Chapter 1

Three. An odd number, for multiple reasons. Three means one teammate's missing, deserted, injured, or dead. Three means we're outnumbered, unless some of them have been defeated. Three means a time to think to yourself, 'oh shit.'

Kitane looked around hurriedly, searching for any sign of Ren, her missing teammate. Discarded kunai littered the forest floor, signs of the recent battle. The three mist-nin that had invaded had left no signs of their intended direction. Kitane turned, hearing someone coming up behind her. She slipped into a defensive crouch, her kunai at the ready. The bushes to her left rustled, and a tall ninja with gray hair stepped out, carrying a smaller form, obviously unconscious. She lowered her defenses and went to help. The two worked together, laying the small ninja out on the grass. Of course, they had to go for Ren, the smallest of their team. Kitane turned to the other ninja.

"Kakashi-sensei?"

The other looked up from what he was doing, waiting for her question. "Yes?" He spoke in a quiet voice, laced with the slightest hint of worry.

"Is he going to be all right?"

He hesitated..then lowering his head, answered uncertainly; "I don't know yet. Hopefully, he'll survive. They didn't hit him too hard. We should get hin back to the village as soon as possible, though."

She nodded, and they both looked up, startled, as another form materialized out of the shadows. A male, with shoulder-length black hair and a leaf headband around his neck. He stopped as he noticed the form on the ground.

"Ren?" he asked worriedly. At their nods, he started forward again, worried about the small boy laying on the ground. Kneeling down, he helped them check Ren's wounds.

After they finished, they gently lifted Ren and started off toward the village, and safety.

Time Skip, Ren's POV

I woke up to see not the forest, but stark whiteness surrounding me.

'Where am I?'

I tried to sit up, but was stopped by a sharp pain in my side. Gasping, I lowered myself back onto the bed. My small glimpse of the room told me I was in the hospital, back in Konoha. Great..I must have gotten myself injured again.

'Being the smallest ninja in Konohagakure sucks. I'm always getting hurt, almost every mission.'

There was a flower on the table next to my bed. A small daisy. Kitane must have gotten it from the Yamanakas. I have to admit, it was a nice gesture. Of course, I'd never let her know that I was greatful. I mean, come on, can you imagine how a girl like her would take that? I'd never hear the end of it.

'Wait..where are my teammates anyway? Why isn't anyone here?'

Then I noticed the small, folded piece of paper next to the flower. I picked it up and began to read.

Ren,

Sensei took Kian and I to get some food. We'll bring you some ramen back, promise. Hope you've woken up by the time we get back!

-Kitane

Ramen. Of course. Ichiraku was the best place to get ramen, anyone would know that. Of course, the fact that Kakashi sensei took Kitane and Kian to Ichiraku must mean that Uzumaki Naruto is back. That's comforting. And, as everyone knows, with Naruto comes Sakura and my father, Sasuke. Looking at the small table again, I noted the telltale signs my parents were back; a small bowl of mother's homemade soldier pills and a piece of cloth with the Uchiha crest on it. I smiled and laid back, waiting for everyone to return from their ramen party with food for me.