The Lost One [Naruto]

Chapter 4

Azura

  "Sasuke, I'm at point B," Sasuke wispers over the sound of static.

"Sakura, I'm at point C," she wispers in a similar way. My turn.

"Point D, I'm here," I say over the static. There's a small pause.

"Naruto, I'm at point A, believe it," he says softly.

"You're slow, Naruto," Kakashi says sternly, "okay, squad 7, hm-?" getting cut off as the "target" jumps up and runs away from us. "The target has moved, follow it!" he suddenly commands. Everybody jumps up and resumes new hiding spots nearer to the stupid cat. I really don't get the fuss, but I follow, because it is my mission.

"It's over here," Naruto murmurs.

"What's your distance?" Kakashi asks.

"Five meters," Naruto responds quickly, "I'm ready, just send the signal."

"I'm ready too," says Sasuke.

"So am I," Sakura says determinedly.

"Hn. Same here," I say. This is really so trivial. I just don't see the point. I get the mission system and everything, but I went on missions harder than this when I was in the Academy years ago. It's boring.

"Kay... Now!" Kakashi yells. The other three jump to action and Naruto grabs it. I stay where I am. It does not take four people to grab a cat. The cat screeches and claws at Naruto's face. I smirk. Something he very much deserves for his extraordinary lack of sense.

"Did you verify the ribbon on it's right ear?" I hear Kakashi ask Sasuke.

"Affirmative. We have verified the identity," he responds. Sakura and I just watch as the cat scratches Naruto's face up.

She just looks at him sheepishly. She does know that it's possible to help him, right?  You know, be somewhat useful? Guess not. I would, but animals absolutely hate me. Come to think of it, people usually do too. I suppose I wouldn't blame it if it did.

"Subject Tora captured, mission accomplished," Kakashi says. Suddenly, back to his old, annoying, self,  Naruto screeches into all of our ears,

"Can't we get a better mission than this? I hate cats!"
_____________________________________________________

We stand in front of the Hokage. He is droning on and on about the other available D ranked missions.

"No! No more boring, stupid missions! I want to go on a real mission!" Naruto suddenly yells. Ugh, can't he shut up? I could care less. I see Sasuke looking at me.

It can't just be me who thinks he's annoying. He suddenly says to me, telepathically. Ever since I explained my reasons to him, he's opened up a lot. Makes it easier for me to link our minds.

No, he's really annoying, but he's kinda right, you know. I respond. He internally sighs.

Yeah, I know. He looks away. Kakashi looks over at us slyly.  I glare at him. What's his problem? Sasuke suddenly looks back over at me. Hey, didn't you go on missions back in the Academy?

Yes, what of it? I respond.

How did you do it? Was there something in particular you had to do to prove you were good enough to be out in the field before you were even a genin? He asks again. I look over at Kakashi.

It was easier for me because of... the people I knew. I only went on c and occasionally b missions anyways, and I always went with people on much higher ranks than me. Like Kakashi.  He jerks his head away and glares at the ground. He must know who else I'm referring to.