Chapter 3: Nozomi Charm

"Alright, is everyone ready?" Kakashi asked.

"We're ready sensei!" Sakura said.

"Okay." He looked at Kurenai. "How about you and your students? Are you guys ready?"

"Well," Kurenai began as she looked at her squad, "are you guys ready?"

"Yes," Shino answered.

"Shino…" Hinata whispered.

"Let's go!" Kiba exclaimed. All eight of them wandered out of their village and into the forest.

"So Hinata," Naruto said, "is it really true that you and your team have been through a lot during these three months."

"Wh-What? Oh, u-um…" Hinata blushed. Naruto…I… She remembered the charm that Airi had given her. I've got to believe in myself! "Y-Yes! E-Every word of it was true."

He nodded. "I see…So that means that you have more battle experience now?"

"Oh…m-maybe, I suppose. There wasn't that much fighting…" She blushed.

"But I bet you've gotten a lot stronger Hinata!" He beamed. "Yeah! Maybe you could teach me something!"

She blushed even harder. Oh Naruto… "Okay, sure!" She smiled.

Sakura looked at the two and smiled. Ha, Hinata, don't be shy. You sure picked a stupid guy to fall in love with, but hey, whatever floats your boat. Go for it.

Shino sighed heavily. …This man attacked my father and put him in the hospital. Why did he do that? He sighed again. I should be looking for Airi and Airas. Airi please, be alright.

"Shino?" Kurenai said. "Are you alright?"

"Are you upset about you father?" Kakashi asked.

"Ah, there's a lot going through my mind right now, so it's hard to say. I guess my father would be part of it though." Shino looked up. "I just…I just don't know what to do anymore." The two Jonin looked at each other.

"It's alright Shino," Sakura said with a smile. "You've got us."

"Yeah!" Kiba added. "We won't let anything happen to you."

"It doesn't matter if you know what to do or not," Naruto said wisely. "When the time comes to actually do something, you'll know what to do." He received an approving nod from Hinata.

"Just relax, alright?" Sasuke said, trying to sound friendly.

"…Guys…"

"They're right you know," Kakashi said.

"Yes, just have faith Shino," Kurenai concluded.

Kakashi started grinning as he glanced at Naruto. "Wow Naruto, you manage to say something intelligent every now and then."

"Thanks!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Uh, Naruto…" Hinata whispered. "That wasn't…"

"That wasn't a compliment!" Sakura shouted as she smacked Naruto in the head.

"Loser," Sasuke said.

"STOP!" The ninjas prepared themselves for an attack as a woman appeared before them. "Where is Aburame Shino!"

"What?" Kiba looked at the woman carefully. "You…!"

"Airas!" Hinata exclaimed. "What're you doing here!"

"Didn't you here me brat!" Airas shouted. "Shino! Get your ass over here!"

"Where's Airi!" Kiba shouted.

"What do you want with Shino!" Hinata demanded. The two of them kept yelling out demands.

"AGH!" Airas covered her ears. "Alright, that's it! You've left me with no choice but to shut you up!" She held up her hand. "SILENCE!"

"Where-" Kiba suddenly lost his voice, and so did Hinata.

"What have you done to them!" Sakura yelled.

"Do you want me to shut you up too!" Airas yelled back. Sakura reluctantly shut her mouth. "Good."

"So you're the Airas we've hear so much about," Kakashi said.

Airas looked at him questioningly. "Yeah, what of it?"

"Are you really a Nozomi?" Kurenai asked again.

Airas gritted her teeth. "I ask again, WHAT OF IT?"

"That's enough," Shino said. He stepped forward. "Here I am Airas, so what do you want from me?"

She smirked. "So you finally decided to stop hiding, you little shit?" She pushed her hair out of her eyes. "You have something that doesn't belong to you. It belongs to me and I want it back, now."

"Something of yours?" He shook his head. "I don't have anything of yours!"

"Don't play stupid kid!" She paused. "Oh wait, I forgot, you aren't playing."

Ouch, Kiba thought. That even hurt me.

"You can't start insulting someone if you want something from them!" Naruto yelled. "Why don't we just fi-"

"Shut up Naruto," Shino said.

"Good call," she said with an evil grin. "I was about ready to toast his ass." She nodded to her staff. "I'm not gonna be nice about it anymore! Give me my charm back!"

"Charm? What charm!" Shino asked.

"You are as dumb as hell, I swear! That charm that Airi gave you!"

He took the emerald necklace out of his pocket. "What this?" He shook his head. "This is Airi's!"

"No it isn't you little punk! It's mine! I gave that to her so she could get back to our village when she left! That stone was given to me when I became the priestess of me clan! You're not worthy to have such a treasure! Give it to me."

"No! Airi gave me this so I could remember her! Where is Airi, Airas!"

"None of your damn business!" She walked up to him and grabbed him. "Give me the Nozomi Charm back!" She ripped it from out if his hands and threw him down. "Stupid kid." She turned on her heel and started walking away. "Strident!"

"--And another thing you evil witch!" Kiba yelled. He stopped. "I…I can speak again?"

Hinata put her hand up to her throat. "I can too."

"Are you alright Kiba and Hinata?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes, we're fine."

Kurenai stared after Airas. "What was she trying to do?"

Sakura looked at Shino. "Shino? Shino, are you alright?"

Shino looked away. "Don't look at me! Just…Just leave me alone…"