Diclamer: Do not own Naruto in any way.
Consider this my Thanksgiving gift.
There was much chatter in the market place as people bargained to get the best price they could. On every side of the street different kinds of items were being sold. On one side the fruit and vegetable vendors had set up their stand. On another fresh meat from animals were on sale. The meat was pricy as animal meet wasn't numerous and the hunters who caught and killed them had to be paid as well. There were also a few restaurants where people could dine in. Although at the moment very few did.
Money was still rather tight in the Rock village from the war ten years ago. Now it was known as the Third Shinobi War where a few select ninja and made a name for themselves. It had involved a few villages but the main two had been The Land of Earth and the Land of Leaves. One particular legend had been formed there from the Leaf named the Yellow Flash. His strength had devastated rock armies and lead several other strong leaf ninjas into their territory. It had also caused rock to stipulate a flee on encounter directive to all their ninja if they met him on the battle field. Iwgnaure was a proud village but did not want to face total destruction. They had surrendered to Leaf and called a cease fire. To Kohanu's credit they made no attempts to control Iwgnaure. Only certain stipulations so war wouldn't start again. But rebuilding had only finished three years ago and rock was still getting back on its feet.
For this reason Kohanu and Iwgnaure enjoyed a quiet peace but no friendship. There were those in rock who still held grudges against their defeat and it would take time to heal old wounds. Incidently it was this war that had made the Leaf village so well respected by the other nations. No one brought up any ideas of attacking a village that had shown its power so immense. But then there was the death of the Yellow Flash eight years ago defeating the nine tailed fox. Next the destruction of the powerful Uchiha clan from within the leaf borders only a week ago. News had traveled fast and for once the seemingly invisible village appeared to have a weakness. Such opportunities were not be wasted. The Leaf village had been dominant for years, now seemed like a perfect time to change that. That where those who couldn't help think their village would fit the new role nicely.
"I tell you Funji, Kohanu has had this coming. They've been on top to long looking down at us like we're cockroaches. I say we strike now while their still recovering. There are others who agree with me. You hear a lot of talk around your stand, what are others saying about it?" A grey hairing man asked the vegetable vendor in front of him.
The young man in his twenties with straight black hair didn't answer him for a moment as he counted out the man's change. Once he got it he gave it to the elder man and answered the question.
"Well everyone's talking about it. Some are like you Saya while others don't want us to get involved. Personally I agree with the latter. After all these years were almost back on track to what we used to be. No point destroying all that progress and starting another war just for the sake of revenge." Funji answered him.
Saya sniffed at that.
"Ah what do you know anyway. You were just a teenager when the war was going on. You didn't fight like I did along with others. You didn't see your comrades die or have to endure being captured. I spent a month as a prisoner. I couldn't do a damn thing while my fellow shinobi fought. Until the bastards finally let me go saying the war was over and that we had lost. I swear I almost took that guys kunai and shoved it down his smug throat. But the other prisoners stopped me and dragged me out kicking and screaming." Saya told him with anger.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that. But I've heard from others that were captured and they said they weren't treated all that badly. They were fed and allowed to bath almost every day. They were interrogated for military positions and strength but never tortured. Are you saying it was different for you?" Funji asked.
"That's not the point, they took our dignity!! For years we were the laughing stock of the other villages. It is only through the last few years that our military strength has become formidable. Meanwhile the Leaf Village is revered for how they put us down. We had to construct new buildings and alter our way of life, they didn't. It is not revenge but justice. They must suffer the same way they made us do." Saya said with spit flying out of his mouth.
Funji wiped the spit away from his face before replying back calmly.
"That still sounds like revenge to me. You right I wasn't there and I hope to never be put in that position. But the Leaf Village has done nothing to us since then. A war is not warranted. Not to mention they too have suffered. The nine tails did a lot of damage before it was stopped. The Uchihia's were one of their strongest clans. They have lost things as well Saya, is that not enough?" Funji begged.
Saya snorted and picked up his bag of groceries.
"Not nearly enough." He said before turning his back and walking away.
Funji just shook his head and looked up at they sky. The sun was starting to descend so he would probably stay open for one more hour. Then he would go home and look over his inventories and see what he had to re order. He had a good week and had sold a lot. There were many things that would have to be restocked. Still it was a good problem to have, it beat the opposite.
"Hey guy, if your done daydreaming how about some service." Came a voice in front of him.
Funji shook his head to clear it and berated himself for not paying attention to his customers. In his line of work that just wasn't done.
"Sorry sir, what can I do for you?" He asked looking ahead. At first he saw nothing but a head of black hair. He then turned his eyes down and saw the hair was attached to a kid.
The boy held up a list and showed it to him.
"I need these things. Don't try to cheat me either. I may be a kid but I know how much things cost." The boy said.
Funji had long ago gotten use to rude customers so this kid's attitude did not offend him. He took the list and looked at the five items on it.
"I have all these items, it will cost you 11 quartz." Funji replied to the boy.
"Make it ten and you got a deal." The boy replied.
Funji stopped himself from rolling his eyes. It seems that people were learning how to barter younger these days. He was about to tell the kid no when he saw the look in his eyes. The darkness and determination he saw there made his bones rattle. Not comfortable with the feeling Funji nodded and bagged up the supplies the boy wanted. The boy took the supplies and gave him the money. As Funji was putting the money away two more kids walked up to his stand.
"You get everything?" Asked the girl. She seemed to be around the same age of the boy. She was pale skin with emerald colored eyes. He couldn't tell her hair color because she had a scarf rapped around her head.
"Of course, I even have some money left over. You just have to know how to talk to people." The black haired boy said with a smirk.
The other boy, with blue eyes and blood hair, rolled his eyes. If Funji wasn't mistaken he also appeared to have whiskers on his face.
"You got something to say dope?" Asked the black haired boy.
"No, just not surprised at how arrogant you can be. But what else could I expect from a teme like you." The blond replied.
Black haired clenched his fist around the rest of his money walked toward the blond. The blond walked towards him as well. Funji was about to tell them to go away as he didn't want a fight in front of his stand. It wouldn't due for business. He was saved the effort when the girl put herself between them both.
"What part of not drawing attention to ourselves did you two baka's not understand? We got what we came for lets go." She said to the both of them.
The blonds shoulders slumped and he turned away. The other boy kept his posture but made no attempt to continue to move forward. He kept his eyes even with the girl appearing to try to imitate her. The girl looked at him with an annoyed look showing she was not affected by his cold stare in the least. The boy finally blinked and turned his head away with a scowl on his face. The girl let out a sigh before turning Funji's way and bowing.
"Sorry for the trouble sir, we thank you for you service and will be on our way." She told him with a forced smile.
He nodded his acknowledgement. The black haired boy sniffed in contempt but was ignored. The girl turned and walked away with the blond following right behind her like a wounded puppy. The black haired boy stared at them for a moment before blowing out a breath and following them.
Funji could only shake his head at what he had just witnessed. The children could not have been more than seven or eight years old. But here they were in the market place buying supplies of their own. He had seen that that blond boy had a bag of something as well. It wasn't the first time kids had bought from him but the parents were always nearby. He had seen no adults near them. Also even though they acted like siblings just by looking at them Funji could tell they were not related. None of the three shared any of the same characteristics. Still it wasn't his business and he would be closing up soon anyway. But at the back of his mind he wondered how long that first kid had been standing there. If he was there for a while just how much of Saya's conversation did he hear.
Sakura was fighting to keep her cool as they walked away from the vendor. It was just like her father all over again. Except instead of being the mother to a grown man she was now one to two boys. The trek through the jungles had had been hard and long. It took them twice the time she had thought to reach the rock village. The food she had brought had run out on the fourth day and they had to hunt. Luckily sasuke proved good at setting traps. They had dined on rabbit, birds, and snake before finally reaching the village on the sixth day. Of course then living arrangements had to be considered. Sakura had only a little money she took from her fathers room. They decided to once again stay at the edge of the village on top of a hill.
Sakura had heard Rock was mountainess but she had not expected this. The maps she had did not do it justice. Unlike the leaf there were not as many trees. Instead there were hills and plateaus. Further up from the residential district there were huge mountains. They seem to surround the village making it a very defensible area. The rock village had chosen its location wisly. No wonder Leaf had trouble reaching it during the war so many years ago. It had been fairly easy for her and the others to get in since they were children. They also wore no head bands so they would never be considered ninja in training. They had all agreed they were runaways from a small village that had recently been destroyed. The guards had let them in with little fuss, although their eyes did linger or Naruto.
Still now they at least had more supplies and even some money left over. They would have to sleep at the edge of the village again even with the money sasuke had pick pocketed from a few people. Sakura hadn't been in favor of such methods but knew they couldn't be picky. Sakura and Naruto were also wise enough not to bring up the massacre. Sasuke had told them nothing and they had only heard about it once entering the village. Still even Sasuke had looked surprised at some of what was said. Shaking her head from all these thoughts and frankly tired she moved on until they could reach their sleeping place again.
Naruto walking a few paces behind Sakura kept his eyes forward so he wouldn't have to look at the Uchiha bringing up the rear. He knew Sakura didn't like it when they fought. Naruto had to admit that he was the one who started the last fight. He would have to do better. Like Sakura said they had to keep a low profile. Not to mention he should give Sasuke a break since his whole family had be killed by his brother. Naruto never knew his family, but that was better than what had happen to Sasuke he had no doubt. If the teme cold calm down his attitude he would try to as well. He didn't think the two would ever be friends. But at least they could get along without throwing insults or punches.
Naruto was also concerned on what they would be doing next. He understood they needed supplied but then what. How were they suppose to learn new jutsu's just by walking around. Sakura had told him it would take time. Naruto didn't like waiting and told her so. Sasuke had answered for her and said it was necessary. It they were found out to be from Leaf they would be killed in an instant. Naruto had agreed and they were now setting up places to visit around the village to learn more. Naruto put his hands in his pocket and locked ahead.
Sasuke watched the two people in front of him with mixed emotions. Naruto acted stupid and was constantly annoying. Most of the time he wanted to tell the dope to shut up and punch his face in. Sakura usually beat him to it and he was frustrated at her from stopping his fun. He could accept that the girl was smart. She had proved that by breaking into the temple and bringing supplies on their journey. But he got angry when she talked down at him and even sometimes ignored him. He was not use to such treatment, especially from girls who were always all over him. The Uchiha's were a proud clan and demanded respect from others.
Sasuke's steps slowed when he realized that was past tense. The Uchiha's had been powerful and had been respected. But now only he and his other brother were the only ones left of his once powerful clan. It still made his blood boil at what Itachi had done. He didn't know why and he really didn't care. He would get his revenge one day. But he would do it the way he had promised his mother. Sasuke refused to break his word to the person he loved the most.
In this way he too was impatient on there so called mission to learn every jutsu from every village. It was a grand mission to accomplish he knew none had do so before. Ninja primarily knew jutsu from their own village and a few from others. The tasks they were undertaking would prove hard if not impossible. But Sasuke knew that if he was to get strong enough he had to do it. Like it or not the two with him were his best chance to accomplish that. He had no choice but to at least get along with them.
Still he needed someway to release all this energy he built up. Thinking back to that vendor he knew just the way. Now to convince the other two to go along with it. Naruto would be easy as he was always filled with energy. Sakura would be hesitant but would agree if he explained it the right way. With a genuine smile on his face he jogged up to Sakura to tell her what he had in mind.
Funji just finished packing up his kart as the sun started to set. There was very little light left and Funji wanted to get back before it was dark. His house was on the other side of the village but he knew a short cut. He wished he didn't have to sell his goods so far from home but it couldn't be helped. This was where all the business was. With that he picked up the bars on his kart and started rolling it toward home. He by passed others doing the same and a few even leaving theirs here. Funji trusted people, but not that much.
After rolling his kart for a while he turned into a alley that was his secret short cut. This area of the village was where building had been too devastated during the war and not bothered t be rebuilt. As a result not many people came through thus area and didn't know about his route. Its wasn't much but Funji enjoyed having at least one secret to himself.
Which is why he was surprised when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw several shadows. They were too far away for him to tell who they were or how many. It appeared his short cut wasn't so secret after all. Funji let out a sign of disappointment and continued his journey.
He quickly turned when the footsteps got louder and faster. He opened his mouth wide when he finally got a good look at them. There were four of them and that all had some kind of weapon. Funji quickly turned back around and pushed his kart full force. The rock ninja didn't patrol this sector. He had to get out of here and get help. That thought stalled as something cracked against his head and he fell down. The kart rolled a few more feet before it stopped as well.
"Where you think you going peddler? Me and my friends want some of your goods." Came a rough voice from above him.
Funji groaned and turned his head to see who was talking to him. It was big man with a shaved head and several tattoos along his face. He was smiling down at him but it was a cruel smile.
"Just take what you want and let me go. I don't want any trouble." Funji said rubbing his sore head.
The man laughed as well as the people behind him. He put his bat over his shoulder and looked back down at Funji.
"Thanks for offering but we weren't asking for your permission. We are going to take what we want. Which is your food and your money. Then your going to take us to your house and we'll take some more. If you got some good stuff we're just break your legs and let you live. If not…" He left on.
Funji's eyes widened at the implication. There was no way out, he was going to lose everything. Despite his best efforts he started to cry. This only made his robbers laugh even harder.
"Check out this guy, crying liking a little baby. We sure picked a winner this time boys." The man with the bat said.
"Yeah, what a wuss." Another said holding a chain.
The leader lowered his bat until the end of it was just inches from Funji's nose.
"Crying time is over. It's time you lead us the way. We'll take everything once we get to your home. Try anything funny and suffer the consequences." He said.
"I can't stand to hear this guy talk anymore." Said another new voice.
The robbers looked up confused and raised their weapons in defense. Funji too looked around. But more so because the voice sounded familiar.
"Who the hell is that, show yourself coward!" The leader yelled holding his bat close.
The reply was a laugh, except it was a different voice.
"You were right teme, these guys are a bunch of pushovers. I can see them shaking already." Said the voice from the darkness.
The leaders eyes went red at this as he stepped in the voices direction.
"That's it, get out here now! I'm going to teach you punks a lesson." He yelled.
Suddenly a small form jumped over the head of three of the hechmen and landed right in front of the leader.
"What the hell? Your just some punk k-" the leader began before a foot shot up right between his legs.
His face lost all color and he fell to both knees releasing the bat. The small figure quickly picked up the bat and smashed it against the leaders head. The man fell to the side and did not stir.
"BOSS!!" Yelled the three would be robbers.
Sasuke turned around to them with the bat over his shoulder. Not exactlty a weapon for a ninja but he could use it. Besides there was no way he use his own weapons on simple bandits. These guys were scum but he wasn't going to kill them. He was about to advance on them when Naruto entered the fight.
While rolled up into a ball Naruto plowed into the bandits legs. Two fell to their backs while the other one tripped into the building wall. Naruto jumped onto one of the ones that fell and kicked him in the chin. While the guy was dazed Naruto landed a few solid blows to his head with his small hands and the guy was out.
Naruto turned to the other man just I time to barly avoid a knife blade to his face. He did lose a few hairs on his head though. Before the man could swipe at him again Sasuke slammed the bat on his hand causing him to drop the bat. After that both Naruto and Sasuke double teamed the man beating him to a bloody pulp.
The last man pushed himself from the wall just in time to see the third member of his gang being beaten up by two boys. Gripping his crowbar in hand he decided his best option was to run. He turned to do so only to feel a slash to his right thigh. He looked down and saw a small girl with a scalpel in her hand. He also felt his right leg weaken and he was forced to one knee. Confused by the pain the girl made two more incisions into each shoulder. Now he couldn't get his arms to move.
"I just severed several key artieries in your body. Nothing that will kill you, but you won't be able to move that well let alone fight. Stop robbing people, or next time I'll make it permanent." She told him.
He looked at her blankly as her free hand went behind his neck. He then felt her squeeze something there and his eyes widened. They then suddenly closed and he dropped to the ground fast asleep.
Sakura looked at the man for a moment before turning her back. Her stomach felt funny but she fought to over come it. If she was continue this path she would have to heal and kill in then future. It wasn't necessary this time but one day it would be. In this way she actually envied Sasuke and Naruto. They had no problem looking for a fight. They knew how to back it up to as she looked at the three unconscious bandits.
"Not bad for out first group fight." She said.
"These guys were simple thieves, the real fight is when we face other ninja. This hardly counts as a warm up." Sasuke replied with a small frown.
"Hey we just saved a guy Sasuke, be happy with that." Naruto countered.
Sasuke snorted but said nothing else.
"Wow, that was amazing. I owe you guys my life." Said Funji slowly getting back to his feet.
The three children looked at him then. During the fight they had actually forgotten he was there. They would have to be more careful with their words in the future.
"I don't know what I can do to repay you guys. But if I can do something for you just name it." Funji continued.
"How about giving me back my money. No to mention some information." Sasuke instantly answered.
"Sasuke, you can't ask him for our money back. He gave us what we paid for. We would be no better than these guys if we took his money now." Naruto argued.
"We're not forcing him. Not to mention he did say anything we wanted." Sasuke said back.
"I didn't exactly say anything." Funji said to himself.
Sasuke and Naruto started to argue among themselves as Sakura checked all the bodies. They were breathing well and nothing life threatening. Satisfied she turned to the vendor.
"You'll have to excuse my friends, their idiots." Sakura explained.
"HEY!!" came a shout from both boys.
Sakura waved her hand in their direction telling them to be quiet.
"You can keep the money but we will need some information. Also maybe a place to stay for a few nights until we get settled." She continued.
"Actually that's a good idea. Our present location leaves us too vulnerable. In a home we would be more guarded and view our surroundings without others knowing about it." Sasuke said thinking about the advantages of staying in an actual house.
"Not to mention we would stop sleeping on the grass." Naruto added his two cents.
"You kids have been sleeping outside, for how long?" Funji asked shocked.
"We better walk and talk. These guys might wake us and be stupid enough to try and fight us again. Their no challenge so I don't want to waste the time." Sasuke said walking up to Funji.
"Your right Sasuke, we still have to pick up our gear and bring it to his house. It's not to far from here so we'll stop there first." Sakura agreed.
"You got enough space for the three of us mister?" Naruto asked walking up as well.
Funji was really confused at this point. Here these were mere children but they were talking like adults. Well except maybe the blond, but he seemed smart for his age. Also there was the way they had fought. They had taken down four grown men who easily weighed five times as them. The one with black hair had mentioned something about other ninja. But these kids were too young to be ninja, it just wasn't possible. But the proof was right in front of him.
"Again with the daydreaming, lets go." Sasuke said getting irritated with this guy. He walked ahead of them.
"Don't mind him, he's just very impatient." The girl said with a small smile.
"You look hurt so I'll push your kart." Naruto offered.
Funji was about to protest that it was too heavy when the blond haired boy grabbed both bars and picked the kart up. He struggled somewhat but held it steady as he pushed it forward.
"Naruto is very energetic, you're actually doing him a favor my letting him push it." Sakura assured him.
Funji nodded his head numbly as he walked with the girl right beside him.
"Also besides Naruto, the guy in front is Sasuke, and my name is Sakura." Sakura spoke up again.
"Nice to meet you Sakura. My name is Funji Kenshin. Don't take offense but you guys don't look like your related. I also don't see any adults around. What exactly is your story." Funji asked politely as he could. He was really curious about these three.
Sakura maintained her calm as she told the story they had agreed upon. They were three orphans from a small village that had been destroyed. They never saw their attackers because they had ran without looking back. Their parents were dead and they had met outside the village. The three stay together and moved on to find somewhere safe. Also to get stronger so one day so they could defeat those who killed their families.
"I'm sorry for your lost. It seems you three are getting strong by what I saw today. I would have been in big trouble if you hadn't come along." Funji told her when she was done.
"Yes, it was a good thing Sasuke noticed those guys eyeing your stand when he was there. He figured they were going to try and rob you. You were nice enough to us so we stayed around and followed you when you closed up. We stayed a good distance behind so we wouldn't be noticed by them or you. Sorry we couldn't stop them from hitting you the first time." Sakura told him.
He gave a small smile at that.
Don't worry about it, it could have been a lot worse. Besides you did say it was your first group battle. You three made a pretty good team for a first time fight. I'm sure you three will reach your goal in no time." He encouraged her.
Sakura smiled at him before looking down.
"I hope so, I don't know how much time we have." She whispered.
Funji didn't hear her and got lost in his own thoughts. The kid Sasuke was fast. He had taken out the leader before the guy even knew what happen. Naruto was like a bulldozer, the boy didn't care about what kind of damage he inflicted on himself in battle. Lastly the girl was precise, the cuts had been accurate and without hesitation. The words he had told Sakura were not empty. He was no ninja but he knew talent when he saw it. Rock shinobi were formidable warriors and if these three continued as they were in a few years they would be a force to be reckoned with.
Up ahead Sasuke was thinking similar thoughts. He hated to admit it but they had worked well together. He had to help Naruto but he was sure the blond could have handled it if he had too. He had noticed on their journey through the forest that Naruto seemed to never run out of energy. It bothered Sasuke that Naruto had more stamina than he.
From birth he had been trained to be the best. But then again maybe that was the problem. Itachi was declared a prodigy at a young age and was a Jonin at only nine. Sasuke himself was only a genin level now he knew. Still the clan had pushed them both, Itachi more so. Maybe it had something to do with what happen. His head started to hurt thinking all these thoughts. Whatever Itachi reasons they didn't justify what he did. He would pay one day, Sasuke would personally make sure of it.
But for now they had a home for a while. Not to mention they could gain information from this guy. He had heard him speak to the older man who had been ahead of him. Sasuke's tutor banged into his head about knowing about the past so the same mistakes wouldn't be made in the future. For that reason he knew about the Third Shinobi War. If Rock really did want revenge for their lost he had to know about it. Despite everything The Leaf village was still his home. He would get stronger not only to defeat Itachi but to protect his home. Itachi's crime put a giant stain on his clan name. He would bring honor back to his Uchiha name, no matter how long it took.
Naruto himself was glad to sleep inside a warm house tonight. The fight had charged him up for a while but he would be sleepy later. It felt good to fight with Sakura and Sasuke. He was looking forward to doing it again. That and learning new jutsu's. Sakura told them both it would take two years before they had the necessary experience and charka to use any of the jutsus from the forbidden scroll. That seemed like too long to Naruto. So he would train harder and faster so he could learn them sooner.
Both Sasuke and Sakura said they knew charka excersies that could help. They would start in a few days once they got settled. Naruto couldn't wait, his dreams would come true. Then he would return home and be a true hero. He eyes glazed over at that thought as he continued to push the kart.
TBC
