Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 28

I stared at the disappearing shore, depressed.  Itachi wrapped his arms around me.  "We can come back sometime."

I pouted.  "Better if we didn't have to leave."  I felt his sadness at the thought and turned to him.  "So... the Sand?"  He nodded, and I sighed.  "Wonder if they had as much fun as us."

He chuckled.  "Doubt it."  I turned back, and the only thing surrounding us now was sea. 

I looked into the water. "We won't have this... for a very long time."

He sighed.  "I know..."

I sighed as well.  "Hopefully, it's not all bad when we get back..."  As we approached the gates, I watched as a sentry went to inform Gaara of our arrival.  "That's no fun... can't barge in unexpected."

He poked my forehead.  "He's a Kage now..."

I shrugged.  "That means nothing to me."  He shook his head as we entered the building.  I smiled as I saw the sentry was waiting outside the door and tapped his shoulder.  "I'll take it from here."

His eyes widen.  "Lor-"

I shrugged.  "I don't care... move."

He stepped aside, and I flung the door open.  Gaara's head snapped up. He was clearly displeased with my intrusion.  I smiled.  "Little Brother... you don't look happy to see me."

He frowned.  "Lady Kunoichi..."  He laced his fingers in front of his mouth and glanced at someone behind me.  "This is unexpected."

I put a hand on my hip.  "You were busy, apparently... he didn't want to interrupt."  I looked at Temari, who was shaking her head.  "What?"

She frowned.  "You can't just barge in h-"

I crossed arms.  "Is the Kazekage?  What makes that any different than the Hokage, the Raikage... or any kage, really?"

Gaara sighed.  "It's good to see you, Sister."

I smiled.  "That's more like it. Now, back to business, I'm done interrupting."

I turned to go.  "It seems Orochimaru is dead."

I froze.  "What?"

"Sasuke is said to have killed him."

I frowned.  "Stupid Uchiha..."  I walked out of the office, deflated.

Itachi looked at me curiously.  "Disappointed?"

I sighed.  "I wanted to at least be there..."  He simply shook his head.  "Wonder what he's doing now, I really hope he didn't kill Kabuto."

Itachi chuckled.  "You really hate him, don't you."

My frown deepened.  "He's as slippery as that fucking snake he worshipped."

"Kunoichi!  Back so soon?"

I didn't turn and was lifted in large arms.  "Ryo... do you want those arms?"

He laughed.  "Yup... it's you."

He set me down.  "Who else would it be?  Not many curly haired people in this world."

He nodded.  "Nor anyone so short... except children.  Be careful, Itachi, you might be mistaken for a pedophile."

Hinata looked at me.  "You've heard then... about Sasuke."

I nodded.  "Brat didn't even give me the pleasure of a show..."

She smiled.  "But he's safe."

I narrowed my eyes at her, and she giggled.  "This is true."

Aya shook her head.  "You just missed a small bit of entertainment. Apparently, Naruto is at frog mountain training."

I screwed up my face.  "Never did take favor to them."

She sighed.  "Do you even have a summoning animal?  You have the strength for it."

I shook my head.  "Other than Kurama, no."

Ryo thought for a moment.  "Come to think of it... are you even ranked?"

I blinked.  "Ranked?"

He nodded.  "I mean, you are an S ranked criminal, but how do you stack against other shinobi?"

I shrugged.  "Don't know."

He pulled out a book and flipped through some pages.  "See, all of us are here... you, not so much."

I tilted my head.  "Genjutsu, ninjutsu, taijutsu... I can see why not.  Nobody knows my abilities in these categories."

He frowned.  "Well... are you any good at them?"

I shrugged.  "I don't know.  Gentle Fists falls under taijutsu. All the mind stuff is genjutsu... i think, ninjutsu well I don't know what jutsu I would be considered good or bad at..."

He pumped his fist in the air.  "We need a test!"

I frowned.  "No."

He scoffed.  "Why?"

I rolled my eyes.  "Never taken a test before... ever... I'm good, let's leave it at that."

Aya gaped.  "Never?"  I shook my head.  "The Academy?"

"No.  I was there for a week."

"Then how did you get in?"

I shrugged.  "Minato was the Hokage at the time... and I was a "prodigy," so..."

Hinata nodded.  "I didn't need to do anything either because of my lineage... we just go if we're told."

Ryo frowned.  "I wanna know... Itachi ties with Master Jiraya, so... how do you fair against him?"

I shrugged.  "Evenly matched last time..."

His frown deepened.  "Which was when?"

I sighed.  "Before I was exiled, okay?  Just drop it."

He smirked.  "Afraid?"

I narrowed my eyes at him.  "Of what?"

He crossed his arms.  "The Chunin Exams then... we'll all participate."

I scoffed.  "For what village? And that's child's play.  You know none of those nin can compete with us."

He frowned.  "Then what do you suggest?"

I crossed my arms.  "That you drop it.  There's no need to show my hand right now anyway. Let it remain a secret til it's needed."

He rolled his eyes.  "Spoil sport."

Itachi was watching with interest.  "Why is it so important to you?"

He glared at him.  "We've been with her for years, and we don't even know her skill level."

I rolled mine in response.  "Never bothered you before."

He huffed.  "Well, it does now."  He turned to me.  "And why does it bother you so much?"

I frowned at him.  "It's a waste of time."

He sighed.  "Well, if things keep going the way they are, we will find out soon enough."

I relaxed.  "Yeah, we will..."