[center][b][i]Team 8 on the move again!
The first official mission,

Towards the Hotspring country![/center][/b][/i]

[center]Summary :
The start of the first official mission of Team 8. They are set on going to the Hotspring countries for both to learn something as well to complete a mission.[/center]

[hider=The start!]

Aiko checked the four backpacks. They were each filled with the required tools and provision that they would need. Today they would really head out for a true mission and not like last time for a training one. Being sure that each backpack was filled like she had planned for, Aiko sat down on the ground. It was around the time that her students should show up. Judging by the position of the sun, it was almost noon. The time that they should come. At least, Aiko was sure that she had delivered the notes to the addresses. Deciding to wait instead of worrying over it, Aiko started to hum a familiar tone.

Yukara ran, her mother would not let her leave the house until she had done her share of some work no matter how much Yukara begged to be given the day off from her chores. But then when it looked like she would get her way, her father took her mothers side and she ended up doing more than her share of the work. So now she was running late, sprinting down the paths and finally arriving at the leaf Village, she tore down the roads, bumping into people left and right. [b]"SORRY!"[/b] Yukara yelled over her shoulder to some man who started yelling after she nearly caused him to fall on his butt. Finally she saw Aiko-Sensei, with a grin she ran over to Aiko, panting and taking in huge gulps of air. [b]"I... am... sorry... if .... I am.... late,"[/b] Yukara said, taking more ari in as she talked. 

He had checked his gear twice. It wasn't because he was so unsure of himself, but how the last training mission went. In his own eyes it wasn't really a failure, but it wasn't a success either. That was bothering Koike a bit, but he decided to keep focusing on the present with a mission now ahead of them. Heading out to the meeting point, Koike was not hurrying up, cause it wasn't that far and neither was he too late if he would head out now. Arriving at the field, he saw that both Aiko and Yukara were already present. Heading towards the two, he speak up. [b]''Present.''[/b]

Katsu was in the library, having decided that it would be best to train and read up a bit before the meet up. Sadly, he had the same idea last night. The boy was sitting, his head dug into the pages of a book. Sweet unconsciousness had taken him. Under his palm was trapped a crumpled piece of paper with a set date on it.

A smile tugged on Aiko's lips as she saw Yukara. Raising her hands in front of her, Aiko tried to make it clear that Yukara shouldn't worry. [b]''You're not too late. Take it easy.''[/b] Not long after Yukara had came, Koike appeared. [b]''Good to see you too. Now, it is only Katsu and then we can leave.''[/b] Aiko stated as she looked around. Where was Katsu? Not that he was too late for the meeting, but it was a bit strange to not see him arrive yet. Pondering on what she should decide, Aiko would wait for a few minutes.

Upon seeing Koike, she tried to give him what she hoped would pass for a smile but probably looked more like a grimace, with a sigh. [b]"Hi Koike, how are you?"[/b] Yukara asked, it seemed a little rehearsed but at least it was not hostile. She watched him, trying to gague his reaction to her question and the shocking new attitude towards him, for now at least. She promised she would try, and not everyone could pull it off. [b]"What is the mission gonna be? And Katsu better have a good reason for not being here by now!"[/b] she said, brushing little bits of dirt off her shirt.

Turning his head to look sideways at first towards Yukara, Koike found it indeed surprising. But he had no dislike for Yukara, as it would mean he held some care for her to feel anything. So ignoring her would be against his attitude. Facing her, Koike responded back in a calm manner. [b]''I am doing well. You?''[/b] He asked back, though he seemed to be cautious. He hadn't forgotten about the last time.

Katsu ran out of the library, the librarian shouting after him. He stopped and turned. Hesitantly running back in, he picked up the books he'd taken and put them back in their places. After he put one wrong and was scolded, he fixed it once more. He didn't bother picking up the crumpled piece of paper and started running to try and find his team. Finally spotting them, he sprinted towards them. [b]"Sorry I'm late, sensei! Good morning Yukara. Good morning Koike,"[/b] he greeted them rashly, ignorant of the time.

There he was. Now that they were all here, Aiko pushed herself from the ground. Brushing the bit of grass and dirt from her pants, she flashed a smile towards Katsu. [b]''It is already noon, Katsu. But I am glad that you are present now.''[/b] Aiko replied back, on which she then pointed to the backpacks. She would then answer Yukara's question. [b]''We are going on an official mission now. No surprises or tricks from me. We are sent to travel towards the capital of the Hotspring country. I need to deliver a package there.''[/b] Aiko explained. Waiting till they all had a backpack, Aiko would ask them something. [b]''Any questions?''[/b]

[b]"I am fine, thank you,"[/b] Yukara said, although she still sounded rehearsed. Shrugging it off, she smiled brightly as she saw Katsu and went to greet him with a hug, before elbowing him. [b]"You are late,"[/b] Yukara said, but then grinned as she patted his shoulder. Truth be told, she did not mind that he was late and therefore she could joke about it. Then she heard about going to the Hotspring Country and spun to face Aiko-Sensei, with a grin. Getting her pack, she was now bouncing on the balls of her feet as she asked [b]"does this mean we get to soak in the hotsprings? What is in the package? Is it top secret?"[/b]

The Hotspring country? Koike tried to think why kind of package they would need to send to that place. Taking a pack, he shook his head to make it clear that he had no questions regarding the mission. Nodding towards Katsu, as a greeting, Koike decided to just focus on what they would need to do. Though he was wondering on how the Hotspring country looked like. Maybe it wasn't too much different from Konohagakure? The thought made him curious.

Katsu was taken by surprise when Yukara threw her arms around him. He looked over at Aiko and Koike with a panicked face. When she backed away he sighed, putting a smile on his face. He looked over at Koike once more, seeing him return the greeting with a gesture. The smile became genuine though the difference was hardly noticable. The boy walked over to the backpacks and picked one up, slinging it over his shoulder. [b]"Oof... I think we're all ready, sensei,"[/b] he announced.

Beckoning that they should follow her, Aiko would speak up to answer Yukara's question. [b]''It is just a package we need to deliver. Orders or something at least from the higher ups. Though nothing too important. The mission is just classified as a D ranked one.''[/b] Aiko explained. Walking for now, she would speak again. [b]''Though I want each of you to be wary and pay attention to almost everything. Though the country is a member of the Fire Union, I want you three on your best. We can be seen as representatives of Konohagakure.''[/b] Hoping her words would have some effect, Aiko wouldn't say anything about localized Konohagakure forces. And she hoped Koike wouldn't be too suspicious of the way how the others treat him.

[b]"Awww so no top secret package of utmost importance then,"[/b] Yukara said, pouting a bit as she kept pace with Aiko-Sensei. Although, she really did wish their mission was more important than just delivering a simple package. [b]"Right, best behavior. No fooling around and all that, right Koike?"[/b] Yukara asked like she was joking around. She gave a thumbs up to Katsu, before she looked to Aiko with a smile.

Taking a place behind the group, Koike paid attention to what was being told. However he was a bit disappointed with hearing it was a D ranked mission. Not that he figured it would be different with being a genin. Only then Yukara surprised him, again. [b]''I suppose not.''[/b] He replied, still looking with a neutral gaze towards the Cho as he answered her. Putting his hands in the pockets of his jacket, Koike returned to his thoughts of the Hotspring country. Why had the state such a name?

Katsu heaved a sigh as Yukara turned away. He slowed down and then picked up his pace once more just as he got next to Koike, though he didn't look in his teammates direction or talk to him. He kept his gaze locked forward and his visage serious. By the time they got back, he planned to have Koike call him "friend".

There was a clear change in the team's dynamic. At least, Aiko thought so. Maybe it had helped after all? She was glad with that her talk had some effect. Leaving Konohagakure's main gates, she picked up the pace as she kept leading her team. The pace was just to push her genins, an extra kind of training and to see how their stamina was doing. But for now, Aiko had a pretty good feeling about the mission.

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[center][b]Many hours later,[/b][/center]

The sky was getting darker. Meaning that they should soon pick a place to camp. They had taken several breaks, cause it wouldn't possible to travel the distance in one go. Slowing down the pace, Aiko looked over her shoulder. They had been traveling in a squar formation. [b]''Time we set up camp and take a rest.''[/b] Landing on a branch, she would turn around and scan the area. Seeing a forest clearing up ahead, Aiko only pointed towards it. [b]''We will make camp there. But I will also teach you something. Each of you is needed to scan the perimeter. I will stay here until I have heard from one of you that the place is safe to set our camp.''[/b] Aiko explained. Placing her hands on her hip, she would wait to see how the genins would tackle this.

[b]"OK! Will do!"[/b] Yukara said, looking to Katsu and Koike. [b]"We obviously to do the perimeter in thirds because there are three of us,"[/b] she added. Looking to Katsu and Koike, then she grinned because she had an idea of sorts. [b]"Koike can get the first third, Katsu can get the second and I the last, sound good? Ok, lets do this,"[/b] Yukara said, bouncing on the balls of her feet again as she looked to her team mates, eagerly.

Less enthusiastic than Yukara, Koike however would do as she suggested. Nodding, Koike would look around first. If he had to scout a third, he would want to do it as quick as possible. Heading to the clearing, he raised his right thumb to his mouth. Biting on the finger, Koike would head to what would be likely a direction of a third. After weaving the required hand signals, he placed his right hand at the ground. Summoning his dog, Miso, Koike signaled him to move silently to the left. Cautiously, Koike started to scan the part he had to, in order to see if there was no danger. [b]''Nothing here. All clear.''[/b] Speaking through his communicator, Koike would head back to the clearing.

Katsu nodded. [b]"Good idea,"[/b] he said. He quickly created a clone and ran to one side of the area he was responsible of and the clone ran to the other. Scanning the area carefully and quietly, from time to time, Katsu glanced at some areas he'd already passed by. Once they had finished surveying, Katsu's clone spoke into the communicator. [b]"Here as well,"[/b] he said. The original made his way back towards the centre as the clone started to run around the edge of the perimeter to check one last time.

It was really different from last time. At last, some teamwork. Keeping watch over her genins, Aiko would listen through the earphone communicator to hear what they told each other. Dropping herself from the branch, where she had watched over the area, Aiko would head towards the center of the clearing. Though Yukara had to report if her perimeter was clear as well, Aiko was sure that nothing or nobody that was a threat was nearby. It was more that she wanted to make sure that this would become a routine for the team. Discipline and routine actions like these would improve the security and teamwork of the team.

Yukara dashed around the third that she gave herself, deciding not to go with her idea and just scan the third with nothing extra. [b]"All clear here, Aiko-Sensei,"[/b] Yukara said, heading back and towards camp, quickly. Once getting there, she smiled at Aiko-Sensei, looked around for her other team mates and shrugged.

Back at the clearing, Koike shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. He glanced around one last time before Miso poofed away. Though he wouldn't mind a rest, he was far more interested in continue on. The sooner they would reach the Hotspring country, the better. [b]''I suppose we are now needed to set up our tents?''[/b] Koike asked, turning his head into Aiko's direction.

Katsu looked at the others as they returned. A smile formed on his mouth as there hadn't been any arguments on the first day of the mission. Well, at least there was very little time left. When Koike mentioned the tents, he turned his head as much as he could, trying to get a glance at the bag. Perhaps that was what was inside them. Perhaps Aiko had tried to do something like last time but that hadn't turned out too well for anyone...

[b]''Good work. And yes, time to set up the camp. Yukara and Koike.''[/b] Aiko started, having an idea in mind. [b]''You both will set up the tents. Katsu, I want you to gather some wood and start making a fire. I will set up some traps around the perimeter, to be sure that we won't have any troublesome visitor too soon.''[/b] With those orders, she would however wait before setting up some traps. Aiko wanted to be sure that her students would do their task without any bickering, though that was unexpected seeing how it had gone so far.

[b]"OK! Koike, how do you want to do this?"[/b] Yukara asked, turning to look at him. So far, she was doing a good job of being nice and just hoped that he noticed, or even better, returned the favor. Nodding as Aiko-Sensei finished dividing out the responsibilities for everyone, she looked back to Koike and waited. Wondering what everyone was thinking about this mission and also hoping that the mission would not offer any surprises.

[b]''Probably just first putting up your tent and then see how it will stand. Then we should quickly get it done with the others.''[/b] He responded back. Taking a few steps back, Koike kneeling down and looked through his backpack for any nails and material that they would need to use to set up some fast tents. Finding some canvas, Koike pulled it out of the bag. Placing it next to him, together with the few nails. Though he could look for a hammer, Koike grabbed a kunai. He would use the handle of the weapon to hammer the nails into the ground.

Katsu nodded and looked over to the other two for a moment before running off. He slid the backpack off his shoulders just before leaving the opening, letting it lean on one of the trees. He quickly started collecting the rare pieces of burnable wood on the ground, holding them all with both hands. At one point, it got quite hard to pick up pieces of wood. He walked back towards the campsite, setting the firewood in the center and stacking them up. He turned to his teammates. [b]"Do either of you know fire jutsu?"[/b]

Dropping her bag, Aiko noticed that her students were finally working and functioning as a team. With that done, she would head to the perimeter of the forest. Through her communicator, she would try to keep track of how her team was doing. When Katsu asked if anybody knew Fire techniques, Aiko wanted to almost answer it, but decided against it. The more they worked and thought together, the better. That was what she was hoping for. Setting up some traps with kunai and wire, Aiko also took the chance to scan the perimeter herself.

Yukara watched with some interest in how he did, then turned to the tent that she was going to put up the tent and began working on it. Taking out the nails that went with it, she first did as Koike suggested and saw how the tent would stand with out them. Not very well as it collapsed, biting her lip, she used one of her own kunai and put the nails into the ground to keep the tent standing stably. [b]"All done~"[/b] Yukara said, in a sing song voice.

At first Koike was doubting if it would work, but the tent looked stable. Walking to the right side, he quickly eyed if the other nails were also set up good enough. [b]''Good. Now the others then.''[/b] He said, nodding towards Yukara. Walking back to another backpack, Koike started to pull out the tools and required items to set up another tent. [b]''If you would hold the nails, I will hit them into the ground. Sounds good?''[/b] Koike asked, only then to hear Katsu's question. [b]''No, don't you have any-'''[/b] Koike stopped. He realized that Katsu was an Uchiha without the affinity for Fire Release. [b]''Use two kunai to get a spark?''[/b]

Katsu sighed and nodded. He pulled out two kunai and did as Koike had suggested. There was a small spark that appeared, igniting the wood for a brief moment. [b]"Without something to strengthen the fire...."[/b] He had a sudden idea. [b]"Hey, Koike. If I remember right, you can use wind release, right? Could you help me out? When I make a spark, you can fan the fire quickly and we'd be able to get a nice fire going."[/b]

Hearing the conversation through her earphone communicator, Aiko was pondering if she should get back to help with setting up the camp. So far it was going great. There was some communication and cooperation going on, just like she wanted. For that reason, she took her time with setting up traps. Though she wanted to head back to help out with the fire, realizing that both Katsu and Yukara weren't probably aware that she could use Wind release. Smiling, Aiko decided to just keep on doing what she was doing. Just in a slow speed.

[b]"Right, right"[/b] Yukara said, getting to where Koike had thud the nails. Nodding when he asked if she could hold them and unable to resist the urge to comment, she said [b]"just remember that you want to hit the nails not my fingers."[/b] She hoped that he would see it as a joke and not as an insult, adding a little smile to add to it. For now, everything was ok with being nice as long as he did not try boss everyone around and the like.

At first Koike kept just focusing on what he had to do. Only a moment later he reacted back to Yukara. [b]''I won't try to hit your nails.''[/b] Having that said, Koike looked over his shoulder after he had rammed a nail into the ground. [b]''I can yes, hang on.''[/b] Stopping, Koike made one shadow clone. Though he wasn't really glad that he was using a shadow clone for something like this, he wanted the camp up soon as possible. With the shadow clone walking towards Katsu, in order to help him out, the real Koike focused back on the nails and setting up the second tent with Yukara.

Katsu smiled as Koike's clone approached. He kept the two kunai on one another, shaking one lightly above the other. [b]"Alright, here we go,"[/b] he said, raising the kunai more. He gridded the knife on the other one, making a large spark on the piece of wood. He hoped Koike would take the opportunity to fan it and create a nice campfire.

Deciding to finally heading back, Aiko saw that the camp was getting set up without indeed no trouble. This was better than she had anticipated, though she was happy with the current progress of her team. [b]''Seems like the camp is almost done?''[/b] Aiko asked, hiding her smile. The sky was turning darker with every minute and guessing by the looks of it, it would soon be time to have some supper and then decide who would take the first watch.

It took a lot for her to not pull her hand back every time Koike hit the nail as she was not sure how accurate he was with it, although he seemed to be doing an ok job. [b]"Aiko-Sensei! Your back!"[/b] Yukara said, not bothering to hide her hyperness. She always had so much energy and always something to say, even though some of the time it was off topic. [b]"Almost, we just need to finish with the tents,"[/b] Yukara said, happily.

Almost had Koike slammed the pommel of the kunai on one of Yukara's fingers. Luckily he had managed to avoid hitting her fingers as he worked the last nail in the ground. Now the second tent was up. Two more left. Standing up, he glanced at Aiko and started to think. Did it take so long to set up some traps? Not wanting to waste any time to think about it, he went to the third bag. [b]''Last two. Lets do each one, okay?''[/b] Koike suggested to Yukara, feeling actually hungry. Hopefully they had something nice with them for supper. Meanwhile, his clone using a weak version of the Violent Wind Palm technique, focusing on pouring only a little bit of chakra into the technique, hoping to create just the amount of gust to get a fire starting.

The spark ignited the wood and the pressurized wind flared, making the campfire appear on the pieces of wood. [b]"Nice job!"[/b] He said, raising one hand slightly for a high five, and then realized that Koike might not really go ahead and play along with something like this. It was still quite nice to be able to work together without any major issues. Hell, even Yukara was trying to get along with him. That was definitely quite surprising to Katsu and also most likely to Koike as well.

[b]''Glad to hear that.''[/b] Aiko told Yukara, looking at the tents who were already set up. They looked stable and though Aiko wanted to test to see if they were really stable, she wouldn't. Deciding to not look like she was inspecting everything and putting some trust in the team, Aiko would head to the shadow clone of Koike and Katsu. Just when she was near the two, they managed to get a fire starting. That and getting Katsu enthusiastic. Though Aiko already expected that Koike wouldn't react like that back, it was a nice change over the constant bickering and squabbling.

Yukara nearly commented on the fact that Koike had almost hit her but chose not to and bit her tongue to keep from doing so. [b]"Yeah, that is probably a good idea,"[/b] Yukara said, going over to the tent that she was to set up. Getting the nails out, she began getting the tent to stand along with getting the nails in the proper place. She mentally counted to three and hit the nail twice as the third time, she hit her finger. She bit back a yelp and continued to put the nails into the ground, once she was finished, she used the hand that had held the kunai and brought it over to her finger, using the Healing Technique to make it stop hurting.

The clone frowned as Katsu raised his hand. Slowly the shadow clone returned the high five before he poofed away. With Yukara agreeing to the suggestion, Koike went to the fourth backpack. Getting out the nails, he also started to set up the tent. Hearing Yukara letting out a yelp, he looked sideways to see what had happened. Deciding to first focus on setting up the fourth tent, he eyed the tent. After that, he would head to Yukara. [b]''Can I help?''[/b]

Katsu continued fueling the fire a bit more, trying not to get it to grow out of control using a weak yet continuous Violent Wind Palm. He looked over to Koike and Yukara, a wide smile curling up on his lips. Once the fire was big enough he got up and walked over to them as well, trying to catch up on what they had done. [b]"Since the fire's done, is there anything I can do over here?"[/b]

Seeing all of her students were at the last tent that had to be set up, Aiko decided to bring the backpacks together. Seeking what they would have for supper, she was getting items that were wrapped. Though the scent would be clear of what it was. With the fire going, Aiko thought of what they would need. [b]''Can somebody get some sharp sticks and clean them? I hope you all like some fish too.''[/b] That having said, she also would pull out a small bag of her backpack. A little sweet surprise, something that the team had deserved for their teamwork.
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