Hi, Really sorry I couldn't update. My parents decided to randomly whisk me off to god knows where for a week. Don't think that I'm the type to wait weeks between updates!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Nor do I own a spiffy joke to put in the disclaimer slot.


"This'll be great! We're finally coming close to finding Sasuke! Believe it!" Naruto exclaimed. The fifteen year old still hadn't become any less obnoxious, and it was really annoying Sakura.

"If you don't shut up, they'll know we're here!" shouted Sakura.

Shikamaru was just walking with his hands behind his head, muttering, "How troublesome," over and over. He stopped suddenly, motioning for the others to follow suit.

"Everyone, mask your chakra. We could approach them at any time."

Their mission was to stake out the pair and find out anything they could. They were not encouraged to fight, but they would if necessary.

The group sped up their pace, hoping to catch the two Akatsuki before nightfall.

Naruto fell into step with Sakura, catching her attention. "What is it Naruto?"

"I was just wondering if you think that this will bring us any closer to finding Sasuke?"

Sakura stared grimly ahead, "I sure hope so, Naruto."

Just then they heard a quiet, "stop," coming from behind. It was Hinata, her byakugan activated. Shikamaru stood beside her.

"Yo, what's up?" He asked.

"There's something w-wrong."

Neji joined them, "I sense it too, it's just too quiet." Neji and Hinata surveyed the territory for a moment.

"Wait, there in the bush… GET DOWN!" Neji yelled, pushing Hinata and Shikamaru off the branch. He whipped out a kunai and blocked three oncoming shuriken.

"Everyone! In defensive formation!" Shikamaru ordered. The group dropped to the forest floor, all standing back to back.

Seconds ticked by and nothing happened, then Shikamaru asked, "Neji, Hinata, where are they?"

"To the left, they appear to be hiding."

"Tsk, I bet they didn't count on two of the hyuuga clan to be here," Shikamaru noted.

"Wait. Their chakra is building. Oh, man… we're in for one heck of a fight," Sakura said anxiously.

"Come on! Let's get them already!" Shouted Naruto.

"NARUTO DUCK!" Wailed Hinata as a kunai sailed inches from Naruto's nose.

"Be on your guard!" Raged Shikamaru. He leapt to the side, dodging a kunai that became embedded in the ground nearby.

Sakura did a double take on the kunai, her eyes widened, "Oh my! Everyone scatter! It's an explosive note!"

The group leapt away, dividing itself.


"Look at that Itachi, your plan actually worked."

"Hn."

"Well who do you wanna take down?" The blue man asked.

"Hn, you take the two girls and the guy with the tight ponytail," the other man replied.

"Then you've got the hyuuga and the kyuubi's container."

"Hn." The pair leapt into action. When the Konoha ninja tried to return to their defensive position, Itachi and Kisame blocked them, eyeing their prey.

"Hey little brats," Kisame taunted, waving his sword, the Samehada, "I'm your opponent now."

Shikamaru, Hinata and Sakura were all startled by the sudden appearance but formed a primitive formation all the same. Before they could engage in battle, Shikamaru filled the other two in.

"Alright, ahead here we've got Kisame Hoshigaki, formerly one of the seven shinobi swordsmen. Currently a missing nin from the Village Hidden in the Mist. Be careful of his sword, the Samehada. It will suck your chakra dry and rip half your skin off along with it."

"Ah, I just love hearing people talk about me, but you know what," Kisame said, baring his sword, "that knowledge won't improve your fighting skills!"

Kisame charged at them, swinging the Samehada in a wide arc. Sakura stomped her foot into the ground, creating a small chasm under Kisame. He lost his balance for a moment and took his eyes off his targets.

"Oh, you're stronger than you look. This could be fun!"

He attempted to raise his weapon for a second strike, but found he was fastened to the ground.

"What the hell?"

"Hm. Walked right into that one, didn't we?" Shikamaru smirked, "that's my shadow possession jutsu. Face it, you're completely under my control." He nodded at Hinata, "Okay, go get him!"

Hinata dashed over, and prepared for her specialized jutsu, Protection of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.

She struck once, twice, then…

Hinata was stopped, a rough blue hand squeezing her throat. "How d-did you?" She gasped.

"Just take a little look over at your friend kunoichi." Kisame rotated his wrist so she could turn her head.

Shikamaru was doubled over, two shuriken embedded deeply into his side. Sakura was kneeling next to him, an aura of chakra seeping from her hands to heal him.

"Oh n-no!" Hinata shrieked.

"I don't envy your friend there… when Itachi throws, he doesn't miss. I expect, at least, a punctured lung or a few broken ribs."

Hinata took this opportunity to land a solid kick on Kisame's stomach. He released her with a groan of pain before snarling and uttering curses.

Hinata was about to place a well-aimed punch at his neck, but she wasn't fast enough. Kisame did a 180 degree turn, so her punch collided with the Samehada, draining her chakra and severing her arm.

Sakura watched all this while healing Shikamaru. His wounds were more severe than you would expect from shuriken. Instead of making a clean slice, they made a ragged cut, ripping the skin as they entered.

'Damn, damn, damn it! I've got to do something!' Sakura thought. "Hang in there Shikamaru, I'll be right back!"

Sakura rose slowly, facing Kisame. He was holding Hinata by the collar, but when seeing Sakura, with kunai in hand, threw her to the ground.

"Oh lookie, another little kuniochi to play with," growled Kisame.


Hope you liked a little fight scene, more to come!! Please review, it inspires me to continue writing!