A/N: Sorry for the delay. People don't think it be like it do, but it does.

xXx

Memories from the rookie days

The snap of the mid fall air crackled and whistled aggressively in the frigid night.

"This is a solid idea." Naruto said but the chirping of the post sunset crickets and the cool wind is all that could be heard in response.

"...No like, really solid. I don't know why you're freaking out." Naruto pestered on.

"I mean... where did you even get this stuff?" Gaara asked, equipped with a thick black rigors belt accompanied by a grappling hook device standard for graduate W.E.T's. Which at the time, they were not.

"The old Man funds this place and grandma always gets drunk and leaves her key ring out... Call it some good ol' family borrowing?"

"Borrowing?.. Right."

"Oh come on, you stick in the mud there's one week left in placements and Haku is-"

"Kicking our ass up and down the street. Yes, Naruto. I know." Gaara said before the blonde could remind him of what he already knew. That for the first time Gaara and Naruto just couldn't quite keep up. That perhaps someone was better. Pure talent and determination had driven them this far. But now talent and hard work wasn't enough.

The fox and hound were not enough. Outclassed it seemed

"Well then put your big girl panties on. It's time to raid." Naruto slapped an expensive pair of night vision goggles onto his face, green cat eyes replacing his blue iris.

"... Fine." Gaara did the same to cover up his darker green and mounted a go pro camera to his tactical vest to play back their mission later as to spot areas of needed improvement. With all the black and spy swagger, these teenagers almost looked legit.

Well almost.

Naruto looked like a kid playing make believe in his too tight night vision goggles and Gaara's rigors belt had a hard time staying upright on his boyish frame. Men in time they would be, but they clearly weren't there as of yet.

"What if we get caught?" Gaara's second questioned sounded as he tightened the belt for the 3rd time that hour.

"Demon of the Desert" seems too aggressive a title for a guy who has sooooo many cowardly questions. Just be cool. We got this." Naruto tightened his own gear and readied his rigor with a propel hook and lock. Taking a few swings of the rope to check its durability before anchoring it in place on the ledge in front of him.

And that was Naruto. Always so sure in the capability of the two. For better or worse.

"Ready?" Gaara returned a nod and the Uzumaki's trademark enthusiasm swelled up inside him as he stepped up to the ledge in question. "Fucking. Send it!" His leapt a short distance backwards and began to propel down the five story building, making it to the 3rd story before tapping his earpiece to check in with his buddy.

"Hound, this is Fox. Fixing position for analysis."

"Copy that Hound. Any eyes on the Ice Queen?"

"Negative." Naruto fixed himself to look through the dark room beyond the window in front of him. His night vision goggles not giving away any hidden bodies.

"Good. See if you can get eyes on the target and get the fuck outta there."

"Sir, yes sir!"

"Smartass..." Gaara grumbled back.

"Hey, I think I see somethin. See? The games ain't too bad."

Ah. The Anual Spy games. Every trainee at the academy was expected to study and train equally hard. But the Rigorous W.E.T course did little to coddle those who couldn't act on their new inherited knowledge. So obviously there was many a test. This one specifically?

Capture the flag:

Each student, or solo team, was given a flag of a distinct color that they were to guard with their lives over the course of a month based on a score system of acquiescent skill and number of flags held. Individuals being given a buff in points for working alone and duos given the benefit of having a trust worthy partner and more hands to work with.

Current score?

Naruto and Gaara: 4

Kiba: 1 (2 due to individual buff)

Sasuke: 0 (1 due to individual buff)

Haku-6 (8 due to individual buff and leader score)

"It's her personal flag, I'm sure of it. She was the only one with blue right? It's folded up on her dresser...I though that was against the rules?"

The "rules" being that the current leaders personal flag ( opposed to two other flags of less point significance.) had to be on display for the competing groups. In full view in an open area for any enemy group to take as to symbolize a "High priority" bounty or wanted objective.

"Doesn't matter. If you can sneak through that window, get in and get out. It'll put us up to 7 and in the lead. I'm not too keen on seeing what the losers of this event have to do as punishment." Gaara replied. "I got overwatch, I'll alert you if anything gets weird out here."

"Yeah yeah. I'm movin boss." Naruto carefully began to unscrew the windows outer screen before lifting the glass slide itself, detaching from his harness and climbing in. "Scene is clear-..."

"...Hound?"

The radio chatter went quiet as Gaara tried once more.

"Hound?? Come in Hound, I lost you."

Gaara was again met with static before he began to worry.

"Dude-"

"Holy shit it smells like love and happiness in here. Do all girl's rooms smell like this?!"

"...Naruto get the fucking flag and LEAVE!"

"Fine! Asshole, I'm movin already." Naruto grabbed the goods and quickly retreated back through the window. A fair take should have dictated that Naruto returned, bounty in hand without being caught. But it's never that easy.

"Here, hold this. You know I lose shit." Naruto insisted as he tossed Gaara the flag.

"Mhm, whatever." Gaara doffed his goggles and took the fabric, noticing something was off almost instantaneously. "That's... strange." He said.

"What?"

Gaara unfolded the fabric beneath the pale moonlight and tried to adjust his eyes to the coming shadows of the fall night.

"The material... it's weird."

"What do you mean 'weird'. It's a flag. Come on, it's time to go."

"No, like..." Gaara put his goggles back on and his heart sank into his stomach at what he saw.

"Ah, ah, ahh." A teasing voice interfering with their coms was the last thing the boys heard before all of their limbs went limp and they tumbled down to the ground in confused body puddles of failure.

Haku's face looked down at Gaara beneath the moons sky and Gaara found it hard to breath. At first he thought he'd been struck by a bullet. But he knew he didn't hear a gunshot.

Poison, he feared? As he adjusted his head with no small effort to see the senbon sticking out from his arms and legs.

xXx

Gaara recounted this memory with mixed emotions as he watched Haku not to subtly bend over to retrieve her senbon from the severed head on the now gorish front yard of Sasuke's family home

He often felt overwhelmed these days like he had back then, taken by surprise. A lifetimes worth of skills and prestige seemed to be crashing around him. Like his limbs were heavy, his mind clouded and it was making his mortality seem to creep a bit too close to the light.

Close calls had been too close and he'd had many this week.

"Don't stare too hard Gaara. Your pet panda might get the wrong idea." Haku mused as she caught his gaze over her shoulder.

"Wha?" He started before being promptly rushed by Tenten.

"You JUST apologized for being a pig you fucking-"Tenten rambled as she charged the unsuspecting Red head.

"AH!" Gaara helped as he snapped out of his daze. Dodging a hard right hook from Tenten. Vaulting over his own car and hopping "safely" into the back middle seat before locking the door for good measure.

"Gaara stole my panties ya know. That's how he tells you he's into you. Did he do that to you too? Or ooh, something more romantic I bet. You strike me as a bit of a square. How'd you fall for our moody teddy here?"

Haku sat, full smirk on Gaara's right as everyone piled into the car. Tenten seething in a mountain of anger to his left after he cautiously unlocked the door. Kiba sped his car out of the driveway of the Uchiha manor. Chunks of fresh cultist flesh still slopping from the hood after an impromptu car wash with a garden hose. Courtesy of Naruto whom was currently getting a good laugh from all of Gaara's hard luck.

Tenten wrangled her frustration as she tried her best to ignore the chatty maniac that'd been pushing her buttons all afternoon.

'She just keeps talking doesn't she?' Gaara fearfully thought to himself.

The car was now silent.

Haku's amusement was apparent.

Tenten's hate was festering.

Gaara's heart had been paused and Kiba's mouth was struggling to hold in a flood of laughter.

"So uh, nice weather we're having." Naruto said as the silence reached its agonizing 10 second mark.

"If you plan on keeping your teeth Naruto. Shut. Up." Tenten gritted out through clenched teeth.

"Awh, so angry. It's such a shame because I like you sooo much." Haku said, dropping a smile at her new rival on the other side of the car.

"HEY! SO HELP ME... we will turn this murder bus around." The car froze at the intensity of the anger in the front seat. "This highschool bullshit is entertaining and all, but if we could get an address that'd be great." Ino interrupted, seemingly through with their "conversation" from the start. "Stupid fucking cramped car with a bunch of morons! Ino finished as she munmbled that last bit under her breath.

Unfortunately loud enough for her "seat" to hear, Naruto, whom promptly began bickering back and forth for her to take it back. He's no moron after all.

But Ino's interjection only angered Tenten more as she began to squeeze the marrow from Gaara's right hand instead of offering a retort.

"She's right." Gaara gasped through the pain.

"Why'd you two stop dating again, Haku?" Kiba probed from the drivers seat and Gaara could feel his last hopeful breath leave his body. He knew damn well Kiba meant to feed the fire.

"Thats such a rude thing to say Kiba." Haku fake pouted at the rear view mirror. "I just chose to allow him to date other people... and It's nice to see someone's been taking care of him for me." She said with a smile.

"They stopped because she's a fucking psycho!" Naruto said before any more nonsensical babble could be spoken.

"I'm hurt. Truly!" Haku said with a faux gasp. Grasping offendedly at her chest.

"Did someone say turn on the radio?" Ino shouted at no one in particular. "Why yes I can absolutely turn on the radio!"

"But no one asked you to-" Haku started.

"This just in. Breaking News in Konoha." Came the urgent tone of the radio host.

"I mean I was thinking more rock, but news is good too." Naruto said as he proceeded to crank up the volume to drown out the collective bickering in the car.

"The city is in disaster today as a prison riot has resulted in Konoha City overflowing with criminals."

"Damn that was quick." Naruto remarked. "Figured the cops would've kept a lid on it."

"Terrorist activity in a mall parking lot suggest more bombings in the near future. And this just in... wait are you sure?" The cars occupants leaned in to try and hear the faint whispering obviously not meant for radio listener consumption.

"Yes. This just in, with a heavy heart, Commander Danzo has declared Marshall law, effective immediately. Due to the murder of a startling number of Konoha's bravest officers..."

"He what?" Naruto gritted.

"Fox, keep your cool. There's no guarantee Iruka was there." Gaara instinct chipped in as to keep Naruto's anger at a low boil, the thought of losing a brother to a tyrant on top of everything else was enough to send any man over the bridge after all.

"It is with a great sadness that we pray for the safety of ko-"

"Stop. Stop the car." Naruto said in a low breath as he shut of the radio.

"Wait what do you mean? You two made prime time news, we need info!" Kiba protested.

"Stop. The. Car." Naruto all but growled.

The car came to a abrupt stop on a intersection hill between the low country where the Uchiha manor resides and the first main street into konoha.

Ino could feel the heat radiating off of him. The hate. The shudder of his body was enough to fill herself with opposition for whom ever had upset him, enough to have her rearing to fight. To kill. But instead, she chose to put on a reassuring tone. To bring the tension back down to a level that kept them both of rational mind.

"Naruto." She urged as she grabbed both of his arms and wrapped them around herself. "It's ok."

And she knew it wasn't.

"No. It's fucked, you know how many people have tried to kill me this week? I don't even know who to be fucking mad at...Someone has to pay." He seethed but he held on anyway.

"And they will." Gaara let himself out of the car and walked his way to the trunk of the vehicle. "No one messes with our city. Crook, or politician." He fitted himself with a vest and brought back an armful for everyone in the car. His movements were pained from injuries he'd sustained the last few days. But he moved with grace.

He was done with feeling overwhelmed.

"Vest up." He said. "The entire area will be on lockdown. Civilians are tucked away safely. It's time to tear this city apart."

Naruto did his best as he reeled in his composure. Nudging Ino off of his lap gently as he went to put on his own gear. It was hard to justify lashing out when his best friend harnessed the same passion he did but seemed to stay so calm and put together about it.

Put "together" was never his thing. Brash and stupid were his thing. Brave was his thing. And well if it ain't broke...

"South Side Konoha, let's move." Naruto directed you Kiba.

xXx

The childhood hang out of Naruto and Gaara was a bit different.

The sheik rustic undertone of a city area that filled the downtown life used to be bustling with energy and opportunity ...was now just rundown and rusted.

"Toads Sage and Surplus" Gaara looked up in a brief moment of appreciation as he read out loud the name of Jariya's store form the comfort of his seat.

He made to make his exit when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"And what if Kakashi's not here?" Tenten whispered.

"Well then something, or someone is. I'll be right back. Ok?" Gaara said with his best shot at reassurance.

"Ok..." She said as she hesitantly released her grip.

"Keep an eye on everything." Gaara nodded to Kiba through the rear view mirror. "Round the block a few times."

"As long as you keep an eye on him" Kiba motioned toward the door Naruto was already rushing through.

"God damnit." He mumbled as he rushed in after him and could hear Kiba pulling off behind him.

"Where you at you pervy gray haired old man!?" Naruto shouted, busting through a rusting shop door with little resistance.

"Slow down you idiot! We don't know who is here yet!"

"Sounds like neither of you have retained many of my lessons. Sloppy work really." Kakashi stepped from inside the store managers office to stand behind the cash registers hard glass wall. It's obvious the years had been kind to Kakashi. His silver and white hair had yet to turn grey. The same wrinkle adorned his only visible eye that peaked out from his black face mask. And his frame for the most part, remained slim and fit as ever. The only cause for concern was the limp of his right leg as he took his time getting behind the counter.

"Sloppy my ass, you're the one who got us stuck in a prison right?" Naruto rebutted. "In fact." Naruto approaches the glass slowly. "My memories a bit hazy, but I'm more than certain you're the reason I ended up unconscious during that shit show."

"My boy, now that does sound a bit hazy." He said with a noticeable frown.

"How exactly did Naruto end up in the custody of the Peins, Sensei? Sasuke says to trust you. But we're getting awful tired of not getting any answers around here." Gaara picked up on Naruto's tension, beginning to scan the room as Naruto made his way closer to the window.

"I suggest you boys drop the tone." The typical eye smile Kakashi was known for was now dipping into a full faced scowl beneath his mask. "I didn't tell Sasuke anything, because Sasuke would sell out his own mother. I place my trust." Kakashi patted at his chest. "In you two hot heads for a reason. You're loyal..."

"You're going to have to give me somethin old man." Naruto stopped when he was finally at counter. Cheap glass being the only thing keeping them apart. "Anything-"

"Tsunades alive." He said.

"She's... she's what?" Naruto unconsciously released the grip he had on the pistol in his waistband at the news. A flood of different emotions egging at him.

Disbelief? Relief? He couldn't be sure. Neither could Gaara.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Gaara prodded. Choosing to keep his wits about him as the news sent him into high alert.

"You don't. Or at least if I taught you two anything, you don't. We attempted to take Naruto as a test of loyalty. Had you been working for Danzo, they would've rushed us when you decided to go off script with us through a different exit." He said plainly.

"So Sasuke isn't a complete pile of garbage? Interesting..." Naruto muttered to no one in particular.

"So the gas?" Gaara asked.

"Staged. Well at least it was supposed to be." Kakashi said with a sigh. "The plan was simple enough really. Fake a jail break, take Naruto, and if anyone besides your people come to rescue him-"

"Then you know he was in on it." Gaara finished for him. "Not bad." He admitted.

"But hey, you said it was staged? If you haven't noticed, these assholes are running a muck around this city." Naruto questioned.

"Yeah. Well. The gas was supposed to be fake, and dumb and dumber who blew up that parking garage where the only ones who were supposed to be let lose, along with a few other low level thugs... still not sure where they snagged that much explosive though.

"So you're saying you goofed old man?" Naruto asked.

"I'm saying we were played. And I have a sneaking suspicion Danzo isn't the only one after the crown around here."

"And you're telling me that crown isn't something you're after anymore?" Gaara asked.

"Prestige isn't for me. All a crown does is put weight on your head and a target on your back." He said matter of factly.

Naruto looked over to Gaara for a moment as he made a mental list of the plethora of mad men in the city. "Is there a market for coffee sales in Sand country? Seems a little more chill over there." Gaara ignored him and looked back to Kakashi.

"So who do you think?"

"Honestly?" Kakashi moved to finally close the distance between them, going the short distance around the counter. "I think we either get to work, or get out of town."

"That's something we can agree on. Like hell if I'm leaving." Naruto said. "Got a plan?"

"I got two actually." Kakashi slung his arms around his former students. "Let's say we do a mission with your sensei as lead for old times sake. We have a Hokage and a Police Chief to rescue. A deux fois if you will."

"A da what now?" Naruto questioned.

Kakakahi stifled a chuckle. "Two... two jobs uzamaki. Try to keep up."

Gaara simply shook his head in an air of slight shame.

"First tiffs and now this French bull shit?" Naruto crossed his arms in aggravation. "When did I go back to school?..." He grumbled to himself.

"What's the lead on Tsunade?" Gaara asked.

"Intelligence from the Sage says that she'd be in the bunker."

"No way. You're telling me the old man said she is hiding in literally the most obvious spot ever? She'd never."

"Oh no, not the Hokage bunker. The Dean's bunker." Kakashi corrected.

"You mean the one under the forest of death training grounds? Gaara asked.

"The very same."

"Hm. Back to school it is I guess..." Naruto groaned. "And my brother?"

"High profile criminals and terrorist are kept at the R.O.O.T compound right around the corner from there."

"HIGH PROFILE?!...Let's get goin." Naruto said before he could boil over, headed for the door, Gaara first. He put a hand on their teachers shoulder before he could get out however. "Understand this old man. I'm all about being optimistic. But I've already lost my mother. I expect to find nothing. And if I come to believe that you're even the tinniest bit responsible for that... we'll kill you."

"I'm almost proud, I've raised such critical assholes." Kakashi nodded as he wiped away a faux tear. "Understood, now let's get a move-"

"Halt commoner!" Came a rude order from a man outside.

Naruto and Kakashi exchanged looks of confusion before rushing outside.

xXx

"And who the hell is this guy? My art is supposed to be intimate. But there's. So. Many. Bodies." Deidara pondered aloud as he observed a long haired man conversing with his targets.

"Looks to be the Hyūga's guard dog. Neji Hyūga." Itachi plainly stated.

"You mean the one pupil of that absolute Hack, Gai?" Kisame asked with visible disgust.

"That's the one. I believe that dark haired girl is another one now that I think about it. The Fox and Hound seem to keep strong company." Itachi said.

"Wait Hyūga's? As in THE Hyūga?? I can't have the family of the most influential family in town as collateral damage! This is such bull shit!" Deidara fumed, throwing his binoculars against the window.

"The most influential you say?" Itachi questioned with an annoyed glare.

"Oh shove it Uchiha. No ones here to insult your precious clan- Hey! The hell are they doing now, Hn?"

xXx

Gaara jabbed at his smug face and met air as Neji swayed back immediately. A long lock of his hair flapping from the strike's speed.

"You really want to do this sand boy? The Hyūga aren't threatened by a couple of orphaned man children trying to play spy. " Neji all but spit at the three.

"You're in my way pretty boy. Either move, or be moved." Gaara lowered his stance, digging down to a low sway with both arms guarding his face. South paw was his typical go to in close quarters. He'd make an aggressive exception for this one.

Jab one, then two. He didn't miss but he could feel the graze off his skin. And then a sharp burning sensation as his upper abdomen went numb.

"What the hell?" He choked on his breath as he staggered back.

"What's wrong sandman? Never faced a Hyūga before?"

"Never fought a cheap bitch is more like it!" Naruto voiced as he stepped forward, but Gaara's hand held him back.

"I can handle this pretty boy. Got insurance on that hair Hyūga? It's about to get messy."

Gaara bit hard into his right hand, drawing blood on his thumb. He traced the kanji for love on his forehead in blood, a battle ritual for him since he was a fresh recruit. He lunged forward

Jab, One. Two.

Two fist struck air as they snapped passed Neji's hair.

Three.

A knee struck true to his gut.

"Fuck him up Gaara!" Naruto cheered.

Four, five.

The left knee followed as it missed his body. His right hook struck the pinnacle of his chin.

Neji rocked side to side. The blood whipping back and forth in his head. Chin to temple .

"W.E.T raised a bunch of treacherous peasants!" He said.

Two hits Gaara retorted.

Nose and kidney. He'd be bleeding after this. Gaara swore it. He'd pour it out even. Flapping shots at his sternum, he pursued.

Gaara felt his back against the store door as his leg went limp. He could feel the Hyūga shutting down his body with each successful blow. As he lost feeling in his leg, he could make out an angry Tenten bolting toward them.

Tenten saw the long haired asshole fist fighting her boyfriend and a flood of memories came over her as she rushed out of the car.

xXx

The air is so heavy, I can feel it's weight .

Breath in, breath out. I struggle to keep up with my own body as it collapses me to my hands and knees. Each breath pulling the drive out of me.

"Get up friend, this is no time for surrender." Lee pushed.

"I'd never!" At least, I don't think I would.

I feel the bite in my words. The tenacity in my grip as my knees rise up, but once again my body fails me. I hit the ground with my mouth and I can taste the floors mockery in the form of the sweaty, bloodied, ring.

'Stand. Face him. Do, something.'

I watch as Lee dances around the ring. 16 rounds in, me with all my weapons, and him? Just those bee like stingers he calls fist.

"At this rate. Neji will surpass anything you have to offer."

Failed knees be damned. Lungs be damned. I don't lose to any boy. Man. Or woman!

"Then I offer my blade!"

xXx

"Get your hands off my boyfriend!"

Tenten's brass knuckles connected with Neji's ribcage before he could react. He'd expected the redhead, but the third party aggression put him on his ass.

"What are you doing her Hyūga?" Tenten rubbed her knuckle before pulling off a brass grip she'd wielded with her left hand. "Speak now or lose that mug of yours" She spat.

'Fuckin A. Go girl.' The collective thought as Gaara lowered his fist. Plopping down on the ground to observe what seemed to be familiars conversing.

"You're working with these scum now? The master would be disappointed."

"The master congratulates every step we take in life. Squabble if we must, he won't spite me at your funereal."

"Who the hell did you hire?" Naruto whispered to Gaara.

"I thought you hired her?..." Gaara waved off as he tuned into their conversation.

"Why are you here Neji. I told you I never wanted to see you again."

"If you must know, girl. I provide security for my family. These assholes." He pointed at Gaara and Naruto. "Happen to be on their rather expensive shit list."

"How much they paying you?" Was Tenten's immediate response.

"Loyalty isn't an occupation. But I wouldn't expect you to understand that."

"Seems futile for a branch member to follow so blindly, these men did nothing wrong. Tell Hiashi to take a damn chill pill."

"Hiashi?" Neji chuckled with no small amount of effort. Miss Hinata put in this request.

"Awh shit" Naruto mumbled. "I always get the angry ones…"

"Whose the pretty boy?" Ino asked nonchalantly as the rest of their group gathered to watch the standoff. Kiba leaned against the store and got caught up by Kakashi while Haku tended to Gaara.

"He's um. Well he's the product of my terrible dating skills." Naruto said.

"Hm, shame. I could've sworn you were into me. I don't blame you though he's hot-"

"No, woman. His cousin is Hinata Hyūga. Remember? The girl we ditched after trekking through a sewer."

"Oh… yeah I'll be expecting better dates than that. I'm a bit, high maintenance." Ino said.

"And I'm a bit picky." Naruto replied. I have a thing for girls who are, you know, single." He said with a smile.

Ino fake pouted but was interrupted by Gaara before their playful banter could continue.

"Can you assholes stop flirting and get this jerk outta here?" Gaara groaned. "And stop Haku, I'm fine." He shooed her away as he attempted to stand up on his blocked leg once more.

Failure was on the menu as he fell into Haku's waiting arms.

"You gotten so light! Is that panda girl feeding you?" Haku voiced with much concern.

"I'm not a baby Haku, put me down!" He attempted to push away with his left arm but that too went limp. "God damnit… just put me in the car please." He said, defeated.

"Gladly." Haku rushed him off bridal style to the still running car.

"You should join your "boyfriend". You'll be hearing from the Hyūga again soon enough." Neji warned. Spitting out a glob of blood and what was likely a tooth.

"Looks like he didn't need my help to kick your ass into shape. I recommend getting in that stupid car of yours and taking off." Tenten warned.

"Not a chance." Neji settling back into his 8 trigrams position.

"Pride isn't somethin to go dying over buddy. The Konoha "scum" aren't known to be very merciful."

Neji's hands lowered reluctantly as he felt the cold steel of Naruto's revolver press up against his back.

"Cowards to the end I see." Neji scoffed as Naruto herded him back to his car. "You best watch your back." He barked as he slammed the door shut, speeding off with the squealing of tires.

"Phew… friend of yours?" Naruto turned to ask Tenten as he put his gun back in his waistband.

"It's a long story." She said.

"Crazy ex?" Ino asked.

"Long. Story." She said, increasingly annoyed.

"Oh come on. All my exes are apparently vengeful. Ino's is out to kill us. And Gaara's… we'll she's just literally insane. You can tell us all about him on the way to pick up my mom." Naruto said as he ushered the girls as well as Kiba and Kakashi to the increasingly fuller car.

"You mean… like her body?" Ino asked, a bit taken aback.

"Oh no, she's alive now. And this is my fugitive Sensei, he'll be joining us." Naruto said.

"Pleasure to meet you two." Kakashi waved at both Tenten and Ino as he climbed into the back seat.

"It's a pleasure sir… wh-what the hell happened in ten minutes?" Ino asked. Mouth agape.

"What she said!" Tenten agreed.

"Ah ahhh. Your long story first." Naruto replied. "Start heading towards the Forest of Death, Kiba."

"You got it boss."

"The forest of what?" Tenten asked. "And why is love written in blood on your head?" She poked at Gaara who fixed his mouth to answer.

"Story first!" Naruto yelled to the backseat.

"FINE!"

xXx

A/N: We don't give up on stories here. I'm still writing boys and girls.