Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Path Beyond the Sea ❯ Under the moonlight: inappropriate feelings ( Chapter 4 )

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 charactersÉ.that being saidÉplease enjoy my story*

Chapter 4: Under the moonlight: inappropriate feelings

The team continued on their way, never breaking formation, until they reached the edge of the region. Sakura signaled for them to stop. It had been many hours and she was sure that the priestess was ready for a break.
ÒEveryone, this mission has become much more serious that we had initially planned on, as you each know. I think I have a plan that may help us get through this.Ó Sakura said softly to the other members of her party. ÒOur commissioner has reservations for us at various villages along a given path, but I fear that our safety may be compromised if we continue on that path. Naruto, I have a favor to ask.Ó
ÒYes?Ó
ÒYou have the largest reserve of Chakra and stamina, I would like you to make 6 shadow clones and disguise each of them as a member of our party. Your clones will continue on the route and stay in the reserved areas. As soon as there is trouble on that path we will know. The problem is each of them should have a sent from each member of the team.Ó Sakura looked at everyone, ÒEach of you must give Naruto something of yours that has your sent.Ó The pink haired ninja stood and removed her skirt to reveal the tight fitting red short underneath. She wasn’t indecent, by any means, but the shorts showed every curve of her body, the flow of her hips, and muscles of her lower abdomen, as well as her well-defined gluets. Naruto was happy for the cover of darkness as he took her skirt, for blood had rushed to his cheeks.

With a sigh Kiba removed his vest and chest plate, leaving only a snug fishnet shirt behind, Ino removed her skirt as well, her body showing even more than Sakura’s had. Shino disappeared into the wooded area for a moment, returning with a black shirt that he had worn underneath his coat. Tsumira looked in awe at everyone around her. ÒTsumira, I know this seems strange, but we need something that you are wearing.Ó Sakura said softly to the girl. Hesitantly she pulled off her robe like shirt, revealing a more fitted undershirt. She was tiny, but the curve of her body showed that she was the age that they were told.

After the clones left on the trail that they were supposed to take Sakura turned to the group. ÒAlright, I have played out several scenario’s in my mind and believe that I have found the best solution. There is a small village on the other side of this ridge, we will stay there for tonight. Our trip will be momentarily delayed as I will send two groups of two ahead to scout the land and look for anything that may tell us more about our enemy.Ó Everyone followed Sakura’s order as they continued over the ridge and into the village. The sun was touching the horizon line as they entered a small inn. ÒWe need one room.Ó
The shopkeeper eyed the group, ÒI have larger suites availableÉÓ
ÒOh, only two people will be staying here tonight, we all have reservations elsewhere.Ó
The shopkeeper handed them a key to a modest room at the end of the hall. Once inside Sakura motioned for everyone to gather around her. She luckily didn’t sense any presence nearby. ÒAlright, Shino, you will stay here with Tsumira tonight, you have a good tracking system that has a large radius, with your bugs circling this area you will know immediately if there is any sign of danger. Naruto, you will come with me to the northeast. We have worked on teams before and work very well together. Kiba, you and Ino will go South East to scout for any information. Kiba is a tracker so you will do fine together. We will meet back here in 24 hours. Understood?Ó
The team nodded and departed. Shino stood at the window a moment before turning and sitting in a corner of the room. ÒYou can have the bed, I will not sleep tonight.Ó Tsumira looked at the shinobi of few words and nodded. She felt bad for taking the bed, but he didn’t sound like he was going to argue the point. In any case, she hadn’t traveled so far in a long time, and a nice nap did sound nice.

Naruto and Sakura headed northeast toward the cliff range that separated the country of sand from the country of light. ÒHow are your clones doing?Ó she asked as they spud through the trees further out of town. ÒNothing has gone wrong yet, they haven’t released, so it is probably alright.Ó He replied. She gave a sigh of relief, hopefully she was only being extra cautious. She knew that they would only get to the edge of the country before they had to rest and return, but she planned on finding anything that could give them any hints.

Many hours passed for the two groups of shinobi, neither party finding any useful information other than the occasional babble of Akatsuki’s revenge, although that did seem unlikely. Sakura stopped suddenly, as she caught her breath signaled for Naruto to near her. Òlets camp here tonight. Tomorrow we can go a little farther before we head back.Ó Naruto agreed as he cleared a spot for them to rest. Over the years they had grown accustomed to camping outdoors, it was almost nostalgic. The two worked together so well since Sakura was a hard sleeper and nothing Naruto did ever woke her up. As the late night wound down, a chilly night breeze wisped around them. Sakura gave a chill in response, it was cooler without her skirt on. Naruto handed her his jacket, she took it and looked at him for a moment.

ÒDon’t try and act tough, I know you are cold, and I don’t want our captain catching a cold. I have the nine-tails inside of me, so I run a little warmer than most people.Ó He said as he lay on his spot of the ground. His undershirt clung nicely around his abdomen and pectorals. He expected Her to lie across the camp, after all, she did hate him now. He shook his head, which was something that he’d learned to face long ago, it was his punishment, and he wouldn’t regret it.

Sakura put on his jacket. He’d grown so tall over the years, his jacked hung loosely on her delicate frame and nearly reached her knees. She looked at the once obnoxious shinobi with kind eyes. It smelled like him, she noticed, slightly musky and sweet, a very noticeable sent. She wasn’t sure when it was that she had noticed his scent, but, she had missed it. In the years since that battle they had grown apart, and she knew that he blamed himself for Sasuke’s death. He’d always said he’d save his comrade, but sometimes fate doesn’t allow such kindness, and sometimes you have to move with fate. He’d put a barrier around himself
Flashback
The debris was almost like an avalanche. Everywhere, it was everywhere, the buildings
And belongings that had surrounded them comfortably over the years were gone, lying on the ground. Sakura was at the very edge of her limit, there were so many that were injured, and so many that still needed heeling. There were sounds of fighting in the distance, as well as the occasional flash in the sky. They were fighting, she thought, the two people who were closest to her were fighting, life in death. She closed her eyes to push back the tears. Sasuke, who’d gone missing those many years ago had returned and tried to destroy everyone. WhyÉwhat happened to her first love? Naruto had vowed to her that he would rescue they’re missing comrade, he told her time and time again that it would be alright, and he’d bring him home. Always he said with a smile on his face that things would work outÉdattebayo. But would they? How could this be all right, they were fighting and someone would die. Of course she really never thought everything would go down that way, but as a figure walking into the rubble of Konoha, her eye’s widened. He’d walked into the village looking much older than his 16 years. Sakura ran up to the blonde haired ninja, as he just shook his head and handed her a Konoha headband. ÉnoÉshe wouldn’t believe it, not until he said it. ÒSakuraÉI did my best, but it wasn’t good enough. SasukeÉheÉwell he couldn’t be captured. IÉkilled him.Ó Sakura just closed her eyes and shook her head. Naruto’s large hands clasped her cheeks and he pulled her face nearer to his, ÒSakura. I killed Sasuke. He is dead.Ó Naruto’s hands dropped and he turned from her.
End flashback

Tears tugged at her eyes, no, she wouldn’t cry. This was life, this was the life of a ninja. She shrank down to the ground and lay next to Naruto’s side.


Kiba and Ino searched every crevice of the Northwestern territory. Nothing. They were getting close to the edge, to the place that ninja were not welcomedÉDevil’s Territory. The Devil’s Territory was infamous among ninja. It was a place where all the rouge ninjas went, as well as bandits and those who just didn’t want to be found. No matter the mission, no one wanted to enter that area, where those who proudly wore they’re villages adornments were the outsiders, the unwanted. The sand was getting stickier, Ino noticed, as her feet kept sinking a little lower with every step. If only she would have noticed a bit sooner, she might have been able to escape unscathed. Suddenly she started plummeting down below the surface of the sand. ÒKIBA!!!Ó

Kiba was only seconds away, but the fear that registered when he saw the petite blonde being eaten by the sand. ÒIno what’s going on? Why don’t you use your chakra to escape?Ó
ÒBecause, idiot, this is chakra-infused sandÉ.it is a ninja trap that you cant escapeÉAAAaaahhhHHHÓ The sand began constricting around her, and she felt a few ribs brake. No matter what she did the sand just pulled her deeper, tighter. ‘just greatÉ’ she thought, ‘I survive the largest attack on konoha, I live through numerous missions, only to be done in by some stupid sand.’ Tears were welling in her eyes, the sand was squeezing her tight, breaking a few bones, while the chakra was draining her of her life. She was going to die because of some stupid sand.
ÒIno, I’m going to get you out.Ó
ÒOh no you don’t!Ó she yelled with what breath was left in her, ÒThe sand is infused with chakra, if you do any jutsu you’ll just get sucked in and die. Escape, get out of hear and warn the others of the high level traps that are set.Ó
ÒSTUPID!Ó He yelled at her, it was almost unbearable to see her giving up like that. Ino had always been very vivacious, and the thought of her just rolling over to die didn’t seem right. He was worked up over his partner’s troubleÉor, rather, that’s what he was telling himself. Kiba jumped high into the air and grabbed onto a thick branch that was swaying above the ninja’s. Using a rope that he’d had in his emergency pouch he lowered himself toward the kunoichi.
Everything seemed dark, Ino had noticed. ‘well I guess that stupid billboard brow won then.’ She smiled faintly at herself.
ÒDon’t you give up on me nowÉ.Stupid, I’ve almost got you.Ó
‘Kiba?’ she used all of her energy to open her eyes, only to see the fool-hearty ninja hanging above her.
ÒSee, no chakra to absorb.Ó He grinned as he snaked one arm below the surface of the sand and around her fragile ribs.
ÒAaaahhÓ she let out a cry as her comrade pulled her from the ever-threatening sand. Her lungs were screaming and her head was faint, so everything seemed to all happen at once. ‘Almost done in my sand, huh, wow am I sad.’. those were her last thoughts before sleep took her over.

Kiba took the girl away from the sand to a patch of grass and lay her down. The dog ninja began to situate his belongings before he took a place next to the blonde ninja and pulled her gently toward him. ÒInoÉÓ he said as he drifted off to sleep, confident in they’re safely with Akamaru watching over them. In the daze of his sleep he wondered why he had gotten so upset at the thought of Ino dying. When was it, that he had formed an attachment to her. The blanket of stars connected all the ninja that night, as they overcame feelings that shouldn’t be near them.

NEXT TIME ON PBTS
Into the Devil’s Sand
Sakura: I have our route ready, lets go
Ino:oooo my side
Sakura:Come on Ino-pig, the big bad sand won’t get you
Ino:SAKURAÉ..
Naruto/Kiba:hehhehehe
POW
Naruto/K iba:Owwwe
Sakura/Ino:hmfÉserves you right