Chapter 3 – Celebration
It took the Konoha team two days without resting to return to Konoha. They knew that there was little possibility of them being pursued, but even so they kept checking back over their shoulders as they leapt from tree to tree.
Just a few hours out after leaving the Earth country, when the sun was only just starting to rise, Kuro had asked, ‘How far back to Konoha?’
“At least two days run from here.” Heikou had replied briskly, and they had lapsed back into silence, the only sounds being the thud of their sandals on the tree branches.
The team remained silent until they had crossed back into Konoha and, as they saw the sun rise, Hana piped up for the first time since they had set back.
“I could use some food. I’m starving.”
Kuro and Heikou smiled at this, only just becoming aware of how hungry and tired they both were. As the approached the great entrance gates of Konoha, which cast such as shadow on the forest as the sun began to rise, their hearts skipped beats. Everything was familiar: the mountain with the faces of the three Hokages carved into them, and the smell of ramen – Ichiraku must have been cooking.
They reached then final tree, and then jumped down back to ground level, where two familiar Jounin were waiting to greet them. The trio stopped before them, and the taller one – who had long, dark hair almost obscuring his eyes – spoke to them.
“You’re early. The Hokage wasn’t expecting you for a few more hours.” He smiled, and ruffled Heikou’s hair.
“Welcome back.” The other, a man wearing a bandanna, spoke for the first time. “You can go on up to his office, he’s been up for a few hours already.”
“Thanks.” The three, led by Heikou, began to walk up to the all-too familiar red building with the ‘fire’ kanji superimposed upon the front of it. They passed a block of flats, and stopped as a voice drifted across to them.
“Yo.”
They all turned their heads towards the building, and away from the sunlight.
The figure jumped down and stepped in front of them. He straightened up, and the sun fell across his face.
He had messy blonde hair that had been whipped about his face, and his Konoha headband was hidden under his fringe. His eyes, big and blue, were kind and welcoming as was his smile. He had a giant scar running from ear-to-ear, cutting across his nose. He was young – maybe in his mid-twenties.
“I trust the mission was a success?” He spoke to Heikou, but it was obvious that he had acknowledged the other two.
Heikou smiled before replying.
“Of course.”
“As I expected. Congratulations, Heikou. Your first mission in charge, and you pulled it off. Well, you’d better go report to the Hokage.”
He stretched, and in doing so drew himself up to his full height. He was tall – really tall. He easily dwarfed the tallest member of the squad, Heikou, who was at least 6 foot tall. He had no leg pouches, and no backpack. He had one scroll tied to his belt, but otherwise he was unarmed.
“Okay, we’re going Akarai-sensei.”
“Okay, see you later.” He turned to Kuro and Hana. “See you later, you two. Good job.” He raised his fingers, and then simply vanished into thin air.
“Come on, let’s go.”
---
They reached the Hokage’s office in almost nice time. The corridors were deserted as they ascended towards the top floor, and they could only assume that it was about 4 ‘o’ clock in the morning.
They reached the patterned oak door, and Hana knocked three times.
“Enter.”
The rough voice spoke only one word.
Hana pushed the door open, and Kuro and Heikou followed her into the Hokage’s study.
The Third Hokage sat in his chair behind at desk that was littered with all sorts of documents at the far end of the room. He had spiked brown hair that was beginning to turn grey, and there were dark circles under his eyes.
“Ah, you’ve returned.”
“Yes, Hokage.” Heikou, as the leader of the mission, spoke.
“Mission success?”
“Do you think we’d have returned had we not been successful?” Heikou replied, a slight grin flickering across his face.
The Hokage sighed.
“You’re one of a kind, Heikou. Congratulations, S-rank mission completed.” He then continued to hand each of them a bad of money – payment for their accomplishment.
“I’ll be calling upon you tomorrow – I have another mission for you all.”
The three bowed, and began to make their way towards the door. Kuro’s hand was on the door handle when the Hokage suddenly spoke again.
“Oh! That reminds me.” He sat up a little straighter in his chair. “Akarai’s planning a party tonight, to celebrate you completing your first S-rank mission. He wants you to meet him at the Togamura sushi restaurant tonight at nine.”
Kuro and Heikou exchanged glances at these words, and the Heikou did the same with Hana, who was behind him.
“A party?” It was unlike their sensei to do something like this.
“Yes, now please leave. Get your rest for tomorrow. And remember, the Togamura sushi restaurant tonight at nine.”
---
They left the Hokage’s office, and then stopped outside the building’s entrance. It was nearly four-thirty – the Jounin would be reporting for work soon.
“Akarai’s throwing us a party?” Hana asked inquisitively. She was obviously shocked by this.
“That man’s full of suprises.” Kuro added.
Heikou yawned, and then spoke to them.
“Well, I’m off. I’m tired and hungry. See you both tonight.”
“Bye,” chorused Kuro and Hana, as Heikou walked towards the east of the village, where his house and his parent’s bar was situated.
Hana also turned to leave. She looked over her shoulder, the light dancing against the dark tones of her hair.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
She smiled and began to walk to the east of the village – her parent’s flower shop was also there.
“Yeah… tonight…”
Kuro returned to the block of flats where he met his sensei before, and began to walk up the side of the wall towards the third floor, where his flat was.
---
Later that night, Kuro leapt from his balcony on the third floor. His parents’ flat, who were now dead following an unsuccessful mission, was where he had been living alone for the past seven years.
The sun had set and Konoha was lit only by the many lamps that hung from houses and shops.
Kuro smiled. He loved the nightlife in Konoha – there was so much to do. He began to walk to the west of the city, to where he would meet the rest of his team for their celebratory meal.
He had changed into jeans and a loose-fitting white shirt. His hair was still wet from the shower he had before he left. Before that, he had spent practically the whole day asleep, and suspected that his team mates would have done the same.
He arrived outside the busy sushi restaurant shortly after setting out. Togamura’s was a large and expensive restaurant, and always attracted many customers every night. He was surprised to see that Hana was already there, sitting by a table in the corner. Upon seeing Kuro, she stood up and waved to him.
She was looking stunning in a red and black kimono that ended slightly below her knees. Her long black hair, which usually hung down to just past her shoulders, was tied into a neat ponytail. Kuro smiled, and walked over to her table.
“You’re early.” She said, sitting down once he had also taken his seat.
“So are you.” Kuro replied, taking the seat next to her. “No Heikou or Akarai yet?”
“No. She rested her hands gently on the table and crossed her legs.
As soon as she had spoken the words, Heikou and Akarai appeared at her shoulder.
“Hey.” Their sensei raised their hand as he and Heikou joined them at the table. “I’ve already ordered us drinks. I hope sake’s okay, even if you are underage.” He added the last part in a whisper, and winked at them.
Their drinks came quickly, and Akarai raised his cup.
“To Team Akarai, and a successful S-rank mission!”
The three team-mates raised their clashes and knocked them gently against one another, but the *****ing of the china was drowned down by a huge explosion towards the main gate.
“What the…?” Akarai rose from his chair and gripped the scroll on his belt.
As everyone looked around in confusion, a yell of ‘Up there!’ could be heard. Everyone looked into the sky, and saw a giant boulder of earth – big enough to destroy the entire restaurant – hurtling towards them.
Screaming people ran everywhere, some running as far away as they could while others cowered under tables.
Kuro stood atop the table and drew back his right fist.
Hana, who was also ducking, grabbed his left arm and tried to pull him down.
“What’re you doing?”
He shrugged her off and she fell to the floor, astonished.
The boulder rocketed into the sushi restaurant, sending dust and rubble flying everywhere.
Hana moaned as debris hit her in the face, but as the dust cleared she realised what had happened. There were many rock fragments of rock lying about, and the restaurant was still intact. Kuro had been knocked off the table, and blood was pouring from his knuckles. He appeared unharmed.
“Ugh…” He picked himself up from the floor in time to see scores of ninja running towards them, obviously heading towards the Hokage’s office. Every one of them bore the headband of the Hidden Rock village.
“Team Akarai, assemble!”
Akarai was already blocking the path, and had drawn forth the scroll that hung from his belt, and he was holding it in his right hand. His thumb was bleeding, and the same blood now dripped from the scroll.
Kuro, Heikou and Hana took up their positions behind him, and watched as the Iwa ninja ran closer. A gunshot-sound cut the air, and a puff of smoke surrounded Akarai’s hand.
As the smoke cleared, it could be seen that Akarai was holding a guard-less short-sword, gripped in both hands.
Seconds later, a blue light began to emanate from the blade. The blade became completely engulfed, and sparks of electricity began to shoot in all directions. The blue lightning covered the blade of the charka sword completely, and Akarai raised it slightly, letting the blue lightning set the area alight.
“Let’s go.”
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