"Sure, okay…" you lied. Mizuki watched your expression with a suspicious look on his face. You struggled to keep yours blank and emotionless. He looked satisfied, and began to explain what to do to you and Naruto. When he bid you goodbye and good luck, you tapped Naruto on the shoulder.

"What, [Name]-chan?" he asked, sounding distracted.

"Mizuki…he's just lying to us. He actually wants that scroll for himself."

"Ah, no of course not," Naruto said, impatience creeping into his voice. "Come on, we really should hurry, we might not have a chance like this ever again!"

"I'm serious!" you insisted, shaking his shoulders lightly to get him to pay more attention. Couldn't he understand that you meant what you were saying?

"Come on, [Name]-chan, Mizuki-sensei's not like that."

You sighed in exasperation. "But he is, you don't get it! He's evil and he wants to kill you and steal the scroll for himself."

Naruto gave you an odd look. "[Name]-chan, are you okay?"

"Yes!" you almost shouted, frustrated.

"Maybe…I should just do it myself," Naruto said, backing away. You blinked.

"Naruto –" you began, but suddenly Mizuki was leering before you, a fake smile plastered to his face.

"Ah, [Name]…I see you're being…difficult. Naruto, go on ahead. I'll reason with her," he ordered, pushing Naruto roughly away. He glanced at you apologetically before taking off into the woods. You tried to follow, but Mizuki stopped you.

"Not so fast," he said smoothly, clutching your arm with a vice-like grip. You glared at him hotly for a moment, then punched him as hard as you could with your free hand. Taking advantage of his evident surprise, you lunged out of his reach.

Go to Chapter 19.