Yo yo yo! Jayenator and Chapter 4 in the house!

Anyway… about the late update. Anyone living in the Caribbean region has probably heard about the death of my aunt so yea I hope that explains it. If not well she was like a second parent to me cause me like many others didn't have a dad in their lives. That kinda induced some serious writer's block so yea I'm back. I actually changed this chapter a lot especially amidst some criticism I received which will be addressed later.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto! I DO own Senji and Suonyo so in your faces!

~Previously on 'The Lost Clan'~

"Say one more thing. Just one more and I swear….I'll kill you with one attack. It'll be so fast that you'll forget to blink."

"We are from Konoha."

"I assure you that we are telling the truth." Said Senji his hand extended in an act of trust

"What reason could we possibly have for lying anyway?"

While all of this was being discussed Suonyo took it upon herself to get comfy.

"Eh dog breath fetch me some water would ya?" ordered Suonyo as she proceeded to get up and began to stretch

"For your information kid I am not your slave and my name is Kiba Inuzuka!"

"Arf arf"

"You tell her Akamaru. And where do you think you're going? Stay put or I'll have to tie you up."

"Alright already sheesh. Look at you mister sensitive." She lay down against the nearest tree trunk, placing her arms behind her head.

'Wow who thought an Inuzuka could be so sensitive. It's not like I know where the nearest water supply is.'

Suonyo and Senji suddenly sat up with their backs rigid and muscles tensed as a figure suddenly shun shined between Suonyo and the currently agitated Kiba and Akamaru.

Senji relaxed his body and scrunched his eyebrows together in thought 'I wonder why he came back. They must want to separate us. Strategically that is the most logical move on their part. At any rate this Shino guy will be less easy to irritate than the others.'

"Kiba, you are to take Enji to Sakura for an examination and some healing. I'll stay here with the girl. Also, I will be taking the first watch." Spoke Shino

Kiba started "But Shino I-"A look from the Aburame was all it took to silence the ninja hound's master. "Right…I'll take Enji."

Moments later Enji had his back pack and limped behind Kiba's relaxed pace towards the medic Nin's tent.

"Huh" scoffed Suonyo "I guess your Inuzuka friend isn't very quick with plan uptakes burgomaster." She cast a sly smile in Shino's direction. Seemingly mocking his team mate's integrity.

Shino's only response was his regular drawl of "Kiba is smarter than he looks… and apparently" he pointed out with a now raised eye brow, "so are you."

"Well, it was obvious. Even from my standpoint…what had transpired between you and the other two nin you were talking about." Explained Suonyo, an amused grin on her face. She began a slow advance towards Shino. "You see, to separate us is one thing…but who you paired us up with is another." Suonyo now stood just a few meters from Shino who didn't step down from her obvious attempt at unnerving him. She stepped closer yet until Shino could feel her warm breath fan the left side of his face. Still he remained impassive.

"You see" Suonyo whispered playfully into Shino's ear "My brother is visibly weaker than me in our current state. And you believe that I can easily be detained by your kikaichu beetles."

Now it was Shino's turn to get in on this little game. He leaned down ever so closely. His lips briefly brushing pass her cheek to her ear as his breath ghosted along her tan skin. Shino started in an even quieter and possibly more threatening whisper than Suonyo "Are you insinuating… that we were wrong in assuming that I could restrain you if need be?"

Suonyo could have sworn that she felt something stir within her at their close proximity which both ninja were very aware of. A slight tingle travelled down her spine causing her to outwardly grin. She would enjoy getting to know this particular shinobi. Even if it killed her.

"On the contrary bug boy." smirked Suonyo as both participants unconsciously took a step back. "I was simply 'voicing my theories.' Whether or not I was right is entirely up to you."

Suonyo moved back into a sitting position and casually leaned against the same tree trunk as earlier never breaking Shino's calculating gaze, as he stood with his hands firmly in his pockets, deep in thought.

'I have either greatly underestimated her…or she just has a way with words and psychology. Still…to retaliate as I did. No one has ever gotten that close to me. Not since…not since then. NO. I cannot let her get to me. If she had touched my skin…If I had touched hers…She could have-That is why I must remain neutral. I must keep my distance. My isolation is for their own good. To protect my village and my friends.'

Meanwhile in the medical tent~

Sakura cradled Naruto's hurt arm and carefully adjusted her body to grab the scroll containing her medical supplies.

'Darn, it's too far away.'

Sakura huffed and turned to Naruto "Remember not to fall asleep Naruto I just gotta grab my stuff and try to stop moving around like that. My bag is just right there in the corner."

As soon as Sakura turned her back Naruto decided 'Now's- ugh- now's my…my chance! If only-huh- my body and my head would stop this unbearable throbbing. Outwardly Naruto lightly balled his hands into fists. 'I need to get her before she harms the others.' With a great heave and a restrained grunt Naruto elevated himself off the floor and grabbed Sakura's nearby katana. 'I don't care what she looks like. I-I ugh' Naruto clutched his head in agony and felt a cool liquid dribble down the side of his hands. 'I must…protect my-my friends!'

With that Naruto was standing upright and limped forward. Sakura who was too busy searching her sealed scrolls for the right materials was completely oblivious to Naruto's inward pains and outward struggles, subconsciously noting that his little grunts were an indication of his consciousness and nothing else.

~By the sleeping tents~

Ino had just retired into her tent for a well deserved rest and left a currently pacing Shikamaru in charge. He had remembered awhile back having to glance through a bingo book for a mission just last month regarding a rogue ninja and some bounty hunters.

"Well, it makes no sense pacing about it. I'll have to hope I brought it along with me as troublesome as it is." Stated Shikamaru who was feverently searching through his backpack for the object that held his thoughts in such an alert state.

"Here it is. The bingo book Asuma-sensei gave me. It's outdated but it'll have to do. I had to return the one Hokage-sama let me borrow so until we reach the village this is my best bet. Still." Said Shikamaru looking doubtfully at the overused and tattered covers of his bingo book "If there's any clue to those two this is the best place to look right now."

Shikamaru was so caught up in his research that he hadn't noticed Kiba and the limping figure behind him until they were right in front of him. "Hey there Shikamaru, Sakura's still in there right?"

"Wha? Uh-"

Shikamaru's hand darted to the ninja pouch around his leg where he safely deposited the book away from prying eyes. Unfortunately Senji's trained eyes were quick to pick up on the action. Physically Senji's calm and collected appearance was enough to cause Shikamaru to believe that Senji hadn't noticed the book. He is in pretty bad shape. However, on the inside Senji's head was racing.

'For the love of all things holy! Did Suonyo already blow our cover! What if they take me to Sakura and have her inject me with some kinda poison to kill me? Or the Shikamaru guy might stab me in the back if I turn around!AAAaaawwww MAN! I need to think, I mean…maybe it wasn't a bingo book. Yea, yea maybe. Just maybe. He's like Kakashi and didn't want us to see it. I mean the Icha Icha books are about the same height as a Bingo Book. Yea that has to be it. Shikamaru is a closet perv!'

'...Yea smart guy and maybe the Kyuubi no yoko is really a kind understanding beast that you can domesticate and rename foxy.'Who knew you could have sarcastic talks with yourself.

'Anyway I gotta focus. Look for all and any signs of traps…We're GONNERS!'

Senji came out of his depressing thoughts just in time to hear a loud scream echo from the medical tent right in front of them.

"What the!" All the ninjas looked towards the medical tent that was just 11 feet away from them. "Shikamaru stay here with Enji!" ordered Kiba as he and Akamaru raced forward

"What! Kiba wait! Damn." Shikamaru clicked his tongue in annoyance at Kiba's brash actions

"Shikamaru what happened!" yelled a disheveled Ino emerging from her sleeping tent

"Uh, I think Sakura just screamed and Kiba went in there just now to help her."

Ino began racing towards the tent just as Kiba had "I'll go make sure everything's okay. You stay there with Enji-san."

"But-I. Well damn again." Shikamaru sighed and turned a weary face towards Senji. "You'd better sit down by me. Can't have you bleeding out." Stated Shikamaru he sat back in front of his tent and fixed his bag around so Senji could sit.

"But…aren't you gonna help your friends?" innocently asked Senji

"And leave you alone? What do you think I'm stupid or are you genuinely concerned?" Shikamaru's eyebrow cocked ever so slightly at the question

"You tell me. You are the smart one."

Shikamaru smirked "Heh I guess I am. But with all things considered we'll be following orders and staying here."

~On the other side of camp~

"I don't suppose you could give me some water? I asked dog-breath but he was rather unco-operative."

"Are you sure it wasn't the way in which you asked about the water that made him unwilling to give it to you?" Shino sent a side glance at his captive.

At the same moment Suonyo's sharpened eyes noticed a slight movement near Shino's high collar. Although instinctively hidden in the slight shadow casted by Shino's collar she could recognize that particular arachnid anywhere.

"Why hello there. ." She slowly reached out her finger and a tiny web latched onto her outstretched arm at the end of which was a moss green spider that crawled onto it and up her arm to her shoulder.

"You saw my Bienkai spider? Impressive." Shino turned towards her watching the deft movements of his bug.

Even Suonyo knew that had to be high praise coming from Shino.

She smirked."Do I denote a hint of suspicion in your voice Shino-kun?" She raised her hand slightly fascinated at the arthropod's precise movements around her fingers.

"Considering that the only way for a ninja to recognize the miniscule patterns on the infinitesimally minute thorax of the spider." Stated Shino moving closer while pointing out the middle section of the spider. "Is if you've been trained from your youth like those in my clan. Well." Stated Shino gazing intently at Suonyo, "How do you expect me to feel Ms.Chan."

Suonyo let out a breathless sigh and cast downcast eyes towards Shino, sadness evident on her slightly darkened features. Maybe he had hit a sensitive spot for this was the one emotion Shino least expected to witness from any of their new 'friends'.

With a bitter smile on her face Suonyo replied "If you must know bug boy." Placing the spider on Shino's arm sleeve and watching it disappear almost instantly.

"I didn't exactly have the easiest childhood…" She gazed away deep into a trance recalling her painful past.

"Sukyo I- I am sorry." Said Shino regretting seeing her so distraught. It was such a contrast from her earlier bright demeanor.

"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I'm basically a stranger to you anyway."

Looking back towards Shino she gave him a grateful smile. "You're not as bad as you look Shino. But still you deserve some sort of answer." She said with a sigh

"To make a long story short, my mother was in a rather abusive relationship. Me being the coward I was could never stand to watch my mom's pain. So, I always ran away to the forest." She softened her gaze at maybe her only fond childhood memory

" In the trees, with the flora and the fauna. That was the only place I ever truly felt at home. The animals welcomed me and I made some of my greatest friends."

"Shino gazed at her, a new found respect present in his eyes hidden behind his glasses. There was more to her than he might ever truly be able to understand. She, like him. Had witnessed the pain of a torn and shattered family.

Meanwhile in the medical tent*again*~

Kiba rushed in and tackled Naruto to the ground successfully retrieving Sakura's katana while Akamaru stood defensively in front of Sakura. Naruto tried to roll Kiba off of him and slightly screamed at the pain his body was feeling.

"Kiba that's enough!" shouted Sakura worried about her hurt team mate.

Kiba swiftly jumped backwards off of Naruto to stand beside Akamaru and took out a kunai.

"Why-ugh Kiba! Why won't you listen!"Screamed Naruto he could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, just enough that he could maneuver efficiently.

"Listen to me! That is NOT Sakura!" yelled Naruto enraged that his friend didn't believe him

"Okay buddy I hear ya. Kay but you got quite the wallop to the head and I'm not sure how this head trauma stuff works but I'm pretty sure that you're delusional at the very least."

At that moment Ino burst through the tent alarmed at the scene in front of her.

"Kiba what the hell is going on!" demanded Ino

"Well I heard Sakura scream so me and Akamaru came in. Next thing I know Naruto's rushing Sakura with a katana! I jumped at him and took it and now we're all here."

Ino took calm reassuring steps towards Naruto's seething form hands up in a sign of peace.

"Look Naruto you've had a rough day okay? I understand your mind may seem a bit foggy but you're recovering from a major concussion. I need you to just relax and-"

Naruto suddenly lurched forward onto one knee clutching his head in agony. Sakura and Ino quickly rushed forward to his side.

"Naruto! Here just let me see your-"

"No!"He shouted swiping his hands at Sakura's outstretched ones

"I know you're not Sakura…because Sakura is DEAD. She told me so!"

Who could've told Naruto that Sakura is dead? Is he really delusional or is something else going on? Will I finally get to include Pakkun?

You'll just have to wait and see.

OOoooh! Betcha didn't expect that now did ya?

I know

I rock!

Now you may be thinking how can you have NaruSaku without you know Sakura?

You'll just have to wait and see

To Basher: I'd just like to apologize to basher and any fans who thought that I was trying to make Naruto look like weak and to quote Basher - "where the blond is a immature dunce who always gets hit and being a spineless weakling;" I never intended to have Naruto portrayed this way, I was simply making a play on the fact that he used to pull a ton of pranks in his earlier genin days. If I have offended anyone in any way or form through my writing I am deeply sorry and will try to be more thoughtful of how others may view my writing as opposed to myself. As for you Basher since I couldn't send you a PM to personally apologize I hope you will take this instead.

Peace!

Jayenator out!

R n' R