Author's Note: You all are probably amazed that I finally updated. So I won't bother to explain, and you can hurry up and read! Enjoy.

"Goodbye Hinata!" shouted an enthusiastic Ruki. "It was nice to meet you!"

Hinata waved back to the little bundle of joy and said in her hushed voice, "It was an honor to meet you too Miss Ruki!"

Ruki giggled and looked over to Akira. He was glum as usual, but he did seem a little less glum.

Jade waved her goodbye silently, and the siblings turned and took off to the Konoha gates. Jade's staff made slight thuds against the concrete sidewalk. It's such a lovely day out.

XXXxxx------xxxXXX

"What…?" said a sleepy Kiba. "Huh? Hey Akamaru, stop that!"

Akamaru continued to pull Kiba by his sleeve. Sometimes humans were just too slow.

Kiba scrambled out of bed, ungraciously. Akamaru woofed at his success, and Kiba yawned in misery. Another Saturday that he had to be up early… He showered, threw his clothes on, and walked over to his door. On the back of it was a conveniently placed calendar. The day, the day, the day… Shoot, what day is it again?

His eyes caught sight of chicken-scratch written below a certain Saturday. Konoha gates 9:00.

"Oh god… THAT'S TODAY!!!!"

XXXxxx------xxxXXX

Ino was eating breakfast when her father yelled from across the house, "Ino, darling! I'm leaving to go open the shop! Do you want to come with me?!"

Ino yelled back with equal volume—quite an easy task for her, "Sorry Daddy! I have that mission to leave for today remember?!"

There was a loud 'thunk' heard in Inochi's general direction. "Daddy?" Ino yelled. "Daddy, you all right?!"

Inoichi flew into the kitchen at lightning speed, "INO!!!" He wrapped his arms around his daughter and picked her up out of her chair, leaving her feet to dangle in the air, "Daddy stop!!" Ino pleaded.

"My dearest daughter!! I don't know what I'll do without you!" He twisted in his spot, causing Ino's body to be flung this way and that way.

"Daddy. Daddy! I'll be fine! Now put me down!! I only have fifteen minutes until I have to be at the gates! And I still have to finish eating!!"

"Oh!" Inoichi promptly dropped his daughter back in her seat. "I just remembered that your mother wanted me to open the shop early today, because she was going to start cleaning after her meeting at the Hokoage's office."

Inoichi looked to the clock and grabbed his head in madness, "OH NO!!! I'm fifteen minutes late!!! Oh your mother is going to shoot me!!!! Bye now, darling!!"

Ino sighed and proceeded to finish up her breakfast, "Sometimes, I wish Daddy wasn't so loud."

XXXxxx------xxxXXX

Shikamaru woke from a pleasant dream by his beeping alarm clock. He groaned and rolled over to forever silence the torturous contraption, only to miss the clock completely. He groaned again and slammed the alarm clock, nearly breaking it. Shikamaru sat up lazily in bed, eyes a quarter of the way open. It was very cold in his room, so when he stood up from his bed, he took the sheets with him.

He stumbled into his bathroom, stubbing his toe on the door frame. He cursed a million times as he leaned against the frame, holding his foot. When the pain left, he went to his sink and splashed his face with warm water. Perhaps that would make the room seem less cold.

Shikamaru showered then trudged back into his room, threw the sheet back onto his bed, and started to get dressed. He finished up by grabbing his vest and searching in the chest pocket that he placed his hair-tie in at night, to find it absent. "What the hell…" He said through gritted teeth.

"WHAT ELSE COULD GO WRONG?!?!?"

XXXxxx------xxxXXX

"I hope you three had a good stay here this week," said Tsunade.

"We did," replied Jade.

Tsunade turned her attention to the rest of the group, "I hope you have had enough practice and preparation time?"

"Sure did," Kiba replied happily. He looked at Ino from the corner of his eye and smirked. That victory yesterday had felt so good.

Tsunade ignored the comment and looked to the squad leader, "I assume you all are ready to leave?"

"Yes," Shikamaru replied blandly. You guys are lucky I'm even here today. I barely made it out the door…

"Now when you reach Kumo," began Tsunade, "remember to have them send message of your arrival immediately then return home as soon as possible."

"Yes, Hokage," confirmed Shikamaru.

"Alright then! I wish you good luck on your journey and a safe return trip!" Tsunade concluded.

Shikamaru looked at her, suspiciously, but she gave him a stern look back, "Watch out for the Akatsuki…"

He nodded in silent and turned to the group, "Let's head out."

"Alright!" yelled Kiba, "I can't wait to see what comes our way! It's about time that I've gotten a decent mission!" Akamaru barked at the sound of his excitement.

"Hey, Sis!" said Ruki actively, "I'll race you to that tree over there!" She took off in a sprint, Jade following closely. Akira smiled inwardly at the enthusiasm.

"Well, everybody seems to be in a good mood today," Ino pointed out.

"Sure," said Shikamaru.

"You seem gloomier than usual today, Shikamaru. Something wrong?" Ino asked.

"No." Shikamaru replied. Why is everybody so happy? Even that little Akira kid smiled.

"Shikamaru… Something must be wrong," Ino persisted.

"Nothing. Just leave me alone, will you?" he retorted.

"Well, you don't got to be such a jerk about it!" Ino strode off ahead of him, not even casting a backward glance.

The group continued to walk at an even pace, Jade in the lead with her siblings on either side of her, Ino laughing at Akamaru who was chasing a stick Kiba had just thrown, and Shikamaru lagging in the back. No one ever cast him one glance. No one cracked a joke about him. They were all in high spirits, and Shikamaru just didn't know why.

He looked at Ino, laughing without a care in the world, as she walked alongside Kiba. He was relieved to see her hanging off someone else's shoulder. Sometimes, it just seemed as if Ino lived to be around Shikamaru. She always aggravated him with her mood swings. One minute she'd be giving advice like she was a therapist and the next, she'd be biting someone's head off.

Despite the fact of relief and despite the fact of a wonderful day, something was holding Shikamaru down. Maybe it was just his normal disposition acting up. He always managed to smile when he went out with his team, but today, it wasn't his whole team. Chouji was missing. He was in the hospital, and maybe that was the reason Shikamaru was so down. He wouldn't be seeing Chouji for weeks, but he knew it was going to seem like more than that. He realized he had forgotten to stop by and say goodbye. Hopefully Chouji wouldn't worry too much. That would be bad for his recovery.

The day continued on as simple walking. A few hours passed before the group turned silent. Kiba's growling stomach suddenly interrupted it though. "Heh. Sorry about that," Kiba said sheepishly. He turned around to Shikamaru and asked, "Say, Shikamaru, you think it's alright if we take a break and eat now?"

"Yeah, whatever…" Shikamaru replied.

"Alright! I'm starving!" Kiba yelled.

Jade laughed at him and said, "Oh come on Kiba! A big, strong man like you is taken down by a growling stomach? I find that a little degrading."

"Yeah, well," Kiba slowly came up with a comeback, "a big, strong man like me needs his food!" What an idiot I am… But Kiba wouldn't let his humiliation show through. That would be degrading too.

"We should probably find a stream or something first," said Ino. "That way we can fill out canteens while we eat."

"Aw, but I'm hungry Ino…" pleaded Kiba.

"Too bad!" Ino shouted back, "It's about time you show us that big, strong man you were talking about. Because I sure haven't seen it yet."

Kiba growled and gave in, "Fine…"

Walking and murmuring then pursued until the group came up to a small stream about fifteen minutes later. Kiba immediately plopped down on the ground and pulled out some food from his bag. (I have no idea what they would eat, so I'm just saying food) Jade walked over beside him. Score… Kiba thought. She's gonna sit with me! Hah. She must not be able to resist my charm.

Jade suddenly leapt into the air, into the tree right above Kiba. Kiba looked at her, offended.

"What?" she said, "You didn't think I was going to sit with you, did you?"

Kiba hid his blush, "Of course not! You just startled me, is all"

"You Leaf ninja sure startle easily…" muttered Jade. She pulled her bag off of her back and grabbed an apple.

"Hey," started Ino. "I'm going to fill my canteen up. Anybody want to come with me?"

"Oh, I will!" said Ruki. She smiled brightly and grabbed Akira's arm, "Come with us, Akira!"

Akira almost fought back, but sighed in defeat before hand, "Fine…"

How is it that she always has a reason to smile? Ino thought. She soon brushed the thought aside and left with them, leaving Shikamaru, Jade, and Kiba alone.

"Hey Shikamaru?" Jade called from her post.

"What?" he grumbled.

"You sure seem in a foul mood today. Any particular reason?" she asked cautiously.

"No," he replied quickly.

"I guess it's just me then…" Jade faded off into silence.

Shikamaru tossed his bag to the side and lay down on the ground. He stared up at the sky, Why the heck does anybody even care? I wish people would just leave me alone.

A few minutes passed, and Jade broke the silence again, "Ino's been gone a while. I'm gonna go check up on them. I'll be back in a minute."

"Don't bother," Kiba said. "I can smell them from here. They're fine."

"Well, I'm still gonna go talk to her. I'll be back," Jade took her staff and left her perch.

She walked over to the stream and saw Ruki standing on the bank alongside Ino. Ruki turned around and yelled, "Hey, Sis! Ino just taught me how to skip rocks! Come see!"

Jade smiled and walked over to them. "Hey Ino," she greeted.

"Hey," Ino answered. "How come you're not with the boys?"

"They're boring… And is it just me or does Shikamaru have a stick up his butt today?" Jade added.

"Oh, who cares about that lump of coal? He's just being his own lazy ass self. I got used to that a while ago. He does seem a little more down today though…" Ino finished.

"So it's not just me?" Jade asked.

"No. Something's wrong. It's probably because Chouji's not here," Ino decided.

"Chouji?"

"Yeah, Chouji's his best friend. Shikamaru never really was the type to open up to people, but Chouji… Shikamaru confided everything in him. We've all known each other for about the same amount of time, but he always chose Chouji over me. Always. I guess, just knowing that he won't be able to talk to anybody just has him in a bad mood…"

"But he has you and the rest of us, doesn't he?"

Ino smiled gently as Ruki jumped up and down, yelling something to Akira. "Yes, but he'll always choose Chouji."

Akira stood, twitching his eye, "Shouldn't we be getting back to the others?"

Jade laughed at his expression. It must've been hard for him to keep a straight face while Ruki held him in a choking hug. Ino giggled and said, "Yeah, I guess so."

Akira started walking, dragging Ruki along with him, still the glum look on his face.

Ino continued to laugh, "Ruki would die without Akira, wouldn't she?"

"Yeah," Jade said, "and Akira would die without Ruki. We should get back, though."

XXXxxx------xxxXXX

"Sis, I'm tired…" yawned Ruki.

Ruki was on Jade's back, her head lying down on her sister's. "I know, Ruki," Jade soothed.

Ino yawned, "We probably should make camp sometime soon. There aren't any villages near here."

"I agree with Ino. It's past sunset, and I can barely see. I think Kiba's the only one who really knows where we're going," Jade said. "What do you say, Shikamaru? Want to call it a day yet?"

"Sure. I'm kind of tired myself… Kiba, go out into the woods and see if you can find a secluded clearing," said Shikamaru.

"Right. I'll be back before you know it. Come on Akamaru!" The two turned and ran into the forest.

Akira commented, "You think it's wise to send that Dogboy out on his own?"

"Akira, don't question. Shikamaru's the team leader. We do what he says without question," Jade chastised.

"But I'm not part of the team. Ruki and I are the mission. Do you think it's wise to send Kiba out by himself?"

Shikamaru sighed. That kid never did look good. "He's not alone. He's got Akamaru. I chose him, because as Jade was saying, he's the one of us with the best eyesight, and he has an advanced sense of smell, so it will be easy for him to get back to us quickly. His advanced hearing will also pick up any of our sounds incase someone decided to launch a surprise attack on us."

Akira stood in silence for a moment before retorting, "Maybe you are as bright as Gaara says you are."

Kiba came back with good fortune and took the group to an adequately sized clearing. Shikamaru continued in giving orders once they got there, "Jade, Ino, and Ruki. I need you to go out and look for some firewood. Leave your bags here, and Kiba, Akira, and I will start to set up camp. Don't stay out too long though. Just get enough wood for an hour or two. And take a flashlight or something."

"Alright." The three dropped their bags. Jade and Ino fished out their flashlights, and then went off deeper into the forest.

"Hey, Shikamaru? What kind of camp are we supposed to set up? I know we have tents and all, but it doesn't look like it's going to rain," Kiba pointed out.

Shikamaru took his bag off and laid back down, lying his head on his bag, "My point exactly."

"Wow, you really are a bum," Kiba chuckled. "Well, I'm gonna help the gals gather wood. Don't want to have them come back screaming at me!" Akamaru made a low whine, and Kiba muttered under his breath, "I don't think Shikamaru really cares that much about what she'll do…"

Kiba and the girls came back a little while later, even little Ruki was carrying an armful of twigs. Ino eyed Shikamaru with disgust but didn't say a word. At least Kiba's considerate. Akira was leaning up against a tree, nodding off into sleep. I keep forgetting he's the same age as Ruki. These long days will take a toll on him too.

Kiba quickly lit a fire while everybody took out their sleeping bags and whatnot. Akamaru lay curled up near Jade, and she coped in scratching his head. Atta boy, Akamaru… Kiba smirked.

Author's Note: Sorry it's so short, people. I've had problems and …distractions… -cough- Jake –cough- The next chapter will be a ton more exciting though. I promise fighting to you!!

Next Chapter: What's A Day Without Surprises?