"This is good. Unexpected, but good." Slitted yellow eyes flicked from a piece of paper to the cloaked person crouched in front of them. "You may go."
The cloaked person nodded and vanished in a swirl of sand which faded away as well. Flame consumed the piece of paper that fluttered to the floor as those slitted yellow eyes became lost in deep thought.
ooo
"Aaah!" a blonde haired boy yelled in frustration "Late again! Late again! Always, always late!!!" he danced around and continued to yell in frustration.
"Shut up, dobe." A raven haired boy looked at his companion in annoyance.
"Care to say that again?!!"
"Shut up dobe."
"Make me!!!"
"Why don't I?"
"Yeah, see if you can!!"
Throughout the commotion, a pink haired girl sighed, staring at them in exasperation. "Stop bugging him, Naruto!" she yelled at her blonde friend.
"But he started it Sakura-chan!" Naruto whined as Sasuke smirked.
Suddenly, there was an audible "poof!" and a silver haired jounin appeared, flipping a page of his book entitled "Icha Icha Paradise".
"Kakashi-sensei!!" both pink and yellow heads turned "You're late!!!" Naruto said with a finger jabbing at the air for emphasis and Sakura with a frown.
"I met an old lady and—" "Save it!" Naruto said, his arms akimbo "What's for today?"
"A mission as usual…come with me." he turned without waiting to see if they would follow.
They followed of course, trotting after him all the way until the Hokage's office.
ooo
"So…you'll be doing a B-class."
"A B class mission?!"
"Yes, B because you'll be doing it without your sensei." Tsunade yawned, unaware that ink scrawlings stuck to her cheek.
(Sakura's thoughts narrated)
"Why won't he come?" Sakura asked. Naruto was grinning ear to ear and Sasuke didn't seem to care.
'I must be the only sane one in this group!!!' Inner Sakura yelled.
"First, Konoha needs all the help it can get; that means me,all the available ninjas, and the Sand as well." Kakashi started ticking off reasons with his fingers.
'The Sand? What do they have to do with this?' Sakura wondered.
"Second, your team has considerable experience compared to other teams; I think you'll do just fine without me."
At this, Naruto grinned and Sasuke smirked simultaneously but Sakura still held a worried frown.
"Third, you're best suited to this mission for reasons the Hokage will disclose to you now. Good luck!" Kakashi smiled and disappeared with a "poof!"
'What the hell?! Whaddaya mean?! What was that all about? Why didn't you tell us?!' Inner Sakura raged silently at the now-missing Kakashi.
"Alright..." Tsunade cleared her throat "You three are to escort Gaara back to the Hidden village of Sand. You know what to do; secure supplies, equipment, maps and anything else needed. This is an important mission, do not fail. Any questions?"
"Why is it so important, huh, ba-chan?" Naruto squinted at her curiously.
"Konoha renewed its alliance with the Sand recently; they've agreed to help us rebuild Konoha and in return, we have to show we're trustworthy." The Godaime stood and walked to the window. "That's all you need to know. Go and prepare, you start at dawn tomorrow."
At the clear dismissal, the three left silently.
ooo
"That was weird huh?" Naruto said, looking at his teammates. "She didn't even answer my question."
"Actually, she did, Naruto." Sakura said absently
"Huh?" He looked at her blankly. "All I heard was Konoha, Konoha, something about building…" he trailed off.
"Gaara's the new Kazekage." Sasuke said bluntly.
"Wow, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura gushed. "You're so smart! I bet you put it all together even before she told us about the mission!"
Sasuke suddenly turned right from the street they were on.
"Wait, where are you going?' Sakura called after him.
He stopped for a second or two then replied, "Home"
'Home….why?' thought Naruto, stopping. '……oh yeah, prepare like ba-chan said.That bastard beat me to thinking of it…darn him!' and he turned to Sakura saying, "You should go home too Sakura." And he turned left, dashing for his house as well. (obviously Naruto thoughts here)