AN: I decided here to have a little reunion between the boys who first got given concentration tasks from Iruka-sensei for misbehaving. It makes sense to me that they would stick together, I mean, Kiba doesn't seem like he fits in with his team in terms of social life, because he actually has one. This is mostly just a demonstration of how exactly Sakura never seems to get them all out of the hospital. You can really imagine the four of them (five with Shika) getting into all sorts of trouble. Mainly humor this one. Disclaimer still applies.

840 words in this chapter

Missing in Action

Chapter five- Team mates

"So Sakura… who do you think it'll be?" Ino asked in a sing-song voice, obviously basking in the idea.

"Do we have to talk about this?"

"Yes we do"

Sakura sighed "it's a team mate. We know that for sure"

"What? How did you figure that one out?"

"'The remaining members of your teams'? She meant other than us and them, meaning that we are on the same teams."

"Not necessarily. It could be that they can't tell our team mates and theirs, in which case we don't have to be on the same team. Surely that would make more sense, seen as she also said that she had already asked them. She couldn't possibly know that we'd say yes so she's much more likely to cover all bases on it in case we ended up saying no.

"Also… if it is those from our teams, I doubt she is evil enough to put us with someone on our own team, otherwise it might jeopardize team relationships."

"That's only if your team isn't very professional. After all this is a mission, not an actual attempt at courtship."

"She wouldn't though, would she?"

"Wouldn't what?"

"Wouldn't put us with a team mate." Ino chewed on her bottom lip

"I certainly wouldn't put it passed her" Sakura frowned back, but when she noticed Ino's nervous action, decided to change tactics and put on a fake concerned face. "I wouldn't eat your entire lip if I was you off Ino-pig. There'll be none left for Chouji"

Ino went white again briefly, frozen in position and pulling to a halt in the street. "She'd better not." She muttered out meekly"I'd either die or cry… or maybe both"

Sakura turned to face her and smiled "not so hot now are you?"

"Don't laugh Sakura, it's not funny. How would you feel if I suggested that you invest in some ramen-flavored lip-gloss so you can pucker up for Na…?"

"Shut up Ino-pig. Like, right now" Sakura's eyes snapped wide as she glared off passed Ino's shoulder

"Why? You're allowed to make fun of me but I'm not allowed to-"

"Sakura-chan! Ino-chan!" a familiar voice yelled out right behind Ino, and she suddenly realized what Sakura had been glaring at.

"Jeez, Naruto, you loudmouthed little…" insert random muffled swearwords here while she held a hand to her ear, turning to face him "you almost deafened me! Do you have to be so bloody loud all of the time?"

Then her gaze shifted to the others beside him. Chouji and Kiba were standing, looking anywhere else but towards Ino, fearing that if they made eye contact, she would start on them.

Naruto continued on regardless of consequences "Have you guys seen Shikamaru around?"

"He was with Kakashi-sensei last we saw." Sakura informed him "Why?"

"Why was he with Kaka-sensei? Oh, never mind. Anyways Sakura-chan, old lady Tsunade said you weren't in the hospital today, that you were on leave or something."

"Why were you at the hospital Naruto?"

"Ah. Well um…"he shuffled his feet and held his hand around the back of his neck, flushing a dark red colour

"It's a great story actually," Kiba began "you see, we were heading down towards-"He stopped talking as Chouji's hand slapped over his mouth, stopping the words from leaving.

Chouji soon realized his mistake as Kiba sunk his teeth into the palm of his hand and he stepped back, squeaking in pain.

"If you wanted me not to tell you could have just said so" Kiba pointed out with a snarl, backed up with a quick yap from Akamaru.

Naruto ignored them both as they headed off back to the hospital for the second time that day. "So Sakura, um… are you doing anything tomorrow? If you have the day off then we could…"

"She has a mission" Ino snapped at him "something we need to be preparing for ok, so run along and play doctors with your friends"

He glared at her in surprise for a second, wondering whether to challenge her or not, but eventually thought better of it and ran off after the others "Kiba! Chouji! Wait up! Does this mean we aren't going for ramen?"

"Well that rules him out" Sakura sighed in relief

"Still ambiguous about Chouji but I think I'm safe. Oh dear Kami I just had a thought!"

"Shocking! You ought to be careful Ino-pig. You don't want to wear that tiny little brain of yours out"

"You know what? Just for that, I'm not going to tell you anymore"

"Yes you are. If only because you can never keep your mouth shut"

"Ok fine. You win. But only because I let you win"

"Hn"

"You see! Hah! You do have Sasuke-isms"

"Ino…" Sakura said warningly

"Ok, chill out. I just thought… that you might… get set up with Sai. You lucky cow. If you do and you have to seduce him, I am so going to kill you, alright?"

"Go ahead. I think that actually sounds a better alternative"

"You lie forehead-girl"