Anyways, let’s keep moving. We still have a mission to complete. What has happened to me has happened, and nothing will change that fact. It doesn’t affect the mission, so it’s not important right now. We can rest when we get to the location of the bridge.(R)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author note: The reason why Rita can use rasengan is because while she was injured and recovering, she would train her chakra control. Doing nothing but chakra control for a decade makes you really good at chakra control. And the rasengan is basically nothing but good chakra control.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A few days later, at Tazuna’s house)
I will resume work on the bridge tomorrow.(T)
Well then, I guess it’s time for training. Follow me outside, and I will teach you an exercise.(K)
Yes Kakashi-Sensei.(Team 7)
(Once they are outside)
The exercise is to coat the bottom of your feet in chakra, and walk up these trees before making a mark on it with your kunai. When you have made a mark on the top of the tree, let me know and I will teach you the next exercise.(K)
I’m going to go gather information for a bit, Kakashi-sensei. I will be back later.(R)
I would really prefer it if you were to participate in the exercise.(K)
I know that the exercise is an exercise in chakra control. I’ve had nothing to do but train chakra control for a decade, when I wasn’t dying. But fine, I’ll show you that I can do this.(R)
*At that statement, she starts to walk up the tree calmly, before walking on the underside of a branch near the top of the tree. She then walks down the tree and walks on the small stream nearby, before walking into the forest.*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(An hour later)
Here’s a nice spot to lay down for a minute.(R)
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
*The spot is a small sunny clearing filled with wildflowers.*
*Rita goes to the middle of the clearing, curls up into a ball, and goes to sleep*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, back at Tazuna’s house…)
*We see Naruto and Sasuke running up and down their respective trees, as Sakura looks on at them, clearly amused. Kakashi is inside with Tazuna and his wife.*
Is she going to be okay? I mean, she’s so small and looks so weak.(Tazuna’s Wife)
She’ll be fine. If anything, I pity whoever attacks her.(K)
Yeah. The way she glared at me when you all figured out my lie about the mission was like the Kyuubi itself was glaring at me. And let’s not talk about that speed, or that small ball that made a 10 foot crater.(T)
And, Tazuna, you probably felt that way because she’s the sister of the Kyuubi.(K)
Why is she roaming free then, and not sealed away?(T)
Because she has proven herself by not destroying or killing any citizen of Konoha, even after what they did to her. Hell, she’s directly helped Konoha several times now. And everyone knows that the sharingan is capable of controlling the bijuu with ease.(K)
*In his head* And so is Naruto. She wouldn’t leave her brother.(K)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(An hour later, back in the clearing where Rita is sleeping)
*A girl wearing a long kimono walks into the clearing with a basket. Seeing the fox there, she seems to have a mental argument with herself on what she should do. Should she go pet the fox? Should she leave? Should she ignore the fox? After all, it’s an enemy. Eventually, she decides to go pet the fox for a bit, then gather flowers and return to Zabuza.*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Rita awoke to someone petting her, as she leaned into the hand while she was still half asleep.*
That was refreshing. Oh, yeah. Right there. Right behind the ears. Oh that feels so nice.(R)
*At this point Haku is currently scratching Rita right behind her ears.*
*yawn* Okay, I should probably get up. I do have work to do. …or I can just stay here. No. I have to get up. *sigh* I still need to find out what’s happening around here.(R)
*Rita notices Haku.*
Hello Ms. Hunter-nin. Don’t worry, I have no plans to fight here and ruin this clearing. It would be much appreciated if you could tell me about the composition of Gato’s men. Also, please send Zabuza my regards. I understand why he became a missing-nin mercenary, and tell him that Gato will betray him. I know you’re his ally, and that he’s not dead.(R)
*The girl had a panicked look on her face for an instant*
My name is Haku. What is yours?(Haku)
Rita. After this is over, I want you and Zabuza to come to Konoha with me. Anyways, see you later, Haku.(R)
*Rita gets up and walks out of the clearing, heading back towards the village, leaving Haku alone with her thoughts.*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BONUS: Haku’s thoughts on what had just happened: Why did I give her my name? Why did I pet her, she’s an enemy! What is wrong with me? Should I actually tell Zabuza about what she said?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------