Chapter 9 "Hunt and Rescue Mission"

My life seemed to be changing now, even through I was trapped in a women's body. There are times I'm happy I am like this, but then there are other times where I wish I can be just me again. There is no happy medium for me. Being the Hokage doesn't seem easy as well. I have to do paper work all day, assign missions and listen to the villager's problems. I can see why Tsunade gets frustrated, however; I can boss people around. In fact, just the other day I made Kiba do "Naruto's" laundry. Talk about sweet revenge, but hey; I have to a little fun.

Each day seems to drag on with trying to be there for Sakura, juggle my own personal life and manage to be Tsunade. It isn't easy being Tsunade. I have to try and act all stuck up like and drink Saki all day long. That stuff taste nasty or at least I think so and then to make things worse, I have old perverted guys trying to hit on me. Sometimes I will run away from them and transform into my self. They really hate that, but it gets them off my trail. Man, sometimes its good to be the boss like she is.

It's been about three weeks and still we haven't found an answer on how to get us back in our own bodies. Tsunade has looked through every book there is and she can't find anything. I pretty much give up now. Even I try to find answers to this problem and I got nothing. The only marking I remember on the item was the character love. Kind of looks like this "爱", except it is traditional writing. I kept going back and forth in my mind to try and figure out what it means, but still nothing.

I was sitting in my chair going through all of Tsunade's paper work when Shizune came in and yelled

"Sakura has been kidnap!"

"What!? When did this happen?" I replied immediately.

"We think she was kidnap about an hour ago. Do you want me to send reinforcements Lady Tsunade?" She asked me, thinking I was still Tsunade.

"No, I only want one person to come with me. Send in Naruto Uzumaki at once,"

"Man I like saying me name. It sounds cool when I say it in Tsunade's voice,"

"Yes Lady Tsunade," She said and left the room.

Just my luck, the love of my life gets taken away by some person and will probably use her for something. I will do anything to save Sakura, even risking my own life if I have to. Still, who would kidnap Sakura? The only thing I can think of using her for is to restore a person's life and to heal people. Wait! That's it! Orochimaru must want her for that reason, but who is he bringing back? Is he bringing himself back? Just then Tsunade rushed through the door and slammed it shut.

"What is going on Naruto? I was doing more research and suddenly I was told to come here. This better be good or…."

Tsunade stopped yelling at me when she saw my expression. Immediately she went over by me and could tell little tears came pouring down like rain.

"What happened to her?" She said finishing off her sentence.

"Sakura has been kidnap and I think Orochimaru is behind it,"

"Orochimaru, but Sakura and I have the same techniques as each other. Why would he kidnap Sakura only?"

"Think about Tsunade. You remember when we were rescuing Gaara? Well, Grandma Chiyo has a technique that can bring a living soul back to life. I think Orochimaru plans on using this some how. I think at the time Chiyo taught this technique to Sakura, but some how the news spread and now the information got into the crusted hands of Orochimaru. If Sakura uses that technique, she will end up dying. I can't let that happen! I won't rest that man dies and dies for good!"

Shizune appeared quickly back in the room and pulled out what seemed to be a tiered piece of clothing. The piece seemed to be made out of white cloth material, soft and yet very fine.

"Naruto, Tsunade, we found this near by the village. We suspect Sasuke kidnapped her and took her off to Orochimaru's head out,"

"They can't be far. Shizune, send out some reinforcements to scout the area. Both Tsunade and Iwill go inside the hide out. We suspect that the hide out isn't that far,"

"Yes sire, but would you like any particularly person to come along with you?"

"Yes, send Shikamaru, Neji, Hinata and Sai to come along with us. I plan to use them to the fullest," Tsunade replied once again.

"Geeze Naruto, I'm surprised you asked for Sai. I know that you two don't really seem to care for each other. It's quit shocking coming from you," Shizune said with a cheerful smile.

I slowly clenched my fist together. I despise that guy. Makes fun of me and tries to kill Sasuke when all we were trying to do is bring him back to the village. I can never trust him, but still… if it is to help save Sakura, then I'm in for the idea.

We all gathered around and explained our plan. Neji and Hinata would scout ahead for any approaching enemies, Sai would come along with us as a back up and Shikamaru would give a play by play back plan if anything were to happen. The reinforcements would act as a spare team in case we need extra men. This was supposed to be a simple rescue mission, not a giant battle field. I don't think Orochimaru is planning on sending his men after us, but it never hurts to bring a few extra fifty to one hundred men with you.

"Tsunade, are you sure this going to work? After all, we only needed a few people, not the entire Leaf Village," I asked her.

"Naruto, this will work and trust me. Whatever Orochimaru is planning, he plans to have back up for. He already suspects us coming after him and what he doesn't know is that we have back up, so if anything happens, we can plan for the best,"

"Alright, I understand now,"

"Sakura, I will protect you once again. I won't let you get hurt, I won't let any one use you and I promise you this, you will return to Leaf Village unharmed!"

To be continued……