Natsumi blocked a strike from Yuki's sword, leaping back and sighing slightly as she caught her breath.
The first part of the Exam should be starting in a few hours. I hope Naruto's okay. Written tests aren't his strong suit at all.
"Don't slack off!" Yuki snarled, swinging her blade at Natsumi.
She blinked and rolled to the side, blocking the attack with her Ninjato quickly. "I'm not really in the mood to train now, Yuki. Would you mind if we took a break?"
"A break?" Yuki scoffed and stuck her nose in the air. "That's exactly why you humans are so weak. You're too fragile to train diligently."
"Yuki, I've been training most of the morning." Natsumi stood and held her arms at her side. "I'm tired and sweaty, and I'm getting hungry. How about we call it a day, have a nice, hot bath, and then grab something to eat?"
"Hmph." Yuki sheathed her sword and turned her face away. "I suppose you've earned a short break. As long as you get me something really tasty to eat."
The corners of Natsumi's mouth twitched in a slight smirk as she looked at the cat. "How does barbeque sound?"
"Hm... I suppose that would be acceptable." Yuki flicked her tail back and forth. "Although it's not exactly high-class dining."
"Maybe not, but I can sneak you into Yakiniku a lot easier than a fancy restaurant." She reached out to scratch under Yuki's chin. "And it's not overpriced, so I can buy you more."
Yuki purred for a moment before blinking and swatting away Natsumi's hand with a paw. "Alright, when you put it that way, I'll agree to it." She flicked her tail and hopped onto Natsumi's shoulder. "But first, a bath."
"You're such a strange cat." Natsumi stood slowly, wiping her forehead and her Ninjato vanished to return to her locker.
"Ah, that was refreshing." Yuki purred on Natsumi's shoulder, closing her eyes as she pointed her nose up. "That bath was just what I needed, and now my belly's full, too."
"What now?" Natsumi glanced up at her as she walked.
"I could go for a nap."
"Me too." Natsumi laughed. "How about we head home and sleep?"
"Please." Yuki yawned and rested her head on Natsumi's as she closed her eyes. "I haven't slept in so long."
Natsumi laughed to herself and rolled her eyes. "It's only been three hours since your last nap."
"So?" Yuki flicked her tail in Natsumi's face. "I'm tried."
"Okay, okay." Natsumi swatted the tail out of her face. "I'm going."
She turned a corner and bumped into a person with an 'oof.'
"Oh! I'm sor—" She looked up at the boy and blushed brightly. "I-It's you."
Yuuta blinked and then his lips curved in a slight smirk. "Oh, it's little Red." He released the hand of the girl he'd been walking with and met her eyes. "I haven't seen you around in a while."
"U-Uh..." Natsumi averted her eyes and scratched her cheek. "Well, I've been on missions pretty much back-to-back lately, so..."
"Hmph. That bitch is working you like a dog, is she?" He furrowed his brows and scowled for a moment as he muttered, then smirked again and shrugged. "I thought you were avoiding me."
"W-What?" Natsumi quickly shook her head and bit her lip. "Why would I?"
Actually, I was. Because I can't help myself from thinking he's cute, even though everyone warns me to stay away from him.
"Yuuta, who's this?" The girl pressed her lips together into a hard line and she stared down at Natsumi.
"Oh, this?" He looked back at the girl and put a hand on her shoulder. "She's just a friend. We see each other sometimes for missions."
"Is that so...?" She crossed her arms and looked at the younger girl. "She doesn't look like she's good enough to even be assigned to important missions like you."
"Don't underestimate her. She's pretty incredible."
Natsumi blushed as he put his arm around her with a grin, swallowing slightly as the older girl's possessive gaze bore into her.
"U-Uh... I... wouldn't say that." Natsumi leaned away from him and avoiding looking at the girl.
I wish he'd stop clinging on me like this! She really looks like she could kill me. I'm probably interrupting a date.
"Oh, don't be so modest, Red." Yuuta poked her cheek. "You've got more talent in one hand than most people have in their whole bodies."
"Uh... thanks."
Yuki hissed at Yuuta and shot him a glare as she hopped off of Natsumi's shoulder and onto the ground. "Can't you take a hint? Buzz off."
"Quiet, furball." He shot a look at the cat, then flashed a charming smile at Natsumi. "You don't mind my company, right?"
"I... uh..." Natsumi swallowed again and scratched her head. "Well, actually I have things I need to do today, and you already have company, so..."
"Oh, alright. Raincheck." He moved back beside the girl and motioned to Natsumi. "Sorry, babe. I forgot introductions. This is Natsumi Uzumaki."
The girl furrowed her brows and kept a watchful eye on Natsumi.
"Uzumaki?" She repeated distastefully.
Natsumi resisted the urge to frown and ball her hand into a fist at the cold expression in her eyes.
"And this is Maiya." Yuuta gestured to the girl next to him. "My girlfriend."
Natsumi's cheeks warmed slightly. "Girlfriend?"
She's pretty, but she seems to have a really bad attitude.
"You got a problem with that?" Maiya sneered.
"H-Huh? No, you misunderstood me..."
How was I supposed he know he had a girlfriend? The way he flirts with me so openly, I had no idea.
"Maiya, babe, relax." Yuuta waved his hand.
"Hmph."
"As if we care about you or your tart, you pri—" Yuki snapped and Natsumi scooped her up quickly with a panicked laugh.
"S-Sorry. She has no filter." Natsumi held the cat tightly in her arms as she wriggled. "I really have to go so I'm not late for a thing, so..."
"Better cancel those plans." Yuuta chuckled and shrugged. "I heard mom saying something about needing to see you."
Natsumi blinked and the blood drained from her face.
The captain needs to see me? Why?
"A-About what?" She asked slowly.
"Dunno. Some kind of mission." His lips curved slightly upward and he leaned down to meet her eyes and brush her cheek. "I'd go see what she wants right away. Just make sure you stay safe on that mission, alright? We wouldn't want you to scar up your pretty face."
"U-Uh..." Natsumi blushed deeply and pulled away from his hand. "T-Thanks... I'll uh... go report in, then."
She walked quickly away and let out a sigh of relief as she went around a corner out of sight, then released Yuki.
"What'd you do that for?" The cat glared.
"You were making the situation even worse. You can't just say stuff like that."
"I was being honest." Yuki stuck her nose up. "If the truth hurts, that's not my fault."
Natsumi sighed. "You were only making that girl hate me even more. I think she was almost ready to attack me."
"I bet that girl hates everyone. And her jealousy only proves how insecure and arrogant she is." Yuki flicked her tail. "You're so much better than her."
"Even if that's a compliment, it doesn't really sound like one in that context." Natsumi mumbled.
"Anyway, let's go meet up with that woman if there's a mission for us."
"Heh..." Natsumi waved her hand. "W-Why don't you go home and nap and let me deal with the Captain? It's the boring part anyway."
Yuki narrowed her eyes. "You're only trying to keep me from giving her a piece of my mind."
"Yup." Natsumi smiled slightly. "Now go take a nap. I'll summon you if I need you."
"Ugh. Fine." Yuki rolled her eyes and hopped onto the fence. "Call me if the mission's going to be fun."
"Yeah, yeah." Natsumi waved her hand and Yuki bounded off. She sighed quietly, alone, and stuffed her hands into her pockets.
Guess I have to go see the Captain now...
Natsumi sighed heavily and raised her hand to knock on the door of the briefing room.
"Come in."
Natsumi blinked.
The Hokage's here?
She turned the knob slowly and stepped inside. Hiruzen stood at the head of the table, overlooking several maps and scrolls. Yuuri stood nearby with her hands behind her back, and Hana stood off to the side, bent over a scroll as she read it intently. They looked up at her and Hiruzen smiled faintly as he chuckled.
"Well, well. It seems your intuition is reliable. You've saved me the trouble of having to send for you yet again. Excellent."
Natsumi scratched her head, laughing under her breath. "Um... thank you."
I guess it really wouldn't make a difference if I mentioned that Yuuta had tipped me off.
"You have a mission for me?" Natsumi stepped forward and glanced down at the map.
"Yes." Hiruzen nodded and released a puff of smoke. "Although we're still waiting on a few others before I begin."
Natsumi nodded slightly and stood off to the side to wait. She met Hana's eyes and gave a short wave. Hana's eyes narrowed slightly and she turned her attention back to the sheet and continued to read.
That's weird...
Natsumi lowered her hand and stared at the woman.
I'm not just imagining it... her attitude right now is completely different than when she visited me at the hospital. This vibe she's giving off now... it's making the air tense.
She pressed her lips together and balled her hands into a loose fist.
She... really hates me now, doesn't she? I don't even know what it is that I did.
Natsumi glanced back up at Hana, who continued to ignore her.
I thought... we were friends?
"Is something wrong, Natsumi?" Hiruzen studied the girl's expression carefully.
"H-Huh?" She blinked and shook her head quickly. "N-No, I'm fine."
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Hana glaring at her intently.
Her eyes are so cold like that... she must really hate me.
"Uh..." She turned her attention back to the Hokage. "It's just... I thought that you weren't going to assign me missions for the duration of the Chunin Exams?"
"That was my intent, however..." He sucked in a deep breath and then exhaled out rings of smoke. "I had the feeling that you would want to see this mission through yourself."
What is that supposed to mean?
Her eyes wandered down to the maps as she scanned them, and her eyes rested on one and widened slightly.
That's...!
The door opened and Aito, Benjiro, and Kiri stepped inside.
"Ah, that's everyone." Hiruzen nodded to himself as they looked around at one another. "Gather around. We'll begin right away."
Aito and Kiri glanced at Hana, as she stared coldly at Natsumi, then stood on either side of her. Kiri brushed her arm against the girl's, and smiled faintly as Natsumi looked up at her.
"Hey, Natsumi."
"Hey back, Kiri." She let out a quiet sigh, and all eyes turned to the Hokage as he cleared his throat.
"As you all know, the initial mission regarding the Abe household was a technical failure. However, the information we've deciphered has proved invaluable thus far." Hiruzen held the pipe away from his mouth with one hand and held the other behind his back.
Natsumi swallowed and pursed her lips as images flashed in her head.
That mission...
"After several weeks of reconnaissance, I believe an opportunity has finally opened for us to complete what was started."
Wait... Natsumi blinked and looked at the old man. Does he mean...?
"This morning we received word from Jiro that the hired mercenaries and guards that were patrolling the estate have cleared out. The reason is unknown, but they have not returned after three days, so we can assume that whatever role the Abe clan had to fulfill has concluded." Hiruzen paused. "Additionally, his reports detail that the residents of the estate have been behaving strangely."
"How so?" Aito asked.
"For one, since the hired men have left, not a single member of the Abe household has stepped outside. Not even servants."
Aito's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed. "...That is unnatural."
"There are several possible scenarios." Hiruzen continued. "One— the Abe household suspect they are being watched and are maintaining a low profile with stockpiled provisions... or, two— before they left, the mercenaries assassinated every member of the household."
A brief silence fell in the room and Natsumi lowered her eyes and clenched her jaw.
So... that boy that we were supposed to rescue before... could be dead?
"Without more evidence either way, we are working under the assumption that the Abe are still alive and are only in hiding. Furthermore, it's unknown if any of the hired men have kept out of sight for the duration of our watch, so it is unknown if any that we might not have been aware of are still at the estate. That is why you all will exercise caution on this mission and prepare yourselves for whatever you encounter."
He looked at Yuuri, who took a step forward to continue where he left off.
"We'll be moving in three sets of pairs, keeping in contact with our radio communicators, and flank the estate as we rendezvous with Jiro." She looked over her subordinates one-by-one. "We have separate goals depending on which scenario we're dealing with. If the Abe have been killed, we're to investigate the matter and continue searching for information as to who was behind it. If they're alive, we'll secure as many as possible and bring them in for interrogation, as well as searching for more evidence in the castle itself."
Yuuri paused and her expression darkened slightly. "However, only the members of the main household are our top priority. So long as they are captured, it matters little what happen to the staff."
Natsumi's eyes widened slightly and she looked between the Captain and the Hokage.
His expression hasn't changed, which means... does he want us to kill everyone but the main family?
"That being said," Hiruzen added. "our goal is to save as many as you can, though it may not be ultimately possible. In which case, you will follow your Captain's judgement. Securing the Lord is your main objective, and, if possible, follow through with our agreement to the young prince and bring him to the Leaf for protection."
Natsumi let out a short breath.
That's a relief. We're not going to be massacring anyone... I just hope the Prince is still alright.
"Does anyone have any questions before we continue?" The old man looked around at them and they shook their heads.
"Alright." Yuuri put a hand on her hip. "The pairs are as follows— Kuma and Ne. Ikuya and Mina. And Torou, you're with me." She placed earpieces on the table for them each to grab and watched as they each set them in place. "We leave in twenty minutes. Be ready by then."
"Yes, Captain." They replied in unison.
"You're all dismissed." Hiruzen nodded at them, and they began to file outside of the room.
Natsumi turned to follow Kiri out and the Hokage waved her over.
"Just a moment, Natsumi."
She turned to face him and he watched the others leave before focusing his attention on her.
"Would you forgive an old man for going back on his word?"
Natsumi shook her head and smiled faintly. "No need. You were right; I have to be on this mission. I failed the first time, so..."
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Your performance last time was unexpected and impressive, though I wanted to tell you directly that you mustn't use that technique again. You're still too young and it puts too much strain on your body. Do you understand?"
She opened her mouth to complain, then nodded. "Yes, sir."
"I'm also making the Prince your priority."
"S-Sir?" Natsumi furrowed her brows slightly.
"Assist the others as needed, but your task is to locate the prince above all else, keep him safe, and escort him back to the village— regardless if your teammates have finished their duties yet."
"You... want me to leave them behind?" Natsumi bit her lip. "But—"
He held up a hand to silence her.
"You may not have said it directly to me, but I know that you were the one most critical about Hasu's capture and our postponing of his rescue. As such, I'm making it your priority to safeguard the Prince in order to honor our agreement. Can I trust you with this?"
Natsumi nodded quickly and straightened. "Yes, sir. I won't let you down. I'll do my best to find him right away and bring him back as fast as I can."
"I knew I could count on you." He patted her shoulder again. "Now, go do whatever you need to before you set off."
"Yes, sir. Right away."
She turned to leave again and he smiled.
"Good luck, miss Uzumaki."
She glanced over her shoulder at him and returned the smile.
"Thank you, Lord Third. I won't let you down."