Chapter 3: Mission to Sand
The sun beat down on the black haired ANBU as he trudged along towards his new task. The burning sun seemed to be a constant reminder of the next mission to the Sand country. Konoha had always had fair weather but today’s temperature seemed to change to give the ANBU a taste of the future climate. This is ridiculous. Nearing the elaborate gate he thought back to his given orders.
*****
“So the Kazekage needs help huh?” Shikamaru gave his classic bored look towards the Hokage as she ruffled through the endless pile of paperwork doomed to haunt every Kage.
“You are to inform the other ANBU as well and leave within 10 hours”
“How long do you expect that route to stay safe?” Shikamaru looked over the map he was given and grimaced at having to make such a long and tiresome journey.
“That would be more reason for you to hurry. Should the situation get too out of hand you are to inform me and we will send back up. If the Akatsuki is involved we can’t any chances, especially with Naruto and Gaara in such close proximity to one another.” Tsunade pushed some more papers into the hands of her assistant and informed her to sort them into a file.
Shikamaru watched the exchange and groaned again. He was not one to fight though why he was in the ANBU was a mystery to many even himself sometimes. Yet having to face a group like the Akatsuki a fight was definitely ahead. “Would that really be wise to have them together?”
A frown passed Tsunade’s face as she said, “That brat already is passing the Hidden Sand’s gates by now, there’s no stopping a stubborn brat like Naruto and besides he can handle most situations.”
Shikamaru bowed to the Tsunade and headed for the door.
*****
It was a funny thing that Shikamaru always noticed about the Hyuuga household was that barely were they given any visitors, thus any stranger at the door was treated like a potential enemy surrounded by at least two members upon ringing the bell. Of course after showing documentation for his visit the lazy ANBU was given admittance towards the Branch family housings. Making his way along the trail the young shinobi couldn’t help but notice the vast green lawns and decorated gardens blooming with every kind of flower and colour, yet in the end with all the beauty around him, walking within Hyuuga property always sent a chill up his spine.
Due to having called on him for missions before Shikamaru knew by heart already the route to Neiji’s room. Sliding the door Shikamaru opened up to the bland room belonging to the Hyuuga genius. A figure stayed by the window with a cup of tea chilling on his small plain table. New strands probably passing his mid-back replaced the hair lost in the failed retrieval mission years ago. Though Shikamaru would never admit it for the sake of sounding like a sap and also to leave safely without being beat to the ground Neiji was able to resonate such power by the simple gesture of drinking tea by the window.
“What are the details Nara?” The Hyuuga’s voice seemed too cold to human anymore and the visitor had to suppress another shiver.
Damn this guy creeps me out.
“Sand Country.” The Nara member watched to see if any reaction expelled from the lone figure by the windowsill but when Neiji decided to continue his game of how long he could pretend to be a statue, the ANBU didn’t bother. “I rather we leave by this evening. This isn’t a sightseeing mission either. Bring whatever necessities needed, for now we can expect to be there for a while.” The statue gave a small nod to his teammate as he laid a copy of the scroll on the table and left.
Checking Neiji off his mental list for the team he grimaced at the rest of the households he had to visit.
Shit…having to deal with these personalities…this mission is so annoying.
Knowing that this team was a handful and would probably give more then a few headaches than he could take he couldn’t help but grin at having to think of how this mission will be anything but boring.
*******
“This is so B-O-R-I-N-G~!”
Kankurou didn’t stop the scowl growing on his face as he heard the complaint for what seemed like the millionth time escape the blonde’s mouth. Hearing the younger ninja chatter on he couldn’t help but wonder the old riddle if a ninja killed another ninja when no one was around how long until his absence will be noticed? If he hadn’t help save his younger brother’s life and showed him some nifty tricks he would have flung something lethal to the new night guard’s head. ‘If any sleep I do gain from not doing graveyard shift I’ll loose because of that mouth!’ Kankurou thought as he walked away from the never-ending barrage of noise. Maybe he could bunk with his brother at the Kazekage tower.
“And then the pigeon ran off with the whole cu- huh? Kankurou? Where’d you go?” Naruto looked around to find his old chat buddy’s retreating form, “Must be tired…oh well more pay for me” Naruto grinned wondering out loud what he would do with the extra cash. “Maybe a new plant or new pair of pants…hmm maybe a washable tattoo….” An idea struck Naruto as he wondered what Gaara’s reaction would be if he came in one day with dyed red hair and heavy liner and a little washable tattoo of love on his head. But then couldn’t he just henge to do all that for free…? His scheming was cut short when a spray of chakra was sensed near him outside the walls.
But what kind of ninja would leave the safety of the Country’s walls alone to chase a possible member of the Akatsuki?
“Here I go!” that kind of ninja swiftly jumped over the walls and with years of training silently landed on the cooling sand and disappeared after the scent of chakra. The blonde grinned at finally having some excitement besides timing how long it took to drive Kankurou away. The chakra scent was definitely no amateur. Naruto was finally grateful that the pervert trained him to follow chakra scents. Jumping down a cliff and about some caverns Naruto took note of how delicate the ground was. The mystery ninja seemed to be slowing down and when Naruto finally passed another cliff the ninja was waiting. Naruto steadied his stance and waited for his first attack. But the other ninja seemed to stay in his spot.
Annoyed Naruto decided to attack first. “OI! Bastard, what the hell are you doing around here?!” he squinted his eyes to try and get a clearer look at his enemy’s face but it seemed as if the shadows gathered just to hide this figure.
The figure remained still after questioning which only bugged the blonde even more. So he threw some kunai to wake him up.
As expected the ninja dodged them easily but he caught one with his index finger and twirled it around. The action reminded him of how Kakashi had done the same with shuriken years ago. Naruto mentally shook himself to concentrate on the opponent in front of him.
“Do you think you’ve grown enough Kyuubi?”
Naruto froze as the voice haunted him. It felt like cold water entering him them freezing him all over. Few dared to say that name around him. He had heard it in hushed whispers many usually replacing it with ‘monster’ but to have it directly said to him always seemed to wash away every feeling away from him.
The ninja, probably pleased by the look on his adversary’s face decided to continue.
“Do you truly believe you’re strong enough, Kyuubi?”
Naruto was able to finally concentrate on the ninja and steeled himself to attack. He jumped to kick the ninja. After only just hitting air, he disappeared and reappeared behind his foe. The ninja disappeared but not before Naruto touched just a hint of his enemy on the neck.
“Kuku, this will be interesting, Kyuubi…”
Naruto turned around just in time to see the ninja disappear without a trace of chakra left.
“Grr, fucking coward!!!” yelled Naruto. After a few minutes of dead silence Naruto began his trip back to the gates. Who the hell did that bastard think he was anyway? Naruto thought back to his words. Strong enough huh? Naruto paused and swiftly punched the ground in frustration. “Fucking coward!” The ground cracked around the unknowing shinobi and before he could realize it he began to fall in with the rest of the ground. 'Shit! The caverns!' the fall wasn’t long but with the other rocks and rubble it was hard. He landed on the particular sharp one and soon knocked the wind off him. Naruto could feel unconsciousness creeping up on him but before he was sucked into a dark oblivion he could make out a shadowy figure above him. “This sucks…”
tbc....
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