Neij Hyuga sat in his room looking out the window at a flying white bird. `Freedom' he thought, `would be so much better than being in a cage'.

It was nighttime and everyone in the compound was asleep. Just as he started to close his eyes, he heard his window open. Quickly activating his byakugan, he turned towards the intruder. There in front of him, with his hands up in surrender, was Shikamaru. Neji raised an eyebrow in question.

"Nara," he started, "What are you doing in my home?"

Shikamaru sighed, unsure of how to answer the question. Instead he just said, "I can't explain right now. I do, however need you to follow me."

"Why should I?" Neji asked suspiciously.

"I don't know the full details," said Shikamaru, scratching the back of his head lazily. "Naruto was the one that asked me to get you in the first place."

"I see." He didn't know why Naruto would ask for him, especially now. However, he knew that the other must have a valid reasoning. "Very well then."

Getting out of bed he slipped on his sandals. They quickly left the compound heading to an open field. Neji noticed it to be practice field 17. Standing there in the middle was Naruto, Kiba, Lee, and surprisingly Gaara. Neji raised his eyebrow at the sand-nin. `I didn't even know he was in the village' he thought to himself.

Gaara just stood by Naruto, with his arms crossed. If you looked closely, you could see the concern in his eyes. He wasn't sure why the blonde had asked him to meet here, though he did have his suspicion as to what it was.

"MY YOUTHFUL RIVAL!" Lee called out.

"Man, shut up," Kiba growled at him. Akamaru, who was sitting beside his partner, barked in agreement.

Lee just ignored him and smiled at the two, as they made their way over to them.

Looking at everyone, Naruto took a deep breath. All eyes turned to him. Smiling at them, he said, "I'm glad you guys could make it."

Lee smiled and Kiba smirked. Shikamaru yawned then nodded for him to continue.

Naruto bit his lip, and then blurted out, "I've decided to leave Konoha and I want you guys to come with me."