Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

The Hush of Mist Above Crimson

Chapter two

-MIST-

Dawn arrived too soon for Naruto and, he felt as if he had only been sleeping for a matter of minutes.

Grudgingly, he rolled from the welcoming warmth of his bed. After shutting off the aggravating ring of his alarm clock, he went towards the bathroom to have a shower before meeting Sakura and Sasuke at their training spot in the forest.

.x.x.x.x.

Meanwhile, Sakura was already on her way to the place where they would meet. She guessed she had another ten minutes max until the sun rose so she slowed her pace down to enjoy the darkness of the sleeping fire country.

Leaves and broken branches crunched loudly under her feet as she walked through the forest. The noise disturbed the once calm silence.

The sky became a light blue in reaction to the rising sun, but the air remained cold, and the grown stayed pleasurably dewy.

.x.x.x.x.

Sasuke crossed his arms impatiently. He knew he still had time left but he had no doubt Naruto would show up late. Seeing that he always has to get up 10 minutes before the dead-line.

His silent complaining was interrupted by the sound of rushed footsteps coming his way. Once Sakura saw Sasuke she ran the rest of the distance to meet up with him. The kinoichi put down her bag and gingerly sat on the forest floor beside him, at the trunk of one of the towering trees.

"I was almost late, but once I saw the sky start to turn orange, I hurried up." She smiled at Sasuke, always happy to be next to him again.

He glanced over at her. "It's not a problem." Came his indifferent voice.

"Mmhmm" She looked back to the sky. The sun was just coming up and lucky for Sakura she was for once awake to enjoy it. She had always enjoyed watching the sunrise...

The deep blue sky was beginning to lighten with the glowing semi-circle of a breathtaking red and orange glow, rising in the air- declaring the dawn of a new day with its unmistakable beauty.

"Isn't it gorgeous?" Sakura whispered, keeping her dazed eyes glued to the sunrise, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Sasuke had to look closely at it to see what she thought was so 'beautiful'. He had given up on stuff like that years ago. Were they even looking at the same thing?

"I guess..." Sasuke said uncertainly, but, not wanting to hurt her feelings or seem unable to notice beauty, he added. "Yes."

Just then, Naruto came sprinting out of the tree's towards them . Sasuke promptly stood, followed by Sakura.

"Sorry I'm late!" He panted, putting down his bag.

'How careless. He's nearly twenty and still can't be on time for even a mission as important as this.'

Sakura spoke up, breaking through Sasuke's aura of annoyance. "Actually, you're right on time! We should get going now." Grabbing her backpack she walked inbetween them. "So, you two ready?"

Sasuke nodded in response and Naruto sighed and put his bag on again. "And we were just getting comfortable..."

"Good!" Sakura cut in, ignoring Naruto like everyone else seemed to do. "Then lets go." She sounded earnest and the boys scarcely heard such a determined tone from Sakura, but they followed her, wordlessly, away from the small clearing and towards the border of Konohagakure.

.x.x.x.x.

Several hours later, they reached the country's edge. There was someone waiting for them by the shoreline with a small row-boat. Konohagakure's leaf symbol was roughly carved into the wood on each side. Then man's headband appeared bent out of shape and he looked to be around Kakashi's age.

"Are you the Jounin Tsunade-same is planning on sending to Mist?" He questioned formally as they approached.

"Hai, I presume you are the one who will be escorting us there." Sasuke stepped in front of the two ninja.

"Hmmmm." The man eyed Sasuke curiously. "And all three of you are supposed to be elite ninja?" The mans voice was gruff and Naruto couldn't help but feel offended at his ignorance.

Sakura's face hardened. Was he trying to single her out or did he honestly not notice that she was the one without the Jounin vest on?

"Actually, I'm a medic. I was assigned on this mission as well." She informed him, a hint of forcefulness in her voice.

Sasuke nodded in Naruto's direction before fixing a cold stare on the man before him.

"Me and him just recently passed our exam." He seemed much more calm than the other two. It was true that Naruto and him were new Jounin but it had been almost two months since they started their own separate missions. The exam had really taken a beating out of them.

The man's blue eyes looked back and forth from the newly elite and the medic, sighing loudly.

"It's fine with me if that's what the Hokage ordered. Now get on in." He motioned to the rowboat.

.x.x.x.x.

Minutes later they were on the water. Sakura and Naruto sat in front of Sasuke, while their transport man took the spot at the nose of the boat.

Sakura clutched her pink cloak tightly around her to block out the cold wind. As they got closer and closer to Mist, they could feel the air thickening and were soon covered by a heavy fog.

Naruto fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat, antsy for the interesting part of the mission to actually commence.

When they got around for or five meters from the shore line, the man spoke:

"I can't go any further than here without my travel papers so you're going to have to wade to land."

"Alright." Sakura and Naruto peered into the water hopelessly before reluctantly climbing over the side of the boat and sliding into the cool water.

Sasuke passed them their bags, to carry over their heads, before getting in himself. The man set down the oars to hand Sasuke his own things- before returning to his seat.

The water was freezing but no one complained. Over the year's Naruto and Sasuke had become much taller but even though Sakura grew as well, they still seemed to always be at least a head above her in height. The water nearly reached her shoulders but was only mid-chest to the other two.

"Arigatou." Sakura thanked the man, struggling to keep her bag up and still tread through the water.

"Arigatou." Sasuke said half-heartedly, not bothering too look back behind him.

"Thanks!" Naruto called behind as well.

The guy waved before rowing backwards and disappearing into the looming fog. The water became more shallow with each step and before they knew it, they were on land.

The first thing they felt was the wind. It chilled them to the bone, seeping hough their wet clothes to spread goose-bumps on their flesh.

"We need to hurry to the central village before we all get sick." Sasuke spoke as he slung his backpack over his shoulder.

"Can't disagree with that." Sakura pulled her cloak to her neck in a futile attempt to keep warm.

"Unhh..." Naruto clutched his stomach. "I think I'd starve before I froze to death. We haven't eaten anything since breakfast and it's clearly past noon!"

Sakura sighed."You're always hungry." She pointed it out but soon realized he was right and she was feeling kind of hungry herself.

Sasuke chose to ignore his comment. He preferred to do his missions alone. Since he hadn't been on an assignment with both Sakura and Naruto in at least two years now(not including the time that he was gone), he was still trying to adjust to their company.

Large trees, with deep red and orange leaves, climbed up the slope and off the shore.

Clam shells scattered the sandy beach. The air still held its usual autumn chill but the beauty of the island was like nothing they've seen before. Actually...one of them was rather reminded of the chaste village of Waterfall.

"Where exactly are we?" Naruto asked after a while of running towards the center of the village.

"We're in the village of pearl. Were you even listening to anything Kakashi-sama said?" Sakura called back,quickening her pace.

"Of course I was! I just forgot for a minute thats all..."

The three slowed down when they started noticing houses and buildings. The wind from running there had helped to dry their clothes but they still stayed somewhat damp.

They walked inside a local restaurant after reaching the center of the city.

"Ah..." Sakura relaxed, happy to rest. She sat down in one of the soft booths and was soon joined by Naruto. Sasuke took his time walking to the table to slide in across from them. He leaned back comfortably and closed his eyes in thought and attempted relaxation.

The air was much warmer inside the building than outdoors and after blocking out his vision he became sensitive to the crackle of a fire.

One on each side of the room is he was hearing right.

Moment's later a young lady in the restaurants uniform came up to the table so he brought his head back down to meet her cheery eyes.

"Hello there, would you like some menu's?" Not waiting for a response she placed a menu in front of each one of them and smiled. The woman stood there for a bit,looking at something and before she made them too uncomfortable she spoke. "I couldn't help but notice your headbands. You must be ninja from the leaf. I do hope you enjoy your time here!"

Sasuke felt his temper slowly rising.

"On your way to Mist?" She added.

"That is none of your concern." Sasuke quickly cut in before Naruto or Sakura could speak. He kept his eyes on his menu while the woman looked at him, a bit offended.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy."

"Its fine!" Sakura tried to save-face.

'No. It's not.' Sasuke thought to himself while his eyes scanned the different combinations of sushi rolls.

"Well, I'll leave you time to pick out what you want to order." She left the table a bit awkwardly.

The booth was silent as they looked at the menus.

"Thanks a lot Sasuke, now their going to spit in out food." Naruto hissed, breaking the silence. Sasuke put down his menu, choosing not to respond.

"She couldn't have been upset over such a small comment." Sakura quickly added; "No offense Sasuke-kun."

"None taken." He said folding a hands over his other one and, resting his elbows on the table. Waiting for the woman to return.

After they ate, they went straight to get a boat.

"Why do we need a boat? Isn't their someone Kakashi-sensei set up to take us across?" Naruto ran to catch up with Sasuke and Sakura who were walking ahead, letting their eyes run-over their side of the road for a decent shop.

"Actually, we're not spending the night here so we can get to The village hidden in Mist faster." said Sasuke stopping to look at a particular store. "In here."

"Why aren't we staying here?" He meant as in' how would it get them their quicker' but it came out sounding like he just ignored what the Uchiha had told him. Either way, he persisted ,still having to jog a bit to keep the same pace as Sasuke who had already gone inside, Sakura ran ahead as well.

"He just answered that Naruto. It wont take us as long to arrive if we sleep on the city borders tonight. The sooner we find Ishimaru, the sooner we can go home." She answered with an amused smile.

Sakura and Naruto met Sasuke at the front counter. She reached over him to ring the bell for service since Sasuke didn't look like he was doing it anytime soon. A plump man with red cheeks and gray hair poked up from under the counter at the sound of the light 'ding'.

The three jumped back in alarm, and then found themselves staring dumbly at his large smile and jam stained, white apron.

"Santa Clause?" Naruto looked closer.

Sakura discreetly hit him on the elbow, while Sasuke stepped up to the table and spoke in a flat voice:

"We need a boat."

"Urg..." Naruto groaned. "How much farther until we get there?"

His complaining wasn't helping the situation one bit.

Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto all walked towards Pearl's city border, with the weight of their bags in the boat in addition to the weight of the row-boat itself.

It's not that the boat was to heavy for Naruto-or so he had insisted when Sasuke slyly questioned his petulant behavior- he just wished all this traveling would go quicker.

"We're almost there; I can feel the chill from the water." Sakura informed him as they walked through an abnormally dense forest that would soon lead them to the water's edge-mere minutes away from Mist. There were scarcely any leaves left, but the trunks alone made her wonder if it would be possible to pass in mid-summer.

A small bead of sweat rested against her temple, buts she smiled, aside from her discomfort. Her arms felt like they would fall off from them being held over her head for so long but her training as a medic nin and prepared her for such labor.

During the past few years Sakura had achieved much as a ninja. After obtaining the rank of chunnin, she found her place in the medical field, where her smarts and training could be put too good use. Sakura needed such challenges to keep her mind off Sasuke when he left. It had been so hard...but that's finished, she reminded herself.

If an enemy were to attack right now, she would be more than ready for it. Sasuke kept his usual relaxed composure while he walked. He was in front of Sakura with Naruto towing behind him.

She eyed the swirl on the back of Naruto's Jounin vest . Even after all that mess he had to go through, he still made it as an elite ninja. Sakura felt sort of foolish for doubting him when they were younger but the two had, over the years, developed a devoted friendship. As silly as he did seem at times, Naruto had surely matured. If he was still the same little boy, why would Tsunade keep sending him on those crazy S-class missions so often? And Sasuke...

She wondered deep down if he ever thought of leaving Konoha again to finish off his brother. After coming so close what keeps him in the Leaf? He had increased his power immensely so it shouldn't be fear... against her will she frowned. She was almost certain it wasn't her. Had he given up on Itachi, or realized revenge will bring no peace?

They traveled in a comfortable silence.

.x.x.x.x.

At first it was the noticeable temperature drop and then the soothing sound of waves, crawling up the sand just to fall hopelessly back into the large body of water, forced by the strong gravitational pull, that got their attention.

The three plopped down the boat in a huff. They were still in the trees but could see bits of the water if they looked beyond their resting place at the small clearing.

Sakura stretched her arms, Sasuke sat on a log and Naruto took out a snack from his backpack; he dropped the other two's bags in front of them.

After a quick rest Sakura was the first to stand. "We need firewood and something to eat for the night. I picked up some fruit in town but I'm sure something solid would be nice." She smiled.

"I'll go get some some wood, and I'm sure you two can find some dinner. Sakura was about to leave.

"Hurry back. It's almost nightfall." Sasuke warned, trying not to sound protective.

"It shouldn't take long." She added, the slightest bit surprised at his comment, before turning and walking away.

Sasuke sat up straight. He never really remembered how awkward it became when him and Naruto were left alone so the feeling caught him off guard. He had to think about what to say so it didn't start an automatic argument.

"Lets go." He ordered standing up.

"Whatever. As long as we eat." Naruto ultimately stood, and for once allowed someone like Sasuke to be in charge.

.x.x.x.x.

After a bit Sakura returned to where the boat was, just barely making it back to the right place. The forest was big and getting lost seemed to be terribly simple, and there was also the grayish-blue light that dimmed making everything seem languid and blank.

She looked around expectantly- no one was there. Sakura decided she wold get started on the fire right away to keep her mind off of worrying about them -or about herself for that matter. Who would want to be abandoned in a forest alone? But they wouldn't...

Taking pieces of roughly cut wood she made a standard fire-tepee. After placing some rocks around the branches she sat back onto the dusty ground, the slightest bit tired by the rush. Nightfall was approaching.

.x.x.x.x.

Minutes later, Sasuke and Naruto burst through the tree's; water sprayed over Sakura's face and she abruptly stood up. Before she could get angry at them, Sakura realized in the last bit of light that they were soaking wet.

"We hurried back as quick as we could." Sasuke said, walking over to the pile of wood and instinctively lighting it with his fire jutsu.

He looked angry.

Naruto shared the same agitated expression as he settled down on a log Sakura had thoughtfully placed by the fire.

"uh..." Sakura hesitated. "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened to you two?" She watched as the fire made shadows dance upon their faces.

Naruto shivered, for the sun light had completely vanished and nothing was worse than being outside after dark and soaking wet in this sort of weather.

"Naruto." Sasuke said pointedly, beckoning for Naruto to answer Sakura's question.

"We fell in the river." Naruto said plainly.

"There's a river?" Sakura saw nothing but the shoreline.

"Hai. If you travel for about two miles there's a river." Sasuke sat down at the foot of the log.

"Oh..." She said understandingly. Not wanting to push it and ask how she changed the subject. "You two need to change clothes or you'll freeze to death."

She got up and went to her bag, returning quickly with two blankets in her hand. "Or you could just dry off." She passed one too Naruto who accepted it with a grateful nod; then she circled behind the log to place one gently over Sasuke's strong shoulders.

"Thanks." He said in an unexpressed tone, a bit uncomfortable about the special attention.

She sighed, sitting down. "So...where's the dinner?"

Sasuke looked to Naruto who reached behind himself with both hands and pulled out a bunch of fish.

"Mmm, looks great!" Sakura said pleased, standing up to prepare them over the blazing flames of the fire.

"unless I'm just really hungry.." She mumbled,sliding the shiny silver fish onto long sticks.

.x.x.x.x.

"So..." Naruto put down his finished fish ca bob stick and looked eagerly from Sakura to Sasuke. "what's the plan?" Sakura looked to the hard soil for a moment, contemplating something before responding.

"Since it would be faster, I was thinking we could split up and scout Mist thoroughly from all angles. To do that we have to each take different areas along the coast and work our way to the center of the city. Then we could meet and...eeto..."

"What if one of us finds Ishimaru and we're all by ourselves?" Naruto said, tearing his gazed from the fire he was staring at to face Sakura.

Sasuke looked back and forth from the two, listening closely.

"That's a good question." Sakura said, happy to answer. "It shouldn't be much trouble for which one of us finds him to bring him to wherever we choose to meet. Though, from there we have to go straight to their Mizukage and ask to bring him in for question."

It was a well known rule. You cannot simply trespass into another country and seize a citizen.

"Great! And the Mizukage shouldn't have a problem with it." Naruto thought out loud.

"Unless he's in on it as well." Sasuke commented. It was a possibility.

Sakura and Naruto went quiet , the only sound was the crackling fire.

"That's ridiculous!" Naruto laughed nervously.

Sasuke shrugged, so Sakura took this as a sign to return to the main topic. "Anyways, if we're going to pull this off we can't draw to much attention to ourselves. Ishimaru could run if he found out Konoha is searching for him."

"Hmm." Sasuke and Naruto nodded in agreement.

"So then it's settled. Does everyone agree?" Sasuke said, looking to his teammates.

"Yeah." Sakura nodded.

"Sure." Naruto stood up. "Well, I'm exhausted so lets go to sleep." He yawned, kicking his shoes off and sliding into his sleeping bag. He was now nice and dry from the heat of the flame.

"I'm kind of tired myself." Sakura did the same and Sasuke got up silently to go to bed as well.

The three of them all had their sleeping mats beside each others for warmth. Sasuke and Naruto sandwiched Sakura who snuggled into her blanket.

Naruto appeared to be already sleeping with a small puddle of drool by his lax mouth, and Sasuke had his back turned to both of them-contemplating whether or not he could tell the two he wanted to move to the other side of the fire without sounding rude.

"I'll wake you both up in the morning." Sakura mumbled before covering her face with the blanket. After the shuffling of sheets the forest was silent.

End Chapter Two

-/Autumn Fortress/