It didn't take the squads very long at all to resettle in amongst the wagons. The way was slow again at first, Orem's attacks having made a horrible state of the area. The wagon with their only casualty, thus far, took up the last position in the line. Even though Akane had wrapped the body perfectly, the other merchants feared that eventually he would begin to smell before they reached the Village of Cogs.

"A right shame..." Vannor said from atop the lead wagon. He shook his head slowly and looked at the swordsman who walked along beside his cart. "A very unexpected casualty, I must say. Rest assured, his family will be reimbursed handsomely for their grave misfortune."

Ishiaki resisted the urge to groan as the man spoke to him again. He took it upon himself to guard the man and his wagon, but that didn't mean he had to hold a conversation with him. The way the man spoke was as if he were more pained by the fact he'd have to give money away to the deceased man's family than the fact he'd lost a fellow merchant.

Kami had chosen to take position with Akane at the head of the caravan. They had worked well together earlier and were both ranged users. Both also had advanced melee skills as well.

El had chosen a position near the back, wanting to make sure they weren't attacked from behind.

Akane had tried to be optimistic about this Vannor guy...but that last remark was in very bad taste. Not wanting to waste her energy with a rebuttle, she ignored it and pressed on with Kami.

Hinji took the spot in the caravan that he felt was the most tactically advantageous, the middle. This way he could move to any point in the caravan with relative ease and speed should it be attacked again. He kept an eye on the surroundings and the sky, watching for his bird and his shadow wisps which he summoned to scout through the woods that formed the boundaries of the road.

Tsu was at the back carriage, with their prisoner, watching the area intently for any sign of incoming attack. She knew that the body wouldn't smell for quite some time, so she didn't mind being back here, and it was the best place to look for in coming attack. She took a deep breath as she watched for anything, eyes occasionally locking on to Ishiaki.

Oita was near Ishiaki, in case he passed out, and was too close for comfort with the conversation Vannor was having. "Be quiet." he said suddenly to the man "Do not talk for the rest of the trip. You should be their main target, do not draw attention to yourself. Why you are not within a cart I do not know. Perhaps you think if you die you will not owe us money."

"Still don't like that guy..." Kami whispered very quietly to Akane.

"I think I'm going to have to agree with you. Seems pompous." Akane replied.

"I'm not entirely sure what pompous means in the common tongue around here..." Kami began. "But on my island the word means 'head in the butt of a goat'."

"Why should I hide myself?" Vannor countered, "I am the Head Merchant and this is my caravan." He shrugged and waved off the little ninja. "No one was talking to you anyway."

Ishiaki pulled his sword and pointed it at the man without losing a single step. "You will not speak to my students in that manner." He told him darkly, twisting the blade so that the honed edge was pointed at Vannor's vulnerable throat. "Client or not, I will cut out your tongue if you cannot behave yourself, Head Merchant Vannor."

Akane was about to answer Kami, when she heard Ishiaki speak. She turned her head and listened in for a moment before she saw his blade strike out and lay under Vannor's chin. She stopped walking and waited...watching.

Kami stopped as well, having never seen Ishiaki sensei threaten a normal civilian.

"I suggest you leave." Oita said gently to Vannor "Before things become unpleasant." He looked around slightly, seeing if any of the cart drivers were looking worried... or perhaps smiling.

All the color drained from the Head Merchant's face. He swallowed hard, the skin on his throat just barely grazing the blade's honed edge. "Point quite well take, Master Hirameki...Point well taken."

Ishiaki removed the blade and glanced at the man. "I believe you owe Oita an apology, Head Merchant."

Now that the threat of the blade had been removed, Vannor grew a little more bold. "Oh very well. I am sorry Mr. Watanabe."

"Good. Don't let it happen again," Oita said, deciding not to pay attention to his snarkiness "Unless you want a close up view of the finer workings of my clock."

Kami smiled, not used to Oita sticking up for himself.

Akane noted it too, but did not smile, "I hope we don't get docked pay cause of that."

"Dude..." Kano said quietly to El, looking around the side of the wagon. "I think something's going on up there."

Ishiaki sheathed his sword and fell back, having had enough of the man's presence already.

Tsu was carefully observing the surroundings from the back. She looked down at their 'captive' and wondered if she was going to have to protect him. "I think... someone's coming on..." she muttered to herself.

El looked around toward the front. "I can't tell." he said. "They're too far away."

"Coming on what?" Trys, the captive archer, said sleepily as he opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Hope it's nothing major." Kano said with a shrug.

"Just what does this clock of yours do anyway?" Vannor asked Oita curiously. He had seen Ishiaki and Hinji haul the thing in. Whatever it was, it clearly weighed much.

Akane turned back around and went on scouting ahead with Kami. "Considering how things usually go with us... are you expecting another attack soon like I am?" she asked her.

"Well those two were working for someone." Kami said."

"Explode." Oita said simply "When I tell it to." There were finer points than that, but that was what he wanted Vannor to know.

"Coming down the road." Tsu said, eyes flashing over to Trys to check he wasn't undoing his restraints right now.

"I know... but I can't imagine that the next attackers are too far off." Akane noted. "I wonder how long it will take for word to get to them...if not already."

"It makes me wonder if there might have been another archer." Kami said. "Or a scout somewhere to relay information."

"So El, your guitar is fine, right?" Kano asked him curiously as they walked alongside the caravan. He was still a bit concerned over the fall during their battle.

"Explode?? Well..do try to keep it away from the merchandise then, if you would." Vannor replied with a bit of a nervous glance around for the clock. Knowing it was a bomb, now made him uneasy about carting the puppet around.

"It will only explode... when I tell it to. No one else is capable of learning the mechanisms." Oita said gently, wishing the man would leave.

"Possible." Akane agreed, looking up in the trees for anything suspicious.

Ishiaki moved quietly and easily back along the wagons. He stopped by Hinji's perch and glanced up at him. "Anything from our eyes in the skies?" He asked curiously.

"Nothing yet." Hinji said, "However, with its failure earlier, I have set scout wisps to follow alongside the convoy while remaining hidden in the trees." He explained to Ishiaki, "Unless he attacks from underground or is invisible, we should have some advanced warning."

"That's good. Nice work, Hinji." Ishiaki told him with a nod.

Trys shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not going anywhere, but do you think it'd be alright if I moved a little?" He was laying on the floor of the wagon, after all. "My back is terribly sore..."

"You are a most ingenious young man, Mr. Watanabe." Vannor told him with a nod of his head. "It is a shame that you've chained yourself to the Coalition. There is great money to be made for men of genius."

"If I wanted money I would have stayed at home." Oita said flatly, hoping the man would leave now before he killed Vannor.

Tsu carefully hauled the man up onto his legs, so he wasn't on the floor any more. "There." she said.

Akane kept her pace with Kami in front... but there really wasn't anything new or interesting to report.

"Thank you Ishiaki-sensei." Hinji said simply. He had to make up for the severe failure earlier in spotting the approaching enemy.

"Yes." El said. "Why do you ask?"

Beside Akane Kami frowned. "Does the forest seem a bit quiet to you?"

Akane puckered her lips and whistled. Waiting after that, she frowned as well. "We aren't alone...that's certain." She said then in a lower voice, "Should we alert the rest?"

"Well, we did kind of land on it during that last battle..." Kano couldn't believe he had to remind El of what had happened to the poor instrument.

"Well, if you should ever change your mind, you must come back to our village." Vannor told him with a smile.

Ishiaki nodded to him and moved further down the line. He would not distract Hinji any further from his sentry duty.

"Oh no, it's fine." El said. "Unlike my trainer guitar, this is made from one solid body and the construction is much sturdier. I still have to be careful, but it's fine.

"No." Oita said flatly. He really just wanted to punch Vannor in the face right now.

"I am glad." Kano told him with a nod. He really didn't want to have damaged it.

"I think so..." Kami said. "But one of us should continue to keep an eye out... try not to make it obvious..."

"Is that a joke... or are you serious?" Akane asked, looking at her with one eye.

Kami hadn't even noticed. Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth. "Oh, Oh I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that."

Akane snickered, "It's a joke. Go tell Ishiaki sensei. I'll keep watch."

Kami frowned. "You're a special kind of evil you know that?" She asked Akane with a smirk and turned to speak with Ishiaki Sensei.


Ishiaki was about to greet Kami when he froze and stared ahead of the caravan. "Rath..." He said quietly as his former comrade appeared before them. His arm barely even appeared to move, but suddenly his sword was unsheathed and in his hand.

The man standing before them was completely encased in armor. Said armor was covered with blades, welded to it. It looked very flashy, but the intricacies of the blades appeared efficient as well. Those attached to his shoulders prevented any blade from reaching his neck. Those along his leggings would deflect any potentially deadly strikes against his legs, which would normally result in death from rapid blood loss. Along his forearms, they could easily blocked and redirect any blow unlucky enough to glance there. The claw-like blades on the back of his gloves did not require explanation, their purpose was 'pointedly' obvious.

"Long time no see, Itsy." The Master of Blades replied, his sneer at Ishiaki's childhood nickname hidden behind his mask. The man had yet to draw one of his two blades, but rather just crossed his arms and shook his head lightly. "I always knew Iteza was too arrogant for his own good, though I am impressed you made it passed Orem. Tell me, Itsy, who figured out his secret?"

Hearing the man call him that infuriated Ishiaki even more that Rath's presence here... He'd lost the right to speak to him like that long ago. He gripped his sword and looked towards the others. "Get the caravan out of here. I will hold him here." It was, after all, the plan they had settled on before departing. Everyone was fairly worn out from the previous engagement, himself included. He was certain that by the time they actually reached the Village of Cogs, they'd be lucky to be alive.

"Still the same old Itsy, can't wait to jump into a fight you have no hope of winning." Rath said with a shake of his head. He let loose a deep throaty laugh, but made no motion to stop the others from leaving, nor did he yet draw his swords.

"Ishiaki Sensei..." Kami said, wanting to refuse the order. If this man was as dangerous as he said then he would need their help.

El perked up from the back of the Caravan and hopped onto the wagon in front of them. Shielding his eyes he squinted. "Something's happening up there."

Kano looked up at his friend curiously. "What can you see?" He asked, the wagons had stopped moving. Was something wrong up front, or had they finally encountered the next ambush?

"Well..." El said. "It looks like the bad guy is here..."

Akane quickly drew her weapons and got into a defensive position, wishing she knew what element or chakra this man was favor to. Swords and hand to hand combat was one thing, but she doubted that's all this brute had up his sleeve.

Oita had raised a hand when Rath asked who had figured out Orem's weakness. Well, it was less weakness, more just how to take him down. He didn't move though, he remained a little way away from the fight, watching Ishiaki. "Here if you need us sensei." he said. He didn't want to run.

"Ohhh, pointless fights, who said pointless fights?" Tsu said, dashing in to appear a few feet to the side of Ishiaki "I love those. Though you're bringing quite a few points to the pointless fight bucko." She was staring at Rath's armor, looking at all the sharp blades just attached to his body.

Rath tilted his head curiously when Oita held up his hand. "Congratulations, boy. You're smarter than most." When Tsu jumped in, he turned his attention back towards Ishiaki. "Tell the kiddies to run along, Itsy. I have no intention of doing anything at all to the caravan. I can wait patiently while they get out of our way, but can you?"

"Then maybe we should get up there." Kano offered with a grin. If there was a fight to be had, there was no way he'd spend it standing way in the back.

Tsu tutted "Never underestimate the kiddies, stinky head." She stuck her tongue out at Rath. It wasn't the first time people had though her just a child. These people tended to die quickly. "You think you could beat me with one gauntlet tied behind your back?"

Hinji moved towards the front with the rest of the group when Ishiaki reacted. He was furious at his lone of scouts and their failure, but pushed that away for now. He moved over to the leader of the caravan, "Get the caravan moving. We don't know how long this Rath will wait before going back on his word."

"And if we're flanked?" El asked Kano. "Do you think that's wise?"

"Do you really want me to answer that, girl?" Rather replied, looking at her. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but still he made no move for a weapon or changed his stance whatsoever. "I am giving you all one chance to leave. I have come only for him."

"If we were flanked, don't you think somebody would've seen something?" Kano asked with a shrug. He really didn't want to be left out of a fight.

Ishiaki couldn't stop the growl that grew up from the bottom of his chest. "We agreed on this, Tsuginohi. Take the caravan and the genin out of here."

"Awwwwww..." Tsu said, pouting at Ishiaki "I just want to have some fun, what's wrong with that?" She put her hands behind her back, then darted away for a moment, before darting back suddenly, much closer to Rath "And he looks like he wants to play."


"Not with you." Rath told her simply, barely even glancing at her. "If you want to play, Naomi is over the next hill. She let me come up here once we knew for certain that Itsy over there was among you."

Akane looked up to the next hill, curious if this man was telling the truth or lying to divert attention. For now, she stood her ground.

Kami didn't want to leave Ishiaki Sensei. He'd told them how dangerous this man was and she knew she should follow his orders, but she had a specifically hard time with this one. "Ishiaki Sensei... please."

Oita rubbed his face, then said slowly "Ishiaki, should we move on?" He didn't want to leave him alone really, but it was... his sensei. He couldn't rely defy him.

"But you look like you want to play." Tsu said with a wide grin to Rath, taking a step towards him "You're just pretending to be grumpy."

"Not with you, girl." Rath told her again, glancing down at the little woman. "Move along, before I change my mind. I have no quarrel with any of you, nor do I want anything in that caravan."

"Go." Ishiaki told his students, "Protect the caravan."

You didn't have to tell Akane twice. Without rebutting, she hurried to the lead caravan. She really didn't know what Ishiaki was intending her to do. He needed to lead this brute elsewhere.

Ishiaki looked across the way at Rath, holding his sword up. "You want this so bad, Rath? Come and get it." He fled backward, moving to the rear of the caravan and then further into the woods. He did not have to look behind him to know that the Master of Blades was going to pursue.

Tsu wasn't the kind to be put off though, specially not a clone of her. She moved behind Rath as Ishiaki moved along, bringing out a wooden stick and jabbing at the elbows of Rath through the armour. While it looked comical, getting wood in there might stiffen up the joints.

"You heard the man." Oita said to the first caravan he was in "Drive on. "We'll handle the next person when she arrives." He sighed, then stood up and nodded to Akane "I should go take care of things. Are you alright up here Akane?"

"Fine- but don't you think we should divert the course a bit? Who knows what is just over that hill. It's not right leading these innocent people into danger willingly. Maybe I could swing left and try to 'go around' it?" Akane suggested, not sure how to phrase her game plan.

"Well, yes, but I don't know how good it is to discuss our plans in front of the enemy." Oita nodded towards Rath, then sighed gently "But we should at the very least get the civilians out of the way."

"Discuss them all you want." Rath said with a shrug, then headed after Ishiaki, completely ignoring the children.

When the wagons started moving again, Kano looked at El curiously. His teammate was the one with a vantage point, after all. "Does this mean it wasn't a bad guy?"

"No..." El said, seeing Ishiaki Sensei and the newcomer move deeper into the woods. "I am fairly certain that is exactly what he is."

Kami stood there, stubbornly watching Ishiaki Sensi lead the enemy away. Tsu Sensei's clone was with them, but it could offer no real support once it took a strike. She took a step in their direction, away from Akane, wanting more than anything to pursue them.

"Poke poke poke." Tsu giggled as she began to prod a little harder, trying to stab the stick into the joints, her hands balled tight around the base as she stabbed at the joints as if she was weilding a sword.

"Hey Tsu-sensei, can you scout out the top of that hill maybe?" Akane asked as it approached. "If we want to divert course, we need to do it now." 

"You're a smart girl Akane." Tsu whispered to Akane from the caravan that she was currently hiding in as her clone continued to prod at Rath "Just don't get hurt alright? Move quickly, move quietly."

Akane nodded, "Got it." Though she was a bit surprised to hear a compliment from the woman. She didn't even sense any sarcasm either. This was a wooded area and it would be a challenge to weave the caravans through. That's when she spotted a beaten path that broke off of the main one. It was narrower, but clear for the most part and she began to lead the wagons that way.

Kami still stood there, looking at the place where Ishiaki had left with Rath. She looked back at Akane as she led the wagons away. No one was bothering to pay attention to her, but she couldn't decide whether or not to disobey Ishiaki sensei's order. As if her feet had made the decision for her, she lept onto the branch of a nearby tree. She could go, no one here was fast enough to stop her.

El felt the wagon beneath him begin to move, but the distant streak of blue that was Kami caught his eye. "Uh oh..." He told Kano. "I believe your girl has plans of her own and they do not involve this caravan."

Kano turned and watched as Kami took to the trees, his heart leaping up to his throat, especially when El called her 'his girl'... "Be careful, Kaminari..." He whispered, knowing she couldn't hear. "She can't leave her sensei..." He told El with a smile. He couldn't say he wouldn't do the same for Tsu-sensei.

"You're not going to let her go after them are you?" El asked him. "She's going to get herself killed..."

Kano grinned and shook his head, "Not alone I'm not." He gave El a thumbs up, "You watch out for yours. I'm gonna go watch her back."

El nodded. "I'll take care of them." He said, meaning Akane and the caravan. He only hoped he knew what he was getting into.

By the time Kano looked back to the branch Kami was gone.

Kano didn't waste any more time on pleasantries. He leaped to the tree she had been on and quickly followed pursuit. He might not be able to see her anymore, but he knew where she was headed. Wherever Ishiaki stopped would be where he'd find her.

Akane gave the reigns to the driver of the caravan and told him to keep on this beaten path. It seemed to loop around to where they were supposed to go... but at least it was out of troubles way. It was only after all the caravans were in the woods that she noticed Kami was gone. Jumping onto the roof of the wagon, she looked around, but the girl had vanished. Surely she wasn't stupid enough to follow Ishiaki-sensei...

Oita sat up on his chair, taking a deep breath and frowning to himself as he looked around. "The others are doing some scouting." he told Akane, seeing a blur of Kano as well "Or... possibly going to do something foolish with Ishiaki. We might have to work together for the next opponent Akane when they appear."

"If they appear you mean?" Akane corrected, "Though I guess it's wishful thinking that diverting the caravans into the thick of the woods is going to prevent another attack. I just hope these trees provide us with some cover so we aren't an easy target anymore." She looked over her shoulder, "But with twelve wagons...that's a bit tough."

Tsu seemed to suddenly swish out of nowhere. The only reason they could tell it was Tsu was because Akane heard the words "Can't spot anyone in the area." She'd been so quick leaving that they'd hardly seen it. Best way of scouting really.

That was good at least. The situation was very tense, but Akane tried to keep her cool and focus on the caravans. It was most important that the innocent drivers were kept alive. She didn't want to wrap anymore corpses and toss them in the back. She looked at Oita and asked, "How are you doing?" He had done a lot of damage during the last battle and she was concerned how much he had left in him.

"I am fine. I still have tricks up my sleeve." Oita said, running his hands through his hair and letting out a small sigh "How are you doing? You got injured, didn't you?"

"Just a scratch- it's fine now." Akane said, not really wanting to talk about how she took an arrow to her asscheek.

El worked his way to the front, knowing he shouldn't leave the rear uncovered, but the others needed to know they were down three ninja instead of just one. "Tsu Sensei..." El said, hopping along the wagons till he reached the front. "Kami left to add aid and support to Ishiaki Sensei. Kano went after her with the intention of bringing her back... though I don't know if she'll be persuaded..."

Rath, Ishiaki...followed by Kami and Kano were off toward the lake of commerce.

"They'll be fine..." Tsu said, though she wasn't sure how much she believed that herself "Either he'll bring them back or they'll realsie it's a good idea to leave after a while. I've just got to make sure you guys are alright."

"Oh my gods..." Akane rolled her eye and dropped her head in her hand, "What the heck does she think she is going to do? Out of all times to ignore orders and go against rules, she chooses now to be a rebel."

"Kano is going to try and bring her back." El reassured. "We should concentrate on what lays ahead of us. This road it more treacherous than the previous one.

"What are you talking about?" Akane asked, "This one doesn't have a 'Naomi' ninja or whatever her name is on the other end of it." Of course, El hadn't heard Rath say that however. "We have cover on this path and we won't just walk into another ambush."

"We have cover, but so does our enemy, and they are a much smaller target to look for." Hinji said, "And the trees do not provide cover for the creak of the wheels or the clomp of the horse's hooves."

"I meant because the road is more narrow and less traveled." El said. "Not that our enemies lay in wait..."

"Hey-" Akane snapped a bit, feeling the need to defend herself, "This seemed like the best idea at the time. If anything, we can station the wagons here and fight whatever or whoever is ahead just so long as no more drivers or horses get hurt."

"We will see if your decision was the right one eventually." Hinji said simply.


"It might be a good idea to put someone behind us. If we're gone off the path," Oita said slowly "We might discovered that someone is now following us rather than waiting for us."

"Thanks for nominating yourself, Oita." Akane said, patting him on the shoulder.

"My puppets are up here." Oita said flatly "The most powerful one at least." He stretched out a little "Someone else has to do it."

"It's already covered." Said Hinji with a sigh, "My wisps are following us and keeping an eye out for any followers."

El's brow furrowed and he placed his hand on Akane's shoulder, not at all liking the way she had snapped at him. "Hey." he said, letting the others go on ahead. "I didn't mean it that way." he told her. "I wasn't questioning your judgement. You don't have to defend yourself from me... ever." His eyes were stern and his heart was in them. It didn't suit him to have her angry with him.

Atop the next hill, Naomi Ky'ton, the Mistress of Chains, paced back and forth impatiently. Her eyes glowering with pent-up rage. She stared out in the direction that the caravan would have come from. These little children had killed Orem, and held Iteza captive, even now. Children defeated two of their number already, and that fool goes and rushes off to face them alone?? She thought in anger. The chains she wore gently rustled and clanked as she paced. She'd decided just as soon as he'd left, that whoever came over that hill next was going to die, even if it were him.

Oita yawned loudly as their cart continued on. Well, it seems that Akane's rather basic plan had been effective. The ninja wasn't even thinking to come LOOK for them, even though she'd been waiting in ambush. Maybe their trip would be undisturbed from now on.

"It's fine." Akane said, admittedly feeling a bit uncomfortable when he looked at her like that. "Forget about it. What's done is done." she shrugged, "But what about Kano and Kami? Should we just... keep going with the mission?" Akane knew the answer to this was 'yes,' but it made her stomach uneasy.

"Yes." El said. "Yes we do. Rule one is we always finish the mission. Kano will retrieve Kami and if he cannot she'll have to deal with the consequences of breaking a direct order. For now you had it right. We get these people to safety."

"I just hope this trail holds out." Akane said. "If we're lucky...maybe it will even lead us to where we want to go and steer clear of enemy ninja." She paused and bit her lip in thought a moment, "Say- maybe there's a map around here somewhere? At least then we'll know what we are heading into."

Tsu could be heard to scrabble around a little, then a small map was pushed out from her hiding spot "Here." From her examination of it, she was pretty sure this road wasn't taken often because of bandits. But the fights they'd been having lately were quiet loud, so she kinda doubted there would be any around.

After a while, Naomi grew impatient. Clearly, the fool was engaged in battle and he didn't think to invite her. She growled, he'd pay for that, she'd make certain of it. If the ninja were smart, they keep the caravan moving, get it away from him as soon as possible. That would mean they'd have to be coming this way, but where were they??

"Oh look- a map." Akane said casually and grabbed the pamphlet from Tsu. Sitting atop of the front caravan, she opened it up and took a moment to find the route they had been taking. "Alright- Village of Merchants...okay, here is the road we were on. This is where the first attack happened and I think we are around this area, but the path doesn't seem to be on here. "

"Maybe we're on the path we were supposed to follow all along." Oita said with a small sigh, shrugging and looking around "But I don't see the hill she was meant to be waiting for us on. I guess we really did avoid her." He was amazed that the ninjas hadn't thought they would do this...

"This could be a hunting trail." El suggested. "Or it might lead to fresh water. Such aren't often recorded on maps and passed along by word of mouth. It may be that it simply reconnects with the road up ahead."

"Let's hope not. The enemy know we were traveling on it." Akane said. "I think it best we keep moving as fast as we can, as silently as we can."

The Iron-faced had promised her blood, lots of blood. Where were her victims hiding!? Naomi was about to scream as she paced hotly atop the hill. She stopped and looked down at the road. Hiding...how could she have been so foolish?! They had Iteza hostage, the fool must have told them of the next ambush location. The children must have diverted from the path. She growled and started down the hill. If they would not come to her, then she would seek them out. She'd level the entire forest if she must.

Tsu twitched slightly beneath her cover "I hear something... in the distance..." Or maybe she just somehow sensed the anger. Something told her that someone was approaching now, someone with the intent to kill.

When Tsu spoke, Akane froze, trying to listen to what Tsu had heard. She could imagine now their enemy was probably impatient that they didn't run into their trap.

"Hold on..." El said and moved to the top of one of the wagons to listen. The musician of the group, what he lacked in speed and strength he made up for somewhat with his hearing. "Bells..." he said, his eyes closed. "No... not bells... Chains and coming this way fast." his eyes dropped to Akane rather than his Sensei who he should be seeking guidance from. "Enemy on the way. We should engage in the forest before they can reach the caravan."

"Who should stay here to protect the travelers?" Akane said, looking alarmed. "We can't all abandon them." she looked to Hinji and Oita for a volunteer.

"Hinji's constructs have the ability to increase the combative number." El said. "And Oita's use of puppets and poisons are superior to most." he looked at Tsu sensei. "Would you allow Akane and I to face the enemy alone?" He wasn't sure she would. Being the wild card she was, he half expected her to insist on coming, but their numbers were fewer now with Kami and Kano leaving to help Ishiaki Sensei. The merchants were the real mission. Perhaps Akane and El could hold their oncoming attacker off long enough to get the caravan to safety.

"Of course not." Tsu said with a small sigh "It would be best if we faced the enemy as a group and have the carts wait for us a little way off." She sighed, then rubbed her chin "We'd have a higher chance of success if we all went."

"And if more combatants attack the caravan while we're away?" El asked. "They'll be defenceless."

Tsu took a deep breath "They would need to find it first. But I suppose it isn't a good idea to leave it alone." She chewed her lip "If Kami and Kano were here it would be different..." She looked around "I suppose... Oita and Hinji could stay here if they wanted." Oita was tired, and leaving someone alone was not a good idea.

Akane didn't protest when El nominated her to fight. Having speed on her side would help meet Naomi in the middle, forbidding her from spotting the caravan. It made sense to her at least.... and Oita could do well at protecting the caravans, she was sure of it. Hinji too for that matter.

"I do not like the idea of being forced to sit and babysit some merchants while the others fight." Hinji said, "But Oita doesn't seem to be in a full strength state and could not guard the caravan on his own. I will escort the caravan with him, but I suggest we keep it moving towards our destination instead of sitting idle and waiting for an attack on it."

"Definitely." Akane agreed with Hinji's suggestion, which was pretty surprising considering the history she had with the kid. "We'll take care of this chain lady and catch up with you guys in no time."

"Then it's settled." El said "We should go. I can hear them getting closer."

"Alright," Tsu said as she slid out from her cover, gripping a knife "We'll go. Keep it moving guys." She nodded to Oita, who seemed half asleep, then made the first cautious leap into the trees. "Let me lead the way," she called gently back to Akane and El "People get angry when you make them look the fool."

When Tsu set off, Akane and El followed behind. El knew how she felt about his sensei and to be honest, she wasn't looking forward to sparing beside her again. She was deadly, sure... but she was also just too dang weird and often embarrassing.

El had sort of hoped to be alone with Akane. They'd done well together on their last mission and while he liked her, he knew she'd be formidable against their opponent.

Tsu, Akane and El were off in a flash down Bamboo Pass. Well- Akane ended up slowing up a bit to a pace El was able to keep up with. She hoped this next fight would go better than her last and made note to keep an eye on her back more.

Hinji watched as the others raced off to honor and glory and let out an aggravated sigh, "Off to babysitting, Oita." He said as he turned towards the tired boy.

Oita nodded and sighed, rubbing his eyes "I suppose someone must though. We shouldn't complain about our jobs." He looked down at the caravans they were transporting "Should we move on now?"

"Yes, we should." Hinji said as he turned back around, "Let's go. Before the ape emu decides the caravan is more important than they thought."

"No one seems to care about what we're carrying." Oita said with a little shrug "Half the time they just let the others pass and try to kill us. I think they just wanted a fight, not the thing inside the caravan."

"It's a tactically sound decision though." Hinji said, "You can't very well steal your target if it is surrounded by a combat trained escort. You have to eliminate them first."

"Yes, but there's a difference between killing them, and asking them to go have a fight." Oita pointed out "If I was attacking, I would attack them when they don't expect it and use the fact they're meant to be protecting people against them."

"You do make a point. The archer was pretty quick to start killing innocents." Hinji pointed out.

"Specially for someone who must know that people would leave to stop him from doing thsi." Oita said with a shake of his head "They're killing US, not the caravan. I wouldn't be surprised if the man in charge has been paid a lot of money just to bring us out here and try to get us killed. I believe he would do so, for the right money."

"People will do most anything for money." Hinji said, "I am starting to believe the same thing Oita. I don't believe these ninja were sent here for an item on this caravan."

"I dislike people who do anything for money." Oita said with a little frown "That is why I became a ninja, to avoid the idea that I have to do anything the person with the money says. And it starts to seem as if I chose the wrong profession."

"Very much so." Hinji replied. "This profession is simply doing the same thing, but for the good side, or what you hope is the good side."

"hinji, if I ever go renegade, it is because I am fed up of being told what to do because other people want money." Oita told the boy gently "If that every happens, do not come after me."

"Don't worry, I only do this to further my own goals. Once this coalition benefits me no longer, I will go my own way as well." Hinji explained, "I have no intention of staying here forever."

Oita nodded slightly. He wondered if any people would want to stay along afterwards. The coalition wasn't actually making people want to stick around, it made them feel like they were being used, and the people they were dealing with didn't make them feel very welcome.