Early Spring, Konoha Village, Hokage's Offices, Mission Assignment Room, 9:15 am

Just ahead of the speeding pair we left a moment ago, we look into the large meeting room meant for potential clients and the ninja they hire from Konoha, Village Hidden in the Leaves. We find all sorts of ninja coming and going about the very business of Konoha - accepting jobs from clients, after the job has been screened by the Hokage or other senior ninja of the village. Kurenai, along with four other senior ninja (who are Jounin-level) are diligently interviewing likely clients, sorting through personnel files, and assigning the best available ninja to the accepted jobs.

All in all, it looks as if business is booming; there must be a hundred representatives from throughout the Shinobi World. There almost isn't enough room to allow easy walking between the various client posting lines for the various Job Ranks. These lines are forming up under hanging posters with the letters and depicted on them; they are the l.

There is also a large, clearly worded poster taking up a large portion of the left-hand wall, which shows the terms categorizing the Job Ranks, and giving examples of what the expected going rates are for hiring ninja on said jobs. There is even a handful of Water Country merchants wearing their land's trademark rain cloaks standing at the Job Ranks and Terms Poster, looking over the terms under B Rank examples of jobs and duties.

Yuuhi Kurenai sighs in exasperation at all the paperwork that she is currently wading through. She looks over the hundreds of jobs offerings that have been dropped into her IN' box only just this week. Many of the summaries seem to be for exploratory, protection, or assault and assassination jobs; some of the highest-paying jobs around.

I know we can still use all the work we can get, to strengthen our position within the shinobi world, but this is ridiculous. We've gotten a sudden spike in Class A job requests, even from so far away as Earth Country, and Lightning Country. Musing over this oddity while in-between accepted job assignments, her thin eyebrows wrinkle in frustration and concern. The sheer volume of high-end postings , even from Countries with well-established Hidden Villages, might mean that there might be another War of the Hidden Villages coming - that the other Countries are trying to wear Konoha down before formally declaring war. Kurenai shakes her head, clearing the cobwebs in her mind from having put too many hours in this week. No, no, that couldn't be it - we've actually been doing pretty good with forging diplomatic relations lately with all but the Sound; we've even finished signing another treaty with Hidden Cloud that is about as ironclad as anything in today's world.

She leans back in her folding chair, catching one foot under a set of low-hanging drawers attached to the table in front of her, to balance her precarious position. I really hope this is not related to the Chakra Disorder issue Hokage-sama briefed us on. I know I said I'd fill in for Shine for a while so she could assist more at the Chakra Damage Ward, but I'm not really cut out for this...

The crimson-eyed genjutsu specialist Jounin stretches one arm behind her head, the other towards the ceiling. She allows herself a yawn; since she has another 15 minutes before Hyuuga Hinata is due for her assigned mission detail, and she's already put in 60 hours this week (by Wednesday, she would remind you), she feels that she's entitled. Not to mention the stress caused by the revelations given by the Hokage this morning...

One of the senior Jounin sitting next to Kurenai nudges her briefly in the side, getting her attention. the he whispers quietly. Um, I think your 9:30 is a little early... Kurenai blinks stuperously at her fellow ninja. She lowers her arms, and turns her head in the direction indicated by her fellow Jounin's pointed finger. We follow as well, and discover Hinata and Rock Lee weaving carefully through the crowded lines of job posters.

A short gasp is heard, before the Jounin swings back into action.

Quickly, she uses one foot's position under the table as leverage to pull herself fully upright again. She snatches a few random mission folders, and makes herself look busy. Apparently, Kurenai is not only just good at genjutsu-based illusions!

As the reason for Kurenai's suddenly renewed attention to the job at hand reaches the nearest ranks of the Mission Pick-Up lines, we hear a rather thready Hinata speak to her chagrined sempai: Thank you very much for escorting m-me to the m-Mission Assignment Room, Lee, however...

Somehow, the Green Beast looks rather Pink now, what with the embarrassed coloration of his cheeks, and right hand rubbing the back of his head. He accepts the shyest Hyuuga's words with a nod, while his large pinball eyes look down and away from her. He tries to explain why a fifteen minute jog took less than two minutes via the Gouken Express'.

Yes, I am really sorry about that, Hinata-san; that is why Gai-Sensei put me on a strict rule to not ever take off my weights, unless protecting a great many others... I myself had difficulties the first time I removed my weights once I had trained up my leg strength. The tall Taijutsu Specialist s eyes roll over to better gauge the little kunoichi's recovery, as they both step to the front of the line for Mission Acceptions. Are you sure you are feeling all right, Hinata-san?I am feeling much better now, and thank you for asking, Lee-san.

With the third confirmation of her well-being out of the way, Hinata turns to the desk, only to start in suprise as seeing her Jounin-sensei! Kurenai-Sensei? W-what are... A small, pale hand lifts to her mouth, while wide, lavender-white eyes look left and right for the expected senior student of the current Hokage.

Oh, Shizune asked me to take over her Mission Assignment docket for the week, while she assisted with... some other matters. Kurenai states casually, as she shifts her crimson eyes over to take in the broad-shouldered form of her escort

Hm. Rock Lee and Hyuuga Hinata? That s a strange combination. I thought that they really did not travel in the same circles... or more likely, Neji would violently keep his teammate away from his first cousin?

At her curious appraisal, Rock Lee snaps into a perfect at attention' stance, with both hands clasped behind him, looking at a blank spot just above an to the side of Kurenai's sitting form.

Rock Lee? What are you doing here? I thought that...HAI! the passionate ninja interjects.

Kurenai-Sensei, I was discussing some personal matters with Hinata, when she stated that she was due for an important mission assignment. I did not realize until we were already here that she was not, in fact, late at the time she mentioned her appointment. I apologize if this upsets your busy schedules this morning! I am ready to accept any punishment!

Kurenai looks a little dumbfounded by a ninja who is sorry for being early, rather than being late. Er, that's all right Lee; I was just looking over her file. No one should be punished for being early, Lee.

Now looking a bit owlishly at the still-at-attention Lee, she sighs tiredly.

At ease, Lee. However, I do have something for you after I am finished with Hinata's mission assignment, okay?

The Genius of Hard Work reluctantly relaxes his pose, taking a only-slightly less taut stance. Thank you, Kurenai-Sensei. I eagerly await for your brilliant words of wisdom.

Staring for just a bit longer, as if trying to decide if the teen was being serious, Kurenai brings her attention back to her expected charge. Hinata, the assignment Shizune assigned you is here in this sealed scroll. You are going to undertake a search and evaluation mission for a special resource Konoha needs to acquire. You may choose any one three-Genin team that has been cleared by their Jounin-Sensei for this mission's listed rank. Considering the difficulty of the mission, you may choose an appropriately-cleared Chuunin as an assistant leader. This means that you will be in charge of the mission as the overall leader, however, and all command decisions will rest on you. Shizune, Hokage-sama, and myself, incidentally, felt this would be a good time for you to get used to leading Ninja Teams of your own. You have one day to review the contents, choose your team, and gather your team's supplies. Do you understand, Hinata? This will be your first field team mission as a Chuunin. Do your best, Hinata! With this last, Yuuhi Kurenai smiles beatifically at her once-genin student, hoping to give the timid kunoichi the courage she would need.

If this had been any other ninja, her mouth would be making a crater on the floor, or jumping in joy. Because this was Hinata, her features blanked in suprise, concern, and more than a bit of... fear.

A-ano, are you sure that this is the right mission scroll, Kurenai-Sensei? I w-was thinking that my m-mission would be a short escort mission. Or, or, maybe some kind of spying mission? And, my first Field Team! I am to lead it? How can I -- ?

At his year-junior's clear concern over her first command, Rock Lee offers his own brand of encouragement.

Do not worry Hinata-san! You have been training so hard over the past three years, and accomplished so much that ninja years senior could not have! Just think back to the Written Test portion of the Chuunin Exam! So many others bowed out, fearing the future to come! You, however, did NOT! You girded yourself for the worst to come, and took the challenge of the Tenth Question, thinking it could permanently ruin your chances at advancement as a Ninja! During the Shinomori "Forest of Death" Survival Test, your strength did not fail! I did not see you during that part of the test, but Kiba-san, and even Shino-san, praised you in their own ways when I asked how your team fared. They both asserted that without your skills, it would have been a completely different level of test for them; they depend greatly on your steadfast strength! Even during your match with Neji - your Branch Family's Genius, for whom you care for greatly, and upon whom you would not wish any harm - you showed all the courage and determination of a beautiful flower blossoming in the glorious sunlight after a hard rain! If you could do such difficult things as all those, I know you can do this, Hinata-san, and accomplish greater things besides!

All this while, Rock Lee is in full Heroic Declaration of Firey Youth Pose': gesturing with both bandaged-wrapped hands, while radiating positive emotion and strength of belief. Meanwhile, local groupings of fellow Ninja, as well as clients, are all craning their necks trying to get a clear look at who this powerfully emotional affirmation is describing.

(Lee is rather loud as an confidence-builder, we note with a bit of suprise.)

The recipient of all this unwanted attention is now again tapping her slim index fingers against one another, and bowing her head in slight embarrassment that anyone would think her so strong.

Kurenai thinks. while watching Hinata's reaction to all this. I never thought that Gai had taught him such awareness of his fellows - or maybe this comes naturally to Lee. Whichever happens to be the case, while I think he probably embarrassed Hinata into next week - Looking back at the still-pontificating Lee now, she muses further I think that she'll probably take strength from having such a hard working example of an excellent ninja affirming her past actions, and encouraging her future accomplishments.

That's enough, Lee! Finally, Kurenai interrupts Lee's impromptu speech.

It hadn't seemed that he was going to be winding down anytime soon; the bold youth startles, but he complies, snapping back to attention after making brief apologies.

Kurenai continues with her still-too-early 9:30 appointment: Hinata, I know you think that this is too much of a step for you, but Lee's right; your desire to change yourself has brought you much farther than you think. You just need to gain confidence in your own decision-making abilities, and that is why this mission was chosen. Now, I've to take care of a lot of other mission assignments, so why don't you take your mission assignment over to the Hokage Library, and study over that scroll. You'd have access to the personnel files you'd need to select your team as well. Later on, I'll try to stop by to see how you are doing, all right, Hinata?h-Hai, Kurenai-Sensei. the fur-coated heiress stutters. She secures the mission scroll in her suprisingly voluminous coat, and bows her head to both of her seniors - first Kurenai, as due her Jounin status, and then Lee as her year-senior. Hinata makes the proper pardons, and leaves, carefully weaving back into the crowd.

Kurenai catches Lee's black eyes with her red ones. Thank you for seeing Hinata to her appointment, Lee, but she needs to see to her assignment now. Kurenai's face hardens for a moment, then the genjutsu specialist Jounin continues. I need to inform you something about your own mission assignment now.

The young Konoha Chuunin remaining takes this news with a raising of prodigious eyebrows. Heh? You have a mission for me, Kurenai-Sensei? I thought you might have had just a message about what training field my team were assigned to over the next week...Yes, Lee. However, all I can tell you is that it is a special A-Rank Mission, and that it is under strict need-to-know classifications. I was informed of only this little bit of information this morning, and only so I could forward you on to Hokage-sama herself for a private mission briefing, if I happened to see you.

As this bit of detail is mentioned, Rock Lee's already-raised eyebrows attempt to merge with his hairline, and his jaw drops a bit, leaving him looking a little like a gasping fish.

t-The Hokage?I haven't really met with her since she healed my wounds from the Chuunin Exam; even when she assigned my team to back-up Team 7 during the Mission to Sand, It was only for the shortest of moments. She is still such a n imposing figure.

Features regaining some composure after giving himself a quick shake, Rock Lee snaps to attention again. Smartly bringing his right hand to his brow in a salute, he asks for clarification.

And where does Hokage-sama wish to hold the mission brief, Kurenai-Sensei?

The normally-calm features of the senior ninja twitch almost unnoticeably, before she informs the proud youth.

She waves him closer, and motions him to lend a ear. Come closer, Lee.

Rock Lee does as requested. Whispering, with a single hand cupping the space between his ear and her mouth, Kurenai relays only three words. But those three words, unheard by anyone else, not even by our sharp ears, cause the only ninja of Konaha to have graduated the Academy without Genjutsu or Ninjutsu skill of any kind to blanch, his normally-large black eyes to shrink to small pinpoints, and shiver in recognition.

Early Spring, Konoha Village, Training Field 9, 11:30 am
Bold in Quotes gives Inner Sakura's commentary as it happens.

!K-POW!

WHAT! I've been waiting since six in the MORNING, Sakura-chan! Six hours is pushing it, even for Kaka-Sensei, right, right? And besides, it's almost lunchtime, and I didn't have time for breakfast! A stil-hyper blonde ninja in orange and black rubs his head where a painful upswelling rapidly forms. The pink-haired kunoichi next to him, in a red-and-beige athletic wear, is still brandishing a shaking fist at her loudmouth teammate. Naruto, I know that! DUH, you dumb blonde! But something's going on, and Kakashi-sensei might know something. We're staying until he shows up. Harano Sakura calms herself, and a look of concerned worry crosses her face as she looks over her bare shoulder towards the training field's bridge. Kakashi-Sensei almost always appears on the large red gate mounted on the near side of the bridge within two hours of the scheduled time; normally, I would have given up and gone home a good hour ago. The 2 hours' lag since I arrived from my Medic-nin training with the Hokage, plus the additional time Naruto's already waited would make me think that today's training was canceled, but...Something is really sketchy around here.

Sakura puts a fingerless gloved hand to her chin in consideration. speaking now with the pacing of one who is thinking out loud, I haven't seen any of the other Jounin today either. Usually, I catch a glimpse of Asuma-Sensei as he heads over to pick up Ino from her family's flower shop...

Uzumaki Naruto's normally happy and energetic features change over to a serious and thoughtful one as his teammate considers. I haven't seen any of the ANBU around either, you know? Since I live in a rat hole apartment in the low-rent district, and I was late to the training, I didn't really think about it. That's bad, isn't it, Sakura, when all the Jounin and the ANBU are all missing, right? Sakura, still watching the the bridge's gate, nods absently.

as Sakura continues further, Hokage-sama had me researching Chakra Disorders of all kinds this morning. "Dammit, those scrolls were heavy. With a slightly disbelieving tone, she also adds She said it was to prepare for the next cell-manipulaiton jutsu she was going to teach me, but I don't know... She was all distracted, and even more snappy than usual. She's usually on a short leash, but this morning, hoo-boy', watch out." Hokage-sama also looked as if she'd been working hard for a good day or two already. Naruto interjects, oblivious to the two-sided commentary on Tsunade's erratic behavior this morning. If she's looking that beat up over something, it's gotta be important. She's really vain, you know, right?

!POOM! Revealed once a short gout of smoke disperses from a released jutsu, Hatake Kakashi stands just past the gate, leaning with one foot on the training field itself, and the other yet on the bridge.

Sumisen-na, for arriving late today; I had an important meeting with the Hokage this morning, and -

Out of sheer inertia of habit, Konoha's #1 Suprising Ninja hollers out , but Sakura again pounds a bundled up fist into the top of his skull before he could voice anything else.

This time, the blue-eyed prankster drops to the grassy field, and clutches his poor skull.

It-TAI! oohhh-hh... is all that is heard from him, as Sakura takes a single step towards the masked Jounin.

Sorry, Kakashi-Sensei. You were saying? The lone eye of the Copy Ninja takes this overly-familiar, and yet strange scene in warily.

Hmmm. Normally, she'd be berating me for my tardiness right alongside Naruto., not defending me from accusations of being called a liar. She might already suspect. And I think she may have actually cracked Naruto over the head a little too hard. If he wasn't blessed with such fast recovery abilities from being the Kyuubi's Vessel, she might have just put a teammate in the hospital over a minor case of irritation.Maybe training under the Hokage was a good thing, but for her to learn the monstrous strength of Tsunade as well...

The Technique Specialist shrugs absently, as if resigning himself.

Ah, no, it was nothing, Sakura. The originator of the terrifying Raikiri' jutsu allows his visible eye to curve closed, in that way those familiar with reading his body language would take to mean a smile, and gets to the point.

Actually, Sakura, Naruto, we have a very important mission. It's an A Rank --

At this point, the once-suffering spiky blonde practically leaps to Kakashi's side, seemingly fully recovered from the concussion Tsunade's youngest student had just inflicted on him. Small bonfires of enthusiasm flare from his eyes.

NANI! A Rank A' Mission! Yeah-Hoo! Tsunade-obaa-chan really came through this time, hey, right, right!

"SHUT IT, Naruto-baka! He's getting to it! Shannaro! If I have to, I'll..." For the third time in as many minutes, the green-eyed medic-nin-to-be winds up a fearfully-strong right fist. This time, the hyperactive ninja in black and orange catches a sideways glimpse of Sakura's windup.

Noting her proximity, the Chuunin spins behind his still-taller sensei, and peers around Kakashi's right side at his teammate, as a small child hiding behind an older brother might

"That's Right! Hide behind Teacher, why don't cha?" Inner Sakura taunts.

In a much more restrained voice, Naruto asks What is your problem, Sakura-chan? We haven't been on a Rank A Mission for a while, not since... but he does not finish. He apparently does not need to, as both teamates and their only teacher drop their heads, spirits dampened over the memory of the Mission to the Sand Yes, that's right. Ever since that time... echo in the three minds equally, but perhaps for different reasons.

Kakashi brings his gaze back up, looking directly at Haruno Sakura. Guys, this is a big mission. We have a mssion directly assigned to our team from Hokage-sama.

Naruto, recalling a bit of his old fire, pipes in at this point with So, so, who's the client! Is it Tazuna-san again? We haven't seen his family for a while. It'd be great to visit again... Oh! I know, it's gotta be another search-and-destroy against Hidden Sound, right, right? That'd be perfect!

The still-young genin clenches both fists together, and another grin settles on his face. This time, with darker emotions behind it, it almost seems as if the whisker-like birthmarks on hi s cheeks become jagged, for just a moment, lending him a feral aspect.

Then, Let me finish, Naruto! barks from the normally-lazy jounin, Team Leader to his Soldier. The tone is not to be denied, even by the three-time Academy graduate failure.

Naruto snaps back to his original position next to his teammate... and says nothing further.

"Yeah! That's right! Let the guy speak, ya little spiky-haired poster-child for ADD!". Inner Sakura waves a translucent fist at Outer Sakura's teammate to encourage the said poster-child's' good behavior.

Kakashi then lets go a weary sigh, and continues. As I was saying, we have a hard mission for us, especially undermanned as we are. I can't get into the full details out here in the open, but for now, prepare for a indeterminately long field mission, geared for hard, fast travel. Gather equipment for all-weather survival, excepting winter wear.

With this, the two remaining members of Team 7 just stare, a little blankly now.

Sakura, be sure to gather those scrolls you were collecting this morning. Then, the Yondaime's best student looks up and away from his team, deciding something further. In fact, Sakura, devote the majority of your traveling weight to your research materials, and anything else you might need for your Medic-nin duties. Naruto and I will carry your share of the normal supplies you'll be needing.

The kunoichi once known for her abnormally large' forehead looks completely perplexed by the change in supply and ordinance packing rules. It was ground into all Konoha ninja that each was responsible for his or her own gear. Such a unusual change to the normal rules caused the Chuunin to raise a delicate eyebrow. Even Inner Sakura gazes a little questioningly at the implications.

Still, neither Inner nor Outer Sakura said anything, letting her Team Leader further explain. I'm sorry Naruto, but this means you'll have to carry more than your own weight. I'll be sharing the extra burden, so it shouldn't be all that bad.

Waiting for the inevitable explosion over having to make up' for someone else's shortcomings, or for him rub his teamates' nose in it, Kakashi is pleasantly suprised instead.

Naruto confidently agrees. Sure. I've been working on my physical strength anyway over the last few years, so I don't have to depend so much on Chakra-boosting. I may not be in the Fuzzy-Brows' weight-class yet without using it - with only the slightest of emphasis on the last word, - but I can definitely carry Sakura's share, along with my own. Besides, it'd be kinda like my own personal weight-training. Don't worry, it won't slow me down either. A lopsided grin lifts the left side of his normally-sunny smile.

Kakashi again smiles under his ever obscuring face mask. Right. Good, Naruto. Anyway, we have only today to gather the needed supplies. Both of you make your goodbyes, and if you need to buy any extra gear - route all payments to me, and have the items packaged up and delivered at the North Gate by 7 am tomorrow!

Looking a bit pointedly at the lone bachelor of the team, Kakashi issues a bit of wisdom: This would be a good chance to update any older hardware you are hanging onto for budget reasons.

At this, the subject of Sharingan Kakashi''s stare allows a quick self-embarrased chuckle, while looking appropriately chagrined. Naruto still has some of the same kunai and Shuriken he'd gotten as part of his standard-issue Academy graduation package; he'd never been able to afford any real upgrades - every time he came into money, something major forced him to blow almost his enire savings, or the Frog-Hermit blew it on sake and women - particularly during his training period. Even now, he had barely more than he did just before the original Chuunin Exam in which he had defeated Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuuga Neji, and (unofficially) Gaara of the Desert.

Gotcha, Kaka-Sensei! The now-again genki ninja pauses, and ponders the unusual idea that he can get new ninja gear. Hm. Maybe I should visit the Armory', after all... maybe there's some new weapons I haven't seen yet. Or, maybe... naah.

(Author's Note: The Armory' is the one store in Konoha that caters to Ninja - in fact, it's client-list is exclusively Ninja. Run by TenTen's family, they can sell only to Ninja , and then only to those who are in good standing with their home Village. Konoha doesn't allow the powerful weapons Ninja use as a matter-of-course to proliferate on their home turf, among the civilians...)

Sakura merely looks on, with a slight smile at her teammates luck; Inner Sakura, however, is rubbing her hands in in a greedy fashion. Of course, Sakura's skill in bookkeeping allowed her to save and scrimp, and afford better equipment as she became proficient enough to use them. She would only need to see to minor refitting of some of her survival gear, rather than make wholesale updates to her equipment stores - but that didn't mean she did not have a few items that she'd always wanted before and could not possibly afford...

Right. Anyway, team, that's tomorrow at 7 am sharp, no exceptions... and even as both his subordinates start in on the perenially-late jounin, he holds up both palms to fend off the Genin and Chuunin, and quickly adds ...even for me. Make your goodbyes, but you are under strict orders to not share any mission details with ANYone. Not parents, friends, or on-duty fellow ninja. All you can say is that you are on a need-to-know rated mission, and believe me, NO ONE else needs to know. Unless you hear differently from either myself or Hokage-sama. As of this moment, no other person has the needed clearance. Got It? Surveying the again-solemn faces of his still-diminished team, his masked features nod in satisfaction. Well, see you tomorrow, Ja ! and with a quick toss of his hand, the only wielder of the Sharingan not born of Uchiha blood disappears as a nother gout of smoke explodes, obscuring his form.

!POOM!

The smoke clears, and the pair of teen ninja are left to their own devices.

Well, Sakura-chan, I'm gonna go hit the Armory first; wanna come? I could use your sharp eye on the bargains... The blue-eyed shinobi is already running in place, waiting for Sakura's response.

No, not right now, Naruto. I've got a lot of packing to do. Even with your help, I'm going to have to pick over my medical scrolls carefully to get the most out of my traveling weight limits; those scrolls can be pretty heavy. At that, Naruto lets his already-churning feet gain purchase, and speeds down the bridge - towards the path leading back into Konoha proper.

Okay, Sakura-chan; I'll catch you tomorrow. Let's see if he can actually make it on time, for once, right? Without waiting for her response to the jab at their jounin-sensei, he tosses a wave goodbye over his shoulder, quickly disappearing down the trail.

Sakura is left with her own thoughts. If this is dealing with the Chakra Disorders Hokage-sama had me research this morning, this could be really bad. Especially since I've got dispensation for an apparently unlimited upgrade budget for a long-term mission, and I'm only going to have to worry about my research materials... what kind of situation are we in for? However, Inner Sakura doesn't seem as fazed. "Chance! Now I can show them just how much I've improved as a medic-nin! And I can finally get my hands on some of those , too! Aw-RIGHT!"

Once both Sakura's have had their say, Sakura walks across the bridge herself, both excited by the prospect of a new, challenging mission - and unsettled by the same.
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Author's Notes: Chapter Five! And we showcase several of the other characters in this. We see how busy Konoha has been getting recently, and Hinata gets to lead a field team! Interesting, yes? The way I see her character, she's likely had a small number of Team-Leader missions, but not outside of Konoha. - things like specialty training missions, or the kind of do-nothing' missions we see Team 7 perform early in the series. This will likely be a challenge for the shyest of the Hyuuga.

Now, for responses to my reviews, in no particular order:

Riye Link Reue: Interesting handle. Were did you get it? By the way, thanks for such a positive response! I hope i can continue to impress! I agree in the Rock-ness that is Lee, but many other writers only go on looks' and end up limiting him to humor support' roles, due to his (and Gaii's) overly - emotional responses. But, as I see it, that's kinda part of their schtick'. As passionate warriors, they aren't affraid to show strong emotion. That means that they can put their full heart into anything, 120. If it is embarrasing' to publically show such affection, and they can do it so easily, how hard will it be to put that same level of commitment into battle? I'm glad you like my story so far. It looks to be a long one; I had thought that it'd be only ten chapters, but I've only covered part of the first day... whew! So, it's a disease, eh? raises an eyebrow All we've found out, was that it was a condition... not specifically a disease. (insert Evil Mastermind Cackle #7"tm") Though it might be. Even Tsunade-hime herself, who practically invented the Medic-nin concept, is not sure. All they are of a this time, is that a rookie Jounin from the Akimichi clan was affected by something that, eventually, completely disrupted his Chakra control. Whatever the condition' is/was, it even threw the Jounin's natural ability to regulate chakra for bodily process into chaos, and ended up killing him. In fact, if you look to how Tsunade closed up' her presentation before as personal friend of the deceased spoke up, she states that she thinks it was not an accident, but a deliberate effect - which means someone inflicted it on the stout ninja. Now, I have decided what is causing this, and how the condition' begins. I've sort of hinted at some connections already, but I deliberately made it a bit... ?vague? in order to muddy the waters. Almost all the stories' characters are correct in some fashion or another - but no one is exactly right yet, either. Good idea, however! You are closer than most of the characters in the story, so far! As for how it will effect Lee... re-read that part in chapter three, where Tsunade replies to Akimichi Saito's friend from the Kurofuji clan, for a hint.

Magus Black: Heh, right on! That's why I compared Lee to Batman in my first Author's Notes - in comparison, he has to depend on sheer skill, guts and determination. Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, Neji, and the other powerhouses' have incredible might packed into their almost-unique jutsus. All (poor?) Lee has is his feet and fists - weapons that all ninja are at least moderately proficient in. He has to keep his edge high at all times, or he'll find that he's been left behind. So you think of the overall plot idea, is... ?Feasible? Best way I can put it - that this story arc could likely happen according to strict viewing of the core story line?

(. . .): Ok, anonymous reviewer, I get what you were getting at about the overuse of bolding and underlining. As you can see, I only used much of the bold and/or underline effects during the intro' chapter. Much less of it in later chapters. But, really, did you have to be so vitriolic in your wording? We're all just here to enjoy a way of adding, in some small way, to fandoms that we find impressive. No need to respond in such a uncouth manner of tone. But, I do appreciate the note on what probably created an overbearing feel to the story. Thank you, and I hope you keep reading.

And to all of the other readers - thanks! I understand that you have limited amounts of time to check your favorite stores - or that perhaps my style of writing may be different from what you've seen elsewhere, so you may be unsure of how I would take negative commentary. Hopefully I've shown that I expect to be receiving odd responses, and that I can good with the bad.

If anyone has constructive criticisms, please, let me know. Even if it is just cut down on the bold or italics, More Team 7, or Hey, what about Shino? We need the Kekkai Master to show them how its done!. Also, what did everyone think of the presentation of the remainder of Team 7? Appropriate, or not really?

I would like suggestions for Kakashi; he felt' a little off, somehow, in this chapter. Others may not think so, however.

On the other hand, I feel pretty confident in my presentation of Sakura/Inner Sakura. I know many/most other writers seem to have the two sides' of Sakura interact with one another, as if she had a full-split personality - that Inner Sakura can and does speak directly to Outer Sakura (often to hilarious effect). However, I've yet to see canon' confirmation that either side is cognizant of the other as separate psyches. In fact, it really just seems that Inner Sakura is just a overly-vociferous sense of self. That may change, due to some later factors planned out.

What about the other characterizations? I was still hoping to not make Hinata too shy (better than she was before the Chuunin Exam), but still wished to show that she is not completely sure of herself yet, and can relapse' into her old ways. Lemme know how that's turning out, folks!

Any suggestions for who people want to see' next? I'm planning on moving the story outside of Konoha by the end of chapter six- or possibly chapter seven - but we will see. I can stretch' certain places in the stories' progression to add other character's views and commentary, if there is a n interest.

Well, hope to hear from you all again soon.