Strike of Lightning (Naruto fanfic)

Chapter 5

Kakashi got straight to the point. "Where were you when we were attacked?"

Shuurai groaned. "Sensei, usually when I suddenly disappear, it's because I have something up my sleeve." Noticing Kakashi's eyes narrow, she quickly rushed on. "Uh, sensei, that just means I had a plan. And Sasuke knew about it, so it was fine!"

Kakashi was mystified. "How did you make a plan so quickly? I never even saw you speak a word to Sasuke during the trip."

"Obviously. It's because the plan was made before the trip."

"How..when..." Kakashi was at a loss for words. 

Geez, is he really that dumb? How'd he even become ANBU? Needless to say, Shuurai was annoyed. She hated it when people were so slow on the uptake. Except Naruto, of course. She flipped her hair back.

"Sensei, please don't tell me that you didn't realise the fact that that guy was hiding something at HQ." HQ was what Shuurai called Hokage's Tower.

Kakashi suddenly felt a need to appear in control of the situation. So he replied smartly, "Of course I did. I was a former ANBU captain, after all." He wasn't sure how much he succeeded when Shuurai just rolled her eyes.

"Well, when you dismissed us, I told Sasuke what I suspected and we came up with a simple plan. Obviously we had no idea what kind of ninja we'd be fighting against, so the plan was sorta go-with-the-flow. And yeah." She finished her not-very-good explanation. Kakashi got the gist of it though.

"But while fighting... and the puddle... how did you know what to do and when to intervene?"

Ah, that," Shuurai tapped her nose secretively. "Well, let's just say I'm good at reading signs and that Sasuke and I are a good team when fighting. We learned from the best, after all! He gave me signals, I acted." Shuurai's eyes dimmed a little as she remembered Itachi.

"Okay." Kakashi nodded. He suddenly clapped his hands. "Enough break time. Moving on!"

"Um.. sensei.."

"Yes Sakura?"

"Aren't you... forgetting something?"

"Hm? What?"

"Them! Those ninjas!" Naruto gestured to the trees. Kakashi sweatdropped. "Oh, right. Team, you continue onwards. I'll be with you guys in a second. You too, Tazuna-san." He couldn't help but say the last word sarcastically. He received a glare in return. When he saw that they were a good distance away, his eyes locked onto the Mist-nins. When they glared at his eyes, they were surprised to see a  red eye with three commas inside them.

Their screams were heard by Tazuna and the kids, making them shiver just thinking about what Kakashi was doing to those shinobi.

Meanwhile... Shuurai caught Tazuna red-handed (sort of). 

"It seems my suspicions were correct." Shuurai stared into Tazuna's eyes. "You lied to us."

"Heh." Sasuke hid his smirk. There's no way that old man can get out of this without spilling a few secrets.

"What? What do you mean?" Tazuna asked. He couldn't hide his worry.

"Since the announcement of the mission, I've observed many instances where you seemed to nervously shift your eyes. I have also noticed when I said earlier that we would most likely not encounter ninja, you became quiet." Shuurai explained. "Since their target was obviously you, this has become a B-rank escort mission, not a simple escort and protection mission from thieves or bandits. I am sure you had your reasons, but it causes problems when you lie about the mission. We're now operating outside of our specified duties."

Tazuna looked away from Shuurai's eyes.

"Interesting, Shuurai. I never knew you knew that much about these things." Kakashi had come in time to hear Shuurai's blunt explanation. "Though I must say, you don't have much tact."

Kakashi turned to Tazuna. "My student is correct. However, we will continue to protect you. We've come this far, anyway. You do realise that I will have to report this to the Hokage?"

Tazuna nodded, a relieved look in his eyes. He was just happy he'd get home safely and in time for dinner.

"SO, LET'S GO!!!" Naruto, the bundle of energy, was back in full swing. Everyone smiled at that.

"One more thing." Shuurai stopped the crowd. "Since it's a B-rank mission now, I expect to be paid accordingly."

Tazuna gulped. He was afraid of this 12-year-old. 

"Of... of course."

He jerked in surprise when the child let out a loud scream. "YESS...MONEY!!!"