As Hinata left the others she tried to find Shino first.

" BYAKUGAN." Hinata said

As she looked around but all she saw was the forest wildlife and no Shino or anyone else.

" How do I find then?" Hinata questioned

She then remembered that Shino always placed a bug on each of his teammates. As Hinata deactivated the Byakugan she looked on her clothing for the Kikaichu. She finally found it on her jacket sleeve. She picked the little bug up and held it up on her finger.

" Um Sumimasen, but can you help me find Shino-kun?" Hinata asked

The Kikaichu being able to understand her got the shock of his life, " …"

" Can you understand me?' Hinata asked

" I wasn't imagining things you are talking to me." The Kikaichu said

" Hai can you find Shino-kun for me. He's too far off for my Byakugan." Hinata said

The Kikaichu still questioning how Hinata could talk to him though spread its wings and started to fly.

" I can find master follow me." The Kikaichu said

" Arigatou." Hinata said and followed the bug though the trees.

Every once and a while the bug would stop and turn around to make sure he hadn't lost the girl.

I don't understand. The master and his family are the only ones that can talk to us. So how is it a non-Aburame can? the Kikaichu thought

" I have a question?" The Kikaichu said and Hinata looked at where it was flying, " How is it that I can understand you?"

" You know Naruto-kun had the Kyubi in him and absorbed all his chakra?" Hinata asked

" Hai, our queen told us about it." The Kikaichu said

" Well before Naruto-kun absorbed all the Kyubi's power there was a day I tried to help him control it and I got hurt. Naruto-kun healed me with an ancient healing jutsu." Hinata explained

" He shared his chakra with you?" the Kikaichu said surprised and Hinata nodded, " So that's why. Well that explains a lot."

As the two finished the Kikaichu stopped and landed back on Hinata's sleeve

" We're here. I'd wait until my family and master are done though." The Kikaichu said

As Hinata looked up she saw what Shino's Kikaichu was walking about. Thousands of the Kikaichu's were filling the already dark sky, which disguised them. Hinata watched, as she knew what was to come because she had seen Shino use it a number of times.

" I feel bad for the master opponent. Seeing as this is his last day to live." The Kikaichu said

" Hai." Hinata responded

As the two watched the Kikaichu's all gathered in the air and created a giant ball.

" KIKAICHU RYUUSEI." Shino said

With that the giant Kikaichu ball that had been hovering in the air crashed down upon the helpless ninja. As the Kikaichu returned to Shino the boy walked up to the now dead ninja from complete chakra drain.

" Hinata you're alright?" Shino said not taking his eyes off the dead ninja

She jumped down from the tree when Shino spoke to her.

" Hai, Naruto-kun found Gaara-sama and I and we split up to find everyone." Hinata explained

" My Kikaichu showed you where I was?" Shino asked

" Hai, though he was quiet confused that I could talk to him." Hinata said

" You told him why?" Shino asked and Hinata nodded, " Good, yours and Kiba's Kikaichu's are the only ones that don't know."

" Do you know where Kiba-kun and Akamaru-kun are?" Hinata asked

Shino nodded and pointed to his right, " A bit off that way."

With that Shino jumped into the trees again with Hinata following him as they headed off towards Kiba and Akamaru.


Gaara had been traveling for a while now and finally found Kankurou's trail he left to help the others to find him. Gaara spotted Karasu moving up ahead.

Found him. Gaara thought

He stayed hidden so his brother and the other ninja didn't know he was there.

It's time for Kankurou to prove to himself that the Sasori incident wasn't his fault and his Jutsus aren't incomplete. Gaara thought

Gaara though could tell this ninja was causing his brother problems. Kankurou had tried to lead the ninja into his trap with Kuroari, but he had moved at the last second.

" Chikusyou." Kankurou said

He had already tried all his combos of Karasu and Kuroari, but this ninja was a former Suna-nin and he knew of the Kazekage and his siblings Jutsus, but only their old ones.

" Whelp guess I get to use Kuroime on you." Kankurou said pulling another scroll off his back

On the scroll was the Kanji for Kuroime

" Kuroime? What's this one?" Gaara said never seeing or hearing of this puppet

" You should be privileged, very few get to see Kuroime. Otouto hasn't even seen him." Kankurou said

" Like I care if the Shukaku's seen it." The ninja said

Kankurou frowned at the ninja calling his brother the Shukaku and Gaara saw Kankurou's displeasure.

" OTOUTO ISN'T SHUKAKU! Just because Chiyou-baba and Otou-san sealed it into him doesn't mean he's it." Kankurou said angrily

" You we're just as scared of him as the rest of us." The ninja said

" Maybe, but that was before he found another like him who was able to change him." Kankurou said thinking of Naruto

" KUGUTSU NO JUTSU." Kankurou said

As the smoked cleared a large wooden ball sat in front of Kankurou. He then attached his chakra strings to wake his puppet up. As the puppet stood up Gaara was shocked at what it was. Being controlled by Kankurou was a wooden Tanuki. The puppet was half the size of Kankurou with a large rice hat on its head. It had black eyes like Gaara and where Gaara's Kanji for love was it had the Kanji for Tanuki. Wrapped around the front was two sashes covered with what looked like small gourds and a black tattered haori on it's body.

Well this is unexpected. Gaara thought

I'd like to see what this Kuroime can do. A voice said

Shukaku? Gaara questioned

No it's some other voice in your head. Shukaku retorted

Well you've been awfully quiet lately. I was wondering if you still alive. Gaara said

Can't get rid of me that easily cub. Right now let's sit back and see what this puppet of you Aniki's can do and if it can stand up to my standards of a Tanuki. Shukaku said

Gaara questioned Shukaku's words but sat himself down on the tree limb he had been standing on and watched the fight. Even if Gaara was sitting back he was ready to help Kankurou if he saw he needed it.

" I'd like to introduce you to Kuroime." Kankurou said smiling He used his chakra strings to have Kuroime bow and take his hat off to the ninja.

" Figures you'd have a Tanuki puppet." The ninja said

Chikusyou this isn't good I have a lot of information of his other two puppets, but I know nothing about this one. the ninja thought

As Kankurou started to control the puppet he used a mostly cat and mouse game. With the ninja chasing Kuroime all around the area with the puppet throwing black gourds towards him. He diverted them away from him and as they hit the ground they busted open leaking the contents onto the ground. The ninja managed to hit one it the middle causing the content to splash in his face.

" Sake?" the ninja questioned

Suddenly Kuroime stopped and turned the puppet clapped it paws together and sparks flew from were they touched

" SHIMATTA!" the ninja said

All the sake he had spread caught on fire as it closed in on him. As the fire completely surrounded him the ninja could barely make out Kankurou and his puppet on the outside.

" How could I be so stupid? Good thing I learned other Jutsus other than Suna." The ninja said, "SUISYOUHA."

Out of nowhere water started to circle his feet as it grew and went and doused all the fire along with hitting Kankurou and knocking him into a tree.

" What a little Mizu stop the great Kugutsu Oyakate?" the ninja asked

Gaara growled at the man laughing at his older brother

Just wait cub I believe the best is still yet to come. Shukaku said

Kankurou got up and still had control of Kuroime.

" You're going to regret that." Kankurou said narrowing his eyes

The ninja was having trouble seeing now though. With all the fire and dowsing it so quickly he had made a lot of smoke and it was causing his visibility to be only a few feet in front of him. With the ninjas vision down Kankurou had Kuroime plant some more gourds only these were red. As the man was able to see more he noticed the red gourds surrounding him

What now? The thought

With Kankurou smirk and Kuroime hit its tail on the ground, which caused the gourds to explode throwing the ninja into the air.

" I can't believe his skills." The ninja said

" Time to end this play." Kankurou said

With that Kuroime took his hat and threw it up towards the ninja. Since it was made of straw the man thought nothing of it, but a foot away large sharp blades came out from the hats rim and cut the ninja in half.

" Nothing is ever what it seems in my puppet shows." Kankurou said

With that the man's body dropped to the ground in two different spots. Kuroime caught his hat and placed it back on his head as Kankurou put him back in his scroll. As Kankurou was about to deal with the missing Suna-nin's body sand came up and swallowed his body. It flowed back up a nearby tree and Kankurou looked up and saw Gaara.

" Hey Bro." Kankurou said nervously

" Shukaku approves of the new puppet and so do I. I also believe you skills have improved greatly." Gaara stated

Kankurou was shocked, " So your not mad at me?"

" Iie, why would I be?" Gaara asked

" I just… Oh never mind let's go find Temari." Kankurou said

Gaara nodded and the two headed to find their sister and Shikamaru.


As Naruto flew through the trees to find Sakura first since her scent was the easiest to find out of his group. Though if he lost her scent he sure would be able to find her anyways.

" NANI!" Sakura screamed rang through the forest causing the birds in the trees to scatter

Naruto then felt the ground shake and could imagine what she had done. As the reached the area he was correct in his assumption. The earth was split in two and lifted in multiple places with a very angry Sakura on the other side of the area. Near where Naruto was standing was a very frightened ninja. Naruto had never seen Sakura this mad in his life.

Me going off on Orochimaru that day on the bridge is nothing to this. Naruto thought

" Sakura-chan?" Naruto questioned wearily

He wasn't sure what her reaction would be to him, but he could tell that her emerald eyes were not leaving the location of where the enemy-nin was. As the ninja heard Naruto's voice he turned and looked happily at him.

" Thank Kami! Get this crazy psycho away from me." The ninja said

" I'M PSYCHO NOW AM I?" Sakura questioned

Naruto then realized that Sakura was so upset that she had let her Inner Sakura out, which was very bad for anyone in her path. Naruto looked at the man wondering what he could of said to get her like this.

" Buddy I don't know what you said to Sakura-chan, but if you wish to remain walking I'd apologize." Naruto said

" I'm not apologizing to a Syouzyo. Anyways all I said was girls shouldn't be allowed to be ninjas. It's a mans job, right." The ninja said

As Naruto heard this and then looked at Sakura he understood why se was so angry now. Naruto started to quickly slide away from the baka ninja.

" Hey where are you going?" The ninja asked

" I'm getting to safety. You just dug your own grave. Not only are girls as good as boys being ninjas, but you're fighting one personally trained by Hokage-Oba-chan herself." Naruto said

The man's eyes now grew wider from that information. Seeing as how Tsunade was know for her legendary insane strength in the ninja world. Sakura then punched the ground again and caused a chunk of it to fly up in the air and she caught it with her two hands. The chunk probably weighted a good 1,000 lb, but from the way she was holding it the chunk seemed like it weighted only 5 lb.

" So girls shouldn't be ninjas huh? Lets see if you can catch this?" Sakura said, "DOTON ASTEROIDO."

With that she hurled the huge chunk of earth at the ninja as he tired to run away, but it was impossible to with the size of the piece of earth coming down on him. Naruto had used Shushin to get behind Sakura to be clear of any of her attacks. The chunk finally fell flat on the ninja crushing him.

" I better tell Sasuke to never say anything like that to you." Naruto said behind Sakura

Sakura turned to see Naruto behind her.

" Naruto when did you get here?" Sakura asked confused

" Man Sakura-chan you really let Inner Sakura fully out if you didn't notice me come here about five minutes ago. I've been here and pancake man even tried to have me reason with you." Naruto said

" And you didn't?" Sakura questioned

" Like it would have worked?" Naruto questioned, " Sakura I been angry like you just were and you know how I'd loose track of the surrounding when I was like that. Anyways now that I found you we can go fins Ino, Choji, and Geji Mau."

" What about the others?" Sakura asked

" Hinata-chan went after her team, Neji and Tenten. Gaara went after his Sibs and Shikamaru. We're meeting at Otou-san's house to regroup and figure out what to do next." Naruto said

" Ok let go then " Sakura said and the two went off to find the others


In another part of the forest Neji and Tenten had managed to get away from their two ninjas before they had separated and were now in a fight. But the two ninjas had performed Tajiuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, so Neji had been keeping them off of them with Kaiten, but Tenten could tell he was starting to tire because of this.

" Taijuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." The two ninjas said

With that thirty more of each ninja appeared beside of the others still left. Tenten decided to even the odds.

" SOUGUFUJI HEKI." Tenten said

She flipped a scroll out of each of her pockets and laid them out of the ground as the scrolls rolled out a number of different weapons came up from them. She then rushed forwards gabbing each weapon and throwing them at the Bunshin. As each weapon hit the Bunshin disappeared in a cloud of smoke. As Tenten reached the end and threw the last weapons the two remaining Bunshin disappeared.

" Now time to finish the real enemy off." Tenten said

" Afraid not little girl." One ninja said

" Taijuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." The two said together

Again another thirty Bunshin appeared before the two, Tenten flipped back to Neji's side unsure of what to do next.

" Neji what now? If we keep this up we'll drain ourselves of chakra and they'll be able to grab us again." Tenten said

Neji straitened himself up and Tenten knew he had thought of a plan.

" Tenten do you trust me?" Neji asked

Tenten blushed at this questioned, " Hai, why?"

" Well it might be I've been hanging around Naruto too long, but I have a crazy idea that might just work." Neji said

Tenten raised an eyebrow at this, " Oookay, go on."

" I believe if we combine my Kaiten and your Gochoryuu we'll be able to take there two down at the same time." Neji said

" Alright but how…" Tenten started

But was stopped when Neji had come over to her and wrapped his arms around her chest facing her.

" Neji what are you doing?" Tenten asked

" Tenten do it." Neji said a small blush on his face from how close he was to Tenten at the moment

Tenten nodded and jumped into the air as the two scrolls came to life as dragons twirling around the two. Neji then started his Kaiten.

" NOW TENTEN!" Neji said, " KAITEN"

" GOUCHORYUU NO JUTSU." Tenten finished

With that Neji started to spin as Tenten grabbed the weapons and threw them out of the Kaiten. They came from every direction that the Bunshin and ninjas didn't know how to react to the new attack. Tenten managed to throw a kunai at one of the ninjas piercing his heart and a sickle got the other one across the chest. Both were killed instantly and this removed all the remaining Bunshin from the area. As the two finally started to land Neji was caught off balance use to his weigh and not the addition of another person. As they touched the ground Neji started to fall forward onto Tenten.

On no! Neji thought

The two fell in such a way that Neji ended up kissing Tenten on the lips. Both grew wide-eyed at what was happening.

Oh no, oh no, oh no. Neji kept repeating to himself

Tenten on the other hand was in pure bliss, Man I should have done this combo attack sooner if I knew this would have been the end result.

Neji quickly pushed himself off of Tenten and scooted away. Tenten sat herself up blushing and looked away from Neji.

" Um…um…." Neji stuttered trying to figure out what to say as he proceeded to stand up, " We need to find the others."

He reached his hand out and helped Tenten up. Tenten took it not looking at him.

" Yeah…yeah that sounds like a good idea. Lets go." Tenten said

With that the two headed off with major blushed on there faced from what just happened


Kikaichu Ryuusei – Destruction Bug Meteor

Kuroime – Black Eyes

Kugutsu no Jutsu – Puppet Skills Technique

Suisyouha – Water Wave

Kugutsu Oyakate – Puppet Master

Syouzyo – Girl

Doton Asteroido – Earth Asteroid

Sougufujin Heki – Equipment Manipulation Floating Blade Wall

Gochoryuu – Twin Rising Dragon

Kaiten Gochoryuu no Jutsu – Spinning Twin Rising Dragons