We continued moving quickly through the forest. I kept my guard up and surveyed the area as we ran. Unfortunately, I can't just simply Flash Step there. It's not safe for me to cross such distance so quickly and I may end up in a trap.

They are aware of that ability and may be expecting it. For now, Shikamaru's plan is the best option. Hold on Sasuke. As we moved I sense an incredible, sickening, chakra. I nearly doubled over and placed my hand over my mouth and nose. My body is shaking. What is this? "Miyuna, what's wrong?" Neji questioned from behind me.

"Something's happening." I responded. We need to hurry. What are they doing?! Sasuke, what the hell have you gotten yourself into you stupid boy?

Okay Miyu, time to show what your training has done. Concentrate. Focus. Track down the different chakra signatures. After a bit of focusing, I easily located the sound and Sasuke's. Wait, there's two more. Wait, that chakra signature . . . the proctor from the third exam, Genma and another. And even further ahead are Shizune's and someone else's.

I'm not sure if they could win in a fight against them, but they will encounter them and slow them down a bit. "Kiba!" I shouted up ahead. From the front I could see him nod. "I know." Shikamaru looked back at me and then at Kiba. "What's going on?"

"There's the smell of blood not too far." Kiba explained. "And there were noticeable spikes of chakra belonging to the sound. But also Shizune and whoever her team was." Keeping my senses up, I zoned in on the sound. Their levels decreased and they're on the move again.

But I sense Shizune . . . she must be healing the injured. "Here's what happened, the scent of two newcomers converged on the scent of Sasuke and four others. The two have stayed behind while Sasuke's group moved on. So what now?" Kiba asked.

Hm. I see. If I remember correctly, Genma is a Jonin. That was a short battle . . . we're just a bunch of newbie's. Thing's aren't looking too great. "There's no question. We gotta go after Sasuke!" My brother declared.

I agree. Shizune is there and the Sound has moved on. "Who died and made you boss? Last time I checked Shikamaru is in charge and running the show. It's up to him to decide." Kiba shot back. Naruto just grunted.

"Our mission doesn't lie with the newcomers. It's simply to retrieve Sasuke and bring him back. That was what was assigned to us. However I will respect whatever decision you make Shikamaru." I spoke.

He glanced back at me. A knowing look in his eyes. I won't judge him for pulling them back. But I'm not giving up. Not by a long shot.

"If we go to the spot where they fought we might be able to gather some useful information. Course we can't just rush in. It might be a trap. So when we get closer we go into full reconnaissance mode and take it slowly." Information? We know that they created that barrier that nearly shattered my arm. We also know they bear curse marks and that they're strong.

If we go to the site, they'll just tell us how powerful they are. "And while we're doing that, Sasuke will have crossed beyond the borders of the Land of Fire and out of our hands." Neji spoke up.

He's got a point. "Okay Shikamaru, so what's it going to be?" My brother questioned. Nara thought about it for a bit. "We follow Sasuke." I internally sighed in relief while Naruto praised him for the decision he chose.

"One thing. These guys have already been in one fight so they'll be on their guard. Unless they're complete idiots, they'll have to know there is going to be more ninja on their trail. There's a good chance we'll hit some booby traps or an ambush up ahead."

"True. But them being in one fight is also an advantage. I sense Genma and Shizune, who are both Jonin. No matter how powerful they may be, they must have sustained some damage already. We however have yet to battle and are more energized then them. They are powerful, but there's a possibility it may have evened the playing field once we arrive." I said, thinking carefully.

They've used some jutsu's already. And by the chakra signatures they left behind, some powerful ones. Not to mention that sickening presence earlier.

As long as they are not at full power that gives us some advantage. "Right. So from this point forward we proceed with caution. I want everybody, not just Akamaru and Miyu, to put all your senses on full alert. If you catch a trace of anything suspicious sound the alarm. We want to find these guys before they find us."

Naruto grinned. "Ha! Got it! And when we do find 'em, I'm going to clobber them with this brand new jutsu of mine!" He boasted.

Well, the Rasengan is a powerful jutsu, I'll give him that. But is it enough to take care of them? How many can Naruto generate? Come to think of it, that and Shadow Clones are his best Jutsu. Kiba's is Fang over Fang with Akamaru, Neji is powerful in a special form of Taijutsu, Shikamaru's got the Shadow Possession and is a genius, and Choji should have his expansion jutsu.

They're all nice and strong in their own way, but how do we combine them all in a best possible way in battle? Ah! This scent! "The enemy's scent is here, all around us!" Kiba warned. "Everybody stop!" Shikamaru ordered.

We all immediately landed on a branch next to each other. Looking up I sighed. "Just great." I grumbled. Everyone followed my line of sight. A paper bomb was stuck to a tree. But not just any ordinary paper bomb. "Is that what I think it is?" Shikamaru grumbled. I nodded my head and stood. "Afraid so."

He let out a sigh of annoyance. "A perimeter barrier." Neji voiced. Tch. I don't have time for their stupid little traps. "A perimeter barrier?" Choji was confused by this. "It's a type of trap jutsu. There's a delay after the perimeter is breached, giving the victim enough time to reach the center before they all set off, the full effect of it striking you down." I explained.

Kiba groaned. "Now we gotta waste time going around it. Great."

We went to the ground and moved around, however the ground is covered in wire traps. They were easy to see, so avoiding them wasn't a problem as we walked. They're getting sloppy though. They must be trying to leave as quickly as they can.

"Naruto, do me a favor and watch where you're going. I don't want you blowing us all up. There are trip wires everywhere." Kiba spoke. My temple throbbed in annoyance. Why that little brat.

I ought to-no. Not the time. Not worth it. Sasuke first, hitting Kiba comes second. "Tell me something I don't know." Naruto grumbled. Glancing at him, my eyes widened. The wire he was stepping over to avoid is shining, however something glinted. That's a-

"Naruto hold it!" Shikamaru shouted. Moving quickly, I grabbed the back of his shirt and suspended him in the air above the wires. It's always a plus to be abnormally strong.

I set him down on the other side. "Didn't I tell you to watch your step you moron! Ow!" Kiba grabbed his head in pain where I had hit him. "Whoops. Slipped." I shrugged uncaringly.

Choji sweat dropped at me and Shikamaru crouched down, looking at the trap. "I get it. One wire catches the light and is easy to see. The other is camouflaged. While you're busy avoiding the first you trip the second." He explained.

What a pain in the ass. These sound ninja's are starting to piss me off more then they already have. "They've created a trap within a trap. They're clever." Neji stated.

I sighed, rubbing my head. I'm a tad too impatient for this. But patience is needed. If I'm impatient, it gets dangerous. I don't mind getting hurt, but there's the other thing. If I run off doing what I please due to my impatience, it risks injuring the others. I would never risk the others. Their safety is Nara and mines top priority. "I sense them in that direction. I don't think they're moving though. Neji, can you check up on them?"

He nodded and did a sign. "Byakugan!" Veins popped around his eyes as he activated his Kekkei Genkai. "I see them, they are stopped. They seem to be resting." He clarified. Excellent. "Well let's go! I'm dying to show these clowns what I got!" Naruto shouted. Oh boy, he's excited again.

"Is that right? Hate to disappoint you hotshot, but I got a new jutsu I've been working on too." Kiba smirked. Akamaru barked in agreement at that. "Yeah, me too." Choji stepped up. I glanced at him in surprise. It's rare to see Choji excited for a fight.

In fact, he hates fighting if I remember correctly. "Alright, calm down. First we make a plan and get ready. Then, we nail theses bastards." I smirked, crossing my arms. "Well, well, I like your spirit Nara."

He returned it. After a bit of explaining, Shikamaru had us go into groups of two with the exception of a one of three and approach differently. Him, Neji, and I were to be the first to approach, but we'd do so silently. Once we were all in position, we'd act according to Shikamaru's plan.

We quietly moved in and towards them. Once they were in view, we ducked in the bush and watched them. Yeah, they're resting alright.

"Looks like we've caught them napping. Hm? Hold on, where's Sasuke?" Shikamaru whispered. I stared at the coffin. It's a type of barrier. There's so much chakra centered around it. "He's in there. Inside that coffin." Neji whispered back.

Shikamaru's eyes went wide. "You don't mean he's dead." He asked in shock. I shook my head at him. "No. My guess is something happened with his curse mark. That coffin is a type of sealing barrier jutsu. Besides, they said that he needed to come willingly. If they wanted him dead, they would have done it at the village." I responded.

Just what happened? Does it have something to do with that sickening jutsu I sensed earlier on?

Suddenly the silver haired one turned, throwing a kunai into the tree next to us. But there were three paper bombs connected to it ready to explode. "Ah crap."