∾

❝Even the strongest of opponents
always has a weakness.❞
∾ Uchiha Itachi

        Shiroyi was tired of being a shinobi. In addition, she was probably one of the worst that could exist. She didn't know any clan techniques. Simply put – she had no talent for Morisuke Clan techniques, and all she knew about the Kobayashi Clan was that her father belonged to it. Maybe she just wasn't cut out to be a ninja. Shiroyi wasn't really fond of violence, however, the shinobi world was brutal and mainly based on it. Don't get her wrong, she was the happiest person in the world when she got her protector. Moreover, she thought the missions with Team 4 were kind of fun, even though she knew that her teammates didn't really like her. Yet, it was at the very beginning. Much had changed since then, but the resentment had remained the same. She was sick of it.

"These missions are getting more and more lame with each one," Yosuke burst out. There was a grimace of displeasure on his face while his brown eyes were fixed on Kobayashi's back as she walked in front of him.

"Stop complaining, Yosuke," Sota admonished him, rolling his eyes. He was the third member assigned to Team 4 and even though he didn't made it clearly known just like Yosuke, Shiroyi knew that he didn't like her much either. However, he was more tolerable than the complaining boy and with him at least it was possible to cooperate. "You should be happy that at least we're not chasing after some cat," he added and flinched at the mention of the cat owner herself.

Shiroyi frowned and shook her head to chase the image of that woman away from her.

"Don't ya think we're more than some seeds' deliveries?" Yosuke asked and threw his hands in the air in frustration. "Damn it, we're ninjas! We ain't some old man's delivery guys! We should be getting more important missions than that," he grumbled.

"We're still only genins," Shiroyi said, not even glancing at the boy. "Don't overestimate your abilities, stupid."

"You..."

"She's right," Sota interjected, preventing an impending argument. "First get stronger and get a higher rank, then you can complain," he added.

"Oi, whose side are you on?!" exclaimed the offended boy.

"Neither," Sota countered and deadpanned. "Not my fault she's obviously smarter than your stupid ass," he shrugged.

"Huh? How's that?!"

"Maybe if you stopped acting like a brat, you'd find at least some gray cells in that cocked head," Kobayashi commented already annoyed. She didn't even have to see Yosuke's face to know that he was furious. Moreover, it was her who had the gall to insult him.

"What was that, you stupid freak?!" the boy stopped in his tracks and Sota followed after him with a look of exasperation on his face. He knew where this was going and he didn't like it one bit. These two tired him definitely too much and too often; it was true he didn't like Shiroyi but sometimes he despised Yosuke even more. The girl at least was a quiet person who talked when was asked to. Nevertheless, when his two teammates were together, they were even worse than separated.

Kobayashi stopped and glanced over her shoulder at the boys.

"Sorry, only calling a spade a spade," Shiroyi stated flatly. "You're just beyond stupid," she then clarified, looking impassive.

It seemed to flick something in the angered boy. His face was already beet red and he clenched his fists and squinted. Sota merely stood there, waiting for the situation to develop. He silently hoped that the emotions would subside and things would calm down, for he did not see fit to intervene. The boy didn't like getting involved in someone else's business, and Shiroyi and Yosuke definitely had a problem with each other. To be frank, it was the boy who had started all this by being prejudiced against her back at the Academy. Furthermore, they both were unfortunately assigned to the Team 4. Sota believed he found himself here by mistake. There must have been made a mistake when the teams were being picked, because he didn't fit in with his teammates one bit.

Suddenly, there was a hand placed on Yosuke head. He froze, feeling the presence behind him. Its aura was dangerous and for a moment he thought he was going to die. Only for a moment, for he knew the person behind him. Sota yelped startled and Shiroyi's eyes widened, not expecting the abrupt arrival of company. When...?

"Jeez, sensei," Sota groaned, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. "Don't sneak on us like that. You're gonna give me heartattack," he rebuked the woman who only smiled at her students darkly. Kobayashi flinched, for the smile made her really really anxious everytime she saw it. When did she get here?, her sensei for sure was good at sneaking around.

"As I recall, I said you can go ahead and not argue in my absence," Nana remarked, looking directly at Yosuke. The woman was the jounin assignated to Team 4 as their sensei. She was in her late twenties and was kinda terrifying. Especially when she was mad, and when it came to the three genins, it was hard to not get annoyed.

"Why are you looking at me?!" Yosuke cried offended. He pointed a finger at Shiroyi, killing her with his eyes. "It's all her fault! She started this!"

Nana measured the boy with a suspicious glance. She didn't say anything for a while, looking at each of her students. The silence was asphyxiating and eating the teenagers alive. With each passing second, Kobayashi felt more and more anxious. She didn't know where to divide her gaze. Everything seemed to judge her and she felt like it was burning her soul. The situation they found themselves in was horrible. Also, it was the reason why Sota didn't want to get involved in the mire of his teammates.

The woman hm'ed and by doing so, startled her students.

"Really?" she rhetorically asked Yosuke. "Then it's weird that it's always you who starts fights," she noticed and raised an eyebrow. The boy became even more indignant.

"It's not fair you always choose her side just because she's a girl!" Yosuke yelled, throwing the woman's hand off his head. He glowered at Shiroyi who hugged herself anxiously. She looked really... fragile. His eyes softened, although he still had a scowl on his face.

"I'm not taking sides, stupid," Nana sighed and slapped him on the head. "You're always the one who's looking for problems."

"I swear, this time it wasn't me!" Yosuke exclaimed offended, raising his hands in defence. "It's her that-"

"You always blame it-"

"I started this one," Shiroyi interrupted them. Nana looked at her surprised. "...I guess," she added then ashamed, however, not sounding so sure about her confession.

"Oh?" the woman frowned slightly. "You guess?" she asked the girl. Kobayashi nodded slowly. Silence fell, for nobody knew how to react to the uncommon confession. Sota stood next to Yosuke with disbelief written all over his face, similar to the expression of his comrade. Shiroyi never got scolded for any of the arguments with her teammates mostly due the fact that she had been the victim since the very beginning of the Academy. After all, she was that quiet girl who was bullied because of her difference.

Yosuke was too stunned to speak, definitely not expecting the situation to develop this way. He was so sure that he would be scolded again that he had already mentally prepared himself. He had been an asshole towards Kobayashi for as long as he could remember and the girl in his eyes didn't even have a reason to admit her mistake if he was the one to be punished. It was one of these times when the teenager really left him speechless.

"Anyway," Nana's sudden voice startled everyone. Again. "We've already wasted enough time. We'll be so very late in the Land of Water and guess who's gonna get the blame for this. Yup! Me," she announced in a sing-song tone, tilting her head with a smile.

"Huh?" Yosuke looked at his teacher dumbstruck. "That's it? And you're telling me that you're not taking sides?! You can't-"

"Ne, ne," Nana cut him off, rushing him with a gesture of her hands. "Less chit-chat, more moving forward," she stated and her smile didn't flatter for a bit. Even Shiroyi deadpanned at that, awaiting some scolding, for Yosuke always got one when the blame was put onto him. She can't be serious right now, the girl thought, sighing, yet following after the woman. She didn't just try to take the blame for nothing. Kobayashi Shiroyi felt a blemish on her honor.

Sota deadpanned as well. Nana-sensei definitely had her favourites.

"But-"

"Drop it, Yosuke," his teammate interrupted him and patted his shoulder. Sota passed him with shaking in disapproval head, leaving frustrated Yosuke behind with a doumbfounded look on his face. How was it she didn't get any scolding when he got one every single time?! He scowled and grumpily followed after his team, although this time it wasn't Shiroyi he glowered at but his very lovely sensei.

∾

The way to the Land of Water took them much longer than was expected, just as Nana had predicted. They hadn't even crossed the border yet. Moreover, she was mad at her students for procrastinating so much. As for Shiroyi, her lack of motivation was nothing new, but Yosuke and Sota always tried to do missions accurately. The woman thought they would be happy about this mission, for it was first time they left the village like that. Yet, these kids didn't seem very happy with her, with this mission and most likely – with each other. She could feel Yosuke's glare on her back, Sota was surprisingly quiet and Kobayashi looked more out of place than usual.

Her genins were too distracted to cross the border, nor to succes in a mission.

She sighed, her team passing two wanderers. Shiroyi side glanced at the one closer her and blinked in surprise, meeting his very own stare on her. She slowed her step and followed the strangers with her gaze.

"Oi, aren't those your buddies, 'tachi?" the taller one asked his companion. A cynical smirk was audible in his voice. Yosuke froze when the stranger looked at him, unexpectedly feeling uneasy. He couldn't see his face due the big hat that was covering it, however, his presence was really intimidating.

"I don't know every single shinobi from Konoha," the second one stated calmly and Kobayashi flinched, recognizing the voice. She couldn't mistake it with anybody's else as it was haunting her not very pleasant dreams.

The voice startled Nana as well and she pulled out a kunai, standing protectively in front of her students. She knew only one of the misterious men and she was so not happy that he was nothing but trouble. More, she had three genins behind her who weren't fit to fight S-rank missing-nin. Nana was also aware that her abilietes were nothing compared to the man's. She was in no condition to fight him and his friend who she didn't know anything about.

"Oh?" the taller one mocked, looking at Nana curiously. "I think that one's gonna fight us," he said with a smirk. He removed his hat and Team 4 was able to see his shark-like facial features. His sharp teeth flashed, forcing Sota to take a step back.

"Stay out of it," the jounin told her students, not even sparing them a look, for her eyes were fixed on the two presences in front of them.

Yosuke's brown pupils widened in disbelief at that and he recovered from the shock, and became more serious. He reflexively stepped in front of Shiroyi, she also stared at his back in surprise with raised brow. Sota, seeing this, followed closely behind. The situation was doubtless crucial, furthermore, their sensei wanted to just fight not one but two S-rank missing-nins.

"Sensei," Sota turned to her, "it's two against one. It's not an option that you can handle it alone."

"Yeah!" Yosuke agreed and nodded, pulling out a kunai. "Let us help you," he asked, watching the enemy carefully.

"No way," Nana forbade stopping them with her hand, "They are way too dangerous for the three of you," she stated darkly.

"And what about you," the man, who was called 'tachi by the previous one, spoke up,"Nana-san?" he asked and looked out from under his hat. Blood red eyes stared at them and the sudden feeling of intimidation made Shiroyi gasp.

"We have to find out," the woman said and shrugged slightly. Then she disappeared in a flash to appear only behind the men. Nana stabbed Itachi in the back with her kunai while as the shark-like ninja jumped away just in time to avoid being her next target. Her face remained expressionless, although she was kinda proud of herself for beating the man in one move. She didn't want to make it a long fight, because the longer it took, the less chance she would have of winning.

Just as she was about to look at the remaining opponent, Itachi's body dissolved, and a flock of crows appeared in his place.

Nana's yellow eyes widened. She jumped away from the birds, for she wasn't quite sure what was going on. It was the first time she was seeing such a technique, even though she heard one, maybe two things about Itachi's ninjutsu. He was a very talented and clever boy for his age, and he was – even though younger than her – definitely stronger than any shinobi in the Konohagakure. She had never heard about technique like that, yet during her teenage years, there was a buzz about Itachi's skills.

Unless... Genjutsu?

Kobayashi Shiroyi didn't know Itachi that much. He was best friends with Shisui and there were times when he joined them during a meal. He was a rather aloof teenager, however, it didn't bother little Shiroyi one bit. She was the more introverted type, too. She didn't like him, nor did she dislike him like most of the Uchicha Clan, but their connection was only because of the mutual friend. If it wasn't for Shisui, she would never aproach Uchiha Itachi as a little girl, for she was kinda afraid of him at the very beginning. Maybe it was her gut that told her to be aware of that boy – now grown up man.

He was the main reason of her nightmares. After all, he was the one behind the Uchiha Clan massacre.

And now her sensei looked like she was in some kind of trance, not responding to Yosuke and Sota's calls. Shiroyi guessed that the woman might have fallen into some sort of Itachi's trap. Shisui didn't recognize the power of just anyone. And he was always right. So while he told her that teenage Itachi was a strong opponent, then as a grown man he must have been an even more dangerous foe. Moreover, he was definitely not an enemy to be beaten by some genins.

Team 4 was dummed.

"As usual, you don't beat around the bush, 'tachi," the shark-man snorted. He grinned sinisterly at the three teenagers and reached for the strange weapon on his back. "It's my time to have some fun," he said and then fully turned his attention on the Team 4's genins, "Wanna have some fun, kids?"

Sota immediately raised his hands in defence, retreating.

"Nope," he shook his head, "I didn't sign for that shit when I got this mission," he stated. Kobayashi couldn't agree more with that. They were just supposed to deliver some seeds to some small village in the Land of Water. The mission didn't include any confrontation with the enemy, much less a S-rank missing-nin.

The man disappeared and Shiroyi held her breath.

"You're unlucky then, I guess," the shark-man's voice sounded, and he appeared centimeters in front of Sota. He swung his huge weapon at the boy and the teenager pulled out a kunai just in time to defend himself.

Something was wrong, though. Kobayashi felt strongly uneasy and her gut prompted her to look in Yosuke's direction. Why... Why did the boy had a shadow? The girl glanced at Itachi who didn't even flinch one bit, just observing his companion's fight. Or rather – bully some terrified genins. The Uchiha didn't seem eager to get himself involved in that either.

So if it wasn't the red-eyed man who threatened them, then... Could it be...? The shark-man's eyes twitched slighlty, barely noticeable. Then just in time Shiroyi grabbed Yosuke by the shirt and pulled him back, jumping back as the sword-like weapon cut through the air where the boy had previously stood. The girl's reflexes were not the best, so Yosuke's cheek was scratched but he was very likely alive and not cut in half.

Ikeda Yosuke may have just died if not for his teammate. His whole life flew before his eyes, and it wasn't long at all. The boy was frozen in his tracks, his back pressed to Shiroyi who hadn't let go of his shirt yet. His brown eyes were wide open and his breathing was shallow and fast. Kobayashi guessed her teammate was in some kind of shock because – who wouldn't? Even Sota stayed still, looking in front of him at the place where the man had been just mere seconds before.

"How...?" mouthed Ikeda finally. He glanced at the girl behind him and she could see the fear in his eyes. She herself was shitless scared for her life. Nana-sensei was still unavailable, as Shiroyi could tell that by her empty yellow eyes.

"I..." she began cautiously, thinking about the right choice of words, "...even though that man charged at Sota, you had the shadow."

The silence fell.

Itachi looked at Kobayashi with an inquiring expression on his face, while the shark-man tilted his head at that. The girl seemed really lost while saying that, or maybe not lost but insecure. She immediately averted her pinkish eyes, clenching her fist harder on the boy's shirt.

"A shadow, you say?" the taller one of the men asked intrigued. He thrust his huge sword into the ground and leaned against it. Sota barely flinched because of the another sweep by that enormous weapon. "It gets more and more interesting," the shark-man grinned, showing his sharp, yellow teeth.

His gaze pierced through the only girl of Team 4, however, the boys were just as terrified as her; maybe even more, for they felt responsibility to protect their teammate at all cost. Shiroyi pressed her lips together and sighed deeply to calm herself down. She looked at her surroundings to analyze the situation they found themselves in, and determined the chances of escape.

Nana-sensei was still in this weird trance, Yosuke hadn't fully recovered from the shock, and the terror in Sota's green eyes said that he wasn't fit to fight either. And there was her – probably one of the greatest talentlessness that could exist in the violent world of shinobi. It was a miracle they hadn't been dead yet. She was only glad that Ikeda was the only one who had a shadow (luckily, he didn't have one anymore so it was just a one-time situation).

"What do you want?" Shiroyi questioned carefully.

The shark-man snorted.

"Your lovely sensei was the one who attacked us first," he stated and pointed at the brown-haired woman. He pulled his sword from the ground and twirled it, then threw it over his shoulder in a threatening manner. "It won't hurt to get some fun."

Shiroyi uncontrollably stepped back.

"Kisame," Itachi's voice resounded, causing everyone to pay attention to him, "it's time," he declared and said Kisame sighed.

The next thing Shiroyi knew, she was frozen in her place and wild eyes were piercing through her soul. When did he get here? The shark-man was leaning in front of her, getting better look at her face. He most likely saw the fear in her pinkish pupils, for he smirked at her. She shivered, trying to lean back to gain space between her and Kisame. Even though she didn't see her own shadow of death, she could already imagine her lifeless body on the ground. If not because of this man's sword, then due to heartattack.

"'til next time," Kisame farewalled and grinned, "Shiroyi."

The Team 4 couldn't even blink – the two missing-nins disappeared. Kobayashi frowned, feeling even more anxious after that horrifying confrontation. She breathed a sigh of relief. They were alive. This encounter was a worse experience than any of her nightmares. She didn't wake up in her room; it was really and life threatening. Shiroyi couldn't even assume how her grandparents would react if they found out about her death. Would they be in mourning? Or maybe glad that there was no more freak like her in their lives?

"Nana-sensei!" Sota exclaimed – thus shaking Kobayashi of her reverie – and ran to his teacher, Yosuke moving after him. She looked at the woman, whose condition had not changed at all. Her yellow eyes were still empty and she was standing motionless, only a few droplets of sweat running down her face. Shiroyi followed after her teammates.

"She seems like she's sleeping with her eyes open," Ikeda thought out loud. The pink-eyed girl got a closer look at her sensei, carefully observing every inch of her face. She had to admit it – Nana was such a beautiful woman, even slick with sweat. But her face didn't look calm one bit; the brown-haired ninja seemed in pain. Her expression worried her students.

"She seems..." Shiroyi began slowly, gently touching Nana's cheek, "...like she's in genjutsu," she guessed.

"Genjutsu?" Yosuke asked, however, everybody ignored him.

"Okay," the girl sighed, "lay your hands on her," she instructed and did as she said herself. Sota didn't even question her, just doing so. With a nod, he encouraged Ikeda, who was not very sure of Shiroyi's actions. Sure, she did save his life. Nevertheless, she still was a freak he despised. He cautiously glanced at his friend one last time, trusting his gut and following the girl's orders. "Now on three, we're gonna insert some of our chakra to obstruct her chakra circulation flow," Kobayashi guided and looked at the boys.

Sota's expresion showed a lot of trust in the girl's doing but Yosuke was so unsure, he was close to taking his hand from the woman's body. Shiroyi seeing this, turned to him.

"Please, trust me this one time."

Ikeda thought for a moment, a lot of scenarios running through his head. Finally, he sighed and nodded. A glint of new determination showed on his face.

"Ready?" the white-haired girl asked. "One... two... three!"

Nana collapsed. Shiroyi's knees bent under the woman's weight, causing her to sit on the ground. She was careful not to let her sensei head hit the mud, for she allow it to lay on her thighs. She brushed away a few brown strands of hair that stuck to the woman's face.

"Oh God, we killed her!" Yosuke panicked, jumping away

Kobayashi looked up at the boys.

"She's just unconscious," she clarified at the same time as Sota slapped his friend on the head.

"Thanks God," he sighed in relief, grabbing at his heart. Just then his green eyes glanced at the girl, however, he turned his attention to Ikeda, "Oi, did you say Shiroyi's name in front of that guys?" he asked and Yosuke looked at him doumbfounded.

"No, why?" he responded.

Sota directed his stare at the confused girl.

"What about you?"

Kobayashi shook her head.

"And sensei?" he questioned, poiting at the unconscious woman.

"I don't think so," Shiroyi stated and tilted her head. "Why-"

"Me either," Sota cut her of before she could finish her question, "Then how the hell did that shark-guy know your name?"

Kobayashi Shiroyi only frowned in realization.