A/N: Oh my, look how far we've come! On the second chapter, already!

…I'm disappointed with all of you.

REVIEW, REVIEW!

DISCLAIMER: Uhh…can I have a rain check on that?

Extra bits and pieces: I'm the kind of person that could go on about word count forever. If you see me on a forum site, I'll be obsessing over post count. That's who I am. Y'know, the very laid-back, sensible, down to earth, non-spac – ICEEE CREEEEAM!

…

Okay, maybe not.

More extra-ness: I promise you, this is where the real story begins. Cross my heart and hope to – okay, maybe not die. How about…brush my teeth extra hard tonight! In fact, so hard that my teeth fall off! Then I can get dentures! Which are…really…cool…

Saving You From Yourself
Chapter 2

"Orochimaru is planning what!?" A female voice burst out angrily. Tsunade stood, fuming; her hands clenched tight, her eyes afire.

"He's planning another attack on Konoha. Inside sources came back with this piece of information straight from Orochimaru himself." The messenger repeated. "GO, GET OUT, NOW! BEFORE A PUNCH YOU TO SMITHEREENS!" Tsunade yelled, slamming one of her clenched fists on the desk. A loud crack sounded around the room, and the messenger scurried out, a frightened look on his face. Shizune stood timidly against a wall, Ton-Ton in her arms. "Ts-Tsunade-sama…?" She questioned quietly, seeing the fifth's face change instantaneously. It had a look on it, a look that could be seen on Uzamaki Naruto's face any day.

She looked…mischievous. "Get me all of Rookie 12 – including Sai." She said, facing the raven-haired woman. The look spread across her features, causing her eyes to twinkle and her grin to widen. Shizune regarded her warily. "What do you have in mi-" "Go, go, go! You'll figure out with the others!" Tsunade cut her off, waving at her wildly. Shizune nodded, gave a quick, "hai!" and ran off to find the twelve rookies.

Thirty minutes later, twelve teenagers stood facing the Hokage's desk, miraculously fitting comfortably. "Do you understand your mission?" Tsunade asked them, looking each individual ninja in the eyes. "Hai." They all answered confidently. "Dismissed."

Everyone began to leave in bunches, but one person stayed back. "Yes, Neji?" Tsunade asked him, sitting down at her desk again. "I don't think that Naruto and Sakura should join us." He said bluntly. Tsunade sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I knew this would happen…Neji, both of them are perfectly capable of controlling their emotions. They just need a little…push sometimes." Neji opened his mouth to retaliate, but Tsunade silenced him with a raise of her hand. "I have no doubt that they will be of good use to you. Now go!" She said, waving him out of her office.

When she was sure that Neji was gone, Tsunade furrowed her brows and murmured, "at least, I hope…"

If Sakura had ever dreamed of a chance to go out and get Sasuke back, this was it. She looked up at the sky, the cool morning air sweeping her hair up a bit as a low breeze moved over Konoha. She held her pack tightly in her arms and swung it onto her back, directing her gaze to Neji and Shikamaru. "Is everyone here?" Shikamaru questioned. Sakura took a headcount and nodded. "Then we're off."

A few minutes later the twelve teenagers were walking down a large path leading away from Konoha. Neji and Shikamaru stayed at the front of the group, quietly discussing possible tactics. "Hey, Sakura," Neji called, not even looking back. Said girl paused in her conversation with Ino and looked at Neji. "Yeah?"

"C'mere for a second," He said, this time looking at her. Sakura nodded and jogged over to Neji and Shikamaru curiously. "We need you to describe the chidori that Sasuke used…" Shikamaru said slowly. "Oh! Um, well…it surrounded his body, and even coursed through his sword…it was scary, and we couldn't even touch him. It was like a…shield. And then when Yamato got stabbed, it paralyzed him so he couldn't move." Sakura explained. Her brow furrowed as she tried to remember, in detail, the day that she and Naruto had achieved half of their goal. "Ah…thank you, Sakura…" Neji said, nodding politely at her. Sakura bowed her head for a split-second before running back to Ino, TenTen, and Hinata.

"Well, Shikamaru? What are the odds here?" Neji asked the other team leader. "I'd say…it's completely in Sasuke's favor here." Was the pessimistic reply.

A/N: Phew. Chapter two over and done with. I feel like eating pizza to celebrate. Nice, gooey, cheesy pizza…what say you? Pizza? Hmm? Hmm?

...It's short. I just realized, this is about as short as my little cousin is - and he's damn short!

Review, flame, flame, review. I honestly don't give a damn…