Chapter shout out!! moonlightninja4, LonelyShapeShifter. Animekitty135, Diana_crazy_MOFO, cooljinchuriki, XxNaruxX, LeoMcShizzle, Nagisanzeninful, MisakaLovesYou, jman9900, sablesavge, and AkiraMori.

Pic on the side is an awesome cover by XxRiverxX that I think I might use for the sequel, just get the title on the pic changed to whatever it turns out to be. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE TITLES PEOPLE! Oh, and I do not know the original drawer so if you are said drawer and have an issue with me using it, please PRIVATE message me, okay?

And if I had known that MoT's birthday had been so soon I would have tried to get this done faster, but I forgot, so it's been finished after. HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY MELODY OF TIME!!!!! You are a pain in the ass to write, but at the same time so much fun. I would have died from internal boredom if it wasn't for you!

Oh, and I think I'm just going to stop apologizing about every late chapter. It’s not like it's going to change anything. A late chapter is a late chapter.

Also, just before we start this chapter, little thing I want to say. All chapters from here on out will be edited none other than AkiraMori, or AkiraMori-sensei if you want. Treat your new sensei with respect gakuseis!!

------------------

Chapter 52 -

On the Hunt

------------------

--A few miles north of the village--

"Oh, Shikamaru, what are we doing here? We're supposed to out looking for Sasuke!" Naruto said as all five, or six if you count Akumaru, landed on the ground after a few minutes. Shikamaru gave him a look then knelt down to the ground, resting one hand on it.

"We are looking for him. I've already sent someone ahead to see if she can find his trail." He said as he looked at the rather large paw print on the dirt. He sighed after moving his hand on it, erasing it and standing up. "Now all we are doing is waiting to see if she found it. She should be here soon."

"She? There's someone else? But you didn't mention her when making the plan Shikamaru." Choji said as he walked up to stand beside his friend.

"Well she better not slow us down." Kiba said as he grabs Akumaru and placed him on the ground to stretch, earning small bark of glee from the small canine. "And if you needed someone to track them, why didn't you just ask Akumaru and me? We're some of the best trackers in the village!"

"Ahh, you're such a drag sometimes. She was there when the Hokage assigned this mission to me and she has more skill in tracking things then you, insitinc wise. That's why she left before hand to get a head start on it so we wouldn’t waste any time." Shikamaru pinched the bridge of his nose when he explained it.

"Do you mean that it's Harmony that went ahead?" Naruto suddenly asked. Two out of the other four gave him a weird look. (We all know Neji is too mature to do that.)

"Harmony? Didn't she just leave for training?" Choji asked him, Naruto nodded in response.

"Yeah, she left us all notes saying she would be gone for a few years, but this morning I saw Nala with Shikamaru, and she's always with Harmony." Naruto explained, but tilted his head to the side. "But Nala wasn't with him when I got back... I wonder if she went to where Harmony is..."

"Nala? You mean that tiny little cat that's Harmony's pet?" Kiba snorted. "I beat she's nothing compared to Akamaru. And no wonder I smelled cat on you Shikamaru. What did she do, ride on your shoulder or something?"

"Hey! Don't talk like that abou-" Naruto was, trying to defend Nala, but was cut off by Neji, who had been staring off into the trees the whole time.

"Someone is coming." He said, making everyone tense suddenly. After they had all stop talking the sound of someone, or something walking towards them could be heard.

'And I thought I could smell dog over here. Just like I told Shikamaru this morning, I'm not always small." A voice suddenly rang out, but it wasn't out loud, but in their head. Kiba, Choji and even Neji looked a little alarmed. They watched as a massive golden coat cat walked out of the forest, her emerald eyes shining, and her tail swaying side to side. 'You really shouldn't judge a book by the cover Kiba. And just to clear up the air, I am not some ‘pet’; I am Harmony's fighting partner and family. So in a way we are like you and Akamaru, except the difference is that she and I would gladly die for each other if it meant the other's safety.'

"Nala! So you and Harmony really are back! Alright!" Naruto said as he walked up to him and rubbed the top if her head, making her lean into him slightly, but then stopped and lowered her head.

'Hello Naruto. But sadly, that isn't the case...'

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Naruto asked her, but she didn't get a chance to answer, because the heavily insulated Kiba decided to voice his thoughts.

"Oi! If you and Harmony are always together and willing to die for each other, then where in hell is she? Her scent that lingers around you is stale, so you haven't been around her for nearly half a day!!" He yelled at her, making her lift up her head and glare at him.

'Right now I am making sure she doesn't die on me, you insufferable halfwit! Do you really think that Sasuke was the only one Orochimaru was after?!! Think for once!!! Yes, her scent is stale, and the last time I saw her was last night! When do you think Sasuke left?!?!' She growled, her 'voice' un-characteristic dark and full of anger as she stalked towards Kiba, who was now regretting that he even spoke up. The only reason she didn't reach him and smack him across the face with her giant paw was because Shikamaru stepped in front of her, signally to stop.

"Uh, this is such a drag." He muttered under his breath when she stopped, but was still growling and baring her teeth.

"She's gone, isn't she? That's why it's only you here. You joined the search to get Harmony back." Neji said after Shikamaru sighed. No one had said anything after Nala's outburst, and he saying, along with Nala dropping her head, finalized it.

"Wait... Harmony... She left too?" Choji asked slowly.

'No. It's like Neji said, she was taken. Last night. Rin and I went to gather wood while she set up camp. We were ambushed, and knock unconscious. When we came too she was gone, with five scents all around where she was. Four I don't know... But, one was Kotori.' When she said this Naruto clenched his fist, remembering the last time he had saw him, holding a kunia to Rin’s throat and taunting Harmony. 'They lead to the village after that. I found their scents again this morning, and Sasuke is with them, as well as Harmony's still. They aren't too far away. I guess they passed by near here a few hours ago, but I think we can catch up.' She then looked up to Shikamaru who was still standing in front of her.

'Who's got the job of watching our backs?' She asked him, making him tilt his head to Neji.

"Neji, because of his byakugan. Kiba and Akamaru have the front, then me, Naruto, and finally Choji.' She nodded her head, and then walked up to Neji.

'Well, I guess you can take a ride on my back. That way you won't have to worry about watching your front for signals, even if you do have 360 degree vision. Just focus on our backs and I'll focus on our fronts.' Neji slowly nodded his head, but his face was a void of emotions, just like always as he climbed onto her back. She didn't want to admit it, but Neji weight a considerable amount more than Harmony, nonetheless, she wasn't going to let it slow her down. 'Let's get going Shikamaru.... And sorry for snapping at your Kiba. I didn't mean what I said before. I do know that you would do anything for Akamaru, and Akamaru's feelings are likewise.'

Kiba rubbed the back of his head in an awkward style at Nala's apology. "It's okay. I didn’t know what was going on when I said it..." He said, and after that he rubbed the top of Akamaru's head when he gave Nala a pleasant 'bark', saying that he too forgave her,

"Come on guys?! What are we waiting for? Nala said they are close by! We got to go and bring Sasuke and Harmony back to the village!" Naruto yelled as his legs itched ready to run again. Everyone shared a look and nodded. They need to get going.

'Kiba, you can catch their scent about 2 miles south west of here. It's a little jumbled because of how many people there are, but Harmony's and Sasuke's scents you should easily pick out.'

Kiba nodded his head before turning his head to the south and sniffed the air and nodded again, his eyes closed in concentration. "I think I got it. It's a little stale, but track-able." He informed, but everyone nodded their heads.

"Then let’s go." With that they all leapt into the trees, heading south. A pair of yellow eyes followed them as they disappeared before ruffling its feathers and taking off to the sky, keeping watchful eye on the group as it elegantly soared through the air, releasing a shrill cry as it pumped its powerful white wings.

------ff--------

"Hey Nala, do you smell that?" Kiba asked as he sniffed the air. Nala, even though Kiba could see it, nodded her head as she pushed off another tree branch at their fast pace, making sure she didn't rock her body so she would cause trouble for the slightly heavy load on her back.

'Yeah. It would be a little hard to miss it.' She told him as she wrinkled her nose slightly when it caught the scent again.

"What is it?" Shikamaru asked them.

"There's a smell of blood... And it's close!" Kiba told him, his voice a little bit higher from alert. Akamaru joined in with a small whine from where he was perched in his jacket. "I can smell the scent of six n shinobis, including Sasuke and Harmony. They were fighting two other shinobis. But the six of 'em are getting further away from the smell of blood! What's our plan!?"

"I see... There are people assisting Sasuke."

"Well, let's hurry up and chase after Sasuke!!" Naruto yelled, causing Kiba to yell back at him.

"Dammit Naruto, shut your trap! It’s up to Shikamaru to decide! Don't boss us around!!"

"If you two can smell blood that could only mean that there was some form of combat. If we go there, I bet we can gather some sort of information... But, we must approach carefully. We must switch to scouting positions and proceed with caution." Shikamaru said with an intellectual calm voice.

"If we were to do that... Sasuke would be crossing the border." Neji said in an equally calm voice.

'Plus, there are only six scents. There should be seven, but I can't find the damn bird's scent, so I bet he went on ahead of them.' Nala said from beneath him.

"What are we going to do!?" Naruto questioned, drop of sweat running down the one side of his face, leaving a small trail in it’s wake.

"... Alright, we'll go after Sasuke and Harmony!" Shikamaru commanded everyone.

"Roger that! That's how it should be!!"

'Couldn't have put it better myself Shikamaru!'

"However! If there was a fight, which only means that the enemy's alertness has risen. They must be prepared for pursuing shinobi. This means we'll likely be facing lot of traps and ambushes." When Shikamaru gave a slight pause, Choji gulped loudly.

"Alright, from now on, use both your noses and eyes to their full potential! We have to find them before they can ambush us! Also, if you detect suspicious movement, don't just avoid it! Analyze it!!"

"ALRIGHT!! IF I FIND THEM, I'LL BEAT THE HELL OUT OF THEM WITH MY NEW JUTSU!!"

'KIBA! SNAP OUT OF IT!!! ”Nala yelled at him after a few seconds, alerting him from his thoughts, which he was so caught up in that he didn't noticed the scent that they were surrounded in, and that it was so strong that Nala was curling her nose. The moment he did he flinched.

"HEY! THE STENCH OF THE ENEMY IS ALL OVER THIS PLACE!" He yelled back to everyone.

"EVERYONE, STOP!!" Commanded Shikamaru, all five (but really four because Neji was riding on Nala's back) landed on a thick tree branch almost all at the same time. "Look closer up there."

Nala craned her head as far back it could go until she saw the same paper suck on a tree with the work 'explosion' on it.

"Barrier seal?"

"It’s a form of ninjutsu trap." Shikamaru explained to his best friend's question. "Seal-type traps are triggered when the enemy enters an area encircled by the trap seals. I read it in my dad's book; it's a high class ninjutsu..."

"Damn. We have no other way than to flank it?" Kiba asked, reflected how everyone was annoyed by this.

"Yeah, but let's stick to the ground." He responded, before dropping down off the tree trunk, closely followed by the rest.

--

"Shit, we keep coming up against so many traps!" Kiba almost yelled after they had to go around their sixth trap.

"Well, at least the enemy doesn't seem to have much time either. I see a lot of rushed work." Shikamaru replied.

'Yeah, but still. My patience is starting to run a little thin here...' Nala grumbled, now walking in front of Neji. She blinked tiring when she saw Naruto move slightly out of line, and right to their seventh trap. 'Hey Naruto. Be careful! There's a wire right under your next step.'

"Hey hey! Naruto, you better not trigger it!!" Kiba continued for her.

"I know! I know!" Naruto exclaimed as he went to step over the wire, but a small flash of light caught Nala's and Shikamaru's eyes.

"Naruto! Wait!!" He cried out, making Naruto halt mid step with his shadow-possession jutsu, clingy onto Choji's scarf for dear life.

'That's cutting it a bit close...' Nala said with a deep sigh after Shikamaru had stopped him from setting of their eighth trap. 'I'm going to get grey fur before the end of this rescue mission...'

"I see... One of the wires is intentionally made visible from reflecting rays; the other wire is camouflaged in green. It's difficult to detect with the naked eye... It's a double trap." Neji explained as he examined the two wires.

"Hmmm, well-made trap for a rush job." Shikamaru speculated. "But, this only mean-"

"They are resting. Either they are wounded, or it's a trap." Neji finished, slowly standing up from his crouched position, and then fully activating is Byakugan. "Caught them." He finally said after he caught sight of the group of people they were tailing, all covered in dirt and panting slightly, looking haggard from a battle.

"ALRIGHT! LET'S GO BRING SASUKE AND HARMONY BACK!!"

"Naruto, sorry, but now it's my turn to show off my new trick!" Kiba exclaimed, and as always, Akamaru joined in with him with a small bark.

"Mine too!" Choji added excitedly for once.

'All I got are the same old tricks, but they've never failed me. Bring it on!'

"Don't be hasty... As soon as I get my strategy laid down, we'll engage our target!" Shikamaru said, trying to get the four riled up fighters to calm down a little.

--

"Kiba, don't miss the timing when you use the smoke bomb." Shikamaru instructed, getting a nodded and “Roger" from Kiba. "Alright, let's split into two squads." Everyone nodded their head before they split up, Naruto with Kiba and Choji while Shikamaru was with Neji and Nala. The last three went onto the opposite direction and moved closer to the group they were tailing, and when they got in line of sight, silently hid behind a bush, making sure to keep an eye on them at all times.

"Huh? Where's Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked as he looked though the branches, only seeing five people, four sitting down, one of the four sitting on a giant barrel, and a fifth, lying a little ways away, wearing a deep green clock that covered the face, hair, and body, making it completely impossible to identify if it was friend or foe with just sight. 'Where's Harmony as well. I don't see her. Unless she's the one with the cloak....'

"Hmmmm. It seems like... Sasuke is within that coffin." Neji told him.

"Is he dead!?"

"There seem to be some sort of barrier surrounding the coffin, and it's difficult to see though. However, I doubt they'd kill Sasuke in such a hurry, considering how much they wanted him."

"Yeah... You're right."

'He's alive.' Nala interjected, gaining attention of the other two. 'He's scent is still fresh, so unless they just killed him about five minutes ago, he's still alive... But, I can't smell Harmony anymore... It's like something is blocking out her scent. I could smell it about six miles back, but now, nothing.'

"Yeah, there's also something off about that one cloaked figure. Just like with the coffin, I cannot see past it. Whoever it is, they do not want to be identified."

'Odd... The rest are just sitting ther-' Nala cut herself off when some motion in the corner of her sight caught her attention. She slowly turned her head to see a medium size bird of prey silently land on a branch high up in a tree nearby.

Nala would have wrote it off as a nothing to be concerned about if it hadn't been to its unusual traits. It was no bird Nala had ever seen before in this region, and even though she did not know of it, she knew that it's stark white feathers that almost look translucent and like crystals were not normal, or how those beady yellow eyes that stared at her where much her own emerald ones, they held more intelligence in them then what a normal animal should hold, and they also held what Nala could only describe as bloodlust mixed with a colossal amount of undisguised hatred. It seem like a cloak of death loomed around it and the feeling those eyes gave her sent a shiver all the way up from the base of her skull to the tip of her tail. No, that bird was not normal.

The bird spared her one last look before it looked towards the same group she should be paying attention to. She could sense the bloodlust in the air multiply when the bird laid eyes on the group. It clucked it beak silently once, almost like it was daring the ninjas to notice her. 'Guys. I know this might be a little crazy. But I don't think we are the only ones after these guys...' Shikamaru and Neji both looked at her, so she motioned her head to the bird. 'I think it's out for blood. I can feel its anger from here.'

"There's something wrong with that bird. I cannot see any of its points on it, but I can see through it like it's not even there." Neji said, a little muffled by this bird like Nala was.

"Well, as long as it's after them and not use I am sure it will be just fine." Shikamaru whispered his eyes back on the group. But he did leave some attention on the bird. It was odd, he had never seen any birds like that in any of the forest in the Land of Fire, and all the books his mother had forced him to read on the animals in the surrounding area not once was a bird similar to this mentioned.

Thunk! Fizz!