His Little Bird [A Naruto Fanfiction] [Shikamaru x OC]

[9] Moving Up in the World

AN: Here's the next installment in His Little Bird! I hope you guys like it - and I'll try to keep it a little shorter from here on out, unless you guys like the long chapters. Someone let me know :P

This is a photo of Eri Sensei, by the way ^^

Enjoy!

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"This will be an escort mission." The Hokage said simply, "The son of a feudal lord needs escorting from the Land of Fire to an island off the coast of the Land of Wind, known as the Land of Birds." Sen looked up, her eyes sparking with excitement at the news.

"Really? We get to go all the way to the Land of Birds?" She looked to the birds on her shoulders and a large grin broke out on her face, "This is going to be so cool! Hokage-sama, do you think they'll mind if we bring some of the raptors native to that land home with us? Or do I have to ask?"

The Hokage chuckled, "I think your best bet would to be to ask, if you establish good rapport with the feudal lords there. This boy is the son of a feudal lord from the Land of Bears, however his father is away on a diplomatic mission to the Land of Birds, which is why we are bringing him there, as opposed to his homeland." The Hokage nodded at one of the door guards, who stepped out momentarily before bringing in an exceedingly snotty looking boy who couldn't be more than thirteen or fourteen. He stepped in with an air of importance that was immediately dampened by the look on his face that made it seem as though he smelled something bad. He eyed the four Ninja sourly before turning his nose up and sniffing in disdain. "These are the four you assign to protect me? A woman and three children? Puh-leaze. I could take better care of myself with my eyes closed." The three Genin and single Jonin all ground their teeth, eyes darkening with rage.

The Hokage sighed, looking more annoyed than any of the three Genin had ever seen him. It was quite clear he wasn't a fan of this character, and Sen could already tell she was going to positively hate him. It would take all of her self control to keep from ordering her birds to peck his eyes out. She just had to establish a good rapport with the feudal lords they'd be meeting. Her mom would be ecstatic if she came home with a white-tailed eagle, or even a Mauritius Kestrel. They'd never seen the likes of that sort of bird in the Land of Fire, as they were exceedingly rare. If any land would know where to find one, it would be the Land of Birds. Sen just turned stiffly back to the Hokage and asked through gritted teeth, "When will we be leaving, and how long will it take us to get rid of - I mean get to our destination?"

"You will be leaving tomorrow morning, and it will take you approximately two weeks to reach the Land of Birds, if not longer, depending on your charge's stamina." The Hokage said simply, then, he looked at the four Ninja before him, "Dismissed! Meet at the front gates at seven tomorrow morning." The four ninja traipsed quickly out of the office, all muttering darkly about the things they'd like to do with the snotty son of a feudal lord.

"Sen!" Sen turned at the sound of her name being called, and she saw Eri Sensei flagging her down, "You wanted to train with your katana today, right?" 

Sen smiled and nodded, waiting for her Sensei to catch up. "Is now okay?"

"Absolutely. Let's go to the training grounds over by your clan's compound. It's the closest one to my house and yours." Eri Sensei began to walk in that direction, but Sen paused for a moment, a little surprised.

"You live near my clan's compound?"

"Yes...on the other side of the training grounds, in one of the apartment complexes."

"Huh. I guess I never noticed." Sen rubbed the back of her neck, and her hand came away smelling like goldenrod.

"Hey, a weird question, but have you started using something in your hair? You smell awfully...floral today." Eri Sensei asked, peering over her shoulder at the girl, who immediately flushed pink.