Shells
The mood dropped to the pits of the unknown as their mysterious host approached.
A slim form draped in a loose fitting Prada dress. Small yet graciously feminine, her curves slightly edging out around the hips and bust. The deep purple contrasted with the ghostly color of her light blonde hair. The flow of the dress looked almost mesmerizing over creamy pale skin, a deep v-neckline that stretched almost to her navel, only tightening around her perfect waistline via a thin black leather belt. Immaculately trimmed fingernails held a matching black leather purse between both hands. Her walk was fierce and driven, only notable because of the fierce look in her one visible, frost blue eye. Her platinum hair draped over the other, hiding it from view. The rest of her hair gliding behind her like a river of flared gold.
'Wow, maybe I was wrong this morning? Maybe she just had a bad day-'
"Well hello Miss Hyuga, it's a pleasure to have you and such-" she took a moment to give a judging eye to the feast of her group. "Unique company."
'... Yeahhh never mind. Still a bitch.'
Gaara and Naruto both slammed back a glass of something dark to get through the chore of a conversation that was at hand.
"Well thank you very much. I hope your father is doing well?" Hinata fell oblivious to the obvious condescending tone.
Her comment didn't go unnoticed by everyone. With a raggedy haired redhead, a recently battered blonde, and a very beautiful tomboy; the group was unique to say the very least. Hinata was the only one that looked natural at the fancy establishment. Having frequenting on more than a few occasions with her family.
"He's doing wonderfully thanks to your family. Say, I don't know any of your guests do I?" Ino managed to mention the group without so much as nodding in their direction.
Naruto interrupted Hinata before she even got the chance to open her mouth.
"Excuse me lady, do you know who I am?! I'm Naruto UZUMAKI. I own the most coffee shops in the-"
"Yeah, that's nice. And your name?" The blonde motioned toward Gaara whom was busy stifling back laughter from Naruto being so abruptly shut down. Hinata held his hand under the table to calm him down a bit. But between alcohol, a consistent high, and that compilation of the day's events. It was a miracle Hinata managed to keep him quiet with such little effort.
"You seem." The look on the woman's face seemed to drop a little in suspicion. The before mentioned superiority complex all but gone. Replaced with a questioning glare. "Familiar?"
Tenten urged Gaara to slow his alcohol consumption with a tug of his sleeve, but he paid her no mind. Throwing back more whiskey with Naruto before answering.
'Man there is a lot people here...'
"Gaara." Gaara extended his hand out in greeting.
"Just Gaara? Isn't that a bit rude?" Into all but starred at the extended hand before Gaara pulled it back in.
Never one for disrespect, the conversation went south rather quickly.
"Well Miss Yamanaka, unless you plan to stop browbeating me, then I don't see the point in being "polite."
"Wait a minute. I know you from somewhere..."
"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about-"
"No! You're that dumbass from the Coffee Shop!" Her black handbag slammed down on the table. Then rather suddenly lot of things seemed to coincide at once
First, the decorative vase on the table exploded into about a billion pieces. And then the shouting began. Ino's guest scattered in a crazed, rampant frenzy for the exit.
The second, being the fleet of Anbu ROOT that seemed to appear from every door in the building. Blocking in the guest, and popping shots into the ceiling to corral the crowd towards the center of the room. Roughly tossing people around and shouting out vague orders of control.
'Oh shit!'"Get down!" Naruto shouted as he took Hinata to the ground with him. Ino stood her ground as her perfectly manicured nails bore holes into the wooden table, she seemed to all but shake with anger as she scanned the room for the cause of the sudden intrusion.
The third, being the two gunshots that peppered Gaara's shirt before he could get Tenten to the ground. Her screams filled the room like sirens and his body hit the marble floor with a wet smack of damp fabric and blood splatter.
xXx
I could see Tenten's screaming face above, but I couldn't hear a damn thing anymore. I'm pretty sure I was hit a few times but oddly enough I can't feel anything. I expected my first bullet to hurt like hell, but know I couldn't even feel my own words leave my throat as I reached a limp hand out to her.
Definitely, the wrong move, because I'm pretty sure I passed out before my hand could even reach hers.
Ironically enough, the first thought that came to mind was Naruto. More specifically the complete disaster that was our first assignment together. I could remember that fresh hell like it was yesterday. Bullet casings riddling the floor as I clambered over him. My hands sweeping every part of his hyperventilating form. The boy had been hit by nothing but surprise, indirect small arms fire tagged him in the rib cage.
And now he was crying like a bitch on the floor.
"Jesus Gaara what the fuck hit me!? I'm dying aren't I? Awh fuck I'm dying!"
"Naruto." One hand maintained pressure on him to minimize bleeding while my free hand waved my pistol across the dark corners of the room. "Shut. Up."
"But I'm dying!-"
"You're not dying." The last living assailant crested an overturned office table and I immediately double tapped him between the eyes before he could do any more damage.
Just like that, our first contract was over, and if Naruto lived to tell the tale then it'd be a success. We didn't anticipate a small drug ring to have such beefed up security for our mark, but we still managed to take out him and all 6 of his thugs. A crude man by the name of Shukaku had been trading drugs for children in the area. Forcing them into unforgiving lives as slave labor on his distribution estates. Creeps like that are the things that keep me up at night. Creeps like that are also the reason I didn't mind the idea of killing for pay.
I was only 17 with a kill count of 3, and soon to be missing my only friend If I didn't act quickly. I'm pretty sure at that moment I fully comprehended mortality. It was one thing to train for this, but actually taking a life eliminated any ounce of innocence I had left and I don't think we've been the same since.
I stayed calm and radioed Kakashi to evacuate us as soon as humanly possible.
We sat there for 20 minutes. Half the time was spent convincing him he wasn't going to die. While the other half was spent discussing what materialistic bullshit we were going to spend or bounty on. More or less, he just wanted a bowl of ramen and all I found myself really needing was a cup of coffee.
Why this memory came to mind is beyond me. But one thing for certain. I took at least 2 bullets and didn't let out so much as a whimper. So Naruto really was just crying like a bitch...
But I'm the one passing out, bleeding, and tipsy on the floor of some overly hyped, uppity excuse for a club while the newest pop songs shot figurative rounds into my eardrums.
Why couldn't it have been a library? At least there I don't have to lay dying to the musical stylings of Taylor Swift.
xXx
Naruto was busy shooting rounds over an overturned table. The multiple of hostile ROOT being his target. He was running through his supply of pistol ammunition at a rapid rate. Mostly laying down suppressive fire to delay the onslaught of advancing agents. "Gaara! I could use some help man."
Tenten's cries where all he got in response.
"Oh God, Gaara please wake up." The girl nudged pathetically at his collar, doing what she could to try and wake the man.
'I'm offended, they only sent 10? Am I a fucking petty thief or something??'
Naruto ignored her distress and grabbed Hinata by the waist and whispered to her "Pleeeasee don't hate me." Before shoving his gun next to her head.
Naruto hurled threats in every which direction as held the Hyuga heiress snug against him. He had a hunch that the Anbu wouldn't pressure him much if he had a Konoha MVP captive, turns out his hunch was right. Their advance stopped immediately.
xXx
Earlier that day
"So they're not the same thing?"
"Yes, Naruto. Marilyn Manson and scremo are two very different things."
"Elaborate." Naruto had been pestering Gaara's for some sort of reasoning for his alternative taste in music for about an hour.
"You're just trying to get me started-"
"No really Gaara. I honestly care." As aforementioned rock artist was currently blaring on the top floor of the Ichiraku Ramen shop as the two men got dressed. Tenten had left the two for a moment to call Hinata and give her directions to the shop. "Tell me more about how you hate your parents, why the world sucks and how God is poison."
"Naruto don't fuck with me." Gaara's always got stressed before a mission, specifically one involving so many people. Meaning Naruto's pestering was hitting tenfold.
"Ahaha how can I not?! You're a 24 year old emo! That should be like, physically impossible."
"Says the grown blonde baby."
"Oh noooo, my feelings-"
"Who listens to Taylor Swift."
Naruto's laughter stopped abruptly as his chuckle dropped and turned into an indifferent stare. Someone struck a nerve.
"Watch it guyliner. T-Swift ain't nothin to fuck with."
"It's insomnia. Not fucking guyliner-"
"Blah blah blah insomnia, blah blah issues. Are you ready yet?"
"Not quite. Hand me my vest. I'm not trying to leave this place looking like Swiss cheese."
xXx
'Either irony is a bitch, or the impact knocked him out cold.'
"Uzamaki, Naruto. You are under arrest for murder in the first degree. We advise that you release the girl and surrender." The vocal Anbu wore a white mask like the rest of them, showing no real distinction in rank or leadership.
"Yeah yeah guy, heard it all before. Do me a favor and stay where you are, or I'm putting an ounce of lead in her. Got it?"
Meanwhile, Hinata was a trembling mess in the arms of our blonde hero. Tears ran in streams down her face, taking a thin layer of smudged makeup along with it.
"Oh don't listen to them Hinata, I'm a professional. Not some deranged serial killer." That particular choice of words didn't seem to help much however as she began to shake in fear. "Hey, Douchebags, chill. You're scaring her."
'Man she trembles more than Gaara after his 3rd pot.'
"And Oi! You, Blondy!" Naruto nodded sharply at Ino who had yet to move much in all the commotion. She'd quickly crouched next to a still intact table after stray bullets started whizzing by. Her demeanor was calm and her ice blue eyes never left Naruto's group for a second.
'Geez...that look could freeze magma.'
"Approach my table, slowly."
'I'm not really sure what her role is in all this, but hell if we're leaving here without her.'
"And if I don't?" Ino seemed unphased to say the least, crossing her arms in frustration at Naruto's commands. "You're making a mess of my building and scum like you don't even deserve to speak to me like that."
'Fiesty.'
"Scum? You think scum can dress this damn sexy?" Naruto paused as he looked clear up at the ceiling, then quickly scanning the entirety of the room. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what, you lunatic?" Ino asked, not even bothering to humor the man by looking around. The Anbu however, scanned cautiously around the room.
"Is this T Swift? Because I fucking love this song."
Silence
Silence ensued. Well aside from the light bumping of "Bad Blood" in the background. The speakers in the corner being the culprit of Naruto's suspicion.
"You... you can't be serious." Ino's jaw dropped a little.
"As a heart attack. Lady just do as I say. I've had a long day. My moms dead, I'm stoned, I feel like shit, and I hate talking to pretty girls." A pause. 'Did I say that list but out loud?'
"And frankly I don't feel like having to kill anyone else." At that, Hinata fell limp in Naruto's arms. " Oh." Naruto looked down at the unconscious girl. "And my dream girl is probably never going to talk to me ever again."
More silence.
"Fine." Ino begrudgingly advanced toward his overturned table. Not bothering to duck behind it once she reached him. "Now what genius? Going to take me captive too?"
"DING DING DING. We have a winner! Would you like to know your prize?"Naruto's upbeat attitude didn't falter even for a moment, his words were loud and his smile stretched from corner to corner.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? You've won an all expense paid date with Konoha's number one Knucklehead Bachelor!" Naruto then grabbed Ino in place of Hinata, placing the indigo haired girl down gently against the table."You should be so lucky."
"Lucky to have some perv's dick against my ass? You'll die a painful death when this is over." If looks could kill Ino may have murdered every occupant of the room. "You're ruining my dress and these goons are an eyesore."
"Oh relax, that's just my gun." Naruto had a firm arm around Ino's waist and both of her arms, making sure to keep her close, he wasn't about to let her slip away.
"You're gun is in your hand's jackass."
'Oh yeah... oops.'
"Details details. Now call off your boys."
"What on god's green earth makes you think they're with me?"
"Besides you being an evil little girl that's linked to the death of our Hokage?"
"What? No. What possible reason do I have to kill Tsunade-"
"Um. guys." Tenten interrupted the bickering of the two, pointing to the group of Anbu that had slowly begun surrounding them. "I think we have a problem."
"So if they're not with me."Naruto slowly began to back up towards the wall behind them. "And they're not with you..."Giving the blonde girl a squeeze.
'Ah shit.'
"You're going to get us killed. Aren't you." Ino tried making herself small in Naruto's arms, giving the aggressors a better line of sight.
"Have some faith woman. Tenten! I need you to reach into Gaara's pocket and grab his piece."
"Naruto!"
"His gun! Jesus what is wrong with the female race today?"
"Speaking of which." Ino turned and whispered discreetly to Naruto."If that really is an extra gun, you should give it to me."
"You're high-"
"No. I'm a good shot. And if you haven't noticed." She gave a slight nod to the Anbu that were very carefully blocking every available exit, shifting to get a clear shot on Naruto. "They don't seem to give a damn if I'm your hostage. And I don't feel like leaving here as Swiss cheese."
'Hah!'
"Oh. Well, I'm high... and I'm still not giving you a gun. Besides, it's not a gun." Ino made a sound of disgust. "Oh don't flatter yourself, this whole thing has me excited. The smell of gunfire really gets ya going, ya know?"
'Least I hope it's the gunfire.'
"Tenten you got that gun yet?
"Ye-yeah. But I've only every shot targets Naruto. I don't think I can shoot somebody." Tenten brandished Gaara's favorite little black revolver.
'I probably shoulda clarified.'
"Oh no your job is much simpler. Nut tap him."
"Come again?"
sigh
"Take the heel of the gun." Naruto shook his own. "And tap him in the nuts with it. Quick like." Making a quick tap against the bulk of Ino's hair.
"Watch It asshole!" Ino was all but fuming in his arms.
"Chill out babe, you'll warm up to me. Hey! Do it Tenten."
"Babe? BABE?! I'm not your babe you dick-" Ino was cut off but yet another quick strike to the head.
"Naruto, don't think that's a-"
"Do it!" Naruto's attention darted all around the room as he barked orders at Tenten. "It's no time for him to be fucking sleeping!"
"Ugh, FINE." With that Tenten delivered a quick strike to Gaara's groin.
Silence.
"Holy. FUCK!!" Gaara let out out a whelp of pain most would think impossible for the stout man.
"Wake up sunshine, we got company." Naruto couldn't even hide the shit eating grin on his face.
Gaara's first action was to take back his weapon and blast three rounds into the blaring stereo in the corner.
xXx
A/N: SORRY, for the Swift fans out there, she makes me cringe.