Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Path Beyond the Sea ❯ Village of the red wind ( Chapter 2 )

A Path Beyond the Sea
A Naruto Fan Fiction Story
*Disclaimer* I do not, nor ever will own Naruto, this is merely a story of my imagination, based on these characters….that being said…please enjoy my story*

Chapter 2: village of the Red wind!

The sunrise quickly approached, signaling the start of a new mission. Standing before the mirror she looked at the woman she’d become. No longer the young girl who quarreled with Sakura, and chased after Sasuke in competition with her friend. She was strong, she was young, she was kunoichi. Her ultra long blonde hair had grown over the years and was still kept in a neat pony-tale. Her blue eyes, which held the key too many mind jutsu techniques carefully looked over her appearance, to assure that everything was as it should be and that she wasn’t leaving anything behind. She wore a purple tank top, with a matching purple skirt, split on the side, and black tight shorts underneath. She wore fishnet protectors around her elbows and on her upper legs, as well as shin and fore-arm protectors. Her forehead protector was worn decoratively around her waist, along with her belt that held her pouches.

On the way to the Gates of Konoha she passed a restaurant belonging to Chouji, her long time teammate and friend. Chouji had been of great comfort to her during her break-up with Shikamaru. It had been a hard break up for her, although not many knew it. Chouji was always a kind man and although he never said a word, he sensed it, and supported her by bringing her dishes from the restaurant. She didn’t feel like doing much those days and his meals really helped, although he would swear that he only brought them by because he made too much and didn’t want to waste food. She knew better, Chouji could eat anything. She smiled as she remembered the good times.

Upon reaching the gate she noticed that 3 of her teammates were already there. Sakura, with her arms folded looked a little sleepy. Her sleeveless red shirt had the circle mark on the back of her clan, her khaki skirt had slits on either side revealing dark red tight shorts, as well as leg holsters containing her supplies. Her shin guards were in place and her konoha protector was donned as a head band, just as it usually was. Kiba yawned widely, dark brown hair spiky and messy as always. His outfit was a fishnet shirt with a metal chest plate donning the symbol of his clan and a black vest, with ripped sleeves that was unzipped. His black pants came down just above his ninja shoes, and his two belts contained different pouches to hold his supplies. Akamaru, his trusted companion was still enormous, reaching Kiba’s waist easily, he was a fierce friend of Kiba's.
Shino looked much the same as he always had, a white trench coat with the collar up, black pants and black round shades. He always blended in quietly. Only Naruto was missing from they’re lineup. She sighed, he was late.
“Yo!” Naruto called as he appeared before the group, blond hair messy as always, black forehead protector tied as it always was. His black jacket was trimmed with an orange color and orange stripes on each arm, black pants and sandals and carry pouches seemed to make his blue eyes glow. “Sorry I’m late.” He said as he rubbed the back of his head. “Let’s head out!” Sakura smiled. The 5 Jounin set forth to the village of the red wind. The trip was scheduled around three days to arrival, and as they expected nothing exiting was awaiting their first steps of the journey. The first day was filled with walking through the many paths of the Fire country. Each night they gathered a little food from the nature around them and cooked over an open fire. It was more like a camping vacation than a mission. On the final night of their campout they sat in silence around the camp fire. Akamaru slept easily near the open flame, Kiba using his friend as a pillow. Ino Looked at the sky above them, the stars sparkling like a thousand tiny diamonds, she wondered what they would face on this mission. She hoped it wouldn’t be too exciting, since in the world of a ninja, exciting meant danger and the possibility of a fallen comrade. Shino leaned against a tree, almost blending into his surroundings despite the white trench coat. Sakura looked into the flame and remembered a time long ago when her beloved teacher and her crush would sit alongside her and Naruto. Why would they’re memory forever haunt her? She sighed heavily as she turned over and closed her eyes. Perhaps sleep would drown out her heart-ache.

Naruto sat guard for the length of the night, which was for the best, since sleep hadn’t been a true friend of his in many years. Light shown over the sandy surroundings of the borders of the wind country, almost there. They headed out on the last stretch of the journey when a ninja approached them.

“The Kazekage has requested that you stop in his office on your way to Akakaze.” He said holding out a slip of chakra paper. Sakura took it and analyzed it for accuracy. “He’s telling the truth.” The 5 followed the sand ninja to the office of the Kazekage Gaara. Upon entering Gaara stood, he had grown taller, red hair had gotten longer and his lean form was very handsome in the black, trimmed in red outfit that he wore. “Konoha ninja, it is nice to see you all well after so much time.”
“Why’d ya summon us here Gaara?” Yawned Naruto. Immediately 3 ninja ran forward, obviously not accustomed to such casual speech around the sometimes frightening kazekage. Gaara raised his hand. “He is a friend, do not fear.” Gaara sighed as he turned his attention back to the Konoha ninja. “I wish that this was simply a ‘welcome to the sand village’ sort of summoning, but it is not. I want to warn you, many strange things have been happening recently in our country.”
“What sort of strange things?” asked Sakura politely
“Unnatural deaths, which even the highest medical ninja cannot explain. Different ages, gender and rank all at different times with no general connection. Missing documents, ranging from small reports to even, I’m afraid to say, forbidden techniques. I have ninja working around the clock to solve this problem, but as of now, I have no answers.”
“Do you have any theories on who is behind this?” Asked Ino worriedly.
“I do not. Some fear that somehow the akatsuki has reformed,” everyone breathed in at their mention, “Some say a new group is trying to accomplish the black arts, there are too many possibilities to narrow down. All I know is that you are escorting a very special priestess across my borders and through 3 other countries, so it would be wise to be on your guard, just in case any of this has a connection. That is all I can give you. Be careful.” He turned away from them, signaling the end of the conversation.

“Thank you, old friend.” Said Naruto as the team headed out toward the Akakaze, which was right on the other side of the Hidden Sand village. At the edge of town they’re escort wished them a safe journey as he closed the gates behind them.

Akakaze was not much, in the way of an impressive village. It was small and appeared to be of minor income. How this village afforded a high class A Rank mission was beyond comprehension. “Welcome!” A short stout man greeted them. He was the head of this village and their summoner. “I hope your trip wasn’t too hard to get here. Please follow me and I will explain in better detail what you will be doing on this mission.”

They followed him to the center building of Akakaze. In a round room they gathered around the stout man who had introduced his-self as Toucho-san.
“You may wonder why I have requested such high class ninja on this escort, but as you may have heard, our country is going through a little…turmoil as of late, and I want the protection of our dear priestess Tsumira. She is a very special princess who must reach the Water temple in one piece. If anyone got her, terrible things would happen. Tsumira has very unique abilities that I cannot share with you, but she is a very important tool for us.”

Naruto clenched his fist at the word tool. It was always something that bothered him, the thought of people being mere tools. Sakura noticed but said nothing. One thing that Naruto had learned to do over the years was control his temper. He would not outburst at this, as he once did when he was a child, so she didn’t worry too much.

“My assistant Ronko will take you to her home, and you will leave tomorrow. A map to the temple has been provided. You may, of course, take any route that you believe to be the safest.”

With that the briefing was done, and the ninja would soon meet the priestess of they’re mission.

*~Next time on PBTS~*
Naruto: Yawn, this is going to be booooring
Sakura: Stop complaining!
Naruto: but nothing exciting happens anymore
Sakura and Ino: Shut it!
Kiba: um Guys…watch out!
Chapter 3: Ambushed!