(Whoops I forgot to say this in my earlier chapters but:

DISCLAIMER:I do not own Naruto or any of it's character's, that belongs to the awesometastical genius Masashi Kishimoto)

Her cheeks flushed slightly as her eye's met his face.

"Yeah, sounds great" she bit her lip, concealing her gnawing fear.

"So Hokage-sama, what will this mission entail?" spoke up an voice from the back of the room, she had though she had recongised. Glancing back, she found herself instantly smiling as she just remembered that Tenzo, well Yamato now, was a part of Team Kakashi. As was the unusually pale boy stood in the back.

She remembered fondly of working with him in ANBU, the memories flooding back. She got well with most of her teammates back then and it was good to be working with two of them again. Though it would cause her some agony, trying to block out her past was coming up to no avail. Things just kept coming up, reminding her constantly of all those memories that caused her heartache. Despite this, ignoring the painful memories and trying to focus on the present was driving her forward, even if it was only slightly.

This mission was going to be a pain but it was orders. And she could not deny that. Ayaka turned her head, smiling at her old friend but being cut off before she had a chance to say hi.

"A couple of months back, The Land Water have seen some disturbances in their village." the Hokage's gold eyes widened as the room was silent.

"The streets have suddenly become quieter as people have been reported missing. The number has been increasing each day and it's not just shinobi that have dissapeared. Women and children, the innocent civilians, have all disappeared without a trace" her voice was high with concern as Ayaka's face was fill with worry.

This didn't look good. What on earth was going on?

"As for now, the village is clueless to who could be possibly causing this problem as there has been no evidence. No footprints or suspicious charka has been found." she sighed.

"It may seem like a long shot I know but recently a figure had been reported to have been sighted on the night a child had disappeared. I want you all to scoot the area for information and follow this new lead" she finally finished.

"Right" the spikey blonde spoke up as the pinkette nodded.

"We have to find out what happened" Sakura spoke as everyone was in agreement.

This wasn't going to be an easy mission with hardly any leads to go on. Plus they had no idea who they were up against. Ayaka smiled nervously at the thought of this mission, the first one she had in months. As a teacher at the Academy, she barely ever went on missions and the prospect was rather daunting. It didn't help that he was one her team too. Her mind was all ready over the place, she didn't know if she could handle it.

But she was going to have to try, she had to, regardless anyway.

"Okay we'll get right on it and find out the culprits and the missing people"Kakashi said as he looked at the rest of the room.

"When do we have to leave?" Ayaka enquired, still not over her nerves.

"Midnight tonight." the blonde replied.

"Okay" said the voices in the voice as some just nodded.

"Dismissed" the Hokage gestured out the door as they turned for the exit.

The three young ones took off quickly to go back as Yamato slunked off too. Ayaka was on her way to her own place as she noticed Kakashi was behind her.

"So I'm guessing your going home to pack?"

"Yup, if I don't do it now I'll never be ready" she smiled with a small hint of laughter.

"that's a fair reason." he grinned though it was hidden. "We will all meet by the village gates at midnight and head off. once we get to the land of water we'll discuss a plan of action."

"Sounds good" she said, eyes concentrating on the path ahead. there was no way she wanted to end up in a dead again. Then she really be running late.

The silver haired jounin stopped as he spotted the turning to his apartment. "I'll see you there then."

Ayaka chuckled lightly. "And please take your time on getting there" she joked, his time keeping skills still made her crack up. She didn't think he could be on time for anything, especially tonight.

"Very funny." he teased. "I'm not always late" he replied.

She just shook his head. "Should you get going already?"

"Fine, fine I'm going" he replied as he headed to his place, waving with one hand.

Ayaka turned her eyes on the road as she headed to her home, a light smile still playing on her lips. This was going to be some mission.

Turning to her home, she groaned as she realised someone had been watching on. Of Course.

"What is it you want?" the female sighed, today totally not being her was sick of all this disturbance4s.

"Oh nothing, nothing. I just couldn't help but overhear your conversation" the voice replied, her red eyes noticeable by far.

"More like couldn't help noising in to my conversation" Ayaka glared at her friend as she approached nearer.

"What? Me nosey? I'd doubt that. That's Anko" she scoffed.

"Oh no that's not right. Sure Anko's annoying and slightly hyper but your the nosey parker, Kurenai" Ayaka teased, giggling.

"Am not! So..." Kurenai purposely changed the subject, annoyed already. "What were guys talking about? I couldn't really hear"

Ayaka scoffed. "Do you really want to know all the details of my everyday life huh?" she put her hand on her hip, a little pissed off.

"I'm just curious" she reasoned innocently.

"Well for your information we were discussing a mission we have been assigned" Ayaka added, it wasn't interesting, unfortunately. Just boring.

"Oh that's boring, I was expecting you were embarking on a new love affair"

Ayaka blushed suddenly. She was certain her friend was only joking and she hadn't really

told her about their past. She kept it to herself naturally, even to her best friends.

"Why would I want to with such a lazy bastard in the first place."the black haired female replied.

They both chuckled at that thought.

"I'm happy enough with Genma so--" Ayaka broke midway through the sentence, Kurenai just looking on.

"What?"

Shit she thought. She had completely forgot their date tomorrow. she wouldn't make it. again.

She frowned and anxiously looked at her friend.

"What time is it?" the black haired female pipped up.

"It's almost ten-thirty" Kurenai replied, confused to Ayaka's sudden anxoiusness.

"Damn!! I really don't have to--"

"What's up?"

Ayaka kept glancing up at the dark sky. "I just remembered that I was supposed to be going on a date with him tomorrow. But I leave tonight" she rushed her sentences.

"Oh, well that's a dilemma as you've blown off the last five dates with him"

"I know, but this time it really isn't my fault. I have to leave in less than two hours, I'll never find him in time. He's so gonna go off on me." Ayaka sighed.

"I'm sure he'll understand. You'd better go and try and find him" Kurenai tried to sound apologetic.

"Hopefully" she said. "Yeah I'm going now. I guess I'll see you when I get back?"

"Yeah, we'll catch up then. Oh and tell me how he takes it"

"Right. You'll know he'll be pissed" Ayaka looked worried.

"It'll be fine" she reassured, resting her hand on her arm."Now go!And good luck!"

"Bye!" Ayaka shouted as she ran to his apartment, in a desperate hurry.

Frantically pounding at his door, her knuckles began to hurt.

"Anyone in?" she shouted.

She waited for a bit before deciding to keep up. He clearly wasn't in.

She ran through the streets searching for him till she caught up with one of his friends who had kindly informed her that he was away on a mission but should be back after midnight.Perfect, absolutely perfect she grimaced.

She trudged back to his apartment after deciding to write him a note. It probably won't help at all but she could at least try. This way she couldn't be accused of standing him up.

She rushed the note, knowing she had to hurry. No time for fancy explanations, it had to be quick.

Genma,

I'm writing this to tell you I can't make our date. I know I said I promised but I really can't get out of this mission. I don't have a clue when I get back. Look I know you'll be mad at me but this isn't my fault this time or maybe it is, I don't know but I am sorry. Anyway, I have to go, I'll explain when I get back? If you still want to talk to me that is. I'm so sorry, again.

Love, Ayaka

After quickly scrawling the note in almost illegible handwriting, she stuffed it through his letter box and took out to get packed. Please understand she kept thinking as she took off, hair flowing down her back.

Too her surprise it didn't take so long to pack after all. All she needed was the essentials. Change of clothes, sleeping bag and some medical supplies such as bandages. She liked to be prepared, it helped her feel at ease.

Turning in her mirror, she adjusted her long black hair. it nearly always got in the way during missions though she couldn't bear to part with it. The simple solution was to tier it up in a high ponytail, her bangs framing her face.

"There" she announced, fixing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She scooped up the beige backpack that lay on her untidy bed. She didn't have much time for housework with her teaching and staying at her sister-in-laws. Her mother would go spare if she found out.

But now, she didn't have time to worry about that as she headed out, the bag hung over her shoulders securely. She paused and looked round the room. Ah there it was it! Her sword, the one she always used, even in the ANBU. She strapped it round the holester round her waist and headed out, ready now.

Her thoughts were still clouded, now about the date she had to cancel. She didn't know how he would react and she wast sort of relieved she would miss it for a few days or however this mission was going to last.

It was quiet, as it was rather late now. It was quite comforting and relaxing in a strange way. It was nice and strange being alon with her own thoughts. She never got time to herself especially in a busy classroom.

The kis were always hyped up and over talkative. Not to mention they never pay attention to her. The corners upturned lightly. But that was what being a kid was all about.

Some of them really showed pontential though and sheer determination. She was ver certain that they would all become excellent shinobi one day and do their village proud, very proud.

The twenty-six year old didn't feel the need to rush. It was very, infact, amlost certain that she would not be the last to arivve.

For that she could guarantee.

Her grey eyes soon found the outdoor gates as she passed the guards, smiling politely.

With quiet steps, she walked over to where she could see-and pretty much- hear them, for here.

"Wow this must be a first!" she could pick out Sakura's voice.

"I know, it's so weird!" Naruto's pipped up.

"Kakashi-sempai being on time, who would of thought it?" voiced another.

What?!? Was he actually on time.

"See I told you I wasn't always late"voiced that familar voice.

So it was true. She walked up to the quickly, blushing.

"And here comes the late comer now!" Kakashi chuckled, very happy to prove her wrong.

"I didn't know you were worse tha Kakashi-sensei! Naruto spoke, his voice loud and somewhat irraiting now...

"Naruto!Stop being rude!" Sakura scolded him, whacking him over the head. "Sorry for that Ayaka-sensei. Naruto just doesn't think before he speaks you see. " she smiled politely.

"That's okay. It's my fault. I had something to take care of and I lost track of time" Ayaka added, trying to hide her utter embararassment.

"Okay with that done shall we get going. We're already late in the first place" Kakashi's eye gazed at Ayaka teasingly.

She frowned and glared at hers so-called friend.

"Yeah good idea" a voice from the back spoke. It was that unusally pale boy. Sai, was his name, so Kakashi had told her. From that hidden ANBU orginaztion the root, that Danzo's doing.

She had heard about it ofcourse and it looks like Kakashi and Yamato were already watching him like a hawk. Danzi could not be trusting, as far as she knew.

"Let's go!" Kakashi ordered as made their out into the trees, racing swiftly inbetween the leaves, still in their conjoined group.

The dark night was so still but not so quiet. Especially when travelling in this squad. Ayaka was happy tarvelling up front, a little behind Kakashi, with Yamato just directly behind them while the younger three were in the back.

"So Sakura-chan?" the spikey haired blonde asked the pinkette who was just infront of him.

"What is it?" the teenager sighed, seeming not too patient when talking to her friend.

"Is it just me or is Ayaka-sensei strange?"

"Naruto shut up! They can hear us you know. And why would I think that, she seems nice. I've seen her helping Iruka out at the Academy" Sakura replied, about to repeat her regin of terror on Naruto.

Ayaka faintly could recall the conversation in the back but tried to focus on the mission at hand. they were no way near their destination yet.

"She's weird kinda like Hinata always blushing and looking away" he said, deep in thought, for him anyway.

"I have no idea what your on about, your the captian of weird" Sakura teased and chuckled.

"I am not!" he roared, pouting now.

"You eat ramen like it's going out of style! I mean were do you put it all?" swhe changed the subject as Ayaka could clearly hear most of the words now as she was dwindling behind, thinking, as usual.

"Ramen is the best thing ever, you can't deny it!" he cheered.

"But it's so greasy and it can't be good for you if you eat it everday" Ayaka aadded in as she turned her eha\d to them.

"Who asked you lady?" Naruto cut in.

"Naruto stop being rude!" bellowed Sakura as she punched him hard in the head.

With that, an orange and blonde blur flew through the trees and alnded, bang smack into a big trunk.

Ayaka couldn't help but chuckle.

"Serves him right!" Sakura flexed her fist as Naruto struggled to get up.

"What was that for? I didn't say anything. Women are weird, I think that's a fact" he groaned as Sakura glared him.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY??" Sakura roared, fist at the ready.

"That's it you too! It's getting late so we are going to set up camp" Kakashi annouced as he landed just below onto a clear patch of land.

Naruto blew a sigh of relief as they reached the grounds.

Kakaashi galnced at Yamato briefly.

"Got it" he winked back as he forced his palms into the ground, creating a wooden shelter for the night.

Ayaka grinned. "You still got it"

Yamato shrugged. "That's right"

"This is one rubbish--"Naruto was about to say before Sakura gave him a death glare.

"If i were you I'd keep quiet" Ayaka nudged Naruto lightly as he kept quiet.

Sakuar smiled at Ayaka, grateful that she wasn't the onlyperson here to keep Naruto in check.

Ayaka piled inside the wooden fortress, glad to get some rest nad perhaps some peace.

This had been one heck of a day and it was probably going to get more and more hectic.

(A / N): Yay it's up at last, sorry for the wait, I hate being busy, I can never get anything done!

I will admit it's slightly ldifferent from the previous chapters. I wanted to add some slight humor to the story, so it doesn't drag on and on. I hope it's okay and that people will read it!

And a big thanks to ILuvOdie and invisible-gurl for their reviews! It really motivates me to update quicker^^ So please read and reiview!