A cold grey sky was above their heads that morning. The sun was hidden behind thick clouds that looked as if they were threatening to spill fat water drops. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, the air itself was humid and warm and made all clothing feel sticky. Kitsune got up earlier than required, taking a shower and eating breakfast, a small breakfast just to settle her stomach. Naruto was snoring away in his own bed, bundled up tightly in his blankets and drooling across his pillow. She smiled, grabbing her kunai holster and strapping it around her right thigh.
She glanced over at the alarm clock on his bedside table. The night before, Naruto had set it to wake him up at half past five but that had only been because he thought he'd have to rush.
Kitsune tiptoed to his side, quietly picking up the alarm. She changed the alarm time to quarter past, placing it back down but using one of Naruto's socks to set it on. It didn't make a clicking sound like it usually would when she set it down and she was grateful. The last thing she wanted was for Naruto to wake up.
Leaning over him, she kissed his temple and scratched the top of his head. "Ittekimasu, Nii-san."
She pulled the blankets up to his chin and smiled as he snuggled further into the sheets, sighing in delight. As she left the room she closed the door behind her and made her way to the front door, slipping her feet into her sandals. It was still early but she had promised Hinata she'd meet her for an early... coffee? Or tea? Either way, she wasn't going to leave her friend hanging.
The entire apartment had a drowsy and sleep like atmosphere to it. As much as Kitsune liked it, it was a real disadvantage if you wanted to go out somewhere on time. But the other reason had been because she had shut all the windows to keep the heat in and the cold out. Now it was stuffy and smelt of sleep and soap. An unlikely combination.
She grabbed her own set of keys and made her way to the door, unlocking it and opening it. A fresh burst of air knocked into her and she sighed. She took a deep breath. Her eyes automatically closed and light goosebumps travelled over her arms. With a final look into the dark apartment, Kitsune stepped out and closed the door behind her. She skipped down the steps, taking the stairs two at a time. A light layer of water covered the steps and caused her to trip over a few. She yelped and grabbed onto the railing.
She leapt over the last step and ran past the blocks of stores and houses. She would have jumped onto the roofs but then the owners would complain to the Hokage that shinobi were disrupting the peace early in the morning. She spoke from experience since she had been the cause of many disruptions. Kitsune made her way to the Hyuga Compound, leaping into the tallest tree by the entrance. The imprint of her sandals were carved into the thick branch.
For years, she had been landing in that same place. It overlooked the courtyard of the Compound and gave a clear view of Hinata's room. As stalkerish as it sounded, it was the truth that Hiashi wasn't always gentle with his oldest daughter. Kitsune had made it a priority to watch over Hinata whenever she had the time.
Her little guardian angel. Hinata was unaware of it and Kitsune was hoping to keep it that way.
The whole compound was silent. There was brief discussion coming from one of the larger rooms. The elders be in an early meeting. Kitsune glanced up at the top floor, room to the far left. Hinata's bedroom. It was slightly ajar and a small ray of light shone over the balcony. Kitsune crouched down and squinted. She was able to see the frame of a bed and a lamp pole. A shadow moved across the bed and a shirt was flung across the room.
Kitsune watched as Hinata rushed around her room trying to find her clothing. It was normal but Kitsune could feel her hunger rising again along with her thirst. She had always wondered why women took so long to get ready for the day when you ended up going home anyway to change into something different.
She was snapped out of her thoughts as she saw the door to Hinata's room open up slowly. Hinata peeked out and looked up and down the balcony way. Once she was sure it was clear, she stepped out and closed the door behind her. She tiptoed toward the staircase and covered her mouth with one hand. Both cheeks were flushed red as she tried to keep herself from making any noise. As she reached the final step, she halted and listened closely. Her eyes darted around as they tried to locate where each member of the clan was.
Most of them were in their early morning meeting and they spoke loud enough that she could sprint past and scream at the top of her sensitive lungs. She darted past the room, running out of the Compound at a speed Kitsune was impressed with.
She grinned and dropped to the ground, her body swaying as she shifted her balance correctly. Folding her arms over her chest, Kitsune walked up to her close friend. "Ohayō, Hyuga-Hime."
Hinata looked up at her, her eyebrows scowling together. "I thought I told you I don't like that name."
"Whatever you say, Hime," Kitsune grinned and stuffed her hands into the pockets of her skirt. "Where we going, anyway? I'm hungry."
Hinata straightened up, zipping up her brown jacket and shrugging into it. She looked up at Kitsune, her pale eyes wide and innocent. Almost too innocent. "We could go to that café down the road from here... It's open 24 hours and their ice coffee is really good."
Kitsune perked up at the word ice coffee. She disliked coffee but "ice" coffee was different. And ice coffee meant they served maple biscuits. She nodded her head and grabbed Hinata's hand, forcing her to lead the way. Only a few people were out on the streets. Some were opening stores or mothers were scurrying around to get things ready for their children. Hinata led them through the streets, bowing her head respectfully as people noticed her. Her title as Hyuga Heiress couldn't be diminished during her free time; even if she was with her best friend.
The two walked side by side, hanging off each other and laughing about nothing in particular. Anyone who saw them together would wonder what could possibly be so funny that a Jinchūriki and a Heiress would want the whole world to hear it. They were two sides of the same coin though. A pessimist and an optimist.
"Oh, there it is!" Hinata exclaimed, pointing at the building in front of them. A cloud of steam left her mouth and she watched the cloud in astonishment, then glanced down at her hands. They were a bright pink from the cold and she hadn't even realized it.
Kitsune looked down at her own hands and was surprised they were still the same colour. The cold wasn't even bothering her. She reached out and clasped both of Hinata's hands. Her hands were frozen. Ice cold. Kitsune blinked her eyes a few times but laughed at Hinata's embarrassed blush. "Don't worry about it. It's the least I can do after dragging you out here at... 6 in the morning."
"Wasn't it my idea?"
"... Let's say yes," Kitsune laughed as she pulled Hinata toward the café . It was more of a restaurant than a café but from 6 to 8:30 they only served breakfast. That ranged from coffee, espresso, cappuccino, waffles, pancakes, fruit, yoghurt, bacon and eggs and anything that would be considered a breakfast speciality. The complex itself was a two-storey building that had once been used as a dojo for children wishing to learn Tae Kwon Do but after three years of no attendance, they shut their doors. The building was refurbished and alerted to suit the needs of customers who were looking for a bite to eat and since then, it evolved into a decent franchise. There were at least seven different cafés in the village.
Paragon Delight Café.
The name was corny as hell but they did serve really good Turkish Delight. Kitsune pushed open the double doors, sighing as the aroma of freshly baked muffins and brewed coffee reached her nose. She wouldn't drink that coffee but it smelt good though. The walls were painted a bright yellow with white spirals circling up it. Each ceramic tile on the floor had an image of a coffee cup or a brown square that she assumed was fudge; though the artist who had designed it could have done a better job. The ground floor was where the register was and the kitchen, along with small tables for those who didn't feel like going upstairs. The first floor had the most seats and tables and was also where the heater was. The wall to the far back had different words sprawled across it, like "family", "enjoy", "love" and a few adjectives they probably got from a dictionary.
The two girls stood before the register, waiting in a short line. Even though it was early, a lot of people came for the special between 6 and 7. Buy one of their speciality breakfasts and you got a coupon for free drinks the next time you came by. It sounded rather lame but it came in handy when you were short on cash and just wanted to stop for a drink.
Hinata stepped up to the counter and took out her purse, unzipping it. She turned to Kitsune with a soft smile. "It's my treat," she turned to the cashier. "I'll have one ice coffee and a cinnamon roll set."
"I'll take a peach bubble tea and a maple biscuit set, arigato," Kitsune rubbed the back of her neck nervously. She hated when Hinata would pay for everything. It made her feel like she owed her something.
Hinata pulled out a fifty ryo note and handed it to the cashier. He smiled at her and took it with both hands, placing it into the register before going to prepare their order. Kitsune watched as he got the cups, poured the water and milk into it along with the powder needed. Wasn't the powder meant to go in first then the water? Either way, Kitsune watched closely. She never trusted people who made her food unless she knew them from a young age. It was a law all food industries had. Never mess with people who handled your food.
The cashier came back with a tray with the two drinks and small breakfast on it. He slid it over to Hinata and held out her change. "I have committed the gravest of sins in making such a beautiful woman wait. Please accept these coupons as a token of my apology."
Hinata frowned and reached out to take the change from her fifty ryo note. The cashier clasped onto her hand and placed the money into her hand. She stepped back and blushed, staring at the cashier in surprise. Kitsune narrowed her eyebrows and decided to step in. There was no way she was leaving her friend when this creep was acting all weird around her. She took the tray and gently nudged Hinata toward the stairs.
Once they were out of earshot, Hinata let out a sigh of relief. "I hate guys like that. His cologne is gross and those sunglasses? Indoors? It gives me chills!"
"He does realize that you're only twelve, right? Unless he's into that sort of thing then go ahead. Imagine the offspring," Kitsune laughed as they walked up the stairs. Hinata lightly pushed Kitsune but laughed as well. They took a seat near the window but also close to the heater. The seats were surprisingly comfy and warm and made it feel like when you got out of bed. Exactly the right temperature.
Hinata reached across the table and took her ice coffee. "This is nice..."
"What is?" Kitsune asked, turning her maple biscuit around and inspecting it for any butter. They made a habit of putting butter on it when it was one of the few things she didn't eat.
"Us hanging out. You've been so preoccupied with the Genin exams that we haven't really had time to hang out like this. As friends."
Kitsune lifted her head and stared at Hinata. "We hang out. We always do."
"Of course we hang out but I mean... your mind was always elsewhere. You seemed distant, like you were here but at the same time somewhere else. I don't really know how to explain it but that's how it's been since the beginning of the year," Hinata whispered, pressing her fingers together nervously.
Stunned beyond words, Kitsune stared at Hinata. She hadn't realized how she had been acting the past few months. She had a one-track mind and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't direct herself to go down another path. Hell, she couldn't even multitask that well. She'd get confused and give up halfway. But as she thought about it, she realized that she had been neglecting Hinata. Focusing all her attention on training. The entire time she had been doing that, she had been leaving Hinata by herself, when that had been one of their soul promises to each other. To never leave the other alone.
Kitsune felt like a prize idiot. She slapped a hand to her forehead and groaned. "Oh Kami, I'm a terrible friend! I have a one-track mind just like Naruto said!"
"N-No you're not. I understand, you've been busy with a lot of things. And you have a team to add to your problems," Hinata waved her hands in front of her and smiled.
"Forget about my team. When we became friends, remember what I told you?" Kitsune asked sternly, lifting her head and looking at Hinata.
"A-A-Ano... This makes us friends now, right?"
"No, the other thing."
"I'd rather be a NEET than be in this... class."
"No, but how do you remember what I said during kunoichi class? I can't even remember what I said," Kitsune smirked at Hinata but shook her head and went back to their main topic. "As long as I'm around, I'll make sure that nothing happens to your smile. You're my nakama, and that's not gonna change. That's what I said. If I ever neglect you again you have full permission to smack me one and I won't yell about it like I usually would."
Hinata stared at Kitsune, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly ajar. Her eyes began to mist over and her bottom lip trembled. She clutched her pants tightly. She hadn't expected the sentence to sting as much as it had. It had been years ago though. Back when they were still six and new to the Academy. When Kitsune had said that to her, she hadn't thought much of it because she barely understood the meaning of the sentence and she doubted Kitsune knew the meaning either. But now that she was older, and read her fair share of books, the meaning was more transparent and more emotional.
Kitsune noticed the way Hinata struggled to contain floods of tears and quickly stood up, reaching across the table and cupping her hand. "Hey, come on. I didn't mean to let it get so deep but I'm just telling you the truth. I'll always be there. Even after you marry my brother and have adorable kids and spend all your time looking after the youngest."
"M-M-Marry? W-What are you t-t-talking about?" Hinata turned away and tensed her shoulders to her side. Her whole body went rigid and she stuttered repeatedly to herself.
"You know exactly what I mean," Kitsune leaned into the table and grinned. "Being on a team is going to increase your chances if you can get over your anxiety and just talk to him. Sooner or later you're gonna be stuck in a do-or-die situation and you'll have no choice but to converse with him. Believe me."
Hinata looked off to the side, her whole face turning a bright red. She gulped and rubbed her arms together. Removing her hand from Hinata's, Kitsune looked out the window at the dark sky. She didn't know what would happen today. It was supposed to be a small exam to test their abilities but she got the feeling it was more than that. It was merely a gut feeling but her gut never lied to her. Look where trusting her gut got her. Sato nearly kidnapped her and sold her like some kind of animal.
She shook the unsettling feeling out from her mind and focused on her friend. "Look at me, acting like I know all about this when I'm almost in the same situation with you."
"You are?" Hinata frowned and blinked her round eyes.
"Yeah. I've got that no-good, self-absorbed, double-crossing, anthropocentric, conniving, distasteful, depressing, abnormal, nagging, prosaic..."
"Uchiha Sasuke? He's not that bad," Hinata answered, giggling at her friend's extensive use of adjectives.
"Not that bad? Not that bad? Have you met him? He's a.." Kitsune pushed her hands onto her cheeks and blew a raspberry. "And his head looks like a..." she blew another raspberry. "And his face sounds like..." finally, she blew another raspberry, shots of spit firing out. She folded her arms in front of her chest and narrowed her eyebrows. "He knows what it means."
That was how the rest of the conversation progressed and still the sun didn't peek through the clouds. Like everyone else in the village, the sun was just as lazy as them. The two girls finished their small breakfast and made their way to their separate locations. Kitsune stuffed her hands into her pockets and strolled through the forest, yawning as she moved. Eating maple biscuits and drinking bubble tea made her woozy. Whether Kurenai had told them not to eat was banished from her mind. She thought with her stomach and not her mind when she was hungry.
Turning the corner, Kitsune spotted her two new teammates standing in the centre of the training field. The Training Grounds was a massive field that linked to opposite fields on the other side. Am electric fence was around them but was concealed by trees and shrubs. A short distance in front of them, a stream was in front with a large hill on the opposite side of the stream. Due to the grey sky, the river had a silver appearance to it and the grass and trees had a deep, dark green to it.
Shikamaru lifted his head and raised his eyebrows. "Ohayō, Kitsune-chan."
Raising her hand in a small wave, Kitsune felt her cheeks heat up ever so slightly. "O-Ohayō, Shikamaru-kun," her expression darkened as she turned to Sasuke. It would be rude if she didn't acknowledge him but she didn't want to. She grinded her teeth together and looked at the ground beneath his feet. "Sasuke..."
No reply. Kitsune looked up at Sasuke and saw how he was looking off to the side, not even bothering to greet her. She clenched her fists at her side and glared at him. As if reading her thoughts, Shikamaru shook his head. Her mouth opened to protest but she immediately shut it. She knew better than to try and fight with Shikamaru. Rubbing her hands over her arms, Kitsune looked around. "So... where's that lady?"
"Kurenai-sensei. And she's not here yet. We did arrive earlier than needed," Shikamaru answered, running a hand across his hair.
An unsettling feeling rose in her stomach. Being alone with the two boys before her had not been her intention. She had really hoped this Kurenai lady would be an early bird so that she wouldn't have to spend awkward amounts of time hanging around her new team. It was something she needed to get over.
Some day. Just not today.
Time ticked away as the three remained standing where they were. They didn't speak. Or make eye contact. Or smirk. It was difficult to tell if they were even breathing. With their backs facing each other, the three looked for even a speck of red to indicate that Kurenai was there. The dark sky made everything too dark for anyone to spot bright colours but still, they looked just in case Kurenai moved past without them knowing.
There was a crunching of leaves and twigs causing all three students to spin around, their hands darting to their kunai holsters. "I thought for sure I got a group of night owls but seems like I got early birds. How lucky am I?"
Still clad in her outfit, Kurenai walked over to her new students with a bright smile on her lips. She stopped a few steps in front them, placing a hand on her hip. Her crimson eyes examined each of them, almost making sure they were the real thing and not substitutions.
"You've got me mistaken for someone else then, ma'am. I'm not a night owl or early bird. I'm something like an exhausted pigeon," Kitsune tilted her head to the side and scowled up at the dark clouds.
Kurenai chuckled lightly and moved past them, a fresh floral scent following her. She moved further into the training grounds, her raven curls bouncing with each step she took. She spun around to face the three, her features going serious but at the same time, gentle and considering. "You're all Genin but that doesn't mean you're superior shinobi worth pushing up to Jōnin. I need to test your skill for myself, to see what you're all capable of," she extended her arms out on either side of her. "The test I have set out for you is basic and simple. Not as simple as your Genin exam but just enough that you'll need to think outside the box to figure all of it out."
"Please tell me you're not one of those people who talk in riddles?" Shikamaru groaned, slumping and tensing his shoulders.
"If there's a gun on the table and you leave and I go in, what's left on the table?" Kitsune grinned at Shikamaru, her eyes visibly brightening.
"Oh Kami..."
"Just guess! It's so simple! Unless you want another one? I have tons of them just stored away in my mind."
"Then you have enough space for a thousand more..."
"Shut up!"
"Anyway, now that we're all here, we might as well begin this test quickly so we can be done before the afternoon," Kurenai suggested, grabbing Kitsune's arm before her fist could collide with Shikamaru's head.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kitsune saw Sasuke take two steps forward. He was staring intently at Kurenai, his eyebrows furrowed together, a small wrinkle in the middle of his forehead. "What's the test?"
Kitsune's head snapped back to Kurenai. A playful expression came over Kurenai's face. The corner of her lip curled upward and a mischievous gleam came over her crimson eyes. She lowered Kitsune's arm and released her fist. Slowly, she took steps back. Kitsune didn't know why but a chill ran up her spine as she watched the young woman. She had never seen an adult look so playful before. It was almost unnerving. Kitsune exchanged glances with Shikamaru and even Sasuke, all three of them completely confused. They looked back to Kurenai.
Kurenai raised her arms out on either side of her. "Catch me."
In a flood of illuminating pink flower petals, Kurenai's body dispersed. Shikamaru's eyes widened in surprise and he looked around. Kitsune looked up at the sky while Sasuke looked below. That was one of the first things they learnt at the Academy. Always check your surroundings. Their enemy could be hiding in plain sight and they wouldn't know until they made themselves seen.
"So we were talking to a clone the entire time?" Kitsune curled her hands into fists and glared at the sky. "Not cool!"
"Watch yourselves. This Kurenai is a genjutsu user. She might try to get us caught up in one," Shikamaru warned as he slowly made his way into the forest surrounding the Training Grounds.
"Hai hai," Kitsune yawned as she went the opposite way. She glanced back at Sasuke. He moved forward and had his hand hovering over his kunai holster. Smart, but if Kurenai specialized in genjutsu, then throwing kunai would be a useless backup plan. Either way, Kitsune walked into the forest, staying on high alert as she looked for Kurenai.
O~O
Twenty minutes after Kitsune had left, Naruto awoke to the annoying ringing of his alarm. His stomach rumbled as he got dressed but he couldn't answer its pleas. Kakashi had specifically said they shouldn't eat breakfast. Usually he would go against those orders and eat anyway but he had heard that if he did eat he would inevitably throw up, so he decided against it and chose to use his hunger as a fuel to get through the day.
He locked the apartment behind him as he left, zipping up his orange jacket. The chilling air made his skin sting even through his thick jacket. He darted down the stairs and ran in the direction of the training grounds. He wasn't sure which one but if he saw Kiba and Hinata then he'd know he was at the right one.
Naruto wondered what time Kitsune had left but he knew it must've been way too early for him to bother greeting her. There had been a light tingle on his temple when he woke up so he assumed Kitsune had given him a goodbye kiss before leaving. His hand subconsciously moved to that spot and he shuddered. He found it disturbing when she did that. Like a mother.
He ran through the village, dodging the incoming crowds. A small build up of people were moving through the streets. This was probably because it was a Wednesday and Academy students still had to go to classes. Naruto felt a bit of sympathy for them. The children still in the First Year still had a long way to go before they reached Genin. Never mind sympathy, he had to suffer through seven years of that hell. He should've been wishing that they have just as much a bad year as he had.
He searched every training ground that was open to Genin and couldn't find his team anywhere. He heard a few curses come from the Fifth Training Ground but it must've been his imagination. Sucking in a deep breath, he dragged himself into the Third Training Ground. It was his last hope or else he'd be known as the late person in the group.
And before him stood Kiba and Hinata. The two turned and stared at Naruto. Kiba folded his arms across his chest but directly underneath Akamaru, who was nestled in his jacket. "There you are! You were supposed to be here at 7 o'clock, baka!"
"Huh? What the heck're you talking about? Who the hell cares about being here early?" Naruto snapped, glaring at his friend.
"Our sensei is gonna care... well, he would."
"Once he gets here..." Hinata whispered, twirling her index fingers around each other.
Naruto's eyes widened. He looked around and as Hinata had said; Kakashi was nowhere to be seen. They were the only people in the field. There was a few of mountains in the landscape and a large and probably deep river with forests on both of its sides. There was a glade and in its centre there were three stumps lined side by side. Off to the far left, was a polished kunai-shaped structure. Naruto wasn't sure what it was but it stood inconspicuously amongst the trees and bushes.
"Can't believe I woke up early for this. The jerk's not even here," Naruto slumped and looked around. He woke up early and didn't even eat breakfast. Their jerk of a sensei better have a good excuse for why he was late.
In the thirty minutes he spent with his two teammates, Naruto noticed how he was the only one wearing shockingly bright clothes. Both Hinata and Kiba wore dark clothing unlike him. Him and his orange tracksuit.
He picked at the sleeve of his shirt and kept his back turned to the two. Now he suddenly wished he wore something dark like his sister did.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He spun around and his eyes darted up to the trees. The leaves rustled and the branches shook. Those were signs of extra weight being placed upon them or something moving about among them. From the branches, a dark blur passed through it and landed in front of them. Hinata instantly stepped behind Naruto, her pale eyes trembling slightly.
Kakashi had both his hands in his pockets and a laid back expression spread across his face. Naruto growled and took a few steps forward, clenching his fist in front of his chest. "You're late!"
"Well, a black cat crossed my path, so I had to take the long way," Kakashi shrugged his shoulders. He looked at each of them, examining them silently. "Looks like we're all here. I have to admit, I'm surprised."
"Surprised we actually listen? We're not gonna revolt any time soon so you can dump that thought out of your mind," Kiba stood beside Naruto, lowering his arms to his side.
"A-A-Ano... Kakashi-sensei?" Hinata raised her hand nervously, clutching the front of her jacket with her free hand. Kakashi's visible eye darted to where she was and she squeaked in surprise and jumped back. Anxiously, she began pressing her index fingers together again. "W-What is t-t-the t-task you wanted t-to assign to us?"
The material of his mask visibly tightened, a sign he was smiling? But it disappeared quickly and went back to being relaxed. "Your assignment is very simple," he reached into his pouch. A light jingle echoed as he pulled out two small bells, the same size as the one you would place on a kitten or puppy's collar. He held them out between his index finger and thumb. "You just have to take these bells from me. That's all there is to it. If you can't get 'em by noon, you go without lunch. You'll be tied to those posts and you'll watch as I eat my lunch in front of you."
Simultaneously, the three genin felt their stomachs rumble and let out similar growls. Hinata blushed furiously and placed her hands over her stomach, staring down at it like it was a stubborn child. Naruto rubbed the back of his neck but winced as his fingertips ran over small bumps.
Great, another rash.
Kakashi chuckled and shook his head. He attached the bells to the waistline of his pants and pulled his jacket over it. "The purpose of this is to test your strengths. The point isn't whether you win or lose."
But Kakashi's words fell on deaf ears. Naruto and Kiba were yelling at each other over who was going to get the bells. Kiba smirked and patted Akamaru's head. "Me and Akamaru can handle this. You can go sit on the side lines, Naruto!"
"You can go sit on the side lines! Don't you get in my way, Kiba!" Naruto hissed, jabbing a finger at Kiba's stomach.
The two glared at each other, both of their fists clenched at their sides. Kakashi sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He looked toward Hinata, who stood behind the two boys, watching anxiously as if preparing for the worst case scenario. He took a step back. The two boys looked to him, watching him closely. The jingle of the bells gave it away that he was moving.
Placing both hands into his pockets, Kakashi tilted his head to the side. "Let's see what you've got."
A swirl of leaves enveloped him and once they settled, Kakashi was no longer there. Hinata looked around, her hand clenched loosely in front of her chest. Her pale eyes moved from left to right, searching for the older jōnin. "H-H-How did he... Where is h-he?"
"Either a substitution or a clone. Basic, but it works if you want a clean getaway," Kiba suggested. Akamaru barked in agreement. The Inuzuka boy walked ahead, looking from side to side. He turned his head to the side to look at his teammates. "We can split up. Look for clues for where this guy can be."
"I don't take orders from you!" Naruto stormed off in the opposite direction, heading off into the small forest surrounding the field.
Standing by herself, Hinata watched her two teammates. She sighed and went to the left, moving toward the strange structure that was hidden amongst the trees. If they would go in that direction, she'd just have to task the one left over.
This was a way to test their strengths as shinobi, a way to prove they were ready for the title of Genin. Their lives as shinobi had finally begun.
Or so they thought...