Hello my fellow fiction lovers. I have come up with another wonderful story for you to enjoy. I'm sorry but it's not at all like my other story "A Sasuke Problem." It is one of my best, though. The plot twists and turns like an unruly braid throughout the entire story. Have fun and watch your back. Someone might just go hunting for you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of these characters. I only own the idea of this story.
By the way, I'll let you review for free. Promise. I know it's crazy, but there are no strings attached to this promise.
Chapter 1: A New Case
"Detective. Congratulations on solving your latest case," Iruka greeted his lover, smiling. Kakashi smiled back. He hung his hat and jacket on the coatrack by the door.
"And how was your day at school, sensei?" Kakashi asked as he wrapped his arms around Iruka's waist. Iruka shrugged and kissed Kakashi's cloth-covered lips.
"Naruto has missed another day of school. I'm getting kind of worried. He hasn't been to class since last week," Iruka said as they took a seat on the couch and Kakashi turned the tv to the news.
Kakashi frowned, put an arm around Iruka's shoulders, and propped his feet on the coffee table. "I'm sure he's fine. It is that time of the year that the flu is going around," he reassured his lover.
"I fixed you some supper. It's on the table. I already ate. In fact, I think I'm going to go ahead and take my shower," Iruka said, smiling, as he got up and left the room. Kakashi turned the tv off. There was nothing new on the news tonight, anyways. He sat, looking at the television for a while. He heard the running water in the bathroom and the radio that played next door. Boy, it had been a long day. Hopefully tomorrow would be a bit easier.
The next morning, Hatake woke half an hour before the alarm clock buzzed. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling during those thirty minutes. Iruka mumbled softly in his sleep and rolled over. When the alarm buzzed, he hit the button quickly so it wouldn't wake the teacher. Kakashi smiled and placed a light kiss on Iruka's forehead before pushing the covers back and beginning a new day.
Kakashi walked into the office an hour later. He wore his usual suit and bowler hat, his guns in their holsters underneath his jacket. A black cloth covered three fourths of his face, leaving only one eye for everyone to see.
"Detective Hatake? I have your next assignment. It's sitting on your desk," informed his boss, Tsunade. She had a very composed expression resting on her face as she said this. The assignment must be special. Either that or she hadn't had any coffee this morning. The latter was probably more likely. There hadn't been a challenging case in months.
He sat in the familiar chair and opened the file that lay in wait on his desk. It was the usual murder case. His eyes widened as they scanned over the name of Naruto Uzumaki. "Shit," he whispered. How was he supposed to tell Iruka about this? Naruto was Iruka's favorite student. There was history between those two. Well, at least this explained the look on boss's face.
Kakashi sighed and covered his face with one hand. No. He can't tell Iruka just yet.
Gaara Sabaku sat on a park bench, watching as people went about their meaningless lives. Poor Pitiful people. He was clad in jeans and a black t-shirt so as not to be too conspicuous. His bright, red hair and forehead tattoo was enough as is.
His thoughts wondered to his latest victim, the Uzumaki kid. It was really too bad Naruto had to die. Gaara really didn't want to kill him. Unfortunately, Naruto was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Little brother, what are you doing here? Kankuro and I have been waiting at headquarters for over an hour, now. Just because you're the top gun, doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Come on, already," Temari, Gaara's blond older sister, said. She was bossy and often got on his nerves.
Gaara sighed and stood up. "Fine. I'm coming. Quit acting like you're my babysitter."
Temari scowled at the red-haired boy. "Then quit being a baby. If you would just be more responsible, I wouldn't have to go looking for you every day." Gaara scoffed. "The elder's like you, dear brother. But if you keep this up, they might change their minds."
It was a short walk to Temari's car, then a fifteen minute drive to headquarters. The building was ten stories tall and reminded Gaara of a bank. In large letters on the front was the name: Wade Inc. He wondered if it meant to wade as if through water or if it was the name of some American who founded the "company."
The two walked through the revolving door, up the elevator, and down the hall before they stopped at a thick wood door that looked like all of the others in the building. On this door was a sign that read "conference room." Without hesitation, temari opened the door and ushered her youngest brother inside.
The room was cavernous and dimly lit. A large table was centered and surrounded by a bunch of old guys with the exception of Kankuro. Kankuro's usually jolly disposition was replaced with one more solemn. This was no place for tomfoolery, after all.
Gaara and Temari took their usual places at either side of their brother. A middle-aged man with warm-brown hair and an expensive-looking business suit stood at the head of the table.
"I will skip all of the formal introductions and get straight to the point this day. Gaara, you are our most prized weapon. We fear and admire your abilities." Murmurs swept across the table in agreement. "However, you can not just kill whomever you please. You are a hired hit man. We, as a council, will not take any responsibility for your actions. You better think long and hard of the consequences you may face one day for your careless actions."
Gaara nodded but said nothing. In truth, he couldn't care less about what "The Council" wanted or expected of him. Most of them were as guilty as he. "They" were just a bunch of old, grumpy hypocrites.
"As of the moment," the man continued. "We do not have another assignment for you. I trust you will use this time to think hard about your actions and what you plan to do next." Gaara nodded again and the meeting was dismissed after a few other matters, not pertaining to Gaara, were acknowledged. The meeting was short, but it usually was. This was just a typical Wednesday for the red-head and his siblings.