Chapter 21
"Goodbye Mr Kim-wra, Miss Osaka, Miss Sakaki!" called out Yotsuba. "Goodbye Miss Tomo!" she said adoringly. The small group waved back to the two person family. Sakaki paused, having deliberately left her bag behind.
"Go on, I'll be able to catch up" she said to the others. "I have to quickly go and get my stuff."
"Fine, but if you start lagging we're making Nakasone an honorary member in your place!" called out Tomo as the tall girl rushed back to the house. Quickly she vanished from view. Nakasone turned to Tomo.
"Really?" asked Nakasone.
"No."
"What, is something wrong?" asked Koiwai as he spotted Sakaki running towards them. Perhaps something bad had happened, one of the students injured. Perhaps something bad was coming this way!
"No, nothing is wrong" replied Sakaki, leaning down and picking up her bag. "I just needed to get this." She turned to Yotsuba. "Take care ok."
"Sure thing Miss Sakaki" said Yotsuba saluting the girl. Ignoring the urge to cry out over the cuteness, Sakaki merely nodded. She paused, before deciding to put into plan the whole reason for leaving her bag behind. She gripped Yotsuba in a hug, the younger girl laughing. Sakaki looked up at Koiwai who stood looking surprised.
"I just, well…" started Sakaki, struggling to find something to say without causing embarrassment. Koiwai merely nodded.
"Do I get a hug?" he asked in a jokingly manner. Sakaki was still for a moment. Was that a joke or not? The man had been kind to them, it was a very small thing she could try and do.
"Well if you want" said Sakaki. "This is for allowing us to stay" she said, cautiously gripping the man, Yotsuba hugging her and Koiwai's legs. Koiwai was frozen, shocked at the event. This was what he liked to call a lucky break. He turned to look at the ground as Sakaki's breasts dug into his chest. He blushed slightly, Sakaki completely unaware of what was happening.
Now this was embarrassing.
"Hey way to go Koiwai!" called out Jumbo, "And she can protect you too."
Nope, this was embarrassing.
---
"So what happened back there?" asked Tomo, "You've been quiet for a while."
"Nothing happened" replied Sakaki. Being easily embarrassed and flustered by certain things, the accidental convergence earlier had left her acting slightly unusual and quieter then usual.
"Perhaps she went back to kiss Koiwai goodbye" suggested Osaka.
"What?!" Sakaki turned and looked at the girl in disbelief. It wasn't so much the claim, as saying it in front of Tomo so to give the girl ammunition. She saw the grin quickly appearing as Tomo prepared herself.
"Yeah I bet you did! I bet you went back there and kissed him goodbye. After all you reminded me to thank Mr Koiwai. I bet you wanted to thank him in your own special way huh?" asked Tomo. "You just love doing things like that, don't you?"
"What, no nothing like that" said Sakaki holding up her hands as Kimura turned to look at her. "Really, it wasn't anything like that" she continued quietly.
"Don't worry lass, I believe you" said Keeler. "But then again I am a criminal imprisoned by a group of ninjas, so make of that what you will."
"Yeah" said Sakaki in a very unsure sounding tone.
"Cool we get to stretch our legs and everything and continue on official ninja business!" called out Tomo, holding up one hand proudly. "But do I have to pull this cart again?" she asked.
"Yes" said Kimura, not breaking his stride.
"On the road again" said Osaka. "Someone should write a song about that."
"Well Mr Nakasone, we should now only be a short distance from the target now" said Kimura, busy eating an apple. "And then perhaps you wont have to worry about being attack by a whole manner of different people from highly trained ninja to common thugs."
"I can only hope" replied Nakasone. "I can only really hope Mr Kimura."
"And what are we going to do with him?" asked Tomo, pointing to Keeler with her (temporarily) free hand.
"You know, it's rude to point" said Keeler, Tomo scowling at him.
"It is very likely that he will be incarcerated within the prison complex of the town" said Kimura, "And then he receive a just punishment for his crimes and various ill deeds."
"Oh goodie" said Keeler.
"Ha, sucks to be you" said Tomo loudly.
"Don't torment our prisoner Tomo" said Kimura.
"Why?" asked Tomo, still straining with the cart.
"Because it's annoying" replied the man. "And very uninspired too."
"Hey!" called out Tomo.
"Cruel to be kind Tomo, cruel to be kind" replied Kimura.
"So after this, are we ninja Mr Kimura sensei?" asked Osaka. "Because this was hard."
"Yeah, we should get a prize or something!" called out Tomo.
"…Ice cream?" suggested Kimura.
"Money…?" suggested Tomo more enthusiastically. "Great gifts for great ninja!"
"When I find a great ninja I'll buy them something" muttered Kimura under his breath.
Tomo paused momentarily, giving the back of Kimura's head an evil look. However the man slowed down, and she quickly started walking again before he turned around. Better not to annoy the teacher in the middle of nowhere- especially when she didn't know where she was going.
Osaka shivered slightly, rubbing her hands together. "Kimura sensei, it's getting cold now" she said softly.
"Bah, stupid weather" called out Tomo. "Lets see you try and stop me!" Please don't bring thunder, or lightning, or rain or snow. Tomo couldn't be doing with that. Bad weather annoyed her, and often led to her being soaked.
"Hmm, getting a bit foggy isn't it?" commented Nakasone. "Shame, it looked like it could have been a nice day today."
Sakaki held one of the knife concealed within her belt tightly. Kimura had hardly seemed to move or react at all, but she could see the blade resting in his gloved hand. She jumped in surprise as Tomo poked her in the side. Shocked she turned to Sakaki giving her a wide eyed look.
"What is it?" she asked, taking a few deep breaths.
"Why are you holding that knife?" asked Tomo.
"Just in case" replied Sakaki.
"Just in case of what?" asked Tomo, pausing in surprise as a tall man with an obscenely large sword appeared beside her.
"In case of that" said Sakaki pointing. A few more joined the man, clones of the giant assassin surrounding them.
"Oh" said Tomo as the man with no eyebrows glared down at her. "Now I see."
The man continued glaring down at them disdainfully.
"Kimura sensei we seem to be surrounded" observed Osaka.
"Thanks for the information" replied Kimura, as beside him Nakasone frowned and seriously hoped that wasn't what he thought it was currently residing in his pants. He'd hate to have to try and run and squelch off.
"Surprised to see me Kimura?" hissed Zabuza.
"Actually no, for I was the one who suggested you were still alive, while everyone else shot that idea…"
"Shut up" growled Zabuza, stopping Kimura who then grumbled something about being interrupted.
"There's no need to be rude" said Osaka, cowering as the man stared right at her.
"Well Kimura, I'm back and this time you won't stop me. And following on from your escapades last time we met, today I think I'll kill you and all of your trainees."
"Oh…good" muttered Tomo.
"I'm going to rip your throats out one by one, and I'll save you for last Kimura, so you can see what a catastrophic failure you have been."
"You talk too much" said Kimura flicking out a hand, a knife digging into one of the clone's foreheads which disappeared into a cold puddle of water. He jerked his hand back, and the knife returned to him, a thin piece of string attached both to the handle and his wrist. "Miss Sakaki if you'd please" said the man softly.
Tomo stood watching as Sakaki nodded, and ducked down as Sakaki drew another knife, slashing out quickly, but not wildly, striking against the various men. Knowing none were likely to be alive she found it easier to strike the water clones. Tomo slowly stood up, glancing down to make sure she was still all there. All of the men had vanished, the group now surrounded by puddles. Tomo might have thought of a joke, but this wasn't the time…and she had nothing.
Through the vanishing mist Tomo could see the muscular Zabuza standing beside a smaller person. Both stood still, studying Tomo and her small group. Slowly the smaller person came into view, wearing an odd, but familiar mask.
"Hey I remember you!" called out Tomo pointing. "You made it seem like you killed that guy but in fact you just left with him."
"…Just like I suggested" muttered Kimura under his breath.
"Yeah, just like he suggested" continued Tomo. "You're just a liar and a cheat, a coward who backed out of a fight" said Tomo aggressively.
"Please don't anger the man with the large sword" muttered Nakasone.
"I agree" said Keeler, "He is after me remember."
"Don't worry Mr Nakasone, we'll take care of ourselves and you" said Sakaki, trying to keep her voice calm sounding. This could really be it…I'm not ready; I haven't learnt enough, I'll be useless!
"Hey! What about me?!" spluttered Keeler. "I'm the one he wants to kill!"
"Heh, we'll protect you if we get around to it" said Tomo, in a non committal tone. Keeler frowned slightly. "Besides there's four of us and two of them" muttered Tomo.
"Girl, Haku could take down all three of you" growled the assassin.
"You weren't meant to hear that" grumbled Tomo. "Bloody eavesdropper."
"So how about it Kimura?" asked Zabuza. "You versus me, your trainees versus Haku."
"I'd prefer it if we could just carry on our way" replied Kimura, slowly moving his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "But I assume that option isn't a possibility is it?"
Zabuza merely stood with his arms crossed, narrowed eyes looking across at Kimura in almost contempt. He stood threatening the man with death, as well as intending to kill his students and the man just carried on being sarcastic. Such actions were most distasteful. He turned his head slightly, looking towards Haku.
"Boy, you can defeat those young rejects can't you?"
The masked head turned and nodded slightly. "Yes master."
"Good. Try not to drag it out too long Haku, I don't like long waits."
"Hey! Who are you to talk like that!" yelled Tomo. "Don't make the mistake of thinking this is over before it's begun!"
"Oh" said Haku, "But it already is."
Arrogant little…thought Tomo as she glared across at the strange figure..
Sounds like a more dangerous Tomo, only with less boasting thought Sakaki to herself.
Osaka merely wondered where she could get a mask like that. Tomo surprised Sakaki by embracing her, tightly around the shoulders. Sakaki wondered what the girl was trying to do as she pointed at Kimura with her free hand.
"Don't worry Kimura, me and Sakaki can take care of the masked freak" said Tomo. "And Osaka can look after Keeler and Nakasone perfectly!"
"Yeah" said Osaka thrusting up a knife in support, narrowly avoiding a worried looking Keeler.
"Well he's right here. Try and get him" said Zabuza, the man grinning as Tomo rushed towards them. Sakaki stood looking slightly confused as Zabuza began to stride towards Kimura, who stepped forwards himself. The two met.
"Lets watch and see how they do Kimura" growled Zabuza. "Your students would do well to survive. And if you try to help them, I have a free shot at Keeler, your fat little friend and the other girl."
Kimura merely nodded his head ever so slightly. He decided against speaking. Tomo had rushed in to prove herself. Together with Sakaki he was certain the two could triumph, but he felt uneasy. Then again, there was little other choice. They would have to fight this day. Now would be the first proper test for his young ninja.
Tomo leapt in front of Haku slashing out with a knife, the masked figure backing away in surprise. He hadn't expected the girl to get that close. He continued stepping back, keeping one hand behind his back as Tomo slashed out at him and grumbled foul words. He held up a needle, gripped in between two fingers, blocking a heavy blow. Without turning his free hand gripped another needle, throwing it at Sakaki who narrowly avoided it, watching as the needle imbedded itself in a tree. Better the tree then my stomach.
Haku continued avoiding blows, narrowly avoiding strikes from both Sakaki and Tomo. Tomo was surprised and more then slightly annoyed at the events. She was working together with Sakaki and still hadn't hit the masked freak. Two versus one and they still weren't winning! Just try and stay calm, don't get frustrated! Too late for that she was already annoyed as she slashed out with one hand, and pointed with the other (adding insults). Sakaki watched as Tomo did this, surprised by her energy and slightly surprised at the language she knew. She found herself supporting Tomo, but trying to keep out of the way of the two people battling. She was fast enough to keep up, but didn't want to get in the way- she thought this meant something to Tomo. She knew the girl wanted to prove herself to the teacher and to the others. And she had a feeling Tomo might hurt her if she stopped this person before Tomo was injured to the point of being unable to move.
Tomo hit out with her free fist, catching Haku on the shoulder, the boy falling back slightly. He rubbed his chest, and coughed, having been caught on the throat slightly. He looked up as Tomo stood, now with a grin on her face. Beneath the mask he frowned. He was letting his master down, failing to beat these people. He had to beat them or else he would be proved useless, nothing more then a broken tool. He dropped the now bent needle to the floor and stepped back. Beneath the mask his eyes were closed, as sheets of water began to rise and freeze, surrounding Tomo and Sakaki.
"Why the heck?" muttered Tomo.
Sakaki gripped her knife close to her breast, stepping closer to Tomo. This didn't look good.
"Now Kimura, you can see the strength a youngster can possess."