Tsunade, fifth Hokage of Konoha, stared out the window of her office, marveling at the hidden village that she ran. She had seen the view many times before, as the Hokage, as a ninja, and even as a child, watching in admiration as her Grandfather took care of the village. She heard the door of her office open and close, but didn't bother breaking her gaze away from her village. She knew exactly who had dared interrupt her, and why they did it.
"There is a shougi tournament in Honey Country every year," she started testily. It didn't matter that she had summoned them to her office; no one interrupted her when she was musing. "Konoha usually hold its own tournament to decide who gets to represent us at this tournament. This year will be different," She turned her chair around now, smiling at the three young chuunins that stood on the other side of her desk. She reached over and picked up a non-descript manila envelope. She pulled out several pictures and fanned them out for the chuunins.
"This is Akane Tendo," she said as she picked up one of the pictures. It featured a young woman in a blue school uniform. She wasn't looking at the camera, but rather at something behind the photographer. Her face was graced with a vague smile and a dreamy far away look. "She was kidnapped several days ago. The family received a note informing them that she is going to be the first place prize in this tournament."
"Ano," a quiet voice interrupted her, "Is that even legal?"
"It is in the Honey Country, as long as the person being offered as the prize is willing. The family reports that Akane Tendo is most definitely not a willing participant, but they can't prove it to the authorities in Honey Country," Tsunade explained. Then she got out another photograph out. "This is Ranma Saotome," the photo was of a young man making a face at the camera. His black hair was pulled back in a braid, and he had very blue eyes. "He is Akane Tendo's fiancé. He has entered the tournament in an attempt to win her back."
"So how did we get pulled into this?" an uninterested voice asked.
"We have been hired by Akane Tendo's older sisters, Kasumi and Nabiki Tendo. They say that while traditionally, Ranma save Akane during these situations, he's very much a man of action, and not very good at strategy. They've hired us to make sure that Akane gets rescued, or that Ranma wins the tournament. Which ever is easier."
"Who are the other people in the photos?"
Individually she pointed out each picture, "Ukyou Kuonji, Shampoo, Mousse, Ryouga Hibiki, Cologne, and Tatewachi and Kodachi Kuno. These are people who are likely to be both ally and enemy to you and your endeavors."
"Who's who?"
"No one is really sure about that," Tsunade replied deadpan. "The tournament starts in seven days. That will give you plenty of time to come up with a strategy. Any questions?"
"What exactly is someone winning if they win the tournament?"
"They're winning Akane Tendo."
"You mean like a slave?"
"Pretty much."
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After that revelation, the three chuunin stood outside the door of the Hokage's doors. Each lost in their own thoughts.
"Man," one of them started. He was wearing a plain black turtleneck underneath his chuunin's vest. His black hair was pulled back into the same ponytail that it had been in since the other two chuunin's had known him, "This is going to be a troublesome mission."
"Everything is troublesome to you Shikamaru," one of the other two chuunin stated. He was a tall and tan young man with red lines streaking down his cheeks. A giant while dog with floppy ears sat by his heels, woofing softly in agreement with him.
"Hn."
"Isn't it weird how much Hinata and that girl looked alike?" Kiba, the dog ninja asked no one in particular.
This caused the third chuunin to gasp and stumble. She had shoulder length blue-black hair, and silver pupil less eyes. Her cheeks were turning an interesting shade of red, and she seemed to be trying to say something, but no words were coming out.
"Well, obviously more like how Hinata used to look, when her hair was shorter, but the similarities are kind of freaky," he continued.
"K-Kiba-kun," Hinata protested, even though she wasn't sure why. It's true she and the girl in the photo did look very similar.
"Huh?" Kiba asked, snapping back into reality. "Well obviously you're way prettier," he assured her, mistaking her protest for complement fishing. Hinata turned an even brighter red, "Oi, are you sick or something?" Kiba asked as he placed his hand on her forehead.
As amusing as it was to see how red Hinata could turn, Shikamaru decided to intervene. "Lets split up and pack for the mission," he suggested. "We can meet at the front gate at one and be on our way. Hinata, you've been to Honey Country before, how far away is it?"
"It's about a half days journey from here. We'll have to camp out tonight because there aren't many inns along the way," she explained.
"Akamaru says that there's going to be rain tonight," Kiba warned, while rubbing his dog's ears.
"Good to know," Shikamaru said, nodding more to himself then to anyone else. The three went their separate ways, each trying to figure out what they would need and how they would contribute the most to the success of the mission.
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Hinata cautiously made her way onto the families private training grounds. She could hear her cousin and father training. 'It's best not to interrupt them right now,' she thought to herself as she strode along the wall. She didn't try hiding, because they would definitely see her if she tried that, but she did try to remain quiet so as not to disturb their training.
A kunai shot out in front of her and thudded into the wall, centimeters away from her big toe. She didn't even pause, but stepped around it. Sometimes her father did this to her to make sure she was paying attention.
She made it to the other side of the room, before her father decided to address her.
"I hear that you have been assigned a new mission," he stated, his voice giving away nothing of how he felt about this news.
"Yes. Shikamaru, Kiba, and I will be in Honey Country for a little over a week," 'Two can play at that game,' she thought smugly as she answered back, just as deadpan.
There was an awkward silence as the two Hyuugas measured each other. Finally, her father broke it. "Don't disgrace yourself." It was the closest to good luck he would ever allow himself to give to anyone.
Hinata smiled beatifically at him as she made her way to her bedroom to pack. Her steps were lighter, even though she managed to refrain from skipping.
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Kiba opened the front door to his house with a bang. Instantly he was pounced on by dogs, many many dogs. Kiba just rolled around on the floor with them, greeting them with the same enthusiasm as they greeted him.
Soon, every dog had been greeted properly, and Kiba made his way into the kitchen, where his mom was brewing up another medical potion for a sick puppy.
"Hey Mom," he greeted casually, "I'm going to be in Honey Country for a little over a week." Then he left the room to start packing.
"Fine," she called back, "Don't cause any international incidents." Then there was a pause, "Oh, and Akamaru's bitch is pregnant. Better start looking for homes for the puppies when you get back."
"Alright," he shouted as he tried to stuff some cleanish clothes into his little backpack without bothering to fold them.
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Shikamaru walked into his home, and went strait to his room. He packed his clothes neatly, triple checked his weapons, and made sure that he had his travel shougi set so that he could play.
Then he checked the house to see if anyone was home. No one was in the house, so he went out to the field. His mom was pouring some more water into a trough.
"I'm leaving for mission. I'll be back some time next week. Chouji said that he would cover my chores for me," he informed her and tried to beat a hasty retreat.
She was silent for a while as she watched her only son walk away. Then she called him back to her. "Don't die," she told him earnestly, as she kissed his cheek. She knew that he wouldn't appreciate it, even at the age of 18, he still hated public displays of affection. She chuckled to herself as she watched him try to wipe his cheek off on his sleeve.
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The three ninjas met again at the front gates. They looked at the sky and all had the same thoughts, 'I hope that the other guys brought the tent.' Then they set off to their mission, ready to face whatever may come their way.