Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any canon Characters used in the story, except for OCs. All rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto

-Fic's an AU-

-Not Beta'd so expect some misspellings and grammatical errors-

-Enjoy-

-V(^_^)V-

Chapter 4: The Land of Rivers and The trouble

Sakura looked herself over the mirror one more time. The sun on her window was barely showing, flipping her hair, she contemplates whether to let it hang loose or tied it up.

Their C-rank (And hopefully, its right this time) since their last.

Recalling their last mission to wave, she realized that she didn't do much. She screamed when Kakashi-sensei was torn into 'pieces', she shivered in fear when Zabuza arrived and she was cowering away from the bridge when they reencounter Zabuza and his assistant Haku while Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke-kun and even Naruto were trying their very best to fight them.

Yes, she was Kunoichi of the year in their class. Yes, she exile from theoretical subject, but what does it benefit from fighting strong opponents like Zabuza and Haku or other stronger ones to come. Unlike Sasuke-kun and Naruto, both boys are capable in fighting. Of course, Sasuke-kun was strong, he was class rookie of the year, but then again he was reduce to almost his death while fighting Haku, although it made him activate his sharingan in all. But ranking in class doesn't signify that you're strongest, Sasuke's situation proves that, and Naruto himself was another proof. Without him, Sasuke would have dead, he might not exile in theological, poor in ninjutsu and taijutsu, but he plastered a raw determination, a conviction where Sakura lack.

That's why, after thinking all this stuff, she instantly broke her schedule by rampaging in their kitchen refrigerator hunting for food in the middle of the night, diet be damn! She wanted to catch up with her boys, maybe not Sasuke, but even Naruto is closer than Sasuke and her first act was to gain energy as what her body want for the new training regime their sensei had created.

That was after Kakashi had told them about their new training schedule three weeks ago.

"Maybe I should cut my hair? It does bother me during training" Deciding to tie it up for now, she grabbed her bag next to the door frame as she exited from her room, having eaten onigiri prepare last night by her mother, she walked out her residence, leaving a note on the fridge for her parents to read.

She walked the morning street of Konoha, and as expected it was silent, it was still early in the morning.

Arriving at Konoha's gate, Sakura noticed that both Sasuke and Naruto were already there and as always no sight of their sensei.

"Good morning" She greeted.

"Morning Sakura-chan"

"Hn"

Checking the time, she notice that it was already six sharp, she let out a heavy sigh as she flap her bag down next to where Naruto was seating cross legged.

"Guess we'll be waiting for another two hours" she said, glancing at Sasuke who was leaning on the large gate.

Naruto nodded silently.

Two hours later

"Yo"

"You're LATE!" Came the chorus voices of Naruto and Sakura.

"Hn" and Sasuke's grunt.

"You see, I was held back by a black cat-"

"Why do we even bother asking" Sakura said crossing her arms "Or better yet, why do we even bother coming in the time set when we all know you'll always be two hours late"

"The only time you bother to show up on schedule are during training" Complain the blonde.

"Hn" and Sasuke.

Kakashi sweat drop.

Getting into business, Kakashi pull out a scroll from his pouch and wave the kids to gather around him.

Crouching down, Kakashi unroll the scroll.

"A storage scroll?" Surprisingly it was Naruto who had asked.

"You're familiar with the seal Naruto?" Kakashi inquire.

Seals are tackled during the academy, though they are merely limited to explosive tags, flash bangs and storage scroll, three of the most commonly use seals in the art of ninja. Since they were usually used, the seals written on them are non-complex and are limited as well, for example the explosive tag if it's the standard seal array the effect are not that massive, same as the flash bangs, and common storage scroll are only limited to kunai and shuriken. The more complex the arrays of seal the more wider the variety you can make use of them. Then again, Naruto knew of these, the boy's an Uzumaki.

Scratching the back of his head, Naruto sheepishly grin "Well, I notice the kanji for 'store' so, yeah I immediately thought it serves it like that" A complete lie, that didn't went unnoticed by Kakashi, well at least his cover are improving. The blonde's an honest fella for goodness sake! To have Sasuke and Sakura not see through it, made Kakashi proud of the boy, he bet that was taxing for Naruto.

"Eh… you're right" Sakura added, finding the said kanji and then look back at Naruto shock, Sasuke too was looking at the blond an eye brow raise.

"What?"

"I didn't know the dobe can read kanji" Sasuke snorted with a hint of wonderment.

This of course fuel Naruto as he swung a punch towards the Uchiha who of course dodge effortlessly "What'd you said Sasuke-teme!"

"Baka Naruto! Don't call Sasuke-kun Teme!" cue head smacking.

"Maa maa… Eyes back here" Kakashi clap his hands gaining their attentions before they stray more on their main mission "As what Naruto said, this is a storage scroll. Our mission is to escort a medic nin to the land of Rivers and retrieve a herb that only grows on said place and return here. Usually it isn't necessary for a Medic nin to require escort, but the Hokage decided to insert another mission since it's in the same place"

"Two missions on one team?" Sakura asked.

"Yes. While the Medic nin is on the process of getting the herb, we on another hand are task to give this to someone from the land of Rivers" Kakashi placed a hand on the unrolled scroll, he pump some Chakra on it and a poof was heard and reveal a "Wakizashi?" Sasuke said. It was a blade between 30 and 60 cm long, its sheath was shiny black and its handle wrapped in its usual black leather.

"So? Is it important or something for the client to hire us awesome ninja?" Naruto was met with another smack. "Hmm, Not really, it's just an ordinary sword that needs to be returned" Kakashi answer them.

"Why is it in Konoha Sensei?" Sakura asked, after giving Naruto a scolding look as said blond was nursing his throbbing head. The pinkette cook her head wondering as to what brought the sword to their village if the owner is in another.

"Apparently some bandits had stolen the weapon. The owner, who had issued a mission for the sword to Konoha, was lucky that it landed into a merchant that came to our village" He explained, the three genin nodded their heads. It isn't always such coincident can happened.

Storing the sword once again, team seven waited for at least five minutes before a male in white garb appears in front of Kakashi and started to conversed with the Jounin. The three genin immediately assume him as the medic. A few exchanges of words later, Kakashi call out his team and out they went to the land of Rivers.

Team seven found themselves escorted to a large manor, it was two days later that the team arrived on the Land of Rivers, they were in one of the large villages of the country, which appears to be the capital. The Medic nin immediately excuse himself as he walk straight to the country's Botanical Department. Whereas team seven went to the place of their client which happened to be the richest person in the country, second to the Daimyo of course.

"Ah! I don't know how thankful I am to you Konoha ninjas!" Masato Souta, the owner jubilantly shook Kakashi's hand, which happened to make his students pity and snicker at the man.

Masato Souta had shoulder length brunette hair that was tied in a ponytail; he had brown chocolate eyes and happened to be around forties. He was wearing a black Kimono and a brown sash. He was pretty much an average looking man, except for the usual guards that seem to be accompanying him inside and outside.

"Ah, It's our job" Kakashi awkwardly said trying to retract his hand as he felt like it was about to pop out from his shoulder socket. Of course, this beef up his students' amusement, sending them a glare, the three straighten in attention but their body trembled still.

Finally freeing Kakashi's hand (The Jounin thanking the many Gods for it), Souta gesture the team to a table where a set of tea and snacks are prepared. "Come, have a sit" Naruto, the ever hungry one, didn't wait for another invite and immediately attack the offered food.

Of course, Sakura grabbed the blonde's ear when the remaining members neared the table "Excuse my student" Kakashi apologize to the host who just wave his hand.

Settling down, team seven and their sensei sat across from Souta (His guards on either side behind him).Kakashi pulled the scroll from his hustler and quickly applied chakra and unsealed the sword. Kakashi then, with two of his hands, brought the sword to Souta's side of the table and returned to his seat.

Upon placing the Wakizashi in Souta's hand, said man immediately unsheathe the sword. Sasuke tilted his head as his eyes caught the peculiar characters on the Wakizashi's blade, this didn't went unnoticed by Souta "It's in Bungo…"

"Huh?" Souta chuckled; gaining the attention of the rest of the team "These…" he placed his hand on the characters on the blade "Is Bungo language, literally means 'old writing'" Sasuke slowly bob his head as Souta allow the raven to study the characters. Sasuke was unfamiliar with the writings, even the word itself.

"What does it say Masato-san?" Sakura queried, unfortunately she was answered by a shook on the head by Souta "Please call me Souta" He said, making the pinkette blushed "And no. I wish I could" His eyes cast down dejected "As what the name implies, Bungo is an old and lost language said to have been used before the time of the Legendary Sage of Six Path. This sword happened to be a family heirloom past down generation after generations"

Naruto chowed on his food as he gave a sceptical look at Souta and at the sword in his hand.

"Nee Souta-oji, how did the bandits get their hands on the sword anyway?" Naruto asked, after swallowing the food in his mouth, his head cocked sideways. The elder's expression showed dejection "My childhood friend Nakaji. There was a dispute between us, he needed money, a large amount and since I couldn't give it to him..." He said, though Naruto didn't talk, letting the man talk "He, he sold the sword to the bandits without any of my knowledge. Nakaji confessed his sin, at first I was furious, but then I understand that he really needed the money. I was ready to forgive him but, the bandits turn their backs on him and killed him" A lone tear threaten to come out from his eyes.

Sakura who had been listening cried, giving Naruto a slap at the back of his head, scolding the blond for asking such personal question. Sasuke was indifferent, while said blonde was frantically apologizing, although he still have this nagging feelings.

"You must have been very disheartened" Kakashi said, it wasn't a question but an understanding. Souta nodded before sheathing the sword back and give it to one of his guards, who immediately left with the weapon "Now that it had been returned to safety, I would like to discuss the payment for the mission" He said, changing the topic. Kakashi nodded as he and the Sota conversed.

"Mou…My stomach hurts" Naruto lamented, hands cradling his abdomen. "That's what you get for eating monstrously!" Sakura chewed the complaining blond and of course, Sasuke grunted in annoyance.

"Not my fault that sensei had to take up a long time talking about money" retorted the blonde. It had taken the two adults hours talking about the mission payment (Seriously though, it's just the payment) and in the end the two had agree that a standard payment for C-rank will be delivered to the Hokage tower (Kakashi had thought that the client really wanted some company).

After getting the client sign their mission for completion, the team then moved out to find that the Medic ninja that went with them had yet to acquire the herb as said herb had to be retrieved from the mountains which its where usually grows. So, the team had decided to stay for another day until the herb is obtained.

Which brought the genin team wandering around the place, bags discarded back at the inn that they'd found.

"Baka! Don't go blaming Sensei on it, they were discussing important matter and it's still your own fault for not holding back. Seriously, you're not an animal!" Naruto responded with another groan "Humph, don't bother with him, once an idiot always an idiot" the raven smirk arrogantly.

"Ah! You're right Sasuke-kun! Let's go leave the idiot and do stuff together" Sakura's eyes shaping into impossible hearts, attitude turned a complete three-sixty.

"Tsk"

"Fucking annoying bastard" The blonde muttered to the raven in disgust "Don't call him that!" Naruto now clutched his throbbing head.

"Speaking of, where's sensei anyway?"

"Tsk, he left after we drop off our back, said he has important matters to attend too"

"Important my ass! I bet his somewhere perch up on a tree reading that perverted book of his!" Cried the blond, the two members could only nod (grunt from Sasuke).

Walking farther to the centre of the village, Naruto slowed his pace, his thought back to the Wakizashi and the Bungo Characters that Sasuke had pointed out. A ubiquitous feeling linger at the back of his mind that he can't seem to grasp.

Seemingly ignoring the thought as one of his many imaginations, Naruto's face grimed, remembering his pain.

The blonde's sudden dragging didn't escape Sasuke nor did the profound look on Naruto. It was those one of his rare eccentric ways that Sasuke had taken note off out of their hyperactive team.

"Naruto" Sasuke called, making the blond turn to him, face twisted in hate "What? Can't you see I'm hurting?" He said hands his stomach; well technically, the pain was lessening as Kurama unwillingly strated healing the boy, much to the Bijuu's aggravation.

"Fight me" Was the sudden utter from the raven, making the blonde trip on his feet from the surprised, immediately standing up, Naruto bashfully puff his chest "What? Are you finally admitting that the great Uzumaki Naruto is stronger than you?"

"As if you dobe!"

"Teme!"

Sakura openly sigh in exasperation, dull from the usual banter, then again, it would be bizarre if the two boys don't.

Sakura was stop from her musing when whispers were heard around them. The two male genin were too busy arguing to notice them.

"Are they shinobi?"

"May the Gods save their souls"

"Ah, another offering for the demon Amon. I pity them and they seem so young"

"Come now, don't stare at them. That's bad luck" One mother motion her child away from them and went straight back to what seem to be their house. Slowly, the gathered people returned to their homes until the street was empty, some even close their windows.

"What was that about?" Sasuke was the one who had asked, his eyebrow raise, he had stopped his assault on the blonde upon noticing the sudden change of behaviour from the villagers. They were avoiding them like a plague.

"Kurama?"

"I know kit…Their both frighten and worried at the same time towards you three" Naruto ponder, well, at least he wasn't the only one being avoided in this village. But what was making the village feeling agitated? The blonde was snapped from his thoughts when he suddenly felt a presence approaching them.

"It seem that they're at it again" A man said, he had messy brunette short hair and chocolate eyes; he was wearing a two layer Kimono, the inner thin Kimono was white while the second was dark brown, and wore a rakusu around its neck. It was a Monk, although he looks somehow familiar in the genin's eyes. In fact, he looks familiar to "Souta-san?" Sakura called in question.

Didn't Souta have shoulder length hair? Well, there were some differences though upon the genin's closer inspection. Like his jaw was a little wider than Souta and his eyes are sharper than Souta's but the similarities were there.

The Monk chuckle, although curiosity was plastered on his face "I take it you must be the ninjas that brought back my older brother's sword" He said a twinkle of amusement in his voice.

"B-Brother?" The pinkette stutter, the monk hummed bobbing his head "My name's Masato Satou, younger twin brother of Masato Souta" He offered a bow. Naruto unintentionally bowed in returned, his hands clasp together "A pleasure to have meet you" His two teammates gave a dumbfounded look at him.

"I'd like to say the same, but the place is not in accordance with the atmosphere" He gesture to the deserted street "Come, let's move to a more comfortable place" He gesture for them to follow, the three gave each other a look, seemingly conversing with their eyes, moment later the three simultaneously nodded and followed the monk.

The genin found themselves seating across from the monk, hot tea in front of them (Naruto decline the offer, grimacing upon sitting his eyes on them). They were in the residence of the monk beside the village temple that was a little bit farther wests away from the main village surrounded by thick forest and was near a large body of fresh flowing river which happened to be the many branches of the large River in the country where its name came from.

"How did your mission go?" Sato asked opening up a conversation. The genin hesitated for a moment, it isn't that they don't trust the man or something, his presence give off a calm and comforting one whereas Souta, they feel a bit irk or annoyance. The mission itself is only between the client and ninjas, a ground rule studied back when they were just academy students and of course Satou seem to understand their hesitation as he give them an understanding look "It's okay if you mustn't, the life of a Shinobi and a life of a monk are of difference"

This caught the blonde's attention "Um, Soto? Sata-er, no um, Monk-"

"Satou! You idiot!" Sakura corrected swinging her fist.

Naruto almost dodge the hit, ALMOST. Sasuke just grunted in annoyance while Satou grimace at the force and wonder how Naruto (as the genin introduce on their way to the place) is not unconscious.

"Er…Yeah Satou-oji, why are you a monk? Not that I have a problem with it, it's just that, you came off a wealthy family and I'm pretty sure they are the type to be bossy" A statement meant for the older brother. Satou hummed at the question and chuckle on how accurate he is on his older twin was "The wealth actually came from my father's side, while my mother's family are quite the religious ones and it seems that we brothers had inherited the separated views and attitude of our parents" He then look solemn, this went unnoticed by the genin except for one blonde who, not only saw the look but also felt the sudden change of emotion in him.

Naruto was about to point it out when he suddenly felt something. Looking around, Naruto tried to find the strange feeling.

The temple, consist of the monks three buildings, the monks residence (where Naruto and the genin are), the worshiping area where the monks held their masses and the shrine which had the common Torri and the gong bell. But one place stands out the most and it was the large caved placed behind the shrine, it has another Torri, though larger than the one placed on top of the shrine, the cave itself was blocked with thick large rope with paper seals hanging on said rope. The cave's not much that deep since the inside was just visible, said inside has a large rock and placed on it was the kanji for seal. Also the cave was a perfect view from where the genin and the Satou were.

Naruto fought a shudder as his eyes linger on the cave "I take it that you're also feeling the vile presence emitting by the cave" Satou said while drinking on his tea. It seem as it wasn't just Naruto feeling agitated, both Sasuke and Sakura were also trying to hide their uneasiness, although Sasuke was doing better than Sakura.

"What is that place? Or should I say, what's in there?" Sasuke deduced, trust the Uchiha to a have keen mind "Ah yes, I have forgotten that you are foreigners from Konoha" Satou sigh in distress, a grim look on his face.

"What's wrong?" the female of the team asked.

"The cave…" He started gesturing to the cave "Was made long time ago by a force of battle"

"Force of battle?"

Satou nodded "There's not much details said about the battle, but long ago before the village was form, there was a demon residing the area, the Demon Amon" Naruto's eyes bulged, this didn't escaped Satou's

"You've heard of it?" the raven and pinkette nodded at the same time as Naruto "We've heard the villagers whispers" Sakura remembered.

Nodding, Satou gesture to an altar where a sheathed Katana was placed "Amon feed of the living energy of all beings, be it Plants, Animals and Human, and as such, the place was once a lifeless land, until one day. A Fuin Master appeared; he fought Amon two days straight before he was sealed away. With Amon sealed away, the land slowly returned to life and people started to live in the place since the land was rich of minerals. The Fuin Master on the other hand implied that Amon needed to be watched so he created a shrine next to where Amon was sealed and past the creed to the next generations"

"What was the Fuin Master called?" Naruto raised a hand like he was back in the academy, his feature shown sudden interest in the topic, more precisely on the Fuin Master, both Sasuke and Sakura took note of this. "Forgive me but no one knew of the Fuin Master, although he had resided to the village in order to keep hold of the demon, he had not spoken nor utter his name, even to his pupils which later became the monks" he gesture to the monks outside and to himself.

Naruto pouted, dishearten by the given answer. Satou chuckled it out finding it cute.

"Umm Satou-san?" Sakura asked

"Yes?"

"About the villagers earlier…"

"Ah yes, recently there are cases where Shinobis from many villages are kidnapped and found dead and skin bone near the village boarder. The Daimyo had asked some Shinobis for help thinking that there might be a rogue nin in the village although they return with empty hands, the villagers however started to speculate that the Demon Amon has returned and is responsible for the kidnappings, some even went further to blaming us Monks for not doing what the Fuin Master had left us to do" He sigh out in the end distress.

"Don't let down Satou-oji! I'm sure you're doing your very best" Beam Naruto with a good guy pose. Satou's spirit lifted for a bit.

"You should listen to the dobe here, don't let others oppress you just because they don't know what you are doing" Sasuke encourage with his ever so brooding tone while crossing his arms.

"Oh? You're agreeing with me now Sasuke-teme? I know that I'm much awesomer than you"

"As if, you dead-last"

"Say that again!? You tomato stoner!" Sasuke froze, this of course got the blonde barking out a laugh, and Sakura merely cover her mouth.

"How did you know?" Mumbled Sasuke

"Gahahah haha, huh?" Between the blonde's laugh, he was already on the floor rolling with both hands on his stomach.

"I said HOW DID YOU KNOW!?" The raven suddenly grabbed Naruto's collar, choking the still laughing blonde.

Shuffling away from the death hold of the angry Uchiha, Naruto stood a good distance away from the table "You have tomatoes on every bento back at the academy, you munch on them when you thought no one was looking outside school grounds and most importantly, you have a tomato garden back at your compound" an accusing finger pointed at the raven.

"Stop making up things Naruto-Baka!" berated Sakura "it's not bad to have tomatoes, it's good for the health unlike you, and besides there's no way the cool and handsome Uchiha Sasuke be planting tomatoes in his garden, it's so Ino-like, nee Sasuke-kun?" She turned to Sasuke for conformation who happened to be red by now "Umm…"

"Gyahahaha! You look like the thing you ate!" And Naruto continued laughing.

"THAT'S IT!" Sasuke finally snapped attacking the blonde, the two rolled out the place into the open ground where the strangling and pulling turned into a fist fight.

"Umm, should we stop them?" Satou who had been silent the whole time finally asked the remaining genin, said pinkette snapped out from her shell shock "Oh…" was the only thing she utter upon returning from reality and then noticed the boys fighting outside making a scene as some monks started to gather around them.

"Don't worry about it, they won't stop until either one of them gives up" Sakura said, before returning to her thoughts where she and her inner-self started to debate about their Sasuke-kun's addiction, leaving Satou dumbfounded, before a smile graze his face forgetting his worries as he look on the broiling boys.

The three genin later found themselves walking their way to the inn, two of are bruised "Seriously guys, can't there be a day where both of you don't fracas" Said their only female companion. Sasuke grunt and pointed his head away from them, Naruto only grumbled to himself and silently arguing with his tenant as said tenant was refusing to heal him up a punishment for allowing himself be 'defeated by an Uchiha'.

It was nearing sunset, the group had left the temple with a promise to stop by before leaving the village.

"Nee guys…" Said there pinkette after a moment of silence bringing both boys attention "About what Satou-san sai- I mean the villager said, about The Demon Amon" she turned to them worriedly. Don't get her wrong, she knew being a ninja meant facing up dangerous missions or unexpected encounter with high ranked rogue Nins (Like Zabuza and Haku), but it wasn't stated that they be facing up demons! I mean yes, there are ninjas that fought demons and all, like how the Yondaime Hokage fought the Kyuubi (Naruto and Kurama suddenly sneezed) their just genin! And Sakura was starting to feel that they'd be an unordinary bunched and their last mission back at Wave was the igniting force.

"What about it?" Sasuke stuck his hands on his pocket "Do you think it's real?" her voice came to a whisper.

"Pff, as if! I mean didn't Satou-oji said that the monks at the temple are keeping Amon locked and you can tell by the way the cave gives of this chilling feeling at the back of your spines that he's till there" Naruto remarked "And besides, I think the villagers are just exaggerating"

A bit relief, Sakura gave Naruto a ghostly smile; trust the blonde to lighten up things.

Suddenly the sun was out of sight, not because it completely set but because of the dark grey clouds quickly forming, followed by a sudden flash and a loud thunder before a heavy rain.

Running their way to their inn, the genin entered their accommodation to find their Sensei seating cross legged on the tatami, surprisingly not reading his porn but was looking kind of like a professional ninja and the genin suddenly felt uneasy.

Naruto took noticed of the man's Chakra flow; he felt the constant shift of emotions, from worry to phlegm and to stupefaction. Naruto noted that the last one was when he finally noticed them in the room.

"Your back! How was your day?" The Jounin give them a smile, although the genin could tell he was faking it, not that they could really tell what he really is feeling under that mask.

"What's wrong sensei?" Sakura's worries started to ignite, the silver haired man sigh out his build up emotions "Apparently the Medic Nin we came with has gone missing" Now Sakura was frighten upon hearing the words came out from their sensei "The party that he went with to retrieved the herb were found dead half way to the mountains and him missing" He continue seating back, the genin followed Kakashi's example and sat across from him "I've already dispatched my summons and tried sending out a report back to the Hokage, but the storm was too strong for my ninkens to go and apparently said storm would last for at least three days"

Sakura was right; their team were no ordinary genin team.

Sakura tighten her hold on her blanket that was already wrapped around her body, the chilling wind passing through the small gaps of the closed windows and sliding door that connected to the balcony of the room. The kunoichi heave out a long sigh, the sound of pouring rain resonate the cold four walled. The supposed three days lasting storm turned into a whole week of everlasting pouring rain not only that, the wind accompanying the storm had also gotten stronger leaving the genin confined.

It was already evening, Sakura couldn't tell since it was always cloudy and the sun had not shown itself for the whole week of the three genin confinement in the room.

Speaking of genin, Sakura glanced to the boys of the room.

Naruto was in his sleeping bag, curled under the table of their accommodation, his body shivering from the cold. Since they didn't expected to take longer staying in the country, the genin only brought small amount of cash and with the addition of their sensei's, the four chipped it in and settled on a small single room where there's only one pair of futon and a single electric fan, which of course was not used since they'd rather used a heater. Supposedly, their payment was only for a one night stay but with the storm occurring, their Sensei had talked it out with the innkeeper and promise to pay them with interest once he returned to Konoha and just to be sure, Kakashi sign an agreement paper with them.

Sakura was so grateful of the Jounin, if not for him they'd be sleeping out somewhere on muddy grounds, she mentally noted to give Kakashi a thank you gift when they return, she'll probably force the boys to join in too.

Turning to the third member, Sasuke was on a corner with his own blanket wrapped around him, his headband protector was removed as his head lean back to the walls, and he was somewhat agitated, his brows knitted closer than normal told her so and she knew why.

Sasuke's a workaholic when it comes to training, in fact he's constantly training that it became a routine for his body that he'd feel alien and unease, hence what he is experiencing now. Of course Naruto's also was a hard worker too, Sakura mused at the tossing blonde, and she wonders when the blonde would finally snap.

"Damn it! Where's that scarecrow of a Sensei! He's been gone the whole day!" Sakura has to jinx it, Naruto leapt out of his sleeping bag muttering something about using Kakashi as a real scarecrow on a rice field.

True to what Naruto said, during the past few days their sensei had been busy going in and out of their accommodation, said that he was preoccupied searching for the missing Medic Nin, of course his kids had also tried to offer help but the Jounin kindly decline since it was still storming and the grounds would be so dangerous for the genin in helping the search and assured that he'd be find alone, though the kunoichi still has to worry for him, especially when the Demon Amon's been kidnapping Shinobi and Sakura was sure that it was the demon that took the Medic nin.

She shook her head, shoving the thought away for thinking such absurd things. How can she accuse such a feat when there was no evidence showed and even if they were, she knows that Kakashi-sensei would not trouble himself in sharing such information.

"And I'm hungry!" Naruto's voice brought the girl back, the blonde, still complaining about their wayward sensei and as to prove himself, his stomach grumbled.

"Shut up Naruto-baka! Don't you have those cup ramen of yours that seem to be endless?"

"I wish it be true but my ramen are all gone" He mumbled the last word shuffling to his bag praying that a cup ramen would miraculously appear.

"It's your fault for eating them all, knowing that we're stock here surprisingly for almost a week"

Naruto pouted at the remarked from the pinkette, sighing he snapped his bag shut giving up on the 'God of Ramen' for ever hearing his prayers.

"Hm, once an idiot always an idiot" Sasuke comment, finally speaking

"Shut up teme, just because you're etching to train doesn't mean you have rights to put me down. Go bother someone else, I'm deprave of food"

"Hmn"

"I know, food's an important aspect for survival"

A tick marked formed on the raven's head, annoyed for interpreting him.

"Stop that"

"Make me!"

Sakura sigh out in frustration and here she thought that Naruto decided to for once not argue with Sasuke but then again they'd be accused for imposters if they don't.

The two send each other heated glares before, surprising, Naruto laid back down on the tatami, arms and legs spread.

Of course this shock both Sasuke and Sakura, Naruto don't back down on a fight, especially when it's Sasuke. Then again the constant rumbling coming from the blonde's stomach thought otherwise.

The silence passed, the pouring rain from outside was the only sound heard as the three indulged the peaceful and somewhat comforting silence.

"Oi Naruto" called the Uchiha, said blonde turned his head to where the raven was "What?"

Sasuke didn't say anything for a moment, his dark eyes piercing azure ones as if trying to read the blonde's soul

"Do you miss them?"

"Huh?"

"Your family, Uzu, do you miss them?" Sasuke's eyes were looking away when he asked Naruto. Sakura wondered the sudden change of topic but kept her mouth shut curious of what Naruto's answer might be.

The blonde turned his gaze upward to the ceiling, a ghostly smile grace his lips his thoughts drifted away to the familiar sea breeze that he usually woke up to before he moved to Konoha, the waves that he usually rode off during the summer, the heat of the sun kissing his tan skin, the cries of the seagulls as they fly above the setting sun, his first friends that he got in trouble with, his pranks (Yes, Uzu didn't survived from the king of pranks) and the ginger mops of hair that he usually associated with. Yes, Naruto missed them, not a day would pass where he wished to experience the sensational feeling that his childhood grown accustom with. There were also times where he was regretting accepting the demands of the council; being separated from his family was hard for him at first, the sudden change of surroundings troubled him. He would always wake up with the expectation of the seagulls' cries but was met with the sparrows' twits. But Naruto has to endure, he had to accept that he already belong to Konoha after a few hours of his birth, but what really pursued him to go to Konoha was knowing the fact that it was the place where his father had lived, it was the placed that his father saved, where he became a famous Shinobi, a Kage and a Hero. Tittles that Naruto one day wanted to have as well.

"I do…" He finally answered the Uchiha "But I'm a person that never wanted to regret anything and besides, there's yet to have an Uzumaki as Hokage" He declare with such sincerity.

"Idiot"

"Bastard"

Sakura smile at the banter.

"That's it!" Standing up once again, Naruto straighten his clothes, grabbing his kunai hustler, the blonde move to where his sandals are.

"Where are you going?" Sakura asked

"Out to find something to eat"

"You can't, Kakashi-sensei said not to leave the room and besides where can you find any when it's storming very badly outside" And to prove her point, the accommodation's window rattle from the strong wind.

"But I'm hungry! Plus, I think I saw a vending machine near the reception area and if you want I'll bring you some too"

Sighing out in defeat, Sakura hang her head, no winning this time. For the past few days, their sensei was the one who'd bring them food whenever he returned from the search, more specifically their dinner since the Jounin would leave early morning and would returned around seven pm and besides, the genin could survive without breakfast or lunch, Sasuke and Sakura specifically while Naruto's a hungry bastard that thanks to his cup ramen he'd survived till dinner and it just so happened that his supply had already ran out and Kakashi-sensei's running late, although the man was known to be one and Sakura had to agree that she too was famish.

"I'll go with you" Sasuke said, grabbing his own hustler and moved to where Naruto was to put on his sandals.

"I'll go too"

"No, it's better for you to stay here in case Kakashi returns and besides knowing this idiot here, he'll empty the vending machine before he remembers to bring you any"

"Hey!"

Sasuke was right; it'd be a surprise for their superior if he returns to an empty room, although he'll probably find them easily with that keen nose of him that rivals an Inuzuka; she was about to protest but thought otherwise, beside it sounded like Sasuke-kun wanted her to be safe CHAA! Could it be that Sasuke-kun has already started falling for me!?

While Sakura was in her own thoughts, the two boys already left the room, their voices echoing the hallway, arguing incoherent things.

"Hurry up dobe!" Call the irritated Uchiha to the Uzumaki crouching in front of the vending machine.

"Are you blind or something? Can't you see I'm still picking!" Retorted the said Uzumaki

"How many do you need anyway!?" Sasuke shouted pointing at the armful of foods on Naruto. It had been thirty minutes since the two had left their accommodation in search for food and true to Naruto's words there really is a vending machine near the reception area and not just one vending machine but three. One for cold drinks, another for hot ones and the last for instant cook packs, and Naruto was constantly pressing more on the third one since he had found ramen on the menu. Sasuke has to wonder why the blonde hadn't gone bankrupt yet as said blonde was constantly pulling out money after money from his green toad wallet.

"Enough to fill my belly! I haven't had any lunch and the breakfast this morning were leftovers from last night's dinner"

"For your information, you aren't the only one, who hadn't eaten since this morning, although lucky for you, you have breakfast since you didn't leave any for us" His patience was leaving him, he wondered if their female teammate was dying out of starvation as they wasted more time out here, not that Sasuke wanted the female dead.

Sakura was a good kunoichi, heck, he even dare say a great green kunoichi only if she focus more on improving rather than fussing over Sasuke. True, that girl was already trying her best like how she endure Kakashi's training, increasing her chakra reserved, but she has yet to find her calling of what position she wanted to attribute to the team. She had the brain and perfect chakra control, she was already provided with skills that only needed to improved and yet she wasted them all the way for her own fantasy.

Sasuke had to admit that Sakura was pretty, not comparable to Ino's, the Yamanka's mother was gorgeous already, but compare with Ino, Sakura's personality was kind and a little bit shy rather than the brash Yamanaka but her determination and strong will to stand level as the clan children really made Sasuke admire her, but then again that was back before she was his fangirl and before Itaichi had killed his family aside from their mother.

Compare to back then, Sasuke has no time for admiration or infatuation right now, he needed to get stronger and avenge his clan and after that is when he will think of repopulating his clan, women and if Sakura up herself, then maybe, just maybe he'll choose her.

Naruto was about to make a comeback when someone suddenly interrupt their argument "Oh? It's you guys" The two turned to the voice to find,

"Satou-oji!" Call Naruto,

Satou, like last time they saw him was wearing his monk robes, he was also holding a plastic bag giving them a warm smile.

"I guess you got caught in the storm huh?"

Naruto bobbed his head while Sasuke just 'humph'

"What are you doing here Oji?"

"Oh, the monks and I were sending out provisions for the villagers since the rain hasn't stop yet" He said, gesturing to the plastic bag he was holding.

The two genin nodded "Eh? Sending out… Then how'd you walk your way here when it's storming hard outside?"

"Ah, that…" Satou pulled out a piece of paper with arrays of lines surrounding the kanji character for barrier.

"A barrier seal?" It was Sasuke who said, remembering the time when Naruto guess the storage scroll that was used in keeping Souta's Wakizashi, though Sasuke doubt Naruto just guessed it, he knew the blonde was accustomed with seals, his an Uzumaki.

The seal had the same arrays the storage scroll has, the only differences are the kanji use and the additional arrays placed on it.

Nodding "Yes, although we might not be Shinobi, our masters teaches us enhancement of chakra as a means of application to seals we used"

"I guess the Fuin Master also wanted to make sure that we can keep Amon at bay" He added

"I'm sure he did dattebayo!"

Sasuke and Satou were giving Naruto deadpan looks after his exclamation, said Naruto nervously scratch the back base of his neck "Umm… I uh, I usually say that whenever I get too excited hehehe…" He sheepishly said.

Sasuke don't know if he should add the new knowledge to his list of mystery surrounding the blonde or create a new list of stupidity.

Recovering, Satou noticed the armful of foods on Naruto "I'm guessing that it's supply for the duration of the storm?"

"Nope, that's all for the idiot" Sasuke said a matter of fact, earning a grimace look from Sato.

"Hey! I'm sharing some to Sakura-chan!"

"I guaranty it'll be just 1/4th"

Satou chuckled, pulling out four onigiris, the monk handed it to the genin "Here, it's not enough but I hope this will help you from filling a bottomless stomach, even if just a little" He teased, making the blonde blushed thanking the monk for the treat.

"Anyways, I have to go. I only took a short stop here since the rain got heavy earlier" Giving the boys a bow, Satou walked towards the inn's entrance, exciting the place to resume his mission.

"Kit, I feel something wrong about that man" Kurama stated after Satou was out of their sight "What do you mean Kurama?" He mentally asked, unwrapping the onigiri and popping it in his mouth "He feels different than last time"

"Hmm" He hummed out loud as both boys walked their way back to their accommodation, Sasuke, who was also eating his own onigiri give him a look once he heard the blonde "What?"

"Nothing!" Naruto snapped.

"Like what kind of different?" Naruto yawned suddenly feeling somnolent "Like how your body suddenly taking in DRUGS!" The panic cry of the Biju went unheard as Naruto fell to the ground followed by Sasuke.

"I was hoping that you'll share some to your teammates, but it seems your hunger changes everything" Satou stood above the teens.

"Mah, at least taking you will be easy, knowing your Sensei; he'll probably immediately recognize the drugs on them" A sinister smile creep across his lips.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the new Chapter, there's a reason for filler(?) and I hope you'll still tone in until the resume original flow of the series.