(IC) The Life of a Shinobi (Chapter 6: The Seven Tails Jinchuriki and the Yigonists)

With the Akatsuki threat rising, Konohamaru fears that every Jinchuriki is at risk.  Mao Miyazaki, the Jinchuriki host of the Seven Tailed Beast, resides within the land of Grass. Because the land of Grass is not one of the 5 Great Nations, it may be easier for the Akatsuki to capture the Jinchuriki.  Konohamaru decides to send Akira and Kaito to the land of Grass to convince their government to allow the Hidden Leaf to protect Mao.

"Here we are the Home of the Grass ninja," Akira says plainly as she and Kaito stood outside of Kusagakure's gates. Akira has been in a bad mood since Mugen's last mission. She's hounded bout the family name more times then she could or would care to count. On top of that she had to take in the Uchiha girl when came to the village and now her house became a battlefield. "Maybe when we're done with this mission I came relax at a hot spring," she thought as they walk up to the guards at the gate.

Akira and Kaito were taken to speak with Yori Mabori, the Feudal Lord of the country. Several wise elders and advisers were present at the meeting, as well as Mao Miyazaki, the Jinchuriki, and Jo Fang, her body guard. "Greetings leaf shinobi," said Yori, "We received word of your arrival from the Hokage. I was told that your reason for coming here is to escort our Jinchuriki back to your village to protect her from the Akatsuki threat. However, I must inform you that we are facing a very dangerous threat ourselves. The Yigonists, a extremist religious cult, seek to overthrow our government. They are very powerful, and we cannot give up our most powerful asset at this time."

Mao simply smiled and said, "Not to worry, I am sure I'm in capable hands. Besides, I have Fang to protect me, if need be." Mao Miyazaki was a surprisingly pretty young woman, with a gentle nature and a positive aura surrounding her. One would never guess that this person who lived in an almost-always peaceful village was a host to a terrifyingly powerful demon; let alone the third strongest of all the Tailed Beasts.

"Great just what I need another problem," Akira thought once she heard the news. She hoped that the mission would be a quick one. "So why would they wanna overthrow your government," asked Kaito.

"They're religious extremists," said Yori, "They insist that we become a Yigonist theocracy and obviously we refuse. They also have strange and dangerous practices that have been outlawed for several decades now. The religion itself is basically against the law here. Mao will not be leaving as long as we face the Yigonist threat."

"Recently there have been people leaving the village for no reason. Others would just disappear without a trace; there have been talk of Yigonists doing experiments," Mao added.

Hearing this excited Kaito, "Don't worry we'll beat those 'Yigos' if this the last thing we do, y'know," he said happily. Akira sighed at Kaito's outburst, aside from mispronouncing the word 'Yigonist', she knew that he planned to fight every single one of them if he could. "Man, if Kitsune were here he'd keep a leash on this idiot," she thought.

Mao giggled at the sight of Kaito's excitement. "I like your enthusiasm. It's kind of cute," she said smiling at the two Leaf ninja. "Just please do not get carried away, I do not want either of you getting severely injured."

"Ah, don't worry about us. Just tell were to go and we'll get 'em," Kaito said while blushing. "Hey Kaito, you're blushing," Akira says under her breathe.

"The Yigonists will not be easily defeated," said Yori, "We've received reliable intel regarding them, and it appears as if an Akatsuki member was killed several months ago by one of these extremists. If you help us with the Yigonists, the Hidden Grass will join the Leaf and Sand in the fight against the Akatsuki."

Mao giggled and then gasped, as if she just remembered something. "Oh, excuse me, my lord. I must get my supplies in case we have to leave sooner than expected." And with that, she left along with Jo Fang back to her parents' medical clinic.

"So why don't you tell us where to get started," says Akira.

"The Yigonists appear to be most active around the border between our country and the Land of Rain," said Yori, "Take Mao and Jo Fang with you but do not leave the village until the threat has been neutralized."

After talking with Yori, Akira and Kaito made their way to Mao's clinic. On the way Kaito could see the increasingly unhappy like on Akira's face. "Are you still worried," he asked her. "Well, I'd would be lying if I said no," she said, "with this whole Akatsuki thing going on and Mugen trying to find out about our family. What if he steers up even more trouble, you know how hotheaded he can get." "Takes true" says Kaito with a laugh, "but he's in the leaf right now. If worst comes to worst Konohamaru will take care of it or we'll just knock some sense into him ourselves, y'know."

Hearing this from Kaito made her feel a bit better but she still didn't know how or when she should tell Mugen the truth.

As they approached the clinic, three seriously injured Grass ninja rushed by, one being carried due to being too weak to hold herself up. "Medic!! We need a medic!!" The ninja on the left shouted. Mao and several other medic ninja came rushing towards them. "What happened?" Mao asked, "Where is the rest of the group?"

"This IS the rest of the group," the ninja on the right said grimly, motioning to their near-unconscious comrade. "Get them immediate medical treatment," Mao ordered. Without hesitation, the medic ninja hurried them inside. Just when she was about to turn back with them, Mao noticed Akira and Kaito. "Oh, hey you two!"

"What's going on," asked Akira as she watched the injured ninja.

"That was the recon team sent out to gather information on the Yigonists," Mao replied. "Or at least that was supposed to be the plan.." She then quickly went from solemn to having a smile on her face. "But do not worry, I am sure they will be okay. They are in capable hands now," Mao said cheerfully pointing at the door that the other medics went through moments ago.

"It is probably about time we get going," said Jo Fang, "I hope you leaf ninja know what you're getting yourselves into. These extremists are no joke."

"Ah, yes," Mao replied. "Allow me to get my supplies, then we can make our way out of here. Although I must say, I will miss this place..." After a while, Mao came back with a medium-sized bag. "Okay, let's go."

As they headed out on the path, a ninja in Abu gear was watching from the shadows. "So.. that's the Seven-Tailed Jinchuriki," the Anbu ninja said to himself. "I don't really understand why they would want her or for what reason. But a job is a job, I suppose." Even though he was wearing a mask, behind it he made a small smirk at the idea of doing something as a high-risk as capturing a powerful ninja possessed by a demon.

The team headed out in the direction rumored to be where the Yigonist hideout is located. "I can tell you two leaf ninja are young," said Jo, "For what reason has your Hokage sent you on such a mission? Surely you two can't be Jonin."

"Lets just say that we're the best at what we do and leave it at that," said Akira as they walked.

"Oh? and what is it that you do?" Mao asked with pure curiosity. "are you two special body guards for your Hokage?"

"We're the best at tracing down and taking out assassins, y'know," Kaito says happily. Akira face palmed herself and said, "the word 'subtly' doesn't mean a damn thing to you does it Kaito." To this his simply smiled and told her 'he was sorry'. Although the two haven't reach Jonin they have been known to take down whole groups of assassins. Akira by herself can hunt down and capture members of Anbu black ops. While Kaito's tough as nails fighting style and huge levels of chakra keeps him going for days.

"Kaito," Akira said hand signals, "we have a visiter just pretend you don't know he's there."

Well, well. Looks like they're better than I thought, The Anbu ninja thought. He was impressed by how the kunoichi detected him so easily. Not many could do that.. or at least not many that were alive. So much for the sneaky snatch n' grab plan. Time for Plan B. He slowly walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. "I must say," he began saying to the group, "You've impressed me, sensing my presence like that. You have my interest, girl." "Who is that?" Mao asked nervously.