Title: Wishes Are Free

Author: Cheza-chan

Rating: PG-13 (for now)

Pairing: KakaIru, SasuNaru

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto—oh, I wish I did—but I own Kan'you, all the characters of the Hidden Wave Village. I own the Hidden Wave Village because I created it! I own the Hidden Wave Village's special jutsus, etc.

A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS!! ::throws around snow and confetti:: This doesn't change much; updates are still going to be Sunday. I was just feelig... Christmasy. Also... I noticed I've been making a lot of little tiny mistakes, like getting hair and eye colors mixed up and whatnot, but that's because I'm trying to put so many characters in to make it more interesting, and end up confusing myself. In the last chapter, "Kura" said the twins belonged to Kaoru—they don't. I subconsciously wanted Sasuke to get a better understanding of his nemesis, and everything got all jumbled. But I fixed it! XD

I'd like to thank those who continue to review—much obliged. Yohko, thank you for your essay-long review X3 (no, it really wasn't that long) I appreciate people such as yourselves... You help make the world I live on (yes, I have my own world) go round... ::sniffles::


Chapter Fifteen - Make Allies and Not Enemies

Team 5 managed to cover a good distance after leaving the Hidden Wave Village. No rest was had until the evening of their second day. Takai stood on the north side of the large tree, Oyasa on the south, and Sakura sat on the west side, chin resting against her chest as she slept.

Hizaku was perched in the branches, keeping a closer watch. He'd already told the boys it would be okay for them to merely have a nap, but they refused. 'I guess love makes people do strange things,' he'd told himself with a smile.

Sakura sighed softly in her sleep, shifting to better herself. The long-haired Genin smiled to himself, staring at the evening dew-covered grass before him. They were still on Konoha grounds—they would be for some time. The Jounin stretched, feeling a little stiff from not moving for several hours. He'd wait until Sakura woke then continue on. If his other two students passed out, he'd leave them right where they fell: it could be considered punishment for not following his orders.

As soon as the sun's rays of the new day fell across the girl's face, her eyes slowly fluttered open. She stretched, yawning, then folded her hands in her lap with a content smile. Sakura raised her head as several leaves floated down to earth and beamed at her leader.

"Ohayou," Hizaku said with his own smile. "Sleep well?"

"As well as I could," was her reply. She took his offered hand, dusting offf her shorts after being pulled to her feet, and looked over her shoulder. The pink-haired Genin stifled her giggles at the sight of the boys sleeping while standing.

"They were reluctant to even close their eyes, but they finally fell asleep," Hizaku muttered, shaking his head. "You are something else." Sakura brushed away his hand, glaring playfully as he tousled her hair with a laugh, then smoothed back down stray strands.

Oyasa's brow furrowed at the sound and his head fell forward slightly. He gasped, aqua eyes flying wide and looked to his right to find the girl and man staring at him. "Sakura-chan," he exhaled, smiling and rubbing his eyes.

Takai woke moments later, a deep scowl on his face. He didn't even bother shifting his gaze toward the rest of his team and pushed away from the rough bark of the tree. "Ohayou, Takai-kun," Sakura chirped, rushing to his side.

Oyasa immediately found his loosed braid more interesting and fiddled with its ends, absently muttering to himself that they were dry and brittle. Hizaku pressed a hand to the boy's head, sighing. The Genin smiled and the team set forth once more.

§§§

It slowly dawned on Sakura why they had taken up this current team formation: she was being protected. They had entered the Lightning Country several hours ago—it happened on their fourth day of traveling— and the area was unknown to many. Takai was a few feet ahead on her left, Oyasa was directly to her right, and Hizaku stood behind her, slightly left to make up for that gap made. She sighed and felt that saying anything wouldn't change the situation because they were only doing what they felt was best for her.

The pink-haired girl's eyes widened as she caught sight of a sliver of light and cried out for her team to freeze. "I think they are traps," she whispered.

Adept in Hidden Mist jutsus as well, the Jounin performed a set of hand seals—"Kirigakure no Jutsu"—and Sakura gasped. 'I remember that. Zabuza used that! How does... Hizaku-sensei know it...?'

Hizaku canceled the jutsu and the young girl covered her mouth. It served its purpose: to leave moisture in the air. The gray-eyed boy before her stood mere centimeters from the moist and glimmering thread that, when triggered, could activate a trap that did kami knows what. "I think we might have came in the wrong side…" Oyasa whimpered nervously, eyeing the string under his arm.

"The only other side meant we would have had to travel by boat," Hizaku scoffed.

Sakura raised her hands, mind now working overtime, and came to a conclusion she hoped was right. She closed her eyes. 'Kai!'

The lingering mist vanished along with the illusion they had been standing within and everyone relaxed. The reassuring feeling lasted only seconds as a voice laughed, "She's a smart Genin. That illusion was at a pretty good level, but she figured it out."

Sakura glared at the males' backs as they surrounded her. Two figures leapt from the trees, landing in bowed positions before the team. They looked up with sinister smirks, their hitai-ate proving they were indeed from the Hidden Cloud Village. "Strangers," the female giggled, licking her lips.

"We're on a mission from the Hidden Wave Village," Hizaku stated firmly.

"That new village? You've come so far." She straightened, pulling a staff from behind her back. "But you won't get any further." A deadly curved blade flipped free of the top and both Cloud shinobi laughed.

"We came to make an alliance!" Sakura shouted, pushing through the boys. Left up to them—she mused—they'd be killed where they stood or in an unnecessary battle. She held out her arms, fingers spread to show she meant no harm.

"Sakura!" Hizaku and Takai yelled.

"Sakura-chan!" was Oyasa.

"Sakura…" the female Cloud-nin drawled, pricking her finger. She licked at the drop of blood that pooled there, staring at the team out of the corner of dark eyes. "That's a cute name. Well, Sakura-chan, I'll allow you by. Your team will stay here with my comrade. Our Raikage will talk with only one." She stepped forward and slid the scythe around the trembling girl, urging her forward. Her dark eyes reflected a craziness; a lust for blood.

"You've excited her," the other shinobi sighed, sticking his arms behind his head. "We've been on patrol for days to keep Sound ninjas out, but there's been little action. Arashi! Calm down," he yelled.

Sakura dropped her arms slowly and cleared her throat. "I need the parchments from my sensei. They need to be signed by your lord and Kage."

"Yuuei," Arashi drawled, lips still quirked upwards. "Retrieve them."

The male Cloud-nin disappeared and appeared behind Team 5. Hizaku straightened without relaxing, and reached for one of the pockets on his vest. Yuuei's hazel eyes followed his every movement and he smirked as the scrolls were handed to him, bowing at the waist and rising. He tossed them back to Arashi and she caught them while turning her scythe back into its harmless staff. The brunette stuck the papers into her pouch, tucked the staff into the belt on her waist, and grabbed Sakura's elbow, taking to the trees.

Takai bit down on his lip hard enough to draw blood and spat the coppery taste from his mouth. 'Sakura…!' He lowered his head, grunting softly.

Yuuei smirked, licking his lips.

§§§

Sakura kept an even pace with the Cloud-nin as they leapt through the trees. She had a desperate urge to try and get away, but… With a glance to the staff on Arashi's waist, she realized she wouldn't get too far. She sighed and returned her gaze to the path ahead of her. The same staff she'd been eyeing shot out before her and she concentrated so much chakra into her feet to stop that the bark cracked beneath her.

Arashi grabbed the girl's arm, steadying her with a smirk, then released the blade on her staff and cut through something that Sakura's eyes could not see. What she felt, though, was the breeze of about a thousand blades whizzing by at impossible speeds.

The brunette smirked, eyes wild. "That trap was my idea."

Sakura gaped at her, eyes and mouth wide. Arashi stuck the staff back into her waist, the blade whipping back into place, and stretched. "It's done," the older girl announced. "Let's go. It's just a few more miles." The Genin groaned inwardly but started forward once more.


Iruka couldn't believe what he was doing. He stood outside the house opposite his. The first week of December was upon them, but the immediate chill that usually came with it had yet to settle in. In fact, it was surprisingly warm—or maybe that was just him and his nervousness.

Kakashi poured the remainder of his tea down the drain at the knocks, peeking through the window. He smiled under his mask and left the kitchen to answer the door. He pulled it open and grabbed the dolphin by the arm, pulling him in. "Iruka-sensei, what a nice surprise. I hope you're here to keep me company."

"Not in the way you think," Iruka muttered, staring at the gloved hand clasping his forearm.

"No," Kakashi chuckled. "Just be here. I'm so used to Sakura ghosting about, I need some form of a living creature to keep me sane. But since you brought up the way I think..." The brunet gasped as he was dropped into the couch and stiffened under the hands on his shoulders. "Do you have regrets about that night?" the Jounin questioned.

"No! No... none."

"Do you think something deeper could grow?"

"...I'm not sure," Iruka whispered, lowering his head.

"That's what I thought." Kakashi groaned and ran a hand through his hair, scratching the back of his head.

"It's just..." Iruka started in an explanation. "You're someone of importance; you lead a team in missions. You sometimes get called on missions of your own. Those missions where Genins aren't allowed, and... Jounins don't... come back."

The scarecrow knelt, chin resting on the back of the sofa and tousled the brunet's hair. "I think that's everyone's worst fear. But if I weren't a Jounin...?"

"I wouldn't want you," Iruka said with a smile. "Because you wouldn't be the Kakashi you are today."

"Iruka-sensei...! You're so fickle." Kakashi stood, pulling the tie from the chocolate locks as he went with a hidden smile.

The younger man shook out his hair, sighing and blowing strands from in front of his face. He sat up, remembering a complaint that was sent in to the school. "I heard your favorite bookstore clerk got hit by twin tornadoes."

"Let's pay him a visit—cheer him up," Kakashi murmured, dark eye twinkling deviously.

"I can't. Shuku-san wants me to stop by later. She received new missions."

At the mention of the word "mission", both men fell silent. Kakashi tilted his head with a sigh. "She's going to be just fine," Iruka whispered. "I give you my word. She should be back by Saturday."

"It's Wednesday now," the Jounin pointed out. "She left on Monday. I'm positive the journey will take more than three days to and from."

"She'll be back." On that reassuring note, the Chuunin stood, brushing back his loose hair and offered the other man a smile before quietly leaving. Kakashi sighed as the door closed, letting his visible eye slide shut.

The dolphin crossed to his own house, disappearing inside. Iruka sighed as he noticed Naruto's jacket dangling from the back of their own couch. He walked into the room to retrieve it and noticed the cushions were also out of order. "They should learn how to clean up behind... themselves?"

Tucking his hair away from his eyes, the young man picked up the scrolls that had been stuffed into the sofa. Iruka unrolled one and his eyes widened. 'I can't believe they did this!' He dropped them back down and placed the cushions and jacket back as he'd found everything. "I'll deal with them later," he told himself, rushing up to his room so he could leave.


Kaoru winced and held up a hand to stop the next practice onslaught, the other hand flying to his covered eye. Team 10's leader rushed over, placing a hand to the boy's shoulder. He shook his head, easing her away, and grinned. "It might have been an eyelash. I'm fine, Miki-sensei."

The dark-haired woman eyed him suspiciously, knowing first-hand that any ninja claiming they were "fine" was far from it. She let it slide. "I call an end to practice," Miki sighed, returning her shuriken to the holster and clasping it shut.

Kaoru picked up and sheathed his katana. With a flick of his wrist, the fiery-haired youth on the team snapped his Fuuma Shuriken shut and hooked it onto the back of his pants, sighing. Team 10 consisted mainly of weapon-wielders. Only Keisha Miki—team leader—and Morishita Aoi. Aoi shook his head, making his short lavender hair unruly once more.

Miki couldn't believe she'd been placed in charge of a team consisting of all boys. In actuality, they weren't as bad as she presumed and they were a good bunch of fighters. The young woman stretched, groaning, and folded her arms behind her head. "What to do... to do..." she mumbled, looking around.

"Practice is over," Tsushi Rei reminded, rolling his eyes. "You ended it."

"We can still do stuff together," Miki continued in her soft voice, pouting.

"No offense, but..." Aoi smiled. "You're like the big sister we don't want."

Kaoru smiled, dropping his hand from his hitai-ate headband as the other two members of the team laughed. "Sorry," he said. "Even if you do decide on someting, I have somewhere to go. Miyako's taking care of Takai's siblings while he's on his mission."

"Why can't we get a mission like that?" Rei scoffed, fingering a strand of his bright hair.

"Because we don't practice enough?" Miki turned and walked in the general direction of the town. "Maybe you're not strong enough?"

"Hey!" Aoi and Rei protested.

"Maybe—"

Cutting the woman's next "maybe" short with a groan, Kaoru ran ahead of them. The young boy fisted his hand over his covered eye, staggering on the dirt roads, trying to make his way along.. 'Miyako... Miyako!' He stopped, bracing himself against a shed.

"I knew you weren't fine," the Jounin standing behind him muttered. She had followed him, instructing the other boys to take another route.

"Get Miyako!" Kaoru yelled, pounding a hand against the wood, cracking it. Miki disappeared. He bit down a sob, strangled sounds tumbling forth instead, and fell to his knees.

A few moments later, Miyako, minus Miki—someone had to stay with the twins—arrived. She pulled her cousin up, frantically tugging at his hitai-ate. Kaoru gasped, both eyes wide and the girl's body shuddered violently as his gaze landed on her. He covered the dark orb with his hand, supporting Miyako as she fell unconscious and limp against him.

§§§

The Jounin had managed to get the children into bed by the time her student and his cousin returned. With his headband still clenched tightly in the girl's hand, the youth had walked through the thriving village with his right eye closed. With his other eye, he managed to notice a select handful of people avoided him in any way possible; he didn't blame them.

Miki came over and took the girl, freeing the object from her fingers to hand it to her student. Kaoru leaned forward so the bangs fell away from his face and retied his hitai-ate, tilting it down over his eye. He straightened up, hair falling back into place over the same eye. "You can go if you want to," he sighed. "I'll stay with Miyako. Besides, I need to tell her how great she is when she comes to."

The Jounin smiled and placed the limp body on the white sofa, propping Miyako's head up against the pillows. She patted Kaoru as she passed him then left.

The blue-haired Genin sighed and sat on the floor before the sofa where the young girl lay. He smiled and brushed his fingers over the stars on her face that were identical to his own. Kaoru leaned his head close to Miyako's, both of them sharing the same pillow, and closed his eyes.


It was too dark to practice anymore and most were intent on just going out to try and enjoy themselves. "Hurry up," Sasuke sighed. Emphasis would be placed on the "try".

Naruto had managed to smooth things over with Haka—after a vicious practice earlier—and she had invited them back to the club. The blonde muttered a smart retort, head buried under the sofa. He was searching for the item Kaoru had given him a few days ago—when he traveled into Konoha.

Naruto groaned and the brunet sighed, patience wearing thin. Iruka could be back any minute and he really didn't want to cross paths with the Chuunin. Naruto tossed aside the cushions and laughed, grabbing the jeweled dagger. "Found it!" Kaoru told him he made one for him and Shikyo also, to express an unspoken form of friendship.

'Too late.' Sasuke turned around so he was no longer facing the door as it opened, clenching his hand into a fist.

At seeing the boy, Iruka quickly remembered he wasn't too pleased with them either. "Sasuke, go into the den."

"We were just leaving for—"

"You're not going anywhere tonight," Iruka stressed, features hard. The Uchiha scowled at the man as he turned and stormed into the room. The Chuunin placed the few items he carried onto the dining room table, then joined the boys. Naruto's grin slowly deflated as he saw the disappointment on the man's face and everyone fell onto the same page. He sat up and reached under the cushions for the scrolls and placed them on the table.

"I expected something like this from Naruto, but you, Sasuke? Ever since you came here, you've both done nothing but run amuck." Iruka reached down to the table, opening all three scrolls. "I've let all your antics slide, but this time you went too far!"

"We wouldn't have had to if you disclosed information with us like you're supposed to," Sasuke snapped, standing. With ageing usually came height, but the Chuunin still looked down at him.

"You're not responsible for retrieving information or receiving any unless we think you need it," Iruka stated in an even, calm tone. "Now, sit down."

Sasuke blinked at the man and how quickly he had buried all emotion, but still managed to feel the anger directed at him after his outburst. The young brunet slowly sank back into the chair, lowering his head and clasping his hands together. If Iruka could keep his temper so well, and while dealing with Naruto, he didn't want to mess with him.

"If you had been caught—"

"We weren't!" Naruto cried, interrupting his favorite sensei.

"I sensed you," the young man sighed, rubbing his temples. It took too much energy to be as angry as he was moments ago and even more to deal with Naruto, but he promised himself he wouldn't be too harsh. "Don't try anything like this again or I'll personally find some way to punish you while embarrassing you in front of your peers at the same time."

'Nothing could have been more embarrassing than parading around as a woman.' Sasuke snorted and turned his head away from the brown-eyed glare.

Iruka rolled back up the scrolls. "Oh. By the way..." He smiled at the boys. "You're both grounded for the remainder of the week."

"Iruka-sensei! Shikyo and Haka invited us out tonight!" the blonde whined.

"I'll tell them you can't make it."

Naruto punched the arm of the chair with a snarl and jumped to his feet, running off upstairs. The Uchiha boy moved at a slower, more calculating pace. There was something about Iruka that now left him wanting to know more. He glanced at the man out of the corner of his eye, then headed upstairs after the blonde.

"Aren't you going to try and sneak out?" Sasuke scoffed as he passed by Naruto's open door. The kyuubi's scowl deepened and he kept his arms crossed tight over his chest, thumb tapping the point of the dagger.

The new Hidden Village was affecting them all on levels they never knew they had.


Sakura had been unable to sleep in the foreign country and sat awake in the large bed provided to her, knees pulled tight to her chest. The lard had signed the parchments after giving them a quick once-over, but Arashi had warned her that the Kaze wouldn't do the same. The pink-haired Genin whimpered softly, lowering her head. To help ease her mind, she reminded herself that the Village wasn't as bad as she imagined it to be—people were actually nice and friendly. 'But what about Takai? Oyasa-kun...? Hizaku-sensei?'

Sakura sniffled, squeezing her eyes shut. She didn't want to do this alone, but at the moment, she had no choice.

§§§

Takai paused in his pacing to glare at the kunai at his feet then at the Cloud-nin who had thrown it. With a scoff, he created a new path, weaving around the other blades lodged in the earth. "You're getting on my nerves, kid," Yuuei sighed, studying another kunai in the moonlight. "Are you that worried about your girlfriend?"

The boy stiffened and stopped moving entirely. He was more than warried about Sakura, but he was also angry at how foolish and reckless she had been in her actions. Takai inhaled sharply then released his breath in a sigh.

"Don't worry," the Cloud Chuunin groaned. "She's in good hands. Arashi won't let anything happen to her, especially if it'll better our chances against that damn Orochimaru."

Hizaku's eyebrow rose questioningly at the sliver of electricity running up Yuuei's arm. He sighed and looked in the direction of Oyasa was located.

The oak-haired Genin sat in the darkness; his rockings had ceased over an hour ago, but he remained rigidly seated. Never had Oyasa cared so deeply for anyone and not have them returned his feelings, and it hurt. It hurt enormously.

Yuuei groaned loudly and replaced the kunai in his pouch. How much longer would he have to wait?


Arashi stood behind the Konoha ninja posing as a Shuuha ninja, both in the Kage's office. She'd gotten the child a little earlier than normal the next day, but only because she wanted them to take their time in getting there—get a little sight-seeing in. The older man stared up at them from under his brimmed hat. A few Jounin were also dappled around the room. He sighed and closed his eyes. "The problem with forming alliances is that more enemies are acquired." The Raikage looked at the papers once more. "From what I can see here, Konoha would become an ally. Hidden Sand and Hidden Sound are their greatest enemies, and the Wind Country... they seem unsure of something. Everywhere else tries to remain uninvolved, why shouldn't we?"

Arashi nudged the tongue-tied Genin. "Well..." Sakura started, voice breaking. She cleared her throat, wringing her fingers in a nervous fashion. "The Hidden Village of Wave has some very strong shinobi, and from I see here, so do you." She straightened her posture, rising to full height as she felt more at ease, and the brunette behind her smirked. "If Sound did attack, wouldn't it comfort you to know Wave and Leaf would be fighting on your behalf?"

The Raikage smiled, folding his hands atop his desk. "I like your attitude. If only Arashi there would take lessons from you." Sakura giggled, cheeks coloring. The female Chuunin rolled her eyes. The highest-ranked ninja picked up the nearby brush and dipped it in the ink. He placed his signature upon the parchment and closed it, sliding it forward toward the edge of his desk. He stopped the Jounin that stepped forward to carry it and beckoned the pink-haired child.

Sakura's eyes slightly widened, unbelieving at the trust he was now showing, and headed up. The Raikage crooked his finger once she'd arrived at his desk and she leaned forward. Sakura smiled, nodding at his softly spoken words, then retrieved her documents, bowing. "Thank you so much."

"I would hope the Hidden Cloud can also assist in any problem you may have."

"I'll remember that, Raikage-sama," Sakura laughed. She smiled at Arashi and the Chuunin bowed to her Kage before following the other girl. She groaned, stepping aside as the pink-haired Genin went rushing back into the room. Two Jounin grew tense, suspecting attack, but the man waved them down, allowing the child to come back. Sakura leaned close once more, whispering excitedly. Her green eyes sparkled as the Raikage nodded his consent to her request.

§§§

The quartet in the woods stood at the faint rustling of bush. Arashi leapt down from the trees first, followed by a cheeful Sakura. "Sakura-chan!" Oyasa cried, running out to meet her. Takai looked away.

Sakura laughed, returning her teammate's hug. "I'm fine. Really. Arashi-san might be a little..." She glanced at the older female ninja with a shrug and a smile that was returned, then back at Oyasa. "A little weird, I guess, but she's the type of person I'd like to have my back."

"Coincidentally, I will have her back." Arashi grinned, elbowing the snickering male beside her.

"They signed?" Takai asked softly, having made his way over to join his other teammates. He still didn't meet the girl's eye, but she hardly noticed: she was too excited.

"They did," Sakura chirped, reaching for the parchments. Oyasa stepped aside to let the girl by so she could hand them back over to the responsible adult. Hizaku smiled down at her, proud at what she accomplished. She then made her way back to the boys.

Takai watched as the pink-haired girl reached into her pouch and managed a smirk at the items she pulled out. He would have liked to hug her, but the touchy-feely manner had yet to become a part of who he was. "Thank you," he mumbled.

Sakura shook her head, smiling. "No problem."

The Jounin stepped up. "Okay, okay. Happy reunion time needs to be cut short. We still have to get back to Hidden Wave and that's a lot of ground to cover."

"Didn't you hear what I said yesterday? Oh. Probably not," Arashi smiled cheekily. "You were too busy being scared." She crossed her arms at the man's glare and continued toward her point. "Sakura-chan is a surprisingly smart Genin. She managed to cut the time it took you to get here in half because the Raikage took a liking to her."

Sakura giggled, blushing modestly.

"So, follow us," Yuuei said, finishing on behalf of his partner. "And try not to get killed along the way. Avoid the traps." The male Chuunin grinned. Hizaku snorted, but Team 5 followed the Cloud shinobi to wherever or whatever Sakura had set up for them while in company of the Hidden Cloud's Kage.


A/N: So... This was my Christmas gift to those of you out there reading this—whether you review or not! I kind of got the feeling that most of you wanted to see Iruka just kinna lay into somebody, and set the rules and boundaries, so... yeah. He did. And also, that Kaoru "thing", it'll have way more explanation further down the chapter line. It think it was Monica (ff . net alias: Lennith) mentioned that I should keep him around. I really do like him, though X3 If there's anymore questions... comments, I'll take them in reviews, or you could... flood my inbox! ::grins:: I need mail anyway.

"This Bud's for you!" (random quote/thought)