The next day was just like any day, with the same schedule as always. Toshiko was loudly awoken by Kakashi's constant mischevious yells, followed by Khaki's annoying barks. Then, she lazily showered under the steaming, yet relaxing hot water. After her shower, she had to go back in her room to change. Once she was fully dressed and ready, she walked over and made breakfast for Kakashi, the dogs, and herself. When breakfast was made, the food was placed on the table and happily eaten by its hungry hosts. The table was soon cleared, and Toshiko had to clean the dishes. That was done rather quickly, so she had to go over and sit on the green couch, watching thirty minutes of boring television. Same old thirteen-year old routine, same old, same old.

"I'm off to see my team." Kakashi plainly spoke as he turned off the glowing tv box. "You go on and meet Asuma near the Ichiraku ramen bar. Just like yesterday. We talked earlier, and apparently you have a mission."
"Really now?" Toshiko smirked and jumped up, watching as Khaki bounded over and jumped on her shoulder.

The jonin nodded and ruffled her hair. "See ya later." he grinned and waved a hand, then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Bye." Toshiko smiled and looked over to Khaki, who whined impatiently. "Ok, ok. Let's go see Asuma then." she chuckled and patted the dog's back, then walked out the door and slammed it shut behind her.

"Here we go..again."

Her steps were silent as exited her front yard and turned left. As she walked, she took the time to look around and enjoy the scenery. She never usually did that, but today was an exceptionally sunny day. Better to enjoy it now than never again. Enjoy the blooming flowers, the small bird that flew by, the leaves that rustled as the cool wind whistled by with a sharp shrill. Enjoy nature and everything around it. That's what she was doing.

Suddenly, her thoughts and observations were interrupted by a sudden close encounter. She stumbled back as she hit a random person out of nowhere.

"Oh, uh, sorry.." she muttered, then looked closely at the person. "Kiba?"

"Toshiko?" the Inuzuka blinked and folded his arms. "Wha- why are you here? And weren't you supposed to be with my team yesterday?"

The girl smiled and gave Kiba a hug before saying hi to the cream-colored pup on his head. "Sorry Kiba-kun. I got stuck with Team 10. You know, Asuma's team."

"Yes, I know."

"They're actually pretty nice!"

"Whatever."

Toshiko tilted her head and looked up at Kiba. He was usually very loud and talkative. Why wasn't he like that today?
"Kiba? You're not talking much today. What's the matter?"
"Everything."
This gave the girl a confused look.

"Everything's the matter." he folded his arms and waved his hand around. "Everything in this universe is made of matter! The stuff that makes up atoms! Everything's the matter!!"

It Toshiko a while to get it, but in a bit, she started laughing.

"Kiba, you science dork." she laughed and hugged her friend around his waist. "No seriously, what's wrong?"
The Inuzuka's face turned a slight shade of red as he looked down. "Uh, nothing, nothing. I was just wondering why you weren't assigned to my team."
"I told you, Kiba, Kakashi got me into Asuma's team. I'll be with them for a few days. But now I have to hurry. I have a mission or something." she let go and looked at her friend. "See ya around, okay?"

A smile penetrated his lips. "Okay. See ya around." he waved as he watched the girl disappear into the horizon. He stood still for a while, staring at the empty road before him. Akamaru's growling brought him back to Konoha.

"What are you talking about, Akamaru? I am NOT blushing! Yes, I know, I know. But besides, from what I've been told, they say she likes..." Kiba made his hand into a fist, then continued on his way. His canine companion tilted his head, eager for Kiba to finish his sentence. He didn't, though, but all he said was, "Why does every girl have to like him?"

---------

"I'm here!" Toshiko panted, running towards the ramen bar. She sighed as she reached the four shinobi, who were on the verge of dying from waiting. "I'm here! I made it! No worries!"
"No worries?!" Ino scoffed, "You've been keeping us waiting for at least an hour and a half!"

"You're exactly like your brother." mumbled Shikamaru, lifting an eyebrow as he looked towards Toshiko. "How shameful."

"Nom nom nom." Choji said nothing as he scarfed down his lunch for the seventh time that hour.

"Well, at least you're here." Asuma twirled his cigarette with his tongue, then looked over at his new 'student'. "Now listen, the Hokage gave us a mission. We're going to Tea Country. Apparently, they have some goods that we need to transport from there to here. This mission isn't dangerous at all- it's only D Rank. But we should go on and get going." he looked over to the Shika-Ino-Cho group who nodded simply at him. Then his eyes flickered over to Toshiko, who just smiled.

"Ok then. We're off."

---

It took a while, but the newly four-man made team made it to Tea Country. They talked with a local who gave them directions to the warehouse where the goods were stored. The five shinobi walked over to the warehouse, only to discover that the owner wasn't home. So they waited for about thirty minutes, and finally the man showed up. He had a worried look on his face. Team 10 shot awkward glances at each other.

"What seems to be the matter?" Shikamaru finally spoke up. He rubbed the back of his head as the man began to stutter.

"P-please, don't be angry w-with me. B-but the goods, t-they're gone!"

"Gone?" Choji finally said after endlessly eating his bag of chips.

"Gone! T-they were stolen! B-by a pack of ninja!"

"What did the ninja look like?" Ino asked, eager to hear exciting news. This mission might not be so boring after all.

"T-they all wore brown. They had face masks, only you could s-see their eyes. T-they headed towards Konohagakure."

Team 10 looked at each other again, and Asuma spoke up. "We'll see if we can find the goods. If we succesfully retrieve them, we'll take them to their destination and inform you of their arrival." he coughed slightly, then fit his hands in his pockets. "Let's go, team." and all five of them disappeared in a flash.

"Thank you!" the man waved. "T-thanks..." he said with an eager smile. This smile turned evil as he spotted that the ninja were gone. He rubbed his hands together, then transformed into a scowling Kabuto. "Thanks greatly. Master Orochimaru will be pleased with your deaths. That'll be five less ninja we'll have to deal with." then with a laugh, he disappeared underground.