Present day
And that's how I ended up here. I stand in front of the Metro Police Department.
Wow... The MPD building is really impressive. What is up with this sudden transfer? There must've been some mistake.
Without thinking, I turn around to start back the way I came.
Wait. I can't just ignore an offcial transfer notice.
I gather my courage and head towards the building.
But, actually...
"Whoa!"
I turn around to find a man in a three-piece suit standing immediately behind me.
"What brings you to the MPD today?" Sai asks.
"Oh, um... I'm here to..." I trail off.
The man quickly looks me up and down.
"Are you a tourist?" he asks.
"T-tourist?"
Stone faced, he points in a variety of directions, "Head this way to get to the Imperial palace. go that way to get to Ginza and the other way for the International Forum."
"Oh, um, well, you see..."
I am NOT a tourist.
He looks at me, "Got it?"
I take a step backwards, intimidated by the strength of his intense gaze, "Yeah..."
"Well, take care."
Wit those words, he leaves, walking towards the entrance of the building.
I guess he's a detective here... He seems like a real straight-laced, top-notch investigator.
I watch him walk off, momentarily lost in thought. Suddenly, he spins back around.
Again? What is it this time?
"You should hurry and go. Someone'll think you're suspicious, loitering around here," Sai says.
"S-suspicious!?" I exclaim.
"I mean, I thought so."
And with that, he quickly heads into the building.
What was that all about!? Suspicious!? Yeah right! I'm a detective!
Any remnants of anxiety disappear.
"Time for me to walk into this place!" I say confidently.
I walk towards the building. The people passing through the lobby all look so sharp and perceptive.
Wow, they all seem so professional. Do I really belong here?
*bump*
"Oh, sorry!"
"Oh..." Neji says.
The man looks down at me. He's pretty tall. His handsome face is expressionless.
"Sorry about that, I wasn't looking where I was going." I apologize.
The man doesn't say anything.
"Uh..."
Does he not hear me?
Neji starts snoring.
He's snoring!?
His sleepy face moves to look more closely at me. His expression changes as he finally seems to register that I exist.
He suddenly wakes up, "Huh? What?"
Um, don't worry about it..." I assure him.
"Neji, good morning!" Naruto shouts.
Another man, (er, boy?) comes towards us.
"Oh! A girl! Cool!" Naruto says excitedly, "I've never seen you before. Do you work here too?" he asks me.
"Y-yes," I reply.
Starting today, anyway...
His smiling, carefree face is cute. The MPD seems super strict. I'm surprised they allow him to wear casual clothes.
"Wait a minute... you!?" He shouts at me.
"Y-yes!?" I say worriedly.
He surprises me by moving suddenly to analyze my face from all angles.
His face is so pretty! I can't believe he's looking at me this up close...
He points at me, "You look like one of those things, um... you know, those things!"
"One of what things?"
"What are they called? Uh... you know, those..." he says forgetfully, "Okay, okay! I remember! A capybara!" he shouts remembering.
"Uh..." I say with a confused look on my face.
I don't know whether to be angry or not.
"You see the resemblance too, right, Neji?" he asks.
"Yeah, I'm not really seeing it..." Neji replies.
I know, right!
"What are you guys hanging out here for? You're going to be late for the meeting," Sasuke says.
A man calls out to us as he passes by.
"Sasuke! Check it out! Doesn't this girl look just like one of those things?" Naruto asks Sasuke.
"What is a 'one of those things?'" Sasuke asks.
"Er... What was it called? I just said it..." Naruto forgets again and turns to me, "You remember, right?"
"Was it... a capybara?" I say.
"Yeah, yeah, that's it! That!" Naruto points at me.
"Who goes around comparing themselves to a capybara?" Sasuke asks me.
"No, I'm not saying I look like one. I was just..." I trail off.
His unimpressed stare stops me mid-sentence.
What's up with this guy?
"Four," Sasuke says.
"Huh?" I give him a puzzled look.
"There it is, Sasuke's rating," Naruto says.
"What!?" I exclaim.
"Hm. A four. Not bad, right, Neji?" Naruto asks.
"Sleepy..." Neji says.
Is this guy conscious or not?
"Well, this isn't the time to be messing around," Sasuke says, "We're going to be late for the meeting. Let's go."
"Oh, yeah! We'd better hurry! Later, Capybara!" Naruto yells at me.
"H-hey!" I shout at the three men.
The three of them disappear before I could finish what I was saying.
What was all that about? Capybara? A four!? Four points out of ten? No way. What if they meant four out of a hundred? Or they could've meant four out of five...
"Ugh! I'm so annoyed!" I yell.
I accidentally say my thoughts out loud. People in the lobby turn to look at me.
Okay, this is embarrassing...
I escape into the elevator.
"Okay, Special Investigations... 7th floor."
I check to make sure no one is coming and press the button to close the elevator doors.
*crunch*
Someone is squished in the doors.
"Huh?" I look at the person between the doors.
"What are you trying to do, crush me!?" Shikamaru yells.
A tall, kind of wild-looking guy gets on the elevator.
"I'm so sorry. I thought I had checked but..." I apologize.
"You've gotta look first. Psh... No manners," Shikamaru murmurs.
"No manners!?" I exclaim.
He glares at me, "What? You got somethin' to say about it?"
"It's just..." I trail off.
He rolls his eyes at me, "Psh..."
Ooh! I'm so pissed! But, I feel like I can't say anything to this guy...
He takes out his phone and starts looking at something, "Whoa!"
"What? What is it?"
"Yeah!" he cheers.
What's the deal with this guy?
"Yes! We won!" he cheers excitedly.
For some reason, he has his right fist up, punching the air in victory.
"Um, congratulations!" I say.
Inspired by his enthusiasm, I hesitantly raise my fist too.
"Thank you! Thank you!" he says happily and shakes my hand.
What? Now he's shaking my hand!?
"Now the Tigers'll be able to make it all the way!" he says excitedly.
"What? Is this all about baseball?" I ask, but before he could answer-
*ding*
The elevator reaches the 7th floor.
"Today's gonna be an awesome day! I can feel it!"
"Y-yeah, sure..."
Full of confidence, he saunters off the elevator.
"That was kind of weird..." I say to no one in particular.
He's not a detective too... Is he? This is the MPD building... Isn't it?
I collect myself and head for Special Investigations.
Okay, now where is this place...
I continue down the hallway checking the signs on the doors as I go.
"Here it is."
I open the door labeled 'Special Investigations Unit.'
I hesitantly walk inside, "Um, excuse me..."
"Yeah?" Gaara asks.
"I'm Detective Sakura Haruno from West Arai. I'll be working with you starting today." I reply.
"I haven't heard anything about that," Kankuro says.
"Really?" I ask surprised.
"Oh, I know, you must mean back there," Temari says.
As she speaks, she points to a door at the back of the room.
"Oh, over there, yeah," Gaara says.
"That's where they keep the REALLY excellent detectives," Kankuro says.
"That whole room's way too elite for us. We're not even allowed in," Temari says.
Their words practically drip with sarcasm.
What's up with their attitudes?
"You must be looking for them," Gaara says.
"You definitely don't belong here in 1st Unit," Kankuro says.
"I mean, are you even really a detective?" Temari asks.
"Y-yes, of course I am!" I reply.
"What's 2nd Unit thinking? Bringing this little princess up here..." Gaara says, "Oh well, it's not 1st Unit's problem."
"It sure as hell isn't," Kankuro and Temari say the same time.
"Excuse me!" I exclaim.
What's with these people!? I'm really annoyed now...
I nod goodbye and head towards the door at the back of the room. The door says, 'Special Investigations 2nd Unit.'
I guess this is it... I wonder what these 2nd Unit guys are like...
I take a deep breath and-
*knock* * knock* *knock* *knock*
I knock on the door, but not one answers. Left with no other option, I reach to open the door. At that moment-
THUD
"Ow!"
The door opens from the inside, hitting me right in the forehead.
Kakashi looks at me, "Hm?"
"Owww!"
"Oh? Sorry, sorry," he apologizes.
"No, it's okay, it's my fault for not paying attention." I say.
"Can I help you with something?" he asks.
"A-actually, I..." I trail off.
"Are you the new kid?" Kakashi asks.
"Yes, I'm Sakura Haruno from the West Arai Police." I reply.
"Yeah, we heard from Jaraiya. Hey, everybody, the newbie's here!"
He turns towards the middle of the room. Five guys turn around to face him.
"What? Ms. Suspicious from before?" Sai asks.
"Capybara?" Naruto shouts.
"The four?" Sasuke asks in an emotionless tone.
"No manners?" Shikamaru asks in a surprised voice.
Neji doesn't say anything.
"Well look at that, you guys are all buddies already!" Kakashi says.
"Not exactly..." I murmur.
"Okay, anyway, newbie's name is... Hey, what was your name again?" Kakashi asks me.
"Sakura Haruno, from the West Arai Community Safety Unit," I reply, "It's my first day with the MPD so I'm a little nervous. It's nice to meet you all."
"You're nervous?" Shikamaru asks.
"You sure don't look nervous," Sai says.
"Maybe she's trying to win us over with a shy little girl act?" Sasuke says.
"You think she's being fake?" Naruto says.
"Meh, whatever," Neji says.
"Shut it guys, stop talking all at once!" Kakashi shouts, "Hurry and introduce yourselves."
"I'm Sai. So, you weren't a sketchy loiterer or a tourist, you're a detective!"
"Yes...I'm a detective," I say.
He's handsome, but something about him rubs me the wrong way.
"My name's Shikamaru Nara. I hate the Giants and girls with no manners,"
"Hey!" I give him an annoyed expression.
Shikamaru flashes me a wry smile.
What a jerk!
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I'm actually from the NYPD. I'm here in Tokyo for training!" Naruto says confidently.
"It's nice to meet you." I say.
That's a relief he seems normal and cute. What!?
He catches me off guard with a kiss on the hand.
"Just a little New York-style greeting for you!"
"H-hey!"
"Okay, okay, that's enough," Sasuke interjects.
I was not expecting that...
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha, but you've probably heard my name around before. You don't seem 'that' clueless."
I become speechless, "Um, well..."
That wasn't exactly polite...
"Uh, let's see, and lastly there's... Neji," Sasuke says and moves to go back to his seat, calling Neji over as he does so.
"I'm Neji Hyuuga."
"Sorry about bumping into you before," I apologize.
"Bumping into me?" he asks.
"Oh? Uh..."
"i don't remember..."
"I see..."
Yeah, it didn't seem like he was really paying attention to what was going on.
"Don't worry about him, he's always like that," Kakashi reassures me, "Anyway, I'm Kakashi Hatake."
"Hatake is the head of 2nd Unit," Sai says.
"He's our boss," Shikamaru says.
"I look forward to working with all of you!" I say happily with a smile.
All of the men don't say anything, but just stare at me.
I start feeling self-conscious about myself, "What?"
"Come one guys, give her a better reaction than that!" Kakashi says.
"Boss, are you sure this girl's a detective?" Sai asks.
"Why was she transferred here?" Shikamaru asks.
"Hmm...I don't know," Kakashi replies.
He doesn't know?
"She doesn't seem like a detective, does she?" Sai says.
"Do you have a some kind of special skill?" Shikamaru asks me, "Like, are you like a great shot or an explosives expert or something?"
Kakashi looks at me, "Yeah what's your thing?"
"My thing?" I reply.
"We're not asking if you do impressions or something," Sasuke says.
"I know!" I give him an annoyed look.
Just then-
"Emergency Dispatch! Emergency Dispatch! We've received information regarding a bomb threat at Ohi Warf. All personnel, move out."
Suddenly, a loud announcement comes over the PA system. The relaxed atmosphere of just moments earlier is gone. Everyone immediately readies to move out.
"Let's go!" Kakashi orders us.
We obey him, "Yes, sir!"
Their five faces turn serious.
Wow. They're all so...cool. Wait, I shouldn't be thinking that at a time like this!
"Haruno! You're coming too!" Kakashi orders me.
I follow his command, "O-ok!"
I hurry to follow everyone out of the room.
We arrive at Ohi Warf.
"Sai, what do we know about the bomb threat?" I ask him.
"We received a tip-off from someone living in the area," he replies, "Apparently, he went to investigate an illegally parked car, and overheard someone discussing plans for a bombing."
"Is that information reliable?"
"We have to act on the assumption that it is."
I agree with him, "True..."
Whether it's West Arai or the MPD, we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot as police, if we don't work to maintain a trusting relationship with the community we protect.
"Everyone, split up and get ready to head in," Kakashi orders the men.
They all follow his command, "Yes, sir!"
"Haruno, stay here. Wait for reinforcements and relay my orders to them," Kakashi orders me.
"Yes, sir!"
Sasuke hands me a radio, "Here, this two-way radio will connect you with Boss."
I take the radio from him, "Okay."
"Alright. Everybody, keep your eyes peeled. Let's head in." Kakashi says.
"Yes, sir!" we all say in unison.
At Kakashi's order, everyone heads off in different directions.
They're totally different from when they were messing around before. They really are pros. I've gotta work hard if I'm going to be part of this unit!
I turn the two-way radio on and start to focus when-
CRASH
I turn towards where the sound came from, "Who!?"
A figure dressed in black runs out of the shadows towards where I'm standing.
The figure stares at me.
It's the suspect! No doubt about it!
I reach for the two-way radio to contact Kakashi when someone grabs my arms and twists them to tie my hand behind my back.
"Let me go!" I yell at the suspect.
The more I struggle, the tighter my hands are bound.
"What do you think you're doing!? Stop!" I yell.
My mouth is covered and I'm dragged off. I'm pushed into a dark room.
"You're only making it worse for yourself by doing this!" I yell at the suspect.
With my hands still tied behind me, I summon up all of my courage and yell.
"Reinforcements are on their way as we speak. There's nowhere for you to run!"
I have to hurry and contact Kakashi!
The suspect stares at me from a distance. The suspect takes out a small box.
"W-what are you.?" I say to the figure.
He presses the button on the little box.
*beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*
The box starts making noise.
It's like it's a countdown...
"No way... Is that a time bomb?" I whisper.
The suspect doesn't say anything. The suspect's dark sunglasses glint as they catch the light. He removes a floorboard and makes a smooth escape from the room.
"A secret passageway!?"
This is bad! If I don't get in touch with Kakashi...
*beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*
This thing is really going to blow.
Just then, the beeping stops.
BOOM!
"Sakura! Wake up!," Sai shouts.
Someone's calling me...
"Haruno, open your eyes!" Shikamaru shouts.
I try to open my eyes, but my body doesn't respond.
"Ugh..." I groan.
"Open your eyes!" Neji shouts.
What happened to me?
"Ugh..." I groan again.
"Sakura, come one!" Naruto yells.
My head is pounding as I open my heavy eyelids. All the guys from 2nd Unit are gathered around me.
"What's going on? Ow..." I hiss in pain.
My leg hurts. The room is filled with the smell of gunpowder, but I can't remember what happened.
"What happened?" I ask.
It's then that I finally realize that someone is holding me in his arms. It's-
"Hatake..." I whisper before I fall into a deep sleep.