After finally returning home from their little adventure at six in the morning, Kazumi and Kiba fell asleep as soon as they entered their house. The forest turned out to be a type of Genjutsu cast to make them look like they were going around in circles. Since neither of them are good at Genjutsu, it took them a while to figure out how to release it. Once they finally got out of the woods, Kiba took Akamaru, Tsukiyama and Kazumi to his sister who is a vet. She got a bit angry at him for waking her up so early but helped them with their pets anyway. In the end, they were both so tired after running around and walking around for more than sixteen hours they didn't even reach their bed.
Everyone helped to repair the village until the next Hokage would come, no one went on jobs or tried making a disturbance. After a week, a new Hokage arrived in the village. Her name was Tsunade and she was one of the legendary Sannin. The whole village brightened up with the news, they will finally have a leader. Soon the ninja's began to going out on jobs like usual, but many still had to protect the village and stay behind. Kazumi took the opportunity to ask the Hokage about her squad and left early in the morning. Soon she was standing in front of the door deciding which place is the best to knock, she hesitated and knocked in the middle of it.
"Come in!" answered a voice from inside the room. Kazumi took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Inside was sitting a middle aged woman with long blonde hair and had her nose in documents.
"S-sorry to interrupt Lady Hokage, but I have something to ask you," starting to fiddle with her long hair again, Kazumi stepped in and closed the door behind her.
"And who are you?" Lady Tsunade asked not lifting her head from the documents.
"I'm Kazumi Yamashina," she said nervously. Her name made Lady Tsunade look up from her documents with raised eyebrows.
"So what do you want?" asked Tsunade linking her hands together.
"I-I was wondering what I should do now as my team is gone.." Kazumi got cut of by a knock on the door and the squeaking of it opening. A boy with dark spiky hair tied back walked into the room.
"Oh Shikamaru, I have a job for you.." Lady Tsunade said and straightened up placing her hands on the desk. "Late last night, Sasuke Uchiha left the Hidden Leaf Village," she began and ignored the surprised look on Shikamaru's face. "And it is quiet certain that he is heading for the Hidden Sound Village."
"He just left?! How could this happen?!" asked Shikamaru looking shocked and surprised. Kazumi however looked confused.
"Simple, Orochimaru must have him in his clutches!" Lady Tsunade responded lifting her linked hands to her mouth.
"Huh?!" Kazumi finally understood but got an uneasy feeling that she shouldn't be hearing this.
"What?! Wait, that doesn't make any sense.. What does Sasuke get to gain by talking to someone as depraved as Orochimaru?" asked the confused Shikamaru.
"His motive doesn't matter, we need to deal with it quickly. I decided it's time to have you carry out your first mission as a Chunin," the Hokage said in a dead serious tone.
"So all I gotta do is Bring Sasuke back?" he asked and then looked dead serious too.
"Yes, that's your mission. But it must be accomplished without delay and you might find it a more dangerous task than you think..." a shiver run down Kazumi's spine and she quickly began to fiddle with her hair again. Shikamaru's eyes widened with her words. "There is a strong possibility that Sasuke is being accompanied by and guarded by Orochimaru's men..."
"Well, if we're going to be facing of with them, I' gonna need a team most exclusively of Jonin and Chunin," Shikamaru shrugged and Lady Tsunade Looked down.
"I can't honor that request!" she said sharply. "As I'm sure you're aware, most Jonin have been sent out on missions. And the other shave stayed behind incase of an attack. Go round up any skilled Genin that you feel are up for the job... you have thirty minutes to leave this village!"
"The whole thing is just a drag but I do know the guy so I can't let it go..." he said putting a hand on the door knob. "But that's just the way things are I guess..."
Lady Tsunade smiled and looked up at the two twelve year olds in her room. "Hold on... there is someone I strongly recommend you to take..."
Shikamaru and Kazumi ended up listening to Naruto's shouting. "Grrr.. Hey Hold On A Second! I'll Go Get Dressed!" he shouted and ran into another room. After a minute or so, he came out wearing his orange jumpsuit stuffing Kunai knives into his pockets. "Alright! Let's Go!" Naruto said and started running but stopped in his doorway and turned around to face Kazumi. "You're coming too, right?" he asked her and she nodded. "I like your slippers!" he said and continued running. Kazumi looked down and found that she was wearing her bunny slippers and blushed quickly jogging up to them.
"I forgot to take Tsukiyama, I'll find you in a bit," she said and sprinted to her house. She opened her wardrobe and began taking out her clothes. She got dressed in a orange jumper and white shorts. She then rushed into another room where she got two short swords, which she put into her belt and a bag across her shoulder. After grabbing her small sleepy cub, she sprinted outside again forgetting to tie her hair. She saw Naruto's yellow hair and run up to him to find the three man team she left, now a six man team. "I'm back!" she said as she joined the running group. 'Be brave! They are kind people... no need to be shy!'
"Oh hey errm.." Naruto said looking over at her. "What's your name again?"
"It's Kazumi," Kazumi smiled and placed Tsukiyama on the floor to make her run.
"Hi!" a boy said wearing a grey hood and smiled at her. she somehow recognized him but wasn't sure where from, she still smiled back. The team ran up until the entrance too the village where the team captain, Shikamaru, stopped.
"Alright! LETS GO! FOLLOW ME!" shouted Naruto jumping into the air in excitement.
"Hey, err Naruto.. I'm Kinda supposed to be the Platoon Leader here. I know it's a drag but..." started Shikamaru but got interrupted by Naruto.
"Humph...You sure your the best person too direct this operation? You don't seem very reliable too me," Naruto said annoyed about the team did not listening to his excited.
"What's up with you acting like your in charge Naruto? I mean, taking orders from some body as lazy as Shikamaru is doesn't exactly thrill me either. But still.." Kiba said smirking at Naruto's face.
"But none of you get to decide who's the leader because Shikamaru is the only one of us that's a Chunin so the elders of the village clearly believe that he has what it takes to call that shots on this one..." Choji added annoyed at Naruto for his comment on his teammate.
"You know... I'm not the only Team Leader..." Shikamaru asked and pointed at Kazumi. "She's one too."
"WHAT?! That's not fair! She isn't even a Chunin like YOU! Why is she a Tem Leader!?" Shouted Naruto even more annoyed. Kazumi looked down slightly embarrassed, she then looked over at Shikamaru who rolled his eyes leaving her too explain.
"Well, I took part in the Chunin exams that were on earlier this year, but I failed in the final round. I was the only one that got into the finals from my class," Kazumi said and unconsciously fiddled with her blue hair.
"No Way!? That mean's you're as powerful as me! Did you win the match?" Naruto asked and jumped closer to her to get a nod in response. "I like you!"
"Anyway, we should start working on a plan. From what I heard, Sasuke has them Sound Ninja's guarding him and there's a big chance of us running into them, or the enemy ambushing us" Neji said and Shikamaru smirked.
"For starters, this I a rescue mission so we would be in a position of pursuit. Which means that the enemy has a major advantage over us. That said, I am arranging us in a assault position..." Shikamaru began explaining." If any of you don't follow my exact orders.. we're all gonna die. Ok we're gonna go for a single file strike formation. As we all know the most important position is the spear head, so that's gonna be... Kiba, you're up front, with all the walks you and Akamaru take you are the most familiar with the Land of Fire's terrain and with that sensitive nose of yours, you'll be able to track Sasuke's scent and any booby traps the enemy might have set. Next in line will be yours truly, Platoon leader. From that position I'll be able to use silent hand signs to direct everyone behind me and because I'm so close to Kiba I will be able to react to any situation."
"Oh an d what about ?" Naruto said with his eyes glittering in anticipation.
"Your number three," Kazumi answered drawing out he the order in the sand.
"Yeah because you're capable of executing quick move either to the front or the back." Shikamaru explained again. "After you is Choji, you might not have a lot of speed but your striking power is the greatest of the Platoon members. Then it's Kazumi, we don't know much abut her strength but seeing that she got so far in the Chunin exams, she has some power. And finally Neji, your position is the most difficult, rear lookout. I want you to use your Byakugan to scan around and warn us if there's any danger."
"Ok so take a look at this," Kazumi said pointing at a large drawing she did n the sand. "It shows which part you're responsible to look out for."
"Alright, now I need to take a look at the weaponry, the Ninja tools you're planning to use in battle," said Shikamaru and took out a small empty scroll and handed it over to Neji.
"Ok, as soon as I check out the weapons, we'll go," Neji said and wrote down everyone's name.
"Me First!" Naruto pushed past everyone and opened his leg pouch. With just one glance he scribbled down the number of each thing he had. Everyone had their tools counted except Kazumi. Once it was her turn she sat down and l began taking out all the thing she sad stuffed in her pockets, sleeves and even from her hair.
"How many thing have you got?" Kiba asked looking surprised at the amount.
"A lot... I guess," she answered quietly while still taking out Senbon from her sleeves. "Ok, I think that's it..." Kazumi said looking down at the large pile of tools she pulled out.
"May I ask what these are?" Neji asked pointing at the two short sword.
"Well, they don't really have a name, they run through my clan..." she answered shortly.
"Alright, let's move out," Shikamaru instructed...
"Wait!" a high voice called after the team.
"Huh?" they turned around to find Sakura standing in the entrance. They walked towards her leaving Kazumi behind pinning in all the Senbon and Kunai knives she took out, back into her clothes and hair. Once she was done, she walked over to the group.
"Don't worry Sakura! I promise I'll bring back Sasuke! I promise that on my life!" Naruto said putting his thumbs up at the sobbing Sakura.
"It's our mission, and we won't fail," Kazumi added trying to cheer her up and grinned showing her oddly sharp canines.
"Thank you... thank you... all..." Sakura said between her sobs
"Well Come On! What Are We Waiting For?! Let's Get Going!" Naruto shouted putting his hand up in the air. This time, the others nodded and smiled. The team got into the well thought out ordered line and began their dangerous mission.
