The boat rocked gently as we drifted through the water. Everything was silent. "This fogs so thick, you can't see anything." Sakura whispered. Naruto just sat silently at the front of the boat, most likely pouting.

"The bridge isn't far now.... Our destinations just up ahead. The Land of Waves." The boat man said quietly. I leaned against Sasuke's shoulder, letting my eyes slipped closed as I relaxed myself. I had been on edge ever since earlier, and seeing Kakashi ripped apart was... devastating. Even if it was just a substitution.

"Hm?" I hear Naruto murmur. It's quiet for a moment, and I think he's just thinking, but he shouts not soon after. "WOAH! IT'S HUGE!" Naruto screamed.

I jumped nearly a foot into the air, my arms immediately wrapping around Sasuke's to ground myself. Sasuke just smirked down at me as I palmed my heart, willing it to slow down.

"What? Quiet! I told you no noise! Cutting the engine and rowing. Moving through the dense fog so they don't see us." The boatman snapped angrily at the blond moron. I looked over at Naruto with a scowl as he clamped his hands over his mouth.

"Mr. Tazuna." Kakashi started. "Before we reach the pier, I want to ask you something." We all turned to look at them. "Then who are after you. I need to know why. If you don't tell us, I'm afraid I'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore." He explained. The old man grunted a bit.

"I have no choice, but to tell you. No, I want you to know the truth." Tazuna started. "Like you said; This is beyond the scope of your original mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man, who casts a very long, deadly shadow." Tazuna explains.

"A deadly shadow?" I question lightly, cocking my head.

"Who is it?" Kakashi asks.

"You know him. At least, I'm sure you've heard his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping mangate, Gato."

"Gato? Of Gato Transport?" I ask, astonished.

"He's a business leader, everyone knows him." Kakashi adds.

"Who, who? What, what?" Naruto begs.

"Gato. He's a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true. But below the surface, with the same ruthless methods he uses to take over corporations; he sells drugs and contraband, using gangs and ninja. It was one year ago, when Gato set his sights on the Land of Waves. He came to our island and used his vast wealth to take control of our transport shipping. Anyone who tried to stand in his way, disappeared. In an island nation of a man who controls the sea, controls everything. Finance, government, our very lives. But there's one thing he fears. The bridge! When it's complete, it will join us to the land and that will break his control! I, am the bridge builder." Tazuna declares.

"So that's it. Since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this gangsters way." Sakura says.

"That means, those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato." I add.

"I don't understand. If you knew he was dangerous, knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you, why did you hide that from us?" Kakashi asked.

"Because the Land of Waves, is a small, impoverish nation. Even our nobles have little money." Tazuna admits. "The common people are building this bridge. They can't pay for an A or B ranked mission. It's too expensive. If you end the mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home." He finished. We all just stared. "But.... don't feel bad about that!" Tazuna started, and I immediately knew he was going after the softie, Kakashi. "Of course, my sweet, little grandson will be upset. He'll cry; 'Granddad! I want my granddad!'" He kept saying. "Oh, and my daughter will condemn the ninja of the Hidden Leaves, denouncing you for abandoning her father, and living her life in sorrow." He said. I sighed heavily, palming my cheek. "Ah well, It's not your fault, forget it!"

I almost agreed with him, but Kakashi stopped me. "Well, I guess we have no other choice. We'll have to keep guarding you." He hummed.

"Oh, I'm very grateful!" I smacked my forehead as he cheered silently over his victory behind Kakashi.

"We're approaching the shore." The boatman said. "Tazuna. We've been very fortunate no one has noticed us so far." He continued.

"Nice going." Tazuna thanked the man. We passed under a tunnel, and once we emerged, I was in awe. The land was beautiful, and the waters were so clear. I wanted to jump right in and let the current take me away. We stepped off on the dock, turning back to the boat.

"That's as far as I go. Good luck." The boatman said to the old man.

"Right. Thank you for taking such a risk."

"Just be careful!" The boatman called as he fled the scene.

"Okay! Take me to my home! And I mean get me there in one piece!" Tazuna said gently.

"Right." Kakashi hummed.

I walked besides Sasuke, feeling my cheeks heat up each time his hand unconsciously brushed against my own. Something was wrong with me. I wasn't used to feeling so.... weird around any boy. I glanced over at him, wondering if he noticed, but he kept his eyes on the road, not bothering to look over at me. "Over there!" I hear Naruto yelp as I jump. We were all silent for a moment, preparing for the attack. "Hm. It was just a mouse."

I deadpanned and advanced upon him, raising my fist and slamming down down onto the top of his head, grinding my knuckles into the skull. "Those are kunai knives, Naruto! They're very dangerous to be using like that!" I scolded him.

"Stop trying to scare me ya little dwarf!" Tazuna screamed. Naruto got up, rubbing the back of his head with tears brimming his eyes.

"Hey! Is someone hiding over there?" Naruto wondered aloud.

"Don't you do it." I snapped as he raised another kunai. But, before I could stop him, something made my hair stand on end. I turned my head, looking over my shoulder skeptically.

"Over there!" Naruto yelps, launching his kunai.

I snap my eyes back on the orange clad coconut and raise my fist, slamming it down onto his head, nearly laughing when Sakura's fist follows after shortly. "That's it Naruto!" Sakura snaps.

"Ow! Why'd ya do that?! Someone really is following us, I mean it!" Naruto shouted back.

"Yeah, right!" Sakura shouted.

I stepped over to Kakashi, staring down at the frightened rabbit. A white rabbit. There shouldn't be any white rabbits out here.

"Look what you did, Naruto!" Sakura shouted at him.

"Gah! A rabbit! I'm so sorry!" Naruto cried, walking over to hug it. I sighed out audibly and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"You're such an idiot...." I groan as a hand clamps onto the back of my neck.

"Look out!" Kakashi shouts, shoving me down as he dove. I cover my head and hear a very heavy thunk into the tree we had been sitting by. I looked up, gazing up at a very large sword protruding out of the side. A man stood atop the handle, looking over his shoulder at us. I got up slowly, feeling the blood lust out of this guy. "Well, well. If it isn't Zabuza Momochi. Rouge ninja from the Village Hidden in The Mist." Kakashi recited. My insides went cold. I looked behind me at my squad, seeing the look of terror that cast itself over Naruto. But, he went to dash forward. I grabbed onto his sleeve, stopping him just as Kakashi held his hand out. "You're in the way. Get back." He said gently, keeping his eye on Zabuza.

"But why?" Naruto questioned.

"He's not like those other ninja. He's on a whole other league. If he's out opponent, I'll need this. This could be treacherous." Kakashi said, pulling up his headband, revealing his Sharingan Eye.

"Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye... Did I get that right?" He asked, his tone scratchy and deep. "it's too bad, huh? But you'll have to hand over the old man." Zabuza said. I looked over at Kakashi and swallowed thickly.

'He never uses that... we must be in real trouble here....' I thought to myself, my hands starting to shake.

"So, I'll just have to eliminate you first, eh, Kakashi?" Zabuza said, jumping into the water and began building up chakra. The way the water moved had me in slight awe. I put my guard up as he disappeared. I looked around nervously, feeling my legs start to shake.

"Well, if we fail, we only lose our lives-"

"How can you say that?!" I snapped.

The fog built up, reducing the visibility to almost zero. Panic set it among everyone. My eyes widened as Kakashi disappeared into the mist as well.

"K-Kakashi?" I call out, a slight quiver to my tone.

"Eight points; Larynx, Spine, Lungs, Liver, Jugular, Subclavian Artery, Kidneys, Heart." I hear a cold tone drip, sending shivers throughout my entire body. The sound of forestry wilted as I started to panic. Water crept on the ground and surrounded my feet, slinking up my body and fit to my arms and up my neck. I felt a chill on my cheek as the water coated half my face. "Which will be my kill point, kid?"

I gasp out in fear as I hear the whisper in my ear. I whirled around, throwing my hands up and grasping the kunai by the blade before it could delve into my eye. I jumped back, pulling out my own kunai. I bumped into Kakashi as he released the fog jutsu. I went back to the formation, standing besides Sasuke. He looked pale and his eyes were glazed over in fear. I reached over, placing my hand over the shaking hand with a kunai pointed towards his stomach. He stopped shaking aggressively and stared over at me, his face regaining some color. I smile faintly before we get back into position. "Hey." We look up at Kakashi. "I'll protect you with my life. All of you." He spoke, turning his head and smiling underneath his mask. "I will not allow my comrades to die."

"I wouldn't be so sure." The voice dripped again. We all whirled around as he appeared within our formation. I quickly dug my kunai into his stomach, gasping out in shock as he turned to water. My throat locks up as a kunai comes for me, the end of it being Zabuza. Kakashi took the blade, breaking down into water.

"Now it's over." I hear Kakashi hum in a deadly tone. I look up and smile a little. Kakashi stood behind Zabuza with a kunai to his neck.