HIDDEN SAND CONVERGENCE I
A sandstorm rages. A curtain of sand has been wailing for hours, making everything in 100 km radius absolutely unbearable. Sight is impaired to the point of non-existent; even if it weren't for the fact that countless grains of sand buffet your face, it'd still be impossible to see any farther than your nose. Hearing is strained with the gales making it difficult to focus on your own thoughts, let alone what someone besides you might be saying unless they shout in your ear. Even then, it might not work. The other senses aren't as affected although they're not happy, either- smell becomes unbearable when there's only dry sand to make it to your nose, taste… well, let's just say you don't want sand getting anywhere near that, and touch shouldn't be an issue as long as you prepare well for a journey through the desert.
Four figures are currently fighting their way through this nightmare. Two of them walking while the other two are sitting inside a large puppet, vaguely resembling a salamander. It has a large metallic shield strapped just behind its head that provides its riders cover from the sand, with the Puppet Master holding aloft several more metallic plates for additional protection.
Being well trained in navigating these lands, they've prepared to defend their last three senses, wearing protective cloaks, goggles, and facemasks. Sight and hearing are still an issue, but they can manage.
One of the people sitting inside the puppet is focusing on a pulsating seal- a hexagon within a circle, carved into its back. The white outline glows at set intervals but otherwise does nothing else. After keeping it active for a few seconds, he deactivates it.
They continue to walk further, or rather the salamander puppet walks them further, and several minutes later, the man activates the hexagonal seal again. This time, something does happen besides it glowing white. A red dot blinks at the very edge.
One of the other cloaked figures gathers their final ally along with the puppet master, who brings in all of the protective plates to form a tighter wall around them. They were specially built to withstand environments such as this, so they prove more than effective at keeping them safe from the hazards. Even the raging winds aren't as intrusive anymore, allowing them to actually hear each other.
The man with the hexagonal seal removes his facial protection to reveal his elongated face and sunken cheeks, making him look constantly sleep deprived. He sighs, exasperated, but glad to let his face breath for a moment. "Lord Kankuro, I have a sole signal."
Kankuro removes his mask. "Just one? Shishio, we're looking for 2 adults and 3 children."
The other two give themselves some breathing room, as well. The man's blonde hair still peeks down from his cowl, covering one eye. The woman has to tuck in her brown strands back in again.
"All due respect, sir," The woman speaks in an even and polite manner. "If Shishio believes it worth noting, then it's no ordinary signal."
Shishio nods. "It's like nothing I've ever seen before. I know it's none of the creatures that live in the desert, and it's definitely not human. I think it's worth inspecting."
Kankuro twists his tongue around the inside of his cheeks, mulling it over for a moment. "I'll trust your instincts. We'll check it out." he turns to the other man. "Koji, be ready to jump into combat if need be." and then to the woman. "Ameno, preserve your chakra. We know Naruto and the rest should've been around here somewhere when the sandstorm hit. We might need every bit of healing you have."
"Yes, sir." Koji and Ameno nod.
Everyone puts back on their goggles and masks, making their way in the direction Shishio's sensory ability detected the presence. It takes them about 20 more minutes of wading through sand that only gets piled on and lifted from the winds. At the end, they reach a large rock formation, multiple stone arches intertwining with each other, the largest ones would probably tower over the Hidden Sand's entrance gates.
Shishio has his sensing hexagon active and they're getting closer and closer to the signal. Koji gathers sand around hi fist, creating a gauntlet. Ameno gathers water from a ground in the salamander's back and gathers it around her hands, shaped like a scorpion's claws.
The signal leads them to the back of one of the larger arches which has a very secluded carved out section that completely blocks the sandstorm. And in the very back of this arch is…
A house?
It's front is beige in colour, with some purple and brown pipes to the side. Its blue tiled roof slumps down, even further down on the sides so it reaches even lower than the front door. As they cautiously get closer, they get a clearer view of the sign that hangs above the door. "Uzumaki residence".
Kankuro rips off his gear, "... What?" and scrunches his face.
They all hop off Salamander and get to the door. Kankuro knocks on the door, keeping Salamander at front while everyone sticks to the sides.
The door swings open and a blonde head peaks out, turning to Kankuro.
Naruto smiles widely. "Hey, Kankuro! Whatcha doin' all the way out here?" He motions them all to enter. "Get inside, weather out there's crazy."
-x-
Kankuro thanks Hinata as she places cups of tea at the table for all 4 of them. He looks around, still a bit in disbelief that this place exists. It looks like a perfectly ordinary living quarters. 4 beds at the back and a lounge area where they're currently seated. They're seated on a comfy sofa, with Naruto, Hinata, and the three kids he was informed of sitting on the sofa opposite of them.
"You know, I somehow both didn't expect this and am somehow not surprised. You never cease to amaze, do you?" He takes a sip of his tea.
"Believe it or not, we're actually inside one of my toad summons." He says nonchalantly.
Kankuro stops for a second, mid-drink, and shares a confused look with his team. He shakes his head. "You know, I'm not even gonna ask."
"What're you guys even doing here, anyway? Out on a mission?"
"We were actually sent out to look for you. The sandstorm surprised us all and we figured you should be somewhere in the middle of it by the time it started, so Gaara sent us out to get you. Although it looks like it wasn't necessary."
"I apologize for wasting your time worrying for us." she bows and turns to the slightly familiar faces. "If I recall, you three were in the joint Chunin exams 3 years ago, correct?"
"That's correct." The woman places a hand over her chest. "I'm Ameno, and these are Koji and Shishio." She motions to the handsome blonde and the man with the sunken face, respectively.
"A pleasure. I'm Hinata Hyuga, and these are Kotori, Yokumaru, and Shoto." Kotori and Yokumaru wave, while Shoto gives a respectful nod. It's difficult to bow while seated.
"And I'm-" Naruto gets interrupted by Koji.
"Naruto Uzumaki. Trust me, we know. Say, how about we have a friendly fight?" Koji smirks.
"Hah, you got it! Just say when." He readily agrees.
Ameno sighs and shakes her head. "There you go again, Koji. Can't you at least wait until we get back? Although it is true that we've heard a lot about you, Naruto Uzumaki. Not just from the stories but from Sakura Haruno, as well."
"Huh? You guys know Sakura?" Naruto looks between the three of them.
"We ran into each other during the previous joint Chunin Exam, and conversed at length about our villages, about medical ninjutsu, … about you." She gives a sly smile.
Naruto rubs the back of his head. "Probably not a lot of flattery, then."
Ameno giggles. "It wasn't all flattery like the stories following the Fourth War, but all of her stories came from a special place in her heart. You are special, but not for your victories during the War. If anything, I believe you're to be respected more for your shortcomings than your achievements. But I don't wish to prattle on."
Naruto is visibly embarrassed.
Kankuro settles back on the backrest of the sofa. "Well, you might have to prattle on, cause we better get comfy while we're waiting. So, what've you two been up to."
"You sure you wanna ask that? It's been a wild ride."
Kankuro looks outside the window at the sandstorm in the distance. "We got a while, by my calculations."
A sandstorm no longer rages. Although that doesn't necessarily mean the situation is better. They're still in the desert. It's still unbearably hot. At least they have the means to keep that at bay, especially with Ameno having water to keep everyone refreshed and healthy.
The Hidden Sand ninja looked on in surprise and confusion as the house they were in shrunk into a toad and disappeared into a puff of smoke.
On the way to the Hidden Sand, Kotori continues to practice her Aviary, summoning small ostriches. When she's skilled enough, it'll be big enough to ride! But for now, she has to settle for kind of waddling over it as it walks between her legs. It's a start.
The rest of the travel is admittedly boring and uneventful until they eventually find themselves in the Hidden Sand Village. The layout itself is actually somewhat similar to the Hidden Stone, buildings made of a sand-coloured material that blends in perfectly with the surroundings, although here they're more spherical and oblong in nature, whereas the Hidden Stone had more edges.
Surrounding it is a mountain that acts as a natural rampart wall, one pathway carved into it to act as an entrance. They make their way along the main road that leads directly to the Kazekage's office, where Kankuro and his group allow Naruto and his to enter and announce their arrival.
Before the door is closed, Gaara has already stood up and gone in front of the desk. "Naruto, it's good to see you again."
They exchange a firm handshake. Naruto taps Gaara's shoulder with his other hand. "Good to see you, too. Been what, almost a year?"
"Just about." He then turns to Hinata and gives a respectful nod. "A pleasure to see you as well, Hinata Hyuga."
He bows. "Lord Kazekage."
He begins making his way back to his desk, clearing away some scrolls and papers stacked on it. "Please, you may simply call me Gaara when it's only us. We are all friends here, after all." He smiles and takes a look at the kids stood behind them. "And I presume these are you proteges."
The kids bow to the Kazekage. There's an odd air to him that they can't exactly put their finger on. He seems stiff but at the same time trying to be loose, distant while trying to be close. Yokumaru in particular recognizes his demeanor all too well. Despite his young age, he's had to act in different ways to survive and care for his mother, and he's had to change his personality to match any given situation. The man in front of him is similar in that regard. He's not pretending to be someone else, per se, but he's definitely trying hard to change who he is.
"I'm Kotori Uzumaki!"
"I'm Yokumaru Kigatsu, sir."
"Shoto Teshin, at your disposal."
"You all certainly seem like a capable lot. And you've picked a mighty fine sensei to guide you." Gaara lightly curls his lips into a smile.
"Are you really friends with dad?" Kotori looks between the two of them. Everywhere they travel, she keeps hearing about the amazing things Naruto's done and somehow she keeps being surprised at how many people respect him.
"We are, indeed. Your… dad," He was about to say 'sensei', before he remembered she's technically his daughter, as well, and that seems to be their primary relationship. "Is the reason I am where I am today. Before he was ever the hero he is now."
Naruto rubs the back of his head in embarrassment. "It's nothing like that at all."
Hinata can't help but giggle seeing this. For someone who spent his entire childhood wanting to be a hero, he's oddly shy about it now that he actually is one. It's pretty cute in her opinion.
Gaara stands up once again. "I know you've only just arrived and are most likely tired, but I'd still like to invite you all to eat. It truly has been long and I'd like to catch up."
Hinata looks down to the kids. "The trek wasn't as grueling thanks to Kankuro. Would you like to come with us?" The kids nod in response.
"You sure 'bout that, Gaara? Can you leave the Office?" Naruto asks.
"I can. I've already finished with today's work, so I can spare some free time. Shall we?" He leads them out into the city proper.
Now seated in one of the fancier establishments in the Hidden Sand, as befits the Kazekage, Naruto, Hinata, and the kids are seated on one side, with Gaara and Kankuro seated opposite them.
The kids quite frankly didn't recognize Kankuro at first as he's currently without his makeup. They had to profusely apologise after wondering who he was, although Kankuro's pretty used to others being surprised by seeing his actual face.
For the most part of the dinner, they spoke of the happenings within the last year in the Hidden Sand and the other villages, of their missions in the Cloud and Stone, and eventually of the kids' training and their abilities.
Kankuro uses his chopsticks to point to Kotori. "If it's birds you're looking for, the Hidden Sand has the fastest falcons in these lands. You can learn a lot here."
She beams. "Can I?"
"I don't see why not, right, Gaara?" He turns to his younger brother.
Gaara nods. "Of course. You are all our esteemed guests. Accommodating you is the least we can do. It's only a shame we cannot do the same for Shoto and Yokumaru seeing as their gifts are more… unique."
"You don't gotta worry about it, Gaara. You're doing more than enough." Naruto waves dismissively. "At least with Yokumaru I do know someone who had the Crystal Style, but I can't even begin to wonder where to look for her. Doubt she'll be found unless she wants to be." He looks out into the horizon.
It's been nearly two years since he and his group ran into Guren. He knows ANBU has looked for her but apparently nothing's come up at that time. Eventually, Tsunade ordered them to stand down and cease the hunt for the former Hidden Sound ninja, to focus their efforts on other matters.
"I don't wish to sully the evening by talking about business, but…" He looks around the table, at the pleasant mood that had been created. It's rare that he really gets to have evenings like this one.
"We can hardly stop you from doing so, Lord Ka- Gaara." Hinata corrects herself.
"I did receive word from both Lord Raikage and Lord Tsuchikage about everything that happened and I believe there may be something pertinent. I can't speak with certainty, but I believe it may be worth investigating."
"Information on the Great Beasts?"
"Or perhaps related to them. Since time immemorial, the Land of Wind and the shinobi clans living in its territory have been in possession of a series of Prismic Keystones that hold… special properties."
Kankuro looks at his brother from the corner of his eyes. "Is this wise, Gaara?"
Gaara keeps his gaze focused on his guests. "This is no longer solely about the Hidden Sand's prosperity. The world may very well be at stake once more, we can't afford to keep secrets."
Kankuro sighs. "Very well."
Naruto looks between the two of them. "What's all this about?"
"These prisms I speak of contain a great number of seals that are, frankly speaking, undecipherable. Our sealing experts have been unable to come to an agreement as to their exact nature besides one detail- they enhance the land and allow it to prosper and bear fruit. It does not work on barren deserts, but the few green areas our Land possesses have yielded more crops and more trees as long as they're in the area."
Gaara puts all his bowls and utensils away as one would, having finished a meal. "It frankly never occurred to me it could be in any way related, but after seeing the Tsuchikage's report and the nature of the Temple and the seals within it… It's unmistakable. These Keystones' seals are similar to the Temple's."
Naruto leans forward on the table, propping himself with both hands. "Then we gotta check 'em out! If those things are also hiding away Great Beasts…"
Hinata remains calmer. "Whoever we face is attempting to free Great Beasts sealed away by the Rashomon, as evidenced by the Kappa and Nue. However, as evidenced by the Temple of Stone's Song, some are still outside the Gates albeit sealed away."
"Correct. These Prisms have been a blessing to our land but if they are to also be its destruction then we should act right away and prevent it from happening. However, the issue here lies in that the intended time of departure was tomorrow."
"So soon?"
Kankuro shrugs. "Well, we did expect you to arrive sooner but that sandstorm slowed down our schedule. There's a caravan set to depart tomorrow for one of the territories that has a Prism so we were hoping to have you two go out as guards."
"It would essentially be a double mission. Protect the caravan from the bandits that have been causing trouble in those areas, and also investigate the Prisms for any tampering. However, I will understand if you're unable to."
"I mean, we could go." Naruto looks to the kids by his side. "But I dunno if both of us can go and leave 'em in a new place alone so soon."
"Can't we go on the mission with you, shisho?" To put it bluntly, Shoto really wants to go on a mission. "I'm aware we're no shinobi, but there've been kids even younger than us who go out on missions! We can handle it."
"Yeah!" Kotori and Yokumaru chime in.
"It's not as simply as that." Hinata brushed Kotori's hair. "You've grown exponentially since we all met you but if bandits do attack, it will be dangerous."
Yokumaru stares down at his plate. "I think… we're not going to be really ready as shinobi until we really see for ourselves what it's like."
Gaara observes the group discussion. "I don't know whether this would help you, Naruto, but… the kids could come with you."
All three of them perk up.
"As I said, you'd be transporting the caravan which will be made up of civilians, apart from the Sand shinobi who are to accompany you, and a select few shinobi in training." Gaara sizes up the kids. "I suspect around their ages. They could join, and perhaps even assist with the cultivation if they're in need of entertainment."
They're not really sure if being put to work counts as entertainment but the thought of going still excites them.
Hinata looks between the kids and her boyfriend with whom they seem to come to a non-verbal agreement with. "If you believe the mission will not be hindered, then they could join as part of the caravan we're to protect, assuming there's space."
Gaara nods. "There is indeed. And it is as the young Teshin said- they are in a unique position to learn what kids their age cannot learn from the Academy. I advise using that to their advantage."
"You're right. I guess we shouldn't treat 'em as kids forever, huh? They're shinobi."
"Alright!" All three of them cheer.
While they've all finished their meals, they do still remain in the establishment for a while longer to chat about the lesser things in life, the aspects of their lives that don't try to kill them, as few of those as there are. Eventually they're escorted to the apartment they're to live in for the next two and a half months, as is the arrangement for this mission. Naruto and Hinata still have their own room, but this time Kotori has a room to herself while the boys share.
The following morning, the Hidden Leaf group meets with the caravan at the front gates. They all introduce themselves to the people they're to protect for the coming week or so. They all seem kind and welcoming folk, and quickly help the kids settle in for the ride.
They are also met by the two Hidden Sand ninja whose team they will be a part of.
The Jounin, and team leader, is dressed in the standard Sand attire complete with a turban on her head that lets the cloth fall down to under her chin to protect from the ravages of the land. She has two red markings that run across her cheeks and go down 90°, making them slightly resemble the Inuzuka markings. She also carries a fairly large scroll strapped to her back.
The Chunin is a younger woman also wearing the Hidden Sand flak jacket and clothes, although her version is sleeveless. She has sandy hair tied up into a bulky ponytail with two strands of hair falling to the sides, braided. Strapped to her waist are two white tessen, small war fans, with white fur on their tips.
The Jounin approaches them and shakes their hand. "I'm Maki, I'll be team leader for this escort."
"And I'm Sen." The Chunin waves to them as she comes nearer. She squints her eyes and gets a closer look at Hinata. "Haven't I seen you before?"
Hinata nods. "We didn't speak but we did see each other in the previous joint Chunin Exams."
"Ah, that's right! Who would've guessed we'd be working together after so long."
Naruto's beginning to feel left out. This is now the fourth person in two days that was at the Chunin Exams. Sure, he got promoted for his deeds during the war, but it still kinda stings he never actually got to be a part of the Exams fully.
Maki signals for the caravan to prepare for departure. "We'll have plenty of time to catch up on the way."
"Alrighty!" Sen goes to prepare her part of the caravan, while Naruto and Hinata ensure everything is in top condition on their end.
A bit away from the caravan members, Maki comes to talk to them in private. "Lord Gaara told me about the additional mission you two are on. I've no issues with it as we're going there, anyway; I just ask if you've got something to do that doesn't involve guarding the caravan or its members, talk to me first. Bandits have been getting more and more active lately and I need to know where my team is and what they're doing."
They both nod. "You can count on us."
Maki smiles and turns to the caravan, speaking loud enough to be heard by everyone. "Alright, people, let's move out!"
With that, the caravan begins moving out into the desert wastelands of the Land of Wind, their destination being the green lands on the borders the Land of Rivers.
Trivia
Ameno, Koji, Shishio; and Sen are from the 'In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths' arc (Naruto Shippuden episodes 394 to 413)