Disclaimer: I don't own naruto...blahblahblah. Yes we all know what goes here. HOWEVER! I do own Aiko...so back off punks! Or death will come swiftly! For you!

AN: 'thinking'

AN part 2: --Crane or Kyuubi speaking--

AN part 3: Hmmm...I usually put something...here. Akward...

CHAPTER 8

Sasuke stared at the blonde ninja next to him. He wondered what would happen now that he had acted on impulse. Sure...it was only a clone. Still, the idea is here. 'As soon as this clone fades, everything that just happened will be transfered to Naruto. Maybe I should just get it over with and dispose of it now.' He traced the scars on the side of the clone's face. He wasn't sure if he wanted the warmth he was feeling to fade. 'I'll just wait till the real Naruto shows up. Then show him how much I appreciate his lie.'

He stood up and grabbed the clone's clothes. 'Might as well go along with it.' He threw them at the clone. "Put these on."

The Naruto looked at him. "Did you have to throw them so HARD?" He rubbed his face where he had been smacked by a zipper.

Sasuke shrugged. He couldn't stop himself from watching the clone put his clothes on. 'Even if it is only a clone. It's an exact copy.'

"Hey Sasuke." Naruto zipped the front of his jacket.

"What?"

"Tsunade-Sama wants to see us. She refused to tell me why. She seemed a little irr-"

"I'm going alone." Sasuke eyed the Naruto waiting to see what his response would be.

"I guess as long as we all get there it doesn't matter. Let her know that I'M the one who sent you."

"You don't seem to be quite as dedicated to your mission as you usually are." He could see 'Naruto's' hands freeze on his sandals. "I find that odd. What do YOU think...Naruto?"

The Naruto looked up at Sasuke not saying a word. 'Uh...oh. Now might be a good time to leave. I can't do that though! I'll be found out. Shit!'

"Well? You don't have any thoughts on this?" Sasuke walked over to the clone and pulled him up by the collar. "Do I have to beat an opinion out of you?"

"HEY! SASUKE! PUT HIM DOWN!"

Both heads turned towards the new voice coming from the trees.

Sasuke had now become extremely irritated. "What the hell is it now?" He dropped the Naru-clone.

Sakura popped her head out of the bush. "Tsunade-sama! They didn't kill each other. Thank god."

Tsunade walked into the clearing and sat down on a rock Sakura at her heel. "Okay. Now that you are all here it would be a good time to-" She was interupted by Sakura's hand popping into the air. "Yes?"

"What about Kakashi-sensei?"

Tsunade sighed. 'You would think that after all this time they would be able to sense the presence of their own teacher.' She looked at Sakura. "Fine. KAKASHI! GET OUT HERE!"

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. 'That perverted bastard. If he was watching this whole time...' He ground his teeth in frustration.

Kakashi appeared from the trees at the other end of the clearing. He made his way to the group at a slow and steady pace. "Yo." He grinned at Sasuke from under his mask.

"Now, can I finish what I was saying?" Tsunade glanced at Sakura who slowly nodded her head. "Good. We have a situation. You are to report to Mist and find a ninja. I am ordering you to do whatever you have to to bring her back. Of course, without causing a war."

Naruto was the first one to ask a question. As usual. "How do we do 'whatever we have to' without causing a war?"

Tsunade stood up. "Be creative. I need you to retrieve a woman by the name of Aiko. She is being hunted by the Akutsuki and we CANNOT allow her to fall into their hands. Do you understand." When she heard their agreement she continued. "Tell her that I have sent you there. Make sure you use my name. She is being held prisoner. We all know how Mist treats their prisoners, so she will not be hard to spot."

Sakura popped her hand up again. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as I am done speaking to you. You must get there by tonight. This is an A-rank mission. Take it seriously. If you fail...no. You will NOT fail. Am I clear."

"Yes." They all answered at the same time.

"Then go." Almost immediately she was alone in the clearing. 'This is going to get ugly.' She knew there was no way to avoid a war. Going into ally territory and stealing a prisoner was against the unwritten rules. However, she refused to let the no-tail fall into the wrong hands. Not only that, she also felt an emotional connection to that girl. Perhaps that would be her undoing.

end

AN: Okay...another chapter. I know it's short but I have a habit of doing that. So the drill yes...R&R. Yup. Reviews are my batteries. So give me the juice! hehe...no seriously...review your little hearts out. Ok well...what will happen? Will they get there on time? What will Sasuke do to Kakashi? What's he going to do to Naruto? Tune in for the next chapter and find out!