Chapter 14

"Stay back" said Osaka, holding the knife up towards the two men.

"Or you'll do what little girl?"

"Mmmm, I do like teenage girls. They can be feisty and so tender. Such fun. So tasty."

"Stay back" said Osaka. Completely missing the point she decided they must be cannibals and had decided to eat her. She would not allow herself to become a meal. She didn't like overly hot water and death wasn't exactly her best friend either. She couldn't be defeated now. Her friends had asked her to protect the man. She had to do that, she couldn't let them down.

"Don't worry Mr Nakasone, I won't let them eat us" she whispered to the man.

"I think you may have got the wrong idea Miss Osaka."

"What do you say? Kill the man and enjoy the girl? Or cripple the man and make him watch what he made a girl have to do so he could protect himself?"

"Just finish the man off. Boss and the others will finish the rest of the ninja. We can enjoy her. Shame, I would have preferred the feisty one or the tall one more."

"You won't eat my friends either!" yelled Osaka.

"What the hell are you talking about?" asked one of the men.

"Tomo kick!" yelled Tomo leaping through the air and catching one of the men with a powerful kick to the cheek. He stumbled back, Tomo placing her foot down gingerly before chasing after the man yelling.

"Well babe, looks like it's just you and me now" said the remaining man. "I never liked sharing anyway."

"Stay back!"

"Why get yourself hurt over that shack of crap? Just let me past and I promise you that I will not kill you. I'll even lie to the others and make them believe you are dead. Just stand down."

Nakasone glanced up at the girl. He didn't want to die. But he couldn't let this young girl be sacrificed either.

"So what have you got girl?" he asked, brushing away her attacks with the small knife. "You'll need to do more then just that to stop me. And you're trying my patience. Soon I might just kill you and try to get one of the other girls. I like the look of that one" he commented, as Tomo kicked his companion in the shin.

"Oh yeah well behold…the power of the musical fruit" said Osaka, attempting to stall for time.

"Power of musical fruit. That one of those ridiculous sounding techniques isn't it? The ones that sound harmless but can rip a man in two." He pointed at the girl. "You even think of using that technique and I'll rip you in half!"

Purp! Nakasone wrinkled his nose and Osaka blushed furiously. The man glanced around anxiously, believing it to be the sound of a weapon- a hidden weapon- ninja style. He gripped his sword, watching for shuriken. Suddenly the smell hit him.

"Oh God! It's like being cast into hell. What have you done to me girl?" he screamed as his eyes watered. "Oh God you're using some form of technique to burn me from the inside out! My eyes!" He coughed and spluttered. "I can't breath! Gah, it's some form of airborne poison."

Deciding this was her moment she struck and smacked him over the head with her Kunai handle. She wasn't ready to kill just yet. The man stumbled backwards, before falling, rolling away down the embankment on the cart's opposite side- across from the forest. She watched the man roll away, who was relieved at being able to breath. That had been why Kimura didn't have to worry about another attack. The area behind them was wide open, nowhere to hide.

"Lets not tell Sensei about that?" suggested Osaka to Nakasone.

"Agreed."

Osaka and Nakasone turned as three Tomo's kicked the other man away. With a faint yell he tumbled away, following his compatriot down the bare hill. He grunted as he bumped across the numerous rocks and small barbed plants that lined the ground. The Tomo clones dissipated and the girl, triumphant began to walk back to Osaka, who stuck up her thumb. The two began to celebrate when a faint brainwave suddenly passed through Tomo's skull.

"Sakaki!" she yelled, turning to face the tall girl who was busy facing off against two people. "You don't get to fight two people on your own! Osaka stay here with Nakasone, just in case."

"Right" said Osaka nodding. "In case of what?" she called out.

Nakasone shifted uncomfortably, attempting to keep his head below the level of the wooden vehicle, just in case someone was waiting to strike with a projectile weapon. It didn't matter what the team did, if he got a bow in the head the mission was a failure anyway.

"Thank you" he muttered to the girl. "Thank you for helping me."

"That's ok" said Osaka. "I was asked to look after you" she continued, smiling. "I won't let Kimura sensei or Yukari sensei down. They both trusted in me. And I have to help my friends."

"I understand Miss Osaka."

Kimura didn't turn as Tomo sprinted past him, running towards Sakaki. He just hoped she didn't take the opportunity to kill Sakaki in the process. He stood, the man perfectly still. He glanced down at the small kunai Kimura held.

"Do you wish to make this fairer? My sword is much larger then your knife."

"I'm happy with this" replied Kimura. I might not even need to use it.

"I have one request ninja."

"And that would be?" asked Kimura. He really hoped the man wouldn't say something cheesy like 'die'. Or even worse 'don't hold back'.

"I wish to know your name. I want to know the name of the ninja I am about to fight. My name is Keeler. I think it's polite to give my own name if I ask yours."

"Well ok then." Kimura was slightly taken back. This man, Keeler, seemed many times more a gentlemen then the rest of the group he worked with. Kimura didn't know how Keeler could have ended up with that misfit group of thugs. "As you figured out I'm from the village hidden in the leaves. My name is Kimura."

"Thank you Mr Kimura. This isn't anything personal."

Keeler charged at the Jonin, who quickly held up the kunai, blocking the potentially deadly strike of the large sword. The sun glinted off the polished blade, Kimura glad he was wearing his glasses. The two grunted as they pushed the weapons against one another. Kimura saw the look of pure concentration in Keeler's face. This wasn't going to be as easy as the first goon he'd fought today.

With a faint squeal of metal the two men separated, blades slicing against one another. Kimura slowly backed away as Keeler stood with the sword held, preparing to strike again. Kimura watched the man carefully through the opaque glasses. They were specially designed for him- his eyes couldn't be seen through the glasses. He could see through the glasses perfectly well. They reduced the impact of his Sharingan, preventing himself from tiring his chakra levels- the Sharingan didn't read Jutsu unless the glasses were removed. The glasses had some form of filter. However when removed both eyes would work perfectly- but he knew he wouldn't need to use them today.

Perhaps he could defeat Keeler with weapons. However Keeler did appear to be skilled. Something about him told Kimura that. Fighting against numerous foes had taught him to recognize signs of confidence, arrogance, fear even some idea of skill. He might even get the chance to use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. He had no intention of killing Keeler. He saw no need for that. However he wanted to capture the man- one of the villages could provide justice- probable imprisonment- what he deserved.

Tomo charged towards Sakaki. Don't hit Sakaki, don't hit Sakaki. Smashing into her comrade probably wouldn't be the best way to win a fight. She jumped in beside Sakaki, delivering a blow to the crotch of one of the men defending against Sakaki's knife. He stumbled back, Tomo kicking him. Beside her Sakaki slowly closed her eyes.

"Demonic illusion, hell viewing technique" she whispered. The man waiting to fight her glanced around at nothing. To him he could see swirling leaves. Slowly they dissipated and a vast fiery demon appeared. He started screaming and slowly backed away. Still shrieking he ran away, trying to escape the illusion.

Sakaki opened her eyes. Genjutsu. Illusions. She hoped the man wouldn't be affected in the long term by his hellish vision. Her father had never had many physical skills- but he could use many forms of Genjutsu. He'd attempted to teach her many things.

She followed Tomo, and the two delivered a powerful kick into the mans stomach. Keeler remained the only person left.

Kimura watched as Keeler suddenly dropped his sword to the floor. Was he weakened somehow? Had one of the girls attacked him? Keeler smiled, stubble covered face cracking into a grin. He held his hands up.

"Here's a little something I like to use."

Ninjutsu? A wind began to swirl around the man, dust, pebbles and plant life rising up. A powerful vortex was created, and with his hands Keeler pushed it towards Kimura, engulfing the Jonin. He reached down and picked up the sword. He hoped he wouldn't have to use lethal force. He walked forwards. Out of the vast dust ball a kunai knife shot, slashing through the air. Keeler barely had time to see it before it ripped into his shin. He leant down and grunted as he pulled out the blade.

"Its gonna take more then dat" he slurred.

"I know" called out Kimura. The vortex of dust was dying down. Kimura stood tall as the dust fell to the floor. He stood calmly cleaning his glasses.

"Wha' is this?" asked Keeler as a liquid trickled down off of the blade. He dropped the knife and slowly slumped backwards. He landed on the floor unconscious.

Kimura slowly turned around. His team was victorious. Tomo stood celebrating enthusiastically, as Sakaki stood, looking thoughtful. Osaka stood up, still close to Nakasone. It appeared as though the other members of Keeler's team had abandoned him. During their fight the first person Kimura had fought evidently regained consciousness and ran away. Slowly Kimura tied rope around the mans hands and arms. At the least it would give Kimura time to respond to an escape attempt.

Slowly he walked back to the girls.

"You did great. When we get to the village to get some supplies and rest I'll treat you to a nice meal."

"Thanks Kimura-sensei!" exclaimed Osaka.

"Mr Nakasone is paying. Right?" asked Kimura.

"Y-yes of course, I'll pay" said a guilty feeling Nakasone.

Kimura turned away and brushed his forehead. That was a relief. He didn't have money to pay for a four person meal.

---

"My Lord I have received word that they have arrived. Do you really think we can trust people like them?"

"My dear Harima he is one of the best assassins money can actually buy. As long as he is not crossed there should be no problem whatsoever."

"I understand my Lord" replied Harima. He watched as the man slowly walked towards a window.

"I have urgent business that I must attend to. I have decided you would be the best man to deal with this assassin. He is to report to you, you are to give him my instructions. I assume my faith is not misplaced?"

"Of course not." Harima smiled broadly. "The assassin will report to me. I will report to you."

The man pulled on a cloak. "I want him dead Harima."