Chapter VI: The Search Begins
Gaara had finished his story for Tsunade, and they sat silently drinking tea at the desk, looking out the window.
"Konoha is a beautiful town." Gaara said.
"Yes it is. I have not seen such a quaint little village before." Tsunade replied.
"Granny Tsunade! I have assembled my team!" Naruto yelled happily as the team arranged themselves around him.
"Good Naruto! Now listen up! This is the mission agenda and plan."
Tsunade explained the mission details, and made sure that Naruto understood each step in the retrieval process to the letter.
"I get it Granny! Really, I am not stupid!" Naruto sighed.
"Good, just double checking that you do understand. You can be dense sometimes." Tsunade said with a smile.
"Okay, can we start now?" Naruto said, eager to get Sasuke back.
"Just a few warnings. Don't let him realse the Heaven's seal on his neck. If he does, you may all die."
"But the fox is still in me! I can fight off the teme with the Nine Tailed Fox's chakra. He wouldn't stand a chance!" Naruto said, his confidence in his ability to control the unruly beast in his belly making Tsunade feel less worried about a fight if one should break out.
"Yes. I just worry that his skills have gotten better than we could have known. He is twenty-eight now, and he had a long time to train. He has developed new techniques, and you must approach with care. Don't piss him off just because you can," Tsunade said, giving Naruto one of her impatient stares.
"We will be careful Granny! Don't worry!"
"I trust you Naruto, Kiba, Lee, and Hinata. Do this mission as best you can and if you return without the Uchiha boy, so be it. Just make sure you all come back in one piece!"
"Yes Granny! I promise!"
"Good! You are dismissed to get ready!"
"Thank you Granny-sama!" Naruto flashed a grin, and walked to the door with his group walking behind him.
They left, and Naruto and Hinata went to his room, and Hinata helped him pack, because he would always forget to bring something, and when they had finished, Naruto tugged her down onto the bed, and kissed her once on the lips.
When they parted, Hinata had a pale blush on her face, but she was smiling brightly.
"Naruto-kun... Not now..." She said quietly.
"Hinata? I just wanted a kiss that is all!" Naruto said with a look of innocence on his face.
They both started to chuckle, and then it turned into full out laughter, and the two walked to the waiting spot happily, Naruto slipping his arm around Hinata's waist.
"Naruto-kun?"
"Yes?"
"I love you!"
"I love you too Hinata."
They stood next to each other, a perfect contrast in mannerisms, but they where made for each other.
"I will go get packed. It should not take me long." Hinata said with a slight smile.
"Okay, just be fast though. And thanks for helping! I would never have remembered all that stuff!"
"No problem Naruto-kun!"
She left quickly and returned within ten minutes.
The next to arrive was Lee, who carried a large wire-frame pack.
"Naruto-kun, I am ready to go." Lee said, standing in a dramatic pose, the sunset to his back, making him look like a hero.
Then Kiba came last, carrying a rucksack.
"Alright! Lets get going!" Naruto said, stepping outside the gates, ready to start the mission.
"Lets GO!" The others said and followed him out.