Naruto- More than a Number-Part 1.

Chapter 4 Sign Language.

(Itachi POV)

My kunai lands in the center of my target flawlessly as usual yet it could have been done quicker. I won't always have that much time to aim on a battle field, I need to train harder I scold myself inwardly. "That was good Itachi," Shisui praises.

"Thanks..." I mumble quietly as I turn around to face him. He gives me a thumbs up with his customary smile resting on his face, before turning to face the girl on the other side of the training field.

I see Mio focusing, her arms crossed over her face and her bright eyes shut. She emits chakra from her hands into her shuriken and stays still for a few moments. I watch interested in what she's doing, after all I've never seen someone use chakra infused weapons, only read about it. Watching intently as her arms set in motion, launching forwards and propelling the weapons straight ahead. The metal star spins wildly causing the previously little breeze to whip around furiously. The weapons continue towards the targets and fly fiercely through the center of the logs.

My lips part slowly in amazement as the weapons continue on until they impale a tree a couple of meters behind the targets. A large split in the center of every log, each reminding me of a cat scratch. You can easily see through all her targets, greens and browns rest on the other side of the log like looking through a window.

I return my attention back to the stunt performer, I notice her nonchalant expression as she stares at her weapons standing up out of the strong tree trunks up ahead.

Feeling eyes watching us, I turn to look up into the shadows of the trees and find nothing. I notice Shisui looking as well and he gives me a glance of warning, I nod and turn back to Mio. She appears oblivious but I can't help but think she senses it as well. I've sensed eyes on us before not often maybe once every few days, but I think Anbu are spying on Mio.

I notice her begin to take small steps towards the trees to collect her weapons. The training grounds are silent the only sound is Mio's soft footsteps that I can barely hear on the green, blades of grass, until we hear a twig snap not far behind us. Our heads jerk instantly towards the sound that disturbed the strong silence we were previously in. Six eyes staring intensely towards the trees as we hear quick, panicked steps approach.

Suddenly a girl around my age with blonde hair tied loosely in two plaits, stray strands scattered everywhere and her face sticky with a layer of sweat. Her eyes are red and swollen, hiding her light brown hues that are glazed over with water. Her pale cheeks are tinted a warm pink and coated with tear stains, as she pants roughly and her eyes stare at us pleading for help.

"Hey, are you alright?" Shisui asks worriedly, as he slowly approaches the young girl. She points to her ears with her fingers then creates hand signs informing us she is deaf. She signs that she is unable to lip read as well and wipes her tears away with her hands. "How are we meant to communicate with her? It's not very helpful that we can understand her but she can't understand us," Shisui explains looking towards me.

"Hmm," I hum in thought as my eyes travel towards Mio, she stands by the trees behind the targets and stares hesitantly towards us.

Shisui notices her uncertainty and calls out to her reassuringly, "come here Mio, she won't hurt you."

Mio stands still unsure but after a few moments she steps forwards but jolts back still wary. I nod to her gently and she continues slowly towards us, until she is standing between Shisui and I. "She can't hear anything any ideas?" I ask, although I doubt Mio will give any type of answer. I watch her and she nods gently, "hmm?" I say as a signal for her to continue.

She looks at the girl in front of us and smiles gently 'relax, we won't harm you. Are you okay?' she signs, catching me by surprise. I didn't know she could use sign language and if this is the case, why hasn't she been using it all along?