I don't think chakra could heat someone in extreme temperatures infinitely. There'd be no point in using it immediately unless an emergency broke out. Plus I probably answered the question in this chapter, but... uh... I forget. Yeah, yeah, sweatdrop and fall over.


The Frostlands had been portrayed to the ninja as something horrible, something that would consume anyone in the cold and chill and kill them painfully whilst the snow's invisible glare blinded them slowly. It was like a jagged line where the world's climate suddenly took a break at its systems and neglected a specific area, an area it went though the processes to define whilst not worrying in the least about what such a precise computation would do. Thus the jagged side itself, though cold ran off of it, gave a clear indication of where the Frostlands began and ended through the ice from ancient glaciers rising from their original sitting, seismic activity having ruptured and bent it into massive valleys. Anywhere else such ice shelves would've never remained, yet in the Frostlands they were as eternal as the trodden earth that the shinobi normally stood on.

Everyone was surprised. It wasn't just beautiful, though it would be faulty to say that it was ragged and unpleasant. Rather its beauty was overshadowed entirely by the fear it offered. It was not that Naruto had not seen worse, perhaps Hinata or Lee or such who hadn't seen such lands were surprised, but it was the way that it seemed to have torn the ground asunder, causing not the blood of the earth to rise but instead gouging at its flesh. It floated not on water nor was it magic alone, rather it was simply powerful on its own, it contained itself. Ice had always been seen as something delicate. Now it was threatening them the way a thug pushes a lonely, frail storeowner about to receive whatever he had came in for.

Hinata carefully drew closer to Naruto with feminine grace and placed both hands on his shoulders, small enough in comparison to him to see the upper tiers of the glacier. She had become more subtle, her desperate cries for Naruto's attention now more average to the rest of them. She emphasized their appearance, in reality they were too small for anyone but Neji to spot, yet for a girl used to the Hyuugan ways the possibility was far too great that someone would read her motions. Neji, who was good at heart, she knew, had continued to prod fun at her, but she was slowly trying to erase such thoughts. It wasn't working, sadly.

Neji, awkwardly enough, had developed a limp that was predicted to heal, but not expected to any time soon. It wasn't a halfhearted diagnosis so much as a conservative one, one that Neji seemed to dislike. Furthermore there was little to do for him, Neji had attempted to talk to Lita, who shunned him idly as she did to everyone else, then Gai and Kurenai had lectured him about the meaning of leadership. Hinata just acted bleak around him whilst Lee was too strange. Thus he was reduced to the companionship of Sakura and Tenten, who thankfully helped him cheer up considerably.

This rapid progression in relationships, or degeneration, could be attributed to the long delays they constantly suffered, the two days springing into four, then an extra day of camp issued by Gai and Kurenai as they surveyed the beginnings of a frozen hell. It had become acceptable to wear the heavy weather gear and similar warm materials, yet since most of the fifth day was spent around a fire shivering whilst Gai, Kurenai, and Neji did their job. Lee had disappeared for training somewhere, at that, though went in the direct opposite direction that the team leaders had gone.

Naruto frowned heavily while Shino sat there, apparently immune to the cold and frostbite. Sakura had prodded him with a stick once or twice, but Shino had only offered a nonchalant glance at her. Either through massive self control or supernatural immunity he never shivered, only stared at the fire, and at a greater distance then anyone else there. He had occasionally glanced at Hinata slowly moving closer to Naruto, Lita off in the corner bundled up in her kimono engaging in her antisocial behavior, then Tenten who was cleaning a weapon. Sakura didn't enjoy the silence. If anyone had asked Shino he'd say he didn't enjoy the silence either, it was the calm before the storm. Sadly, no one asked Shino.

Naruto's eyes were squinting into the fire as it crackled and churned, the flame confined by the wood in which it burnt, invisibly caged, or perhaps it would be better to say it was chained. The occasional piece of flame leaped higher, or a crackle sent off a burst of embers, yet it was never violent enough to pose danger. The wind, had the fire not warmed them, would've undoubtedly turned skin pale and lifeless. Someone on his right gently connected their arm with his own, leaning for a moment. He looked over, only to see Hinata realize she'd scooted far too close to Naruto and hop away suddenly in fear, quietly but with a jolt, blushing. His eyes had opened from a squint, though he looked confused for the longest time before offering a small smile. He didn't know what he was smiling about, though.

Hinata was glad, of course, that she'd managed to get more confidant, to close the gap between herself and Naruto, though at the same time felt worry for Kiba and Akamaru mixed in with jealousy. She wasn't stupid, and even a fool could see Naruto's connection to Sakura, oen she felt she failed to compete with. She retained optimism, though it was slowly slipping through the cracks she tried to seal. Yet no matter the strength she put into it, she still couldn't admit anything to Naruto. Yet as if something had been proven to him, he seemed warm to her, receptive, not nearly as annoying, the way he tried to act around Sakura too.

Time was arduous, tedious, and the more those existing in it concentrated on its presence, the slower it went to taunt them. To those not nearly as amused by being close to Naruto or anyone else without speaking any words, as Hinata could claim to be amused by such, time was indeed slow. It would've been an ideal time for Naruto to make a stupid comment, or do something wrong to get in trouble with Sakura. Instead he yawned and laid by the fire, facing it on his stomach. The hours, which dripped past as if trying to filter a gallon of water through a hole the size of the very tip of a pin, were not amusing, but thankfully when night was beginning to progress far enough in Neji burst through the canopy.

Two minutes passed as Neji stood silently looking behind himself. Then Lee appeared followed closely by Gai and Kurenai. They all looked tired, sweaty, and pale from the temperature. Kurenai was the one who felt obligated to report, Neji grunting as Lee rolled to sit watching the jounin from the view of the rest of the crowd. Lita continued to remain bundled in her blankets. The female jounin seemed displeased, "It's horrible, the divide that is. Supposedly it's ancient and should've subsided, but the chill rolling off of it, well, to be generous, it's like feeling death. Our current HWC won't last us more then a day there, meaning when we set off we need to find that town or we're looking at freezing."

Everyone but the two other jounin stared at Kurenai. Shino adjusted his glasses with a single finger, then cleared his throat. Her eyes dilated as they set on the awkwardly dressed man, who took it as a cue to speak, "To ask the question, it doesn't seem particularly common to have a giant piece of ice sticking out of the ground, so how exactly did this happen? Either it's some fantastic phenomena or something paranormal, but to be generous I just don't trust it."

It took a while for everyone to understand just what Shino meant with his odd diction before Kurenai bit a lip for a second, "Well… to be honest, I'm not sure either. We're close to the north pole, yet not close enough to justify this. Supposedly cold air conducts down this way and is subsequently cooled by this ice, then lingers and thus keeps it from disappearing, yet it's slowly dwindling away year after year at a rate that makes such degeneration invisible beyond the small ponds and rivers formed in the summer. The entire thing is ice, if you're wondering… there's chunks of ground, though. That's where the mine is build, around a deposit with diamonds."

Sakura seemed to take up the topic, "Well… what's around the mine? It doesn't seem to look good from where we are, how could anyone survive an extended period up there then if they can't get supplies or anything? With all respect it just sounds really odd, you know what I mean? The entire thing sounds odd. I sorta get what Shino is saying, you know?" A few glances grazed her yet no one seemed to consider the possibility. That made her angry and she made a sound of indignation.

In the end Kurenai decreed that, "We're going into the Frostlands tomorrow. Get ready, and most of all, stay warm tonight. Seriously." Thus Sakura huffed off to her tent, Lita was gently placed, sleeping, closer to the fire, and the rest of them sat there for a while quietly conversing. Eventually the only two who hadn't left for bed were Gai and Lee, who arm wrestled for the longest while before deciding to head off to rest as well. The tents weren't notably for their spaciousness, but they were warm and formed a circle around the fire, trapping more heat in.

Naruto stared at the orange cover of his tent and tried to sleep. He closed his eyes. Behind them he saw some odd patterns. He tried to find comfort in his sleeping bag. He felt the harsh ground below him. He tried to snuggle into his beloved new friend, Mr. Supply Pack. That didn't help either. Mr. Supply Pack's comfort was lumpy or squishy, and whenever Naruto felt the squishy parts he knew he was compacting some of Mr. Supply Pack's wonderful food. Food he would survive on. Yet Mr. Supply pack was vengeful and, after a while of trying not to squish Mr .Supply Pack's essential supplies, became cold despite the fondling Naruto gave it.

Neji avoided looking at Naruto's tent, sitting outside beside Lita's head wrapped in a blanket. He was the only one out for the time and the Byakugan dare not activate least it spot what Naruto might be doing. Knowing Naruto he'd given his supply pack some idiotic name and then tried to snuggle for it. Rethinking, Neji tried to reassure himself that was below even Naruto. His purpose was his own, though occasionally he glanced at Lita in an unsure manner. He paid more attention to her then he let himself admit.

That distraction was the only reason Hinata managed to Herculean effort of sneaking out of her tent. Neji gave no indication of noticing her, and thus the sandals, ones she'd put on when she got out of the tent, treaded without sound beyond the meager crunch of leaves. Moments later she saw the illumination of Naruto's tent and blushed, watching him wrestle something and make a big scene out of it to no one in general, even if it was soundless. Her hand began shaking unbelievably, but it made it, and tapped nervously on his tent.

Naruto's first reaction was to nearly outright say some vulgarity and jump back, an act that would've disassembled his tent in a single fluid motion and wrapped him in it in turn. Yet after a few seconds he stuck his head out, looking annoyed, before saying, "Oh… Hinata… uh… 'sup?" Hinata suddenly blushed in the darkness to herself, an undetectable sort of indication of embarrassment, one Naruto could scarcely see.

He paused for a long while, waiting for a reply. Hinata, on her knees outside the tent, only stared at the ground and looked left or right along it, her hands up to her chest, fidgeting as a cool, or rather cold, breeze flew across the trees and intercepted the both of them. Hinata shivered, Naruto cringed. He couldn't take the cold anymore and felt obligated to gouge for an answer. He tried not to be too firm about it, but it was obvious his tone brought some distress to Hinata:

"Really, 'sup?"

"I… s-s-s-sorry…"

"Uhm… okay. Can I go back in?"

"Well… I… I just… just wanted t-to ask…"

"Huh?"

"N-Naruto… do you… uhm… ever have troubles sleeping?"

"Sure do. Right now I do."

"How do you… you f-f-fix them…?"

"Train? But, uh, that causes noise and people are sleeping."

"O-oh…"

"And Sakura will pummel me. As normal."

"N-Naruto… I… uh…"

He struggled to contain the desire to not be Naruto. Sadly whatever barred it was roughly like a piece of glass opposing a flaming meteor descending from heaven to destroy the world. It didn't last. Perhaps some day a flaming meteor would come to destroy earth simply to end such people as Naruto. Yet his miscellaneous question was sprung of youthful curiosity and a lack of understanding for human nature. Thus the question which teetered in the midnight due only to Naruto's sleep was unleashed, "Hey… uh… Hinata, y'know… Kiba said the strangest thing, so… uh… I wanted to know if you've got something for me?"

Hinata's eyes raced about in fear, the question was like being struck over the head, some massive wind pushing her over. She literally fell back to sit there with her cheeks blazing. Her eyes rested on the floor, she was paralyzed in shame and minor grief, 'Why n-now of all times, Naruto? Why a-ask now? I… I… j-just wanted to… why so bluntly…? And… and why K-Kiba, why d-did you tell?' For anyone who has experienced an awkward moment in their life, such an instance could be roughly summed up as Hinata's very peak performance in such a field with a flavorful hint of devastation.

Naruto just sat there as if it was a perfectly normal question. For him, there was little if any embarrassment. Mr. Supply Pack fully supported the question. Had Sakura been there, she likely would've screamed at him about never growing up and have been correct. He, of course, just seemed further confused as she fell over, to sitting, as if stunned. He could see her eyes, just barely from the glimmer of firelight, searching everywhere for something to say, yet for Naruto that was not something he could read.

Hinata was saved by Neji, who had ignored all their conversation, obviously, but just finally noticed them. At first she thought he had heard and that he would pose some sort of fatal insult to her, then laugh. Yet he stood before the two and grumbled quietly for a long while before saying in a demanding tone, "Both of you, honestly, it's way too late. As a jounin I'm telling you to get to bed. Now. Now meaning, you know, immediately." Hinata didn't need to be told twice, rather she jumped to her feet and stumbled off to her tent. Meanwhile Naruto just scratched his head then shrugged idly and seemed confused, not relating, but making a connection on the embarrassed reaction