I'm sorry to divert my attention away from a Sale on Ramen, but I've don't have any strength left to write it. I HAVE NOT ABANDONED MY STORY! I just need to find my center. I need to find a reason to keep writing. So I hope by starting a new story, I can find the passion to continue all my stories.

The alarms were blaring throughout the facility as several men and women in lab coats were running through the hallways. The only source of light were the flashing alarm lights. A couple were running full strength but the others were lagging behind, slowed by their wounds. One woman held a t-shirt to her wrist to staunch the bleeding while two men had their hands to their necks, blood dripping violently through their fingers.

"Keep running!" panted the man in the lead.

One man tripped and fell on his stomach. Before he even had a chance to get up, something from the dark grabbed him. He only had a second to scream before hit was cut off by a death gurgle.

Soon, one by one, the scientists were cut down by whatever was hiding in the dark. Only the two uninjured were left as they came across a set of double doors at the end of the hallway. One, a man, bit his thumb and pressed against a seal on the door. Nothing happened.

"What's going?" his partner, a woman, asked.

"I don't know." He pushed his shoulder against the door. "I think it's been sealed from the outside."

"What!?" the woman yelled. She pounded on the door. "Let us out!"

"I'm afraid that's not possible," said a calm, voice through a speaker next to the door. "You know why I can't let you out."

"We're not infected!" the woman screeched. "Open the door!"

The speaker didn't listen to her pleading. "I thank you for your accomplishments under my employment. Your checks are in the mail." The was a sharp static and soon was silent.

"No!" the woman yelled and continued to pound on the door.

"Watch out!" the man yelled as a dark shape lunged for them, snarling.

"So you failed in retrieving Sasuke Uchiha," stated Tsunade as she observed team Kakashi. The three genin and jonin stood in front of her desk, looking worn out and disappointed. Well, Naruto and Sakura did. Sai's face was an emotionless mask as it always was. Yamato just stood beside his team as he awaited his Hokage's orders.

However, Sakura and Naruto were the ones who had trouble hiding their emotions. Sakura's face was crestfallen. She was beating herself up about once again being too weak to bring back Sasuke. She promised herself that she would do more, that training nonstop under her master's tutelage would make her strong enough to be on par with Sasuke's talents. But after the fight with Sasuke, she realized how far behind she really was.

Naruto was biting his lip and clenching his hands, the nails digging into his palm. Three years. He spent three years training for this day: the day he would bring back Sasuke. Three years of busting his ass and tearing his body to shreds training. And yet, five seconds into the fight, Sasuke proved just how powerful he was. Five seconds and Naruto contemplated using the Kyuubi's chakra to fight. To top it off, Sasuke had actually severed the connection between the two. His trump card was now useless.

Tsunade placed her chin on her hands. "To be honest, I expected as much. Orochimaru was a genius in his young days, so Sasuke would have thrived on training methods. No matter how unorthodox they might be."

"So when are we going to get another chance to bring him back?" Naruto asked.

The Hokage sighed, knowing this would be his question. The boy had once spent nearly six months badgering her for mission to find him. Looks like nothing had changed.

"I'm afraid without more information on where their new base is, Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sasuke are now considered to be second thought."

"But-" Naruto started.

Tsunade raised a hand, cutting him off. "But as soon as we find something, I'll will inform you immediately."

Naruto's complaint died in his throat, then nodded in acceptance.

"So what do we do now, my Lady," Sakura asked.

"Right now, I want you four to rest. You've been through a rough couple of days. Take the rest of the day off and see me tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," said Yamato, Sakura and Sai. Naruto didn't say anything. Just nodded and waked out of the room, followed by his comrades.

Tsunade sighed and leaned back into her chair. "Their spirits have been shot."

"So what are you going to do?" asked Shizune as she held Tonton in her arms.

"Let them get a good night's sleep. Then I might give them a small, easy mission to take their minds off Sasuke," Tsunade explained as she poured through the mission requests.

"You think that will work?"

"I hope so," said Tsunade as she pulled a request from the Hidden Sand Village. As she read over the details, she thought this might do. A simple recon mission.

"Sasuke has extended his Lightning skills," said Kakashi sadly. He looked up from his book towards Yamato. "Chidori Senbon, hun?"

Yamato nodded. "I consider myself lucky that I'm still alive. It might be as dangerous as any attack I've faced."

Kakashi sighed. "I should have never taught him that technique. Look at what it's done."

"You can't blame yourself, senpai," responded Yamato. "You were just being a teacher."

"A teacher who is still making mistakes," said Kakashi. He turned back to his book. "How are Naruto and Sakura doing?"

"Disappointed and a little crushed. But lucky to be alive."

"That's the important thing," said Kakashi. "As soon as I'm out of the hospital, I'm going to train them even harder than ever. I should have done it earlier, all those years ago."

"Senpai-"

"No. I should have been a better teacher to those two." Kakashi snapped his book shut and threw into the trash can across the room. "I'm not going to make the same mistakes anymore."

Naruto stirred his ramen with his chopsticks, not really eating. After the debriefing, he had come here: His only place of solitude. A bowl of Ichiraku's ramen had always cheered him up in the past, but now, it wasn't doing anything except cooling.

"Naruto, are you okay? asked Teuchi. The boy had only eaten one bowl so he knew something was wrong.

"Mm?" Naruto had looked up from his bowl to see his favorite chef staring at him with worry. He looked beside him to see Ayame doing the same. "Oh, nothing. I'm just sort of bummed about a mission."

"Seeing as your still on your first bowl, it must have been bad," stated Teuchi.

"Everything okay?" asked Ayame.

"As good as it can be," murmured Naruto. "I'm afraid I failed once again to bring back Sasuke."

Teuchi and Ayame listened intently as Naruto explained what happened. From the tip from Sasori in the Land of Wind to Sasuke's new power, Naruto continued with his story. Each word was heavy blow on his heart at his failure.

"Naruto you can't blame yourself," Teuchi told his favorite customer. "You tried your best."

"That's all you can do," Ayame added.

"I just wish I could do more." Naruto stood up and left a few ryo bills for his half-eaten ramen. "Thanks for listening."

"Anytime, son," said Teuchi.

With the light fading in the west, Naruto made his way back to his apartment. It was weird, he thought, that it has been nearly two weeks since he returned from his trip and had only spent two days in his home village. The familiar smell of the leaves and wood surrounding the village helped a little to ease his troubles. It always did.

What do I do now?

You can always let me help, sneered a dark voice.

Naruto scowled. What are you doing up?

Oh, I'm just enjoying the night air with you. Along with the delightful taste of your suffering.

Go back to sleep, you overgrown shag carpet.

Aw, don't be like that. You know I've always want to help.

LIKE YOU DID AGAINST OROCHIMARU!? YOU ALMOST GOT EVERYONE KILLED!

In a war, there's always casualties. Don't your remember that back in the academy.

Go away, fuzzball.

Only if you say please.

Eat me.

The voice chuckled. One day I will, brat. One day.

Naruto felt the fox's presence fade away. The demon had been more active as of late these past few weeks. Actually, ever since that incident with Jaraiya and training, it felt like the fox was aware of what was happening. It was like having someone watch you from over your shoulder.

A few minutes later, the familiar building that was his home appeared around a corner.

"Home sweet home," he muttered as he made his way to the steps.

"Naruto?" said a timid voice behind him.

Naruto turned to see Hinata standing behind him. She was holding her hands together in front of her, like she had always done. That caused him to smile. It seemed like some things will never change.

"Hello, Hinata. How are you doing tonight?"

Hinata looked down at her feet. "Well, I heard about what happened on you mission. Sakura told me when we met at the hospital."

Naruto sighed. "Yeah, we failed big time. That's I wanted to ask you earlier, if you or Kiba or Shino wanted to go with us."

Hinata blushed red at the memory. All she remember was finally seeing Naruto again for the first time in years, then fainting. When she woke, Naruto was beside her asking for her to go with him. Then fainted again. It wasn't until later when she realized he was asking her to accompany her on a mission to bring back Sasuke. Kiba laughed nonstop for an hour.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help you, Naruto. I would have."

"I understand. I appreciate it all the same," smiled Naruto.

Hinata blushed even redder at his smile. She missed it.

"What will you do now?" she asked.

"I don't know. We've got to report tomorrow back at Granny's office and see what happens. Maybe she'll give us time off to train."

Hinata couldn't help but chuckle at Naruto's comment on Tsunade. Only he could get away with calling her that. The last guy that tried ended up punched all the way to the Land of Rain.

"So if we do have a day off, do you want to get some ramen with me?" asked Naruto.

Hinata stiffened and tried to barely silenced a gasp.

"Wh-what?" she squeaked.

"I've only been in the village for two days since I got back from my trip," Naruto smiled as he explained. "Tomorrow, if we can, you can give me a tour on what's happened in the village since I left.

Hinata didn't answer, but turned redder with each passing second.

"Uh, Hinata, are you okay?"

"YES!" she yelled.

Naruto blinked. "Yes as in you will go with me or yes you're okay?"

Hinata tried to shrug the collar of her jacket to hide her nearly purple face. "Both," she barely whispered.

"Great," Naruto smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow then." He turned and walked back up the stairs of his apartment. He waved at her, then went inside.

After Hinata heard the door click shut, she fainted. Right in the middle of the street.

A new day, and a new chance. That's what Naruto had felt when he woke up that morning. Sleeping in his old bed had helped ease the stress he was feeling since yesterday. The sun waking him up was a tradition he missed in his old village as well as having breakfast in his kitchen. Even walking to the Hokage Tower was joyous moment.

He knocked on the door of the old lady's office. Hearing 'come in', he opened the door.

"Ah, Naruto, glad you could be with us today," smiled the Hokage.

"Well, you know me. A good night's rest and I'm ready to take on the world," Naruto grinned.

The rest of Team Kakashi, waiting for him to show up, smiled at his antics.

"Good morning Naruto," said Sakura. She too felt better after yesterday's events.

"Morning, Sakura," answered Naruto. He turned the everyone. "You too, Captain Yamato. Sai."

"Good morning, Naruto." said Sai. Naruto noticed his smile was a little more real than it used to be. Every since their talk in the catacombs, Sai was looking more human.

"So now that you're here, we can discuss your current situation," announced Tsunade. Team Kakashi stood at attention. "After yesterday's events, I'm willing to give a week off to recuperate or train. Then you can resume your missions."

The three genin looked at each other. The nods they gave told their answer without words.

"I think we'll be okay to continue mission, my Lady," answered Sakura. "We're ninja. Not children."

"You two feel the same?" Tsunade asked Naruto and Sai.

"You bet," grinned Naruto as Sai nodded.

"Very well then." Tsunade pulled a sheet of paper from her folders. "Then I'm assigning Team Kakashi a B-rank reconnaissance mission. It was requested from us in the Land of Rivers. It was originally requested to the Hidden Sand Village from the Village Hidden in Valleys."

"What is the problem?" asked Sai.

"It seems that several people have gone missing while traveling through that area. Travelers and merchants have not checked in at their locations or with their families. This has been going on for the last month."

"So why are we being assigned to this now. Shouldn't have this had been handled earlier?" asked Sakura.

"It was, but not with us. It seems like the River shinobi haven't had any luck in finding out the problem. Lord Kazekage sent a team to the area three days ago. As of today, they've have not reported back."

"So Gaara wants us to help?" asked Naruto.

"Yes. In fact, he wants you on the mission specifically, Naruto. He trusts you more than anybody."

"Gaara," Naruto said quietly. It was still a big scare for him, losing one his friends to Akatsuki.

"So our mission is merely to search the area for the lost travelers and the Sand team?" asked Sai.

"That's correct. And Naruto, this should be familiar territory for you. You, Kiba, and Hinata have been to this area before."

"I have?" asked Naruto.

"Yes. You three were in the area once before. It was to rescue the daimyo's wife, Kayo, from the Land of Honey. Your search should take you near Kubisaki castle."

Naruto crossed his arms and looked up in thought. He teamed up with Hinata and Kiba a lot in the old days so it was hard to remember when. Now if he remembered correctly, he went went searching for the daimyo's wife near a creepy cliffside surrounded in mists. They found the woman and her servants in a castle that…..

"YOU WANT US TO GO BACK TO THAT CREEPY, HAUNTED CASTLE?!" Naruto yelled.

"Naruto, you're not still scared of ghosts, are you?" Tsunade smirked.

Naruto sniffed and crossed his arms again. "As if. I just don't see any point in going back there. We freed the prisoners and destroyed the chameleon contract that was controlling the castle."

However, during that speech, he couldn't help his knees from shaking. Especially when he clearly remembered seeing Lord Kubisaki's ghost, even though he was only helping them.

Sakura giggled. "Fraidy cat."

"I am not!"

"Enough," Tsunade snapped, even though she tried not to laugh. "You four leave within the hour to go search the area for the lost travelers."

"Good luck," said Yamato.

"Wait, you're not coming with us?" asked Sakura.

"I'm afraid not. Lady Tsunade has asked me to participate in another mission," Yamato explained.

"So who is our fourth?" asked Sai.

A soft knock was on the door before it opened to reveal Hinata. She stepped into the office and bowed to Tsunade.

"I'm here as you requested, Lady Hokage," she said.

"Hinata? You're our fourth member?" asked Naruto.

"Naruto!" Hinata squeaked. "You're part of my team?"

"I figured you would need a familiar face when returning to the castle," explained Tsunade. "Plus, with Hinata's Byakugan, you'll be able to conduct a more thorough search."

Naruto smiled at Hinata. "It will be just like old times. It looks like that ramen's going to have to wait."

Hinata blushed, but smiled as well. "Of course."

"One more thing. Who will be the leader assigned for this mission?" asked Sai.

Tsunade folded her hands and thought for a moment. Everyone waited for her decision with a building suspension.

"Naruto."

Everyone's jaws dropped. Even Shizune and Tonton's.

"My..my Lady?" asked a shocked Sakura.

"I think it will be a good exercise for him," Tsunade explained. "He's only had the chance to lead a few missions before. Besides, what could possibly go wrong?"

You just had to say that, everyone but Naruto and Hinata thought.

"Anyway, you four leave within one hour. I want you to report back the day after tomorrow with a result, regardless of its success. Understood?"

Naruto snapped a salute. "You got it, Grandma!" He turned to his teammate. "Team Naruto, let's move out!" he yelled and charged from the room.

Sakura sighed and bowed to Tsunade. "It was nice knowing you, Master."

Sai bowed as well and left. Hinata thanked the Hokage for sending her on a mission and left to pack.

"Do you think they'll be okay?" asked Shizune.

"I hope so. Kakashi is really determined to train them when he gets better," said Yamato.

Tsunade didn't say anything. From what she read, it seemed like a simple mission. But for some reason she had this feeling something was hiding in the shadows.

Could it be the reports of red wolves in the area? Or the moans of death that have been heard?

I hope you all enjoyed it. I'll post another chapter as soon as I can.