Hey all! Sorry about the late update. I didn't feel inspired lately. Anyway...

Thanks to my reviewers:

Fei-sama: I'm glad you like my fic. You are one of my favorite authors! It was you fic, "Asking you to remember" that got me interested in InoNaru fics. Since there aren't many on the site, I do my best to add more. (I can't wait until you update your Asking You to remember fic! I love that fic!)

warprince2000: Yeah, for that fic, you can vote for what paring you want. This fic is going to last quite some time before its over.

Narutofreak22: Thanks! Its good to know that i have faithful readers. (Takes out hankerchief and dries eyes)

madnarutofan: Ahh, so this means you're anxious ne?

Kitsune-Itai: The story should get better in this chapter.

wolvesm0on: Hey, its good to know that you're on your toes for the next chapter.

Dan Inverse: Yes...I...will...

Thanks for all the reviews.

On with the fic!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, and if I did, I might not be doing this.

Misson Commence! And the Disaster!

Naruto was making his way to the bridge with Sakura on his back. He blushed. He couldn't believe it! Here was the girl of his dreams, riding on his back, and he was taking them to where his sensei and rival were. He knew that Sasuke would comment on thier appearance, but decided not to think about it. As they neared the bridge, Sakura spoke up.

"Ne, Naruto, you can let me down now. I can walk the rest of the way by myself."

Naruto couldn't help but hear the regret in her voice. Smirking, Naruto slowed down and let Sakura off. Unknown to the both of them, the Konohagakure Trio were not far behind.

WITH KONOHAGAKURE TRIO

"What do you think the Boss was doing with the scary one Moegi?" asked Konohamaru.

"I don't know, but it might have something to with the direction they came from." she replied.

"Then it's decided! We go and check out the hot springs!" shouted Konahamaru.

With that, the three children ran off in the direction of the hot springs.

WITH NARUTO AND SAKURA

Naruto walked beside Sakura as they got closer to the bridge. It was an awkward but comftorable silence. Naruto was actually being quiet once. Of course, who wouldn't be after being chased by five girls? Not quite understanding what had happened before, he decided to ask Sakura.

"Sakura-chan, what was going on back there? Why were you all chasing me?"

Sakura blushed. Did she dare tell him what their motive had been? Blushing furiously, she opened her mouth to answer whe suddenly-

"Oi! Sakura! Naruto! I see you have decided to come at last." said an occupied Kakashi.

He was reading the latest novel in his "Come Come Paradise" series. He gave a perverted little laugh. Not far from him sat Sasuke. he was throwing his kunai at a nearby tree, making a pattern that looked like the Sharingan. Looking up athe the two arrivals, she just gave his trademark glare and turned away.

Naruto decided to ignore him, and headed towards Kakashi to find out more about thier mission. Sakura was torn between two choices. She could follow Naruto, or she could go back to her old crush and attempt to talk to him. Before she could decided, Kakashi spoke.

"Now that you are all here, I would like to tell you more about your mission. First of all, the ruins are located about fifty miles north of Fire Country. It is an area of bandits, and criminals. It seems as though they want to rob all the people heading towards the ruins. So, we actually have a double misison. We take out the bandits and get the scroll from the ruins. Any questions?"

Looking around, he saw that everyone had heard and understood what he had said. Not wanting to waste more time than necessary, he got up, and walk towards the main gate. Sakura Naruto and Sasuke followed.

TIME SKIP

Naruto and his team reached the ruins in about a day. Scouting had shown them that there were bandit sentries posted about every thrity feet around the ruins. Past that, there were men with crossbows and arrows patrolling a recently built walkway arond the outside of the ruins.

"How do you think wer're supposed to get inside that Kakashi-sensei?" asked Naruto.

Turning to Naruto, Kakashi enlightened him. "Every ten minutes, the wall patrol is changed. During that time, the ground patrols start to patrol the perimeter of the ruins. each person is exactly ten seconds behind and in fornt of each other. The plan is to wait for the wall parol to change, and then we slip past the ground patrol and get in." said Kakashi.

Turning his attention back to the wall guards, he saw that they were changing shifts. he motioned to his team, and ran towards the ruins. Following behind him, Naruto and Sasuke were playing a silent game of "race you to the ruins". Sakura was just trying to catch up to the energetic pair.

As they neared the ruins, everyone sped up their pace. Soon, they were inside the ruins. Walking around the maze of fallen columns and stone statues, the group turned a corner. They had been going so fast, they bumped into a man. He was a regular bandit who seemed surprised to see them.Naruto and th rest of his team sped off as the man raised the alarm.

"INTRUDERS! INTRUDERS HEADING TOWARDS THE SACRED CHAMBERS!"

The ruins were alive with activity as the group found themselves fighting to escape. Dodging a swipe from a sword, Naruto countered witha shuriken, which connected with the unfortunate man's forehead. Kakashi and Sasuke were holding off the main group of bandits. Sasuke wreaked havok among the enemy with a kunai in each hand. He blocked a slash aimed at his head, and retaliated with his kunai, slashing across the man's stomach.

Kakashi was blocking ever blow aimed at him, without even looking up. He grabbed a man who tried to run him thorugh with a rapier, and ran him through with the man's own blade. He then tossed the man's body at two men who tried to take down Sakura. He tne turned his attention to Naruto and Sasuke. sasuke was taking on five people at once, while Nartuo simply make Shadow clones too fight while he protected Sakura.

The fight carried the four into a bright room. The strangest thing was seen. On the far side of the room, there was a bright blue light. The bandits pressed in, forcing the four to bakc up until they were a few feet in front of the portal. Naruto was the closest out of the four.

"Argh! How many of these guys are there!" he raged.

"Probably enough for a small army! Sasuke, Sakura, I want the both of you follow me. I'm going to clear a path. Naruto, I want you to watch our backs. Ready? GO!" shouted Kakashi. He made a mand dash for the entrance of the room, but was pushed back almost immediately.

Suddenly, one of the bandits lunged out and shoved Naruto with his shoulder. Caught completely by surprise, Naruto was knocked into the portal. As soon as he passed through the portal, it glowed red.

"NARUTO! NOOOO!" screamed Sakura.

"Everybody! Run for cover!" shouted Kakashi.

Sasuke and Sakura dived out of the way of the light, while Kakashi cover both of them with his body. The bandits presed in, sensing an advantage.

Suddenly, the protal exploded. The room shook with the explosion. When the smoke cleared, there were dead and injured bandits everywhere. The portal was no where to be seen.

TBC

Ohhh! Another cliff hanger!

Well, Naruto had disappeared! I leave it to you to guess what happened to him!

Well, R&R! As always. Constructive criticism is welcome.