Chapter 25
Star was the first to notice that Kuro was missing. "Where's Kuro?" She asked, looking around for the blond. Kiba walked up next to her, "Hinata's missing too." He said, clearly worried for his teammate. "Come on Kiba, Akamaru can track them." Said Sasuke. "And Ohtar can help too." Starfire looked at Sasuke, surprised that he would be the one to suggest that. When he shot her a questioning look he shrugged and took off behind Akamaru. Star swung around and whistled for the silver wolf. A moment later he came sprinting around the corner. . . With a mouthful of meat and an angry man chasing him. "Stop that thieving dog!" The man called, outraged. Star took off running, with Ohtar running close behind, and called loudly over her shoulder, "He's a wolf, not a dog!" After they outran the shop owner they paused to catch their breath. "That was fun!" Said Star happily. Ohtar sat gnawing on his prize. "I agree." Mumbled Ohtar. "Well, we have to find Kuro and Hinata." Stated Star after the wolf had finished his meat. "So let's get going." Star and Ohtar caught up with the group and they found the sent of their lost friends.
With Kuro and Hinata
Kuro was really upset and on the verge of tears. "Come on," Said Hinata. "I saw a place we can go to." She started running and soon they reached the city gates. "Where are we going?" Asked Kuro shakily. "I saw a really pretty orchard on the way into town. I bet no one will find us there, accept the others that is." The girls sat under an apple tree that was heavy with fruit and talked about things. After about an hour a voice interrupted their conversation. "Hey Hinata!" Hinata swung around and smiled mildly. Kiba ran over and hugged the pale eyed girl tightly. "I thought something happened to you." He confessed. Hinata stood still, eyes wide in surprise, a faint blush creeping to her cheeks. "Kiba-kun, you can let go now." She said softly. Kiba blushed and pulled away, Akamaru snickering darkly from next to Ohtar. He shot the dog a glare that could curdle water. Kuro stood off behind a tree, trying her best to ignore the people that had come looking for them. 'No not us, Hinata.' She thought to herself. Kuro ran out from behind the tree, her head hanging sadly, and started back towards the town. Star ran after her and, once she caught up, practically dove on Kuro, pulling her into a bone crushing hug. "Don't ever do that again!" Exclaimed Star. Kuro's eyes widened comically. "What. . .?" She whispered. "Don't leave me. If I lost you. . . I. . ." Star paused, searching for the right words. "You and Sasuke are the only things that keep me from falling apart." Kuro hugged Star back tightly and mumbled, "They hate me. . . I can tell. I feel so alone that sometimes I forget that I have you." Star drew back and stared into Kuro's eyes. "Well you do have me." She said firmly. "Just give them a little more time and try to be social. They'll eventually accept you." Kuro nodded and smiled. "Thanks Star." The group joined them a moment later and the continued back into town. Kuro automatically started to drift to the back of the group, but Star grabbed her arm and drags her up next to Naruto in the front of the group. Naruto flashed Star a cheesy grin, causing her to blush; only Kuro noticed it though. Kuro whispered quietly into Star's ear. Naruto tried to hear what was said but got detracted by the bright red blush that formed on Starfire's cheeks. Kuro grinned smugly and was quiet for the rest of the way. Once they checked got to the hotel they went to the rooms and settled in. Later that night someone knocked on the girls' door. Kuro answered the door smiling but soon backed up and hid behind Star. "Hey Sasuke, what's up?" Asked Star happily. Sakura and Ino pushed Kuro out of the way and slowly slid around Star. "Hi Sasuke!" Said Ino cheerfully. "Shut up Ino pig, Sasuke doesn't want to talk to you." She said pushing the blond out of her way. "Do you Sasuke?" "Actually-" Sasuke started to say, before he was gloomped by the girls. Star finally lost it. She grabbed Sakura and Ino by the ears and drug them back while yelling, "I'm gonna shove my foot so far up your ass, you'll taste rubber!" Kuro laughed, trying not to laugh to loud, and sat on the bed farthest away from Sasuke. Sasuke closed the door and leaned against a wall to watch Star threatening the lives of the girls. Once Star finished she turned to Sasuke, noting the nervous glances that Kuro was giving him. "I came to tell you that we are meeting to discuss what to do next. . . About Raven." By the time Sasuke finished his sentence his voice had fallen into a pained whisper. Star nodded sadly. "You all go; I and Kuro will catch up in a minute." Sasuke nodded and left, followed by Sakura, Ino and Hinata. As soon as the door shut Kuro sighed and got up. "What did Sasuke say to you the other day?" Questioned Star. "Nothing." She said a little too quickly. "Tell me." "No" Star pushed Kuro against the wall, placing her hands on either side of the girls head. "Tell me now Kuro, so I can kick his ass." Kuro didn't reply, but grinned instead. "So I was right about the way you swing. . . But I wonder, dose Naruto know?" Mused the blond. Star glared, if looks could kill Kuro would be dead twenty times over. "I do not swing that way. . . Just answer the damned question and stop changing the subject." "Was worth a try. . ." Mumbled Kuro. "So are you gonna tell me?" Demanded Star. "No." Said Kuro simply. Star turned around and let out a frustrated sigh/scream thing. She pulled out her I-pod and turned on Mountains by Lone star. She hummed along, trying to calm herself, and headed towards the door. Kuro scrambled after her, not wanting to be left alone in this town. As they walked down the hall Star started singing along with the chorus "There are times in life when you gotta crawl, Lose your grip, trip an' fall. When you can't lean on no-one else: That's when you find yourself. I've been around an' I've noticed that, Walkin's easier when the road is flat. Them danged ol' hills'll get you every time. Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains, so we could learn how to climb." Kuro listened and hummed along happily. They reached the guys room and knocked. A certain blond boy opened the door, grinning broadly at them. "Hi Starfire! Hey Kuro!" He said, yelling it louder than necessary. "Hi Naruto!" Star returned cheerfully. Kuro mumbled 'hi' and followed Star into the room. The group, seated randomly around the room, greeted them before Kentaro spoke. "We are going to split up tomorrow morning into groups of my choosing." He paused and glanced around the room, waiting for any objections. When none came he continued. "We will fan out into the surrounding cities to look for Raven and meet back in Konoha in six days, with or with out Raven." He added, glancing towards Star and Sasuke. "To keep in touch I got these." He handed Shikamaru and Kiba each a walkie-talkie type thing. "The groups will be the following: Me, Kiba, Hinata, Sakura and Bee on one team. Shikamaru Sasuke, Star, Naruto, Kuro and Ino on the other. My team will talk the city's north of here and Shikamaru's team will take the south. If my sources are correct, Raven is heading towards the Hidden Sound Village. If you find Raven contact the us quickly. We'll get there and help you capture her. Orochimaru wants her as a part of his village, we cannot let that happen." The group nodded grimly. "You guys can go the hot springs if you want, but be back before 8:00. We have an early morning tomorrow." The girls left, heading back to the room to change.
later that night...
The large group of ninja sat in the steaming waters of the hot spring, talking and laughing amongst them selves. Naruto, sporting bright orange swim trunks, took it upon himself to do a large cannon ball. "YAHOO!!" He yelled before hitting the water.
"What a drag." Mumbled Shikamaru, as he attempted to knock the water from his ears. "Naruto! Why do you always have to make such a mess!?" Shouted Sakura. "Oh leave him be!" Shouted Star. They had gotten kicked out of the hot springs and were on their way back to the hotel. Sure it was Naruto's fault, but Star didn't want the Kitsune to be yelled at. They turned the corner and saw the man Hinata and Kuro had run into earlier. Kuro gasped and back peddled, running into Sasuke, thought she didn't care at the moment. The man smiled and said, "It has been awhile, Kuro."