Karui shared her conversation with the Kiri in and it finally made sense to Kiba. The painted symbols over the boat were an exercise he had done with Kurenai sensei; only the version he was familiar with was searching for symbols scratched into trees, not painted on a boat. It was a good training exercise, meant to train search skills and chakra control as the training did not allow you to use your hands.

"I doubt you got any information about their mission?" Kiba asked, wanting to get all the details. Karui shook her head. Professional as she was, the encounter had shaken her up, Kiba felt her muscles tremble ever so slightly to his touch.

"Well, I doubt they have time to worry about us. They might not even stay on the island. Plenty of boats pull into Rakuen harbor. They might be getting a transfer to another boat…" Karui stood up looking confused.

"Is there anything wrong?" Kiba saw Karui roll her shoulders and put her hands together in a seal. She steadied her breathing and silently said "Kai."

"I'm fine, but when I get my hands on that Jounin Moji I swear he's going to wish he hadn't tried using a genjutsu on me. I should have suspected from the beginning why he made me nervous for no reason. A clever genjutsu to be certain, it's actually one of Omoi's favorites. It ties your target's memory of you to one of their subconscious fears. Makes them wary of you for reasons they can't explain."

"We're about to enter port. I can understand if you want to sock him one, but not on the ship." Kiba waited for her to nod her agreement. "Good. Then let's get our stuff packed and get off this ship."

Akamaru was in the kitchen helping himself to the last of the steaks that were in the fridge. He growled a comment about his displeasure in adjusting to the change in time zones, that the five hour change was a little too much.

"Okay, I recognized a few words there. He said 'five hours'." Karui came out from her room and dropped her luggage on the floor. Kiba's mouth near enough joined it. "What, I forgot to tell you? Kumo has our own clan of Ninken specialists," Kneeling down, she scratched Akamaru's head and ears, "Though the dogs in Kumo aren't as handsome as Akamaru. But I've been learning how to understand their growls and barks."

'That is so hot.' Kiba thought to himself. "I'd like to growl a few things to you."

"What was that?" Karui suddenly looked up; she was distracted from her playing with Akamaru. And Kiba realized he had spoken that last part aloud.

"Ahh, nothing. Just I have to finish packing." Walking to his room Kiba unrolled his storage scroll and placed his luggage on top. It took him a moment to calm his heartbeat from pounding in his ears before he could focus on the technique. Exiting his room, Kiba found Karui holding her sword in a thoughtful manner. After a couple of hand seals the sword transformed into a very convincing parasol.

"Carrying a sword draws too much attention, but I refuse to be taken by surprise." Propping the parasol over her shoulder Karui led Akamaru from the room, once again leaving Kiba to carry the bags.

The boat finally docked in port and the passengers were allowed to disembark. Kiba let out a sigh of relief that their hotel was right on the beach. For all Karui's talk of wanting to go shopping was dropped when they passed the local open market restaurants. Checking into the hotel Kiba was relieved to pass on the burden of Karui's luggage to the bellhops. One of whom exclaimed that he didn't think he could carry one; let alone all four of the bags.

Kiba made sure to double check the reservation details, room and key were given. He felt nervous at the thought of sharing a room with Karui, but at least there were two beds. As they passed people on the street Kiba made note of how many people commented on the size of Akamaru. It was odd that the tone of their voices was not so much of surprise, but concern.

Not being able to decide on which restaurant she wanted, Kiba chose for her by using his nose. The seafood restaurants had incredibly fresh ingredients, which appealed to him, but something about the spices of one particular local cuisine appealed to him. The counter seats open to the public reminded him of a festival stall, but in a sense a holiday is much like an extended festival, and a tourist town like this must be like that year-round.

Kiba made sure to order a plate of the spiced pork and placed it on the ground behind him. As Akamaru tore into his meal Kiba saw that Karui had ordered a plate of what looked like meat wrapped in flatbread. Obviously hungry, she ate quickly but neatly; for all the toppings on her food Kiba was surprised that none of them fell off as she ate as she would adjust the angle she held the food to keep it all on top.

Smelling the other patron's food, Kiba finally found the certain spice that had attracted him and he ordered a large wrap packed full of spiced beef and a red sauce.

"Careful Kiba," Karui said as she finished a bite, "Those are pretty spicy."

"Who do you think I am, Sakura? I don't mind spicy food." Kiba took a bite and was surprised at the level of spice, but it wasn't overwhelming.

"Sakura… oh the pink-haired girl. I meant to apologize to her after the war. Last time I was in Konoha Omoi and I were a little rough in the way we gathered Intel from her and Naruto."

"Ah forget it. Sakura is stronger than she looks and more forgiving than she seems." Before Kiba realized it he had eaten his entire order, what other customers called "buritosu" or something like that.

"There are actually a few girls I got to know during the war that I'd like to get in touch with again. We kind of bonded in Division 2."

"We only just started one vacation and you're already thinking of another?"

"Well, going to Konoha would also let me see you again."

"That is if you don't get tired of me over the next three weeks."

"Then I guess you're going to have to do your best to keep me… entertained."

Paying the bill, Kiba escorted Karui back to the hotel. Karui seemed tired, he saw her eyes light up as they passed the various shops in town, marking which ones she wanted to shop at, and which ones she would go to just to browse.

Finally arriving at the hotel, Kiba noted that some guests were only just now checking in from the ship, having spent their afternoon wandering town with their luggage. Kiba laughed to himself and began to walk upstairs with Karui when he heard the receptionist call his name.

"Miss Karui," the man waited for them to walk to the desk before continuing, "this message was left for you at the front desk. A serious looking young man with red hair."

From the description Kiba though that might be one of the Kiri Nin Karui had mentioned. Opening the message Kiba hoped it might give some explanation.

I pray you forgive my master for the genjutsu he put on you, he is not usually so suspicious or impulsive. Our mission has him on edge and he is more nervous than usual. A true apology would go into greater detail, but you will appreciate that I must be silent on certain matters. Suffice it to say that I have convinced my sensei that you are no danger to our mission, and that we are leaving for Atui City in the north.

I hope you enjoy your vacation.

- Itamu

p.s. Sasa wanted me to tell you that she loves your hair.

"Cute kids." Karui sighed and stretched, blinking tiredness from her eyes. Kiba offered her his arm, which she took, and they retired to their room for the night.