So, after their game…um "exercise" of hide-and-seek, they all were about to go home, but before they did, Kisho reminded them of something.

"Alright guys, remember, tonight is our night to bring in the village fish from the sea port."

"Oh yeah. I guess we forgot, Sensei," said Shigure.

"How could we have? It's our last mission before the exams at the Academy tomorrow, remember," said Sora.

"Ugh! How did I forget all of this important stuff? I must be having a slight case of memory loss, Sora. Here, check inside my head. Is my brain still there?" Shigure pointed towards his ear and Sora and Yuri laughed.

"Oh yeah, I was thinking about this yesterday, Sensei, and I was just wondering-- do you know where the Chunin exams are being held for the Five Great Shenobi Nations this semester?" asked Shigure.

"Um…that was kind of random, but, yes, they're in the Land of Fire's Village Hidden in the Leaves. Why?"

"Just curiosity, I guess." Shigure shrugged and Kisho turned to look at all of them.

"Ok, guys, listen. I know that normally I would come with you, but I have decided to let you go by yourselves. You've grown up and you're all a lot stronger. So, I believe you can handle this one on your own." Everyone smiled. Kisho had never let them tackle a mission on their own before, "Bringing back the fish has always been a simple task. You'll be fine." Kisho then glanced over at Yuri who's smile had faded and a look of worry had taken it's place.

"Yuri? Are you ok?" he asked.

Yuri nodded solemnly.

"Sensei, are you sure that we're ready for a mission on our own?"

"Chill out, Sora. Sensei knows what he's doing," said Shigure.

"That's right, I do." And with that the conversation ended. Shigure, Sora, and Yuri went

home, informed their parents of their journey, and packed some food to take with them. They re-met with Kisho at the village gate. He handed Shigure their mission scroll.

"Now, remember your formations."

"Yes, Sensei," it came in unison.

"And don't let your emotions get the better of you." He glanced in Sora's direction.

"Yes, Sensei."

"And don't-"

"Sensei, with all due respect, you've taught us everything that you know. We've reviewed over it. Don't worry. I mean, you are the one that thinks we're ready for the Chunin exams tomorrow," said Shigure.

"Yes, that is true." Kisho rubbed the back of his head and smiled. "This will be your last mission. I wish you all the best of luck."

Yuri, who looked as though he was about to cry, ran up to Kisho and flung his arms around his waist, choking back his tears.

"Yuri? What has gotten into you! Is everything alright?" Sora and Shigure exchanged curious glances as Kisho knelt down to the sad, little ninja.

"I…apologize, Kisho-sensei…I just…" Yuri looked back at Shigure and Sora. Sora could tell that there was something that Yuri knew that he wasn't telling them.

As one had noticed earlier, Yuri only fully opened up to Sora. Shigure knew this and, even though it is almost unexplainable, he understood and respected it.

Yuri backed down from Kisho, when Sora and Shigure came up behind him and pulled all four of them into a group hug.

"Don't worry, Kisho-sensei, we'll be back!" Shigure smiled, his green eyes glistening in the dim sunlight.

"I know you will all do an excellent job." Kisho smiled, but glanced down at Yuri who was squished in the middle. Yuri had never acted out like that. His behavior was beginning to concern Kisho, Sora, and Shigure.

"Alright, you should get a head start if you want to get back before midnight."

The three Genin backed up, formed a straight line in front of their sensei, and saluted him in the traditional bow.

"Yes, sir!" Shigure and Sora smiled. They all turned and started down the path to the sea. Sora and Shigure turned around and waved, but Yuri only glanced back sadly.

Yuri's unusual mood seemed to be effecting Sora and Shigure. For the first half of their hour-long journey, everyone remained quiet…until Shigure couldn't take it anymore. He stepped in front of Yuri.

"Ok, Yuri, what's wrong?"

"It's…nothing, Shigure…"

Sora gave Shigure a look, as if to say "Let me try". Shigure backed away from them and let Sora work his magic.

"What is it, Yuri? You know you can tell me," said Sora.

"N-no…I can't, Sora…"

Sora looked a little hurt by this. Yuri would tell him anything-- everything.

"Why the secrecy all of the sudden?…We know that you know something that we don't-- that I don't."

Yuri looked into Sora's eyes and then turned to Shigure. Then, Yuri did something he knew he would regret later, "No…I don't 'know' anything, Sora…" He brushed past Sora and continued walking. Shigure and Sora followed farther behind him.

"What was that, Sora? What is it that he would know?" asked Shigure.

"Well," Sora brought himself to a whisper, "I'm not really supposed to tell you this, but…I think it's for the best. Yuri…he sometimes has these visions, sort of-- ok, that isn't the best way to put it, but…well, on occasion, he looks down at the ground, his eyes glaze over and then, instantly, he knows what's coming next. What could happen after this moment. He could even know that we're talking now. It can get pretty scary sometimes."

"What? That's impossible. He'd have to be psychic or something weird like that. I've seen a psychic. Yuri is not psychic. That's obvious." Shigure shuttered at the thought of the door-to-door psychic that came to his house once. "Besides, of course he knows we're talking, with how loud you are." They glanced up at Yuri who was definitely not trying to listen in on their conversation. He looked lost in his thoughts. Like he was arguing with himself about something.

"I do wish he would talk to me more. I would like to be closer to him…like you are." Shigure glanced over at Sora.

"Why can't you just be satisfied with how close we are, Shigure. I mean, you did save my life, remember?"

Shigure smiled and wrapped an arm around Sora's shoulders. He looked down and his smile began to fade, "I…I don't know why, Sora. It's just…" He paused and looked up at his friend, "there's a foreign feeling inside of me. It's like I'm missing something. Like there's a big hole right in the middle of my soul."

"Maybe it's just one of those conscience things that you have to find someday. And once you do, you'll feel whole again. You'll be able to tackle life head-on once more; just like you did that day when you pulled me out of the water. " They both smiled at each other.

Then, something caught Shigure's ear. He stopped walking and was attempting to figure out what it was.

"Shigure? What is it?"

Yuri turned towards them.

Shigure listened closely, but the noise was gone, "It was nothing; don't worry about it."

After another half-hour, they found themselves in the oceanic fishing village, Uomaru.

"Alright, we're here!"

"Finally!" Sora threw a smile to Shigure.

The squad made it's way to the village master, Koroku Tsuga, who accepted their mission scroll and directed them to their village's three bushels of fish. Understand, the people of Uomaru were not fused with animals as the ninja of the Village Hidden in the Snow were. Once the warmer fishing season was over, the small population of fishermen and women would travel to the southern corner of the Land of Ice to escape the extreme cold.

Shigure, Sora, and Yuri all took one of the huge fish baskets and strapped them to their backs. They had to hurry if they were going to get the fish back to the village in good time. They thanked the village master and hurried off with their fish.

End…Chapter Six: The Last Mission

Shigure: So, Yuri are you going to look into your "crystal ball" and tell me my future? XD

Yuri: … (turns into bear form)(sits in the snow)

Sora: Shigure, that is not nice! Yuri is already in a bad mood! Don't make it worse! (pick Yuri up)(pat Yuri on the head)(to Yuri) Don't listen to Shigure. He's just in a bad mood, too.

Shigure: Hell yeah I'm in a bad mood! You accused me of taking your first kiss!

Sora: Um…I thought we had been over this…