163 The Flight - 9

"A formation?" Naruto found Shikamaru's plan confusing, "We don't have time for that kind of crap! We need to get going now!"

"If we chase after them all jumbled and disorganized we leave ourselves open to an ambush or a possible trap," Shikamaru retorted, his brow furrowing, "That's the plan. Now listen cause' I'm only going to explain this once…"

Naruto quieted down and settled beside Hinata, folding his arms irritably, 'If something happens to Haku-kun or Sakura-chan because we stalled I'm gonna be pissed! Gaara-kun better find them and slow them down or we'll be in the fryer!'

"For now we're on the offence, which means it would be easy for the enemy to make the first move," Shikamaru began, "That's why, in order to protect from their random attacks, I will be deciding on a formation for us to move in. Should anyone ignore me and act on their own everyone could die."

Kiba gulped audibly.

"The formation will be a line: the forerunner, who has the most important and crucial task…will be Kiba," The Nara went on, locking eyes with the latter, "Every year you travel with Akamaru and you know the geography of the Fire Country. Your nose works pretty well so you'll be able to track Sasuke and Haku, and also detect certain booby traps the enemy leaves behind."

The Inuzuka boy nodded in understanding, patting Akamaru's head.

Shikamaru continued, drawing the formation out on a scroll, "And second will be me, the leader. Since I'll be able to see the situation I'll be able to give out orders in front to Kiba. To the rear members I can give orders by hand signals."

He then turned to Hinata, "Third, behind me, will be you Hinata," She returned his expectant gaze dutifully, "With your eyes you'll be able to scout a bit ahead to warn us of potential danger or changes. Because you'll be gathering critical information like that you need to be near me in case I have to make up a strategy, though it may leave you the most open to attack, so that's why Naruto will be right behind you in line."

The blonde boy nodded to her quietly, giving her a reassuring smile as Shikamaru added, "If Naruto is with you at the line's center his shadow clones combined with yours can give aid in all directions. He'll be the center of help: the gut of the line!"

The Hyuga girl nodded, seeing the logic in such placement.

"The fifth will be Chouji." Shikamaru looked to his best friend, "You don't have speed, but you have the most physical power because of your size. Although it may be awkward, all of us in front of you will be using you as a base, as in home base. While the others act you and I can still use our combination techniques during a distraction."

Neji's eyes were closed as he listened, "Finally you, Neji. I will ask you to do the most difficult and complicated task. Your Byakugan, like Hinata's, will help scan and check the area. That way, the enemy can't get an attack in on us from behind, where we're most vulnerable…" The Hyuga prodigy nodded in agreement after hearing the explanation.

"And I want to check the weapons that you guys brought with you. Please let me see what each of you have and I will remember it." Shikamaru concluded, rolling up the scroll he had doodled on, "Does anyone have any questions?"

Naruto shook his head when no one made the effort to speak up.

"Finally, this is the most important thing I have to say," The chunin added, "I'm not personally close with Sasuke, Haku or Sakura, however…they are shinobi of Konoha: our comrades. That's why we must risk our lives to save them. It is our duty as shinobi of the Leaf Village. Even though I don't like doing troublesome things I am responsible for your lives."

Kiba snickered, "Heh…now you're starting to sound like a real chunin!"

Chouji only smiled at his friend, having known all his life that even if Shikamaru often lacked conviction he was a true and noble leader.

"Once Neji-niisan and I check your equipment we can go." Hinata said softly, feeling the pressure mount now that she was the only female of the group. She and her elder cousin examined the team's entire collection of weaponry side by side, and she had nearly asked him if he was sure Tenten and Lee weren't available.

By the look on Neji's face, Hinata could see that now more than ever he wanted his most trusted teammates beside him, 'At a time when he has begun to grow so close and fond of them…he must undertake a mission without them.' She understood that feeling: Shino and Sato were abroad at the moment. But as she considered it, she realized that everyone present had probably not seen their teammates for a while, 'Shikamaru, Kiba and Naruto-kun have also been alone for a while…it must be so hard.'

Once everyone had stored their weapons away the team began to move out through the front gate of Konoha. There was a chilling moment as the sun shone down brightly on the six brave shinobi that fell into line easily and then disappeared into the surrounding forest together.

*

He had been gone for nearly a quarter of an hour and it had her anxiously pacing the treetops like a caged lioness, calling his name every so often.

'He's going to be back soon.' Sakura assured herself, her thoughts muddled, 'Sasuke will make sure it's safe before we keep going together.'

When he had left he had looked afraid. She remembered the expression on his face very well, and she couldn't understand entirely why he had thought it was perfectly fine to leave her alone in a forest that most likely contained foreign ninja expectant of his arrival but not hers.

'Will they try to kill me if they find me? Would they even let me go with him?' Upon her flight from Konoha alongside her teammate she had never considered the fact that she may be picked off like a worthless scab.

Sakura had overlooked the detail in which they only wanted Sasuke when all was said and done, and not some headstrong kunoichi who was merely a genin and bound to complicate things.

She was entirely and undeniably alone in that moment for the first time in her life.

The silence of the woods made the hair on her arms stand on end in terror. She leaned uneasily on the trunk of the cedar tree she was perched in. She deliberated what would happen if the Sound ninja discovered her before Sasuke returned. Would she fight? Would she flee?

'I'm not going back home…not unless Sasuke comes with me!' She thought, though it was something she honestly doubted. He wouldn't be so willing to give up after he had so brazenly left the village without batting an eyelash.

In a way she had known he had abandoned her. The only reason he would leave her behind would be to do just that. Even if it had not been his first intention, she was still aware of the reality of the situation. Though Sakura was loath to admit it she was indeed a big distraction.

And even worse, he hadn't planned a particularly helpful way to leave her either, 'Did he just expect me to run back to Konoha without him if things went badly? Does he have that much confidence in me to think I'd get home…alive?'

She had come so far and now it held no meaning.

"Sasuke, please, don't do this to me. Don't bring me with you and ask me to marry you and then leave me behind!" Her voice was hoarse against the crescendo of singing crickets, "This isn't going to solve anything. I know I'm an idiot for coming out here, but that makes you an idiot too! How can I move on not knowing if you're even alive?"

Her pink hair was glued to her face with sweat. It was uncomfortable and only added to her discontent, 'I won't go. I'll wait. He may just be lost. He'll be back.'

She could suddenly sense a faint presence nearby, approaching quickly, 'Is that a Sound shinobi?'

Sakura drew a kunai and crouched down on the branch she was balanced on, fairly certain that the individual nearing with such stealth and quiet intended to investigate and not ambush. Not Sasuke.

The immediate appearance of the newcomer surprised her and she pounced instantaneously, bringing her knife down in a sweeping motion which the newcomer easily blocked and then knocked the kunai aside.

Sakura waited for the violent counterstrike but it never came.

It was not Sasuke.

"Sakura you can't stay here," Gaara's arm was around her waist as her knees weakened in fright at the sight of him, "How long have you been here?"

The pink haired girl could give no immediate response. What the hell was he doing here anyway? How could he have known? Or better still, how could he have not known?

"Not long…" Her voice cracked with the weight of her emotions. Sakura closed her eyes, desperately trying to get a grip.

Gaara saw her distress. It was written all over her heartbroken face. He knew its source.

"Liar."

She wriggled away and settled against a perpendicular branch, clinging to it to support her weight which felt like it had suddenly doubled. The last thing she would do was lean on Gaara and make him feel like he was right; like she needed his help.

"You shouldn't have followed us, Gaara," Sakura said flatly, the words stinging her tongue, "I'm leaving with Sasuke. He needs me."

"If he needs you so badly why isn't he here?" The anger in his eyes made them look like sharp, green fire. Maybe if Sasuke were present he wouldn't be half as angry as he was. That she was alone.

Maybe.

"He needed to make sure it was safe."

"He's just as much a liar as you are," Gaara turned from her, he was mad at her too, "A pair of liars! That's what I've been chasing."

Sakura shook her head helplessly in denial.