Sorry for the late update, I was enjoying my Christmas with family and then I was trying to be prepared for Spring classes. But luckily, I had the next chapter in mind. Anyway here is the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does.

Far in a forest, Hidan and Kakuzu were walking with Kakuzu holding Chiriku's corpse by the collar of his shirt over his shoulder.

Then he said to Hidan, "You're turn to carry him."

"Hey, Hey, Hey! I'm not the one who wants the bounty; you carry him," Hidan retorted.

Kakuzu glared at him and then Hidan asked, "What are you giving me that look for?"

Kakuzu answered, "One day, I will kill you."

Hidan scoffed, "Like you could, Kakuzu."

In Konoha, Kotetsu and Izumo were at the gates, bored out of their minds, until they saw a figure running towards.

As the person came closer, Kotetsu asked, "What's wrong sir?"

The monk from the Fire Temple stopped for a minute to catch his breath. He answered, "I need to see the Hokage; please take me to her."

Soon the monk was escorted to Tsunade's office and then he told of what became of Chiriku and that two members of the Akatsuki were on the move.

"I see, even the great Chiriku has been killed," Tsunade mused.

"I happened to be on patrol around the temple and when I came back, the temple was destroyed," the monk explained somberly.

Tsunade bowed her head in thought and clasped her hands together.

Shizune then said, "So they are here, and most likely their next target is Naruto."

Tsunade then orderd, "Gather the newly appointed squads immediately! We mustn't let them escape the Land of Fire!"

Meanwhile, with Ino and Shikamaru; they had left Naruto to rest and they were only walking together.

Ino asked, "Do you think Naruto will be able to create a new technique before the Akatsuki come for him?"

Shikamaru was silent for a minute but then he answered, "I'm worried for his safety too but with his determination, he was capable to make things that were impossible, possible. So he'll be alright, after all, I watched him when he took the Chūnin exam and he did well. Even when Kurama helped him a little bit."

Ino looked up at him in surprise at the mention of Kurama, and then he added, "Yeah, Naruto told me about him, though I never thought that Biju had names; Kurama said the other Biju had names too."

Ino only nodded in response and asked, "Did he say what their names are?"

Shikamaru shook his head and answered, "No, he wouldn't say but one day, Naruto may know them later."

Then Ino said, "I see, maybe they're just a bit secretive…"

She was cut off as an ANBU suddenly appeared in front of them and said, "Shikamaru Nara, you are requested by the Hokage along with the rest of the Niju Shotai to come to the Hokage Tower immediately."

Shikamaru nodded and answered, "Got it."

Shikamaru turned to Ino and said to her, "I have to go Ino, thanks for lunch."

He was about to rush off to his house until he heard Ino shout, "Shika, wait!"

He stopped and turned towards her, "Yes?"

Ino walked to him and then enveloped him in a tight hug with her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear, "Come back safe, Shika."

He smiled as he returned the hug and replied, "I'll be back, Ino. Don't worry about me."

She broke the hug and then swiftly gave him a peck on the cheek, causing the both of them to blush. But then Shikamaru gave Ino a small smile and then rushed home. Ino smiled as well but then she frowned because the Nijū Shōtai was supposed to be sent to find Akatsuki; to capture them or kill them. She knows this because Sakura had told her how she was in the same group.

"I just hope he'll be okay," Ino thought as she went to her home as well.

Soon, on top of the Hokage Tower, Tsunade, Shizune and the monk stood before twenty platoons with Team Asuma among them.

Tsunade was explaining the situation to them, "Akatsuki have been at the Fire Temple where they killed many monks there. They are in the Fire Country and they're on the move. Your job is to find them and that's all I have to say. Any questions?"

At the front of the platoons, Asuma raised his hand, and Tsunade asked, "What is it, Asuma?"

He asked, "I believe that Chiriku, a former member of the Twelve Ninja Guradians, was supposed to be there. What happened to him?"

Tsunade then looked sad as she looked over to the monk.

The monk answered, "Chiriku-sama… was killed by them."

Asuma had looked shocked but then his face hardened as he thought, "Chiriku was… No way!"

This change in demeanor didn't go unnoticed by Shikamaru since he stood right behind Asuma.

Then Tsunade said with authority, "For the sake of Konoha's prestige, and above all else, the safety of the Fire Country, we can't allow these people to move freely! I also want to know what they are after, but these are dangerous opponents. Do not let them leave the country! Find them no matter what! And if you can't capture them, kill them! Dismissed!"

Then all twenty platoons took off in different directions out of platoon went through the gates; it consisted of Aoba, Raido, Sakura and Chouji in it.

As Sakura ran along with the others, she thought back to how she and Ino fought against Sasori and that if he was strong; then there were others strong as or stronger than Sasori.

With determination, she thought, "I won't back down from this, I've fought against one Akatsuki" member already, then I can do it again! I won't let my teammates down!"

Chouji was having similar thoughts, "I'll give it my all, Shikamaru, Asuma-sensei!"

Another group was Asuma, Shikamaru, Izumo and Kotetsu; they were standing on top of a building.

"All right," Shikamaru mumbled.

Then Asuma said, "Let's start our search from the Fire Temple."

He paused for a moment, watching a window with flowers in front of it. He added, "Somebody's gotta do it. Let's go!"

On the other side of the window of the house, we see Kurenai sitting at a table reading a book. She looks out her window for a moment, only to see no one there.

As Asuma's squad headed towards the Fire Temple, Shikamaru was right by Asuma and he got his attention, "Asuma-sensei…"

Asuma then looked over at him and asked, "What is it?"

Then Shikamaru said, "It sounded like you knew this Chiriku person from the Fire Temple."

Asuma answered, "Yeah. Didn't I tell you? We use to fight together. This was back when I left Konoha and joined a group called the Twelve Ninja Guardians."

Then he paused for a moment and then added, "The Fire Temple is close, let's get there."

Back in Konoha, Naruto was waking up. He slowly opened his eyes and he saw that he was underneath a tree with his shirt and jacket back on.

"Naruto-kun…" a quiet voice beside him made him turn his head.

Hinata was sitting beside him while Kakashi and Yamato were nowhere to be seen.

"Hinata, what are you doing here? Where is Kakashi-Sensei and Yamato-taichou?" Naruto asked.

She answered, "Kakashi-sensei said that he had something he needed to do. I was training around this area, but he kind of came out of nowhere and asked me to keep you company. Then he left while he kind of dragged the other man with him."

"I see, he left my training to go somewhere else," Naruto sulked.

"Not necessarily, he said that he'd be back soon," Hinata replied.

Naruto sighed, "Yeah, but 'soon' to me translates to two hours. How long was I out?"

"Kakashi-sensei said only half an hour when he brought me here to wait until you woke up," she explained.

"Oh, it must have been boring for you huh?" Naruto asked.

Hinata shook her head, "No, not really, I was just-" A stomach growl interrupted her.

Naruto laughed in embarrassment, "Sorry, I haven't eaten all day and I guess I'm really hungry."

Hinata replied, "I see, well do you want to eat? We could go to Ichiraku Ramen if you want."

Naruto looked surprised but then answered, "Sure, but wouldn't you like to eat something else?"

"It's okay, I don't mind," Hinata replied.

"Well all right, let's go eat," Naruto got up from the ground and then helped her up as well.

Then they walked to Ichiraku Ramen and had a good time where they ate and talked. Though, Naruto felt that being with felt different somehow; not a bad feeling but it was a feeling that made him feel good.

He remembers that she acted weird when she was around him and he never really understood why, but now she seems to be a bit more comfortable with him.

"I heard from Ino-san that you're a Chūnin now, Naruto-kun," Hinata commented.

"Yeah, I had permission to participate by myself, so I'm a Chūnin!" Naruto replied.

They kept talking until they heard, "There you are, Naruto."

Both Naruto and Hinata turned around in their seats to see Kakashi and Yamato at the entrance.

"I was just finishing up some work and I had asked Hinata to keep you company. I can see that you were enjoying yourselves," Kakashi said casually.

"Yeah, I woke up and we came to eat here. Well, we were finished here, so we can get back to training, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto replied.

Then he turned back to Hinata and said, "Thanks for coming to eat with me Hinata, it was fun."

She smiled and replied, "I enjoyed myself as well, Naruto-kun."

Hinata was about to pay for her bowl but Naruto said, "Wait Hinata, I'll pay for both of us."

Before she could object, he took the bill and paid Teuchi for her and for the three bowls he ate.

"Naruto-kun, you didn't have to pay for me," Hinata mumbled.

Naruto shook his head and explained, "I wanted to, it's the least I could do for you for eating with me."

Hinata gave a small smile while she had a light blush in her cheeks, "You're welcome, Naruto-kun."

Then Hinata went off while Naruto left Ichiraku Ramen with Kakashi and Yamato.

At the Fire Temple, Asuma's team was right at the steps of the tempple's gate…

An old monk and a younger monk came out of the temple to greet them. The younger monk asked, "You are all from Konoha, correct?"

Asuma answered, "Yes, we came here to investigate about Akatsuki."

The older monk then spoke, "I'm Juushoku of the Fire Temple. I was away for awhile, but when I heard of the horrors that had befallen the temple, I rushed back as quickly as I could."

He led them to the temple as he explained, "What you see here is what I returned to."

The inside of the temple was partly destroyed; coffins lay all around them in the large open area.

"The monks from nearby temples have helped recover most of the bodies," Juushoku explained further.

Shikamaru muttered, "This is horrible."

Then Asuma asked, "And where is Chiriku?"

The younger monk solemnly explained, "Chiriku-sama's body was the only one we haven't been able to recover."

"Asuma-taichou…" Izumo inputted hesitantly.

Asuma turned to Izumo as he continued, "I really didn't want to bring this up but Chiriku-san's corpse has a three million ryo bounty on the black market."

"Bounty? Then if they knew about the bounty…" Shikamaru implied while Asuma nodded in agreement.

Shikamaru then added, "An exchange point; they're carrying his body there."

Then Kotetsu asked, "Izumo, where is the exchange point?"

Izumo answered, "There are five, including the closest to us."

Then Izumo sent out five carrier pigeons, with messages to the other groups and one was sent back to Konoha and then he said, "The other platoons should reach the rest of the four locations in no time."

Then Asuma announced, "All right, let's move out."

Then Juushoku stopped them, "Please wait, Srutobi Asuma-dono. Allow me to pray for your group's safety."

Asuma smiled, "Go ahead."

Then Juushoku brought his hands together and chanted a prayer while the other bowed their heads in silence.

After the prayer was finished Juushoku said, "Be safe on your mission."

Asuma replied, "Thank you. I'll at least return Chiriku's body."

"No don't push yourself. As a former fellow member of the Twelve Ninja Guardians, there will surely be a price on your head as well. Please be cautious." Juushoku warned.

Asuma smiled and said, "Don't worry about me. My head is worth five million more than Chiriku's."

Shikamaru smirked and then added, "The only thing you would have to worry about is Asuma smoking too much."

Then they left the temple and headed to the nearest exchange point, unknowingly going the same way as Hidan and Kakuzu.

With Hidan and Kakuzu, Hidan was annoyed.

"I'm really getting fed up with the shit that keeps coming out of your mouth. I haven't traveled in forever, and when I finally get a chance, they put me with a jackoff like you…" Hidan complained.

Kakuzu sneered, "We're not on vacation."

Hidan ignored the comment and continued to complain, "I'm already sick of looking for a Jinchūriki, when we have no idea where it is, and now I'm getting dragged on this retarded side job. I think I deserve a little sympathy here!"

Kakuzu retorted, "Just shut the hell up and keep walking. We're already late."

Hidan growled, "We're late because we're going to your stupid exchange point! You keep making this mission longer and longer. Seriously, it's pissing me off."

Then Kakuzu suddenly stopped and Hidan stopped behind him as well.

Kakuzu then said, "Pissing you off? This is a vital mission, too."

"Yeah, yeah, you're the treasurer or whatever. Admit it, that chump change is what you're charging them to help hunt the Biju," Hidan replied with a smirk.

Then without a reply Kakuzu kept walking causing Hidan to scoff in annoyance, but then he said, "Okay, I'm sorry."

Then he added as he walked, "Hey, that corpse is heavy right? Let me take it off your hands for awhile."

Kakuzu asked, "What are you going to do with my valuable bounty?"

Confused, Hidan replied, "I'm just trying to be nice…"

Kakuzu stated, "You'd throw him away."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Hidan asked.

"I see right through you; this body is nuisance and you want to get rid of it." Kakuzu answered.

Hidan laughed, "Ah shit, you got me. But seriously, dump that thing and we can-"

Kakuzu swung his fist behind him while Hidan stopped his fist with his scythe, a clanking sound echoing off of it.

Hidan smirked in triumph, "Gotcha."

Kakuzu growled, "Lousy son of a bitch…"

But then he lowered his fist and continued walking ahead of Hidan.

"Hey. You're done?" Hidan asked in disappointment.

"I don't have time to mess around with you. But someday, our mission will be complete, and my schedule will be wide open. And then I'll send you straight to hell." Kakuzu promised.

Hidan sighed, "There you again…" He strapped his scythe to his back and walked on.

He added, "I really wish the next guy we fight lasts long enough for me to let loose on him; I really need to vent."

So they went along to the exchange point, unbeknownst to them the impending resistance coming their way.

I hope you liked the chapter and I'm aware that the little NaruHina moment was a little out of character with Hinata. But I thought that she deserved to be a bit more expressive. And I hope you liked the little moment with Shikamaru and Ino. Please feel free to leave a review if you wish. I hope to have the next chapter out soon.