Distractions

Title: Distractions
Author: Reemu-Chan
Rating: NC-17
Genre and Pairing: yaoi, NaruSasuNaru
A/N: This is my first fanfic and I’ll be taking my time writing it. I’ve spent a lot of time writing random stories in my spare time, so I won’t be overly sensitive over flamers. But that doesn’t mean I’ll be thrilled to receive any. This is my weird way of saying that all comments are excepted ^-^
Italicized ~ Emphasizing a word or recalling the past or what they’re thinking.
ææææææææææææææææææææææææææ ~ Separates Naruto’s and Sasuke’s. Ö Their POV’s Ö
-----------****----------- ~ Scene breaks


SUMMARY: What happens when a quest alters from collecting information on your foes, to stalking your best friend? Falling in love was not part of the mission. NaruSasuNaru
DISCLAIMER: Naruto does not belong to me. It’s the property of Kishimoto Masashi. So please don’t sue me. I’m very poor. T.T


Special Thanks to my friend Michelle Fabian for not only reading over my story before hand, but for also helping out with correcting my Grammar mistakes ^.~


Chapter One - The Hunted


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It was just a long mission, I told myself. That’s why I’m feeling this way. I’ve been away far too long. It’s been seven months. Seven horribly long months tracking down the sound nins with Naruto by my side. We were the only company we had. He carried on the conversations as I sat. His voice always pestered my ears when we were forced to squat side by side for long periods of time. Our body heats embraced through the cold. I didn’t speak much. But you never noticed. Or maybe it was that you didn’t care. Once you opened your mouth, it’d keep running until I smacked you upside your head or an enemy nin was approaching. You were only keeping me company, Naruto. And I ignored you. Socializing during a mission is not the wisest thing to do. It’s stupid, dobe. But you’re Naruto. Of course you’ll try and jeopardize the mission as you see fit. When I told you to fuck off, you pinched my nose and pouted. A pitiful pout really. “Just trying to keep you company,” you muttered. You didn’t talk to me the whole day. And personally, I was grateful for it. But then the next day approached, and you were gone. I was alone in the woods, sleeping in a tree when a bird flew onto my shoulder, eager to start up a conversation. It chirped, carrying on the one-sided chat by herself as I listened. She reminded me of you; loud and obnoxious, yellow and orange, and had deep cerulean eyes. You must have sent her to me, right? After taking in my surroundings, I noted that you were no where in site. Where the hell would you go? Judging by the lighting of the sky, it was no more than 6 o’clock in the morning. It had rained the passed few days and the ground was marshy. I slept in the trees and you wandered off. I didn’t bother asking where you were going. You’d be back to annoying me as soon as possible. I took the opportunity of gaining some peace and quiet and meditated in the high perched tree. Sometime during my relaxation and contemplation within my mental mind, I had fallen into a doze. How I had fallen asleep without a single guard or defense is beyond me. But here I was, perched on a thick limb with my back against the bark. The honeydew air emitted from the grass warmed my sense and bathed me with its essence. I blinked a few times before the realization that I couldn’t sense your chakra hit me. My acute senses are telling me that you never came back after the last that I saw of you when you disappeared through these trees. And my eyes are indicating that not a single leaf on the ground has been rustled through or touched for quite some time.


“Naruto?” I called out. The bird flew away, startled at my sudden intercourse. There was no reply. Naturally I wasn’t worried or anything. You were probably just being stupid and decided to run off and do some stealthy work. “Dobe,” I muttered. I descended from the tree and landed on the soft ground. Not sensing any living organism besides the chirping birds, insects, and a few other animals not fit for eating, I maneuvered my way through the forest. I held a small bag over my shoulder, containing a few necessities for this mission; Kunai sharpeners, senbon needles, several shurikens and combat knives, ointment for injury, and spare clothing. My mind wanders as I approach a small puddle in the ground. It’s fairly clean and I kneel down to wash my face from the earlier fatigue. Rummaging through my back pocket, I come up with a small linen cloth and submerge it into the slightly cool water. I wrenched the water from the worn out rag and wiped my face clean, feeling the cold chill encompass my wet skin. Yawning, I pocketed the damp cloth and gathered chakra into the soles of my feet and sprang up into the towering trees. I’m in no hurry at all as I leap through the air. But being a Shinobi, I enjoy the sensation of having the air blow into my face, so I quicken my pace till I’m nothing but a blue blur in the sky. It wasn’t until an hour had passed that I stopped my escalation. I panted softly as I stopped for a breather. I should stop and wait for you, but I know that you’ll catch up with me. Your energy amazes me, almost like you have no limits.


I yawn and stretch a bit and find my self settling down on a flat rock. I grab my bag and rummage through the first pocket until I come up with an empty scroll. Taking out a quill pen, I uncurled the scroll and began my report for Tsunade-sama. It’s a brief report where I’m explaining our location and the details of the sound nins that we have been able to track down. So far we have come across over 25 of Orochimaru’s Shinobi. All are top jounin and dangerous encounters. Naruto and I are both high level ranked ninja’s. Me being an Anbu, and Naruto being a jounin. He could be in Anbu as well, but he’s not the killing type. Never saw him as one either. He believes that there are better ways to come to terms with people. I guess it can’t be helped. He’s still a kid at heart. My hand stops on the name ‘Beniko’. She has to be one of the scariest of females that I’ve ever come across, aside from the Godaime herself. She’s one of Orochimaru’s torturer’s. Her specialty is breaking people; a female version of Ibiki him self. Kiba had the misfortune to come across her after retrieving a scroll from the Sands. His chakra drained vigorously during their short battle. A battle that surely would have left Kiba dead if not for the Shinobi that were passing by, Temari and Kankurou. Temari fought while her brother led the brunette away to safety. The blonde was a good match against the feisty bleach haired women. What with her fan against the whip, it wasn’t long till the trees in the area collapsed one after the other, attracting more Shinobi in the area. That was when I arrived along with Naruto. One look at the Kitsune and Beniko fled. I remember how angry he looked when we passed Kankurou and saw how badly injured Kiba was. His eyes were bloody tinted, fangs grew sharper, whisker markings became longer, and his body emitted the red chakra of Kyuubi. She disappeared faster than a blink of an eye. Kiba was hospitalized for two weeks. Within the second week was when the Hokage assigned this mission for both me and Naruto. Our orders…


-----------*Flashback*-----------


“This is a stealth mission. You are to retrieve information on the following nins; Aguri, Arata, Enya, Hiraku, Yuuga, Arisa, Orimi, Sana, Naomi.” There was a brief pause before she continued. “And also, there are four others; The Kaiyza triplets, Tsukasa, Tsukiya, and Tsurugi. AND, Beniko. Be especially careful of those four. Don’t be spotted. This is an S-rank mission.”


“What kind of information are we talking about?” asked Naruto.


Tsunade pondered on the question for a moment before probing around her files and pulling out a folder. “We need to know what positions they are situated in, their ninja strategic skills, weaknesses, and if you’re competent, maybe some family background.”


Sasuke stood impassively as he was given a list of names by the Godaime. ’These are Sound nins’, he thought. He frowned at the sheet before him, not wanting to take part in the mission, yet not wanting to back down. His eyes counted thirteen names. “This is going to be a troublesome mission,” he muttered.


Naruto, with his acute hearing, grinned at the Uchiha’s comment. ’Are we chickening out?’


“Excited?” asked the Hokage.


Naruto blinked and brought his attention to the blonde woman. “Tsunade baa-chan, you owe me Ramen when I get back?”


She furrowed her brows, “Why?”


“Because you gave me a bastard for a partner.” He whirled his eyes to the left, indicating the other occupant.


“Usuratonkachi.”


“Uchiha will be perfect for the mission you brat. He’s already familiar with most of Orochimaru’s top ninja, AND he has sharingan.”


The blonde rolled his eyes and made a grab for the scroll in the brunette’s lax grip. Sasuke effortlessly swayed his body to the side, ignoring the curses fleeing freely from Naruto’s mouth.


“Time boundary?” asked the dark clad teen.


“Not really. Just gather as much as possible. Keep your focus mainly on those last four.” She paused while locating another file. “It should take all but a few months I believe. Unless however, you come across something valuable.” Smiling, she handed Naruto the file at hand. “THIS is your schedule. It tells you when to rest, where to spar, what to expect if any occurrences of an ambush was plotted, safe hideouts…” Tsunade was cut off by the blonde, who gawked at the open folder.


“HOOOOOOOOOOOOLY FUCKEN HELL. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?” His eyes bulged so menacingly that the Godaime feared they’d roll out of their sockets.


Sasuke, slightly curious by the sudden uproar, walked to his team mate and peered into the open file from over Naruto’s shoulder. His eyebrows rose to his hairline before he frowned and yanked the gray folder from his rivals’ flaccid fingertips. The orange clad teen gaped as he stared in between his now empty hands. Opening his mouth to speak, he found that all he could do was sputter incoherently. Tsunade frowned at the two, not understanding what was all so Holy-crap-you’ve-got-be-kidding-me about the report, until the raven teen broke the silence.


His eyes narrowed dangerously as he peered into her deep amber-colored eyes. “Why is Sakura being sent on an A-ranked mission by herself?” The venom he spoke was nothing compared to the death glares he sent the great Sannin.


Clearly shocked for mixing two different files together, the women cursed as she practically ripped the papers from Sasuke. “You weren’t supposed to see that.” she said, a bit peeved that they probably had a glimpse of her mission objective. And the next words from the Kitsune confirmed it-


“You’re sending your prized student, OUR Sakura, our precious innocent Sakura, to work at a Harem?”
He clenched his fists, nails piercing sharply into his palm. “Have you gone mad?”


“That’s of no concern to you brat. You have your mission, she has hers.” she disclosed the original file report and handed it to the two flustered youths. “And she won’t be alone, Neji will be with her.” She muttered something under her breathe and quickly closed her drawer to dispatch the boys off. Naruto backfired into a fit, having caught her silent words.


“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN ‘FIRST CLIENT‘?”


Raising a curious brow, the Uchiha prodigy glared at the Hokage.


“Neji will be her first…customer,” she said with a somewhat pinking expression. “They won’t actually…DO anything. It’s just part of the mission.”


“Getting into her… pan-ts…”


Naruto cut his self off as the door to the office opened. A head cautiously craned itself into the partially opened door, revealing bright pink hair. “Hokage-sama? You called for me?”


“Sakura,” smiled the woman. “Come in please, these two were just leaving.”


“Ohayo Sasuke-kun, Naruto.” she beamed brightly at the two and walked towards the Godaimes’ desk. “Leaving for your mission already?”


“Yeah.” He waved his folder in the air while he scratched the back of his head nervously. “We were just in the middle of discussing our tactics.”


“Hn,” added Sasuke in agreement.


“Kakashi sensei already left for his mission with Gai. Neji-kun just told me. He also said that I was needed here as soon as possible. He was blushing for some reason.” she muttered as an afterthought.


Naruto’s smile faded into an obscure frown as he embraced the young Kunoichi. “Take care of yourself while we’re gone, okay?” he whispered into her ear.


Startled, Sakura hugged him back with a smile. “I’ll be fine.”


He pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek before retreating. He blushed, realizing what he just did. “Sorry,” he sputtered. “just satisfied the moment.”


The Kunoichi giggled and brushed his worries away. “come back safely, ne?”


Sasuke gave her a curt nod before disappearing into a cloud of haze, soon followed by the blonde.


-----------*End Flashback*-----------


Who would’ve guessed that we’d still be on this godforsaken mission? A searing pain attacks the crook of my neck, and I clamp a hand on the bruise. What the hell is this feeling? Can it be that the bastard is lingering around here? My senses are fully open now, and I’m surveying the forest with everything I have. A very faint energy is calling out to me. If it’s Orochimaru…. I grind my teeth in anger. I’ll kill the damn snake. Before my mind has the privilege of formulating a grotesque image of me killing the bastard, I begin to sense a high degree of Chakra heading my way. I take flight to the trees, not worried about anyone spotting me. I’ve been concealing my Chakra, no one should sense me. With my speed, I know that I am out running them by a few miles. Idiots. I don’t know who they are, but I know that they aren’t after me. They can’t possibly come to know of my presence. And if by chance they gain speed on me, I‘ll completely mask myself and blend in the morning shadows. Something that Shikamaru taught me how to do. I’m far away from the next clearing, and I feel my legs coming to a halt on a firm branch. Activating my sharingan so as to not waste time, I scan the area. There was a fight here. The way the trees have been abused, I can count that maybe five Shinobi tops have taken part in this duel. It was recent. Probably happened last night.


“Shit. Naruto?”


I won’t get all worked up over it. I know he’s strong. He can take on many foes all by his self. I’m reluctant to admit, but he’s saved my ass a few times. A gleam from the ground catches my eyes. I dismount to the floor and search for the metallic item. Taking a few cautious steps, alert for any traps that may have been set, I come across the metal buried in the leaves. Parting my lips feebly in shock, I stare transfixed at the bloodied hitai-ate of Naruto’s.


“Fuck.”


I feel my heart beating rapidly with worry. I launch myself in the air again, rushing through the forest with as much speed that I can congress. Where are you dobe? Where? Something bad had to have happened. He would’ve not left his headband behind, even if his life depended on it. He worked too hard to earn it in the first place. If he’s hurt, then he’s probably healing somewhere. And in that case, the Shinobi that I’m sensing far behind me are likely after him. Shit. And here I thought that we’d be able to leave this horrid place without anyone getting to us. We’ve been doing fine. We haven’t been spotted by anyone. What the hell happened, Naruto? My legs feel like lead. Fleeting through the forest as if my life depended on it is making me somewhat dizzy. I come to a halt after a strong acidy scent infiltrates my nose. Blood. Leaping through the trees at a much leisure pace, somewhere deep in in the heart of these trees, my sharingan seeks you out. Roughly landing on the floor, I maneuver my way through the thick shrubs. My eyes dilate in horror when I see you.
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Running to the bloodied form of his team mate, the Uchiha knelt and placed shaky fingers to the blonde’s throat. Naruto’s eyes opened instantly, locking his cerulean dulled eyes with the blood-tinted ones of his friend.


“Sa…Sas..ke?” he whimpered out. “Run.”


“What the hell happened, Naruto?” He positioned his arm under the blonde and tried to set him upright.


“Aaaah. Don’t Sasuke.”


The brunette froze at the sudden yelp of his friend. Giving him a proper look over, he noted his dress ware. Black, sleeveless shirt over cargo pants. Both were ripped through numerous times, revealing cuts on his tanned skin. Had it not been for the fact that the raven teen was unable to sense any chakra from the Kyuubi vessel, then the injuries would presume not serious.


“Naruto, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you healing?” He explored the injured body with cautious probing. Dully running his fingers over the upper torso, he earned a hiss. “Your ribs are fractured.” This isn’t right. Naruto is never in such a critical state. What happened to Kyuubi? Feeling panic radiate over the calm side he was forced to muster, Sasuke drew a Kunai from his holster and grazed it agilely through the already tattered shirt of his comrade. Discarding the offensive clothing, his eyes bore over the expanse of Naruto’s chest. He sat there in utter shock. Naruto had cuts running across his chest that matched a scribbled drawing of a child; There were trails of blood marking his entire upper frame that appeared to have been made by a whip tipped with glass shards. Beniko? The raven teen swallowed the lump that was constricting his lungs of any oxygen. He ghosted his fingers over a heavy purple and blue bruising that bubbled Naruto’s side. Fuck Naruto. Fuck. You need a Doctor. “Naruto? Can you hear me?” He stared into the closed eyes of the blonde. His eyes were squinched in pain. “We need to get you out of here. Here, I’ll help you up.” He repositioned his arms under his partner and made to elevate him erect. An anguished cry tore passed the shinobi’s clenched teeth. Sasuke knew that this was him being tough. That the bruising that blemished his body was causing him enormous pain and discomfort. “I know it hurts,” he whispered. The knowledge of knowing that their adversaries were on their tail only increased the Uchiha’s hysteria. “But we need to get you out of here, now.”


“I… hurt, …Sas-ke.”


The cracked voice of the Kyuubi vessel was barely audible, but the dark clad teen heard. A frantic idea dashed across his mind and he quickly formed a few seals. Five clones appeared before him, stoic expressions held in place.


“Distraction. Now!” he commanded. And with a nod, they vanished into the sky.


“Run.” mouthed Naruto. His eyes were half-lidded now, and his mouth partially ajar, oozing blood from the corners. Trying to spit out but to no avail, he awkwardly turned to his non injured side. “Teme…run.”


“I’m not leaving without you.” He turned Naruto onto his back and glared at the handy work of whatever masochist did this. Ignoring the protesting blonde, the lithe teen situated his hands, palms down, onto the raw flesh of his rival. Gathering chakra into the core of his lunate bone region, he discharged the green energy, attempting to heal the lacerations done to his friends’ body. Mentally thanking Sakura for her stubborn persistence to get him to train in mending wounds, the Uchiha focused his eyes over the lower expanse of Naruto’s body. Whilst still maintaining his attention on the blonde’s chest, his eyes froze on the Kitsune’s legs. He didn’t notice at first glance, but Naruto’s right leg was twisted in a distorted angle. Like someone was sitting on him while the blonde attempted at an escape. His face turned into a grimace when he spotted a white pasty substance issuing over the exposed leg that was ripped of its apparel. “Sodium Chloride?” Damn sick bastards intensified his torture by blending salt into his torn skin.


A shivering blood-tainted hand encircled the wrist of Sasuke’s, startling him from his ministrations. The dark clad teen stared at the hand for a second. He could see the clods of dirt under the fingernails. He must’ve tried clawing away. Naruto’s grip was wavering but stubborn, commanding the Uchiha’s attention. “Wasting time.” he choked. “not….healing. Save….chakra.”


Sasuke froze in shock before bringing his eyes to meet the work that his hands were attending to. He felt his breathing shallow, and his arms began to shake with disbelief. Indeed, the blonde hasn’t healed an atoms’ bit. “Why?” he voiced. “Why aren’t you healing?” His voice cracked, betraying his cold face for a person overwhelmed with distress. “Gods Naruto, what the hell?” He angrily punched the ground, completely confused as what to do. “Fuck,” he hissed. Something sharp pierced his knuckles. Frowning, he grabbed the mysterious whatever that penetrated his skin. It was a syringe. He stared at it mysteriously, clueless as to where it came from. It looked new. Just used new.


“Injec-ted …me…with…some-thin.” he said in between breathes. Naruto’s eyes gradually lowered, shocking the Uchiha out of his stupor.


“Stay awake Dobe.”


“Too…tired.” he mouthed. His breathing deepened, frightening the already shaken up teen beside him. “leave me. I was…stupid. Wasn’t thinking.”


“Who did this? Beniko?” Trying to maintain his Shinobi side, the Uchiha began to question the blonde.


“…we’ve had…wong one.”


“What do you mean?” he asked.


“Not…awone.”


“You’re not making sense.” Sasuke was well aware that there were other people involved, but he needed to know who were the cause of the blonde’s appearance.


“Stho many.” his breathing seemed a bit labored, like he had to remind his lungs to breathe.


“Naruto?”


“ewvry…where.”


Sasuke almost didn’t catch the words. Naruto’s voice was supremely low. Don’t die on me dobe. “I said stay awake.”


“I am ….awake.” came the weak reply.


“Hn.” The Uchiha seized the bag from over his shoulder and rummaged through its contents. Hand closing around a small handle, he drew out the First Aid Kit. His mind was going blank as to what to do, but his hands had no problem performing the task at hand. Just as he began to unscrew the cap off an ointment bottle, a fiery blaze permeated the sky. He whirled his body around, eye’s measuring the distance of the attack. That was from one of my clones. Pretty close ranged. They can‘t be more than a mile away. The Uchiha cursed aloud. Just my luck.


“Naruto?” No response. He gazed at the silent blonde, calling him again. “Dobe?” His only reply was the firing of another Katon. I said don’t die on me, moron.



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“Open your eyes.” I could hear the distant voice of Sasuke’s. My head has been throbbing for the passed few hours. It has become slightly faint now. Almost a numb pounding really. Maybe it’s ebbing away. I can only hope. I don’t think I can handle any more pain. “Stay awake.” I can feel his hands on me. Soothing and trembling at the same time. I try to smile. He’s such a jerk. But he’s actually worried. My jaw hurts too much for speech, but I try and mutter something akin to a thanks. Nothing comes out. Everything is getting dark. A little too dark for comfort. “Don’t sleep.” I’m not asleep Sasuke. “You’ll lose consciousness if you sleep now.” Why is it so cold? “Open your eyes, Usuratonkachi.” They are open, aren’t they? “WAKE UUUUUP.” Or is it that I’m already dead? Suddenly, my face feels wet. Warm liquid beads are cascading over my face. Like it’s raining. The sensation, though warm, drives severe agony through my entire body. It was then that I felt something collapse onto my chest. Something heavy and drenched. What’s going on? Sasuke? It’s completely dark now, and the only noise running coherently through my mind are the sounds of footsteps and screeching birds.
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*Four Days Later*
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“Hokage-sama?”


Three ANBU walked through the open door of the Godaime’s office, all wearing masks over their faces. They sighed when they spotted the sleeping woman on her desk.


“Ahem.” The Anbu up front cleared his throat in an attempt to awaken his sleeping leader. More than 50 percent of the time when they’d arrive at the tower they’d find the Hokage asleep with her face pressed down on the piles of paper littering her desk.


“TSUNADE-SAMA!” A short haired Kunoichi barged into the room with hand on hips and frown on face.


The blonde women jolted upright instantaneously. She blinked a couple of times as she stared at her visitors.


“What is it?”


The Anbu closest to the women sighed behind his mask and mumbled something that came out as “Troublesome.”


“Ah, Shikamaru. I’ve been waiting for you.” exclaimed the Hokage. She instantly straightened herself and folded her arms over the desk. “Well? Where is it?” Though she had been asleep, it was true that she had been awaiting their arrival. She stayed up all night reading through past reports that she has been receiving from her various ninjas. One specific report held her attention for the remainder of the night till dawn. She spent so much time thinking on it.


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*Last Night*
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It was late and the Hokage was busy at work reading over an agreement from one of the lordings of their neighboring village. She groaned in annoyance as she read the demands. “‘Ten of your best Shinobi…the perimeter of my home…well-being of my safety….blah, blah, blah….prized kitten in terrible danger…mhmmm….not enough security…’” She was interrupted by the sound of her office door being pushed open. She yawned and peered at the clock on the opposite wall. It read 11:32 p.m.


“Raido just arrived with another report.” She stared uncertainly at the Godaime and sighed. This whole week reports have been pouring in as if the end of the world was just around the corner.


Tsunade stared up tiredly and gave a nod. “Bring him in, Shizune.”


The short haired women walked towards the door and called out to the jounin. A handsome slim man walked passed Shizune and into the cinnamon scented room. One look at his flushed features told the Hokage that he was in a hurry and made no stops for a break. It was just like him to. He was always the one sent out to pass information that was viewed vital.


“Yes, Raido? Who is it from this time?”


His hands slipped into the inside of his vest where he retrieved a roll of parchment. Handing it to Tsunade, he stood patiently as she read.


The blonde woman unrolled the scroll and began reading the hurriedly written report.


‘Hokage-sama, we’ve been to all six of the appointed Harems within the months we’ve been assigned this mission. As a team, we’ve been able to retrieve information from various resources. Everything has been going smoothly until just a few days ago, Sunday Night. Knowing Raido, this may have gotten to you within four days, considering our distant location; so it’s probably Thursday right now. I arose Sunday morning with the intent of coming back to Konoha with Sakura. However, Sakura was found being questioned by a couple of villagers in the area. They were three random teens that we have never come across before. They were asking Sakura about the person we have been trying very hard to come by. Sakura of course gave them no direct answer. Her mere response was that she was trying to relocate a lost friend. Having seemed satisfied with the answer, they left. We both agreed to not leave till later so as to not draw suspicion after that unexpected visit. Sakura later went to the training grounds to brush up on her Jutsus and to pass time. I was not with her. I chose to cover for her while she was away. I used a genjutsu and disguised myself as her in order to take care of three clients that were personally requesting for her assistance at the Harem. Later on when Sakura arrived, time being 6 in the evening, she suggested that we leave. When asked why, she replied that she had an eerie feeling that she was being watched by someone. More precisely, was being followed. I used Byakugan, but found nothing out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, after sensing her discomfort, I decided we leave. We are taking the time to explain things to you through this message incase something was to happen to the either of us. Good day to you Hokage-sama. We plan to be back in Konoha this coming Sunday. ~Neji and Sakura’


Tsunade had reread the report over four times, double checking to see if she missed anything. Being followed? She was worried about that. Who’d be after her? Or them? Well, she had a hunch about whom, but who were those kids that were questioning her student? Did they know something? Were they put up to it? The blonde worried her bottom lip between her teeth. She clearly remembered receiving their first report within the first month of their traveling. How they almost brushed passed their subject and later had their rooms destroyed….


‘Hokage-sama, it has been but a month, and I’m afraid that we’ve probably already made an enemy. We left our workplace to eat out only to spot our mission subject at the restaurant. It was warm out, but she wore a heavy cloak over her body. She did not appear to be nervous, nor of any threat to anyone, so we kept to ourselves. She dined alone throughout the evening. Approximately an hour later a waiter came to her and took her outback for a phone call. We waited patiently for another hour, but she never returned. Upon going back to our rooms to rest for the night, we found that they’ve been broken into. Sakura claims to have had her wallet stolen. We didn’t have any loose cash around the rooms, and we are both fairly sure that they weren’t after money. The next morning gave us a rather rude awakening. Birds somehow fluttered into the whore house and angrily attacked us. They closed down the building, so we are now on the way to our next destination.’


When she finally looked up from the report, she discovered Raido asleep while standing. She smiled and awoken him by calling out his name.


“Where to?” he asked out of habit.


The Hokage looked him over and decided that he needed some well deserved rest. She stifled a yawn and placed the scroll aside-


“Go get some sleep. You’re done for the night.”


He nodded and left without an objection. Soon after, she reopened the scroll and began to read over its contents. As a jounin, she knew that Sakura could not have been scared over something unless serious. The report, though not quite clarifying her students’ behavior, made her feel a bit worried. It may seem small, but as a legendary Sannin, she was reading everything outside the box. Like for one, the three teens that questioned Sakura, Neji clearly stated that they’d never seen them before. So that had to have meant that someone sent them, right? And then it was the matter that Sakura was being followed afterwards. At her training grounds no less. And the Godaime always made sure to have the safest sparring area for her Shinobi. Especially if they were sent out on a lengthy mission.


Tsunade found herself emptying her top drawer over her desk, displaying all the reports she had received from her two Shinobi. Time leapt by after each scroll was looked over and over repeatedly.


‘hasn’t showed up to work for the passed few months….boss has become suspicious of us….leaving in two days…’


‘couldn’t work at the fourth Harem…too many pervs…’


‘no doubt about it, she’s gone. …no idea where…we’ll still stick to our schedule and proceed with our next location…’


‘got lost on our way to the sixth station….birds were everywhere….’


By the time she had begun to string a few of her suspicions together, daylight penetrated her blinds and she fell asleep over her work.
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“Well?” Tsunade sat impatiently behind her work table, too anxious for her next report. Maybe with this next coming message she’ll be able to tie a few more thoughts down.


The Anbu she was speaking to drew up his mask to reveal dark eyes and an unreadable face, his dark brunette hair held up in a high ponytail. “We arrived at the meeting spot as ordered, but neither Sasuke nor Naruto were there. We stayed our ground for nearly 4 hours until we decided to search around for them.” He gave a short pause, allowing that bit of information to sink before continuing. “We searched within a two mile radius for any signs, incase they have been delayed by the rain.” As he spoke, Tsunade’s face altered from lethargic to surprise to worry. “The rain helped a lot. Their scents were picked up by Kiba.”


One of the Anbu from behind him took a couple of steps and raised his own mask, displaying his concerned face. Two red triangles marked his skin on either cheekbone, eyes black and slit, ragged hair, and deep tanned skin. From the neck of his shirt a dog appeared, bearing the same grave expression as its owner.


“Kiba?” questioned the blonde? “What did you pick up?” Where are her boys, is what she wanted to ask. The sheer awkwardness in her office was annoying.


“Their scent was everywhere.” He said. “In the trees, in the air, on the ground, in the bushes, in the water, everywhere. There was also,” he looked down at his dog and avoided Tsunade’s gaze. “…a lot of blood.” He turned his head to the window aright from him, not wanting to continue.


“B…blood?” Her eyes widened as she fazed into her own world. “Who’s? Naruto’s ….Sasuke’s?” A part of her wanted them to leave. She didn’t think that she could bear hear the rest. Wasn’t even sure if she wanted to.


A feminine voice answered the Godaime’s question. “Both, Hokage-sama.” Drawing her mask up, the Kunoichi that stood behind the two boys made her way to the front desk and held a small rubber bag in hand.


“Tenten?” The Godaime shook her head and stared at the brunette. Calming her nerves, she stretched out her hand for the offered sack.


“It was all that we found of them.” said Shikamaru, walking till he was aside TenTen.


Tsunade locked her eyes on Shizune, who had been standing quietly by her desk. She crept her hands into the bag and grasped something wet. Slowly, as she pulled the wet article from its place, she allowed her eyes to lower. In her hands was Naruto’s orange jacket. The wetness that she thought to be was water, was blood. Her eyes were sealed to that bit of clothing. It was torn in many places; by a whip? What happened?


“Beniko?” she questioned the ripped seams, stretching the bloodied jacket into the light.


“No,” came a soft reply from the back of the room. Tsunade brought her gaze up to Kiba.


“No what ?”


“It wasn’t Beniko.” He said, eyes now on the floor. He seemed to be contemplating something, as if running everything through his head before he spoke. He furrowed his brows in confusion before speaking. “There were so many different scents, but none were her. So many female scents.” He shook his head slowly in frustration and massaged his temple.


The blonde placed the abused attire back in the bag and pinched the bridge of her nose.


“There were a lot of holes in the ground.” said Tenten. “And the trees, they were marred pretty bad. Not just from Kunai or shurikens-” she was interrupted by her partner.


“Orochimaru.” He whispered. “His scent was everywhere too.”


Tsunade shot her head up and diverted her attention to each Shinobi in the room before settling on Kiba.


“Orochimaru?” She whispered the name more to herself. “But we weren’t on his grounds.”


“His scent was collided with Naruto’s. I wasn’t able to catch where their aroma was strongest. It was everywhere, and even with Akamaru, we were both too distracted from the other odors in the air.”


Shikamaru closed his eyes in thought for a moment before speaking. “May I make a request for an Anbu squad to be sent out to the forest? We need more people.”


“Yes. But first, I need one of you to go to Sand and hand this,” she searched through her reports and pulled out a small scroll fastened with a gold sting and handed it to the trio, “to the Kazekage. Make sure to inform him of what you three just told me.”


No one took notice of the person that was standing outside the room till a broken sob reached their ears. Slightly startled, everyone turned their eyes to the back of the office, where a Kunoichi with long dark hair sank to the ground, crying.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Author’s Note: Sorry if it seemed short to anyone. I plan to make the next chapter longer ^^ Anyone confused by what’s going on, or is just me? =^.^= no seriously, I’m lost.


Ja ^.~

Redwitch05