The song for this Chapter is 'I Won't Give up' by Jason Mraz

Enjoy the chapter and I realize it goes a bit quick but please bear with me and you'll see why. I had to put a lot into this chapter for a reason.

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING

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Sasuke Uchiha stood in front of a crowd of hundreds of people. After his own match took place a few weeks ago, Hinata had her match against Tenten, Ino against Katsu (the green-haired man who was partnered with Nori and Juro from Danzou's team), and then Kiba went against Lee.

Now a few weeks later the winners of the matches, Kankuro, Nori, Gaara, Neji, Hinata, Ino, Lee and Sasuke, himself were all standing in a horizontal row in an arena facing many people that would take joy in watching their battles.

The matches were already set as following: Kankuro Subaku vs Nori Suko, Gaara Subaku vs Ino Yamanaka, Neji Hyuga vs Sasuke Uchiha and Hinata Hyuga vs Rock Lee. Currently, Lady Hokage Tsunade, Shizune, Danzou and the council of Suna were up above in the center of the stadium looking down on their victors.

Tsunade smiled down and asked the council of Suna for permission to speak. They quickly obliged and she made herself known, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Chunin Exams Tournament!"

The crowd roared with glee and excitement. Tsunade continued, "The rules are that if a contestant becomes unconscious or admits defeat, they will lose the match. There will be no killing and if such happens, the assailant will be terminated from the tournament. Is this clear?!"

The contestants nodded in agreement.

Tsunade smirked, "Then let the Chunin Selection Exams begin!"

The crowd boomed eagerness as the applause sounded like a storm.

Amongst the crowd was Sakura, Choji, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Tenten cheering on their fellow teammates just as Temari was cheering on her two brothers. Ebisu, Anko and the Jounin sensei were separated from the Genin but still wishing their students good luck silently in their minds.

Baki entered the arena to face the Genin, "The first match will be Kankuro Subaku vs Nori Suko. Please step forward and may the others walk up the stairs to the middle stadium to wait for your own match."

Everyone except for Kankuro and Nori advanced to the middle stadium that was similar to Konoha's Chunin Exam Arena when they all fought in the final exam. When they reached the top of the stairs, they were able to see out in an open area but could also walk into a small room with some chairs to wait. Sasuke went over silently and sat in one of the chairs alone while everyone else looked out the open gap to watch the match. Gaara noticed Sasuke sitting by himself and walked over to the Uchiha.

Gaara stood in front of him, "What are you doing?"

Sasuke put his hands up to his face, "I'm waiting."

The sand Jinchuriki raised a hairless eyebrow at him. Over the last few weeks, the two stoic impassive boys had gotten closer, training for the final exam together silently. Gaara sat beside his new friend, "For what exactly?"

"My match" Sasuke answered but Gaara wasn't' going to let it be.

"You do realize that you might have to fight one of them correct? Don't you think it would be wise to observe their abilities? Especially the female's?"

Sasuke smirked, "Don't worry about me. I've already seen what she can do. A few weeks ago during the second part of the Chunin Exams she decided to pay me a little visit when she found me alone. Heh" he laughed a little, "She's nothing to worry about. I've seen her apprehension when she faced me. She felt very uncomfortable as if she didn't really want to be around me. She's afraid of me."

Gaara sighed, "Even so, you should still observe her moves. I fear Kankuro will not win this battle because of her mercilessness. That is what you should be careful to stand up against."

Sasuke nodded, "I guess you're right." He stood up, "Fine."

The two walked back up to the others to watch the match only to see that Kankuro was getting his ass kicked. Nori had her whip out with a Lightning Release surrounding it, crackling and snapping. One by one it was destroying Kankuro's puppets until they were no more. The girl's face was emotionless as she narrowed her cold eyes at her opponent and suddenly cracked her Lightning Whip towards and around Kankuro"

"Aaaaahhhhhhh!" he screamed, the whip shocking him into unconsciousness.

Nori smirked and walked away from the arena with her whip over her shoulder. Baki hurriedly ran over to his student to check his vitals and sighed in relief.

"The winner is Nori Suko!"

Carefully Baki put Kankuro's arm over his shoulders to lift him up but before he could begin to walk, Gaara transported himself via his sand down to the arena and took his older brother from his sensei, "I'll get him to the medics right away."

Baki nodded, "Hurry. Your match is up next."

Gaara bowed his head in understanding and used his sand to transport him and his brother quickly to the medic center.

Meanwhile, Sasuke deactivated his Sharingan and stared at the stairs that Nori was walking up. When she reached the top, Sasuke glared into her own eyes, trying to make her feel uncomfortable. Thankfully for him, it was somewhat working and Nori huffed and walked alone into the small waiting room.

'I hope I'll be able to fight her. I'll teach her a lesson she won't forget'

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The next match that passed was Gaara Subaku vs Ino Yamanaka and it should be pretty safe to say that Gaara easily won against the Yamanaka's mind abilities. She only took one glimpse into his mind and escaped back out of it, terrified of what she saw. However, despite not being able to reach inside his mind, Ino put up a brave front and attacked with all of her might, no matter how useless against the Jinchuriki.

After Gaara won the match, Baki announced his victory, Sasuke knew that he was next but shivered in excitement at who was about to face.

Neji Hyuga.

Sasuke stood up and clenched his fists to try and stop the trembling. He walked down the stairs just as Baki announced the next match, "Will the next contestants, Sasuke Uchiha and Neji Hyuga please come down to the arena."

Neji looked around for the Uchiha only to see that he already started going down to the arena. Neji smirked and hummed to himself but before he went down the stairs, his cousin, Hinata stopped him, "Umm"

Neji stared patiently at his cousin, "Yes Lady Hinata?"

Hinata smiled, "G-good luck, brother"

Neji blushed lightly and smiled before heading down, "Thank you."

When they both reached down to the arena, they stood before each other both smirking as Baki announced for them to start.

Neji smirked, "The last time I lost a battle was going against Minako Uzumaki. I do not plan on losing to you, though, Sasuke Uchiha"

Sasuke humphed, "We'll see about that, Hyuga"

Meanwhile Tsunade had been watching the matches from above with the council, Shizune and Danzou. Earlier within the week, Tsunade had received information from Kakashi and her other Jounin Sensei about Danzou. She knew that they didn't trust him but she had some sort of doubt about their implications of Anko involved in it. Anko was highly appreciated by the Third Hokage and she was very loyal. But perhaps Danzou got into her mind somehow?

'I'll have to speak with Anko about this. It might just be a big misunderstanding mixed with her natural rudeness' Tsunade narrowed her eyes in thought but proceeded to watched Sasuke and Neji's match.

'All of the Rookie Nine and Guy's Team especially have great abilities, especially from what I've heard from their sensei and gathered from their files. Perhaps they could be. . .'

Sasuke blew fire at his opponent only for the Hyuga to use his rotation technique. It seemed as though after only five minutes of fighting, the two great descendants were evenly matched. But Sasuke wasn't about to let that hit his reputation.

Using his Sharingan, Sasuke tracked Neji's movements in the rotation only to find that there was no opening for him to hit. The Hyuga truly did have an ultimate defense greater than Gaara's. Sasuke activated his third tomoe in his Sharingan and watched Neji's movements slow down. He could now see everything. Every single small movement the Hyuga made.

Sasuke smirked as Neji stopped his rotation and activated his Byakugan. They raced towards each other and attacked but while Neji was trying to hit Sasuke's pressure points, The Uchiha, with his enhanced Sharingan, simply dodged.

Neji was getting frustrated and backed off only for Sasuke to come after him, duck down and kick the Hyuga in the chin. The kick sent him up in the air.

Rock Lee watched from the waiting area with a frown, 'Really? My move again?'

Sasuke proceeded to use Lee's Leaf Hurricane which he had named the Lion's Barrage in the last Chunin Exams, rendering the Hyuga defeated and unconscious.

Baki ran up, checked Neji's pulse and shouted, "Sasuke Uchiha is the winner of the match!"

The crowd cheered and roared in excitement but Sasuke could clearly hear his friend's cheers far louder than anyone else's. Calmly and coolly, however, he made his way up the stairs and just smirked as he stood by Lee who glared pitifully at him.

Baki shouted, "Will the last two contestants please come down. Hinata Hyuga vs. Rock Lee!"

The audience cheered and shouted again but Sasuke wasn't feeling up to watching the match this time. Instead, he went over in the waiting room area and sat in a chair with a leg crossed to rest.

But of course that peace was short-lived when the white-haired bitch made herself known.

"Good match, Uchiha. It's too bad you won't make it any further."

Sasuke opened his eyes and glared at the girl but didn't respond verbally.

Nori snarled, "You're a pitiful excuse of a Shinobi"

"You've said that before already. By the way, how's your cheek doing?" Sasuke finally spoke, making Nori clench her fists in impatient anger.

"You lousy-!"

"Bastard?" Sasuke filled in, "I'm sorry but there's only one girl who is ever allowed to call me that."

Nori then smirked, "You're little traitor bitch? I don't see why you're so fixated on her. She's a no body. A traitor and scum to the Leaf Village. She'll never be allowed back."

Sasuke wrinkled his nose in disgust, "You're wrong. She was taken unwillingly."

"Hm" she snickered, "I heard differently. I heard she went willingly with the Sound ninja, fought and almost killed you and left for Orochimaru on her own free will."

Sasuke shook his head with a small smile, "You don't know the whole story. You never knew her. She's a great kunoichi and a wonderful person and it's MY fault that she is gone."

Nori listened with her eyes narrowed. Danzou never told them this.

"I said horrible things to her and made her feel as though she was nothing and that nobody would ever love her. I regretted it immediately because after that, she shut down. Orochimaru planned on me being the one to go to him but when I refused, he had his groupies coax Mina to go instead so that she'd be protected by a group called the Akatsuki that was after her. She left because she thought no one would protect her in Konoha. That no one loved her but during our fight I learned that I-"

He stopped as Baki shouted above all voices, "Rock Lee is the winner of the last match! There will be a ten minute break until the next round begins!"

Nori's face was featureless, "Hm. Lord Danzou, it seems, might have given my team and I false information. Maybe."

Sasuke stared at her emotionlessly, "I honestly don't care what you think. I don't know why I told you all of that, even. Maybe I just miss her so much that I find myself talking about her to get over the fact that she's gone. She might even be dead by now. But I will not give up in finding her."

With that, Sasuke stood up and walked away over to the other winners, Lee and Gaara.

Lee pumped his fist, "Are you ready Sasuke?!"

Sasuke just stared at him, "Aren't you fighting Gaara?"

Lee's blood drained from his face and turned to face Gaara, "Yes! Finally we will have a rematch, Gaara! Just promise me you won't cripple me again!"

Gaara stared at him with as equal disinterest as Sasuke, "No promises."

Lee sweat-dropped and laughed humorlessly as Nori came up to them, "So we are the ones to fight each other next round." She spoke to Sasuke and the Uchiha smirked.

"Seems so."

Nori smirked as the ten minutes were up and Baki shouted, "The next round will begin starting with Sasuke Uchiha vs Nori Suko! Please come forward!"

Sasuke was already leaving down the stairs, however, leaving Nori to follow him. As they made their way down and in front of the crowd, they faced each other with a new light. They still hated each other but they had more of an understanding.

Baki shouted, "Begin!"

Tsunade glanced at Danzou who smirked at the two in the arena.

'He's definitely planning something. But what is hard to tell with him.'

Neither opponent moved in the arena though. They stared at each other, waiting for the other to make a move. Finally though after a few more moments, Sasuke rushed to her only for Nori to take out her whip and crack it towards him. Sasuke, however, knew what was coming so he dodged the attack and leaped backwards to evade it.

Experimentally, Sasuke flung a few kunai at her only for her use her whip to stop them from hitting her.

"Is this all you got? You really are pathetic, Uchiha"

Sasuke glared but stood his ground, 'I need keep my cool. I can only use two Chidori maximum or else the curse mark will flare. But I wanted to save them for the final round. Besides, wouldn't Lightning be ineffective against another lighting element?.'

He could hear Sakura cheering him on along with Kiba, Choji and Tenten but he closed his eyes in thought, 'I have to find a weak spot. Somewhere.'

He reopened his eyes and his Sharingan was activated. Nori saw this and at first was fearful but regained her composure.

'I see. She's afraid of my Sharingan. Does she know what it can do?'

Sasuke charged again only for Nori to crack out her whip again towards him. This time Sasuke could see where the whip was going before it even went there in present time. Sasuke dodged the whip but proceeded forward, evading lash that almost caught him until he was standing in front of Nori with a smirk, "What did you say about me being pathetic?"

Nori snarled but before she could attack, Sasuke had Chidori in his fist and sparking. Nori decided instead of attacking, to bounce back away from the Chidori, causing Sasuke to miss his target.

'Dammit! Only one more'

Everyone was watching in eerily silence.

This time Nori made the first move, though, and attacked with her whip, lighting it up with electricity, sending the lightning scattering. Sasuke tried to dodge but even with his Sharingan, the unpredictable patterns the lightning was moving in was too hard to foresee. The lightning struck him and Nori cracked her whip again to fling and capture Sasuke. The whip tied itself around the Uchiha and Nori conducted a few hand signs before shouting, "Lightning Release! Electric Snake!"

Sasuke's eyes widened in fear as the electricity came from her hands down the whip but before it reached him, Sasuke performs yet another Chidori to cancel out Nori's own lightning. With difficulty, he untied the whip from himself, yanking it effectively out of Nori's hands and into his own.

He had stolen her weapon from her and now Nori was pissed, "You stupid bastard! I'm going to!"

Sasuke appeared so fast in front of her with a glare, purple chakra radiating off of him and the curse mark spreading slightly.

Tsunade stood up immediately and Anko was ready to intervene.

Sasuke wore an insane grin mixed with an angry hate-filled stare, "Only one girl is ever allowed to call me that."

Carefully, the Uchiha willed down the curse mark once more that evolved from his anger and breathed out through his mouth while he pushed her away roughly a few yards away. He cracked out the whip and using his Sharingan, he emitted his Chidori through the weapon just as she had done and snapped it towards her, successfully trapping her in lightning just as she had done to so many others.

"Aaaaahhhhhhhhh!" Nori screamed and shivered violently as the electricity coursed through her

"Her name is Minako Uzumaki"

When she fell unconscious, Sasuke stopped the Chidori and allowed Baki to come forward to inspect the body.

"She's just unconscious! Sasuke Uchiha wins!"

The audience roared loud once more but Sasuke was deaf to the noise as he walked up the stairs to see Lee and Gaara there smiling and smirking at him.

Lee clapped him on the back, "That was a great match Sasuke!"

Gaara nodded, "Acceptable"

Sasuke nodded back, "Yeah."

That was all that was said before Lee and Gaara's match was announced. Lee bounced excitedly down the stairs as Gaara had the urge to roll his eyes but followed nonetheless.

Not long after they left, however, Sasuke could sense someone watching him. He turned around to see Danzou standing in front of a door that led up to the audience stands. Sasuke kept his face level but on the inside he was burning with anger.

Danzou smiled, "Impressive. You managed to take down one of my best Genin. Nori was exceptional but compared to you"

Sasuke stood tall and puffed out his chest a bit, not trusting the man before him. Danzou came forward, "You know, you could take her place. But as a Chunin instead. Or perhaps a Jounin faster than you'd think."

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly but he regained his composure quickly, 'Is guy for real? Is he really trying to persuade me to join HIM? After what he's done?'

Sasuke shook his head, "No thanks. I don't want anything you can offer"

Danzou laughed lightly, "Really now? You could be great with me, though you know. Together we can get revenge on Itachi."

Sasuke twitched and snarled at the older man, "You're crossing the line. Itachi is mine to kill and mine only!"

The man narrowed his one revealed eye and smirked, "Ah yes but who has the most information on him and his supposed locations with the Akatsuki?"

Sasuke honestly didn't' know what to think, "You're lying."

Danzou chuckled darkly, "Unfortunately I'm not. Plus, I really know what happened that night he murdered the Uchiha clan. And only I can take off Minako Uzumaki's KOS order."

Sasuke snarled at him, "You're blackmailing me!"

Danzou limped with his cane closer to Sasuke and smirked, "Not really. I'm just giving you a choice. Forget about the Uzumaki girl. Work for me and I'll get you your revenge on your brother"

Sasuke was at a stalemate. On one hand he wanted to exact revenge on Itachi for murdering their entire family but on the other, he couldn't bring himself to forget Minako. Not after all he has done as of yet training and promising everyone that he'd bring her home again.

But luckily he didn't have to make that decision because a familiar purple haired woman burst in the room, "Danzou." She growled, "What the hell are you doing here?"

The elder man turned towards her and smirked, "Anko. What a pleasant surprise."

Anko sneered, "Get out of here. You have no right being around Sasuke Uchiha and you know it!"

By this time, knowing that something was wrong, Tsunade entered the room, taking off her Hokage cap, "What is going on in here?! Danzou, you do not have permission to be in here!"

Danzou stared between the two women and smiled, "Why I was only giving young Sasuke some advice was all, Princess Tsunade. I'll be taking my leave now"

Tsunade stopped him before he left, "If I see you around him again I will not hesitate in taking you down."

The man spoke confidently, "I am a village elder. You have no power over me, no matter how much you may think you do. Minako Uzumaki will be killed on sight and Sasuke Uchiha will one day work for me. That's all there is to it."

Sasuke spoke up, "I will never work for you. I don't care if you can help me find Itachi, you will not make me go against my own friend."

Danzou said nothing, however, and left the room in silence. Tsunade sighed and looked back at Sasuke, "You okay kid?"

Anko tilted her head, "Yeah you looked a bit roughed up there, maggot"

Sasuke nodded, "I'm fine."

Anko sighed, "Here then. Let me take a look at your curse mark. It started flaring during your match with that electro-bitch right?" she leaned in closer and inspected Sasuke's neck before pulling away, "You'll be fine. Just don't exert too much chakra during the final round alright?"

Sasuke nodded and Tsunade smirked, 'Looks like my expert Jounin were wrong about her. Anko hates Danzou just as much as anyone else it seems.'

Tsunade turned her attention to Anko, "Mitarashi if you'd please leave us?"

Anko bowed respectively, "As you wish Lady Hokage"

As she left Tsunade sighed and gestured for Sasuke to sit with her in the waiting room as Gaara and Lee were still fighting. Sasuke reluctantly sat by the busty woman in silence.

Tsunade closed her eyes, "He tried to blackmail you with information about Itachi didn't he?"

Sasuke looked surprised but nodded as she continued, "Don't trust him. I can assure you, that all you need to know is that Itachi murdered them and left to band together with the Akatsuki. That is what I know because that is what the Third Hokage has filed in the reports. Lord Third . . ." she stopped and sighed again, "Look Sasuke. No matter what happens I want you to promise me something."

Sasuke looked at her oddly but nodded anyway.

"Promise me you'd do anything it took to bring back that kid. She's the only thing I have left that reminds me of my little sibling."

Sasuke swallowed, feeling that pressure build up in him, "Yes mam. I promise."

Tsunade smiled at him and ruffled his hair gently, "When we all get back to Konoha, I'm going to have a meeting with all the rookies and Guy's team. I'll explain the rest then but just know this, Uchiha. I haven't given up on Minako either"

With that, the Fifth Hokage left the room, leaving Sasuke alone and in blank thought.

'It's just one thing after another'

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One Week later the Konoha group were all back in Konoha waiting outside Tsunade's office for the supposed meeting.

The Chunin Exams had been completed and ended with a blast. Literally. In the end, Gaara had won against Lee and the last match went between Gaara and Sasuke, with Sasuke winning the Chunin Selection Exams. Everyone had been so happy and excited for Sasuke and when they had returned from Suna, Teuchi had decided to give him a few bowl of ramen.

Everyone had resumed training, waiting for Tsunade's results and decision on who would become Chunin if anyone at all. Sakura was standing by Sasuke as close as she could all the while making Ino insanely jealous. Sasuke rolled his eyes inwardly, ignoring the sniggers from Kiba and Choji. Lee was boasting about how much he hoped everyone passed while Tenten and Neji were scolding on him for being ridiculous. Hinata was fidgeting her two fingers together while Shino just stood in silence.

Before anyone could say anything though, Shikamaru opened the door from the Hokage's office and smiled at them all, "Please everyone come inside. She'll see you now"

Shikamaru got out of the way so all of his friends could get inside the room. Once everyone was in, they waited patiently and diligently as Tsunade sat at her desk with her hands clasped together.

"You all are here to hear the results of the Chunin Exam?" Tsunade asked them all in which the group nodded softly.

Tsunade stood up with her hands behind her back, "Congratulations to squads seven, eight, nine and ten. You all have passed the Chunin Exams and have advanced to Chunin Rank!"

Everyone was in shock before Lee shouted in glee, Choji cheered and Ino yipped in excitement. However, the others were as confused as can be. Sakura spoke up, "Excuse me M'Lady?"

Tsunade nodded to her student, "Yes Sakura?"

"I don't' understand. Why name all of us Chunin if not even half of us made it to the third part of the exam?"

Tsunade smirked, "Well I've heard from your sensei that you all are magnificent Shinobi despite your inexperience. I witnessed the battles of Lee, Hinata, Neji, Ino and Sasuke and I thought you all did exceptional for Chunin Rank. Asuma tells me that, you, Choji have grown well and I've received many good words about your progress."

Choji blushed at that, managing to stop eating for a few seconds as she moved on to someone else.

"I've also heard from Kurenai that Kiba and Shino have improved and from what notes the other sensei made during the second part of the Chunin exams, I have decided to name you two Chunin as well. Tenten, along with Neji and Lee has more experience as well as great potential so she's earned it. And as for you, Sakura. You're my student. Of course I believe you're ready."

Everyone was graciously silent and Sasuke bumped Sakura's arm as light as a feather in only the daintiest sign of approval. Sakura blushed and smiled at her friend, noticing the gesture and turned back to their Hokage.

"Shikamaru, you may award them all their Vests."

As the more experienced of them all gave them all their vests, Tsunade sighed and walked to her window behind the desk, "But that's not all I wanted to talk to you all about today."

Sakura blinked, "M'Lady?"

Tsunade turned back around to face them all, "I'm sure Shikamaru has already told you about the KOS order of Minako Uzumaki?"

Everyone including Shikamaru froze and Tsunade smirked, "I'm the Hokage. Of course I know when someone's listening. More than one was listening that day. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is that I'm assigning you all covert missions to search for Minako's whereabouts."

Everyone was shocked to say the least and Shikamaru spoke up, "Lady Hokage, if I may. How are we supposed to find Minako when we don't' even know the first place to look? And wouldn't it be suspicious if all of us were gone at the same time in the same place all of the time?"

Tsunade smirked, "You won't be. You'll be in short of shifts. If I hear of a location then I will send a squad to search in that area while others search in a different location. The first place to search would be near the Land of Sound where she carved into the tree bark to leave her message. I'm assuming you all know what I'm talking about?"

Seeming like scared children that got caught in the cookie jar, they all nodded almost shamefully. Tsunade nodded, "But I must warn you all. This will not be easy. No one else must know about this meeting, am I clear? Not even the higher ups."

Sasuke was the first to nod, "Yes mam"

Everyone else nodded in agreement and Sakura whispered to Sasuke with a laugh, "And here we were all ready to beg for the missions"

Sasuke nodded without a sound as they all left the room. To celebrate their new ranks, their sensei were all waiting for them outside to take them out the nearby BBQ restaurant. They all laughed (except for a choice few), joked and shared many stories and sorrows together that night.

The Konoha ten had fulfilled their first promise to Minako in becoming Chunin.

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One year later

Sasuke cleaned up the kitchen, the bedroom and bathroom in record time, even stocking up some more ramen just in case this was the mission they'd finally do it.

Just in case they found her.

It was every week that Sasuke would come to Minako's apartment, pay the rent so the manager wouldn't rent the apartment to someone else, clean every room and even stock everything for her. He was sure that when she came back home, she'd appreciate everything just the way it was when she left.

Currently he was sitting on Minako's old bed looking down at his lap. In his lap was Minako's' headband and the charm bracelet that Kakashi had given her on her birthday. He'd stare at the objects that reminded him of her almost every day so he wouldn't lose sight of what mattered most at the time.

Getting Minako back home.

Sasuke had been made a Chunin one year ago and six months after Chunin Exams, Tsunade had decided to award Sasuke with the rank of a Jounin along with Neji Hyuga for their exponential and successful growth. Sasuke was already respected as a great Shinobi worthy of his family name in Konoha. He wore his vest with pride and his headband on his head just like Minako would want him to.

He smiled slightly but was startled when a knock sounded on the door. Without thinking, he ran towards the door and opened it to reveal Sakura. Sasuke's shoulders visibly relaxed and Sakura frowned sadly at him. She knew who he was expecting. Kakashi appeared behind her with his book in his hand.

"Sasuke, Tsunade has another mission for us. It's one of those missions."

Sasuke lit up and followed his team to the Hokage building to meet with Tsunade.

After everyone had been made a Chunin a year ago, they all seemed to have changed their looks somehow. Sasuke let his bangs grow out a little reaching down to his chin and Sakura wore a short dress with leggings and even kept her hair short, saying all of the time that she liked her hair that way and it didn't get in the way of her training with Tsunade.

Kurenai's old team had changed with Kiba getting rid of his old hoodie and Akamaru had grown the size of an adult bear. Hinata had let her hair grow long and changed her outfit to a lavender hoodie and pants. Shino, however, hadn't changed all that much.

Ino-Shika-Cho's group had gotten as relaxed as ever but when trouble rose up, they were ready for battle. Shikamaru hadn't really changed and neither had his rank for that matter. He was still too lazy. Ino, however, had grown out of blonde hair and changed her outfit so that now she wore a shirt that showed her belly button and shorts that came up to her knees. Choji had managed to grow bigger, it had seemed and not just in size. His skills in battle had gotten tremendously better as well.

As for Guy's team, Tenten and Lee really hadn't changed but Neji had also been awarded the rank of a Jounin as well as Sasuke had. Neji had also grown out his hair longer.

Finally as they reached Tsunade's office, Kakashi knocked gently on the door while reading his book and giggling like always. When they were granted access in, the group was surprised to see Jiraiya there as well, "Well hey there! Long time no see!"

"Master Jiraiya!" Sakura bowed in greeting and Jiraiya waved it off as Sasuke stared at him in hope. Jiraiya nodded.

"We have a lead on where Minako might be kept. One of my tracker toads sensed Orochimaru but the trail ran cold in the Land of Tea. I came back to Konoha right away. If we can find the trail again in time with the help of Kakashi's ninja hounds and Sasuke's Ninja cats, I have a pretty good feeling today might be the day"

After the Chunin Exams, Jiraiya had awarded Sasuke in teaching him the summoning Jutsu but instead of making a contract with toads, Sasuke had found the Uchiha family's summoning contract with Jiraiya's help. During the course of only a few hours, Sasuke had managed to perfect the jutsu and was able to summon his family's loyal Ninja cats.

Kakashi nodded, "It would be best if we let now."

Tsunade stopped them though, "I'm afraid you won't be alone during this mission though. An Anbu team that had been with Jiraiya last year in finding the first evidence of Minako's innocence will be accompanying you. Separately of course, though to cover more ground."

Sasuke nodded, "Yes mam. I swear we won't fail this time"

Tsunade sighed at him and shook her head, 'You say that every time Uchiha"

Sasuke grit his teeth, "But this time will be different! I know it."

Tsunade shook her head and dismissed them all.

'I sure hope they DO find something though'

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A few days later Team Kakashi, Jiraiya and the Anbu squad of four men were nearing the border of the Land of Tea. Before going any further, though, Jiraiya instructed Sasuke and Kakashi to summon their Ninja animals to track down any clues.

Sasuke did as told immediately, "Summoning Jutsu!"

With a poof of smoke, a ninja cat named Denka, "Meow! What can I do for you today lord Sasuke? Meow"

Sasuke stated to the cat, "I need you to sniff around for any clues of scents of Minako Uzumaki, Orochimaru or Kabuto."

Meanwhile, Kakashi was doing the same thing instructing his ninja hounds. With a flash, they bounded off. While the hounds and cat went off in the search Jiraiya and his Anbu core wandered off nearer the border on their own for clues. They only had to wait a few minutes, though when one of Kakashi's hounds howled, "Seems like they found something. But it's in the direction Jiraiya and the Anbu went. Come on guys!"

Without complaint, Sakura and Sasuke trailed behind Kakashi running off to the sound of howling and mewling until they found each other. To everyone's astonishment, however, instead of Minako, Orochimaru or Kabuto, the hounds and Denko were surrounding a small family of three.

The man held his family with tears in his eyes.

Jiraiya came forward but gently, not wanting to scare the little girl that was clutching her father's leg so tightly, "Sir. Would you mind telling me who you and your family are and why you're out by the border like this?"

Kakashi stepped forwards as well and smiled under his mask, trying to be nice, at the little girl who whimpered in fear.

The man gulped, "My name is Hitoshi and this is my wife Kei and daughter Kimi. We escaped from the Land of Sea from the tyrant, Orochimaru"

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Alright I was going to leave it here but I thought 'Ah what the heck! I'll keep going'

Enjoy the rest of the chapter

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Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "Orochimaru? Where!? Where is he?!"

Kimi began to cry and Sasuke almost felt bad but Hitoshi shook his head, "I do not know. We were warned that he was going to kill me and my family so we escaped and here we are. Can you help us please?"

Jiraiya sighed, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. You guys don't look like spies" he laughed, "And besides, perhaps you could give us information on the snake in return, hm?"

Hitoshi nodded, "Of course! Anything you want just keep me and my family safe. Please."

Kakashi leaned down and spoke to Pakkun, "Anything else you can smell?"

Pakkun shook his head, "No. I'm sorry but it seems we've hit another dead end."

The group groaned in defeat but lead the family slowly but surely back to Konoha with them where they'd be questioned and housed accordingly.

When they reached Konoha, however, the first stop they made was the Hokage's office with the family. Tsunade was expecting for them to come back empty handed but to come back with a rebel spy and his family? It was a good start in finding Orochimaru and if they found Orochimaru, they'd find Minako.

Hitoshi, knowing that Minako had told him not to tell anything of her, just couldn't fight the feeling that something was going on. That there was a reason they were by the border. He decided to speak up.

"Excuse me?"

Tsunade looked to him and his family as Kimi was quietly playing with Sasuke's Ninja cat, Denka, "Yes Hitoshi?"

Hitoshi swallowed, "If I may ask, why were so many of you at the border?"

Kakashi glanced to Tsunade but she was reluctant on giving any information to the stranger. Hitoshi could sense this so he elaborated, "You are looking for Orochimaru? I'm sorry but no one, not even I, know where his true base is by the Land of Sea. It could be on any of the secluded islands or on the main land for all I know but I do not."

Tsunade breathed out, "We are looking for a girl that might have been with him. Do you know of her? Perhaps a red-haired girl with whisker marks on her face?"

Hitoshi kept a straight face but Kei gripped her husband's hand. Sasuke saw this and stepped closer, "You know her. Don't you?"

The adults said nothing.

So Sasuke leaned down to the little girl and Hitoshi, afraid that the man would hurt her, finally spoke out, "We have heard of her! We have not seen her, though. She is most likely long gone alone with Orochimaru."

The group hissed and sighed in frustration. Sasuke, knowing that this was just another dead end, hit the wall in his anger and Sakura tried to console him with a hand on his back.

Hitoshi and Kei saw this gesture and Kei spoke, "Are you friends with her?"

Sakura nodded, "yes. She's been missing for over a year now and we've been trying all of this time to find her but with no such luck. We feared her dead."

Hitoshi was started," You do not want her dead even if she is with Orochimaru?"

Tsunade shook her head, "Of course not. She is a Konoha Shinobi and our friend. Minako Uzumaki is a friend to everyone, really"

Kimi sparked up at the mention of Minako, "Minako?! I know her! She my friend!"

Hitoshi paled and hid his daughter behind him. The looks on the Konoha Shinobi seemed of astonishment and sheer hope.

Sasuke walked closer to them and got up in Hitoshi's face, "You DO know her. Don't you?"

Kei swallowed and sighed, "Yes."

Kakashi was angry, "Why did you lie to us?!"

Hitoshi stood his ground, "Minako is our friend! She saved us and it is all thanks to her that we are not dead by Orochimaru's hands! She told us to run. That she'd protect us from Orochimaru so we could get to the border. She wanted to come with us but she was afraid of getting killed on Sight by some order she had heard of."

Tsunade let a tear fall and Jiraiya grunted whilst biting his lip.

Sasuke's face was blank, "She was there? She was . . . there when we found you?"

Hitoshi nodded, "At the time we feared for her life and she even made us swear not to say anything about her for our own protection."

He and Kei gazed at the Konoha Shinobi, "But I can see that you all care deeply for her. You must be the friends she talked about."

Sakura burst out in tears and leaned on Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke lightly touched Sakura's hand as she cried, "She. . . She's alive! Sasuke, she's alive!"

Sasuke willed the emotions down and stared at Hitoshi, "You're not telling us everything."

Hitoshi sighed and told the story. After he was finished, everyone in the room was silent and even Tsunade couldn't find the words.

Sasuke grit his teeth together, 'She almost killed them? I can't believe it! Minako would never do something like that! Although she did try to kill me that day in the Valley. But there must be a reason why she was acting in such a way. Perhaps a drug of some kind or a jutsu?'

Tsunade finally dismissed the family and gave them a place to stay for a while, placing them under Anbu supervision, though, until they are proved innocent and trustworthy.

Tsunade sighed with a small smile on her face, "Well congratulations Team Kakashi. We actually made quite the breakthrough today. We learned that Minako is alive and in good condition and where another one of Orochimaru's bases could be hidden. Jiraiya's Anbu will be sent there in search of it immediately."

She smiled at Sasuke, "You all did well today. And now we have hope again."

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R&R

Well there it is lol

The next chapter will be in Minako's POV like usual. Please pick a song or two from my poll for the chapter title. The songs are as follows:

Stay High by Tove Lo

Lullaby by Nickelback

Bring me to Life by Evanescene

Other