The ANBU Chronicles
File #1; Chapter 2
Genma
Genma trudged home, his pace a little brisker than usual. The stiff Special Jounin was highly annoyed that not only did he get to work with the infamous Sasori from Kumo, but they were going to be on the same mission and he hoped to Hokage that she would just do what he said so they could get the mission done and over with.
A hand reached out and touched his shoulder.
"Good evening Genma-san," said a familiar voice.
Genma looked over his shoulder, his tongue flicking the senbon needle instinctively. He found himself looking into the masked and presumably smiling face of Hatake Kakashi.
"Oh, good evening Kakashi-san," replied Genma, his eyes trailing back over his shoulder in the direction he had originally been walking.
"Oooh! Did you get a mission file?" Kakashi asked, trying to tug the manila folder out of Genma's iron grip.
Genma tugged it back.
"It's ANBU so I can't tell you," he said.
"Ah, elite," Kakashi said with a mock sigh," However, I already know a part of it."
"Were you listening in on the briefing?" Genma said, putting his free hand on his hip.
"Nope, but I heard that you will be working with the Dokugamoto woman," Kakashi said in a low voice.
Genma's eyes widened and his senbon needle faltered.
"Who told you?"
"Ahh... I can never reveal my sources!"
"I knew it! You've been sleeping with that female ANBU lieutenant!" Genma said, whacking Kakashi with the folder.
"No, no! That's not the case!" Kakashi laughed," Now seriously, I am going to offer you a bit of advice!"
"The last time I took your advice, I got slapped and called a pervert. I haven't had a date since," Genma said in an annoyed tone.
"It pertains to the mission," Kakashi said, waving his hand dismissively," Your target has a short limit break. If his attacks miss you or Sasori 7 times, then be prepared for the biggest round of genjutsu the both of you have ever seen."
"It can't be too bad-" Genma scoffed.
"I'm not kidding," Kakashi said in a serious tone," The Captain may not have told you this but they have already lost 3 ANBU in pursuit of this man. Do not take him lightly."
A short moment of silence passed and Kakashi loosened his grip on Genma's shoulder that he wasn't aware that he had had ahold of in the first place. Genma flicked the senbon needle again.
"Come back alive Genma, you're good friend of mine," Kakashi said.
"I will Kakashi," Genma said, giving him a smirk.
They turned to part ways.
"One last thing, Genma, make sure that you tell Sasori what I told you because I don't think that it is included in the file," Kakashi said.
"Sure thing," Genma replied and they parted ways.
Sasori
Sasori sat in the darkened room of her apartment, her only light being a single lit taper in a holder. She was alright with such little light and sped-read the file on Hirata Gensou, making mental notes here and there on the man. 'A great genjutsu user, eh?' she thought,' this would be easier if only Genma wasn't in my way! I could easily handle this by myself! I truly don't need teammates, why can't people understand that!?'
A soft knock on her door caused her to look up.
"Enter," she commanded.
In stepped a beautiful woman with stormy grey eyes indicative of her name and silky black hair that had made Sasori jealous on more than one occasion. She wore her black and white Kage robes and her black Kage hat with the kanji for lightning on it. It was obviously, the Raikage herself, Shinzui Arashi. The Raikage smiled and shut the door behind her.
Sasori immediately put the file aside and bowed low to Arashi, the only person she had ever showed respect to in her life, and really, the only person she really respected at all. After a moment, she looked up, sitting back on her legs. Arashi knelt on the wooden floor beside her.
"Sasori-san, I heard of your mission! I wanted to congradulate you," she said in her usual quiet manner.
"Arigatou, Arashi-dono," Sasori said, bowing again.
"Oh come now, let's dispense with the formalities," Arashi said, whipping her Kage hat off her head like a frisbee," When do you leave?"
"In an hour and a half," Sasori replied, chuckling at the Raikage's casual behavior,
"Aish! Have you even packed yet?"
"No, Arashi-dono, I was reading the file."
"Do you need help packing?"
"No ma'am," Sasori replied softly.
Arashi recognized that tone. She smiled and laid her hands on her friend's shoulders.
"I wish you all the luck in the world, Sasori-san," she whispered," But I fear with your super-human ability, you won't need it."
Sasori smiled- a rare smile. Arashi was always such a good friend to her.
"Indeed," Sasori chuckled.
"I'll leave you to your business but I must tell you something about Hirata Gensou," Arashi said," If he ever has you in the grip of his genjutsu, you must draw your own blood. Make yourself bleed and his genjutsu, no matter how powerful, will be released."
"How- how do you know this?" Sasori asked, her red eyes wide.
"Because he fought me to a draw once," Arashi replied," he would have had me but I stabbed myself with my own kunai so I could break his spell over me. I am warning you that you may have to do the same, Sasori-san."
"Arigatou, Arashi-dono," Sasori said. What she had told her had not been in the file.
"Doitashimasite, Sasori-san," Arashi replied. She smiled and stood up, stooping to scoop up her Kage hat," Now, I shall leave you to your business! Don't forget to tell Genma what I have told you!"
"Hai," Sasori said and watched her friend go to the door.
"Good luck Sasori," Arashi said and left.
The two never said goodbye.
2 Hours Later
Sasori and Genma met up at the Eastern Gate, just as the file had told them. Each had a pack over their shoulder and their ANBU cloaks on. They looked at eachother, gave a mutual nod and went through the gate. They got a running start and lept into the trees, headed for the Wave Country.