Four days have passed since I began this mission, and I haven't found anything. I found the town where the Akatsuki were last spotted but they were long gone by the time I got here. I was setting up camp in a dense forest then I'll pick up again tomorrow. Just as I lit the fire, four people came into my vision. It looked like a genin team so I lowered my chakra to a reasonable level not looking for a fight with them. I hoped their Sensei wouldn't recognize me from the bingo book; I didn't feel like killing children if they started something. I sat against a tree getting comfortable waiting for them to stumble across my camp site.

"Hey Sensei! There's a fire up ahead!" I heard a voice call out followed by someone groaning in pain.

"Shh you idiot. We've talked about this." An older voice responded.

When the team came into view, their Sensei stood protectively in front of them. He had black curly hair and when he stepped into the light, I could see his green eyes watching mine suspiciously. He was young maybe a few years younger than Kakashi. I looked at his headband that was tied around his leg seeing they were from the Cloud Village. Behind him were three Genin badly wielding kunai; must be a new team.

"Who are you?" The Sensei questioned.

"I bring you no harm; my name is Yumi." I answered with an innocent tone. "I'm only a traveler passing through." I looked over at the Genin noticing one of the boys clutching their arm. "Your student is injured, stay the night with me and I'll take a look at your wounds."

He stared at me again but then looked at his students then back at me again. He nodded putting down his kunai but never dropped his guard. The students came out from behind him and approached me with smiles on their faces.

"What are your names?" I questioned.

"Tsu," a young girl with brown hair and grey eyes responded taking a seat across from me.

"Shu," the boy with the injured arm said taking a seat next to me. His blonde hair was quite long and pulled into a ponytail but his bangs kept covering his green eyes.

"And I'm Kiyo! The best on this team." The last one boasted. He had a smile plastered on his face as he took a seat on my other side only to be whacked in the head by his Sensei. He rubbed his head then ran a hand through his black hair looking up at his Sensei with his green eyes.

"Idiot, what did I tell you about shouting?" His Sensei scolded before turning to me. "My name is Taru; what are you doing out here?"

"Well Taru, like I said, I'm a traveler. I don't really have a lot of money for motels so I set up camp here. What about you guys?"

"We were on our way home from a mission but it took longer than we thought," Tsu answered.

"Looks like you got into trouble," I answered as I grabbed Shu's arm making him yelp in pain. "Doesn't look too bad, was this done by a kunai or a sword?" I questioned even though I already knew it was from a sword.

"Sword, damn bandits snuck up on me." He answered with disappointment in his voice as I held up my hand making it glow.

"Language Shu," Taru snapped.

"You're a medic?" Tsu questioned watching as I healed Shu's arm.

"I know a little, just to get me by. I run into a lot of trouble myself and can't always go to the hospital."

"You must be really strong," Kiyo said leaning forward resting his arms on his knees and put his head on his hands.

"I guess, I do learn a lot of things on the road and there's not much to do besides training."

"What village were you from?" Taru questioned as he walked closer to the fire. "I don't see a headband."

I reached into my weapons pouch once finishing healing Shu's arm which made Taru tense but once he saw my passport he relaxed a little.

"Grass Village," I answered holding it up.

Taru grabbed the passport inspecting it before handing it back to me.

"Where'd you get that scar?" Shu questioned which caught me off guard. Images of that day flashed through my mind making my anger spike.

"Shu! Don't ask someone that!" Tsu scolded glaring at him before looking over at Kiyo who joined Shu.

"And what happened to your team?"

I looked at the three seeing that even Tsu was interested. I looked over at Taru who had his hand on his face possibly embarrassed by his students. I took a deep breath calming myself down before answering.

"I got it during the Chuunin Exams," I started before being interrupted by Kiyo.

"You were in the Chuunin Exams?!" He almost shouted probably not wanting another slap from his Sensei; it didn't seem like their team got along well. Even Taru couldn't be professional around them so this might be his first Genin Team.

"Are you a Chuunin?" Shu asked hesitantly.

"These kids are annoying," I thought looked back at Taru who now had both hands covering his face.

"I'm not a Chuunin, the Exams were interrupted." I answered which caught Taru's attention.

"You were in the Leaf Chuunin Exams?" He questioned finally sitting down, well squatting.

"Yup, the invasion is how I got this scar." I answered pointing at it wishing that was the real reason.

"What about your team?" Tsu finally spoke up.

"The one boy he was injured during the Second Exam making him unable to continue as a Shinobi. My other teammate was a girl and she quit right when we got home." I answered hoping they wouldn't question me on the names. This lie was getting harder and harder to keep track of.

"The exams must be really hard," Tsu commented losing confidence. She looked down at her hands nervously playing with them before looking back up at me.

"If you're prepared it's not that bad," I told her.

"Why'd you leave your village?" Shu questioned.

"Okay don't you guys think you've asked her enough questions? It's getting late and we should be getting some rest." Taru spoke up with annoyance in his voice.

"I'm assuming you guys haven't been a team very long," I commented catching Taru's attention. "You guys don't get along very well and Taru, you don't have patience for them."

"I can't imagine what he'd do if he was Team 7's Sensei."

"We graduated a few months ago actually, this is our first C rank." Tsu answered.

I was about to speak until I sensed something. I faked that I was about to sneeze and turned away from them activating my eyes quickly seeing three figures approaching. I deactivated them then turned back to them.

"What did you guys do with the bandits?" I questioned.

"Tied them up and put them in jail." Taru answered.

"Either they escaped or they have friends,"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm guessing you're not the sensory type. I sense a few people coming towards us."

Taru stood up on his guard while the Genin looked up at him with worry.

"Relax guys, I know you're capable. Have some confidence." Taru reassured with a smile. "How many are there?"

"About two or three," I replied debating if I should be involved with this fight.

I looked back at the kids seeing Tsu and Shu were still nervous while Kiyo was excited. There were so innocent not knowing how messed up and dangerous this life can be. I honestly envied their innocence. I was born and introduced to this life from the start never having a childhood. The closest I've been to a normal life was in the Leaf but I was only playing a part for my mission.

As they got closer, I sensed that two of them were Shinobi, I looked up at Taru seeing his eyes were on my then looked down at the kids with worry; he must be able to sense them now.

"Will you need my assistance?" I questioned slightly hoping their mission wouldn't turn into an A rank just like our first C rank mission.

"God dammit Ko, stop thinking about the past." I scolded myself.

"No, you're also a Genin and as a Jonin, I must protect all of you." He replied staring at the direction they were coming in.

"Someone's cocky," I thought.

"Alright, but if you change your mind, I'm here."

By the time they arrived, traps were already set up. We hid in the trees waiting for them seeing two figures avoiding the traps while the one already got caught in a net. He must be the bandit while the other two were Shinobi. I looked over at Taru who was in the tree across the campsite while I stayed with the Genin in another. Taru instructed me to protect them while he fought off the enemy but if needed, I will interfere.

The two Shinobi were a man and a woman both looking alike. They paid no mind to the bandit begging them to let him down but instead threw a kunai towards Taru and I. I easily caught the kunai just before it hit my stomach. Taru jumped down confronting the two immediately engaging them in battle. It seemed like he was able to handle his own until the two's teamwork got the better of him.

The whole time I had my Subete Miru activated watching the fight ready to interfere. He managed to fight the two off until jutsu were involved. One sent a fireball his way while the other sent a fire dragon towards him from behind. I quickly made hand signs and jumped to the ground slamming my hands onto the dirt. Before the flames could touch him, my Earth Barrier encased him protecting him from the flames.

I ran towards the woman taking out my sword swinging it towards her neck. She ducked and tried to swing her legs under mine but I jumped then kicked her in the face. She flew a few feet and gripped her head in pain. I put my sword back in its sheath as she let out a growl and ran forward again weaving hand signs. Multiple fireballs were heading towards me but I was already weaving hand signs.

"Wind style: Air bullets!"

I shot wind from my mouth hitting the flames redirecting them towards the woman whose eyes were as wide as saucers. She managed to dodge a few but her left arm and leg were burned making her scream out in pain. I wanted to end this quickly so I took out my sword pouring chakra into it.

"Wind style: Slicing Blade," I said emotionlessly as I swung it sending the air towards her slicing her in half.

I heard the Genin gasp but I didn't care; they had to see what it was like to be a ninja. Taru was finished with the man ending his life also and started to head towards the bandit who was still in the trap. He begged for his life after witnessing us kill two shinobi and feared for his own. I deactivated my eyes before turning to face the others.

"What should we do with him?" Taru questioned as I got to his side.

"I say kill him, we can't keep him overnight." I reasoned not wanting to babysit another person.

Taru only looked at me then back up at the man then over at his students. "I think it can be avoided," he sighed not wanting to end another life in front of his students.

"You will be responsible for him then," I replied before turning away and heading back to camp.

The Genin only watched me as I passed them not saying a word.

"Tsu," Taru called catching the girl's attention, "get the rope out of your bag, we're tying him up."

"O-oh, yes sensei," she replied quickly returning to camp to get the rope.

I let out a yawn as I sat down and stretched. Once Taru tied up the bandit he along with the Genin returned to camp. The three Genin were silent most likely processing what had happened unable to get the images of the dead shinobi out of their minds.

"Where are you traveling?" Taru spoke up breaking the silence.

"Wherever I end up, I don't have any places in mind." I answered staring at the fire.

"Be careful out there. Two suspicious men have been spotted in this area about five days ago. I heard rumors that they attacked a temple in the Land of Fire about three days ago." Taru explained which surprised me, he didn't know that it was the Akatsuki that he was talking about.

"Great, Leaf shinobi."

"Thank you, I'll make sure to avoid them at all costs. Now I think it's time for bed. Your Genin are already asleep." I said as I looked at the three leaning on each other snoring softly.

"I'll keep watch," Taru offered.

"Alright, but if you get tired, don't hesitate to wake me up."

The next day we parted ways but not after a painful goodbye from the Genin. By painful, I mean annoying. They begged me to come with them to their village along with a long unbearable hug from each of them along with some tears. They only knew me for a night but acted as if I was the most important person in their life.

I traveled towards the temple Taru was talking about being cautious to avoid any Leaf shinobi but it looked like I was in the clear. It was a long journey but by running it took me until nightfall to reach it. Once I arrived, I saw it was in ruins along with bodies scattered across the ground. I walked up to the pentagram on the ground which my instincts told me danger. It did look familiar and must've been in a book I've read as a child. I scanned the area seeing if there were any survivors but of course everyone had perished.

"If they're in the Land of Fire, they must be going after Naruto. Damn this is annoying. This mission is taking much longer than I had hoped but at least I'm on their trail." I thought as I crouched down seeing two pairs of footprints heading in the direction of the Leaf. "They must be big dudes, these footprints are pretty indented. They're probably strong too or maybe stupid for not covering their tracks." I thought as I followed their trail. "I better find them soon, this is taking way too long. Father needs me."

Edited: 2/20/2021