Disclaimer: Alright, onto stage 29 of my 76 step plan to take over the world! Wait- what do you mean the pigeons are on strike?! Great, well obviously dont own, specially now that I've been set back three stages of my plan...stupid pigeons.

"Tell them." Sasuke glanced at the group assembled around them, the fire blazing in the middle of the circle they had inadvertently created. Night had descended upon them, as they chose to set up camp, a fair distance from where they had run into the last group of bounty hunters. "Tell them what you told me, teme." Naruto's determined face was lit up from the firelight, his eyes flashing.

If he said nothing, then Naruto would. Better to get this over with then.

"All these people, the bounty hunters- they all report into one person. Around a year ago I ran into a group of shinobi from a village a few days travel from here. They attacked and I fought back. Afterwards I learned that the fiancé of one of the members wanted revenge for what I had done."

"This was a year ago?" Ino cut in, frowning. "Why didn't you leave fire country? Would they have followed you that far?"

"The bounty hunters only started showing up a month ago. I attempted to cross the border to test how far their power stretched. However, the border is watched carefully and I was unable to cross." And unwilling, he added silently.

"That is how Suna discovered them." Sasuke nodded, slightly surprised at Gaara's willingness to join in the conversation. A lot had changed since he had left.

"So who's in charge then? We go in, get rid of them and no more bounty hunter problem!" Kiba grinned, snapping his fingers. Naruto nodded his head in agreement, getting to his feet from where he sat.

"Lets meet this person, I want to give them a piece of my mind!"

"Perhaps we can reason with them for we are good willed shinobi of Konoha!" Lee joined in, pumping his fist into the air. So this was what he had missed, Sasuke mused, glancing around, watching Ino pull Naruto and Kiba back down. But could he really go back to Konoha? If he did, he would be branded a traitor and prosecuted. Was it worth it, with the chance that he may live the rest of his life in chains? Watching Naruto sulk, he decided to answer that later.

"Who is in charge?" The circle went silent, waiting for the answer to Shino's question.

"I am unsure of her real name, however she is referred to as 'The Moon'." Kiba snorted in disbelief from across the circle, going silent at the look Shino was directing at him.

"So, what's so scary bout her?" He glanced at the blond, amused at the determined look on his face.

"It's rumored that she…has modified her body, turning it into a weapon, with forbidden jutsu's."

The group fell silent once again, digesting the information, each lost in their own thoughts before Sasuke brought up what had been on all of their minds.

"I know how to get there. I was actually heading there myself, I can show you the way." It all came down to whether they trusted him enough, even after every thing he had done.

BbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbB

They were a strange group, she decided, as they traveled through the tree tops and out of view of the village hidden in the leafs. Kakashi-sensei had taken point, and it proved how seriously he took the situation, as his ever present book was missing.

Hinata shifted the pack on her back, hoping she had packed everything she needed, but knowing it was only nerves from their present mission that was causing her to doubt.

She had noticed that Shikamaru kept glancing over at her and she knew why. He was worried, worried about her, about the fact that they were on a mission to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke, probably the one person that had Naruto's undivided attention and while it hurt to know that, she was also glad. Glad that Naruto was not alone and it had surprised her, but a little while back, the violet haired girl had realized that she was not as in love with the blond boy as she had thought.

It was nice to know her friends cared, though.

Hinata smiled reassuringly over at the chunnin, as Shikamaru quickly replaced his bored expression, eyes trained on the branches in front of them. Sakura traveled next to her, face set in a determined grin that would give Naruto's a run for his money.

"Any idea how far ahead they are, Kakashi-sensei?" She asked, catching up with the silver haired Jounin.

"A few days." He smiled down at her through his mask, eye curving into a happy smile.

"They've probably stopped a few times, so if we keep up at this pace we'll catch them in no time!" Gai grinned, giving her thumbs up, either not noticing or ignoring the strange looks he was receiving from Kankuro and Temari.

"So that's where bushy brows gets it from." She heard Kankuro mutter. "Wonder if they're related." Temari flashed him a grin as she nudged him playfully.

Hinata watched, surprised as the blond girls eyes drifted over to Shikamaru then away quickly, the faintest of red appearing on her cheeks. Deciding it was none of her business; she nodded as Sakura started up a conversation. Iruka-sensei joined them soon after as they discussed classes at the academy. They were a strange bunch, but as a group, sometimes it seemed like they could do the impossible.

AaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaA

A high-pitched squealing noise echoed around Hokage's tower. Rushing down the hall, Shizune nodded hello to the passing Genma and Raidou before continuing on. Pausing outside of Lady Tsunade's office, she opened the door a crack, letting a terrified Ton-ton out of the room.

"What's the matter Ton-ton?" She asked picking up the pig. A loud crash echoed from inside the room, answering her question. Poking her head in, she witnessed the end of what used to be an antique vase, as it crashed against the wall, shattering.

"Lady Tsunade?" The woman in question looked up from where she was rifling through her desk, tossing papers and files every which way.

"Shizune, I'm busy, what is it?" She flinched as the amber-eyed woman snapped at her, stepping fully into the room. It was a mess. Chairs were over turned, pictures lying around, papers littering the floor.

"Is there something wrong, Lady Tsunade?" She asked carefully.

"Yes! Where is that damn report that Sakura filed!?" Papers started their wild descent to the floor again as they were tossed carelessly into the air. Reaching down, Shizune picked up a single piece of paper with Sakura's name on it, handing it to the hokage.

"What do you need it for?" She asked as her curiosity got the better of her as she glanced around the office.

"I'm going to file it, what does it look like I'm doing?!" Amber eyes glared at her, before softening slightly and returning to her 'work'. Choosing to keep her mouth shut, she bowed and stepped out of the office and nearly walked right into Genma.

"So, what's up with the Hokage?" Raidou asked appearing next to his friend. Shizune sighed, glancing back at the closed door.

"She's really worried."

KkKkKkKkKkKkKkKkKkK

"Hey Naruto, I need to talk to you." The blond in question glanced up as he was suddenly dragged away from the campfire and the others. He followed as Ino led him further into the woods until they were far enough away from the others that they couldn't hear them, or at least that's what he figured she was doing.

"What is it Ino?"

"Naruto-think! Is it really a good idea to go right into a fight? Shouldn't we at least notify Konoha? Tell them what's going on?" He shook his head, grin disappearing momentarily.

"Sasuke needs our help and these bounty hunter guys are going to keep attacking until they're stopped!" Naruto grinned, pleased with how that had sounded. "Besides, grandma Tsunade would just send us back out anyways!"

"That's true, but even if it is Sasuke, how do we know this isn't a trap?" His expression hardened slightly.

"Because it's the teme. He wouldn't lead us into a trap, if he wanted us dead; we'd know it and he doesn't want us dead. He may not say it but he cares about all of us!"

"Still-"

"The teme needs my help for once, he may not ask for it, but I'm gonna give it!" He cut her off, growling impatiently.

"You really haven't changed, have you?" She asked ruffling his blond hair affectionately. At his dubious glance, she continued, pulling her hand away as he swatted at it. "It's a good thing. I'm proud of you; we all are, although none of the others will admit it." Ino grinned at his wide-eyed expression "I guess we should get back to the others, huh?"

"Yeah, we've got some planning to do." Ino fell into step with Naruto, heading back towards the group.

"So, did you and Sasuke make up then?" She asked, nudging his shoulder, grinning as he blushed bright red. "Well, I need some gossip for Sakura when I get back to Konoha. Can't have her knowing all the juicy details before I do, it'll ruin my reputation!"

LlLlLlLlLlLlLlLlLlLlLlLlLlLlLlL

They were strong fighters of Konoha, they would not fail! And if they did, he promised to do five hundred laps around Konoha carrying Ten-ten if she would permit it. Lee grinned, the stories he would have for Gai-sensei once he returned home!

However certain stories would have to remain a secret from Gai-sensei unfortunately, but how could he tell his mentor something if he himself did not completely under stand it? Perhaps Iruka-sensei could provide him with the information he needed. After all it was a well known fact that the academy teacher was in a relationship with Kakashi-sensei and it seemed like he would be the best suited to help him.

What did one do when one was fairly certain that their friend had nearly kissed them? And what did one do if they had wanted to be kissed?

He could ask Naruto or perhaps even Kiba. Some how he did not believe that Shino would answer him if he posed the question.

Lee was not certain, but it had certainly felt like Gaara had been about to kiss him before Kiba interrupted, although, if he thought about it, it was more a matter of had he wanted to kiss him back? Perhaps now was not the best time to discuss it, with Sasuke leading them through the forests towards their potential enemy, but he had this feeling that if not now, they would not get another chance for quite some time.

"Gaara." He started, falling into step with the Kazekage as he traveled at the back of the group. "Before, were you…?" He was doing a terrible job of asking, the blush making its way to his face making it worse. Gai-sensei always said to say what you mean. So that was exactly what he had to do! If only it was that easy, how did his old sensei do it? The ninja continued at the same pace, confusion making its way into his teal coloured eyes. "Before Kiba came to tell us that Naruto was back…" He was trying to keep his voice down so the others would not hear, but he needed to know, to be certain. He was a ninja of Konoha! He felt no fear, not even in matters of the heart! Best to spit it out, so to speak, he decided.

"Wereyougoingtokissme?!" He blurted out, earning a strange look from Kiba. Gaara paused on one of the branches, as Lee came to a stop next to him.

"Would you like me to?" That was the question wasn't it? Gaara had become his most precious person over the past few years. The one he cared the most about. The one constantly on his mind and he had the feeling that Gaara thought of him the same way, if he was wrong about this then he would do two thousand laps around Suna in the middle of the day, but his heart told him he was not wrong. Lee nodded.

The others had pulled ahead, giving them their space to talk, still moving through the tree tops, knowing the pair would be able to easily catch up.

It wasn't much of a kiss, as their lips barely brushed, a quick invasion of privacy, but it was enough. Blushing, Lee finally found his voice eyes meeting Gaara's.

"Does this mean that you'll be able to visit Konoha more often?" The Kazekage's slight wary expression softened as he leaned in again, pressing their lips together, after making sure the others were still moving. Then straightening up he glanced around sharply.

"There are more ninja's traveling this way." Lee glanced around, spotting the group from Konoha moving farther away apparently oblivious to what Gaara was sensing.

"We need to catch up to the others!"

SsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsS

They were surrounded in seconds He scanned the area thankful of his mask and glasses hiding any change in his expressions. Kiba and Naruto caught on quickly, their own masked faces turning towards him, all communicating silently to make sure the others knew of the lurking danger.

Their enemy lay hidden by the foliage, most likely waiting for a moment to strike; he could not tell how many of them there were, but there were many. Shino glanced over at the two members of their group that had moved ahead. Sasuke had paused, glancing back, eyes connecting with Naruto's through the mask, Ino seemed to have caught on quickly, tensing and slowing her pace.

What were they waiting for? He could only assume they were enemy nin as they were not showing themselves and making some effort to conceal their chakra, but why had they not attacked? All other bounty hunters had attacked without a second thought, but these, these were not reckless, and they seemed organized. That would pose a problem.

"Ino, Naruto!" Lee's voice cut through the tense silence that had descended upon the group, his face lined with worry as he and Gaara rejoined them. A second later he realized what they had been waiting for, when he was forced to the ground as the sky seemed to rain kunai.

Shielded by the underbrush, he ignored the scratch on his arm, realizing belatedly that they had been waiting for the entire group. Herding them into one area, where the group from Konoha would be at the disadvantage.

Shino glanced around, quickly spotting Kiba, mask skewed slightly as he sought out cover behind a large rock, but seemingly unharmed. Gaara stood in the middle of the clearing, his sand acting as a shield from the trap, covering himself, Lee and Sasuke. No sign of Naruto or Ino.

He needed to get back up into the trees, he quickly determined, spotting three of the ninja half hidden in a few of the higher branches. Shino's kikaichuu swarmed around him, creating a barrier as he ran up the tree, pulling out a kunai. It was not often he needed to use weapons, his kikaichuu working as his offense and defense, however right now he felt the need to feel the cool blade in his hand as a back up.

The first two went down easily, caught unawares; the third disappeared in a cloud of his insects. The weapons stopped raining down on the forest floor, replaced instead, by the bodies of four unconscious ninja, added to the three he had taken out. Two flashes of blond appeared through the canopy, as Naruto and Ino moved from where they had hidden weapons in hand.

Shino caught the end of the hand signs, before the clearing was suddenly full of twenty ANBU Naruto's, all cheering and ready for a fight. His kikaichuu swarmed behind him effectively taking out the nin that had attempted to sneak up on him. Thin strands of sand were threading their way through the branches creating a sort of netting, pushing their opponents out into the open.

"Shino- why aren't they fighting back?" Kiba appeared next to him, frowning. Why weren't they fighting? After the initial attack, it was suddenly like they were choosing to remain hidden, leaving it to them to force them out of hiding. He did not like this.

"I am unsure." He admitted, moving back to back with the smaller teen to scan the area, pulling comfort from the heat at his back.

"They hide because they are afraid." Shino froze, body going rigid at the voice traveling through the branches. The low, raspy voice sent fear through him and he hadn't felt fear this strong in a long time. "So tell me, what do you fear?" An older man, with graying brown hair that hung loosely around his shoulders stepped out on a thick branch, eerie red eyes boring into him.

"Not you, that's for sure!" Kiba growled next to him, turning to face the man, kunai raised.

"Fear is for the weak." He grit out, finding his voice. It was not the dream and the dream world did not affect life, he would not let it affect his. He could feel his insects buzzing excitedly both around and inside him; he would not lose to this man.

A black wave surged forth from him, creating a solid wall as it closed in on the unsuspecting nin. The kikaichuu surrounded the man, leaving nothing but a black cloud to see.

"Nice try." A voice came from behind his ear, before something solid connected with the base of his back, sending him flying forwards into the solid form of the tree. Half stunned, gravity pulled him towards the ground far below, as he fell, his insects forming a pillow underneath him to land on.

"Shino!" Kiba called down to him worry lacing his voice. The man had disappeared, leaving one of the bounty hunters to fight the fanged teen. How had he missed that? How on earth had the ninja gotten behind him so quickly? Was he really that distracted? He could not let this continue. His mask had fallen off, landing somewhere in the bushes when he impacted with the tree. He would worry about that later. In the meantime, Kiba was now on the ground as well, blades clashing with their enemies, his dog mask missing from his features.

"What do you fear?" The voice slid across him like ice, freezing him. Five sets of glowing red eyes stared back at him, holding his gaze. Clones. But which was the real one? They surrounded him, forming a circle, a raspy laugh echoing through them. Wait- these appeared to all be clones. So where was the real one?

He sensed the presence behind him, turning quickly, kunai slashing through the air. One of the clones disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Breathe, he told himself firmly; do not let your emotions cloud your judgment.

"Looking for me?" One hissed, appearing next him.

"Or perhaps me?" The other appeared on his other side as he took them both out in one smooth movement. Where was the real one?

"You fear the loss of control, do you not?" The hair on the back of his neck prickled- there! That last one was not a clone! He moved, throwing a handful of shurriken at the figure, lunging for the man's throat, kunai in hand. "Tempest!" The man shouted, smearing blood on a small scroll he held in his hand.

Shino's eyes widened as the crimson mixed with the black writing, before it came to life, moving off the paper.

"Shino, watch out!" He moved, watching as Kiba ran to attack the man. Sending chakra into his feet, he pushed off the ground, running up one tree to jump to another. The strange black lines followed him at a startling pace, gaining on him. He needed a plan. His kikaichuu swarmed behind him, creating a barrier between the jutsu and himself. The black cord like lines cut through his insects wrapping around his arms, chest and shins. They spread to his fingers and toes, burning through fabric, leaving his ANBU armor hanging by shreds, pants in thin strips below his knees.

Shino felt his body seize up as he toppled back down towards the earth. His shoulder impacted with the ground first with a sickening thud! A shock of pain was sent through him, as he opened his eyes, gazing at the patch of grass he now lay on.

He tried to move, to get up and fight, but it was like he was frozen, only able to move his eyes. Fear ran through him, as he struggled inwardly- what had that man done to him?!

"Shino! Oi, can you hear me?" Naruto shook him lightly, rolling him onto his back as he blinked up at him.

"Oh, don't worry he can hear you." Anger shot through him at the raspy, gleeful voice. "Now, Shino was it? Stand up and say hello to your friends." Shocked, he felt himself responding, climbing to his feet slowly.

"What? Come on bug freak, this isn't funny." The blond haired boy glanced warily between the man and Shino, then over to where Kiba standing teeth bared kunai in hand.

"Shino! What're you doing?!" The Inuzuka barked, the worry in his eyes betraying the angered expression on his face.

"He's doing nothing I don't tell him to do." It was true; he couldn't move- had only been able to move when ordered too. It appeared as though this ninja had control over him, he had lost his control. He needed to find a way to break the jutsu, think! "He is my puppet," No, there wasn't enough time; he would have to break himself out of this soon, but how? Inside him, his kikaichuu buzzed restlessly as though fighting the jutsu themselves. "Now, Shino- kill them."

A/N- so whadd'ya think? Reviews welcome, and if you review- i give you cookies shaped like...um...Shino! yeah! Magical Shino cookies for everyone that reviews! ;)