Chapter 50: Bears, Oh My!
Walking near the forest of death Udon and Moegi began shivering in fear while Konohamaru kept a brave face on beside me. Stopping for a moment I looked around seeing it was quiet nodding my head with a smile.
"This spot should be perfect." I said biting my finger as Moegi said, "What are you doing?"
Finishing my hand signs, I slammed my hand to the ground saying, "Summoning Jutsu!"
Once the puff of smoke cleared Pakkun stood looking up at me saying, "Oh Mistress Yuna."
"Wow you learned how to do a summoning jutsu?" Konohamaru said impressed while I rubbed the back of my head saying, "Yea Kakashi-sensei had me sign a contract with them though I haven't been able to summon all of them yet."
"It takes practice." Pakkun said sitting down looking at everyone saying, "So what is it you kids need?"
"They are trying to find a necklace a villager dropped, I offered to help though I must admit I'm not very good at tracking things that aren't enemies." I said crouching on the ground holding out the scroll the lady filled out seeing him sniff it.
"The scent is faint but it's leading into there." he said pointing to the forest saying, "Right… I'll take the lead you guys, it's dangerous for Genin in there."
"But Yuna-sensei it's our mission we want to come with you." Konohamaru said taking a step forward seeing Udon and Moegi were uneasy but nod too.
"Alright but follow Pakkun and my lead, don't do anything foolish." I said as they all agreed looking into the forest, didn't think I'd be going back in there.
Jumping over the fence Pakkun sniffed the air pointing further into the forest as the others walked behind me looking around wearily. It seemed peaceful so far not seeing any dangers nearby feeling Pakkun jump off my shoulder to sniff the ground.
"It was dragged off by an animal… squirrel I think by smell." he said as I looked towards the others saying, "Keep your eyes peeled on the trees, the necklace should sparkle in this sun."
"Right." I heard them say as we began walking around the forest jumping up higher to get a better view while they stayed below.
"Sure is quiet…" Pakkun said making me frown saying, "Yea it makes me nervous."
"Hey I see something!" Konohamaru yelled pointing to a tree following his finger to see a family of squirrels running around with the necklace beside them.
Jumping over to them they began to scatter as I reached down to grab it stopping short hearing movement below. Turning I saw a large bear begin to run full speed at the kids cursing lightly stabbing my arm.
Jumping down my blood jumped to life shielding them from being swiped by the large beast seeing them turn shocked.
"All of you get back I'll take care of this." I said as Pakkun jumped towards Konohamaru with the necklace around his neck.
The bear growled at me going to swipe but I moved out of the way stabbing into its paw hearing it roar in anger. Doing some hand signs, I sent a lightning strike towards it seeing it hit the bear watching it fall over in pain. Seeing it get back up it stood on its hind legs trying to bring itself down on me rolling to the side.
"Mistress Yuna!" I heard Pakkun say hearing another bear come barreling out of the forest towards me glaring.
Making sure I wasn't backed into a corner I moved around the bears being careful that the kids weren't in the crossfire. Knowing I needed to end this fast to keep the others safe I stabbed my palms enough to bleed concentrating my chakra. Feeling the lightning begin to prick against my skin it ignited stronger in both hands raising them up.
Sprinting towards them both faster than they could swipe I made contact with my Blood Moon technique against their chest watching them fly backwards into the forest. Panting the lightning died down hearing footsteps approach.
"Yuna-sensei are you alright?" Konohamaru asked putting his hand on my arm as I smiled saying, "Yea I'm okay."
"Well, I think that's enough excitement for me today, glad I could help." Pakkun said jumping out of his arms as I nodded saying, "Thanks again."
"Later." he said disappearing in a puff of smoke as Konohamaru held up the necklace triumphantly while the others also celebrated.
Once we made it out of the forest, they dropped off the necklace to the lady who paid them thanking them for their help. I stayed in the background watching with a smile, they were growing fast, soon they would be Chunin.
They all walked over to me as Konohamaru said, "Thanks again Yuna-sensei."
"You're welcome, despite the bears it was fun." I said with a smile seeing Konohamaru begin to turn red saying, "We should go out for ramen to celebrate."
"Oh that would be fun." Moegi said seeing Konohamaru whisper to her as she made a face saying, "Oh right Udon and I have stuff we need to do."
"We do?" Udon questioned as Moegi grabbed his arm pulling him away while I shook my head saying, "Well since Naruto is busy, I suppose it's the least I can do."
Sitting beside Konohamaru I ordered some ramen listening to Konohamaru talk about all the things he's trying to learn from Naruto. I admired his determination to be Hokage one day and follow in Naruto's footsteps.
"Yuna-sensei… are you dating that weird bug guy?" Konohamaru asked suddenly as I smiled warmly replying, "No we are just friends and he's not weird."
"Okay fine he's creepy..." Konohamaru whispered making me shake my head replying, "You just have never gotten to know him, you'll find he's quite enjoyable to be around."
"How?" he asked with an eyebrow raised as I tapped my chin saying, "Well he's very smart, his shinobi skills are quite impressive too and he's a great person to be around when you want peace and quiet."
"I can be quiet and strong... and I'm smart!" Konohamaru exclaimed as I chuckled saying, "I didn't know it was a competition."
He took a deep breath seeing his cheeks flush red saying, "For your heart it is."
"Eh?" I questioned as my eyes widened seeing him stand up replying, "That's right, I'm going to challenge him and show I am more worthy of you than he is."
"But that's not how it works…and you're so young..." I said tilting my head as he shook his head replying, "Once you see who the better shinobi is it won't matter."
Giggling he looked at me with a frown as I put my hand on his head ruffling his hair as he looked down red in embarrassment while I said, "Whatever you say."
"Konohamaru." we heard turning to see his sensei Ebisu standing with a solemn look on his face as he said, "What's the deal Ebisu-sensei you're crashing my date."
"It's not a date." I said waving my hand while Ebisu replied, "I have some news I must talk to you about in private."
Konohamaru finally realized the look of distress on his face nodding as they began walking away feeling someone stand beside me.
"What happened on the mission?" I asked turning my head to see Shino standing with his hands in his pockets staring towards Ebisu and Konohamaru in the distance, "Asuma-sensei has been killed."