Chapter 8: The First C-Ranked Mission

A few weeks had passed and even Yuri admitted… The D ranked missions were getting boring. Catching a cat… pulling weeds, and even babysitting was entertaining for only so long. Yuri especially hated the wild goose chase of finding someone's chicken when they made it back to the home before team 9 could get there. Team 9 had just gone to find a bull that got out that needed to be returned. They are standing in front of the third Hokage, who tastes similar to Asuma Sensi. Since the third is Asuma's father, it makes sense they taste the same. Yuri found out Asuma Sensi tastes like Pumpkin, after many taste tests by Asami Sensi, Yuri knew about a lot more food. She guessed the third tasted like Banana Squash.

Yuri was also getting seals from Naruto now, which made her happy. And she was managing to not tell her team about the other part of abilities. Which… was getting harder to do since she tried to train with her friends once a week. And they were all getting stronger. It made sense though, for them to all get stronger. Especially with Asami Sensi.

But she was training them hard. They had trained with Kakashi and Asuma's teams.

Kakashi's to get their fighting up, and resistance to illusinary justu since Sakura had an ability for that. Which, surprised Isamu and Yuri Sakura was so good at it. She trapped both of them many times in that aspect. It was good training though. Saskue and Naruto were both faster and gave Kakashi's team a chance to deal with the chaotic energy that was Asami's team. They had no set plan and just did what was natural. If they thought of the move, Asami said to go with the last move they thought of. Which worked. Even Asuma's team struggled to keep up with Asami's team. Ino was the best one at predicting their moves since they jumped around all over the place. Ino was even better at setting traps. And Ino's chakra control was getting better thanks to Isamu apparently. Choji was training with a staff that hurt so much when he hit any of them with. And Shikamaru was still lazy, but he was better at catching Yuri in her thoughts.

Asami Sensi was trying to schedule, what she liked to call, a 'play date' with Kurenai's team. That team they hadn't had a chance to hang out and train with just yet. It bothered her a little but Yuri would wait for it. Hinata mentioned that Kiba might give Kenji a run since he was only getting faster as time went on.

"Good job Team 9. Another successful mission." There is a pause.

Asami taught them really quick to not speak out of turn. Especially Yuri… since she was friends with Naruto. But she only got a bruise from it since Asami Sensi pinched her on the arm for a moment. Yuri learned really quickly to remain silent.

"As always. Is there another mission for us, Lord Hokage?" Asami Sensi asks.

Asami Sensi was always respectful and quick to give them another mission. In the field though… She changed their missions drastically. They had to jump around or she told them they had to go through a single path, sometimes cutting off the easiest part. Which… sometimes made the mission more fun. Especially when they tried to break the rules and Asami sensi made the missions harder since they broke rules. But they broke them together and they were getting smarter about it.

The Hokage leans forward. "I have a mission that was specially requested from Master Jirya himself. Says he believes only this team can do it. This will be Team 9's first C-ranked mission."

"Of course. Please tell us the details." Asami Sensi seems to be pleased with this.

"This is an easy mission. You are remaining in the land of fire, there are ruins of a village that once stood. Jirya wants you to go there and look for information about the clan that lived there and how they were killed. There shouldn't be anyone in the area, hence why this is a C-ranked mission." The Hokage explains.

Yuri tilts her head. A village in the land of fire? Could it be? Yuri doesn't want to get her hopes up… but she also doesn't want to see the state her village is in.

"Understood. Do we know the clan name?" Asami Sensi asks.

The Hokage smiles. "The Chibana Clan."

Yuri presses her lips together and she feels her team look at her. She didn't know if they knew the reason she had come to the village. Hell… she didn't even tell Shikamaru or Saskue about the two people she saw going around killing her family. She never had the heart to and she didn't know if she ever could. No way in hell was she explaining that to her team.

"I can give you a small history. They were a clan that were brought in in the warring states period, but they tried staying out of it. They remained out of the village under the understanding that they were not going to use their Justu's, which many people don't know about. We have the only survivor of it as she is in your team. We think she can get the last information about the clan. Jirya specifically asked for this team. Even I do not know about the clan's abilities as it was agreed when the first Hokage formed the village. You leave tomorrow."

Asami Sensi smiles at the Hokage and shoos her genin outside. Knowing they have been dismissed from the office and need to get a move on. They have a mission and Asami Sensi seemed pleased to take them out of the village.

But once they are out of the tower and before anyone can say anything Yuri tastes Naruto and Saskue. She looks at them and goes up to Naruto, who is holding a cat. Looking especially upset about the cat. And she knows what cat it is. The most annoying cat to capture and tends to get out a lot… she does not pity them getting the cat.

"Hey, do you or Jirya have any open sealing scrolls? So I can seal things into them?" Yuri stops in front of Naruto.

"Um… I think pervy sage does. Why?" Naruto almost lets go of the cat but it stratchs him as he looks at it.

Yuri puts her hands behind her back and smiles. "I might need some."

Even before Naruto can reply, Asami Sensi drags Yuri away. Pulling Yuri by her arm as she looks at Kakashi. She hated his taste. Burnt toast. When she told Asami Sensi about it, she began laughing. She even started crying with how funny it was.

"Sorry Kakashi, I would love to chat about our next playdate, but we have a mission and it seems my genin needs to get some information before we head out tomorrow." Asami makes it a point to tug Yuri to her.

Kakashi raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Well good luck with that. I have some special training for my team tomorrow. Inspired by you so we can get the upper hand on your genin."

Asami nods and moves away while almost dragging Yuri away. She can look back and see Sakura has a smirk on her face, which causes Yuri to roll her eyes. But Saskue looks a little concerned by the fact Yuri is being dragged away. She might have to tell him about the mission and how her team might have to learn all about her. They move to the training grounds and Asami has all three genin sit down.

"Alright Yuri. Now… I know there is something else you aren't telling us. And while I haven't pushed it, we need to know. Now." Asami Sensi remains standing with her arms crossed.

Yuri presses her lips together. She didn't want to tell them anything personally… In fact she doesn't want to talk about it at all. She needed to think of a way to maybe deflect it. Why would Jirya do this and not warn her about it? She could have prepared to tell them something. Yuri isn't good at being put on the spot.

"Um…." Yuri begins.

"Yes! Tell us Yuri! We want to know! You seem to know a lot about our clans and how we work." Isamu exclaims.

Kenji nods. "I agree. And this is a mission for your clan."

Asami remains silent. Yuri thinks a little. She could avoid it… not telling them anything about her clan and how they were murdered in front of her. Along with not letting them know she can copy people. Which could cause a rift and her team not trusting her. Or… she could tell them and watch them freak out like Shikamaru thinks they will. Clans like to keep their powers a secret. And Yuri being able to know those secrets and use them against that family isn't good. She needs to decide if telling them is going to be in her favor. The one it would cause a thing with is Kenji… since he has a special family justu. Metal release. It could cause them to not trust her anyway and turn away from her. Plus, she felt like she had become friends with Kenji, so what should she even do? She needs to make a choice on it.

Finally Yuri lets out a sigh.

"Fine… I don't know that much about my clan… what I do know is from a limited number of scrolls and training with some friends. I am the one who talked to Master Jirya about these weird powers that have been happening to me." There is a pause as Yuri thinks again. "There is a second part to being able to taste people's chakras. I can absorb people's chakras and use them, but only if they teach me how to use it." Yuri looks down and doesn't look at her team.

There is silence. She is waiting for them to explode on her. She is prepared for them to tell her to leave. Which she would go to… she didn't know. Word might spread about her abilities and she wasn't ready for that. In her village, everyone had this ability… but it wasn't normal here. She knew that.

How painfully aware she was of that. She couldn't use anything she copied from Hinata, Saskue or Shikamaru. But that never stopped her from working with them. It helped them figure out how to counter it better. Though… she might not be able to work on it any longer.

"So… when you managed to find me?" Isuma asks quietly.

She nods her head. "I absorbed Hinata's chakra… so I was able to do something. I had to make sure no one was around."

"I'm guessing you didn't want to tell us because… it would be bad?" Kenji asks.

Slowly Yuri nods. "Shikamaru thought it would be best. Since he is the smart one he worried people would be worried and hunt me."

There is another small pause. She had to admit that she felt that Shikamaru was correct in his thoughts. He grew up in the leaf. So she would follow what he said. And she wasn't going to argue with him at this point.

"I see." Asami Sensi begins. "Yuri look up." Yuri does so. "Listen to me, we are not going to let that happen. We are a team. Is that why you don't let us touch you? But when we fight Shikamaru, Saskue and Naruto you are fine?"

"Yes. I already took their chakra. So I won't take it anymore… at least as far as I know." Yuri frowns and lets her eyes wander.

She can't look at anyone on her team right now. She doesn't look at their faces, since she feels like she might cry at any moment. And Yuri doesn't want her team to see that. It would make her look weak. Yuri doesn't want that. She has been so careful about not taking chakra from them it was hard when sparring.

"And you haven't taken our chakra?" Isamu asks.

Yuri shakes her head. "No, I have been trying to avoid that."

"Let me see." Asami sensi holds out her hand. Her glove off.

Yuri takes Asami's hand and the taste of grapefruit intensifies even more. Yuri tilts her head and she feels a little stronger. It was the first time Yuri could tell the transfer of chakra. And of her taking the chakra. It felt weird… she couldn't tell with the others… but with Asami Sensi its feels different. Maybe because of the power difference between them. Asami Sensi only stares at Yuri as she absorbs the chakra. Yuri pulls her hand away though, she feels like it was the right time and if she took any more it would be overkill. She doesn't know what changed… but something changed in her.

"I see." Asami Sensi throws her sword at her. "I want you to try to open it."

Yuri looks at the sword and shrugs. It's a sword. How hard could it be? She just has to open it. But she can't open it. She keeps trying for a few more seconds trying to get it open. She looks at the sword and back at Asami sensi.

"Focus on my chakra. See if you can pull it forward." Asami instructs.

Yuri focuses but she can't seem to get to it. Even with all her strength, Yuri can't seem to get the thing to open up. It annoys her. She got the other chakras right away… why couldn't she get Asami Sensi's? She pulls and tugs it until Asami sensi pulls it away.

"Well, we are going to work on that. But right now it is something simple." Asami sensi holds up a paper. "These are chakra papers. We are going to discover your chakra natures. Which will help us find out the types of justus you can use easier."

Asami holds the paper and it cuts in half. Getting a gasp from the genin sitting on the ground. All of them watching the paper floating to the ground. Asami Sensi pauses for dramatic effect. She smiles at the genin with their eyes wide.

"I have wind type chakra. You will infuse your chakra and we can figure it out."

Kenji, Yuri and Isuma get a small piece of paper. Asami stands back as they look at the paper. Yuri focuses her chakra on the paper. It begins to get wet. She looks to Isuma and sees it's not in his hand. With Kenji, it's wrinkled and cut in half. The three look between each other and back to their sensi.

"I see. Isamu, you have Earth Chakra, Yuri you have water. Kenji, you have Lighting and Wind style. I'm guessing that's what makes your magnet. I have some ideas for justus to learn. Yuri, for you it will be important in battles you only use your nature type. Only use your clan's ability if we are going to die." Asami Sensi looks at her directly.

"Understood."

The Nara's Home

Yuri wanted to have dinner with the Nara's before her mission. So she could talk to Shikamaru about something, mostly her team and the way she had to tell them. Clearly Saskue and Hinata had the same thought. They all meet at Shikamarus to hang out.

She even stopped by Naruto's home to get some scrolls to seal the information in. Kakashi's team had gotten a mission as well since the house was a mess with Naruto running around trying to gather things. Jirya had some to spare and figured Yuri would need it for her mission. Yuri was rather short with Jirya and he didn't push it. She had been pouting about it a lot before she got to Shikamaru's home.

Shikamaru, Hinata and Saskue all sit with Yuri in Shikamaru's room. All silent since she explained her mission and having to tell her team about the ability she has. It was a lot to take in and Yuri still didn't understand. She looked around a lot while explaining the information. Which she hated doing, but it didn't have to stop there. Yuri was so nervous.

"Luckily they didn't freak out." Shikamaru says.

He stretches out and lets out a yawn. Yuri looks at him and shakes her head.

"But… but more people know… and… and you have… have Asami Sensi's chakra…" Hinata stammers out.

With a slow nod, Yuri is glad that she wasn't kicked out of the team. She liked them a lot and she enjoyed Asami's teaching style. It made her think and kept her on her toes. Yuri preferred to be on this team, while she was upset she wasn't on her friends team, it faded since she was working well with her team. She liked training with Kenji and beating Isamu in things.

"I know. But Jirya sent in this mission. So we have to do it. I think I would rather go to the land of waves like Saskue…" Yuri mumbles.

Saskue shakes his head. "Not with the idiot and Sakura."

Yuri punches Saskue in the arm. "Give them a chance dimwit. Naruto might be weak and Sakura is as well, but if you keep that up? And not trying? Who will want to work with you?"

This was a constant conversation that they had, Saskue not wanting to be a team player. He was such a brat when it came to Sakura and Naruto. And both of them were trying from what Yuri had seen. Saskue was the issue most of the time. He caused fights in training and Kakashi didn't do much. Meaning the taste of burnt toast expanded to his personality. She didn't think it was good for Saskue… but he had her, Shikamaru and Hinata to keep him in line.

Which is what they liked to do, constantly.

"She is right. Team 10 started off rough, but Asuma Sensi let us nap after training. Even Ino naps with us." Shikamaru comments, Yuri can hear the smile in his voice.

"Ya… Kurenai Sensi al-also takes us out… and… and she encourages Shino, Kiba and I to… to hang out after." Yuri smiles at Hinata's words.

Kiba had a loud mouth and Shino was quiet. But she thinks Shino and Hinata talk when it's just them. Kiba tended to take over a conversation all the time. It made her happy about it.

Saskue scoffs. "Like that will make me stronger…"

Shikamaru instantly gets Saskue in a shadow possession. "Maybe once you can get out of it. But until then? You need us and we need you. Don't you see? We work together and we get stronger. You are stronger because your ego won't allow you to be on the same level as Sakura and Naruto. You know who might be stronger than you? Shino. Maybe spar with him?"

Saskue glares at Shikamaru but when Shikamaru lays down so does Saskue. This causes Hinata and Yuri to look at each other. Since they had gotten into their teams, Shikamaru had become a little more vocal about how Saskue acted. It still surprised Yuri when Shikamaru spoke out. She knows it was super annoying, Shikamaru was always annoyed with Saskue about this.

"Shika is right. Shino could beat you." Yuri chimes in as Shikamaru retracts his shadow. "You can't think you are the best when you ignore people."

Saskue looks at the three of them. Even a little of a glare. She only shrugs her shoulders. Yuri wasn't one to get into these arguments. And plus… Shino was strong. He was number 3 in the class out of the boys all the time. He couldn't beat Kenji and Saskue in fighting hand to hand. That was the only reason he wasn't at the top. It was upsetting, sure, but Shino was the questiest of all of them.

Finally Saskue looks at Hinata. "Is Shino stronger?"

Yuri watches Hinata and sees her cheeks change a little as she looks down. Yuri tilts her head, curious about the reaction.

"Um… I, I think so… Shino… Shino is a good fighter and while… while he can't keep… keep up with Kiba in hand to hand… he… he can pin Kiba down." Hinata gets out.

Yuri tilts her head and decides to keep the information to herself. Hinata was shy yes… but she wasn't blushing as much unless they were talking about Naruto. And seeing that little color in her cheeks told Yuri she was moving on from Naruto a little. It was better for them, Yuri would think Hinata even having a crush on someone else would be much better.

Expand her taste. Much like Ino and Sakura. Though… Yuri didn't purposely make Hinata mad like Ino and Sakura. It was getting harder to get under their skins. So she needed to think about a way to annoy them.

A scoff comes from both the boys, but Saskue speaks up. "After my mission? Fine. Shino and I should spar. I'll show you all that I am still top of the class."

Yuri shakes her head. Leave it to Saskue to try to prove he is the best of the best. It was amusing, sure… but it also worried her. Why only think of power when he could have others to rely on? It wouldn't make sense to her.

A small lull comes over the four. Yuri didn't mind, she enjoyed it when they were silent and not wanting to push Saskue too far. It wouldn't be fun after that point. It would be too much and they didn't want to push Saskue away. They teased each other for sure, minus Hinata, but it was a nice balance most of the time.

"You know… if you are going to your old village and they have information, you could learn how to control the powers a little better. Not to mention… understanding why." Yuri looks at Shikamaru.

"I know. I just… I didn't want to tell my team the way I had to." Yuri curls up into a ball.

Saskue scoots closer to her. Something that even shocks her when he pokes her forehead. Something she had seen him do with Ichika a lot more. Especially when she was pouty. Yuri puts a hand on her forehead and frowns at Saskue.

"It doesn't matter. Eventually they had to learn about it. One person I think shouldn't know is Kakashi. He might be the only one to freak out about the information. Asuma seems like another good adult or Shikaku." He explains.

"You're right… Shikaku would be good… he knows a lot." Hinata nods her head.

Surprisingly Shikamaru remains silent. But when Yuri looks at him he turns his face back towards the ceiling. She doesn't understand why though. It is something that they did a lot in the group. But Saskue never poked Yuri before.

"You're both right. I just need to stop worrying so much." Yuri pauses. "But can we all celebrate that Saskue actually tried to comfort me?"

Saskue's face gets red as he turns away and stands up. "I need to pack for my mission. I'll see you guys after."

Yuri looks at Hinata and they both laugh. "I should pack too. But come on. How often do we get a chance to tease Saskue?"

The Next Morning

After packing the night before, Yuri takes a deep breath. They would travel for two days and reach the village. They might spend a few nights in the village and then come back. At most it should be a week. About the same time for Naruto and his team. They had left a little earlier in the day than Yuris team.

She spots Kenji up ahead. Walking up to him she smiles. While Kenji doesn't say anything to her right away, she hopes he is excited. She wanted to puyt yesterday behind her and move forward. But she couldn't help but feel a little nervous about the idea of being with her team and them knowing about her powers now.

"Are you ready Kenji? We get to leave the village." Yuri smiles and bounces a little.

There is a pause. A long one and Yuri worries that Kenji is going to not answer her. It leaves a moment for her thoughts to begin to swirl. What if Kenji doesn't want to be around her anymore? Or fight against her any more? She worried she might accidentally take Kenji's abilities and she wouldn't know what to do with them.

She tastes grapefruit and turns around to see Asami Sensi and Isamu walking towards them.

"I just hope it all goes well." Kenji mumbles.

Note: Hello! Please enjoy this next chapter in the story! I am trying to make a regular posting schedule so it updates weekly and not sporadic like I have been. And not all chapters will the super long either. I have a handful that are shorter. But please enjoy and leave a review, and follow!