I've lost track on how long we've been traveling. All I know is that thanks to a recent storm, we were completely lost. I glanced over at Hikaru whose glowing red eyes were straight ahead looking for any sign of civilization.

"See anything yet?" I questioned him catching his attention.

"Nothing but trees and water." He replied then clasped our hands together. "We might be in the Land of Rivers." He informed swinging our arms back and forth. I was enjoying our moment until he stopped suddenly making my anger spike but I kept my mouth shut as I calmed down. Meditation lately has helped me learn how to tame my anger especially towards Hikaru.

"What are you doing?" I questioned looking over at the burnett.

"Activate your eyes, I wanna see how much you've improved."

I did as he said and activated my eyes seeing nothing but trees.

"What do you see?"

"Just trees," I replied with a bored expression.

"Ah I guess you can see fifteen miles around then. Just past that tree line is a river."

"Wow such a big difference, a whole five miles." I said sarcastically rolling my eyes. "We better reach a town soon; I am not getting a cold from being in these wet clothes all week. The temperature has been lowering every day." I commented only to feel Hikaru gently squeeze my hand.

"Don't be so negative, we'll find something eventually." He reassured with a smile making me smile back at him.

I deactivated my eyes seeing no point in having them on if Hikaru could see further than me.

"Keep your eyes activated," he spoke, "you need to work on seeing many things at once. During our last battle you only focused on one person at a time. I can focus on many opponents at once which comes in handy when you're alone."

I rolled my eyes and did as he said. "What am I supposed to focus on?" I questioned just before he unclasped our hands.

He created three clones who dispersed in different directions. "As we walk, they'll attack you simultaneously." He answered with a smirk.

"I just had to ask," I thought.

We continued walking but not even two minutes later, two of his clones ran towards me. I dodged a kick but barely blocked the other's punch.

"Gotta pay attention to all of them Ko, you can face more than one enemy and may be attacked by them all at once. This is why our eyes are somewhat superior. We're experts at dodging."

"Make it sound like we're cowards," I commented watching the clones disappear once more.

"Nah, we're just more prepared and can retaliate more efficiently." He said just as his next clones jumped down from a tree aiming a downwards kick at me.

I jumped to the right avoiding his attack only to run into another who threw shuriken my way. I quickly pulled out a kunai deflecting them. The real Hikaru turned swinging his foot towards me aiming for a kick but I quickly caught it. A clone tried to sneak up on me but I swung my leg over trying to hit his side but he ducked under it. The clone grabbed my leg so I concentrated my chakra to that area instantly becoming inflamed. The clone hissed and retreated before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

"Much better, with taijutsu you're improving and so is your flame jutsu." The other clone complimented as he jumped down from the tree above me. I grabbed his leg even before he could land twisting around to throw him into the forest. His body hit a tree with a fallen branch sticking out of his stomach instantly disappearing.

"Good job," the real Hikaru praise giving me a thumbs up, "I guess that's it for now."

"Why?" I questioned feeling disappointed since I just warmed up.

"A town just came into view," he said which was music to my ears. Finally, we were getting closer to shelter, proper food and water. I deactivated my eyes then looked at Hikaru.

"Any shinobi?" I questioned hoping it would be another civilian town.

"Seems like a few are roaming around," he answered making me a little disappointed. "I don't think they're higher than chuunin though."

We started to run towards the town happy to find civilization and can finally get out of these wet clothes. It only took us less than ten minutes to reach the town which was pretty big and filled with people.

"Where should we go first?" Hikaru questioned.

"Let's find a motel or a hot spring, I need to wash this hair." I responded running my hand through my greasy hair making me feel disgusted.

"Good, I bet they can smell you in the Fire Country," he laughed.

"Haha you're so funny," I replied sarcastically rolling my eyes.

He laughed once more as he bent down kissing my cheek which made me blush. "You're in luck, I see a hot spring not too far." He mentioned which made me smile.

I rushed towards the hot spring and checked in with the front desk giving them the money that I swiftly stole from Hikaru. When he saw what I was doing he was about to say something but I stopped him by putting the change in his hand.

"Starting to run low on money, might need to get another job soon." he sighed putting the little money he had left in his pocket.

"Or just catch a bounty like me," I commented.

"Too many messy for me," he commented as we walked to our new room.

Just when we entered, a woman instructed us to place our clothes on the bench near the door to be washed.

"I'm going to the hot spring," I told him as I made my way over to the robes.

"Me too, why don't we go to the coed spring?" He suggested giving me a flirty smile which made me blush once more. I turned my head away so he wouldn't see.

"In your dreams Mr," I replied feeling uncomfortable.

"Awe babe, don't be uncomfortable." He said then pinched my cheek. I think he was trying to get in to a fight with me. "Normal couples bathe together so why can't we?"

"Because I need a few minutes away from you...and we're not a normal couple." I replied with a smirk with a smirk receiving a pout from him.

"You're not nice," he whined.

I walked towards the woman's bath not bothering to wait for Hikaru to finish changing. I disrobed then walked into the steamy water which felt nice against my ice cold skin. There was only one other girl in here which I was thankful for. I could barley see her through the steam so I walked to the other side leaning against a rock finally relaxing after many months. I closed my eyes enjoying the peace and quiet but felt a pair of eyes on me. I opened my eyes able to see the other girl now who was staring fearfully at me. When our eyes met, she quickly looked away shaking in fear.

I could sense she was a shinobi but her status must be low. She had long red hair, an Uzumaki trait, and dark eyes with glasses. She must know I'm a rogue but is too scared to even move. She was no threat to me so I closed my eyes once more which most likely gave her the courage to get out. I stretched then dunked my head into the water running my hand through it before coming back up for air.

"Hey Ko!" I heard Hikaru shout from the other side of the wall. "Wanna go out when we're done here?"

"Uh sure...why?"

"We haven't been on an official date since we started dating. I'd rather spend the rest of my money on my girlfriend." He said which made my heart skip a beat when he called me his girlfriend.

A part of me was happy but the other felt weird. It felt as if I were betraying someone but I had no one, only Hikaru.

"I'll be out soon!" I shouted to him before submerging into the water once more then came back up.

I rang out my hair before stepping out of the spring feeling the cold breeze against my skin. I shivered a bit but felt a little warmer once I put the robe back on. When I walked into the room we were staying in, Hikaru had just gotten changed.

"I'll be waiting outside," he said as we passed each other.

When I met Hikaru outside I sealed my chakra not wanting to draw attention and possibly get into another battle. Hikaru flashed me a smile then held out his hand for me to take which I did.

"Where are we going to eat?" I questioned as he led me through the crowded streets.

"I saw a restaurant nearby when we got here, thought it looked like a nice place to eat. Plus, I'm dying to have real food."

The restaurant was only a few blocks away and was crowded. Someone was there to greet and seat us before the waitress came over.

"Can I get you two started with drinks?" She questioned getting her note pad ready.

"Water for me," I answered not bothering to look up at her.

"Tea please," Hikaru said with an energetic tone making me raise a brow at him.

I waited for the waitress to leave then spoke to Hikaru. "Why are you so excited?" I questioned him as I looked out the window seeing the townspeople passing by.

He looked back at me his red eyes meeting mine. "Well, this is our first date and that's why I'm excited." He answered which surprised me. I was happy that I could enjoy normal food instead of being with him. I only smiled in response then looked down at the menu.

"Are you sure you can afford this?" I questioned looking up from the menu at him. "It looks pretty expensive."

"Don't worry about it," he said flicking his hand, "if worse comes to worse you have money too." I looked up at him raising a brow. "I saw you take that body to the exchange point a week ago."

"Thought you were asleep, I guess not." I commented.

"I was but I'm a light sleeper so I woke up just as you left."

"It wasn't that much. The girl was only a B-ranked criminal, not worth much. I usually get a lot for A or S-rank."

"What's the difference?" Hikaru questioned leaning closer across the table making me sigh.

"I forgot you weren't raised like a shinobi." I commented. "it depends on their rank and the crime they committed. The girl was only a chuunin and left her village without permission, didn't even kill anyone, how boring."

I finally saw our waitress coming with our drinks placing them in front of us then asked for our order. "I'll have bbq pork with sauteed vegetables." I ordered receiving a nod from her then turned her attention to Hikaru.

"I'll have miso soup with sushi." He said with a smile making her smile then jotted down his order before walking away.

"Did you have to smile at her?" I questioned trying to suppress my anger.

His eyes met mine with an amused look. "Is someone jealous?" He teased with a chuckled.

I turned my gaze away from him to my drink scoffing. "Tsk yeah right, me jealous? As if." I said before leaning over to take another sip of my water. Just as I was about to take a sip, I felt familiar chakra signatures coming towards the restaurant.

I heard the door open making me activate my eyes able to see the door behind me. Hikaru noticed and looked from me to the door then back to me again.

"What is it?" He whispered.

"Two old acquaintances just came in," I told him as I deactivated my eyes.

"What are you going to do?"

"They're not a threat, I'll just say hi," I said glancing up at him.

"I'm guessing one of them is Sasuke?"

"Yup," I responded with a smirk. "Looks like he made himself a little team." I waited for them to settle before I approached them. Just before I got up, I turned to Hikaru. "By the way, no mention of us dating."

"Why?" He questioned with a hurt expression.

"I don't know if Sasuke has something against me or not and I don't want to put you in danger because of me." I explained before getting up.

Sasuke was facing away from me as was Jugo but his other two companions could see me perfectly. I recognized the red head from the hot springs but the other man I know I've seen before but couldn't remember from where. It looked like they were discussing something amongst themselves but stopped when the Uzumaki's eyes met mine. She stopped in mid sentence as fear showed in her eyes. It was foreign to me, being feared, I forgot how nice it felt.

"Well look what the cat dragged in," I said from behind Sasuke which made him and Jugo tense. The other two noticed this and looked up at me then back to their two teammates. The other boy in the group looked back up at me with a smirk obviously not knowing who I was which I preferred. Judging Sasuke has Jugo, these two must be Orochimaru's test subjects as well.

"What's up with you Sasuke?" The boy spoke up. "Who is this chick?"

"No one important" I replied then looked back at Sasuke who didn't even bother to turn around. "Sasuke, why so tense?" I questioned placing a hand on his shoulder. "Relax a little," I looked over at the Uzumaki seeing my actions had irritated her, must be another fan girl of his.

"What are you doing here?" The Uchiha finally spoke up shrugging my hand off his shoulder.

I moved to my left facing him more, his dark eyes meeting my red ones. I glanced over at Jugo giving him a faint smile which he returned. "Could ask you the same thing, I see you made yourself a little team. I'm guessing you're still after Itachi?"

"That's none of your concern," he said putting his guard up as if he were going to attack me.

"Don't feel safe around me eh Sasuke? I wonder why?" I could see he was wary of me which made me smirk. I was enjoying this a little too much.

"I don't see why you're so scared of this chick guys, she's only eye candy. I mean look at her! She looks like a doll with a huge wrack!" The boy commented which made me frown but I kept my composure. "This girl doesn't even have chakra guys, come on. I bet I can kill her in a fight with no problem!" He said with a toothy smirk which made the Uzumaki smack the back of his head.

"Are you crazy Suigetsu! She's the one who I saw earlier with similar chakra to Orochimaru!"

"So she's a sensor then? No wonder she was scared at the hot spring." I thought as I glanced at her.

"Is that a challenge?" I said focusing on this cocky boy.

"And what if it is?"

"Then I accept." I said then shifted my gaze to Sasuke who was staring at me. "Let's see what your team is made of Sasuke." I said with a menacing tone. I looked over at Hikaru seeing him only observing the situation but turned around when he noticed that our food was coming. "But after I eat, my food is ready." I said before turning on my heel and heading back to my table.

"They're staring at you," he whispered just as I sat down.

"I know," I replied with a wide smile then chowed down on my food.

Within minutes we were finished as a result from not eating more than rodents for the past few weeks. Hikaru paid for the meal just spending the rest of his money and followed me out of the restaurant but not before sending a glare to Sasuke and his team. He thought I wasn't watching him from the door but when he looked over at me his eyes widened then looked down at the ground. I shook my head as he pushed on the door letting me out first then headed out of the town.

"Did they know who you were?" Hikaru finally spoke since we left the restaurant.

"Not the shark boy and the Uzumaki. Have you heard of any of them?"

"The boy looked familiar, I think he's from the Mist...Guess he doesn't know who he's dealing with though. The Mist know not to mess with our clan and especially my girl." He said as he wrapped his arms around me making me tense a bit. "Don't worry babe, they're still at the restaurant." He reassured.

I stepped away from his embrace then sat on the grass crossing my legs. "Should meditate before battle. Sasuke chose these kids for a reason and I can't underestimate them."

"Whatever you say," he said. Even though I couldn't see him, I knew just by his tone he was rolling his eyes.

"Oh and I'm sorry," I spoke up.

"For what?"

"For what you're going to see, I haven't been feared in a while and I want to enjoy it while it lasts."

Before I could find peace, they had just shown up. I stood up facing them motioning for Hikaru to clear the area.

"Wow, you actually showed up." I said as they came closer. "Thought the Uzumaki would've scared ya into cowering or maybe beat you for your stupidity."

"Ha!" He laughed. "Like I'd be afraid of a doll like you!" He finished wielding a rather large sword that was strapped to his back then pointing it at me which made my eyes widen and then flicker to Sasuke.

"I see you desecrated Zabuza's grave, how low, even for you Sasuke." I said which made his team turn to him then look at me.

"Okay Sasuke, who is this chick?" Suigetsu questioned.

I only chuckled which caught their attention. I started to weave hand signs making him get into a fighting stance but relaxed a but when I touched my necklace. I released the chakra inside making Karin's face twist into fear while Suigetsu didn't look as confident.

"Fight me and find out."

Edited: 2/21/2021