I do not own Naruto.

-- Author's notes --

Hello all! This story is a little bit of an experiment. Tell me which you like more, this one, or Flower. And I wasn't sure what the Kage of Iwa was called, so I went of Google and Tsuchikage was all I found.

--Chapter 1: In which there is the Mission of the month--

It was Saturday morning and I woke up that day feeling rather well-rested. It isn't often that I sleep that well, not even on the holidays. It's most likely because lately I've been getting lots of headaches that kept me up all night long because of my high blood pressure issue. In other words, I'm completely stressed out. Being stressed out is unhealthy and I should probably just calm down and smell the roses, but I hate roses a lot so I never really followed through with that tag line.

So yes, I woke up this morning and I did what I did every day. One thing about me is that every single day is planned out and activities are measured in units. Units do not represent hours, because hours are much too overwhelming for me and I'm stressed out enough, so units merely represent half an hour or, thirty minutes.

Brushing teeth; one unit, getting ready for the day; one unit, eating breakfast; two units. My list goes on like that, and some activities are longer than the others, but all in all, my days are full and busy, simply no time for anything else. I am a ninja, but only because my parents insisted on it and will not let me quit.

I'm nineteen, and still my parents insist that I cannot make my own decisions and think for myself. I did not want to be a ninja; I wanted to be a dentist. Why? I have very good oral hygiene. I haven't had a cavity once. That's nineteen years! And that's pretty impressing, unless you think it's strange to have shiny teeth.

I sat up in my bed and rubbed my eyes, letting them adjust to the blinding light that flooded through my window. Damn the blasted sun, blinding me as I'm just getting up. My head throbbed in pain. Stupid migraine. That's the last thing I need. Maybe I should go steal some painkillers so that I can have a good day. Well, maybe there's more for me in the future. Maybe today something good will happen.

I had a good sleep last night, maybe it's some sort of epiphany saying "Guess what? You're going to have a great day". I don't know. But if it did, I'd be very pleased and walk through the village with a jump in my step, a smile on my face, and a migraine. That'd just be lovely, now wouldn't it? I sighed and finally got out of bed, my eyes still slightly closed. I wanted to return to my cocoon of warmth and fall asleep once more, but that's mess with my daily routine, and I don't want to do that. It's against my policy.

And so, I got up, my room spotless other then my messy bed. My walls were just a plain green color, and the floors were a white carpet that massaged your feet whenever you took a new step forward, or backward. My furniture was only a wardrobe, a side table, and a twin sized bed. All of this was the same light wood.

Of course I had a closet, and finally I had a pale yellow lamp with peeling paint. I never had the time to get a new one. I walked on the soft carpet, slightly disappointed when I stepped out of my room into the hardwood floor in the hallway. The hallway had pictures of my family, my mom, dad, and I, hanging all over the walls. And, there was a small table with a flower vase on it.

I just walked into the washroom, my eyes closed. I had remembered the layout of my own home, for I've been doing the same thing every day for the past sixteen years. I was too young when I was three, two, and one to know any better than to sleep, cry, and eat. Well anyway, I walked into the washroom, the cool tile meeting my feet. I looked into the mirror to see my light brown hair which is always mistaken for blonde.

My skin was pale, and if I stayed into the sun too long without sunscreen I turn into a tomato. And, I saw the same, boring chestnut eyes that I saw every day. And, I'm getting bored with my look. Perhaps a haircut? No, I'm used to my hair being like this – nice and long. I can fix it into many different (odd) styles when I have nothing to do and I can put it in braids without the smaller ends sticking out.

I parted my bangs so that they were off to the side, framing my face and tickling my cheeks. I hate my hair. It's always boring and straight. And then on top of it, it's always getting tangled every ten minutes. I decided that I'd just wear my hair in a ponytail. I lazily put my hair in a pony tail with a plain elastic band and then turned the sink on, splashing cold water onto my face. Almost immediately I woke up, and I wiped my face dry with a towel.

After my face was dry and clean, I got my toothbrush and squeezed some toothpaste out of the nearly empty tube. I brushed at my teeth thoroughly, as though I was about to see a dentist of go on a date, which, by the way, I've never gone on before.

Once I thought my teeth were completely clean, I spat out whatever was in my mouth and rinsed my mouth out, also washing my toothbrush. Then, I gurgled some mouthwash, spat it out, and went back to my room to get ready for whatever the day had in store for me.

I opened my closet and pulled out blue khaki pants that could be pulled to your knees and a plain white t-shirt. I looked as though I was just going to lounge around the house all day once I had put my clothes on. But that wasn't the case; I was going to lounge around the village the whole day. That is, after I eat my breakfast of frosted flakes cereal, like I do every morning. Then, I pulled on some runners and then began to make my way downstairs into the kitchen after fixing my bed to its normal tidiness.

The smell of coffee wafted from the kitchen as I walked down the stairs, and I knew that my parents were up, ready to ask me the same thing they always did. Sure enough, my father was sitting at the table reading the paper and my mother was pouring coffee for herself. I bided them both good morning and got my frosted flakes, bowl, milk and spoon and sat down at the table across from my father, and I began to eat my breakfast quietly like every good little daughter should.

"So, do you have a mission today?" my father asked, or rather, grunted. He turned the page of the newspaper. My father had light brown hair that was always astray and green eyes. I rolled my eyes. Told you he was going to ask that. Well, my answer came out slurred, like I was drunk. Why? Because I've said it so many times before.

"Not today dad." I mumbled, resuming eating my breakfast. It's not like I want a mission anyway. I hate being a ninja. Who wants to go around killing people and getting scrolls and stuff all day? Well, not me. I'm far too lazy and cowardly. My mother sat at the table with us. My mother was an utter beauty queen, and that sucks for me because I don't care about how I look as long as I'm comfortable.

"Good morning Kaori." said her mother with a smile. I flinched. I hate my name. It's so feminine and I really don't like it. I'm ashamed to be called "Kaori". I just smiled at her.

My cereal is getting runny. I hate it when my cereal's runny. So I quickly ate the last bites of frosted flakes, said good bye to my parents, and disappeared out the door. Once I was outside of the house, I looked around. I was currently living in Iwakagure. It's not all that bad. I like it.

I walked through the bustling streets and tried to make my way to the library. The library was where I spent or wasted most of my time. I enjoy reading up on history. I arm myself with knowledge just in case I need it in the future. Who knows? Perhaps one day I'll be trapped with some crazy serial killer, but at least I'll know all their skills. Another fact about me is that once I read something, I memorize it.

Once I was in the library, I said hello to the librarian. I went right away to the history section and then tapped my chin, talking to myself quietly as I tried to decide what I wanted to read. Finally, I came across a book that I haven't read yet. Akatsuki. Well, everyone knows that Akatsuki. They're an s-ranked criminal group of missing ninjas, but I'd like to know more about the members individually, like I said, just in case.

I plucked the book off the shelf and headed to the table and plopped myself into the chair I always sat at. I opened the book, and the first person I saw was named Uchiha Itachi. He' from Konoha, he's one of the last two Uchihas and he's the murderer of the whole clan that he massacred a couple of years ago when his younger brother was eight. Wow that's pretty dry. Some older brother he must be.

I turned the page and saw Suna no Sasori. Master of puppets and the genius that designed all of the battle puppets that are used today in Suna. Well, that's a little tense. He's also made himself a living puppet and he uses the most lethal poisons known to man in his weapons. Finally, I turned the page again. Deidara of Iwagakure. He's from Iwa? Apparently, he is a specialist with bombs and explosives, and uses clay and bombs for weapons.

"Kaori-san?" said a voice. I yelped and jumped up, looking over my shoulder at the speaker that had startled me. I fixed my posture. It was an ANBU.

"Yes?" I asked. The ANBU bowed his or her head.

"Tsuchikage-sama wishes to see you." he or she said once more. I nodded. I wonder if they're finally going to strip me of being a ninja. I'm totally useless, so I wouldn't blame them if they did. It's not like I go on missions or save people. I haven't been on a mission in a couple of months.

I followed the ANBU to the Tsuchikage building, inwardly practicing my reaction. I'll act as though it's the end of the world, and act disappointed, and then once I'm a good distance away, I'll celebrate and jump for joy. That's the plan. Finally, we reached the office, and the ANBU allowed me to step inside. I remained expressionless as I bowed my head to our Kage. He nodded.

"I have a mission for you. In our prison, you are going to guard an Akatsuki member. It is not hard, but he is your responsibility. Make sure he does not escape. You will watch him for a month, and try to ask questions. All of our specialists on this are currently on long term missions, so it's your responsibility to do it for them. After the month is over, he will be hanged." he said. I blinked. A mission!

"May I ask who it is?" I asked. The Kage nodded once more.

"It is Deidara, a former ANBU from Iwagakure." said the Tsuchikage. I tried not to laugh. I had just been reading about this Deidara and now I get to meet him?

"Okay. When do I start?" I asked.

"Right now. Make sure that you have all your supplies. Here are the keys," he said, throwing me the keys, "You are now dismissed."

I bowed my head and began to walk home to get my supplies. I hadn't used my supplies in years. But really, a mission? When was the last time I've been on a mission? I don't even remember. It must have been forever. And I really didn't want to watch this Deidara person. I doubt that I'll be able to watch him as well. I'll probably be dead by the end of the day.

Once I reached my house, I fumbled with my keys, but eventually found the one that opened the door to my house. Once the door was open, I stepped and inside and climbed the steps that lead upstairs. I walked into my tidy room and opened my closet, pulling out a box. Inside the box were my forehead protector, kunai pouches, and my sword. Do I even remember how to wield it?

I shrugged the thought away and fastened the forehead protector around my forehead, but leaving my side bangs alone. Then, I fixed the two kunai pouches; one around my leg and one around my waist. Once I was done, I took the sword and tied the scabbard around my waist. Once I was ready, I headed toward the prison, ready to start my first mission in a long time.

-x-x-x-

I stood in front of the heavy, large, strong metal door that lead to the prison, where the prisoners were kept. There were ANBU here, but they watched the minor criminals and they watch the office as well. I'm the one that's just guarding the one missing-nin. Well, he probably isn't all that great of a shinobi since they're having me look after him. Maybe all the Jounins and ANBU were busy. So they had a little whelp like me watch him.

It isn't that hard, really. All I do is make sure he doesn't escape. He has handcuffs, he's blindfolded, and he's sitting in a chair. That's all I've been told by my friend, who is an ANBU and has watched an Akatsuki member named Hidan before.

I opened the door, having to use both hands since the door was so heavy, and walked inside. The first thing I noticed was that it smelled like a hospital. The lights were fluorescent and bright, and the walls and floors were all white. It made me feel like I was in a dentist office. My vision of being a dentist slowly faded away, and I shook my head wildly and continued my way.

I knew that all I had to do was look for the door that said, "S-Rank" on it. That's where they keep the s-ranked criminals, and they're always watched individually. I don't know why they get so much attention, but it's probably because everyone knows that they might get their asses kicked if they try to fight.

I used the keys to open the door. I peeked inside, and sure enough there was a boy sitting in the chair, with a blindfold on and his hands handcuffed behind his back. I raised an eyebrow. Who's this little twerp? This is Deidara? The s-ranked criminal that we're all so scared of? Yeah right. Why weren't there pictures of him in that book? That way I would've been prepared for this. But really, this little whelp is the one that blows people up all day? I can't believe it. Once again- no wonder they had me watch him.

I plopped myself in the chair in front of him, getting bored already. I had to say something, start some sort of conversation, "You're Deidara?"

What a stupid question. What the hell of course it's Deidara! Who else would it be? Well it was too late to take back my words, and the boy replied, "Well obviously I'm Deidara. Obviously you aren't very bright, yeah." he said with a snort. I glared. I hate this guy. He's a smartass. But, his voice is so deep. So I guess he's not a kid. He's definitely older than me.

"Well you obviously aren't bright either, for you dared to show your face around the village you betrayed." I said with a glare. I knew he couldn't see it, but I was hoping that it burned through the blindfold he was wearing. He smirked.

"They caught me off guard after I had finished a mission just outside of here, yeah. They got lucky, I had no clay." he said, his voice had a strange tone to it. His voice was so malicious.

I glared. I really did not like this guy, "And you couldn't do hand to hand combat?"

Deidara just smirked once more, "I just said that I was on a mission, yeah. I was tired."

I snorted, resisting the urge to tell him that he was pathetic and should be ashamed to be in the position he is in. He's the underdog. I was in a position of power and he dares to argue back? Well then again, if he ever broke out of those chains and really is the s-ranked missing nin that everyone knew him as, then I was good as dead. I would be screwed, so I guess I'll just have to sit here for now, just let him sit there looking like an idiot.

How can he be in such a vulnerable position and then sit there like he doesn't care? It's almost as though he thinks he'll live. He's going to die after this month. I almost felt a little sorry for him.

This was going to be the longest month of my life.

-- Author's notes --

Well, that's the first chapter. If you think that you like this story over Flower, please inform me and Flower will be deleted. R&R if you like.