I woke in the morning, face stiff with dried tears. I sat up slowly, but no bruises twanged. A nurse had come in the middle of the night and healed the rest of my injuries, taking away the pain. 

It's too bad she couldn't take away the memories as well.

I got dressed, glancing at the clock to make sure I wouldn't be late. I had time. Just as I finished dressing, there was a knock on the front door. I listened carefully as a maid answered it. I heard her go to fetch my Father, then hurry over to my door.

A maid entered my room. "You must pack," She told me before leaving. I stare after her in confusion, but pack everything I would need for a trip all the same. Shurikan, Kunai, paper bombs, wire, extra clothes... everything went into my small grey bag. I stopped short. How would you spell grey? Gray? Grey... hmm... I like "grey" better then "gray" I decided.

I jump as my name is called, and I quickly zip the bag, hurrying towards the front door. I skid around the corner, peering around my father through the door. My team stood there, ready and waiting. 

"Yes?" I ask, "What's happening?"

"Our first real mission is happening!" Daisuke cheered while Shun rolled his eyes but grinned as well.

Father turned, walking away, but pauses just to the side of me. "Make me proud," He breathes, but it sounded more like a threat then encouragement.

I brush it off and walk outside, closing the door behind me. "The Hokage sent for us. We're supposed to be there in..." Sensei paused to snap open his fob watch, "Oh! Thirty seconds," He smiled.

"Last one there's a rotten egg!" Shun shouts, sprinting away. Daisuke grins and races after him, I close on his tail. We race through the streets, cutting around people, dashing down allies and jumping over rooftops.

We were neck to neck, but Daisuke was pulling ahead. No, Shun was. Now I was. But then both boys overtook me. I growled lowly. Let's see if I can do this. 

I concentrate, trying to push my chakra to my feet. After several attempts it works, but it’s wild and uncontrolled. I sprint ahead of the boys, grinning at my newfound speed. But soon my chakra tapers out, leaving me exhausted and letting the other two catch up to me as we sprint up the stairs.

We all slam through the Hokage's door and land in a sweaty, exhausted heap. "I won!" We shout in unison, and then burst out laughing.

"We tied," Sun admitted, disentangling himself from the tangled heap of limbs. I push Daisuke's foot from my face, standing as well.

"Great job, guys," Sensei smiled, "Though you didn't have to take out the Hokage's door," He raised an eyebrow. "That was great chakra control, Fuzen. Where did you learn it?" he asked.

"I didn't waste my day off! I studied a bit and saw that technique and decided to try it out," I told him.

"That was great for your first time," He nodded to himself, thinking. "Anyhow, slowpokes, the Hokage is going to explain the mission to you,"

We immediately straighten up, turning towards the amused Hokage. We bow together, and then eagerly wait for our instructions.  Our first real mission: one that didn’t involve whining, sticky kids, weeding under the hot sun, or picking up garbage in the forest.

“Your mission is a C ranked mission. It’s fairly simple: You must escort someone to their village safely. You must take all measures to ensure their safety. We aren’t expecting any enemy nin to attack. They only requested the protection from bandits, thieves… so we decided to give you a chance,”

We exchanged grins. “I’ve heard only good things about your team,” the Hokage told us, glancing towards Sensei. “Good work,” We lean forwards eagerly, hoping to catch his name, but none came forth.  We sighed in disappointment.

“So, who is this person?” Shun asked curiously.

“I bet we got someone terrible to protect, actually,” Daisuke suddenly saddened. “Like some fisherman, or weird hermit, or... a rude, alcoholic bridge builder!”

“Tch,” I scoff, “No one could have such bad luck that they get the last one,” I disagree.

Shun turns. “But Daisuke’s right; we are only genin. We won’t get anyone important,” He sighs.

“Actually,” The Hokage intervened, “He’s a prince of a small province in the Land of Stone. Not so important that you’ll have any enemy nin to worry about, but important enough that you’ll have to be on guard. Robbers would see him and know he’s rich, and hope to make some money from stealing from him, or, even worse, kidnapping him. This is why we need you,”

We square up, trying to look responsible and strong as he looks at each of us. “Send the visitor,” The Hokage raised his voice.

A door opened and a boy around our age stepped through.  My eyes widened in shock. He was incredibly handsome. Not Sasuke level handsome, but he had a quality about him that just made me…. Like him.

He stepped all the way into the room and glanced at all of us. When his eyes landed on me he gave me a small smile, causing a small blush to form on my cheeks. “Hey,” He greeted, “My name’s Shri,” He told us.

“Meaning power, handsome,” I blurted out, then blushed even more.

“Yeah,” He rubbed the back of his neck, smiling in a bashful manner.

“Well, if everyone’s ready, let’s head out,” Sensei ordered. We file out of the room, excited for our first real mission.

“So, what are your names?” Shri Asked, though he was looking at me. I fight down another blush. What had gotten into me? I never blushed like this, except when I was around Sasuke.

“I’m Shun,” Shun nodded towards Shri. Shri nodded back, acknowledging him.

“I’m Daisuke!” Daisuke exclaimed with a grin.

“Cool,” Shri held his hand out for a high five. Daisuke happily complied, slapping his hand against Shri’s. Shri turned to me, his eyes looking right through me. “And you?” He asked.

I turn away unhappily. “Fuzen,” I tell him.

“Meaning—“

“Yes,” I snap, “Meaning Imperfect,”

“Sorry,” he muttered while Shun and Daisuke glare at him.

I sigh. “It’s fine, just a bit of a sore point,” I mutter.

“Hurry up, slowpokes!” Sensei calls over his shoulder. “The Land of Rocks is a three day journey travelling at a normal speed!”

We exit the village, walking down the road. It took a couple of seconds to realize that Shun wasn’t with us. I turn back with everyone else. He was standing just inside the gates, staring unsurely out onto the world.

“What’s wrong?” Sensei called out.

Shun looked at us, and I saw that tinge of fear in his eyes. “It’s just… I’ve never left the village before,” He admitted.

“Really?” Daisuke asked, “I’ve left for business trips with my dad,”

I shrug. “I’ve left for parties and stuff with my parents,” I say. Shun was barely trembling. He was actually scared. Scared of leaving what he knew, safety. I walk up to him. “Hey, it’s okay,” I whisper, “To grow stronger; sometimes you’re going to have to step out of the safety net. But we’ll always be there to back you up,” I promise.

He took a deep breath. “Thank you,” He breathed, stepping out of the village, walking up to the rest of the group. “Sorry about that,” He muttered, clearly embarrassed.

“It’s fine,” Sensei reassured him softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s get going,”

We all nod and set off.

***

I have to say, going on a real mission is not all its chalked up to be. It seemed t only involve a lot of walking. A lot. Almost all of us had relaxed, plodding on with heads down.

“Slowpokes, come here,” Sensei ordered. We complied, Shri hanging back awkwardly. “Look at you guys. You’re not paying any attention at all. It’s embarrassing. If bandits decided to attack now, you’d be overwhelmed!”
We all glance away, ashamed. “Sorry, Sensei,” We all mumbled.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry, sometimes I just forget how young you guys are sometimes.  Here’s the plan: Shun, you walk ahead of us, a sweeper of sorts, the first one to see anything. Fuzen, you walk on Shri’s left, Daisuke, you be on the right. I stay in the back analyzing you. We’ll rotate positions every half hour,”

We nod slowly. It made sense. “Also, I want you slowpokes to scan your respective sides for any movement. Whenever there is movement, you have to make note of what made the movement. Got it? Then you tell me once we make camp and see who spotted the most movement,”

We nod again, excitement spiking in the face of competition. I was determined to win and show Sensei that I was improving. We took our positions, serious and concentrating.

Movement! I take note of it, a rabbit, brown for summer, scampering off into the forest. Movement! A blackbird flapping frantically into flight as we pass under its branch. Movement! The breeze swaying branches and pulling at leaves.

Now that we were paying attention, the forest, road, entire scenery seemed to come to life. “You’re so cute when you concentrate,” A voice says, causing me to turn, “Your nose scrunches up when you peer at something, then you smile slightly as you figure it out,”

I blush, smiling to myself. “Thanks,” I laugh slightly, “Were you studying me or something?”

He starts. “No, no, I… sorry, I was staring,” He admitted.

“It’s fine,” I smile nervously.

“So when did you graduate?” He asked curiously.

I scan the trees again. “Sorry, I’m in the middle of a competition of sorts. I’m twelve,” I tell him.

“Oh,” He said, “I’m thirteen, nearly fourteen,”

“I’m going to turn thirteen in two months,” I tell him, catching the movement of a squirrel running up a tree. We continue our conversation for the next hour until I’m rotated to the point of our group.

Daisuke, Shun, and Shri seem to be having an intense conversation behind me, but I can’t catch any of the words. Daisuke seems particularly animated as he gestures to Shri. Shun nods his agreement. What were they saying?

I walk back to them and they immediately stopped talking. Were they talking about me? Saying that I was annoying? That they didn’t like me? But then all three grin at me, and I can’t believe that. I know for a fact that Shun and Daisuke are my friends. And Shri has been nothing but nice to me.

“Yes?” Shun asked.

“I think we should set up camp,” I said.

“What? We have at least an hour until dark!” Daisuke exclaimed.

Sensei places a hand on Daisuke’s shoulder, stopping him. “Actually, she’s right. We need to spend the last of the light setting up camp. And I know of a clearing just a little ways away,” he told us. “C’mon, slowpokes!”

We follow him. “Gather wood while we walk!” Sensei orders. We do as he says, grabbing as much wood as we could carry.

“Let me help you with that,” Shri smiled, taking half despite my protests. We reach the clearing, setting the wood down in a pile.

“Did any of you think to gather tinder?” Sensei asked. Shun held some out. “Thanks, Shun,” He nodded. Shun looked pleased with himself, glad to have done something right after his embarrassing episode at the gates.

“Okay!” Sensei claps, rubbing his hands together. “I’m setting up tents. Daisuke can help me. Shun can start the fire. Fuzen can gather water.  Agreed?” We all nod and set off to do our appointed tasks.

I pick up our canteens, heading towards the sound of running water. I find a small stream and begin filling the canteens.

“There’s that look again,”

I gasp, jumping upright and quickly drawing a kunai. Then I spot Shri and sigh in relief. “Don’t startle me like that!” I scold, holding my heart. He chuckles and begins to fill his own canteen. We head back to camp together, laughing at a joke he made.

We stopped laughing as we see the rest of the team watching us, the entire camp set up. “Having fun?” Sensei asked dryly. I drop my gaze to the ground, walking over and delivering the water.

Sensei pours some water into a small pot, throwing some ingredients into the pot. “Well, report to me everything you saw move today!”

We do as he asks, and I’m disappointed to realize I didn’t notice the most. “Fuzen, you were distracted quite a bit of the time. Pay closer attention and you could have beat Shun. Daisuke nearly tied with you, and we all know he’s more oblivious then you.”

“Hey!” Daisuke shouts indignantly, but ends up laughing with the rest of us. We joke around for the rest of the night until the stew is done. I had expected poor quality food on the mission, but Sensei put an end to any of those suspicions. He could cook.

We said our goodnights and crawled into our respective tents, and I curled up on the floor. Just as I was about to drift asleep, I heard both Shun and Daisuke call, “Fuzen?”

“Yeah?” I answer, yawning.

They answer together, though slightly disjointed. “We want you to remember: You’re beautiful,”

For the first time in many, many nights, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

________________________
Happiness!

Did ya guys enjoy it? I betcha did! It was a happy chapter after all!

Gotta love the ending J

I wrote this in the car on the way to and from my Grandma’s :3

Well, until next time!

Comment! Vote!

Bye!

gaara119