C-Ranked Mission

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, I only own my OC. (Female OC)

Summary: "Death, it's a funny thing really. There are people that fear the cold harsh whisper of death, while others welcome it like an old friend. Whenever I ever thought of someone dying, I always felt scared. I thought I was scared of dying, until I actually died."

Note: All information that I have I have gotten from Narutopedia, I hope I do not offend people by getting some information wrong! And if I do, I apologise in advance.

Also the Shīringu is mine alone, it belongs to me!

NARUTO

I sat in my room looking at the scroll that I had been given. It sat it in front of me; I didn't know if I should open it. It didn't help that I didn't know how to open it. I scratched my head; Sarutobi did say that Yukiko could look at a seal and know the components instantly. But I didn't know if that would work. After all, I don't even know anything about my Kekkai Genkai. Too bad I didn't get another one, like the Sharingan, I know all about that, but it would require for me to be an Uchiha.

I decide to give it a try. I focus my chakra to my eyes and blinked. It felt weird having a Kekkei Genkai, I didn't notice it before but things seemed different, like I could see through them. Maybe there is more to it than just looking through scrolls. I look at the scroll, and it felt like I was looking at a blue print, I could see everything, and I could tell how to open it. I picked the scroll up and placed a bit of my chakra into a little hole that wasn't visible without the Shīringu.

The scroll rustled and weakened, making it easy for me to open. A note fell out of the scroll, it read,

Hello, who ever may be reading this

If you have been granted access into this scroll, then you have the Shīringu, but if not and you've just had some dumb luck then put this away, this is not for prying eyes.

The Shīringu is used for sealings; I discovered this power when I first came to this world. That's right, I said world. You see, I wasn't originally from this place; I was from a world where there was no chakra and no ninjas. Coming into this world was very frightening. But I met very wondrous people. I had the honour of meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze, what sweet men they were. They helped me find my way in this world, and for that I am extremely grateful.

I decided to go travelling, and I came across the Village Hidden in the Whirlpool. I was intrigued about what they did. I hadn't met people who could seal. They all hated me at first, especially the Uzumaki's; they said I was a hindrance and that I was after their secrets. But over time, I gained their trust, took bloody long enough. That's when I told them about my Shīringu. No one else seemed to have it; they became very interested in me and helped me. They even taught me some Justus.

However, I knew that the power that they had given me was going to be sort after. I learned the hard way when the Ninetails attacked. With my help, we sealed the demon into a woman, and that tradition carried on, a sealer always needed to be with the Ninetails container in case it broke free. That is what is in this scroll, sealing techniques. The Shīringu is very complex, I didn't even get to master it, but I hope others will. I hope that you, the person reading this with the Shīringu can master its techniques.

However, a warning, do not let people know of the Shīringu. This must be kept a secret, I learnt the hard way that you cannot trust everyone. A man named Orochimaru found me and tried to take the Shīringu for himself. Do not let him get it.

I hope this helps you, and good luck.

Yukiko Moto aka Jessice Jones

I look at the note and re-read it, Orochimaru... couldn't he just leave everyone alone?! I may need to speak to the Hokage about this. But first I looked through the scroll, and my jaw dropped, most of these were A to B classed sealings! There was even an S class seal! There were a couple that looked easy, and I'd give them a try, but right now I needed to speak with the Hokage.

I sealed the scroll and brought it with me, even though I knew it was completely safe, I didn't want to risk it. Without even realising it, I had made it to the Hokage's door; I knocked and waited for permission to enter. Once I did, I immediately sat next to the Hokage.

Sarutobi smiled, "Akemi, so nice to see you."

I smile in return, "It is, Lord Hokage."

"How's your team?" He asks with a small smirk.

"Dysfunctional." I answer honestly.

He raises an eye brow, "With or without you?"

"Both." I say smiling to myself. We were a dysfunctional team; I don't know how we complement each other, but I wouldn't trade them for the world.

"Now what brings you here?" Sarutobi asks me.

I nod and get down to business, "I got into the scroll you gave me."

"And was it useful?" He asks.

"Yes," I respond, "there was a note from Yukiko explaining some things to me; she even mentioned who was after her."

Sarutobi's eyebrows furrow, "Can you tell me?"

"Orochimaru." I sneer at the name.

Sarutobi lets out a shaky breathe, "I see."

"I fear that he may figure out about my Kekkei Genkai and come after me." I admit. I did fear this would happen. I would never defect and go with the paedophile snake, but Sasuke will. I feared that if I didn't go with him willingly, he would try and persuade me, and that terrified me.

Sarutobi nods, "It is a reasonable fear, what do you suggest we do?"

I didn't answer his question; instead I ask my own, "Have you decided what you are going to do in the Chunin exams?"

Sarutobi shook his head, "I am having trouble deciding, I don't know who will take over."

"Tsunade." I answer immediately.

He nods, "A good choice, I'm guessing Jiraiya turns it down."

"Yes, he doesn't want to do the paperwork." I reply with a smile. I then had a thought, "If I may suggest something, Lord Hokage?"

"Yes?" Sarutobi says looking curious.

"Why don't you invite Jiraiya and Tsunade to come back to the village during the Chunin exams to help guard?" I offer, in the battle with Orochimaru, Jiraiya and Tsunade, the snake didn't stand a chance.

Sarutobi rubbed his chin, "It is a thought."

I look at the time of the clock in his room, "I need to go; I need to meet my team."

Sarutobi nods, "Yes, we will speak more another time."

I nod and run out.

NARUTO

"This is Sasuke, arrived at point B."

"This Sakura arrived at point C."

..."This is Naruto, arrived at point A."

"This is lame..."

Kakashi sighed over the line, "Just say your co-ordinates Akemi."

I grumble, "This is Akemi, arrived at point A."

"Wait, why are you with Naruto?" Sakura questions over the line.

"He followed me." I answer with a sigh, but I let it happen nonetheless.

Kakashi ignored them, "Okay, team seven, the target has moved." Kakashi says as he notices Tora move.

I sigh and roll me eyes, a cat, a freaking cat. We were chasing a freaking cat. I know I had to wait until Naruto had enough of these D-rank missions, but I was about really to kill someone. What we were doing were chores! It's already been a month for goodness sake!

I quickly and stealthy follow the cat with Naruto right behind me, I don't know why he followed me, but I didn't question it.

I spot him in the bushes, "He's right there." I say into the microphone. We all snuck closer, me and Naruto being the closest to the target.

"What's the distance to the target?" Kakashi asks through the line.

"Five meters, I'm ready to go." Naruto responds, his eyes never leaving Tora.

If I remember right, Tora doesn't like Naruto. "So am I." I say.

"As am I." Sasuke says.

Sakura just nods.

"Okay," Kakashi says, "Go."

We all jump for the cat, but Naruto reaches Tora first, he grabs the cat and yanks him up. The cat screeches and scratches Naruto's face. I sigh and take the cat, as soon as the cat was in my arms, he tried to scratch me, but I stroked his head. Tora began to purr and calmed down.

"Does it have a ribbon on its right ear? Is it our target, Tora?" Kakashi questions us.

"Yes," I answer shortly.

"Operation Capture Tora the Lost Pet Complete." Kakashi says through the line. I frowned and continued to stroke Tora.

Naruto got up and rubbed his sore face, "Why doesn't he like me?!"

"Cause you're annoying." Sasuke smirks at Naruto.

Naruto glares at him and huffs.

"Maybe it's because I'm a girl." I say not really caring, I had a cat back in my old world. She could be a cow at times, but cats were all the same, show them some love and they'll love you back.

Sakura tried to stroke Tora, but he hisses and tries to scratch her, "Well it's definitely not because you're female." Sakura grumbles. She wanted to catch Tora so Sasuke would be impressed with her.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and stroked the cat, I looked down at Tora and saw that he was enjoying Sasuke stroking him, "Well Tora likes Sasuke," I say with a small smile. Who would have thought, even animals love Sasuke.

Naruto grumbled under his breath, and then he shouts, "Isn't there a more exciting mission we can work on?!"

Everyone cringes at the volume.

We manage to bring Tora in, who is owned by Madam Shijimi, the wife of the Fire Daimyo. I had to stop myself from taking Tora out of the woman's arms because she was crushing the cat in her hug, I swear I saw the cat cry, "Oh, my cute Tora-chan! I was so worried about you!" The woman cries in glee.

Naruto laughs at the cat's expense, "The cat's getting what he deserves."

I roll my eyes, "Just because he didn't like you."

Naruto pouted but said nothing more.

"No wonder he ran away." Sakura whispers under her breathe as she watches the woman leave.

Once the woman was gone, Sarutobi speaks, "Now then, Kakashi's team seven, the next mission is to babysit Yojuo-sama's boy. Grocery shopping at the neighbouring town, helping dig up potatoes at..."

"NO!"

Sarutobi looks up when Naruto interjects, "No thanks to all of those things!" His arms made an X formation, "I want to go on a more exciting mission! Choose something else!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sasuke and Sakura agree with Naruto, I smirk to myself, knowing what will happen does have its advantages. Iruka, who was sitting next to the Hokage, stood up, "Idiot! You're still a Genin! Everyone needs to start with the easy missions to gain experience!"

"We've only been doing dumb missions lately!" Naruto protested. But he was cut off when Kakashi bonked him on the head, "Cut it out." Kakashi scolds.

I decide to speak up; I didn't feel like having the lecture, "In all fairness Hokage-sama, I think Naruto is right." I say looking at him in the eye, hoping that he would get the message. I saw the look of realisation flash in his eye.

He sighs, "Okay, I understand."

Naruto and Sasuke both look up, "If you insist, I will allow you to take on a C-ranked mission. It's to escort a certain person." Sarutobi says looking amused.

"Really? Who? The Feudal Lord? Or a princess?" Naruto asks excitedly.

Sarutobi smirks "Don't be so hasty. I'll introduce him now." He raises his voice, "Can you please come in now?"

The door opens behind them, "What? They're all kids!" Tazuna shouts in his drunken stupor when he sees us. My eye twitches, he reeked of alcohol, and we were on the other side of the room! He takes another swig of alcohol, "Hey, is the smallest one with an idiotic face really a ninja?"

Naruto begins to laugh, "Who's the smallest one with the idiotic face?" Naruto asks. We stood next to him, Sasuke was the tallest, and then Sakura and I was just an inch taller than Naruto. I giggle to myself, I knew that he was referring to Naruto, but I am small myself, so I was worried there for a second.

Naruto blinked.

1...

2...

3...

"I'm going to kill you!" Naruto shouts as he tries to attack him, but Kakashi hold him back by his collar.

"Don't kill the men you're supposed to escort, idiot." Kakashi scolds.

Tazuna takes another swig of his drink, "I am the bridge builder expert Tazuna. Once I return to my country, I will have all of you protect my life with yours while I complete the bridge."

I sigh but don't say anything.

"You will escort him in one hour, be at the gate then." Sarutobi said, and with that we were dismissed.

NARUTO

I was standing at the gate; only Sasuke and I were there. I leaned against the wall. I went through my mental list to make sure I had everything. I had even brought the purple scroll with me; maybe in my spare time while Kakashi teaches the rest tree climbing, I could practise the seals.

"What was in that scroll?"

I nearly jumped; I wasn't expecting Sasuke to talk to me. I knew that he didn't like me that much, "It's private." I say without thinking, it had become an automatic response. For the first couple of weeks, Naruto has been bugging the hell out of me to find out, but I never told him.

I turn to see Sasuke looking annoyed, "Why do you want to know anyway?" I ask him.

He smirks, "It's private."

My eye twitches.

But then, who could I tell? I know Yukiko told me not to tell people because I wouldn't know who to trust. But I know these people; I watched them in an anime for years until it was completed. Kakashi could help me; he knows a few seals and he may be able to find someone to help me. Naruto was a loud-mouth, but I know he would never tell my secret. I wasn't the biggest fan of Sakura, and Sasuke... I don't know about him actually. Would be try and steal them for power, or would he help me?

I turn my head when heard footsteps, I saw that they were Sakura's. When she saw me and Sasuke, she frowned. She had wanted to spend some time with Sasuke, but with me there, she couldn't. Then Naruto came speeding down, he looked excitement and was jumping on one spot next to me. Finally Kakashi arrived early for once with Tazuna, and off we went.

When he was out of the gate, Naruto turned around and cheered, "All right! Let's go!"

I laugh you myself, "Why are you so excited Naruto?" I ask him.

Naruto grins at me, "This is the first time leaving the village for me."

Tazuna turned to Kakashi, "Hey, will a kid like this really be capable on this mission?"

"Of course he will." I answer for Naruto, he nod with me looking insulted by Tazuna asking that.

Kakashi laughed, "I, a Jounin will be accompanying you. There is no need to worry."

Tazuna looked more reassured.

Naruto points at Tazuna, "Hey, geezer, don't underestimate ninjas! I'm a great ninja! I'll even be Hokage one day! The name is Uzumaki Naruto, remember it!"

Tazuna just took a long drink, "The Hokage is the village's number one ninja, right? I don't think a guy like you could become one."

"Shut up!" Naruto shouts, "I'm willing to go through any hardships to become a Hokage! If I become Hokage, you'll have to take notice of me!"

Tazuna sneers, "I won't, kid. That is, even if you become Hokage."

"Oh he will become Hokage." I say smugly.

Tazuna sneered at me, "And what would a girl like you know?"

My eye twitches, "This girl is protecting you, and if you don't want a little accident..." I hiss but Kakashi and Sasuke drag me away from him so I don't kill him. Once I'm away, they let go, I grumble to myself, "How dare he, just because I'm a girl."

"Well girls are weaker." Sasuke comments with a stoic expression.

A vein in my head twitches, but then I calm myself down and smirk at him, "Then you must be pretty weak, I beat you in the Academy, remember?"

Sasuke twitches.

We began walking, Naruto was a head and we were all walking in a line, with Tazuna far away from me as possible. I looked up at the sky, it was very clear and no clouds were in the sky, there was meant to be a puddle, were the Demon Brothers 'kill' Kakashi and go after Tazuna. Personally, I wouldn't mind them killing Tazuna, but that would mean failing out first C-rank mission.

"Hey, Tazuna." Sakura speaks up.

Tazuna looks at her, "What?"

"You're in the Country of the Waves, right?" Sakura asks again. I bit back a remark when Kakashi sent me a look.

"What about it?" Tazuna asks not looking bothered.

Sakura turns to Kakashi when she wasn't getting much out of Tazuna, "Are there also ninja in that country?"

Kakashi shakes his head, "No, there are no ninja in the Country of the Waves. Some customs of other countries are different. Some have ninjas while others don't."

Kakashi begins his lecture about the different counties, which I blank out of. I already went through this once; I am not going through it again. I only tuned back in when I saw the puddle up a head. I nudged Kakashi, "It hasn't rained for days, has it?" I ask.

Kakashi shakes his head and then sees the puddle, he look at me and smiles, I think, "No it hasn't."

We walk past the puddle, and I keep an eye on it, I took out my Sais getting really for battle, I was not going to be caught unaware. We were only a couple of feet away when they attacked; they wrapped the chains around Kakashi and 'killed' him.

Sakura screamed and backed away.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto cried.

I put up my Sais and attacked, I heard someone called my name, but I was too focused on them, I jumped over one, making sure to slash his side with my Sais. One of the brothers cried out in pain and came at me with the chains. He whirled them around aiming to hit me, I threw one of my Sais and pinned the chain to the tree and its user by his hand. I didn't notice the other brother coming to attack me from behind. I went to attack him with my Sais, but someone got in the way. Sasuke stood in front of me and fended of the other brother. I smirk at him, which he returned and continued on with the battle.

I made a hand seal, "Shibari no Jutsu." I say as I cast a Genjutsu on the brother. This would enable him from moving. I took the opportunity to hit him over the head with the blunt part of my Sais knocking him unconscious. I turn and saw Kakashi had appeared again and stopped the second brother harming them. He picked up with other brother near me, and smiled at me (I think), "Well done, Akemi, you did very well, as did Sasuke and Sakura."

I smile at him and nod, feeling proud of myself, I felt the glare of Sasuke but I ignored him.

As Kakashi passes Naruto, he says, "Naruto, I'm sorry to not helping you out right away. I got you hurt. I didn't think you wouldn't be able to move." He then moves to tie the two brothers to a tree.

Naruto was looking at me and Sasuke. 'They were able to fight, they didn't freeze up.' Naruto thought to himself bitterly as he bowed his head in shame. He wanted to be like that, he wanted to be able to fight, but he froze.

I walk up to Naruto, unaware of his inner turmoil, "Are you alright, Naruto?" I ask him. He looks up at me and I could see the shame in his eyes. My eyes soften at his face, he looked upset.

"Hey," Sasuke says getting Naruto's attention, "are you hurt scaready cat?"

I roll my eyes at him, I know that this was Sasuke's way of showing that he cares, if he didn't, he would have left Naruto in self pity. Naruto looked ready to hit Sasuke with his taunting, he went to get up, but he stopped when Kakashi called him, "There's poison on these guys' nails. We need to take the poison out right away."

"What?" Naruto says looking slightly sacred.

"Give me your hand Naruto." I say to him, he looks confused but does it anyway. I concentrate my chakra and use a diagnostics jutsu. There was poison in his hand, but the Ninetails was getting rid of it, and the wound on his hand was recovering very quickly.

I took away my hand and opened my eyes, I noticed them all look at me, "What?" I ask.

"What did you just do?" Sakura asks.

"I healed him." I say shortly, even if I didn't really, I just used a diagnostics, but they didn't need to know that. I look at Kakashi to see him with a glazed eye; he must be thinking about Rin, she used to use medical Ninjutsu.

"That's so cool!" Naruto cheers looking at his hand in awe, his hand was completely healed. It wasn't by me, but he didn't need to know that. I felt a glare on me; I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. Seriously, it was becoming old now.

"I need to speak with you." Kakashi says looking at Tazuna. He gulps but nods his head. We all gather around the tree, watching to make sure they didn't try to escape because they were awake.

"These guys are Chunin-class ninja from the Mist." Kakashi says with his hands on his hips, "They are ninja known to keep fighting no matter the cost."

One of the brothers speaks, "How were you able to detect our actions."

"I didn't at first," Kakashi admits, "Akemi was able to spot the puddle first saying that it hadn't rained recently. A puddle shouldn't exist on this sunny day, especially when it hasn't rained in many days."

Tazuna turns to face Kakashi, "Why did you let the kids fight when you knew that?"

"I could have killed these two in the blink of an eye, but I wanted to see who their target was." Kakashi answers with ease glaring at Tazuna with his visible eye.

Tazuna looks nervous, "What do you mean?"

"In other words were you being targeted, or was it someone else from our ninja group." Kakashi answer looking at the bridge builder fully.

"It could have been the ninja kids too." Tazuna shoots back.

I interject, "It can't have been, we're only children." And people don't know about Naruto and the Ninetails yet, and Orochimaru hasn't come into it yet.

Kakashi nods, "We have not heard anything about you being targeted by ninja. Our request was to protect you from armed groups like gangs and robbers. This is a mission that is above a B-rank." Kakashi looks at Tazuna with a pointed look, "If ninja are our enemy, this mission would have been an expensive B-rank mission."

"Then this mission is out of our league. Let's quit." Sakura says with a hopeful look.

"As if I am quitting." I say defiantly.

Naruto nods, "There is no way that we're quitting now!"

Sasuke smirks, "We are not quitting sensei."

Sakura looks a bit disappointed but doesn't say anything else.