Chapter 12: Falling Snow

Chapter Twelve – Falling Snow

Sasuke: "Snakes can sense things through temperature, and they can also do it with their sense of smell by passing the smell through their mouth."

Itachi: "You've learnt a lot… Dr. Snakes."

Orochimaru had left them after all the traps had been put up and partially tested out.

After fifteen minutes of observing their senseis make a secure camp at the foot of the mountain, Naruto had been inspired to do one of her own. The experiment had ended in a complicated wire trap that would cause an avalanche to fall down from the mountain. Shisui had acted as her eager assistant along with Gai, and together the three had managed to get up one of Naruto's more brilliant inventions. At least one of her more destructive ones. The new type of territory acted as a sea of inspiration for her, and it was fun working with snow instead of wood and earth.

Shisui also had to be given some credit. The boy was very good with ninja wire, and if the trap went off the unlucky target would end up with both snow and rocks over them thanks to the Uchiha's ideas and fine tuning. Gai had done a lot of the testing by checking it if a wire was invisible enough for him to miss it or had the accurate tension to it. They didn't want an animal or the wind to set it off.

It took them two hours to get everything set up. Climbing up the mountainside had been difficult too, seeing as they were trying to put up the trap without being discovered by their sensei. Or more accurately Orochimaru. They all knew Choza wouldn't be too harsh on them for helping out.

Naruto was therefore surprised when she found out that Orochimaru had indeed spotted them up on the mountain, and they had forced him to be delayed by over an hour, and yet wasn't angry. A little impatient sure, but not angry.

He was too impatient to start lecturing them too badly, and maybe even a little impressed by their handy work to go all snake creepy on them. Instead he gave a few snappy words before heading out.

Left at their new camp was seven people and a snake summon of Orochimaru named Hebimei. The snake wasn't large and was currently tightly wrapped around Anko's neck, shivering in the cold winter chill of Frost Country.

While Naruto was keeping her distance from both Anko and the snake, she couldn't help overhearing some of the words from Hebimei anyhow. "Stupid snow… Orochimaru-sama just had to pick me for this… I never should have left the hot springs… So warm… And here there's just icky frozen water everywhere… I wish Hebishin had to do this mission. He'd have his shells frozen off in a minute… And he calls me soft skinned… Stupid twat…"

Even though Naruto had a deeply engraved dislike for snakes she still found the low whispered dialogue pretty funny.

Anko seemed to be very familiar with the snake, and let the reptile twist around her neck and down into her jacket for warmth. She didn't heed her dialogue in the slightest and instead had her own conversation with Genma.

The boy was distracted by the snake though - who wouldn't? The snake was muttering darkly under her breath about the lack of mice to eat in the district- and was looking oddly from Anko to the snake.

And while Naruto eavesdropped on Anko, Genma and Hebimei, the rest trotted around and got tents set up and discussed the best time of day to light a fire. They would be here for a few days, and the better they hid, the safer they would be until Orochimaru returned.

The stay went relatively peaceful the first day at camp. Naruto even came to appreciate Hebimei's presence amongst them. The female snake was very sarcastic and kept up a long, biting monologue about the happenings amongst the snakes in her clan. Young as she was, the snake was currently being tasked with all the boring missions and was not pleased about it.

Anko had heard it all before, but the rest of the group listened amused on while the snake bad mouthed everyone from the head snake Manda, to her father Hebichi for sending her on this specific mission. Snakes preferred warmer habitats, and Hebimei eyed the snow as if it was liquid poison.

All the while Naruto was growing deadly bored. Not surprising, seeing as they had done nothing for the last twenty four hours. Even the snake wasn't that entertaining anymore.

"I'm bored, dattebayo..." Naruto complained for the seventh time in under an hour. Shisui's eyebrow twitched while he slowly turned towards his teammate.

"What do you expect us to do? We're all bored." He muttered under his breath. Shisui was as fed up with staying in this cold place as much as everyone was.

"Can't I practice at least?" Naruto moaned and fell back flat on the ground, arms outstretched on each side. Slowly she started moving the arms and legs up and down, creating a snow angel where she lay trying to procrastinate time. Hebimei sent her a disgusted look, as if she couldn't believe anyone would willingly grind themselves into snow the way Naruto did.

"You can juggle to pass the time." Genma suggested cockily, receiving an angry stare from Naruto.

"Why don't we spar, Narumi-chan?" Gai suggested.

"It's Naruto, not Narumi." Naruto shot back immediately. Feeling outraged that Gai still couldn't remember her name. This had never been a problem in her original timeline. Gai had known who she was from the beginning, but this time it was taking a lot longer for the guy to remember who she was between each short meeting between them.

"Oh, sorry, Naruto-chan. I'm not good with faces… or names." Gai replied a little embarrassed and turned to go up to his backpack further up on their camp.

Naruto shot up from where she was lying in a sudden hurry. "Hey, wait, don't go! I do want to spar!"

"Keep your volume down, Naruto-chan." Choza scolded her, and Naruto clapped her mouth shut.

"Sorry..." Naruto muttered and looked embarrassed away before hurrying after Gai.

Naruto sat guard when something finally happened. The others were asleep and to Naruto's discomfort she was sitting guard together with Anko and Hebimei.

The older girl wasn't speaking, so instead Naruto found herself chatting animatedly with the snake.

"… and that's how the toad saved me up from the water." Naruto explained to the snake that was nodding along while Naruto told the details around her meeting with Jiraiya and his toad summons.

"You're a recklessssss one aren't you?" Hebimei answered with a roll of her eyes. "Water isss cold during that sssseason. You sssshouldn't have gone into it."

"It wasn't on purpose, dattebayo. I fell." Naruto retaliated.

"Sssshouldn't risk it. I can ssssswim fine on water, but it'ssss uncomfortable when it's cold." Hebimei replied with a shake of her head and long upper body. It was odd seeing a snake this friendly. Naruto had never really been around a snake that wasn't attacking her.

"I slipped and the toad saved me before I ended up in a worse condition." Naruto answered a little offended at the flippant tone Hebimei was using.

"Don't start with toadssss. They're only good for one thing, and that's eating. They tasssste delicioussss." Hebimei said with a faraway look on her scaled face. Naruto blanched.

"What! They are not for eati-" Naruto started, but the rest of her sentence was drowned when a bang went off from high up in the mountain. An explosion tag.

Naruto stared up in shock and surprise as one of her traps went off. Anko was on her feet in no time and Hebimei came slithering further out from underneath Anko's jacket. No longer shivering but in deep concentration while they tried to squint up to the mountain.

"ssssnow… Ssso much sssnow..." Hebimei hissed in disgust, her eyes widening and her teeth flaring. Finally acting how Naruto was used to seeing snakes.

"Fuck..." Anko muttered, her hand clutching around the hem of a kunai. "Make sure everyone is awake, Naru. I'll look out here." Anko said in a low and controlled voice.

Naruto was so surprised from hearing her old nickname that she froze for a moment, but then she nodded and turned on her heel. Sprinting back to the camp which was in full motion. Ebisu was jumping out of his tent with his sleeping bag still around his legs, Genma was pulling a sweater over his head while kicking away his backpack with his foot and Choza was coming hurriedly towards her with Ebisu on his heel.

"Enemies?" He asked without preamble. Naruto nodded uncertainly.

"I think so. The trap shouldn't go off because of an animal, and I think I saw something. It's hard to tell though." Naruto answered hurriedly and gestured towards the mountain top far above them. The avalanche had started, and whatever Naruto thought she'd seen before was now lost in the falling snow and darkness of night.

"Where's Shisui-kun?" Asked Ebisu and looked worriedly around.

Naruto swore and ran over to the tent she knew Shisui would be sleeping in. What surprised her though was that Shisui was awake. He looked a little confused, but it seemed the explosion had been enough to even wake him.

"Get up, there are enemies around." Naruto barked before leaving again to go check on Anko.

She found the girl where she'd left her, still watching the avalanche fall towards them. They were placed out of the direct path of the tumbling snow, but Naruto wasn't sure if they would get out of this scotch free. If worst came to worst they would have to jump and try to run on top of the avalanche.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no… I knew I should never have signed the summoning contract… what was I thinking? Cold weather and avalanches? What happened to the good, old and bloody battles? This is the last time I'm letting Hebishin talk me into shit like this..." Muttered Hebimei in growing fright.

"Calm down, Hebimei-chan. I won't let you fall in the snow." Anko answered with a slightly annoyed tone.

It came at a surprising speed. At first it had looked at a slow, manageable speed, but the more snow got tangled into the avalanche, the faster it came hurtling down. Naruto bit her lip as she saw that their camp would be buried in this too, and glanced quickly at Anko. She was looking back with a fierce expression. "Keep close okay? We'll jump." Anko said and looked back up.

The snow was coming at a furious speed now. Roaring with its power and intensity. Naruto still couldn't fathom the efficiency of her trap. Whoever had set it off was probably beyond help at this point.

"Oh no! I'm going to die! I'm going to become a ssssnake flavored ice cream! I'm never joining a mission with you again, Anko!"

As the crushing wave of snow came upon them they jumped in unison, pushing chakra through their feet and propelling themselves up into the air.

Naruto kept her eyes on the white powdery death trap, trying to figure out how best to distribute her chakra so not to get swallowed in the snow when she landed. As she fell back to the snow Naruto felt Anko's hand wrap around her wrist. Forcing Naruto closer as they landed shakily on the fast moving surface. Naruto almost toppled over, and only stood as long as she did thanks to Anko's steadying grip.

Naruto felt her feet getting dragged violently backwards, making her lose her center of gravity and fly forwards. She ripped her hand out of Anko's grip and did a front flip to get back to her feet.

She found it easier to run forwards and jump than to stand still. The snow gave way under her feet and did its best to swallow her, but thanks to her chakra and fast movements the snow wasn't victorious.

Anko was moving in a similar fashion to her left, and Naruto could hear Hebimei scream in panic from around her summoner's neck. Her head moving oddly up and down out of tune with Anko's jumping. It was actually comical and Naruto grinned. Anko smiled back.

In the middle of the commotion it was as if they both forgot their argument. Instead Anko did an impressive back flip and landed further behind Naruto. Making Hebimei wail like a baby. The older girl was grinning evilly to herself, pleased with Hebimei's reaction. Naruto chuckled under her breath and focused back on the task at hand.

The avalanche didn't last long, but while it passed over their camp Naruto and Anko danced and played around while they could. Both ignoring that they technically were still angry with each other. The adrenaline of running over an avalanche and the threat of enemies was enough for both of them to ignore their differences, and Hebimei's discomfort was highly entertaining to listen to.

As the avalanche finally calmed down, leaving behind a thick layer of soft snow that they both pummeled through once they stopped their chakra, they were both left laughing. Hebimei was cursing them and their ancestress to the seven pits of hell while they tried to get a grip on themselves.

Anko was the first to get back up from the snow, the reason was obvious. "You promissssed! You ssssaid you wouldn't fall in the snow! You liar! My scales are cracking from the cold! I'll get a fever for ssssure!" Hebimei hissed furiously.

Naruto scrambled up after them, still chuckling and found Anko trying to look abashed.

"I'm so sorry, Hebimei-chan. I didn't alter my chakra when the snow slowed down and I fell through. So, so sorry. I'll heat you up." She said with a huge grin on her face. Completely failing at being genuine with her words.

Naruto was making her way over when a noise made all three look to the side. Shisui was coming towards them with a relieved look on his face. "You're alright…" He said in a breathy tone, stopping when he reached Naruto.

"Of course, this is hardly enough to take us down, dattebayo." Naruto replied happily.

Shisui smiled weakly and then peeked nervously back over his shoulder. "We should get back to camp. Ebisu and I managed to save a couple of tents, but we lost a lot of our provision. Choza-sensei also managed to get someone from the snow. He had a Kumo headband." Shisui told them seriously, making both girls sober up at record speed.

"How did he do that?" Asked Anko surprised.

"He was trying to get out of the snow during the avalanche. Choza saw him falling straight past our camp and simply snapped him out of the snow and restrained him. He was being tied up when I went to look for you two." Shisui explained hurriedly while Anko came closer to where they stood.

When the team of three joined their comrades it was a rather unpleasant sight that met them. The man had been tied up from shoulders to feet. The trees they had only fifteen minutes ago been covering underneath, was now underneath them. Swallowed up by the snow and only the upper tips stuck up.

The man was roughed up by the avalanche, and had cut on his face with a few blooming bruises on his forehead. Naruto suspected the darker marks had been inflicted by human force.

"Good to see you are alright. My team is already out scouting for any remaining survivors. You should meet up and then divide into groups of two to cover more ground." Choza told them hurriedly, efficiently cutting their view of the man by standing in front of him. "Anko, you're in charge since I need to question this man. Can you handle it?" Choza asked with one eyebrow raised.

"Sure. Leave it to me, Choza-sensei." The older girl answered with a satisfied smile on her lips.

They were successful in finding two bodies. It was difficult and without Ebisu and Anko they would never have found anyone at all.

The darkness of night and the white endless landscape suggested there was not a living soul except for themselves. As far as they knew there weren't. The two ninjas they dug up were both dead. A woman and a man with blue lips and glazed eyes. Shisui shared with everyone that they had choked to death underneath the snow.

"How? Didn't the snow just crush them?" Asked Naruto and looked sadly at the Kumo woman Anko was sealing up in a body scroll.

"No. When taken by an avalanche it became almost impossible to know what is up and what's down." Shisui explained in a serious voice, drawing the attention of Gai and the others standing close by.

"Being crushed underneath snow and tumbling down a mountainside... Even the best of ninjas would get confused about where they were. You don't know how thin or thick the layer of snow is, and you don't know which direction to escape to." Shisui continued, kicking lightly at the snow underneath his feet. "If you're deep enough inside the snow then you have limited amount of oxygen to use before you die, and if you didn't get out you would choke to death. It can take no more than minutes before you're dead."

Everyone was paying attention while Shisui continued explaining the danger of being caught in an avalanche. "There are also many who started digging wildly in the wrong direction, moving further down or sideways instead of up. The best way to find out is to spit and see which direction the drool rolls. Gravity works on drool after all. And if you are packed in with snow very little else is as effective. That way you would at least start moving in the right direction." Shisui said and crossed his arms in front of him.

"You can also hit things on your way down the mountain, knocking yourself unconscious, which naturally would increase your chances of dying." He finished with a shrug of his shoulders. "I guess that's what happened to at least one of these two."

Anko straightened up with the scroll in her hand and looked sideways at Naruto. She felt very guilty about her trap. Naruto hadn't known just how efficient it would be, and at least two people had been killed in a very cowardly way.

"You might have considered telling us this when you put up the trap with Naruto and Gai, Shisui. Not everyone has read; 'what to do if you're caught in an avalanche'." Anko said sarcastically, causing the Uchiha to go red around the ears. "But let's return to camp. We've been out here for hours." Anko added in a commanding voice, her eyes on Genma instead of any of her teammates.

The morning sun was blinking towards them through a layer of misty fog and clouds, and they mutely agreed and followed the girl at a fast pace back down the mountain. They had to climb high to cover enough area, and they were almost certain there were places they could have done a better job searching through. But everyone was exhausted, especially Naruto and Anko who hadn't slept in twenty four hours.

Back at camp Choza was waiting for them with boiling hot tea for everyone, curtsey of a small fire he'd gotten up while they were out scouting. Each of them accepted gratefully while Anko explained the result of their search. Choza seemed on edge and he started thinking hard once Anko was finished.

"You found everyone then… He said there were only three of them in total." Choza said slowly while he fiddled with a scroll in his hand. With a jolt Naruto realized it was a body scroll, and not one of two Anko had given him earlier. Choza had killed their hostage.

"What did you learn, Choza-sensei?" Asked Genma between sips of tea.

"I learned some discomfort news. Orochimaru-sama is currently moving into a territory brimmed with enemies. There was only three out here on the mountain, they were passing through on because they were on a mission and accidentally set off the trap even though they didn't know we were here. But I found out Kumo has a base further into the country. Which means… that Orochiamru-sama is in great danger and has no idea." Choza said with worry written on his face, his arms fisted at his side while he looked down into the snow.

Everyone turned quiet. A pin dropping into the snow would have been heard if anyone had cared to test out the silence.

Choza turned from his students and back in the direction they all knew Orochimaru had gone the previous day. "I think… I think I have to go after him." He said defeated. "With that many opponents even someone of Orochimaru-sama calibre will be in mortal danger." He said in the end, his eyes hardening before getting to his feet.

"I'll go with you. If sensei is in danger then I want to help! I can help find him with my snake summons." Anko said, a note of anxiety slipping through her voice.

"No, Anko. You'll be in charge here. You have already proven you can handle the situation from what happened and if someone attacks the camp you'll send Orochimaru-sama's snake summon ahead to us. But if you can summon another snake that can help me lead the way to him, that would be appreciated."

"I know who you should ask; my cousin Hebishin. He's quite good." Hebimei suggested while nodding to herself. "Let's see how perfect Hebishin deals with this weather." She added with glee in her voice. Naruto rolled her eyes and Shisui snickered under his breath.

Anko put up a fight, wanting to go with Choza but was quickly put in her place. "No, you're not going with me. I don't want to leave you alone, but at the moment Orochimaru needs me. If the battle is of the scale that Kumo ninja said than he's in serious trouble, and you arguing with me is just delaying my departure." Choza said with his most serious tone, straightening up to his full height and towering over Anko.

Naruto was surprised to see an Akimichi look intimidating. She was so used to Choji's gentleness she wasn't aware Choza had it in him to look so scary.

"Fine… But let me know when you find him." Anko replied dejectedly and went to summon Hebishin. Hebimei followed at slither behind Anko, her tail wagging slightly with glee.

It was late midday when Naruto woke up. She was confused. Because her mind was so foggy she had problems remembering where she was and how she'd gotten there. It took her a moment to realize she was in a tent, and another to find out Anko was the one sleeping like the dead next to her.

What confused her the most was that something had woken her up, but she couldn't understand what it had been. It was quiet all around her, only Anko's soft breathing breaking the utter silence. They were off duty at the moment, and the boys were doing the lookout while they caught up on some sleep.

The small tent they had put up that morning stood intact and just like she remembered it as when she'd gone to sleep after Choza had left. Her backpack was propped behind her head as pillow, and she was wrapped snugly inside Ebisu's sleeping bag since her own had disappeared in the avalanche.

"Good afternoon, Naruto-cccchan." Said a slithery voice close to her ear.

"GYAAAAH!" Naruto bolted up in fright with a shriek so loud it could have caused a second avalanche.

Hebimei was wrapped tightly around her waist, slithering up underneath her shirt towards her neck. Naruto was so freaked she barely remembered to breathe as four guys came storming into their small tent.

"What happened!?" Asked Genma with two senbon ready in his hand, before he tumbled forwards to the ground. Gai had come barking in straight behind him, causing Genma to fall into Naruto, and both of them went down together on top of Anko and rolled sideways from the impact.

"Where's the enemy!" Exclaimed Gai with fire alight in his eyes.

"What the hell! Who the fuck is making so much noise?! Shut up!" Shouted Anko and looked displeased up at Ebisu who was standing over her with a kunai in his hand. Even though Shisui was the smallest of the boys, there was no more room inside the tent for him. Instead he had his head peeking in through the open curtain. His tantō clutched in his hand and a growing smile on his face.

"This is like a heat ssssandwich… Hebimei likessss." the snake said in pleasure as she was squeezed in between Genma and Naruto. Genma turned red and tried to get back on his feet while Naruto started pushing at the snake's iron body grip in an attempt to make her let go.

"What are you doing! Why aren't you wrapped around Anko, dattebayo!?" Naruto squealed in a faint voice.

"Naruto-chan is sssso much warmer. Hebimei likessss it." The snake said in utter euphoria. Naruto's face twisted in disgust as the snake tightened its grip around her, the scales slithering over her bare skin. It was impossible to get her off and Naruto was close to start hyperventilating.

"I don't care! Anko is the one who summoned you! I don't want you lurking underneath my clothes!" Naruto said heatedly while doing her best to loosen up Hebimei's tail that was dangerously close to cutting of the blood circulation in her left arm.

"Calm the fuck down, Naru. Hebimei likes the heat so let her stay for kami's sake. It will stop some her whining at least, and she's such a bitch when she doesn't get her way." Anko muttered while looking blearily at the panicking blonde and the snake sticking up from Naruto's shirt neck.

"What? I don't want to sleep with her! It's gross! It tickles!" Naruto exclaimed frustrated as Hebimei's grip wasn't slackening in the slightest. A shiver went up her spine as Naruto realized just how easy it would be for the snake to strangle or simply squeeze her to death. The snake was strong.

"Hebimei issssn't going anywhere." The snake said in content, slowly wrapping its upper body around Naruto's shoulders and laying its head in the nape of her neck. Naruto stared horror struck at the boys. To their credit it looked like they sympathized with her.

"Um… Good luck with that." Genma said and hid his smirk behind his hand while he pretended to touch his cheek.

"Please keep it down, Naruto-chan. We're still in a very dangerous place and trying to stay hidden." Ebisu scolded her with his hands on his hip. Gai was fascinated by the snake's movement, and for once didn't have a comment to the situation.

Shisui waved cheekily from the entrance. "While you guys peek at the girls, I'll go back to guard duty." He said teasingly, and all three boys hurried out after him. Anko rolled her eyes, and in record speed she was back asleep. Naruto admired her ability to sleep on command.

"Get off!" Naruto hissed under her breath, sounding just like the snake using her for her heat.

"No." Answered Hebimei, sounding as if she was about to fall asleep as well.

"Go sleep with Anko." Naruto insisted, her voice pleading.

"Don't want to. You're ssso much warmer. How can that be? You're the warmesssst human I've ever been wrapped around. It's sssso pleasssssant."

"Please?" Naruto begged weakly.

"Go to sssleep. I'm tired, and I'm finally comfortable on thissss kami awful misssssion." Hebimei answered, her eyes still open, but they were turning more glossed over.

"Why aren't you closing your eyes then? If you're going to sleep?" Asked Naruto in discomfort.

"Ssssnakes don't have eyelids, idiot." Hebimei retorted offended. Naruto gulped. Wonderful… An ever watchful reptile wrapped around her neck who had signed a contract with Orochimaru. This wouldn't be uncomfortable at all.

The next day was just as uneventful as the first up until the sudden avalanche, except now Naruto heard Hebimei's complaining from up close. The snake refused to leave Naruto and was wrapped around her like a wise.

Dejectedly Naruto came to realize the only thing that would cause Hebimei to let go was being summoned away, which wasn't happening unless they were attacked or they were reunited with Orochimaru and Choza.

The snake had no understanding of privacy either, and the second time Naruto woke up she was wrapped around her thigh instead of her neck. It put a new meaning to the saying; having a snake down your trousers.

Naruto was furious, and Anko's badly hidden glee about this development wasn't helping. Now that the adrenaline of a fight and something to do was over, the two girls were back to not speaking. As if they both had come down to earth again only to realize they had both acted without thinking. The atmosphere between them wasn't as bad as it had been before, but was still far from resolved.

Anko wasn't interested in making up though, at least not right now. Her new role as leader of the two teams had given her a new professional drive where personal matters had no place. Instead she ordered people around, making sure they had enough wood for a fire and that people was keeping good watch over their new camp.

They had been left with the two remaining tents, and Shisui was now sleeping in theirs. There was just no way would four people fit inside one, and since he was on the "girl team" he'd been kicked out from the boys tent.

He didn't seem to like that very much, and fumed for over an hour while they were making supper. Genma, Gai and Anko were keeping watch, while Naruto and Shisui dealt with food. Ebisu was sleeping, seeing as they tried to let at least one person sleep whenever possible. Which was all the time to be honest. Nothing was happening, and if anything, that made things worse.

Their low conversations and the growing worry that something was happening to their sensei was giving the camp a glum atmosphere. Well, Naruto wasn't too worried about Orochimaru, but she did feel nervous about Choza.

There was less complaining too. Naruto had finally settled herself for suffering in silence, and was surprised when Hebimei took a note out of her book and did the same. Or maybe she was generally less whiny when she was warm. The snake certainly liked lapping up all the remaining body heat Naruto had to spare. No one felt like sparring to pass the time, and the camp fire stories were growing shorter. It resulted in a camp that went silent for hours, not a word being uttered except for the occasional blowing of noses or a small cough.

They all cheered up during meal time. Their hunger and coldness wasn't helping the mood, but with some warm food everyone's spirit lifted.

The clock ticked on, and dawn of the third day slowly emerged with a new round of softly falling snow. By now Naruto was more used to the constant pressure of Hebimei around her and didn't even try to strangle the snake when she woke up to find her with her head between her undeveloped breasts. Maybe Hebimei liked her heartbeat.

Shisui was next to her, and had been the one to wake her up. Above them stood Ebisu with two mugs of tea for each of them. Naruto couldn't help the ear splitting smile on her face when they were offered to them. "You two and Genma are next on guard duty. You have fifteen minutes." Ebisu said in his normal uptight voice. Naruto thanked him and welcomed the hot liquid that slid down her throat. Because of the low temperature the tea cooled quickly, and they hurriedly took advantage of keeping their hands warm around the heated porcelain of the cup.

Even in sleep Hebimei kept herself tightly wrapped around Naruto, and she peeked into her sweater to see exactly how she was wrapped today. The snake looked unblinkingly back, but without reacting. Naruto guessed she was asleep.

It was seriously creepy that those yellow, slit eyes were constantly staring into space. Always on guard in some way. It made bathroom breaks very uncomfortable for her and very amusing for the rest of the camp.

Because of the silence Naruto's voice carried. And even when she had a whispered argument with Hebimei to look away while Naruto did her business, the others still heard bits of their conversation.

But the third day was turning out to be the gloomiest of all. The sky was covered in grey clouds that showed no sign of letting up, snow falling in lazy but thick patches of snowflakes. Naruto was covering the west side, Genma to the south and Shisui to the east. Hebimei was huddled so far into her jacket that she was of little entertainment, and Naruto spent her time trying to keep her wits with her.

She had realized that looking at snow for too long made her see stars afterwards. Shisui – the walking encyclopedia that he was – explained this was called Photo keratitis, or the more memorable term; snow blindness.

Naruto was staring at snow for too long, and because the snow reflected so much sunlight into her eyes it was damaging her sight. It was like staring at the sun; not good for your eyes apparently.

But it was impossible not looking at the snow. There was snow everywhere, all possible surfaces was covered by the cold powdery substance, and Naruto had never for a second thought of bringing sunglasses to a snowy mountain. In her head it was like bringing a woolen cap to the beach.

She guessed it was better today though, the clouds didn't let any sun through, which was admittedly a blessing for Naruto's tired eyes.

The time ticked by at snail pace, and after jostling herself after hours of sitting and staring at nothing, Naruto wondered if maybe she'd picked up Hebimei's ability to sleep with her eyes open.

Around late afternoon, and about an hour before Ebisu was to take over her shift, something moved from the corner of her eye.

Naruto turned to her right. Her eyes squinting towards the rocky area Genma was keeping guard. She got to her feet slowly, stretching out her frozen limbs and attempting to force some heat back into her joints by restlessly moving her feet.

The movement came again, and Naruto hunched down and started making her way forwards. There was without a doubt a figure moving suspiciously over there. A person. Not an animal.

Crouching even lower and peeking behind her towards the camp, Naruto tried to figure out what the best course of action would be. Genma was over there, but he hadn't raised the alarm. If he was in trouble she should back him up, but she also needed to warn the others.

Hoping beyond hope that her kage bunshin wouldn't make too much noise, she created a clone to go back to camp and inform Anko and the others.

As the clone walked away silently Naruto did the same in the direction of the rocky area. She cursed her dark jacket and how visible she was here in the open. At her lookout spot they had made sure there was cover. They used branches and anything they could find to cover up their dark clothes, but out on an open mountainside it was impossible to stay hidden.

Naruto figured speed was better in this scenario. She'd be visible no matter what and the only thing in her favor was silence. If she was quiet enough they might not react before it was too late. Hebimei was moving underneath her jacket, having noticed Naruto's increasing pulse.

From up ahead the shape was making a slow steady pace towards their camp, crouching low so not to be detected. Naruto's eyes narrowed while she blessed the wind current. She was up wind, so smells and noises had more problems carrying in the unknown person's scent in her direction. She was almost crawling on all four when the person slipped out of sight behind a large snow covered boulder, Naruto decided to come from up behind, and leapt lightly further back while keeping a lookout for Genma and more unwanted people.

She got on top of the boulder, flattening herself on the top and crawled towards the edge that allowed her to peek down. Hebimei stuck her head out as well, opening her mouth to taste the air and looking curiously at their target. The person was covered in clothes, making it impossible to see if it was a man or a woman, and Naruto readied herself to leap.

With one quick motion she was off the boulder and flying through the air, colliding hard with the person and restraining their arms in one fluid motion. Hebimei shot out too, twisting and turning while she tried to get a grip of the person they were attacking. Instead she restrained Naruto's arm in the chaos that occurred.

The person struggled furiously, and for a moment arms, legs and a tail kicked out violently in every direction. It stopped abruptly once the person felt the cold steel of Naruto's kunai against their throat. He looked up shocked.

"Genma?"

"Naruto?" Hissed Genma back in confusion. "What are you doing?" He whispered a note of panic while he stared back at her. Hebimei had finally gotten a hold of the right person, and looked downright pleased with herself. But also quite hungry...

"Why are you sneaking around? I thought you were an enemy, dattebayo." Naruto whispered back, not sure exactly why she was still on guard.

"There's someone back there. I went back to alert you guys." He whispered back, still being restrained by Hebimei's grip around his arms and the kunai to his throat.

Naruto concentrated on Genma, finding nothing that seemed out of character. What little she could feel of his chakra also felt right. She was quite sure this was the real Genma. He had a lot of clothes on and nothing seemed out of place now that she could see him this close. She sent Hebimei a pointed look, her fangs were dangerously close to his neck now, and the snake rolled her eyes and slithered back up Naruto's jacket through the hem of her arm. Naruto withdrew the kunai and helped Genma to his feet just as Anko, Ebisu and Shisui came into view behind them.

"What's going on?" Asked Anko in a whisper once both Genma and Naruto told her their individual password. The safe word that was used to make sure they were who they claimed to be. Naruto had been given an easy one, seeing as she sucked at memorizing words.

"There's someone back there. I heard them. So I was going back to alert you guys, but Naruto intersected me thinking I was the enemy." Genma summarized quickly.

"You got beat by a girl three years younger and hardly out of the academy?" Snorted Anko and rolled her eyes.

"She took me by surprise, alright? And Hebimei was helping her." Genma retorted sullenly.

"Still..." Anko whispered back while grinning to herself.

Naruto fell in step with Shisui while Anko, Ebisu and Genma walked ahead. Falling silent again now that the short tension free moment had passed.

Anko gestured for them to go to the left while she, Ebisu and Genma took the right. Naruto took the lead, Shisui right on her heel while they stooped as low in the snow as possible.

It wasn't until they were almost at Genma's assigned guard spot that Naruto heard something too. An almost intangible rustle came from some bushes which a few days ago had been the top of trees up ahead. There were a lot of boulders in the area, which made for excellent hiding spaces. Both for them and their enemies.

From the other's hiding spot Naruto noticed Anko signaling them. Ordering them to wait. Anko walked expectedly forwards. Alone.

Naruto bit her tongue and her fist tightened while she watched Anko make her way the best she could. Ducking in and out from between boulders. And then she was out of sight.

Naruto sucked in a calming breath. Her eyes strained for any sign of movement. Now that the sound had stopped abruptly. Maybe they had been noticed? But they would hear it if Anko made the wrong type of movement. Like fighting. Or falling.

Shisui had his hand on her shoulder, a precaution to stop her from bursting after Anko to back her up prematurely. Shisui had no trust in her at all. As if Naruto would ever jeopardize Anko's safety like that. Maybe when she'd been that young the first time around, but she knew better now.

"Kya!"

A violent shiver went up all four of them at the sound of Anko's voice. Naruto had to stop Shisui from moving this time, her hand on his shoulder as he stepped forwards. He froze and together they listened. There were movements now, a lot of them. And just as Naruto couldn't take it anymore all three sprang forwards.

Only to find Anko smiling exasperated. Quite alone.

"It was a hare." Said Anko in a mocking tone, holding up the fighting creature in her hand. Genma seemed to have realized the same thing, but couldn't hide the sigh of relief that left him. Naruto was hiding a wolfish grin behind her hand. "You are such a scardy cat sometimes, Genma." Muttered Annko under her breath, but the wide grin showed that the comment was meant to be overheard.

"I didn't know that… It could have been an enemy." Genma defended himself, his arms flapping up and down at his side.

"I'm sure the hare would have put up quite the fight. It's good you got us to back you up for this." Anko replied drily.

"Oh shut up." Genma said and turned on his heel to walk away from the embarrassing situation. Naruto and Anko's eyes met, both of them smiling. But remembering that they were still having a fight, the smile disappeared. Anko hurriedly followed after Genma quickly.

"You two should stop this argument. Whatever it is can't you just apologize?" Asked Shisui and sighed.

"I'm not apologizing. I'm right. Anko is just exaggerating. It's my problem anyway, it has little to do with her, but she keeps taking it as if I'm insulting her."

"What are you arguing about?" Asked Ebisu curiously.

"Orochimaru." Answered Naruto darkly.

Both boys turned silent, sharing a look before quickly turning their attention back to Naruto. Shisui was the first to speak up.

"You two… have been arguing for ages... over sensei?" Shisui asked exasperated.

Nauto nodded.

"Kami, Naruto. I don't get you. Why do you dislike Orochimaru-sensei so much? I get you find him creepy, but to take it this far? He's done nothing to warrant this sort of behavior from you." He said smacked her head lightly.

"How would you know? He's foul. Whatever those experiments he likes tinkering with does I'm pretty sure he can't be following protocol to create them, dattebayo." Naruto retorted with ire.

"He wouldn't do that. Orochimaru-sama is a war hero, a Sannin and the student of the Hoka-" Ebisu started listing with scorn on his face. It seemed Naruto's comment about Orochimaru not following the rules had offended Ebisu personally too. So Naruto interrupted him.

"Do you even know what you're talking about? Have you seen how Orochimaru fight? Most of his techniques are banned. Banned Ebisu, and the ones he creates are put right there in the same category. Kinjutsu is created through dangerous experiments. Like the edo tensei where you have to kill someone to succeed." Naruto snapped, remember the Konoha invasion during the chūnin exam.

"But Anko likes the power. She keeps thinking Orochimaru is this harmless father figure that is passing on his knowledge to the next generation. When he doesn't hide at all that his goal in life is to live forever. He has no interest in us except the potential we have to help his experiments along." Naruto barked. Her arms folding in front of her while she readied herself for Ebisu's comeback, but it was Shisui who replied.

"Even if that's true, and I don't believe it is, he is a Konoha shinobi. He is on our side. He is powerful, just like he craves, but he is working for Konoha's good." Shisui said quietly. "In war time it is normal that human rights are lowered, Orochimaru has seen a lot of suffering, and I believe he is using his experiments to help people in the long run."

"Exactly. We have plenty of people on death row. It's not illegal in Konoha to use prisoners who is already sentenced to die for experimental purpose. As long as the rules aren't breeched of course." Ebisu said, jumping at Shisui's words to defend Orochimaru.

"What? It's allowed to torture prisoners of war for that sort of thing?" Naruto asked shocked.

"Who said it was torture?" Asked Shisui and sighed. "It's experiments. If they start feeling pain they are killed, stopping their suffering and for filling their sentence." Shisui said uncomfortably.

"You know a lot about this topic Shisui. Something you want to tell me?" Naruto asked while folding her arms in front of her.

"Father works in the police force. Of course I know some of what happens to the prisoners." He answered with rising temper.

"But the thing is, I do not believe that's enough for Orochimaru. With his thirst for knowledge I have problems seeing him satisfied with the prisoners he's given access to. It's not healthy, dattebayo. He's too extreme to be content with what he has."

"Naruto… Do you think he's the only one? That Konoha is the only village that does that type of experiments? A lot of the ones captured during the war are used for this type of purpose. Prisoners of war are treated horribly no matter what village it is. They use the knowledge they gain to protect their own people. Refine it for a greater purpose. Do you not believe that sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good? I know personally that I'd die for my clan, my friends and my village. You can condone the methods, but we are ninjas. What are we but hired help to do the things others can't or won't?" Shisui said so low they had problems overhearing him. Naruto stared as if she didn't recognize him anymore.

"So you think it's alright? To continue the hatred? Continue the revenge? You did research on my friend so now I'll do research on yours? You killed my brother so I'll kill yours? Where would that lead us? There would never be anything but war."

"And if we stopped? What then? We'd all be killed. Is that something you'd be fine with? Konoha burning to the ground and every one of us dead? Aren't you the one who promote the will of fire all the time? To pass on what we know to the next generation. Who exactly would come later in that scenario?" Shisui asked calmly back.

Naruto was startled at his tone. It wasn't exactly cold, but more neutral. As if it was a case of hopeless truth he had accepted as reality. "It's wrong… I don't know how it can change, but someone has to try. If you follow rules without question… If you never… I wouldn't want to be a puppet that silently follows orders without thinking of the consequences. I don't want to act out of revenge." Naruto muttered and looked away.

"Neither do I. But there are many who do. Sometimes life can damage you so much it's easier to just let others decide. And that's what creates this animosity. But if we are to ever achieve anything, we have to keep up. That's the sort of work Orochimaru-sensei does. He's trying to get us out of the war the way he knows best. People do just as bad things without reason at all. People kill and rape just because they are in a bad mood sometimes. Can you fault Orochimaru-sensei, a man who has seen much more than us three combined, for wanting it to stop? For using the means he has to create a better life for everyone." Shisui asked her earnestly.

"You don't know that. Orochimaru is doing it for his own pleasure."

"You don't know that either. You have never given him the chance to explain himself. I'm not sure why you think scientists are such bad people, but you don't know Orochimaru's reasons for doing what he does. And he's not breaking any rules. He is a crucial asset in the war and works day and night tirelessly. If he feels good about his work, how is that any different from you liking to be a ninja? What's the difference between killing an enemy ninja during research that later will benefit the village than killing an enemy out on the field? It's happening all the time these days. Ever since the war started people has been dying pointlessly. At least Orochimaru can claim he's achieving something and finds opportunities in death. It's morbid and you can call it inhuman, but we're not that much better. I knew what I signed up for when I became a ninja. It's not about who throws the best or who can do the coolest jutsu. It's about sacrifice. We maim and harm people too. It's not pleasant and it's not desired, but we do it to keep our friends and family safe." Shisui said with rapidly heated words.

Ebisu was looking very uncomfortable at the end of Shisui's speech, but the Uchiha was completely calm. His stare intent on Naruto.

When Shisui explained it like that it made sort of sense, but she couldn't find any justice in Orochimaru's twisted ways. But it did get her thinking. Orochimaru had hated Konoha… He'd killed his sensei, found pleasure in chaos and attacked the village he'd once called home. Was that revenge? Was Orochimaru at the moment under the belief he was acting for the greater good of the village? Could it be that being scorned for all his work and effort was what caused his hate? His need for revenge.

Naruto didn't answer, instead her eyes fixed on a snow covered branch, only able to feel the cold seep into her bones. Wondering what really was the difference between Sasuke and Orochiamru. Except that one of them was older and had more time to dwell on their revenge. And her own animosity... Wasn't that born out of what had happened to Sasuke?

She was also wondering who Shisui had met for him to be have that sort of insight. If anything it sounded like he was talking from experience.

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To be continued...