Chapter Six: Ninja Mission Gone Wrong

The next morning, they were all eating breakfast at the inn's little cafe. Akane's hands were wrapped in gaz, but she woofed down her miso soup and rice cakes so quickly that it gave the illusion that her little palms were just fine. She noticed the boys were doing the same. What? Those little scabs thought they'd be better at anything other than her? Ha! She reigned supreme in her group.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Naruto go for a piece of her rice. Her face pinched. Just before his gross little fingers went for it, she closed her chopsticks together and stabbed him in the hand.

"OWW!" Naruto howled.

Kazumi gasped and hid behind Kakashi-sensei dramatically. Half of her face was peeking over his shoulder as she peered at them.

"Just whose food do you think you're stealing?" Akane asked.

"Serves you right, dobe," Sasuke said evenly with a small smirk.

"Get along. No violence at the table," Kakashi-sensei said, sounding sooo invested.

Akane scoffed as she removed the chopsticks from his hand. She didn't embed it into his skin, but she saw the whelp start to form. What did he expect? She was incredibly strong, and she didn't see the need to sugar coat it. Naruto shouldn't steal her food unless he wanted payback. She remembered from the academy in some cultures, they'll take your hand in penance. So, he got off clean.

"You're so mean!" Naruto hissed.

"And you're a thief," she said simply as she finished her rice cakes.

She reapplied her lipstick, and then left the hotel to get to her training spot. An itching feeling scratched at her, a feeling that she wasn't alone, a feeling that she was being followed. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Who was arrogant enough to try to sneak up on her? Did this idiot think she wasn't a ninja? She had an inkling of who was stupid enough.

"Naruto," she sighed in irritation. "Don't be a pussy. Come out and fight me."

Silence.

She rolled her eyes. Then, she turned around and that feeling disappeared. That was so very weird; usually, the idiot revealed himself. He was terrible at remaining stealthy. He preferred attacking stupidly, openly. But no, it felt like the creepy, watching presence disappeared as soon as she turned around. Weird. She went back to training cautiously.

X

Kakashi rarely appreciated his job as a ninja. It wasn't an easy life, and he's definitely lost quite a bit. But, body guarding a model who doesn't mind his presence is a rare perk given most models don't need a ninja at his level for protection. And, over these past two weeks he's starting to realize he couldn't remember a time not being in her presence. Hmm.

He was wondering what was taking so long after her photoshoot. He's seen the other models leave the dressing room. Surely, she's done changing by now. Maybe, she was taken. In the few moments she wasn't watched by him, someone snuck in and kidnapped her too. Without much thought, he walked forward and walked into the dressing room.

"Kazumi-chan?" he questioned.

His eyes saw her through the mirror taking off the last pieces of her jewelry off and sitting at the vanity.

"Kakashi-sensei, barging in on a lady is a sign of very poor manners," she said amusedly as she looked up at him through the mirror.

"I… I apologize. I thought perhaps someone might have kidnapped you as well," he explained.

She continued to smile coyly at him before standing, and brushing her skirt and leggings of any dust or dirt. She walked towards him, and he felt himself stiffen at her proximity. She always put him on edge. She's so beautiful that she's like looking in the sun; he shouldn't look at her directly, and she's blinding. He certainly hadn't seen someone like her in real life.

"Your concern is sweet," she said in her usual highly feminine tone and cutesy smile.

She then grasped his arm gently, and it felt as if he was going to jump out of his skin. She led him towards the exit, and he followed easily. She was shuffling slowly and yawning softly. He didn't understand how modeling would wear someone out, but she wasn't exactly a muscular woman who trained regularly.

She let out a large, dramatic sigh and said, "My feet are sore."

She stumbled, and he caught her to keep her from smashing into the pavement. He now had her in his arms, and he couldn't help the heat growing on his face. Was he overstepping his boundaries? Should he let her go? Should he apologize?

She looked up at him and smiled tiredly up at him. Then, she buried her face into his neck. He could feel her breath on his skin, and he stiffened considerably. He's never been close to a model, and, well, he wouldn't admit this, but he has seen her photos….

"Will you carry me?"

"I-I, uh—"

"Please," she murmured, making his skin jump.

He couldn't refuse her. He's tried, but he just can't. So, he picked her up and held her in his arms. He heard a soft giggle from her as she held onto him. He tried his hardest to stay poised, but his face was hot under his mask, and her overwhelming scent of lilac and vanilla wasn't helping.

They went back to the hotel with looks from strangers, most cooing at how adorable it is. His face was on fire, but she seemed to find it amusing. She seemed to genuinely like him, and it seemed way too good to be true. Surely, there was a catch. How did she not have a boyfriend? She's beautiful, nice, successful, and a model. What's the catch? Why him? Did the thrill of him being a ninja entice her that much?

He set her down back on her feet in order to open the door. She made a disappointed sound as she continued to lean on him for support. Once they were inside, he sat her down on one of the futons. She mumbled a "thank you" before promptly falling asleep.

He should probably leave. It's not polite and, quite frankly, a little creepy to watch someone sleeping who isn't your lover.

After a moment, he stood and crossed the room. He began reading Makeout Paradise whilst she slept. And, he couldn't help himself and kept looking back and forth between the pages and her just wondering. He shouldn't compare an erotic novel to her and how things have been developing between them, but he could hope. He could hope a woman way out of his league would actually like him. At least let him pretend.

X

She was getting somewhere as she continued to punch the ice hill with fire. Well, as much fire as she could conjure. It was more than halfway melted. She just wanted to keep a flame without burning her skin. She didn't get burnt that badly over the past couple of weeks, but it still smarted. It was completely different when she would punch things to take out her aggression; her hands adapted to that pain after all. The burning pain, no, she hadn't adapted to that.

She concentrated. Her chakra control was damn near perfect, so this, in theory, should be easy. What was her hangup? She concentrated as she focused on bringing her nature into it, trying to put away her anger at Fuyuku to concentrate. It wasn't easy.

She opened her eyes and punched the small hill. She watched the small flame and sizzle. It was a slight improvement. She smirked.

That nagging feeling was back, and she heard a crack of a stick not that far away. She rolled her eyes.

"Alright, whoever is spying on me, show yourself now and I won't kill you, 'kay?" she sighed irritably.

Suddenly, a young girl appeared. Her hair is black and long, and her face is pale and gentle. She was wearing a pea coat, a scarf, and a long skirt. The elegance and poise were striking.

Why was she here? She's out in the backwoods on purpose: to be alone to train and release all the anger and frustration in her life. Akane eyed the girl suspiciously.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm just out enjoying nature."

"Hmhm," she said sarcastically. "Don't take this the wrong way; well, actually, I don't care how you take it, but go away. I don't trust people especially when I'm doing special training. You could be a crazy person intending to slit my throat."

"Ooh, special training?" she asked. "Does that mean you're a ninja?"

She eyed the stranger suspiciously. Her arms crossed over her chest as she shifted her weight onto one side. Why now? Why now was this girl here?

"Yes," Akane said slowly.

"If you're a ninja, surely you do this for someone precious, correct?"

The question threw her off. Someone precious? She didn't have that. Her 'friends' at school were merely accessories that kept her from complete isolation. Fuyoko was not much of a mother. She didn't know who her real parents were. And, she didn't have any real friends. So no, she didn't have anyone she cared for. She hoped one day to find her family and demand answers from them, especially Fuyoko.

"No, I don't," she said stiffly.

"What gives you strength then?" the other girl questioned. "Why would you want to become a ninja unless you had someone precious to protect? It makes you so much stronger, and it makes life so much more worth li—"

"Listen, lady," Akane said, putting her well manicured hand up, "I don't know you. And quite frankly, I don't trust you. So skip the lecture, and get gone. I've got training to do."

She saw the other girl's face twitch in anger very briefly before she composed herself again. She didn't say anything further much to the redhead's relief. She turned around going back to converting her chakra into a fire that wouldn't burn her up.

"By the way, I'm a boy."

Akane was taken aback considerably. He was prettier than most girls she meets. Still, he wasn't nearly as pretty as Akane. Rarely is anyone as pretty as Akane after all. She shook her head and continued to punch at the snow.

Precious, huh?

Who would deserve to be precious to her? Her team? Granted, Naruto is so annoying that he makes her want to drown him in a bucket. Sasuke has the personality of a wet sponge, and she won't even go into why she won't get close to him; it's a long story. Kakashi-sensei is like Sasuke in that he's cold, but the difference is he's a horny weirdo who openly reads porn and can't possibly express his super crush on Kazumi healthily. They're not terrible, but…

She shook her head. She needed to concentrate.

…

Naruto was freezing. He was getting better, but the punishment of failure was so cold and unforgiving. He didn't understand how Akane is so good at this. She was a mean girl to her core who cared only about makeup, ponies, and other dumb girly stuff he assumed. And yet, here they were. Akane could punch a tree in half, though, he suspected it wasn't that thick of a tree. And, she had perfect chakra control. How? How? Was she just a gifted hyper genius? In class, she didn't show any strength or special techniques. Why did she keep it hidden? Why did she become a badass bitch when she wanted to be? He was so jealous.

He remembered asking her how she was so good at chakra control one night before bed: extreme confidence and understanding of what needed to be done. He concentrated, focusing his chakra into his feet. Confidence. Understanding.

He started to run, and he was so sure he'd—

"Naruto."

He fell flat on his face, and he got back up to glare at Sasuke angrily.

"What the hell, Sasuke?! I was just—"

"You spoke to Akane? Right?"

"Yeah," he said confusedly.

His face twitched and pouted like the broody boy he is as he forced himself to ask, "What did she say about… chakra control?"

A slow, shit eating grin grew on Naruto's face in absolute joy. So, the silent asshole wasn't above asking for help from him. But how dare he ask Akane himself?

"Nope, I'm not telling," Naruto teased, crossing his arms, smirking, and sticking his nose up.

Sasuke's face pinched in irritation. It brought joy to Naruto. He didn't know whom he was more jealous of, Sasuke or Akane. Either way, he was going to beat him. He felt he needed a win. These two are too good.

He glared at Sasuke as he concentrated chakra into his feet and took off at a run. His feet thundered across the water. And he made it pretty far, keeping up with Sasuke. He smirked triumphantly until he over shot himself, and sank like a rock in the water.

"Gah!" he squealed as he surfaced. "Cold~!"

He stood up from the water with chattering teeth. He immediately ran back to the snow and away from the water quickly. He turned his head back all the while, watching Sasuke plunge into the water as well. He laughed nearly biting his tongue from his chattering teeth. Sasuke was, indeed, ahead of him, but Naruto wasn't that far behind. It brought him so pride in himself.

And, he ran again.

…

It was late at night when the genin turned in for the night. All three were exhausted and depleted in chakra. They slouched at the table. Naruto and Sasuke were shivering almost violently as Akane could barely move her body. Her face planted onto the table, waiting for Kazumi to pass out the rice bowls to them.

"You guys look tuckered out," Kazumi pouted in that fake way that drove Akane nuts, but the redhead was so tired she couldn't be bothered beyond an annoyed glare.

"Just feed us," Akane, Naruto, and Sasuke said simultaneously.

Kazumi frowned before handing out the bowls. She sat beside Kakashi and smiled at all of them. Akane didn't particularly care as her shaky arms lifted to feed herself.

"Tomorrow is the day we're going to Kōri," Kakashi-sensei announced.

The three genin's heads lifted in shock and realization. How could all that time just slip away from them?

"Tomorrow?!"

"But, I'm not done with my training!" Akane exclaimed incredulously.

"Neither are we!" Naruto said as well.

"Well, tomorrow is the date on the ransom note. We're going to meet them at 2:00 to save her manager," Kakashi-sensei said regardless. "Either come or don't."

"We're going," the three genin said.

Then, they looked at each other suspiciously for being on the same page as of late. What were their periods going to sync up next?

"By the way, you never told us what kind of training Akane has been doing!" Naruto demanded. "Why does she get special treatment?"

"Because she's better at chakra control than the both of you. And as for her training, you'll get it once you've mastered chakra control," he told them.

"Yeah, it's my business," she poked fun at them, "so don't be a nosy asshole. Maybe, if you two trained and studied basic ninja shit, then you'd get the same opportunities."

She smirked when they both looked as if they're going to lunge after her. Kakashi-sensei grabbed them by the scruff and kept them from doing so. Both Akane and Kazumi laughed at their expense.

"I want to fight her so badly!" Naruto exclaimed.

Sasuke nodded his head in agreement.

"I'm going to bed. You all bore me," Akane smirked.

X

The next day Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kazumi were at Kōri on the bridge, waiting for whoever to bring Megumi. They looked around and didn't see a sign of any hired thugs or Akane for that matter.

"Where's Akane?" Naruto questioned.

"Who cares?" Sasuke said almost instantly.

"I gave the option on whether or not any of you could come or not," Kakashi said.

"I guess she's the one who's the real pussy," Naruto chuckled and teased.

Sasuke didn't laugh with him, but he did make one, small amused sound in the back of his throat.

"Now focus, we're getting both Kazumi and her manager out of this safely."

Kazumi nodded fiercely as she stood behind all of them, cowering specifically behind Kakashi. They kept looking everywhere and their watches. It was one minute until Kazumi's manager and the ninja holding her manager would be here. There wasn't a single sign of anyone. Akane wasn't coming, and they didn't see any other ninja holding Kazumi's manager. Were they tricked? Their target is clearly Kazumi. Surely, they wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Then, as if out of thin air, a kunai whizzed by Naruto's cheek, scaring him. In the middle of the bridge, a gush of water manifested a Kirigakure ninja with Kazumi's manager pulled to him with a kunai at her throat. Everyone stiffened in fear except for Kakashi.

"Megumi-san!" Kazumi exclaimed, relieved.

She was about to lunge for her roughed up manager, but Kakashi held her back as he continued to glare at the masked man. Why did this man look so familiar? And then, it dawned on him who exactly he was.

"Momochi Zabuza?" Kakashi said incredulously.

The name rang a bell for Sasuke. He heard of the name in the bingo book. He was an S-class rogue ninja that defected from Kirigakure. It was said he was so vicious he murdered everyone in his graduating class. Why would someone that dangerous be hired to fetch a model?

"Hatake Kakashi," he noted. "I see you're the one involved with Kazumi. If you hand her over for my boss, her manager lives."

"What does your boss want with me?" Kazumi asked incredulously.

"Didn't ask, but I'm sure you can put two and two together," he smirked.

All of them balked. They couldn't understand why someone would be so crass as to kidnap an innocent manager in order to get into the pants of a model. There weren't many rich people in the world, but the few that were seemed to possess no boundaries. Whatever problem they have, they can just buy their way out of it.

"Akane… was right," Naruto whispered incredulously and angrily. Then he yelled, "Why is Akane always right?!"

"Shut up," the three of them told Naruto simultaneously.

The blond boy continued to pout and stew in his irritation of his teammate who seemed to understand people so much more than he thought she deserved. He wasn't the only one who shared the sentiment. After all, she knew how to manipulate just about everyone around her; it was how she gained such popularity and probably got the best trainers during the time she was in the academy to be such a good ninja already. It just wasn't fair especially with how bad of an attitude she possesses.

"Fine, I'll go," Kazumi shouted to him in a shaky voice. "Just… just promise me that Megumi-san and I won't be harmed."

"No," Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke said simultaneously. They exchanged an odd look for their repeated synchronicity that day.

She faced them, back turned to Zabuza and her manager as she said, "Please, trust me." To show Kakashi and block it from all others, she held up the text written on her hand: 'I'll slowly cut small pieces of my hair to leave a trail for you to follow me'.

He masked his reaction as Naruto threw a temper tantrum about being too short to see it, and Sasuke looked mildly perturbed as well. Then, she erased the ink in a black smudge on her palm quickly.

"Well, are you going to let me save my manager?" she asked, looking at him earnestly.

"I… I can't stop you," Kakashi said, knowing fully well Zabuza could hear their conversation despite the distance between them.

"Wait, I don't get it! What did she—"

Kakashi hammer fisted Naruto on the head, granted not that hard but enough to get his point across.

"Shut up."

Kazumi walked forward across the bridge, and the preteen boys were unsettled. They weren't confident in the model, whomst they were supposed to protect, safety. But Kakashi held up his arm to keep them from intervening. He didn't look at them though, his single eye was well trained on her retreating form. They didn't say a word, sensing what their teacher meant.

He stepped forward alone, following closely behind Kazumi, planning to intervene if anything went south. When they reached the middle of the bridge, she stopped, shaking with fear. Her knees knocking together much the same as her manager. Their eyes met briefly.

"I-I'm doing as you said," the blonde said softly. "G-give her to K-Kakashi-sensei."

Zabuza's eyes narrowed suspiciously. They understood. He thought this was too easy. What was the catch? He looked her over, having memorized her appearance in order to make sure he did his job correctly. There wasn't a single flaw in her. This is Kazumi. She wasn't a fake or decoy.

He then looked over at Kakashi, both carefully moving towards each other for the exchange. As they moved closer to one another Kazumi flinched in disgust and fear at Zabuza. He ignored it. He grasped her arm just as Kakashi took hold of Megumi's arm as well. Then, they both let go in unison.

Megumi sobbed in relief, but Kazumi sobbed in terror. The manager reached out for her client, but Kakashi kept her at bay not wanting to put Kazumi in any more danger.

Tears flowed down the blonde's face as she was dragged away from her manager, looking back at them morosely. All of them reached the ends of the bridge and…

Poof!

A burst of smoke appeared and the transformation jutsu was released and out came Akane. Zabuza's eyes widened in absolute shock and surprise. He wasn't the only one. But she just smirked widely and used the temporary shock to her advantage.

She drew her fist back before smashing it into the forearm that held her arm. Zabuza cried out in pain, roaring loudly, and releasing her arm. In mid flip, she kicked him in the chin. When she landed, she was a few feet away from him, noticing the bruises she left behind.

"How dare you, you little shit," he hissed, looking at his arm and everywhere for Kazumi.

"Oh no, did I break your arm?" She teased, smirking widely at him. "Lil' ole me couldn't have done that."

"Akane!" Kakashi-sensei shouted.

She didn't dare look away from her opponent, knowing in a split second the game could change entirely. And, well, it did.

He raised his broken arm, placing his other hand up to his lips. "Kirigakure no Jutsu!" he shouted.

Soon, the entire area was covered in thick mist. She couldn't see a thing. She wasn't accustomed to one of her senses being out. She knew his intention. He wanted not only to disorientate her, but he also wanted to separate her from her teammates and illicit fear. She could feel it trying to penetrate the edges of her mind just like a genjutsu, but she was supremely confident and wanted to take down a jōnin. She wanted to prove to herself and try out the fruits of her training. The psychological element of this technique wasn't going to ruin this for her.

She looked around excessively and tried to use her ears to hear any clues. Suddenly, he appeared from behind, and she turned around just in time to see Kakashi's kunai clash with his giant blade. Her smirk didn't disappear though.

"Get out of here, Akane."

"No, I trained for this shit. Why did you teach me just to tell me no."

"This guy is on a whole other level than we anticipated. Keep yourself and your teammates safe!"

Her lip curled in irritation. She was about to argue further, but the look in his eye and the weight of the situation was beginning to dawn on her. He was correct that her teammates needed her since they were weaker than her. Duh. But, she wasn't going to give up fighting a strong opponent; she wanted to test her powers god dammit!

"Fine," she said, gritting her teeth.

She was about to leave, but then a loud scream echoed throughout the mist. And suddenly, Naruto appeared angrily, surprising everyone. His aim was towards Zabuza.

"Dammit, I won't let Akane beat him!" Naruto screamed.

He had several shadow clones aim for Zabuza, but the man rolled his eyes. He smacked the idiot backwards, picking out the real one easily, and sent him flying in the air. Akane gasped, unable to get out of the way quickly enough as Naruto crashed into her. He sent them both flying and flying and flying off the bridge.

The two of them screamed as she went into one of her bags and quickly, pulling out a grappling hook attached to a wire. She threw it, and it hooked. The two of them came to a sudden stop, dangling from the bridge. Naruto happened to grasp her hand as she glared down at him with absolute irritation.

He giggled, flushed, and tried his best to get out of it. "Oops," he said.

She let go of him, but his hand grasped her wrist. He kept her from doing so much to her chagrin.

"Akane!" he said incredulously, wide eyed.

"This is all your fault, you dumb ass," she hissed angrily. "We could've died. And if you survived, and I would come back as a ghost to haunt your ass forever"

"Sorry," he said, sheepishly and fearfully.

She looked around, wondering which side of the snowy mountain was closer. She decided and began to swing on the wire towards it. After a moment, Naruto began to catch on and help her with the momentum.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

Finally, they were close enough that they were able to let go. Their feet came in contact with the wall. Akane stayed put perfectly, using her chakra to stick properly. Naruto, however, began to slip. She sighed through her nose irritably. But then, he began to stick.

"I'm going to bridge," she said, running up and ahead of him.

"Wait for me!"

"If you can't keep up," she teased maliciously with a smirk.

She saw the determination on his face as he tried to keep up as best he could. When they neared the top, they were neck and neck. She gave him a bratty look and elbowed him. Both were trying to stay ahead through not so friendly means. Eventually, they both reached the top, panting harshly.

No one was there. The bridge wasn't there. How far did Zabuza knock them backwards? They looked around desperately. Where were they?

"Kakashi-sensei! Sasuke!" Naruto shouted. "Where are you?!"

No one was to be seen, and the gravity of the situation began to sink. Zabuza could've had partners or could be lurking elsewhere. Hell, their other teammates could be dead after all. Immediately, she instructed Naruto to hide out with her to strategize. He agreed, and the two of them found a cave with an ice sheet to fight back the wind and cold.

And well, now that they had a breather, Akane couldn't take it anymore.

"Of course! I get stranded with a complete loser!" she shouted in anger.

"Why are you such a bitch, Akane?!" Naruto exclaimed. "You have everything. You have everything! You've got friends, family, money! And you're a badass ninja! What more could you want?!"

"I have everything?!" she exclaimed incredulously.

"Yeah!"

She pinned him to the wall in an instant by his neck with her forearm. He grunted in shock and pain. She didn't care. All the anger she's been stewing in came out in a rush. How dare he? How dare he say she had everything? He knew nothing about her life. Absolutely nothing.

"You don't know me, you little shit! You know nothing about what I've been through!" she said. "You want to know so badly why I've been so bitchy and why I'm good at everything? Survival, idiot! My so called mother left me! She left me with only a house because she had enough of me. Everyone eventually leaves me: my real parents, my fake parents, and my shallow friends. No one truly loves me, you little idiot! So yeah, I'm a good ninja because instead crying in my room like a little bitch about my life, I train and become popular!"

She was seeing red, not even seeing him anymore. After several deep, centering breaths she calmed herself after a few moments. She pulled away and sat back by herself. She buried her face in her folded arms resting on her tucked up knees. It felt like a weight was lifted off her chest. It was kind of liberating, yet it left her with a bitter after tastelessness in its wake. She hadn't told anyone out of shame and vanity. She liked to project a perfect life so no one would see her vulnerable. She learned the hardway what vulnerability and closeness did.

The silence dragged on. It seemed he was somewhat aware of social situations and knew when to shut up. She needed a breather and to gather her thoughts. And in doing so, a question kept nagging at her.

"Why did you try to be my friend for so long? I'm mean to you, and I can't make you popular because you're that hated by everyone in the village. And it certainly wouldn't benefit me. You're annoying, and the girls wouldn't stand you."

"I thought if I could get the most popular girl to like me than I could get anyone to. Then, I realized you didn't hate me for the same reason the others hated me, and you're a really good ninja. It bothered me so much because you I thought you were just selfish, mean, and spoiled and everything was so easy for you. I wanted to be your rival and show you up! And that's still kind of true," he said candidly.

There was a short pause; then he smiled at her with a short giggle and a scratch at the back of his head. Her green eyes peered up at him. What could he possibly be laughing about? She might hit him. Hit him hard and give him a rightful concussion for making fun of her pain and vulnerability.

"I'm not satisfied with you just being my rival. You're going to be my best friend!" Naruto shouted.

It gave her the opportunity to go back to her usual self. After all, why would the most skilled and popular girl in the class of rookies be friends with the dead last loser of the group? It wouldn't make sense.

She smiled and said, without the viciousness mind you, "No way in hell."

"Oh come on," Naruto whined like his typical self. "I'll be your friend even when you're being a bitch. I won't get sick of you."

"Nope," she said with a growing smile as she held her head up high.

"We've got lots in common. We're both orphans a-and ninjas!"

"Not going to happen," she said but her smile was growing regardless.

Suddenly, there was a thud outside, shocking them out of their stupid banter. They jumped and looked towards the source. Then, the two of them glanced at each other and nodded once. Carefully, slowly, the two approached the entrance with their kunai drawn. Naruto slowly opened the ice sheet as Akane prepared to stab whoever it was.

"Ahh!" All of them squealed in fear.

Akane barely refrained from slitting Sasuke's throat when she realized who he was as he burst into their hideout. All of them stood stark still in confusion before relaxing. Naruto laughed incredulously to relieve the tension.

"Dammit, why couldn't you say it was you, Sasuke?" Akane said through a large sigh.

"I didn't know if it was you two."

They shut the sheet of ice firmly closed. They took a moment for a breather. Then, they looked at each, wondering how they were going to salvage this mess.