Silence

40. Marathon Drama.

Shizukana's P.O.V.

I am currently standing in front of Sasuke's house. Earlier this morning, I received a message saying that Team Seven has a mission.

I knocked twice before I heard shuffling and the sound of footsteps. Before long, the door opened to reveal Sasuke munching on a piece of bread. He looked at me in confusion and then he glanced behind him, to where I presume his clock was.

"We have a mission," I said making him nod. He opened the door wider to let me in.

I walked in and stood by the door. It wasn't much but Sasuke's apartment was much colourful than mine. I looked around and found myself smiling when I saw a picture of me and Sasuke together.

It was at Sasuke's 4th birthday. We had gotten close ever since the day at the market and Mikoto-San invited me and my family to Sasuke's birthday. Dad was busy so Mom and I went by ourselves.

It was interesting. Well for me, it was boring as hell. Sasuke's kept on blabbering about the awesome things he got and was on full hyper mode. Mom and some other ladies, including Mikoto-San, were gossiping in a corner. Rumours and secrets in Konoha daily life. The one's they hear at the market, not S-rank secrets.

There were other children but they weren't the type I'd wanna be friends with. They were itty bitty and whiny.

"Ahem."

I snapped out of my trance and turned towards the source of the noise. Sasuke was standing, fully dressed. He was tying his headband to his forehead.

I nodded and headed out. I felt him follow me as we made it to Naruto's apartment. I've been here before. Only on one occasion. And that was to drop Naruto's bag, which he forgot after a mission.

The place was much better than before. Sasuke stayed at the entrance while I went inside the building to get Naruto's.

I knocked on Naruto's door and it opened instantly. Behind it was Naruto. He was fully dressed in his blinding orange and was wearing a huge smile.

"Shizukana-chan, what are you doing here?" He asked me.

"We have a mission and are requested to meet at the mission's desk in 15 minutes," I said making him beam in excitement. He quickly ran back into his apartment and came back with his headband loosely tied on his forehead.

I stepped back as he locked his door. He then looked at me with a wide grin and tightened his headband. "Let's go." He said.

I nodded. "Sasuke's downstairs. We have 10 minutes to reach the building." I informed. His mood deflated when Sasuke's name was mentioned but it returned to it bubbly self. I shrugged it off before heading downstairs.

We met with Sasuke and made it to the building in time. We knocked on the Hokage's office and a loud 'come in' came from behind the door. I opened the door to find Lady Tsunade, Lady Shizune and Sakura inside.

The three of us stood next to each other and waited for the mission details.

"This mission is a B rank but it might turn to be A rank." Lady Tsunade said making me raise an eyebrow. They want me to lead a possible B rank mission as a new Chunin?

Naruto was hyping next to me while Sasuke just narrowed his eyes. "What are the mission details?" I requested. Lady Shizune handed me a file and I went through the details. It didn't say much except that it was in the land of Tea.

"Every four year, our neighbours, the land of tea, holds a dedication ceremony at the Great Todoroki Shrine, and each time we are asked to escort the runner who participates in a race that's part of the ceremony." Lady Tsunade explained.