Author's Note- Well, now it's time for more of the characters to enter the story. I hope everyone has enjoyed the story so far. Please review. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I only own Yumi.
Chapter 11
I left Shikamaru's tent feeling like I was floating. I walked straight to my tent and got ready to continue the mission. I had just tied my hair back when Hinata rushed into my tent.
"Did you just come from Shikamaru's tent?" she asked. I beamed at her and nodded. "Did you tell him?" I nodded again as I put on my vest and tied my headband around my arm. "Well? What did he say?"
"He told me he loved me, too," I said dreamily. Hinata ran out of my tent and came back with Tenten.
"What's going on, Hinata?" Tenten asked.
"Tell her," Hinata said quietly. I sighed and smiled.
"Shikamaru told me he loved me last night," I explained. Tenten squealed and hugged me. "I told him how I felt and he feels the same way."
"It's about time something happened between you two!" she exclaimed. I laughed and smiled.
"Go finish packing up. We need to leave soon if we're going to get to the Sound Village in time," I told them. They nodded and left. I walked outside to pack up my tent and I saw Ino shrieking at Shikamaru.
"Why did Yumi come out of your tent?" she yelled. He tilted his head back and rubbed the back of his neck. I could tell that Ino was only curious but it still annoyed him. I smiled and tried not to laugh.
"What a drag. It's really none of your business, Ino," he replied.
"I'm making it my business because Yumi's my friend," she replied putting her hands on her hips. I finished packing up.
"Just drop it, will you, Ino?" he said. She huffed and stomped off. I walked over and helped Shikamaru pack up his tent.
"Why didn't you tell her?" I asked smiling at him. He shrugged.
"I wanted to be sure it was ok with you first," he replied.
"Why wouldn't it be ok?" I asked cocking my head to the side. He shrugged again and we walked over to the team, putting on our packs. Tenten and Hinata smiled at Shikamaru and he gave me a confused look. "They're my best friends. I told them." He smiled and brushed his hand against mine. He got serious again and looked at the others.
"We'll split into two groups. Yumi will be leading one and I'll lead the other. Kiba, Hinata, Tenten, and Ino will go with Yumi. We'll separate as we're running. When we get to the Sound, my group will go in first. The rest of you will follow on Yumi's order. Kiba, I need to talk to you privately before we go," he explained. Kiba nodded and walk away with Shikamaru. When they left, Ino bombarded me with questions.
"So what were you doing in Shikamaru's tent so early?" she asked, bouncing up and down. I sighed and smiled. I told her and Sakura what had happened. She squealed and I clamped my hand over her mouth.
"I knew you two had a thing for each other," she said when I had removed my hand. "So have you guys been secretly dating?" I shook my head as Shikamaru and Kiba walked back over. Ino looked disappointed.
"Does everyone understand the plan?" Shikamaru asked. We all nodded and started running with our groups. We had been running for a while when suddenly a kunai flew inches in front of my face and lodged itself into the tree beside me. I stopped my group and shortly after that I heard Choji yell.
"Ambush!"