Disclaimer: I don't and never will own Naruto because I'm not cool enough....yet.

Ch 4: Enter The Killer Cow
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Riko's POV

Currently, we're sitting in a small wooden boat which has all of cramped together as we quietly cross the lake. Well, I don't mind the invasion of space since I'm sitting next to Sakura, but looking at my other teammates, they mind very much.

But that's not the thing that's bothering me, it's the matter of fact that I can't see anything. I mean, there's a thick layer of mist that covers everything. Looking to my left, mist. Turning to my right, more mist. Looking straight ahead, what do I see?

Is it a cow who's wearing a pair of leg warmers and dancing like a ballerina?

No!

It's EVEN MORE MIST!

Sighing with irritation, I turn my attention to the sound of water as it crashes against the boat. Unfortunately, the sound of peaceful silence is broken as the boat rower talks.

"We should be arriving at the bridge soon," he informs us.

I boredly look to my right, not caring about the bridge. The other three, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, they all look intrigued to seeing the bridge. Eventually, I can tell that the bridge is visible by the small gasping noise Sakura made.

But if course Naruto had other plans.

"WOAH, IT'S HUGE!"

"Be quiet! Why do you think we have the motor off, it's so we don't make noise and to avoid detection," the boat man scolds Naruto, informing us as well.

I smile in amusement as Naruto clamps his hands over his mouth, forcing himself to be quiet. I then turn my attention to Kakashi as he starts to ask Tazuna questions.

"So, are you going to tell us why you lied about the importance of the mission," he asks Tazuna.

"Fine, I'll tell you. No, I want to tell you," Tazuna clarifies. Letting out a breath, he sighs, "it's about this mission. You're right, I know this job is most likely outside your duties. It turns out that there's a super dangerous man after my life."

"'Super dangerous man?' Who," Kakashi presses.

"You've probably heard his name before," Tazuna says, lacking details.

I watch as Kakashi says nothing as he wants the older man to continue. All this silence and hushed tones is creating a tense atmosphere, but I do nothing as I, too, want to learn about why Tazuna lied.

"The wealthy shipping magnate, a man called Gatou," Tazuna informs ominously.

Kakashi gets a look of realization as his eye widens, "wait, you mean Gatou?! From that Gatou company? He's said to be one of the world's few extremely wealthy people."

"Yes, officially he runs a large shipping company, but secretly he sells drugs and other illegal items using ninjas and gang members to take over businesses and countries. He's a very nasty man," Tazuna explains with a sour voice. Sighing again, the man continues, "it was about a year ago when he set his eyes on the Wave country. Through money and violence, he quickly took control of the country's shipping industry. Gatou now has monopoly on all business traffic in the country. The only thing he has to fear now, is the completion of the bridge."

"I see, since you're building the bridge, you're standing in his way," Sakura inquires as she places a hand on her chin, nodding with understanding.

"Plus, if you complete the bridge, all monopoly and control he has over the country will get destroyed," I speak up, crossing my arms.

"So, those ninjas were hired by Gatou," Sasuke states, bringing back the two ninjas who attack us earlier.

Tazuna's silence confirms all our statements as he avoids eye contact.

"But what I don't understand is, if you know that ninjas could be after you, why did you hide that fact when you hired us," Kakashi asks.

Well, if Gatou really does have control of all business traffic then it'll be understandable if he didn't have enough money to request higher protection, I think as I silently nod my head.

"The Wave country is super poor, even the Feudal Lord doesn't have money. Of course, we don't have much money either, not enough for the expensive B Rank mission," Tazuna answers as he looks down on shame.

So, he really is the only hope that the Wave country has. The bridge will bring back money and build a steady flow for businesses. That's a lot of pressure, especially if he has threats coming from every direction.

"Well, if you quit now, I'll definitely be killed," Tazuna says nonchalantly.

"But-"

Kakashi gets cut off as Tazuna speaks up again, "don't worry about it! If I die then my 10 year old grandson will just cry for a few days! Oh yeah, and my daughter will live a sad life hating Leaf ninjas forever, but it won't be your fault," Tazuna exclaims dramatically.

Wow, talk about guilt tripping us, I think as feel a weight of guilt on my shoulders.

Looking around at my team, I knew that they were effected as well because they're all wearing a guilty expression. Well, Sasuke, he has the same face the only difference is that his frown is more prominent. With Kakashi, I'm just assuming since the majority of his face is covered.

With a sweatdrop on his temple, Kakashi speaks up, "well I guess we have no choice, but to protect you."

Tazuna drops his act and smiles broadly before turning around, "I win."

I narrow my eyes at the older man, and here I was, feeling guilty for you. You liar!

###

Eventually, we're all out of the boat after we reached our destination and watched the boat man rush away into the mist with the motor on.

I sweatdrop, so NOW he turns it on, unbelievable.

Once we start walking again, I sigh, taking out my book so I could continue reading from where I left off. Opening the hard cover of the medical anatomy book, I turn to the right page.

' The Right Lung comprises 10 segments:

3 in the right upper lobe (apical, anterior and medial).

2 in the right middle lobe (medial and lateral).

And 5 in the right lower lobe (superior, medial, anterior, lateral, and posterior).

The Left Lung comprises 8 segments:

4 in the left upper lobe (apicoposterior, anterior, superior lingula, and inferior lingula).

And 4 in the left lower lobe (superior, anteromedial, lateral, and posterior).

The lungs are covered by the visceral pleura, which is contiguous with the parietal pleura as it reflects from the lateral surfaces of the mediastinum. The visceral pleura forms invaginations into both lungs, which are called fissures. There are 2 complete fissures in the right lung and 1 complete fissure with an incomplete fissure in the left; these separate the different lung lobes. The pleura also forms the pulmonary ligament, which is a double layer of pleura that extends caudad along the mediastinum from the inferior pulmonary vein to the diaphragm.

Turning the page, I see that I'm about to continue the chapter of the lungs as I enter the section for the Bronchi, but wanting to read something more interesting, I skip ahead. Turning several pages later, I find the chapter for the Stomach. A smile graces my lips as it seems that all the knowledge is soaking straight into my brain.

' The Stomach is the first intra-abdominal part of the gastrointestinal (GI), or digestive, tract. It is a muscular, highly vascular bag-shaped organ that is distensible and may take varying shapes, depending on the build and posture of the person and-

"There," I get startled by Naruto as he shouts.

But just as I'm about to calm down, I almost suffer a heart attack as the kunai almost hits my face. Releasing a high pitch and startled screech, I drop my book and duck just in time to dodge the flying weapon. As it lodges into the tree next to me, standing up I turn my head and release a deadly glare towards Naruto.

Don't kill him! Don't kill him! Riko, DO. NOT. KILL. HIM!

Still glaring, I give the boy a sweet smile. "Naruto, why were you aiming at me," I ask with a sickly sweet voice.

"Uh, I-I d-"

"Naruto! Don't do that," Sakura scolds as she hits the back of his head.

Upon seeing this, I smile softly and return to my calm self before picking up my fallen book. Man, I drop this book way too much.

"Naruto, be careful, kunai aren't things you mindlessly throw. You almost hit Riko," Kakashi informs.

Hit? More like almost killed.

"Don't to that! You almost gave me a heart attack," Tazuna yells dramatically as he places a hand over his chest.

Naruto scoffs before puffing out his chest, "it was just a mouse."

I shake my head at his macho facade before returning my book. Unfortunately, before I start reading again, Naruto starts to walk ahead and I watch as he turns his head in every direction as if he's looking for something.

I narrow my eyes with suspicion and put away my book into its rightful pouch. Naruto may be lacking intelligence like the rest of our team, but he's still a ninja, and if he feels that there's something wrong, I need to be by his side and follow his actions.

Scanning my red eyes around the forest scenery, I watch Naruto as he throws yet another kunai. Seeing the weapon dive into a small bush, I stop in my tracks and tense. Releasing a heavy sigh, Kakashi stalks forward and looks behind the Bush only to reveal a rabbit.

The lagomorph itself looks spooked as the kunai lodged into the tree right above its head. Though, that's not the interesting part. No, it's the fact that it's white. It could've been normal, but it's late spring, almost summer and with this weather the rabbit's coat needs to be a warm brown not a pure white.

Unless...

Ignoring Naruto's and Sakura's bickering, I interrupt their little spat.

"DUCK," both Kakashi and I shout in synch.

Diving towards the pinkette, I pull her down to ground as I place a protective arm over her. In that very second, I hear the swish of a blade cutting through the air and lodge itself into a tree. With my free hand, I grab a fair amount of dirt from the ground and clutch it. Looking up, I find a man standing on a sword with his back to his.

Kakashi stands up and once he does, we all follow.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Hidden Mist's Missing Nin, Zabuza Momochi," Kakashi says, introducing the man to us.

Zabuza Momochi? Hidden Mist? Missing Nin? Unnaturally large and deadly sword?...

A look of realization crosses my face as it finally clicks on my head.

Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Mist, one of the dangerous Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.

My eyes widen as Naruto stupidly runs forward as he tries to take on the enemy. Luckily my horror comes to an end as Kakashi abruptly puts his hand out and blocks Naruto's path.

"Everybody get back! This one's on a whole other level," our sensei informs as he takes off his backpack. Lifting a hand up to his face, he continues, "it'll be a little tough, unless I do this."

Once again, my eyes widen as I watch Kakashi lift up his Hitai-ate and reveal his Sharingan.

"You appear to be Kakashi of the Sharingan," Zabuza muses, still not facing us. "Sorry, but the old man's mine," he threatens with a sinister gleam in his eyes as he finally turns to us.

In my peripheral vision I could see Sasuke tense at the mention of his late clan's Doujutsu.

"Surround and protect Tazuna. Do not enter the fight, that's the teamwork here," Kakashi shouts as he orders us.

Entering a Manji formation, we surround Tazuna as he's our top priority right now. While I guard Tazuna from the back, Sasuke and Naruto are on his sides, while Sakura protects his front. Inhaling a large amount of oxygen, I try to settle my nerves and concentrate on the current task. Exhaling, my posture relaxes, but still stands guard. For more protection, I preform a simple ranked jutsu.

"Earth Release: Earth Element Sword," I mutter as I insert chakra into the handful of dirt I'm carrying.

Almost instantly, the fair amount of dirt I grabbed earlier molds itself into a perfect replica of a sword. Releasing a breath, I clutch the sword with both hands before standing into a defensive stance.

"Zabuza, first, fight me," Kakashi states as his Sharingan shines against the dull atmosphere.

"Ah, I already get to see the famous Sharingan. I'm honored," Zabuza comments.

But before anything else happens between the two adults, Naruto as usual, interrupts.

"Sharingan! Sharingan! What the hell is that," he exclaims with clear confusion.

Rolling my eyes, this so isn't the time to ask questions.

This time it's Sasuke who speaks up, since it's his expertise. "Sharingan. It is said that some have the ability in their eyes to read and defeat all types of Genjutsu, Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu. The Sharingan is one of the types of pupil that gives you this power. But that's not the only ability the Sharingan has," the Uchiha explains to us in limited terms.

"Huh," comes the smart answer of my fellow blonde teammate.

"Hehe, exactly," Zabuza chuckles. "That's not all. What's even scarier is that you can copy your opponent's techniques once you've seen them," the missing nin voices. "When I was a member of the Mist's Assassin Team, I kept a handbook, it included information on you," Zabuza informs as he looks to Kakashi. He continues to speak before anyone else interrupts him, "this is what it said, the man who has copied over 1,000 jutsus, Copy Ninja Kakashi."

So, Ranko was right, Kakashi IS a prodigy. Who knew that a lazy bum like our sensei could turn out to be incredibly strong, I think as I look at Kakashi with newfound admiration.

"Now, let's end all this talking. I have to kill that old man," Zabuza states as he drops to a squatting position.

I sweatdrop, HE'S the one who's talking.

But almost instantly I go back to my tense posture along with my teammates as I feel the rise of chakra in the atmosphere. Tightly grasping my newly acquired sword, I watch in my peripheral vision that everyone else takes out a kunai, ready to defend our client.

"But Kakashi, it seems that I have to beat you first," Zabuza announced before he disappears.

Not being able to see the enemy, my heart beat begins to quicken with fear. Now, on the outside I might be wearing a calm exterior, but inside I'm scared since I've never been in a situation like this. Not wanting fear to distract me, I focus on my breathing and scan the area as I try to look for a sign of Zabuza.

It's the sound of water sloshing that catches mine and the team's attention. Looking to small body of water, I see Zabuza standing on the lake with a hand raised to the air. Looking more closely, I see that his hands are formed to produce a jutsu.

"Over there," Naruto shouts.

"And on top of the water," Sakura tells as well.

Right, they still don't know that Chakra control can do that.

"Ninpou, Hidden Mist no Jutsu," Zabuza announces as the mist seems to thicken.

With a worried look on my face, I watch as Zabuza disappears into the thick clouds of mist. When the mist continues to thicken, my eyes instinctively narrow as I try to see as much as possible. It falls useless as the area gets covered in it's thick clouds, even Kakashi's figure seems to slightly disappear.

"He's gone," Sakura cries.

I may like you, but you're stupid to be yelling in this situation. Your yells will attract Zabuza to our direction, I think as I shoot her a sideways glare.

"He'll come after me first. Zabuza Momochi as a member of the Hidden Most, he was an expert in silent killing. You don't notice until you're already dead. It's not like I can use the Sharingan perfectly, you guys be careful," Kakashi informs.

Silent killing?! That's one more reason why we shouldn't be talking.

"The mist is getting thicker," Naruto interrupts the silence as usual, making me frown.

This isn't the time to state the obvious, I think, glaring.

"Eight points," Zabuza's voice rings throughout the air making me clutch the sword tighter.

"Huh? What," Sakura continues to speak making me want to facepalm.

"Liver, lungs, spine, clevical vein, neck vein, brain, kindeys, or heart. Which one should I go after," his voice taunts us.

My eyes widen, t-those....th-they're all i-instant kills.

In that moment the air seems to suffocate me as it grows heavy with chakra. Sweat trickles down my brow and my arms shake as I try to regulate my breathing.

T-this is t-too much... C-calm down. Y-you n-need to calm down, Riko. S-stay focused! You have a client and a team that needs your help! Focus!

"Riko, Sasuke, calm down. Don't worry, I'll protect you guys even if it kills me. I don't let my comrades die," Kakashi informs making a sense of relieve wash over me.

Releasing a heavy sigh, I return to a more relaxed posture, but I'm still on a high defensive stance.

But I spoke too soon.

Suddenly, Zabuza appears right in front of me making my eyes widen with both fear and shock.

"It's over," the man announces as brings down his sword.

Without my consent, my body moves on its own. Raising my arms, my sword clashes against his, making the metal screech in protest.

"Riko," my teammates shout in concern, but I ignore them since I'm focused on one thing.

I glare at the missing nin as he seems driven on killing Tazuna who's standing behind me. My body begins to stagger as Zabuza adds more weight behind his sword, my arms also shake in protest as I try to push him back. Behind his bandages, I could see a smirk, but his eyes are glaring back.

"It seems you have a talented student, Kakashi, but you won't for long," Zabuza retorts.

In that second he pushes me back, almost making me fall in the process and again he quickly swings down his sword, aiming for a kill. I raise my own sword, trying to block the incoming blade, but it's too late.

I stand still, shocked, with wide eyes. In front of me is Kakashi, who took the hit that was directed towards me.

But that's not it, it seems that it's Kakashi who STABBED Zabuza with a kunai. They stand still for a moment until Zabuza disperses into a puddle of water.

W-what?

Then it clicks on my mind.

I almost died...by a WATER CLONE?!

I frown at my own stupidity and weakness, but I don't hold down much thought to it because Zabuza is a Jounin as well. It's normal that I didn't stand a chance because with Zabuza as a Jounin, Water Clones are 1/5 of the person's original strength. So, yeah, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Shaking my head, I pay attention to the fight as I don't want to be caught off guard, again.

"Sensei, behind you," Naruto screeches.

I watch as another Zabuza appears behind Kakashi and slices him in half. Sakura screams from her place while I just stare blankly. Now this time it's our sensei who turns to a puddle of water.

I narrow my eyes, so Kakashi copied Zabuza's Water Clone jutsu earlier, then used it. So, is this what the Sharingan does?

"Don't move," Kakashi says from behind Zabuza as he holds a kunai to the man's neck.

Now things are about to get interesting...

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Well, that was Chapter 4! 3,405 words, I hope you liked it.

Anyways, tell me what you think. I want your honest opinions (remember, I take no offense, criticism helps me).

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FAN!!!

JA NE, My fluffly cow friends!