Slightly further into the forest, just a short distance off from the two trackers, the sound of rustling and rapid footsteps could be heard approaching through the thick grass. Laboured breathing accompanied the steady rhythm of feet pounding into the ground as if on cue. Soon after, additional sets of footprints joined in, throwing the balance of sound off. A young man ran fiercely just several meters in front of three other men, using every ounce of strength he had to remain ahead of them. With panicked gasps he dashed around trees and through thick brush, but never managed to lose his pursuers. He saw another patch of thick bush and made a running dash through it before bursting through into a clearing onto the other side were a startled boy and his dog were standing in slight shock. Upon seeing them, the man ran over to them before falling to his knees in the dirt.

"Please help me!" he pleaded. "I-I'm being chased, they're trying to kill me!" It was then that the young ninja and his dog recognized the handsome features of the young man that matched perfectly with the picture Kurenai-sensei had shown them, leading only to one conclusion -- the noble's son had finally been found.

''Dont worry Kiba said and looked into the direction of which the young man had come'' If you stay next to Akamaru my dog you be save'' and quickly made himself ready to attack the boys pursuers.

''Tell me exactly who those man are and why you are being chased because you just ran into one of your bodyguards and smirked Akamaru barked. ''And my nin-dog Akamaru of course''

and waited for the man to give him a answer back. while thinking this mission to be a piece of cake. lucky to find the man just by scouting around the area but how was he going to let his teacher and Hinata know that the young nobles son had been find he didnt know but time to think about it more was not a option he knew that time was not on his side and that tha boys followers were to come pretty soon from now.

"They're ninjas that serve under a rival clan lord in my village!" the young man exclaimed while drawing closer to Kiba and Akamaru in anticipation for the enemy's arrival. As if on cue, the three shinobi appeared out of the thick brush, looking ready to strike. The noble's son shrank down a bit in fear. "He's trying to have me assasinated!"

Before Kiba or the young man could say another word, the trio struck out with deadly speed and agility. Their target could do little to help Kiba and Akamaru due to lack of skill or weapons and was reduced to dodging the array of kunais being hurtled at him. This worked for a short time, but he was quickly overwhelmed by the onslaught and his dodging became sloppy; after a particularly fierce attack, his heel snagged a rock and the man was sent toppling backwards with a yelp.

Neither Kiba nor his nin-dog had time to make it over to stop the oncoming enemy shinobi from slashing their target. In just seconds their mission would be over, and Team 8 would fail. It wa sjust then that a high-pitched voice called out.

"Look out!!" A blurred figure descended and quickly blocked the attack with ease. When the defender rose, a pair of vivid lilac eyes were revealed from beneath a plum veil of hair. Hinata smirked and adjusted her stance to prepare for the next attack. "Kiba-kun, Akamaru-kun, I've come to help!!"

Kiba looked up and laughed knowing that Hinata would be able to stop all three enemy ninja but she would not be able to without his and Akamarus help.

''Be careful Hinata'' he yelled and made his dog protect the noble boy.

''Akamaru quickly we have to avoid of him getting hurt and rushed over towards the boy while glancing over at Hinata to see her doing great. she had one of the assassins yelling out in pain while nursing his left hand and fallen on the ground unable to fight back.

Kiba smirked and felt proud on his team-mate she had improved so much in three years time. he knew that she was able to take care of herself.

Akamaru barked and that made Kiba turn his attention back to the dog and the noble boy that was now on the ground looking very scared and unable to stand up.

Kiba swiftly made it to were he was and grabbed his hand. ''Come on now we have no time to waste we have to get you out of her and bring you to our sensei.

The boy whimpered. 'but didnt say anything. Kiba growled. ''Fine then we do it my way. climb on my dog and do it now'' He blinked stared at the huge white dog hesitate but when the dark haired girl let out a loud cry out of pain he rushed towards the dog and throw himself on its back.

Kiba climbed before him and made Akamaru run back to team-mate.

''Hinata!!! you all right?'' he yelled and made Akamaru stand still.

Hinata was crouched forward over her knees while clasping a hand to her side. Beside her, an enemy shinobi had fallen into a contorted slouch on the ground, motionless. Just inches away from his limp hand, a blood-stained shuriken lay abandoned. Hinata looked up with a flinch and smiled.

"It's okay, Kiba-kun," she breathed, still clutching her side and trying to hide the pain in her eyes. "I-I didn't see him come up behind me. I guess I may have over-exerted myself too soon, but I was so worried about you going off alone, so I followed you..." Hinata drew her hand away and quietly noted the red coating now drenched across her palm. "L-Let's get back to Kurenai-sensei..."

"No, wait!" The young man cried, suddenly hopping down from Akamaru to crouch at her level. She returned a suprised look while Kiba had an expression that was a mixture of worry and annoyance. "It's my fault you got injured, so please let me return the favour. I may not be able to fight, but I'm well-educated in herbal medicines. We should treat your wound as soon as possibe."

"O-Oh, is that so?" Hinata said, trying to sound kind, but was a bit worried about trusting him so quickly. Kiba was also pretty good with plants and herbs, as she recalled from past missions, and she was much more inclined to trust her teammate.

"It's all right, you don't need to be worried," the man said, flashing a brilliant smile that caused Hinata to blush with embarassment. Kiba turned from annoyed to downright pissed, while his nin-dog simply looked on and whimpered. After a long hesitation, Hinata finally nodded in agreement and the young man pulled out some roots from a pouch at his side. It was his turn to pause then blush, and looking sheepish, he met Hinata's eyes.

"Is something wrong?" she questioned, reading his expression.

"U-Umm, don't take this the wrong way, but in order to treat that wound you're going to need to remove your sweater..."

The noble's son was fairly flushed, and even Kiba and Akamaru reddened at this statement, but Hinata became so flustered that she nearly fainted right on the spot.

"A-Ah, b-b-b-ut that's...!" The poor girl couldn't even finish. "I-I mean, umm...!! K-Kiba-kun?" she said, turning to him hopefully as if he could somehow rescue her from the awkward situation she'd been thrown into.

Kiba wasn't really in a position to look at her directly and started down at the ground to avoid of her seeing his blushing face. wild fantasy ran through his head that made him unable to give her a direct asnwer back.

But Akamaru noticed his master was feeling very uncomfortable and barked loudly which got Kiba to look startled and looked rigth into Hinatas eyes. ''Uhh do what he says Hinata'' he said with a slight annoyed sound in his voice. Clearly not impressed with the nobles boy abilities of medical herbs and healing.

Hinata made no further protest and promptly undid the zipper on the soft lilac sweater, but winced as she attempted to pull her arms from the sleeves. Once the outer layer of clothing was removed the extent of the wound became clear; though it wasn't very deep, there was enough of an injury that it still bled freely. Though everyone else seemed shocked, Hinata looked relieved -- she thought it had been much more severe than that. The young man set to work right away as Hinata eased her mesh shirt up enough to reveal the open wound in her side. With evident skill he cleaned and tended to it using the crushed roots he had pulled out earlier. While Hinata flinched every time more ointment was applied, she seemed relieved to some degree and took it as a sign that the medicine was working. She didn't notice Kiba brooding a short distance away or the sincere glares he kepy throwing over in the noble's direction.

"That should do it," the young man said finally while dusting off his hands and standing up. "I think it should heal up pretty quick, just try not to get too ambitious in your fighting for a few days." With a warm smile, he helped Hinata to her feet and she smiled gratefully.

"Thank you very much," she said with a blush. "It feels better already." She turned to her teammates and smiled. "S-Sorry if I made anyone worry. We should probably head back to Kurenai-sensai now." Hinata took a step closer before flinching. "Umm, Kiba-kun," she said, giving him an apologetic look, "d-do you mind if I ride with you and Akamaru-kun back to the camp? I-I don't think I can walk there..."

Kiba really didnt like the way the noble kid had looked at Hinata was he feeling jalous of the way the boy had checked his team-mate out he wasnt sure but if he ever tried to do more then jsut healing her wounds he would surely step in his way to protect his team-mates fair hearts that didnt belonged to this loser.

But when Hinatas soft voice made him come back out of his thoughts he quickly collected himself again to answer her request. ''Sure'' he stepped closer and grabbed her hand gently in his own to lead her towards his dog.

Akamaru barked not feeling all that comfortable and wanted to go back to camp. ''Arff''
Kiba gave a soft nod. ''I know Akamaru we will go right now''

''Up you go'' He carried Hinata in his arms and placed her gently on his dogs back and stared at the noble boy. ''Will you be able to run besides us?'' and awaited his replay

The noble boy hesitated a moment as he mulled this option over. He smiled suddenly, however, and nodded his head enthusiastically.

"I don't think it should be a problem -- after all, running is one of the things I'm actually good at!" He scratched the back of his head and gave a hearty laugh. "I've done nothing but run for the past day or so, what's a few more minutes?"

The team set off immediately for the campsite they'd established earlier. It didn't take long to reach travelling at a low sprint, although it was very difficult for Kiba not to dash off and leave the young noble behind, however Kurenai had a fierce temper when she was mad, and that was a wrath he'd rather not feel. Hinata was constantly checking to make sure the young man never fell behind as well, so any plans of desertment were futile. Once they arrived at the campsite, Kurenai was quite shocked to see the noble's son standing in front of her.

"Wow, you guys," she murmured while looking from the picture in her hand to the young man. "I'm impressed. I thought we'd be out here searching for at least a week!" Kurenai walked up to the young man and smiled with welcome. "We're a ninja team from Konoha sent out to find you. My name is Kurenai, they're sensei. And you are...?"

"My name is Vail," the young man bowed his head in greeting. "Thank you all so much for your help, I cannot express my gratitude."

Kurenai then turned to her students inquisitively. "Did you encounter an enemy ninja during the retrieval?"

Kiba stood a little further away from the noble boy wearing a very annoyed expression upon his face. he really didn't like this boy at all. the way he seemed to be way to kind towards Hinata even to his teacher who seemed flattered with the way the noble kid spoke to her. No Kiba was sure this wasnt his real personality and he was determined to discover the real one after all they had to travel al the way back to the village the boy lived that gave Kiba plenty of time to find out about it.

Kiba looked up when his teacher asked them a qusition. ''yea we were sensei Vail here was being chased by 4 enemie shinobi but nothing me and Hinata could not handle right Hina-chan?'' and waited for her answer.

"Y-Yes, Kiba-kun!" Hinata said with a warm smile, embarassed but pleased at the pride that Kiba spoke with as he addressed her.

"Hinata got an injury in her side though," Vail cut in, almost intentionally trying to break the warm mood. "I treated it, but she needs to take it easy or it will reopen again."

"Are you in pain?" Kurenai asked. Her red, fiery eyes were now wide with worry as she looked at the Hyuuga girl. Immediately knowing that Hinata would deny it whether she was or not, Kurenai took her by the shoulder and guided the two of them into some thick brush. "You two make some conversation or something," she called over her should with an easy flick of her left hand. "I only want to check on Hinata's wound, and then we'll be off for the village." As soon as Kurenai finished speaking, the two kunoichi disappeared into the woods, leaving the two young men and the nin-dog to stare at each other in awkward silence.

Kiba watched Hinata and his teacher disappear into the woods and sighed before he walked over to were his dog was still standing to stroke his fur pretending to no notice the presence of Vail who stood not to far away from them.

He really wasnt in the mood to think of something to say to that kid and instead sat down on a old tree trunk and started to talk to his dog. ''You sure did a good job boy i am glad we can almost return back home now'' Akamaru barked and whipped his tail lazily. ''Yes i know you are tired so am i'' he put his hands behind his head and leaned backwards to stare at the sky.

Akamaru seemed content to sit with his master in peaceful silence as they waited for their comrades to return, but Vail was one of those people who could not seem to tolerate lulls in conversation and felt the need to fill it with idle chatter. This came to Kiba's attention when the young man cheerily plopped down beside them on the opposite side of Akamaru and tilted his face toward the sky.

"Hinata sure was something out there, eh?" he droned openly with a stupid smile on his face, referring back to the battle earlier. "At first glance I didn't think she'd be much of a fighter, but she's got some extraordinary skill when she gets serious!" He didn't notice that Kiba seemed to be getting increasingly agitated by his adoring praise of the Hyuuga girl and continued to fawn over her talent. Akamaru grumbled softly as if this might clue the noble in, but his dense nature continued to astound them.

"Hey Kiba," Vail started, suddenly turning to the young shinobi as if something important had just occured to him, "Do you know if Hinata's seeing anyone? Y'know, as in dating somebody?" Kiba immediately looked over with shocked eyes, to which Vail misinterpreted and leaned back while looking apologetic. "Oh, are you and her...?" Vail trailed off and decided he'd let the Inuzuka boy respond before he said something that might get him in trouble and waited in the silence that followed.

Kiba growled the nerve of that guy. standing up from the tree trunk he stood before Vail and had a very annoyed look on his face. ''It doesnt concern you one bit if Hinata is seeing anyone ore not you hear me'' he said with a loud tone to his voice. ''She is my team-mate and has me to protect her she doesnt need anyone else'' and with that he stalked off completely ticked off. but Akamaru who was a very smart dog knew it wasnt worth his time to follow his master now and stayed near the tree trunk to guard Vail.

It wasn't long after that Hinata and Kurenai emerged from the bushes and returned to the campsite, only to find that one of their members had gone missing. Akamaru lifted his head at their approach and whined softly, immediately alerting Hinata that something was wrong.

"W-Where did Kiba-kun go?" she asked, moving her concerned eyes to Vail's direction. The noble had a look of shock and insult on his face, and simply pointed in the general direction opposite them where a forest trail lay etched in the ground. Hinata turned to follow his gaze and then immediately spun around to Kurenai, who seemed irritated at Kiba's unauthorized departure. "B-But it's getting dark out, he shouldn't go out alone at this hour!!"

"Dammit, Inuzuka," Kurenai's mumble could barely be heard in response. Vail just shook his head at Hinata's frantic words, but didn't let on that he was secretly glad the shinobi had stalked off. Before another word was said, Hinata spun on her heel and took off in the direction of the trail, suprising both of them.

"W-Wait, Hinata!" Kurenai called, to which Hinata stopped briefly.

"I'm sorry, sensei," she said meekly over her shoulder, sounding truly apologetic. "I can't leave Kiba-kun alone out there, but I promise we'll both be back soon." Before her teacher could respond, Hinata activated her byakugan and shot off into the forest, leaving Vail, Akarmu, and the kunoichi in shocked silence.

Fortunately for her, Hinata's byakugan allowed her to locate the Inuzuka boy with relative ease. She found him about ten minutes later, grumbling loudly to himself while plucking various herbs from the ground. She approached quietly, but was not silent enough to go unheard by Kiba's keen sense of hearing. He glanced sharply over his shoulder, but his glare softened when he noticed the Hyuuga girl standing a few feet behind him then returned to the task on the ground before him.

"U-Umm," Hinata started while reaching a tentative hand out, not sure how to respond to his uncharacteristic silence. "Kiba-kun...are you alright?" Her mind raced. Normally he'd just smile and tease her for worrying too much, but now he said nothing. It was obvious he wasn't alright, but she couldn't think of something more appropriate to ask. "I-It's not like you to take off without telling us..." she said instead, hoping that he might give a different response. Ever since they were young, they'd shared so much with each other; and now Hinata wasn't sure what to do when he wouldn't respond. Taking a deep breath, she tried once more. "Will...will you tell me what's wrong?"