Thanks to those who reviewed so sorry for the late upload. I have been absolutely exhausted lately. Sorry if it's a little short and there are probably errors since its late and I'm tired. Anyways, hope you enjoy and please review.

Sasuke's POV:

I rush into the darkness, hands intertwined with Hinata's. Naruto is somewhat silent as we make our way through the Forest of Death. When I feel we are a safe distance, I motion for everyone to stop. We hide under the shelter of a huge tree, surrounded by thick bushes. I sit against the trunk of the tree and motion for everyone to sit near me. I clear my throat and look at Hinata, then to Naruto.

"Okay guys, listen, this is going to be hard, especially because we have a lot of stronger opponents around us. So we need a plan and formation." I explain to the two, who nod in agrement. "Hinata will be our eyes, and will remain in the middle of the formation. She will spot any traps, suspicious characters, and enemies." I look at Hinata who seems nervous and give her hand a slight squeeze for encouragement. I look to Naruto, who I've considered my non-blood related brother. I look sternly into his eyes and continue. "You'll be in the front Naruto, to protect Hinata and to block any surprise oncoming attacks. Okay?"

"He he he! Of course! I'll beat anyone before they can lay a scratch on us." He says, grinning his goofy grin. I sigh in slight annoyance but nod.

"Good, let's hope so. Now I'll be in the back, just in case anyone wants to take us from behind. Now how shall we scout our food sources and enemy scrolls?" I ask. Surprisingly, Naruto answers first.

"I noticed a river a little while ago. We can fish and gather some berries for our food." He says.

"I can s-see w-with my byakugan w-what scroll a-an enemy i-is c-carrying. If w-we rest a-and keep g-guard d-during the day, t-then travel a-at d-dusk to night, we c-can catch t-the enemy off g-guard." I hear Hinata chime in. I nod and sigh. I tell Naruto to fetch firewood and start setting up camp around the tree. Hinata goes off to gather berries and I think for a few moments. The sound of a twig snapping brings me out of my thoughts. I turn towards the sound to see Naruto with a big bundle of sticks. He places them on the floor and starts making a fireplace.

"Nee Sasuke-kun." I hear him call out my name.

"Hn."

"You and I have always been rivals. Hinata is among the many things we would consider to fuel that rivalry." He says. I tense up when he mentions Hinata. I stare at him intently but he ignores it and continues. "I'll give up my chase after her but you got to promise me something."

"And what's that dobe?"

"Don't lose her to anyone teme." I stare at him in shock for a moment before quickly recovering. I nod and just as I do, Hinata comes back with a makeshift basket and a decent amount of berries. We all sit down and enoy the small meal as the sun sets and day one of our test really begins.

*meanwhile elsewhere*

"Will you accept this mission?"

"Hai."

"Do you understand your objective?"

"Hai. I understand."

"And?"

"I shall not harm them."

"Good. Now go."

"Hai, Hiashi-sama."

"Oh, and Itachi?"

"Hai?"

"Do not fail, don't forget to deliver the message to her."

"Hai."

*Back in the Forest of Death: 8:23pm(still Sasuke's POV)*

"Naruto." I say quietly. We stop moving through the trees and Hinata quietly activates her byakugan. She points northeast of Naruto who nods and rushes off in that direction. We quietly follow behind him. After a few yards we stop and Hinata looks around for a moment.

"Three grass ninja, they have the Heaven scroll." She whispers. I nod and make a few signs to Naruto who nods and takes off to the left, I, to the right. I wait in the trees, as our targets get into sight. A female ninja is standing guard as her teamates are asleep. I listen for the signal, a birds call from Hinata. When I hear it I quickly drop to the ground and sprint towards the girl. The kinouichi looks shocked before pulling out a kunai to defend herself. Before she gets the chance to attack, Naruto grabs her from behind and restrains her. I quickly pinch a nerve in her throat to knock her unconsious. Hinata jumps down from her tree gracefully and walks towards the tent of the sleeping nin. She does a few handsigns before releasing a seal that sealed the tent. She quietly grabs the scroll and we retreat back to our safe area.

"He he he we did it! Now all we got to do is get back to the tower in the middle and we are clear!" Naruto boasts. I chuckle and sigh in relief.

"It won't be that easy dobe." I say.

"Huuh? Why not?" He whines. I hit his head and grit my teeth in annoyance.

"Because there will be teams around there ready to attack and get scrolls from those who are done." I explain. He 'ooh's and looks at me expectedly.

"Then how do we get past them?" He asks.

"We will go around the least populated area and fight when needed." I state simply. We start to walk towards the middle. Naruto talks throughout most of the walk, other than that, it's pretty much silent. I start thinking about after the chunin exams and about Hinata. What if she picks Itachi? Or what if she doesn't love me anymore. I start to panic, to others my face is as stoic as ever, but somehow Hinata knows. She grabs my hand and squeezes it. I look at her and she smiles kindly.

"Don't worry Sasuke-kun." She whispers. I nod in return and then it hits me. She didn't stutter. A small smile creeps on my face and I feel slightly better. After a while we stop to rest. Hinata convinces me to rest with Naruto as she standss guard. I lay down under our makeshift tent and close my eyes. I hear Hinata's footsteps pacing outside. I slowly nod off to sleep.

I wake up to the trees rustling. Still half asleep I try to fall asleep when I hear a muffle scream. I bolt upright and run out to find Hinata being taken by a dark figure. Before I could get to him he disappears, leaving only a paper behind. I pick it up and look at it. It reads:

'Catch me if you can. You have until tomorrow at dusk, or else.'

I must get Hinata back, at any costs.