The sun wasn't even up when I woke up the next morning. I took a moment to look at my sister, who was still asleep. She looked so peaceful.
Quietly, I sneaked out of bed and climbed out the window. I then went straight to Tsume-Sensei's house to pack my things.
As I let myself in the front door, I was met by a large, wet, furry mass.
"Akumaru, down boy." I chided, patting the dog's head.
"Hay, Akumaru, what are you-oh, it's you." Kiba stated as walked in the room.
"Hay yourself. What are you doing up so early?" I asked.
"Akumaru...got sprayed by a skunk." He mumbled as if he were embarrassed.
I actually felt myself ready to burst out laughing. Akumaru, the great ninja hound, got sprayed by a skunk.
"Hay it's not funny!" Kiba growled.
"Kinda is." I shot back.
"What about you? Why are you just getting in?"
"Stayed with Seiko last night...and I-I gotta pack my things." I mumbled.
That got his attention. "Wait, where are you going?"
"Lady Tsunade's sending someone from Anbu to pick me up. I'm gonna train with them, to become an Anbu."
He actually looked sad.
"Were you gonna even tell us?"
"I was gonna write a note if I didn't see you before I left." I told him. "Anyways, I gotta pack."
Carelessly, I threw clothes, weaponry, and a few momentos into my bag. I knew this training was going to be more like boot camp than training, but I was ready. I was ready to take a step closer to becoming an Anbu member.
"Hay, erm, the people Lady Tsunade sent are here." Kiba informed me.
I nodded and shouldered my bag. "I guess this is goodbye."
I was suddenly enveloped in a hug.
"Hay, it's not like you'll never see me again." I told him, returning the hug.
He just grunted as he let me go.
"Are you ready Miss Kitame?"
I swallowed my anxiety and nodded. "Yes."
I glanced back at Kiba one last time before I was carted off to my new 'home'.
"Alright maggots, my name is Shiro Kuroko and I will be your personal slave driver!" A tall man with no hair on his face shouted at us. "If I do my job right, most of you will grow to hate me, if you don't already."
I squirmed uncomfotably.
"Welcome to hell." Someone beside me whispered.
I was beginning to think they were right.
*Time Lapse: 6 months*
"Miss Tama Kitame, would you please step forward to receive your Anbu Black Ops uniform." Mr. Kuroko stated from the podium he was standing at.
Nervously, I stood up and went up to receive my outfit. Thankfully only a handful of people, not including the 20 or so Anbu graduates, were present at the ceremony.
I glanced down at the mask I would be wearing. It was a menacing looking bear mask with white and red paint on it. However, in reserve, I had a frog shaped mask. I was to only use that one if I was assigned to a medical mission.
"I want to say, how proud I am of each one of you. You have earned the distinctinon of being the village's mightiest ninjas. I have no doubts you'll be of great service in the future. Take pride in what you have accomplished this day." Lady Tsunade spoke authoritativly.
Once the ceremony was finished, I quietly sneaked away. I'd been around these people for too long and just wanted some privacy.
Eventually I found myself at Tsume-Sensei's house. It was quiet, peaceful.
For a moment, I wondered if I should knock...I mean, this wasn't my house...
But I was spared the decision when the door swung open and a large furry mutt jumped me.
"Akumaru! Get off you fat arse!" I chided, attempting to contain my giggles as he licked my cheek.
"Akuma-"
I recognized that gruff voice anywhere.
"Tama?" Kiba asked.
"Yeah. It's me." I spoke softly as Akumaru allowed me to get up. "I'm back from training."
For a moment Kiba just stared at me.
"Y-you look different. I-I mean good, you look good." He stuttered, his face growing redder by the second.
I laughed. "Thanks. You too, Kiba."
"You're not gonna tell me what happened, are you?" I questioned, looking at Kiba's face. He had some bruising and a few scratches on his face. His arm had cuts as well as a few burns.
He rubbed the back of his neck, as if embarrassed.
Finally, he began telling me of what happened while I was gone. Apparently the village had come under attack...and I had no effing clue.
"Why didn't they tell us?" I wondered out loud. "We could have helped."
"It's no big deal. Everything's fine." He told me, looking away.
I stood up and walked towards him.
"Here. I can't bear to see you all beat up." I told him as I laid my hands on some of his wounds.
He hissed at the initial contact, but relaxed once the wounds began healing.
I smiled to myself as I finished healing Kiba's wounds. It was good to be back.
A/N: Well, if you made it through this mess of a chapter, then I applaud you! :) Writer's block has been horrible :(
But on the bright side, I do believe I have some good ideas for the next few chapters!
Also, Female whovian, thank you :) you're a little ray of sunshine and your reviews help make each chapter possible ^_^