Yes, and by now I hope we all know I do NOT own Naruto….
Author's note: Just some quick info… I had someone suggest what the tailed beasts should be—and I agree with them for the most part. Those are definite possibilities. However, I have checked out the same resources and the animals I chose are also listed as possibilities. Common belief has the eight tails being Orochi—a giant snake. That may very well be since we have seen a lot of snake-related things in Naruto. However, Hachimata, a dragon, is also listed as a choice. I chose to go with this one and with my choice for the seven tails. It suits my story better to use these… and really, no one knows what they will be for sure.
Chapter 17: The Land of Rock and Clay
"Alright," Kakashi stopped the group. "Remember—keep your forehead protectors hidden at all times. Of all the countries we will be traveling through, The Land of Earth is most hostile towards our Land of Fire. Same story applies here…we're farmers heading closer to family."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. They were the oddest looking bunch of farmers he had ever seen.
It was a poor excuse, but the easiest one to go along with.
They had been traveling for close to two months now since the start of their mission. Everyone was on the quiet side, with the exception of Saruwatari. Having only left her home a few weeks ago, the elder was bubbling over with conversation.
Sasuke scowled as they continued on. He couldn't understand why people were so afraid to just be quiet.
He did smile slightly to himself as the Raiju woman accosted Naruto and Sakura with another barrage of words.
They were far more tolerant of it than he would have been. But there was no arguing that Naruto could hold his own against her in talking. The blond teammate chattered just as much it seemed.
Sakura dropped back to where the Uchiha was walking.
"Hey Sasuke-kun." She smiled at him.
He nodded curtly in response.
The first few days after leaving Yomakahanaru Sasuke had avoided his female teammate. But once he realized she was none the wiser about his accidental stroll that night, he relaxed. The incident still made him unbelievably angry when he thought about it.
He had always tried to be above emotions.
It was only hatred that he let show through—hatred for his brother.
He had been back with the team now for over half a year. And even in that short time he had begun to see how it was changing him. He smiled—sometimes even chuckled—at the things they said. He was concerned and not just for a few of them. He really thought if it came down to it, he would stand up for any of them. It was as it had once been for him… he had felt this way about them before. But…he was unused to how strong his feelings for Sakura had become. It was more than just the childhood crush he had had before. And more so, he was disgusted with how much it bothered him that he didn't know what her feelings towards him were.
You're just lucky she doesn't hate you. It's more than you deserve.
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
Forget about it, Sasuke. You blew it a long time ago.
The pink-haired medic walked quietly next to him, unaware of the thoughts going through his mind.
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He kicked the badly singed piece of timber, sending it flying against the ruins of a nearby wall.
"Kisame, relax."
The blue man looked at his partner. "Relax?! Are you serious? It's gone and you want me to relax?"
Something brushed against Itachi's face. He stepped back and pulled it from the beam it was snagged on.
He held it up in the misty rain.
"It would seem we weren't the first ones here. Tell me what color this is, Kisame."
His partner frowned at the reminder of how bad his cohort's eyes were.
The Akatsuki took it from the Uchiha's fingers.
"Pink." He said.
A slow smile formed on Itachi's face. "Well, let's get going. We've got a lot of ground to make up."
"Humor isn't your thing, Itachi. There's no way the two of us can take on two bijuu as well as the shinobi traveling with them."
"I agree." He wound the pink hair around his finger. "That's not what I was suggesting at all."
A look of comprehension appeared on the shark-like man's face.
He smiled, showing rows of teeth.
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As far as Sakura was concerned, there was no more appropriate name for this country than the Land of Earth.
Mostly hard clay, the land was full of hills and mounds, cliffs and caves. Rocks only added to the solid make-up of the soil, making the vegetation much different than that of the Land of Thunder. Everywhere they looked, tall, scraggly pine trees dotted the landscape amid a sea of reed-like grass.
"We're going to avoid the towns here," Kakashi called from the head of the team. "We want to keep our presence here as discreet as possible."
"Damn it." Sakura heard Naruto say. "That means more sleeping on the ground."
Beside him, Saruwatari chuckled.
"At least the weather is more regulated here." Jiraiya said. "You'll be on the ground, but you'll be dry."
"How are we going to find the Kaku if we aren't going to talk to anyone?"
"Unlike the other demons, the seven-tails hasn't kept as low a profile." The sannin gestured to the hills in the distance. "The eastern edge of the mountain range seems to be where most of the incidents have been."
"Incidents?" Sakura asked.
"Yes. Unlike our Saruwatari, the Kaku's host seems to be as ill tempered as the demon he has within him. There have been many reports of attacks as well as destructive changes in the landscape. Years ago, a representative from this country came to the land of Fire and recalled these things to the Third."
Sakura glanced at the mountains in the distance. Compared to the jagged peaks of Thunder Country, these mountains contained less angles, holding a rounder shape.
She walked along quietly, having dropped behind even Sasuke, when she felt an odd sensation. It was like the hairs on her neck were standing on end.
She cast a look behind her but could see nothing on their path. Still, the feeling was there. And she couldn't see far enough into the dark pine trees to tell if they were being watched.
"Sasuke-kun," she whispered.
He glanced over his shoulder.
"Sasuke-kun…"
Something flew out of the woods to their right.
Sakura bolted forward, tackling Sasuke and knocking him to the ground as the strange weapon went whizzing by.
Team 7 was instantly on the defensive.
"Behind the rocks!" Kakashi motioned to the boulders on their left. "Everyone!"
Naruto grabbed Saruwatari and carried the old woman to safety.
She looked at him in annoyance. "Naruto, one thing the Raiju has given me is a monkey's agility. I may be old, but I can still move well enough."
He grinned sheepishly and looked around. "Sakura-chan?"
"I'm here."
The blond hopped over to her. "Are you alright?"
She nodded.
"Sasuke?"
"I'm fine, you idiot. Keep your eyes on the path!"
"Do not resist us." A voice called from the pine cluster. "We out number you ten to one."
"That's not bad odds," Naruto whispered.
The Toad Sage frowned at him. "We need to save our fighting for when we really need it. This might work to our advantage."
They kyuubi boy crossed his arms in disbelief. "Hmph. How could this possibly work to our advantage?"
"Yo," Kakashi called back to their attackers. "Why have you attacked us?"
"Come now, we've been watching you since you crossed our border. All outsiders are taken to the City Hidden in the Rocks. You will come out and give yourselves up."
"We are simply returning from a long trip. We only wish to make it back to our family."
A chorus of laughter could be heard from the trees. "Do not attempt to deceive us. No come out, or we will come and get you."
Kakashi glanced at Jiraiya.
The sannin nodded.
They stood, hands up in a gesture of surrender.
Naruto was shocked. "Hey! Pervy Sage, what the hell are you doing!?!"
"Quiet Naruto!" Jiraiya said through the corner of his mouth. "Their hidden city is in the same area we want to go. Not only will we avoid other possible trouble, but we can find a way out when we get there!"
The other three teammates looked at each other before standing.
Suddenly, from all around them, shinobi appeared. They materialized out of the trees, the rocks, and some even out of the ground itself.
The leader had not been lying when he'd said they were outnumbered.
A tall, scarred man stepped forward. A large water container was strapped to his back and he had numerous kunais attached on his person.
"You will follow us. Any trouble, and we will not hesitate to kill you." He looked around at them. "A strange lot for a group of travelers. I don't suppose you have passports?"
Kakashi rummaged through his pack, handing some wallet-like books to the man. Tsunade had been sure they were well prepared.
The earth shinobi took them, glancing through each. He tossed them to the man standing next to him. "Farmers, eh? I think not."
He motioned the group forward.
Surrounded by the enemy, team 7 kept close together.
Saruwatari leaned in next to Sakura.
"It's a shame," she whispered. "I was hoping to see that insane strength of yours again."
Sakura smiled.
Within the day, they would be in another country's hidden village.
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Back in Konoha, Tsunade shook her head as she looked at the reports in front of her.
What I wouldn't give for some sake.
She sighed. What she wouldn't have given for Shizune's comforting words.
The door to her office opened.
"Ah, Hinata." She smiled at the shy girl.
"Tsunade-sama." She bowed.
"I have an important job for your team." The Hokage remained staring at the paper on her desk. "I need you to raise the alarm and tell everyone to prepare of war. I will hold a town meeting tomorrow. Make sure everyone is there."
The girl looked speechless.
Tsunade nodded. "I know. But Akatsuki have moved the statue into three of the smaller countries. It will just be a matter of months before they arrive here."
"W-why me, Hokage-sama?"
"Why not? You are as capable a shinobi as any I know. And besides, perhaps this will take your mind off of worrying about Naruto."
The Hyuuga heiress turned a bright shade of red.
The sannin laughed. "Do not worry, Hinata. You secret is safe with me. Now go and spread the word. Report back here when everyone is informed."
Hinata bowed and rushed out of the room.
The blond healer leaned back in her chair.
It would be a war to end all wars, of that she was sure.
She looked out the window at the horizon.
My friends, how you are missed.
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Coming soon: Chapter 18: The secret within Hidden Village Among the Rocks