Alright time for the real chapter 10 and to all of you wondering about Naruto's other two women, they will be named in the next few chapters so you can all either stop your wondering and wait, or continue to guess your choice.

Discaimer: I don't own Naruto

Team 3 were on their way back towards Konoha and Naruto's cheery mood had dissolved into another depression. They were already two days late going back... the Kumo courier had taken his sweet time. While Sakura didn't particularly enjoy running late she was glad it wasn't her fault. That was the last thing she needed, her first official mission after nine years and she causes it to run late, that would look good on her record. She adjusted her backpack and stepped up to Naruto, falling in step beside him.

"What's wrong Naruto?" she asked.

"I'd rather not talk about it." he said.

"Does it have to do with-

He fixed her with a glare and she shut up. This wasn't the same depression from back in Konoha, this was an angry depression. She slowed her steps to fall in beside Keiko and Hitomi again, the two girls found the best way to avoid Naruto's wrath was to mimick his mood. Sakura sighed and decided to join the club, better to act depressed than invoke Naruto's anger. She still had her thoughts about Naruto's mood, it just had to do with something about his past relations.

"Pst! Sakura-san." Keiko whispered.

Sakura looked down at the girl. "Stop thinking, Naruto-sensei can sense it."

"I'll think if I want!" Sakura huffed.

"Then don't think about me." Naruto ordered.

"Why are you being such a-

"Don't finish that sentence Sakura... I don't want to get into this again." he said.

Sakura shut her mouth, he made a good arguement. Nodding to herself she stepped up to Naruto again, he looked down at her and she smiled.

"What are you-

"No talking." she smiled. "Just thought it would be nice to walk with you."

"Oh! Alright then." he said.

Sakura chuckled and shook her head, oh Naruto. Keiko and Hitomi cocked their heads to the side, this was weird. One minute Naruto is walking with his shoulders slumped the next, well, that. They had never thought of that! He needed a little company... with someone his own age.

"Is this going to be another awkward trip back to Konoha Keiko?" Hitomi asked.

"Maybe... or maybe Sakura-san will snap Naruto-sensei out of his funk by the time we make camp." Keiko answered, hopeful.

Hitomi nodded and looked forward again. Naruto's mood had lightened somewhat, he was still depressed that much was obvious, but the air just felt lighter. Their trip was still blanketed by silence but it wasn't as awkward as earlier.

"What is their location?" a man asked.

"They're five miles from the ambush spot Naoko-san." another informed.

"Prepare the men, we move in ten." Naoko said.

"Yessir!" the man nodded.

Naoko pulled out a picture of his family and sighed. He focused on his brother before folding the picture back into his shirt. One way or another, this stupid family honor deal would end today. He readjusted his sword and turned around to face his men. They all had flicked up their hoods, ready to go, he nodded and put his own up.

"We move." he ordered.

He jumped off into the trees with his five men following after him.

'Please forgive me Naruto-san... I will do my best to keep this one on one.' Naoko thought.

"Huh? I know this place." Naruto said.

"Really?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah, Ero-sennin and I stayed here a lot... for obvious reasons." Naruto said.

Sakura nodded, they weren't very far from Yugakure... perfect place for the old man's research.

"Up there." he pointed out a plateau. "Is nice and cool, its got a lake too."

"Wow." Sakura said.

"Yeah... We'll set camp there." he smiled.

"Really?!" Keiko asked.

"Yeah, a nice re-

He stopped mid sentence and looked foward with his eyes narrowed. He held out his arm to stop the three Kunoichi.

"Naruto?" Sakura asked.

She looked forward and saw six men blocking their path. They all wore cloaks with hoods obstructing the view of their faces. The man infront of the group wore a black cloak with red lining and a simple zanbato strapped to his back. He was the obvious leader, the other five behind him wore red cloaks with black lining, not a unique weapon among them.

"Hello Naruto-san, we've been expecting you." the leader said.

"Is that so?" Naruto said.

"Allow me to introduce myself." the man said and pulled down his hood.

There was nothing impressive about him. Simple black hair in a windswept style, dark onyx eyes and pale skin. A small smirk played on his lips as he continued to stare down Naruto. A Kiri headband with a red cloth sat on his forehead with the symbol slashed out

"You may call me Senzai Naoko." he said.

"What do you want?" Naruto asked, already knowing the answer.

"I'm afraid we've been sent here to kill you." Naoko explained.

In a flash Naruto had dropped his backpack and took out his tri kunai. Naoko was on him in a flash swinging his large sword horizontally towards him. Naruto brought his kunai up just in time to stop the blade from slicing him in two but the impact sent him flying into the surrounding forest. Naoko was hot on his trail leaving Keiko, Hitomi and Sakura with the other five men.

"Get ready girls." one man smirked.

They all pulled down their hoods showing average faces. Nothing note worthy other than the red clothed Kiri headbands, slashed through the middle.

Naruto jumped away from another slash from Naoko. He came to a stop at a lake nestled in the woods.

'Dammit, he led me here.' Naruto thought.

He knew enough about your average Kiri shinobi, if you were caught anywhere near water while fighting them, it was bad news. He looked back up to see Naoko standing on a tree branch, zanbato resting on his shoulder, bored expression on his face.

"You don't really seem to be into this." Naruto said.

"I have nothing against you Naruto-san." Naoko began. "I respect you."

"Then why?" he asked.

"You killed my brother... eight years ago I think. My family honor demands I take justice, or die by your hand." Naoko explained.

"You don't sound very enthusiastic." Naruto observed.

"I was never close with my brother... but honor is honor." Naoko sighed. "Personally, I see his death as good riddance."

"What was up with those five other guys?" Naruto asked.

"We are the Blood Mist, a group dedicated to your death." Naoko said.

'Another one? Sheesh aren't I popular.' Naruto thought.

"So what? You guys trying to be Akatsuki?" he asked.

"No, we're only after you." Naoko said.

"You're very forthright about all this." Naruto said.

Naoko closed his eyes and let out a deep chuckle. "There is no need for secrets. This battle will end one of two ways, your death... or the more likely scenario my death. So if there's anything else you wish to know ask me."

Naruto nodded. "Three women in my life have been taken from me, it seemed like a coincidence at first. But then I gave it thought, they all died on the same day, years apart... a year after they said they loved me."

"Yes, we are the ones responsible." Naoko answered. "I had no part in any of them, but I will not give you the names... I'm sorry for your loss Naruto-san."

Naruto sighed. "No point in delaying this further."

"Agreed." Naoko said.

Sakura ducked under a kunai and tried to punch her attacker. He smirked and jumped out of the way before throwing several shuriken at her. She rolled out of the way and ran to help Hitomi who was in a deadlock with another one of the ninja. Both had their kunai locked together and were trying to push the other away, Hitomi having obvious trouble, while her attacker seemed pissed. Sakura threw a punch at the man attacking Hitomi, he ducked only to be kicked in the face by Hitomi. The two Kunoichi smiled at eachother.

"Hate to break up your little friend-fest! But I could use some help over here!" Keiko demanded.

They looked towards Hitomi's sister who was fending off two of the attackers at once. Sakura and Hitomi nodded at eachother and ran over to join the fray.

I will try to make the next chapter a bit longer, I hope you're all ready to see some kick ass Naruto.

-Raidori