Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters except the original ones I create.

Hello all,

I am Orangeman727 and am proud to present my first fanfiction story. Having read hundreds (if not thousands) of stories over the past six years or so, I thought I would try my hand at writing one. I plan to spin out about one chapter a week, though it will only be around 800-900 words. I'm still getting used to writing and, just to warn readers, I did not plot out this whole story. We'll take it one chapter at a time and see where it goes from there. I hope you enjoy.

Warning: This story is rated M for mature, and contains violence, along with character death. Read at your own risk.

Character talking: "Hello."

Character thinking: Hello.

Unwrapping Udon

While the stars twinkled silently overhead, Udon, a recently promoted chuunin, and his squad of three quickly leapt from tree to tree en route to their objective. They avoided the roads, and used chakra (a mix of spiritual and physical energy) to allow their limbs the ability to stick to the large, almost unnaturally big trees. Stealth was critical, for with each step they cut deeper into the hostile territory of the shinobi village Iwagakure.

Their mission was simple: locate and eliminate a traveling merchant, Takahashi Konji, who had been discovered selling tactical information about Konoha's defenses to Iwa. It was only uncovered due to the hard work of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation department. Ms. Mitarashi and her talented new assistant, Yamanaka Ino, are apparently extremely effective, Udon mused. He took a moment to check his gear.

Like any shinobi or aspiring assasin, his squad was armed with the best that their government could afford. How Konoha's weapons were so expertly crafted was a well-guarded secret that the Higurashi clan kept to themselves. Back to the gear check: Their kunai knives were hidden subtly in the many pockets of their light yet camouflaging gear, which was built lightweight yet sturdy to provide the optimal combination of protection and mobility. Udon and his two companions had slowly and painstakingly smeared every inch of visible skin in a layer of mud. If they were caught here, no one would come to save them. Not their shinobi village, Konohagakure, nor any of the samurai from their Daimyo's legions.

We're on our own.

An assortment of weapons and tools, including tripwire and exploding tags, was gathered in the hours of preparation before the mission started. No potential advantage was ignored. Arriving quietly at a large manor, the team proceeded to scout.

Ito Fumi, the team's loudmouth, was unusually quiet as she began her scouting mission alongside the west perimeter. She was tapping her spiked steel knuckles on her right hand anxiously with her left. This was her first assassination oriented mission as a chuunin, and her nerves swayed back and forth like a fragile tree's branches in the wind. She glanced back at where Udon was still standing with her other teammate, Kazuo.

Just after Fumi continued scouting, Saito Kazuo, a tall and lanky teenager with a wiry frame that defied his strength, disappeared to the left. In his mouth he chewed on a toothpick, with two short katanas strapped to his back. His relaxed posture throughout the trek to their target had assured his two less experienced squad mates of the success of their mission. The team had heard vague reports that Takahashi had some sort of former shinobi as a bodyguard. He was not worried, anyhow. This was just another extermination of a rat. Takahashi might be a rich rat, but he was a rat nonetheless.

Udon sat in contemplation, still at the spot his teammates had left him. Attempting to distancing himself from the bowl cut of his days when he hung around Moegi and Konohamaru, the fifteen-year old had let his hair grow. It still hung down straight, but was now shoulder length, almost making him look like a hippie enthusiast, not that there were hippies in his world. Although there was no official leader of their team, Fumi and Kazuo had began to look to him as a sort of tactician. While not exemplary in a specific shinobi field, he was in utilizing the basics to the fullest.

He was no longer the snot-nosed ten-year old who had praised Naruto as his "boss." Why would he? Naruto never taught him anything. The only reason Udon had even called him boss was because of Konohamaru's influence. Why had he even listened to Konohamaru? They were all snot-nosed brats at that time, anyway.

With a sigh, he snapped back to his surroundings. There was the manor in the forest, just as their contact had said. It was only a single story, but it spread out over a large area. From where he was, he could make out two guards at the front gate. He checked the time.

That should be enough time for them both to have gotten into position, he mused. He began a sequence of handseals, and then shot a fireball directly above the manor. When he heard the distant sounds of his teammates initiating their parts of the plan, he leapt off his perch in the tree and began doing his. One by one, he set up traps along the perimeter of the path leading away from the main gate.

After Udon's traps were set, he checked the time again. He grumbled to himself.

The target is late. Why can't all traitors be on time?

His thoughts were put on the back burner as he spotted Takahashi and his guards making their way towards the main entrance.

Well, Udon mused, Takahashi gets points for being predictable. Udon focused on the guards, who were intermingled with the various bandits the fat merchant had hired as protection. Takahashi's face had almost completely turned red, and he was struggling to bark orders and run at the same time. Shouldn't a good businessman be able to multitask?

"Quickly," Takahashi huffed, "before those damn ninjas catch up! Get me safe!" At first Udon worried that Fumi or Kazuo had gone too far in their herding of Takahashi, but then he remembered and trusted in the missions they had all experienced and survived together. No, they would not fail here, when a mistake could cost Konoha more and more. It was more likely the pig-figured businessman was just naturally pushy.

The bandits grumbled but obeyed the order, not used to being treated as such but paid too well to complain. They continued their slow jog, exiting the main gate and almost arriving upon the area Udon had booby-trapped.

Almost, he urged, just a little bit farther.

(POV Change)

Damn, that's the last time I eat that much, Kazaki Mai grumbled. And why did those ninjas, he spat at the word, have to choose such an inopportune moment to attack? There was no way he could enjoy his boar-on-a-spit while actively exercising.

Kazaki Mai, the leader of the bandits, repressed a grimace. He let out a belch as he jogged along Takahashi, and then pat his stomach worriedly. If this kept up, he would have to find a spot to puke. Looking up, he thought he saw a dull glint on the ground a dozen yards in front of him. His brow furrowed in confusion.

It couldn't be a trap… could it? None of the lookouts had reported anything except the attack by the two ninjas who were still fighting in the base behind him. Stopping for a moment he glanced to his charge, whose head was looking like a red balloon more and more.

"Why'd you stop?" Takahashi demanded. "My safe house is that way!" He pointed a pudgy finger towards a location past the ground where Kazaki saw the dull glint. "Quickly, before those damn ninjas catch up! Get me safe!" Anxious to get away, he started running to where he pointed, all of his makeshift army following except Kazaki, who was slowly connecting the dots. His eyes widened.

"Wait," he screamed, "it's a-," he never got to finish his sentence.

(POV Change)

Right as Takahashi's private army entered the area he had cleared out earlier, Udon cut a small wire with a kunai. A large river of oil, murky and slimy, shot up into the air and thoroughly drenched the bandits. Shortly after, as they slipped and slid on the ground, Udon cut a second wire. This triggered a small catapult to launch small pieces of flint into the air, each directly heading towards a small rock strategically placed at a corner of the oil field.

Everything happened in slow motion: The flint turning end over end, Kazaki's mouth open in horrific realization, Takahashi frantically crawling through the field towards the woods. Then all hell broke loose.

The flints impacted, and with a spark the field was engulfed in flames. Human outlines were visible in the flames, flailing and screaming, struggling in vain to put out the fires. Udon observed silently, watching as Takahashi was first lit and then slowly burnt away, his flesh turning to ash in front of his eyes. This screaming and begging from the bandits went on until, one by one; they died, collapsing onto the ground in a smoldering heap.

That'll teach them to betray Konoha.

As he watched, he felt Fumi and Kazuo appear behind him in a blur of speed, already finished with their objectives. Their weapons dripped red, and shone brightly in the glint from the flames. Kazuo had already sat down on the branch, taking a cloth from his equipment to begin methodically wiping his two katanas. He chewed on a toothpick silently.

Fumi seemed to be the only one affected by the outcome of this mission. She shook her head slowly, dark bags had formed under her eyes from the preparation both mentally and tactically needed for this mission.

Udon continued staring at the flames, seemingly lost in thought. Shadows danced on his face from the flickering light, distorting his mouth and face impishly. He smiled, looking like a crazed arsonist enjoying his art. Breathing deeply, he turned, heading back to Konoha.

Kazuo turned to follow, then slowly put his hand on Fumi's shoulder before following. Seeming to draw strength from this, she followed her teammates.

Author's Note: Well, what did you guys think? It is okay for you guys to read and not review (I know I do it all the time), but it is always a pleasure to get some constructive criticism. Until next chapter.