Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 5: A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land Of Waves!

The trees seemed warped as we sped through the forest, stalking the target for our mission. I stopped by a tree and peeked out. "Sasuke. I'm at point B." Sasuke recited clearly through the com.

"Sakura. I'm at point C."

"Ren. I'm at point D."

It was silent for a moment. "Naruto! I'm at point A! Believe it!"

"You're slow, Naruto. Okay, squad 7.... hm?!" Kakashi was cut off.

"There it goes! It's coming to you, Sasuke!" I call, moving positions. I could see it bounce between the trees. "I see it."

"What's your distance from the target?" Kakashi asked.

"Five meters. I'm ready, just give it signal." Naruto claimed.

"I'm ready too." Sasuke added quietly.

"So am I!" Sakura rang.

"Okay... now!" Kakashi shouted.

Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, and I all jumped out, ready to tackle the target. Naruto quickly grappled it. "I got him, I got him!" Naruto shouted, holding up the cat with a pretty red bow on it's ear.

"Can you confirm the target?" Kakashi asked.

"Affirmative. We have a positive ID." I state, tugging the rampaging cat off of Naruto's face and cuddled it, giggling when it purred and rubbed it's head against mine.

"CAN'T WE GET A BETTER MISSION THAN THIS?! I HATE CATS!!!" Naruto screamed, nearly blowing out our hearing.

~*****~

We arrived at the Hokage mansion and watched in horror as the Feudal Lords wife suffocated the cat in her hugs. "Ohh! My poor little Tora! Mommy was so worried about you!" She screeched. I shivered gently, grabbing onto Sasuke's sleeve.

"No wonder that cat ran away...." I whisper to him, earning his agreement.

"Stupid cat! That kitty deserves to be squashed!" Naruto laughed happily.

"Now then... Squad 7's mission, we have several available tasks. Among them, babysitting the councilors three year old, taking his wife to do shopping, digging up potatoes, and-" The Third Hokage was cut off.

"Nooooo! I wanna go on a real mission! Something challenging and exciting! Not this little kid stuff! Come on, old man!" Naruto shouted. I snorted a little at him. He seriously was adorable with his familiarity with the Third. But I can't say anything. I call him old man too.

"How dare you?!" Iruka screams at Naruto. "You're just a brand new genin with no experience! Like everyone else, you start with simple missions to develop your skills to improve yourself!"

"Are you serious?! Baby sitting is not a mission! It's just a stupid- GYAH!" Naruto shouted in pain as I slammed my fist on top of his cranium.

"Knock it off, Naruto." I command, grinding my knuckles down onto his head to push my point ahead.

"Thank you, Ren...." Kakashi mumbled.

"Naruto!" The Third started firmly as Naruto sat up, rubbing his head and exclaiming in pain. "It seems you do not understand the tasks you have been given." He started. Naruto stopped complaining and looked at him in wonder. I flinched at that adorable expression he had on his face.

'Seriously? This kid is so annoying and loud, I don't even look at his features, but when he's quiet and curious, it's like looking at a small kitten.' I think to myself, feeling my cheeks start to burn. 'I hate being a girl sometimes....'