My Dear Pal

Chapter Ten

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HINATA:

"Alright... shall we start?" Kurenai sprawled the new set of kunai she had brought across the ground. Shino and I knelt down in front of them, eyeing them suspiciously. "Why did you go to all the trouble of buying us new kunai, if we have our perfectly usable old ones?" Shino's words struggled to pass through his shirt collar which covered his mouth, but we were used to it by now and had acquired an ear for it.

"I wanted to see how well you did using unfamiliar things,"

"But they're not 'unfamiliar', we use kunai everyday" He picked one up and turned it back and forth, examining it.

"If you look closely Shino, they are slightly larger and heavier than the old ones..." Her voice suddenly trailed off as she looked to the side, and her lips parted slowly. Naturally the two of us turned our heads too.

"Kiba!" I felt a large grin expand across my face as I leapt up and trotted towards him.

"Yup, I'm back," He smiled, something that I had almost forgotten what it looked like on his face. It was almost as if nothing had happened, he looked exactly as he did on a normal day to day basis. An atomic bomb of relief and happiness exploded through me, and by sheer impulse I fell forward into a hug. I wrapped my arms around him tightly, never wanting to let go. To my surprise I felt his large hands rest on my back too. Taking a deep breath he tickled his nose softly against my hair, almost wanting to absorb me.

"F-for a bit I thought you weren't gonna come back..." I whispered.

"What, and leave you guys to trudge along by yourselves?"

Just then I felt something cold and wet slithering over my ankle, "Satsu!" Knelt down till I was at her level. Her mouth creased upwards as she panted and her eyes slanted, as if she were really smiling. "Hey girl! You're looking much better!" my hand violently scrubbed against the top of her head.

It had been almost two weeks since the incident, and I had gone to visit them just about every day, and yet, Satsu still had seemed to have grow.

SHINO:

I found myself folding my arms and letting my eyes drift blankly over the grass. It was a good thing nobody could really see my facial expressions; otherwise my emotions would have easily been given away. Kiba was back, and him and Hinata had grown closer. But me, I had been left behind in the rat race. I had been too proud to go and apologize to him for the argument, or see him after that even. I had been frustrated at him I guess. I thought he was being over dramatic. Now I realized that Akamaru wasn't just a dog, to me maybe, but not to him.

Something landed on my shoulder, and startled, I looked up.

He didn't say anything, but the way his eyes seemed to sink into me was enough, and I was the third to smile - well, forth if you count the dog.

XXXXXXX

HINATA:

My legs quivered then fell sideways underneath me. I took huge gasps, swallowing mouthfuls of air to make up for the suffocating training. Why did I allow myself to be tortured this way everyday? I sometimes had to ask myself.

"Ok, I think We'll finish there for the day," Kurenai Sensei had already swung her bag over her shoulders and was ready to leave. "Are you coming with me now Hinata?"

"Oh... ah... I'll just stay behind a bit longer," I stood, my body still an earthquake, and brushed myself off.

"Ohhh... alright then," She grinned, teasing me.

"Hey..." But before I had time to protest, her and Shino had already disappeared.

I pivoted on my heals towards Kiba, "H-how is she doing?"

He crouched down and poured her a bowl of water, which she consumed at rapid force. "Yeah, she's done real good so far surprisingly. I didn't expect her to catch on to everything quite so fast."

"That's good," I said, slinking over to him, "Did you want me to... w-walk you home?"

KIBA:

"Yeah sure," I replied.

Neither of us said a word, until we were on the path and she finally spoke, "H-how are you doing?"

"Honestly?"

"Mm" she nodded.

"Its real hard, trying to move on and stuff, like I know he was just a dog, but he wasn't just any old random pet to me, he was... he was my best pal" I looked down at the cobble stones passing like a film strip under my feet. Why did I just confess that to her? And I knew I wouldn't have said it to anyone else, that's what really scared me.

"But enough about that and all... How are you? Is it ok living with Kurenai Sensei, or does the baby keep you up 24-7?" I chuckled, trying to add a tint of light to the situation.

"Oh... Yes it's very good... and the baby is fine." she giggled softly, "She sometimes makes these funny hiccupping sounds"

My lips curled upwards, she looked so beautiful when she laughed. The way the skin around her eyes creased, and how small tears of joy seemed to glaze over her pupils made me feel something I hadn't felt in a while. At that moment I wanted to tell her how sorry I was for everything I had said to her. She hadn't deserved that at all. She was truly one of the most- no, the most kind person I had ever met. She never said or did anything to hurt anyone, even if they were tearing her apart piece by piece. What she truly deserved was the best life had to offer for her. So why, why could I let my mind be shrouded by all these thoughts, but not process them into good enough words to say?

XXXXX

NARUTO:

"What?! Grandma Tsunade, I could be looking for Sasuke instead of going on this shitty mission!" I growled.

"Naruto! Shut up and show some respect! Sasuke has been gone for almost three years now! Now just go on this mission with team 8, or so help me I will hunt you down and throttle you!" Tsunade's fist landed sharply on her desk, causing it to almost break in two.

I wanted to chuckle out loud; it was really quite fun getting her all rarked up like this.

She straightened out her fringe, taking a long breath and turned to Kiba, Hinata, and Shino. "Now, Kiba I am appointing you the leader of this squad, as you know the most about the shinobi you will be tracking. The mission is to bring him back here alive."

Kiba bowed, "Yes Lady Hokage... but do we have to bring that blonde idiot along?"

"Yes! For this, there should be a four man team, and Naruto needs occupying and is the only other ninja available."

I ground my teeth together, "Hey! Who is this dipshit shinobi anyway?!"

At this she pushed back her chair and stood abruptly, slapping her palms down on the desk, this time causing it to fully collapse to the ground, "Kiba can tell you if he wishes, otherwise, don't question his authority!" she virtually screamed as she struggled to stay up right and not meet the same fate as her working table.

"Now get to bed and be ready by sunrise on the dot tomorrow morning all of you!"

SHIZUNE:

"Lady Tsunade," I said as I bent down to pick up the loose bits of unfinished paper work.

"What?"

I waited for the door to click shut, then continued, "I can't help feeling it's a mistake to send Kiba after him..."

"Oh don't worry Shizune, I think he will do well on this mission," She sank back down into her chair and rested her cheek on her fist, not a hint of doubt showing on her face.

"O-ok," I said, still not entirely convinced.

FINISH

Well yes again I'm very sorry I'm not updating that often. But I hope you're enjoying! Please please review I say again! It really helps me get inspired and write more! Tell me what you think!