I'm confuzled. But, whatever. Grr… My internet's down right now, so I'm typing.

- - -

"Ah, Konoha!" Naruto spread his arms wide, standing at the front gate which led inside. "How I've missed it!"

"Dobe, we've only been gone for half a year," Sasuke grunted. "You're acting as if it's been years."

"It feels like it!" Naruto defended loudly. Kakashi looked on, shaking his head. After all those months away from home, neither boy had matured. He wondered how the last member of their team was. He felt slightly guilty at the way he'd treated her before they left, but his pride (A/N: coughegocough…) would not allow him to apologize.

"Come on," he urged. "Let's get inside before you start bickering like an old married couple."

"Let's go see Sakura-chan!" Naruto shouted energetically. "And Hinata-chan! I have something to give her!"

"It's not ramen, is it?" an amused voice spoke up from behind. Kakashi started.

I didn't feel anyone sneaking up on us! All three men whirled around to face –

"Sakura-chan?!" Naruto exclaimed in shock. Sure enough, it was the pink-haired kunoichi. "What are you doing here?!" She was covered in blood but grinning brightly at Naruto.

"I got back from a mission," she replied simply. "How are you? Go see Hinata now!" She grabbed his hand led him through the streets.

A loud cry rang out. "Forehead girl!" Ino skidded to a halt in front of the bloody girl. "Forehead girl!"

"What is it, Ino-pig?" Sakura demanded excitedly. "How did I do?!"

Ino looked up at her friend, eyes sparkling. "What do you think?"

Sakura gasped and grabbed Ino's shoulders, shaking her furiously. "Are you serious?" she demanded, eyes suddenly aglow.

Ino nodded breathlessly. Composing herself, she fixed her hair. "Tsunade-sama says that if you completed the mission unharmed, she has another one for you and me. They're also to report to her." She jerked her head at the men, holding out a scroll to Sakura.

Sakura turned and eyed them. "You got that? We've got to go now, so report to her at once! And don't forget to see Hinata-chan!"

"Sakura." Sasuke's voice stopped her. "What rank is it? C-rank?" Ino glared at him, but kept quiet. "Sakura? Sakura, tell me!"

Sakura laughed mirthlessly. When she turned, the smug smirk on her face reminded him of – someone. However, he couldn't figure out who it was. Maybe himself? "Ino, did you pass?"

"Of course, forehead girl!" Ino sniffed. "I'm not letting you become my superior yet! You are not allowed to be elevated in rank without me!"

A leaf fluttered to the ground before them. Sakura captured it and scanned it, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

"What is it?" Ino asked worriedly.

Sakura resumed her stony façade. "They're coming with us, she says."

"What!" Ino cried.

"Though not if I can help it," Sakura muttered darkly, marching off to find Tsunade. "You three, come!"

- - -

"What are you doing here, Ino, Sakura?" Tsunade asked. "Don't you have a mission?" She was prevented from saying more when Sakura slammed her hands down on the desk, breathing heavily.

"Show Hokage-sama some respect, Sakura!" Kakashi exclaimed, shocked. "The Hokage is – "

Sakura waved a hand carelessly, her eyes focused entirely on Tsunade's face. "Why are they on this mission?"

Tsunade shifted uncomfortably. "Here," she muttered, handing Sakura a piece of paper. Ino looked over Sakura's shoulder, and they both read it. Sakura's eyes narrowed as she skimmed the words.

Cherry blossom:

Don't get angry at Hokage-sama. I think that this mission will give

you a chance to evaluate your teammates' abilities, and vice versa.

I await your return.

I

Sakura looked at Ino and smirked. " 'I await your return'? Doesn't he know how cliché that sounds? All right. We'll do it." Tsunade relaxed.

Ino bowed to her. "Arigato for your time, Tsunade-sama." Sakura grinned and blew a kiss to the oldest blonde before leaving.

Kakashi stared at Tsunade, who glared back, pointing to the girls' retreating backs. "What are you waiting for? Go!"

"Are you really going to allow this?" he protested. Tsunade snorted.

"I'm the one who issued the stupid mission," she said irritably. "Get out now!" They had no choice but to obey.

- - -

Sakura and Ino were waiting for them outside, at the base of the tower. Ino tossed Naruto the scroll, which he promptly dropped. As he scrabbled in the dust to retrieve it, Sakura spoke.

"Gather your things and meet us by the gate in five minutes. Nobody is to be late. Am I understood?" she asked menacingly. Naruto shivered and dropped the mission scroll once again. Ino sighed; she and Sakura turned, dismissing the three men.

"Matte!" Kakashi called out. "You should show Godaime-sama some respect."

"Yes," Sasuke agreed. "Who do you think you are, disrespecting Hokage-sama like that?"

Ino froze as Sakura turned slowly and fixed them with a piercing stare. Not a hint of emotion flickered in her face.

"I…" she said calmly, "am the Hokage's apprentice." She and Ino disappeared, leaving the men with their mouths open.

"Tsunade-baachan's apprentice?!" Naruto exclaimed. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"I don't believe it," he muttered softly. "It's not possible."

"I believe in Sakura-chan!" Naruto declared loudly. Sasuke smacked his head none too gently.

"Dobe. We've got to go pack. Pack light," he commanded. The other two nodded curtly and they were gone in a blur.

- - -

The two kunoichi stopped first at Sakura's house. Itachi was nowhere in sight. They took the two hooks and rope that now belonged to Sakura. They also took a spare change of clothes and a black blanket.

From Ino's house they took clothes, a plastic sheet, and another blanket. Just before they left the house, Sakura had the foresight to pack a small metal pt. they placed everything in two backpacks and set off for the front gates.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi were already waiting for them. Seeing that they had time to spare, Sakura grabbed Naruto's shoulders and spun him around, beckoning eagerly to someone. A blue shape barreled into the Kyuubi container, squeezing the air out of him.

"H-Hinata-chan?" Naruto gasped. Suddenly, the Hyuuga heiress seemed to realize where she was and stepped back, blushing furiously.

"S-sorry. N-Naruto-kun…" she mumbled, looking at the ground. Naruto's jaw dropped; he stared, turning her even redder.

Sakura nudged Naruto, grinning broadly. "She missed you, baka. Don't you have something to give her?"

The orange-clad young man scratched the back of his head sheepishly. He held out a box, saying, "I hope you like it…" Hinata gasped when she saw the glittering silver necklace in the shape of – a bowl of ramen. She immediately held it out to Sakura, who laughed and fastened it around the blue-haired girl's neck.

"Th-thank you s-so m-much, N-Naruto-kun!"

Standing on tiptoe, she kissed Naruto's cheek before a male voice called out.

"Hinata-sama!" It was Neji. Ino shook her head pityingly.

"What did you do this time, Hinata?"

Hinata giggled. "I t-took a p-picture of N-Neji-niisan k-kissing T-Tenten-san," she choked out. Ino's eyes widened.

"You didn't!" Hinata nodded, pleased with herself.

"I d-did! H-here!" She held out a picture, and Ino fell to the floor laughing. Sakura took one look and smiled wistfully.

"Good for you and them," she murmured. Neji bellowed again, and Hinata started, giggling nervously.

"I sh-should b-be g-going," she said quietly. Sakura nodded, hugging the other girl.

"Ino and I will slow him down a little," she laughed gaily. "Go!"

"HINATA-SAMA!!" Hinata was long gone before her cousin came into view. Sakura smiled sweetly at the enraged Hyuuga.

"Can we help you?"

Neji glowered. "Have you seen Hinata-sama?" Sakura nodded wisely, tapping her first finger on her chin. "Where?!"

Suddenly, he toppled forward, to reveal Sakura behind him. She sighed and shook her head, picking his limp form up and laying him on a nearby bench. "Neji, Neji, Neji… You sexist – you always leave your back open when talking to girls…"

"Yeah, Tenten said as much," Ino agreed. "Well, we should move out!"

"Hai!"

- - -

So, there. I'm done. Next chapter will be up soon, I hope!