I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock, blaring in my ear. *Alright, alright!! I'm up!!* I pounded my clock to turn it off. I looked at the time groggily…It read 9:03 am. I was supposed to be in Hokage-sama's office at 9:15 am. "HOLY $#% I'M LATE!" I shouted. I got dressed as quickly as possible and rushed down the stairs.

"Takishira Tsubaki," My mother's voice made me turn around just as I was about to go through the door, "aren't you forgetting something?"

I sighed; of course, she always did this when I would leave. I kissed her on the cheek, "Love you, mom and don't worry, I'll be fine on the mission."

"I know, just be careful dear," she said warmly. Her expression was always very warm and gentle. Mom always worried about me after what happened during the chunin exams. I ran out the door, not even bothering to shut it. I didn't want to be late to see the Hokage…again. I dashed across the rooftops, since this was much faster than using the streets and less likely for me to run into someone…again.

When I reached the administration building, I rushed through the doors and ran as fast as I could into Hokage-sama's office, bumping in to an assistant or two along the way. "Am I late, Hokage-sama?" I asked, panting steadily.

"Tsubaki, it's not good for you to make it by only a thread," scolded Tsunade. All that matters to me is I made it. "Anyway, I need you to go to the Hidden Sand Village and give them support," she began "Their Kazekage was recently kidnapped by two of the Akatsuki. This has severely weakened the village, so I'm sending you to help protect it."

"What if I run into an Akatsuki?" I asked.

"If you can, flee and get help. That's the best option you have, and above all do not engage them in combat. There's no doubt you'll die."

I groaned, *Great, another boring solo mission. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll see Sakura-chan. I haven't seen her in awhile.*

"Tsunade-sama, why can't I be in the frontlines like Sakura-chan?" I complained.

"Tsubaki! Just accept your mission and fulfill your duty! Maybe then you'll get the good missions like Sakura," Tsunade ordered angrily. "Or…you could do some weeding again."

"Fine, Hokage-sama…," I submitted.

"By the way, how is she?" I asked making small talk.

"Don't think small talk will help you now, Tsubaki. Oh, and she's just fine."

***

I dashed through the forest, leaping from tree branch to tree branch. I reached to swing off of one but lost my grip and fell to the forest floor, hitting my head. I stood up shakily and clutched my head "Ouch…"

*Why is it that I'm a chunin but am as much of a weakling as Naruto??*I looked around the area. *…Which way is west?* I checked my map I had in my kunai pouch for directions. But just as I had unfolded it, a sudden gust blew it out of my hands! "Aw crap, come back!" I shouted as I chased the map. I jumped in the air and snatched the map! *Gotcha!!*

I looked around at my new surroundings and saw an old fire, still smoldering; a clear sign someone was here. I hid behind a tree and drew my kunai, for obvious reasons. There were two cloaks hanging on a low hanging branch, with had blood-red clouds on them…Akatsuki. I froze, I was supposed to call for help if I saw them, but no one was around! This was a fairly dangerous situation, so I slinked away as quietly as possible. Luckily no one seemed to be around to notice me.

An hour passed as I walked around in the quiet forest; the gentle sunlight peaked through the leaves and a light breeze ruffled my hair. It was a beautiful sight to behold. I had completely forgotten about the danger I was in earlier. "D#%IT TOBI!! Give me back my cloak, un!" a man cried in the distance, breaking the silence.

"You've gotta catch me first, sempai!" yelled another man's voice, his was very obnoxious and somewhat childish. The other's…well sounded quite handsome.

"GET BACK HERE, UN!!!" the other yelled. I could hear them running in my direction. I hid in the shrubs as fast as I could, and kept my kunai close. The two dashed past, not noticing me. I peeked from my hiding place. The first one had dark brown hair, and wore a bright orange hurricane mask (I don't know kinda looks like a lollipop) and wore an Akatsuki cloak. He had something in his hand, but I couldn't see what.

I looked over at the second one. He had long, blond hair bond high in a ponytail with a lock of hair covering his right eye. Well, I think it was a boy maybe a girl; I mean he had a man's voice. He looked around nineteen, maybe eighteen so he was only a year or two older than me. His eyes were a sky blue and looked like he might be wearing eyeliner.

*I could follow them, but I really need to go to Sunagakure* However, I never got to make my decision, because the masked guy ran right past me in the opposite direction, "NO SEMPAI!!! Tobi is a good boy!!!" he whined loudly to the other man. The other was chasing him on some kind of white bird! I wasn't quite sure though, it passed as only a blur. Whatever that was, it's flight made a strong gust that blew me out of my hiding place, right into the open. I tried to get up but the masked one, I think his name is Tobi, ran my way again and tripped and fell right on top of me! The blond one stopped in front of us, "Finally, now give me back my cloak, you little s#%!" he paused and stared straight at me with a surprised look on his face. "Who's the girl, un?" They had found me, if I didn't act soon, I'd be dead!

"So, what are you doing here, un?" he asked me smoothly. I was frozen at the spot. His calm demeanor was putting me on edge. *What am I going to do? Oh god, oh god, oh god!* I panicked so I did the first thing that came to mind, no matter how dumb it may be.

"Substitution Jutsu!" I said franticly after making the hand seals. I immediately disappeared, and a log was in my place. I reappeared far enough away from them to get a head start.

"…So, that girl is a ninja, un," the man said, "Tobi, out of the way."

"Yes Deidara-sempai!"

I dashed through the forest, that substitution would buy me time but not for long. I needed to get to water so my jutsu can work, but I had been careless and forgot to fill my canteen. I glanced behind me; the blond guy was close behind me on another one of his weird birds. I started to panic even more; if I don't to get to water soon……I dashed even faster. The blond Akatsuki put his hands into some khaki pouches he kept at his waist. He paused for a bit and threw three small sparrow statues in my direction. Then he made a focusing seal.

Then suddenly they came to life, and the statues came at me at an amazing speed, faster than he was flying on his! I avoided them as fast as I could, even though I had no idea what they did. My body was flowing with adrenaline; the only thought in my mind was to get away.

"KATSU!" the man shouted while he made a hand seal. The sparrows suddenly exploded behind me; my back took most of the blasts. I should've realized that they might be explosives. The hot pain surged throughout my body, as I lay on the damp forest floor. I reached for my back; it was bleeding a bit and badly burnt.

The river was just beyond the horizon, if I could get back up I could stand a chance! I stumbled to my feet and tried to run…but it only a stumble at the moment. Just as I picked enough speed to be considered walking, the blond man sunk behind me and hit my bloody back…hard. Everything went blurry as I fell to the soft ground. "Gotcha…, un,"

And then it went black.

6