We all look at the Hokage at this, and Naruto turns around excitedly. Asking about rediculus types of missions, much to Iruka-Sensei's annoyance. Sarutobi chuckles and blows some smoke from his mouth, lifting the pipe from his lips.
"No. You will be protecting a bridge builder on his way back to the Land of the Waves." He says, peering at a Chuunin near the door.
"Please go retrieve him." He adds. We all look at the Chuunin as he nods, walking out of the room.
"You will be protecting him from burglers and gangs." Iruks says. I hear footsteps and turn to see the Chuunin return with a older man. He holds a wine bottle in his hand, his wrinkled cheeks slightly flushed. He takes a swig, and gazes at us with a lazy, yet hardened gaze.
"This is Tazuna. The man you will be guarding." Iruka says.
"What? You expect these guys to protect me? They're just kids." He slurs. I frown and glare at him.
"And you really expect me to put my life in the hands of that short, stupid looking guy?" He adds.
Naruto laughs.
"Ha! Who's the short lookin... wait..." We all step towards him and peer at him. He's shorter than all of us, even I, who is only about a few Centimeters over his head. He blanches and hangs his head. I chuckle slightly, ruffling his head.
"And what about those little girls? You really think they can protect me?" Tazuna says, taking another swig from his wine bottle. Me and Sakura glare at him. Suddenly the wine bottle goes flying as Sakura knocks it away and out of his hand using a shuriken. Tazuna gasp slightly and suddenly I am behind him, a kunai at his neck. I get closer to his ear, standing on my tip-toes.
"What was that you said about little girls?" I murmur. Tazuna stiffens and Kakashi sighs. He pulls me away from Tazuna, me scowling with my arms crossed.
"C'mon Kakashi. Why ruin the fun?" I grumble. Kakashi stands me next to Sakura.
"Because you can't threaten the guy we're supposed to protect." he says. I scowl again and look over at the others. Naruto looks he wants to give this guys a good knock upside the head. I smirk, despite myself.
*Timeskip to later that day.*
I walk down the dirt road away from the village, Naruto doing a joyful jig ahead of me.
"Why are you so excited Naruto? Geeze, honestly." Sakura says. Naruto turns around, walking backwards with his hands in the air.
"'Cause I've never been outside the village before!" He says, a cheeky grin on his face. Sasuke and I both sigh.
This is going to be a long trip. I think to myself. kakashi and Tazuna hold a slightly awkward conversation behind us, due to many long pauses. While I talk with Naruto, Sakura tries to hold a just as awkward conversation with Sasuke. As we continue along, I notice a small puddle in the road.
I narrow my eyes at it but continue walking.
Psh. Good job trying to conceal yourself. I think to myself. And, just as I predicted, two ninja's jump out of seemingly nowhere.
They each wear a claw on one of their hands and they immediatly lunge for Kakashi.
"First." One of them says. Kakashi look around him as two spiked chains launch from the claws. They rip him to shreds.
"Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto exclaims. Sakura and I move next to Tazuna.
"Sakura! No matter what we don't move away from Tazuna-san!" I say, gripping my kunai in front of my chest. Sakura gives a shaky nod and we both tense up, Tazuna watching in horror behind us.
I feel another precence to my left and smirk.
Good thinking, Kakashi-Sensei.
they lunge for Naruto and my head snapps towards him, a claw grazes his and and Naruto lets out a yell.
"Second!" The ninja's say, launching their chains towards Naruto. I lean foreward.
"Naruto!" I yell. Naruto freezes as a ninja launches at him, a claw cutting his hand. He lets out a yelp and Sasuke runs forward to assist him.
Pfft. Show off.
There is a streak and suddenly a ninja appears before us.
"Your next!" he exclaims. I move in front of Sakura just as the ninja lunges, ready to accept the pain that would come with this attack. I snap my eyes shut, brandishing my kunai in a position where it would stab the assailant. But no pain comes. Sakura gasps and I open my eyes to see Kakashi holding both ninja in his arms. he drops them to the ground and ties them up.
"K-Kakashi-Sensei?!" Sakura says, thoroughly confused by what had just happened. Kakashi looks over at Naruto.
"Sorry I didn't help you out back there Naruto, I needed to be sure of something..." He says, his eyes quickly flicking over to Tazuna.
"And I didn't think you'd freeze up like that." He adds, much to Naruto's disliking. I walk over to him, his blood dripping from his hand to the ground.
Sasuke turns toward us as I examine Naruto's wound.
"Your not hurt are you?" He says, smirking. " Scaredy Cat."
I send him a short glare and look back to Naruto's hand. My eyes widen ever so slightly as I see a extremely small wisp of steam eminting from his wound.
W-What?! I... Is that from the Nine-Tails?!
Naruto grits his teeth.
"Sasuke!" he grunts, moving around and waving his fist at Sasuke.
"Naruto. You might want to stop moving." I say, turning to grab some wrapping from my pack.
Naruto looks at me, a confused look on his whiskered face.
"Why?" He asks.
"Because their claws were laced with poison." Kakashi finishes for me. Naruto tenses and looks at his hand.
"We really should get him some professional attention." Sakura says. Kakashi sighs and runs a hand through his hair as I pull out the bandages.
"Its gonna be troublesome. I guess we should head back to the village and get Naruto treated." He says. Suddenly Naruto whips a kunai out, his teeth gritting in anger. He rips his hand away from me and stabs his wound.