A/N: Hello loves! New Chapter. Enjoy!

I do not own Naruto.

Sakura had to stifle a yawn in front of her team as she waited for everyone else at the gates, being up late wasn't one of the best decisions she made. But she's wasn't going to say that out loud. She didn't feel like hearing Naruto's lectures five o'clock in the damn morning. He hadn't questioned her when they woke up and Sai hasn't said anything, so she wasn't going to complain.

At least she could confidently say she's wasn't the only person dead on their feet. She knew Tenten wasn't exactly a morning person,so meeting up no later than five must of been hell, and with the exception of Guy's upbeat humming, everyone just sorta stood around silently. It was just too early to talk. Naruto and Lee, for all their energy and stamina, managed to stay silent as well, which was a relief. She didn't think anyone could've handled all that noise, although she did see Lee smile at his teacher as if he wanted to join in, and she silently prayed that he wouldn't give into that temptation

She glanced at Tenten and noticed how worn out she looked compared to the perfect Neji, and the spirited Lee. Sakura already knew she looked the exact same way compared to Sai and Naruto. The Chinese-style shinobi felt her stare and returned it instantly, and they both exchanged tired smiles.

"Morning everyone."

Everyone turned to see Kakashi strolling in, raising his hand in a casual wave. "Ready for departure?"

"Ready as we'll ever be," she heard Tenten mutter sarcastically.

"Ah! Hello Kakashi!," Guy bellowed, " I'm glad today you are not late! Now we can advance on our long mission!" He was practically jumping with excitement.

"Hey now, I'm not always late."

All of the younger shinobi coughed and cleared their throats loudly at his statement.

He ignored it as he looked at everyone lazily and nodded his head. "Alright. I'm sure everyone's been briefed on the mission. Pick up the princess, escort her to The Land of Lightning, bring her back safely. Correct?"

No one replied but he took that as a yes. "If worse comes to worse, Naruto, Neji, Gai, it's your responsibility to take the Princess to safety while the rest of us contain the threat.

Naruto gave him a look of disbelief. "Wait. Why do I have to run away from the action?"

"Our obligation is to keep her safe, and having you by her side is a smart decision."

"But-"

"Damn it Naruto!" Tenten snapped. "We have a month-long mission and you complaining is not going to make it any better."

Everyone jumped slightly at her loud outburst and Naruto resembled a puppy being scolded.

Tenten must have felt she was being a little harsh because she took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself. Once she did, she walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Sorry. I understand how hard it will be to miss out on the action, especially since we haven't had much in a while. But if it comes down to it, which it probably won't, just take one for the team...okay?"

Neji chimed in. "Being the best also includes being the first to sacrifice."

Naruto pouted a little, looking like a little boy when he was really a young adult, and reluctantly nodded his head. He snickered a bit. "You're grumpy as hell when you're sleepy."

She balled her fist and brought it down on his head. "Screw you."

"Tenten," Gai began to scold. "Those words are unbecoming for-"

"Fuck what's unbecoming. I'm grumpy, cold, and it's too damn early," she scratched carelessly in her lopsided buns.

Sakura almost forgot how irritable and funny Tenten could be when woken up early in the morning. Tenten didn't really curse unless she's sleep deprived, she's more explosive too. Sakura remembered that one time when all the girls decided to surprise Tenten with a morning breakfast for her birthday, which was a horrible decision. A sleepy Tenten and an abundance of weapons did not mix.

"Say no more! For we shall push forward out at top speed to Iwagakure!" Gai pointed proudly at the exit.

Everyone groaned inwardly, except for Lee who was bouncing with excitement.

Although running was a drag to put it in Shikamaru's words, it really wasn't much of struggle. Everyone of them we're elite jounin capable of amazing speeds and talents. So when Gai said top speed, they were literally a blur. Silent as the woods around them, barely making contact against the branches of the trees.

They were making good time, when it got too dark they decided to make camp and get some rest. They were in some part of the woods miles from the grass villages. Past these lands they would be entering the terrains of Iwagakure.

They set up camp and Neji went to plant traps around the perimeter to be on the safe side. Sakura sent Naruto to get firewood and with a few hand signs, she produced a small fireball and got a good fire going. She wouldn't admit where she learned that technique from.

She pulled off her gloves and put them in front of the flame. She really, really hates the winter. Although at night the snowflakes could be beautiful under the moonlight, the cold was a bitter slap in the face. No, Sakura was not a winter person, she was more of a spring person at heart.

Tenten plopped down next to her and brought her shivering hands to the fire. Sakura scooted toward her until their bodies touched, and leaned in. Tenten return the gestured eagerly as both girls tried to steal body heat from the other.

"Hate t-the cold," Tenten muttered.

Sakura nodded her head in agreement, the side of her face bunching against the older girls'. This continued for a couple minutes then suddenly warm hands clasped on each of their shoulders. They turned around and Naruto was behind them sitting criss-cross with amused look on his face.

"You guys look so weird with you faces bunched up like that," he remarked.

"Well it is below freaking 30 out here," Tenten retorted.

"I thought complaining wasn't gonna make it any better," he teased.

"Oh y-you wanna b-be a smart ass don't y-you." Her shivering didn't make her sound menacing at all and he just laughed at her.

Sakura noticed how Naruto wasn't shaking as bad as they were, in fact he wasn't shivering at all. `"How are you not cold?"

He shrugged. "I don't really get cold during the winter."

She stared in disbelief and Tenten stared at him in mild jealousy, and Naruto returned it with a smug expression. The stares continued until Sakura eyes widened in realization as a light-bulb went off in her head.

Of course!

She reached for zipper of his thick jacket and his smug expression dissipated.

"W-What are you doing-"

As she opened his jacket, she could feel his intense heat coming from his jacket. They wasted no time burrowing their freezing bodies to the source of warmth. Both of their hands went under his sweater flat against his back, and he made the girliest shrieking sound as their freezing cold hands absorbed his heat. He made a violent shiver.

"Shit! You guys are freezing!" He tried to pull away but the girls grip was like iron.

"How could I have not realized? An enormous amount of chakra coursing through one body, he's basically a living heater!"

"Good thinking Sakura..," Tenten muttered.

They both took a side, both faces pressed on each side of his chest. He kept resisting with no avail, and eventually he gave up and let them do what they wanted. Their advance pushed him back, and he had his hands braced on the ground behind them. Both of their bodies were pressed against him, an arm across his middle, and the other one under his shirt on his bare back.

He shifted a little. "Uh you know in a normal situation, I would be flattered with two females under my arm. But you guys are literally using me for my body."

"Must be nice to be this warm," Sakura said wistfully. Completely ignoring his statement.

"Yeah and all that chakra too." Tenten agreed.

Sakura felt the teams chakra signatures approaching and she fluttered her eyes open to see everyone else staring at them.

"What happened?" Neji questioned.

"I'm being used against my will, that's what happened."

Neither female felt embarrassed.

"This is..new," Kakashi remarked slowly, his eye crinkling a bit as if he was trying to hold back from laughing.

"So you guys are just gonna stand there and not help me." He shifted again and their grip got tighter.

"And fend off some of the world's dangerous kunoichi? Mm no." Kakashi went to lay out his sleeping bag, abandoning his comrade. This was not his battle. Sai took in the predicament and decided that this wasn't his battle either, and Lee suddenly found the flames of the fire interesting.

"Good choice," both the girls mumbled.

"You guys are fucking cowards, I hope you know that!," Naruto shouted, betrayed.

Everyone continued to set up as if nothing was out off the ordinary.

He started give up until Neji announced, "Well seeing as though you're occupied, I guess I'll take first watch."

"No! No!," he hollered desperately. "I'll take first watch."

Tenten eyes snapped open and she raised her head from his chest to level with his face.

Her brown eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're not going anywhere," she said lowly.

Sakura followed up her friends statement up by enclosing her iron grip even further. At this point, she was probably limiting the oxygen to his body but she at the moment she was to cold to care, they probably looked childish clinging on to him like this.

But hey, they do say winter is cuddle season anyway. Naruto must have not received the memo because one moment he was there and the next moment a log took his place.

"Eh?"

Eyes blinked at the piece of wood that was once their blonde friend. His heated body replaced by the rough and jagged surface of the bark.

"No.." Tenten muttered, holding up the log. "Sakura what do we do?" She looked at other girl frantically and shook the log. "What do we do?!"

Sakura placed both hands on her friend's shoulders, fixating her with hard stare. "We find the next body," she answered, her jaw set.

They both turned toward the rest of the group with a determined gleam in their eyes, ready to snatch up a potential heater. The men suddenly busied themselves with their sleeping bags not wanting to be next, and the laughter of the freed man was heard throughout the woods.

Unfortunately, the girls' quest for warmth came to an end and it resulted to them just sharing a sleeping bag. All the guys were being stingy. Sakura had no choice but to resort to her medic abilities and raise her body heat a bit to warm her and her friend up. Tenten wondered why she didn't use such a nifty trick more often and Sakura's response was that it always depletes her chakra. So she did this for about ten minutes and decided it was enough warmth for them to maintain throughout the night.

The night went by fast and at the break of dawn they all got ready for another round of running. Tenten was better this morning, her twin buns even and perfect. But she insisted since they were making such good time, they shouldn't wasted so much energy rushing to get to their destination. Which the group agreed, much to Gai's dismay.

Sakura had a hunch that her friend was concerned about her chakra reserves since she used some of it the night before, even though she was totally fine. Her suspicion was confirmed when she locked eyes with Tenten and the girl gave her a thumbs up. She smiled, Tenten is such a good friend.

They arrived at their destination a little past midday, slowing down a few hundred meters before the gate so it's keeper can get a feel of their chakra. As expected, the shinobi who guarded the gates appeared immediately and greeted the group with bows lower than necessary.

"Hello and welcome," he said still bowing, and then started in a nervous ramble. "It is such an honor to have such formidable and legendary shinobi within these lands. Please allow the burden of me being your guide for this afternoon!"

"Hey you don't have to..." Sakura started, a little flustered by the guys extreme formality. No matter how many times this happens, she still felt a little weird receiving such respect as if she was a noble.

The guy still didn't get it though, he just kept bowing to everyone, to nervous to look them in the eye.

Kakashi and Gai had received their titles long before the war and was used to this kind of formality.

So the masked man simply smiled his and cleared his throat. "Please, raise your head," while returning a bow of his own, as did the rest of the team.

"It is also an honor to be in these lands and to guard her royal highness," he said politely.

The man- well young man, he looked about sixteen, raised his head. "U-Upon you appearance I was to expected guides you to Our Lord's capital."

Kakashi nodded. "Lead the way."

As they entered this territory, Sakura took in this village that she has never walked across before.

The Land of stone was very...stony. Buildings, houses, stores, and even restaurants, were carved intricately by the very thing their land was named after.

In contrast of the people of Konoha, who moved calmly and casually, the people here were very busy and heavily engaged in their work. A lot of merchants were out advertising their merchandise, yelling and shouting about how their deals were better than the next person. Entertainers were attracting crowds, earning what they can in their little hats by the generous onlookers. Even children, with basket full of sweets, shouted to the top of their little lungs and charming customers. It was a little overwhelming but refreshing to see so many people out, working and making a living.

Sakura wondered why she has never been here before and then she remembered that before the war, her village and this one were enemies. Crazy how things have changed.

"This is the main square," the young man spoke up. "Festivals and ceremonies are usually held here."

"It's very lively," Neji remarked.

"Very much so. This is a place where one would publicize their talents or market their goods."

"Hey, that actually looks really good," Naruto pointed at the little grilling stand emitting a smoky aroma.

The boy seemed elated by his comment. "We have a wide variety of foods here as well. Any style of cuisine you could name has some type of acquaintance here at the main square."

"It must be quite diverse here," Lee observed.

"Quite."

Lee walked next to the boy and looked at him with the utmost seriousness. "...How are your training grounds here?"

"I knew you were going to ask that," Tenten threw her hands up.

Their guide laughed lightly. "Do not worry, whatever questions you might have I will be more than happy to answer. It is my job after all!"

As they made their way to the capital, Naruto and Lee had many questions about the things they saw. All of which their guide answered with confidence and occasionally had a story to tell as well. Sakura thought he would be overwhelmed by their uninhibited demeanors, but he took in all in stride. He even went as far as to crack a couple jokes that received a couple chuckles and full blown laughter from the dynamic duo.

He seemed to swell with pride while talking about his village. He was tense at first but his voice held a formal and polite tone. She could tell he was trying to be business-like, but you couldn't miss the excitement in his smile, or the childlike giddiness in his eyes.

He was both personable and professional, they did right by choosing this guy as their guide.

"Lastly, here beyond these gates is the Royal Capital," he gestured to the houses before them and as they walked the guards appointed opened the gates, granting them entrance.

"Our Tsuchikage resides in the highest tower of course. Noble Clans and Our Feudal Lords' family lives in this area as well."

The homes here were noticeably larger and more upscale, and unlike the rest of the stony village it had a more traditional taste to it. The garden was beautiful, there was no other word for it. With its ponds, streams, and vibrant green plants, it looked like the winter never touched large moss-covered boulders, and stepping stones seemed to be the stony touches here.

Sakura was busy marveling the scenery and didn't notice the group had stopped. It was when

she bumped into Kakashi's back her gaze shifted to the young boy who was bowing yet again.

"I'm afraid our tour must end here," he bowed lower, "Thank you so much for having me. Our Lord will appear momentarily. "

"Hey, we didn't catch your name," Tenten spoke up, and the boy's' head snapped up in realization that he didn't introduce himself at all, and a blush came across his cheeks. Once again the timid boy was back.

"My apologies, My name is Kai. Thank you for your patience through these proceedings."

"Hey Kai. Could you show us a good food places around here? I'm starving," Naruto drawled.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Naruto you're always starving."

Kai chuckled. "Well there is a-"

"You needn't worry. We have a personal kitchen here that will serve you anything you want."

The group turned around to see the man in formal robes known step towards them in graceful strides, his flock of servants close behind him. "Welcome. I'm glad everyone arrived here safely."

"Greetings, My Lord. It is an honor," Kakashi bowed, along with the rest of the team.

"Ah Kakashi Hatake, The Copy Ninja of the Hidden Leaf. I must say the honor is all ours." The robes man returned the bow gracefully and the servants followed suit. "And to all you memorable shinobi, you have my thanks."

"There is no need My Lord," Neji replied gracefully. "We are simply here to devote our skills in completing the task given to us, as any other shinobi."

"And that task consists of the safety of my precious grand-daughter," he added. "I must say we did not expect your arrival so early, we were prepared for the dawn of tomorrow.

"Well that is understandable since we did travel at a abnormal pace thanks to someone," Tenten stated pointedly glaring at Gai who cleared his throat.

The feudal lord laughed and waved his hand dismissively. "That is nothing to be ashamed of, I am also a man of punctuality and it is my sincere apology that my granddaughter is not present to greet you at this time. But enough talk, we will talk more during dinner. It is to my knowledge the Konohan people cannot stay in the cold for too long."

Both girls sighed in relief.

"Hey these rooms are nice," Tenten exclaimed, hopping into one the massive beds claiming it as her own. "To think he would let us crash at his place so we don't have to pay for a crappy motel."

"I know," Sakura agreed, falling face first into the bunch of the soft pillows. "Enjoy it while you can, we have to leave early in the morning."

She felt a pillow hit her butt. "Stop, don't ruin this moment. I feel a relationship between me and this bed ."

She grabbed the pillow and chucked it back at the girl. "Fine. But I think we can both agree that we are in desperate need of a shower."

Tenten sniffed her armpits and frowned. "Ugh, you right," she hopped out of the bed. "Do they keep bathrooms in the rooms?"

"This room is huge they're bound to have one. If not we'll just use the bath house," Sakura answered and hopped off her bed as well. She pointed in one direction.

"You look that way and I'll look this way."

She gave a dramatic curtsey. "Yes, My Lady," she concluded, and went searching.

"That was nice, you better get used to doing that for the next few weeks."

"You know this whole monarch schtick I'm not really good at." Sakura heard something fall in the distance and later Tenten cursing.

"It comes with the mission remember."

"Eh, wouldn't say mission. We're more here for show than anything besides I-oh!"

Sakura turned her head. "Found it?"

She got no response. "Tenten?"

"It's literally half my apartment," she wheezed.

Sakura was there in a flash and stood next to the older kunoichi as they both took in the spa/bathroom.

The decor, as usual, was spot on. The earthy colours complementing each other, never flushing out the others potential. They had soaps, oils, perfumes all lined up one the shelves at their disposal. The smooth tile on the floor was also apart of the wall of the shower as it was visible through the clear glass doors. But there was one thing that completely caught their attention.

"They have a copper tub," Tenten breathed.

The tub certainly stood out on it's own, a massive copper slipper tub on a wrought-iron base. Made to keep and maintain heat and relax the muscles. It was quite big, but it was clear that only one person could only occupy that space and feel comfortable.

Both girls gazed at it for a moment before turning their eyes on eachother. Green and brown into each other as they both tried to come with a reason they should use the tub.

Sakura went first. "I used my own chakra to keep us warm the other night."

"And in return I made sure that we ran steadier to make it easier for you to catch up."

Her eyes narrowed. "Is this what you're going the pull on the person who nursed back to health when you caught the flu?"

"I caught it from you!"

"Yeah well, it kept you away from those sparring sessions with Lee and Gai didn't it."

"Because I spar Lee and Gai should be more than enough reason for me to have the tub."

Sakura crossed her arms. "I'm the medic, relaxing in the tub will help rejuvenate my chakra. We can't have something go wrong and I won't even have enough chakra for medical back-up," she smirked. "Do we?"

It was kind of a stretch saying that, but Sakura knew the girl was stuck, it was evident on her face. Her brows furrowed as she quickly searched for something, and when she did she let out a triumphant 'ah-ha!'

She pointed at the tub. "I found it first!"

Damn!

A/N: I really, really hate writer's block. With a passion. I hate school even more.

But on a more positive note, HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please, I am open to some healthy criticism. So if you have any comments don't be afraid to review, or if you just want to give some motivation to my slow brain that's welcome too!

Bye!

Raven out!