Frozen Heart
As it is, I'm still on Holiday mode. This was done in a semi-rush. Trying to skip the boring part but at the same time develop a plot and introduce Team 7s training.
Naruto is slightly grey in this story and it has elements of Killer Instinct.
I don't own Naruto or Killer Instinct
Enjoy
Chapter 4
So far the C-Rank was boring. All the Genin had to do was walk besides the cart and keep an eye out for any change in the environment. Naruto knew what C-Ranks were about and knew that some were just like this. He felt like he was missing something though. He had been getting vibes off of Team 7's companions; it felt like they were hiding something. The more he dwelled on it the more frustrated he became. He hated being kept in the dark, but there was nothing that he could do. It wasn't good to interrogate your clients.
"Okay we will set up here for the night. The trip will be another day and a half on foot and we will reach Otafuku Gai then." Kakashi explained, causing his Genin to sigh. They would have been there by now if it wasn't for their clients. "Naruto, you collect some wood for a fire, Sakura and Sasuke can collect some food."
"You don't have to go hunting; we'll be more than happy to share some food with the four of you" explained Ko as he jumped off of the carriage and searched through it for some of the food. Kakashi was thinking about it for a second before shaking his head.
"Thank you, but no, this is as much a part of their training as it is a mission. They will need to utilise these skills in the future, so it is better to teach them now." Kakashi explained. The three Genin were still standing in place when he spoke, hoping that they didn't need to collect wood and forage food. Their heads dropped slightly with Kakashi's explanation, but they still jolted and went about completing their tasks.
Half an hour later Sasuke and Sakura where cooking some skewered Rabbits and fish over the fire which Naruto made. Naruto was on his bed, which he retrieved from one of his scrolls, staring up at the dark red clouds with its purple streaks and small streaks of golden sunlight. The sun was close to setting and the night tended to get dark pretty quick in Hi No Kuni.
He was contemplating a few questions that have been plaguing his mind for quite some time. He had an inkling that he knew the three merchants with whom they were travelling with. They seemed familiar but he just couldn't figure out how. He knew mostly everyone in Konoha, barring certain ninjas and the ANBU, whom he doesn't know the identification due to their masks.
As he was brooding, the young man, Ko, came up to him and struck up a conversation. "So, Naruto was it?" Inclining his head for Ko to see that he was listening, Ko continued. "I've been meaning to ask, why would someone as young as yourself become a Shinobi?" It was a peculiar question and it was received with a blank face and a few blinking eyes.
Gaining his voice to ensure that he didn't offend the young man who asked the question, Naruto spoke. "I've been a Ninja for more than two years." This tad-bit of information caused Sasuke and Sakura to tune in to what Naruto said so that they could get some ideas as to who Uzumaki Naruto was. "This is not the first times clients have asked that question nor will it be the last. However, in all cases, the clients are left with more questions after each explanation. So to save a lot of time and ensure I don't waste my breath, I've decided not to impart upon you, the answer to that question."This answer left Ko looking quite confused. Sasuke smirked at the answer, knowing that it wasn't that easy to get information out of Naruto and Sakura looked peeved. She wanted to learn a bit about her blue haired teammate, but didn't know how to broach the subject. Being their clients, she had hoped that Naruto would answer them; however she was left with no further knowledge of his life.
Kakashi continued reading his book, but deep in his mind, he wondered what had happened to Naruto to cause him to become this guarded. He had read his file and spoke with the Hokage about Naruto's past, but both times he failed to gain any insight as to why Naruto had changed. He knew that the Hokage was hiding things, but it wasn't his place to ask, so he remained silent and aloof.
Ko didn't expect so much hostility when asking the question and decided to leave Naruto alone and talk to his other two teammates. Walking up to Sakura and Sasuke, he asked them the same question. Sakura remained quiet whilst she blushed slightly, not looking Ko in the eyes. Sasuke didn't want to answer because he really didn't think of the question before today. Being the unofficial spokesperson, Sasuke decided to attempt an answer. "My clan have been Shinobi since before the village where created. It was my ancestor who helped to create Konoha, yet I'm the only one left from my clan. Reviving my clan is a goal, but to do that, I'd need to ensure that they weren't threatened in any way, shape or form. That is why I became a Shinobi."
Although it answered Ko's question, Sasuke didn't feel that that was a full answer. It was a fraction which fits into a whole. Sasuke felt as if there was more to it, but decided not to speak too much, unless he accidently says something he'd regret. Ko turned to Sakura and was about to ask the same question when Sasuke spoke up once more. "Dinner is ready Sensei. Can we eat?" he asked
"Yes, yes. Eat for now, and whilst we're eating, I'll assign each of you a time for guard duty." As he spoke, Kakashi started to walk toward the fire and collect one of the animals to eat. "Naruto will have first watch tonight, Sakura second and Sasuke last. Each watch will be three hours. Traps are to be set around the perimeter and at the moment you change guards, each of you will have to re-check each trap." Naruto joined them at this point and began to eat as well. "Our top priority is to ensure the safety of our charges. That means to protect Ko, Haru and Noburu at all times. Protecting their wares comes second in priority."
At this point, Noburu and Haru joined them by the fire. The sun had set and it was getting darker by the minute. "Tomorrow will be the same, we'll stop before light out, collect food and wood and keep watch. Though this time Sasuke gets first watch and Naruto second, Sakura will have the last watch."
"Is there anything that we can help with?" asked Ko, looking at Kakashi. Kakashi thought for a brief minute than decided against it. "No, no. It's fine. This is also a part of their training." Kakashi exclaimed with an eye smile.
They all sat around the fire and eat what food that they had. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi ate the rabbits and fish whilst Ko, Haru and Noburu ate food which they had bought from Konoha. There wasn't much discussion, only mouths chewing food.
"Kakashi sen… Kakashi San" Ko spoke, gaining everyone's attention. "Would you like some Sake?" he asked. Kakashi kindly refused the offer. "How about you three? Want some Sake?" Sakura blushed when Ko looked at her and looked away whilst shaking her head, Naruto didn't utter a word, just sat and ate in silence, Sasuke however contemplated having some but decided against it. He was on duty last and he needed to get to sleep early.
"Thanks Ko, but I might get some shut eye. I have the last shift tonight, and need some rest beforehand." Sasuke said trying to be polite. With that he stood and made his way towards his sleeping mat. As far as Sasuke knew neither him nor Naruto bought a tent, and they both decided to sleep on the ground. Sakura decided she had to turn in as well. She was the only one of the four Shinobi who had a tent.
"Goodnight Kakashi Sensei, Naruto. Goodnight Haru, Noburu …" and in a really low and soft voice Sakura said "…Goodnight Ko." Naruto did not reply, but each of the others did.
As it was his shift first, Naruto decided to set some traps. In his younger days, he would pull pranks on people that didn't like him. He used those pranks as a starting block for his training in skills. It required planning, precision and trap setting. All of which he had. So with a little planning, Naruto started arranging the traps outside the centre of the camp. After all were set, he returned to his seat by the fire, keeping an ear out for any noise during the night.
The others had gone to sleep, but Naruto could feel eyes watching him. From his position, he shifted and looked towards his Sensei. Kakashi looked fast asleep, but Naruto felt like he was awake. Feeling slightly bored, Naruto got up and stretched. He didn't know how long he had been sitting at the fire, but it was no longer flame but coals giving the light. He started walking around, checking the traps before returning to his spot by the coal-fire.
At the end of his shift, he hoped it had been three hours, he went and woke Sakura. From there, they both went and checked the traps. Naruto had to explain each of the traps to ensure that Sakura understood them. From there Naruto went to sleep and didn't wake til it was morning.
Sakura was still half asleep sitting by the fire. Many times she had nodded off only to jerk awake to ensure she didn't stay asleep. Over on his bed, Kakashi let out a low sigh. He knew that Sakura still had a ways to go to become a Kunoichi. He just needed to push her harder and faster than his other two students. As the three hours where up, Sakura moved and woke Sasuske and repeated to him what Naruto told her. The traps didn't take too long, and when it was over Sakura went straight to sleep.
Sasuke made himself comfortable and found it easy to stay awake. Throughout his shift, he did nothing but trying to activate his Sharingan by circulating chakra to his eyes. It was hard, but he felt that he made progress as the sun was slowly making its way over the horizon. By morning he was slightly tired, but decided to get breakfast ready. He went and caught a few more fish after he woke Naruto and Sakura. It wasn't a good idea to go fishing and leave everyone exposed.
Kakashi was impressed with his students' skills throughout the night. Each of them had their strengths and weaknesses, but he thought that they did a good job overall. Sasuke needed to keep and ear and eye out on what was happening around him. Naruto needed to do the same, but Kakashi had a feeling that he was feingting his ignorance. And Sakura needed to learn not to fall asleep on the job. 'Meh, they're only young and have a long way to go yet.' Kakashi concluded.
XxX
The second day of travelling was as boring as the first and Sakura and Sasuke felt relieved to finally set up camp. The middle shift was the hardest and it showed. Naruto looked fine, but Kakashi could see he was somewhat distracted. Sasuke looked fine as well, however the faint shadows under his eyes told a different story. Worst of all, he had the first shift, so that was going to be an interesting turn of development.
It was the same deal at night, all where in bed early with little to no conversation among them. Sasuke had first watch and Naruto had second. Sakura had the last watch, but she could barely stay awake. By morning she was half asleep and woke everyone up as she went and got food. Down at the stream she decided to wash herself to try and wake up. It worked and she felt fresh and clean after the tiny scrub.
Three hours before sunset, Team 7 and the Merchant family had made it to Otafuku Gai. It was a fairly large village, not as big as Konoha, but large enough. Kakashi decided that they could spend the night in a motel room whilst the Merchants conducted their business.
The Merchant family decided to spend the next two days in Otafuku Gai, in order to make a profit of their wares. During that time, Team 7 had split up. Two of the Genin would train with Kakashi whilst the other watched over the Merchant family. This was the schedule for the two days spent in Otafuku Gai.
XxX
When the two days where up, Team 7 accompanied their charge to Port City. It took them another three days just to get there, and it all went off without a hitch. Saying their farewells to the Merchant Family, Team 7 prepared to leave so that they could return to Konoha. Their first C-Rank accomplished with many more to come.
