~~~ Authors Note~~~

Yehp, it's your girl Synn. ^^~

I was curious if there was anyone out there that was familiar with both series to do a proof reading... Anyone? *crickets*

It would be great to hear an opinion before I just continue posting new chapters. Any who, this is chapter two. Please do enjoy and hopefully one of you fine folks would beta! 3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ch 2 Doo-Doo-Doo, I'm on to you ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The festivities continued long throughout the night, there was only a handful of hours left before the first ray of sun would start bringing in the new day. A southern breeze wafts around the city streets carrying sounds of laughter, music and light chatter. The night is surprisingly humid, the breeze is welcomed and the lights seem to have an alluringly cozy feel to them. All the while a stark contrast to the warm glow is a porcelain mask of harsh white in the darkest corner of an alley. Fluid lines of green and black paint shape the canvassed face into a bug-eyed creature. A few tiny black beetles fly onto their outstretched palm, disappearing into the sleeve.

A girl is about to turn into the alley and so the stranger disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving her to walk into it, desperately swatting the cloud away from her precious lungs. With long brown hair bouncing she whines about how a Princess should be able to breathe clean air, waving her hands about for her audience to grasp her importance... Sadly she forgets no one is there to witness her distress and so she just continues stumbling on her way toward the other side of the alley. Light brown hands fumble along the stone walls for support, no doubt she had taken advantage of the drinking age of 18.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ANBU Tora SP312CH170 Squad 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dipping a cloth into the green jar to my side, I bring it back up to Muchū, my prized and custom made Kyoketsu-shoge. Despite the lack of use, regular cleanings keep the blade and myself sharp... both tools and never dull. The gleam of silver and black in a way lulls me in a trance of cleaning the double edged blade. Each wipe of the cloth brings another shimmer off of the chakra enhanced steel alloy. The sharp edges of the chain slightly dig into my skin, a comforting prick. Sighing I think about the last few years and how we even came here...

*** Flashback ***

"Hokage-sama, Tora reporting," gray smoke reveals my form. Taking a knee in front of the Hokage I was chosen to join her ANBU, my original village being Kirigakure. Several members from the different villages had all been sent to serve under different Kages. Efforts in building stronger bonds for the Alliance to last... Other than a few snags the dream has come to fruition and the Elemental nations are working together... Peacefully.

There was always work to be done though, an ANBU Kunoichi never went too long without having to use her tools of trade. I wait patiently for her to put the glass in her hand down. With an exhausted grunt the powerhouse lets the papers flounder onto her desk and she steals the last sip of the amber liquid, somehow bringing her own honey eyes to shine. She sets the glass down and her eyes on me, "I bet that you know what I called you in for. Kami knows the news spread across the Villages so fast, the new Genin were shouting about it to one another in their training grounds."

"I am unsure if betting with or against you is a wise choice Hokage-sama". Before I could stop myself I respond back to her comment, my intentions unclear even to myself.

A sharp bark of laughter and she looks back down at her empty glass, a pained smile graces her features. "You're a smart kitty, Tora, it's a good thing I don't make real bets anymore," I frown slightly behind my mask. Guilt suggests I apologize but saying anything now would make it seem like I am unsure and would bring more attention to something that doesn't need it. Sighing again she picks up a scroll and holds it up for me to see the seal. The white markings suggest it's a long term mission and possibly longer than 2 years. She tosses the scroll lightly back and forth between her hands, "This is about the newly discovered lands East of Kirigakure. I want two teams of ANBU for this and they're all picked out, but I asked for you because I thought you would possibly like to stop by Kiri on the way back for some much needed time off. You've been working missions almost back to back and honestly Tora... I'm getting sick of seeing your eager face and you need to get some alone time". In all my years I've never been told someone has seen too much of me (well my mask) that I need to take a break... I suppose I should take time off but still, gotta love her way of showing she cares. Tsunade leans back in her chair with a huff, "I would make you take a break now but since Kirigakure is originally your home, you're my first choice for your knowledge of the land and your skills. The length is undetermined and details of the missions parameters are, as usual, within the scroll... Do you accept it?"

I nod and hold my hand out for the scroll, "Hai Hokage-sama. How could I refuse given that speech?" She laughs one more time and waits for me to open it to discuss the content. I hear a mumble about smart-ass ANBU and no respect.

Rank S - Project Far East
Time - TBD
Two months ago new land was discovered East of Kirigakure, a small fishing village, Shinchisai. Power simultaneously went off in the whole town and four others further in land. Kiri sent a team to check out the cause and discovered they can see land in the distance.

- Set up base and gather Intel.
One month at base for lessons on the Language spoken.
Two Teams, one at base and other Recon. Report and A/C will assess further steps in mission.
ANBU Owl will be acting Captain for both squads.
ANBU Stag will be acting Second in command.
Other ANBU will be:

Kit
Rabbit
Panda
Jackal
Tora
Mouse
Slug
Mantis

Owl's going to be on this mission and Mouse? This is a very good set up... not going to lie, I'm very excited for this mission. One of the first few people to set foot in these new lands, definitely history in the making... Mentally smirking I ask about a couple things that caught my attention. "Hokage-sama, I see that you knew that I was going to accept the mission anyways, my name's on the list. And what about the month at base for briefs on the language... Is it really that different than ours?"

"Yeah, I knew that you would agree and I knew you'd ask about that, though I was hoping you'd mention something about Owl being Acting Captain... Being stuck in the office has me craving juicy gossip," she sighs dejectedly. Ugh, does everyone know? I never get a break, a girl gets caught one time... One time. Damn Inuzuka... I've never been so grateful for the mask hiding my blush. "Yes, the language is definitely very different than ours. Different alphabet, characters and even pronunciation. Last month Stag, Dove and Kit all went over first - in and out mission for basic Intel. Stag learned the language and will be the one teaching it to you. You leave at 0300… Make sure you get some sleep," Tsunade crosses her arms and glares at me, making sure her point is clear.

I nod, "Hai Hokage-sama, you're crystal clear. Sleep, sleep with and report to you the details". Laughing the Hokage moves out of her seat and around her desk.

"Ha, I'm not demanding a full report Tora, it's just fun to hear about the occasional night off. Speaking of," Tsunade goes back around her desk and opens a drawer... And another. "Shizune! Bring me one of my bottles!" She dumps herself back into her chair. Putting her hands up to her forehead she mumbles, "I can't wait until Kakashi takes office…Kakashi... Where the hell is that tardy Cyclops?!" Sighing for what surely won't be the last. "Now get out of here," she winks and shoos me out of the office. Bowing my head to her I then disappear.

***** END FLASHBACK *****

One more swipe to the blade and holding it up to admire, I see Slug's reflection. Their soft pink hair is tied back by their headband. Her mask has big grey rings around the eyes and a dull red that form horizontal lines on the porcelain mask. Sealing Muchū back into the containment seal tattooed on my left wrist, I body flicker next to her. Purring I walk slowly closer to her, "Hmm, I'm liking the look Slug. Your eyes, they beg for me".

"Sure Tora, you and everyone else," She scoffs and puts a hand on her hip. "Really, I don't see the joy in your pointless flirting, we both know it's not going to go anywhere". Oh, I can just see your haughty smirk right now… Ino would be so much more amusing.

Feigning hurt I put a hand over my heart, "Ah, I see. Well the progress of my flirting is all up to you Pink-cheeks. I know a blonde Dove that would definitely enjoy my… pointless flirting."

"You're kidding me! Ino-pig?!," Slug clenches her fists. A mouse of inky black scurries across their feet and circles around them twice before stopping to look back at them. I look at her and then start walking towards the direction of camp, arms crossed behind my head, humming away. Famous fury put behind her, Slug follows and walks back to camp. Hehehe~ Aww, she's definitely Pink-Cheeks now..

Mantis sits on a large log to the side, Mouse politely waves and picks up his Ninja Art Scroll. Mantis looks up from a tiny beetle that was flying around his right index finger... To give us the explanation not needed... "I'm here because I have finished my mission before the rendezvous. Mouse sent after you. Why? Because Owl will be back any moment." I give a laugh and lean back on a tree, showing my approval with a thumbs up. Mantis nods back to me and goes back to his beetle.

I see in the corner of my eye Mouse glancing between Slug and I, his mask of white marked by deep blue and grey lines. His head tilts back towards me and I wave my hands in a motion I know I taught him before. Come on already... Clearing his throat Mouse looks back at Slug and says, "I overheard your attempts at wooing Slug." Slug laughs at that, he looks over but continues anyway. "I was curious if you were serious about... Dove."

Oh, not what I was expecting from him... I walk over and put an arm around his shoulder, a half-ass attempt at consul. I know he's not very upset, but still, "Don't worry. I wouldn't plan on stealing her from you..in the night, or any other way you might think of. That Bird is yours, got it?" I smile to reassure him, forgetting for a second that he can't tell.

Mouse continues looking at my mask and then finally gives me a thumbs up. Pride swells in my belly and my inner ego starts yelling.. He's getting it! He's learning! Yes!... Giving his shoulder a shake in excitement I let go of him and start to go to my sleeping spot when he says something that makes me face-vault. "Yes, of course, you will not woo Dove for you have your Owl." Slug starts cackling like a banshee and smashes her left fist into her right palm with a shout of 'I knew it'. Nuuu! Come on, one time! Kami, just one fucking time!.. "Also, that one lesson a while ago was very helpful. She had mentioned having your assistance one more time, though I don't know about Owl.." Both Slug and I perk up at this part. "He had run off with you during your teachings so fast that it made me think he was possibly upset. He was sort of growling your name while you demonstrated. Um -"

..NOPE..

I flicker over to him, hand over mouth, nervously giggling. "Riot! You're getting funnier by the minute Mouse, who knew? I sure didn't, that mouth of yours," gritting my teeth I pull his back against me. "That mouth of yours sure says some crazy ass things, ne?!" Glare of death, sweet Kami work for me!

Crack...cri-crack... I look over and see Slug keeping her knuckles loose and ready for answers and Mantis wisely and blissfully unaware of the turn of events. In her sickly sweet voice she almost whispers her question, "Tora... What is he talking about? What sort of 'lessons' are you trying to teach him?"

I decide that keeping Mouse's body as a temporary shield between us is the wise choice and take two steps back for each step Slug takes forward. "Listen Pink-cheeks, there's nothing really going on here...there... Or any time soon. So let's all take a deep breath and talk about this hypothetically speaking...in writing, when I am vacationing in Kiri after this mission."

"Am I interrupting something Squad," In a slightly bored yet amused tone of voice, Owl comes in and saves the day. "... Why does my medic look like she's going to kill you?" I shake my head at him and Slug is about to argue something's wrong with me but he just puts his hands out to both of us for silence. His Owl mask steady, marked with two black rings around the eyes and orange lines that form a feathered like fringe. "We have business to discuss. Seven civilians were injured at about 0127 (for those that don't know yet, that's 1:27am). At 0000 a couple of teens from the local school were under the influence." Mantis, Mouse, Slug and I walk over to stand in front of Owl. "They stole a few items but the merchant didn't see who did it, or notice. At 0100 another group of eleven teens show up around his stand, talking and looking at the items at the booths. The man asked several times if they were buying anything and one of the younger ones, about 16 bought a small pendant. The teens don't leave from a 7 meter radius. At 0111 the man walks around his booth and notices the items previously stolen are missing. Said man starts yelling at them to give the items back. The teens ask him to leave them alone and state they have no knowledge of his accusations. The scene garners the attention of some others within the area. The teens sensing the hostility try and leave but another merchant blocks the path, this man grabs the nearest boy and starts patting him down in search of stolen items. Another man and woman walk up and start yelling at them to 'Go back to the Lost Isle' and other terms I can only guess are insults... An older male teen upset of the events tells them to move, and a teen female was screaming 'This isn't right!' A few other civilians step up and try to help the cornered teens while twice the amount are screaming obscenities at them. The older teen from before tries running through the throng in a desperate attempt of a way out. The irate merchant starts off the violence by slamming his fist into the boys face. Needless to say things escalated quickly in that time frame, they were lucky it wasn't worse. A civilian had reported the tension before the violence. Six out of the eleven teens were injured, only two were heavily wounded though. The older teen male who was the first victim, about 17: several blows to the head, ribs, back and stomach. Mild concussion, a broken rib, bruises on his right shoulder blade and a few bruises on his abdomen. The second was the shortest teen there, a female, 16: Concussion, a few broken ribs and both legs broken. She was caught in the middle and trampled on in the attack."

I suck my breath in and put my hand on Slug's shoulder in order to stop her shaking with rage, she looks up at Owl and asks with a deceptively steady voice, "What about the other four teens and the one other injured civilian? What injuries did they sustain?"

Sighing Owl pushes his hair back and slouches his posture a little."The other four teens had slight bruising, a sprain or two, small scrapes. The civilian was one of the attackers. They were unable to calm down and jumped a guard. The guard pinned them down though and in turn received a dislocated shoulder and a mild concussion... Listen team, it just so happened that we have found out about this place during times of great tension. It seems to be mostly in house fighting, other than the occasional sightings of us, no one knows we're here. We can't make ourselves known over a confrontation gone wrong. I have decided that I'm splitting the team into 3 parts for tomorrow. Mantis and Slug will tail 'King Ben' and gather more information on these people while figuring out what else may have happened like tonight. I believe I have the basic idea of what has happened here, but we need to find more substantial information. Mouse and Tora will go as 'civilians' and explore the city. I will write up the reports and a draft on the Intel gathered. The day after Mouse will stay here and Slug and Mantis are 'civvies'. Tora, you're with me on King watch. Now I take watch tonight, get some sleep". With a round of 'hai' and 'yes sir' we break stance for some rest.

Owl jumps into a tree over my sleeping roll and slowly turns his gaze from mine to stare up at the moon as I lay down. Before closing my eyes I see him tilt his mask enough to chew on a senbon, ticking it up and down... Counting the stars.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ END CHAPTER ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Muchū - means daze/trance

** Kyoketsu-shoge - a Japanese weapon. Basically a sickle and a chain with a ring or guard on the other end of the chain. The blade is black and silver, and the chains are black and squared off with semi-sharpened edges. The other end is a black half-circular hand guard. The whole weapon is made from chakra enhanced steel alloy, for her chakra affinity.

So I really hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I do plan on writing longer chapters further on in the story.

I want to say that if I write about relationships, I am not breaking canon. I may give hints, jokes, ect about other pairings... But I won't break pairings. There may have even been history between other characters but they aren't together.

Also as you can see we only have interactions between 5 of the ANBU, I just want to repeat that it's because they're a Squad.

Squad 2

Owl (A/C), Mouse, Tora, Slug, Mantis.

And yes, Tora is an original character. I have a background story and made sure it doesn't mess up the chain of events in canon or my fanfic. She's also not overpowered or a Mary Sue (I even had a few friends check it over to make sure.. Sometimes it's hard to distinguish yourself from the OC because in a sense they are a part of you... At least your thoughts. *shrugs* Any who, I digress). I will figure out a way to write up her background... Either in a seperate story on here or cliffnotes and a picture on Deviantart.

So that leaves Squad 1 (base)

Stag (SC), Kit, Rabbit, Panda, Jackal

I want to know if any of you can guess who the ANBU are. If you guess correctly the other 4 members on Squad 1 , I will give the names of Squad 2 at the beginning of the next chapter where they are the ones telling the story.

Though the next chapter will be told from the POV of Mal and Carlos, in that order. I may not be able to publish it again as soon as I did. Family/work and such. :/

NEXT - Ch. 3 - Cheap Change and Truths...