A/N: Once again, thanks to all for reviewing again! I'm getting quite excited about writing actually (who knew?) and all reviews help. I've stated from the beginning that this is going to be a sasunaru, so read at your own caution again. shrugs I like it that way. They have a complicated relationship, just the way life should be. Heh.

Still having trouble with making longer chapters, and mild formatting troubles as I get used to , so you'll just have to put up with me...

Finally got some action in...reviews more than welcome as usual. I'm thinking it'll develop something like Robin McKinney's, The Blue Rider.

It'll develop slowly as usual... but thanks for staying tuned anyway.


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Setting: So team 7 starts their independent mission today! Now only then does Kakashi let them know what really going on.

Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters belong to Kishimoto


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4. Border Towns

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There was more to this mission than Kakashi sensei had originally let on. He didn't want to spook them out before the mission itself, and so had left it till the morning they set out to fill them in on the rest of the details. It was typical last minute Kakashi.

"Well, you know you're going to be spending 3 weeks alone as an independent team scouting the border between Wind and Snow Country right? It's more than that actually."

He paused to scratch his head meaningfully as he searched for the right words.

"Hmm. Basically the border isn't very peaceful. Not to say that there's fighting up there, because there aren't a lot of villages along the mountain passes, but it's just not a very peaceful place."

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Naruto was clearly itching to ask a question. If it wasn't peaceful, how come there wasn't fighting? It didn't add up at all in his head. (But then again, both Sakura and Sasuke thought, not a lot added up in Naruto's head anyway...)

"Eh, sensei,-

He was cut off by a dismissive wave of Kakashi's hand.

"Patience, Naruto, is one of the traits of the shinobi. You have to wait for your time, or you could put not only your life at risk, but also the lives of your team mates. Just let me finish briefing you guys, then you can ask me any questions you have, ok?"

Naruto promptly shut up, even if it was just momentarily.

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"So, while you'll be patrolling the border, because we've had a few reports filtering back of... hmm, how shall I put this? Well, because we've heard that there is unrest up there, we'll need you guys to gather some information for us."

At this point, Sakura put her hand up to ask a question.

"Sensei, if you don't know what is up there, how come you're asking a genin team to gather information?"

"Ah, good question Sakura. Well, basically, the village can't really afford to send out jounins or ANBU teams to scout the area, because we really have no idea what is going on up there. All I can say that it doesn't seem too dangerous, so that's why we're sending you guys to check it out.

"And how come you're not coming along with us sensei?" asked Sakura worriedly.

"Hai. I thought it would be good for your guys to have an independent mission by now. I also happen to know Gai sensei's team have already done an independent mission or two, and I don't really want to lag behind him. You know I'd never hear the end of it. sigh

"Heh. Anyway it's a natural process Sakura. You can't expect to remain genins as Team 7 under me forever. You guys need to do this."

It's high time that Team 7 grew up now. No more spoon-fed missions and reckless behaviour. This was about survival now, more so than the Chuunin exam, because now there was no goal at the end of it, just 3 weeks out in the unknown. They didn't even know what kind of information they were expected to find, just that they find it.

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By this time, Naruto was just busting to ask his question, as Sasuke let out one of his trademark imperceptible hns. Secretly, Sasuke probably wanted to ask the same question too, thought Naruto correctly. (although he didn't know it as usual)

"Anosa anosa! Sensei, I don't get it! So, the border, it's not peaceful, but there's no fighting. So how can there be unrest?"

"Ahh, Naruto, sometimes you do have these rare flashes of brilliance that makes it a delight to be your sensei."

Naruto couldn't exactly tell if Kakashi was being sarcastic, but decided to take it at face value, as he took most things. It was too much to think about underneath the underneath and what not right now.

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"Well, Naruto, when I say unrest, I guess we've had some reports of supernatural activities coming back from the border area. But because we live in the world of shinobi, so it's hard to say exactly what is supernatural and what is not. I can tell you that it's not demons though."

Naruto thought he nearly heard Kyuubi growl deep inside him. Which was strange, because he only heard Kyuubi when he really needed to, usually when he was in a life threatening situation.

Hmm. And Naruto didn't really think that their new mission was going to be a life threatening mission at all. Because Kakashi sensei wouldn't send them on some screwed up life or death mission for their first independent mission right?

Now, Naruto was having trouble telling if he himself was being sarcastic. Damned brain. Don't think these complicated thoughts!

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"Huh? Not demons?" asked Naruto, head tilted to the side for an extra-dobe effect.

Sasuke let out another imperceptible hn and Inner Sakura nearly killed herself at his obtuseness. Eyurgh! Naruto, don't you get it yet? What other kind of unrest is there?

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Kakashi sighed as he continued to explain in that bored tone of his.

"Let's just call them Spirits, ok Naruto? At least, that's what we think they are. We have no idea, which is why we're sending you guys to check it out."

Sakura nodded sagely. They'd covered all this just now. Why couldn't Naruto listen like normal people?

"Now, normally spirits don't wreak havoc or become malevolent, not the way demons are destructive."

Naruto felt Kyuubi growling low inside him again. Damn straight, echoed a deep red hoarse raspy voice in his head. Huh?

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"But it seems like the spirits, if that's what they are, have caused some... trouble up on the border area. It doesn't seem like anything too serious, just a few burning houses and misplaced babies, that sort of usual thing you know. Not much bloodshed at all really.

"So, in conclusion, we just need you guys to scout around, find out the usual, who, what, where, whys. Nothing too difficult for your first independent mission now is it?"

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Naruto was the first one to yell after Kakashi had finished his final briefing.

"Hell yeah! Sounds easy! I bet I can fit in some skiing while I'm up there too!"

The others rolled their eyes as they finally prepared to set off. That queasy feeling had by now settled in the pit of Sakura's stomach, and she couldn't shake it. She just knew that something bad and something big and something wicked was coming their way.

Sasuke just wanted to get it over and done with. He'd kick Naruto's ass at skiing too while he was it. Just because he could. And because it made him feel somehow better...

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Kakashi watched them as they left the village. Like Sakura, he too had felt something strange in the air, but he couldn't quite place it as well. Just something heavy and hanging and ponderous and taking up his oxygen.

Oh well, he thought to himself. No time for these musings now, I've got my own duties to fulfil now, in rebuilding Konoha.

They'll be fine. The reports from the border towns weren't anything to get rattled about. And anyway Sasuke and Naruto are pretty much beyond usual Genin strength. They've got Sakura to balance them out and think for them too. At the worst case I'll set my dogs on them if anything happens.

And with that, Kakashi had let team 7 go, off to find their own destinies, wherever it lay.