High peoples! (and annoying siblings…haru,I miss u!!! U have no idea.) Any hoo, new chap! Bringing this series even farther down the angsty adventure path.

No, I no own Naruto…. DUH!!!

Shinobi: The Next Generation Chapters 12 : New Missions

"Sakura. WAKE UP!!!" Haru shook her friend's shoulders so much that her head was lolling around, "The Hokage wants to see us! WAKE UP, LAZY ASS!!!!!" Sakura responded by falling out of the bed, and landing hard on a high-heeled shoe from the night before. She screeched, and threw the shoe at her friend, then rapidly threw some clothes on, and without bothering to rebraid her hair, dashed out the door, Haru laughing it up behind her.

---

"Oh hell no." Haru yelled, staring at the neat row of vests in front of them,

"Get that any closer to me, and Hokage or not, you're squirrel food."

"Uh, well, that doesn't match my outfit, so uh, no thank you…." Sakoia offered. Sakura merely glared menacingly at him (semi-reminiscent of Sasuke, ne?).

"Now that you're chunnin, you're supposed to dress like one. How will anyone notice you as the ambassadors if you don't make a statement." Naruto smirked, obviously enjoying himself.

"Kuychiose no Jutsu!" A giant demented looking squirrel appeared next to Haru, wiping that smirk right back off his slightly wrinkled face.

"But if you don't wear one…" Naruto was cut off by a sharp retort by Sakura.

"Yes they will. Believe me. They will."

Bored, Haru sent the squirrel back as Naruto started to tell the the rest of their missions.

"You three have been selected to be ambassadors of Konoha to the following villages for two years apeice!" He looked around the room, excpecting to see thrilled faces, but only got glares back(even form Sakoia's direction…harsh).

"Okay… Sakura, you're headed to Otohagakure, Haru to Amehagakure, and Sakoia to Mist. You are to leave in 1 hour, take only basic supplies and weapons, your new apartments will have everything you require, and if not, you each have a set allowance. Now, Go!"

---

Haru met the rest of her friends at the gate, looking slightly(very) frustrated.

"What's that?' Sakoia asked, pointing to a small brown fluff ball on the brunnette's shoulder.

'Mama! Mama!" It burrowed deeper into her collar, mewing it's head off.

"Mama?" Sakura snorted, glancing sarcasticlly at the girl beside her (Sakoia embarrassed, had already taken off).

"So far as I can tell, it's the only word her knows… And,"

"He thinks you're his mom. Weird choice of maternal figure."

"Let's just go." Haru yelled, blushing. Profusely.

She ran out into the forest, (ignoring the path) closely followed by Sakura.

Yes, I know this is short, but 13 is coming soon... REAL soon.