"Are you sure the perpetrator hasn't been identified?" Gaara calmly asked the Elite Sand Ninja standing before his desk.
The Elite Ninja, Hakudoshi Tono, shook his head. "No, Kazegake-sama. All we know so far is that the perpetrator does not hold any chakra, so it makes it rather difficult to track them. There is no trace to his killings. Only his victims, but none have survived, as far as we know."
Contemplating this, Gaara slowly nodded. "I see. Have the ANBU arrived here yet?"
"They did a few minutes ago, sir. Keiko is sending them immediately."
At this, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Gaara said.
The door opened and in walked two ANBU Ninjas. Seven were sent to the Sand Village, and these two were the representatives, while the rest of them scouted around the village.
"Kazekage-sama, I am Kyosuke Ikideke." Said the taller one on the left, taking off his mask.
"And I am Hiroshi Ukita." The shorter one on the right followed suit. "We are the representatives of the branch of ANBU sent here to the village from Konoha."
Gaara nodded to them in acknowledgment. "Thank you for coming. Have you found anything relating to the murders?"
"We don't know much, Kazekage-sama." Kyosuke replied. "All we know is that it is likely that the perpetrator is a tall man wearing a Hockey mask, and carries a machete. He also carries no chakra. It is likely he was, or is here. Have you found anything?"
Gaara shook his head, and Hakudoshi nodded in agreement. "We know nothing so far. If the murders committed here were done by the same man you described, then we..." His voice trailed off before he continued. "But it's likely the same man, since the killings leave no trace, other than a sharp weapon, and no traces of chakra either."
"Our men are assisting in searching along the village, and so far there has been nothing, correct?"
"Yes, sir. There has not been."
Hiroshi sighed. "This is a very bizarre mystery."
"Indeed." His partner agreed.
I'm sure Naruto has gotten himself involved. I wonder if he knows anything we may not... Gaara thought.
"If I may, can I request one of you to send a message to the Hokage on my behalf?" Gaara then said. "I wish for her to summon Naruto Uzumaki, and give him the message to come and see me immediately. Before anything is said, he is my friend and I wish to speak with him of this matter."
"Understood. I'll do it, Kazekage-sama." Said Kyosuke, and bowed before he left.
--
"Man! You're saying there's really some psycho out there killing people and wearing a Hockey mask?" Kiba said in disbelief, and gnawed on his spare ribs. "Wow, that's pretty weird!"
"As long as he doesn't eat my food!" Chouji remarked, taking another steak from the grill.
"We've seen the guy!" Naruto said. "Remember, Teah-nee-chan?"
"Yeah, I do." Teah said with a shaky smile. "I also noticed he had a rather bulbous head, which leads me to believe he has some kind of a brain condition. I could be wrong but the size of his skull is definitely fits the bill."
"Great analysis, doctor!" Kiba teased.
"But what if it wasn't him?" Sakura mentioned. "I mean, I know we don't see people running around wearing a Hockey mask, but are we sure it was the same guy?"
"It had to be, Sakura!" Naruto said. "He was carrying a machete, and apparently the weapon marks match up with a machete."
"Hmm...." Sakura pondered this, and nodded. "Yes, I think you could be right. If it is the same guy, of course. But we don't have any leads as to where he at this very point."
"Yeah, that's a drag." Naruto agreed. "Not much we can do, but damn it we gotta do something before even more happens!"
"What a drag..." Shikamaru sighed.
"Don't be such a downer, Shikamaru! This is a real adventure!" Chouji said.
"Yeah, for you." Shikamaru muttered.
Teah took another grilled salmon from the grill and started to cut it up in small pieces. "Well, we can't just give up now. I'm sure we'll find something, even get a lead on where we can go next from here. Besides, the ANBU are doing what they can to track down our perp. Even if they can't rely on chakra."
"So he's got no chakra? Damn, that's hard." Kiba remarked. "Makes it harder on us!"
"I know! It's so weird." Naruto agreed. "But we'll find this guy and definitely put a stop to all of it!"
"I agree with Naruto! Let us not give up or rest until we put this killer behind bars!" Lee proclaimed, making a salute.
"Excuse me, Naruto?"
They all looked up to see Shizune, looking panicked.
"Oh, Shizune-san! What's up?" Naruto asked.
"Lady Tsunade wants to see you, she has a message from the Kazekage." Shizune explained.
"Oh, Gaara? Man, it's been a while since I last saw him! Okay, I'll be right over!" Naruto nodded.
"I'll go with you, Naruto." Teah immediately said, getting up. "If this is about the murders regarding our mysterious perpetrator, I want to see to it that we put a stop to it together."
"Me too." Sakura said, also getting up.
"We'll come too!" Lee said.
Naruto was about to just say no, but he smiled anyway. "Ah, what the heck. I can't say no to you guys! C'mon, let's go."
They cleaned up their plates and left the cash and tip before following Shizune out of the restaurant and back to the Hokage Tower.
--
"Say what?! There's been attacks in the Sand Village?!" Naruto exclaimed. "So that's why Gaara wants to see me!"
Tsunade nodded. "Yep, he had Kyosuke come to me with this message to tell you to go down there and see him immediately."
"Well okay then! We'll get going right away!"
"I'm going too, Tsunade-sama." Teah stated.
"I'm not sure you should there Teah..." Tsunade said, biting her lip. "This could be pretty dangerous and I can't afford to have anything happen to you."
"Ah, don't worry about Teah-nee-chan! She'll be safe because she'll have me around!" Naruto exclaimed happily, bringing an arm around the blushing girl's waist! "You can count on me!"
"I'll be going too, Tsunade-sensei. I want to help put a stop to this." Sakura nodded.
Sighing, Tsunade shook her head. "Well all right, I guess I can't argue then. You win for now, brat. As for you guys, I want you to go and pay a visit to the Mizukage and let him know of all that's been happening, to keep an eye out just in case our perp gets to the Water Country." She said to Kiba, Shikamaru, Lee and Chouji.
"No problem, Hokage! You will be able to count on us!" Lee promised.
"Good then." Tsunade said, and handed Naruto a couple of scrolls. "Take these along, just in case you're in a tight pinch. Now get going, if you leave now you should be there by tomorrow morning."
"Okay, Tsunade-baa-chan! We'll get going right now! C'mon ladies, it's time to go!" Naruto cajoled.
"I can hardly wait." Sakura said dryly, but she smiled anyway.
"You be careful and stay strong and youthful, my darling Sakura!" Lee said, bringing an arm around the rosette.
Sakura giggled and blushed. "With your oh-so encouraging words, how can I refuse?"
Naruto glanced at the couple, and looked away as he inwardly sighed, trying not to show how disappointed he was feeling. It was sure going to be tough adjusting. But he knew that it was all going to be all right in the end. Lee would definitely be able to make Sakura happy, and treat her like a Princess, just as she deserved.
And they would always be close friends, that much he always knew. So it wasn't all tragic in the long run. It would take time to get over it and feel better, but he knew nothing bad would come from it all. Not in the least.
He then glanced toward Teah, the very woman he'd always thought of as a sister. He wasn't sure, but were his feelings toward her different now? Did he want her to be more than just a friend? He just couldn't decide.
Sighing, Naruto knew he had a lot to think about.
--
In the Land of the Waves, at one end of the Great Naruto Bridge, Jason stood around, quite confused. He was now on a bridge, a bridge crossing over water, the very thing he despised and feared the most. And he still had no logical explanation as to how he got here so suddenly.
Not that he ever did have a logical explanation for anything, anyway.
Still, even he knew it was impossible to suddenly take a step and end up in an entirely different location. Something was wrong, something just wasn't right. He began to feel as though he were back at Camp Crystal Lake and there were intruders.
Camp Crystal Lake...
As he thought about it, worry pinched his mind as he realized he was far from his home for too long. What if teenagers were already infesting the place with their naughty filth? What if they made a mess of his possessions?
But he had a job to do, and he would never disobey his mother. Not ever. He would make her proud, the only thing in life he ever wanted. To make his mother proud.
There was a town up ahead beyond the bridge, possibly with some potential prey. And hopefully some good hiding places.
Jason slowly crossed the bridge, staying as far away from both ledges as possible so as to avoid looking at the water, keeping his gaze straight ahead as he walked briskly toward his next destination.
Above at the other end was a big sign declaring that this was the Great Naruto Bridge. Although Jason couldn't read, he was curious as to what it was saying.
Meanwhile, inside the town, the bridge builder, Tazuna, was heading into the town to go do some grocery shopping. Since having completed the Great Naruto Bridge nearly four years ago, as planned, the island was doing so much better. An increase of their exports, the economy, and even more housing along the island, and the surrounding islands around. And they no longer had to worry about any horrible corporate executive types trying to ruin them.
Now he was able to provide a lot better for his grandson and daughter. Which was truly a blessing, and all he ever wanted.
Another great day. Tazuna thought, inhaling the fresh scent of the surrounding ocean.
Casting a glance toward the Great Naruto Bridge, the elderly bridge builder smiled as he could remember back when Naruto and his team had helped save them from Gato, and Zabuza and Haku. Looking to that bridge, he remembered why he had named it just that, and he never looked back.
But now something caught his eye. Someone was approaching the town over the bridge. A tall man wearing a Hockey mask, and the machete in his hand was very unsettling.
Frowning, Tazuna debated whether or not to confront this strange mystery, or just take the safe way out.
"Excuse me sir, can we help you?" A gate guard said, going toward Jason.
Staring down at him, Jason just tilted his head as he tried to comprehend what he was saying. He caught the words "help you", which meant this was obviously not an enemy. At least he hoped.
Not sure how to respond, he just kept on walking.
"Sir! Excuse me, wait, sir! Just tell me who you are and what you're doing here, that's all I'm asking!" The guard persisted.
He was sounding panicked, maybe even a little scared by now. It didn't matter.
"Stop! Freeze! I said freeze!" The guard said, pulling out a pistol. "Freeze! I said freeze!"
Stopping in his tracks, Jason turned around and stared at the guard, tilting his head. It was just one of those times that he found people confusing.
"Freeze! Put your hands in the air!" The guard warned. "Hands where I can see them!"
Still confused, Jason just stared at him and then slowly raised his hands, still holding his machete.
"Drop your weapon! Drop it, now!"
And he did. This man was annoying him by now. If he got in the way...
"Good...now stay right where you are." The guard slowly approached, not tearing his eyes from the giant.
Jason watched carefully, keeping his hands in the air as the guard approached. This was not a good sign, he was about to invade his personal space. He had better not think to touch him, either.
"I have a warrant to perform a cavity search any who come into this town. Keep your hands in the air." The guard said, and then put his gun away, and then started to frisk him.
Right then, Jason pushed back the guard and then bent down to pick up his machete. Before the guard could react, he was then violently stabbed in the stomach, coughing up blood.
Withdrawing his weapon, Jason shoved him to the ground and then walked off.
Seeing this, Tazuna quickly ducked into the nearest shop. What he just saw was simply shocking, and he just couldn't believe it. What was going on? Who was this man?
--
"Hey guys, we've got a major storm coming. We better stop here." Sakura said, indicating toward a Motel in the village they had stopped in to get some dinner.
"Good idea, Sakura." Kakashi agreed with a nod. "I'll radio Sai and Yamato and let them know where we are. We are only about 85 kilometres from the Sand Village, we'll be there in the morning if we get up early."
They went to the Motel and checked in, in which they got two rooms. One for Sakura and Teah to share, the other for Kakashi and Naruto to share. All the rooms had two beds, a bathroom, a closet, a table, two chairs, and a television. It started to rain as they went into their rooms to get settled in.
To assist the ANBU, Sai and Yamato had gone along with them and went ahead to different areas of the Wind Countries to investigate other places in case their perpetrator would be there, and to warn just in case. So far, they found nothing that lead to any clues. No footprints, no traces, nothing. It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
So they hoped to find something from Gaara, and even work to put two and two together to form a better picture. And maybe even get a name on top of that.
Night was rolling in, and the rain was coming down a lot harder by now. There was an awning along the Motel rooms, so people could access their rooms and the office without getting caught in bad weather like this.
Teah was standing outside, staring at the rain apprehensively as she leaned against the wall, protected by the awning. She was already in her nightdress, and Sakura was in their room, reading in her bed before going off to sleep. They all wanted to get to sleep at a decent hour so that they could get up early the next morning.
"Ahhh, fresh air!" Naruto exclaimed to himself as he came outside, already in his PJ's. He noticed Teah and smiled. "Hey, Teah-nee-chan! What'cha doing here?"
"Getting some air." Teah shrugged.
"Oh. So am I, yeah." Naruto said, going over to stand next to her. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Teah said. "Why would I not be okay?"
"Well you've been acting kind of strange the past week. Since we...um....well, you know." Naruto said, blushing slightly. "I already said it was okay, no need to worry!"
She smiled at him sadly. "I know, I know what you said. I just still worry about it, because I don't know where we'll go from here. We can't just go on like nothing happened, and yet I don't expect anything from it. ...But I guess I may as well just get it out on the table."
"Huh?" Naruto asked, cocking his head. "Get what out on the table?"
"Naruto...I...." Teah's cheeks became crimson. "....I love you. I love you more than just as a friend. I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. Although he was partly suspicious of her affections, it was still surprising to actually hear it. "Y-You do...?"
"Yes....I do. I know it sounds odd, coming from me. A girl who fell in love with her own cousin."
"There's nothing wrong with that, Teah-nee-chan!"
Teah sighed. "I know, but it's still beyond the norm. ...I still do love Sasuke, I can't change that. He's important to me, and I just can't forget the better times we've had. But...I know he's never going to come back, at least not on his own if we do fail." Tears ran down her cheeks. "I can hope, pray, and sit in my room waiting for some kind of miracle all I want, but it won't do a thing. I have to move on with my life, Naruto. Dwelling in the past is not going to get me anywhere, and I refuse to let anything stop me from living the life I want. You inspired me to believe that, and I never forgot it, and I never will. Naruto...being in love with you is part of what I know will let me move on. I'll understand if you don't feel the same way, and I'll always be your friend. I...just wanted you to know." She lowered her head. "I love you so much...and I cherish our friendship more than anything."
Still pretty surprised, Naruto drank it all in and just couldn't believe it. She actually did love him. Love. It was all true. It all made sense now. He couldn't believe it, just couldn't believe it, but it was all there in plain black and white. She had said she loved him.
But how did he feel?
That's just it, I don't know...do I? I mean, she's a great gal and I know we could really make each other happy, but is it what I want? Do I really love her in return? Can I return her feelings...? Would we be able to be together since she's a Princess and all? Isn't there laws against her being with a commoner? Naruto thought.
It was tough, he wasn't sure how he felt, and yet somehow he knew. But was he really certain? Should he act on being with her? Or should he just let it slide? But what if he did love her, didn't know it, and was missing out on the love of his life?
It was confusing.
Looking at her, Naruto decided to see how he felt, right then and there. If it was possible. He approached her and gently took hold of her chin to make her face him. She blushed, and he smiled, leaning up to meet her lips. Teah was surprised at first, but she relaxed and kissed him back.
I'll figure it out eventually, Teah-nee-chan...I just need to be sure. I hope I can love you...
--
"Boss, I have just received a report from Mokira." Himetsu said as he entered the underground meeting room.
"What is it, Himetsu?" Fujisaki turned from the crystal ball toward his right hand man.
"The Nine-Tails and the Princess are headed West for the Sand Village. They are now in a village about 85 kilometres away. They are on Jason's trail, so to speak, but are several steps behind."
"Hmm...I see....this could get risky..." Fujisaki nodded. "Well, if it's Jason they want...then they'll get him."
"What do you mean, Boss?"
"I have a plan, dear Himetsu...a change of plans, but it will work to our advantage for sure. With it, we will have the Princess, and the Shinobi countries will soon fear us!"
His evil laughter echoed along the room.