Chapter Seventeen: A Little Anger, A Little Frustration

Mononoke rested her chin on Kakashi's chest, listening to his soft snores. The sound of his breathing relaxed her. Exhaling deeply, she turned her head slightly to look at him.

Her mind wandered, going back to the moment they reached Tazuna's household.

Ignoring everything else, she first thing she did was clean the blood and dirt off Kakashi, because heck, she was raised by him, it's only appropriate that she does the dirty work. Mononoke didn't think he would be comfortable if the others would see him without the mask. She never knew why he didn't like showing his face to others.

Then again, that's his choice. Who is she to judge?

After cleaning and bandaging his wounds, Mononoke could only stay by his side, waiting for him to wake up.

The other three teammates decided to leave them alone, scouting the area and helping Tazuna. So she lay there, her body pressed beside him, in hopes that her warmth could bring him comfort.

As she watched his sleeping face, Mononoke couldn't help but worry.

Damn idiot used his Sharingan for far too long.

But, at least they're all alive. She could only look on the bright side now. Sighing, she wriggled her way into his sleeping bag to press closer to him. It was rather large for him, and she couldn't help but wonder if he bought it because she's here. Most likely because of her recurring nightmares, she suppose. Mononoke snuggled her face into his neck, a nostalgic pose she always did when she was younger.

Suddenly, she heard his breathing quickened slightly as he murmured inaudibly. Lifting her head, Mononoke peered into his face. Did she wake him up?

His eyelids fluttered quickly, as he shifted in and out of a dream.

"Mo...nonoke...", he mumbled and said girl nudged his cheek with her nose, "I'm here." He must be having a dream. She touched her forehead against his, before breathing in again.

His scent was calming, it tasted of pine trees and loneliness. It pained her that he would smell like that. Was he lonely ever since she left? Or that he had been even before she came into his life?

Kakashi squeezed his eyes a little before his eyelids were pulled open. Mononoke lifted her head away to look at him.

The scarred eyelid shut close, sealing the Sharingan, while the other one, his normal grey eye looked around, taking in his surroundings. Mononoke felt his body tense at the alien setting but when his eye settled on her, he relaxed.

"You okay?", Mononoke asked, looking at his good eye, concern clear on her face. Kakashi chuckled, before poking her forehead, "Don't worry, scamp. I'll live." She sniffed in disdain and bumped her forehead at his temple as a scolding, "You scared me shitless."

He sighed at the vulgarity, "You're hanging out with Tsume too much that you're starting to talk like her." Mononoke gave a huff before settling her face back into her original position, into the crook of his neck, "At least I'm fun like her."

Kakashi chuckled. Silly scamp. He began to entertain himself by playing with her hair, wondering how it looked so much like moonlight. He heard her sigh deeply in contentment and he couldn't help but smile.

Slowly, his mind went to other things. About how she managed to seamlessly copy Zabuza's cloning jutsu and how she managed to react so smoothly. And how much danger she had put herself in to.

"Hey, scamp.", Kakashi muttered softly, lifting his head slightly and she hummed in reply.

"Can you do me a favour?"

"What?"

Kakashi took a deep breath and pulled her closer, the brat's body warmth soothing him, "Don't put yourself in harm's way like that again."

He almost protested when she pull herself from his neck so she could glare at him. Oh boy, he knew this was coming.

"I did it for my team. Isn't that what you taught us?", she said, narrowing her eyes. Kakashi exhaled and closed his eye as he plopped his head back against the soft pillow, "I know. But I almost lost you. Zabuza could have killed you."

Mononoke shook her head and snorted in disbelief, "If I didn't do what I did, I would have lost you. Running away wasn't an option."

Kakashi didn't reply but his face hid a pained expression. Mononoke knew. She could sense it on him.

The girl sighed and pressed her forehead against his cheek gently, "I don't want to lose anyone. So if I think I can save you, I will. Even if I can't, I will still try. You can't stop me from saving people I love." They were silent for a few moments and Mononoke thought that he was mad at her.

Quite the opposite actually. Kakashi was proud.

"That's my girl.", Kakashi finally spoke as he pressed his chin on her head.

XXX

"How are you feeling, sensei?", Sakura asked. The other three were back from a day's work.

"Eh, I've been better. It's probably going to take me a week to recover.", Kakashi said as he tried to push himself up. Mononoke stopped him with a hand on his shoulder, "Don't move if you know what's good for you."

He looked at her for a moment, amusement in his eyes but he obeyed, sliding back into his sleeping bag. She's acting like him when she was sick. It's a decent change.

"Look, sensei. Your Sharingan is amazing and everything, but if it puts too much of a strain on you, maybe it's not worth it.", Sakura added again, slightly worried. Kakashi chuckled, "Sorry for worrying you."

Mononoke couldn't help but have mixed feelings over Sakura's concern. Well, Kakashi's their sensei, it makes sense she would get worried. But the smaller girl couldn't help but feel a little annoyed because the pink haired kunoichi cared for Kakashi a little too much for her liking. Call it a jealousy issue but that's how she is.

"Well, he did take out one of the most powerful assassin. We should be safe for the time being.", Tazuna chimed in cheerfully, hoping to light up the mood.

Everyone settled around the worn out Jounin as they began to discuss about tracker ninjas.

That's when Kakashi realized something. Turning to Mononoke, he asked softly, "You knew something was wrong, didn't you?" He watched hopelessly as the girl bit her lip, "I wasn't sure. I thought I was being lunatic at first, like the aftermath from the battle. But now when I think about it, he felt... strange."

Kakashi groaned a little as he plopped his head back on the pillow, continuing where he left off, "As I was saying, tracker ninjas deal with the body on the spot, leaving no room for error." Then, he fell silent.

"Why is that so important?", Sakura asked curiously and the tired sensei sighed. Just as he was about to speak, Mononoke replied for him, "There are too many secrets in a ninja's body. Secrets from his village. If his corpse falls in the wrong hands, whoever who is cutting him up will understand their jutsus and use them against his village. That's why Trackers always dipose of a body on the spot." She stopped then open her mouth to say more, then decided against it and instead, she looks at her comrades for a moment before turning away.

A heavy silence fell. Naruto and Sakura looked from Mononoke to Kakashi, both confused at the look on their faces.

Kakashi had one of tired frustration, while Mononoke was also frustrated but she looked as if she was going to wring somebody's neck instead.

Deciding to ask the safer one of the duo, Sakura leaned over to Kakashi, "What's wrong, sensei? You killed Zabuza, right?"

"No, we didn't.", a gloomy voice replied and they turned to Sasuke. His eyes were on Mononoke, however, "That boy didn't dispose Zabuza immediately. Instead, he took off."

The moonlight haired girl nodded as she looked over at Duckbutt. He catches up pretty quick.

"Bingo.", she replied, trying to add some lightness to her voice, "Tracker boy just up and left. Which means there's a high possibility that he's working with Zabuza. He just saved Zabuza right from under our noses." But the forced lightness was gone as Mononoke scowled, "But that would mean he's been watching us. Then he knows what we're capable of."

"And they can plan a counter attack to destroy us.", Kakashi added, slightly pleased that Mononoke already thought it through as she went. Kids just grow up so fast.

Tazuna butts into the conversation, his voice tinged with worry, "That means they're coming back? What if they come before the bridge if finished?"

"Oh, don't worry. I managed to damage Zabuza enough that he might take three weeks to recover.", Kakashi's eyes curved cheerfully.

"But those senbons... The boy must've known acupunture. He can cut down the recovery time for Zabuza by half.", Mononoke pointed out. You can never be too careful. Kakashi nodded, "Then you guys must get ready by then."

"It won't work! Whatever you do, it won't work!"

Everyone in the room turned to look at the source of the voice. A little boy stood at the doorway, his eyes glaring.

"Ah, Inari!", Tazuna called jovially and the boy ran to him with open arms. Mononoke watched in silence as his mother reprimanded him. He looks like a total spoilt brat. Tch. Mononoke gritted her teeth slightly. She hates spoilt brats.

"Mom, don't you see? They're all going to die! Gato's going to come and he's going to kill them!", the boy accused, his voice whiny.

Naruto shot up and protested, "What do you think you're saying, kid? Do you know what a super ninja is? That's me, only better! Whoever this Gato is, I'm going to defeat him, dattebayo!"

"Tch, you're just filled with stupid ideas if you think you can beat Gato!", Inari shot back. Mononoke felt herself snapped.

"Kid, you don't have the right to say whether we die or not!", Mononoke shot up, almost growling at the boy in annoyance. The kid stiffened in fear at the sight of Mononoke glaring at him.

"Mononoke.", Kakashi warned but she pretends she didn't hear him, "I hate brats like you that think you know it all. Listen up, whiny baby. We're going to be staying here until the bridge is done so you better show some manners!"

"You act like you're so great, but you're not! You're going to die! All of you!", Inari argued. Anger boiled in Mononoke as she started to walk towards him but Sakura managed to get up in time to hold her, "Mononoke, he's just a kid."

"You barely know us, and you have the absolute guts to tell us that we'll die like flies?", Mononoke growled softly as she glowered at the boy. Her look was so ferocious even Sasuke felt a chill in his bones.

"Until you can drag yourself from that pitiful state you're in, you can't tell me what I can or cannot do.", she spat before shrugging Sakura off and stomping out from the room, leaving everyone looking at her retreating back in bewilderment.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I don't get it, Kakashi-sensei! What good will this training do? We still can't beat Zabuza!", Sakura exclaimed and Kakashi sighed. This is going to take forever if she keeps asking questions instead of doing the actual thing.

He was hanging upside down from a tree branch on his crutches. Mononoke watched her ex-guardian, her eyes sparkling. "This is the flying thing, right?", she asked and all eyes turned to her.

'Huh? Flying?', Naruto thought as he watched Mononoke. What is she talking about?

"Correct.", Kakashi smiled at the girl.

Her mood had gotten considerably better after he talked to her about her attitude before. Kakashi understood the spitfire's dislike to being belittled but Inari was just a child. After some soft reprimanding later, Mononoke even apologized for her actions, not to Inari, but to his mother and grandfather. But only after some bribery, of course.

On the bright side, it's an improvement, really. Before that, Mononoke would rather hang herself than say sorry. Maybe the Naras' were a good influence on her. After all, she's as stubborn as a granite cliff. Once she thinks she's right, there's no way in hell she would back down. Kakashi worries that it might cause her downfall one day.

Mononoke grinned widely at Kakashi's confirmation. Finally, he's teaching her how to fly! How long she had had waited for this!

Kakashi watched in amusement as Mononoke amped up, trying to convince her team to do the exercise. The little ball of energy was ecstatic with the news. Well, he did promised her that he would teach her to 'fly', ever since the day they met. It was like it was only yesterday when she was on his back, giggling happily as he sped through the trees.

The young sensei threw four kunais at his students' feet, "Use these to mark your limit. From there, you can improve." All four Genins picked up their respective kunais and quickly obeyed, each choosing the tree they would climb.

Of course, it wasn't easy for them at first.

Naruto kept falling from the tree and hitting his head.

Sasuke used too much chakra on the first try and made a dent.

Mononoke fared worse. She caused a hole and got her foot stuck. Second time she tried it, she froze a part of the tree bark.

Sakura got it after a few tries. "Well, it seems that Sakura had the best chakra control.", Kakashi praised and the other tree who were still on the ground just groaned. Well, two of them. The Uchiha just clicked his tongue in annoyance.

But fortunately, all three Genins were as stubborn as mules and kept on trying.

Kakashi watched with mirth as Mononoke got her foot stuck in the tree again. She yelped as her body hung down from the bark, her arms waving around frantically, trying to keep her balance, "Dammit!" Kakashi was chuckling at the sight. Mononoke is such a klutz sometimes, it's hilarious. But he stopped chortling in the next moment.

"Hold still, idiot.", Sasuke groaned as he plunged the kunai close to her. Using it as a support, the Uchiha held on to the tree. Once he was secured, he gripped her ankle.

Mononoke bends her body forward, her face comical with fear, "What do you think you're doing, Duckbutt?!" The boy glared at her in annoyance, although Mononoke swore she saw his mouth twitched up, "Helping you out. Unless you want to get stuck to this tree forever."

"I can do it myself! It's fine, I swear!", she resisted. The Uchiha obliged but he stays there, watching her trying to wrench her foot out. Once she realized she was truly absolutely stuck, Mononoke groaned as she hung from her foot, "Okay, maybe I do need your help."

Sasuke smirked and placed a firm hand on her leg, "That wasn't so hard, is it?" The girl shot him a glowering look, although her glare quickly turned fearful. He tugged once and she yelped, "WOAH. WAIT!"

Sasuke stopped and raised an eyebrow at her

"But if you pull it like that...", Mononoke whined. Her foot seemed pretty deep into the tree. She felt bad for the poor plant.

"Do you have a better idea?", Sasuke asked grumpily.

"...No."

"Then we'll have to do it this way."

"But- AGGHHH!", Mononoke yelled out of surprise when Sasuke ripped her foot out of the hole in the tree. She would have fell to the ground had he not still hold on to her ankle.

So her current position was quite blush worthy, even for the stoic Uchiha. He can see her underwear through her pants in this angle. "Drop me already, pervert!", Mononoke cried, pressing against her shorts when she spotted his slightly red cheeks.

"Hmph, whatever.", Sasuke uttered before releasing her.

A neat turn and Mononoke landed on all fours before glaring up at the tree. She watched as Sasuke pulled out his kunai from the tree and landed cleanly beside her. Mononoke continued glaring at him even as he stood up. The two teammates looked at each other for a long moment.

"Thanks, Duckbutt.", Mononoke finally uttered and he snorted before turning away, walking back to his tree.

He could at least nod! Mononoke grumbled under her breath as she continued training. Rude blackbird.

'Well, it's a good thing Sakura left for a toilet break. She might throw a fit if she saw what happened. Since she likes Sasuke and all that. Girls nowadays...', Kakashi thought to himself wearily. If he wasn't in such a bad shape, he would be the first one to get Mononoke out of the tree. Kakashi didn't really like the idea of the Uchiha helping his kid out.

Oh well, let's just say she has a good teammate.

At least that's what Kakashi told himself as he watched Sasuke carefully.

XXXXX

Mononoke sighed as she watched the two boys ate like they had been on a deserted island for three months. Maybe they got their heads hit too many times that they've got a few screws loose now. Naruto and Sasuke had been practically rivalling against each other for everything since they got here. Correction, ever since the tree climbing training. Sakura already got the hang of it so Kakashi said she's excused from the training to keep an eye on Tazuna.

The three of them, Mononoke, Sasuke and Naruto, however, still need more practice.

"I want some more!", both boys stood up and glared at each other. Two seconds later, they began puking. Mononoke sighed again as Sakura told them off loudly. These guys are going to be the death of her one day.

Rubbing his face, Sasuke glared over the table, "I have to eat."

Naruto mirrored him and agreed, "I have to eat more than him. That's the only way I can get stronger." Before they started eating again, Mononoke glared at the two boys and said lowly, "You waste food one more time, I'll make you eat your own vomit."

Naruto and Sasuke gulped at the look on her face. The duo obediently began to eat like normal human beings. Sakura blinked and looked at Mononoke.

Right, at least that's sorted out.

After the meal, Tsunami began washing the dishes as Sakura got up from the chair, walking around the house as she let her food digest. She spotted the photo on the wall and pointed out, "Excuse me, this picture is torn. Is there a reason for that?" She turned around slightly looking at the kid, "Inari, you were glancing at this picture this whole time. But this person's face got torn out. It's kind of strange, isn't it?"

Oh my Kami, Sakura, you don't just ask someone why their family picture is torn., Mononoke groaned inwardly. The bridge builder's family smell depressed and hurt. Way to go, flower girl.

"That's my husband.", Tsunami replied tartly, as if it was the end of the conversation. However, Tazuna added softly, "They used to call him a hero in this land." Inari leaped from his seat before rushing out of the house. Tsunami called for him and just as she got to the door, she glared at her father, "You know you're not supposed to say that in front of him!" Then even she went out of the house, leaving Team Seven with the bridge builder.

"So, is there a story to all this?", Kakashi asked inquiringly and before they knew it, Tazuna began to tell them the whole sob story about the courageous man and this spineless country.

Mononoke couldn't help but feel disgusted yet sympathetic to this sorry place. She disliked weakness and timidity, that's one thing. But this land doesn't have a leader to guide them. Humans are sociable creatures and need a head, an alpha or they'll crumble. So that's a reason for their meekness. On top of that, there's a rich asshole who thinks money is everything and kills everyone that comes in his way.

No wonder this place is a mess.

Naruto stood up on wobbly legs, clenching his teeth with effort. "You need to rest, Naruto!", Sakura called after him and he said in a determined voice, "I'm going to show him! I'm going to show him that there's such thing as a hero!"

XXXXXXXX

"Good morning!", Sakura greeted, her face still drowsy. In between mouths of food, Tazuna asked, "Where's Naruto? The kid's not here."

"Huh, he's still probably training since yesterday night.", Sakura pointed out haughtily, "He's going to die if he keeps that up. You know, from chakra exhaustion and all that."

"Sakura's right, you know. The idiot is probably dead somewhere.", Mononoke pointed out, swallowing her last mouthful of food. Sasuke, who was sitting beside her, got up and began to make way to the door.

"Sasuke-kun, where are you going?", Sakura asked and he turned his head slightly, "I'm going for a walk."

"Wait up, Duckbutt. I'm coming too with you too.", Mononoke said as she wiped her mouth with a tissue before catching up to the Uchiha.

"But we haven't even ate yet..", Sakura trailed off as she saw the two empty plates of food.

That was fast.

XXX

Sasuke walked on with Mononoke trotting beside him, her hands laced behind her head casually. As much as he didn't want to, Sasuke's eyes kept flicking towards the girl.

It wasn't like her to tag along. Especially with him.

Suddenly, she sighed before relaxing her arms, dropping them to her sides, "Stop looking at me like that or else your eyeballs will get stuck halfway."

Sasuke harrumphed in denial before turning his attention to the road. He wasn't sure where he was going but he's definitely not going to admit it out loud. The reason the Uchiha came out for a 'walk' was to look for the blonde idiot. It's going to be annoying if he gets eaten up by vultures.

"So, what do you want to ask me?", Mononoke prodded but the Uchiha didn't answer her.

"Oh, come on, Duckbutt. Stop moping and tell me.", she tried again and Sasuke almost smirked wide when he gave her a comeback, "I have a name, you know. And I only answer to that name. Not half-assed clicks."

Mononoke stopped in her tracks as she watched the Uchiha continued walking proudly.

He copied her line!

She felt her mouth twitched into a large grin before she ran to catch up with him, "Woah, roll back the attitude, Uchiha. You're scaring me."

"Tch, finally.", Sasuke countered and she laughed. He felt his belly warmed a little at the sound.

"Right, I must be rubbing off on you. That's good. At least you'll talk more from now on.", Mononoke said cheerfully.

"Who ever said I would do that?", he replied and the girl grinned at him, "Sarcasm definitely fits you better than gloom, Duckbutt." He rolled his eyes at her, "Right. And silence fits you better than chattering."

Mononoke couldn't help but laugh at this. It's nice to see Duckbutt opening up more.

"Keep it coming, Uchiha, and I might just call you by your first name."

XXXX

Lots of Inari bashing here. BUT IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE. I NEVER DID APPRECIATE THE KID BEING SUCH A BRAT. But, Mononoke seems like a prick too. Even I wouldn't scold a kid like that. OR WOULD I? Then again, he deserved it. HEH. Hey, don't look at me like that, at least she apologized.

ANYWAY LOOKY HERE. Mono and Duck Prince are getting along quite well! /gasp COULD IT BE? Nah, who am I kidding? This is a ShikaOC fic, amirite? OR AM I? /ebil laughter.

Fact#13: Mononoke is an Aries. (Quick trivia, Kakashi and Shikamaru are Virgos and Kiba is a Cancer. I try to keep them in line with their zodiac personalities but then again, Kishimoto-sensei probably thought that one through already.)