What's happened before:

The Author lies in his bed, half empty bottle of vodka near... err... what's happened before with the story? Oops! OK, Hinata and Shino are waiting in front the Hokage Tower for their sensei and teammate (Uchiha Itachi and Uzumaki Naruto, respectively). Now on to the continuation of chapter 3!

And so, the great ninja village of Konoha lies before us, with the Hokage Monument at our feet we have a panoramic view of the entire village, from here we can easily see some of Konoha's places of interest. For those in need of relaxation and a good bath, the public bath houses, the Ichikaru Ramen Stand, more famous for it's trio of ramen inhaling costumers (always a good show!) than for it's great ramen. The Jounin Lounge, gathering place of Konoha's elite, the ninja academy, building block of life in the village and finally (been waiting for it, right?) the Hokage Tower, where all the business aspect of being a ninja, plus all the political connotations that it brings, are handled. At it's base, 2 individuals of particular interest to us, let's move in and observe as more of this story unfolds.

Twiddling her fingers unconsciously, while moving her head from side to side as if looking for something, the white-eyed girl suddenly asked, "Uhm... Shino-kun

when do you think Itachi sensei and Naruto-kun," a slight blush at this, "will show up? They´re already 20 minutes late, and you know how punctual Itachi-sensei is!"

The silent form next to her took it's time answering, and when he spoke all he said was: "He told us to wait here."

"We-eelll... yes, I know that, but they ARE late, and I've never known Itachi-sensei to be late, and, and... well, I'm just saying that... that... something could've happeneed and-"

Hinata's rambling was cut short by a cry coming from behind her.

" Hey Hinata-chan! Sunglasses! Ready for our mission?" Waving while running towards them came in his usual orange jacket Uzumaki Naruto. Not letting them answer the blonde genin continued. "Sorry we're late, but I was being punished," A cold glare from behind him followed this statement, and, as if being able to sense it he hurriedly continued, "...err, training! I meant being trained by Itachi-sensei! ...and well, that took longer than expected, and then, and then the preparations for the trip took forever! Hyperactive little brothers and all!"

"NARUTO! That's enough yapping out of you! Lets go Inside and see the mission Hokage-sama has given us, shal we?"

"S-sure, Itachi-sensei!"

And so, into the darkness of the tower the 4 Konoha nins ventured in.

Inside of Orochimaru's Darkened Room™

"Hehe, so Naruto-kun's team has gone into the tower at last... about time! It's past due for you to pay Naruto, yes, today you will pay!"

And so, not knowing this, the 4 nins entered the very lair of the snake!

Author Sidenote - Had I not posted the preview for chapter 3 I would've left the chappy here, oh well, no evil cliffy here then, on with the story!

Taking a step forward, Itachi entered the darkened room and spoke, after only the briefest hesitation. "Hokage-sama, I've brought my team as instructed, to receive the mission profile." Stiff and formal as was usual in a clan as feared and revered as that of the Uchiha's he spoke. Slowly light coming from a crystal ball on the only table in the room started illuminating the room.

"Indeed... but first I must speak with one of your team...Naruto it's time you payed. Since your Sexy-no-jutsu did not defeat me, you owe me a favor, right?"

Pale-faced and without knowing what Orochimaru might ask for Naruto answere. "H-hai, what is it you want Hokage-sama?"

"Simple enough. Jiraiya's new book just came out, but he's still upset with me over our last competition... and he wont give me a copy. I want you to get an autographed copy of it for me."

Sighing, and with a mutter about perverts and how they seemed to be everywhere, Naruto gladly accepted thinking it could've been worse. After all he could've asked to be invited to an "all you can eat" at Ichiraku's... damned tongue meant he could down 4 bowls of ramen in one swallow! That meant no ramen for him!

"Well, now that that is settled, your mission assignment! Now, I know you've been complaining about your missions being too easy, so... I've decided to give you a slightly tougher one, a C ranked mission. All you have to do is basically escort this merchant from Konoha to his home village and make sure nothing happens to him. Keep him safe from robbers in other words. Do you accept?"

Yeah, not a cliffy people, unless I really go random here, you know the answer. Hope you guys are surprised, appearantly Max was! Thx again to Max, my only constant reviewer, and only reviewer for last chapter, though Nigma... err Enigma did kinda review through messenger. Oh well, hope you enjoy it, next chapter they will actually leave Konoha and get on with the mission. Later People!

Quote of the chapter!

Disclaimer: If a tree falls in the forest, and nobody's around, and it hits a mime, does anyone care?

-White Dwarf in the fic New Guy