Chapter | XXIV |

This was the first time that Naruto had ever witnessed the world outside of Konoha, and only a single word echoed inside his head, the layers around that word coated with exotic melody.

'Beautiful'

He couldn't help but admire it. The flowers, the grass, the trees, the animals... Everything seemed so vibrant and enchanting, the shower of peace it rained on Naruto was so warm. For the first time, he truly felt at peace.

He was free of the haunting villagers, the criticising stares, those hungry and vicious eyes of those who harmed him. Ever so often, the thought of never returning to the village crossed his mind, but he shook it away with a sigh.

The others — except Kakashi — also seemed to be marveled by the comfort. Naruto realized that he was not the only one held like a hostage in that cursed village, there were many like him... Maybe there were who suffered worse.

"Halt"

Kakashi spoke, the trio stopped at his command and hid in the shadows. Following Kakashi's gaze, Naruto spotted a fragile looking man, pressing a sharp weapon at a woman's throat. No sooner, he felt something graze past his ears. His eyes followed a blur in the air, whistling toward the man.

Before he had the luxury to twist his neck, a pitch black arrow penetrated the back of his head and nailed him on the tree behind. The lady screamed in terror before fleeing.

Naruto looked back, the girl was holding her bow and released a small sigh.

"Nice shot"

Naruto commented. Lingering for a moment, she nodded at him, her expression hidden beneath the oni mask. Unlike the others, one of their teammates took the situation... He did not take the situation very well.

"Y-You?!"

Before he could mutter anything further, Kakashi gave a glance toward Asashi. Eyes still widened, he went toward a nearby bush and started to puke. Ignoring his antics, the blonde grazed his ear.

"Get a better angle next time"

She looked away to his reply. Kakashi bandaged his nearly torn ear. For an archer, she did not have the best accuracy, that much anyone could confirm. Naruto wasn't too worried though, his wound would heal in an hour or so if it was torn apart... Well, he didn't want to find out.

After Asashi was done, they set out again. Fortunately, their journey went without a hitch, until nightfall, they did not encounter any bandits or thieves along the way. As the sun settled and the moon hung on the starless sky, team 7 set their camp.

Opened his backpack, Naruto grabbed his portable tent and a bottle of water. Gulping in the silence, he felt a stare on his back. Closing the cap, he gazed behind. Rumi was staring at him... To be more specific, at his bottle.

He raised a brow, then his face fell.

"Don't tell me... "

Her ears turned red in response. Naruto glanced to his sides. Kakashi was busy consoling or blaming Asashi for his incompetence, sighing, Naruto neared her and held out his water bottle.

Ears still red, she slowly grabbed the bottle and stared at it. Seeing that she was inspecting the ends, he sighed again.

"I didn't"

He said to confirm. Bowing at him, she turned around and drank from the bottle. Naruto was curious about what her face looked like, but he dismissed the idea, it would be rude to invade her privacy, he did not like anyone invading his, so it was understandable.

Her snow-white hair rustled in the chilling coldness of the polar night, Naruto's eyes were glued to the dancing strands. The blonde had never seen someone with her hair color before... Expect Kakashi's, despite getting used to his Sensei's hair color, he always felt strange looking at the odd color.

Facing him again, she handed the water bottle and bowed again before getting onto set camp. Breaking out of his trance, Naruto started to set up his own tent as well. Satisfied after setting his tent to the best of his skills, he sniffed the air as he smelled the crisp invading his nostrils.

He spotted a bonfire. Rumi, Kakashi, and Asashi were sitting around as they grilled the meat on their sticks. Naruto's stomach rumbled, he neared the camp and sat down near Rumi.

As he gazed into the blazing bonfire, his eyes twitched.

'Crap'