Chapter 1: Sakumo! The Ninja
Sakumo felt a bitter relief as he walked out of the light but constant rain and into the Hokage 'office'. It was more like a shacked up tent then office, but it was the best the men could do without using chakra and precious resting time. The third didn't begrudge this at all and as he sat behind his flat table surrounded with mountains of mission reports, he looked up and down one of his finest soldiers.
'Too young,' he thought, taking in the young man's war harden eyes and filthy cloths. No one was clean out in the battle grounds or camps, but everyone did the best they could.
"You summoned me sir?" Sakumo stated his body at attention. Every soldier was on high alert when near the Hokage, not out of fear of their lives, but that the Hokage would be attacked. It has been attempted before plenty of times. "When's the last time you got some shut eye Hatake?" The third asked casual.
"Three days ago sir, not since lightning country attacked."
"What about the rest of your squad, any of them get any shut eye?"
"Sir no sir; Squad Hatake has been awake and alert."
"Hmmm," the third responded, leaning further back in his chair. Sakumo felt the ach in his shoulders begging him to slouch as he waited, to counter it he stiffened himself up more. It wouldn't do to be slacking in front of the Hokage, even one that knew he hadn't slept in over 72 hours. "I have a mission for your squad Hatake, but I'm not going to send out a 4 man cell of tired dogs. Rest up tonight and leave by noon. The mission," at this the Hokage paused and the two men locked serious eyes, "is an escort job, A rank. There is a refugee camp of approximately 32 people-civilian types. You're to meet up with this camp and bring them home. Not all of them are Fire country, but we'll protect them regardless."
With this final regard, the third tossed the young soldier a sealed scroll with all the needed information. Sakumo caught it midair without breaking the stare with the man he respected above all else. A man who lead him and his fellow ninja, who he put his trust into not only as a Hokage but also as a friend.
"You look like shit," they said at the same time. Sarutobi grinned as Sakumo finally allowed his shoulders to slouch down.
"Handing out 'vacation' missions now, eh?" Sakumo asked lazily, sliding his hands into the pockets of his pants; finger the kunai that lay there. "Just to the over worked dogs who are trying to kill themselves." Sarutobi replied cheerfully, the sarcasm didn't pass over his head.
Sakumo didn't say anything in his silent manner; it was a trait he'd developed during the war. Had it been any other time, his annoyance with being forced to take a break would have shown though. Sighing Sarutobi leaned forward again in his chair, giving his young friend a serious look. "Listen Sakumo, I know just as much as anybody how much you and your squad does. Extra shifts, supply runs, patrol walks, you all stay up for a week and then crash down for two days to sleep! Your chakra is exhausted and so are you. You and your men are only human, you all need this. End of discussion."
"Understood, sir."
So maybe there was still some of his temper left in him.
Sakumo left the Hokage tent without another word, walking swiftly to reach his tent and fellow teammates. As he entered, he was immediately questioned.
"So, what did the Hokage say?"
"Are you in trouble again Sakumo? We told you to stop mouthing off to the Hokage!"
"Shut up, I don't mouth off!" Sakumo defended him self. However, the teasing was all in good fun, his squad mates knew about his closeness to the third, and regularly picked on him for any bad dealing handed down to them from the Hokage. Not that they got many of those, being a high rank squad.
"New mission came in, escort job for some refugees. We leave at 1200 tomorrow, so get some shut eye! No wanking off!" Sakumo grinned as he kicked a teammate's dirty magazine under his bunk.
"That's no good then! I need a good wank before bed! A man's got needs," said the magazine owner.
"Yeah well put your needs on hold for a while. We've all been up for three days and don't want to listen to you get off while trying to finally find some shut eye!" said another, tossing a pillow at the magazine owner.
"Just go to sleep already," said their fourth member, he was already snuggled up in his bunk, his eyes closed.
"Agreed," Sakumo stated, dashing out his bedside candle. The tent fell quiet as they all finally settled in. A few minutes later, Sakumo heard the sound of a magazine flipping open.
They all proceeded to toss their pillows at him.
"Okay, soorry!"
When they awoke, each male went around doing their usual routine. Sakumo rubbed the top of his white head, half heartedly trying to get the spikes to lie nicely as he packed his travel pack. 'Sleeping in your cloths has its advantages,' he thought, leaving the tent to grab some food before leaving.
He waited at the edge of the encampment as his teammates showed up one by one, and when their final remember came, took to the trees. He took point as he lead them South East towards the ocean and the refugee camp approximately 2 days walk away, 1 day at a run if they kept their pace and didn't run into any convoys of enemy ninja.
Of course, they did run into these convoys.
Author's note:
This fanfiction is a collaboration piece between a friend of mine, and my self. On I'm called SunMoonNeko, for a link to our separate profiles check out TheBratClan page!