The heavy rain continued to pour as Team 7 pressed forward along the muddy path toward the Land of Waves. The thick mist clung to everything, reducing visibility and making every shadow feel threatening. Tazuna's earlier nervousness had turned into outright fear, his sake bottle trembling in his grip.
Mylia walked with heightened senses, her heterochromia eyes scanning the fog. The Devil inside her stirred restlessly. This one is strong, girl. Much stronger than those trash from before. She gripped her fan tighter.
"Sensei," she whispered.
Kakashi nodded. "Stay alert."
A chilling laugh echoed through the mist.
"Gato sends his regards… and his blade."
From the water rose a towering figure — Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist. His massive Executioner's Blade rested on his shoulder, bandages covering most of his face, eyes gleaming with killing intent. Two ANBU-level mist ninjas flanked him briefly before melting back into the fog.
Kakashi's Sharingan spun. "Zabuza. It's been a while."
"Hatake Kakashi… and a bunch of brats."
Zabuza's gaze landed on Mylia. "And you… that chakra signature. Akuma blood. Interesting."
Naruto clenched his fists. "We're not brats! We're gonna kick your ass and protect the old man, believe it!"
Sasuke drew his kunai, positioning himself protectively near Mylia. Sakura shielded Tazuna, though her legs shook.
Mylia stepped forward, snapping her fan open.
"Teamwork," she reminded them calmly, though black energy flickered at the edges of her vision.
Zabuza charged.
The Battle
Kakashi met Zabuza head-on, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. Water clones rose from the river as Zabuza used the mist to his advantage. One clone slammed into Naruto, sending him flying into a tree.
"Damn it!" Naruto coughed blood but stood up, creating shadow clones.
Sasuke engaged another clone with his Fire Style, but the mist dampened the flames.
Sakura dragged Tazuna behind cover.
Mylia moved like a ghost. She created two shadow clones and flanked Zabuza.
"Akuma Style: Devil Chain Whip!" A black vine-like whip covered in razor-sharp crimson petals lashed out, wrapping around one of Zabuza's water clones and tearing it apart.
Zabuza laughed. "Not bad, little devil girl."
He swung his massive sword in a wide arc. Mylia barely dodged, the wind from the blade slicing a tree behind her clean in half.
She countered with rapid hand seals. "Fire Style: Fire Lily Technique!" A massive blooming flower of black and crimson flames erupted toward Zabuza. The mist hissed and evaporated in the intense heat.
Zabuza barely avoided the full blast, his arm scorched. "That's no genin technique!"
Kakashi pressed the advantage, but Zabuza's experience showed. He trapped Kakashi in a water prison jutsu.
"Now, boys — finish the rest."
The mist ninjas attacked. Sasuke protected Sakura and Tazuna, taking a shallow cut across his shoulder. Naruto's clones swarmed but were cut down.
Mylia's eyes turned fully black. "Don't touch them." Her devil chakra flared. She flashed in front of one mist ninja and drove a palm strike infused with black energy into his chest. Ribs cracked audibly as he flew back, coughing blood.
The second ninja tried to strike her from behind. Mylia spun, catching his wrist. With brutal efficiency she twisted, dislocated his arm, and slammed her knee into his face, knocking him unconscious.
Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "You're the real threat here."
He released Kakashi and charged Mylia directly. Their clash sent shockwaves through the area. Sword met fan-reinforced chakra. Mylia was pushed back but held her ground, feet digging trenches in the mud.
"Mylia!" Naruto shouted, rushing in with Rasengan — still incomplete but powerful. It grazed Zabuza's side.
Sasuke joined with Chidori, lightning screaming as he pierced through a water clone and aimed for Zabuza's leg.
Together, the three of them forced Zabuza onto the defensive. Kakashi broke free and delivered a decisive blow, knocking Zabuza into the river.
The mist slowly cleared.
Zabuza surfaced downstream, heavily injured but alive.
"This isn't over… Gato has more in store." He disappeared into the water.
Aftermath
The team was exhausted. Naruto collapsed on the ground, breathing hard. Sasuke leaned against a tree, blood seeping from his shoulder. Sakura tended to Tazuna, who was miraculously unharmed.
Mylia approached Sasuke first. "Let me see that."
Her voice was gentle as she placed her hands over his wound. Black-tinged green medical chakra flowed, closing the gash cleanly.
Sasuke watched her face the entire time.
"Thank you," he murmured. His hand brushed hers longer than necessary. When she looked up, their faces were close. The memory of their earlier kiss hung between them. Sasuke leaned in slowly and captured her lips in a deeper, more heated kiss than before.
Mylia's breath hitched. His tongue traced her lower lip, seeking entrance. She parted her lips, letting him deepen it. For a moment the world faded — just the taste of him, the heat of his body pressed against hers in the rain. His hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer. A soft, involuntary moan escaped her as his fingers dug into her hip.
They broke apart when Naruto loudly cleared his throat. "Oi! Get a room, you two!"
Sasuke smirked faintly. Mylia's cheeks were flushed, heterochromia eyes slightly dazed.
She touched her swollen lips.
Kakashi sighed. "We need to move. There may be more enemies ahead."
Camp that Night
They set up a hidden camp deeper in the woods. After a quick meal, Kakashi took watch again. Naruto fell asleep almost instantly. Sakura eventually dozed off.
Mylia couldn't sleep. She slipped away from camp toward a small secluded hot spring fed by the river.
Steam rose in the cool night air.
She stripped out of her damp clothes, revealing smooth pale skin, toned from years of training. Her silver-white hair cascaded down her back as she stepped into the warm water with a soft sigh of relief. The heat soothed her aching muscles.
A rustle made her tense. Sasuke emerged from the trees, shirt already off, revealing his lean, muscled torso and fresh bandages.
"Couldn't sleep either?" he asked, voice low.
Mylia turned away modestly, but not before he saw the curve of her breasts beneath the water. He stepped in behind her, the water rippling.
His hands settled on her shoulders, massaging gently. Mylia leaned back into him. The tension from the battle melted under his touch. One hand slid lower, tracing her collarbone, then boldly cupping one breast. His thumb brushed over her nipple, drawing a sharp gasp from her.
"Sasuke…" she whispered, half protest, half invitation.
He kissed the side of her neck, sucking lightly.
"You were incredible today. Strong… beautiful."
His other hand explored lower, sliding between her thighs under the water. Fingers stroked her intimately, finding her already slick despite the water. Mylia moaned softly, hips rolling against his hand.
He turned her around and kissed her hungrily, tongues tangling as he pressed his hardening length against her stomach. They explored each other with growing urgency — hands roaming, breaths mingling, soft moans filling the steamy air. Sasuke lifted her slightly, rubbing himself against her entrance teasingly but not entering, respecting the line for now. The friction alone brought her to a shuddering release, her nails digging into his shoulders as she cried out quietly.
They stayed pressed together afterward, foreheads touching, catching their breath.
"We should get back before someone notices," Mylia whispered, though she didn't pull away immediately.
Sasuke kissed her once more, slower this time.
"This isn't over."
Meanwhile — Team 10 en route to Sunagakure
Tylia and Shikamaru had slipped away again during a rest stop. Hidden behind rocks under the stars, their kisses grew bolder. Shikamaru's hands roamed under her shirt, caressing soft skin while Tylia straddled his lap, grinding slowly against the hardness she felt there.
Their breaths came in hot pants as they touched and explored each other through clothes, bringing each other pleasure with hands and whispered promises of more when they were truly alone.
Tylia kissed him deeply, red eyes half-lidded in pleasure.
"Shika… feels good…"
"Troublesome girl… making me lose control,"
he groaned, but smiled against her lips.
The missions continued, but new bonds — and desires — were forming fast.