Mission: T.e.m.p.t.a.t.i.o.n

Chapter 1: The News and New Teammates

In a room sat 18-year-old Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, an A-ranked undercover agent who goes by the alias 'Mayonaka no Kage'. Source of jealousy through the men populace, and no-doubt an Adonis from any lady's point-of-view. But now, there he was, in a dimly lit room and a thick atmosphere with his two superiors. Only one thing ran through his mind; this can't be good.The silence didn't do much to help either. It only took another millisecond until he exploded.

"This better not be a game that's not worth my fucking time! Why did you call me here? Where are my squad mates?" Naruto yelled, not being able to handle the suspense his superiors seemed to enjoy imposing on him. His male superior, a senior ANBU whose name is Kakashi Hatake, shook his head in a disapproving manner.

"Watch your tone and language, Flashy-boy. My, my, could it be that the pressure is already getting to you? Shame." Kakashi said with a mocking smirk before gradually regaining his usual stoic expression. He pinched the crook of his nose as he took a deep breath. "Ah, we hope you're ready for this, because this might be quite... a shocker." Said he.

Naruto raised an eyebrow at this remark. If anyone knew him best, it would be his two superiors. They, of all people, know that he doesn't get shocked too often. He stayed quiet and waited for his superiors to continue, bracing himself for the possibilities.

"Well then," Tsunade Senju, his female superior started. "I don't see any point in beating around the bush seeing that you decided to act like a whiny baby." She sighed and shook her head before shooting Naruto a look of concern. "Rukia and the others," she paused seeing him frown at the mention of his teammates.

"They're dead."

Dead. The word resonated through his mind like an unwelcome echo. The real meaning of the word was refused to be understood by the neurons of his brain. He racked his brains for other definitions of the word 'dead'. Maybe his teammates were considered dead in the undercover forces because they were transferred to another unit. Maybe he's going on a mission by himself because his teammates were too exhausted from their last mission. He looked at Tsunade and then at Kakashi, searching for a hint on their faces that would tell him they were joking.

He found none and so dropped his head and shoulders in defeat, his brain slowly and painfully absorbing the fact that his teammates were gone from the earthly world just as he had long feared.

"This is unreal… They can't die. This is just a nightmare, and I'm going to wake up in a few seconds… Just a bad dream." Naruto muttered, convincing no one. Not even himself.

"I'm afraid it is not, Naruto-san. As a matter of fact these files I am currently holding contain information on the incident. Also, these are the info on the replacements as requested by Tsunade-sama." said a pale raven-haired boy whose presence was only revealed the moment he entered the room and spoke.

"Sai, may I…May I have those documents?" Naruto said with his head still low and trying to hold back tears. Death was inevitable, and tears need not be shed for such trivial events. Not for an elite ANBU agent like him. The raven male just nodded and handed said documents to him.

"Thank you very much, Sai. You may leave." said Kakashi.

"So, are you going to read it or do I have to brief it for you?" Asked Tsunade. Naruto chose not to answer, his voice caught in his throat, and instead chose to open the 1st folder which yielded information on the… unfortunate incident.

ANBU BLACK OPS CASUALTY REPORT

BRANCH: Black Curse Undercover Forces

AGENT: Rukia Arashima A.K.A Mugen Gakuen (Mistress Labyrinth)

Status: Dead

Where casualty took place: Fukishima Airport, Open Court

When casualty took place: September 8 at approximately 11:45 A.M.

Cause of death/injury: Fatal gunshot wounds in the brain, heart and stomach enough to put one in a serious condition. Was brought to Sacred Heart Hospital - nearest hospital to the airport - about ten minutes from the approximate time the agent was shot. Declared as Dead on Arrival.

Ballistics and Forensics staff had stated that the agent was shot by a sniper. They also inferred that said bullet came from the 7.62x51mm M40 which was retrieved in one of the facilities that surrounded the terminal. Hizashi Akebino, whose fingerprints were found in the sniper rifle, was brought in and is now under the wings of the Red Blaze I.T. Department for questioning.

"Ungrateful bastard!" Naruto cursed through gritted teeth. He needn't read anymore. He didn't care about his other squad mates like he cared about Rukia. She was someone he admired so much. They were the best of friends and there was a spark they shared a few years ago. A spark that they thought will ignite the flames of love and passion that rests deep inside their hearts and so urged them to start a relationship. It didn't last for long, because that spark eventually died out, and they were convinced that the romance they felt is of that which siblings share. She was, in many ways, a wonderful sibling figure to him.

But now, she's dead. Dead, because of the fool she had saved from "unjust" conviction a few weeks ago. Ironic, isn't it; being killed by a person whose life you saved?

"We know, of course, that this is hard for you and we respect that you need time to adjust and mourn over one of the few girls that you look up to, but as unfortunate as it is, there is a pending mission which calls for the utmost attention of our elite asset. We have already convinced four new potentials to join your team while the last one shall be all yours to convince." said Kakashi.

"Your 5 new teammates attends the same school you go to." Added Tsunade.

"Oh? Do tell me."

"First is Sakura Haruno, sophomore." she said, handing Naruto said sophomore's picture, the pink hair all too familiar to him, as she was one of the top students of the year. "As stated here in the files that Sai have brought, she specializes in combat and is capable of winning a one-on-one match against most of our A-rank taijutsu specialists. She might even be capable of fighting Lee and be able to land a few dangerous blows on him."

"Which would be because of that bushy brows' not-so-unknown admiration towards the girl." Naruto snorted, not wanting to dishonor his former teammates by being impressed with the new recruits.

"She also specializes in medical ninjutsu." Tsunade finished, not minding the disoriented blonde's earlier remark.

"Next is Kin Tsuchi, goddaughter of my former squadmate Orochimaru Hebinouke. Obviously, she was trained by Orochimaru and Kabuto, so she expertise in ninjutsu." Tsunade stated.

"Third is Temari no Subaku."

"Wait isn't that Gaara's sister? If she is then I don't need any more debriefing because I get to spar with her sometimes when I crash at their place." Naruto stated, cutting off Tsunade's statement. He would have known even if he didn't know her personally. She was pretty famous at their school because of that ridiculous fan (as Naruto like to call it) that can change sizes at her command.

"Well then, next is Ayame Ichiraku, daughter of the infamous restaurant owner Teuchi Ichiraku." Naruto gave Tsunade a look of bewilderment. A civilian showing potential? She must be bluffing. Kakashi drew an amused look on his face seeing Naruto's reaction. "Now now, I know you're thinking along the lines of 'How the hell can a civilian show potential?'"

"Damn straig-"

"BUT," Tsunade intervened "She's more than what she sounds and looks like. She shows promise in the same fields with Sakura, and I MYSELF witnessed her finesse." Naruto threw his hands up in defense. If there's one slight thing about Tsunade that can indicate that she's dead serious, it's the way she cuts off people's sentences and emphasizes her words. Well maybe that's two things, but what's the difference?

"OK, who's the last one?" Naruto asked while looking at their pictures.

"Ino Yamanaka, daughter of Inoichi Yamanaka." That revelation surprised Naruto, his eyes widening as he studied her picture. Come on, Naruto thought, this teal-eyed beauty is the daughter of one of their most valuable assets in the IT division? "She, of course, expertise in her clan's mind techniques, but she also has finesse in medical ninjutsu. Haruno, Tsuchi, Subaku and Ichiraku are already looking forward to working with you."

"Oh and I assure you, they are no fangirls." Kakashi chimed in, having noticed that the blonde agent tensed up. Naruto sighed contentedly. "Also, as I mentioned earlier, Yamanaka is all yours!" Kakashi finished excitedly which made Naruto flinch, knowing that the silver-haired man had some dirty thoughts in mind.

Naruto leaned forward to whisper to Tsunade. "Um, please don't tell me he set up hidden cameras in the place where I will meet this Ino." He said, looking at her with a hopeful glint in his eyes. His hopes were crushed and his eyebrows twitched in annoyance as she answered with a shrug. He then turned to his male superior with a sadistic and threatening smile. "You better not have any shenanigans, Dog." The effect was instant, for said 'dog' paled and brought out his phone to call someone.

Naruto, now satisfied with Kakashi's actions, turned his eyes to the folder in his hand. The info on the platinum blonde states that she is currently detained in a jail for women at the other side of town, and so he decided to be on his way.

Konoha District 2 [1320 hours]

Konohagakure Jail for Women

Ino's POV

God, why have I been so stupid to end up in jail? I'm blind to think that Sasuke 'HomoDuckhead' Uchiha would want to be associated with me. Why do I have to be his effing gay beard of all the possible woman in the world? Long story, short: Sasuke Uchiha is the homo who's oh-so-infatuated with Naruto Uzumaki and used me to hide this fact. Uchiha must have thought that Naruto swings the wrong way.

Just stupid. Who would have thought that THE head cheerleader of Konoha High's crème de la crème cheering squad would end up sulking in a cell of the most-secured jail in Konoha. How pathetic. I could almost hear them laughing at me.

I was brought out of my trance as I heard the person guarding my cell call out. "Hey blondie, you've got a visitor!"

I sighed as I walked out of my cell. "It better not be Sasu-gay." I muttered. He just shrugged and led me through the corridors and into a VIP visitor's room.

"Oh, someone very important is visiting me. I am very flattered." I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice. The guard snorted as he pushed me inside. It's only thanks to my great balance that I didn't fall forward. I glared daggers at the guard who seemed unfazed and even had the audacity to smirk deviously at me.

"I suggest that you leave since your job is done here." I heard a voice tell the guard, who in turn, just rolled his eyes and left the room, locking the door in the process. I turned around to the source of the voice and had the shock of my life. The least possible person to visit me was right there standing in front of me.

"Ohayo, Ino Yamanaka. I have a preposition for you."

Note/s: Mayonaka no Kage means Midnight Shadow.

So there you have it. If you liked the story, feel free to follow, favorite, and/or leave a review. Ja!

"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force" -Yoda, Star Wars(c) Episode III: Revenge of the Sith