Noise invade my dreams and pried me from the clutches of slumber. I grumbled out a few expletives as I opened my eyes and saw that it was morning. It was time for me to wake up and head out on my mission.

I fumbled around my room and threw on my clothes, then ran to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Of course, I was so focused on getting in the bathroom that I didn't pay attention to the fact that there was someone else in there.

I collided with a body that grabbed ahold of my arms to steady myself. Pain shot through my veins as the person held my wounded arms. I hissed involuntarily.

"Hay, where's the fire, Tama?" A familiar voice asked.

I looked up at Kiba. His hands still were wrapped around my wrists.

"N-nowhere. I need to get ready." I stuttered, freeing my hands.

He gave me a weird look but didn't say anything. Instead, he left the bathroom and let me get ready for the day in peace.

"About time you showed up!" Toku exclaimed, giving me her signature look.

I blushed and scratched the back of my head.

I then was spared having to answer her when Kiba showed up.

"W-what are you doing here?!" I questioned.

He looked away then back to us. "Lady Tsunade asked me."

"So these are the ninja that are gonna get me back to my village safely?" A deep voice wondered.

We all looked in the direction of the voice.

"Y-yes sir. I'm Tama Kitame. These are my teammates, Kiba Inuzuka and Toku Hyuga." I greeted. Since I was the only one who was a jounin, I was the team captain.

He nodded in response. "I'm Kazuto Moriyama. I didn't think they'd be sending kids to escort me."

I bit my lip to keep from making a smart remark. Yeah I wasn't the tallest person in the village, but I WAS a freaking jounin! Would it kill someone to acknowledge that fact?

"Shall we be off, then?" Toku asked, breaking up the awkward moment.

We all nodded and made our way to the Stone Village.

It was late in the evening when we stopped for the day. I set my tent up then went to work making dinner.

Toku made conversation with the merchant while Kiba and Akumaru scouted the area for danger.

All in all, it was actually a pleasant evening.

Until AKumaru came barreling through the clearing and right up to me, smearing blood all over my body.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" I screamed, taken aback by the dog's unsightly appearance.

Toku and Mr. Moriyama heard the noise and asked me what was wrong.

"I-I don't know! Where's all this blood coming from?!" I asked, prodding the dog, trying to find the source.

After a moment, I gave up. It wasn't his...but where was Kiba?

"Don't tell me..."

"Don't tell you what?" Toku questioned, getting annoyed by my lack of communication.

I shook my head and grabbed my ninja gear. "Just keep Mr. Moriyama safe! I think something's happened to Kiba!"

Toku frowned but nodded in acknowledgement.

AKumaru led the way while I ran through the forest, hoping something fatal hadn't happened to my...my friend.

(Sorry this is such a sort chapter :( I'm hoping to make a better quality one over the weekend! Anyways, comment if you like the story so far :) xx)