The crossroad (P/T)

[Ancestor Febrie]

{Closed to all whom don't know what this is about.}

NPC:

The place was outside of Konoha, just a few miles. The crossroad would lead from Konoha to many countries, trees alongside the road and the next settlement was far far away. An ANBU was sitting on a boulder, the mask looked like of a Frog. The ANBU was apparently waiting for someone to come.

[Hyuuga Yuuki]

[Enter]

It wasn't that far away, and according to instructions, the pair would walk to point of meeting. Meeting who? The whole message was so vague, now that Yuuki started to think more clear about their new assignment. Yes, returning to Land of Fang. Apparently, things have turned sour there. That was at least shinobi's personal assesment. After all, if that guy they managed to kill was the good guy, what could one expect? Yuuki blinked few times, briefly glancing at her friend. Nothing was said since they both left Hokage's tower. It felt as if the air was just way too thick.

Finally, they'd near the crossroad. Yuuki didn't miss silhouette sitting on the boulder. She didn't want to think as to who would be accompanying them. The stubborn Hyuuga actually hoped that she and her friend would have free hand on the mission. Not wishing to be dependant on another person. Or another person being dependant on them. The tomboy turned at Itamiku.

I want to protect you, first of all... She'd think for herself, her head turning back on the track, as they finally came closer to that silhouette they saw in the distance before. Yuuki's eyebrows jumped few milimetres above their usual position. What was that? Person with mask. Scratching her chin, the unfocused ninja tried to recall...

Ahhh, yes. She found answer. Apparently, that person was member of ANBU. Her eyes peered at the unknown person. Could this thing be waiting for them? Why would an ANBU accompany them? Yuuki smirked. She didn't like that idea at all. Her facial expression sharpened, as soon as the Hyuuga pair came just close enough to the ANBU.

"I hope that you are not that person, who is coming with us." She'd point a finger at the masked person, her voice being usually boyish, when she was dealing with strangers. Yes, Yuuki did give her best to sound bold and confident enough. "I don't know you, I don't need you and the most importantly - I don't trust you." She said out of blue, her mind slightly wondering how Itamiku would react to that. Shrugging it off, her eyes pierced the ANBU again. "Just so you know." she'd add to her last statement, to put stress on her own words. Yuuki would love to see the face behind the mask after that, indeed.

[Hyuuga, Itamiku]

Itamiku arrived with Yuuki, his eyes resting on the figure sitting on a boulder some few miles outside Konoha City Limits. He could feel the unease in Yuuki next to him whose thoughts were only made too apparent to Itamiku's brief glance, her eyebrows raised slightly, the same question running through her mind as it was his. Though, he hardly needed to ask it. The ANBU was scratching the chin of the Frog-like mask, the symbol for a Medical Specialist ANBU. Seemed like there was more to this mission than met the eye. The Hyuuga remained silent as Yuuki spoke. Her words were hostile, her tone sharp and blunt, her words hammering into the masked face like she was pelting the poor ninja with stones rather than words. After her barrage Itamiku would softly speak up.

"There's more to this than meets the eye. Isn't there?" Itamiku asked. "Why else would an ANBU be escorting a couple of Genin? Or were you just unlucky enough to be selected for baby-sitting duty?" Itamiku asked, a rather blunt comment of his own, however more or less the truth. Why else would one of the Elite Ninja of the Village be escorting them? And why a Medical Ninja? He peered sideways at Yuuki. Actually, he could think of one reason off the top of his head. Recounting the last few events, Yuuki had wound up in the Hospital not once after a fight... but twice. One had been a rough spar between the two Hyuuga, the other hand been by the very brother who had been favored by the public to become Mayor. What a stupid man he turned out to be. Running for Mayor yet resorted to fighting rather than diplomatic solutions right off the bat. A simple 'I yield' would have sufficed to save his life. Itamiku's gaze shifted. What was past was past. There was nothing to be done for the dead and decayed. However for the time being, they couldn't let Kon get away with becoming Mayor of the town by the actions they had taken before, be both sides at fault or not.

"When do we depart?" Itamiku asked, his eyes shooting up to the ANBU again.

[Ancestor Febrie]

The ANBU did not need to wait long and the both of them were arriving. Both Hyuuga's who caused this mess and there was supposed to be another one but he was off limits from what she heard from the Hokage. Anyway, the two of them would suffice. "Welcome young ones. First of all call me Mamba and nothing else, got it? Second, this is my mission and we follow my rules, is that clear?" she would finish and wait to see what they wanted. Apparently the girl Hyuuga would snap and say something rude "I don't know you, I don't need you and the most importantly - I don't trust you.". The ANBU would simply wave her hands and say "My mission my rules. You caused this mess in the first place so don't speak about trust." the other Hyuuga would ask when they would depart. "We go now, right way. If you have any questions you may ask them during the travel." she would stand up and wave her hands towards them to leave.

[Hyuuga Yuuki]

Yuuki gritted her teeth. That person, whoever it was, was annoying, as much as the stubborn Hyuuga expected. Piercing the ANBU with her sharp eyes, the leaf ninja stood there for good few moments. How could Itamiku be so calm? Oh, he was always calm, the tomboy realized just few seconds after she had that question for herself. Apparently, this person thought they could just do whatever they want, while having a go at two genins. Turning her head sharply, Yuuki faced the person with mask.

"Tch, like you can boss me around. And about that mess -" The girl turned to Itamiku, trying to read his expressions. His face was good old emotionless one. It seemed that he too put on masks for others, in order to protect himself from possible exploiting of his own weaknesses. "It was a mission, we had only very little information and that idiot, who was apparently a good guy attacked us. So don't play smart ass, Frog face." Pointing directly at ANBU's mask, Yuuki's facial structure hardened even more.

"The only reason I'm taking this mission is to fix the shit, which went wrong. So if you think you can boss me around, as if I was five years old, you are terribly, terribly wrong." Her bold voice would cut through the air, gaining on seriousness, Yuuki's eyes piercing the Medical ninja. "I had enough of idiots, who had fun at my own bill, last time that stupid, sadistic medic, who I'm going to beat up one day for sure." Yuuki released her breath quite audibly. Of course, she was upset. They were blamed for something, which they could hardly prevent.

"I'm not going to get myself and my friend killed, if we are attacked by someone, which is what exactly happened during last mission. Your buddy attacked us. And my priorities are clear - if fellow comrade is in danger, I will protect them, no matter what!" Shrugging, Yuuki just turned her head away, realizing she was trying to justify herself in the eyes of unknown ANBU. Wanting to slap herself for that, she just walked in the direction, which would lead the group towards their destination - Land of Fang.

"And I don't give a damn if someone like you trusts me, Frog Face. For you, we are just stupid, meaningless pieces, so whatever." Yuuki said angrily, already taking lead of the group, with no intent to look at that annoying person any longer. Of course, she was lying about that trust, but her face wouldn't give anything away....

[Hyuuga, Itamiku]

"Welcome young ones. First of all call me Mamba and nothing else, got it? Second, this is my mission and we follow my rules, is that clear?" Itamiku would stay silent, however, Yuuki would explode on the ANBU. To which, she would merely reply, "My mission my rules. You caused this mess in the first place so don't speak about trust."

"Mamba," Itamiku started, "With all due respect, it was my fault this was caused in the first place. My comrade and I will not be a burden to you." Itamiku said softly.

"We go now, right way. If you have any questions you may ask them during the travel." and with that, they took off toward the Land of Fang.

[Ancestor Febrie]

The ANBU would give an order to leave but the girl was still mumbling something. "Geez, she is rude. I'll beat her up to pulps after the mission if she keeps it like that." she would say to Itamiku. "You better keep her calm." she added. She would jump at a tree and start the run, hopefully the Hyuugas could keep up with her superior speed, especially the girl because they will race to their destination without any break, time was of the essence.

[Hyuuga Yuuki]

"Geez, she is rude. I'll beat her up to pulps after the mission if she keeps it like that." The ANBU would say to Itamiku. "You better keep her calm."

Being turned away from the ANBU, Yuuki gritted her teeth again. Not only she didn't choose this person to accompany them, but this shinobi was also arrogant bastard as well. Within few more moments, the unknown shinobi leapt high on one of the branches, gaining somewhat incredible speed. Yuuki looked up. Of course, their mission started sore. How it would turn out in the end? The stubborn Hyuuga had very little mood to find out. After all, if they were on their own, things would go much more smoother. With a wide grin, once the ANBU was up, Yuuki pointed a finger in their direction and with loud voice, she would exclaim with usually boyish, bold tone in her voice.

"Stupid! Stupid. Stupiiiid!"

Stupid Frog Face. I'm not going to lose to you either. She'd think for herself. With these thoughts, the spiky-haired ninja took a leap up, following the ANBU, gaining on speed. After all, the girl knew the route already, being second time she and her friend Itamiku headed to the land of Fang. Jumping on fast pace, she'd reach the Frog ANBU, giving them a gesture, before passing them.

"Just try to beat me in pulp, Frog Face." Yuuki smirked, gaining on speed. Yes, due to her small size, the girl was quite agile. She wanted to know real face behind the mask, but that would have to wait. Maybe she'll find out who is such arrogant person hidding behind the ANBU mask.

Her thoughts returned to Itamiku. Why did she think about him that much? After death of her brother, Yuuki lived alone, in her own world os pain and sorrow. But now, seeing face of Itamiku in her mind, it gave her slight smile to her normally hardened face, next to red tint on her cheeks. Taking another jump, the stubborn Hyuuga made sure she was pretty much fast, however, her mind was wondering away, drifting into all what has been said between her and Itamiku. The tomboy wasn't really sure how to deal with this explosion of emotions which re-surfaced.

"I really hope to get this done fast..." She'd mumble. "Especially now that we have this stupid Frog Face with us." Turning to Itamiku slightly, she'd make sure he was still nearby. After all, his presence was a reason for Yuuki's face to lighten up again, as thinking about the mission didn't.

"We should just do this on our own and let this grumpy moron to do whatever they want." It was so annoying to not know even the gender of the person, who was accompanying them. And, pushing the air of superiority over them did anger the spiky-haired ninja. "How about we leave the ANBU behind? We know the route to Fang too well, we don't need this person." She offered to Itamiku.

"I don't really feel up to having Frog Face to boss us around as if we are five years old Academy students." Yuuki muttered, her lips contorting, when she thought about the Academy. Sheesh, she surely was glad to be out of the Academy after all and Yuuki's expression would have that all written on her face. "That Stupid Face needs to realize we are not Academy students they can pester around."

Moving forward, the group would soon reach the Land of Fang...

[Hyuuga, Itamiku]

"Geez, she is rude. I'll beat her up to pulps after the mission if she keeps it like that." The ANBU would say to Itamiku. "You better keep her calm." Itamiku didn't answer, yet knew what the ANBU said was a serious matter. Even so, he had no say in what Yuuki did or said. She wouldn't listen to him if she didn't agree with what he said.

"Stupid! Stupid. Stupiiiid!"

Yuuki called after the ANBU who jumped up and ran off with increadible speed. Itamiku couldn't help but sigh at her remark in her usual boyish tone. One might have been able to see the small smile on his face, however it might have just been a fluke or something cause further inspection would reveal there was no smile.

"Just try to beat me in pulp, Frog Face." Yuuki smirked, gaining on speed and leaving Itamiku behind. Itamiku pushed off at a quick yet steady pace, knowing it was a long journey to the Land of Fang and he didn't want to run out of steam before they got there. Eventually, he caught up to Yuuki. "I really hope to get this done fast... Especially now that we have this stupid Frog Face with us." Itamiku coughed, hiding a laugh. Frog face? She had quite the ability, coming up with such nicknames for others. A type of talent rarely seen among the Hidden Leaf. "We should just do this on our own and let this grumpy moron to do whatever they want. How about we leave the ANBU behind? We know the route to Fang too well, we don't need this person." Yuuki said. Itamiku smirked at the prospect. It seemed the Medic didn't really want to be here anyway, the way she avoided talking about getting stuck with babysitting duty proved he was close enough to the truth of the matter. "I don't really feel up to having Frog Face to boss us around as if we are five years old Academy students. That Stupid Face needs to realize we are not Academy students they can pester around."

"Yuuki, you are absolutely right this time." Itamiku whispered back. Pushing off, he took off at full speed, he was feeling different today. Normally he would never do something like this... however, it seemed our hot headed spiky-haired ninja wasn't the only one being affected by the friendship!

[Hyuuga Yuuki]

"Yuuki, you are absolutely right this time."

Yuuki grinned at her friend. Yes, it was somewhat funny. He agreed with her on the matter, despite of our hot-headed shinobi expecting Itamiku to try and convince her otherwise. After all, he was always the more serious and reasonable from the pair, so the spiky-haired tomboy was amused by this sudden change. Maybe the Hyuuga boy just didn't like the ANBU as well?

Yuuki didn't slow down at all. Yes, when she was referred as hyper-bunny, that wasn't way too off the truth. The girl seemed to have a lot of energy, and it showed twice this time. Her speed would pick up even more. That much she wanted to be done with the mission. After all, the leaf shinobi would prefer to be with Itamiku, like she was few hours back, before the messenger interrupted their idle moments, where they shared mutual presence of each other.

"Glad you agree with me." She finally commented, as the shinobi kept on jumping from branch to branch, her mind wandering off yet again. Her friend made sure to stick with Yuuki. As for the ANBU, the stubborn ninja didn't really care. If they were arrogant enough, surely they would be capable well-enough to handle themselves. And if not, Yuuki would do her best to help, but giving hard time to her fellow shinobi afterwards. Yes, she'd have the ANBU to eat it, literally.

"I so hope the ANBU will screw up." Yuuki admitted openly. "So their arrogance would come to an end." Cute smirk appeared on tomboy's face, as she briefly turned to her friend before another leaping forward. "I wonder if we can get things right in the Onigiri town this time. After all, we did leave with unfinished business there..."

Yuuki's self doubts re-surfaced, and her face would twitch. However, the strong-willed ninja decided to not say anything aloud. She didn't want to show her doubts openly, not in front of arrogant Medical ANBU, who was accompanying them. No, Yuuki had to look strong and confident. Self-doubts are weakness. And exposing weakness can mean that one is able to explot such weakness. The Hyuuga girl shook her head in disapproval, yet still no words said. Maybe her friend would wonder what was on girl's mind?

The Land of Fang was getting closer and closer, as the trio hurried, however, the two younger shinobi making sure they were ahead of the ANBU, basically trying to shake them off through the route they knew from the last time...

[Hyuuga, Itamiku]

"Glad you agree with me." Yuuki said with a smirk. Itamiku gave a soft smile back, she looked sorta cute with her half smile... "I so hope the ANBU will screw up." She said. "So their arrogance would come to an end." The female Hyuuga would smirk at him. "I wonder if we can get things right in the Onigiri town this time. After all, we did leave with unfinished business there..."

Itamiku nodded, snapping out of his thoughts. It was true, and he was the one who had caused all the issues. However, now he had a chance to make them right... he wasn't about to mess this up.

"I promise, I'll make things right again. And I'll continue to protect you." Itamiku said to Yuuki, "However, we might need the ANBU in the end. Who knows what exactly we're going up against. Perhaps the ANBU didn't want to come with us, but the assisstance of such a shinobi would be highly beneficial." Itamiku pointed out, "They having so much more experiance than us and all..." Itamiku would let his friend answer him before taking off.

"We must be swift." Itamiku said, his speed increasing further. There would be no more time for talking, it was their job to get to Onigiri and quell the threat before it became an issue...

[Travel to Fang]

[Tenkai]

{Moved to Fang}

[Hyuuga, Itamiku]

Itamiku arrived in Fang before the others, arriving to the small Town of Onigiri.

"It seems this is the prolonged end... may fate choose the victor wisely..." He muttered under his breath so none could hear his words but himself. Though he believed each person was responsible for their own actions, he also believed in a higher power guiding each person's actions for a purpose. And that purpose was to be revealed after the actions were taken and all was said and done. This mission was no different.

[/exit]

[Hyuuga Yuuki]

Yuuki jumped off the branch, as soon as she saw Onigiri town in sight. Landing on the dusty ground with a huff, she wasn't that far behind of her friend. Panting, she was glad that they made it to their destination that fast. Of course even such energized bunny as Yuuki would need to catch up on her breath. Glancing over at her friend, she exhaled audibly. Yes, both of them arrived faster than the ANBU which accompanied them. The rough girl didn't really mind, as that person was bothersome from the very start, once they met him...or her.

"Here we are. Let's get this shit solved fast, don't want to spend days with the grumpy ANBU tailing my ass.. " She muttered for herself. Yuuki was definitely upset since the messenger disturbed her time with Itamiku, where the tomboyish ninja would just enjoy his presence and the fact, that there was someone who she could live for. Someone, who would trust her. That was hardly something, which the leaf shinobi would expect from seemingly arrogant member of the Medical ANBU.

"Tch, medics are freaks." She said, this time more boldly, towards her friend, following him up quickly.

[Exit]