The village of Konoha was once again put in a peaceful state. Naruto simply stood there is wonder as he observed how Kioko could easily approach and handle the wolves that a few moments ago were attacking his fellow ninja. Sakura rushed on the scene after taking care of the injured and leaving them in the hands of the medical nin. As she approached on the scene the wolves began to growl and get into a defensive stance. Naruto acted quickly standing in their path but his efforts were wasted. Kioko spent out a spark of her chakra and they instantly calmed down. The blond haired, hyperactive knucklehead ninja blinked a couple of times in confusion as to why they were suddenly so much docile.

Sasuke shook his head and sighed, "I'll explain it one more time Naruto, so listen up! I'm not going to repeat myself a third time." Naruto gave him a dirty look and just folded his hands across his chest and listened to what the young Uchiha had to say. "My sister like you has a contract with animals; however in her case it's a lot more difficult. She was chosen by the guardians of the wolves to be their next leader and they discovered this years ago. My sister has the ability to control wolves with her chakra. In other words Kioko can make them more docile or vicious depending on the situation."

Naruto nodded in understanding. The young ninja was left wondering what other kinds of power she possessed. Sakura let out a sigh of relief as she approached her teammates, "I'm glad you guys are alright. Looks like everything is taken care of here."

"Not exactly." A voice from behind them stated. The three young ninja spun around to see their sensei standing there. "Kioko you have not changed in the slightest. You always use to rush things but some habits never die I take it."

Kioko stood up and looked at Kakashi. "You worry about me too much. I'm feeling much better now; there really wasn't a need to stay in the hospital."

Kakashi sighed deciding not to tell her more about the problems having such abilities will cause her. As the two of them looked at each other Kioko finally gave up and decided to return to the hospital to make him happy. At the same time the villagers began to give her dirty expressions as she walked past. It became apparent to Naruto that they weren't too trilled with Kioko being there and the whole thing just made him rather frustrated. He turned around and was about to give them another one of his lectures but Kakashi grabbed him and shook his head. Sakura looked over at Sasuke and he wouldn't say anything either, this made her to believe there was something more serious.

When they arrived back at the hospital Naruto gave his sensei a look. "What was that all about back there sensei!?"

"Naruto, if you would have said anything back there the situation would be become more serious."

"Kakashi-sensei, what do you mean by that? What would have happened?" Sakura questioned.

Kakashi looked over at Kioko for a moment and then back at his students, "You see Kioko isn't one of the most liked ninja to be born in this village. Even though she was born of the noble clan of the Uchiha that only makes the situation worse. It all relates back to the first time that Kioko became aware of her unique power to control wolves. When the rest of the village found out, they then began to see her as a monster that had taken on a human appearance. They feared her to a point that it almost led to her assassination one several occasions. Her own clan began to reject her and this all led up to her disappearance. Now a days the feelings of hatred have cooled slightly but there is still a degree of hatred there."

Naruto looked over at Kioko with a sad expression written all over his face. 'So Kioko is a lot like me. The villagers despise me because of the Kyuubi. It seems that they don't like anything they don't really understand.'

The silver haired ninja walked over to Kioko, embracing her. She felt comfort as she was held in Kakashi's arms, just like she always was with Itachi. Kioko looked out of the hospital window and began to wonder, 'What are some of the other things I will find out about myself? I feel there is something great inside of me but what, of that I'm not sure. Perhaps in time I will begin to understand more.'

The concern that Kioko once had on her face vanished and was replaced with a look of relief. "In a few days I'm sure we will be ready to head out to retrieve my memories. Don't worry Kakashi; I'll stay in the hospital till then."

If you could see underneath his mask, you would be able to see a pleased smile. He raised his thumb and looked at his squad, "A week from today, Squad seven will go on their next mission."

At the sound of the announcement Naruto was getting all excited. He was acting like a little kid in a candy store. Sakura laughed to herself as she watched Naruto 'dance' around the room in celebration. Sasuke shook his head in disbelief, 'What a complete idiot. Only Naruto would get excited about something like a mission. However, I can't say that I'm not trilled about the idea myself. At least I'll be able to do something to help my sister out, instead of it being the other way around.'

"The three of you should get lots of rest; you will have to be at your best since this will be another A ranked assignment. I will be depending on each one of you to do your best and to be prepared for anything. On that note, lets let Kioko have some rest." Kakashi pushed the three Genin out the door and slide it shut behind him.

The week went by rather quickly for the three Genin. Each of them spent their time doing various things. Sasuke spent more time training to prepare himself for his upcoming battle with Orochimaru. Sakura practiced some more of her medical jutsu, knowing it would come in handy during their mission. Naruto on the other hand wasn't as serious as his teammates. He took his sensei's advice and took it easy over the week. He spent most of his time eating ramen, and having visits with Kioko. When he wasn't doing any of that he was fast asleep in his bed waiting for the big day.

Mission day arrived in no time and the typical things happened. Sakura and Sasuke were on time waiting for the rest of their team to show up. They let out annoyed sighs as they asked themselves why do they even bother to show up so earlier if no one else was even going to be there. Kioko arrived a few minutes after shaking her head as she knew where Kakashi was instead of where he should be. 'That Kakashi, he always goes to visit them even when he has to be somewhere else. Not that you could really blame him but come on, spending hours there doesn't make much sense.'

Naruto's alarm clock was ringing and soon slid off the place he had it and landed right on top of him. The blond haired ninja jumped in surprise as he felt the buzzing and looked at the object that found its resting place on his chest. As his eyes adjusted to the clock he noticed that he was running late, again. Naruto let out a scream as he ran around his room like a chicken without a head and began to change his cloths, throwing his PJ'S all over the place. He jumped out the door and took off down the street, nearly running over everyone who stood in his path. "AH I'M GOING TO BE LATE!" He shouted, "Sasuke and Sakura are going to kill me!"

The Ramen shop owner simply laughed as he watched Naruto fly by his shop. "Take care of yourself Naruto!" He shouted after him. The hyper kid shouted back a response and continued on his way in a hurry.

At that moment Sasuke and Sakura heard what sounded like a stamped coming their way. Sakura looked at the figure coming toward them and she recognized it to be Naruto. He panted as he approached the rest of his team. "Sorry I'm late you guys… I woke up kind of late and…"Naruto looked around and then he noticed Kakashi was nowhere to be found, "Where's Kakashi-sensei?"

"He still hasn't gotten here yet, like that's anything new. This happens every time, he tells us to meet him somewhere at a certain time and then he shows up hours later." Sakura complained.

"Ah good morning, sorry to keep you waiting." Kakashi said while he was crouched down on a log.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI!" Sakura and Naruto shouted at him.

Kakashi simply rubbed the back of his head and looked at his students. "Sorry about that. I was just enjoying the scenery; this time of the year is always rather stunning to look at."

"Yeah, yeah we've heard all that before." Naruto muttered.

Kakashi let out a small laugh as he jumped down from the post and joined his squad. "Well in any event we are all here, so let us embark on our new mission." With that the annoyance gave way to excitement for the three younger ninja and soon they were all headed toward the enemies hideout, the Sound Village.

To be continued….