Four hours later Kakashi glanced over his shoulder to make sure his genin were keeping up only to notice Tazuna lagging behind them a little so decided to call for a quick stop "We'll take a break for fifteen minutes then continue on" Kakashi said.
Halting the lot of them before moving off the path, students following his lead as they sat, "Thank god I wasn't sure how much more of that I could take" Sakura grumbled as she stripped out of her qipao shirt and untied her over skirt.
Immediately it looked like Sasuke had sucked on a lemon as his expression soured, only for him to not have to worry any when Sakura fitted a tank top to her upper half in dark green, it barely reached her stomach however.
But at least she wasn't completely bare "Must you give me a heart attack Sakura" Sasuke scowled, still not use to her just randomly stripping her clothes off in public like she was fond of, even if this time she had put something on in its place, it still bugged him.
Sakura rolled her eyes but didn't comment as she took a sip of water from her canteen before offering some to Chishi who was still wound around her neck, he seemed to appreciate the chance to hydrate himself to as he took several long drinks.
"Now, now, you should know that Sakura lives to make people uncomfortable" Naruto chimed in teasingly only to get a pebble thrown at him and it bounced lightly off his forehead, Kakashi chuckled at their antics but otherwise let them rest for the amount of time he'd said.
Then they were once again on the move "I don't know how you handle those brats but I applaud you for not having gone insane from them" Tazuna cut in, glaring at the genin because he didn't trust them to protect him in the least.
Kakashi narrowed his visible iris "Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura are three of the most behaved students I've undertaken and believe me, their the first ones who's ever made it this far under my teachings as well" the Copy Ninja informed.
Exceedingly proud of his little genin at being rebuked however Tazuna silenced himself, it was then that Kakashi noticed the puddle of water in the middle of the path, sensed the chakra cloaked within and knew that they were in trouble.
He cast a glance to Sakura who tilted her head then his gaze flitted downwards briefly in hopes that she would catch on and she did as Sakura walked a little faster to pace alongside of Tazuna "Didn't I tell you to keep that thing away from me" the bridge builder frowned.
Realizing that Sakura was right next to him now, putting him in close range of the black mamba "Chishi-kun will not bite you Tazuna-san" the pinkette rolled her eyes, not to impressed by the client right, especially if they were in danger like she thought they were.
At least that was how she'd interpreted Kakashi's subtle gestures anyway "Yeah old man, he's been just fine for me and Sasuke" the blonde piped in not sure why Sakura had decided she wanted to walk at their clients side all of a sudden.
But he wasn't about to be left out either as he took to walking on the other side of Tazuna "Though we really need to see about getting him something to eat soon" Sasuke added, participating in the conversation.
Then he saw something out of the corner of his eye and spun around as chains wrapped around Kakashi "What…no…Kakashi-sensei" Naruto screamed in horror as their sensei was ripped to shreds by the barbed chains from the two rogue ninja who'd snuck up on them.
One of whom ran at him, "Duck Naruto" Sakura yelled the command already on the move as she dropped her pack, kicked up off the ground and performed a flying kick at their assailant, Naruto didn't hesitate simply dropped.
Rapidly forming hand signs as he did so when the enemy sailed over his head, spying his opportunity he caught the guy in the genjutsu he'd been practicing hoping it would hold long enough as they turned their attention on the remaining attacker.
Who'd gone after Sasuke, 'No, after Tazuna' Sakura mused inwardly in realization as Kakashi reappeared after faking them out with a genjutsu and the replacement jutsu and took out the second rogue to their relief even Sasuke's.
"Kami that was insane and you, what were you thinking screaming like that Dobe" in the next moment Sasuke rounded on Naruto who flushed and looked to his toes out of pure embarrassment, and then the Uchiha noticed something on the boys hand and went pale.
Sakura, wondering what could cause that expression looked her blonde friend over only to see the same thing "Whatever you do Naruto, do not move okay" Sakura instructed, keeping the panic she felt from her voice.
As Naruto went rigid and she approached him, lifting his hand as she did so, she saw an odd colored drop and immediately understood "There was poison on those chains" Kakashi confirmed her suspicions.
Freaking Naruto out until he got a warning look "Calm down, Sakura brought those antidote pills, all you have to do is take one and let her wrap your hand" Sasuke ordered sharply, Naruto who was pale and sweating bullets at this point nodded shakily.
Letting the pinkette do her work by taking a pill that she thrust into his uninjured hand while she poured water over the scratch "It doesn't look like it needs stitches or anything but I'm going to rub some ointment on it that will dull the pain some and wrap it" Sakura explained.
After assessing the injury "Very good Sakura-chan, now as for you Tazuna, care to tell me why we'd be attacked by rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village" Kakashi praised before turning his attention on Tazuna.
Because he was the only reason they would be getting attacked after all "That's right and if I'm not wrong those guys were after you old man" Naruto scowled, flexing his hand with a wince once it was all tended to.
Tazuna paled then babbled nervously "You don't understand, I couldn't ask for a higher ranked mission since we don't have the funding everyone in my village is riding on that bridge being finished" Tazuna rambled.
Practically prostrating himself before Kakashi "So you put anyone with genin in danger now look one of my students is injured and who knows who else will be waiting for us if we continue on" Kakashi glared.
Absolutely furious that his students were in danger as the mission rank went up to at least a B, possibly A, if these two were the subordinates of who he thought "I…I can't say I blame you, I lied about the mission rank, put your genin in danger" Tazuna sighed.
Sakura heart gave a jerk in sympathy "Kakashi-sensei maybe we could…..help him get home at the very least" Sakura suggested hesitantly, mostly out of pity really but she wasn't entirely heartless.
Kakashi turned his glare on her before groaning in exasperation at her expression "Fine, we're only escorting him back to his home, after that it's not our responsibility" Kakashi warned, relenting.
Though he knew this decision was going to come back and bite him on the ass somehow he dealt with the demon brothers then ushered his students and Tazuna on down the path "You think this is wise Sakura" Sasuke hissed in Sakura's ear as they continued onwards.
She bit her lip then shrugged "Give her a break Sasuke, Sakura-chan is soft on old people, something you should already know about her" Naruto huffed, keeping his guard up now that they'd already been attacked once.
With a scowl in his direction Sasuke fell silent until they had no choice but to stop for the day, Kakashi made camp then divided up tasks once the fire was going, thankfully Sakura seemed to have some culinary talent as she cooked rabbit stew over the fire.
Chishi was off somewhere to catch his own meal but once he had the snake came slithering back to curl up around the girls neck again, loyal to Sakura after only a day as they ate then got settled into their bedrolls for the night after setting up traps to protect them during the night.
And the next morning they were on their way again, until they had to get in a boat "So why is it so important you finish your bridge anyway old man Tazuna" Naruto decided to ask out of sheer boredom.
"To bring back hope to our village, you see Gato came and took over, he's a ruthless bastard that's bleeding us dry of any money" Tazuna admitted, staring off in the direction of his village as they snuck through the mist to remain undetected.
It was the only way to pass safely at the moment "Gato, of Gato Corps, for the love of Kami why did I agree to this again" Kakashi groaned, hating his life sometimes as his thought from yesterday came back and he realized that his decision was already biting him square on the rear end.
Sakura ducked her head apologetically, Kakashi sighed knowing he couldn't really blame the girl for being soft "Let me guess we're gonna go up against a jonin next aren't we" Sasuke scowled, unhappy to the extreme.
But he couldn't blame Sakura either "Probably, I'm sorry" Sakura hung her head, feeling horrible because she just had to be a bleeding heart, what they should have done was turn around and go back to the village, explain the situation and sent someone else in place of them.
She only raised her head when Kakashi placed his hand on her pink locks and ruffled them gently "Sure we might be in for a rough time once we're back on land, but I am your sensei and I won't let any of you get hurt again got it" Kakashi declared.
Overly protective of his students then he sat back allowing silence to blanket them until they reached land again, almost instantly after they'd started walking something scraped against Sakura's senses.
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and she whipped out a kunai and flung it into the bushes on her right "Are you crazy Sakura" Sasuke frowned wondering what had gotten into her all of a sudden.
"Felt something, it's gone now" Sakura admitted, eyeing her surroundings warily, impressing the rogue that was watching them from the safety of a tree after using the replacement technique to avoid getting hit by the weapon.
Naruto was the one who went and checked only to find "Aww you poor little bunny" Naruto exclaimed, seeing the snow white rabbit looking as if it's soul had been sucked out of it from the fright of almost getting hit by a weapon.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes "That rabbit it still has it's winter fur which means it's been indoors…..everyone GET DOWN NOW" Kakashi ordered hearing something they did not, but not a one of them dared disobey.
As they practically dived towards the ground belly first right as a huge sword whizzed over their heads only to get embedded in a tree, just as suddenly there was someone standing on the hilt, glaring over their shoulder at them.
While waiting semi-patiently for them to get back to their feet "Well, well, if it isn't Zabuza Momochi rogue ninja from the hidden mist village" Kakashi glared once he was stood up properly, the situation getting worse on them if he was to be their next opponent.
Zabuza gave no initial reaction to Kakashi introduction merely turned around on his sword "And your Kakashi of the Sharingan eye did I get that right" Zabuza asked casually, gaze flickering in the genin's direction briefly.
When one of them visibly bristled at his statement until the girl laid a calming hand on the boys arm shaking her head as she did so "Sasuke personal feelings are against the shinobi principles, focus on the mission we have to protect Tazuna now" Sakura whispered to the upset Uchiha.
Sasuke clenched his hands but nodded "Lets get to it then" Sasuke growled, wanting to know how his sensei had the sharingan, they'd been with the man for a month and not once had Kakashi given him any indication that he had his clans dojutsu under that headband of his.
Then with Naruto they surrounded Tazuna to protect him on all sides "Obedient brats aren't they, to bad I'll have to kill them if you don't hand over the old man that Gato wants dead" Zabuza commented, dropping into a crouch.
Getting ready to go onto the attack "Unfortunately Tazuna is under my protection and I have no intention of letting you harm him or my students" Kakashi announced lifting his headband to reveal the sharingan.
"Yeah even if you got through Kakashi-sensei you'd never get through us" Naruto boasted only to get whacked by Sakura for his outburst not appreciating his attempt at humor obviously before he straightened up and took this more seriously.
Tazuna was another person who hadn't appreciated the humor "Just couldn't have kept your mouth shut could you have Naruto" Tazuna glared at the blonde who ducked his head, Sakura snapped her head around towards him.
Instantly silencing the bridge builder with her scowl and as intrigued about the girl as he was Zabuza decided it was high time to begin his attack by grabbing his sword and appearing directly atop the water of the lake.
Chakra began building the air and killing intent washed over the genin, the two most affected were Sasuke and Sakura and the both of them began trembling "SAKURA CALM DOWN, I won't allow my comrades to die trust me" Kakashi shouted at her.
Seeing her raise her kunai just as Zabuza made his move by appearing in the small space that was left between them and Tazuna, Sakura forced her kunai down then she swung her fist catching Zabuza off guard.
Only to find that Zabuza a water clone as he was thrown backwards before dissolving in a splash of water "CHA bastard, I won't let myself be intimidated by you" Sakura declared, ceasing her trembling after a couple of minutes.
"You got guts girl but you won't get lucky a second time" Zabuza said from right behind her, swinging Kubikiribocho, his intent was clear, he was going to hack right through her but again he was stopped from reaching his target.
When Kakashi slammed into him, kunai to the stomach "Kakashi-sensei behind you that ones a clone to" Naruto yelled, alerting their sensei to the fact that the enemy was still moving, Kakashi spun to meet Zabuza's huge sword with his kunai.
As a deadly dance began between the two Sasuke crawled over to Sakura "Are you okay that was some KI and I thought Kakashi's was bad" Sasuke asked not daring to take his eyes off the fight going on right in front of them.
Sakura wasn't the type of person however to stay down because after stroking Chishi for a moment her eyes narrowed in determination before popping up from the ground "That was really crazy Sakura, what would you have done if your sensei hadn't gotten to you" Tazuna scolded.
Having thought he was going to have a heart attack when the girl of the team had been targeted "Never doubt Sakura old man Tazuna, she would have been fine I'm sure even without Kakashi-sensei" Naruto chimed in.
Knowing how tactical his friend could be sometimes, just then their sensei went flying through the air to land in the lake, Zabuza was practically on top of him seconds later and with that Kakashi was caught and they had another clone to worry about.
"Take the client and run, I'll be fine" Kakashi immediately began trying to get them to flee because he knew a water clone could only go a certain distance from the main body and Zabuza would have to release him eventually.
Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura however simply stood there staring at him indecision plain on their faces until he heard Sakura mumbling something "Abandon sensei, run away, save ourselves…..NOT ON YOUR LIFE KAKASHI-SENSEI" Sakura screamed at him suddenly.
Tears coursing down her cheeks, she'd already lost two sets of parents, and any other family she might have had, so she wasn't about to lose her sensei as she charged the water clone with a shriek of fury "Holy fuck she's lost it" Sasuke cursed.
Seeing the glazed look in Sakura's eyes "Sakura-chan stop it" Naruto shouted, pounding after her before she got herself hurt, thankfully he reached her in the nick of time, grabbed her around the waist, then felt himself be jerked back by ninja wire.
Until they were both safe, Sakura however was not an easy person to hold onto especially when she was struggling with all her strength "Enough" Sasuke ordered harshly, giving the girl a sharp slap across the face.
Her crying halted as her eyes cleared and became alert once again "Sorry looks like this is on you two Naruto, Sasuke, save Kakashi-sensei, please" Sakura whispered apologetically as her head tipped backwards, fainting dead way in Naruto's arms.
"Looks like we have no choice now huh Sasuke" Naruto sighed, creating a dozen or so shadow clones to protect both Tazuna and Sakura, the bridge builder eyeing Sakura warily as the two boys faced their opponent.
Plan instantly coming to mind without them having to even speak words "Yeah looks like it, prepare yourself Momochi cause your going down" Sasuke declared, spying an opening and taking it as he made a mad dash to the right.
Leaving the water clone to Naruto who bombarded it with multiple clones of his own, in the midst of some being dispelled Naruto cleverly transformed himself into a giant shuriken and had a clone throw the transformed him to Sasuke.
Who caught him easily before jumping into the air and throwing the transformed Naruto/shuriken directly at Zabuza who had their sensei imprisoned in a sphere of water, the first shuriken was caught to Sasuke's irritation.
But it was the second one, the shadow of the first one that gave him some hope only for it to be jumped, what none of them except Sasuke expected however was for the shuriken to transform back into Naruto who threw a kunai at Zabuza.
This time Zabuza couldn't dodge or catch the weapon making him release his captive "Good work you two" Kakashi praised, forcing himself to not worry about Sakura just yet as he stopped Zabuza from killing Naruto.
Sasuke seeing it was better to not interfere further helped Naruto back to shore where they went to stand in front of Tazuna and Sakura who was still unconscious, it seemed the fight between the two jonin was finally coming to an end however.
As Kakashi caught Zabuza in the water vortex jutsu and the rogue crashed into a tree, kunai followed up the attack but before Kakashi could finish off their assailant, throwing needles came out of no where and embedded themselves into Zabuza's neck, seemingly killing him.
At this point Kakashi simply wanted to check on his student as he listened to the hunter-nin that appeared after the senbon before Zabuza was taken away, before Kakashi could do as he wanted or before he realized that maybe it was a plot to save Zabuza.
He passed out from over-using his sharingan "Great now both of them are out" Naruto huffed, wracking his brain and trying to come up with something that would help him and Sasuke get both their sensei and teammate to Tazuna's house.
"Can you get him Tazuna, I've got Sakura, you keep look out Naruto" Sasuke took matters into his own hands when no one spoke and the silence dragged on for over five minutes, poor Kakashi was heaved over Tazuna's shoulder.
Then after lifting Sakura into his arms the three of them set a brisk pace towards Tazuna's home, Naruto kept his guard raised the entire way there and upon entering they were met with their clients daughter.
She gasped loudly in horror at the sight of the two unconscious people before taking control of the situation by leading the awake genin up a flight of stairs to spare bedrooms, and soon after Sakura and Kakashi were resting comfortably on futons.
Once they were back downstairs leaving the two to their rest Tazuna rounded on the boys "Okay what the hell was that back there, why did she go berserk like that" Tazuna demanded to know because he never wanted to see someone completely lose it like Sakura had again.
The two shared a quick covert glance with one another before nodding "Back when Sakura-chan was like 6/7 months old, her biological parents and a lot of other people were massacred right in front of her, it hurts her to remember and causes her to faint as well" Naruto admitted.
"Lets not forget that she lost her adoptive parents to, whoever they were, so I guess the thought of losing someone made her kind of crazy" Sasuke grimaced, as he flopped down on the couch, deciding it was better not to dwell on things.
Eventually Tsunami as she introduced herself as padded into the kitchen to get started on dinner, just when she reappeared to tell them that dinner was ready a groan echoed from upstairs so equally in favor of checking on their teammate Naruto and Sasuke flew up the steps.
To the guest room they'd put Sakura in, upon entering they found her sat up and clutching her head "Oh hi Naruto, Sasuke" Sakura greeted, when the pounding eased some and she noticed them standing there in the open doorway.
Sasuke sighed "Please for my sanity don't do that again okay" Sasuke slumped to the floor in front of her, just glad that she seemed to be alright as her head finally stopped hurting, and she rested her hands in her lap.
"Anyway if your up to it Sakura, Tsunami-san's got dinner ready, Kakashi-sensei however won't be joining us cause he over used his sharingan" Naruto informed, helping Sakura onto her feet when her stomach growled in obvious hunger.
He was ever so careful as well when helping her down the stairs until they were crowded around the table "Oh are you sure you should be up and about Sakura-san" Tsunami jumped a little upon seeing the girl sitting at the table.
She nodded her head "Yeah, I had a headache at first but it's faded now, sorry for any trouble I caused" Sakura apologized to the woman and to Tazuna who glared at her, the staring was getting to be mighty uncomfortable.
So to comfort herself she reached up and stroked Chishi who was still curled around her neck "That's right I nearly forgot about him" Naruto winced upon seeing her stroke the black mamba Anko had given her before the start of their mission.
Tsunami grew nervous until Sasuke spoke up "Don't worry Tsunami-san, Chishi won't attack anyone unless he's threatened or ordered to" Sasuke assured, easing the woman's worries about the snake.
"Just try not to go berserk like that again" Tazuna huffed, saying no more on the subject as they dug in to their supper, midway through they met Inari who immediately pissed off Sakura though she didn't outwardly show it.
But she did share a glance with her teammates who were equally as annoyed by the little boy, like her however they didn't show their annoyance instead they finished eating, even helped clean up then decided to go to bed early.
There was now only a week remaining Jashin mused to himself knowing that the meeting between he and his precious daughter would be quite interesting indeed and then he could fill her in on his plan to exact revenge on the Sannin, patience was the key however as his pink eyes glinted, madness deep within their depths.