Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto...

Chapter 4

And so it was that these fine young heroes set out (on foot, mind you) on their perilous quest. "How long exactly until we arrive at the Rain Kingdom?" Naruto asked.

"We are heading East, and we're currently in the west – which will make it a very long and troublesome time," said Shikamaru.

"What!" Naruto exclaimed, as his stomach began to rumble from hunger and he eyed Chouji's snack basket. "Don't worry, we will make scheduled stops along the way," Shikamaru said.

"Won't we seem rather conspicuous walking merrily like a bunch of schoolkids down a road like this?" Sakura asked.

"Oh don't worry Princess, soon we will be trekking through nothing but dense forest, with wild animals in them and other fearsome creatures," Tenten told her. Some of the guys chuckled.

Ino appeared aloof and poised as she walked alongside Tenten, "How did you become a knight?"

"I just walked into the bookshop and purchased a copy of 'Basic Knightology' ," Tenten said.

"Really? You can do that? WOW," Karin said in awe, already imagining herself as a knight. The guys, with the exception of Sasuke, were flat out laughing, hardly acceptable behaviour for knights. Tenten shook her head and smirked while Karin was looking mildly confused. After a long barren straight, they finally journeyed into some woodland. The morning sun was shining brightly, but a sliver of moon was still faintly visible in the cerulean blue sky. "I do hope there aren't any terrible creatures residing in the forest," Ino said.

"Oh no, there isn't, don't worry. All there is are fairies and magical pixie creatures," Tenten said.

"I've heard there's a dreaded troll here," said Chouji while munching on some snacks that he brought with him.

"Have you actually seen it?" asked Ino.

"I know I have, she's blonde, blue-eyed and afraid of creatures in the woods," Sakura said smugly.

"Why you!" Ino started, but she was cut off by Sasuke who said, "Hold it, I think we've got company." A dark shadow had darkened the pathway. Sasuke didn't know about the theory of shadows, but one thing was for sure, a large shadow doesn't necessarily mean a large person.

"Don't shoot!" a woman's voice pleaded.

"I beg your pardon?" Kiba asked, clearly confused as none of them carried a bow and arrow. Suigetsu stood brandishing his sword right in front of the frightened woman's face.

"Put that thing away before you take somebody's eye out," Shikamaru warned him.

"Who are you and what is your business?" Shino asked her, wasting no time.

"Shizune's Olde Magick Store," she answered, "I'm Shizune, the white witch of this woodland." Shizune had chin length dark hair and dark eyes and was rather pretty as Suigetsu immediately discovered. "Say, do you have a place nearby that we could perhaps rest at?" he asked with a cocky grin that showed off all his unusual pointy teeth.

"I have a B&B!" Shizune said brightly.

"Beautiful body?" Suigetsu asked with a smile.

Shizune started to blush, "No, actually, it's a bed and breakfast."

"Yes, well no thanks, we'll be off," Tenten said. There was a chorus of groans, everyone was now desperate for a break. "Well, Sasuke?" Tenten asked. Sasuke was leaning against a tree, looking deep in thought and frowning, "Okay. We'll stay. But not for too long, it's important we get to Lady Hinata's aid as soon as possible."

"And Lee," Naruto added.

"I thought your main concern was what Hidan was up to," Sakura said with a raised eyebrow at Sasuke.

"Hn. Of course, but this is first and foremost a rescue mission."

-X-

Hinata awoke, finding herself in a large bed, in an even larger room. She glanced around and saw Hidan standing at the window. She looked under the covers and was horrified to find that she was wearing only a petticoat. "Lord Hidan, did w-we?" she asked fearfully. Everything had happened in a blur yesterday, she wasn't even sure what exactly transpired. "No my sweet, I prefer to enjoy your hidden treasures on our wedding night," Hidan said. Hinata didn't know why, but she felt a sick disgust in the pit of her stomach.

"Shall I bring breakfast to you?" Hidan asked.

Hinata was frozen. What had she done? Everyone was going to be furious with her, she was a disgrace to the entire kingdom. And what about Lee! "Where is L-Lee?" Hinata asked Hidan, her voice quivering as she gripped the blankets closer to her as Hidan approached the bed. "He is well, not to worry. He is in the care of my associate, Sasori," said Hidan, "Now about that breakfast I was offering you, dear..."

"Um okay. W-where are my clothes?"

Hidan strode forward and opened a grand polished oak wardrobe filled to capacity with exquisite dresses. "All yours my dear."

"I don't ...I don't know what to say," Hinata said, in shock.

"How about 'I do' next week Saturday," Hidan said with a wink. Hinata smiled but her mind was reeling. Next Saturday! This couldn't possibly be happening to her. But you made this choice, said the voice in her head. Hidan had left the room, probably to get her the breakfast. He was suave, there was no denying that. Hinata took a bath and then walked to the wardrobe to pick something to wear. She found herself wanting her old dress back, even though it was stained and ruined. She smiled as she remembered Sasuke's horrified expression when he had seen what he had done. It was funny because he usually wasn't perturbed by anything nor did he readily ever apologise to people. She giggled softly at the memory while picking out a dress to wear.

-X-

"Let me see what that little do-gooder is up to," said Sasori, the dark wizard and puppet master who was once from the Sand Kingdom. The red-haired wizard waved his hand over a black orb and muttered some seriously weird words. Lee sat and watched him, he was bound to a chair and it wasn't at all comfortable. Sasori looked no older than Lee and he wore a black cloak with the hood drawn over his head. Lee's eyes widened when he saw what was reflected in the orb. "Hey those are the knights of Konoha! And Princess Sakura, Lady Ino and Lady Karin!"

"Keep it down you little worm," Sasori said in a low voice.

Lee strained to look into the orb to catch a glimpse of his friends rather than this horrid, dank place festering in darkness. "So...Shizune is helping those hero wannabe's," Sasori said, waving his hand over the orb with a satisfied smirk on his face. Lee watched, to his dismay, the images disappearing. Sasori draped a cloth over the orb and whirled around, studying Lee with a sinister look in his eyes.

"So, you're a knight?"

"Yes I am," Lee said proudly.

Sasori laughed softly, "Soon there will be no need for your kind. We will rule all."

This set off a series of warning bells in Lee's head. "What is Lord Hidan plotting?"

Sasori encircled the chair Lee was bound to like a vulture. Lee didn't quite like the triumphant look that Sasori's face wore. "There is a higher power at work, Hidan is merely a servant, as am I, but," and he paused, looking Lee in the eye, "We will be rewarded for our loyalty to the greater power."

Lee could hardly believe the situation – just yesterday they had been trying to rescue Sakura from that awful engagement and now Hinata and himself were trapped in the enemy's lair, evil was abound.

"So...what is the reward going to be?" asked Lee.

"Were you not listening boy! I hate repeating myself. I just mentioned that we will be rulers of all – all the five great kingdoms!"

"Oh," Lee said blandly.

-X-

At Shizune's little bed and breakfast, the rescue team was treated to a free meal, just because they mentioned to her that they were on a quest. She seemed delighted at the idea but disappointed that she could not join them. "Do you know Lord Hidan?" Sasuke asked her.

Shizune's expression darkened, "He is a foul man! He is close with my arch enemy – the dark wizard Sasori. They have an entire gang and are extremely dangerous."

"I see," Sasuke said, frowning.

Shizune's eyes suddenly lit up, "I have an idea!"

"Let's hear it!" said Naruto. Ideas were what they needed if they wanted to accomplish this mission.

"I want to help out, it's time Sasori learnt the true meaning of magic and how you're supposed to use it!" Shizune said.

"I'm afraid not. We don't need another person on this already overloaded bandwagon," Shikamaru said lazily. Shizune merely laughed.

'No, I'm not going to come along. I will help you in another way. Would you all agree that since you're going to be heroes, you should look the part?"

There was a chorus of excited yeah's! But Sasuke, Shino and Shikamaru looked sceptical.

"What exactly do you plan to do?" Sasuke asked.

"Individual modifications for everyone, to enhance their special talents," Shizune said, beaming.

Sasuke agreed to her idea and Shizune was soon muttering a spell, the room began to get engulfed in a funny purple mist. Sasuke felt oddly light-headed, he closed his eyes and waited for the feeling to cease, when it eventually did, he opened one eye and then both. Shizune was looking delighted.

"Wow," Ino whispered, she was looking like a swordswoman from the Amazon's. Sasuke glanced at his attire; midnight blue robes and he was holding a sceptre. Naruto also resembled some kind of magician. Shikamaru wore white robes and held a satchel. Sakura was in an Arabian outfit and she was staring transfixed at the daggers in her hand. Tenten, Ino and Karin looked like Greek warrior princesses while Shino resembled Robin Hood. Kiba had nunchucks, Neji had a bow and arrows and Suigetsu was in Roman gladiator outfit with a sword and shield.

"Well, what do you think?" Shizune asked.

"This is fantastic!" Suigetsu exclaimed.

"Can I have my sword back?" Sasuke asked, looking in disdain at the sceptre. It seemed to large and cumbersome for him.

"Ah, but this sceptre will become anything you want it to be, and so will yours, Naruto," Shizune told them.

"Thank you so much Shizune," Sakura said with a smile.

"My pleasure," said Shizune.

"How can we repay you for your kindness?" Sakura asked.

"It's no trouble. You just defeat Sasori and his evil band of friends!"

A/N: Hey! Thanks for all the awesome inspirational reviews! Keep it up and review this chapter haha

I think I need to explain some stuff here...any Karin fans, I am sorry for making her kind of air-headed, it's just for the story purposes. Also, I totally had fun writing Suigetsu as such a flirt. I can also see Shizune as being a good witch and Sasori as being the evil wizard rival, again, if there are any opposing views, this is all just for the purpose of the story. Hope you enjoyed reading!