The Fox Hidden in the Leaves
Chapter 28: Return to Snow, Pt 1
By: MikeJV37
----July 25, 9:35 PM, Hokage Mansion----
Tsunade stood with Shizune and the Snow courier and watched them arrive. Her favorite team arrived first looking as expected. Naruto Namikaze was excited and henged to appear normal, Sasuke Uchiha was grumpy, Sakura was happy and last as usual was their Sensei, Kakashi Hatake, who was reading his favorite little orange book. They were followed in a minute later by three of the four members of the new team, Yugito Nii, Tayuya and Isaribi. Four minutes later thier sensei came in, Anko Mitarishi.... and she looked ready to kill.
"This better fuckin be important Tsunade, you have no idea what you interrupted." Anko said, almost in a rage. "And the next time you send an ANBU to fetch me or Kurenai this time of night, it better be a woman." Anko said, then cracked her knuckles. "The ANBU you sent for me doesn't feel very manly right now." Anko said and made a crushing gesture with her right hand and smiled sadistically.
The men in the room flinched.
Tsunade took a close look at Anko's body language and had a good idea why she was so mad, she could just see the outline of a very sexy, and most likely leather, outfit under Anko's shirt, as well as the subtle impressions of her obviously hard nipples. "Please sit down everyone." Tsunade said. 'I'd bet anything Kurenai gave Anko control tonight and were interrupted just as they got into it, I'd be pissed off too. I better get this started.' Tsunade thought.
"He's from Snow Country!" Sakura said excitdly.
"Did I miss anything, and who's from Snow Country?" A female voice said.
"Tenten! He's from Snow Country, that's where we're going." Sakura said
Tenten smiled and sat on the end of the couch next to Sakura.
Tsunade held up the scroll. "He arrived about half an hour ago. This is a personal request from Princess Koyuki Kazihana for Team Seven, specifically you Naruto." Tsunade said and smiled at him.
"What does she want from the baka?" Sasuke said with a slight smirk, annoying Naruto always made him feel better.
"Shut up Sasuke-teme, you're just jealous I saved her." Naruto said and smiled.
Sasuke just huffed and turned back to Tsunade. 'If my Chidori hadn't cracked his armor first you wouldn't of beaten him.' Sasuke thought smugly.
Sakura giggled and jabbed Naruto with her elbow.
"As I was saying, she requested Team Seven specifically for a dangerous Mission." Tsunade said then waited.
"ALRIGHT!!!" Naruto stood and yelled with a big smile, his fist in the air.
Tsunade smirked, she knew he'd do that. "Sit down Naruto, I wasn't finished. Since your team was requested specifically Kakashi, I have to send them." Tsunade said. 'You chose them for backup Shizune, but they're the only other full team availible right now.... who am I kidding, I'd of sent for them too. I'm glad Tenten was here, this is the perfect mission for her new skills, jutsu and special ability.' Tsunade thought. "This is a B-Rank or even A-Rank Mission so I've assigned Tenten and Team Anko as backup." Tsunade said.
"Tsunade-sama, I got them yesterday and just started their training." Anko said.
"Are you sure they can handle this Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi said casually.
"Hai. Yugito is a Jounin, Tayuya and Isaribi are Chuunin, all three have special abilities and experience that are perfectly suited to this mission. I know they haven't even done a D-Rank mission yet, but I created that team specifically for missions like this, though I didn't think it'd be so soon. Anko, do you believe they're ready?" Tsunade said.
Yugito, Tayuya and Isaribi looked at their new sensei nervously.
Anko looked at them, stood and smiled. "Hai Tsunade-sama!" Anko said confidently.
Tsunade saw Yugito, Tayuya and Isaribi swell with pride. "I know you're ready Tenten, be at the Main Gate by six tomorrow morning ready to go, Kakashi and Anko will brief you on the mission then. Get enough sleep, you're expected in five days. Dismissed." Tsunade said.
The seven team meambers left, Kakashi and Anko stayed to be briefed.
"What's the mission?" Kakashi said.
"It seems Dousou had a wife named Hisame, she was also his second in command and from what I read a powerful Snow nin, Jounin level. She wants what she believes is her rightful place on the throne as Dousou's wife and successor, and would happily kill Princess Koyuki to get it." Tsunade said and sighed.
Kakashi nodded. "Anything else Tsunade-sama?"
"Hai, two things. Hisame has a hostage, a thirteen year old girl named Kusetsu, she's very important to the Princess but she didn't say why. She specifically said we have to save the girl at any cost. Hisame gave Princess Koyuki until the full moon to surrender her throne or the girl will be the first of many to die.... that's ten days away. The other is actually the original reason for the message, but this happened before she sent it. Kakashi, I'll hold you personally responsible if anything happens to Sakura." Tsunade said and looked Kakashi in his eye.
Kakashi saw the intent in Tsunade's eyes, he knew she'd personally kill him if Sakura died. 'Tsunade's gotten more emotional lately, something is breaking her control, probably Naruto, maybe I should loan her one of my books.' Kakashi thought.
Anko noticed Tsunade's change too. 'That was a death threat.... it has to be Naruto. She's probably so horny she can't see straight, but can't do anything about it.' Anko thought, her anger faded, she knew how Tsunade felt.
"You're not to reveal what I'm about to tell you until the mission is over." Tsunade said.
Kakashi and Anko nodded together.
"Kakashi, do you remember the female Snow nin with the pink hair, it seams that she's...." Tsunade said.
Kakashi's visible eyebrow raised as he heard it, his mask hid his shock.
Anko's shock was visible.
----July 26, 5:58 AM, Konoha Main Gate----
Sakura talked excitedly with Anko, Yugito, Tayuya, Isaribi and Tenten about their new armor. Sakura and Tenten wore armor like Anko and her team, Sakura's was red with pink trim on the collar and sleeves, Tenten's was silver with blue trim. Naruto, his henge active, leaned against the wall next to Sasuke, both wore their new armor. Naruto's was dark blue with orange trim on the collar, sleeves, and a stripe down the side of the pant legs. Sasuke's was black with blue trim. All their backpacks were leaned against the wall. The Snow courier stood nearby.
"Ten minutes at least." Naruto said.
"Not a chance baka." Sasuke said.
This continued another two minutes.
Kakashi appeared in a swirl of leaves. "Yo." Kakashi said casually. He wore his new armor, the long sleeved shirt was dark green with light green trim on the shirt and pants.
Anko, Tayuya, Yugito, Tenten and especially Naruto went slack-jawed. Sasuke smirked knowingly, and Isaribi nodded then got confused by her friends reactions. The courier didn't react at all.
"YOU'RE ON TIME!" Naruto yelled, very shocked.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be." Kakashi said like he'd never been late in his life, the corner of his visible eye curled slightly from the smile hidden beneath his mask.
"Ok who are you and what have you done with the real Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto said seriously.
"I told you he'd be on time you baka, he hasn't been late in over a month, you just weren't around to see it, I was." Sasuke said smugly. What he hadn't told Naruto is it was because he'd won a bet with Kakashi.
"Close your mouths you look like fish. We need to leave or we'll miss our boat, Isaribi I'll explain after we're on board and can relax." Anko said, then glanced at Sakura and smirked.
"Hai, Anko sensei." Isaribi said.
----8:24 AM, Hokage Mansion----
Tsunade sat on the side of her bed still nude from her shower, her clothes on the bed next to her. "Shizune-chan.... was I out of line last night?" Tsunade said, the worry on her face and in her voice.
Shizune sighed. "Hai, Tsunade-chan. You've gotten more emotional lately.... it's Naruto isn't it, you can't stop thinking about him can you?" Shizune said.
"I've never been the most responsible person, you know that better than anyone, but I'm the Hokage...." Tsunade flopped back on her bed. "I've been acting like some teenager with her first crush.... I'm a fuckin Sannin for Kami's sake, the most respected and powerful kunoichi in the world!" Tsunade sat up. "Shizune, I don't know if I can restrain myself another two months.... I want you to personally bring Hinata here, I...." Tsunade said.
"You're going to ask her aren't you?" Shizune interrupted.
"Hai.... I have a hole in my heart only Naruto-kun can fill. If Hinata-chan doesn't mind, when Naruto returns from this mission I want him to Mark me. It's the only way I'll be able regain control of my emotions. I had the same problem when I was with Dan.... until we made love the first time." Tsunade said.
Shizune stepped close to Tsunade, stood her, gently held her face and kissed her as lovingly as she could. "Hai, anything for you Tsunade-chan." Shizune said with a smile.
Tsunade smiled. "You aren't going to argue with me about this?" Tsunade said.
"Not this time. I saw it in your eyes last night after Kakashi and Anko left.... Hinata-chan will be here in five minutes." Shizune said, and smiled.
Tsunade hugged Shizune warmly. "What would I do without you Shizune."
"I hope we never have to find out. You may hide it from everyone else, but I know the real Tsunade-chan, you're my best friend, my lover, my surrogate mother, my Sensei, my Hokage.... and my hero." Shizune said, gave Tsunade a kiss and left the room.
Tsunade sat on the bed and smiled ear-to-ear. 'And my Angel, I couldn't do this job without you Shizune.' Tsunade thought.
----The Boat, Somewhere At Sea----
"Look how fast we're going Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto said excitedly.
Kakashi lowered his book and looked out over the rail. "We aren't carrying all those people and camaras this time."
"Tsunade said you've been training, do you have a new jutsu?" Naruto said.
"I learned a few things since you left three years ago." Kakashi said casually.
"Oh come on Kakashi-sensei, Please!" Naruto whined, dissappointed.
"A good ninja doesn't give away his secrets, or did you forget that lesson?" Kakashi said with a slight taunt.
Naruto frowned and crossed his arms. "You're still mean Kakashi-sensei, I'm going to talk to Sakura." Naruto said then walked away.
Kakashi just looked back at his book when he heard a girl call his name.
"Kakashi-sama...." Isaribi said, nervously.
"Just call me Kakashi.... Isaribi, right?" He said.
"Hai. Kakashi, I heard that you know over a thousand jutsu, is that true?" Isaribi said.
Kakashi nodded.
"Do you know any ice jutsu, I need to learn some." Isaribi said.
Kakashi closed his book and put it away. "Hai, not just anyone can use ice jutsu though, only people from Snow Country.... but I heard you're special. Show me your best water jutsu." Kakashi said.
Isaribi took a deep breath, exhaled and transformed.
Kakashi's visible eyebrow went up, he'd heard she could do that.
Isaribi did a couple hand signs then took a deep breath. "WATER CANNONBALL." Isaribi said, opened her mouth wide and a cantaloupe-sized ball of water shot out over a hundred yards before it hit the water and exploded. "I sank sixteen ships with that.... before Naruto-kun saved me." Isaribi said sadly at her admission.
Kakashi knew what she'd done. "As shinobi we've all done things we aren't proud of, but you didn't have a choice, you aren't a bad person." Kakashi said and thought a minute about her attack, how strong it was, the distance, and remembered every related or similar jutsu he knew.
Isaribi smiled and nodded.
"Is that as far as you can reach?" Kakashi said.
"Hai, maybe a little farther, but that's my limit." Isaribi said.
"How many times in a row can you do it?" Kakashi said, he needed to know her limits.
Isaribi slumped, as if stunned. "I don't know, I never had to use it more than two times.'
"Let's find out, do it as many times as you can." Kakashi said.
Isaribi nodded, and did it eight more times before she dropped to her knees. "I, I can't.... do.... anymore." Isaribi said as she gulped in air to regain her strength.
From another part of the deck Anko smiled from her hidden position. 'Very good Isaribi.' Anko thought, then smirked when she saw Kakashi subtly glance at her and nod.
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask. "I think I have one, how long do you need to rest to get your strength back?"
Isaribi stood, her breathing almost normal again. "When I'm transformed I could do that four of five more times with only a short rest in between to catch my breath. Without changing, I could probably do that attack three, maybe four times, but it'd wipe me out. I'm not as strong when I'm normal." Isaribi said.
Anko smiled. 'So that's it, she only has her power when she's transformed, and she might even have bigger chakra reserves than me, I'll have to push her to find out, but she can't use her full power unless she's transformed.... that son of a bitch did this to her intentionally.' Anko thought, but held down her anger.
Kakashi had similar thoughts. "Can you make a ball of water in your hand?"
"Hai, that's easy." Isaribi said, then held out her hand, palm up, and a grapefruit-sized ball of swirling water appeared about an inch above her hand.
"I heard you have a water and wind affinity. You have no problem using water, but can you use your wind affinity?" Kakashi said.
"I've never tried, I didn't know I had it until a few days ago." Isaribi said.
"feel that breeze, think about how that feels, now find that feeling inside your body and focus your chakra on it and swirl them together. When you feel that, bring it to the surface and focus it into the water. Combine the cool air with the water." Kakashi said.
Kakashi didn't have time for the usual training methods, but with what he'd seen of her abilities he knew she could do this.
Isaribi focused as she'd been told, and for several minutes nothing happened. Then what looked like fog started to come from the water ball. "I'm doing it!" Isaribi said, then her face twisted as she poured everything she had into it. A moment later there was a cracking sound and the ball of water in her hand froze. Isaribi almost fell over. She looked at the ice ball in her hand, smiled ear-to-ear and screamed at the top of her lungs.
A moment later Naruto appeared in a yellow flash next to her. "What's wrong Isaribi are you.... is that ice?" Naruto said, a little shocked.
"I did this Naruto-kun, I CAN MAKE ICE!" Isaribi squealed, then dropped it on the deck, transformed back to normal and fainted.
Naruto caught her.
"How'd she do Kakashi?" Anko said as she walked up behind Naruto.
"She learns fast. Anko, I'm sorry but I'm going to recomend she be removed from your team. She has an aquatic form and an affinity for wind, water and ice jutsu...." Kakashi said.
"She has three elemetal affinities?" Naruto almost yelled, shocked.
"You can't do that Kakashi, she was assigned to me for a reason!" Anko said in anger, her right hand in her weapon pouch.
Kakashi knew what was coming. "Naruto, take Isaribi to her cabin and stay with her, I need to talk to Anko." Kakashi said.
Naruto nodded, scooped up Isaribi and carried her inside.
"They've alredy bonded to each other and me. They're my first team damnit and if you try to take her away from me you one-eyed son of a bitch I promise I'll kill you." Anko said as coldly as she could, her killing intent rising very fast.
Kakashi knew Anko very well, and everything in him was sreaming, he knew without any doubt she was deadly serious and ready to kill him right then. It wasn't just anger though. 'There's something else, I've only seen her this passionate when....' Kakashi didn't need to finish his thought, everything just fell into place. "You really care about them that much?"
Anko softened slightly. "Hai." Anko said without hesitation.
"I won't say anything, but it's on your head if anything happens.... I hope you're ready Anko." Kakashi said honestly, then turned to leave.
"Kakashi...." Anko said in a soft voice. "Thank you for helping her, I owe you one for that." Anko said sincerely.
Kakashi stopped. "You're welcome...." Kakashi turned and looked at her with his visible right eye. "This isn't the only favor you owe me, and I will collect on them after this mission.... Anko-chan." Kakashi turned away and left.
"He's never called me Anko-chan, except that time he tried to.... that sneaky son of a bitch, he wouldn't dare ask me to...." Anko said then sighed, defeated. 'He knows he can take her from me if he doesn't think I'm doing a good enough job, but I'll prove I'm ready. Just because I don't know any water or wind jutsu doesn't mean I can't train her to use them, I have as much experience as he does.... he may of been evil but I was trained by Orochimaru and am one of the few people ever to survive his Curse Mark. Next to Tsunade I'm the meanest, toughest, scariest bitch in Konoha, ANBU get out of my way when I walk.' Anko thought.
On the other side of the boat Kakashi spotted a quiet place to read his book as he came around the corner, then he saw Tenten twirl one of her special kunai by the cabin wall. He approached her. "Yo, Tenten."
"Hello Kakashi sensei." Tenten said and smiled.
Kakashi leaned against the cabin wall next to her. "I haven't had a chance to talk to you since Naruto's housewarming party. How's your training with Tsunade-sama on your new Lightning jutsu? I rarely get to talk with another lightning user."
Tenten smiled and drew her other special kunai from her left thigh sheath. "It's great, I've mastered one of the jutsu and am pretty good with the other, but it's very hard to practice it. I need these to do the hard one. I don't need them for the other jutsu, but it's not as strong without them." Tenten said.
"What are they, maybe I can help you, Chidori isn't my only lightning jutsu." Kakashi said.
Tenten's face lit up. "Really, that'd be great Kakshi-sensei, thank you!"
----July 30, Snow Country----
The courier lead Kakashi, Anko and their team along the route to the Palace.
In the four days they were at sea Isaribi learned to make ice and to use her wind chakra, though she can't do a jutsu for either, she's still very happy with herself.
"You're really strong Isaribi-chan, and to learn to use ice chakra and wind chakra in four days is incredible!" Tenten said happily.
"Thank you Tenten-chan, but one blast of your lighting and I'm fried fish." Isaribi said and giggled.
Everyone laughed or giggled at the comment.
"I was very impressed." A female voice said.
Isaribi stopped dead in her tracks, shocked. "Really Anko-sensei?"
Everyone stopped.
"Naruto, since you returned from training with Jiraiya, with everything I've seen you do, how many times have I told you I was impressed?" Anko said.
Naruto thought a moment. "Uh.... twice, I think."
"Isaribi, Naruto is the most powerful shinobi I've ever met in my life, he's mastered jutsu I couldn't learn if I trained a hundred years, so when I told you I was impressed do you think I meant it?" Anko said seriously.
Isaribi bowed low. "Thank you Anko-sensei!" Isaribi said and smiled ear-to-ear.
Tayuya and Yugito came up next to the small girl on either side and kissed the cheek on her side.
"Great job Isa-chan." Tayuya said.
"Never doubt yourself Isaribi-chan, Anko-sensei and all your friends are very proud of you. Kakashi-sama, Naruto-sama, thank you for helping Isaribi-chan with her wind and ice chakra." Yugito said, then bowed to them.
Kakashi nodded.
Naruto gave a big foxy grin, rubbed the back of his head wit both hands and blushed slightly. "Come on, we need to get to the Palace and help Koyuki-chan."
The courier, Yugito, Tayuya, Isaribi and Tenten were stunned to hear Naruto call her Koyuki-chan and not Princess Koyuki.
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask. "Naruto has a special relationship with her, I'll explain as we walk." Kakashi said and dropped back to tell the four girls the full story.
End Chapter 28
