So, this is probably the most disappointing update besides the fact it's been around 10 months since my last update. For that, I'm sorry. If you want an explanation why I've basically disappeared from fanfiction, read the author's notes at the end of this chapter.

On with the show.

The Hokage tasked them a target out of nowhere. They were running in the treetops scattered for time and their supplies but they moved like streaks, they sped for what seemed forever. They pursued a fugitive who'd found intel important to Konoha. They'd been summoned for his capture and subsequent execution. At the same time, they'd been given express orders to execute him on the spot if they saw fit as long as necessary precautions were accounted for.

Naruto pressed the comm mic in his ear: 'Haku, lead him on,' he huffed. Wind blurred his voice and wasn't sure if they'd heard.

Surely though...

Hai, Naruto-kun, Haku vanished as Naruto's gaze bee-lined to their target.

Tenten's voice hissed over the intercom, Can I throw shit already?

Naruto vaguely wondered how well she'd handle the order… but…: fuck it.

'Hai,' he let her loose and Tenten disappeared too. Then, so did he.

Hokage-sama better be happy.

The man's chest heaved and hands clamped. Here was a man on death row an hour before and now a single chance for freedom appeared and pushed his entire body beyond it's limits. He moved without restraint. Wildly throwing his arms, too tired to run without shagging his body. These forests were like the back of his hand but the Nin's after him seemed to know them better. Tears spilled down his cheeks and snot trailed down his lip as realization dawned on him.

He cried.

Out of options he swerved left and right and with little hope left he shrunk in the trunk of a sturdy oak. He'd seen it in passive once before. Lucky him he'd found it again.

A cool sliver exploded numb static in his chest. Blood sprayed in a cone, dousing his eyes, as black steel jutted from his chest, tinted by veins of blood. A blood-ravaged kunai.

He collapsed like a doll without strings, kicking up dirt as Haku approached.

He'd killed his wife and children in a fit of rage and now... he'd die a nameless face in a stirring puddle of mud.

He breathed his final breath. Then died.

Haku searched his tunic then his pants; nimbly, she picked through each pocket, finding a scroll.

Tenten stared at the corpse, "Not complaining but why were we sent to do this?"

"Does it matter?" Haku turned.

Naruto clutched the dead man's head.

Yes, it really does, he answered inwardly.

Grains of skin and dandruff mixed together with a mixture of mud matted his hair. One look and the starvation collapsing their targets cheeks and the blur in his eyes became plain to see.

Disgusting.

Naruto played with his necklace.

"A man running berserk attacking a messenger for a single parcel. With the Chuunin exams right around the corner this could be an attempt to steal information," Naruto said. He slipped the parcel into a pouch. "This could be important."

"Still," Tenten insisted. Irritation showed on her face and Naruto grinned at the corner of his mouth, though his mask hid it.

An affectionate grunt escaped him and he slipped his arm around Tenten's waist. Looping his arm around, he nuzzled her cheek with his. "We'll ask when we get back. Alright?"

"Chances are it was convenience. Kaa-san is supposed to be coming back today so this might be a chance to meet with her before we get back, no? The message," Naruto wrestled with his belt, nothing in his front pockets, nothing in his back- the sides...? Nothing.

"I have it." Haku slipped the letter into his grasp.

"Thank you."

Naruto's nose wrinkled as the smell of dog jarred him. He muffled his nose.

Switching behind a tree quickly, Tenten and Haku followed, "You already read this?"

"Hai. Tenten too."

"I forgot," Naruto said. "Burn the body. Let's get moving."

"Hai."

They left. To their backs red and orange flames engulfed the corpse.

Konan appeared in front of them in a blink of an eye. She'd used her shunshin, of course.

That'd been fine in most times but Naruto and his girls were sprinting through the treetops. First in mind was to beat Konan to their meet-up spot at the entrance of Konoha, last was ramming into her and plummeting from the leafy green sky to the brown roar of the earth.

Thwack!

Naruto collided with Konan and plummeted. Naruto expected a heartracing fall but found himself a fly caught in a web, eyes shut, limbs stunned, completely at the mercy of his mother, who held him so gently. Both her gentle arms gently tucked around him as she simply let him stay. Snuggled close and content.

"I missed you."

Naruto's breath hitched. Quiet strangled his voice from leaving- from ruining the moment. Something he couldn't quite describe nestled into his chest as he gently laid his head;

soft, he pressed his eyes shut and relished the aroma of rain his mother had concocted.

Kami, he missed her. "Hai, I missed you too."

Before long, Konan led the group back to Konoha's gate. Two guards on duty in front of the gate. ANBU on watch eyed them briefly but let them pass.

After, they strutted Konoha's streets. Their stories playing on Konan's imagination as they told Konan everything from when she was gone even including the fun the day or two before.

Soon thereafter outside a balding building with tattoo's in the art of graffitti, Konan stopped them. Here, the streets shared no secrets and her words wouldn't carry. She moved them to the alleyway, out of sight and out of ear's grasp. Konan stared to each of them with eyes swirling in pain.

"What's wrong, Kaa-san?" Naruto's concerned stare seemed to utter her guilt.

Konan's response ceased before it began. Her mouth opened then shut all in one second.

I'm so so so sorry for my lack of updates. The reason why I've stopped updating for so long is because, simply, I had lost interest, inspiration, if you will, and I felt like with every word I strangled from my mind that I wasn't giving you all a story you deserved. I may or may not write for this story in the future. I have another semester in College coming up and I need to be at my top for that, but if I have time, you might find a dandy little update in your emails.

Have a good day,

Sincerely,

Roan.