Authors Note – Sorry I didn't update yesterday, I had business to attend to. I'll be going to my dad's house this weekend, so I won't be able to update another couple of days, but please bear with me, I'm at a stage now where I know where I want to go I'm just not sure how to get there.

They had been walking for about eight hours now, not a word had been spoken by anyone. Sakura glanced at Sasuke; he was walking straight and tall, not showing any sign of tiredness. Aran was also walking tall, but Sakura could see her forehead glisten with sweat and her mouth was slightly open from dehydration. Sakura was sure they were carrying more then her, and she wasn't sure how they could still be walking strong. It was as if there was a silent battle taking place, both Sasuke and Aran trying to better the other.

"We can stop here." Kakashi said, looking around.

Aran quickly unbuckled her bag and dropped it on the ground, sitting crossed legged next to it. Sasuke unbuckled his bag a bit slower and sat on top of it after he placed it on the ground. Sakura just sat down, taking her bag off as she sat.

Kakashi had his back to them, he was surveying their surroundings. They were at the border between Fire and Sound nation. Kakashi hadn't wanted to come this close to the Sound line, but very few people traveled the road, and the fewer people they ran into the better.

"There's a fresh spring over there." Kakashi pointed in front of him. "Go get a drink and fill the canteens." He paused. "All three of you."

Silently Sasuke, Sakura, and Aran walked on, carrying the canteens over their shoulders. Once they were out of ear shot Kakashi spoke again.

"You can come out now."

There was a rustle from the trees above then the sound of someone dropping to the ground behind Kakashi.

"There's never any fooling you, is there Kakashi?"

Kakashi slowly turned around; this was exactly what he hadn't wanted to happen. "Kabuto." He said, almost in a sigh. "You're not the best at keeping your presence unknown."

The white haired Sound Ninja shrugged. "But your little students didn't pick me up."

"Yes well that's something I'll have to work on." Kakashi glanced over his shoulder to make sure his students were still preoccupied.

"What brings you so close to the border?" Kabuto asked, also looking at the kids. "Couldn't be a mission, seeing as it's the off season."

Kakashi shrugged. "I just wanted a bit of fresh air."

Kabuto smirked, did Kakashi honestly think he was that stupid. "Who's the new one?" He asked, gesturing toward Aran. "Definitely not that annoying Naruto, far too good looking to be him."

Kakashi frowned; this conversation was getting far too dangerous. "Just a genin out for a little survival training. How's it going for you and your master?"

Kabuto shrugged. "We're doing alright, membership's down, but we're looking for recruits."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, he needed to get rid of Kabuto, the kids were coming back. "Well tell Orochimaru I said he's going to be hard pressed to find any."

Kabuto chuckled, pushing his glasses up his nose with his fingers, the lenses catching the sun and making a bright glint for a second. "I don't think so." Then he was gone, only the faintly rustling leaves giving sound to his departure.

Kakashi sighed in relief and turned to his students. "Grab your bags, we're heading out."

Aran and Sakura sighed heavily, picking up their bags and buckling them on again, neither of them had any clue about Kabuto's presence. Sasuke hoisted his bag onto his back and looked at Kakashi through narrowed eyes, he then mentally shook his head, he would talk to his sensei latter.