Izumi's Pov.

"I am Tazuna the bridge builder." The drunk stated. "Your job is to escort me back to my home in the Land of Waves, and guard me with your lives." I raised an eyebrow at the drunken man. "Who's the short one with the stupid face? Can he really protect me?" 

"HAHAHA! WHO'S THE SHORT ONE WITH THE STUPID FACE?!" Naruto laughed, holding his stomach. Sakura and Sasuke stepped a foot closer. Tallest was my baby cousin, then Sakura, and Naruto was the shortest. 

"That would be you... Naruto." Sakura blanched. I sighed, stepping forward and curling my hand into the collar of his jacket, keeping him still as he started trying to go after Tazuna. 

"You cant go after the client, blondie." I scolded him lightly, pulling him back with me as I stepped back to stand beside Kakashi. "Idiot.." I narrowed my eyes on Tazuna as he crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. "Watch it, old man." I snapped, making his gaze drift my way. 

"Izumi.." Kakashi whispered my name in warning. I waved it away, still holding onto the blonde. With a sigh, Kakashi grabbed my hand. "Why dont we meet at the front gate in, say... an hour?" Tazuna nodded, still eyeing me carefully. I finally let go of Naruto as Kakashi made a handsign. 

******

"You guys ready?" I asked our group of genin, as well as Tazuna. They nodded, with the exception of Naruto. He was bouncing out the gate as we began walking, Kakashi and I waving to Kotetsu and Izumo on our way out. 

"Why are you so excited?" Tazuna asked the energetic blonde,  who didn't seem to notice the mans slightly snappy tone. 

"This is my first time leaving the village! I'm a traveler now! Believe it!" Naruto grinned, running ahead of us. Sakura and Sasuke stayed in stride a little behind him, farther ahead of us. 

"Are you sure I'm safe with him?" Tazuna asked, skeptically, eyeing the kids carefully. I sighed, rolling my eyes as Kakashi answered.

"No need to worry, we're both Jounin. Your perfectly safe."  The alien answered, shooting a closed eye smile at the man. It was then that they got into a conversation about the bridge, to which I didn't listen to.

"Izumi-sensei?" I hummed in response, looking down at the pinkette who smiled sweetly at me. "How old are you?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Why?" She blinked, and laughed lightly.

"No reason." She said. "So... since your Kakashi-sensei's girlfriend.." I knew where this was going. "You've seen him without the mask... right?" I raised an eyebrow, smirking as I poked her forehead with my index and middle fingers.

"Who wants to know?" She rubbed the spot, and pursed her lips, frowning.

"We all do." I crossed my arms over my chest, about to speak, but stopped as something caught my eye. It was a puddle. In the middle of a dirt road. When it hasn't rained for weeks.

Wow...

That's the worst disquise ever.

I could even feel their chakra coming from the puddle

"Yeah.." I said absently, my gaze meeting Kakashi's. He nodded slightly, only meant for my eyes.

"You've really seen behind the mask?" She gasped. I nearly jumped as I was interrupted from my thoughts.

"What? Are you kidding? Of course I have." I laughed when her face turned into one of awe. Then, as if she was actuallypaying attention to their conversation, she butt in to Kakashi and Tazuna's little conversation, asking about the Land of Waves being a ninja village.

That sent Kakashi into explanation, being the good sensei he is, he made sure even Naruto would understand. Not that said blonde was paying attention at all.

I stopped, a clanking sound reaching my ears. I could feel their chakra getting closer. Just as chains wrapped around me, I used substitution and hid in a tree.

"Sensei!" The Genin gasped as 'I' was ripped apart. The mist chuunin moved on to Kakashi, who did the same and appeared beside me.

I narrowed my eyes on Tazuna as he was being protected by Sakura. Sasuke flashed in front of them after taking down one of the chuunin. I, myself, flashed in front of Naruto, taking his hand. Kakashi stopped the other guy, and spoke to Tazuna.

"Your cut. Let's take care of it before the poison spreads." I pulled out bandages, and studied the cut, keeping him still while he freaked out. "I didn't expect you to freeze like that, blondie." The cut began healing itself as I started wrapping his hand.

"You have a scary look on your face.." The blonde muttered. "Am I going to be okay?!"

"Your fine," I said, standing. Ruffling the blondes hair, I smiled down at him. "Just don't move too much."

"Eh?" He started panicing again.

**

Awhile later we came to a dock, where a boat was already waiting. "Tazuna."

"Thank you for meeting us." The old man spoke quietly. "He is going to take us across."

Climbing into the boat, I sat across from Kakashi so that I could see Tazuna. He was looking as stuck up as ever, and I wanted to slap the look off his face. But, I resisted, and narrowed my eyes. "You know, we should just leave you and head back to the village as soon as we reach lan." I stated blandly. Kakashi nodded in agreement, and sent a brief glance my way. 

"You can't do that now." Tazuna shot me a glare. "If you do, my daughter will blame the Leaf Village for my death, and she'll go into depression." Then he put his hands together, "and my grandson will cry 'I want my grandad!" And-"

"Alright, that's enough!" I snapped, my right eye was twitching. "That's ridiculously stupid, but I suppose we have no choice." I crossed my arms over my chest, watching as Tazuna's eyes widened and I swear, I think I seen steam coming from his ears as his face flushed in anger. He opened his mouth to yell at me, but was cut off by Kakashi. 

"She's right, we can't go back now." Kakashi eyed Tazuna with a look that said 'Go ahead and try it'. The man took a deep breath and let it out, before grinning in triumph. 

"WOAH!" Naruto suddenly yelled. I covered my now ringing ear, glaring at the blonde that sat beside me. 

"Shut up!" The boatman scolded quietly. "Why do you think I turned the motor off?!" 

All too soon we were standing on land again. Naruto began spazing, throwing kunai anywhere and everywhere. He was still fuming about earlier when he froze and Sasuke had to protect him. 

"Naruto! Knock it off!" Sakura slammed her fist down on his head and turned to where he threw a kunai. Kakashi followed suit while my eyes widened. There was a chakra nearby, just sitting and watching. My gaze snapped over, and my eyes met brown. It was a man, who's eyes widened. 

"Get down!" I pushed Tazuna down, while Kakashi got the kids, right as a giant sword flew threw the air and lodged itself in the tree behind us. 

"Smart girl, aren't you?" I got to my feet, as did Kakashi and the kids, glaring at the man. "How did you find me?" 

"I'm just good like that," I smirked, making the man raise an eyebrow. I had seen his face somewhere before. 

"Zabuza Momochi, Demon of the Blood Mist." 

Gomen for the super late update! I dont own Naruto