-3rd Person -

"I think it's a good time to start setting up camp," Shikamaru scans the air, deciding this is an excellent place to start setting up camp. Mizuki and Shikamaru place their bags on the ground and unpack their sleeping bags and small food containers. As they unpack in a comfortable silence, the young Uzumaki couldn't help but inhale a breath of fresh air while looking up into the afternoon sky.

The familiar orange-painted sky with which she has shared her memories with her team, her brother, and her mentors... realizing that despite her young age, she's glad she's alive and kicking. The thought of her dying if Alex didn't save her in time clouds her mind for a split second, giving her more reason to be grateful for living.

As the Nara silently unpacks his sleeping gear and food, he couldn't help but glance over to his little sister's figure, noticing the sudden change in her eyes. It wasn't as bright and sparkly as it used to be when they were younger, of course, it's still the same shade and all but the glimmer of excitement is what's missing in those crystal blue orbs.

"Do you want to go collect firewood while I build camp?" Shikamaru suddenly asks, hoping to start a conversation between the two, watching the redhead snap out of her trance and freeze, as the memory of the last time she was sent to collect firewood floods her mind. The time when she and Kogaine were chased down by a bear-

Mizuki couldn't help but shiver and shake her head no in silence before pulling out her...skincare? Since when did the Author decide to add skincare to this fanfiction...

Shikamaru couldn't help but chuckle before quickly getting up and making his way to a nearby bush to collect some twigs and branches. Mizuki finishes setting up the camp, placing their sleeping bag on the opposite side of each other just so that the campfire can be between them to keep them warm throughout the night.

A few minutes pass by, and Shikamaru finally returns with a hefty amount of wood for the night.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" He asks casually while placing down the wood beside her as she sets up the campfire.

"Y-yeah...I just hope that the travel won't be as long as before. I wouldn't wanna spend an entire day in a boat, I could get sick!" Mizuki whines with a groan, remembering the time when she was forced to stay in a boat for an entire week in the Cloud village since she was caught eating the Raikage's jar of oat cookies in the middle of the night- she ended up getting punished...

"Ahh about that, I heard they found a different course to take to go to the island. It's very quick, not even 20 minutes so I think you'll be fine. Just don't puke all over my vest please, Temari got it for me" Shikamaru blatantly states while helping Mizuki stack the wood.

"W-who's Temari again?" Mizuki asked, slightly stopping what she was doing and looking at the Nara with a very confused expression, typing to recall if she has ever encountered someone named Temari.

"Oh you didn't meet her during the Chuunin Exams?"

"N-no? I don't think so"

"She's that girl who was with Gaara and Kankuro, she has that gigantic fan on her back and the one I went against with during the finals" He simply summarises as he lights up the tinder food and placed it inside the unlit campfire.

"A-ahh, I didn't remember. She didn't really have the greatest presence during that time and maybe I got way too distracted too" She calmly replies as her eyes glimmer, watching the tiny glow of the fire grow bigger and brighter. The soft warmth lingers on her skin as she gives out a gentle smile before standing up.

"Yeah, it's totally fine. You'll meet her eventually" He replies with a shrug, following the girl, he stands up and makes his way to his prepared sleeping area and sits down to take a breather. On the other side of the fire was Mizuki happily opening up her container filled with mixed berries and making her way to his spot with a happy look.

Sitting down next to Shikamaru and with a mouth full of raspberries, Mizuki turns towards Shikamaru and offers him some raspberries which he silently declines before reaching into his bag and pulling out a container of his own.

He isn't really a fan of fruits- but he doesn't have the to say it to his little sister, so he's been forcing himself to eat the overly sweet fruits and berries that Mizuki offers ALL THE TIME.

"How have you been feeling?" Shikamaru asks while taking a bite of his Teriyaki beef onigiri while staring the the dancing flames. Hearing a small shifting beside him as Mizuki sits comfortably while gently leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I-I've been okay" She replies quietly, knowing fully well that Shikamaru won't that as an answer.

"How are you mentally?" He asks, rephrasing his question earlier.

"T-tired" She simply responds while eating her raspberries, the sounds from the creatures of the forest slowly become audible to the both of them.

"It's okay to be tired, there's nothing wrong with that" He responds back with a hum, not pushing to ask her more about her mental well-being knowing fully well that she won't be cooperating with him.

They sat there in a comfortable silence as Mizuki hummed out a soft tune while finishing up her berries, happy that there wasn't much going on with her life right and hoping that it would stay like this forever.

"You should go sleep now Mizuki, I'll take the first watch," The Nara says, as he pats her head before the girl slowly stands up from her position with a smile and makes her way to her sleeping area and lays down on her back, placing the empty container just beside her, hoping that the berry Gods can refill it for her lunch tomorrow morning.

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"G-Goodnight, Shikamaru. Thank you for checking up on me" She says before immediately falling asleep in her position. The glow of the campfire radiated on her body as Shikamaru couldn't help but let out a small smile, watching the girl slowly become unaware of her surroundings.

"Goodnight" He quietly replies with the same smile before letting out a sigh before standing up with a stretch to start his watch.

"You're in a lot of trouble, Naruto" He whispers to himself, feeling annoyance slowly rise.

Meanwhile on Team 7

"KATSU!!!! "Deidara Yelled.

BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!

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Heyyy guys! Here's another update from us! We'll take the plot a little slower than usual in order to build up the storyline again!

You guys can expect and update twice a month! Knowing that school is starting and I have work too, both I and Sofia won't have much time as well, so wehope that you guys understand! <3 <3

Anyways!

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! If you did, make sure to vote and comment your thoughts about this update!

What do you think will be the outcome of this mission? Let us know!

Bye Potatoes!

Stay Fab!