A/N: Sorry for the long wait, but here is the next chapter for those waiting. Hope you enjoy. It wasn't as long as I wanted, the next part isn't done but should be soon, please be patient.

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

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Chapter Twenty

Things had been quiet for the first six hours of travel. Their departure this morning had been delayed due to a passing group of trackers. Everyone had decided not to fight if they didn't have to. The risk of just one of them becoming injured would be just another worry. The call to stop put them in a valley surrounded by hills, announcing that they were about to leave the land of fire. The scenery was pretty, Hinata wished it was possible to spend more time to relax. She looked up from recapping her water seeing the shadow, "Yes?"

"What is on your mind?" Sasuke had noticed the frown and she hadn't acknowledged his approach. Was something bothering her? They hadn't had a chance to actually discuss what had happened between them. Was she having doubts? Or did she regret it now that she had some time to think about it? "Thoughts about us?"

"Oh, oh no, I mean," Hinata didn't want him to think she didn't think about there being an 'us' but she didn't want him to think that she was thinking bad thoughts. Leaving so quickly, she hadn't had many thoughts about what they had done. Sure, every so often she would wonder how things would proceed and if it would happen again. She knew she would like for it to happen again. Was he concerned that she would regret it? Or did he still think that she would wish that she were with Naruto? She reached out to grab his hand, "I was just thinking how it would be nice to live in a place like this. It is so peaceful and smells nice, do you think there are flowers where we are going?"

"If not I'm sure Ino would know how to grow some." Sasuke allowed the slight pressure on his hand. It was hard not to enjoy the small gesture when she looked at him like that. The smile lit up her face, and he couldn't for the life of him figure out what the hell the dobe hadn't seen in her. The wind shifted, causing the long ponytail to lift and stir.

"Sasuke!" Kiba wrinkled his nose as the wind carried the scent, it was faint but unmistakable. There was no one else it could be, they were on the edge of Fire, and it was more than possible. The rain had slowed them down for four days in a row, any other team might have had issues following them. "We got a huge problem."

"What is it?" Sasuke kept a hold of her hand as the dog-nin ran over on top of the large canine. Figured they wouldn't make it all of the way out without running into some kind of problem. Who was it this time?

"About half an hour out, it is Shino. If the Hokage has ordered him to track us, we are going to have a problem. His bugs know our chakra too well to get away without thinking of something. I haven't detected the others yet, but that doesn't mean they aren't far behind." Kiba was sure that Shino wasn't alone. Seeing as the bug-wielder hadn't been in the village when everything went to hell, they had no idea how he felt about everything.

"Then we put as much distance as we can and hope to lose them. If not," Sasuke saw Kiba frown but the shinobi nodded in understanding. They would have to do something, because they couldn't go back. He turned to Hinata, she wasn't happy about it either. "He may try to take you back."

"I know," she knew that she might have to defend herself. If it came to that, then it did. An arm wrapped around her shoulders and he lowered his head to meet her eyes. It was hard to focus so close, their foreheads touching. He was trying to comfort her, to reassure her, and it was appreciated. "Thank you."

"If you thanked me like that, I might do more for you." Itachi looked up at the blonde standing next to him. She had chosen to stand instead of taking a seat. It tore his gaze away from the kissing couple.

"If you kissed me like that I might be nicer to you." Ino playfully kicked at his hip. It was encouraging to see them together. That was what the council had been trying to prevent, that union. "We're going to help them, aren't we? We can't let the village take that away."

"Yes," he stood to stretch. If they could cross the border, they had a better chance of avoiding a fight. Itachi was happy for his brother, they would be good together. It was time he sought out his own happiness, to have a life of his own. The others were getting ready to depart, giving him a moment. When his hand came to rest on her shoulder, her attention was drawn from the others.

"Huh?" Ino swung her head to see what he wanted. Blue eyes went wide at the gentle touch of his palm on her face. Time froze as he stepped closer, leaving no space between them. Was he really? Yes, a thumb guided her chin up as his face came down. The brush of his lips wasn't like the first time, the caress was barely noticed it was so timid. The second attempt was bolder, applying more pressure, and urging her to return the soft kiss. It was definitely a chaste kiss but it sent heat right to her stomach.

"How troublesome, we're being hunted and they are courting." Shikamaru chuckled at Ino's embarrassment. "Not to put a damper on the mood but we should get going. There is a chance Naruto is one of the ones following. I'd rather not kill anyone today."

"Come on, we'll probably have to continue moving through the night." Sasuke tried not to smirk noticing that he wasn't the only one clutching a hand. There was a village not far from the border but they wouldn't be able to stop if the others were too close. It would be nice to sleep inside of a room and out of the weather. "Choji, Karui, you two take point."

"We'll bring up the rear," Shikamaru knew where he was needed for now. Those two would want to remain close to Ino and Hinata. "If they do get too close, then Sai is always an option."

"True, but being air-born could alert others to our location, they would spot us." Sasuke didn't want to go through the air unless absolutely necessary. He wanted to sneak out, not announce to anyone watching the sky in which direction they were going. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

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He could see the entire group, they were all sitting around the fire. Shino knelt behind the bush to take in their appearances. Hinata was sleeping with someone cuddled up behind her underneath the blanket. He could make out everyone, most sitting around and drinking. Kiba and Shikamaru were looking at a book, while Itachi Uchiha sat across the way staring into the fire. Was that Sasuke behind his old teammate? He was downwind of the group and both Uchiha seemed to be occupied. The blonde hair had to belong to Ino, the face buried in the older Uchiha's leg.

"Are you going to join us?" Sasuke tapped the blade against the jugular, getting the bug-user's attention. Shino stiffened at the sound of his voice but didn't attack, as he had suspected he wouldn't. No one else was with him and he seemed to have left the group he was with some distance back. "Or do I kill you here to spare her seeing it?"

"You could kill me but I didn't come to attack you." Shino recalled his bugs that were scattered about the camp. He hadn't noticed Sasuke moving, he had teleported to his location. The blanket was still descending towards the ground from his absence.

"We assumed as much and that is the only reason we allowed you to get so close. Give me a reason not to kill you," Sasuke was grateful that the others had agreed to his decision. They had allowed the females to get some rest and had waited for the tracker to get close. He was coming in alone, so they were going to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"I told them that you were heading west, I left my blood in that direct, along with your mark, and I got rid of Yamato's seeds on the way here." Shino breathed easier once the blade was removed from his throat. He wasn't ready to test his speed against Sasuke's. He was outnumbered and he wasn't ready to die. "The rain will be here in two hours to get rid of my scent completely and they'll think you found me while scouting late in the night."

"You realize what you've done? They won't be able to find you soon enough, if I do decide to kill you." Sasuke wasn't going to kill him, he was curious as to what he was doing here. "I'm sure the others wish to hear what you have to say as well."

"How do you know Yamato isn't following you?" Sasuke didn't want any surprises, no matter the intent. If the shinobi brought trouble to them, there was only one way to deal with it. He let their guest exit the woods and walk into the camp peacefully.

"Shino-man, come take a seat, took you long enough to get here." Kiba raised his glass before downing the rest of it. He had tried to tell them that there was a good reason for Shino to come alone. "Is he alone?"

"I am," Shino took in the gentle features that were completely relaxed as she slept. Hinata didn't appear to be abused or under any stress. Naruto had tried to convince him that Sasuke was forcing her to stay at his side by manipulating her. "I had one of my bugs place some of its spores inside the stew Sakura made for dinner. Everyone ate it, including myself, so they won't wake up for some time."

"Yamato would have countermeasures for anyone trying to leave. He places seeds or something in your clothes." Ino yawned without opening her eyes and waited to be told to lay down. She had wanted to wait up for Shino to show, but the leg was so comfy, Itachi made a nice pillow.

"I disposed of all four seeds before leaving the camp." Shino knew how to lose them. "I knew he didn't trust me and Kakashi told him to pay attention to any that might be swayed by your cause. I honestly don't care for it or you, but my comrades have taken to it."

"Sorry we couldn't wait on you to get back to the village." Kiba felt bad but they had been pressed for time. Hinata would be glad to see him again. "What can you tell us?"

"Every nation has sent out groups to track you down. Kakashi sent mine but I'm sure we aren't the only one. Each one has been given the order to kill four of you and possibly bring the others back for judgement. I heard the Hokage give Yamato direct orders to make sure that Ino and Hinata didn't make it back to the village alive. He knows Naruto will not go through with it, so he's taking measures to get rid of all four of you."

"We assumed as much and are ready to deal with any threat." Itachi directed the comment to the newcomer. How could they trust his word? What if his mission was to find out where they planned to go? "I say we torture him to make sure he isn't here for another purpose."

"Wow, you're kind of sexy when you're being psychotic. Let Sasuke hurt him, I'm comfortable." Ino squeezed the meat above the knee to keep him from getting up. There would be no torture tonight.

"He's not lying." Hinata opened her eyes and smiled at him. She was glad that he had decided to join them. Shino wasn't the kind to play games or be dishonest, not even to complete a mission. He wouldn't do that to them. If he had sided with the village, he would have simply helped to track them down and attacked. "Are you coming back to bed?"

"Am I invited?" Shino thought it was an honest question since she had been looking at him.

"You aren't," Sasuke returned to his spot behind her and got underneath the cover. Since when did bugboy think it funny to tease his girl? Hinata only laughed at the question, not taking it at face value. The intense gaze wasn't for him and he was sure he wasn't the only one here that would gladly join her. "I can still kill you."

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