Alright, next chapter! Hope you enjoy! Reviews are welcome!

Oh and the poll is currently being led by NarutoxSasuke by an overwhelming majority (~50%), so that looks like where you all want that to go! Thanks for your input; I'll leave it open for now in case you haven't had a chance to vote yet.

Disclaimer: Not mine in anyway, shape, or form.

Chapter 3

A couple days later...

Deep chuckles reverberated off the walls. "You've certainly gotten good at talking to me while jumping through trees." Naruto rolled his eyes as he turned to the beast.

"Only because of your nasty tendency to pull me in here at the most inconvenient times. Like, when I need to jump." Naruto grinned as the Kyuubi chuckled. Naruto sat down cross legged on the platform in front of Kurama's cage.

"So what do you need this time Foxy?" The fox glared, "I thought we agreed never to call me that again." "And I thought we had agreed to stop pulling in for talks when there is a high likelihood of ambushes!"

"..." The glared at each other for awhile before Kurama sighed. "Fine; you make a valid point. Anyways, I just wanted to call you in to discuss Orochimaru's plan to create a... Distraction."Naruto made a face and Kurama chuckled, "Not happy with it?"

Naruto sighed, laying on the platform, "It's just that Gaara is gonna be SUPER pissed off!" The fox rolled his eyes, "Perhaps your love will conquer all. Like usual."

Naruto felt his cheeks burn as he realized what Kurama was referencing. He bolted up and glared at him, "That was a phase! A phase! And it was a simple crush, that's all!" The beast kept laughing. Naruto grumpily crossed his arms, "And I thought we agreed to not mention that again?"

"...I never said that."

Naruto pouted before becoming serious, "I am definitely worried about him recognizing me though." He turn thoughtful and quiet, "Sasuke is going to have to watch out for Kakashi and Sakura. They never really paid attention to me, but Gaara... From what I've heard, he thinks of me as his friend. His FIRST friend. It's gonna be difficult to hid from him.

The fox mulled this over, agreeing. Naruto smiled sheepishly, "And boy, is he going to be pissed! I mean, I don't think he's the type to ask 'why haven't you wrote' but he's going to be royally ticked off when he finds out!"

Kurama chucked once again. Naruto eyes him warily, "Alright, what's up? You're in an extremely good mood today." The fox's eyes... twinkled?! Da fuck is going on?!

"It's just, Naruto, that I can't wait to met these friends of yours! It's going to be ...hilarious. And of course, you being caught in this... What is it now... Love hexagon? Yes, I think that's the right amount. It should be interesting, especially if we are found out. Who knows, maybe you'll even let me out!"

Naruto dead panned, "So that's what's got you all excited. Freakin' fox. Remember, our mission is to capture someone for ol' Mr. Creepy." Kurama chuckled, "You don't call Orochimaru that to his face do you?" Naruto looked at the fox like he was crazy.

Naruto sighed and closed his eyes, "Maybe I should warn Gaara about the plan." Kurama laughed outright, "Neither of your teammates would allow that. And ''ol Mr Creepy'' would skin you alive... And then experiment on you."

Naruto sighed for the third time, acknowledging that as the truth. "Oh well, looks like I'll just send a Gaara a letter to apologize... If he finds out our identities." Naruto's head cocked to the side as he heard something. "'Scuse me fox, gotta go."

He opened his eyes and looked at Snake, "Yeah, what's up?" Snake looked at him for a moment before dodging a branch. Fox vaulted over it without watching. Snake grumbled, "I hate that you can do that."

Fox rolled his eyes, "As I was just explaining to the Kyubi, it's only because he enjoys talking to me at inconvenient moments." Snake -tched and muttered in annoyance.

"Fox," Raven called from ahead, looking back, "We're nearing where we are meeting your mentor. He just wanted to talk to you a bit before we head to the exams." Fox nodded and they silently vaulted through the woods before arriving at a cave at the edge of the desert surrounding Suna.

There Fox's mentor stood, silently watching, orange hair waving in the breeze. An uncharacteristic smirk appeared on his face upon seeing his pupil emerge from the trees. His companions bowed, Kabuto talking, "We'll stay out here while you two talk." Fox nodded and smiled, heading over to his Master.

"Sup Master Pain."

Team Guy was at the gate ready to head off to Suna. Well, almost ready..

"Alright my most youthful team, Are you ready for this?!" Guy exclaimed with a dazzling smile, giving his team a thumbs up. Tenten and Neji merely rolled their eyes at this, but Lee.. Oh Lee. Lee was getting pumped up.

"Yes Guy-Sensei! If we do not succeed, I will run the entirety of Suna of my hands!" "That's the spirit Lee! But I think more drastic measures need to be taken if we do not succeed!" "500 Laps then!" "Lee!" "Guy-Sensei!"

Neji sighed and pinched his nose in annoyance as they continued. "Tell me why I have to go with them again? I'm already a Chunin, I was promoted a few months ago!" Tenten smiled sympathetically, "Yeah but we need three team members to enter, just like last time. If you don't come then none of us get to participate!"

Guy suddenly grew serious, "Indeed that is the gist of it. It would be most unyouthful if we did not all go... BUT WE SHALL DEVASTATE THE EXAMS WITH OUR BRIGHT FLAMES OF YOUTH!" "Guy-Sensei is so amazing!"

Neji slammed his head into a nearby wall repeatedly, "Sweet Kami, help me, help me! How am I suppose to handle these mood swings?!"

"Lee!" "Guy-Sensei!" Tenten winced in understanding, "Ignore them." At Neji's incredulous look, she grinned sheepishly, "...Maybe?"

"Hey there Neji, Tenten." They turned to see a silver-haired Jonin and his team walking towards them. They bowed, "Hello Kakashi-Sensei," Kakashi gave them an eye-smile. Furasshu was practically jumping up and down in excitement. Fumei was standing much calmer next to him, pushing his shades up on his face.

The only person that wasn't smiling was Sakura, but frankly they weren't surprised. As Guy-Sensei would say, she had been most "unyouthful" ever since her old teammates had left and been kidnapped. Tenten had at this point lost most of her sympathy for the girl and Neji definitely didn't feel sorry for her.

"Lee!" "Guy-Sensei!" Neji glared back at his Sensei and Lee, "They're still going at it?!"

Furasshu laughed, "Annoyed Neji?" Neji glared at the younger child. Okay, maybe he was only a year older than Furasshu, but that could mean a lot for a Shinobi. "Very irked, yes, Furasshu, and I suggest not making it worse." He scowled letting the threat hang over the boy's head, who had turned a shade paler. He had been on the receiving end of Neji's "punishments" before for annoying him.

Kakashi chuckled a bit, "DYNAMIC ENTRY!" Kakashi didn't manage to duck this time; he grabbed his head in pain as Guy's foot connected with his face. Guy stood there with a wide grin, "Ah Kakashi, I appear that I have gotten the better of you today!"

Kakashi shook his head to clear the ringing, "Sure Guy, whatever. Are guys ready? Got everything?" He said, turning to his team. They nodded and Kakashi gave them his trademark eye-smile, "Then let's go."

Guy agreed and they set off through the tree tops. Furasshu vaulted over a branch, "Hey, are Asuma-Sensei and Kurenai-Sensei's teams coming?" Tenten shrugged, but Fuemi and Neji nodded. "Shino said they were coming," Fumei said with a very small grin. Neji agreed, "Hinata said the same."

Tenten's eyebrow shot up, "Wait Furasshu, isn't Shikamaru your cousin? How did you not know that they all were coming?" Furasshu's face was priceless. Tenten and Lee were laughing, Fumei was grinning, and even Neji was smirking, "Well, it is obvious why Fumei and Sakura are the brains of your team."

Everyone was laughing (save Sakura), even the Sensei's smiling at this. And so, the two teams ran through the forest to Suna, heading to the exams.

Not everything was so happy though in Suna. Not by a long shot. Gaara was currently wearing a hole in the carpet with his pacing with his siblings nervously looking on. He paused, and growled, "Can you please explain to me one more time how we do not know who let them come?"

Temari sighed, "It was apparently either a henged impersonator or someone was being controlled. We have some people say they saw you, some Kankuro, some Baki. There is no singular cohesive verdict. It looks like it was a very powerful Genjutsu. Wether or not this infiltrator is even in Suna anymore is questionable."

Gaara growled angrily, pacing faster. "I want you to continue to investigate, I want you to question everyone! Orochimaru killed our last Kage and got us in a tense situation with Konoha that I, unwillingly I might add, am having to sort out! And did I forget to mention Naruto's kidnapping? This is unacceptable that he is still try to manipulate us even after the past couple years!"

"I wouldn't say manipulate really," a new voice hissed. They whirled, sand, wind and kunai flying at the source. Orochimaru chuckled as he blocked their attacks, "My, aren't we jumpy? And here I am trying to help you out."

Gaara was fuming, "'Help'?! When have you 'helped' this village Orochimaru?!" He was pissed off, barely holding back the sand that was swirling angrily around him. Orochimaru seemed to consider that.

"Very true my young Jinchuriki. I haven't been much of a help at all have I?" Orochimaru sadistically smiled at the Kazekage, "Since you make an excellent point, I'll let you in on a little secret."

Orochimaru flashed in front of Garra and leaned next to his ear, "Naruto is still alive." Gaara's eyes widened significantly and nearly gasped. Temari and Kankuro looked at each other.

"Sasuke too, but I figured that'd be less surprising and I figured you could care less about my little Snake, and more about your Fox." The Sannin was grinning as he flashed back to the wall, leaning against it lazily .

Gaara fought to keep himself calm and his face expressionless, though there was enough emotion - heck, the fact that there was any emotion- there to betray how deeply he cared about the blonde.

"What have you done with Naruto Orochimaru? Why are you here? And why did you have a infiltrator clear your village for this event?" Orochimaru kept smiling evilly.

"Well, I had a man clear us because I figured that after all we've been through, you wouldn't be keen on letting us into your village. I was right apparently. I came just to smooth out details and confirm the fact we were coming."

"What about-?" "What about Naruto?" Orochimaru grinned, "Well, I can't flat out tell you, where's the fun in that? But I'm willing to give you a hint. If you let us come to the exams." Gaara growled.

Orochimaru laughed, "Come now, the Leaf will be attempting to catch us and interrogate us as well. Sending us away would ruin that. I promise not to burn down your village like we did Konoha! After all, it's only an exam!"

Temari and Kankuro watched Gaara carefully. He furiously debated it in his mind, till his shoulders slumped a bit. "Fine. You can bring your team. But only one!" Orochimaru smiled, "That's all I need. Chao."

As he went out the window, he paused and turned back to the Kazekage, "Oh and you might want to know I have the Nine-Tails. I'd see if Konoha has anyone who can control Tailed Beasts."

Kankuro turned to Gaara after Orichimaru left, "Why did you let his people come?! This could all be a set up!" Gaara was quiet, Temari stepped up next to him.

"Hey! This is his only chance to get information on Naruto! And I think Orochimaru would've come whether or not we wanted him to!" As his siblings bickered, Gaara thought before speaking up.

"This... Is our only chance. We have heard nothing about Naruto... In two years. No trace of him or... Sasuke," barely managing to growl the name out, Gaara frowned. "If this gets us information and helps us rescue him, it's a risk we'll have to take. Also, if we do find out, it should help our relations with Konoha... Not that I want them to be better, but diplomacy and all that."

Kankuro started to protest, "Enough Kankuro. Orochimaru has left," Gaara said tiredly, "He will come either way. Increase security and talk to Baki. This should hopefully turn out fine... And Temari, stay here and help me compose a letter to Konoha. If they know any counter measures to a Tailed beast, they'll want to bring it."

So, I just wanted to quickly outline each team member's outfit so there's no confusion later on.

Naruto (Fox) - Wears his same old clothes (though the colors are toned down, the orange is definitely not as loud), except he has shed his jacket and wears a simple black shirt with orange trim, and a black cloak over this. His cloak has an eye with the Rennigan on the back. He wears his Hayate around his neck (Oto now) loosely, with his Fox "ANBU" mask over his face when they're out and about. Finally, he has a body/bandages/thingy that Kankuro had from the original series on his back as well. You'll find out what that is for later.

Sasuke (Snake) - Wears pretty much the same thing as he does in Shippuden (the grey shirt/coat/thing) with a similar cloak to Naruto except his has the Sharigan on his back. He wears his Hayate around his right arm, on his upper arm. He does not have the purple rope-belt. He wears a Snake "ANBU" mask like Naruto. He keeps his sword sheathed under his cloak like normal.

Raven - He wears a black hoodie (hood down), silver belt, and black cargo pants. He wears his black cloak over it, with the Kanji for "Insanity" on the back. He has two short swords up his sleeves attached to lines so he can reel them in (or use them as grappling hooks alternatively). His mask is more of your masquerade style mask, a metal eye-mask with the eyeholes covered up by a retractable metal coverings on the inside of the mask. This is actually important for later btw. His silky black hair is about shoulder length, with his bangs extending to his mask (which he wears nearly constantly) and his sideburns extending down into his cheeks (kinda like Neji's hair except shorter and not as solid looking. I mean, you remember the original series?! His hair looked like a hat! But I digress...)

Everyone else looks like they do in the series.