Chapter 10: A New Mission

Hiruzen looked at several reports that he received daily from patrols. It wasn't anything new to him as such was the life of a Hokage. He reached for one of the reports and began to read. As he kept reading, he began to get a little worried. He made a signal to his ANBU. One of them appeared and bowed.

"I want Aoba Yamashiro and Raidō Namiashi here now." Hiruzen ordered. The ANBU nodded and was gone. Minutes later, two Jonin entered along with that ANBU member. The ANBU disappeared while Aoba and Raidō remained kneeling. "Rise, I want you to tell me about this report." He handed the report to Raidō who read it over.

"What is it that you did not understand sir?" Raido asked.

"The place you investigated when you were returning, where was it located?" Hiruzen asked. Aoba went to the map of the fire country and pointed it out. Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "What did you find?"

"We found nothing sir. All we found were some broken breakers and dead looking samples. We found nothing out of the ordinary." Aoba answered. Hiruzen sighed at that.

"Thank you both, you are dismissed." Hiruzen said.

"Hai!" they said and left via Shunshin (Body Flicker). Hiruzen looked at the spot that Aoba showed with concern. He knew that area and that cabin. It was a present to one of his students from back in his youth. It was his favorite student and had asked for a place outside of Konoha to do his research. He happily found him a spot and built a cozy cabin for him. This was before he turned rogue and disappointed him.

Hiruzen thought there had to be more at that spot. His wayward student would not just leave things alone for no reason. He needed this investigated. He considered sending an ANBU team but he decided that this would be better if the person knew his former student's ways. It would be a risky decision considering that he did the same to her but he had no choice.

Taking a scroll, he began to write done instructions. Once it was over, he took a stamp and placed it on the scroll. He looked to his left again and the ANBU member appeared.

"Summon Anko Mitarashi."

Near training ground forty-four, team twelve was doing a new exercise. They had each learned the tree walking exercise to an acceptable level that Anko was currently showing them how to utilize chakra better. She was teaching them how to stick to the tree from many parts of their body, which was why they were currently doing pull-ups using just their fingers to hold them. Anko watch on as her team did the exercise.

"That's it my little brats, feel the burn," Anko said. She then took a bottle of lighter fluid and sprayed onto the bonfire she had under them. The fire went a bit higher, making the team do their exercises faster. "Feel the burn." She said calmly. Suddenly, she felt a presence in the air. She turned just as the ANBU member appeared.

"Anko Mitarashi, you are to," he began but saw the scene before him. Sighing, he did a few hand seals. "Suiton: Suihachi." He held out his palm and a jet of water shot out, putting out the fire.

"Hey!" Anko exclaimed.

"The Hokage wants you to report to him now." The ANBU said and disappeared. Anko had a slight frown on her face. She turned back to her Genin.

"Ok, I'm going to see what the Hokage wants. Continue your exercises while I'm gone." Anko said before she vanished. The team sighed in relief when Anko returned again. "I completely forgot, Kuchiyose no Jutsu! (Summoning Technique)" The dust cleared to reveal the snake from their final exam. "Mai here is going to keep you company." She turned to her summon. "If they slack off, you can eat them." She told the snake before leaving again. The snake looked at them and seemed to smile. They all had one thing to say.

"YOU CRAZY BITCH!" They all shouted.

Anko arrived in the Hokage's office and bowed to him.

"I've arrived as ordered sir. What is it that you wish of me?" Anko asked.

"Read this report Anko." Hiruzen said and handed her the report. Anko took it and kept on reading. When she reached the part that he noticed, he saw the change in her. "Do you remember this place?"

"Yes, it was one of many hidden labs he had. It was the first one he took me too." Anko said.

"Then there is a secret lab at that location." Hiruzen muttered with a sigh.

"Sir, allow me and a team to go and deal with this place. We will burn it to the ground immediately!" Anko said.

"It has all ready been arranged." Hiruzen said.

"But sir, that bastard deserves to pay!" Anko shouted.

"That's enough! It has all ready been arranged. The reason I called you in is to confirm my suspicions." Hiruzen said. Anko looked ready to explode but quickly composed herself.

"It is your will Hokage-sama. If you will excuse me," Anko said. Hiruzen nodded as Anko walked toward the door.

"Mitarashi," Hiruzen called out. Anko turned just to see a scroll coming to her. She caught it and noticed that it was marked with a C. She looked back at him. "I want you to find any information and then destroy the lab."

"It shall be done Hokage-sama. Thank you Hokage-sama." Anko said.

"Anko," Hiruzen said catching her attention again. "Remember, you are responsible for their lives. Do not go off on your own to settle a score." Anko nodded, bowed and left. Hiruzen sighed and rubbed his forehead. He hoped that this was a good idea. Still, he had faith in Anko that she would protect her team from any danger, including her past.

The next day saw team twelve at the gates. They were ordered by Anko to pack for about three to five days. They stood and awaited their sensei. They didn't have to wait long as Anko appeared before them. She had a serious look on her face that didn't really match her personality. She explained to then the mission and they began to move out. She moving very fast and the team had a hard time to keep up with her. She looked back at them.

"What the hell are you doing? Hurry the hell up." Anko shouted.

"Why don't you slow the hell down? This place is only a few hours away." Jakken mumbled. He suddenly found himself ensnared by snakes. With a jerk, Anko flung him into a tree. He groaned as Anko appeared in front of him. She took him by the throat and held him in place.

"You got something to say, you say it out loud! When I say to move your ass, you move your ass!" Anko shouted.

"Anko-sensei, stop it!" Yakumo called out.

"Jakken is voicing the opinion of all of us. You're pushing us too hard to get to a place that is only hours away. You're acting weird." Naruto added. Anko turned to glare at her students before letting him go. She took off without them and continued on. Yakumo checked on Jakken as Naruto looked at his sensei's retreating form.

"What the fuck is her problem? She's been like this since we left the village?" Jakken cursed.

"I know what you mean. She's acting much too differently than we're use to." Yakumo added.

"What's your take on this pipsqueak?" Jakken asked Naruto.

"She's pretty guarded about something and this mission we're on has made her even more unbearable. Whatever it is, we better keep an eye out for her." Naruto said.

"We should probably keep an eye out for ourselves if she's acting like this." Jakken said.

"Don't say that!" Yakumo exclaimed. "She's our sensei and we have to look out for her as she would for us." Yakumo said as she took off. Naruto shrugged and jumped off as well. Jakken rubbed his throat before doing the same.

Anko kept moving in order to get to the location in a hurry. She hoped that her team had turned and gone back to Konoha. She made herself promise to apologize for the way she acted against them. She knew that she was being bitchy but when it came to that man, she couldn't help it. That man who betrayed her trust and love for him, the same man who left alone to be an outcast among her peers, that man who was one of Konoha's top missing-nin. That man's name was Orochimaru.

She remembered the first time meeting one of the famous Three Legendary Ninja. He came to the academy when her class graduated to choose a apprentice. He gave her one look and smiled. He picked her which shocked her greatly. She was happy though that she got to train one-on-one to the great genius Orochimaru. It was hard but she grew stronger and learnt all types of forbidden jutsu.

She was also his lab assistant. She a bit uncomfortable about that but she would do anything for Orochimaru. He continued to train her and they continued to do the experiments. That all changed one day. He abandoned her to the mercy of Konoha while he fled to do more experiments. It was a blow that she barely recovered from. She was an outcast and was not trusted among her fellow ninja. The villagers were also wary of her. She later created her persona to deal with everything and worked harder than most to gain the respect that she had.

Despite it all, Orochimaru's abandonment still stung. She would always ask in the back of her mind what she did to be thrown aside like that. She did everything that he wanted without compliant. Why did he abandon her? Why did he not take her with him? Why did he give her this mark? Anko rubbed her shoulder before focusing on reaching the cabin.

"Hey you crazy bitch, wait the hell up!" a shout caught her attention. She stopped to look back to see her team. They landed in front of her before and took several breaths. Anko looked at them with a neutral expression. "Damn you're fast, why the hell did you leave without us?" Jakken exclaimed.

"I thought you would have gone back to Konoha." Anko said.

"And miss out on our first C-rank mission, no way." Naruto exclaimed.

"I'm with the pipsqueak on this. I'll put up with your PMS if I get to continue this mission." Jakken added. Yakumo just nodded. Anko looked at the three before turning her back to them.

"Whatever, we'll rest for twenty minutes before we continue on." She said and dropped to the ground. The team followed her and was happy to do it.

The Land of Sound, formerly the Land of Rice Fields, was on the border on the Land of Fire. They were known for imports of rice and wheat. However that all changed when one man came into the land and complete took over. He swept into the land under the cover of darkness and was ruler before the sun rose. That same person convinced the daimyo to create his own ninja village. This man and his men would later call this land the Land of Sound and later form, the Hidden Sound Village.

A young girl walked through the halls of the underground bunker. She had her hood up to cover her face. A white sash flowed behind her as she made her way toward the throne room to see the leader of this village. Her slender arms had tattoos of a snake. She didn't wear any footwear but carried herself like royalty. She final reached the main room of the bunker and entered without introducing herself. The people inside tensed up but calmed down when they saw who it was. The girl folded her arms and waited in annoyance.

"Why have you summoned me here Orochimaru?" she asked irritated.

"Watch how you talk to Lord Orochimaru!" one person exclaimed.

"Quiet drone, adults are talking." She said. The person tensed but a hand calmed him down. Orochimaru looked at the girl.

"It has been so long Midoshi. At least allow me to see that beautiful face of yours." Orochimaru said. Midoshi did nothing at first but complied and removed her hood. Her green eyes bore into Orochimaru's who only smiled at her. "My word, you have gotten more beautiful. You are twelve now correct?"

"I grow tired of you. Why was I summoned here?" Midoshi asked with an edge.

"Fine, I have a task for you." Orochimaru said.

"A task, do you forget who you are talking to? I am not one of your drones to command." She said.

"But this requires you expert skills Midoshi. I would be forever grateful if you did me this favor." He said. Midoshi just scoffed before looking at the former Sannin. Orochimaru got off his throne and walked up to her. He handed her a scroll which she opened. She read over what was on the scroll.

"I do this and I never get to see your face again." Midoshi said.

"You wound me child. I'm doing such a good job taking care of you. Your godfather must be pleased." Orochimaru said.

"My godfather hates you as much as I do. The only reason you're kissing my ass is because you don't wish to lose the snake contract. I'm not as stupid as your drones." She said. She threw the scroll to the floor and left using a Shunshin. Orochimaru looked at the scroll and frowned. One of his personal guards walked up to him.

"My lord, why do you put up with her?" he asked.

"She has a great purpose that will never die. Should we anger her, she may turn on us and destroy our plans. For now, I will allow her disrespect." Orochimaru explained. The ninja bowed at his master and dropped the subject.

Team twelve was moving at a slower pace than before. Anko was still in her mood but she was at least taking it easier on them. It would be three hours of travel before they reached the cabin that Anko told them about. They moved carefully to the cabin and readied themselves to enter. Anko gave Jakken a nod and he kicked the door open. They all entered the cabin, kunais ready to be thrown. They all searched the place for enemies.

"All clear!" shouted Jakken.

"Clear here as well!" shouted Yakumo.

"Clear!" Naruto shouted.

"All clear! Gather up." Anko ordered. The team met around her and she led them toward a room. Anko looked around the room before she found the switch. She pulled it and a secret door opened up. The team looked down the stairs. Anko turned to her team. "From now on, be on full alert. We don't know what to expect."

"Into the belly of the beast," Naruto said.

"And out of the demon's ass." Jakken finished. With Anko at the head, team twelve descended down into the unknown.

Authors Notes: Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy it.

'Midoshi' literary means 'year of the snake'.