Hey Hey Hey! How is everyone? Doing good? Well I kno this chapter took forever for me to crank out but I had Christmas and a crapload of other stuff to do so pleas forgive me! GOMEN NASAI !!!!!!

Anyhoo here is the newest chapter of Guardians. A bit of a transition chapter, but I hope you all enjoy it 

CHAPTER 5

The Mission

The sky had become as grey as Ferose's eyes had been when the eight Guardians emerged from Shikamaru's shadow teleportation technique. Hinata noted, with particular satisfaction that Naruto seemed upset at Hinata's cold shoulder treatment.

Shikamaru's voice woke her from her reverie. "We need to go talk to Tsunade-sama," he said as he started strolling into the village with his hands in his pockets. Temari ran to catch up to him and everyone else followed them at their own pace.

When they reached the Hokage's office, Naruto, who had run ahead in his eagerness to get away from the uncomfortable atmosphere that seemed to radiate from somewhere near Hinata, knocked on the door, and yelled, "Hey! Baa-san! We're back from those ruins. We brought back everyone else too!"

The door flew open and Naruto was confronted by the vicious face of the Fifth Hokage. "WHO'S A GRANNY, YOU BRAT?!" she yelled at him. Her voice was so strong that Naruto's usually spiky hair looked like he had dried it after a shower by taking a drive in a car with his head out the window. Tsunade's features softened however when she saw Shikamaru, Neji and Tenten. "Oh, everyone is here. What a relief…" she said with a sigh of relief. Beckoning them all into her office she went back to her chair and sat down in a slump.

"Something the matter, Hokage-sama?" Sasuke asked. Tsunade shook her head and then asked for the details of the mission. Everyone shared an uneasy glance with each other.

"What? Did something happen?" the well endowed Hokage inquired.

"Let me explain Hokage-sama," Neji said. "While we investigated a tunnel that I discovered with Byakugan, we were attacked by strange creatures. They appeared to use elemental jutsus and the like. Had we not run into Temari earlier due to a common goal of investigating the ruins for Sunakagure, we may not have lasted so long. We fell, after that battle, into a trap that sent us down many floors where we remained until Naruto and his group fell into a similar trap and we regrouped and told them of the strange enemies. More creatures appeared and we were cornered against a strange door bearing symbols of various elements. When we all touched a certain one, the door opened and then closed behind us, revealing a giant room made of crystal. There were eight crystals in the center that seemed to represent these elements and we were somehow fused to spirits, much like the Kyuubi, of the aforementioned elements."

Tsunade sat very still after this extensive recap of the recent events. Finally, she spoke, asking, "What do these spirits want?"

"Apparently, they wish to stop an organization known as True Nature who is attempting to overthrow the heavens and its inhabitants."

Tsunade was struck stupid. "You mean to tell me that there are people out there planning to overthrow the gods? How?"

Hinata timidly raised her hand and spoke, "I believe they plan to use an ancient art that was used to summon familiars to aid a person in battle. We also have this ability to create a familiar of our elemental spirit."

"Yeah, yeah! Baa-san watch!" Naruto exclaimed as he put two fingers together and drew a circle on his palm. The area he traced left a yellow line and a small, yellow fox popped out of the circle-turned-portal. Everyone looked at it with fascination, due to not having seen one yet. Naruto was confused though. "Hey Rai, why are you in the shape of a fox when you were a lion earlier?"

Somehow it feels as if you have an affinity with foxes and truthfully, this is much more comfortable.

"It spoke!" Tsunade proclaimed, shocked. Rai looked at her and spoke to her directly.

Please refer to me as Rai, not "It." I, too, have feelings.

"Uh, sorry."

It is fine. Now, everyone else, mimic Naruto and allow your familiars to take physical form.

Everyone drew a circle in their hand and soon various animals of various colors stood upon everyone but Tsunade's palm. Sakura held a small, flaming phoenix, while Sasuke gazed at his light blue wolf, sniffing about on his hand. Neji's dark blue shark floated above his hand by some unknown force. Hinata held a small, vibrant dove that had its wing folded and settled in her cupped hands. Temari watched as her animal, a green gryphon flew about, chasing her finger as she traced paths for it to follow. Tenten looked at the tiny mole in her hands and watched with interest as it burrowed through her hands, with no physical harm to her, meanwhile Shikamaru stared disinterestedly at the purple spider with black clouds around it crawl around on his arm.

As one the spirits spoke. The girl we encountered is part of True Nature and used a dangerous technique even among familiar users. Inbahts are strong enough to negate elements and she could control so many with ease. We will do well to avoid her. However, True Nature is very strong and influential in the world. Opposing them in the open is a large mistake. We must strike at them in various key locations. This could take many months and maybe years but it has to be done and only you can do it. Will you, is the question.

"There is no way I'm backing out of a challenge like this!" Naruto exclaimed. The others just nodded and smiled at the hyperactive knucklehead.

Very well then. You all must go and pack as If this were any other mission but remember this is much, much more. You will need all your money and plenty of food.

The eight departed from the Hokage's building as a very sober group. Hinata was the only one besides Shikamaru not to dismiss their familiar. She let Raito fly around her head as she strolled through town. You shouldn't be mad at him you know.

Who? Hinata asked. Naruto? He let that girl kiss him! I didn't think he was like that in that anyone could just go up to him and kiss him and he wouldn't be bothered by it!

Who said he wasn't bothered? He seemed rather upset that you were ignoring him perhaps you should try to reconcile a bit, huh?

Hinata sighed. You're right Raito. I'll try to be nicer on the journey okay?

Hey don't tell me tell yourself!

How was it everyone? Will you please review? I like it when everyone reviews. Even if you reviewed once before please keep reviewing for me!!!