Naruto's PoV

Sweat was dripping from my body, I could feel it down my back. I did look calm and relaxed but inside I was burning. I wated to touch him without any of the idiots noticing. Maybe run a finger through his hair for a second? Or stroke his cheek?

Team Gai walked in. Bushy Brows was hyper, as always, and was yet again talking about some youth crap.

"Listen, Ten Ten," he started, hand on his hip. I have to say he did look ridiculous in that green outfit. So did Gai. How can someone chose to walk around like that? *sigh* "you have to discover the power of youth. I'm sure it in you. Somewhere deep." He blushed slightly at deep, as if he had said something embarrassing. Ten Ten groaned loudly and rest her head on Neji's shoulder, who rather surprised looked at her but didn't move. I'm sure that he was fed up with that Youth crap too but with Gai proclaiming it there wasn't really anything to do. "Please make him stop." She pleaded and looked up in Neji's purple eyes. He smiled softly. "I suppose we'll have to get used to it..."

Gai was talking with Kakashi-sensei for something and looked somewhat angry. "I still have no idea why Yondaime wanted us to do that mission..."

"It was not him," whispered Kakashi. "he doesn't know. The elders decided it would be best. I am against no one telling him but Naruto is the main link in this. If he knew he would not allow him to go."

I saw Sasuke's fists clench once again. He was afraid for me as I was for him. Day by day I learn how to control Kyuubi some more but as Sakura-chan said the Akatsuki are the deal. I feel so uneasy even thinking about fighting them which isn't usual for me. I am known for being brave and reckless... I wonder if something in me will flinch when I meet the one called Uchiha Itachi.

"How are you sure that he won't find out? He's Hokage for God's sakes!" Gai and Kakashi continued their dialogue, oblivious to the fact that me and Sasuke were listening. Gai's bushy brows rose and he looked very worried. Maybe he was afraid of what Minato might do...

"Shut up, Gai. We don't want the kids to find out what the elders are plotting. I mean seriously!," he lowered his voice even more but I could still hear. "Using Naruto as bait is way too low even for them..."

"They're just a bunch of old people who don't know what the hell they are doing. I am so against that Kakashi. You know I don't want to risk anyone's life."

Kakshi sighed and just shrugged. "That's orders, Gai. remember what orders are? Something you have to do regardless if you like it or not. Plus we'll do our best to keep them safe. Calm down and behave like your usual self. I don't want anyone suspecting anything."

Both men nodded and each other and Gai returned to his students. "Okay, who is ready to train?"

"Me, Gai-sensei!" Lee started jumping up and down in his usual manner. Ten Ten groaned once more and neji chuckled quietly. He was way too skilled to believe that Youth crap and he didn't see Gai as a father.

I can't say I was surprised to find out I was going to be used as bait. I did suspect something like that when Sakura said they're going after me first. She did say it with an unusual tone, like a warning. Maybe she does know more than she says. Next to me, Sasuke's breathing had gotten harder and he was still clenching his fists, this time so hard that little blood drops fell on the soft, green grass.

"Calm down, teme." I whispered to him, keeping an eye on Sakura who was chatting with Shikamaru nearby. She didn't look different. Not annoyed as usual not worried or as if she was hiding something. Maybe I was getting paranoid like Sasuke said. There couldn't have been someone watching us back there... could there? I am worried about no one telling Minato tough. There is no way absolutely no way that he won't find out. So many ninja and the ANBU leaving Konoha at once? He is no fool. I wonder is there something to really wonder about? There are nine of them... how can nine men defeat so many of us? And why are they so dangerous? Who the hell are they? I did steal a snicker as he regained his cool self.

"Come here for a bit." I whispered softly and lead him away from them all for a few minutes. "Listen, teme I will protect you. I don't care if you think you can take care of yourself all alone. I will do what it takes to keep you safe, expecting that you'd do the same for me if you have to." I said that all very quickly and snickered. He smiled vaguely and stroke my cheek just where the whsiker marks were.

"You really are a dobe. What makes you think that I'll feel bad about you protecting me? You and you alone are allowed to have me." Such passion sounded in his voice while he said those words that I had to give in completely. And steal a kiss, of course.

"Sasuke? Naruto?" I heard Sakura's hoarse voice. Maybe it was something about the mission that I haven't heard already. I quietly growled but when I felt Sasuke's fingers on my hand got more relaxed and calm. Shikamaru, Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Lee, Ten Ten, Neji & Sakura were waiting behind Kakashi and Gai. Both men were smiling, it seemed like they had reached an agreement of some sort.

"Okay, listen," started Kakashi. "you have all been told about the essence of the mission but don't know the little things like when we're leaving, where we're going, what gear you need and all that. So, let me start... taa.... Well, we're leaving tomorrow at dawn. You all need your usual equipment: kunai, shuricken, swords (for the one who use such)" he glanced at Sasuke. "and all the nifty things you find useful. I've been told that the Akatsuki hideout isn't near, not at all. So you'll need all your camping stuff. Pack everything in one bag. Only one bag. It can be stuffed with all sorts of things but it shouldn't slow you down. So take only the necessities. I think that that's everything for now. You may go and pack and... train?"

I growled once more. They stood there so casual, so calm. Knowing that this can lead to our death! No one told us who exactly we're facing what exactly we should take. We were leaving without knowing anything. I wondered if Orochimaru was a part of that organisation. It sure did sound like him. And that was yet another reason to worry. Orochimaru wanted Sasuke. His body... ever since the Third died. Oh, damn.

After being told we can go me and Sasuke stayed back. "I don't know," I started but he interrupted: "What to do? Neither do I. I know that you're afraid. I'm pretty uneasy myself but that is something that we have to do. I doubt that it will be that dangerous... Those guys can't be that evil and all..."

I smiled. He was so naive, poor teme. "Of course they can. They are missing-nin wanted for all sort of crimes in the five villages. How can they not be dangerous? You heard what they want. To get their hands on all the Bijuu. Do you even have an idea what they will do when... I mean if they control the beats? Take over Konoha and then all the other villages. They are up to no good. This mission could be our death." He shivered. "I really don't want to sound so pessimistic but this is the truth. Now go get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow before we get here."

He sadly nodded and looked down at the grass. I lift his chin and made him look in my eyes. "I'm here." Sasuke smiled weakly and nodded once more. He looked so pretty in the light of the rising sun... his onyx eyes shining, his hair being swayed by the wind... and I had to go back to Minato... oh, my booming heart...

Yondaime's PoV

With all the heartache around Naruto I almost didn't notice what that old bunch of fools was plotting. I am proud to say that I'm not the type of a man who is easily fooled. I'm rather annoyed that the Elders think that they can assign so many ninjas on a mission that I have not approved. And using Naruto as live bait? So out of the damn question. Luckily, I didn't want to 'cause mass destruction or kill them all. I'm not that kind of a Hokage. But they sure needed to be shown who is Hokage. Who is responsible for the village's well-being and the villagers' too. To be shown who is superior. Who is in charge. Of course, the old fools didn't make it easy for me. The difficult part is to get to them. If someone who didn't know where exactly their hideout is tried to locate them, it may take years.

I casually walked in as the Elders were eating ramen. This would be taken as an insult if I hadn't been the one there. I decided not to allow any of them speak and start myself: "Okay, listen. I know that I haven't been myself lately but that doesn't mean that I'm losening the grip I have on Konoha. I am Hokage I am superior and you cannot send so many ninjas on a mission to exterminate the Akatsuki." Chiyo choked. "And you so cannot use Naruto for bait. I didn't almost die to watch him die. I do hope you understand. Everything you do has to come through me first. I don't and I mean really don't want to kill you all but if I have to get rid of someone who's interfering with what's important for me I won't hesitate to." I flashed a smile and left before anyone could say something. That mission will happen for sure but not without me tagging along. Without them knowing of course. Let's see if Gai and Kakashi have the balls to let something bad happen to Naruto. Or to any of the kids.

Naruto sneaked back home quietly and I didn't have the heart to call him and ask for the mission. Partially because I knew what it was, partially because every time I looked at him I got the flashing picture of the making out. He went to his room and closed the door. Wasn't it too late for him to go back? What have the both said to them about the mission? Even I didn't know that identity of the Akatsuki. I could only doubt... Orochimaru was once I member, I'm sure of that. Maybe the young Uchiha also? I feel sorry for him, really. Such a shame that Sasuke doesn't know the truth about Itachi killing the whole clan. I cannot tell him of course. It would sound like a lie, coming from my mouth. Maybe they were gonna meet sooner than any of the expected... And the outcome? I was gonna be there and see... I sat on the chair before my table, scrolls scattered all over it, and closed my eyes, breathing heavily. My heart was shattered into a million pieces and I couldn't say anything to anyone. Why do I live in such a cruel world?