Chapter 5: Akatsuki Mission
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Author: I want to say thank you to those who reviewed my story. As for the new OC for Naruto, there were many choices to make. And the thing is, I needed a profile. I am not some dimbulb who can't make up names. So the new OC is Akako Etsuki, submitted by icydragon14. Thanks! I'm still working one her picture and the profile was slightly altered. There will be new OC characters later on, so don't be disappointed if yours was not chosen.
Haruko woke up at the scent of breakfast. She sat up, stretched and got dressed. She went downstairs and found Sasuke in the kitchen. He was apparently making Miso soup and some turkey Wasabi (. I love them!) . The plates were already set on the table as Sasuke placed the food on the table.
"Wow, I never knew you were such a good cook!"
"Well, I live alone so I have to learn…"
The two teens ate their food, talking about Ninjutsus they preferred. Sasuke favored mostly Fire Jutsus, but Haruko liked Water Jutsus along with a few from other elements. When breakfast was done, the two washed the dishes and walked out the door.
"I have to meet my teacher for a while, get your ninja gear ready in 15 minutes."
"Why?"
"I'm leaving in 15 minutes."
Haruko rushed up to her room and started putting on her holsters for kunais and shurikens. She put her scrolls in the scroll pockets on her belt. She then ran down the stairs the meet Sasuke. He was waiting for her, as expected. When he saw her, he motioned Haruko to follow him and they walked out the door. After walking for awhile, Haruko got bored and decided to just use teleportation for speed. Sasuke defied that idea, saying his teacher is always late, so there is no need to hurry. Haruko sulked for the rest of the journey.
After arriving at the appointed place, they had to wait for few hours for the person to show up. Naruto and Sakura came to wait as well. When the person finally did arrive, the teens were pretty spaced out. Sakura was daydreaming about Sasuke. Naruto was picking at the loose thread in his jacket. Sasuke was tapping a large stone with his Kunai mindlessly and Haruko was on her stomach doing a few simple Earth Style Jutsus. None of them were able to notice that the 'person' had come.
"Ahem." The silver haired man cleared his throat, trying snapping everybody back to reality. His attempt was in vain. He then went to poke the young ninjas hard in the arms, which was actually would have been effective only if he had poked harder. He sighed, then smacked the teens on their heads.
"If it isn't like Kakashi sensei to keep us waiting for so long." Sasuke caressed his head, it really hurt.
"There was a release on a new Icha, Icha Paradise book and you can't expect me to just let it get sold out without me helping." Kakashi whined as he continued his pathetic excuse. He looked around to see Haruko sitting there, staring at him in utter annoyance. "Yo! Nice to see you Mizukage-sama!"
"Shame. I can't return the pleasure." Every detail on her face indicated rage. "Why is a high leveled Jounin have such a bad habit of being late?"
"You mean you don't believe me?" Kakashi gasped.
"Sure, as if the line was that long that it took 3 hours for you to get your turn. Icha, Icha Paradise is not the most popular book. It's the most perverted. You can tell by the title." Haruko exaggerated the book's title with disgust.
"But the author is from…"
"The Water country who is currently planning on retiring from the whole book business from lack of sales. And I insisted." Haruko gave out a devious grin. "Face it Kakashi, you keep me waiting again and I will personally see to it that all shipments of the 'Icha, Icha Paradise' is to be stopped from importing to the Fire Country again. And never call me Mizukage-sama, it's Haruko! Do I make myself clear?"
Kakashi gulped. "Yes, Haruko-sama. The Hokage-sama has sent us on a mission for to check for a possible place where there might be an Akatsuki headquarters. There is to be only two ninjas sent there for investigation. The two most powerful ninjas here."
"That means I would be one of them?" Haruko lifted her eyebrows. 'I have to make sure that Naruto is the other person.'
"Yes, of course. Your sannin Kenshi brought up that you had a past relationship with the Akatsuki, so smuggling you in would be no problem. Accompanying you with a friend would be no problem. Do you have a suggestion in with one will be easier to get in?"
"Sasuke has a blood bond with one of the agents there, but Itachi can easily see through that. The guys no idiot. The Akatsuki never even bothers with accepting girls, unless there is a real talent, like a rare bloodline. That means Sakura's a no go. And there is Naruto. My sources confirm that they want him recruited because of the Kyuubi. I'd say he would be the easiest to get past with the security with. As for me, I still have the Akatsuki cloak with me so I'd be no problem."
"Alright, Naruto and Haruko it is. Still, I think that Sasuke would be better."
"No. He may be more skilled as a ninja and I do want him to go. But he has already denied the Akatsuki once. Saying a change in mind would cause suspicion. If Sasuke goes, one encounter with Itachi would blow the cover. Naruto has a clean record and he is wanted."
Kakashi thought for a moment. "Yes. Of course."
"Alright! I can't wait!" Naruto jumped up and down.
"Naruto, shut up. No matter where we are, we are still discussing an S-Ranked mission. There could be another ninja nearby!"
"Ok, Haruko-chan." Naruto whispered.
Haruko rolled her eyes and then left. The discussion was finished, best that they start packing now. She and Sasuke walked back in silence. When they got inside the house, Sasuke gripped Haruko on the shoulders. "Why did you not want me to go with you?"
"Sasuke, it's political not personal."
"Why would you want Naruto to go?"
"He is the most likely person to be able to get in."
"Not good enough."
"Sasuke, I don't want you to go crazy. If you do get in to the Akatsuki Headquarters, the cover will become easy to see through. Itachi will be there. The Akatsuki Organizations kill spies, I don't want you dead…"
"Haruko, then why put yourself to danger?"
"I'm a Mizukage. It's what I do."
"Haruko…"
"I'm sorry."
Sasuke released his grip and walked off. They ate dinner in silence and Haruko started to pack up. She made one Teleportation Jutsu back to the Water Country to get her cloak and then returned. Everything was already packed all her clothing, ninja equipment and her cloak in one backpack. Haruko was to spend one last night in Sasuke's estate.
Dream
Haruko woke up in her pajamas somewhere full of water. Itachi stood there with his arms crossed.
"Mange-Sharingan. How predictable." Haruko rubbed her eyes to get away from the sleepiness.
"The mission is underway?"
"Quite conveniently, yes."
"Good. I expect you to arrive at the Akatsuki Headquarters by tomorrow morning, With Uzumaki Naruto."
"Yes, you do that. I kept my cover as an Akatsuki member, so your organization keeps mine as a friendly Mizukage. Or I will have to discontinue the mission."
"We have no intention of testing your patience, Haruko."
"I hope so."
"How is it going with my brother?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"I saw that peck on the cheek."
"How's it going with your new mission. It would seem you are having some difficulty."
"Just remember the history. If you can get my brother to join the Akatsuki willingly, there will be rewards. So do whatever you think is necessary."
"Feh."
"That thing again? Just make sure the mission is successful."
"Haruko Myashi never fails a mission."
"Dismissed."
End of Dream
Haruko woke up and thought for a moment. Then a smile crept onto her face followed by a blush. She got off her bed and walked to the balcony and sat there. It had finished raining and dew hung onto the plants. Haruko used the Kekkei Genkei bloodline to play around with the water. Sasuke approached, and Haruko stopped. She looked up and smiled.
"Can't sleep?" Haruko asked softly.
"No."
"Well, I can't stop thinking about the mission. I haven't been there in 10 years. What if I mess up." Haruko stood up ad leaned against the fencing. "I can't help but think of my former teachers."
"Who were they?"
"Kisame, Miya and Itachi."
"You trained with Itachi?"
"Your brother, he's got a really ignorant attitude."
"That's him."
"I know."
"Haruko sat back next to Sasuke on the lawn twin chair and leaned on his shoulder. "He's pretty mean. He made me go through a history course…"
Sasuke chucked and then felt some weight on his shoulder. He saw Haruko asleep peacefully. He stiffened. 'What the hell am I supposed to do! I mean, I'm not good at these touchy feely moments! Sasuke, you are a Shinobi not a mouse! Just calm down and carry her to her bed!" Sasuke put his arm around her and picked the bluette up. He then walked to her room and placed her on her bed.
"Stay…" Haruko mumbled sleepily.
Sasuke flushed for the first time. But he did not walk away. Somehow, he just reacted. He lied down next to he and wrapped his arms around her. Haruko cuddled up to him and buried her face in the fabric that covered his chest. 'Ah, this feels pretty warm actually.' Sasuke closed his eyes and went to sleep.
The sun rose and Haruko woke up. She then saw Sasuke asleep beside her and blushed. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She got up and dressed. Then she threw the Akatsuki cloak over her shoulders. She walked over to Sasuke and pinched him hard on the cheek, waking him up immediately. When he saw the cloak he did a few hand seals and did the Kanton: Fireball no Jutsu on her. Haruko just simply put her hand in front of her and did the Jutsu Diffusion.
"Its me, idiot."
"Don't do that again."
"Why?"
"It's not funny."
"Ok. Can we go to that Ichiraku's Ramen Bar?"
"…Fine."
"Yes! Now we're talking motivation!"
After breakfast, Haruko and Sasuke walked to Hokage Tower. Once they arrived, Haruko draped the Akatsuki cloak over her shoulders and walked over to her horse. Naruto has not arrived so Haruko took the chance to give Sasuke a light peck before she climbed onto her mount. Naruto arrived and Haruko pulled out some lengths of rope and did a few hand seals. The rope tied itself around Naruto and Haruko pulled him onto the horse.
"Only way to make it look convincing."
Sasuke smirked as Naruto pouted. Iruka had insisted that Naruto does not bring any backpacks so that it seems he was not prepared for the trip. They were about to leave when a girl around Haruko's age appeared. She had raven hair with red highlights and a pair of serene jade eyes.
"Akako, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"So, Naruto has a girlfriend." Sasuke smirked.
"Well, what's it to you Sasuke?" Naruto yelled.
"Blackmail." Sasuke still kept the evil smirk on his face.
"Don't you dare…" Naruto gave a deep growl.
"Teleportation Jutsu…" Haruko did a few hand seals and they appeared in front of a mountain barrier. Haruko paced her mount forward and did a few hand seals, ending with horse. "Kinjutsu Kanton: Fire Phoenix no Jutsu!" The firebird hit a specific place on the mountain and a door opened. The horse was set to a gallop and within a few moments, they were in a room. A hooded man was awaiting them.
"State your business."
"Haruko Myashi checking in with Mission 96394. Drop the attitude Itachi, you know its me."
Naruto watched in amazement. 'It's as if this was all planned…'
Author: The OC had a slight appearance but will play a part in later chapters. I want reviews people, before I start the picture of Akako and her new profile!