A/N: So here's chapter two...yeah, there's a lot of dialogue. There'll be more action next chapter. I basically wanted to set up the characters and get some of their inner workings across.

KC Evans: I searched for awhile for ANBU info, but couldn't find anything conclusive about family being knowledgable about loved ones in ANBU. I was simply going by the brief flashbacks in Naruto when Itachi is known to be in ANBU by his family. So far I've kept it strickly family only and up to the individual as to who if anyone knows. If someone has definitive info one way or the other, let me know.

Lady Kagome0101: I changed the title in case it was confusing. The story is a "side story" in the Naruto universe, not directly about Naruto. He and other main characters will make several appearances, either to set up wherethe story takes place in the Naruto timeline or just to add some familiarity, but the story primarily revolves around original characters. Sorry if that disappoints you.

Anyway, enjoy:

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Chapter 2

"Entrance Exam"

"This is it, isn't it?" Kaori contemplated aloud.

"Yeah," Takeo nonchalantly replied. "Nervous?"

"No way," Kaori emphatically answered.

"You should be, Kaori-san," Kintarou grinned. "There's a reason not everyone wants to become a member of ANBU."

"I'm well aware of that, Kintarou-kun," Kaori retorted. "Most shinobi can't handle the stress or the danger of the job. I don't need you or anyone else to remind me."

She confidently marched forward alongside Takeo and an oddly silent Kintarou as they made the short trek to see the Hokage. After the pleasant meal at Takeo's home, the three hopeful rookies had shaken most of their nerves and were weaving in and out among the morning traffic of shinobi and village residents that congested the streets. Konoha was now wide-awake and the commotion of the midmorning was somehow settling to the anxious group. The three began glancing around, taking in the simplistic and carefree atmosphere that filled the heart of the village. Takeo found himself thinking back to his parents awaiting him at home. A group of Academy students playing nearby distracted him, and he found himself staring at the trio enjoying their game.

"Your little brother was really sweet, Takeo-kun," Kaori commented, noticing Takeo's fascination with the kids.

"Hm? Oh, you mean Shinji-kun?" Takeo responded. "He's not my brother."

"But-"

"He calls me nii-san?" Takeo finished. "Yeah, he's called me that since we were both kids. I was probably his age when he and his dad moved in next door. Don't exactly remember when he started following me around, but he hung around our house so much my mother basically made him part of the family."

"So is that why you told him about joining ANBU?" Kintarou chimed in. "Only immediate family members are usually allowed to know."

"Which is why I didn't tell him," Takeo replied. "But, Shinji-kun has a knack for listening in on less-than-public conversations."

Kintarou chuckled softly. "I see. I wonder where he could have picked up that bad habit."

"Eh? You're not still mad about that are you? That happened over two weeks ago," Takeo stated.

"What happened two weeks ago?" Kaori asked with intrigue.

"Nothing," Takeo sighed.

"Well, we were on a four member team on a mission to…." Kintarou began.

Takeo relented and paced ahead out of listening range of the others, looking back briefly after hearing Kaori's mocking laughter and Kintarou's heavy sigh of exasperation.

"Remind me to never have any private conversations with you in the room," Kaori snickered as she brushed passed him.

"Duly noted," Takeo muttered.

Kintarou gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder as he strode past him and caught up with Kaori. Takeo could care less that his teammates were suddenly quickening their pace and inadvertently leaving him behind. He clasped his hands together behind his head and cradled it as he walked, gazing upwards. The sun was still brightly shining and the few clouds that dotted the early morning sky had all but vanished. Takeo closed his eyes briefly, burning the image into his memory. Whether he was successful on this mission or not, he would try to remember this scene and these feelings. The warmth and tranquility of Konoha and the joy of its inhabitants would always remind him of home, and of his duty. He unknowingly smiled as he slowly lowered his head.

"Ah!"

Before Takeo could react, he felt something plow into his gut. As he gathered himself, a loud groan accompanied the angry voice that began berating him.

"Watch where you're going. You almost made me drop all my gear."

"Eh? I'm sorry," Takeo apologized.

An older man with long white hair stepped out next to the kid Takeo had bumped into.

"Don't worry about it," he smiled. "He's in a bit of a hurry. Naruto, let's keep moving."

"But Ero-sennin, what if he made me smash all my ramen?" Takeo heard the boy exclaim as the two continued past. "I can't go off to train without it"

Takeo watched as the two disappeared into the crowds behind him. He recognized the two from somewhere but couldn't quite place it.

"Yo, Noppo!" came Kintarou's booming voice. "Are you coming or not?"

Takeo nodded and reluctantly raced ahead to join the others. By the time he caught up to them, they were standing outside the Hokage's. With a quick glance at one another, the three headed towards the door. After identifying themselves to the pair of Chuunin guards, they hurriedly stepped inside. Winding their way around the stairs, the group came upon the doors to the Hokage's office. Kintarou raised one of his large hands to knock, but a powerful feminine voice stopped him.

"Come in."

With one last nervous sigh, Kintarou opened the twin doors and stepped inside along with Takeo and Kaori. They immediately felt the pair of brown eyes intensely studying them from behind the large desk near the windows. Kintarou stood proudly at attention as Kaori anxiously fidgeted with her hands behind her back. Takeo, meanwhile, looked calmly around the room, noticing the abnormally large selection of medical books and the pink-haired girl in the corner, who was focusing intently on several large scrolls.

"Sakura, will you excuse us for a moment?"

"Yes, Tsunade-shishou."

Takeo and the others watched as she scooped up the scrolls in her arms and quickly darted out of the office.

"So," Tsunade began, placing her elbows on the desk and resting her chin on her clasped hands. "You three think you're ready to become members of ANBU?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama," they replied in unison.

Tsunade continued to look them over.

"Hirashi Kaori," she said, focusing on Kaori. "You're an accomplished medical ninja and your reputation with Genjutsu techniques is well documented. However, it will no doubt take more than illusionary tactics to defeat the enemies you may encounter as a member of ANBU. And your medical skills, no matter how great they are, may be useless when your enemy can kill you or your team members in an instant. Perhaps it would be best served if you left ANBU to the real fighters and joined our staff at the hospital. As you may be aware, we are understaffed at the moment and-"

"With all due respect, Hokage-sama," Kaori interrupted. "I am not just a medical ninja; and I believe you underestimate the value of my Genjutsu. While I may not be the best fighter one-on-one, in a team situation I am as strong as any other Chuunin."

"Hmph." Tsunade stoically responded. "And, Kazumo Kintarou?"

At the sound of his name, Kintarou grew anxious and eagerly stepped forward.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," he answered.

"I see you've accomplished a lot in your brief Chuunin career," she stated. "You've taken quite an active leadership role in many B-rank missions as well as assisting as an examiner for the academy…your Ninjutsu and Taijutsu abilities are top-notch according to your sensei…. It would seem that you are an ideal candidate for entrance into ANBU. Suppose you are accepted. Would you seek a command position?

"Yes," Kintarou emphatically replied.

"And if such a position required you to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the mission, I assume you would have no objection?"

Kintarou nodded.

"And what about your team?" Tsunade inquired, carefully studying Kintarou's expression. "If the mission required that you sacrifice them in order to succeed, would you still accept it without remorse?"

"I would do everything in my power to avoid the death of any team member, regardless of the mission," Kintarou resolved. "But if the ultimate success of the mission depended upon the death of another, there is no thinking required. The deaths of many outweigh the deaths of a few."

"Very well," Tsunade said, turning to the last Chuunin standing before her. "Zuboshi Takeo. Your father's reputation proceeds itself. Keigo is well known among ANBU members and even the most elite shinobi in Konoha. His skill with a bow and arrow and his creativity in the heat of battle is almost legendary. It must be hard standing in his shadow."

Takeo smirked. "He's never stood over me long enough to be caught in it."

"Still," Tsunade continued, suppressing a slight smile. "The comparisons and expectations will be there. How do you expect to live up to them?"

"I don't," Takeo said matter-of-factly. "My father's his own man, just like I aim to be. I have my own goals and expectations to live up to. Anyone else's don't really concern me."

"Very well," Tsunade said, relaxing slightly as she leaned back in her chair. "There's no need to say that you three have the potential to be outstanding ANBU members. I'm sure you recall, however, your Academy graduation; from the many graduating students, only a few became Genin. The same holds true now. Despite the numerous qualified applicants, only a few can be admitted into ANBU service at the moment."

"So we have to take another test?" Kaori asked with chagrin.

"In a way," Tsunade said, tossing a rolled up scroll onto the desk in front of the three. "You were sent here to receive a mission."

Kintarou swiftly snatched the scroll from the desktop before Takeo or Kaori could blink and started to open it.

"So the mission is the test" estimated Takeo.

"Yes," Tsunade confirmed. "Our intelligence has located a man within the Earth Country who has vital knowledge concerning several "organizations of interest", and we have agreed to guide him safely here to Konoha in exchange for that information. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't dare use this A-rank mission as a field examination. However, with our numbers as they are currently, it is the only option."

"We understand, Hokage-sama," Kintarou bowed. "We shall not fail."

Kaori and Takeo followed his example and nodded as they bowed their heads.

"All the details are contained within that scroll," Tsunade said. "Memorize what you need and then burn it. I suggest that you take the rest of the day to make preparations to leave. It's a long journey to the village where the defector lives, so make your plans accordingly."

"Ah, Hokage-sama," Kintarou fervently interjected. "Shouldn't we receive our ANBU equipment, specifically our animal masks? When we become official members, our identities are to be kept hidden, so why shouldn't we hide them now?"

"You will need to travel out of sight and undercover when you enter the Earth Country," Tsunade replied. "Dressing as a member of ANBU will draw too much attention to yourself as you journey."

"Of course," Kintarou quickly nodded in agreement.

Takeo shook his head while Kaori rolled her eyes.

"Very well," Tsunade said as she stood. "You have your mission. Kintarou, as team leader, I expect you to make sure your team and the defector arrive safely back here in Konoha. I wish you luck."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," the three replied in unison.

Taking their leave, the three anxiously retraced their steps back to the spiral stairway and paused for a brief moment once they were back outside. Kintarou, beaming with excitement, held the mission scroll tightly in his hand as he wrapped an arm around Kaori and Takeo. Kaori politely smiled back at him as she tried to writhe away from his grasp. Takeo rolled his eyes and made a quick snatch for the scroll. Kintarou pulled his arm back off of Takeo's shoulder to rebuff his attempt, allowing Takeo to easily march away.

"Oi, Noppo," Kintarou yelled. "Where are you going? We need to make plans for the mission as Tsunade-sama advised."

"'I know," Takeo replied without stopping.

"Then where are you going?" Kintarou responded. "I've got the scroll, remember? We're supposed to look over it as a team. And we should decide when and where we wish to depart."

"Sounds like a plan," Takeo said, still walking.

"Get back here, Takeo-kun," Kaori scolded. "We need to hurry and get our strategy together. I have some place I have to be."

Takeo stopped and turned slightly.

"Geez, another date?" he smirked. "You must have a guy lined up every day of the week."

"Oooh…" Kaori grumbled, clenching her fists. "I have to be home to help my parents at the restaurant. I would never put off my duty as a shinobi for some boy. And, my personal life is none of your business, Takeo-kun. If I want to go on a date every night until I've gone out with every single boy in this village, that's my own business!"

"Right, right," Takeo nodded teasingly. "But before you get around to me on your dating wheel, I'm heading back home."

Kaori glared at Takeo's half-grinning face.

"Like I would ever," she mumbled.

"Kintarou," Takeo began. "You're the team leader, so you hang on to the scroll. We can meet up at the gates tomorrow morning at sunrise, read the scroll together when fewer people are out and awake, and then head out."

"Uh…yes…that should work," Kintarou replied, taken aback by Takeo's rational thoughts.

"Great," Takeo smiled. "See you guys tomorrow then."

"Right. Later, Noppo," Kintarou waved before turning to Kaori. "Kaori-san, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Kintarou-kun," Kaori replied, turning to leave as well. "Bye, Noppo!"

"See you at sunrise, Kaori," Takeo chuckled. "Sorry for teasing you. You know I won't hold you to it."

Kaori laughed quietly as she smiled and waved goodbye.

"Though Kintarou might," he grinned.

"If Kaori-san wishes a date with me, I would have no choice but to accept," Kintarou politely responded.

"I'll keep it in mind, Kintarou-kun," Kaori giggled as she watched Takeo leaving. "See you at sunrise."

"Right," Kintarou affirmed.

Kintarou sauntered off towards his home, the scroll still securely in his grasp. Kaori stayed a moment longer, her mind momentarily lost in thought. The soft glint in her blue eyes soon faded as she quickly remembered she needed to be home. She ran off, her shadow bouncing along with her under the midday sun. The center of town had become very congested while she and her team were at the Hokage's. Only a few blocks from home, Kaori found herself weaving through the tightly packed traffic around the market place. It was easier traveling through this mess with Kintarou and Takeo. They could push through the crowd easily, especially Kintarou. Alone, though, Kaori found it difficult to manage. She'd never admit it, but those two also helped stave off advances from eager shinobi wanting to talk her into a date. Now, though, she could feel several pairs of eyes following her.

"Kaori-san," a nasally male voice called.

Kaori started quickening her pace and glancing over her shoulder. However, she failed to see the pony-tailed shinobi running towards her, and dropped her shoulders in frustration as he greeted her face to face.

"Ah, Kaori-san," he sighed, stopping a few feet away. "I've been looking for you."

"Hi, Yamaki-kun," Kaori forcibly smiled.

"I just finished an A-rank mission," he proudly stated, ignoring her greeting. "With the fee I got, I figured we could go out somewhere special and celebrate. Perhaps we could even train together. I'm sure there's a lot a Jounin such as myself can teach you."

"Ah, that's really nice of you, but I can't today," Kaori declined.

"Come on, Kaori-san," Yamaki prodded, reaching a hand towards her arm.

"I really can't," Kaori sternly repeated, swatting away his hand.

"Kaori!"

Both Kaori and her eager pursuer turned at the beautiful woman walking towards them. Her blonde hair danced lightly across her shoulders and neck as the long single braid from the rear of her head bounced gently against the small of her back. Yamaki's mouth hung wide open as the curvy kunoichi stopped beside them.

"Kira," Kaori gratefully smiled.

"Sorry, Yamaki-kun," Kira said, taking a hold of Kaori's arm. "We need her at home."

Yamaki was speechless as the two girls ran off down the street. When they finally stopped outside a large restaurant, they gave one another a playful smile.

"Thanks," Kaori said.

"No problem," Kira replied. "I wish I'd had a sister to do that for me when I was your age."

"Yes, we're all aware of the hardships you faced," Kaori replied sarcastically. "But no one bothers you since you got engaged to Hideo-san."

"True," Kira nodded with happiness. "See, you can just find someone to marry and no boy will bother you again."

"Hmph," Kaori mumbled, crossing her arms. "I'm far too busy and involved with my training for that."

"Whatever," Kira shrugged. "Then maybe you should try telling Yamaki and the others you're not interested. It would save me the trouble of having to rescue you all the time."

"I can't do that," Kaori shyly replied. "I don't want to hurt their feelings, or scar them after turning them down…I know what that feels like…"

"Kaori," Kira frowned. "Is that why you keep accepting so many invitations? I understand you don't want to make them feel bad, but leading them on if you're not serious is only going to make their pain eventually worse."

Kaori didn't say anything as she stood twirling one of her braids around her fingers.

"Anyway, when do you leave for your ANBU mission?"

"Hush!" Kaori said quickly. "Mom and Dad don't know about that remember."

"I know," Kira responded. "They're both in the kitchen, anyway. Although why you'd tell me and not them is beyond me."

"They would worry too much," Kaori confessed. "They aren't shinobi, so the danger and stuff involved would be too much, you know."

"If you say so," Kira replied. "It's your decision. So when do you leave?"

"Sunrise," she answered.

"That early, huh?" Kira frowned. "I have to go back to the Academy. If I don't see you tonight, then good luck tomorrow."

"Thank you," Kaori nodded.

Kaori stood and watched Kira quickly walk off and around the corner. She smiled genuinely for perhaps one of the few times all day before she went inside the restaurant. As she entered, Kintarou happily bounded down the street a block away, still gripping the team's mission scroll. When he arrived at a large green apartment complex, he quickly turned and headed inside a small first floor residence.

"Mom, I'm home!"

"Who would miss you coming in?" a small, portly woman laughed. "Welcome back."

She wrapped her arms around Kintarou's midsection and hugged him tightly.

"So?" she asked as she released him.

"We leave tomorrow morning," Kintarou smiled. "It's finally time. Oh, and guess what. I'm team leader."

"That's great," his mother replied.

"Yeah," Kintarou sighed, looking sullenly at the floor. "Father would have been proud of me today. I'm almost in ANBU, something he never got to do."

"Wherever he is," his mother began, "I'm sure he's glad to see you've come so far. You were only two when he died, but you remind me so much of Kenta."

Kintarou smiled proudly, staring at the old picture in the faded wooden frame on the corner table. His mother smiled happily in front of a large muscular man, who held a small infant in his arms. The baby's tiny hands clutched tightly to the thick black beard masking the man's cheeks and chin.

"I'll make him proud," Kintarou vowed, clenching a fist. "I will become an ANBU squad leader and live up to his name."

"Just come home safely," his mother added with concern.

Kintarou looked confidently into his mother's weary green eyes and stared at the woman who had raised him alone for seventeen years.

"I promise."

Hours later, lying beneath the moonlight atop the roof of his family's small house, Takeo thoughtfully gazed out across the night sky. His mind kept wandering through different scenarios for the mission that awaited him at dawn. After all the training and hard work, he was so close to achieving his goal of entering ANBU service. But now that dream was in question. His goal, and the goals of his teammates, depended on the success of a mission they knew nothing about. He wished now that they had opened the mission scroll earlier as Kintarou had suggested.

"Wonder if Kaori and Kintarou are having trouble sleeping?" he muttered to himself.

"I'm sure they are," a voice answered.

Takeo glanced over to see the dimly lit face of his father.

"It's normal to be anxious," Keigo continued. "Whether it's your first mission or your hundredth, there's something wrong if you aren't a little nervous."

"Yeah, but this mission is-"

"I don't need to know, Takeo," Keigo stopped him. "While I may be cleared to know about you, Kintarou, and Kaori being involved in ANBU, everything else regarding your mission is between you, your teammates, and Tsunade-sama. Whatever it is, just believe that you'll do your best. Protect your team and protect yourself, Takeo. Above all, protect the security of the mission and succeed, whatever the job may be."

Takeo thankfully nodded and took in his father's words. A cool breeze gently brushed a few brown locks of hair over his eyes. Sweeping them aside with a hand, he slowly sat up and rested his arms across his drawn in knees.

"We're leaving at sunrise," Takeo informed his father. "Mom doesn't know that, so…"

"I'll tell her you said goodbye," Keigo smiled.

"Actually," Takeo replied, staring out across the darkened village. "Tell her I said I'll see her soon."

Keigo nodded, proudly looking at his son.

"You'd better get some rest," he suggested. "You've obviously got a difficult day ahead."

"Yeah," Takeo echoed. "Thanks, Dad."

Takeo continued to look out over the moonlit walls and rooftops spread out in front of him, oblivious to his father turning to leave. Keigo was thankful the shadow of night made it difficult to see. He quickly brushed a hand against his cheek, wiping away the tear that had fallen. His son had never seen him cry before. He swiftly hopped down and quietly went inside their home. Hearing the sound of Keigo opening the door jarred Takeo from his daze. After debating it with himself, he finally relented and stood up, walked to the edge of the roof, and leapt to the ground. He grasped the door handle and pulled open the door, feeling the gush of warm air escape from inside the house. Takeo paused once again to stare out across the star-speckled ebony sky before stepping inside, letting the door gently slam shut.