THE MISSION 2

'Assassins has been ordered to kill Fujiwara Anjou, The politician of Sunagakure. As we are their allied, they ask for our help, so I'm thinking of putting Naruto and Sakura on this mission. So, the mission is, defend Fujiwara Anjou, slay the assassins, and fetch the villagers to cover if something goes wrong.' Tsunade said. 'Got it?'

Everybody nodded when Naruto interrupted. 'Kage-sama, can I bring along Ichitaka and Ayumi? They necessitate to do a mission with us.' Naruto said. 'And why is that?' Tsunade crossed her arms. 'Don't judge the book by its cover. You should've know who's the sensei.' Naruto looked serious and that leaves Tsunade no choice but to agreed.

'Naruto team! All set for your mission? 'Yes Ma'am!' chorused all of them. 'By the way, obba-chan. I have something to discuss when I'm back later.' He said to Tsunade as she nod.

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The mission was a success; Sakura gasped for breath as she, Ichitaka, Ayumi and Naruto ran. Naruto managed to defeat the enemy. Now, they had to get more anbu to bring the villagers to shelter, because something definitely goes wrong. 'Ichitaka, exit to the nearest village and convey help! Take ayumi with you. She's a medic, she'll know what to do.' Naruto ordered. Ichitaka nodded. 'If something goes wrong, quickly depart to Konoha.' Naruto ordered. 'Okay, sensei.' He said.

'Sakura. Make tracks to the west, confirm the line and descript.' He ordered. Sakura nodded as she jumped from branches to branches before validating the situation.

'Everything is fine.' Sakura reported, as she stands next to Naruto. 'Excellent. Let's continue.' he said.

Sakura run as she tripped on a root and fell to the ground. 'Are u okay?' Asked Naruto, while helping her to stand. Naruto knew they had pushed themselves to far. A small nod from Sakura makes him feel fine.

"We need to respite Sakura, there is no way we can make it in this shape."

"But… we need to persist, if we get back fast enough we can get more ninjas and head back!" Sakura pant in between her gasps for air.

"No. And that is final. If you shove yourself any more you will fatally harm your body, you're a medic-nin you should know that!"

"But… we require to…"

"We need to take a break. YOU need to rest! Otherwise, you'll be suffering chakra lessening. Save yours.. ok? We need it. I need it." Finished Naruto.

"Ok…"

Naruto bites his thumb and do some hand seals. 'Ninpou Kuchiyose no jutsu!'

A huge frog came out as Naruto give him an order. 'Keep an eye on her.' He said. 'Sakura-chan. anything wrong, just name me. I want to go to the south, some inspection before we take a rest. I'll be back after 15 minutes.' He said. 'If I'm gone later than that, quickly head off to konoha.' He said to his toad. 'OK. Naruto-sama' The toad answered. 'Take a good care of her,' He said before leaving.

---------10 minutes later.-----------

'How is it going?' Sakura asked. 'Fine. How are you doing?' He said. 'okay,' simple answer.

"Good now get out your sleeping bag, I saw a nice reimbursement a few yards to the south." Naruto said

"But.. I… cast off ..…" panted Sakura.

"Then you can use mine." Naruto pulled his sleeping bag out and handed it to Sakura.

"Thanks Naruto"

Sakura and Naruto walked out into a clearing, and place a sit there, before setting up fire. Sakura opened the sleeping bag and have a rest as Naruto just sit there waiting for any news from Ichitaka and Ayumi.

--------------A few hours later----------------

2 flashes come across Naruto as they bowed. 'Naruto-sensei. Help is ready. They've gone to the village.' Ichitaka said as he straightened his shirt. 'I guess our mission is completed, right Sensei?' ayumi asked as Naruto nodded. 'It's getting dim and we cannot persist. Get out your sleeping bag, and we're gonna spend the night here.' Ordered Naruto, as both of them nodded.

As both girls are fast asleep, Naruto keep thinking about the I.O.I. He keeps thinking about his nightmare, and he could sense something terrible was going to happen to Konohagakure. His head was about to blow thinking of the matter when Ichitaka's voice comes across his thinking.

'Getting trouble to sleep, sensei?' Ichitaka said, as he placed a sit beside Naruto. Naruto just nodded as he say 'Just thinking about something. You?' he raised his brows. 'Nothing. I can't sleep if it wasn't home. No place like home, people say.' Ichitaka chuckled. 'Anyway,' Naruto said, as his expression turns serious. 'Got any news about I.O.I.?' he asked, as Ichitaka shakes his head no. Naruto sighed. 'Dig up the information as soon as possible. I could blow my head if I keep thinking about this again.' He said.

Ichitaka then have some sleep, leaving Naruto alone. After several hours, he fell asleep too.

-------------------The Day After-----------------

'Sakura-chan?' Naruto sees sakura like she was having some sort of nightmare. He orders ayumi to take a look at Sakura as he verifies the clearing. Naruto jumps from branches to branches and end up in a very tall tree and sit there, to observe.

Sakura was running towards Naruto, but in her exhaustion, Sakura did not notice a trap that had been placed in the ground. As it sprung a wave of kunai and shuriken flew at Sakura, she could not dodge them in her currant state and she knew it.

She squeezed her eyes closed and waited for them to hit her, but instead of the blinding pain of being hit by 50 or more kunai and shuriken she heard a wet splat and felt a warm liquid drip on her shirt. As Sakura opened her eyes, she saw Naruto face stretched in pain. More than 10 shuriken managed to wound his right arm and others went straightforward to his back.

"NARUTO!" Sakura screamed, as the piercing cry shocked Naruto, makes him lost his balance and fall from the tree that was nearly 25 feet!

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Kiba felt his heartbeat. It was running fast enough to make him feel he'll get a heart attack! Not that he was scared, but.. he just nervous. What will Hinata's family think about him?

'But, Kazuki-sama..' Neji never finished as Kazuki cuts him off. 'I have made my choice. That is final.' He said seriously.

'Kazuki-sama! The boy from inuzuka clan has arrived, sir..'

'Thanks Ogata. You can go, and bring him to me.' Kazuki get up from his sit and walk to his living room. 'I'll be in the living room,' he said. 'Okay, Kazuki-sama' the man went to get Kiba.

'SHIT!' screamed Neji as he punches the nearest brick wall. The wall cracks.

'Okay, kid. You can come in..' Said the man called Ogata, opening the huge metal door. Kiba just walk in without saying anything. He pulls his strength to hear what will 'Kazuki-sama' say now, plus the torments that has been thrown to him since his first meeting with Kazuki had hurt him enough.

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'Where am I?' Naruto wince as he can feel the pain hits him at the back. 'What happened?' he thought. Naruto then sees a pink-headed woman resting near to him. Thinking he must be in hospital, he tries to recall the situation. As he remembered that he just fall of from a tree after hearing a thunderous cry, Sakura wake up and rubbed her eyes. 'You're okay!' said Sakura as she hugged him. But then Sakura realized that she's been hugging Naruto for a few minutes and she back him off like his skin was inferno.

At this point Tsunade walked in the room, and seeing that both Sakura and Naruto were blushing she quickly realized what was going on, she just smiles.

"Well you look okay Naruto, I guess I can release you from the hospital," said Tsunade. 'The mission was a success, but you.. You shouldn't have any injuries, as you are a professional Nin! And Ichitaka said you fell from a treee? Shame on you!.' She screamed as Naruto held his ears and Sakura keeps silent, as it wasn't her fault.

'It's not gonna happen if I didn't hear that voice. I wonder what is it?' he asked. Tsunade sighed. 'You'll never changed, Naruto. Always careless..' As she sighed again., as Jiraiya run towards her. 'What did I tell you? No more walking!' Jiraiya said. 'Okay, okay..' she said.

'But, something makes me thinking, Naruto..' Tsunade said. Her face turns to more serious. 'When I asked one of my medic-nin to have a check on you, guess what I found..' tsunade paused. 'What?' Naruto raised his brow. 'An orange book entitled Icha icha Paradaisu, Volume 13 is in your orange jacket..' Tsunade said as Naruto, Sakura and Jiraiya clenched their jaw, .

'Uh.. that book.' Naruto cleared his throat and glanced to jiraiya who was going to faint! 'Jiraiya-sensei gives it to me.' Naruto finally said making Tsunade raising her brows, as Jiraiya was about to bash his head to the wall. 'He ask me to give his old collections to kakashi-sensei, as Kakashi-sensei adores the book a lot...' said Naruto, lying. Jiraiya sighed in relief. 'Is that true? Are you serious you're not involved anymore in this disgusting book, Jiraiya-kun?' Tsunade crossed her arms, as she turns her body to face Jiraiya.

'Tsunade-chan.. You know I won't. I have changed. I am no longer the perverted jiraiya, eh?' he said, smiling.. (he's very good at this!) 'You got a point there.' Tsunade sighed as she continues. 'Don't let me see you with that book anymore, understands?' She said to jiraiya, as he just dumbly nodded.

'But…' then because she was feeling like have some fun, "of course I want to be sure you are in superb shape before you go back on duty, or do much of anything for that matter, so, I think that I will assign Sakura as your personal doctor, Naruto. And that means she will stay at your house until you're better!"

This statement was met with Sakura blushing so bright that Tsunade swore she would glow in the dark, and Naruto yelling, "I don't need a private doctor! You know that all I need to get better is a good night's rest! What are you pulling!" he said as he winces more.

"Nothing! I am just concerned about your well-being Naruto…" said Tsunade with teary eyes as Jiraiya laughed hard.

"Sorry, sorry!" Naruto said as he put his hands up, thinking that a beating was on the way.

"Then you will let Sakura look after you Naruto?" Tsunade said in a whimpering tone.

"Whatsoever!" then Naruto thought to himself, 'Just don't kick my ass' Kyuubi decided to speak up at this point, "HA! The mighty Naruto scared by an old woman!" 'hey! She is the toughest woman I've ever seen.. just because she's pregnant, doesn't means that she's weak.. ya know?' though the mighty demon would not admit it, even he was scared of the remarkable woman, but no one needed to know that.

"Now that that is settled come on Sakura, we need to leave Naruto to get dressed!" she said as his husband fetch her to sit in her office.

"hai Hokage-sama."

'Wait! Obba-chan. I need to ask you something.' Naruto stopped her. Both husband and wife stopped.

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'How did he looks like?' Naruto asked. Tsunade smiled. 'He looks just like you. It was just his brown hair differs you and him. He has the same blue eyes.' She said. Naruto sighed. 'I really want to see him.. I do..' He said. 'You will. We've been searching for 7 years, and no time is wasted.. 'Tsunade said, she smiles. 'We've found something.' Jiraiya smirked. 'As you read in the letter, it says about someone being your father's enemy, right? What's his name.. again?' Jiraiya put his fingers on his chin.. 'Soni.. Sona..'

Suddenly, Naruto remembers something.

But there is a person that grows hatred towards Arashi, that is the one who used to become your father's best friend. His name was Sano Kotarou. Arashi defeats him in a battle and he hated Arashi because of his love towards your mother. Soon after that, he was found missing and was nowhere to find.

'Sano.' Naruto interrupt. 'Yeah. Sano. We've found that Sano had been seen at Wakizashi with a brown-haired baby, not too long after Arashi's death.. But no one could possibly clarify the baby's identity.' Jiraiya stopped. 'Sano then disappeared nowhere.. again. And we can't trace him though.' Jiraiya sighed.

'I believe, that Sano was actually the kidnapper. He stole Narumi from us so that he can regain his revenge towards Arashi.' Tsunade said. 'I don't wanna lose him.. I really don't..' he said as Jiraiya patted his shoulder. 'You won't. My informer said a person had found a boy at a waterfall, about 30 yards to the nearest village in Wakizashi. The boy had similar characteristic to Narumi.' Jiraiya said. 'Wakizashi is not too far from here.. I'll send you there for a mission. But until that, get a rest and come back to me until you've recharged, okay?' Tsunade smiled.

'Thanks, obba-chan..' Naruto grinned.

'Be quick. Sakura's waiting for you, baka!' Jiraiya slapped Naruto's head. 'AuCh!'

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'What's wrong with Inuzuka clan?' Kiba glared to Kazuki. 'Oh.. I see.. We're just some kinda wolf tamer to you, right? Huh' He chuckled. "Yeah.. I am no match for Neji, So what?' Kiba clench his fist. But he is still Kiba. He never pulls a feet to an old guy whatsoever.. He took a deep breath. Crossing them was a silence until kiba finally apologizes.. 'I'm sorry,' he sighed. 'I didn't mean to be rude to you, Kazuki-sama, but i..' He sighed again, while ladling out his face. 'I just can't take it when somebody.. tormenting my family.. they're just.. important to me.. I..' he sighed. 'Sorry,' He turned his back and start walking out of the house.

'Do you really love Hinata, ey.. kid?' A voice suddenly heard, that sure makes Kiba stopped walking and turn his body to Kazuki's. 'Excuse me?' Kiba raised his brows. 'Do not hurt her, otherwise, I'll go and kick your ass myself.' Kiba was speechless. Kazuki then smiled and patted Kiba's back.

'The ceremony will begin 2 weeks from now, so get ready..' Kazuki turn his back to kiba and walk inside. Kiba was left alone, still confused on what was happening just now..

Neji, who was peeking on both of them, nearly fainted. 'Is that all?' he thought.

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"Hey Sakura. I'm ready to go." Said Naruto as he shuffled his way out of the hospital room.

"Ok Naruto, are you all right? You seem dejected…"

"Naw I'm good!" with that, Naruto gave one of his fox smiles, but even Sakura could see the pain it hid. The smile somehow just seemed depressed.. even more depressed than ever..

"You sure? If you need to talk about anything I want you to know that I am here for you…"

"Yeah I'm good!" then Naruto paused for a second, 'Can I go to Ichiraku?' he said, giving her puppy dog eyes.

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They were walking to Ichiraku Ramen's, but the piece of information that Sakura was going to spend at least the night at his house kept distracting Naruto. 'Ah.. she can't go to my house!' he thought. 'Why not? Afraid something would happen?' The kyuubi smirked. 'Shut up, you stupid fox!'

"Uh… Naruto, why did you just yell out for some fox to shut up?"

"… Nothing.. ' He rubbed his head 'Because Kyuubi is…'

"Doing what? Is he trying to break the seal?" Sakura almost yelled in fright, luckily there was no one else outside at that moment.

"No! He… is… well…. Nothing. I just feeling uncomfortable.' He said, lying. 'I guess I'm hungry,' said Naruto holding his stomach. Sakura was relief and she smiled. 'Guess we need to hurry, then!'

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Sakura can't see any stars up on the sky, as if it was going to rain.. Well.. they gotta be home before rains.. Sakura was happy to see Naruto was full of energy, even tough he is not fully recovered yet. They walked together and heading to Naruto's house.

Suddenly, Naruto sees an image of a person ahead. 'Sakura-chan.. Careful. Somebody is further on..' Naruto warned. Footsteps clearly are heard. It was dark when sakura finally sees a brown-haired person, walking like he was drunk or something.

"It's just Kiba, Naruto..' Sakura was relieved. 'Was he drunk? Weird..' sakura thought. 'Hey, Kiba!' Naruto shouted.

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'How things are going with you and Nana-chan?' Naruto asks. Kiba is still silent. 'Is Kazuki-sama is still marrying Nana-chan with Neji?' Still, no answer from Kiba. Naruto grunted. He get up and went to the kitchen.

'Hey.. what are you doing with the..' Sakura tries to stop him.. but fails miserably.

SpLaSh!

'There. Are you okay now?' Naruto smirked. The bowl of cold water was put on top of the table.

'HaCiu!' Kiba sneezed. He rubbed his nose. 'What am I doing here?'

'Look what you did.. Naruto.. He might catch a cold..' She crossed her arms. Sakura took the bowl and get back in the kitchen. Minutes later, she comes out with a basin of warm water. 'Here.. put your feet here.. It'll warm you up..' she ordered.

'Owkay. Now, how things are going with you and Nana-chan?' Naruto repeated the same question since the last time Kiba was unable to answer it..

'I dunno..' He rubbed his head. 'I mean.. I have gone to meet her family.. and they..' Before Kiba can finished his word, Sakura cut him off. 'Rejected?'

'NO. I argued with her uncle.. and he..' He rubbed his head again. 'says no?' Naruto added. 'No. he agreed.' Naruto's jaw clenched. Sakura was unable to speak when hearing the news. 'The ceremony will be held 2 weeks after this..' Kiba smiled. 'Even I can't believe it, can't you?' Both of them quickly nodded. They all laughed.

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'Okay, I gotta go home.. It's late.. better get home before it rains..' Kiba get up and walk towards the door. Naruto walks him to the door. Kiba whispered 'Tell me what happens tomorrow..' He grinned. Naruto quickly slapped his back. 'AucH!' Kiba grinned. 'What's wrong?' Sakura asked. "Nope.. Nothing..' Naruto smirked. The door was closed.

'Oh yeah.. your room is the opposite of mine. If you need anything, just call me..' Naruto said. Sakura nodded. 'It's late.. you better go to sleep, Sakura-chan. I'm watching TV, my favorite show aired soon. Owh.. and, I think it's going to rain soon.. Blankets are in the cupboard..' Naruto smiled. 'Okay. Don't sleep too late okay?' She smiled. Naruto smiled while resting his body on a sofa.

Sakura closed the door.

Sakura took her clothes off and changes to nigh tie. She lies on the bed and closed her eyes. But she can't sleep. She was worried about Naruto. 'You were worried about him do you?' Inner Sakura came out. 'NO.. I.. just.. I'm doing my job..' 'You can lie to everybody.. Not me.. NOT me!' 'Fine! I was worried.. so what?' she sighed. 'Is he okay?' She opened the door and walked to the living room. She does not found Naruto, all she thinks that Naruto was in his room. She was quite afraid to enter Naruto's room.. 'Just go inside! No one will know! Just take a look, then go to your room.. No one will see!'

The door creaked. But that doesn't seem to awaken Naruto. Sakura carefully place a sit on the bed. Sakura shivered. She noticed that the room was cold, and the air conditioner was on. The guy must be crazy! It's going to rain outside and he still turn on the air-cond? She walks and switches it off. Then she realized that Naruto was shirtless.. She blushed. 'You want him, do you?' 'Shut up you!' 'I knew it!' Inner Sakura laughed.

'Naruto.. Naruto..' She called. No response. Sakura get up, but her hand was hold tightly by Naruto. She tries to get off, but he didn't seem to let go.

'Just sleep here, nothing will happen,' Inner sakura said. "NO!' "Yes! He is sick.. And you dare to leave him here, all alone?' inner sakura said again. Sakura had no choice. She sits beside Naruto. Suddenly, a peal of thunder boomed in distance. Sakura was really afraid by the thunder. She had a phobia to it. It started to rain and she shivered in cold.

Naruto is still sleeping soundly. Lightning crackled across the sky. Sakura was afraid to go anywhere. Her hand was hold tightly by Naruto. Sakura blushed. She was so close to him, she could even hear him breathing.

'No..' Sakura was shocked. 'Naruto?' Sakura can feel he is sweating again. '.. where..' he mumbles. He then stops mumbling and sleep soundly. Sakura reached some tissues and wiped his sweat. 'What's wrong with him?' she thought. 'I'll ask him tomorrow..' Sakura can't feel her eyes anymore.. she is so sleepy..