Gaarafan12
Active member
With the plans set, the clone disappeared and Naruto looked at the clone beside him and then to his friend, still in a deep sleep. Naruto helped the clone pick up Gaara and his sand gourd and put them on the clones back. They both jumped out one of the large windows into the cool night. Naruto bites his finger “Summoning jutsu!” Out of the smoke appear Gamakichi and Gamatasu, the toad brothers.
“Hey guys!”
“Naruto! What’s up!” “Do you have any snacks?” Gamakichi and Gamatasu greeted Naruto in their typical fashions.
“Guys I need your help tonight.” Naruto give a short version of what’s been going on, “so we are getting Gaara of the island tonight. Eventually I may summon you depending on how bad things get.”
Naruto contemplates the situation and how he hopes things aren’t as bad as he feels they are. “So, if I summon you, just ignore it and start drinking toad oil Gamatasu, then I’ll summon you again and you both come and hopefully we can push the enemy back enough with our toad oil flame bullet attack to let the ship with Gaara and his family gets away.”Naruto looks pleadingly at the brothers, praying they understand. “Any questions?”
“Uhhhh I’m confused…” Gamatasu says. “Don’t worry about it Naruto, we’ll be there, I’ll explain everything to Gamatasu later.” Gamakichi assures Naruto.
“Alright then, I’m counting on both of you! Thanks!” The toads both disappear into the same smoke they arrived in and Naruto turns his attention to the next part of his mission.
“Oi! Everyone get over here now!” All of the clones he summoned earlier appeared instantly. Dismissing all but three, the four of them sit down and go into sage-mode together. Just as they are finishing, the rest of the team emerges from the house. Naruto and his three clones, now in sage-mode, form the first level of protection around Gaara. The rest of the team takes their places silently, all knowing their jobs. Once the formation is complete, everyone waits silently for Kakashi’s word.
“Alright, let’s go.” Before Kakashi could even get the last word out they were all running as one. Naruto ran without focusing on where he was going, instead he focuses on expanding his mind to sense even the slightest amount of chakra that might come close to the team. Everyone ran swiftly and silently through the thin island forestry, heading west toward the docks.
The night sky and the forest brush offered some concealment, but the moon and bright stars illuminate the night, like a dimly lit sun, setting the entire island alight. Once they reached the docks there would be no hiding their large group, the large amount of light would prove to be helpful and unhelpful as the night went on. After reaching the halfway point between the house and the docks, Naruto and all of his clones stiffen suddenly.
Kakashi notices the movement and calls out to Naruto, “What is it?” Naruto’s eyes were beginning to widen with anger as he ran behind the clone carrying his friend.
“Their coming, and there’s a lot of them, don’t forget! They’re only clones, keep moving to the docks no matter what! They waited to attack until we were too far in to turn back to the house. They want to take us all out right here.” Naruto reports back to Kakashi. “They must not know who they’re dealing with.” Naruto spits with anger and determination in his voice.
“How many is a lot?” Kankuro asks.
“As many as I can make…” Naruto reports angrily. “We need to pick up the pace; we will meet them in about five minutes. Just plow through them and get to the docks!!”
Naruto’s mind was spinning with the amount of chakra that was heading their way, and now building up behind them, they were surrounding them expecting them to stand and fight. He knew it was an illusion, clones were fairly easy to take out even in large numbers, but what made clones tricky was their ability to pass information to each other and their creator. They were constantly learning. The less they confronted the clones the better. Their mission was to get to the docks while fighting the least amount of them possible.
“Here they come, get ready.” But no amount of warning had prepared the group for what met them. Although they didn’t waver or stop moving, the group was surprised by the enemy that they were now facing. Emerging from the trees at the exact same moment all around them was thousands of themselves even clones of Gaara. Hannah screamed a bit when a Temari clone attacked her, she was facing her sensei and she hesitated.
Naruto noticed the hesitation and sent a kuni into the clone and bringing Hannah back to her senses. Without any further hesitation the group quickly forced their way toward the docks avoiding as many attacks as possible. When the end of the trees was finally in sight, the group all silently went over the second phase of their mission.
Each one of them had a specific task to accomplish. Clones were covering the dock and blocking their way. Temari who still had point jumped clearing the rest of the beach and landing on the front of the dock. With her large fan she sent a surge of chakra filled wind that acted like large blades down the dock clearing the way for Naruto and Sakura to make their way to the ship with her brother.
Temari, Kakashi, Hannah, and Kankuro formed the defensive line holding back the never ending swarms of clones as they tried to reach the docks.
Immediately Naruto saw it, the large amounts of blood smearing the wood of the boat and the dead crewman that lay lifeless over the deck. Naruto could sense only a few clones on the ship and pointed out their locations to Sakura and the rest of his clones, as they swept the ship eliminating the enemy Naruto and the clone carrying Gaara stood watching the battle ensuing on the beach.
The clones were getting more aggressive and smarter. Temari and Kankuro were on the outside of the line with Hannah and Kakashi in the Center on both ends of the dock. Their line was large and had gaping holes, but no clones had a chance to even get close. The four were working together to keep the clones as far away as possible. Kakashi had used his water dragon jutsu as a long range attack, Hannah was sending sharp chakra blades from her fans, and Temari and Kankuro were using their regular techniques to keep the enemy far enough away to avoid and physical confrontations which was about all the clones could do.
All the clones could manage to do were send countless kuni and shurikens at the line. The group was able to avoid them most of the time but occasionally one would catch them. Hannah took one hard in the shoulder and Kakashi thought she might break the line, but Hannah fought through the pain.
“Naruto! It’s all clear!!” Sakura yelled as she emerged from the inner part of the ship. Naruto motioned to the clone carrying Gaara and the clone ran back to the inner room and placed Gaara on his bed. Two clones stayed in the room with Gaara, one outside the door and the final took his place outside the outer door that granted access to the inner part of the ship.
Sakura ran back down the dock and took Hannah’s place next to Kakashi, who ran down the dock and took one clones place in guarding Gaara. Although the kuni was still in her shoulder, and two small shuriken were lodged in her leg, Hannah didn’t allow herself to relax; she stood, directly behind the open door ready for anything. The clone she replaced runs out to the ship’s deck just as Kankuro is pulling the sails down.
The two clones, now on the ship’s deck, jump and grab the ropes attached to the sail and tie them down on either side of the ship. The two new normal clones Naruto summoned have cut the ships anchor off and are pushing the large ship a few meters off the dock. With the ship free and moving, Naruto dismisses the two new clones and yells at Temari to come, at the same time Naruto bites his finger to use the summoning technique for the first time to alert the toad brothers to get ready.
Surprisingly Gamatasu appears. “Hey Naruto, oh whoops I wasn’t supposed to come yet. Do you have anything to eat?” Gamatasu says, and then he looks down the dock and see’s Kakashi and Sakura, who are now engaging countless clones in close combat. “That’s not good… I’ll go back.” Gamatasu says without hearing Naruto’s screams and protest about him messing up the plan.
Well at least Gamakichi will be ready. This really is a worst-case-scenario. Kakashi and Sakura were holding the line, but just barely, by now Temari was running past Naruto and starting her jutsu to really get the ship moving. With the final swing of her massive fan, Temari lets loose a ferocious wind without her usually chakra blades and the white sails of the ship stretch to their full capacity and the boat lurches forward just as Temari leaps off the end of the dock to the ship where Kankuro helps her balance and stay on the ships edge.
With one final look at the Sand siblings, now safe with their brother inside, Naruto turns to the mob of clones that threatened to break through with their new sense of panic at their targets escape. Naruto quickly forms the hand signs and yells once more “Summoning Jutsu!!”
To everyone’s surprise Naruto was lifted into the air much higher than expected as the chief toad appears below Gamakichi under Naruto’s feet. Naruto begins to question the chief when he realizes his mouth is full with the toad oil he had asked the chief’s son’s to bring.
Without further hesitation, Naruto yells: “Kakashi sensei, Sakura fall back!” while giving the orders Naruto forms more hand signs yelling “Wind style, Toad oil flame bullet!!” just as Kakashi and Sakura fell behind the massive toad. The chief toad releases a huge stream of toad oil which Naruto manipulates with his wind style attack to form a projectile at the charging clones, just before the oil impacts the enemy, Gamakichi uses his fire style to create a huge flame along the oil. They continue to sweep the beach until no remnants of the enemy remain.
“Thank you, chief toad; by the way, what are you doing here?”
“Well after Gamatasu messed up and came over here early, he told us you were in a bit of trouble over here and could use some more help, so I took his spot on your ridiculous team. Naruto can we put out the fire in the forest so I can go home already, I’ve got better things to do.” Looking around Naruto realized the chief was right, their attack had been so big, it had not only whipped out every clone in the forest, but it had set most of the western part of the forest on fire.
Naruto quickly formed a few more hand signs and he and the chief toad used the same concept to create a water bullet instead and put out the flames. “Finally kid, you owe me big time for this one…” “Later Naruto!” Gamakichi called to Naruto as they both abruptly disappeared letting Naruto fall to the ground. “What’d you do that for you stupid toad!?”
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“Well it looks like we’re in the clear for now…” Temari sighs to her brother. Looking at the scene from a distance might be even more spectacular.
Watching Naruto summon such a creature and perform a jutsu with it was incredible. He must really have a bad feeling about this if he summoned something that powerful.
”Tsk, how do you figure?” Kankuro answered. Temari looked around the sea that surrounded them and finally looked at her brother questioningly.
“We are on a ship, with no escape, in the middle of the ocean, with our brother who was just drugged by his best friend, He Is Going To Be Pissed.” He spoke the last word with bitter anticipation, Temari laughed in response.
“It may sound crazy, but I think I’d rather have him here angry at us than back on that island.” Temari turned back to face the island as it faded into the distance. They had a good strong wind to carry them away and they were making good time. She could hardly see the huge billows of smoke caused by Naruto and his summon.
“Ya, it may be crazy, but I think I agree. Well in any case,” Kankuro continued with a lighter tone, shrugging it off, “That clone already let the messenger bird go so we should be met by some Leaf ninja before too long. I hope they get here before Gaara wakes up…”
“How long do you think it will take them?” Temari asked as she walked to large crate to sit on.
Kankuro joined her before answering. “Depends I guess.”
“Depends on what?” Temari pressed.
“On whether or not your dashing boyfriend is with them, I’m sure he will come to your rescue faster than light itself.” Kankuro finished mockingly. He didn’t have much time to revel in his witty remark before Temari pushed him over the boat. Much to Temari’s dismay a Naruto clone grabbed his hand halfway down the boat.
“Uhh… I know that Naruto left you to like ‘protect’ us and our little brother, but if I push my brother over the side of the boat, you don’t have to intervene…” Temari explained with a smile. The clone smiled back and let go of Kankuro letting him fall into the cold water.
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“Owww… that stupid toad, who does he think he is?” Naruto groans standing up. “Are you two ok?” He looks to his friend and sensei. Both look uninjured and generally ok. Probably because Kakashi wouldn’t have had a problem with the fight, and Sakura wasn’t involved for as long.
“We’re fine, that was really cool Naruto; I didn’t know you could do that with your summons.” Sakura replied enthusiastically.
“All right, well what do we do now?” Naruto says looking to his captain. Kakashi sighs, contemplating their next course of action. Nothing had been planned from here on out and it was only a matter of time before the enemy fled the island. Their only lead at the moment was the man who had greeted them in the village. So Kakashi decided to start there.
“Let’s go find the village subordinate who greeted us when we arrived. You know, the one who acted the same way as the first clone.” Kakashi prompted, sensing Naruto’s confusion. “Then we’ll see from there.
The clone Naruto gave the note too will have sent word to Konoha and we should be getting some back up soon; but until then it’s just us so don’t do anything reckless.” Kakashi and Sakura both turn to face Naruto.
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“Bwahaha!!” Temari laughs not expecting the clone to actually drop Kankuro.
“What’s wrong? What was that noise?” Hannah runs out of the inner part of the ship ready for a fight; only to see her sensei laughing and perched on a crate just to her left.
“Oh nothing, Kankuro just wanted to go for a swim that’s all!” Temari looks to Hannah for the first time since boarding the ship. Hannah was younger than the rest of them and it showed from the injuries she sustained with the clones.
Hannah had only had a few months of real training with her after all, and it had been basic stuff. Hannah had apparently not relaxed a second since getting on the ship. Temari felt a twinge of guilt for joking with her brother earlier while Hannah had been alert inside.
Her clothes were torn in several places with small cuts underneath; nothing serious except for two shuriken that still protruded her thigh. She had a larger cut on her shoulder too. Temari and Kankuro hadn’t been hit with any kuni but had been cut with a few shuriken too, but not near as often as Hannah had by the looks of it.
“Shoot, let’s get those shuriken out of your leg and clean it up.” Temari moved to her new student and sat down with her. She was by no means a medical ninja but everyone knew how to take care of basic wounds. She carefully removed the two small shuriken from Hannah’s leg and cleaned the cuts left behind and the larger cut on her shoulder. Temari noticed that Hannah never stopped scanning the surroundings, watching the horizons as the sun began rising over the eastern sky from which they had just come from. Hannah was looking for threats, ready to spring into battle at any moment. Her whole body was tense and her muscles ready to react instantly. Temari looked into her students face and said “Hannah relax, if you could have seen what Naruto did to all of those stupid clones you wouldn’t be worried about any of them following us. They have plenty to deal with back on that island with those three there. Go down and rest for a while, me and Kankuro will keep watch with Naruto’s clones until the leaf ninjas get here.”
Hannah looked confused and a bit dejected, but she also looked exhausted, she had gone as long as Temari had without sleep but it was more than that. Temari realized this was probably the most important mission she had ever been on, and she hadn’t been prepared for it.
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“I’ll be alright; I’m supposed to watch the Kazakage after all.” Hannah retorted. At that time Kankuro began crawling over the ships rail and fell to the deck with a loud thump.
“Glad you could join us Kankuro. I was just telling Hannah that we would keep watch until the leaf ninja get here because you slept till two in the afternoon yesterday anyway…” Kankuro’s face turned from annoyed to disbelief.
Just as he was about to protest he looked at his sister who was giving him that ‘do what I say even though you don’t want to’ look. Looking past Temari he spots Hannah behind her and senses the same physical and mental exhaustion. Kankuro lets out a heavy sigh realizing he isn’t going to get to sleep for a while before he repeats his sisters prompt for Hannah to get some rest.
Hannah feels bad for wanting to say ‘ok’ but looking into the faces of her teachers; she realizes they won’t judge her needing rest. Her whole body was starting to hurt all over and she was feeling a little faint, so she decided to swallow her pride. “If that’s really ok, I will go rest for just a little while.”
Temari and Kankuro both tell reassure her and she moves back to the door she came from. As Hannah walks down the hallway, she passes her room, or the one that was her and Temari’s when they came, and goes back into Gaara’s room. He is still asleep as she looks at both of the clones standing between the door and the bed. They bore the same kind smile that Naruto always carried. It amazed her how not only did they match him perfectly in appearance; but they both held the same determination in their eyes as they stood protecting their friend.
She had come into the room to remind them to watch out for Gaara, but the notion seemed dumb now, it would be like reminding Naruto himself. So instead, as she turned to go to her own room, Hannah jokes “Wake me if anything exciting happens!” Hannah walked into her and Temari’s room and sat on her bed, finally letting her body and mind relax, and leave her defensive state.
The exhaustion she had been holding back overtook her and she collapsed back onto the hard bed. She could feel her heart beat in every cut she had received and the one on her shoulder throbbed so bad she wondered if it was moving her sheets. After scolding herself for letting such small injuries concern her, she closed her eyes and completely gave into her body’s demand for rest.
Thanks for reading!
“Hey guys!”
“Naruto! What’s up!” “Do you have any snacks?” Gamakichi and Gamatasu greeted Naruto in their typical fashions.
“Guys I need your help tonight.” Naruto give a short version of what’s been going on, “so we are getting Gaara of the island tonight. Eventually I may summon you depending on how bad things get.”
Naruto contemplates the situation and how he hopes things aren’t as bad as he feels they are. “So, if I summon you, just ignore it and start drinking toad oil Gamatasu, then I’ll summon you again and you both come and hopefully we can push the enemy back enough with our toad oil flame bullet attack to let the ship with Gaara and his family gets away.”Naruto looks pleadingly at the brothers, praying they understand. “Any questions?”
“Uhhhh I’m confused…” Gamatasu says. “Don’t worry about it Naruto, we’ll be there, I’ll explain everything to Gamatasu later.” Gamakichi assures Naruto.
“Alright then, I’m counting on both of you! Thanks!” The toads both disappear into the same smoke they arrived in and Naruto turns his attention to the next part of his mission.
“Oi! Everyone get over here now!” All of the clones he summoned earlier appeared instantly. Dismissing all but three, the four of them sit down and go into sage-mode together. Just as they are finishing, the rest of the team emerges from the house. Naruto and his three clones, now in sage-mode, form the first level of protection around Gaara. The rest of the team takes their places silently, all knowing their jobs. Once the formation is complete, everyone waits silently for Kakashi’s word.
“Alright, let’s go.” Before Kakashi could even get the last word out they were all running as one. Naruto ran without focusing on where he was going, instead he focuses on expanding his mind to sense even the slightest amount of chakra that might come close to the team. Everyone ran swiftly and silently through the thin island forestry, heading west toward the docks.
The night sky and the forest brush offered some concealment, but the moon and bright stars illuminate the night, like a dimly lit sun, setting the entire island alight. Once they reached the docks there would be no hiding their large group, the large amount of light would prove to be helpful and unhelpful as the night went on. After reaching the halfway point between the house and the docks, Naruto and all of his clones stiffen suddenly.
Kakashi notices the movement and calls out to Naruto, “What is it?” Naruto’s eyes were beginning to widen with anger as he ran behind the clone carrying his friend.
“Their coming, and there’s a lot of them, don’t forget! They’re only clones, keep moving to the docks no matter what! They waited to attack until we were too far in to turn back to the house. They want to take us all out right here.” Naruto reports back to Kakashi. “They must not know who they’re dealing with.” Naruto spits with anger and determination in his voice.
“How many is a lot?” Kankuro asks.
“As many as I can make…” Naruto reports angrily. “We need to pick up the pace; we will meet them in about five minutes. Just plow through them and get to the docks!!”
Naruto’s mind was spinning with the amount of chakra that was heading their way, and now building up behind them, they were surrounding them expecting them to stand and fight. He knew it was an illusion, clones were fairly easy to take out even in large numbers, but what made clones tricky was their ability to pass information to each other and their creator. They were constantly learning. The less they confronted the clones the better. Their mission was to get to the docks while fighting the least amount of them possible.
“Here they come, get ready.” But no amount of warning had prepared the group for what met them. Although they didn’t waver or stop moving, the group was surprised by the enemy that they were now facing. Emerging from the trees at the exact same moment all around them was thousands of themselves even clones of Gaara. Hannah screamed a bit when a Temari clone attacked her, she was facing her sensei and she hesitated.
Naruto noticed the hesitation and sent a kuni into the clone and bringing Hannah back to her senses. Without any further hesitation the group quickly forced their way toward the docks avoiding as many attacks as possible. When the end of the trees was finally in sight, the group all silently went over the second phase of their mission.
Each one of them had a specific task to accomplish. Clones were covering the dock and blocking their way. Temari who still had point jumped clearing the rest of the beach and landing on the front of the dock. With her large fan she sent a surge of chakra filled wind that acted like large blades down the dock clearing the way for Naruto and Sakura to make their way to the ship with her brother.
Temari, Kakashi, Hannah, and Kankuro formed the defensive line holding back the never ending swarms of clones as they tried to reach the docks.
Immediately Naruto saw it, the large amounts of blood smearing the wood of the boat and the dead crewman that lay lifeless over the deck. Naruto could sense only a few clones on the ship and pointed out their locations to Sakura and the rest of his clones, as they swept the ship eliminating the enemy Naruto and the clone carrying Gaara stood watching the battle ensuing on the beach.
The clones were getting more aggressive and smarter. Temari and Kankuro were on the outside of the line with Hannah and Kakashi in the Center on both ends of the dock. Their line was large and had gaping holes, but no clones had a chance to even get close. The four were working together to keep the clones as far away as possible. Kakashi had used his water dragon jutsu as a long range attack, Hannah was sending sharp chakra blades from her fans, and Temari and Kankuro were using their regular techniques to keep the enemy far enough away to avoid and physical confrontations which was about all the clones could do.
All the clones could manage to do were send countless kuni and shurikens at the line. The group was able to avoid them most of the time but occasionally one would catch them. Hannah took one hard in the shoulder and Kakashi thought she might break the line, but Hannah fought through the pain.
“Naruto! It’s all clear!!” Sakura yelled as she emerged from the inner part of the ship. Naruto motioned to the clone carrying Gaara and the clone ran back to the inner room and placed Gaara on his bed. Two clones stayed in the room with Gaara, one outside the door and the final took his place outside the outer door that granted access to the inner part of the ship.
Sakura ran back down the dock and took Hannah’s place next to Kakashi, who ran down the dock and took one clones place in guarding Gaara. Although the kuni was still in her shoulder, and two small shuriken were lodged in her leg, Hannah didn’t allow herself to relax; she stood, directly behind the open door ready for anything. The clone she replaced runs out to the ship’s deck just as Kankuro is pulling the sails down.
The two clones, now on the ship’s deck, jump and grab the ropes attached to the sail and tie them down on either side of the ship. The two new normal clones Naruto summoned have cut the ships anchor off and are pushing the large ship a few meters off the dock. With the ship free and moving, Naruto dismisses the two new clones and yells at Temari to come, at the same time Naruto bites his finger to use the summoning technique for the first time to alert the toad brothers to get ready.
Surprisingly Gamatasu appears. “Hey Naruto, oh whoops I wasn’t supposed to come yet. Do you have anything to eat?” Gamatasu says, and then he looks down the dock and see’s Kakashi and Sakura, who are now engaging countless clones in close combat. “That’s not good… I’ll go back.” Gamatasu says without hearing Naruto’s screams and protest about him messing up the plan.
Well at least Gamakichi will be ready. This really is a worst-case-scenario. Kakashi and Sakura were holding the line, but just barely, by now Temari was running past Naruto and starting her jutsu to really get the ship moving. With the final swing of her massive fan, Temari lets loose a ferocious wind without her usually chakra blades and the white sails of the ship stretch to their full capacity and the boat lurches forward just as Temari leaps off the end of the dock to the ship where Kankuro helps her balance and stay on the ships edge.
With one final look at the Sand siblings, now safe with their brother inside, Naruto turns to the mob of clones that threatened to break through with their new sense of panic at their targets escape. Naruto quickly forms the hand signs and yells once more “Summoning Jutsu!!”
To everyone’s surprise Naruto was lifted into the air much higher than expected as the chief toad appears below Gamakichi under Naruto’s feet. Naruto begins to question the chief when he realizes his mouth is full with the toad oil he had asked the chief’s son’s to bring.
Without further hesitation, Naruto yells: “Kakashi sensei, Sakura fall back!” while giving the orders Naruto forms more hand signs yelling “Wind style, Toad oil flame bullet!!” just as Kakashi and Sakura fell behind the massive toad. The chief toad releases a huge stream of toad oil which Naruto manipulates with his wind style attack to form a projectile at the charging clones, just before the oil impacts the enemy, Gamakichi uses his fire style to create a huge flame along the oil. They continue to sweep the beach until no remnants of the enemy remain.
“Thank you, chief toad; by the way, what are you doing here?”
“Well after Gamatasu messed up and came over here early, he told us you were in a bit of trouble over here and could use some more help, so I took his spot on your ridiculous team. Naruto can we put out the fire in the forest so I can go home already, I’ve got better things to do.” Looking around Naruto realized the chief was right, their attack had been so big, it had not only whipped out every clone in the forest, but it had set most of the western part of the forest on fire.
Naruto quickly formed a few more hand signs and he and the chief toad used the same concept to create a water bullet instead and put out the flames. “Finally kid, you owe me big time for this one…” “Later Naruto!” Gamakichi called to Naruto as they both abruptly disappeared letting Naruto fall to the ground. “What’d you do that for you stupid toad!?”
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“Well it looks like we’re in the clear for now…” Temari sighs to her brother. Looking at the scene from a distance might be even more spectacular.
Watching Naruto summon such a creature and perform a jutsu with it was incredible. He must really have a bad feeling about this if he summoned something that powerful.
”Tsk, how do you figure?” Kankuro answered. Temari looked around the sea that surrounded them and finally looked at her brother questioningly.
“We are on a ship, with no escape, in the middle of the ocean, with our brother who was just drugged by his best friend, He Is Going To Be Pissed.” He spoke the last word with bitter anticipation, Temari laughed in response.
“It may sound crazy, but I think I’d rather have him here angry at us than back on that island.” Temari turned back to face the island as it faded into the distance. They had a good strong wind to carry them away and they were making good time. She could hardly see the huge billows of smoke caused by Naruto and his summon.
“Ya, it may be crazy, but I think I agree. Well in any case,” Kankuro continued with a lighter tone, shrugging it off, “That clone already let the messenger bird go so we should be met by some Leaf ninja before too long. I hope they get here before Gaara wakes up…”
“How long do you think it will take them?” Temari asked as she walked to large crate to sit on.
Kankuro joined her before answering. “Depends I guess.”
“Depends on what?” Temari pressed.
“On whether or not your dashing boyfriend is with them, I’m sure he will come to your rescue faster than light itself.” Kankuro finished mockingly. He didn’t have much time to revel in his witty remark before Temari pushed him over the boat. Much to Temari’s dismay a Naruto clone grabbed his hand halfway down the boat.
“Uhh… I know that Naruto left you to like ‘protect’ us and our little brother, but if I push my brother over the side of the boat, you don’t have to intervene…” Temari explained with a smile. The clone smiled back and let go of Kankuro letting him fall into the cold water.
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“Owww… that stupid toad, who does he think he is?” Naruto groans standing up. “Are you two ok?” He looks to his friend and sensei. Both look uninjured and generally ok. Probably because Kakashi wouldn’t have had a problem with the fight, and Sakura wasn’t involved for as long.
“We’re fine, that was really cool Naruto; I didn’t know you could do that with your summons.” Sakura replied enthusiastically.
“All right, well what do we do now?” Naruto says looking to his captain. Kakashi sighs, contemplating their next course of action. Nothing had been planned from here on out and it was only a matter of time before the enemy fled the island. Their only lead at the moment was the man who had greeted them in the village. So Kakashi decided to start there.
“Let’s go find the village subordinate who greeted us when we arrived. You know, the one who acted the same way as the first clone.” Kakashi prompted, sensing Naruto’s confusion. “Then we’ll see from there.
The clone Naruto gave the note too will have sent word to Konoha and we should be getting some back up soon; but until then it’s just us so don’t do anything reckless.” Kakashi and Sakura both turn to face Naruto.
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“Bwahaha!!” Temari laughs not expecting the clone to actually drop Kankuro.
“What’s wrong? What was that noise?” Hannah runs out of the inner part of the ship ready for a fight; only to see her sensei laughing and perched on a crate just to her left.
“Oh nothing, Kankuro just wanted to go for a swim that’s all!” Temari looks to Hannah for the first time since boarding the ship. Hannah was younger than the rest of them and it showed from the injuries she sustained with the clones.
Hannah had only had a few months of real training with her after all, and it had been basic stuff. Hannah had apparently not relaxed a second since getting on the ship. Temari felt a twinge of guilt for joking with her brother earlier while Hannah had been alert inside.
Her clothes were torn in several places with small cuts underneath; nothing serious except for two shuriken that still protruded her thigh. She had a larger cut on her shoulder too. Temari and Kankuro hadn’t been hit with any kuni but had been cut with a few shuriken too, but not near as often as Hannah had by the looks of it.
“Shoot, let’s get those shuriken out of your leg and clean it up.” Temari moved to her new student and sat down with her. She was by no means a medical ninja but everyone knew how to take care of basic wounds. She carefully removed the two small shuriken from Hannah’s leg and cleaned the cuts left behind and the larger cut on her shoulder. Temari noticed that Hannah never stopped scanning the surroundings, watching the horizons as the sun began rising over the eastern sky from which they had just come from. Hannah was looking for threats, ready to spring into battle at any moment. Her whole body was tense and her muscles ready to react instantly. Temari looked into her students face and said “Hannah relax, if you could have seen what Naruto did to all of those stupid clones you wouldn’t be worried about any of them following us. They have plenty to deal with back on that island with those three there. Go down and rest for a while, me and Kankuro will keep watch with Naruto’s clones until the leaf ninjas get here.”
Hannah looked confused and a bit dejected, but she also looked exhausted, she had gone as long as Temari had without sleep but it was more than that. Temari realized this was probably the most important mission she had ever been on, and she hadn’t been prepared for it.
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“I’ll be alright; I’m supposed to watch the Kazakage after all.” Hannah retorted. At that time Kankuro began crawling over the ships rail and fell to the deck with a loud thump.
“Glad you could join us Kankuro. I was just telling Hannah that we would keep watch until the leaf ninja get here because you slept till two in the afternoon yesterday anyway…” Kankuro’s face turned from annoyed to disbelief.
Just as he was about to protest he looked at his sister who was giving him that ‘do what I say even though you don’t want to’ look. Looking past Temari he spots Hannah behind her and senses the same physical and mental exhaustion. Kankuro lets out a heavy sigh realizing he isn’t going to get to sleep for a while before he repeats his sisters prompt for Hannah to get some rest.
Hannah feels bad for wanting to say ‘ok’ but looking into the faces of her teachers; she realizes they won’t judge her needing rest. Her whole body was starting to hurt all over and she was feeling a little faint, so she decided to swallow her pride. “If that’s really ok, I will go rest for just a little while.”
Temari and Kankuro both tell reassure her and she moves back to the door she came from. As Hannah walks down the hallway, she passes her room, or the one that was her and Temari’s when they came, and goes back into Gaara’s room. He is still asleep as she looks at both of the clones standing between the door and the bed. They bore the same kind smile that Naruto always carried. It amazed her how not only did they match him perfectly in appearance; but they both held the same determination in their eyes as they stood protecting their friend.
She had come into the room to remind them to watch out for Gaara, but the notion seemed dumb now, it would be like reminding Naruto himself. So instead, as she turned to go to her own room, Hannah jokes “Wake me if anything exciting happens!” Hannah walked into her and Temari’s room and sat on her bed, finally letting her body and mind relax, and leave her defensive state.
The exhaustion she had been holding back overtook her and she collapsed back onto the hard bed. She could feel her heart beat in every cut she had received and the one on her shoulder throbbed so bad she wondered if it was moving her sheets. After scolding herself for letting such small injuries concern her, she closed her eyes and completely gave into her body’s demand for rest.
Thanks for reading!
