𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑵.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑

Erin sighed as she walked through the gates of Konoha with the rest of her comrades.

"What a mission..." Kai mumbled as he stretched, walking beside Erin.

Erin rolled her eyes, "It wasn't that bad." She said with a smirk.

"We need to get used to missions like this." Seiko added as she glanced at Kai from Erin's other side.

"Seiko is right." Riku walked on the other side of Kai with his hands stuffed in his pockets, "Get used to it."

Kai whined, "What happened to the sugar coating!" He looked up at Riku with an accusing glare.

Riku chuckled, "I am no longer your teacher," He shrugged, "It's the truth, we are all Jonin now." Everyone let his words sink in.

It was true, it was no longer team nine, it was team 'Riku'. They were all comrades.

It all seemed complete. Ever since Seiko and Kai got promoted, things have been calmer and Erin had been feeling better.

They have been going on missions together and also, separately. They all have grown up to wonderful ninjas who are taken seriously.

They all walked along the village, as they did two Jonin approached them.

"Erin," Called a tall male, his hair was just like Shikamaru's, it was none other than Shukaku, "We were just looking for you." He spoke in his deep voice.

Everyone looked over at Erin, "Me? Why?" She asked a little nervous.

Another man, with cigarette in his mouth, spoke, "You need to come with us to the Hokage's office." Asuma added.

Shikaku cleared his throat, "We need you for the mission report from last week." He explained.

Erin blinked a few times, "R-Really?" She had been on a mission with Asuma, Shikaku, and a few Jonin. However, she never counted herself as one who truly mattered there.

So for Shikaku, the commander, to ask her to help report the mission, was extremely flattering.

She looked over at Asuma who nodded, signaling for her to say yes. Erin was a little to stunt to speak.

Riku rolled his eyes knowing Erin will stand there for a bit. Without bothering to take his hands out of his pockets, he lifted his leg and kicked her towards them.

Erin's eyes widen as she let put a gasp, almost collided with Shikakau, she turned to glare at Riku who just smirked, "Yes, I will join you." She turned back to look at Shikaku.

He nodded and turned around, walking away. Asuma nudged Erin with a wink, she responded with a smile and walked along with him after Shikaku.

Kai, Seiko, and Riku watched her walk away with a smile.

'She is getting stronger.' Riku smiled to himself.

Shikaku, Erin, and Asuma walked into the Hokage's building. She was nervous but Erin knew she was finally recognized.

Shikaku walked into the office, Asuma after him, Erin following.

"Good afternoon, Tsunade-Sama." Said Shikaku with a bow, Erin and Asuma following.

Tsunade hummed with a nod, "Let's begin." She said, as she looked at Shikaku, and glanced at Erin for a second.

Erin held her eye contact with the fifth as she felt examined for some reason, tested.

They all reported the mission, as Erin did, she felt the Hokage look at her with a pleased expression, after she finished, Tsunade held a satisfied look as if Erin lived up to her expectations.