Here's the next installment. Once again, thanks for reading and the reviews. To the guy who told me to "screw myself," you don't have to read it lol. This one has more action, so I hope I did it well enough. Like I said before, it's close to original story, but diverges the further I get into it. Will say now, they will fight Madara eventually, but not *spoilers* after. Thought that was unnecessary when I read it in the manga. Hope you enjoy

Hokage's Mansion

"What?!" Naruto exclaimed with obvious displeasure. "A guard for gold bullion transport convoy?"

Tsunade sat behind her desk with a scowl on her face, frustrated with Naruto's attitude. The first mission since coming back and he was already complaining. She didn't want to deal with his bratty attitude and she replied in a challenging way, "Huh? You got a problem?"

His teammates, Kakashi, Sakura, and Tayuya stared at him, embarrassed by his attitude towards the Hokage. "That's totally a C-rank mission! I'll just have to say no thanks to a mission like that."

Iruka, sitting next to Tsunade had his hand on his head, frustrated with Naruto as well. Though Naruto was his favorite student, he could be trying at times. "Naruto, you haven't matured mentally at all, have you?"

Tayuya didn't really care either way, but Naruto arguing with the Hokage was making them have to stay longer than needed. She didn't like that, she wanted to leave and get the mission over with. That and this was her first assigned mission in the village.

Tsunade cut in as she replied to his complaining, "Naruto. I gave you an easier mission since this is more or less a comeback for you."

Instantly Naruto argued, still frustrated with the mission she was trying to assign them. "I didn't ask for this!"

Sakura quickly reached over, and put him in a headlock, trying to appease Tsunade. To her it was just old times, Naruto being a brat and her having to act like the team mom reprimanding her child. "I'm sorry, Master! I'll give him a good scolding later." She then saw something to her side that actually made her sweat a bit nervously. Tayuya was glaring at her like she was going to murder her.

As Tayuya slowly stepped over to them, Sakura released her grip on Naruto. When he had breathing room he stood up and started shaking his fists at Sakura, complaining how that was uncalled for and such. What he didn't see was Tayuya to the side of him, glaring daggers at Sakura. Sakura didn't really listen to what he was whining about. She was more focused on the killing intent radiating off of Tayuya.

Everyone else saw it however, and watched in anticipation, waiting to see what happened. Kakashi took a step back, not sure what was about to go down, but he knew he shouldn't be in the middle of whatever it was going to be.

Tayuya pointed to Sakura, causing her to gulp very clearly. The sound caught Naruto's attention, as he glanced over to see her next to him. He had seen that look in her eyes before. It was the same look of ice cold rage she had given him once when he had accidently almost saw her naked at a spa. Whatever Sakura did, I feel sorry for her.

In one of the most menacing tones anyone in the room had ever heard, she spoke. "You. You don't get to hurt him like that."

Naruto grinned eagerly, happy that Tayuya sided with him. "Yeah Sakura, listen to Tayuya."

"Shut it, Shithead."

Naruto was dumbfounded for a moment, before thinking of a rebuttal. A quick glance over to Kakashi, shaking his head no, told him otherwise. So he closed his mouth, waiting to hear the rest.

Tayuya continued, almost seething as she spoke. "You can only punish him for being a Shithead when I'm not around. But I'm here, so that's my job." Sakura nodded nervously as the girl's demeanor went to the other side of the emotional spectrum instantly. With a cheery smile she finished, "Okay?" Again Sakura nodded, much to Tayuya's pleasure.

Naruto, not realizing the connotations of what she said tried to add to the brief chat. "Yeah Sakura. You don't get to hurt me while she's here. That's her… Wait a minute." He stopped as he realized what she said, and what it actually meant.

Tayuya turned towards him; her smile and cheery demeanor turned into a look of pure loathing as she grabbed him by the collar. The quick shift sent a chill up Kakashi's spine, as he and Sakura took another step back.

"And you," Tayuya almost spat out. She then started shaking him profusely as she yelled at him, "What the fuck are you doing Shithead? That's the leader of the village! You can't talk to her like that. Show some respect, shit for brains!" Naruto tried to escape by pulling her hand off of him, and stepping back. Tayuya wasn't done yet, and dove into him, tackling him into the floor.

Everyone watched as a dust cloud seemed to appear around the two, rolling on the floor wrestling with one another. Everyone reacted a bit differently. Kakashi sighed in embarrassment, Sakura looked disturbed, Shizune looked around nervously, and Tsunade pinched her nose in agitation, almost breaking it.

The two kept rolling around until Naruto managed to get the upper hand, putting her down on her face in a half nelson. As she struggled, Naruto started laughing in a childish manner. "I finally got you Tayuya. But don't think I forgot what you did last time."

Tayuya started flailing on the ground, trying to get out of his hold. In a tone that was easily panic she wailed, "Please Shithead! Don't do that! Anything but that!"

Everyone else though watched, interested in what "that" was. Whatever it was, it helped pacify their embarrassment and irritation towards the two. Again Naruto started laughing before he spoke. "I get to use the ultimate technique you used on me so many times."

No one knew what the technique was, and were excited to see it. They didn't show just how far on the edge of their seats they were as Naruto raised his free hand, with his index finger sticking out. Kakashi's eye was wide, wondering what he was going to do. What hand seal is that? What kind of jutsu is it?

Naruto yelled out in glee, "Ninja Art! Wet Willy Jutsu!" He then stuck his finger in his mouth, before pulling it out with a long glob of saliva trailing behind it. Tsunade face planted into her desk. Kakashi just shook his head. Shizune stared at the saliva hanging almost comically from his finger in disgust.

Naruto started to reach down to stick his finger in Tayuya's ear as she pleaded for him not to. To everyone else it sounded like she was begging for her life. "Shithead, please! Don't!" Naruto giggled as his finger got closer and closer to her ear. Trying one last desperate measure, Tayuya asked in an almost sultry tone, "Naruto?"

He stopped moving his finger to her ear as she spoke to him. The tone stopped him dead in his tracks. She didn't know where it came from; she did it on instinct. "Y-yes, Tayuya?" he asked a little anxiously.

She continued, adding almost a pout to her voice. "You wouldn't do that, would you?" Naruto started to falter, and he lessened his grip on her some. He stared at her a moment before wiping his finger and all of his saliva on the floor.

"No, I guess I won't do th-" she cut him off, as she snaked out of his weakened grip, and pinned him onto his stomach.

Tayuya started laughing evilly, now she had the upper hand. "Maybe next time, Shithead!" She started snorting deeply through her nose as everyone watched the drama unfolding before them. A deep gurgling sound erupted from her throat, as she then stuck her finger in her mouth. She then pulled it out to reveal green slimy mucus drenching it. "Forbidden Ninja Art! Wet Willy Loogie Jutsu!" she yelled as she shoved her coated finger in his ear.

Tayuya started laughing hysterically as she wiggled her finger in his ear. Everyone else was appalled at the display. Shizune almost vomited while Kakashi gagged. Tsunade stared in shock as Sakura's eye twitched in horror at the scene.

A woman who had barged in unnoticed and watched the scene took a few moments before remembering why she was there. She ran over to Tsunade, and set a scroll in front of her. "We received an emergency message from the Sand… This is what we've deciphered." The woman bowed before making her exit.

Tsunade read the scroll, as a look of worry overtook her face. Everyone looked at her respectively, waiting to hear what the news was. She set down the scroll before setting a look of seriousness to her face. "The Kazekage of the Hidden sand has been taken by members of the organization called the Akatsuki."

Naruto, in almost a gasp, spoke. "Gaara…" He worried for his friend a moment before regaining his composure. "Those guys again, huh?"

Tsunade nodded as she continued, "We have more information concerning the Akatsuki. And so the Hidden Sand has officially requested our help…"

Kakashi knew what that meant. What the gravity of the situation really was if one of the great villages was asking assistance. Though they were an ally, asking for help could be seen as a sign of weakness from other villages.

Shizune tried to cut in, "Lady Tsunade, don't tell me you're going to have Team Kakashi…"

Tsunade closed her eyes as she shook her head, ignoring Shizune's attempted argument. "This is an emergency. I don't have time for team selection." She looked at Kakashi as she continued, "Besides, we have someone who's actually fought against the Akatsuki." Shizune wanted to argue, but with one look at Kakashi she stopped. She knew Tsunade was right, and Kakashi could handle himself; not that she was happy about it.

"I will now issue Team Kakashi a new mission. Go to the Village Hidden in the Sand immediately. Find out what's going on and report back to the Leaf. After that, you will follow the orders of the Hidden Sand and provide them with back-up!"

Konoha Gate

All four members of Team Kakashi stood at the gate, as they strapped their bags to their backs. "Okay, we're off now!" Naruto said with a mix of determination and enthusiasm.

Tayuya on the other hand looked at her new team with curiosity. This was their first mission together, and she wasn't sure how'd it go. Sure, she and Naruto were a good team, but she wasn't sure if she could work well with Kakashi and Sakura.

Tsunade, Shizune, and Iruka stood at the gate looking at them, until Iruka spoke first. "Naruto, good luck!" Tayuya looked at the man unimpressed. He cares for Shithead. Guess he's not so bad. After everything Naruto told me about growing up here and him... Guess I can be nice to him.

Jiraiya snapped her out of her thoughts as landed by them from seemingly nowhere. "Hey! Naruto, Tayuya. You're off on a mission?"

"Naruto saluted as he replied, "That's right!" Tayuya gave a more subtle nod to their sensei.

Jiraiya looked at the two teens before walking over to Tsunade. "Tsunade, I've got some information for you. The Kazekage of the Hidden Sand…"

She didn't let him finish as she cut him off. "I know. I'm just about to send them off to the Sand now." Jiraiya looked surprised at her, before turning to look at his two students. They didn't know what they were up against, and he did. He didn't like it.

He leaned over and whispered to Tsunade, "You know about the Akatsuki and Naruto and Tayuya, don't you? Is sending both of them out a good idea? Both of them may attract more attention than just one."

"It's an emergency, and I made the best choice I had. Don't argue this one with me."

Jiraiya looked back at the teens before returning his attention to Tsunade. He didn't want them going, but he knew that they had to follow her orders. In a whisper only loud enough for Tsunade to hear, he spoke. "Naruto is my godson. And I've taken to the girl basically as my goddaughter. You know I never had kids. The closest thing I had were those three I trained outside Amegakure." He wiped his face, thinking about the three kids he wasn't able to save before continuing. "They better not get hurt." He turned back to the teens, leaving a stunned Tsunade behind.

"Naruto, Tayuya. Come here for a second." Jiraiya said as he approached them. He pulled them off to the side to speak with them. Both of the teens looked perplexed, wondering what he had to say. "Listen up you two. Don't get reckless against the Akatsuki. I've told you why they are after you two."

Naruto replied, "They've got business with us."

Tayuya scowled as she added, "This time we'll go to them!"

Jiraiya shook his head. His two pupils could really be stubborn when they wanted to. An attitude that could get people killed, yet they didn't realize it. Jiraiya decided to give them advice for the mission, so he wouldn't lose his two students, due to their nativity.

"You two have come far, but that doesn't mean you can take them on by yourselves. Losing your cool right away is a bad habit of yours Naruto." Tayuya started nodding in agreement, before Jiraiya turned his head towards her. "You're not much better. You're cool at first, but once you get riled up you are just as bad as him."

Jiraiya stooped lower, to look at them at eye level. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders as he spoke to them. "I think you know… But don't use that power." He looked at Naruto directly as he continued, "Protect your precious ones like you always do."

With a grin Naruto replied, "I know Pervy Sage." When he saw how serious Jiraiya looked, he became quite.

"They will be after the Kyubi. You both have half of it. They will try to take Tayuya away." Naruto gulped as he looked at Tayuya and unconsciously took her hand in his, causing her to stare at him in surprise. Jiraiya then focused on her. "Tayuya." She turned back to their sensei, forgetting that Naruto was holding her hand.

"They may go after just him. They might try to take him away." Tayuya unintentionally squeezed Naruto's hand back, as their sensei finished his speech. "Both of you," he looked at both of them for a few moments before finishing. "Both of you must protect the other. Clear?" Both teens nodded in determination, set to keep the other safe.

Jiraiya walked over to Kakashi, "Keep an eye on them. Make sure they don't do anything too reckless." He stood a moment, thinking how to finish. "I'm counting on you. Okay?"

Kakashi had watched the whole exchange. He knew how much the two meant to Jiraiya, and how much Naruto meant to him. As he gave his signature eye smile, he replied, "Okay."

Naruto had already begun walking, with Tayuya at his side. "Kakashi Sensei, Sakura-chan, let's get a move on!"

Tayuya shouldered past him with a smirk. "Falling behind, Shithead." He turned back irritated at his nickname, and ran up to her, matching her pace. Sakura began running to catch up, as Kakashi attempted to leave.

Shizune took her chance to make her voice heard at the last moment. "Kakashi." He turned back towards her, surprised she stopped him.

"Yes?"

Shizune had an inner battle at that moment, trying to figure out what to say. She wanted to say something inspirational, or something to help him on his mission. Becoming flustered, she looked down at the ground, and muttered all she could think of. "Good luck."

Kakashi was actually surprised. Not many people wished him luck on his missions, not that he needed it. However, it was nice for her to do that. He gave her an eye smile, and a finger salute. "Thank you, Shizune." He then walked away to catch up with his team.

Tsunade looked at her flustered assistant, then at the retreating forms of Team Kakashi. She didn't like sending her people into danger, but that was what they had to do as shinobi. Still, it didn't ease her mind. Jiraiya has a point. There are two of them. They may be in more danger than just one of them. She weighed it in her head a moment longer before coming to a conclusion.

"Shizune!" Shizune looked at her master waiting to hear what she wanted. "Get ready and follow them closely behind. You're there only for emergency backup. Don't let them become aware unless it's necessary. It's the Akatsuki, so if they start fighting, help."

Shizune stared at Tsunade with her mouth wide open in shock. She had not expected this, and she had a feeling Tsunade hadn't either.

"Go finish checkups at the hospital and then get ready." Shizune stood there trying to process what she was saying. "Quit standing around and get ready. Your crush is getting away." Shizune blushed in embarrassment as she retreated to go finish her rounds and then get her gear, leaving a chuckling Tsunade behind. Too easy.

Team Kakashi

Team Kakashi was jumping through the trees on their way to the Sand Village. Along the way they had run into Temari and informed her of her brother's capture. Naturally they joined up and began to make haste again.

Tayuya and Temari made an awkward greeting, both remembering how they first met. To say they were uneasy allies was an understatement. Temari had almost killed her, but she understood why. She wasn't going to hold it against her, but it didn't mean she had to like the kunoichi.

Naruto, fearing for his friend's safety was making double time, trying to get there as fast as possible. Tayuya could see the distress and pain in his eyes as he thought about Gaara. Naruto cared about all of his friends, but Tayuya could tell this was more than personal. The Akatsuki were after them for what they held inside; a fact that disturbed Naruto, and in turn, her greatly.

Eventually they made it to the desert, and stared at the vast expanses of sand. For the first time since they began their journey there, Naruto lightened up and smiled. "All right! It's the desert."

Tayuya looked at the desert then back at Naruto. Crossing her arms over her chest, she said, "No shit, Shithead. What gave it up? All the sand?"

Temari chuckled before becoming stoic once again. She honestly didn't have a problem with Tayuya, but she could tell it was uneasy between them. Naruto pouted, but Temari ignored it and took charge. "The Village Hidden in the Sand is up ahead. I'll take the lead from here."

Temari led them through the desert, as she was the most familiar with the surroundings. As they traveled, she noticed a strong breeze starting to pick up. She halted their advance, and took refuge in a cave. Naruto was jittery while waiting, wanting to get to the village as soon as possible.

Temari tried to calm him by informing them it was dangerous to travel during it. It didn't help though, as he was worried about his friend. He sat down, waiting anxiously for the storm to stop. Tayuya sensed his anxiety, came and sat by him, leaning her head on his shoulder. She didn't really know why she did it, but she could tell he relaxed a bit from the contact, and it made her feel better too for some reason.

After a few hours the storm stopped, and they resumed. They began sprinting faster than before, trying to make up for lost time. Eventually they saw the outline of the village as they approached. As they got near, two shinobi greeted them at the gates, and led them inside.

They were led quickly to a door inside one of the buildings. When they stepped inside, an old woman saw Kakashi and began to freak out. As far as Tayuya could tell, she was ranting about the White Fang of the Leaf. She hadn't really been listening, just watching as the woman attempted to attack Kakashi.

Tayuya saw him hold up his hands in a placating manner, so she didn't try to intervene; until Naruto decided to defend his sensei that is. As soon as Naruto made a Shadow Clone to block the woman's attack, Tayuya acted on instinct and joined in. She attempted to do a high kick to her, but the woman leapt back, dodging the attack.

An old man then grabbed the woman. "Big sister… Take a good look at him! He resembles him closely, but this one is not the White Fang." He continued explaining how he could not be the man, as Kakashi looked a tad irritated for the mix up, while the three teens looked confused on what was going on.

The woman started laughing, and tried to cover up her actions. ""Gotcha, I was only pretending to have gone senile." She continued laughing as everyone looked at her with deadpanned expressions. She wasn't fooling any of them a second with that excuse.

The woman then looked at Naruto and Tayuya, examining them closely. "Your teamwork is commendable. You must be very close. Siblings?"

Naruto and Tayuya looked at one another, and then back at the woman skeptically as they shook their heads.

"Ah, then you must be lovers, no?"

Both teens simultaneously yelled out, "What?!"

Naruto then pointed at Tayuya as his eyes bulged out, staring at the old woman. "You think we're what? How could I possibly be with her?"

Tayuya took offense to the statement. Obviously she wasn't with Naruto, and she never even thought of him like that. His comment however, greatly vexed her for some reason. "What the hell is wrong with me? I'd be a great girlfriend. Why would I be with you, huh Shithead?"

Naruto didn't reply, as he looked at Tayuya utterly confused by the situation and where the conversation was going. Sakura on the other hand just face palmed, before walking between the two over to the bed in the room that Kankuro was laying on, withering in pain.

Sakura used her headband to pull up her hair as she looked at Kankuro. "Kakashi Sensei and the rest of you, please stand back a bit." Tayuya left the room huffing and puffing, while Kakashi dragged a flabbergasted Naruto out. She then began looking at Kankuro, telling the medics in the room what she needed.

After what could have been hours, Sakura had finished, and allowed them back into the room. Naruto stared at her in disbelief as she continued to instruct the medics in the room to treat Kankuro. Tayuya saw him staring at her and didn't really like it. She still was upset with him over his comment from earlier, and his gawking wasn't helping.

Later, they got word that Guy and his team were sent as reinforcements. The message neglected to inform them about Shizune, but at the time, they didn't know that. After Kankuro had recovered enough to speak, he told them who he had fought. The name "Sasori" didn't really mean anything to the teens, but all the Sand Shinobi knew who it was, and it upset all of them.

From the gasps elicited from all of the shinobi, they knew they didn't have much time. Naruto was not going to let his friend get hurt, and was determined to save him. Pakkun who had been sent out, had returned back from tracking and informed them where Gaara was taken. Kakashi and his team then got ready to go, and met up with Temari and some Sand Shinobi.

Before they departed, Temari and her people were stopped, and told they needed to patrol their borders instead. Tayuya was already pissed, and losing potential help, even if it was her, made her even angrier.

She heard a voice and looked up to see the same old woman from before, yelling about being retired and doing what she wanted. The woman jumped down to them, informing them she was coming as well. Tayuya shrugged, not caring either way. She just didn't want this old woman to slow them down.

They had bid farewell to Temari, and then left in a hurry, determined to save Gaara. They made good time, and in a few short hours were already out of the desert, back among trees. Kakashi and his team kept running until he stopped, halting them, as they ran into a clearing, and spotting a man in a cloak that had red clouds on it. Kakashi knew who it was instantly. "Itachi Uchiha."

All Tayuya knew about the guy was that he was one of the most dangerous missing-nin there was. She didn't really know about his abilities at all. Thankfully Kakashi informed them of his Mangekyo Sharigan to prepare them somewhat.

Kakashi spoke as he raised his hand to lift the headband covering his eye, revealing his own Sharigan, "Your eyesight… How much has it weakened?" Itachi stared at Kakashi, surprised at his acute observation, waiting for him to make a move. Kakashi rubbed the top of his head almost lazily, "I underestimated you back then. But I'm not that pathetic." Then he became more serious, "It's not going to work the way it did before, you see."

Naruto smirked, feeling that he now was much stronger since his first encounter with Itachi. Maybe he was a bit too confident at his improvement. He was going to say something but Kakashi stopped him before he could.

"Naruto, I'll handle him." Naruto stared at his sensei slack jawed, a bit angry he was going to be on the sidelines again. Sensing his student's agitation Kakashi continued, "This time cover me. To be honest, I want to be cool and say, go on ahead. But against him, even I can't contain him alone."

As Naruto smirked, Kakashi sprinted towards Itachi, delivering a punch that got blocked. Out of the corner of his eye he saw another Itachi rushing past, towards his team. Shadow Clone.

Naruto acted quickly, putting his hand palm up out to side as Tayuya reached over and began helping him form a Rasengan. Naruto smirked as he ran towards the rushing Itachi, slamming it into him. As he made contact, Itachi burst into smoke. It appeared that this Itachi was also a Shadow Clone. When the smoke cleared, Naruto looked around to see that everyone was incapacitated.

Then all of them rose up, transforming into Itachi. "What's going on?" He looked at all of them nervously. Are they all Shadow Clones? Naruto threw kunai, trying to dispel what he thought were clones. They dissipated out of existence, only to be replaced by crows.

Naruto realized he was in a genjutsu, and tried to break it. The crows circling him started to disappear, but it wasn't enough. They turned into shuriken as they bombarded Naruto, piercing into his flesh as he cried out in pain.

Naruto then awoke to the real world from a smack to the back of his head from Tayuya. "You got caught in his genjutsu, Shithead." He grabbed the back of his head to feel a comically sized lump protruding from it.

He squinted looking at Tayuya slightly irritated. "Didn't have to smack me so hard." She just shrugged him off, not really caring what he thought of her methods. Naruto gave her a pointed glare, still irritated by the smack. Maybe I should have stayed in the genjutsu.

Kakashi began running towards Itachi, with sparks of electricity shooting from his hand. As he approached he struck out. "Lightning Blade!" Itachi jumped out of the way, narrowly dodging it.

Looking up, Itachi saw two Naruto's above him forming a Rasengan. As Naruto fell, his clone dispersed, and he shoved his hand into Itachi. "Big Ball Rasengan!" The ball collided into Itachi, driving him into the ground. When the dust settled, Naruto noticed his attack had formed a large crater. In the ground. However, Itachi stood by it, unscathed. He had the same solemn look he always had on his face, but he was a bit surprised by the power of the attack.

He was snapped out of his thoughts as he spotted Tayuya above him forming hand seals. "Fireball Jutsu!" A massive ball of fire protruded from her mouth as it shot down at tremendous speed towards Itachi. He leapt back, as it managed to slightly singe his cloak. He looked to see it had formed a crated, identical in size to Naruto's. These two have some skill.

Mist began to envelope the clearing, due to Kakashi, who had performed the Hidden Mist Jutsu, something he had picked up from a certain shinobi in the Land of Waves. Itachi's wasn't a novice, and wasn't going to fall prey to the jutsu. He caught sight of Kakashi and used his own Fireball Jutsu.

The heat from the blast dissipated all of the mist, leaving a path carved in the ground of its carnage. Itachi spotted a hole in the ground, and immediately Kakashi sprung from below, missing an uppercut by inches. However it was a distraction, as the real Kakashi crawled out of the aforementioned hole.

"Take him out! Clone and all!"

Naruto and Tayuya were rushing Itachi, each using a hand to form a large Rasengan between them. Both of them yelled out, "Giant Rasengan!" They drove it into Itachi's abdomen, forcing him into the air, and dispelling Kakashi's Shadow Clone. A matching smirk appeared on the two teens faces as Itachi was sent hurling back. Their smirks of triumph were replaced by frowns as Itachi stared uncaring at them.

It unnerved them greatly that he could seem so uncarring as he was hit by a jutsu of such raw power.

"You see that look on his face, Shithead? The fuck was that?"

Naruto grimaced, not really knowing why either. It was one of his trump cards, and the man smiled as if it were child's play. "I don't know Tayuya."

All of them approached the body, surprised by what they found. It was not Itachi, but another man that that they did not know. Their combined Rasengan, they thought, must have dispelled the jutsu on the man when it killed him.

As they all looked at the man, Tayuya looked at his headband and spoke first. "Sand? Fucker must be a spy." She looked at the old woman with a questioning glare. "You know him Wrinkles?"

The woman scoffed at the offense, almost mauling the girl over the rude nickname. "It's Chiyo, girl! And yes. He was a member of the council for years. But… he went missing right around the time Gaara was taken." Chiyo looked worried as she pulled out a scroll and began writing a message for her village. She unsealed a mechanical bird from another scroll and put her message in its mouth, sending it to her village.

Chiyo explained that who they were fought was merely meant to bide time to extract the tailed beast from Gaara. Sakura being the only one out of the loop asked what that meant. When Chiyo explained what a Jinchuriki was, and what happened to the hosts when the beast was extracted, that it killed the person. Sakura was shocked.

She looked at Naruto with worry, understanding for the first time of how much danger he really was in. "Naruto…"

Tayuya stepped between them, looking at Sakura with visible disdain. "You don't get to act worried about him now."

Sakura looked at her, then Naruto confused. What is she talking about? He's been my friend longer than you. "Tayuya, what do you mean?"

A vein started to protrude on Tayuya's forehead as her voice rose in anger. "What do I mean? What the fuck do you mean, what do I mean?"

Naruto tried to interrupt, "Tayuya."

Tayuya waved him off, "Shut it Naruto." The use of his name surprised him, as he closed his mouth, waiting to hear what she had to say. She returned her full attention to Sakura. "What I mean is back there you were useless. You didn't help at all, or even attempt to back Kakashi or us up. Naruto was in danger, and you sat back and literally did nothing!"

Tayuya rubbed her face in agitation, trying to collect herself before finishing with a cold tone. "You were useless. Next time, you better protect him. Or else."

Naruto was stunned at the threat Tayuya leveled at Sakura, but he didn't say anything. Sakura did instead. Tears streamed from her eyes as she gave a slight bow. "You're right. I'm sorry Naruto. I'll be stronger next time."

Before Naruto could reply, Tayuya grabbed his arm and started to pull him away from her. "Come on, Shithead."

He looked back at Sakura, and gave her an apologetic smile, before looking at Tayuya. "You know, you could have been nicer… But thanks." She gave a small snort in reply, leaving Naruto a bit lost for words. "You know, you were in danger too. You don't have to worry about me so much."

Tayuya's eye twitched as she pushed him back. "Worry about you! As if! Just don't want my Shithead to get too dinged up. You're too comfy to sleep with. I don't want to work and find another Shithead. Now get a move on."

Naruto shook his head, knowing there was no point in arguing. He just followed, as she dragged his arm along with her. Tayuya could be really stubborn when she wanted to be. To him though, that was one of the things in their friendship he had to deal with. Yet, he wouldn't trade it for anything.

They began leaping through the trees again, at breakneck speed. Naruto needed to save his friend, no matter how exhausted he was from the fight. Kakashi could easily see how tired his team was, and stopped them; deciding that resting was the best option for the upcoming fight with Gaara's captors, much to Naruto's dismay.

After a few hours, Kakashi decided to start again. He looked at Naruto and Tayuya, and his brow rose in surprise. The two were huddled together on the ground. What he thought was "cute" wasn't exactly seen in the same light as the others in the group.

Sakura looked over and was surprised by how close the two looked. Naruto was sprawled out, with his arm pulling Tayuya into him. She was curled into him on her side, using his chest as a pillow; with his chin resting atop of her head and her arm wrapped around him. Sakura thought it was sweet for a moment, however, it didn't last long as she groaned in disgust looking at them.

What she didn't notice at first was the pile of drool dribbling from Tayuya's mouth, forming a lake on Naruto's chest, bathing the side of her face. She wasn't any better off though, as rivers of drool were pouring out of his mouth, soaking her hair.

As Sakura gagged, Kakashi tried to wake them up. "Wake up, you two. We're leaving."

Naruto shifted a little, not wanting to wake up. In a drowsy voice he replied, "A little longer… Let us sleep a little longer." Tayuya mumbled in agreement in her sleep, not wanting to get up either.

If the situation was less dire, Kakashi might have laughed at the two. They really are cute together. Leaving his thoughts, he shook his head. "Naruto. You're going to save Gaara, aren't you?"

At those words, Naruto bolted up right, with his eyes wide open, flinging a now waking Tayuya off of him. "Of course I am!"

Now fully awake, Tayuya picked herself off the ground, more than a little irritated. She brought her hand back in a clinched fist, before crashing it into the top of Naruto's head. "What the fuck Shithead! Give me a warning next time you decide to throw me in my sleep!"

Tears flowed from Naruto's eyes as he held his head in pain. "Why do you have to hit so hard Tayuya-chan?"

Tayuya was seething as she glared at the poor guy. "Oh none of that "Chan" with me! I'm not falling for that." At that point she noticed her head felt really wet. With a look of confusion, she reached up to pat her beanie, pulling her hand back to find it coated in drool. "Shithead, why the hell is my head covered in drool?"

She began to wind her arm back again as Naruto rebutted, "But you drooled all over me." Tayuya froze as she noticed his soaking chest. "And I think you rested your head on me. How is it my fault?"

Red seeped into Tayuya's face as embarrassment overtook her. Shit, he's right. But he pulled me into him, right? Or did I snuggle into him first? Wait, did I just say snuggle? What the fuck?!

Kakashi stared at the two, and from the quizzical look Naruto was gave Tayuya, and her twitching eye and flushed face, he decided to intervene. "Alright, that's enough. We're running out of time. Let's go."