A/N: Ok you've reviewed and I read, as I always do, most people wanted Kiba and Naruto to be just friends. So that's how this chapter goes.

Disclaimer: Don't own, the only thing I own is this story-line.

Midnight Shining Star: Thanks, the award I got was for computer graphics class.

blue-genjutsu: Thanks for the link. I like Naruto as uke most of the time.

Sasuke2006: yay you're back! They may get him back soon but not with out a few twist along the way.

Naitachal666: Heh, bad Akamaru.

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((Last Time))

"This is so troublesome. Naruto you are good at close to midrange attacks so if someone where to try and say follow us you could easily defend the rear. Kiba and Akamaru have good tracking skills so they will scout ahead of us." Naruto sighed but agreed with the arrangement. A few minutes later the trio where at the Northeast gates of Konhona.

"Alright let's get Sasuke-kun!"

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Tracks In The Dirt

Chapter-10

The team arranged in the order that Shikamaru had commanded, and set off to Rice Fields Country. Kiba led the team until they neared the border between Fire and Rice country. He kneeled close to the ground sniffed then held his nose.

"The smell of blood is really thick here. I don't see any bodies, but I smell fresh spilt blood." Kiba began to look around the perimeter. If there was the smell of blood then the mission had just gone South. Naruto stayed close to Shikamaru kunai in hand, ready for any ambush that might have been planned. Naruto looked over the landscape slowly and meticulously, suddenly the bushes began to rustle. Naruto gripped the kunai tighter and tensed up, ready to kill whoever was to jump out of the brush.

"Oi, Naruto, Shikamaru!" Naruto had to hold himself back from releasing the kunai at Kiba, he nodded then walked towards him.

"What did you find, Kiba?" Naruto scratched the back of his head.

"Here are some footprints." Kiba pointed to a pair of fresh prints. "Akamaru says that the smell is familiar. He can't remember the person exactly though, he also says they where at the tournament that's all he can recall."

"At the tournament?" Naruto looked at Shikamaru. "Do you have any clue who it might be?" Shikamaru sighed, then shook his head.

"AHHHH-!" Naruto, Shikamaru, and Kiba all turned in the direction of the scream. They looked back at each other then nodded in silent agreement. They sprinted deeper into the woods, until they came to a clearing. Shikamaru motioned for the two to stop where they where. Naruto stopped on a branch that was lower than the others, and waited for any sign of movement, none. Naruto was about to tell Shikamaru that there was no one there when an awfully familiar voice spoke from behind him.

"Well, well look what the fox drug in." Naruto spun around only to find Kabuto standing only inches away from him.

"Ka... Kabuto!"

"Right, the idiot got something right. I guess this would count as a loose end." He smirked then drew back his kunai.

"Not so fast!" Kiba lunged full force at Kabuto knocking him off the tree limb. They fell a few feet then Kiba landed holding Kabuto down to the ground. "Why are you here!" Kabuto shrugged then disappeared in a poof of smoke only to reappear by a tree.

"You don't have to be so rough." He popped his hands loudly, then continued. "I was tying up Orochimaru's loose ends. A few of his underlings decided that they'd be better off on their own. So I reasoned with them then used force."

"We know you, you wouldn't just try to talk them back to Oro-teme!" Kiba spat out.

"Hmm... you're right. I just flat out killed them." He smirked then charged at Kiba. "You get the privilege of dieing first!"

"Kiba!" Naruto yelled out.

"Shikamaru, Naruto, go on ahead I'll catch up soon." Shikamaru nodded, but Naruto was reluctant to leave. "Go Naruto, I've been meaning to try out a new jitsu that Akamaru and I have been working on." Naruto finally nodded. Shikamaru fell into the lead spot as Naruto followed close behind.

"Don't worry Naruto, Kiba's grown stronger since the last time we went after Sasuke." Naruto nodded then began to gain speed. Yeah why am I worrying for. Kiba's strong.

---------Hidden Village of Sound-----

Sasuke opened his eyes darkness, all around. His arms where chained above his head, Sasuke guessed to a wall. His eyes began to focus to the darkness and small shapes of the cell began to emerge. A bucket of water to his left. He heard a door creak open, light emitted from a candle in the cells hall way.

"Sasuke." He lifted his head towards the sound, and focused on it. Orochimaru's voice. Sasuke tensed "You think your little lover-boy's going to come after you?"

"What do you want with Naruto, Orochimaru?" Sasuke pulled against the chains till there wasn't any slack left.

"Aww... Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru grabbed Sasuke's chin and leaned close to Sasuke's face. "What's worng worried about your little fox?" Sasuke pulled away and spat in Orochimaru's face.

"You leave Naruto out of this, he's not your plaything."

"Oh but you all are, Sasuke. You all are." He stood and walked out of the cell, leaving Sasuke alone in the darkness.

"Naruto...come quick please, Naruto."

--------------------------------------------------------------------(TBC)

A/N: Aww Sasuke-kun. TT.TT I can't wait for the next chapter... oh wait I got to write it. Damn... well please review! What did Orochimaru mean when he said we are all his playthings :shudders: I don't want Oro-teme to do that! Wait till tomorrow to find out if Naruto, saves Sasuke-kun or not, and will Naruto ever accept his feelings for Sasuke?