Ok so here is the next chapter. I have to say, I don't really like this chapter...but for the sake of moving the story forward I had to write this chapter. I hope the few of you following forgive me for this!

Disclaimer: C:KND belongs to Glorious Great Leader Mr. Warburton. Bow before his supremacy for he is truly great!

Chapter 1-4 – Friends

One year later

It was a year since 362 found out about Numbuh 1 and the Galactic Kids Next Door, and the decommissioning of Numbuh Infinity, 74.239 and the other operatives that kept the GKND a secret. Everyone in Sector V was relived they didn't need to hide anything from their leader anymore.

At the beginning, Numbuh 362 took the news really badly. There were times where she would retreat into herself and not talk to anyone for days. Sector V, feeling guilty for not being able to tell her sooner about Numbuh 1, took frequent visits to the Moon Base to make sure 362 was feeling alright.

Through this time they bonded well with each other and after a few months Numbuh 362 knew everyone in Sector V well enough to consider them her best friends.

She was honestly grateful for their company. There weren't a lot of people to talk to on the Moon Base and was happy for the close human contact with her fellow operatives.

Through it all, Sector V was also able to cope with the loss of their teammate. The Supreme Leader was able to use her position to make sure Sector V would not be in question when someone suspected something about Numbuh 1's unannounced disappearance.

Over the year, Sector V was assigned to more difficult missions under 362's direct orders. Many of the other sectors took note to 362's obvious favoritism but was not surprised on why. Sector V's mission success ratio went through the roof with 100% mission success rate for 7 whole months.

The team members themselves benefited greatly from the constant deployment gaining valuable experience in the field. With Numbuh 5 the leader of Sector V, it forced Numbuh 2 to do more field work instead of hanging around machines all day. Numbuh 4 was in charge of tactical strategies in the group and meant that he wasn't that much of a dunce anymore. This allowed Numbuh 3 to get more involved with close quarter combat. Overall Sector V was proving to be the most capable Sector since Sector Z.

While there were times Sector V missed Numbuh 1, they knew he did too and they knew they could talk to each other and 362 about it. The thought of missing their friend made them even closer to each other.

But something kept itching at 362's mind. It was her last year as a KND operative and her birthday was coming up rapidly. She would plan on telling Sector V first before publicly announcing it, but after she gave them their last mission. One mission that would unknowingly set of a chain reaction of events that would be felt even when they would eventually become teenagers.

Things couldn't have been better in Sector V. The string of successful missions have left them feeling elated and confident. They were enjoying themselves and constantly being deployed to missions around the world. Of course, it also meant they were tired most of the time but they didn't mind.

As one of the oldest Sectors in the KND a lot of younger operatives looked up to them as a role model and it was something all the members were proud of and something they continued to do.

While not much has changed in the KND itself, a few things have changed around the treehouse. All the members seemed more in tune with each other and were learning a lot more from each other. While they operated well under Numbuh 1's leadership, they were never given the chance to actually learn from each other and become better operatives. They were given set positions before but that changed once they found out their missions became more demanding.

Today was one of the few days Sector V had off. After recently going through a number of missions involving a multitude of objectives from defeating enemies to search and rescue missions and accompanying other Sectors on their missions they were wiped. Numbuh 362 gave them a weeklong deserved break, which unfortunately, will end tomorrow.

Numbuhs 2 and 4 were enjoying themselves fighting in the ring while 3 and 5 were doing some standard maintenance. It was a big treehouse and there still chores to do. Of course, maintenance meant playing with hamsters that were running the power grid and aside from cleaning their cages and such that always fun to do!

"Come on Numbuh 2! Let's see what you got. Don't hold back." Numbuh 4 taunted 2 and gave a cocky grin.

Numbuh 2 charged up to him and 4 easily jumped out of the way, doing a somersault above him and landing behind Numbuh 2 giving him the perfect position to knock him to the ground. But thanks to Numbuh 4's constant training 2 expected this and immediately turned a 180 and shot his leg forward scoring a direct hit on Numbuh 4 as he just landed.

"Oww!" Numbuh 4 yelled as the force of 2's kick flung him to the side. He was a lot more agile now…and thinner too, 4 thought. He didn't know how much until that rather painful kick.

"You ok Numbuh 4?" 2 rushed to him and offered a hand to lift him up.

"Yeah I'm…fine." 4 grimaced at the pain on his hip. That was a pretty powerful kick. I think I taught him too well. Giving himself a small smile before doubling over in pain again.

"I'm sorry Numbuh 4! Sit on the couch. I'm going to go get Numbuh 3 and 5." 2 rushed off as soon as 4 sat down.

As soon as 2 went outside the computer started beeping.

-Incoming transmission. Incoming transmission. Incoming transmission.-

Ahh crud. Now? Numbuh 4 thought. He ignored the pain and walked over slowly to the computer before accepting the transmission. Numbuh 362 was on screen.

"Numbuh 4 about time! Where are the rest? And are you ok? You don't look so good."

"Heh I'm fine sir. See!" Numbuh 4 laughed before the pain hit him again.

"What the heck happened?" 362 shook her head.

"Numbuh 2 is what happened! I taught him too well!" he chuckled.

"Well get yourself fixed! I have an important mission for you guys."

"Wow straight to the point sir? It's our last day and you couldn't wait until nighttime?"

"I'm sorry Numbuh 4 but it's urgent."

The elevator doors opened and Numbuh 3 ran over to 4 with a first aid kit already in her hand. "Numbuh 4 are you alright?"

"Good you're all here! There's no time to waste you guys have an important mission for tomorrow."

"What's the mission?" Numbuh 2 asked, curious as to why it was so important.

"Ow ow ow! Hey that hurt!" Numbuh 4 complained as 3 treated her. She ignored 4's cried and went on.

"Numbuh 4 please keep your whining to a minimum!" 362 said and Numbuh 4 grunted.

"Anyway, tomorrow is the Delightful Children's birthday and as you know Father is probably planning something huge. We just got intel that every supermarket, store and bakery in the world has run out of flour, water, yeast, basically anything that can be used to make a cake.

"This is pretty big…even bigger than the fact when he tried to make a cake with us in it! That was pretty messed up." Everyone cringed at the thought before 362 carried on.

"Lately we haven't heard anything from Father or the Delightful Children so we can only assume that they have been planning for this moment for some time. As my brother…ahem…Numbuh 363 has shown recent issues with being unable to work in a team. Cake retrieval operations have gone back to you. I know you're more than ready for the job at hand so don't let us down!"

"You can count on us sir!" Numbuh 5 returned a salute.

"Listen guys, before your mission tomorrow. I need you to report back to moon base. There's something I need to tell all of you." 362's expression suddenly changed and it was clear something was bothering her.

"Sure thing 362. We'll see you tomorrow."

"Good." 362 smiled. "End transmission." The screen went blank.

"Hey guys? Are you going to help me or is Numbuh 3 going to have to do this by herself? I'm in pain and you're leaving me lying down on the wooden floor!" Numbuh 4 jokingly complained.

"Stay still Numbuh 4! I can't get these bandages on if you keep moving!"

Sector V took off in their Scamper and was heading toward the Moon Base. They were all curious as to why 362 would call them up there, since they were already briefed on the mission yesterday.

As they landed Numbuh 362 was already waiting for them on the landing deck. She didn't know how she was going to break the news to them. It was the worst thing to go through any operative's mind and the fact that she was Supreme Leader made it a lot harder.

"362 you're here!" Numbuh 5 exclaimed as 3 went to hug her friend.

"Hey guys. Let's go inside and we can talk there."

The Moon Base control center is where the Supreme Leader can keep track of all the operatives and sectors in the KND. Displayed in many screens are the current actions of each operative. It was a huge console to keep surveillance on everyone at the same time.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Numbuh 5 went straight to the point. She was extremely curious. 362 had been fidgeting and avoiding their gaze as they walked over here so clearly there was something bothering her.

"I…I don't know the best way to say this so I'll just say it. My 13th birthday is in a few months. Three to be exact. I wanted you guys to be the first to know."

"Wow…"

"Crud."

"I need to ask you a favour. I'd like you guys to suspend your missions for the next 3 months. I know it's not fair for you when I ask this especially when you guys are doing so well right now but, I…I just need someone to talk to." 362 couldn't look at Sector V anymore and didn't want them to see her cry so she turned away.

Numbuh 3 gently hugged her from behind. "You're our friend silly! Of course we'll help you!"

"Yeah. It's not such a big deal. I won't mind hanging around the Moon Base. To be honest, it's been quite tiring being sent mission after mission. Plus you guys have a free ice-cream bar!" Numbuh 2 said excitedly.

"You're probably like, the toughest girl in the Kids Next Door. I don't see why it's wrong to ask for a little help. And, I need some rest after Numbuh 2's killer roundhouse kick yesterday."

"As long as Numbuh 5 doesn't have to see 86 it's cool."

362 was surprised they took it so well. She quickly turned around and hugged them. "Thanks guys! You're the best!" at that moment she felt grateful she had a great group of friends who were willing to help her out. "This is the last mission I promise! When you get back there will be a sundae bar waiting for you!"

"Then what are we waiting for?" Numbuh 2 got excited again. "Let's go!"

Ok that's the end of this chapter. I hope you don't mind the time jump. This chapter is mostly filler. There's not much else I can describe, at least right now. There will be something planned much later on if you decide to stick around (and if I can get that far of course!) I know there's not a lot of action so far. I promise that is coming very soon! Once again, I appreciate you guys taking the time to review my work! Whether you think it's good or bad I'd like to know why. Thanks for reading!