*Holy fudge. It's been so long since there has been an official update, and I am sorry for that. Eighth grade is really brutal. Because it's the final year of middle school, there are all sorts of end of the year tests to worry about. It was literally essay after essay after project to benchmarks. It's just too much to think about and so I have been getting really lazy. But in the end, I finally got to finish it. I don't really know if you guys will be satisfied with this chapter. So I wasn't really quite that high when I wrote it, I'm sorry for the sudden change of my writing style. I made it more descriptive and less dialogue and 'too the point'. So, don't be surprised if it's more boring. If you don't like it and preferred my previous style of writing like in the previous chapters, please, do not hesitate to tell me in the comments.*
Chapter 12- Cows, Cows, Cows
My body felt rigid, as if making the slightest movement would make the boat fluctuate into a void of unbalance. My eyes dart back and forth through the thick blanket of mist that seemed to mask us from view. They shift from Sasuke, Naruto, Kakashi, Tazuna, to Sakura, then back to Sasuke who sat inches away. I stared at him, restraining myself from clinging onto his arm, not by choice, but by instinct. I was on a boat. Boats sink. I can't swim.
It wasn't necessarily the contents of the water I was so terrified of, it was the anxiety that seemed to creep its way into my mind telling me that I was going to drown, the expectation that I was going to loose my life in a mere gulp of water. But all at once, it wasn't dying I was afraid of. No. It went beyond much more than that.
We stayed silent throughout the ride in fear of the enemy locating our exact position. We were on our way to Tazuna's home, the Land of Waves. The only way was by boat through the thick fog. I was almost surprised at how well Naruto handled it. The blondie can barely keep his excitement as he jumped up and down in his seat, rocking the boat a little more than I feared. My jaw clenched and I bit back how much I wanted to throw my shoe at him.
In the distance, a faint shadow can be made out. It only grew into a big bridge still under construction. "WOAH! It's huge!" Naruto yelled. This time I didn't stop myself from following that action through. A bump slowly grew on his head as he rubbed it vigorously. He looked at me through his hurt, squinted eyes. "Hey! What was that for, Evie?!"
"Hey! Quiet! I said no noise! Why do you think we are traveling like this, huh? It's so they won't see us," the guy steering the boat said. Honestly, I wanted to smack him upside the head.
Naruto quickly slapped a hand on his mouth, his face scrunched up like a raisin as he frantically looked around. It almost made me laugh. Almost.
"Tazuna, I want to ask you something. The men who are after you, why?" Kakashi said narrowing his eyes. It sounded like a command more than a question. "If you don't answer us, I'm afraid I would have to end the mission and drop you ashore." Yep, definitely a threat right there.
I swallowed back the fear I had of water and grinned mischievously. "Well isn't it obvious?" My team looked at me in question as Tazuna's gaze looked alarmed, almost in panic. "Well look at him! He's so sexy and irresistible!" I could practically feel the attitude in the eye-roll Sakura gave me. Naruto made fake gagging noises to which made Sasuke growl. Tazuna looked at me in disgust as Kakahi's eyebrow quirked in amusement. I laughed, "No really! Look at the complexion of those legs! What a sexy beast!" I opened my mouth for more crap to come out of it but was quickly interrupted by Tazuna, obviously wanting me to shut up. Okay! Okay! I see how it is! I can take a hint!
"I have no choice but to tell you," he said almost yelling over my voice. What a bitch. A male bitch, those are rare. "The one who is after me is a very short man - no bigger than this brat over here-" he pointed at me. I scowled. "-who casts a very long a deadly shadow." I don't know what the ef that even means. If he's trying to be wise, he just sounds like a complete jackass.
"Who is it?" Kakashi questions.
I thought about it. I knew who it was. I knew exactly who they were talking about, but at the same time, my mind went blank. Something is wrong. I shouldn't have forgotten something so vital. This short man, what did he do?
Gahhhh! I'm losing my memory of the show!
"You know who it is, at least, I'm sure you heard of his name before. He's one of the wealthiest man in the world. Gato," Tazuna answers. A memory clicks in my mind. His name, Gato! An evil man in charge of some "Gato Transport" thing. How could I have forgotten that?
"Huh?! What's going on here? Who's that?" Naruto questions. Sakura looks at Naruto as if he were retarded but the sheepish look her eyes gave betrayed her and showed ignorance. She knew nothing of this "Gato" either. Ha! Stupid bitch!
"Gato is a very powerful tycoon from a famous company that's strong. But below the surface with the same ruthless methods he uses to take over businesses and nations, he sells drugs and contraband using gangs and ninja," Tazuna explains. I could practically feel the suspense in the air. A long explanation was heard from Tazuna. It was pretty simple, really, like Hitler and the Jews! Anyone who stood in his way or protested against his ways went bye-bye and ended up in the bottom of a lake. Finish the bridge, and Gato will be the one who goes bye-bye. It will break his control over the land and then BAM! Democracy!
"Oh, but if you drop me off at shore. I'll be assassinated before I would reach the bridge. I can just hear my grandson crying for his grandfather: 'Wah! Wah! Granddad! I want my granddad!' and my poor daughter, she'll be so heart broken and living a life of sorrow." Tazuna lowered his head in a mocking sorrow and clutched his hands to his chest. He let out a ridiculed, heart aching sigh. What he was gaining, was anything but sympathy. It only seemed to deride any little respect I had left for this bridge builder who claims to be doing this to save his village. "Ah well, it's not your fault. Forget it. Do what you have to do. I'm sure my grandson wouldn't detest of you too much for it." I snorted. Just for that, I hope he gets AIDs.
Everyone sweat drops and Kakashi sighs, "I guess we have no other choice. We'll have to keep guarding you." Tazuna flashes a victorious grin that could easily be overlooked as arrogant triumph, but there was more to it. He was relieved, it showed in his face. He was reassured because of our assistance. For a moment, his eyes showed happiness. The cries of his grandson longing for his deceased father would be long forgotten. They would start over. His village would be free, he and his family would live a life of peace, content. At the instant, the boat had found light again and the fog had ceased.
The land was beautiful, at least it would be without so much water. The air is warmer, the sounds of insects are almost too loud. The large body of water seems like a black void, the sun bouncing off its surface. When the wind blows the sun's reflection makes the ripples glimmer. The water looked cool, almost cold. The boat hit the docks and one by one, everyone climbed out. I bit my lip and stood up hesitantly. The boat slightly shook as I slowly tried to regain balance. A bead of sweat made its way down the side of my forehead as I lifted my leg to step onto the dock. The boat rocked from beneath me and I lost my balance. I gasp in fear. A shriek escaped my lips and I closed my eyes shut, waiting for my face to make contact with the water as I held my breath.
Darkness. It was cold. For a moment, it was as if time had frozen, leaving me stranded there in the void of blackness.
A firm hand yanked on my arm, pulling me upwards. We both fall, my face buries itself in their chest. My heart pounds against my rib cage, my body shook. I flinched at the contact and whimpered. My mind was in a daze, my heartbeat had quickened considerably and it refused to die down. I took a shaky breath urged myself to move. I couldn't. I must have stayed there for a long time because I was suddenly yanked up by my hair. "How dare you fall on Sasuke! I can't believe he saved someone as clumsy, not to mention ugly, as you!" The pink-haired bitch still had a fistful of my hair.
I flinched at the sudden harsh tone, but then clenched my fists. I'm the ugly one? Oh, so she's a bitch AND she's blind. Normally, I would have punched her to next week, but I didn't. As much as I wanted to, I was mentally disoriented at the moment. I settle for a glare as I growl in a shaky low breath, "Touch me again, and I swear to god, I will punch you in the boob." I was most certain it was not the threat that made her suddenly anxious, (she was flat-chested anyway...nothing to punch) it was the cold tone that easily hinted that I could rip her throat out. She instantly let go and I looked down at Sasuke. "Um... Thank you...? for stopping me from giving the water a big hug." It came out more like a question than a statement.
Sasuke grunted. "Hn. Whatever. You were just in my way. Idiot." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and followed the rest of the team into the forest, and for the first time, I saw a hint of pink on his cheeks. It was faint, but it was there. I swore.
It was eerily quiet. Something I would't usually mind, but in this case, my brain screamed otherwise. A few seconds ago, there was a bird. It sung a peaceful melody that seemed to light up my ears. Then suddenly, it just stopped. I couldn't hear it. I couldn't see it. I couldn't sense it. It was gone. Silence was supposed to be peaceful, but the quiet that permeated the air now was anything but peaceful. I glanced at Naruto and sweat drop. He was... having a walking contest with Sasuke? Seriously?
Naruto picked up his speed, only for Sasuke to easily pass him with his eyes closed like a boss. Naruto glares at him and runs past him, does a series of secret agent rolls on the floor and looks around frantically, throwing a plethora of kunai in every which direction.
Everyone froze.
"Eh, it was probably just a mouse," Naruto says arrogantly flashing an 'I'm better than you, hah!' smirk to Sasuke. I laugh. What an adorable imbecile.
"STOP TRYING TO SCARE ME YOU STUFFY LITTLE DWARF!" Tazuna screams.
"YEAH! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, NARUTO?!" Wow. Sakura looks ugly mad. Well, she always looks hideous through that stache of hers, but now, it just amplifies it! Maybe I should tell her that her eyebrows aren't suppose to connect.
My attention turns to the left to a bush next to the tree. There's something there. I could feel it. Ever since I had somehow made my way into this dangerous Japanese animated world, my senses have increased drastically. It was unbelievable. At times, I would just wake up in the middle of the night and expect to be back at home, but then I would get a glimpse of the tattoo engraved on my thigh and realize that I was nowhere near home. Not even close. I can hear things I could never hear before, smell roadkill from miles away. I could sense their presence. As if on cue, the bush rustles. "Over there! I gotcha now!" A kunai makes its way past our eyes and to that precise point. There was a loud thunk.
"THAT'S IT, NARUTO!" Sakura aims her fist at his head.
Another flicker of pain crosses Naruto's face. "There's someone following us! I just know it!" he desperately defended himself. Even when I'm in a good mood, Sakura finds a way to wear my patience down.
Sakura snorts. "Tsk, yeah, right! Why don't you go-"
"What the flip is your problem? In my world, one plus one is equal to two. In Naruto's world, one plus one is equal to eleven. In your world, two plus window is equal to a fucking kunai. So why don't you shut your face, and shove it up your ass." I was well aware of my potty mouth, but my mouth runs before my mind thinks. I have a mind no 11 year old should have. Sakura's face lit up a brilliant shade of red in frustration. That shut her up. The forest suddenly got quiet, until Tazuna sniffled a howling laugh, which turned into a series of coughs as Sakura glares at him.
We make our way towards the bush, and there lies a bunny, on the ground, twitching. It was mortified.
"NARUTO! LOOK WHAT YOU DID!"
I ignore them. They continued their arguing as I stared at the snowshoe rabbit... in the summer... located in the forest. Seems legit. Of course I don't often see snow rabbits nor have I really learned anything about them back where I was from, but I was quite positive that they only live in cold temperatures and climates. It was quite humid and sultry here, although the place was pretty much surrounded by a huge body of water, so it regulates the temperatures and makes it cooler. Even so, it was no where near cold enough for a snowshoe rabbit to live. Then I heard something. It was faint, something human ears can barely pick up, but it was there. I was positive. I looked around, expecting someone on my team to notice the slightest sound. Kakashi gave me a questioning look, but other than that, no one heard it. I must be paranoid.
No I'm not.
It wasn't a rodent. A mouse or squirrel moved quickly, darting from hiding place to hiding place. I wasn't delicate like a fox or lumbering like a bear. No, not at all. This was unmistakably human. A ninja. Heavy, yet skillful. Jumping from tree to tree without a sound, or so it was said. I found myself holding my breath as my gaze made it's way to a nearby tree. An icy sensation made its way up my spine. We were being watched.
"Look out!"
It took a while for Kakashi's voice to reach my ears, but I, as well as the others, ducked just as a sword bounded through the air and cut deep into a nearby tree. My heart hammered against my rib cage. Since when did fighting suddenly get so terrifying? I dared to look up. Adrenaline was coursing through my body like electricity. There was a man no older than Kakashi perfectly balancing on the sword wedged into the tree. He wore leggings and sleeves that had a pattern resembling a cow. I found myself holding in a laugh. Don't get me wrong! I love cows! They give us milk! I wonder what kind of weirdo discovered milk. Think about it. A random desperate guy sees a black and white animal, then grabs its pink area, starts squeezing and sucking, and then drinks the white liquid that come out... O_O'...
XD THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!
I found my guffaws echoing in the forest causing swarms of birds to evade the trees. Zabuza's merciless eyes shifted to me and my laughs almost instantaneously cease. Those killer black voids bore into mine. Those eyes that have watched hundreds die in the hands of his own, who gave no remorse, but satisfaction. His gaze stays on me a few seconds longer than necessary before it shifts to Kakashi. In those extra few seconds, I felt as if he had invaded my mind and figured out my , my weaknesses, my identity. Frankly, it scared me to no end.
"Well, well. If it isn't Zubuza Momochi, rogue ninja from the village hidden in the mist," Kakashi mused. His voice shows astonishment with a hint of rejoice as he stares up to one of the most powerful members of the new generation of swordsmen. I don't blame him. He is babysitting a bunch of Genin as of now. It's been a long time since he had a good fight. The missions he are capable of performing is now limited because he has a new team of Genins from fresh out of the academy. We were literally walking dogs a few days, for crying out loud, and Naruto even managed to fuck it up.
Naruto's eyes narrowed considerably as he sent a dirty look to Sasuke. I sigh as I realize his plan. As expected, it wasn't even a plan. He just runs head first into every fight with no experience and expects success to come out of it. I question how his mind works sometimes. His motives, his goals. He is never going to achieve them if he does dumb shit like this. But of course I have to realize, Naruto never had family or friends to help him with anything. The slightest information that leaked out that he was the container of the nine-tailed fox sent him to rejection from his own peers. He just wants to prove everyone wrong, to become Hokage. Self-confidence and brashness just sparked as he moved towards that goal. Not at all are those two qualities helping our situation at this moment.
Naruto's feet pounded against the stable ground as he lunged towards Zabuza in a somewhat slow pace. Without breaking his stare with Zabuza, Kakashi effortlessly blocked Naruto off with one arm. "You're in the way," he stated calmly, "Get back." He was cautious, and tentative, watching Zabuza's every move. Such a tone made me especially leery of Zabuza's abilities. I should suspect the others felt the same way; Sakura took a step in front Tazuna and Sasuke eyed the rogue, keeping a steady hand close to his weapon pouch. Everyone, of course, except for Naruto.
"Eh?! But why?!"
"Honestly why the fu-poop do you think?!" I facepalmed, "He just flippin' almost cut your face off by throwing a gawd damn sword into a tree!" Zabuza's two face holes shifted to me and stared into my soul once again. I shivered, I should learn to shut up.
"He's not like the other ninjas. He's in a whole other league," Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
"Pshhh, league my ass-"
"If he's our opponent, I'll need this." Kakashi slowly reaches for his headband suspenseful as there were a series of gasps from our team.
"GASPPPPP! HE'S STRIPPING!" Tazuna whacked me on the head. "Nigga don't touch me!" I pouted. My potty mouth is getting a little out of hand. Maybe I should start censoring everything.
"You four, protect the bridge builder," Kakashi orders.
Zabuza's mask creases, indicating a smirk that played on his face. "Kakashi of the Sharingan eye. Heh, did I get that right?" His back remains to us, his head slightly turned in such an angle where he can see our every move. Sasuke's hand tightens around his kunai and his eyes burn into Kakashi's covered eye as soon as he heard "Sharingan"."It's too bad, but you'll have to hand over the old man." His head completely turns now, giving us a clear outline of his jawline. His eyes shift to me once again. Okay, this guy is like a major pedophile or something.
"Those eyes... Such pure electric blue, striking, as quickly as it can burn blazing red... Ah, I see it now... You're the splitting image of her." The rogue pondered. What the hail is he talking about? He chucked, "I need to exterminate the bridge builder...Now". We all fan out and surround Tazuna as he takes a step back.
"So... looks like I have to eliminate you all first, eh? So be it." Zabuza grabs his sword and disappears in a flash as if evaporating in thin air and reappears once again on a nearby lake. And when I say on I mean he's standing on the flippin water like Jesus! "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu." The mist thickens and spreads. I can now barely make out the steady shapes of my teammates next to me. Everything was just...white. I bit my lip as I notice he had completely blended into the fog, and the silent killing begins...
Kakashi chuckles, "Well on the bright side, if we fail, we'll only loose our lives." A shoe smacks him in the head. "How can you say that!"
Chapter 12 is finally done! Yay! I really REALLY want to get past the Chunin Exams so I'm going to try and update more for the rest of Spring Break. TRY. But please comment! I understand if I lost a lot of readers because of the lack of updates, but here's your chance to tell me off! ...Just don't be too mean.