Team 10's Mission

lanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Tenjho Tenge

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This chapter catches up some of the goings on with everyone else while Team 11 was in Numa no Mura so we're jumping around a bit. It's primarily filler but things need to be organized for the upcoming meeting between the Kazekage and the Hokage…and another fateful meeting. Here is chapter 31. Enjoy!

Last time:

At the center of the village

Yūgao and Maya hopped up through the hole in the cavern roof and saw Hinata and Naruto. They saw the massive sealing array that was literally burnt into the earth as well. The old shaman looked like a mummy more than a human now. 'I-I was a god…' he croaked.

The jonin glared at him with hard eyes and said, "Die and go to whatever hell you are destined for you old fossil. The world won't miss a god the likes of you." The shaman tried to say something else but his body crumbled into dust before he could utter another sound…

…

Hours later…

Team 11 and Natsuko watched from a distance as Numa no Mura burned into ash. The skeletons, the cave, the town and the bodies of the two guards burned to the ground leaving nothing even marking a grave of the self-proclaimed 'god' and his 'children.' They were all tired and dirty but Hinata checked them all over thoroughly and healed the injuries they had. By morning the village was nothing but smoldering embers and Team 11 had left without looking back.

Numa no Mura had ceased to exist…

…

Chapter 31

Wind Country, the Village of Suna

It was early morning and the Kazekage and his party were ready to go on their trip to Konoha. Baki came up and saluted. All preparations are completed Kazekage-sama." said the Jonin.

Rasa nodded as he looked over at his three children. They were carrying themselves professionally although everyone but Kankuro and Temari shied away from Gaara's presence. "Let's set out." ordered the Kazekage. "We'll be moving at a normal pace but our formation needs to remain tight. We cannot let our guard down even in the safety of our own territory." Hearing a round of affirmatives the Kazekage's group set out on their mission.

'Here we go on our family vacation.' thought Temari darkly. 'At least we're armed to the teeth. If anyone is stupid enough to cross us, I'll protect my brothers.'

Kankuro was of a similar mindset to his sister. 'I can tell nee-chan's blood is up as much as mine is.' He glanced briefly a Gaara who was staring ahead of them in a stoic manner. 'At least Gaara seems calm. This trip is just begging for trouble. I hope you stay under control Gaara. It would almost be better if we were attacked. At least then we could all blow off some steam and Gaara could satiate his bloodlust. What the hell is the Kazekage thinking?'

A dark cloud seemed to hang over the three Sand Siblings as they trailed after their Father out into the desert…

…

Hot Springs Country, outside the Village of Hayase

Team 10 was camping out in the foliage deep in Hot Springs Country waiting for their contacts for a joint assassination mission with some Kiri ninjas. This was the third mission they'd taken involving killing. The first and second had been wiping out some minor bandit camps. During the last few weeks Jonin Mitarashi Anko had brutally trained her three genins Nara Shikamaru, Isuzu Emi and Yamanaka Ino into and well-oiled fighting machine. Truthfully, she couldn't have been prouder of her team.

It had been hard on them as the first thing she had to teach them was killing. It wasn't a pretty sight seeing all three of her advanced genins violently throwing up after their first kills. Anko had to explain to them this was the line of work they were getting into and talked to each of them to make sure they were all right. Fortunately, Yūgao's ANBU Brat training made it a lot easier and Team 10 actually handled it a lot better than Anko expected.

Once she beat some of the laziness out of Shikamaru and forced him to use his supersized brain in all kinds of horrific strategic and tactical situations the Snake Jonin realized he could be an admirable leader once motivated properly. Anko enjoyed working with Ino once she had disciplined the sassy blonde a bit. As for Emi; the redhead's ability to battle in a kunai fight was unbelievably high. Now Anko was working on polishing both girls' taijutsu. Ino was learning the snake style from Anko and Emi was quite proficient with the Akimichi style even though she didn't use conventional body expansion techniques…

…

Flashback…

Emi was sitting alone with Anko and was in her expanded, chubby form. Anko's eyes nearly popped out of her head. The purple haired Jonin said, "You've actually created an entirely new form of Akimichi jutsus that work in reverse of body expansion?! That's incredible Emi-chan!" Anko was practically drooling. "With those jutsus I could eat all the dango I want and still be incredibly sexy! This is the best jutsu for a woman I've ever seen!"

Emi was blushing as she shifted back to her 'normal' voluptuous and slender self. "It's a big secret Anko-sensei. I don't want anyone to know I'm heavy like my family."

Anko said, "Emi, you're not heavy. You're anything you want to be. I think you being that creative is quite admirable."

The red-haired girl formed a bond with her sensei that day knowing she could trust Anko with her secret.

Flashback end…

…

"Remember to be respectful of our Kiri associates, team." lectured Anko. "Sometimes dealing with foreign ninjas can be very delicate. Some are downright hostile. The mission is paramount above personal differences so do your best to get along."

…

Several trees over…

Momichi Zabuza was one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. He was a total badass and he was proud of it. He also felt like hell from food poisoning. Even worse he caught a glimpse of who they were working with…Zabuza shivered. "Why did it have to be the Snake Princess?! I've got the runs and she'll never let me live this down. What are we going to do Haku-chan?"

The rather lovely kunoichi of Zabuza's genin team Yuki Haku was standing upwind of her master with a sweat drop. "Zabuza-sama; I told you, Kimimaro-kun and Suigetsu-kun not to eat that bad fish. But did you three listen to me? Oooooh nooooo! Now Kimamaro and Suigetsu are stuck in alternating trips to the bathroom back in town and you're out here standing on your last leg through sheer willpower. I'm the team's medic! …Who is this Snake Princess anyway?"

Zabuza miserably passed a bit of methane ~proot~ and said, "Well, she's-"

Anko appeared above them and promptly threw all notions of the diplomacy she'd been preaching to her students out the window. "I'm one of those few that know hiding behind that big, bad Executioner's Blade that Momichi Zabuza is in fact, a total dork!"

Zabuza sweat dropped and Haku looked shocked. "Must you be so cruel Snake Princess?" asked the swordsman. "How did you find us anyway?"

"I was downwind of you once the wind shifted Momichi." said Anko with a flat look. "My whole team smelled you and you look jaundiced. What the hell happened to you? I mean, even when I kicked your ass in that bar years ago and my snakes poisoned you; your appearance was better than it is now."

"I ate some bad fish and I'm paying dearly for it." said Zabuza despondently.

The rest of Anko's team came into view. Anko said to Haku, "I'm Mitarashi Anko and this is Team 10." She proceeded to introduce them one by one. Anko then turned to her team. "Guys, this is Momichi Zabuza, 'The Demon of the Hidden Mist.' Despite his idiocy he is an incredible swordsman and highly skilled ninja. Although I have to wonder if he shouldn't be in a hospital instead of out here though…"

Haku cringed at her Master's rather pathetic appearance…and the fact he was openly gawking at Emi's rack. The ice wielding kunoichi got a tick mark and roundhouse kicked her master away. "Honestly Zabuza-sama! I know you have a thing for red heads with large busts but show a little class! Emi-san is my age! It's no wonder Terumi Mei-san won't give you the time of day. You're always staring at her chest instead of her face!"

"Sorry Haku-chan…" groaned Zabuza as he laid on the ground. "But she's got a really nice set of-"

"Not one more word Zabuza-sama …we look bad enough as it is." hissed Haku. Turning back to Team 10 Haku bowed politely and said, "I am Yuki Haku, genin kunoichi of the Mist Village and I'm very pleased to meet you. I'm afraid my two teammates and my Master are quite ill but I should be able to continue the mission with no issues."

Anko exploded into laughter. "I like you already Haku-chan!"

…

Fire Country, the Village of Konoha

Tsunade was standing before the entirety of the ROOT ANBU forces gathered in front of her. Every single one of them except the one called Sai was there as he was out on a mission with Team 7. To her side was ANBU Commander Dragon. She forced herself to remain calm despite the potential powder keg in front of her eyes.

"I've called all of you that were formerly in ROOT here for a very important reason. All of you remove your masks so I may see your faces." said the Fifth Hokage authoritatively. After all of them hesitantly complied Tsunade saw the looks on their faces. They looked emotionless, tired and pale from never seeing the sun. It made her pity them. 'These poor souls have no lives outside of ROOT.' she thought sadly.

Tsunade continued. "Your former Master Shimura Danzo is dead. No doubt many of you have wondered about his absence. He was executed for high treason against Konoha and the office of the Hokage. I'm giving all of you a very simple choice. You may continue to serve Konoha and the Hokage's Office as regular ANBU, standard ninjas or you may resign. The seals on your tongues are gone since Danzo is dead. You may speak freely, one at a time."

There was a quiet murmur among the various ROOT members and they immediately started saying small things to each other that would no doubt cause their tongue seals to activate. Within a few minutes all of them were in agreement; Shimura Danzo was indeed dead. A younger woman asked, "Hokage-sama, what is the act of treason that Danzo-sama was executed for? He was absolutely loyal to Konoha."

Tsunade was a bit astonished. The young woman didn't seem angry in any way, just inquisitive. "What is your name?" asked the Hokage.

A slight look of surprise filtered across the young woman's face. "My name is Akane, Hokage-sama."

The Fifth Hokage nodded. "Akane, Shimura Danzo was conspiring to eliminate the Third Hokage for a second time and was responsible for the deaths of the Uchiha Clan. He conspired with Orochimaru and harvested the sharingan eyes of that clan in order to create an artificial arm with Orochimaru's help. The snake is a traitor and any dealings with him are traitorous as well. We have found countless other things Danzo is responsible for since his death. If any of you doubt my words his body along with that abomination of an arm he had has been preserved in the morgue should you wish to view it. Are there any among you that doubt Shimura Danzo was guilty of high treason?"

Another young ROOT member with his ginger hair in a ponytail said, "I am Yamanaka Fū. I am the most skilled sensor in ROOT. Hokage-sama is being absolutely truthful with us. There is no reason to doubt her judgment in this matter." Yamanaka Fū was known for his fierce loyalty to Danzo and his words actually shocked the ROOT members to the core as much as finding out Shimura Danzo was dead. Fū added, "I am loyal to Konoha and will serve the Hokage in whatever capacity the village needs of me."

It took a couple of hours but every last member of ROOT swore their loyalty to Konoha and the Hokage. Several of them seemed very torn about Danzo's death but all of them were loyal to their village first. Tsunade was tired when the last of them finished swearing in. They were issued with new standard Konoha Ninja I.D.'s and were scheduled to be tested by ANBU for all of their true abilities (most had remained hidden at Danzo's orders) so they could be put in an appropriate position to reflect their skills.

After Tsunade dismissed them she returned to her office. 'At least the old warhawk taught them to be loyal to the village. I was afraid I'd have to put them all to death.' Unknown to the now former ROOT agents; Tsunade had them monitored from all sides while they were being sworn in. If a single one of them showed even a twinge of disloyalty then they quickly would have been eliminated…

…

Natsume Clan Home

Team 9 was visiting the Natsume Clan home at the invitation (read: command) of Hyūga Hanako-sama since she wanted to meet her grandson Neji's team. Neji was petrified that Gai-sensei would explode into the Flames of Youth and Hanako Obaa-chan would extinguish them…forever. As it was they were having a nice chat about Gai's Father which his three students knew precious little about. "Maito Dai would be proud of the man you've grown up to be Gai." said Hanako kindly. "Dai wasn't the most skilled or powerful ninja but for all his quirks he was among the most admirable I ever met. You are his legacy Gai. Be proud of that fact."

Gai had tears in his eyes. "I thank you Hanako-sama. My Father would be honored by your words." They spoke awhile and much to Lee's excitement and Tenten and Neji's horror they found out that Gai had not been dropped upon his head too many times. It was Maito Dai that invented the Flames of Youth. It seemed he created the Eight Gates technique as well…

…

Hanabi was soon sparring with Neji in the Natsume family dojo with Hanako and the others watching. The nine-year-old was going all out against her cousin who found himself enjoying teaching his younger cousin. Finally, he reached out and flicked her forehead like Hanako Obaa-chan often did with him.

"Ow!" squeaked Hanabi. "What was that for Neji nii-san?"

Neji gave a ghost of a smile. "You were so focused on attacking that you left yourself wide open to a counter Hanabi-sama. You need to mind your defense as well."

Tenten was soon sparring a bit with Hanako. She was thrilled to learn some new sword moves from Hanako whose mastery of the kodachi was matched by few to say the least.

In spite of Neji's initial fears, it turned out to be a very enjoyable visit for Gai's Team.

As they left Gai said to his students, "That was a very youthful visit. We must do this again sometime. Hanako-sama is a great kunoichi and a testament to the Flames of Youth!"

Lee added, "Hanako-sama's Flames of Youth burn so brightly Neji-kun. You are very fortunate to have such a great Obaa-sama!"

"I agree!" gushed Tenten. "Hanako-sama is awesome Neji!"

Neji smiled softly and nodded in concurrence. 'I really am lucky to have Hanako Obaa-sama in my life. She showed me just how wrong I was about Hinata-sama and I've grown closer to her and Hanabi-sama. It makes me proud to be their cousin.'

…

Hot Springs Country, the Village of Hayase

~proot~ "…I'll –I'll be out in a minute!" called Zabuza weakly from within the outhouse stall. ~proot~

"Oh gods…I can't bear anymore of this horrific flatulence." groaned Shikamaru. "It's too damn troublesome. Let's just go already Anko-sensei. Zabuza-san is going to die in there. At least let's finish the job so he can be awarded with a good record posthumously."

Anko smiled savagely. "I like the way you think Shikamaru." She called into the stall, "We're going to head out now Zabuza-chan! You just be a good boy and we'll finish our business while you finish yours."

Haku said, "Please take care of yourself and I'll be back soon Zabuza-sama…And take your medicine to settle your stomach!"

"Yes, take your medicine Zabuza-chan!" laughed Anko. "Ahahaha! It brings a tear to my eye…You haven't changed a bit since we were teenagers!"

'The Snake Princess…that woman has no heart…' mentally moaned Zabuza with tears in his eyes. "Be careful Haku; that's an order!" called out Zabuza from his private throne room.

…

Once they were on the move, Anko was suddenly serious. "Alright Haku, I assume you have some mastery over the Yuki ice wielding bloodline?"

Haku nodded. "Yes Mitarashi-san, I have a good grasp of it. I also use senbons as my primary weapon."

"No doubt you can make ice senbons as well then." said Anko. At Haku's nod the snake jonin said, "Alright, I can't ask for all your abilities but is it safe to say you specialize in pinpoint strikes? –And just call me Anko or Anko-sensei."

The ice using kunoichi smiled and said, "Yes, I can even hit a target the size of an acorn from fifty yards Anko-sensei."

Anko had feral grin on her face. "Between you and Emi-chan here this job is going to be a cinch. Our main issue is supposed to be lots of guards. You two can deal with the mass of fodder at long range while the rest of us slip in and assassinate the crime boss here in the area. His name is Hikoki. Let's go scope it out."

…

Fire Country, near Otafuku Gai

Team 7 composed of Sarutobi Asuma, Akimichi Choji, Haruno Sakura and Sai were having an impromptu team meeting out in the woods.

"There is a valuable lesson to be learned here my students." said a soot covered Sarutobi Asuma. His clothes were smoking more than the lit cigarette he had clenched in his teeth. White fluff seemed to be liberally sprinkled upon him. "Once my ears stop ringing perhaps I'll be able to figure out what it is."

Choji was sitting on the ground covered in dirt with his hair smoking. "How about simple plans are best Asuma-sensei?"

Asuma nodded. "While that's very true I don't think that's quite what I had in mind Choji."

Sakura held her hand up. Her face was completely blackened and in appeared that her emerald eyes were afire with sheer hatred. Her pink hair seemed to be blown out like she'd been caught in a tornado. White fluff was covering her making her look like she had some sort of snow camouflage on. "Shannaro! I think the lesson is Sai is a complete and utter idiot." she said as glared at Sai.

"What do you think Sai?" asked Asuma as he flicked more fluff off of him.

Sai was also covered in soot and looked thoughtful for a moment before he said, "I believe the lesson is Naruto-san's demolition level exploding tags can solve almost any problem set before us."

"I DON'T THINK THAT'S IT SAI!" roared Choji and Sakura in unison.

"You chucked a demolition tag into a warehouse full of wool!" screeched Sakura. "The entire damn building is a crater and we had to run away before the local samurai caught us and locked us up for an act of terrorism!"

Choji added, "The missing nins hiding in there were D-ranked! All we had to do was knock them out instead of blowing them all to kingdom come!"

Sai answered, "Asuma-sensei told me to make a distraction. It was quite effective if I say so myself…I didn't mean to grab that demolition tag…I was trying to grab a flash bang tag."

Asuma said, "Well, I think a good lesson here is a good ninja's organization skills are paramount. Wouldn't you three agree?"

"Yes sensei…" said his three genins miserably.

The chain smoking jonin sighed. "At any rate, the missing ninja problem in the area is solved but we can't take the credit because it would implicate us on blowing up a warehouse full of expensive wool and Konoha would have to pay the bill. I'm going to teach you all about the fine art of black ops. That is to say; we're going to clean up and race to the scene of the explosion while covering up all evidence we were there to begin with. If anything is left indicating the missing nins were even there, then we'll claim it was a mass suicide. Let's clean ourselves up and get ready to start lying through our teeth people. While we may not get paid for a successful mission; at least we won't lose our jobs either."

Asuma was actually quite pleased with his team. They were very smart and generally did quite well. Team 7 was also speedy and efficient which made his job easier. Sadly, Yūgao's training meant that his three little genins carried enough weaponry to take out entire brigades of soldiers in one strike and they didn't believe in the concept of overkill… 'I'll say one thing for them. They eliminated a nest of low ranked missing nins in record time…Shame about the warehouse though…'

Team 7 still had a lot to learn…

…

Hot Springs Country, south of the Village of Hayase

Anko and Team 10 (plus Haku) had thoroughly scouted the rather large estate of the crime lord Hikoki they'd been hired to assassinate. He was a rather disgusting old man that made his money dealing in human trafficking. He'd bought off all of the local enforcement, so the Daimyo decided to hire outside ninjas to do the job. The Daimyo's own private forces would move in the next morning to 'assist' if needed. The estate was surrounded by a three-meter wooden protection fence with a scaffold inside the guards could patrol around on. The tops of the fence posts were sharpened and did look rather intimidating -even if they were worthless against a ninja. There were about forty guards lazing about that looked like they were run of the mill thugs more than anything. Beyond them were the slave pens and then the mansion itself.

Anko looked through binoculars at the place and said, "Shame Zabuza and your teammates couldn't join the party Haku-chan; he was always good at exterminating masses of rats while running around under that Hidden Mist Jutsu of his. It's damned effective in situations like this."

"You seem to know Zabuza-sama fairly well Anko-sensei." said Haku.

"Believe it or not he and I were both chunins and our teams had to join forces to get out of a very sticky situation." explained Anko as she added some details to the map the estate. "Anyway, after our teams won; the bunch of us went a couple of villages over to celebrate and hit the bars. Zabuza started hitting on me and I hit him back with a right hook. When it was all said and done the bar was totally demolished and I chased Zabuza and his friends off by poisoning them with some minor snake toxins. I could have summoned something more lethal but I was kind of drunk and decided to be nice by making them all violently ill instead."

Haku and Anko's three genins all sweat dropped. '…She decided to be nice by making them all violently ill?' they all thought as one.

Anko wondered why the four genins were all staring at her blankly. Shrugging it off she said, "It looks like we've got the Hikoki Estate mapped out pretty thoroughly. We want to avoid exposing the slaves to any further injury or mistreatment. Take your targets out quickly and efficiently. This is going to be bloody. Take no prisoners. If they try to take hostages eliminate them. Let's start picking out specific targets. We strike after sunset…"

…

When darkness fell there was apparently some kind of party going on at the Hikoki Estate because all the hired guards were drinking and celebrating rather than doing their jobs of actually protecting the place. Anko was a bit puzzled so her team sneaked in a lot closer than originally planned to figure out what was going on. Anko soon heard Ino's voice over the radio. "Mind body switch jutsu, success!" Just as planned, the thug whose mind Ino took over was walking around locking all the ways for the thugs to escape and unlocking key entrances for the ninjas to use. Ino was only able to maintain the jutsu for about ten minutes but it was enough to seriously damage the built in defenses of the estate.

Ino soon said tiredly over the radio, "It's Hikoki's fiftieth birthday so the booze locker is open. The slaves are locked up tight so the drunken guards won't get in and 'soil the goods.' I really want to kill these scumbags."

'That's my girl.' thought Anko. "When I give the signal, we're going to lay this place to waste. If they're all drunk it means they will have an even slower reaction time than usual. Is everyone ready?"

After receiving a grim round of affirmatives Anko said over the radio, "On my mark; three, two, one, GO!"

The young ninjas quickly vaulted the walls with Haku and Emi taking the two raised platforms used as guard lookout posts. Soon a hail of black kunai and silver senbon needles rained down on the hapless thugs caught in the murderous crossfire. Anko was already racing up to the Estate's top floor by the time the guards realized they were being cut down alive. She slipped in agilely through an open window and thought to herself, 'Time to do some dirty work. Haku is trained well as I expected from someone of Zabuza's caliber. Between her and Emi-chan there isn't going to be much left for Ino-chan and Shikamaru to hit.' Switching her attention to the targets below Anko licked the back of her kunai and went to work in a flash.

Within thirty minutes the screams both inside and outside the building had gone quiet. Anko opened the front doors of the mansion splattered in blood with Hikoki's decapitated head in hand. She looked out and saw the sea of blood before her. Shikamaru was gathering the keys from the bodies of the higher ranked guards. Ino was sitting on the front steps waiting for Anko. Anko said calmly, "Report Ino-chan."

Ino saluted. "All targets are terminated. Shikamaru and Haku are retrieving the keys to the slave pens. Emi-chan is still in the guard position keeping lookout. I was on watch for you but it seems you had no trouble."

"Well, one guy did jump out a front window and got away from me." said Anko.

Ino pointed with a kunai towards a broken body lying on the ground with a kunai sticking out of his throat. "I believe that would be him sensei. He didn't make it far with all the noise he made."

"Who nailed him?" asked Anko.

"Ummm….Well, all four of us reacted to the noise and hit him at once." said Ino with a shrug.

Anko inspected the body and saw a kunai in the spine, one in throat, another in the heart and a senbon through an eye into the brain. "All four were kill shots…very nicely done." 'I'm glad I blooded the kids early; even if they look a bit ill despite all the bodies. They did a good job. I bet Yūgao-chan did the same.'

The Team soon set about freeing the slaves and did so in a quiet and orderly manner. It actually was a big plus that it was mostly a team of kunoichi that freed the slaves as they by and large had a fear of men. Anko kept things orderly and they set up camp outside the bloody estate to await the troops and medics sent as backup by the Daimyo. The living nightmare the slaves had to bear was finally over…

…

Tea Country, outside the Village of Numa no Mura

Shigure's group of ninjas were tracking Team 11 when they came upon the (formerly) swampy plateau that rumor had it was haunted or cursed. Everything was dead and as dry as a desert now. They were staring at the still smoldering ruins of Numa no Mura with a great deal of trepidation. "What the hell happened here…?" asked one of Shigure's team. "Did our quarry do this or did they die in there? There's nothing here but ash and dust."

Shigure and the others realized the trail ended here. There was no sign of a camp or any evidence that their elusive targets had even been there. "This trail is a dead end." said Shigure. "The whole area is just lifeless. Even the trees and the grass surrounding the village remains are dead. Akio-sama will be disappointed but it's time to call off this hunt. We don't even know if they are dead or alive. Let's go back."

As Shigure led his party back the way they had come he looked back over his shoulder at the smoldering remnants of Numa no Mura and shuddered. 'I think those Konoha ninjas razed the place to the ground. I'm not going to be leading my group to a needless death….' He turned to the others. "As far as Akio-sama and the others are concerned our targets are already deceased."

Everyone murmured in agreement and set out for their home in Hōrō-sha Village. For them the hunt for Team 11 was over…

…

Wind Country, desert

The Kazekage and his party were setting up camp for the night and Gaara was outside sitting as he stared at the sliver of the moon that was showing. His teal eyes scanned the sky as if he was looking for an answer. 'Mother is quiet tonight. As always only Temari and Kankuro will come near me. Will I die this way all alone? I live only for myself and care only about myself. I guess it doesn't matter. I will destroy all threats to my existence without fail.'

Rasa looked outside his tent and saw Gaara lying their mumbling quietly to himself. 'Kurara…our youngest son is a monster all because of me. I thought I would make the village stronger by putting Shukaku in him but in the end, it cost you your life and Gaara his humanity…' Looking briefly at Gaara and noticing how much his son resembled him physically; Rasa thought sadly, 'Gaara…forgive me my son…If there was some way to fix how broken you are I would gladly do so in a heartbeat.'

Temari watched her Father as Rasa stared out at Gaara sitting alone. 'I wonder what the Kazekage is thinking about. He's been acting strangely ever since that day he told me he wanted to talk to his daughter. Is it possible that he's feeling some sort of regret? He looks so sad. It's a shame I can't ask him. It wouldn't do to have a genin question the Kazekage about his motivations. Bah! He sacrificed Kaa-chan and Gaara as far as I'm concerned. He destroyed our family. Why would he start to suddenly give a damn about us now? I think I must have gotten too much heat to be thinking the Kazekage actually cares!' The eldest of the three siblings went back inside her tent in a huff.

…

Tea Country, Western Forest

Team 11 was in a hard march northward under cover of the night. The absolutely hell-bent look burning in their eyes betrayed the fiery determination they had in their hearts. After surviving the abyss of Numa no Mura; Yūgao was worried that her team would be hurt or damaged mentally but it seemed that going through the trial by fire had hardened the steel the young ninjas were made of. Yūgao knew it would have broken many and she was very proud of them. She also was going to make sure they took some mandatory rest after this mission as well as talk to a Yamanaka to make sure they didn't have any issues. It was safe to say that this was easily an A-ranked mission now.

Natsuko was a lot quieter too. It was obvious that she was a seasoned ninja to the purple haired sword mistress by now. Otherwise Natsuko would have broken down. 'Still, I have to wonder what her true purpose is. She seems to be sticking close to Naruto still but the kids are acting more professional. Maybe they've concluded that Natsuko's antics with Naruto-kun aren't worth getting angry about…of course the Priestess has toned it down a lot. She seems to be genuinely drawing some emotional support from Naruto rather than trying to seduce him now. Whatever mission she is on…I guess we'll find out soon enough.'

…

Location Unknown…

In the darkness a pair of ryugan eyes opened. "Hmmm…games after death as night dances round. I can't believe it after all this time I'll be able to see her again Mitsuomi."

"What are you talking about Shin aniki?" asked Mitsuomi. "Are you having visions again?"

Natsume Shin turned to his apprentice of many years Takayanagi Mitsuomi. They left Konoha together years ago after Shin murdered his parents. Shin's ryugan eyes glowed demonically in the darkness but Mitsuomi had seen the ryugan many times so it didn't bother him in the least. Shin smiled. "It seems our target is traveling with my precious little sister Maya-chan…she has the Reiki as well. I've missed her so much. I wonder what kind of a woman she has grown into now."

"What are the odds?" asked Mitsuomi. "I hope we don't have to fight her."

Shin laughed. "Of course we'll have to fight her! I want to see how strong Maya-chan has become." He shuddered for a moment. "That boy Naruto-kun she always played with is with her too."

"Uzumaki Naruto?" asked Mitsuomi. "That brings back memories. I was told not to play with him as a child by my parents. They wouldn't let me or Masataka near him. I never did know why aniki."

"It's because Naruto-kun was frightening to you parents." said Shin. "My Kaa-san always encouraged Maya-chan to play with him. She said his potential was limitless to me and people feared his power. It will be interesting to see how that squirt has turned out. Let's head towards the Tea Country/Fire Country border. We'll see them soon. I just can't wait to see my Maya-chan again."

Ryūzaki Tsutomu licked his lips and said. "Are there any other hot women Shin? I haven't had any fun in a while."

The effeminate Kagurazaka Shinobu said, "Why are you even interested? This is Shin's sister we're talking about here."

"I know you wouldn't be interested Shinobu but I figure she's a healthy sixteen or so years. I'm sure she'll be good and tasty, hehehe."

Shin's fist fit Tsutomu so fast that the perverse lecher hit the tree behind him with enough force to crack the bark. Shin's ryugan blazed angrily and he said, "If you even try to touch my baby sister Ryūzaki I'll END you!"

Tsutomu shivered and nodded rapidly in fear. Natsume Shin never made idle threats, only promises…

…

POSTSCRIPT:

I wanted to develop a bit on the other teams' progress since all of them probably won't be in one place again until the chunin exams. As expected of an assassination team, Anko's Team 10 has had to learn fast about killing at least bandit level foes. They have yet to face any high level threats. We also got to see Haku as well as the hapless Zabuza. Given her rowdy teammates Haku-chan has been forced into being the responsible big sister type on the team and actually has a closer Father/daughter relationship with Zabuza as a result.

…And we finally got to see Natsume Shin. I hope no one thought I'd forgotten about him. Next chapter Shin and Maya will meet after many years of separation…and things may get ugly. See you next time. Blue out. 7/3/23