[Near Kumokagure borders ]
Squad-0 took camp just outside Kumo's borders that led to Konoha. Yugito was released after constant anger-fuelled promises not to attack. The group sat around a fire as Taiju was cooking beans and rice in a pot over the fire.
"Nothing says a mission like war, food, and tension. " He joked.
Anko snorted, Tayuya rolled her eyes and Lin couldn't stop her grin, but all eyes were on the Kumo ninja, sitting far from them, not talking, just glaring into their souls.
"Are you just gonna keep eye f*cking us blondie?" Tayuya spat out, reaching for her flute.
"Tayu–" Kin warned, but Tayuya continued exposing her flute.
Anko reached her hand out, snake poking out her sleeve, fangs showing to Tayuya in warning.
Hisss
" Careful Red–this lady is too important for your anger episodes~" Anko teased.
"Tsk," Tayuya grunted.
Yugito continued expressing her displeasure," Do you plan on converting me to your nation's weapon or returning me home?" She questioned.
Taiju stabbed his blade in the ground," Well, the thing is–you're a Kumo scum, and your village has a bad reputation with ours, so...we'll use you as a peace offering." Taiju stated. "Are you serious?" Yugito pressed, standing over him, pressing around his throat, pinching his skin.
"I can kill you right now."
"Do so kitty~"
The two stared at each other, waiting to see who would fold first, two killers, waiting for the moment of dominance.
"You're enjoying this, you pervert. " Tayuya, called him out, going back to her seat to sulk.
"The collections of women never seem to stop for our whole of a Captain. " Tayuya bashed him.
"Hey–that's nice a word." Taiju pouted, like a weirdo.
"Don't act like you're not as smitten, Tayu–he's the only guy you can tolerate without cussing them out." Anko exposed.
"You snake!" Tayuya barked.
Kin and Taiju tried to calm the two teammates.
"Is this a normal occurrence?" Yugito asked.
"Yes," Kin answered her.
The rest was filled with their fragile truce. Yugito would be civil for now, as she still had to thank her life to the Konoha ninja. She tolerated them for however long it takes to get back to her village.
The next morning was off to a good start, no arguments, weapons drawn out nor Tayuya's colourful language, the moment was steady peace until they neared Kumo territory.
Yugito informed them that they were nearing the village gates, the mountains swallowed the path, sculpted Earth surrounded them and the lazy clouds hovered above them. Even Tayuya admitted the sight was beautiful. Yugito grinned at her confession.
"Why didn't you capture me ?" Yugito asked.
Taiju rolled his eyes, " We may be Anbu, but my squad isn't good at following instructions. " He chuckled, reaching to poke her shoulder.
"Don't even think about it," Yugito growled.
As Taiju's finger halted its movement, he felt a blade kiss his neck, one move from spilling his blood.
"Took you long enough ~" He hummed.
"Shut up." A cold, monotone voice ordered.
Samui, a Kumo kunoichi, a blonde, voluptuous beauty with the ice queen demeanor, held her blade to the Konoha ninja's jugular. "Yugito stay back unless you want blood on your clothing. " Samui warned.
Darui and Karui flanked the other two members, blades sparkling with lightning,
Darui looked over at the purple-haired kunoichi with her hands in her pockets, unnerved by her squad being ambushed.
"She's way too calm." He alerted them.
Anko nearly chuckled at his observation, "Just waiting for his permission ~" She purred.
Karui gritted her teeth at her arrogance, her own blade holding the redhead member captive, " Don't move."
"Whatever you say, Ginger." Tayuya mockingly submitted.
"You're also a redhead. " Kin pointed out, not fazed by Darui's lightning cackling." Taiju, let's not cause too much havoc."
Taiju showed his teeth, eyes bulging in childish fever as he was itching for a battle.
Yugito noticed that look, the same look, that her sensei spoke about Mist swordsman inherited. " A thirst for bloodbath. " She muttered.
His eyes locked with hers,a silent realisation passed between them.
"Get ready." He spoke.
[End of chapter]