Yumiko glanced around from the spot she was sitting in, a frown etched into her face. She had been sure that she had woken up on time so why was it that she was the only one here? The girl squealed when a hand came down onto her head, her face flushed red as she saw Madoka standing there. 

"You're early." 

"Eh?" Yumiko turned even more red if that was possible and glanced up at the sky, reading the time from the sun. She groaned, realizing that she was, indeed, early and pouted. She could have gotten an extra 20 minutes of sleep! 

Both women glanced towards the path when they heard talking. Akira and Shun came into view then, a small smile on Akira's face as Shun was trying to catch his breath from laughing so hard. 

"Y-you really had milk come o-out of your nose?!" Shun stuttered out, his laughs coming in between words as he tried to form a correct sentence. 

Akira nodded before the smile disappeared from his face, his mask back in place while he looked at his sensei and Yumiko. He rose his eyebrows, the girls attire was totally different. 

Yumiko seemed to notice Akira looking at her and stuck her tongue out at him, scrunching up her face as she did so. "You really think I was gonna dress in that stupid kimono for missions? My grandmother made me wear it!" 

With a roll of his eyes, Akira stared at Madoka intently while the woman stared right back. Both narrowed their eyes at each when Madoka started speaking, her voice sharp. "Our first mission together is to pick some weeds and plant shit for an old couple down in the valley." 

Yumiko turned towards Madoka then, her eyes wide. "The valley? I've heard it's beautiful there!" 

The Uchiha woman grinned, nodding her head. "It is, the mission will be done in about three days. One day for traveling, one day helping them and another day for traveling back." 

Madoka patted Shun and Yumiko's heads, going to pet Akira's but the boy glared at her so the women decided to just leave him be. "Meet me at the gate in one hour, kids." 

Yumiko fist pumped the air, smiling from ear to ear. "Yes! My first time leaving the village!" 

"It's mine as well," Shun nodded, his ever-so-present smile on his face. "I bet it will be a wonderful experience for us all. Mostly to bond." 

Akira made a face when Shun gave him a pointed look, turning around and starting on his way back to his apartment to pack for the mission. "Whatever," He mumbled, not even caring if the others heard. 

****

Yumiko stood next to Madoka, the older woman leaning against the gates of the village. Every so often the woman would make some type of weird noise and rub her eyes. When the two boys finally showed up, the two women glared at them. "You're late!" 

Shun rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, his smile turning nervous. "Sorry, my little sister needed help on academy homework and Akira is the only one she allows to help her." 

Madoka just rolled her eyes, turning around and starting to walk. The three genin followed after her, staying quiet most of the way. Yumiko felt uncomfortable with the lack of talking, keeping her gaze locked on the ground. 

Madoka finally spoke, the Uchiha keeping her eyes on the surrounding forest while she kept an eye out for any bandits or anything that would harm her team. "We'll be there in a couple of hours but until then, keep your eyes out for anything out of the ordinary. It's not unusual for teams to be attacked, even on small missions like this."

Akira felt a small smirk creep upon his face, the thought of being attacked thrilling him to no end. He loved doing combination attacks with Shun. He also wanted to show Madoka just how strong he and the other boy was as well as trying to make use of Yumiko. He didn't like the girl but teamwork was an important measure in teams. 

It was quiet the rest of the way, the team wanting to get to their destination before dark. Shun groaned lightly while cracking his back as he ran, a rare frown on his face. "Sensei, are we almost there?" 

Madoka rolled her eyes, nodding her head. "About ten more minutes, Shun. Trust me, you'll know when we're there."

Shun pouted, his face turning towards Yumiko's. The girl turned red when he looked at her, whipping around and rushing up towards where Madoka was. The Uchiha glanced at the girl from the corner of her eyes, sighing as she shook her head. 

She really hated having girls on a team. 

***

Akira jumped down from the last of the trees, his mouth dropping open ever so slightly. Yumiko's expression mirrored his as well and Shun was just smiling. Madoka glanced at her genin, nodding her head at their faces. 

"Welcome to the valley, kids." 

The ground dropped off from where the four ninja stood, vines and leaves intertwining in the cavern. The drop had to have been at least 100 feet, the three genin looking over the side carefully. 

Madoka grinned then, "Time for some training!" She went behind the genin, who instantly grew confused. Madoka put her arms around the three of them, pushing them over the edge. Yumiko let out a scream, flinging her arms and legs everywhere. Shun gasped, his arms reaching out as he brought Yumiko and Akira to his side. He was the largest of the squad and decided he would take the impact of the ground instead of letting the people he cared for get hurt. 

All three genin scrunched their eyes closed until they felt something soft underneath them. Yumiko opened one eye, trying to see what it was. She patted the soft material, frowning as she sat up. She saw nothing that could have softened their fall. Yumiko went to stand, screaming once more when she fell right back down and landed in a pile of mushy moss. 

Shun glanced over at his female teammate and tried standing himself, frowning when he found it was extremely hard to stand on the moss. 

Madoka laughed from where she was perched on a branch sticking out of a wall, watching her team struggle with trying to figure out how to handle the situation. Yumiko turned towards the woman, her face red with anger, "This isn't fair! You pushed us and now you're watching us struggle?!"

"Jump." Madoka said, rolling her eyes sarcastically. 

"This isn't some joke, Mado---" Yumiko was cut off by Akira. 

"Hey, it works." He said, jumping through the air and landing on the same branch as Madoka. It was then that the other two genin noticed that it wasn't just a branch but instead looking like a walkway so people wouldn't struggle in the moss. 

By the time Yumiko and Shun had figured out how to get to their teammates, Madoka was already walking away while stifling a yawn. The sky was turning darker, then sun now slightly below the trees. 

Akira frowned, hearing what seemed like animals coming to life within the cavern. He didn't wish to fight the animals as he had a small soft spot for them in his heart. Madoka sensed the discomfort of her team and took off into a run, her eyes narrowed at a small light at what seemed to be the end of the cavern. 

An old woman was sitting on the porch, knitting, when the team arrived. She smiled warmly, crinkles appearing next to her eyes as she nodded at them. She stood as well, setting down her knitting supplies and greeted them formally. "You all must be the wonderful team of Konoha ninja. I can't believe they sent such cute little genin to help me and my husband."

Yumiko and Shun turned red in the face while Akira sent a glare at the old women. He didn't like being called adorable. At all. 

"Come in, come in. You must be exhausted." The old woman smiled, ushering the team inside her small cottage like house. Shun smiled warmly at the women, picking up her knitting supplies and carrying it inside for her. 

"My name is Mikoto and my husband is Kirito. He's somewhere in this house, that old bastard." Mikoto had mumbled the last part but the team had heard anyways, Shun and Yumiko letting out a small laugh after. 

"Who the hell is here at this hour, Mikoto?!" A voice boomed from the other room before a short, slightly older man appeared. His huge eyebrows were worse the Gai's, the hair on them covering his eyes. The middle of his head was balding while the rest of his hair was about shoulder length. He also had a huge mustache over his top lip which covered basically his whole mouth. 

He seemed to squint his eyes before he started shouting again. "Did you hire some stupid ninjas again?! I told you I could do it myself, you old hag!" 

"You won't be saying that when your back gives out on you, old bastard!" 

The old couple kept bickering, steam flying from both their ears until Madoka let out a nervous laugh. "Excuse me. . . " 

Mikoto turned then, a smile once again upon the older woman's face as she smiled at the team. "Of course. Come right this way, I'll show you to your rooms." 

Without a second thought, the team followed Mikoto down the hallway. Yumiko moved closer to Shun, shivering, she had a feeling the old man was watching her but she would never be able to tell with those huge eyebrows. 

Mikoto stopped in front of two doors, smiling at the team once more before opening both of them. "Girls, I hope you don't mind sharing a room with my granddaughter?"

Madoka shook her head, giving Yumiko a look when the girl made a face."Of course we don't, Mikoto-san. Thank you for allowing us into your home." With a small bow, the girls went into the room where what looked like a ten year old girl was sleeping peacefully. 

Madoka smiled slightly before she got ready for bed, Yumiko hiding in the corner while she got ready. She still wasn't comfortable around others even if she acted like she wasn't. That was something she was good at; hiding her real thoughts into the depths of her mind. 

Shun glanced around the room he and Akira were meant to share for the time they were at the old couples house. He loved old people with all his heart and would do anything to help them. They didn't seem to like him however, saying he was a young pervert that hasn't bloomed yet. 

Akira could practically read Shun's mind from the look on his face and rolled his eyes slightly. "Go to sleep, dude. We're gonna need it."

Shun frowned but laid down regardless. Normally Akira and him would stay up for a little bit, conversing. He put it off as the boy being tired from the long trip to the valley. 

***

Yumiko snuggled deeper into the covers when she felt something poke her. She let out a low groan, swatting at whatever it was and heard it scream. This caused the young genin to shoot up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes tiredly. "Wha--?"

A girl sat huddled in the corner, hiding behind her hands. Madoka stirred awake then, a frown placed on her face in an instant when she saw the young girl close to tears. 

"What the hell did you do, kid?!" She snapped at Yumiko, the girl struggling to even form words since she was apparently still extremely tired. 

The girl cowered away from Madoka, scrambling to the door the instant it opened. Mikoto stood there, a frown of worry etched into her face while she scooped up her granddaughter. "Asuna, what's wrong?" 

"T-there's strange people in my room, grandma!" 

Now that Yumiko and Madoka could see the girl much better, they realized that her actual age range was at about seven. Madoka frowned, going to speak but Mikoto beat her to it. "These people are here to help grandma and grandpa. They're not going to hurt you, silly." 

Asuna seemed to smile then, any thoughts that she had vanishing. "Okay! Did you make me food, grandma?" 

Mikoto let out a laugh, walking away from the room nodding. "Of course I did. That's what grandma's are for, right?" 

Yumiko followed after the old woman, the thought of eating food implanted into her mind. She had an extraordinary love for food and a huge appetite. Old woman always seemed to know when a good amount  was enough however. Yumiko figured that Mikoto would also be like this. 

Shun and Akira were already seated at the table, Shun having what looked like a deep conversation with Kirito. Shun had something funny before the others had walked in, Kirito letting out a loud laugh. 

Yumiko sat down next to her teammate, squirming when she swore she could feel Kirito staring at her again. She was most likely paranoid. That wasn't until the old man spoke. 

"Little girl, you'll be helping Mikoto inside the house with household chores. The boys will do the work we requested outside." 

Yumiko tilted her head, frowning. "Why can't I help with the work outside?" She ignored the kick under the table from Madoka, the woman glaring at Yumiko from the corner of her eyes. 

Kirito let out another laugh, shaking his head and wiped at his face, as if he was wiping away a tear. "You're a girl! This is a job for men, who are stronger and smarter then women." 

Yumiko turned red, clutching onto the pair of chopsticks she had been holding for her rice. She went to reply but Mikoto beat the girl too it. The old woman smacked Kirito on the head with a pan, shaking her finger at him. "God knows that isn't true, you old bastard!"

"Yeah! Old Bastard!" Asuna yelled, giggling slightly. 

Mikoto turned towards the little girl, shaking her finger at her next. "Don't tell your mother you heard those words from me little missy." 

The table sat in silence then, each person eating quietly with the random giggles coming from Asuna. Finally Kirito stood up just as Shun was reaching for more rice. "Let's go boys. We have lots of work to do." 

Yumiko pouted when they had left, Madoka following after them to make sure they didn't slack off just because she wasn't there. Mikoto smiled at the only female on the team, nodding her head towards the counter. "Come help me with the dishes dear." 

Asuna smiled at Mikoto, grabbing Yumiko's hand. "Grandma, can I help?!" 

"Of course dear." 

Asuna giggled, nodding her head as she ran off to get a stool. Yumiko stood next to Mikoto, a frown on her face while she helped the old women wash the very little dishes in the sink. 

"Ignore my husband, he's a little jealous over the fact that women are indeed better then men. We give birth, we keep the house in check, we do everything that a man cannot do." 

"I just find it stupid. I'm perfectly capable of doing the same thing as the boys on my team." Yumiko said, the pout still present on her face. 

Asuna finally came back, the little girl starting to dry the dishes. "Ne, ne, are you strong?" The little girl asked Yumiko, her brown eyes wide. 

Yumiko thought about the question, grinning while she nodded. "Yup!"

"Way stronger then those stinky boys?" 

With a small laugh, Yumiko nodded once again. "Way stronger then them." 

Asuna smiled, looking at Mikoto. "Grandma, are these people the ones taking me home?" 

Mikoto fumbled with the dish in her hand, the old women head snapping towards the little girl. "Asuna, we're not going to speak off that right now."

Asuna pouted, "I wanna know though, grandma!" 

"I said enough!" 

Yumiko flinched, her eyes flicking over to where Mikoto stood. The old women stood with her fists clenched tightly around the dish she was washing. Asuna seemed to shrink back, clutching the back of Yumiko's shirt. 

Yumiko looked at the small child then, frowning. Tears were forming in her brown eyes, her bottom lip shaking. Yumiko had never been good at handling children but she picked the little girl up, rushing out of the room. She didn't want to leave Mikoto alone but the old woman had scared her slightly as well. 

It was weird, the way she actually liked the feeling of the small child in her arms. She rubbed Asuna's back while she walked, going towards the girls room. It was a weird feeling, she found comfort in the way she held Asuna. 

Asuna sniffled, rubbing her eyes and moving a piece of her black hair from her face. "I want to go home to mommy and daddy,"

Yumiko nodded, not really listening closely to the words. "I know, Asuna-chan but your grandma loves you, okay?" 

Asuna nodded, looking slightly fearful as she spoke the next words. "She's not my real grandma."

By the time Yumiko had got the words through her head, Asuna was already fast asleep on the bed. Her thoughts were rushing, trying to find a reasonable answer as to what Asuna had said. What had the little girl meant? Was Mikoto Kirito's second wife? Why did Asuna want to go home so badly?

Yumiko jumped when someone spoke, swirling around to find Madoka standing in the doorway. "Have you finally realized?"

"Sensei, I don't undersand. What's going on?" 

Madoka sighed, shaking her head at the genin in front of her. "Either our clients were killed and they're forcing Asuna to stay quiet or the poor girl was abducted. The way she acts around those two is an obvious giveaway. You wouldn't notice it if you weren't good at finding ways of seeing other's real emotions." 

Yumiko was at a lose of words, her mouth opening and closing like that of a fish. "Sensei, we have to help her!" 

Madoka shook her head once again, her eyes turning dark. "That's not our mission. When we return to Konoha we'll report to the Hokage and inform him of this. Right now our own safety is on the line as well." 

A crash came from the other room, Mikoto screaming something about a filthy cat wandering around the house. Madoka ignored the look of hurt crossing across Yumiko's face, trying to conceal her own emotions as well. 

"Ninjas don't cry," With that the Uchiha women walked out of the room, going back to keep an eye on Shun and Akira. 

Yumiko rubbed at her eyes, staring at the floor with wide eyes. She didn't think Madoka would have been so heartless. What if the couple did something to the little girl, in the worst case, killing her? Yumiko wouldn't have it. She wanted to help the small child in every way to could but she just couldn't think of a plan to have the child leave without going unnoticed. 

Another bad thing was the fact that the kunoichi didn't know the area surrounding her. She was in a foreign place and if she just left with Asuna, surely she would get lost. She couldn't go the way they had come from, the others knowing that would be the path that the girl would take. 

Yumiko cast a look once more at Asuna, the small girl sleeping peacefully with a thumb inside her mouth. She felt another pang in her heart and left the room quickly. She had to be strong. 

She would save Asuna. 

She would make sure of it. 

Yumiko wiped more at her face, removing the few stray tears that had begun falling from her eyes. Madoka's words ringing throughout her head. 

Ninjas don't cry. 

++++++

woah. i actually got another chapter done. tbh I hadn't planned on ending it like that, I was gonna write the whole mission in one chapter but I decided not too. ^.^ 

It's so fun writing for Mikoto, Kirito and Asuna. 

It's also extremely fun writing for the main characters. Like, I just love how Shun is so carefree, Akira's hard personality, Madoka trying to hide the way she really feels and Yumiko caring for others hugely.