--Though reviews would be nice, the main reason that I'm putting this story on Fanfiction is……er………………I have no idea. Anywho, Chapter Three; right here, right now.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Chapter 3

"What?!" Tsunade, Shizune and Amaya quickly stood. Kagemaru and Hikaru remained sitting, expressionless.

"Sound ninja," Kotetsu explained hurriedly. "They suddenly appeared and launched an attack on the south side of the village!"

"How many?" Tsunade demanded.

"I-I'm not sure. They were still coming."

"Damn. Why would they…?" Tsunade shook her head. "Alright. We need to-"

"Excuse me, Hokage-sama." An ANBU soldier had appeared, crouched just inside the window. "The Sound shinobi have retreated."

Tsunade blinked in surprise.

"What? So quickly?!" Shizune exclaimed.

Hikaru glanced at Tsunade, catching her eye. The Hokage's eyes widened in sudden comprehension. Kagemaru glanced at Hikaru curiously as Tsunade turned back to the ANBU.

"How many shinobi were there?" she asked slowly.

Though he had his mask on, everyone in the room could tell that the ninja was grimacing.

"There were only two, Hokage-sama," he said grimly. "They were using genjutsu."

"But why would they have…?" Amaya trailed off.

"I think I might know." The door opened and a tall man with long, white hair entered, followed by a girl with short, pink hair. The girl looked very worried.

"Jiraiya?" Tsunade stared at the man, then the girl. "Sakura?"

"Naruto is missing," Jiraiya announced.

"How do you know he isn't just off somewhere?" Amaya asked.

Jiraiya smiled slightly. "Because I told him I'd teach him a new technique today and he didn't show up. I went to his house, but he wasn't there either. Nor was he with Sakura." He gestured to the girl.

Shizune glanced at Tsunade. "Do you think…?"

Tsunade nodded grimly. "They took him."

"What?" Sakura burst out. "Who?!"

"The Sound ninja," Hikaru answered quietly.

"Sound ninja…? Then that means…Orochimaru! They're taking Naruto to him, aren't they?!" She looked at everyone frantically. "No! I can't lose both my teammates to that monster!" She began hurrying out the door.

"Sakura!" Tsunade had stood again. "I understand your pain, but I can't allow you to just walk into danger alone. I'm stating nothing but the truth when I say that you are not strong enough to face the enemies you would need to in order to save Naruto. Also, you're emotionally attached to one of Orochimaru's allies. What would you do if you needed to kill him?"

Sakura gasped. "Sasuke…"

Tsunade closed her eyes momentarily, glanced at the spot near the window where the ANBU had been, then looked up at Kotetsu.

"All the jounin are still away?"

"As far as I know, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade nodded. "Very well."

She looked sternly at Hikaru. The green-haired girl nodded imperceptibly, caught only by Kagemaru, who was seated nearest her.

The Hokage cleared her throat. "Hikaru. I want you to take Amaya and Kagemaru, and get Naruto back."

"What?!" Shizune cried. "Lady Tsunade, they're just-"

"They can do it," Tsunade murmured, staring steadily at the three. "I have faith in them."

Hikaru nodded and bowed. "We shall return to this village with Uzumaki Naruto…" She glanced at Sakura. "…And possibly even Uchiha Sasuke."

Sakura's head shot up in surprise.

"If Sasuke is still within help," Hikaru vowed. "I shall do my best to bring him back."

"A-Arigatou, Hikaru-chan."

Hikaru took a deep breath, looked around, and…completely changed personalities.

"C'mon team! Let's go kick some Sound!"

Amaya blinked, her shock from hearing about going on the mission finally wearing off. Then she grinned, but the glint in her eyes could not be missed, however brief it was.

Kagemaru stood, ready to go.

Hikaru put her hands on her hips and looked around at them. "Anybody need to make any stops before we go? I'm not going to have anyone bring this rescue mission to a halt just because they need a bathroom break!"

Amaya snickered. "Oh, come off it, Hikaru. You're treating us like we're five-year-olds."

Hikaru grinned. "Well, in my opinion, you are."

"That's it! Let's go! We're taking this outside!"

Still laughing, the girls left, followed by a silent and slightly confused Kagemaru.

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"Do you think it was a good idea? Sending those three?" Shizune asked worriedly.

"Shizune, this is the tenth time you've asked me that. Come on! Give me a break." Tsunade drained her third shot of sake, raising her hand for another.

"It's just that, there's nothing remarkable about Amaya and Hikaru, and Kagemaru just came into the village ten minutes before. We don't even know if we can trust him!"

Tsunade had exchanged a knowing glance, unnoticed by Shizune, with Jiraiya when Hikaru was mentioned.

Now, Tsunade said confidently, "We can trust him."

"But, Lady Tsunade, how do you know?"

Tsunade closed her eyes, remembering the definite nod Hikaru had given her.

She opened her eyes, and looked back at Shizune. "I have my sources."

Shizune's eyes popped. "Like what?! He hadn't been in the village ten minutes and you've already got sources about him?!"

"Yes, and I, being the Hokage, have no need to share the nature of my sources with you, a subordinate."

"Wha-?"

How can Lady Tsunade be this articulate, even while drunk? Shizune wondered.

Then, Tsunade drained her fifth shot and fell over, unconscious. Shizune sweatdropped, then turned to Jiraiya.

"You're going to help me take her home, ri-?" She stopped when she realized that the Toad Sage was completely and utterly gone.

"Why me?" she muttered miserably, barely audible over the Hokage's snoring.