Special Arc – The Christmas special – The mission to decorate the leaf!
(This special takes place about three months after the Tamasaburo mission for Team 7)
It was drawing closer and closer to Christmas time, the Village had a nice blanket of snow bless its walls over night and morning came across rather quickly. In his warm blankets in bed, Narashi Uzumaki slowly brought himself to a rise and yawned loudly, before grabbing himself and shivered intensely.
"Man! Why is it so cold all of a sudden!?" Narashi exclaimed, before looking out his window, moving to it to get a better look and saw the snow falling outside. "Oh wow! It hasn't snowed in the village in ages! That's right it's coming close to Christmas time!" Narashi exclaimed, blinking as he opened the window and peered his head out looking around the village.
"That's strange, aren't the decorations out usually by now? I guess I never really thought about that till now." Narashi muttered, walking over to his calendar and looked at the date. "Especially with it being only five days to go." Narashi pondered upon this and decided to ask about it. "Marakai-Sensei should know!" Narashi exclaimed, as he grabbed his clothes and threw them on before opening his door. "Look out world! Because Narashi Uzumaki is on the charge!" Narashi exclaimed before sneezing loudly and hugged himself again.
"But first some warmer clothes!" He exclaimed
Narashi had grabbed some warmer clothing and had made his way to Marakai's house and was about to knock on the door. "Come in Narashi, it's open." Marakai explained through the door. "Huh…? How did he…? Nevermind." Narashi was quick to dismiss Marakai's comment, letting himself in and went into the main room where Marakai was. "Hey Sensei!" Narashi exclaimed, the male looking from his book and waved. "Good morning Narashi, I just made some hot cocoa, would you fancy some?" Marakai asked.
"Yes please!" Narashi exclaimed with a broad grin. The male got up and went to make the boy a cup, setting it down next to the boy who seated himself. "So what brings you in so early?" Marakai asked, Narashi taking a sip before explaining the situation. "So that's what I was thinking, any reason you think this is the case?" Narashi asked the male. "Well funny you should mention that actually. Lord Hokage (Konohamaru) had not long given me a mission spec detailing that the decorators of the village were caught in the blizzard last night in Hozoku-Gai and in one of the instances of them, ended up breaking their leg in the process… so they have been unable to get to the village in time to do the decorations. So he wanted me to grab a group of Shinobi and do the decorations to the village ourselves. Since you are here, I could get you to grab some of the group I had in mind, Shinrin, Devika and Uraika. I'll get the rest, oh and uh… lock the door on your way out." Marakai explained, forming a seal and vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Narashi blinked for a moment, before glancing around. "I've always wanted to see what Marakai keeps in his house… ah well… next time." Narashi muttered, before locking the Jounin's door and made his way towards Uraika's his house being closest at the time.
Axia and Arisanra were inside Arisanra's bedroom, Axia having stayed the night before, the female shivering to the cold. "It's s-so cold… I-I forgot to bring a jacket… c-can I borrow one of yours?" Axia asked, the other female grinning. "Are you kidding me? With your fat arms? You'd rip the sleeves!" Arisanra quipped. "You're mean…" Axia muttered with a pout before hearing a knock on the door. "Someones at the door." She stated plainly. "You get it…" Arisanra muttered with a yawn.
"Hey! It's your house!" Axia exclaimed. "I'm too lazy to go, and if you don't. I'll tell Mone who drank all of her sodas." Arisanra responded. "Eek! Okay! Okay I'll go!" Axia shrieked, before opening the door and peering her head out. "Hello?" She asked, seeing no one there. "There's no one here…huh?" She looked down seeing a note on the ground of which she picked up and took back to Arisanra's room.
"There was a note at the door, from… Marakai Hatake… who is that?" She asked. "I think he's that Uchiha guys teacher, you know the one that calls you a stalker." Arisanra muttered. "I… really have no idea why he'd say such mean things about me." Axia sighed. "Probably because you transformed into him during the Genin exam." Arisanra mused. "I-It really can't be that reason can it?" Axia asked blushing profusely. "Who knows, anyway the note?" Arisanra stated.
"Oh right… it reads… To Arisanra Senju and Axia Yamanaka… wow he knew I was here too!" Axia exclaimed. "Someones in love~" Arisanra mused, the other female huffing. "Oh shut up! Anyway… you've been assigned a mission with a few other Genin to come decorate the hidden leaf for Christmas. I thought that was odd that the decorations weren't up yet! I guess we better get going then!" Axia exclaimed. "Then get moving, it will take an hour or so to get your big butt cleaned after all!" Arisanra mused. "ARIIII!" Axia whined.
"Five hundred and fifty five! Five hundred and fifity six! Five hundred and fifty seven! Five hundred and fifty eight! Five hundred and fifty nine! Five hundred and Sixty!" Li exclaimed, finishing his stomach crunches. "My oh my Li! You continue to impress me with your ever burning flame of youth! I am so proud of your passion Li!" Gaito exclaimed "SENSEI!" Li exclaimed back, tears running down his face, grabbing his father the two sobbing to each other, Saya arriving in time to see it, though wishing she hadn't. "You two are going to make me lose my mind…" Saya sighed, rubbing her temples before speaking. "I was just given a mission to help decorate the village for Christmas and you two were told to be there as well." Saya continued.
"Decorating the village you say? That's a perfect way to burn with passion and youth! Let's go with force Li!" Gaito exclaimed, striking a pose. "YES! I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN GAITO-SENSEI!" Li exclaimed, saluting to his teacher with fake tears. "Oh Li! You make me so proud and full of youth and passion!" Gaito exclaimed fake tears down his face as they both hugged and sobbed again.
"Ugh… and I thought Sasori was being a pain today…" Saya muttered, thinking back to before. The female had knocked on Sasori's door a few times. "Come on Sasori, we have a mission to decorate the village!" Saya called out. "In this cold!? Are you mad!? Go away I'm staying in my blanket fort! I'm too cool for a mission like this!" Sasori shouted from her house. "Are you kidding me!? Oh nevermind!" Saya shouted, throwing her arms down in a huff before storming off. Saya returned from her moment to see Li and Gaito had left already.
"Guess I should go myself…" she muttered
Narashi had finally arrived at Uraika's house and banged on the door heavily. "HEY! URAIKA WE HAVE A MISSION TO DO! GET OUT OF BED ALREADY!" Narashi shouted, banging on the door a few more times, before huffing. "Guess he's not home, guess I'll go to Shinrin then GACK!" Narashi was suddenly foot tripped going face first into the snow. "Why can't you address me like normal people!?" Narashi roared, quickly removing himself from the snow glaring at Uraika who smirked. "Because you deserve better." Uraika mused.
"Whatever! Did you hear what I had to say!?" Narashi asked angrily. "Yeah, yeah what is it this time?" Uraika groaned. "We're decorating the village for Christmas!" Narashi shouted. "Bah humbug… whatever let's go…" Uraika moaned. "Geeze! What got into your stockings today!? Other than COAL!" Narashi snapped. "Bite me loser." Uraika responded. Narashi humphed loudly before following the Uchiha to Shinrin's.
Shinrin had gotten up herself and was looking over the village with a smile on her face. "I love this time of year, snow is so nice!" Shinrin thought to herself, though glared at the floor also. "Just as long as I don't end up being hit on or forced to try and kiss someone under the missletoe I should be good." She added in thought, hearing a knock on the door. She got herself dressed quickly and opened the door. "Oh hello Uraika and Narashi! What bring you two here?" Shinrin asked, smiling warmly at Narashi who began to fidget. "U-Uhm… well you see… we are… uhm…" Narashi muttered. "Dammit! I knew this would happen I just can't talk to her properly!" Narashi thought to himself angrily. "What the loser is trying to say is that we've been called on a mission to decorate the village, I don't like it personally but a mission is a mission, now get a move on." Uraika muttered coldly.
"Man I would love to knock him down a peg…but since it's Christmas I'll let it slide… new years however…" Shinrin thought to herself a wicke cackle following in her mind after. "Okay sure! I guess we're on our way to get Devika now?" Shinrin asked, closing the door behind her and locking it. "Y-Yeah!" Narashi exclaimed, before they made their way to said persons home.
Devika was finishing getting dressed and having breakfast when she heard a knock on the door, she walked to the door and opened it to see her three comrades there. "Oh, hello you three, what are you here for?" Devika asked in her normal monotone nature. "We've got some stupid mission to decorate the village, it'll be boring as hell but probably will pay well…" Uraika snorted. "Decorate the village? Alright, I'll join you in a bit, where are we meeting up?" Devika asked. "The Hokage's mansion!" Narashi exclaimed. "Always so loud Narashi… alright I'll meet you there." Devika muttered, closing the door on them.
"I'm not loud…" Narashi muttered in protest. "Yes you are, loser… let's go." Uraika grunted, leading the other two to the mansion
Marakai was waiting at the mansion reading his book when Axia and Arisanra had arrived at the spot. "Looks like we're the first ones here…" Axia muttered. "Yeah, oh look it's your boyfriend! HEY MARAKAI-SENSEI!" Arisanra shouted loudly, Axia smacking the girl frustradely. "ARI! I wish you'd stop saying that!" Axia whined. "I shall not lie!" Arisanra declared proudly, before looking behind her. "Looks like the others are coming…. Oh no… not the eyebrow twins…" Arisanra groaned. Marakai at this point popped his head up from his book and saw the two girls.
"Oh hello Axia and Arisanra, how are you-!"
"MARAKAI OLD CHUM! How are you my eternal rival!?" Gaito interrupted patting the male on the back. "I am doing alright, I see your team is already here and ready to go… minus one… where's Sasori?" Marakai asked. "It would be safe to assume that Sasori won't be joining us today, she found her bed to be more important…" Saya responded. "OH HUSH! I'm here! Ahem! Never fear the great Sasori is here to make this village decorated and look wonderful!" Sasori proclaimed proudly.
"It is an honour to do battle with you Sasori!" Li exclaimed saluting to his comrade. "Man your eyebrows creep me out!" Sasori shouted, shuddering afterwards. "So then Marakai, how is your team progressing?" Gaito asked with a coy grin on his face. "They're actually doing very well, in fact here they are now." Marakai explained, the three arriving with Devika not too far behind them.
"H-Hi Uraika.." Axia told the Uchiha of whom stuck his nose up at her. "Ew… don't talk to me, stalker." Uraika snorted, walking past her. "O-Oh…" Axia sighed. "You got rejected Axia!" Arisanra mused, Axia lowering her head in depression. "You're such a great friend Arisanra…" Axia sighed.
"Alright, anyway now that everyone is here that I had asked to, I'll review the mission details just in case you're not quite up to speed. So last night a blizzard swept across the Fire Nation and the most notably hit was Hozoku-Gai where the decorators were stationed in preperations to come to the village this morning and prepare the decorations. However because of this one of the workers ended up breaking their leg and the rest were caught in the storm and were unable to make it through, so Lord Hokage has given us the mission to decorate the village in preperations for Christmas." Marakai explained, looking at a list in his hand.
"To speed the process up, I have split you up into teams of three to ensure that all areas are covered faster. So the teams will be… Shinrin Haruno, Sasori Ikedai and Rock Li, the other team will be Saya Hyuuga, Narashi Uzumaki and Uraika Uchiha, the final team will be Arisanra Senju, Axia Yamanaka and Devika Shukimei. Gaito and I will cover this area and the main district… if you are unhappy with your team, speak up now. Except Narashi and Uraika." Marakai quickly interjected as Narashi and Uraika both started to raise their hands.
"CRAP!" both shouted in unison before glaring at one another.
"Uh yeah! I have a complaint! Why am I stuck with eyebrows!?" Sasori shouted in protest. "Yeah I'm not gonna dignify that one with a response… now how bout you guys get a move on, burning daylight here." Marakai told them. "Wait! What about the decorations?" Narashi asked. "Oh right, I actually forgot about that. Narashi your team is heading the north division of the village, Devika yours is the south, We're handling the central and east, and Li's group will handle the west side, each sector has a convenience store that should be awaiting your arrival with decorations at hand. Now off you go." Marakai told the group, the lot taking their leave.
Axia and Arisanra were walking behind Devika, the other girl holding her calm, cold look on her face as she took lead. "Arisanra… I'm scared of the girl we are with…" Axia muttered softly. "Devika wasn't it… she does seem like a wet blanket… I'm just more inclined to know how she gets her hair to be like that! It's everywhere!" Arisanra exclaimed the group arriving at the store. "This is the place." Devika muttered in her monotone nature, walking into the store with the other two and addressed the cashier. "Hello, we are here for the decorations for the mission ahead." Devika explained. "Oh right, I did find it weird that they hadn't been put up recently, here you go." The female cashier explained, handing the group the box of decorations. "These are already charged to the Hokage's account so no worries about payment." The cashier added.
"Hey! If these are charged to the Hokage's account… wanna be sneaky and get some snacks or lollies to go with it?" Axia asked. "Good thinking Axia!" Arisanra mused. "No… this is enough." Devika muttered bluntly, halting their amusement. "Oh… okay…" Axia sighed. "Geeze, what a wet blanket…" Arisanra muttered, as they made their way out of the store to begin decorating.
"Why is that I am always stuck having to be partnered up with you loser? I swear someone is having way too much fun in picking these teams." Uraika snarled, Narashi huffing at the Uchiha. "Please! Like I'm any happier with the decision! Let's just get this over and done with so we can go our separate ways!" Narashi responded. "I feel really sorry for the two girls in your team, having to put up with two kids." Saya told the two walking behind them. "Harsh Saya…" Narashi muttered, glaring back at the female. "Gotta admire her honesty though… remind me to write that one down as well as crush your windpipe you blunt ass." Uraika grunted.
"I just say it like it is…" Saya responded with a shrug. The three entered the store in question, Narashi taking the forefront. "Excuse me old man! I believe we have decorations for the village in the Old man Hokage's name!?" Narashi asked, Saya looking rather gobsmacked at Narashi's behaviour. "Old man Hokage? You really are disrespectful Narashi." She muttered. "Oh it's alright, he's like that all the time, Lord Hokage really doesn't mind. Here you guys are, give him my best." The Cashier responded, the boy grinning.
"You got it!" Narashi exclaimed, the group heading outside. "We'll make more ground up if we exploit our work with Jutsu!" Narashi shouted, taking the decorations then formed a seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Narashi exclaimed, forming ten more of himself. Uraika snorted, his Sharingan seemingly activated at the time as he followed Narashi's actions then formed a seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu." Uraika muttered, forming ten of himself as well. "WHAT!? WHEN DID YOU LEARN THAT!?" Narashi shouted in horror.
"Just now… Sharingan, Duhhhh~!" Uraika muttered, tapping his finger against his forehead to mock Uraika. "Asshole!" Narashi scoffed. "Boys…. Sheesh…" Saya sighed.
"Alright you three! Let's go and make Gaito-Sensei proud!" Li exclaimed ahead of the two girls his eyes burning with passion and flames. "Full of energy that one is." Shinrin told Sasori who merely rolled her eyes in frustration. "He's such a bonehead and those eyebrows are just… ICK! I can't see why anyone would want to be imaged after my own teacher I mean!" Sasori shuddered at her own comment. "Oh leave him alone, he's fine." Shinrin told her, before glancing down at the girls prostetic legs. "By the way I've been meaning to ask, what happened to your legs? Those are prostetics right?" Shinrin asked, earning a dark look from Sasori
"Yeah, so what if they are? What? Does that make me less of a shinobi or something?" She asked. "N-No! I just was curious!" Shinrin replied frantically. "I'm just teasing you!" Sasori responded, glaring at the ground. "To tell you the truth, I lost my legs at a young age… but you don't need to know the reason why." Sasori explained. "Right… I'm sorry that happened." Shinrin told her, Sasori sighing. "Yeah… me too." She muttered
"If you two ladies would stop bickering! We have reached the store! Let's burn with the flames of passion and get this job done!" Li exclaimed, Shinrin frowning. "I can take the leotard and the bowl haircut, but if I have to hear one more of those flames of youth or passion or whatever! I don't know how much I can take!" Shinrin thought to herself, nodding to Li. "I'll go guys." She said, walking into the store and went straight to the counter. "Excuse me ma'am we're here for the Christmas decorations on the Hokage's account." Shinrin explained.
"Oh sure, I thought it was weird not seeing the village not decorated, here you go kids. Have fun!" The lady exclaimed. "Alright! Now let's make Gaito-Sensei proud and burn proudly with these decorations!" Li exclaimed. "It's not for his sake Li! It's for the villages! Gosh! Do you wanna switch teams? I think I could tolerate Narashi and Uraika more than this idiot." Sasori groaned.
"You know what? I'm happy with my team, but thanks for the offer!" Shinrin exclaimed. "Ugh… your loss bro." Sasori moaned.
Marakai was busy putting up his decorations making sure each one was put on nice and co-ordinated when Gaito stepped behind him. "So then Marakai! How are we going to decide our rivalry today!?" Gaito exclaimed, Marakai blinking before glaring back at the male. "Now? You realize we're in the middle of a mission right?" Marakai asked. "Oh there is plenty of time to finish this old chum!" Gaito exclaimed. "And stop with the 'old chum' stuff, since when was being 28 considered old?" Marakai asked. "Oh right you have a point there, alright you win this round!" Gaito shouted, glaring at the ground before spinning around and placing his hand on his chin.
"Dammit! This puts you one ahead! I'm gonna have to step my game up!" Gaito muttered, Marakai sighing. "I just hope the others are staying on track." Marakai thought to himself, continuing his work.
"Man this is so boring!" Narashi exclaimed, his group having nearly completing their sector due to the clone work. "We're nearly done at this rate! Gotta pass the time somehow!" Narashi thought to himself, looking to Uraika who had his back turned to him. The Uzumaki cheekily grinned before scooping some snow into his hand and threw it at the back of Uraika's head.
The Uchiha stopped what he was doing and glared at the boy. "Snowballs… really loser?" Uraika muttered. "What!? It wasn't me! It was him!" Narashi shouted pointing at one of his clones. "WHAT!? YOU LYING LITTLE SNOT!" the first clone shouted at Narashi in horror. "What!? Do you expect me to get pummeled by him!? You're just clones!" Narashi shouted back. "Oh so we're expendable are we!? Well bullocks to that!" The first clone shouted, he and the other 9 clones scooping snow into their hands. "READY, AIM, FIRE!" The first clone shouted, the other clones hurling snowballs at Narashi who was pummled to the floor.
"What the hell… did I just witness…" Uraika muttered in astonishment, Saya walking towards him. "I believe you just witnessed moronity at its finest…" Saya muttered, Narashi slowly bringing himself to his feet. "Damn… mutiny…!" Narashi scowled. "Moronity wouldn't even begin to describe this…" Uraika grunted, the clones taking aim at Narashi again. "I am calling for a pecking order! YOU HEAR ME!? A PECKING ORDER!" Narashi shouted, being pummeled again by snowballs. "YOU'RE ALL OFF THE CHRISTMAS CARD LIST!" Narashi screamed angrily.
"You don't even have a Christmas card list!" The first clone shouted. "Yeah I'm out of here…" Uraika muttered, walking away. "Right behind you Uraika…" Saya replied. "I'm going to create a Christmas card list… JUST TO TAKE YOU OFF IT!" Narashi roared, then being pummeled yet again.
"Phew… we're all done… A-Ari…" Axia sighed, smiling at her friend who nodded. "Yeah we did didn't we? No thanks to Devika who decided to do things on her own, I swear how those others put up with her is beyond me." Arisanra told her friend, Devika finishing up herself. "Let's head back." Devika told them bluntly. "I do feel sorry for Narashi… having to put up with bullies like her and Uraika…" Axia muttered. "Ooooh Axia and Narashi in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G~!" Arisanra mused, running off. "ARI GET BACK HERE!" Axia screamed chasing after her friend. "Wierdos…" Devika sighed, before making her way back.
"Alright! Looks like we are all done! I must say Shinrin you are quite the artistic person when it comes to decorations!" Li exclaimed, Shinrin smiling at the boy before speaking. "Thank you, I do a lot of arts and crafts at home so this isn't anything foreign to me." Shinrin explained, Sasori scoffing having done no work whatsoever. "I do all the work and she gets all the praise! TYPICAL! Just fricking TYPICAL!" Sasori shouted, walking off ahead of them. "She did all the work? She did nothing! Nothing at all! Ugh, I thought Narashi was bad…" Shinrin thought to herself, as she shook it away and sighed. "Alright let's head back." She muttered
"Alright, looks like we're all done…" Marakai sighed, wiping some sweat off his forehead, looking behind him. "And looks like the others are finishing up as well, welcome back Uraika and Saya… uh…. Where's Narashi?" Marakai asked, blinking for a moment. "He's having a snowball fight by 'himself', he's getting his ass kicked by 'himself', and he's being totally humiliated by 'himself'" Uraika muttered announciating himself sarcastically. "Right… I think I see what you mean…" Marakai muttered, Narashi staggering to the group.
"I am here…. I am here… beaten and bruised… but I am here… UGH!" Narashi would then flop into the snow face first. "My condolences Uraika…" Saya muttered, Uraika mocking a scoff. "Thanks, you don't know how much that means." He muttered sarcastically, watching the others turn up. "We are back! And I am proud to say that thanks for me! The village is looking great and wonderful! But not as great as m-!" Sasori was cut off when a snowball was thrown straight into her face.
"God she annoys the crap out of me…" Uraika muttered, tossing a snowball up and down in his hand. "I guess now that everyone is here, we can wait till nightfall and see how they look." Marakai explained.
Nightfall came quickly and the group had returned in the main district, Marakai holding two cables in both hands. "Alright here we go, in three… two… one." Marakai stated, before clipping the two cables together and the dark village soon came abright with beautiful colours in christmasy fashion. "WOW! That's so pretty!" Narashi exclaimed in awe. "It's… really pretty Ari…" Axia said with a warm smile. "And we did this all together as a team!" Arisanra mused.
"My team did nothing! I did all the work cause I am the be!" Sasori was cut off when a snowball smacked her in the face. "Shut the heck up would you?" Uraika snarled, tossing another snowball in his palm. "Welp, guess there's nothing else by to say!" Narashi shouted, the group all grinning (apart from Uraika) "MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!" they shouted in unison to the villagers, the merriment would be halted when Narashi was smacked in the back of the head with a snowball, the males face went red with rage as he turned to see a clone smirking at him. "OH THAT IS IT!" Narashi roared, forming a handseal.
'MULTI SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!" he screamed, summoning over a hundred clones that all turned around to face Narashi, all smirking deviously while scooping snow into their hands. "OH CRAP WHAT HAVE I DONE!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Narashi screamed before being absolutely pummeled by snowballs