(A/N: Ok, chapter 1 is finally here! This is going to be fun to write…
And Naruto's "Special talents"? Yeah, not quite what you'd expect. Just saying he has something unexpected along with his other new skills. Remember, this is kinda half-musical, and I've pulled the songs from a Disney movie.
Thanks to RasenShuriken92 (love the name xD) and KaliAnn for reviewing!
Enjoy ! :D)
Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto, don't own Anastasia. If I did, I probably would have made this into a movie. But it isn't, so you can probably tell I'm just a very sad fan.
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Once Upon a December: Uzumaki Style!
Chapter 1: Mission to the Whirlpool!
Naruto Uzumaki woke up with a start.
He sat up, panting slightly, and stared at the door, trying to get his breath back.
The normally cheerful, sunny-haired thirteen-year-old was feeling uncharacteristically upset. He had a sick feeling in his stomach; he felt that something bad was going to happen very soon.
He stayed where he was for several minutes, before giving his head a small shake and reprimanding himself for being a scaredy-cat. He knew that dreams weren't real; he'd forgotten what he'd been dreaming about anyway. He remembered something about a music box, but that was about it.
Naruto got up to get ready for the day. All the while he felt a little off, but he dismissed it as paranoia, trying to block out that feeling that something was going to go wrong.
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A few hours later, Naruto stood with his team in the Hokage's office. He'd met them like usual, smiling and laughing and being loud, but he suspected Kakashi could tell he was putting it on today from the suspicious glances he kept giving him. He really didn't know why he was so concerned, he'd had worse dreams than that before, but they never bothered him.
Tsunade shot him a look, and then cleared her throat. "Team 7." She said. "I've got an A-Rank for you today, so please do your best on this." She looked out at them and folded her arms so that her hands were resting beneath her chin. "A disturbance has surfaced in the Land of Whirlpools, and I want you four to check it out. You see, the Land of Whirlpools is in disarray at the moment. It lost its ninja village years ago, and since then the economy and political situation has fallen apart. They have also had a huge decrease in military strength, and that led to some countries wishing to invade them. Along with all that, it seems as though there have attacks on the current Feudal Lord from a group who wishes to take over."
"So," She continued "The Feudal Lord has requested our help on the matter. We agreed because we had close ties with their village. Your mission is to travel, incognito, to the Land of Whirlpools and try to stop this group from taking over."
Naruto blinked. "Eh?"
Tsunade sighed "Just go in and beat up the guys who are trying to take over the Land of Whirpools because they're in trouble. Got it?"
Naruto grinned. "Yup! Why didn't you just say that?"
Sakura face palmed, Kakashi sweat dropped, Sasuke shook his head and Tsunade sighed.
"Never mind." Tsunade muttered. "Seriously though," She added "This is a mission I would usually assign to much higher-ranking Jonin than you lot. The only reason I'm doing so is because Kakashi here has had some experience with the people of the Whirlpool. Another is that kids like you might make you look less conspicuous. Remember, the majority of this mission is of a reconnaissance type, the real fighting only happens at the end. If you need backup, just send me a message and I'll assign you a backup squad, alright? Bear in mind that you may very well be deciding the future of this country."
The Genin nodded, suddenly feeling a little overwhelmed.
Tsunade leaned back on her chair. "Well then, dismissed!" She barked, causing the little Genin to scurry over to the doorway and disappear to pack their bags. "You are to rendezvous in 10 minutes at the village gate!" She called at their retreating backs.
Kakashi had not moved. He had given the Hokage questioning glances throughout the entire mission briefing. "Hokage-sama," He said quietly "The reason you assigned my team to this mission wasn't just because of my experience, right? Because the only person I've ever met from Whirlpool has been dead for a while, and she lived in Konoha for most of her life. Plus, she never mentioned the ways of her village to me. Not even once"
"In fact," He continued "I don't think I'm the reason that you chose this team. You chose it because of Naruto, right?"
Tsunade smiled "Quick as ever, Kakashi." She commended.
Kakashi frowned. "I don't mean to offend you, Hokage-sama." He said "But I don't agree with you. Naruto is simply not ready for this. He doesn't know a thing about his heritage, and I don't know how his people will react to him and who he is."
Tsunade looked grave "I know." She said. "I am gambling something in sending him on this mission. My advice is to keep his last name secret at all costs, and only if it seems that revealing his heritage will be crucial to this mission, then do so."
Kakashi looked ready to argue "But…"
Tsunade glowered up at him. "My decision is final, Kakashi." She growled. "I trust Naruto, and I trust you. I know you will complete this mission successfully. You also must be aware that Naruto will have to find out about his parents sooner or later, and if he must know now, it's best to start off with his mother's side of the family right?"
Kakashi looked down. "I still don't know if…"
Tsunade jerked her head at him sharply. "You know Naruto would want to help them, right?" She said. "They're as much his people as we are."
Kakashi was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, Hokage-sama. I understand. We will do our best in carrying out our mission."
"That's good. Trust in Naruto, Kakashi. He has a good head on his shoulders at the best of times, he'll understand if he finds out."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
And Kakashi left to meet his team on the bridge. Two hours late, of course.
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Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke waited by the gate. Sakura was fuming, Sasuke was brooding quietly, and Naruto was staring off into space.
"Kakashi-sensei is late again." He remarked.
"Well, yeah!" Sakura said, turning on him. "Have you just noticed? It's been two hours!"
"Has it?" Naruto asked, eyes widening. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't notice."
Sasuke glanced at his teammate. "What's up, loser?"
"Huh?"
"Don't look so confused." Sasuke stated calmly. "You've been really quiet, and you're a bit detached from the world. So, what's up?"
Naruto looked stunned for a second. Then he lowered his eyes, and clutched his hands together. Sasuke noted with some surprise that he seemed nervous, scared even.
This put him on his guard. Naruto wasn't frightened easily.
Naruto looked up, and started to speak. "Well, I…"
"Yo! Sorry I'm late!"
Apparently, Kakashi had the worse sense of timing in the world. Sasuke resolved to give a good kick later.
"KAKASHI-SENSEI!" Screeched Sakura "YOU'RE LATE!"
Kakashi looked sheepish "Sorry, I had a couple of things to take care of…"
"ZIP IT!" Sakura yelled "YOU NO-GOOD, LYING….Oh. Hello, Hokage-sama."
Tsuande looked amused. "Hello, Sakura." She turned to the rest of the group. "Now, you know your mission? I forgot to warn you about something, though…"
All three (four, even though Kakashi denied it) listened with interest.
"The people of the Whirlpool have rather…interesting personalities. Their customs and way of life may seem strange to you, but you'll get used to it."
Naruto looked confused. "What kind of customs?"
Tsunade chuckled knowingly. "You'll understand when you get there."
The three Genin gave each other sidelong glances.
They suddenly wondered what exactly they had gotten themselves into.
TBC
(A/N: Well? Is it getting good? I'd originally slated this chapter to be released next week, but I found I had a little more time on my hands than I thought, and got it finished for today. So, the next chapter will be out in a week or so.
Don't worry; you'll understand the "customs" and all that next chapter. I've got it all planned out. :D
Anyways, REVIEW! See you next time! )
