Guardian Style
Chapter 4: Trial by Fire
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters involved except Guardian F. Fire.
Fire burst from the trees in the direction he had seen Kakashi head toward. His feet slammed on the hard-packed earth until suddenly it collapsed under him.
"What the?" He shouted as he fell into the ground.
Kakashi emerged from the pitfall, sailing into the air as he passed Fire.
"That was reckless," he told the young Guardian.
"That was bait," Fire told him.
Kakashi's eyes widened as he realized the implication. He looked over his shoulder to see a group of Narutos descending on him. As the group went to dogpile him Kakashi disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"Not a bad first attempt," Naruto said as he helped Fire to his feet.
"But he got away."
"For now," Naruto said confidently.
In the trees, Tsunade and Jiraiya watched from the shadows.
"They didn't think that'd work did they?" Jiraiya asked.
"Be patient. Things are only just getting started. They're all measuring each other, seeing what the other is capable of. Now that Kakashi knows they're not above using each other as bait he'll be more cautious in his approach."
Jiraiya shrugged before turning his attention back to the clearing.
"Do you have a way to draw him out?" Naruto asked.
"I do… you may want to duck," Fire warned him.
Naruto nodded and dropped prone on the ground. Fire planted his sword blade first into the dirt before his hands blurred into a series of signs; "Fire Style; Tidal Flame Jutsu!"
Fire's hands became enshrouded in flames before he gripped the handle of his sword. As he made contact with the weapon the flames erupted off him and shot out in a wave of liquid fire that engulfed the trees.
"You're going to burn the forest down!" Naruto shouted.
"No, I won't. Watch," Fire said as he lifted his blade above his head.
As he did, Naruto got a good look at the weapon, it was a simple, two-handed sword with a red-tinted blade. A small gem was set in the crossguard, and this gem began to glow as it drew in the liquid fire from the technique. As the last of it was absorbed the blade began to turn orange, like it was being heated from within.
"Neat trick," Kakashi said as he appeared in the clearing.
Fire reacted immediately, swiping his blade through the air and sending a wave of flames at Kakashi. The other man responded by weaving a series of signs, "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A nearby river began to rear up from its banks, turning toward the group. Fire's eyes widened in surprise as the river formed eyes that glared down at him. It lunged forward, passing through his attack and dousing the flames immediately before slamming into him and Naruto, sending them sailing back into the now-burned trees.
"You didn't tell me he could use water attacks!" Fire shouted at Naruto as they clamored back to their feet.
"I didn't think it'd be a big deal, you have your sword don't you?"
Fire sighed, but before he could explain Kakashi landed between them, a kunai in his hand as he swiped at Fire. He just managed to catch the blade on the guard of his weapon, but Kakashi recovered quickly, leaping into the air a few feet before spinning and delivering a solid kick into Fire's chest that sent him crashing through the trees. He spun around to face Naruto, catching the other boy's knife on his own. The two struggled briefly before Kakashi managed to break the engagement and delivered a swift blow to the back of Naruto's head. As the blonde-haired ninja's eyes rolled up into his head he slumped to the ground.
Kakashi sighed, "Well, that was a little too easy. I'm disappointed in you Naruto. After being gone with Master Jiraiya I thought you might've learned something."
"I did!" Naruto's voice called from behind Kakashi.
The Naruto on the ground disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise as he realized it was a clone. He spun around just in time to block Naruto's kunai with his own but was quickly surrounded as more clones emerged from the trees.
"Not bad, you've caught me unawares so I don't know which is the real you," Kakashi said as he struggled against the clone.
Fire emerged from the forest and grinned as he saw the group of Narutos had surrounded Kakashi. He lifted his sword and darted forward, pushing past the clones as he closed the gap. Kakashi heard him at the last second, turning just in time to draw another kunai and deflect the swing coming at him over his head. The sudden redirect threw Fire off-balance. Kakashi took the opportunity to grab him and spun away from Naruto, throwing Fire at him as the young ninja had to restrain himself from accidentally stabbing Fire with his knife.
The two tumbled over each other in the dirt, when they finally stopped they quickly disentangled themselves and began searching for Kakashi, one of Naruto's clones waved at them from the tree line.
"This way!" he shouted.
The pair followed him, chasing through the trees for a few seconds before emerging in another clearing. Kakashi was fighting off the other three clones as the fourth one they had been following charged in. Kakashi caught one clone's arm and threw him into a second, dispersing them both as the third charged him with a kunai. Kakashi caught the blade on his own and struggled for a second before breaking the contact and spinning, slicing open the fourth clone who had finally closed the distance and dispersing it. He finished the movement and kicked the third clone in the head, sending him sprawling before he disappeared as well.
Fire lifted his sword above his head flames beginning to lick up the blade, but Kakashi saw the movement. He pointed his arm straight down, and lightning began to coalesce around his outstretched hand. Naruto's eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen. He quickly summoned a shadow clone who began to dart his hands around Naruto's, creating a sphere of chakra.
The trio continued to charge their attacks for a few more seconds. As the flames completely encompassed his sword, Fire kicked off the ground, the blade trailing behind him leaving a faint line of sparks. Naruto was right behind him while Kakashi kicked off the ground, the lightning in his hand chirping like hundreds of birds. The trio closed the distance and as they all delivered their attacks an explosion ripped through the field sending them all flying in different directions.
Tsunade and Jiraiya watched as the attacks collided and then exploded. As the three combatants flew from the point of impact, they noticed Fire was unconscious as he slid in the dirt and his sword landed a few feet away.
"He's out," Jiraiya said.
"Naruto is too," she said as she pointed toward the fallen blonde ninja.
"Looks like Kakashi's the-" he stopped as he looked over to see Kakashi lying in the dirt.
"A draw," Tsunade said.
"That's impressive," Jiraiya grinned as he rubbed his chin.
"Right, let's get this mess cleaned up," Tsunade said as she emerged from the trees.
A few hours later, in Hokage Tower
Fire and Naruto were standing in front of Tsunade's desk. They had been collected from the field and treated in the nearby hospital by medical ninja. When they were cleared with no major injuries they reported to Tsunade.
"Well, you didn't win," she began after a few minutes of silence, "but you didn't lose."
Fire gave a noncommittal nod.
"How about you help Naruto on his next mission, then we'll talk?" She asked Fire.
"Yes ma'am!" Fire said.
"Where am I going, Granny?" Naruto asked.
Tsunade fought back the urge to leap over her desk and pummel him.
"The Hidden Sand Village. There've been some strange characters showing up lately, and they've asked for our help in investigating."
"Sounds great! When do we leave?" Naruto asked.
"You have until tomorrow to pack your things. Dismissed."
She waved a hand to send them on their way, but as they reached the door a thought occurred to her.
"Fire," she said.
Fire stopped and turned around, "Y-yes ma'am?"
"Here."
She tossed him a headband that glinted in the late afternoon light as it flew across the room. He caught it and looked down at the piece, a blue cloth sewn to a metal plate with the hidden leaf symbol on it.
"You're one of us now, prove to me I didn't make a mistake, and when we get back we'll talk."
Fire gripped the headband and looked up at Tsunade.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"