Chapter 27
In Buddhism, the monks practice a type of meditation called kinhin. In essence, they meditate as they move, taking a step only when they have completed a whole breath.
In and out, step. In and out, step.
Sometimes, they will simply walk back and forth over the same small patch of earth, not stopping until they have committed every inch underfoot to memory. Only when they have come to understand that nothing is permanent, and they can therefore possess nothing, do they truly begin their life as a monk.
It was Shikamaru's personal belief that shinobi would be much better off if they shared that belief system. His previously peaceful expression twitched into a frown. He didn't have to open his eyes to know who was sitting beside him: the musky smell of wilderness and ramen was clue enough.
"What time is it?" He mumbled, stretching life back into his limbs. He was sprawled out on a bench in a quiet corner of the Hokage's mansion, but he could hear the sound of bustling bodies elsewhere in the building.
After a slight pause, Naruto replied huskily, "Around dawn I guess. Not really sure though, there're no windows in this hallway, you know."
"Hence the basis of its appeal as a location for napping." Shikamaru replied groggily, finally opening his eyes as he tilted his head back. Naruto, who was sitting on the bench near his head, returned his gaze with a glint of amusement in his sad blue eyes.
Realization suddenly hit Shikamaru as he looked at the blond. He sat up quickly, smoothing back the loose strands of his hair as he said, "Wait, did you say it was dawn? We're supposed to be at the mission briefing with Tsunade and the Jounin teams right now! Naruto, why didn't you wake me?"
"Wake you?" Naruto replied with a snort. "You're practically narcoleptic. I almost thought you were in a coma for a minute."
"Troublesome." Shikamaru grumbled under his breath as he heaved himself up. His back cracked monumentally, earning a wide smirk from Naruto. Shikamaru sighed loudly, shaking his head as he started walking down the hallway. "Let's go, Naruto. It's a drag, but we should be there for the briefing. We were the ones who came up with the damn strategy."
"I hear you." Naruto replied, hot on Shikamaru's heels. "By the way, what were you dreaming about? You were mumbling something about tantric steps."
"Monks." Shikamaru replied flatly as they turned the corner, the sudden appearance of Naruto sending a group of Genin kunoichi into hysterics. "I'm thinking of giving up this whole ninja thing and becoming one. I'd have a lot more time to sit around and think."
Naruto laughed, his good-natured voice warm in the paleness of the morning. "I would have thought that more time to think is the last thing you'd want, Shikamaru."
The strategist shrugged. "I guess you never have that problem, being a mediation guru and all. Maybe you could give me another lesson some time."
The Sage didn't respond, so Shikamaru dropped the subject. They continued walking together in silence, until they reached the door that led to the rooftop and stepped out into the crisp morning air.
Tsunade stood with her back to the rising sun, her green-cloaked figure striking and statuesque against the pale pink sky. Kakashi stood a few feet away from her, and before them, kneeling in lines of three, were twenty-four of Konoha's Jounin. Tsunade appraised them both quickly with sharp brown eyes before continuing her speech.
"I know that many of you have mixed feelings when it comes to the Uchiha Clan, or perhaps with Sasuke Uchiha specifically. But Sasuke is one of our own. He is a valuable shinobi of this village. If that isn't enough to motivate you, remember: the Kou Clan has attacked our village. They have harmed civilians and are threatening to stir up war in this time of peace and order. I am asking you to carry out this mission for the sake of maintaining the fragile peace we have developed."
She looked up at Naruto again, and this time, Kakashi and many of the others followed her gaze. The Hokage took a deep breath before continuing.
"Peace we have developed at a great cost."
Naruto inhaled against the nagging pain in his chest: pain that was starting to show in his eyes, more and more with each passing day. He straightened his shoulders as he strode confidently to Tsunade's side, Shikamaru taking each step with him. Naruto was glad for his unspoken support, the gentle and steady thrum of his breath calming in the silence.
Twenty-four sets of eyes stared up at them, eyes full of trust and admiration, eyes full of excitement or curiosity or pure exhaustion. Among the assembled Jounin were several members of the Konoha Eleven. Sakura knelt at the head of the medical team, her eyes full of concern as she looked at her teammate. Ino and Choji smiled up at them confidently, while Hinata blushed from her line with Kiba and Shino. Dully, Naruto reminded himself that Lee and Gai were out on a mission, dealing with a taijutsu master who was teaching forbidden techniques - but as to where the other, non-ANBU Eleven where, he wasn't sure.
Shikamaru cleared his throat. "Personally, I don't give a damn how you feel about anything." He stated bluntly, his hands in his pockets as he transferred his weight to one foot. "But if any of you think your feelings about the Uchiha will interfere with this mission, I suggest you leave. Now."
His words were met by heavy silence. The shinobi exchanged troubled glances, but none of them moved. Satisfied, Shikamaru nodded and continued.
"Alright then. This mission will go down in three basic stages. We will split into two groups, an emissary group and a small attack force. The first group will be accompanying Kakashi and Naruto, who will meet with representatives of the Kou Clan to try and negotiate a peaceful exchange. In the event of a failure in negotiation, the attack force, led by one of Naruto's clones, will attack the Kou's base in an attempt to rescue Sasuke Uchiha."
The genius looked at the upturned faces before him skeptically. "So, stage one, split up and get into position. Stage two, wait patiently while Naruto patiently talks with the Kou. Stage three, attack if negotiations fail."
Kiba spoke up suddenly, a deep frown on his face. "What are the negotiations? Is Naruto just going to politely ask them to let that jerk Sasuke go or what?"
Akamaru barked in agreement, his massive white body hulking behind Kiba's back.
Naruto took half a step forward, allowing his voice to ring commandingly the way Tsunade had taught him. "I will attempt to negotiate a peaceful trade by offering to take Sasuke's place as their prisoner. We think that was their main goal from the start, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. If they agree to the trade, then the following conflict between our shinobi and theirs won't be as bad, you know? The problem is, if they don't hand Sasuke over to us, then we're looking at a real fight here, and we should avoid that if we can help it."
Tsunade nodded in affirmation. "If there aren't any other questions, Shikamaru will divide you into your teams. Since this mission will take you to the Land of Tea, I won't be able to accompany you. However, I expect you to avoid unnecessary violence. We are in a time of peace, and I won't have my shinobi breaking that peace over a petty blood feud. That will be all."
With that said, Tsunade strode off, her cloak flapping as she collected all her air of grandeur. Naruto watched her go, slightly awed by the sense of tirelessness that she projected.
"Okay, so," Shikamaru began. "The teams are pretty lopsided. The attack force, which will be led by myself, will consist of twenty-one of you, while only three will be accompanying Kakashi and Naruto for obvious reasons. Sakura, I want you with Naruto and Kakashi. Ino, Choji, you'll be with me."
Naruto shut his eyes, tuning out Shikamaru's bored and monotonous voice and allowing his mind to drift. He ignored the curious prodding of Kurama's consciousness, instead letting his mind expand and settle like a blanket over his village. He was privy to the pain of the florist who cut herself trimming the stems of her flowers, and the determined march of a colony of ants. He felt the elation of a small bird as it took flight, the distress of a man in the hospital whose wife was dying in his arms. Each life was a point of light, blazing and warm, no matter how brief it may be.
Shikamaru nudged his side, disrupting his meditation. Naruto opened his eyes, glancing over at his friend with a curious, golden gaze.
"Naruto will go over the final details of the mission." Shikamaru said, shrugging dismissively as he took a step back, giving Naruto the floor.
The blond sighed as his comrades turned their attention towards him: his glinting yellow eyes, his messy hair that was getting too long again, his beautiful, wearied face. The rising sun was shining through his hair and cloak, giving him a glowing, fiery appearance. He scratched at the stubble on his jaw absently.
"The shinobi of the Kou Clan are extremely dangerous," Naruto began. "Their techniques are unlike anything we've faced before, as they combine genjutsu with physical lighting-based jutsu. Don't take them lightly. Don't let them get a hold of you and, if you can help it, make sure that you are always with a comrade. Keep track of each other, because there is a possibility that one or two of you may become possessed. Kakashi-sensei and the sensory ninja will be keeping an eye out, so we should be able to get to anyone who has been captured fairly quickly."
"Also," Naruto continued. "I have a favour to ask all of you. If you encounter Kou, the leader, please don't fight him. He's really old, so we can't predict what he'll do. We have no idea what he's capable of, so, if you find him before I do just leave him alone. I'll take care of him myself, you know."
Shikamaru looked at Naruto, waiting for him to continue. But when he said nothing more, the strategist turned to the Jounin and said, "Okay, that's it. Dismissed."
As the ninja dispersed in every direction to prepare themselves for the mission, an ANBU rose up out of the rooftop. He quickly knelt, his head bowed low in an overly eager display of respect. "Captain Hyūga sends word, Uzumaki-sama."
"Report." Naruto replied, his voice softening as the pain in his chest began to throb once more. The sadness flickered back into his eyes as they faded from gold to blue.
"The defenses are prepared. All of our units are in place and ready to take your place as the protectors of Konoha." The masked shinobi said, trying to imitate Neji's regal voice without much success. After a moment of slight hesitation, the young ninja added, "The Captain also wishes you well on your mission, and hope's that you can right the wrongs created by ANBU's negligence."
Shikamaru snorted. "Damn Hyūga. Still got a stick up his ass."
Kakashi chuckled. "I'm more impressed that he's managed to remain so disciplined after being friends with you two for years: a borderline narcoleptic and a loose-canon idiot."
"Why is everyone saying that today?" Shikamaru mumbled, slouching his shoulders.
"Thanks for the report." Naruto said to the ANBU, who was wide eyed with shock at their exchange. "Please send Neji my thanks, and tell him I said you delivered your message very well."
The ANBU jumped to his feet, saluting enthusiastically as he cried, "I will sir, thank you sir!"
As he disappeared, Shikamaru said softly, "I bet he was one of the Chunin charged with Konoha's defenses during the war. Just became a Jounin and got himself into ANBU before he got back out into the field. He's too cheerful to have seen the war."
"I hope he manages to keep that enthusiasm." Kakashi said, "Too many of us lose it along the way." He waved over his shoulder as he drifted over to the edge of the building, jumping down soundlessly.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru drawled, his gaze sliding over to Naruto. "Meet you at the gate?"
"You bet." Naruto replied, forcing enthusiasm into his voice. He knew that Shikamaru wouldn't buy it for a second, but the Nara genius let it slide, shrugging as he stalked away.
Turning towards the sunrise, now fading from pink to blue, Naruto allowed a memory to drift through his mind. A few months ago, he had found himself unable to sleep, haunted by nightmares and worry. He wandered out to the cluster of cherry trees in the backyard, standing among them and focusing on the hibernating pulse of life within their trunks.
He had just begun to consider going back inside when Sasuke came for him. Half naked and sleepy eyed, his long hair in a mass of knots at the back of his neck, Sasuke trudged to his side through the snow.
"You had a nightmare?" Sasuke asked, his voice calming in the cool of the night.
Naruto nodded, unable to peel his eyes away from the dark, frozen skin of the tree in front of him. He didn't want to lay his pain on Sasuke. God knows the man had enough troubles of his own already.
Sasuke didn't press him for details. He simply reached over, briefly gripping Naruto's shoulder with his delicate hand. "Whenever you're ready to talk about it, you know where I am." He said, before turning and making his way back to the warmth of their house.
When he had climbed onto the porch, he glanced back at his Guardian, a glint in his proud black eyes. "Get your ass back to bed, idiot-blond." He called, yet his voice was still as soft as the brush of fabric across skin.
Naruto swallowed hard, his view of the village blurring as tears filled his eyes.
"I will always come for you. Always." He whispered, his mind still dancing through the past.
A growl rose up in his throat, rattling past his teeth before he could stop it. "You're scared." Kurama stated in his booming voice. When Naruto didn't reply, the fox continued, "I hope you realize what you're going to have to do before this is over, Naruto."
In response, Naruto ran the few steps to the edge of the roof, and with a yelp jumped into the empty air. For a moment he was soaring, the ground growing further and further away beneath him. And then, with a flash that crackled like flame, he vanished.
Naruto was the first to arrive at the gate, standing cross-armed and imposing as a sentinel. The shinobi began to arrive in pairs or small groups, organizing themselves into their teams while talking quietly to each other. Naruto gazed ahead unseeing, totally unaware of the many unguarded stares which were pointed towards him.
A gentle touch on his arm roused him from his thoughts. He glanced down, meeting Sakura's concerned green eyes. "Look alive, you moron." She whispered. "You're making everyone nervous."
Naruto's eyes widened and he looked around quickly, suddenly sensing the uncomfortable aura in the air. He let his arms drop like they were led, forcing a wide smile into his face.
"Sorry, Sakura-chan." He answered, keeping his voice light. "I was just thinking about the mission. I want everything to go smoothly, you know."
Sakura smiled. "It will. We'll get Sasuke back together, okay?"
The two other members of the team wandered over to them then. Captain Yamato smiled at Naruto nervously, while the other shinobi, whom Naruto had never met but recognized his chakra, blushed a deep red as he smiled.
"Such an honour to be working with all of you!" He exclaimed, his voice shaking with nerves. "I don't suppose you know who I am? My name is-"
"Mogami!" Sakura cut in, nodding at the man who was now blushing even deeper. "I remember you, Mogami-san. I treated you during the war. How are your injuries? Did they heal alright?"
"Yes, Miss. Sakura!" The eager Jounin replied. "I don't even have a scar!"
"What did I miss?" Kakashi asked lazily, appearing over Yamato's shoulder.
Naruto leaned towards him, smirking as he whispered, "Yet another awkward exchange with a patient who has a crush on Sakura-chan."
Kakashi's eye wrinkled as he stifled a laugh. Yamato sighed, turning to count the assembled shinobi. "Seems that we're only waiting for one more."
"Shikamaru." Naruto replied. He had been keeping track of everyone's chakra, and the calm, shadowy chakra of the second team leader was the only one missing. "Although, he technically still has two minutes until the hour. He won't show up until he has to, you know."
Exactly one and a half minutes later, Shikamaru showed up.
"Finally!" Naruto yelled, taking Sakura's advice to heart as he attempted to seem as energetic as possible. "Let's get going."
The shinobi arranged themselves into defensive travel formations, but otherwise made no move to start forwards. After all, Naruto's pre-mission routine was practically legendary. They all watched as the blond strode under the wide gate in the wall. Once he had passed under it's shadow, he turned back towards the village, his vibrant blue eyes absorbing one last, lingering look. And then he sighed, closing his eyes as he made a clone.
With that, the two teams joined him, and they started off down the road at an easy run. Before long, they turned towards the Land of Tea, taking to the treetops to avoid the slippery, melting snow that still lingered under the shade of the giant trees. After an hour of running, the two teams began to go their separate ways. Naruto led his team towards the distantly approaching chakra's of the Kou ambassadors, while his clone led the attack force away, on the long path it would take them to arrive in Kou territory without being detected.
"I hope the Uchiha brat has at least managed to burn one or two Kou to a crisp." Kurama grumbled, his chin on his paws. "They deserve it, with all the trouble they've caused."
Naruto shook his head. "I don't know if he'll have enough chakra for that. What with the seal, plus there's the fact that they probably aren't feeding him, he's probably feeling pretty weak right about now."
The fox swished his massive tails, as if irritated. "That boy has fire in him, Naruto. He will be alright until we get there."
Naruto couldn't help but laugh, feeling strange that Kurama was trying to comfort him. But then his mood sobered, and he replied. "I always thought that Sasuke was full of rain. Partly because there's so much sadness in him, but partly because he's always changing, always flowing away and becoming something else."
Kurama shuddered, making ripples in the water of Naruto's mindscape. "If you have time to think about the sadness in others, do something about your own, Naruto. It's still dark and freezing in here."
Sighing, Naruto returned his focus to the forest. Behind him, he could hear the heavy breathing of his teammates, so he slowed the pace. After a while, he stopped, letting them rest while he continued to track the progress of the Kou and the other team from Konoha.
While they rested, a bank of clouds rolled in from the north, and with it came a harsh, cold wind. It carried with it the fresh smell of snow and pine trees. Naruto inhaled deeply and shut his eyes, indulging in a moment of calm. A stolen moment of peace.
When his eyelashes lifted, his whole body became tense, his eyes flashing and dangerous behind the fall of his golden bangs. Without a word to his team, he started off again, leading them on through the seemingly endless trees. Naruto felt as if a fire was going to break out on his skin, his whole body was tingling with emotion.
"I'm the one who has fire in him." Naruto said, finally replying to Kurama. He was surprise to hear the weariness in his voice. After a moment of thought, he added, "And wind, I guess."
The fox growled, deeply and threateningly. The growl once again found it's way out of Naruto's mouth, but this time he let it. Behind him, Naruto's team felt shivers wrack their spines.
"A dangerous combination." Kurama affirmed. "Two elements that have the making of a storm."
Even as he said that, Naruto could feel the storm rising in him. Hot chakra leaked from his pores and made the air thick with static. There was indeed a storm coming. And it was the Kou, who would be at the receiving end of it.
Hey guys! Sorry it took me forever to update, but I actually have a decent excuse this time! It's a long story, but I was in the hospital for a while. However, Guardian of the Moon is in the home stretch now, so I'll try my best to keep the chapters coming. Happy reading!