The four of them met at the konoha gates by 7:30. The mission was about to start. All of them were greeted

happily by the villagers that await Sasuke's return.

"They miss him so much." Naruto said sadly.

"You know, Naruto-kun. The villagers here were even more sad that you were gone. Especially me." Ino said and

smiled at him generously.

"Really Ino-chan? You missed me?" Naruto said with a brightened face.

"Ofcourse I did!" She said happily.

Naruto suddenly carried her up in the air. "I missed you even more!" Naruto said and grinned as she laughed

happily. Shikamaru frowned for the third time this week.

"Alright, everybody get ready. Me and Naruto will be at the back since I have the byakugan and we'll talk about

the plan if  Sasuke will attack the Village Leader." Neji said as the three of them noodded. "Shikamaru and Ino,

you two shall be infront since you know what to do in the middle of a surpsise attack and you can plan on for

spying." Neji said.

"Alright. Shikamaru, you go first." Neji said.

"Hai." Shikamaru said.

Shikamaru started to jump from tree to tree followed by Ino. Next was Naruto and then Neji.

'Tch, Ino will have to talk to me when she's bored. And she gets bored easily. She's gonna be too excited and will

want to be infront with me.' Shikamaru thought.

After a few minutes, Shikamaru felt awfully uncomfortable not saying 'go away' or 'you're so troublesome' for the

last few minutes during the start of a mission.

'Why isn't she talking to me? She MUST be bored right now.' Shikamaru thought deeply.

He suddenly heard two people laughing outloud behind him. 'N-no..' He thought. She was talking to Naruto. And

she was blushing.

His heart shattered that very second.

The once wise and mature look in his eyes were gone. His eyes felt uncomfortably cold. His eyes turn serious and

heartless. His face went blank. He couldn't think.

---------------------------In Shikamaru's Mind-------------------------

"What is this?" He said. Suddenly, he was filled with rage. He only saw them talking and laughing. He was angry.

He shouted aloud although he knew no one could hear him.

"Hn, hn, hn, poor little boy. You're so miserable." A deep dark voice said.

Shikamaru turned around, he saw a huge cage. It was all white. Then he saw crimson red eyes appear.

"Who are you?!" He shouted.

"Hn, hn, hn. I am Hizaku. the ten tailed demon wolf." He said.

"B-but I thought there were only nine Bijuu's?!" He shouted.

"Tch, there are only nine that the Humans have in their History. I have nevered appeared before their eyes. I

killed all who have seen me. Except, you." His face started to appear. The color of his fur was snowy silver. He

had one huge scratch on his right ear.

"W-who sealed you within me?" Shikamaru asked trying to remain calm.

"Actually, he didn't particually seal me within you. I was passed through the Nara clan's genes. I am Hizaku, the

silver wolf. My element is, shadow."

"Is that why, why the Nara clan's jutsu's are all shadow?!"

"Yes. Your father knew that I was sealed deep within you. That's the reason he made you be satisfied in every

way. You can only see me once you loose your anger. Hn, hn, you're a calm boy aren't you? This is the first time

you've seen me in your life. And you're already almost 15. Impressive." The huge silver wolf said wisely.

"I see. You have ten tails. Each with almost infinite chakra. Am I right?" He asked the demon wolf.

"You are correct. How did you know?" The wolf asked.

"Naruto.. I found out that he also had a Bijuu... Nine tails.. he has Kyuubi. I found that out from my research."

Shikamaru said.

"Aa. Now I understand. And little boy, if you ever need chakra, just call for you Hizaku-niichan." The wolf said and

smiled.

"You don't seem evil to me, Niichan." Shikamaru said.

"Demons don't need to be mean. They just prefer to. But not me." He said.

"Alright, can I go back now?"

"Ofcourse, little boy."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He found himself still jumping from tree to tree. 'Alright. I''m gonna defeat you, Naruto.' He thought to himself.

"Neji, we're almost there. I can almost see the village sign." Shikamaru informed Neji.

"Alright." Neji said as a reply.

"We're here you guys." Shikamaru informed them all.

"I will go and inform the Village leader." Neji said as he jumped towards the tower.

"I will go with him. You two can do whatever you want. And Naruto," Shikamaru said.

"Yeah?" Naruto asked him.

"Could you buy me 68 shurikens? And 22 kunais?" He asked him.

"68 shurikens and 22 kunais, got it." He replied and Shikamaru jumped towards the tower as well.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, Ino-chan. I think we have at least two days of reast before Sasuke attacks. What do you wanna do?" Naruto

asked his good friend.

"Why don't you tell me about your childhood?" Ino asked him.

"Alright, it starts at the first day of the academy.."

He continued talking and Ino would usually talk about what happened with her. They talked for hours.

"And then there, I was home."

"That's awful. Why would the villagers do that to you?" She asked.

"I'm not sure But I'm used to it."

"Ohh."

"I'm sorry Ino-chan, I never thought you loved Sasuke so much.. to fight with your best friend."

"It's alright. I.. just wanted to be friends with her.. but.. she didn't accept it." Ino said as a single tear ran down

her face.

"In-" Naruto was cut off.

"It's alright, Naruto-kun." She said as her head was held up high and the tear dissappeared.

He was proud of her being the strongest she can. He said no more but just look deep in her eyes. He

remembered that Shikamaru asked him to buy 68 shurikens and 22 kunais.

"Oh shoot! I forgot to buy weapons for Shikamaru!"" Naruto shouted and jumped in realization. He suddenly

picked her up bridal style as she sqeaked. "Ehehe, the store might close any second now, so let's go!"

---------------------------------------------Next Day---------------------------------------

"Where are those two?" Shikamaru asked as he put his hands in his pockets.

"Did you tell them we'd meet at the village leader's mansion?" Neji asked him.

"No, but I'm sure Ino is smart enough to look for us here." Shikamaru lazily said.

After a few minutes, someone opened the door. It was Naruto and Ino.

"You see, Naruto-kun? I told you they'd be here."

"Alright, alright you win Ino-chan."

"Sigh, at least you two weren't so late." Shikamaru said.

"Ahaha. Oi, by the way. Here are your weapons, Shikamaru."

"Thanks Naruto." He said as he pulled out a scroll and sealed the weapons in it.

"Aa. I see you are all here. Thank you for coming, Konoha ninjas." A man thats about 40 said as he rubbed his

fingers in his beard.

"Yes, those other twon are also my companions. They are Naruto and Ino." Neji said politely and bowed.

"I see." The man replied.

"Now, assasinations attempts have occured quite a few times for the past weeks. Luckily, none of the villagers

have died yet." The village leader said.

"I see. Are their any specific things in common that are related between all the local villagers?" Neji asked him.

"As we see it, no. We presume the assasins have attacked at random."

"Aa. They probably did it to get our attention." Shikamaru said.

'If that's the case, anyone here could be our enemy.' Shikamaru thought.

'Anyone could be our enemy. Even the village leader himself.' Neji thought and looked at Shikamaru. He could tell

that Shikamaru was thinking the same thing.

"Alright, thanks for your time sir." Neji said politely.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hn, hn, hn. They're all so stupid. They didn't even know that it was me." Sasuke said to Kabuto.

"Yes, Sasuke-kun."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"That was Sasuke wasn't it?" Ino whispered to the three of them.

"Yes." All three said in unision.

"I see. I guess the mission is over then."

"You're right Ino-chan. All we have to do is pretend that we're falling for him. Right, Shikamaru?"

"Yes, you're right. But then, when will we attack, Neji?"

"We will only fight back. Let him take the first shot. But act surprised.

"Hai." They all said.