Yugito saw both Naruto and Sasuke holding their strongest attacks at the ready and was holding Sakura back, knowing that she would have tried to interfere if she had not...or at least she tried. One minute she was holding Sakura, the next she was holding a log. 'Of all the stupid things to do...she's going to get herself killed!' Yugito thought, though knew that it would affect Naruto deeply if he was the person who killed her and sighed lightly before rushing after her. 'This is the stupidest thing I've ever done...'

Gaara slowly created a sword out of sand, though it was extremely hard, especially since Sand wasn't suppose to be molded like this. Though he was starting to do it, using his chakra to keep the sand in the shape that he wanted it to be in, but he couldn't make it sharp, at least, not at the moment.

Thankfully, just before Sakura could get in the way, and just before the attacks collided, a hand grabbed Naruto's wrist and pulled, throwing him across the rooftop and dispelling his attack. The same thing had happened to Sasuke. Looking over, Naruto saw that Kakashi-sensei was the one who had stopped the fight.

Gemini watched, fascinated, silently cheering for him. She wanted to cheer out loud and offer support, but she didn't want to distract him. Besides, he already had a teacher to tell him how to get it right.

Yugito breathed lightly when she saw that Kakashi had stopped both of their attacks, as well as having a silent amount of pride when Kakashi said that Naruto's attack would have killed him more so than the Chidori. Then there was also the fact that the water tower that Naruto blew up with the Rasengan was bigger than the Chidori that Sasuke used.

Gaara heard words of encouragement coming from Shirou and glanced upwards and saw Gemini watching him.

((Hm....Wolfie doesn't know what happens next...she missed the couple of episodes leading up to Sasuke's leaving.))

(We could skip to Sasuke leaving)

((Okay. It happens like a week or so later, right?))

One week later, Naruto was woken by the sound of knocking. He opened the door to find Shikamaru standing there, looking more irritated than usual. Five minutes later, Naruto was dressed and shaking Yugito. "Kitty-chan! Wake up! We have to go, fast! Sasuke-teme left the village and I'm on a squad to go get him!"

It had been a week of successful training for Gemini. She was making breakfast that day when the messenger hawk appeared at the window. She let it in and read the note it was carrying, then ran up the stairs. "Everyone wake up! There's an urgent message from Konoha!!"

(should Yugito be asked to help? I know you said you didn't want to alter canon events too much)

((Yeah, that's right...well in that case, Yugito can be told to stay back and wait, and Gemini will be sent back to Konoha to alert the hospital about the injured squad members, and they can meet up while they wait for the others to return.))

(alright)

Yugito got up. "I'm assuming I'm coming with? Yugito asked.

"What's going on?" Gaara asked.

((Hey, Wolfie just wants to apologize for not replying much lately. There was a recent tragedy in the family and she's still getting over it, and her interest in roleplaying has waned slightly. She will still post whenever she gets some kind of inspiration, and she will not just disappear or stop the roleplays. She just wanted to let you know and apologize.))

Naruto nodded. "I was hoping you would." He said, not knowing that this request would be denied later.

Gemini showed them the letter. "Sasuke Uchiha has run away from Konoha, apparently his intention is to join Orochimaru. You guys- well, me too, I guess- are being sent to aid the team Lady Tsunade sent out to retrieve him. We have to leave right away if we want to get there on time."

(Phoenix here was starting to wonder...he's been quite busy otherwise he would have sent a message. *sweatdrop* Anyways, may Phoenix ask what's going on? You don't have to answer if you don't want to)

"Sure," Yugito replied as she got out of bed and quickly got dressed into her shinobi gear.

"Then we should move out," Gaara replied. He had a feeling that Baki-sensei already knew about the request, but wanted to make sure. "I'm going to send a Suna Bunshin to Baki-sensei, make sure he knows what's going on, just in case."

((Oh, well...a few weeks ago...(has it already been that long?) Wolfie's dog was killed by a hit-and-run driver right in front of her house. She saw the whole thing, as did her mother, brother, sister, and several neighbors. Wolfie and her father rushed him to a pet hospital, but he was gone by the time they got there. He died in Wolfie's arms. Actually, her family just got his ashes back two days ago...it's been difficult.))

As soon as they were both dressed and ready, Naruto led Yugito out of the apartment and through the streets, leaping across rooftops when he needed to. They had to be out at the front gates in just ten minutes to meet up with the rest of the retrieval squad.

Gemini nodded. "We should all get dressed quick. Also, I have a question...how are we going to get there in time, when Konoha is a three-day travel from Suna?" She asked.

(*hugs* I know what it's like to lose a pet, and it is never good. Mine, however, died of natural causes instead of being hit by an idiot on the road. If you need to talk... Also, that's a good question that Gemini asks. Sand Cloud travel doesn't sound like it would go that fast...)

((*Hugs back* Thanks, that helps a lot. Also, yeah Wolfie always wondered about that. She's read a few fanfictions that gave Gaara sort of transportation ability, probably from that one time just before his match with Lee when he uses the sand to teleport down to the arena. Wolfie doesn't think that was ever used again, but it works...))

(alright)

"I can transport us there via my sand if you want," Gaara said, thinking as to how it would be a good idea for him to try it. Plus, time was of the essence.

Gemini nodded. "It's worth a shot, and it's the best chance we have right now. Let's try it." She said, willing to try at least. If something went wrong, at least they could say they tried their best.

Temari nodded as well, completely in agreement with Gemini. Besides, it couldn't hurt, right?

When they got tot he gates, Naruto knew instantly that there was a problem, just by the look on Shikamaru's face. "Oi, we're here. What'sa'matter?" He asked. "We already told Lee this: we can't bring anyone else on this mission. It's just five of us, Naruto." Shikamaru said. From inside Kiba's coat, Akamaru barked, making the lazy genius sigh. "Okay, six of us." He added in exasperation. Naruto frowned. "You mean Yugito-chan can't come?" He asked. "Nope. Tsunade's orders. She'll have to stay here and wait with Sakura and Lee."

(*glomps* you live!)

"You mean...you woke Naruto-kun and I up early, let us assume that we could both go on this mission, and then tell us you can't go Nya?" Yugito asked, a little angry and very annoyed as she crossed her arms under her chest. She understood that orders were orders, but still...he should have cleared the misunderstanding up beforehand.

Gaara nodded before channeling his sand, getting ready to transport everyone to Konohagakure, knowing that it would be harder than just transporting himself. "Everyone ready?" he asked.

Naruto looked between Yugito and Shikamaru, wondering what would happen. Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head, looking annoyed- though that was pretty normal for him. "Man...yeah, I guess so, but I didn't really think Naruto would bring his girlfriend along. I only woke him up." He answered. Naruto just sighed. "You could have mentioned it, 'tebayo." He snapped. "Alright alright, it's all my fault, whatever. We've got to get going, so can we argue about this later?" Shikamaru snapped back. Naruto huffed. "Fine. Yugito-chan, we'll be back as soon as we've got Sasuke." He said.

Gemini braced herself, wondering what it was going to be like. Being transported this way was certainly a new experience for her. "Ready." She confirmed.

"Ugh, fine. But this isn't over lazybrains," Yugito muttered as she glared at the newly minted Chunin. "I'll hold you to it. Now get going Foxy-kun," she replied to her boyfriend

"We all are" Temari responded, as did Kankuro. Sure it would be a new experience for them as well, but they could trust their brother. And besides...he wouldn't harm his girlfriend, right?

Naruto nodded. "No problem. We'll be back with Sasuke faster than you can blink!" He said, turning to the others. After a few more moments of farewells, they set off.

Yugito just shook her head at her boyfriend's antics before heading towards the marketplace. Since she was awake, she might as well do some food shopping before starting to train for the day.

((Hm...should we skip to where they actually need the sand sibs help?))

(that works)