Leo: Ah, it's good to be back. My family's moving halfway across the country right now so don't be too surprised if I don't have much time to update. I've had almost no free time lately but I'm still going to try to make time to write. So here are the scores:

Gaara: 8

Sasuke: 9

Leo: Wow, Sasuke's really taking the lead, ne? Now, I feel kind of bad for ending the Sasuke arc…and I'm over it now. Disclaimer time~!

Inari: Leo doesn't own Naruto and I highly doubt she's going to get it for her birthday either.

Leo: …I can try. Commencing story.

Misaki's POV

I woke up feeling annoyed. As I sat up and stretched I remembered why I was so annoyed. I sighed when I remembered Sasuke had left the village yesterday. By this time someone had probably already found Sakura lying on that bench at which point she probably had reported that Sasuke had turned traitor.

"MISAKI!" I heard my bedroom door slam open revealing Naruto. I growled in annoyance, I had told him a thousand times that he had to knock before entering. But judging on how he was yelling while he was still in his pajamas, he was in a hurry.

"What is it now? Are we out of ramen or something?" I yawned and slipped out of the bed heading towards the bathroom.

"We have a mission, Sasuke's gone." He answered. I breathed out, hearing someone else say it, it sounded worse than I had imagined.

"…Let me get ready, I'll be out in 5 minutes. You get dressed too." I closed the door to the bathroom speeding through my morning routine.

5 MINUTES LATER

Shikamaru, Naruto, and I were speeding through the village,

"So, Misaki and I are some of the excellent ninjas you're supposed to gather?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah, and we're about to get the next one." Shikamaru remarked. I nodded silently absorbing the information.

We eventually reached a large apartment complex, Shikamaru knocked on one of the doors, revealing Choji. I raised an eyebrow, he wanted to Choji to come? Well, Shikamaru is the leader and a chuunin. I should trust whatever he decides.

Shikamaru explained the situation and told Choji to meet us at the gates in 10 minutes.

"Hey! Didn't you say excellent ninjas, if we need someone we should get Shino or-" Naruto began to protest once he processed that Shikamaru wanted Choji to come on the mission with us.

"Choji and I have been working closely on the same team for awhile he's the easiest person for me to work with. Kind of like how you and Misaki work well together." Shikamaru interrupted him. I suddenly, could see where he was coming from, teamwork always gives you the advantage in situations, it can catch the enemy off guard.

"Welcome to the team, Choji." I smiled warmly, he returned the smile easily.

"Shino's out on a mission with his father right now." I heard a familiar gruff voice say. A wide grin spread on my face when I saw the owner of said voice.

"Kiba! It's been forever since I've seen you." I smiled.

"I guess it's lucky that I decided to take a walk with Akamaru, huh?" he returned the smile, "Well, I've heard everything, sounds like quite a problem you have there."

"I also happen to know what's going on." I glanced over to see Lee and Neji standing off to the side. I smiled, I had a feeling we were going to have a really well rounded group.

10 MINUTES LATER

We had all gathered at the gate, save for Lee. I had managed to convince him that it's best if he stayed back and rested, he would do more harm than good if he came along. He still came to the gate to see us off though.

"Time's up." I concluded that we had waited the designated 10 minutes for everyone to arrive. "For now, looks like were a 6 man team."

"Alright! Everybody follow me!" Naruto yelled loudly and fist pumped the air.

"…" He was met with complete silence.

"Naruto…you do know, I'm the squad leader, right?" Shikamaru reminded him. "Well…not that it's a big deal."

"You? You don't look very trustworthy…" Naruto remarked.

"You're right; it doesn't feel right listening to orders from Shikamaru…" Kiba added on.

"Shikamaru was the only one who was nominated a chuunin in the exams. That means the council recognizes that Shikamaru is fit to be a leader. I think you should quit whining a start taking orders from him." I quickly put the protests to rest.

"Thanks, Misaki." Shikamaru mumbled gratefully. I just nodded and retreated back into my silence.

"Tell us the basic strategies and plans then. There seems to be a risk of enemies and ambushes." Neji spoke up.

"Well, since this is a rescue mission, we're the pursuers, meaning it's easy for the enemy to get the first strike on us. So now, we'll decide the mission formation that is the most suitable to reacting to attacks. If anyone moves on their own and ignores my orders it might end up killing us all." Shikamaru concluded. A deadly silence filled the air. "We'll move in single line formation. First, will be Kiba, the forward scout. You've been traveling around the Nation of Fire all year long so you know our terrain very well. You've got a keen sense of smell which makes it easier to track Sasuke and detect booby traps by picking up on the enemy's scent."

"O-Okay." Kiba seemed taken aback by Shikamaru's accurate analysis of his skills.

"Second will be me, the team leader. I will give orders according to the situation behind Kiba. Anyone behind me can see my hand signals too."

"Third will be Naruto. You've got quick reactions so it's best to put you in a situation where you can assist both front and back. You will be the cover and assistance, especially since you've got Shadow Clones."

"Fourth will be Choji. You don't have much speed but you have the most hit power in our squad. We will create openings and we can come in and finish the game. You're the striker."

"Fifth, is Misaki. You've got excellent detection skills since you can respond to the vibrations in the earth, and trees you can tell when there's danger and act on it. You can thwart the ambushes anyone may try on us. It's good you're fast too and you have good stamina, you can move quickly and get news to me if anything happens to the team. You're second scout."

"Lastly, Neji will be the tail. You can handle being the rear scout. With your 'Byakugan' you can check for the squad's blind spots. I'll explain furthermore with this drawing."

Shikamaru pulled a blank scroll from his pocket and spread it out on the ground; he quickly made a sketch of the battle field and our positions. "Kiba will concentrate on the forward position, and I'll spread my sight at a wide angle. Naruto will cover the left and Choji the right. Misaki and Neji you will be in charge of the whole rear position with your 'Byakugan' and 'Tenkigan'. But first, I'd like to figure out the total strength of our team, I want to see everyone's weapons and equipment. It'll take three minutes."

I turned to look at Neji and I quickly made eye contact. I nodded, so he was the eyes and I was the sixth sense. I could do this.

"Any questions?" Shikamaru rolled up the scroll and shoved it back in his pocket. No one spoke up. "Good. Now for the most important thing. Sasuke is not a close friend of mine. Nor is he someone important. But he is a fellow Leaf shinobi just like me and you. He's our comrade. That is the reason why we risk our lives for him. That is the way of the Leaf. Even someone like me can't goof off on this. I'm responsible for all of your lives."

I chuckled, "You're finally starting to act like a chuunin huh?"

"We'll head out once we finish the equipment check." Shikamaru ignored my remark. "Everyone, take them out."

I watched as everyone opened up their weapons pouch and showed Shikamaru their weapons. Shikamaru turned to me expectantly, "Misaki, take them out."

I opened my weapons pouch to reveal the obvious weapons then I proceeded to reveal my hidden weapons. I pulled a small knife from my pocket and numerous needles from under the bandages on my right bicep and left shin, then I reached inside the obi around my waist and pulled out a large number of shurikens and kunais holding them out to Shikamaru. I received a long look of astonishment from the team.

"…Really prepared…" Lee murmured.

"Paranoid, aren't you?" Shikamaru sweat dropped. I shrugged. It never hurts to be prepared.

"Just in case someone manages to take my pouch. You'd be surprised how handy they can become." I answered nonchalantly hinting lightly that I've used them before. I quickly secured the hidden weapons back to my body and tied my weapons pouch back to my thigh.

"…Alright, let's move out!" Naruto broke the silence.

"Wait." A familiar voice spoke up. I turned to see Sakura.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Sakura." I said stocially.

"…" She didn't answer. I frowned.

"I heard the story from the Hokage. I can't take you on the mission." Shikamaru spoke, "Even you couldn't convince Sasuke, right?"

"What?" Naruto seemed shocked.

"Sakura." I repeated, she looked at me, "… I want to tell you…I tried…Sasuke won't be convinced with words."

"What? Misaki you met with Sasuke too?" Naruto turned on me. I could feel the stares of the whole group on me. Sakura frowned and opened her mouth about the yell at me.

"I'm not saying this to get you mad Sakura…I really tried. I did." I looked down, "Your job is done. Sasuke can only be moved with force from here on out."

Sakura looked down and trembled as she started to cry.

"Naruto, I'm begging you…" She lowered her head, "Please, please bring Sasuke-kun back. I couldn't do it…I couldn't stop him. The only person who can bring Sasuke back now is you…Naruto…only you…"

I glanced at Naruto, he looked down a sad smiled on his face, "Sakura-chan, you really like Sasuke, huh? I understand how much pain you're in. I understand."

Sakura looked up surprised, she sobbed harder at his smile, "Thank you, Naruto."

"Don't worry, I'll bring him back, I promise." Naruto gave her a thumbs up and a large grin.

I smiled, Naruto really had matured, "Okay, let's head out. See you Lee." I waved to Lee as we headed out.

10 MINUTES LATER

We had set off at a fast pace making quick progress. Suddenly Kiba stopped us, "I smell blood and corpses. I can also smell five other ninja, including Sasuke; they were fighting two other ninjas. But the five of them are getting father away from the scent of blood!"

"So, there're people helping Sasuke…" I murmured.

"If you can smell blood then that means there was some form of combat happening. If we check it out we can find out what kind of people we're dealing with. We have to switch to scouting positions and move carefully." Shikamaru deduced.

"But while we do that Sasuke would be crossing the border." Neji pointed out.

"What are we going to do?" Naruto frowned.

"…Alright, we'll go after Sasuke." Shikamaru finally decided.

"Roger that!" Naruto seemed satisfied that we'd be going after Sasuke.

"Naruto," I got his attention successfully, "We need to be careful, if there was a fight the enemy is already aware that there are people pursuing them, we need to be conscious of ambushes and traps."

"Right. From now on we have to use our noses and eyes to their full potential; we need to find them before they ambush us." Shikamaru ordered.

"Hey…the stench of the enemy is all over this place." Kiba said.

"Everyone stop!" Shikamaru ordered. Everyone followed suit and stopped immediately. "Look up there."

I looked up to see an explosive seal stuck to the tree directly in front of us.

"I see five more of them, it's the formation of a barrier seal." Neji informed us.

"A barrier seal?" I asked interested.

"It's form of ninjutsu trap. If we enter this area the traps they set here will activate. It's a high class jutsu."

"So we have to go around this?" I sighed. "These guys are pretty irritating."

20 MINUTES LATER

"Why are there so many traps, it's annoying." I muttered to myself as I sidestepped a pitfall.

"Hey, Naruto, watch out, there's a wire right in front of you."

"Another wire…" Naruto sighed, "I know, I know…" Just as Naruto was about to put his foot down I noticed another wire right in front of the last one.

"Wait, Naruto!" I yelled.

"Huh?" Naruto paused midstep, he twitched with exertion to keep from falling. I noticed that his shadow was connected to Shikamaru's.

"Just in time." Shikamaru sighed, he held onto Choji's scarf to keep from falling.

Neji examined the trap as soon as Kiba dragged Naruto away from the wires. "I see…one of the wires is made visible and the other is camouflaged. It's a double trap."

"So that means…" I started.

"Correct. They are resting. Either they're wounded or it's a trap." Neji made a seal, "Byakugan! It looks like they are just ahead of us, and they're resting."

"Well, it's time for an ambush." I smiled, I really liked ambushing people, surprises were almost always fun.

"Then, let's split up into two teams." Shikamaru said.

"I call Neji." I smiled at his and Naruto's surprised look, "What? I don't always work with Naruto, plus we're both rear scouts so we gotta stick together."

"…Then, it'll be Misaki, Neji, and me. Kiba, Naruto, and Choji you're the other team. Now split up and surround them."

FEW MINUTES LATER

I was hiding in a tree with Neji, and Shikamaru. I looked down, looking for Sasuke's figure.

"So…where's Sasuke?" I whispered.

"It seems like Sasuke is within that coffin." Neji said. I frowned

"What? Is he dead?" Shikamaru panicked.

"It's hard to see through, there seems to be a barrier around the coffin. But I don't think they'd kill him so quickly seeing as how much they wanted him." Neji calmed Shikamaru down.

"Psh, Sasuke wouldn't die so easily." I smiled, "He's alive."

Suddenly, a kunai implanted itself in the tree we were in. My eyes dilated when I saw the active explosive tags attached to it.

"JUMP!" I jumped out of the tree followed closely by Shikamaru and Neji, we barely missed the explosion behind us. I hit the ground hard, and rolled to a stop. I groaned. That really hurt, more than I thought it would.

I quickly picked myself up when I saw the fat one of the four make an advance towards us.

"Wait, wait! We're not here to fight. We came to negotiate." Shikamaru reasoned.

"Hmph, then what are these?" I cringed as a guy with four arms yanks on the threads in his hand. Naruto, Kiba, and Choji came flying out of one of the trees. There was a puff of smoke; it took me awhile to realize Kiba had set off the smoke bomb we assigned to him.

"What's a smoke bomb going to do in this situation?" The guy with four arms held up the threads in his hands. These threads are thinner than wires but also stronger and harder to detect. I've laid them all over this area." He smirked.

"I see, so you made those two wires visible on purpose. So it was a triple trap." I mused to myself. I chuckled.

"Hey…what are you laughing about?" The guy with white hair frowned at me. I smiled as the smoke cleared.

"You see…we're not that weak. We have good techniques too, you know?" As the smoke cleared it was revealed that Shikamaru had caught them in his Shadow Mimic Jutsu.

"Nice going, Shikamaru!" Naruto grinned.

"Ah, but to return your words. I have 'these' kinds of techniques." Suddenly, shuriken came flying out of nowhere at Shikamaru. He put his hands up to block them temporarily losing his focus long enough to create an opening for retaliation.

I gasped as I felt the ground shifting below me; the fat guy slammed his hands into the ground.

"Earth Barrier: Clay Prison." He spoke as a dome came around us.

"Tch." I growled banging my fists on the side of the dome.

"I'll take care of these guys. I wanna recover even just a little." I heard the fat one speak from outside of the dome.

"Okay, we'll catch up with you as soon as you're done eating. We're heading out." I heard the white haired guy say before silence ensued.

I growled, "They're leaving us alone with this guy?"

"Wait a minute; I can get us out of here." Kiba said. "Piercing Fang!" Kiba managed to make a large dent in the side of the wall. I watched as the hole slowly repaired itself.

"This isn't any ordinary clay wall." Neji said as he activated his Byakugan. "This is…"

"What is it?" Shikamaru asked.

"…Our chakra is being sucked dry." Neji answered.

"Misaki, can't you do something?" Naruto said, I felt everyone's expectant stares on me.

"I've seen something like this before…" I mumbled to myself.

Flashback

"Alright, let's see what you can do Misaki." I heard the call of my father's voice, I panted; he was testing me. I hated when he did this. He gathered other earth users in our clan and put me up against them to test my skills and how far I had progressed in training. Such as necessary for someone second-in-line to the head. Even if I was only 6.

I growled at the chuunin in front of me, he was channeling chakra into the ground not allowing me to use it to my use, I was forced to fight the other chuunin myself, I ducked under one of his punches and returned one of my own to his side.

"This is an important lesson, Misaki. To win you're going to have to figure out how to forcibly take control of the earth. It's your element not mine, show me that you can use it." My father called out.

I frowned deftly dodging the punches thrown at me, I activated my Tenkigan. I listened closely feeling the waves of chakra the chuunin was sending into the earth, they were very steady and hard to deflect. With one well-aimed kick, I sent the chuunin in front of me unto his knees giving me the time to slam my hand into the nearest trees, looking for a weak point. It wasn't long until I found it, he faltered with his chakra flow for only a second. I sent a burst of my own chakra into the tree forcing his chakra out and mine in. I was in control again.

I manipulated the branches of the tree so they wrapped around the chuunins effectively constricting them. I pinned them against the tree easily watching as they struggled then went limp. I loosened my grip letting them slide to the ground, unconscious.

I turned to my father who was watching from a safe distance. I spat at him before making my way back towards the main grounds. I was done. For today.

End Flashback

"I can break this wall. But I'm going to need your help." I said. They nodded obediently. I put my hand against the wall and made a seal. "Tenkigan."

I felt the waves of chakra rush through the wall; I felt the intense sucking feeling as my chakra was drained. Nonetheless, I smirked; this guy was faltering a lot. It's not easy stealing chakra from people; his chakra was unsteady and weak in some parts.

"…At the back of this dome, there's a large weak spot." I murmured. "Neji, you can take a look if you'd like, there's less chakra, no?"

Neji examined the wall, "You're right, there is."

"Choji." I got his attention easily, "Like Shikamaru said, you have the most destructive force. You should do the honors."

Choji grinned, "Alright, let's go!" Choji's body inflated as he rolled at the designated point easily breaking through the wall.

"What?" Jiroubo seemed surprised.

"Hehe, listen you ugly mug. You're not the only earth user in this village. And I'll tell you right now," I narrowed my eyes, "I'm better. So don't take me so lightly."

"You're pretty cocky little girl." He growled. I growled back, how dare he call me a little girl?

I took a sharp intake of breath as he suddenly disappeared.

"Behind us!" Kiba called out. I turned to see the guy lifting up a monstrous piece of earth. I gaped at the sheer strength it must have required.

"Im-impossible!" Naruto yelled incredulously. I began to run once I saw him throw it in our direction.

I barely made far enough to see Choji inflate again and shatter the piece of earth. I watched as he was cruelly knocked back into Shikamaru.

"This guy is really asking for it." I growled as I shifted into a comfortable stance. Naruto, Neji, and Kiba also moved as it they were about to attack.

"Guys, stop! From here on we have no time, we need to split up. I'll stay behind and take care of this guy with Naruto. Neji, you act as co-leader, take Kiba, Choji, and Misaki with you to chase after Sasuke." Shikamaru made the seal for the Shadow Mimic Jutsu.

I snorted, "No way, am I gonna let this guy get away, if you're staying then I'm staying too."

"Hmph, little girl, I think it's best if you stay out of it before you get hurt, I'll get to you later."

I felt a vein throb in my forehead as I clenched my fist. "Oh, really. I'd like to see you try. Come here and fight me you stupid oaf. I'll pulverize you!"

"And you're leader. Are you planning on using the Shadow Bind Jutsu again? Such a useless move, one glance and I already know how to deal with it. You really think you can defeat me if you split up? Must to tedious work under such a foolish leader…huh, underling?"

"You shut your dirty trap about Shikamaru, one look at you and I know I can send you flying!" I retaliated.

"Well, I'd kill any idiot who'd work under a shadow loving sucker even before they felt bored."

"Stop talking so big, you piece of trash, or I really won't go easy on you!" I roared angrily. "I'll really-"

"HE'S MINE!" I turned to see Choji getting up.

"What…?" I calmed down quickly.

"If he's gonna keep insulting Shikamaru then I'll take care of him." Choji glared at the guy. He dug a small bag out of his pouch and tossed it to Shikamaru.

"Choji…" Shikamaru started.

"Shikamaru, give these soldier pills to everyone.

"Choji, you've got to be kidding me!" Shikamaru started before he was interrupted again.

"Don't worry, I still have the secret weapon for myself. Now go." Choji took a step forward.

"What are you saying? This guy isn't someone you can take on by yourself!" Naruto yelled.

"If we lose track of Sasuke now, we'll only become what Jiroubo called us, a foolish leader and a bunch of idiots."

"…" There was a complete silence except for Akamaru's whining as everyone considered that.

"Everyone eat this, it's a gift from Choji." Shikamaru opened the bag and held it out to us, "Replenish the chakra Jiroubo took from us."

I ate a few pills already feeling my strength return to me.

"Choji…you better catch up later." Shikamaru said.

"Roger that." Choji replied.

"Alright then, let's go. Kill this guy for me, kay Choji? Don't lose!" I saluted him before following my other teammates. I didn't know what trump card Choji was holding but there was only one thing I could do for him.

Believe.

Leo: Okay. This chapter was 12 pages long. Gosh, I'm really not ready for all the fight scenes coming up. D; So review and I might do better, you're reviews give me strength through the dark times. Oh, and don't forget to vote!