A/n: I have to say I am not an update machine so don't look for updates to happen quickly. I tend to update once a month... just so you know. Now with out further ado...

Five years have passed since the day that the team with the greatest potential to surpass The Sannin went their separate ways. In that time Konoha has changed; the village has been restored completely from the battle against the Sound and Sand in Orochimaru’s attempt destroy it, The Akatsuki nearly were wiped by the unknowingly joint efforts of Sasuke Uchiha’s Team Hebi and Naruto with Konoha support the only survivor… Itachi Uchiha, Team Hebi (Juugo, Karin, and Suigetsu) were taken out by Team Kakashi, Lady Tsunade’s tenure as Hokage was cut short due to incurable illness giving rise to The Pervy Kage, and The promising Gennin along with Naruto advanced their ranks some more than others.

However, the more things change there are things that will never change. Sasuke still longs to kill his brother Itachi who only survived, because of a meddling Naruto allowed him to escape plus there of course is still Naruto and company were still trying to bring Sasuke back to Konoha alive in hopes of saving him. On the path they are on there is only one certainty that is absolute… that their paths will meet again with new allies and new enemies…

Naruto and Sakura were racing through the treetops they weren’t sure if they were getting close to a village or not, but they knew one thing. That they were hot on Sasuke’s trail once again. After losing it for months he made a mistake by wandering to close to Neji Hyuuga on one of his training expeditions to improve his Byakugan to rid it of a fatal blind spot. However, Neji wasn’t able to pursue as near exhaustion and couldn’t afford a battle against someone the likes of Sasuke and so he sent word back to the village to the people he knew could follow them.

Naruto and Sakura wasted no time in picking up the trail to the degree they disobeyed a “Pervy Kage” order of waiting for a team to be assembled to go along with them. To them there was no time and the longer they waited the chance of catching Sasuke slimmed. As they chased after their former teammate and friend they did so in silence as if not to let him know they were on to him. Although Naruto from time to time would look back at Sakura with his large, sparkling blue eyes with a hint of worry in them for the kunoichi. In the time they have spent together since Sasuke left they have grown closer to one another not that you could them lovers. Even though that is still what Naruto secretly wishes for and is worried about her feelings for Sasuke coming back to her when they see him again.

“Damn it Sakura… focus!” Sakura scolded herself, for letting her mind wonder back to how things were before they first met Orochimaru in the Forest of Death.

“This is a very important mission… Sasuke‘s life depends on you! Be strong for him…” She continued, knowing that there is a chance there will be another mission like this where the objective is to bring Sasuke back alive. The chances of that are slowly running out for all they know is that this could be the last time for a mission like this.

It was getting late in to the night, but the sun was hanging in there by a thread just on the horizon of the forest, ground below the treetops was bare which is to expected for this time of night and the fact they are in the middle of the forest. It was getting to where they would have to stop for the night to rest and eat… just thinking about that made Sakura smile a little bit as she knows that Naruto must be close to starving. That’s when it happened… her lack of attention led to her leaping on to a weak and rotted which snapped under her sudden addition of her weight.

Sakura let out a shrill scream as she started fall towards the forest floor before head hit the trunk of tree knocking her unconscious as she continued to fall. Naruto heard the wood shatter, but he was already to far a head to get back to her before she started her fall.

“Sakura!” he yelled, in hopes that it would wake her up, but it didn’t help. Realizing that there was only one way to save her… he started to back track to her as he started to build up his chakra.

“MULTI SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!” he called, summoning two clones of himself which grabbed him and launched him like a missile towards Sakura. Naruto slammed in to Sakura’s unconscious body harder than he would have like to, but it was better than the alternative as he was able to stick the landing on the ground, but thanks to a heavy rain some time early had left the ground muddy and the impact of Naruto’s feet sent that mud to fly covering himself and Sakura. Naruto laid her down on to the muddy ground letting her get even more covered, but he knew he had to take a look at her head before he tried to move with her.

“Don’t worry Sakura, I’ll take care of you.” He said, as he noticed the large lump on her head that was covered with a mixture of mud and blood. Naruto came close to panicking as he doesn’t know any medical jutsus, but calmed down when he remembered that he did know basic first aid which would be more than enough to make do until she comes to and they can make their way back to the village or until the support team catches up with them. For now he scooped Sakura up and moved her over to a clearing that had a patch of glass that he could lay Sakura down on to get her out of the mud.

No more than five hundred meters from where Naruto and Sakura stopped is none other than Sasuke Uchiha. However, he isn’t alone as he has picked up so new company. There is a small bald man and a woman with purple hair that are sleeping at the moment, but the third new companion with brilliant green hair is awake and looks as if he is watching over Sasuke.

“Toujin.” Sasuke said, as he got up from his sitting position and started to walk in the direction away from Naruto and Sakura are currently.

“Yes, Lord Uchiha?” Toujin said, as his eyes become transfixed on Sasuke watching him as he moved away from their camp.

“We’re being followed.” Sasuke says, “Wake Misora and Rabamaruishi and take care of them.”

“Lord Uchiha, does that mean we can kill them?” Toujin asked, as he thought back to their several run ins with thieves, bandits, and other ninja’s that were after them for various reasons and how he had stopped them from killing then.

“Yes.” Sasuke said, devoid of any emotion or caring towards the two people he use to call comrades.

“Why the sudden change, Lord Uchiha?” Toujin asked, curious about the sudden change that happening before his eyes.

“I am tired of their games and getting in the way.” Sasuke says, “I am going on a head as you three with your special gifts will be more than enough to handle them.”

Sakura groaned in pain as it went shooting through her temples.

“What happened? Why do I feel like one of Akamaru’s chew toys?” Sakura thought, as she started to slowly taking the wet cloth off her forehead to where she can look around. However, her attention quickly caught blood and mud that stain the cloth, and she was covered in muck.

“That’s right…” She said, to herself quietly, “I fell cause I wasn’t paying attention like I should have been.”

That’s when she feels the sharp pain shooting up from her rib cage which caused her to grimace in pain. Once the pain subsided, she realized that it was awfully quiet and Naruto wasn’t any where in sight. She however, found water and bandages, as well as Naruto’s back pack sitting next to her, and Naruto’s jacket was behind rolled up to where it could be used as a pillow. The sky was darker than she remember or was it just the fuzziness in her head?

“Naruto must have cleaned me up and then went to find some fire wood to make this camp for the night.” She said, quietly to herself as she had to fight back the tears that were threatening to come.

“Naruto wouldn’t have to save and take care of me if I weren’t such an idiot.” Sakura threw down the cloth in self loathing as she tried to stand by herself.

“No matter how much I train and Improve someone still has to come to my rescue… maybe I should just give up.” Sakura thought, as she made it to her feet even though her balance was a little bit wobbly.

“Nothing’s broken, but damn am I sore.” Sakura said, to herself as she looked down at her bloody, muddy clothes and sighed deeply. It’s then that she finally heard the sound of what could only be a loud rushing noise.

“I’ll go clean up and show Naruto that I am alright.” she thought, as she started off on her wobbly legs to make the short distance through the bushes to the water.

On the other side she found a narrow waterfall cascading down in to a good sized pool as a thin layer of misty fog rises up off the pool and drifts lazily across the grass.

“Perfect! I’ll wash up here and be done before Naruto gets back.” She thought, as she started to walk down to the edge which on the way she loses her balance slipping on the slick rocks falling in to the water. She landed just waist deep in the water, but the tears were threatening to come once again.

“Get a hold of yourself… it’s just water and you needed to get the mud off your clothes anyways.” She thought, as she swam out in to the deeper part of the pool enjoying how good the icy water felt on her sore muscles before slipping out her clothes to rinse them before she carefully threw the wad of clothes back to the shore.

Sakura shortly after that she climbed out of the pool to hang her clothes up on near by branches to let them dry as near by bushes covered her intimate parts to anyone that would approach her from any side.

“Now… lets see what kind of damage I did to myself.” Sakura thought, as she started to move her hands over her shivering, cold body, looking for any other cuts and bruises.

“Sakura, I’m back with the wood and have the fire going soon.” Naruto called, out not knowing whether or not she was up now or not.

“Then I won’t have to leave your side again… expect maybe to go take a leak or something.” Naruto thought, as he dropped the wood down close to the spot that he set up for the fire. He started to stack the wood so that he could get it going, but stopped when he noticed that the clearing was empty other than their packs, and his jacket were still there.

“Sa… Sakura? SAKURA! Where are you? Are you alright?” Naruto yelled, as he started to bounce around the clearing, looking here, there, and everywhere for his missing companion.

“Oh this isn’t good! Not only is it bad enough she gets hurt the first time I’m left in charge… NOW she‘s MISSING! Pervy Kage is gonna KILL ME FOR THIS!” As his thoughts ran rampart through his mind until he collapsed by their stuff in tears.

As he picked up the discarded towel, he notices a set of footprints heading off towards the river that he had used to wet the towel in the first place.

“AH-HA! She must be rinsing the mud off herself!” Naruto thought, as he jumps up and heads to the bushes with out a second thought as it seems more of Jiraiya has rubbed off on him than he would like to like to admit. Just as he starts getting through the bushes he hears an unexpected sound… singing.

Even though the singing was unexpected the tune was not as he had hear Sakura hum the tune countless times in her sleep when they stopped to set up camp. He paused for moment as he felt a pang of guilt, but ultimately creeps slowly up to the edge as he peeks through the bushes, and nearly chokes at what he sees…

“Sa… Sakura… she’s… you’re…” Naruto stutters, as he tries to get a hold of himself even though it might be easier said than done right now.

As Sakura sings to herself, she’s gently washing her body, the bright light coming from the full moon causes the light dances across her smooth skin as clouds pass by over head momentarily blocking the moon rays. Naruto just stands there admiring Sakura’s body as he starts to get a little hot under the collar. He reaches up and pulls his shirt away from his neck.

“I shouldn’t be looking at her like this… but I…Is this what Make Out, Paradise books like?” Naruto thought to himself, but before he could even finish the thought he started to move to try and get a better view instead of turning around walking away to where he would be able to act like he saw nothing.

“It sure would be easier if Sasuke or Naruto for that matter to wash my back. Sasuke probably would blush and turn away like a gentleman, but that Naruto… he’d probably start foaming at the mouth getting touchy feely like the pervert he is.” Sakura thought as she turned her head to check her shoulders for anything. She giggled slightly to herself, as she started to imagine what either one of them would do if they saw her like this.

Before Sakura could turn he head away from trying to look at her back she noticed the bushes on the side that she entered from moving. Her body froze hoping that who ever it was wouldn’t notice her or her wet clothes drying over there… that’s when she spotted him out of the corner of her eye, crouching in the bushes with a look of amazement on his face and what appears to be a slight grin on his face. Sakura turned away as her face started to warm with a blush as she couldn’t believe her eyes that Sasuke is standing there in bushes… even though something didn’t feel right as the mist from the waterfall is heavier than before. However, thoughts about why that was fell by the wayside…

“Well, Sakura you always wanted him to look at you… and it seems like you finally got your wish, but now what do I do?” Sakura thought, as her mind raced not realizing that it wasn’t really Sasuke, but Naruto crouching in the bushes. All she has ever really wanted was to be alone with Sasuke with his full attention on her, but now that she finally “has” that she is starting to clam up.

“No Sakura… stop being afraid of not being perfect. You have the perfect chance to find out how he really feels about you and if you give up now… you’d never forgive yourself.” Sakura thought, before she swallowed hard on that last thought, and slowly started to stand up…

“CRAP! Did she see me? She’s gonna kill me! WHATDOIDOWHATIDOWHATDOI…huh?” Naruto thought, as he was frozen in fear of what was to come even going as far as to close his eyes. When nothing happened he slowly started to open his eyes and instead of seeing her right in his face with the vein in her forehead popping out she was standing up in the water in what could be leaving herself completely exposed if it hadn’t been for the mist that was rising up off the water covering her intimate body parts.

“She didn’t see me? Is she looking at me? Does she know I am here?” Naruto thought, jubilantly to himself, taking in the sight before him. Even though he couldn’t see the parts of her body that he longed to he could see the silhouettes of her hands slowly rubbing the water up and down herself as she just stood there. Naruto’s body temperature was rising quickly to the point where the only way would be able to stand it would be to undress himself which was making him feel dirty for watching her like this until he realized something…

“Sa… Sakura are you… do you… want me to see you like this?” Naruto whispered to himself as he tried to figure out what was going and why Sakura was acting the way that she was. That’s when he felt it just like Sakura had… that the mist was getting heavier than normal, but it was last of his worries as his lust towards Sakura was starting to get magnified by the Nine Tail’s animal instincts that are starting to rise to the surface.

Sakura couldn’t help herself as she kept looking over at who she thought was Sasuke, watching him watching her, amazed at the longing she was seeing in those eyes of his to the point that her skin was starting to burn with desire despite the freezing water. The intensity she was seeing in his gaze was driving her wild then came the realization…

“He knows I know he’s there!” She thought, as her movements ceased as that sunk in to her mind before they had full eye contact as he wasn’t even trying to hide anymore. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt like she couldn’t breath.

“What is he thinking? Have I scared him? Oh god… I so should have know this was a bad idea.” Her mind was racing as here she was making a fool in front of the one that she is in love with to the point where she starts to step back further in to the water…

“Wait… you can’t back down now. Might as go all the way.” Sakura resolved, deciding that it was time not to act so weak in front of Sasuke… even though it really isn’t him.

“Come join me… Sasuke.” Sakura said, as she raised her right arm up to extent the invitation further.

“Did she just ask me to join her?” Naruto thought, to himself dumbfounded as why would she ask him to join her? However, he doesn‘t know that she was really calling out to Sasuke to join her, but instead of hearing Sasuke’s name he heard his own. Naruto started to rush to take his clothes off, but ends up falling in to the water still mostly dressed.

“Misora you are evil.” Toujin said, as he and his partners looked down from the top of the waterfall towards Sakura and Naruto who have no clue what is happening to them.

“There is nothing wrong with a little bit of lust.” Misora responded, as she flipped some of her purple hair back over her shoulder.

“Then when are you going to give in your lust and let me ravage you?” Rabamaruishi asked, with a smirk on his face as he watched intently as Sakura did things with Naruto that she would have never done if she was in her right state of mind.

“As if!” Misora says, “You know there is only one person for me in this world.”

“I know, but too bad Toujin will never look at you like he did her.” Rabamaruishi said, completely forgetting that Toujin was standing right next to him.

“Don’t bring her up at time like this, Lord Uchiha has given us an important mission.” Toujin said, trying to stay focused on the mission at hand instead of petty bickering of his teammates… who for the live of him can’t figure out why they decided to leave Leaf village with him two years ago when his clan was banished from the village.

“Damn that, Naruto!” Kiba thought, as he, Hinata, and Shino were closing in on Naruto’s and Sakura’s position quickly. Even though Kiba knows that Naruto means well with his intention of rushing off a head of them it is still irresponsible on his part.

“Oh… Naruto please be alright.” Hinata thought, worried about her beloved Naruto even though she hasn’t had enough courage to tell him how she feels about him.

“Stop!” Shino said, keeping his voice down as to not give their location out to any potential enemies in the area.

“Wh… What is it Shino?” Hinata asked, as the three of them came to a stop on the tree branches.

“I sense someone…” Shino says, before he adjusts his sunglasses, “ahead of us… AND behind us.”

“WHAT!” Kiba exclaimed, trying to keep it to a whisper, but barely managing to.

“Hmm…whimper…hmm” Akamaru whimpered, in order to communicate with Kiba what he could tell by sniffing the air.

“That’s not good.” Kiba said, as he looked very uneasy about what Akamaru told him.

“What did Akamaru say?” Hinata asked, as her face twisted in fear thinking all of possible answers that Kiba would have to say.

“There is one ninja ahead of us, three directly to the right, three… no four coming up from behind.” Kiba said, the nerves starting to crack through his voice.

“Not good, we‘re seriously out numbered if they are enemies. Could Akamaru tell if they were friendly or hostile?” Shino asked, trying to get a better grasp on the situation at hand.

“Whimper…hmm…whimper…” Akamaru whined, letting Kiba know whether or not he could tell if they are friends or foes.

“Bad news… there still far away for Akamaru to tell.” Kiba said, as former team eight all start to worry how they are going to fight their way out of this miss that they have found themselves in.

“Hinata…” Shino started to say, but he didn’t have to go any further as Hinata nodded her head.

“Right.” Hinata says, as she activates her Byakugan in hopes of shedding some light on to the ninjas around them. “OH!”

“Hinata!” Shino and Kiba yelled, as she was startled greatly by what Byakugan saw that she nearly fell if it wasn’t for Shino quickly using his bugs to catch her.