XXX
The day they left was one to remember.
XXX
"Why do you have to go?" Ino asked her brunette teammate.
"Troublesome woman," Shikamaru responded, "We've been through this before."
Chouji stopped eating to speak.
"Shikamaru…" He bagan. "I don't get it either."
"Me n-neither." Hinata spoke quietly.
Kiba cut in. "Tsunade just told us it was important."
"Training." Shino stated simply.
Shikamaru nodded. "I didn't understand it either. Why send Shino, Kiba and I together?"
Ino frowned. "and why does it have to be for months?"
"Worried?" Shikamaru questioned with a smile.
"no."
Hinata looked at her two teammates. "Will y-you be ok?"
"Hey! Are you worried?" Kiba laughed. "There is nothing to worry about!"
"It's not for long." Shino smiled from behind his collar.
XXX
Ino smiled over at Hinata as they walked down the street.
"Did Tsunade send for you too?" She asked.
Hinata quietly nodded.
Ino kept the conversation going. "Do you think it's about the boys?"
"I hope s-so…" Hinata stuttered.
"Me too." Chouji finally spoke up from behind the blonde.
It was silent the rest of the way there.
XXX
Tsunade smiled as the three ninjas entered the room.
"Hello." She began, "You must wonder why I've brought you here."
Their gaze turned to four figures behind the hokage.
They all wore matching outfits, tight with armor on top. On their faces they wore masks resembling animals.
They were anbu.
The first man wore a mask resembling a cat, behind of which a pony tail could be seem.
The second wore a mask resembling a cat, with spikey hair.
The third wore a mask resembling a bird, with spikey hair.
And the last wore a mask resembling a cheetah, with long hair in a messy ponytail.
Hinata's gaze turned to the one in the bird mask, noticing that he had a scarf around where his mouth would be.
"S-shino?" she said aloud.
Ino looked at her, confused. She looked back and gasped as they took off their masks.
Ino stared at Shikamaru, surprised.
"Your ANBU?!"
XXX
There is better after this, trust me.
