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Chapter Two

Trouble! The Grass Ninjas Attack!

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Lurking in the trees were three mysterious silhouettes, watching team sevens every move.

"Well, well, well. It looks like that really is the prince brat," an unknown grass ninja said. He was following the Konoha ninja, watching from the trees. Two more appeared, curious what their teammate found.

"So, did you find that prince?" the female of the team asked.

"Yup. See, he's right there. It seems those Konoha brats are guarding him, but nothing to worry about. They're just weaklings," he told her as he continued to watch team seven's every move. He cackled until he received a smack on the head.

"Ouch!" he moaned in pain as he rubbed his aching head.

"You idiot! Don't you know who that silver haired jonin is? That's none other than the copy ninja, Hatake, Kakashi," their other teammate – known as Souta – informed.

"Seriously Takeshi. You should recognize shinobi that are in the bingo book," the kunoichi lectured.

"Well sorry for not memorizing every ninja in the bingo book, Sayuri!" the ninja known as Takeshi countered.

"Takeshi! Sayuri! Enough with your fooling around! You know our target! We will just have to face the copy ninja. He is our only threat. I'll be sure to take him on. As for the other brats, I don't care. Do what you want with them. We'll strike when the sun sets. Until then, we'll just watch their movements and observe them," Shouta said as he analyzed the two.

"Yes!"

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"Okay, we should set up camp right about now." Kakashi surveyed his surroundings, happy that they had reached a clearing since it was turning dusk.

"Yes!" they said in unison, beginning to set up the tents. Kakashi continued to stare out, lost in thought.

"I'm getting a bad feeling here," Kakashi thought to himself. He looked over to his team, which in a result caused him to deadpan. How… typical.

"NARUTO!" Sakura yelled out, punching him to where Kakashi was. "I told you I can handle it!" Her fist were still clenching in anger as she stared at the boy with swirls in his eyes and a growing lump.

"Yeah! If Sakura-hime wants me to kiss her than you shouldn't interfere!" Rikuto shouted out from behind her. Her first reaction was to shiver from the close contact as she yelped away from the boy. After composing herself, her second reaction was to glower at the prince.

"What? Okay, listen here you-" Sakura began, but was interrupted by a hand covering her mouth. Luckily all was heard was mumbles, until she looked up and was awestruck at the boy actually making contact with her. She grew silent. Sasuke sighed, finally removing his hand.

"Sasuke-kun? What's wrong? Do you want some alone time together?" she asked, having hearts in her eyes. He swore, she must have done something to make stardust fall around her. Sasuke scoffed at the thought.

"Yeah, right. I'm stopping you from getting us all in trouble, or did you forget?" Sasuke corrected. Pfft, as if he would ever do something like that. "And besides, you need to think of getting the camp site set instead of flirting. You really are worse than Naruto," Sasuke reminded, causing the Haruno to sulk in displeasure. She couldn't believe he didn't want to spend any time with her here, or the fact that she was in fact worse than Naruto – although she didn't find that hard to believe seeing as Naruto had improved tremendously from their time together. Naruto witnessed their interaction's and Sakura's depression, so he obviously went to her aid.

"Sakura-chan! Don't worry about Sasuke. Who cares if he doesn't want to spend time with you, he's just being a bastard, but if you want we could-" Before Naruto could finish his sentence, he flew back to where Kakashi stood once more, a fist mark imbedded on his face. Gurgling came from the blond as his hand twitched.

"Shannaro! As if I'd ever!" Sakura yelled out, stomping into the forest grounds in annoyance and frustration. Kakashi, witnessing the scene, only shook his head in displeasure.

"They'll never change." Kakashi let out a sigh. At that moment, his eyes opened in alert, sensing a presence behind him. Surly enough, a kunai came right towards the copy ninja. He caught the kunai with his index and middle finger, turning his head to glance at the enemy.

"My suspicions were correct. There really were ninja here. It looks like we're going to have to watch over the prince after all." Kakashi sighed at the thought, about ready to groan, but readied his kunai instead.

Sasuke, watching the scene, prepared himself as well, ready to face any enemy they come in contact with. Naruto rubbed his cheek where the mark laid. Once he looked up and noticed both Kakashi and Sasuke and glanced at the two grass ninja on the other side, he raised himself up from the ground and prepared himself for combat.

"So I was right. You are Hatake, Kakashi. I'm Shun, Souta," the grass ninja announced. Kakashi continued his piercing glare towards the guy.

"So you know me? Well, now I feel bad that I don't know you," Kakashi told him. "But it doesn't matter anyway."

"Very True, Hatake, because you won't be alive for it to matter," Souta said.

"You stole the words right out of my mouth." Kakashi smirked beneath his mask, ready to go all out. Souta smirked.

"I remembered there was another one of you Konoha brats." Sayuri smirked. All their eyes widened at the revelation.

"Sasuke! Go to Rikuto and protect him! Naruto! Go and find Sakura! Make sure she's alright."

"Right." Both boys nodded. Sasuke ran over to Rikuto, making sure to guard him.

"What's going on?" Rikuto asked in a panic, his voice and body shaking as he held himself.

"Just shut up and don't make any moves," Sasuke said as he stood in front of the boy. Rikuto merely nodded as he shook in fright. Naruto observed everyone, making sure they were going to be alright before he sprinted through the forest in the direction Sakura was headed.

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Sakura made her way through the bushes and shrubs, disappointed and depressed. Oh, angered at Naruto as well.

"Naruto is an idiot. Hmph. He doesn't get anything. But… I guess I was a little too hard on the guy. I really should apologize. I mean, all he wanted to do was cheer me up. Okay, I'll go and apologize then!" She brightened as a smile crept up her face. As she continued to walk, that smile was converted to a confused expression. "That is, if I could find my way back. Hmm. I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going, was I? Okay, so where am I?" she asked herself, looking from left to right. She then noticed something strange. Her eyes darkened at the thought. It was way too dark around here, when the sun just set only a few moments ago. "Wait a second…" She looked around, scrutinizing all her surroundings. "Just what I thought… genjutsu." She made a hand sign, yelling "kai!" and glanced around to see she was back in the forest.

"You were able to see through my genjutsu were you? No matter. I'll take you out in one blow!" Sayuri, the female of the grass ninja's group, called out. Sakura's eyes widened.

"A grass ninja," she thought, grabbing her kunai, preparing to do anything possible to defend herself. Sayuri laughed, realizing she wasn't anything special. She was a weak girl, she presumed. She jumped to reveal herself as metal clashed while Sakura jumped away from the clash. Sakura jumped through the trees trying to get back to the clearing before the girl caught her. Sayuri's face darkened with a malicious smile on her face. As she caught up a bit, Sayuri tried to hit her with a kunai. She smirked when it hit the girl, but growled when a puff of smoke and a log came into view.

"Kawarimi no jutsu? Where did she go?" Sayuri thought, becoming furious. She grabbed a kunai, and watched the trees to spot movement. Her eyes darted to where three shuriken were thrown, threw her kunai in the direction and jumped out of the way, the shuriken becoming embedded in trees. Clash after clash, the kunais kept on rampaging after another.

"I'm through playing these petty little games with you." Sayuri smirked as she moved rather quickly, Sakura's eyes widening.

"Where'd she go?" she thought as she stood, running as quickly as possible. Sayuri smirked.

"You're not running away from me so easily, girly," she thought as she made her way towards the girl. Sayuri made her way towards the girl whose kunai clanged once again, but Sayuri grabbed Sakura's wrist and punched her to the ground. Sayuri smirked as she took the moment to throw a kunai her way.

Sakura quickly rolled away, but the kunai skidded through her skin on her arm. It was superficial, but began to sting as a trickle of blood ran down her arm. She then grinned.

"I'm not wasting my time using any jutsu on you," Sayuri mentioned as she threw five shuriken her way. Sakura easily dodged them, but with less enthusiasm as before, as she felt herself running out of chakra to use. Sakura instantly went to her holster, but realized she was out of any kunai. She cursed, gasping when she felt another punch to her face. "Pathetic." Sayuri crossed her arms at the girl trying to hold herself up.

"Is this the end?" Sakura closed her eyes as to not witness her own death before her eyes.

"You're a real nuisance, now die!" she screamed, about to smite her with the kunai. Sakura waited for her demise, but it never came. After a few seconds of waiting, Sakura opened her eyes and saw orange and blonde.

"Naruto? Is that you? Naruto!" she yelled for joy. She was so delighted her teammate was here. The two metals clashed, Naruto stopping Sayuri from making the final blow.

"Sakura-chan. Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, but how did you find me?" she asked in curiosity.

"I heard a scream and was scared they might have found you," he said. He looked at the girl from the corner of his eyes.

"Sakura-chan looks like she's at her limit," he thought.

"Sakura-chan! You go ahead and rest. Don't worry; I'll always protect you!" he declared. She nodded in response.

Naruto turned to the women in front of him, saying, "You're the one who hurt Sakura-chan. I'll never forgive you." He put his hands together as he made the familiar sign. "Kage Bunshin no jutsu!" he yelled out. Four clones appeared as he readied a fighting stance as he formed a circle around the grass ninja.

Sayuri laughed. "You're nothing but a joke as well. How pathetic, you leaf ninja," she said as she quickly dispelled them with punches and kicks.

Naruto growled, "Don't underestimate me!" He quickly drew up five clones as all five charged her. She smirked as she fought them all, only she didn't think one would be above.

"Surprise!" the real Naruto shouted as he kicked the girl to the ground, her face meeting the dirt. She laid unconscious after that attack. Naruto glanced over to Sakura, walking up to said girl.

"Are you okay?" he asked her.

"Yeah. I guess I'm alright now that you're here," Sakura assured him, a smile adorning her face. Naruto grinned as well.

"Hey, let's go see how Kakashi-sensei and Sasuke are doing," Naruto suggested. Sakura nodded, starting to get up, only to fall to her knees miserably. She moaned aloud in anguish as she realized her reserves were depleted. She tried getting up again, making it to her feet this time, but fell once more. The only difference was that this time, Naruto held her in his arms. "You should be more careful, Sakura-chan," Naruto told her. "Here." Naruto turned around, motioning for her to hop on his back. Sakura was hesitant at first, but then decided to wrap her arms around his neck, and let him give her a piggy back ride.

"I'm-" she paused, not sure how to begin. "Thanks for coming."

"No problem," Naruto beamed. There was a moment of silence before Sakura sighed.

"I'm sorry for saying those mean things to you before," Sakura apologized, feeling grim, but surprisingly warm all at the same time. Naruto grinned.

"Hey, it's okay. Actually, I forgot about the whole thing," Naruto told her so she could smile again, only it made things worse. He noticed the frown from the corner of her eyes; she seemed depressed now. "Hey, Sakura-chan. Thanks for making it easy for me to finish her off so quickly." Sakura stared at the boy in confusion. Naruto noticed and decided to elaborate. "See, if you hadn't fought her first, and depleted a lot off her chakra, then I wouldn't have been able to finish her off so fast. I owe you one, Sakura-chan." Sakura stared at the boy from behind, surprised at him.

"S-sure," she stammered, blinking a few times. She wanted to say something else, but couldn't find the right words. She was feeling a little down because she needed someone to protect her and put their life on the line for her again. She didn't want to be a hindrance to her team. However, this encounter with the grass ninja made her feel worse with the fact that she couldn't handle it herself, needing to get rescued once more. However, Naruto made her happy with his words, making her heart swell with confidence that she at least helped a bit. Naruto grinned as he watched the girl's expression change from a frown to a content smile. It made his heart beat faster.

After their conversation, they remained silent the entire way to the clearing. Once the two finally made it, they noticed Kakashi and Sasuke were also through with their battle as well. Naruto walked towards them.

"What happened to Sakura?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes, what happened to my Sakura-san?" the prince asked. Surprisingly, Naruto for the first time listened to orders, not even making a fool out of himself at the comment. However, only with Kakashi's top notch hearing abilities could he hear the small mumble of, "she's not your Sakura-chan."

"Sakura-chan was really beat, but she should be okay," Naruto explained. Kakashi nodded.

"I see." He groaned. "Okay, tomorrow when we get to Earth Country, we're going to have to… stay there for a while," Kakashi said in a grim voice with so much displeasure one might ever hear from him. He really didn't want to be near this self-absorbed prince for a second longer.

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto glance at Sakura. "Hey, Sakura-chan, if you want you could…huh?" Naruto saw the girl sleeping. "Hmm. She must have been really tired from that battle." Naruto let out a sincere smile, walking towards the tent to drop her off.

Naruto laid her in her sleeping bag and was about to turn to leave, when he heard what she had been meaning to say.

"Thank you," she smiled. Naruto brightened, whispering sweet dreams to the pink haired maiden and headed to his own tent for rest. After all, they do have a big day tomorrow.

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Brown eyes met the light of flames. Two shadows were discussing something that she couldn't make out. Sayuri had finally gained consciousness to see she was in a cave with Takeshi and Souta conversing. They looked over in her direction when they sensed her getting up.

"What happened to you?" Souta asked her. "You weren't able to take those little weaklings down?"

"Wow, and you call me weak," Takeshi said, only to get smacked by an angry Sayuri.

"They're tougher than they look, okay? I underestimated them. That boy… he took me down in one blow." Takeshi remained speechless. Souta, however, held a menacing smirk on his face. "Well, it looks like those brats are going to bring us an interesting battle the next time we meet. And this time, we won't go easy. We'll definitely kidnap that prince." Souta smirked, causing his other teammates to smirk in response. It was going to be a long mission.

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Bonus Scene

Twenty Questions

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"I'm bored!" Naruto called out in annoyance. He laid on his back and his limbs were splayed out on the ground. He groaned at the sight of the three men sitting around the fire with him. They were so boring. One was a perverted man who only sat around the fire for the light to read his porn, while another was an egotistical bastard… make that two, but at least one didn't state it out loud. No, at least Sasuke merely grunted occasionally, but the prince just wouldn't shut up. Nope, this wasn't what he wanted. He groaned out loud once more.

"Shut up," Sasuke muttered, making Naruto wonder if he was really talking to him, when he wasn't the one being annoying. Naruto frowned, wondering if he should check up on Sakura. He quickly thought against it.

"Better not. They might think I'm a creeper who likes watching girls sleep," he thought. Luckily, Sakura came out of the tent at that moment.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto called, thankful for the girl's appearance.

"What's going on here? Seems… lively." Sakura's eyebrow twitched at the sight. The only one, she guessed, who knew how to have fun was Naruto. She sighed, making her way between her two teammates.

"It's been boring!" Naruto commented, tears in his eyes.

"Why don't we play twenty questions?" Sakura suggested. Naruto smiled, happy that she thought of something entertaining. At least it would get everyone talking. "You're playing, right, Sasuke-kun?" she asked as she leaned closer to the boy while he leaned back.

"I think I'll pass," Sasuke said as he scooted her as far as his arms could stretch. Sakura sighed, a sad smile on her face.

"I'll play, Sakura-chan!" Naruto said, and before Sakura groaned, she quickly stopped herself, sighing.

"Yeah, I know. Okay, so who would like to start?" she asked. Naruto and Rikuto raised their hands excitedly. Sakura rolled her eyes. "Why don't you ask, Rikuto?" Rikuto smirked, while Naruto groaned, annoyed.

"Sakura-hime, where have you been all my life?" he asked, and Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Sakura-hime, what are you doing tomorrow night?"

"Hey, don't ask more than one question!" Naruto interjected, but Rikuto ignored him, leaning towards Sakura. "How would you like it if I sent you all the way to the water village?"

"Boys! Enough!" Sakura sighed. "I think we had enough questions for a lifetime. Why can't this chapter end now?"

Some questions, it looked like, were not meant to be answered.