V6 ch 9
The Noble Breed
Ryu rolled his eyes as he listened to Takeru speak about Onari dating Eiyu. He rolled his shoulders. "Takeru," he said to get the boy's attention, "Do you happen to know why she went for Eiyu, in the first place?" Takeru was staring at him blankly. "Who are you always with?"
"You or Daiya," Takeru said straightforward.
"No offense, Uchiha, but-," Ryu turned around for a split second before he turned back around with a rose in his mouth. "You have no idea how to be romantic."
"Romantic," Takeru asked as he raised a brow. "Onari's just a girl that lives with me," he said looking away. "I don't care if she's going out with Eiyu. I just don't think he's suitable for her." Ryu glanced at him in an unbelievable grimace. "He's only her first boyfriend."
"Somehow you manage to make sense and hurt me all the same," Ryu said. He sulked a bit as he felt Takeru pat his back. "I need to go. Your dad isn't the type to wait on his students. You need to check on Onari's progress. She may surprise you." Takeru snorted his reaction. "See you, Uchiha."
Takeru walked by himself. I don't care if she surprises me. Onari's just Onari. He put his foot on a rock and rolled it back and forth rather annoyed. He kicked it hard. It tacked off a wall. He really despised Eiyu.
Rock Lee noticed something was wrong with his team. Takeru was standing off to his right with his back turned from his two teammates. Onari was in the middle with Eiyu on his left. Onari seemed to be watching Takeru out of the corner of her narrowed eyes. Eiyu's arms were crossed. "Might I ask what is going on?"
"Nothing," the boys said in unison. Onari didn't bother to give any insight on the matter. She only stood with a blank stare straight ahead.
"Something is going on with the both of you. We have three teams that have added a new person," Lee started out. It seemed to catch the attention of his team. "Saori is now on Sasuke's team; Onari is on ours; and Jinrin has been added to Kiba's team. Everyone has to get along due to the survival of the others in the cell. You guys are no exception to that rule. Whatever problems the three of you have with each other, will be dropped as of now."
Onari glanced at Eiyu. He had uncrossed his arms. Takeru still had his back turned to them. She supposed he was hurt, or unyielding in the fact that she was dating Eiyu Hyuuga. Onari walked over and touched his shoulder. "Takeru, Onari still friend."
Takeru glanced at her. "I know," he said lowly. "I need time to adjust, Onari. Leave me be."
Onari took her hand off his shoulder. He wasn't using his pet name for her. She guessed that was lost with Takeru's anger. She stood back in the middle, her mood borderline at annoyance and toleration.
"I have no regrets in anything I do. Maybe what I say sometimes. If I had known, Takeru, I wouldn't have asked her," Eiyu said to the boy.
Takeru closed his eyes. "I'd rather not talk about it." He just wanted to train in order to get stronger. Onari had her own life. If she didn't feel that way about him – she didn't. He had to accept it.
Lee was sure there was a love quarrel going on between them. He preferred to stay out of it. Kids had to learn on their own. "Now that everything is settled, we will go see what mission we can get."
Jinrin gave Yanagi a dashing smile as his cat like eyes focused on every feature of her face. He moved closer to her. Yanagi tensed and brought her shoulders up, eying him warily. "I have no intention of grabbing you, you know."
"Yeah, well, you're making me nervous," Yanagi said as she watched Team 2 move through the crowd. They were at the building to get an assignment just like her team. She was trying to focus on watching Daiya.
Jinrin moved his gaze following hers. "So which one are you dating," he asked smoothly. He figured this Daiya had to be the older, tall guy. The other boy appeared shy, and unsure about every movement he was making.
Yanagi wasn't sure where Jinrin was going with his question. "He's the boy with the ponytail," she said rather short to get it over with. Jinrin was smirking. Yanagi rarely got angry; however, she was beginning to fume.
"I could of sworn with the way you speak about him, that he was some tough looking guy who had achieved these miraculous goals. He appears to be nothing more than a shy, afraid person," Jinrin said with a laugh. "You're a silly girl to have fallen for someone with no backbone."
Yanagi gritted her teeth. She reached back and slapped Jinrin so hard, everyone stopped. She looked at him with hot, angry tears in her eyes. "You have no right to judge someone who has every right to be who they are," she said for his ears only. He only stared at her with the shock all over his face. Yanagi walked away.
Kiba approached his new student with a frown, arms crossed, and heavy feet. Masaru was following him. "Jinrin, we need to talk." The boy nodded his head as he kept his eyes focused on Yanagi's wake.
Mittsu Kaiten was crouched low high above the tower in its shadows as she watched the crowd below her. The people were moving along talking amongst themselves as she jumped from statue to statue. She smiled. What fools they are. She hid behind a statue of Buddha.
Team 9 walked besides the horses they were leading to the stables. They were unfamiliar with the area they were in. Eiyu was flipping through a book of his, researching the artifacts and statues he was coming in contact with. Takeru guided the horse he was leading straight ahead. Onari was marveling the animals by stroking their muzzles. Rock Lee thought this was a perfection mission for his new student.
"The stables are just ahead. Once these horses are checked in, your job will be to make sure unauthorized people do not get near them. These horses are very valuable," Katsuhiko said with his booming voice. "Do not disappoint me. Until they are handed over, their security needs to be high."
Takeru thought he was going to die of boredom. Being hired to guard several horses was not excitement to him. He needed all of the distractions he could get to take his mind off Eiyu and Onari dating.
"Onari, you're supposed to be watching the area around you – not the horse," Lee said as he watched his new student walk backwards. Onari's attention seemed to be in coaxing the animal to follow her. Lee moved his arm to place his hand on her head. He turned her attention around. Onari tried to turn back to the horse. "No, this way," Lee said as he kept her head forward.
Eiyu smirked behind his book as he caught Onari's scowl. He thumbed through the book until he found a history about the tower they were passing. "This tower is 500 years old," he said astonished at its age. He was a sucker for history.
"Eiyu, we're leaving you behind," Lee said as he walked on with the horses.
Takeru ran his fingers down the muzzle of her horse in the stable. He kept his eyes on the mare. She was nudging his other hand. "I guess you're looking for a sugar cube." He turned his head quickly to see Onari tumble backwards over a box. Before he could react, Eiyu was already by her side. He turned back around.
"Onari, they tend to go after apples kind of fast. It's best to give them the entire thing," Eiyu said as he helped her stand. He assumed she hadn't been near a horse before.
Onari squealed as the horse made a high-pitched neighing sound. She shot behind Eiyu using him as a defense shield. Her eyes were wide.
"No! You cannot sell these horses! You have no idea what the priest is going to do with them," they heard a male voice shout in anger. Team 9 turned to see a boy around the age of seventeen trying to fight with their employer.
"It doesn't matter what he does with them. He was the highest bidder, Noriaki. Your father couldn't pay half of what they're worth," Katsuhiko bellowed as he pushed the boy onto the ground. "You won't get past this point. I've hired ninja from the leaf village." He shut the stable doors.
"Ninja?" Noriaki shook the dirt free from his hair. He stood up patting his pants free of dust. The boy walked away from the stables defeated.
Takeru watched Katsuhiko shuffle past with a grunt. He looked at the mare in front of him. Her dark eyes were watching him. I wonder what that was all about. He turned his head to see Katsuhiko put something in a satchel hanging on a post. The man caught his eye and gave him the dirtiest look he could. Takeru stiffened. He flipped his head back around to pretend he was focused on the mare.
Katsuhiko walked to the raven-haired boy. He leaned close to him, his voice rough and threatening, "If I were you, boy, I'd keep my eyes focused on your job." Katsuhiko stood long enough for his hot breath to be felt upon the ninja boy's neck. He meant what he said.
Takeru felt chills bumps pop up on his arms as the large man stood behind him. He felt as if he was in danger with the man who had employed Team 9. There was something odd about his behavior. Once the man walked off and out of the stable, Takeru breathed. He felt faint. His anxiety was coming on strongly. What was in the satchel hanging on the post? Whatever it was, he wasn't supposed to know about it.
Takeru's heart was racing uncontrollably in his chest. He saw stars in his vision. If Katsuhiko chose to, he could have easily strangled him, or stuck a kunai in his back. Lee was not around to watch his team, nor his father there to protect him. The realization of his life being on the line, finally got to him. Takeru Uchiha fainted in front of the mare.
Takeru awoke to someone looking over him. At first, he mistook the person for a nurse, or doctor. He thought he was at the local clinic, but the more his eyes adjusted, the more the face started to resemble Eiyu's. Takeru groaned not from his head hitting the ground, but the fact his archenemy was babysitting him.
Eiyu helped Takeru sit up as the boy shook his head. "Are you okay? What caused you to faint? Onari and I were only gone for a moment to get hay and oats for the horses." He watched Takeru stiffly glance around the stable. "Takeru, who are you looking for?"
Takeru remembered what Lee had said before they left to go on their mission. He had no choice but to adhere to Eiyu's questioning. He was his teammate. Takeru saw the mare he had been petting lean her head over the door of her pen. "Katsuhiko," he answered softly.
"You want me to go get him? He's gone to the market in search of fellow friends he has in this area," Eiyu said as he started to rise. Takeru quickly grabbed his wrist. Eiyu looked at the fear hanging in the back of Takeru's eyes. He sat back down. Eiyu was two years older than Takeru. The boy was afraid of something. He could tell that much about him.
"Katsuhiko threatened me while you two were away," Takeru said. He looked away from Eiyu's blank stare. "It was right after he confronted that guy from earlier, Eiyu. He walked past me and told me to remain focused on my job of being a ninja."
"You should be focused on being a ninja. How is that a threat," Eiyu asked as he stood up. "You're imagining things, Takeru."
"I'm not imagining anything," Takeru yelled with anger. "You weren't here! He-," Takeru's voice was cut off as Lee came back with Katsuhiko. The man gave him the same look as before. Takeru moved his body to the wooden door and stood there. His heart was starting to race again. Even with his team present, he didn't feel safe right now.
"Is there a problem in here," Katsuhiko asked with his rough voice. He glanced at the dark haired boy and the boy with the long hair. "I suggest you two save your energy for staying awake. My comrades have told me there are horse thieves in this area. They might come after these horses. Until the priest gets them, you will work for me," he said once again.
Lee caught onto Takeru's body language. He noticed Takeru's reactions to their new employer when he entered the stable. Lee waited until the man went over to check a leather satchel hanging on a post. The man took something out of it and concealed it quickly in his hand. Lee was unable to see what the man was hiding. Once Katsuhiko left the horses with Team 9, Lee signaled for Eiyu and Takeru to remain quiet. Katsuhiko was listening outside the stable for anything said. "Make sure you guys don't fight in front of an employer. It isn't wise. It might adhere to us getting hired for future assignments," Lee said putting enough emphasis into his voice as he could. "Takeru, since you have such a wild imagination, you can clean the horse pens. Eiyu, I don't know what's gotten into you either. You can assist him."
Lee watched Takeru and Eiyu grab pitchforks to start working. The boys worked for some time quietly. Lee stood with his back near the door, his ears alert until Onari dropped from the rafters. She pointed her finger out then moved her wrist to gesture Katsuhiko had finally left. Lee signaled for the two boys to stop working.
Takeru came out of the horse pen he was in, first. "I was wondering where you were," he said to Onari. The girl pointed up at the rafters. He already knew that. She did just come from there, didn't she? Same Onari.
"There seems to be something going on. Katsuhiko was outside of the stables listening for anything that might occur in here – such as someone telling something they weren't supposed to. Onari was keeping watch. He was too preoccupied with what you were doing, Takeru, to notice she was missing. What has you afraid of him," Lee asked. The boy opened his mouth, but shut it. "Takeru, we have to know what you saw, or heard."
Eiyu glanced at the Uchiha boy. He believed Takeru was afraid of what Onari, or Lee might think of him if he acted like a child. "He said he was threatened by Mr. Katsuhiko when we were not here," Eiyu spoke up.
"No one asked you to speak for me," Takeru said angrily as Onari and Lee moved away from the stable doors quickly. He turned his head to see the doors being thrown open by wind. Takeru felt himself being grabbed from behind. He wasn't able to react as the person holding him lifted his body into the air. Takeru found himself in the rafters. The kunai were lodged into the opposite doors of the stable. He looked around to see Eiyu near him with Lee behind him. Did that mean Onari was the one responsible for saving him? Sure enough, she popped her head over his shoulder. Takeru blushed.
"We can't remain up here. If they are really after the horses, they'll steal them. Ninja can't be afraid of anything," Eiyu said rather annoyed as Lee kept his hold on him.
"Before you decide to drop down and give away your position, I'd suggest Onari taking a look around the area for us," Takeru said as he instructed Eiyu. Eiyu wasn't approving of being directed by him. "Onari has a special ability that lets her see whose in the area. I thought you knew that as much as you've trained with her."
Eiyu tried to keep himself calm. They had an enemy outside the stable. It was wiser to be more mindful of that than to fight amongst each other. "She hasn't done it around me," he said finally. Eiyu glanced behind Takeru. "Where is Onari?"
Onari searched the area around the stables with her bird like eyes. She flipped her head as her ears noticed movement coming from behind her. Onari jumped into a tree and moved around to the other side to see who was stalking her. Down below, a figure approached. It was Eiyu. Onari narrowed her eyes. Eiyu wouldn't be alone. Takeru would be with him. She didn't trust the form below.
Onari watched the form of Eiyu move slowly past the tree she was in. If Eiyu had had kunai thrown at him, she doubted he would be as cautious as that. Onari crouched low onto the branch as she slipped into the darkness.
The form of Eiyu Hyuuga glanced around the area. There was no movement coming from the stables behind him. Eiyu stayed in character as his feet moved slowly. He was listening for any movement around. He felt someone watching him. Eiyu formed hand seals as he walked. Just as his form moved around a tree, he sunk into the ground leaving a puddle of water.
Onari's wild eyes searched the trees from every angle. There was no sign of Eiyu. Had she really seen him? Onari jumped from a branch to another one. She didn't see anyone around her. There was silence in the darkness. The girl from the lightening country eased herself off the tree. She tilted her head this way and that. If Eiyu was out here, why had he gone this far? Onari didn't understand the situation at all.
She moved cautiously to where she had last seen Eiyu's form. Onari stopped. She had the sense someone was behind her. The girl turned her head quickly to see a figure behind her, dripping wet with water. A raven-haired girl with multiple long ponytails stood watching her with a smirk in her pale blue eyes.
"You must be new at this. I won't go easy on you," Mittsu Kaiten said with her flowing sweet voice. "Ninja ought to know better." She smiled at the girl as she rose into the air on a jet of water. It propelled her upwards. She flew off it, flipped her body, and threw kunai at the girl below her.
Onari took off. She didn't know who this unusual girl was, but she was attacking her. Onari made hand seals quickly to use a substitution jutsu to get away. The kunai were thrown at the log.
Mittsu moved her body towards the log as if she were a cat who had already killed her prey. She was smirking at the fact the girl was able to get away at all. Such a poor ninja, you are. What kind of fool falls into a trap so easily? Mittsu narrowed her eyes as she looked up at the trees. "It doesn't do any good to hide from me. I can sense water all around me." Mittsu closed her eyes. She smiled as she formed hand seals. "Rain storm," she said as water started to fall heavily from just the tips of the trees.
Onari wondered how this was possible. She was getting soaked to the bone. It hadn't been raining a moment ago. Was that girl still here? Onari searched around her, but couldn't see more than three feet in front of her body. The rain was pouring so badly that she had difficulty walking on the branch. Twice her foot almost slipped.
Mittsu unsheathed her wooden sword from behind her back. "Well, you're a hardheaded girl. Didn't your parents teach you better?" She sliced through the rain with the wood. "Ah, it's been a while. I'll get rid of you sooner than you think!"
Onari hated water. She loathed it. It was cold, wet, and above all else, it took her back to a place she didn't like to remember. Her eyes dilated. Onari's mind went flashing back to the time when her father's brother had tried to drown her during the winter. Her body started to react to the rain the other ninja was using against her. Onari's wet hands lifted to unwrap the bandages around her arms. As the bandages hung down, she bit her thumb. Onari smeared the blood onto the tattoos of her arms. She touched the branch of the tree. As she did so, symbols started to spiral around her body, glowing with the call of opening one of the celestial gates. Onari, from the lightening country, summoned her phoenix.
Akaihi turned his large head and opened his beak. As the wave of water came at him, he blew a stream of fire to deflect it. Akaihi moved his body forward as he kept a constant stream of fire going. The ninja from the mist village seemed to be backing down. It was foolish to think she had power over a celestial.
Mittsu formed hand seals quickly as the phoenix started to charge towards her. Whoever this young girl was, she wasn't as inexperienced as Mittsu had originally thought. While she was able, she used a substitution jutsu to bail.
Onari narrowed her eyes. She hadn't learned anything about her new opponent except for a few of her fighting styles. Who was this foreign ninja? Akaihi stood as a guard, the flames on his body blowing in the wind.
Rock Lee crossed his arms as he sat in the horse stables. His students were asleep in one of the vacant stalls in the hay. Onari's celestial guardian was keeping watch outside. The fact that the team had been attacked not long after dark by an unknown mist-nin was still in their minds. Onari had left the group in order to track the person who was passing as Eiyu.
Onari didn't know any better to not step carelessly into a trap; however, by doing so, she had defended herself and her team. Lee wondered how much power lay docile in Onari's abilities.
Takeru opened his eyes gently. He couldn't sleep. He sat up taking a moment to look over at Eiyu and Onari's sleeping forms. He rose.
Lee heard the stall door open. He turned his head to see Takeru close it shut. The boy appeared to be restless by the way he was walking. "Takeru, are you unable to sleep?"
Takeru shook his head. "No, I have a lot on my mind. Sensei, what do you do when someone you like likes someone else?" He leaned against the stable.
Lee supposed it was bound to come out eventually. "I am guessing you are referring to Onari being with Eiyu." Takeru shut his eyes at the mention of the facts. "Have you ever thought about why your father and I are always competing?"
"No, I just thought the both of you had huge egos," Takeru admitted. It was partially true. Sasuke had a foundation of pride. Lee had a lot of verbalization about his own.
"Your father and I met officially at the Chuunin entrance exams. I challenged him to fight – much against the wishes of Gai sensei. At the time, your father wasn't fast enough to keep up with my moves despite his knowledge and abilities of using Sharingan. Immediately, I took a liking to Sakura Haruno who was on the same team as your father.
Regardless of my efforts, Sakura only had feelings for Sasuke. She saw me as a fool. I learned the more you push, the more a girl will put a wall up. It's natural. It'd be the same if it were you in Onari's place. You can't really make someone like you. You need to be yourself, Takeru. You can only hope one day she will see you differently," Lee said as he took his role as a father to the boy.
"So you're saying you actually calmed down so Ms. Sakura would notice you," Takeru teased.
"Takeru Uchiha, be more considerate of your elders," Lee said as he returned to being a trainer.
Takeru smirked. "I'm going to visit Akaihi. He has to be lonely out there by himself," he waved to Lee as he existed the stables.
Akaihi moved his eye to see the raven-haired boy Onari resided with leave the stable. He was nested near the stables, his red feathers brilliant in the moonlight. The fire on his body flickered at the top of his head and back. The phoenix saw Takeru sit next to him with his shoulders slumped.
Takeru looked at his hands as they played with his shirt. He felt Akaihi watching him. "You've been with Onari for a long time, huh? I wish I knew how to get through to her," he said softly. "But it's a little late isn't it," he said with a forced sad smile. "You probably can't understand me anyway." Takeru turned his head to see Akaihi's head lowered. He was staring hard at Takeru with his yellow eyes.
The phoenix tilted his head this way and that as the boy kept his eyes focused on him. Takeru was in love with Onari. Akaihi saw it in his sincere eyes. (I understand more than you think, Takeru of the Uchiha clan.)
Takeru's eyes widened. "You can speak? Your voice sounds as if you're speaking in a cave. It's echoing everywhere. Do you and Onari speak?"
Akaihi kept his eyes on the boy. (You are the first one I have spoken to since I was acquired.) He lifted his head to keep an eye on the area.
"You've never spoken to Onari?" He didn't understand. "But if you're her guardian, shouldn't the two of you speak?"
Akaihi lowered his head again to look into Takeru's eyes once more. He searched the boy's soul. (Onari, as you call her, would not be able to understand my true connection with her. She believes I am nothing more than a pet her clan has access to.)
Takeru furrowed his eyebrows. "I thought you were, too, no offense. I guess it's ridiculous to think that about a celestial." He sighed at his own ignorance. "So what are you to her?"
(The gate was opened for her to gain access – to inherit the ability to open it. Yet, she has not figured out I am her true guardian. The one meant to protect her.) The boy wasn't comprehending what he was saying. (I am Onari's father, Sashizo, Takeru.)
Takeru felt his heart leap into his throat. He swallowed hard trying to get it to go back down. "Onari's father? H-How is that possible?"
(If the passage of the ritual is successful, the gate can be opened by the one who has the passage rites. However, the only way for Onari to be able to summon me, was for me to sacrifice my life to protect hers. By doing so, I saved her life and now have the ability to protect her.)
"What sort of ritual had to be performed," Takeru asked. He was sure he knew what it was, but he wanted Akaihi to say it. Takeru's mind was moving over Onari's arms.
(The tattoos on her arms, back, and sides are sacred scriptures from the Heaven Scroll. Without those markings, she wouldn't be able to access the gate.) Akaihi turned his head. His eyes softened. (Onari's mother cried when we had to perform the ritual. It was unheard of to perform such an act on a child. It was painful for me to listen to her screams. More painful than it was for me to die.)
Takeru looked at the phoenix with new founded respect. Next to him was Sashizo, Onari's father, in a different form. He must have held a great title in his clan. He gave his life to protect her. Yet, what is it that he fears?
Akaihi doused the flames on his body. The sun was rising. (How are you trying to get through to my daughter?) Akaihi watched Takeru's expression. The boy had forgotten he had mentioned that earlier. (If it's any consolidation, you're the first boy she has known.)
Takeru blushed. He turned his head to see their employer, Katsuhiko walking towards them with a priest. "Uh, oh. I better alert Lee sensei. Can you-"Before he could finish his request, Akaihi evaporated into burning feathers. Takeru ran inside to warn his team.
"This is an outrage. I would have never assumed Katsuhiko to turn his back on his old friends," Jiram said as he looked at his son. "The priest doesn't care about the rarity of those horses. He wants to auction them off to support our economy."
Noriaki watched the disgust creep across his father's face. They were horse trainers and breeders. It was their specialty to produce special breeds and tame horses that were dangerous. "Katsuhiko hired ninja to guard the horses until they were passed to the priest. He is adapt about completing his transaction."
"The only way to save those noble animals would be to steal them. That goes against my morals as a breeder, Noriaki," Jiram contemplated. "The ryo required to purchase them is not in our hands. Katsuhiko is asking an outrageous sum. It's as if he knew our intentions from the beginning!"
"What does he have against us," Noriaki asked. He couldn't imagine his father having any enemies. He was the kindest, most respected man for his profession in their area.
"I have no idea," Jiram breathed as he rubbed his temples.
Noriaki left his father's home to wander the village. He tried to think about how he could help ease the conflict. Miyuki horses are extra rare. There are only a hundred of them left in the entire world. Wouldn't it be more logical to breed them and save them? On the other hand, is everything about ryo? He stopped in front of the tower. Its ancient elegance seemed to attract him. Noriaki walked towards it. He went inside. There were voices coming from another area of the first floor. He decided to follow them.
Onari opened the windows. She peeped out of the tower for a few seconds while Takeru breathed hard behind her. She was excited about getting to the top. As usual, Eiyu was reading about the tower again. "Go top now?" She ran off to find the stairs.
Takeru put his hands on his knees. He let his head hang. "Eiyu, since you're the one dating her, shouldn't you be the one to make sure she stays out of trouble?"
Eiyu lowered his book. "It's just a tower. What trouble could she get into?" He saw the skepticism in Takeru's eyes. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll keep an eye on her." Eiyu sensed someone watching them. He turned around. "Can we help you?"
"You all are the ninja that were hired to guard the Miyuki horses, correct," Noriaki asked the two standing in front of him. They glanced at each other. "I want to know how much it would cost to free them from the priest."
"Free them? They were sold to the individual you speak of," Eiyu said not understanding the older boy's concern over the matter. "Missions vary regarding the job and how dangerous it is."
"I don't know about the danger involved. You have to understand! Those horses are extremely rare! My father wishes to breed them in order to save their kind. The priest bought them only to re-sale them to people who are going to slaughter them!"
Takeru stood up. "Why would someone want to slaughter a bunch of horses?" He saw Eiyu roll his eyes.
"Horses make glue, Takeru. Their hides are used for clothing and some people use animals in sacred rituals," Eiyu said. The other boy tensed. "You don't read. It's obvious." He turned to look at the horse breeder's son. "How did you come across this information?"
Noriaki stared at the floor, blushing. " A girl I like named Ayaoshi worked at the temple. She cleans, serves the priest, and attends to the statues and people who enter. She overheard the priest consulting with someone days before you all arrived with the horses. At first, Ayaoshi thought her ears were hearing things. The voices were coming from down a hall where there are no rooms.
She hid behind one of the large Buddha statues to see the priest exit a hidden room. The man who employed all of you, Katsuhiko, was there. He had told the priest of contacts he had that would purchase the horses for a greater some – more than he was charging to bring them. Please, help me save them," Noriaki pleaded.
Eiyu glanced at Takeru. "We are no longer employed by Katsuhiko. We can take another mission. I believe we can get them back. Who would dare to challenge a Hyuuga, Uchiha, and Onari?"
Takeru crosses his arms. He gave Eiyu his father's famous smirk. "I'd say the old man has it coming for threatening me. What is our free? How will you pay us?"
Noriaki stood up proudly. "My offer is two of the Miyuki horses for the Hidden Leaf Village. Will your team accept my offer?"
"Let's retrieve Onari. Team 9 has a new mission," Eiyu said. He signaled Takeru to get her. "Team 9 is at your disposal. We will steal the Miyuki horses from the priest."
Eiyu stood in the trees near the temple where the priest resided. Darkness blanketed the area. Byakugan! Eiyu's white eyes of the Hyuuga clan zoomed in on the temple. He searched its features for any signs of a threat. Takeru and Onari waited elsewhere in their hiding places. Therefore, the priest is the one who sent the mist-nin to attack us. He saw the girl moving through the temple in the dark. Eiyu cut the Byakugan off. He lifted his hand and turned his arm a few times. Takeru and Onari poofed next to him.
"This is the situation: the ninja from the Mist village, who attacked Onari the previous night, is guarding the temple. My guess is the priest sent her after us to play into Katsuhiko's suspicions about horse thieves. It could have also led into Noriaki's request for freeing the horses and made him into a scapegoat.
I want you and Onari to make sure she doesn't alert the priest of our presence. I'll locate the horses. We can't free them unless we know where they are. Don't look so disappointed, Takeru. You can show our opponent she isn't the only water user. She won't be able to make it rain in the temple," Eiyu finalized. He dismissed his teammates.
Mittsu Kaiten moved slyly through the halls of the temple. Her mission wasn't over until the priest met with those who were buying the horses the following day. She trailed her fingers along side the wall. "Such a waste of my abilities," she said softly.
"I wouldn't say it's a complete waste," Takeru Uchiha said as he showed himself behind her. Mittsu turned around to face him. "I see you weren't expecting us. We have a new employer," he said as they met kunai to kunai. Takeru held his gaze with hers. "I don't appreciate you trying to hurt, Ri."
Mittsu grinned at him. "So that little bird keeper is your friend, is she? Prepare yourself," she warned as she sent the young boy back with a push. She started to form hand seals just as he did.
Takeru blinked his eyes. His eyes turned red as they showed the Uchiha inheritance of Sharingan. I don't know how long I can hold onto it, but let it be long enough! Takeru's hands made the sign for snake. "Water serpent!" A stream of water formed around his body. It took the shape of a large snake.
Mittsu's form started to fade into the mist she was using as the serpent shot towards her. She used a substitution jutsu to appear elsewhere. "Don't underestimate me, boy. I've had more training," she said as her voice echoed.
Takeru whirled around a few times. His eyes searched the mist for the girl. Sharingan turned off. Where is she? Right now, I'm a mouse being watched by a hawk! I know she's near – but where? He saw something small and bright red coming towards him. A stream of fire shot out from the light towards his back left.
Takeru watched as a smaller form of Akaihi flew past him. The phoenix was protecting him from the mist-nin. Takeru ordered the snake to circle the direction Akaihi was flying in.
Mittsu ran from the red bird her blew fire at her. "You're not going to get me that easily!" She threw shuriken at the creature. The bird dove, lifted, and evaded her ninja weapons.
Takeru formed hand seals. If she thinks Akaihi's a problem, wait until she gets a load of me! "Fire-" Takeru felt someone put his hand over his mouth. His hands moved away from the seal he had performed.
"I wouldn't do that in here. You'll set the whole place on fire," Eiyu said. "The bird is only sending small streams to ward her off."
Mittsu freaked as she felt her arms and legs being held to her body. She lifted her head to see the snake slithered around her body. Mittsu threw her shoulder forward and down as she twisted her waist. The phoenix blew a stream of fire at the snake. It hit. Mittsu watched as the snake evaporated into water droplets.
Mittsu went after the two ninja in the temple again. She unsheathed her wooden sword. She swung it over her head at the dark haired boy. The boy with long brown hair stopped the sword. She narrowed her eyes as he kept his hands on it. "All I have to do is let go!" Mittsu let go of the sword and moved her arm in an open hand punch. Her hands kept punching and hitting the boy with long hair. He was blocking some of her moves, but not all of them.
Man, she doesn't give up so easily! She's completely outnumbered with Eiyu and I. Takeru threw a kunai at the mist-nin. She slid her body back to miss it hitting her. "Don't you realize you're outnumbered? Why are you still fighting us?"
Mittsu glared at the boy. "Ninja aren't supposed to stop their missions until they have been completed! I will not be seen as a failure!" She charged him throwing shuriken and swinging her sword. As she came at the boy, the girl she had attacked the previous night threw her off her feet.
Onari flew through the air with her leg outstretched toward the girl's side. Her eyes were on her as she rotated her body in the air, kicking the girl's sides hard until her from hit the floor. She slid on her feet, her hand behind her body to slow her down. Onari stood up. The mist-nin was motionless on the floor. "Takeru, alright?"
Takeru breathed hard as she looked around the wall of the temple. The shuriken were everywhere. There wasn't a scratch on his body. He looked to see Eiyu holding a few of the thrown shuriken in his hands. Eiyu dropped them. "Why did you guard me?"
"You're my team mate, Takeru. I'm going to protect you no matter how you feel about me," Eiyu said matter-of-factly. He looked at Onari. "Where is the priest?"
"Onari tie man up, Eiyu. What wrong?" Onari tilted her head innocently. She thought that was the best way to stop the priest from interfering.
"Onari, he's a holy man," Eiyu said. He figured she was being rather unprofessional at this point. Eiyu watched Takeru cover his mouth once Onari spoke.
"Eiyu, man no has holes. Man clothes fine. Man in black," Onari explained. "What wrong with holes?"
"Not holes as in circles, Onari. He's holy! He's a saint! A man of importance," Eiyu said picking every word; he could for her to decipher.
Onari raised her brow as she stared her new boyfriend down. She figured Eiyu Hyuuga was teasing her in some way. "Man no has holes! Man only has holes in nose and ears, Eiyu! What is it with holes?"
At this point, Takeru had to walk out to keep himself from laughing at Onari and Eiyu fighting. While they both gained their composure, Takeru went to release the horses from their new stable. The priest wasn't going to be happy when he awoke to see his horses missing. They had already discussed a new location to keep the Miyuki horses until Noriaki could convince his father to take them.
As Eiyu and Onari walked out, they both watched Takeru wave them over. It was strange to be working on the same team with each other; however, Team 9 was adjusting rather well to each other's decisions and abilities. Perhaps, Takeru was growing up faster than he realized.
"Just as we bargained, here are the two horses I will give Team 9 for payment," Noriaki said as he led two horses forwards. "Promise me you will breed them. I would hate to see them die out."
Rock Lee stood with his team as they took hold of the horses. "We will be glad to honor that decision. We are planning on giving these horses to the Hokage of the leaf village so that they will be treasured." Each of the team members bowed low to Noriaki. As they walked away with the two horses, Takeru Uchiha smiled as he petted the male's muzzle. "All of you did something rash, but you three did do a good deed. These horses are very valuable. The Hokage will be pleased with them. I just hope he understands your teamwork still needs tweaking."
"What are we naming these animals," Eiyu asked as he led the mare next to Takeru. Onari was happily riding the mare. "They have to have names. It's not official unless they have something to go by," he said trying to justify himself.
Rock Lee watched Onari laid her body against the mare's neck. "Well, how about this, why don't you and Takeru name them? The both of you worked together for once. I'm proud of you two."
"How about, we do something completely unexpected? Why doesn't Eiyu name the stallion and I'll name the mare," Takeru suggested. He figured that would prove real teamwork.
"Alright, I'll name the stallion um… Dessu. I like that name," Eiyu said. "It gives him a sense of character."
"Okay, Ri, what do you think of the name Kattu for the mare," Takeru asked. Onari sat up. She was looking at the horse she was riding. "Does it meet your standards?"
Onari pointed to the stallion and the mare. "Dessu and Kattu. Team 9 give Dessu and Kattu to Hokage." She finalized it.
"That's correct. We're giving Dessu and Kattu to the Hokage. You're sentence structure is getting better, Onari," Eiyu praised. "And when they have a baby, we'll let the Hokage name it."
Dessu, the Miyuki stallion, shook his mane as he obliged to doing just that. Team 9 headed off to Konoha where their loved ones were waiting for them. As they walked in laughter and talking, a lone figure watched out of sight amongst the trees. He wondered if his search had finally ended as he watched the girl upon the mare enjoy herself.