Good Advice

Kozue ran straight ahead after Asami placed the lookout under her genjutsu using the Sharingan. Asami then followed behind him and a while later Sozui came in after ensuring that the bandit is dead.

Asami hid herself while the other two confronted the rest of the bandits. It was a clash of jutsus and weapons, with the Leaf ninjas at the cusp of killing the others. But just as Sozui was about to kill one of the bandits, the bandit that hid himself for launching a sneak attack sprang up in an effort to use his jutsu at that window of opportunity.

Asami, who was keeping a strict watch over the situation, easily managed to throw two shurikens aimed at the hands of the 'hidden' bandit. As a result, the hand seals of the bandit got interrupted due to him dodging on instinct.

Before he could take a moment to guard himself another kunai was thrown at his blind side. Facing the danger, he swerved his body to minimise the damage and recover his battle prowess. The kunai pierced near his shoulder and he took it out just as fast and threw it at the direction it came from. But the result was a lot of smoke that came from the direction he threw which clouded his vision.

It was clear from his battle instinct as well as his ruthless moves, that he was the leader of this bandit group.

As his vision was compromised, his ears were assaulted by the scream of one of his followers which made his ruthless heart a bit nervous. He madly slashed his sword at places he felt the ninja's presence. But none hit the mark.

The scream of his last follower and the silence that soon followed was enough to tear apart his calm facade as he instantly made the decision to run out. But suddenly he heard a boy and girl's voice saying:

"Wind style: Great Breakthrough"

"Fire style: Fireball Jutsu"

What he saw in front of him made him pale in fear. But nonetheless, on seeing his death coming, his eyes turned feral as he brandished straight through the fire with his sword, to take atleast one of the enemies out.

Sozui was thinking that everything was over and was about to flirt with Asami again, but he saw Asami retreating and after a second heard her shout to him to retreat. He couldn't comprehend her actions, but as he turned back, he saw a sword coming straight for his head from the smoke formed from their attack.

Under extreme fear of the attack and seeing the charred body of the person responsible for it, his body paralysed. Just as the sword was about to strike his nose bridge. All the three, Kozue, Asami and Sozui, saw a silver flash. The sword of the bandit got flicked off from his hand that had now dispersed into ashes, charred flesh and broken bones. The bandit had died mid-way during his attack and the rest of his actions were the last will of his body.

Sakumo turned back and looked at Sozui in disappointment as he said : " Listen to your teammates! Never judge an enemy is dead, unless you see him dead? These are some of the basic rules you had learnt at the academy. I am disappointed that you are not even capable of acting upon it. There won't be a next time. Fix your attitude. Otherwise, you career as a ninja will be short-lived!"

Sakumo was a caring sensei. So he lectured Sozui for some time to get things through his thick skull. After a long lecture, he acknowledged both Kozue and Asami's actions and went on to point out the team's mistakes in their plan and execution.

Finally, as they left the cave, Sakumo asked Asami from out of curiosity:

"Hey! Asami! Why did you make the judgement of retreating after your combination move? I observed that you didn't use your Sharingan to see the situation."

Asami thought about something as she shuddered and said with a smile: " You are right, sensei! I expected the possibility of an attack when my guard is at the lowest. A person once taught me, that when certain enemies know they will die for sure, they will try to take their opponent with them to face death together. So, I felt like retreating was a good move, even if the enemy died before making a move."

Sakumo was a bit interested in this 'mysterious person' as he said: "A good advice! I would like to meet this person."

Asami replied with a smile: "I will let him know. But I don't think he will meet anyone, he likes to stay mysterious.... hihihi"

....

As she dragged her tired self back home after submitting the mission report, she saw an anxious Rayzen waiting for her arrival at the front door.

On seeing her, he was visibly excited.

'It seems little Ray can't be alone without me. Looking at him reminds me of a faithful wife looking for her husband... hihihi'

She amused herself with her thoughts as she walked towards him. And on reaching him, she asked playfully:

"Why are you so excited? Did you miss me, little Ray?"

She knew that Rayzen didn't like being teased like a child, so she always do it to get cute reactions from him. She felt that he was growing fast and will soon lose his cute side, so she felt responsible to treasure his cuteness as much as possible.

What was unexpected for her was that the cute pout of his turned into a sly smile. She had a vague feeling of danger approaching her.

Rayzen then said : " Asa- ... Uh.. Mom, I'll show you something but you have to promise me that this will stay between us."

He corrected himself just as he called her Asami, since he was standing outside and keen ears pointed towards him might figure something out.

Asami didn't mind knowing the reasons, but his words made her feel that he maybe trying his pranks that he usually does to liven their relationship. But as she was tired, she said:

" Let me take a bath first, I am too tired."

They were already inside the house as the conversation progressed.

Rayzen on hearing this had a wide smile on his face as he said: "Perfect! I will join you!"

Asami was stunned by his natural response. She turned wary as she said: " Little Ray, we can't take bath together. See, I am girl and you are a boy and..and.."

As she was blushing and stuttering her words, Rayzen interjected:

"Are you not my.. Mom? So, why would it matter?"

Asami was blushing furiously as she replied in a bit of anger: " You know the truth! Uchiha Rayzen!"

Seeing her losing it, he said in a serious tone that barely held back his excitement: "I am sorry! I didn't mean anything else, but, I have a surprise for you, so its better if you are partially submerged in the bathtub for it. And ofcourse without wearing any clothes. I promise I will behave."

Seeing that he was not joking, or planning to do any bad stuff. She felt a bit reassured as she said: "Stay here! I will call you inside once I am ready!"