Naruto's group at first, and they make some plans!

As Naruto, Temari, Kakashi, and the Anko Clone moved quickly towards the Akatsuki Hideout, silent for the first thirty minutes. "...so... What's the game plan when we arrive?" Temari asked.

"I'm thinking our best bet is two sets of two on one," Kakashi replied. "Naruto and Anko's copy against Sasori, you and I against Deidara."

"Oh? And what are your reasons, Scarecrow?" Anko asked Kakashi with a smirk. "Not that I disagree, just want to be sure we're all reading the same scroll."

"Yeah, spill, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto replied. "We gotta know the strategy, right?"

Kakashi gave them an eye smile, and explained, "Well, given what Naruto told us, Deidara is a long range fighter, which makes him difficult for close range combatants to face, at least not without an ambush, and/or a solid strategy. That makes him a bad match up in general for Naruto."

"So I'm just avoiding that particular fight because I'm not a good match for him?" Naruto asked, almost offended. "Pawning me off on the other guy instead?"

"Not at all. Because I think you're actually our best bet against Sasori as well. Based on him being a puppeteer, he'll be using a lot of puppets. The more skilled a puppeteer is, the more puppets they can control. That would normally give him a numbers advantage," Kakashi remarked. "But you can completely negate that and beat him at his own game with your Shadow Clones. Furthermore, with Sasori's poisons, your constitution and healing factor will hopefully give you enough resistance to avoid too much trouble, even if he does get a hit on your original body."

"...and no matter how many clones he kills with said poisons..." Naruto realized. "It won't really affect me unless he hits my actual body... but what about Anko?"

"Well, Master, I am a magical clone after all..." Anko grinned. "And even if I wasn't, genies can't really be destroyed unless it's by esoteric means. And I mean, really esoteric. Even if my original body is completely destroyed, it will simply turn back into the mist, and reconstitute itself within the lamp."

"Ah... I was actually thinking that you have decent poison resistance yourself, given your affinity for snakes, and also that you knew medical techniques that could potentially aid in the battle, but that also makes sense," Kakashi remarked.

"Wait, you know medical ninjutsu?" Naruto asked Anko's copy, who simply gave a sadistic grin.

"Of course, Master. I work in the **** and Interrogation division after all... it helps prolong what I can do to certain tough nuts..." Anko purred. Naruto shuddered, sorry he asked.

"And you and me against Deidara?" Temari questioned Kakashi.

"Your ranged wind techniques can help intercept his own attacks, and I have a few tricks of my own," Kakashi replied simply.

"Good," Temari nodded, before they froze as they saw something up ahead. Or rather, two some_ones _up ahead. Wearing the garb of the Akatsuki.

"Shit, Itachi and Kisame..." Naruto cursed as the group landed in front of the two.

"I'm guessing you caught on to the fact that we were coming, and were sent to delay us?" Kakashi narrowed his eye.

Itachi didn't bat an eye. "That is correct," he replied in his usual monotone. "Though it is curious how you managed to find the trail so quickly..."

Kisame snorted. "Like hell it's correct! Stall, nothing! I'm gonna slaughter you all!"

"Kisame, remember, we at the very least need Naruto alive," Itachi reminded his partner.

"Tch, fine, but I'm taking off his limbs!" Kisame replied. "Our leader might even appreciate that, will make sure he doesn't escape when we bring him in!"

"...move," Naruto growled, in no mood for this as he drew a kunai.

...

Meanwhile, with Anko and Sakura...

"...so, Pinkie, how does Master look lately?" Anko questioned Sakura, grinning mischievously as they traveled towards the Sand Village.

"...what do you mean?" Sakura asked, her response guarded. Just because she accepted Anko being a Sex Genie after Naruto's wish for her to have full understanding, didn't mean she wanted to really participate in her games. "And don't call me that!"

"Come on, you gotta admit, he's definitely quite attractive now, isn't he?" Anko asked her teasingly.

"...I mean, sure, but that doesn't mean I'm into him, if that's what you're thinking!" Sakura huffed.

Anko smirked as she let her movements take her just a bit closer to Sakura, and gave her ass a slap. As Sakura yelped, Anko laughed. "Sorry, couldn't resist. You've got yourself a very sweet ass..."

"Damn it, Anko!" Sakura growled, going scarlet. "If we weren't in a hurry, I'd clock you upside the head for that!"

Anko snorted. "Promises, promises," she replied carelessly. "Didn't that feel good though?"

"...that's not the point!" Sakura grumbled, deciding it wasn't worth bothering to try to lie to a Sex Genie. "There's such a thing as consent, you know!"

"...okay, fair, I could learn a thing or two about boundaries... but still, what's your actual issue with some sexy, casual fun? You don't need to have romantic feelings for someone to have sex with them, and enjoy doing so. It's called having "friends with benefits.""

Sakura sputtered, her face going a shade of red that Anko would not have thought possible if not for the fact that she knew Hinata. "That's... I'm not a slut!" she protested.

"What's wrong with being a slut?" Anko questioned. "Sure, you got a bunch of prudes all over society, who think there's something wrong with it... but who should care about them? It's no one's business but your own what you do with your body and other, consenting adults..."

"This conversation is over!" Sakura grumbled, putting her hands over her ears, and shouting, "Lalalalalala!"

Anko cackled. "Careful, Pinkie, you still need to keep an ear out for threats, don't you?" Sakura of course, wasn't listening, and Anko sniggered. She decided to drop the conversation... for now. Her Master was quite interested in Sakura, and that made her want to seduce the pinkette for him.