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Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Augh…my stomach hurts…so much… Midori thought drowsily as she sat up. Then everything came back to her. She tossed the blanket off of her body and stared at her body and lifted the end of her shirt to see that her stomach was completely normal. "Must be medical ninjutsu…" Midori said to herself. "I've really got to start getting better…"

"If you keep talking to yourself like that, people will start to think you're strange."

Midori gasped and pulled her shirt back down so she wouldn't expose her stomach. Then she looked toward the person who spoke and paled considerably. The person was Neji, no surprise there. But what was a surprise was that Neji was shirtless.

You're a big girl, Midori. This isn't the first time you've seen…okay…maybe it is… Midori averted her eyes. Neji instantly noticed that Midori's expression was of utmost embarrassment, he looked around for a shirt to wear. Luckily, he found a hospital shirt sitting on the bedside table next to him and quickly slipped it over his head.

"So um…" Midori said lamely. "It looks like…our wounds are healed."

Neji nodded. Then he stared at her for a second. "Your hair is…different."

"What?" She looked around the room for a mirror but to no avail. However, she noticed a window and walked over to examine her reflection. "Oh…you're right. It's shorter." She turned around to see Neji inspecting the tail to his hair as well. "I've heard of a healing jutsu that uses a sample from a person to convert it into different types of cells. It's really advanced so the medics probably used some of our hair to repair the damage to our body."

"I see."

An awkward silence descended upon the room as Midori stared out the window blankly. Neji joined her, and although hesitant, spoke. "Is being a shinobi really your kind of style, Midori?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's nothing personal," Neji said. "It's just that you don't seem the type to be a ninja. You just don't have…the intent to kill. Understand?"

"Yeah…"

"The situation we were in against that sound nin isn't unlike any other situation that shinobi would have every day. To put it bluntly, it's dangerous. You'd be forced to kill other people. You just don't seem like the kind of person to do that. Do you think you'd be able to handle it?"

"You sound like my sensei," Midori said with a half-hearted smile. "Are you telling me that you're worried, Neji?"

"I just don't think you're well to fight in the field."

"Thanks for your concern, but I decided a long time ago, ever since I came here, what I wanted to be," Midori said. "I want to be a medic nin."

"By yourself?" Neji questioned skeptically.

"Well um…"

It was then the door opened to reveal Shizune and two medic nin clad in white at her sides. "Oh good! You two are up already!"

"You did say that the operation was flawless, Shizune-san," one medic pointed out.

"Thank you for the operation, Shizune-san," Midori said, bowing.

"Yes," Neji agreed, following Midori's lead. "We're still alive thanks to you."

"Anyone would've done it," Shizune said, waving it off. "You two must stay in the hospital for about a day for precautions. If all goes well, you may leave tonight."

"All right," Neji said, though he didn't look happy.

Shizune smiled and said, "Well I need to check up on the other patients. You two check Neji-kun and Midori-chan's statuses." She started walking out the door, but she felt a light tap on her shoulder so she turned around. "Yes?"

"Um…Shizune-san…" Midori said as she walked into the hallway with Shizune. "I was wondering if maybe…you could get Tsunade-sama to teach me medical ninjutsu."

"Eh?"

"Er, if it's not too much trouble!" Midori said quickly. "I-I really want to…learn it. I want to protect and save lives. Fighting isn't really my thing, and I haven't really gotten all that far on my own…so…"

"I'm sorry, Midori-chan," Shizune said with a frown, "But Tsunade-sama is training Sakura. I know for one that she never takes more than one apprentice at once."

Midori lowered her head. "Oh. All right. Thanks for…telling me."

"But…"

Midori lifted her gaze with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"I think…I could train you."

Midori's mouth contorted into a large smile. "R-Really?"

"Of course!" Shizune said. "I was trained by Tsunade-sama myself, and I remember clearly how she taught me! I may not be legendary, but if you'll allow me…"

"Yes…Yes!" Midori nodded eagerly then clasped her hands together and bowed many times. "Thank you, thank you very much, Shizune-san!"

"Shizune-sensei now," Shizune smiled.

"And I see you're well."

"Marieke-sensei!" Midori exclaimed.

"Hey, Midori," Marieke said, placing a hand fondly on her student's head. "Good to see you're back."

"Thanks. Did you check on Nami and Kyoko?"

"Yes, and they're perfectly fine. I wouldn't be worried. After all, your injury was pretty nasty I hear."

Midori flushed slightly. "Yeah but…Shizune-sensei healed both Neji and me."

"Shizune-sensei?"

"Shizune-sensei will be my sensei in medical ninjutsu," Midori beamed.

"Oh really?" Marieke said, turning to Shizune. "Well, Shizune, I'd like to ask if you know where Hokage-sama is."

"She left for her office to do some work."

"Thank you."

As her sensei left, Midori wondered what Marieke wanted from Tsunade. However, her thoughts were interrupted by one of the medic nin who had asked for her to perform a few tests so he could check up how well her condition was.

Once Marieke left the building, she headed straight for the Hokage Tower. A memory flashed through her mind.

Flashback

"Just be careful. I'm sure Orochimaru has or will be receiving the information of you all soon. If worst comes to worst, I promise to protect you all with my life."

End Flashback

"When I said that, I meant by all means necessary…" Marieke said to herself. "Sorry girls, but this is for your own good." She entered the tower and saw Izumo and Kotetsu standing with their backs leaning against the wall in the main room. She acknowledged them with a small wave.

"What's up, Marieke-san?" Izumo asked.

"I'd like to see Hokage-sama."

"Sure. Follow us."

Kotetsu knocked lightly on the door and opened it. "Someone's here to see you, Hokage-sama."

"All right, all right."

Marieke walked in and bowed respectfully. "Hokage-sama, you know my team, is that right?"

"Hm…The all-kunoichi team," Tsunade nodded, clasping her hands together in a dignified way. "Yes. What about them?"

"They just came back from the rescue mission and were badly injured."

"I'm aware of that. They're all fine."

"Yes, but the thing is, I'd like you to ban the girls from receiving any missions above D-Rank and out of the village."

"Why is that? You know better than I do that its crucial for all teams to complete higher ranked missions during this time, no matter what rank."

"Yes, but this is a special case."

"How so?"

"I will explain, but I must ask that you listen until the end and give no judgment until then."

"Very well."

Marieke then proceeded to explain what the girls had told her as best as she could. She couldn't read the Godaime Hokage's expressions, so she wasn't able to conclude whether or not Tsunade thought she was a loony. Once she finished, she stared at the Hokage, awaiting a reaction with a serious face.

"Interesting story, Marieke."

"It isn't a story, Hokage-sama."

"Right, right. Look, I'd like to believe you, but I'm going to need more proof than that to ban them from missions over D-Rank. If you can't prove they'll be in danger, I can't waste another team's responsibility."

Marieke frowned. "What do you recommend?"

"I'd say send them on a mission outside of Konoha," Tsunade said.

"I'll be there, right?"

"Of course. It'll just be a C-Ranked mission, simple delivery assistance and guard duty to Kiba no Kuni. This mission will take a few days, and in that time, if anyone is after them, they would surely attack. If all goes well, I'll know that there's nothing to worry about."

"Isn't that a little reckless?"

"Are you questioning my suggestion?"

"…Of course not, Hokage-sama."

"Excellent. Be her with your students bright and early tomorrow. I also request you bring along Uzumaki Naruto."

"Uzumaki Naruto," Marieke repeated, a bit surprised.

"Yes. Any further questions?"

"No."

"Good. Dismissed."

---

"A mission? Finally!" Kyoko cheered.

Marieke was genuinely surprised. "You girls are ready to go out on a mission after all you've been through already?"

"Yeah, of course," Kyoko said. "We have to train to get stronger, and missions are the best training!"

"Didja figure that out all by yourself?" Nami teased.

"Konoha must have a remarkable amount of mission to complete if they're giving us a C-Rank after the one before…" Midori murmured. "How long will it be, sensei?"

"Several days at the least," Marieke replied. "Oh, and one more thing. Uzumaki Naruto will be accompanying us as well."

"Huh? Why him?" Nami questioned.

"Hokage-sama requested him herself."

"Okay…"

"I'll alert Kakashi and we will all meet tomorrow morning at the entrance gate," Marieke continued. "That's where the delivery unit will be. Until then, I want you all to prepare." Then she promptly dissipated in a cloud of smoke.

"I'm going to go pack," Midori said right away. "Are you guys coming?"

"We've got hours," Nami shrugged as she leaned back. "I wanna relax before we do another boring mission."

"Do what you want," her teammate sighed as she left.

Kyoko subsequently stood up herself and started to take her leave, causing Nami to sit up and say, "Where are you going?"

"None of your business," was Kyoko's answer.

Nami made a face at the back of her teammate's head and lay back down. Whatever Kyoko wanted to do didn't terribly snag her curiosity…much. Besides, Nami had more important things to think about.

Unbeknownst to either of her friends, Kyoko had gone to one of the public training grounds in the village. Nobody was there, as the sun was starting to set and most people trained in the early morning or late night, and a lot of shinobi were too busy with missions to have time to train in the village anyway.

The Konoha vs. Oto battles were still fresh in her mind; how everyone contributed to the struggle and yet they were still unsuccessful in getting Sasuke back. Not only that, but her own contribution seemed entirely pointless. She even managed to get injured without injuring Kimimaro while Lee got beat up over protecting her. If Gaara hadn't shown up when he did…

She shook her head, not wanting to think about. Brooding over the past would do her nothing; that was for sure. But still…The feeling of uselessness had a bitter taste.

TOK! TOK! TOK!

Kyoko touched the ground and her hand migrated to her knee when she knelt down. Sets of needles were imbedded into numerous targets. So what am I good for? She thought as she let loose another attack on the unfortunate posts. There's no doubt…I have to get stronger.

"Kyoko-san?"

Kyoko whirled around as she heard the voice of a certain massive-eyebrowed genin. Lee was walking over to her, looking to all the world like it was his birthday. The smile on his face confused her, but all she said was, "Hi, Lee."

"Kyoko-san! You are training to get stronger, am I right?"

"Oh. Yeah."

"I approve! Surely the burning flames of youth burn brightly within you! It shows in your ambition!"

Kyoko smiled lopsidedly. "Lee, you talk funny."

Lee flashed her a grin. "It is the language of sweat and tears!"

"Lee."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry about…not being able to help," she said, glancing away. "Maybe if I had done more, then we could've won faster."

"I see no need to apologize," Lee said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "after all, we did win in the end, and that is all that counts."

Kyoko sighed and started to protest, but Lee wasn't done.

"The important part is that you are training to get better, right? So just forget about the past and focus on the here and now. That is what I strive for." He gave her the Nice Guy pose, causing her to smile.

"Yeah. That's exactly what I told myself," Kyoko smiled, and despite how silly she felt, she mirrored his actions. "I vow to get stronger."

"As do I."

Meanwhile, Nami had left not too long after Kyoko to get a bite to eat. Ever since Midori put her on a strict budget, however, the only place she could afford was naturally Ichiraku Ramen. She had been in the middle of finishing a bowl of pork ramen when Iciraku's number one costumer pranced in.

"I'll take the usual, old man!" Naruto announced as he plopped down in a seat. Then he turned to Nami and said, "Hey, Nami! What's up? You're feeling better now?"

"Yeah, but you should talk. You were really injured when I saw you. I'm starting to think that if you were run over by a pack of elephants you'd be okay in a day," Nami remarked. "You hear about the mission for tomorrow yet?"

"Yeah," Naruto nodded. "I'm kind of glad they're letting me take a mission so early. After all, the stronger I get, the closer I am to bringing back…" he trailed off.

Nami lowered her head and an awkward silence fell between them. Then, she broke the silence. "Hey Naruto."

"Eh? 'Naruto'? Not 'Otouto'?" Naruto asked, confused. "And what's with your face?"

WHACK!

"OW!" Naruto clutched his throbbing head.

"I'm being serious here," Nami deadpanned. "This is my serious face."

"…Okay…"

"Listen, Naruto," Nami said. "Let's make a pact, okay? Let's promise to bring back Uchiha, even if we have to knock him out in the process, whether he likes it or not." She held out her fist and waited.

Naruto nodded confidently. "Yeah." He connected his own fist with hers. "That teme's not going to choose Orochimaru over us."

Nami smiled. "Not if we can help it."

It seems like I've opened up a path to a whole new arc...I wonder how long this'll make my fanfic now? Hm...Maybe long enough for 300 reviews! YES! Just kidding. Probably not, but who knows what the future holds?

And now for the more important stuff...

On AizoAnime, you can check out the profiles of Nami, Kyoko, and myself. Not only that, but I've made a Sneak Peeks page! What that means is that you'll be able to read a little bit of the next chapter! Of course, it isn't much, but it's still something! If you don't like spoilers or the like, simply stay away from that page. It'll probably be updated the same time as Narutoverse no Jutsu or earlier if it's important enough, so look out for some crazy and/or random stuff. Go on, check it out! You know you want to. The link to the website is in my profile!

OH WAIT! R&R PLEASE! Phew...almost forgot. XD And thanks again, everyone! I love you all!

-HM