Chapter 6

A Mission

Ari, Masuu, and all of Team 7 gathered inside the Hokage Headquarters. Tsunade sat with the village elders, Iruka, and Shizune.

"Team Suon, and Team 7!" Tsunade called out.

They all bowed their head in respect.

"We are about to assign you a very important mission. Team Suon, so you accept?" she asked.

Ari stepped forward. "I accept, Lady Hokage."

"Team 7, do you accept?"

Kakashi stepped forward next to Ari. "I accept as well, Lady Hokage." he nodded his head.

Tsunade nodded back. "Very well then. We have just bee informed that the Temple of the Sun in the Wind Country has been blocked. It has been invaded by Akatsuki members. Apparently they are looking for the Sun Spirit Taiyou. They're trying to release him from the seal.

Ari's magenta eyes flashed as Getsuna started to get riled up. Getsuna didn't like the Sun god very much. Legend says they were lovers once, but Taiyou left her for power. Ari rubbed her eyes.

"Your mission is to get in their and keep Taiyou sealed. He was kept there for a reason."

"What reason is that Lady Tsunade?" Sakura asked.

"Taiyou was the Sun spirit that ventured for more power. He was greedy, and if he obtained anymore power than what was given to him as a god, he would have basically burned up the world. Getsuna sealed him in the Wind Country centuries ago. And if he is broken free, that means Getsuna would be released from me so she could seal him again, therefore killing me and finding a new vessel." she said as if it was no big deal.

"But wasn't Getsuna sealed in the Water Country for trying to obtain more power?' Rock Lee asked.

Ari shook her head. "No. She was sealed as revenge but one of Taiyou's sun sprites. That was only a false legend spread. True, Getsuna was hotheaded and a bit of a Diva, but she wasn't power hungry."

They were all silent for a moment, until Kakashi spoke. "When shall we leave for this mission?" he asked.

"As soon as possible. You can't waste anytime. But watch out Ari, they need Getsuna to release Taiyou, and they know we are sending you with team 7."

Kakashi didn't like the sound of that. Tsunade made Ari seem like live bait to the Akatsuki. But he didn't dare argue. "I'll watch her." he said.

Ari glanced over at Kakashi, and Tsunade nodded. "Very well. Now, off! All of you!" she waved her hand in dismissal as Iruka handed Sakura the mission file.

~*~

Ari and Masuu packed lightly. They met team 7 at the front gates. Kakashi looked at Ari as they were about to leave. "You sure you want to do this Ari-chan?" he asked. She nodded and looked at Masuu, who seemed nervous beyond all reasons.

Masuu was going to the place were she was born. Her actual birth country was the Wind Country. Her parents were traveling, doing errands for the clan, and her mother went into labor before she left the village. Ari and Masuu visited from time to time, so errands for the Water country. Masuu had a rather large, but quite crush on the new Kazekage.

"Let's go!" Naruto said, seeming really excited for his first mission being back from training.

~*~

They arrived in the Sand Village in half a day's time. They were greeted by one of Gaara's siblings, Kankurou. "We're glad you made it in time." he said, leading them into Kazekage headquarters. "We have shinobi all lined up around the canyon where Taiyou's temple rests, but none of them can get in. We figured, since you have Ari, we can lure them out."

They all went inside Gaara's office as he stood at the large bay window overlooking the village.

"Kazekage-sama, Team Suon and Team 7 are here." he said.

Gaara turned around, he slightly smiled when he saw Naruto. "It's about time." he said in his low and quiet voice.

"Gaara-sama, when shall we send the shinobi down to the canyon?" Kankurou asked.

"They rest for tonight. However, in the morning, they will be brought to the canyons." Gaara said. "I will personally accompany all of you."

"Gaara-sama, I do not think that is-"

"Kankurou…" Gaara sighed. "I am Kazekage. It is my job to protect and help others."

Kankurou canned it.

Ari glanced over at Masuu, who was looking down at her shoes, obviously embarrassed to look at Gaara.

"Then our mission begins tomorrow." Ari said.

((A/N: This chapter was kind of pointless, but it was to fill in the blanks so ppl didn't get confused.))