Chapter Six: Kiba's Departure, Taraka's New Challenge
Kiba studied the Taraka sleeping in her futon, his hands fidgeting lightly. Taraka lay on her side with closed welled up eyes, her brown hair sprawled out on the pillow still slightly covered with dried blood. She held Akamaru close to her body like a teddy bear, and on the opposite side of her lay Arashi who gently rested his head on her side. Kiba's job was a lot more troublesome then he had thought.
Flashback
Kakashi stood tall his hands in his pockets looking intensely towards Hana and Kiba. "I am currently taking care of another survivor of the Uchiha Clan. Since Uchiha Sasuke has betrayed our vilage, it is important to make sure to watch over her carefully in case of leaving Konoha on Sound's temptations. I need you to look over her, and protect her from Sound. She is of high blood and has Orochimaru's seal. We cannot have her leave. Kiba, I have talked to Tsuunade-Sama about having her stay in the Inuzuka Clan. I want you to keep a watch over her."
Kiba nodded, "I understand, I will uphold this job."
Kakashi smiled through his mask, "Very Good." With that he vanished with a quick wave and a puff of smoke.
Kiba smiled and put his arms behind his head. "Piece of Cake.
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Taraka's crimson sharingan spun widely around, a maniacal grin coming to her face, she casted katas with her hands. An immense ball of blue chakra surging to her hand, she ran straight for a sound ninja who had been retreating. Pushing the ball of energy straight through his chest, and out his back. Breaking his heart, blood blowing out of his chest, she simply laughed...
End Flashback
Kiba brought a hand through his hair and closed his eyes tighlty. 'This mission really isn't a piece of cake.' He thought to himself about the previous night's massacre and shuddered. She had slain so many people, killed them, even when retreating. Taraka shifted lightly waking up from her sleep, she looked up to him for a moment. "...Good Morning." She whispered not to startle him. Kiba's head quickly shifted up and he foced a smile, "Morning." Akamaru yawned and stretched jumping back to Kiba, Arashi however just withdrew his head and stayed beside her.
"I...I'm sorry about all this. It has to be troublesome for you to watch over me."
"It's my job." He mumbled.
She stood up and hobbled over to him, her body had been injured from the curse still."Thank you"
He smirked and stood up. "Let's get you breakfast."
Tsuunade looked down onto her desk, as Shino and Hinata had stood in front of her. She had heard the entire story of what had happened the previous night. ANBU had given her details on the deaths and wounded, and removed the bodies from the village's gates.
"So that is what had truly happened? Where is she now?" Tsuunade had asked.
"K-Kiba-Kun had t-taken her back home. T-to take care of her." Hinata studdered.
Tsuunade nodded, "Very well. I thank you both for coming here. You are both dismissed."
The two nodded and left, Tsuunade stood up and putting her arms behind her back and looked over the city.
A knock was heard on her door, and she turned around. "Come in."
Shikamaru entered, green Chuunin vest over his body. "Tsuunade-Sama. We are ready to round up the others for the mission. Neji, Chouji, and Naruto are prepared to leave. Kiba is left, we need to prepare him."
Tsuunade nodded, "Shikamaru. You are to inform Kiba about leaving, while you are over tell Uchiha Taraka to meet me here."
Shikamaru nodded, and left to go get them both. Tsuunade watched him depart.
Taraka rose a brow, and became rather amused trying to watch Kiba cook breakfast. After several times cursing, or burning himself on the oven he placed a plate in front of her. "Here." He said with a irritated look, and she laughed slighty and began to eat the food on her plate, even though it had been slightly burnt. Kiba sat down beside her and had also began to eat. Soon she heard a knock on the door, and began to stand up. "Sit down, I'll get it."
He stood up and went to the door, opening it. Shikamaru stood in front of him, "Did you forget what day today was?"
Kiba stood staring blankly at him and then his eyes widened. "Sasuke. I forgot about the mission...Give me a second to get my stuff together."
Shikamaru nodded, "Where's Taraka? Tsuunade needs to see her."
"She's in here." He quickly replied running to grab his bag. "...er yeah come in. I'll be a moment."
Kiba sprinted quickly to his room, next door to her opening the sliding rice panel, and causing a noise. Taraka watched him run, and then looked up to Shikamaru who entered where she was.
"What's going on?"
Shikamaru pushed his hands in his pockets. "We're leaving."
"Leaving?" She stopped eating and looked up abruptly to him.
Shikamaru sighed, "We're going to look for Sasuke. He's part of a mission, Tsuunade assigned him to go. He has to come."
Taraka winced as soon as she heard those words, and nodded. "I understand."
"Tsuunade-Sama said she wanted to see you as well."
Taraka stood up and whistled for Arashi who ran in. "Very well."
Kiba quickly ran into the room carrying his pack, Akamaru on his head. "Alright. I'm ready."
Shikamaru stood up, "Good. We better get going."
They all left the Inuzuka district together to the gates of Konoha. Taraka was silent the whole time as Shikamaru and Kiba talked over details of the mission. Neji, Chouji, and Naruto stood with packs, along with Ten Ten, Sakura, Ino, and Kakashi who remained at the gates to see through with their departure on the mission. Taraka looked around to all of those that had stood around.
Tenten stood alongside Neji, talking with him and kept handing over extra kunai to him as if he'll need it for the mission, and what seemed to be a small note. Her attention drew to Chouji, Ino, and Shikamaru who has just joined his former cell. They had been talking with one another, and Ino...had seemed to be lecturing Shikamaru who in turn just didn't listen and had the 'how troublesome' look on his face. Naruto smiled and did a peace sign to Sakura who laughed. Taraka sighed and turned, to see Kiba's arms crossed over his chest waiting, she joined him with a forced smile. Arashi still at her heels, as always.
Kiba looked over to the silent Uchiha that approached him, and he smiled. "Well, looks like I'm gonna be leaving."
Taraka nodded, "Yeah. Good luck on bringing Sasuke home."
Kiba smiled, "Thanks."
Taraka stood still for a moment and looked up to her friend. "To think, you only had to watch me for a month and you had to leave."
Kiba nodded, "I actually forgot all about it." He chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
She smiled and looked up to the dog boy, "Guess you still are an idiot..."
Kiba's eyes widened and looked to her "..and you're still a cocky Uchiha."
They both chuckled lightly and Taraka continued, "I'm glad I got to stay with you. You're a great friend."
He smiled broadly and nodded. "Yeah, you are too."
Taraka could feel her face grow warm and she looked hesitatnly at him then placed her arms around his chest tightly. "Good luck, you better come back in one piece."
Kiba nodded. "I will, just don't leave for Sound before I come back." He teased.
She nodded. "I won't."
She let go of him and looked up with a smile, and backed off with Ten Ten, Ino, Sakura, and Kakashi. Watching the team leave. She turned around and left to go to Tsuunade.
She entered the Hokage's office without knocking, "What did you want me for?'
Tsuunade turned around and looked at her and smirked.
"Your training to become Chuunin."
Taraka's eyes widened, "Ch-chuunin?"