Child of the Moon

Best Laid plans

A/N: So there's been a change in plans, and now this story is joined up with the story by SleepNecessary starting from the last chapter, but I forgot to mention it.  His character (Kurai and Company) will feature mainly in his story (go check it out, it's called A Blade in the Dark - A Naruto Fanfiction) while Tsukiko and Company will pop in on his story from time to time.  In other news, here's a new chapter.  Vote, comment, share and enjoy.  Amaya, Out~

"Right, now that that's dealt with," Tsukiko sighed as the group left the Hokage's office.

"Next mission, bring it on!" Aki cheered.

"Actually, there's been a change in the roster for the foreseeable future," Tsukiko said, turning to face them. "A mission came up that requires a jonin, and I volunteered."

"Hey, you said we were more advanced than the average genin, what gives!?" Aki demanded.

"You did say that," Aiyanna agreed. "What sort of mission requires a single jonin with no backup?"

"Very few, except when you are the backup," Tsukiko answered. "Now, no whining. I took the liberty of setting you all up to ensure when I get back, you won't be behind on your training."

"Are we splitting up?" Nanami questioned with a frown.

"Basically. I want you all to be able to work fluently with as many different ninjas as possible, and one way of doing that is putting you on teams with different ninja," Tsukiko said.

She slipped her hands into the pockets of her pants and shrugged her shoulders. "So here's how it goes. Aki has been assigned to Team 8, led by Kurenai Yuhi."

"What? Who the heck are they?" Aki demanded.

"You're new, so obviously you won't know them," Aiyanna sighed, bonking Aki on the head.

"Ow, what the heck was that for!?"

"Team 8 is mainly a tracking unit," Tsukiko explained. "On the team is a boy called Shino Aburame. His clan uses bugs for a variety of purposes, including tracking. They are his eyes and ears, so to speak. They also have a girl called Hinata Hyuga."

"Hinata?" Nanami said, her expression brightening. "She's a very kind child, Aki won't have problems there."

"Do you know her?" Aki asked. "Hold on, is she like... your sister or something?"

Nanami shook her head with a small smile. "She's my cousin."

"Oh cool," Aki grinned. "Who's the last person?"

"Two more, actually," Tsukiko said. "Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru. They're a ninja-ninken combo."

"Inuzuka?"

"A clan that specializes in techniques with ninja-hounds," Tsukiko answered. "I mentioned that I knew someone who might be able to help you learn to use your nose as a weapon. That's the guy."

"But he's a genin!"

"So he's learning too," Tsukiko shrugged. "Anyway, I had thought about putting Nanami in a team with a Hyuga, but decided to put her somewhere else instead. Asuma agreed, so you're assigned to Team 10."

"Oh?"

"See, assigning Aki to a team with someone who can help her makes sense," Aiyanna pointed out. "But... why did you assign her there?"

"Shouldn't have to explain," Tsukiko shrugged. "You, on the other hand, will be on a slightly more advanced team."

"What!?" Aki screeched.

"I say advanced, but what I really mean is that they aren't fresh genin like Teams 8 and 10. The jonin in charge is Kurai Akano," Tsukiko nodded off towards the field. "You all better practice the blind style combat with Nanami until you're all able to perfectly fight without the use of your eyes by the time I get back, you hear?"

"Yes!" they all said in unison.

"Good, now I need to prepare for a long trip," Tsukiko said. "Take a break then go meet your temporary jonin instructors."

"Where do we go?" Aki demanded.

"Oh yeah," Tsukiko paused. "Kurai will be at the training field a little after lunch with his team. Kurenai and Asuma will be at the Dango shop around then too. Dismissed."

The three girls left immediately, and Tsukiko hurried home.

The information she'd... obtained from the minds of those ninjas...

This mission was no genin mission.

It was looking more and more like an S-Ranked mission, and she needed to protect Naruto and his friends. She had to protect Kakashi.

She wasn't going to let anyone hurt her comrades.  Not if she could help it.