I know it's been kinda slow going so far, but things are starting to pick up! Thanks for reading so far, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Ki was the last person to ever disappear from Koishii's life, for she stopped letting anyone in. The pain and fear of losing someone was far greater than she could bear. After her mother's death, Koishii dedicated her life to training. She made no friends. She never talked. She was naturally gifted as a ninja, and her kekkai genkai was invaluable. She was something of a prodigy. The day after her mother's death, after planting another tree next to her father's, she packed up what little she had and flew away to Konoha. For two years she trained herself, both physically and mentally, and on the day of her 7th birthday, she enrolled at the Ninja Academy. She graduated after three years of attendance, becoming a Genin at the tender age of 10. She had been told she would be joining a team with two Jonin and a Chuunin already on it. One of the team's members had recently died on a mission, and she was going to be his replacement. Her teachers told her not to take it to heart if they seemed aloof towards her. But she didn't care. It would be better that way, after all. She wasn't there to make friends. She was there solely for missions. After all, no one can hurt you if there is no bond to be shared. Everyone eventually leaves.

Koishii lay in her bed as her alarm clock went off. She turned over to face it as it rang; she was always awake before it. She turned it off, and getting up, went to shower and dress herself; to prepare for this big day. Koishii was still tall for her age, her body thin and toned from all her training. The freckles that lay across her face were more prominent than they were a few years ago. Her hair came down to her middle back, and she styled it in a low, loose ponytail. Her bangs were now side-swept, and the strands that framed her face now came past her chin. Her tank top, capris, and ninja sandals were black. She bore bandages around the middle length of her arms, her waist, and the bottom half of her calves all the way down to her ankles. She wore her Konoha headband around her head, over her bangs. After checking her appearance, Koishii grabbed her katana and slid it through the slits in her tank top before grabbing an apple and heading out the door. She was ready to meet her team.

Koishii arrived at the meeting place early, though, she wasn't the only one. Sitting on a bench was Rin Nohara. "Hi, you must be our new member. I'm Rin Nohara," she greeted with a friendly smile. "Koishii Iburi," she greeted back, walking over beside the bench and leaning against the stone wall, her arms crossed. She could see through her peripheral vision that Rin was observing her. Trying to figure out what kind of person and teammate Koishii would be. After all, something about this girl just didn't seem... Right. But who was Rin to judge so quickly? After all, Kakashi could be the same way sometimes. "Well I see that we're all here now," said Minato. Walking besides him was Kakashi Hatake.

Something about him was captivating to Koishii.

What was this feeling? She didn't like it, the unfamiliarity. She decided to ignore it; she had to. She noted that he must be the second Jonin, for she knew it wasn't Rin.

"You must be Koishii Iburi, am I right?" Minato asked, his tone friendly and a gentle smile on his face. Koishii nodded, "yes." "I am Minato Namikaze, your new sensei." Koishii turned from her new sensei to her other teammate, waiting for him to introduce himself. "Kakashi Hatake," he spoke from behind his mask. "Well, originally, I would like to take the time out to test your abilities, but unfortunately, we have been specifically requested to take on a mission immediately," Minato informed his team, though he looked at Koishii. "What is our mission, Minato-sensei?" asked Rin. "We will be escorting Kinzoku Myoushu, an expert blacksmith; he's the one who invented the metal that can incorporate the user's chakra, as well as a few of the swords used by the Seven Swordsman of the Mist. He's wanted by many for his work. He just dropped off an order for our village, and has requested that we escort him back home to the Hidden Mist; he's been ambushed on his travels before, and wants to be extra cautious. Kakashi," he started, looking down at him, "you will be the team leader on this mission. I will only be stepping in when needed." Kakashi was hesitant about his position as the team leader. After all, he had failed his last mission as leader. Lost a friend. Koishii noticed his uncertainty, and couldn't help but wonder if he was dependable. Minato placed his hand on Kakashi's shoulder, still confident in his ability, "you can do it."

Kinzoku Myoushu was an older gentleman, at least in his mid 60's. He wasn't very tall due to a permanent slouch caused by his work, and his hair and thick beard were pale purple streaked with gray. He wore thick, oval glasses that made it hard to see his eyes, and an olive green shirt with khaki pants and thick boots. He was riding in an old wagon pulled by two mules that looked as old as Kinzoku himself, while Minato's team walked. Kakashi was at the front of the wagon, Rin to the left, Koishii to the right, and Minato to the back.

The journey proved quiet. Easy thus far. Too quiet and easy. They had made it half way to the Mist Village, the darkness of dusk quickly approaching. Kakashi stopped, holding his hand up, signaling for everyone else to stop as well. He turned around, "we'll stop and set up camp for the night. We'll rotate watch every three hours. I will go first, then Rin, and then," he fixed his gaze on Koishii, "Koishii," he finished. "Alright," Kinzoku started, dragging his word out as he outstretched his arms, "that sounds great; this old man is tired," he said rather gleefully, climbing off his cart to unhook his mules from the wagon. "I leave the night in your young, capable hands, then! This old man just can't fight like he used to could; I'm not as limber a swordsman as I used to be!" He let out a chuckle before retreating back into his wagon. Minato walked towards the front of the wagon and nodding, he said, "let's all try to get plenty of rest."