Keiren-Kun89: Though I doubt you'll see this because you said you are dropping the story, I understand where you are coming from and yes there were female ninja in Uchiha. At the point I am in the story now however I wouldn't be able to change that part of the plot without changing my entire story. I personally think it makes sense because Fugaku is very concerned with his and his families image. As stated in the story, after several accusations and issues he was acting odd towards Mikoto as well. *SPOILER ALERT* Her being a female wasn't the real reason she was abandoned anyway and unless you read into my story you will never find that out. Similar has happened in real anime where something isn't as it seems. I use that type of thing in my stories a lot. Thank you for your review.


A/N: Alright. Several things to get clear. First, when Kiba was listening to Shinobu sing. All of his comments were NON-ROMANCE. They're twelve. If and when I decided to go into the romantic side of Shinobu's life it will be in Shippuuden area. After Naruto leaves and comes back. A.K.A not for a very very very long time. I still don't quite know how I'm going to do that, probably another poll. Another thing. I am dead set that everyone has good AND bad in them. For this reason I may do a side story or omake of Laura's life. Yes, she's an evil conniving bleepity bleep. But everyone has reasons for doing stuff. :D But ya, when that's up (if it's a side story.) I'll let you know. Seriously though, when I say I plan things out I mean it, every OC has an intricate background even if it's not shown. Also, this is the last mission chapter. I know a lot of you want to know more about the background story but don't worry. I never leave loose ends intentionally and I'm making sure to remember this mission. Enjoy that chappy. ZIIIIING.


Song is Goodbye Graceful by Falling in reverse. It's one of their more "scream" songs but I like it. Maybe some of you will. I know it doesn't fit perfectly but I really had no clue what song to use.. it's insane to figure out all these songs XD


Shinobu POV

Shinobu sighed, pacing around her room. She was starting to think she was an insomniac. It was horrible how little sleep she had been getting. They'd been there for another three days since Laura was kicked out and she had to have gotten ten hours of sleep at most. On the brighter side of things, the hallway was almost fixed. Apparently Kiba had caused some damage in one of the bedrooms as well but they were getting it fixed too.

"Maybe I should just finish up now.. Naruto is probably back from his mission by now and wondering where I went.. I can't sleep anyway." She reasoned with herself, quietly opening the door, it used to squeak but she had oiled the hinges after the second night. Whenever she went in there to grab new clothes or supplies the entire hallway could hear her.

She crept down to the hallway and sighed looking at the wall where she had hit. There was a large area of cracked dry wall with bits of fiber glass falling through. Just behind her was a now fairly patched up hole where Kiba had taken the large man through the wall. She realized with slight horror that the hole itself was moving.

"What the.." She whispered, moving closer to see what it was. To her surprise it was hundreds of bugs around the edges of the whole. So Shino has been repairing it while we slept as well...? He always seemed to surprise her. She found herself trying to predict what he would do in battle and every day life just to see how much she knew him. She was occasionally getting some things right. But for the most part he shocked her. He was quiet, but not like Hinata. He had pride but wasn't one to put others down to make himself feel better. It was almost as if he was shy.. but he wasn't. He was perfectly fine with talking when he needed to.. he just didn't enjoy talking it seemed. He was one to show his emotions through actions.

Shinobu glanced at her hands for a minute before getting to work. She definitely spent the most hours fixing things around the house. She had taken to fixing things that weren't in the hallway to. Like Akio's father's desk. It had a plank missing causing it to rock when any pressure was put on it. She was starting to get blisters, cuts and scrapes to prove it.

She felt her mind drift off into it's own little world as she worked. Her thoughts straying to memories and her friends. Kurenai had warned her not to do that because although it was good to think about some things and understand them, she tended to block out everything else when she did that. Which, for a ninja, can be fatal. She was just imagining how Naruto's mission went and how he reacted to her being gone when he got home when she jumped at the quiet mumble of words from behind her.

"Shinobu.. what are you doing up?" Kiba groaned, trying to appear sleepy as he talked. He didn't want to let anyone know of his sleep problems either but Shinobu had figured it out. He'd either go take a bath to try and relax or he'd start fixing the damage downstairs or the odd thing around the house where she couldn't see him. She could always sense him though.. when she wasn't in her own little world.

"Hmm..? Oh.. uhm.. couldn't sleep." She sighed, knowing he knew she wasn't sleeping either.

"So you decided to work on this? One of these days you're going to pass out from exhaustion." He laughed, letting his goofy grin take over his features.

"Since when are you so smart? Besides, I'm not the only one." She sighed, rolling her eyes.

"What do you mean..?" He asked, eyes wide. He probably thought she was talking about him.. in a way she was.

"Shino has his bugs working night and day, I've been sneaking out at night, you've been sneaking out at night and Hinata has been forcing herself up early to work on it. Kurenai hasn't realized yet or if she has she wants to see why we're working so hard. But even she's been staying up later than normal to work on it." Shinobu grinned. Kiba looked shocked at first but it quickly morphed into a grin.

"What a team.. I'll help you up here.. I've finished the downstairs and you look like you could use the help." He chuckled. Shinobu laughed.

"You mean there's less work downstairs and you're lonely?" Shinobu grinned. Kiba went to deny it but realized it would do no good and shrugged instead. While denying such things worked with most people he got stuck with the overly understanding people. It was as if they could read eachother like books and while on one hand it was annoying and aggravating it felt kind of nice and safe at the same time. It was like they were a little family. Except they had only know each other this closely for a little while.

So the two worked in silence for a little while, their hands moving in perfect harmony as they fixed the hallway. Both of them drifting off, Akamaru asleep in the corner. While they both appreciated the ninken's help the dog wasn't cut out for 24/7 work. He needed rest and wasn't dealing insomnia like the two of them.

"So.. uhm.. I wanted to apologize.. to you.." Kiba sighed, looking up. Though he had meant to earlier, things had interupted and it was weighing on his shoulder's and in the back of his head.

"About what?" Shinobu asked curiously, careful not to pry. Kiba wasn't one to apologize for anything serious with words. You could just tell he was sorry through actions. She couldn't even think of anything he had done recently.

"Well.. after I found out you were a girl.. I kinda treated you differently.. and I'm sorry for that. You're my friend and gender shouldn't effect that.. so..sorry. I'm here for you. You're still a bro to me even if you aren't well a dude." He grinned sheepishly and Shinobu smiled letting out a laugh of her own.

"I knew that already, Kiba. But apology accepted none the less." She grinned and Kiba looked slightly confused but laughed.

"So.. on the random-er side of things.. have you talked to Alexander or Akio recently?" Kiba asked, sucking his thumb after he cut it. Shinobu laughed imagining him in a bonnet but said nothing.

"Not really.. besides the first day we got here and the blow up. I don't know what's up with those two but it seems to be a long history. Alexander mentioned them being best friends and then there's the arranged marriage so my guess is that Akio liked Alexander but got rejected or betrayed somehow. Alexander on the other hand still likes Akio but doesn't know how to prove himself." Shinobu guessed half heartedly while rubbing her aching arm. Kiba stood slightly wide eyed but quickly shook out of it.

"Ya.. maybe." He mumbled. They spent the rest of the night working in silence.


Shinobu groaned, sitting on the couch downstairs, rubbing her shoulders. It felt like the growing pains she got now and again.

"Are you alright?" Kurenai asked, noticing the aching. Kiba, Hinata and Shinobu all looked tired and had aches while Shino seemed to be abnormally low on chakra.

"Ya.. just.. aches.." She sighed.

"Kiba... Shinobu? Can you two escort Akio downtown? He needs to go shopping." Aoi asked and the both glanced at each other before nodding. "Thank you." He smiled slightly before disappearing into his study.

"When do you want to leave Akio?" Shinobu asked, leaning her chin on her palm.

"Whenever.. preferably sooner.. it's safer during the day.. not by much.. but it is." He mumbled.

"Ok.. let's go now then." Kiba said, standing up. "Not that we couldn't protect you after dark." Kiba grinned, his arrogence knew no bounds sometimes, or so Shinobu thought.

"Ok.. just let me go grab some money." Akio said before disappearing. Shinobu tightened her shuriken holster as she waited.

The trio walked down town earning glares and looks of curiousity. Shinobu sighed letting her hair cover her eyes. She hated those eyes.. those eyes who brought down your self-esteem.. your self-worth. She hated it when they were aimed at her but it was somehow worse when they were aimed at someone else and she knew it wasn't his fault.

"Dude.. should I be hitting any of these people?" Kiba asked with a light smirk. Akio grinned but shook his head.

"I'm used to it, don't worry." He said.

"Stupid ignorant people." Shinobu grumbled, shooting a few death glares right back at them. No one kept looking after catching her eye, if she was glad of anything she recieved from her family it was the famous death glare. She never used it much but it didn't take much for her to master. Especially once she got fan girls.. unfortunately it never really worked with them.

"It's just because they don't realize what actually happened.. they're looking for someone to blame to feel safer." Akio explained. Entering one story and starting to pick up fruits and some fish. The woman running the story looked like she was going to curse at Akio and kick him out but thought better of it when she saw Shinobu and Kiba, though small the village knew ninja's when they saw them. Shinobu wondered what the last escorts were like.. to cause such a fearful reaction out of the villagers.

"That's still no excuse.." Shinobu muttered under her breath.

"They just want justice.. they're scared." Akio reasoned, why he defended them she would never understand. Guess it came with being the mayor's son.. an unconditional love for the village and it's people.

"Scared? So they attack the people keeping order and keeping the village sade? Freaking cry babies if you ask me." Kiba scowled and Akio just laughed.

When Akio had everything they would need for dinner the group headed back, Shinobu tried paying him for her team's share of the food but Akio refused no matter how many times she asked. Shinobu had given up, deciding she would just slip the money into his bedroom before they left. On the way back they received a few glares but not nearly asa many as before.

"Get the hell out of our city you monster." A teenage girl growled as she passed.

"Shut the fuck up you ignorant bitch. You don't know him." Kiba shouted back. She looked slightly taken aback but quickly resumed glaring before stalking off.

"I'm sorry about her Akio-san.. I don't understand how some people can be like that.. it wasn't you or your father.. right?" A little girl smiled, handing Akio a smile and his look of shock told Shinobu how often he received kindness from these people.

"N-no.. we didn't do it.." He mumbled. "Thank you."

"No problem Akio-san! Please take care of my home.. even if it's villagers can be a little cruel." She frowned slightly before hugging his waist and running off.

"That was sweet.." Kiba grinned. Shinobu smiled.. there were definitely some nice people out there.

"A sakura tree in the making." Akio whispered under his breath. Both of the ninja heard but neither of them said anything. Akio's smile didn't leave his face for the rest of the trip home.

"How was your trip? Did you get everything you needed?" Kurenai asked as the group walked through the door. Akio nodded, heading straight for the kitchen to put away the food he had bought.

"I'll be right back." Shinobu whispered, running upstairs to put her share of the money under Akio's pillow. He'd find it eventually. When she got back downstairs Kurenai was talking to the rest of team eight.

"Oh good, now we can go over this as a group." Kurenai smiled as Shinobu sat down. "I've watched you guys progress rather quickly and I think it's about time to get Anko training you. The reason our group alone will be doing this training is because we are the sole group with an even amount of people. Normally when Shinobi wants to learn this they wait until they're out of genin teams. It's two person taijutsu. It's complimentary of styles and if you each learn with each person no matter who gets seperated when if you have one of you then you're set for close range combat. I'm going to start the beginning training so that when Anko gets you she can work on technique instead of making sure you're capable." Kurenai explained.

"Yes! We're going to be so strong!" Kiba grinned. Shino on the other hand looked out of place and nervous. Taijutsu wasn't really his thing.

"We're going to up your skills and take into account your skill levels. I've also talked to anko a bit about adjusting it for your specialties, like your families fighting style." Kurenai reassured them.

"This isn't something we expect you to grasp right away because it's normally older more experienced ninja's learning this. But then again, normally the teams of two have to learn most of it on their own. Anko and I will be helping you the entire time."

"How is taijutsu a collaboration attack..?" Shinobu asked slightly confused.

"It's a series of intertwining attacks. Partner's tend to become very in synch and they need to trust each other. If you don't have faith in each other you're likely to fail." Kurenai stated.

"So we're kinda like becoming the same person?" Kiba asked, scratching his head.

"No.. not at all. In fact quite the opposite. This style is to compliment your own personal style. Instead of becoming one person you will help each other and compliment each other to complete each other. Partners succeed best when they have a grasp on teamwork as well as individuality which I believe you all have." Kurenai smiled.

"So.. what do we need to start on?" Shino asked.

"Strength.. some of the stronger moves need you to be able to catch your partners weight if it comes flying at you. Possibly with one arm. If we go to the roof we can get started.

"Can I watch?" Akio asked, now back in the room.

"Yes, just be careful to stay out of the way." Kurenai nodded and the group made there way up to the roof.

"To start things off I want one hundred push ups from all of you.. at the very least I want you to be able to support your own weight. You'll be doing this everyday from now on." Kurenai explained, she felt slightly bad but knew that they could handle it. She and Akio watched as the team did them, taking note of the difference in strength. While Kiba and Shinobu didn't seem to have a problem with it Hinata and Shino struggled a bit more.

When they finished Kurenai pulled out a scroll and bit her thumb pulling a large series of metal bars from the scroll and quickly setting them up. It looked like a child's monkey bar set just a bit taller.

"You will each receive one of these scrolls today for training. Your legs should be fairly muscular because of the tree climbing and jumping training we did so we're going to focus on torso, abdominal muscles and arm strength. I want each of you to do one hundred hanging sit ups, one hundred chin ups and then we'll start working on precision." Kurenai smiled at her team's determination. Akio started running sometime through the training to get towels and water bottles. He eventually had to get band aids and alcoholic cleanser once they started fighting each other. The entire group getting cuts and bruises. Hinata, Shino and Kiba took turns fighting each other and occasionally Shinobu. Shinobu spent most of her time fighting Kurenai since her taijutsu level was higher, it being her specialty.

"Why aren't you wearing your gloves?" Akio asked as the team took a break, grateful for the water.

"I was actually meaning to give them back.. I figured you wouldn't want me wearing them." Shinobu admitted.

"No, I want you to wear them. You're my friend, it's like a souvenir from your first mission." Akio smiled as Shinobu pulled them out of her pocket and put them on, tightening the straps and flexing her fingers.

"Thanks." She grinned, earning a slight nod. She found it easier to do things like push ups and chin ups with the gloves because it didn't hurt her hands as much. Though she had calluses the leather gloves helped her a lot.

Shinobu barely noticed Alexander appear on the rooftop as she dodged a hit from Kurenai jumping back onto her hand and swiveling, barely connecting her foot into Kurenai's shoulder. She obviously wasn't giving it her all but Shinobu was proud that she managed to hit her.

"Alright.. we should break for today. We'll be leaving first thing in the morning so get some rest. Aoi-san informed me that the usual ninja will be returning to cover for us. He's reported Laura so things should be fine here." She explained and for some reason this made Shinobu sad. She couldn't understand.. because her first mission was over.. because she liked it here? Or because she had unintentionally found precious people here and she didn't want to say good bye. She knew she had to leave and get stronger to protect her people back home.. but.. would she ever see them again?

"Hai.." Hinata mumbled, the rest of her team immediately heading down to their bedrooms, obviously exhausted. Kurenai waved to Shinobu before heading down as well.

"Hey, Shinobu... why do you train as a guy if everyone here knows you're a girl?" Akio asked, tilting his head slightly. Beside him Alexander's eyes widened.

"Because it's easier and I'm more used to it." Shinobu explained, about to say more when Alexander started yelling.

"Wait? You're a fucking girl? So are you straight and a liar or did she just try to piss me off?" He shouted.

"I'm the liar? You're the one who.. wanna know what? Never mind. Shut the fuck up and keep your nose away from my business. It's a wonder my dad even let you stay." Akio growled before storming downstairs.

"What happened between you two..?" Shinobu asked after a moment's silence.

"Why the fuck do you care?" Alexander growled but he looked more hurt than anything.

"Because that's they kind of person I am.. I'm not mad about earlier by the way." Shinobu smiled honestly.

"Sorry about that... and you really wanna know." He asked, looking confused.

"Ya.. I do." Shinobu smiled.

"I knew about my mother.. she told me to get in close with Akio.. so we could stop living on the streets. I complied.. but I realized I liked him.. everything between us.. was real. We quickly became friends and I was always looking forward to him coming for a visit. Eventually, once my mother felt she was close enough with Akio's dad, offered for Aaron to stay with us. She was already close to Akio and was more than happy to defend him.. she wasnted to be there for him when our mother was mean. It was lonely.. but at least I knew she had a roof over her head. By then I was completely dependent on Akio's visits.. but I pretended I didn't care. I kissed him because I wanted to on the bridge.. I don't know if he told you about that.. it didn't take me long to realize I was gay.. but nobody guessed because I never act gay. Akio grew that second skin too.. not many people guess. He still gets shit though because of my mother.. she killed the mayor.. so that Akio's father would be mayor and she would get more money to send me and take care of me. I realized that she was planning on killing them.. after an arranged marriage with me. So I pretended I was straight.. even went to the liberty of getting to know the skank who made fun of him.. so he wouldn't agree to the marriage. I was planning on breaking all of the ties.. so he wouldn't get hurt.. he stopped talking to me after that and I got all my updates from Aaron who'm he was still close with.. but now that I'm back and Laura's out of the picture I haven't gotten the chance to explain myself. I'm in love with the person who hates my guts more than anything in the world." Alexander finished, staring into his hands. Shinobu couldn't help but feel bad for him.

"Why don't you tell him? Go right now and explain everything!" Shinobu encouraged.

"It's not time.. I'm not ready and he's not ready to listen." Alexander sighed.

"What do you mean..? That doesn't make sense."

"If I try telling him now it will be like pouring alcohol on an open wound.. it will just hurt him.. I want to wait until that wound has healed.. then I'm simple cleansing the scar." Alexander explained.

"Yes.. but even if alcohol burns an open wound it cleans it and prevents infection.." Shinobu reasoned.

"I will tell him.. when the time is right. It's just not time yet." He finished. "Now you should get some sleep.. you have a long trip ahead of you." He said.

"Alright.. good night.." Shinobu mumbled before disappearing down the stairs.


"Thank you for your work here. Here is your payment, please give your hokage our regards." Aoi nodded to the team.

"Thank you.." Kurenai smiled, shaking his hand before turning to leave.

"Hopefully we'll see you again sometime?" Aaron asked with a small smile.

"Oui, I really hope so." Shinobu grinned. "Good luck with Akio.. you can do it." She whispered to Alexander while Akio said his goodbyes to Kiba.

"Don't forget about me now!" Akio smirked.

"Your gloves are a permanent part of my gear. I don't think it's possible anyway." Shinobu grinned, waving on last time before following her team.

"Shinobu.. are you crying?" Kiba asked incredulously.

"N-no.. just got something in my eye.. I'm no wimp."


A/N: Okey Dokey. So I'd like to start off by saying I hope you enjoyed this. Secondly, please excuse any spelling, I was writing this during a horrible storm (Tornado alert very close to where I live) so my mind was a little freaked out never mind the power flickers. :D weeee. P.S special thanks to everyone, I got 1.16K views in one day when I updated this. I FEEL LOVED XD


Note to review comments: I always write them BEFORE I write the chapter featured above. So if I make a funny comment that doesn't make sense because I explained something in the chapter but then hid it in a review comment that's why ;D


Alli ate Sora-Sorry Roxas: Yay! You're in aaww. I definitely love the song, though it's not one of my favourite's by that band. I'm a die hard Escape the fate fan :P Glass case of emotion? For some odd reason that reminds me of drowning O.o thanks for the review :D


XxInuzukaxX: (Chapter 1) I'm glad you find it believable and that I managed to get the emotion across :D thank you for reading and reviewing XD


Linda Ku: Yup! Sorry about the confusion, also for a question, has your brother been reading this entire time? I feel so bad for not acknowledging him. Gomennesai nii-san :P Haha, mom's do tend to know a lot XDSorry about it being short. Some chapters do that on me :/ Then again other chapters I can't stop writing so I have to split them XD Hurm... *is debating answering that question* It would be spoilerific depending on my answer. Since it's hinted at in the above chapter *I think I answered this before I wrote this chapter lol* yes Alexander does. I doubt people will hate him so much once his reasoning is explained. :D Thank you and your brother for the review / read. (not quite sure how to thank now but I thank you both for reading at least XD)


DutchyPuppy: Ya.. you'd think I would notice from the name but I wasn't sure :P I was just shocked when I saw the dutch in the review I was like "Da fuuuudge O.o? Herp." lol. Lol at the randomness! I'm glad you liked it and thanks for the review. I updated soon xD


ThePheonixOfTears: Yup, I updated.. and yes.. it sucked.. and ya :P I had a lot planned. It was awful. I managed to get most of the songs by going through the reviews and old PMS (i got permission to temporarily enable it to find the information I needed) Ya.. definite bad day. I'm great today though XD I will do the Laura thing though it may take a while. I've read all the manga so it's no big spoiler lol. *copies and pastes part of that paragraph in future planning* believe it or not I do that a lot XD because your reviews give me ideas XD Well.. she actually had painful exprience and wasn't consumed by hate and greed but desire to protect and love and it was taken beyond her control consuming her. I honestly think you may forgive Fugaku :P in the future. L(esbian)G(ay)B(i-sexual)T(ransgender/transsexual)Q(uestioning). The POV comment confused me O.o Big intro? Giant review! lol :P thanks btw. ha- dislike? Ya :P Well see.. that's how Akio see's it.. but remember. Alexander never explained his reasoning ;D Haha, Alex was definitely jealous. And Kiba isn't good with that kind of thing. Taking his background into account, he grew up with a very tough mom. The kind that would be "Suck it up and put on a smile" When you scrape your knees, but still loves you and makes it clear in her own way. So I don't think he would comfort her. I think he would know she needs space and he knows her well. He knows it's better to apologize in the morning. He doesn't know Akio so well, therefore making it less uncomfortable. He can listen without judgement and he can't sleep anyway. Plus Shinobu makes him nervous. He doesn't want to los a friend. Haha Very flirtatious all the time XD and I have know clue on the spelling XD O.o... I see lots of "wow's" LOL. Yes. She killed the mayor. And yes ;) it is them. Our first bit of Gaara and Kankuro :P Believe it or not it wasn't her doing. But the guy in the forest was. (not that I'm going to reveal that other than in the side story. She is :P and no. her men where the ones on the journey lol. She is trying to get all the money. Note in the flash backs that Aaron and Alexander lived in a shack away from Laura. Aaron took over the mother figure while Laura was gone. Lmfao XD No commet LOL. The no hug is because of multiple things. He found out the truth about the supposed love of his live, he feels guilty, he isn't sure how to deal with Akio being gay and he just got over the shock of realizing he would have died if he hadn't heard that. Haha, thanks :D and no romance any time soon. I'm not up for 12 year old romances. Anything involving romance is older. 16-ish. If they're at 12 it's just friendship until later :P No need to apologize. Bruno mars fan? Lol, I'll check them out. He's not really my style of music but he does have emotional songs and an amazing voice :P Haha, I updated XD Laura may take a while though. Too much on the plate. I am moving in less than a week, school is starting, dance is starting and I have two neglected stories. I'm considering putting one on hiatus. I dislike slow updates :/ lol. I'm known for fast updating XD