jiraiya, already near the girl checking to see if she was alright and finding her unconscious, said, "Don't underestimate him. I recognize him from the bingo book. He's a jounin that trained the current leader of Taki."
"It's good to know I'm famous," Suien replied snidely, "And you would be."
Chuckling Jiraiya said, "Oh I think I'll keep you guessing. Besides I'm not your opponent."
"Well I guess I'll ask again once I'm done with the shrimp," Suien said facing Naruto forming a hard water sword.
Naruto faced the man for a few moments before charging at the former Waterfall shinobi. Naruto's blade caught his easily enough, slicing through it which surprised Suien. As Naruto was about to stab his opponent, he was forced back as a wall of water surrounded the jounin. When the water jutsu ended and the water fell to the ground it showed that Suien had disappeared like a magician. Naruto rolled to his right as three of the jagged swords that Suien could form buried themselves into the ground where he had been standing.
As he rolled to his feet he fired an Air Bullet into the tree where they had come from forcing Suien to jump to another branch. Looking down on Naruto he said, "You're not from the Waterfall Village, so why are you here?"
"None of your business bastard," Naruto said staring up at him before a grin of his own appeared on his face. "That was a pretty neat disappearing act you put on a second ago. Let me show you mine." Quickly forming the hand-seals a thick mist rolled into the forest shrouding everything.
Suien recognized the Hidden Mist Jutsu and swallowed his fear as he had heard the tales of what the Shinobi proficient in the technique could do. Focusing his senses he listened for the slightest whisper of sound. He heard what sounded like a puff of smoke and so threw another of his Hard Water Blades but could tell it missed as he heard the sound of it hitting the ground. His fears began getting the better of him as he heard Naruto repeat the taunt he had heard Zabuza deliver hundreds of times over the years, "Eight Spots. Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Lungs, Spine, Clavicle Vein, Jugular Vein, Brain. Now which one should I go after?"
"Come out you coward," Suien shouted which was all the prompting Naruto needed to make his attack. The last thing Suien felt was eight blades piercing all of the spots Naruto had named. Naruto let the mist fade away before he and his clones withdrew their blades allowing Suien's corpse to fall from the tree.
Dropping down Naruto walked up to Jiraiya who had removed the red pack the girl wore so that he could lay her down on the forest floor. Dropping to his haunches next to the Toad Sannin he asked, "Is she alright?"
"Yeah she'll be fine," Jiraiya said.
"Who is she?"
"How should I know brat," Jiraiya said, "I walked in on this battle at the same time you did. Although, she is obviously a Waterfall Shinobi, maybe she stumbled into Suien's group."
"Why would she be out here alone?"
"Again brat I don't know," Jiraiya replied, "Here's a crazy idea, how about we wait until she wakes up and ask her?"
Huffing Naruto said, "Fine some spy master you are? You don't know where the village is or who we are looking for."
"Well then let's see you find it brat," Jiraiya said playfully arguing with his apprentice. The two eventually settled into silence and waited for the girl to wake up.
Almost an hour later she began stirring causing Naruto to lean over her. The older and wiser Jiraiya remained where he was. That proved to be the correct course of action, when Naruto was sent flying back by a punch from the startled girl, who quickly rolled into a crouch. Eyeing the two warily she suddenly became aware that the comforting weight of her backpack wasn't present. Finding it resting against a tree she ran towards it shoving a grumbling and still slightly dazed Naruto to the side to grab it.
Pulling himself together Naruto said, "Some gratitude lady," but seeing the way she hugged the backpack close to her chest he guessed it was pretty important to the girl.
Slipping it onto her back she finally said, "It wants to know who you are?"
Jiraiya had a sinking feeling that told him they had found the jinchuriki they were looking for but could tell Naruto hadn't come to that conclusion as he said, "Don't you mean, I want to know who you are?"
Glaring at the blonde she replied, "It knows what it said now explain. What are you doing in its forest?
"We're looking for the jinchuriki that resides in Taki." Naruto said before jerking a thumb at Jiraiya and adding, "But, Pervy Sage here doesn't seem to know where to look for her."
Moving slightly to either attack or flee a maneuver both shinobi noticed she asked, "What do you seek it for?"
"Her," Naruto said vehemently misunderstanding what she said, "We are looking for her. But we don't know her name or even have a really good description."
Fū was surprised at how heatedly the blonde in front of her responded, but said, "You did not answer its question."
A light went off in Naruto's eye as he said, "You're the jinchuriki."
Fū nodded her head stunning Naruto with how she thought of herself. Jiraiya stepped in saying, "We came to warn you about a future threat called Akatsuki."
"It will deal with the threat as it has dealt with all the ones before," Fū said turning to leave, "Now leave its forest before it considers you to be one as well."
She was about to leave when Naruto said, "Wait, why are you acting like this? We want to help you?"
Turning and glaring at the boy she said, "It does not need any help. It has been alone almost all its life."
"That maybe," Jiraiya said calmly, "However, if not for Naruto here. You'd be dead right now."
"Perhaps," Fū said her tone hostile, "But most likely Suien would have left it close to death to prevent its Bijuu from getting out. Regardless, it has heard your warning. Now leave."
Naruto stood in shock as the girl ran off into the woods leaving the two alone. Fū ran until her legs gave way due to fatigue from her earlier fight and still not over being almost electrocuted. Crawling between two above ground roots of the tree she moved towards she pulled her legs into her chest and began to cry.
Hanabi had been allowed to roam the village unattended again after morning training. Her father had encouraged her to try and meet some children her own age. But thus far, most of the kids had given her a wide birth. A group of kids had even tried to bully the lone Hyuuga, a mistake they probably would never make again. Sitting on a swing, she watched the other kids at the playground enjoyed the various games they were involved in. Looking on sadly, she wondered if her father would be upset if she failed in the task he had given her.
A few voices behind her attracted her attention. So going to investigate she moved through the bushes towards the sounds. Peeking through the brush she could see a boy in a yellow shirt and a scarf wrapped around his lower face standing on a log holding a stick that was planted on his perch. At the base of the log was a girl with orange hair tied up with a gag in her mouth. In a menacing voice he said, "Ha-ha, I have captured the mighty Moegi. Now who remains to challenge me?"
Konohamaru was expecting Udon to appear after his proclamation. Not some Hyuuga that seemed to like orange almost as much as Naruto. Apparently the girl wasn't much on talk either as she charged him Byakugan activated. Grabbing his stick with both hands to defend himself she easily snapped it in half with her first blow. Stumbling back he asked, "Are you crazy?"
Addressing the tied up girl Hanabi said, "I will defend you from this fiend."
Moving to attack Konohamaru blocked her attacks using the pieces of sticks he had held onto. The ruckus the two made attracted the attention of many of the kids at the playground who came to investigate and watched in awe as the two battled each other.
Tired of being on the defensive Konohamaru began applying many of the techniques his Boss had showed him attempting to exploit any weaknesses the Hyuuga had in her defense. "I will not allow you to harm that girl," Hanabi said.
One of the bullies from earlier said, "Hah, that dumb Hyuuga thinks Konohamaru is a real kidnapper," causing the other kids to laugh.
Catching what the boy said, Hanabi noticed that the girl she had been planning to save was free looking worried. Her attention divided she was caught in the side of the head by one of Konohamaru's sticks knocking her off the log and out of sight of the other kids. From his vantage point Konohamaru could see that the girl looked like she was about to cry because of the other kids laughing at her. Thinking quickly he pointed his stick at the bully saying, "Why'd you distract her dummy? We were having an epic battle as we played Shinobi Warrior."
Jumping off the log he helped Hanabi up saying, "Sorry about that. I guess I really got into the game."
The bully wasn't sure having seen Hanabi alone earlier he said, "Since when did you begin hanging out with the Hyuuga, Konohamaru."
"Since you couldn't keep up anymore," Konohamaru said crossing his arms.
The bully left as the other kids began laughing at him. With no more show to see the other kids began to leave as well. Once the four kids were alone Hanabi immediately bowed saying, "Please forgive my earlier misunderstanding and thank you for helping me save face. My name is Hanabi."
"Konohamaru," he replied sticking his hand out which Hanabi stared at for a moment not sure what to do, but eventually she took it, "This is Moegi and Udon."
"Those were some really cool moves. Why haven't I seen you at the academy before?" Konohamaru asked.
"I'm not allowed to attend," Hanabi said sadly.
"Oh," Konohamaru said before giving a smile his scarf couldn't completely hide, "Would you like to join us in playing Shinobi Warrior for real now? With you playing we can have two on two battles instead of making one of us play as the helpless captive."
Giving a small smile Hanabi said, "Yes, I would like that."
"Alright," he exclaimed before grabbing her hand and running off. "We'll go hide you two come find us." As she was led away Hanabi felt a warming sensation in her cheeks and wondered if it was due to the unfamiliar contact.
Naruto and Jiraiya had traveled until dark eventually the Toad Sannin called for a stop. As they prepared the camp Naruto asked, "Do you think we are far enough away not to provoke that girl?"
"I'm not sure," Jiraiya said, "But hopefully she realizes we don't mean her or the village she guards any harm."
Staring into the darkened woods Naruto asked, "Pervy Sage, you fought with Waterfall's leader why is she like that."
"Well according to Taki's old leader. The jinchuriki was tasked with guarding the village from various threats. As a result, they would force the jinchuriki to live outside the village. It was a practice that the old village leader tried to stop as a favor to his friend the previous jinchuriki of the Seven-Tails."
"Then why is she still out her alone," Naruto said angry waving his arm in a wide sweeping gesture.
"I can only guess that Takigakure's council resisted the idea. I suppose they felt that if the system worked for this long why change it," Jiraiya said sadly.
Naruto getting even angrier said, "Because it's a barbaric practice. You heard her; she doesn't even talk about herself as if she is human. She deserves better for all she's done for the village she guards."
"I know Naruto and so did the old leader," Jiraiya said, "However I'm sorry to say, the new leader Shibuki lacks the spine to stand up to the council."
"Then we should take her back to Konoha," Naruto said, "I'm sure she would be treated well there."
"We can't do that."
"Why?" Naruto exclaimed, "They treat her like trash. They'd probably be happy she's gone."
"The people of the village might very well be," Jiraiya said, "But the council would see it as an act of war. To them at least, she represents a military asset. I'm sorry to say. Let's get some sleep Naruto; we have to head to Kumo next."
"Pervy Sage, why do they create us jinchuriki if they hate us so much," Naruto said dejectedly.
"In most cases for balance Naruto," Jiraiya said, "The original idea was to separate the nine Bijuu thereby creating a delicate balance of power and preventing any one nation from becoming too powerful."
"Why?"
Thinking for a moment about his answer Jiraiya finally said, "When a nation begins to feel it is stronger than its neighbors it becomes tempted to make its neighbor resources its own. The weaker nation fights back as one would expect, eventually gaining allies and pulling other nations into the conflict. The idea was that if the Bijuu were held by each great nation then it would prevent war from breaking out. History of course shows this just isn't the case. However you are different. Believe me when I say, the Fourth Hokage never wanted you to carry the burden of the Kyuubi. But he was left with no choice."
"Did he know my mom?"
Rolling over in his bed roll Jiraiya changed the subject, "Man I'm tired. I sure had to do a lot today leading you around this forest and all."
"You didn't do anything," Naruto said getting riled up just as Jiraiya expected. "You didn't even lift a finger when I fought those two shinobi today."
"Well watching you sure tuckered me out and you did tell me to butt out remember. Now you take first watch."
Jiraiya promptly rolled over, and a few minutes later he was snoring contently. Fū watched the whole exchange between the two with great interest and had been moved by the one called Naruto's words. Remembering what her mother, a woman who had loved her father the previous jinchuriki enough that she had even joined him in his exile, about how she would eventually find someone of her own decided Naruto was that man. Reaching into her backpack she pulled out a flower that grew in an isolated part of the forest and whose pollen served as a sleeping powder. Shaking the flower. Its pollen blanketed the small campsite insuring Jiraiya would remain asleep. She smiled as Naruto sitting against a tree yawned before keeling over to the side fast asleep as well. Dropping down she picked him up before carrying him away to the place that served as her home.
Jiraiya was surprised when the sun shining into his eyes was what woke him up instead of the loud mouthed blonde. Looking at the fire he saw that it had burned out sometime the night before. "Hey Naruto," Jiraiya called out, "Don't tell me you fell asleep brat. That'd look real good on a future Hokage's resume." Looking at Naruto's sleeping roll he saw that it lay undisturbed. The first fear that entered his mind was that the little knucklehead had taken off in the middle of the night to search for the hidden entrance of the nearby village to confront the Waterfall leader.
However searching the last place he had seen Naruto before going to sleep, revealed a different story as it appeared the boy had fallen over and that another set of footprints had carried him off. Despite his earlier comment, he knew Naruto wouldn't just fall asleep while on guard duty. Searching the area closely he found a fine powder covered the area that when disturbed made him drowsy. Fighting off the effects he said the only thing that came to mind, "Aw, Crap." Hastily gathering up both of their belongings he began to search for the blonde. Praying he found him, as he did not want to tell Tsunade he had let the boy get kidnapped. Judging by the footprints he was fairly certain that their midnight visitor had been Fū. Why the girl had collected Naruto he couldn't say for certain. However as he ran he only hoped his highly tuned senses for research material were going off due to some beauties bathing under a nearby waterfall. As he was fairly certain the other side of the world wouldn't be far enough to escape Tsunade's wrath if she learned Naruto's innocence had been stolen by an overeager jinchuriki. Not to mention what his two would be girlfriends would do to him.
It was the fear of what the three angry kunoichi would do to him that prompted him to pick up the pace. As he was in no hurry to have to edit his most painful experiences in his life list anytime soon.