Take A Knee || Anime: Naruto

Chapter Seven: The Truth

Kakashi was just as suspicious as you, and was staring down the old man.

"These ninjas are Chunin from the village hidden in the mist. Why would they be targeting a simple bridge builder like you? The content of your request was supposed to be protection from thugs and thieves — not enemy ninja — making it a less expensive C Rank mission. In reality, this is a B Rank mission or higher. Being lied to in the request wont do," Kakashi twirled his kunai around his finger threateningly.

"Could you not afford the extra cents for a B Rank mission?"

"Or were you drunk while filling in the application?" Your eyes narrowed. The three genin looked towards you in shock. Your words came out with venom, and what was worse is that it was oddly natural.

Tazuna had the good grace to lower his gaze. You had the feeling either you or Kakashi was right.

"I wasn't drunk.." you heard him mutter. Kakashi it is. Sakura gave the man a sad smile.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Tazuna, but we aren't qualified for this type of mission yet; we'll have to give up. Besides, Naruto's wound will need treatment. So we'll have to return to the village for a doctor anyways," she confirms.

You glanced at Naruto's bleeding palm to see the boy looking at it as well. Clearly he saw himself as the only reason you needed to return. You sighed. If you weren't on a mission, you'd have told Naruto to cheer up, or maybe offered to help threat him. Missions required you to change in personality. You almost changed who you were when you went on one.

"This sure is a burden," Kakashi sighed and gained your attention, "Since we need to treat Naruto's wound, should we go back to the village...?"

Eyes widening, you watched naruto plunge a kunai into his wound. Kakashi even let out a small, startled 'oh' as Naruto turned away and lowered his head. You hadn't the slightest clue what was going on in his mind.

"Hey Naruto..." feeling yourself soften with the gentleness in your voice, you took a step forward.

Naruto, before you could finish, turned around with determination burning in his blue eyes.

"Old man! I will protect you... with this kunai!" He announced, yanking the kunai out of his hand and held it up to the light. He had the widest grin on his face, "I don't care how dangerous it is! The mission continues!" Blood oozed out of his wound, and it wasn't long until he began to wobble.

Kakashi smiled and leaned down in front of Naruto.

"That's nice and all, but you'll die if you lose any more blood,"

You resisted the urge to laugh, and failed miserably as naruto ran around screaming. He had a look of pure terror that was better then your mock-octopus face. It took both you and Sasuke to restrain him from hurting himself any further.

"Give me your hand Naruto," Kakashi said without much interest. He held up a clean bandage.

Kakashi seemed surprised the second he began to examine Naruto's hand. You were curious, but didn't ask. Still, you shuddered a bit at what might've shocked the impassive Jonin.

"So what now?" Sakura asked, her question clearly meant for you and Kakashi, "surely we must return to the village? This mission is way out of our scope!"

Kakashi rested his hand on his hip, and remained silent for a moment almost as if he was waiting for someone else to voice their opinion. You cleared your throat, drawing their attention

"I think...

> ...that we should continue," you looked right at Naruto. A part of your reasoning was the fact he would never accept going home. At the same time, however, you weren't sure you could accept that either.