Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Heading home ❯ Poison and Swords ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor anything retaining to said series. But I wish I did.>.<

 

Pairings: All Pairings are listed on the last list I put them on and will only change should I decide upon altering the pairings at a later date.

 

Warnings: This fic is a yaoi based one, but there may be some minor yuri, but I'm not sure yet. Also, as this is a story based on a ninja anime their will be violence and course language, plus mature subjects.

 

A/N: I'd like to thank all my faithful reviewers, and all those who added my name to favorite authors lists, or my story to favorite stories for you all have made my day. Once again I offer this chapter up to all my reviewers. Before I start I just thought I'd inform you that I have my very kind and smart editor working to correct all earlier chapters, I will put at the top of each chapter a little notice if it has been modified. Also there is not point in rereading these chapters as nothing new has been added, just spelling and grammar alterations have been done. Thank you and on with chapter 8!

Ps: I am sorry for the wait, finals are overly troublesome, plus I got a new job, meaning my updates will be slower, but I'll try my hardest to get them up and out for you all to read.

 

Chapter 8

 

Neji lied still, eyes closed, drifting in and out of feverish dreams. He saw many strange images dancing across his closed eyelids, images he had never before seen and others he had seen many times prior.

 

Everything seemed to move in a strange but rapid dance, only allowing him brief flashes that would disappear within moments of their appearance. They went so quickly that he had not time to grasp the images nor the meaning in his delirious state.

 

He heard many things, words and sentences strung together delicately, yet still making no sense to the sun struck teen.

 

His body felt sore, stiff from lack of use. His muscles seemed almost to have been carved of stone; reluctant to move even in the slightest. His head was pounding with the force of a rampaging herd of savage critters. Heck, Neji's migraine was worse then any hang over could even dream of being. All in all he felt horrid.

 

He tried to swallow, though found it to be a laborious task. One that reminded him of the dryness of both his mouth and throat. The taste of dirt was strong on his tongue, making it feel as though some buffoon had tried to feed him a sandwich, literally.

 

When silence had beat in on him for countless hours later, his pale eyes slowly opened, the grit in his tear ducts irritating. Slowly he brought his stiff hand up and wiped away the offending dirt particles, his fever now gone. 'Where....' He thought tiredly to himself as he sat up, very slowly taking in his surroundings.

Neji felt relatively well after having dozed on and off for countless hours in his feverish state, and now his mind numbing sun sickness had worn off, leaving his flesh still stiff, but otherwise he was fine.

 

His eyes looked on at the tent wall before him, which was lit by a dim light, either the rising or setting of the sun, he wasn't sure. The tent looked to be a medical tent of sorts, filled with several beds, many first-aid goods and herbs. The air even had that medical scent to it, which was just plain odd as they were in a tent.

 

Pale eyes landed on the white linen bed beside him, taking note that he wasn't alone in this place. On the bed lay the blond fox, whose cheeks were flushed with obvious fever as sweat beaded everywhere on his visible skin. On the teen's forehead rested a white cloth, one obviously soaked with cold water to try and get his temperature down.

 

With worried eyes he stumbled stiffly out of his relatively comfortable bed and hobbled noiselessly over to his friend's bedside. "...Naru...to..." He whispered, his voice but a low raspy sound from both lack of use and lack of moisture.

 

As he arrived at the bedside, he too the blonde's warm sweaty hand into his own and squeezed it gently while his all seeing eyes roamed the span of his companion's face. Up close he could easily see the sweat and dirt on his skin, looking like he had gotten caught up in some muddy battle. If the blond were awake and well the look would have been undeniably adorable, but as he was still unwell, Neji could only be worried.

 

The dark haired teen observed his friend's deep yet troubled breathing, watching almost mesmerized as delicate pink lips moved slightly with each breath. It was very intriguing to watch.

 

He could feel his heart beat accelerate, and his cheeks to burn as tingling warmth glowed in his body. 'Wha...' He trailed off as his attention was snapped from his thoughts to his friend, as the burning feverish cheeks returned to their natural tanned glory while his irregular breathing became normal. 'Just like that....amazing.' Neji concluded with a smile as the blond lost all traces of his previous illness.

 

Eye lids fluttered, and gorgeous golden eyelashes quivered slightly before startling blue eyes with an indigo rim, slowly opened. The owner of said eyes blinked to clear the morning haziness, and smiled up at the seemingly apathetic features of his comrade. "Morning..." The blond mumbled tiredly before stifling a small and utterly adorable yawn.

 

The dirt, the yawn and the morning doe-eyes of the blond was overwhelmingly adorable, causing pink to tinge the Hyuuga's fair cheeks. "Good morning Naruto." He greeted back with a look of relief and something else in his pale practically impossible to read eyes.

"What happened?" Naruto questioned as he brought a shaky hand up to his face to rub the dirt from his eyes out.

 

"We collapsed from the extreme heat and lack of water." Neji summed up having grasped that fact instantaneously upon his awakening.

 

"Oh....You okay then?" The blond questioned as he ran slowly sat up on his warm bed.

 

"Yes. Yourself?" The Hyuuga asked as he searched his friend's face for any signs that indicated him still being unwell.

 

"Yup! I am half demon after all." The blind summed up.

 

"Forgot about that..." Neji stated with a light pink tint to his cheek, being thoroughly embarrassed that he had forgotten such an important detail, not to mention the giant give-away of that truth: his tail.

 

Just then a warm but cozy breeze penetrated the tent causing both handsome teens to look over in the direction that the wind had originated from.

 

At the tent's flap stood a burly looking women dressed in a thick wool dress of a brownish color. She had broad shoulders and stood tall, far taller then the two teens within the tent. Her hair was a mahogany brown with reddish highlights from the constant sunlight. Her skin bore a deep tan belaying the fact that she had faced many outdoor hours bellow the relentless sun. Her eyes were a deep brown bordering on black, though they had a kind shin to them.

 

"I see you both are awake." The woman stated kindly as she step towards them and began looking them over much like a doctor would.

 

"Uh..." Naruto began as he watched her check his pulse, "who are you?"

 

"My name is Kaila. The head healer within my tribe." The woman now know as Kaila introduced politely.

 

"My name's Naruto, and he is Neji." Naruto replied back and the woman nodded.

 

"It is a pleasure to meet you two boys. Though I have to scold you both for venturing into the desert without the propre rations." Kaila said with a deep frown which accented her already deep wrinkles despite her youth.

 

"It's not our fault!" The blond protested with a pout as he crossed his arms over his chest in a sulking manner. "We had plenty of water but it vanished the second we stepped into this inferno! Plus out backup plan failed cause we couldn't use our chakra!" He explained.

 

"Hush child." Kaila said sternly yet still kindly. "It's alright. You are just lucky my husband and my brother came across you two while patrolling the area." She said matter-of-factly. "You wouldn't have lasted long out there with sun stroke and dehydration. Not to mention the beasts that would have enjoyed having you for dinner once the sun set." She added as an after thought.

"Okay, okay! I get the point." The blond muttered dejectedly causing the young woman to chuckle lightly.

 

"Now boys how about I get you some food then prepare a bath for you?" She half suggested half questioned, and immediately the blue-eyed demon teen perked up.

 

"Yeah! I'm starving." He exclaimed causing Neji to sigh.

 

"You are always starving." The dark haired Hyuuga stated exasperated.

 

"Your point?" Naruto questioned with a sly smirk as he tilted his head childishly to the side causing Neji to sigh a second time.

 

"My aren't you two entertaining." She said with a smile. "I'll be back with some food shortly." She stated as she turned and exited the tent through the flap.

 

"She seems nice enough." Naruto stated honestly causing Neji to nod. "How long until you think she gets back?" He questioned after a moment of silence.

 

"At least five minutes. Why?" Neji asked curiously as he looked over to his companion.

 

"Kage Bunshin no jutsu!" The blond said while doing the propre hand seals and yet again nothing happened.

 

"This entire desert blocks our chakra from escaping our bodies. Meaning that our duration here would be best spent learning taijutsu." Neji summed up as he sat down on the corner of the blond's bed.

 

"Yeah... I guess you are right. But first I want to eat and have a bath. I have sand in places the sun never shines." He mumbled the last part to himself, but his companion had heard it causing him to blush.

 

"A bath would be nice." He agreed calmly while pushing his blush down.

 

The tent flap opened once more and in walked Kaila laden with food, followed by another woman; one that looked identical to her. "Naruto, Neji, this is my twin sister Kaili. Kaili this is Neji and Naruto." She did the introductions and the other woman who also had food in hand merely nodded in greeting her dark eyes sharp and piercing.

 

"Nice to meet you." Naruto said nervously, not all comfortable under the piercing look. Neji on the other hand remained passive and silently studied this twin of Kaila.

 

Kaili merely nodded a second time before setting her tray of food on the table next to Naruto's bed before departing. Kaila released a sigh. "Sorry about her. She doesn't take kindly to strangers, since the last person we rescued for heat exhaustion wasn't mentally stable and ended up killing her lover." She explained and both teens nodded in understanding.

Kaila likewise set her tray down on the table before turning and walking towards the tent flaps. "I'm off to tend to a few of my duties, eat up and once I return I'll show you to where you two can bathe." she said kindly.

 

"Thank you." Neji bowed politely but she merely waved it off before walking out.

 

"Food!" Naruto exclaimed without a second thought as he pounced into the nearest chair at the table. "Oh my Gods! Oh my Gods!" He exclaimed in a gush of happy squeals which caused Neji to nervously regard his friend. "Ramen! They have ramen! Oh my Gods!" He shouted happily before grabbing a set of rough chopsticks and tearing into the nearest bowl of steaming ramen.

 

The Hyuuga merely blinked before shrugging and joining the blond at the table where he too ate, but at a slower and far more elegant pace then Naruto.

 

Their meal passed by quickly, and just as they finished their excellently prepared meal Kaila returned. "Since you both are done lets go." She stated kindly as she pulled two fluffy brown towels out of a cupboard before leading the two ninja's outside and into the village.

 

The town was small but still utterly gorgeous in its own unique way. Small domes of sand, most likely homes were built close together, blending in well with the sandy environment. Beautiful glass works encased the area with stunning glass artwork which easily tore the two ninja's breath away. A fountain sprouted shimmering-clear water which cast a small rainbow where the sunlight struck the airborne water droplets.

 

Small children ran about playing games, they're brown cloaks stylish and intriguing. Laughter dominated the air as adults wondered about relatedly, keeping careful eyes on the children.

 

"It's beautiful..." Naruto mumbled in sheer awe as his eyes caught sight of a tall fortress like wall which encircled the entire prosperous village that one would have assumed to be poor judging by its location.

 

"Thank you." Kaila said with a kind smile. "It is our greatest treasure." She said after a moment, feeling able to trust the two strangers for reasons unknown to her. "Right. This is the bath house." She stated while motioning to a rather large and impressive looking sand dome that had many stained glass windows scattered creatively across its surface.

 

"Wow...." The blond whispered in a breath of awe and his dark haired companion could only nod in agreement having never before seen something quite like it despite living in a luxurious home belonging to the Hyuuga main and branch families.

 

The woman chuckled lightly before gently ushering the two inside where they were immediately shown to the men's side of the bathing house.

 

An hour later they met back up with the kind Kaila who then lead them back towards the tent.

 

"I've been meaning to ask: Why is it that your medical 'building' is a tent while all other structures here are formed of some sort of earthly material?" The Hyuuga prodigy questioned, earning himself a smile courtesy of the young women who had been tending to them.

 

"Ah! Excellent observation!" She exclaimed almost glad that questioned had been brought up. "About three months back I had a small tiny little hut of a workplace, but with the growing population and wandering strangers we seem to get, its just too small to tend to all medical needs. So my husband, who is tribe leader of our village, has commissioned some mean to build a better place which will be more accommodating for our needs and supply us with extra space that would be useful in emergency situations." She concluded with a happy smile, obviously thrilled at the prospect that her husband is getting her a far better building for medical business.

 

"That would be useful in the future. You must have a very kind and caring husband." Naruto commented as he crossed his arms behind his head, his damp hair shining a deep golden color.

 

"Yes." She said with a look of content on her face. "He is indeed kind and caring. One of the best tribe leaders we've ever had if you as me." She said with a happy smile as they reentered the tent.

 

*

 

"Bye!" Naruto said cheerfully as he waved at the group clustered at the village's gates as both be and Neji left. They had spent half a month there, for their stop had been most enlightening.

 

Due to the deserts strange ability to lock away chakra, the two were able to train in strict taijutsu ways, gaining assistance from many of the men within the village. Many were kind enough to spar with the two and some even kinder to teach them new techniques and methods to develop further skills later on down the road.

 

At first the village had been reluctant to associate with them, but that all changed on their second night there when a rogue pack of desert hounds--colossal beasts with poisoned fangs and razor claws who had scaly hides can handle much damage--attacked. Naruto and Neji fought with all their ninja abilities and easily toppled the group of five hounds easily. Thus they gained the respect of all the villagers, even Kaila's twin came around.

 

All thanks to those hounds, whose hides, bones and meat were put to use, the two were accepted and welcome within the desert village and learnt taijutsu skills and moves that would even give Rock Lee a run for his money, but they were still ages away from Gai's level.

 

They silently walked further and further away from the village in the heart of the desert, the perilous heat no longer effected them as they had gotten used to such smouldering heat during their stay, but both were looking forward to getting out as the stopper on the chakra was highly frustrating.

 

"How do you think everyone is?" Naruto asked as he crossed his arms behind his neck as his indigo rimmed blue eyes looked ahead to the horizon, trying to catch even the smallest of glimpses of the cool lands beyond, or anything that indicated anything else besides sand, sand and more sand.

 

"Troubled...." Neji began as a pensive look graced his features, " I believe that they would more then likely believe us dead as we have been gone a far time." He said somberly as he chanced a glance at his blond companion.

 

"Thought so... but I guess we'll just have to get a camera for our return, their faces will be classic and the papers will read 'Dead shinobi back from the grave.' or something along those lines." He said in a cheerful voice, though if one listened closely they would have noted the pain hidden beneath the words.

 

Neji merely shook his head having no comment nor any gestures of comfort as they ascended a massive sand dune that towered over the area, one that would provide shade to any so long as the sun is not at its peek as that is the hour of no shadows.

 

The climbed without a word over the soft but large mound of fine golden sand before reaching the peak where they stopped to take in the sight before them.

 

About three leagues ahead of them stood a field filled with luscious looking emerald grass which stretched on for ages. And if one were to have excellent enough eye sight, they could spot a small shimmering patch that was likely water at the far end of the field. "Unless that is a mirage," He paused for a second as he recalled the first mirage he had the misfortune of seeing before continuing, " I'd say we are nearly to the field before the Great Serpent Lake." Naruto mumbled.

 

"It is no mirage if both you and I see an identical sight." Neji stated as he moved forward and moved down the steep but very slippery side of the sand dune.

 

"Wait up!" The blond said as he began his descent as well, though he had only managed to go a few paces before his boot clad feet slipped on the dirt and he tumbled down head over heals down the side of it, reaching the base long before Neji had gone down more then five meters.

 

"Naruto! Are you alright?" The dark haired ninja inquired as he used his grace to sprint lightly down the sand dune so that he hurriedly arrived at the blond demon vessels side.

 

"Peachy...." The blond muttered sarcastically as he glared up at the Hyuuga. His eyes widened suddenly and he released a squeak as he shot up as though suddenly electrocuted. "What the..." He trailed off as he looked at a little black scorpion that stood where his arm once was before the thing scurried off and burrowed into the sand and out of sight.

 

"Naruto..." Neji began his voice filled with concern. "it didn't sting you, did it?" He asked as his naturally pale face--which remained untanned despite the climate--turned more pale then ever.

 

"Uh...." The blond trailed off as he looked at his arm where a vicious green and purple colored cut stood out clearly. "Yea... It got me and good, damn. Did you catch which type of scorpion that one was?" He inquired as he looked up from the sting to his friend.

 

"Shit!" The Hyuuga prodigy cursed. "That was an Emperor Scorpion, and they are very venomous.... Shit." He muttered as his companion visibly paled.

 

"Maybe there is someone adept with venoms and cures located in that village just a mile off the far side of the lake." Naruto suggested as he wearily eyed his small but likely deadly wound. "I.... damn it suddenly got cold out...." He changed his line of speech, but the words had barely escaped his throat before the pale eyed man pressed his hand to his companions forehead before muttering a variety of colorful curses.

 

"Naruto the venom is already kicking in! Hop on!" He stated as he moved in front of the tailed teen and kneeled into a position that would make it easier for someone who was about to receive a piggy back to climb on. Without so much as a complaint the teen clambered onto the Hyuuga's back, before said ninja stood and started to run in the direction of the field, hoping against hope he'd make it to the village in time, otherwise.... he didn't even want to think about it.

 

It took just over thirty minutes for the Hyuuga prodigy to reach the deserts edge and when he stepped from sand to luscious grass he felt as though he had walked through a wall of heat and out into a chilly, but pleasant area that housed a comfortable temperature. There he stopped for a short break as he hurriedly worked on catching his breath and pointedly ignored his muscles' protests. He had limited time.

 

With a quick breath he managed to regain his breathing and was off sprinting once more, this time towards the lake which loomed a silvery color in the distance. The edge of the lake seemed to almost merge with the sky above in the distance, though it was only such an illusion as he was still a couple dozen leagues from its shores.

 

The run between the scorching desert and the lake was by far more easier to the dark haired teen, as breathing in the cool temperature was far better on his lungs, and it also helped that a breeze blew gently around him helping to keep him from over heating and feeling dizzy as he couldn't afford to collapse from heat, dizziness nor from anything else.

 

He ran faster, thanking every god out there for having his chakra returned to him as it had felt aa though he was short something very important. If in the future he were to sometime return in this direction, he would avoid the sand lands like the plague, and he was positive his companion would feel the same. "Hang on Naruto...." He mumbled quietly and more so to himself as the blond had long since lost consciousness, meaning the words were falling of deaf ears.

 

'Finally!' He mentally cheered as he arrived the lake's edge, and stopped as he was inches from the water. "Boat...boat...boat....boat..." He mumbled under his breath as his chest heaved with the effort to speak and gain the needed air into his lungs.

 

Pale eyes scanned the shores to his left and right and he cursed silently at not seeing a soul or boat or any raft like materials anywhere on this side of the lake. He'd have to find another way across, and he had an idea in mind but he had never before tried it; water walking.

 

As he gained control of his breathing his iridescent eyes slid closed and his face adorned a mask of neutrality as he slipped into deep meditation while standing. Several beads of sweat dripped down his neck as he focused diligently on what he was about to do. With on deep breath he reopened his eyes and pushed his chakra smoothly and skillfully into the souls of his feet and then he took his first step onto the water's rippling surface taking great care to make sure his chakra wisely moved and flexed with the rippling waves of the silvery water.

 

He took a few tentative steps forward, wobbling horribly as he frowned in pure concentration as this task was far more difficult then handless tree climbing and he mentally thanked his uncle for explaining the theory behind this skill.

 

About a meter out, his concentration flickered and his left foot sank a foot and a half bellow surface level before he hurriedly leapt into the air and refocused his chakra before landing back on the seemingly solid liquid surface. With a sigh of relief that he hadn't gone under, the handsome young man began to run at a comfy pace as to not strain his chakra concentration so that he had no need to fear falling into the silvery depths below.

 

A strange high pitched noise reached his ears causing him to come to a halt and examen the area around him. There was nothing there, the sun shone, the clouds hovered lazily in the sky and the gently breeze blew gentle ripples across the liquid bed, though the sound continued without an obvious to find source.

 

Neji shifted Naruto higher up on his back while focusing the smaller teen's weight onto his left side as he released his grip with the right hand. In a slow but well calculated move the Hyuuga withdrew a kunai from his holster as he looked each way while placing the kunai sideways in his teeth before resuming his hold on the blond demon teen.

 

His ninja senses kicked in and caused him to look down and his eyes to widen. With a great leap the Hyuuga went airborne, though it was only seconds before a massive water serpent lunged out of the water with its mouth wide and gleaming fangs showing, had he not moved both he and the blond would have been dinner.

 

With the creature above water, the high pitched whine was far louder, and it easily drowned out all other noises and caused the ninja to wince in pain at the sheer volume. The creature, having noticed it missed its prey, changed its direction so that it could dive back below the water and prepared another attack.

 

The massive waves caused by it reentering the water were too much for the Hyuuga to handle being just a novice at the art of water walking and so both he and Naruto plummeted down into the water's dark depths.

 

In the downwards rush, Neji had lost his hold on his friend just as the massive fanged beast came around for another go at his targeted prey. Mentally cursing Neji's hands flew through a set of highly complicated hand seals before he mental shouted, 'Suiton Daibukufu no jutsu!' ((Water type- Explosion Skill))

 

A massive sideways cyclone shot out from him as he finished the last seal, and it shot its mass of swirling currents straight at the serpent's head and pushing the monstrous sea beast back, though it did try and fight.

 

Moving his eyes away from the cyclone and the snake, he looked around for his companion. Within seconds he spotted the sinking body of the blond and without a second's thought, he swam off towards him, ignoring the burning in his oxygen deprived lungs.

 

He neared the teen hurriedly, and once within ranged he managed to grab hold of Naruto's hand and began swimming while fighting off the lightheadedness and the spots that were assaulting his vision. He swam with all his might, doubling his efforts to drag both Naruto and himself to the surface, the former feeling like a massive bag of extremely heavy potatoes, but he was determined.

 

As Neji broke the surface he took in a massive gasp of air as he pulled his friend's head above the surface. With a look of pure fear the Hyuuga noted that the blonde was in no way breathing and he cursed loudly before focusing his chakra once more into his feet and he leapt out of the water with the blond in his arms.

 

As soon as he landed he took off with all the speed he could muster while on the water, having a surge of pure adrenaline course through his body as his need to arrive at land grew larger. He needed to get there fast, not only to escape the serpent, but also to preform CPR on his no longer breathing fox friend.

 

The serpent lunged out of the water to his right, its front massive fang scraping against his thigh before he skimmed over to the side to avoid being gobbled down by the brute. He continued running as he heard the creature reenter the water sending waves of water at him that he just barely managed to stay standing on.

 

With a grunt, Neji moved the blond from his arms to his left shoulder as he pulled out three kunai with a tine piece of paper on it. He leapt into the air just as the serpent lunged out from below him, and he spun a 180 before launching on of the kunai which struck the creature in the forehead and exploded in a burst of golden flames.

 

The hiss and screech of pain was loud and disturbing, but as soon as the Hyuuga's boot clad feet hit the water he continued running, not even looking back to see if he had successfully killed it. He soon learnt that he hadn't killed it as it lunged out of the water to his side, its eyes completely burned and bloody with black sizzling blood and a huge chunk of its face was missing causing its mouth to appear larger and far more intimidating.

 

Without a second's hesitation he launched the second kunai at the brute and it, like the first connected, though it struck the beast in the throat causing a spray of black boiling blood to fly out along with the fire caused by the attached exploding note. "Die already..." He muttered to himself as he spotted the shore line just ahead.

 

He pressed himself harder and within seconds his feet hit the shoreline and he gently set the blond down before pressing his mouth to the slightly blue lips of his unnaturally pale companion.

 

Neji blew into the demon bearer's mouth three times before pressing down on the chest and repeated the process. He did that five times and just as he was about to panic and start the sixth, the boy below him sputtered out the water in his lungs and breathed in air greedily, though he remained unconscious from his earlier dose of scorpion venom.

 

A sigh of relief escaped the pale teen as his friend came back to the living, but it was short lived as a piercing high pitched hiss cut through the air as a wave of water rose with the still living but utterly mutated and heavily bleeding serpent who lunged down at them.

 

Eyes wide, the Hyuuga wrapped his left arm around the blond before rolling both of them to the side causing them to just barely avoid the sea serpent as he threw the last kunai in hand at the creature and forced himself and Naruto to roll further as the note exploded in a second wave of black blood.

"Third times a charm..." The prodigy muttered as he watched the snake crumple dead, the mutilated top half of its dark purple body laying in a gathering pool of bubbling blood where the two boys had been mere seconds before, and the still perfectly intact part of the serpent was in the water, stretching for who knew what length.

 

Neji groaned as he rolled off his unconscious and poisoned friend, and his cheeks were a bright crimson though his expression was unreadable. In a fluid move he was kneeling beside the blond and with a grunt of light effort he heaved the blond bridle style into his strong yet gentle arms. "Hang on Naruto... There is a village just over that way, don't die..." He whispered desperately to his companion before once more racing off, the adrenaline coursing through his veins working as a speed amplifier.

 

He moved quickly, and he shortly arrived at a small little village with huts for buildings and a somewhat busy marketplace filled with merchants desiring gold and rare trinkets, and shoppers seeking the best of goods. Neji jogged over to a small woman who held a small baby in her arms.

 

"Excuse....me Mam.... but could you tell me where...the.... nearest healer is?" He questioned out of breath and the young woman took a step back in shock before pointing wordlessly to the hut to her left. "Thank you." He said relieved as he hurriedly entered into the hut and came face to face with an aged man who held a wooden walking staff.

 

"Come in, what is ailing you?" The man asked in a voice filled with rasping age.

 

"My friend was stung by a scorpion." Neji stated.

 

"What kind?" The man scurried forward and squinted down at the ghostly pale young man.

"The Emperor Scorpion." He answered causing the male to drastically pale.

 

"I have not the skill to deal with such a lethal poison." The man sadly admitted causing fear to well up in the Hyuuga.

 

"There has to be someone who can help?" The dark haired beauty demanded with a note of desperation in his voice.

 

"Not a soul in Apengale can challenge such a horrifying venom..... but, there is a village none too far from here, and it houses a tribe of queer creatures called the Pinopes. They are small folk but have the ability to counter any and all poisons and venoms. However no human could reach that village in time, and judging by your friend's looks, he has a little over an hour to live." The man somberly informed Neji with sorrow filled eyes.

 

"If there is a chance to save him I will take it as he would do the same for me." Neji said in a steely voice before saying a thank you and rushing out of the hut. He knew the basic location of the mentioned village as he had earlier studied the many maps. The village he was headed to was called Pinopia, and it was located several miles in the Looming Sky Forest.

 

He ran, thankful for the adrenaline that still pumped savagely through his lean body, and he moved with all the speed and grace of a ninja. He was damn tired, but he wouldn't relent in his forced pace. Neji ignored his screaming muscles and stiffening limbs, pretending to not feel the burning of his lungs which wished desperately for more air. The loud thumping of his heart seemed to echo through his head, bringing on a painful headache, but he wouldn't let anything slow him down.

 

Within twenty minutes he passed the tree line into the forest filled with towering trees, though he didn't take time to admire his surroundings as they passed by in a blur of earthly colors.

 

He ran and he ran, never slowing as time trickled further and further away, leading his friend closer and closer to his end.

 

In a last burst of strength he rushed into a small village, and knowing he was at the right place he stumbled exhausted and tripped ending out sprawled out on the ground and unconscious. He had made it to the village, the rest was up to the Pinopes.

 

--------------------------------------

 

"Sasuke, Shikamaru." The Hokage nodded in greeting towards the two ninja who had just walked into her office in answer to her summoning of them. "I suppose you are wondering why I have asked you two to come here?" She stated more then asked, though the question was still slightly audible, and it earned her twin nods. "Well, I have a mission for the two of you." She said by way of basic explanation.

 

"Here is the information file." She stated before handing the two of them twin copies, which they immediately opened. "This will be a reconnaissance mission in the land of Waves. Your job will be to retrieve an artifact that lies within the village hidden in the Mist; The Sword of Anagway. It is an immensely powerful blade, but fortunately it has a safety," she paused for a moment allowing them to study the picture of the weapon within the folders, "it is extremely choosey about who can wield it, and hasn't found a worthy match in over five thousand years."

 

"Intelligence in the land of Waves, inform us that it is heavily guarded in the lowest dungeon within the Hokage tower, watched by elite level ninja's and patrolled regularly by jounin leveled guards. In that folder is the exact layout of the tower, marked with all entrance and exit points, security measures, and guard patrols. Meaning if you do this right it should be a breeze." She summed up in a nut shell.

 

"I am certain you are curious as to why I had paired the two of you up and the reason for that is quite simple. Shikamaru is the best tactitional mind within our lands, while Sasuke is the strongest of the available ninja here. Any questions?" She inquired as she placed her elbows on her desk and leaned her chin onto her upwards facing palms.

 

"Is there a time limit?" Sasuke asked while the jounin leveled genius merely slouched, obviously not looking forward to doing this mission as it would seriously cut into his napping and cloud watching times.

 

"No, though it would be best to get this done quickly as to not run into any unforseen problems. If that is all, I bid you farewell and good luck. You will leave in an hour." Tsunade finished and as both young men had no comment or questioned she beckoned for them to leave which they did without a single word.

 

"I hope," Tsunade began quietly as the office door closed with a barely audible click, " that this mission does not end like the last mission retrieval one. Leaf wouldn't be able to handle the loss of two power ninja like them, like Neji and Naruto were destined to be...." She said sadly, wondering if the blond haired ninja was alright or not. "Good luck." She whispered on a silent breath before once more indulging herself into the legal work of the Hokage.

 

***

 

"Let me see what weapons and items you have in your bag." Shikamaru stated as Sasuke appeared next to him, but an hour after the meeting with the Hokage herself. Without hesitation, the Uchiha handed it over and watched disinterestedly as the genius went through the things for future reference and strategy planning.

 

Once his snooping was complete he placed everything back within the black bag before handing it back to his partner for the mission. "Let's go." Sasuke stated as he slipped his pack onto his back once more before turning and leading the way out through the towering gates of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

 

This mission wouldn't be easy.

And so they walked at a slightly quicker then normal pace on the dirt road towards the Land of Waves, traveling a route once traveled before by Sasuke when he was still a genin. 'Naruto....' His mind whispered as he recalled the mission which had taken them ages to complete. The very one that he had been defeated for the first time in a true battle.

 

It was a painful memory. Falling to Haku, the weapon of Zabuza. Every detail of that battle, well all that he had been conscious for, was forever engraved in his mind. He had lost, but he had used the knowledge of defeat to rise up to a whole new level and if Haku was still among the living, then he'd definitely bring the boy down no questions asked.

 

"You've been to Wave country before right?" The lazy ninja inquired as he crossed his arms behind his head and lazily walked, though he kept an unnoticed sharp eye out on his surroundings in case of traps of ambushes. It wouldn't do to get caught so soon on their mission.

 

"Yes. It was one of Team Seven's first missions. Ranked C, though due to lack of proper information it was actually much more difficult, a B or quite possibly even an A ranked one." Sasuke explained.

 

"The mission was to protect the bridge builder until the completion of the bridge?" Shikamaru asked as he worked on his data gathering.

 

Sasuke nodded, before silence fell over the two of them. Though it was discarded quickly as the two leapt to the trees and began racing towards their destination, moving without a sound or indication of their locations, making an unwanted guests unable to see, hear or find them.

 

***

 

'Damn it...' Sasuke inwardly cursed as he eyed the blade from his and his team mate's hidding spot. 'Tsunade-sama sure wasn't fooling around when she said that the sword would be heavily guarded.' He groaned silently as he eyed the four elite ninja who stood at the ready by the sword's stand, one almost concealing the engraved plaque attached to the sword's stand for the Leaf ninja.

 

Grasp thin hilt,

'lloweth mine eyes see,

thoust's soul and heart.

Should thee beith untrue,

Thou shalt not survive.

 

'Meaning: Whoever grips the hilt will have their souls and hearts searched and should they not meet requirements preordained, they will perish. In other words, if we touch the handle we'll likely die.' He inwardly sighed, knowing that Shikamaru had also read the inscription and was currently formulating a plan while observing the whole scene.

 

After several mintues of silence Shikamaru finally came up with an adequit plan. "I'll hold them off, you retrieve the sword." He whispered barely above a breath in his companion's ear, who merely nodded in understanding and prepared to leap into action.

 

"Kage Mane no Jutsu!" ((Shadow Immatation Technique)) Shikamaru whispered barely over a breathe as he moved through a series of entricate seals, which, once completly executed, sent out his shadow which latched onto the shadow's of the four enemy ninja, causing them to mime Shikamaru's stance. Sasuke, seeing the chance to grab it, leapt forward and snagged the weapon by the blade before stuffing it within his bag and then knocking the four motionless ninja out, with swift kicks to the side of the neck.

 

"Let's go." Sasuke said as Shikamaru relinquished his hold on the prone, no longer conscious and supposedly elite ninja who were by all means utterly pathetic. "I would have expected more of a challenge..." He muttered quietly to himself before following his partner off into the shadow as they hurriedly made their escape.

 

They slipped unnoticed from the tower and town long before the alarms went off signalling that the guards had either awoken or were discovered unmoving. The land of Waves was feeble in defense, no wonder they were so oppressed by organizations of grand scale moving into their territory.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Well that's it for this chapter. Sorry part two was so short and rushed, but I thought it pointless to go into detail on it as it would only drag this story on longer then the 22 chapters I had already planned for its lenght, along with possible sequel should I recieve over 100 reviews.

Once again I appologize for the wait and thank you for reading, please review. ^.^