Chapter 5

Monkey see, monkey do! Hey, look what I can do! The truth behind the Snow village mystery! Part II

Kiba looked at Shikamaru nodding. "So that's it, is it?"

"I don't see what other choice I have. Those morons down there will be looking for us if we return. Our best bet is to stay where we are and depart when it's time to go," Shikamaru said. He turned his head to check on the girl. She was fast asleep on the pallet, covered in furs. "I swore to protect her until I united her with Sasuke. Speaking of which, how is he?"

"Worried," Kiba said. He, too, glanced at the girl asleep. "Why do you think he's so concerned about her?" Mabae yawned as he laid on his side.

"You're telling me, you wouldn't be, if she had approached you first," Shikamaru asked.

Kiba blinked, rather confused. "That's not exactly what I meant," he smiled embarrassed at himself.

"What did you mean then?" Shikamaru narrowed his eyes.

"I meant Sasuke has been chasing after her with a lot of concern. I've never seen him do that sort of thing," Kiba said defending himself.

"Well, the way I look at it, it's not any different of a situation if it was your own child that someone was turning against," he said, covering the girl up more.

"I guess you're right. She is kind of cute," he said. "Well, I better go. If I don't return, I'm sure they'll be worried. Up and at 'em, Mabae. We've got to go back now." The dog started to complain. "There's no helping it. I've got to let everyone know we found 'em."

Shikamaru walked Kiba and Mabae to the door of the place. "Well, I'll try to do what I can from this point with her. If at all possible, if you come back tomorrow, can you please bring some supplies?" The look on his face was grim.

Kiba smiled at his friend. "Sure thing, buddy."

"Thanks," Shikamaru said as they left. He looked back at the sleeping form on the skins. "I guess we can train you a little more while we wait. I'm sure Sasuke and the others won't mind."

(Scene Change)

"Okay, a Jutsu is a technique that is used by a ninja, remember? There are three different Jutsu that one can use," Shikamaru explained to the girl, "The one I showed you yesterday was referred to as a Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu often uses hand seals in order to achieve a technique. They are jutsus that anyone can learn if learned correctly. Another type of Jutsu is called Taijutsu. Taijutsu refers to techniques that rely on body movement. These are usually combat type moves. Meaning, you have to be close to your opponent to pull it off. I see you don't understand. Let me show you." Shikamaru got up, approaching the girl. "Try to hit me like I showed you this morning." He was trying to build the girl's confidence.

She nodded slowly. She punched the air in front of her, aiming at his abdomen. Shikamaru blocked the punch with his arm. The girl blinked. "A...block..is Taijutsu?"

"To block a move means to block, but when you punched at me, that was Taijutsu, in a sense. It's basically when you try to attack your opponent with physical movement. Such as, a kick, punch, hit of some sort. Understand so far?"

The girl nodded again.

"The third type of Jutsu is referred to as Genjutsu. Genjutsu is a technique of the mind. An opponent who uses Genjutsu can cause his opponent to hear, see, smell, and experience things that are not really there. It's trickery, in a sense. Genjutsu users are not common because it is hard to master and it drains the chakra flowing within the body."

"Can..Seekahmahlu do..it?"

"Me? Nah, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I would rather face my opponent with my strengths and abilities than to go that route."

"Seekahmahlu..? Wh..ere is..Sahsekeh?" She tilted her head. It had been days since she had seen him. They had already stayed at their current location for two days. The girl frowned as she sat in the snow, hiding her face in her knees.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Shikamaru kneeled in front of her, petting her head. "Sasuke is back at the Inn. If that Anamaraki guy notices our group leaving the village, he might find us. It's better for us to continue waiting like we are until it's time to go back to the Leaf Village."

She looked up at him, a tear in her eye. "Am...I...going to..Leaf Village..?"

Aw, man. I hadn't thought of that. This kid has no home. We can't just leave her here. Things are bad enough for her than for any of us. Shikamaru's face became emotionless. "You're going back with us." I don't know who will take her in, but if no one will, I'll talk to Temari. Shikamaru wiped the tear out of her eye. "If we're going to get you out of here, we need to train you a little more, okay? Anything can happen when we try to leave. That Anamaraki guy could already have a plan to stop us."

She wondered if she went to the Leaf Village with Shikamaru, Kiba, and Sasuke where she would go? Would someone give her a place to stay and train her to be a ninja, too? Shikamaru had already demonstrated that he was willing to get her out of the snow village at all costs. However, would the others value her as much as he did? She wasn't sure.

"Alright, kid. Up and at 'em. We'll work on a few throw. After that, we'll see how strong your punching and kick movements are," Shikamaru said.

The girl stood up.

"Excuse me, would you happen to know where I can get this here," Sasuke asked, holding his share of the list.

The woman took a step closer, reading it. "Well, you're in luck. We have one of the items on your list. It won't be cheap. These are hard to come by," she said.

As I've heard from every vendor I've asked, Lady. Sasuke paid the woman. He walked down the road, his hands in his pockets. He had recovered three of the herbs on his list. Kiba was searching the south side while Neji and Lee took the day off. Neji had restrained himself when he had confronted Sasuke that morning.

"Sasuke, I can't believe you would jeopardize what we came to do. I told you not to make that Anamaraki guy angry. We cannot be responsible for what you do! We are guests in this village! If he chose to order it, he could come after us with his men. I don't think math is your best subject. We're outnumbered!"

"I know we are! You can't tell me to ignore what is going on!"

"Why is she important to you, Sasuke?" Neji looked at him calmly. "Why is she worth you risking your life?"

Sasuke looked away.

"At least level with me. Has that girl managed to break through the wall you built around yourself long ago?"

Sasuke swallowed.

"Can't you at least tell us what she means to you," Neji asked looking back at him from the window. .

"Out of everyone…she approached me. Me, Neji," he said, his voice wanting to break. "The way she crouched in the snow and looked at me; the fear in her eyes- I saw it. I…can't let her stay here; Not in this village where she is being mistreated."

Neji smiled a little. "Her situation isn't what has you concerned. That girl is exactly like you." Sasuke looked up, shocked. "She's you all over, Sasuke. You think I haven't noticed? If she means that much to you, I'll see what I can do."

You….You would do that…?"

"Of course! We're all in this together, aren't wet?"

"But Neji," he started.

"No 'buts', Sasuke. If that girl can make you smile, then I'll see what I can do."

Sasuke stopped. He turned his head towards the western mountains. Shikamaru and the young girl were both hiding there. His eyes softened. The only thing I can see is her in the snow.

(Scene Change)

"Ah!" Shikamaru slid in the snow, his blade separating from his hand. He gritted his teeth, looking up at the man in front of him.

"Did you honestly think we wouldn't find you? You injured one of our men," the man said behind his mask. "For the treachery you have committed against our village, you are to be escorted to Captain Anamaraki."

"It doesn't look like I have much of a choice," Shikamaru said. "Get your hands off of her!"

The man kicked Shikamaru in the side. "That's enough out of you!"

She struggled violently, her eyes wild. These were the bad men. They had Shikamaru. The moves he had taught her. Would they work?

"Quit squirming, you runt, " the man who held onto her threatened.

She shifted her weight to the left, bringing her right leg up, kicking as hard as she could at his side. It didn't stop there. Her kicks became faster as she kicked harder. As the man grunted, the girl placed her foot on his ribs, shifted her weight to bear at that point. With all her strength, she rolled her body from the left to right, causing her to spin. As her form came around, she launched her right fist at the man's jaw. He went down. She was free! It had worked!

"Run," Shikamaru yelled. He formed quick hand seals. His shadow began to move stealthily towards the man who had attacked him. "Shadow possession jutsu!"

The girl whirled around. The man she had attacked was getting up. The other one was being held by Shikamaru.

"RUN! Find the others," he told her. "I'll be fine," he lied, his fate unknown to him. "Now!"

She took off running away from the shelter she had known for three years. She had to find Kiba, or Sasuke. They had to help Shikamaru! The girl wasn't able to fight off two grown men by herself. She only had three days of training! It wasn't enough!

"Go after her! If she alerts the other ninja, we won't be able to cover this up," the leader informed his teammate. "He can't hold me forever!"

The other man took off on a high-speed chase to catch the girl. He smiled wickedly, unsheathing two kunai. Run all you like, you little runt. I'm faster and stronger!

I've got to run faster. Oh, no! She glanced behind to see the man after her. "You have to think with this," Shikamaru said as he tapped his head. "Concentrate." Think. Think! He's stronger and faster. I can't outrun him forever!

All she could see as she ran down the mountain, half-way sliding and falling, was snow. Her mind flashed to the lesson from the other day. Snowballs. Underneath the snow was dirt and rocks. She had a plan.

"You can run, but you can't hide, runt. I know your weak, little body can't outrun me! Your trail ends here!"

She stepped out from a large rock nestled in the earth. In her hand was a nice, round snowball packed with dirt. "I not run. You run," she challenged as she threw it at the man, hitting him square in the jaw.

The man scowled, touching his face. "You're going to wish you hadn't of down that." He ran at her, throwing a kunai in her direction.

Monkey see, monkey do. She brought her hands up as if she was attempting to catch it, but it stopped short of her palms. It's stuck to my chakra. Reverse! The blade flipped around. "Back," she said calmly.

"What in the-," his comment was cut short as the blade sliced through the air, into his shoulder. The man yelped, his hand coming up, dislodging it from the muscle. "Nice try," he grunted, "But it isn't going to save you!"

"Hungry," she asked, throwing another snowball. It hit dead center of his cheek. The man hollered. "Rocks good jutsu technique!" the man tried to charge at her again, but she threw another snowball at his arm. "Big rocks!"

She had to keep him down. Time was running out for Shikamaru. Another snowball! And another! This time the man stayed down. Gathering her strength, she took off again. She had to alert Shikamaru's companions!

The village wasn't far off. Her legs felt like they would give out at any moment. Her lungs burned and heaved for air. What was worse was the mere fact that the ninja she had attacked, was on her tail again. She had to hurry!

As she entered the village, she ran down as many side roads to confuse the man following her. If he caught her, she was dead. Another problem she had was the fact that she didn't know where Shikamaru's companions were staying. There were several large inns in the village.

Think. Think. She jogged down a few more roads, searching. They came at night. Night. Night time means sleeping. Also, tiredness. So, when they came, they were tired. They couldn't have walked much farther, so the inns on the south side are it! She turned around a corner. Her heart froze. The one chasing her was parallel to her. She had to run for it!

Run! Run! Her lungs burned immensely, legs starting to give out. The villagers would not help her. They would not protect her. A man was crossing the road in front of her. Her eyes widened.

Symbol. The symbol on his forehead is the same as the one on Shikamaru's arm! She had to yell at the man. She had to put all her effort into it. The man chasing her, slid behind her, attempting to latch onto her. Her mouth opened, voice trying to come out of her dry throat, "Shikamaru! Kiba! Sasuke," she yelled.

The man turned around quickly, his eyes looking straight at her, long, dark brown hair flowing in the breeze. Neji Hyuga ran as fast as he could pass the girl, a weapon already drawn into his hand. The man wasn't expecting him to react. "You should learn to keep your guard up," he said as he fought the other ninja.

The girl fell to the road, panting hard. Her heart was racing. She watched with half-lidded eyes as the man with long hair fought the other ninja. He moved so quickly he became a blur. It was unsure to her, how many times he was attacking the man who had been chasing her. After some sort of special move, the opponent went down.

The girl felt herself being picked up and carried away. Her eyes opened to focus on the one who had saved her. He was a handsome man with an expressionless face. "Sasuke," she said weakly.

Neji forced a smile. "You have good eyes. I bet you recognized this, didn't you," he asked as he tapped the symbol on his headband. "You've a very smart girl. I'm Neji Hyuga. You can rest for now. No one is going to hurt you." He watched as the young girl passed out, her head lying against his shoulder.

(Scene Change)

Rock Lee ate stealthily, his annoyance noticeable by Kiba and Sasuke. "I have never met anyone so pigheaded in all of my life! That Anamaraki guy told me to keep my nose out of his affairs like I was trying to tell him to do his job! The nerves of-," he shoved rice into his mouth to muffle his swearing.

"You said it yourself; that you couldn't get involved. Now you want to get involved, " Kiba said, leaning back. Make up your mind, Lee."

Sasuke lowered his chopsticks. "He was doing it for me." He really didn't feel like eating. He was too worried.

"What do we do now? We can't leave Shikamaru stuck on that mountain without food, or supplies. Nor, can we leave the sprout here. Everyone here acts like they don't want her," Kiba said disgusted.

"I want her," Sasuke said.

Rock Lee and Kiba both looked at him, stunned.

"You both heard me. I want her," he repeated.

"You're willing to take her in and raise her," Kiba asked, baffled. Sasuke nodded. "You do understand that it's not like raising a pet, Sasuke. You can't get rid of her if she causes a problem. She's yours for life."

"And…I'll be hers. I know what it means," Sasuke annoyingly replied.

Lee and Kiba both looked up as the door slid open. Their eyes held bewilderment. Neji walked in quietly. He gestured for them to keep quiet.

"Tell me, Sasuke Uchiha, do you still believe in Santa Claus," Neji asked.

"I think I'm a little too old for that," Sasuke said, forcing food into his mouth. His stomach was complaining again. He heard Neji shuffling about behind him.

"I have a present for you, but I need to hear you say, 'I believe in Santa'," Neji taunted.

Sasuke lowered his chopsticks. "Fine, I believe in Santa," he said, his eyebrow twitching.

Neji sat down beside him. "Merry Christmas," he said as Sasuke turned his head to look at him. "Do you like the gift I got for you?"

There in Neji's arms was the dark haired little girl, sleeping. His breath left him. Was she really there? Sasuke reached his hand towards her, slowly rubbing her cold hair. She was real. "H-how..?"

"She noticed me passing in front of her while I was shopping. She had been running from a man trying to harm her. Three words was all it took for me to protect her. That, and her sharp eyes," Neji said.

"What three words," Kiba asked.

Neji counted as he said, "Shikamaru, Kiba, and Sasuke. You have a very smart little girl. She recognized the Leaf Village symbol on my headband."

Kiba Inuzuka's face turned to worry and anger. "Where is Shikamaru?"