Secret Agent Man
Disclaimer: All characters (except for the obvious OC's) are property of Kishimoto Masashi.

--S&&S--

Prologue: Sakura

"My, my…" A silky voice purrs in his ear. "What a dashing man…surely you aren't alone this evening?" A young woman stroked the sleeve of his tuxedo. Her fingernails were painted magenta, striking against the pale skin of her slim fingers.

"Well actually," He started, but she continued, hooking her arm in his and leading him towards the dance floor and into the light, where he could get a better look at her. Thick pink hair, brighter still when brought into the gleam of the chandelier above, was twisted up in an elegant knot on top of her head with a few select tendrils hanging down and framing elegant cheekbones, along God's gift of strategically placed eyebrows, giving her the look of someone always ready to listen, always curious and attentive. She was a beautiful creature, expertly sculpted and beautifully coordinated. With large green eyes and a small twist of her lips, painted cherry-red and tinted with gloss, her gaze was mesmerizing.

Kotare had always been a bit of a lady's man himself and was quite pleased with this charming young woman that had gravitated towards him. He had been eyeing her for a few hours now, and, judging by their whispers, so had most of the other men in the room. The hair was a dead giveaway, for one thing. The other was her dress, by Yamati or some other world-famous label, he would have guessed, a strapless gown in pale green that hugged her curves with branches of early Sakura blossoms streaming up her hips, enhancing her unusually rare grace. A spring green diamond pendant encased in silver rests at her throat. There was no one else like her, and at first sight, he knew she would be his by the end of the night.

The band struck up a new song and he spun her out and then back in, placing his hand on her waist. "Haruno Sakura," She introduces herself, curtseying.

"Nabaki Kotare," He says, giving her one of his irresistibly gorgeous smiles.

"Ah," She nods her head, returning his smile with a small, demure one of her own. "The heir of Tsuge Technological Industries, the Computer Empire of the Earth Country, I presume?"

"You've presumed correctly." They dance in time to the music as some famous singer began a ballad on the stage. There were always celebrities at these charity events but Kotare already forgot which one this was, entranced with her face.

"As in…'whatever Kotare wants, Kotare gets?'" She smiles again as he turned her. "I've heard enough about you to know, and I must say…" She looks him up and down and he swears he sees her lick her lips. "The photographs simply can't measure up to the real thing."

"Of course not," He replies, "I'm one of a kind, darling."

She laughs and it's the most beautiful thing he's ever heard. "Well, I'm still skeptical. You should think about how you're going to prove it to me."

"Alright, you've got yourself a deal." He says as the song ends, and leads her off the dance floor. "In the meantime…a glass of champagne?"

She accepts, to his delight, but then again, how can she not?

A few minutes later, a blond waiter appears, offering two glasses of champagne. Sakura tips him, pulling a few bills out of her silken glove.

"You're very generous," Kotare notes with his lips on the rim of his glass. "I like that in a woman."

"Ah, the great Master Kotare approves," She dips her head jokingly. "I am honored." Taking a sip of champagne, she turns her eyes towards him again. "Your father is too a generous man, I have heard."

"Of course," Kotare grins broadly, "The whole Nabaki family is. In fact, he has just given quite a chunk of yen to help fund a new project…" He pauses, surveying her. "It is, naturally, a secret, but I am sure you will tell no one?"

"Who have I to tell?" She laughs again, taking another sip of her champagne.

"You really are charming, Miss Sakura," He chuckles and continues, "You see, father has given much money to Raiko Corporations for the funding of a new kind of weapon. The rumor is that Raiko's scientists have been developing a kind of gas bomb, though. The toxins have the power to kill nerve cells upon contact and we are hoping to be able to use them to exterminate the rebels in Wind Country."

"How interesting…nerve gas, is it?" She nods and it's definitely the alcohol that's addling his brain because he sees a shadow cross her face. "Are you tired, Mister Kotare?" Sakura asks, looking concerned.

"Ah, no, no…" He yawns to confirm this. "But perhaps it is time to retire for the night. Would you like to…join…" The last word is lost on his lips as his head droops and he gently falls into the rhythm of sleep.

"Excuse me!" Sakura calls another waiter over. "Mister Kotare has had a touch too much alcohol tonight, I think…please call for an escort to take him back to his home." He nods and shakes Kotare awake gently, guiding him towards the door.

"And you, miss?" The waiter asks after he returns about ten minutes later.

"Oh, my escort is outside right now. Thank you, though." She presses a bill into his hand as well and smiles.

"I've got it." She whispers upon passing through the front doors into the warm, still night.

"I'll send Naruto to get you." The reception crackles slightly. "Good job, Sakura. See you back at HQ. Over and out."

Moments later, a shiny black limousine pulls up next to her and the blond waiter from before steps out of it, going around and opening the door for her. Only when the Tsuge Center is out of sight does Sakura loosen the pins in her hair, shaking her head and letting it out of her up-do.

"Not bad, Sakura-chan." Naruto commented, grinning broadly under his cap.

--

I feel so bad starting a new story and leaving my other ones unfinished. I still have about half a chapter of "Stop the Stars From Shining" to post and another two or three chapters of "Rituals," but this was a fun idea, a bit far away from the angst I usually overdose on. xD I've always liked the thought of the Naruto cast in the world of espionage, which is so ninja-esque, yet different. So I decided to play around with the idea. This is more for my own personal enjoyment than anything else, as well as practicing some alternative writing ability. I'll try to keep the characters as IC as I possibly can, but if I start to stray, feel free to tell me where I've gone wrong.

By the way, the mission in the Prologue is only an introduction; it doesn't cross over with the plot (much).

Love it? Hate it? I'll never know unless you review!