Hello all! Here is the first chapter. Hope you enjoy the characters I have framed. I think they are pretty close and realistic. Don't forget to review! Now that I finally have a chapter on here hopefully people will quit reminding me that a few words aren't a chapter. :D Thanks for that. Really. lol

ENJOY!

"There are two directly in front of you, sixteen meters," Himawari whispered through the earpiece, her voice calm.

"They appear to be a scouting party," Shikadai confirmed. "Inojin, you and ChouChou get in position. We're going to have to do this quietly."

"Where is Bolt?" Himawari asked, her voice sounding a bit concerned. "Bolt?"

"I'm here sis," he whispered through the headset. "I'm directly above them, in the trees. About 10 meters ahead of you."

"Gotcha," she whispered back and I sighed, shaking my head. Having both of those two on my team was a handful. Himawari was so quiet sometimes that Bolt often spoke for her. It bothered me, to say the least. And Bolt was reckless, arrogant, loud, and every bit like his father, as my mother insists.

"You're an idiot, Bolt," I whispered into the headset. "You're way too close, you're going to need backup. I'm on my way. You're seven o'clock, five meters."

Working with him in a team for the past four years has prepared me for his stupidity, his rash ideas. I closed in, the masks indescribable as I approached. I hadn't seen these before, humanoid faces with horrid horns and creases. The color of each of them was different, one forest green, the other blue. I approached quietly, slowly, discerning every movement they made, trying to hear their words as I approached.

Their chakra was steady, no genjustu to be seen as I got closer. Bolt was in the tree, five meters to my right, almost ten meters up. "Stay put everyone," I murmured, making sure the enemy couldn't hear. Thankfully they were busy talking and I listened closely.

"No, this scouting duty sucks. We haven't seen any enemies from Suna or Konoha in weeks. What a waste of time," the one in green said.

"Agreed. We could be back sitting under the tents like everyone else drinking and enjoying those cute girls we captured in the Land of Rivers."

"Yeah, they were adorable. Did you see the tits on the blonde one?"

"Who didn't?"

"Yeah, and that brunette had a nice ass…"

I stopped listening now, backing up a bit so I was far enough away to communicate properly with the team.

"Guys, I have an idea that won't cost us any chakra or lives. Stand down and do not reveal yourselves," I said, taking off my headband and putting it in my flak jacket. I slipped that off now, grabbing my kunai and slicing a hole in my shirt, revealing my shoulder and neck.

"I know you're the leader of this mission but Sara," Shikadai whispered. "I think we should neutralize them silently, and quickly."

"That is exactly what I'm doing. Trust me," I whispered, removing my shoes and putting my glasses back on. Stuffing my kunai into the hem of my pants, I looked up at Bolt, who I could tell was impatient. "Stand down. Watch."

"I've got you're back," Bolt said, and I could see him signal up in the tree at me. I nodded and immediately stood up and began running toward them.

"Help! Someone help me!" I said, running into the small grove of trees, stopping with wide eyes and a fearful face. "Oh no!" I said, adjusting my glasses again.

"Whoa, whoa," the one in green said, turning to me with his hands out.

"Who are you? Are you going to hurt me?!" I asked, backing up slightly.

"No, we won't hurt you," he replied, adjusting his green mask.

"What is it? Who is chasing you?" asked the ninja in the blue mask looking over my shoulder.

"I don't know who he is! I was down at the river fishing and he came out at me with a knife. I managed to run but I was so afraid. Oh, please! Help me!" I said, putting on the best act I could to fool these idiots into taking their masks off.

"It doesn't look like he wants to reveal himself," the one in green said, looking over my shoulder, nodding at the blue one.

"Yeah, you're safe with us miss," the blue masked idiot spoke.

"I'm afraid, you're masks…" I said, covering my face and conveniently enough pushing my breast together. "They're so scary."

"Awe," the one in green drawled. He then grabbed the face of the mask, pulling it off. He was a dark skinned man with a scar across his face and a goatee. "C'mon Toshiro. Take it off… don't scare the girl."

The one in blue stood there a minute, watching me and then shrugged. "Fine," he murmured, pulling off his mask. He was a younger ninja, his hair red and his eyes piercing yellow. I looked him over, smiling slightly before turning back to the other ninja.

"Thank you so much! I don't know how I can repay you…"

They grinned at this, the red haired Toshiro approaching. "We can think of something I am sure," he lulled. "Do you have a name, girly?"

I nodded, with a smile, and reached out my arms, pulling them both into an embrace. They got a little excited with that, hands conveniently finding my bottom and hips. "I have a great name!" I said, pulling back and looking them both in the face. "Sarada Uchiha." I activated my sharingan then, both of them going stiff. Perverted idiots. I stepped back now, letting their bodies drop together to the ground.

"We're good," I said, signaling for the others. Bolt immediately jumped down from the tree, his face stern.

"That was sneaky," he said, kneeling down to check them.

"It was simple. No need to waste chakra," I said, turning back and walking over to where I had discarded my jacket and shoes. I put them back on, watching as the others checked the two stunned ninja for items. After tying them up safely against the tree and removing their weapons, Shikadai broke down the basic plan.

"It seems their base is here somewhere on the borders of the River Country. We'll do a full canvas, as they will be expecting their scouts back. This is a perfect opportunity to catch them off guard and pull this off. They are the biggest rebel force in the south. If we can penetrate their defenses with the Ino-Shika-Cho combination, and have Team 7 sneak in, disguised as their scouts, we can overpower them and take down their leader."

"Who is it Shikadai?" Himawari asked.

"He calls himself Akira," I replied. "He's an ex-ally of the shinobi forces from the war. Father said after the war, and peace was negotiated to the satisfaction of everyone, it was the duty of his task force to oversee the smaller village's reconstruction. He was the go to guy for supplies, intel, and trade within the smaller countries like the river, grass, and rain."

"What happened?" Inojin asked.

"He became greedy, building his own forces up to challenge the shinobi villages in the larger countries. It was only after we planted a spy to divide his forces did he reveal his identity," I replied. "It is his own fault. He threatens the peace our parents and grandparents paid for. I will not let him disrespect them like that. We have the element of surprise. I say we do it. Eliminate him once and for all."

"That's a big move," ChouChou said.

"I agree. The Hokage specifically instructed us to gather intel on his whereabouts. He didn't instruct us on what to do should we locate him," Shikadai said.

"Yeah, dad would have said something if he wanted us to handle it," Himawari commented.

"Dad isn't here," Bolt said. "And Sara is right. We have the element of surprise, we have plenty of intel thanks to Inojin to get through their defenses, and we have two of the strongest teams Konoha has to offer. I say we do it now and eliminate the threat."

"I'd feel better if we had backup," Inojin. "I can send a messenger to team Mirai or team Konohamaru."

"No, we have to send it to the Hokage and tell him our plan. He'll decide who to send as backup," Shikadai said. "Explain our plan and send the fastest messenger we have."

"I can ask Lady Katsuyu," I said, cutting my hand. "Summoning Jutsu!" I said, the puff of smoke revealing a small slug, no bigger than my palm. I picked her up, smiling. "Katsuyu-sama."

"Sarada-san!" she said, her voice worried. "What is it? Are you okay?"

"Absolutely, I'm fine. I was hoping I could ask you for a big favor."

"Of course," she said, her feelers moving slightly. "What is it?"

"Can you take a message to my mother at the village? She'll know what to do with it."

"Yes, I can do that," she replied. I nodded, handing her to Inojin.

"Thank you so much Lady Katsuyu," I said, turning to adjust my jacket.

"Himawari, Bolt, we need to figure out who is doing the infiltrating. There are only two cloaks," I said. "I think Himawari and I should go."

"What?" Bolt asked, his eyes wide. "Sara, what the hell? Himawari can't offer you the backup you need in this fight. If you're going straight for Akira you are going to have to have some power."

"I can handle myself. I've been working on something," I said, shaking my head.

"How are you going to infiltrate when you are both women? They were male scouts?" Shikadai asked, looking between us. "Bolt, she's right your too hot tempered and obvious. We have to keep it silent until the defenses are broken."

"I-I can do a reverse s-shadow-clone on myself. It's a boy version of m-myself," Himawari whispered.

"Hima!" Bolt gapped, shaking his head. "You are a pervert just like Kakashi-sensei!"

"N-no! I just thought… it might be useful and it isn't hard…"

"Shut up Bolt!" I said, shaking my head. "That works perfectly Himawari. We can use that to slip past them. You just have to act tough and point me in the right direction. We'll have the masks on anyway!"

"Good," Inojin said, standing up. "Thanks again Katsuyu-sama."

"No problem. Your mother will get your message in a few minutes," she assured. "Is there anything else Sarada-san?"

"No thank you," I said, taking her back from Inojin. "I really appreciate this. I hate having to summon you as a messenger."

"I don't mind. You usually never ask," she assured. "Stay safe Sarada-san, Bolt-san, Himawari-san, ChouChou-san, Inojin-san, and Shikadai-san."

"Thank you Katsuyu-sama," we all said, wishing her well as she disappeared with a pop and some smoke.

"Okay, we've got the plan. Let's move in when the sun sets. It is close and it will give us enough time to set up," Shikadai said, handing Himawari and myself the cloaks and masks.

"I don't want my sister going in there without me," Bolt said, shaking his head at me. "I know you have some sort of problem with me but that is no reason to put my sister's life in danger."

"I don't have a problem with you Bolt! This is a very delicate operation," I groaned. "We are talking about infiltration and assassination all while putting Ino-Shika-Cho in danger against an overwhelming number. We need you, and your clones, on that front line to provide devastating power," I argued, shaking my head. "You're powerful but for the sake of all of us, let me and Shikadai plan our moves."

"Fine," he said. "But I'm coming in after you after the front line is controlled. I won't be pushed aside when I can help."

"Idiot!" I said, punching him in the arm. "Fine, if you can do that then come join us but for now the plan stands."

"Agreed," Inojin said. "I'll send out my mice to scout further. We don't have much time to cover the ground between us and their camp. It is at least another two kilometers away."

"Move quickly," Shikadai said. "It isn't a full moon so my shadows are more effective right before sundown."

"Relax Shikadai," ChouChou said. "You'll do fine. We have flash bombs too."

"Good, take your pills ChouChou and I'll prepare my kunai," Shikadai said, nodding his head.

"Sara, I want to talk," Bolt said, nodding for me to follow him.

"Are you two going to make-out?" Inojin asked, glancing up at us as he prepared his scrolls. He was always spouting out awkward stuff like that.

"Inojin!" Himawari said, her eyes wide. "That is none of our business."

I sighed and nodded, following him into the tree line. We walked a moment and then he turned around, glaring at me. "What is the problem? You've been angry at me ever since you're birthday. What is it?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "Idiot," I said, pushing my glasses further up my nose. "There is nothing wrong. I just want this done and over with and I don't want any casualties."

"Don't lie," he said. "I hate liars. What is wrong? It is something else."

"It is none of your concern," I said, shaking my head. "I don't need this to be between us right before this crucial battle. It is my problem and I am going to fix it as soon as we are done here. Focus on the mission you cry-baby."

He just smirked, shaking his head. "When this is over, and we are back at the village, I won't let up. I'll bother you every day until you tell me what is wrong."

"Fine," I shrugged, turning around. "Let's get back to the others."

"Wait," he said, grabbing my wrist. I immediately paused, my eyes going a little wide.

"What?" I asked, not looking back at him. Before I could move I felt his arms embrace me from behind, hugging me tightly.

"Be careful," he said, standing there a moment. I couldn't help but grin before pulling away, my face blushing.

"I will be," I said. "And I'll keep Hima safe."

"I know you will," he said, patting me on the shoulder before passing me. "And I've got you're back, don't forget."

I couldn't help but stand there a moment, watching him disappear back into the grove. He was always like this. Always watching out for us, always taking special care to be kind to me. I couldn't understand it and the more he did it the more confused and frustrated I became. I'd understood my feelings for Bolt a while ago but I never acted on them, never let them determine my actions. This, however, wasn't what I had expected from him. After my birthday I didn't believe he felt anything.

Mom had held a small party, cake and the like, at the barbeque place and Bolt made it plainly clear that he was still a better ninja than me, even if I was a little older. I laughed at him and made fun of his sloppy jutsu and I think he had gotten mad. It wasn't any different than any other time we'd made fun of each other except this time my father wasn't pleased with his antics.

I think that deterred him from me and for the past few weeks we'd been pretty distant, our teamwork a bit flawed and out of sync. We'd been working together, competing, for years but recently it has become something different. It was almost as if we were enemies at times.

"Sara," Bolt said, coming around the tree. "Let's get going. We have some ground to cover and Inojin said there isn't anyone around for another kilometer. We should have time to get there and strike before sundown."

"Coming," I said, nodding in agreement. "Everyone ready?" I asked, approaching them all. "We have to make this quick. If the Hokage sends backup I want there to be minimal effort needed."

"Gotcha," ChouChou said, giving me a thumbs up. "Let's get going! This Ino-Shika-Cho combination will blow away Team 7 this time."

Himawari giggled and Bolt nodded, pointing at her. "It better!" he said, looking over at Shikadai. "Don't get lazy you bum."

"Look who is talking," he retorted.

"They could be lazy because of their small penises," Inojin said, standing up and strapping his sword to his back.

"Inojin!" ChouChou said, shaking her head. Himawari was blushing and I couldn't help but adjust my glasses, my eyes narrowing as I blushed.

"Inojin you idiot! Quit saying shit like that!" Bolt said, pointing at him. "I'm going to kick your ass the next time!"

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