𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑵.

𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐎𝐋𝐅 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐄

"Are you sure you have everything?" Daiji asked Erin as he looked at her while she was packing her bags.

Erin sighed with a smile, "Yes, you already asked me that three times." She said as she closed her bag and put it on.

Daiji chuckled at himself as he ran a hand through his hair, "I know, I'm sorry."

Erin suddenly hugged him tightly, Daiji stood there for a moment but smiled and hugged her back, "Just be careful." He said as he looked down at her; he knew she was tough and responsible but Daiji didn't want to lose her, he couldn't help but think about it since what happened.

"I will. I'm tougher than you think." She looked up at him with a smirk.

Daiji chuckled and ruffled her hair, feeling the cold metal on the headband across her forehead.

Erin giggled "Stop!" and unwrapped her arms around Daiji's stomach.

"Go on, you will be late." He said with a smile as he nudged her towards the front door not wanting her to repeat his bad habits / follow his footsteps.

"Bye!!" Erin yelled as she ran out the door, she looked back before she closed it, the sun shined as she smiled back at him, the wind blowing past, it seemed unreal to see her happy. Finally, she closed the door.

Daiji sighed and scratched his head as he sat down on the living room sofa. Yet again reading that certain blue book...

~~~~~~~

Erin walked towards the Konoha gate she knew all too well.

As she got closer she saw two figures standing near the gate.

"Erin!!" She heard a yell, she knew who it was already, the voice caused her to smile.

"Hey, Seiko." Erin said as waved back, "Good morning, Riku-Sensei." She gave the man a weak smile.

The four had grown closer. They had trained for two weeks together. The three have progressed and their teamwork had become better since they are all advanced.

"Good morning!" Responded Riku with a nod and a smile.

"Where is Kai?" Asked Erin as she looked around.

"Late." Said Seiko with a glare in an angry tone.

Riku sweat-dropped, "Now, now..." He calmed Seiko down, "He will be bere in a minute."

Just as Riku said that Kai arrived, "Hey there! Hehe..." Kai grinned as he scratched his neck.

"Kai!" Seiko stomped up to him angrily, Kai cringed and backed away, she growled and was about to punch him but a hand stopped her. Kai looked up to see Erin.

"As much as i would like to see you punch him," Erin said which caused Kai to scoff, "We got a mission to do." She let Seiko's hand go.

Seiko sighed, "Next time you're late I will do more than a punch." She glared at him.

Erin chuckled at Kai's scared look, "Shut up." Kai grumbled at Erin who rolled her eyes, "Whatever idiot." She responded.

"Team nine!" Riku called making the three look up at him, "Let's go."

They all smiled and nodded, Riku walked out of the gate, nodding towards the guards who nodded back.

Riku led the way as Kai, Seiko, and Erin all wondered where the hell 'The Howling Wolf village' was.

"Riku-Sensei," Erin called and walked faster to match his pace. "Yes?" He looked down at Erin.

"Can you tell me more about the Howling Wolf Village? The third didn't explain much when he talked about the mission." She asked. Seiko and Kai paid attention in the back, but from time to time they argued.