Signals of Distress: Missing Kages!

Fire Style: Burning Hammer Jutsu!

Sakura slams down her fist, causing a trail of flames to shoot out from the impact & ignite the practice dummy Sasuke had set up. "Great job Sakura, I think you've finally got it.", Sasuke compliments his friend from a nearby tree. He jumps down after she douses the flaming dummy & walks over to her. "Thanks Sasuke, wouldn't have been able to without your help", Sakura replies with a smile. They sit down & drink some water, after a moment of silence Sasuke speaks up, "Sakura. Is it true, what people say about you, about loving Naruto?", he questions casually.

Sakura looks over at him & asks, "How many people know?", Sasuke shrugs & takes another sip from his canteen before stating, "Not exactly sure, Tsachi told me, & he said he heard it from Kurenai. So it's true then?". Sakura blinks & nods slowly, "Yeah, but why do you care? You always said we were annoying anyway.", she inquires curiously. He chuckles softly before answering, "Yeah, you are. Between you always chasing after me & Naruto, well he's just Naruto, both of you can be annoying at times. You guys though, along with Tsachi you 2 are the closest thing to family I have. To be honest, you liking Naruto doesn't surprise me.".

She raises an eyebrow in curiosity, silently wishing Sasuke would just say what he feels instead of being cryptic about it. "Why would you think that Sasuke?", she wonders inquisitively. He scoffs & laughs before standing up & saying, "Really? Alright Sakura, since you choose to deny it, I'll just put it out there. You spent years acting like your heart beat for me, like I was everything you ever wanted & needed. As annoying as it was at times, that's the way it was; but whenever you needed something, somebody, someone you went to Naruto. You knew you could depend on him. You knew that he loved you, & you spent years in denial trying to get something you knew you wouldn't have.".

Sakura looks up at Sasuke, whose fists are clenched tightly at his sides. "Why are you getting so upset Sasuke?", Sakura asks as she stands up. Sasuke fires back, "You grew up, & you realized that you won't be with me. That I have too many things ahead of me to waste time on that romance crap. I'm glad for that, but I know you & I know that while you act like it's nothing to try & get Naruto back, you still haven't grown up enough to stop living in denial. You'll mope & moan, spend your time crying about Naruto like you did with me. The difference though is that you broke his heart, & now our team....", & as Sakura looks at Sasuke she sees a sight she'd never thought she would ever see, tears falling down Sasuke's face.

"Our family is broken Sakura, because in the end, whether we like it or not that is what we've become. We are family, & because you can't stop denying things that are right in front of your damn face, all of that could be broken.", Sasuke confesses softly through tears & quiet sobs. As Sakura starts to speak, a grey & white hawk flies over them, headed for the Hokage's Tower. "That's a hawk from the Sand Village.", Sasuke states quietly before running off towards the Tower himself.

As Sasuke arrived at the Hokage's tower, he noticed that he wasn't the only person that saw the hawk. Tsachi, Neji & Kakashi did as well. The 4 of them walked together, heading into the office of the 5th Hokage. When they entered, the 4 ninja were not pleased with the look on Tsunade's face, they could tell something was wrong. Jiraiya jumped through the window & asked, "What happened Tsunade? Why is the Sand Village sending a messenger hawk?". Tsunade looks down at the pair of scrolls in front of her & responds, "That's not all, the Mist sent a messenger too. Both the Kazekage & the Mizukage are missing, seemingly captured by Akatsuki.".

The looks on the Jonin in the room turned to that of shock & despair at the thought of 2 powerful ninja like them being captured. "What do you plan to do Tsunade?", Jiraiya inquires. Tsunade looks at Sasuke & Tsachi, "Gather the Sacred Shinobi, except Naruto.", she orders before looking at Neji. She starts to speak but Sasuke interjects, "Why not get Naruto? If we're going after the Akatsuki...", Tsunade stands up & interrupts the Uchiha teen, "That's exactly why he's staying! Because it could very well be members of Akatsuki, & in case any of you didn't know, Naruto is 1 of their targets! Also, 1 of the Sacred Shinobi will always stay behind unless absolutely necessary, & this time it will be Naruto.".

Sasuke glares at her, firing back, "This time? Admit it, if the word Akatsuki is even thought, Naruto is the 1 staying behind. Isn't he?!". As the other Jonin look at her, Tsunade falls back into her seat, defeated. Jiraiya stands beside her & says, "It wasn't her idea. The elders, they made it this way. She was against it too.". Sasuke starts to speak again, but Tsachi puts a hand on his shoulder, "Don't argue. We don't have the time Sasuke.", he reasons to his younger cousin before Sasuke turns to leave. Tsunade smiles at the blue eyed Jonin before he turns to follow Sasuke out. "Kakashi, stay here. Neji, go get Asuma.", she demands authoritatively. The young Jonin nods slightly before flickering away. "Asuma & Tsachi in the same room? Is that really a good idea?", Kakashi inquires. Tsunade responds, "He can get over it, & even if Asuma doesn't, he will have plenty of ways to get his aggression out.".

As Sasuke & Tsachi leave the Tower, Sasuke states, "It isn't right what they're doing to Naruto.", Tsachi smiles & replies, "Which is why we're doing something about it.".

Six Paths: Animal Deviation

They stop & Tsachi's body starts to shimmer & waver before Shitora pops out of Tsachi. The small silverish-grey cat looks up at Tsachi & says, "Heya boss, what's goin' on?", Sasuke looks at the small cat in amazement while Tsachi simply replies, "Go get Naruto & tell him to go to the south gate, don't stop for anything, & stay with him Animal.". Shitora nods & runs off, the cousins doing the same a moment later to gather the other Sacred Shinobi.

About 20 minutes later, the ninja were gathered in front of the Hokage's Residence, & all of them kept between Tsachi & Asuma for fear something would happen. "I am splitting you all into 2 groups. Tsachi, Sasuke & Sakura will head Southwest toward the Sand Village & Gaara. Asuma, Ino, Shikamaru & Kakashi will head East toward the Mist Village & Yagura. Whichever way they go, you should be bound to run across them.". Ino looks at the Hokage & asks, "Why is 1 team larger than the other, & why isn't Naruto here with the rest of us?". Tsunade looks down at the young blonde girl & answers, "Naruto is sitting out on this mission. As for why your team is larger, there are only 2 of the Sacred Shinobi, so I am compensating for that. Anything else to waste time?". They all shake their heads before leaving.

As Tsachi, Sasuke & Sakura leave through the southern gate & make their way to the Sand Village, Naruto pops up beside them, Shitora on his head. "Got him, just like ya asked.", Shitora states happily. Sasuke mutters, "You're asking for it Tsachi.", to which his cousin reasons, "They have 4 members, we should too.".

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, Children of all ages.....let's get ready for Naruto Trivia!

Which of these isn't a legitimate Kage?

A. Mizukage

B. Tsuchikage

C. Raikage

D. Hoshikage

................

I could say something, but I won't. Don't cheat

.................

................

............

Blah blah blah bloobity bloobity blahbitty blah.

...............

..............

.............

The answer to today's question is D. Hoshikage. Mizukage lives in the Hidden Mist Village, Tsuchikage lives in the Hidden Stone Village & the Raikage lives in the Hidden Cloud Village. Hoshikage is a term derived from the filler arc featuring the Village Hidden in the Stars, a village determined to be as strong as the 5 Great Villages.

Did you know that? If not, oh well. More Naruto Trivia soon!