A/N: This chapter was delayed because real life and writer's block suck. Also, it got a little too long so I had to split it in half. I'm afraid this may be the least interesting half, but we get a lovely reveal and maybe I can get the other half up sooner. Not incredibly happy with this one to be honest, just didn't seem to flow like the others.
Hope you enjoy anyway.
Chapter 5: And Seek Some More
It was a cool day in Konoha when Iruka hurried out his door barely bothering to lock it and followed Sakura through the streets. It was still sunny, though, and the school teacher decided to take that as a good omen.
In her rush Sakura took a short-cut that had them ducking through several unfinished structures and dodging construction workers, but Iruka couldn't bring himself to ask her to slow down. He hadn't asked her anything, in fact, about the lead or why it had her so excited. He just knew this one had to be different if the way Sakura was acting was any indication. It had to be different.
They didn't slow down until they reached the newly rebuilt Hokage tower. Sakura paused outside long enough to straighten out her clothes and compose herself and Iruka did the same, although he got the impression he wasn't the first person Sakura had run the message to that morning.
His suspicion was confirmed when they walked into the Tsunade's office and Iruka saw Team 8 already there, as well as Captain Yamato, waiting anxiously.
Tsunade was behind her desk looking testier than usual, but spared Sakura a nod and Iruka a slightly confused glance. Abruptly, Iruka wondered if Tsunade actually sent for him or if Sakura made an assumption, but the Hokage said nothing, only continuing to scowl at the man across from her. That's when Iruka noticed the bespectacled, gray-haired man and a young boy, maybe a few years younger than Naruto. Iruka had never seen either of them before.
It seemed Sakura had, "Tazuna-san?" she looked at the old man, who tipped his hat at her in welcome, "Inari?" The boy waved and smiled broadly, "What are you two doing here?"
"Oh, good," The older man, Tazuna, grumbled, "Sakura. Well, I'm trying to explain to the Hokage here," the man shot a glare at Tsunade, and Iruka thought he heard the Godaime's teeth grind together and wondered if the man knew he was flirting with death, "That I know where Naruto is and that she needs to get a move on before those fool lords beat her there."
"Gramps," the boy, Inari, warned.
"How do you know them?" Iruka whispered to Sakura, pushing down his own curiosity at the man's claim. They would hear it soon enough.
"Tazuna was Team 7's first real mission. The master bridge-builder," Sakura answered lowly, a distant look in her eyes, "Naruto told you about Wave Country right? Tazuna and his grandson, Inari, have been helping restore the village."
Naruto had told him about Wave. Iruka cringed a bit at the memory.
"Like I said," Tsunade was saying evenly, sounding like this Tazuna character was about to fly through a wall if she had to explain herself one more time, "I have to gather a team before I can send anyone and not everyone I called is here yet." Her eyes flicked to Iruka again but again she made no comment.
"Well, are you having engraved invitations made, woman?!" Tazuna practically shouted.
"Gramps," Inari warned again.
Just before Tsunade could come up with a proper death for the old man the door opened and in walked Kakashi and Shikamaru behind him.
"Oh, look at that," Tsunade said settling back in her seat again with a slightly impressed look, "You decided to show up on time, brat. Someone mark the calendar."
Kakashi rolled his one visible eye and then locked it onto Tazuna and Inari as he leaned against the door he'd just walked through. It was casual enough but Iruka got the sense the Copy-nin was actually standing guard.
"Alright, Tazuna-san, we're all here," Tsunade said with mock cheerfulness, then turned serious, "I want you to tell these people exactly what you told me."
"Again? I already explained it to you and again to Hatake over there," Tazuna growled, rubbing his head under his hat. At the murderous look Tsunade threw him and the urgent, "Gramps, c'mon," from Inari, the old man held his hands up in surrender, "Alright, alright."
Tazuna sighed and went quiet for a moment as he gathered his thoughts to begin his explanation, "Well, I s'pose I should start by saying I'm from Wave Country as some of you already know. My village is mainly civilian, we don't have much in the way of proper ninjas to speak of. I tell you that so you can see why the Daimyo's men have left us pretty much alone as far as this Jinchuuriki business is concerned. Their men came in six months ago to make sure Zabuza, that wacko who liked to call himself the 'Demon of the Mist' or what have you, was really dead, and then they left. Since then, from what Tsunami, my daughter, writes," he rifled through his pocket and pulled a wrinkled letter out, "we been gettin' quite a few refugees in the area – "
"And that's where Naruto is?" Kiba suddenly cut in, looking ready to sprint out the door in the direction of Wave Country. Iruka heard Shino's small sigh at his teammate, and Hinata's expression became slightly pained.
"Hush, you. Lemme finish," Tazuna said as Tsunade sent Kiba a glare for the interruption, "But to answer your question, well," Tazuna paused and shifted awkwardly, "He ain't in Wave, but he's gotta be in the area. See, we been gettin' some weird new trade partners, the merchants and sailors saying they've had orders coming in from a neighboring island . . ." He trailed off after a moment, seeming reluctant to continue.
"Why is that strange?" Yamato prompted calmly, "You're village is built on trade, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Inari piped up in Tazuna's stead, "Except the island Gramps is talking about is haunted."
Akamaru whined at Kiba's hip.
Yamato gave the boy a bemused look as Tazuna swatted Inari over the head with his letter, "Inari, you know very well that's just old fisherman talk."
Inari rubbed his head and pouted, "But even you said what happened there in the last Great Shinobi Wars was a tragedy." Every Ninja in the room except Kakashi and Tsunade perked up at that.
"It was," Tazuna said, suddenly very sober as he looked around at the rest of the room, "That's because the island I'm talking about is Uzushiogakure."
Iruka felt the air in his lungs freeze. Yamato seemed to have a similar reaction and Shikamaru's eyes widened infinitesimally.
Sakura's brow furrowed, "I know that name –"
"Well, someone explain it to me," Kiba suddenly burst out, making Akamaru grumble quietly at his master's agitation, "I don't get what this has to do with Naruto."
"Calm down, Kiba," Shino said quietly as if this was a constant mantra for him.
"Uzushiogakure, the Land of Whirlpools," Iruka decided to speak up, as he knew how many history lessons Kiba had skipped in his days at the academy, "Was once a strong ally of the Land of Fire. They were highly skilled in Sealing Jutsu and because of that their village was wiped out in the last Shinobi war and much of their culture and secrets lost. There were survivors, but not many and they've been scattered ever since." Iruka decidedly left out the part about the Uzumaki Clan, the details of which Iruka was not well versed.
A look from Tsunade told him this was a good move on his part.
Tazuna nodded soberly and went on, "It was a bloody day in history, I remember. And out of respect, or perhaps more so, fear, people have been leaving that island well-enough alone all this time. Till' now, anyway."
"As for what it's got to do with Naruto," Tazuna shot a look at Kiba who seemed on the verge of sticking his tongue out at the old man, "It's here," He held the letter up once again, and at Yamato's outstretched hand, passed it to him, "Tsunami wrote me again. Says she was out in the market and swears she saw Naruto in the street. When she tried to talk to him though, well, you see there."
Yamato was passing the letter around and when Sakura got it Iruka read over her shoulder:
I'm writing you this quickly in hopes of catching you before you leave Konaha, and I'm sure they'll want to know what I saw as soon as possible. I saw Uzumaki Naruto today in the market. I remember you writing me and saying that he was missing, but I swear I saw him right in the middle of the street. There was no mistaking him even though he's older now, obviously, but I'd recognize that hair and those marks on his cheeks anywhere.
I called out to him and I know he heard me because when I called his name he startled something awful. I think he recognized me but then he ran like I was the undertaker coming for him. I chased after him for a bit but he just disappeared around a corner and I couldn't find him again. I don't know what to think, but just for a second, Dad, he looked so frightened.
You need to let the people in Konoha know. I think he's living out there on Whirlpool. I've written to you about that island already. From what little I saw of him he looked well, though. Make sure you tell them that. Tell them he was alright from what I could see, I'm sure they're worried.
I hope this letter gets to you soon. Tell Inari I love him and not to worry.
Iruka felt an unprecedented surge of relief when he read that Naruto was okay, even if it was the most cursory of diagnosis from a woman he didn't even know.
Sakura passed the note to Hinata who held it up for the rest of her team to read (Kiba nearly knocking the poor girl over) as Tazuna continued, "And that's pretty much the gist of it. Tsunami says she thinks Naruto is staying in Whirlpool, and I believe her. Wouldn't be surprised if he's got a few other refugees out there with him, but I won't go so far as to say that for sure," Tazuna paused and scratched his chin, "Smart though. Hiding out on an island everyone else is too spooked to set foot on."
"Alright," Kiba said, bouncing on the balls of his feet, "Looks like we're headin' to Haunted Whirlpool Island."
"Kiba," Hinata whispered in warning, "Be more respectful."
"Not quite," Tsunade cut in and stood, "While I do want you to investigate the island, you'll be going to Wave Country first, to Tazuna's village. We don't know for sure what's on Whirlpool yet and I don't want you walking in unprepared. Get intel first, then go. Understood?" Her last word was aimed with a pointed glare directly at Kiba, who quailed a bit and nodded with the rest of them.
"Good," Tsunade went on, "Now the team for this mission will consist of Team 8 and Team Kakashi, with the exception of Sai," At this point Tsunade grumbled something about Danzo and where he could shove his own damn agenda, but cleared her throat and continued professionally, "Shikamaru has also . . . volunteeredto go," the way she said it and the way Shikamaru looked so innocently bored made Iruka wonder what the Nara had said to be put on this mission, "Tazuna and Inari, here will accompany you –"
"And Iruka-sensei," Kakashi, who had been nearly forgotten up till this point, spoke up.
Tsunade went quiet as she raised an eyebrow at the Jounin, "Oh, yeah, I was wondering why he was here, since I didn't even send for him."
Oh, well, that's awkward. Iruka felt heat rise to his face and tried to force it back down, "Ah, I didn't —"
But then Sakura turned to Kakashi looking scandalized, "You told me Lady Tsunade sent for Iruka-sensei too, you liar!" Kiba snorted a laugh and Yamato rubbed his head like he was getting a headache.
Kakashi ignored Sakura's outburst and said to Tsunade, "I need him along."
"I need him here to oversee the academy reestablishment," Tsunade countered and Iruka suddenly remembered that was happening in the next few weeks, "Iruka-sensei is one of the senior teachers. He's worked on this just as much as the search."
From the corner of his eye Iruka saw Yamato give him a rather impressed look. Iruka felt the blush threatening again.
"Surely somebody at the academy can cover for him," Kakashi said blandly, waving a hand dismissively, "Iruka makes very good notes. I know, he's inked over many a mission report of mine."
Iruka was looking from Kakashi to Tsunade and back trying to figure out what in the world had suddenly gotten into the Copy-nin to be fighting for him like this, "Listen, I –" Iruka started but was cut off yet again.
"He's put just as much work into trying to find Naruto as the rest of us. Not to mention Sai is apparently unable to join us, so I'll need a replacement," Kakashi said over Iruka's sputtering.
"I'm hardly a replacement for Sai," Iruka blurted without thinking and Sakura gave him a hard poke in the ribs with her elbow.
Kakashi didn't acknowledge either of them as he went on, "I think Iruka-sensei deserves to go, don't you, Lady Hokage?"
The last was said almost like a challenge and Tsunade's mouth twitched in either amusement or annoyance. Then the Hokage glanced over at Iruka as if sizing him up. Eventually, she sighed.
"Fine," Tsunade said and waved her hand, "I suppose it's only fair. But no one else, I can't send the entire damn village half-way across the continent." She flopped back into her chair, rubbing the bridge of her nose to fend off a headache.
Iruka was stunned. He opened his mouth and closed it again, still looking between Tsunade and Kakashi. His gaze finally landed on the Hatake, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. Just the night before the Jounin had managed to insult Iruka's occupation, intelligence, and rank in just one sentence and today he was arguing to have the teacher on the team Kakashi would be leading.
Iruka didn't have much time to dwell on it though, because in the next second Tsunade was sending them off to get packed and ready for the trip. Kakashi spared enough time to tell the newly assembled team to meet him at the gates in an hour.
Iruka tried to catch Kakashi on their way out of the Hokage's office but the man disappeared into a swirl of leaves and wind the second he stepped outside.
Sakura walked out next to him and mumbled, "Oh, sure, disappear all mysterious without explaining anything. One day I'll be able to land a punch on that smug face of his, I swear it . . ."
Iruka gave her an amused glance, "Thought you'd be happy I'm trailing along."
Sakura rolled her eyes at him (something Iruka thought she rather indulged in because he was no longer her teacher to punish her for sass), "I am but it's the principle of the thing," then her eyes fell on him as she said, "And you don't just 'trail along,' you know." Then she walked away in the direction of her house, the others dispersing as well to pack and eventually regroup by the gates.
Iruka smiled bemusedly at her back as he wondered what she could mean by that. Deciding to decipher his ex-student later, Iruka shook his head and hurried in the direction of his own apartment. He packed quickly and threw on his green traveling cloak with the hood. It was old but one of the warmest things he'd ever owned and winter was settling into Fire Country. He'd never been as far as the Land of Waves and he wasn't sure what he was in for or how cold their winter was.
He was making sure his apartment was in order and writing a note to Kotetsu and Izumo asking them to check on things now and then for him, when he passed through the kitchen and paused.
On a whim he grabbed two instant ramen packets and threw them into his backpack. He looked at them sitting on top of his weaponry and extra clothes and laughed at himself quietly, "Just in case." He zipped his pack and stepped out his door.
A thought struck Iruka as the gates came into view and he saw Kakashi standing with Sakura there glaring at her Jounin-sensei. The thought had something to do with Tsunade's sarcastic comment earlier.
He realized that in all the time they'd been searching or Naruto, Kakashi had not been late to meet them. Not once. In fact, he was usually the first to make it to the gates, pack of ninkin ready and waiting.
Iruka wasn't sure why that had occurred to him just then, but as he walked up to see Kakashi eye-smiling at his pink-haired student to placate her, it was a temporary balm he was glad for.
When he got to the gates Kiba was grumbling, "I don't see why we have to travel with a grumpy old goat like that Tazuna jerk." Tazuna didn't seem to hear this or decided to ignore it as he was going through Inari's pack as the boy complained he didn't need help remembering everything.
Hinata just sighed as Shino said quietly, "I'm just happy to be here, frankly."
Kiba gave the Aberami a withering look, "How are you still mad about that Sasuke thing?"
Shino only stayed silent but there was a certain aura aimed at Shikamaru which the Nara wisely decided to shift slowly away from.
Ino and Choji were there to see their teammate off, Ino also complaining, "I don't see why we couldn't go, too."
"Tsunade has to keep some of us in the village," Shikamaru said reasonably, "And you have to keep an eye on Asuma-sensei and Kurenai."
"Just be safe, okay?" Choji said kindly, "We won't be there to watch your back."
"We can watch his back just fine thanks," Kiba griped and Ino stuck her tongue out at him.
"Okay, that's enough," Captain Yamato walked up behind Iruka, only just arriving himself, "Kakashi-senpai?"
Kakashi raised his head from bluffing checking his pack to avoid Sakura's glare and ran his eye over the gathered people and nodded. Looking to Tazuna he said simply, "Lead the way."
BREAKBREAKBREAK
The trip to Wave Country was relatively uneventful, if one was able to ignore the almost constant bickering between Tazuna and Kiba and the death threats issuing from Sakura because of them.
They arrived at the island by the Great Naruto Bridge (and that had been an interesting detour in the conversation) that Tazuna had built. They had all 'oohed' and 'ahhed' sufficiently to make Tazuna's head swell three sizes. Iruka recalled Naruto's narrative of the events and several times was on the verge of asking Kakashi about it, figuring he'd be the most reliable of Team 7. But just like every other time Iruka had tried to say something to the Copy-nin on this trip, either to thank him or otherwise, the words just seemed to stick in his throat.
Tazuna and Inari's village was small but prosperous. They went through a brief gate check where the keepers were terribly caught off guard to have so many ninja show up without warning. Thanks to Tazuna's vote of confidence they made their way through the gate easily enough and to the market place that was bursting with activity early in the day. Sakura kept staring around in disbelief.
"It doesn't seem like the same village," she said at one point, watching in wonder as two children ran by laughing, skirting through vendors stalls full of food and other goods, "Before it was so . . ." she trailed off with wide eyes
Tazuna turned to her, a soft, knowing smile on his face, "Without Gato and the trade opened up by the bridge the village flourished," He too watched the children race by, "It's not perfect but we can feed everyone now. Even set up a decent orphanage. Ain't much really, but the kids got a roof, food, and some kindly ladies to take care of them."
"And you should see our house!" Inari piped up, "I mean we had to fix it anyway, after those guys tried to kidnap my mom. But it's awesome."
Inari went on about the changes to the house and village while Sakura listened patiently, smiling broadly the whole time.
If Kakashi was affected by the change in the village it didn't show in his face. But it was hard for Iruka to tell because of the mask.
Kakashi was, however, leaning towards Yamato and Shikamaru mumbling an action plan, "We'll have to talk with Tsunami about her letter again. I want to make sure she didn't leave anything out."
"We should talk to the sailors and fishermen, too," Shikamaru said quietly, "See if they know anymore about Whirpool."
Kakashi nodded in agreement, "It's still early. If we finish today, we can be on a boat by tomorrow."
Yamato's mouth twitched most imperceptibly, "I thought Lady Hokage wanted us to be as thorough as possible before setting out for the other island. Not worried and in a rush are we, Senpai?"
"By the way," Kakashi said a little louder, so even Kiba could hear at the back of the group, "I was wondering if you would buy dinner for the group tonight, Yamato," It didn't sound like a request though, "I'd hate to put Tsunami-san to the task of feeding all these people, even if Tazuna-san has offered to put us up for the night."
Kiba whooped as Yamato pouted at his superior. Kakashi just eye-smiled at him.
Iruka was a bit surprised himself. He had assumed they would be spending at least a few days investigating before heading to Whirlpool.
Tsunami was a gracious host, greeting them almost urgently. She hugged Sakura and Kakashi, the latter of which looked like he might panic and stab the poor woman. Luckily, they got into the house without incident and were sitting around the small kitchen table and on extra floor cushions respectively.
Tsunami fussed over Inari and her father for a bit before setting out tea, "No offense to any of you, but I had honestly hoped we'd never have need of ninja in this village again."
"None taken, ma'am," Sakura said politely, "We understand perfectly."
"I suppose it is a little different now," Tsunami said, mostly to herself, "It being one of your own this time," she looked over at Kakashi, "You'll want to ask more about my letter, won't you?" Iruka smiled to himself at her perceptiveness, as if she'd been listening in on their conversation on the way here. Such a mother.
Kakashi blinked lazily at her, "Yes, but first I'd like to divide and conquer," without preamble the Copy-nin turned to Shikamaru, "I want you to take Team Ten and find out what you can from the boatmen and traders that have had anything to do with Whirlpool."
Shikamaru nodded and stood but Tazuna stopped them briefly to say, "Take Inari with you. He knows his way around."
"Yes," Inari grinned and hopped up, leading the way out of the house again and back to the markets.
"Maybe we'll ask around elsewhere, as well," Shikamaru said blandly as Hinata, Shino, Kiba, and Akamaru followed the excited boy outside, "See if the other villagers saw him. Or anything else unusual."
"Good plan," Kakashi said, "Way to be thorough," the Jounin eyed Yamato, who looked on the verge of sticking his tongue out at his superior. Shikamaru rolled his eyes at the older men's antics and slouched out behind Team Ten.
Iruka felt the sudden urge to kick Kakashi under the table so he did. Kakashi didn't jump or anything but he did give Iruka a glare worthy of Tsunade while Yamato sputtered and nearly choked on his tea. Maybe that was too far, Iruka thought.
Sakura cleared her throat and the three men had the decency to looked ever so slightly abashed.
"So, Tsunami-san," Sakura said pointedly, "Could you please tell us again what you saw?"
Tsunami shrugged and sat down next to her father at the table, "Not much else to tell, really. Basically what was in that letter," she took a sip from her cup, taking a moment to think, "Well, maybe not absolutely everything. Just what was important."
"Then tell us everything," Kakashi said, "Even if it seemed unimportant."
Tsunami sighed, cradling her cup, and began quietly, "Well, like I said in the letter, I spotted him in the market place while I was doing the shopping. I can show you where if you need. Anyway, I didn't recognize him immediately, I suppose because he is a bit older now, but then he turned and I saw those marks," she trailed three fingers across her face like three familiar whisker marks and smiled, "And that blonde hair, just all over the place, such a boy."
"What was he doing when you saw him?" Kakashi asked and Iruka had to hold in questions of his own, remembering they were not here just for him to fret over Naruto's well-being.
"Nothing much," Tsunami shrugged, "Looking around, checking out the village. He had the same look you did, dear," she smiled at Sakura, "The village has taken quite a turn since the last time you all were here."
She paused and took another sip of her tea, contemplating, "There was something . . . odd . . . about him though."
"Odd how?" Iruka broke in without thinking. No one seemed to mind.
"It's probably just me," Tsunami said unsurely, flicking a hand in front of her, "But . . . I mentioned he ran away from me, right?" They nodded and she continued, "Well, before he did that I noticed something. It was his eyes," She stopped again and looked at Kakashi saying slowly, "You remember how it was before? How the people in this village were, I mean?"
Kakashi nodded raising an eyebrow as if trying to see where she was going with that. Tsunami just stood and went back to the stove to get the kettle, "The villagers used to have this look about them. Hunted may be the word. Frightened, definitely. I didn't lie in my letter, physically he seemed perfectly healthy, but his eyes. . . He had that look." The last part was whispered into the heavy silence.
Yamato cleared his throat and Tsunami turned back to them as he said kindly, "Was there anything else, Tsunami-san?"
"Um, yes," Tsunami seemed to come back to them and sat back down. Tazuna patted her shoulder and she gathered herself a bit more, "Yes. He was wearing all black," she finished bluntly.
"Black?" Sakura blurted in surprise. Iruka blinked and even Kakashi's head tilted in that Pakkun-esque fashion.
"Looked like he was going to a funeral," Tsunami nodded understandingly, "I know young people like to experiment with clothing but it was quite the change from that orange, er, outfit he used to have."
"I'll say," Tazuna rumbled.
"It suited him better," Tsunami laughed, "The orange, I mean," she sobered and continued, "He was alone, I think. At least, no one followed him when he ran, that I noticed."
Kakashi nodded and asked a few more questions, but Iruka's mind wandered. He had been reassuring himself with what Tsunami had written in her letter, that Naruto was fine and healthy. That seemed less true now and Iruka suddenly understood Kakashi's haste. He glanced at the Copy-nin and yet again felt the need to thank him, but didn't know how to say it.
Nevertheless, the questions were finished and Tsunami had nothing else to report, except to reaffirm that she was sure Naruto was living on Whirlpool.
Yamato stretched as Tsunami started cleaning up the tea things, "If that's all, I guess it's time for me to go get dinner," the wood user threw a withering glance at Kakashi who just eye-smiled cheerfully.
"Oh, you don't have to - " Tsunami started but was cut off by Kakashi.
"We insist, really," Even through the mask Iruka could see the smug grin as Yamato stood to go.
"I'll help you Yamato-san," Iruka said and stood as well, "I have a little extra saved up since I haven't had to buy as much ramen lately."
Kakashi's eye narrowed at him as Iruka walked by and Iruka countered with a patented 'teacher glare.'
Iruka couldn't be certain but he thought he heard Kakashi murmur something like, "Ruining my fun," as they left.
The first place Shikamaru had them visit was the market place again, mainly asking where they could find out about trade on the island and to ask around like he told Kakashi they would.
So far, Shikamaru had only found out that, yes, there were more strangers in town but, no, it was a trade village and none of them stood out.
Now he stood in an old, weather beaten office in front of a well used desk. Behind that sat white-haired man even older than Tazuna as his young assistant riffled through order documents trying to find the ones that pertained to Uzushiogakure.
"Can you tell us who first contacted you about trade with Whirlpool?" Shikamaru asked the older man.
Hinata was trying to help the assistant sift through papers. Shino and Kiba were still outside, talking with anyone they thought might know something about Whirlpool. So far all they'd gotten was rumor and superstition, but that had been mostly expected.
"You know," The man said after a moment's thought, scratching the side of his face, "It's the strangest thing. I . . . Well, I don't remember much about the initial contact to be honest," he gave Shikamaru a rather baffled look and continued apologetically, "Now, I'm gettin' on in years, I know. Had to pay the boy here to be my eyes for these damned old documents. But I still got all my wits about me. The paper's for posterity's sake really, I know just about every trade partner we have if you ask."
The elder shook his head, "But I can't hardly remember how we started up with Whirlpool. Just that . . ." he trailed off and got a distant look in his eye and said, almost reverently, "Just that beautiful woman . . ."
Even the assistant stopped his shuffling with the papers and looked up, "Oh yeah. I remember . . . s-sort of . . ."
Hinata glanced at Shikamaru, the same question in her eyes. How do you remember someone, but not remember them?
"Er, y-yes," The old man said, "Lovely Lady. She came in and we must have talked a while because the next day I came in to all these orders that needed filling. She'd even paid half up front."
"Here!" The assistant shouted suddenly, startling Hinata. The boy's face colored as his superior gave him a look, "Sorry, but I found the files for Whirlpool."
"May I?" Hinata asked kindly, holding out her hand for the files.
The boy nodded and handed them over. Shikamaru watched her peruse them for a bit before he turned back to the elder, "Is there anyone else we might be able to ask about Whirlpool? Someone who's maybe worked with them more directly? Actually been there?"
The white-haired man looked slightly pained, "Oh, there ain't nobody that's actually stepped foot on that island around here, but there is someone you might be able to get somethin' useful out of," Shikamaru said nothing, waiting. The old man sighed, "Sanjiro is the only boat captain that'll go out there. The rest are too scared, but he was desperate enough to take a sketchy job. He's just as convinced as the rest of 'em that the place is haunted, but he hauls to and from there. I'd start with him."
Shikamaru nodded as Hinata walked up beside him with the files, pointing at the list and murmuring, "There's a lot here. Furniture, cloth, seeds, even animal food . . ."
"Homesteadin' type stuff," the old man said assuredly, "That's why everyone thinks it's just refugees. People that got displaced trying to make a new life in place they won't be bothered."
"If they're refugees," Shikamaru asked, "How are they paying for all this?"
"Different things," the tradesman said, "At first it was regular gold currency but I guess they ran out of that. They must be raising sheep cause they sent over some good quality wool a while back. Now it's things like medicine and herbs, things I hadn't heard of until Sanjiro came back with a boat full of it. I asked the local healer and he nearly wet himself, I swear."
Shikamaru made a mental note to relay that information to Sakura. Meanwhile, the old man nodded and explained, "That's how it's worked since the beginning. Sanjiro makes a delivery, gets the next list and brings it back to me. Those people like their privacy I tell ya'."
The man's face scrunched in thought then and he opened a drawer in his desk, "That reminds me, I got their latest order right here," He pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Shikamaru, "Speakin' of strange."
Shikamaru glanced through the itemized list and when he got to the bottom his eyes went wide and he heard Hinata gasp over his shoulder.
"That's a lot of ramen," Shikamaru finally said hoarsely.
"I know," the old man laughed, "I've been trying to figure out who to contact about that particular request."
"Shikamaru," Hinata tugged on his sleeve urgently, "I'll get Kiba and Shino."
He nodded at her and turned back to the man, "Thank you for your help. Where can we find this Sanjiro?"
"You didn't have to do that, Iruka-sensei," Yamato was saying, shifting grocery bags around in his arms, "It's really not a big deal."
Iruka figured even such a large meal probably wasn't a big deal on Jounin's budget but he wasn't kidding when he said he had a little nest-egg built up from six months of no Naruto and his ramen eating habits.
"I figured I ought to make a hasty exit, anyway," Iruka said, dropping produce into a bag and paying the vendor, "After kicking the famous Copy Ninja under the table, I mean," he explained to Yamato's confused face.
Yamato laughed, "I can't believe you did that. If I'd tried that . . ." He shook his head, "I guess that's why Kakashi-senpai likes you."
"I don't know about that," Iruka said skeptically. At best he thought Kakashi just tolerated him because Iruka was just as motivated as he was in finding their missing student.
"I heard about what he said to you in the bar," Yamato replied knowingly. At Iruka's confused blink he explained with a shrug, "Ninja village. There are no secrets."
"If you heard about that then I don't know how you can think he likes me," Iruka said distractedly, leading the way to another stall.
Yamato sighed, "Senpai doesn't usually care what other people think of him or what he says, so his mouth tends to get him in trouble when he does care," Yamato paused at a vendor selling little knick-knacks while he spoke, "Trust me. I and the rest of Team Seven can attest. Besides, he always finds a way to apologize."
Iruka huffed in disbelief, "I have yet to hear an apology, I'm afraid."
"Oh, I didn't say you would hear and apology, Sensei," Yamato said a wry smile on his face, "I said he'd find some way to let you know he's sorry. This mission for instance."
Iruka just looked at his companion curiously so Yamato continued, "He knew Tsunade wanted you in the village for the opening of the Academy. But he also knew that you would prefer to be here. He made sure you were here," Yamato's head tilted in a way that asked Get it?
"This mission is his apology?" Iruka clarified unnecessarily but Yamato nodded confirmation anyway, "And I kicked him?" Yamato laughed at Iruka's stricken expression and the teacher tried to hide his red face behind the bulky grocery bags in his arms.
"That's why he likes you," the wood user snickered, "You're not scared of him. Famous Copy Ninja or not. He gets tired of people treating him like he's fragile."
"If you say so," Iruka murmured, dropping the subject as Yamato asked directions to the fish market. He didn't see how anyone could consider Kakashi fragile, but if Yamato thought the Copy-nin was actually trying to be friendly, Iruka was willing to go along with it. Better than the crippling awkwardness that seemed to follow them since Naruto's Chunin exams.
The boat was not much in comparison to many of the other fishing and trading vessels lining the docks, but it was obviously well cared for by competent hands.
And it flew orange flags.
If Shikamaru needed any more proof that Naruto was at the center of whatever was happening on Whirlpool, that was it. Did he make the flags out of an old jumpsuit or . . .
His thoughts were rudely interrupted by Kiba banging loudly on the door to the bridge shouting, "Anybody home! We need a ride to a haunted island!" Akamaru baying the whole time.
"How do you deal with him all the time?" Shikamaru asked looking at Shino and Hinata, the latter of which had her face in her hands.
Shino glanced at Shikamaru and reached up under his hood, pulling an earplug out of his ear, "My apologies. Did you say something?"
Shikamaru sighed and spoke so Kiba could hear over the baying, "Will you cut that out? We need this guy's help, you know?"
Kiba turned and was about to yell something back when there was a loud, dull thudand they all ducked down while watching the harpoon that still twanged where it had lodged into the wood of the door. Instantly, Shikamaru pulled a kunai and turned to where the projectile had come from, Shino and Hinata doing the same. Akamaru put himself between his master and the threat, growling as Kiba pulled his own weapons.
"Well, ain't that just fine," a man with gray streaked hair and a harpoon gun said from the stern of the ship, "I try to defend my poor boat from gettin' demolished by some scrawny brat and I get knives pulled on me. Just fine indeed."
"Uh-erm?" Shikamaru lowered his weapon slightly, seeing that the man had no more harpoons to shoot, "Are you Sanjiro?"
"Who the hell else would be on my boat?" Sanjiro asked and hopped down to the deck, "Exceptin' a few noisy brats tryin' to break down the door?" Aside from the gray streaks in his hair the man's skin was so brown it looked like leather and his face was scarred, slate gray eyes starring out of it. He stood about a head taller than Shikamaru and stringy muscles stood out from years of boating and fishing.
He glared over at Kiba, seemingly unaffected by the kunai Shino and Hinata still aimed at him, "Now, boy, either get the hell off my boat or explain what you mean by 'haunted island'."
Akamaru growled a little and Kiba looked like he was about to start throwing insults so Shikamaru stepped into Sanjiro's immediate line of vision, "Sanjiro-san, please ignore my teammate," the Nara gave a respectful bow and simultaneously signaled the others to put away the weapons and do the same. Kiba grumbled but gave a twitchy little bow. When they all straightened Shikamaru continued, "I hope you can forgive us, sir."
"Yes, we did not mean to be rude," Hinata said politely, clasping her hands in front of her, "We really need your help."
Sanjiro didn't show any outward sign of appeasement at the apology but he locked eyes with Shikamaru and said, "Interestin' way you got of askin' for help. But never mind, ain't the worst that's happened to the old girl," Sanjiro tapped the harpoon gun on the deck with a small, proud smile, "Now, back to my question. What do you brats wanna know about 'haunted islands'?"
Quickly, before the man could find another reason to harpoon them, Shikamaru explained, "We need to know about the Land of Whirlpools. The tradesman said you're the only one to ever go to the island, we were hoping —"
He was cut short by Sanjiro's hand waving through the air, saying, "I ain't never set foot on that island. Never seen what's livin' on it either. If that's all you wanted to know, I'll be on my way."
"W-wait, sir, please," Hinata jumped in front of him as Sanjiro made a move toward the bridge door.
The old fisherman huffed and glared at the girl in front of him, "Now listen, missy, I don't —"
"How can you deliver goods to and from a place," Shikamaru cut the man off this time, "If you've never seen who you're trading with?"
"Because, brat, I don't meddle in private affairs," Sanjiro snapped raising his harpoon gun and poking the Nara in the chest with the end. Shikamaru heard Akamaru growl as the man continued, "May not even be regular people livin' on that island, I tell you. I dunno if it's ghost or demons or just some poor saps that got exiled, but I ain't gonna meddle," he set the gun back down and leaned on it, explaining, "They pay me to drop the goods in the bay on a dock they anchored off shore. They leave their payment an' a new list or instructions for me to follow, an' that's it. I don't hafta' see them and they don't hafta' see me. End of story."
He pushed himself upright and walked to the bridge door again, waving Kiba out of the way and yanking the harpoon out of the wood.
Shikamaru thought for a moment then said suddenly, "Would you be willing to take us there?"
"What?" Sanjiro turned abruptly, startled by the request, "Why in hell would you wanna go there?"
"We have our reasons," Shino broke in, "But we could pay you to take us. We have seven people with us in all."
"Eight," Kiba grumbled, pointing to Akamaru, "We have eight."
"Will you take us?" Shikamaru asked again, looking the man in the eye.
Sanjiro sighed and rubbed the back of his head as he looked up at the orange flags flapping in the sea-breeze, "Listen, kid. Y'all just don't understand what I'm tryin' to tell you. That place . . ." he shook his head, his wrinkled and scarred face looking that much older all of a sudden, "Back during those wars you see . . ."
"We know about the village that used to be there," Hinata said gently.
"No, ya' don't," Sinjiro gave them all a hard look, "It was a massacre, that day. I remember it, just like every other fisherman that's old enough to tell stories about the wars. I helped fish the bodies out of the water that washed up to our shores, and I know, not just the Ninja were killed. Women . . . children . . . I know there was survivors but there's a reason they never went back. When people die like that," he paused again and tapped his harpoon gun a little too hard, "That much blood spilt like it was, that leaves a mark. I got no interest takin' anybody to that island."
Even Kiba went quiet after Sanjiro's outburst. Hinata took a slow step back from the man and looked at Shikamaru questioningly.
The Nara nodded and asked the fisherman, "Then would you consider taking us to the dock you drop the goods at?"
The boat captain's eyes narrowed at him, but Shikamaru held them.
Finally, Sanjiro sighed again and asked, "You're bound and determined to get over there, ain't ya'?" Shikamaru nodded once and held the man's gaze still, "Fine. I'll take your party to the dock but no farther. Y'all are on your own after that."
A/N: So far I haven't heard or read anything really significant about what happened to Whirlpool, except that it was attacked and basically wiped out during the last ninja wars. I took a little license with it for dramatic effect. And the maps I looked up on the Naruto universe seem to be a bit unsure as to where Whirlpool is located. One map says it's on the other side of the continent from Wave, but another shows it right next door to Wave. For this story I went with the latter, obviously.
The hardest part of this chapter was figuring out who to send. No, really, I rewrote it like three times because I couldn't keep up with so many people and I kept having to make cuts. I feel bad about leaving Ino and Choji behind, but Shikamaru went and had feels on me and I had to send him. Sai may have another project going on, but I'm not sure yet, keep an eye out. Team Gai was also on the list at first but there was really no reason to send them other than I love them.
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed and please review and let me know thoughts or questions.