Sangai no jutsu

They were on the outskirts of the Moon Village.

Kakashi was reading the eleventh volume of Icha Icha Paradise, Naruto was whistling cheerfully, and Seiko kept his hands in his pockets as they walked. They had been traveling for a few days now.

Naruto placed his arms behind his head. He took a glance up at Kakashi. "Are we gonna stop and eat? I'm starved," he complained as his stomach let out a low rumble.

Kakashi closed his book and sighed. "I suppose, okay with you?" he looked over to Seiko, who shrugged in response.

Naruto's eyes lit up. "I see a ramen stand in the distance. Datteboyo!" he snickered gleefully. "Ramen, ramen." He kept muttering as he ran ahead.

The two left behind kept their walking pace, and by the time they reached the stand, Naruto was on his second bowl of miso.

The owner of the stand smiled at the two. "Welcome to the Strudel, would you like something to eat?"

After placing their orders, Kakashi and Seiko took a seat on two stools.

"I'd say it should take us around another two days to reach the Sound at this pace," Seiko commented.

Kakashi nodded. "Sakura and Sasuke should be there by tomorrow, their path is much shorter."

"Do you think (slurp) they'll be okay till we get there?" Naruto questioned through eating. "I mean, is Sasuke reliable enough? Sakura-chan's strong and all, but we are dealing with Sound ninjas."

"They'll be alright, you have to have faith in them," Kakashi commented, his bowl of ramen being placed before him.

Naruto thought for a second. "But, won't the Sound re-"

"They'll be fine," Kakashi insisted, pulling his chopsticks apart to start eating. He slid his mask down and Naruto looked sharply at him. He grinned and set down his chopsticks to watch the man closely. 'Sasuke and Sakura are missing out. I'm going to be the first to see Kaka-sensei's face! Datteboyo,' He was far passed excited. Each passing second, with the mask slowly sliding down, Naruto could hear his heart pounding. His face dropped. "Eh?"

Kakashi had only slid his mask down to slip in his noodles, his mouth hidden behind them, his mask then going back in place.

Naruto's head fell in disappointment. Would Kakashi's face forever be one of life's great mysteries?

"Sasuke and Sakura can take care of themselves," Kakashi continued. "Those two work well together."

Seiko broke apart his own two chopsticks as he listened to the two converse, a small smirk appearing on his face. 'Yeah, more than you two know. You don't know the half of it. But you'll know soon enough.'


Hino looked over the profile again. "So, his name's Semashi Aiko?" he questioned.

"That's what it's says doesn't it?" Shino replied as they continued their search. This was their third village they had checked. They had spoken to every councilman in every village that could possibly know the whereabouts of a person, but so far, there was nothing to be found. Now, they were in the small Waterfall village, having already gone through Cloud and Rain.

"This is impossible, he could be anywhere, Tsunade-sama should had at least some information before she sent us scouting around. This could take us years," Kiba complained grumpily, annoyed at their unsuccessful progress.

"Kiba, I'm sure Hokage-sama knows what she's doing by sending us here," Hinata insisted timidly, her eyes still searching the premises.

"Kiba's right," Shino said with a sigh, "This could take us a very long time. If only we had a scent of the guy, we could find him in no time then."

"However long it takes, we're still going to do it," Hino stated, his arms crossed.

Hinata smiled softly. "It's not going to take as long as you think," she chimed in.

The three males turned to her. "What makes you say that?"

"Look over there," she pointed to the crowd.

And looked they did. The man she pointed out fit the description. Chestnut hair, cerulean eyes, the same crooked chin, and the unmistakable mark coming from his earlobe to his cheek. They all looked to the profile and then back at the man.

Kiba smiled. "Good job, Hinata," he consoled.

They scrambled to the man, him glancing at them strangely as they blocked his path. "May I help you?"

"Semashi Aiko?" Kiba questioned the man's blue eyes widening. "I'm taking that as a yes. It's about time we found you."

The four grinned. Mission accomplished.


That night, Tsunade rubbed her temples and took a drink of wine. 'I wonder how they're all doing.'

All of the missions she had sent them on were vital to her plan, she hoped all was going well.

"Tsunade-sama!"

Her eyes traveled to the door as Shikamaru and his group hurried in, Shikamaru in the lead.

"Eh? Did you receive the scroll already? You've only been gone two days," The Godaime questioned. She didn't think it would take too long, but she hadn't expected them back this soon. Something must have gone wrong, she could feel it.

"I'm afraid not. It was an ambush, a conspiracy" Shikamaru explained through heaves of breath.

Tsunade quirked a brow. "What do you mean? It was a trap?" She should have known, Daimyou never had anything good up his sleeve.

"Hai, the Grass is by no means our ally. We had to fight off at least half of their ninja," Ino reported pushing back a strand of her hair.

"I see. Are you all alright?" Tsunade questioned, examining the ninjas.

"Just a few scratches and bruises," Shiniko answered fingering the mark he had received across his cheek.

"I still want you four to be checked out. Dismissed," Tsunade had things to contemplate.

"Awesome, hospital food," Chouji said gleefully as they walked out. The other three just rolled his eyes at him.

Tsunade groaned. What else could go wrong with this?

Shizune glanced at her worriedly. Her sensei would go through at least three bottles of wine tonight. She sighed, she might as well go get it. Shizune left, carrying TonTon, to leave the Godaime to think of what news she had just received. As she opened the door, four other people ran into the office, forcing her to retreat to the side of the wall.

"What now?" Tsunade questioned looking up wearily at the forms of Neji, TenTen, Lee, and Teji. "Did you meet up with Juchi?" The Godaime hoped for a good result, but with their entrance, she doubted it without comprehension. The Hokage took another long swig of her wine before saying, "I'm listening."

"We did meet up with Juchi, and he told us some interesting things," Neji started. "The Tsuchikage is indeed plotting with Orochimaru."

Tsunade remained passive. She saw that one coming already, that was old news.

"But that's not it, Tsunade-sama, Juchi said that that wasn't the only Kage involved with Orochimaru's plan, and he couldn't obtain more information than that," Lee finished all that him and his comrades had been told previously.

Shizune sighed. "I'd better make that six bottles," she mumbled and walked out of the office.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Dismissed," she promptly told the teens, giving them a wave of her hand. This information changed her whole outlook on this mess. She couldn't figure it out. 'What is he up to?' she thought to herself, then rolled her eyes. 'What isn't he ever up to?'

"Um, is this a bad time Tsunade-sama?"

What was up with all of them coming back at the same time? "Come in," she ordered promptly.

So, the next four emerged, another figure in tow. Tsunade smiled in relief. At least one thing had gone right tonight. "You managed to find him pretty quick," she stated, looking over the brown-haired man. "Good work. If you don't mind, though, I would like to talk to him alone."

The four nodded, Hino punching his hand into the air triumphantly, and uttered a familiar word to all of them. "Datteboyo!"

"Semashi Aiko I presume," she looked at the man before her, who nodded shyly.

"Tsunade-sama," he said courtly.

"Let's cut to the chase, were you…"

"Infused with the first Hokage's genes? Tsunade-sama, I figured you knew that much before sending after me. But, I'm sorry to tell you I know nothing, I have no information to give you. I haven't ever been in contact with Orochimaru," Aiko explained in earnest. "I'm no use to you."

Tsunade's eyes fell. "I see. Sorry for disturbing your life by having them drag you here."

"No problem. It's only a small journey back home," he bowed. "Sorry I couldn't have been of any assistance. I wish you the best of luck." He left, shutting the door behind him. Tsunade nodded, she was going to need luck to pull out of this one.

And that was it, she had nothing. All that planning had gone to waste. Ever detail she had taken account for had backfired right in her face. Tsunade was back at square one.

She knew one thing that was for certain: she'd need backup, it was time she paid Jiraiya another visit. Orochimaru was being hasty about something, something that would have to involve Konoha. How could it not? Tsunade bit her fingernail. Now all she had to figure out was what he was going to do, and Naruto and his group should be able to give her those answers, presuming everything went smoothly there.

Sakura trotted behind Sasuke. So far, the traveling had gone smoothly, with them only stopping for much needed sleep, roughing it out by sleeping on the grass. It was getting dark again, hopefully they'd camp soon.


"Hoo, hoo."

Sakura jumped at the sound and clutched to Sasuke's arm. The wind blew, the trees howling an eerie sound. Shivers ran up and down Sakura's spine.

"Are you scared?"

Sakura looked up at Sasuke, who was smirking down upon her. She released him hastily. "No, of course not," she huffed. So she was a little spooked, it was no big deal. They were nearing Sound now after all, why shouldn't she be scared?

There was a rustle in the bushes, and a creature emerged. "Eep!" Sakura squealed, throwing herself over to Sasuke, clutching his arms and her face buried in his shoulder. She peeked out with one eye, and a sweatdrop formed in the back of her head. It was a bunny, hopping along the road. 'We were scared of a rabbit? Yeah, that'll sure impress Sasuke-kun,' Her Inner Self never seemed to help her any. She glanced up to see Sasuke shaking his head, trying to hide a smirk.

"Okay, maybe I'm a little frightened," The kunoichi mumbled, letting go of him once more.

"A little frightened?" Sasuke repeated, mocking her. "You're terrified."

Sakura crossed her arms. "Just because I'm a little spooked doesn't mean I'm terrified, Sasuke-kun."

"Sakura, you're shaking," Sasuke stated, referring to her arms.

Sakura rubbed her shivering arms. "Just a little cold is all," she countered. It was a little chilly outside. "Sasuke-kun?"

"What is it?" the avenger asked.

Sakura blushed. "Do-Do you think we could maybe stay at a hotel tonight?" she averted her gaze to the ground. "I mean, it's pretty cold tonight and…"

"You don't want to be out here. You're scared something bad will happen since we're so close to reaching the Sound Village?" Sasuke questioned knowingly.

She bowed her head. "Yeah."

"I wouldn't let anything happen to you, you know," The Uchiha said, crossing his arms.

"I know that," Sakura covered quickly. "It's just…"

"Unnerving?" Sasuke finished.

The kunoichi nodded.

Sasuke sighed. "Alright, I suppose it wouldn't hurt. We should be able to find one somewhere. Come on," he motioned her to follow him, and Sakura complied.

They walked a few minutes in silence, Sakura remaining close to Sasuke. They soon reached a small village, one neither were familiar with.

"Here," Sasuke announced, stopping in front of a building.

Sakura looked it over and nodded. It looked quaint enough; it would suit her liking. "This looks fine," she stated, walking inside.

The receptionist at the front desk welcomed them. "Welcome to Fala Inn," she looked over them. "Do you need one or two rooms?"

Sakura blushed as Sasuke answered, "One will suffice."

"Ah, let's see," the woman pressed her fingers over a group of keys. "Is it just for tonight or…"

"Just for tonight," Sasuke answered.

"Alright then, that'll be 150 yen," the receptionist stated, and Sasuke set the money down.

Sakura glanced at him. "I could've paid for it," she mumbled. She didn't want Sasuke to pay; it had been her suggestion to stay there after all.

"Don't worry about it," Sasuke replied shrugging.

The receptionist grabbed a set and gave them to Sasuke. "Here you go. Have a nice evening now. Your room is five rooms that way to the left," she instructed.

"Arigato," Sakura smiled, Sasuke leading the way to their room. As Sakura stared at his back, her eyes widened, another blush forming on her cheeks. 'In a hotel room, alone with Sasuke-kun.' She gulped.

Her Inner Self squealed. 'What are you talking about? This is the best thing that's ever happened to us. Just don't screw it up!'

Yeah, hopefully, she wouldn't make a complete fool of herself. Hopefully.


Wohoo! I squeezed the next chapter out of me. Hope you tell me what you thought of it.

sasuke fanatic1