1. TAKING THE FALL.
Rain poured from the heavens as the three young genin and their leader, Kakashi Hatake, readied their weapons for the coming battle. The B-ranked mission they were sent on turned out to be a lot more difficult than they had at first expected. They had been asked to deliver a package to a small village somewhere on the countryside, with the warning that some people might try their luck and attack them for it. At first, aside from having to keep Naruto in check so that he doesn't open the package, the journey has been smooth-sailing. But by the third day they had noticed a small fire glittering in the night sky. The campfire followed them, every night a distance behind them. By the fifth night they had a brake in. The thieves had stolen a package similar to the one they had to deliver; thankfully Kakashi had prepared for such an incidence and had placed a fake in its place, keeping the original on his person. Their luck was not to last though. They were attacked by a team of water ninja at an old bridge crossing a cliff. Now, on this rainy night, they seem to have to fight their way out of this mess.
Taking out a Kunai from her leg holster, Sakura stood ready, but yet somewhat hesitantly. The other members of her team, being more confident, took out their weapons as well. All but Kakashi, who was hoping to resolve this without physical combat. Their opponents grinned in an almost evil manner as the sensei stepper forward. The man who appeared to be the leader of the water ninja group copied Kakashi's movements, stepping forward as well. "What do you want?" Kakashi asked in his calm, emotionless voice. The leader of the opposing party chuckled, his voice sounding rough and deep. "You know what we want. But if I must refresh your memory, we want that little package your delivering to the "Bara no tsubomi" village." The man answered, his comrades giving a sinister laugh. "So you're the ones who have been following us all this time and who broke into our camp?" Sasuke asked, rainwater flowing down his face. "That's right kid, and now we want what we came for." The leader replied.
"Well you're not getting anything from us!" Naruto yelled at them, a stubborn and determined look on his face. The leader grunted as he turned his attention to Naruto. "You should really teach your students to hold their tongue, other ways someone might just cut it out for them." He told Kakashi. "Why you!" Naruto launched himself forward, aiming to land a punch on this guy's stomach. "Naruto don't!" Sakura tried to stop him, but it was of no use. Once Naruto set his mind on something, he usually did it. As he came close to the man however, the man hit him on the chest right in the opening between his ribs. This sent Naruto flying backwards, landing with his backside in the mud from the rain.
Naruto coughed and gasped for air. The man had knocked his breath out of his lungs. Kakashi glanced in his direction, making sure his pupil wasn't too hurt. He sighed. Naruto just would not learn to be patient and to ignore comments that are upsetting and he probably never would. He's too stubborn for that.
"That was not an action that is wise in a negotiation." Kakashi sort-of apologized to the man. But frowning he added: "However. I do agree that you won't get the package." This did not seem to please the three men they were apposing. "Oh well. We could have come to a friendly deal, but it looks like we're going to have some fun now." The leader said an evil smile across his face. "Prepare to lose that package, along with your lives!" He yelled, taking out a few shuriken and sending them flying through the air towards Kakashi. Before they struck their target Kakashi vanished, leaving the shuriken to imbed themselves into a nearby tree. "What the?" The leader asked in confusion, not realizing that he had reappeared behind him. By the time he did realize Kakashi had already lift his headband, revealing his sharingan eye. As they struck at each other Naruto, who had by now recovered, launched an attack on one of the man's henchmen, knowing Sasuke and Sakura would handle the other. The rather old looking man gave him a cruel smile. "You're in over your head boy!" The man said. He ran towards Naruto, gripping a Kunai in his hand. He took a blow for his head, missing by only an inch. Naruto struck back. His fists met the man's stomach with great power. The man pulled back giving Naruto just enough time to use his "Shadow clone jutsu" and make three clones of himself. Now that there are four of him it would be harder for his enemy to land a punch. This did not bother the man though as he swung his arm at one of the boys. A metallic wristband covered in small hooks that had been attached to his arm would make the blow more significant. His arm met its target and the young boy figure he had struck at disappeared in a puff of smoke. Only a clone. "Be careful, next time you won't be so lucky." The man warned. "What makes you think there will be a next time?" Answered all three the boys in unison. They ran forward striking at his stomach, chest and face. He fought back, reducing another of the clones to nothing but smoke.
As they struggled the man managed to cut Naruto on the arm, breaking his concentration and allowing the man to destroy the last of the clones. "It's only you now boy. And it looks like your friends are too busy to help you." Said the man revering, to Sakura and Sasuke who were still fighting it out with the other henchman, and Kakashi who was dealing with the somewhat stubborn leader.
"Yeah, well I don't need their help!" Naruto replied ignoring the stinging pain in his right arm where the man had cut him. "Don't be foolish" The man said stepping towards him. "You have no chance of defeating me." "We'll have to see about that." Naruto said as he launched forward once more. His fist came into contact with the man's left cheekbone, sending him stepping backwards a few feet. While they had been fighting the man had not noticed that they had come dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. Those few steps were all that was needed to push him over the edge. Realizing what had happened he leaned forward, trying to stop the fall. Acknowledging that this was impossible he made one last futile attempted to turn the tides of battle. He reached out his arm and slammed it agents Naruto's wrist. The metallic wristband hooked itself onto Naruto's clothes. If I am going to die today, so will you! The man thought as he tumbled over the edge. The man's bodyweight caused enough force, and a stunned and confused Naruto was pulled over the edge along with him. As they fell, the wristband tour away and they both fell separately. "I told you, you can't beat me kid" The man commented, forgetting for a second that he was falling as well. I am not going to die! Not today! Naruto though as he started chanting the words for the frog summoning jutsu. By the third word he felt his head connect with something hard. No matter He thought. I'll finish the jutsu anyway. He started again with the first word, but his head was spinning. He felt the pitter-patter of the raindrops on his exposed skin and the fierce biting cold fade away. Colors started spinning and darkness ate away at his vision. He faintly heard his name being called before his hearing was stolen away to. He thought of his live, his mission, his friends. And as the last of his strength faded, he thought that this would not be the end, no matter what. Then his strength was gone and his body fell limply down towards the raging river waters below.
Sakura sat silently at the campfire. She and Sasuke had not spoken a word since earlier that evening. Kakashi had been gone quite a wile now and there had been no sign of Naruto's return. As she listened to the peaceful crackling of the fire her mind wandered back to the events of that evening. Sasuke had their foe attached to a tree with his shuriken and she was about to blow him to bits with a paper bomb attached to her kunai when she happened to glance to her left just as Naruto was pulled over the cliff's edge. The pure shock caused her to drop the kunai and if it hadn't been for Sasuke she would have bombed herself. Seeing that one of their comrades had failed, the two remaining water ninja had fled.
They didn't bother chasing after them. Chances are they won't be trying their luck with the small group again soon. Unfortunately it might already have been too late for Naruto. She ran towards the cliff edge, Kakashi and Sasuke not far behind. She had called out his name, but by the time she reached the edge he was nowhere in sight. Kakashi had left her and Sasuke behind and told them to start up a fire. He went to search for Naruto and has not returned yet. Coming back to reality, Sakura hugged her legs. She wasn't cold, but her stomach felt twisted with worry. To think she had actually grown somewhat attached to Naruto. Sure he was an irritating knuckle head who always got between her and Sasuke, but she could not help feeling worried about him.
She glanced at Sasuke, gathering the will to speak. "Do you think he's okay?" She finally asked. Sasuke turned his head to look at his comrade. "Naruto?" He asked to make sure who she was talking about. She nodded. "Most likely." He answered. "He's tough and, as you well know, quite stubborn." This made her feel better. Sasuke was right of course. A rustling in a nearby bush made both of them jump. They felt relieved when Kakashi stepped into the light of the fire. They looked at him, awaiting an answer. None came. Kakashi kept silent, he didn't speak a word. He didn't need to. His face said it all. Naruto was unfound.
