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 20: Ice and Snow
It had been two weeks since Naruto's so called funeral. Most of the guests had left Konoha and the village was returning, for the most part back to normal. There was still a large group of foreign shinobi left in Konoha, the group included the Kage's from the other villages. The peace talks had been apparently going rather smoothly, with each side willing to participate in exchanges of skills and resources. Now it was only the finer details that were left to Iron out.
Despite this there was one extremely unhappy person within Konoha. Tsunade had been asked to put her search for Naruto on hold by Kakashi until after the meetings, his reasoning being that she would be helpful in peace discussions and if she waited until after everything was sorted they could get official permission from the other Kages to have Tsunade enter their countries to search for him discretely under the guise of searching for the final Akatsuki member.
"You said I could leave after the funeral, it's been two weeks, every moment I sit around here that damn Gaki could be moving further away." Tsunade raged.
Kakashi sat across from her at his desk while the morning sun sat low in the sky, the first light of the day just spreading over the village. "We have been over this Tsunade, you know as well as I do just how vital this alliance will be, your presence here is necessary for the talks to go smoothly. With any luck they should be over today. All that is left to decide is a time limit for the rotation of the Kage who is in charge of the alliance and who will make be the first leader." He replied calmly.
"And if it's not all dealt with today?" She asked skeptically.
"Then you can go, there is no point in holding off any longer. But I wouldn't worry, there is really only one logical choice for the first commander and I plan on putting their name forward this morning. With any luck we will be done by lunchtime." Kakashi said confidently.
"Then we better get to work then. I am sure the other villages will be missing their Kage's after all this time. I am surprised they all willingly chose to stay here until the talks had finished." Tsunade mused opening the door and waiting for the copy ninja. She knew that Hokage or not, if someone didn't keep on his case he would be several hours late regardless of how important the meeting was.
The chill of an early winter was beginning to set in over the Land of Fire so the cold breeze gave both shinobi pause for a few moments as they adjusted from the warmth of the Hokage tower. Fortunately they did not have far to walk to the council chambers where they were holding the talks. "Looks like it's going to be a long winter this year, I hope wherever Naruto has run off to it's warm." Tsunade said with a small shiver.
(Meanwhile)
Despite Tsunade's hopes Naruto was not somewhere warm, in fact he was somewhere incredibly cold. Two weeks of traveling in sub zero temperatures were beginning to take their toll on the duo both mentally and physically. While Naruto couldn't freeze, he still felt the cold significantly. Despite this he still prioritised keeping Karin as warm as possible, always placing the heater much closer to the kunoichi than himself.
This morning was somehow even colder, the common helping of snow that would cake itself on their tent was significantly thicker and Naruto's breath seemed to freeze in the air. "Morning, how are you feeling?" he asked.
Karin was shivering in her sleeping bag but was still alive. "I'm fine, but I don't know how much longer I can deal with this. We're running low on supplies and only have enough heaters left for two weeks at the most."
"Hey, don't give up, we will make it through, but we need to start making better time each day, I'll summon a clone to scout ahead and map out our course, we can use the markers that came with the survival packs I brought before we left. Then I'll summon another clone to carry your bags, we should be able to cover twice the distance in one day. I'll send my first clone out now so we can stay here for a few moments to keep warm then we better get moving." Naruto said calmly.
Naruto created a clone and handed over some markers to map out a path. Being a clone it could travel quickly through the snow without worry of misplacing his footing and falling hundreds of miles down a crevasse. Also Karin was moving less than freely due to the cold, having a path they can follow would be far easier for them.
"It's been almost an hour since the clone left, we should move out now." Naruto sighed pulling on his thick jacket while still in the relative warmth of his sleeping bag. Karin groaned in protest but did the same out of necessity.
It was impossible for Naruto and Karin to get used to the feel of the ice and wind slamming against their face as they left the tent. The wind felt like tiny needles were piercing their skin. Causing them both to do their best to hide their faces, both having made thick masks not unlike the one Kakashi wore to keep most of the face protected.
A quick glimpse north indicated the first bright orange marker, sticking out from the flat plateau like a sore thumb. It was a good distance away, bot easily noticeable against all the snow. "I guess it's this way then." Karin said handing her pack over to a shadow clone. She felt a lot lighter but her trepidation remained, they had no idea how much longer they would be traveling like this and finite resources.
"Yeah, seems like my clone is doing it's job well enough." Naruto replied enthusiastically. He paused as he past Karin, placing a hand on her shoulder as if to say that everything would be alright even if he couldn't bring himself to say it at the moment. The contact seemed to be enough for the red haired Uzumaki as she briskly began heading towards their first marker.
(Konoha)
The Konoha council chambers were located in a large circular building that mirrored the shape of the room, a large desk at the front was reserved for the Hokage while the others sat opposite in a semicircular pattern with seats elevated higher the further back from the front they were. It was clear from the size that the room was designed to seat close to a hundred shinobi and civilian counsellors, at the moment however only fifteen people sat spread out within the large area.
The members all seemed be be sitting in a sort of trance, nobody willing to say anything still it was of no surprise to anyone in the room when the largest man by far stood up. "Yo, the gang's all here, so let's wrap these talks up, get on with the show ya dig?" Bee rapped terribly.
Predictably it took the rest of the group several seconds to realise just what the Raikage was saying, during which time the last remaining jinchuuriki's bodyguards said with embarrassed expressions on their faces. "Well, I may not have put it so... theatrically but Bee-dono is right, we have come to an agreement on almost everything that needs to be sorted for this alliance to work. All we really need to do is sign the treaty." Kakashi said with an eye smile.
"Well that's not necessarily true. We haven't decided who will be the official head of the alliance that will deal with most inter village relations." Kitsuchi said slightly gruffly. His straight forward tone made it clear that he was Oonoki, the former Tsuchikage's son.
"I would have thought the choice would be obvious." Kakashi said casually.
"Evidently not, would you please inform us Hokage-dono." the Tsuchikage replied.
"It should be. The only person I believe is up to the task is Mei-dono." Kakashi answered. What ever the room had been expecting it hadn't been that. Seeing the bemused looks on most of the faces and the appreciating one from the Mizukage Kakashi decided he needed to elaborate. "Of all the current five Kage, only Mei-dono and Gaara-dono served as Kage's before the war. It would be irresponsible for one of the new Kage who have not yet had ample experience at managing their own villages to take on the responsibility of managing the alliance."
"I appreciate your support Hokage, but as you said Gaara-dono is just as qualified as I am." Mei said trying to be as humble as she could.
"That is not true, while I agree Gaara would do a fine job, there will still be a few members of every village that will be concerned over his still young age. I believe he would be a better choice to take over after a few years. With a constant rotation of leaders after a set time of around two or three years. That way power will be shared between villages equally over time." Kakashi explained.
"I like it, iron out the details and that deal is the shit!" The eccentric Raikage rapped.
"I also agree that the Hokage's system seems to be a viable solution. I also share his sentiment that it would be best for someone slightly older than myself to take on this responsibility first and I too support Mei-dono for the role." Gaara said in his usual monotoned voice.
Kitsuchi didn't reply, he sat for a few moment weighing up the options. "I agree in principle, but before I sign anything I think we should put into place some sort of contingency. Using this system we could all get roped into a war just because one Kage said so. Major issues should require a diplomatic vote between the leaders of each village. That way we are able to reject one leader unfairly favouring their own village over the others."
"That does seem like a wise precaution to take." Kakashi agreed.
"But what would come under the reins of a major issue? We can't hold a meeting over every training exercise or shinobi exchange." Mei questioned.
Kakashi's head hit the table he knew that this had just opened us a brand new discussion that would last several hours. His fears were founded as it was not until well into the afternoon before they were ready to officially sign the treaty and make the joint shinobi alliance official. "Do simple diplomatic meetings always take that long?" Kakashi sighed quietly so that only Tsunade could hear.
Tsunade shook her head. "No, they usually take much longer, here you only had to make five people happy, other meetings you have one hundred different opinions and none of them will take no for an answer. These talks ran surprisingly smoothly, normally you can't leave a meeting without having angered someone." Tsunade replied casually as she watched Gaara sign on the line reserved for the Kazekage.
"I'm really going to hate this job." Kakashi sighed.
Gaara was the last to sign and with the document now signed the five villages were official allies. "I am sure we have all had enough of this room for one day. It is probably too late in the day for anyone to leave the village and begin heading back to their respective villages, perhaps we should all retire and share a drink to celebrate." Tsunade suggested.
"I don't think anyone would argue against that, a drink would be a good idea right about now." Kitsuchi agreed. Slowly they all filed out of the hall and into the village. It had been so early when they entered the council chambers it was only at the crack of dawn. Now the late afternoon had people moving around the village many finding their ways to bars as they were ending the long days work.
"Seems as if we are not the only ones that need a drink." Mei mused with a small smile.
(Meanwhile)
"It's getting dark, we should stop here." Naruto said removing a sealing scroll and summoning up their tent. Karin didn't respond, she crawled into the tent weakly and into her sleeping bag. 'Did I do something wrong?' He added in thought.
'I don't think so, she's struggling with the cold, her body is weak.' Kurama answered while Naruto entered the tent sealing the entrance behind him and wasting no time in setting up the survival heater right next to the kunoichi.
'Will she be alright?' The blonde questioned.
'It's hard to tell, it has been significantly colder today, chances are her body has been suffering the effects for a good few hours.' Kurama replied.
'It's been colder? It hasn't felt any different to me.' Naruto questioned.
'Significantly, at least twenty degrees colder since yesterday. To be honest I am surprised she lasted this long. As for you not feeling anything, that is because of me, your body is producing more heat to compensate the cold keeping you safe from the cold, you have been doing it for several days now.' Kurama replied.
'Why didn't she say anything!?' Naruto asked frantically, swooping down to check on karin. She was barely conscious as she looked back at the blonde. Her lips were blue and she was shivering uncontrollably. "Hey, how are you doing?" he asked in a hushed whisper.
"I-I'm c-c-co-cold" she stuttered.
'Well that isn't good. It looks like she has severe hypothermia. At this rate she will die.' The fox said calmly.
'What do I do!?' Naruto asked.
'You have to raise her body temperature obviously. Her own body isn't producing enough warmth.'
Nauto sat staring at the red headed kunoichi worriedly for a few seconds before he made his mind up. He quickly took his jacket and top off. "Karin, I know your cold and weak at the moment but I need you to take your jacket and shirt off, I have to warm your body or you are going to die." He said as sternly as he could. He didn't want her to mistake his actions for him being perverted.
Karin nodded obviously understanding Naruto's request. She was too cold to even feel embarrassed at this point, knowing that the best way to get warm would be to use body heat. 'I really wish this was happening under different circumstances.' She thought weakly while slowly pulling her jacket off. Her fingers were cold and numb she knew that it was only the extra layers of socks and gloves she had been using that had prevented her from getting frostbite already and the extreme cold of the day had been too much. "I need help." she said her voice had a clear hint of fear in it.
Naruto nodded kneeling down and grabbing the edge of her sweater top and slowly lifting it over her head. Karin froze the second his hand glanced against her abdomen. Her cold skin tingled and burned with the lightest touch. It said a lot about how bad a shape she was in that she didn't even notice a difference in temperature when her top was missing.
Naruto paused for a moment, his mind went blank as he looked at Karin with only a thin bra covering her torso. "You know it's not nice to stare." She laughed weakly. Silently she was rather proud of herself for having that effect on Naruto.
Naruto realised what he was doing and quickly turned his face away, waving his hands to apologise. "Uh, sorry I didn't mean to stare. Can you roll over so I can get into your sleeping bag, it's the only way I can get you warm."
Karin allowed a small smile and did as she was told. Naruto slid in with his back to karin and zipped the sleeping back up. It was a tight snug fit but both were just able to fit into the sleeping bag . Karin's skin felt like it was on fire, Naruto's body was so warm. She quickly pressed herself against his back to get closer to the warmth. "You're so warm." she said blissfully.
For the first time she was able to realise the position she was in and had decided to make full use of the situation, she slid her arm around Naruto's torso slowly tracing his well toned muscles trying to memorise every inch of his exposed stomach and chest incase she never had this opportunity again.
Naruto was doing his best to keep his mind elsewhere but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't help but think about Karin's breasts pressed against his back, how soft her skin felt, and how amazing her hand felt as it seemed to mindlessly explore his exposed flesh. More than that he wanted to do the same, he wanted their roles to be reversed so he could feel her flesh under his fingers.
'You know I gave you one piece of advice on that girl, do you remember what that was?' Kurama asked.
Naruto looked around and found himself in front of a familiar set of open gates in a black sewer. "It's been awhile since you brought me here against my wishes." Naruto said.
"A necessary precaution, I want to be able to think straight." Kurama replied casually. "In any case you didn't answer my question."
"You told me lots of things, most of them based out of fear, you still distrust humans and I can understand why, but Karin is no threat to either of us." Naruto reasoned.
"She is no threat, I can agree with that. As a matter of fact she seems quite... devoted to you, no my concern is your devotion to her. She's slowing you down, weakening your resolve and what's more you are starting to feel for her, this is not some misguided determination to not lose an ally, you don't want to think about losing her. You would die for her I can't accept that." Kurama said in a lecturing manner.
"You're imagining things." Naruto said in denial.
"I do not imagine, that is a human trait. You enjoy her touching you, fastened heart rate elevated endorphin levels. Then again you are a teenager, your reaction to the opposite sex is only natural." Kurama scoffed.
"Ah stop talking you damn perverted fox!" Naruto yelled back, he was not angry with the Bijuu just opposed to the accusation.
"Another human quality, I am not perverted because I have no need to procreate. You however do. Your so called perverted sensei was open about the fact he was perverted, but in truth he just embraced a basic human nature. Regardless this is a pointless topic to discuss as it has no importance for either of us right now. What is important is the distance that you have now traveled." Kurama replied
"Huh I don't get it. What's so important about that?" Naruto asked.
Kurama shook his head at his slow jinchuuriki. "You and the girl have gone far enough away from the elemental nations to be able to freely use my chakra without it being felt. If you carry the girl then you will be able to cover more ground in an hour than you would have covered in several days, we will be off this mountain in no time. So congratulations are in order, it seems you will be the first man to cross the so called insurmountable peaks. Maybe a change in name is in order."
"So I just carry Karin the rest of the way and we can be free of this place for good?" Naruto said thinking it sounded too good to be true.
"That's right, with your heightened speed, reflexes, and strength it will be a breeze getting off the side of this mountain." Kurama reiterated.
The blonde looked ready to jump for joy from the news, he was scared that using his Bijuu cloak would give his position away to Iwa. "I should go tell Karin. This is amazing news."
"Sure go tell her, it seems she is starting to recover from the cold anyway. Your extra body warmth seems to have saved her." The fox said with an evident lack of interest.
The next second Naruto found himself back in the real world, Karin was still tightly clinging to his back tightly but she was no longer shivering and some colour had come back to her lips. "Hey how you feeling?" he asked.
Karin gave a small contented groan in response. "Much better, you're like the worlds best heater, I could stay like this forever." she said eventually.
Naruto had only at this point noticed that the last shreds of colour had faded from the sky. "Well do you wan't something to eat I have some good news."
"As long as you stay where you are and don't leave me then I guess I could eat." Karin mused, she was still a little weak from the cold so she knew how important having something to eat would be to regain her strength. That said she was enjoying her skin to skin contact with Naruto far too much to let him get away that easily.
"Well it's gonna be hard to prepare something to eat if I can't move." Naruto said.
"Wow you really are an idiot when it has nothing to do with ninja stuff aren't you? Use a clone, you used them to carry my bags, and to mark out a path for us yet you cant create one to make us something to eat so we can stay wrapped up and let me keep you here with me keeping me warm." Karin replied tightening her grip around Naruto's shoulder to demand that he stay put.
"Alright but you're going to have to let me get my arm free when it's time to eat." Naruto replied.
"No promises." Karin teased back.
"Then it seems that I am at a disadvantage, you will just have to feed me then." Naruto declared, creating a clone without any hand seals to make a quick run to his back pack collecting two cups of ramen as well as a small stove and much to Karin's surprise, another emergency heater.
"What's that for? We have to ration them, I am fine now honestly we don't need to use it. Although if you want to do this more often, then you hardly need an excuse, your so warm I don't think I will argue too much." She remarked. Having not recovered fully from the hypothermia she had reverted somewhat to her fangirl state, fawning over her crush.
"Well I told you that I had good news, tomorrow we will cover more ground than we have since we left the Land of Earth, I'm going to use my Bijuu cloak to get us off this mountain. If there is an end to these mountains we will find it tomorrow, not a day too soon if you ask me. It must be heading into winter judging by how cold today was." Naruto said with a happy smile.
Karin could hardly believe her ears. The last few weeks seemed to go on, each day just like the last, a sea of flat white that stretched on forever. So let me guess you're going to carry me huh? Will you hold me like a princess?" She joked.
"Well that would be the easiest way to carry you." Naruto replied in a thoughtful tone, clearly oblivious to her flirting.
It had been three minutes, Naruto hated that time limit. It was the time it took to make his precious ramen. Naruto's clone handed them both a cup each and dispelled. "Ah the feast is served. I really hope we can find some better food once we get somewhere warmer." Karin said, reluctantly removing her arm from around the half naked blonde.
She immediately regretted the action when she reached out of the covers, Naruto had made her forget just how unbearably cold it was, though the second heater was helping. They both ate quickly and in silence, talking meant time spent outside the safety and comfort of their sleeping bag. Laying back down the only sound was the feint hiss of the wind as it hit the tent, dusting snow over the top. 'I am really looking forward to this being over.' Naruto thought while Karin was still preoccupied with the last of her ramen.
'Really so you're not looking forward to her finishing that cup of ramen and pulling you close again, I know you liked it before.' The Kyuubi scoffed.
Naruto blushed and was quite thankful Karin was still busy eating to notice. 'I did not, Ero-Kitsune.' he thought back halfheartedly. He knew there was no real point in denying anything to the best empath that existed.
'Oh please even if I wasn't sealed inside of you I could tell, it's obvious.' Kurama replied ignoring the rather poorly thought out insult hurled his way.
Naruto's response was to remain silent, rolling to face away from Karin in an act of defiance. It may have worked had that not been the moment said red head had finished eating. "You don't have to look away you know. Apart from the dull light from the heaters it's completely dark in here so you can't see anything, besides I'm still wearing a bra and long pants, it's not like I'm naked." She said turning to face the blonde, carefully positioning herself so he would get a decent view of her cleavage when he turned his head. 'Although I wouldn't mind if I was naked, as long as he was too that is.'
Naruto rolled back and his mind stalled when he saw her. Her messy hair cascading around her shoulders and down to her ample chest as she leaned slightly over him, the way her face held both uncertainty and a hint of something Naruto couldn't recognise seemed to almost hypnotise him for a few seconds. "I uh, not it's just that I... want to get some sleep, big day tomorrow so I should rest up." he rambled, struggling to get his mind back into working order. He faintly heard a disapproving mumble in the back of his mind and didn't need telling to know what it was about but he chose to ignore it. 'Maybe I really should just get some sleep.' He thought while rolling back over.
Karin let out a small almost inaudible sigh of disappointment before laying down as well and pulling her favourite heater tightly against her. She felt him tense up immediately but didn't struggle. "I'm still cold, it will be warmer for us both like this." She informed him.
"Well you are a lot warmer now than you were before, I guess we can stay like this. Goodnight Karin." Naruto replied.
"Goodnight Naruto-kun."
Naruto closed his eyes with a smile, knowing that tomorrow would be a good day. He fell asleep before Karin, she could tell by his very light snoring, it was nothing annoying in fact she found it calming. Like a lullaby inviting her to join him in slumber.
"Hello Karin." A bodiless voice called out.
The red head looked around frantically for the source of the voice, she seemed to be standing on a smooth stone surface in an area that was surrounded by mist. The voice called out to her again more forceful this time, something about it sounded so familiar to the teenager that she took a few steps forward. "Naruto-kun?" she asked a hint of fear in her voice.
"You forget me so soon? I guess you have a new target for your affections now don't you. I wouldn't get you hopes up, he's a failure, all he knows how to do is hurt the ones he loves." The voice replied.
"Sasuke?" She asked this time definitely frightened.
"Bingo, but wasn't I always Sasuke-kun, the subject of your undying devotion?" the voice replied. Slowly a section of the mist cleared and Sasuke stood in front of her. His body was beaten and broken, and his shirt torn from where Naruto's Rasengan crushed his chest, the final blow that killed him. "This is the result of what Naruto did to me. He killed the man you love and you do nothing about it!" Sasuke spat scathingly.
"I don't love you anymore! This is a dream!" Karin replied aggressively.
"Then why am I here? Why do I occupy your dreams and not the Dobe? He's your new love, that is until you find someone more of a fit. Face it Karin he's not right for you, he's the class idiot, the pet of the Hokage nothing more." Sasuke scoffed.
"He saved me, he's kind a better man that ever were." Karin stuttered.
"He may be, but that's not what you want, you want to be back with me, begging for my attention, drowning in a feeling of accomplishment when I gave you the slightest bit. You're a pathetic open book Karin you wan't me to hurt you again, because even being on the receiving end of my anger is still a form of attention." Sasuke said with a sickly taunting voice.
He slowly approached Karin walking around her, slowly he traced his hand along her shoulder and up to her cheek. In the blink of an eye she shivered and smacked his hand away but he just moved closer. "Get away from me." She demanded.
He did no such thing, instead he leaned in to whisper into her ear. "It's alright, this is your dream so you can have me. Every desire you have ever had will come true. I'll even clean myself up for you." When he pulled back his face was immaculate, as flawless as she remembered. "You want me to hurt you again don't you?" He asked with a smirk. I could give you another one of these?" He said running the tips of his fingers along her skin to the sight of the wound he had given her with his Chidori.
That was the final straw, a kunai appeared in her hand and she lashed out stabbing Sasuke. "Get out of my dreams I don't love you anymore, I want you to leave me alone I love someone else now!" she screamed.
Suddenly Sasuke vanished and she was alone again. "Karin are you alright?" She recognised that voice, it was Naruto's she instantly jumped to her feet "Wake up." the voice said urgently.
The world around her became white and she soon found herself back in the tent with a very worried Naruto leaning over her. "Oh thank Kami, you were having a bad dream. For a moment there I was worried it might have been something to do with being so cold earlier.
Karin looked back into his worried eyes, she quickly moved embracing the blonde as her eyes began to water. "I dreamt about Sasuke again." She cried lightly.
"It's alright you're fine now." Naruto replied.
Karin clung onto Naruto like he was the last life raft on a sinking ship. "Naruto-kun don't leave me... please, I need you." She begged.
"Don't worry I'm not going anywhere, I promise." He replied, lightly rubbing her back in an attempt to calm her. They stayed together in a close embrace until Naruto could hear the light sounds of her breath as it brushed against his skin. "Sweet dreams Karin-chan."
End Chapter!
Was really tempted for this to the moment when they got together as a couple, but it also seemed a little cliché to me. At the same time I couldn't have a plot arc like the one Naruto and Karin are in without having a scene where they need to share body warmth to survive. They'll be over to the new world next chapter so until then I hope you enjoyed the chapter and good reading.