Naruto awoke groggily as he sat up in his bed. Today was his last day in Konoha—he was to go back to Yamigakure before sunset. He sighed and scratched his head "Saying good bye seems so difficult..." He looked to see Isaribi gone—more than likely went about the town. Shrugging, Naruto got up and went to get dressed.

Meanwhile Sasuke was on his way to the Hokage's office. After the fiasco with Danzo and the elders his name was cleared of all murder charges. The young Uchiha felt good about himself—but he didn't like the attention people were giving him. People ignored and shunned him, now they've gone back to kissing his ass. He sighed and scratched his head. "Well, what can you do?" That's when he noticed a dark red figure approaching. "Naruto?"

Naruto grinned. "What's up, Sasuke?" The two met at the crossroad to the Hokage's office. Sasuke shrugged. "I'm heading to the Hokgae's office to pick something up; I'm assuming you're..."

"Headed the same way, yup." The two walked in a comfortable silence, Sasuke couldn't help but notice how Naruto changed over the years of not seeing him. One he's taller, a lot taller. Two, his whole demeanor changed: He's not the same loudmouthed loser he once knew, but an emotionally driven hero of his village. And three--

"I'm still getting used to you not waring orange as much. I mean you only have a little bit on..." Sasuke suddenly blurted out. Naruto looked at him funny, and laughed.

"Well you see, I did some growing up over the years. And plus, I couldn't wear—no, wasn't ALLOWED to wear orange anymore. Your brother wouldn't allow me to. So I keep a little bit of orange on me from time to time." Sasuke smirked as the two arrived to Hokage tower. "Emo's first, Sasuke." Naruto jeered. Sasuke grunted and went inside.

Tsunade was sleeping soundly on her desk, paperwork scattered about it. Her quiet snoring could be evident she had an all-nighter doing paperwork. The two rivals walked in to this amusing site.

Naruto snickered. "Hehe, Grandma Tsunade is out cold."

Sasuke looked over at him with a curious expression. "So... how do we wake her?" He turned back to Tsunade, and then again to the Yamikage—only to see him gone. "What the—." Sasuke turned to the Hokage to see the Yamikage creeping next to her. "Naruto you idiot, what are you—."

Naruto shushed him. "Shh! Watch this!" He whispered. He leaned forward right into Tsunade's ear, and shouted—

"HEY TSUNADE, JIRAIYA IS PEEKING AT YOU!!!"

The Godaime bolted up and rolled up her sleeve in a sleepy anger. "Where is that pervert, I'm gonna kill—wha??" She rubbed her eyes to wake her self up a bit , only to see a beaming Naruto and a nervous Sasuke—hiding behind said beaming Naruto. Tsunade furrowed her brow. "Dammit Naruto, it seems even Itachi couldn't get rid of your mischievous side. And I thought a little taste of the Kage life would fix your childishness..."

"Someone mention my name?" That's when the three looked to see Itachi leaning against the wall with his hood down.

"Itachi!" Sasuke said with a smile, Itachi nodded.

Naruto muttered something about 'acting cool' before he spoke up. "So, Itachi—today is our last day in Konoha, have you said your good-byes?"

The ExAkatsuki shrugged. "Outside of some ANBU I worked with, not really anyone else, but...Yamikage-sama, are you sure we're leaving?"

Naruto tilted his head to the side. "What do you mean?"

Itachi shook his head. "You'll find out soon enough."

The ninja in the room were perplexed with Itachi's cryptic response—then the door opened and entered Kakashi...with Sakura in tow.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the sight of her and Naruto's expression was horrifyingly unreadable. Itachi was curious and a sminge amused. Kakashi acted like nothing was wrong and said his usual 'yo' to everyone present, Sakura kept her head down; her pink locks blocking her expressions.

Tsunade smiled at the masked jounin. "Well hello there, Kakashi. You're here for a mission, I presume?"

Kakashi did one of his usual eye smiles. "That's right. This one here needs some exercise." He replied, jamming his thumb over at Sakura, the pinkette didn't say anything.

The Godaime shuffled her paperwork. "Let's see now, your job is to—"

Suddenly, the door burst open, Shizune was in a panic at the entrance. Tsunade was miffed. "Shizune! What is it, now!?"

"Huff, it's horrible! The Kazekage Gaara was kidnapped by the Akatsuki!"

Everyone in the room turned to her, A stunned silence polluted the air. Naruto gulped.

"G-Gaara? No..." The Yamikage gritted his teeth. How could they take him like that? He's a Kazekage! He would've reunited with him, soon!

Tsunade slammed her palm on the desk. "Ok! Change of plans! Team Kakashi, you three are going to Sunagakure to pick up on Akatsuki's trail! Understood?"

Kakashi and Sasuke stood at attention, Sakura nodded slowly. That's when Naruto stepped up:

"We're going, too! We'll rescue Gaara together!" He said, pointed at himself. Tsunade wasn't having it.

"No Naruto, you must go back to Yamigakure! If Akatsuki find out that your alive—"

"Grandma you can't tell me what to do!" Tsunade's eyes widened at that. "I'm the Yamikage, not one of your ninja!"

Itachi stood up straight. "Good then, Yamikage-sama. Shall we get ready?" Naruto grinned.

----

The group was standing at the gate, Naruto had took off his cloak, showing off his jonin vest, Itachi opted to put his hood on. Meanwhile Team Kakashi was in full battle gear. Tsunade nodded to each of them.

"Ok, It will take three days to get to Suna, sorry Naruto—but you're toads can't stand the dryness of Wind Country. Alright, now off you go!"

"Wait!!"

The group looked to see Temari running up to them, with Shikamaru following close. The fan-master ran up to the group, more specifically the Yamikage.

"I heard Gaara was kidnapped by Akatsuki... Is this true, Naruto?"

Naruto nodded grimly. "Yeah, it's true. But no need to worry. I'm on the job! I'll save Gaara no matter what!"

Temari shook her head. "I'm coming with you guys to Suna, since I'm heading there anyhow." The group nodded and Naruto grinned. "Welcome aboard!"

Shikamaru walked up to the blond Yamikage. "I'll tell Isaribi where you went once I find her, take care not to get hurt."

Naruto gave him a thumbs up; not wondering how he knew that he didn't tell his girlfriend.

Kakashi looked off into the distance. "Alright, we wasted enough time, let's move!" And with a quick dash they were all gone.

A couple of hours into the setting sun, the group of mixed ninja took the treetops, they would burn the midnight oil and reach wind country by tomorrow, they had to be quick. That's when Temari brought up a question.

"Hey, Itachi, right? Do you know who in Akatsuki would've took Gaara?" All eyes were on the older Uchiha as he fell silent.

"...Deidara and Aka Suna no Sasori." Temari's eyes widened at Sasori's name.

"But... He's the man responsible for making puppet arts the way it is now. My brother, Kankuro if you guys remember, uses puppets." All of them nodded and understood immediately. "I'm really worried about Kankuro. If he fought against Sasori..."

"You shouldn't worry much, you'll get wrinkles." Naruto piped in. Temari was stuttering over her words. "Kankuro is strong from what I've seen. If he lost he might've lost with just a bruised pride. I mean—what's the worse that could happen?"

Temari looked down, then Itachi spoke up. "Sasori is an expert on poisons. No doubt he poisoned your brother Temari. He wouldn't let his opponent live without at first leaving his mark. So we had better hurry." Sakura who was listening took note of the poison Itachi mentioned.

Later the next day the reached Wind Country, but to their luck—they're stuck in a sandstorm. The mixed ninja group took refuge in a cave, and Naruto wasn't happy about it.

"Grr! Stupid sandstorm, Mother Nature is a big time bitch for this..." Naruto muttered.

"Relax Naruto, it's getting too late to travel in a desert anyway, get some sleep." Sasuke said. Naruto grunted and did just as that.

But however, the Yamikage awoke several hours later, everyone was asleep (not having to worry about ambushed in a sandstorm) save, for Sakura. Naruto noticed her look outside with a forlorn expression. Sakura? I wonder what she's doing... He got up and carefully approached her, his thoughts going off along the way, I used to crave for her attention, I used to wish to be with her, but now...

"Sakura...?" The girl jumped a little and faced the former knuckle headed ninja. "Ah, Yamikage-sama, y-you scared me..."

Naruto put his hands on his hips. "It's Naruto, to you." He said with a smile. Sakura looked down with shining eyes.

"I don't think I should be allowed to call you that, after how I acted." Naruto's smile faded. He wanted to know...

"Why were you acting like that in the first place! You never acted like that before...so what happened? Tell me Sakura, hey!" He grabbed her arm when she wouldn't respond, she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Naruto! I'm so sorry! I said awful things about you after the news of your death! I only said that because I couldn't accept it—I couldn't accept Sasuke-kun killing you... I let that persona take over me as an unfeeling bitch! I felt so ashamed, but I couldn't help myself... even after making chunin I let that persona overwhelm me til the point where I couldn't get out of it... Until I met you again."

Naruto's eyes widened. He couldn't believe she was wallowing in her own self-pity.

Sakura choked up a bit. "I couldn't accept that you were alive. It brought me into reality, I'm sorry I yelled at you, I don't care if you don't forgive me, but—"

That's when Naruto stopped her with a hug. Sakura looked up at the grainy moon as Naruto soothed her aching heart. She eventually stopped crying.

The Yamikage put his hands on her shoulders and smiled. "Sakura-chan, you don't need to be afraid anymore. I forgive you! You won't ever feel alone, cuz you got friends—"

"--Like us." Naruto and Sakura turned to see Sasuke standing behind them with a rare smile on his face. "Sakura, I'm sorry for yelling at you three years ago... though I don't know if it counts since it's a three-year-old incident. You don't don't have to hide your pain, that never helps anybody." Sasuke said looking down and scratching his head in embarrassment.

Sakura giggled a bit. "It's okay, Sasuke-kun. C'mon you two, let's get some rest." She said as she pat their backs—leading them into the cave.

Kakashi—who listened in, smiled under his mask. Team 7 is back at last.

---

The mixed ninja group arrived in Sunagakure at last. The local ninjas ran up to them. "Ah! You're here, c'mon this way!"

Temari ran up to them. "What's the situation now?!"

One Suna chunin looked over his shoulder. "Kankuro was poisoned during his fight with Akatsuki, he may not survive... We're trying our best, but—"

"Leave it to me."

Everyone turned to Sakura, who was holding her head up high. "I'm a medical ninja, I'll see what I can do. Just lead me to the patient."

The Sand chunin nodded gratefully.

When the group got to the Hospital, they noticed some interesting looking characters outside of Kankuro's room. They were two old people.

Naruto stopped as the chunin and Temari ran up to them. "Who are those old fogies?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Maybe they're lost?"

Naruto snickered as Sakura gave him an annoyed look. The Yamikage casually whistled as if nothing happened. Temari ran back up to them as the elderly duo slowly walked up. "These are elders Chiyo and Ebizo. Chiyo and Ebizo-sama, these are the Konoha ninja—and the two right here are Yami ninja. The blond one is Yamikage."

Chiyo looked at them individually. "Well, well. Yami ninja and Konoha ninja walking together? Never see that anymore...huh?" Her eyes stopped dead on Kakashi. "You're... Konoha no Shiiroi Kiba!"

Kakashi looked a little surprised. "What? I'm not—"

"Shut it, vile Konoha no Shiiroi Kiba! I'm gonna punish you for taking my son's life!!" And just like that she charged at him, Naruto quickly stood in front of Kakashi—expertly blocking every attack.

"Hey, what's the big idea of attacking Kakashi-sensei?" That's when Ebizo spoke up.

"Nee-chan, he looks similar, but he's not the White Fang, look at him."

Chiyo gave Kakashi a peircing look, with him laughing nervously all the way, Then the old bag suddenly said:

"I'm just kidding, I was just playing senile!"

The ninja all sighed as Chiyo started laughing. Temari cleared her throat. "Shall we get going?" Everyone then put their serious face on. They were lead into Kankuro's room where he was resting, gasping every once in a while. "Can anyone tell me the situtation?" Temari asked one of the medics.

On of them shifted his glasses. "Well we determined that he was indeed poisoned, but—We don't know what kind of poison it is—nor how to create an anti-venom."

Sakura walked up to Kakuro and examined him. "Leave this to me, I'll take care of it."

The medics look surprised. "Are you sure young lady?"

The pinkette nodded. "Of course, I was trained under Tsunade-sama. I know what I'm doing." The medics gasped. Sakura tied her hair up, and looked over at the ninja. "Can you guys go and wait? I have to work now." They nodded and left.

Outside, the mixed ninja group waited anxiously, finally Naruto spoke up. "Kakashi-sensei, who's the White Fang?"

That's when Kakashi looked down. "He's... my old man."

Naruto looked surprised. "Wow, you're dad is that famous! Like my dad!"

Chiyo looked at the two of them. "Say, Yamikage-sama? Why do you call the Whi- I mean, Kakashi sensei?"

Naruto grinned. "Oh, he was my sensei when I was a genin in Konoha. He was always late and reading porn." Everyone got a good chuckle.

"So why did you leave? Did something happen?" That's when Sasuke looked down.

"Nee-chan, you shouldn't be prodding into other people's business." Ebizo scolded. Naruto waved his hand saying it's fine.

The doors eventually opened and out came Sakura. "Kankuro is doing fine, he can speak to us now." Temari ran inside, and the rest of the ninjas soon afterwards.

Kankuro was sitting up looking at the ninja who went in his room, his eyes widened when he saw a certain blond. "What the hell? I must being seeing things..."

Naruto grinned. "I'm the real deal Kankuro, I'm back!"

Kankuro shook his head. "Gaara would be happy to see you again... but." He clenched his stomach in pain, Temari was at his side.

"Take it easy, you're still recovering." Kankuro looked over at her with an apologetic look on his face.

"Oh, Kakashi I managed to get a piece of Sasori's clothing, it should still have his scent. Look in the pile over there." He weekly looked over at the pile of what was left of his puppets. Kakashi nodded and walked over and sure enough—in Crow's hand was a torn piece of cloth.

"All right, we'll have a look at this in the morning, we'll stay to devise a stradegy, then move out. Understood?"

The group nodded, Naruto more pensively. Kankuro looked over at Naruto. "You changed Gaara, Naruto. Even after the news of your death—he still holds you as his best friend. Please, you must save him..."

The Yamikage grinned. "You got it! Leave it to me!!"

---

A/N: First chapter back! Yaay! That ends this chapter of Yamikage. Oh yeah, I need to say something about the whole Sasuke and Hinata thing:

Do you HONSESTLY think I was going to put a SasuHina in Yamikage. Are you SERIOUS?? They do one little thing and all of the sudden they're having buttsecks and making babies—that's not how it works. So please—chill out?

-Dzero9, out.