Author's Notes: This is my first time writing author's notes, very weird. However, I felt I should share some information: this story is going differently than what I had originally had in mind, which is fine, but I just need to change my mindset about it. Originally it wasn't really supposed to have much of a plot, and be just some loosely tied together moments, and I think the chapters feel fragmented because of that. With that being said I am going to go back and try to fix the earlier chapters to make it more cohesive, and hopefully longer chapters (I'll probably combine some too). I put this chapter together just real quick because I don't think you're supposed to post a chapter that is just notes on this site. Honestly, it's just kind of a throwaway, at least for now. This does mean I'll probably be slower to get newer content out as well, but thank you to those of you who are reading my story, I really appreciate you, especially those of you who like it. But perhaps be on the lookout for changes to the story when it gets updated, and again, thank you!
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Team 8 met up at the village gates before departing. Kurenai always made an effort to be there to see them off when they had a mission together. And now that Mirai was big enough to come along and not get fussy as they said their goodbyes, Kurenai was there for nearly every mission with the toddler in tow. Mirai was always excited to wish them farewell, but Kiba had a hunch that it was because they always promised to bring her back treasures of all sorts while they were gone. The two arrived a few minutes before the team was set to depart, Mirai first ran to Akamaru and climbed on his back before greeting anyone.
"I'm sorry," Kurenai directed at Kiba, "she's getting to be a handful."
"She's no problem, Akamaru wouldn't be very powerful if he couldn't handle her, would he?" Kiba replied and at this point the group had all directed their attention to the girl and the dog. After quite a few more seconds, Mirai seemed to remember the other exciting people that were present. Climbing off Akamaru, she ran into Hinata's open and waiting arms. Picking up the child, Hinata gave her a tight squeeze before settling her on her hip.
"Hina-nee! Where are you going?" Mirai excitedly grasped at the midnight hair in front of her.
"We're all going to the Village Hidden in Stone..." with a glance at Kiba, Hinata continued, "so we could bring you a treat, what would you prefer, ramen, cheese hamburger steak, or milk?"
Mirai scrunched her face, a cute move on such a little face, and protested, "I don't want that, bring me back something pretty Hina-nee!"
Patting the girl's head, Hinata concede, "Alright Mirai-chan, it is the land of stone, so maybe I can bring you a necklace with a pretty stone on it."
Shino took the opportunity to cut in, and to any other child he would have seemed scary and threatening, but Mirai was already used to his serious ways. "But you must behave while we're gone. Good kids who make their mother's lives easier get the best gifts."
Nodding her head erratically, she squirmed out of Hinata's arms and ran to Kurenai. She wrapped her arms around her mom's leg, and looked up, "I'm going to be real good Mama, watch!"
The team all shared a laugh before Kurenai nudged her daughter to the two boys on the team, "Ok, start now, what do you say to Kiba and the others?"
"Goodbye Akakiba, goodbye Shinomaru, I'll be really good so bring me back the best gifts, ok?" Then she ran up and hugged each of their legs. Her earlier hug with Hinata seemed to be enough for her, and Mirai opted to run up and grab hold of Akamaru again. Tugging and pulling at his fur to climb on top of him, the dog was saved when Kurenai pulled her daughter off him and held her while she said her goodbyes.
"Stay safe you three, you're all very talented, and smart ninja, so I have no doubt you'll return in one piece. But remember all that I taught you, and please be careful anyways."
"Of course, Kurenai-sensei, we always do. Thanks for coming to see us off." Kurenai's only female student was the first to respond, then Shino declared in his usual way that it was time to leave otherwise they'd be getting a late start. So with a wave goodbye from the team, the three students were gone, out the gates of the village.
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There was a weird part in this chapter, just know it was a reference to a Naruto Classic filler episode that I watched yesterday.