Hey, second installment. It's moving slowly so far I know, haha. A whole chapter with them walking! Oh, how exciting! Yeah, I know, but I'll kick up the movement soon. Just wanted to establish some stuff; and and I'm a details freak. XD

Anyway, hope you enjoy. Please review!

Edit: Thanks for tipping me about the incorrect suffixes!

Tsunade cleared her throat, and leaned forcefully over the cluttered desk with mission in hand. Her bosom was clearly exposed, and Naruto was clearly gawking. Sasuke was the first to notice--Sakura was softly shuffling her feet on spot (something of a nervous habit of hers, he assumed). And Kakashi was an adult... surely not a simple pervert like Naruto.

He felt uncomfortable being the only one aware of this awkward situation. He was scowling and looking the other way as Tsunade piped up, 'Do you want to take them with you?'

Naruto played oblivious to her game. 'What? What are you talking about?'

She smirked, obviously amused, and shook her shoulders slightly.

'Don't laugh at me! I was only looking at the amulet from the first Hokage! It's an interesting part of Konoha's history!'

'Be quiet Naruto. You're noisy', Kakashi stepped forward, gingerly slipping the paper from her fingers, then skillfully unfolding it.

Tsunade straightened up, 'Well?'

'An escort?' Kakashi smiled slightly, knowing this would be a walk in the park for them. His simple glee was interrupted by Sasuke, his voice breaking.

'If this is a simple escort, why assign a jounen?'

'Yeah! What's so great about this guy to require four elite ninja, such as ourselves?' Naruto had become increasingly impressed with his own skills in particular.

'Ah...' Tsunade let a sigh escape her. This group was a handful. 'If you would read that slip closer, you may notice you are escorting a royal figure to their home country. Royalty are important people, remember?'

She paused to quickly pick up a mug of tea from her desk, dwarfed by the towers of undone paperwork surrounding, and took a sip. Placing this item down slowly, she continued, 'The man you are escorting is young and insecure. Even after I assured him the three of you were excellent ninja, he insisted to have a jounen. He also carries many valuable items with him, along with his own carriage and horses. Your job will be to ward off petty thieves.'

Kakashi's smile was back, though faint underneath the dark fabric clinging to his skin.

'Valuable items, eh?' Naruto babbled on in his usual tone, elbowing Sasuke gently as the group walked out of the Hokage's office. 'Hey, d'you think he'll reward us with some of these valuable things for doing such an outstanding job of protecting him from thieves? Huh? Sasuke, are you well?'

Sasuke had let his head hang gradually during the time they were receiving their mission, but at this he straightened up and scowled his usual at Naruto. 'You're noisy', he said, and when Naruto had gone ahead he couldn't help suppressing a smile.

Sakura had been fairly quiet during this session. She was normally a very outspoken character, fists pumping in anticipation for work--similar to that of Naruto, but something had held her back.

Why is that..?

Kakashi glanced fleetingly at her. She looked puzzled, as if solving some impossible equation in her head. Her hair had grown since their last encounter, now gently framing her neck and shoulders as she walked.

'We've all been so quiet', he mused aloud.

'Ah? What are you talking about, Kaka-sensei?' Naruto yelled from over his shoulder. Loud as always.

'Well, except for you!' He called back, in a much softer tone.

Sakura thought she saw him giggle silently after this remark. 'Well...' she began, 'Then this will be like a new beginning for us, as four equal comrades, instead of three students and a teacher.'

'Ah... Then I suppose you ought to stop calling me sensei.' He winked.

Sasuke gave the usual silent look, walking briskly, but Naruto was enthralled. 'Kakashi!', he sang.

'Naruto!' Sakura snapped. 'That is not proper! Kaka-sensei was just joking; we still have to refer to him as the proper--'

Kakashi cut her off, 'Oh, no, I was being quite serious, Sakura. You do take me seriously, right?'

She laughed nervously, rattling off the best excuse she could muster, 'Yes, of course of do! I mean... well, it's just...' Somehow she couldn't finish her sentence.

Kakashi chuckled. He didn't want to drop this topic, curious about what Sakura really thought of her old sensei, but was gracious enough to do so somewhat, anyway. 'But you are right,' he said. 'This will be our first mission together as equals. A new beginning.'

The escort's carriage was in sight now. Their pace quickened slightly.

Equals... Sakura glanced up to Kakashi. He seemed to tower above her, stoic and so sure of himself. In his company, she had often felt inferior--being very much smaller in size in comparison. But this felt different. What had changed?

New beginnings... Sasuke remained silent. His feelings felt unknown to him; he'd never properly learned how to deal with his emotions. Maybe if he just ignored it, it would go away...

Maybe we'll get treated to expensive ramen afterward! Naruto was hopeful, as they approached the carriage. This mission had officially begun!