It's been almost a year since that first fateful night. A whole year of Shibi and I unofficially dating. Several people seem suspicious, but I haven't felt the need to correct anyone or explain myself in any way. He has a mission this morning, but we decided to celebrate being together for a whole year last night and now…

"I can't do it. We'll have to reschedule. I cannot get out of bed with this headache."

"If you knew you were going to be hungover, why would you drink that much?"

"We were celebrating. Be nice to me, I'm in pain."

I laughed, cradling his head on my lap.

"I am being nice to you. Are you sure you have the chance to reschedule? I thought that the bikōchū beetle had an extremely specific breeding period."

"That's correct but…"

He groaned, closing his eyes.

"You go."

"Excuse me?"

"You have been to that forest with me already earlier this year, it's one of the places we set our tent up, remember?"

"Yes, but-"

"And there will be four kids there. Shino, Kiba, Hinata, and Naruto. They're all capable kids, mostly. You basically just need to make sure they get to the right place and double check that they're handling the beetle correctly when they find it. And you have experience with wild captures, too."

"Yes, BUT-"

"It's the only option. I simply can't go. Please?"

He looked up at me, looking like even the dim light from around my curtains was hurting him.

"Well, when you ask like that."

"You're a blessing."

"I know. Now, where do I meet them?"

"Just outside the village gates, you know where to go from there?"

I thought for a moment, tracing the route in my head.

"Yes, I am sure I remember. When do they expect you?"

"8:30 sharp today."

"IT IS 8:25, WHY WOULD YOU WAIT UNTIL NOW?"

"AH! Volume, please?"

I jumped up and grabbed him some water and some medicine for his headache.

"Rest here today, lock up with your key when you're gone. I'll come see you as soon as I'm back. Okay?"

"Yes mx."

I bent down to kiss his forehead before rushing out the door. He grabbed my hand and kept me still for a second longer.

"Shibi, I am already going to be late. Are you okay?"

"Be safe."

"I promise."

I ran out the door and down the street, managing to reach the gate at 8:35.

"Good morning everyone!" I shouted, slightly out of breath.

"There's been a little bit of a mix up and Shibi has asked me to take over today's mission. Is everyone ready to head out?"

I glanced over everyone, I was the last one here. They all looked fully packed.

"Yes, we were considering leaving without a leader. Especially when Dad didn't answer my texts this morning." Shino answered. "Wasn't he with you yesterday?"

"Yes. He's doing fine, he just has a bit of a migraine and is not able to lead a mission in his current state. I have been to the location we're going to though, so as soon as we're ready we can leave."

"A migraine, huh? Yeah, I bet." Kiba snickered, his dog Akamaru seeming to laugh along with him.

"And thank you for volunteering to watch the rear of our group to make sure we aren't followed. Let's get going."

We started off along the path, moving mostly in silence.

After several hours, we arrived. We spend the entire rest of the day searching the area for a female bikōchū beetle, to almost no avail. After turning every single leaf, rock, and tree branch over in our search, we finally managed to find one single female. It took all of us to trick it into a jar, where it immediately laid an egg.

This is perfect! We found it, we can set up camp, and then tomorrow we can head back bright and early. We might even be able to head back tonight, if they're feeling up to a late arrival. We should be back to the village a little before midnight, if so. I should ask.

"Good job team. We finished up earlier than I expected, how are we feeling?"

I was met by several exhausted faces.

Right, setting up camp here tonight.

"Shino, can you please watch over the beetle to make sure nothing happens to it? If that little girl gets lost, we may not be able to replace her. Especially with that egg. Kiba, Hinata, Naruto, would you please help me set up tents for everyone? We should also make a fire, it gets cold here at night…"

We set about our aforementioned tasks in tired, contented silence. Soon enough, we had a camp and a campfire. All four kids (and Akamaru) plopped down tiredly near the fire, ready to settle down after what had been a mostly quiet day. Shino had the beetle jar in his lap. I was looking at the jar, then at him, then behind him.

"In the woods! Everyone up!"

A glint of metal whizzed by my head as they all leapt up, searching for the threat. Metal was everywhere. Kiba, Hinata, and Naruto were grouped up on one side of the camp, while Shino and the beetle jar were singled out on the other side. One of the attacking enemies stepped out of the trees. It looked like the girl Shibi showed me a picture of.

"It's the Kamizuru clan! Be careful of poisons!"

"Now how would you know that?" she asked me in a high, buzzing voice.

She turned, readying several kunai, probably laced with their own special poisons, and faced Shino. He was looking away, facing several other enemies. She drew her arm back, and my body moved without my permission. I threw myself between her and Shino, catching every single kunai in my stomach. I saw Shino leap out of the way before my eyes closed.