Title: A Demon's Tale
Author: swiftstar85
Genre: Drama/Friendship/Romance
Rating: T for some strong language, violence, suggestive material, and crude humor.
~Chapter Four~
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, though I wouldn't mind if I did.
The Day before Team Seven left.
It was actually rather funny, Tsunade thought, as soon as she got done speaking to the young Kazekage, Gaara of the Sand and introducing him to Yamato. She thought it was funny of how things might turn out when Team Kakashi returned to the village. She was sure that they would bring back Sasuke but that did trouble her thoughts a little. She knew that if Sasuke Uchiha was brought back there would be trouble. There were quite a lot of people who were very mad at the youngest Uchiha alive. She, herself, was one of them. After all the pain that the boy had put her apprentice through when he left, she wanted nothing more than to beat the living tar out of him.
Her violent thoughts were interrupted though when Shizune knocked on the door then came in with a man right behind her. She didn't recognize the man. He was rather well tanned as if he had done a lot of work out in the sun, something that she wasn't not used to. A lot of the villagers worked out in the sun and got tans. But this man....he had a salty smell about him, as if he was from the ocean. "Hmm? Shizune, who's this?"
Shizune bowed respectfully to the Fifth Hokage before straightening to the man beside her. "Tsunade-shishou, this is Rangu, a bridge worker from the Land of the Waves. He came to the Leaf Village for supplies that only we have and he's requested for some Ninja body guards on his way back to the Wave City." She told her mentor.
Tsunade frowned but then waved the man into the room, which he obeyed. He smiled gently as he moved into the room and then bowed before the Fifth Hokage in great respect. After a few seconds, he straightened. "Lady Hokage, it is an honor to meet you. Forgive me if I was interrupting anything. But I was hoping I could request for a mission. You see, I came here for some of your Countrie's hard wood, requested by my employer, the Bridgemaster, Tazuna. He wanted me to purchase some of your lumber and now that I have, I'm afraid I need to get back to the Land of Waves soon. I was hoping I could request a team of Ninja for two reasons." He then pulled out a scroll from within his jacket and held it out to her. "This explains our needs. You see, we've been having a little bit of trouble with some renegades in the Wave Country. Former workers of the tyrant businessman, Gatou having been stirring up some trouble for our city and have been raiding traders that come to the Great Naruto Bridge, where many of our people does business with travellers of other lands. Because of the renegades, we've been having trouble with our businesses. So Tazuna-sama has asked for a little help. We can pay your ninja a good amount for helping us deal with the problems, seeing that our City has been flourishing after so many years since the help of some of your Leaf Ninja. We have been fighting some of them off but it's not nearly good enough." he then lowered himself to one knee and bowed before Tsunade, almost pleadingly. "Please, Lady Hokage. We would greatly appreciate the help."
There was a pause as Tsunade listened to what he said before she opened the scroll to look at it. She read the message before her lips curved upward a little, but it was a sad smile. She sighed before looking serious again and re-rolling the scroll, looking at Rangu. "I'm afraid we can't comply with your request."
The man's head came up sharply and he looked at the Hokage with horror of what she just said. He looked as if his dreams had just been shattered.
"The request dealing with the team of ninja you want, anyway. I'm afraid the team you wish for the help of is on another mission right at the moment and they won't be back for a little while." Tsunade continued her face softening. "But we will accept your mission request. I hope you can deal with another team in substituion over Team Kakashi. I know that Tazuna was looking forward to see the team members again after three years but like I said, that team is not available right now." She told him.
With a sigh, Rangu lowered his head but then smiled at the Hokage with relief. "Well, I can't say that Tazuna-senpai might not be a little disappointed that we can't request for Kakashi and his team. But he'll get over it." he then pushed himself to his feet and lift his head higher. "But, we will take the best that you can offer. We would rather have a team of Leaf Ninja that we're not familiar with than deal with the problems that the renegades care causing. So I accept any team that you will offer." He told the Hokage. He bowed at the waist again. "Thank you, Lady Hokage."
Tsunade nodded her head with a gentle smile before she looked seriously at Shizune. "Shizune! Call for Gai. I think it's time that he and his team to go on a mission. They've been damaging the Training Dojos enough as it is." She told her assistant.
Shizune just nodded as she bowed her head before she turned and left the room. Rangu, however, frowned at the name, Gai, and looked rather curious. "Gai? Is that a good ninja?" He asked, curiously.
The Fifth Hokage smiled at him and bobbed her head into a nod. She knew very well that Gai was well capable of handling this mission. Especially with his team. Besides, he and Rock Lee was causing quite the mess in the training areas where they trained. They were both so destructive when it came to training, even if they didn't mean to be. The Dojos needed a break of the two. It was hard to rebuild everything when they kept destroying them. "Gai Maito and his team are very skilled. Team Gai consists of two Jounin and two Chuunin. All of them are very powerful ninja. In fact, Gai is a little bit stronger than Kakashi. He'll be a great asset against the renegades. Him and his students would do well to protecting your City." She told Rangu.
The man blinked a few times in surprise before smiling with only a little uncertainty. But he would agree nonetheless. "I look forward to meeting them then. I'm sure I will like them."
There was such a strange but scary smile on the Hokage's face. She looked as if there was a hidden meaning for that smile and it really made the young man's skin crawl a little. He was wondering if that was the wrong thing to say. "Oh, I think you might like them a little, Rangu. But I can't guarantee it. They might....scare you a little, actually. They tend to do that with a few people they meet." She told him. And for some reason, Rangu felt as if a wave of dread fell over him. He felt that he might be regretting his decision after all. But he could only wonder.
"Hi, youthful new master client!!" The overly cheerful, bowl cut haired Jounin greeted their new client as he bound up to him with his look alike right behind him. He was waving enthusiastically at the man standing before him, looking way too cheerful to be a ninja. Gai just grinned a sparkly grin at the man as he approached with Rock Lee bouncing with excitement and the other two were following with dull looks on their faces. Tenten and Neji did not look amused about how their former sensei was greeting the man who hired them. "We shall protect you with the power of youth! Trust us! We will deliver you to the Land of Waves safely and get rid of those pesky, ugly renegades that tortures your children of youth!" Gai said optimistically.
Rangu sweatdropped, all the while having a look of horror on his face. He had been very nervous about these Leaf Ninja after what Tsunade had said when he asked about the ninja but this was an understatement. When he asked of how scary the ninja were, the Fifth Hokage just smiled slyly and tilted her head.
"Well, they believe in the Power of Youth, that's for sure. They're good people but rather cheerful about their work." And that was all she had said.
But now that he saw Gai Maito and his student, Rock Lee, he couldn't help but fell like he was doomed. He knew that if they were going to be this loud and optimistic, he might as well paint a big bull's eye target on his chest and invite Gatou's renegades into killing him. "Oh, man. I am so going to die."
Unfortunately, Gai and Rock Lee hadn't heard that because they were immediately coming up with the best IMPOSSIBLE ways of getting safely to the Land of Waves, while Neji and Tenten had heard. Sighing, they both moved closer to Rangu and bowed their heads towards them. "Do not fear. Not all of us are complete idiots, sir." Neji spoke calmly before meeting the man's eyes with his white ones. He grew very serious as he looked at Rangu. "I am Neji Hyuuga, one of the powerful Hyuuga Clan and a Jounin of the Leaf Village." He explained.
"And I'm Tenten." The weapon's expert said smiling. "I'm one of the best Weapon's Experts the Leaf Village has to offer. Don't worry about Gai-Sensei and Rock Lee. They might be idiots but they're powerful ones. They are both the strongest Taijutsu specialists we have in the entire village. They know what to do when it comes to defending our clients. I know that this might not reassure you or anything, but you are in safe hands. We'll protect you and help you get rid of the renegades that are threatening your city."
Neji nodded as he glanced over his shoulder before sweat dropping when he saw both Gai and Lee now grabbing huge logs off of the wagon and piling them on their backs. He saw the shocked look on Rangu's face when he saw that they were now attempting to carry nearly four tons of logs, each. "Geez, those two....." The dark haired Hyuuga growled under his breath before watching as they began running down the path.
"Come along! We shall reach the Land of the Waves before tomorrow!! We shall run the entire day and night and therefore, we shall rush!" Gai said cheerfully.
"Yes, Gai-Sensei! Let us race to our destination and be rid of the pests that threaten the lives of the peaceful Wave City! Come on, Neji-kun! Tenten-kun! Let us make haste!" Lee shouted as he and Gai nearly became spects on the main road from running so fast. All three, Neji, Tenten and their client, Rangu just stood right at the Gates of Konoha with sweat drops.
Of course, Gai and Lee hurried back when they realized that the rest of their team and their client was not following and decided that it was best to go a little slower because there was more than just logs that they needed to carry. Somehow in their haste, Gai and Lee had missed all of the supplies on the large wagon. So they decided they just needed to walk, which only caused the other two Leaf Ninja and Rangu to sigh with irritation. Rangu was really starting to regret that he went with this team. He knew that the Fifth Hokage probably did it on purpose by providing this team. And he knew very well that Tazuna was going to kill him for hiring this team instead of the team he wanted.
It did take nearly two days to reach the Land of Waves though.
While traveling the road to the Land of Waves, Rangu explained to mostly Neji and Tenten that the Wave City was actually very fond of Team Kakashi, due to the fact that three years before, they had served them by protecting the Bridgemaster, Tazuna to his home. There, they protected him from Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Mists, whom Gai knew from the Bingo books. Just hearing that name made him grow serious and out of his childish mood, which stunned Rangu. The Leaf Jounin had heard a lot about Zabuza and knew how dangerous the man had once been. But he also heard that he was dead.
Rangu eventually told them that the Demon of the Mists was dead, killed by the renegades of the Gatou after he killed the businessman, himself. With a little help from Kakashi.
The story went on though of how Team Kakashi had saved the Wave City from Gatou and his men, along from Zabuza and his tool, Haku. To hear the way the young man, Haku died though, that was a strange mystery. They didn't exactly understand how he had died, even though Rangu claimed that it had been Kakashi who killed him. "If Kakashi's target was Zabuza though, I'm pretty sure he would have been able to dodge around this kid, Haku and strike his target." Gai remarked thoughtfully as they walked down the road. He didn't believe for a second that it had been Kakashi who killed the boy, Haku. It must have been someone else.
Still, it stunned Team Gai when Rangu explained how Tazuna and his grandson, Inari had named the large bridge the old man built, The Great Naruto Bridge.
"You have go to be kidding me!" Tenten said with wide eyes. "They actually named a bridge after Naruto?!"
Neji sweat dropped at the very thought. He couldn't believe it either. To name a bridge after Konoha's biggest blockhead? That was most unheard of. But then again, Naruto always did have that way with people. So with a sigh, he glanced over at Tenten, who still looked entirely bewildered. "Let's not worry about what the bridge is called right now, Tenten. If it's named after Naruto, then it's the Wave people's problem. We're just here to deliever Mr. Rangu back to his city and get rid of the renegades." he told her. With her nose crinkled, Tenten nodded in agreement.
So for the last two days, they kept on walking until they came to a harbor, where a large boat was waiting to recieve them. Rangu seemed to have known the Captain and had gotten each of the Leaf Ninja a cabin of their own so they could rest. Of course, Gai and Lee didn't. They chose to train on the deck while Neji and Tenten cleaned up.
Finally, not more than two hours later, they arrived to the Great Naruto Bridge, where to their amazement, there was a string of stands and entertainment for traders and visitors to bargain with or enjoy their selves. They were just amazed that the bridge was so big in the first place. It was big enough for nearly fifty merchant stands. The Leaf Ninja looked around with awe as they walked with Rangu and his wagon across the bridge, looking at the stands as they passed by them. There were stands selling clothing, fabric, jewelry, sweets and even weapons. The Weapons stand was caught Tenten's attention. She looked at all of the weapons with excitement and even looked to Gai and Rangu as if asking for permission to checking some of them out. Gai just smiled and shook his head before folding his arms and looking to Rangu for the approval.
For a second, Rangu hesitated but then he sighed softly and smiled before he too nodded. "It's all right. Might as well since we're here. Go ahead. Master Tazuna won't mind. He's too soft hearted for it." he told them.
Squealing a little with excitement, Tenten bounded over to the Weapons stand and began looking at the weapons. Neji rolled his eyes but there was a hint of a smile on his face. He couldn't help but smile to see Tenten so excited. He knew very well how much she liked weapons and sharp objects. Even Gai and Lee had to smile as they watched her. Lee then looked around for himself, walking backwards a little. He was amazed by all that these people had done with the bridge. He hadn't believed that it was a place of business and entertainment. His eyes fell onto a stage not too far away where a few people were showing off amazing looking animals. He smiled as he watched some before he looked over to see a rope tied to two tall posts. He frowned a little with curiousity as he stared up at it. Shrugging, Lee went over to man looking up at the posts, looking satisfied. "Excuse me, sir." He said.
"Huh?" The man hummed before turning to look at Lee. "Uh, oh! A Leaf Ninja! What can I do for you, master ninja?" He asked smiling.
Lee beamed after being called a master but he shook his head as he pointed at the posts. "I am only curious. What is the posts and rope for? It looks like a tight rope." he stated.
The man snorted as he placed his hands onto his waist but then nodded as if he was agreeing with him. "It is, son. Sometimes we challenge people to walk the rope and win prizes. Of course, the way you walk it is what matters. We want it to be very entertaining for the viewers. If you can impress the watchers, you win a great prize!" he said grinning.
Lee's eyes lit up brightly to hear that. By what this man was saying, it sounded like a great challenge. "Really?! What would be the prize, if I may ask?" He asked with enthusiasm.
The man started chuckling but he shook his head and folded his arms. He looked rather mischievious about the whole idea actually. "Well, the usual prizes are money, certain sweets, and such as that. But today's prize....he, he, he." He chuckled as if he was a sinister plotter. "Today, I managed to talk our tight rope champ into promising a kiss to the one who can beat her record." He said rubbing his chin.
The Taijutsu specialist looked surprised to hear that, but he could only frown as he tilted his head to the side. "A kiss? Um....do not think me rude but why a kiss?" He asked, curiously.
The man just chuckled and shook his head slowly. He was quiet for a minute before he tilted his head to the side and looking at Lee lazily. "Have you even seen our tight rope champ? Trust me, when you see her, you'll change your mind about winning a kiss from her. Because she is simply gorgeous. She doesn't think so, but more than half of the boys of Wave City have been trying to win her heart since she even came here." He then blinked and turned around when there came a sound of a drum being beaten on. "Oh! It's going to be starting soon!" He looked back at Lee, grinning at him. "Why don't you stick around and watch the show? You might find this very interesting!" He told him before hurrying over to stand in front of the poles.
Lee, however, felt a little excited. He wondered exactly what kind of show that the man was talking about. So, with his interest, he quickly went over to the rest of his team to get them. "Gai-sensei! A performance is about to start! I ask for permission to watch it!" He said brightly pointing over to the posts and rope.
Gai frowned as he looked over with Rangu, who's eyes brightened when he saw the tight rope. So obviously their client knew about what performance they were talking about. "Oh! Alea's performing today?!" he grinned at Gai, giving him a nod. "You and your team should watch this! This is one of the Wave City's most best performances we have to offer! Especially with Alea!" He told them.
"Who's Alea?" Neji asked now frowning but there was some interest in his eyes.
Rangu just chuckled as he looked over at the Hyuuga and even at Tenten when she finished playing around with some of the weapons. They both looked interested. Even Gai was listening with interest. They liked the sound of this "Alea." Rangu just shrugged as he folded his arms and shifted his weight. "You'll find out soon enough. She's quite the looker but has a very fiesty attitude." His eyes wandered away before brightening. "Oh! Here she comes now!" He announced pointing towards the posts. All four of the Leaf Ninja blinked before turning to see where he was pointing, only to freeze.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and girls!" The man whom Lee had spoken to before bellowed as he stood on a thin log, balancing himself on it. "Please, direct your eyes on me! We have quite the show today for you! A dangerous challenge in deed! Let the Tight Rope Challenge Begin!" he then threw his hand out towards the tight rope. "And, as you all know, we challenge people to walk this dangerous line to win the best prizes Wave City can offer! For today's prize, the new champion who can beat our previous one will win a lucious kiss from our very own, beautiful Alea!" He called out, drawling out the name like an announcer.
Suddenly there came a sudden explosion of flames, making many people cry out in surprise and alarm, before a twister of flames swirled right up to one of the posts and a girl appeared stepping onto the post, balancing on top of it with only one foot, while the other was stretched out behind her. She wore tight, form fitting pants and a black sleeveless top. She had fair, deep brown skin and short black hair with violet streaks, while her eyes were a strange amber color. She was no doubt a very beautiful girl and not much older than Lee, Neji and Tenten. She was actually a little younger than them.
Lee, however, froze with awe as he looked up at her. He felt as if the world had just stopped moving all around him. Now he understood what the man from before had meant.
Of course, quite a few men felt the same way as they looked up at the little beauty on the post but instead of freezing with awe like Lee, they began to cheer and whistle up at the girl, who straightened herself as she placed her hands onto her waist. She just put on a sly smile as she looked around the crowd, not even seeming to not even notice the calls she was getting. She merely glanced down at the man who was making the announcement. "Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls! May I have complete silence." The man requested and slowly, everything went quiet. Everyone only watched as the man then motioned to the girl, who nodded. "Watch carefully! And try not to make a sound. For if you do, our beautiful Alea may fall to her death into the river!" He announced.
Hearing that, Lee drew in a breath and held it, without even realizing that he did. He held his breath, as if he knew that if he breathed too loudly, the girl would fall and die. He didn't even see how Gai frowned, narrowing his eyes in confusion as he watched the girl but then folded his arms. He looked somewhat suspicious actually.
The girl, Alea lift her head and looked down at the rope between each post before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She stood there for a very long moment, finding some peace and quiet before she opened her eyes with a very determined look on her face. She stood there for a few seconds before she began walking across the tightrope, her arms stretched out to her sides. The rope swayed a little with her on it, making a few people squeak with fear. Even Tenten squeaked a little as she watched with wide eyes. The announcer held up a finger to his lips to shush everyone before turning his eyes back onto Alea as she carefully began walking across the rope, stopping in the middle. She stood there, looking rather tense as a breeze began to blow, making her swing a little.
"Oh, no. She's going to fall!" The announcer suddenly gasped, making quite a few people gasp with him. And the girl began to sway violent with a look of terror on her face, which caused a few women to scream.
Lee breathed in sharply before starting to move forward as if to go save the girl from falling but he had to stop when Rangu grabbed his arm, holding him back. He was smiling, which made the Ninja frown in confusion. "Relax, Rock Lee. Alea'll be fine. It's apart of her act. Get everyone riled up and think she's in danger before she really puts on her show. Just watch." He told him gently. Lee frowned with the others but watched.
Alea started to fall forward which still made the ninja tense but then she put on a sly smirk before crouching low to the rope and leaping high into the air. The action made more women scream and a few men yelp but she paid no attention to them. Instead, she jumped about five into the air before flipping backwards and landing back on the rope, standing on her hands. Loud energetic music from below began to play while she flipped herself over to her feet and she stood up. With her hands into the air, she smiled brightly before she began back flipping on the rope, keeping her balance rather well. She backflipped several times before landing on one foot, on top of the post, looking like a ballet dancer standing on her tippy toes.
As soon as the act was over, the crowd burst into cheers and applause while Alea straightened herself and took her bow. People just cheered loudly and clapped hard. Some were even yelling out her name, cheering her on. With a smile, Alea stood up straighter before she jumped from the post, landing on the platform right next to the announcer in a crouch. But then she stood up, taking the man's hand, who motioned to her while everyone applauded. "Ladies, Gentlemen, boys and girls! I give you, Alea! Wave City's Tight Rope Champion!" The man bellowed before pulling a way from Alea, who held her hands out to the side and bowed her head before straightening and placing her hands onto her waist. "And here is your chance to win a kiss from this exotic beauty! Who will take the Tight Rope challenge and win the kiss from our lovely Alea?! Any challengers?"
Slowly the applause went quiet and everyone began looking around at each other while waiting for the challenger to step forward. Alea was smirking as she looked around though. She really didn't even believe that anyone would take the challenge. Not many would. It was a pretty dangerous thing to do to walk a tight rope, which was right on the edge of the bridge and hovering right over a fifty foot drop right into the water below the bridge. In fact, only a few had ever tried the challenge but never been able to beat her record.
There were a few murmurs before.......
"I will take the challenge!" Came Lee's voice.
The other members of Team Gai all jumped before looking at their teammate with shock and disbelief. They couldn't believe he had said that. Most eyes turned sharply to look at who just accepted the challenge, including the girl, but she froze with surprise when she saw Lee. Neji and Tenten gave Lee a look before they both grabbed his arms when he started to walk forward. "Lee! What are you doing?! Do you seriously have a death wish?! You can't walk a tight rope! You've never done it before!" The weapon's specialist exclaimed at him.
Lee shook his head as he grinned at them. "That's why I shall try it! I can do this, so do not worry! I know I can walk that rope!" He told Tenten.
Neji shook his head as he gave his teammate a very skeptical look. He kept a firm grip on his arm, making sure he didn't move any closer. "Lee, there things that you can do and there are things you can't. Not right off. You've never tried walking a rope before and you haven't been trained to do it. If you try that now, you will fall and hurt yourself." He warned him.
The ninja clad in green just gave him a sparkling smile before pulling his arms free from his teammates. "Just trust me, Neji. I can do this. Just believe in me." He told them before he turned and walked towards the stage, giving the announcer a thumbs up. "I will be your challenger! I wish to try and walk the rope and win the kiss from the beautiful girl, Alea!" he told him. He didn't even seem to see the look the girl was giving him as she looked him over. She was obviously not impressed with his appearance.
But the announcer just shrugged as he waved Lee forward. "Very well. We have our challenger!" He paused glancing at the unusual ninja next to him. "What's your name, young man?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lee just turned his dark eyes onto Alea, who was still giving him a look of disgust. He didn't seem fazed though. He just grinned at her and gave her a nod. "My name is Rock Lee, a ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village! It's nice to meet a beautiful girl like you, Alea." He said offering his hand to the girl, who crinkled her nose but folded her arms. But with a shrug, he looked at the announcer. "May I try now?"
"Yes, why not?" The man then turned to look at the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you our challenger! Rock Lee, of the Hidden Leaf Village!" And everyone on the bridge burst into cheers and applause. Some men were actually looking forward to seeing this guy make a fool out of himself other than he already looked. And a few were already making jokes about how Alea would have to kiss this guy if he won. She didn't like that, and even shot those men a dark look for it. "Now, let us set up the ladder so that our friend, here, can climb up the pole and see if he can walk the rope." He told a few assistants, who were already propping the ladder up against the post.
Lee, however shook his head as he removed his back and dropped it down onto the ground. "There is no need for a ladder. I can get up there without it." He told them before he he ran at the post and ran right up it to the top. He smiled, pleased with himself when people awed at how he got up the post. Standing on the top, the young Chuunin glanced down at the crowd and even offered his teammates a thumbs up.
"Geez, the idiot is going to get himself killed." Neji remarked dryly as he, Tenten and Gai watched as he stood on the post. Gai, however, was just frowning as he watched carefully, his eyes flickering over to the girl, Alea a few times. He narrowed his eyes when he saw her folded her arms and shift her weight, looking impatient.
Above, everyone was watching Lee as he looked down at the rope, taking a deep breath. He knew this was going to be very hard to do. He had never tried walking on a rope before. Tree walking, water walking, that was hard enough for anyone who wasn't a ninja. But rope walking? He didn't think he ever saw a ninja do it. But with a deep breath, he stepped onto the rope......
And went falling right off it and off the bridge, for the river below.
"Lee!" Tenten screamed his name as he fell.
Both Neji and Gai breathed in sharply before they hurried over to the railing and looked down just in time to see Lee land right in the water. However, almost all people began laughing after watching him fall right off the rope. Some were shaking their head. Alea just sighed and rolled her eyes as she watched him fall into the water before turning away. "Leaf idiot." She muttered. "I actually thought that he'd do it." She started to walk away though, tapping the announcer's chest. "I'm...."
"Wait!" came Lee's voice as soon as he rushed right back up the bridge, sopping wet. He didn't seem to care that he was wet. "I'd like to try again!"
Like most, Alea turned around, looking somewhat surprised. That had at least made some people stop laughing at the green clad ninja. They were surprised that he got back up on the bridge so fast and was determined for a second try. They couldn't believe he was even going to try it. The man even looked bewildered. "Uh....Are you sure? The next time you fall, you could fall the other way and land hard on the......"
"No, let him. I'm actually looking forward to seeing him crack his head open." Alea said, smirking as she folded her arms over her chest. "I had heard that Leaf Ninja were extremely stubborn when they decide to do something." She motioned towards the post. "Go right ahead, Ninja. Try it again. But even if you did walk that rope, I won't reward you with a kiss. I don't kiss Leaf Ninja." She said a little too coldly before she turned around and started to walk away.
Tenten and Neji both blinked in surprise before they saw the look on Rock Lee's face. It was the same look they had seen before, when he found out that Sakura Haruno was now dating Gaara of the Sand. It had hurt Lee just a little but he had known that he would never win Sakura's heart. They were still friends. But this girl.....she seemed to have struck a nerve in Lee. "Hey! The Weapon's specialist snapped as she took a few steps after her. "What is that suppose to mean?! Wasn't the deal that if someone managed to walk the rope, you'd reward them a kiss?!"
Alea rolled her eyes as she turned back around, though was walking backwards. "Ye-ah. I suppose that was the deal. But did he walk the line? No, he fell into the river. But then again, even if he did, why in the hell do you think I would kiss someone that looks like him, more or less, a Leaf Ninja?"
"You sound like you have a problem with Leaf Ninja." Neji said drly, giving her a look of warning.
The black/violet haired girl just smiled bitterly as she folded her arms and took another step away from them. "And what if I do? What are you going to do about it?" She asked just as dryly. "As far as I know about you Leaf Ninja, you are from a very large village, who think you are better than everyone else. Just because you guys practically won the Great Shinobi War, you guys are stronger, faster and more lethal."
Gai folded his arms, a sly smile on his face as if he had just realized something about the girl in front of them. He didn't even look annoyed that this girl had insulted his prized student. "You sure know a lot about the Great Shinobi War, for a civilian." He smiled when Alea looked at him with surprise before glaring at him. "Then again, I don't think you're a civilian. Now are you? You're a ninja, yourself. Aren't you?" He asked, very well aware that his three students were surprised by his accusation.
There was a very long pause as Alea glared right into Gai's eyes, looking very annoyed. She glared at him for a moment before she slowly shook her head and turned away. "I don't know know what you're talking about. I don't even know my real name. I can't remember it." She said coolly before walking away.
The Leaf ninja just frowned in surprise as they watched her go, though Neji didn't believe her for a second. He knew she had to be lying. And Tenten shared his thoughts. She just glared after the girl, shaking her head. "What a load of bull....."
"No. She's not lying. And if she is, she's been telling the same story over and over, and over." Came an older voice.
All four of the Leaf Ninja turned around only to see an elderly man making his way over to them. He was at least in his sixties, yet fit as a horse. He had deeply tanned skin, white hair and beard and he had an official look about him for a bridgemaster. He wore a blue muscle shirt with dark brown trousers. A large rice hat sat on top of his head, protecting his face from the sun. On his face, he wore thin rimmed glasses and a curious look as he looked each of the Leaf Ninja over. He had a frown but he still looked curious. After a moment, he looked over at Rangu. "Rangu, this don't look like Kakashi and his team." He remarked, unamused.
Rangu cringed a little before sighing. "I'm sorry, Tazuna-senpai. But the team that you requested for was already on another mission." He said.
"Forgive us since we're not the ninja you wanted." Neji said dryly, feeling highly annoyed by the reaction by the old man, who obviously was the Bridgemaster that sent for the Leaf Ninja in the first place.
Tazuna blinked a few times as he looked at the stoic ninja with white eyes before he smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. He got the idea of why the young man was so annoyed and really couldn't blame him. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you, young Ninja. I should probably watch what I say. I've underestimated you Leaf Ninja before and I got a surprise slapped right into my face." He chuckled before dropping his hand and looking at Gai. "Please, forgive me. I was just looking forward to seeing Kakashi and his kids again. I still owe my very life to that lot. Plus my grandson is really good friends with the two kids, Naruto and Gaara. He was really looking forward to seeing them." He told him.
Gai just smiled and shook his head as he placed his hand onto his waist. "Oh, don't worry about it. We understand. And don't mind Neji." he glanced at the annoyed looking prodigy of the Hyuuga Clan. "He's just sour about that girl. She wasn't very friendly to us." He told him.
The old man glanced off into the direction where Alea went but then he let out a light sigh and shook his head. "Oh, don't mind Alea. She's....she's a complicated young woman." He turned his eyes back to the Leaf Ninja. "She wasn't lying to you by the way. She doesn't remember who she is. She's been suffering from amnesia for the past month. We don't really know what happened to her but I do remember finding that poor kid wandering down by the beach, hurt pretty bad. I don't think she likes ninja too much because she was attacked by a few. At least that's my guess. She's actually a sweet girl once you get to know her. She's just really quiet and doesn't talk about herself. At least of what she can remember. She's been helping us quite a lot around here. She even puts on these shows," He motioned to the tight rope posts. ", just to help bring more tourists to Wave City for businesses. She's got great balance, as you've seen. I can't really say if she's a ninja or not. She knows how to fight, yeah. She's actually taken on some of those renegades that we're asking you guys to take care of. And she's the reason why they haven't came after us for a about two weeks. She really kicked the hell out of some of 'em two weeks ago." he told them.
Neji and Tenten glanced at one another, sharing the same thoughtful frowns but then turned their eyes back onto Tazuna. "So why do you need us if she can take care of them, herself?" The Hyuuga asked.
Tazuna just sighed and shook his head as he folded his arms over his chest. "The other night, she was out gathering fire wood for my daughter and she caught a glimpse of nearly a hundred renegades camping out down in the forest. Now, she did try to fight them off, but some of those guys were rogue ninja. That's probably why she doesn't like ninja very much. She doesn't trust others very easily. When we first met, it took me some time to gain her trust. I know she don't fully trust me but that's as close as it's going to get. The only person she fully trusts is my grandson, Inari." He told them.
Rock Lee frowned as he listened but then brightened. "Maybe I can get her to trust me! Show her that I mean no harm!" He said brightly.
Tenten and Neji glanced at him before rolling their eyes. They both knew very well that it wasn't just that he wanted Alea to trust him. They had seen that look on his face when he first saw her. It was the same look he always had when he first showed interest in Sakura Haruno. So obviously, he'd forgotten about his crush on Sakura. It looked like he moved on. "Lee, don't be an idiot. That girl, Alea just insulted you. And as far as we know, she could be an enemy ninja. Even if she doesn't know that she's a ninja." Neji said dryly.
Everyone looked at the stoic ninja but Rock Lee looked rather stubborn. And he was. He wanted to meet Alea again. He wanted to try and get her to trust him and maybe they could become friends. So instead of saying anything to Neji, he looked at Tazuna. "Please, kind sir! Do you know where I can find Alea? I must talk to her and try to become her friend!"
"More like ask her out." Tenten murmured under her breath. But she was ignored by her teammate.
Tazuna chuckled but shook his head as he folded his arms over his chest again. He seemed very amused by Lee's persistency. But with a shrug, he turned slightly away from the ninja. "Really? Well, if you really think you can gain her trust and make a friend out of her, I'd love to see that happen. She's a lonely little kit, I'll tell ya. She doesn't like interacting with others very much. She always act as if she's afraid to make friends. Like I said, my grandson is the only one she trusts. But other wise, you can find her at my place. I've been letting her stay with my family. You're welcomed to stay with us too, if you'd like."
Looking very excited, Rock Lee threw a fist into the air and nodded vigorously. "Yes! We accept!" He said brightly before turning around and pointing off towards the end of the bridge. "Let us go now!" And he zoomed away, leaving a cloud of dust behind him and his three teammates.
Both Neji and Tenten shook their heads with dry stares on their faces while Gai chuckled as he folded his arms over his chest. He was amused by Lee's determination. Tazuna was also chuckling and shaking his head. "Interesting weird kid you've got there, Leaf Ninja. I just hope he knows what kind of trouble he's getting himself into. Alea's very fiesty and she's not afraid to bite hard." He then shrugged. "Also, he's going the wrong way. My house is that way." He said, throwing a thumb over his shoulder to the other side of the bridge. That only caused Neji and Tenten to roll their eyes and shake their heads. They didn't like this. They were pretty sure that Alea wasn't who she was saying that she was. They knew that she had to be a ninja from another village. But the only question was, what village?