The next morning.

The light but sharp ringing of her alarm clock woke her up. Sakura slowly sat up on her bed and brought her hands up to rub the sleep out of her eyes. She reached out and turned off her alarm clock, bringing back the silence in her room. A quick stretch of her arms and a long, loud yawn later, Sakura was ready to greet the new day. She turned to look at her alarm clock to check the time. Half past five in the morning. That gave her an hour and a half before she had to meet Konohamaru's team at the gate.

After looking at her clock, she caught a glimpse of the ornate compact she was given by Tsunade. It was on top of the night stand right next to her clock. She picked it up and gave it a another look, paying close attention to the exquisite design.

"I wonder where Tsunade-sama got this," she thought out loud. "Could it be the same place where she's sending me?"

She opened the compact to check out the mirrored interior. She saw her reflection and scoffed at her own appearance. Her hair was a mess, she had pillow marks on her cheek, and her eyes looked baggy. She was definitely not a morning person. Sakura closed the compact and set it back down on the nightstand. She then got out of bed, stretched out her limbs one last time, and went on to proceed to her morning rituals.

In the span of an hour, Sakura had bathed, groomed, changed to her usual "on duty" clothes, ate breakfast, and picked up the knapsack of supplies she had prepared the night before. In it were some essential survival tools and medical kits with most of her paraphernalia such as extra clothes, some literature, medicines, and equipment stored with the standard sealing technique in a number of scrolls.

Packing so much was not really all that crucial since the Hokage's office gives off an appropriate allowance of money for long-duration missions. But Sakura preferred her own stuff since she could trust them more. After a quick farewell to her mother, Sakura was out the door and on her way to the main gate.

After that, only the heavens know where...

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Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office.

The doors opened and the famous Copy-nin walked into the converted archives room. As he expected, Tsunade was there along with Shizune, slaving away at the paperwork. Neither of the women seemed surprised to see him and in fact looked like they were expecting him. Ebisu, however, was a surprise this morning.

"Ebisu, what brings you here?" asked Kakashi.

The other jounin adjusted his round shades on his face then turned to Kakashi. "Same reason your here, I expect."

"Been meaning to ask you. Why'd you agree to let your genin team along in this mission? I would think you'd prefer to always have them near you."

"They need some practical experience. I can drill them with all my knowledge of combat strategies and tactics and how to move independently on missions but in the end, real life experience will be a better teacher for such things. There's only so much theoretical lectures can do for a ninja, Kakashi. I believe they are ready for a taste of the real world."

Tsunade coughed to get the two jounins' attention and looked towards Kakashi. "I see you have no qualms about letting Asuma's team wait for you, huh?" she asked with a hint of scolding.

"Sorry about this, Hokage-sama," said Kakashi, "but I just want to know a little more about this mission your giving to Sakura. It's pretty obvious your sending her to learn something for herself and it's obviously something no one here in Konoha can teach her. Exactly where are you sending her?...To whom are you sending her?"

Tsunade grinned wryly at Kakashi, recognizing his "sensei instincts" kicking in over Sakura.

"Actually, Tsunade-sama," spoke up Shizune. "I'm also a bit curious about Sakura-chan's mission. You haven't said much of anything to me about it either."

"You're both really curious, huh?" asked Tsunade.

"Not to try and go over your authority Hokage-sama, but she is still my student after all," said Kakashi.

"And Sakura is like a little sister to me," said Shizune. "I'll probably get really worried about her if I don't know what she's getting into. What was that compact about anyway?"

"And if you don't mind, Hokage-sama," said Ebisu, joining the conversation. "Because of the fact that it's my team accompanying Kakashi's student, I also want a few more details on where your sending them. Though you did assure me before that there was nothing there they couldn't handle..."

Tsunade gave a look to all three jounin in the room and saw the look of determination in their faces. They wanted to know stuff badly. The Fifth Hokage let out an exasperated sigh and leaned back into her chair. "I guess that's fair. I can't really get into details at the moment but let me tell you this. The place I'm sending them, initially at least, is a medium-sized fishing village called Wakame village. It's at the south-western coast of the Land of Tea."

Kakashi raised the eyebrow over his visible eye, showing curiosity at what would be of interest in a village that has Seaweed for a name.

"Initially, you say, Hokage-sama?" said Ebisu. "Are they going somewhere afterwards?"

"Yes, but I can't really tell you exactly where, they'll be next after that."

"Because the place is classified information?"

"No. Because the place is never in the same location twice."

That last statement took a few moments to sink in with Kakashi, Ebisu, and Shizune looking at each other as if trying to figure out what the Hokage meant between themselves. But it was Kakashi who had a flash of realization when he put the pieces together in his head. His one visible eye showed incredible disbelief.

"That compact you gave Sakura..." said Kakashi. "And you're sending them to the southern ocean...could it be?"

Tsunade gave the Copy-nin a look. "Kakashi, I didn't know you heard about that place."

"I've heard just fanciful tales of it...I didn't think it was real."

"Oh, it's real. Trust me I've been there. Back when I was a rookie jounin and when my team was still whole. That place...is kinda special to me. And it's also perfect for what I need from Sakura."

"I see...Well, now that I know this, I guess I can relax a little more now for Sakura. She is quite capable...I don't know about Konohamaru's team though."

"Don't underestimate my students," defended Ebisu. "Konohamaru is almost as hardheaded as Naruto. Moegi and Udon have also shown great tenacity and skill. Kakashi, did you know that Konohamaru had successfully learned the Rasengan from Naruto?"

That got Ebisu a look of surprise from everyone else in the room. "Seriously?" asked Shizune in disbelief . "Konohamaru can use the Third's technique?"

Ebisu nodded to her. "It's not much compared to what Naruto can do...Konohamaru still has a ways to go in terms of chakra control and buildup, but it was powerful enough to drive away one of the Pains and save my life." He turned back to Kakashi with a smirk. "Like I said. Don't underestimate what my students are capable of."

"So that's what Naruto meant when he said he was teaching Konohamru a new jutsu...And here I thought he was just teaching him something perverted again."

"Anyway, you may have some idea about where they're headed to but it seems me and Shizune are still generally in the dark here. Care to fill us in?"

Tsunade cleared her throat again to grab everyone's attention. The three jounin looked towards the Hokage who had veins popping in her temples. Apparently she didn't like not being in control of the discussion. Especially a discussion that she shouldn't really be having right now. Can't these people just learn to trust her judgement.

"Ebisu, Shizune, let me just give you some directions for this library. We do have some scant reference to this place we're talking about. Better for you guys to read about it on your own. Kakashi, your mission with Team 10 has already officially started and I suggest you get to it. You can all chat about this later."

Kakashi sighed, knowing the Hokage had just effectively ended their discussion. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

And with that, Kakashi gave a nod of farewell to Ebisu and Shizune then proceeded to out of the office. Ebisu and Shizune then moved towards Tsunade, probably to ask about those library directions she was talking about.

Kakashi had some idea about what she was talking about. He had probably read a few of those references himself, which was where he knew about that place. Granted, there wasn't much in Konoha's library about it. He had learned about it when he was just a chunin himself, when the Third Hokage was his team leader. The Third had mentioned it in passing but it was clear the Minato himself didn't take it seriously when he talked about that place. Until today, Kakashi had always considered it a myth. A fairy tale. But to hear from the Fifth Hokage herself...

"To think that is where Sakura is headed," he mumbled to himself. "The Village that is never in the same place twice...This is gonna be quite an experience for her..."

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At the main gate.

Team Ebisu, minus the jounin leader, was already present with all their equipment packed up and ready. Same goes for Team 10 who were patiently waiting for their extra member before embarking on their own mission.

Actually, "paitiently" was not the right word.

"Troublesome, troublesome, troublesome..." mumbled Shikamaru under his breath. Something Ino picked up.

"You know, Shikamaru, this is Kakashi we're talking about here," said Ino. "If the stories we heard from Naruto and Sakura are any indication, He probably won't be here for another hour or so."

The normally very reserved Shikamaru twitched at the prospect that they would have to wait for the special jounin for that long. Shikamaru really wanted to get this mission over with.

"Will you relax already," said Ino. "Kurenai-sensei will be just fine while we're gone."

Shikamaru gave her a slightly shocked look. Ino returned it with a bored look of her own. "Oh, c'mon. I don't need to use my mind-reading jutsu to figure out what you're thinking about."

Shikamaru blinked once then quickly turned away and scoffed. Ino gave out a slight giggle.

"Why'd we get stuck with Kakashi anyway?"

"Well, Kakashi-sensei's tracking abilities are top-notch," said Chouji. "He can probably rival the Hyuuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans."

"Yeah but still-"

"Um, excuse me," spoke up Konohamaru.

Team 10 turned to towards the genin. Konohamaru swallowed nervously which seemed unusual to his teammates. They normally knew Konohamaru to be a lot more outspoken, much like his idol, Naruto. But now the boy seem to be looking for the most polite way to say something.

"You guys are the students of Uncle Asuma, right?" he said.

There was a moment of silence that followed where Team 10 showed a mixture of surprise and mournful expression. "Yeah, that's right," answered Shikamaru.

"And you were also the guys who finished of the Akatsuki members who killed him, right?"

Another short mournful silence. Shikamaru knew that Konohamaru and his uncle, Asuma were fairly close. Before he met Naruto, it was only Asuma and the Third Hokage who Konohamaru can act comfortably around. Asuma treated Konohamaru like he treated all his students. Unlike everybody else in Konoha at the time. They had heard from Naruto how Konohamaru didn't like being treated like some crown prince of Konoha. Naruto was the first outside his family to treat the young genin as a peer. Konohamaru was forever grateful for that.

Konohamaru didn't wait for an answer. He gave Shikamaru a warm smile and offered his hand to shake. "Thank you," he said. "I'm sure Uncle would've appreciated how much you cared about him."

Shikamaru returned the boy's sentiment with his own approving smirk and shook his hand. "And I'm sure Asuma-sensei would be proud of you on how far you've progressed as a ninja...Konohamaru-kun."

The rest of ninja there smiled at the exchange. Undoubtedly, they all caught Shikamaru's choice of addressing Konohamaru in that manner. And by the expression on Konohamaru's face, it didn't go unappreciated. "I promise I'll keep getting stronger. And by the time I become the Seventh Hokage, I'll be powerful enough to crush people like Akatsuki easily."

"Seventh? What happened to Sixth?"

"That's for Naruto-niichan of course."

Shikamaru grinned wider. Nowhere in his vast intelligence could he find a reason to disagree with what the young ninja said.

"Nice to see you guys getting along so well," said Sakura, entering the picture by jumping down from a nearby rooftop, pack already slung behind her. She gave everyone there a proper greeting and they all responded in kind. Team Ebisu looked glad that their team leader for this mission had arrived. Finally they can get things going.

"Oy, oy, Sakura," said Ino. "You're the last person I'd expect to be late. You're not taking after your sensei, now are you?"

"Oh, I'd mutilate myself before I let that happen. No, the reason I was a little late was that half-way to the gate, I thought of something and headed back home as quick as I can."

"What's that then?"

Sakura reached into her back pouch and pulled out two glass bottles filled a dark green liquid and showed it to everyone who looked on curiously. Sakura explained. "This stuff is a special healing drug that acts as an all-purpose cure and accelerates chakra healing where applied such as the Mystical Palm Jutsu. It's made from a type of algae that I've never heard of before. I received some as a gift from the monks of Fire Temple during our mission there."

Ino took a closer look at the bottles. It seemed that each of them had a label, indicating their origin. The label showed a symbol composed of a short column of three horizontal wavy lines.

"Never saw that brand before," said Ino.

"Me neither. But I've seen this stuff work firsthand so it's okay."

The conversation was interrupted when Konohamura, in classic Naruto fashion, complained out loud. "Argh! Enough with all this talk about boring medical stuff! Let's just get on with this mission already!"

This quickly resulted in a smack on the head courtesy of Moegi. "Don't interrupt Sakura-sempai so rudely like that! Besides, this mission is supposed to take at least a couple of months. A few minutes won't kill you!"

Udon wiped the snot of his perpetually runny nose and scoffed at Konohamaru. "Typical. You should learn better manners, Konohamaru. How do you expect to be a great ninja like your grandfather if you act like that."

Observing this, Sakura couldn't help but smile. They reminded her so much of...

Sakura shook her head clear of thoughts and forced herself to think about the now. "Alright, enough you guys. You're right Konohamaru, this mission is long enough as it is, better not extend it anymore than we have to. Let's go then."

Sakura then made her way Team 10 and out the gates with Team Ebisu (minus Ebisu) picking up their stuff and made to follow. But before they could get too far, Shikamaru called out to Sakura again. "Sakura, you know him best here, how long do we have to wait for that troublesome sensei of yours?"

"How long have you been waiting so far?"

"Almost an hour."

Sakura grinned. "You might as well, go on a shopping trip for more supplies and have lunch at a restaurant. Come back here a little after twelve noon. Kakashi-sensei should arrive around that time."

Sakura thought it was mildly entertaining watching Shikamaru's jaw drop to the ground as he digested this information.

Sakura gave Team 10 one last wave of farewell and then, with Team Ebisu in tow, started down the path to the Tea Country where their first destination lies. Like her sensei before her, she also wondered what would be so interesting in a town named after seaweed that would prompt a two-month stay.

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Meanwhile, at Wakame village.

She darted across the alleys with cat-like speed and reflexes, jumping over and scaling walls in seconds, running down long straights with break-neck speeds an average human can't possibly achieve. However she did so with a level of finese and dexterity that indicated years of training and where ever she passed, though she was moving ridiculously quick, she didn't leave a single trace of her presence.

Ninjas don't leave traces.

Despite her skill, however, the young ninja was in trouble. Her pursuers were closing in on her. And while, individually, they couldn't match her, as a group, they could overwhelm her. She could track them easily enough, they were noisy and less concerned with stealth as she was. But they knew the town better. They practically ruled it after all. They may have been slower but they knew ways to surround her before she knew it. Hiding wasn't helping her here.

If she stayed within the borders of the town, it was only a matter time before they corner her. Hiding wasn't helping her here. With the way things are going it would be better for her out in the open where she could just outrun them. She knew that. A change of tactics was in order.

Out of the village and into the surrounding forest, she thought. She could loose them there. At the onset of that thought, she changed her direction. In less than a minute, she was out of the shadows of the town buildings and out in the open on the grassy forest grounds where she was in the sunlight, no longer hidden.

She was young, no older than fifteen, very light skin and of average height and build. She had a youthful, well-rounded face. Her eyes were sharp and were of a deep amber color. He waist-length light blue hair was tied into a long ponytail.

Her clothing consisted of a snug-fitting bodysuit made of a very thick material that showed off her athletic figure, which covered her from the neck to just above her knees and the sleeves covered all the way to the wrists. The bodysuit was of a navy blue color with a thick silver stripe running down each side and down her arms. Over this suit she wore an open gray jacket that covered her back down to her hip. On each hand she wore black fingerless gloves.

Around her waist was a belt with a standard hip pouch hanging behind her. Wrapped around her right thigh was a normal shuriken holster. On her feet were classic navy blue ninja sandals. All that was left to complete the ensemble was her hitai-ate. Her forehead protector.

And that was worn around her neck, like a choker with the metal plate facing her front. Engraved on the metal plate was a symbol consisting of a short column of three horizontal wavy lines.

The blue-haired kunoichi dashed right into a large grass field. Yes, lots of open space, she thought. She'll definitely outrun them now. She continued to run a blistering pace towards the short mountain range about half-a-mile away. If she could make it there, she could simply go around the mountain to the hidden dock and-

*BOOOM!*

Without warning, the earth twenty feet in front of her exploded. The kunoichi slid to a halt and started back-flipping like crazy as she did her best to avoid the debris that rained down on her. A second later she heard someone say in a growling voice "Earth Release: Earth Crusher Jutsu!" A literal wall of earth came popping out of the ground a second later and came rushing at the girl.

Thinking fast, the kunoichi did some quick hand seals while jumping back and exclaimed, "WaterRelease: Water Javelin Palm Jutsu!"

She thrust her open hand forward. In the flash of a second, a large amount of molded chakra in her hand transformed into water and launched out in the form of an elongated rod spinning at high speed like a powered drill flying like a cannon shot towards the advancing rock wall. When the WaterJavelin hit, the impact broke apart the rock wall in an explosion of mud.

When the kunoichi landed back at her feet, she got into a ready fighting stance and faced her opponent. And there he was standing where the ground exploded.

Her opponent was a large man, nearly eight feet tall with a physique like a rhino. He wore only thick over-sized trousers and the remnants of a large jacket tied around his waist. His feet were bare. He was shirtless, showing off the rippling muscles of his upper body. Hanging from a strap on his back was a hammer nearly as tall as he was with a head the size of a wine barrel. On his shaved head was a hitai-ate with a similar symbol to the kunoichi's except with a large diagonal gash running across it.

"Nice to see you again, Kurage," said the large man with an evil-looking grin.

The young kunoichi, named Kurage, didn't return the sentiment. Rather, she reached into her hip pouch and produced a kunai in a flash. She held the kunai at the ready and stared down at the large man, who didn't seem the least bit intimidated.

"Now don't be like that," said the man. "I know we sorta got off on the wrong foot back there but don't worry. I won't hold it against you that you tried to kill me...although my comrades over there might not share the same sentiment."

As he finished that sentence, the kunoichi heard hurried footsteps behind her. She peeked over her shoulder and saw the worrying sight of a dozen thugs, armed with all manner of melee weapons from clubs to swords. The kunoichi cursed under her breath.

This was not her day.

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Author's note: Here's chapter 2. Hope you like things so far. Decided to put a little action in here since the first chapter was pretty slow-paced. I've plenty of action in upcoming chapters. If you ask the readers of my old Teen Titan fics, I love to write action.

Spent quite a bit of time deciding on the name "Kurage." Originally I was planning to name her with the Japanese word for "dolphin"...only to find out there was already a Naruto character with that name (Iruka...of all people). Kurage is the Japanese word for "jellyfish." Why she was given that name will be revealed in later chapters.