Hi there! Thanks for dropping by, this is a Naruto story I've been thinking about for a while and finally got the courage to post to the site. I have no idea how long it's going to be and I have no idea how long it'll take because I'm writing another long story (I post that on a different account), but I hope you will all enjoy this :) Happy reading!
The Seer's Touch – Chapter 1
"Kaka-sensei! This mission is stupid! Sakura-chan and I are way better than a C-rank mission."
"Hey dic-"
"SAI! Don't even think about it" ground out Sakura, interrupting her pale teammate before he could finish his insult, "and you Naruto, stop complaining."
"But Sakura-chaaan!" whined Naruto, "We keep getting stuck with all these lame missions lately! We should be doing B-rank or even A- rank missions! Come on Kaka-sensei, can't you do something for us?"
"Naruto, all missions are important, plus we're getting paid really well for this, now shut it!" said Sakura beside him who now looked to be suffering from a headache. She answered in place of their team leader, who probably wouldn't have bothered to reply even if Sakura hadn't shut Naruto up for him. The copy-nin had had his head buried in his Icha Icha Paradise and appeared to be paying no heed to Naruto's complaints.
Their C-rank mission currently involved escorting a wealthy merchant safely to his destination and the fact that their charge was unpleasant company made Naruto think he would have preferred the challenge (or lack of) of a D-rank mission. Honestly, he knew the money was good and their mission would be over soon, but for some reason he'd been feeling more and more restless over the passing few days. So, even though he'd gotten out of the habit since his training with Ero-sennin, he resorted to whining to help release the pent up energy.
Kakashi's approach on the other hand involved his fine-tuned and delicate art of ignoring, but being completely aware of his surroundings; Naruto's complaining, and almost everything else for that matter, could have been nothing but the gentle breeze passing by. These missions were often so quiet that he could have his head in his book without having to look up from it once. So far, they had been travelling like this for two days and the final day was likely to follow in the same strain. At any rate, they didn't have too far to and they had all resigned themselves to the dreary mission with Naruto's complaining interspersed to occasionally break the monotony.
"Breathe, Ananya…let your mind go blank…and let the images come to you…" A woman stood waist deep, beneath a cascading waterfall; the pool was crystal clear with a smooth rocky bed; lush bushes and reeds at the edges. She was of medium height, shapely build, had thick dark wavy locks that extended the length of her back and a golden brown complexion. She wore only a rich emerald green crystal at the column of her throat and a sheer cream kimono with delicate red embroidery. Suddenly she sat back onto the smooth rock behind her and sighed as her face fell into her trembling hands, her agitation evident.
"How…how can this be? Oh god, what will they do when they find out?" Ananya spoke quietly to herself, hoping the answer would come to her. Over the past 24 hours her abilities had been waning, the images appearing fewer and darker. She didn't know what the consequences would be, but she thought revisiting the sacred pool she favoured would help stop what was happening. The images had ceased coming to her completely now and she couldn't ignore it or try to fix it by herself any longer. As much as she dreaded telling them about what was happening, it was her only option and she decided to return to her village. She stood up and started wading towards the edge of the pool when she heard scuffling and grunting from behind the rocks at the top of the waterfall.
A body was pushed over and made a dull thump as it hit the earth and she registered blood…pooling from Shiro's lifeless body. In her head she thought she should run to him to tend to his wounds, but her body was paralysed by shock. That was until she heard a sickening cackling that sounded to her right. She spun around in the water to see a man standing close to the water's edge staring at her. "Shin! Run!" she yelled out, but it only seemed to amuse the man even more as a wide grin spread on his scarred face.
"Well, well, Takeshi. Isn't this a good spot to….enjoy nature's bounty?" said another voice lecherously.
Her head turned to follow it and she saw a large bulky man standing on the opposite side with Shin at his feet. She didn't know if he was dead or alive, but she couldn't see any blood.
"Of course, Ryouta. In fact, it would be a crime not to have a taste of what nature as to offer us."
They hadn't moved since they had spoken, but the sinister intent rolling off the both of them was sufficiently intimidating in place of any further movement from them. Her heart raced as the adrenaline pumped through her – she hadn't seen this coming and because she had been too afraid of what her village would do, her choice to visit this spring had resulted in what had happened to two of the only few friends she had. They started walking towards her slowly, playing with her, stalking their 'prey'. They knew she was powerless and they were intoxicated by her fear.
"St-stay away!" She stuttered holding the flimsy material of her swimming robes to her body. Their smile only widened and flight finally made her act - she didn't have the skills to fight. She yelled for help hoping the other village ninjas would hear and ran. Glancing back she saw that they weren't chasing after her yet and she didn't want to think about what they might have planned for her.
"Looks like things just got more fun Ryouta."
"Hm. Let's not drag it out too long. I don't actually enjoy wasting my time like this as much as you do Takeshi."
Soon, all she could hear was her thudding heart as she ran back towards her village, she didn't feel the pain of twigs or stones piercing her feet in her desperate attempt to escape.
A/N: Ananya means unique and I thought it would fit the story :) Thanks for reading