Chapter 25: Cousin?

"Kitari?" Kurenai called out.

"Sorry about that," Kitari said as she emerged form the bushes. I didn't mean to make you guys worry like that."

"Where were you?" Sasuke asked.

"I had to…you know…go to the bathroom…" She smiled. "Then I kinda got lost!"

Idiot, Sasuke thought.

"It's morning, but we have yet to see anyone," Sakura said as she looked around.

"Yeah, what gives?" Naruto asked.

"I'm sure someone will come," Kakashi said.

"Well they better come soon!"

"AAIIEE!"

"What!" Sakura shouted.

"That's Hinata!" Naruto cried. "Hinata?"

"Oof!" Hinata fell forward from behind a tree.

"Hinata?" Naruto ran over to her.

"Where is the book!" A man walked up to the group.

"Who are you!" they demanded.

"An envoy from Lord Shinji," the man replied. They gave him a curious look. "Do you have the book or not?"

"Yes, we have it," Shino said.

"Then you are to come with me."

"Are you taking us to Shinji?" Shino asked.

"Yes."

"…Alright then. Guys, let's go…"

XXXX

"Wait here," the man said as he left the group in a cold looking room. He walked out.

"Where's Shinji?" Kiba asked.

"Aww, did you all miss me?" Shinji appeared before them. "…Hmm? Kitari?"

"…L-Lord Shinji…" Kitari said.

He sighed. "Kitari, I'm disappointed in you. I asked you to get rid of them, but you didn't. I asked you to watch them, and you get captured instead! Guards!" Two men walked in. "Take Kitari away. I'll deal with her later."

"K-Kitari!" Sakura shouted.

"Hey guys, don't worry about me. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you that much. Maybe we'll met again…in a different life." Kitari smiled and left the room.

"…No…"

"Oh please, don't mind her!" Shinji said. "My, my, I see my loveable traveling band of fools managed to get what I asked for!"

"What did you say!" Naruto demanded.

"Naruto, calm down," Kakashi ordered.

He took the book. "…Yes, this is it. Not a fake either." He looked at Shino. "I knew I could count on you…comrade."

"I'm not your comrade!" Shino hissed.

"Is that anyway to talk to me? Your cousin?"

"C-Cousin!" Kiba shouted. "You mean you two are…?"

"Dear cousin Shino, I thought we were like brothers. We were such good friends when we were kids!"

"Shino, what is he talking about?" Hinata asked.

"Oh? You didn't tell your friends about me? Well yes, I am Shino's cousin."

"You're not my cousin!" Shino yelled.

"I know I'm your adoptive cousin and all, but please, you father always told you that I was your cousin."

"You're not my anything! Not my friend, not my brother, not my cousin!"

Shinji sighed. "That really breaks my heart, you know that Shino?"

"Where's Airi!"

"Oh, yes, that little bon-bon."

"If you've touched a single hair on her head, you're dead, you hear me?"

"Yes, yes! Well, a deal's a deal." He took the book and headed over to the door. "Don't worry, I'll have one of my guards send her up in a minute. As for me, I have some business to attend to." He waved good-bye and left.

"What was that all about?" Kiba asked.

"Shino, why didn't you tell us that Shinji was…" Hinata stopped.

"Even I didn't know that!" Airas whispered to Aurion.

"He's not my cousin okay? He's just someone that wandered into my family. He's not related to me in anyway," Shino responded.

"But…you could have told us sooner…" Kurenai whispered.

The door opened as Airi stepped in. "Guys!"

They all looked. "Airi!" The ninjas ran over to her and hugged her.

"Airi, it's really you!" Hinata cried. She felt tears slide down her cheeks. "I'm so glad that you're safe!"

"Shinji didn't hurt you, did he!" Kiba asked.

"No, no, I'm fine! I'm so happy to see you guys!" She started to cry herself. "Shino! Big brother! Big sister!"

Aurion and Airas looked at her. "…Airi…?"

Shino looked at her as well.

"Shino! Don't you have anything to say!" Naruto exclaimed.

"…I do…" He walked over to her. "…Airi…"

"Yes Shino?" She looked up at him hopefully. He punched her in the jaw.

"SHINO?"