I smiled at Naruto as we walked home from a long day of training. Well, Papa and I would call it training, Naruto and the others would call it a mission. For some reason, the others have their heart set on trying to find out what's under Papa's mask. Well, if I didn't know what was under there I might be curious, too.

Either way, curiosity killed the cat and only satisfaction can bring it back.

Anyway, while we were walking home, I thought about what Papa said after he said we passed his test and became Genin...

-----

"You're the first squad that ever succeeded, and realized the true purpose of this test. The others did exactly what I said and fell into every trap. They couldn't think for themselves. 'A ninja must see through deception.' In the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum. That's true," he paused and looked up to the heavens before continuing. "But those who abandon their friends are far worse than scum."

"Ah," Sakura cries as she stares at our sensei in awe.

"Hn," was all Sasuke said as he smiled and looked over at me.

"He's a-- You know, he's kind of cool," Naruto says as he puts an arm around me, giving me a look that said 'Best Uncle ever'. I smiled and hugged Naruto as Papa said, "The exercise is over. Everyone passes." He then began to move dramatically just to give us a thumbs up and says, "Squad 7 starts its first mission tomorrow!"

"Yes!" Sakura says and does a small jump.

"We did it! We did it! Believe it! We're ninja! Ninja! Ninja!" Naruto said as he grabbed my hands and began to jump around, me following not long after, laughing the entire time. He may be a goober and an idiot, but he's my goober and idiot.

"Let's go home," Papa said before turning to leave, all of us going to get our things before following.

I look at my team members and smile as I thought, 'This is by far the most interesting and crazy combination group of people, but I have a feeling we'll be the one the best there ever was...'

-----

I smiled and pulled out my book, my thumb finding the last page I was on easily, and began to read.

"I can't believe it, after all that hard work, we still don't know what's under that mask!" Naruto complained beside me. Papa had disguised himself a photographer to 'help' them find out what's under his mask, only to be stopped by Anbu, Akamaru jumping in front of the camera, and Papa being a Shadow clone on their last attempt. I ended up finding Papa without his mask later today as he talked to his clones, and he made me promise not to tell the others I saw what's under his mask, other than another mask, of course.

"You'll get him next time, buddy," I said as I turned the page and continued reading.

I saw Naruto look over at me from the corner of my eyes as he said, "I can't believe Kakashi sensei reads the same book as you. I bet he wears that mask to cover a bloody nose or blush or somethin' like that, like you." I blushed at that and pulled up my scarf up to hide it.

"Naruto!" I whined as I thanked God no one was around to hear him.

The next day...

"Sasuke, I'm at point B."

"Sakura, I'm at point C."

"Ginko, I'm at point D."

"Naruto, I'm at point A, believe it."

"Go slow, Naruto. Okay, Squad 7. Hmm? The target has moved! Follow it!"

I could hear the leaves rustling as the target moved through the bushes. "Over there," Naruto whispered before we all moved into position.

"What's your distance from the target?" ~Papa.

"Five meters. I'm ready, just give the signal." ~Naruto.

"I'm ready too." ~Sasuke.

"So am I." ~Sakura.

"It's your call, Sensei." ~Me.

"Okay... now!" ~Papa.

We all jumped, Naruto screaming as we all headed for the target. I got there before everyone and grabbed the cat gently before rolling onto my feet. "Got 'im," ~I told Papa and everyone else.

"Can you verify ribbon on right ear?" ~Papa asked as Sakura and I pet the target. Naruto tried to pet him as well, but she hissed at him and jumped at him, scratching his face and making him scream.

"Affirmative, we got a positive ID." ~Sasuke replied as I tried to remove the target from Naruto, who seemed to be quite 'attached' to him.

"Right, lost pet Torah captured." ~Papa said as Torah began to, somehow, turn Naruto over and stomp on his head.

It took everything I had to not laugh at the sight, but I can't say the same for Sakura.

"Mission accomplished," ~Papa said as I picked up Torah and held her close. I was petting her, trying to get her to calm down, when ~Naruto yelled, "Can't we get a better mission than this? I hate cats!"

I cried out in pain and grab my ear as feedback ran through the com-links.

Sasuke smacked Naruto upside the head and said, "Idiot."

Later at the Academy...

"Oh, my poor little Torah," Lady Shijimi, the Fire Lords wife, said as she held tightly onto Torah and rubbed her head against her, making the cat literally cry. "Mommy was so worried about her naughty little fuzzykins, yes."

"Damn," I whispered before I felt a slap to the back of my head. "Ow!" I whined and turn to see Papa giving me a disapproving look. "Watch your language young lady," he scolded.

"Yes, sir," I replied as I looked back at Torah and Lady Shijimi. I could see the Hokages amused look from the corner of my eyes and glared half halfheartedly at him. In a way, I liked it when Papa scolded me. It made me feel like a regular kid, but I could do without the slaps.

"Stupid cat. That kitty deserves to be squashed," Naruto said before laughing. "No wonder he ran away," Sakura said.

"Fuzzykins, ooh, you're my baby. I'm so happy," Lady Shijimi said, still smuggling her cat.

"Now, then for Squad 7's next mission, we have several available tasks. Among them, babysitting the chief counselor's 3-year-old, helping his wife to do the shopping, digging up potatoes, and-" The Hokage started before Naruto cut him off.

"No! I want to go on a real mission, something challenging and exciting, not this little kid stuff! Come on, Old man!" Naruto yelled, making an X with his arms. I nodded in agreement, "I agree with 'im, sir. That's something a maid or a slave does, not a ninja."

Iruka sensei stands and slams his hands down on the table as he says, "How dare you? You're just a brand-new Genin with no experience. Like everyone else, you start with simple missions to develop your skills and prove yourself."

"No offense, sir, but you can't create experience. You must undergo it (Albert Camus),"I told Iruka sensei, who looked speechless.

"Yeah! Besides, babysitting isn't a real mission! It's just a stupid-- Aah!" Naruto started before Papa punched him on his head, making him face-plant into the ground. "Will you put a lid on it?"

"Naruto-" the Hokage starts

"Aah!" Naruto cries as he rubs his head and I sigh at my cousin. "It seems you do not understand the tasks you have been given." He then looks at me, "But your cousin does have a point. You do not create experience, you undergo it."

"Huh?"

"I'm going to give you a C-ranked mission. You'll be bodyguards on a journey," the Hokage said with a smile. Naruto brightened up and said, "Really? Yes! Who? Who? Are we guarding a princess? Or some counselor?"

"Don't be so impatient," the Hokage and I say simultaneously with a smile, freaking everyone except Naruto out. "I will bring him in now," the Hokage continued. "Send in our visitor." We all turned towards the door as we waited for our client, curious as to who he is.

But once the door opened, I almost gagged at the smell of sake that suddenly came into the room, reminding me of horror filled nights when Master Neikan walked around the Akagawa compound drunk.

"What the--? A bunch of little snot-nosed kids?" griped an elderly man before he took a few gulps of his sake, some running out and down the corner of his mouth. "Huh?" Naruto asked as he stood up.

"And you, the little one with the idiotic look on your face. You really expect me to believe you're a ninja? And the other one looks as young as my grandson, she can't possibly be a ninja," he said, first pointing at Naruto, then at me. Naruto starts laughing as I pout.

"Who's the little one with the idiotic look on his-? Oh, huh?" Naruto starts until he realizes he has to look up at the others. "Uh... hmm." We all lined up and we could see Sasuke was the tallest at 4.948 ft, Sakura at 4.872 ft, Naruto at 4.767, and finally me at 4.329 ft. I was obviously the one as 'young' as his grandson, so that made Naruto the short one with the idiotic look on his face, which pissed him off.

"I'll demolish you. Let me get my hands on him, I'll destroy him!" Naruto yelled as Papa held him back by his collar. "You can't demolish the client, Naruto. It doesn't work that way," Papa said boredly.

The elderly man took another swig of his sake and I lifted my scarf to my face so I couldn't smell it as much. He sighed before saying, "I am Tazuna, a master bridge builder, and I must return to my country. I'm building a bridge there that will change our world, and I expect you to get me there safely, even if it means giving up your life." I gave him a weird look and, before I could stop myself, I said something similar to what my mother would say.

"What are we suppose to protect you from, splinters?" I heard Naruto snicker beside me and Papa's low, "Ginko!", while Tazuna narrowed his eyes at me.

At the Village gates...

"Yeah! All right!" Naruto cheered as he walked past the village gates and wall, his hands in the air. "What are you getting so excited about, Naruto?" Sakura asked, her arms crossed as she stared at my cousin. Naruto looked around quickly as he said, "This is the first time I ever left the village. I'm a traveler now, believe it."

"Hey, am I supposed to trust my life to this runt? He's a joke," Tazuna said complained as he pointed at Naruto. I glared at him as Papa laughed slightly, saying, "He's with me, and I'm a Jonin, so you don't need to worry."

I could tell what Tazuna said really irritated Naruto because he was glaring and had his arms crossed. "I could agree with you Mr. Tazuna," I said, gaining everyone's attention, "but then we'd both be wrong."

Naruto turned and pointed at Tazuna and said, "Yeah! Never insult a ninja. It's a big mistake. And I'm one of the greatest ninja ever! Someday I'm going to be a Hokage and you'll look up to me. My name's Naruto Uzumaki. Remember it." Tazuna took a gulp of his sake as I sensed two unknown chakra headed towards us. Their chakra was well hidden, but I learned how to detect masked chakra using the Hatake white chakra, something only the women of the Hatake clan have, and even then, only a select few.

"Hokage are powerful and wise. You are puny and brainless. The day you become Hokage, I'll sprout wings and fly."

'Hope he's not afraid of heights, then.'

"Aah! Shut up!" Naruto shouted. "I'm willing to do anything to become Hokage, no matter what it takes! And when I do, everyone will have to admit that I'm the top ninja, including you!"

"Ha! You can become Hokage 10 times over, and to me, you'll still be nobody, a loser," Tazuna said as the chakras came to a stop near the edge of the forest.

I glared at them as Naruto shouted, "Aah! I'm going to make you pay for that right now!"

"I told you, you're supposed to protect the client, not attack him," Papa said as he held Naruto back. I walked over to them and tugged on Papas sleeve as Naruto said, "Give me one shot at him! Let me go! I'll show you! That's right, I'm talking to you!" He looks down at me with a bored look on his face. "What is it Ginko?"

I look into his eye, and then look at the chakras without moving my head and say, "Just thought you'd like to know that I'm a Sensory Type ninja." I look back at him seeing him raise his brow at me. "You're a Sensory Type, hu?" he asked, his eye flicking towards the woods. I nod and take Naruto from him, following Tazuna. I look back at him over my shoulder as I say, "Did you know, a 'gut feeling' is a chemical signal that your stomach creates to warn the brain of danger. I just thought I should let you know."

*TIME SKIP*

"Say, Mr. Tazuna?" Sakura asked from behind me and Naruto, seeing as how we walked in front of everyone else.

"What is it?" Tazuna asked in an irritated voice.

"Your country is the Land of Waves, right?"

"Yeah. What of it?"

"Kakashi sensei, there are ninja in that country too, aren't there?"

I ignored the rest of the conversation, seeing as how I already knew the answer to that question and could feel a lecture coming on. I continued to keep tabs on the ninja following us, and notice that, near the end of Papa's lecture, they race about a mile and a half ahead of us, and stop.

"Hey!" I heard Papa shout, and turn to see the others had stopped. "You all just doubted Lord Hokage, didn't you? That's what you were thinking." I raise a brow at my team as Sakura and Naruto shake there heads furiously. Papa smiles and places a hand on Sakuras head as he says, "Well, anyway, there are no ninja battles in a C-ranked mission, so you can relax." I could see Sakura visibly relax as she says, "And we're not going to run into any foreign enemy ninja or anything like that."

I look away as Papa laughs and says, "Not likely." effectively missing the look that passes over Tazuna's face. I know it's childish and all, but I feel jealous of Sakura. I never get distressed about anything around him or the others except Naruto, but Sakura does, so he always cheers her up by acting Fatherly towards her. Sure he scolds or praises me sometimes, but somehow it doesn't feel the same.

"Hey, you alright?"

I turn to see Sasuke looking at me with a slightly worried expression on his face. "I-I'm fine," I stuttered before feeling heat rise to my cheeks and neck and look away. 'Did I just stutter? What the hell's wrong with me?' I guess he thought it best to leave me be because he doesn't bring it up again and we continue walking. When we come to a bridge, I noticed the chakras ahead flare, as if using a jutsu. And when we near a puddle, the source of the chakras, I smirk evilly and look at Naruto.

"What?" Naruto asked when he saw my look. I say nothing as I run towards the 'puddle' and, applying chakra to my feet, jump into the 'puddle', making sure to send out my chakra with every ripple, making it seem as if they had received a thousand blows. "Ginko! We're on a mission!" Naruto scolds, but can't help but laugh at me as the others roll their eyes and walk past, Papa eyeing the 'puddle' and then looks at me a brow raised.

"What are you doing?" He asked boredly, but I could hear the curiosity in his voice. I stepped out of the 'puddle', completely dry, and say, "Just jumping in puddles is all. I was born where it rained almost everyday, and since it doesn't rain in the Land of Fire very much, I try to get as wet as I can in what rain and puddles there are." I smile and walk towards the others.

Kakashi's P.O.V.

"Just jumping in puddles is all. I was born where it rained almost everyday, and since it doesn't rain in the Land of Fire very much, I try to get as wet as I can in what rain and puddles there are," Ginko says with a smile before walking towards the others. I noticed how she emphasized the words 'puddle', 'wet' and 'what rain', as well as notice how she was completely dry, but that wasn't what I focused on.

"I was born where it rained almost everyday..."

I shook my head and followed her and the rest of Squad 7 and Tazuna, preforming the Substitution jutsu and hiding in the woods as I concealed my chakra. Ginko looked over at me hiding in the woods and winked as I remembered what she said before we left.

"Did you know, a 'gut feeling' is a chemical signal that your stomach creates to warn the brain of danger. I just thought I should let you know."

'She knew we were being followed from the beginning and tried to worn me without directly saying it...' I thought as two ninja come out of the 'puddle' Ginko jumped in, both supporting black-eyes as they glared at Ginko.

'What did she do when she jumped in that puddle?'

The ninja began to attack 'me' as I watched from the woods, trying to learn who their target is.

Ginko's P.O.V.

When the ninja attached 'Papa' and 'killed' him, they headed strait for me, laughing evilly. "Now it's your turn," one of them said from behind me. I didn't turn around as I made the hand sign Tiger and thought of the necklace I made Naruto a week after moving in with him, and said, "Is that so?"

'Teleport.'

In a flash I was beside Naruto, kunai's in hand, and threw them at the surprised Chunin. They just barley dodged the kunai and appeared behind Naruto. They must've saw the angered look in my eyes at how close they were to him, because I could see the smile in their eyes. That's when Sasuke joined in, I threw the shuriken at the chains while he threw the kunai, holding the shuriken and chains in place.

"I can't get loose."

Sasuke then lands on the Chunin's metal arms and grabs them before kicking the Chunin's in the face, making them grunt and break the chains. When the chains were broken, one Chunin heads for Tazuna while the other heads for Naruto.

'So they're here for Tazuna, hu?'

Sakura notices and jumps in front of Tazuna, saying, "Stay behind me." Sasuke heard her and moved quickly in front of her and Tazuna, arms spread out. I made the hand sign Tiger as I thought of Narutos necklace.

'Teleport.'

I was suddenly standing in front of Naruto just after a blur of silver pulls the Chunin into a headlock. "Naruto, are you okay?" I ask as I squat down next to him.

"Hi," I heard Papa say behind me. I didn't bother to turn to look at him as I looked Naruto over, who seemed to be amazed that Papa was alive.

"Huh? But he was-- What?" He said as he turned to where Papa 'died', only to see logs. "Kakashi Sensei used the replacement jutsu."

I had found a wound on the back of Naruto's hand just as Papa said, "Naruto, sorry I didn't help you right away. I didn't mean for you to get hurt. I just didn't think you'd freeze up like that."

"Naruto," I whispered as he sat up and looked at Papa. "Good job, Sasuke, Ginko. Very smooth. You too, Sakura."

"Naruto, don't move so much, okay? Those claws were full of poison," I warned him, but he just looked over at me blankly, like he wasn't really seeing me. I reached out towards his hand, but he shook his head and stood up as Sasuke called out to him.

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

"You're not hurt, are you?" He asked in what I knew was fake sympathy before continuing in his regular arrogant voice, "Scaredy-cat." That made Naruto and I growl and yell, "Sasuke!"

"Naruto, stand still," Papa said in a voice full of authority, making Naruto freeze. "Ginko's right, these ninja have poison in their claws. We need to take it out of you quickly."

Naruto began to whimper as he looked at his hand. "You have to open the wound and remove it. It's in your blood, so don't move around. That spreads the poison," Papa said as I glared at Sasuke, who averted his gaze.

"By the way, Mr. Tazuna..."

"Yeah, what?"

"...we need to talk."

I look away from Sasuke when Papa called my name. "Ginko."

"Yes, Sensei?" I ask, looking up at him. The way he looks at me, it's as if he's proud of me for something, but is unwilling to say his praise out loud. What it was, I don't know.

After a moment he says, "Help me tie these guys up, will you?" I nodded, stood up and walking towards him. As I finished tying the knot, Papa said, "I'm proud of you Gina."

I froze at his words. Only Mama has ever called me Gina, and he's only called me it once before, but it still shocks me. Papa continued on as if he didn't notice, or as if he took it as surprise instead. "You noticed we were being followed from the beginning, told me without making it obvious, and showed excellent skill in teamwork without the need of communication. You make an excellent ninja Ginko."

I didn't know what to say at first, so it was quiet for a moment, the two Chunin staring at me curiously. "Th-thank you, sir," I said after a while. I heard him walk away and begin to talk to Tazuna as I tightened the knot. I felt happy that Papa praised me, but I also feel something else, something I can't explain, and it makes me want to cry and laugh at the same time. I heard Papa talking with Tazuna, but I barely heard them, as I was in my own little world.

Kakashi's P.O.V.

"They're Chunin from the Village Hidden in the Mist. Their specialty is relentless attack. They keep fighting, no matter what the sacrifice," I told the others as I stared at the Demon Brothers.

"How did you and the squirt know about our ambush?" One asked, and I knew he was talking about Ginko.

"A puddle on a clear day, when it hasn't rained in weeks? Not only that, but Ginko is a Sensory Type ninja, so she knew from the very beginning."

"In any case, why'd you leave it for the Genin to do the fighting?" Tazuna asked, looking at me before sneaking a look at Ginko, who didn't seem to be paying much attention after what I said to her earlier.

'Was it something I said?'

"I could have taken them out quickly. But then I'd have learned nothing," I started, then looked over at Tazuna out of the corner of my eye. "I had to know who their target was... and what they were after."

"Hmm? What are you getting at?" I turned to face Tazuna fully and said, "This. I wanted to know if they were after us, ninja attacking ninja, or if they were after you, the master bridge builder. When you put in your request, you asked for standard protection from robbers and highway men. You didn't say there were ninja looking for you, hunting you down. If we knew this, it would be a B-rank mission or higher. Our task was simply to get you to your destination and protect you while you finished building your bridge. If we knew we'd be fielding attacks from enemy ninja, we would have staffed differently and charged for the cost of a B mission. Apparently you have your reasons, but lying to us is not acceptable. We are now beyond the scope of this mission." When I finished, Tazuna looked guilty and ashamed.

'He should, he put my students in danger,' I thought as I looked over at Ginko and Naruto before looking back at Tazuna. Somehow I was more worried about them than the others.

"We are Genin. This is too advanced for our level of training. We should go back. And I really think we need to treat Naruto's wound and get the poison out as soon as possible. Back in our village, we can take him to a doctor," Sakura said, gaining Ginko's attention.

"Hmm." I look over at Naruto and see him staring at his hand. He noticed me looking at him as I said, "Naruto's hand could become a problem. I guess we should go back to the village," making Naruto growl. I noticed Ginko was beginning to walk up to Naruto, but stopped when he pulled out a kunai and stab his hand. She then placed her own kunai back in its pouch, as everyone else gasped and stared at him in shock.

'Was she going to do the same?', I thought as I looked back at Naruto in shock. Naruto turns away from us as he begins to give a speech.

"Why am I so different? Why am I always-" he cuts himself off with a groan of frustration. Sakura runs forward and says, "Naruto, stop that! What are you doing?" Ginko holds up her hand and says, "He needs to do this Sakura. Leave him be."

"I will never back down again and let someone else rescue me. I will never run away. And I will not lose to Sasuke, or have Gin protect me again. Upon this wound, I make this pledge, believe it. Bridge builder, I'll complete this mission and protect you with this kunai knife." He then turns to us, kunai still in his hand and a determined look on his face. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"Naruto, uh, that was really cool how you took the poison out and all. But if you lose any more blood, you're going to die."

It was quiet for a moment before he whimpers and begins to sweat, his face a little blue and his hand shaking. "Good idea to stop the bleeding now, seriously," I say with a smile, squatting down beside him.

"Not, not, not! No, no, no! I'm too young for it to all end like this. No, no, no!" Naruto says as he runs over to Ginko, who's smiling at him and holding out her hand, looking as if she's about to start laughing, as he says, "No, no, help, no! No, no!"

"Stop squirming and show me your hand silly," Ginko giggles as Sakura says, "Naruto, you've got a self-abusive personality. It's called masochism."

I stand and walk over to Ginko and Naruto, about to wrap a bandage around his hand, but what I see shocks me.

'The wound, it's already starting to heal.'

"Um, um--" Naruto starts. "Hmm?" Ginko and I both hum at the same time. "You guys have a really serious look on your face. It's scaring me. Am I okay?"

"Oh, yeah, you should be just fine. Just stay still so I can heal it, okay?" Ginko said and Naruto nodded, standing completely still as she puts her hand over his.

'This healing power, is it from the nine-tailed fox?'

Her hand suddenly started to glowing a pale green color as she began to heal him. I was shocked.

"You're a Medical ninja?" I asked, and she nodded. "Yeah, Mama taught me a long time ago, seeing as how I had better chakra control than her and I got hurt a lot as a kid. She thought it would be best if I knew how to heal myself rather than her continuously go out to buy bandages."

I look into her face and she her eyes were narrowed in concentration, and I couldn't help but see Anju instead of my student as I felt a pang in heart. I unconsciously placed my hand over the necklace Anju gave me all those years ago.

'Who are you, Ginko Uzumaki? And why do you remind me so much of Anju?'

**********
A.N.
Alright! I did it! Woohoo!
This one was a little bit more difficult for me 'cause I wanted to get it just right but I'm not entirely sure if I did...
So tell me if you liked it or not! And I will welcome your criticism with open arms, so be sure to comment!

Oh, and the quote, 'You cannot create experience, you must undergo it.' That's all Albert Camus.

~愛 Naomi