Apologies all around! I realize that I let too much time go by even though I ended on such a terrible cliffhanger. I hope you can forgive me, but if not, to hell with you. I've been forced to endure so much reading my head is about to pop. I've had to read Guy Mannering so closely that I fear my writing may sound like Scott's (though that may not be a bad thing…the book was pretty good if you can get past the Scottish dialect). But enough of my complaints.

I also apologize for the grammatical raping on my part in this chapter. I really should get a beta but I have serious commitment issues.

Read, enjoy, and review damnit!

Meeting: Fallen Shinobi has a Plan

"It can't be!" cried the pink haired kunoichi.

"No way!" shouted a surprised Naruto.

"You're still alive!" demanded a rather confused Uchiha.

The now revealed guitarist was exceedingly annoyed that these children, strangers at that, somehow knew the identity that had been so hard to keep secret for all those years since Fallen Shinobi had left the village. "Obviously it can be!" came the seething guitarist's cry as Sakura was knocked to the ground with a blow to her stomach. "Yes way!" came the second fuming announcement as Naruto fell to his knees clutching his manhood. "And what the hell do YOU think!" she demanded of the presumptuous sharingan-user, trying desperately to choke the life out of him. However Sasuke, by means of the bond-from-hell, was already in enough pain after Sakura was assaulted.

Shino and Hinata just watched, knowing that as shinobi from the Hidden Leaf it was their duty to aid their comrades but also had enough sense to realize that doing so would be suicide. Finally, Hinata summoned up enough courage to confront the out of control rocker. Well, as much as anyone could expect from a death-fearing Hyuga Hinata.

"Ano," she said, hiding behind a petrified Shino, "i-if it isn't t-to much tr-trouble, could you m-maybe not hurt my friends anymore until th-they can tell us who you are," the cold death stare she received would have been enough to make any man wet himself. Luckily, Hinata had already relieved herself in a bathroom just moments before. "That is, if you want to," she squeaked, fearing their antagonizer might eat her.

Fortunately, the guitarist had vented enough to acquiesce to her plea and the three former members of team seven fought to regain their composure. Naruto, who was having the most difficulty with his injury, fought hard not to use a very specific epithet for the beast that had wronged him.

"…" (So who is it already!)

"It's…" came the unfinished sentence of Sakura.

"…from…crappy…picture…" came the assist from Naruto.

"…what the dobe said…" mumbled Sasuke, not able to think straight.

"..." (Would you retards just spit it out already!)

"RIN-SAMA!" the three cried in unison. Well, that's what Sasuke and Sakura shouted. Naruto whispered more along the lines of 'crazy bitch.'

Suffice it to say that said woman was a little shocked to see that the teens she had just pounded into the ground actually knew who she was and were not merely bluffing. Hinata and Shino were still, very much, confused.

"Who?"

"She's one of Kakashi-sensei's old teammates," Sakura said as she got back on her feet with the help of a barstool. Sasuke did the same while Naruto remained twitching on the ground begging for ice. "I have a picture Kakashi-sensei gave me when I asked what his team was like. Here," she said, handing the photo to Hinata.

The shy girl carefully examined the picture. Sure enough, this was indeed Kakashi's team from when he was a kid and right in the bottom center of the image was a smiling girl with brown hair, red marks on her face, and a large. Despite the current woman's angry disposition, the resemblance was obvious. She was, however, a child no longer. Her hairstyle was pretty much the same but accentuated with a long tail that trailed down the small of her back. Her curves were to die for and her chest, though far from Tsunade-class, was well developed.

"What the hell are you looking at?" came the abrupt interrogation, causing Hinata to avert her eyes. With Hinata's attention no longer on the photo, the no-longer-mysterious guitarist snatched the photo from her possession and eyed it herself. "Well, haven't seen this old thing in a long time," she said with a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "So your Kakashi's new team. Tell me, how is the jack-ass?"

Since their was no malice in her tone of voice, the group took 'jack-ass' as her term of endearment for her old teammate and let out sighs of relief. Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto filled her in on their team's beginning, their many missions and accomplishments, how Kakashi-sensei was never on time for anything, and the like. Naruto was about to go into the details of Sasuke's betrayal, but his two teammates quickly shut him up for fear that it might cause more trouble than they wanted. This, however, did not go unnoticed by Rin. Still, she let it slide.

Then they went into the details of Akatsuki's challenge, starting a band, and their concert experience. Hinata, with little restraint, began blushing tremendously when they brought up the prank, saying that she wasn't angry anymore about it. Rin, on the other hand, started bawling over. "Oh my God! That was you!"

The shy Hinata simply bowed her head and let out an almost inaudible 'hai.'

"What the hell are you so embarrassed about. I know those guys can be assholes at times but they honestly thought they were doing you and everyone else a favor by letting you have your moment. Damn, I haven't heard something that soulful in years." She thought to herself for a moment when an idea struck her. "Tell you guys what. I'm going to take you to see the rest of the guys and then we can try to come up with a way to make it all up to you."

"Really!" Hinata shouted with fanatic enthusiasm, forgetting her timid disposition. "We'd love that!"

"…" (Shouldn't we go back to the hotel and get Anko-sama and that other chick? Wait, did I just suggest that? Fuck, let's get the hell out of here.)

Up On High…

'She Bangs, She bangs!' came the off-key ejaculation of one courageous, yet goofy Asian UCLA student.

"SATAN YOU DAMNED FALLEN SON OF A MONKEY'S DECREPID UNCLE!"

Meanwhile, In Some Dark, Dank Wine Cellar…

Shino and Hinata, to say the least, were freaking out. Being the teammates of a very deranged dog boy had its ups and downs. For example, how many people do you know would be able to lead you to the guy who let his dog take a crap on your lawn just by smelling the evidence? Who else would lack enough dignity relieve themselves on the poor bastard after Shino had thoroughly exacted his vengeance? And who else would help you burry a body with such glee? So yes, Kiba as a teammate had his good qualities.

However, the flea-bitten jack ass also had a love for horror flicks and would demand that his two companions join him in viewing them. Shino and Hinata had seen it all, from werewolves to vampires, from aliens to sea monsters, to Rock Lee's karaoke videos. Their eyes had witnessed things few could handle and their ears had heard noises few would dare wish to hear again. During these nightlong escapades in front of a television in a dark room, while Hinata and Shino prayed to every god they were familiar with for the redemption of their souls, Kiba just sat with a bowl of popcorn laughing his ass off.

So here they were, in a dark and gloomy cellar under the very bar they had performed on only hours before realizing how similar the setting was to those they had seen in countless movies. One of them, however, was truly relevant to their situation and Hinata remembered it well. Five friends were led into a mysterious mansion by a woman who claimed to be a long lost acquaintance of their families, luring them with the promise of unimaginable wealth. However, as they began to unravel the dark secrets of the house, a friend disappeared. Then another disappeared, and then another until only an adventurous young man and a shy quiet girl were left.

It had been one of the few movies Hinata had actually believed she might like. The man manages to rescue the girl and himself from the evil mansion and its zombie-like minions, setting the place on fire in their escape. Oh, how the timid Hyuga heiress inched closer and closer to the screen as the lovely couple, whose similarity to Hinata's own love story is unquestionable, drew in for their long awaited kiss. How confused Hinata must have been when the brave young man instead sunk his teeth into the quiet girl's thin, tender neck, blood gushing out and covering the entire screen. That day, Shino and Kiba witnessed an even scarier site as Hinata proceeded to bash in every electronic gadget in Kiba's room. Hinata learned a valuable lesson: a true horror movie has no happy ending.

Back to their current situation, Rin lead the group to a moderately large round table in the middle of the room. She sat Shino next to Hinata, Hinata next to Naruto, Naruto next to Sakura, and Sakura next to her slave-for-a-month. Of course, none of them took their seats as they waited for the rest of the party (the band, not their guardians). Suddenly, an unfamiliar hand fell on Hinata's shoulder and the poor girl let out a deafening shriek. Leaping up from where she stood, she landed, with amazing grace I might add, in the surprised arms of Naruto. For a brief moment, Hinata felt that she had lived a full life and was prepared for the certain death that awaited her in this hellhole of a cellar.

There is a saying that idle hands are the devils play things. Those belonging to Naruto are no exception. Having this lovely lady in his arms, the poor blond kid simply stood there, speechless and immobile. Then he realized that there was something in his right hand. It was round and warm and soft. He wondered exactly how soft and without realizing what he was doing gave a gentle squeeze. This did not go unnoticed by the daydreaming girl in his arms and she was quickly snapped back to reality, whereas Naruto, courtesy of the girl whose rear he had so enjoyed, was slapped back to reality.

With her wits once again in her possession, Hinata took the time to see whose hand had been so friendly as to plant itself on her shoulder. When she recognized who it was, she quickly began apologizing at a rate few had seen her accomplish.

"So you're the girl that managed to steal the show away from us," came the very friendly voice of a man. Then this stranger did something no one unexpected. Taking his index finger and placing it under Hinata's chin, he brought her face up to look at his as he spoke with a devilish grin. "Hey, cute girls like you don't need to apologize to guys like me." The space between the two, almost nonexistent at this point, was enough to make Hinata faint. However, it was the smile and his words that did it and for the second time since they had entered the cellar, she found herself in Naruto's arms.

"Why the hell did you do that for you bastard!" exclaimed Naruto, doing his best to hold Hinata up.

"I think the real question," said the man running his hand through his hair in a suave manner, "is why you haven't been doing it for her. And before you go around accusing me of anything indecent, I'd be careful where you let your hands roam." He then pointed at where Naruto's hands had positioned themselves at that moment. Naruto, flushed with embarrassment, almost dropped the girl. Fortunately, he managed to move them right before Hinata woke up. (Note to Readers: Love-Love? will mess with your head. For your sake and for the sake of your children, don't watch it. I beg of you!)

"Where am I? Who am I? Who Dey?" said the confused girl as she looked about the room. Her eyes went wide when they scanned the man that had made her faint moments before. "Are you…Serius-sama?"

"Please," he said, taking hold of her hand and looking deeply into her eyes. "Just call me Serius." With that, Hinata was once again out cold.

"WOULD YOU STOP DOING THAT!" screamed ex-team 7 in unison. Hinata, not being able to sleep very peaceably with such screams, woke up.

"…" (I don't think I can take much more of this romantic crap.)

"Whatever makes you kids happy," he said with a sigh. "Please sit down. Rin went to get the rest of the guys and they should be here"—

"When we're good and damn ready to be here!" cried a drunken man who was using Rin as a makeshift crutch. Hinata instantly recognized him as Maiku, guitarist and musical apprentice to the Fourth.

"I told you we should have gotten him sooner. This lightweight can't hold liquor to save his life," said another stranger. That was probably their drummer Sye. That only left one person, but he was nowhere to be found.

'PSHHH,' came the spraying sound of an aerosol can.

"…" (What the hell do you think you're doing! Are you trying to kill me!)

"…" (What about you? You know damn well I'm allergic to insects, yet you brought those damn things with you in that sad excuse for a body. Are you trying to kill me!)

Shino was about to lunge at his estranged relative when he realized that Aburame Raid was holding the can inches from his face. "…" (Okay, okay. I give.)

Now that things had calmed down, the two bands sat together in silence. Serius, not being able to stand it any longer, was the first to speak. "So," he said clapping his hands together. "Rin's told us about your problems. What can we do for you guys?"

"Actually," Naruto said scratching his head, "we have no idea."

The members of Fallen Shinobi nearly fell out of their seats. "Well," Sye began with a laugh. "Let's start by having you tell us what you know about the Battle of the Bands."

"Nothing really," Sakura added. "Just that the competition starts in three weeks and we're registered to compete."

Maiku began rubbing his temples as an early onset of a hangover made its presence known to him. "Are you kids idiots or something? Yeah you have to compete in three weeks, but that's not the whole She-bang-a-bang. First you compete at a village level…then if you win, you go on to compete at the country level three days…then three days later comes the three day finale."

"Wait," Sasuke said, waving his hands to shut the man up. "You're telling me the first step is to be the losers in Leaf? Hell, we are the only talent there."

"Then you should have nothing to worry about," the drummer added. "Did you really not know how the battle worked?"

"All I heard was that my evil-as-sin brother was going to be competing. That was enough for me."

"And which band would he be a part of?" asked Serius who was eyeing Hinata and making the poor girl feel very uncomfortable.

"Aka-Sue-Me," Sasuke stated flatly. Their reaction, however, was not so simple. From their faces the five genin realized just how screwed they were. "Oh come on! They can't be that amazing."

"Kid," Rin began, lighting a cigarette and breathing in the smoke. "We saw you guys on stage before. You have everything any decent band could ask for: talent, heart, and determination. But you lack the one thing that THAT band has an overabundance of."

"And what's that?" asked Sakura.

"They've got the desire to be the best and the willingness to use their skills to their fullest. You guys may be good, but if your only goal in this is your friend's life or something like revenge, you guys are going to be obliterated long before you see Aka-Sue-Me in the finals."

"How the hell does something like that even make sense!" demanded a very pissed Naruto. "You'd think something or reasons for doing this would mean more than something as selfish fame and glory."

"What do you think rock is all about?" the guitarist with the hangover demanded. "You're going to be up against people playing their souls on a stage. These guys sweat music and bleed rock because this is the only thing that gives them a purpose in life, not to mention keeping food in their children's stomachs. Fame and glory are the only things they have to hope for. I've seen the faces of people who lose this competition. Losing is a fate worse than death. Who are you to think that your life is worth the hopes and dreams of others? Don't you have a goal in life you feel that strongly about or are you really just some punk kid with a big mouth!"

The words hit Naruto like one of Tsunade's fists. In what would have seemed like capitalizing on a bad situation had it been done by anyone else, Hinata took it upon herself to console the distraught Naruto. The demon in him told him to suck it up and stop being a wussy.

Feeling the tension in the room, Serius decided to lighten the mood in a most ingenious fashion. "Alright ladies and gentlemen! Time to get high off our asses!"

Brief note from the author on the consequences of drug use:

I realize that there might be some very impressionable readers scanning through this fic and I feel it is my responsibility to scare the shit…ahem…I mean enlighten you on the many downsides of chemical enlightenment. While pot and other interesting mild-altering substances, which your local dealer will be more than happy to describe for you, are unique ways to kill time, I hope you will remember these important fact:

Drugs cost money and the good stuff is more than you can afford. But we're not just talking about money to buy the dope. First you'll need to buy a full tank of gas. Afterall, if you're going to be driving with pot in your car, you best make sure you have enough gas to out drive the cops. Then you'll need money to bribe you're siblings from snitching to your parents. Sure you could kill them, but then you'd being going to jail for murder and nobody wants that. Finally, there's munchy-money. Yes, if your wallet is still full by the time you sit on your couch to toke up, it'll be empty by the time the Pizza Hut and Chinese Food guy arrive at your door. The chips alone that you devour would be enough to feed a small village keeping that all to yourself is just selfish, don't you think?

If someone came up to you claiming to have spoken with God, what would you do? You'd run screaming in the opposite direction in fear of the cult attempting to abduct you, that's what! So why should you give you're stoner friends any more credit. I once had a friend who told me that he learned the secrets of life one night while he was stoned off his rocker. When I asked if he could remember what said secrets were, he scratched his had and muttered, "dunno, I can't remember." So help me, I would have beat his stoner ass if I weren't such a nice guy. How do you learn the mysteries of life and not have the brains to write anything down. Some people say that they're smarter when they're high. I disagree! You're just too wasted to realize how stupid you are! But maybe I'm just upset at nit knowing the meaning of life.

Trips come in many different shapes and sized but it is important to be aware that what you're seeing is NOT REAL. Just because you're on acid, doesn't mean you'll survive if you throw yourself in front of a moving bus and if you're the kind of person who would do something like that (high or otherwise) have the foresight to chain yourself to a wall. Some trips are pleasant, I won't deny that. Hell, I have to give credit to a drug that can make staring at your hand for an hour entertaining. Unfortunately there are also bad trips. You could be falling off an endless cliff or feel paranoid that someone was out to get you. Someone like a pissed off midget…with a metal baseball bat. Do you have any idea how seeing a midget beat your professor with a bat during an exam will affect you? And I was just suffering from sleep deprivation (the midget thing was actually my prof's bad experience with acid)!

So remember kids: Drugs will fuck you up!

Back in the Cellar…

Naruto was busy staring at his hand as if t were the most interesting thing in existence. "Hey guys," he said without removing his stare from his hand. "Have you ever wondered why our hands have five fingers? I mean, I'm pretty sure we'd get along just fine with just three fingers and a thumb on each hand. And why do our feet have toes at all? Seriously, what purpose could they possibly serve?"

Hinata began giggling uncontrollably as she stared in wonder at the blond shinobi. "You're so cute when you're stupid," she said with a blush. Naruto didn't seem to hear her in the slightest.

"Your wasting you're time Hina-chan," chided Rin as she mimicked the blonde's careful examination of his digits. "The doofus wouldn't be able to realize your feelings if you tattooed them across your chest and flashed them at him. He's a lot like his sensei in that sense. What kind of asshole reads a book while I'm trying to seduce him? Hell, I'm pretty sure you could jump his bones and he wouldn't"—

Rin cut herself off when she noticed the shy girl proving herself to be bolder than she originally gave her credit for. "Young lady!" She shouted. "Put your shirt back on and get off the moron's lap!"

"Yeah Hinata," added Sakura. "Try to save some dignity."

"Sakura," the raven-haired Uchiha said as he looked her in the eye. "Why is your hand rubbing my thigh?"

"Eh heh heh heh," she giggled bashfully, removing her hand that was clearly acting of its own accord.

"Hey kid," said Sye the drummer to Sasuke. "Aren't you too old to be shying away from a woman's advances?"

"THAT," he said pointing to Sakura, "is not a woman. And aren't you a little too old to be getting high?"

"Kid, you're never too old to get high," Sye said with a sly smile taking a puff of the joint in his hand. "I mean, that's like saying you're too old to have sex."

Damn straight, said the voice in Sasuke's head. The genius may have avoided partaking of the main course, but no one within this circle could avoid the dreaded second-hand high. Listen to the man Virgin-boy. You might learn something. She touched it! I can't believe she really touched it! I also can't believe that that blonde friend of yours didn't even flinch when the cute girl with the nice rack was on top of him. He's about as hopeless as you!

To hell with you Voice, Sasuke retorted. No one compares me to that dobe!

Whatcha gonna do about it? Why don't you prove you're a step ahead of him?

Under normal circumstances, Sasuke would have simply ignored the voice and gone about his life as usual. However, his manhood was being called into question and he refused to let Naruto and the voice inside his head get the best of him. Without even looking at her, Sasuke reached over and claimed the proof his counterpart demanded. Sasuke found himself amazed at how soft Sakura's breast was. Even the soft moan that escaped her mouth was pleasing to him, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Sa-su-ke," the pink-haired kunoichi growled. "WHAT the HELL do you think you're DOING!" Though Sakura had been pretty bold herself just moments before, it was another thing entirely for Sasuke to do what he just did without her permission (as everyone reading this chapter should remember. She slapped him so hard that everyone thought his head did a complete 360 around his neck. Instead, the poor boy fell out of his seat, a red handprint becoming visible on his cheek.

That was so worth it, was the only thought that echoed in Sasuke's head, though even I, as the author of this story, am unsure who said it.

"We-e-e-e-ll," spoke the bandleader, "since we all seem to be enjoying ourselves, maybe now's the best time for me to make my proposal."

"WHAT!" exclaimed Naruto. "You can't marry Hinata! You don't even know her that well!" Everyone who had the slightest connection to that young man felt a pang of shame deep within themselves.

"Not that kind of proposal," Serius said with a sigh. "Though that's not a bad idea. What do you say Hinata, want to spend the rest of your life with me?" The white eyed girl declined much faster than anyone expected, shaking her head back and forth as if her life depended on it. Naruto let out a sigh of relief, though he wasn't sure why. "Fair enough," Serius continued. "What I wanted to offer you was a chance to find yourselves as musicians."

"Huh?" the majority of the group said at the same time.

"We know that you guys have talent. We aren't trying to deny that in any way. However, if you can't find it in you to be seen as the best or at the very least to be recognized as musicians, you'll never have what it takes to get through the competition. Hinata," Serius now directed his full attention onto the withdrawn Hyuga. "You have a beautiful voice, but your natural disposition keeps you from using it to its full potential. You may have your own reasons for agreeing to take part in this," he glanced over at an unsuspecting Naruto for emphasis, "and although that allows you to sing at all, it won't be enough to shine in a Battle of the Bands. If you want to be of any help to your newfound band members, you're going to have to find your true strength."

"…" came the 'voice' of Aburame Raid. (Shino, if anyone in your band has an inkling of this drive to be the best, it would be you. Unfortunately, though you may be a decent bassist you lack true funk!)

"…" (Fuck you, dude)

"…" (I suppose I deserved that, but it doesn't change the fact that there is nothing that makes you unique…not even the shit on your head.)

"…" (I repeat: Fuck you, dude.)

"Sasuke!" Rin was next to speak. "I doubt you've thought about anything else besides getting revenge on your brother through this competition. Itachi, on the other hand, hasn't given you a second thought. Though the goal of his organization is to get possession of Naruto, he's in this to win, not simply to beat a younger sibling whom he can outdo in every single way. If you want to beat him, you're going to have to put aside this family feud for a while. If you can't, you're going to hinder your teammates."

"Hey you," spoke the drummer Sye. "Yeah you, the girl with the pink hair. I want to congratulate you on getting as far as you have with your new instrument for only a week of practice. You remind me a lot of myself when I was your age, minus the rack and cute backside. There's also one key thing that separates you and me. I enjoy the drums, where you resent it. Do you honestly think that a drum set is beneath you because you're a girl? I know a dozen or more women who would whoop your ass because of that. You need to have pride in what you do, otherwise there's no point in doing it at all."

With only one pair remaining, everyone looked to Naruto and Maiku. The experienced guitarist fought his high to remain serious as he stared down the blond ninja. It proved rather difficult as he kept seeing a midget with a bat behind the boy. "I like you kid," said the guitarist hoping no one would take it the wrong way. "You have that 'do or die' attitude you don't see much in this day and age. Reminds me of an old friend I haven't seen since you were born. He taught me everything I know about the guitar and about what it means to be a man. He was like a father to me, and I swear looking at you is like looking at his ghost." Maiku fought back tears with all his might. "But it's a shame that when I hear you play, as good as it may be, I know I'm not hearing you."

His last comment shocked the boy sober. Could he know his secret? Could he know that there was a demon inside of him and that he was helping him play? Would he go so far as to lay it all out in front of his friends?

"Don't worry kid," Maiku said in a reassuring tone, "I'm not going to say anything personal, though if you want your friends to trust you, you're going to have to tell them sooner or later. Anyways, as a guitarist, what you play has to come from you. Mimicking the greats with perfection will only get you so far, but it won't get you anywhere if you're being judged on originality. The best rockers, and the only kind that will be attending this competition, are going to see right through your sound if you rely too much on others. It took you three days to learn how to play proficiently, am I right?" Naruto nodded. "Then use the rest of this time to find your own sound."

There was a long silence as the younger members of the group let their words of advice sink in. After what seemed an eternity, Naruto broke the silence. "What was the Fourth's sound like?"

There was a light chuckle from each of the members of Fallen Shinobi, and it was Serius who answered his question. "His sound was…indescribable. About the only thing I can tell you is how it made us feel. Imagine you're lost in life, there's nothing left to live for, and you're moments away from ending it all. Then imagine a warm sensation that just wraps itself around you telling you not to give up. All of a sudden you feel like meaning has been put back into your life and you can pick yourself up again. That's how it was for me and because of it I've kept doing this for as long as I have."

"Then," spoke Hinata, "Why are you calling it quits?"

"I guess we just want to try other things," Serius said without any remorse in his voice. "I for one want what the old man had to give up for the sake of a village. I have a wife of my own and we've been talking a lot about starting a family. Things will be complicated enough as it is with my celebrity status, but if I keep up with touring and studio work I'll never get to spend any time with my children. At least, that's my story. We all have different reasons for, as you put it, calling it quits."

"So what exactly is it that you want us to do?"

"It's simple," he said with a calculating grin. "Without any word to your Hokage, we want you to each go on a separate journey. Where we send you is the place we think would be best for you as musicians to grow. We expect you to each learn as much as you can in one week and then return to your village. We'll meet you there to explain things for your Hokage."

"…" said Shino (If we are not allowed to inform our Hokage, how do you expect us to pay for such a quest? Are we supposed to just wing it?)

"…" replied his distant relative. (Haven't you heard? We're rich, bitch.)

"Like Raid said," continued Serius. "We will take care of everything. With our connections, it shouldn't be a problem for you to get there and find shelter. The only thing you need to worry about is improving yourselves."

"There's a little problem," Sasuke said with a slightly irritated tone. "That damn Hokage did some sort of jutsu so that I can't leave this crazy chick's side. How does that fit into your little plan?"

Rin had a small laugh to herself as she explained that particular detail. "We noticed you were unusually close to her for someone as big a prude as you are. So you'll of course be traveling buddies. The distance between your destinations isn't that far so you should have no problem. Just spend half the time in one place and then quickly jump over to the next location. Simple, ne?"

Everything seemed to be taken care of so there was only one thing left to ask. Leave it to Naruto to be the first to speak up.

"When do we start?" he asked with a confident grin.

Fallen Shinobi returned the smile and in one voice declared, "Right now." The final thoughts on everyone's mind was how corny that came out.