"Man, my team sucks, I can't believed they forgot about me! I mean, if they're just going to ditch me, then all that 'Team Seven is one,' crap is...crap!" Naruto loudly complained as he squirmed against the post. Team Seven had completely forgotten about Naruto after Kakashi-sensei had passed the Genin. Naruto had thought that Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi would be back and untie him.

That was nearly half an hour ago. Naruto was starving, annoyed, and generally ready to punch the next person who showed up. Unfortunately, he was still tied to the post.

"Seriously..." Naruto groaned. "I wonder if I'll be put on the Memorial Stone if I starve to death on my Genin Test because I was abandoned by my team?"

"I'm afraid you must be killed by an enemy to earn a spot on the Memorial Stone," a voice Naruto didn't recognize answered. The newcomer's voice was muffled behind a mask. Naruto grimaced at the false friendliness in the voice.

"Does Sasuke count as an enemy? We've never gotten along. I mean, aren't teams supposed to be loyal to each other?" Naruto asked with a pout.

"Loyalty to one's fellow shinobi and to Konoha is the most important virtue one can have," the masked ninja responded with a nod. Naruto was shocked that he actually heard sincerity in the short ANBU's voice. The ANBU untied Naruto. "It is a shame that you cannot trust your teammates."

"Yeah, it really sucks," Naruto said as he stood up and stretched. "Um, don't take this the wrong way, but aren't you a little short for an ANBU?"

"Isn't your dick a little short for a boy?" the ANBU responded without missing a beat. Naruto sputtered incoherently for a moment.

"Well your mom thought my dick was big enough you pale-faced, midriff-exposing, ghostly, cunt-punting monkey," Naruto yelled at the ANBU while waving his arms theatrically. The ANBU did not give Naruto any time to savor his epic insult. The young ANBU agent punched Naruto in the face.

"I will have to remember that insult. I can see how that would be very offensive to one who knew who their mother was," the pale-faced ANBU said respectfully as he picked up the unconscious Jinchūriki. In an instant, the ANBU body-flickered to a location outside the training ground. He approached a hidden tunnel. The ANBU activated a blood seal and entered a natural tunnel made of volcanic gabbro rock. Eventually, the ANBU reached an auditorium. He placed the knocked-out Jinchūriki on the ground and knelt.

"Well done," a gravelly voice split the darkness. An older man hobbled from the shadows. His right eye was covered by bandages and his right arm was concealed inside his robes.

"Thank you, Lord Danzō," the ANBU responded mechanically.

"Tell me, my agent, what is your opinion on the Jinchūriki?" Danzō asked sternly.

"He will make a fine instrument in your ascent to Hokage, my lord..." the ANBU answered.

"Is there something you wish to add?"

"Only that it is a shame the Jinchūriki's elevation will eliminate his sublime mastery of insults," the ANBU said quickly. Danzō rolled his one eye and chose to ignore the sudden blabbering of his most promising young instrument.

"Regardless, I have a mission for you. A border prince in the Land of Wind is diverting missions back to Suna. We cannot allow any financial security to return to Suna. Eliminate this...annoyance," Danzō commanded.

"I will leave at once, my Lord," the young man rose to his feet as the doors opposite from him opened. Two other agents emerged and collected the still unconscious Naruto and dragged him away. Danzō looked down and smiled.

"Soon, I will be invincible!"

The Third Hokage was not in a good mood. Scratch that, he was in a horrible mood. If he did not have access to some very strong tobacco, the majority of Team Seven would be very dead. He had originally been very pleased that Kakashi had finally passed a team. The fact that Naruto and Sasuke had some faint common ground was even better.

Then he found out that Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke had left Naruto tied to the post. They had just left him there with no food or water.

In the middle of summer.

"You three are widely considered geniuses amongst the ranks of my shinobi," Hiruzen began. He scowled at Sasuke and Sakura who brightened at the compliment. "But you have demonstrated that you are complete idiots. Uzumaki Naruto is missing. He never returned to his home after you left him tied to one of the posts at Training Ground Three."

Team Seven wisely decided not to speak. The God of Shinobi breathed out a large puff of tobacco smoke. "If Iruka had not checked Naruto's apartment last night after he missed their congratulatory dinner, we would have likely never realized he was missing. Tell me, geniuses, when would you have checked on your teammate?" Once again, Team Seven remained utterly silent. The Third made a hand signal and a very worried-looking Umino Iruka opened the door and called for the Hokage's other appointment to enter.

Teams Eight and Ten entered the office. Yamanaka Ino sat next to Sakura, but only because Sasuke had no open chairs near him. The two Jonin instructors, Asuma and Kurenai, looked at Kakashi in utter disbelief. The other Genin each had very different reactions to the situation.

"Hey, if Naruto is really missing, maybe I'll be put on Sasuke-kun's team," Ino whispered to Sakura and earned a glare from her former best friend.

"I have summoned all of you here for an A-ranked mission," Sarutobi announced while ignoring the brewing cat fight between Ino and Sakura. "Uzumaki Naruto is missing. Your mission is to locate and, if possible, recover your missing comrade."

"A-ranks are such a drag, but if it's to find Naruto, I guess I'll put some effort into this," Shikamaru halfheartedly complained.

"I can't believe we've already got an A-rank! This is so awesome," Kiba said to Akamaru excitedly.

"Why don't more of you care that Naruto-kun is missing?" Hinata asked so quietly that no one realized she had spoken.

The Third Hokage slammed his fist onto his desk to interrupt the numerous simultaneous conversations. "You are to begin the mission immediately. Team Seven, you also have this mission, but will not be paid for its completion. Dismissed!"

The rookie Genin teams and their Jonin senseis departed quickly. The Hokage's tone brooked no argument. The Jonin gathered at the posts to discuss their search patterns. At least, that is what they told their students.

"What the hell were you thinking, Kakashi?" Asuma asked heatedly. Kurenai simply crossed her arms and stared at Kakashi in anticipation of his answer.

"I thought Naruto was capable of using the Rope Escape Technique. He showed incredible potential in the Bell Test and I thought he could handle such a simple technique," Kakashi responded sternly. "All Academy Graduates must know the Rope Escape Technique."

Kakashi's response mollified the other Jonin somewhat. They, however, were still greatly offended by Kakashi's handling of the situation. The Jonin quickly refocused on their mission and developed search patterns. Team Ten would search Konoha. Team Eight would search the training grounds. Kakashi and his two students would follow up on any leads discovered by the full teams.

The Jonin became completely focused on the mission as they separated. Kurenai approached Team Eight and took a moment to compose herself. She was a relatively 'green' Jonin and had only been an official Jonin-sensei for less than twenty-four hours. Now, her Genin were on an A-rank mission to locate Konoha's missing Jinchūriki, though her charges would not know that. This was her first big test. Kurenai, surprisingly, was thankful for the A-rank. The mission was undeniably important, but the risk was almost nonexistent compared to the standard A-rank mission. Team Eight would gain invaluable confidence and experience in this mission. Kurenai's biggest challenge would be keeping Team Eight confident, but not overconfident.

'I should follow my own advice. We haven't even started this mission and I'm already considering it completed,' Kurenai scolded herself.

"Team Eight, our role in this mission is to search the Training Grounds and surrounding areas for any clues to Uzumaki Naruto's disappearance. Hokage-sama has given us clearance to make use of radio communication for this mission," Kurenai began to brief her students, no subordinates she reminded herself. She couldn't bring herself to establish that level of personal attachment to her team until she was confident in both their ability as shinobi and in her ability to protect them. Kurenai took in the mood and posture of each of her charges.

Inuzuka Kiba was practically rolling on the balls of his feet in excitement. Kurenai had expected the young man's reaction and fully expected him to 'take point' on this, and likely most of Team Eight's missions. Her job as a Jonin-sensei would be to temper this enthusiasm and energy into purpose.

Aburame Shino was a paragon of his clan's pursuit of logic and emotional equilibrium. Shino would be invaluable in helping Kiba learn to control focus his emotions. The Aburame boy would also provide a solid foundation for the team. Kurenai would begin grooming Shino for Chunin as soon as possible.

Finally, Kurenai flashed a quick grin at Hyūga Hinata. Originally, Kurenai believed the smile would put the girl's concerns at ease. The Jonin nearly let her surprise show at Hinata's determination. The Hyūga heiress had steel in her eyes. Kurenai resolved to ask Hinata about this change in attitude after the mission. Hinata needed to know someone was proud of her.

Kurenai continued her briefing. "The radios will allow us to maintain constant contact with each other. Remember, we are searching for a kidnapped comrade and on an A-rank mission. You must be alert and professional. We will find our missing comrade," Kurenai finished and released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

"Kurenai-sensei, how often should we establish radio contact?" Shino asked.

"Every twenty minutes. I want you all to contact me on frequency twelve. I want you to contact me regardless of situation. However, if there is an emergency, a key discovery, or an unforeseen complication, you are to contact the entire team immediately," Kurenai ordered. The Genin nodded and spread out to carry out the search. Kurenai took a calming breath and walked back to her comrades who were carrying on a conversation about the current situation.

"No offense to our Genin, but Naruto is too valuable for rookies to be in charge of the search," Asuma said in a conspiratorial tone.

"Hokage-sama has nearly two dozen ANBU searching outside the village. If anyone captured Naruto, it will likely be foreign agents," Kakashi explained.

"I thought the Hokage's decree was to ensure Naruto's anonymity and prevent incidents like this," Kurenai said offhandedly.

"It was. That means..." Asuma growled. He didn't like where that train of thought led.

"There is a leak. A traitor revealed Naruto's status as the container of the Fox," Kakashi said darkly. Kurenai paled at the implications. If a foreign nation could get Konoha's greatest secret, what else could they possibly know?

"Hound to Sunshine, you see anything?" Kiba asked over the radio.

"Not really, I...I think there might be something to the north of our current search a-area, though," Hinata responded.

"Hinata-san, what exactly do you see?" Shino said while completely ignoring Kiba's 'code-names'. Kiba sputtered something about 'radio discipline', but, before his rant could take off, Hinata spoke again.

"It...looks like t-tunnels! T-they seem n-natural," Hinata said as she struggled to focus her Byakugan on the details of the tunnels. "There are three entrances about one hundred meters from each other."

"Does this scream 'trap' to anyone else?" Kiba asked.

"Hinata-san, I will contact Kurenai-sensei for further orders. I suggest that you continue to use your Byakugan to discover the nature of the tunnels. Kiba-san..." Shino trailed off for a moment. "see if you can find Naruto-san's scent."

"I'll have it picked up in a minute!" Kiba shouted over the line. Hinata responded quickly to Shino and started focusing on the tunnels. Shino contacted Kurenai.

"Kurenai-sensei and the other Jonin have given us permission to investigate the tunnels. Team Ten is continuing their investigation in Konoha's market district," Shino reported.

"W-what about Team Seven?" Hinata asked. Truthfully, she couldn't understand why they weren't being punished more severely. 'It is their fault, Naruto-kun is missing,' Hinata thought. She didn't like the anger she felt, but Naruto-kun was precious to her.

"You know, this is probably our fault," Sasuke said out of the blue.

"But, Sasuke-kun, Naruto should have been able to use the Rope Escape jutsu," Sakura responded in confusion.

"Maybe, but he was probably exhausted from all those solid clones he was making. Besides, Naruto is our teammate. You know he would have untied one of us. I...I don't think we're off to a very good start as ninja," Sasuke, painfully, admitted.

"Yeah, Naruto's already holding us back," Sakura agreed with the point she assumed Sasuke was making.

"What? No! We never should have abandoned Naruto like we did! We need to take Kakashi's lesson to heart and find him. We owe the idiot that much," Sasuke stammered a bit in disbelief.

"I get it! That way Naruto will owe us a favor. You're so smart Sasuke-kun!" Sakura beamed.

Sasuke stared in disbelief at Sakura. "Oh forget it, let's just find our teammate," the Last Uchiha said in exasperation.

Hinata couldn't help being nervous as she entered the tunnels. There was the undeniable feeling that something major was about to happen. More than that, Naruto was depending on her.

"I can do this," Hinata reassured herself. She pushed deeper into the tunnels and after a while, began to notice certain details. The walls were carved! The tunnels were originally natural, but the deeper sections had been carved for easier access.

'I have to let my teammates know!' Hinata thought resolutely. She activated her radio, but there was a lot of interference. 'I'm on my own! I...I have to move forward.'

Eventually, Hinata came up to what was once a door. The enormous metal slab was rent, torn and in some places melted. Hinata stared in awe at the incredible and inhuman power that was undoubtedly responsible for destroying such a massive structure. The Hyūga heiress activated her dōjutsu to see what was waiting for her on the other side.

It was impossible for Hinata to contain her shock at what she saw. The chamber beyond was practically dripping with residual chakra. The sheer amount was beyond anything Hinata had ever encountered. Then, there was the physical damage to the chamber. The room was twisted and broken. Hinata was struck by the mental image of a whirlpool.

But, it was the center of the calamity that took her breath.

Naruto was pinned underneath some rubble. The sight of her crush hurt was unbearable, but the 'strangeness' of his chakra worried Hinata as well. Every few seconds, Naruto's chakra would waver between the natural blue all humans had and a red-hued chakra that shouldn't exist. Worse, it was growing dim.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata screamed. She would not stand by and watch her inspiration die! The Hyūga heiress rushed through the destroyed door and into the darkened chamber. Hinata's Byakugan allowed her to navigate the rubble-strewn room. She was at Naruto's side in a moment. "N-Naruto-kun..."

Hinata gasped at the reaction her whisper of concern received. Naruto swiveled two ears towards Hinata. He then looked up and whimpered in pain. Hinata saw his eyes and wanted to cry. His eyes were still the crystal blue she found herself lost in so many times, but the pupils were most certainly not human. She did not want to cry because of the change in Naruto's eyes. No, it was the pain, loneliness and hope in the eyes that nearly drove Hinata to tears. Naruto's eyes were begging her not to leave.

"I won't leave you Naruto-kun," Hinata promised the boy. She caressed his cheek to help put him at ease.

Her gesture was rewarded by Naruto licking her hand. In spite of the current situation, Hinata blushed furiously. She quickly regained her wits and grasped a piece of debris that was pinning Naruto in place.

"Can you move, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked in the most comforting voice she could muster. Naruto furrowed his brow. After a moment of thought, Naruto nodded. Hinata counted to three before struggling against the weight of the collapsed stone.

'I can't fail, Naruto-kun!' Hinata screamed against her own straining muscles. The stone budged and Naruto slipped from the metal cot where he had been trapped. Hinata collapsed next to Naruto and struggled to catch her breath. "Are you ok, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto's ears perked up and he crawled closer to Hinata. The next thing Hinata realized was that Naruto's face was only a few centimeters from her own. Hinata felt a heat in her face, and her breath caught in her throat. Naruto sniffed her twice before resting his head in her lap. The proximity of her crush and his unusual actions had sent Hinata's mind into overdrive. Thus, it took her a second to notice nine very important details.

"T-tails?"

Author's Notes: Remember the Poll from a while back? Well, this is a take on Chewie Cookies' "Feral!Naruhina challenge." Prepare for utter insanity. This'll be a Naruhina like always, but there will be a huge focus on the other 12 as well. Please read and review!