AN: Hey, so my first story. I wanted it to be an adventurous, epic story on Naruto, as my my two favorite writing subjects are Code Lyoko and Naruto. Hope you enjoy! I'll try to post a chapter every now and then.

"Revenge on the Stone"

Chapter 1: New Mission

"Baachan! Baachan! When's my new mission?"

"Quiet, Naruto. My head already hurts from too much sake yesterday." Tsunade was talking with Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Kakashi in her makeshift office after the Pain fight. "Your new mission will be in the Land of Stone. There has been incidences of raiding by a suspicious man who bears the headband of a Rogue Ninja, a mask that shows only the top of the nose up of his face, and a black cloak that erupts in flames at his command. He has caused mass murders and invasions of small villages. The Tsuchikage and the Feudal Lord are worried that this man is of the Akatsuki and will soon engage in large scale attacks. They specifically asked for Naruto because of his experience fighting Pain. You must leave within 24 hours. Dismissed."

As the team of four left the office, Sakura became a little worried.

"I sure hope this isn't the Akatsuki. We've just about finished rebuilding from their massive offensive. If you hadn't talked to Nagato, half the population would be dead, Naruto."

"Well, Sakura-chan, if they asked for me, I'm sure we can beat this Rogue Ninja."

"Baaka! Don't get carried away just because you beat Pain. May I remind you that you both were close to losing."

"...Thanks for that rain on my parade."

"Don't worry, Naruto," Sai said. "I believe in you. With the rest of Team 7 by your side, no one can stop us."

"Very true, Sai," said Kakashi. "Friendship and teamwork are the two crucial elements of a successful team."

"We'll, I'd better get a good night's sleep for our big trek tomorrow," said Sai.

"Yes, we all should. We leave at sunrise tomorrow morning. Meet at the village gates at 3:00 A.M.," announced Kakashi.

"Will do, Kakai-Sensei. Sakura-chan, wanna come with me to Ichiraku's for ramen?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Alright! See ya, Sai. Bye, Kakashi."

The two pairs waved goodbye to each other, Sai and Kakashi heading home and Naruto and Sakura heading to Ichiraku's.

As they waited for Ayame to take their order, Sakura poked at Naruto, "What if one of us can't make it back?"

Naruto unwillingly took his eyes off the menu to reply, "Huh? We always make it back. We're ninja!"

"Yeah, but what if our luck runs out? It's almost a ninja's duty to die in battle. We can't avoid it forever."

"What are you worried about?"

"It's just...the thought has kept coming back to me a lit lately with the extra powerful foes we've faced and will face. Like Pain. I had thought you were going to die or be consumed by Kyuubi."

"You heard Sai and Kakashi, Sakura. As a team, we're unstoppable!" Naruto replied while Ayame set two bowls of steaming hot ramen in front of the two.

"I know just...don't do anything stupid. You have a knack for that."

"Relax, Sakura-chan. I've become a lot smarter, dattebayo!" Naruto said as he slurped up the smoking ramen noodles. "HOT! HOT!" he shouted as he began to rub his tongue with his hands.

Sakura gave a slight chuckle. "Yeah, smarter," she said with a roll of her eyes.

After the noodles cooled down and the two wolfed down their dinner, Naruto walked Sakura home to her temporary tent and then went to his own. Sakura got ready for bed and dozed off with a final thought.

"Be safe, you baaka."

AN: Thanks for reading! I intend to add another chapter soon, so please be patient! :)