Couple things,

I've realised my fic is way too much on the romance side as of right now, and not the action/fun stuff side, that'll change.

thanks for all the reviews lol!

PS it's gonna be shorter for the rest of part 1, im sorta just conflicted with the whole part 1 thing, I wanna get to shippuden asap, cuz that's where I can play around.

Also I changed the whole arc because the wave stuff is probably boring to you all and i find it repetitive honestly lol, hope you like the new content!

Thanks again for reading everyone!

Team 7 walked through the streets of the Land of Whispers. It was unnervingly quiet, not peaceful quiet. Eerie quiet. The cold air hit them, even through their white cloaks.

Naruto hadn't struck up a conversation.

Satsuki wouldn't.

Shikamaru couldn't care.

Kakashi was more than happy with reading his book in silence.

After hours of silence, Naruto spoke.

"This place.. something doesn't feel right, at all." He was serious, a rare occurrence.

"It's definitely eerie, but the mission is simple. Get her to her village." Her being Hana Yakushi. She was a local herbalist, out in Konoha for days collecting herbs and medicines for her tiny village, she too stayed quiet during the entire journey, she was on her toes too.

Naruto gave Shikamaru a little glance, nodding.

"Just stay sharp." Naruto said.

Kakashi's eyes left his book for the first time in a while, his hand shooting up, signalling them to stop. The team froze and tensed up, Hana's breath speeding up. Even Satsuki looked more on guard, her eyes immediately scanning the area.

"Somethings wrong." The oldest of the group spoke through his mask.

The first to hear it was Satsuki.

"Do you hear that…?" She asked no one in particular, more the group as a whole.

The whisper was barely audible, however it grew more and more audible and louder.

"You're an outcast. Hated. You'll never be a normal kid." Naruto bit down on his own teeth, it was the words he hated most, haunting him. He hated it, but he didn't show it, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths.

"I hear it." He spoke, Shikamaru speaking right after.

"It's Genjutsu. They're trying to mess with us."

"You'll never be strong enough to avenge them." The voices whispered to Satsuki, she gritted her teeth.

"I hate this." She growled out. "Don't let them win." Kakashi told her, his heart was as steady as ever, he wasn't worried one bit, his only worries were his Genin and his client.

Shikamaru spoke, his whispers were possibly the weakest, he wasn't carrying any real negative feelings. "Why bother? You're gonna get your friends killed with your laziness."

'What a drag.'

The group continued through, they ignored the whispers, some whispers getting to them more than others.

Hana appeared okay, her breathing now steady, the Genin and Jonin had relaxed her enough.

They finally got to the outskirts, ready to leave the village and get closer to Hana's home village.

A large wave came at them, it seemed to appear from the middle of nowhere.

The group merely dodged the wave, Shikamaru, Naruto and Satsuki dodging the wave to the left, getting splashed a bit.

Kakashi grabbed Hana, pulling her out the way to the right.

'Hm?' Kakashi scanned the area, attempting to locate the source as soon as possible. He spotted two figures coming out from the mist.

Kenji Yoru and Aya Shizuka. Kaito's face was scarred up, he had a menacing smirk on his face. Aya's face was somber, her soft brown eyes showed zero malice.

"Well. Well. Well." Kenji spoke, his smile widening as he spotted Kakashi exactly across from him. "Such beautiful guests, you all deserve a beautiful welcome!" Creepy.

'Kenji Yoru and Aya Yoru. Rogue Mist shinobi.' Kakashi recalled that weird creepy face of Kenji's from his bingo book. He shouldn't be difficult to defeat. He couldn't take the two of them at once however, the Genin would have to deal with Aya.

She stepped forward, bowing her head slightly. Her face was still neutral.

"We don't wish for any conflict, but you've stepped into our domain. We have to defend ourselves." Naruto watched her closer as she spoke, she seriously showed no hostility, almost a sadness in her.

"We're not here for any sorta trouble, but we're not backing down." Naruto said in response. Prompting a laugh from Kenji.

"Haha! Get ready kid!" The rogue boy shinobi sent another wave their way, this one smaller than the other.

The group once again evaded, this time entering their fighting stances.

Kakashi swiftly pulled his mask down, exposing his left eye, it was red, a Sharingan.

Wrong time to shock the group.

"Are you a -?" Satsuki asked in shock, she was supposed to be the only one with those types of eyes.

Kenji took the opportunity to blitz the Genin, to zero avail as Kakashi easily intercepted the blitz, sending a knee right into the rogue shinobi's jaw, sending him back to Aya, who frowned slightly.

The group knew the assignment, protect Hana. Kakashi and the group also knew it was likely to be Kakashi fighting Kenji alone, the Genin would fight Aya.

Aya and Naruto came in, clashing Kunai together. It was clear Aya was smoother, quicker, and probably stronger.

She sent a punch to Naruto's gut, connecting, but it was pulled, weaker than it could've been. Naruto knew it, so did the rest of the group.

"I'm sorry." She swiped with her Kunai, aiming for a non-lethal spot.

Naruto blocked it with his own, noticing how her strikes avoided any actual intent to harm, there was something he couldn't pinpoint in her voice. And it threw him off his game.

"Why fight us..?" He asked.

She hesitated, pulling her punch on his chest again, hardly any force behind it.

"Our village." She started, jumping back.

Satsuki attempted to blitz in to strike at her, but Naruto put his arm out in front of her, stopping her. Receiving a mad glance.

"Our home was destroyed in a war we had nothing to do with. These people took us in. But only because we're useful. If we don't protect this place, there's nothing left for us." She was older than the Genin of the group, close to mid twenties.

Satsuki and Shikamaru watched on, their guards lowered. It hit them. They felt for the woman.

"You're stronger than that. Don't let them control you with fear.." Naruto spoke, his tone understanding.

Her hand shook, almost dropping the Kunai in her hand. She lowered it, and in her blank brown eyes, Naruto could read something. She was not a villain.

"Maybe.. but it's not that simple little one.."

Before Naruto could respond, a voice from across the battlefield yelled out, his voice was filled with way less confidence, he was getting his ass handed to him.

"Focus, Aya!"

Her face tightened, but she didn't raise her Kunai, instead stepping back, hitting a little puddle. Her expression was conflicted.

"I'm sorry, I don't have much of a choice."

(-)

Kakashi dealt with Kenji, who surprised the Jonin at times, but overall it wasn't anything Kakashi couldn't handle.

The fight between the Genin and Aya was almost like a spar. Satsuki even pulled her punches, not using much of any lethal force. Shikamaru stood back with Hana, defending her.

She watched Kenji collapse, his chakra running out. She was no longer willing to fight.

She fell to her knees, Naruto, Satsuki, Shikamaru and Hana watched her as she quietly cried out. Hana's expression was the most sympathetic, Satsuki's barely sympathetic, but she still showed no hostility to the now defenceless girl.

"He was my younger brother. the only thing I had."

She wiped her face free of tears.

"No need to fight anymore, we can help you." Naruto approached her, he crouched down to her height. For some reason he felt pity for her. Maybe it was the slight understanding in the fact she wasn't really accepted in this village, just used for power.

"I can't be saved.." She blinked slowly.

"Yes, you can. Please let us help you." Naruto caught her before her body hit the ground. She was a small woman, no taller than 5 '5, and weighed no more than 110 pounds.

She wasn't unconscious, she was overwhelmed.

With the way they fought, she wouldn't die from any of her injuries, but other stuff had aided in her current state. Mental health and probably physical exhaustion.

"Find the peace I never could, I like you." She said, passing out, her chest raising and lowering slowly.

Hana was still watching the entire interaction, approaching slowly as she checked the girl's vitals.

"She'll survive, let me check her and heal her at my house please. You four are more than welcome to stay."

Satsuki sighed, it wasn't a hard battle. Nor was it necessarily fair for Aya though. She clearly pulled punches, held back. Didn't wanna hurt the kids.

Shikamaru stayed silent, he felt sympathy for the girl.

Kakashi covered his eye, slowly growing tired.

"Let's get to your village." Kakashi picked up the unconscious woman, walking and leading the group onwards.

(-)

A soft golden glow was on the small village, the roads were quiet, not eerie quiet. Peaceful quiet. A little wooden house was at the end, vines crawled up the walls.

Kakashi adjusted Aya in his arms, her body was limp, she was definitely still alive, but the herbalist had some work to do.

As the group arrived at the little house, Hana quickly unlocked the door.

"Bring her in," the herbalist said, her voice calm but commanding. "Lay her on the cot by the fire,"

Kakashi gently placed Aya on the small cot in the corner of the dimly lit room. The herbalist quickly gathered her tools, moving with the precision of someone who had done this countless times. She pressed her fingers to Aya's wrist, checking her pulse before examining the bruises and cuts scattered across her skin.

"She's okay, she'll be okay. She could use some minor touch ups, but she's okay." Naruto exhaled, a wave of relief washing over him. He turned to Sasuke and Shikamaru, their faces still tense from the weird quick passing events of the day.

"We did the right thing, keeping her alive and all." Shikamaru leaned against a wall as he spoke.

Hana moved quietly, laying a cool cloth on Aya's forehead, cleaning up Aya. Her eyes flicked to the group with a small, tired smile. "You four can relax, thank you for bringing me back home. Feel free to stay here as long as you want."

Hana finished, strutting down to her kitchen.

"I'll make you guys dinner," And with that, she was gone. Making food in the kitchen.

"You three should rest after dinner." Kakashi said, his eyes leaving the book he just reopened. "I'm not so tired. The fighting wasn't necessarily hard." Kakashi continued, bringing his eyes back to the book.

Shikamaru yawned, he hadn't done much during the fight, staying back and protecting Hana was enough for him. "Sounds good to me."

Naruto chimed in. "Me too."

Satsuki nodded.

Many minutes later, Hana returned.

"You all need food." She brought out stew, fresh bread and tea. "Thanks Hana," Naruto offered his thanks as his stomach grumbled, a reminder of how long it had been since he ate.

She responded with a smile and nod.

They all sat down, Shikamaru took a sip of his tea, relief washing over him as the warmth spread throughout his body. "This is good. I needed this, I'm sure we all did. Thanks Hana." He said, taking another sip.

Satsuki, as usual, didn't say much, nodding instead. It was just her way of thanking Hana.

Naruto dug into his food, it was simple, but it was filled with flavor. Chunks of vegetables and meat melted in his mouth. He leaned back after a few bites.

Despite the 'easy' fight, the Genin still ached and weren't ready to leave that same night.

(-)

The group made their way along the winding dirt road, Konoha's forests still a long way ahead. Aya, now conscious and walking but still weak, moved with quiet determination, staying close to the team. Naruto walked beside her, occasionally glancing her way, still digesting the weight of her earlier warning back at Hana's house.

"Are you sure you're good to walk?" Naruto asked, his usual carefree tone replaced by concern.

Aya hesitated for a moment, speaking. "It's not me you should be worried about. It's them."

"Them…?" Satsuki asked.

Aya stopped walking and turned to face the group. "I told you before.. you should've killed me. There are people hunting me. Dangerous people."

Shikamaru frowned. "Who's after you?"

Before Aya could answer, Kakashi, who had been walking a few paces ahead, stiffened. His one visible eye sharpened as his hand instinctively reached for his kunai. "We've got company," he said flatly.

The leader stepped forward first, a rogue ninja with an air of raw power that made even Kakashi tense. His cold eyes locked onto Aya with a wicked grin. "We finally found you, Aya. Running won't save you now. And look, It's Kakashi Hatake. The copy ninja."

"Kouga…?" Aya asked, her heart picking up speed.

The second figure, slightly smaller, still exuding deadly skill, focused on Naruto and Satsuki with a cold smirk. His muscles were taut, and his movements calculated, like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Haru.."

The third, less intimidating but no less dangerous, glanced at Shikamaru with a smug grin. "I'll deal with the black haired brat and the traitor."

"Rinako.."

'Traitor?' Naruto thought, before getting rushed.

"Stay sharp." With that, Kakashi and Kouga clashed in the blink of an eye, their speed so intense it sent shockwaves through the forest. Kouga's blade met Kakashi's kunai.

"Bodyguard duties for the great copy ninja?" Kouga taunted, pushing Kakashi back.

Kakashi's expression stayed stoic, showing no sign of hurt from the little insult. "You talk too much."

The two vanished into the trees, their fight escalating as they tore through the forest. Leaving the rest of the group to their fights.

The second enemy, holding a kunai in each hand, moved toward Naruto and Satsuki. His speed was too fast for any Genin to handle easily.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted, forming several clones around the enemy.

Haru didn't even blink. Dancing between the clones with precision, cutting them down one by one before they could even touch him.

Satsuki gritted her teeth, frustration burning in her chest. Her Sharingan spun, with one tomoe, she couldn't keep up. It wasn't enough to keep up with their opponent's speed. Every strike the rogue ninja made seemed one step ahead of her.

Haru sensed the anger in her, speaking to get in her head. "Come on, is this all Konoha's finest has to offer?" His eyes filled with malice.

Naruto dodged another slash, rolling to the side, but barely managed to avoid a lethal strike. He looked at Satsuki, breathing heavily. "We're not getting through to him like this! We need to work together!"

Satsuki clenched her fists, frustration boiling inside her. Her pride screamed to take the rogue down herself, but she knew Naruto was right.

"Fine," she spat, positioning herself beside Naruto.

As the rogue ninja prepared to attack again, Naruto launched himself forward with a flurry of clones, trying to overwhelm him. Satsuki took the opportunity, weaving through the clones, her Sharingan focusing on every movement.

Despite their coordination, the rogue was still too fast, his strikes precise and powerful. He caught Satsuki with a powerful kick, sending her crashing into the ground.

Naruto's eyes wandered to her, as the shinobi took the advantage. Slicing a kunai across Naruto's arm, barely missing the boy's chest. He was squirming.

"Ah!" He yelled out, jumping up and away, bleeding.

Satsuki gritted her teeth. She switched her focus to Naruto, as her vision blurred for a moment. In that split second, the rogue ninja was upon her, his kunai inches from her throat.

'Not like this!' She thought to herself, she had virtually no time to react. 'Come on!'

Time seemed to slow. Satsuki's heart pounded, her mind screaming at her to move, to act. In that moment of desperation, her Sharingan spun violently, and a second tomoe bloomed into existence in each eye.

Her vision sharpened, and suddenly, the rogue's movements became clear. She ducked under his attack, her body moving instinctively. Satsuki struck back, landing a powerful kick to his side, sending him staggering.

"Tch!" Naruto looked down at the wound, it was bleeding.

Naruto saw his chance. The cut stung but he had to help.

Together, they rushed him. Satsuki now kept pace with their every move, her two-tomoe Sharingan reading his attacks and countering with precision. Naruto, meanwhile, used his clones to keep him off balance, wearing the rogue down.

"You little…!" the rogue ninja hissed, his frustration clear.

But it was too late. With a final coordinated strike, Naruto landed a powerful punch with his uninjured left arm, while Satsuki's kunai found its mark, slashing across the rogue's chest. He collapsed to the ground, defeated but still breathing.

Satsuki grinned. "Not as weak as you thought."

Meanwhile, the Rinako faced off against Shikamaru and Aya. His confidence oozed as he watched Shikamaru stand casually, his shadow inching toward him.

"You really think your little trick will work on me?" the rogue sneered.

Shikamaru smirked. "I don't need tricks."

With a flick of his wrist, Shikamaru sent his shadow darting forward, but the rogue ninja dodged, circling around to attack from behind. Aya, still recovering, threw a handful of kunai at the rogue, forcing him to stop his advance.

"You're not as tough as you think." Aya said, her voice steadier than before.

The rogue growled, but before he could close the distance, Shikamaru's shadow stretched out again, this time catching his ankle.

"Got you," Shikamaru said calmly.

Aya dashed in with surprising speed, landing a solid punch to the rogue's stomach before he could break free from the shadow. The rogue stumbled, his movements sluggish as Shikamaru's jutsu took hold.

She sent a knee towards his skull, her long black skirt flowed with the wind, the bandages fell off her arm, the long black sleeves of her undershirt ripped a bit as she ended the fight.

She took a little breath and zipped up her vest.

"Stay down."

(-)

As soon as the group split to face their respective enemies, Kakashi's focus locked onto Kouga, the leader of the group. The air between them filled with tension as they faced off, both seasoned warriors sizing up their opponent.

Kouga grinned, a twisted look of amusement on his face. "You think you can stand against me, Hatake? -"

Kakashi didn't respond with words, only narrowing his eye, pulling up his headband to reveal his Sharingan. "I don't make a habit of wasting time."

Without warning, Kouga launched forward, moving with high speed. His large, curved blade sliced through the air, aimed directly at Kakashi's chest. In one fluid motion, Kakashi sidestepped, the blade narrowly missing his body. He countered with a quick thrust of his kunai, aiming for Kouga's side.

Kouga blocked it, their weapons clashing with a sharp clang. The force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the forest floor. Both fighters disengaged for a split second, then clashed again in a blur of high-speed taijutsu and weapon strikes.

Kakashi could feel Kouga's power with every blow. He wasn't just strong, he was calculated, his attacks designed to wear Kakashi down, testing his limits.

Kakashi knew what he was doing.

His Sharingan read every movement, anticipating Kouga's attacks with razor sharp precision.

Kouga chuckled mid-fight, sensing that Kakashi wasn't going all out yet. "Is that all you've got, Copy Ninja?"

Kakashi's gaze was calm.

Beneath the surface, he was calculating. He knew this rogue wasn't like the others. The man was pushing him to think two steps ahead, forcing him to conserve his energy while avoiding fatal mistakes. Kouga was strong. Too strong to waste chakra recklessly.

"You talk too much," Kakashi muttered, darting back to gain some distance. He rapidly weaved hand signs. "Lightning Blade!"

The air crackled with electricity as Kakashi's signature move surged to life, a ball of crackling lightning forming in his hand. He dashed toward Kouga with frightening speed, the ground tearing apart beneath his feet.

Kouga's grin widened. He raised his blade, the steel reflected the light of Kakashi's technique.

"Come on, then!" Kouga yelled out.

Their clash was explosive. Kakashi's Lightning Blade met Kouga's sword in a flash of sparks and raw power. The impact sent both of them skidding back, the sheer force of their attacks tearing through the trees and kicking up dust and debris.

'This guy blocked my lighting blade.. with his sword?' Kakashi was stunned.

Although he hadn't taken the slice that the lighting attack brought, he took the shock.

His sword cracked and he got sent a shock through his body.

He fell to his knees.

Looking at his sword with mild annoyance he spoke. "Not bad, Kakashi… I can see why they call you the Copy Ninja. But now, it's time I stop playing around."

Kouga's chakra flared, a dark energy erupting from his body. The ground trembled beneath his feet as his power grew. He gripped his blade with both hands, and in a blink, he was on Kakashi again, faster and stronger than before.

Kakashi flipped midair, landing and breathing heavier. His Sharingan spun wildly, trying to keep up with Kouga's speed.

"He's no ordinary rogue," Kakashi muttered to himself. He could feel his energy draining faster than expected. He had been avoiding going all out to conserve chakra, but Kouga was pushing him to his limits.

Kouga charged again, his strikes relentless, each one heavier than the last. Kakashi dodged and parried, but every block cost him.

His arms ached from the constant pressure, sweat falling from his forehead.

In a flash, Kouga changed tactics, using a feint to break through Kakashi's defense. His blade slashed across Kakashi's side, drawing blood. Kakashi winced but didn't hesitate, quickly retaliating with a kunai to Kouga's shoulder.

Both fighters staggered back, blood staining the ground between them.

"Running out of steam already?" Kouga taunted, though his own breathing had grown heavier.

Kakashi narrowed his eye, ignoring the pain in his side. He needed to finish this in one decisive move. He quickly formed hand signs, his voice low but filled with determination.

"Earth Style: Mud Wall!"

A large earthy barrier grew between them, giving Kakashi just a second to regain his bearings. He knew it wouldn't hold Kouga off for long, but that wasn't the point. Using the cover, Kakashi prepared his next move, forming more hand signs rapidly.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Kouga smashed through the mud wall just as Kakashi's fireball engulfed the space between them. Kouga raised his water chakra infused blade, slashing through the flames, but the heat slowed him down just enough for Kakashi to make his next move.

As the flames disappeared, Kakashi appeared behind Kouga in a burst of speed, his kunai ready for a final strike.

Kouga sensed the attack, twisted just in time to block, their weapons clashing once again.

This time, though, Kakashi had the upper hand. With a kick to Kouga's midsection, he forced him back, and in the same breath, Kakashi whipped his kunai into Kouga, the speed unbelievable.

Kouga froze.

"It's over." Kakashi said, rushing and elbowing Kouga in his chin, knocking him out.

Kakashi took deep breaths, the fight pushed him to his limit entirely.

He sent a kunai into his leg, certain he wouldn't kill but definitely take Kouga out for time.

'He's not waking up anytime soon. Best we get back to the village asap though.'

He turned away, leaving Kouga's body there to be discovered by a passing nin.

(-)

Aya finished bandaging Naruto's arm after she tended to Kakashi.

"You'll be fine, just rest a bit. Back to D-ranks for a bit!" She said, finally showing some emotion as she chuckled.

"Let's go." Kakashi said, not keen on wasting any time.

"Yeah. Let's go. I need rest." Shikamaru added.

Thanks for reading the chapter!

Addressing, why is Aya being targeted? That'll be addressed in the next chapter, I replaced Land Of Waves, and didn't have one of the characters awaken because the other got injured, the last two chaps had plenty of Romance so I figured it would be nice to remind you all its a action fic too lol

that's all

See you all soon!

Stay safe!

Review PLZ