Chapter 5
Disclaimer in first chapter.
Ok, so after posting that AN I received many nice reviews, all of which asked me to keep going. Yet I was struck with a horrendous case of writer's apathy. So, now here is the new chapter and I hope it was almost worth the wait, thought I doubt it. Reviews inspire me, so be generous with them.
The trees gave way to murky swamplands as the trio passed through the Water Country's outer border. It was certainly a change from the fertile forests of the Fire country. All around was the typical stench of decay that swamps brought with them coupled with the oppressive humidity. They ran through the damp grass through the aid of chakra on their feet. Had they not used their skills, they would have moved at one tenth their current speed; likely stopping to free their feet every ten meters or so. As it was, they were wearing down quickly from the excessive use of chakra.
Finally, after nearly four hours of continuous running, they reached their destination; at least they hoped that's what it was. Before them loomed a great wall of mist, obscuring all that lay beyond. According to their maps, they would soon reach the outer gates of Mist village and their first destination. Standing there, the three paused to catch their breath and to allow the ninja following them to take a good, long look. Being so close to a foreign village, they knew they would be watched eventually. They just hoped they'd sensed their pursuers sooner than later.
When they'd had their chance to breathe, they set off into the mist along the only visible path with Gaara in the lead. Naruto and Sakura trailed behind the young Kazekage and walked calmly next to each other while keeping a keen eye.
"Hey, Naturo?" started Sakura, in a quiet voice, "Doesn't this mist remind you of something?"
Glancing at her, he gave a subtle nod. He'd just been thinking the same thing himself. This wasn't an entirely natural mist. It was held tightly in place with the aid of chakra and extremely similar to Zabuza's technique. Despite his best efforts, Naruto found his mind wandering to that incident on his first real mission. The first time he'd been trapped in Zabuza's mist, he'd been terrified. Now, he was just wary. Years of experience certainly made more of a difference than he realized.
Gaara, whom had taken the lead position, paused as a person's faint silhouette appeared in the mist a few meters ahead, approaching the three shinobi at a leisurely pace. This would be a proper greeting most likely. Whoever was coming to greet them was doing so in full view of the visitors and moving slowly as not to appear threatening. It was really a matter of etiquette more than anything else. Villages could go to war over the smallest things, so many of them tended to avoid confrontations with visiting dignitaries. That wasn't the say that they were unprepared, however. Mist shinobi lay in wait all around, ready to attack should these three visitors turn hostile. After all, word of Gaara had spread to every village after the Chuunin exams.
Finally, their escort emerged from the mist and, much to everyone's surprise, greeted them with a warm smile. The man before them was one of those older men who just looked like they should be sitting in an old chair, bouncing a grandchild on each knee. He wore simple clothes and had not a hint of weapons on him if one didn't count the disarming smile. "Greetings, young shinobi. We've been looking forward to your arrival. My son, the Mizukage has sent me to escort you to his office."
Stepping forward, Gaara formally bowed to the old man, "Thank you for your hospitality. Please, lead the way."
Naruto and Sakura bowed as well, though Naruto's eyes were on the young Kazekage. He never would have expected Gaara to be so humble, let alone show such manners. This really wasn't the same boy he'd nearly fought to the death a few years ago.
The old man nodded and turned slowly and raised one hand in a seal, "Kai." After he spoke, the mist began to dissipate to reveal the village before them. While they didn't openly show it, Naruto and Sakura were both in awe at the sight. Giant trees rose from large lakes and ponds on immense roots. What was even more impressive was the fact that the trees each held several full sized buildings. Each building was built into the branches of the trees without disturbing them. In some cases, small huts sat on branches that looked ill-equipped to hold their weight. Everything was interconnected by systems of rope bridges, ladders and the odd staircase built into the tree trunks. Sitting in the middle of it all, was the largest tree any of them had ever seen. It was as if several trees had decided to grow in the same place and fought until they became one, single, hulking monster of a tree. And in that tree, held aloft by its massive branches, sat the palace where they would undoubtedly be meeting the Mizukage.
Leading the way, the old man took them straight through the village along a long, swaying, rope bridge that seemed to be the beginning of the path that would lead them anywhere. As they walked, they took in the village around them. Though it looked so different, its spirit reminded Naruto of Konoha. The people were going about their daily business without a care. Children ran through in the trees, most of them playing at being shinobi of course. The ninja all around the village paused for little more than a glance at the newcomers before going about their own business. This was a far warmer reception than Naruto would have expected from a village that could have spawned someone as evil as Zabuza. Their path forked along several more bridges and pathways, some more stable than others. The route they took seemed designed to showcase the village's high points and give any visitor's a fair tour of the large village.
Finally, after numerous twists and turns, the small group arrived at the Mizukage's palace and waited to be greeted at the front gates. From up close, the structure was even more impressive. It was a testament to the village's respect for the land around them. The palace was more a part of the tree than the other way around. Like the other buildings, it was built around the natural growth but, unlike the others, it left room for the great tree to grow through it. In fact, it looked as if several rooms had been sacrificed for the sake of new branches that wound through the large building and even passed through windows. Despite the nature of their mission, Naruto couldn't help but be glad to have this opportunity to be a guest in this city on good terms.
"Wow," breathed the blonde ninja in reverence. Who cared if he was supposed to be on a mission and acting like the ninja he was. He was too impressed to care.
Chuckling, their guide turned with a benevolent smile, "I'm glad to see our village still gets such a response. Now, if you'll kindly wait here, I will return with the Mizukage in just a moment." After their nods, the man entered the great structure and disappeared, leaving them standing alone.
"Hey, Naruto." Spoke Gaara for the first time since the gates, "Don't you think it's strange that they're leaving us here, unguarded and right in front of the Mizukage's residence."
Looking puzzled for a moment, Naruto scratched his chin in thought, "Now that you mention it, yeah. And did you see the looks we got on the way in here? It's like the entire village knew we were coming and didn't seem to care." Turning again, he appraised the village with care but still couldn't find anything wrong, "Maybe they're just that trusting."
"No one is that trusting. Not in the shinobi world," Gaara answered, his eyes also taking in everything and certainly a good deal more than Naruto. "Sakura," he said suddenly, turning to the silent girl, "Tsunade-sama tells me you're rather competent with genjutsu."
Catching on immediately, the young kunoichi closed her eyes and sensed the chakra around them. Her concentration was disrupted, however, by a soft chuckle.
"You caught on much faster than expected for ninja your age." All around them, the air shimmered and the scenery became mist once more. As the mist slowly cleared, the trio found themselves standing before the very same building as before, only this time, they were surrounded by no less than eight ANBU guards. "This little illusion of ours is a way to test the intentions of those we allow inside the gates," explained the masked man closest to them, "It also gives us more than enough time to gather a force against them if we need to."
Gaara nodded as if it didn't disturb or surprise him in the least, "It's a far less invasive means of screening your guests I suppose. Now, are we really here waiting for the Mizukage or is he elsewhere?"
Turning his head, the ANBU nodded in the direction of the door where the old man from before stood. "Greetings," he began with a bow, "I am the Mizukage but you may call me Jiroshi."
As one, the three ninja bowed to their host but only Gaara spoke. "Greetings Jiroshi-dono. We are here to formally introduce ourselves and, with permission, acquire the newest members of our team."
"Yes, of course, Kazekage-dono. They have already been apprised of the situation and were assembled the moment you arrived in our lands."
Behind the man, a small door opened and two boisterous youths came bounding out. One male, the other female and there was no doubt that they were twins. Their looks were similar enough that they could have probably switched places without anyone really noticing. The boy's pale blue hair was cropped short and seemed in general disarray but not quite to the extent of Naruto's untamed look while the girl's hair was in a high ponytail. Their outfits were identical save for the small symbol on the sash that each of them wore. They wore simple, dark blue vests over black, mesh shirts, no doubt leaden with hidden pockets and weapons. Their pants were standard black pants, though they were loose around the legs until they tapered in at the ankle. Wooden sandals adorned their feet and peeking out from behind their backs were two, identical metal staves, each tipped with a small but wicked looking blade.
"Jiroshi-sama!" they chorused, "Are these the people we're going with?" Their voices belied their age, which was a bit older than they looked but the way they spoke in perfect unison was quite disturbing.
"Ame-chan! Kiri-kun! Show better manners in front of your new teammates!" yelled the Mizukage. "If you annoy these people now, they won't want to work with you!" Pulling the two aside, Mizukage began scolding them in whispered tones, ignoring their guests in favor of reprimanding the twins.
The trio watched with confusion and slight amusement at the way they interacted. Both Naruto and Gaara were stunned to see these children welcomed with open arms by the leader of the village. Looking around, Naruto even noticed that the villagers near enough to hear the commotion only looked on the two with a look of passing annoyance. There was no hatred or fear directed at them. They were treated like anyone else would be if they acted that way. It was simply incredible to the other jinchuuriki.
"They act the same way you and Tsunade-sama do, Naruto," commented Sakura, off-handedly.
He had to admit, she was right. Somehow, he and the old bat had managed to form an interesting relationship. She was like a favorite aunt to him now and he knew she thought of him as her own family.
Finally, after long minutes of arguing and whining, the Mizukage turned to his guests and smiled, "Allow me to introduce my grandchildren, Ame, and Kirichi. They, like you are Jinchuuriki and house the two tailed demons, Kawa and Uso." This brought surprised looks from all three of the visiting shinobi.
"The two tailed demon is actually two demons?" asked Sakura. "How is that possible?"
Jiroshi smiled, "It's an old legend of the Mist actually. Centuries ago, long before the hidden villages were even thought of, two mischevious otters roamed the wetlands, causing trouble for travelers and villages alike in the form of floods, ruined crops and whatnot." The old man looked at his grandchildren with a fond smile, "The first Mizukage set out to stop their antics and failed for many years. Finally, he met with one of the otters, Uso, and introduced him to Kawa. As the legend says, the two otters were inseparable ever after and to thank him, they bound themselves to the village as protectors. Each generation, new Jinchuuriki are chosen as the hosts for each of them. This time, it was Kiri and Ame and it seems to have been a good choice. They're just as mischevious as Kawa and Uso ever were."
"Jii-chan!" the twins yelled in unison, pouting up at their grandfather. "Why do you always have to tell it like that? You know we haven't pulled pranks in weeks!"
Both Naruto and Sakura grinned at the story and laughed at the twins' indignation while Garra just looked on with his usual stoic expression. Inside though, he was jealous. These children never would have been feared like he was. They were never alone, left to the care of a man who would one day try to kill them? They even had a loving grandfather. Why had they been so fortunate where he, and even Naruto, were cursed? Naruto of course, took it all in stride. He would never hold a happy childhood against anyone. As always, he would be happy just to know them.
"You're all more than welcome to stay the night of course. I imagine you had a rough time getting here." Naruto was about to jump at the chance of a warm futon and good food when Gaara answered for them, "We appreciate the offer, but the schedule would not allow us a break right now. We'll be leaving as soon as they're ready."
The Mizukage nodded and motioned for the two to come forward, "They are ready now. We will see you to the gates."
I was without a clue as to how to end this so I decided to stop there. Not the worst, not the best. Kinda like me, I suppose. Again, review and if anyone wants to comment on my naming of the characters or help me with some of the finer points of Japanese naming, feel free. I still haven't figured out how to number the demons. I guess it'd be Nibi for the 2 tail but I doubt that's right. Can anyone help with that?