Ran sniffed the air around him. He felt the presence of someone near him.
“R-!”
Ran quickly drew out his katana and drew it to the throat of the ninja. He growled,
“Who are you…?”
The ninja whimpered,” Nazomi member…Male…Ninja…!”
Ran smiled and withdrew his sword away from the young ninja.” Leave…”
The Ninja was already joining his fellow ninja in the forest growth as they leave Ran’s Viewpoint.
Ran suddenly realized his mask was off.
He pulled out two shuriken’s. He threw them at the Ninjas last known scent; he heard the faint sound of a wet thump; a gasp; then another thump.
No one shall see him with his mask off.

He ran into the road just as the stranger came up.
Ran looked at the stranger through his wolf mask.
“ Stand aside Anbu member. I have no qurrel with you.”
Ran smiled,”Oh yes I do. I remember a certain ANBU deserter…”
The stranger looked up, his eyes a slight red and his gray hair showing a certain amount of age.
“ Who was Nazomi…and the only male Nazomi to have ever become Shinobi.”
The Stranger slowly brought out a tree branch covered in icicle spikes from under his kimono.
“ Well…I guess this means…you will have to turn me in right?”
Ran Laughed at the Stranger, who smiled at the thought of two rivals passing up the chance to do a final battle.

“RAN.”
Ran looked up, his pink kimono covered in dirt.
“ You seemed distracted.” Ami said as she peered down with her bird mask. She held out her hand.
Ran blushed behind his mask and grabbed the hand.” Yeah…seems like I weakened ever since leaving ANBU huh?”
Ami giggled and pulled Ran up from the forest floor.” A little huh?”
“A lot?”
Ami shook her head.
“ I should go back to the academy on how weak I am?”
“Your getting there.”
Ran sighed.” So that’s…5 wins for you…4 wins for me?”
Ami nodded her head, she looked up in the sky as they headed back to Konaha.
“ Damn it…So you know what your squad is.”
“Not yet…How about you Wolf?”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“Whoever it is, I hope they can be ready for what I lost just to become their sensei.”