Hidden Ninja, Crouching Genins
Episode One: Grass Cutting, No Jutsu
In increase the work force, but to abide by labor laws pertaining to minors, Konoha and other Hidden Villages got the bright idea to substitute the word training for work. Sure, a Hokage could theoretically at any moment send a legion of recent Ninja Academy graduates to be slaughtered like – well, he does do that – but besides the point that he does, who will be left to cut the grass, which was a task left to Team Eight under the supervision of Kurenai.
"The grass is just going to grow back anyways." Kiba complained. As usually, his dog agreed which vetoed Shino's comment.
"But if the enemy sees our grass has bent, they surely would take advantage of what seems to be a lack of power." Shino stated.
"Crap, you're right again," Kiba slapped his palm against his forehead protector, "but they would leave their windows at home unclean to invade us. Yeah, that's very no in the way of the ninja."
"I must have slept through Iruka-sensei's week lecture on sarcasm." Shino spoke in his deadpan voice, carefully measuring the blades of grass in his area with a ruler. Hinata, their team's reluctant mediator, bit on her short fingernails.
"Now, now, Kiba can share his notes with you," she mentioned sincerely. Instead of expressing her discontent, she slightly pouted as Kiba rolled on the grass laughing off his ass. "Boys! They have a language of their own!!!"
As well as she had tried to hide her emotions, which was not difficult from Kiba who had tears rolling down his eyes, Shino did what she or others would never have thought he could do. He walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder to console her. Wait, that was not the case; correction, he had scoped off a bee from her and he held it up by his face by its wings.
"Don't you give me that look," Shino told it and he watched its respond as it went along a path over the back of his hand. "Of course you cannot go there; they use pesticides on their flowers."
Hinata rationally did not follow this conversation, and drew upon a loud clash of words between Kiba and Naruto who stood behind the fence to point and laugh at the team somewhat hard at work. Never outwardly admitting her feelings for Naruto, she stood back and watched in on the commotion.
Akamaru barked and Kiba laughed which perked Naruto's curiosity.
"What are you laughing about commoner?" Naruto asked.
"Akamaru said that it is a good thing that you did not work today," Kiba said, "he does point out how much you smell afterwards."
"Hey," Kakashi said appearing behind Naruto, "you only have a free day because I have a mission." He put his dirty book over his mouth and yelled over to Kurenai. "I'm doing serious ninja work."
"And your students are paying the price," Kurenai walked up to the fence, "in their lack of ability."
Kakashi put an arm in front of Naruto to prevent him from getting his ass kicked. That course of action would have certainly ended his position on the whole manner of who has the better team. Kurenai leaned over the fence and with a finger she pulled down on her neck collar to give them a nice shot of cleavage. Naruto wiped his mouth after that sight while Kakashi soiled his mask.
Snapping out of the gaze, Kakashi shook his head when he realized that his book was missing. Not exactly, Kurenai had stolen it, but since no one's interest in Kakashi's book was as strong as his, it was pretty much an embarrassing conversation to over hear. For the meanwhile, the teammates gathered together.
"Kurenai… she's having a birthday." Hinata mentioned. "We should reward her. She doesn't seem to like babysitting us to take care of these tasks. Plus since we have some of our own money due in part … thanks to her.. um… maybe, should we reward her?"
"About the money situation," Kiba laughed nervously.
"You can get her a card, but to add sentiment value to it, I will buy her something disposable, hence she will only have the card to remember this milestone." Shino planned. "Hinata, you could gather some guest for this… ah… gathering, because as a member of a prominent clan and as the heir you should be an ambassador to the community."
"You just don't want to socialize." Kiba remarked.
"Don't diminish Hinata's importance for this community by training as successor to her clan." Shino said.
"You are side stepping what I said." Kiba said.
"I would call it a retreat to my altruistic reason to suggest that task to Hinata." Said Shino. Hinata waiting to inject to stop this waved her hands in front of her.
"Hey, where's Akamaru?" Hinata asked though of course the motive was that she really cared about his location.
"Kakashi took him." Shino said causing Kiba to flip out.
"What!!! Why didn't you say anything?" Kiba said. "And I am speaking about Kakashi taking my dog."
"He helped himself to it, so I didn't have to say anything to him." Shino stated. "But if truth be told, Kurenai had chased after Kakashi giving us the opportunity to ditch this job and follow Hinata's suggestion to get something for Kurenai. On another side, the main house heir should be a fair judge to such fights like Kurenai and Kakashi. Hinata, we have total faith in your ability."
"Yes," Hinata said then departed right away.
"She seemed upset." Kiba mentioned. "I don't think she should be doing all that."
"It is clear that she doesn't like our arguments, but today she will learn self-importance and assertiveness. It's a promise." Shino who had his hands at his side gave a thumbs-up but his hand never lifted from his coat.
"I have been arguing for real!" Kiba said. Shino drew back his thumb.
"Oh, I thought we were on the same page; I never figured a person would argue over trivial positions. Is that Akamaru?" Shino pointed out to an empty street and by the time Kiba looked back Shino was running away. "Don't forget the card."
Next Episode Preview…
To take his mind off his kidnapped dog and with nothing else to do, Kiba sets off to pick up a birthday card for Kurenai. Will immaturity ensue? Read on - Episode Two: The House of Flying Greeting Cards.