Hmm, thanks for the reviews, people. Here's the new chapter.

Chapter 6

"Target two meters in front of me. Kitsune, report?"

"Roger that, Snipe. Have visual on target. Omni, you?"

"I have the target in sight. Nothing escapes my eyes."

"Alright team. Leader here. Move in slowly. Snipe, don't try to kill it. Again."

"I could paralyze it-,"

"That would somuch better." Guy rolled his eyes and took his finger off of the transmitter. Time to see how they did. He was crouched comfortably on a tree near his team, all of whom were hidden very well in the brush.

"Alright, I'm the stealthiest one here-,"

"That's yet to be determined, Kitsune-san."

"Shut it, Omni-teme. Anyway, I sneak around and flush it toward you-,"

"Are you trying to get us killed!?"

"No, Snipe. You have the bag?"

"Yeah."

"Then use it."

"Screw off. I knew that."

"You hear yourself right now?"

"Kitsune, I swear, I will release that demon of a pet on you if you-,"

"Team 9!"

"Hai!" A shadow crept out of a bush underneath Guy, and, by the hair, it was Naruto. He crawled on his stomach toward a crouched figure in the middle of a clearing about six feet ahead of him. It seemed to be investigating something in front of it, its head lowered. Naruto slowly circled around the figure. At one moment, it seemed to have sensed him as it raised its nose and sniffed the wind. The blonde froze and then relaxed when the figure looked back down.

"Alright, when I give the signal…" whispered Naruto. He raised a closed fist and waited for a moment. He then unclenched it and waved them forward as he rose and bolted toward the figure. "C'MERE! You effing demon!" shouted Naruto, starting it and causing to dart in the direction of the emerging Neji and TenTen. As it saw them, the figure lunged and lashed out with sharp claws, catching both of their cheeks.

"Damn cat!" yelled TenTen. Neji's eyes, with his dojutsu active, twitched as he followed the figure, which was exactly what TenTen said what it was: a cat. She pounced with a bag in her hands and pinned the pet which turned and started to claw at her. "Ack! A little help would be nice!" Neji rushed over and clamped down on the bag, earning him a few scratches on the arms. He picked it up and twisted the opening, effectively trapping the malicious cat inside.

"You guys okay?" shouted Naruto, jumping down from a nearby branch. TenTen glared at him.

"You really are trying to get us killed, aren't you?" she deadpanned.

"What? No! What makes you say that?" asked Naruto innocently.

"Alright, that's it! I'm gonna strangle you in your sleep tonight! I swear on it!"

"Fine. It'd be fun to see you sneaking around my neighborhood at night," Naruto teased. TenTen didn't break her glare as Guy emerged from the bushes around them.

"Well, team, if TenTen is done, why don't we head back to Hokage Tower?" he asked. The blonde nodded, deciding to look outside his apartment window just in case TenTen really followed through with her threat.

With the cat struggling in the bag, the team made their out of the forest and out into the village. It was still early morning, having taken the mission in place of individual training. Naruto looked back at his sensei. "Hey, Guy-sensei, are we gonna take another mission?"

"Probably. I might try to get us a C-rank though," replied Guy.

TenTen stopped and regarded him with huge eyes. "Really? Something besides these chores?"

Guy laughed. "Yes. We've gone on about seven Ds, so a single C should do. I guess all of you know about the ranking of missions?" All of them nodded; it was a simple alphabetical ranking from D to A, and then after A, S.

Naruto smiled along with his teammate. "Finally. I'm tired to doing these chores. I wanna get out of the village."

Neji had objection, however. "Sensei, I do not think Uzumaki-san and TenTen-san are ready. C-ranks are certainly more dangerous than D-ranks, and I don't think they can handle it." He spoke as if they were not present, riling the both of them.

"Hey, watch what you say, teme!" shouted Naruto. "I can take care of myself!"

"And so can I!" TenTen added.

"Will both of you say that when we are surrounded with a group of hostiles with no other alternative but to fight them?"

A noise from behind them interrupted them, and all turned to see Touza smiling. "Hey, Naruto-san! Guy-san! TenTen-san! Erm…guy with weird eyes-san." For some reason, Touza had trouble remembering Neji's name, even it was the simplest after Guy's. It annoyed Neji to no end, and Naruto had a sneaking suspicion that Touza purposely called him a different name each time.

The Hyuuga's eyebrows twitched, and Naruto and TenTen laughed despite their anger. Guy smiled. "So how long have you been following us?"

The boy grinned. This was a little game Guy had made for him; the goal was to remain undetected by them as long as possible, or as long Touza could hold out. "I tracked Naruto from his house-by the way, you must get up way early by the tracks-and found you following something in the forest. Then I followed you here. I was starting to get bored, so I made a sound on purpose."

Guy smiled and tched playfully. "You really are a prodigy at moving silently."

"It's not hard. I just cover up my sounds with yours."

The Jonin shook his head. It was so much more than that; that trick didn't work on ninja his level. "No Academy today?"

"Nope! Today's Origin Day, remember?" Origin Day was the day celebrating the founding of the Leaf. It wasn't the most exciting celebration, but every year they had fireworks, stands of antique masks, and game booths. The Hokage would give a speech to start off the festival, and then the villagers would enjoy the rest of the night. Naruto had been once or twice, mainly just wandering around as he never had enough money for any stand or booth.

Guy scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Is really today? Must've slipped my mind…"

Naruto cleared his throat. "Anyway, Touza, it's been nice, but we gotta get back to Hokage Tower to report."

"You had a chore again? Are those really missions?" asked Touza, puzzled.

Naruto smiled devilishly. He took the bag holding the cat from Neji and held it in front of the boy. "Actually, we caught a dangerous demon today. It was attacking everyone in sight, so they had to send strong ninja to capture it, and the Hokage picked us."

Touza's eyes were wide. "Really? Can you show me?"

Naruto grinned wickedly and poked the bag. It started to pitch back and forth as the cat began to move violently, and it hissed as Naruto poked it again. Touza was awed by it. "Wow, it must've put up a fight."

"It did, but we caught it!" Naruto handed the bag back to Neji, who glared at him. "Anyway, we've got to back to Hokage Tower and let them deal with it. You could walk with us, if that's okay." The blonde looked at Guy who shrugged. Civilians were certainly allowed in the Hokage Tower, but usually none had a good reason to go. Touza bounced up exuberantly, and the group walked to their destination.

Finally, Team 9 was at the door to Mission Report, and Guy opened it and ushered them in. The Hokage was sitting at the table, as was Iruka. "Iruka-sensei!" greeted Naruto, waving. "This is my first time seeing you here!"

Iruka grinned. "I have the day off from the Academy, so I thought I might volunteer here." He examined the rest of the group. "So this is your team…Let me guess, TenTen," he pointed at TenTen, who nodded, "Neji," the Hyuuga regarded him blankly," and…" Iruka frowned at Touza, who gaped at the Hokage.

Iruka furrowed his brow. "Erm, Naruto? Is this kid a part of your team?"

The blonde laughed. "No. This is Touza. He's the one that was being bullied and was rescued by me. He likes to come by our lessons and watch. Not to mention follow us like a ghost."

Touza started at the sound of his name. "Huh? What?"

"C'mon Touza. Quit staring at Hokage-ji and starting listening," teased Naruto good-naturedly. Touza squirmed in embarrassment, but Naruto chuckled and clapped him on the back. Iruka smiled at the two. They were obviously close.

The Hokage, who had been talking to a Chunin next to him, turned his attention to Team 9. Guy stepped forward, and the rest, even Touza, fell into line behind him. "Hokage-sama," began Guy, bowing, "Team 9 has successfully completed their assigned mission. Can you call in the client?"

The Hokage nodded and motioned toward a ninja near the door who nodded and opened it. He said something to someone, and the immediate squeal of delight made them wince. A large lady knocked over the ninja and barreled straight for the bag in Neji's hand. He seemed to inwardly lament his luck before he threw the bag into the air.

The lady caught and opened it, and she pulled out an unhappy-looking cat with a red bow tied to its ear. She hugged it, or crushed according to the cat's face, and kissed it several times. "Tora, baby! Never leave mama again!" Touza looked accusingly at Naruto, who grinned back sheepishly. She exited, dragging the cat back with her.

"Good riddance," said TenTen. The others nodded.

"Now," said the Hokage, getting their attention, "for your next mission, there are errands to be run, babysitting, pulling weeds…"

Guy cleared his throat. "If I may Hokage-sama-," The ldoor slammed open and interrupted him, and they turned to see Anko and Team 6. Lee waved energetically when he saw Guy, and Tomitsu, his hair cropped close now, nodded respectfully. Yakumo smiled.

"Alright, Hokage-sama, that dumb mission is done, when can you give us a-," Anko stopped, seeing there was another team in the room. "Oh hey, Guy."

"You were saying, Guy-san?" asked the Hokage, pulling out his pipe and lighting it.

"I was going to ask if my team could receive a C-rank mission, Hokage-sama," said Guy, he and TenTen crossing their fingers. The Hokage seemed to consider it, but Iruka intervened.

"Absolutely not! You've only gone on seven missions! That's not even close to the number that Genin usually have before they are assigned a C-rank!" argued Iruka fiercely. He was also slightly worried about Naruto's safety. Naruto, however, wanted a mission.

"C'mon, Iruka-sensei, lighten up."

"No! I disagree, Hokage-sama!"

"Iruka-san," TenTen said. "Please don't make a big deal out of this."

"Big deal? You think this isn't? You could all be killed!"

While the three exchanged arguments, Guy nervously stood at attention the Hokage. Anko piped up, "Hokage-sama, while you're at it, can you give me a C-rank?" Tomitsu, who was watching Naruto and TenTen's argument with small smile, heard it and looked over.

"That would be most agreeable if you would do so, Hokage-sama," remarked Tomitsu in a well-cultured, surprisingly deep voice. Yakumo nodded, and Lee pumped his fists to accentuate the fact. Hokage seemed to think for another minute, even though it wasn't needed. He had been thinking it was getting close to the time the teams would be asking for more difficult missions, and had decided if they asked, he would provide.

"Alright," he said before turning to the arguers. "Iruka, Naruto, TenTen." They straightened with guilty looks. "Good." The old man began to sift through papers. "I'll assign both of you a C-rank mission. I think it's about time."

"What!?" exclaimed Iruka, "They don't have enough-,"

"I know the nature of your objections, Iruka, but…," the Hokage pulled out two papers, "These two teams will travel together to ensure safety until they have to separate due to mission circumstances." Iruka still looked uncomfortable and would have liked to argue, but he knew it was useless.

The Hokage's eyes scanned the documents. "There have been reports about a bandit camp northeast of Tanzaku Town," He looked at Team 9, "Your mission is to destroy it. Team 6, your mission is southwest of Tanzaku Town. A simple patrol to clear bandits from the main road. Is this agreeable?" Both teams nodded. "Good. Set a time and place for departure. Here is the paperwork."

He handed both Anko and Guy a sheet of paper which they signed. Anko turned to her team, "Alright brats, meet at the Konoha Gate two hours from now. Pack for an overnight mission." Lee saluted, and both Tomitsu and Yakumo nodded.

"Team 9," started Guy, "Same time, same place as Team 6. You shouldn't have to pack, though I'd advise it. We should make it back here by sundown if we travel fast enough." All three of them nodded. TenTen and Naruto were grinning, but Neji was blank-faced. "Alright, get to it!"

Approximately an hour and a half later, Naruto arrived at the entry gate. Tomitsu was there, leaning against the wall with arms crossed. Lee was off to the side doing push-ups and sit-ups with the encouragement of Guy, and Neji stood silently near the guard post.

The blonde went to sit beside the young samurai, who glanced at him as he came closer and acknowledged him with a nod. The blonde sat down, and the pair was silent for a few minutes. However, Naruto broke it. "You know, you are way too tall."

The other smiled. "I hear that often." He uncrossed his arms, and Naruto noticed something new.

"Hey, where'd you get those arm guards?" Tomitsu looked down at his forearms. A plate of metal with leather straps was tied to each forearm, and the metal seemed to be engraved with faint, indiscernible etchings.

"I returned to my home and equipped these. I thought I would need them," He looked down at his legs, "I also have shin guards." Indeed he did, and they too appeared to be made in the exact same style as the arm guards. Naruto's eyebrows rose.

"Huh, wonder how they'll do when you're fighting."

Tomitsu shrugged. "I intend to determine that fact today."

Anko showed up about ten minutes later, swearing loudly about men in general. Yakumo arrived not long after her, and with Team 6 assembled, they grouped in front of Anko. TenTen appeared with about three minutes to spare, panting loudly. "Sorry. Had to get a few things," she breathed, clutching her side.

"About time, TenTen."

"Shut it, Blondie."

"Team 9!" called Guy. They lined up, backs straight. Nearby, Anko called out her team's name and received the same reaction. "Move out!"

The group traveled on a dirt road for a while, the Genin in front, the senseis in the back conversing. Neji had activated his Byakugan and was scanning ahead. Guy tried to make small talk with the Snake Mistress. "So, Anko-san, how is your training of the team going?"

She paused before replying, "Well, Princess over there is a damn beast at genjutsu but can't do jack in anything else even though I've done all I could." And it showed; Yakumo looked fitter compared to the time she passed the Genin Exam, but unfortunately she still lacked the power needed for even basic taijutsu.

"Bushy Brows, of course, gets training from you, and I try to up his flexibility with snake dodging, but he just usually punches their skulls in." Anko shook her head, "I don't know how the hell you do it, but you can make some damn strong people."

"His determination has a lot to do with it, not to mention he has no choice. He can't use chakra after all." The subject of Lee branched off into another one. "How's Tomitsu doing? I've heard he can't use chakra either."

Anko sighed, irritably. "Actually, he can use chakra just fine." She glowered in the direction of the samurai. Guy raised an eyebrow, and she explained further, "He can use chakra but outright refuses to do any ninjutsu or genjutsu. He sticks to only kenjutsu and taijutsu. I've tried to ask him why he's such an asshole about that, and he says using jutsu is against his bushido. Complete bullshit, of course."

Guy frowned. "That's awfully old-fashioned, before the time samurai and ninja were allies."

Anko nodded. "And it really gets on my nerves. Sometimes I'd like to strangle him."

"Can he tree-walk then, since he can use chakra?"

"Oh, yeah, and he can do a lot of other damn things that require chakra but aren't ninjutsu. I'm kinda hoping to see what he can do in combat for real. Dodging gigantic venomous snakes is one thing; a bandit is another."

Up ahead, Naruto was getting bored. Neji hadn't uttered a word for the hour they had been walking, TenTen and Yakumo were giggling about something, Lee was busy running laps around their group, and Tomitsu wasn't one to talk.

He sighed, pulled a slip of paper and a pen from his pack, and began to draw a storage seal, like one of ten in his pack. Why he had ten was mystifying to everyone, but the fact was he drew them faster than he could use, so they tended to gather in his pack. His tongue poked out as he concentrated on making the dimensions of the seal perfect.

"Naruto-san, what are you doing?" asked Tomitsu, looking at the confusing set of symbols on the paper. Naruto, deep in thought, didn't hear and continued to draw. Tomitsu blinked and waited. He repeated his question, louder this time, and the blonde jumped.

"Huh? What?"

"What are you doing, Naruto-san?"

"Erm," he looked at the half-finished seal, "making a storage seal."

"Pardon?"

"It's something that can hold a large amount of things without taking up much space. It could also hold your sword, and you wouldn't feel the weight."

Tomitsu's eyebrows shot up. "This storage seal sounds very useful, but," Tomitsu patted the hilt of his katana, "I appreciate my heritage and choose represent it wherever I go. No offense taken I hope."

Naruto grinned. "From what? You wanna look badass, go ahead."

"I didn't state it that vulgarly-,"

"You meant it though." Tomitsu smiled in amusement and shook his head. "Can't blame you," continued Naruto, "If I was that tall and had a sword, I'd sure as hell be showing it off."

"I'm pleased you understand my perspective, Naruto-san, though I can see the implications of hiding my blade. The element of surprise is a most powerful ally." Naruto nodded, liking his thinking. Naruto had thought about using the seals for surprise, and the way TenTen used them to attack had appealed to him as well.

"You're smarter than you look-,"

"Senseis." Neji's voice cut through the air. "Group of twenty bandits, three hundred meters ahead." The group halted.

"Reaffirm?" asked Guy. Neji scoped in again, mentally counting the meters, and recounted the bandits. He nodded.

"Reaffirmed."

"Senseis, should we prepare to face them?" said Lee, saluting.

Tomitsu shook his head, and Naruto said, "Maybe we can slip by if we pretend we don't know anything about them." He frowned thoughtfully and poked his headband. "Also, maybe this can scare them off. I know I wouldn't like to mess with shinobi."

Guy spoke up, "Keep the headbands."

The blonde nodded. Tomitsu added his two cents, "Keep your weapon close and body loose in the occurrence they do attack." He loosened his katana in its sheath, and Lee cricked his neck and placed his hands near his holster where his spiked knuckles were stored. TenTen organized her holster without looking, making sure scrolls and projectiles were separate.

"Ready, brats?" asked Anko impatiently. All of the Genin glanced at each other and nodded. "Finally. Move out!" They started off again, Neji unwillingly deactivating his dojutsu. The Byakugan would be useful in keeping tabs on the enemy, but it was visible from a distance.

At about two hundred and ninety meters later, they whipped around to bushes being pushed aside. A whistle pierced the air, and a single man charged at them recklessly with a giant hammer. Naruto readied to fight, but Tomitsu planted himself squarely in the man's way. "Tomitsu, what are you doing?" demanded Naruto. He said nothing, and Naruto tried to move him out of the way.

The man roared and swung with the hammer. Tomitsu's hand lashed out and caught the hammer's head and stopped it dead. Drawing his katana with one hand, he stabbed the man in the gut. There was shock for a moment before more men charged from the bushes behind them. The dead man had meant to die, and the teams expected their senseis to call out an order. Instead, the senseis had disappeared from the road entirely.

Hidden in the brush, Guy was uncomfortable as he watched his team fight the bandits. "Shouldn't we help them?" he asked Anko beside him. "They really could die-,"

"You worry too much, Guy," she said, casually eating dango. "I bet your students are soft. Mine aren't. My team will protect yours if the brats need it." Guy scowled at the condescension and silently cheered on his team.

In the unfolding melee, TenTen had unsealed her staff and was knocking opponents unconscious. Lee was stabbing and crushing his enemies simultaneously with his spiked knuckles, and Tomitsu whirled his katana in deadly arcs as Yakumo pointed her fingers and made men fall to the ground screaming. Naruto and Neji were back to back, the blonde throwing banter whenever he could.

"Man, shape up, teme! That last one nearly got you!"

"Quiet. Handle your responsibilities before you complain about mine, Uzumaki-san." Naruto laughed and punched a man in the gut and kneed his face. Two men attempted to stab him in the back, but Neji saw them. Their knives were inches from Naruto when Neji grabbed their wrists and threw them over his shoulder. With lightning jabs, the men were out cold. "Like I said, Uzumaki-san, handle your responsibilities."

Naruto couldn't help but grin. "I owe you one, teme!"

"A fact I will remember."

Neji ducked under a wild swing of a sword and pivoted to strike at the attacker's chest. He ended up next to TenTen who was panting. He gave her a curt nod before parrying a dagger swipe and flipping over the man, pressing tenketsu on his neck in the process. Lee grinned as Neji landed near him, and Tomitsu and Yakumo would have greeted him in some way if they hadn't been tied in battle with five bandits. The Hyuuga frowned as he noticed the bandit's thinning numbers.

Naruto noticed, too. "Where you guys going, huh?" he taunted. "Scared?" The bandits were, and many slunk back into the forest once they sensed how outclassed they were. Only the foolhardy remained, and soon they were either unconscious, dead, or whimpering from Yakumo's genjutsu. Tomitsu cleaned his blade on the shirt of a dead bandit and sighed.

"I wish our senseis had not hidden in this time of need," he said. "I did not feel like fighting so soon."

"We weren't hidin', Big'un!" shouted Anko, she and Guy emerging from their hiding place. "We were observing you. There's a difference there."

"Albeit a minuscule one." He nudged one of the bandits with his foot. "So how did we do?" TenTen looked green at the sight of the bodies, and she lay a hand on Naruto's shoulder and squeezed so that she didn't vomit.

"You passed by my low ass standards," she said, yawning. "Gotta admit, you three could be a lean, mean, killing machine in about a hundred years, give or take ten."

Yakumo rolled her eyes. "In that time, you'd be too crotchety to care."

"Shut it, Princess." Yakumo shook her head and snorted, and Lee bounced on the balls of his heels, eager to move on. None of Team 6 or Neji seemed affected by the bodies, but Naruto held back slight nausea while TenTen again tried not to vomit. Guy noticed.

"Will you be alright, TenTen?" he asked. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. "And you, Naruto?"

"I'm fine," managed Naruto, pinching his arm for a distraction.

Guy nodded and was about to ask Neji before he said, "I will be fine, sensei. Do not worry about me."

"Then how is your team, Anko?" asked Guy.

"Hm? They're fine."

"How do you know?"

"I take them to T&I sometimes. They see stuff there that is nothin' compared to this."

Guy's eyes widened. "Wait, you take them to Torture and Interrogation?"

Anko shrugged. "Yeah. It's a damn life experience. Bushy Brow's reaction to it at first was pretty funny, too."

"Isn't that illegal?"

"I don't know. Don't really care. Ibiki doesn't care either." Team 6 mildly watched as the senseis argued, but TenTen's nausea finally got the better of her, and she ducked behind a tree. Retching noises came from behind it, and Yakumo worriedly went to her. Naruto winced, her retching not doing any favors for his stomach. Finally, she came out, Yakumo patting her back. Her face was pale and sweaty.

"I'll be good in a few minutes," answered TenTen to Naruto's concerned face. "Not feeling too well right now."

He smiled and turned back to the senseis who still argued.

"You're taking children into T&I! Are you insane?" Guy demanded.

"They're shinobi and can see whatever the hell the world offers! And they ain't children!"

"Tomitsu is the oldest, and he's only fourteen! A kid compared to you or me."

Anko faced Guy fully and pointed a finger in his face. "Look here. What I do with my students is my business. What you do with your damn students is your damn business. So keep out of my business!"

"Are you two about finished?" asked Tomitsu exasperatedly. "There seems to be no end in sight."

"Shut up, Big'un before I make you do your 'excises' or whatever you call it." Tomitsu flinched at the word 'excises', and color drained from his face. She faced Guy again. "Are we clear? You keep your nose clean, and I'll keep mine clean. Got it?"

With reluctance, Guy answered, "Got it."

"About damn time."

It was mid-afternoon when the two teams parted at a branch in the road. Lee and Yakumo waved as they went their way, and Tomitsu offered his hand to Naruto, who looked at it perplexedly. He shook it slowly and met the other's eye. "It was pleasant to meet you, Naruto-san, however short it was."

The blonde grinned slightly. "Likewise, and I'm never gonna get used to looking this far up."

Tomitsu chuckled, a good sign. He nodded, and Team 6 slowly disappeared down the path. The group watched them until they were out of sight, and Naruto shook his head. "I swear; I don't know whether to respect the guy or be scared shitless of him."

"I take it you're referring to Tomitsu-san?" asked Neji. The blonde nodded. "Likewise."

"Sheesh, he scares you too, teme? Looks like we got something in common."

"That is the only thing."

"True." Naruto turned towards Guy. "Just how close are we to the camp?" The Jonin, who seemed distracted, jerked.

"Eh? Oh, we're close enough. Neji should have it in sight in about an hour or so." The blonde nodded, and TenTen muttered something unintelligible, which apparently Naruto heard, and the two began to bicker. Guy couldn't hear, however, as he replayed the answer to a question he'd asked Anko out of earshot.

It related to Tomitsu, and Guy had seen him flinch as Anko had used the word 'excises'. Wondering what the word meant to him, Guy had asked her.

She had shrugged. "Hell if I know. All I know those things involve killing and aren't something Big'un likes. He's hard up about details, but it's funny, really. He'll chop any bastard down in combat, but mention 'excises' and it's like you've damn stabbed him."

Guy had been flabbergasted. "You're the sensei, and you don't know anything about that? Did you even read his profile?"

She'd leveled a deathly glare at him. "I read his damn profile just like you, Guy. He's from the Land of Iron and came here when he was seven or so. He lives with his dad and could kick ass with the sword even when he first entered the Academy. That sound about right?"

Guy had muttered and let the question die, but his puzzlement hadn't. Excising meant taking out surgically, and Anko had mentioned that an excise to Tomitsu meant to kill something. Or someone. Guy frowned pensively. He had a sinking feeling that whatever exactly these 'excises' were, they weren't good. Far from it.

"Sensei? You alright? You look a little…pale," asked TenTen, pulling away from Naruto. The Jonin started for the second time and shook himself of the troubling thoughts. Tomitsu was Anko's business, not his.

"I'm fine. Thanks, TenTen," he replied. She nodded, the bickering stopping for the moment. Neji hadn't stopped scanning with his dojutsu, and he remained silent. Naruto stifled a yawn as the day wore on. Guy smirked. The camp was most likely nearer than the blonde thought.

And as Guy expected, Neji spoke a minute later. "I see the camp, or at least the outer wall." He directed them into the forest around them and hurried forward. After a few minutes, he reported again, "I can see all of the camp now. It's five hundred meters off, and there are about thirty people inside its walls. Twenty or so tents are inside." He looked pointedly at the Jonin. "This isn't going to be easy."

Guy nodded. "I know. Any suggestions?"

TenTen shrugged. "Can we go charging in there? There's only thirty."

Naruto considered it. "We could. I can make a big group of clones that'll keep the bandits busy for a while. Do you want to do that, sensei?"

Guy shook his head. "No. I don't want you guy to get hurt. Can you think of another way? A sneakier way?"

Naruto hmmed and tapped his nose. He asked Neji, "Teme, what does the camp look like again?"

Neji rolled his eyes and heaved a dramatic sigh, but he retold the camp's description. "Twenty-three tents surrounded by walls. Crude wooden walls, I venture."

"How tall?"

"Thirty feet."

Naruto whistled lowly. "Tall. Damn, I don't have any ideas." They pondered the situation again before the blonde furrowed his brow. "Hey, could we bring down the walls on top of the camp?" Guy's face didn't betray his pride in his student, and TenTen was nodding her agreement.

"Using what?" asked Neji derisively. "Our bare hands?" Naruto ignored him and pulled explosive tags from his pack. Neji blinked and then saw his plan. "Do you want me to find weak points?"

"That'd be nice, teme." Neji scowled at his nickname but did what he was ordered. TenTen likewise pulled her own explosive tags from her pack, and they took in their situation. "We have fifteen tags," stated Naruto, counting the pile of tags they'd made. "Teme, how many do you think it'd take to take down the walls?"

"I see at least thirty points at which the wall is supported."

Naruto groaned. "Not enough. Sensei, do you have any?" Guy shook his head, and he groaned again. "TenTen, you have anything?"

She scratched her head for a moment before pausing. "I might. Neji, how are those points supported?" He scoped in, squinting instinctively.

"There is a supporting log on the inside and outside of the point. They're planted into the ground and leaning against the wall." He frowned as he tried to describe it simply. "The two logs and the ground form a triangle, if that is any use."

"The wall is right between the two supporting logs?"

"Yes."

TenTen suddenly grinned. "My idea works." She glanced at the tags, reading their explosiveness ratings. "Good. These things should be powerful enough to punch through the wall and to the other log if we plant them on the outside. That sounds easy enough." She glanced at Guy. "Safe, too." He smiled proudly, and they quickly distributed the tags between themselves. They raced toward the camp, and once it came into view, they halted.

They faced the camp's eastern wall. Up close, it really was crude. Mud filled in some of the gaps in the uneven log wall, and trash filled the others. Smoke from fires was visible through the trees' foliage, and through a few empty gaps, Naruto glimpsed an open entrance at the other side. Not far off to their right was one of the supporting points. TenTen opened her mouth to speak, but Guy shushed her. He mouthed, "Silently. Go."

In two groups, they broke off in opposite directions, Guy and Naruto in one and TenTen and Neji in the other. The spot where the logs came together were fifteen feet high, and so they had to run up the wall to plant the tag. All the while, not one of them made a noise. After ten tense minutes, the groups met at the spot they had diverged. TenTen gave a thumbs-up, and Naruto grinned. They hid in the trees, and TenTen counted down from three on her fingers. After one, she triggered the tags.

A series of explosions resounded through the air, and huge plumes of smoke and fire erupted from the walls. Before seeing the results, TenTen took out smoke bombs and dashed them against the ground, creating a huge smoke cloud. "C'mon, let's get outta here!" Naruto, however, saw something that twisted his stomach. The walls still stood, and the bandits inside were racing to extinguish the fires. He jumped down from the tree and sped toward the walls despite the calls of his team.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Twenty clones appeared in motion beside him, and he shouted above the fires' roars and the bandits' cries. "Push the walls over!" The clones nodded, and seven broke off on either side. Naruto didn't dare try to push over the entrance, hoping that it would fall once the other walls had. He placed his hands on the eastern wall, and clones around him did the same. Through an empty gap, Naruto saw a bandit turn and look at him. A necklace of a silver bird hung from his neck, and the bandit shouted to his comrades to kill Naruto.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto strained his arms against the wall's huge mass. He could hear the clattering of weapons, and one clone next to him gasped and vanished as a sword snaked through a gap and into its gut. Naruto winced at the memories but gave a massive heave. "Push!" The wall creaked ominously but did not fall. Another clone went down, but Naruto ignored it, shouting and coughing through the smoke. "Push!" The wall creaked again, and slowly Naruto felt gravity take over.

He jumped back just as a sword stabbed at him, and its wielder screamed as the wall fell on top of him. Naruto grimaced, but he was inwardly proud of his actions. His team came up from behind him, and he shot them a grin. "Hey, about time you join me."

TenTen, face set angrily, marched up to him and slapped him. Before he could feel hurt, she grabbed him in a headlock and ruffled his hair. "You little devil! You had me damn worried there! You could've told us what you were doing!"

Guy shook his head. "He wouldn't have had time to do what he did then. I'm glad you did it, Naruto. You have my approval." Naruto beamed, and TenTen clapped him on the back.

"Congrats, Blondie! You-," She turned her head and widened her eyes. "Move!" She pushed Naruto to the side and locked knives with a bandit. He had a mad smile on his lips, and half of his face was badly burned. Naruto looked up to see a familiar bird necklace hanging from his neck. He moved to help her, but then TenTen gained the upper hand and sliced the bandit's gut open. He stumbled backwards, and she kicked him into the burning wall. He cried out as fire engulfed him, and then he was silent.

Naruto stood slowly, watching TenTen as she stared into the fire at the bandit. "You OK, TenTen?" She didn't answer. "TenTen?" Neji laid a hand on her shoulder, a surprisingly warm gesture, and she pulled away. Her face was pale and sweaty again, and she stumbled as if she were drunk. She braced an arm against a tree and hunched over and retched for the second time that day. This time, however, her sickness didn't stop. The image of the bandit's body flashed in her mind every time she tried to suppress it.

She fell to a knee, and Neji knelt by her, hand on her back. She weakly apologized, "Sorry, Neji. I-I just can't stand the s-sight of it." He nodded, and Naruto and Guy came over. They helped her up, but she needed help to walk. She leaned heavily against Neji who offered to carry her. "No, I'm fine."

"You don't like fine, Buns," Naruto said. "Let Neji carry you until you feel better."

"And puke all over him? I don't think so."

"It is fine, TenTen-san. Besides, we will go faster if you allow me to carry you." She grumbled but climbed onto Neji's back. With one last glance at the fires that had been the camp, they headed back toward the village. She buried her head into his shoulder, and soon she was asleep. Naruto looked at her and chuckled.

"She's asleep. I hope she has good dreams."

"She would need them," Nej said.

It was sunset when they reached the fork where they had departed with Team 6. TenTen had slept the entire time, muttering every so often. When they reached the fork, however, she whispered, "You can let me down now, Neji." He nodded, and slowly slid her off his back. She stumbled onto the ground and gripped his shoulder for support. She smiled weakly, but it was she could manage.

"Thanks, Neji."

"It was nothing."

"Can you walk the rest of the way?" asked Guy concernedly.

"Yeah."

The moon was out when the village gate finally came into view. Naruto sighed, relieved. "Thank God. We're here." He looked up at the sky. "Hope we didn't miss the-," A firework streamed into the air and exploded, sounding much like a paper bomb. TenTen gazed up as the sparks dissipated; the next was reflected in her eyes.

"I've always loved the fireworks," she murmured. Neji looked at her. She had her head hung, looking at the ground. She lifted her head and met his eyes for what seemed like an hour. She broke it by looking back up at another firework going off.

"TenTen." She looked back at Neji. "Don't let this affect you." She nodded emptily. Soon, when they were inside the village, Guy addressed them.

"It's too late to turn in the report that I've yet to write. Report to the Hokage Tower at 9:00 in the morning. Then you have rest of the day off." They nodded.

Naruto waved as he walked in the direction of his apartment. "Bye, Neji…I'm too tired to call you teme. And TenTen, be strong, OK?" She smiled wanly. Guy jumped onto the rooftops and waved before he too disappeared, leaving TenTen and Neji.

"Bye, Neji." She took a few steps before she halted. "Sorry about today."

"There is no need, TenTen," reassured Neji, "We're teammates, remember?"

Annnnnnd done. Hmm, not a bad chapter.

EDIT [2/22/15]: Wow, I cut it down quite a bit. 800 hundred words, give or take ten. NOTE: Tomitsu's little thingies were called 'exercises' to begin with, and in future chapters that's what they're called. I choose excises now because once you find out what it is, the name makes sense. Anyway, toodles.