6.3.i

    hidden in the tree’s canopy, squirrel-ino nibbled the nut, looked at the lone shinobi in the clearing.

    the shinobi wore the standard kirigakure pinstriped outfit with a green haori and white trimmings over it. she had a brown sash with a fringed trail wrapped twice around the waist. she wore light-brown platoon sandals with straps in the same color as the kimono. the hair gathered in a white bun holder while two locks fell loose, framing a beautiful face. a dainty hand pulled the hair out of the girl’s face. the nail polish on her fingernails matched her toenails—soft blue-green. the shinobi wore a black forehead protector with the kirigakure''s symbol.

    this whole mission had become a mess of untold proportions. konoha’s spies, who should have greeted them at the port city, prepared team ten disguise and transportation, were awol. that forced team ten to water-run the whole night to reach the main island.

    the main island wasn’t any better. kirigakure shinobi squads fighting each other and attacking without provocation, aggressive locals, corrupt officials—it was one problem after another. what should have taken four days had turned into a week-long slog of hiding, evading, or fleeing enemies. now, they arrived at the meeting point, only to find a lone kiri shinobi waiting for them.

    it had to be a trap, but it was so out there that ino wasn’t sure, not anymore.

    the shinobi description also sparked something in her mind. maybe something hinata said? ino wasn’t sure. squirrel-ino took one last nibble of the treat, then she released the jutsu, already regretting not having finished eating the acorn. now back where her body rested and her team was gathered, she organized her thoughts. “there’s a single kirigakure shinobi waiting there in the open. i don’t think it’s a trap.”

    asuma-sensei scratched his chin, gave them new orders. “i’ll meet with them. get ready to back me up if things go south.”

    team ten moved into formation, with ino ready to use her family jutsu again, shikamaru to take over the enemy’s shadow, and choji to smash, if needed.

    ino didn’t like this situation. political considerations aside, why was a kirigakure shinobi waiting where hinata’s team was supposed to be? a gnawing pit of worry ravaged her stomach. she felt sick. her hands itched.

    asuma-sensei walked inside the clearing. the target noticed him. waved. the jounin stopped a few paces away. words were exchanged.

    “can you hear what they’re saying?” ino found herself asking shikamaru. the genin shook his head. ino bit her lip, eyes scanning the surroundings for an ambush.

    down in the clearing, asuma turned toward them, signaled to approach. ino moved from her position until she was by asuma’s side.

    “this is my team.” sensei said, gesturing to each in turn. “shikamaru, ino and choji.”

    the shinobi, a pretty teenage girl a few years older than ino, looked at each of them in turn. bowed. “nice to meet you. i’m haku.”

    that name was familiar. shikamaru tsked, looked away. choji looked smitten. ino tilted her head. the memory was almost there. then she remembered; a conversation hinata mostly glossed over. as usual, the mute girl was more interested in talking about the sweets and the people who got to eat them. “that haku?” the words escaped her mouth. it wouldn’t be that same person, would it? that haku wasn’t a kirigakure shinobi, but allied with a missing-nin named zabuza. no, wait, what was it that hinata said? that haku pretended to be a kirigakure shinobi, but they had become somewhat friends by the end.

    asuma turned her way, one eyebrow up.

    “the fourth mizukage learned about this incident, and has taken an interest in our guests.”

    ino remembered her lessons. karatachi yagura was considered a bloody, despotic leader, and the reason why kirigakure was also known as bloody mist. “what does he want with them?”

    “what do you think, little girl?” zabuza mocked. “what does a bloody tyrant do with spies from an enemy village?”

    “what zabuza is trying to say,” haku interrupted again before things could escalate, “is that unless we do something about it, the two konohagakure shinobi are in deep trouble.”

    “you’re talking about a coup.” shikamaru, who had been silent until now, spoke. “and you’re using konoha shinobi as leverage to force our hand.”

    zabuza looked at shikamaru. “look at that. at least one of these brats can think.”

    “i’m not a brat,” ino muttered, but no one paid her any attention.

    “we’ll follow you.” asuma-sensei said finally, “but if there is any sign of treachery, we’ll end you.”

    zabuza laughed. he turned to asuma-sensei. “sarutobi asuma. you were in my bingo book. but you’re no sharingan kakashi. i may have lost an arm, but you’re still no match for me.” his gaze turned to the rest of the team; it was intense and full of madness.

    sweat beaded on ino’s brow, she could barely breathe. a wave of dread washed over her. she wanted to scream, and she wanted to flee. her legs felt weak, she felt like spilling her guts.

    “and these brats are useless. a bit of killing intent and they’re already quaking like little ducks.”

    before ino could do anything, hinata’s face flashed in her mind. she remembered that one time she asked the mute girl about the person who attacked her in the forest. the one now ino knew was an s-class shinobi. she remembered hinata’s faraway look and shudder. she also remembered that hinata fought and survived.

    “stop it, or i’ll put you down,” asuma growled.

    ino bit down on the insides of her cheek. coppery taste filled her mouth, but the need to flee lessened. “who— ” she started, coughed. “who are you keeping hostage?”

    zabuza gave her a considering look. the wave of dread lessened and then disappeared entirely. “the mokuton shinobi and the injured guy he was lugging around.”

    the world fell from under ino’s feet at his words.