Hey, everybody. Well thanx to those that reviewed and to those that didn't what are you waiting for let me know what you think. Ok, well here is ch. 14 I hope everybody enjoys it, feel free to review when your done.

I don't own Naruto in any way shape or form, but if I did this is how it would go.

DETAILING THE MISSION

Tsunade took the note from Temari and held it in front of her looking at Temari and contemplating the situation. She looked at the note and hoped it would be enough to warrant action on their part. It was hard for her being the hokage to make these types of decisions. She knew they were in need and that it was in essence her duty to help them as allies, but she still needed evidence to justify her decisions. She opened the note and read it. Temari stood there with the tension building and waited nervously as the Hokage read the letter. She understood the situation and knew she might have to leave by herself, but she hoped that the letter was enough to sway her decision.

Tsunade was really moved by the urgency she saw in the handwriting, it had been done aggressively and in a hurry. What made the decision even more difficult is that whoever had sent the note was in to much of a hurry to provide the information necessary to her. She finished reading the note and put it in her lap. She lay her hands over the note and took a deep breath before she spoke. "Do you have anything else to show me?" Tsunade asked in the hopes the answer would be in the affirmative.

This was what Temari had feared and expected. She shook her head slowly. Behind her Naruto burst in unable to stand the scene unfolding in front of him. He now stood next to Temari glaring at the Hokage. He loudly spoke to her barely keeping himself from yelling. "Tsunade-sama, why are you treating an ally like that she needs help and we're here. Send us! We are willing to go!" Naruto pleaded. Kakashi and Sakura were stunned, they did not expect Naruto's outburst. Neither did Temari, but she was grateful for his offer. She wanted to speak, but for the first time in a very long time her emotions would not let her. Naruto went on without heeding his brain. "You can't just let this situation continue. That would be an unworthy decision of a Hokage. What kind of leader abandons their allies." Naruto stopped sensing the atmosphere in the room had changed. There was an aura of shock and anger in equal measure. The shock came from Kakashi, Sakura, and Temari. The anger came solely from the Hokage. The anger seemed to be oozing out of her.

She didn't lift her head and her words fell from her lips like cubes of ice. Cold and without any emotions, Naruto had never seen her like this. "Never speak to me that way again. Don't assume to know what a hokage does or why she does it. You are still only a gennin." Naruto stood frozen to the spot. Anger and fear colliding and fighting to surge to the surface. Tsunade finally looked up daring Naruto to say anything. She was about to open her mouth when her doors opened and in came a short guy holding a letter in his hand. He ran to the Hokage and handed the letter to her.

He was gasping for air and when he finally had control of them he said to her. "It is an emergency message from the village of sand.. Hokage-sama." She nodded in recognition and he bowed and backed out of the room.

With everyones eyes on her she opened the envelope and took out the letter. She read it carefully and this is what it said.

Letter to the Hokage of Honoka,

We request immediate assistance, the Kazekage has been kidnapped by unknown captors. A tracking party has gone after them and will hopefully return with the Kazekage's whereabouts. Our situation is dire and we ask assistance as allies.

Your allies

The council of sand

Beneath the writing was the official emblem of the sand. Tsunade smiled inwardly, this was what she needed to see. "Naruto, please step out of the room." She asked politely.

Naruto could not believe his ears there was an emergency happening in the sand and they were trying to keep the information from him. He wasn't about to stand for it. "Nani! Why should I have to step outside, but everybody else stands here." Thinking she wanted him out because of his previous comments he kept running his mouth. "Can't you take a joke. I'm sorry I was just playing!"

Temari whose hopes had lifted when she had seen the hokage receive the letter could no longer take it. She erupted immediately. "Baka! Why can't you just do as your told, baka. The longer you argue the worse Gaaras chances of survival become." Even though she was grateful for everything Naruto had done over time right now he was being an idiot. "Baka, just get out!" She was now yelling at the top of her lungs and looked like she was going to continue if he didn't start moving. Fortunately Naruto had been shocked by her outburst into moving. What had hit him about what she said was about him wasting time with arguing. He realized that he was wrong in doing so and felt shameful by his actions. Kakashi and Sakura were stunned by Temari's outburst. Sakura was about to say something when she saw Tsunade raise her hand to stop her. Sakura stayed quiet, the room was deadly silent as Naruto made his way out of the room, he was walking out looking at his feet.

Naruto stepped out into the hallway not really noticing his surroundings. He was lost in thought, he had a hard time dealing with the fact that his arguing could lead to them not getting there in time. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the closed door and slid to the ground. When he was all the way down to the ground his legs pressed his arms a little harder against his chest and he felt an unfamiliar lump there. He was used to Tsunade's gift, but the pressure reminded him of Hinata's gift as well. He reached into his collar and pulled it out to look at it. Once again he was impressed by its craftsmanship and slowly started forgetting his bad feelings as wonder once again started taking over his minds. He was so focused on his new necklace that when that familiar lazy drawl broke into his consciousness he jumped up all the way to his feet out of shock. "What are you doing out here Naruto."

Shikamaru idly asked. He had noticed what Naruto had been looking at and was thinking about it, but thought his presence here deserved more attention. Besides Shikamaru had a real good idea about how Naruto came by the necklace.

"Nani!" Naruto exclaimed, he then tried to catch his breath and between gasps he asked, "Are you trying to kill me, whats wrong with you." He calmed down and finished catching his breath while waiting for Shikamarus answer.

"I really shouldn't answer your question because you haven't answered mine. However I'm in a good mood. Just so you know I wasn't trying to kill you, I've been standing right in front of you this whole time. I was waiting for some sort of greeting. Oh and since your so concerned I'm doing fine theres nothing wrong with me. Thank you for asking." Shikamaru said sarcastically. "Now it's your turn to answer my question." Shikamaru stuck both his hands in his pockets and waited for a reply.

Naruto thought Shikamaru was being a smartass, he couldn't really say why, but he just thought he was. So he didn't feel like answering. "That's none of your business. It's top secret information." Naruto puffed up giving himself an air of importance. An air Shikamaru had no qualms about deflating.

Shikamaru sighed, he wanted to know what was happening in the office and this idiot didn't want to tell him. At least he could have fun with him Shikamaru thought to himself. "Let me guess then. You said something stupid and pissed the Hokage off." Naruto started coming back down to earth. "Then when they asked you to shut up you refused and wasted their time." Naruto looked shocked. "They saw you would delay the meeting so you were told to step outside while they discussed the mission." Naruto was starting to shrink now. How did this bastard know all that. "Oh, and I know because I can see it all in your body language and the way you acted just now sliding down the door like that. Somebody who had important information wouldn't look so down. Damn Naruto, you really haven't changed." Naruto now felt about the size of an ant. In Narutos mind a giant gong suddenly appeared standing next to him and Naruto looked at it with curiosity. It was about twice as big as he was and just standing there Naruto moved closer to it when all of a sudden it was struck. GGGGOOOONNNNGGG! Naruto was shaking and shrank back. The rejection gong strikes again. "You're just as clueless as I am and you were in there this whole time." The gong was about to strike again when Naruto leaped in front of the gong and caught the hammer, he then grabbed the handle and proceeded to demolish the gong.

After the gong was completely destroyed Naruto turned to Shikamaru and interrupted him before he could go on. "Haa! You're wrong, I'm not clueless." Shikamaru raised his eyebrow in a questioning gesture prompting Naruto to go on. "The Kazekage is in danger and they need help immediately." Naruto said proudly.

Shikamaru shook his head. "Sometimes I wonder how you can be so dense. Of course the Kazekage's in danger anybody who knows anything could have put that together without being in the office. What happened to the Kazekage and what are we going to do? Do you have any clue about that?" Shikamaru asked he crossed his arms as he waited to see what Naruto would say.

Naruto had no answer. He looked around him and yelled in disbelief as he once again saw the rejection gong standing next to him again like new. He could have sworn he had destroyed it. He saw the hammer coming and once again jumped in front of it in order to stop it, but it was to strong this time it struck him and hit the gong with him instead. Naruto slammed into the gong and fell on his knees his head ringing. Naruto thought to himself, what the hell is this thing.

Meanwhile inside the Hokage's office the mood was very somber. Tsunade was explaining the situation. "This is some recent information I was made aware of that might be of interest or need with this mission. I believe that the Kazekages kidnappers were a part of a criminal organization named Akatsuki." Tsunade explained.

Temari could not believe her ears. "How can you know this and why weren't we made aware of this?" Temari blurted out.

Tsunade eyed her and decided to answer her question in earnest. "Like I said this information was only recently made available to me. However my informant also told me he provided your village with information regarding them as well right before he came here. It is possible this information did not make it to your village until after you left. I am not sure what the case is only he does." She stopped and thought of how to continue, she did so tentatively. "I am sure you know Gaara is unique in that he possesses inhuman power that is not completely his. This... group is... after that power source. We know this because there is somebody in our village that shares your Kazekage's... predicament. That person just stepped out of the room." Temari was shocked, so many things fell into place with this bit of information. She wondered if Gaara knew this already, it took her a minute for this revelation to finally sink in. Kakashi already knew this, but Sakura was also taken aback by this information as well. She had an idea about Naruto, but even this information begged more questions in her mind. She wanted to ask, but knew this was not the appropriate time. Tsunade waited for the information to sink in before she continued. "We have already encountered this group and through many actions taken by our village we were able to prevent his kidnapping." She made eye contact with Kakashi to confirm that he knew what she was talking about. "This group is comprised of class S missing ninjas from different villages. The informant who gave me this information only gave me a rudimentary idea, but what we do know is this. Within their ranks is one from the sand, I don't know if you know him or of him. His name is Sasori." Temari racked her brain, the name sounded so familiar. She had heard of him of course, but at the moment she couldn't recall much about him. Tsunade asked "Is there any information you have on this individual that might help us out?" Temari shook her head. Tsunade let out a deep breath disappointed and continued. The person I would like to send isn't here, but I trust Kakashi will do a good job as well with his group. He has had experience with this group. I am in a difficult position because in sending Kakashi and his group I risk loosing Naruto to this group and the consequences of that loss are unimaginable. I have no choice here though because they are the only available group, however once another group reports in I will send them as well to give you more support." She looked at Kakashi and then at Temari. "Is this suitible?" she asked. They both nodded, Tsunade then looked at Kakashi and asked, "It is more than likely you may run into Itachi. Are you confident you can handle this mission?" Kakashi thought this over a moment, Itachi was a powerful adversary and his comrades could be even more powerful. He was not really confident, but knew this was the hokages way of letting him bow out because of Naruto. Naruto would not forgive him if he backed down though. He slowly nodded his head in confirmation and met the hokage's eyes letting her know he was ready for the mission. "Then it's settled. Temari please step outside and tell Naruto to come back in, I will give them a few more instructions and then they will meet you at the south entrance to Konoha. You can all proceed to the village of sand and share any pertinent information." Tsunade said. She then put her head in her hands looking to be in deep thought as Temari did as she was asked and stepped outside.

An unexpected sight greeted her when she closed the door, Naruto's back. She reached out and tapped him on the shoulder. Naruto had been thinking of a way to put Shikamaru down in a smart way when someone put their hand on his shoulder. He let out a short yell and jumped a little bit. He turned around quickly and was face to face with Temari. "Are you trying to kill me too?" Naruto asked catching his breath. It was pissing him off that everybody was catching him off guard today.

Temari having no idea what he was talking about replied simply. "No, I just wanted to tell you, your presence is asking you to go inside." Naruto looked at her to make sure she wasn't joking and when he saw she wasn't he nodded and started walking past her. Before he could open the door though Temari addressed him one more time. "Naruto." Naruto stopped when he heard his name. "I'm sorry about yelling at you, it was uncalled for. My emotions got the better of me." Temari said. She was about to walk away when Naruto's words stopped her.

Naruto was still standing in front of the door, "You don't need to apologize to me Temari. You were right I was stupid for arguing. Don't worry we won't let anything happen to Gaara." With that he opened the door and disappeared through it. She stood there for a moment not knowing what to think of Naruto's words to her and then began to keep walking away.

She didn't get far when all of a sudden her body stopped responding to her and took on a relaxed posture. She was surprised that she hadn't noticed Shikamaru and relaxed, she knew it was useless to struggle so she just waited to see what it was that he wanted. "How troublesome, you. You weren't even going to say good-bye." Shikamaru said. "You could at least tell me what's going on." He released his shadow jutsu and started walking towards her. She didn't notice this.

Unlike Naruto she was quick enough to respond to his taunting. "Maybe if you weren't so lazy you would have stood out and I would have seen you. I don't make a habit of bidding farewell to scenery. I won't tell you anything. If the Hokage won't tell you anything then it is not my place to divulge the information." She said.

Shikamaru had to admit she was a difficult person to get information out of, but that was part of her appeal, she was extremely smart. Almost as smart as me he thought to himself, how troublesome. "So it's a very dangerous mission?" He asked.

She thought this question was answerable, after all very was a very objective word. She lowered her head a little bit and answered. "Hai, you could say that." What happened next really threw her off. Shikamaru's arms went past her and wrapped themselves around her neck and chest. The next thing she knew she was in Shikamaru's embrace.

Shikamaru didn't really know what drove him, but he felt a need to comfort her and himself. He held her tight and whispered in her ear. "You take care of yourself. It would trouble me to no end if something happened to you." He usually didn't let his emotions guide him, but in the pit of his stomach he knew if he didn't see her again he had to let her know he was worried about her. He then let her go.

Temari did not turn around, she did not want Shikamaru to see the tears in her eyes. His gesture had really touched her and she would not forget it. She took two steps away from him and stopped without turning around she addressed him. "Thank you Shikamaru, I will be careful." With that said she ran away from him and out of the building to head to the village entrance. Tears of frustration and relief streaming from her eyes.

PREVIEW

Will our heroes go out to save the day or will the hokage choose to keep Naruto in Konoha? What about Temari will her emotions get in the way of her mission? You have to keep reading if you want to find out.

RSOs

a crazy girl of many names- I'm glad you didn't get yelled at. Don't worry I'll keep writing until I finish this arc at least. So what did you think of this ch.

dragonman 180- They're almost there. I hope you like Naruto's experience with the Gong? Makes you wonder if the necklace is the only thing Hinata gave him, huh?

Danny171984- As always thanx for reviewing. Hmm, sorry I didn't reveal everything in this ch. but I want to play out the suspense a little bit, don't worry though you'll find out what's going to happen real soon. I hope you like the Shika/Temi moment in this ch. Hopefully I'm giving them a deeper personality and depth to the relationships. Let me know what you think.

snakeeye12- Thanx for reviewing, sorry to hear about your lack of internet for a while. I'm glad to read your reviews. They are really motivational or to use your words great. Tony the tiger great, well hope you enjoy this ch. and feel free to review.