Anko grinned widely as the agile child slithered down beside her, ruffling a Dango-covered hand through his soft yellow hair.

"Eck, Anko-chan." Naruto pouted as he brushed crumbs from his hair. He was immediately distracted by his sticky fingers and began to interestedly lick them clean. Anko smirked and grabbed a towel, wiping his hands clean, and instead shoving a whole ball of dango into the childs hands. His eyes lit up immediately as he sunk his small teeth into the treat, grinning.

"Your hair's getting long." Anko commented, picking a golden strand from her fingers, rolling it between her finger tips.

Naruto shrugged, happily nibbling on his treat. He didn't flinch as Anko took a kunai from her pouch and proceeded to shave away at the tips of his golden hair. Femininity be damned, Anko could cut hair.

By the time Naruto's hair was at a length that didn't swing in his eyes, the boy was licking the sticky residue off his small fingertips.

"Perfect." Grinned Anko as she gripped the boys chin in her hands, tilting his head to get a better look. He fought her absently, trying to stick his almost clean fingers into his mouth. "Now you won't have to wash so much to get the blood out."

"Hmm…" Naruto ran a small hand through his shorter but no less soft hair, nodding. "Good thinking."

Night had fallen some hours ago, and the sky was dark. It would be foolish to light a fire this close to their targets, and as such the group were making do with pre-cooked rations, their eyes well-adjusted to the dark.

A ninja not native of Konoha in a similar situation would be jumping at every rustle of the leaves, wary of the moving shadows the branches cast. But they were well accustomed to the sights and sounds the forest, and instead felt comfortable and in control in the canopy.

Anko glanced up at the distracted Uchiha, who stood a few branches above, Sharingan swirling lazily as he surveyed the area.

"Looks like he'll be taking first watch again." She shrugged. More rest for her.

Naruto nodded gently, contemplating another dango bun in his hands. "It is good when he does. It means its' easy to give him the shortest shift. He would go the whole night on guard if he could." After a brief contemplation, he took a small bite out of the bun.

"Psh, and Genma would take the shortest, am I right?" Anko lazed back against the tree trunk, eyes closed, hands behind her head.

A tick on Genma's still-masked face appeared. "If anyone's the lazy one, its' you, Anko." He sneered.

"Mah… mask off Genma-chan. You can't wear it the whole time." Naruto interrupted the conversation, leaning across Anko to rest his hand in Genma's lap, the other hand plucking the Owl mask off his face. Genma did not resist, and the boy dropped the mask into Genma's lap before returning to happily munch on his food.

Genma stared blankly before shrugging, closing his eyes with a sigh. Sleeping in a tree wasn't his favourite thing to do, but it sure was better than being discovered if the lazy nuke nin did decide to send a patrol out.

And rabid squirrels. Man they sucked.

And so with nothing better to do than rest, the group drifted off to sleep, ready for tomorrows' confrontation.

... ... ... ... ... ...

-AN-

Next chapters will be longer for sure. Just trying to give some inside into the personalities and dynamics of the members in the team

Review and tell me what you think! Anyone too OOC? Want to see more of something? Let me know!