I do not own Naruto.
Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think!
Yuka and Temari headed downstairs soon after dawn.
The inn-keeper already had breakfast waiting.
As soon as the girls had sat down to eat, Akira's footsteps were heard.
"Good morning ladies," he greeted them.
"Good morning, Akira-san."
"Hn," was all he would receive from Temari.
The old lady entered the dining area after hearing commotion.
"Oh, I see you're all here now. Good, good. Eat before it gets cold."
With that, she turned around and headed back into the kitchen.
"It amazes me how you grow more appealing each day, love."
Akira sat down next to Temari and watched as she chewed her meal, a satisfied grin on his face.
Temari noticed that Yuka, sitting opposite her, trying to look anywhere but the table, with a slight blush to her cheeks.
I don't blame her. I'd avoid it too.
I should just rip his eyes out.
That would hurt his pride.
Maybe he'd leave me alone.
Without turning toward Akira, Temari addressed the issue, hoping to calm the young girl across from her.
"If you aren't going to eat, go settle payment with the woman."
Within a few heartbeats, Akira had piled a mountain of food in front of him.
The inn-keeper stopped in the doorway and all three women stared in disbelief as he began ingesting the selected rations.
He better finish all of that.
I don't want to look disrespectful because his eyes are bigger than his stomach!
The group finished their breakfast rather quickly, much to the astonishment of all three women after witnessing Akira's display.
Soon they settled their debt and set out for the border of the Land of Earth.
We should arrive at the border around noon.
Good, we should make it well into the rock mountains by nightfall.
Camping out in a rock cave may be difficult but it beats camping in the desert.
A brown hawk swooped down to a group of four masked ninjas travelling through the trees below. It was carrying a message for the leader.
It flew alongside the team until they stopped, then perched itself atop the leader's shoulder, allowing the message encased on its' leg to be removed.
The man read the message and they quickly resumed their journey, the bird flying back to its' home.
The team was swift. A normal 3-day expedition they could cut down to less than 2.
They were Konoha's elite. They've trained together for years to become so.
Of course there were weaknesses, but what made them such a feared team was that they were all aware of them.
As they zoomed through the forest, the leader was calculating. Planning. Adapting his strategy to include the information he'd just received.
He took comfort from the fact that they would operate alone.
The Land of Wind expressed "full confidence and gratitude in the safe return of the ambassador." The Country's efforts were to remain focused on the treaty with the Land of Earth to prevent war due to the circumstances, and protecting the Kazekage.
Not that Gaara really needs protecting.
There's no way that, under normal circumstances, the Kazekage would be so relenting.
…he knows...
Ambassador's schedules, itinerary, and dealings are kept under lock and key.
How did the hired nin find out?
Did the boss know or did he task them to find out?
Either way, there was an insider.
But which side has the traitor?
He recalled some points of the message.
"…due to the proximity of the treaty signing and the diplomatic procession to Iwagakure, all necessary precautions were observed…"
"…a male jounin and female genin were assigned to her as subordinates…"
In other words, she was given a bodyguard and an assistant.
The Ambassador's identity and appearance were still unknown. It wouldn't matter though. Ambassadors were normally older shinobi, sometimes retired, who were knowledgeable in all diplomatic affairs. Much like Tsunade-sama was now. So…nothing like a genin.
It should be easy to tell the two women apart.
Unfortunately, we can't assume the other two shinobi are innocent. It would be easy for either one of them to send out information.
If they are innocent and we tell help them, word may get back to the real traitor and they'll go into hiding. We wouldn't find the master.
Guess we'll just have to put up a fight...
What a drag...
The day progressed much like the one before it for the three Sand shinobi.
Temari kept her thoughts on the upcoming meeting.
Akira and Yuka both knew better than to disturb her so they kept pace silently.
Once they reached they reached the border, they stopped to eat the lunch that the inn-keeper had packed for them.
Apparently it wasn't enough as Akira had to dig into his pack for a few "extra" snacks he had packed.
At least he's used to it.
"Now I know how he got so large," Temari said to Yuka when Akira had gone to relieve himself.
A small chuckle escaped from the girl.
She sure is a strange one.
"Uh...Temari-sama?"
Temari could barely understand the small, high pitched voice of the girl to her side.
"What?"
"I was wondering..."
"Spit it out girl!"
"Well...what do you have against Akira-san? He seems to like you quite well."
"Yes, he does seem to."
"..."
How should I put this?
Temari didn't mind confiding in Yuka. For some reason, it was nice to talk about something different.
"Akira may be physically appealing and a smooth talker but he's also hot-headed. He doesn't think things through. He lets his emotions control him and ends up making mistakes during missions."
"What if you weren't on a mission?"
"That's the life of a ninja. We'll always have missions."
"..."
I know what she's trying to get at.
Normally I'd intimidate her more but I'd rather not have her bring it up again.
"Look, I've dedicated my life to our country. Everything I do is for Suna. We've all been trained to disregard our emotions."
"So…you may love Akira but you'll keep it a secret?"
"No."
Why is she so interested in my personal life?
"Yuka-san. If I am ever dumb enough to love a man, I will have to love every part of him. A man like Akira, who has a history of putting other people in danger, is not someone I can adore."
"But what about all the things he says to you? Most girls dream of that!"
"What good are his words if his actions can't confirm them?"
A crackling sound ended their conversation.
Akira emerged, sliding on his back side down an angled rock face and stopped right between the two women.
"Let's go. Enough playing around, idiot."
A few more hours of travel brought them to the daunting path across the rock mountains.
Their pace slowed but was still steady.
Once the sun started to set, Temari spotted a cave and they set up camp.
A fire was lit, tea and ramen were made, and sleeping bags were spread out.
After they had eaten, they all climbed into their respective sleeping bags, much to Akira's dismay. He had tried to convince Temari that there was more than enough room in his for both of them but she adamantly refused.
Temari turned her head to look at the sky. The rock formation around her covered all but a small sliver at the cave's mouth.
A sudden weariness swept over her.
I have a bad feeling about tomorrow.
Geez, what a waste! A clear sky and I can't even enjoy it!
Yuka's breathing slowed.
She'll be asleep soon.
"Hmmm..."
He's asleep.
Just go to sleep Temari.
Unfortunately, that was easier said than done. Even if she was able to calm her nerves about the next day's events, Akira's constant snoring and moaning kept them inflamed.
"Oooo...I like that thing you do with your tongue, baby."
You've got to be kidding me!
"Oh...yes!"
How can Yuka sleep through this?
"Ah...you're such a naughty girl!"
Gaara's going to pay for this arrangement.
"Uh...that feels good!"
I'm not listening to this all night.
Temari got up and walked over to the sleeping figure. Leaning down, she attempted to wake him.
"Akira."
"Ah yes, say my name!"
She was past frustration.
By now, Yuka was awake and witnessing the scene.
"AKIRA!"
"Oh...don't stop, Temari!"
Anger shot through her body. Her right foot landed a powerful kick to his ribs.
"Oof!"
He just lay there clenching his side.
Temari gave a slight smirk before turning from the man.
She stopped in her tracks when she heard a manly chuckle behind her.
"You know I like it rough, baby!"
How can he still be sleeping?
WHACK!
With one swift motion, Temari had retrieve her iron fan and forcefully bashed Akira over the head.
Silence.
That's more like it.
Now, to sleep.
She returned to her bed for the night and before lying her head down, turned to Yuka, who still sat staring with wide eyes.
"Goodnight Yuka."
"G-Goodnight, T-Temari-sama."
As soon as her head touched the ground, she was asleep.
The night wore on as the team searched the rock structures for signs of life.
Suddenly, flashes of light appeared on the far side of the mountain to the left of them.
Without a word, the team increased speed and changed direction.
We may be too late.
Those 2 better protect the old lady. I don't want to have to tell the Kazekage I failed a mission.
"Hey...the old lady is our concern. Fight if you need to but don't overdo it. We still have to get back."
Three nods wordlessly acknowledged the order. They didn't need to question it, he always knew what he was doing.
The moon shone on the face of the mountain as they rounded into view of the battlefield. There was a cave with a large ledge before it. A small fire in the mouth.
As they got closer, they could make out small figures.
Three at the cave entrance and three on the ledge.
Their pace was steady.
"I don't see an old lady." said the one with the rabbit mask, turning to the leader.
"Do you think she's in the cave?" came from the cat mask, turning as well.
"No. Gaara said there were only three."
"How are we supposed to know which woman to take then?" said the last, turning to face him.
His eyes focused on the battle as the others turned to apply their wits as well.
Both women were rather clumsy. Their ninjutsu and chakra control were weak.
How can a genin be as skillful as a jounin ambassador?
The smaller one was the closest to them, attempting to battle the enemy's Earth element rock shower.
The taller one, in the middle, was holding some kind of weapon and trying to blow the rocks away.
The male seemed to just be staring them down.
"Isn't that..." cat mask said.
He looked at the women again. Apparently he was supposed to recognize one of them.
No...
He couldn't deny it. The four masses of blond hair on her head. The fan in her hand. The scowl on her face.
"...Temari..." it was more of a hoarse whisper than an answer.
His subordinates shot their heads around to make sure they heard him correctly and await confirmation that she was the one to be taken.
He gave it with a sharp nod of his head.
Immediately, they separated. It was time for them to begin their synchronized attack.
First came the surprise beast. He was, by far, the most talented in taijutsu. His attacks couldn't be seen by most nin. They were rapid and deadly. He wasn't in it for blood though. This time it was just for protection. He needed to immobilize them.
The second attack came from the one they called the Weapons Mistress. She and the beast had an understanding. She knew where he was going to attack and he knew where she was going to aim. Even during training, they'd never injured each other. She too was only aiming to immobilize the others.
These two attacks combined usually caused enough confusion and distraction for the other two to get in and out of enemy territory with what they needed.
Not this time.
The largest male any of them had ever seen was holding on to his comrade by the arm, forcing her behind him and into the cave. She didn't look well.
What the hell is wrong with her?
She stumbled out of sight.
The beast and mistress had knocked all of the rogue nin unconscious. The Sand genin would soon pass out from the pain.
The beast charged the man.
As he rose to deliver a strong kick, the man turned and grabbed his ankle. He spun the beast around, crushing his ankle, tossing him into the wall.
The other three tensed. They didn't want to show him any mercy.
A tirade of various weapons shot down on him. He deflected many away with the katana that had been hidden on his back, but not enough. He fell to his knees.
Using his own katana, the mistress knocked him on the back of the head, knocking him out cold.
The third member, with the rabbit mask, rushed to the beast along with the mistress.
The leader knew the beast would be repaired soon. Turning away, he entered the cave to witness the lifeless body of the Sand ambassador.
Picking her up, he carried her toward the others.
"What's wrong with her?" the leader asked.
The woman with the rabbit mask looked over to inspect the woman, her hand still glowing with green chakra on the beast's ankle.
A large wound across her stomach gaped open.
Immediately, the green hand was on Temari's stomach attempting to repair some of the damage before they set off.
The leader looked at the weapon's mistress in the cat mask.
"Did you hit her?"
It wasn't accusatory, it was disbelieving.
"No."
"I know you don't want to hear this right now but she's been poisoned," the medical ninja stated.
"That would explain her poor fighting," the leader stated.
"The only other person with a weapon is the big guy," the cat mask said.
"Get his katana. See if there's poison on it," the leader ordered.
The girl in the cat mask grabbed the katana and held it before her.
"Yes."
The medical ninja asked for a sample of the poison to be taken so an antidote could be found. The mistress complied quickly.
"I will sedate her but she'll probably wake up on the way from the pain."
"Alright."
The green hand covered Temari's face.
After a few minutes, the four shinobi departed.
The beast's ankle was tender but mostly healed. He would need help later but not tonight.
The two ANBU women leaped silently.
The leader carried the poisoned dignitary.
...troublesome woman...