And so the mission begins.
Standard disclaimer: Not mine. You figure out the rest.
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It's a girl thing
Hokage's office
Ino tried hard not to look too eager, or too unconcerned, or too desperate, or too worried, or too anything.
A ninja must be able to control her emotions. Ino told herself firmly, one second.
Damn that woman, where is she? Ino fumed, the next.
If the pig currently staring at her noticed the kunoichi's struggle for control it didn't show on his piggy little face.
The door opened and Ino straightened instinctively. But it was only some old woman, and Ino relaxed again.
"Yamanaka, Ino I presume." The old woman snapped out, raking her gaze up and down the young kunoichi. "Yes, I recognise you from your newspaper picture."
Ino winced at the reference.
"The problem is that now everyone else in Fire Country recognises you as well." The woman continued taking a place behind the Hokage's desk.
The pig gave a grunt, but the woman fixed it with a glare and the animal ran out of the room.
Ino openly ogled the woman's gall. Nobody sat in the Hokage's seat except the Hokage, nobody.
"If that is best self control you can manage girl, I'm surprised that you lasted this long." The sneer was evident in the woman's voice.
Ino snapped to attention, her face going instantly blank.
"You have been removed from active mission duty, do you know why?" The woman leaned forward on the desk resting her elbows on the papers which covered every available surface.
"For conduct unbecoming of a ninja." Ino ground out between her clenched teeth.
"Exactly. Letting yourself be photographed and that photograph be widely circulated was conduct unbecoming of a Genin, let alone a Chunnin like you." The woman stared at her.
Ino bowed her head in submission, her neck muscles so tight that the motion hurt more than just her pride.
"However, as circumstances would have it a mission has come up that would be perfect for you." The sarcasm dampened any spark of hope in Ino's chest at the word mission.
"Bandit attacks have gone up, we've had a few natural disasters that have left the Fire Country's winter harvest threatened, and Rock Country is showing itself agressive. In short the people are afraid. And the Lord of Fire Country in his infinate wisdom has created a mission for us of Konoha." Here the derisive tone of her voice took on new depths.
"He has decided that the people need to be reassured that we have the resources necessary to protect them in this time of darkness and trouble."
Ino tried not to cock her eyebrow in confusion, where was this going? Was she going to do bodyguard detail or something? Even escorting some pampered bastard was better than nothing.
"To show the people the strength and skill of their ninja force, he wants a group of ninjas to tour the countryside." here the woman held down a snort of contempt, ". We're giving him two."
Ino permitted herself a question.
"Show? As in hunt down some of the bandits?" Ino asked.
The woman shook her head.
"Bring some Rock spies to public justice? Ino asked hopefully.
The woman shook her head, the tiniest of smiles on her lips.
"Replant crops?" Ino asked weakly.
"Show them, as in a travelling circus show of skill. Your face plastered all over the country as the representative of Konoha's finest ninja skills." Almost chuckling the woman stood up and tossed a folder to Ino.
Ino caught it on reflex because her brain was currently inactive.
"Of course your future as a ninja will probably be shot to pieces, but at least you'd still be serving your country, your village. Refusal will result in your permenant dismissal from active service." She looked at Ino.
The only sign that Ino was suffering from shock were her slightly widened eyes.
"If you perform this mission well, your suspension will be reconsidered, and you maybe readmitted into the ranks. C or D rank missions only probably. But you would be, for the most part, reunited with your team." It wasn't pity or compassion in the woman's voice, but it did recognise the painful choice the young kunoichi was being given.
For some crazy reason Ino kept thinking about the riduculous pinky promise that Sakura had made just one week ago.
"If you, Ino Yamanaka, ever give up being a hell of a kunoichi, I, Sakura Haruno, will also quit."
Ino bowed to hide the wrinkling of her brow as she fought back tears.
I'll be damned if they think they can break me. Nno way I'm finishing at the academy or as some paperpusher or errand girl. I'm a kunoichi damn it! I worked too hard to get to where I am...was...if there's even a chance I can earn back my team I'll do it."I accept this mission." Ino said steadily.
Training groundsIf you looked really hard you could still see the target through the thick coat of bristles and other sharp embedded objects. What you couldn't miss was the furious kunoichi at the opposite end of the training area.
Her teacher Gai Mato watched, his incrediably thick eyebrows fused together in worry. Most people who knew him would have been surprised at the serious expression on his usually goofy face. Those who really knew the eccentric Jounin, would have recognised it immediately. Something was wrong with one of his 'kids', and he couldn't fix it.
His other two 'kids' were celebrating their promotion to Jounin status with their respective families. At least Neji was, Lee was probably waiting for him to return so that someone would share a congratulatory drink with him. Tenten was furiously beating lifeless wood into wood pulp.
She'd been refused. Point blank, not up to grade. She'd been so infuriated that she'd tried to deck the official. She was so good, she'd succeeded. Instant suspension.
Gai had to admit he didn't know why she'd been refused. Her skills were excellent, her instinct perfect, her temper...was perhaps another story. Mostly she kept it under wraps, but every now and then it blew up in spectacular ways. Gai knew an explosive anger was part of what made a powerful kunoichi. It was a force which helped balance their weaker physical strength. Many a stronger opponent had been beaten senseless by a much smaller kunoichi who'd just been pushed that one step too far.
He remembered perfectly little Kurenai's explosions at the Academy. Ah the power of youth. But none of that reminiscing helped him with his broken hearted little kunoichi.
"Four Dragon Strike!" Tenten screamed.
"NORTH! EAST! SOUTH! WEST!"
In quick succession the named directions became deadly zones of flying death.
Ah, Tenten your springtime has not yet past! Gai thought with pride.
Only three days after the exhausting week of Jounin examination, and already she could use her finishing move again. Wiping tears of pride out of his eyes, Gai stepped forward. He'd been sent to collect his little kunoichi and take her to the Hokage's tower, she had a meeting with the Hokage.
His pleading for his student had had its effect, Tenten was being given a chance to re-earn active status.
Outside the Hokage towerTenten leaned her forehead against the outer wall of the Hokage building. Years of mental conditioning stopping her from trying to rip down the tower with her bare hands. The folder containing her mission details suffered though. She twisted it this way and that, imagining the feel of someone's neck in her hands.
All her own fault. Which was perphaps the real reason she was so angry. Never mind the humiliation she felt in being left behind by the guys on her team, of failing an exam she should have aced. She'd known she'd been on edge, that the tension of the examinations had worn her control thin as paper. She should have passed the morning waiting for the results meditating like Neji had, not sharpening her kunai from nevousness. But she hadn't listened to his offer, she'd prefered to pick at her worries, forgotton her control and punched the pompous ass that'd dared to tell her she wasn't good enough.
And now, retribution. She knew, she just knew that that official was behind this...this sad excuse for a mission. But the orders had come from on high. Take the mission, earn your pardon, or quit. No choice really, even this was better than giving it all away. She couldn't be a civilian, hell she didn't even know any civilians. What the hell did civilians do with their lives?
She'd die before she gave up her kunais and forehead protector. They'd have to pry them out of her cold, dead hands.
A mission was a mission, and years of training with Lee and Gai-sensei, and even Neji had turned her into a coldly efficient mission finishing machine, no matter what it called for.
There was just one thing that made her wince in this mission. Which meant it had to be the first thing she did, after that there would be no backing out. Tenten punched the wall next to her head solidly. Not to damage, more to prove her strength, her will. The Hokage tower didn't even crack it's plaster covering. But neither did Tenten.
I am Kunoichi, hear me roar.
Ino's house.
News travelled fast, by the time she got home, her Dad was waiting to speak to her.
"I want you to know that if you don't want to do this, I have a few favours that I can call in." He began.
Ino held up her hand stopping him, she couldn't quite meet his eyes yet.
"Anything that would get me straight back to active duty?" Ino asked already knowing the answer.
"No." Her Dad said it clearly, expecting her to take it like a kunoichi would.
And she did. She looked him straight in the eye and punched him.
"Then get out of the way old man, I got a mission to do."
Her stride was different, her father noted watching his only child walk away. Heavier, and more determined.
Her only wish was to leave Konoha before her estwhile teammates found out about her 'mission.'
"Ino-chan! Shikamaru-kun is here to see you." Ino's Mother called out.
Ino promised silent death to the wicked bunny of coincidence. Flicking her hair back over her shoulder Ino put on the best face she could. Which was pretty damn good, if she said so herself.
"Hi, Shikamaru." Ino said brightly. "What brings you by?"
"Ahhh," Shikamaru stretched lazily.
Ino controled the desire to pester him about his laziness, hadn't he come over here to sympathise with her? She looked at the floor modestly waiting for the floods of comfort sure to come from her teammate.
"I heard about your new mission." He said scratching his head.
"Oh that." Ino said dolefully, peeking up through her downturned lashes she looked to see if he was appropriately moved by her predicament.
Idiot was leaning back on the table chewing on dango. Ino felt her fists twitch.
"Yeah, I guess...it kinda sucks." Shikamaru said, shifting the stick from one side of his mouth to the other.
"Kinda...sucks?" Ino asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, it's not like we can do anything about it now. You'll just have to get through it." He said, pulling out the stick and examining it minutely.
Unfeeling bastard, Ino thought, and he's been spending too much time training sneak tactics with that Anko women. Starting to pick up her bad food habits.
He turned to go, shoving both hands into his pockets. Ino balled one fist, and raised it to punch the lazy arse.
"Eh, Ino." Shikamaru said, without turning around.
"What?" Ino growled.
"Make sure you finish quick and come back safe, I don't want to have to get used to a new teammember. Too troublesome."
With that he mosied on out the door and Ino was left standing with her mouth hanging open.
That's his idea of a morale boost? Ino grumped to herself, ignoring the tears lining her eyes. Stupid Shikamaru, wouldn't know how to treat a woman if his life depended on it.
She turned to return to her room her step a little lighter.
Stupid Shikamaru, stupid, stupid Shikamaru.
Konoha Gates, two days later"I'm just saying you could've worn a wig." Ino said, forcefully shoving her last bag into the caravan.
"A wig would've been unpractical." Tenten snapped back.
Tenten slapped at her neck where her shorn hair was tickling her. She'd forgotton just how much more annoying short hair could be. And the eating of said hair, she must have swallowed at least half a ton of it between here and home.
Ino rolled her eyes.
Seriously the girl must be a machoist or something. Ino thought, primping her own still long blond hair.
The move wasn't lost on Tenten who narrowed her eyes.
Keep your mind on the mission, you've survived years with Lee and Gai-sensei, you can do this. Tenten chanted to herself.
The two girls stood for a moment completely ready to go and yet stuck in place. Both cast a longing glance back into the village. Both for the same reasons. While they didn't want their teammates to see them leave on this fiasco, still...
Tenten hadn't seen either Neji or Lee since her shameful display of anger. Even Gai-sensei hadn't been by since giving the message about the Hokage wanting to see her.
As for Ino, Shikamaru hadn't returned. Asuma-sensei had turned up to lend her a book on genjutsu, but her third teammate, Chouji, was missing. Which, given his girth, wasn't a casual feat Ino reasoned. He was avoiding her.
It hurt. Chouji had always been her silent support. At least she thought of him that way. Good ol' Chouji, of her teammates she never thought he'd let her down. But a liitle thing couldn't beat Ino Yamanaka! Planting her hands on her hips in annoyance, Ino turned her back on the village and stamped her foot.
"Let's go." She said in a business-like tone.
Tenten shouldered her bag and took the horse's reins.
"Ino!" Chouji called out. "Wait up!"
Puffing Chouji jogged up to the waiting kunoichi. He carried a wrapped box under his arm. Ino took a moment to put a cold look on her face and turned to glare at him. He ignored the ice in her eyes and thrust the box into her hands.
"Here, I made you some solider pills, just in case." He said smiling.
Buffoon Ino thought grumpily, what's he so happy about? I'm being sent away!
Chouji turned to look at Tenten without the least recognition. He smiled at the 'stranger' too.
"Hey there." Chouji said. "You going too?"
Tenten nodded silently.
"Could you keep an eye her for me? She gets into all sorts of trouble if Shikamaru and I aren't there to watch out for her." Chouji smiled.
Beside him Ino fumed. Tenten quirked an eyebrow.
"Sure." Tenten said lowering her voice. "I'll take care of the little lady for you."
"Thanks man." Chouji said cheerfully.
He turned to Ino.
"Come back quick Ino. The new girl keeps calling me fat." Chouji said a slight frown touching his round face.
Ino noted the weight of the box in her hands.
Wow, he must've stuffed it with pills.
She looked down at his hands and noted the telltale signs of someone who'd prepared a large batch of soldier pills recently. She swallowed hard and shifted the box to her hip so she could plant her free hand on the other and glare at him.
"Chouji, I must have told you a hundred times to wear protective gloves when you make these things." Ino griped.
"I know." Chouji said sheepishly. "See if you're not there, I forget things."
Ino sucked in a shaky breath, and gave him a watery eyed smile.
"Then I'll come back soon and remind you." Ino promised.
Tenten sighed as the smiling match stretched into the minutes.
"Let's go." She muttered.
She hadn't even had time to turn around when Hinata appeared at her elbow as silent as a ghost.
"Ex-excuse me sir, have you seen Tenten ?" She asked quietly.
"I am Tenten," she snapped.
The girl flinched, and Tenten scolded herself.
Gently, gently you know how she is. Tenten thought, putting a smile on her face.
"Y-your hair..." Hinata said, sounding every bit as sad about it as Tenten had been when she'd first had it done.
"For the mission." Tenten said brushing it aside.
She fixed the shy girl with a stare, willing her to say whatever she had to say and move on.
"Neji-niisan asked me to deliver this to you. He apologises but his new duties occupy all his time." Hinata bowed politely and held out a flat package neatly wrapped in pale pink paper.
Tenten raised an eyebrow at the colour and Hinata blushed.
"Neji didn't wrap this did he." Tenten said, taking the package sure of her suspicion.
Hinata tapped her fingers togethers, looking up at Tenten shyly.
"He didn't have time, he's very busy." She repeated. "But I'm sure he would have, if- if he'd had time."
Her voice trailed off. Tenten almost humphed. No, even if he'd had time he wouldn't have wrapped it. He wasn't that sort of person., and neither was she. But it was a nice thought from Hinata. Smiling for the first time in days Tenten pocketed it without opening it, time enough for that later.
Hinata bowed then seemed to remember something. She blushed and raising a hand slowly she made a thumbs up sign that was horribly familiar and smiled a little too widely for a normal person.
Lee. Tenten groaned internally.
"Lee-san asked me to convey his best wishes, and to tell you that he is formally petitioning the Hokage to let you retake the Jounin tests immediately." Hinata smiled a little more normally.
"He and Gai-sensei have been petitioning the Hokage daily, which is probably why they were both given a long term, mission in the Wave Country yesterday." Hinata shrugged and waved goodbye, before dissapearing as silently as she'd come.
Tenten felt a smile creep up on her face. Her team hadn't forgotton her, they may not be the most display-happy team in Konoha, but when it counted they closed ranks as well as any other.
Picking up the reins again, she started whistling. Without checking to see if Ino was following she started out.
There was a pissed off 'hey' from behind her and the sound of running steps.
Later that night while they camped, Tenten opened the package from Neji.
It contained a roundish flat rock that fit into into the palm of her hand nicely. On the top was drawn the leaf symbol of Konoha. Underneath the rock was a simple message.
To help you meditate.
Tenten leaned back, running her thumb over and over the design. It was soothing and centering. It reminded Tenten of all the times Neji had tried to teach her how to meditate properly and not just fake the body position.
Use the centre spiral to draw in your mind, focus it like when you aim for a target. Let nothing escape but your mind spiralling down into the centre of the symbol. Until finally even movement stops, and you are at peace.
Neji's voice drifted back to her through time easily. Sighing Tenten slipped the rock away and took up her guard position again. It never paid to be sloppy, not even inside Konoha woods.
On her own side Ino flicked through the book Asuma-sensei had forced her to take with her. She wasn't completely adverse to book study, she could read a book as well as any other, but she was more of a hands on kind of learner so...
Flicking back to the front she reread the message Asuma-sensei had left her.
A Kunoichi's best weapon is misdirection. While everyone's watching her perfectly delicate smile they aren't watching what her hands are doing. Kunoichi are masters at hiding themselves and their attacks in plain sight. A slain enemy's most common complaint is that he just never saw it coming. Noone can be sure they really saw the kunoichi's true face.
Asuma
Ino frowned at the riddle. She'd never like riddles, they were more Shikamaru's thing. Tossing the book back onto her bag she settled down to sleep a little before her turn at guard duty.
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I figure Tenten has to have some real grit to stick it out in her team. Just like Ino in hers, like all the Kunoichi. Hence the anger problems. Gotta get your drive from somewhere.