Caged Animal:
Summary: While returning home from a mission, a member of the Leaf starts behaving strangely. Naruto is concerned, especially when he realizes that his friend isn't the only one displaying strange signs. The big question is what is happening to these people and what are they becoming? R&R please!
Naruto and its characters belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. This is just a fanfiction written for fun. I make no profit. The only thing I own is my imagination and the OCs that appear.
Please enjoy. ^-^
Chapter 1:
Naruto and the rest of his team received an assignment that required them to travel to a new location in order to deliver a special package. Naruto questioned why they were given such an easy mission and why the recipients couldn't simply get the parcel through regular mail. Lady Tsunade explained that the package contained something very valuable and couldn't be risked being shipped unprotected.
The delivery was to be made to a noble family Naruto never heard of. They were also given instructions not to look inside the package. Their mission was a C-rank at best. At least, that was what Naruto thought until he gave the noble family's name out to Kakashi.
"What was that name again?" he asked, looking up from his book.
"The Arashi clan."
Kakashi lowered his book, which was a bad sign. "I'm familiar with that family. Those nobles pride themselves on their martial arts and are revered by many. In fact, that was how the clan rose to power. They weren't born into nobility, it was given to them."
"Given to them?"
"History says that their land was plagued by bandit attacks and people who wanted the take over the land for themselves. The people could not fight against their enemies. One young man stood up and challenged the enemies of the land, telling them to leave. He took them on singlehandedly and drove them off."
"All those people by himself?" Naruto asked with wide eyes. Even he needed help from clones. From what Kakashi was telling him, this man was no ninja.
"I doubt it was the entire population. I don't know the details, but I think he challenged the leader and won, which drove the rest of the group off," Kakashi told him. "But afterwards, the people began to respect the young man and looked up to him. When more enemies came, he drove them off. He protected the people and defended the land from many foes. In time, the people appointed him to power, deciding that they should be ruled by, not only a man of wisdom, but one with the power to protect. That was how he became a noble. All his decedents are skilled fighters as well."
"So they're born into power, but also have to defend the family's name, right? Like the Hyuga clan?"
"Well, they weren't appointed, but…"
Naruto was impressed. "Whoa. So these guys are the real deal. They're not ninja, but they have such amazing skills. I'd love to see them in action."
"Uh, Naruto, there's something else I have to mention before you go," Kakashi said quickly. "Not only are they very skilled, but they are very proud. And dangerous."
"What do you mean?"
"Naruto, the Arashi clan are revered and feared by the people. They've developed a reputation for being ill-tempered and quick to react. If they think you're trying to insult them or challenge them in any way, they will not hesitate to attack."
"Attack? But why?"
"I'm not sure their reason, but it's speculated that since they were appointed into a position of power, it can be taken away. If someone else comes along to challenge them in a fight, they will defend their title. They are the strongest in the land. If they cannot live up to those expectations or fulfill such promises, someone else will take their place. I'm sure that's what they're afraid of."
"You mean, if I go in there and challenge them and win, I would become the new noble?"
Kakashi shrugged. "It's a theory. I don't know for certain. But if this is what they think, they're going to defend their title no matter what. The clan is also used to being attacked. Some want their position, some want the land and all it has to offer, and some just want to attack them to see if they really are as strong as people say. The land has plenty of natural resources which I'm sure invaders would want."
"But we're just supposed to deliver a package. What's the harm in that?"
"The clan has come to perceive everything to be a potential threat. That's why I'm warning you before you go on this mission. The slightest thing could set them off." Then Kakashi added, "You're more mature now, but you still have a tendency to be blunt and speak your mind. That can get you in trouble. It can be harmless, but to them it could be an insult. You have to watch yourself on this mission. Please, try to keep your mouth shut as much as possible."
"You're worried about me? Sai's going on this mission, too, and he's worse than I am!" Naruto complained.
"I'm telling you this so you can keep Sai in line as well. I trust you."
Saying that made Naruto feel a little better. It was good to know Kakashi trusted him. He had mixed feelings about being responsible for Sai, however. If even the most minor of comments could set the noble family off, then it might have been in their best interest to put a gag in his mouth.
Within a short amount of time, Naruto and the others arrived at the home of the noble family. Sakura held the box containing the parcel they were to deliver. They walked up the large staircase to the main doors but were turned away by the two guards. When Sakura tried to explain that they were asked to come to the main door, the guard still refused to let them in.
"The masters of the house are training right now. No one is allowed inside," he told her. "You'll have to come back later."
"How much later?"
There was a sudden bang from behind the building followed by yelling.
"Not too much later," said the guard. It seemed these noises were a comment event.
Sakura looked down at the package in her arms. They weren't supposed to let it out of their sight so she couldn't leave it with the guard. She really didn't want to lug it around all day. Their entire journey was bad enough. Then again, what was a few more minutes?
"What should we do?" Sakura asked the others. It was just her, Naruto and Sai. Surely the three of them could come up with something to do in the meantime.
"Let's get some food. I'm starving," said Naruto.
"We shouldn't wander too far from here with this package," she told him.
"Should we just sit here and wait, then?"
The main door opened and the trio looked up. A young girl stood between the two guards wearing an outfit similar to Sakura's only much more expensive bearing the colors blue and green.
"Kado broke my staff so I need one of yours," she said, grabbing the spear the guard on the right carried. He surrendered it without a fuse. Then she spotted the ninja halfway down the stairs. "Who are they?"
"We're ninja from the Hidden Leaf," said Sakura and bowed. "We were asked to come here. In order to deliver this package."
The girl swung the spear over her shoulders and rested her arms on it. "Have you?"
Sakura nodded.
"Well, we're in the middle of training now so you'll have to come back in a bit."
"Alright. When is a good time?" Sakura asked her.
The girl shifted the spear from one shoulder to the other, distributing its weight with her hands. "We're usually done when we're done. But since I had to fetch a new weapon after my brother broke it, we're taking a break now so it might be a bit longer."
That wasn't a very clear answer.
Annoyed, Naruto asked, "Minutes or hours?" Then he remembered anything could set the family off and bit his lip.
The girl wasn't offended, but amused. "I'd say an hour or two."
They looked at each other, trying to think of how to spend their time.
"You can't just sit on the steps," said the girl. "Our parents will gobble you up."
She took the spear off her shoulders and cleared the steps in one leap, landing perfectly at the bottom. She tapped the end of the spear on the ground then used it to point down the street.
"I can take you to a place you'll like. It's one of my favorites."
The group looked at each other then walked down the stairs.
"Is it ok for you to just leave like this?" asked Sai. "Won't your parents be upset?"
"We're taking a break while I get a new weapon so it's ok. If we weren't taking a break, it'd be different. I can spare a few minutes." She stood tall and puffed out her chest. "I am Sayo, the youngest of the Arashi clan."
"I'm Sakura and this is Sai and Naruto."
"Nice to meet you. Come on," she said and started walking. "I'll show you a place."
Short first chapter, but things will pick up very soon.
Please review! ^-^