Chapter 7:

Beep, beep, beep. The sounds of a machine beeping stirred Naruto from his slumber. He groaned as he felt a sharp pain in his chest, wincing slightly. He opened his eyes to a sterile white ceiling, his eyes squinting as the light shone through from some unknown area.

"Oww…" The blonde groaned as he tried to sit up, but was pushed down. His eyes lost focus for a moment, before they readjusted to the figure standing over him. "Kakashi Sensei?"

Kakashi frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Lie down."

Naruto nodded reluctantly, lying backwards with a heavy sigh. His eyes once again squinted at the light coming through the blinds. Kakashi noticed this and shut the blinds, blocking the light. Naruto sighed in relief. "Thanks Sensei," Naruto realised that he was sounding like a dying frog. "What happened? I remember fighting… and then, nothing."

Kakashi nodded. "I was about to ask you what you actually remember. Is that all?" Naruto studied Kakashi, and realised that he looked extremely forlorn.

"The ninja… He said his name was… Jo-Joukei, I think that was it." Kakashi nodded.

"Anything else?"

Naruto shook his head. Kakashi sighed, and rubbed his visible eye. "Okay then." With that he stood up and stretched.

"The others said the exact same as you." Naruto's eyes widened, and shot up, visibly wincing.

"Sensei, what happened to Shino? Kiba?! Hinata!?"

"Shh!" Kakashi hissed, pushing the blonde back down. "They're fine." He continued after a moment, his eyes darting to the side slightly.

"What aren't you telling me? Sensei, tell me!-"

"Naruto, shut up." The blonde stopped speaking, almost unwillingly thanks to Kakashi's tone.

"Hinata… She's beaten pretty badly. Lost a lot of blood." Naruto's eyes widened once again, and before he could leap up Kakashi put his firm hand on the blonde's chest. "Don't even think about it."

"Will she make it?" It was almost like a whisper and behind his mask Kakashi smirked slightly. Finally, the idiot was getting it. Thank god.

"Yes, she'll be fine, she just needs rest." Naruto's tense figure loosened up.

"What about me?"

"You'll be out very shortly. After I finish talking with you, the nurse will come and check on you, and then you'll be free to go and visit the others. Your injuries were not very severe. You had a cracked rib, and some cuts, but that was about it. And before you ask about the others," Kakashi cut in as Naruto opened his mouth for the umpteenth time. "Kiba's got a few broken ribs, cuts and a numerous bruises, but he should be fine. Shino however, was caught by some sort of jutsu. It ripped through his shoulder. He also has numerous gashes and bruises and his arm and shoulder are in a sling. But they'll all live. Sasuke too."

"Sasuke? He wasn't there!?"

Kakashi sighed again as Naruto continued to shout. "Well he must have come later on, while you were unconscious. He suffered a severe concussion, he'll be fine."

Naruto nodded. "When can I see them?"

Kakashi smiled. "I believe Kiba and Shino are waiting outside. But, there is more we must discuss."

From the serious look in Kakashi's eye, Naruto knew he meant business. He gulped slightly.

"This ninja, was he alone?"

Naruto nodded. "He didn't have anyone else with him? Nobody, not a sack or anything?"

Naruto once again shook his head. Kakashi kept his face even. "Naruto… Sakura… she's been kidnapped."

The blonde tensed up. Kakashi watched as the blondes mouth curled into a feral snarl. "I'll kill him!" he roared.

"We have reason to believe, that your old teacher Mizuki led an escape from a local Shinobi prison, and escaped with some lightning ninja. They took Sakura."

"Mizuki!" Naruto roared, the faint glimmer of orange chakra beginning to swirl around him, his snarl deepening.

Kakashi put a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Naruto, calm down. We'll find her, don't worry. I was heading on a mission to the town of Orochiasu. It's a coincidence that the lightning ninja were last seen heading in that direction."

"I'm coming." Naruto snapped as the orange chakra and his feral tendency began to disappear. Kakashi smiled.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Kiba tapped his foot impatiently against the hospital floor. Akamaru nuzzled his neck, letting out a yip. The dog nin was currently sitting on a rather uncomfortable hospital chair, waiting to see Naruto. The brunette let out a sigh of irritation as he strained his neck backwards, trying to get a clear view of the blonde boy. He was waving his arms about animatedly, probably describing and over exaggerating the whole thing, not saying what it really was. A royal ass kicking.

Kiba turned his head sideways slightly and Shino did so too. The bug nin had his left arm in a sling that covered not only his arm but the formerly gaping hole in his shoulder. More or less they were both fine. Well, physically anyway.

Shino had been acting odder than usual. It had only been maybe 12 hours since the fight with Joukei, so maybe he was feeling the strain and disappointment of not being able to defeat the lightning ninja. Apparently Sasuke had managed to drive the bastard off, which irked the dog nin to no end. But there was nothing he could do about it. However this wasn't about him, it was about Shino. He cast the bug nin a glance. He was giving a window a calculating stare. That was Shino; 'Baby whisperer and all windows' arch nemesis'

Kiba went to open his mouth but shut it with a loud clack. This broke Shino's concentration and the bug nin turned to face Kiba with an impassive look. The dog nin coughed awkwardly.

"So… uh, how are you holding up?"

Shino remained impassive, keeping his voice in a slow and steady monotone. "My arm aches," Was his response.

"Well, maybe they need to dose you up on stronger painkillers," Kiba joked. Shino didn't laugh.

The dog nin sighed, as Akamaru gave him a small normally unintelligible yip of encouragement. He steeled himself, and quickly said in one breath. "Shinowhyareyouactingweirderthanusual?"

"What?"

Kiba took another deep breath. "I asked why you've been acting weirder than usual."

Shino's face, if only for a split second, broke into an anguished contort instead of his usual cool and calculating tone. "My father has passed away."

Kiba felt very reluctant at his teammates tone. He seemed so… sad. But, naturally, that was to be expected.

"I'm sorry," he managed to whisper after a few moments.

Shino began talking, not acknowledging his teammates pity. "The Kikaichȗ absorb the chakra of the host, gradually eating away. Eventually, the chakra weakens the more the Kikaichȗ eat it, and once you begin to age the edible chakra begins to run dry, until they are forced to feed on internal organs. The body's nervous system begins shut down. It's almost instantaneous. You die quickly. There is no pain, it is like fainting. The longest anybody from my clan has lived to was 42. My father was 37."

Kiba's mouth was agape. "You mean you'll die…" He trailed off slightly.

Shino nodded glumly. "Yes. My mother is distraught."

"How are you coping?"

"I'm not." The answer caused Kiba recoil in shock and he felt Akamaru shiver, Shino, the boy who was never affected by anything. He was never happy, sad, angry, sarcastic, charming. He was intelligent and blunt. Yet, he looked like a wreck, if only for a few seconds.

"I am sorry." Shino announced taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. Kiba's eyes widened. Brown. Shino's eyes were brown. Just like his. They looked worn, tired and battle worn, like they were too old for a boy of fifteen. The probably were. They were slightly red and a little puffy.

Kiba put his hand sympathetically on his friends shoulder, feeling the cold fabric of his friend's trench coat against his fingers. "Shino, I am so, so sorry."

Shino nodded. "Thank you."

For the first time in Kiba's life, he had seen a flicker of emotion from Shino. One tiny flicker that indicated he was a normal teen, that he grieved and felt. Kiba never wanted to see the look in his eyes again.

Naruto finished his story with "And then, it all went dark!"

Kakashi couldn't help but smile. He must have got his excellent talent for telling stories from his godfather.

"Okay then. Shino and Kiba are waiting to see you." The Copy Nin stood up and nodded. "We're leaving in two days. Meet me by the gates at twelve o'clock." The blonde nodded.

"And Naruto, if you have anybody that you would like to come with you on this mission, you better ask them now. No promises, but we could also use an extra hand. Gai-sensei and Lee are coming."

"What, Bushy Brow?" Kakashi sighed at Naruto's affectionate pet nickname for the self-proclaimed clone of Green Beast of Konoha.

"Yes. He has requested to come. Believe me; we tried to talk him out of it. He's almost as stubborn as you."

Before the blonde could retort at the comment about his stubbornness, Kakashi had opened the door and poked his head out. He was met by three heads snapping in his direction, two belonging to humans and one belonging to a dog. "You can see Naruto now." He announced as he stepped outside, causally waving to Naruto. Kiba nodded to Shino and stood up, and Kakashi brushed past them. On the outside, he was still his usual laid back self, but on the inside, he felt horrible about lying to his students. As bad as it sounded, Sakura's kidnapping was a major stroke of luck. It was in the vicinity of where Itachi Uchiha was now currently staying in, according to the amulet. He figured out how it worked last night. He used his Sharingan on the amulet and it activated, showing him a dark red dot on a black and white landscape. It originated from the village of Orochiasu. Right where Sakura was headed. He would find Sakura. He wouldn't let his students down. Sasuke was already heading down the path of vengeance, he couldn't lose Sakura too.

But the question remained, why was Itachi in the area? Did he have something to do with kidnapping Sakura, or was he merely passing through? Either way, he would need to move quickly. Gai and Lee were already looking for people to accompany them. Hopefully all of Gai's team could make it. That left Shikamaru. So, with his plan of action decided, Kakashi headed down the flight of stairs, eager to find the lazy Genin and his squad.

Troublesome. That was Shikamaru Nara's favourite word. Today was mighty troublesome. The lazy Genin groaned internally as he did his 49th push up. One more to go. With a heave, he completed his last push up and collapsed to the ground with an almighty thud.

From behind him, a female could be heard sighing. "Come on Shikamaru! Do some more."

Shikamaru groaned out loud this time, earning an illicit nagging fit from Ino. Choji had once again fallen ill with food poisoning and Asuma-sensei was visiting him. He had asked Ino to make sure Shikamaru did his regular exercise regime. Ino was making him do more. The blonde bombshell flipped her long ponytail and kicked Shikamaru in the butt. "Come on, do ten more!" she commanded. Shikamaru muttered under his breath about 'troublesome women' but complied. After he finished the ten extra push ups, Ino smiled brightly. "Excellent!"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, flipping onto his back with a thud. At least he could cloud watch. That was until Ino loomed over him. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"I was cloud watching."

Ino put her hand on her hip. "Okay, is that it?"

Shikamaru gave a tired nod, yawning slightly. "And I might take a nap…"

"No, you won't." Shikamaru groaned. Today was not his day.

"Can we go for a walk?" Ino asked- well no, more like commanded. Shikamaru rubbed his temples, but stood up.

"If we must." There was a squeal of thanks from Ino, and she proceeded to smile brightly as they walked out of the training fields and onto a small path that led through the forest. The leaves blocked most of the light, yet some streams managed to break through, and one landed on Ino's pale complexion. She looked deep in thought, and yet had the most beautiful smile plastered on her face. Shikamaru stared for a moment, before he shook his head. Troublesome women.

Shikamaru was having a problem. He had a crush on Ino. And he didn't know why. It wasn't just her looks, even though they contributed heavily. She was stunning with her long blonde hair and light blue eyes. But, it was something more. Shikamaru couldn't put his finger on it. Ino annoyed him to no end, always ordering him about and being bossy and loud and rude. Although she didn't obsess over Sasuke now. Well, openly anyway. But, she was annoying. The most troublesome women in his life next to his mother. And she just wouldn't get out of his head. Ino I mean, not his mother. That would just be- never mind.

The lazy genius smiled slightly as he heard Ino drawl on about something that he really didn't care about. It was always nice and annoying when she was bubbly.

"Hey, are you listening?" the blonde asked him. He nodded. "Good, 'cause I wanted to ask you something."

Shikamaru's eyebrows furrowed slightly. The way she said that, almost like a whisper. It was curious. "Go on."

Ino smiled uncertainly. "D-do you think I should see if Sasuke would like-"

Shikamaru cut her off. "No." he snapped angrily. Great, his happy/annoyed mood turned into a snappy/angry mood. Fantastic.

Ino scowled. "Sorry."

The lazy Genin only grunted. "Do you have a problem with that? Ino asked after a few moments. Shikamaru tensed slightly but shook his head.

"What you do in your free time with the Uchiha is up to you." It was accusing, defensive. Ino couldn't wrap her head around it.

"No need to be so hostile. It was just a question."

"Yeah well, I'm not the right person to ask. Go ask someone else."

"What the hell is your problem?" Ino snapped grounding to a halt. Shikamaru continued walking ahead slightly before he stopped and inclined his head backwards. Taking that as confirmation to continue speaking, Ino yelled. "Why does it matter to you what I do with Sasuke?"

"You're the one that asked the question!"

"I wanted an answer from a friend, not some asshole!"

As their voices escalated, they both realised this was getting out of hand, and that they should apologize to one another. But they didn't.

"Listen Ino, I don't care what you do with that bastard, just keep me out of it. Besides, it not as if it will go anywhere."

Ino scowled, taking an intimidating step forward. "And how do you know?" She snarled. "It could, remind me never to ask you anything again you petty asshole."

"I know because he has never liked you, and never will! I like and care about you Ino, he doesn't!"

The world seemed to freeze around Ino. Did… he just say he liked her? Her heart started to race faster. She cast a wary glance towards a downtrodden Shikamaru. "Wh-what did you say?"

Shikamaru sighed. "I said-"

"Yo." A voice interrupted Shikamaru's speech. Both Genin looked up and noticed Kakashi sitting lazily in a tree, Icha Icha in hand.

Shikamaru sighed. "How long have you been up there?" he asked.

Kakashi shrugged. "Not long, about 30 seconds or so. I'm not interrupting anything am I?" he cast a glance at Ino, who was looking at the ground blushing and a miffed Shikamaru.

"No." He announced. Kakashi nodded warily.

"Okay, well, I need you," He gestured to the lazy genius, "To meet up at the Hokage tower in about an hour for a mission."

"What type of mission?" It looked like Shikamaru wanted to get straight to the point.

"A rescue mission."

"For who?" Ino asked shooting Shikamaru an annoyed glare. He just kept his eyes focused on Kakashi.

"Sakura Haruno."

Ino froze up for the second time today. "What?" she said like a whisper.

"She was kidnapped by some lightning ninja. I'm launching a rescue operation. We need Shikamaru."

The lazy Genin nodded. "Right, I'll-"

"We'll meet you there."

Shikamaru turned to Ino and glared. "Me."

"Us."

"No, me."

"Us."

"Me-"

"You can both come," Kakashi cut in, sighing. He really wasn't in the mood to break up a Genin brawl. "Just meet me in the tower in an hour. We will be leaving tomorrow."

With that, he leapt away into the trees.

"Now, where were we…?" Ino trailed off as Shikamaru muttered a 'see you later' and bolted. She sighed, and for the second time this week tears welled up in her eyes. How could a good day like this turn so bad. Easily, it seems.

As Naruto finished describing and explaining what Kakashi had told him, with Kiba and Shino listening and nodding intently, Kiba let out an uneasy laugh. "Don't worry Naruto, we'll kick Mizuki's ass and bring Sakura home!"

Shino merely nodded. Naruto beamed.

"Thanks guys!" he exclaimed. "We're supposed to meet up at the Hokage Tower in about-" He cut off as he looked at the clock. "Crap! We have 15 minutes to get there!"

As a nurse walked in, and said, "Well Mr Uzumaki, how are you-"

"Yeah I'm fine bye!" He yelled in one breath, bolting out of the door and down the hallway. The nurse turned and looked at Shino and Kiba curiously. The dog nin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry about him."

The nurse only nodded, mildly amused. "Very well, will you tell Mr Uzumaki that he can leave now, but not put too much strain on his ribs. Okay?"

Kiba nodded, and the nurse smiled and left. There was an awkward silence in the room.

"Come. We will be needed at the meeting shortly." Shino got up briskly, not sparing a glance in his teammate's direction, and walked out of the room and down the hallway. Kiba and Akamaru's eyes followed him until he disappeared behind a wall. The human member of the duo sighed. "Why is everything so complicated?" he asked his faithful hound. The dog merely gave a bark of comfort.

"Thanks Akamaru," he rubbed the dog's hair, before standing up. "Anyway, we best catch up to Shino."

And with that, the boy exited Naruto's little hospital room and, using his nose, tracked down Shino as he was leaving the hospital.

After breaking down a door, Naruto had finally found his signature orange jumpsuit and had swiftly put it on. As he admired himself in one of the hallway windows, he heard a familiar quiet and high pitched voice. "I'm s-sorry father; it won't hap-happen again."

Naruto's ears pricked up in interest, and he followed the sound of the voice. After walking for a few moments he came across a large hospital door. Hearing a louder voice, he briskly pushed opened the door and continued forward. He came across a rather large room, and as he peeked through the blinds he saw a familiar lavender eyed teenager. She looked relatively well, apart from a large gash that ran down her arm and several bandages that could just be seen poking out from under her hospital gown. Not that he was looking, of course. Also inside the room were four Hyūga's. Two lent lazily against the wall, indistinguishable from the rest. The man standing at the foot of Hinata's bed, however, was instantly recognizable. He stood tall and proud, with his long black hair and his cold icy eyes. His mouth was curled into a snarl. "I expect more from the heir to the most prestigious clan in Konoha, you are a disappointment."

Hinata downcast her eyes, knowing better to say something back to her livid father. Beside her, sat a girl no older than seven, who placed her pale hand sympathetically on her big sisters shoulder. "Hanabi!" Hiashi almost spat. "Refrain from touching… that."

Naruto's hands curled into fists. How dare he!

Hanabi begrudgingly did as her father asked, although her gaze was now downtrodden. Hiashi returned to scowling instead of snarling. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I-I'm so-sorry father-"

"Sorry? That you've said that before. I will take my leave of you now." He spat. The two branch members moved from their positions and held open the door as Hiashi and Hanabi walked out. The young girl shot her sister a sympathetic look and her elder sister gave a weak smile back. One of the branch members pushed her forward slightly and Hanabi scowled but complied.

Naruto was leaning against a wall, trying to look inconspicuous. Well, as inconspicuous as you can be when you're wearing a bright orange jumpsuit and have bright blonde hair. Hiashi shot him a glare as he walked by, flanked by the two Hyūga branch members. He shot a scathing one back. Hanabi trailed behind her father, her eyes downcast. As she passed Naruto their eyes met, and a silent conversation was had.

'Look after my sister.'

'I will.'

She smiled weakly, but continued on her way with her father. After Naruto was sure the Hyūga's were gone, he discreetly walked over and opened the door slightly, peeking in. By discreetly, I mean he tripped over his own feet and fell through the door, landing on his face with an almighty splat.

Hinata was wiping her puffy red eyes with her sleeves as he fell in, and she let out a shocked meep. She quickly realised who it was, and a dark red blush graced her cheeks.

"Na-Naruto?" she said shakily. Although anyone with a pair of eyes could see the orange jumpsuit from a mile off. And Hinata had a good pair of eyes.

He smiled sheepishly as he rose up from the ground. "Sorry 'bout that."

Hinata, despite her state, couldn't help but let out a small giggle. Naruto rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "So… um, how are you?"

Hinata became once again crestfallen, much to Naruto's dismay. "I'm fine," she lied.

"Bull."

The blonde went and sat down where Hanabi had sat not moments ago. Hinata's blush intensified as she turned away.

"Look… I'm not good with words or feelings. Especially words. But there are two feelings I know very well. Sadness and willpower."

Hinata turned her gaze to look at Naruto. "Your fathers an asshole." He announced. Hinata couldn't help herself as she cracked a small smile. "He's the biggest jerk I've ever seen. He shouldn't talk to his daughters as though there pieces of trash!" Naruto, for the first time in his life, managed to stop himself from going on a loud rant. "Lo-look, whatever he says, he's just as blind as the rest of those douches that reside in Konoha," He somewhat growled.

Hinata cocked her head to the side curiously. "What do you mean by that?"

Naruto blushed slightly, realising his mistake and shook his head vigorously. "It doesn't matter. The point is, you're much better than your father. He's just a petty stuck up bastard. You have your sister; you have Shino, Kiba, Kurenai-Sensei, and you have me." He finished with a genuinely heart-warming smile. Hinata couldn't help but to smile back just as brightly. Naruto was wrong about one thing though.

He was really good with words.

The sound of panting and clanging could be heard all around training ground sixteen. Two people, both of them teammates, stood opposite each other, panting heavily. The first was a male, with pale white eyes and long brownish hair. The other had brunette hair, with two buns atop her head. She had light brown eyes.

"So, shall we continue?" Tenten asked. Neji shook his head.

"No, we shall rest."

The brunette nodded, and stretched, before collapsing on the ground in a heap. Neji smirked slightly.

Tenten stared up at the sky, her mind ablaze with thoughts about how she could improve her training with weapons and new techniques and-

"Yosh! It seems my most wondrous students have been doing some youthful sparring!" A voice boomed. Tenten inclined her head backwards to see two green men, one walking and another hobbling towards her. She smiled brightly.

"Lee!" She called out rising to her feet, giving her teammate a bright smile. Lee smiled back, albeit with a hint of a blush on his cheeks.

Neji said nothing, just politely inclined his head in his Sensei's and teammates general direction.

"How are my most youthful students doing on this fine day!?" Gai asked. Tenten shrugged.

"Okay Sensei, we were just sparring."

"Yosh!" There was another eardrum exploding yell. Tenten tapped her head to get feeling back in her ear.

Lee however, was being unnaturally quiet. He just smiled weakly in Tenten's general direction.

Gai didn't notice his students forlorn look, and began spouting off about his youthful skincare products, but Tenten didn't care. She was more focused on Lee.

She slowly sidled over towards the bushy browed teen and discreetly whispered. "You okay?"

He just nodded, fixing her with another weak smile. "It is nothing Tenten," He said moving his bandaged arm up and down, examining it with a forlorn face. "It is just..."

Tenten nodded, sadness overtaking her. "I'm so sorry Lee," She whispered and embraced the injured Genin. He blushed bright red resembling Hinata, his face contorting into a giddy smile.

"I have never been hugged by a girl before." He let out a girly giggle at the thought. This attracted Gai's attention and when he turned to see his only female student embracing the boy he thought of as a son, his eyes went wide, and filled with tears of joy.

"Yosh! My most youthful students have finally gotten together!" He wailed, collapsing to his knees amongst a fit of tears. "They make me so proud!"

Tenten immediately broke away from Lee, shooting Gai a glare, but a light pink blush dusting her cheeks. "Sensei, shut up."

"Yosh! I can understand you want privacy Tenten, I promise Lee will be a good husband!"

Tenten looked at him incredulously. "Just because I hugged him doesn't mean I'm getting married to him!" she snapped.

Gai's eyes brimmed with more tears. "You are taking it slow? Truly you are the most youthful couple I have ever experienced!" He fell on his face, wailing at the top of his lungs.

Neji, while all this was going on was giving both his teammates scathing looks. This would be annoying.

"Tenten," he barked, earning her attention. "We shall continue training."

Lee, who was still stuck in a gaze, snapped out of it and frowned in Neji's direction. Tenten, however gave a small smile. "In a minute Neji."

He grumbled something under his breath. She turned to face him again. "What was that, Neji?" She inquired her eyebrow raised.

"Nothing." He announced.

She just shook her head. "Anyway," She turned to face Lee, who had more or less composed himself. "I am sorry I haven't visited you in hospital recently Lee, I have been busy training with Neji."

Lee frowned slightly. "Yes, I guessed."

Tenten frowned at his sudden change in disposition, but his smile quickly brightened.

"Yosh my most faithful teammates, we require your aid!"

Gai stopped his wailing and stood upwards, wiping away the tears. "Yes, Lee is correct. We must undertake a mission."

"I cannot."

Neji's voice cut through the slightly amused atmosphere like a hot knife through butter.

"Neji," Tenten began, "You could at least hear what it is."

The Hyūga shook his head. "I have training all week with Lord Hiashi."

Tenten frowned in annoyance, and went to say something more, but Gai cut her off. "This mission is a rescue mission, to retrieve one of our own, a Genin by the name of Sakura Haruno."

Tenten nodded. She had made small talk with Sakura over numerous occasions, and she was a genuinely nice person, when she wasn't fawning over Sasuke.

"She has been kidnapped by the traitor Mizuki and a band of lightning ninja. They were last seen heading to the town of Orochiasu. You may have heard of it. It possesses one of the largest marketplaces in the Land of Fire." Tenten nodded once again. She had been to this town on numerous occasions, gathering supplies for her family's duel weapon shop/blacksmith.

"We are heading out tomorrow, but we have a meeting in approximately ten minutes. Lee and I are going."

Tenten cocked her head to the side. "But Lee- Gai-sensei, this could be a dangerous mission! In Lee's state-"

"I understand your concern Tenten," Konoha's Green Beast cut her off, "But Lee has agreed to undertake useful duties within the camps, and will not be allowed to participate in any fighting or sparring."

Gai shot Lee a serious look, and the bushy browed teen nodded glumly.

"Now, let us be off! We must be at the Hokage tower shortly."

Lee, Tenten and Gai began to walk off, but as they reached the edge of the forest, they noticed that a certain icy eyed teen wasn't with them. "Neji, come on!" Tenten called back to her teammate, who stood throwing kunai at a training dummy.

"No." Was his cold answer.

Tenten blinked. "I'm sorry, what!?" she said taking a step forward. "I didn't hear you right. Could you- it doesn't matter, we can discuss it on the way to the Hokage tower." Tenten went to step into the forest again. Neji didn't follow.

Tenten whirled around again, this time her face a mixture of confusion and annoyance. "Come on Neji, hurry up! We haven't got all day."

"I told you I was not coming. I have training with Lord Hiashi."

Tenten scowled. "And? Surely you can cancel it. We'll pop by the Hyūga compound as soon as the meeting is finished, now come on!" Her voice was rising slightly, as was her annoyance.

Lee and Gai shared a disappointed look.

Neji shook his head vigorously. "Gai-sensei, you did say that this mission was optional yes?"

Gai nodded. "Good, then I shall not attend."

Tenten's face was now very annoyed. "Neji, this is not funny. Come on!" She shouted in frustration.

"I do not know, nor care for this Sakura Haruno girl. I shall stay and train."

Tenten opened her mouth, and then closed it again. She was in utter disbelief. "You-I-No!" She suddenly shouted. "Don't lay this crap on me now Neji! Now let's get-"

"Tenten," He snapped. "How many times do I need to say it? I am not coming with you."

Tenten scowled angrily. "How dare you! You think because you don't know this girl that she's pointless? That she doesn't matter!?" Her voice was rising to dangerous levels. "You're unbelievable! I have helped you train for months, we're supposed to be shinobi, we're supposed to help people, we're- Argh!" She threw her hands up in frustration. "You disgust me!" And with that she disappeared into the forest.

Gai looked from Tenten's retreating figure to Neji's, deep scowl etching his face. "Neji!" He boomed, causing the Hyȗga to meet his steel bending gaze. "I did say that this mission was optional, but I did not expect you to refuse it. My old rival Kakashi once said 'People who don't complete their mission are scum, but people who refuse to help their comrades are even bigger scum.' Remember that Neji. I am severely disappointed in you."

He turned his heated gaze away from Neji and tugged Lee along, who shot Neji a disapproving look. Finally, he called back just as he was disappearing from view. "Sakura is Naruto's teammate. Has he taught you nothing?" He disappeared into the forest without another word.

Neji contemplated this information, his thoughts drifting towards going to help the mission. They were soon banished however. No, he had to focus on earning Lord Hiashi's respect. Was that worth losing the respect of your teammates? Neji thought so.