Naruto: A Red Eye Hidden by Shadow

by Tatanka4Life

On the fateful night of the Uchiha Massacre, a girl of Uchiha and Nara blood is spared and left with no memories of her past. Now she must walk on the path left by her family to help her build a new future for herself. Her path will be hard, full of struggles and pain, but as long as she has her friends and family at her side she will keep forging ahead, even if it was a drag.

173. Chapter 172: Kindred Spirits Reunited

Chapter 172

Kindred Spirits Reunited: The Journey to the Land of the Moon!

Dry and sandy bedrock, warmed by the sun, stretched out as far as the eye could see all around them; they had traveled far from the freshly falling snow and bitter chill of the Land of Fire, very far indeed to this foreign desert, who's ancient name had been lost to time.

Sandals clapped frantically upon the bedrock, grating now and then over firm sand as shadows danced swiftly over the earth, beads of sweat leapt through the air, and sharp exhales hissed like the breeze whistling over the nearby mesa, which ran adjacent to the road.

Combat. It was as natural as breathing. Sandals clapped and grated. Shadows danced. The intensity of battle existed on an ever-rising crescendo, seemingly endless in its growing intensity.

Then, as often was the case, the sounds and movement of two young kunoichi halted without warning. The ecosystem went still, the crescendo abruptly went silent. All save the heavy but controlled breaths of the fighters.

"That's another point for Hinata," Kakashi declared calmly.

Frozen mid-pivot, breathing deep, controlled breaths, Amari couldn't agree more with his decision. Hinata's palm hovered but a few inches from the center of her chest. Had she followed through, the palm would've struck like a hammer, judging by the pulse of air she felt rush against her chest.

In a real battle, she thought, eyeing the palm, against a member of the Hyūga Clan, that single, powerful strike would've ended the battle. Fatally.

Amari exhaled a deep, calm breath. She straightened her posture as best she could and rubbed her sweaty, flush cheek into her shoulder.

As always, arriving early to the rendezvous was more beneficial than being fashionably late. It provided ample time to train. Not to mention plenty of opportunities for her ego to get checked.

"Your footwork is amazing, Hinata," she complimented. "At this rate I'm never coming back."

"You do have both hands tied behind your back," Hinata reminded.

Unconsciously, Amari shifted her shoulders and tried to wriggle her arms, to no avail; Kakashi was an expert at tying knots.

Bound from elbow to fingertips by rope, their training exercise was a simulation of one on one combat while escaping capture, with Hinata playing the role of guard and Amari playing escapee.

The scenario was a grim possibility. Enemy shinobi, whether they be from the Cloud, the Stone, or elsewhere, would be more keen to capture her alive, their hunger to claim the power of her eyes, bloodline, and potential future children was insatiable. As it had been since the Warring States Period.

She needed to be ready for it.

To further increase the difficulty, Kakashi decided she would rely on physical ability alone—no ninjutsu or genjutsu of any kind. Every takedown or decisive blow was a point earned.

So far Hinata claimed the majority of victories.

"With or without the training stipulation your footwork is amazing," said Amari, shaking her head once. "You've improved so much since the last time we sparred. Your coordination, your agility, your strength, your strategy; I can see how hard you've been working. I can feel it in each of your movements. In each strike. Be proud of yourself. Gloat a little," she added with a smirk. "I won't tell anyone."

Hinata ducked her chin into her chest. She smiled and began to poke her pointer fingers together.

"I'm…just happy I'm starting to catch up."

"Starting?" Amari chuckled softly. "Hinata, you're already walking beside us. Trust me."

"She's right," Kakashi agreed.

Turning to the side of the road, Kakashi stood there with a relaxed posture, hands stuffed in his flak jacket pockets, bearing his usual aloof air. All except his eye, which regarded Hinata with sincerity.

"I haven't seen you fight since the preliminary rounds of the Exam. Yet the fire Naruto and Amari helped you find that day burns stronger than ever. It's clear for anyone to see just how hard you've pushed yourself—and how hard you continue to push yourself." He eye smiled at her. "I look forward to seeing how far you go, Hinata."

Immediately, cheeks flushed, Hinata clasped her hands together and bowed her head to their team leader.

"Th- thank you, Kakashi-sensei! I- I won't let either of you down!"

"I was never worried about that. Anyway, are you two ready for another round?"

"Yep." Amari took a few steps back and settled into a defensive stance. "And this time I won't lose."

"I won't lose, either," Hinata declared, settling into the Gentle Fist stance.

"All right." Kakashi brought his hand out of his pocket and raised it. "Now, begin!"

Although his hand slashed through the air, neither kunoichi leapt aggressively into the fervor of battle. They did not pick up at the intense crescendo they ended on moments before.

Their feet shifted slowly, cautiously, on the firm earth, granules of sand and dried bedrock grinding beneath their sandals. The wind hissed over the mesa.

Compared to the summer heat of the Land of Fire, the rendezvous point, while arid, was surprisingly comfortable. It vaguely resembled, Amari felt, a late spring in the Land of Fire; the breeze was cool, but not bitter or chilling; the sun was warm, but it didn't bear down upon them, suffocating them with oppressive heat, and the humidity was fairly low.

Here, far from the snow, Hinata and Kakashi wore t-shirts, colored light plum and blue, respectively. Amari wore her usual purple tank top and single arm mesh undershirt long-sleeve, if only to hide the worst of her scars from the Prince when he inevitably arrived.

Once the sun fell, however, their thicker layered clothing would be necessary again; desert climates and winter were quite the bone chilling combo. Literally.

Inching her foot forward, Hinata's determined gaze, intensified by the Byakugan, monitored every minor contraction of Amari's muscles, every subtle gesture as she cautiously shifted along the road, searching for clues within the unconscious expressions of body language.

Amari, likewise, tried to read Hinata's movements and body language without the aid of a dōjutsu—another stipulation of their training exercise.

She needed to be competent and capable without the advantage of dōjutsu. She couldn't always rely on her eyes, especially in a captured scenario where she likely would have expended a vast amount of chakra before capture. Or, more grimly, had her eyes stolen.

At least I'm not blindfolded this time.

This time. Last time, under Might Guy's supervision, Rock Lee was unleashed upon her like a hot-blooded, rabid beast while she was blindfolded.

It didn't end well.

Patiently, the two kunoichis inched along the dirt, Hinata closing in, Amari maintaining distance. The sun was warm on her skin, the dry air stilled. The beads of perspiration once gliding along her body had already evaporated.

Sand grated beneath sandals. Neither's gaze withered, their determination to succeed unflinching. Strategies flitted through their minds at light-speed.

Hinata sprang ahead suddenly, closing the distance as quick as a heartbeat. Amari made a nimble half pivot, evading the striking palm and the potential of a glancing blow.

Hastily, she pushed off her front foot, up and over a quick, cutting leg, skipping back two steps then digging the toes of her back foot into the bedrock, trying to gain friction as she slid atop grains of sand.

Already her opponent was dashing in, fierce, refusing to grant her even a moment of breathing room. Two palms followed, air whistling beneath the power of each blow; Amari evaded her head and body out of range of both strikes, spotting a small tell in her opponent's body language.

Hinata was planning for a kick. Her body was already committed to it.

In a flash, Amari countered with a shorter, quicker kick to Hinata's attacking ankle, then quickly stepped back two steps into a defensive position again.

They held their ground for a moment, then Hinata struck again, this time with a palm.

Amari was ready for it. She swung her leg in an outward crescent kick, catching the attacking limb just beneath the wrist, parrying it away. Then, without missing a beat, whirled low and struck with a sweeping kick.

She found nothing but air and dry bedrock. Hinata didn't so much as hop over her leg as she did hurdle it, stepping one foot at a time over the leg, with only the briefest of moments where one foot wasn't in contact with the earth.

There was no time to be amazed by her footwork or offer a congratulations. The Hyūga kunoichi was already striking again, zeroing in on the exposed back of the spinning Uchiha.

Swiftly, Amari pushed off her planted foot with all of her leg strength, jumping up and away simultaneously, utilizing her momentum from the spinning sweep kick to twist into a rapid corkscrew.

Her heel narrowly whipped by Hinata's chin. Her opponent, eyes wide, inhaled a sharp breath, recoiling and leaning back to evade; she felt and heard the woosh of air rush past her face.

Amari landed on her right foot first, then swung her left leg down. Combining her momentum with the layer of sand, as planned, resulted in a counter-clockwise rotation, revolving a full three hundred and sixty degrees three times while sliding backwards.

Wild blue tresses whipped about, but they did not fully obscure her vision of Hinata; the Hyūga, lunging in, clearly saw a moment to strike, a vulnerability within her restrained and meager defenses.

Once she was within range, palm already drawn back to strike, the Nara smirked. She dug her toes into the bedrock, halted her spin abruptly, and took a quick stride into her opponent.

At the same time she shifted her bound arms left as far as she could, opening up a small gap between her arm and side, through which the striking arm slipped into, much to the surprise of her opponent.

Again Hinata's eyes went wide, but she didn't freeze up. She didn't hesitate or lose herself to shock. Her free hand moved into action, ready to strike.

Too late!

Capturing the arm above the elbow, pinning it tightly to her side, Amari sprang off the ground away from Hinata's free hand, rotating around the arm she captured like a pinwheel.

As one of her feet came into contact with the ground, she realized Hinata, having made a split-second decision, was following her, coming out of a similar spin in near unison with the Uchiha. That split-second decision kept her arm from twisting, it was bringing her right back into striking range.

The boldness of the move, the fierceness of her friend, made Amari's lips briefly split into a grin.

You really don't want to lose.

Again Amari shifted her bound arms as far as she could to her left, letting the arm slip free of her grasps.

But I don't want to lose, either.

When Hinata's foot planted on the ground, Amari ducked and, dancing on her toes, spun beneath the impending strike. Hinata's other foot remained inches from touching the bedrock. It wouldn't arrive in time.

Amari flowed elegantly behind the Hyūga and kicked, sweeping her leg out from beneath her.

The decisive moment was upon her. Amari moved to strike, loading an axe kick to score her first takedown after a five round losing streak, when a flare of familiar chakra struck her senses like a bolt of lightning out of a clear blue sky.

Her eyes and head whipped towards the mesa, heart skipping a beat.

That chakra is—

Motion from Hinata snapped her eyes and mind back to the training session, but it was too late. The Hyūga's hand was planted firmly on the ground, her body was exiting a rotation, righting herself to strike. Her feet found the earth.

The match was over at that precise moment.

Hinata swept her planted leg. Suddenly the solid ground beneath Amari vanished and the sky came into view. For a moment, anyway. Then a shadow fell over her and the earth greeted her back, though not too harshly.

Kneeling beside her and occupying her field of view, with one hand cupped behind her head to cradle it, preventing it from cracking against the bedrock, and the other pressing two fingers to her breastbone—directly at her hearts chakra points—was her savior. And her conquerer.

"Another point for Hinata," Kakashi announced.

"Looks like you beat me again. Nice work, Hinata," Amari complimented whilst slightly out of breath.

"Only because you lost focus," Hinata replied, also mildly out of breath. She removed her fingers first, and then helped Amari to sit up.

"That's not an excuse. Losing focus in a real battle would be fatal," she said. "This is a good reminder of that. Fortunately, since this was training only my pride is bruised. Next time I won't make the same mistake."

Hinata sat back on her heels and smiled. "That's so like you."

"Guess so," Amari chuckled.

"What isn't like you is to get so distracted in the heat of battle," Kakashi said, sounding curious.

Hands in his pockets, he came to stand beside them so they were within his peripherals, but his gaze was locked on the mesa. He cast a quick glance down at her.

"Would it happen to be our friends from the Mist?"

She nodded. "Yes. Two shinobi are approaching from the mesa."

"She's right. I can see them clearly," Hinata said, staring off into the distance with her Byakugan. "A team of a boy and a kunoichi."

"The girl is an unfamiliar chakra—a Jōnin, I'd guess. A Sensory Type, too," Amari informed.

Their senses were entangling, carefully investigating one another. Very carefully.

"Hm, I suspect that startled you."

A little, she could admit. There had been no sight or presence of another person for several miles now of their journey. To feel the presence of another Sensory Type so suddenly did catch her by surprise, but they weren't responsible for her momentary lapse of attention.

"So the kunoichi isn't the new Swordsman, if you don't recognize her. We're likely dealing with the Mizukage's assistant then. Who's the other?" Kakashi asked.

"It's Haku."

"Ah, now it makes sense. You got excited."

"I…did," she admitted awkwardly.

"Well," he eye smiled at her, "let's get you out of those ropes. I'm sure you wouldn't want our reunion with Haku to be awkward, and we wouldn't want to make a bad first impression on the Mizukage's assistant, now would we."

Amari felt her cheeks warm. Hinata giggled at her expense.

Yeah, explaining why her arms were bound behind her back would be totally awkward. Even if the reasoning was sound. She definitely didn't want Lady Mei's assistant's first memory of her to be that of a tied up brigand or a troublemaker, bound by her Sensei for consistent misbehavior.

She was also certain Haku would find it amusing. And that would be even more embarrassing.

Somehow, surprising even herself, Amari did not squirm as Kakashi unbound her arms. Her eyes did flick back and forth from the ground to the mesa as she sat there, worried two shadows would suddenly appear despite feeling their approaching presence clearly, but she didn't squirm.

To the Uchiha, it was a small but profound victory.

As soon as she was free Amari sprang to her feet. It wasn't long after the two silhouettes of their Mist allies emerged at the edge of the mesa. Again she felt her heart skip.

Haku was actually here. Her kindred spirit, her precious friend who she hadn't seen since they departed the Land of Waves, he was here. Quickly approaching with the Mizukage's assistant.

Excitement and barely restrained joy fluttered through her. She could feel herself on the verge of bouncing. Gut instincts primed her to spring through the air and tackle hug the Mist boy without thought or care for protocols, alliances, awkwardness, or the future.

She had hoped to see him. She wanted to see him—a feeling she knew was mutual. She had hoped this time, this chance to work beside the Mist again, would allow them to meet in person.

Yet predicting the Mizukage's team was impossible. Chōjūrō and Haruhi, two of the new Seven Swordsmen, would be perfect bodyguards for a Prince; and, in truth, Amari had hoped to see them again as well. She wanted more time to get to know them as comrades and, hopefully, as friends.

However, the person she yearned to see again, who's words had given her inspiration, hope, and warm fuzzy feelings and yearnings by the cartload, was Haku.

Now, after so many months apart, that chance had finally arrived.

"Looks like we're all here now," Kakashi said as Haku and Natsumi slowed to a halt before them.

Haku was just as she remembered him. His big brown eyes, his kind face, his calming presence—everything was the same. From the blue-green nail polish on his fingernails and toenails, to the way he wore his hair back in a white bun holder and bound the ends of the loose locks framing his face in metal hair cuffs, he all but walked out of her memories into the desert they now occupied.

Well, sort of. He didn't wear the thick long-sleeve beneath his green haori, instead wearing short-sleeved mesh armor to compliment his otherwise unchanged outfit. He was a little bit taller, too, she noticed, by an inch or so.

Internally, Amari wanted to groan. She fought not to slump in defeat.

Why did everyone else always seem to grow? Even Hinata had hit a noticeable growth spurt, growing at least an inch and a half since the Stone captured the Waterfall and Grass. Meanwhile she'd barely grown a half inch over the last month.

Being a late-bloomer is such a pain.

His teammate, Natsumi, she presumed, was a fair-skinned woman of crimson red hair, which she wore tied up in a loose bun, a few strands of which rested over the left side of her forehead protector.

The color of her hair immediately set signals off in Amari's brain. It was a near identical match of color to Karin's and Lady Mito's.

Her turquoise eyes were sharp and perceptive. The scar through the middle of her right eyebrow and the crescent-shaped scar beneath her left eye weren't the first scars she'd seen on shinobi. They wouldn't be the last, either.

Finally, like everyone else, she wore attire meant for the arid and warm climate; a wine red crop top tank top worn over sleeveless mesh armor that was cut like a leotard, matched with a short skirt, spandex black shorts worn over the length of her strong thighs, and high-heeled shinobi sandals.

Like Haruhi, her ensemble was designed as much for functionality as it was to weaponize her feminine figure.

If I end up half as pretty and as womanly as her, I'll be satisfied, Amari decided.

Kakashi's gaze fell upon Haku. "When we all left the Land of Waves, I never imagined this would be how we reunited again. I wasn't sure we would." He eye smiled. "This is one of the few times I've been glad to be wrong. It's good to see you again, Haku."

Haku dipped his head in a short, respectful bow. "Likewise, Kakashi. It's in no small part because of you that I am here now."

"Me?" Kakashi was visibly surprised by the statement.

The Mist shinobi nodded once. "Yes. You did not need to show Zabuza or I mercy that day. You could have struck us down while our guards were lowered. Although our lives were worthless, although we had harmed your students, and through them caused you great pain, you spared our lives. You allowed us this chance to walk a more honorable path." Haku shook his head. "I have not and will not forget that."

"Hm. That may be true, at least in part, but I wasn't the only one to show mercy that day," Kakashi replied. "You did as well. You spared the lives of my students, your compassion is the reason Sasuke is still with us today. And though Amari's words cut us all deeply, it was your refusal to continue fighting that gave Zabuza pause. I haven't forgotten that."

"Nor have we forgotten Amari's words." A small smile formed on Haku's lips, which he turned to Amari. "Or the reckless act which preceded it."

"I can't say that's improved at all," Kakashi jested. "Somedays I think she is trying to send me into early retirement."

"Hmhm," Haku chuckled warmly. "She is troublesome, by her own admission."

"That she is."

Amari blinked. They were… They were teasing her! Together!

And she hadn't spoken a word. It was unlike her.

Normally she threw caution to the wind, like she did with Hikari. Yet with Haku she hesitated. Stupid question floated through her mind.

Was it okay to talk as they did in their letters? Were they familiar enough for that? Would he find her annoying?

Did she need to act more formal as Head of the Clan?

Would it taint Natsumi's report of them if she behaved too casually, and thus taint Lady Mei's and Lady Tsunade's discussions?

The flow of questions caused her to doubt herself. To doubt their bond.

Amari felt the weight of Kakashi's hand suddenly rest on top of her head. He lightly ruffled her hair.

"But," he continued, "acting on her heart is Amari's way. Being troublesome is apparently genetic for her."

"May that never change."

Their words washed away all the pointless anxieties off her shoulders. It was true they hadn't seen each other since the Land of Waves, but that didn't matter. The bond they'd formed back then, the bond they'd fostered through their letters, was still as real and as strong as it had ever been.

They were still kindred spirits. Closer than before despite the distance that had separated them for so long.

Playfully, Amari swatted at Kakashi's forearm.

"You're both just as troublesome," she retorted. "Ignoring Hinata and Natsumi to tease me. How rude."

"Yeah." Natsumi turned a smirk to her teammate. "You're being uncharacteristically rude, you know. You ignored the Head of the Hyūga Clan's daughter and you haven't even bothered to introduce me to your girlfriend yet."

Amari choked and felt her face ignite simultaneously.

Gi- girlfriend!

Hinata blinked, almost taken aback by how easily the Mist kunoichi deduced her identity, but then her father was well-known across the shinobi world. As was her first attempted kidnapping by the Cloud.

Haku's lips screwed into a frown, his cheeks flushed pink as he shot his teammate a scolding look. The Mist kunoichi's smirk transformed into a toothy grin.

"Natsumi," he warned.

"Oh, very scary," she didn't flinch. Then, after a nonchalant roll of her eyes, she directed her attention to Kakashi. "Anyway, I'm Natsumi. I serve directly as Lady Mei's assistant and I'm in charge of intelligence gathering." She grinned cheekily. "So consider yourself under surveillance of the Fifth Mizukage, Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan, son of the White Fang and student of the Fourth Hokage."

Kakashi's shoulders shook with a chuckle. "Duly noted, Natsumi."

She's straightforward, Amari noted, face finally returning to its natural shade.

"Which means," Natsumi continued, turquoise eyes falling onto her, "you're Amaririsu Yūhi. I've heard nearly everyone sing your praises—Haku, Zabuza, Lady Mei, Atsuko, and even Chōjūrō and Haruhi. Those two are certain you're just like Lady Mei. We'll see about that."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Natsumi," Amari replied, bowing slightly. "Atsuko and Haku have spoken highly of you and your abilities."

"Praise from the Crows, huh? I think I might start strutting around the Tower like a peacock."

"Careful," Amari smirked. "Lady Mei may need to widen the doors a little to fit your head through. We wouldn't want to cause her trouble, right?"

Haku and Hinata courteously hid their smiles behind their hands, but it didn't conceal their soft chuckles or giggles.

Natsumi exhaled a quick, "Heh!" Her lips split into a grin. "Of everything I've heard about you, nobody mentioned your smart mouth."

"Guess it must have slipped through the cracks. When you put it in my file, make sure you label it properly. I won't settle for anything less than 'Queen of the Uchiha Clan' at this point. I need an edge over Lord Hiashi."

"Amaririsu!" Hinata scolded, but the exasperation faded beneath the beginnings of a giggle.

"They may need to widen your Village gate to fit that ego through," Natsumi grinned. Then her eyes flicked to Hinata. "Anyway, since she's the humble Queen, that means you're Hinata Hyūga, daughter of Hiashi Hyūga."

"Yes." Hinata bowed her head. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to working alongside you both."

"Likewise, Hinata," Haku smiled kindly.

"Yeah, it's good to meet you," Natsumi greeted. "All of you, really. This mission should bring us that much closer to an official alliance." She shrugged. "Assuming those cantankerous councilors don't step all over our toes. At the very least this mission will enrich both of our Villages, as long as it isn't some elaborate trap."

"You believe…this may be a trap?" Hinata asked.

"Don't take it the wrong way. It's not you guys I'm suspicious of. Honestly. I'm looking forward to working alongside your unit; I want to build this alliance between our Villages as much as you do. I want to help Lady Mei achieve her dream."

Natsumi frowned. "But something about the request… It reeks. The money they're offering our Villages—hell, calling on Leaf and Mist at the same time makes my hairs stand on end.

"No one outside of the inner circles within our Villages know Lady Mei and Lady Tsunade are in discussions," she emphasized. "So why did the Prince hire us both? Did he anticipate we'd all accept, or did he assume one of us would duck out? If its the former, how would he know we would cooperate? And if he knows about our line of communication, I want to know how he learned, who told him, and what their intentions are."

"We had similar suspicions," Kakashi confirmed.

Amari flattened her lips together. Hinata clutched a fist against her breastbone.

They had discussed nearly the same points verbatim in the Hokage's office. The money offered to their Village, while insane to common people, wasn't a complete surprise; the Land of the Moon, according to Lady Tsunade and Kakashi, was a land of insurmountable wealth. Or, in the Hokage's words,

"The money we've been offered is inconsequential to them—its a droplet of water amid an ocean of wealth."

So their ability to offer Leaf and Mist identical sums of money, no matter how preposterous the money sounded, wasn't in of itself suspicious. The Prince hiring both Leaf and Mist, when no one outside of their inner circles knew of their connection, was exceptionally suspect, though.

"I wish I would've had more time to investigate the request." Natsumi's frustration was tangible. "I might've found out the Prince and the mission are squeaky clean. Or I could've prevented both of our Villages from walking ourselves into a trap. Not that whining about it will do us any good now."

"Well, no matter what awaits us, we'll face it together." Kakashi said, speaking in a strong but calming voice. "The bond between our Nations is still in the process of growing. It's connected by a small handful of bonds. However, although they are few in number, they are powerful connections, strengthened by a shared dream of peace and friendship, by blood, and even tears, shed for each other.

"This joint-mission, I believe, gives us each an opportunity to foster the growing bond between our Nations. Rest assured, trap or not, we will stand beside you throughout this mission as comrades, you have our word on that."

"And you have ours as well," Haku nodded sharply.

"Yeah," Natsumi agreed, nodding once while visibly relaxing.

Kakashi eye smiled. "Then from this point on we're all comrades-in-arms."

"Right!" Hinata said, nodding once.

"With all of us together, we're going to ace this mission," said Amari. "And whatever struggles we face along the way will only strengthen our bonds."

"Now we just need the Prince to show up, then we can actually get started," Natsumi said, placing her hand on her hip and looking off down the long, desert road stretching into the distance.

In the meantime they equipped headsets and linked them up, but saved talks of strategies for when they finally had an idea of the size of the caravan they would be guarding.

Afterwards they hit the road, hopeful they could rally with their client before anyone with bad intentions attempted an attack.

It wouldn't be long before they finally attained a visual on their target.

"Heh," Natsumi exhaled a short chuckle of disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me."

Amari couldn't agree more.

Horse drawn stagecoaches and wagons rumbled along the harsh road, bearing an assortment of items from rugs and boxes of materials tied to their roofs, to massive wooden crates and other items hidden beneath massive green tarps.

She counted twenty-eight before Hinata, looking ahead with her Byakugan, answered their unspoken question.

"There are– there are forty-three carriages and wagons total. One driver per each carriage and wagon, in addition to the Prince and his son."

"Sounds like we'll have our hands full. Not to mention handling all of these valuables. This'll be quite the task," Kakashi said.

"My Shadow Clones can cover the majority of the carriages," Amari judged, pulling her bandana over her left eye. "That'll allow us to keep a strong defense around the Prince and his son. After all, anyone trying to ambush this caravan will probably be after the ransom his Highness would net. That or dumb bandits looking to make a score off one of these carriages."

"It certainly would be a lucrative endeavor," Haku noted, eyeing the carriages as they passed. "Each of these carriages is carrying items worth hundreds of thousands. That rug there," he gestured to the roof of the closest carriage, "would fetch a minimum of two hundred thousand on its own."

"Geez. Why would you want a rug that cost so much?" Amari rolled her eye. "You're going to walk on it at some point."

"Lady Mei wasn't kidding. They're loaded in the Land of the Moon," Natsumi noted. "Could feed, house, and help lot of orphans and homeless get on their feet with the money spent here. But no," she grumbled beneath her breath, "why waste it on helping others when you can spend it on shopping sprees! Selfish fools."

The horses hooves clapped against dry bedrock. The wheels of the wagons and carriages rumbled and tumbled along, the driver's bodies vibrating and jolting now and then on the uneven road.

Among the carriages, one stood out the most, painted white with literal gold glinting in the sunlight along its trim, its doorknobs and window frames; and the interior was equally luxurious, with seats made of rich red velvets, and much else which glittered and gleamed.

Why not paint a target on yourself as well, Amari thought, frowning. This is already shaping out to be troublesome.

"Why is there so much?" Hinata wondered aloud as the white carriage approached.

The door to the carriage swung open unceremoniously.

"Why, my shopping, of course!" greeted a jubilant voice. A wide hip shoved into the opening, sheathed in a regal blue robe with alternating blue and white triangles wrapping around its hem. "Hehe- oof! Ugh!"

The large belly that suddenly shoved through the opening, no longer wedged by the narrow doorway, protruded and sagged over the belt. The carriage rolled to a halt.

The man behind the belly, who Amari could only assumed was their client, stood as tall as Kakashi, though his girth equalled at least two or three of her Sensei's width from shoulder to shoulder.

His blue robe was accented by white pants and a scarf bearing similar designs as his robe, with a single crescent moon crest displayed at the hem of it. He wore his black hair neatly trimmed to his wide jawline, held beneath an orange bandana. Silver cuffs decorated his wrists and dangled around his waist, glinting in the sun.

Amari blinked but said nothing. This was the Prince, then? He was…not what she was expecting after meeting Princess Koyuki.

Princess Koyuki was…well, she was gorgeous. Breathtaking. She was fit and took care of herself, obviously in part as a necessity as an actress. But still. This man was…

Silently, Amari took in the very large, very wide man, who only appeared larger and wider while standing in the narrow door of his expensive carriage.

How could he be nothing at all like what she expected, and yet embody everything she imagined an absurdly rich Prince would be?

"I saw so many wonderful things in all the Lands we visited, I had to have them!" he declared as he descended the two steps on his carriage.

The whole vehicle creaked and shifted with every heavy step, before all but springing up when he stepped off.

"So I just kept buying and buying," he continued to speak, as if the carriage hadn't just tried to hop into the sky on its own, "and before I knew it I ended up with…all of this! Hahaha!"

Again the Nara blinked but said nothing.

Yep. He was now literally everything she imagined, including how utterly oblivious he was of the absurdity of his own wealth.

Amari swore she could feel Natsumi's skin prickling in annoyance.

With every step he made as he approached, the pink monk beads and handcrafted necklace worn around his neck bounced against his chest and the top of his robust belly, respectively. He halted and cast his brown eyes upon them, placing his hands on his hips as he smiled sincerely and, frankly, dumbly.

"I am the Prince of the Land of the Moon. Michiru Tsuki! And all of you must be—"

"The shinobi from the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Mist," Kakashi finished for him. "I'm Kakashi Hatake, squad leader for the Leaf. This is Amaririsu Yūhi, a Chūnin and the Head of the Uchiha Clan," he introduced her first.

"Greetings," she bowed her head.

"And that is Hinata Hyūga, a Genin and the firstborn daughter of the Head of the Hyūga Clan," he finished.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Hinata said, also bowing her head.

"My name is Natsumi," the Mist kunoichi spoke up. "My squamate here is Haku."

"A pleasure to meet you, your Highness," Haku bowed his head respectfully.

"As her assistant, and as the second-in-command of the Anbu Black Ops, we work directly with and answer directly to the Fifth Mizukage," Natsumi continued. "We're both Jōnin, like Kakashi, so think of us as joint-commanders."

"The five of us are your escort. We're here to see you safely back home to your Kingdom," Kakashi said.

"Well, I can see I'm in good hands," Michiru replied sincerely, nodding in appreciation.

He looked to Hinata next. He tapped his chin in thought for the briefest of moments before suddenly stepping forward, closing the distance between himself and the Hyūga in four heavy steps.

Hinata seemed to straighten a little more as he neared, like a squirrel rising on its hind legs, startled and disturbed by the sound of crunching leaves somewhere nearby. She nervously clasped her hands together at her waist, and with every step closer they tightened; her fingers cramped, a dull ache built at the center of her right palm—the hand Kasai had skewered.

When Michiru bent down to be eye level with her, resting his hands on his thighs, Hinata's cheeks tinted pink. Her knuckles went white.

Amari narrowed her eye. Talk about invading personal space. Could the Prince not read how uncomfortable he was making Hinata? Or did he simply not care?

"Ohh, aren't you the pretty one?" he declared unabashedly. "Far too pretty to be a ninja."

Annoyance quickly burned in Amari's heart. This rich fool was underestimating and insulting Hinata in front of everyone, he was insinuating she was too pretty to be a soldier, too delicate to wade into battle.

Without warning, the Uchiha felt ice pierce her body despite the warm air. She shivered, but didn't dare look at the sources, for the icy blades Natsumi and Haku unsheathed peeled back the annoyance she felt from his superficial insult to reveal a potentially sinister undertone of the Prince's words. And his oddly focused gaze.

Natsumi and Haku watched the Prince like hawks locked onto their next kill, eyes sharp and darkening. Michiru was utterly oblivious to it. He couldn't see how thin the ice was he now tread upon.

His next words and actions, Amari realized, heart alight with fire, would determine how long or quick their mission would be. For the Mist shinobi saw within his behavior a familiar theme from their investigations into the Crimson Flowers.

A person of wealth fascinated by a young child, and not a soul around them willing to punish them for their sick yearnings; yes, they had seen the cruel finale of this story many times already. They would not let it play out. No matter how many billions were offered.

"Uh- I- I'm sorry?" Hinata stammered, confused by Michiru's intrusion and his unabashed fascination.

"You have kind eyes like my ex-wife's. Mark my words, you'll grow into a beautiful woman. Mmhm, yes, you are far too pretty to be a ninja," the Prince nodded to himself, oblivious to the sound of cracking ice beneath his feet.

"Don't be deceived," Kakashi interceded. "Hinata is well qualified."

The Prince's cheeks flushed pink. A strange expression crossed his face.

Amari's eye sharpened into blade capable of piercing a Susanoo. His expression, she decided, was one an adult should never have while looking at a child. Least of all a precious friend of hers.

"You don't say," he said. He then reached his hand out for a handshake. "Thank you. I'm glad you could come."

Awkward and off-put, Hinata took his large, fat hand into her own and forced a smile.

"O- oh, it- it's all right, really."

"Awww!" Michiru took Hinata's small hand into both of his, then began to gently caress it. "So cute!"

Amari's eye twitched. She clutched a hand into a fist.

Don't kill the Prince. Don't kill the Prince. Don't kill the Prince.

If looks alone could kill, Michiru would have been mutilated by Haku's and Natsumi's dark glares. The thin ice was seconds away from bursting beneath his feet and submerging him in an icy death.

"You would make a perfect wife for my son! How does that sound? I can arrange the whole thing."

"Ex- excuse me?!" Hinata squeaked, face as pink as fresh cotton candy.

Ah, the Uchiha's fire simmered and the thin ice hardened, but only slightly, so that's what he's after—a suitor for his son.

Glancing to the carriage, the group of shinobi saw the boy in question standing in the doorway of the carriage.

By hair and eyes alone it was clear he was the Prince's son. He wore large round spectacles and dressed in a white robe with blue, triangular trimmings, pants, brown boots, and a sash, which held the robe closed. He couldn't have been more than seven or eight years old.

In his hand he carried a small boy with a quiver of arrows strapped to his back, tipped with rubber suction cups. The bow was nocked, but his head was bowed and Amari swore there was steam rising off his head. He, like Hinata, looked ready to die of embarrassment.

"As my daughter-in-law you will never want for anything," promised Michiru. "Whatever your heart desires will be yours! Anything at all! Someone as pretty as you shouldn't waste away on a battlefield."

But Natsumi and I should, apparently. The Nara rolled her eye. I almost prefer Princess Koyuki's apathy to this nonsense. If he keeps insulting Hinata like this, I'm going to slap him.

She never had a chance.

Forcing a polite smile, Hinata shifted her thumb and fingers ever so slightly.

"While I appreciate the kind offer, your Highness."

She then squeezed Michiru's hand right at the pressure point. Hard.

In an instant the Prince's face went from pink with a blush to purple, as though someone was choking the life out of him. His eyes went wide and white, sweat poured off his face, and a piercing wail echoed over the wasteland.

"I must politely decline," the former heiress said with all the cordiality her Clan was known for. "I cannot abandon my duty to the Leaf or my friends and comrades. My sincerest apologies, I hope you can understand."

Wailing, Michiru tried to yank his hand free with all his might, but Hinata, smiling a now sincere and innocent smile, had his pressure point firmly in her grasps, turning his arms to jelly.

She would make him understand.

Finally, after another agonizing second or two, Hinata released his hand. Michiru stumbled back, staring in horror at the sweet and innocent girl he'd insulted one too many times. Sweat was pouring down his face.

Amari clenched her jaw tightly, if only to keep the mad giggles bubbling beneath the surface from bursting out.

Natsumi had no such reservations. She snickered openly, which only made the battle to contain her giggles all the harder. Haku's barely concealed chuckle, hidden behind a cough, nearly killed her on the spot.

I'm…going to burst.

Quickly, the Uchiha turned her head away, put a hand over her mouth. Her lips split into a grin and the attempt to cough failed beneath a puff of laughter.

Hinata, the enchanting little devil, looked at her with a knowing and innocent smile, clasping her relaxed hands at her waist again. As virtuous as a lifelong pacifistic monk.

Another laugh puffed against her hand.

You're the best, Hinata.

The timid girl with zero self-confidence in herself was officially gone. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Shutting her eye, Amari inhaled a long breath and mentally forced the giggles into an airtight container, where she could eventually let them spring loose like a jack-in-a-box sometime later. Preferably when the Prince wasn't right in front of her.

"As you said, you're in good hands, Prince Michiru," Kakashi said cooly.

"Heh, hehe, yes, I see," Michiru laughed nervously. His fear was tangible.

As Amari lowered her hand from her mouth, giggles and grin firmly sealed away, she caught the sound of a projectile whistling through the air. Straight at her.

Within a blink, head still turned away, the Uchiha's hand shot up, catching the loosed arrow by its wooden shaft.

Turning her head, she found the rubber end of the small arrow mere inches from her forehead, and a second hand clasped partially on top of her own.

"Your reflexes have improved," Haku complimented, smiling.

"And yours are as sharp as ever," she smiled back. "Thank you," she added as he released the arrow.

"We're friends. Think nothing of it."

Twirling the arrow deftly between her fingers as she lowered her hand, Amari drew her gaze to the child in the doorway of the carriage just in time to see his prideful sneer break apart against shock, disbelief, and a hint of awe.

"Did we pass your test?" the kunoichi wondered aloud, careful to not snap the arrow or sound too condescending.

She didn't want to anger the Prince by completely breaking his son's spirit. Even if he was shaping out to be a spoiled, snot-nosed brat.

Michiru's son flushed in embarrassment. His eyes flashed with shame, and then anger. It told Amari he usually got his way. Another point in the spoiled, snot-nosed brat column. Now she just needed a snide comment or a temper tantrum to confirm her conclusion.

The boy pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, stuck his nose up, and provided the final piece of evidence when he said,

"Had your reaction time been even a half a second delayed, my arrow would've struck you," he declared. "If the arrow was real, you would then be dead."

Amari faked a kind smile. Yep. Snot-nosed brat confirmed. Just our luck.

"You're working on a lot of 'had's' and 'if's' there, your Highness," she replied neutrally. "Your accuracy is impressive, though. You've clearly put in a lot of training with that bow. Here, best you keep this on your person for another target."

She twirled the arrow one last time between her fingers, then, with a quick flick of her wrist, it whistled through the air. A dull thump barely reached her ears as the shaft of the arrow vibrated.

The young prince's eyes went wide. The arrow was stuck to the carriage frame, leveled with his forehead.

He hadn't even seen her throw it. He didn't even hear it.

Had I thrown it at you, and if it was real, you would be dead, you spoiled brat, Amari thought. Ugh. Babysitting these two is going to be a drag, I just know it.

"Oh wow!" Michiru awed, clapping his hands. "That's quite the skill you have, Amaririsu. But please, I hope you can forgive Hikaru. He's at the mischievous age that all boys go through."

"No harm done," she reassured. "My best friend is a troublesome boy, too."

"I- I am not troublesome!" Hikaru declared.

The Nara smirked. "Said every troublesome boy I've ever met. Don't worry, some girls find it endearing."

"Ugh!" The boy, flushed in embarrassment, groaned as little boys do, snatched his arrow off the carriage, and stomped back inside.

Heh, checkmate.

"Father, can we go now?" he called from inside.

"Yes, we should set off at once," Michiru agreed. "Thank you all for coming on short notice. I know we'll be safe in your care."

The Prince turned around and, after squeezing through the doorway again, joined his son inside his carriage. With that the caravan was on the move once more, trundling along the desert road.

"We could always hold them hostage ourselves. We'd make the same money," Natsumi offered, crossing her arms.

"Natsumi," sighed Haku.

"I've got rope," Amari deadpanned.

"Am- Amari!" Hinata scolded.

Natsumi shot the Uchiha a toothy grin. "You take the spoiled snot, I'll take that oblivious fool."

"Deal," she grinned back.

At the sudden sting against the back of their skulls, both kunoichi recoiled forward, clutching their heads.

"Gah!"

"Totally worth it," Amari groaned.

Kakashi drew his hands back. "Entertaining as that thought may be, Lady Tsunade, and I'm certain Lady Mei as well, was very specific in her orders: No harm is to come to the Prince or his son while they are away from the Land of the Moon or we'll have an international incident on our hands. That's something we can't afford, especially with the war at hand. Remember, the reputations of both of our Villages are at stake, so try to behave."

"Yeah, yeah," Natsumi groaned.

"And Amari, try not to slap the Prince or his son."

"…I almost forgot I did that," Amari said, scratching her flushed cheek. "Although, to be fair, you sort of did silently approve of it back then."

Kakashi simply stared at her. She exhaled a long sigh and rubbed the back of her head in discomfort.

"All right, all right. Don't be a drag."

But I'm not making any promises.

After a brief discussion of strategy, their unit moved into defensive positions around the caravan, with Amari spreading Shadow Clones from the very first carriage to the last, each with their Byakugan's activated.

Together, with Natsumi and Hinata, they cast a vast sensory net across the terrain.

It wouldn't be long before they caught their first school of fish…

---

The contract sounded too good to be true: Eliminate the Land of the Moon's Prince and his son while they were far from home. It was to be a handsome reward. A very handsome reward, indeed. So handsome it was downright suspicious.

What business did a Prince have on the continent? It seemed improbable to think one of such fortunate birth would travel so far from his gilded kingdom.

Yet here, amid a nameless stretch of desert, as several shadows quickly dashed along the precipice of a canyon, concealing themselves behind smaller formations of stone, the truth of the contract revealed itself in pristine white and glinting gold.

The Prince of the Land of the Moon was, in fact, on the continent. His carriage and vast caravan trundled along a winding desert road, boxed in by the mesa on one side and a short drop-off in the shape of a terrace on the other. Even at a distance it was clear there were many prizes to be taken. Many prizes.

Shadows monitored its movements from the precipice. Others scurried along the terrace, out of view of the drivers and their protection detail.

Upon first receiving the request, Fujita, a scrappy and scarred bounty hunter in charge of a roaming band of rogues, men and women who's small Clans and insignificant Villages were swallowed whole by larger Clans or the Five Great Nations long ago, or merely destroyed outright, scoffed at the messenger.

Assassinate a Prince? Even were he on the continent, which he hadn't believed at the time, was he to expect such a deed wouldn't cost him and his company dearly in the long run? Killing a Prince was a death sentence. Royal lines never forgot or forgave those to cross them.

With that thought in mind, Fujita prepared to throw the hooded figure from his camp. He had no desire to paint a larger target on his back; it was large enough, given the enemies he had made.

When the heavy sack crashed upon the table, spilling precious emeralds, rubies, and a diamond encrusted gold necklace, he barked a harsh laugh and kicked his feet up onto his table. He didn't touch a single gem, again refusing the request.

The hooded messenger was clearly surprised. He expected Fujita to jump at the sight of glimmering gems, to be dazzled into stupidity by a few diamonds, seeing only the profit without smelling the rank desperation and danger wafting from the sack, as though stuffed with dung and carrion.

Oh, but he smelled the fetid rot within. Fujita wasn't a novice, he wasn't desperate for the notoriety of killing a Prince, nor was he desperate for money.

In the world of shinobi, there would always be another bounty, and though their reward would offer less than the diamonds and gems before him, they would still provide for the comfortable lifestyle Fujita and his gang savored. Without drawing the ire or attention of royalty and their bottomless coffers.

Now that the Stone and Leaf were at war, there would be no shortage of bounties. An angry widower, a parent who lost their child, a slain sibling—justice would be sought for the griefs of war. And justice had a price. It merely had to be negotiated.

The second sack of gems did not coax a laugh out of Fujita, nor did the claim of it being only the down payment for his services. They would richly reward him for completing the contract, the hooded messenger proclaimed.

The desperation stank to high heaven. At a guess, some politician or other interested party wanted the Prince and his heir apparent removed. Badly. He considered throwing the messenger and his sacks of gems out of his camp then and there; a deal like this would only bring misfortune, he could feel it.

And yet… Fujita hesitated. Those gems would keep him and his gang well fed and sheltered for many, many long years. To hell with the final installment when the job was complete; his employer this time was more likely to stick a knife in their backs once the deed was done than actually fulfill the payment.

Loose ends always needed tying up.

However, if they were quick and careful, they could walk away with all the gems and none of the drawbacks. Failure was always a possibility. Yet these desperate fools were willing to pay him upfront without any guarantee of success. If he played it right, they'd have more than enough to wait the war out without ever putting their lives in danger.

If they merely took the money and ran, when it inevitably ran out—and it would, since wealth and greed bred the worst stupidity—they would be blacklisted. But if they made an attempt, if they acted bold and loud enough to ensure their deeds reached their employers ears, their reputation wouldn't be fatally wounded.

All in all, it was a win-win situation. They wouldn't bear the blood of a Prince on their hands and they'd walk away richer for their failure. Not a bad day of work.

Fujita glanced to the caravan far below. They were almost at the ambush point. Their shinobi guards were five in total, mainly comprised of young children from the Leaf and Mist.

He couldn't help but squint at them. Had their Villages allied? When had the Mist rescinded their reclusive nature?

It didn't matter, he supposed. Mist, Leaf, both, it made no difference. They were still only children. The greatest obstacle to their contract was the Leaf Jōnin he'd spotted, Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja. If they weren't quick and careful, he would be their end.

Nothing in the contract said they had to eliminate the shinobi, however. The contract merely dictated the elimination of the Prince and his son, both locked away in a white and gold carriage, ready to be delivered to the afterlife in luxury. A delivery he'd leave for some other fool. They'd only scare the man, destroy a few of the other carriages, cause a ruckus, and then retreat.

No blood spilled. No harm done.

Further ahead, Fujita and his comrades—those beside him and those below—halted and prepared to strike. They crouched behind formations of stone on the precipice, hugged the wall of the terrace beneath the trundling carriages.

A handful of those atop the mesa equipped kunais and paper bombs, eyes locked onto the carriages—they needed only startle the horses, blast a few carriages. A hint of destruction and mayhem to ensure word reached their employers of their bold, but ultimately unsuccessful attempt.

The horses hooves clapped along the stones, the crates and carriages rocked and creaked as the wooden wheels rolled through dips. Fujita raised a steady hand.

Among the shinobi, the boy with long black hair suddenly tore off from a steady walk into a full sprint, veering away from the caravan towards the mesa.

Fujita felt his heart jump when the red-haired kunoichi and the kunoichi in a plum shirt did the same, except they darted for the opposite edge, leaping off the terrace as kunais flashed into the former's hands.

Don't tell me there's a Sensory Type among them. He hissed out a breath. Did they know we were here the whole time?

He didn't have time to think about it. The Mist shinobi was already striding up the vertical canyon. His hands flashed into a handseal, then a mirror image—a Water Clone—took shape beside him.

Fujita closed his hand into a fist. Kunais flew from his comrade's hands, Paper Bombs flicking at their ends on a direct path for the carriages.

As the blades took flight, arcs of blood sprayed off his comrades below, courtesy of the Mist kunoichi's kunais. Two of his comrades, a burly man wielding a large great sword and a woman with a curved sword leapt down the side of the mesa, darting after the Mist shinobi climbing after their position.

Blood was being spilled. They would likely suffer casualties, Fujita realized, but as long as their Paper Bombs struck their intended targets they could pull back. They could retreat and still walk away without losing face.

He squinted, watching the kunais descend rapidly, and yet perceiving them nearly in slow motion. Once they detonated, once the mayhem unfurled…

Clang! Clang-clang-clang-clang!

The sharp piercing cry of metal on metal sent Fujita's heart into his throat. He watched his comrades blades, to his eyes appearing in slow motion, collide against incoming kunais and deflect, spinning end over end into the sky uselessly. He watched, breathless, as a second volley of kunai, thrown by the same short blue-haired girl, pierced the paper bombs at their centers, snapping them off their wires, and defusing them.

Such dexterity, such accuracy—and at such a distance, too!

The Leaf kunoichi then dashed for the mesa at a speed that seemed to defy her short legs.

The Water Clone darted ahead as the true shinobi halted suddenly, one hand flashing through handseals. The Clone threw itself at his comrades, and when the great sword bisected it at the waist, water splashed into the air.

At the top of the canyon, beneath the heat of the sun, Fujita did not feel the temperature plunge, as his comrades did. Nor did he see the water crystallize into ice, at first, not until the tiny needles pelted the pair. They dropped and crashed against the bedrock below like heavy sacks.

Two more of his comrades, breaking free of their shock leapt off the edge into the fray; they couldn't retreat without damaging the caravan. Now their whole reputation was at stake.

Now a little bloodshed was necessary.

As they raced down the steep wall, the blue-haired Leaf kunoichi flickered up it at sharp diagonals.

Thin needles emerged between the gaps of the Mist boy's fingers, then the senbon whistled through the air. They punctured the neck of the second man, and his body went slack; his limp body nearly crashed into the man leading the charge.

More of his comrades regained their senses and leapt off the edge.

At the same time, the blue-haired girl pivoted elegantly out the way of the falling man, twirling around once like a dancer. The charging man, nearly upon her, brought his sword down towards his waist, priming his strike.

Blood sprayed through the air.

Fujita's eyes went wide, for he barely saw the girl's slash, but he saw spray blood so vividly, the wet red glistening beneath the sunlight, as the flesh along his comrade's sword arm unzipped from wrist to shoulder.

Before his cry could escape his lips, the kunoichi whirled around the man, kunai twirling into her free hand, into reverse grip, before plunging the onyx blade into his lower back. She yanked it free, finished her spin, and slashed the tendons behind his knees.

Only then did his scream break free from his lips. The Mist and Leaf pair were already rising up the canyon together to meet those descending.

Below on the terrace his comrades, who were meant to lob small grenades, weren't faring any better.

Fujita couldn't see their battle clearly, his gaze rapidly switching between them and the two children in combat but a handful of meters below, but he witnessed the crimson-haired kunoichi bring one comrade to his her knees. The heel of her sandal was then smashed into their face.

He never heard the crunch of bone, but he imagined it well. And shivered.

Joining her, the younger girl darted into close-quarters with larger man, palms striking his forearms, blocking and parrying his attacks before they could manifest, then her hands darted to his thigh, and his leg gave way for some reason. Two fists rolled into his gut. He collapsed towards the child, right into a fierce palm to the chin.

As he slammed back first against the earth and slid to a stop, the Leaf kunoichi suddenly bent forward. The Mist kunoichi rolled across her back, maneuvering herself to the Leaf kunoichi's other flank while simultaneously kicking an incoming attacker as she exited the roll.

The Leaf kunoichi pivoted quickly on her feet, practically dancing, to cover the Mist kunoichi's newly exposed flank, swiping her hands through the air and somehow deflecting shuriken and kunai seemingly with her bare palms.

Beneath the blazing sun the light, atop the mesa, the hue of chakra was impossible to see.

On the canyon wall, the Mist and Leaf shinobi performed similar acts of teamwork, flowing seamlessly between attacking Fujita's men and defending one another.

The Mist shinobi was blocking the rapid strikes of his comrade's sword with a senbon in each hand, his movements delicate and precise, when the man fighting the Leaf kunoichi let out a wail, gripped his head, and fell from the wall for no apparent reason.

Freed momentarily from battle, she threw her kunai, impaling the Mist shinobi's opponent in the side of the knee.

Her comrade guided the sword aside and struck the senbon in the man's neck, right at a pressure point no normal shinobi should've been able to hit in the heat of combat. As he, too, fell, two sets of three senbon hissed through the air, piercing the thighs of the man charging the Leaf shinobi.

He did not fall. Instead, he dropped his weapon as he collapsed to a knee on the vertical wall. The kunoichi flickered to his flank and struck with a stiff kick to the back of his neck. He shot to the earth below and did not rise to fight again.

Who on earth are these children?!

Fujita sucked in a sharp breath at the sound of bodies crumpling behind him. He whirled around. There, standing between his crumpled comrades, was the man he'd thought to be the only threat among the shinobi.

"It's quite the view up here, don't you think?" Kakashi Hatake wondered with an aloof air.

I knew this contract was bad news, he thought clearly, more clearly than he had thought in some time.

It was already too late…

---

In spite of the attempted ambush the caravan maintained its forward movement.

Inside the pristine white carriage, gold trim glimmering in the sunlight, the Prince and his son were utterly oblivious to their assassins, unable to hear the piercing cries of metal, or the cries of wounded men, over the heavy clap of hooves on stone and trundling of their carriage.

They saw not a flicker of movement, not a splash of blood, they saw nothing of the nastiness of combat, their eyes kept blind by the closed window shades, drawn shut by Michiru some moments prior to keep the sun at bay.

For all intents and purposes, the ambush hadn't occurred in the world of the Prince and his son. Life, like their carriage, rolled along without the threat of danger, rocking and shifting on the uneven terrain, but never halting. Never obstructed by an inconvenience.

That's what we're here for, Amari thought, marching just off to the side and behind the Prince's carriage. It's why he hired us. We're here to ensure the inconveniences and the danger never threaten him or his son. For all intents and purposes, we're here to pluck the weeds and keep the garden clean so the Prince can awe at its beauty, without ever knowing that it requires maintenance.

She glanced to Hikaru, seated on small ledge-like seat on the back of the carriage.

As long as no one tries to ambush us now, anyway. Although, given that he hasn't looked away from that gaming device since moving to sit out here, we could probably fight an entire battle without Hikaru realizing it.

The boy's head remained tilted down, attention zeroed in on the small, rectangular gaming device in his hands. The small device required a cartridge of some kind to sink into its back and a pair of batteries to power it; it was nearly identical to a gaming device Amari had seen in the Hero World.

She hadn't seen any stores in the Leaf selling one, so it was likely a new invention in their world—a limited edition device only the wealthy could afford. For now, anyway.

I wonder what other similar or identical technologies will emerge in our world.

Helicopters or airplanes? Those foldable computers? Would shinobi one day wield guns? Would personal cell phones be invented, and if they did would their strange invention of social media evolve from it?

God, I hope not. Amari shuddered. The damage shinobi would do with something like social media is immeasurable. And guns? Or chakra-powered tanks, like the ones from their pre-Quirk world wars?

Their world was better off without inventions of war, and social media, which would become another tool to wage it. A whole lot better off, she felt.

Hikaru's right thumb aggressively mashed into one of the buttons. His left was calmer, but his expression, Amari noted, was blank. Emotionless, even.

Is the game drawing all of his attention? Is he in some sort of a meditative state?

It was a possibility she couldn't discount. She'd entered similar focused states while moving through balance poses, studying, reading, and, strangely enough, in the heat of combat. So entering one while invested in a game wasn't impossible.

It just seemed unlikely since Hikaru didn't seem interested in whatever occurred on his screen. Instinct appeared to guide his thumbs, but Amari didn't sense any heart in his actions, she didn't feel much of anything from him. No passion, no joy. It contrasted how he appeared when he held the bow.

I hate to say it, but he looks…neglected, she thought, pursing her lips. I don't think Prince Michiru has a cruel bone in his body, I don't think he's given his son this device so he doesn't have to pay attention to him. However…

"As my daughter-in-law you will never want for anything. Whatever your heart desires will be yours! Anything at all!"

Amari watched Hikaru for another moment. She looked off at the long caravan, stretching ahead and behind her, burdened by all manner of strange, rare, and priceless valuables.

Never want for anything, huh?

Her eye fell upon Hikaru again.

Is that why he looks so lonely, then? You can buy him everything he wants, but, at the end of the day, the human soul desires more than material objects. It seeks something you can't buy at a store.

Unconsciously, her hand clasped around her pendent.

And though what his soul seeks is within reach, it will always escape him if the Prince fails to open his eyes. If he fails to see there is more to life than money and what can be bought, that it's those we love, and this world we should all love, that truly matter, this great chasm that exists between them—between a father and his son—will never fade.

No amount of gaming devices or lavish gifts will ever fulfill Hikaru, nor is it the gifts themselves to blame for the chasm. The Prince cannot see what is important, and Hikaru cannot express what he truly desires.

Amari shut her eye, exhaled a soft breath, and lowered her hand. It was unfortunate—tragic, really.

It also wasn't her business. She couldn't interfere or critique the behavior of the Prince or his son, especially when the reputations of the Leaf and Mist, her reputation as Clan Head, and so much money was at stake.

They were bodyguards. Nothing more, nothing less.

It was still annoying, though.

"Hey, Hikaru," Amari raised her voice over the clap of horse hooves and noisy wagon wheels. "What sort of game are you playing? It must be fun, given how focused you are."

Silence greeted her. Hikaru didn't even bother to glance up, let alone acknowledge she spoke.

Now he's pretending he can't hear me. Amari rolled her eye. That's what I get for trying to be friendly, I guess. I was hoping to extend an olive branch, build bonds with a kid who's clearly starved of them, but maybe I'm misreading him.

Maybe he is just a snot-nosed brat.

Amari let it go. It wasn't her business to investigate further. Besides, the heavy bags of jewels the assassins were paid in were right at the front of her mind, nagging her thoughts.

There was no doubt someone from the Land of the Moon had hired them, but Sharingan genjutsu revealed nothing of the messengers identity. Natsumi also confirmed the leader was telling the truth when he claimed he had no idea who hired his gang.

Which left them with a big, troublesome mystery.

Did the King want his son out of the way? Was some other politician hoping to eliminate the line of succession to seize power?

What sort of political mess are we going to get wrapped up in this time?

Amari exhaled a short sigh. So much for the peaceful, vacation destination. All that wealth coagulating in one place, she wasn't surprised someone greedy wanted more.

This mission was going to be troublesome, wasn't it?

What a pain.

Ahead of her, Kakashi, walking with his hands casually stuffed in his pockets, slowed his pace, falling in line with the Prince's carriage and his window, where Michiru was now observing the passing terrain.

"So, Prince Michiru, I assume you plan on being King some day," Kakashi smoothly struck up a conversation.

The search for more Intel had begun.

Amari did her best to tune into the conversation, pushing away all other noises and distractions.

On the other side of the carriage, out of the Uchiha's physical view, Natsumi also fell in line with the Prince's carriage, casually, as though slowing down to pace herself for the long journey ahead.

"Oh yes! Once my Papa retires, that is," Michiru replied enthusiastically, unaware of their motives. "Of course he's in perfect health, so that won't be for a while, and I'm in no hurry. My father sent me on this tour around the continent to, you know, broaden my horizons!"

A sheltered life for the Prince and his son, then, Amari judged. One of infinite riches, but little worldly experience beyond their palace walls.

Now why would the King seek to broaden his horizons, pondered the kunoichi. A King with no interest in the world or the affairs beyond his island wouldn't send his son out on a tour of the world.

Is he hoping to teach his son about the world beyond his small perspective? Did he want him somewhere away from a conflict…or did he need his son off the island, where his assassination could be blamed on bandits, rogues, or another Nation?

There would be no answers here, she knew. Michiru certainly suspected nothing of his father, but then, had she ever suspected Kasai's betrayal? Had Sasuke ever imagined his father was planning a coup?

The simple answer was no.

Amari marched along, lips pursed, mind racing.

What would the King have to gain from killing his son? A longer reign, of course, but Michiru was already waiting for him to retire; he didn't show any ambition to seize the crown from his father.

So, did the King want to stand upon the grand political landscape? The Land of the Moon, in some ways, resembled the Land of Water in its general isolation. Could he be seeking greater influence, then? Was hoarding unbelievable wealth like a dragon slumbering in a cave of gold, diamonds, and riches not enough for the King?

Now, with the renewal of the Third Great Ninja War, as he entered his twilight years, was his ambition to sit upon the throne of the world like Haido?

The thought left a pit of dread in the kunoichi's stomach.

"Tell me, what sort of King do the shinobi villages have?" the Prince asked.

"We don't have kings," Kakashi explained patiently. "Our Villages are led by Kage's. For example, the Leaf Village is led by the Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade Senju, while the Mist Village is led by the Fifth Mizukage, Lady Mei Terumī. Both are wise and powerful shinobi.

"There are also the Sand, Stone, and Cloud Villages, who each have their own Kage's; the Sand Village is led by the Fifth Kazekage, Pakura of Scorch Style; the Stone Village is led by the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki the Fence Sitter; and finally the Cloud Village is led by the Fourth Raikage, Ay."

"I see," Michiru replied, resting his arm onto the windowsill and leaning into it.

It seemed, from Amari's point of view, he was smiling in genuine curiosity and intrigue about the world. It also seemed like he hadn't the faintest idea how the shinobi world operated, which raised a new question in her mind:

Who recommended hiring shinobi to the Prince?

"Is the title of Kage passed on from generation to generation?" Michiru asked.

"No," Kakashi answered. "The title goes to whoever is best at securing the peace and harmony of the Village. No matter who it might be."

"Interesting. Is it the same among your Clans, then?"

"Each Clan is different, varied and diverse in their traditions, so I can't speak for all of them. However, broadly speaking, yes, the selection of a Clan Head and a Kage are similar.

"Take Amari and the Uchiha Clan."

Kakashi turned his head to look back at his student. The Prince leaned farther out his window, resting his chin on his forearm as he, too, looked at her.

"The last Clan Head shares no direct relation to Amari. He was chosen for his vision of the future for their Clan, his strength, and his leadership, just as Amari was chosen for those same qualities now.

"You see, it's Amari's dream to rebuild and reform her Clan. She seeks to reach her hand out to all those in need, to change the world itself, and she's willing to risk her life in order to achieve that dream. In fact, her actions have already inspired all manner of people to walk beside her, from her peers, like Hinata, to shinobi in other Nations, like Haku."

"Oh wow. How bold."

"Yeah," Amari began to rub the back of her head sheepishly, "it's an ambitious goal. I'm not kidding myself in that regard, I know the objective I've set is extremely difficult to achieve. I'm troublesome that way," she added.

"Are you not at all discouraged by the war?"

"No," she replied instantly, lowering her arm.

The sheepish feeling evaporated like a droplet of water in this parched environment, her expression became serious.

"If anything," she said, "the war has only reinforced my determination to change this world. I know its ambitious. I know its not something I will personally see the end of; like I said, I have no illusions on how difficult my dream to change the world is.

"But I have to try. I have to try to change this world, even if all I manage to do is move it closer to peace by a few inches. As long as we keep moving forward, on a long enough timeline, a world without war will be born. We'll get there. I truly believe we can create a world where people can live in peace, harmony, free of oppression and free of fear, where they can smile and laugh, and love without restraint with everyone, regardless of Nation of origin.

"It'll take time—generations. But it can be achieved."

I've seen it, she thought, hand unconsciously rising to grip her pendent again. And I can't let us squander our future, so…

"So I'll keep trying to reach out to anyone I can," Amari said, pendent in her grasps. "I'll keep trying to inspire others to walk together, united by our shared humanity, instead of walking in pockets of isolation. I'll keep trying to break this cycle of war and change this world, if only so the children of the future don't have to suffer the same pains of those who came before us, and those who live now."

Because if we don't try, we'll continue to accept this status quo, she thought, hand squeezing her pendent tighter. I'm afraid we'll continue to be numb to this suffering, and more children like me, like Haku, like Kakashi-sensei and so many more will be sent into the meat grinder. More people will die in stupid, pointless wars. Just like they are right now.

Somewhere, she knew, at this very moment, her comrades were fighting for their lives. Fighting to survive and hold the line. Fighting to build the impenetrable shield wall they needed to withstand the invaders while shinobi of the Stone, their mercenaries, conscripts, and Genin—some as young as her and some as young as her teacher—were throwing themselves at it.

Many of those people, comrades and enemy alike, wouldn't see home ever again. They would die on a nameless battlefield, far from home and their loved ones. They would spend their final moments under stress, feeling what should have been a rare kind of fear, shock, and pain, made all too familiar in their world of shinobi.

They would die alone. Cold. Crying out for their mothers, their fathers—anyone they loved. Wanting, hoping, praying to be saved.

And she couldn't save them. She couldn't stop the war anymore than she could stop the sun from shining. Amari accepted that, she had to.

But acceptance didn't heal a broken heart.

Unaware of the dark thoughts churning within her mind, the Prince smiled broadly at her. "I can see why you were chosen to lead your Clan, Amaririsu. That's quite the dream you have. I am certain the Uchiha Clan will have a bright future under your leadership. And with your determination you may very well change the world."

Amari smiled faintly. "I hope you are right." She dipped her chin in a short bow. "But thank you for your kind words, your Highness. For now all I can do is train hard and learn all I can of this world—its joys, its beauty, its failings, and its darkness."

"Well, I will certainly be rooting you on, Amaririsu."

"Thank you, your Highness."

Kakashi dipped his chin imperceptibly in approval. Amari tried not to flush. She always got carried away when talking about the future—preachy, even. But for her Sensei to approve… that was more valuable than the whole Prince's caravan. At least to her.

"…How stupid."

Her onyx eye flicked to her right, pinning Hikaru beneath its sharpened gaze. The boy let out a quiet, involuntary gasp. He looked surprised, like he hadn't meant to say it out loud. Or, more likely, hadn't thought he'd get caught saying it.

His eyes flicked to the side, then down into his lap, desperate for something else to look at. His gaming device, it seemed, was no longer powered on.

Now you can hear me, huh?

He peeked up from beneath his eyelashes. She held him beneath her gaze for an uncomfortable moment—uncomfortable for Hikaru, anyway. Only when the Prince began to speak again did she let her eye drift away. Hikaru slouched inwards.

"Your compassion for the people of our world reminds me of my father," Michiru said. "Actually, now that I think about it," he brought a hand to his chin and looked up at the sky, "it reminds me of the Queen of the Land of Snow, too."

"Queen of the…" Amari's eye went wide. "Wait, you know Princess- er, I mean Queen Koyuki?"

"Mmhm!" He nodded enthusiastically. "The Kingdoms of the Land of Snow and the Land of the Moon have maintained a longstanding friendship for many, many years. Although communication was halted after King Sōsetsu's assassination; Papa took nothing to do with Dotō Kazahana. He said he was a vile man."

He was, she thought darkly, recalling his cruel laughter as he slayed Sandayū and his men.

"However, our ties have since been renewed with the Land of Snow. Queen Koyuki reached out to Papa as soon as she could.

"In fact, we happened to cross paths on this trip. She is currently in the middle of filming the next Princess Gale movie, which is a favorite of Hikaru's. She was actually the one who suggested I hire shinobi from the Leaf and Mist Village!"

"Queen Koyuki suggested that?" Kakashi was just as intrigued as Amari now.

"Indeed! She has a similar vision to Amaririsu's. She yearns to build a bridge of peace, for lack of a better phrase, between the warring Villages so no one must suffer in war again."

Queen Koyuki… Amari smiled to herself. One day I hope our paths—our bridges—will meet again.

"When she told me how her Kingdom was saved by a team of Leaf shinobi, I knew I had to hire shinobi from the Leaf Village as well to replace my previous bodyguards. She also sang the praises of the Fifth Mizukage, who's growing reputation shows their Nation is turning over a new leaf, so to speak, and since they are neighbors to the Land of the Moon, I thought 'I must extend an olive branch!'

"Then," the Prince continued, excited and proud of his own epiphany, "I realized I could hire both of your Villages, in this way I could help a little with Queen Koyuki's dream. I think Papa would approve as well. After all, cooperating on a mission like this is sort of like your Villages reaching their hands out to each other, right? Hahaha!" He laughed bashfully. "Of course, I didn't have those words for it at the time. It's thanks to Amaririsu I found the perfect way to say it!"

Kakashi glanced back at Amari and eye smiled. The single look said everything she felt:

You're on the right path. Keep walking it.

Cheeks pink, Amari mirrored her teacher's smile. I'll do my best.

Although the mystery of the assassin's remained unresolved, and the war weighed on her mind, she walked a little lighter from that point on.

---

At sunset they stopped to make camp for the night.

The caravan settled beneath a mesa and amidst other red rock formations, and from it sprang a tent fit for a Prince; it was wide, tall, and deep enough to fit a full table, which would be soon filled by a full-course of freshly cooked meats, vegetables, and pots of rice prepared by his servants. It also housed a king-sized bed.

Truly a tent fit for a Prince.

Elsewhere, near enough to the Prince's tent to act, but separate from their client, the shinobi of the Leaf and Mist gathered together around a campfire to eat. The warm aroma of the Prince's full-course meal wafted through the cold air, melding with the scent of rice and pork cooking over the fire.

The survival equipment his student had invested in was coming into good use, and it was clear, at least to Kakashi's sensitive nose, quietly monitoring the entire camp from his position between the Prince's tent and his comrade's fire, that she had picked up a thing or two from watching Kurenai cook. It smelled better than the Prince's meal, to his nose anyway.

Wind whistled through the canyon. The cloak Kakashi wore, and that his student wore, fluttered slightly; Hinata visibly shivered despite donning a thick blanket over her winter gear; Haku and Natsumi didn't waver, the bitter air was cold against their faces but their bodies were protected by cloaks, and they were far more acclimatized to such frigid air.

The temperature had joined the sun in its descent, free-falling over the last hour.

It would get colder, Kakashi knew, once the sun completed its trek beyond the horizon. Already there were small clouds of condensation drifting across the camp, like thin ribbons of white smoke rising from the many civilians comprising their caravan.

The boisterous and, frankly, ditzy laugh of the Prince drew the Copy Ninja's eye to the tent.

The flaps remained shut, yet bright artificial light glowed against the canvas, and inside their client feasted, he knew, without a care in the world, knowing nothing of the attempted assassination bought and paid for by gems and gold likely from his father's treasury.

Something is going on in the Land of the Moon, his gut told him. Is his father in on it? Hmm. I can't rule it out yet, no matter how close they seem.

Kakashi's eye traveled from horse to horse, carriage to carriage, it was difficult to sift through the many scents, from the warm aroma's of food and spices, to the scent of oats, hay, and horse manure, which buried the scents of the civilians.

Also, I hate to say it, but these drivers and servants are all suspects. Someone here may have tipped the assassins off to their travel plans before we arrived.

He had to keep a close eye on them. Fortunately, for now he had some aid in that quest—Amari's Shadow Clones still patrolled the camp.

Until he knew who was after the Prince and his son, his trust would only extend to his comrades.

At the soft chorus of giggles and laughter, Kakashi looked to the campfire again. Haku was hiding his hand behind his mouth as he chuckled. Hinata ducked her chin into her chest, but her shoulders noticeably shook. Natsumi grinned from ear to ear.

Even in the orange light of the fire, it was clear Amari was flushed in embarrassment. Her mouth moved at a mile a minute as she gesticulated fervently with a ladle, visibly desperate to explain herself for whatever had occurred, and on the verge of calling them all troublesome for laughing.

Tuning in to their conversation for a brief moment, Kakashi shut his eye and exhaled a short chuckle.

Amari was stumbling to explain away the accidental destruction of Kazahana Castle, while also promising she wouldn't accidentally blow up the Land of the Moon's palace, the Hokage Tower, or Mizukage Tower, if Lady Mei ever invited her, of course, because she wouldn't just waltz into her office uninvited or unannounced. That would be rude and troublesome.

As Kakashi watched over the kids, who smiled and laughed together in spite of the history their Nations shared, his hand unconsciously moved to his flak jacket, resting over the pouch containing Mei's last letter and his unfinished reply, the former of which smelled faintly of lavender.

It seems the dream we share is coming true, Mei.

In that moment he thought of all the personal words they'd shared, he thought of their new bond which grew more familiar with each passing letter, and he hoped for a strange thing…

"Kakashi-sensei, dinner is ready," Amari called from the campfire, waving him over.

His hand lowered beneath his cloak. "All right, I'll be right over."

He hoped they, too, could someday smile and laugh together as comrades.

As friends.

---

Review Response to Isobel Bauch: The Land of Oceans will occur in Shippuden rather than part 1. Initially, my plan was to put all the filler arcs from part 1 into this part of the story, such as the Land of Oceans mission, but the Land of Oceans, the final filler arc with the Sand Village in the anime, and other bigger arcs like those will make an appearance in Shippuden instead. I have bigger plans for them in order to make them have so much more impact than they would at this stage in the story.

For instance, to go to the Land of Oceans now, I feel, would only allow me to explore Anko as a character, which I would love to do and I look forward to in the future, but we wouldn't be able to advance anything serious with Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Kasai. We'd see more of Orochimaru's hybrid man-animal experiments, but I'd rather save that arc for something like it leading them to Orochimaru's current hideout when everyone is a bit older, stronger, and we can actually send them into battle against Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Kasai for a whole new experience.

And with so much of the world stage likely being different at the start of Shippuden, the original arcs from the Shippuden anime will have different twists to them. Some as a result of having elements of filler arcs mixed in with them, others because the events of the story will demand a different route. There will also be original arcs I create as well, as there have been in this part of the story. So hopefully all of this is something everyone can look forward to. Sorry if its disappointing that the Land of Oceans won't make it into part 1, but I'll do my best to make it even more awesome when we get there.

Also, as of now we're the second to last arc, following the Crescent Moon Kingdom movie before the final original arc of part 1. So thank you, and thank you to everyone else as well, for reading this far and I hope everyone will enjoy these final two arcs!