Get Lost

Chapter 5

"Please," one of the farmers said, "hear us out."

"Did you know about the danger before you requested the mission?" Jurai Sensei asked. 

The two teams stood around the cart. They had made it to the small farming village that same day and were now in the square. Everyone around them looked as if they were in hard times. Kazue felt bad for them. 

"We knew there was a possibility."

"And did you tell the village that?"

The head farmer lowered his head. He had short brown hair and poor clothes. He looked like he hadn't seen a full meal or night's rest in a while. "No, we didn't."

"Then I see no reason why we shouldn't return to the village and report this."

"Please, listen to what we have to say," the village head said. "We have a good reason. Please, just listen."

Jurai Sensei was quiet for a minute. "Fine," she finally said. "Let's talk." She looked around at the small crowd of farmers. "Somewhere else though."

Both Teams and three of the head farmers stood in a room together. Kazue and Sonomi took two of the chairs around the communal table. Choji sat next to Kazue, eating a bag of chips. Ino sat on the other side of the table, next to Asuma Sensei. Rokuro and Shikamaru both leaned against the back wall. Jurai Sensei stood up front, facing down the three farmers. 

The two new ones were both older than the head farmer, one only by a few years, the other by a few decades. The eldest farmer looked distinctly unpleasant to talk to.

"Explain," Jurai Sensei said.

The head leader took a breath. He seemed the least aggressive. "We have a feudal lord over us. Most of the farms around here do. Recently, our old lord died and his son came into power. The old lord wasn't so great, but his son is worse. He's taken almost everything from us. We don't have food, we don't have money. If this keeps going on, they'll take our young women. We want to rebel but there's nothing we can do. We had no weapons. That's why we asked for them from the Hokage.

"But someone must have found out and attacked you on the way. We're sorry. We didn't want anyone from the Leaf Village to get hurt. We just wanted to stop the feudal lord."

Jurai Sensei looked over her shoulder at Asuma Sensei, asking his opinion without words. Asuma Sensei stood up. "Is there anything else?" he asked.

"Just that the lord still has more ninja he might send after you," the medium-aged farmer said. 

The leader turned to him. "Or we could ask for their help," he whispered.

"No," Jurai Sensei said. "We've already completed this mission which was flawed from the start and brought you more than enough weapons. We've also taken out several of your lord's men. We're not doing any more."

The lead farmer turned back. He seemed sorry for having caused them trouble, but not sorry that he had done it. "Are you going to report this to the Hokage?"

"I have to. But don't worry, he's a kind, old man. He'll probably leave it at that."

The farmers nodded. The eldest looked displeased.

"Well," Jurai Sensei said, "then we're leaving now." She looked each of the farmers in the eye. "Good luck with your rebellion."

---

Both teams made it back to the village quickly without the cows slowing them down. Only four days had passed since they had left. They parted ways when they entered the gate. Kazue wasn't sorry to see them go. Almost immediately, a ninja ran up to them.

"Jurai," he called. Jurai Sensei stopped and turned to him. "The Hokage wants you."

Jurai Senei frowned. "What does he want?"

Sonomi whooped. "We're going to meet the Hokage!"

"No," the ninja said. "Only Jurai."

Sonomi looked very disappointed. 

"Alright," Jurai Sensei said. "I'm coming." She turned to the three of them. "Good job. Go home now. We'll meet tomorrow by the river." Then she ran off after the ninja.

Sonomi stretched. "Alright, guys. I'm hungry. Let's go get some food."

Rokuro shrugged. "I promised my mom I'd go home right after getting back."

Sonomi turned to Kazue.

"Sorry," she said. 

Sonomi sighed. "Fine. I'll see you both tomorrow." Then she too walked off.

Rokuro and Kazue said goodbye then parted ways. Kazue headed home. Her clan's property was pretty close to the edge of the Leaf Village. 

Kazue stopped at the main gate. A wall surrounded most of the property. This was the main gate. It was starting to crumble. There weren't very many people to take care of all this land.

Kazue heard footsteps from the road coming toward her. She turned to see Shikamaru. She was immediately on edge.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped.

"Going home." Shikamaru stopped a few paces away from her. He glanced in through the gate at the abandoned buildings and yards. "What, are you afraid to go in or something?" he taunted.

Kazue ground her teeth. "Get lost."

She stormed into the clan's land. Passing by dozens of unused houses and buildings. There was just no one to be there anymore. Near the back of the land was where the few families resided. They took care of the basic necessities, but most of them needed to get jobs outside of the clan.

The land held a mix of traditional buildings and more modern ones. Some with paper doors and windows, others with wood and glass. There were a lot of trees and plants. Especially out by the gate where there was the least amount of traffic. The plants spread where they wanted to. 

When Kazue did get to the more occupied part of the neighborhood, the empty buildings and overgrown lawns became nicely-kept and full of life. Children ran around, mothers watched them or made dinner, fathers played with them. The Ige clan was small, but it wasn't dead yet. Kazue took a moment to watch and smile. It wasn't dead yet.

---

The next morning, Kazue woke up early. She still had a while before she had to meet the rest of Team 11. She could take an easy morning. 

While she was eating, there was a knock on the door. Kazue opened it to see Asuma and his team outside.

"Hey," Choji greeted. He had a fried squid on a stick. Kazue acknowledged him. 

Shikamaru glanced at her then he went back to studying the little part of the village. Kazue could have punched him. He had no right to be here. And to be judging what her clan worked so hard for? 

Ino just smiled a bit.

Asuma Sensei pulled the cigarette from his mouth. "Hey, Kazue. Your sensei asked me to take care of Team 11 while she's gone. I'm sure she told you."

Kazue frowned. She stepped out and closed the door behind her. "Jurai Sensei didn't tell me anything. She just had to see the Hokage. She said we'd meet again today like normal."

Asuma Sensei nodded. "Nothing's wrong. There's no need to worry. The Hokage sent her to speak to the Fire Daimyo. There's too many people asking for false missions. I'm sure you heard it happened to Team 7 as well. She'll be gone for a few days at least so I'll be taking over your training for now."

Kazue looked from him to his students and inwardly groaned. She'd have to be with them most of the day every day now. Choji was great, she had always gotten along with him. Ino was alright sometimes. But Shikamaru? She'd have to be around his laziness all the time. This was the worst!

Outwardly, she smiled. "Alright. I'll be ready in a minute."