-- Meanwhile, at Naruto's campsite… --

"Heh… he should know lions can't live here… what a dork…" Sasuke said through a full mouth.

Kakashi looked at Sasuke.

"He'll surprise us in the end… that's one thing we can be sure of…"

Sakura ate her fish contentedly, but kept wondering what was taking Naruto so long.

-- back with Naruto and Hinata --

"N-Naruto-kun… I think I have an idea..." Hinata said shyly.

"Really! What is it?"

She looked around and then whispered it into his ear, blushing like crazy.

"Hinata! You are a genius! It's foolproof!" Naruto cried.

-- back at the campsite --

"Hmm… Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah?"

"Could we… start looking for Naruto?"

Sasuke looked up at the comment.

"It's been almost 40 minutes… the sun is starting to set… maybe he did find a lion…" she bit her lip.

"He's probably just passed out from hunger." Sasuke retorted.

"Sakura, we'll wait a bit longer… but I'm pretty sure he'll return." Kakashi reassured her.

The bushes rustled ever so slightly. Only Kakashi was able to notice. He turned his head to it and gave a small grin. Now he knew he didn't have to send out a search party. He gave a small sighed and looked back to Sakura panicking. He almost felt sorry for the girl but she really had to learn.

For another fifteen minutes they sat there. Sasuke had started a fire and had started hanging up his hammock. Sakura was pacing like crazy and kept looking back at Kakashi, silently asking if they could start looking yet.

"Kakashi-sensei… now?" she asked anxiously.

He sighed. "No."

"Why not?"

"Give it a break Sakura!" Sasuke cried from his hammock.

She looked as if she would burst into tears at that moment.

Grrrrrr…SNAP

They all turned towards the bushes. Sakura wiped her eyes and started moving towards it very slowly, kunai ready at hand.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you…" Kakashi smiled.

"Hm?" she asked.

Just then a lion jumped out of the bushes and lunged straight at Sasuke.

"Wha-!" he cried, and flailed as the lion roared and pounced on him, ripping the hammock. THUD! The lion quickly turned and snatched the remainder of their food. Then without further ado, it bounded back into the bushes.

Kakashi gave a reassuring smile to Sakura and then looked at Sasuke. Sasuke sat up with much effort and looked around bewildered. After a few moments in silence he took a deep breath and asked "What the hell was that thing?" He began to stand and winced in pain.

Sakura and Kakashi both blinked at him.

"It looks like you need to change your pants." Kakashi pointed out.

Sasuke wet himself.