Ah yes…the mighty second chapter of a story. Mostly by the request of a Lady Shikams. (Is she really a lady? ((In the noble sense)) I have no idea but I call people by weird names.) and an odd sense of guilt for not following through on one of the stories that I've written when I hold an honest to god idea as to where it's going.

I do not own Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, etc. etc. Or even Naruto in general and I wouldn't want too anyway since I'd screw it up if I did. (Seriously, Hidan and Kakuzu probably would have murdered half of Konoha and Pein would be the Supreme Divine Emperor who was advised by his valued lieutenants Zabuza, Haku, and Gaara.

Speaking of…if someone has an odd idea of how Akatsuki can somehow become involved in this story then TELL ME! …Cough Don't forget to review. I love reviews. They encourage me to continue. Even if you've reviewed before.

The sun was shining and the air was a nice warm temperature that kept the old people on their porches complaining about rude young people with their loud music and big angry summoned snakes. In an utterly unrelated note Konoha has the highest old age expectancy and more then a couple old geezers were old enough to call Orochimaru a whipper-snapper and get away with it. Ninja teams were either out practicing or getting their own little missions but for the most part were simply getting ready for upcoming good will tournament between Suna and Konoha to help repair diplomatic relations after the…little invasion that had taken place. Not quite as important as a Chuunin exam but for the kids going up against well trained Suna genin (and vice-a-versa) it was a very tense matter to bring up. Among those preparing for the upcoming battles was Kakashi's squad, Team 7.

…Or at least it would once Sasuke showed up.

Uchiha Sasuke had been growing steadily later and later to missions and practices ever since the on-set of 'The Crimson Menace' as Sasuke called her with dark whispers. It had actually become bad enough that Kakashi got there before the dark haired genin was. And that is truly a horrible thing to contemplate though at least he had a good reason to do it. After all he was still pretty banged up after Sakura had thrashed him something fierce after Naruto's leaked news, and his paranoia had become great enough that 'The Crimson Menace' (Who's name Sasuke didn't even know) could defeat even the great Fourth Hokage. The rest of Team Seven just nodded understandingly and upped his medication. Eventually though he had become well enough for practice and he had quite literally been dragged away from the Uchiha mansion to train again for the upcoming festivities. At first nothing seemed different with the Itachi-inspired angsty rants and dark brooding nature, but after awhile he had begun to pull Naruto off to the side for whispered conferences about what he had discovered while sick and most of it could be summed up on a short list that Sasuke had made.

1.) She lived at the Suna embassy so it was logical to conclude that she was a Suna ninja.

2.) The Crimson Menace always had that bandage over her forehead though sometimes it seemed to mysteriously switch sides.

3.) Two piercings in one ear.

4.)Must be an introverted individual since the Sand Siblings were at the Embassy too and Gaara hadn't sand-smushed her yet.

5.)Had hair as red as a ripe tomato.

6.)Really nice eyes…

At seven the list usually degenerated into glowing comments about her body and Naruto would merely roll his eyes and threaten to tell Sakura that he was stalking a foreign girl, Sasuke would get angry, the two would start fighting, and Sakura would come over anyway to beat some sense into Naruto and try to convince Sasuke that it wasn't worth his time pick on Naruto.

That was about a month ago.

At that moment Naruto laid on a grassy hillside and used one hand to shade his eyes from the sun above. Muscles aching from the latest grueling exercise that Kakashi developed that made the kitsune honestly consider trying to get Gai to accept him on his team, Naruto merely let out a groan of discomfort and used his free hand to idly twirl a kunai around his left index finger. A couple of butterflies flitted from flower to flower and it was a generally relaxing place to rest and relax. A pair of pearly eyes looked down at Naruto from the highest branches of the tree, concealed amongst the thickest tuft of leaves and branches though it was a very uncomfortable place to hide. Not that Naruto was even looking for someone possibly watching him. So it was a rather large surprise to hear soft foot steps over the curve of the hillside and coming towards him.

Propping himself up on his elbows the spiky haired knuckleheaded ninja blinks in surprise at the sudden outbreak of bright crimson red that was looking back at him with a vaguely apathetic expression.

Wow, I can't shake the feeling that I've met her somewhere before…Sasuke's right though, she IS pretty. Not Sakura pretty but definitely pretty…and scary too. With a shudder Naruto ripped his eyes away from the Crimson Menace and rose up from the grassy knoll and put his hands on his hips waiting for the other ninja to talk first. On the other hand the girl merely crossed her arms over her chest and stared right back, with an expression that could have curdled milk had any been close by.

"So…hey." Naruto said clumsily having broke the silence first and was unable to hide the excitement bubbling up inside of him. What else could he feel? This could be his chance to get enough inside information to end Sasuke's creepy obsession and get him back on track with his other one.

"…"

"Hey, aren't you going to answer? I said hello!" He said a bit louder, figuring that the Suna-nin hadn't heard him. What with all the explosions and bangs in battle it was a surprise that more ninjas weren't deaf. Which made Naruto think maybe some where like Gai and Lee…it'd certainly explain why they were always so loud and didn't seem to hear whispers.

"…" Again silence though the corner of her lips had started to turn up in the beginning of a smile.

"…" An awkward silence descended between the two of them and the kitsune started to flush in his cheeks at the penetrating stare he was receiving from this complete stranger.

"You'll do. Want to get something to eat?" Both of them blinked when she spoke as if the both of them hadn't expected it to happen. As the two of them started to travel back around the curve of the hill, Naruto chatting cheerfully and The Crimson Menace listening patiently, two pearly eyes narrowed angrily and a hand tightened around the canary it had been holding. The good news was that there was still another parent to bring home the words and take care of the three eggs left behind…the bad news was that a hungry snake swallowed the rest of the ensemble the next day.

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I spy with your Third Eye…something that is soft.

Pervert.

What? You don't even know what I'm talking about!

No, but I know what direction the Eye is looking and your still a pervert.

Do you blame me? I mean…just look!

Of course I still blame you. What would you think if the being you thought was your mother was just peeping?

I don't have a mother.

Figures. She'd have probably drowned you at the first chance anyway.

Whatever brat. It's your turn.

Alright alright…hm…I spy with my sandy eye…something that should be killed.

Which one? You want lots of things dead.

Just guess.

…Oh…that trio.

Darn right.

You know we could always just…

You know the rules. We can only do that to hobos and nameless grass-nin.

For some odd odd reason I've decided that I'm gonna do an I-Spy little game at the end of each chapter for my own amusement. If people can actually guess what those two are looking at (Not to mention who those two are) then I'll give ya an internet cookie…But the only way you can guess is if you REVIEW! shameless attention man-street walker