Let's start the adventure with team seven and the twins! | Gaara x Oc|

Part 8

Team 7 was currently on a mission – though it wasn't an exciting fight against criminals or a village protection task. Their job was to catch a cat that had run away once again. Now, they were reporting in, hidden among the trees in the thick forest.

"Sasuke, I'm at point B," said Kiyomi's older brother coolly, his voice as calm as always, and his black eyes sharply observing every twitch of the branches around.

"Kiyomi, reporting from point C," added the younger Uchiha, her voice confident, though her heart raced with excitement. She wanted to run after the cat, but she knew she had to keep her composure.

"Sakura, I've reached point D," reported the pink-haired girl, standing on her tiptoes, trying to get a better look through the thick undergrowth. Her green eyes sparkled with tension, as if every second was crucial.

"Naruto, at point A!" the blue-eyed blonde shouted proudly, but his heavy breathing revealed that he had run too fast to catch up with the rest.

Kakashi sighed, lifting his head from his book.

"Naruto, you're last again. But alright... now everyone stay sharp. The target is on the move," he said, glancing around. His one uncovered eye took on a serious expression. "After it, team!"

At that command, all four leapt into action. The soft rustling of leaves accompanied their swift steps as they moved towards the thicket where their "target" was hiding.

"I've got it in sight!" Naruto almost shouted, his voice trembling with excitement. His gaze locked on the target – a small, quick cat darting between the trees as if it knew the terrain perfectly.

"Distance?" Kakashi asked calmly, though it was clear that he didn't find the situation as trivial as it might seem. A mission is a mission.

"Five meters!" Naruto replied, wiping sweat from his forehead, his eyes filled with determination. "I can catch it!"

"Me too!" Sasuke, Kiyomi, and Sakura added in unison, all ready to leap.

"Well then... let's get to work!" Kakashi yelled, breaking the forest's silence.

And with that, they all rushed forward. Branches cracked underfoot, but no one paid it any mind. Naruto vaulted over a fallen tree, and moments later, his hands wrapped around the small creature.

"GOT YOU!" he shouted, holding the cat high above his head as if he had just captured the most valuable treasure.

The cat immediately began to struggle, scratching and hissing at Naruto, but the boy held it firmly.

"Is it the right one? Check if it has a ribbon on its left ear!" Kakashi said, approaching slowly.

"Yes, this is the one!" Sasuke confirmed, glancing at the cat with his typical cold indifference. Still, there was a faint trace of satisfaction in his eyes. The mission was complete.

"Mission to find the missing tiger cub complete!" Kakashi announced, turning away as if the whole ordeal had never particularly interested him.

"We've finished another boring mission," Naruto sighed with frustration, though deep down he was pleased they had finally caught the cat. "Can't we get something more exciting?" he asked, scratching his head.

~*~

A few hours later, as the cat's owner hugged it with affection, Kiyomi couldn't focus on anything other than her training plans. Her thoughts revolved around the latest challenge her master, Akane, had given her – mastering the "strength of a hundred" seal. The thought of it sent a thrill of excitement through her, but also some uncertainty. Akane was demanding and strict, and every task was a true test of character for Kiyomi.

Even so, Kiyomi admired strong women like Akane. To her, being strong meant not only physical endurance but also a resilient spirit. She always believed that girls could be stronger than boys if they prepared properly.

"Hey, Kiyomi!" Sakura nudged her lightly on the arm, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"What? Sorry, I was lost in thought," she replied, a little surprised, trying to smile.

"Everything alright?" Sakura asked, furrowing her brows. "You seem a bit... distracted."

"Just for a moment, I'm ready," Kiyomi quickly replied, straightening up, though her thoughts were still far away, focused on training.

"You better listen, because the Hokage is saying what we're doing next!" Sakura scolded, rolling her eyes.

"Okay, okay, I'm paying attention now," Kiyomi grinned widely, though her mind was still on a completely different battlefield.

The Hokage, with a thoughtful expression on his face, was reading the scrolls.

"Kakashi's team, your next mission is babysitting infants, helping with shopping, and working on excavation sites," he said calmly, as if announcing something entirely obvious.

"What?! More boring tasks again!" Naruto exploded, almost jumping out of his seat. "Can't we do something more exciting?!"

Sakura sighed, turning to Kiyomi.

"He's so annoying, isn't he?"

Kiyomi glanced at her with a slight smile.

"Maybe he has a point... We're always doing the simplest things instead of something more challenging."

At that moment, Iruka, who was standing nearby, narrowed his eyes and responded in a stern tone:

"You're rookies! Everyone has to start with simple missions to gain experience!"

"But we keep getting the dumbest missions!" Naruto insisted, clenching his fists in frustration.

Kakashi interrupted his student's further complaints.

"Naruto, be quiet."

The Third Hokage, who had been watching the scene in silence, stood up from his chair and directed his gaze at the young ninja.

"I understand your impatience, Naruto. Perhaps it's time for something more demanding. I'll assign you a C-rank mission – escorting an important person."

"Really?!" Naruto almost jumped out of his shoes. "Who are we going to protect? A princess? Maybe some big lord?!"

The Hokage smiled slightly.

"You'll find out soon. Sir, please come forward."

An older man with a few days' stubble emerged from the shadows. He looked displeased as his gaze fell on the four young ninja.

"These are supposed to be my bodyguards? These kids?" he muttered, his eyes stopping on Naruto. "And this one, with the stupid look on his face... Is that a ninja?"

"Who has a stupid look on their face?!" Naruto exploded, his face turning red.

Kiyomi glanced at her companion, barely holding back laughter.

"Does he even know he's the shortest of us all?" she thought with amusement.

"I'm Tazuna, a bridge builder. I expect you to protect me until I finish my bridge in my homeland," the man explained dryly.

~*~

"Let's go!" Naruto shouted, moving forward with an unusual burst of energy.

"Why are you so excited?" Sakura asked, smiling to herself.

"Because I've never left the village before!" Naruto answered, grinning from ear to ear.

Tazuna looked at him skeptically.

"Is this kid really supposed to protect me?"

Kiyomi walked behind them, observing the whole situation with a slight smile. She felt that this mission might bring surprises. Every simple mission was a step toward tougher challenges. She knew that soon her time would come to prove just how strong she truly was.

~*~