A few days later;

8 AM

Manami: So this is it?

Naruto: I don't understand why they need three ninjas to protect THEM.

Sakura: Everything has a reason Naruto. If Hokage-sama wants us to do this then it must be important.

Manami: Yeah and besides, we can relax a bit now that we know our mission isn't super complicated.

Manami, Sakura, and Naruto stare up at the large cage in front of them. An animal trainer had just arrived in the village with some of his rarest animals. Naruto's team had to make sure these animals were well protected and safe for the two days of their stay for the festival.

There were three rare species for the show this year. A pair of winged rabbits, 

A rainbow Mercat 

and the star of the show, The giggle birds. 

There was a flock of fifty Giggle birds in a cage and their security was of utmost importance.

Sakura: Funny how the most plain-looking of the bunch is the most important.

Naruto: Hey birdies! Do something exciting! A trick maybe?

Sakura hits Naruto in the head.

Sakura: They are not circus animals you idiot!

Naruto: Whatever! They are so boring!

Manami: Hey guys!

Just then, the trainer walks up to them.

Trainer: So you are the ones they sent?

Manami: Uh.. yeah!

Trainer: Very well. You three better take good care of my animals. They are far too precious.

Sakura: What are we even protecting them from?

Trainer: Hmm... There are a lot of people ready to steal these animals for their price. But most importantly, you need to make sure that they don't escape. Giggle birds are very sly. They can trick you into escaping and when they do, all hell breaks loose. 

Manami walks closer to the cage.

Manami: These tiny little birds?

Trainer: Looks can be deceptive.

Sakura: Don't worry sir. We will do our best.

The trainer nods and leaves the team alone.

Sakura: So, who's gonna be on night duty today.

Naruto: I can do it!

Manami: You sure? I can do it too.

Naruto: Don't worry about it! You can do it tomorrow.

Manami: Fine by me then. 

Sakura: The first show begins at twelve. I'll be on duty till then. Manami, you can take over on stage till sunset.

Manami: Sounds good to me.

Manami and Naruto go and sit on a nearby bench in the tent.

Time passes swiftly and the show begins. Sakura is on watch in front of the stage, Naruto is backstage and Manami is on stage. People come and go, being amazed by the beautiful creatures. Two suspicious men stare at the cage guarded by Manami from afar.

Man 1: It seems like the trainer has hired a ninja for their protection.

Man 2: We don't have a choice, we have to steal them tonight.

Man 1: And that ninja girl?

Man 2: Our men can keep her busy while we steal them.

Man 1: I can't wait to get my hands on these animals! We're gonna make real good money from these!!

Man 2: Yeah yeah! now lets get to work!

A few hours into the show,

Sakura walks up to Manami with a sandwich.  

Sakura: Here you go, you must be hungry.

Manami: Thanks a lot. I was getting ready to feast on these birds.

Sakura: You know what scares me? That you might've actually done it.

Manami: Yup! Better keep me fed then!

They both begin to laugh.

While Manami is having lunch alone backstage, Gaara comes to see her. Sakura is taking her place near the cage while Naruto has gone to get food too, leaving a clone in the crowd.

Manami: Hey Gaara!

She stands up from the floor, gives him a quick hug and sits back down to continue eating. Gaara sits beside her.

Gaara: You seem busy.

Manami: Yeah. Me, Sakura and Naruto are on a security mission for two days. We have to protect these animals.

Gaara: They're quite rare I have heard.

Manami: That's what they say so I suppose they are. They're kinda boring honestly.

Gaara: What do you want them to do? Perform a musical for you?

Manami gives Gaara a "Seriously?" look.

Gaara: What? I can't joke around sometimes?

Manami sighs and pats his head.

Manami: Lets... leave the jokes to ME in this relationship. Okay?

Gaara gets flustered. 

Gaara: A.. Aren't you the one who says I'm too stiff and serious?!

Manami: That's because you're always hanging out with old people.

Gaara: They're the kages! What do I do about that?!

Manami begins to laugh at how adorably frustrated Gaara got. 

Manami: It's okay it's okay! You don't have to change a bit!

She hugs and kisses him on the cheek, almost on his lap at this point. Gaara holds her by the waist to keep her close.

Sakura: * Cough Cough!* You guys are in public.

As soon as they hear Sakura's voice, they move away from each other and stand up.

Manami: Hey Sakura! (Flustered) 

Sakura: I'm all in for romance when it comes to you two since you guys desperately need it but how about keeping this for indoors?

Manami: Yah! It isn't what it looks like! We were just!

Gaara: I'll see you later Manami!

Gaara flees the scene.

Manami: Gaara! You coward!

Sakura smiles and shakes her head.

Sakura: See? A little more time can make things so much better.

Manami turns her attention back to Sakura from now gone Gaara. She smiles.

Manami: Guess you were right!

They get back to their work. The rest of the day goes by without a hitch.

The night falls and the village begins to glimmer  with streetlights. The streets became busier and the villagers came out to enjoy the festival. 

At about 12am, it was time for the trainer to pack up for the day. Naruto, Sakura and Manami followed him and his men as they dragged the cages back to the tent.

Sakura: Me and Manami will be in the tent right beside this one. 

Manami: You sure you don't want us to help out?

Naruto: Nah! I'll be good!

Manami: If you say so...

Both of the girls leave to get some rest.

Later in the night, hiding behind the animal tent, two men whisper.

Man 1: Boss! 

Man 2: What is it?!

Man 1: The girl isn't in the tent!

Man 2: Isn't that good then? We can get this job done easier.

Man 1: No! there is a guy there instead. 

Man 2: Doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl! The plan is simple. We go in, our men fight the ninja, while we steal the cages!

Man 1: Got it! Lets go!

He signals his men that are hiding in the bushes. They all enter the tent from the back. Almost immediately, Naruto finds and confronts them.

Naruto: Who are you guys?! And what are you doing here?!

Man 1:  Get rid of him!

Immediately, all his men begin attacking Naruto. Listening to all of the ruckus, Manami and Sakura also wakeup and come running into the tent.

Naruto: Hey guys! Did we wake you up?

Sakura: What the hell is going on over here?!

Manami: Seems like this mission ain't so boring after all!

Sakura: Tell me about it! Look! They are taking away the giggle birds!

Manami: I'll go after them!

Sakura: Okay! Me and Naruto will deal with the guys in here then!

Manami runs after the two guys that had dragged the cage out of the tent. She jumps and lands right in front of them.

Manami: Stop right there!

Man 1: Seems like the trainer hired more than one ninjas.

Man 2: Yeah, I can see that! Get out of our way girl! You don't know who you are dealing with!

Manami: Sure sure! Now give back those birdies!

Man 2: You asked for it!

He hands the rope tied to the cage to his mate and walks a few steps forward. He instantly attacks Manami with a lightning spear which she dodges easily.

Manami: Lightning style huh? Very well then! Time to warm up my lightning style too!

Manami attacks back.

Manami: Thunder Rain!

The man jumps around trying to dodge her attack.

Man's thoughts: This girl's lightning is on another level! I can't win!

Manami: Ugh! You're not much of a fight and I'm not in the mood for chasing you around! Lets finish this quick!

The man jumps and tries to kick Manami but Manami easily moves out of the way and the guy hits the cage, falling right next to his team mate.

Manami: THUNDER WAVE!

Manami, in a hurry to finish them off, attacks mindlessly. Both of the guys move out of the way and Manami's attack hits the cage instead, electrocuting the birds. 

Manami: Oh my God! No!!

Manami runs up to the cage. All the birds are lying on the floor lifeless.

Manami: No No No No! This can't be happening!

In a panic, she opens the cage and rushes inside. As soon as she does so, all the birds rise and fly out of the cage with lightning speed, leaving Manami in utter shock. Before she could even react, all fifty of them were gone.

Sakura and Naruto run out just to see Manami sitting in the opened cage, shocked and the two thieves trying to escape. 

Sakura: What happened here?!

Naruto rushes to catch the thieves while Sakura runs to Manami.

Sakura: Manami! What happened?! And where are the birds?!

Manami: I... I thought I killed them so I opened the cage to check and all of them just flew out! I...

Manami was speechless.

Sakura: Oh no! They escaped!

Manami: I can't believe those stupid birds fooled me like that!

Sakura: M..Manami, calm down o..okay?

Manami: Calm down? Oh I'll definitely calm down... ONCE I EAT THOSE DAMN BIRDS FOR DINNER!

Sakura: Oh dear.... 

...........................................................

Hey guys!

As always, yours truly is here with another extremely late update. I'm sorry okay?! let a girl live.... Anyways, hope you're looking forward to what happens next! See ya after another century!

Love, Mary.