Frozen Heart
Hi guys, been a while, sorry. My laptop died and so i had to get it fixed. Now that I have, I will be updating as much as I can.
Naruto is slightly grey in this story and it has elements of Killer Instinct.
Hope that you enjoy and hit me up with some reviews and let me know how it is. I'm writing for fun... Nothing too serious.
Enjoy
Chapter 13
Team 7 entered the Hokage tower around 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Kakashi took point, whilst Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke brought up the rear. "Ah perfect timing." The Hokage stated, as he threw a scroll to Kakashi. "You are to participate in an escort mission to Takigakure no Sato." The Hokage stated, looking at the members of Team 7. "It's a C rank mission." The Hokage exclaimed, ensuring he got the full attention of Team 7. "You are escorting the leader of Taki back home. They are allies, and we need their support." The Hokage intoned, looking Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura in the eye.
At that moment, Team 10 walked into the room. "Ah Team 10. Please come in." The Hokage exclaimed. "Team 7, you are to meet your client by the main gate in an hour." The Hokage stated, dismissing Team 7. "Kakashi." The Hokage stated, gaining the attention of Team 7's Sensei. "Please wait here." With that, the members of Team 7 started making their way towards the door.
"Wait outside." Ino mouthed to Sakura as she passed, getting a slight nod in reply. Shikamaru, Chouji and Sasuke nodded at each other as they passed.
The Hokage looked at Team 10 and started speaking as the door closed behind Team 7. "Your mission is to take this scroll to Sunagakure no Sato." He stated, throwing the scroll at Asuma, the Sensei of Team 10. "You are to wait there until you receive a response." The Hokage stated once more. "Leave in an hour, by the main gate." The Hokage dismissed Team 10. "Asuma please stay behind." The Hokage asked, as the members of Team 10 left to begin their packing.
"I've asked the pair of you to stay behind because I want your honest opinion. Are your teams well prepared for the Chunin exams? They will be coming up rather quickly, roughly a few weeks after your teams return from your current mission." The Hokage exclaimed, eyeing his son all the while.
"Team 7 is ready." Kakashi exclaimed, no emotion in his voice. The Hokage was in thought for a second, before looking towards his son once more.
"Team 10 is ready." Asuma stated, before walking out, ignoring his Hokage and Father.
"Good. Dismissed." The Hokage stated to Kakashi. Kakashi left straight after Asuma, a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"So, what's up?" Sakura asked Ino in a semi-neutral tone.
"I think this mission is going to be fun." Ino stated, as she and Sakura started walking towards the district their homes were in.
Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other, before looking at the male members of Team 10.
"Akimichi, Nara." Sasuke exclaimed, whilst nodding at said Shinobi.
"Uchiha." Shikamaru responded before turning towards Naruto. "Uzumaki? I'm Nara Shikamaru, this is Akimichi Chouji." He stated, waiting for a response from Naruto.
"Naruto. Where is your mission taking you?" Naruto asked, as the four Shinobi followed the two Kunoichi.
"Suna. You?" Shikamaru stated then asked.
"Taki." Naruto succinctly replied. Silence transcended on the four Shinobi, as the only sound can be heard was Ino and Sakura talking.
"So have you been training in infiltration techniques?" Shikamaru asked softly, wanting to get a read on the prowess of Team 7.
"Yeah." Sasuke stated, as Naruto remained silent. "You may have to employ the tactic when in Suna." Sasuke stated with a smirk. The smirk fell away rather quickly, as if it didn't belong on Sasuke's face.
"Hope not. It'll be too troublesome." The young Nara exclaimed. "Heard about what's coming up?" Shikamaru asked, looking up at the sky this time.
"Suna and Taki. Both Konoha allies. No use going to war without support." Naruto stated in a monotonous tone. Chouji looked at Shikamaru, before looking back at Naruto.
"Who, who do you think we will..."
"Doesn't matter." Naruto stated, stopping the young Akimichi from completing his question. "We will fight, and many will die." He concluded.
Sakura looked back at that moment, slight fear in her eyes. Sasuke took note of the look, but Naruto missed it. His mind was occupied with possible villages that they will war with.
"This is us." Ino exclaimed to Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke took note of their living quarters.
"Later." Sasuke stated to Team 10.
"See you at the gates." Naruto stated, before he and Sasuke continued towards their house.
"Don't leave before we catch up." Ino exclaimed to Sakura, before walking into Team 10's apartment.
"Okay, sheesh." Sakura stated waving to Shikamaru and Chouji, before running to catch up to her teammates.
Team 7 arrived at their apartment. They each went into their rooms to prepare for the upcoming mission, their first out of Konoha since Nami no Kuni. 'It will probably take a few days, a week at most.' Naruto thought to himself. He opened a few of his scrolls and placed the essentials on the seal in the middle. Each item disappeared in a poof of smoke at a hand-sign.
A knock on his door surprised him slightly. He looked up to see Sasuke waiting patiently. "Do you have any spare scrolls?" He asked, voice neutral.
"Yeah." Naruto responded, searching through his cupboard, before throwing a few to Sasuke.
The exchange was semi forced, as each shinobi didn't quite know how to treat each other. Sasuke still didn't know how strong Naruto truly was, and was slightly peeved with not actually knowing. Naruto had begun to trust his teammates, but he still felt somewhat disconnected from them.
"Is that all?" Naruto asked, waiting for Sasuke to leave.
"What do you really think of this mission?" Sasuke asked. Naruto looked thoughtful for a second, before answering his teammate.
"Strengthening our alliance, no doubt. If we go to war against Iwa, Taki will be our first line of defence, them and Kusa." Naruto stated, looking intently at Sasuke.
"You may be right, but what if we go against Kumo or Kiri?" Sasuke asked, willing to listen to his teammate.
"Then they will come to our aide." Naruto responded.
"I don't think we'll go against Kiri. They just ended a civil war, so I don't think they have the manpower." Sakura exclaimed from the doorway, causing her teammates to look towards her.
"So it is either." A knock on the front door silenced Sasuke's statement, as each stood up and made their way out of Naruto's room and towards the lounge area.
Sasuke stood at the door, as Naruto and Sakura got into position in the lounge. He opened it slowly and was surprised when he saw Team 8 standing there.
"See I told you they were nearby." Kiba exclaimed whilst Akamaru barked his approval.
"Yes you did. Uchiha-san. Sorry for the interruption, curiosity got the better of us." Shino exclaimed, nodding his head once. "Uzumaki-san, Haruno-san." He stated once more, before turning and walking away.
"Oi, you owe me. We had a bet." Kiba exclaimed, following Shino down the road.
Hinata was the only one left at the door. "Sorry to bother you. Haruno-san, Uchiha-san." Hinata exclaimed, before walking away, not bothering with acknowledging Naruto's presence.
Sasuke slowly closed the door, before a smirk erupted from his face. Sakura was laughing and Naruto was smiling to himself. "That, was strange." Sasuke intoned, before walking into his room. He looked at Naruto for a split second, a thought on his mind, before dismissing it completely.
Naruto and Sakura followed the lead of their teammate, and decided to finish packing. Each having their own internal conflicts.
'I wonder when I can complete this mission?' Sakura thought to herself.
"Wonder what I did to the Hyuuga girl?" Naruto whispered to himself, enjoying the silence of his room.
Team 7 arrived at the Main Gate, and stood waiting for their Sensei and client. The three stood by one of the large gates in Manji formation. Naruto was on the right, looking out into Hi no Kuni, Sasuke was in the middle, keeping an eye on everything in front of him, whilst Sakura was on the left, keeping an eye on Konoha.
"Am I late?" Kakashi asked, startling his team. They each jumped a fair distance away and looked straight at Kakashi. All areas were covered, but Kakashi still got the better of them, by appearing in their blind spot.
"Damn." Sakura exclaimed as she and Naruto handed a purse of Ryo to Sasuke.
"Shibuki." Kakashi intoned by way of greeting.
"I'm surprised you are here early. I'd heard about your reputation, and was thinking of biding time at the market place." Shibuki exclaimed, much to the snicker from Sakura. Sasuke had his smirk whilst Naruto's mouth twitched slightly. He was close to grinning like a fool. "I'm sorry, you are Hatake Kakashi yes?" He asked, feigning confusion.
"Yes I am. I guess we will be heading off then. All set?" Kakashi asked, ignoring the jibe made at his tardiness.
The three Genin looked at each other, before getting into a Wedge formation. Sasuke took point, with Sakura and Naruto flanking Shibuki. Kakashi brought up the rear.
"How strong is Taki?" Sakura asked in a childish manner. She wanted information, and thought this would be the best way to get it, playing on her childlike look and nature.
Shibuki was in thought for a moment, before deciding to answer the question. "We do have a few Jounin level Ninja. Our Academy is thorough, so we don't really have any dropouts, and our Chunin level Ninja are strong enough to be considered Jounin." Shibuki exclaimed with pride.
"So Taki focuses on quality over quantity?" Sakura asked, nodding her head in the positive.
"Yes we do." Shibuki exclaimed, smiling at the young pink haired girl.
"So you must be really strong, being the leader of the village?" Sakura asked with stars in her eyes.
Shibuki blushed a little before answering. "I wish that were true. I was only chosen as the leader because of my lineage. There are a few Shinobi that are stronger than me, but they still respect my wishes, as I do theirs." He intoned.
Sakura was going to continue her questions when they looked up at the majestic site in front of them. A large river of water sat in contrast to a large mountain.
"Welcome to Takigakure no Sato." Shibuki exclaimed, taking note of Team 7's stunned look.
"It's beautiful." Sakura exclaimed, before blushing a little.
"Well." Kakashi exclaimed, gaining the attention of those around him. "I have to check on something. It may take a day or so, so the three of you will need to head back to Konoha yourselves. You will have to provide the Hokage with a verbal report." Kakashi intoned, ensuring that his cell understood their responsibilities.
"Hai Sensei." They chorused together. Kakashi left in a burst of speed, he still had a mission to complete.
"Where should we leave you?" Sasuke asked in a semi-polite manner.
"Here is fine. I'll travel the rest of the way alone." Shibuki exclaimed, looking towards Team 7. He was about to speak once more, before he was interrupted by a scream.
Team 7 were quick to move, with Naruto creating four clones to check out the danger rating. Shibuki was about to rush towards the sound, but was stopped by Sasuke.
Naruto looked at his teammates before lowering his guard. "You have two admirers whom were waiting for your return." Naruto exclaimed, as two clones bought the young boy and girl to Shibuki.
"We best get going. Got a fair distance to travel to get back home." Sakura stated with a semi-strained smile.
She was about to turn around when Team 7 heard movement coming from the trees. They got in a defensive position, with Shibuki and the kids in the middle. Each member had Kunai in hand, waiting for the eminent threat.
