Chapter 1 – Mission Hajimeru
Authors Note
Hi guys! So, this is my first story on here. Please don't mind any spelling and/or grammar errors, as am currently unbeta'd. SLOW UPDATEDS! Pairings have yet to be decided, but there WILL most likely be slash, so if you don't like it, please don't read, you have been warned! Currently rated M to be safe, ratings may be changed. Comments will be welcomed, but please no flames!
Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters do not belong to me
Those citizens who had gone to the market early were treated to the strange sight of Team 7, heading back to the Hokage Tower after a successful mission.
Their jounin sensei, Hatake Kakashi, wandering along with his head buried in his little orange book – was not, however, what caught the villagers' attention. Neither was it the only girl of the group, Haruno Sakura, who was covered in mud, with sticks and leaves stuck in her hair. Nor was it Uchiha Sasuke, who was in a similar state, complete with Uchiha Glare #2, aka, Why Am I Doing This Again?
No, what caught their attention was the fourth member of Team 7, Uzumaki Naruto, Hokage-to-be, who, unlike his fellow genin, was NOT covered in mud, sticks or leaves. Instead, his orange jumpsuit was relatively clean. But this was still not what the villagers were focused on. No, it was the demon cat, Tora, that was purring in his arms, CALMLY!
Upon entering the mission room, Kakashi eye-smiled (without looking up from his book).
"Team 7 reporting back, Hokage-sama. Mission: Catch Tora was successful."
"Tora-Chan!"
On hearing the cry, Tora looked up from the blond's arms and let out a simple mew, not unlike the lazy jounin's regular greeting, causing most of the room to sweat-drop.
Cat now returned to its owner, Team 7 waited patiently for their next mission...oh, who are we kidding? As the Hokage began listing that day's remaining D-ranks (babysitting for a council member, painting a storefront, picking up litter at the pack, and who could forget sweeping the academy training yard?), the Uchiha's scowl darkened, the pinket wilted, and the prankster erupted.
"Ne, Ojisan! Give us a real mission! We've had enough of all these chores!"
Iruka, sat next to the Hokage, frowned in disapproval, and began lecturing the blond on the various mission rankings, while the Hokage lowered his head, using his hat to hide a smile. Said blond crossed his arms and stared off into space, possibly deciding on which ramen to have for dinner.
"Naruto, are you even listening to me?" Iruka raged.
Annoyed, Sasuke stepped over to Naruto, scowl increasing. However, before he could do anything, the Sandaime looked up.
"Kakashi, if you think your team is ready, then I see no reason why they can't take a higher ranked mission."
Looking up from his book, Kakashi ran an eye over his three genin, before eye-smiling.
"I'd say they're ready, Hokage-sama." - ignoring Iruka's flustered squawking.
"Very well, then." The Hokage raised his hand, also ignoring Iruka. "Bring him in."
The side door opened to admit an old man, clutching a wine bottle.
"Ah, Tazuna-san. Meet Team 7, they will be-" the Hokage began, causing the man to turn around.
"These bunch of kids are gonna 'tect me?" Tazuna demanded. "Shorty there don't look-ike 'e's all 'erein the 'ead!"
"Oi, who you callin' short?" Naruto growled, after Sakura had stepped up beside him.
"Maa maa, Naruto, don't attack the client," Kakashi sweat-dropped, while holding the blond's collar, his focus still on his book.
Sandaime coughed. "Team 7, your mission is to escort Tazuna-san the bridge-builder back to the Land of Wave, and guard him while he finishes building his bridge. This is classed as a C-rank."
Kakashi shut his book with a snap.
"Ok, team, meet at the village gate in half an hour; and make sure to pack enough for at least three weeks." That said, the jounin disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Grinning, Naruto raced off out the door, before taking a hard right, and jumping out the window, leaving the rest of Team 7 to slowly make their way home to prepare.
Half an hour later found the genin of Team 7 waiting at the gate, Sasuke was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, with one eye on his blond teammate, ignoring Sakura, who was standing next to him, attempting to make conversation. Naruto was perched on a large rock, muttering to himself and nodding every now and then.
To everyone's surprise, Kakashi actually arrived on time, along with Tazuna, holding yet another bottle.
"YOU'RE...on time?" Sakura floundered, confused.
Kakashi just eye-smiled at her.
"Alright, team, everyone ready? Then Mission: Protect the Bridge-Builder, begin!"
The two chunin guarding the gate sweat-dropped, as Naruto leapt down from his rock adjusting the straps of his backpack, while Sasuke simply pushed himself off of the wall.
Sakura squeaked upon noticing that the rest of her team and their client had already started walking, before scrambling to catch up.
After walking for a while in reasonable silence (Naruto, for once, seemingly content with resuming his muttered conversation with himself), Sakura couldn't stand the surrounding tension anymore.
"Ne, Kakashi-sensei, do the Land of Waves not have shinobi?"
"Hmm?" Kakashi didn't look up from his book. "There used to be a ninja village, called Uzushiogakure no Sato, or The Village Hidden in the Whirlpools."
"Used to be? What happened to it?" the pinket asked, frowning.
Tazuna sighed.
"What happened to it? I'll tell you what happened, the Second Shinobi War, that's what happened!"
Startled, Sakura turned to look at him.
"What do you mean, the Second Shinobi War?"
Kakashi's eye narrowed behind his book, while Tazuna took another swig from his bottle.
"Didn't they teach history at that academy of yours? I'd've thought the story of Uzushio would have at least been mentioned, 'specially as Uzushio 'n' Konoha were 'Sister Villages' or whatnot? The shinobi of Uzushio were feared throughout the Nations, they had several Kekkei Genkai, including increased healing, not to mention all the Masters they produced in Sealing, Ken- and Taijutsu. Word has it they also had massive chakra reserves. Basically, the other Nations were so afraid of them, that the first thing they did was to sack Uzushio. I know that several managed to escape before the Village fell, but only Kushina-chan made it to Konoha, the rest of the survivors scattering to the winds. Not really sure what happened to her, lovely girl, used to visit us once the war was over, right up til the start of the Third Shinobi War, then we never saw her again. Real shame, as Kushina-chan was heir to her clan, and the only one who could un-seal the Village."
"Un-seal the village?" Sakura repeated flatly.
"Like I said, they were Masters at sealing. Rumour has it that the Last Uzushiokage Sealed the Village and their attackers as his final act." Tazuna shrugged. "All we know for sure, is that the Village can't be accessed until the seal releases, which can only be done by 'Uzushio's Heir.'"
A lone, black eye was the single witness to the blond snatching a fairly long stick from the ground, his blue eyes darting around, all the while chattering about anything and everything. Grinning suddenly, Naruto charged ahead down the path, raising his newly-procured stick, and aiming at a puddle.
Kakashi's eye widened, and he hurried to catch the blond. Spotting the attempt, Naruto dodged to the side, before thrusting his stick forwards into the puddle.
"NARUTO!" Must you be so childish?" Sakura shouted, not noticing how her sensei's eye had widened in alarm, or her teammate now had his hand hovering close to his weapons pouch.