Kishimoto-san owns Naruto. Just in case no one was paying attention the first time.

Opening theme: Fighting Dreamers (Naruto 4th opening theme)

Chapter 2: Team Shikamaru II

On the road away from the Hidden Leaf Village, two disreputable-looking characters were taking a moment from their busy schedule to enjoy the sunny day.

"Man, what a slow day," One groused, adjusting his sunglasses, "We haven't mugged nobody for a whole hour."

"Relax," The other said, grinning like a crocodile, "Some poor sap is bound to show up!"

"Oh yeah?" The sunglasses asked, giving his buddy a sidelong glance, "Like who?"

"I dunno- probably some dumb kid on a journey of discovery, or something." Croc-grin then saw an approaching figure. "See? Here comes someone now."

As the orange and black clad person came closer, Sunglasses felt something. Getting on one knee, he pressed his ear to the earth.

"Is the ground shaking?" he asked, but Croc-grin wasn't paying attention to him.

"Hey, buddy!" The cocky bandit called out to the incoming individual (The shaking was getting worse!), "A moment of your time, ple-"

"OUTTA MY WAY!" Naruto roared, punching and kicking the two crooks off the path. As Croc-grin crashed into a tree-trunk, and Sunglasses landed on a pile of rocks, Kawazaki called out to them, "Pardon us!"

DATTEBAYO

Back in the Leaf Village's Hokage Office, Tsunade took a moment to observe the ninja she had called for.

Nara Shikamaru, strategist and shadow-manipulation technique user.

Hyuuga Hinata, Byakugan barer and Gentle Fist user.

Rock Lee, Taijutsu specialist, as well as the only one who could beat Naruto in positive thinking.

And finally, Haruno Sakura, her apprentice.

Truthfully, the 5th wanted a Jounin in the group, but with the only ones she trusted for a mission like this incapacitated, (Kakashi was injured from previous mission, Yamato sick from some too-spicy ramen Naruto talked him into eating, and Guy was out on another mission with Anko) they were the best she could get.

"Naruto has left the Village," Tsunade said, cutting right to the point. The reactions were everything she expected.

"WHAAAT!?" Screamed Sakura and Lee, their eyes bugging out.

"He what…?" Hinata asked, looking like the world had ended.

Shikamaru gaped for a second, resembling a fish out of water, before collecting himself. "Why would Naruto abandon the Village?" The Nara heir asked. Naruto was always going on about how he'll become Hokage, and after hearing what had happened to that masked Akatsuki from Choji and Ino, (In GREAT detail) he was starting to believe it. So to hear this was like being dropped in a pool of ice water.

"I never said Naruto abandoned the Village," Tsunade said calmly, (The Council was going to have field day with this one!) "However, we, that is, the two of us, just received word that his mother, Kushina, is alive. He's gone out to find her."

That had certainly got the chunin's attention.

"Naruto's…mother?" Hinata asked softly, her white eyes widening.

"How is that possible?" Sakura asked, trying to make sense of the situation. "I thought…"

"That Naruto's parents died the day the Ninetailed Fox attacked the village, along with so many others?" Tsunade chuckled sardonically, "Yeah, I can see why you would think that. While Naruto's father died on that day, no question about that, Kushina was reportedly killed a year after that."

"And now we get word that she's alive?" Shikamaru asked skeptically. "How do we know this isn't a trick?" He knew, or heard, that certain criminal elements were out to get Naruto. He didn't want his loudmouthed friend walking into a trap.

"I trust the source with my life," Tsunade said firmly, "And you'll have to, too."

"Huh?" Sakura asked.

"Your mission is to support Naruto on his search," Tsunade commanded, "Don't come back unless they're coming with you."

"Leave it to us!" Lee gave the fifth a thumbs-up and smiled a shining smile. "We'll find him, I promise! Just tell us where to go, even if it's just a general direction!"

"A general direction is all we have." Tsunade said sourly. "Naruto took off with the guide."

"Swell," Shikamaru muttered, rolling is eyes heavenward.

This is going to be such a pain!

"Kushina's location is apparently on an island to the southeast," Tsunade continued, ignoring Shikamaru. "Try and catch up with Naruto before he heads out to sea. Now get moving!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

As the team left Tsunade's office, Shikamaru set his brain to work. If Naruto was going out to sea, that would mean he'd need a boat. Not even the Village's No. 1 Maverick would try the walking-on-water technique across the ocean. And if he needed a boat…

"Sakura, get a map out and pinpoint any ports to the southeast," He ordered. As Sakura inspected the map, he turned to Lee and Hinata. "Hinata, do an inventory check on our weapons. Lee, go collect food rations- and bring extra for Naruto. I'll help Sakura."

As Lee and Hinata went about their tasks, Shikamaru went to map. As his eyes skimmed the print, Sakura let out a triumphant yell.

"That's it! That's where he's going!" Sakura pointed to an area on the map.

Shikamaru looked to where she was pointing. "There? That country?"

Sakura beamed. "Why not? It's in the direction we're supposed to be going, and Naruto knows somebody who lives in that area. He'll be there."

Shikamaru decided to take Sakura's word for it. He looked again at the part of the map Sakura was talking about.

The Land of Waves?

DATTEBAYO

The Land of Waves, with the construction of the Great Naruto Bridge and without the scheming of Gato, had become a bustling port of trade. Ships would come in selling their cargo to merchants who would use the Bridge to sell the wares more inland. That being said, it meant the crowds had become much more active in recent times.

"Man, this neighborhood sure livened up from when I was here!" Naruto said in wonder, looking around at all the people.

"Indeed," Kawazaki said from his seat on Naruto's head. He puffed his pipe a bit before speaking. "I certainly hope we can procure a vessel for the voyage."

"Yeah, it seems like everyone's using their ship for something…" Naruto then heard a commotion. Moving through the crowd, Naruto pushed past a strange character in a samurai robe and a mask with a buddha manji where the face should be. In the center of the crowd, given plenty of space by everyone else, a tall punk-ish looking man with a Mohawk had knife at, pointing it threateningly at a boy. This boy looked to be about 12 or 13 years old, and had bandage on his left hand. He wore a workman's shirt and blue jeans. To top it off, the boy had a rope tied around his forehead.

He looks familiar… Naruto thought of the boy.

"Look, boy, yer drawin' a crowd 'ere," The punk sneered, "Why don'tcha just leave that money on the ground, and no one gets hurt."

"That's a good idea, I'd hate to beat a wuss like you up," the boy shot back with a grin, "But no thanks!"

The punk's smile dropped. "I'll shut ya up f' good, ya brat!"

He swung his knife at the boy, but missed as the boy kicked his arm away. Following up, the boy swung around and elbowed the punk in the gut. And finally, he delivered a stunning uppercut, sending the would-be mugger down.

"He's good," Naruto commented. Up on his head, Kawazaki clapped his webbed hands.

"Very well down," The frog agreed.

As the crowd parted, the boy suddenly met Naruto eyes.

There was a good pause before the kid yelled, "Bro!" and charged.

Naruto wasn't expecting an attack from a kid, so didn't react in time to stop the tackle. He then realized it wasn't so much a tackle as it was a tackling hug.

"Bro! I can't believe it's you, Naruto!" the boy said, smiling widely.

Naruto wasn't sure what to say. "Uhh…"

"You remember Inari, don't you!?" The boy asked excitedly.

"Sure I do," Naruto nodded. Then his brain made the connection and he blanched as images of a small crying boy flashed through his thoughts.

"Inari!?"

DATTEBAYO

I bet no one was expecting that! See ya next time! And please review. I need to know if people are reading, and your comments will help my writing.