Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Path Beyond the Sea ❯ Ambushed ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
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: Ambushed!
The escort ninja brought them to what seemed to be the edge of the small village, to a little poor home. He knocked on the wooden door, and moments later it opened and a small girl stepped out. The girl, the priestess, was 20 years old, they knew that from the debriefing in Konoha, but this girl had such a small frame it was hard to believe it was she they would be escorting.
“Are you the ninja that will accompany me to Water temple?” she asked in a soft and delicate voice.
“Yes, my name is Sakura, and these are my teammates Naruto, Ino, Kiba, his dog Akamaru and Shino.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, my name is Tsumira, and I am the priestess of this small village. We will leave at dawn tomorrow, so please I hope you will be rest tonight. My home is small, but there should be enough room for us.” Her words were soft, but clear. Tsumira, even with her small frame stood very proud. Her crystal grey eyes shone brightly against her deep blue hair. Her face, from the nose down was covered with a dark blue mask, and she wore the traditional priestess outfit, blue and white. Bright colored blue pearls sat around her small neck. Even though not much of her face could be seen, it was easy to tell that she was quite stunning.
“If you will excuse me,” said the village ninja, “I will report back to Toucho-san.”
“Thank you for escorting us here.” Bowed Sakura respectively as the dark clad ninja disappeared.
“Please, make yourselves comfortable here, but it is time for my cleansing ritual, I will return shortly.” Tsumira turned
“Wait.” Sakura interjected. Tsumira turned and looked at the green eyed woman skeptically.
“I know that this is probably something that you do often, but, please allow one of us to accompany you.”
“I appreciate the gesture, but, I must be alone while I am cleansing.”
“I understand, However, as of a few moments ago you were officially placed under the care of us, Konoha ninja, and as such for the remainder of the mission, you will not be left alone.”
With a deep sigh Tsumira looked at Sakura for a moment, “I cannot have anyone near while I cleanse, or the ritual will be broken.”
Sakura looked thoughtfully at the girl. “It is our responsibility to keep you safe from harm….That being said we must figure out a way.”“I have an idea.” A quiet voice from the back spoke. Shino stepped forward. “I am a tracking ninja who uses insects to gather information and follow leads. I can follow you, place an insect near you to assure that you are safe, but stay far enough away that I do not interfere with your ritual.”
“That is an excellent plan. How does that sound Tsumira?”
She squinted thoughtful at the team, and after a pause agreed. Shino followed the girl into the wooded area as the other ninjas remained at the house.
“What are we going to get for supper?” asked Naruto. In response Ino rolled her eyes. The team went back into the village to gather any last minute materials and get supper.
Shino followed the priestess a good ways into the wooded area, “This is as far as you may follow.” Tsumira said softly.
“This insect shall keep track of your movements. I will be here when you are finished.” Shino sat at the base of a large tree. The cleansing ritual took longer than he expected. 3 hours he sat at the base of the tree patiently before she returned. “We are finished, unless you fell asleep.”
“I assure you I don’t sleep when I am on guard.”
“In any case, we may return.” The pair returned the rest of the way in silence. Once inside Ino offered them each a bowl of ramen that they had gotten from town. After supper everyone settled into a sleeping bag in a respective area, although it didn’t matter, they were all practically laying on top of one another. Akamaru let out a whimper from outside the small home. 6 people barely fit inside the home, there was no way such a large dog would fit as well.

That’s night sleep was, to say the least interesting. Naruto, always the active sleeper began rolling around as soon as he was sleeping. Kiba kicked him, Ino punched him and Shino kept a wall of insects between the rolling ninja and himself, as well as the priestess. Finally Naruto landed on top of Sakura, who was also a heavy sleeper. And Kiba, who was sleeping near Ino ended up snuggling next to her body heat. He was so used to having Akamaru near that he did it habitually. As the rays of sunlight shone across Akamaru’s face he was awoken to the sounds of punches and screaming. Ino and Sakura stormed out first faces full of rage, followed by Naruto and Kiba who seemed a little beat up. Shino followed next followed by Tsumira.

Shino had been glad that he had such a large collar covering most of his face, because the sight was so amusing that he had an uncharacteristic smirk that he wouldn’t have wanted any of them to see. “Alright, looking at this map I think the best route would be to head down this path toward the sandy desert that lies between the Sand country and the storm country. The path is a little longer than the normal route, but, based on the warnings from the Kazekage I feel that we are less likely to be noticed on this route. It may be our safest.” Everyone nodded at Sakura’s plan and prepared to head out. As they left Tsumira looked back at her small home. She was sure, for some reason, that she would never see it again.

The first half of the morning drug on slowly and without any issue. The team took a short break as the afternoon heat hit, to allow the priestess a moment to rest. They never noticed the eyes that had been watching. Without warning a loud screech was heard in the wooded area. Everyone covered their ears as a large metal chain separated the group into two halves. Instinctively Ino, Naruto and Shino stepped on either side of the priestess, ready to protect her.
Kiba, Akamaru, and sakura formed and outward facing circle, ready to attack any intruders. Two large, bulky built ninja appeared on either side of the group. “Too easy” yawned one who seemed bored. “I’ll show you easy!” Kiba yelled as he and Akamaru took a stance ready to fight. Without warning electricity surged through the chain as it wrapped around kiba. “Kiba!” Sakura yelled as she threw two kunai at the invaders. Their concentration was broken and the electricity stopped. “Beast mimicry!” The man dog team performed one of their favorite jutsu’s. The two were able to separate the pair as Naruto applied is shadow clone justu. Ino and shino tightened the circle around Tsumira, ready to protect her. It was apparent that these ninja were only Chunin level and were easily beaten. But before their capture they applied a replacement jutsu and were able to escape. For fear of another attack, or a trap, the konoha ninja did not split up to search for them.

After things settled down Sakura gathered the team together. “Just as Gaara warned us, there was trouble. We do not know yet whether it was a fluke bandit-like attack or a well thought out plan, so, for safety sake we will assume the worst. From here out we will have a marching order. I will be in the front leading out party, Ino you will be directly behind me. Tsumira you will walk behind Ino. Naruto, you shall follow closely behind Tsumira, then followed by Shino. Kiba you and Akamaru will walk on either side of our priestess.”
“Why do I have to be in the back?” whined Naruto
Sakura looked at him for a moment, almost seeing the boy he had once been. “Naruto you are a close to mid range fighter, but you are brass and showy as well, but mostly you are one of our strongest teammates. I want you next to the priestess. You could easily deploy the shadow clones to surround and protect her. Ino you are a versatile fighter, hand to hand combat to long range mind control, you should also be near the priestess so that you can assess the situation and assume the position that best suits that situation. Shino, you are a tracker and information gatherer, as well as long range I want you behind, so that you can keep us surrounded by your insects. With them we will not be caught off guard again. Kiba, Akamaru, I’m sure you’ve guessed by now, but you are close range fighters, and have, like Naruto, brute strength. You should be on the side of Tsumira in case the enemy attacks from the side. With Shino’s insects we should know if an enemy is near, but you cannot be cautious enough. Having just defeated this enemy, I don’t predict that any will be lurking nearby for another attack, but there is a chance, and I want to be ready.” Everyone nodded as they assumed their positions. The rest of the journey, no matter how long, had to be taken seriously, this was just proven to them. There was a threat out there, although how serious they didn’t know. They never felt the eyes that watched them in the distance

A spiky haired man sat in a dark, cave like, room, eyes glowing red with hatred. “What have you brought me?”
“They don’t know they are being watched, my lord. They fell right into our trap.”
Course laughter filled the cave as the spiky haired man grinned wildly. “Excellent.”

*~Next time on PBTS~*
Naruto: What the hell was that?
Sakura: I don’t know…we have to watch it
Naruto: If you get scared you can share my sleeping bag
Smack!!!
Sakura: you never change…..

Chapter 4: Under the moonlight: inappropriate feelings