Italics indicate thinking

Bold is for attacks

Kale's POV

"Hey get up!" Naruto yelled throwing a rock through my window.

"What the hell it's 5AM!" I screamed "And you broke my window!"

I looked out my window and Naruto was there with Shikamaru, both were fully dressed.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Hurry up and get dressed." Shikamaru said "we got a job do do?"

"Huh?"

"Sasuke left the village last night!" Naruto yelled "We have to hurry and catch up."

"What?" I hissed under my breath "Alright I'll be out in a second."

I went over to my closet and quickly threw on my robes and boots. I went out to the kitchen and scribbled down a note for my parents.

"There was an emergency and I had to leave in a hurry." I wrote "I'll be back soon, please don't worry too much, Love Kale…P.S we need to get a new window in my room."

When I got out my door Naruto and Shikamaru where already moving to the next location, on the way Shikamaru explained that Tsunade had told him this was a Genin only mission and he could take as many notable ones as he felt he needed for this team, Naruto and I were clear choices but our first stop was a bit of a shock.

"We're counting on you Choji." Shikamaru nodded "Meet us and the Main gate in ten minutes."

"This is one of the amazing ninjas you wanted?!" Naruto yelled "Why don't we ask Shino or even Tenten!"

"Choji and I have worked together for a long time." Shikamaru shrugged "I know we work well together."

Choji gave us a nod to affirm he'd come along with us.

"RUFF!"

We all turned around and saw Akamaru yipping at us.

"Shino's out of town right now." Kiba said "I guess since I got up so early I'll lend a hand."

"I was gonna ask you anyway." Shikamaru laughed.

Later

"So this is it?" I asked.

"Our times up…" Shikamaru panted having run all over town "This'll work."

The team consisted of Naruto, Myself, Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba and Neji.

"Hmmm…" Lee was here to see us off but he looked pretty down.

I heard Tsunade told him to quit…that he has a dangerous surgery ahead if he wants to ever be a ninja again.

"Relax Lee." Neji told him "There's other things you should be focused on right now."

"Let's go!" Naruto yelled.

"Hold it!" Shikamaru grabbed his collar "I'm in charge here got it…I mean it's not a big deal but."

"Can you handle it?" Naruto pouted.

"It is a little odd taking orders from you." Kiba said.

"He makes a good point." I added.

"Shikamaru is a Chunin." Choji pointed out "We have to do what he says. The Village acknowledge that he qualified as a leader."

"Well leader tell us the plan." Neji said "Should we be expecting enemies and ambushes?"

"This is a rescue mission." Shikamaru explained "And we're the pursuers, which means they'll have an easy time getting the jump on us. So we'll pick a formation suited to reaction and countering. If you don't listen to me we might all end up dead."

His expression got so serious…I feel like I can trust him with my life.

"We'll move in a single line formation." Shikamaru explained "Kiba will take point."

"Huh?" the dog boy gasped "Me?"

"Yes you, you know the terrain best and your and Akamaru's nose will make Sasuke easy to track. You'll also be able to detect booby traps. Second will be the leader, Me, I can give orders from behind Kiba and the rest of you will see my hand signals, third will be Naruto he's got the best reaction speed and can assist well at either end. Fourth will be Choji who's hit power id the highest, we'll create opening for him to come in with the big attacks. Kale will go fifth, his ability to support work best when he's kept away from the hard fight so he'll be safer and the back if we get into a scrape. Finally Neji takes the rear since he basically has eyes in the back of his head he can cover best there."

Shikamaru pulled out a paper and drew a diagram "See here, this is the field of view, Kiba will be forward, I'll spread wide to cover him. Naruto watch the left and Choji the right, Kale will keep his eyes on the two of you and Neji's eyes get the back. Clear?"

"Right!"

"Oh and I need to asses our strength so let's do a quick gear check."

We all got our stuff out and Shikamaru scanned it over in a few minutes.

"Alright, last time to back out or ask questions." He said "No takers…then I'll end with a few words."

He took a breath "Look I'm not gonna pretend that Sasuke and I are good buddies, hell he and I barely qualify as friends but he's a ninja form this village just like all of us, he's a comrade so we'll risk our lives for him here and now. That's the way of the Hidden Leaf Village. Even a lazy bones like me won't be goofing around today, because I'm responsible for all your lives."

"See now you're talking like your title." Kiba laughed.

"I think I can trust you to get us all back alive." I laughed.

"All right let's go!" Shikamaru commanded.

"Wait!"

"Hmm?" we all turned back to see Sakura at the gate.

"Sakura…" Naruto and I both sighed.

"I already heard the whole story." Shikamaru said "I'm sorry but I can't take you…even you couldn't change his mind…Sakura you did your job, now it's our turn, we'll force him back if we have to."

"Wait you already met with Sasuke?!" Naruto yelled.

This gets more complex by the second.

Sakura was already crying, it seemed like she was doing that more and more lately.

"Naruto…" she sniffled "Please I'm begging you, bring Sasuke back."

"She really likes that guy." I sighed.

"I understand your pain." Naruto told her."

"Thank you…" she whimpered.

"Don't worry I'll bring him back." Naruto gave her a thumbs up "Promise of a lifetime!"

"Are you sure you should be making promises like that?" I whispered.

"I never go back on my words, that's my ninja way." He smiled.

"Alright, then I promise to make sure you and Sasuke both get out of this mess in one piece" I smirked.

"Alright let's go!" Naruto cheered.

"We wasted a little time so let's hurry." Shikamaru said turning away.

"Good luck!" Lee waved us off.

"Same to you." Neji said.

We hit the trail right away, in a single file formation and it wasn't long before Akamaru began to whimper.

"What's wrong?" Shikamaru asked.

"There's a strong scent of blood ahead." Kiba warned.

We jumped into the trees and got a little farther before Kiba gave his next report.

"There are five including Sasuke, they were fighting two other ninjas but the group of five have moves and the duo is by the blood smell. What's the plan?"

"So there are people assisting Sasuke." Shikamaru mumbled.

"Let's just chase after Sasuke!" Naruto yelled.

"Naruto be quiet!" I scolded "You are not in charge. Shikamaru what should we do?"

"If there's blood that means there was combat, if we go there we can gather a little information, but we have to be careful. Switch to scouting positions and be cautious."

"But if we do that Sasuke will get closer to the border." Neji said.

"Good point, we go straight after Sasuke." Shikamaru commanded "However since there was a fight the enemy will be more alert. We should expect traps up ahead. Everyone pay attention to everything. Don't just avoid, analyze."

"Alright!" Naruto yelled "I'll find them and kick their ass with my new Jutsu."

"Hey the enemies smell is all over the place!" Kiba warned.

"Stop!" Shikamaru commanded.

We all hit the brakes and grabbed the branches.

"Look." He pointed at a tree with a tag on it.

"Those tags are in the barrier seal formation." I said "I'm not skilled enough to break that seal in a short amount of time."

"That trap works be getting you once you step in its area." Shikamaru explained.

"So we have to flank it?" Kiba asked.

"It's the only option we have." Shikamaru explained going to the ground.

We were forced to take the long wat around, no matter how far around we went the area was littered with traps and trip wires.

"Damn they peppered the whole area." I sighed.

"Watch there's another trip wire." Kiba said "Don't' step on it…I'm looking at you Naruto."

"Relax I know." He said lifting his leg.

"Wait!" Shikamaru yelled.

He quickly used his Shadow Mimic Jutsu to stop Naruto mid-step "Just in time…I told you to be careful, there's two wires idiot."

"So much for a rush job." I shrugged "A camo trap like that takes skill."

"Still it means something." Shikamaru said.

"They are either resting or wounded." Neji said "Byakugan!"

Neji used his eyes to get a view through the trees "I see them."

"Sweet!" Naruto yelled.

"Now it'll be my turn to show off a few new tricks." Kiba smirked

"Me to." Choji said finally speaking up.

"I guess we all have some new moves to show." I smiled.

"Don't get too hasty." Shikamaru said "Gimme a sec to get a strategy and then we attack."

AN

Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated. Feel free to message me any questions or concerns.

Till Next Time!