"Shizune!" Tsunade called shortly after the three had left. "I'm opening three betting pools for all of Konoha." She began to explain, turning to stare out her window. "Konoha's citizens will bet on those three. The first pool; betting on whether they will make it back within a month or not. Pool two; betting on whether or not they will bring back the culprit. And finally, pool three would be bets on whether or not they'd even survive the mission. Spread the news tomorrow after I have escorted them." Tsunade said, twirling one blonde pigtail as she spoke.
"Tsunade-sama, don't you realize you're playing with their lives? This isn't a good idea." Shizune said nervously, her eyes filled with astonishment.
"Shizune, do not lecture me. I would have sent someone on this mission anyway." Tsunade said. Many thoughts played through Shizune's mind, but Tsunade was hokage, and her decision was final.
"Yes Tsunade-sama…" Shizune said, mixed emotions of worry and sadness playing across her face. This was just like Tsunade, but to risk three children's lives? It just didn't feel right, and Shizune didn't want a part of it.
--
As the three left Tsunade's office, Sakura landed a hard punch right on Naruto's pale cheek. As he slid and hit the floor Sakura kicked him once, before yanking him up.
"That was for staring at me naked this morning you pervert!" Sakura screamed. By now half the village was staring at them, and the pink haired nin didn't realize 'till sometime later.
"Na..Naruto?!" Hinata called loudly. Her mouth hung to the floor as she watched him take a beating from Sakura. Did they always act like this? Wasn't Naruto stronger than her? Sakura turned to Hinata, but while doing so she realized that the whole village was staring.
"Uh..um…HI EVERYBODY! We're just playing around! See? Go ahead Naruto, punch me and show them we're playing! AHAHAHAHAHAHA." Sakura said loud enough for the world to hear, and her laugh was phony as well. "You idiot Naruto. The second we're alone I'm going to strangle you." She continued in a low voice, gritting her teeth.
After walking a little further, the three decided to go home and pack. Well, Naruto was the only one really packing. Sakura and Hinata would just be making sure they had enough shuriken and kunai.
"A whole trip with Naruto all the way to the Waterfall village? I can't do this, not with Naruto!" Sakura said to herself, sulking as she walked home. If only he hadn't left, of only Sasuke would come back. As the days went by, she found herself unable to stop thinking about him. His beautiful face, his dark nature, it was so…perfect. Once home, she curled up in a ball on her bed as crimson tears ran down her rosy cheeks and on to the plain pink sheets.
"A whole trip with Naruto? I can't wait!" Hinata thought to herself. She was almost too excited to move, and there was a bright smile on her face the whole way home. She lit up her room with that beautiful smile of hers, and she was finally going to tell Naruto the truth. But, if she did, that could change their relationship for the worse. So many emotions, so many possibilities. It was a hard decision, but Hinata had to come out with it sometime, otherwise her little head would be filled with emotions of jealousy and sorrow, and she didn't want to live that way. What better time to tell Naruto than on a mission?
"A whole trip with Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, alone in his mess of a house. He snickered anxiously, as thoughts of her ran through his head.
"Oh Naruto, I've always loved you. Sasuke is a big poopy-head." Sakura said, her hands on her hips.
"I know, Sakura-chan, I know." Naruto exclaimed, thoughtfully.
"Let me kiss you." Sakura said, laying her lips on Naruto's.
"Now let me name you hokage because I'm also a big poopy-head!" Old lady Tsunade said, giving him a cloak and magical powers.
Naruto snickered as this played through his mind. "I can't wait for tomorrow!!" He yelled anxiously.
--
The next day, the three arrived early at Konohagakure's gates. The sky was a shade of blue, the morning sun not fully risen yet, casting a dim glow over the skies.
"Alright," Tsunade called, approaching the three tired ninja. "I trust you three have slept well, and are prepared for the mission. Remember the rules; be back within a month, and bring the perpetrator back ALIVE. Okay?" Tsunade said. Sleepily, the nin nodded, and Tsunade opened the gates. "Good luck to you three. Be sure to write!" Tsunade called.
By now Shizune had already opened the betting pools, and some bets were made. Kakashi and Kurenai objected strongly.
-Later in Tsunade's office-
"You can't send my two students off without my permission! You're toying with their lives you gambling freak!" Kakashi yelled. He was indeed worried. Sure, Sakura and Naruto had gotten much stronger, but Sakura and Naruto alone still weren't too amazing. It was extremely risky.
"And you can't send Hinata out either!" Kurenai added, rage in her voice. Her fists were clenched and she was banging loudly on Tsunade's desk whenever she spoke.
"Correction," Tsunade said, pushing Kurenai's hand off her desk. "I can. And I did. If you so much as even leave Konohagakure you will be punished, severely. Now leave." Tsunade said, her bitter brown eyes full of boredom and resent.
The two left quietly, then went their separate ways to do their daily business. Even with the sun high in the sky, that dim glow hadn't left, giving Konohagakure and eerie feel to it.
--
The three walked in silence. Naruto was waiting for Sakura to kiss him, Hinata just wanted to get to Waterfall and confess, and Sakura was busy punching and kicking trees as Hinata and Naruto walked side by side. Before long, they had reached Waterfall, and the three were amazed at the size of the waterfall protecting the village. As it splashed onto the rocks below, the three decided the entrance had to be behind it, so onward they went.
-Heh, please Comment! Sorry if it took long!-