Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter 1
Three lithe, silent shadows flitted through the foliage, only the faintest of whispers giving evidence of their passage. Bone-white armor glinted ominously in the slivers of moonlight falling through the leaves, animal masks hiding the identities of the silent killers. They moved in perfect rhythm, but not a word was spoken the entire journey to the Land of Lightning. They did not need to speak, for words were not needed. They had been a team for three years now, managing to stay together. Life in Anbu Blackops wasn't easy. Every day, you were haunted by death. But they had pulled through.
The Sandiame had ordered them to take out a Missing Nin in the Land of Lightning. It was a simple mission: a clean assassination, leaving no trail. Minimal collateral damage. They were used to these kinds of things. But, there was one little extra thing they had to accomplish on this mission. They had to rescue three girls. Why? They were never told.
"Please. My daughters… Bring them back to me." The woman sobbed. The three Anbu nodded. Behind his mask, Tenzou's face was twisted in pain. He hated to see an innocent in so much pain. Genma slowly chewed on his senbon, waiting for the blubbering woman to calm down. If her daughters are easy on the eyes, it'll be worth it, he decided. Kakashi stood emotionless, back erect. Was there any point in feeling such pain and suffering for three girls? Why had this woman stupidly allowed herself to get attached? Love only brings pain. No good can come from it.
The shop was small and cramped and dingy. It would be their home until they completed the mission. The shinobi sat in a loose nit ring, masks shoved to the side. It was time to get to business.
"Well, taking out Lord Subetsu shouldn't be a problem." Kakashi said. "A clean kill should do it. But, getting the girls will be a little harder.
"It seems that Lord Subetsu knows that he's being targeted. Politics and what not. He changes his house constantly, so there is no way to know where he'll be and where he's keeping the girls."
"So, I guess our main weakness is lack of information." Tenzou, the youngest of the three, spoke up.
"Why don't we just bust in there, have Kakashi punch a whole through the old man's chest, grab the girls, and leave." Genma offered.
Kakashi heaved a sigh. "Genma, a punch through the chest isn't a very common assassination method, so it would lead them right to Konoha. Our job is to leave no trace."
"Kakashi-sempai is right. His Chidori is a bit too flashy for this mission. Also, Lord Subetsu is a Missing Nin. He'll have other shinobi guarding the mansion, so we can't just charge in. And, we don't even know where the girls are."
"Fine." Genma said sulkily. "Gang up on me like always. You guys are so unfair."
Kakashi rolled his only visible eye. "I was thinking, since there were no recon groups sent before us, that we could somehow get into the mansion, gather information, then make our move."
"And how do we do that, O mighty one." Genma demanded.
"We disguise ourselves as servants. That way, we'll be able to get around easily and possible come close to getting to the girls." Kakashi explained.
"How do we know when we've found them?" Tenzou asked with a frown, buffing up his (ridiculous) face plates.
"Simple. One of them is a blonde, the other a brunette, and the last is…" Genma paused dramatically. "A blue-head!"
"Blue-head?" Kakashi asked incredulously. "Is there even such a thing?"
"Coming from the man with silver hair…" Genma muttered under his breath.
"Yes, sempai. I, erm, think that I might actually know one of the girls…" Tenzou said awkwardly.
"Tenzou has a secret girlfriend!" Genma gasped, putting a hand over his mouth, feigning shock.
"No." Tenzou grumbled. "She was the only kid my age at Anbu Headquarters when I was growing up, so we were friends. That's it, nothing more. I haven't seen her in nearly eight years."
"Aw, you're no fun."
"Ladies, we still have work to do." Kakashi cut in.
"Fine, old man."
"Genma, you do realize that I'm younger than you, right?"
"Whatever."
"So much for our amazing work ethic." Tenzou sighed, staring at his warped reflection in one of his face plates.
A/N: Sorry that it's so short. I promise the others will be a lot longer. I just hate having to muddle through the boring parts, so I cut it short. There'll be a lot more action in the next chapter. Also, you'll get to me the blond, the brunette, and the 'blue-head'.
-Kakagurl