Sand Bombs

XxxoxxX

Master Roshi and Jiraiya were sitting on top of a disgruntled Gambunta. Every few seconds he would grumble in annoyance at the two perverts sat atop his head. The sun was slowly setting, leaving the sky painted a hue of orange.

"How do I look?" the turtle hermit asked as he straightened out his shirt. He was wearing his usual clothes, the only difference being that he wore a straw hat.

"You look great!" Jiraiya said as he smiled at the older man. "The ladies at the party are gonna love you, I promise!"

Roshi grinned. "That's great, I've been really practicing my moves ya know!" he began waving his stick in the air and rotating his neck, or as he would like to call it, dancing.

"Ha ha maybe you should work on that some more. The ladies will be all over us, we are two of the most powerful beings on this planet, of course." Jiraiya couldn't help but grin. He wasn't sure about his master, but he knew that he was going to get lucky tonight. He always got lucky. A few shots and boasting about his achievements were more than enough to get the girls riled up.

"Hey Jiraiya, if you get me laid tonight I promise to teach you," a flash could be seen on his shades, "That technique."

Jiraiya looked at the old master with widened eyes. "Are you serious?" he asked. "That would make me, like, twenty times stronger!"

Roshi nodded. "Hey, when you're as old as me you have to leave something behind. You and Gohan were the closest things to kids I have left, think of it as passing the torch.

Jiraiya wasn't paying attention to anything that Roshi was saying. He was deep in thought, thinking about the power boost. If I get that power, maybe I can bring him back he thought as he stared off into space.

"Hey, Gambunta!" Roshi said as he tapped the great toad on the head.

Gambunta growled. "You old bat better show some respect! You're lucky I'm even letting you on my head, you ungrateful old geezer."

"Blah blah, how long until we reach our destination? Your rough skin is really irritating my dogs!" as he said that, he wiggled his toes for emphasis.

A large vein appeared on the toad's head. "I could care less about your damn dogs! You sit back and wait until we stop! Believe me, I'm not enjoying this any more than you are!"

"OK OK, don't lose a wart, it was only a question." Roshi laid on the toads head and looked to the stars. "Hey Jiraiya, when's the last time you've been to West City?"

"A couple of weeks ago. I passed through there on my way to do some research." his face became one of goofy lust. "And my oh my I enjoyed my findings."

"Really?" Roshi asked with excitement.

"Yes sir! Everyone there is always full of energy. Hell, they're so energetic, they just may all explode one of these days."

"Hmm... I'm enjoying the sound of this!" Roshi said with a grin. The men sat in silence for a few seconds, ignoring the angry mumble of their carriage.

"I wonder what Naruto's doing right now," Jiraiya asked as he continued staring out.

"I wonder how my cloud's doin'." Roshi said.

"Oh well, as long as the Kyuubi doesn't release we'll all be-" Jiraiya's eyes widened. He'd forgotten all about the Kyuubi! How could he let the boy run rampant without putting a stronger restraint on his seal!

"Relax, the beast isn't out," Roshi calmly stated. "You of all people should know that I'd be able to sense it."

Jiraiya hung his head. "You're right," he said. "But after tonight, we go and find the kids. "Deal?"

"Yeah yeah, whatever," Roshi responded.

"Well I won't be your transportation, you saggy skinned bastards," grumbled an angry Gambunta.

XxxoxxX

Kurenai gripped a kunai as she slowly approached the figure. His hair was held in a long ponytail, which she had to admit complimented his one visible blue eye pretty well. He wore a black cloak with red clouds decorated on it. The robe was too big and hung loosely off of his frame. On his head was an Iwa forehead protector with a slash going through it.

The boy didn't look familiar at all. She checked her bingo books daily, and she didn't recognize him. Considering the damage he did to the city, it was no denying the fact that he wasn't to be toyed with.

"Naruto, Ino, Goku. Go and get the villagers to safety." As she spoke, her eyes never left the Shinobi, whom kept smiling at her. She couldn't see his hands since they were tucked in his cloak, but she could see them moving.

Naruto and Goku quickly ran to her side. "Are you crazy?" Naruto yelled while he grabbed a kunai. Goku swiftly held his power pole as he stared the guy down. "We came here as a team, and I never back down from a fight! And besides, he's barely older than me."

Deidara pointed at Naruto with pure fury. "Don't compare me to you, you little brat! My skill surpasses yours by light years, hm!"

Naruto pointed back at his fellow blonde teen. "As if! I'm going to be the Hokage someday, and I damn sure won't be stopped by you! Believe it!"

"Don't be foolish, boy." Naruto looked behind him and glared at the doctor. She passively looked back at the genin.

"Hey, Old Hag! I don't take orders from you-"

"He's a B ranked missing ninja, he goes by Deidara." At the mention of this, Naruto's eyes widened with realization. He looked back at the shinobi and grit his teeth while shaking slightly. "You're a genin whose barely had any experience, he'd wipe the floor with you."

Goku looked from the Shinobi, to Kurenai, and back towards the Shinobi. "Hey, I found him!" he said with a wide smile, causing everyone (including Deidara) to fall anime style.

Mark was the first to his feet. "You idiot, that doesn't mean he's missing! That means he betrayed his village and is really dangerous!"

"Oh," Goku said with a finger on his lip. He looked at Naruto and Ino. "Are you ready?" he asked as he returned his pole to his back.

"Y-yea," Ino said nervously. Her heart was pumping as she looked a the smirking nin. Terror had her body shaking, but she wasn't going to make it known to her allies.

"You bet!" Naruto yelled as he took off into the city.

"Hehee no fair Naruto!" Goku yelled as he ran behind his friend. Ino silently followed the duo. Kurenai watched on as they disappeared into the city.

"Wait for me!" Mark yelled as he prepared to run after them.

"Mark." Mark froze and turned towards his mom. "Go and watch over the patients.

Mark looked back at his mother with tears in his eyes. "But moooom!"

"Is that sass?" she responded as she turned and glared at her son.

"N-no ma'am!" Mark responded as he turned and ran back into the hospital, wiping the tears that were flowing down his face.

Deidara released a loud groan. "Did you guys forget I was here or something?" he asked the startled woman. "First, you give kids orders to run past me, and the you just talk like I'm not here. You really have a death wish, hm" As he spoke he slowly withdrew his hands from his cloak. Kurenai lowered herself into a defensive position, as her mother did the same. "I really could care less about you too, but the intense level of disrespect is the reason you must die, hm!" Mouth's on each of the boy's palms began smacking in unison. The ladies looked at it disgustingly, but were surprised as it began shooting out small clay birds.

"Dodge them!" Kurenai yelled as she threw kunai to intercept the projectiles. The birds exploded on contact, causing a large cloud of smoke to cloud their vision. The woman both covered their face with their arms to not inhale the dust.

"Look out!" the women quickly jumped out of the way as a large bird came flying out of the dust. On top of the bird was Deidara, grinning at the two. He raised his left palm and released a wave of grass hoppers that quickly began hopping towards the two.

"Shit!" Kurenai cursed silently as she jumped in front of her mother while going through seals. "fire Style: Flame Wheel Jutsu!" Kurenai blew out fire, which shaped itself into a rapidly spinning wheel. The wheel shot out at a rapid pace, and quickly cut into the oncoming clay bugs. The jutsu continued to fly towards Deidara, whom looked over his shoulder lazily at it.

"Who do you think I am, hm?" he yelled with a smile. He quickly turned towards the direction of the wheel and rushed towards it.

Kurenai grunted. This boy must be suicidal if he was going to collide head on with her jutsu. The boy jumped off of his bird and it collided head on, resulting in a large explosion.

The two woman covered there faces but couldn't stop the smoke from getting into their lungs, resulting in a deep cough from them.

"Mom, are you OK?" Kurenai asked between coughs.

"I'm fine!" the doctor replied. "Where's the kid?"

"He's," Kurenai looked around, but couldn't see the young one anywhere, "gone." Kurenai's eyes widened in realization. "It was a distraction! He just wanted to separate us from the kids!"

"But why?" the mother asked her daughter curiously. "Kurenai, is there something about those kids that you aren't telling me?"

Kurenai looked towards her mother. She opened her mouth and closed it back. She did this several times before looking back towards the city. "We have to get to the children," she said with a stern tone.

"What are you-"

"There's no time!" Kurenai said as she quickly darted towards the destroyed city.

"Not so fast." Kurenai halted as she heard the voice. In front of her a figure appeared. He was slouched over, and wore a similar black jacket as the young teen. His lower face was covered by cloth, and his head had five thick corn rows goin down them.

"Who are you?" Kurenai asked the figure. She didn't have time for this!"

"I am Sasori. I do not intend to kill you, but if you interfere, you must die."

XxoxX

"Come on, this way!"

Goku was running, carrying three dogs in his arms. Ino stood at the edge of the city, directing the villagers toward the entrance. Hundreds of blonde genin were running up and down the village, running into burning buildings saving both adults and children.

"Vincent! Cloud! Xana!"

"Woof woof!" All three dogs barked in unison as they ran towards their human owner. The young boy smiled at Goku.

"Thanks mister!" he said to a smiling Goku.

"No problem," Goku replied with a giggle.

"That's the last of em boss!" a clone said to the real Naruto with a salute.

"Alright, you guys lead these people to the nearest city. There goes the mayor, he should be able to help you."

"Yes sir!" The clone said as he ran towards the mayor.

"Whew, that was exhausting," Ino replied as she slumped onto the ground. She looked in the direction of the retreating villagers and smiled. "It feels good to save lives, though."

"Yea, but now we have to save Kurenai Sensei!" Naruto said. He turned to run towards the hospital, but fell forward.

"Naruto!" Ino yelled, but before he could hit the ground, Goku caught him.

"Are you OK?" Goku asked with extreme concern in his voice.

"I'm OK, really!" Naruto said as he pushed Goku away. He crawled to his feet and flashed a smile, but quickly grimaced again and fell forward onto his knees.

"Naruto, don't push yourself!" Ino yelled as she ran to his side. "You've exhausted your chakra. You have to rest and recover."

"But we have to help sensei! You heard what the hag said, he's an S ranked criminal!"

"So what makes you think you have a chance to stop me?" The trio looked towards the voice and saw their blonde assailant. He was smirking at them, and the burning building behind him made him look that much more menacing.

"There he goes," growled Naruto as he struggled to his feet. "What did you do to sensei?" he demanded, while still wobbling on his feet.

"Watch your tone, punk," Deidara said with a chuckle. "I only need whiskers. The other two of you can go!" Deidara started taking steps towards the trio.

"What are we going to do?" Ino asked. She was shaking on her feet, terrified of the fellow approaching her. Each step that Deidara took felt like a stake being driven into Ino's heart. She couldn't control the tremors going through her body. Her breathing increased to a rapid pace.

"If this guy killed Kurenai, how can we beat him?" she asked herself.

"What's the matter, cutie? You can't be cold, every building around here is on fire!" Deidara said with a laugh. Ino quickly caught herself and tried to calm down, but it didn't work.

"Hey," Ino flinched as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into the face of Goku and saw him smiling. "You don't have to fight. I can handle him! I promise!"

Ino blushed at the comment given by the short fighter. She smiled and nodded at him.

"H-hey, don't forget about me!" Naruto yelled. He took a step forward as he spoke. He then fell forward, exerting the last of his chakra.

"Ino, get him out of here." Goku said.

Ino panicked. "But Goku, you can't beat him by yourself!" she replied. "You're not eve a genin!"

Goku laughed. "It's OK, I'm really strong!" he replied.

Ino nodded. "OK Goku, we'll be close. In case you need help." Ino whispered, which Goku responded with a nod. She lifted Naruto onto her shoulder and ran into the ruined city.

Deidara laughed, "So, the little monkey boy wants to play hero, hm? I think I have time to entertain him, if just for a moment."

Goku smiled and started doing stretches. "This should be fun!" he commented.

A scowl spread across Deidara's face. "Fun? You take me as a joke?" the missing shinobi yelled as he raised his chomping hands. "Prepare to meet my beautiful art, you piece of trash!"

XxoxX

The streets of Konoha was unbelievably quiet. Most of the Shinobi were either training or on missions. Sakura however was sitting alone at her training field.

After Naruto left, the town seemed to grow quiet. She never knew how much she'd miss the loud mouthed blonde. Although she wouldn't admit it aloud, he was what held their fragile team together. His rivalry with Sasuke kept the Uchiha pushed Sasuke to improve more and more. Their squabbles were always entertaining, and even though Naruto wasn't as good as Sasuke, he was quickly improving .

Ever since Naruto left, Sakura was all alone. Kakashi Sensei and Sasuke were constantly training, and she wasn't allowed to watch. Not to mention the fact that Ino was sent on a top secret mission. Sakura had to admit that she didn't have much friends, she really needed to get out more.

Sakura ran a hand through her tattered hair. Who was she kidding, with this hair she'd be lucky if anyone even spoke to her. Even though Ino cut her hair into a cleaner fashion, she still felt really ugly. Her trademark was her long pink ponytail, and now that was gone.

"Alright guys, that's enough training for today. Same time tomorrow?" Sakura looked up as she heard the voice. She vaguely recognized it, she could only say that he was from this village. She saw three figures entering the training field and recognized them.

The first was a tall man wearing green spandex. His eyebrows were intensely thick, and he sort of reminded her of the genin that asked her on a date, Rock Lee. His name was Might Guy, one of the strongest Shinobi in the Leaf Village.

Directly behind him were the two genin, Tenten and Neji Hyuuga. The latter had an angered look on his face, while Tenten's held concern.

"Yeah, I'm going to check up on Lee." Sakura could hear the remorse in her voice. Their Sensei's eyes went sad at the mention of his protege.

"That's nice," Guy said silently. "I'll be there later, I have something to do first." Guy turned and looked at Neji. "What about you? Are you going to check on your rival?"

Neji snorted at the remark. "He's no rival of mine," he said coldly. Tenten flinched from his comment. Neji clenched his fist. "If he wasn't so weak, he would still be fighting. His destiny was to be destroyed, and that's exactly what happened."

Sakura covered her mouth as she looked towards the Hyuuga. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. They were teammates, how could he be so cold?

Guy suddenly stopped walking, causing his genin to do the same. He stood silent for a few seconds, and then spoke. "Tenten, you and Sakura go check on Lee."

Tenten looked confused. "Sakura? I don't see her-"

Sakura stood up from the tree she was leaning on. "I'm here," she said softly. Tenten looked at her and could see the hurt in her eyes. She nodded as she looked at her Sensei. Before Tenten ran off, she looked over her shoulder at her teammate. His eyes held a stone look, and honestly the look frightened her.

"Let's go!" Tenten said. Her and Sakura ran towards the village together, leaving the Sensei and student together.

The air between the two males seemed to thicken. Neji continued to stare into his sensei's back, getting angrier by the second.

"What do you want?" he demanded. He didn't have time for this, he could be training. It's not like he'd need it, he could beat that Uzumaki kid with little to no effort.

"Neji," Guy said quietly, "Don't let evil consume you." Neji grit his teeth at this "You are a talented shinobi, one of the best this village has seen in a long time. Your value to this village is great, and I wish to watch you blossom into the best that you can be."

"Whatever fate has set in stone for me, it's bound to happen," Neji said through grit teeth.

Guy sighed. He knew that he wasn't going to get anything else out of his student, that was just the type of guy that Neji was. He would, however, try his hardest to keep his student in the village.

"OK, Neji. You are dismissed." Neji nodded and quickly sprinted away. After this speech with his sensei, he really needed to release his anger. He felt bad for the tree that was soon to be the object of his frustration.

Unknown to the two shinobi, there was a figure listening to their conversation. He smiled as he watched the young Hyuuga run off. The boy amused him very much, and he knew that he had to have this talented prospect. "Little Hyuuga, you will soon be mine," he yelled as he ran in the same direction.