First C-Rank Mission

A week and a half had gone by since my talk with Kurenai. During that month, the only thing we did was regular D-Rank Missions. Pick weeds from someone's garden, search for the goddamn cat of the Daimyo's wife, babysit a random Ninja's child, etc. I knew it was necessary, but I had gotten sick of the look the Daimyo's wife gave me when I presented her cat, Tora, to her.

"The damn animal was afraid of me because I smelled like a dog. No shit, I'm an Inuzuka! Why do you keep taking this mission, sensei?! Do you find it amusing?!"

Perhaps I was a little agitated, with the lack of actual missions in the past days. It was starting to get into my head, because I knew WHY we hadn't taken any C-Rank ones in that time. It was Kurenai pampering Hinata because Hiashi had entrusted his daughter to her. But I wasn't buying that shit, it was annoying.

"I'm sick of this. You're waisting our time and you know it, sensei"

"*sigh* Sorry kids, but it's still too ea..."

"If you say that one more time, I'm going to the Hokage and beg to join Anbu. At least there I will get to do something productive. If you're going to lie, at least make it convincing."

The reason why I was so mad at Kurenai was that we already had this conversation twice. She wanted to make sure Hinata was ready to take on a real mission, but reality was that she just wanted to keep her away from actual missions. I was sick of it.

I understood her reasoning. I seriously did. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how Kurenai was just killing Hinata's potential to grow.

"You're not only not being fair with me and Shino, but with Hinata too. You are literally taking away all her chances to grow up and learn what being a Ninja truly is. She might be weak, but I am not the one who is underestimating her."

This time I had snapped and, to both my and Kurenai's dismay, Hinata just walked in on us arguing. By the look present in her face, she had heard most of the argument and knew why we hadn't taken any higher ranked missions. The surprising part is what happened next. Kurenai tried to appease the girl, but...

"Hinata, Ryota-kun doesn't mean any..."

"No! Stop doing that! Stop treating me like a little sickly girl! I also want to be a Ninja! I also want to get stronger!"

I looked at Kurenai with a calm smile mixed with a smug look and said something that I knew would rile her up a bit.

"I guess I'm the better sensei here"

"Hmph, don't forget that I can still revoke your Genin license, Ryota!"

"Oh... a Jonin is resorting to threatening her student because she can't win an argument... perhaps Anbu was the better choice..."

Kurenai and I kept bickering like that for a while, until Hinata joined in and began asking a few things related to medical nin. Like that, it was decided that we would ask for a C-rank Mission the following day.

*

At the Hokage's office, Kurenai was talking with the Hokage about how we insisted on wanting a C-Rank Mission, since we thought we were more than ready for it. Hiruzen didn't seem all to surprised about it, and I was sure he wasn't when he took out a scroll from his desk and gave it to Kurenai.

"Actually, I had been waiting for you to ask for a C-Rank. I was beginning to get confused over why you hadn't"

"Ask our sensei, not us"

The Hokage only laughed at my answer. Ever since that conversation we had on the Hokage's Heads, he and I had a very good relationship, as close if not closer than the one he shared with Naruto. I treated him as my actual grandpa.

"Well, get going. Even if the mission isn't in need of rushing, you should hurry up"

*

"So, what's the Mission, sensei?"

"We have to pick up a VIP from Takuni Village. Apparently, it is a merchant who has a meeting with the Daimyo, so this mission is of utmost importance. Are you happy now, Ryota-kun?"

"A lot"

As we talked about strategy and what an escort mission implied, the day went by quickly. Hinata, Shino and I went to inform our families about our parting on this mission, while Kurenai went to prepare everything we'd need. Though I already had everything I needed.

"Kunai... check. Shuriken... check. Guremaru..."

*arf*

"Of course you are here, you good boy! Sorry for not bringing you on missions, it's just that that damn lady doesn't like dogs"

*arf-arf*

"Oooh! You're so adorable! Tomorrow we'll go on a trip far from home, so you will have plenty of space to run!"

I spent most of the night pampering Guremaru and, when I finally began feeling sleepy, he simply got on top of the bed and made himself comfrotable on top of the blanket. Like that, I confrotably closed my eyes and wished him a good night, without knowing the danger we would be facing soon.

*

The following day, we reunited on the west gate of Konoha. After Kurenai made sure we had everything we needed, we informed the guards that we were about to leave Konoha on a mission. After we had walked a few miles, the scenery was that of an endless forest. Konoha was nowhere to be seen. To us, it was the first time away from home.

"How are you feeling?"

"Normal"

"A bit n-nervous"

"Excited" *arf*

We talked for a while about our plan for the trip back, since that was the one that mattered. Kurenai and I went over everyone's skill and it was decided that I would cover the back, since my senses would allow me to locate anyone nearby faster than anyone. Kurenai would cover the front, since she was the one with the most experience. Hinata and Shino had to cover the sides.

Kurenai would be in charge of keeping the VIP safe from danger, while I would be in charge of getting rid of any possible danger with the help of Hinata and Shino. Everything considered, it was the best plan they could come up with.

"Ok everyone, we've got a mission to complete"