Naruto smiled he loved missions he hopped it wasn't an escorting mission. That would be the missions he hated. Kakashi left Naruto to get dressed and pack, even though he wasn't told what to pack for. He kicked a ramen cup that was littered on the floor. He made it to the door and slammed it behind him. Team 7 was waiting by the gate, Naruto was somewhat confused.

"Why are we waiting here?" he asked as Sakura turned her head at his voice.

"She's...Tsunade is meeting us here," Sakura replied. Sasuke stood saying nothing as Sakura glanced his way. Sasuke folded his arms as if to block her out. Tsunade soon came and words come out of her mouth that Naruto dreaded.

"An escort mission!" she said with her hands on her hips. Naruto mumbled something under his breath the hokage shot him a glance. He glanced away angrily and kept quiet.

"You will escort a teen about your ages one year older than you I believe. His name is Haku he from the hidden mist. Your mission is to escort him to a small village called Rei," Sasuke was surprised at how far they would be traveling. His shock showed on his face and Tsunade caught it.

"I know it's a long mission, but it needs to be done," she nodded at Kakashi.

"Alright let's move!" Kakashi began to walk slowly. Naruto began to complain to his comrades of team 7 of how he hated these missions.

"Kakashi I want to speak with you for a second," she motioned him over with her hand.

"I'll catch up," he waved at the teens. The pink and blonde began to walk through the gate. Sasuke lagged behind the group a bit to possibly catch a part of what the two older ninjas were saying.

"Kakashi I need you to keep a close eye on Naruto. I am sending you in the opposite direction of Akautskis path. If something happens use this," she placed a small thin paper in his hand. It was a seal to hold in or withdraw chakra. Kakashi knew what it was for.

Sasuke saw Tsunade pass something off to Kakashi, he had heard one part but wasn't sure about it "If something happens use this." What was it? Nothing would happen they may run into a few bounty hunters but what else?

They traveled until nightfall then picked a place to set up camp. Naruto rolled out his sleeping bag as well as the rest of the group. Kakashi sat reading one of his love novels flipping a page every so often. Naruto took it upon himself to find some kindle and wood. Naruto drifted from the camp, he had a few twigs in his arms after almost two minutes. He went to grab a stick that was popping out of a small bush. There was small movement from the bush, Naruto drew his hand back and stood still. He caught a glimpse of something that seemed to have scales. Slowly something crept out of the bush parting some of the tiny leaves. It was a snake a dark orange and green one, its tongue flicked about the night air as it looked at Naruto. The blonde didn't move he seemed to be mesmerized by it as it swayed of the little twig. A calm feeling had now had invaded the blonde, there was no panic only stillness. Soon enough a hand clamped down on the shoulder of the orange haired ninja and pulled him back. The twigs in Narutos hands went flying and hit the ground the snake hissed at the break of silence.

"What are you doing?" Sasuke asked as he stepped beside Naruto with his kuni drawn. The snake swayed harshly ready to attack with a hiss. With a flicker of the kuni the snake was hit dead on.

"I...panicked," but what really happened he asked himself.

"Panic will get you killed," Sasuke sneered. He didn't want to be too hard, but he wasn't ready for Naruto to do something this stupid and get himself killed. Nor was he ready for Naruto to get killed at all, never. Sasuke sighed and began to pick up sticks that Naruto had dropped.

"I've got it," Naruto mumbled

"Just be careful dobe don't want you getting killed before I fight you," he smirked. Sasuke was actually dreading if that day would come. He didn't want to fight Naruto.

"Don't worry about that!" Naruto grinned with his teeth showing. Sasuke gave a little chuckle then they walked back to camp in the nights silence. Sakura was fast asleep her little body moving at the lull of her sleep. They started a fire and climbed into their sleeping bags with a good night chattered. Kakashi was still reading his love novel he was obsessed with.

Naruto woke to the cold he shivered as he pulled his sleeping bag closer. It was morning but too early for the fox to be up. He yawned and gave another shiver he burrowed into the sleeping bag, no sleep came. He gave up and kicked out of his sleeping bag with frustration. When Naruto was done with his mini temper tantrum he noticed that everyone was gone but Sakura still asleep. The blonde stood for a while, he couldn't leave Sakura to look for the other two. He sat down where he once was standing and waited for the other two to get back.

Sasuke appeared out of the morning fog he seemed to part the fog there were two canteens in his hands. Kakashi appeared next to Sasuke holding two canteens as well. Sakura was waking up now she seemed to have sensed the two's arrival. She sat up and rubbed her eyes and sat for a few seconds.

"It's cold!" the pink haired girl complained as she ruffled in her bag for something warmer.

"Thanks for the update," Naruto said sarcastically Sakura wasn't too happy and glared at him. She didn't find anything that would help fight the morning chill.

"You'll warm up once we get moving," Kakashi said assuring her, he proceeded to tie the canteen to his pack. Sasuke realized he was standing there with the canteens in his hands he tossed one to Naruto who dropped it clumsily and cursed. Kakashi gave one to Sakura and she took a small sip to possibly shake off the tiredness.

"Let's go!" Naruto said with a clap of his hands. He had already packed up and was ready to get this mission started. Sakura gave the energized ninja a blank look how could someone have that much energy in the morning? Sakura realized that she was the only one not packed she hopped up and started to pack quickly. Sasuke had his arms crossed waiting for Sakura to be done with packing her belongings. She spun on her heels to face the rest of her team.

"Ready!" she said. She wanted to finish this mission as well, escort missions were the worst. She liked her team, her comrades, even the blonde had grown on her. They work hard to gain respect even though Sasuke was practically born with respect. Naruto is gradually earning respect in Konoha and he deserves it.

They moved along dancing from branch to branch landing softly then pushing off. They had taken a few breaks along the way Kakashi had made it his duty to slow down travel to the mist. He didn't want the mission to be over before he had the ok from Tsunade. The sun was setting just as the Hidden Mist village came into view and gave the village a warm glow. Naruto gave a grin he had been waiting to eat for quite a while food sounded good to him. They began to walk towards the village the yellow and red of the sky casting their shadows behind them.

A Mist ninja greeted them at the gate as Cobiki he motioned for them to follow. They walked down the main road the three teens in a row and Kakashi it front with Cobiki. Small shops and food places lined the road sending sweet smells towards Naruto's liking. Naruto looked at people with envy as they bought goods and ate. Sakura gave the hungry blonde a nudge as if to say 'focus' Naruto bumped Sasuke. Sasukes heart skipped a beat he gave Naruto a small push away. What was that feeling just now Sasuke asked himself, he shrugged it off but it was still in the back of his mind. Naruto mumbled an apology and stuck his tongue out at Sakura who threatened to hit him. Kakashi looked back at the three and shook his head Sakura crossed her arms and looked the other way.

They soon came to a medium sized house placed on a small street. It looked plain aside from the little garden that lined the little walkway. A woman greeted the Mist ninja Cobiki for leading the Hidden Leaf ninja to her home.

"Thank you," she said in a soft voice, the ninja nodded and stepped aside to let them by.

"Hello, I'm Haku's care taker,"