A/N; Yatta! My last exam is over and never again will I have to wear school uniform! -Throws it in a pile and sets fire to it- Burn baby burn! e.e I wish, but my mother would not be too happy... Honestly, I'm so into writing this fanfic I thought of an AU of it, a fanfic of a fanfic, an AU of an AU! -shot- I'm so sad xD I did the first OVA, but its under a different story. Other OVA's and movies and oneshots and requests will go in there. I love my reviewers! I love you, like Kari loves pocky! I'm being questioned on the whole Sasuke leaving thing. Will he leave? Will kari be on the retreival mission? Will Kari hate him? Well... I'm not telling you xD I'm good at keeping secrets! -bricked-
Claimer: Well, what would Kishimoto-sempai say was not his?
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I doubt I will ever own Naruto, and if I do i will be called a fraud as Masashi kishimoto will have a statue dedicated in his honour with his name on it.
Ocha no Kuni Suru Ni Ha!
To the Tea Country!
This boy, he was familiar,
But why did she recognise the name of a stranger?
-----x-----
Kakashi sighed softly closing the door behind him. He'd only just got back, and now they were sending him on a high ranked mission without his squad. He was glad they weren't going, it was far too dangerous for them. He glanced up at the moon noting that it was a clear night.
"Going on a mission?"
"I'm starting to think your psychic," Kakashi said with a smile down at Kari. It was late, she should be in bed.
"Will you be gone long?" she asked.
"A while," he said gently, placing a hand on her head.
"You'll come back right?" she asked, looking up at him.
"There's a risk with every mission Kari," he said softly. He hesitated seeing the moon shine off her moist eyes. "I'm sure I'll be fine though, you shouldn't worry so much about everyone." Her hand wrapped around his sleeve giving it a light tug.
"Please come back," she asked, no, more like begged. He bent down so he was more level with her. Was she scared he would leave her? He knew she'd become very attached to him, as her sensei and friend. Kaizo and Kitome were always on missions these days, Kita had said they'd visited but the house was empty and dark.
"For you Kari-chan, I'll do my best to come back to you," he reassured and she wrapped her arms around his neck, her face hidden in his shoulder. His arms encircled her, making her feel safe.
"Arigatou Kashi," she said softly. "Come back safe ne?" She pulled away, her eyes on her shoes. He probably thought she was silly now. He was an amazing ninja after all. She felt her bangs being brushed away from her forehead and closed her eyes at the sensation of lips against her forehead. When she looked back up, his mask was already back in place. He smiled down at her, petting her head.
"I'll do my best."
"Promise?"
"Hai. Now go to bed, you'll have your own mission tomorrow," Kakashi said sternly. His expression softened. "Same to you, come back safely. You get hurt too often."
"Hai Kashi," she said smiling. With that, he disappeared, starting his mission.
-----x-----
As Kakashi said, they did indeed have a mission the following day.
"Yosha, a mission, a mission!" Naruto said happily. "I'm going to give it everything I have dattebayou!" Naruto cried. Kari smiled at him and ruffled his hair.
"Hn."
"But I don't see Kakashi-sensei," Sakura said while Naruto glared at Sasuke.
"Is he going to be late as usual?" Naruto asked.
"Iie, Kakashi won't be coming," Tsunade informed them as she walked in.
"Tsunade no Obaachan!"
"Don't call me Obaachan."
"Anou, Hokage-sama, what do you mean Kakashi-sensei isn't coming?" Sakura asked.
"As you probably already know, Kakashi and most of the Jounin are on a different mission, we will have just the four of you complete the mission this time, with Kita's assistance if you wish. This is a B-ranked mission, you three will guard an important figure," Tsunade said, holding up a scroll.
"Guard… an important figure?" Sakura repeated.
"Of course, depending on the situation it could also be classified an A-rank mission," Tsunade said.
"And? Who are we guarding?" Sasuke asked.
"No clue."
"What do you mean 'no clue'?" Naruto cried.
"In the allied Country of Tea, there is an event called the Todoroki Taisha dedication ceremony, held once every four years. We have accepted a mission to guard the runner who will run in the race at that ceremony. However, the messengers were defeated by an opponents spy before they arrived here," Tsunade explained.
"Spy?" Naruto asked.
"Anou, I don't quite see the point yet," Sakura said.
"Well, for further details, go ask Boss Jirochou of the Country of Tea," Tsunade said simply.
"Boss Jirochou?" Naruto asked. "Aa! Sou ka, you mean the boss from back then!"
"That's how it is, now that you understand everything, depart right away," Tsunade instructed. "You must arrive at the Country of tea by the end of today. Hurry up!"
"Hai!" they cried immediately rushing off.
-----x-----
"Ne Sakura-chan, Kari-chan, Kita-chan, aren't you getting hungry?" Naruto asked.
"Well a little," Sakura admitted.
"Then it's decided!" Naruto cried excitedly. "Just when we've decided, I've found a tea shop! Let's take a quick break here dattebayou!"
They settled down at a table, Naruto sat next to Sakura (who sat opposite Sasuke so she could gaze at him) and Kari sat opposite him next to Sasuke.
"Irrashaimase," the woman greeted, serving them tea.
"Obaachan I'd like some oshiruko," Naruto cried.
"I'll take some odangos, what about you Sasuke-kun?"
"I'll order tokoroten," Sasuke said simply.
"I'll have two of what Sakura's having please," Kari said, after Kita nodded up at her.
"Hai, please wait a moment," she requested.
"Yosh, I'll do my best!" Naruto declared.
"Naruto, make sure you don't go acting on your own," Sakura said.
"Hai," Naruto grumbled. They looked up when someone stopped next to their table.
"To be drinking oshiruku so carelessly on a beautiful day like this… Being a ninja must be an easy occupation."
"What did you say?" Naruto growled and Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"Konohagakure must be a really peaceful place. They're all stupid looking," he said. He couldn't be much older than them, a year or two, maybe three.
"What did you say?!" Naruto cried getting to his feet.
"Oh? I never knew such cute girls live there," he said bending down to get a better look at Kari, much to her embarrassment. "I take back everything I said." Sakura smirked to herself, he wasn't hitting on her so must think she and Sasuke-kun are a couple!
"Anou?"
"My name's Morino Idate, ojou-san, what's your name?"
"Temee! Don't act so friendly with Kari-chan!" Naruto shrieked, clenching his fist and pulling up his sleeve.
"Kari ka? Such a wonderful name. How about it, the fact that we've met must be some sort of fate. How about we talk about our future?" he said with a wink. Kari blushed as he got closer to her face. He wasn't bad looking actually, dark brownhair up in a ponytail and nicely shaped dark eyes.
"Eh? Our future?" Kari asked.
"I'm talking about you quitting your job as a ninja and becoming my bride," he said flirtatiously.
"You're suddenly flirting with her?!!" Naruto shrieked.
"That was all just a joke!" Idate spat. Kari sighed in relief. "Listen up you four, I hate ninjas! If you wander around the Country of Tea for much longer, I won't let you go unharmed!"
"How interesting, if it's a fight you want, you're on!" Naruto cried.
"Naru," Kari said trying to stop the glaring contest.
"Hn. How trifling, we don't have time to play with hooligans," Sasuke scoffed. Kari raised an eyebrow. What kind of word is 'trifling'? Isn't a trifle a pudding?
"Sasuke you stay quiet! I won't forgive anyone who makes fun of shinobi!" Naruto cried. "I'll teach this guy a lesson and—Are?" Naruto said, turning around to find him gone. Kari's eyes narrowed and she smirked. Not bad, he's pretty fast.
"Huh, he's gone?"
'This can't be! I didn't even feel him leaving,' Sasuke thought shocked.
"Where'd that bastard go?!" Naruto shrieked jumping around angrily on his seat. The lady returned and placed down their food and gave them their receipt. Only there were two receipts.
"Huh? Two receipts? What is this?" Sakura asked.
"Oh that boy who left said you would pay for it," the woman replied.
"K'so, that bastards toying with us!" Naruto shrieked. Sasuke went under the table and placed his ear to the ground.
'I hear his footsteps but he's far away. He's moving at a quick pace.' Sasuke straightened up and looked at Kari who had her eyes closed. He glanced at her large wolfish ears and smirked. She was listening too.
"Now that he's mocked us this much, I won't let him just get away with it!" Naruto cried. "I'll go after him!" They all quickly swallowed their food and chased after him.
-----x-----
"He's quite fast, he's been training quite a bit," Sasuke said. He looked to Kari who seemed to just be jogging, looking slightly annoyed with their pace. "Kari, go ahead but not too far," he said and she nodded, shooting ahead, leaving Kita to run with them, so she could still see how they were.
"I wonder who he is," Sakura said.
"I don't care who he is, I'll definitely catch up to him!" Naruto cried, looking at Kari's back as she ran. No doubt she could catch up without too much trouble. She slowed and nodded and they picked up their pace.
"Heh, those blockhead ninjas there's no way they can catch up to me," Idate said cockily. He was repaid by tripping over a root and sent fling down a hill and getting stuck on a tree branch, hanging by his knees. "K'so, Idate of Iaden my life's mistake…" he flipped landing on his feet.
"Ha ha! Serves you right!" Naruto cried from the trees.
"You've sure got some guts to try and outwit us," Sasuke scoffed.
"Sumimasen!" he cried falling to his knees.
"Eh?"
"My wallet was stolen and just when I was in a bind you four came along and I took advantage," Idate said. Kari raised an eyebrow. They all jumped down.
"Now that I've heard your reasons that's really unfortunate," Sakura said sympathetically.
"Then you should have said so beforehand dattebayou!" Naruto said. He winced when something fell on his head. "What's this?" he asked.
"Don't touch it!" Idate cried grabbing it and flipping to his feet. "This is mine!" he undid his weights and Kari smirked, knowing that he had been going slower than he could. "Ready, set, go!" he cried, dropping his weights and leaving a cloud of dust. "Come visit me the day before yesterday you dimwits!"
"Ah he escaped!"
"That temee dattebayou!"
"He sure doesn't learn," Sasuke said, watching as Kari shot forward. He didn't doubt that her speed had increased and she was faster than him again, hell she was probably faster than Kakashi. Kari reached level with him and he sped up, but she followed.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Sakura cried.
"What speed!" Sasuke said shocked.
"This can't be! For us to be unable to catch up to him! Naruto said.
"Kita, what's Kari's position," Sasuke said looking down at the wolf.
"Okaasan is still level with him, but if he increases anymore she'll need to use Chakra as she's still wearing light weights on her lower legs," Kita immediately replied. They were nearly out of sight now.
"Lets give up, I don't think we can catch up," Sakura said panting as the four of them stopped on a branch.
"K'so, the next time we meet I won't let him get away unharmed!"
"Kita, tell Kari to fall back," Sasuke instructed.
"Hai!"
-----x-----
"You're pretty good for a ninja!" Idate said noticing she was still level with him, no sign of fatigue visible on her face.
"Everyone has they're strengths," Kari said with a smirk. "I'm being called back, so we'll have to end our race here."
"Race? This is nothing!" Idate said cockily.
"Hai, but I'm not in the mood to replace my weights, ja Idate-kun!" she said simply, disappearing in a gust of wind. He huffed and kept running.
-----x-----
"Minna, thank you for coming," Jirochou said. Naruto stepped forward.
"Listen up, listen up, I am from the Country of Fire, Konohagakure no sato. I grew up with Ichiraku ramen. My surname is Uzumaki and my name is Naruto. People call me—"
"Usuratonkachi," Sasuke interrupted.
"—Usuratonkachi…! Eh? No I'm not!" Naruto cried while Kari dissolved into fits of giggles.
"You're as cheerful as ever," Jirochou said laughing.
"Boss Jirochou you seem well too," Kari, Naruto and Kita replied.
"Naruto…!" Sakura hissed.
"It's alright boys should be this energetic," Jirochou said simply.
"It looks like we're done with the greetings so let's get down to business," Sasuke said.
"Boys should be energetic Sasuke," Kari said and elbowed Sasuke in the ribs, hoping he'd do a speech like Naruto's so she could add an insult in.
"He said boys, not girls," Sasuke pointed out.
"Aa, but she takes after Tsunade," Jirochou said simply. Kari smirked at Sasuke, having won the battle.
"We were told by Godaime to gather additional details from you," Sasuke said ignoring her.
"Yes, to tell you the truth… Do you four know of the Todoroki Taisha dedication ceremony?" he asked.
"T-todo… nani?" Naruto asked.
"Everyone relax," Jirochou said and they all sat, Kari leaning against Naruto, making herself comfortable. "Everything started with a legend from long ago that says if we dedicate the treasure balls of Ryuko to the Todoroki Taisha the storm will settle. Now it has become a customary event that happens once every four years. Initially it started out as an event to dedicate the treasure balls, but over time, it became a festival race where the person who comes in first will dedicate them. But recently, it has begun to take on another form. In this port village Degarashi, there are two clans, we, the Wasabi family and the long standing Wagarashi family. Though this is embarrassing, these two clans were constantly in dispute and fought over the city boundaries. As things got out of control, the city people were caught in the middle and were getting hurt. So to put an end to the situation that was getting out of hand, for the first time the feudal lords began talking about a bargain, to decide who will be the boss of the city through events instead of fighting."
"So that event is…" Sakura began.
"The Todoroki Taisha dedication ceremony," Jirochou finished. "I have received information that the Wagarashi family who won after hiring a ninja four years ago also hired a ninja this year. So just when we sent messengers to Konohagakure to request a job, we were ambushed. Please…" he bowed to them. "Lend us your strength. We cannot afford to lose this race against the Wagarashi family."
"Leave it to me dattebayou!" Naruto said and Kari nodded.
"And? Who do we guard?" Sasuke asked.
"Oh? So you'll accept the job?" Jirochou asked happily. He clapped twice and the door opened.
"Did you call for me Boss?" They were going to be guarding no other than Idate.
"AAAH?!"
"Oh so you know each other? Then that makes things easier," Jirochou said happily.
"That may not be so," Sakura said, almost feeling the electricity coming off Naruto and Idate's glare.
-----x-----
"Boss Jirochou's a really high raking person you know," Idate said. "To tell the truth he doesn't have to beg to a ninja."
"I won't guard you even if he begs me to," Naruto huffed.
"I'm going to guard him," Kari said with a slight sigh.
"Aa, aa, I don't want to run around with someone of unknown origin either!" Idate said stubbornly.
"Who are you calling someone with unknown origin?! I'm the genius ninja Uzumaki Naruto who will one day take the title of Hokage!" Naruto cried.
"Ne, Naruto-kun, a great man is known he needs no introduction," Kari said, but was once again ignored. Where the hell were Sasuke and Sakura? Yes they're lovelife was wonderfully important but she could use some help here!
"Heh, Hokage's are nothing!"
"Boss Jirochou's the one who's not great!"
"Actually they're good friends," Kari pointed out, but was yet again ignored.
"Baka! Boss Jirochou's a great man!"
"The Hokage is a very, very, great ninja that places his life on the line for the village dattebayou!"
"Naruto-kun, Tsunade's a woman."
"Boss Jirochou is a very, very, very great man who'd put his life on the line to protect the city anytime!!"
Geez, and the arms are waving about…
"Hokage's are much, much, much, much more amazing dattebayou!!"
"Guys, people are staring," Kari said while they glared at each other angrily, barely an inch apart. They huffed, folded their arms and looked away from each other. Sick of being ignored, she went to go find the future lovebirds.
-----x-----
'Even if this place is a tourist attraction, everything's pretty expensive here…' Sakura thought, checking the price of a key ring. Kari was looking at random things after walking into the shop and muttering about 'boys'. Sasuke gave her a funny look and she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Sorry, they're expensive aren't they?" the shopkeeper said apologetically.
"Oh, no," Sakura said trying to be polite.
"I don't like selling them at this price, but ever since the boss of the city became the Wagarashi family—" she was cut off from a bang outside.
"P-please forgive me!" A man cried having been pushed to the ground.
"Temee, who do you need to thank to be able to work eh?!" one of the three thugs said. "Are you going to go against the Wagarashi family?"
"N-not at all, but I need you to pay me or else…" the man said helplessly.
"You sure don't learn," the thug said cracking his knuckles.
"P-please stop!"
"I'll start with you! I'll give you a beating!" the thug cried grabbing a hold of the mans shirt. His punch was caught before it could land, Kari standing between them. "Who are you? A little girl?"
"Get lost before you get hurt," Sasuke said stepping forwards.
"Dear customers run away, they're from the Wagarashi family!" the shopkeeper cried.
"It's okay," Sakura reassured the woman. The lady covered her eyes as the Wagarashi thugs went for Sasuke. Kari smirked.
"I'll leave it at this for today," thug number one said.
"Learn your lesson and never go against us, brats," thug number two said.
"Next time we meet I won't let you go unharmed," the three battered, bruised thugs threw their wallet at the man and started hobbling away. Kari's eye twitched and she spat a small jet of flame towards the middle thugs behind. They squealed like pigs and ran away.
"Young man, arigatou," the man said to Sasuke. Kari's eye twitched again. Was everyone ignoring her today?! "And also, arigatou young lady." Ah, much better.
"That really surprised me!" the shopkeeper cried walking over with Sakura. "We'll have to have Sir Jirochou of the Wasabi family win this year's event." Kari was caught off guard when Sasuke tapped the back of her head.
"Calm down baka, they're gone."
"You know what, you can be a right temee sometimes," Kari huffed, rubbing her abused head.
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura said.
"Aa."
"Men," Kari scoffed, realising she was once again being ignored. Where was Kashi when she needed his company?
-----x-----
"Boss, of all people to ask, you didn't have to pick Konohagakure shinobi," Idate said.
"Now, now, don't sulk Idate," Jirochou said.
"I'm not sulking! It's just that…"
"Idate, I believe in you more than anyone. Now the rest is up to you. How about you trust other people for a change? Kari is a delightful personality," he paused while Idate looked at his knife. "Idate, please run for this city, I beg you."
"Boss… hai!"
-----x-----
"Wow! I never imagined that the race would be this big!" Naruto cried looking around at the huge crowd and the fireworks shooting into the sky. "What kind of race is this?"
"I'll explain the course so that even you, a baka, can understand," Sakura said unfolding the leaflet. Kita sat to attention, ready to store the information to memory. "The starting point will be here at the Degarashi Port. Once you've started, you head to Modoroki Shrine, which is the half-way point."
"So this is the Modoroki Shrine?" Naruto asked, pointing at the map.
"Yup, it looks like from here the fastest route is by ship. Once there, you get one of the two Ryuko treasure balls and race down to Oouzo Island until you dedicate it to the Todoroki Shrine. Those are the only rules so, shortcuts, manoeuvres behind the scenes, anything is allowed," Sakura said.
"So hiring ninja is not against the rules," Sasuke said.
"I wonder what the ninja they've hired is like?" Naruto wondered.
"He's probably hiding somewhere and watching our movements," Sakura said.
"It could be a kunoichi, or more than one, or anything," Kita said.
"Don't let your guard down Naruto," Sakura said pointedly.
"You can all go sightseeing," Idate said as he stretched. Kari stood next to him occasionally stretching out her muscles. "Don't follow me."
"Nani?!" Naruto cried.
"I'm telling you, I don't want you getting in my way!" Idate shouted.
"You!!"
"Now, now let's all join forces and—" Sakura began.
"Who'd want to join forces with someone like him?!" Naruto and Idate screeched pointing at each other.
"I would," Kari said smiling.
"Kari-chan, you don't have to be nice to him dattebayou!" Naruto cried.
"Ne, ne, don't start fighting again," Kari said. "We should be wishing Idate good luck, ne?"
"I wouldn't mind a good luck kiss," Idate said.
"NANI?!" Naruto shrieked while Sakura held him back.
"If you win ne?" Kari said awkwardly as Naruto screeched something about forbidding perverts near his best friend. Kita sighed at the strange behaviour. Humans were so complicated, at least she was a Kita.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be starting the Todoroki representative race momentarily!" a voice announced. Kari looked at the sky and frowned. She could sense a heavy storm coming from the humidity in the air. "The representative of the Wasabi family, Morino Idate!" Cheers sounded from the Wasabi side. "From the Wagarashi family, the messenger Fukusuke!" And the Wagarashi cheered. Kari grimaced, she better not have to kiss that idiot if Idate lost. How did she get herself into these situations? "On your marks!" the racers bent to the ground ready to sprint. The gates opened to show two boats docked. Kari's ears twitched at the sound of heartbeats speeding up, making her mouth dry. She squinted slightly as the sun began to peak over the horizon. Whose idea was it for this to be at dawn anyway? "START!" Cheers erupted from the ground and the racers shot forward.
"Yosh! We'll go too—NANIIII?!" Naruto shrieked seeing Idate shoot off to the left. Kari looked at Kita who nodded in understanding. She knew the plan, and when it came to missions the cub was somewhat of a perfectionist when it came to following her Okaasan's orders. They raced after him Kari immediately shooting ahead.
"Did he run away?!" Sasuke cried.
"Where are you going Idate-san?" Sakura cried.
"Hey you, matte!!" Naruto hollered. "Matte dattebayou!!"
-----x-----
"What should we do about him Aoi-sama?"
"I will go with Fukusuke. You guys follow Idate."
"Hai!"
-----x-----
"Oi Idate! The sea is in the other direction!" Naruto shouted. "Where are you going dattebayou? Come back!"
"Who'd go back," Idate scoffed.
-----x-----
"The bastard Idate actually ran away."
"Knowing his past we knew something like this would happen, right?"
"It was a mistake to have made him run."
"Baka! Idate isn't that kind of man!" Jirochou cried in Idate's defence. "I believe in Idate. I'm sure he has some kind of plan."
"Jirochou."
"Gokarou."
"How do you intend to clean up this mess?" the man asked. He was so fancily dressed he was clearly someone of authority and importance. "Turning this traditional grand festival into a farce. Moreover, in front of the lord himself."
"Gokarou-sama, the race has just started. I'd like you to watch until the end."
"Now that you've said that much, show me a victory no matter what," Gokarou said. "If you lose, I will have you and your family demolished."
"All right, I am a man as well," Jirochou said. "If Idate loses, you can do whatever you want."
"Hmph."
"Heh, you are indeed the Wasabi's Jirochou. A fine resolve you have there. Don't disappoint us now," the head Wagarashi said.
'I'm counting on you, Idate…'
-----x-----
"Boss…" Idate said as he ran, becoming lost in his thoughts. The day he first met Jirochou.
-----A few years ago-----
"Hand over your money!" Idate cried holding a kunai bat was stopped when the man used his umbrella to push Idate back. The boy fell on his behind, making an echoing thump on the wooden bridge. It was snowing gently, the white flakes starting to create a thin blanket. He quickly got back to his feet as the umbrella fell between them, as Idate's stomach decided to state its hunger. "Don't move!" Idate shouted.
"Hm, a starving thief eh?"
"S-shut up!" Idate cried running forward, holding tightly to his kunai. The man dodged with ease, grabbing Idate's wrist and pinning his other arm. "Ite-e!"
"Don't try and act like a grown man, you fledgling." Idate dropped the kunai and the man kicked it away. "You can't even peel an apple with that thing can you?" He pushed Idate away, sending the boy once again to his behind. He looked up and caught a knife and an apple. "I'll give it to you, a knife doesn't exist to hurt others." Idate quickly started munching on the apple. "You don't have anywhere to go?" Idate nodded. "I'm called Wasabi's Jirochou from Degarashi Port."
"Wasabi? Jirochou?"
"How about it? Why don't you come to my place?"
"Huh? I tried to take your…"
"If he's starving, anyone would make a mistake like that," Jirochou said. "I'm not concerned about it."
"Ah, um…" Idate said holding out the knife.
"I gave you that, keep it." Jirochou walked up and picked up his umbrella. "Just don't rob people anymore, okay?"
"M-mister! Make me your follower!" Idate begged, bowing on his knees. "I mean, please make me your follower, boss!"
"Namae wa?"
"Idate. I'm Morino Idate." Idate looked up when he no longer felt snow falling on his back.
"Shall we go, Idate?" Jirochou asked, holding the umbrella over them both.
-----x-----
'Leave it to me boss, I'll win for sure!'
"We've almost caught up," Naruto said as they jumped through the trees.
"But it's impossible now!" Sakura said. "Now that he's this far from the port there's no way he could win."
"Iie, he may have planned to come this way to begin with," Sasuke said. Kari's eyes narrowed, someone was watching them, and they felt familiar…
"We've finally caught up!" Naruto cried jumping down next to Idate. "Oi matte!"
"Tch."
"Why did you come in this direction?"
"Urusai! It's none of your business!" Idate snapped back.
"What's with that attitude of yours?!"
"I said urusai!"
"Watch out," Sakura cried from the trees. Naruto and Idate were running across a narrow ledge with a steep drop,
"Maybe they haven't noticed yet," Sasuke said.
"Genjutsu ne?" Kita asked.
"Like I said, matte dattebayou!" Naruto cried. Idate slowed down and stopped, seeing the familiar tree.
"I've passed this place before. Tch, looks like I'm caught in some Genjutsu," Idate said.
"What did you say?" Naruto asked, also stopping.
"In that case…" Idate said, making a hand sign. "Kai!" He looked aroud and spotted a light through the trees. "Over there!"
"No, not that way!" Sakura cried, making Naruto stop.
"What's going on dattebayou?"
"I'm out!" Idate cried as the scenery changed to bamboo, but it was another Genjutsu and he ran off the edge of the cliff. "Waaaaaa-Are?" Idate was suddenly aware that he'd stopped falling and could hear a swishing sound either side of him. Sasuke and Sakura had tied a rope to Naruto so he could catch Idate, but Idate had run too far off the edge and he couldn't reach. Naruto was pulled back up and Idate was pulled up and then placed down on the edge. "Nani?" he said in shock as Kari stretched her wings slightly.
"To have nested two Genjutsu," Sasuke said as he and Sakura continued pulling Naruto up. "Doing such meticulous things."
"Aaaah! I lost my ninja equipment!" Naruto said when he was finally pulled back up. When he'd jumped his pouch had come open, and his kunai and shuriken had tumbled out.
"Keh, doing unnecessary things," Idate scoffed.
"Unnecessary things?!" Naruto repeated. "You can't even say thanks after being saved?!"
"You guys saved me because that's you mission right? There's no reason for me to say thanks!" Idate retorted.
"Nan da to…?!"
"Yamero Naruto, he's right. But if you don't want to die, stay with us," Sasuke said.
"Hmph."
'And Attitude-san meets his match,' Kari thought, smiling at Sasuke's irritation.
"Mou, you wouldn't save someone if they were falling?" Kari asked puzzled as she checked her bandaged and the back of her shirt. The bandages were still supporting her, but she had a nice rip in the back of her tank top and net shirt.
"Oi, where are you going? Aren't you going to Degarashi Port?" Naruto asked.
"Baka, I'm going to keep heading North," Idate said.
"North? Could it be it's faster that way?" Sakura asked.
"Well yeah," Idate said with a smile.
"I wonder, we can't trust him, dattebayou," Naruto said suspiciously.
"Demo, Naruto he's the one running the race," Kari pointed out.
"Keh, that's why ninjas are no good!" Idate said glaring at Naruto. "Right around this season, a seasonal wind blows in this area. I noticed it when I saw the cloud movements at the starting line, that the seasonal winds were coming. Moreover, there's a current that moves straight for Nagi island at the northern port. I'm much smarter than you guys. Smarter you see."
"He's right, I can sense a storm coming," Kari agreed as she folded her wings and let them disappear.
Once away from the rocky cliff, they started running down a grassy downhill area.
"I can taste the sea breeze," Naruto said and Kari smiled and breathed deeply. It was so invigorating near the sea. Kita's nose was twitching as she ran.
"It's the sea!" Sakura cried when they saw the line of pure blue. "What's that I see offshore?" Sakura asked as they walked down some stone steps.
"It's the halfway point where the Todoroki shrine is located. We can reach it in about an hour," Idate explained. "Chotto matte," he said and ran towards a cabin. He knocked on the door. "Ojiisan, I'm here! I'm Idate of the Wasabi family."
"Oh I was waiting for you," a man said, sliding the door open.
"Things are turning out just as I thought, I'm going to borrow your boat as I arranged."
"Is that so? I've got it ready. Use that boat," the man said pointing at a boat ready, docked at the edge of the sea. "It's the fastest boat around here."
"Thanks a bunch."
"No problem, I've been helped by the boss, Jirochou. So don't lose to the Wagarashi for me. I'm really troubled by Wagarashi's dirty ways."
"Leave it to me! I'm the Wasabi's best follower Idate-sama!" Idate said. "Leave everything to me!"
"Keh, he sure talks big," Naruto huffed.
-----x-----
Sasuke took care of the paddle at the back while Naruto and Sakura sorted out the ropes. Sasuke told Kari not to touch any ropes or anything that looked important and she glared at him. She was at the front of the ship, scouting for rocks or anything ahead that could cause trouble. The waves were making it difficult for her to hear and the smell of salt was making it difficult to smell anything. But she could still sense the storm, and it was making her uneasy. Idate also stood up front, but diagonally behind her. He took out the knife Jirochou had given him and looked at it. Kita was exploring the boat, checking for leaks and such.
"Ne, Naruto, what do you think?" Sakura asked, heading over to Naruto.
"Hm, about what?" Naruto asked.
"About Idate-san. I'm sure he's not an ordinary person," Sakura said, looking at their client. "That speed of his isn't normal, his speed is like Kari-chan's. Maybe he's been doing some special training."
"Like what?"
"For example, maybe he once belonged to a hidden village," Sakura said.
"There's no way such a baka could be a ninja dattebayou," Naruto laughed.
"Look who's talking! You're a baka as well!" Sakura scolded.
"Demo sa, I was still left in the main fights in the Chuunin Exam," Naruto said, trying to defend himself.
"You made it to the main fights in the Chuunin Exam?!" Idate cried.
"Yeah, that's right! And Kari-chan too! If it weren't for interference I would've won the Chuunin Exam!" Naruto cried.
"Naru, you can win the tournament, but you can't win the exam, beside you'd still have me, Sasuke, Temari and Shino to go through," Kari said. But, she was ignored, something that was happening too often for her liking.
"Keh, you must have had an easy examiner," Idate scoffed. "Geez, the Chuunin Exam level's really gone down…!" Idate covered his mouth realising he'd said too much.
"Idate-san, so you were…" Sakura said with a smile.
"I remember now, Morino Idate," Sasuke said.
"Morino? Oh yes the first examiner was…" Sakura said.
"Morino Ibiki," Kari finished.
"Nan da to?!" Idate cried. "My aniki Ibiki is alive?"
"Hai," Sakura said.
"Of course he is!" Naruto cried. "He asked a really strange question on the tenth question and…"
"Is it true? Is he really alive?" Idate gasped when an arrow was caught by his head. With a slight squeeze, the arrow snapped in half.
"Company," Kari said releasing the broken arrow. "Speaking of the Chuunin exams, it feels like the Ame-nin we fought in the forest of death."
"It's an ambush," Sasuke said, looking at the boat gaining on them from behind. Kari growled slightly, she knew she should've scouted behind more! They deflected and dodged the arrows that rained down on them.
"Naruto, Kari and I will drive back the pursuers," Sasuke said, jumping back to the rest. "Sakura, Kita, I'll leave Idate in your hands."
"Maybe it'd be better to run away?" Sakura cried.
"It's too late now!" Sasuke cried as arrows struck the mast and the side of their boat with ropes attached, pulling the enemy closer to them. "Me and Kari will back you up, take off the ropes," Sasuke instructed.
"K'so I'll have to cut it," Naruto said reaching into his pouch, only to find it empty. "Shimatta! I dropped all of it back then!" he looked at the knife in Idate's hand. "Oi, hand that over.
"N-nani?!"
"Just hand it over!"
"Baka! This is something that's more precious to me than my life!" Idate cried. "Who'd give it to the likes of you?"
"Now's not the time to be saying that!"
"Baka, Yamero!"
"Naruto!" Kari cried, throwing a kunai at his feet.
"Hurry up, usuratonkachi!" Sasuke shouted. Naruto quickly picked up the kunai and sliced through the ropes.
"Heh, they're nothing dattebay—" but he was cut off by Sakura's scream. Rain nin were beginning to raise through the ship floor. "Sakura-chan, they're Bunshin dattebayou! They'll only attack from the real one so it's alright!" Sasuke quickly activated his Sharingan, the clones becoming blazes of Chakra. Kari closed her eyes and concentrated, listening for a heartbeat. Her eyes shot open.
"Sakura, Naruto! The real one is hidden amongst the replications!" Sasuke warned. "Be careful!"
"Sasuke-kun, guide me!" Sakura cried as she and Kita moved close to Idate. "Idate-san, don't stray too far from me!"
"Who'd accept help from a ninja?!" Idate retorted.
"Are you still staying that even in this situation?!" Naruto asked.
Tha-thump, tha-thump, tha-thump.
"Naruto behind you!" Sasuke warned.
"Naruto!" Sakura cried, but gasped when Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Tha-thump, tha-thump! Tha-thump! Tha-thump! Tha-thump!
"A Bunshin! K'so!" the rain-nin cried.
"Here goes, Kage Bunshin no jutsu!" Naruto cried as he and three clones jumped down towards the enemy ninja. The rain-nin dived off the edge of the boat and into the sea. "K'so, they got away!" Naruto cried, dispelling his clones. He sliced through an ame-nin replication. "Sasuke, Kari-chan! They've changed to Mizu Bunshin!"
"I know!" Sasuke shouted, kicking through three surrounding him. Kari sliced through the ame-nin Bunshin surrounding her with a series of punches and kicks. She suddenly stumbled, her hands slamming over her nose and mouth. "Baka!" Sasuke shouted, slicing through one that came towards her from the side.
"Ame?" Sakura asked when she felt something wet hit her face. Brushing it off, she saw her fingers coated in something thick and black. 'No it's oil! Kari-chan's affected because of the strong smell!' It started to downpour oil.
'This is troublesome I'll finish these guys off quickly with…' Sasuke thought while making a fire seal. Kari made some sort of muffled squeak and went to grab his hand but he moved, so she did the next logical thing and slammed her mouth over his. Sasuke looked up realising his mistake while Kari sulked over her burnt tongue, hands firmly over nose and mouth again. The fumes were making her dizzy.
"A fire attack!" Sasuke cried when a flaming arrow hit a puddle of oil. Kari grimaced when it immediately caught fire. Idate gasped, remembering his brother surrounded by flames. 'Go, you're a burden!'
"Sasuke-kun, what should we do? If the fires this hot…" Sakura cried, looking to the Uchiha for answers.
"We'll have to jump into the sea!" Sasuke shouted back, kicking a replication overboard. "If it's nearby, we should be able to swim to Nagi Island's port." Kari was struggling to fight back, but her eyes were stinging and she was starting to cough violently.
"You're right, that's our only option," Sakura agreed. "Idate-san, can you swim?"
"A-aa!"
"Hurry, I'll back you up, so go ahead of me. With this smoke, we should be able to get away without being noticed," Sakura explained. "Idate-san!"
"You've got to be kidding me! Even though you say that you're planning on making me a decoy aren't you?!" Idate cried.
"What are you talking about?!" Naruto shouted.
"You guys plan to lure the enemies' attention to me!"
"Baka, stop talking nonsense dattebayou!"
"No! I can't trust ninjas!"
"What are you doing?! Go on! You're a burden!" Sasuke shouted while he and Kari destroyed two more water clones. Her breath was coming in sharp pants, her throat dry and itchy.
"Hurry up and go!" Naruto shouted.
"There's no way you're a decoy!" Sakura said earnestly.
"I-I can't!" I date said, stumbling backwards. Seeing a rain-nin clone rise up behind Idate Sakura quickly grabbed the mast.
"Cha! Shimatta!" Sakura cried, ripping the mast from the deck. "Idate-san, get down!" Idate quickly ducked while Sakura destroyed three more mizu-bunshin. "Trust me Idate-san, we'll definitely protect you!" Kari's eyes sharpened when she noticed the flames reflect off a kunai. It was aimed right for Idate, but Sakura was holding the mast and the boys were too far away. Kita was too busy trying to avoid the flames. She raced forwards, the flames licking her ankles and managed to block the kunai with her body, the blade streaking across her shoulder.
"Kari-chan!" Naruto cried in alarm.
"Okaasan!" Kita cried.
"Idate, take Kita and get the hell out of here!" Kari cried raspily, her hand balling into a fist over her chest.
"Go ahead of us, we'll be right behind you," Sakura urged.
"H-hai," Idate cried jumping overboard, Kita following behind.
The boat was beginning to sink and Sasuke yelled at them to jump. Sakura quickly dropped the mast and headed to the side of the boat. Kari went to follow but stumbled. It was so hot, so unbearably hot. There was too much smoke she couldn't breathe. Kari's knees crashed to the deck and she fell forwards, choking on smoke, trying to draw air. Her eyes were stinging and beginning to water. She had to get up… She had to get up! A coughing fit broke out, but she couldn't hear herself over the roaring flames. She closed her eyes, trying to ease the stinging, but the dark was so inviting, protecting her from the flare of the flames…
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried after she and Naruto jumped, but the Uchiha faltered, his eyes scanning the water. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Where's Kari?!"