Chapter 4: A New Mission For The Konoha 11!

" Man, this stinks, what's so special about this stupid new team that it takes the whole of the Konoha 11?!" yelled our all time favorite, whiskered face, loud-mouthed blond, Naruto Uzumaki , in irritation.

" Shut Up, you baka!" yelled his teammate, Sakura Haruno, giving a sock to the head.

"ITAI!!!!!"

Shikamaru sighed exasperatedly as he leaned back on a tree. "For once, I agree with Naruto…" he muttered. ' Something must be wrong with me, 'he added mentally.

"Oh, put a sock in it, Shikamaru," snapped Ino, tossing her platinum blond ponytail irritably. " Why do you have to be such a wet blanket, I for one think this is a much more efficient way for all of us to meet the team rather than just bumping into each other on the streets."

Rolling his eyes, Shikamaru decided to change the subject. Shifting his gaze to Sakura, he asked, "By the way, do ya' have any idea who the new team are Sakura-chan?"

Sakura shook her head. "Sorry Shikamaru, I'm just as clueless as everyone else."

"Surely you must have heard something Sakura-san, being Tsunade's subordinate and all," asked Neji, speaking up for the first time in a while.

Going silent for a while, Sakura closed her eyes while she searched her memory. "Wait, I remember now!" exclaimed Sakura, slamming her fist into her palm as her eyes popped wide open. Everyone quickly leaned in to listen, yes, even the ever monotone Shino Aburame.

"Well, what is it Sakura-chan, don't leave us hanging!" pressed Tenten eagerly.

" Well, I do recall one occasion when I happened to hear Tsunade-sama tell Shizune-san about the transfer of four siblings who were transferring here from Sunagakure on special business with their allies, the Inuzuka clan, unfortunately, that's all I could find out, I didn't even manage to catch a name or at least the genders of the new team," sighed Sakura, drooping her head.

" Yosh! Not to worry your youthful mind, Sakura-san, we can always ask Kiba-san the moment he arrives!" exclaimed Rock Lee cheerfully.

"Yeah, I guess your right, Lee-san, speaking of who, where is Kiba and Akamaru anyway? It's not like them to be late."

Naruto looked around to see that Sakura was right. "Yeah, come to think of it, I don't see Hinata-chan around either."

" Which is why we are going to postpone the meeting of the new team till later, because I've got a rescue mission for you guys," said the lady Hokage herself, out of the blue, along with Shizune carrying her pet pig Tonton.

The remainder of the Konoha 11 quickly turned their attention towards Tsunade at the words "rescue mission". Seeing that everyone was alert, she began the briefing for the mission. "Earlier today, a villager witnessed a group of rogue ninja, whose origins are unknown, ambushing Hinata Hyuuga and Kiba Inuzuka. The group has been described to be wearing coloured hooded cloaks. Since not much time has passed since then, there is likely possibility that the group is still in the Fire Country's borders. Your mission is to find these rogue ninja and get back our comrades, are you clear?" said Tsunade.

The nine genin all nodded. Tsunade continued with her instructions, " Good, you are all to split up into your respective teams and search the area, Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno and Naruto Uzumaki, I'm sending your team to search the Northern Border, Team Gai, you would search the Southern Border, and Team 10, the Eastern Border would be your area. I have sent all of your jounin instructors to the Western Border to search for the leader who was reported to be seen heading in that direction. If you no further inquiries, move out!" she commanded. The Konoha 8 nodded before heading off.

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In the Northern Border, Sakura noticed Shino's grim expression as the team leapt from tree to tree in search of the mysterious intruders. "Shino?"

"Hn?"

"Are you worried about your teammates?" she asked.

Shino shook his head a little. "No, it's just that I've heard this is not the first time Hinata-chan has been kidnapped before. When she was young, a cloud ninja attempted to kidnap her but was killed by Lord Hiashi before he could get away."

Naruto and Sakura's eyes widened. Shino continued, "It was said the kidnap was so that the Hidden Cloud could learn the secret of the Byakugan. But I'm clueless to why they would kidnap an Inuzuka."

"Look, who cares what the reason is! We are going to find those kidnappers and get back our friends! Believe it!" exclaimed Naruto whose gleamed in determination.

THWUNK!!! A big boomerang appeared out of nowhere wedged itself in a tree trunk just inches from Naruto's face. Sakura and Shino quickly stopped while Naruto ended up sitting on a branch clutching his chest in shock. Sakura quickly whipped out a kunai and got into a stance. Naruto, who recovered quickly, did likewise.

"Who are you ?! Show yourselves ?!" she demanded, her eyes searching the area around her.

Suddenly, a red and black blur jumped from the trees and landed on branch a few meters away from the team. Both of the figures were donning hooded cloaks with their hoods lowered hiding majority of their faces in the shadows leaving only their mouths visible. The only difference was that one wore a crimson cloak while the other wore a black cloak.

"Who are you and what have you done two Hinata, Kiba and Akamaru?!" demanded Naruto fiercely.

As if in response, the two figures smiled evilly, each revealing a pair of sharp pointy fangs.

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R.F: (hangs over the side of a cliff tangled up in professional rock climbing equipment) Well, I've heard of cliffhangers but this is just plain ridiculous… Oh well, till next time.