I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters of the Manga or Anime. If I did I wouldn't have so many damn fillers.
A Price for Peace
Chapter 18 Departing The Snow Leopard Cave
Several days passed and Karin had not yet been able to summon the largest members of the Snow Leopard clans. Despite this she was thrilled to now be able to summon members of the clan that were more than twice her size that she could ride easily. Overall she was enjoying her time with the felines, the only down side was that after the second day Naruto had barely been seen. He had gone out every morning to train in the mountains and wouldn't come back until dinner time, which was the only time she had seen the jinchuuriki.
This morning however he was leaning against the entrance to her cave waiting for her to arrive. "Good morning." he said happily.
Karin jumped in surprise. "Naruto! You scared me half to death."
"Oh sorry about that I just needed to talk to you." Naruto replied, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck
"Really? What did you want to talk about? Did you find something out in the mountains?" She asked, a small blush crossing her cheeks, she couldn't help let her imagination run wild at the thought of what her crush wanted.
"Well, we've been here for a week now and I think it's time we should move on. I know you haven't managed to completely master summoning but you're at a level now where if you are in a bind they can help you out. I've scouted ahead during my time off we are near the end of the worst of the peaks but according to the Snow Leopards that I talked to outside it appears that once we reach the top there is a really long distance before we start to descend again." Naruto answered.
She let out a small sigh, despite all logic she had hoped it would be a confession rather than telling her that they were going to be moving on. "A plateau at the very top? That's probably not good. It will be nice to get to the top of these peaks but if they are really that long it could be even more dangerous with the wind and the temperature will be even lower as we get higher." Karin answered, trying to play off her disappointment. She was honestly a little scared, a flat area meant that there would be very few if any places to take shelter from the harsh weather.
"I know it's going to be dangerous, even the Snow Leopards don't like going up there. But I promise you that you will be alright. I don't know how I can say that but it's a promise of a lifetime, and I will do everything that I can to keep this one." Naruto declared, as honestly as he could.
"But what about you? What's the point of me getting through this without you?" Karin yelled.
"Huh what do you mean. You don't need me do you?" Naruto asked.
"Yes I do! I mean no I don't. Ah I don't know, I don't think I can survive out there without someone else, we have no idea what we will find on the other side of this. If there is nothing there I am as good as dead anyway, you need to live as well." Karin replied.
Naruto let out a smile. "It's alright, I can't be killed so easily. Having Kurama in me prevents me from ever being sick for long, it also makes my body immune to the extreme temperatures. So it's nice that you're worrying about me but I will be fine, honestly."
"You promise? Promise me that you will survive as well." Karin replied meekly.
"I promise, we will both be fine. Now, you should grab your stuff, we'll go say goodbye to that old geezer leopard then we will be on our way." Naruto said.
"Well most of my stuff is still packed so it won't take me long to get ready. We should take what we can cary of the food that we have been given here, it would be nice to have a few more days of fresh meat." Karin said with a nod.
"Do you want some help?" The blonde asked casually.
"That would be nice, but I think I can handle it. Come in though you don't have to wait around out here." Karin answered calmly. They both reentered the cave and Karin spent little time racing around picking up the few things she had removed from her traveling bag during their stay, a few clothes were hung up to dry in the corner which Karin was for the moment at least leaving alone. "By the way, why didn't you tell me we were leaving last night during dinner?"
"Well to be honest I didn't really think about it leaving until I went to bed. I just realised that I was getting kind of comfortable here, and the longer we stay the harder it will become to leave. So when I woke up this morning I made up my mind, packed up all my equipment, and came down here to see you." Naruto answered honestly.
"Oh. Don't you think that's a little rushed?" Karin asked.
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck with a slight hint of embarrassment. "I guess I didn't think about that. I suppose I was pretty quick to jump to a decision, I probably should have asked you first."
"Well it would have been nice to sit down and talk about our next move, especially when it could be so dangerous out there." The red head admitted.
"I'm sorry, if you wan't you can stay, you will be safe here, the Snow Leopards will protect you." Naruto replied.
"No I wan't to come with you, the Leopards are fine, but I would be happier with with having you to keep me company, besides someone has to make sure you stay safe as well." She said with a small blush.
Naruto blushed to match hers. "Thanks I like having you around, it's nice to be able to talk to someone else other than Kurama."
"Well you are much better company than Orochimaru's henchmen, and even Sasuke. He didn't talk much, just kind of grunted a lot." Karin admitted.
"He was like that when he was in Konoha, it's no real surprise he never really changed his whole life. It was always all about revenge for him, If he was a little more open then he could have been saved, there was still good in him." Naruto replied with a sad sigh.
Karin saw the look of regret on Naruto's face and felt bad for her new crush. "There was nothing you could have done. He chose his path and you chose yours, you can't blame yourself for surviving."
"You're right, but I was so sure we would have killed each other like the grand old geezer sage and I saw in our vision. But like you said I can't keep living in the past, I need to move forward." Naruto said with conviction.
"Then I will be there to help you. I've got all my stuff, lets just pack up the food and we can go." Karin said with a smile.
(Meanwhile)
"We're home, it sure feels good." Kiba sighed with a hint of relief.
"Our mission was a failure though." Shino pointed out in his usual stoic manner.
"Actually as we were never expected to find our target in the first place, the leads we found could be considered to be seen as a success." Sai retorted with a fake smile.
"We were'nt expected to find her? Then why send us out of the village then?" Hinata asked a little shocked.
"It's a common practice, teams that are approaching a level that would be considered for the Anbu hunter ninja squads are given an assignment that would normally be handed by an elite squad and tested upon their results." Sai explained.
"So this was nothing but a test?" Shino gathered.
"Exactly, and I would say that you will have passed. Actually I can confirm that as I was the one sent to test you." Sai added.
"So we were being drafted into Anbu all along? What if we don't want to join?" Hinata questioned.
"Then your three man squad will be broken up, unless you all decide against it. However if you accept you will be assigned a new squad commander and undergo Anbu level training." Sai informed the group.
"Oh so what about Neji? Is he joining too?" Kiba asked.
"No, he was aware of this from the start. Besides as you should know by now, he already has an assignment awaiting him should the joint shinobi alliance become permanent." Sai answered to which Neji only gave a nod to confirm Sai's story.
"We still should report our findings to Kakashi-sama, a mission is not finished until we report in." Shino informed the group. They all nodded in agreement and the tracking team began to move through the village towards the Hokage Tower.
Kakashi was having a more than stressful day. Since setting the official date for Naruto's funeral he had been bombarded with arrivals into Konoha as well as literally hundreds of new requests every day for admittance to Naruto's funeral, as well as outrage when it became clear that they would have to pay for the right to be there.
He hadn't even had a chance to read his precious Icha Icha books and was just about ready to resign from his position. Many of the friends that Naruto had made in the so called lesser nations were quite rightly furious that they had to pay to farewell someone that they considered to be a hero in their countries. Still this did not deter many of them, the priestess Shion from Demon country as well as the Daimyo from the Land of Spring had arrived early to voice their disapproval at not receiving the same treatment that was being awarded to the other Kage's and Daimyo's from the five major nations.
Kakashi of course felt bad, he understood their anger. He was giving preferential treatment to those who until very recently were considered threats and treated with hostility, while long term allies and personal friends of Naruto were overlooked on the basis of earning some money to aid in the recovery of the war effort.
The sliver haired Hokage let out a sigh as the door opened and Shizune entered his office. "Hokage-sama, the tracking team that were sent to look for the escaped Akatsuki kunoichi have returned."
"Have they found their target?" Kakashi asked lazily already knowing what the answer would be.
"It does not appear to be the case, it is always possible that they killed her rather than capture." Shizune answered.
"I doubt that. Send them in oh and could you send a message to Tsunade-sama, she requested to take the mission off their hands." Kakashi said lazily.
"Tsunade-sama did what? Why would she take on a long term tracking mission?" Shizune asked seriously.
"Do you really need me to tell you that?" Kakashi replied with a sad look in his one exposed eye.
"She's leaving because of Naruto-kun's death then. I can't believe she is letting herself fall apart like that again." Shizune said bitterly.
"I do not think it is as straight forward as that. While I agree that she is leaving due to Naruto's death, she has not fallen apart, I believe it is simply a case of her wanting to put an end to the Akatsuki once and for all. It will also be easier for someone like Tsunade-sama to travel around the elemental nations rather than a squad of masked Anbu." Kakashi informed his assistant.
Shizune sighed and shook her head. "That might be why she has even stayed this long, but she didn't tell me we were going anywhere."
"That's because you are staying behind, Tsunade is taking the mission on by herself. At the moment it is need to know, not even the elders know that Tsunade will be leaving. If you want more answers I suggest taking it up with her. Regardless, send Sai and the others in." The Hokage said with some finality.
"Very well I'll send them in, then i'll send for Tsunade-sama." Shizune said with a bow before leaving the room.
The door opened up a few moments later and in walked the team he had sent out from Konoha in search of Karin along with Sai. "Welcome back, I take it you were unable to find your target?" Kakashi asked casually.
"No, there have been no developments from the report. Still they found quite a few leads and easily passed the requirements to be entered into the Anbu hunter program." Sai said flatly.
Kakashi nodded and reached into his desk to pull out his little orange book. "That is to be expected, now tell me what you found."
The next few minutes passed with the Konoha shinobi giving their reports while Kakashi was reading, he would pause every so often to ask a question of comment on Karin's actions in her search for Naruto. This was the scene that Tsunade walked in on. "You're reading that, in this office. I should have all the copies burnt." She said with a scowl when she saw the copy of Icha Icha in Kakashi's hands.
"I was simply reading while we awaited your arrival." Kakashi said as casually as he could manage while he was under Tsunade's harsh glare. He put his book away and turned to face the tracking team. "Tsunade-sama is here to relieve you of your mission to locate Karin. All your findings will be passed on to her."
The tracking team couldn't believe it. "I thought we would be replaced by an Anbu squad." Kiba barked in shock.
"What you think I am not good enough? I think you should send this one back to the Academy rather than to Anbu, I don't think he passes the intelligence test. Not even Naruto would be dumb enough to question the abilities of a former Hokage." Tsunade said with a smirk.
"She has a point Kiba." Kakashi added.
Kiba immediately paled and decided to do the one thing he had left, plead for forgiveness. "I'm sorry Tsunade-sama, of course you will be able to do the job, I was simply questioning why you would take on such a menial task when you are capable of completing far more challenging missions."
"Well at least he has grovelling down to an art form." The busty former Hokage noted. "Anyway, what do you lot have for me to go on? I will be leaving the day after Naruto's funeral to try and find a trail."
"We lost a definite trail when we arrived at the sight of Naruto's fight with Sasuke, there had been so many people go through the area finding her trail was nearly impossible." Neji answered formally.
"A problem that will not occur once the others are given formal training the advanced tracking then even in hopeless situations like the one you faced where the trail would have been cold for months will be found. Is there anything else?" Kakashi remarked.
"Um yes, although I am not sure if it is relevant." Hinata said meekly producing the small torn piece of fabric from Naruto's jumpsuit. "I found this a fair way to the north east of where Naruto-kun was found, there were no signs of fighting there but I am sure Naruto-kun was there. If Karin was following Naruto-kun's tracks then there is a chance that she may have been in the area too. That might be a decent place to start the search." She added with growing confidence.
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. While it may or may not give a lead onto Karin's whereabouts, it was damn sure a clue in tracking down Naruto. "I agree, I would like a map with the location marked before I go. For now why don't you all go have a few days off before the funeral. I think you have earned them, don't you agree Kakashi?"
"Yes I think that would be a good idea. Take the rest of the week off, report back here the day after the funeral with your decisions in regards to joining the hunter ninja." Kakashi said with an eye smile.
(Meanwhile)
Naruto and Karin were once more walking towards the large stone house where the the Snow Leopard elder lived. Namayu was lounging on the steps as they arrived and if he was in anyway surprised the see them, he didn't show it. "Elder-sama has been expecting you." The cat said lazily as they came within earshot, his eyes were closed and Naruto was surprised the large leopard was even awake.
"He knew were were coming to see him now?" Karin asked rather surprised.
"He's a seer, he's probably known when we would leave before we did." Naruto replied.
The resting Namayu allowed a small smirk to cross his face. "Quite right Naruto, he knew you were leaving today several days ago and asked me to be here to allow you both entrance to see him. So please don't let my presence distract you, enter at will."
Unlike the last time they were there, the hall was well lit as they entered and the ancient elder snow leopard was already resting on his pedestal. 'I swear these guys do nothing but rest in the most comfortable places they can find.' Naruto thought.
'Well it's not like they have much else to do, why not find someplace comfortable and relax?' Kurama questioned.
'I guess you have a point, even I would get sick of training after awhile if there was nothing to test my strength against. Good thing I have you for that.' The blond thought back with a smile.
'If you say so, you're still millennia away from beating me without Sage Mode or my chakra.' The large fox scoffed in reply.
Naruto didn't bother to answer the Kyuubi as they had arrived in front of the Snow Leopard elder who had raised his head in acknowledgement of their arrival. "Yo old guy. You already know why we are here I guess." Naruto said with a friendly wave.
"That's right, you will be leaving us today, and it will be quite some time before I will see either of you again." The elder feline said sagely.
"So you already know if we will survive the mountains?" Karin asked.
"There are many outcomes that I have foreseen, even if I had an answer for you, by telling you it could effectively change the future. That is one of the curses of sight, time is in constant flux so what information I give cannot be seen as to be infallible, Naruto you know this all to well I am sure." The elder said.
"You mean the fact that I didn't die fighting Sasuke?" The blonde questioned.
The ancient looking leopard nodded in agreement. "Precisely, if you had no knowledge of a perceived view of the future you would not be standing here now. You would be home in your village instead you are here with Karin-chan."
"So because Naruto was told an outcome, his choice changed when things didn't happen as he was told." Karin surmised.
"Yes, if I was to tell you that you would survive the dangerous journey that lay ahead you would become less careful and the future could change, similarly if I said you would die then it would be possible that you would not leave and your path would stagnate." The elder added.
"Well I have to say you are just as frustrating as the grand old geezer toad even if you don't forget everything five minutes after you say it. I guess that what you are saying makes sense, if I had no knowledge of the prophecy I know that wouldn't have faked my death." Naruto replied.
"So we have to go on blind then, I can't be all that disappointed. I never had anyone who could tell me the future before." Karin sighed.
The elder let out a laugh. "I am afraid that I can no longer understand that particular way of life. However I will admit that I will miss these rather informal meetings, the other members of my clan only ever call me Elder-sama and talk like I am all knowing. Really it's a relief to be able to talk freely with someone for a change."
"Well we have to thank you for your hospitality and feeding us, not to mention the fact that you let me sign your summoning contract." Karin said with a bow.
"Think nothing of it, we have been waiting an age for a summoner to arrive, you still have much to learn about being a summoner but in time I am sure you will make us proud. But I guess all that there is to do now is bid you both farewell." The elder said
"Yeah it's been fun, you Leopards are awesome, but we really should keep moving. I just wanted to say goodbye before we left." Naruto said happily.
The old leopard sage smiled warmly at the pair. "You are a good man my young sage, do not let that change. I will be following your progress, keep safe, both of you."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure nothing happens to us." Naruto said with a confident foxlike smile. "Come on Karin, I found an area on my second day of scouting that would be the perfect place for us to set up camp for the night, but we need to hurry or else we won't get there on time."
"Alright let's go." Karin agreed. As Naruto moved to leave she stayed behind for a moment, bowed once more to the snow leopard elder before following Naruto out the door.
They left the cave without incident. Upon returning to the surface Karin had to squint to help readjust to the glare coming from the snow. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky much to her pleasure. The next thing she notices was the cold wind stinging her cheeks, it almost felt like tiny needles. "It's a bit of a shock when you come up from the warmth of that cave, but it get's better once you get used to the cold again." Naruto said with a reassuring smile.
Karin smiled back, her cheeks tinted pink from a mixture of the blush that was quickly spreading as well as the cold wind. "Alright, lead the way and I'll follow."
(Konoha, Several Days Later)
The days passed slowly for Kakashi, new arrivals meant that he was in his office all the time. 'At least this will be over after tomorrow.' He thought with a sigh.
"Wishing you never took the job?" came Tsunade's voice from the door. She had been helping Kakashi deal with the sudden influx of people into the village as well as taking care of the the other Kage's as they arrived, making sure they were comfortable.
"More and more each day. How are the other Kage's doing?" Kakashi replied wearily.
"As always they each have a set of unreasonable demands that are being taken care of as we speak. Gaara is as always asking for nothing, but it is rather difficult satisfying the Mizukage's dietary demands." Tsunade said while taking a seat.
Kakashi nodded and leaned back in his chair, he was starting to see why Hiruzen smoked and Tsunade drank, there was no way you could put up with the stress of this job without something to help you cope. "And the new Tsuchikage hasn't shown up yet, I hope he arrives before tonight, I was hoping to organise a meeting to discuss the alliance before the funeral tomorrow."
"They are expected to arrive some time later this morning." Tsunade informed the Copycat Hokage.
"Good it's imperative that these talks go smoothly, I know that the others are just as keen to see this alliance made permanent but Iwa could still hold out, if they do we will see a power vacuum Iwa will have to militarise to oppose four major villages which will inevitably lead to another war. Obito was wrong about so many things, but in that sense he was right. If we do not all unite then the world is doomed to yet another war." Kakashi sighed.
"All times of peace come to an end eventually Kakashi, it's what we do with our time of peace that matters in this world. This ninja world has never seen more than ten years without a major conflict in one area or another. But every time that a new age of peace comes we must be hopeful that it will be a long one." Tsunade spoke sagely.
"You sound more like Jiraiya-sama there than yourself. I don't suppose you want to take up writing? I could use some new literature." Kakashi said with an eye smile.
"I will never write that smut you call literature. You need your head examined if you think that I will." Tsunade scoffed.
Kakashi let out a chuckle along with one of his patented eye smiles. "Well it's just you talking about peace and going out on journey for an unknown amount of time. That's Jiraiya-sama all over."
"Yell well unlike that pervert my journey has a purpose, he just traveled the world to perve on women under the guise of being a spy." Tsunade said flatly.
"Well you do have a point there, but you have to admit his rather... unique style did lead to him being able to avoid detection when necessary." Kakashi retorted.
Tsunade nodded in agreement. "That is true, nobody could hide better than that fool. An impressive task when you considered what he wore and how tall he was."
"When I first met Naruto I was half convinced he wore that jumpsuit for the same reason. I mean he did manage to paint the Hokage monument while wearing it." Kakashi agreed.
"Those two are more alike than even they were willing to admit. Anymore alike and we would have to face Kushina when we pass on." The busty blonde chuckled.
Kakashi shivered in thought, he had great respect for Kushina but when she was mad nothing would be able to stop her. All you could do was close your eyes and hope that you were not the source of her ire. As he was about to respond, the door opened and Shizune entered the room. "Hokage-sama, the delegation from Iwa has arrived at the front gate. A guide has been sent to show them to their accommodation."
"So the last of the five Kages have arrived. Invite them all to dinner tonight, an informal greeting before our more important talks will proceed will help everyone relax." Kakashi said. He was quite relieved, now that the Tsuchikage had arrived the last of the guests for the funeral were accounted for. Konoha was set to make a healthy profit from the sales of seats to the public with only the five Kage, village elders and Naruto's closest friends being given free entry. "I'm quite glad this week is almost over to be honest."
"Things will still be hectic after this you realise. A new alliance requires a lot of hard work to maintain. That is the life of a Hokage, you must constantly work for the good of the village while giving up your own freedoms. This is part of your life now." Tsunade lectured.
"I don't suppose that there are any decent candidates for the Nanadaime Hokage?" Kakashi asked reluctantly.
Tsunade laughed at Kakashi's hopeless expression. "Well I can't think of any, at least none that will be easy to locate."
"I do hope you are not encouraging Kakashi-sama to have the shortest reign as Hokage, Tsunade-sama." Shizune said with a disapproving tone.
"Not at all, I am simply stating fact, that at the moment only Kakashi has the qualifications to be Hokage, and I cannot see that changing in the foreseeable future." Tsunade replied.
"Yourself exclude but I have already given up hope on asking you to reclaim the title." Kakashi said honestly.
"Quite right I have something more important to take care of. I can't be babysitting Konoha."
(Meanwhile)
"It's quite a sight isn't it?" Naruto said with a hint of awe in his voice.
"It sure is." Karin replied. The pair stood at the top of the peaks looking out over an endless expanse of flat snow. There wasn't a cloud in the sky leaving the pair an unobstructed view over the horizon. The land was so flat it felt like they could see the curve of the earth in front of them. Looking back they could see various peaks sticking up across the horizon, of the path they had taken on their journey. "We've come so far." she gaped.
"It's not over yet, we still have a long way to go. But we can move a lot faster on this flat surface. So let's not waste any time, a new world is awaiting us on the other side. I can't wait to see what it's going to be like!" Naruto cheered and in typical hyperactive fashion took off at a sprint.
"Hey wait up, don't leave me behind!" Karin called after the blond as she gave chase.
End Chapter!
Sorry the chapter is late this week, I have been most of my time I normally spend writing has been used up by playing 'The Last of Us'. If you have a PS3 this game is a must, 10/10 and then some, an absolute masterpiece. It is a fitting farewell to the PS3 console. Okay shameless plug out of the way, I probably could have done more with this chapter. I had originally planned to put the funeral in, but I couldn't find a way to make it feel natural and not rushed. It will definitely happen next chapter as I made sure to end this chapter at the day before. Probably not my best work as I have been preoccupied so I apologise for that.
Spoiler Alert.
Not so much a rage this week as a point of acknowledgement that Kishimoto may be realising that making Sasuke a hero makes no sense and the fact that at least half of the readers don't like him as a character. If even Sakura doesn't believe that he has really changed then hopefully we will see his true colours at the end. I still think Hashirama should have killed him the moment he threatened Konoha, if he would kill his best friend for the same thing why hesitate with Sasuke?. He was able to break out of Orochimaru's control without any trouble, and he could just bring himself back like Madara did if Orochimaru tried to stop the jutsu. Anyway if they are allying just to get rid of Madara and the Juubi, then I am fine with that, there is some logic to it. But if Sasuke really becomes an ally and it ends with them living happily ever after, someone will need to find Kishimoto and bitch slap some sense into him.
Only real issue I have to make is his once more degrading of women with Karin. I am no feminist, I'm a guy, but to have her say that she loved being stabbed in the chest by Sasuke made me feel sad. I realise that this is a manga and things don't always have to be perfect, but at least try and make the characters slightly realistic. How are you supposed to identify with a character if they lack even basic human reactions. If someone almost kills you, you don't jump back into their arms and you certainly don't say that you enjoyed it, how fucked up in the head would you have to be? I have heard of Masochistic tendencies but that is fucking ridiculous. She is definitely the poster girl for domestic abuse.