(Note: I do not own Naruto, its characters or anything of the sort. This is just a Fanfiction)

The next morning came as an unexpected visitor to the sleeping kunoichi. She crept out of her cave, and was blinded by the bright rays of the morning sun. A part of her wanted to creep back into that cave and fall asleep again; however, whether it was the thought of sleeping in a cave of all places again, or the fact she had to get going on her mission, Temari set off toward the Land of Earth.

She passed over a long, winding river, which helped mark her departure from the Land of Fire. After a few minutes of traveling, she found the forest dwindled down to grassland. She continued her journey toward the Earth/Grass Country's border, passing mile after mile of nothing but hills and grassland. Along her way she found a small town and stopped there to re-supply and grab a quick bite to eat, before being on her way once more. The high noon's sun began to beat down upon her as she finally reached the border of the two countries. The roaming grasslands and hills of the Land of Grass, gave way to the barren rock wasteland that was infamous of the Land of Earth. A half hour into her journey since crossing the border, Temari came upon a large gorge. She pulled out her map and examined where she was. She scanned the map but could not find the large gorge that stood in front of her on it; however, if her navigation was right, she would only have to cross the gorge then stay on that path to find the Village Hidden among the Stones. Temari put away her map, and crossed into the large gorge ahead.

Suddenly the large earthen walls closed up behind her, sealing Temari from the outside.

"A trap!"

"A little late to be noticing that now, aren't we?", an eerie voice cried out.

Temari saw a figure emerge from the rock face in front of her, followed by several platoons of other ninja above her. Temari noticed the bans on their heads signified that they were ninja from the Village Hidden among the Stones. She was obviously outnumbered, and the odds were not in her favor at the moment.

"Ninja of the Village Hidden among the Stones", she said. "I am Temari of the Village Hidden in the Sand. I have come…"

"Save your excuses. We know who you are.", the same eerie voice said.

"Then I ask you to please let me pass so I may see the Tsuchikage on matters of important diplomatic business."

The tall built man laughed menacingly to himself before saying, "You hear that boys? She wants to see the Tsuchikage!"

The other Rock ninja too laughed a twisted and menacing laugh.

A closer look at one of the ninja revealed that his headband had been slashed across the middle, indicating he was a deserter.

(To herself) "Thugs! These aren't Rock Ninja…their just a bunch of deserters."

"Well, since you asked so nicely", continued the rouge ninja; "I guess we could show you to him."

"Save it! I know your game now. I suggest you leave before you regret your decisions here today", yelled Temari.

With that, Temari pulled out her large metal fan from behind her back, and unfolded it to reveal all three purple moons.

The apparent boss ninja cracked his knuckles and smiled to himself.

"Huh! That's a pretty fan you got there, but its no use, prepare to…Argh! I…I…can't…move…"

From out of the shadows a ninja appeared wearing a green Chunin vest and a Konoha headband around his arm.

"Shadow Possession complete."

"Shikamaru!"

"Argh! Don't just stand there you lazy idiots!", cried the leader. "Get him!"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you", Shikamaru yelled. "I have a team of re-enforcements on the way. I suggest you leave why you still have the chance."

As he said this, a long shadowy hand crept up the rouge ninja's body and wrapped its cold fingers around his broad thick neck.

"And in case any of you try anything funny, I'll strangle your little boss here…So? What's it gonna be?"

The leader caught in the jutsu just started to laugh, as he heard Shikamaru's words. He quickly screamed out, "We have our orders from the Mizukage! Kill them all!"

The other "Rock ninja" prepared to fight and one quickly sprang at Shikamaru with a kunai drawn.

"Damn it!", cried Shikamaru.

Shikamaru released the Shadow Possession Jutsu, and quickly delt with the oncoming foe attacking him. He then made a hand seal and detonated several paper bombs scattered behind the remaining Rock Ninja above them. A few dodged the blast and went straight for Shikamaru.

"Aren't you forgetting about someone!?!"

A large gust of wind came spiraling toward the rouge ninja, throwing them up against rock cliff behind them. They fell to the ground unconscious from the ferocity of the attack.

The pair quickly moved together, back to back, and survived their remaining opponents.

"I've got 3 on my right, and 7 to my left", counted Shikamaru.

"I've have 5 on this side, but I can't locate the leader.", responded Temari.

"Got it…Why can't things ever be normal around you?" Shikamaru joked.

With that, the pair split and attacked their surrounding foes. Their enemies were rather weak and were easily crippled by Temari's ferocious gusts from her fan. The rouge ninja began to decrease, and the two soon gained the advantage.

Shikamaru dealt with two ninja with a kick to head each; however he couldn't see a kunai that was hurtling toward him. Temari caught sight of it and quickly threw a shuriken with expert precision at it. The two weapons collided and fell to the side with a sharp 'Klang!". Shikamaru nervously turned to see a smiling Temari, knowing that she had just barely saved his life.

Shikamaru rose to say thanks to Temari when he noticed the boss of the other rouge ninja appearing from the shadowy rock behind her. Temari started to wave to Shikamaru, but seeing the expression in Shikamaru's eyes she turned around to see the boss ninja poised to strike.

"Ah! Thought you could defeat us so easily? I'll teach you to underestimate me!"

Shikamaru instinctively moved his hand to his side ninja tool pocket, but realized he was all out of weapons…

Shikamaru didn't think, his feet seemed to move by themselves as he dove in front of Temari and took a knife to the chest, that otherwise would have easily struck Temari a deadly blow. Temari instinctively reacted and sent a fearsome blast of wind at the rouge ninja. He was catapulted back toward the gorge's walls which released a landslide of boulders from above him. The rocks fell one after the other and crushed the rouge ninja boss into the ground.

A moment later, the walls of the gorge receded back into the ground as the boss' jutsu was broken. A squad of Rock ninja soon appeared around Temari who was holding Shikamaru in her arms. Temari went to get up and fight, but the rock ninja she saw were the ones she remembered from her previous mission to the Land of Earth.

"Temari of the Village Hidden in the Sands, please do not be alarmed. We are not here to fight you. If you remember I am the Tsuchikage's Assistant. Thank you for defeating these rouge ninja for us. When we learned of your account of Rock Ninja attacking our neighboring borders, we discovered this band of rouge mercenaries were behind the attacks on the Land of Grass.

(Noticing Shikamaru injured) "One of your party is injured! Quickly, someone get this man to a medical team, now!"

(Focusing on Shikamaru)"Shikamaru! You fool! Why did you do something that reckless?"

(In pain)"I-I couldn't stop myself from moving, I…"

(Pressing a finger to his lips)"It was very heroic. Thank you."

The Rock Ninja came beside Temari and picked up Shikamaru. Together with Temari, they transported him to their Hidden Village for inspection of his wounds.

END OF CHAPTER 4