A/N: Ha! Boom baby! I'm back, I went back and reviewed my previous chapters and spruced them up, fixing any spelling and grammar mistakes I could find. I must now take this time to say how much your continued interest means to me (seriously, I'm blowing off homework right now in order to type this lovely chapter for you all).

In this chapter: Uhm…read and find out.

Kishimoto, I'm on my knees here, can I please have Naruto? What about the manga? A plushie? ANYTHING? -police come and drags me away- Wait you brutes get off of me! I think I was wearing him down. No, I wasn't stalking him; if I did I would have like a spy camera, binoculars, and his number in my cell phone. Oh…you have my cell phone, and you found the camera, but no binocular right? -sighs- I guess I'll be updating from the slammer.

"Spoken word"

'Thoughts'

"Demon speech/speech between host and demon"

"Jutsus"

"Snake/Master speech"

'Demon thoughts'

(Outside Konoha's gates)

"So, you're the team that I got? Tch, you sure don't look like much."

Team 8 was standing at the gates and their client had just arrived. Naruto's eye twitched at the insult, but he ignored it, Neji looked affronted and turned to speak to Kurenai, who was glaring daggers, so it was Shino that broke the silence.

"Never underestimate an opponent, no matter how small they may seem."

"I'm supposed to trust a group of snot-nosed punks? You're barely out of diapers, I was hoping for a little more experience."

Kurenai was outraged, how dare he insult her team like that!

"Mr. Tazuna, I can assure you my team is more than capable of handling a C-ranked mission, they all graduated at the top of their class and I personally tested them myself. They should be more than adequate, unless you wish to hire a team of jonin and pay for a B or A-ranked mission."

"No, no, that won't be necessary, I was just surprised, that's all."

"Then let's be on our way, we have journey ahead of us to the Land of Waves."

The group began their trek out of the village vicinity and into the surrounding forests, sticking to the main roads until it split to form the roads leading to Wind and Earth countries, and of course back to Konoha. Kurenai decided to take a short break before continuing, it looked like their client would need it, and it was time for team training.

They settled next to a nearby stream and Kurenai grilled Tazuna for the finer points of the mission and what they were heading into after instructing her team to get to know each other better.

Naruto, Shino, and Neji spread out on the lush grass after Shino and Naruto sent their companions to scout, although Rapharsha was sun bathing more than scouting. Naruto quickly tired of listening to the water in the stream so figured he might as well do as Kurenai asked.

"So Shino, what type of project are you working on?"

"Breeding."

This captured Neji's interest as well and he too turned to Shino.

"What about breeding?"

"It is time I took on a second colony; my chakra reserves have built and stabilized enough to support two colonies at once."

"So more bugs is what you're saying? I'm glad Rapy doesn't mate or anything."

"She is incapable?"

"No, she says men are idiots and children are annoying."

Neji spoke up again.

"So she really is cognitive, you can speak with her as well?"

"Of course, she is a nin-snake after all. They're bred for intelligence."

"Naruto, where did you get Rapy?"

Naruto's guard was instantly up and he hoped his face and voice didn't betray him.

"I found her egg when I was younger, Anko helped me with her once she found out she was a nin-snake. Why?"

"Because, nin-snakes aren't that common, infact the only known record of them are the ones used by the missing-nin Orochimaru, and he is one of the top names in the Bingo book. If the jutsu you used with her wasn't developed by you with Anko's help I'm sure the council would be highly suspicious."

"Heh, heh, yeah, so Shino what type of food do you like?"

Shino's answer spurred a debate between him and Neji, giving Naruto time with his thoughts.

"Kyuubi! Orochimaru is a missing-nin from Konoha!"

"I know brat, I was listening as well."

"How come I didn't know about this?"

"Because, idiot, you took everything a complete stranger, who couldn't stay in the village, said at face value. Everything you know came from him so of course if it interfered with anything he might be planning he edited it."

"But Maru-sama never hurt me, he even helped me!"

"Ever thought was the point?"

"What do you mean?"

"He knew about me being sealed inside you, ever thought he might've planned this from the beginning?"

"But why?"

"Think for yourself once in your life instead of looking for others to lead you! That's what landed you here in the first place!"

"…Kyuubi, you don't mean he's planning on using me, us, for our power do you?"

"I can see no other alternative."

"He couldn't!"

"Whatever, you're on your own with this one."

"Alright guys, let's keep moving we still have a few hours of light left before we need to make camp."

And with that the group started out again, Naruto lagging slightly behind the others thinking about what he just learned.

"Rapy, you would never betray me right? I mean even if I didn't have your contract."

"No, I wouldn't and couldn't, you are my only massster."

"What about Maru-sama?"

"He isss no longer my master, only you are, and I will obey only you, unlessss you bid me otherwissse."

"Thanks Rapy."

Naruto felt slightly better about this and hurried to catch up with the rest of his team when a fast moving blur caught his eye. Carefully looking out of the corner of his eye with Kyuubi's sight he saw nothing and even dared to turn his head slightly; still nothing.

"Ssssomething wrong?"

"No, just seeing things I guess."

The party had made good time and was halfway through their journey by the time they stopped for the night.

"We made excellent progress today. If we keep this up we'll be at the border of Wave by midday tomorrow. I'll keep first watch, the rest of you get some sleep."

Dinner was out of the way and everyone but Kurenai was sleeping soundly, leaving her to her thoughts. 'I'm sure of it now, we're being followed, Naruto may have noticed but the others didn't. There's something this Tazuna isn't telling us and I aim to find out what.'

(Back in Konoha)

"Hey Anko! Where has the dobe been lately? I haven't seen him."

"Hmm, oh didn't you hear? Kurenai's team received a C-rank mission, the brat is gonna be gone for a few days to weeks."

"WHAT!? Why didn't he tell me!?"

"How the hell should I know? Geez, Sasuke if I didn't know any better I'd say you liked him."

"I do not! I just don't have anyone to spar with or anything."

Anko started cackling evilly.

"That pout says otherwise, emo boy."

"Shut up! I don't like that dobe and I am not emo!"

"Ok fine…you're an emo-goth who is in love with 'that dobe'."

"Argh! How did that idiot's team get a C-ranked mission anyway?"

"The same reason you'll be needing my apron, Naruto graduated top in the class, and Shino was in the top five. Neji of course, is the Hyuuga prodigy, all they really lack is teamwork which comes from doing missions together, and besides that your lazy teacher gets to the tower too late to get anything besides left over D-ranked missions."

Anko took that moment to leave a fuming Sasuke to go get some Dango.

"See ya, Sasgay!"

Sasuke's screams of frustration could be heard for a mile.

(Back with Team 8)

The next morning had clear skies. During a quick breakfast Kurenai answered questions her genin had about the Land of Waves. They packed up quickly and set off again. Around midday about four miles before they reached shoreline, Shino asked two very strange questions.

"Sensei, is it possible for it to have rained recently?"

"No, not at all."

"What about water from the ocean, could it have reached this far back?"

"Of course not, you know that, why the sudden interest in moisture?"

"Because we passed a puddle about 20 yards back."

Kurenai, Neji, and Naruto tensed at Shino's words who looked as calm as ever. Tazuna was confused.

"What's the big deal; this is a pretty popular road you know."

Kurenai motioned them to continue moving and Neji took the liberty to answer Tazuna's question.

"The big deal is, there are no other tracks in the road and there has been no rain to wash them away."

"Keep your voice down Neji, Shino is the puddle still there?"

"Yes."

"So it was either a distraction or a decoy."

"Shall I use my Byakugan?"

"No, too obvious, and Shino's swarm buzzes too loudly, even spread out. Naruto, how silent can that snake of yours be?"

"Too quiet for something as mischievous as her."

"And we know she's fast, send her out to scout, let me know as soon as you can what she finds."

"I can let you know the minute she finds something. We're being ambushed Rapy, find them for me."

Rapharsha slithered off, making little to no noise and quickly disappeared into the underbrush.

"What's this about the minute she finds something?"

"Same way I found you during our test; Snake Master Jutsu: Ghost Eyes of the Cobra"

"So that's how you did it. Neji cover Tazuna, Shino, you and Naruto take them out."

"What about you, Kurenai-sensei?"

"I'll be supervising of course, you three still need to learn how to work as a team."

"Rapy has found them, it was a decoy, and they are about forty yards ahead, definitely an ambush."

"How many?"

"Just the two and they are setting up traps, it could be a guise but I don't think they are that strong."

"Hmmm, can Rapharsha take them out on her own?"

"Of course!"

"Then do it, I don't want to waste any unnecessary energy or time, leave one for questioning."

"Right, Snake's Ambush: Encroaching Doom"

Loud hissing and men's screams could be heard from up in the near distance and then abrupt silence. Neji looked at Naruto, a little awe-struck.

"What did you do?"

"Not me, Rapy, and she got rid of one and immobilized the other, they were working alone."

"Very well then, you three prepare lunch while I question him."

"So much water!"

"I take it you've never been to the ocean then brat?"

"No Mr. Tazuna, I've been in Konoha all my life."

"Enough with the 'Mr.' stuff; call me gramps."

Tazuna had warmed up considerably once it was displayed that these were no ordinary genin. The group was ambushed again by four more ninjas. Neji and Shino took them out with surprising cooperation. In both ambushes Kurenai had questioned the survivor and both times they gave the name Gato; Tazuna was still playing dumb about the situation and Kurenai was getting annoyed. She halted Neji from rowing them any further.

"Hey, town is still a few miles away, why are you stopping?"

"Because you are going to give me the answers I want, or we're turning around, now what is going on?"

Tazuna sighed heavily, he couldn't keep secret for much longer anyway.

"The Land of Waves is in trouble, big trouble. A few years ago a big spender named Gato started buying ports and shops on our tiny island and charging outrageous taxes. Eventually every business was either owned by him, or went under, and the economy suffered. Gato controls all business going on and he's sucking the land dry. That's why we need this bridge; it will allow for free commerce again. Gato doesn't like that and has been trying to get rid of me."

"So it would stand to reason that the small time bandits we've been taking out will be replaced with higher ranked nins, if he truly wants you gone."

"You're a smart kid, yeah, that's right, I'm the only bridge builder we've got, if I'm gone then the Land of Waves is history."

Neji looked concerned.

"That would make this a B-ranked mission at least then! Kurenai-sensei?"

"…We'll stay, but when this mission is a success and your economy recovers you will pay the leaf what you owe for deceiving us."

"That was my intention from the start."

"Then keep going Neji, we have a mission to complete."

The boat started forward again and soon they reached land.

"You'll all be staying with me, my daughter, and her grandson for the duration of the mission. Come on, the house is this way."

They filed behind the old man, Neji being sure that he and Naruto were last in line.

"Naruto, if any stronger ninja come, I want you to leave them to me and Shino, you protect Tazuna."

"What? Why?"

"Because, if they were somehow to break through I and Shino's guard then you would be a better choice of a rear guard than Shino."

"Well that does make sense."

"Good, I don't want you to get hurt."

And like that, Neji was gone leaving an irate Naruto.

'WHY THE HELL DOES HE KEEP DOING THAT!?'

A/N: It may be late on Wednesday but its still Wednesday! Don't ask about the Sasuke thing, it wanted to be written and i didn't feel like dislodging kunai from my arm, and yeah the Sasgay thing is old, and no i didn't make it up.

In the next chapter: Gaara and Naruto meet! What will happen? Will Naruto make a fool of himself? Will they have hot monkey sex in the street? Well not that last one, and only I know what happens until the next chapter! Oh and there will be some Haku and Zabuza stuff as well.

--Snake's Ambush: Encroaching Doom – Rapharsha attacks from the shadows or wherever she's hiding with a pack of snake clones. The clones confuse the enemy allowing Rapy do make the killing blow. Uses Naruto's chakra and he has to form the hand seals. The snake clones are regular clones as well, not shadow clones.

Review for me! I've been good and stayed on schedual, even ahead of schedual sometimes. Oh and I need your help, should Haku and Zabuza live or die? I have scenes planned for both outcomes.