"We'll split up," Neji declared. "I'll go with Naruto and we'll check the lower levels of the manor. You and the shrink can check the upper levels."

"I don't think that's wise," Keiji began, but he was stopped by Kakashi's motioning hand.

"Very well, we'll all meet back here in 20 minutes."

Nodding, the group split up, each heading to their respective parts of the manor. However, Keiji's reservations at the decision still lingered

"Do you trust the Hyuga boy?" he asked.

"Of course not," Kakashi replied. "We're going to pretend to search the area, just to let Neji think he's alone. If he tries to eat Naruto, we can act and disable him, hopefully without having to splatter another ninja's brains over the walls."

"I hope you know what you're doing..."

**************************************************************************** *********************

The lower levels of the manor were as equally dark and univiting as the other parts. Expecting a warm reception and a steaming bowl of ramen, Naruto couldn't help but be dissapointed at the rather spartan reception he recieved.

"Oh this sucks," he groaned aloud, even as Neji remained silent. "No ramen, no light, how could this get any worse?"

Silence. Neji obviously wasn't interested in humoring the paranoid genin, choosing to look around for any signs of weaponry. The silence did little to deter Naruto's pleas for attention, even as he continued to search.

"Hello, guy having a mental breakdown over here!" Naruto shouted getting right in front of Neji. His grab at attention finally warranted a reply.

"We should look in there. That room is generally kept empty."

"Oh, you're hopeless," Naruto groaned, even as he went into the room. However, when he entered, all he saw was a single table.

"I don't see any weapons."

"You need to go inside," Neji replied, carefully locking the door behind him as he snuck into the room.

"Still nothing."

Hiding his annoyance with Naruto's lack of common sense, Neji continued, even as he approached with his mouth open.

"Probably by that closet."

Given another second, and Neji would have swallowed Naruto whole before the young man could say "Believe it!" At least, that's what would have happened, had the loud crack of the wood door beign shattered not diverted the attention of both.

"Who's there?!" they asked in unison.
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June 2
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