Disclaimer: Sadly I do not and will never own Naruto x)
Please review :) After all, why would I continue this if no one reads it? :) Maybe just a favorite? It would mean the world to me~
Oh and I probably won't be finishing "Something More Than Rivalry", mostly because I have no desire xD Also because I got a horrible writer's block on that one and I just can't bring myself to write another chapter. Sorry to anyone who wanted me to finish it :( !
Anyways, here's chapter one~
Chapter One: I Believe In You
"Are you sure you want to go through with this mission?" The Hokage prodded, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course!" I practically shouted at the woman.
How else could I earn the village's respect? How else could I prove to them that I'm worth something, that I'd put my life on the line for this village without hesitation?
There was no other way. I had to go through with this.
Tsunade sighed.
"Right. Keep in mind that this is an S-ranked mission. If they discover your true identity, then you'll most likely die."
My beloved Hokage was right. Even the thought of an attempt at weaving myself in amongst the most notorious criminal organization, let alone succeeding, seemed nearly impossible.
But I was determined this time.
"I don't care! I'll take the mission- backup or not!" I exclaimed, my hand slapping down on the desk.
"Alright, apparently I can't convince you to reconsider. This is a major risk- not just for you, but for the whole village. If the Akatsuki discover that we're sending spies, then they're sure to send out a few of their members to obliterate this village," Lady Tsunade sighed, her fingers laced together in front of her. "I'm well aware that you're a Chuunin and it would make more sense to send a Jounin, but due to our lack of available ninja we have no choice but to send you- which is not a problem given your unique gift of deception."
I smiled at Lady Tsunade. No doubt that this mission was going to be difficult, but as long as the Hokage was willing to believe in me, I was beginning to feel at least a tad bit at ease.
"I won't let you down!" I exclaimed, excitement drowning my anxiety.
"I know you won't." The Hokage answered, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. It quickly faded when she pulled out a small manilla folder and slid it across the desk.
"This folder contains all of the details of your mission. The requirements...everything. I need you to read over them carefully and follow every precise detail. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." I breathed, staring at the manila folder that I held between shaky hands.
"Nervous?" There was a playful tone to Tsunade's voice, but I could see it in her eyes that she was definitely anxious about what was to become of me.
"Nervous? Yeah right!" I scoffed, lifting my chin up just a bit. "I'll be back in no time with all the information you need on that freak show!"
She gave a tiny laugh. "Read over the mission details CAREFULLY. I cannot stress that enough. I know how you tend to forget things but-" she paused when I muttered a few protests under my breath, "...You can't slip up, not even on one minuscule detail in this mission. It could cost you your life."
"Right." I nodded, determination apparent in my voice. I will NOT let my village, comrades, and Hokage down. I will succeed.
"You leave tomorrow morning. Dismissed."
I gave my Hokage a respectful nod and turned to leave.
"Haruka?" I heard Tsunade whisper, her voice portraying her anxiety. I turned slightly to look at her. "I believe in you."
"Thank you Lady Tsunade," I replied, my voice shaking as her words sunk in. "I won't let you down."
With one final look at the blonde haired Hokage, who had turned curtly to stare out the window overlooking the Village Hidden in the Leaves, her hair in pig tails that fell on her back and her desk piled with unfinished paperwork, I whirled around swiftly on my heel and ran towards my apartment, eager to scan the mission requirements.
As I sprinted towards the door leading out of the Hokage building, I felt a twinge if sadness begin to well up inside of me. I quickly pushed it aside. I would see all my comrades again- no doubt. After all, I told Lady Tsunade that I wouldn't let her down. I intend to keep my word.
I darted out of the Hokage building and out into the fresh air as the sun was setting. You couldn't beat the freshness of autumns in Konoha.
I raced through the streets of my beloved village in the direction of my apartment, greeting people with occasional hello's and friendly nods.
I'm pretty well known throughout the village, mostly because of the trouble I get myself into with...
"Hey, Haruka! Wait up!"
...Naruto.
"Hey Naruto!" I greeted him as he attacked me a tremendous bear hug.
"Alright... N-Naruto...Can't...Breathe..." I managed to gasp, my eyes most likely popping out of my head.
"Sorry!" He said, releasing me. I dropped onto my feet, wobbling as I attempted to regain my balance.
"I thought you were supposed to be on a mission with Sakura and Sai?" I asked, remembering how he had told me about the special mission he was assigned to complete, involving escorting a futile lord to another land. A mission in which HE was the squad leader.
"We're not leaving for another few minutes, so I thought I'd say goodbye." Naruto replied, beaming.
"Right," I said. "Well you better go meet Sakura and Sai, they're probably wondering where you're at."
"You're right," Naruto sighed, "I'll see you in a few days! And then we'll get some ramen at Ichiraku's! Believe it!" He called over his shoulder after he had given me another hug.
I shook my head and watched the familiar orange and black jumpsuit and blonde hair disappear into the setting sun. That Naruto and his ramen obsession, though I had gotten used to it by now. After all, he is my best friend.
I had resolved to not mention my current mission to Naruto, for he'd definitely attempt to keep me from fulfilling it, knowing firsthand the full extent of Akatsuki power. After all, he had gone head to head with one himself.
I sighed as I watched him disappear from view, feeling a pang of guilt for not telling him. I pushed this aside too. I have to succeed in this mission. Who knows, maybe if I can gain enough intelligence on their organization, then we may eventually figure out how to defeat them.
With the idea of a successful mission playing on repeat in my mind, I began to race even faster towards my apartment.
After hopping the familiar rooftops, I finally reached my apartment. I unlocked the door to find it exactly as I had left it: bed unmade and clothes cluttered all over the floor. I sighed inwardly, regretting my laziness towards these sorts of tasks.
I fought my way through the notorious clutter of clothing strung out around the floor, plopping myself down on my messy bedspread. I reluctantly began to peel open the manilla folder, the sudden wave of anxiety excruciating.
I yanked out the mission papers and began to read with extreme intensity and concentration:
"Mission:
Locate the Akatsuki's current hideout. Mark it on the map. Attempt to join their ranks as a missing-nin, and when enough intelligence on the members and the organization is gathered, then return to Lady Tsunade at once. Deception is required in this mission, for the Akatsuki cannot decipher who you are at all costs. Rank of mission: S+ Time of departure: October 24 at precisely 8 A.M.
There was also a map included in the manila folder that displayed the location of the previous Akatsuki hideout. Apparently it's close to the Village Hidden in the Sand, a few hours travel away from the village. It's also a cave of sorts.
So it's my job to locate the current Akatsuki hideout and mark it on the map? Simple enough. The difficult part is gonna be weaving myself among supposedly the most dangerous criminals in the ninja world. The Hokage must really have some faith in me.
I sighed loudly, falling back onto my pillow while pushing a lock of light auburn hair from my dark blue eyes. I was starting to allow my anxiety to take hold on my conscious, and really, how could I stop the flood of it anyway? With all of the doubts swimming around in my head, it was becoming increasingly difficult to control my anxiety.
What if they caught me?
What if they torture me and then attempt to destroy Konoha?
No. I won't let them catch me. After all, my deceptive skill level is quite high for a Chuunin.
Suddenly I heard a tap on my window. My head practically hit the ceiling of my apartment as I was yanked out of my thoughts (or rather, worries). My head snapped to the left to look out of my window as I sat upright with my legs crossed.
"Tenzou-sensei!" I practically shouted, opening the window.
Tenzou, a member of the ANBU, my sensei, AND a huge help to Kakashi in the difficult task of training an always- impatient Naruto, smiled at me from outside the window.
"Why is it that the ANBU can't just knock on the DOOR like a normal person would do? Isn't it a little creeperish to always use the window?" I demanded, rolling my eyes.
"The window's more convenient," Tenzou replied, suddenly grinning proudly, "And the reason I've dropped by was because I heard that a certain student of mine was assigned an S-rank mission. Can you confirm that theory for me?" The last sentence was exaggerated by an eye roll. Obviously rumors were flying around.
"Of course!" I exclaimed, smiling brightly at my sensei.
"I'm not surprised at all." Tenzou replied after a few minutes of contemplating.
"How come? I'm only a Chuunin." I asked him, my brain desperately attempting to grasp the part of how I'm suddenly such an important Chuunin. I know I've always been somewhat significant, but I'd never dreamed of being sent on an S- ranked mission ALONE, especially when dealing with the AKATSUKI.
"I've been hearing rumors that Lady Tsunade is going to promote you to Jounin level very soon." Tenzou said rather smugly, probably trying to crush my insecurity in my true skill level.
"Damn, you really keep in touch with your gossip, don't ya old man?" I teased, reaching over and elbowing my sensei in the stomach. "No way! Your gossip is most likely a lie." I stated in a matter of fact way.
"Huh, oh really?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Like the gossip about you being assigned an S-ranked mission was fake?"
He got me there. I slouched, crossed my arms over my chest, and let out a defeated 'humph'. Tenzou smiled smugly.
"Has anyone told you what I'm supposed to do?" I asked out of curiosity. I vaguely wondered if my own sensei would attempt to hold me back from the mission.
"No, actually," he answered thoughtfully, "What have you been assigned to do?"
"Disguise myself as a rogue ninja and become one of the Akatsuki..." I cut off, sparing a nervous glance at my sensei, "Plus I'm supposed to mark their current location on this map-" I handed him the map, which he swiftly snatched while harboring a look of intense concentration, "-and when I gather enough information about their whereabouts, operations, and anything that might help us form a plan to defeat them, I'm supposed to get the hell outta there and report back to Lady Tsunade." I finished nervously.
A few minutes of silence followed after my last sentence.
"Sensei?" I whispered, attempting break the horrid silence that had engulfed my little apartment.
"I see." Was the only little reply I received.
I glanced over at my sensei. He wore a dark gray jumpsuit underneath a dark green Shinobi vest. He also had messy, spiky light brown hair and dark gray eyes. I also noted that he wasn't wearing his usual face armor. His face was expressionless as he stared at the map I was given and read over my mission papers.
My jaw just about dropped to the floor when his face lit up with a wide smile.
"Haruka, I believe in you." He said, smiling proudly at me from his perch on the windowsill.
"Thank you sensei!" I squealed, throwing myself at him and wrapping my arms around his waist in a tight hug. He returned the hug with that same proud grin stretched across his face. "I won't let you down! I promise! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!"
To me, I had just heard my sensei's approval that I'm ready to go on this mission and he won't attempt to stop me. And that he was proud. That was more than enough for me.
"Alright, alright," Tenzou gasped after a few seconds, detaching my iron grip from his waist. "You need to prepare for your mission, and I have to go now."
I frowned at my room. Preparing is my least favorite part.
"Don't worry; I'm sure you'll manage to overcome your intense fear of packing for a mission." He laughed, ruffling my hair and turning to leave.
"Wait!" I called. He turned around and shot me a questioning look. "…Will you be there to see me off?"
"Unfortunately I can't," he frowned, "I've been assigned a mission."
"Right." I sighed.
"Don't give me that look- I'll be here when you get back." He grinned, turning, and giving me a wave before he darted off into the newfound darkness.
Once again I sighed, turning back to my horrifyingly messy room.
"Alright...extra clothes are a must...toothbrush...a few bags of chips..." I muttered to myself as I packed the items into my little messenger bag that could hold way more than I thought possible for such a minuscule bag.
Once I had shoved all of the necessities into my little messenger bag, I tossed it at the wall, followed by the manila folder. I placed the map on my nightstand where I would surely see it in the morning, plopped down onto my pillow, and closed my eyes, contemplating my plan for approaching the Akatsuki. So far I had nothing. What was I supposed to do? Just walk up to them and say, 'Hey, tell me all your freakin secrets so my village can hatch a plan to destroy you.' They'd probably laugh at me. And then kill me. Slowly.
As I lay thinking about my impending doom, my eyelids began to droop. Soon enough I had drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
Well, there it is xD I hope you liked it. :)
Please review :) It motivates me to write more~ See you next chapter (hopefully) !