I don't own Naruto. nough' said.

Limping, the man held out a small vile to the cloaked figure.

"I...I kept my promise, now keep yours..." he coughed, "Heal me and hold your end of the bargain."

A lighthearted chuckle escaped the lips of the cloaked man, "Well... then you would know too much wouldn't you? I think I'll let you die here." he said, turned from the man and walking.

"Wh...wait, n-nooo!" he screamed, faultering forward but only falling on his knees instantly, he heaved and bended over, coughing up blood.

"Y-you..." he coughed, "caniving... snake..."

XXXXxxxxXXXXxxxxXXXXxxxxXXXXxxx

"Okay guys, lets go over the plan while we do this, alright?" Shikamaru said loudly enough for everyone to hear.

They nodded, "okay, like I said before, I'll be in front, Sasuke, you stay behind me so you can be backup in case we're attacked.' he explained.

Shikamaru gave Kiba his attention, "and you stay in the back, I trust your ears if we're being followed." he said.

Kiba sighed, "I don't know why we're bothering ourselves with someone we just met like this." he said.

Sasuke huffed while Shikamaru continued, "well, it was the hokage's orders, she also has amnesia, she's like a kid... but she seems to learn quickly."

Sasuke seemed to think about this, "yeah..." he muttered. truthfully though, it seemed like she got a whole ten levels smarter every day, every second, but she still kept a tomboyish personality, a naive personality as well... but she was ... stronger than him, and it didn't even look like she was trying. how... HOW could he POSSIBLY loose to... to... someone like her?

"...Well, " Shikamaru said, snapping Sasuke out of his thoughts, "lets rest up."

Kiba roused in the tree branch, shifting to get comfortable, there were three branches lined up, but he balanced easily on one in his sleep.

he shifted abrubtly when he came to his senses, feeling another prescence, and the smell of blood.

he stood up to get a better view, though while still staying hidden, Akamaru was sure not to whine when Kiba's aura changed.

Kiba scanned his surroundings, noticing movement in a bush beside their site, he readied his Kunai and examined the figure.

he squinted slightly in the darkness, the figure became more clear.

"Nh!" his eyes widened and he jumped from the tree hastily.

He jumped foward as the figure collapsed in his arms, "Narumi...?" he whispered.

Her eyes opened slightly, Sasuke caught a glimpse of red.

"Wha..."

"...Sasuke..." Narumi whispered back.

At the sound, Sasuke and Shikamaru awoke, "N...Narumi?" Sasuke rubbed one eye as he said her name.

Narumi whimpered, her eyes had closed and Sasuke took a breath, blinking as he steadied himself. Kiba recognised the scent on her immediately, Akamaru did as well, and whined as Kiba growled.

"Orochimaru... I think he's the one who took her." he snarled as he let out the name.

Sasuke was now up and checking on her wounds on her arms, Shikamaru held the back of one leg, examining it.

"She was chained, it appears that she ripped her skin while escaping."

"What the hell kind of chains were those?" Kiba mumbled.

"Yeah, she should have been able to break free no sweat, if you know how she is." Sasuke threw in. "with no wounds, that is."

Shikamaru nodded, "lets get her back to the village and report to lady Tsunade"

Shikamaru carried Narumi, being the squad leader. they had wrapped her legs in gauze tightly to stop the bleeding.

Once they reached the village hidden in the leaves, they went straight for the Hokage's office. "she's heavy..." Shikamaru muttered, as they entered.

They headed up to Tsunade's room, Shikamaru followed by Kiba, followed by Sasuke.

Shikamaru stepped aside as Sasuke knocked on the door.

There was no answer...

Sasuke knocked again, they heard a mutter or two, then Shizune finally answered, "back already?" she eyed Narumiin Shikamaru's arms, "what happened?" she stepped out of the way to let them in.

The boys stepped in, a few of the Shinobi were already there, including Kakashi.

Kakashi gave them a friendly nod, but still watched Shikamaru and Narumi.

"Well isn't that quite the load you've got there." Tsunade stood up, "I'll heal her," she came around her desk and took Narumi from Shikamaru gently, careful not to wake her.

"While i'm at it, you boys explain to Shizune what happened." she went out of the room and closed the door behind her with one foot.

Okay, I know this was like, the shortest ever, but I seriously have homework to do and I thought you guys would be upset if I waited too long.

sigh... damn fractions... plus the project... sorry, I really mean it.

I WILL update, trust me, just... well- later, you know?