"Where the hell is she?" Kiba asked no one in particular, annoyed as all hell that once again, they were standing there geared up and ready to go for twenty freaking minutes after the time they were to have departed.

"Where the hell is who?" Naruto's arrival was punctuated by a gasp and a thud, as once again the effect of having Naruto Uzumaki stand next to her proved to be more than Hinata Hyuuga could handle. "Kiba is upset because Kurenai is late for our mission," a quiet voice replied. "Do you have those smelling salts?" Shino asked, cradling an unconscious Hinata. Kiba gave an exasperated sigh and began digging in his pouch. He'd bought them the day Naruto had returned to the village two years ago, just for moments like this.

"Sitter canceled. Baa-chan put me on instead." Naruto was grinning happily as the implication of what he'd said sank in. "You.. All realize what this means… right?" Kiba asked, almost afraid of the answer. "Na -Na- Naruto ku- kun is, um, leading the mission? In place of Kurenai sensei?" Hinata guessed from where she had fallen on the ground. "Yes, that is what it means." Shino responded, still quiet, helping her to stand.

"So, what do we do first, Sensei?" Kiba asked the blonde sarcastically. That was an excellent question. Naruto hadn't led a mission before. If anyone noticed Kiba studying Naruto they didn't comment on it. He's kind of cute like that, with his eyes narrowed like he's trying to solve a math problem. Wait, what? Maybe Hinata's disease is contagious or something.

"It'll take four days to get to the land of hills. We will travel using this formation. Kiba and Akamaru will take point, since with his nose he will be aware of enemies first. In the center side by side will be Shino and me. I can defend left with the shadow clones and Shino can defend right with the bugs. Hinata will be at the back, since she can see behind with her Byakugan." With a start Kiba snapped out of whatever strange thoughts he'd been having about Naruto's mouth as he spoke. The other three team members nodded slowly. Kiba had to give credit where it was due, that was a pretty good travel formation; they would be protected on all sides.

A/N First chapter is short, my apoligies, the others will be longer. AFF wants html and apparently wants .wps, and that's why the quotes were missing first time around.