Please note this takes place almost 5 weeks after they get their cells.
Yukio's POV
Hmph, the last thing I wanted was to hear Koichi's complaining. Why he thought he was an exception to everything that made this village stable and prosperous was beyond me. I glared at him as he openly complained in front of his father even. Did he really think his own father, Kage and protector of the village, would give in to his selfish demands. "Dad, you've been giving us nothing but baby missions. Literally nothing else, dog walking, helping old ladies with their groceries, babysitting. That is stuff for academy kids not genin. We deserve a mission where we can test ourselves otherwise we won't know if we have gotten stronger. Hell, we haven't even gotten to fight once even though we have graduated ages ago. Don't you have something where we can show off? Just a little bit?" He said, proving the fact he was arrogant bastard. He simply wanted to show off his supposed 'skills' He wasn't even that powerful. Sure he might not be weak but that didn't make him powerful.
His father eyed him, thinking it over. I personally hoped he would tell his son off and give us enough 'baby' missions for a month. Wouldn't that give his little ego a little decrease. To bad even then it would be impossible high. "My pupil brings up a good point Naruto, we have yet to gain a mission where we are tested. Months of doing nothing of but these missions, though it is very youthful in it's own right, hasn't given my cell the chance to test their abilities. Though the choice remains yours I believe that we are ready for a higher rank mission then D." Lee piped in, placing a hand on Koichi's shoulder. I glared daggers at both of them, Koichi was a teacher's pet while Lee pretty much agreed to everything out of the boys mouth. I admit Lee wasn't nearly as bad as his first impression made him out to be he was still pretty bad. Only because he was useless when it came to ninjutsu so not very much help to me and my growth. It felt like I was teaching myself at times.
The Hokage seemed to roll this over in his mind, tilting his head slightly and looking us over. Probably to try and see if we were really up to the level Lee and Naruto were making us out to be. I have to admit these missions were getting a little tedious but at the same time our teamwork skills were still terrible. At least I tried to be helpful but it seemed whenever I tried to help Koichi, or save his life for that matter he snapped at me. Part of his whole ego, he couldn't accept help from anyone. I found it amusing because that gave me much more chances to send him into rage. Plus Kimi was more then grateful about me saving her friend. The Hokage straightened up, causing me to push my musings aside and focus on him.
"I see your point. Most of your missions have been resolved with swiftness and effectiveness. Plus your teamwork will get better the more challenging situations you are placed in. In fact, I have a mission I was saving for a chunin but I think you can handle it. There is a village just west of Konoha, a days walk really. They are having a problem with some kind of bandits apparently. Your job is to simply get them to leave anyway you can. A simple C Rank mission. Think you guys are up to it?" He asked, a childish grin on his face. The way my other cell mates reacted you would think he told us we just won the lottery and were getting an all expense payed trip to the vacation spot of our choosing. It wasn't a bad mission at all, a C rank mission would certainly give me many chances to not only grow stronger but also to piss off Koichi which was it's own reward.
"Of course we accept it! Thanks dad, you won't regret this! Can we go now Lee Sensei?" Koichi asked, causing me to scoff. What a fool, surely he didn't actually want to just go there. Charging in there like a fool. No way was I going to do that. If I could I would research the mission more. See what we weer dealing with and form a plan to deal with what we were facing quickly and effectively. I watched as Koichi turned and glared at me. "Just what is so funny?" He growled, narrowing his eyes. Hm, so many possible answers to this question. I could make a comment about his physical appearance but that would be unwise in the presence of his father whom his looks mostly came from. I could give an extremely logical answer that would leave him stunned but then I would just look like a git.
"Well it is quite simple really. I had pegged you as someone who would rush into things without a second thought and hey, I was right. Surprising isn't it?" I said, giving him my sly grin I usually saved for moments when I made a fool of him. It was amusing to see his face light up when he realized what I had just said. Even more so because he had to stop and think it over. He truly was a fool. Did he think his little snarl would scare me? Or his angry face for that matter? Out of all the things on this earth he was the one I was least afraid of. I sneered slightly, he was however very nice to be around. When around such an idiot you felt smarter.
"You wanna repeat that?" He growled, letting an edge into his voice. I smirked, was I suppose to be intimidated by this? "Perhaps you should get your hearing checked. Wouldn't want anyone sneaking up on everyone's favorite Uzamaki next to your dear daddy. Since you asked so politely I will repeat myself, just once though. Make sure you listen carefully or else you might miss it again. I said, and I quote, 'Well it is quite simple really. I had pegged you as someone who would rush into things without a second thought and hey, I was right. Surprising isn't it?' If you missed it a second time besides going to see a doctor I would suggest asking one of the other people in the room." I said calmly, meeting his gaze which was burning with something. Perhaps hatred?
He took a step forward, obviously seeking my harm. I, in mere self defense I might add, pulled a knife on him and placed it close to his throat. Had he taken another step forward he would have impaled himself which would be amusing. Though afterwards I might be sent to jail for killing the Hokage's son in front of him. Plus I would feel bad. "Okay boys, that is enough." Lee said pushing us apart though we continued to glare at each other. Well, he continued to glare at me. "Listen, you two need to relax and stop fighting. It takes a negative effect on our teamwork. Look, we will leave for the village tonight so we all have some time to do whatever we want. Which should include packing okay? We will meet by the west gate around 4 okay?" Lee said, looking between all of us. I nodded once before turning to walk out.
"That sounds reasonable sensei. If anyone needs me I will be researching the town in question. Till 4 then." I said before walking out. I shook the excess thoughts about Koichi and Kimi and Lee from my head. My goal was to find out about the mission and I would do just that.
At the Infomation Center
A quick glance around the center told me much. Many ninja of many rank from many different villages were here. In the corner some Cloud ninja were being very secretive about whatever it was they were reading. Probably something about the Uchiha clan. Not sure why but all the Cloud Ninja I have met have been especially hateful towards most Uchiha clan members. Course they hated everyone but they were especially hateful towards Uchihas. Once they realized I was looking they turned and glared at me. Clearly telling me to mind my own business. I turned my eyes towards the lady at the desk, inclined to continue my own business. I walked up and politely asked her where the mission files were located and she pointed me in the direction of couple shelves close to where the Kumo ninja were gathered. I thanked her and walked over, feeling at least one pair of eyes following me. I mused about whether it was a glare or not before I arrived and got to the act of searching for my mission.
The shelves were set up according to mission rank, type, and sometimes client. There was a shelf for D, C, B, A, and somewhere in the back, S rank missions. On the top of each shelf was bounties according to rank, the ones wanted by citizens were closer to the right side and those wanted by the government were on the left. The next shelf down contained escort missions. The ones who wanted escorts out of the land of Fire were on the right and those within the Land of Fire were on the left. Below that, around the middle, were things for lost items. Be it a pet, wallet, or something as important as a family artifact or scroll containing a forbidden jutsu. The more important stuff was on the left and easy stuff was on the right. Below that, second to the bottom, was what were commonly referred to as hunting missions. These included hunting for people who were causing trouble and ranged from trouble makers to killers. The easier ones were on the left while harder ones for more experienced chunin were on the right. And below that shelf was chores within the village. Things from babysitting and walking dogs to guarding the gate and helping out in the hospital. The easier more tedious stuff was on the left and the important stuff was on the right. Plus they were color coded.
I turned to the back and my interest was quickly pecked. The report was odd, strange and certainly made the mission more interesting. When I arrived in the city I instantly noted something was odd. The once bustling place was now empty minus a few scattered people here and there. All eager to be somewhere else. When I tried to talk to them they were quick to suddenly remember another place far more important they had to be. One man however, a complete loon, told me this.'Don't go, don't go out at night. Stay clear of the fairgrounds, they come at night, don't go out.' before hobbling off and slamming the door to what I presumed was his home. Of course my next destination was the fairgrounds. Nothing, well nothing off interest. The place was empty minus a few rusting attractions and empty booths. Certainly nothing to cause anyone such fear. Like I said before a complete loon. The inn I was staying at was almost completely empty. Later that night I went out for a stroll but saw nothing. I believe that it might be something as simple as a few bandits, bad bandits true, but nothing more that has spooked the citizens. I believe I will stay for a few more days just to see if I can get more info on what is going on.
Hm though I doubted a couple bandits would spook a village so completely but now I must remember it was a trading village and didn't have any ninja to guard it. I was about to close the report when I noticed the scribblings near the bottom. I read them and it made no sense. Lies, those are lies. He got him, they wrote it, don't come. Danger, danger at the fair. Lies, a city of lies, only lies. Stay away, stay away or he will add you to his collection. Stay away, danger danger in the dark. Light up the dark for truth, stay away from here. It was barely readable and I couldn't fully understand it. Obviously the writer didn't want us to go to the village but why? What did he mean when he said he would add us to his collection? Who was this he and just what did he collect? I quickly scanned the room, making sure no one was watching me before I tore off the edge with the writing on it. I shoved it into my pocket before closing the file and walking back to the shelf to put it away. I walked out of there quickly.
I then made my way home to pack. I made a mental checklist in my head. I would need to include at least 5 sets of clothes. One formal outfit, two everyday outfits, one sneaking outfit as I liked to call them, and something to where on the way there. I would also need my toothbrush, a few rubberbands for my hair, some extra pairs of shoes. That way if they get wet I won't have the displeasure of walking around in wet shoes. Also those books on the history of the wave village mom got me for my birthday last year. She always bugs me about reading them this might be a good chance. And another book that doesn't put me to sleep, might have to visit the library later. I think I read all the ones at home. Hm, what else? I pulled out the scrap of paper again. Flashlight just in case there really is something dangerous in the shadows.
Kimi's POV
Koichi was pissed. He had good reason to be too, what with Yukio making a fool out of him in front of his own father then just walking off like nothing happened. "I hate him. Hate. Him. Who does he think he is, acting so smart all the time. He really needs a good asskicking that is what he needs." He grumbled, glaring daggers at nothing in particular. I nodded my head, he really did need one. His parents thought he was the best thing to happen to the world since the end of the War. The pampered him and his sister, encouraged everything they did which turned them into gits who looked down on any and everyone else. It was their bloody mother. She spoiled them with gifts and threatened to murder anyone who spoke badly of her precious children. If I tried to pull half the things they did my mom would quickly backhand me on the spot and I don't even want to think of what dad would do. Probably lecture me and ground me for life.
"Hey, maybe the bandits will beat him to near death and then YOU can jump in and save HIS ass." I said, turning to look at my friend. He mulled it over for a little bit before his wide grin spread over his face. I could tell he was imagining it and the thought pleased him greatly. It was good to see him happy, when he was pissed he was scary. Like he was a totally different person. Then again knowing his parents it was no surprise he had his temper. More like his mom though with just a dash of his dad in there. His mom was usually shy, refined, polite but when she snapped. She snapped. One time she turned the whole table over, which was also the last time we brought our dogs over for dinner at the Uzamaki's I might add. Took a good week to get the stains out and my clothes still smell a little funky. But unlike his mom he had a shorter patience and his anger built up like his dad.
"Yeah, can't you just see it? Him barely hanging on and then out of nowhere, bang! I jump in and singlehandedly beat the guy without a scratch. Then I would say something cool and then HE would be the fool. Ha!" He declared, grinning wildly and showing off his sharp canines. Kinda like mine which reminds me. We need to test and see whose are sharper soon. We do it every week though Mamoru usually wins. I swear he cheats but he won't admit to it. I glanced over at the little dog who was walking besides me. Okay, little might not be the right word. He was almost to my knees which wasn't really small. He was a working dog. Light brown fur with a huge black spot on his back. Like someone spilled some black dye on him. He had a white stomach and big doe brown eyes. He looked up at me, obviously wondering why I was looking at him.
"Hey wait a minute. Why can't I jump in and save Yukio with you? Whose says you get to do everything singlehandedly? Hell, I am more likely to be pulling your ass out of the fire then anything else. What did you think I was doing in your little fantasy? Cheering you on from the sidelines or maybe I had already been knocked out? Geez sometimes you are such a prick." I said, glaring daggers at him. He was shocked, probably didn't bother to include me at all. Did he forget me and Mamoru were also part of his team, probably. Wouldn't surprise me at all. "Listen I gotta go pack. I will see you later okay?" I said walking away. How could he forget me like that? I was without a doubt one of the most important members of the team. While those two bickered like little girls I was the only one to actually get some work done besides Lee.
At the Inuzuke Residence
Hm, what to pack? Maybe a couple sets of clothes. Should I bring something formal? Then again what are the chances we are going to get invited to a party. Hm, maybe I should pack a semi formal outfit just in case. Something with some ribbons, mom had bunches of outfits with ribbons. What else? A toothbrush, toothpaste, Mamoru's toothbrush, his toothpaste. Some dog food, canned or bagged? Dry or wet? I will just ask mom to make a couple of her lunchboxes. Lets see, oh yeah I might also need some soldier pills. Hm, that is about it. Wait, I need my pillow and where did I put our headbands? Oh wait we got them on. Gah I hate packing. I know I will forget something.
At the Uzamaki Residence (Koichi's POV)
Clothes, check. Water, check. Extra shoes, check. Money, check. Food, check. Snacks, check. Weapons, check. Map, check. Journal, check. Compass, check. Wallet to store money, check. Ramen, check. Matches, check. Toothbrush, check. Mirror, check. Comb, check. Medical supplies, check. Mr Panda, packed in his special apartment. Pillow, check. Blanket, check. Hm, looks like everything. I grinned, no way was I going to be caught without supplies this time. Course my backpack weighed a ton, hey maybe I could count this as extra training. Course now there was the problem with what I was going to do for the next 5 hours till we had to leave. I know, I will go see Kimi and then we can get some lunch at Ichiraku's.
I grinned at the thought and turned to leave only to see my path was blocked. Moe was standing there, looking up at me sadly. "Hm? What is it little guy?" I asked, bending down so I was face level with my brother. Course he was usually sad/scared/frightened about something but at those times he usually cried and ran from the room in question or to where ever Mom or dad was. Now he just looked slightly worried. You would be surprised how much emotions his eyes showed. They might just be plain white but just by looking at them you could tell if he was happy,sad, angry, scared, or sleepy. He had moms hair, long and blue. Kinda looked like Uncle Neji sometimes but only when he was angry. Then again I have only really seen Neji either angry or perfectly calm, the later being something Moe never was.
"Your leaving. Now the monsters will come out of the closet and eat me." He said, looking down steadily. I sighed. My brother had a terrible habit of imagining some kind of something that was looking forward to eating his flesh. That or the person who walked through the door was secretly plotting to murder/kidnap/eat him. So we had to go through a bunch of rituals to make him feel safe. He had to be in the kitchen when mom was cooking to make sure no assassins poisoned the food. Dad had to do a full sweep of the house, inside and out, to make sure there weren't any ninja hiding in the trees or under the stairs or in the basement. Aishe had to check the bathroom before he went to take a bath and even then she had to make sure there were no alligators hiding in the water. I had to check the closet and under the bed for monsters that came out after Moe fell asleep to eat him.
"Oh come on little buddy, you can get Dad to check under the bed and closet. You don't need me to do it. Besides, wouldn't you rather have me fending off hordes of bloodthirsty bandits and saving a poor defenseless fishing village from complete and utter destruction?" I cooed, petting his hand. Judging from the look he gave me he would rather have me check under his bed then save a random village from some bloodthirsty bandits. "Oh don't be like that. Besides this is my first C Rank Mission! Isn't that kinda cool? I get to go out and gain a reputation I am worthy of. I will get the praise of that village, aren't you the least bit excited for your big brother?" I asked, grinning wickedly at the thought. Maybe they would give me an award, a medal. Maybe even rename the village after me.
"Personally I would be more excited if I wasn't going to die tonight." Moe said coldly, keeping his gaze down steadily. I sighed, he was very stubborn about the fact he was going to die sometimes. It really got annoying sometimes but at the same time it was needed or else Moe couldn't be at ease. "I know, how about we spend the afternoon together? You can join me and Kimi for lunch and then we will do whatever you want for the whole after noon." I said smiling at my genius. Moe looked up, grinning slightly. He liked hanging out around the village.
Later at 4:00 by the West Gate
Lee waited, glancing at his clock every couple seconds. Part of him wishing his team was more punctual. A soft tap alerted him to the first person arriving. He looked up to see Yukio standing there, his backpack over one of his shoulders. He looked up and met his masters eye and slightly nodded in his direction but then returned his gaze to the ground. Lee could easily tell something was troubling his student. "Is something wrong Yukio? You seem even more unyouthful then usual. Did you find out something unsettling about the mission?" Lee asked, tilting his head slightly as he watched his pupil. Yukio shifted around uncomfortably, not looking up to meet his masters gaze. The sound of laughter split the tense atmosphere and soon Koichi and Kimi turned the corner. "Tell me later." Lee said before putting on his signature smile.
"Hello everyone, are we all packed and ready for our mission?" There was a bunch of nods and wicked grinning coming from the two later. Yukio continued to look downwards, obviously unsettled by something. "Alright people, if we head out now we should be halfway there when it is time to camp. Lets go forward with the power of youth!" Lee cheered before jogging off, letting his students run to keep up with him.
This is done, yay. How you like it? Hopefully it wasn't too bad right? I think it came out alright. Did Lee somewhat in character, gave Kimi somewhat of a personality, and of course there was the ominous message read by Yukio. What does that mean? Just who is waiting for them in the Hidden Wave Village? What does he collect? I know (sorta) and you will just have to wait to find out :D Tell me what you thought of this chapter (which is the longest one yet I might add) and I will now go watch Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Have a good night.
