Chapter 43: A Mission Most Foul
I began walking towards the hospital in good spirits, Ren-sensei and Anko had patched things up though made him promise to not say the L word for a while still. It was a start, but I knew Anko really was happy even if she tried to hide it. Other than that, Kakashi was supposed to get out of the hospital today and I was hoping to do some training with him. Walking past some nurses I opened his door seeing him sitting up in the bed looking out the window bored but turned when I walked in.
"Morning Kakashi-sensei." I said with a smile as he smiled back waving as he replied, "Morning Yuna, what brings you here?"
"Well, I heard you were getting out of the hospital today and wanted to get some more training in with you." I said pumping my fist as he looked back out the window saying, "I'm sorry Yuna but I already promised Naruto I'd help him with something."
Frowning I slumped down sadly seeing him watch me before saying, "I promise once I finish with him, we'll train more."
"I'm going to hold you to that Kakashi-sensei." I said sitting back up quickly hearing the door to his room open turning to see Hayner.
"We are being summoned by Lady Tsunade." he said as I nodded looking back at Kakashi giving him a peace sign saying, "See you soon for training."
Walking beside Hayner we got into her office seeing Tenten, Shino, Kiba, and Akamaru turn to stare at us.
Standing beside Tenten, Tsunade looked towards us all handing Hayner a scroll saying, "Glad you all made it, I'm sending you on a mission to the Ceramic Village to help with the disappearances of local girls. Rumor has it girls have been abducted at night and not seen again but we've yet to find any bodies or witnesses that can point us in the right direction."
"So scary..." Tenten said frowning as I crossed my arms saying, "So does that mean Tenten and I are bait?"
"Precisely." Tsunade said smirking looking towards Shino and Kiba saying, "Both of you are excellent trackers in your own ways so should something happen I know you'll find out where these girls are taken and stop whoever is doing this."
"You can count on us!" Kiba said as Akamaru barked watching her look towards Hayner saying, "Hayner being the only Jonin is in charge. I've given you a list of the missing girls and information on their family, but you'll have to find out anything extra I missed."
"Right." we all said as she dismissed us walking out of the Hokage tower hearing Hayner say, "Gather supplies you feel will be needed for the journey and we will meet at the gate in 10 minutes."
Nodding we all went our separate ways getting ready for the trek knowing it would take a few days to get their and back. Once I was done packing, I saw Shino was already there with his hands in his pockets waiting making me jog over to him.
"That was fast." I said as he replied, "I'm usually always prepared for missions."
"True… you and I haven't been on a mission in a while though." I said smiling as he nodded replying, "I'm sure it will go smoothly."
Not long after the others joined us as we began our journey hearing Hayner go over some details about the victims.
"Different hair color, skin color… there is no match at all." Tenten said as I shrugged saying, "Suppose that's why Tsunade wanted two girls to go, maybe to find a pattern."
"What's even this village like?" Kiba asked riding on Akamaru's back hearing Hayner say, "It's a small village with no shinobi, they specialize in clay making."
"Fitting for its name then." I said waving my hand over my face, this summer had been surprisingly hot so far looking over at Shino, I didn't understand how he did it.
"Yo Yuna you train with Kakashi right?" Kiba asked as I nodded seeing him give me a toothy grin saying, "Have you seen what he looks like behind his mask?"
Feeling my face flush I replied, "Of course not he doesn't let anyone see it."
"Yuna you're turning red." Tenten pointed out as I laughed uncomfortably replying, "Oh yea it's just very hot today."
"Figures… Shino won't let us see his eyes either." Kiba said glancing at Shino who kept staring forward making me frown saying, "Come to think of it I haven't either… why not Shino?"
"I don't like people seeing." Shino said simply making me tilt my head asking, "Why not?"
"I just don't." he said walking ahead beside Hayner as I sighed saying softly, "So mysterious…."
Once the sun set, we made a small camp as Hayner perched himself up on a tree to take the first watch while I laid near Tenten. Seeing Shino walk off to no doubt look for bugs and Kiba was already passed out with Akamaru on top of him.
"Hey Yuna..." I heard Tenten say as I looked towards her seeing her blush a little saying, "What can you tell me about Hayner?"
Staring at her surprised I rubbed the back of my head saying, "Well if I could compare him to anyone it would be Neji for sure. He's been wanting to train to be in the ANBU like his father, though lately he's been leaning more towards leading teams. Why do you ask?"
It was her turn to rub that back of her head saying, "I just have a lot of trouble talking to him, it seems like I bother him."
"I don't think you do, trust me he'd let you know… plus who cares I bug Shino all the time and we're still friends." I said with a large smile as she laughed replying, "Yea you both are so different, but I think that's why you guys are such good friends."
Nodding I looked up at the sky saying, "Sure... though he probably would never admit we're as close as we are."
"Maybe one day he will." she said hopefully as I closed my eyes saying, "Yea… I hope so."