To anyone who is curious, this is an AU (Alternate universe), with slight OOC, so please do not get confused.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is recognizable to Masashi Kishimoto's work.

…

Chapter 1: Kaboom.

Life is a bang, so that would make life end with a boom, as well as fireworks for other people's enjoyment...

…

Load.

Aim.

Fire.

Those words ring though my mind as well as the echo of the fire as I push up my goggles to the top of my head, examining my work. Behind the tinted glass, the examiners watch and nod, scribbling their notes in clipboards, as I again push down the goggles, cock the Browner Pistol and shoot, this time hitting the plaster dummy right between the eyes, looking like nothing, however, compared to the holes littered all over the thing.

One examiner whistles and laughs, though I don't join. I leave as soon as the fire is shot, dropping the goggles on the floor as I wipe my forehead with my shoulder sleeve. I take off the ear mufflers as well, though I was already accustomed to the piercing bang of the gun.

I walk out of the room, slumping onto a wooden bench as I watch the examiners leave the room in a single file, one even going far enough to wink at me.

Idiot.

I take a drink out my water bottle, sighing as a droplet of sweat runs down my cheek and trails down my neck. Summer in Konoha isn't the prettiest thing around. You could fry an egg on the floor with this temperature.

I heave myself back up, dragging my feet to the changing stations.

…

My black stilettos echo through the hall, the whole place made of glass. The stairs, walls, elevators, everything. It's remarkable how clean they keep it. I try to smoothen out my black raven hair, stray strands not staying flat. Rendering the state hopeless, I go to my next task. Now where is…

"You lost?"

The voice startles me, and I whip around, seeing a blonde man look at me from under sunglasses.

I shrug, running a hand backwards through my hair. "I'm looking for the chief's office. You know it?"

"Who doesn't?" The guy laughs at my slight scowl, and puts his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. He seems about my age, ruffled blonde hair, blue eyes, dressed in a white dress shirt, a black suit jacket on top. He smiles after my quick overlook of him. "Like what you see?"

I roll my eyes, immediately leaving, hearing him trail behind and come up in front of me, walking backwards.

"Name's Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto."

He looks up at me as if expecting something. "What?" I ask, irritated.

"Your name, may I ask?" he smiles crookedly, raising an eyebrow, as if would actually help. Unfortunately, it did.

I give up, sighing, before answering, "Kaneda Ami" He does fake bow, and I can't help but chuckle.

"You don't have to treat me like royalty or something." I say, my voice still shaking in mirth. He smiles and leads me the main room.

"You're new I guess?" Naruto asks, as we go forward, supposedly towards the Chief's office.

I nod. "Just transferred from Main Ops."

He makes an understanding "Hm" and smiles as we approach the front door of the office. "Welcome to ANBU."

I thank him and open the door, closing it behind me, only to be greeted with a silver-haired man, his face buried in the latest installment of 'Icha Icha Paradise'. You've got to be kidding me…

I stand straight, saluting. "Lieutenant Kaneda," I state, doing the usual routine.

The man glimpses at me from the rim of the book, and waves his hand nonchalantly, muttering "At ease" as he flips another page of the damned porno book. The man seemed in his mid-thirties, with odd silver hair, as well as his own pair of sunglasses, propped on the top of his head. He had a seemingly nasty scar along his left eye, most likely a battle scar of some sort. I eye his paper filled desk, while a golden plaque on the desk declares 'Hatake Kakashi, Chief of Konoha ANBU Force'.

He looks at me for again for second. "Yes, I've gotten your reviews." He tosses the book aside, flips through some paper-clipped stack of paper, before finally glimpsing my score and looking at it in amazement before shuffling it away.

"All with the top marks." he picks up the book again, not catching my annoyed frown. "Marks like these aren't common lately. You are definitely…" he flipped yet another page. "Gifted."

I simply nod, as he continues, "You'll be working here from now on, strictly under my command, Lieutenant Kaneda. I'll have it done that you are assigned a partner A.S.A.P" He looks at me slightly miffed. "Now if you don't mind, I would appreciate reading in peace."

I salute, before exiting the room.

…

I sigh happily, slouching into my leather seat as I look at the office around me. Lots of people, I can give you that. Bustling here and there, phones ringing non stop. Yup, this was paradise.

"So, you like it?"

I look up, seeing Naruto glance at me from his desk right across, his eyes hovering over a mug of coffee. I nod, "Can't get any better."

Naruto grins and his eyes redirect themselves over my shoulder, and I follow his gaze, seeing three people walk towards us. One with a bad posture, his eyes half closed, another with long glossy hair that any woman would envy, and a bob haired one, with quite large eyebrows, if you ask me.

"Yo, Naruto, you up for a drink later?" asks the lazy one, not really seeing me. Naruto shrugs, "I was actually going to see if Ami was going anywhere later." He looks at me expectantly, and I cup my cheek in my left palm, rolling my eyes.

"Ami?" asks the bob haired one, not recognizing my name, and all three turn around, seeing my unbothered stature, and I stand up, expecting a handshake or something.

"Ah! The ANBU has yet hired another flaming flower of youth!" one exclaims and salutes. "My name, dear lady is-" a dry erase pen hits his head before he can finish.

"LEE! WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!" some one yells. 'Lee' immediately sets off, muttering something along the lines of 'disgraceful', 'youth', and 'punishing the mature'. I look at his retreating figure in complete disbelief, before looking back at the other two, one rubbing his eyes in vexation. He looks up.

"What was you're name again, I didn't catch it?" he asks.

I frown, replying, "I never threw it."

The longhaired smirks, as his friend scoffs and mumbles something. "Forgive Shikamaru, he has forgotten common etiquette"

Emphasizing the last word, he reaches for my hand and lightly brushed his lips against it. I could swear hearing some people gasping and some female workers squeaking in amazement as well as jealousy. Great. New enemies in one day. Hooray Mr. Too-Charming. I gotta get you a cookie for that.

"Hyuuga Neji." He says softly, and I can't help but fight off a blush. I hesitantly pry my hand away from his grip, before questioning, "Where are you headed?"

"The Pink Flamingo?" asks Shikamaru, and seeing my confused knitted eyebrows when not understanding, he frowned "It a bar down the street."

I bob my head in understanding, as Naruto seals up the conversation. "Well then, Eight o' clock sounds good to me, how bout you, Ami?" before I can even say anything, Naruto smiles cheekily clapping his hands together. "Okay, eight, see you at the front!" and he shoves the two away, leaving me to stand there stupidly, before dropping back to my chair groaning.

…

I shrug on my denim jacket as I walk out of the building, taking a breath of the brisk, yet humid air. The sky had taken a deep vermilion hue, and I look to the side, seeing Naruto, Shikamaru and Neji all ready, waiting for me.

"Am I glad it's Friday." Naruto sighs as he puts his hands behind his head, "Nothing better than to start your Saturday than with a hang over."

I laugh and try to keep up with their long stride pace. We walk in an uncomfortable silence that was soon to be broken as we arrive at the Pink Flamingo. I look at the outside of the building, where a neon sign writes Pink Flamingo in a cursive text, as well as a neon picture of one as well. The bar's doors are the ones found in those 1950's cowboy movies, the wood etched with intricate design.

The stench of day old cigarettes, beer, and sweat rolled up in one place seemed to be comforting as we walked inside the already filled bar. Over the left there was a stage and tattered red curtain, with a set of drums, piano, and an electric guitar. Over towards the middle, small circular tables were strewn about all over, along with pool tables. And to the very right, stood the bar as another female blond hurried, shaking, mixing and serving the drinks.

Naruto walks expertly inside, taking a seat at the bar. I follow suit, seating next to him.

"Any specials today Ino?" he calls over, and she looks around at him agitatedly.

"God, go to the pool tables or something! There's too many orders now!" she hollers, before flicking her head back, finishing with her work.

I laugh and get out, walking to one of the pool tables. Unlike the stage curtains, they are brand new and polished. I pick up one of the pool sticks as I watch Naruto set the pool balls. As he does so, a pink haired woman goes up to the stage and taps the mike, and seeing it work, she smiles and nods to the drummer.

The room is now filled with a jazzy melody, and the pink haired woman nods her head in the slightly offbeat. She gives a dazzling smile at the people at the bar before starting to sing.

She begins to go on, and my feet begin to catch with the beat as I bend over for first shot to break the pool balls. As I get up, I look around uninterested setting my sight on the blonde who was bringing a tray with four beers.

"Okay, I've got the usual beers…" she passes them out, before looking at me. "Beer ok?"

I nod in thanks and watch the guys play, the alcohol flowing to my brain and I shake my head in the numbing sensation it gives. Shortly after, I take the last sip of the drink before heading towards the bar for more. I sit in a bar stool as the blonde looks at me, and figures out I want another.

Movement to my right makes me turn my head slowly, and I see a young man, long raven hair tied in a low ponytail. He seems pretty drunk to me, from the way he sways and suddenly lurches, and the faint aroma of beer and rum all over him. I look at the blond to see if she will get rid of him, but seeing her busy, I bestow upon myself the job.

"Hey, mister…you look kinda drunk. Why don't you go out for air?"

The man stirs more and sways until he needs his arm to hold himself up. I frown.

"Look, sir, you should get some air or some-"

He waves his hand to pass over my recommendation and I slump over in my seat thanking the blonde as she gives me another beer. I notice the guy has no drink.

"You want me to get you one?" I ask, rattling my beer slightly, seeing him shake his head no. I shrug.

"Okay, you can pay for mine." I say with a satisfied smirk, hearing the man give a deep chuckle.

I take a long, satisfying drag of beer and sigh, though I can feel the crimson eyes of the man beside me take in every inch of my face. I glance at him at the corner of my eyes, slightly disturbed, yet he holds our gaze for a moment before looking elsewhere. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, and redirect my eyes to the small television set hanging on the wall, where a news reporter begins to report some breaking news.

"Breaking news today, there has been an explosion at the West Konoha Bank, where an estimated 80 million was reported stolen. At least 60 people, including workers, have been injured, 20 severely injured and placed in hospitals, and so far, three deaths are accounted for at the moment."

I frown at the news and prop my hand under my chin as the report continues.

"There have been no witnesses so far, but detectives say that the work has been done by criminal gang 'Akatsuki', who have, in the past, been faced with charges of massive bank heists, homicide, illegal drug dealing, and black market deals. There is no verification however of the assumption that the 'Akatsuki' are to blame, thus detectives are still investigating for other suspects."

As the reporter begins the small details of the explosion, I take another sip of the drink before sighing to myself, "Always something stressing happening…"

"Why do you say so?"

I spin around, realizing that the man beside me had just spoken. His voice was unslurred to my surprise, and deep. I look at him before shrugging, bouncing the rim of my bottle against my chin.

"It's just seems so." I give him a playful suspicious glance, raising an eyebrow. "What do you think?"

The man chuckles again, and waves a hand to the waitress. "All things end sooner or later. And the higher one gets in life, the harder the fall is when it ends."

I smirk looking back at the television, "I've never heard truer words."

Upon hearing nothing as a reply, I turn back to the man, only to be greeted with an empty seat. The waitress calls out to me. "Hey, the mister just paid for your drink by the way." She gives me a wink. "Seems he likes you."

I stare at her for a while, and shake my head. Looking towards the door, where the flaps shut back and forth, I mutter to myself, "Weird guy…"

…

(Norm POV)

"You've got to be fucking kidding me."

Kakashi looks uninterested at the dark haired man, who had his arms crossed defiantly. "I don't need a damned partner, assign them to another person."

The chief sighed, before countering. "Well then, I'll just have to demote you, perhaps?"

Them man slammed his hands onto the table, making the objects placed upon it rattle from the vibration. "You bastard, Kakashi." He growls.

"That's Chief Hatake, Lieutenant Uchiha." Mumbled the silver haired man, as he picked up his copy of 'Icha Icha Paradise'. "It's about time you get a partner anyhow, Sasuke."

Sasuke merely scoffed, before exiting the room, slamming the door behind him.

Kakashi smiled, before looking at his desk, where the file of new recruit Ami Kaneda laid. His eyes hover from the file, to the closed door where the fuming Sasuke had just left through, and back.

A wicked idea comes to his head and he smiles evilly. Grinning, he buries himself back into his book, grabbing the phone and punching the white speed dial button for his secretary.

"Yes, Ms. Hyuuga, please set up a meeting for both Lieutenant Kaneda and Uchiha on Monday…10:30?…Ok, good."

…

My first work, and I'm quite pleased how it's going so far. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Just to clear any confusion, Ms. Hyuuga (Hinata) is Kakashi's secretary.

REVIEW! Thanks!

- Nekko-sama