Gentle Caress

The Bridge Builder

They stood in front of a nice two-story tall cabin. "Well... here goes nothing." Sakura knocked on the door, looking back at her siblings. The door opened to reveal a boy. He was around eight years old. "Mom!" He called.

Tsunami appeared at the door, lightly scolding the boy. "How many times have I told you, Inari? Don't answer the door!" She turned her attention to the group at the door. "What can I do for you?"

Neji bowed, the rest following in tow. "Excuse us, but we're looking for work. We caught word that a bridge builder lives here and plans to start the construction of a bridge."

"Oh. My father still hasn't arrived but come on in." She opened the door wider, letting them in. "He should be here later this afternoon, so feel free to stay here."

Hinata smiled, "thank you..."

"Tsunami. My name is Tsunami and this is my son, Inari." She turned to her side, expecting her son to be there. He wasn't.

"Well, thank you, Tsunami. I'm Kotsuru. These are my friends. Menma, Ryo, Shouta, Noriaki, Jin, Yoshie, and Akihiko. This is my cousin, Daichi."

"So many names. Are you hungry?"

Jin (Sasuke) nodded. "Yeah. We were planning on offering our help on the bridge in exchange for food and shelter. Is that something you can offer?"

Tsunami seemed relieved by his words. "Of course! You can stay here till the bridge is done."

"Thank you!"

The sun was just starting to set when they heard a commotion outside. Akihiko (Kimimaro) offered to check it out with Noriaki (Haku). Approaching them was a group of five people, three kids, and two adults. Upon realizing that one was injured, they rushed forward. Offering to help them home. Tazune had made it home safely with a Konoha genin squad. Konoha's team seven was led by Hatake, Kakashi. Naruto noted that he smelled familiar. Kakashi's squad had the rookie of the year. Amburame, Shino. An unknown kunoichi, whose eyes were too aware and watchful to be only a genin. And finally Inuzuka, Kiba and his ninken, Akamaru.

"What happened to him?" Menma asked, noticing the slight of Sai's twitching lip.

Shino looked at him, "we were attacked by a rogue ninja. He should be fine, just needs some rest."

"And who are you?" Kiba growled.

"Oh! How rude of us! I'm Menma, and these are my friends. We're here to help build the bridge."

Tazuna nodded, taking in their offer. "You won't get much pay, just telling you ahead of time."

Yoshie (Sakura) held out her hands and surrendered. "We don't want pay. We're offering our services in exchange for food and shelter. Tsunami-san already told us we could stay."

"Well, that makes it a bit easier on us."

Kotsuru, Yoshie, Jin, and Noriaki offered to help Tsunami prepare dinner while the rest helped set up the table. Kakashi had been laid to rest in one of the rooms, whatever the man had done to protect Tazuna and his squad seemed to take quite the toll on him. "So... You're ninjas. That's so cool!" Menma made sure to make his excitement as genuine as possible. Kiba prinded, puffing up his chest a bit. Apparently, Kiba hadn't changed much since the academy.

"Yeah, it's hard work. But we manage. You're looking at the best genin squad of the year." Akamaru barked as if agreeing with him. "I am a member of Konoha's Inuzuka clan." Menma raked his brain. Some time ago Jiraiya had returned with information about Konoha. The Inuzuka were one of the few clans that had blindly followed Danzo. Their undoubting loyalty to the village and its leader, made them see the Hokage as their alpha. Kiba being on team seven suddenly made sense.