A/N: Naruto is not my property. Just the story.
The ages of some of the characters have been shifted slightly to make better sense in the AU setting. Other details like blood type and birthdays are straight out of the data books.
Double or Nothing
Chapter Four: Hedge your bets
To "hedge your bets:" don't risk everything on one opportunity; try more than one thing.
Chōji showed up at the station at 6:45 AM with what would have been, under normal circumstances, an overabundance of food.
These were not normal circumstances.
The conference room in the Investigations department was already filling with officers from several departments as well as several retired officers and former colleagues of Kakashi. As Naruto was also in attendance, the food for the 7:30 AM meeting was definitely not going to go to waste.
The general meeting was fast, concise, and well directed. Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Shikaku conducted the meeting, and soon everyone had general assignments to go scout for information. Tenten and Kiba reported on Kakashi, and wishes for his recovery and good health were echoed by the entire department. Kakashi was going to have an officer on duty at all times during his stay in the hospital. Obito's wife Rin was keeping Kakashi company during the morning shift change, but The KPD academy instructor Might Guy was on first watch immediately after the meeting. Tenten was taking the night shift. Officers were encouraged to visit but not stay too long. The list of volunteers was staggering. The idea of a possible special detail guarding Kakashi after he left the hospital was mentioned, although not discussed as it was secondary to the goals of finding who had done this. Tenten smiled approvingly at Sasuke anyway. The meeting was adjourned and the officers dispersed.
As Tenten and Kiba left the meeting, Sasuke and Shikamaru looked up from their conversation.
"Get some rest," Sasuke advised them both. "Chances are your workloads are about to get much heavier after tonight."
"You, too," Tenten looked him over. "I don't need any more officers to watch at the hospital."
"Hn."
After that standard response, they excused themselves. Tenten went to her desk and began to switch her shoes out for her snow boots. She was just pulling them over her uniform pants when she found Akamaru pressing his head into her lap. "Hey there, handsome," she laughed.
"Akamaru," Kiba sighed, "I told you. She doesn't have treats." He pinned her with a look. "Do you?"
"No," Tenten shook her head as she stuffed her shoes into her duffel bag and zipped it shut. It wasn't quite a lie; she didn't have any on her person. Her stash was in the bottom drawer of the desk.
"C'mon," He adjusted his bag over his shoulder. "I'll take you home."
"I'm good," she said. "It's a short walk."
Kiba shook his head. "Not to go past Kakashi's and Hana's it's not."
Tenten looked up at him, standing to put on her coat, and waiting for an explanation. "I need to do a security check at Kakashi's, and you can see if there is anything you will want to bring him."
Tenten slung her duffel and backpack onto her shoulder. "Why Hana's?"
"Kakashi has his dogs boarded at my mom's place. Pakkun was supposed to go with Kakashi on vacation; you know that dog goes everywhere he does."
"And?"
"And the last time Pakkun had to stay away from Kakashi, he picked a fight with every dog at mom's kennel, and Hana has a full house at the clinic. It's probably best if he stays with someone. Someone that will be going to see Kakashi regularly. Someone that he already likes, trusts, and will behave for. Someone that he won't bite while they are snoring like he did to Naruto."
"Someone that is going to be me by the end of this conversation?" she raised an eyebrow as he took her bags from her and moved them toward the hall and the rear exit.
"Most likely," Kiba said easily, walking beside her. "Assuming you don't snore," he added.
"How the hell would I know," she muttered, reaching for the back door to hold it open for him. She looked down to Akamaru. "Why do I always let him talk me into the craziest shit?" she asked, backing against the door and crossing her arms to let Kiba by. He stopped in the doorway and raised his eyebrows at her, expectantly. "Fine." She sighed. "It's been a while since I had a roommate."
Kiba smiled at her. "It'll be a good change for you."
"Wait, you two are going to be roommates?!"
Tenten smothered a sigh while Kiba looked over to Naruto who was frozen in the hall, pointing and staring at them.
"Who's gonna be roommates?" a good-natured voice came from behind him as Chōji and Shikamaru came up behind Naruto. Chōji's eyes widened when he saw Tenten and Kiba staring back at them.
Shikamaru quickly took in the expressions of the two officers. "Naruto, are you being an idiot again?" he asked casually.
"But- but she said-" Naruto sputtered.
"More than usual," Kiba adjusted Tenten's bag on his shoulder.
"You just said," he tried again, frustrated.
"And you wonder why you never get the undercover or infiltration assignments," Tenten grumbled. She nodded to Choji and Shikamaru. "See you both later. You-" she looked at Naruto. "You owe me dinner."
"What the heck for?" Naruto asked, totally exasperated.
"Snoring," she called over her shoulder and walked out of the door, Akamaru trotting behind her. Kiba shared a knowing, wry look with Shikamaru and Chōji before following after her.
The door almost shut when Naruto threw it open "Meet me at Ichiraku's before you go to the hospital! 4:30!"
"Fine." She she replied without turning around. She was buckling her seatbelt when Kiba slid into his seat. They both glanced at Naruto who was still standing inside of the door, staring at them both with arms crossed and suspicious expression.
Tenten looked over to Akamaru, who put his head on her shoulder. "You're the only sensible one in this place," she sighed. She looked over to Kiba. "How long until he sorts it all out?" she asked as he started the SUV
"Hmmm," he considered as he backed out of the lot. "Probably about 10 minutes after you explain it to him over ramen."
"Be fair," she looked out of the window with a hint of a smile, "It might only take five."
Kiba smirked. "Whatever you say, Roomie."
Tenten slid into the booth at Ichiraku about three minutes before she was supposed to be there, with Pakkun in her wake.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, masking a yawn. Naruto rolled his eyes. Tenten was more than punctual. Tenten was always early. He actually told her a dinner time 30 minutes after he intended to be there so that he wouldn't keep her waiting. He supposed she got it from all of those years of sports and training with Guy.
Ayame came to take their orders, two beers in hand. There was a perk to being a regular at a restaurant when you grew up with the owner's daughter. Ayame was around their age, and even though she wasn't exactly part of their group, she had been a part of their lives for forever.
She had barely walked away before Naruto blurted: "So are you and Kiba moving in together?"
Tenten rolled her eyes and took a gulp of her beer. "What did Shikamaru tell you."
"That I'm an idiot," he muttered. "But that doesn't answer my question."
"Yeah," she looked over at him. "It kinda does."
Naruto frowned. "I just thought-"
"I'm taking Pakkun in because he can't stay with Tsume or Hana because of the dogs or you because you snore," she cut him off. Naruto looked down at the small dog at her feet, the pieces falling into place, and his face flushing. "You are on assignment tonight?" she changed the subject, tracing the condensation on her pint glass with a fingertip.
Naruto nodded. "Checking out a couple of leads." He was prevented from saying more, since Ayame had arrived with their dinner.
She was reaching to clear Tenten's mysteriously empty beer when Tenten reflexively reached for her arm, holding it in place. Before Ayame could react, Tenten had pushed up the sleeve, revealing the ugly black and blue markings punctuated by several needle marks on the inside of her arm. She looked up at the woman sharply, and noted the weariness in her eyes even as her face flushed. Naruto stared.
"What happened, Ayame" she asked levelly.
Ayame looked to them both before blushing. "I-I was here when Naruto told Umino Iruka about the situation with Captain Kakashi. I couldn't help but overhear. When I realized I was his blood type, too, I asked dad if I could take off to go with Iruka to the hospital to donate."
They both stared at her, mouths slightly open. Tenten arched an eyebrow at the extensive bruising on her arm, and turned it critically in her hands.
"Who was your phlebotomist" she asked, "the plumber?" She released her, and Ayame stepped back as if burned, reflexively putting her hand over the bruising as she pulled down her sleeve.
"I apparently have small, deep veins that like to roll," she said sheepishly. "It wasn't their fault that the first vein blew. It just took a while to get a good...stick."
Naruto looked to her, his expression kind. "You did that for Kakashi? You told me once that you hate needles!"
Ayame smiled gently at him. "He is one of our best customers next to you," she reached into her apron pocket and put the extra napkins Naruto would inevitably need on the table. "If the Konoha Police Department stopped eating here, it would take months to make up the business."
Naruto and Tenten both knew that even if that was true, it had nothing to do with why she had stepped forward. Konoha was a town of very loyal residents.
"Wow," Naruto said softly. "Thanks, Ayame."
She gave a quick nod, and moved on to another table.
Naruto watched her go. "Can you believe it?" he asked as he stared after her.
Tenten smiled at her friend, and tossed an old phrase back at him. "Believe it," she winked.
Naruto stayed after Tenten left to go to her hospital shift with the excuse of wanting to finish his beer. On impulse, he sent a text, inviting a friend to join him before he left for his shift.
He was looking down at his phone when Kiba finally walked in.
"'Bout time," Naruto grumbled.
"What," Kiba raised an eyebrow at him, "Were you afraid you'd have to have fifths?"
Naruto ignored him, especially since his next helping would have been his ninth.
Kiba nodded to Ayame who had brought him a beer before asking "The usual?"
"Please," he said and she hurried away to a beckoning customer. He looked over to Naruto. "So what's up? Finally figure out who Tenten's roommate is, or did you call me in to explain it?" he taunted, before taking a drink of his beer.
Naruto flushed, but didn't answer directly. "Tenten just left a little bit ago. She is on Kakashi's night rotation."
Kiba raised his eyebrows. Of course he knew Tenten had been here; he had heard Naruto invite her to dinner.
And he could still smell her lotion.
And Akamaru had attempted to track her and probably Pakkun when he first came in before circling and falling at a huff at Kiba's feet, disappointed his favorite sneak-feeder wouldn't be there.
And of course he knew about her rotation; the whole department knew about her rotation.
"And?" he asked Naruto.
"Well," Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "I usually work with Sasuke, and you usually work with Tenten, but teme is busy with Shikamaru, and Tenten is busy guarding Kakashi. I figured we might partner up."
Ayame slipped a bowl of beef ramen in front of Kiba and a plate of just beef in front of Akamaru, excusing herself with a quick smile.
Kiba separated his chopsticks. "Did you ask Uchiha about this?" Kiba asked, stirring the dish in front of him.
Naruto gave a half shrug. "I mentioned it to him. I think he is game." Naruto sat back in his seat, toying with a chopstick. "It's like Shikaku said at the meeting. We can't rule out the possibility that the hit wasn't meant for Kakashi, or that if it was for him, we can't rule out that it might have been because he is the department head rather than he is Kakashi." Naruto finished awkwardly.
Kiba took a long drink of his beer while Naruto talked. "What about that?"
"We have no idea what we are getting into. The only thing we do know is that we have to watch each other's backs." Naruto said firmly. "We shouldn't be doing work without a partner."
Kiba chewed his food slowly, eyeing Naruto who, while undoubtedly totally sincere, clearly wasn't saying something.
"What else," he asked, pinning him with a look.
Naruto returned it. He had an answer. He had a good answer. He wasn't sure he should give that answer. He'd stick with the simple answer. "Kakashi would want to make sure we didn't go overboard."
Kiba snorted. "Then we are probably the last two people he would pair up. Even when we were kids, we tend to egg each other on, not balance each other out."
Naruto shrugged. "Fine. You watch my ass so I don't get chewed out by Uchiha, and I'll watch yours to make sure that you don't get skewered by Tenten. Wait. Scratch that. Tenten will kick my ass if anything happens to her partner, so let's both stay out of trouble to avoid pissing her off."
Kiba considered this. "I'll make you a deal," he said slowly. "We can partner up when we are able. There are going to be times where I'll definitely need backup." He looked up at him. "When one of us isn't working, we check on the other partners."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Sasuke is always in the office. So you mean Tenten."
Kiba leaned back, swirling his beer. "I mean both of them. Like you said, this is a weird situation; no telling what either of them will do or what will come up." He took a long drink of his beer, and returned it to the table all but empty. "You know where Tenten is bound to start looking for answers. You also know she won't hesitate to go alone. She won't wait until I'm off assignment."
Naruto nodded. It was the same for all of the officers, really, but most of the regular teams were currently intact.
Kiba checked his phone for the time before pulling a small notebook out of his coat. "I have my list of leads to check. Let's see if it is worth overlapping our efforts tonight."
Naruto took out his own list and a map. Twenty minutes later they had an outline of where they needed to check; it would make sense to partner up. "We can hit this neighborhood last," Kiba circled an area on the map "Even I won't head there alone. Too rough. Good news, is, we don't have to be subtle at all. In fact," a slow smile was tugging at the corner of his mouth, "we'll blend in better if we mix it up a little."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Count me in."
The second meeting was moved to 9:30 AM to let the night shift get a chance to rest (they didn't all work until 6:00 AM), and the morning shift to get a chance to get their other work out of the way. The agenda was a repeat of the first, except with more information to be shared and more conclusions to be drawn. Asuma and Shino had a few leads that were supposed to get them some answers. Obito had contacted some retired members from their years with KPD for any (more) potential leads, and he was working with Genma to narrow them down. Luckily or unluckily, a brawl had broken out in one of the rougher neighborhoods that had lead to the arrest of quite a few potential suspects, cutting out a day or two of hunting down those leads. Arresting officers Uzumaki and Inuzuka had responded to the call first, and had wrapped a good bit of it up before Sai and Yamato had arrived on the scene.
Guy was pleased to report that Kakashi had officially been declared as stable and had spent yesterday in ICU. Today he was slated to move a private room to begin recuperating under the watchful eyes of Dr. Tsunade's team. Guy would be returning to the hospital as soon as the meeting was over, but assured everyone that his student Lee was tending to Kakashi in his absence. Tenten had the night shift again, and visitors were still encouraged. They were warned not to provoke the night guard, because even if her vocabulary had been recently reduced, her personal arsenal had not. The meeting dismissed with new assignments, and continued determination.
Tenten stood and stretched after the meeting and Pakkun followed suit. Chōji, who had been sitting next to her, smiled down at the little dog. "Glad that Pakkun doesn't seem too down," he said kindly.
Tenten eyed her furry roommate. "Probably because he hogs the bed," she muttered. However, she had yet to be bitten, so she could assume she did not snore. Chōji gave her a sympathetic look.
"Tell you what. Come on over to the restaurant. We'll have a hot breakfast, go over what we need to go over for the carnival next week, and I'll take you home. And before you say it," he held up his hands, ticking off her potential objections on his fingers. "I know you can walk home, I know it's not far, I know I don't have to do that, and it's actually a way for me to have some company and finalize the plans."
Tenten smiled genuinely at him. "Even I can't argue with that."
"I have to file my report. Meet you out front in ten," Chōji pushed away from the table, leaving her to follow when ready. She gathered her things into her backpack, casting a sidelong glance to where Naruto and Kiba were talking to Shikamaru and Sasuke. She cast a critical eye over the two of them; Naruto looked far too innocent and Kiba looked far too smug for them to have not had a hand on the brawl last night. She didn't know whether to be worried for them, angry at their stupidity, or feel left out of the fun. Surely Uchiha hadn't been foolish enough to pair the two hotheads of the department, had he? She caught Naruto's eye, and he looked away quickly. Kiba was purposely not looking in her direction.
Tenten narrowed her eyes at them. She made her way for the door before snapping her fingers three times. Seconds later Akamaru was following her to her desk, trotting alongside Pakkun. Kiba shot a look over the heads of his fellow officers, and it was her turn to not look in his direction.
Five minutes later, he rounded the corner to her desk. Pakkun and Akamaru were both contentedly munching on treats, and she was sitting in her chair, waiting for him.
"That's playing dirty," Kiba leaned a hip against her desk and crossed his arms.
She looked him up and down. "Where were you last night?" she asked calmly.
Kiba raised his eyebrows. "Why do you want to know, mother?"
Tenten snorted. "Tsume would've joined you in that brawl. Hell, she would have started it." She looked to him for a second, her poker face unreadable. "Just please tell me you weren't dumb enough to actually start a fight… no. Wait. Tell me you weren't dumb enough to let Naruto start a fight in one of the roughest joints for a 50 mile radius."
Kiba held his hands in the air. "Neither Naruto, nor I started anything." Tenten continued to stare daggers, like she was trying to find the hole in his story, and he continued to return her stare calmly.
"Fine," she muttered, standing to gather her things. She zipped up her coat, grabbed her backpack, and scooped up Pakkun. "Just don't do anything so monumentally stupid that you end up in a bed next to Kakashi." She warned him.
"Yes, ma'am," he nodded. "You need a ride home?"
"No. I'm going with Chōji. Thanks, though." She started to move past him, but Akamaru blocked her path. "What's wrong, boy?" she asked, surprised.
"He's probably worried that you are going to start poking around your old neighborhood off of the clock," Kiba said. "He knows how you love to investigate."
Tenten threaded her free hand through the large dog's fur. "Well you can tell him not to worry; I can look out for myself. Besides, who has time off of the clock?"
She didn't see him make the barely perceptible movement releasing Akamaru from blocking her way. "Be careful," Kiba said, nodding down to Akamaru. "You know how he worries."
Tenten gave Akamaru a final good skritch before looking up at Kiba. "You, too."
He watched her head out of the doors and get in the car with Chōji. Naruto peeked around the corner. "Is it safe?"
Kiba arched an eyebrow at him. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"Did she find out about last night?"
"I'm sure she figured it out," Kiba said dryly, "but I told her the truth - we didn't start anything." That was absolutely the truth. Kiba and Naruto had sat back and watched… as Tsume started the brawl.
Nartuo grinned. "Same time tonight?"
Kiba smirked. "You're on."
Hot Tip: Information the bookmaker is not yet privy to.
Day Three: 8:15 AM
Officer Uchiha sat at his desk reading a report, Tenten sipped at her coffee, and Pakkun sat at her feet. She cast an eye over the inbox on Sasuke's desk.
"I don't think I've ever seen that empty," she said with a half smile.
Sasuke reflexively flicked a look at his inbox with a "Hn." Oddly enough, as far as paperwork was concerned, the department was practically back to normal.
But a department is much more than paperwork; a department is a network of invisible and indivisible bonds that interconnect its members timelessly. The attack on Kakashi had resulted in an immediate and thorough response from the entirety of the Konoha Police Department, and a myriad of people from expected and unexpected places. Sasuke's own brother who had served under Kakashi for a brief time before moving on to the federal level had lent an officially unofficial hand. Kiba's mother and sister rallied their dogs and aided the tracking unit. Kakashi's retired former partner Obito, who happened to also be an Uchiha, had gone immediately to Sasuke and helped him better navigate the wide field of suspects generated by Kakashi's longstanding career. Sai was technically still military and only on loan to the KPD, but on an indefinite basis. He had been black ops and an elite assassin, and was tapping into leads and resources far beyond the normal scope of the department.
Sasuke, Tenten, Kiba, Shino, and Asuma had gone to different contacts, informants, moles, and figures in the underworld to find out all that they could about what happened. Tenten had grown up in a rough area, and still had contacts there. It was winter, and a harsh one at that; many of the locals were staying in, which meant that she had to go to them. She had done two days' worth of visits before Sasuke realized precisely what she was up to, and that she was at it alone.
"Good report," he said finally. "But from now on, take someone with you," he instructed her.
"Can't," she shrugged. "These people can smell a cop a mile away. They will talk to me because they know Kakashi is important to me, but that's it. If they see Shino or you or someone lurking around, they won't talk. It isn't that unusual for me to check in with these people when the weather is bad; even the local gangs leave me alone when I'm checking in on their grandmothers. Sorry, Captain. There isn't anyone I can bring."
Sasuke stared at her.
"I did have Pakkun," she said, meeting his stare evenly.
"Well at least that is something," he muttered before leaning back and tenting his fingers. "Don't you volunteer at that Winter Carnival that they have?"
"Yeah. That is next week."
"And I assume you got Chōza to donate food from his restaurant again, correct?"
"Yes," she said slowly. "Chōji and I usually go and work the festival, but you can't do much talking while slinging food."
"You aren't slinging food this time," Sasuke flipped open a file on his desk. "They set up a designated area to eat this year; you will be working the tables; clearing them, bringing over coffee; things that give you time to speak to the attendees."
"That's fine," Tenten shrugged. "I can do that. I used to waitress."
"Then hold off on any additional inquiries in that area until then."
She looked to him, deciding what to say, before nodding. "Alright."
"And if by chance something does happen to 'come up,' before then," she could practically hear the quotations, "take Inuzuka with you. He looks disreputable enough to pass for something other than a police officer."
Tenten stared at Sasuke for a moment before chuckling. "I didn't know you had a sense of humor."
"Who said I was joking?" Sasuke asked, not looking up from where he was taking notes. "Come up with some kind of cover between the two of you."
"What, like we are selling girl-scout cookies?" Tenten asked sarcastically. "I bring anyone around, Uchiha, it's going to be suspicious. I had a hard enough time explaining the dog. I was terrified of dogs as a kid." Sasuke's eyebrows raised at this. How had someone terrified of dogs ended up partnered with Inuzuka? "Look," she said, leveling with him. "If anyone comes in, I'm going to have to spend the whole time explaining the person, and not finding out what is going on. They won't talk in front of anyone. Besides," she continued, "These people know I don't have anyone outside of work that I'd be bringing to the old neighborhood." She said it frankly and without any emotional inflection. It wasn't stated as a regret; it was a fact.
"Then say he's new and from outside of work," Sasuke flipped one file closed and opened another. "Say he's your boyfriend or something. Surely if they trust you, they will trust him."
He finally looked up because she hadn't said anything, which was more telling than if she had.
She was staring into her coffee mug, working a muscle in her jaw like she was trying very hard not to say something. "Not a good choice," she said finally in a clearly and carefully controlled voice. "Old women have long memories. Besides, he has two tattoos on his face and runs around with a large dog. Someone is bound to recognize him." She sipped her coffee, seeming to be deep in thought. "They know Chōji from the Winter Carnival, and he is well liked. If all else fails, showing up with food is always a good way to set people at ease. If I can't get a hold of him, I'll just try to avoid the situation entirely." She stood. "Will that be all, captain?" she asked with a professional detachment that set alarms off in his head.
"Ah. See you at the meeting."
She gave him a sharp nod before leaving the office. Sasuke watched her with his eyes narrowed. Something had just happened, but he didn't know what it was. He stared out of his office. She had said nothing wrong or unprofessional, but her attitude had changed abruptly. It was like watching her close and lock a glass door between them. Sai was passing his office and had seen Tenten depart.
"Did you say something to upset Tenten?" he asked.
"Not that I know of," Sasuke frowned.
"That doesn't mean anything," Sai shrugged. "You are almost as bad with women as I am. Here," he flipped him a book. "Hold on to this. I have another copy."
Sasuke glanced down at the book.
Women Are From Venus And Men Still Aren't Listening Or Asking For Directions; A Guide To All Of The Ways You Are Probably Screwing Up Around Women.
He looked back to Sai who nodded knowingly.
"I have some notes in the margins from my own observations and from meeting with Kakashi. Feel free to add your own. Oh, and if she is in a particularly bad mood, do not attempt to ask if she is menstruating and therefore in need of salty foods or chocolate. She will not appreciate it, no matter how well it is intended. See you at the meeting," Sai ambled off, and Sasuke stared at his retreating back.
With a snort Sasuke tossed the book in his desk. He didn't have time to dwell on this at the moment. He and Tenten had an understanding that they didn't know each other well, but that they were working together for Kakashi's sake. They were just going to have to cut each other some slack.
Shikamaru came in to help him prepare for the meeting. So far, they had divided their forces to narrow down and eliminate some of the potential suspects. At least two gangs had sent word through the grapevine that they were not responsible for Kakashi's attack, but everything had to be verified. Sasuke and Shikamaru were going over the information they had so far when a knock came on Sasuke's office door.
"Officer Uchiha?" the oddly sibilant voice came from the other side. "My name is Mr. Gamariki," he said. "Here is my card."
Sasuke and Shikamaru took in the oddly prim effeminate man with the red bow tie, the full lips, and the lowered lashes, and looked down at the offered card. It read:
Mr. Gamariki
Mount Myōboku Productions
The two men looked to the uninformative card, then to the oddly frog-like man, faces blank.
"Ah," he cooed. "I see you're impressed. Don't be intimidated; we all have to start somewhere. Now," he took a seat and placed a sharp looking briefcase across his lap. With an impressive 'snap!' the latches flew up and he removed several files the case before handing them over to the very confused young men. "Let's get down to business. My employer has asked me to come and speak with you and offer his help. It has been quite some time since he has had occasion to liaise with KPD, but he recently encountered one of your Officers and was very impressed."
"Forgive me, Mr. Gamariki," Shikamaru asked politely, "But I am new to the department, and I am afraid I don't know what is going on, and the Interim Captain is far too polite to explain in front of you. Since we are in the middle of an emergency situation, I hope you will forgive my rudeness."
Sasuke kept his face impassive, but was exceedingly grateful that the lazy Nara had taken the initiative here.
"Oh, you must be the Nara's boy," Mr. Gamariki cooed. "Same impossible hair and everything. Well don't you worry your little pineapple head about anything. These documents should help clear some things up," he indicated the files he had just handed him. Shikamaru colored at the remarks and Sasuke found he suddenly had a cough.
The two geniuses of the department began skimming through the documents, their eyes growing wide. "This is…" Shikamaru stared at the paper before looking back up at the fastidious man.
"A listing of all of the known gangs and crime syndicates, known members, their boundaries, their recent targets, as well as information for the surrounding areas and those known to have targeted Kakashi in the past. I think you'll find," he pursed his lips and put a finger to his cheek, "that this was not an organized attempt. If you look here –"
"Mr. Gamariki," Shikaku leaned against the doorway. "I heard that you had come."
"Ah! Shika-chan, so good to see you again!" he squealed. "I see your boy is new to the department and doesn't know about me. Naughty man to not tell him about your old friends."
Sasuke and Shikamaru exchanged another glance before staring back at Captain Nara, Strategic Response Unit and Intelligence Division.
Shikaku put his hands up in apology. "You know how it is; confidentiality and all of that." He pulled the door shut behind him. "I can't go around telling everyone how we have a direct pipeline to the most comprehensive information source in the country, can I?" he asked in a low voice. "Son," he looked pointedly at both of the younger officers. "I know you have heard of Mount Myōboku Productions; the media empire is extensive and has publishing offices throughout the world. One of KPD's finest branched out into the private sector and has his own information network now. He hasn't had a chance to work directly with Kakashi yet, though," Shikaku looked back to Mr. Gamariki. "Isn't that right?"
"True," the odd man shook his head sadly. "When he heard about what happened, he decided to get in touch with KPD immediately."
"I was going to ask for his help," Shikaku bowed, "so you have saved me a great deal of effort. Not surprising that he already knew what we needed."
Mr. Gamariki smiled, and pulled two more things out of his briefcase before closing it with a brisk 'snap!"
"Well, as I was beginning to tell these young gentlemen, he had recently run across one of your young Officers, and was duly impressed. I take it he spoke with you already?" Shikaku nodded. "Well then I'll let you tell the tadpoles all of the details. Two things. First: You are going to want to reach out to this contact," he handed him a small, sealed envelope, "But only after you've talked to Kakashi. This is someone right out of the little black book, and you are going to want to know where Kakashi stands with him before approaching. Second: Be a dear and pass this on to your K-9 specialist, will you? It is a detailed request for some information that will help Jira-chan with his new novel."
"Novel?" Sasuke blurted out.
Mr. Gamariki raised an eyebrow to him. "Well, that is what I shall call them," he said in a much deeper, more disgruntled voice. "I don't care what people say, they are tasteful adult literature, and anyone who says otherwise-,"
"Officer Uchiha is just surprised, that is all,' Shikaku soothed the persnickety little man. "I hadn't yet told him that your boss is Jiraiya," he shot Sasuke a look and the younger man immediately did his best to look impressed.
"I had absolutely no idea," he said honestly.
"Oh, is that all," Mr. Gamariki returned to his light, flirtatious way of speaking. "Oh, well, these young ones are so darling and naïve, aren't they? Well, I'll leave you to your work. Contact me directly if you need more help, Shika-chan!" With that, he sashayed out of the room, leaving two very confused junior officers, and one amused senior one.
"What. The hell. Was that?" Sasuke finally asked as soon as the door clicked shut.
"That was Mr. Gamariki. Don't be fooled by his appearance. That man is fiercely cunning and deadly when he needs to be. He is one of Jiraiya's most trusted operatives, and serves as his personal assistant."
"I'll bet," Shikamaru snorted.
"Jiraiya was one of the best investigators to ever come out of Konoha. He was taught by Asuma's father, and in turn taught Kakashi's predecessor. Whatever information he decided to pass on must be analyzed at once. Let's get Inoichi and Ibiki and go over this before the meeting. Oh, and give this," he handed the envelope over "to Kiba. Apparently Jiraiya is branching out into a crime setting for his new 'Icha Icha' story."
Shikamaru sighed. "Jiraiya sent you over here, didn't he?" he asked in his bored tone. "This is so troublesome."
Shikaku smirked. "I reached out to Jiraiya as soon as I heard about Kakashi. He already knew, and told me he would be sending Mr. Gamariki over as soon as he had some information. I just got a text that he was on his way; he wasn't supposed to show up here for another hour."
"But his information is good?" Sasuke asked sharply.
"Jirayia's information is the best," Shikaku said seriously.
Sasuke and Shikamaru exchanged glances, and the younger Nara shrugged. Sasuke nodded. "Then let's get started."
A/N: I am unable to contact anonymous reviewers to thank them properly for taking their time to review, so I extend my thanks to you here. It is rewarding to get feedback in any form!
If you are visiting this story for the first time because I am still working on an update for "You Must Believe in Spring," I promise more updates are coming on both stories. Thanks for sticking it out with me!
Best wishes, friends!
