AN: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters.
Next morning
"Kakashi-sensei, I'm worried about Naruto."
"How so?"
"He didn't sleep well last night."
"Why do you think so?"
"I heard him last night. I think he was having nightmares."
"I'm sure you addressed this with him first" Kakashi-sensei asserted.
"I tried. But he didn't want to talk about it."
"Then I guess you have wait for him to be ready to talk about it."
She bit her lip.
"There's something else."
He waited for her to speak. The silence almost unnerved her.
"I don't know if I should tell you, you would think I'm a coward."
"The road to bravery begins with fear. In order to be brave, you must first learn to be afraid. Do not be so harsh on yourself, this is your first time outside the village - you've done nothing wrong."
"But that's the thing. I haven't done anything right either. I've just stood and watched the three of you do everything."
Kakashi-sensei ruffled her hair.
"Like I said, don't judge yourself now. It's perfectly normal to freeze up during your first real mission. I know I did."
Sakura looked at him in disbelief.
"It's true. But I used that moment as a learning step. Our weaknesses are the key to becoming better shinobi."
"I guess you're correct. But should we be here? We've already seen what Zabuza is capable of, and he has someone potentially just as strong with him. That's without mentioning those Iwa shinobi trying to exact years-old vengeance on us. What hope do we have to win?"
"We have each other. You saw how Naruto & Sasuke were able to work together to free me. As long as you have each other, you'll never be defeated."
Sasuke crossed his arms.
"This must be a mistake."
He was vocalising the thoughts of his teammates as well.
"Um, no offence sensei, but they're our backup?"
"If they weren't it would be rather pointless for them to come all this way wouldn't it Sakura?"
Sasuke learned enough in his earlier years from his clan members how complex assigning missions were. There was an immense amount of politics & bureaucracy that influenced the decision-making of what team was assigned what mission.
Clan heads always vied for the more public & prestigious missions - in return for a combination of increased coffers, public goodwill & bragging rights amongst each other.
But this made no sense. Nothing about their task here was public or prestigious.
When they would submit their mission reports, if they lived to write them in the first place - they would not be publicised in the Academy's books or plays; but stored in lockdown under guard at all times.
It was more or less a slap in Team 7's face for going so above & beyond their mission parameters. By all rights they could've kicked Tazuna-san to the curb & returned to Konoha, & no one would've said a word against them.
Sasuke understood most jounin were either on missions or in-village as homeland security. But he had expected atleast a couple ANBU to show up - if nothing but as a sign that they were being taken seriously.
He eyed Shikamaru closely, his blank expression staring back at him. No doubt the Nara was just as unhappy at his presence here as Sasuke was.
Kakashi stepped forwards.
"I'll be honest Asuma. I didnn't expect your team."
The senseis shook hands.
"Between the two of us Kakashi, neither did I."
"Asuma-sensei & I will be formulating a plan & a watch system. In the meantime we'd like Team 7 to teach the tree-walking exercise to Team 10."
They led their fellow genin to the training place.
"Should we split up? Might be faster that way."
"I don't see why not."
"Alright. Who gets who?"
"Ino" Naruto called.
"Choji" Sakura said.
Sasuke sighed in resignation.
Sakura walked with Choji where she'd had genjutsu lessons, whilst Naruto took Ino to his spot last night.
"You and me again. What are the odds?"
Sasuke almost groaned.
"Let's just get this over with."
"Did you speak to your teammate?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"He's not very talkative."
Shikamaru's eyes moved over his neck.
"I see. As I had expected. I didn't expect it to be this obvious."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"Obvious?"
"The bruises on your neck. I had a feeling bringing up the beast might evoke such a reaction from him. I didn't expect him to use so much force. Or maybe you Uchihas bruise very easily".
Sasuke flew at the Nara, putting him in the same position Naruto had him in last night.
"Mention my clan again, and I'll bury you right here."
"I'm sure you could - but it would be too troublesome. For me atleast."
"You set me up! What the fuck were you two thinking?"
Shikamaru shrugged, even though Sasuke was slowly tightening his grip around the boy's windpipe.
"We had no other choice. You know what he can do. But against you he'll hold back; as a teammate if nothing else. Neither of us have that luxury."
Sasuke could see the logic behind that (if his blood weren't boiling).
"You're not my teammate. There's nothing stopping me either."
"There is - your sense of self-preservation. We're here to extract you from this shithole you've trapped yourselves in. You'd only be making me even more dead weight than I am already. Surely you value your own chances of survival more than you do your pride."
"You'd just get in the way. Maybe taking out of the equation would increase my chances of survival?"
"You'd also be taking out my sensei, a veteran jounin - by injuring his student. Besides, there's more at stake here than your ego. Let's face it, you won't do anything to me".
Calling out his bluff seemed to do the trick.
Sasuke slowly loosened his grip around his neck.
His fellow clan heir let out deep breaths, massaging his throat.
Sasuke reeled his arm back & struck him in the pit of his stomach.
Shikamaru collapsed to the ground, groaning & clutching his abdomen.
Sasuke bent down to his eye-level "That shouldn't hurt too much. That is if you deer fuckers don't heal slowly."
"Iwa?"
Kakashi nodded.
Asuma leaned against the frame, gazing outside the window. The morning sun was shining brightly upon the little island, and the waves seemed to beckon all in invitingly.
"From here it almost seems like a nice place to visit."
"Almost", Kakashi agreed.
"We came through the town centre on our way in. Whatever the client's told you, it's worse. The people here are helpless against Gato."
"Not if we have something to do about it."
"I agree. That's why I took this mission. It'll be good for the kids as well. Most of them have lived comfortably within the security of our walls. Their first mission being this intense will go a long way in preparing them."
"I'll take the night watch - I'm much more used to it than you. I had Naruto place some traps early this morning everywhere around the house except for the road".
"It's worrying that they're waiting for Zabuza to attack us at the bridge. That they feel confident enough to attack him where he's strongest doesn't bode well for us".
Kakashi looked at his fellow jounin.
"We still have an ace in the hole."
He stroked his beard.
"Ah of course. I've wanted to see Naruto in action - he's been under the guidance of three masters for a long time now."
"He did really well against Zabuza - even better than I had hoped. Sasuke as well."
"And Sakura?"
"I've learnt since taking this job that everyone learns at different rates."
Asuma sighed, "You're lucky to have those boys. Mine are too busy staring at clouds or emptying food bags."
"I presume they'll be limited to recon & safeguarding?"
Asuma nodded, "No objections there. If that's all I'll have some breakfast."
"There is something else."
"What is it?"
"Your boy has been snooping around a bit too much. You'd best keep an eye on him."
Asuma of course, didn't need to guess what Kakashi was saying.
"I'll see what I can do. It's best to tread carefully here - it's such a sensitive subject after all."
Four hours later
Ino collapsed onto her back, heaving from the exertion.
"You did well today."
"You don't have to sound so surprised."
Naruto shrugged, "It's a good surprise."
Ino narrowed her eyes at him, and then held her hand up for him to take.
She pulled him down when he clasped her hand, bringing him face first next to him & giggling as he glared at her.
"You're unbelievable" he gritted as he dusted himself off & lay down next to her.
She turned over to face him.
"They didn't tell us much - only that the client had lied. What happened on your way here?"
"That's a long story."
"I've nowhere else to be."
Naruto sighed, and faced her. He narrated everything.
She listened intently, and saw intently as well.
How his creases narrowed in concern when Kakashi-sensei went under the water or when he saw the blade move inches from Sasuke's neck. The determination in his eyes when his team decided to continue the mission; the wariness when he encountered this mystery girl & how his eyes glistened with pride when he explained the traps he'd laid early in the morning.
She let him finish, and then asked questions.
"If you were forced to, would you have taken that girl's life?"
"At this point I don't know if I can take her. I suppose if there were no other choice. We all will have to. Best sooner rather than later."
She didn't want to think about what she would do in that situation.
"My parents did explain to me it's an unfortunate part of our lives - but I've just tried not to think about as best I could."
"I've read about it - firsthand accounts of shinobis regarding their first kill. Unless they killed for fun, it was never a great experience."
Ino had also been reading up - on the Tailed Beasts and on the unfortunate souls that were forced to host them. They were each capable of unimaginable destruction & death. The people carrying that burden had never asked for it - it had always been forcibly thrust open them; scarring them for the rest of their lives & rendering them monsters to the afraid & unaware.
"Tell me more about the traps. How did you learn them?"
"From a book actually. It was the Nidaime's."
She saw an almost-boyish delight enter him when he began describing the particulars, most of which went over her head.
Looking at him like this, lying down next to her & talking animatedly with a pure smile on his face, he looked the farthest thing from a monster.
She took his hand. It melded perfectly over hers.
Naruto looked at her & smiled.
Everything else around them seemed to blur out. All she could focus on were those pure blue eyes & whiskers.
Why are his eyes getting bigger?
He was closing the distance between them. She could see his eyes run over her lips, and she closed her eyes in anticipation.
Ino could feel his breath mingle with hers, his lips millimeters away from her own, and then she felt his lips place the faintest of kisses on her cheek.
She waited a moment before opening her eyes, watching Naruto walk back into the house.
Ghosting her fingers over where his lips had been, she smiled.
You really are unbelievable
Lunch was a tense affair. Sakura couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something clouding over the dinner table.
This was the first time they'd properly got to meet Tazuna-san's family. His daughter was a wonderful host, always making sure their plates & cups weren't empty.
The grandson, Inari was keeping mostly to himself, playing with his food.
Kakashi-sensei was explaining everyone's roles to them over the next few days.
"Either myself or Asuma-sensei will be active at all times. We've divided rest into twelve hour periods, and tomorrow we'll give you all a list of your activities".
"Is there a timeline till our next attack?" Sasuke-kun questioned.
"You mean defence", Shikamaru noted.
"Sometimes the best form of defence is attack".
"Semantics aside", Kakashi-sensei cleared out, "not within the next 36 hours. There hasn't been hostile activity detected near the house, and Tazuna-san will resume work after two days. Till then he will be busy allocating goods & workers for his project."
That was when Inari decided he'd heard enough.
"You guys are wasting your time. There is nothing you can do here."
"We won't know unless we try", Kakashi-sensei explained.
"Well then you'll die trying. It's all hopeless."
"Better to die on your feet than live on your knees", Naruto countered.
"What do you know? You'll go back to your fancy big village any way, no matter what happens to us."
Sakura tried to calm him, "That's not true Inari-kun. We won't return until we fix the problem".
"Who do you think you are, that you could fix our problems? Just go back to wherever you came from. Your efforts are meaningless."
Naruto got up, banging his palms on the dinnertable.
"Meaningless huh? What do you know of meaningless?"
Ino put a hand on his forearm to calm him.
"More than you ever will. You have no idea what it takes to even get out of bed since Gato came. He's taken everything from us. If you don't leave he'll kill us!"
"Inari! That's enough. Go to your room".
He took his time leaving, making sure to stare at everyone, his expression making it clear he didn't think much of them or their efforts.
"I'm sorry for my grandson. It has been particularly hard on him".
"No offence taken my good man", Asuma-sensei assured.
For as long as she'd known him, Choji always had the worst timing. She saw him at the other end of the table, his eyes scanning the photos on the walls & coming to the same realisation she had hours ago. One look at Tsunami-san's face had told her - she was mourning someone.
"That man in the photos, who is he?".
Tsunami-san's lips quivered before she spoke.
"My late husband."
"Inari's father?" Shikamaru asked.
"No. He left the picture long before Inari was born. Kaiza was a travelling fisherman. It was a mark of coincidence that he even met Inari. Some of the older boys were bullying Inari, and they pushed him into the sea. Kaiza had come to our village looking for work. If he hadn't arrived at the time..."
Tazuna-san continued for his daughter, "He ended up making a real impression on Inari, and eventually he & my daughter fell in love & married. All went well for years until Gato arrived."
"Kaiza fought back", Asuma-sensei predicted.
Tazuna-san nodded, "He led our movement. It was a peaceful protest - we all marched out to Gato's headquarters & demanded an audience. When we refused to leave they sent goons to take Kaiza. He was executed not twenty feet from me. And I could do nothing."
By this point the elderly man removed his glasses, sobbing openly into his palms.
"I can't promise that finishing Gato will take away the pain of your loss, but it will give you a sense of closure. Perhaps little Inari will be able to smile again."
"We are thankful for your help. How can we ever repay you?"
"That is not needed Tsunami-san. Though we are shinobi, we are human first. It would be wrong for us to do nothing."
Once they'd cleared up the table, Sakura went searching for Inari. She came upon his room at the end of the passageway upstairs. The door was open, and she could see him looking out the window, resting his head on his arms with his back to her.
She knocked, "I hope I'm not interrupting."
He answered without looking back to her.
"Nothing worth interrupting here."
"I don't think so. This morning I woke up to the most beatiful sunset I've ever seen."
"All smoke & mirrors. Everything on this island turns very ugly when you look up close."
"I hope you know we're being truthful about our intentions. We're not going to leave until Gato faces justice for his crimes."
"I know you think you can accomplish something here. But you can't. You can spare us all the time & leave now before we have more bodies to bury."
"So that's it? You're just going to give up & suffer for the rest of your life? Confine yourself to a miserable existence?"
"Do you think we want this? Waking up each day only to pray for it to end, wishing we'd never let that monster into our village. You don't anything about us, so don't you dare presume anything for us."
"Tell me then. What do I not know about you?"
"I have dreams. Every night. I'm alone with Gato - much bigger & older too. I tie him up & do everything to him what he did to Kaiza. His screams are the only joy in my empty life."
"Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"After what he did? No."
He walked closer & shut the door on her.
Naruto got permission from the jounin to slightly tweak this phase of the training. Ino could already tree-walk, so he wanted to up the difficulty.
He'd perused a map of the island on Gato's worktable in the morning, & if it was correct there was an ideal spot not far from the house. It was also in the forest, where the locals didn't frequent.
"A hotsprings?" Ino questioned when they arrived.
"You'll see. It's part of the training."
He took off his shoes, prompting Ino to copy him. Naruto put one foot into the water, and then the second. Only his feet didn't enter into the water.
"Show-off" Ino muttered.
"Well. Get in."
Naruto didn't give away just how hot the water was, & Ino jumped back into the grass after momentarily putting a foot in.
"Shit that's hot. Why didn't you tell me?"
He walked over to her, "I didn't know the Yamanaka let their clan heir learn to swear."
Sitting down, he took her foot in his hands, gently rubbing it.
He performed some hand-seals & performed a simple water jutsu, drawing the water from a nearby, much cooler pond. The water moved across the sole of her foot, taking away most of the sting.
She nursed her toes, "Thanks. That helps."
"I know. I learnt this jutsu thanks to this training. Pain is a strong teacher."
"How do you endure the heat?"
"Over time, you get used to it. But a constant flow of chakra to your soles takes away most of it."
"But how will I know what level of chakra to channel?"
"That's the rub. You don't, not unless you get it right?"
"So I could burn my soles before figuring out the correct level?"
Naruto smiled at her "I'm sure it won't get to that stage."
He helped her get up.
"Easy for you to be say. They're my feet."
11 PM
The jounin had converted one room into a weapons storage, which meant that boys had to adjust in one room. Which, considering that Choji took up the space for two, was a bit difficult.
That was the least of the issues though. Within the past 24 hours, all the other three male genin had been involved in altercations with each other. It would be a miracle if another didn't break out over the course of the night.
They ended up giving the bed to Choji, and sharing futons.
Naruto was finding it difficult to be so close to Sasuke & Shikamaru.
"You were visited by one of the assailants".
The Nara heir wasn't asking, but initiating a line of questioning.
"Ino told you?"
"We are teammates after all".
"She was searching the place for medicinal herbs".
"Did you feel at any point you were in danger".
"There is always danger when the enemy is nearby".
"Yet she didn't attack you".
"Your point being?"
He saw Sasuke turn their way as well, becoming interested in whatever Shikamaru was trying to say.
"That they had every chance of killing you, and they didn't take it. Why? Not out of honour, or they wouldn't be opposing us in the first place. One consideration is they didn't feel confident attacking you alone".
Looking at him, he got the feeling Shikamaru didn't believe that.
"Or?" Sasuke asked, perhaps also realising it.
"There is another possibility."
Choji asked, "What?"
"We can turn them. Get them to join our side. Whether they realise it or not, they've become the prey now. Surely they won't just accept their fates. If we can get them to defect from Gato we simultaneously get stronger & weaken our enemy."
"What reason would they have to believe us?" Sasuke asked.
"I'm sure we can convince them. Or arrange proof".
Naruto didn't like it, but he agreed with him.
"The idea does have merits".
Choji asked the most important question.
"Will our senseis agree?"
They spent another hour or so discussing how they'd pitch their plan to the jounin.
Before sleeping, Naruto realised they weren't such pricks when they decided not to be.
Over in the girls' bedroom, Ino & Sakura were having their own discussion. They lay on bunk beds, Sakura on top incase Ino needed to change the dressings on her foot. Tsunami-san had chastised her when she'd found out, but did inform her that she'd heal by tomorrow.
"They looked about ready to kill each other. I know they've had their differences, but this was a major escalation".
"Did you tell Kakashi-sensei?"
"Not yet. He already has so much to deal with, I didn't want to burden him with this as well".
"Do you think Sasuke knows?"
"When we were on Mount Hokage, he seemed quite suspicious of Naruto. But unless he's found out from someone else, I don't think he has".
"I fear us being here may worsen things".
Sakura inferred what she meant.
"Shikamaru?"
"He thinks he can hide things from me, but I've known him since we were toddlers".
"Did you tell Asuma-sensei?"
Ino nodded, "I did. He assured me he'll keep an eye out".
"Last night, he was having nightmares. The look on his face...as if he was afraid".
"Afraid of what?"
"I don't know. I've never seen him like this".
"It's best you tell Kakashi-sensei sooner instead of later. If it could be the beast's doing, or tamper with its prison; the consequences would be unimaginable".
They fell into a glum silence.
"Do you wonder sometimes?"
"What?"
"What you'd be doing if you hadn't joined the academy?"
"Working at the flower shop full-time maybe. My parents did offer me that choice when I applied for the academy?"
"Why didn't you take it?"
"I don't really know. It just seemed the right choice then. All my friends were joining, so I guess I tagged along. What about you? What drives a civilian to willingly enter this field?"
"For starters, I wanted to stand out. None of my relatives are shinobi, so there's that. Secondly I wanted to make a difference - back then this seemed like the best way".
"And now?"
Sakura sighed "I still feel the same way. Just a bit-"
"Jaded?"
"Yes. Sounds strange isn't it - to feel like this without even completing a proper mission first."
"We can't help how we feel Sakura - only what we do about it".
Next morning
"We shouldn't have let them bunk together" Asuma said.
"While your point stands, let's entertain the notion. Hypothetically at least."
"Alright. For starters, we know next to nothing about the Iwa nin. What if they've got the pair under constant surveillance?"
"Quite possible. Though I doubt they would do it. Why waste precious shinobi for such tasks when simple henchmen will suffice? And we both know those are likely to be as dumb as rocks."
"Say we can bypass surveillance. What next? I doubt we can just walk up to them."
"Why yes we could. Of course it would have appear as an attack".
"What's to stop them from attacking us?"
"We'll ambush them. Tell them the truth with a kunai to their throats".
"And they will believe us because?"
"Because we won't jam the kunai through their throat".
"I'm don't know how comfortable I'd be sending them out there without any prior experience."
"We have all day - surely between us we could get them suitably prepared."
"It would be better to use your team only. If they don't know we're here it's best to keep things that way".
"Agreed. Should I take that as a yes then?"
"You already knew I was going to agree didn't you?"
"Of course - I've known you for years Asuma."
"I like it" Naruto nodded.
"I don't" Sasuke objected, "What guarantee do we have that they will accept? They're just as likely to thank us by killing us & then attacking the others."
He looked at his third student.
"The deciding vote is yours".
He meant it - he wouldn't make the mistake of forcing his genin like so many senseis did.
Sakura took some time to make up her mind.
"Yes", she decided.
"Alright. We exfil at midnight. Asuma-sensei has agreed to give us a one-hour window which we will abide by. Remember, in & out. It would be optimal if the watcher's don't see us at all".
He produced three sheets of neatly folded paper from a pocket - "These are a list of what you will need, make sure to take yours - each is different. Memorise them & all of our code names, and then burn them. We are not to speak to each other whilst on the mission, but if we must then this is how we will address each other. Sakura, stay here when you are done".
It took them five minutes & then they burned their notes.
The boys looked at Sakura before leaving her alone with him.
"I hope your decision wasn't influenced in any way by what you told me in the morning".
"About being afraid?"
"Yes".
"Then it is. I've gone through cowardice. Now the rest of my journey continues".
He was pleased with her answer.
"That's good to hear".
Post-lunch
The morning was spent creating their mission plan - from basic parameters, lock-picking, paper-bomb defusal & hand-signs. The jounin involved them as well, even Team 10. Given the short time frame, most of their training was expedited; though they were still taught to a level sufficient for this mission.
Now they were to take part in an exercise - where the goal was to capture Naruto, who would be hiding in a mile-wide area around the house. The deadline was before dinner, and to make things even Naruto wasn't allowed to use chakra.
Naruto would have a 30-minute head start to find a suitable hiding spot.
He walked by her, getting ready to start "See you at dinner."
"A tad arrogant aren't you?" Sakura scoffed.
Naruto grinned "It's not arrogance if its fact."
Ino joined her "Care to put your money where your mouth is?"
"You're on Princess."
Sakura was surprised by his nickname for her friend, not to mention the subtle flirting between the two blondes.
"What do I get when I win?"
"You mean if" Sakura interjected.
"Sure, if you say so."
Asuma-sensei announced the exercise, & Naruto darted into the forest.
Sakura turned to her best friend.
"What was that all about?"
"What?"
She mimicked her teammate, "You're on Princess."
Ino blushed slightly, "Shut up pig."
Sakura smiled back at her knowingly.
One hour later
Glorified hide & seek, but Sasuke could see the uses of this activity. The enemy wouldn't always come to him, sometimes he would have to seek them. Especially his biggest enemy, one day.
The rational part of his mind saw the mistake in splitting up. Time was not the factor they were lacking in - it was strength.
Even if they were to spot his teammate, how would they capture him?
Short of Naruto deciding to turn himself in they had no chance.
But alone, Sasuke would get to test himself. Naruto was ahead of him, but Sasuke would ensure that gap would close. What better way to start than to test the extent of the gap?
He heard a footstep, & slid behind a tree. Turning in the direction of the sound, he saw Shikamaru examining boot-prints. He could see why Shikamaru appeared perplexed.
He'd crossed that path earlier. Naruto had no doubt created a network of boot-prints in several directions to throw them off. Sasuke's best guess was either hand-standing or tree-walking. Maybe he'd even created clones before the exercise started & had them create the network.
Sasuke was about to turn away when a blur charged at Shikamaru.
He didn't even realise where Naruto came from, but he had the Nara in a chokehold using a steel wire.
Intervening didn't cross his mind at all. The Nara deserved it for all he cared.
But this did represent an opportunity.
He edged closer, biding his time for the perfect moment.
This didn't make sense.
The soil in this part of the forest was soft enough to leave boot prints. They were the same size & shape as Naruto's, but there were more than a pair. And they seemed to be moving haphazardly.
Shikamaru shivered, the chill in the air seeping into his bones. He made the decision to split everyone up, but they had yet to show the results for it.
He felt a sharp pressure around the base of his neck. He moved his hand to rub the area, when an immense force was applied on him from behind.
Shikamaru felt himself pinned against another body, a sharp wire strangling him.
"What..the...hell?", he managed to choke out.
"They said no chakra" Naruto whispered into his ear, "No one said anything about weapons."
Shikamaru could feel his airways closing, & he was finding it difficult to breathe.
"Are...you...crazy? You...could...kill...me."
"Very easily if I wanted to, & I'm very tempted" Naruto agreed. As if to make a point, he tightened the wire, forcing Shikamaru to choke up blood.
"Unfortunately, you're a clan heir; so I don't have that luxury. I told Shino not to mess with me. Consider this my first & final warning to you."
Naruto let go of the wire, retreating a step back.
Shikamaru's legs gave away, and he blinked away black spots whilst massaging his neck, feeling blood forming at multiple spots.
The last thing he saw was Naruto's fist coming closer before he blacked out.
As soon as Naruto drew his hand back, he received a flying kick to the back of his head.
He lurched forward a few steps, then turned around to view his assailant.
Sasuke.
Usually his teammate wouldn't be able to achieve a hit on him, but the rage he felt towards the Nara had momentarily dampened his senses.
He breathed in for a few moments, before engaging his current foe.
"You really think this will end in any way but your humiliation?"
The Uchiha answered by charging at him again.
But Naruto was prepared this time. He sidestepped the attack, catching the Uchiha's arm & tossing him into a tree.
Naruto's rage may have quelled, but he was still angry about yesterday. He wasn't in the mood for a showcase of his skills - this was going to be a beatdown.
To his credit, Sasuke got up almost immediately & returned, attacking him with a flurry of punches.
Naruto dodged them all, making sure to keep an enfuriating smirk on his face.
It worked.
Sasuke swung wildly.
Naruto waited until his arm was in the perfect position, and grabbed it again.
This time, he sweeped Sasuke's legs with his right, flooring him. Naruto placed a knee on Sasuke's chest, effectively keeping him on the ground. That was not his intention, however.
His right moved to Sasuke's throat, applying more than necessary pressure. He got off Sasuke, and with one arm lifted him into the air.
Sasuke's eyes widened, part from shock & part from not having enough oxygen in his airways.
Naruto tightened his grip around the Uchiha's larynx, noting with pleasure the deepening shades of pink his cheeks were turning.
Blinded by his righteous fury, he didn't notice the shapes Sasuke's hands were forming...
Just one more hand-sign & then...
Sasuke opened his mouth to unleash a fireball.
Unfortunately, before he could Naruto moved his face upwards, and the fire struck the trees, bringing down a scorching pile of leaves & branches onto them.
"Nice try" Naruto complemented him. He could tell it wasn't sincere.
"I'm impressed by your boldness, so I'll let end your suffering. Consider it my mercy."
Some mercy it was. Naruto tied Sasuke with the same steel wire he used earlier on Shikamaru.
It cut into his wrists, and Naruto bound him so tightly that any movement worsened it.
"I want you to remember this moment. What did you say your goal was? To kill Itachi. He is as far above me as I am above you. What hope could you ever have?"
Sasuke strained against his constraints. Mad with anger, he spat at the blonde.
Naruto wiped it off & socked him in the cheek with the same fist, drawing blood from Sasuke's upper lip.
"How far the mighty Uchiha have fallen. Brushed aside so easily by a mere orphan."
He realised Naruto was trying to rile him up. Unfortunately, given the predicament he was in it was working.
"Don't mention my clan again you bastard!"
"Or what?"
Sasuke didn't have a comeback to that.
Naruto smirked "As I thought."
The blonde walked away; Sasuke wasn't found until hours later by Choji. The look on his face warned Choji not to ask any questions, which he picked up this time.
Sasuke stalked back to the house again, & he wouldn't speak to anyone until after dinner.
11 PM
He was getting ready, double & triple-checking everything when he heard a knock.
"I hear you've got a mission tonight".
Ino.
Naruto could tell something was off from her tone.
"You don't like it?"
"Well, we did come here to help. So far all we've done is be trained by you & sit around. Now you're going off again to do Kami knows what."
"You'll be protecting the client. I'd say that's plenty of help."
"You don't need to patronise me."
"I'm not. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to do this."
She came closer & sat on the bed.
"Pardon me if I'm overstepping, but something feels amiss between you and Sasuke."
"I'd say you were overstepping, but I'd rather know more about your source. Sakura?"
"Girls talk."
He sighed, sitting down next to her.
"I got angry at him. It was over something stupid, and I realise lashing out as I did was wrong."
"Did you speak to him?"
"There'll be time for that later. Right now there's more important things at stake."
She put her hand on his wrist.
"I'd say ensuring harmony in your team is the important issue at stake. If you have unresolved tensions before going on a mission, couldn't that have serious consequences?"
"I didn't know they taught kunoichi psychology lessons at the Academy."
"Didn't you hear? I hail from a clan of mind-readers."
"Aren't you more mind-walkers?"
"I don't need to be one to figure out what happened with Shikamaru. I apologise on his behalf?"
"Why would you? It isn't your fault, not to mention you don't even know why."
"I'd like to think it wasn't out of enjoyment, and that you felt there was no other choice. At least, I hope I know you well enough to make that assumption."
"Well," Naruto conceded "there was some enjoyment."
Ino lightly slapped at his wrist, getting up to leave.
She stopped for a moment, then turned & planted her lips on his forehead.
"That's all?" he questioned boldly.
"Come back & then we'll talk blondie."
She left, but not before seeing the wide grin on his face.
If he wasn't motivated before, he sure as hell was now.
In order to maintain the illusion, they'd split up. Kakashi & Sakura were moving through the forests, whilst the boys hugged the coastline.
They wore all-black gear, and were armed to the tooth with weapons.
Naruto had sent clones around the village earlier that day, and after some investigation they'd found a spot likely to be their assailants' base.
It was nestled in a valley between two hill, meaning it was invisible until you stumbled upon it.
Fortunately for Team 7, that also made them invisible to their targets.
It seemed to be an entrance for an underground bunker.
Kakashi signalled them to halt & take position.
He carefully moved closer, inspecting the entrance for any traps.
Sasuke looked around, trying to spot the Iwa shinobi. Kakashi had told him they were unlikely to be watching this time at night - since the logical course of action on Zabuza's part was to attack at the bridge there was no need to constantly monitor them.
Still, he wanted to make sure they were alone. He activated the Sharingan, his range & accuracy of vision both enhanced. When he didn't find anything suspicious, he reverted back to his regular eyes.
He could feel Naruto next to him, as quiet & motionless as a sculpture.
If he held any resentment, he did an immaculate job of hiding it. Sasuke couldn't sense any hostility in him, only a professional determination to succeed in their mission.
He could respect that. Admire it even. After all, he was finding it very difficult to be this close to him alone. If they were not on a mission & Sasuke did not know clearly the gulf between them, he would certainly try & retaliate.
The sound of an osprey's whistle sounded from the other end.
Their signal to move.
The pair walked as quietly as possible, and after what seemed like eternity they arrived at the entrance.
Kakashi nodded.
It was an abandonded mine, quite dilapidated from the looks of it.
A makeshift door had been erected with a padlock as security.
Naruto edged forwards & slowly pushed it forward.
Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder, freezing him.
He pulled Naruto's arm back gently, bringing to everyone's attention a jingling noise.
The door had been rigged.
Sasuke activated the Sharingan, and he could clearly see a small string dangling between the two doors.
His sensei looked at him, and tapped him on the shoulder twice.
Understanding the order, Sasuke slowly moved ahead of Naruto & gently cut apart string through the gap in the door.
Once it was disarmed, he double-tapped Naruto, who moved forward again.
They all moved a small distance downwards, before Kakashi stopped them.
They arrived at their first checkpoint. Here, Sakura would stay behind & stand guard with two of Naruto's clones here. No one would enter or exit unless they showed the hand-sign code.
Sakura nodded in agreement, and the three ventured further in.
Naruto made two more clones to go ahead first. He waited five minutes, and then their memories transferred to him. He made the signal to continue & they made their way forward, weapons now in both hands. The path seemed to go on forever, until they reached a door.
He allowed Kakashi to go ahead.
Kakashi activated the jutsu, slowly opening the door & entering.
In the pitch-black, he was forced to open his Sharingan, Sasuke following him.
He moved to one end of the room, Naruto doing the same in the opposite direction.
Sasuke stayed as he was.
When the two of them moved into position he nodded at Sasuke, who flipped the light switch.
Immediately, their targets woke up & had kunais pressing into their larynx.
Naruto snarled at the girl.
"Move a muscle & I'll jam this kunai into your throat. And this time I won't miss".
Kakashi was doing much the same with Zabuza.
"Clearly you're not here to kill us or we'd already be dead."
Sasuke goaded her.
"Give us a reason. I beg of you".
"You are right. We are not here to kill you, but do not think for a second you'll be dead if I see a hint of anything untoward".
"This coming from the person attacking us in our beds whilst we sleep?"
"I'm here to offer our help, in exchange for yours".
Zabuza seemed almost incredulous.
"Help? After we almost killed each other?"
"Yes. Because the other answer is we all die".
"Unless you double what Gato is paying us we'll take our chances".
"Then you're damned fools", Naruto answered. "Because you've been under constant watch by another group of shinobi hired by Gato".
"Why?"
"So that you can lead them to us, and they can kills whoever's left standing after you attack".
"Why should we trust you?"
"Why?" Naruto asked incredulously.
"Look around you Zabuza. We're risking our lives to save yours, and at any point prior to waking you we could've killed you ourselves".
"What reason would these shinobi have to attack us?"
"With an attitude like that it's hard to believe you're still alive" Naruto scoffed.
"Apart from the standard financial motivation, these are Iwa shinobi."
Zabuza's eyebrows lifted in realisation.
"Now do you believe us?"
"Leave. We will disappear for now, & attack on the first day of construction. If what you say is true then they will be there; which means we must act together out of necessity. Otherwise I'll behead you & collect your bounty."