Author's Notes: I'm so so so sorry it took me this long to update! T-T Life is crazy right now but I promise to try harder from now on.

Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi Hatake, Neji Hyuuga, Tenten, Gaara © Masashi Kishimoto

Kaya Hyuuga © Me

PS – If you have any questions about mission ranks, etc. I recommend checking out leafninja . com (just take out the spaces)

Chapter 2: From Leaves to Sand

Neji Hyuuga angrily paced throughout his kitchen. "I don't like it." He finally spat out.

His wife Tenten sighed. "Maybe this will be good for her."

Neji turned, fury in his eyes. "Good for her? Sending her out in the desert? She's not a fighter; none of her offensive jutsus are strong."

Tenten stood and walked to her seething husband, hoping to calm him. "That may be true, but Kakashi's famous for being a great fighter and ninja, and Sakura may focus on medical ninjutsu but she can pack a punch. Not to mention, we'll be equipping her with plenty of weapons." She smirked at this, weapons were still her specialty. "Kaya will be fine. We have to trust our daughter and our friends."

Kaya smiled up at the sky, bathing herself in the warm sunshine. She was packed and ready to go…or as ready as she'd ever be. She was nervous, and scared. She had been on a few missions through the academy, but those were all D, or rarely C, ranked. This was a B, definitely a step up. However, she would have Kakashi and Sakura-Sensei with her…and…and maybe…

"Ready to go, Kaya?" Sakura asked.

Kaya looked behind her to see her sensei standing and Kakashi waving from the gate. She nodded and jogged towards them – adventure was waiting!

Kakashi looked to his teammates. It would take two to three days to reach the sand…he hoped Kaya's enthusiasm would last. Though, mostly, he hoped Sakura's reservations would not. He needed her to be both strong and supportive if they had any hope of getting through this double mission – both helping the sand, and increasing/improving Kaya's abilities. He shook his head and continued hiking in silence, as they would for the rest of the day.

"Well," he finally spoke up once the sun went down. "Shall we set up camp?"

Sakura nodded and the three prepared their tent. Kaya woke from a blissful sleep just before dawn and stretched, only to see her Kakashi cuddled against the blanket surrounding her sensei. She did her best to stifle a giggle. She'd embarrass them both when she told them about this accident! Silently, she exited the tent.

Kakashi was the next to wake and, noting the still sleeping Sakura, snuggled in closer. He figured five more minutes of bliss couldn't hurt. Unfortunately, his bliss was cut short. After several moments Sakura woke. The pair left the tent and prepared to pack it up, only to be met by a giggling Kaya.

"You two wouldn't believe how I found you this morning!" She managed between laughing fits?

"Oh?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow. Kakashi smiled beneath his mask.

Kaya nodded, attempting to stop giggling. "Kakashi rolled right up next to you, Sensei!" She smiled, "He was cuddling your back…oh I wish I had a picture!"

Sakura smiled at her student and turned to Kakashi, hiding a wink from Kaya. "Good thing he rolled off before I woke up or I would have punched him…and he's our best fighter!"

With good moods enforced all around, the trio packed up the tent, ate a quick breakfast, and continued moving. Kakashi smiled once more under his mask. With the lighter mood he may be able to implement part two of the mission – teaching Kaya about ocular jutsu. It wouldn't be easy…and it wouldn't be pleasant.

-TBC-