This last week has gone by really quickly. We've been doing a bunch of D-Ranks, but I managed to save Naruto from pulling out all of the plants in the weed-pulling mission.
That's all I could really save him from, though.
It was quite comical to watch as Naruto fell off the waterfall and all (I had made sure to get all the trash he had dropped afterwards), but the minefield was just sad.
Alas, it was finally time to receive the dreaded wave mission, and every time I thought of it my heart sped. What if something went wrong and I couldn't save everyone? What if someone dies?
What if I die?
Those thoughts sped through my mind constantly as the day went on, I didn't even pay attention when we walked into the Hokages' office. It seemed that at this point, I was just going through the motions. My body knew what to do, but my mind was not acknowledging what was happening around me.
I think that it was safe to say that I was, in fact, terrified.
"Oi, you realize that they've been calling your name for the past three minutes, right?" Inner spoke up and I froze.
'What.'
I blinked owlishly at the group of people around me, offering up a sheepish smile in return to their confused and concerned stares. "Ah, sorry. What was it again?" I asked, my confidence slowly seeping back into my body. Kakashi sighed and face palmed.
"We were wondering your opinion, dattebayo!" Naruto shouted and I raised an eyebrow.
"My opinion on what, exactly, Little Fox?" I asked, taking note of how every adult in the room stiffens at the nickname.
"If we should get better missions!" He exclaimed and I chuckled.
"Hell yeah we should get better missions! I wanna see the world! And all the food it has to show me!" I shout while fistpumping. Everyone sweatdrops except for Naruto, who's nodding his head enthusiastically. "Yeah, yeah, yeah!" He says happily.
The third stares at us before sighing and letting out a faint chuckle. "Fine, I'll assign you a C-Rank mission. You will be escorting someone to the Land of Waves." He told us and Naruto basically glowed with happiness. Huh. So he didn't describe the mission rankings this time around. Or maybe he did, I was zoned out for quite a while. Regardless, we got the wave mission and my fear was returning to me.
"You will be guarding a master bridge builder by the name of Tazuna. It shouldn't take long for you to complete this mission, as it should only take a day or so to arrive. You will then stay there until the bridge is finished and serve as protection for him." The Hokage stated, calling in the man once he was finished.
With apathetic eyes, I took in Tazunas' drunken appearance. His cheeks were red from the sake, and he was leaning heavily on the door. "These brats are going to escort me?" He grumbled and I laughed and gave him a cheeky smile.
"Why, who else would it be Tazuna-San? But, a little tip, I'd keep that sake close this trip. You'll probably need it." I said, stage-whispering the last part to him.
I couldn't tell if he was amused or not. Which was kind of depressing, considering I'd found that pretty funny.
"You'll be leaving tomorrow morning, be at the gates by ten. Dismissed." The Hokage said sternly, ignoring my awesomely awesome joke. I smiled. "Sure thing, gramps!" I said happily before running over and jumping out of the window, laughing at the angry shouts of Iruka echoing behind me. Man, that guy should really talk to someone about his anger problems.
ಠ_ಠ
The next morning came fairly quickly, and before I knew it we were standing at the gates and preparing to leave. Naruto was fidgeting with excitement, Sasuke was being all broody, and I was reading some new medical text. After a bit of waiting, which honestly didn't seem like that long, Kakashi finally showed up.
Once everyone was there, Naruto began to get overly excited. "Oh yeah!" He exclaimed, stretching his limbs and smiling widely.
"What is it, Naruto?" I curiously inquired, feigning confusion. The boy turned and gave me a goofy grin.
"It's just, I'm a traveler now! I've never been out of the village before!" He told-more-like-shouted. Tazuna groaned, his nerves already acting up.
"Are you telling me that this runt is who I'm trusting my life to?! He's a joke!" He grumbled, earning a glare from both me and the boy in question. Kakashi shrugged. "He's with me, and I'm a Jonin, so you have no need to worry." He stated.
Then, Naruto turned and pointed at the bridge builder. "Hey, you should never insult a ninja! It's a big mistake, and I'm gonna be one of the best out there! One day, I'm gonna become Hokage and show everyone that I'm not some worthless runt!" He declared, earning a snort from the old man.
"Hokage are some of the most powerful and wisest people out there! You're puny and idiotic, the day you become Hokage is the day I'll sprout wings and fly." He grumbled, and I saw my chance to but in.
"You never know, Tazuna! Sometimes even the weakest of ninja can grow and become stronger than us all. So, be prepared for those wings one day." I stated with a wink, deciding to go ahead and walk so that way we can get a move on.
Turning back with a smile on my face, I shouted," C'mon guys! Let's go!" And continued on my way.
I almost didn't notice the shadowed figures hidden in the trees, a trained eye following our movements.
Almost.
ಠ_ಠ
The walk was long, and we had only just now reached the famed puddle. So, naturally, feigning innocence I walked straight through the puddle.
Or, tried to at least. As soon as the sole of my shoe hit the water, a hand was around my ankle and I was on the ground. Seconds after, I heard the ripping of flesh and gasps. So, Kakashis been 'killed'.
"Now," Gōzu muttered, "Its your turn-!"
My terror that had been occupying my thoughts these past few days soon turned to fury at the situation that I was put in and my body seemed to react on instinct.
I was exceptional at masking weapons, so in less than three seconds flat a kunai was embedded handle deep in his ribcage, most likely hitting his spleen. Blood poured out of his open wound, splattering my face and neck with warm liquid. What can I say, I've been training quite a lot these past few weeks. Days spent running laps around the village and doing exercises with Gai and Lee, nights spent on combat with Kiba. The three of us have managed to get quite close during this time.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand.
I gripped his right arm and kicked upwards, sending the man flying while simultaneously dislocating his shoulder. I smiled at the pain showing on his face because how dare he attack me and think he can get away with it?! Hell nah. This bitch gon' learn today.
Calmly, I walked over to Gōzu and ripped my kunai out (ignoring his cry of pain, obviously), wiping the blood on my pants and putting it away before looking down and smirking. "You know, you should never put a lady in that position. Things might end up quite..unfavorable for you."
He merely snarled.
"Tch. You'll be dead within, ah, two minutes? So I wouldn't waste my energy if you want any hope of help. " I spat before smiling brightly and turning back to my team, who's eyes were all trained on me with shock clearly swimming in their iris'.
"What is it?" I inquired, wondering just what I could have don't to make the-oh.
Oh.
I bet it was the badassery I just displayed. Ya'know, basically murdering a guy and having a cool-ass thing to say at the end. Fuck yeah. I bet it was that. Although, if he was beaten by a mere Genin, then he probably wasn't anything much in terms of ninja.
Finally, my question was answered when Naruto shakily spoke up. "Y-you just..you almost killed him Sakura!" He stammered, earning a light chuckle from me.
"Well, from the looks of it," I drawled, looking back at the bloody man behind me,"He already is dead, Little Fox."
Narutos' eyes widened and Kakashi (who I only just realized was there) blinked tiredly at the dead body. "Sakura, once I'm done talking to Tazuna over here, I want to talk to you too. Also, Naruto, you're wounded." He said before disappearing with Tazuna in tow.
Slowly, I looked over to a panicking Naruto, who seems to have forgotten the dead body merely feet away from him.
After freaking out a bit, he then stabbed him self with a kunai. Just as Kakashi was coming back. Let me repeat, Naruto stabbed his hand to get poison out how stupid is this little fu-
"Sakura, language!" Kakashi reprimanded, causing me to freeze because oh dear lord I did not just say that out loud and-
Breathe, Sakura, breathe.
"Jesus, kid, calm down." Inner scolded.
"Easy for you to say, I just made a fucking fool of myself and basically called Naruto and idiot even though I said I wouldn't be mean to him and-and-!" I rambled before Inner cut me off once more.
"Kid. Breathe. You're fine. Just go and fix him before Kakashi says he'll bleed out from such a little cut."
Nodding, I breathed deeply and walked over to Naruto. "Give me your hand." I told him, and he obeyed.
"You know, Naruto, you could bleed out from that if you don't get it bandaged and treated properly." Our sensei hummed and I snorted. Naruto, however, began to freak out. Again.
"Jesus Christ, Fox, you're not gonna bleed out from a baby cut like that. Kakashi," I said, shooting a glare his way for scaring Naruto," Is just being a dick. You'll be fine. And look, I already healed it!"
I lied, though he believed it completely. He healed himself, courtesy of Kurama. "Now. Before we go, you wanted to speak with me?" I questioned, an eyebrow raised at my sensei. He nodded and led me away, the aura becoming incredibly serious incredibly fast.
"What was that back there?" He asked, clearly referencing my little, ah, extermination. I shrugged. "I was attacked. What else can I say?"
"You're a genin, Sakura! You aren't supposed to be doing that yet, let alone knowing how to effectively do it!" He semi-yelled at me, the tiredness that is usually present gone. Strange.
And you know what I did next? That's right kiddos; I shrugged. "You expect a ninja not to know how to kill someone? Especially one who's studying medical ninjutsu? Absurd. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm headed back to the group. We should probably be going." I snapped before heading back to the rest of my team.
"Hot damn, kid, you got some bark to go along with that bite. Did ya see his face? Utterly shocked." Inner said, simply roaring with laughter.
I merely smiled.
Welp, that's the third chapter done. Anything I should add? Any humor criticisms? Any grammar mistakes? I'd love to hear input and reviews! Comment!