Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto at all.

Author's Note: Sorry if you guys got mad at me for not writing. I've been training with my Gears of War team, so sue me. And so it seems my story is AU now, because Kishimoto killed off Asuma. Wow. Very nice. I also noticed I forgot to put a Naruto/Sakura sparring match a few chapters ago. Sorry bout that. And so that you remember for this story, Gaara never lost his demon.

Start Chap

No one said anything. For what seemed like an eternity, everyone was gazing at Naruto, now de-hooded. Still wondering if Hinata would faint when near him, Naruto decided to test it. He walked over to Hinata, put his face near hers, and said

"Yo."

She dropped like a bent twizzler. Everyone was still speechless, at the fact that someone who was supposed to be dead a long time ago was in the flesh right near them.

"My informants tell me that the Akatsuki are nearing our Southern border. Sasuke-kun's team(everyone winces), is going to cut them off, coming from the Southwest. Tsunade is going to give you guys a mission. You are to engage Akatsuki, while Sasuke surpises them. Once they are engaging, all of you will retreat, and my comrades and I will kill them." said Naruto

"When should we start moving?" asked Neji

"I...don't know. Naruto?" asked Gaara, also pulling down his hood.

Everyone was stunned. Gaara. All of them still remembered his bloodthirstiness at the chuunin exams. Yet, here he was, acting as dandy as could be.

"In...about 3 weeks. I'm briefing you about it now, so you can prepare yourselves, and do what you have to do. Your survival rate for the mission...is about 10." said Naruto

"What?! Your lying. Why should we even go on this mission anyway?" yelled Kiba

"So that you may rush to the defense of your village, is not that correct, Miss Tsunade?"

"Yes, Higure." said Tsunade with a dreamy look on her face.

And so, the day ended with most of the former Rookies saying their sorry's to Naruto, who in turn, said

"I don't care anymore."

As everyone was leaving, Sakura went over to him. She hugged him from behind as he was leaving.

"You can sleep at my place tonight, Naruto." said Sakura, hugging him tighter.

"Thanks, Sakura. But if I go, they go with me."

"They", meaning the other demon-vessels, turned around, knowing he meant them.

"Fine. They can come. But I've missed you. Just know that." said Sakura.

And at that, they went and slept at Sakura's place that night.

End Chap

Post Note: I don't care if my chaps are short anymore.