I just want to say one little thing... I LOVE YOU! Thank you to all of you who have reviewed! It really means so much to me! It gives me motivation to keep writing. Well I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the first one. O... and don't forget to review ;-).
''I knew it baa-chan; you just couldn't keep your best ninja off duty for long! You just had to have me back doing what I do best. So what's the mission? Huh? Shutting down an evil criminal organisation, saving some foreign dignitary from the clutches of an evil madman. No wait, I've got it! You want me to save a village from an evil dictator! Don't worry; I've got it under control! Naruto Uzumaki is back in business!''
Naruto's eyes were wide and his face grinning by the time he had finished his little speech. Tsunade on the other hand held her head in both her hands, trying but failing to keep her anger under control. She had drank too much this time, and should have known better never to mix a hangover with said annoy brat. It was just a recipe for disaster.
Her delicate eyebrow twitched as she lifted her eyes to look directly into Naruto's.
''This mission is a simple protection mission,'' Naruto's face fell, mouth opening to protest yet Tsunade cut him off before he was able to, ''There are settlements stretching further past the hidden villages we know. The people there are different from us; they live in a different culture,'' Tsunade rose from her chair walking over to a large stack of paper evidently trying to find something, ''instead of using chakra they use what they call magic to cast spells to immobilize the enemy.'' A scroll was thrown at Naruto's head at a fast pace while Tsunade proceeded to her seat. ''that scroll contains all the information you will need on your charge.''
Naruto scanned the scroll, Harry Potter, what an odd name.
''Their language is also different from ours,'' Tsunade continued ''you'll be using a translation band which had been sent to us from your employer.'' Laying the gold band on the surface of her desk, Naruto walked closer to inspect it. It was made of thin gold metal; ornately carved writing inscribed the outside of the band, a language he couldn't decipher.
''How do we know we can trust these people,'' Naruto asked, his eyes still examining the beautiful bracelet.
''The shinobi world once held a strong alliance with these people, well so legend tells. More importantly I was able to dig up some information on them. It would seem that this Albus Dumbledore character held steady communications with the Sandaime Hokage. It is also recorded that he once visited our lands.'' Looking out of the window she continued speaking, ''I believe they can be trusted, but even so I wish for you to take a transportation scroll with you, and to keep it on your persons at all times. Any fishy business and I want you straight out of there. Got it?''
''Yer yer, should be a piece of cake,'' a cocky grin stretched across Naruto's face while his arms came to rest behind his head.
Tsunade frowned at his attitude but let it by with a sigh, same old Naruto.
''Report back to my office at sunrise tomorrow before you set off.''
''Eh, baa-chan, how exactly am I meant to be getting there?''
A sly smile twitched at the corners of Tsunade's mouth as her eyes narrowed, truly an evil sight, ''you'll see.''
And with that cryptic message Naruto took it as his point to leave.
''I don't believe it,'' Kiba stared at Naruto with a scowl on his face. Home come he gets to go on all these cool missions, I thought he was meant to be resting.
''Well you better start believing it mutt boy. Old granny Tsunade just couldn't afford to keep me off the active ninja roster any longer,'' Naruto's grin grew even larger at the peeved face of Kiba. ''She needed my expertise to guard this boy.''
''You better be careful Naruto. If you put yourself in the same state as last time you'll have me to deal with,'' Sakura's bright green eyes glinted with hidden malice while all there cowered slightly, ''and I won't let you off as easily this time.''
''Heh, well you don't need to worry Sakura-chan, I've learnt my lesson. Plus I'm sure none of these weird people are half as powerful as me.'' Sakura's fist hit her palm with a large thud while the glare intensified. ''Well I won't go over board or anything. I promise Sakura-chan,'' taking a step back from the glaring Sakura, Naruto took shelter behind the weirdly smiling Sia.
''Hiding from girls dickless?'' Sai questioned while looking over his shoulder at Naruto. Naruto was about to shout back when Kiba interrupted.
''Whatever, I bet she's just got no more genin free so she's had to get you to do it instead.'' Kiba stared at Naruto for several seconds before he got a
''SHUT IT DOG BREATH!'' now he gets it, Kiba thought while rolling his eyes. ''You're just jealous.'' And with that Naruto stuck his tongue out at Kiba, turned swiftly and stalked away.
And I thought he'd actually matured, Kiba thought while staring after the orange blob.
He acts like a 6 year old. Sakura thought while shaking her head.
Sia continued to smile in a freakish manner all the while.
''it's a shoe,'' Naruto stared at said object which sat upon Tsunade's desk. A shoe was meant to transport him to his far of destination. A dirty, old, worn shoe. Naruto was just about to turn around and walk straight out of the office. This mission is getting weirder by the minute.
''Yes, a shoe. Do you have a problem with that?'' Tsunade stared at Naruto with barely concealed anger. Could he just get over the fact it's a damn shoe!
''Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit ridiculous?''
"Yes,'' in all honesty Tsunade had found it hard to believe when she had first been informed of Naruto's travelling methods, but after having to explain it to Naruto several times she was far past losing her patience, ''and if you ask one more time you will be replaced by someone else on this mission.''
With crossed arms and a slight pout to his face Naruto decided to keep quiet.
''Now, there's a couple of things we need to go over before you go,'' taking a seat behind her desk, Tsunade poured herself another cup of sake before continuing. ''This mission Naruto is mainly meant for your recuperation, the chances of a battle while on the school grounds is extremely slim. It would be a suicidal move for the enemy to try and place an attack directly on the premises. Yet that doesn't mean it is not possible. I wish for you to contact me immediately if there is any form of a threat, I shall send back up.''
Naruto was about to protest but was quickly silenced by a jab to the ribs by Sakura and a slap to the head by Kakashi.
''Do I make myself clear Naruto?' Tsunade questioned with an eyebrow raised.
All though begrudged Naruto quietly mumbled a 'Hai' in reply and went back to sulking.
''I also expect a report once a week,'' Tsunade added while glancing at the clock that hung on the wall of her office, 8.57. ''It's almost time to go.'' A wicked grin spread across her lips.
Naruto was quickly pulled into an embrace from Sakura while she warmed him several times not to do anything stupid and to behave. Kakashi patted him on the head, bidding him good look while Sai smiled his ever freaky smile giving him an awkward hug. Tsunade gave him a quick hug before ushering towards the shoe that sat on her desk.
''Just hold on tightly and don't let go,'' Tsunade explained while once again glancing at the clock. Five, four, three, two, one.
Naruto's grip tightened on the worn shoe while he felt the ground slip from beneath his feet.
Snape was not happy with his current predicament, which was clearly evident to his fellow colleagues by the deep scowl that adorned his face. He would much rather be in his warm quarters within the castle mulling over a potion. Yet here he found himself standing in a clearing with Hagrid and Minerva awaiting their guest's arrival.
A strong gust of August wind blew his robes causing him to shiver and cross his arms closer and more securely around his body; trying to fend off the cold. It was confirmed, Snape was livid. When Dumbledore had announced he would be part of the welcoming party for the brat he had merely accepted as an argument about the matter would only put him in a fouler mood.
Yet when it had been announced that said brat that was meant to be the guard was barely older than his charge he was meant to be protecting he began to question the headmaster's sanity, which yet again made his mood even fouler.
''They shouldn't be long now,'' Minerva announced while looking around the clearing they were situated in. It better not be, Snape thought while glaring at a tree off to the side of the clearing.
It had been decided that their guest would arrive via portkey that would transport them to said clearing they were in just past the wards of Hogwarts within the forbidden forest.
A sudden shift in the air and Snape glanced upwards slightly to watch a merge of colours transpire and fall towards the ground. The colours cemented into solid objects and Snape found himself staring at a figure dressed entirely in orange.
The scowl depended and his glare intensified tenfold. Snape had to use all of his will power not to just walk away from the sight which had transpired. The headmaster's sanity is now definitely in question.
Naruto felt the ground slip from beneath his. All the colours around him swirled into one creating a dull gray. The air blew strongly and Naruto strengthened his grip on the shoe while securing his backpack with his other hand.
Suddenly the colours began to take shape, the greens of a forest formed and Naruto glanced downwards to see himself hurtling towards the worn ground. Finally everything was clear and he braced himself for impact landing ungracefully on his behind, so much for being a shinobi. Naruto thought with a scowl.
Glancing around Naruto found himself in a clearing of a forest similar to that of Kohana. Yet the trees weren't as green as those back at home, they had an eerie feel to them. Three other people stood in the clearing with him, two wearing looks of concern while the greasy looking man simple scowled at him, cheery one that one is.
''Mr Uzumaki, are you all right?'' Naruto looked up to see the aged woman with some sort of pointed hat looking at him with a worried face. The language she was speaking in was unfamiliar to Naruto. O, the bracelet.
Pulling the back pack in front of him Naruto unzip the front compartment pulling out the ornate gold band that Tsunade had given him. Quickly slipping it on his wrist Naruto watched in amazement as the gold band adjusted itself to the right size. A suddenly tingling feeling swept through his body.
''Mr Uzumaki, are you hurt?'' the woman approached him further.
''No I'm fine,'' the words that rolled off his tongue felt unfamiliar and Naruto had use all his will power not to slap a hand over his mouth.
''Good, now we must swiftly make are way back to the castle. It is not safe to be out in the forbidden forest for too long.''
Nodding to the woman Naruto swiftly stood, brushing himself off and followed the three figures that had begun walking towards a worn path that led out of the clearing into the dark dreary forest.
Albus's blue eyes twinkled as he popped another sherbet lemon sweet into his mouth before offering one to Naruto sitting before him. Naruto refused with a shake of his head and went back to surveying the room with keen interest.
''I'm pleased you could join us Mr Uzumaki, we are in grave need or your assistance.'' A quiet snort resounded from the corner where Snape stood glaring at the blonde haired teen.
''Just call me Naruto.''
''Very well,'' Dumbledore replied finding himself smiling along with the boy. His smile really is infectious. ''I am sure you have been informed of you charge that you will be protecting. The main reason we require you is due to knowledge we have received informing us of new alleys that have joined the dark side.'
Naruto now turned his full attention to Dumbledore eager to hear what he had to say, ''said people are believed to have abilities which differ from our own and instead venture towards your field of expertise.' '
''I see,'' Naruto stared thoughtfully at the headmaster, what could shinobi want here.
''We find by taking precautions and employing you is the best way to keep Harry protected. You will pose as a transfer student in Harry's own year.'
''No need to worry, Naruto Uzumaki is here now. No harm will fall on anyone,'' Naruto announced while shooting a thumbs up towards Dumbledore. Snape glare simply intensified.
''Splendid.'' Dumbledore's eyes twinkled even more while he raised himself from his chair. ''Now I will have Minerva show you to your quarters. Feel free to familiarise yourself with the castle.''
Naruto was quickly swept from the room by said teacher leaving Snape and Dumbledore.
''You can't be serious Albus, how is an adolescent by meant to protect one of his own age?''
Dumbledore simply ignored the question, popping another sweet into his mouth and smiling.
The cold bleak tunnels were barely lit while the steady drips of water echoed throughout. A cloaked figure rushed along the passage, flanked by two similarly dressed individuals. The leading figure's silver mask glinted in the flames that lit their path.
Taking a sharp turn to the right the group followed the tunnel finally reaching an ornate wooden door at the end. Swirled metal patterns decorated the surface of the wood, branching to the middle to form snake heads. The two guards at each side grabbed a door each allowing them to enter.
''Lucius, so glad you could join us,'' the snake like voice echoed throughout the room. The three cloaked halted before him. The leader of the three stepped forward while removing his silver mask and pushed back his hood. Long blonde hair fell over his shoulders while aristocratic features were highlighted by the dim lights of the room.
''My Lord Voldemort,'' Lucius bowed waste deep in respect while halting metres away from the intimidating snake like figure which was sat regally in a throne like chair.
''Lucius, '' an evil smile carved its way onto Voldemort's face sending a shiver down Lucius spine. Standing, Voldemort slowly advanced towards him, his movement very much like a predator after its prey. A long bony hand stretched out and tilted his head. ''I have good news, we have new alleys in this war.''
Transfixed to his Lords ruby eyes Lucius only turned his gaze when new footsteps echoed from the shadows of the room. A darkly robed figure stepped into view, a large hood shielding their face. Quickly glancing back to Voldemort Lucius watched as a somewhat gleeful look lit within his eyes while he started at the unidentified person.
The figure was of average size from what Lucius could tell yet one thing scared him more than anything making him want to run from the room. The hood was now pulled back and Lucius found himself staring at deathly red eyes which glinted with malice.
Hope you enjoyed it!