The next morning Ai woke to a sunny day. He slowely climbed out of bed and got in the shower. He got dressed and tied his headband around his forehead. This morning he had a meeting with Tsunade about the coming chunin exam and if he was late again, she would send him through the wall. He ate a bit of breakfast, locked up the appartment, and started for the Hokage's office. He took about three steps and came face to face with a girl.

"Hello Ai, got a minute?" the blonde girl asked.

"Hello Ino, and I really need to be getting to Tsunade..."

"It will only take a minute," she replied. Ai let out a sigh of defeat and Ino smiled mischieviously. "Good, now, what is Hinata to you?" Ai wasn't surprised that she new how he felt about Hinata. She had a talent for involving herself in other people's relationships.

"What's it to you?" he asked.

"Well, I want to help you out," she answered "if you want it, that is. Me and Choji are going out tonight and I was thinking we could make it a double date."

"I appreciate you wanting to help, but it won't do any good, she doesn't feel anything for me." he said. It hurt him to voice it outloud, but it was true.

"Then we can make it a blind date," she suggested.

"How can it be a blind date when I know who I''m set up with?" he asked.

"A blind date for her dummy. I can tell her I set her up with some guy on a blind date. Of course you would know that you're on a date with her, but when you saw her act surprised." Ai thought about this for a minute, but decided against it. Yes, he really cared for Hinata, but he knew that any attempt to hook up with her would end in failure.

"I'm sorry Ino, but I would rather not. It wouldn't work anyway. She's still really upset about Naruto and Sakura, and the last thing I want is for her to worry about me too."

"Awww, that's so sweet," she said with a girly squeal, "and very noble of you. And I can understand how she feels too. I knew that those two would end up together eventually, but I know how upset she must be. If Choji loved someone else, I don't know what I would do..." she said as a grim look came over her face. "Fine then, if you don't want my help, I'll stay out of it. But I still think you should at least tell her how you feel."

"I appreciate you're advice, I really do, but I'm not going to bother her with my feelings." Ai checked the time. "I really have to get going. If I don't get to Tsunade soon, I won't be around long enough for Hinata to worry about me," he said with a nervouse smile.

"All right then, I'll see you later then Ai," Ino said. Ai broke into a run as he weaved throught the crowd, trying to reach the Hokage's office. He was running really late. Tsunade was going to be furious. He ran up the stairs and knocked on the door. "Come in," he heard come from the other side. Good, she didn't sound to upset. Maybe he was in the the clear. He opened the door and stepped inside. Tsunade sat at her desk writing on a piece of paper. Her assistant, Shizune, stood beside her pouring a cup of tea.

"Ah, Ai, i've been expecting you," Tsunade said. Ai walked forward and stood in front of her desk. Standing before her like this always felt like being put on trial to him. One wrong move and he could ignite that explosive temper of hers.

"Good morning Lady Tsunade, I have reviewed the entrants for the chunin exam and they all seem to be prime candidates. I will---"

"Yes, yes, I'm quite sure that you have everything under control with the chunin exam. That's not why I called you here this morning. I have a mission for you. We're just waiting for you're partner to arrive," she said as someone knocked on the door. "Come in," Tsunade called and the door opened. In walked Hinata.

"You s-summoned me Lady Tsunade?" she said. "H-hello Ai-kun," she said when she saw him. His heart lept when she said his name.

"Good, now that you're both here, I can give you your mission," Tsunade said. She opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out a folder. "We have reports of Sound ninja patroling the border. You two are to find these ninja and take them out. Normally, we would send more than two for such a mission, but with Ai's exceptional sound techniques and Hinata's byakugan, I felt that the two of you would be more than enough to handle a few renagade Sound ninja."

"Excuse me Lady Tsunade, but why are there Sound ninja patroling the border, didn't Sasuke take Orochimaru out? Why would they still be around when thier leader is dead?" Ai asked.

"We think that they are just rouge shinobi posing as sound ninja. Or maybe they're just stray sound ninja looking to cause trouble. Either way, they don't pose much of a threat considering their numbers, so this mission is only B-ranked. However, I want you two to take this as seriously as you would an A-ranked mission. The last thing we need are some leftover sound ninja causing trouble in the village."

"D-don't you think it would be better if Neji was sent instead of me?" Hinata questioned.

"Neji is already on a mission and won't be back for several days. Besides, I think that you will be a much better choice for this mission than your cousin," Tsunade said with a mischevious grin.

"You'll do fine Hinata. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have on this mission with me than you," Ai said smiling. He couldn't help but notice the look he got out of the corner of Tsunade's eye.

"Th-thank you, Ai-kun," Hinata replied blushing. "W-we will do our best, Lady Tsunade," Hinata said nervously. With a bow, she left.

"Now Ai, I want you to protect Hinata with everything you have. She isn't very confident in herself, and in battle that can lead to disaster. Protect her with your life. Although I dont't think I need to tell you that," Tsunade said with a wink.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Ai replied blushing. Of course Tsunade would know, she knew everything that went on in the village. "I'll do my best."

"I know you will, but next time, make sure to get here on time, understood?" she said.

"Y-yes, Lady Tsunade." Ai bowed and left the office. He was both elated and distraught at the same time. He was to go on a mission with Hinata, so he could look forward to a lot of alone time with her. On the other hand, he was very worried that she would get hurt. She was a very accomplished ninja, perhaps even stronger than himself. But he just couldn't help but worry. If anything were to happen to her, he didn't know what he would do.

Shaking the thought away, he started for home to pack. On the way, he passed the ramen shop. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw someone pay the cook and leave. It was Naruto.

"Hey Ai," Naruto said when he saw Ai, "what's up?"

"Nothing really, I just got a mission from Tsunade and I'm heading home to pack."

"Awesome, I'm getting ready to head over to Sakura's place to pick her up. We have a double date with Ino and Choji tonight and she's wanting to go shopping." Apparently Ino got to Naruto and Sakura with the double date idea, Ai thought.

"That's cool. Well then, I have to go pack, then meet up with Hinata at the gate," Ai said.

"Hinata, huh? She's a strange one, alright. When ever I see her she's always fainting and getting all red in the face. It's really weird." Ai had to stop himself from punching Naruto in the face. "Well, I guess I'll see you when you get back. Later Ai."

"Yea, bye." Ai walked the rest of the way back to his appartment and packed his things, the whole while thinking about what Naruto had said about Hinata. How could he be so dense? Ai had always liked Naruto. He made the day interesting. When he had painted the stone faces of the Hokages, Ai had been unable to stop laughing at the sight. But now he couldn't hate him more. He was causing Hinata incredible pain, and was completely unaware of it! Ai punched the wall in anger and left behind a four inch hole. Great, he would have to fix that when he got back. Composing himself, Ai slung his pack over his shoulder and walked out the door. He met Hinata by the gate.
"Ready to go Hinata?" he asked.

"Y-yes, I'm ready," she replied. With that brief exchange of words, they kicked off and began the long run to the border of the fire country, and the impending battle that awaited them.