Okay guys, time for the next one shot that includes another Feudal based story that has demons, mages, knights, royalty, wizards, thieves, and a very cute bounty hunter who is hiding something from the world.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto™

(Line Break)

The sun rose over the distant mountain tops that became a natural boarder for the large and powerful Kingdom of and dark oranges, red, and the contrasting bright yellow lights poured over the village. The first people awake were the famers that had their houses light up with candles and oil lamps. The next few hours belonged to the farmers of Konohagakure and with harvest season coming up, they were loaded with work. After those early hours and the morning came to the rest of the village, stores and vendors began to open up and the Hokage Castle began to come to life; workers entered the grounds to begin the day's chores and the Knights that came from higher estates began daily training routines and guarding duty. The day went on as normal as it should, but the maids within the castle crowded around a door that went down to the cellar of the castle with troubles faces. One maid had a tray of food in her hand as she trembled as she reached for the door handle and pushed it open. They all jumped back as if someone was standing there, but all they saw was a barely lighted stair well that led down to the cellar. She took a deep breath and walked down the stairs. She kept her whole body from trembling as she made it down to the cellar, which had been transformed into a cell area that held the most dangerous that ever set foot in Konohagakure; the only reason that the prisoners were fed was just in case war was ever to break out…these special prisoners would then be the ace up the Hokage's sleeve.

"Hey there cutie," the made jumped as she came up to the cell and looked into it. Three prisoners were placed in this one, sealed and locked up cell. She gulped lightly as the blonde haired prisoner smiled at her with his bright blue eyes looking straight into her eyes. She stood there and felt the need to run out but her feet were planted on the ground, "don't be frightened little maid." He laughed lightly but then heard a deep growl for one of the other caged up prisoners in the cell. The blonde looked over to his pal skinned cellmate that had onyx colored haired that spiked up in the back to make it look like a ducks back end. The paled skinned male looked over to him even though his eyes were bandaged up tight with dirty gauzes and just gave a sneer; the blonde rolled his eyes, "Oh bite me you asshole."

"Don't tempt me to," the male said back and tried to jump the blond but the cuffs holding him –and the other two- to the wall by his wrists and ankles stopped him short. The blonde didn't even flinch but the maid gave out a short cry of terror. "You," he turned his head to the maid that stood there, "put down the food and get the hell out." She nodded even though the man was blinded to her actions and she slid the food into the cell so that the other prisoner could reach it. This prisoner glanced at her with pupil less sea-foam green eyes that were rimmed with black from the lack of sleep; the maid just ran back up the stairs and they listened to her hurried steps and then a door slam close. "About damn time…" the blinded male said as he looked in the direction of the other male that could reach the tray, "please tell me we at least got water."

"Yeah," the male said as he took his share and then pushed it over to the blinded male, "on your left." He then just looked down at his share and moved his red hair away from his eyes with his pale hands and lightly touched the scar on his forehead that read 'love'. He lightly drank the water and tried his best not to just down the whole glass; it had been at least two days since he drank water.

"Awesome…" the blonde said with sarcasm as he looked at his bowl of plain rice, "how long until I die? Since I rather be dead than eat anymore of this crap." He sighed as the other two ignored him as ate the food like normal and civilized people. The blonde scoffed and while using his hands he ate the rice with bigger bites, "Damn royals with their manners."

"Shut up dead last," the blinded male said with a scowl, "just because you came from the streets doesn't mean that you have to act like one."

"Why don't you get that stick out of your ass and let me eat," the blonde said back with a glare.

"Dear Kami," the red head muttered as he ate and crossed his legs, "I rather be back in Sunagakure than here."

"Well sorry about that Lord Sabaku," the black haired male said since he was the only one of the two that actually heard him. "But lucky for you Konohagakure has the best fucking demon prison in the whole god damn world." They all stayed quiet after that and he sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "So let's just hope that we can get out of here before we become old men. And Naruto…" he moved his head over to face the blonde, "try and grab my food again and I will cut off your arm."

The blonde gave a nervous laugh as he sat back down in his spot, "Oh come on Sasuke-teme," he smiled, "it's not like you're going to eat it anyway."

"Shut up Naruto," the red head said as he finished his glass of water and then placed the wooden chopsticks in the empty bowl, "You eat like you're half pig."

"Up yours Gaara," Naruto smirked, "you have lived in Konohagakure for how long now….three years? Stop acting like you're from ye old Sunagakure." Naruto laughed lightly as Gaara just smirked at the only fact that Naruto knew.

The three had once lived life outside the cell walls and they were happy children for the most part, but it seems that the Demons of the earth had seen potential for the two children, while the other had the most perfect life pulled right from under his feet. Naruto had been a once street child that lived in and out of a nearby orphanage that was nearby and while he was lying in the forest looking up at the sky, he found a man who looked of royalty with an extravagant kimono with long red hair and no shoes on his feet. Naruto wasn't too wary of the guy since he thought himself strong enough to take care of himself. The man was actually very kind to Naruto and gave him a jeweled necklace, but while Naruto put it on the man revealed himself to be the demon fox Kyuubi. Before Naruto could run back into the village the demon grabbed Naruto's shoulder and pushed a demonic energy into his body. The next thing Naruto knew was that he was face down in the grass and the sun was high in the sky. The second Naruto walked into the village he was captured by Konohagakure knights and other warriors and dragged to the castle with villagers throwing things at him. When Naruto was brought before the Hokage Tsunade and explained what was going on with a letter that had been left on her desk. It read that Kyuubi had chosen Naruto to be his half son since the worlds of Heaven and Hell had chosen to find humans to do their will. Naruto was locked up for the safety of his village…which he accepted without much trouble. He only thought his imprisonment would be temporary, but he got worried when he was given a cell mate.

Gaara was of a high member of society in Sunagakure and was actually well liked in his village. He was to be the next Kazekage after his father, but he came across Sunagakure's very own demon, Shukaku. Gaara wasn't so lucky since Shukaku left a scare on Gaara's forehead and was much crueler in pushing power into the boy and then kicked in a curse that did not allow the male to fall asleep without fear of going berserk and killing innocent people. The Sabaku family soon found the demon's note on Gaara's door and when they opened it Gaara was sitting on the floor with blood shot eyes and just rocking back and forth. They discovered the power within the male and feared the red headed boy since whenever he was angered, the sand around him would move around violently and injured a few people. Sunagakure did not have the proper people to be able to contain the boy and alerted Konohagakure about their need of assistance. At that time Sunagakure and Konohagakure were on the best of terms and the village happily took Gaara in and threw him in the same cell as Naruto. The first few months had been hard on the two since they had no idea of their own powers and they would walk up beaten up and tired; then they were shackled.

Next to arrive was Sasuke, Konohagakure's perfect boy from the Uchiha clan. He was just a victim of bad timing when he had trained under Orochimaru, Konohagakure's very own top notch wizard and demonologist. But Orochimaru was official pronounced evil when he used Sasuke as an experiment. The Uchiha was supposed to just be learning the basics of magic so that he could use it when becoming a knight. But he mistook the experiment as a chance to gain power, which Orochimaru did promise the male, but he ended up cursed under a spell gone wrong. Orochimaru wanted to imitate a demon's power, but when he did it on Sasuke, the spell turned him into a half demon. Sasuke was able to shift from demon to human but he couldn't control how to do it. Not only that, but Sasuke's Sharigan would forever be present in his eyes. Usually by using the blood line trait for long periods of time would cause the user to become blinded, but due to Sasuke's new demonic power he would not go blind. The Uchiha clan was outraged and ordered for Orochimaru's execution but the man had already fled the village without a word of how to turn Sasuke back. With Sasuke not being able to control his new found curse and was forced to be caged up with the other two boys that were not too keen on getting another roommate. Gaara and Naruto both watched the Uchiha with caution and Sasuke was glad that they kept their distance.

Over the course of a year they had all reached a point in their 'relationship' to make small talk and exchange comments about the day. Usually when they weren't making small talk, they were arguing with one another about the hell-hole they had to live in. Sasuke complained out how all the females that came down here tried to talk to him and had to bandage up his eyes as not to harm people; Gaara complained out how his family didn't bother to come and see him or even try and get him out; Naruto just complained about how the other two were nothing but angst and didn't have any emotions. But they were on somehow good terms with one another and that's all that they needed.

"Hey Sasuke-teme," Naruto sat back against the cell wall and put his hands behind his head, "tell me that story again…the one about your very first sword."

"I've told you at least three times this week dead-last," Sasuke said as he pulled one knee up to his chest and rested one of his arms on top. "It's not even that great of a story anyway."

"Then tell us about the one when you had to have a tea party with that pinked haired girl," Gaara smirked as he twirled one of the chopsticks in his right hand.

Sasuke just smirked, "Never again, you guys still won't let that one go."

Naruto was about to say something but then he was cut off when they heard the door open and listened to footsteps against the stairs. They watched as a knight came into their line of site as he stood before the door and looked to them with a glare. Right off the bat Gaara and Naruto knew that it was a male from the Hyuga clan by the color of his eyes and length of his brown hair. He was dressed in his royal white clothes with a brown tunic and cloak that rested on his shoulders and kept closed by the collar with a yin-yang clasp. He pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the cell door. "I hate to say this…but Lord Hyuga is in need of your assistance." Neji stepped aside as another more silent male walked into the cell with a dark green cloak closed and his hood pulled high to hide his face, "Mage Hatake," the cloaked male looked back at Neji, "be sure they are restrained properly." After the mage nodded, Neji left without another.

The mage pulled down his hood to reveal his oddly styled silver hair and onyx eyes; the rest of his face was hidden by a mask. He pushed his cloak back and revealed that he wore simple training clothes and fingerless gloved hands reached into his pocket and pulled out three seals. "I am Kakashi Hatake, only mage of Konohagakure and I have been asked to place these tags on you. Please lift up your shirts."

"Like hell I will," Naruto glared at him, "why am I going to let you place that seal on me? You could kill me!"

"I was told to make tags to put on you so that you will not be a threat to the innocent people above your heads," he pointed to the ceiling. He spoke calmly and looked to all of them once more, "now please lift up your shirts so I may place the tags." The three looked to one another and Sasuke was the first one to lift up his shirt to reveal his chest. Kakashi walked over to him and placed the seal in the center of his chest. Naruto huffed and followed suit, "I'm surprised that you have been able to retain some kind of muscle mass from being in here for so long." Kakashi placed on the blondes slightly toned chest and then walked over to the red head. "I can't use force against you, so please just humor me."

"Why do we need to be made safe," Gaara looked up at him with a glare, "we've been locked up in here. Is that not enough for your precious people that are the reason why I'm locked up like an animal!" The ground shifted a bit but only slight cracks appeared in the ground. Gaara could only use sand, and it was too hard to make out of stone and concrete.

"I am to lead you out of this cage and take you above," Kakashi answered back calmly as he crouched down before the male, "I can make no promises, but I believe that this may be the last time that you'll be in this cage." Gaara looked at him skeptically and then two the other two.

"I want to get out of here Gaara," Sasuke said, "just get it over with." The red head sighed and moved his tattered shirt up and Kakashi placed the last seal upon his chest. Kakashi then grabbed the chain on the outsides of shackles and with bursts of energy, broke them off. The boys were able to stand on their feet and almost lost their balance a few times. Kakashi slowly led them out of the cell and motioned them forward.

"Just go up the stairs and Knight Neji will be waiting for you, try to act nice," the three boys walked off in the direction they had once watched the maids came down. "It may be a little bright upstairs, so try not to melt in the sun light," the silver haired mage smiled from behind his mask as the other three just scoffed or laughed at the statement. Kakashi muttered under his breath, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

(Line Break)

Hiashi stood at the bottom of the steps that led up to Tsunade's throne with her head scribe Shizune standing beside her documenting everything that happened throughout the day. They were both dressed in fine clothing and the large throne room was decorated to the Hokage's liking with a large red carpet leading from her throne to the large double doors that lead into the room. She looked to the other knights placed about the room with the head of the knights, Jiraiya; taking his post on Tsunade's other side. She looked back down at the Hyuga male that had strode into her castle was such purpose that she was almost amused by it, "Lord Hyuga," said man only glanced back at the woman, "are you positive that all you speak of is true? For I find it hard to believe that you, have suddenly found another reason to go after her."

"I am Lady Hokage," his words were softer than she remembered him to be, "there is no other reason I would be down her in need of your assistance."

"Holy fuck!" They looked over and watched as the blonde haired boy walked into the room only to close his eyes tight and fall to the floor, "my eyes! It burns…i-it burns!"

"Get up dead-last," Sasuke delivered a hard nudge to Naruto's guy. Gaara just closed his eyes tight and rubbed them when the bright light had hit them all. Sasuke reached down and pulled Naruto back to his feet and placed him back in his spot behind Neji, "do something like that again and you are going to regret it." He seethed out each word and Naruto nodded hastily as his eyes adjusted to all the light in the room.

"How about now," Tsunade smirked as Hiashi's eye twitched at the boys that walked up to the throne.

"You said they were grown men," Hiashi said through clenched teeth, "all I see are bunch of obnoxious boys."

"By their age," Tsunade stood and walked down to Hiashi's side, "they are men. By their mentality…they're snot noised brats." The three looked to her with offense and before Naruto could saw something stupid Neji pushed him down to one knee.

"Be respectful," Neji held Naruto's head down and looked to the other two, "bow before Lady Hokage and Lord Hyuga." Gaara and Sasuke slowly got to one knee and Kakashi bowed to the two and then stood back up. Neji moved to stand before the three and cleared his throat, "by the order of Lord Hyuga and with the approval of Lady Hokage, Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara of Konohagakure will aid in the search of the missing heiress of the Hyuga clan."

"She's been gone for years," Naruto said looking up, "I thought she was pronounced dead-" he was cut off as Sasuke pushed his head back down.

"Be that as it may…" Hiashi took a step forward and Neji took one back, "this had shown up on the black market." He held out a necklace that was made of black lace and had a clear jewel hanging off of it. "She wore this on the last day she was seen and just a week ago this piece of jewelry was taken off a pair of wanted thieves." Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara all looked up to the necklace and then were allowed to get back up to their feet. "There is a reason that I want you three to go after her…" he placed the necklace in a leather pouch, "I believe that a demon took my daughter."

"Makes sense," Gaara said, "why said knight you trust against a demon? Just send us since it doesn't matter if we live or die."

"I chose you since my daughter needs someone strong to free her," the three were taken back as Hiashi spoke in a voice that nearly wavered. "You three are the only hope that I have left to get her back."

Naruto sadden as he watched the man before him try not to break down. "Okay…." They all looked at him, "I'll help you find your daughter."

"As will I," Gaara said looking to both Hyuga's, "but I want to be able to shower and get a fresh change of clothes." He then looked over to the other two, "Scratch that…for all of us."

"I'd be happy to give you that," Tsunade said with a light smile. She looked to the Uchiha who looked to be looking past her, "and you Uchiha?"

"Is that all we get in return? A shower and some better clothes?"

"No," Hiashi said as he composed himself, "If this is mission is a success…you three will no longer be imprisoned." The three lightened up at the sound of that deal, they were ready to work for the freedom that they once had. He looked back to Tsunade, "I will be off now, keep me in touch." Hiashi walked off with Neji right behind him and they exited the castle.

Tsunade looked to Kakashi, "lead them to the bathes area and you," she looked to a maid that had been passing through, "go get clothes for these young men."

Kakashi nodded and motioned to the two to follow him out. They walked off and a few seconds after Sasuke turned around and followed after the three. He may be blinded but Sasuke was always able to walk around without little or any trouble. They stopped as the large doors closed behind them and Naruto punched the air, "This is the greatest day ever! Adventuring, fighting demons, saving a princess, and being able to be free. And I thought today was going to be shit." They all smiled and were led into a large and lavish bathroom and Naruto watched as butlers filled the tub with steaming amounts of water. He was so excited to see to get clean and a new set of clothes, "I call going first!" Naruto said quickly as he looked back at the other two.

"There is more than one bathe…" Kakashi pointed out as Gaara and Sasuke walked to the other tubs that were filled with more hot water. Kakashi smiled from behind his mask and took the set of clothes from the maid that tried to sneak a peek into the bathing room. Once shooing off the maid he set the clothes down on a small table, "I'll be waiting for you here once you are done." He closed the door and the three quickly cleaned up.

After about thirty minutes the three were standing in their new clothes and Naruto smiled as he looked at himself in the mirror, "Well don't we look spiffy?" Naruto, Gaara, and Sasuke stood and black knightly gear with black hunting boots. The only difference between them was that Naruto and an orange tunic, Gaara a dark red one, and Sasuke in a blue one with his family insignia on the back. Naruto gave the two a thumbs up, "Let's go find us a princess."

"How about we just make a run for it," Sasuke muttered as they exited the bathing room and jumped when he felt someone put something around his waist. "What the-" he touched what was around his waist and went silent for the moment as his hand clutched the handle to a sword that was hanging on the belt. Sasuke then went back to his calm manner and even a smirk came to his lips, "And I thought I was going out there with nothing but my hands."

Kakashi smiled as he handed a belt to Gaara that held two daggers, "Lovely weapons you have here," Gaara put the belt on and then looked to Naruto who was given a load of weapons to hide all over his body and in pouches on the belt he got. Gaara looked to Kakashi and crossed his arms over his chest, "So…where do we start?"

Kakashi tossed the leather pouch that held the necklace to Sasuke, who caught it with great ease, and then walked over to a window. He pulled the curtain and pointed out far into the distance, "Go to the boarder of Konohagakure and then head to Kirigakure and find the man that goes by Buddha; he was the one to sell this necklace."

Naruto smiled brightly and pointed to the window, "I want my first step into the world to be the greatest moment of my life Masked Mage! Open that window!" Kakashi smirked as he pushed the window open and then felt a whoosh of air go past him as the blonde jumped out and yelled: "Yahoo!"

Gaara rolled his eyes and followed after the male. Sasuke walked to the window and looked to Kakashi, "I assume horses will be waiting for us by the gates." Kakashi nodded and Sasuke saluted the male as he calmly jumped out. Sasuke landed on the ground with eyes and while still crouched on the ground he grabbed a kunai that he hid in the boots and slashed the bandages that covered his eyes. He blinked lightly as the bright lights hit him, but once he adjusted he looked out into the world and smile as he again was looking outside. He took a large waft of the fresh air and blinked a few times. He reached into his blue tunic and pulled out a long piece of black cloth and tied it around his eyes. For once the fabric was slightly see-through so he could actually enjoy the nature of this world. He walked out to the front of the castle as Naruto mounted a dark brown horse and practiced riding the very stubborn animal. Gaara picked the white horse and was almost a natural at being a horsemen; Sasuke was left with a black horse with white around the mouth and hooves of the horse. "Anything of use on this horse?" Sasuke asked as he got on his horse.

"A cloak and some money that we can use to live," Gaara answered as he rode ahead of the three and motioned to Neji, who was the one to bring out the horses, "he also gave us a photo of this heiress, but I've decided to hang on to it."

"Gaara just thinks the girl is really good looking," Naruto snickered as Gaara shot him a glare and Sasuke just smirked. "Come on, we got to go to Kirigakure."

(Line Break)

But what the newly made hero's didn't know was the real danger that they were all getting into. For into the slums of Kirigakure stood another society that lived off of crime. From thieves, to corrupted officials, assassins, and even bounty hunters were all present in this part of Kirigakure. This part of the kingdom was solely known as Dark Waters; this was where buyers and sellers on the black market were found. Along the main road of Dark Water a little tavern resided on the left side of the rode with its door always open to reveal drunks and prostitutes. Behind the tavern's counter was a rather large man that served drinks and was sure to get his pay. Sitting on the end of the counter was a man dressed in a thief's attire with a cloak sitting upon his shoulders; his dark hair was pulled back into a spiked ponytail that defied gravity and his dark eyes were planted on the drink in his hands with his eyelids drooping low. The large bar man walked up to the male as he took pay from another man, "You seem distracted," the man's voice seemed friendly enough.

"I am," the thief said lightly and took another swig of the bitter liquid.

"Is it about that necklace…" he didn't really have to ask since he already knew that it was just that.

"Yeah…it's about the necklace," he sighed and then rubbed his eyes in hopes to keep him awake, "it was too good to be sold in a place like this…or even conveniently found on the ground. Its condition was still perfect," he looked up to the larger male, "what do you think Buddha?"

"I think you're over reacting again," he chuckled as the male smirked, "just let it go and hope that it doesn't come back to bite you in the ass." As the thief was getting up the larger man stopped him, "And Shikamaru," Buddha glanced at him, "you better pay up."

"Yeah…whatever Choji," Shikamaru smirked as he placed down a few coins and then walked into the back of the tavern where he could easily pocket some money that the drunken men left unguarded. As he walked past one of the tables he spotted a very small figure that was cloaked in a dark brown cloak and they looked to be just staring down at a wanted poster. Shikamaru walked over to a group of more drunken men but kept his eyes on the figure that he assumed to be a bounty hunter. As Shikamaru swiftly cut off little pouches that held coins and pocket them in his own pouch he couldn't help but think of what the bounty hunter was carrying weapon wise. The figure got up and went to the bar and pointed to the picture that was on the poster. The figure was quick to leave and Shikamaru took it as his chance and walked up to the bar, "Hey…" he got the man's attention, "what did that bounty hunter want?"

"Just some information on some brothel owner that has come into some debt," he shrugged and Shikamaru looked at him to continue, "then the little runt walked off in search of the place."

"Runt?"

"Did you not see that guy?" the man snorted, "looked like someone got stunted in their growth." He shook his head and downed the last of his drink, "That guy is just a little runt of the liter." Shikamaru just nodded and then made his way back to the door. "If you want to cash in on that bounty then I suggestion you follow."

"How big is it?"

"I heard that the guy is not only paying about three hundred gold coins, but also a map to that hidden temple made of gold."

Shikamaru scoffed, "That place is nothing but a myth the local madman yells about."

"Believe in what you want," the man said as he got another refill, "but it seems like it was interesting enough to the runt."

"A bounty hunter is interested in a mythical temple…" Shikamaru let the information sink in and then looked out the door, "Which way to the brothel?" Shikamaru was pointed in the direction of the old brothel and he was quick to leave the back of the bar and made his way to the already crowded building. He kept down his sneer as he watched as scantily clad woman served drinks and take some other more high paying men into back rooms. In the corner of his eye he caught the flutter of a dark cloak. He watched as the bounty was lead upstairs by another woman that had a very shy smile and blush stained cheeks. Shikamaru was about to follow the two but other woman cut him off and said only 'top payers got to travel upstairs'. Shikamaru suddenly pulled out his dagger and lightly pushed the side into one of the girl's side, "I think you can make an exception for me, right?" She nodded quickly and allowed him through, but he knew that some type of security would be up after him soon.

"R-Right this way sir," Shikamaru peeked around the corner and watched as the bounty hunter paid the girl and was about to open another door. "N-No sir," she tried to stop him, "th-that room i-is only f-for business…" she trailed off as the bounty hunter shot her a stare and she cowered back. "S-sorry," she quickly ran off and clutched the money close to her body. Shikamaru watched as the bounty hunter walked into the room and there was a shout, but then everything went silent upstairs. Shikamaru heard a window smash and he ran into the room to find a man dead on the ground. Shikamaru got a good smell of blood and got a good shot of a man's headless body and quickly emptied his stomach on the dead man's floor. Shikamaru wiped his mouth clean and heard as footsteps hurried up the stairs; he opened up the closet and hid in it just as a pair of rather large men walked into the room.

"Aw hell!" One man said as he stepped in the vomit while the other looked around for information on the killer. "I hope that little shit that came up here broke his damn leg!"

"Shut the hell up," the other said as he looked back at him, "The whores downstairs say that they were threatened by some guy with a pineapple head." Shikamaru's eye twitched at his terrible misfortune; he was going to have to find this bounty hunter now. "Come on, he can't have gotten too far!" they both ran back downstairs, with the other guy trying to wipe off his shoes. Shikamaru walked out and made his way out the already broken window and scaled down the wall. He jumped into an alley way and hid in the shadows. Shikamaru tried to love for a sign of the bounty hunter but the village people that had made their living in Dark Waters scattered as three horse men made their way through the streets.

"Okay people," a blonde haired male looked to all the people that stood in the streets, "we are looking for a princess! Has anyone seen her!"

"I'll be your princess," one of the brothel girls called with a flirty wave as the blonde was rightfully smacked in the back of his head. A moron like that should never have come to a place like this; he's asking for the chance to be murdered right on the streets. Shikamaru walked away from the building in this uproar and tried to find that bounty hunter at a chance at all that money; even if he had to pull it out of the kid's cold dead hands.

"Hey," Shikamaru looked back as the blonde was slowly riding up to him. Shikamaru looked at their too nice clothing, weapons, and that they were so clean. He figured that the men most have been of higher rank. Shikamaru did what his instincts told him and started running away. He growled as the three horsemen began to chase after him.

(Line Break)

Shikamaru sat in the forest before a burning fire while being tied up and gagged.

"So you thought you could run from us huh," Naruto smirked as he walked around the thief, "you're lucky that I don't turn you in."

"Idiot," Sasuke said while sharping his sword, "leave the thief alone. I don't know why we bothered to take him in."

"He ran from us!"

"We were in a place where everyone was running from the law," Gaara said as he leaned up against a tree, "but it is better to have a local to see if he can lead us to where in the black market we can find this Buddha guy." He looked to the thief and then watched as the male seemed to be trying to reach for something. "Try and escape and I will kill you," the thief stopped moving and just sat there with a light glare. "So talk," Gaara walked up to him, "where is Buddha?"

The thief just shrugged and looked at the fire like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Tell us or we turn you into Konohagakure prisons," Naruto said as he pulled out a kunai and held it dangerously close to the thief.

Shikamaru began to think about the options that he had. Talk or die. It looked though that he seemed to be the group's only lead in trying to find Buddha. He needed to use this to his advantage; these guys were tough, strong, and had the look and attitude to keep back any trouble. "Make me an offer."

"You're life," Sasuke said without looking at him.

"I can get by in prison," he lied through his teeth, "but you guys are not going to get anywhere without some kind of guide."

"Then what do you want," Gaara asked.

"Help in finding a bounty hunter."

"You got some kind of grudge against this guy?"

"More like business."

"Then it's settled," Naruto smiled as he put his arm around Shikamaru's shoulders. "We are going to find a princess and then a bounty hunter!"

"Troublesome…"

(End)

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