7 Things

by Imaginary Owls

Lina Hawatye, the last living member of the Hawatye Clan that resides in Konohagakure, thinks of seven things she hates about Neji Hyuuga every single day; however she also ends up thinking of seven things she loves about him too. Neji, the Hyuuga protegee from the Branch Family, found seven things he cannot stand about Lina; however as time goes on he learns to love them. Neji/OC

7. Arise

A/N: Surprise bitch, thought you'd seen the last of me? Hahaaaaa... So guess what I have finally finished! Chapter Seven of 7 Things! It's only taken me two years to actually sit down and finish it...and let me tell you the past two years it has been a roller coaster... from vacationing, school, and getting a job, I almost really just lost all muse and love for Naruto because I had no time to sit down and read the manga, to watch it, or to even read fanfiction but it also had to do with that I also don't have many people to sit and talk about it too and recently at work, I've been talking to a co-worker about it and it actually got me having a lot of muse for Naruto and I felt like I needed to write this chapter! SO! Disregard the authors note, because I will finish this story and I have a lot planned for it! I'm not going to just stop writing, it'll take me a long while but I will eventually finish it. So here is chapter seven, and the chosen song for this chapter is:

Arise by Flyleaf.

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Shibano and Lina yawned as the six leaf shinobi arrived at the gates; they had just arrived back from their week and a half long mission. Team five, and two members of Team Gai were sent to the land of Sea to protect the royal family from assassins, which happened to just be lowly bandits looking for some money.

I don't ever want to go on another mission with Neji if it involves royalty! Ugh! That princess was so bratty! At least I got a date out of it! Hah! Stupid Neji. Lina thought with a smile. Neji looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What's got you happy?" He asked. Lina snapped out of her thoughts and turned to him with a bigger smile.

"Hey Lina! I'm heading to Naruto's! I'll see you later!" Shibano waved and walked off. Lina waved goodbye at her friend, and turned to Kisho and Tenten who were walking off together. Lina smirked, it's obvious they like each other! They're going to be a good couple I'm sure! Lina giggled softly then felt a sharp pain on the side of her head. She turned to her left and saw Neji narrowing his eyes at her.

"Did you just flick my head?!" Lina asked him, and Neji nodded. "Why?"

"Because you never answered my question."

"Oh, well... You owe me a date! Remember!" Lina grinned at him. Neji sighed. He didn't want to go on this date, not because he thought it was stupid but because it meant that he lost a 'bet' with Lina... and everyone would know about it; if not from her then from her loud mouth friends: Shibano Umino and Kisho Nakasumo.

"You're still going to make me do that?" He asked, inside he hopes that she'll let him off.

"Of course! You said that if a princess confessed her love for you than you'll have to confess your love for me! I'm being nice and making you take me out on a date instead!" Lina grinned even more at him, the Hyuuga sighed in defeat. "So, when are you going to take me?"

"Tomorrow, I guess." Neji answered dully, the quicker the better he thought.

"Alright! Well I'll see you tomorrow Neji!" Lina smiled at him as she ran off to her house.

Knocking was heard on a wooden door, a brown haired girl groaned and rolled over on her side. The knocking continued, the girl opened her eyes and pushed Naruto off the bed with her foot. "Open the door you stupid head."

"Why don't you get it?" A tired Naruto groaned.

"Because, I'm sleeping." Shibano answered simply and rolled over on her tummy fast asleep again; although Shibano wasn't asleep for very long.

"WHAT! NO WAY! YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING!" Naruto shouted. Shibano sprang up from the bed and fell to the floor with a loud thump. Standing up the brown haired girl walked over to the door, where Naruto stood.

"You just woke up, and you're already this annoying?" A lazy male voice was heard. Shibano, tiredly, looked up and saw Shikamaru rubbing his ear.

"Naruto! You stupid face! Why do you have to be so loud! Its to early!" Shibano whined. "Huh, Shikamaru? What are you doing here?! Don't you know it's early! The sun's barely up!" Shibano glared tiredly at the pineapple head.

"HOLD ON A SECOND! LET ME GO GET DRESSED!" Naruto shouted. Turning around the blonde idiot almost knocked Shibano over. Shibano blinked and turned to Shikamaru.

"What's going on?"

"Sasuke left the village." Shikamaru answered her. "The Hokage gave me a mission to go and bring him back."

"WHAT! NO WAY! DUCK BUTT UP AND LEFT!" Shibano shouted.

"Ugh! Not you too!" Shikamaru complained. "This is a drag."

"I have to go tell Lina!" Shibano exclaimed, running past Shikamaru.

"Hey! I don't think it's a good idea for her to-" Shikamaru called but Shibano had already ran down the stairs before he could finish. "Well... this has already became to troublesome."

"Hey, Shikamaru! I'm ready lets go!"

"Alright, but.. we have to go and get some people first."

"You ready to go Kisho?" Kiba asked as he, and Akamaru, walked passed the violet haired boys house. Kisho looked up and grinned.

"You bet! Let's go!" Kisho replied as the two gennin, and dog, began walking. It was something the two of them liked to do; every other day when Kiba would take a walk with Akamaru he'd stop by Kisho's house and ask him if he'd like to go, Kisho always accepted. Although, this time was a bit different.

"Hahaha! Are you serious!" Kiba barked a laugh. Kisho was telling him about his mission. "So, Neji has two girls fighting over him? Man... I wish I would've gone!"

"Well... I wouldn't say they were fighting over him... but Lina didn't seem to like the Lady Hiyono; then again.. Lina does like Neji."

"Oh, so she's up and told him?" Kiba asked, Kiba knew everything that went on with Lina, information he got from Kisho.

"Pfft, no way! You kidding me! From what Tenten told me, she's only just realized it while we were on the mission!"

"Oh, really? That's weird. She came right up to me and told me she liked me when we were still in the academy." Kiba laughed and scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Yeah, and how long did your guys' little puppy love relationship last?" Kisho asked raising an eyebrow.

"A couple of weeks." Kiba answered and Kisho nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Hey! What's that look for?" Kiba asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Oh nothing, it's just it was puppy love, didn't mean anything." Kisho shrugged.

"Hey, come on now. We were eleven, it isn't like we were in a real relationship!" Kiba defended him self.

"Oh yeah sure. I know that, it's just before she liked you she liked Sasuke, a lot! She never told anyone but me and Shibano."

"She did?"

"Oh yeah! For two years, and for those two years, she never told him. Then she started hanging out with you more and liked you a little. Then got over you quicker than you can say kage no bunshin! Hah!"

"Gee, way to be a friend Kisho!" Kiba glared, and Kisho laughed and patted his friends shoulder.

"Aw, come on Kiba! I haven't even told you the best part of the mission!"

"There's more?" Kiba asked, Kisho nodded and went to tell Kiba about the rest of the mission when Akamaru ran off. "Huh! Akamaru!" Kiba exclaimed, running after him with Kisho behind him.

"I GET IT YOU KNOW HIM BUT FOR THIS KIND OF THING DON'T YOU THINK YOUR FIRST CHOICE SHOULD SOMEONE LIKE SHINO!" Naruto shouted.

"Nah... do you always have to yell?" Shikamaru replied. Kiba and Kisho looked at each other, then Akamaru leaped at Choji.

"Shino can't do it. He's off on some special mission with his father right now." Kiba smirked, as did Kisho.

"Hey wait, not them too!" Naruto asked Shikamaru, pointing at Kiba and Kisho.

"Yep, they're on the team." Shikamaru replied and Naruto yelled in disagree.

"LINA!" Shibano shouted, jumping through green curtains, and landing on the bed. Lina shouted as she sprang up off her bed and looked at Shibano like she was crazy.

"ARE YOU INSANE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP THIS EARLY! IT'S... SEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING!"

"BUT LINA! IT'S AN EMERGANCY!" Shibano shouted.

"..." Lina glared at her friend. "I don't believe you."

"Would I be awake at... seven oh-two in the morning!?"

"True, then what's the emergency?" Lina asked, still not fully believing her friend.

"Sasuke left the village to go join Orochimaru!" Shibano exclaimed.

"HE DID WHAT!" Lina shouted.

"Yeah!"

"How did you find this out?"

"Well I kind a fell asleep at Naruto's last night and Shikamaru came over this morning to tell Naruto. Naruto was making so much noise that it woke me up and when I asked what was going on, Shikamaru told me; then I rushed over hear to tell you! We gotta go Lina! So Hurry up and get ready! GO GO GO!"

"Okay okay okay! I'm going!" Lina sighed as she got off her bed and went to her dresser. Grabbing her things she went to the bathroom and got changed. Walking back into her room, she grabbed her boomerang. "Right, lets go." Shibano nodded as the two ran down the stairs of the house.

"Whoa, where are you two going this early?" Lina's uncle asked as the two twelve year old girls ran past him.

"We're going on a special mission! Don't know when we'll be back." Lina called as she stuck her shoes on and the two ran out of the house. "So, where are we meeting them?"

"The gate I think. Come on we have to hurry or else we'll miss them." Lina nodded and the two went off.

"Yes, I see." Neji answered.

"Yeah, it's kind of a drag, but I thought the more men the better." Shikamaru replied. Shibano and Lina had just ran into Shikamaru, Kiba, Kisho, Choji and Naruto, along with Rock Lee and Neji.

"Lee. It's up to you, you do what you must do." Neji told him. Lee nodded and pushed away from Neji, and made his way towards the steps. Shibano and Lina looked at each other and at Lee.

"Tomorrow I think I will try climbing these steps by my self."

"Lee..."

"I will be fine, you go on with out me." Lee smiled. Kisho caught sight of Shibano and Lina.

"Hey, what are you two doing here?" He asked, and everyone turned.

"That's a good question." Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at Shibano.

"We're going with you, duh!"Lina glared at he purple haired boy, who glared back her.

"No you're not." Shikamaru turned to Lina with a serious look. "Lina, we grew up together, I know you."

"Oh?" Lina raised an eyebrow while crossing her arms. She didn't like what Shikamaru was trying to say.

"You're... to emotionally attached." he replied simply.

"What! I am not! Look, Sasuke was my friend an-"

"I've been given strict orders not to include you." Shikamaru lied, it was the only thing to get Lina off his back. He knew if he were to say what he wanted to say, he probably wouldn't live to go on this mission. She's such a drag. Shikamaru thought to him self.

"Have you now?" Lina asked. "So, If I go to Lady Tsunade and ask if I can go, she'll say no?" Lina raised an eyebrow towards Shikamaru, everyone's eyes were on him. Shikamaru sighed and shook his head.

"No, she wouldn't. Don't take this the wrong way but, I don't think you are fit to retrieve Sasuke." Shikamaru confessed, the pink haired girl glared at him.

"Are you saying I'm to weak to help bring Sasuke back?"

"No. I'm not saying that at all."

"Wait, if she can't go. Can I? I wanna fight!" Shibano spoke up looking excited.

"No. I don't think you're... qualified to come as well." Shikamaru spoke carefully.

"Hey are you calling me weak too Shikamaru?" Shibano glared.

"No... Ugh, you woman are a drag. I don't want girls on this team. You'll only hold us back."

"Well, we'll just have you know Shikamaru that Lina and I are qualified to go on this mission. We've got some super special awesome moves that we wanna try out on people that we don't like. I would practice on Neji but... well Lina-"Shibano started until Lina jabbed her into her side. "Owie... that hurted me" Shibano pouted. Shikamaru sighed.

"This is why I don't want you two to tag along. You guys can't take anything seriously."

"Yet you have Kiba and Kisho AND Naruto? Those three together aren't serious enough for a mission of this importance." Lina spoke up.

"Yeah, but they're reliable." Shikamaru sighed. "Look. I don't want you to come with us, but once we leave. No one is stopping you from following us." Shikamaru looked at the two girls with a look, that could have been interpreted as "We don't know what we're going up against, so I guess we'll need all the help we can get". Turning back to the other five members of his retrieval squad, they opened the Konoha Gates and stood there.

"ALL RIGHT! Lets get going everybody! Follow me!" Naruto shouted. Shibano and Lina looked at each other and sighed. How they could be friends with an idiot like that, they would never know.

"Hey, uh, Naruto. I'm kind of the platoon leader here." Shikamaru spoke up. "I know it's a drag but..." Naruto turned to look over his shoulder with a pouty face.

"Do you think you're the right one to lead this kind of operation? You don't seem very reliable to me."

"Whats up with you acting like you're in charge all of a sudden Naruto?" Kiba asked, zipping up his jacket with Akamaru inside of it.

"Yeah, Kiba's right." Kisho spoke up. "I mean, taking orders from someone as lazy as Shikamaru doesn't thrill me either but, we don't have a choice."

"But, none of us here can choose who the leader is. Shikamaru is a chuunin, the elders of the village obviously believe he is most qualified to call the shots on this one."

"Well, if that's the case then... you should start coming up with a plan." Neji spoke up. "From what I heard, Sasuke's gone with the enemy and they could ambush us at any minute." Lina and Shibano narrowed their eyes at Neji, Shikamaru on the other hand gave the Hyuuga boy a side ways glance and smirked.

"Well, this is a rescue operation so we'll be in the position of pursuit. Which means, the enemy already has an important advantage over us, that said I am forming us in a deployment formation that can respond to any kind of assault from the enemy." Shikamaru paused. "If any of you do not follow my exact orders... we're all going to die." Shibano and Lina gulped and looked at each other thinking the same thing. Does he really need to go into the dramatics?. "Okay we'll go with the single file strike formation. As we all know the most important position is the spear head, which is going to be you Kiba; with all the walks you and Akamaru go on, you are most familiar with the Land of Fires terrain, and with that nose of yours you'll be able to sniff out Sasuke's sent and any booby traps that the enemy might have set. Moreover we'll have two sets of eyes upfront, you and Akamaru will be more affective in protecting our squad from enemy attacks up front. Next in line will be yours truly, platoon leader. From that position I'll be able to direct everyone behind me by using silent hand signals and because I'm so close to Kiba I'll be able to react to any given situation." Shikamaru explained, holding up his hand.

"Next, is Naruto. The middle of the line is perfect for you because you are the most capable for exciting quick moves either in front of you or behind you. You are the corner stone, plus you have the shadow clone jutsu. Fourth in line, is Kisho. You have great and fast reflexes, and you're able to defend the other two behind you. Next we have you Choji, you may not be fast but your striking power is far greater than any one else of the platoon members. Kiba, Naruto, Kisho and I will hit them with a surprise attack then you'll swoop in and finish them off you're the second wave of our assault." Shikamaru took a breath and looked at Neji. "Last, is you Neji; your position is most difficult: rear look out. I want you to use your byakugan to constantly scan ahead for weakness in our ranks." Shikamaru explained. Shibano crossed her arms and pouted, complaining on how she can't go. "And," Shikamaru started up again, this caught Shibano and Lina's attention. "If Shibano and Lina decided to go against my orders then, they'll be our back up squad. Our enemy's will know about us, but they will not have any clue or suspicions about them. Lina, you may not look like much-" Lina narrowed her eyes dangerously at Shikamaru. "but, you that'll be our advantage. They will most probably underestimate you and your abilities, this would be a great time to start up your genjutsu." Shikamaru began.

"Genjutsu?" Naruto, Choji and Kiba asked in confusion. Kisho, Shibano and Shikamaru nodded.

"Yeah, one mean thing if I tell you, especially if she gets to the high notes." Kisho sighed.

"High notes?" Naruto asked looking even more confused; this time Lina spoke.

"Yeah, Kaze uta, it is a genjutsu that allows my voice to create illusions in the wind. The higher the note, the deadlier the attack would be."

"...This isn't a concert it's a rescue mission!" Naruto shouted, which earned him a punch from Lina.

"You wanna say that again Naruto?"

"No, no, I'm good.

"Yeah, it's a drag but with it on our side we can't loose. Not to mention, Lina's boomerang. I have yet to see that in action but I hear it's pretty affective; another thing they'd least expect is another kekkai genkai user." This caught everyone's attention. "Lina's Kazegan has almost the same abilities as the byakugan, except for seeing chakra it see's wind movements." Lina narrowed her eyes at Shikamaru. 'How did he know about that? I haven't told anyone about it.' "Yeah, it may not sound as dangerous but, from what my dad told me, it's a killer if used right."

"Well, not going to happen." Lina spoke up, causing everyone to look at her in surprise.

"And why the hell not! We're rescuing Sasuke, we need all the power we can get!" Naruto shouted and Lina glared at him.

"Because! I'm not using that thing and risking all of your lives!" She shouted. "I don't care if I could kill the enemy, hell I know I can, but I'm not going to turn and kill you too." This caused Naruto to shut up and look at the ground. Shikamaru sighed and shook his head, he then turned to Shibano.

"Also, Shibano. She's like Naruto, quick and brash when executing quick offensive attacks and quick to defend. Also, once we get a hold of Sasuke, or if we're in need of help she can summon her eagle to give word to the Hokage for reinforcements. I also can't forget her superb sword fighting skills along with her lightning attacks, great for long range attacks and trapping. With those two as our back up squad, there is no way the enemy would survive and we'll more than likely succeed in our mission." Shikamaru finished. Pulling out a scroll and a pencil, Shikamaru squatted down to the ground and began drawing something. "Got it? Then take a look at this," He started as he began drawing on the scroll. Lina and Shibano, along with the others all began to crowed around Shikamaru, looking at the ground. He was drawing the same formation that he had just talked about. "This diagram shows exactly what part of the perimeter that you're responsible for. Kiba watches the front, I'm responsible for a wider forward through, Naruto's got the left, Kisho is responsible for another forward follow through, Choji's got the right, and Neji, using your byakugan you're covering the entire area to the rear." Taking a break, Shikamaru began to continue. "You two, wait a while before following." He said to Shibano and Lina. There was no "if you want to follow." Shikamaru knew that they'd follow no matter what he told them, they also knew that Shikamaru was more at ease knowing that the two of them wouldn't be that far behind them in case something were to happen. "Shibano and Lina, you are to follow at exactly fifty meters behind us at all times. Knowing that is as far as Neji can see with his Byakugan, we'll be safe to know that you two are exactly right out of his eye range." Shikamaru instructed them, and they nodded, understanding what Shikamaru told them.

"Alright, now I think I should familiarize my self with our arms and weaponry. I'll need to check all the ninja tools you all plan on taking into battle, that way I'll know what we have. Are there any questions?" Shikamaru asked and Naruto shook his head. "Since no one has anything else to add, I've said the most important thing for last." This caught everyone's attention. "For how long I've known him, Sasuke and I haven't exactly been close buddies. In fact I don't even like him at all..." At this Lina' gripped her shorts tightly, her green eyes narrowing to the ground. "All the same, Sasuke is a ninja belonging to the hidden leaf village, he's a comrade and I'll put my life on the line to help him. That's the way of our village. I know I seem like a pretty lazy guy, but not today, but now I'm responsible for your lives too."

"Wow, I never thought I'd see Shikamaru acting like a chunnin." Kiba smirked. "Very impressive."

"Okay." Neji spoke up. "As soon as we check our gear we'll go. Show me your weapons." At this all of them took out their weapons pouch to show Neji. Shibano had the obvious, kunai, shuriken occasional smoke bomb or two, along with her long, thin katana sword. Lina had the same except for her giant boomerang that was strapped onto her back.

"Okay, lets move out." Shikamaru ordered. Shibano and Lina stood behind them, waiting for them to leave. Right when they took a step a voice called out stopping them.

"Wait!" It was Sakura. Shibano and Lina, along with the other boys stopped and turned around.

"Are you alright?" Naruto asked.

"Lady Tsunade told me everything... sorry Sakura. I can't take you on this mission." Shikamaru told her sternly, to him it was bad enough that he couldn't say no to Shibano and Lina because he knew he couldn't stop them from coming but he was going to stop Sakura. "I know you tried, but you couldn't even convince Sasuke could you?" At his words, Lina's eyes widened as she looked at Sakura. So, she talked to him too? Did he seek her out as well?...No. Sasuke wouldn't do that, she most likely sought after him. Lina thought, her grip on her pants became tighter. "Now, my only option is to find him and force him back tot he village. I'm sorry, but there is nothing else you can do for him." Something in Lina pinged her heart, she didn't mind Sakura when she wasn't obsessing over Sasuke or fighting with Ino, or even glaring at her when ever she was around Sasuke; but Lina hated it when all the other girls, even Sakura, pronounced their love for him when they didn't even know him. Lina knew that Sakura knew Sasuke a little better than she did before because they were on the same team...but Sakura didn't know Sasuke like she did and Lina hated Sakura at that moment. She hated Sakura for being so upset and depressed over Sasuke's leave when she had no true idea on why he left in the first place, why he drove him self to leave. Yet, Lina felt horrible that she wasn't standing there in Sakura's place, almost to tears because she couldn't make Sasuke stay, because Lina wasn't in tears and to be honest Lina was furious with Sasuke for leaving after he promised her he wouldn't.

"Hey, can I ask something?" Sasuke asked as the two walked around in the woods. Lina looked at him strangely, she could tell that he was being serious. His hands were in his pockets, his forehead was wrinkled in thought and his brow was frowned, a look that she saw on him when he was having a deep and serious thought.

"You already did silly." Lina laughed nervously, trying to lighten his mood. For a moment she saw Sasuke's frowned lips twitch upward, but as soon as she saw it happen, it was gone.

"Have you ever thought... about leaving?" Lina blinked and she stopped walking. What did he mean by leaving? "Leaving the village to... get stronger." Lina's eye brows frowned and she looked at him with a mix of worry and suspicion. What was going through Sasuke's head.

"Sasuke..." Lina spoke softly to him, worry dripping from her voice.

"If you were granted with the opportunity to leave the village and get stronger, would you take it?" He asked seriously, looking up from the grown and at her. Onyx eyes met spring green. Lina shook her head.

"No, I wouldn't. Everything I know, everything that I care and love is here Sasuke. There's my uncle and Ino, Shibano and Kisho... Lee, TenTen, Kiba...Neji. Then there's you. Why would I want to leave?" Lina smiled softly at the dark haired boy. His eyes narrowed at her, then he grabbed her hand.

"If I asked her to leave with me...to train...to get stronger. Would you come with me?" Lina's eyes widened.

"W-why would you ask me that? Why me?"

"When we were kids, you told me that you remembered your father telling you that every ninja has a special person that they want to protect. A special person that they care about more than anything... a special person they'll do anything for." Sasuke started, Lina continued to look at him really confused, she told him that when they first entered the academy. "You are my special person. I want to be able to protect you from anything and... I want to do that with you by my side."Lina looked at him sadly, she had no idea he saw her that way... that close of a friend. They were close, there was no mistaking that. Everyone knew the two of them had been friends since they were six but, to hear Sasuke call her a special person to him, it surprised her. Letting go of her hand, Sasuke dug into his pocket and pulled out a small, blue box and handed it to her, which she took. "Open it. It's four years late but... Happy Birthday." Lina opened it and her eyes widened. It was the Uchiha clan symbol charm on a black cord. "My mom helped me make it before the massacre. I never had the chance to give it too you, not until now." There was something in his voice, that was telling her that even if Lina said she wouldn't go with him and tried to make him stay, he was going to go anyway. She took it out of the box and held it tightly in her hand, she smiled up at him sadly.

"It's pretty...thank you Sasuke." Her eyes locked with his and she kept her smile up the best she could. "But... I-I can't go..I can't leave and neither can you." Lina wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. She knew how hard it was for him to give her this charm, she saw his mother have it once... she had a feeling it was his mothers first. "Promise me you wont leave."

"...I...I promise." She heard him whisper in her ear, she could hear the hesitance in his voice. Pulling away she smiled at him.

"Good. How about lunch, you and me tomorrow. I'll make it a picnic. I'll make some onigiri, okaka and bring some tomato's for you?" She asked with a bright smile and Sasuke nodded. "Great...I'll see you tomorrow!" Lina waved at him and he nodded again.

"Yeah...tomorrow."

Lina's knuckles were turning white, she was so angry at Sasuke for breaking that promise... for leaving!

"Wait! Does that mean... Sasuke turned his back on you Sakura!?" Naruto exclaimed and Lina's eyes narrowed even more. Did...did Sasuke show any feelings towards Sakura that she didn't know about? Did Sasuke... like her? Was Sakura a special person to Sasuke too? Lina saw Sakura standing there, tears spilling out of her eyes and for once...Lina wanted to do nothing but smack her. Never has she once felt this hostile towards someone for such a stupid reason, not even that wretched Lady Hyono.

"Naruto... this is...this is a once in a life time request..." Sakura spoke, trembling with tears coming out of her eyes. "Just bring him home... Please bring Sasuke back to me." At that Lina almost smacked Sakura, if it wasn't for Shibano holding her hand back. Looking at her best fried, she saw Shibano narrow her eyes and shook her head telling her it wasn't worth it and that Sakura was being stupid. If anyone knew how Lina was feeling at that moment, it was Shibano. She felt another hand grab her other elbow, she looked over and saw it was Neji (who was standing closet to her). He gave her a confused look. Why is she getting so worked up over Sakura crying over Sasuke? Does Lina have feelings for him too? She's never showed any interest in him. Neji thought, but rid his head of the thoughts. "I did everything I could... I tried, but I couldn't stop him from leaving the village. At this point, there is only one person who can stop him...only one person who can save him. Naruto... It's all up to you."

"Well gosh Sakura, you must really care about Sasuke huh?" This caused Lina to glance over at Naruto. "I get it, I can see that...deep down this must be really painful for you. I know you must be suffering."

"Naruto...thank you so much."

"Don' you worry one bit, I will bring Sasuke back!" Naruto exclaimed, giving Sakura a grin and thumbs up. "I promise that on my life Sakura!"

"Whao, hold on Naruto. That's quite a statement. Are you sure we should be promising her that we'll get him?"

"Sure, when I give my word you can count on it. That's my ninja way." Lina's eye twitched.

"Oh, will you shut up already!" Lina exclaimed, causing everyone to look at her. "We don't have all the time in the world you know. If you're going to go, then go!" Lina snapped at them. She felt Neji's hand leave her elbow.

"Yeah! Come on! What are we waiting for, let's get going!" Naruto exclaimed as he, along with the other four males of the team turned around.

"Alright then, this little interruption cost us some time so lets get going." Shikamaru nodded. With that the five of them walked out of the gates. Shibano and Lina stood there, waiting until they were far enough to start following.

"Did you see Naruto give you the thumbs up when he made that promise? That means he will do it! I can tell, Naruto will succeed." Rock Lee comforted Sakura, Lina scoffed causing them and Shibnao to look at her.

"Thanks Lee... I know Naruto will bring him back to me." Sakura sniffled.

"Oh shut up." Lina muttered, glaring over her shoulder at Sakura. "You aren't the only one to want Sasuke brought back to them so stop sounding so petty and selfish." With that, Lina turned forward and began following after Shikamaru's team, Shibano hesitated for a moment before following her best friend.

"Don't you think that was a bit...harsh?" She asked me and I shook my head.

"Feeling sorry for her Shibano?"

"No, I mean...I don't exactly like her but... that was kind of harsh."

"She was being selfish and pathetic. Thinking that she was the only one that was hurt that Sasuke left."

"I-I know..." She sighed. "And I know the relationship between you and Sasuke, and I know it's far different from his with Sakura... but maybe-"

"Maybe he held feelings for her?" Lina interrupted, glaring slightly at the brown haired girl who smiled nervously and gave her a slight nod.

"I mean, he has been acting a bit more...social towards everyone. He isn't a stick in the mud."

"He was never a stick in the mu-"

"Around you. But around everyone else...Lina he was always different around you. You were his first close friend, you were the person he told everything too. However, lately... he's been... different. There is a slight chance that...maybe he started developing feelings for Sakura." Lina glared at the dirt road in front of her and noticed that the boys a head of them slowed their walking pace and they all looked back slightly, Lina glared at them.

"STOP LISTENING TO OUR CONVERSTAION!" Lina shouted at them, four heads turned forward, but Neji still looked over his shoulder, Lina glared at him harder.

"Don't let your personal feelings get in control of the mission at hand." He called out to her before he facing forward.

"I don't think he did...at least not in the same way she feels for him." Lina replied quietly.

"Why do you say that?"

"...He..." Lina took a deep breath. "He called me his special person..." Shibano looked at Lina shocked.

"The same kind of speci-"

"That'll be the one." Lina sighed. "is it bad that...that Sakura, at that moment was who I hated the most in the world? I hated her for the simple fact that she was so upset about Sasuke leaving."

"No, it's understandable. I'm sure if Neji ever left the village you'd be exactly like her." This caused Lina to glare at her friend. "No offense or anything." Lina just sighed. After that, the two of them were quiet. Occasionally, Lina would look up and she catch Neji's gaze, the two of them would look away, however it kept occurring. After a while, once they reached the forest area, all of them set off into the trees, jumping from branch to branch; after what seemed like forever Shibano and Lina started over hearing the conversation, it seemed like Sasuke has an escort. Lina's eyes narrowed.

"From this point on, I want everybody, not just Akamaru, to put all your senses on full alert." Shibano and Lina heard that one line, and both girls faces grew serious. That must mean that we could be expecting an ambush, or even traps up ahead... this would be a really good time for Lina to use her Kazegan eye thingy... Shibano thought and sighed knowing that the chances of Lina using it weren't going to happen. Ever. At least not until she managed to control it. "Everyone stop!" Shibano and Lina stopped, fifty meters behind them like they were instructed.

"A paper bomb." Neji's voice reached them. "I'm sure there are five more of them. A perimeter barrier, that's what it is."

"A perimeter barrier?" Choji asked.

"It's a type of trap ninjutsu." Shibano stated.

"Yeah, there's just enough time after the barrier is breached for the subject to get to the center for the full effect." Shikamaru explained what it was. "It's a tricky Jutsu, I learned about it in one of the books my dad used to make me read."

"Yeah, Iruka has one of those books too..." Shibano nodded her head.

"Ugh, now we have to waste time going around it." Kiba scoffed. "Great."

"Man, this forest is crawling with booby traps." Kiba sighed as everyone slowly stepped over trip wires.

"Yeah, but luckily they're easy to spot." Shikamaru sighed. Shibano's brows frowned as she took another step over a wire. Something isn't right here. I can feel it, it's like...there is another trap just waiting for us and we won't even know. Shibano thought, then took another step. "These guys are moving fast and are getting sloppy."

"Hey Naruto, do me a favor and watch where you're walking. I don't want you going and blowing us all up." Kiba told Naruto. "There's trip wire everywhere."

"Tell me something I don't know!" Naruto exclaimed as he took a step but Shibano's brown eyes widened.

"Naruto! Stop!" She exclaimed from behind him the same time that Shikamaru told him to hold it. With quick thinking, Shikamaru used his shadow possession jutsu to make sure Naruto didn't accidental trip a nearly invisible wire.

"Just in time...got him with my shadow possession jutsu." Shikamaru sighed.

"Didn't I tell you to watch your step you moron!" Kiba shouted at Naruto. Lina and Shibano sighed and shook their head. Shibano squatted down and examined the wires, her brown eyes narrowed even more.

"Hey guys... come look at this." Everyone turned to her and looked at what she was looking. "Look... there are two trick wires instead of the obvious one. I guess the enemy isn't as sloppy as we thought."

"Oh, I get it." Shikamaru spoke up, squatting down next to Shibnao. "One wire catches the leg and is easy to see, the other is camouflaged. While you're busy avoiding the first you trip the second."

"They've created a trap with in a trap." Neji spoke up. "They're clever, who ever they are." Shibano nodded in agreement, which surprised Lina.

"All their traps where quick and dirty as if they were moving fast...but not this one." Shikamaru spoke.

"They might have stopped to rest... one of them might be injured." Neji spoke up again. "Or is this part of the trap?" He asked, his eyes shifting slightly to Shibano who shrugged her shoulders, she didn't know for sure, it could be both. Neji activated his Byakugan and told everyone that he could see them.

"Well come on! Let's go, I'm dying to show these clowns what I've got."

"Hate to disappoint you hot shot, but I've got a new jutsu I've been waiting to try out too." Kiba smirked and Akamaru barked.

"Yeah, me too." Choji stepped forward.

"Us three and four!" Shibano smirked, gesturing to her self and Lina, who sighed and shook her head. It was true, Lina did have a few new things up her sleeves to try out.

"Alright, calm done. First thing we do is make a plan and get everything ready. Than... we nail these bastards." Lina and Shibano almost laughed at the way the six boys were standing, but they had to force them self not to laugh out loud. Kisho looked over his shoulder and glared at them.

"Oh will you two shut up."

"That's it...the timing of the smoke bombs are absolutely crucial you got it?" Shikamaru looked at Kiba. Lina and Shibano sighed as they leaned up against the tree. They were the back up, just in case something happened to their plan and they needed a surprise attack. Shikamaru didn't bother making a plan for them seeing as Shibano and Lina were already on the same team and were best friends, the two could practically read each others minds; so he saw no need to give them a plan. Kiba nodded and muttered an 'I got it.'. "So... split up. Let's go." The six of them stood up and went their ways, Lina and Shibano stayed just where they were at.

"Man it sucks being the back up squad." Shibano pouted, Lina rolled her eyes.

"Oh shush, at least you're not waiting back at the village."

"That's right..." Shibano sighed again.

After that there was silence, neither girl made any movement or sound, they were on their guard until they heard a yelling.

"Th-That sounded like Neji!" Lina jerked up from the tree.

"Yeah, and Shikamaru!" Shibano exclaimed. The two looked at each other and nodded, thinking that the plan got messed up. Arriving to wear they heard the yelling they stopped. They saw this man with six arms pull Choji, Kisho, Kiba and Naruto all out from the bushes. Kiba managed to get away from it and throw a smoke bomb. Shibano and Lina took steps backwards and hid behind two tree's, they couldn't get caught and they'd only make them selves known when they absolutely had too. As they continued to listen in, Shibano's eyes widened, then narrowed. Darn it... How could I not see the third trap with in the second one!

"So, the trap with in the trap was actually a triple trap. Heh, that was clever. So I guess that makes you the smart one of the group?" Shikamaru taunted.

"And you're about to be the dead one." The six armed man smirked as he went to try and move but he couldn't. "Wh-my body!"
"Man that was perfect! Man, we distracted him and you nailed him with your shadow possession jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Yeah, that's right. You guys aren't the only ones that can spring a trap...thanks for making me look good in front of my squad. I appreciate it."

Lina's eyes narrowed, she could sense Shuriken coming towards Shikamaru; so with out thinking she jumped out and stood behind Shikamaru with her boomerang to block them, but Shikamaru lost focus and the shadow possession jutsu failed.

"Lina! What the hell!?" Shikamaru cursed at her.

"I just saved your back pine apple head!" Lina glared over her shoulder at him. Though she regretted it when she saw Shibano get pulled out from the tree's and on to the ground. Damn it, that was an idiot move! Before Lina could do anything else she felt the earth rumble beneath her.

"Earth Style: Earth Dome Prison!" The big guy exclaimed. Her eye's widened as she saw the earth begin to form a dome around them.

"Ugh...terrific." Shikamaru grunted.

"What is it?" Neji asked.

"It looks like a barrier of some kind and we got stuck in it."

"Now what?" Kisho asked as he looked at the earth walls around them.

"Hey you out there! Let us out right now!" Naruto shouted as he punched the wall. Lina rolled her eyes.

"Yeah because that's going to help us." She muttered. Seems like Kiba had the same thoughts, but he voiced his a lot louder.

"It seems it's nothing more than a dirt wall." Neji spoke up, standing on the other side of Lina. He was examining the wall around them.

"It seems like some kind of jutsu...we should watch our step it could be another trap with in a trap." Shikamaru told everyone.

"A wall is a wall and there isn't any wall that I can't punch a hole through." Kiba stated, standing up.

"Don't get over confident now dog boy." Shibano crossed her arms over her chest, Kiba just glared at her.

"Yeah, I guess it's worth a try." Shikamaru sighed. "We do have to do something despite the risk."

Kiba squatted on the ground and did one of his fang jutsu's, casing a big gust of dirt flying pass them. When it cleared it seemed like Kiba hardly made a single dent in the wall. "Hey...did you just?" Kiba started.

"Yes, we saw." Neji nodded.

"Let us out!" Naruto shouted, Lina growled, obviously loosing her patience with him. She grabbed her boomerang and hit him on the head with it.

"WILL YOU SHUT UP ALREADY! That isn't going to help us! Gosh you are such an idiot!" Lina shouted at him.

"It appears to be more than a dirt wall..." Neji stated, Lina wanted to roll her eyes and give him a snide remark but she thought it wasn't the time, nor the place for it. She was also on edge. "Byakugan!" Neji activated his byakugan and a few moments letter his eyes widened. "The walls..."

"The walls is what?" Shibano asked.

"Neji..." Lina spoke up when he wasn't answering. "What is it? What is the wall!?" She asked, she was even more nervous now than she was earlier.

"Our chakra..." He started. "It's...absorbing it as if it was a sponge."

"Great! It isn't bad enough that they're trying to bury us alive in this over size junk heap but now they're stealing our chakra! Gotta give these guys credit for thoroughness at least."

"No way! No way they can do this to us! Who ever you are let us out of here right now!" Naruto shouted and Lina hit him over the head with her boomerang again.

"I SAID WILL YOU SHUT UP! THAT ISN'T GOING TO HELP US! YOU IDIOT!" As soon as Lina said that she fell to her knees breathing heavily. These walls... it's going to kill us... She thought. She looked around and saw everyone, one by one, fall to out of exhaustion.

"I feel like... all my energy... is draining out of me." Naruto panted.

"Something must be done Shikamaru and quickly." Neji spoke up.

"Thats it... stand back guys. I'm going to bust us out of her before my chakra is all gone."

"Kiba... I don't think that's a smart move." Kisho spoke up.

"Akamaru...have a food pill." Kiba continued, completely ignoring his friend. They all watched Kiba and Akamaru do their fang over fang technique, the two were hitting the wall and every direction. "Look at that...every time a crack appears, it repairs it self." Kiba sighed. "Same with the ground beneath it." Everyone was silent and the only noise that could be heard was the walls repairing them selves. "Hey...I give us ten more minutes of this before all our chakra is gone." Kiba spoke up, completely out of breath.

"Hey you out there!" Shikamaru spoke up, everyone turned to look at him. "Let me talk to your leader, I've got a deal to propose. How about you let us out of this thing and..we let you keep Sasuke." Lina's eyes grew wide, she tried getting up but she couldn't. If they lived through this... she was going to kill Shikamaru.

"Shikamaru...what are you doing?" Kisho asked, obviously confused on his leader's words.

"No deal, I've never let a captive go before and I'm not going to start now."

"Awe, come on. Why don't you just let me go and keep the others." Everyone else narrowed their eyes at Shikamaru. "All this fighting...I'm tired of it. It's really not my thing."

"You little! If you're selling us out I'm going to wring your neck!" Kiba shouted.

"Shut up Kiba, for once in your life."

"What'd you say!?"
"Shut up!" Lina shouted, cutting off the guy out side the dome. "I can't stand to listen to your crap any more so just shut up you big oaf!" Gripping her boomerang, Lina pulled her self to her feet. If Kiba's fang over fang couldn't get them out then she knew that the only other way was to break the chakra points of the dome and the only way she could think to do that was using her genjutsu and ultimately, her Kazegan. "He isn't going to let us out and the only chance we have of getting out of this hell dome is if we break those chakra points in the wall for a brief moment to break a wall." Lina said. "I know just a way to do that." Lina took a deep breath, even though she didn't want too she had too. "Hey Neji..." She looked over at him, their eyes met. "Make sure I don't kill any one would you? It seems you're the only one that can knock some sense into me." Neji looked at her curiously.

"What are you tal-Oh, I see. Yes. Do what you have to Lina."

"What is she going to do?" Naruto asked. "Why does she want you to make sure she doesn't kill anyone? Huh?! What's going on!?"

"Shut up Naruto!" Kisho hit him up side the head.

Closing her eyes, Lina took a deep breath. She had to focus on what chakra she has left to be able to do this, she's never activated it on her own before. "Kazegan!" She exclaimed as she opened her eyes, she looked around the dome and could hardly see any movement, the only movement she could see was everyone's breathing carbon dioxide into what little air they had. Taking her boomerang she gripped it. "Everyone... try and stay as far away from this as possible." She told them in a low tone. Picking up her boomerang, Lina began spinning in circles, she cold see the wind she was producing spinning around her. She smirked, the faster she could make the wind go, the harder she can hit the walls. "Tell the swine, we will make it out alive. There's a note in the pages of a book, so sleep tonight, we'll sleep dreamlessly this time, when we awake we'll know that everything's alright." Lina's voice sang through out the dome, creating a heavy wind blowing all over the place. Thinking she was going fast enough, Lina let go of her boomerang and let it hit the wall just behind where Shikamaru was standing. Spining on the balls of her feet, she moved her arms in the circular rotation along with he body, moving the wind with her. The boomerang came flying to the other side of the dome. Going into her kunai holster she took out multiple kunai and through the air. Using her hands she guided them to points of the wall."Sing to me about the end of the world, end of these hammers and needles for you." Lina sang as kunai hit the wall.

The way she moves, her foot movement and her arm movements, it's almost like kaiten, but instead of blocking attacks, she's using it to guide them. Neji thought as his eyes narrowed at Lina's movement.

"Arise and be, all that you dreamed, all that you dreamed." Lina used her hands and made quick and sharp movements in the wind that her genjutsu was creating. Spinning around again she continued to move the boomerang in the spots she through her kunai at. For a moment, Lina stopped but the wind kept going on around her, she was breathing heavily, she could feel her chakra begin to run out the longer she kept this up but she had to continue. "Sing to me about the end of the world, the end of these hammers and needles for you." Spinning around again, Lina's voice kept going an octave higher until the notes that were coming out where high pitched enough that the wind around her started slicing the walls. "Arise and be all that you dreamed, all that you dreamed." She took hold of her boomerang and through it again, hitting the wall that had yet to start repairing it self, Catching her boomerang again, she through it in the same spot. She kept continuing this until she could no longer keep her genjutsu up. She fell to her knees and her boomerang fell to the floor, her breathing became uneasy and she was panting. Lina was exhausted and she struggled to keep her eyes open. She pushed her self far over her limit, and she knew that using that Kazegan only made it worse. Closing her eyes, she caught her breath and opened her eyes again, she couldn't see anyone's breath any more meaning that her Kazegan deactivated it self.

"It didn't work..." Lina spoke breathlessly. "Damn it...it didn't work." She closed her eyes and leaned her self up against Neji's legs. "I-I thought it'll work... I guess not. Useless thing... it used up... all my...cha...kra..." Obviously all that was for nothing... the little scene from earlier is continuing. Lina thought, she was still conscious but she couldn't open her eyes, she was far to tired.

"Er! Shikamaru! You dirty little traitor! Let's take this out side!"

"How do you suppose we do that?" Kiba retorted at Naruto. Lina sighed as she heard Kiba and Naruto bicker back and forth.

"That's enough." It was Choji's voice. Weakly, Lina opened her eyes slightly to see what was going on. Choji's face was serious. "Everybody just shut up!" Lina was speechless, she's never heard Choji talk like that...ever. He was usually an easy going, laid back kind of guy if he had food. Which was most of the time.

"I'll give shadow clones a try!" Lina blinked, she missed part of the conversation.

"Don't even bother, These walls are made to repair them selves and using shadow clones will only deplete your chakra... look at what happened to Lina when she tried using her own special attack against it. She can hardly stay awake." Neji told Naruto. "The fact is...multiple attacks won't work. We can only hope that Taijutsu strong enough can destroy it in one blow."

"While Choji... strong Taijutsu... punch stronger...but just...at him." Lina blinked, she was losing focus to the conversation.

"Neji..." She whispered.

"Ye...at...it..na?"

"My...cha...kra... it's...al...most... go...ne. I...ca..nt... st..ay..a..wa...ke... mu...ch... lo...ng...er." Lina breathed heavily and her voice came out weak, barely above a whisper.

"Lina you've got to hold on! You can do it! Don't close your eyes, keep them open no matter what! You're strong! You hear!" Kisho's voice reached her ears. She looked up weakly and saw Kisho standing above her. "What would Sasuke say if he saw you right now? Huh! What do you think Neji's thinking right now as he looks at you, leaning up against him like some weak girl!" Kisho shouted at her. "Go on Neji! Tell her!"

What is Nakasumo doing? Lina's exhausted, she tried her hardest with an idea that most probably could have worked if it the walls didn't eat her chakra... What is the point in me telling Lina that she's weak, she's only going to get ang-I see what he's doing. The one thing that ticks her off the most is being called a weakling, and getting her angry will most likely keep her awake long enough for us to get out of here because she'd want to hit me. Neji thought, then he smirked, fully understanding what Kishow as doing. "Nakasumo's right. You're weak Lina. You can't even keep your self up longer than a second before having to lean on someone else. You're just dead weight on this mission. We have no use in you, what were we even thinking counting on you as part of the back up squad. You were foolish to even try to use that monstrous Kazegan. Soon, you'll only die and then we no longer have to deal with you." Neji smirked. He looked at Kisho, who nodded in thanks. He knew that Neji caught on to what he was trying to do.

"You...jerk. Sh..ut up. Wh...en we ge...t out...of..he...re... I'm...go...ing... to... ki...ll...yo..you..." Lina threatened weakly.

"Come on, what are we going to do... just stand here?" Naruto sighed.

"Ne...ji...those...of...to...behind...choji...you...that?"

"Hey...not...are...?"

"Naruto...get...do...don't...remember...Shikamaru...said...together...team."

"Okay...keep...down...you." Lina tried to close her eyes, but she couldn't. She had to keep them open so she could kill Neji once they were out of this place and rested up.

"...That's about right isn't it?" Neji spoke. Lina wanted to groan, she missed a chunk of conversation again, now she doesn't have a clue what's going on. I don't know how long I keep my eyes open for... any more of this... I might not make it. Lina thought. Hearing a large explosion, Lina looked up and saw sunlight, it burned her eyes.

"Sun...light. We're...out?" Lina asked.

"You betcha, Choji used his human boulder to get us out." Kisho smiled down at her, as he helped her up the ground, along with Neji. Lina continued to lean on both Kisho and Neji watching the scene before her, she sighed and shook her head weakly before resting it on Neji's shoulder.

"Those...idiots." She mumbled, closing her eyes. Suddenly she felt her self being lifted up, opening her eyes she saw Neji, he must have grabbed her. Once she felt Neji stop moving, he set her gently on the ground beside him.

"Hey Hyuuga." Neji looked up at Kisho. "Thanks... for doing that for Lina." Neji only nodded. "Also... I want you to give me your word...if something where to happen to me... make sure she's taken care of you got it! I may not like you but, Lina does and I just want whats best for her."

"Kisho. Don't talk like that...nothing's going to happen to you." Shibano spoke up for the first time in a while. She must have been saving her strength for later on. Neji thought. Kisho ignored his friends words and continued to look at Neji. Neji simply nodded.

"Of course. You have my word." Shibano sighed and sat down next to Lina with her boomerang.

"We're running out of time." Shikamaru sighed as he took a seat next to Shibano. "There's no choice...we gotta split up." Everyone's eyes, except for Lina's, widen at Shikamaru's words.

"What'd be the point in that?" Naruto asked.

"No, he's right." Neji spoke, agreeing with Shikamaru. "With all our chakra almost gone away, even with the seven us of against him, he isn't going to be easy to take out. And with every second that passes... Sasuke get's closer to the boarder and once he crosses it...it will all be out of our hands." Taking a break, Neji continued. "We should split into two groups...one to stop him and one to stop Sasuke."

"You'll lead the second team...okay Neji?" Shikamaru nodded towards Neji. Suddenly they heard the tree start coming down, Neji grabbed Lina quickly and moved out of the way, just in time for the tree to fall. "Neji... you take Kiba, Kisho, Lina and Choji. Naruto and Shibano, you'll be with me as we try and take him down." Shikamaru smirked, as he got in his position.

"What are you going to do? Play with my shadow again? Don't waste your time kid, you already showed me that parlor trick and once was enough."

"That's funny, I seem to remember someone around here get taken in by that parlor trick." Shikamaru started his jutsu but was interupted when the big guy hit the ground causing a wall of dirt to go around them, blocking their view. Once it cleared he was gone.

"Hey, where'd he go?" Shibano asked.

"Behind us!" Kiba shouted after he smelt the air. Turning around they saw the guy lift up a ginormous bolder.

"This is insane!" Kisho and Naruto shouted. The guy through the boulder and everyone jumped out of the way and Neji almost dropped Lina in the process.

"Hey be careful with her!" Kisho shouted at Neji, who glared.

"Heads up you guys there's another one coming!" Shikamaru shouted but was caught by surprise when a hand reached out from the ground and grabbed him.

"You're in charge of this rag tag bunch am I right?" The big guy asked Shikamaru as he held him by his ankles. "When you've got an idiot for a leader the whole team suffers. Know what I mean? You don't want a guy like this... let me get rid of him for you." He smirked as he through Shikamaru in the air.

"Expansion jutsu!" Choji shouted as he expanded into the human boulder and went to catch Shikamaru.

"Thanks Choji." Shikamaru smirked at his team mate.

"Ugh, I try and help you guys out and look what you do. I don't know what's more pathetic...the fool or the ones that follow him. Tell you what, you don't want to keep working under this glum faced shadow lover, I'll just kill you now and put you out of your misery."
"It's time for you to shut your big mouth or else I'll come shut it for you!"

"Naruto!" Choji shouted. "I'll handle him. This guy...is mine."

"But Choji..."

"What the heck are you talking about!? This isn't the kind of guy you take on by your self."

"He's mine I said!"

"Yeah...but Choji... you're..." Kisho started but never finished. Choji went into his back pocket and pulled out a sack.

"Shikamaru... take these food pills for everyone, make sure to give a little extra to Lina when she wakes up. She'll need them."

"Choji...you're not gonna..."
"Uh huh." Choji smiled. "Don't worry...I've got my secret weapon with me."

"Yeah, but Choji..." Shikamaru started as he took the bag of food pills from Choji. "This is..."

"Shikamaru! Take everyone and get out of here!" Choji shouted as he punched Jirobo.

"Kisho...get Lina onto my back." Neji told Kisho, who nodded and picked up Lina from his arms and carefully placed her on his back. Neji grabbed her legs and held them tight and looked at Shibano. "You have her boomerang right?" he asked and she nodded, taking hold of the giant weapon.

"What do you think the eight of us came together for!" Choji shouted. "If we don't get Sasuke...we'll just be what this guy says we are! An idiot leader and his band of rejects!"

"You better catch up with us Choji...you hear me?" Shikamaru asked seriously.

"Yeah! Get out of here! Go already!"

"Alright, let's move you guys."

"Right!" everyone nodded and jumped up into the tree's.

"It seems you are right about our enemies Shikamaru, and it's insulting to be underestimated like this." Lina groaned, she was starting to wake up and the first thing she heard was Neji's voice.

"Wh-what's going on?" She spoke, her eyes where still closed. She felt who ever was carrying her stop and she struggle to open her eyes and when she did noticed a cream colored shirt and dark hair; her face flushed pink. Lifting her head up slightly she looked around and noticed that Choji wasn't with them, worry began to fill her. "Where's Choji?!" She saw Kisho look down and everyone didn't answer her.

"He stayed behind to fight off that guy." Shikamaru finally spoke up and Lina glared at him.

"And you just let him do it! Are you stupid!? What the hell where you thinking!?" Lina shouted at him. She wasn't exactly close, nor was she good friends with Choji, she barely knew the guy but he was a classmate, a fellow shinobi and she couldn't believe that they left him to fight that monster by him self.

"Look, Choji's a tough guy and he can handle him self..." Shikamaru assured her. Lina sighed and looked away, she knew Shikamaru and Choji were close and that Shikamaru trusted him with his life but... Lina couldn't help but get the feeling that something bad was going to happen to him. "Here, take one of these, you'll need it." Shikamaru spoke up, holding out a brown sack to Lina. She looked at it curiously. "They're food pills. Choji gave them to us, he also told me to make sure you had a few extra when you woke up." Lina looked at the bag sadly, she might not have known him well at all but one thing she knew about Choji was that he had a big heart, always thinking about other people. Lina moved her legs telling Neji that he could set her down, she felt his hands slide up her legs and she blushed even more. Stretching her legs she felt her feet come in contact with the branch beneath them and moved away from Neji, but he still kept hold of her arm to make sure she didn't fall off. Reaching into the bag she grabbed two food pills and threw them in her mouth. She knew not to take more than two at a time depending on how much chakra she lost, and she lost a lot. After a few seconds she felt a lot better and stretched her arms over her head, making sure to stretch her abdomen.

"Okay, Shibano, you don't have to lug that thing around any more." Lina saw her brown haired friend let out a sigh in relief, taking it off her back Lina was happy to have her inanimate friend back. Smiling, she stroked the smooth surface. "Glad to have you back friend." She tied the strap at the top and looked at everyone else, who gave her strange looks.

"Hey, if Kiba can talk to a dog then I can talk to a boomerang." Lina glared. "Besides we should keep going right?" Shikamaru nodded and the seven of them headed out again. "What have I missed exactly?"

"Not much, except for us realizing that we'll have to split up now, and the Choji decided to take on that guy back there. Now we have no idea where the enemy is and it seems like they underestimated us because there aren't any traps around. At least none that Neji's Byakugan could see." Kisho informed her and she nodded, not giving her thoughts. She thought they'll be useless to them.

During the entire time she's been awake she hasn't given any of her thoughts about anything that was going on, she quietly listened to the plan Shikamaru came up with to try and get Sasuke and even though she thought it wouldn't exactly work, Lina kept quiet. All she could think about was Choji and what Kisho said about them splitting up then another thought came to mind: Who was going to be next to leave? She didn't want any one else to leave the group to fight, these were all her friends, people who she's known since she was a kid.

Stopping on a tree, Lina, Shibano and Kisho watched the scene play out. Shikamaru was going to disguise him self as Jirobo and try and grab Sasuke, then Naruto was going to sneak attack with his Shadow clones, afterwards Kiba was going to attack from behind while the guy was in mid air, then lastly Neji was going to swoop in and strike with his Hyuuga techniques. However, none of that went as planned. "Neji!" Lina exclaimed as she jumped a branch to get closer but Kisho grabbed her. She yanked her arm from Kisho's grasp and then took her boomerang. "It seems like they're in a sticky situation that they can't get out of..." Lina sighed as she gave the boomerang a thrust and it twirled out and hit the multi-limbed man hard before coming back towards them. Lina jumped and landed on top of her weapon and steadied her chakra to her feet. Closing her eyes for a moment then opened them, her Kazegan was activated, She used her hands to make slight movements and pushed her self around through the trees with hardly any effort. "Hey...it worked."

"It worked! You didn't think that would work! Where you trying to kill your self." Kisho scolded in a whisper.

"Not now, if I focus my chakra on the wind around me, and manipulate it, I think I can be able to break apart what ever that web is made out of. And I can't do that if I'm stuck in it right? So the best way to create air fast is to move in it, what better way to do that then on something that can glide? Using my Kazegan will allow me to be able to do this... however, I don't know how long I can last like this with out going insane, if I go insane at all so you guys wait here." Lina glared at them, they were both going to protest but Shibano sighed and nodded, knowing what could happen if that guy got Lina mad. Taking one deep breath Lina moved the wind around her to push the giant boomerang through the tree's; she came zooming out of the branches.

"Well, I should have known it was you, stupid girl. You tried using that stupid thing before, didn't work then and I don't think it'll work now." Lina glared at the six armed man. She glided down to Shikamaru and focused her chakra on the wind around them to make it sharp enough to cut through the web silk but it didn't work. Damn it! There isn't enough. Lina cursed silently but before she could do anything she felt her self being pulled back off her boomerang and she fell onto the sticky web. "Nice try, but you can't break out of it that easily, now I've got you trapped!"

"Lina!" Kisho shouted from the tree's but before Lina could tell him to get away with Shibano they jumped out but was caught by the webs too. Lina looked around her, but she couldn't see anything moving meaning her Kazegan deactivated it self. Stupid thing! What use is it if it keeps going away! She looked at the six armed man and her eyes widened, he pulled out six, golden brown things from his mouth. Those...those look different then this stuff... wh-what is he planning?! Lina's eyes kept widening as she saw him throw these things at Naruto's shadow clones, and one by one they kept popping until there were only two left. She couldn't breathe as she saw the man throw one of the things at Naruto, she had hoped it was a shadow clone, and luckily it was. However, the man threw another at Naruto but it wasn't really him, it was a shadow clone.

"Leave it to Naruto to make something up on his own." She muttered to her self. Naruto came out from behind the spider man and attack but the man blocked it easily. Some of his thread got caught on Naruto and the man pulled it, Naruto was about to fall when all of a sudden Neji came out of now where and cut the thread. Lina blinked. "Huh!?" How was he able to cut it? How was even able to get out of that cocoon in the first place! I couldn't even cut it with my chakra manipulated wind! Lina thought.

"Whoa! Cool! Go Neji!" Kisho cheered and the green eyed girl looked at her friend weirdly.

"Naruto! Thanks for stalling him for me." Neji thanked Naruto as he grabbed him and pushed him to a tree branch.

"Neji!" Before Naruto could say anything else, Neji turned to Shikamaru, Kisho, Shibano and Lina. Using his chakra he cut the threads that had each of them trapped. Landing on a branch they jumped up to the same branch that Naruto was on, Kiba and Akamaru were already there.

"What is it Akamaru?" Kiba asked, Akamaru whined and jumped up into Kiba's jacket. "It seems like this guy is a lot stronger than the one we fought before... much stronger."

"We're going to have to go one on one to have any chance of success." Neji's words made Lina's heart sink in her chest. This is what she was afraid of...this is what she was trying to avoid. She had a feeling that Neji was going to be the one that stayed behind to fight, but she wasn't going to let him do it. She wasn't going to be useless like she was earlier and let a friend, a team member, stay behind to fight someone who they had all known was stronger. She wasn't going to leave him knowing that...that might be the last time she saw him. "Isn't that what you said?" His voice broke her out of her thoughts. His question was directed to Shikamaru.

"Yeah..." Shikamaru sighed. "That's what we agreed."

"Well, it wasn't what I agreed." Lina spoke her thoughts on the matter for the first time. She felt eyes shift to her. "You guys might have agreed to leave someone behind but I sure as hell didn't. And I'll be damned if I let any one of you stay and fight this creep on your own."

"And besides," Neji spoke up, completely ignoring Lina's words. "if we all stay here, we won't be able to catch up to Sasuke." Neji's white eyes shifted to Lina, she glared at him.

"But..but what about Choji? He hasn't come back yet!?" Kisho asked, obviously worried.

"We all embarked on this mission to find Sasuke and bring him back home to the village..." Neji started again. "but that isn't the only reason why we've come. We are on this mission to protect a fellow Shinobi, to defend the bond of the hidden leaf village." He continued, then paused again. "At the third Hokage's funeral when Iruka spoke, do you remember his words?" He paused again to let everyone remember the words Iruka spoke not too long ago. "Listen, Sasuke is out there right now heading to Orochimaru, we can't allow such evil to take someone from our village. That is not our way." Lina looked over at Neji, her face was showing obvious worry. She knew that feeling she had, she knew it wasn't just a feeling any more. It was the truth. Neji was going to stay behind and fight this guy. "Once more," He turned and looked at Naruto, there was a long pause. "Naruto, your eyes... are sometimes even better than mine. Where ever he is," Neji turned from Naruto, Lina didn't look up from the ground to look at Neji. She couldn't. "Sasuke is in the darkness. Now, get going." The pink haired girl snapped her head up and looked at the Hyuuga boy beside her with wide green eyes. "I'll be right behind you."

"No!" Lina shouted at him. Neji shifted his gaze to her, Lina shook her head and glared at him. "No! You're not staying behind and fighting this guy on your own."

"Alright, let's do this thing." Shikamaru sighed as he stood up, Lina whipped around and glared at him.

"Yeah, and when you catch up, make sure you have Choji." Kiba smirked, Lina turned and glared at Kiba too.

"Of course I will." Neji spoke.

"If he's staying..." Lina took a deep breath and bent down to get her boomerang. "I'm staying too."

"Lina, don't be stupid!" Kisho glared, but she glared back at him harder.

"Yeah Lina, we need to catch up to Sasuke." Shibano nodded, trying to get her friend to listen.

"I'm not being stupid, I'm being rea-"

"No, Kisho is right Lina." Neji spoke to her. Lina's green eyes rested on the barely taller male beside her. "Go on and get Sasuke. Do not worry about me."

"How can I not! You're an idiot! I'm no-"

"Just go!" Neji shouted at her. Lina's eyes widened but nodded and stepped around him. She turned around quickly and grabbed his hand. This might be...this might be the last time I see him. Now has to be the time, I've got to tell him or else it'll be too late.

"Neji I-"

"I know." Neji cut her off, looking over his shoulder to look at her. She felt him squeeze her hand for a moment. "I'll be right behind you." He assured her. "If you really think I'm going to miss Saturday then you really are an idiot." Lina cracked a weak smile, but nodded.

"Al-alright. You better come back, be-because I-"

"I know, Lina." With that, Neji gave one last squeeze to her hand before he released it and turned to look away from her. Lina dropped her hand. With that the six of them jumped off to the next branch and away from Neji. You better come back alive Neji because I will tell you. Lina thought. Kisho, looked over at his pink haired friend with a concerned look.

So, what Tenten said is true... Lina does like Neji. But... the look on her face when he said he was going to stay and fight, it was like she already knew that was going to happen. She knew he was going to stay behind and, it broke her heart. I could see it. Kisho sighed and continued to jump from branch to branch. When we get Sasuke, Neji is going to be the first person I come back for, for Lina's sake.

What seemed like hours had passed and the five of them were still jumping from branch to branch, in the same formation they were in when they left. "We're getting pretty close." Kiba exclaimed.

"There's only two of them left, against the five of us... I like those odds." Shikamaru commented. "If we play it right, the next time we meet them we'll be able to wrap things up once and for all."

"I'll say! Two against five, no sweat!" Naruto cheered.

"What do you mean it's two against three!" Kiba exclaimed, then Akamaru barked.

"Oh, sorry about that Akamaru you're right. It's two against six, I like those odds even better." Shikamaru smirked, as did Shibano and Kisho. Lina took a quick glance behind them hoping that Chouji and Neji were behind them. But they weren't.

"Wait until they see our new technique, those clowns won't know what hit them. Right boy?" Kiba asked Akamaru, who barked in reply.

"Don't worry about a thing, once we catch up to them all I have to do is do my shadow clone jutsu and then the show's over." Naruto bragged, Kisho rolled his eyes.

"Well that's comforting to know." Shikamaru replied sarcastically. "All the same, we're working as a team here right? So stick to the plan."

"Oh...well sure." Naruto's smile faded from his face.

"The most important thing is to get them in range before the sun goes down."

"Well...what are we waiting for!? Let's hit it!" Kiba smirked and started to jump faster. Kisho smiled and nodded.

"Right on Kiba!" Kisho exclaimed and followed after Kiba. Shibano and Lina looked at each other and shrugged.

"Lets hurry! They're right up ahead!" Kiba pestered on impatiently.

"No, this is close enough." Shikamaru said firmly. "We're going to stay on their tale, but we're going to maintain this distance."

"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked.

"He means, fish cake that we're going to keep watching them but we're not going to attack them until the sun comes up." Kisho glared at Naruto, who glared back.

"Shut up Eggplant! We can't afford to wait till then, what about Sasuke!"

"Naruto's right! The quicker we can get Sasuke back the better we are all off!" Lina spoke up for the first time since Neji left.

"Yeah, they're right! And besides if we're going to hit them with a surprise attack it'll be an even bigger surprise if we hit them in the dark."

"The dark might give us the advantage at the point of contact, but after that it'll only give us a disadvantage. Right?" Shikamaru replied to Kiba. "You're forgetting what we're really after. We want to keep the other two occupied just long enough to get Sasuke out of there. That'll take precision and split second timing." Shikamaru paused. "We'll need to be able to see clearly, not going in blind and wandering around in the dark; once they knew what we're up to all they needed to do was fall back and guard Sasuke's coffin. They could take up a defensive position and wait for us to come to them... the advantage would be all theirs." Shikamaru explained. "Though, things would be a lot different if we had Neji and his byakugan." Lina glared at the back of Shikamaru's head.

"Hey...wouldn't Lina's Kazegan work?" Kisho spoke up. "I mean..it's a lot like the Byakugan right?" He asked, Lina shook her head.

"No, I can't see chakra or hardly anything besides movements in the air, seeing in the dark is nearly impossible if they're standing still." Lina answered Kisho.

"Hey, are you guys forgetting me and Akamaru and our sense of smell?" Kiba glared over his shoulder.

"No, I didn't forget your guys' sensitive noses, but even so in this part of the woods they've got the geography in their favor." Shikamaru sighed. "What's more...what's the point of attack now when my jutsu's wont help. The moon's t dim and there are a lot of clouds passing by so my shadow possession jutsu won't be affective, it's a drag but to be safe we've got to wait till daylight."

"I don't know..." Kiba spoke up.

"I agree!" Naruto spoke up, all of them looked at him.

"What?" Kisho, Kiba and Shibano spoke.

"Shikamaru is our leader, if he says we wait then we're going to wait." Lina looked over at Naruto with frowned eyebrows.

"I just hope I'm right." Shikamaru sighed again. He's leading us on a whim! This is taking far too long! We need to get Sasuke back as soon as possible! The sooner we get him back then sooner we can go back for Neji and Chouji! Lina thought, balling her hands into fists.

After hours of running they finally began catching up on the last two sound ninja, they could see their backs clearly. The five of them stopped on a branch and glared at the sound nin. "Great, when we need them there are no signs of Jirobo or Kidomaru."

"Sorry, just us." Naruto remarked, pulling out a kunai.

"Who needs those two, I can handle these guys by my self!" The guy with a silvery hair smirked as he leaped forward.

"Get ready!" Kisho exclaimed and all five of them got in a fighting position. Suddenly Shikamaru and Kiba charged for the guy as Naruto summoned another shadow clone and began getting his jutsu ready; however, Shikamaru and Kiba went poof, and the guy was getting closer to Naruto so Kisho, Shibano and Lina charged toward him. One by one, the guy threw them off and they hit a branch and their bodies disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Catch! Kiba shouted as he threw the coffin to Naruto.

"Got it! Let's go!" Naruto shouted as he caught the coffin, nodding to Kisho, Shibano and Lina; the four of them jumped off out of the way.

"You heard him Shikamaru! Time to pull out!"

"Don't worry, I'm coming!" Shibano looked over her shoulder and saw Shikamaru and Kiba close behind them. So far their plan had succeeded and as long as Kisho, Shibano and Lina stayed close to Naruto to guard the coffin and Sasuke, they should be able to get rid of the sound nin.

"Just as I thought, they left them selves wide open. I guess being so sure of your own strength can be a weak spot." Shikamaru smirked.

"Well, what ever, it worked."

"It's about team work Naruto. The whole is greater than the sum of it's parts, if we just work together then nothing can stop us." Lina glared at the ground. If that's the case then where was team work when we left Chouji and Neji behind? She thought bitterly.

"He's fast." Kiba commented, Lina blinked and looked over her shoulder and glared. The guy from earlier was following them and he was gaining up quickly. "Akamaru! Once you've set the bombs get moving!" Kiba shouted and Akamaru barked.

"Do you think we'll make it back before one of us has to fight again?" Shibano asked, glancing over at Kisho and Lina.

"I don't know...hopefully." Kisho replied.

"Yeah... hopefully." Lina replied too. They all stopped for a moment and looked behind them when they heard one of the bombs go off.

"Alright, it worked." Shikamaru sighed.

"Great! He fell for it." Naruto cheered.

"Akamaru! Nice work buddy!" Kiba cheered and Akamaru barked as he jumped back to Kiba. However, the falling trees was simply not enough.

"Don't you mess with me!" Exclaimed the enemy as he jumped from the smoke and towards them. "That's the last time you'll bark at me you stupid mutt!" he yelled as he shot wire towards Akamaru and wrapped it around him and tree branch, the same tree branch that had a paper bomb on it. Kiba, quickly on impulse went to Akamaru, but the paper bomb exploded.

"Kiba! Akamaru!" Naruto, Kisho and Lina shouted.

"I can't see them!" Shikmaru exclaimed

"Neither can I!" Shibano exclaimed.

"Damn it, what's happening?!" Naruto cursed.

"Where are they?" Kisho asked, feeling a bit anxious about what had happened to his friend and his dog.

"You're mine now!" Shouted a female voice, causign them all to look up to see the only female of the sound ninja coming straight for them.

"Kiba and Akamaru are still gone!" Naruto panicked.

"And we have another one to deal with." Shikamaru sighed. "There is no other way..." Shikamaru started, and Lina knew exactly what was going to happen from that moment. "I'm going to take care of this one...You guys take the coffin and carry on with the mission." The four of them just stopped and looked at them.

"...Shikamaru..." Shibano whispered worried.

"Just get going!" He ordered. Lina wanted to say something, to speak up and tell him no but she stopped herself. For a moment she was glad to carry out this order – Shikamaru just let Choji and Neji leave to fight ninja that were far to strong for them – they were only genin after all; not to mention Kiba and Akamaru just disappeared out of no where along with that other guy who was chasing them... who knows what will happen for them. But then Lina realized that she was thinking and wishing a horrible thing happening to Shikamaru... what if something happened to him while he was fighting this sound ninja? Then she realized that maybe them splitting up was really a good idea all along... there were four of them now – out of eight... now they are able to successfully finish the mission and get word back to Konoha that they need a medical team out here immediately.

However the girl stopped on a branch in front of them, scared. "What?" She asked. "What are you doing here?" Lina, Shibano, Kisho looked up to see some new ninja falling from the sky. 'He was not apart of their team before...' Lina thought, narrowing her eyes at new ninja. The man landed on the coffin behind Shikamaru and Naruto, kicking it out of the way right as they turned around, then he landed on the branch behind Lina, Shibano and Kisho with the coffin.

"Sorry Naruto... looks like I miscalculated..." Shikamaru apologized.

"Kimimaro..." The girl spoke.

"You were taking too long...Tayuya..." The new comer spoke. Lina stared wide eyed at him, feeling terrified of the new ninja. She took a deep breath and made sure she wasn't going to let her weakness and fear show. "And what of our comrades? What happened to our other three men? This of the former sound ninja five?"
"Why have you come back here?" 'Tayuya' asked, glaring at Kimimaro. "You body...by now your body should be..."

"My body is too devastated to move on its own anymore...I used the power of my mind."

"No way... now you're cheating death?" Tayuya asked.

"I understand much more now, the strength of my life force has intensified since escaping the prison of human flesh." He said as he placed his hand on the coffin and started rubbing it. "I have had a taste of Lord Orochimaru's magnificent dream."

"Orochimaru."Naruto spat.

"This vessel is an important part of his dream, it has the flesh that Lord Orochimaru desires. But you have taken too much time in retrieving it." He spoke, glaring at Tayuya. Lina slowly hid behind Shibano and Kisho, getting a bad feeling from this guy and really hoped she wouldn't have to fight him. She actually thought someone like Naruto should fight him.

"Hey jerk! I have had just enough about this nonsense you're yapping about!" Naruto exclaimed, holding his fist up to Kimimaro.

"Naruto..." Shikmaru warned.

"I'm taking Sasuke back now!" Naruto shouted as he rushed towards Kimimaro.

"Hey! Wait!" Kisho called out.

"He's an idiot." Shibano mumbled under her breath.

"Better him than us." Lina mumbled back. Suddenly, right when Naruto was about to punch Kimimaro, Tayuya came from no where and punched Naruto right in the cheek, sending him flying back. With her quick reflexes, Shibano jumped and caught him on a branch that was a little lower than the one they were standing on. They saw Kimimaro talk to Tayuya then suddenly fly off with the coffin. Lina formed her hands into fists and she was about to go after him when Kisho held her back, turning to her he shook his head and glared – telling her no.

"He's taking Sasuke away!"Naruto pointed out and Lina really just wanted to go over there and hit him upside the head for being a completely obvious. "Not again! I have to go get him!"

"Just calm down Naruto." Shibano spoke up, holding up her hands, looking at the blonde boy worryingly.

"How can I calm down, we're losing him! He's taking Sasuke away from us!"

"You rodents, I'm going to end this in a flash." Tayuya glared, taking out what seemed like a flute.

"Naruto...Shibano" Shikamaru dropped down to the branch that Shibano and Naruto were standing on. "Listen to me, I've got a plan. But you two have to follow it exactly." He told them then leaned in explaining them the plan while Lina and Kisho kept looking at Tayuya, being on their guard. Lina snuck a glance down to the other three and clenched her fists tighter. She couldn't just stand here and wait anymore...not with Sasuke getting further away from them, not with Kiba missing, not with Choji and Neji still out fighting and she had no idea if they were alive or dead! 'No...Neji and Choji are alive...they're strong shinobi... they are stubborn and the would never die unless their opponent died too... Choji has so much waiting for him back home...he couldn't let himself die...and Neji...he promised he would be okay...' Lina thought, feeling her heart race at just the thought. ' And Kiba... who knows where Kiba found himself at...or even if he was alive...there was no way he could have survived that fall...unless he did then he could be seriously injured... and if that is the case, that other guy is down their too...I just hope the fall killed or impaired him just long enough for one of us to go down there and get Kiba...'Lina continued getting lost in her thoughts.

"It's five on one, we've got the advantage if we gang up on her. What do you guys say?" Shikamaru asked, including Lina and Kisho in on it blindly but Kisho had hung out with Shikamaru enough to know what his plans might be, and if they were to be separated like Lina was thinking what was going to happen... then it was likely that Shibano was going to be the one with them so if Kishos assumptions were wrong then they'll have Shibano to fill them in on the plan.

"It doesn't matter how many of you there are, you're still a bunch of worthless morons!"

"Don't be cocky! We've got team work on our side" Shibano smirked.

"Yeah! We'll show you." Naruto exclaimed as the three of them rushed towards Tayuya, Lina and Kisho on their guard. Shikamaru attacked Tayuya with a Kunai.

"Now Shibano! Naruto!" Shikmaru smirked as Shibano went to get her sword ready and Naruto went to punch her, but the two jumped over Tayuya and landed on the branch behind her.

"We'll see ya around!" Naruto and Shibano mocked in unison and made silly faces at her. "Lina! Kisho, lets go!" Shibano called out. Lina and Kisho nodded and jumped from branch to branch, following after them.

"So whats the plan?" Kisho asked.

"Kisho, Lina, Shikamaru wants you two to go find Kiba, Neji and Choji and make sure they're still alive, I'm staying with Naruto long enough to make sure we get Sasuke and I'm sending word to Lady Tsunade that we need back up." Shibano told them. Lina looked at Shibnao worried, she didn't like the idea of being separated from her – especially when she and Naruto were in persuit of a guy that simply terrified her.

"But..." Lina spoke up.

"It's Shikamaru's order." Shibano told her sternly, narrowing her eyes at her friend and Lina nodded. 'Get a grip Lina! Stop letting your emotions take a hold of you! Now is not the time! '. She thought to herself. "Now go!" She told them as she and Naruto sped up. Lina and Kisho stopped on a branch when they knew they were far enough away from Shikamaru and Tayuya.

"So... who are we going after first?" Lina asked nervously.

"I'm going after Kiba and Akamaru." Kisho stated simply.

"Well I-"

"You go find Neji and Choji. It is more likely that Neji and Choji both defeated their opponents and are catching up to us as we speak..." Kisho told her, but apart of Lina knew that Kisho was just saying that because he was protecting her. Lina knew that if she went with him to find Kiba then they will most likely be fighting against that guy that fell with Kiba.

"But-"

"No buts! Just go Lina!" Kisho shouted at her. Lina took a few step backs, and gripped onto her boomerange and nodded.

"Okay..." She sighed and turned away and jumped to a new branch.

"Hey!" Kisho called out, and Lina turned back.

"Yeah?"

"...Just... be careful okay?" He told her and Lina nodded, smiling softly at him. "And tell Hyuuga when we get back home, I'm going to pound his face in for making you worry and cry!"

"I didn't cry!"Lina glared.

"He doesn't have to know that." Kisho smirked, causing Lina to laugh a little and nod.

"Got it." With that Lina turned around and started running back, branch to branch, to find Neji and Choji.