The Boy in the Team

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ramen-time had to wait for the next day. Shinku groggily admitted he wouldn't have gone to ramen anyway, considering their return happened in the middle of the night. He winced as a light ray slammed into his face —just as it did for the rest of the group— and then the gate guards opened up.

Kakashi moved first, giving the probably required passcode to let them enter rather than ending skewered up by the Chuunin on site. He'd hate being skewered so close to home. The thought of a bath enticed him, and as he numbly nodded his goodbye to the group —he had to take a detour to reach his house— he began to walk in the silence of the crisp and clear Konoha night.

He wondered how the people of the land of Wave were sleeping now. Were they huddled together, crying in their dreams what they no longer had?

Would there be even a glimmer of hope in their future?

He didn't know. Strangely, he didn't even care. There had been children among the villagers, dirty and with rags. There had been women, old and frail men —he had killed one too— and yet…yet he didn't really care. The world didn't care so why would he?

Did the man he passed by, while going back home, care? Did Gato care? He doubted Gato had to take more than a cup of tea to get to sleep. He had money in his pocket, more than he had ever had before…and he didn't know what to make of it. He'd put it away in his locker box, like everything else he earned.

The money was dirty and blotched red, with the blood of the man he had killed. It hadn't been a murder with a noble reason. He hadn't killed the man swiftly, because his teammates had been captured.

You didn't kill the men to save your teammates. You were looking for a Takigakure shinobi to escape Taki.

He winced as his hands fumbled with the keys. He opened the door and walked inside.

The smell of warm food hit his nostrils.

That simple thing froze him on the spot.

It was late at night.

His parents…

Were home.

He was dirty and his hands caked in dried blood now glared at him like vicious stomach punches. He hadn't washed them, too taken aback by his actions to even properly think it through. He had remained quiet throughout the entire trip back, completely ignoring everything around him.

The rest of the group gave him a wide berth, but now…

"Uh?" the voice of his mother reached his ears. He stiffened as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Shinku?"

She guessed from the kitchen —she couldn't see him from the doorway anyway, but the sound of her footsteps pattering on the wood told him it was just a matter of moments before she came to check. She had probably been preparing the Bento for the next day —lunch— when he returned.

"I'm…" he croaked out. "I'm home."

Her head peered out from the kitchen, and then her eyes widened as she took in his sorry state. "Oh my," she dropped what she was holding on the nearby counter, running right next to him to grab a hold of his cheeks with her palms. They were surprisingly warm.

He felt like crying all of a sudden.

He really felt like crying.

"What happened dear?" his mother asked, her voice worried as she looked all over him. "Did you go on a mission out of Konoha? Are you already taking your C-ranks? Why are you wearing a flak jacket? Was it risky?"

"I…" he croaked, "It was a D-rank," he acquiesced.

He realized then, as his mother hurriedly pushed him to sit in the kitchen, that he couldn't tell her the truth. He had killed a man and earned one hundred ten thousands ryos…but he couldn't tell her.

"What happened? Why are your hands covered in blood?"

"A boar," Shinku muttered. "We had to…take care of a boar, out of Konoha."

"Ah, yes…I heard there are a few boars around Konoha's countryside that sometime damage the crops. Was it big? Are you wounded? Do you need to go to the hospital? Right, you wouldn't be here if you had to go to the hospital," Mebuki shook her head. "Did you help your teammates out? You aren't weighting down on them, right? Who are they by the way? I never got around to asking you…"

"I…I'm sorry, but…" he hitched out, "I don't really…"

"Oh," Mebuki's eyes softened. "Did they make you give the killing blow? Poor dear," she hugged him then, holding him tight.

Shinku couldn't hold it in any longer.

He cried.

He sniffled, he sobbed, tears rolled down his eyes as he released the cry he had kept in his throat up until that very moment. "Shhh, shhh," Mebuki whispered softly, gently caressing the back of his head, "It's all right…everything is going to be all right…it was just a boar, an animal…calm down…"

Humans are actually animals, you know.

"Oh, my poor, poor boy," Mebuki muttered, "Maybe the life of the shinobi really isn't cut-out for you…"

"N-No," he croaked out. "I'm…I'm fine…I'm just…tired, not really…hungry."

"I'll let the water run then," Mebuki replied before turning to gaze at the pans. "Oh, can you just make sure the food doesn't burn?"

"Y-yes."

Looking at the food cooking, the smell of warm food, the noise of oil frying stuff…it was good.

It felt…homely.

He nibbled a cookie.

It was starting to become a standard reaction whenever things went down to nibble something with chocolate. He was going to become a rolling boulder if it kept up.

Five minutes later, and he sank in the warm water.

Ten minutes passed by as Shinku's eyes slowly closed down, his breathing evening out as he succumbed to tiredness.

He awoke with a splutter, the water coming out of his nose and mouth now icy cold. He stumbled out with a shiver, quickly wrapping himself in a towel before gazing at his reflection in the mirror of the bath.

"Hey there," Inner-Shinku remarked from the mirror. "We're safe now, aren't we?"

His eyes were black and his hair red, a perfect-mirrored image of him. Outer-Shinku nodded numbly, exhaling in relief.

"Let's…try and keep ourselves safe for a bit more, I can't always come around to save your ass," Inner-Shinku snapped. He twirled a kunai in the reflection, the Kirigakure one, "And frankly, I think we should worry about the Chuunin exams or whatever…that bastard of a teacher did say he would enrol us."

"He wouldn't…"

"He will," Inner-Shinku hissed out, "So," he pointed the kunai towards Shinku. "You better learn something, anything at all, that can help us survive."

"But where? I mean…"

"Our sensei is a bastard, but he wasn't…"

"B-But…"

"If I hear another 'but' or 'p-please' stuttered out I'll rip my own tongue," Inner-Shinku hissed. "You want to learn, then learn. You have a teacher, so ask him. You have to survive to Chuunin, Shinku," his hand slammed against the glass. The glass cracked as blood began to drip down the knuckles of his inner-self. "We will survive, understood!?"

"Y-Yes."

"I can't hear you!"

"Yes!" Shinku snarled, pulling away his fist…with glass shards embedded in his knuckles. Wincing, he removed them one by one while clicking his tongue.

The next morning, Shinku blearily opened his eyes to the sound of a dull thud outside his window. He opened it, just in time to receive a small pebble straight on the forehead which knocked him backwards with an 'ouch'.

"Sorry!" Naruko's voice reached his ears, "Really sorry!" the girl entered his room as if she was the owner, "You all right?"

"Y-Yes," he mumbled, gazing at her strangely.

"Right," Naruko said, clapping her hands. "I am still angry at you," Naruko pouted, "But I'm willing to forget all about it. Now, are your parents at home? I need to steal you for the moment, you see. We're all having breakfast at Uke-chan's house! Your parents are included of course!"

Shinku blearily looked at her for a moment more.

"Wait." He blinked as his eyes fully opened the moment the implication sunk in. "What?" he croaked out.

"We're having breakfast at Uke-chan's house!" she excitedly gripped his hands, "You'll see, Auntie Mikoto is really good —not like my mom, but she's a decent cook— and you get to see Sasuke wearing an apron! I mean, who wouldn't want to see Uke-chan wearing an apron?"

Naruko shot out of his room a moment later, "Ohi! Shin-chan's parents! We're going out for breakfast! Anyone home!?"

"You'll wake the neighbours!" Shinku hissed as his tongue stuck to his throat.

"They're already out?" Naruko frowned, before sighing. "Really," she gripped on to Shinku. "You're coming with me, Shin-chan. You clearly need a healthy breakfast. You know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"

It was with those words that Shinku inwardly cursed as loud as he could. Breakfast at Sasuke's house meant…

The Uchiha district.

The Uchiha home.

The Uchiha's Chief of the police home.

It meant the second most powerful man of the most powerful clan in Konoha —depending on sources, and if one was an Uchiha sympathizer or a Hyuga one— would be having breakfast at the same table as his wife, Sasuke, Naruko and…

Of course, breakfast was something done in families. The way Naruko had meant it…

He was having breakfast with the Chief of the Police.

He was having breakfast with the Hokage.

He was having breakfast with their families.

He felt extremely out of place, and so tiny and insignificant that if maybe someone took pity on him and had him leave…he'd actually be grateful. He hadn't even put on his flak jacket. He felt not only naked…but also extremely vulnerable without it.

He was bunkered between Naruko and Sasuke, with Fu standing in front of them —literally surrounded— as he felt the scrutiny of everyone else at the table...towards him.

Oh, there was also their sensei. He was happily waving at him with his single visible eye while holding on a light chuckle.

Wonderful.

He wanted to scream.

HE WANTED TO SCREAM.

"No need to be afraid, Shin-chan! Uke-chan's father is…"

"It's Sasuke," Sasuke's father shot straight back, sporting a glare that made Shinku freeze, "After Sasuke Sarutobi."

"It's still a stupid name," Naruko replied uncaring, "Uke-chan is way better!"

The Yondaime laughed nervously, "Well said, Clappers."

"It's Thunderstorm Dad!" Naruko whined.

"Your parents couldn't make it, Shinku-kun?" Kushina asked him, and he stiffly nodded. He actually would have loved, to the bottom of his heart, to go back on the bridge and laugh with Zabuza. He'd exchange such nice stories! He'd even love to be gutted, rather than standing another instant there! Why him? Why?

"They must truly love their work," Fugaku stated plainly.

"You already had breakfast then, dear?" the soft voice of Fugaku's wife made him swallow nervously, as he shook his head. "Oh, very well then," Mikoto said with a happy hum. "It's nearly done anyway."

"Hey, where's Duckbutt's apron!?" Naruko shouted.

"I burned it, Dobe," Sasuke grumbled. "Who would even want me to wear a pink apron with a yellow duck?"

Fu giggled. "Aw…that's cute!"

"If you wore that naked-style while standing outside, I'm sure you would soon find out," Naruko replied with a wink.

Minato groaned. "I knew I shouldn't have left Jiraiya babysit."

"I knew I shouldn't have let Sasuke play with her," Fugaku joined in the groan.

Fu inclined her head to the side, "What? What's that about?"

"At least someone here still has some decency for being of the fairer sex," Fugaku said, looking towards Fu.

"Ohi, what's wrong you two prudes!" Kushina yelled. "We're talking of making a profit here," Kushina began to count with her fingers. "If we sell the photos at five-hundred ryos each, after counting for development…"

"Kushina-chan," Mikoto said with a bright and kind smile that terrorized Shinku to the depths of his core —even if directed at Kushina who froze too. "You try and use my son as merchandise and I will…oh, better not say it while having breakfast," the woman brought a hand to her mouth and smiled, her eyes crinkling happily as she cocked her head to the side.

"By the way," Minato said, "How was the mission?"

Kakashi hummed. "It went well, sensei."

"Kakashi-Nii bullied Shin-chan throughout it all," Naruko pouted. "He was very, very mean!"

"Oh? How so?"

"A-Ah, it was n-nothing," Shinku stuttered out, waving a hand in dismissal and then keeping his gaze down. Fu gazed at him, clearly worried as she bit down on her lips hard —as if to refrain from saying something.

Kakashi just kept on humming. "Yep, we just had nice talks, eye-opening talks," the silver-haired Jounin nodded sagely. "Wasn't there a no-mission talk during food times?"

"It was abolished after the last one you went on that nearly got my daughter killed," Minato replied with a smile. If Mikoto's smile had been terrifying, the one of the Yondaime felt on a completely different strength. Shinku began to consider the 'Demon' Zabuza a huggable body-pillow —a comfortable body pillow.

"Naruko-chan was unharmed," Kakashi replied. "Everyone was unharmed to some degree. I think I have an appointment I must be late for…"

"He made Shinku act as if he were a Chuunin," Sasuke shot straight back, "and on site there were Four Kirigakure Swordsmen of the mist, two Chuunin and one Hunter-Nin," the Uchiha boy narrowed his eyes. "He disappeared for long lengths of time, and basically left it to us to deal with the troubles. There weren't any bandits, but Kiri seemed keen on starting something and they nearly got to blows with Shinku to boot...and…"

"Breakfast is ready," Mikoto stated plainly. "I think we'll put the no-mission talk back on as a rule, or I might just murder Kakashi before the end of the hour."

Kakashi eye-smiled, "Can I make a run for it?"

"Only if you let me stab you thrice first," Mikoto replied sweetly.

Breakfast wasn't like the one he cooked at home in a hurry —eggs and toasts— it was…actually prepared. Fish, rice, small cut eggs…it meant waking up at four to start preparing it. The Yondaime and the Chief of the Police talked business. Kakashi every now and then interrupted them to give a point here or there. The two women spoke of cooking, and every now and then Kakashi interrupted once more to ask about this or that.

Sasuke and Naruko spoke to one another with Fu intervening, and seemingly all three tried to rope Shinku into conversations…and when Kakashi tried to intervene they all glared at him with enough anger to shoo him back into talking about 'the proper way of cleaning blood out of an uniform' with Kushina and Mikoto.

"So, I think we'll be doing only D-ranks inside of Konoha now," Naruko mumbled. "It would be way better. You know, get some rest, have some good ramen…"

"Dobe, you only think about Ramen," Sasuke grumbled. "I say we should find out about the Chuunin exams and who are opponents are going to be."

"Aw," Fu pouted, "I'm not going to participate in them," she looked downcast. "But I'll be cheering for you, Shin-kun!"

"T-Thanks," Shinku stuttered out, his cheeks heating up lightly.

Naruko giggled with a half-depraved lecherous gaze. Sasuke coughed.

"We will need to train. Cheers can only go so far."

"Oh shush it Uke-chan. Rest and relaxation! Double errs!"

"I say we should train more. We'll be up against older teams certainly, and what if those Kiri freaks decide to actually show up?"

"Ohi," Kushina said suddenly, "Who said you're going in the exams now?"

"Kakashi," Sasuke replied crisply.

"Why not wait a few years?" Mikoto said, her voice jovial and her tone mirthful…as she sharpened a knife.

"Are they ready?" Minato asked instead, eying Kakashi who simply eye-smiled back.

"They were born ready," the silver-haired Jounin stated. "I will deliver the report of the mission this afternoon, sensei. You'll agree with me wholeheartedly."

"Keep him in the room while he does that," Naruko mumbled, "You'll want to hit him with something anyway."

"Oh? Can I come too, Hokage-sama?" Mikoto asked with her smile simply increasing in strength. Shinku was trembling like a leaf. The gaze wasn't directed at him, but he was still trembling.

"Hey, Auntie Mikoto! Pipe down with the glare, you're scaring Shin-chan!" Naruko exclaimed. "It's all right Shin-chan! Auntie's really nice —she was a Jounin you know— but she forgets sometime to turn her glare off."

"I do not glare," Mikoto replied.

She then carefully walked behind Naruko, her eyes narrowing slightly when she realized Shinku tensed at her passage. She curled her lips slightly up as her tongue clicked once, startling the boy…before she went to ruffle Naruko's head.

"Right," Minato said suddenly. "Before going on a mission," he sighed as he handed over the scroll to an eagerly waiting Kakashi —who pouted like a child at the sight of the D-rank mark— "Shinku," the boy stood to attention, his back stiffening considerably more than before. "You'll have to pass by the Yamanaka flower shop to talk with Inoichi."

"H-Hai," Minato smiled, and then gave a soft look to Naruko who awkwardly nodded back to him.

"I promise I won't burn it down like last time," she pouted. "Who knew compost was explosive anyway!?"

"It was classified an accident," Fugaku said crisply, "And you were let go because you were young, and…"

"And Sasuke helped me light the fuse," Naruko nodded sagely, "And you were privately punished with no ramen for a year," she added, "And the light of the world died that day to be reborn one year later," she finished gravely. "Oh ramen, why are you so delicious?"

"I was not going to say that," Fugaku hissed.

Having finished breakfast, the four Genin plus their Jounin-sensei headed out.

"The mission for today is weeding a garden," Kakashi hummed. "Nothing that can't be done with a hefty dose of clones," he shrugged. "First stop, Yamanaka flower shop to leave Shinku-kun to get his brain analysed."

"We'll wait outside," Sasuke said.

"If you don't come out in five, we'll barge in with a squad Shin-chan, don't worry!" Naruko exclaimed.

"It's going to be all right, yes?" Fu asked awkwardly. "It's just…a flower shop!"

Shinku awkwardly smiled, before his throat clenched. "I…I'm sorry about—"

"Ah, no need," Naruko shrugged. "It's all Kakashi-Nii's fault anyway. Uke-chan told me you really didn't have a choice," she turned thoughtful, "Next time though, I'm stopping you. Got that Shin-chan? It's a promise!"

Shinku nodded, and then remained quiet as the flower shop came into view. It had large glass windows and a few flowers standing outside to catch the sun's rays, while the door was open with the sound of bustling coming from within.

"Off you go," Kakashi hummed.

Shinku hesitated for a second —why did he feel afraid— and then stepped inside. The shop's air was slightly humid, water vapour surrounded the flowers as behind the counter a blond haired girl stood with a half-sleepy and half-annoyed look.

"Welcome to the Yamanaka Flower Shop," she said as soon as he entered. "Can I do something for you?"

"Ah…ehm…is your father…in?"

"If there's a need for some bouquet or anything else I'm even better than my father," the girl shot out with a smile, before frowning. "Wait, you're one of his patients, right?"

He nodded awkwardly.

"So you must be Haruno-san?"

He nodded once more.

"Oh," she blinked. "Wait! I remember you now!" she clapped her hands together, "You were with Naruko's team!" she cocked her head to the side, "That means…you're the dead-last, right?"

"Ah…yes," he ground out.

"Is Sasuke-kun still hanging around that bitch?" the girl was suddenly beyond the counter, huffing as she pulled her blond ponytail behind her shoulder. "I'm way prettier than her anyway, right?"

"Ehm…is your father…"

"And frankly," she went on while ignoring him, "The girl has it easy. Daughter of the Yondaime, Hero-Jailer of the Jinchuuriki, she's practically going to become the next Hokage anyway."

"I don't…"

"She's a spoiled princess, not like me who has to work at the shop from early morning," Ino continued, "I wonder when Sasuke-kun is going to realize that and leave her. You'll tell me when that time comes, right, Hasuno-kun?"

"It's…Haruno," he mumbled. "Your father?"

"Yeah, yeah all right, I see the bitch has her claws sunk in you too," she shrugged. "Dad! You have a screwed up patient!" she yelled that out rudely, before returning to her post behind the counter.

"Ino! How many times have I told you…" Inoichi came down, before holding up an awkward smile at the sight of Shinku. "Oh, well then, come on up Haruno-kun:"

Shinku swallowed nervously as he headed upstairs, passing by the counter and the glaring Ino.

The office above had a desk, a two chairs and a sofa standing near a window. There were many books on the shelves near the walls, and a few parchments stood scattered around in unruly piles.

"Sit where you like," Inoichi said, gesturing to the room. Carefully, Shinku sat down on the chair, his hands gripping his knees with his gaze downcast. "Now, now," Inoichi's voice was soft, "No need to think I'm your executioner," the man sat in front of him. "It's just a mere check…I'm going to show you some pictures, all right?"

Shinku nodded.

The first picture was of a kunai.

The second was of a Konoha shinobi, the third of an Iwagakure shinobi, then a Sunagakure, a Kumogakure and finally a Kirigakure one. Then came the forehead protectors of the minor villages, a few actually puzzled him because he had never seen them before —one had the form of a star to begin with, how funny was that?

Then Inoichi showed him the picture of a corpse, and Shinku turned green as he brought a hand to his mouth.

"So," the picture hastily disappeared. "How was your last mission?"

"Ah…hellish?"

"Why was it hellish?" Inoichi asked —his voice was soft and his tone even.

"T-There were…circumstances."

"Uhm," Inoichi turned thoughtful, "Did you kill?"

Shinku closed his eyes, before grimacing. He nodded after a few seconds —what use was there in saying he hadn't?

"How did that make you feel?"

"H-Horrible."

"Why did you have to kill?"

Shinku licked the top of his throat with his tongue, his mouth dry. "I-It was…an order. D-Don't order…something that…you won't…do. Kakashi-sensei told me…to choose who…would kill the man."

"Do you think your teacher singled you out for a reason, Shinku-kun?" Inoichi's voice was still soft, how could it be so soft? It was a mere whisper, but he did feel lulled…

"I…I don't know," he acquiesced. "Maybe because…I already killed? Maybe…he didn't want to push it…on the others."

"What do you mean?"

"I…I'm the intruder, right?" his voice cracked slightly. "I'm not supposed to be in the team. I'm the dead-last. It's…Wouldn't it be better if someone else had been in it? Like, a clan children? Why did it have to be me? I don't have anything to offer to the team."

"You think your sensei is hazing you? Giving you tasks he wouldn't give to your other teammates?"

"I…I don't know. Maybe…maybe yes, maybe he just wants me to tell him no, but…but he told me, if I wanted to be a part of the team…he told me training would probably kill me…he told me, and I said yes…I…isn't it my fault in the end? Can't…I mean…"

"Take a deep breath now, Shinku-kun. Everything is all right," Inoichi acquiesced, "Come on now, breathe deeply."

Shinku breathed, clenching his knees tighter.

"Now," Inoichi remarked. "Did you tell your parents about your first kill?"

"No," he shot back immediately, "They…They wouldn't understand."

"They're both Ex-Chuunin, right?"

"Yes but…they never killed. They never told me they killed. I…They said they never had a mission like that."

"Were you expecting to have the same shinobi experience as them?"

"Yes," Shinku mumbled. "I did."

"Why did you choose to become a shinobi anyway, Shinku-kun?" Inoichi asked, his voice light.

Shinku closed his eyes. "Running on the rooftops," he mumbled. "I…I was roped in by a friend, and my parents wanted me to try anyway," he chuckled. "But…running on rooftops seemed nice."

"I see," Inoichi hummed. "Tell me, have you had any nightmares?"

"No," he shook his head. "I'm…I'm fine."

That worried Inoichi, but he remained quiet. "Very well then," the man smiled. "I don't think there is anything to worry about. If you ever feel the need to talk, just come over at any time of the day."

"T-Thank you."

"We'll see each other again next month. Don't skip, or I'll come looking for you."

"Ah…Yes."

Inoichi walked the boy out, and watched him leave with his team. Sighing, he returned inside.

"So, is he another screw-case?" Ino asked. He loved his daughter, but sometimes she had the same tact and grace of a rhino.

"I do not discuss patients' cases with you, Ino."

"Come on dad," she said then with pleading eyes, "If he's a nut job it would be priceless! The spoiled princess being friend with a lunatic and…"

"Ino, when are you going to bury the axe?" Inoichi sighed.

"She's the one who has to say sorry first," Ino pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "By the way, can I go now? Lazy guy and fatty are probably at the training ground already."

Inoichi grumbled, before nodding.

As Ino left to deliver the juicy gossip to Ami —who had returned from her C-rank just the day before— Shinku found he was, for once, actually happy.

They were weeding a garden.

He wept of joy as he began the repetitive motion of gripping on the weeds and pulling them out, giggling as no kunai, trap, explosion or enemy appeared. He was weeding a garden, and he loved every second of it.

Naruko watched the scene from afar, before lowering her shoulders and sighing in defeat. "All right, all right…no clones," she brought both hands up in surrender, as Sasuke gave her a sort of look that went 'look at him! He's so happy!'

Fu giggled at the antics, before starting to pull out the weeds too.

Kakashi flipped another page of Icha-Icha.

He had sent a written report to sensei, hidden his porn in a safe place beneath the earth in a spot he alone knew existed, and had made sure to change the lock of his house during the night.

He was safe.

The next split second the Icha-Icha he was holding burned down to ashes, as Kushina just so randomly dropped by.

"Mom?" Naruko asked.

"What is this about making a Genin act like a Chuunin, Kakashi-kun?"

Shinku swallowed. Kakashi nervously laughed.

Golden chakra chains slowly appeared around Kushina's body. They clinked and rattled like scary rattlesnakes.

"Sensei certainly…"

"Minato was busy holding back Mikoto, considering you watched and did nothing when her son was impaled by needles to see how your Genin would react," Kushina smiled brightly, inclining her head to the side. "As well as forcing your students to, once more…what did you write 'train under the pretence of a life or death situation' was it? Well…Kakashi-kun…let's train, shall we? I'm just going to kill you. Dattebane."

"Mom?" Naruko squeaked once more.

Then the ground trembled.

"I think Mikoto managed to elude Minato," Kushina giggled. "Run Kakashi-Kun…run."

With a —very masculine in Kakashi's opinion— eep, the Jounin dashed away, soon followed by a red blur and a black blur.

"Mother?" Sasuke let out a strangled sound as Mikoto pursued Kakashi.

"Come back here, you rotten teacher!" Mikoto yelled.

"Mother!?" Sasuke exclaimed once more.

"Have mercy!" Kakashi yelled.

Yugao appeared in that moment, coughing lightly.

"It seems Hatake-san forgot a few details in his report, I have done my utmost best to include them," she turned serious. "Where are Haruno-kun and Fu-chan?"

Both Naruko and Sasuke turned their necks sharply.

Ignoring everything…the two aforementioned Genin were happily weeding the garden away.

"There is something wrong in you if you're happy while weeding a garden," Sasuke mumbled.

"I think there's something wrong in general with not hearing the sounds of three Jounin fighting…well, two fighting and one screaming in pain," Yugao corrected, gazing at the battle happening just a few meters away.

That was the first happy D-rank in Shinku's life.

Ignoring the screams of pain from Kakashi —which were actually a nice soundtrack to the job— the mission was, over all, wonderful and easy to complete.

Maybe the life-threatening situations were finally over.

Maybe.

Author's note

Fluff! Happiness! Forgiveness! And everything Nice!

…

Fluff.