Note: Finally finished the third chapter after being out of town for the past few days. Things are going to start to get more eventful hopefully. Planning to put in a decent fight pretty soon or and even possible pairings could come up. Just have to see how it works out.

Chapter 3: Things in the Works

The teams' nodded goodbye as each went their respective ways. Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, and Kakashi leaped from the trees and began trekking across the desolate sand.

"Hinata check the area around us just in case," Naruto ordered.

Hinata nodded and super activated her Byakugan. She scoped the now disappearing forest behind them and the miles of sand before them. There was no trace of them being followed or anyone coming for an attack from any direction.

"A-all clear N-Naruto."

"Thanks Hinata."

The leaf-nin began picking up their pace for the long trek across Kaze no Kuni. All the while Naruto tried to think of exactly what Sasuke intended to do. It could be an actual attack on Kaze no Kuni or just a diversion like he told Shikamaru. Needless to say Naruto would make sure that Sasuke would utterly fail.

"This is one of the positions," Temari commented as she raised her hand to halt the group.

"Ha, let's just take them out now eh Akamaru," said Kiba. The dog barked in agreement.

"No, Naruto-sama told us to assess their locations and to calculate how many of them there are," Shino said very calmly.

"Fine, fine but Naruto didn't say that we couldn't fight if they find us. If we are found then we need to eliminate each one."

"You're always eager to fight Kiba. You have to understand that we have to avoid fights if all possible. If we were to kill all of them then it would make things suspicious. Rokudaime said that we must be discrete," Kurenai explained to Kiba.

Kiba made a little huff in annoyance but could not disagree with the facts. They cannot be seen at all or this mission would be a failure. At first Kiba thought this mission would be pretty easy but Naruto didn't label it an S-rank mission for no reason.

"What's the count," asked Temari.

"There is fourteen in this little area. Let's continue on," Shino answered.

Temari finished plotting the location and writing down the number count. The team took of in as quiet a fashion as possible to their next destination.

"Naruto it's already nightfall we should probably stop and take a break."

"You're right Kakashi-sensei. Let's rest for a little while."

The team came to a stop amongst the vast dunes that seemed to go on forever. The starry black sky lay ever so gently on the soft sands. They had been traveling all day and what would have been about a three day trip now looked to be a two day one. They all dropped their packs on the ground and began emptying some contents out to make a fire. Hinata reached into hers pulling out a small box filled with their dinner. She slid off the top and handed everyone some onigiri (rice balls) that were fashioned to look like Naruto.

"You know Hinata usually when we go on missions together you always bring these," Naruto spoke in-between bites of the delicious morsel.

"Gomen (sorry), I-I could always stop."

"No, no Hinata. I really like it and besides they are amazing. You're a great cook," Naruto said with a huge grin on his face.

"T-thank you Naruto," Hinata blushed a little.

While everyone kept eating, Naruto began wondering why Hinata always acted like that around him. It was like she fell into this huge shell that she was scared to come out of. He always thought she was sick when she turned red near him or how she would stutter when she spoke to him or how she would even press her two fingers together. In fact, she has been doing this around him since they were in the academy. Naruto decided he would ask her about all this after they reached Sunagakure. While still in his daydream, Naruto suddenly felt a heavy fist slam him on the head.

"Hey baka (idiot), I've been asking you a question so get out of your daydream," Sakura said seeming a little annoyed, "You know for being Hokage you're not very aware."

"Ow, Sakura-chan that hurt. What do you want?"

"Well I was asking you what is exactly going to happen when we reach Sunagakure."

"You didn't have to hit me for that," said Naruto as he rubbed the bump on his head, "Hm, well let's see…we will be meeting with Gaara and the council to discuss the current situation then we must wait for the others to bring back their information to Sunagakure so we can formulate a plan."

Sakura sat back down on the sand appearing satisfied with the answer. Kakashi smiled gleefully under his mask. No matter how bad things seem the new generation always seemed to bring joy out from somewhere. Kakashi was proud that Konoha was given to such a bright group of shinobi.

"Well since you two are done fighting then maybe we should get going," Kakashi said still smiling.

The leaf-nin packed their things up and continued towards Sunagakure.

Temari signaled the rest to stop as they came across the last location they were given. It was early in the morning and they had briefly stopped for rest. Shino planted several scout bugs along their path so they could be alerted if someone was close to them. Kiba and Akamaru's noses were in full force as they quickly checked to see how many sound-nin there were.

"This is strange guys," Kiba said a little confused.

"What is it Kiba," asked Kurenai

"Well each location we've been to have had fourteen shinobi there, but this location right here only has four. And isn't this location off the line of the others."

"He's right," Temari added while she checked the map again, "This is way off the mark that was originally given to us.

"Then this must mean…" Shino's sentence was cut off as several shurikens were launched towards their location.

The shurikens were easily avoided as all of them dropped down to the ground. They all stood close to each other and surveyed the area. As they turned around, they came across four sound-nin standing very casually in a line formation. They were all dressed in attire that was in similar fashion as when they had attacked during the Chuunin exams 5 years ago.

"Hm, seems we actually came across some rats after all eh guys," said a deep-voiced one that stood at the farthest right, "Looks like we get to have some fun after all."

The deep-voiced shinobi motioned for the others to attack but looked to see that they were down on the ground apparently unconscious already. He looked in complete confusion as to how this happened. This guy had underestimate that these "rats" were not weak at all.

"They're trapped in my genjutsu so they probably won't be awake for a good while," Kurenai answered the shinobi's confused look.

The shinobi now noticed that the one speaking was the genjutsu specialist of Konoha, Kurenai Yuhi. He knew he was in over his head now so he knew he had to get away. The sound-nin threw a smoke bomb down to distract them while he made his escape. He looked back as he bounced from branch to branch seemingly able to fool them. As he turned his head back around, it was met with a hard fist to his face. The sound-nin made a loud thud as his body fell onto the ground.

"Hehe, that was too easy," laughed Kiba.

"It's obvious that they were just a scout team. We should probably take them back to Sunagakure for questioning," Shino suggested.

The rest nodded in agreement. They brought the almost-escapee back to where the other sound-nin were all passed out. Kiba, Shino, and Temari each tied them individually so they could carry them to their destination. As they lifted them onto their shoulders, Kiba noticed that something was different.

"Hey guys wasn't there four of them cause we only have three?"

"Kiba-kun is right. One is missing," said Shino.

"And Akamaru and I don't sense him around us at all," said Kiba as Akamaru shook his head in concurrence.

"Well we don't have time to go looking for him, even though he might be able to report this. We will proceed with the mission at hand and bring these three to Sunagakure," Kurenai said as everyone began to move swiftly to Sunagakure.

Naruto's group was settling into a room that would be their place for the duration of the stay. Everyone was unpacking while Naruto stood looking out the large window of the humble sand home. Down below on the streets he could see some children playing happily. The sight made a smile spread across his face.

"Hokage-sama since the Kazekage is loaded with work, the meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning," said the sand chuunin who had escorted the group to their sleeping-quarters, "please enjoy Sunagakure and I am sorry for the inconvenience."

"It's no problem at all. Thank you for the hospitality."

The chuunin bowed slightly and made his leave. Naruto continued to look out the window. Just the peaceful looks outside gave Naruto a feeling of nostalgia. Even though this place was far different from Konoha, Naruto felt the same feeling of peace and tranquility. In the distance the setting sun shone beautifully on the horizon.

"Naruto," Sakura said sounding a little concerned.

"I'm alright Sakura-chan. Just enjoying the view…Well I'm going to go out so you guys can go do your own things," and with that Naruto casually walked away from the window and out the door.

"Kakashi-sensei…," Kakashi cut Sakura off with a wave of his hand.

"He is fine Sakura try not to worry. He's just going out for a stroll and we should all do the same. Let's enjoy this night before we have to take care of serious business.

"Hai (yes), Kakashi-sensei," Sakura smiled.

The lone sound-nin opened his eyes bit by bit to a hazy image of the forest and a figure standing in front of him. As the image became clearer, he held the sights of a man covered by a brown cloak. This man had smooth silver hair tied back in a ponytail and fashioned a simple set of glasses. The features on his face, especially his left eye, distinctly showed some remnants of the former Orochimaru. The sound-nin tried to get up but the only movement in his body was a few twitches from his legs and arms.

"W-why can't I move?" the sound-nin said sounding confused.

"I made tears in your arm and leg muscles with my Shosen no Jutsu (Chakra Scalpel)."

"Y-you must be Kabuto Yakushi," as the sound-nin finally recognized him.

"None other," he responded with a grin.

"W-what…do you want with me?" the sound-nin asked breathing heavily from fatigue.

"Oh nothing really. I'm just going to use you for a special technique of mine. That's all," Kabuto laughed maniacally.

Kabuto's hands began to glow a light blue animating chakra around them. He reached forward and placed a hand on the sound-nin's chest. The nin coughed up blood as he felt things around his heart be torn apart. Kabuto just looked on with a smile while the shinobi's life slowly drifted away.

"Now I can get down to business."

Note: Working on chapter 4 so I'll update as soon as I can. R&R peeps give me some feedback so I can be motivated