Frozen Heart

Fourth installation. Skipped the D-Ranks and straight to the C-Ranks, hope that's okay.

Naruto is slightly grey in this story and it has elements of Killer Instinct.

I don't own Naruto or Killer Instinct

Enjoy

Chapter 3

Naruto really didn't want to do another D-Rank mission. He was low on funds and needed to be out of Konoha. 'Stupid Civilians and their know-it-all attitude' he kept chanting in his head. For one, every D-Rank he did he was met with disdain. They tried to hide it but he wasn't stupid, he felt it and so did his teammates. His Sensei also felt it, but really didn't do anything to help. The second reason was the prices on everything that he purchased, or tried to purchase. It was two to three times higher than what everyone else had to pay. He had to transform every day to get the bare necessities others were privy to. The third reason was the cat which he was currently holding. This was the fifth time they had caught him over the past month, and it was getting annoying.

As far as training went, he hadn't learnt anything new. His teammates however had to catch up to him with regards to Tree and Water walking. Naruto spent every morning before their Sensei arrived on training. This piqued the interest of his teammates, and after the first few days, they decided to join in. He didn't practice any of his more unique moves, just some katas and training his physique. Although Sakura was still fawning over Sasuke, something had changed her approach. She went from being downright annoying to bearable within a week, and no-one knew why. Her training in the morning with her male teammates showed her how far behind she was.

Sasuke was his usual self. He barely spoke unless spoken to or if he had a question that he wanted answered. More often than not, his questions were directed to Naruto, only for Sakura to chime in and answer. This occurred on a daily basis, until Sasuke started directing his questions to Sakura. Kakashi was glad his team got along. He started training them in the basics and felt they were good enough to take a C-rank mission.

Naruto kept repeating his chant in his mind unknowingly leaking Killer Intent. Most of the general population felt it and gave the Shinobi team a wide berth. Kakashi felt it but remained silent. Sometimes it was good to vent ones anger, however if things got out of hand, it was up to him to protect his comrades and subdue any threat. Sasuke and Sakura felt the Killer Intent rolling off of Naruto, and they each tried to get his attention.

"Hey Naruto, are you okay?" Sakura asked, making Naruto look at her. What she saw made her almost trip over her steps. Naruto's eyes were like a storm raging. It wasn't the normal rainy storm attached, no. it was a full on blizzard. She was about to ask him about it when he answered her back.

"I'm fine. Just these boring D-Ranks and this stupid cat." Here he tightened his grip on the cat to make sure it got the message. The cat did nothing but play along. It knew where it was going and as soon as it got there, it would make its escape.

"Meh-meh, Naruto, don't fret, hopefully we'll get a C-Rank soon." Kakashi spoke, gaining the attention of all three Genin. As he finished his sentence, team seven arrived at the Hokage's Tower. Once inside, they handed the cat over to its owners and went about negotiating their next assignment.

"Hokage-Sama, if I may make a request? I feel that my team is ready to take a C-Rank mission" Kakashi spoke earning a look from Iruka and the Sandaime Hokage. Iruka was about to protest but the Sandaime beat him to the punch.

"I guess that is acceptable, given their current track record. Team seven has completed 21 D-Rank missions. More than the other Genin teams have completed before asking their first C-Rank." The Hokage finished with a chuckle, causing team seven to glare at their sensei. That was news to them and had they known there was a quota to fulfil, they would have accomplished it as soon as possible.

Kakashi pretended that his team wasn't looking at him, and continued to read his beloved book. "Well it looks like we got a C-Rank right here. You are to escort some travelling merchants to Otafuku Gai and then towards the Port City east of there. The missions should take roughly a week and no longer then two. Here are the mission parameters and you are to meet your client by the East gate in an hours' time." Kakashi continued reading his book as he collected the scroll. Sakura had a huge grin on her face, Naruto looked relieved and Sasuke had a small smirk.

This was the first time leaving Konoha for Sasuke and Sakura; Naruto on the other hand couldn't wait to get back into the wide open world. Being in Konoha was akin to a cage for him. His hope however was to get some information on the whereabouts of his former sensei. His former comrade was also on the back of his mind, but he needed to be certain that they weren't really working together.

With that in mind, the Genin and their Jounin Sensei left to get ready. Naruto was already dressed and had a sealing scroll on his possession that had all the necessary equipment needed when outside of Konoha. His former Sensei's teaching method was good for something at the least. With a slightly darker look, Naruto made his way to his favourite restaurant, Ichiraku Ramen. He hadn't visited in a while, being busy with training and missions… So Naruto knew he was going to get a scolding.


Sasuke was relieved to finally get his chance to prove himself. He knew that from C-Ranks and up, things got exciting. He got back to the Uchiha compound and his mood darkened slightly. He could move if he wanted, but being in the compound gave him the strength to seek justice for his Clan. It also kept his motivation to train harder and higher… Especially knowing who he would one day fight against.


Sakura was very excited when leaving the Hokage tower. She was relieved that she was going to get some time away from her mother and Konoha in general. To her, this was a little break from reality. She knew the possibility of this mission going wrong was very low. That didn't stop her from packing her backpack full of necessities to last a month… who knew what could happen.


Team Kakashi arrived at the East gate right on time. They didn't know what to expect from their Sensei, if he'd come late or arrive at his usual time. The three Genin stood quietly next to each other with their backs against the gate. Naruto was on the right, looking out into the wilderness beyond Konoha, Sakura was to the left and checking to see if their sensei was on his way. Sasuke was looking straight ahead, keeping an eye on the people in front of him. One of the people started approaching the Genin Cell. This caused Sasuke to stiffen slightly, alerting his teammates of the approach. The man approaching didn't care too much and decided to introduce himself.

"Hi, I'm Hideki Ko, are you the team that will be guarding us to Otafuku Gai and Port City?" The young stranger asked. He was a slender looking fellow with dark brown eyes and sandy brown wavy hair. He had on a pair of brown pants that went to his closed in boots, it looked similar to Naruto's. He was also wearing a short brown un-buttoned shirt over a creamy coloured singlet. He had a few earrings in each ear. Sakura blushed slightly whilst looking at him, and tried to hide it by looking away.

"Yes." Sasuke spoke. He was a little weary about this young merchant. He looked different than the merchants he was used too. "My name is Sasuke and these are my teammates Sakura and Naruto." Ko looked from one Genin to the other when Sasuke introduced them. "We are still waiting on our Sensei; he should be here shortly… If he isn't then we may have to wait another two hours before he arrives." Sasuke spoke, trying to keep the venom out of his voice. He really wanted to leave now before something bad happens. This Merchant was giving him a funny vibe. He wasn't the only one who felt it however, as Naruto did as well.

"Nice to meet the three of you. My sister and her partner are also late, they went to the hospital to pick up some medicine for our father. That and get some advice. My sister's pregnant and I'm about to be an uncle." Ko spoke again, showing a huge and proud smile. Sakura felt her blush come back full force when looking at Ko, Sasuke was a tad bit jealous and Naruto was wondering if it was him or did the person look like he was hiding something. After all, people wear masks all the time. Ko returned back to his caravan to recheck all of his wares whilst he waited for his sister and brother-in-law to return.


It was an hour later when Ko's sister and brother-in-law arrived. Ko's brother-in-law was carrying a backpack whilst Ko's sister looked 7-8 months pregnant. Ko helped his sister onto the caravan whilst his brother-in-law started restocking some of the wares he had bought from the markets. Ko invited the three Genin over to introduce them. "This is my brother-in-law Noburu and my sister Haru." The three Genin nodded at the couple who were in front of them. Haru was a stunning woman with shoulder length black hair and dark brown eyes. She reminded Sasuke of his mother a bit. She wore a long dark blue dress with a white summer jacket over it. Although it was warm, the jacket suited her and kept her cool. Her husband on the other hand was a large fellow. He was taller than Kakashi and had big arms and chest. He had long spiky dark brown hair with light brown eyes. He was wearing long dark blue pants with a creamy coloured shirt. Over his waist was some type of sash and on his forehead was a white bandanna. He looked like some type of chef, but the Genin couldn't be certain of it.

"I'm Sasuke, this is Sakura and this is Naruto." Sasuke spoke once again. It wasn't often that he spoke, but their normal spokesperson was blushing up a storm and couldn't speak even if she wanted too.

"It's nice to meet you all, are we ready to go yet?" Haru asked in a soft and melodic voice.

Sasuke was about to answer, but a poof of smoke stopped him with his mouth hanging slightly ajar. Kakashi appeared in his natural manner with his hand raised and his eye-smile plastered on his face.

"Good, now that we're all here…" As he spoke he opened his eyes looking at Sasuke with his mouth opened. "I know I'm good looking, but why the mouth open?" Kakashi asked Sasuke, only to get a snort from Naruto and for Sakura to hide her giggles using her hands. Sasuke on the other hand closed his mouth and stood up straighter. He was slightly red in the face, but after a few seconds, his normal complexion returned.

Kakashi introduced himself to the trio and started moving out only to stop in his tracks. He looked at Naruto. "Where is your backpack?" Naruto tilted his head to the side, feigning thinking before pulling out one of the scrolls on his vest. Kakashi eye smiled before he continued walking. Sasuke was slightly confused and was about to voice a question, only for Sakura to cut in.

"It's a storage scroll. I think I should have bought a few. Would help with the load." Sasuke was a little peeved at being predictable and not knowing what Naruto had held. With that thought he marched to the front to take point. Kakashi stayed behind the caravan while Naruto and Sakura took a side each. This was going to be an interesting C-Rank mission.