Unfortunately, I do not own Naruto. If I did, it STILL wouldn't have me in it. lol.

(a/n) Okay, earlier in the series (chapter 3 I think) I said that I won't be able to update regularly all the time. Well, unfortunately after today I we will have to say goodbye to my regular updation (and to my life in general) because my summer reading assignment is due on August first, and I have not yet started. --' Don't worry, you will all eventually find out what happens to Kate, Dee, and especially Valerie, but not everyday... lol

Rated T: For some 'naughty' words, if you don't like it, don't read it.

Chapter Ten:

Dee gazed up at the sky, which was unusually grey. The group had been walking since Kate first called Dee about arranging the teams, but that wasn't nearly long enough for the sun to be going down already. The wind picked up, blowing sand all around her and into her mouth, nose, and eyes.

"Damn!" she spluttered, and she tried to spit it out, without allowing more to enter, her eyes watering the entire time. Temari and Kankuro turned to look at her, smiling. They, of course, were used to this sort of climate. Unfortunately, living in Ohio does not prepare one for a sand storm.

Dee continued to splutter and swear for over an hour, until the three of them finally entered the lush forest, located on the outskirts of the desert. 'This doesn't make logical or geographical sense,' Dee thought as she managed to brush the remainder of sand off of her clothing and out of her hair.

"I think we should rest here," Temari said, turning to her. The blonde girl was naturally the leader of the current observation. Even though Dee was older, Temari's experience more than tripled her own, along with being knowledgeable about the area, it only made sense.

Dee sat her bag down and smiled to herself as she walked over to a nearby tree, sliding down it and sitting on the grassy ground beneath her.

"How much farther do we have left to go?" She asked, turning to Kankuro, who was leaning against a nearby tree.

"I would say about an hour," he responded. Dee nodded and closed her eyes, already exhausted from coming this far.

'I wonder if this is karma,' she thought to herself, 'I got free room and board, and Kate had to work her's off... so I end up walking for six hours?!' Dee sighed, and before she realized it, fell asleep.

- - - - -

"Okay," Kate said, impatiently, "We are in position, right on time..." She paused and looked around, "Where are they?"

"I see them about two-hundred meters, that way," Hinata squeaked, pointing, "They're heading towards us."

"Well I would hope so..." Kate mumbled, still rather annoyed, Naruto wasn't helping matters. It seemed every thirty seconds he was coming up with another 'great idea,' or he was rushing ahead, as if he were in charge.

Kate clenched and un-clenched her fist repeatedly, to relieve her anger, and sat down against a tree, arms crossed and brow furrowed. 'At least I don't owe Tsunade as much now,' Kate thought, but it was beginning to dawn on her that she would rather have to pay more money than listen to Naruto for another minute.

She swore under her breath and put her head down on her arms, 'get here soon Dee,' she though, 'otherwise the main character of this show might just end up dead.'

- - - - -

"Dee," Kankuro said, "Dee?" Dee groaned, and open her eyes sleepily.

"We are almost there," she heard Temari say, "And I don't think you want your friend to see you sleeping when we do." Dee looked down at herself, and realized that she was tied to Kankuro's back like a puppet. Her eyes snapped open quickly from shock, looking at Temari, she saw she was carrying the puppet on her own back, and Kankuro had her fan tucked under Dee.

Dee blushed as Kankuro released her, and she stepped out quickly, "How long-" she began to say.

"Since we stopped the first time," Kankuro said.

"Sorry!" Dee said, the flush in her cheeks had now completely filled her face, making her feel as if she had a slight fever.

Temari put down Kankuro's puppet, and stretched her sholders and back, while Kankuro simply placed the fan beside his sister and picked up Karasu, thrusting it easily over his shoulders. Dee stood up.

"Ready?" Temari asked, Dee nodded, and the group continued. It wasn't long before they spotted Naruto, standing in the middle of the pathway, as if to ward them away.

- - - - -

"Move out of the way!" Kate yelled at Naruto, before muttering to herself, "You useless bag of shit!!" Naruto hung his head and scuffled off to hide behind a tree.

When Kate looked up again, it was to see Kankuro and Temari staring at her, strangely.

"Where's Dee?" She asked, teal eyes wide. They softened as she noticed a slightly ruffled Dee emerge from behind the siblings, smiling, "Hey," she said simply. Kate smiled up at her, before standing up.

"Cool," Kate said with a nod, let's go then, "Kiba? Hinata?" She called for them, and they emerged from behind a nearby tree.

"Let's go then!" Kiba said, his eye twinkling as the group plunged forward.

"Don't forget meee!" Kate and Dee heard a whiney voice call, both rolling their eyes in unison.

"I was kinda hoping we would," Dee said, turning to Kate.

"Yeah," Kate agreed, "me too."

- - - - -

As they approached the building, they noticed that it did not seem to be guarded. The group all looked at each other carefully, not sure if they were about to fall into a booby trap or not. However, they continued to sneak forward, and before they knew it, they were inside.

"That was surprisingly easy," Dee whispered, turning to Kate, who nodded in agreement.

"VALERIE!!" Yelled a voice behind him, "VAAALE-oompf" Naruto began to call again, before being punched in the stomach by Kate, who covered his mouth.

"If you don't shut your fucking mouth," She hissed at him, her eyes ablaze, "I am seriously going to kill you!" Naruto gulped, but nodded to show that he understood.

Kate turned back around, and looked at Dee, who was obviously trying her hardest not to laugh. She grinned and looked ahead, ready for whatever was coming next.

- - - - -

"I think we are lost," Temari said, looking around at the others, who all seemed to agree with her. Just as she said it, they turned a corner, hearing a chuckle coming from the back of the group.

"We already told you to shut your mouth Naruto!" Dee said, without looking.

"I didn't even say anything!" he answered, indignantly.

"We all heard it," Kate said, "There is no point in denying it."

"That wasn't me!" Naruto denied.

"If it wasn't you," Dee said, turning to face it, "Who... wa-wa-waaa" Kate turned to look at her. She was pointing to the back of the group; Kate looked, and saw what Dee had been stuttering at.

"God damnit!" She said, looking into the eyes of the individual standing behind Naruto.

"Well, well well," Kabuto said, his voice just as greasy as usual, "What do we have HERE?"