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It had been a full day of pure running. The sun had long dipped beneath the trees, casting long shadows over the dirt path as the air slowly
It had been a full day of pure running. The sun had long dipped beneath the trees, casting long shadows over the dirt path as the air slowly turned cooler. By the time the orange sky fell completely pitch black, they decided to call it for the night.
Kuro stopped first, his eyes scanning the darkening woods before quietly motioning to a small clearing just off the trail. "Here's good," he muttered.
Airi immediately dropped her bag to the ground, then slowly rolled her shoulders with a tired groan. "Finally," she mumbled under her breath, brushing the sweat off her brow. Her daggers clinked softly as she knelt down to stretch out her legs.
Sugari flopped down like a sack of potatoes, arms splayed out beside him. "Aaahhh, sweet rest." he muttered, already halfway sprawled across the grass.
The clearing was just a patch of uneven grass ground surrounded by trees with enough space to stretch out. A small dip in the middle gave a little shelter from the breeze, and dry leaves scattered across the floor crunched under their slippers.
Kuro knelt beside a crooked log and pulled out a set of flint stones. The spark lit fast, and soon the soft crackle of a small fire filled the quiet. Orange light flickered against the surrounding trees, pushing back just enough of the darkness to let them breathe.
He leaned back, watching the flames for a moment, letting the warmth soak into his skin.
"So… what's for dinner?" Sugari asked, lazily rubbing his stomach as he leaned back on his elbows.
Kuro got up and walked over to his bag sitting just a few feet away. "The villagers gave us some food rations before we left," he said, crouching down to unzip the worn-out bag. "It should last us a few more days... And since we're probably gonna run into a village soon, we won't have to stretch anything too thin."
"Swweeeet," Sugari grinned, practically drooling already as he rubbed his hands together.
Kuro rummaged through the bag for a second, the sound of cans clinking together muffled by the fabric. Then, after a moment, he pulled out a small pile of metal food tins. They were dented in places, with the edges scorched black like they'd been salvaged from a burnt-out kitchen, but it was still edible.
Kuro narrowed his eyes at the half-burnt labels on the cans, brushing some of the ash off with his thumb. "Kidney beans," he muttered with a slight frown tugging at the corner of his mouth. He didn't hate them, but if he was being honest, they weren't exactly on his list of favorites. Still, food was food, and he wasn't picky enough to turn it down.
Sugari's expression shifted the second he heard it. His face scrunched like he'd just licked sour ink off a scroll. "Ew… I might as well eat dog shit while I'm at it," he said, tossing his head back with a dramatic groan.
A small laugh escaped from behind them. "I've had kidney beans before," Daichi said, walking over while brushing dirt off his sleeves. "They're not that bad. If you know what you're doing, you can make them taste pretty good."
He knelt beside the bags and gave the cans a once-over. "With some of the seasonings I packed, I can probably throw together something good."
Sugari raised a brow, his arms crossed loosely. "I'm fine with that, as long as I get to eat… but like...real question, why the hell do you just walk around with seasonings on you?"
Airi stood up from her spot by the fire, brushing some dirt off her pants as she stepped closer. She didn't care what they were talking about before, but now she clearly was now.
"Yeah… that's actually a good question," Kuro added, glancing at Daichi.
Daichi rubbed the side of his nose, a little sheepish under the sudden attention. "Oh, well..it's 'cause I hunt," he said simply. "My family owns a restaurant back home too, so I kinda grew up learning how to cook. Figured it'd be useful, y'know, in case we ever had to eat out in the wild."
He started unpacking a small cooking pot from his bag, barely reacting to the way everyone was now just… staring.
Airi nodded slowly, then smirked. "That explains it."
Daichi blinked and looked up. "Explains what?"
"Why you're so damn jacked, man," Sugari cut in with a grin, walking up and poking at Daichi's bicep like it was some sort of artifact. "All that hunting and deer meat's been working overtime."
"I mean… thanks? I guess," Daichi said, sounding unsure as he set the two small pots over the fire. The flames crackled softly beneath them, casting a warm orange glow over the group as the smell of curry and seasoning started to fill the air.
After a while, the food was done. It wasn't anything fancy, but for something cooked out in the woods, it smelled incredible. A thick curry kidney bean mix poured over rice it was simple, but hearty. You could actually smell the effort he put into making it.
"Alright, it's ready. Eat up," Daichi said, setting the plates down by the fire.
"Let's go!" Sugari was already on it, grabbing the nearest plate and digging in without any hesitation. He didn't even bother to breathe between bites. "Yo, this slaps!"
Kuro gave a small nod as he picked up his own plate. "Thanks," he said, keeping it short but genuine.
Airi stepped forward next, but as she reached down, her hand accidentally brushed against Kuro's. Her fingers paused for a second, the warmth catching her off guard. She glanced up at him, but the second Kuro's eyes met hers, she quickly looked away as her cheeks tinged with pink.
She grabbed her plate in a quiet rush and made her way around the fire, sitting down on the opposite side of Kuro.
Kuro sat back down, acting like he didn't notice, but from the corner of his eye, he could see her sneaking glances at him in between bites.
'What's her problem again…?' he thought, sighing internally before focusing back on his food.
"Hey, can I get some too…?" a voice called out from behind.
Everyone turned their heads toward the sound, their faces dropping a bit when they saw Timiwara tied up to the tree, arms bound and legs crossed like some sad prisoner waiting for scraps.
Daichi glanced at Kuro, spoon still halfway to his mouth. "Should I…?"
Kuro took a bite of his food, not really bothered. "Yeah, go ahead. We don't want him dying out here," he said with a shrug, leaning back slightly.
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The rest of the team's journey through the Land of Fire took about two more days. It was smooth for the most part with no surprise attacks or wild detours. They stopped a few times here and there just to take in the views, but nothing that held them up for long.
Eventually, the dirt path grew more structured, the trees lining the road getting thicker and more even. And soon enough, the sound of distant chatter and clattering wagon wheels filled the air.
"So this is it, huh…?" Sugari mumbled, slowing his pace as he looked ahead.
The trees broke open to a wide clearing. Lining the road were merchants pushing heavy carts, some carrying crates stacked high, others pulling carriages led by horses. There was life again, civilization. But the thing that caught their eyes the most was the massive village gate standing tall in the distance. Thick wooden doors framed by a wide wall of gray stone that stretched far in both directions.
Kuro adjusted the bag slung over his shoulder and sighed. "I guess so," he said under his breath.
They kept walking, their steps a bit slower now from the quiet realization that things were coming to an end.
It was strange. A few weeks ago, they were just three people thrown into a mission with different goals and no real reason to care about each other. But now? Even if it was unspoken, something had changed. They had fought together, laughed together, ate together, and even slept together. That kind of thing left a mark, whether they wanted it to or not.
Now the mission was over and the job was done.
And now, they'd have to part ways.
None of them said it aloud. But as the village gates got closer, that quiet weight hung in the air between them.
And no one really knew what came next.
Daichi shifted Timiwara's weight on his shoulder with a small grunt, tightening his grip on the ropes binding the man. "So... what's everyone planning to do after this?" he asked, his tone casual. "I'm probably just gonna go back and help my folks at the family restaurant. Stick around until another job comes up."
Sugari let out a long breath, placing both hands behind his head as he stared up at the trees overhead. "Honestly? I'm just gonna chill for a bit. This mission paid good so I won't have to worry about rent or bills for a while. I might just sleep for a week straight."
Airi kept her eyes forward, walking with a light bounce in her steps. "I'll probably use some of the money to buy a new jutsu scroll or something," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then maybe train for a bit."
She slowed down slightly, then turned her head toward Kuro. "What about you, Kuro?" she asked.
Kuro gave a small shrug, keeping his eyes ahead. "I don't really know… guess I'll just go wherever the wind takes me," he said, but it was far from the truth.
. . . .
As they reached the village gates, they were met by the usual security checks. The process was quick as they were Shinobi's from the Hidden Leaf, meaning they didn't have to wait long. All it took was flashing their Ninja IDs and answering a few routine questions.
The only reason it took longer than usual was because of the man tied up and squirming on Daichi's shoulder. Naturally, the guards were a little cautious. But once Kuro explained that it was all part of an official mission, the questions stopped and they were waved through without much hassle.
After getting through the gates, they headed straight for the Genin Corp building to formally report in and wrap up their mission. From there, they were pulled aside and taken to the T&I—Torture and Interrogation—for a debriefing. Nothing serious, just protocol. They went over everything that happened on the mission, breaking it down from start to finish, leaving out no detail.
As for Timiwara, he was handed off to T&I separately. After a short preliminary session, he was officially detained and placed under arrest on multiple charges. He'd be held until his trial, where the final sentence would be decided.
After a few more exhausting steps in the post-mission process they had to do signatures, report confirmations, and a short health check before they finally made their way back to the Genin Corp to cash in their mission reward.
"God... just like that, a whole day gone," Airi muttered as she leaned against the wall inside the Genin Corp's lounge room. Her eyes were half-lidded, and her shoulders slouched with every word.
"I wanted to knock out as soon as we got back," Sugari complained, running a hand through his messy hair. "My back's been killing me..sleeping on dirt every night like some cave animal."
Daichi chuckled as he adjusted the strap of his gear bag. "Still, it was good working with you guys," he said with a small smile. "But I'm heading home. Haven't seen my family in a while... I kind of miss 'em."
Airi nodded slowly, exhaling a long sigh. "Yeah... I get that," she said.
Sugari's usual grin faltered for just a moment, but it didn't last long as he forced a smile back onto his face. "I see... so keep in touch?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
Everyone nodded, as they pulled out scraps of paper and shared their addresses. Just in case. For future missions or maybe for something more casual.
"Maybe one day we all link up again," Daichi said, sliding his paper over to Kuro. "Come by my family's restaurant. I'll cook you something you won't forget."
"Yeah, sure… no problem," Kuro said with a slight nod.
"I'm down too," Sugari added, flashing a lazy grin as he stretched his arms behind his head.
"Just call whenever," Airi chimed in, her tone cool and relaxed as she crossed her arms, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Eventually, their small group found themselves standing at the entrance of the Genin Corp building. The late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the streets and buildings.
No one said anything at first.
Then, one by one, they started to go their separate ways
"I'll catch you guys later," Airi said, throwing a wave over her shoulder. She tucked her hands into her pockets and headed off down the street, her figure getting smaller with each step.
Sugari lingered a little longer, glancing back at Kuro and Daichi. "Alright… I'm off too. Got a nap and a bath with my name on it." He turned, but not before shooting them one last grin. "Don't go dying before I see you again."
"Same to you..." Kuro muttered.
Daichi let out a quiet chuckle and nodded. "Take care."
And then it was just Kuro and Daichi.
"I'm heading this way," Daichi finally said, motioning down a different streets. "I'll see you later..."
"Yeah," Kuro replied.
They exchanged a small nod before Daichi turned and walked off.
Kuro stood there for a second, alone now in the open space in front of the Genin Corp building. A soft breeze passed by, carrying the distant sound of the city.
He took in a deep fresh air and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
'I guess its time for me to go home...'
Then he turned and walked off down his own path, the sun starting to dip just past the rooftops ahead.
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