Animal Instincts

Chapter 9: Who's The Leader?

Recap:

"I came to talk to you," she said sitting down next to Hinata. "How much longer will you be on break from any missions?"

"We start tomorrow," said Hinata. "But our mission hasn't been assigned to us yet. W-why?"

"Come with me," said Takara getting up from the bench. "We need to go see Kurenai."

"Ah- What for?" said Hinata standing up and tossing the last few bread crumbs into the pond.

"I'm assigning you a mission."

***

It was later that same day. Kiba was sleeping in his room, legs sprawled wide and arms askew. There was a small dribble of drool coming from his mouth as he breathed with his mouth wide open. Akamaru lay at his feet, curled neatly into a ball, sleeping soundly.

His door opened slowly and his sister Hana looked into the room. She opened the door wider and walked in. She moved over to the side of the bed and stared down at Kiba. She shook her head at his comical pose of sleeping before reaching down and giving his shoulder a shake.

Kiba's eyes opened wide immediately and he sat up, startled out of his sleep. He took a few deep breaths and then looked up at his sister.

"You have a visitor," was all she said before walking out of the room.

Kiba sighed. He reached for his jacket which was hanging on the back of his door. He put it on and zipped it up before walking out of his room. Hana had left the front door open and standing on his porch was Shino Aburame.

Kiba walked to the door and scratched the back of his head. "What's up?"

"The Hokage has summoned us," Shino said evenly.

Kiba growled lowly. "It's our last day off. What could she possibly want? This better be good."

Kiba reached down and pulled on his shoes before stepping outside and walking with Shino down the street, Akamaru trotting at his heels. Kiba covered his mouth as he yawned widely, stretching an arm over his head. He shook his head in a dog-like fashion before standing straight with a big sigh.

Shino walked alongside Kiba without saying a word and without even a glance at Kiba's odd behavior. They made their way through the crowded streets of Konoha. It was mid-afternoon and everyone seemed to be out on the streets. Shino and Kiba wormed their way through the crowd and to the Hokage building.

Waiting outside was Hinata and Kurenai. They were talking rapidly and were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't see Kiba and Shino walk up until they were right next to them. They looked at the two of them.

"Alright," said Kurenai. "Let's go."

The team silently walked behind their sensei and went into the Hokage tower. Kiba was drowsily thinking that he would love to still be in bed right now. He still so lethargic that he didn't even realize they weren't headed to the normal meeting room. It took him a moment or two to look around and realize where they were headed.

"We're going to her private office?" he asked aloud.

Kurenai nodded.

Kiba leaned over to Shino and Hinata. "Do you two have any idea what's going on?"

Shino shook his head silently. Hinata on the other hand looked away with faintly pink cheeks. Kiba narrowed his eyes at her.

"Hinata," he half snarled half whispered. "You know something, don't you?"

"Not really," she said quietly, not meeting Kiba's gaze. "Only that our next mission is supposed to be really difficult."

Kiba looked forward again and crossed his arms over his chest. What's with all the secrecy? It really wasn't like Hinata to be so aloof. And even Kurenai wasn't saying much. This meeting must really be about something important if everyone was so keyed up about it. And they were meeting with the Hokage privately?

Kiba smiled widely at the different scenarios he pictured in his head. Maybe they would be sent to take down a crime lord or maybe they were going to another village to escort someone really important. Would they be sent to assassinate someone?

The team now stood in front of the Hokage's office. Kurenai knocked a few rapid beats on the door with her knuckles. Tsunade's bark-like 'come in' came through the door. Kurenai opened the door and allowed her team to go in first as she followed behind. Tsunade sat behind her desk with her forehead in her hands.

Kiba didn't envy her. Being Hokage was something he never wanted to do. Too much paperwork.

Tsunade lifted her head to see the four ninja file into her office. She shifted thing around on her desk before standing up, leaning her hands on her desk.

"I know you're all on a break and that you don't start until tomorrow," she said. "But I wanted to inform you on your next mission since it will be an A-rank."

Kiba smiled at this. So this was going to be tough. At least it wasn't some wimpy genin-type mission.

"Before I explain what your mission entails," said Tsunade. "Let me forewarn you that there will be many enemy encounters on this mission. It is entirely top secret to avoid any information of its motive to be leaked out. The only ones who know the truth behind this mission are the people in this room and you will be accompanied by one more teammate."

They all nodded and waited for her to continue.

"Your mission is to find the five shards of the Sacred Crystal before the Akatsuki does."

Kiba gave Tsunade a confused look before looking out of the corner of his eye at his teammates reactions. Shino stood directly next to him, but you could never know what Shino's expression was. Hinata seemed like she was a little nervous about the mission now. Probably after hearing it would deal with the Akatsuki.

Kiba looked back at Tsunade hoping that she would clarify what the 'Sacred Crystal' was and its five shards. This mission had gone from exciting to baffling in two seconds.

"By the looks on your faces, I'll need to clarify more," said Tsunade. "The Sacred Crystal in an immense power tool that if in the wrong hands can destroy an entire village in one swoop. That is the reason the Akatsuki want it and the reason we can't let them have it."

Now it was interesting again, thought Kiba.

"How long do we have to recover the shards?" said Kurenai.

"As soon as it can be done," said Tsunade. "I'd like this to be done within three months. You all leave bright and early tomorrow. Be ready."

Kiba turned to leave, anticipation coursing through his body, when Shino spoke up.

"You said we would be accompanied by another teammate," he said calmly. "Who will join us?"

I've assigned someone to your team who's be researching the history of he Sacred Crystal," said Tsunade. "Takara Nishimura."

"What!" shouted Kiba as he grabbed onto his head.

He immediately calmed when everyone in the room looked at him oddly. He nodded to the Hokage, his mouth in a grim line, and walked out of the room before anyone.

How could this happen? Such a perfect mission had to be spoiled like this? He was going to have to spend at least three months with her?

***

Takara walked down one of the back streets of Konoha to the lone tree that stood in the middle of a residential area. This was usually known as the meeting tree since it wasn't far from the main gate and was easy to find.

Kin sat straight on Takara's shoulder, ready for another mission. Takara walked down the gravel path a little apprehensive at to what reaction she would get from Kiba. Even though they were rivals Takara didn't hate him. She just couldn't stand the way he acted as if he was a big hot shot. What did he think about Takara being a co-leader to the group?

Takara sighed in frustration. She hated being put into this situation. Maybe she and Kiba could finally resolve their differences over the time span and become friends. Well, maybe not friends, but at least act somewhat civilized when they were around each other.

Takara, are you sure you're ready for such a risky mission so soon after your attack? Kin asked.

Takara smiled up at her animal partner, grateful for her concern. "Yes, Kin," she said. "I'll be fine with you by my side."

The gravel crunched beneath her feet as she walked around the corner to the meeting tree. Everyone, but Kurenai seemed to be there already. Takara's heart leapt into her throat as she saw Hinata sitting on the ground leaning against the tree. She seemed to be unconscious. Takara jogged over to the tree to see why Kiba and Shino weren't trying to revive her when she saw Kiba talking with someone.

She peered over his shoulder as they all turned to look at her. Standing in front of Kiba was none other than Naruto Uzumaki. Takara's face split into a big grin at the sight of her old friend.

"Naruto!" she exclaimed as she pushed passed Kiba. Probably not a good way to start off this 'being nice to Kiba' leaf she was turning, but old habits die hard.

"Takara-chan!" he cried.

"It's good to finally see you again! I'd heard you'd returned from your training and then gone immediately to Suna."

"Yeah," said Naruto scratching the back of his head. "I've been pretty busy ever since I got back."

"It seems you recognized Takara immediately," said Shino more slowly then normal. "Naruto?"

Naruto sweat dropped at Shino's statement and Takara looked at him as if asking him to explain Shino's weird mood.

"Shino's upset because I couldn't recognize who he was right away," whispered Naruto behind his hand to Takara. She nodded and he continued. "I don't know why he's so mad, no one can recognize him when he covers his face all the time."

Takara giggled behind her hand and she looked between Naruto and Shino. It was funny to see Shino acting like this. He was always so quiet and aloof.

"What are you doing now?" Takara asked with a tilt of her head in curiosity.

"I need to find a new team member for my next mission," Naruto said his head falling forward in a defeated look. "Everyone's busy."

Takara nodded her head sympathetically. Naruto's head popped up suddenly, his blue eyes shining with realization. He plastered a huge cheesy smile on his face and looked at you hopefully.

"Hey, Takara," he said with a chuckle. "You're probably not doing anything, right? I mean, I heard you were attacked by the same Akatsuki guys that we fought in the River Country. You're probably on a break of some sort, am I right?"

Takara pouted and crossed her arms over her chest as she feigned hurt feelings. "I'm shocked, Naruto," she said dramatically. "You know I'm tougher then that."

"Or just stubborn," muttered Kiba under his breath as he rolled his eyes.

Takara whipped her head towards Kiba with a snarl on her face, but before she come up with a nasty retort Naruto cut her off.

"Don't tell me you already have a mission?!"

Takara nodded to Naruto, deciding to let Kiba's remark slide for now. "I'm part of Team Kurenai for their mission."

"WHAAT?!" Naruto exclaimed as he held his hands up over his head in surrender. "I'm never going to find someone to replace Kakashi."

Takara smiled understandingly for Naruto.

"You know, Naruto," she said tapping her chin with her finger. "I talked to Shikamaru and he seems to know about what everyone is doing. He told me that most of the Jonin and higher Chunin are staying in the village for the Chunin Exams."

"Alright then," he said confidently. "I'll go find Shikamaru."

With that he took off down the road with a wave goodbye. Takara waved back at him with a smile on her face. It was good to see Naruto again. It'd been very quiet in Konoha without him.

Takara brought her hand back down and turned to face the three members of Team Kurenai. She realized now that poor Hinata must have fainted when she'd seen Naruto and that was why she was on the ground. Shino had retreated into a corner to sulk and Kiba was leaning up against the tree with his arms crossed and a sour look on his face. Akamaru lay on the ground at his feet.

Takara walked over and knelt down to pet Akamaru on the head. Kiba opened one eye to watch her. He hated it when she played with Akamaru. It made it that much more difficult to dislike her when Akamaru was so attached to her.

Why, he didn't know, but Akamaru had formed a small attachment to Takara. Of course, Takara kept her time spent with Akamaru to a minimal because being around him meant that she would have to be around Kiba. It had annoyed him to no end when Takara had jumped onto Akamaru's back at the infirmary like he was her dog. And Akamaru had listened to her too! Kiba looked down at the pair with stormy eyes as Akamaru panted happily as Takara scratched behind his ear.

Takara stood up as Kin flew high onto a branch. She adjusted her backpack and looked at Kiba who seemed to be the only team member in consciousness. He had his eyes closed, but as Takara found herself staring at him, why she didn't have any clue, he opened one eye to look at her.

"What?" he asked in a low rumble.

Takara shrugged her shoulder nonchalantly and looked away. Why had she been staring at him? She'd never done that before. Takara glanced out of the corner of her eye at him as he resumed his position of leaning against the tree. She couldn't help but notice as he shift his leg to rest his foot against the tree that Kiba was very toned.

Of course being a ninja helped, but even so his body was lean and his muscles tight and sinewy. Takara shook her head and tore her gaze from Kiba. What was wrong with her? She thought as she tried to clear her head of this foolish nonsense. Kiba was her arch-rival, she shouldn't be thinking these things about him.

"What are you shaking your head for?" came Kiba's voice through her thoughts.

Takara froze. Well, she couldn't really tell him the truth about what she was shaking her head for. What would she say? I was thinking of your perfect body and then had to shake my head to get the thoughts out. That would be a wonderful scenario. Takara searched her brain for a good reason.

"I … ah … There was a fly … in my face," she mumbled.

Kiba raised an eyebrow at her unconvincing answer and then looked away. Shino was now leaning against the wood plank fence that separated the street from the houses. Hinata began to stir from her position on the ground. Maybe now would be a good time to see how much they know about the mission.

"I assume the Hokage met with you all to tell you about the mission?" she asked looking at Shino and Kiba.

Shino nodded his head silently. Kiba snorted as he grinned.

"Of course she told us," he said derisively. "Did you think she send us on something like this without first briefing us?"

Takara turned to Kiba and glared at him, her mouth in a thin line. "Don't start now, Kiba. We haven't even left Konoha and you're already starting to push me."

Kiba lifted the corner of his mouth in a half smile. "Then I'm doing a good job."

"Anyway," said Takara emphasizing the word. "We'll head to the South-East from the main entrance and continue on until evening."

"That's all dense forest," said Kiba challengingly. "We'll be walking into a death trap."

"Kiba, I'm leading this team with Kurenai and we've already discussed a plan for where we'll be going. So, no, we won't be walking into a trap."

"What makes you think you're leading this team?"

"Because I was assigned for that reason by the Hokage!"

"You don't know anything about leading a team."

"And you do?!"

Takara and Kiba were now leaning forward, their faces inches away as they growled dangerously at each other. They had on that look that said if either said one more thing to anger the other an all out brawl was going to ensue between the two rivals.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," came the voice of reason.

Kurenai was walking down the street towards them with her eyebrows raised. Takara and Kiba didn't look at her when they heard her voice, but continued to stare at each other. Then they simultaneously turned their backs on each other, Kiba crossing his arms and Takara putting her hands on her hips. The tension still ran between the two as if connected by a string.

Kurenai stared at them with narrowed eyes before rolling her eyes. "Alright, I'm sure Takara's told what the plan is for the day."

"Apparently someone has a problem with it," muttered Takara over her shoulder to ensure that Kiba heard her.

"It's just my opinion," he snarled back.

"Well, I'm sure it isn't appealing to be heading into this dense and unfamiliar are of the Fire Country, but it's where we can get a good head start on finding the first shard," said Kurenai calmly.

Hinata and Shino had now decided to join the group and were standing behind Takara and Kiba. Takara breathed heavily through her nose as she tried to calm herself down. If she was going to be a co-leader to Kurenai, then she needed to act like one. She couldn't pick fights with Kiba and she had to be an example. This already was giving her a headache.

She took one last breath and let it out as a heavy sigh. She turned around and look between everyone swiftly. "Are we ready to go, then?"

Hinata nodded, looking nervously between Takara and Kiba. Shino seemed to be back to his usual self and nodded his head, his hands in his pockets. Kurenai nodded also, but Kiba kept his back turned to her. Takara ignored Kiba and began to lead the way to the main gate.

"Let's go," she said in a tone that said she was already fed up with this mission before it had even gotten started.

They all began walking behind her. Kurenai and Hinata came up to stand on either side of her while Shino and Kiba took up the rear. Takara let out a shrill whistle and Kin came flying out of the tree to land on her shoulder.

I know I tell you this every time, but you have to stop letting him get to you, she said to Takara.

"I don't let him get to me," Takara muttered under her breath.

***

Preview Ch 10:

"Thank you, Shino," said Takara with a weak smile.

"Be a little more careful," he said calmly as he let go of her arm.

They began walking as Kiba continued to look at Takara. She wasn't sure why he was. Maybe he was waiting for an apology from her for hitting him.

"Sorry," she mumbled as she passed him.

There was a pause as she walked away.

"Don't worry about it," Kiba said just as reluctantly.