AN: I am so sorry for not meeting my deadline, as a token of my apology, the second chapter is double the length of a usual chapter.

(i stated originally in my other fic that this would be a triple release, but I felt it was better to just have it as one large chapter.)

Rom Nom Nom ~ thank you. I am used to it from my other fic, I can tell by the views a great amount of people read it...I have just come to accept it people don't have much to say to me. Makes keeping motivated very hard, but I appreciate reviews and constructive feedback.


Chapter 7 Mission 3: Protection of Michi-dono

"Gai-sensei...MOVE!" Groaned out an irritated voice from behind the posing jounin.

Gai apparently did not move within an acceptable time frame, being one second, as he was pushed into the room harshly.

The source was Tenten, walking in with a sigh, but then quickly and respectfully bowing to Tsunade, "My apologies, we are here as you requested hokage-sama."

Lee still hadn't caught up to the new arrangement, "What is Gai-sensei and Tenten doing here?"

Deciding to accept her fate, Sakura returned eyes to Tsunade, "They are accompanying us Lee-san."

Mouthing an 'oh' Lee accepting it with a grin, until his face then showed puzzlement, "Where is Neji?, shouldn't have returned from his previous mission by now?"

Tsunade was about to speak, however a sudden 'don't' look from both Gai and Tenten made her withhold her statement, which resulted in a stretched, "err-...?"

Gai then stood a bit too at attention to be legit, "Neji is on yet another mission, Lee." Stunned for a moment at the odd behaviour, Lee accepted it and moved on.

Still puzzled as to why she was told to stop, Tsunade cleared her throat as a way to say 'moving on', "This mission is very important, which is why we require a full four man cell with this." That simple sentence made everybody stand to attention as Tsunade flickered through some loose papers on her desk.

"This mission is A ranked, and involves the protection of a celebrity."

Sensing a question, Tsunade turned to Lee, "You seem confused?"

"I am a bit. From what you explained to me earlier hokage-sama, shouldn't a chuunin be only involved in B and C ranked missions? And I thought I was being assessed on my performance in lower ranked tasks?"

"Correct for both. However, as a shinobi you must be prepared for anything, including a mission escalating to that of a higher rank. While we try to rank each mission accordingly, there always can be situations where we don't know all the facts. For example, something important could be left out by the client. Isn't that right, Sakura?"

The rosette nodded her head in agreement to her master hinting her mission to Wave, as Tsunade then answered the second part of Lee's question, "While your assessment is meant to be focussed on what is expected of your level, seeing how you handle in said situation can give you an all around better result. Bonus points if you will."

"So I am being given yet another opportunity to have a more commendable report?"

Tsunade smirked at Lee's sudden question that was full of surprise but also excitement, "Exactly."

Lee was able to suppress his joy with a tightly clenched fist, 'Yosh! I will give it all I have!'

"Your client is the actor, Michi."

Two feminine gasps made the other two look in puzzlement, "No way? Michi-sama from the princess Fuun movies?! I get to see him again?!"

Sakura questioned with a pink hue, while Tenten was in a similar state, although didn't appear as overwhelmed, "R-Really?"

Tsunade let out an amused 'Hmmph', 'How typical to idolise him, if only I was twenty years younger.'

"Yes, the very one. He is staring in the new movie called Fist of the raging dragon."

'Fist of the raging dragon? That sounds so very...'

Lee couldn't think of a polite word to describe it, so he went with the only word he could conger up, 'Lame.'

Gai didn't say anything, however his face showed that he clearly agreed with his miniature lookalike.

The two kunoichi however were in awe, "A-Amazing!"

"He is here because the land of fire has some ideal locations for a few of the movie's scenes. So he, along with the relevant cast and crew are here in Konoha awaiting their newly assigned body guards before moving out. Assuming all goes to plan, this mission will carry on for about a month. Please contact them as soon as possible at this address."

After agreeing to meet their clients at the early hours of the next day, the group headed out to get ready for a month's long trip. Once the door of the hokage's office had closed, Lee watched both Sakura and Tenten walk off with anticipation clear across their faces.

"Gai-sensei...why is Tenten and Sakura-san showing such satiated enthusiasm to meet an actor?"

Said jounin put a hand on his chin while his eyes narrowed in concentration, "It is a very unusual craze that we all have, Lee. If one was to relate it to something we would all understand, it is akin to having a deep admiration for the individual. This can be through many things such as their glorifying and youthful spunk, outstanding talents, or achievements and status."

Lee mumbled a 'is that so?' that held little signs of comprehension.

Gai then lifted his index finger when an idea came, "Or how about looking at it as a role model?"

Now Lee's eyes went wide in understanding, despite the reality being that had little to do with it, "OH!"

"Do you have a person you find a role model, Lee?"

"Hai! I have many great people that I view as a role model to my nindo!"

"HAWW! Such moving words that I will hold precious to me till the day my young spark dims!"

If anybody didn't know better, it was almost as if Gai assumed Lee said 'It is you!', "Gai-sensei!" "Lee!"

"Gai-sensei!"

"Le-"

"Take these disturbing antics outside!" Tsunade sharply cut in, as she swung the door open to glare at the two before the tearful spandex wearers could embrace.

Walking out of the tower now, Lee focused on the ground in thought, "So this Michi-san has done something to earn Sakura-san and Tenten's respect."

"That is correct."

"...What is it that he has done to earn such fame?"

"Hmmm..."

With his eye twitching at not being able to answer like a wise sensei should, Gai smacked his fist into his other hand, "Yosh! This requires investigation about our target!"

"How will we do that?"

"Meet me at the theatre in two hours."


Doing as instructed, Lee waited patiently outside the theatre, as Gai out of the blue appeared before him in a blur, "Alright Lee, let's start."

"What is it we are going to do Gai-sensei?"

Placing a hand on his students shoulder, Gai leaned down to speak face to face, "Lee, what you must realise is that it is vital to discover information about your client as well as your enemies. By doing so, you understand more about their traits and skills."

Jotting down in his notepad, Lee nodded, "So what you are suggesting is...reconnaissance?"

"OH! Very perceptive! Correct, we are going to do some reconnaissance on Michi-san."

Lee then held up his pencil as if to show something clicked, "We are going to observe the movies he has casted in?"

"You are thriving with sharpness today my student!"

"So which one of his movies are we going to do our reconnaissance on?"

"Not to worry Lee, they are doing an all night movie marathon of the entire Fuun series."

With their plan set, Gai and Lee entered in the theatre and didn't leave until the night shifted away to bring the crack of dawn. Both exited out of the cinema side by side with their jaws wide, but Lee tried to speak.

"That-..."

Both then burst into tears, "-WAS INCREDIBLE!" they shouted in union.

Gai sobbed, "Such a display of unmatchable heroism when he gallantly protected princess Fuun by taking the arrow, and gave her a determined filled speech to defeat Mao! That is the kind of man that even I, Maito Gai, will never outshine!"

"What about Michi-dono's astounding kendo and taijutsu! Not even one wasted move as he singlehandedly defeated Mao's army of reincarnated samurai."

"We will protect him with putting our beautiful bodies on the fine line, Lee!"

"Hawww!"

"So loud..."

The groaned out response made both turn their heads to see their teammate, "Tenten."

"We need to meet Michi-san soon." She stated as a matter of fact. Both spandex wearers exchanged a nod and were off.

On the way, Lee now wondered, "How did you find us Tenten?"

"...I sadly didn't even think, my legs just carried me to the last place I would expect any sane shinobi to be."

"What sharp intuition you have!"

'No...I think I have finally started to understand you...after two years.' She inwardly rebutted Gai's praise, somehow finding that discovery deeply disturbing.

Eventually, they had made it to their destination. Michi and the rest were renting out several apartments in a plain looking building, deep within the residential area of Konoha. You would never imagine a celebrity was under its dark red roof, were it not for the two chuunin vest wearing body guards at the door.

One of them caught Lee's eye in familiarity, as the chuunin let out a great big yawn, "About time you guys came...so troublesome to stand in one spot for so long."

"Shikamaru-kun!"

Giving a lazed salute, Shikamaru then left with the other Chuunin, "They are on the third floor, don't worry about which room..they booked out the entire level."

Following the Nara's instructions, they paced themselves up the stairs, "Shouldn't we wait for Sakura-san?"

"Sakura will know where to find us." Gai answered, as they opened the door to see the empty corridor.

Looking around at the rooms, Gai saw several doors already opened, and narrowed his eyes in question. There was just something about the silence that bothered him, considering from what Tsunade told them, there should be at least twenty people on this floor.

'This is very...suspicious.'

Quickly gesturing to his two students, Gai then without a sound walked to the first door, and cautiously entered, while Tenten took out a kunai and checked another. Being given an all clear to pass, Lee, with haste, made his way down the corridor to the next opened door to investigate.

Upon entry, Lee then shot to alarm when his eyes caught a steel blade that looked like a knife shooting towards him. In one fluid motion, Lee ducked under the knife to hear it dig into the wall behind him, and fell into his stance. It appeared mostly dark in the small apartment, with only the sunlight from the square window in its centre giving him clear vision of the room. He didn't have trouble finding where the person who attacked him was, since the assailant was standing by that very window.

His attacker had their back to him, appearing fixated on something outside. Judging from the person's shape and height, it looked to be a young man, who didn't have any hair at all. Along with the red kimono, Lee couldn't help but wonder if the person was a monk.

"Why have you followed me, even to this place?"

Lee blinked at the mid tone levelled question that held great amounts of venom with it, "When shall you all learn that the secret of the great red dragon is not to be misused as a means of power?!"

Lee still blinked in confusion, but before he could voice his perplexity, the man swung around to glare with his violet irises, "PREPARE YOURSEL-..who are you?"

Lee tensed in preparation, but then once again for a third time, blinked in confusion. It was as if between the shout and the normal toned question, Lee was being addressed by a completely different person.

"CUT!" A voice barked in frustration out of nowhere, as in the same sudden way, the empty room rapidly became full of people that looked like crew men, along with lights dropping from the ceiling, and a large camera on a type of crane.

Barging between Lee and the monk was another man in their mid forties, who was wearing jeans and a black top, along with a black beanie covering his going grey hair.

Lee did not like the persons onyx eyes staring into him with so much burning rage, "We were in the middle of a shoot! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get the lighting perfect in a scene with a dawning sun?!"

"U-Umm I apologise." Lee mumbled to who he guessed he was the director, judging by the scrunched up script being waved threateningly at him.

Suddenly the directors face changed to one that held brewing innovation, "Although I think we could use that evasive technique instead of having the fodder walk in to take the blade, and then have Raziel come in soon after to talk with Leto. It would make the audience believe Raziel's men are really strong and elite."

"I-I see...?" Hearing the sound of footsteps running from behind him, Lee saw Gai and Tenten come barging in to then show surprise.

At the sight of the crew, Tenten lowered her kunai, while Gai sighed, "Shikamaru never said anything about them filming a scene."

The Director rose an eyebrow, "You are our shinobi escorts?"

Lee was left out of the conversation between Gai and the director, but instead was staring curiously at the monk, 'He looks familiar...WAIT!'

Remembering the appearance of the henchman from the Fuun movies, then comparing it to the monk, the only eye soaring difference was the lack of hair, and then his mind made the connection as if the two characters overlapped.

"M-Michi-dono?!"

Hearing a familiar name to him, the monk looked at Lee with complete bewilderment at the suffix only really used in Samurai drama's, "...dono?"


Sakura arrived at the entrance and opened the door, 'Gai-sensei and the others must have gone in already to meet our clients.' she concluded, while approaching reception and asking for the room number.

Making her way up the stairs, she opened the door to enter the corridor, only to find Tenten was leaning against a wall in that very corridor just a few meters away.

Turning to greet, Tenten gave a welcoming nod, "They are filming a scene at the moment. We will have to wait unless you want that short fused director down your neck." She whispered, before they heard the sound of two angry men yelling at each other door the hall.

"Ok then."

Leaning against the wall on the other side, Sakura shrugged, "Did I miss anything important?"

"No, not really. Unless you count Michi-san being bald as important."

"B-Bald?"

Tenten's nodding made Sakura go agape for a moment, 'And his hair was one of his greatest charms...sigh.' Accepting the information, Sakura tried to listen in to what was going on. From what she understood, the men were talking about some sacred artefact.

"Thank you for doing this by the way."

Sakura half missed the response and turned her head in question to the weapon master, who was still glancing down the corridor, "For doing what Tenten-san?"

"Helping out Lee. Gai-sensei told me about it."

"Oh...."

Grinning, Sakura returned her gaze down the hallway, "I am sure Lee has told you already, but he is very grateful for it."

"Ah. That he has. I feel I owe this to Lee-san anyway, so to me it is an honour to be able to assist him."

That phrase made Tenten turn in curiosity, which Sakura seemed to get the gist and continued, "Ever since that day in the chuunin exam's when he helped us from those sound genin. That all really just opened up my eyes and gave me the determination I needed to get stronger for my team. I owe Lee-san just as much as Sasuke, and hell, even that baka Naruto for that."

Tenten smirked and looked back down the hall, "I see now. So he is partially responsible for where you are now?"

"Hai..."

"Well Lee does have that effect on people. I guess his firm strength of mind rubs onto you eventually. He drives me to train harder most of the time, and between you and me...even Neji, despite it will be a cold day in hell when he will admit that."

"Incredible. Lee-san really is an inspiration."

Even if Sakura's voice didn't hold anything out of the ordinary awe, Tenten didn't know why she suddenly felt an emotion similar to somebody moving into her territory just then.

Deciding to change the subject, Tenten turned with her arms crossed, 'I actually don't know a great deal about her, excluding that very exciting fight she had in the chuunin exams so long ago. Since we are working together, I might as well get the chance to know her, but more importantly...'

"So what about you?"

Sakura made eye contact to show her confusion at the sudden question, "You are training directly under Tsunade-sama, that must be a once in a life time opportunity."

Finally understanding, Sakura gave a sheepish grin while rubbing the back of her neck, "It is very full on, Tsunade-sama really is pushing me to learn so much. In physical training she is merciless, and with my jutsu training she is watching me like a hawk whenever she can. Her position however makes it hard for her to be with me most of the time, but she usually checks up on me daily to see how I am going with my training."

"So from what I have gathered, she is training you to become a medic-nin, just like herself?"

"Hai."

Narrowing her eyes, Tenten felt another surge of emotion rise up which she could only suppress from a frown to a firm smirk, "I think I am becoming very envious of you, Sakura-san."

"E-Eh?" Sakura mumbled, while Tenten's somehow cold smirk still was worn.

"Being a kunoichi as great as Tsunade-sama has always been my dream, and my passion. To be tutored under her wing would be something I would cherish dearly, and never take it for granted. I hope you be sure to live up to what Tsunade-sama expects from you."

"U-Umm.."

Waving off Sakura's concern with a hand, Tenten snickered, "That came out a lot harsher than I intended, please forgive me."

"U-Umm, that's ok, don't worry about it."

Brightening the mood further, Tenten now gave a more genuine smile, "Chakra control has never been my thing anyway, so I wouldn't do well as a medic-nin, from what I have seen and heard though, you are really proving yourself as quite a fitting role."

Slightly embarrassed, Sakura sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck, unsure what to say to that.

Tenten continued, "...although thinking about it a little, if I was ever to take up performing surgery, I may be of some use." She hinted, while whipping out a kunai to balance on her finger.

Recovered now from her perplexity, Sakura gave a light chuckle at the clear jest, "I will keep that in mind then, Tenten-san."

'Tenten-san is a little strange, but she seems ok.'

Hearing the sound of a person shout 'CUT!' made both kunoichi turn their heads, but when the director then shouted, 'HOW COULD YOU FORGET YOUR LINE?!' Both rested back against the walls again.

Continuing some more idle chit chat, Tenten asked, "So when is Naruto returning? It has been around a year now hasn't it?" Tenten's mouth formed an 'oh?' in bafflement at Sakura's sudden change from bright to very much the opposite.

Her melancholy face was fixed on the ground as if the floorboards were fascinating, "...It has been. He is returning in another year and a half's time from now."

Nodding her head, Tenten tried to find out what was the cause to Sakura's abrupt change, "He must be learning all kinds of great jutsu with Jiraiya-sama. Being one of the sannin as well, you both really are quite lucky aren't you?"

Tenten was about to add something, but she harshly bit her tongue, 'Come to think of it, with Sasuke learning under Orochimaru as well...all of her team is being taught by a sannin.'

As if she heard Tenten's musing, Sakura gave a half hearted smile, "It really is a big coincidence isn't it?" Tenten hung her mouth open, knowing perfectly clear Sakura was answering her muse and not her actual words.

"I am sorry to have reminded you."

"It's ok, I long came to accept that blazing fact...although Sasuke-kun is being forced to by Orochimaru."

'From what Neji told me...that is not true.'

Tenten decided for the best to keep her musing to herself and quickly nodded, 'So she is very sensitive on the subject, that is fair enough I suppose. I wonder why saying her other teammate's name though brought her to this state? She looks so weak...so vulnerable...this is the person Tsunade-sama chose?'

"When Naruto comes back though, we will save Sasuke-kun together."

Tenten was caught off guard by how firmly determined that sounded, seeing Sakura's strange ailment from before suddenly gone. Tenten found that somehow unwavering statement very admirable, 'So she is a bit of a mess...but she can be strong when she wants to be. I can respect that.'

"You are quite an interesting person." Tenten's words made Sakura show puzzlement, which the weapons master never clarified.

Instead, Tenten acknowledged the kunoichi with an approving nod, "I am sure if you carry out your actions as strong as you say them, you will succeed."

"Tenten, you may come back in now- Oh, good morning Sakura-san!"

There was something about that louder change in Lee's voice at announcing Sakura's name that made Tenten's eye twitch.

Sakura still was a bit lagged behind with Lee's greeting, since Tenten's words had her at a bit of a loss, "G-Good morning Lee-san."

"You must see this, Michi-dono is about to engage in a furious fight using his vigorous martial arts talent!"

"Michi...-dono?..."

Tenten groaned as she pushed off the wall and started walking, "Don't ask unless you want your IQ to drop by a few digits."


Back in the apartment, the crew was packing up all their gear, while the shinobi were looking at a large map that was opened on the bed in the apartment.

The director was circling several spots on the map, "We are going to be shooting in these locations. If all goes to plan, we will have over an hour's worth of footage that will be in the final cut from these locations."

Pointing the closest area on the map from Konoha, the director narrowed his eyes as if he was calculating something, "It should take us four days to reach here, and two days to set up and then shoot the scene, assuming all the best."

Sakura looked at the small distance with wide eyes, 'That shouldn't even take a single day for a shinobi to reach...why four?!' Looking outside the window to see crew members loading the equipment into several carriages, she soon understood why.

Using the information she was given, Sakura was able to make a solid guess of how long it would take in total to travel, 'Over twenty days worth of travelling, and roughly eight days of shooting. Then from the last point, another five days to escort them up to lightning country which Kumo ninja then take over when we reach the border...geez.'

Hearing his name called out, the director then left the apartment to talk to someone, Leaving the shinobi as the only ones in the room. "So much distance to travel." Lee voiced out, which earned Sakura nodding in agreement.

Gai however was showing optimism, "With such a great amount of time for such a small distance...Yosh! We will have plenty of time to train then, Lee, Tenten." Both responded with 'Hai's', while the non team Gai member felt left out. Sensing the discomfort from the Godaime's apprentice, Tenten nudged Gai while clearing her throat.

Realising who he forgot, Gai instantly turned around and gave Sakura a teeth sparkling nice guy pose, "How very disrespectful and dense of me. Let us not forget our newest blossoming addition to Team Gai now as well!"

Sakura's twitching features said it all, 'HELP ME!', "E-Ermm Yes-hehe....shouldn't we focus on our mission though?"

"How very observant of you-"

'It's the obvious thing to do, you know, actually do the mission...you creep.'

Despite Sakura's musing, she didn't interrupt Gai, "-We however will have the opportunity to home our skills further during the time."

Tenten face palmed at that explanation actually not making any sense of logic at all, but she was able to get away with that since Gai's back was turned to her. Sakura would have done the same if he was not looking in her direction, "I-umm-understand then. I guess I can bring a few medical books along to read."

Shifting back to their mission, Gai looked at the map again, "This mission should be very straight forward, However we should remain alert, especially around this point." Gai pointed at a sport high up north to a place marked 'the valley of the end'.

"Why that place Gai-sensei?" Lee asked.

Before Gai could speak, Sakura answered, "Because it is close to Oto...the sound village." The lack of emotion in her voice caused heads to turn, but Gai was the only one to react with a firm nod.

"According to those Oto-nin you both apprehended, it appears they are taking particular interest in thwarting any missions being undertaken by Konoha. Consider it trying to make people question our reputation if we suddenly had a streak of failures. The Daimyou wouldn't be pleased for such to happen, and may possibly consider giving more missions to other hidden villages with a higher success rate instead."

Walking to the window to gaze at the people below, Gai continued now very seriously, "Hokage-sama has bought this up already with the Jounin's, and she will be publically announcing it to both the Genin and Chuunin as well soon after we leave. While Oto is small, we cannot underestimate them in the slightest, especially because of who it is that is in charge of the country."

A heavy silence then filled the room, as Gai turned to see the expressions on his team's faces. Lee was at attention, while Tenten was showing her understanding the situation. The kunoichi standing a little father back was his primary concern, however, seeing that she too was showing a similar expression to Tenten, Gai gave a grin, "However, we will ensure our mission will be a grand success!"