"Nu-uh. No way." Naruto's expression twisted into one of complete defiance and contempt. "We're not going on that mission!"

Tsunade's hand pressed against her cheek, her expression darkened in irritation. "Young man, you do know to whom you're speaking to like that…?" she asked, her tone matching her expression and then some, promising extreme repercussions later.

Sakura quickly wrapped a strong arm around Naruto's neck, bashing her fist against his skull. "S-So sorry, milady!" she hurried to say, keeping her tone respectful. "I'll speak with him later!" Idiot! Her inner self screamed at the moronic blonde, you have no idea how ferocious Lady Tsunade can be!

"Old man Third," grumbled Naruto, flailing his arms as Sakura kept her grip around his neck. "He really knew his stuff-"

"Excuse me? What did you just say?!" demanded Tsunade, her brows drawn angrily.

"W-Will you quit it!" screeched Sakura, using both arms to nearly strangle Naruto, who gasped for air as his flailing grew more violent. With a click of his tongue, Kakashi stepped forward to the desk, extending his hand to grab the small piece of paper containing the details of their mission.

The door to Tsunade's office burst open. "Lady Hokage, terrible news!" A decoder cried, alarm ringing in her voice. "We just received word that Sungakure's Kazekage was kidnapped by a member of the Akatsuki!"

Before the shock could truly lay thick among the group, a voice broke through the silence, softer than a sigh, but sharp as a whip and cold as ice. "What did you just say?"

Sakura gasped, recognizing the voice as Tsunade's eyebrow raised. Three female ninja emerged from the halls, the expression on the purple-haired girl's face was a twisted combination of anger and concern. Her comrades wore concern on their countenance, one with jet-black hair tied in a braid, the other platinum blonde swept into a bun.

Naruto's eyes widened as he recognized the three ninja right away. "Mariko-oneechan? Sayuri-chan and Tsubasa-chan, too?"

Sayuri gave Naruto a soft smile, though her eyes flickered to Mariko in worry. Tsubasa placed a hand on Mariko's shoulder. "Mariko…"

Tsunade shut her eyes briefly, withdrawing the piece of paper from Kakashi's reach. "Team Kakashi. I hereby amend your mission," Her tone was firm as her eyes opened. "You are to go to Sunagakure now and send a report back immediately. Afterwards, you must assist Sunagakure in any way possible."

Mariko stepped forward, her blood-red eyes blazing. "Lady Tsunade, if I may?" she asked, her stone voice barely reflecting the trembling of her heart.

Tsunade's own light eyes clashed with Mariko's and her expression softened only a bit. "Mariko, you and your squad just returned from a mission."

"You either send me or I go without being ordered, Lady Tsunade. With all due respect, I know how you do not like defiance within your ranks." Mariko's expression darkened. Sayuri walked forward, grabbing her friend's arm gently. "Mariko, calm down," she murmured, flinching. "If your chakra gets out of control…"

"Assist Team Kakashi upon arriving to Sunagakure. That is your mission." Tsunade's tone was firm, an order given after only a few beats of silence. Just a swiftly, Mariko bowed before turning on her heel and walking out of Tsunade's office. Sayuri and Tsubasa immediately rushed after their friend, calling her name in concern.

"What was that all about?" Naruto asked, frowning. Sakura sighed, closing her eyes. Of course Naruto hadn't noticed—she knew why Mariko reacted as she did and they weren't even in the same cell. "Naruto, you dummy."

The blonde shook his head, the anger simmering within him. The Akatsuki have made their move and kidnapped his precious comrade. While he was worried for his friend, rescuing Gaara had to come first.


"Mariko! Wait up!"

Mariko's stepped slowed to a stop, her chest heaving. Raw emotion squeezed her heart, the sharp lance of pain as she brought a hand to her chest. So this was the bad feeling…

Sayuri and Tsubasa were at her side in an instant. Sayuri's eyes were narrowed with concern. "Are you okay, Mariko? You're never that direct with Lady Hokage, never. What brought this on?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Tsubasa asked, disbelief coloring her tone at Sayuri's words. "It's because it's Gaara and the fact that Mariko-"

"It's nothing of the sort!" Mariko snapped, her pale cheeks immediately coloring a dust of light pink, dropping her hand from her chest.

Sayuri and Tsubasa exchanged glances before Sayuri sighed heavily. "You've never been a good liar, Mariko. It's been, what? Since near the end of the Chunin exams?" she asked.

Mariko closed her eyes. "Does it matter? He needs our help. Who knows what the Akatsuki could be doing to him. These jerks tried to hurt Naruto too, let's not forget!"

"We know you and Naruto go way back, but you're not in love with him," sighed Tsubasa, pushing her braid off her shoulder. She loved her friend, but sometimes Mariko was a child to her own feelings.

With a sigh, Mariko shook her head. "You're right, I'm not. But just because I'm not in love with Naruto doesn't mean I'd not be just as upset."

"Mariko. You said you felt like something was calling you. What if it's this?"

"What do you mean?"

"This happening. What if this is the reason for you to go to Sunagakure?"

"I never pegged you as someone who believed in fate, Tsubasa."

"But is she really off base, Mariko?" asked Sayuri, frowning softly. "You always play it off, even after that mission to help rescue his student."

Mariko narrowed her eyes. While she loved her comrades, she wasn't the most open in terms of her feelings. She wasn't even sure if her feelings really counted as love; she cared deeply for the redhead with whom Naruto—and even Mariko herself—shared the same pain. To go so far as to say she loved him...That, I truly don't know for sure, she thought.

"Mariko, look," sighed Tsubasa, placing a hand atop of the younger girl's head. "You've asked Tsunade to let us come along with Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei. You're going to see a shinobi you've haven't seen in a few years and you're feeling all sorts of things because of this abduction."

"Those Akatsuki guys, they came after Naruto ways back, right?" asked Sayuri, crossing her arms. "Could it be related? Why Naruto and why Gaara?"

"I don't know, but they aren't getting away with it." Mariko's voice was strong, her anger evident at this common enemy Konoha shared with Suna. "We've got to meet with the others soon. We should take care of some things before we go."

"Yes, ma'am," Tsubasa smiled softly at Mariko's determination. "We meet at the gate as soon as."

Sayuri nodded in agreement and the three split to take care of their business.