The pathway from the doors led them into a dark cavern with glowing moss lighting the way every few yards. Sakura was in front of the group as they made their way down the path with the boys in between her and their client. Kakashi giggled into his hand as he read his smut behind everyone, causing Sakura to aim a stone at his head. Unfortunately, Naruto's head got in the way before it could reach it's target.

"OW! Teme!, Did you hit me with something?!" Naruto yelled as he got close to Sasuke's face, an angry knot forming on his forehead in seconds.

"Naruto, calm down, it was probably an accident." Sakura stated, not wanting to admit that it was her fault to begin with. A glowing green hand softly touched his head and healed away the bump. Jareth appeared next to her almost instantly and took her hand into his. His mysterious eyes watching the green Chakra as it slowly faded from view on her skin. Sakura tugged on her hand but he didn't relent on his grip. "Um, Jareth? Can I have my hand back?"

"Ah, of course, Precious, pardon my rude behavior." He replied with a sincere looking smile. "I'm just curious about that glow. We don't have any medic-nins in my village. We don't get hurt like….others seem prone to." He glanced back at Naruto when he said this, a clear mocking smirk on his face. Naruto glared at him and shook his fist at the amused client. Sasuke just inched closer to his cousin while the two were distracted and pushed her slightly to start walking again.

Sighing, she did just that and led them down the pathway once more. This time watching as the walls grew taller, smoother, and seemed to glisten in the dim light. Not much was said as they walked into a chamber of some sorts with flickering torches braced on the walls. A giant statue graced the far end of the room and held a door in between it's legs. The face was completely human looking and held wings in it's back, but everything else was that of a lion.

"Well, crap."

Startled, the genin of the group looked back at their sensei with shock. They had never hear him cuss before and it was quite the moment for them. His face, however, a devoid of humor as he stared at the statue with a disturbed look.

"What's wrong, Kakashi-Sensei?" Naruto asked, then held up a hand beside his face as though he was telling a secret. "Do you have to go poop?"

Sweat dropping, Kakashi just stared at him for a bit before facing the statue once more. "No, Naruto, I do not have to go poop." Sasuke smirked at him in laughter while Sakura giggled lightly. Jareth, however had a disgusted look on him proud face, wondering how Naruto could be so stupid. "I've been to this part before, or at least one similar to it. This is the Sphinx's Room."

The word Sphinx brought a load of information to Sakura's mind, thanks to Inner of course, and scanned through it to the most important facts. "Sphinx, like the giant sculptures that appear in the Land of the Sun."

"Land of the Sun?" Sasuke muttered, turning his eyes to the statue with his Sharingan on.

"Yes, it is a far away land that not many go to, as it is a scared land to natives of the Land of Sand." Sakura explained to her team, knowing neither Sasuke or Naruto would know of it. "It is said that that's where the people of Sand originated. There are many myths they tell about that land. The Sphinx is in one such myth that seems to be true. Right Kakashi-Sensei?" He gave her a grave nod and motioned for her to continue with her explanation. "The most common myth about the Sphinx is that they guard something behind the door and that in order to gain access, one must answer whatever question they give you."

"Very good, Precious! I knew I could count on you through this little adventure." Jareth beamed and started to pet her hair like she was a cat. Embarrassed, Sakura could only shyly let him do so until Sasuke pushed his way between them. "Quite a student you have there, Snappy."

"It's Kakashi."

"Yes. Of course, she could do SO much better if she lived in the Shadow Village. So much potential she has." Kakashi gave him a standard eye crinkle that was obviously fake.

"Maybe, but Sakura loves it at her HOME." Stressing the last word, he pulled her into a side hug with Sasuke following on her other side. Still giving out the fake eye smile, Kakashi looked toward the Sphinx and called out one question. "What is the riddle?"

Golden eyes snapped open and caused all but the two adults to jump in shock. It began to gain some color to it's texture and moved it's head closer to the group. It's narrowed eyes looking them over before returning to it's place, no one noticing when Jareth gave it a slight nod when it saw him.

"In order to pass through the gate," It rumbled out in an elegant female voice, "One must answer the Sphinx or deal with fate. One answer you must give, make it correct and you shall live. If the answer is not the one, just know that you are done. Now listen well as the riddle is said, one misheard word could lead to death."

Kakashi and Sasuke quickly shoved their hands over Naruto's mouth before he could complain about the way the Sphinx spoke and waited with baited breaths for the riddle.

"Two sisters are we, one is dark and one is fair. In twin towers dwelling we're quite the pair; One from land and one from sea. Tell us truly, who are we?"

Silence feel upon the group as they tried to figure it out. It could have been a million things and yet it could only be one pair of items or people. Sasuke went into full brooding pose and thought about the answer; Kakashi looked through his Icha Icha book as though it held all the answers in the world; while Sakura had Inner go through all their knowledge at what seemed to be the speed if light. No one but Jareth saw Naruto walk up to the Sphinx and give it a grin.

"Salt and Pepper!"

Kakashi and Sasuke gasped in horror as they watched the Sphinx lower it's head towards Naruto. It's mouth gave him a mile long grin that revealed rows of sharp teeth waiting to tear into flesh.

"The answer is -"

(To Be Continued)