Chapter One: Morning in Konoha
Tanomei POV~

Ring ring rrrrrrring! I opened my right eye to see my alarm shaking all over my nightstand. 'It is so too early...' I thought to myself, "Ugh." I lifted a hand to turn it off just as my little brother, Marakuno, ran in yelling, "Wake-up onne-chan! It's morning time! Come on wake up!" He rushed to my bedside, shaking my shoulders gently, but with purpose.

I sat up and said, "Good morning, ni-chan. I am getting up right now but you did not need to come in, as I was already awake." Though I said this, I could not help thinking, 'What a lie.'

He looked at me suspiciously, "Alright onne-chan, but I was wondering if you would take me to the ramen shop for breakfast, you never take me with you and I want to come this morning. Please?"

I looked at him. He was giving me the 'pretty please?' face. He's right, I never take him with me 'It isn't that he's ill behaved or anything, and it isn't terribly out of my way. Why not?' After juggling the possibilities I decided, "Hai, hai, just let me get ready will you, ni-chan?"

He looked at me impatiently; crossing his little arms and furrowing his brow, and said, "Alright onne-chan. Just don't take TOO long, okay?"

I stood up and walked over to the bathroom, still in my nightgown. Then in the doorway I stopped, turned and replied, "Alright, ni-chan."

I gave a little shooing gesture telling him to run along and he obeyed, walked out the door closing it behind him. I took a shower and got dressed, picking out my usual red and white tunic, standard black ninja sandals with my own ankle dagger, and red waist sash. As I wrapped my leg and hands in tape, securing my ninja pouch to my thigh, I thought, 'He is such a good kid, and after all we've been through… I'm really lucky to have him.'

The mirror was losing its steam as I stared into it, pulling my thick dark hair up into a ponytail and securing it with two chopsticks and a comb. 'I'm so glad that he is able to be as happy as he is... I'm nearly... Envious.'

Once I had finished my morning preparations, I walked into the living room to see my little brother sitting upside-down on the couch looking extremely bored and annoyed. A bit embarrassed, but more so amused, I looked to him and said, "I'm ready."

The vibrant young boy sat up, jumped down, ran over and stopped short in front of me. Annoyed, he asked, "What took you SO long onne-chan?"

I smirked and said jokingly as I ruffled my dear little brother's hair, "Well ni-chan, it takes awhile to accomplish these looks," I smiled with a theatrical hair flip.

With a sarcastic snort, Marakuno retorted, "Onne-chan, you're pretty but you're not so unbelievably gorgeous that it should take you an hour and fifteen minutes just to get ready to go eat breakfast at the ramen shop."

We both stood and looked at each other very seriously before laughing. His charming, childish eight-year-old laugh rang out, overpowering my modest chuckle. After our bit of cutting up, we slipped on our shoes and headed out to the Ichiraku Ramen shop. While walking down the street we run into my good friend, Yamanaka Ino. She caught sight of me and stood on her toes as she waved, "Tanomei-chan! Good morning Tanomei-chan!" Her long blonde ponytail swung from side to side as she ran to us, clearly excited. 'Hopefully she'll be in a good mood this morning,' my good friend thought. I groaned quietly under my breath, 'It's just another day.'

"Konichiwa, Ino-chan. How are you this morning?" I did my best to smile for her, as that was the proper way to great a good friend. Besides, I did not get to see Ino-chan often seeing as she was two years my younger, and had just graduated the ninja academy a few months ago, whereas I had graduated over a year ago and now had a team and regular missions of my own to attend to.

My friend then piped up excitedly, "I'm great! How are you? And, Oh! Who is this little cutie?" I sighed slightly and blinked a few times, then blocked her out, listening to her speech.

She then ruffled my little brother's hair as I said, "I'm fine and this is my little brother, Marakuno. I am taking him to breakfast this morning at the ramen shop."

Ino-chan smiled so widely it seemed to me that her teeth would leap from her mouth and dance before me, as she chirped, "Ooh, sounds like fun! Can I come too? Please? Marakuno-kun is so cute!"

Quickly 'the cutie' looked at me nervously and thought, 'Onne-chan, who is this woman, and why is she rufflling my hair?' I ignored him and observed as he looked to her, stating defensively, "I'm not cute. I'm a ninja."

Ino-chan smiled at this and said in a cooing, baby tone, "Well who says you can't be cute and a ninja? I do it everyday!"

Marakuno-kun was not pleased by this comment. He looked at her, annoyed but seeing her big smile, he knew this was a fight he could not win. Making this realization he turned, made a little 'hmph' sound of disapproval and said nothing more about it. Ino-chan turned back to me and smiled, "Cute! So how 'bout it can I?"

She gave me the exact same 'pretty please?' look that my own brother had used on me just a short while ago, though hers had a bonus pouting lip. I sighed lightly, "Alright you can come with us. Come, ni-chan."

He looked up and scurried over by my side; as we walked, Ino-chan stood my left side and ni-chan to my right, we passed small shops and modest apartment that were waking with the people of Konoha and shortly we arrived at the ramen shop for some breakfast.

We sat down now with ni-chan in the middle, which he was definitely not happy about, and we ordered. Ino-chan stated brightly as always, "I'd like some sweet biscuits please, Ichiraku-san!"

Ni-chan looked at me and asked if he could order for himself; I nodded so he sat up straight, his chest puffed out in a mock-masculine fashion as announced happily, "One pork ramen with eggs, please!"

I sat back in the wooden chair which stood high from the floor, propping my feet up on a small, narrow shelf below the counter, "One miso ramen as usual Master Ichiraku."

The cheerful middle-aged man nodded and answered with a warm, welcoming smile, "Coming right up!"

Ni-chan shot a glance at me, then nudged me when I did not turn. "What is it ni-chan?" I asked him and he pointed at Ino-chan, and said, "Onne-chan, I still have no idea who this woman is, tell me please."

'Well I guess Ino-chan isn't offended, good' I sighed and answered him, "Calm down ni-chan, her name is Yamanaka Ino. She is a Genin under Sensei Sarutobi Asuma, she is also my very good friend so please don't be rude. You may call her Ino-san, Yamanaka-san, or you can call her Ino-chan like I do."

Ni-chan looked satisfied for the most part and thought before a moment before nodding, "Okay, I will call her Ino-chan," he turning to her he asked, "Is that alright with you, Ino-chan?"

In reaction she smiled hugely, pleased by this, and ruffling his hair again, "Of course it's okay Marakuno-kun! Oh you are just too cute! Simply adorable! I wish I had such a cute little brother! Oh you are just SO stinkin' cute!"

While she rambled on, raving about my little brother I just sat back and sighed. Ino-chan looked at me annoyed and said, "Tanomei-chan, how come you're always so calm and apathetic? It seems like it's impossible for you to show emotion! You're never excited, or happy. It's like you're always the same calm, dull emotion! It's like you just don't care about anything! Even I, your best friend have never seen you really smile! The most I've ever gotten out of you is a smirk! You are just so boring and unreadable sometimes!"

Irritated only slightly by this I turned part of my attention to her and replied, "Calm down Ino-chan. You're getting so worked up about nothing," I smirked with amusement, "Besides, who said all that was a bad thing, anyway?"

She looked at me, her comically high level of annoyance was clearly apparent. I knew that would make her angry, but honestly she was right; I could not possibly care less. 'What does it matter if I don't give a damn? Why should I? No need in getting all worked up by it. I have better things to do with my time. Ugh.'

By that time we had finished eating and it was time for ni-chan to go to school so we said goodbye and left Ino-chan, who was yelling after us, "Bye Tanomei-chan! Goodbye Marakuno-kun! See you!" she blew him a kiss.

Marakuno ni-chan blushed wildly, this amused me because it was not entirely clear whether he was embarrassed or he found Ino-chan cute. I looked back to her, "Ja ne Ino-chan, see you."

We left to take ni-chan to school; this was not very far out of my way seeing as the ramen shop was just a couple of streets down from the ninja academy. Once we got there we saw his friends Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udan waiting for him, as young companions do. They saw me and came running, yelling as they went, "Onne-chan! Marakuno-kun! Good morning!"

The excited children ambushed me, and I picked them up in my arms, as they were small enough to do so, "Good morning to you too, Moegi, Konohamaru-kun. How are you doing this morning dears?"

Moegi hugged me tightly and replied with a smile, "I'm doing great, onne-chan! Onne-chan, I'm so happy to see you this morning, I haven't seen you over the weekend!"

Konohamaru looked at me and spoke up, defensively and competitively, "Hey! I missed you too, onne-chan! Where were you over the weekend, anyway?"

I laughed a little, answering the barrage of questions the children had thrown at me, "Hai, hai, so many questions Moegi, Konohamaru-kun. I missed you guys too. I was training with my team I'm sorry I didn't see you, but I'm glad you missed me so much. What about you, Udan-kun? Did you miss me dear?"

He looked up, his eyes wide in amazement that someone took complete and total interest in him enough to address him personally. He sniffled, smiled, and said quietly, "Of course I did, onne-chan."

The he too ran over and I picked him up as well. Marakuno was the one to point out that if they didn't hurry they would be late for class. Moegi, Konohamaru, and Udan-kun hopped down and all said, "Ja ne, onne-chan! See you!"

I smiled and waved as I called after the sweet little children, "Jamagata Moegi, Konohamaru, Udan, Marakuno-kun. See you."

So, with my earliest job done, I turned around and set out to training grounds B-12 to find one of my teammates, Okibisochi Genshi, waiting for me. "What took you, so long Tanomei?" he said looking impatient and annoyed with me.

This was too trivial to even annoy me so I shrugged, "Well. Is Korutsichi-sensei here yet?"

Genshi-san paused, "Well, um no, not yet," he answered in a wary tone.

Nodding, I looked at him, "Then I am not late. I am early. You are simply earlier than I am. Do you see?"

He looked confused, but realizing he was defeated, he sighed and answered me, "Yes. Yes, Tanomei." Genshi-san for some reason looked a little irritated and disappointed that I had won. I did not understand seeing as this was nothing new.

At that moment Tetsutan Hanoku-san arrived and greeted us both brightly, "Hey guys, what's up? I heard we had a mission with squad 7, tomorrow! I'm psyched! How 'bout you guys?"

Genshi-san's face flushed crimson with fury; he turned to Hanoku-san and hissed sharply, through his teeth, "Which one?"

Hanoku looked confused, as the boy was not terribly bright in the ways of common sense and therefore said, "Which one do you think? Team Gai, duh!" suddenly he remembered the reason Genshi was so enraged, "Oh yeah... uh-oh."

Genshi looked furious. I even took a step back. Every physical feature he had now reflected his anger in full form. Even the hairs on his arms stood on end, like a hissing tomcat. He looked like he was going to explode and both Hanoku and I knew why.

Okibisochi Genshi-san hates team 7, because one time he fought Hyuuga Neji-sama, and not only did he lose terribly, but when he was still on the ground, Neji stepped on his back pinning him there, and looked right at him and called him a loser. Genshi was forced to listen to Neji saying he was pathetic and a mediocre nin such as he could never beat him in a million years. The humiliation stuck with him to this very day.

I, however, had no problem with this mission. Ten-ten was my best friend, and I hadn't seen her in a very long time. 'I miss her, and Neji-sama...' I turned to Genshi and said, now irritated by his childishness, "Calm down, will you Genshi-san? Could you for once try to forgive and forget? Because if you start anything, and screw up this mission, Neji-sama will be the very least of your problems, do you understand me, Genshi?"

I stared into his eyes with one of my famed "death looks". He nodded quietly, embarrassed and sore. It was an awkward silence. Hanoku-kun became bored and began throwing random kicks and punches at a stump; Genshi sat and sulked near Hanoku; and I sat up against a tree trying to block Genshi's bitter thoughts.

'It has been so long since I've seen them, team 7. Many months, what with the flood of C missions a couple months back, with the majority of Genin fresh out of school most of them were split between my own team and Team Gai. Ten-ten, my closest friend and Neji-sama…' Looking up at the tree's high branches swaying lightly in the breeze, I peacefully visualized his face in my mind. Upon closing my eyes, it was like he was right in front of me, smiling, like one would at an inside-joke. I stepped forward.. he took my hand.. the space between us became more and more narrow.. His stare penetrated deep into my eyes as our faces met and-

"Tanomei! Can you help me with this new kick I'm learning? Genshi's bein' a sissy and won't do it." My eyes snapped open and I looked over to see that the shout had come from Hanoku-kun, who stood a with his hands on his hips, and a frustrated look on his face which much of his shaggy blonde hair covered. I stood, 'What a strange dream...' I thought to myself as I walked over to him. "Okay, Hanoku, just uh, give me a minute."

Hanoku looked at me, his blue eyes shone bright with a look half confused and half mocking, he spoke in a matching tone, "Were you sleeping?"

"Well, uh..." Embarrassed, I started to reply until I was saved by the bell, so to speak. Korutsichi-sensei arrived, appearing right next to me. Hanoku-kun and I stated in unison, as this phrase was said nearly every day, "You are late Korutsichi-sensei."

Genshi remained quiet, sitting next to the stump Hanoku had been practicing on. Sensei smiled like a schoolboy who had been caught and laughed as he looked at his watch and said, "Well, whaddaya know? I guess I am a little tardy aren't I? I was supposed to be here at ten o'clock? Well, its eleven o'clock. That's no too bad, huh?"

My eyes narrowed at him as I put one hand on my hip, and he knew I was serious. I stared at him and answered bitterly, "Korutsichi-sensei, you were supposed to be here at nine not ten, nine. That means you are two hours behind. And yes, that is too bad. That makes all of us two hours behind. Do you understand? You are simply lucky Hanoku-kun has already told us about the mission. Very lucky. I do not know the details, which are your job to tell us. This will also take time, giving us even less time to train. I'm simply guessing that will take about half an hour so we are now two and a half hours behind. So you have just put all of us two and a half hours behind, and you know I have to go pick up Marakuno-kun from school later, so you've just ruined my day. How do feel about that, Korutsichi-sensei?"

My scarlet eyes burned through his own I could see I had rendered him powerless. He was scared, as he should be, knowing I was angry. He stumbled and could not look me directly in the eyes. "I um. Well I, you see, I- I'm so sorry um I'll tell you guys the details now, Tanomei-chan. I-I apologize."

"Hmph. Well that's ok, just get on with the details. Ugh." I rolled my eyes, cracking my neck in hopes it might help relax me. I almost felt bad for Sensei, as I had just taken all my current anger out on him. He straightened and gathered himself he looked around at everyone, cleared his throat and announced, "Alright we are delivering a necklace to the land of Tea, for Lord Hokage. It's a very special gift and a B-rank mission. So do your best."

I nodded approvingly and Hanoku jumped up, punching the air with excitement, "B-rank? Yes! This is awesome! Yeah! This is gonna be the best mission ever!"

His cheers gave me a headache, I thought, 'Can't Hanoku calm down for once in his short little hyperactive life?' I held my ear, and tried to smile, "I am also excited. So when do we leave, sensei?"

"We will need to be at the village gates at five thirty, okay?" he looked around, secretly hoping for some protest, it seemed.

I nodded. "Great, that means you will need to be there at five. I will not allow you to be late for this mission. Do you understand, sensei?"

Kurotsichi-sensei looked shocked, his jaw dropped. "Five? Are you kidding me? I don't even think about get up that early! You have got to be crazy!"

I looked directly at him with my 'no I most certainly am not kidding' look, "You'll live. Be there and remember I will be there at four thirty. So I will know if you are not there. Don't even think about faking it."

He sighed deeply and sunk his face down into his hands, rubbing his temples in his distress. "Yes, Tanomei. I'll be there. (Good lord help me.) Okay."

Though I was entirely serious, I smiled at him a little, "You'll be fine. Trust me."