DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. THIS IS JUST A FAN-MADE STORY!
The following day the Hokage, Lady Tsunade, ordered team 7 on a mission. Nothing special, just to escort a certain Lady to the village hidden in the Sand, ensuring that she arrived safely in case of any attacks by foreign or rogue ninja. It did take them a while though, and by the time they were heading back the blood red sun had already hidden itself beneath the Earth.
"Darn, I'm so tired I can't even see prop-OUCH!" Naruto was saying before he slammed into a tree.
"Geez Naruto! Talk about not seeing properly!" Sakura laughed.
Naruto loved Sakura's charming laugh. It was like the tingle of a bell, and it touched his heart everytime he heard it. Pity he wasn't the one her heart craved...
"Naruto? You okay?" asked Tsubaki, sensing his sudden frown.
"Uhh, y-yeah, yeah I'm okay," he answered promptly.
"Hey guys, listen, I'm gonna stop and rest for a bit. I'll follow later okay?" she said, coming to halt on a tree branch.
"Huh? Why's that?" asked Sakura, stopping as well.
"My body needs a pause. Don't worry, I'll be back soon, k'?" Tsubaki turned to leave.
"Wait! Um, call us when you arrive okay? Just so we know you're fine," said Naruto.
Tsubaki flashed them a thumbs-up and strode off, disappearing amongst the trees.
"She kinda looked in a hurry. Think she forgot something?" asked Sakura.
"Beats me. Ah well, let's get going Sakura," said Naruto, and together the two friends dashed off towards the direction of their village.
The real reason Tsubaki had left was not because she felt tired, far from it. In fact she felt rather energised. The truth was that she wasn't very far from the clearing where she used to meet up with Suigetsu. He wouldn't be there, she knew that. But still, it didn't hurt to rekindle old flames did it?
The sky was slowly getting darker as she tore through the large trees that seemed to block her way. The moon seemed unlikely, and few stars emerged. To make matters worse, the few light that did manage to pass was smothered by the trees, so her path was almost pitch black. But she had travelled this course for so many a night that she knew it like the back of her hand, and so required no light at all.
She had almost arrived when she heard a sudden murmur, like a voice conversing with another. She stopped abruptly and sucked in a deep breath, trying to listen. It sounded like a man's voice, although she could hear a woman's too. They sounded low, as though they were eager to remain unheard; however, the night was so silent that she could still catch a few words if she strained her ear.
"...gets on my nerves, he's so annoying!" the woman was saying.
"He's not a bad person, he's just mischievous that's all..." the man answered.
"I don't like him! An' I don't want him on our team! Stupid water freak!" the woman raised her voice slightly, as though in anger.
"Water...freak?...Mischievous?..." Tsubaki whispered to herself. Curious, she crept closer, desperate to hear more. And to her luck, the voices grew louder.
"He's nothing like Sasuke...That Sasuke is so calm and collected, he's not a bastard like Suigetsu!" the woman exclaimed loudly.
"Sasuke! Suigetsu!" Tsubaki's heart missed a couple of beats at the familiar names. These two knew Sasuke and Suigetsu!
"I've gotta find out who these two are, I must!" Tsubaki hurried forward, as quietly as she could in an effort to catch sight of the two.
"Suigetsu was crying last night. I heard him. He went to be on his own but I followed him. He might be a bit annoying at times, but deep down I think he still can't shake off the memories of Orochimaru," the man said. He had a calm and deep voice, unlike the woman's which sounded more like a hoarse shreek.
"S-so what..." the woman said, although her tone sounded as though she was faking her pride.
"Come on Karin, I know you're irritable but you're not cruel. If we're gonna be friends then we're gonna have to understand each other. Don't be so hard on him," the man said.
"Orochimaru..." Tsubaki murmured. She had seen him, the evil member of the legendary Sannin who had assassinated their third Hokage. His whole attire and physique resembled that of a snake, and he was more than enough to give the average person a hoard of nasty nightmares.
"Look Jugo, I know that he an' I are different because I was Orochimaru's willing assistant and he was kidnapped by force, but still, I just can't stand him! His chakra disgusts me! Everything about him is so hateful!" the woman, Karin said.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," said Jugo: "But please give him a chance. We could be excellent friends and help each other out."
Tsubaki finally found an opening and cautiously peeped out. What she could see were a young man and woman, both about her age, and both too deep in conversation to notice her presence. The man was bare-chested and incredibly muscular, with spiky orange hair and an emotionless face. The woman was wearing a long-sleeved lilac shirt, black shorts and matching stockings. She had long red hair which was very strangely cut and a pair of glasses perched on her nose.
"Jugo! I sense someone else's chakra! Right here!" she said suddenly.
"What? You mean we're being watched?" he began looking around.
"Damn it! She's a sensory type? Just my luck!" Tsubaki quickly whipped around and speeded off, her heart hammering madly in her chest.
"Wait, it's chakra is moving away, whoever it is is leaving off in that direction!" Karin pointed at where Tsubaki had been only seconds ago.
"Should we follow?" asked Jugo.
"I'll go, you should head back to the others," Karin gave a mighty jump and tore off in the direction Tsubaki was heading.
"Karin...good luck," Jugo murmured before heading off towards their hide-out.