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Chapter 21

21

Neji strained to keep his focus on their direction. Leaping from the branch he was on, he landed next to where the squad leader, Kakashi, was. The said jounin raised his right hand to signal stop. Behind them, the two remaining members of the team ceased.

"Why are we stopping?" Naruto asked. "It's still early, the sun's still up, -ttebayo."

"It won't be for long, Naruto," Kakashi replied. Glancing at the blonde, he appraised the other members of his team.

"Neji, how's our location?" the silver-haired jounin asked.

Neji zoomed in to his surroundings, channeling chakra to his Byakuugan. Instantly, meters upon meters of the forest became visible.

"No enemies as far as I can see," Neji said. "We're still a half-day away from our destination though."

Kakashi nodded at the information. He then turned to the last member of the squad, the red-haired kunoichi. "Akira?"

The said kunoichi looked up the sky then appraised the moist branch she's perched on. "We better find a suitable place to camp." She stood up. "It's going to rain."

Naruto looked up at the afternoon sky then to Akira. "How can you tell? There's not a cloud in the sky!"

Akira placed a hand on Yuudai's head and stroked the wolf's fur. "Animals can sense things we humans can't."

Naruto frowned. "Kakashi-sensei, we can still go on! Come on, let's finish the mission already!"

"Don't be too hasty Naruto," said Kakashi. "Akira is right, besides it will be dark soon. We must use the remaining daylight to search for a place to camp." He looked ahead. "Let's go!"

At his signal, the team moved in unison, leaping from trees to trees. After an hour of travelling, the group came upon a clearing near a small brook. The shinobi landed on the soft earth.

"Akira-chan I don't really feel like it's going to rain," Naruto said once more. "Are you sure?"

"Why don't you ask Yuudai," Akira said, teasing. Naruto looked at the huge wolf beside the kunoichi. The wolf snarled at Naruto and the blonde turned pale.

"Ehehe...Akira-chan... I believe you," he said, hiding behind Akira's tall form.

"We'll camp here," Kakashi said, disturbing the exchange between the two. "Naruto, Neji, set up the tents. Akira you're in charge of the traps and filling our canteens with water."

The three shinobi nodded and set to work. Akira whistled for Yuudai and the pair disappeared into the thick bushes to set up traps and fill up their water containers. Meanwhile, Neji, Naruto and Kakashi drew up the tents in preparation for the night.

"I wonder where Akira-chan's tent is?" Naruto mused aloud. "I'll set it up for her." He walked towards where Akira's day pack was. 'I don't feel right opening her things...hmm...'

"The rolled up green bundle."

Naruto looked up and saw Neji hoisting up the poles. "Oh, thanks Neji." Naruto took the said bundle and began unraveling the contents. "How did you know?"

Neji merely gave the blonde shinobi a look and continued putting up his tent. Naruto sighed. "Yeah, yeah be like that, dattebayo."

Moments later, four tents have been set up around a growing fire which Kakashi stroked with a dry branch. Akira returned with Yuudai and four canteens full of cool water. She handed one to each shinobi.