Chapter Eight
Sasuke liked cats. According to some (Shisui among them), this was completely nonsensical, but it was perfectly rational to Sasuke. Cats were easy to take care of; feed, pet occasionally, and ignore. Cats were easy to please; a treat once in a while, a few petting sessions, and the like were enough to satisfy them. Cats were small and usually easily malleable. Cats were fairly predictable and learned that "no" meant "no", unlike certain people that Sasuke would not hesitate to name. Above all else, cats were quiet. Oh, they meowed once in a while, but they did not blabber endlessly for hours about inane topics or scream self-motivational slogans. That silence was probably a cat's greatest appeal.
So if anyone had asked Sasuke why he was hiding a grin as Naruto alternately chased, yelled, and swore at the daimyo's wife's cat, he would have had a ready excuse; he liked cats. There was no need to delve into the enjoyment he received from seeing Naruto so utterly frustrated over one chubby ball of fur and claws.
"This damn cat!" Naruto screeched as Sakura wrenched the cat's claws from his face. "What the heck is wrong with it!"
"You're scaring it!" Sakura scolded. The cat jabbed another claw into Naruto's cheek, earning Precious its tenth scream of the day.
"Scaring it! Sakura-chan-"
"She's right," Sasuke inserted, just to see the look on Naruto's face. He didn't fail to impress.
"Shut up, teme!" Naruto yelled back, face a bright shade of red.
Somehow they managed to wrestle the cat back to the Hokage. The cat's owner, a plump woman with much too much make up on, put on a disgusting show of over-zealous fake emotion at the sight of her beloved. Sasuke didn't blame the poor creature for ditching its owner in the first place.
The payment came out, and Sasuke directed his attention to Kakashi. The first time he had received payment for a D-rank had been exhilarating. Now the paltry nature of the sum had begun to wear on him.
"Now," the Hokage cleared his throat. "For Team 7's next mission you have several options, among them babysitting Councilman Kota's three year old, cleaning dishes at Lord Kikyo's birthday celebration, or walking-"
"No, no, no!" Naruto interrupted rudely. "I want go on a real mission, not this kid stuff!" Sakura nodded her head in a not so subtle fashion. The Hokage opened his mouth to answer Naruto, but Iruka cut him off before he could continue with protests against moving Team 7 beyond D-rank missions. The Third watched with an amused look at Iruka and Naruto launched into a full fledged screaming match. Sakura bit her lip and Sasuke shut down as sensei and former student grew louder and louder.
If the point of this debriefing was to irrevocably damage my eardrums, you two have succeeded, Congratulations. Sasuke personally thought Iruka was being far too overprotective. Hell, his own mother was not half as worried about him as Iruka was about Naruto. Mikoto had grown up in a prestigious ninja family and had married an illustrious shinobi. She had borne one of the most skilled ninja Konoha had ever produced. She had long ago accepted that dangerous missions were a part of everyday life. Iruka's concern may have seemed endearing to some, but to Sasuke it was merely a stumbling block in the way of his genin team.
Finally, the Hokage broke up the fight. "Naruto, it would seem that you do not understand the nature of the missions."
Here comes the speech, Sasuke groaned internally. He looked over at Kakashi. As usual, Kakashi was buried in one of his books. For the first time in his life, Sasuke felt a smidgen of curiosity over the books. Were they really as terrible as his mother believed? If so, what was more scarring: a mind numbingly boring lecture or pornographic prose?
"Come on, old man!" Naruto jarred Sasuke out of his moral conundrum. "You're always lecturing me like you're my grandfather or something! I'm not that same brat that used to pull pranks you know! I'm a real ninja now and I deserve a real ninja mission!"
Oh, yes, you're a total of one week removed from your pre-genin self. I imagine you're a completely different person. Iruka and the Hokage exchanged looks. The Hokage chuckled softly. "Very well then, since you are so determined I will grant your request." It took everything in Sasuke's power not to fist bump in celebration, a move that would have been very unfitting for a respectable ninja. "I am giving Team 7 a C-rank assignment."
"Alright!" Sakura cheered happily. Naruto cheered with her, except far more boisterously, and was soon off on another tangent, babbling about guarding a princess or something.
Sasuke listened dutifully as the Hokage briefed them. Guarding a bridge builder from the Land of Waves was hardly the most exciting mission ever conceived, but it beat tracking down lost cats and weeding. Besides, we actually get to leave Konoha. That in and of itself was enough to make the mission worthwhile.
The door behind them slid open to reveal their client. Tazuna was a pudgy man with rather poufy gray hair and a respectable gray beard. Sasuke judged him to be in his mid fifties. He wore a sleeveless brown shirt with tan shorts and had a small rope tied about his head. Obviously not rich, Sasuke decided. In Tazuna's hand was a small bottle of sake. The man took a quick gulp from the bottle before speaking.
"What? You've gotta be kidding me. I paid for protection and you give me a bunch of punks?" Sasuke rolled his eyes. Nice to meet you too. This man is going to be a real annoyance. "I mean, it's ridiculous! Especially that short one over there with the idiotic look on his face."
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Naruto laughed. "I wonder who's the short one!" Sakura posed with her hand on her hip and looked meaningfully down at her teammate. Mimicking Sakura, Sasuke crossed his arms. Naruto's eyes darted from one genin to the other as the realization slowly dawned on him. "Oh."
Sasuke trudged along the path, both hands on the straps of his pack, which was mercifully light. Sakura was creeping at a measured pace beside him, eagerly taking in the repetitive scenery of the forest surrounding the path. Naruto was charging ahead, of course, utilizing his seemingly boundless energy to spur him onward. Kakashi was lagging behind them with Tazuna.
It was a beautiful day, really; warm without being hot and just enough cloud cover to cool them down. So far, the mission had been calm. Not quiet; that was impossible with a team member like Uzamaki Naruto, who had been alternately fighting with Tazuna and racing off recklessly (and loudly) since the mission started.
This mission is not going to be half as exciting as he seems to think it will be. Sasuke was approaching the mission from an objective and knowledgeable standpoint. We'll get there, stay in the village for a few nights, and go home. Most of it will be monotonous, with a few breaks of mild excitement. Naruto's naiveté was ridiculous. It was a C-rank, for Kami's sake, there wasn't going-
Without warning two black forms whizzed by the team. What the hell? Immediately, Sasuke pulled out a kunai, head whipped as he tried to track the shapes' movements. The bodies slowed enough for Sasuke to recognize their features. Ninja. They were robed in black, tattered clothes and had voice-alterers over their mouths. Hidden Mist headbands linked them to Kirigakure. A clawed gauntlet adorned each ninja's arm, and a thick chain connected the separate apparatuses. Sasuke locked eyes with the slighter taller, more imposing shinobi. The enemy's dark eyes bore a crazed, zealous look. This is not good.
In unison the two attacked, wrapping their chain around Kakashi in one swift, sure motion. Sasuke did not even have time to move before they crushed him. Sasuke threw his hand up to protect his face as Sakura screamed.
Wood splinters shot out, littering the ground and hitting the genin. Palatable relief swept through Sasuke. He's not dead. It was just a clone. A silent movement caught Sasuke's attention. He tensed, ready for an attack.
Sakura followed his lead. Drawing out her kunai, she stood in front of Tazuna. "Get behind me!" she yelled as she fell into a protective stance in front of the bridge builder. Sasuke could see the fear in her eyes.
Focus! Sakura could handle herself for now. The best way to protect the two of them is to handle the assassins.
"One down, three to go," one of the gloated gleefully. Those about to die should not sound feel so self-important.
"And you're next, kid," the other one added as he sliced Naruto's hand. A crisp crimson line appeared on the boy's hand, staining his orange jumpsuit. Together the ninja encircled Naruto the same way they had surrounded Kakashi's clone. Expectantly Sasuke watched Naruto, waiting for a cue to help him.
It never came. Naruto froze, body stiff, limbs unmoving. Move! Act! Do something, idiot! The twelve year old stood stock-still, eyes wide and mouth ajar. The ninja saw their opportunity and charged.
Sasuke didn't even have to think. Years of practice and training asserted themselves, moving his body of its own accord. He launched himself into the air. Pulling out a shuriken, he threw it at the center of the chain, effectively pinning it to a thick oak behind them. Retrieving a kunai from his weapons pouch, he flung it at the trapped chain to ensure it was firmly held.
As he began his descent he shifted, aiming for his opponents. He landed with one foot on each ninja, shoving them backward.
He turned towards Naruto, who was still frozen in the same spot. "Dobe!" Sasuke hissed angrily. Why did you freeze like that! You put us all at risk!
Sh-kink! Sasuke jerked around just as the two ninja ripped away from their improvised restraints and towards Sakura and Tazuna. Sakura's eyes widened at the imminent danger, but she slid farther into her stance and clenched her kunai, determined to fight back. Good girl. Don't worry. Sasuke didn't care if he sounded patronizing.
Sasuke flickered in front of his female teammate, his back to her front. "Get ready!" Sasuke yelled back to her. He felt rather than saw her nod and knew she was ready for it. Hopefully they'll focus on me and not her. If I can give her an opening-
Something jerked the two ninja back violently. Sasuke stared blankly as Kakashi locked one of his arms around each ninja's neck.
"Good form, Sasuke," Kakashi said as he bashed the men's heads together. Sasuke gave a small nod of acknowledgement, hoping his accelerated heartbeat wouldn't give away his apparently nonchalant attitude. "You too, Sakura." He turned his attention to the third genin. "I'm sorry for leaving you like that, Naruto. I just didn't expect you to freeze."
I didn't either. Sasuke had never had much trust in Naruto's skill, but he had always assumed that the dobe would fight hard in a battle, even if his attempts were mere blunders in the right direction. Eyeing the other boy mistrustfully, Sasuke scowled. You can never be a good ninja if you're a coward.
"Sasuke," Sakura said, drawing his attention away from Naruto. "That was amazing!" Her smile shone brightly. She's genuinely impressed. Doesn't take much with her, I suppose. Still, flattery was appreciable.
"Thanks," he muttered, lowering his voice so as not to attract attention. Sakura's smile widened. Oh, Kami, please don't get any ideas. He decided a swift subject change was in order. "I can't believe he froze like that, the idiot!" His voice was more forceful and less in control than he would have liked. Naruto twitched, and Sasuke knew Naruto had heard him. He didn't care.
Tightening his body, Naruto started to face Sasuke. Before he could respond, however, Kakashi interrupted them from his spot beside the now tightly bound ninja. "Naruto, these ninja had poison on their blades, so it's best if you don't move around." Naruto stared uncomprehendingly at his bleeding hand. "Tazuna-san, we need to talk. These men are chunin from Kirigakure; their specialty is relentless coordinated attack."
"How'd you find out about our ambush?" One of the captives asked.
"A puddle," Kakashi responded, "on a sunny day when it hasn't rained in weeks."
"Then why not just take them out yourself?" Tazuna asked gruffly. "Why leave it to your genin?"
Why are you asking? Sasuke thought. Does it bother you to see a twelve year old girl put her life on the line to save your sorry hide?
"Because then I would have learned nothing," Kakashi answered smoothly. "I needed to find out if they were after us, ninja hunting ninja, or after you, ninja hunting mark. When you put in your request, Tazuna-san," Kakashi's voice grew a bit steely, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the pudgy builder, "you asked for basic protection from bandits and highwaymen. You didn't say there were ninja after you. Had we known this, it would be a B-rank mission or higher."
Does throw a wrench in the works, doesn't it? Sasuke had assumed that the ninja were after them, ninja hunting ninja. It wouldn't make sense, though. But this doesn't make sense either. Why would Kirigakure chunin bother with some old bridge builder from the Land of Waves?
"Our task," Kakashi continued," was simply to escort you back home and protect you from standard criminals. Had we known that we would be fielding attacks from enemy ninja we would have staffed differently and charged for the cost of a B-rank. We are beyond the scope of the mission."
Sakura spoke up. "I think Kakashi-sensei's right. I mean, I don't know if we can handle it." Sasuke sent her a withering look. She bit her lip and continued. "Besides, there's other things to consider." Attention turned from sensei to student. She was pointing at Naruto's injured hand. "I really think we should treat Naruto's wound right away. He should probably see a doctor."
"I don't think that's necessary," Sasuke said. Usually he wouldn't have spoken up, but he wanted to ensure that Kakashi chose reason over irrationality. Sakura looked at him pleadingly, but he ignored her.
Kakashi put one gloved finger over his masked mouth, considering Sakura's proposition. Don't tell me you're listening to her. Silence on the perverted sensei front. We are not ending our first mission in failure! I'll bleed the stupid wound myself if that's what it takes! It's not so hard! Sasuke had never bled a wound before, but it couldn't be too complicated. Shisui had done it many times, after all.
"NO!" Naruto's protest was loud and commanding. He held his kunai precariously over his wound. "No! I won't give in!" Without hesitation he cut his wound with the kuani. "I make an oath on the pain of my right hand to protect Tazuna-san and see this mission through to the end!"
Well, glad to see your grandiose speech making abilities have not been injured. Slightly intrigued, Sasuke watched Naruto intently. Naruto was painfully sincere in his oath; he meant it with all of his being. He truly did not want to fail again. As much as I hate to admit it, that's an admirable trait. Some of his earlier anger decreased as he observed his bleeding teammate.
"Naruto," Kakashi said. "It's really cool how you bled the poison out like that and all, but if you bleed anymore you're going to die."
For a moment there was relative silence: birds chirping, wind whistling, and a silent group of people. Then…
"What?" Naruto lost his mind without preamble. The only term to describe his reaction that came to Sasuke's mind was "freaking out". It was an accurate enough description.
"We really want to stop that bleeding now," Kakashi chimed in as Naruto continued his panic attack. The small quota of quasi respect Sasuke had held for Naruto was dripping away. Kakashi sighed at Naruto's antics. "Let me see it."Surprisingly, Naruto calmed down a bit and allowed Kakashi to look at his hand.
Withdrawing a roll of bandages, Kakashi began binding Naruto's wound. As he wrapped it around the boy's palm he paused for a minute, almost as if he was contemplating something. What's wrong? Sasuke could tell even from his vantage point that the cut wasn't that deep.
"Sensei, you're making a really scary face and I don't know what it means!" Even Naruto notices it. I wonder… "Am I gonna be okay?"
"Hm? Oh, you should be fine." Kakashi finished binding the wound and turned towards the Kiri-nin. "So," Kakashi drawled, looking from the two trussed ninja to Tazuna. "Who wants to share first?"
Tazuna sighed heavily, suddenly looking wearier and older than he had mere moments before. "I suppose I owe you some answers." He sighed again. "Let's get to the boat first. I'll tell you once we're there." Kakashi nodded in agreement. Finally, Sasuke thought, some answers.
Sasuke leaned back against the side of the boat. The mission was certainly turning out to be much more complicated than he had expected. As Kakashi had said, this was more than a C-ranked mission. And it's all the more complicated for having a duplicitous client.
Sasuke couldn't say he entirely blamed Tazuna for lying to him; the man was in a tough position. Gato, the scum CEO of Gato Corporation, had established a monopoly in Tazuna's village and was charging exorbitant prices for necessary goods, bankrupting the citizens and lining his pockets. The land was too impoverished for proper protection.
Tazuna hadn't lied about the bridge; he really was headed back to complete the bridge, but the bridge was so they could connect to the mainland and no longer rely on Gato's ships. Naturally, Gato was doing everything in his power to stop them.
Gato was a powerful man; Sasuke knew that he would not take no for an answer, and he was strong and influential and indecent enough to force other to bend to his will. If Sasuke was honest with himself, and he tried to be, he would admit that maybe their team was a bit too inexperienced to handle the mission.
But they had been assigned to it, and they needed to complete it, regardless of how experienced or inexperienced they were. Sasuke would not let his mission end in failure.
That fact was exactly why the guilt trip Tazuna had been using to torment them for the past twenty minutes was unnecessary. They had been on the boat to cross the river for a half an hour, and Tazuna had been whining nearly as long. Sasuke already had a dislike for boats and anything that involved moving across the water in a rolling motion. Tazuna's tirade was increasing his seasickness abundantly. Kakashi's tolerance of the man's droning only intensified Sasuke's irritation. Pleasing the client is one thing, he reasoned. Allowing him to wallow in self-pity at his situation and dragging us along for the ride is another thing entirely. Sasuke sunk lower into his seat, arms crossed across his chest. The only thing Tazuna's speeches were good for was silencing Naruto.
This is going to be a long mission.
A/N: I really wanted to get this chapter up last week, but unforeseeable events delayed it. I just barely managed to get this up when I did (dang exams are killing me). My next chapter is going to be a little longer (and needs a little more work), so I may be a bit later in getting it up. Sorry :( Oh, and I know that right now it's a lot like the manga/anime, but don't worry, it will change a good bit as we move along. Oh, and thanks to all my readers and reviewers! Love you! (In a completely platonic, non creepy way of course ;)