Chapter 18: The Final Push

"That's it sir, all the wounded are accounted for." one of the sailors said seeing the captain nod replying, "Looks like the worst is over.

Feeling the ground begin to shake I looked over seeing a giant water glob form hearing it growl, he spoke too soon. Shino and I got in front of the sailors to defend them seeing a puff of smoke appear on the opposite side of us. Gasping in surprise Naruto was sitting on a giant toad, jeeze he's just full of surprises. I watched the toad begin to jump around wildly seeing it head right towards us.

"Naruto wait… no steer that way!" I said as my hands flayed around but to no avail as they came rushing past us sending a giant wave our way.

Eventually Naruto got the toad under control seeing it easily dodge the sea monster's attacks marveling at how cool it would be to have a summon animal. Watching the toad spew oil and Naruto release a kunai with an explosive tag on it the sea monster was defeated.

"Wow… that was amazing." I said hearing Shino make a noise before replying, "It was alright."

I saw Naruto say something to the toad watching him get flung in the air before the toad disappeared laughing lightly along with the sailors. Leave it to Naruto to make a grand entrance and an embarrassing exit.

We all got on one of the ships that made it through the fights seeing Anko was able to catch Amachi with Isaribi helping us. It was decided that he would be brought to the village to pay for the crimes he committed on the island. Unfortunately, he lied to Isaribi about being able to eventually change her back but if this mission taught her anything it's your actions that create a monster.

"Alright let's head back now." Anko said just after punching Amachi in the face wishing I could have done the same.

Once we made it back to the main island, we all got a room to share as I quickly went into the bathroom before the boys could take over. Taking off my clothes I let the hot water run down my body washing off all the salt from the ocean sighing in relief. Getting dressed into some fresh clothes I walked out of the room seeing only Isaribi looking at her pack nervously.

"Where are the boys and Anko?" I asked seeing her look up surprised replying, "Naruto and the other boy went to get food, Anko went to talk to the ferry captain."

I sat down beside her as she got her pack out seeing her stare at her scales sadly making me frown grabbing onto my gloves.

"What are you doing?" she asked seeing me pull my outer jacket off hearing a gasp from her as I showed her my back.

"I know it doesn't mean much coming from me, but I know what it's like to be viewed as a monster because of the marks on my body… it's why I try to cover them up so much." I said putting my jacket back on turning towards her hearing her say, "Your jutsu… it does that to you?"

Nodding my head I replied, "It's the price I pay… and I have to live with it."

She looked away ashamed making me smile saying, "Come back to the Leaf Village with us, I know that you'll be welcomed there, and I bet Naruto would love it if you came too."

Turning to me surprised she said, "Are you sure they would let me… I mean… would it be safe."

Nodding my head, I gave her a thumb up saying, "Of course."

Once the boys came back, we decided to eat and settle in for bed knowing we still had a long way home to go. While the others slept, I heard movement seeing Anko getting up from her bed roll seeing her silently walk out but decided to let her do what she wanted.

"I can't believe she ran off again and just left a note saying she'd be back." Naruto said aggravated while I shrugged saying, "It's not that big of a deal… besides she's in charge."

"Are you really sure I'm allowed to come with you guys?" Isaribi asked seeing Naruto smile at her replying, "Of course and our Hokage is an amazing medical shinobi, I'll bet she's able to help you."

Isaribi smiled thanking us hearing from the boat, "Jeeze you guys let's go!"

We all turned seeing Anko waving at us while Naruto pointed his finger at her saying, "Hey we've been waiting on you this whole time!"

"Hehe sorry about that but let's go, the boat is leaving." Anko said as we all ran to the boat ready to finally head home.

"Yeah! Next stop the Leaf Village!" Naruto said enthusiastically making me sigh leaning against the rail saying, "Jeeze you stay amped up from start to finish, don't you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked suspiciously making me wave my head saying, "It's a compliment, you really came through."

He rubbed the back of his head and started laughing as we all joined in except Shino who silently stood beside me, so creepy…

The boat ride and walk back was quiet for the most part except Naruto going on and on about our village. Isaribi was for the most part excited to see our village, but I saw the hesitation in her eyes the closer we got. We decided to set up camp before making it to the village as everyone else fell asleep, but I stayed up going to some trees to train.

I began throwing my kunai at a target I created jumping from different viewpoints until I heard rustling coming from behind me. Stopping my movements, I turned quickly seeing Isaribi standing behind a tree watching me as I jumped down to her.

"I thought you were asleep with everyone else?" I asked while she looked down saying, "I couldn't sleep..."

"What's on your mind?" I asked worried as she sat against the tree saying, "I was just thinking… before I was taken away, I had family that lived in the Hidden Mist village..."

"You were wondering if you should try and find them?" I said seeing her turn to me quickly replying, "I still want to come with you guys and meet your Hokage… it's just… if there is even a possibility, I still have family out there I want to find them."

I looked up towards the moon saying, "I understand…"

"Please don't tell Naruto… even if your Hokage can't heal me I've made up my mind about it, but I'll tell him before I leave. He deserves to hear it from me anyway." she said making me nod with a small smile replying, "Your secret is safe with me."

We walked back to the others seeing Shino standing against a tree as we approached feeling Isaribi turn towards me as I said, "Get some rest Isaribi, I'll join you shortly."

She nodded walking past me seeing Shino push off the tree walking past me making me begrudgingly follow wondering what I did wrong now. We finally stopped seeing him stare at the sky while I stood now getting uncomfortable by the silence.

"What were you and Isaribi doing out alone?" he finally said snapping my eyes towards him making me reply, "That's hardly your business."

"It is my business since I'm your teammate and should be made aware if you're conspiring anything behind our back?" he said as I crossed my arms replying, "Why do you think I would conspire against you?"

"I don't but I'm still suspicious about you…" he said seeing him put his hands in his pockets while I glared replying, "So this has nothing to do with her you just don't trust me?"

"Precisely." he replied like it was no big deal as I tightened my fist stomping towards him catching him off guard placing my hand on his chest pushing him into the tree.

"How are we supposed to be a team if you don't trust me, I've never done anything for my team to distrust me, yet you seem to think I'm some terrible person because of what I don't like bugs?" I said almost putting my forehead to his in anger.

"You don't trust my bugs." he said calmly while I growled aggravated replying, "I trust you though isn't that enough?"

He pushed me off saying, "No it's not and until you learn to accept my bugs, we can never be friends."

I went to say something but instead made a noise of discomfort watching him walk back to our camp, was a friendship worth it?