This chapter is in Minori's point of view. I guess this is kinda like the filler for the story. Don't worry though. Right after this chapter, it's right back to Hinata's and Hanabi's perspective. This chapter doesn't have much action and all but it just seems necessary to put it in. So enjoy :D Oh, and this is my first time ever to remember to put the disclaimers: I don't own Naruto. Hehe, well, enough of my big mouth. Enjoy!
Minori sighed in frustration. It has been two days since Hanabi had gone off on her trip. Two days and she was already complaining. Hanabi was really lucky! She gets to take a break and relax while she had to do simple chores. And she had been so excited too! Just when she was hoping to go on missions that have some sort of excitement, all the chances of it disappeared when Hanabi left.
Sensei had refused to let them do any missions besides those D-rank missions meant for the weaker genin. It just wasn't fair. Her team was the strongest of all of them! With Hanabi, Satoshi, sensei and herself, surely they were unbeatable. But just because they were one person short didn't have to mean that had such lame missions!
Ninjas were meant for fighting and protecting their village, not chasing after a cat that clearly dislikes its owner! That cat had run away three times already, and this was the 3rd time catching it.
"Alright, let's go back." Sensei said once the cat hissing at Minori.
That lady should just get another cat! This cat just seems to hate everyone.
"Thank you so much! Tora-chan means so much to me!" Madam Shijimi said as she bear hugged the cat.
"I don't think you mean that much to the neko though." Minori snickered.
"What did you say?" Sensei asked sternly.
"What a wonderful day we're having! Why don't we go to Ichiraku Ramen later?" Minori said with a huge grin.
Sensei shook his head in disapproval while Satoshi just stood there.
Speaking Satoshi, why was he always so silent? True, girls seemed to be attracted him because he gave off this cool aura but still!
Satoshi scowled when he saw her expression. That might have meant that she let her thoughts leak onto her face.
"I'm sorry if I don't have a comment." Satoshi was still scowling.
"That's alright. I was just thinking how you remind me of a statue or mime is all. You rarely talk and you stay still. I bet if someone who didn't know you before saw you, they would agree with my thoughts."
"Minori! That's enough! You have been very rude lately." Sensei scolded.
"I just want a better mission is all. I just feel like taking my anger out on Tamazaki-san here." Minori said with mock sincerity.
"We will get other missions when Hanabi is back with us. Right now, we will just follow Hokage-sama's orders." Sensei gave a warning face.
Just as Sensei finished that last sentence Hiashi Hyuga came into the room. Minori's eyes widened. Of all people to run into, it's Hanabi's father!
"Hokage-sama, I need some shinobi to complete a mission for me." Hiashi said.
"What is it?" Shizune asked in Tsunade's place.
"My daughters have gone on a break that I ordered them to do. I told them to send a messenger bird when they have safely reached the town they are supposed to be in. Right now, they are a day late. Would you mind sending a couple of ninja to go to the location and make sure they are alright. And if possible, to escort them back as well."
Tsunade turned her head to Minori and her group.
"Alright then Hiashi. You will get your wish. You three!"
Minori perked up. This may be her chance to have some sort of excitement!
"I am assigning you three to a C-rank mission. I hope you have heard the description already."
Minori nodded quickly. Finally! A C-rank mission!
"Thank you." Hiashi said gratefully. "The two should be at the town that has that annual festival."
"I know where it is. Don't worry Hyuga-san, I plan on coming back with Hanabi and Hinata after this mission." Minori said confidently.
"I see you were trying to sound cool there." Satoshi snickered.
"Was not! I really meant what I said! Plus, I might be able to see my cousin! I haven't seen my cousin in so long! She's nice you know. She was the best genjutsu user until she left before she became a genin. Then Sakura nee-chan came and took the title." Minori said enthusiastically.
"Sure, sure." Satoshi waved her off.
"Alright, I want the two of you to meet at the gate in an hour." Sensei said. Sensei gave Minori that you-better-not-forget face.
"No worries Sensei! I wouldn't miss this chance to do something interesting!"
Sensei sighed and walked away.
"Hey Satoshi, we still have an hour you know. Wanna get ramen?" Minori asked.
"Not with you. You'll just talk about how much you're looking forward to this mission and then tell me how much you love ramen." Satoshi said coldly.
"That's actually pretty mean! You make it sound as though you would rather catch that neko all day then do this mission."
Satoshi shrugged at that last comment and ventured off.
"Where are you going?" Minori called after him. Satoshi didn't respond to the question. Maybe he ignored her or maybe he didn't hear it. But it was probably the first one because she had yelled pretty loudly. When Minori yells, you'd have to be deaf not to hear her.
Minori pouted and headed for Ichiraku ramen on her own. Neji and Tenten were there having some ramen.
"Ah, Minori, you haven't been here since two days ago!" Teuchi said as she strolled in.
"Mhmm, and I plan on enjoying it. There isn't any ramen like the ones you and Ayame make."
"Here you go, the usual." Ayame put the bowl in front of her.
"Itadakimasu" Minori said and started eating her food.
"Minori-san, you happen to be in the same team as Hanabi-sama right?"
Minori looked up from her bowl and saw Neji looking at her.
"That's right. An hour from now, my team will be heading to the town she's in and escort her back." Minori said with a mouthful of ramen.
"Minori-chan, you shouldn't speak with your mouth full." Tenten said sternly.
"I would have gone myself but Hiashi-sama didn't allow it." Neji shook his head a bit.
"Don't worry, my team will bring them both home." Minori said after she swallowed.
"Thank you." Neji said with gratitude.
"Neji has been worried about it the whole time. He said that Hinata looked a bit stressed before she left for the trip." Tenten pointed out.
"Well, it's not just Hinata. Hanabi was asking about where she should go for the trip and all that. Honestly, I don't think she looked that happy. It seemed to me that she was a bit more irritable." Minori said thoughtfully.
"The plan was to get the two to bond. I'm only concerned that something happened since we haven't gotten a message." Neji said worriedly.
"Seeing Neji this worried makes me feel worried." Tenten shivered.
Minori finished her ramen and headed home. She wasn't going to let all that talk about being worried bum her mood even a bit.
Minori's family owned a fortune telling shop. Their home was the apartment above. Her mother was a fortune teller. Everyone just called her Madam Okinawa.
"Mom, I'm going on a mission and probably won't be back for a few days. I might be able to see Emiko nee-chan" Minori said as she started packing.
"Be careful. Remember to eat enough. Say high to Emiko for me." Madam Okinawa said as she was sweeping the floor.
"Can't you say something that will happen on the trip, like "be warned about this and that?"
"Minori, if you want to know things like that, then you can take over the shop when I become old. For now just worry about the mission."
"MOM, isn't there something that you have to say before I leave? This is my first time being away from home. You never let me stay over at sleepovers or anything." Minori whined.
Madam Okinawa and a warm smile spread across her face. She put down her broom and gave a small peck on Minori's forehead.
"You're still my baby, and it makes me think about how fast you grew. I will miss you, you little rascal."
Minori grinned."I knew you had something to say."
"Don't push your luck with me." Madam Okinawa said as she started sweeping again.
Minori finished packing and looked at the time. Just five more minutes till she had to get to the gate. Minori said her goodbyes and sprinted away.
This mission will definitely make up for being stuck with that neko!
