The White Flash

Betrayal

Days passed. A multitude of verbal and mental traps were laid and dodged. Mokusei wasn't letting anything slip. Still, she kept a watchful eye on him. Working with Sakura, they made many modifications to their original route. Now deep within the Land of Birds. Three days longer and they'll be at Hoshigakure. There were a few times they ran into some highwaymen after the riches Kiyoshi continuously went on and on about, but no one of any kind of significance attacked.

            "I'm so glad that this mission is almost over," Ino voiced.

            Hokuto laughed, "me too! When we get to Hoshigakure, I'll show you all around!"

            "Hokuto-chan, did a star really crash there?" Hinata wondered.

            "That's right! The star gives off its own kind of chakra, it allows us to..."

            "Hokuto!" Sumaru snapped, "we can't talk about the star training with outsiders!"

            "Sorry, Sumaru."

            "I am as well, I shouldn't have asked."

            "No, you shouldn't have."

            "As insufferable as ever," Ino whispered to Ayumi. She walked just beside Ayumi. Emerald irises studied the Jounin in front of her. Watching him for any incentive of betrayal. If he so much as walked off for too long, she'd kill him. "I wonder if they're all like Sumaru."

            "They're all just proud," Ayumi glanced to her. "Hoshigakure might be a small village, but that star puts them in a very... interesting position with the other Hidden Villages." Raising an index to the air, she bounced it in the air, "there is a unique chakra that flows from that star and shinobi who have completed the training have held their own against many strong shinobi in the wars. Many other villages want to steal it." With a sigh she shrugged, "at least that's what Papa told me."

            "Your father." Mokusei looked back to her, "he's Hatake Kakashi, right?"

            She smiled, "that's right!" Hands on her hips, she puffed out her chest, "the Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi is my Papa!"

            "He's quite an established shinobi. It's no wonder you're given opportunities like this."

            Her smile pulled tight, "I think it's a wonder that for someone who has so much more experience than I do scare at every rabbit in the bushes." Stuffing her hands in her shorts pockets, she closed her eyes and moved pass the man. "Though, that's the caliber of your Jounin, I suppose." They were getting close to the end of their mission. If anything was going to happen by this rebel group of shinobi, it was to happen soon. Today or tonight at the latest. Hinata was already instructed to be extra vigilant. It would be best if they could arrive in Hoshigakure with no further incidents; although, that possibility was extremely small.

            The path they walked was thin and seemed to be rarely travelled. A detour she and Sakura came up with. It would take them along a mountain path and down to their next campsite. As the path grew steadily more deep, the group paused to take a break. Everyone breaking off for bathroom breaks, snacks, or drinks. It would get a bit more difficult to walk from here. Luckily most of Kiyoshi's belongings were crushed in the avalanche during the first night, so there was no real worry about the retainers. Though, that didn't stop the representative from complaining loud and often as they climbed the mountain.

            "I can't believe that you're having someone like me taking paths like this," he grumbled.

            "It's only a small detour, Makoto-sama," Ayumi assured. She led the charge, testing the footing of the thin path as they continued. "This will actually cut some time off our journey. The sooner we get there the better, don't you agree?" He quieted, though continued to mumble to one of his retainers. As the sun began its descent as did they. Reaching the highest point, Ayumi paused. Her gaze sweeping the scenery before her. The sky began to emit an orange glow, though in the distance rolled dark clouds. It would start to rain soon. They had to get to the campsite soon. It was a cave near the foot of the mountain.