The Calling
By ShinobiSpirit
Italics - Flashback
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It was early in the morning as the sun began to rise above the Hidden Leaf Village. Team 7 was gathered at their usual meeting place, scattered in different spots among the bridge in a sleepy stupor. Of course, their sensei was late as always.
Naruto let out a tired yawn as he plopped down onto the ground with his legs sprawled out. "I'd like to know what he does for three hours.."
"I wouldn't." Sakura said with a yawn, shuddering at the thoughts running through her innocent mind.
Sasuke didn't say anything, but he had a few bad thoughts of his own. 'Pfft..'
"Ohayou, minna." Kakashi said from his perch on the arch, waving at his students with a friendly smile. "Sorry I'm late."
"Save the excuses, sensei!" Naruto yelled, now up on his feet and pointing a finger at the older man angrily. Of course, by the time he realized he was no longer there, he felt a hand press down on his head.
"Save your energy. You'll need it."
"Oh.. what're we doing today, sensei?" Sakura asked.
"Ah.. as cynical as ever, Sakura." Kakashi smiled at the girl. "We will be taking a hike through those mountains." He said, pointing behind her with his other hand.
Sakura turned to look in the direction of his hand. "Those mountains? Don't they lead to the Mist Country?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes, but we aren't going quite that far."
Naruto glowered, as he was now being used as a hand rest. 'Damnit..'
"So where are we going then?" Sakura asked, not understanding his meaning.
"As you know, there's a vast amount of water along the eastern border of Leaf Country which seperates us from Mist Country." He began, rubbing his masked chin thoughtfully. "Instead of heading South to Mist Country, however, we'll be staying East."
"East?" Sakura blinked, realization dawning on her at last. "We're going to the Gatsua Islands?"
"Correct."
"Why the Gatsua?"
Kakashi blinked, turning his attention to the stoic figure standing by the rail of the bridge. Sakura and Naruto followed in suit, waiting for the older man to answer.
"Meet here at sun rise prepared to go on a week-long journey. Make sure you pack plenty of changes of clothing, including something warm, and bring all your necessary weapons." He said, his hand dropping from Naruto's head.
"That's all you need to know."
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Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, after parting from their sensei, found themselves gathered around the lake which ran underneath the bridge. Their little lecture from Kakashi left them all puzzled as to the meaning behind their future mission. Sakura most of all, knowing the history behind the three islands better than anyone.
"I'm worried.." Sakura muttered, kicking a pebble off into the running water. "Those islands ... they have a terrible history."
Sasuke turned his head, looking at the pink-headed girl sideways. "Give me the details, Sakura."
She nodded, her face masked in seriousness. "The Gatsua Islands were originally called 'The Three Sins'. They used those islands for one purpose, and one purpose only." Sakura paused, gazing off into the water. "And that was to torture those who had committed a sin."
Naruto gulped. "T-torture..?"
"Yes. And although that was nearly 45 years ago, it's said that the islands still harbor dangerous traps and dungeons filled with thousands of dead bodies.." Sakura shifted her gaze to Sasuke, who was listening intently. "That's why.. I can't imagine why Kakashi-sensei would take us there."
"Haha!" Naruto popped up and stood behind Sakura, his fists balled up in a determined stance. "Don't you worry, Sakura-chan! I'll protect you!"
Sakura's eyebrow twitched. "Idiot! This is SERIOUS! Did you not listen to what I just said?!"
"Sakura."
"Eh.." She turned her attention back to the raven-haired boy next to her. "Yes, Sasuke-kun?"
His dark eyes pierced hers as he looked at her from under his bangs. "Is that all you know about those islands?"
"No.." She said timidly, thinking back. "I read once that there were reports of suspicious activity after the Islands were renamed. Jounin were sent to investigate, but they never returned."
"And their bodies?"
Sakura's expression darkened. "Never found."
Naruto shuddered, thinking of the creepy islands, his imagination taking him for a spin. "Ahhh! We can't go there!" He ran around in circles, his arms wailing about. "Kakashi-sensei must be trying to get us killed!"
"Tch.." Sasuke turned his head from his two teammates, looking up at the bridge. 'What are you up to now, Kakashi..'
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Sakura sighed tiredly as she fell back onto her bed, looking up at the ceiling dazedly. Six hours had passed since the discussion at the bridge, and she didn't feel anymore better about it. Thinking training would help, she found herself a secluded spot in the forest after the team separated, and worked on a few jutsu's. Instead of having the effect she had anticipated, however, she ended up feeling worse.
'What am I going to do.. I can't go to the Gatusa.' She thought, turning over onto her side. 'I'm always lacking behind.. if I go, I could end up getting us all killed.' Closing her eyes, she clutched her pillow tightly. 'Plus..'
"Sasuke-kun! Wait!"
"..."
"Um... wait... Shall both of... us do something to work on our teamwork?"
"You're the same as Naruto."
"Huh?"
"Why don't you learn Nin-Jutsu instead of bugging me?"
"Eh.."
"To tell the truth, you have worse strength than Naruto."
Sakura winced at those words. 'Worse than Naruto..' She couldn't exactly argue with him on that one. No matter the mission, she did the least of all. Opening her eyes, she looked at her pack resting on the floor beside the door.
'I guess.. I'll just not show up tomorrow.'
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Yawning broadly, Naruto rose from his bed with his usual night cap on, stretching his arms above his head. Today was the day! He couldn't wait to get to the Gatsua! And this time, he wasn't going to lose to Sasuke.
Hurrying out of bed, Naruto slipped into the seat at his dining table and chomped on a piece of toast as fast as he could. When he was done, he hurried into his bathroom to change and brush his teeth, then snatched up his previously packed back-pack and headed out the door with a grin.
"Alright! Time to go on a journey! And beat Sasuke!" He howled, zipping around the corner and down the fenced street that led to the bridge. Once he arrived, he slid to a stop and opened his mouth.
"Ohayou Sakura-ch.. Sakura-chan?" Naruto looked around the bridge, but the pink-headed girl wasn't anywhere to be found. In fact, the only occupant of the bridge was leaning up against the rail, his eyes closed and expression strangely calm. Naruto was outraged.
"Sasuke! Where's Sakura-chan?"
The black-haired boy opened his eyes slightly, cutting them at Naruto. "How should I know, fool?" Truth be told, he hadn't really noticed the girl's absence.
"That's strange." A deep voice called, followed by the shuffling of feet. "Sakura is usually the first one here."
"Hey Hey.. Sensei! Do you know where she is?"
Kakashi narrowed his eye. 'Just as I expected.. she didn't show up.' He thought as he turned his attention back to the two members of his team. "Naruto.. Sasuke. I have a little job for you two to do before we may begin travel."
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My worst. I apologize for not updating sooner.
SS
