Here's Chapter 3! Sorry for not updating, kind of a slow and busy week for me. Enjoy!

"WHAT?! I YOU SERIOUS? YOU BETTER NOT BE JOKING, GRANDMA TSUNADE?!" Naruto screamed, clearly angry and a bit hopeful.

"Naruto, I realize you're a bit anxious now that I told you, but please keep it down," the Hokage told him, rubbing her temples. She had gotten what she expected: Naruto was angry, Lee and Hinata were shocked, and Sakura look like she might burst into tears any second.

"S-Sasuke..." Sakura quietly whispered to no one. Naruto glanced at her incredulously, as if to say, 'I knew you didn't love me before.'

"When do we go? I need to know!"

"OK, calm down killer. You leave tomorrow at 9. Here's the main part of it though. If Sasuke should resist beyond capture," she stopped, looked Naruto directly into his eyes, staring at his very soul, "you must eliminate him and bring his body back."

Sakura couldn't handle it anymore. She fell to the ground and burst into sobbing. "Oh Sasuke. Why did you h-have to l-l-leave?" Lee was crushed to know she still cared this deeply about him, but he got over it and went over to comfort her.

"Hey, don't cry. We'll find him. You know why I know?" Sakura looked up at Lee. "Because you want him back desperately. And because Naruto promised to bring him back." Lee made the last part louder so Naruto would hear clearly, even though if he would have said it normally, Naruto could hear it.

"N-Naruto, what do y-you think?" Sakura managed to get out.

"I think that Sasuke will come this time. One reason I believe is I think he might've killed Orochimaru. With his brother dead and all, he has no reason to stay away, other than being a missing nin."

"That's actually a good point, Naruto. You've grown and I was just too slow to realize how much. Y'all are dismissed. Meet here in my office around 8:30."

With that the four shinobi walked out of the office, a deafening silence hanging over their heads. Sakura walked with Lee, who was practically dragging Sakura. Naruto and Hinata walked close by each other, but said nothing.

"Hinata? Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, N-Naruto."

"Why did you have confidence in me when others just cast me aside? I mean, your love is all good and well, but why did you watch me?"

"Well, the m-main reason I used to w-watch you is to see how you got all your confidence. My father didn't always appreciate me as his d-daughter. He thought I was weak and would never get any st-stronger. I tried my hardest, but it wasn't g-good enough for him. He started to focus on Hanabi to train her to be the clan head. But eventually he realized I was strong and he gave me a chance to gain back my title as heir to the clan. If you hadn't inspired me, I wouldn't have gotten strong, and if I wouldn't have gotten strong, Hanabi would still be the heir." She stopped right in front of Naruto and looked him dead in the eye. "If you were never there to help me through my hardships, I w-wouldn't be who I am today." She leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then she turned around and ran off. Naruto stood there watching her leave, rubbing his cheek and smiling. Not a fake smile to hide his pain, but a genuine Naruto-style smile.

Later that night while Naruto was in bed, trying to sleep, a certain giant beast with nine tails decided now would be a good time to talk to him. "So about that one girl, kit? You like her don't you?" 'Why do you keep saying that? I don't like Hinata?' "Oh come on. I am inside you. I can hear your deepest thoughts. I can almost watch your dreams as you dream. In fact, if I tried, I know I could affect them. So don't give me that shit about you not liking her, because that feeling you've been getting in your chest when you near her here lately is love. That, Young Naruto, is what love feels like. Just sad I, a demon trapped inside of you, had to tell you that. I will leave you alone know so you can think in peace. Goodnight, kit."

And sure enough he did think. He thought long and hard. He hadn't thought this hard ever since he could remember. Hinata was one of his best friends. She had revealed her love for him and he still hadn't even given her an answer. Then he remembered when they were training together. He had grabbed her hand and ran with her. He had had that feeling Kyuubi was talking about. Eventually, he had to come to the facts. He liked Hinata Hyuga, but he wouldn't tell anyone. Not yet.

The next day, Naruto, Sakura, Lee, and Hinata were waiting outside Tsunade's office, waiting to here their lecture. Sakura looked as if she hadn't slept a wink. She still loved Sasuke and wouldn't stop as much as she tried. Sakura had lied to Naruto, as he had lied to himself all those years.

"Lady Tsunade will see you now, and be very conscientious of what you say. She has a hangover from drinking last night." Shizune escorted them into the Hokage's office.

"OK. Let's get this work through with, shall we? First off, I'm putting Naruto as the leader of this team. Second, if you have to, kill Kabuto and bring back his body. Third and last, do not let either one of them escape. Good luck to you." They nodded and left.

Tsunade felt confident in them, but couldn't help feel the icy hand of fear grip her heart all the same. She put her head down on her desk, resting her eyes. She kept hearing a piercing tap and looked up to see a Suna delivery hawk. She opened the window and took the message off the birds leg. She began to read. As she read, her body began to tremble. According to the note, Orochimaru came to Suna, seeking for his traitors.

"Shizune! GET THOSE FOUR BACK IN HERE NOW, AND PLEASE HURRY!" Worry and fear all but consumed her very being.

Shizune burst out of her office and ran as fast as she could after them. "Naruto! Wait!"

Naruto turned and stared at her. "Yes?"

"Lady Tsunade received a note just now, and your gonna want to hear it." The four turned and ran back into her office.

"Grandma Tsunade? Are you OK?"

"L-listen to me. They have Sasuke trapped and they k-killed Kabuto. Suna shinobi lured them to a deserted l-location. The Kazekage killed Kabuto and injured Sasuke. Gaara is personally bringing him to our village as we speak. However, as he went away, Orochimaru and the Akatsuki came looking for Sasuke. Plus, Akatsuki has a score to settle with Gaara. Orochimaru and his sound nin battled the Akatsuki. Orochimaru lost and ran away, but in the direction Gaara went. Akatsuki is going after them. I'm terrified now. We are going to be visited by the Kazekage, Sasuke, Orochimaru, and the Akatsuki. I n-need you four to get your team mates, sensei's, teachers, and fellow shinobi and have them meet me in the council room. We have business to take care of." Just as she finished, Neji, Choji, Shikamaru, and Tenten walked in, back from their mission. "You four, help these four. They'll explain what to do." Tsunade told them.

The eight ninja left the tower talking about what to do. "Lady Tsunade instructed us to get our team mates, sensei's, and all available shinobi. We have a hell of a fight headed our way." Lee told the other four.

They separated into teams of two: Choji and Shikamaru, Neji and Tenten, Sakura and Lee, and Naruto and Hinata. Choji and Shikamaru found Ino and she began to help them search. Naruto and Hinata found Kiba and Akamaru, who started to help.

Later, everyone had been alerted and the excitement died down. All that was left in the council room was the Konoha 11, Sai, Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi and Iruka. Naruto was talking with his former sensei's when he noticed Hinata blushing and looking in his direction. Kiba was laughing and Sakura and Ino were giggling. "So Naruto? How are things with Hinata and Sakura? Figure out which one yet?" asked Kakashi, not looking up from Jiraiya's last Icha Icha book.

"Well, I don't know. I know Sakura's confession was an attempt to get me to stop chasing Sasuke. Now, he's coming home, by force." He waved away his sensei and walked in Hinata's direction.

"You know, Kakashi. It seems like just yesterday Naruto was a little prankster, always causing The Third some grief. Now look at him. A strong, young man. I think we did a good job, you, me and Master Jiraiya sure taught one hell of a student." Iruka and Kakashi continued to talk, while Naruto reached Hinata.

"Well, speak of the devil. We were just talking about you. Weren't we, Hinata?" said Kiba, winking at Hinata.

"Really, umm, I mean that's cool. So uh, how's it going, Kiba? Haven't seen you in a while."

"Yeah, no kidding. I've been pretty good. Except I've been doing way too much work if you ask me." While Hinata was talking with Ino, Naruto saw his chance to get her away.

He leaned in and whispered to Kiba, "Can you give me a minute alone with Hinata? I need to talk to her privately."

"OK, but why you whispering? You could've just said it out loud," Kiba said, walking towards Shino and Neji, Akamaru following.

"Hinata, can I talk to you for a second?" Naruto asked her, Ino looking at her with a mischievous grin and pushing her towards him.

"Here you go Naruto. One Hinata, as promised." said Ino as she walked away. Hinata was blushing madly at the moment, from embarrassment and Naruto wanting to talk with her alone, with others in the room.

"So, ummm, well, about that a kiss yesterday?" started Naruto, once again rubbing his cheek.

Hinata noticed everyone staring at them and her blush deepened. She looked at Naruto and finally tried to speak. "Wh-what about it?"

"Well, why did you do it, exactly?"

"To s-say thank y-you for helping me."

Naruto smile and brought her in for a hug. She stiffened and glanced around frantically, looking around the room at the shocked faces, blushing redder than she had ever before. She looked away and ignored the shocked stares of the others. She relaxed and wrapped her arms around Naruto gently. Naruto leaned back to look in her eyes. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He let go and walked out of the room, smiling another genuine smile. Hinata stood, shocked and wide-eyed. She turned and watch Naruto leave. Ino, Tenten, and even Sakura 'awed' at Naruto's actions. Finally Hinata couldn't stand it. She closed her eyes and fainted.

OK I have a question for y'all to answer. If Sakura gets with somebody, should it be Sasuke or Lee? Leave your answer as a review. Thanks

- Nate-Dawgg73