Leaning against a tree, Kiyomi had her eyes closed. A regular looking katana sheathed in a scabbard, on her back, she had her arms crossed and was actually not dressed in her jounin atire. Instead, in her Hokage Apprentice garb and having two shoulder bags at her feet. Waiting, she was wondering where he was? Though he had enough time, Kiyomi was actually wondering if Hayate would come on time. Then again, he would know better than to come too late. She had made sure to let him know it was very important he would be on time.

Adjusting his backpack once again, Hayate made his way to the field where he was supposed to meet up with Kiyomi. She had told him that they would be taking a trip for a mission and hoped that he had packed appropriately for it. As Hayate approached the field he spotted Kiyomi resting against a tree. Smiling he walked towards her. "Good morning Kiyomi-sama. I hope that I am not running late."

Looking up, Kiyomi opened her left eye. A little smile crept on her lips. ''No, you're on time. We're running a bit short on time, so sorry but the briefing won't be about all the details I have. To start, I don't have that much details to share.'' Kiyomi told him, skipping the usual greeting and talk she enjoyed having with Hayate. It would just give the signal that she was very serious about the mission they would do together. ''That said, you're not allowed to talk about this mission. With nobody. If there is a person, maybe the Jounin commander, but nobody other than him. Got that?'' She asked him before she would continue on the briefing. It was pretty important he would keep this mission between them.

As Kiyomi grew serious Hayate paid close attention. So this mission was to be a secret one, interesting. His curiosity for this mission only increased as Kiyomi spoke. Understanding that she wanted a confirmation of his secrecy, Hayate nodded. "You have my word Kiyomi-sama. I will tell no one." His tone was serious and he hoped that she believed him. He would never do anything that would compromise Kiyomi, and so he would keep his word, even under the threat of death.

''Good. Cause we won't be allowed to wear any headbands this time. Nothing that could trace us back to Konohagakure. Neither can we rely on any reinforcements or such when we're in a pin.'' Kiyomi continued after Hayate had confirmed he would keep this between them. There was still a little bit of doubt, but Kiyomi decided to trust him on this. After all, he had proven himself to be allowed to come with her on this mission. ''The mission is actually to put it very simple an assassination mission. We need to go in and kill a certain target. Nothing out of the rare things. The problem is that we've a limited information and the target is expecting us.'' Kiyomi told Hayate, waiting to see if he had any questions now.

Nodding again as she mentioned that they would not be allowed headbands or anything linking them to Konoha, Hayate thought about her words. So this was to be an assassination mission, huh, Hayate thought that there was some part of him that should have something against the idea of an assassination mission but as he thought about it he realized that he was fine with it. He trusted Kiyomi enough to know that anyone who she was targeting for execution probably deserved it for some reason. He smiled slightly as she mentioned that their target expected them. "They may know we are coming, but there is no way they could truly expect us. Not when we have you."

Kiyomi almost scoffed. If he would know better, then he would realize how that would have sounded. ''That is an advantage we have. They aren't expecting us, at all. Rather somebody else.'' Kiyomi told Hayate. Thinking about the other details, she pointed to one of the shoulder bags. ''I have packed in some supplies for a mission of around three days. Nobody will miss us as I have taken care of that. If somebody will somehow ask you where you have been, we have been training in an isolated place to hone your skills. After all, I am intending to permit you to join the Chuunin exams once they are upon us.'' Kiyomi told him on a serious tone, but gave the hint away she had faith in his skill, even while he was just a genin.

At the mention of Kiyomi permitting him into the Chuunin exams, Hayate's eyes widened in surprise. He had hoped to be able to join the exams, but he wasn't sure whether or not he was ready. To hear Kiyomi had faith in his abilities filled him with a flush of pride. "I have brought some things with me as well." He said, gesturing to his backpack. "I hope that it will be enough. I have nobody that would really miss me anyways so this should work well." Hayate let out a sad smile, waiting to see if Kiyomi had any more details to share.

So it was time to head out. Picking up a shoulder bag, she reached it out towards him. ''Then you may carry the lighter one. Just also remember to stay cautious at all time. You may realize more people will miss you than you can imagine.'' After saying that and giving him the shoulder bag, she took the remaining on and checked her weapons one last time. Then she glanced at Hayate. ''Oh, I forgot one thing. I need to be sure you're out cold. So we can do this either quickly or slow. Your choice.''

Grabbing the bag from her, Hayate swung it up over his shoulder. Adjusting the weight until it was comfortably balanced, he looked back at Kiyomi in time to hear her last comment. Wait, she needed to knock him out? Hayate hesitated slightly. He rubbed his jaw for a moment before grinning nervously. "Well... I suppose if this how it's gotta be I would prefer quickly." Hayate locked eyes with Kiyomi, waiting for the attack that would knock him out. A small part of him felt hurt that she didn't trust him enough with where they were going to keep him awake for it, but Hayate focused on the fact that she had chosen him for this mission. That had to show that she trusted him, even just a little. And Hayate put his faith in her once again, trusting that she had her reasons for keeping things so secretive.

Waiting for a second, Kiyomi raised her right hand, dressed in a fingerless glove. Gently she poked with her indexfinger against the forehead of Hayate, but kept her finger at the forehead of her friend and student. ''Don't worry. It will sting for a second.'' She told him before he would feel a zapping or rather stinging sensation rushing through his body. Her mastery of Lightning Release was showed in that second as she knocked him cold, but wouldn't allow him to fall on the ground, catching him. ''Embrace the darkness.~'' She whispered as the darkness would fall upon him.

---

Some time later,
Somewhere in the Kanashi Ocean.

Kiyomi sighed as she opened her eyes. Leaning against the big mast, with her back against it and holding her right hand over her cargo sack, she looked around. The ship was making good progress towards the island they were heading towards. Already they had managed to pass the Taro Island without any problem and so far, Kiyomi couldn't see any problem that would rise up. Patting the big sack next to her, she mumbled something. ''Wake up time, Hayate.'' Kiyomi said with a rather amused tone as she opened the sack further. Knowing it would be bad if she would seal off the sack completely, she always had left it a bit open.

Hayate woke up as light spilled over his face. His whole body felt numb and as he tried to stretch out his stiff muscles he realized that his movement was restricted. Everything around him was dark except for the shaft of light coming from an opening above his head. Shifting his body slightly, Hayate moved his head closer to the hole. "Am... uh, am I gonna be stuck in here much longer?" He asked hesitantly, squinting his eyes against the bright light from outside whatever it was he was stuffed in.

''If you keep asking such stupid questions, I might consider that.'' She asnwered back, still amused as she looked around. The sailors were given new instructions as they were clearly nearing the island. However, instead of a port or a dock, they were heading towards a beach. Scoffing, Kiyomi glanced at Hayate. ''You did snore and almost caused some troubled. It was hard to convince you were a sack of rice when I was at a port, trying to get you onboard of the first ship.'' She told him.

Hayate smiled at her answer. Stifling a small laugh he replied. "Well I have to say, it is much harder to control myself when I am unconscious. I must be one ugly sack of rice though." Realizing that he was probably going to be inside the sack for at least awhile longer, Hayate adjusted himself until he was in a slightly more comfortable position. At least this way he wasn't straining anything. "Sorry if I caused any trouble for you." He added quietly.

''Don't be too sure about that. To be honest, I suspect..'' She paused as the amusement vanished from her tone. Though her facial expression didn't change, the tone clearly did. It was more grim and serious. ''Once the boat embars on the beach, they are going to hit us. My plan to try to sneak upon them failed and now we're going to pay a little price for it.'' Kiyomi informed Hayate before patting the sack. ''Then again, I doubt they will send a lot at us, so it might be a good warming up eh?''

Grumbling slightly as she patted him once again, Hayate heard her change in tone. "Shall I take them all down from here then?" He asked half jokingly. If they were going to have a fight on their hands, Hayate hoped that he'd at least be allowed out of the sack for it. It would be much harder otherwise. The numbness had mostly left his body, and despite the uncomfortable position he was forced to stay in, he was ready for whatever they were about to face.

Scoffing, Kiyomi rose up from her position on the deck of the ship. They were barely at a distance from the beach. ''I would suggest to be my guest, but you're my secret card in this mission. You know, being infamous has its disadvantages.'' She replied back, rolling with her left shoulder as she looked around. There was no sign on the beach of anybody. Neither an animal nor a person. For a moment, Kiyomi was tempted to summon Samehada as she was unable to do any sensory jutsu herself. ''Think you could come out of the sack if you want that. Just prepare yourself for what may come.''

Grinning, Hayate shuffled his way to the opening of the sack. Poking his head out he looked around briefly before looking at Kiyomi. "Did you kidnap me to go on a vacation? This looks like a nice beach to relax on." His tone remained amused, but his eyes were on the lookout for any threats. He hadn't spotted anything, but if his experience taught him anything it was that looks could be deceiving. "If you'd prefer, I could remain hidden in this old sack to surprise whoever it is that's greeting us. But I must say it would probably be nice to stretch out my legs a little." Hayate gave Kiyomi a small smile before looking around once again, checking his surroundings. It was a good thing he didn't get seasick, otherwise his journey in the sack would probably not have been as pleasant.

Kiyomi glanced at Hayate before looking back. The ship was just meters away from the beach. ''I think that won't work if they have any sensors or such. I kind of rely on the fact your clan managed to keep your blood line ability more or less secretive. Even I still am learning about it when we train or spar. That said, I doubt an outsider could know about it more than we do. So see its as a challenge.'' Kiyomi's eyes gained a little glint as a smirk crept on her lips. ''You only can use kenjutsu, earth release ninjutsu and such. Don't try to use your clan's jutsu until the time is dire or when I give the order for it. Got it?''

Hayate looked back at Kiyomi as she told him not to use his clan's ability. Well this would be interesting. He grinned and nodded. Pulling himself out of the sack, Hayate stretched out fully, the feeling of relief flowing through him. He stood beside Kiyomi on the deck of the boat and pulled out his staff. "So, no clan stuff. Got it. Well, this shall be fun then." The smile remained on his face as he twirled his staff around and settled in a ready position.

Nodding, Kiyomi watched the edge of the forest. The ship landed on the beach and she was expecting a welcome party at any moment. Only there was no fireball in the air lunging towards them. No people rushing towards the ship. For a second, Kiyomi looked over her shoulder. Nothing. ''That is odd.'' She mumbled, while the sailors started to begin their preparation. Frowning, Kiyomi placed her hands on her hips as she waited. ''I really was expecting a welcome party. After all, this whole island is mostly going to be hostile against us.'' She continued to mumble. ''At least, once they have figured for who we are doing this mission for.'' Then she glanced at Hayate. ''I suspose you haven't picked up a sensory jutsu when I wasn't around, have you now?''

"Ha, a whole island that wants to kill us... You really do bring me to the most fun places." Hayate grinned, looking sideways at her. Turning back to the shore he tried to make out any evidence of enemies, but he could see none. "I am sorry Kiyomi-sama but I do not know any sensory jutsu. If you get me on the ground I can use my hiding like a mole technique to make out any disturbances, but that's unfortunately about as much as I can do at the moment." Hayate gave her an apologetic shrug before turning back to look at the beach and the forest. "We could always do this the old fashioned way?"

''That would be amusing. But as much as I wouldn't mind to cause a good ol bonfire, I need to implore we keep a low profile. The longer we can avoid that the enemy knows we're here, the better.'' She told him. Walking to the edge, Kiyomi leaped over the reeling of the ship. Landing on the beach, she again glanced around. So far nobody. No other scent or weird sound was picked by her senses. Though even with her heightened senses, she wasn't sure. Pity that both of them weren't able to sense or see any chakra. ''Lets go. I think we would do better to find a suitable position to camp before the sun is down.'' Adjusting her shoulder bag, Kiyomi already started to walk towards the forest edge.

Following her to the edge, Hayate watched her leap down. Jumping over the railing himself, Hayate landed on the soft sand. He reached down with one hand, grabbing a handful of the sand and feeling it as it fell through his fingers. He smiled and looked back up as Kiyomi began walking towards the forest's edge. Jogging to catch up, Hayate fell into pace beside her. Regardless of whether or not they were walking into a trap Hayate felt safe knowing that he was with Kiyomi. It wasn't like he felt that he would need her protection at all, it was more a sense of being next to someone that he trusted with his life. He knew that they worked well together and had no fears that they would be able to overcome anything that came their way.

Nazari stood in the dead center of the training field, her eyes casting this prolonged gaze out towards the way the people of Amegakure passed by and the way a certain genin would come through. She had the profile of the genin on home on her bed, having had read every last word down the smallest possible detail and memorized his appearance. A sigh escaped from her lips as she blinked after the prolonged gaze ended but she did not take her eyes off the area of entrance. Wondering how the genin would present himself to her, the first impression was always important and Shu Ibi would need to make a good one.

Shu silently walked into the clearing, his eyes scanning the area around him. Shu was dressed in standard shinobi equipment, his hair poorly kept back by his headband He quickly found Nazari, and slowly walked over to her, contempt obvious in his eyes. "Are you Nazari?" He asked evenly, slowly scanning her body as he spoke. "Because I expected someone more intimidating, and you're not intimidating in the least." A small smile crept across his face.

Not the slightest emotion crossed her face, there was no change in expression as she studied the young Shu Ibi and saw his attire as well as his poorly kept hair. Her hand whipped around to her Kunai as she hurled it at him at a deadly rate that he had no choice but to get out of the way of. "Act now, questions later" Nazari said simply as she had yet another kunai her hand and her other on the pan flute around her neck that would later be used to ensnare him in a genjutsu. Upon first impression, he took initiative to speak first but his abrpupt attitude was going to need to go although, she was quite blunt herself. Hurling the second the kunai at him at the same deadly rate, waiting for his reaction.

Shu reacted a bit too slowly to the first Kunai, and this mistake cost him a small cut on his left arm. At her words, he came to understand the situation better, and he skillfully dodged the second Kunai. Shu quickly preformed the hand seals for his water clone jutsu, the water rising out of his mouth. Shu's clone rushed at Nazari, unsheathing his scimitar as he ran, while the real Shu quickly drew a Kunai and threw it at Nazari.

Seeing his reaction to the first was a little delayed, she noted that he needed to work on his reaction time and noticed how he was able to recover in time to dodge the second one. Her eyebrows raised ever so slightly as she saw him perform the hand seals for the water clone jutsu,which was not a bad thing. Quickly doing her own hand seals for the Multi-Limb Prism Jutsu, she encased herself in water that took the form of several different limbs before they shot at Shu. The water would trap him if it touched him and envelop him before releasing them at her will, if he was not fast enough. Mean while, Nazari stood soundly in the prism that made his kunai useless as it bounced off the extremely dense water.

Shu's water clone continued to rush at Nazari, swinging it's sword at her prison of water. The real Shu began to run from the arms pursuing him. When the first arm was a foot away, Shu jumped backwards, the arm shooting out in front him. Unfortunately his plan fell apart when he slipped and fell onto his back. Shu lost his concentration, his water clone falling apart behind him. One of the hands reached him, and Shu was shocked to find himself trapped in a bubble of water, his struggling all but useless. He looked up at Nazari carefully, indignantly begging for escape.

Nazari watched as he attempted to escape the arm that had surrounded him with dense water nearly suffocating him but instead of letting the water become twice as dense, she ended the jutsu. The test was over, he did not pass nor did he fail it, he simply did average. But average would not suffice, she would have to work on honing his already present skills and make him even more in tune with himself. "Yes, I am Nazari... Do I seem intimidating to you now?" Nazari asked with a slight smirk.

Shu lay on the ground, gasping after being released from his prison, and shakily got to his feet. He caught his breath slowly, but once he caught his breathe straightening his stance, his legs barely holding his weight. "Just a bit...My name is Shu Iba," He said, but this time something new had entered his voice, "And you're apparently my Sensei," His voice had an edge to it, barely noticeable. His voice showed respect for Nazari. . . Something he rarely showed.

With a tilt to her head, she looked him over examining him and took note of his arm, it was bleeding. "Just a bit, huh? Well we can arrange for that to change, now can we?" Nazari asked with a faint smile. Brushing her hair back behind her shoulders, she walked over to him and placed a hand on his head, it was their for a moment before it was removed. "I am your sensei, your academy teachers.... Were not too keen on you becoming a genin.... I see no reason why they would be against it..." she said calmly. His profile had a lot of negative comments, but it was obvious none of them were valid.

He looked up at her evenly while she had her hand on his head his eyes showing he believed them to be equals, if not that she was superior. When she mentioned his teachers, he visibly flinched. "The teachers don't like me too much. Don't worry, the feeling is mutual," he said with a slight smirk. Shu looked her up and down again, but this time his eyes showed neither contempt or resentment. Nazari seemed to have gotten through to Shu.

Nazari sighed a bit at his statement, the teachers at the academy seemed to judge students on their ability to memorize a sentence or two but not on actual skill. "It is not that late but we should get that arm checked out... It looks like it hurts.. " Nazari said and started to walk towards the Amegakure Hospital. After he was patched up, the second part of the test would begin.

Shu listened closely, but when she mentioned his arm, he looked down at it, as if he had forgotten it had been cut. It was bleeding a bit more heavily then before, and after poking it a few times he agreed he should get it checked out. The nurse who treated him was quite rough, and he gasped a few times, but never called out. Shu's pain tolerance wasn't anything special. After his arm was tightly bandaged, he headed out of the hospital with Nazari. He down at her, and curiously asked, "What are we going to do now?"

She waited until they were back at the training field, in which she answered his question by picking up her panflute and playing the simple tunes that started the Midnight Predator Genjutsu. The sky darkened, and stars appeared as well as the moon, the temperature had dropped as well, making it colder. She then, performed the hand seals for the water clone before the real Nazari faded into the now darkened training field.

He watched keenly as Nazari preformed he genjutsu, and was shocked to see the sky darken above him. The darkness closed in around him, and he looked behind him to see if he could spot Nazari. He had seen her make the clone, and knew she had to be close by. Normally he would preform the Hiding in Mist technique, but his chakra reserves were already running low. Shu saw a small bit of movement to his right, and quickly looked in that direction. He froze, staring into the dark, but he couldn't see anything moving. He heard rustling to his left, and he snapped to look, but again nothing. Terror filled Shu, and he felt the weight of the darkness around him start to press in.

Her clone watched as he reacted to the genjutsu, seeing the fear and terror start to get under his skin. The real Nazari took note that they would need to work on that at a later time, wondering if he knew if it was genjutsu or not, it would seem so but one could never know. She watched as her clone ran at him in his current state of mind, knocking him down before vanishing into the dark to watch just as the real one threw a kunai at him that came close to actually hitting him but flew by him only an inch from his other arm. Trying to get him to act on something.

As Nazari's clone started to rush him, Shu reacted a bit too slowly, again, getting knocked down. As the clone ran into the distance, he felt a kunai whiz past his arm, but he couldn't find the source. He quickly stood up, looking around wildly, before an idea came to mind. Shu ran at a tree, jumping, and pushing off of it as his foot touched it. He grabbed a low hanging branch, and began to pull himself up, his freshly nurtured cut burning from the exertion. As shu pulled himself up he began to analyze the situation: Nazari was trying to test him, he could see that now, and right now she seemed to be playing on fear; Shu would break the rules of her test, and start to play on her fears. Shu stood on the branch, before jumping to another one that was close by, and sitting down. He focused his small amount of remaining chakra, and took the risk. Shu preformed the handseals for the Hiding in Mist technique, fog drifting from his mouth to slowly envelop the training field. His breathing turned heavy, and he knew he could only keep this up for a couple more minutes. He wondered if she had predicted this, as he sit silently on the branch.

The real Nazari observed silently, watching as he fell and got back up as it would appear it did not take much to spur him into action. Seeing him get onto a tree branch, analyzing the situation, both were good and she made a mental note to praise him for it after the test. Seeing the mist seeping out of his mouth as he performed the Hiding in the Mist Technique, hoping to conceal his location. His breathing being heavy gave it away easily, as she approached him silently from behind him and placing her hand on his shoulder. Ending the genjutsu as she did so, the last part of the test would begin in a minute once he caught his breath.

Shu felt the pressure on his shoulder, and look behind and up at her, from his sitting position. "There you are," he mumbled, and released the technique. The fog fading away quickly. Shu stood up, and jumped lightly down from the tree, his landing careful. "You seem quite intent on killing me today," Shu joked as he caught his breath, and then he suddenly stiffened. He looked at her, and asked, "Are you just trying to see what jutsus I know?"

Unlike the previous times, she did not answer by acting but instead said "the last part of your test begins now." WIth that she unsheathed her katana and ran at him, this test would test his ability to fight up close with a weapon. She swung at him and allowed her arms to relax as the gel like substance of her katana hardened around her hands and swooshed past him, cutting a few stray hairs of his.

The sun glinted off his falling hairs, while Shu stood there, astonished. He came to terms with situation, and jumped back, quickly unsheathing his weapon. The scimitar shone in the restored light, and Shu took the initiative to run at Nazari. He did a quick swing a bit short, not making it all the way to her, but he had planned this. Shu continued the swing after he missed, and spun around to swing again, this time making sure his swing was on target. He silently hope she fell for the feint as his sword fell towards her.

Nazari noted how he reacted to that as well and made another note to praise him for recovering quickly and taking the initiative to attack with no need of assisstance. Allowing herself to be hit by the scimitar before using the hilt of her katana to knock him on his head easily, utilzing every part of her katana instead just one before bringing the blade to the back of his neck, only an inch away from actual contact.

A smile graced Shu's face as his blade made contact, but soon it was gone and replaced by a stunned look. His head spun when he was hit with her hilt, before she put the blade right behind his neck. Shocked by her skill, he went stiff as to not cut himself. "I think you've made your point," He said carefully, not too keen on being cut by her katana.

"And what point would that be?" Nazari asked calmly as she removed the blade from behind his neck. Putting her katana back in its sheath, she looked him over as it appeared that he was at his limits, his breathing heavy and sweat beads rolling down his arms and face. "The test is over" she said before continuing "your reaction time... Will be improved on and so will containing your emotions... This test was not pass or fail... It was simply to observe you and see where you needed more work on. Your recovery time.... was what I expected it to be... quick and swift... thats good." Nazari paused in her thought, deciding if she wanted to part ways now or later, deciding that he needed a break and something to eat, she sighed. "Now, are you hungry?" she asked.

He silently thanked her, glad to be done with the test. His blushed lightly when she called his recovery time swift, and he looked away awkwardly. When she mentioned food, he looked at her and nodded, "Yeah I'm starving. I didn't expect to almost die today, otherwise I'd have taken the time to write my will," he joked. As if to prove his point, his stomach growled loudly, and again Shu looked away, trying to ignore it. He hadn't eaten breakfast, and this seemed to prove it. In retrospect, he should have eaten, because it might have improved his results on Nazari's test. He came to the realization that if he had been fighting an actual enemy, he would be dead. Shu shivered, hoping he would be stronger before that time came.

"Well I cannot have you starving to death, now can I?" Nazari asked with a smirk. Patting him on the back a bit roughly, she began to walk with him towards the nearest resturaunt and asked for a table for two. Being seated near the door, she sat down and flipped through the menu as she tried to decide to what she wanted to eat. "Order what you wish to eat... Its on me" Nazari said as she called the waitress over to their table and ordered what she had decided on. Shu stumbled a bit from the unexpected pat on the back, but followed at her word. When they arrived at the resturaunt, Shu sat down slowly, and nodded when she said he could order what he pleased. After she recited her order, Shu looked up to the waitress, and said politely, "I'd like a Gyūdon," His poise flawless. It was obvious he could be polite when he wanted to be, and it could be almost taken as an insult the stark difference between how he was acting now, and how he had treated Nazari earlier.

Nazari waited for the waitress to leave before asking "what did you learn today, Shu?" Leaning forward a bit in his chair as if she was eager to hear his response and raised a single eye brow as she waited for him. Noticing how he treated the waitress, as well as how he treated her earlier, it seemed politeness was not a foreign concept to him after all. "I assume your attitude will change next time we practice?" Nazari questioned right before the waitress came with thier meals.

At her question, a mock thoughtful look crossed his face as Shu saw Nazari lean forward. "Don't underestimate Nazari-Sensei?" He questioned, almost jokingly. He leaned back, beginning to visibly relax in her prescence. He stared out the window, his eyes watching the small crowd hurrying to their destinations. Shu caught his own eye in the reflection, and a small look of distaste crossed his face as he looked back to Nazari. Upon her second question he sighed, and responded, "Yes, I will treat you with respect from now on, and I wont insult your strength." His voice was almost mechanical, and it was obvious he had said this before. Shu smiled politely at the waitress as she returned, and thanked her for his food. He silently picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat.

Upon hearing his response to her first question, a short abrupt laugh escaped her parched lips and people seemed to stop in shock of hearing it. Nazari barely laughed these days, her past a reminder of the hard times she endured before now but that was no matter. " Well we can also work on your answers" Nazari said as she shook her head. Beginning to eat her own her food slowly, not paying him any attention as she did so. In ten minutes, she was done and asked him "how do you know your food was not poisoned?" With a small smile, she stood up and went to pay for the meals, returning shortly. She did not sit back down, instead she looked at him and said "I expect to see you in the same exact spot as you were today." And with that, she took her leave.

At Nazari's question, Shu blinked in surprise. He was about to respond, when she started to walk away. He sighed, and when she returned and told him what she expected of him, he nodded. "I understand sensei," he responded, and slowly walked out the door, heading in the opposite direction that she was, torwards his house. Shu silently studied people as they walked by, wondering about their personal lives, and if he knew them, wondering how recent problems had resolved. He glanced down at the bandage on his arm, and a small smile cut across his face. Shu had a feeling he was going to enjoy having Nazari as a teacher. In the end the cut would fade, bruises heal, and what remained was what truly mattered.

Limping home, it was already midnight. Mika panted. The cuts and other wounds were still fresh. The blood might have dried up, but the pain was still present. All the way, she had been limping back to her home. It was even a struggle to open the door with her keys. A shiver went through her body as she went through the door opening. It was dark inside, as she had made sure that Haruhi was in bed when she had went towards the Mizukage Office. Managing to close the door behind her, Mika trembled. Checking if the door was locked, the woman started to limp towards her own room, something warm flowing down her cheeks.

Haruhi was slightly awake, teetering between sleep and consciousness. Earlier that night she'd woken up from a dream she'd been having alot recently. It was wierd. She would never remember anything but the end: Haruhi was stood over her villiage, hundreds of feet tall, and trapped inside something to watch it burn beneath her. It was unsettling to say the least, but what was even more unsettling than that, she heard the light click of a door in a place that should have been silent. Sliding out of bed, Haruhi retrieved a kunai from her things before slowly making her way to the door and opening it.

It was odd that anyone aware of who lived here would try to break in, but she was sure if it were her sensei, not a sound would have been heard. Stepping into the hall, her foot landed in something warm and wet. Bending down through her knees, she reached out to touch the odd liquid. Seeing the dark red color on her fingers she held in a gasp and stood. Not caring if an intruder was here or not, she ran as fast as she could to Mika's room. Swinging the door open, Haruhi's knees got weak at the sight before her and the kunai slipped from her fingers.

Hearing the sounds, Mika kept on going on. She was breathing heavily as she was trying to bandage some deep cuts. Hissing right at the moment that Haruhi came in, Mika looked up. "Go to.. bed.'' Mika said on a hoarse tone. It still was painful for her to talk. The pressure on her body was still there, straining her and causing everything to hurt. Returning her attention to her wounds, Mika felt something else than the pain. Guilt. Guilt and bitter regret. She shouldn't be alive. Why hadn't she pressed on? Why hadn't she back then continued, to show her resolve? Maybe Mika would have been spared this fate. ''Go...'' Mika tried to order Haruhi again, but knowing that it wasn't going to work.

Haruhi pressed a hand to her mouth to keep in a scream she otherwise would have let out. She ran back to her room to get her ointments and bandages then the bathroom to get the things she needed for stitches. As she picked up the small needle with trembling hands, she couldn't think of anyone who could have hurt her sensei like that. Grabbing a drink of water and a pain pill along with a damp towel, she walked back to her sensei's room to help her, ignoring her protests.

After giving her sensei the pill and water to drink, she ordered her to lay on her bed, then immediately took the towel and sutures to her deep cuts. Thanking her mom for teaching her this, she was able to sucessfully patch them up adding ointment and bandages. Even after all this time, she felt uneasy at the sight of blood. But her hands moved mechanically and delicately. Haruhi didnt even waste a single moment to speak, simply kept focus on her task. She was no medical nin, however, so it did take a bit of time to finish with...average results.

Laying on her back, Mika tried to relax her breathing. Closing her eyes, she let Haruhi. Would she else be able to send her to bed? No. Right now, she wasn't able to order Haruhi to go to her own room. She wasn't able to comfort her. Like she had been unable to protect her. The bitter taste of defeat came back in Mika's mouth as she realized how much of a failure she had became. ''Haruhi...'' Mika whispered. The woman wanted her to go away. To not see her like this, but more.

To not be the cause for Haruhi to grow worried. After all, she had made a promise something like this wouldn't happen. The question of Rika came back in Mika's mind. If she was a fine sensei? Seems now the answer was pretty clear, Mika thought bitter and saddened.... "I'm not leaving you." was the determined reply to her weak teachers calling of her name. "Whatever happened...dont worry. You're here now and i'll protect you." she said now moving onto her smaller cuts. Haruhi guessed that Mika didn't want to feel like a burden, so with tear brimmed eyes she said quietly, "Its okay...this is no trouble at all. You are important to me so, nothing you do can upset me or be a burden to me, got that?" she stopped speaking and wiped Mika's face with the cleanest part of the towel.

When she was finished, Haruhi let out a small sigh and stood, climbing into bed next to her sensei. She didn't bother cleaning up or putting anything away, nor did she care her hands were crusted with a bit of blood. She simply lay down, facing her teacher, and stayed quiet. The words of Haruhi had an impact on Mika. Even though she had faced death several times, without any fear, she had done it this time with it. Fearing that she wouldn't be able to be there for Haruhi anymore. And now that she was with the person she wanted to protect from harm, she knew that she had been too weak. When Haruhi told her that she would be protected, Mika sniffed. Tears welled up at the eyes of the woman as she hugged Haruhi tightly. ''I'm so..sorry.'' Mika whispered. She felt how the tears kept rolling down her cheek. Feeling only worse that Haruhi had the strength to protect her, she had no idea how much pain she was causing with those words.

For a brief second, Mika was willing to tell Haruhi what had happened. What would happen. That they should try and go find a life somewhere else. Trying to stay out of Kirigakure's reach. To keep avoiding to be found by the Hunter nin of the Mist. Mika knew how they worked and could likely be able to avoid being caught. But Haruhi didn't. And it had became pretty clear that she couldn't protect the girl. ''I love you.'' Mika whispered as she kept holding Haruhi tight and close. Haruhi's tears had started to fall as Mika spoke and pulled her into a hug.

"Wh...why does it sound like your saying goodbye? Your not leaving me are you? You cant leave...! We...we're the best team. We can do anything together..." she said the last part just as she started crying softly, so it was a little less understandable. In this situation, her sensei seeming so broken in more ways than one, Haruhi didn't know what to think. Her fear allowed her mind to race and she thought for a moment maybe Mika was dying or something. After she got herself under control she looked at Mika.

"Sensei, please...tell me whats wrong?"

Hearing Haruhi's reply, Mika shushed her. Patting the girl's head, Mika tried to think what she could say. The truth wasn't a choice. She rather wanted to give Haruhi a better night rest than wasting that. ''I am not....'' She said, trying to form a full sentence. The pain was still bothering her, making it hard for her to talk normally. ''I am not going...to...to leave you.'' Slowly, Mika managed to form a smile as she tried to calm down Haruhi. ''Sleep.'' Saying the word, Mika pulled Haruhi closer again, closing her own eyes. Already she saw the images of what tomorrow would bring. Haruhi listened to her sensei, saying nothing but closing her eyes. It was oddly comforting to hear she would not be left alone. Snuggling in closer, she forced herself to comply, just go back to sleep.

All this must be a dream...i'll wake up tomorrow, and everything will be fine again. she thought to herself as she slowly drifted back to sleep.

Arriving at the forest edge, Kiyomi frowned. ''I feel that we forgot something, oh wait.'' Stopping, she looked over her shoulder. At that moment, screams were heard and she giggled. The sailors were running from the boat as something exploded. ''Well that was that. Come, we need to continue.'' Kiyomi said, rather cheerfully as the sailors tried to put out the fire that had been the result of something exploding on the inside of the ship. Trying to navigate through the dense tropical forest, Kiyomi kept looking around, giving the clear image that she was still expecting somebody or something.

Upon hearing the screams and the explosion, Hayate turned his head back to the beach. Shaking his head amusedly, he laughed slightly. "That was your work I take it?" So much for a low profile." He said, poking fun. Seeing Kiyomi's attention was focused on her surroundings, Hayate decided he would try and get a better idea of their surroundings. "Be back in a moment." He said, before disappearing below the earth. While he moved through the earth, Hayate felt the world around him. He could feel a few small disturbances in the earth, and sense several smaller lifeforms. It was clear to him that there was nothing in the nearby area aside from him, Kiyomi, and whatever wildlife inhabited this forest. Popping back up beside Kiyomi, he spoke. "The coast appears clear for now. Only thing I could sense were forest animals and us. If they are planning a trap for us it doesn't look like it will be here."

Like he had asked, she had waited till he was back. When he brought in his report, she nodded and then looked around for a last time. ''That is a bit disturbing. It doesn't mean that we are safe. To be honest, I have little intel on what they can throw at us. For instance, we don't know if they can supress their chakra or if they will strike from the skies. But I think the diversion will lure some of their attention. Meaning we can try to move a bit faster. Come.'' With that said, Kiyomi started to jog and then using a few jumps to get on top of a branch. Waiting a second, she would then jump from branch to branch at a fast pace. Already a plan was forming inside her mind as she started to think about the next step.

Nodding his head in agreement, Hayate moved to follow in behind her. Leaping up to a tree next to hear he kept pace with her, leaping between branches. Hayate trusted her to lead him to their target, after all, she was the one with all of the intel. So for now he simply follwed, keeping himself prepared for any possible trap or ambush. Whatever, or whoever they were dealing with sounded like they posed a significant threat, and Hayate did not wish to be caught unaware.

While they were traveling, Kiyomi looked over her shoulder. ''We need to plan this really carefully.'' She told him as she jumped towards another branch. ''So far the odds are against us, but they don't mean we can't finish this mission without a success. They know some things about me, but nothing about you. At least, not to be mean or such.'' Landing on a branch, Kiyomi flashed a sorry smile towards Hayate. ''But other than you're my student, you're an unknown person on this island. That is why I ordered you to not use your clan's ability. Now I just need to change my own disadvantage.'' While she kept leading them, Kiyomi started to weave several handseals before she summoned a cloud of smoke around her. It was clearly a jutsu, but instead of Kiyomi the result of her transformation jutsu was revealed. ''This might help.'' Kiyomi said ,trying to sound differently.

Leaping from branch to branch, Hayate listened closely to Kiyomi. As she mentioned that he was unknown he simply smiled. He in no way found it to be offensive. In fact he understood that it gave him an advantage in this situation. Turning to look at Kiyomi he was about to respond when he saw someone else in her place. Doing a double take, Hayate shook his head just to make sure he wasn't going crazy. Realizing that Kiyomi had transormed herself to disguise who she was, Hayate slowly nodded. Grinning he spoke. "That is a good disguise Kiyomi-sama, though I must say I prefer the original."

The transformed Kiyomi frowned in the direction of Hayate. ''I prefer you not judging looks. Its rather odd you just did.'' She replied back as she continued to lead him. Looking back in the way they were facing, Kiyomi sighed. ''Its only good for a bit. After all, I can easily keep this up for quite a long time with my control and reserves. Problem is that doesn't change the way I fight or my abilities.'' She said, sounding a bit annoyed. Sgihing again, she glanced at him. ''Which makes me think. We could use your summoning to also scout and help us out. Later, after setting up camp.''

As she frowned at him, Hayate struggled to figure out what he said. Leaping to another branch he spoke apologetically. "I did not mean to judge your look in any way. I apologize if it came across that way. I simply meant that I have grown used to spending time with you and talking with you, and it is strange to see you in another form, yet with you being that same person. My apologies for any offense." Hayate hung his head, a little ashamed, as they continued. He had not meant to upset Kiyomi at all. As she mentioned using Kuromu to scout the area, Hayate simply nodded. The dragon had grown bigger, and his ability to fly would certainly be an asset in scouting out their surroundings.

Hearing his response, the frown of Kiyomi was furrowed as she then shook her head. ''I know. Your words actually made me think back when I took my birth name.'' Kiyomi told him, but didn't continue about that. After they had travelled a bit, Kiyomi slowed down as she looked around. There was a clearing nearby. A relatively good spot to make camp. Pointing to it, Kiyomi made a handsignal. After all, they first were in need to secure the place and making sure that nobody would be around. Dropping out of the tree, Kiyomi looked around. There were no signs of a person. No scents or sounds. Walking to the clearing, she kept high watch over her surroundings.

Kiyomi's answer made Hayate curious, but he decided not to press it by questioning her. As they arrived in the clearing, Hayate watched as Kiyomi dropped to the ground, surveying the area. He opted to take the high ground. Moving from tree to tree, Hayate checked their surroundings, looking for any possible signs of enemies, or anything out of the ordinary. So far the area seemed secure enough. Glancing back to the clearing itself, Hayate looked at Kyomi, wondering if she had seen anything yet.

''The area is safe.'' She told him through their earphone communicator. Placing her right hand on her hip, she sighed. For a last time she looked around. The feeling to be wary was raising as she thought where they were. This island wasn't a place for her, as soon as she would be discovered her then she would be in grave trouble. Even with the transformation jutsu, she doubted that would really help. ''Lets make camp and then get some rest.'' She mumbled as she started to look in her shoulderbag for some material to make a comfortable spot. A tent or a sack was something she hadn't packed. After all, she wouldn't get it cold due Matatabi and the Fire Chakra control training she had picked up from Jinkama's training.

Leaping from the trees, Hayate landed in the clearing close to Kiyomi. Nodding his head at her mention of settling in, Hayate plopped down both of the bags he was carrying. "Are we going to be setting up watch?" He asked as he rummaged through his bag. He briefly wondered if Kiyomi had brought a tent or anything similar, as he hadn't thought to pack one. Ignoring the thought, Hayate pulled out the thin blanket that he had packed, just in case the mission was going to take longer than a single day. Looking around he wondered if the blanket would really be warm enough.

''I will set up two shadow clones. I rather wish us to be rested as much as possible. Tomorrow we're heading to the town.'' Kiyomi told him as an answer. Putting a thin blanket on the ground, near a tree, she made two shadow clones. Both of them instantly dashed away. One took up a position in the branches and the other went to hide in the bushes. With that done, she walked towards her blanket and laid on it. Moulding her chakra to warm up her body heat, Kiyomi wondered if she wasn't wasting too much chakra. But it was also good to be already warmed up in case somebody would try to attack or ambush them. ''Good night Hayate. Sleep well.''

The idea made perfect sense and Hayate smiled. Placing his blanket down, he stretched himself out on it, glad that he had his long coat to cover himself. Glancing over to Kiyomi as she spoke, he smiled warmly. "Goodnight to you as well Kiyomi-sama. See you in the morning." Closing his eyes, Hayate attempted to get comfortable. So far the jacket kept him warm enough, and he hoped that sleep took him before it got colder.

---

The next morning.
Somewhere on the Sea Country island.

Kiyomi's eyes shot open as she quickly rolled to the right. Several kunai impaled the blanket she had been sleeping on. Narrowing her eyes, she quickly scanned the surroundings and tried to figure out where her attacker was. ''Hayate! Hey!'' Kiyomi tried to wake him up with shouting, as she noticed several shuriken heading his way. Pulling out several shuriken of her own, she managed to keep her companion unharmed and was hoping he would wake up from the sounds of the starting battle. Already Kiyomi looked over her shoulder with an angry glance. There you are.

Hearing the sounds of metal clashing against metal, followed by Kiyomi's yell, Hayate woke with a start. Pulling out his staff he leapt to his feet, turning and spinning the staff in one fluid movement. As he spun he knocked down two more shuriken heading towards him with the staff. Looking in the direction of the thrown shuriken, Hayate thought he spotted a figure above them in the trees. Switching the staff into his left hand, he pulled out two kunai from his pocket, keeping them hidden in the folds of his coat. Spinning the staff as a distraction, Hayate turned his body and then whipped the kunai in the direction of his attacker, or at least what he thought was his attacker. Speaking through the earphone communicator Hayate spoke to Kiyomi, careful not to use her name. "Sensei, how many do you see? He kept moving just in case there were any more targets out there, his eyes constantly looking through the shadows trying to find an enemy.

''Three. I don't see them, but hear and smell them.'' Kiyomi responded back. She realized that the enemy was now trying to lure them and creating an opening. Or at least attempt to see what abilities they had. Kiyomi's right hand went to the hilt of her katana as she kept looking around. ''They managed to almost sneak upon my clones. There is one on your right and two on the left. Problem is that I can't really determine what kind of foes they are. The cowards are staying in the shadows.'' Kiyomi whispered, so that only Hayate could hear it through the earphone communicator. Hearing something, she turned her head and noticed several shuriken again heading towards Hayate. The one on his right likely had threw them.

As Kiyomi spoke, Hayate grinned. Only three, well, this should be easy then. "If these cowards want to stay hidden I suppose we'll just have to bring the fight to them." He spoke very quietly through the communicator. Seeing the glint of metal coming towards himout of the corner of his eye, Hayate whipped his body around, pulling out three shuriken and throwing them swiftly towards the shadows. The shuriken that were heading for him sped through the spot he had been standing moments before and struck only dirt. Pulling out a smoke bomb, Hayate slammed it down, waiting for the smoke to cover him before he sunk into the earth.

Kiyomi's senses had indeed been correct. Hayate could feel three large disturbances through the earth, and they had realitvely low level chakra signals from what he could make out. Moving swiftly through the earth, Hayate made his way to the enemy on his right, the one who had tried to kill him moments before. Getting in place behind the enemy, he could sense that the man's life force was slightly faded, as if he were wounded. Smiling, Hayate rose silently from the earth. A kunai in one hand, he grabbed the man and placed one hand over his mouth, and the blade to his throat. Leaning in close, Hayate whispered into the enemy's ear. "You chose the wrong people to attack." Pulling back slightly, Hayate slit the man's throat and lowered his body so that it wouldn't make any unwanted noise as it hit the ground. As he laid the man's body down, he saw that two of his kunai had indeed struck their target. Speaking quietly through the earphone commnuicator he tried to reach Kiyomi. "One down."

''Almost... one down here as well. Don't let the last one escape.'' Was Kiyomi's response. The sound of steel against steel was briefly heard before Kiyomi shot an order through the communicator. ''He is going towards your left. Try to immobilize that punk.'' Kiyomi ordered. She had her sword out and it was stained with blood of an attacker. The last one was now trying to likely flee and report about that the two were better than expected. Or maybe of where they were. Though any information that would be reported would only make the mission harder. Something Kiyomi wouldn't like in this situation.

Disappearing below the earth once again, Hayate sensed the last of their attackers fleeing off to his side. Travelling with speed, Hayate managed to overtake the man and rose to the surface in front of him, holding out a kunai. The attacker, not having time to stop, impaled himself on the kunai. Hayate drove the kunai further into his chest, watching as the man's eyes grew wide with pain and terror. Shifting his weight, Hayate forced the attacker to the ground, still holding the kunai. Leaning in close Hayate spoke calmly. "If you tell me who you are working for, and why they are attacking us, I will make this quick. If not, well..." To emphasize his point, Hayate twisted the blade slightly, opening the wound further. The man coughed up blood, attempting to speak quickly. "I... I don't know anything, I swear! I was just told to kill you two! Please- -" Another spurt of blood coughed up. "Please don't kill me, I was just following orders." Hayate slowly shook his head. "I believe you." With his free hand, Hayate pulled out another kunai and quickly slit the man's throat. Rising to his feet he wiped off both blades before placing them back in his pouch. He took no pleasure in what he had just done, but he wished he had learned more from the man. Speaking over the earphone communicator he reached out to Kiyomi. "Third one down. I am making my way back to you now."

Hayate entered the clearing spotting the other dead attacker and Kiyomi standing with her blade out. Walking towards her he spoke. "So much for a welcoming party."