Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Combined Elements ❯ Search for Orochimaru ( Chapter 6 )

Combined Elements

 

Chapter 6: Search for Orochimaru

The next morning, the boat arrived safely at the docks of a medium-sized village. Everywhere they looked there was snow and ice. The view was cut off by mountains in the distance. The weather was clear, with no clouds in the sky, and the sun beating down, yet Gaara still shivered in the cold. Needles to say, he wasn't used to these cold temperatures, even with his new outfit. The rest of the group also wore winter clothing, with long sleeves and thick jackets. They walked off the boat and around town for a while. Every one of them discreetly asked the villagers for anything they knew about Orochimaru. This took most of the day, since they had to be careful not to reveal too much of their interests. Orochimaru was extremely dangerous, and it would be a big mistake to proceed without utmost caution.

 

In the evening, the ninjas got together in the bar of their small hotel. It would be the last night spent in a bed, since tomorrow they would head out into the wilderness and start their search. Their bodies were slightly rigid with cold and each of them ordered hot chocolate to get the feeling back in their fingers.

 

It was still early when Gaara stood up and walked to his room. He had a feeling that sleep would be limited out in the cold, harsh land of the Snow country, so he wanted to make it an early night. Sakura and Naruto soon followed his example and both walked up the stairs together. Kakashi ordered one more cup of hot chocolate, and after that, he too headed for bed. None of them looked forward to spending nights out in the open, but at the same time, each ninja was burning with desire to find Orochimaru.

 

****

 

The only sounds that could be heard at breakfast were that of slow munching and drinking. Their table was located nearest to the fireplace, so they could enjoy the heat while it lasted. Even Naruto was quiet as he smeared butter on the bread. None of them had any idea how long they would be staying in the wilderness. Kakashi had made sure that they'd have enough supplies for three weeks. If they still hadn't found Orochimaru after that, they would have to return to the village first.

 

When each one of them was finished, they all stood up together and walked towards the door. Their bags already lay there. Each of them was carrying one pack with their personal supplies and one more with supplies for the whole group. Stepping outside, they were bombarded by the wind. Unlike the day before, the skies were now grey with clouds.

 

Kakashi overheard the villagers walking by. It would probably snow in the late afternoon. If they could make good progress before then, maybe they had time to look for a cave or other means of decent shelter.

 

Slowly the group headed out, into the direction where no other villages stood. They walked in a line, Kakashi at the front, with Naruto behind him, Sakura after that, and Gaara last of all. This was strategically the best option. Kakashi had his sharingan, so he would most likely spot enemies in front of them. Naruto was there to cover his back, and look to the left of the line. Sakura behind that was slightly more protected, so if anything did happen she could use her medical skills. She was also asked to watch the right side. Gaara had the automatic sand shield which would protect any attack coming from the back.

 

At noon, they stopped for lunch, using the wall of a cliff as shelter from the relentless wind. Naruto had talked a lot at the beginning of the journey, but even he was starting to tire from the wind and cold. A small fire warmed their fingers enough to grasp their sandwiches. After lunch, Sakura grabbed some paper and a pen out of her bag. In order to keep track of where they had been, she sketched out a map, labeling the possible village locations they had already searched. They all doubted that the village would be so close, but better safe than sorry.

 

Soon, the line was resumed as they kept walking, and every one of them kept an eye out for suitable shelter against the snow. The clouds were still thick overhead and they seemed to be getting darker still. There was no doubt in anybody's mind that snow was on the way. Naruto rubbed his hands together, trying to keep them warm. He was grateful for the gloves he had brought from Konoha. They were made out of wool, but even so, the cold managed to penetrate them.

 

That night, they spent their time in a small cave, which Gaara had seen from his position in the back of the line. They didn't get there in time to escape the snowfall, but it was better than nothing.

 

A whole week passed as the group traveled farther into Snow Country. Sometimes they were lucky to find a cave or an outcropping for shelter, but most nights were spent in the open air. Everybody's mood had dropped several levels since they started, and the weather didn't help much. They reached a large expanse of forest, which was unfortunate since the sun couldn't reach them at all now.

 

On one particularly bad day, Naruto stumbled over some loose rocks and managed to twist his ankle. Sakura took care of him, and scolded him for being such an idiot. Kakashi watched as Naruto turned red with embarrassment. “We'll camp here for a while. Everybody's senses are numbed by the cold. There is no hurry, so I'm sure that if we rest a day or two, we can prevent these types of accidents.” Everybody agreed, and they set up a small, but comfortable camp under the trees. While Sakura sat by the fire, editing the map to fit their most recent findings, Naruto, Kakashi, and Gaara went out by themselves. Each one of them hoped to find something, anything that could lead them to the village, though they knew the chance was miniscule.

 

Naruto walked carefully, because his ankle was still a little sore, and eventually he left the forest to enter a clearing. The snow crunched under his large boots and reflected in the sunlight. The sky was finally starting to clear up, so the sun peeked through now and again. That's when he saw it. Ahead of him was a steep cliff that rose up high above the forest, but what was more interesting, was the sliver of smoke rising up from behind it. His energy returned as soon as he noticed it. Finally, they had found the village.

 

Completely ignoring his sore ankle, Naruto ran back to the camp at full speed to tell the others. But what he failed to notice, were two shining blue eyes watching him from the top of the cliff.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this FanFic except Saara Mizu and some of the minor enemies. The rest belong to Masashi Kishimoto.