Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. I only own my OCs used in this fanfic, anything else is coincidental.
Note - This story isn't canon in any way as it takes place later in timeline...but with some elements in it as I do not yet know all of Naruto: Shippuden's storyline so please PLEASE DO NOT SPOIL IT BY SAYING WHO AND WHO SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE OR WHATEVER!
Note 2 - My OCs' backstories etc are not well explained in this fanfic so for anything you don't understand: at the end of this fanfic will be an extra page explaining all about them!
Naruto's Water Palace Adventure
Chapter 1: Start The Mission
It was another day for the ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto was lying in again. Once he got up, he immediately went outside looking for Sakura as she was bound to know what he'd be doing that day. Tsunade, the 5th Hokage, kept her 'apprentice' well informed.
As he searched Konohamaru found him and whispered "There he is." and sneaked over to him.
Naruto heard something and turned around and said "Hm?" and saw square rocks following him. "Weird...square rocks don't exist."he thought to himself and he kept walking and the 'rocks' kept following him. "All right, come on out! That's lame! There's no such thing as square rocks!" he exclaimed at them.
"You're slick, boss. You have caught me again." said Konohamaru and he jumped out of the box.
"Konohamaru, you're a ninja now. You can do better than square rocks." said Naruto.
"But boss...I try." Konohamaru tried to explain. "Anyway, what you up to?" he asked.
"I'm looking for Sakura. She should know what I'm meant to be doing today." Naruto answered.
"Shouldn't you know, boss?" asked Konohamaru with a giggle at the elder ninja.
"Eh, enough of that! I'm going to be Hokage one day and then I'll get the respect Gaara achieved when he reached Kazekage of the Sand Village." Naruto proclaimed.
"Wow. I know you can, boss and I'll gladly reach Hokage after you." said Konohamaru happily with a smile.
"Hehe I can see it, if you keep working hard." said Naruto.
"Hey, Naruto! Naruto!" called Sakura then she saw him. "Oi, Naruto, there you are."
"Oh, Sakura, I was looking for you. What is on my schedule today?" Naruto asked.
"And I'm meant to know your schedule? You little twerp." shouted Sakura crossing her arms.
"Um, boss, why do you always get on her nerves?" asked Konohamaru curiously.
"Eh, I don't know. Scoot, Konohamaru, my day begins now." answered Naruto.
Konohamaru frowned and ran off playfully shouting about how he'd trick Naruto next time.
"Have a way with kids don't you, Naruto?" asked Sakura sarcastically.
"He's not a kid anymore technically. He'll be beyond chuunin levels soon." said Naruto and added "Anyway, am I needed or not?"
"Yes, all right. Tsunade wants you and a few others in her office for a mission, so on you go." said Sakura.
"All right! Thanks, Sakura." said Naruto and ran off to the Hokage's building.
"Glad to help." said Sakura with a sigh and she headed off.
In the Hokage office, Tsunade, Shizune, Neji, Rock Lee, Hitoshi and Sasuke were waiting for Naruto...a tad impatiently.
"He is always late." complained Hitoshi and turned to Sasuke. "And you told me he always complained about Kakashi being late for you guys." he added.
"Hn, that's Naruto. He's a loser and it won't change." said Sasuke.
"He'll be here. Naruto always shows up eventually." said Lee.
"Yes, but I'm sure we could handle this mission without him." said Neji.
"Neji Hyuga, I don't expect that attitude at this time. I know Naruto well by now, I wouldn't consider him if I didn't think he would play a part in your group." said Tsunade sternly.
"Apologies, Lady Tsunade." said Neji.
The door then opened and Naruto ran in.
"I'm here, what have I got to..." he said and paused as he looked at the others in the room. "...do?" he finished.
"I told them you'd be here soon, Naruto!" said Lee happily.
"What are you all here for?" asked Naruto.
"Don't be thick, Naruto. We're all one big group on this mission." said Hitoshi impatiently.
Naruto glared at Tsunade and said "What happened to three man squads, Grandma?"
"If you must know, Naruto, I don't believe just three members will cut it for this mission. Now, if you're finished, I will tell you what the mission is." answered Tsunade.
"Yeah yeah, go on." said Naruto.
"I'm sure you're all aware of the Water Palace legend outside our village?" asked Tsunade as she started.
Hitoshi, Sasuke and Neji nodded while Lee and Naruto shook their heads.
"Basically, Lee and Naruto, there's a Water Palace hidden outside the village..." started Tsunade.
"Where, I've not seen it?" asked Naruto, interrupting Tsunade.
"Oh you really are thick, Naruto. Listen to the words: it's a 'water' palace right? So where do you think it's hidden?" asked Hitoshi impatiently and didn't give him time to answer before saying "In...the...water!"
"Ah what do you know?" said Naruto waving it off.
"All right, break it up you two! You have to work together so listen." said Tsunade, breaking it up.
Both boys sighed and looked away from each other.
"Okay, so the mission involves you all going to the Water Palace and protecting the heirs to the throne as someone is targeting them. They believe it's someone very powerful as well, that's why they almost begged me to send more ninja than would be normal, they are even paying extra for it...so don't screw this one up." continued Tsunade as she explained the mission.
"We won't, Grandma, count on us." said Naruto proudly.
"Good, you leave later today. Get some stuff together, essentials and weapons, and be ready at the main gate. Dismissed." finished Tsunade.
The ninjas all nodded in understanding and left the office to get ready to leave later.
Not long before it came to the leaving time, Sasuke was wandering through the trees nearby the academy so he could think.
"This mission could be a difficult one, at least one of our more difficult in a while. I wonder who could be targeting this kingdom...and their heirs." he thought to himself.
He looked up as he heard something and focused his Sharingan eyes. There was someone watching him.
"Come out of there. I see you." he said.
"Apologies to give you a fright, young sir." said a voice and a person came out of hiding in a long hooded cloak.
Sasuke deactivated his Sharingan and said "No problem. Who are you and what are you doing here?"
"I am Princess Oceania of the Water Palace kingdom." the person stated.
"Really? That's a place myself and my friends have been told to protect from someone targeting it." said Sasuke in interest.
"That was my father who contacted your Hokage. The King. His palace is elsewhere so he hired ninja to protect my brother who has the throne of the other palace." explained Oceania.
"I see. Why aren't you with him?" asked Sasuke.
Oceania then showed Sasuke bruises on her arms and said "My father isn't the nicest man around. He doesn't believe girls could make fine rulers so treats me worse than my brothers. I should have the throne my younger brother has, but he does a good job and I help protect him."
Sasuke nodded and said "Well, as our mission is also to protect the kingdom, we'll be sure to help."
"Thank you. What's your name?" the princess asked.
"Sasuke Uchiha." he answered.
"Uchiha? You must be strong, both physically and mentally, to be a part of their clan." Oceania pointed out.
"Yes, well, I plan to avenge them." he stated.
"A strong burden for a young man, you're like my brother in that sense. Thank you again, Sasuke." she said and suddenly kissed him then left.
Sasuke stared in surprise then went to the gate to join the others.
Over at the gate, the four usual were waiting for the usual late one.
"Ready to go, Sasuke?" asked Neji.
"Yes. Is Naruto here yet?" asked Sasuke.
Neji looked to Hitoshi who frowned and looked to Lee.
"Um, he'll be here soon." said Lee hesitantly.
"Wait up, I'm here! Let's go!" exclaimed Naruto as he ran over.
He reached the others out of breath.
"You are such a loser. Let's get going." said Sasuke.
Naruto frowned as Neji and Hitoshi followed Sasuke.
"I'll admit if you stop being late and silly...you might get less of that." said Lee.
"Yeah yeah maybe. I'll see how this mission goes before I change myself at all." said Naruto.
The duo followed the other three into the forests.
Note
So Konohamaru hadn't changed, but neither has Naruto lol
Why did Oceania come to Sasuke alone like that then give him a surprise kiss? O_O
How will the mission go?
All these answers come in chapters to come ^_^