guardian of the storm | ✓

Chapter Four ~ Kazekage

~Chapter Four~

The trees never gave way to sand, instead the wolf sprinted on hard packed earth with streams littering the landscape. Winter closes her eye as she assess her wounds to see how much of a help she could be. Her chakra levels were decent, enough for her to make a couple clones or summon another wolf, though she couldn't say the same for her physical strength.

Her arms felt heavy, her head pounding and she had lost just enough blood that she felt a bit dizzy. Her bandages were already becoming an issue, blood slowly staining the fabric red. Swallowing thickly she rested her head on Tempest's neck taking deep breaths to try and relax her still tense muscles.

As far as she knew she was heading into a fight with people on par with Ragia, if not stronger. Hell she could have to fight Itachi or Kisame for all she knew, which wasn't the happiest thought. Yes, she had grown stronger over the past couple years, but she was nowhere near the level those two were.

She was no where near the level Aiden was.

Slowly but surely she formulate a couple strategies and battles tactics to use, her body relaxing slightly. It was always good to have a plan, going in blind wasn't her forte. A tremor ran through the ground making a soft frown appear on her face. Tempest raises his head and sniffs the air before speeding up, flashing through the forest.

Her eye widens as she catches a glimpse of eight or so figures fleeing from a member of the Akatsuki that looked distorted. "A clone... no a bomb perhaps?" The member suddenly explodes a large fire ball being created from the blast. Standing on Tempests back Winter quickly makes several handsigns and holds her hands out to the side, water collecting around her in a small tsunami.

Jumping off Tempest's back, she runs in front of the figures throwing her hands out and watching the water splash down onto the flames. The fire sizzles and dies, a few flames left flickering that Tempest quickly stamps out. Winter skids to a stop and lets out a sigh of relief, dropping her hands.

Team Gai, Team Seven and the woman known as Chiyo watch the cloaked figure warily. The wolf summoning had disappeared into smoke and the figure turned around. Pale hands reach up and tug the hood down, a sly smirk settling on the girl's lips.

"You always run into trouble, don't you Naruto?"

Time seemed to stop as the Konoha ninjas took in the scratches on her face, the single turquoise eye glimmering, the black bandages wrapped around her right eye. She had grown up, that much was obvious by her height but she'd also filled out and seemed to be colder yet more open at the same time. She was the same paradox she was when she left to train two and a half years ago.

"Winter?"

"The one and only."

She stumbles back as Naruto suddenly punches her cheek making gasps echo around the forested space. Rubbing her cheek she sighs, "I guess I deserved that." She's then pulled into a warm hug by the blonde haired teenager, a faint smell of ramen washing over her. She smiles slightly and hugs Naruto back, closing her eye briefly.

After they let go she is bombarded by the still green spandex wearing Lee, the still mature and slightly less distant Neji and the weapon enthusiast Tenten. "Guys, as much as I enjoy this little reunion, we should probably focus on Gaara."

The words have the desired effect and everyone's attention quickly snaps to the motionless Kazekage. Naruto's clones jump down and one asks, "Sakura... can you?" She nods and they quickly find an open space, Sakura's hands giving off a green glow from her chakra.

Winter's eye widens slightly as she takes in Sakura and the chakra coming off of her. Huh, so she got stronger... a lot stronger.

"Sakura?" Naruto's voice is hushed, the pinkette face growing solemn as she takes her hands away from Gaara. She closes her eyes and shakes her head sadly, everyone dead silent. An ever continuing breeze swirls around them as they take in the still body of Gaara. Sakura slowly gets to her feet, Naruto struggling to control his breath.