A.N. Hey guys. Sorry about not updating at all. I was really busy this summer. I spent all of July volunteering at a camp to get hours for highschool done in my first year. i also had baseball throughout the week so i was really tired. Then i had camp in August and i was away a lot so this last week of summer has really been the only time I've had to write. Though thats not really an excuse. Hopefully I will update more often if the first few weeks of grade ten arent to busy. Also because i kept forgetting in the forst few chapters, i will do a disclaimer right now while i remember.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the Characters. I wish I did.

Out of the Mist

Ch. 3

The next few weeks passed uneventfully for Sakura. Despite her efforts she never did get speaking to Sasuke about what he had said that one night in the bar. Because of her job in the hospital she had been kept rather busy because of all the normal patients and emergencies. It wasn't until about two and a half weeks later that Sakura was called to the Hokage Tower for the mission.

Upon entering Tsunade's office she realized that all of the rookie nine were there as well as Gai's team. Surprised at the number of people there she instantly was on alert. After all it was everyday you found this many people being sent out on a mission.

Coughing to catch their attention, all eyes turned too Tsunade with almost visible concern in most. "Now I know you are all wondering why I summoned so many of you here. Well yes, you are all going on a mission, and it is a high ranked A-class bordering on S-classed mission that I am sending you on.

Nodding in understanding about how difficult this mission may be, they continued to stay quiet and lat her explain.

"Lately we have been receiving reports about how people have been going missing in a certain area in Mist. As you all know Mist is made up of many islands, and with all the mist, it can be difficult to navigate. This is the reason for your large numbers. Because it is such a large expanse to cover, and the difficulty of traveling the waters, as well as islands, I needed to send a large group. Because you all work so well together and I know you're all skilled enough for this mission, I decided to send you."

"Do we know what is causing the disappearances Hokage-sama?" Neji questioned.

Shaking her head Tsunade continued, "unfortunately we don't. The only reason we are even taking this mission instead of Mist shinobi is because all the men they have sent out have disappeared as well."

"Just how many people have disappeared Tsunade-shishou?" Sakura asked.

"A Daimyo's whole family and guards along with two ANBU squads that were sent to find them." Tsunade sighed. "We have absolutely no clue who or what could have done this."

"What do you mean by, or what?" Shikamaru asked.

"The only clue we have of whatever did this is a report from a local near the area that would go to the Daimyo's vacation home there every week to bring food. The man was found stranded in his boat just off the coast of the island quaking in fear. He reportedly said that when he arrived at the compound as he did every week something was wrong, and no one was there. There weren't any guards around and the gates were open. There were some weapons on the ground, but other than that there didn't seem to be any other signs of a struggle. When the man said he was about to leave, he heard a terrifying scream, and then a shriek that didn't even sound human. He said it was nothing like he had ever heard before. Then he claimed a mist started rising out of nowhere, and he heard a strange noise. After that the reports said that they had a hard time understanding what was left of the man's story. They think that from what he said that he ran for it back to the beach, and it was possible that something was pursuing him."

"And there are no more witnesses or any reports of what could be happening on this island?" Sasuke spoke up.

"Nothing," Tsunade said shaking her head. "No one has ventured back to the island since the two teams went missing, and at the risk of losing more shinobi they've asked for our help."

"We'll do it." Naruto shouted.

Smacking him in the back of the head, Sasuke muttered, "Dobe. It's not like we had a choice in the matter."

"Ow, teme. Are you trying to start something?!" Naruto yelled back at him.

"Both of you stop being so troublesome and let the Hokage finish what she was saying," interrupted Shikamaru, effectively putting the oncoming fight to a stop, and saving Naruto from a painful death from the thick book Tsunade was eyeing on top of her desk.

"As I was saying before I was interrupted," at this point everyone turned to glare at Naruto, who rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "you will all be sent out, with Shikamaru and Neji as you team leaders since they are the highest rank." Tossing a scroll over to Neji with the mission details in it she continues, " That has further details on the mission. You are to meet at the gates in one hour's time. We are not sure about how long this mission will take, so I suggest you pack enough supplies to last from more than two weeks time, just in case. Good luck, you are all dismissed.

At this point everyone left and headed off their separate ways to pack for their mission. Sakura returning to her home pondered the latest mission to be assigned. This was an interesting development. It wasn't everyday that, that amount of people went missing, including two ANBU squads. Whomever, or whatever, their opponent may be, they were certainly going to be up for a good battle. She couldn't wait to get started.

Packing quickly, all the basic thing she may need, along with her weapons and a good book, since she was bound to be sitting on a boat for a while, she packed everything away along with a couple sets of clothes into her pack. Changing into her mission gear and re-strapping on her kunai holster more firmly, she reset all the traps around her house, made sure all the windows were closed, and double checked everything. Closing the door behind her as she left, she locked it and set off for the gate.

Arriving to find Neji, Tenten, Lee, Shino, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Sasuke already there, she went over and started talking with them. Soon enough everyone else arrived and they prepared to leave.

Moving to the front Shikamaru caught everyone's attention. "Alright everyone listen up. The travel formation will be as followed: Neji and Tenten will be upfront because of Neji's bloodline and Tenten's long range attacks. Then Kiba and Akamaru will be behind them. Lee is next because of his taijutsu. Then Sakura and Sasuke, Sakura because for her chakra sensing abilities, and Sasuke because of his ninjutsu abilities. Also because Sakura you are our main medic, if we are attacked, please try not to engage, because if you were injured, well that would be bad to simply put it. Sasuke this means I want you to keep a look out just in case. Sakura stop looking at me like that, we all know you are perfectly capable of protecting yourself, it's only a precaution." Stopping her glare, Sakura sighed and let him continue.

"Moving on. After that Ino and I will follow because of our families' special jutsus. Then will be Choji and Shino, because of Shino's bugs, I want him near the back incase of a rear attack, and Choji because of his taijutsu. Then bringing up the rear I want Hinata and Naruto, because I need Hinata to watch for an ambush from the back with her bloodline, and Naruto being a ninjutsu specialist, will be able to provide sufficient protection for the heiress."

Finished with his explanations everyone got into order beside their respective partner, and they headed out.

A.N. Ok guys I've been pretty disappointed with the amount of reviews. Since this is my first story and all, and because I'm actually not that old and experienced your reviews really motivate me and help a lot. I'm not going to threaten you, but i really would like some more reviews. Not only do the motivate me, but because this is my first fic, they help me a lot since I'm not that experienced as some other writers. So plz if you could take the time and review that be great. Tips and story plot ideas are appreciated and welcomed.
So please review and enjoy
Wiltedroses193