Chapter 2- Unwanted Mission
"About time you all got here. This needs to be taken care of as soon as possible, and I need my best ninja to do the job."
Lady Tsunade, the fifth hokage and only woman hokage of the village, towered over the five ANBU ninja in the room, Nara Shikamaru, Uzumaki Naruto, Sabaku No Temari, Hyuga Hinata, and Haruno Sakura, a look of all seriousness on her face. Everyone knew what this look meant. It meant that this mission briefing was going to be as important as life itself, and they should all realize that. Even Naruto realized this, because he was no longer the infamous knuckle-headed ninja at the time.
"Alright, Lady Tsunade, we're listening," Naruto spoke, his voice void of any silly emotions.
Tsunade let her eyes scan over her top ninjas, then sighed and sat down in her seat behind her desk, resting her head in her hands.
"Look," she spoke quietly, so everyone had to strain to head her. "Orochimaru is on the move to take over the village again. This may not sound so important right now, because he has tried and failed many times to take over, but this time, he has a huge advantage this time."
"What exactly is this huge advantage?" Shikamaru questioned, staring lazily out the window, but listening very closely.
Tsunade sighed once again and raised her head. Slowly, she turned her gaze toward Sakura: a dead giveaway. Everyone automatically knew exactly what the advantage was now. "The advantage is Uchiha Sasuke."
The room fell eerily silent. It seemed like no one even bothered to breathe for those little moment that felt like a lifetime. Trying to be inconspicuous about it, everyone watched Sakura suck in a fast breath and close her eyes.
After a full minute, Sakura opened her eyes, an unknown expression in her bright emerald orbs. "Please continue m'lady."
Tsunade blinked a few times in astonishment, but quickly covered it. "Yes, of course. We'll need all the help we can get, including the aid of the Sand Village, because with the advantage he has now, he has an amazingly great chance in succeeding of we don't act now. I need you all to be ready to leave in an hour, is that clear?
All the ninja nodded solemnly and began to head for the door until Tsunade stopped them suddenly.
"Please forgive me. I know I have been hard on you all of you for the past months, and I know this is suppose to be your time off, but I…" Tsunade paused, as if searching for the right word. "But I… I wouldn't be able to do this without you. It's wrong to put all the pressure on you all, and I know this, but there isn't any other way."
There was another long silence in the room until Naruto changed into his old self again. Walking toward Lady Tsunade, a wide grin broke out across his face as he patted her on the back.
"Don't you worry your old bones about anything, granny. We'll get through this and win! Believe it! Besides," Naruto grinned wider. "You're too old to worry about problems like this. You'll give yourself a stroke!"
"Geez. Naruto, now you've really done it, Shikamaru sighed, shaking his head while everyone else backed away from the duo.
Tsunade began to twitch involuntarily. "Boy, did you just call me old…?"
"Hai! Sure did"
Tsunade grabbed hold of Naruto's shirt and began to hit him furiously, smacking him on he forehead every time she said a word for emphasis. "I- slap! AM- Slap! NOT- Slap! Slap! OLD!!!"
After beating him until she was satisfied, she walked toward the door with him in tow, opened it, and threw him out.
"That'll teach you to call me old again! Now," Lady Tsunade said, dusting her hands off. "You three need to go get ready. Sukura, I need to speak with you for a moment."
Without another word, all marched out except Sakura, who leaned against the wall and take deep breaths.
Alright guys, lemme know what you think about the story so far. Depending on the reviews, I'll continue or stop, so your opinion counts!!!! Also, ideas are welcomed too!