A/N: Before I begin I want to let everyone know that I have deactivated Anonymous Reviews due to my recent stance against flamers that lack the courage to log-in so that I can respond to them properly. While it isn't an issue with this most of my stories (including this one) I do apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. For anyone that may not know what I'm talking about please look at the final chapter of Master of Puppets for my rant as it will explain everything.
I also want to thank you all for being so patient in waiting for this update. Between life, work comp problems, my other stories and the problems with hurricane Ike this story as been woefully neglected. To repay you all for continued support I've written what I hope to be a chapter well worth the wait.
I'll admit that while this chapter has very little if anything to do with the rest of the actual story and is by design a filler chapter it was still a bugger to write but I think you'll all enjoy it. It gives a decent insight into the Meimeikira Clan's training methods as well as makes for a rather nice change of pace.
Okay enough ranting… lets get on with the story…
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Over the course of the next two months all three Rookie Teams grow by leaps and bounds through their continual use of the Meimeikira Training Grounds. In addition to the "Tunnel of Pain", as they all call it, they also regularly train on the "Wind Tunnel" to increase their speed and endurance and the "Gauntlet" to improve their stamina and Teamwork.
The Wind Tunnel, like the Tunnel of Pain, is a thirty foot long ten foot tall by ten foot wide Plexiglas encased tunnel that has a large fan (capable of creating up to twenty mile an hour winds) at the end with a red button in the center of the fan that acts as the off switch and a motorized treadmill covering the entire length of the floor that moves in the opposite direction the Genin most travel. Just like with the Tunnel of Pain the objective is of course rather simple: Reach the end of the course and hit the red button.
The Gauntlet itself is also rather straight forward even if the means of completing it might not seem so. The Gauntlet was originally created, and still used, as a Teamwork building Training Course that requires all three members of each Team to work together in order to complete the two hundred yard long obstacle course.
While all Nine Rookie Genin improve by leaps and bounds during their time on the training grounds it is actually Sakura and Ino that show the most noticeable improvements in both their attitudes towards their training and the manner in which they approach said training. This improvement is due largely in part to a few rather serious talks with their parents and suggestions from Senseis as well as a few rather pointed recommendations from a certain blonde haired blue eyed young Assassin.
Also of note during the first week of the Rookie Nine's Graduation from the Academy is the awakening of Sasuke's Sharingan during his very first attempt at the Tunnel of Pain, although his momentary hesitation upon realizing that he had in fact unlocked his family's bloodline did allow a shuriken to slip past his defenses resulting in a cracked sternum.
0o0o0o0o0
Naruto's Team as well as the rest of the Rookie Nine along with the members of Team Gai (at the request of the green clad Taijutsu Master) is currently engaged in a modified version of a fairly basic Meimeikira Infiltration Exercise.
In an attempt to spice things up a little as well as to give their students a bit of a challenge the four Senseis enlist the aid of the Meimeikira Clan as well as a few off-duty Jounin to set up a rather simple (if somewhat elaborate) undercover extraction assignment for the twelve young Genin.
The object of the exercise is to establish contact with their target, played by Kurenai, during a Masked Ball. For the purpose of the exercise the adults would pose as guest and security while their Senseis observe the Teams from the second story balcony.
In an attempt to make the exercise as real as possible the Teams were given only one day's notice to prepare for the assignment. During their briefing the Teams are only told that their target would be wearing a gold dress and mask, the code phrases and the proper responses. It is left up to them to decide how they will gain entry into the Ball and what roles each of them are to play in the extraction.
Sitting in the dinning room of the Compound's Main House the twelve Genin discuss their best course of action. "Well it's a fairly standard Meimeikira Training Exercise," Naruto tells them with his mask off so they can all see his face. "Although we usually kill the target rather then try and save them," he admits with a slight chuckle earning glares from those not familiar with his sense of humor, "The procedure should be about the same."
"And what exactly would that be?" Neji asks as stoic as ever. While he does not particularly care to be in the Meimeikira Compound much less around his own cousin, whom he despises for defying her fate, he goes along with the Sensei's orders knowing that it will grant him valuable experience and help him later on in Shinobi career.
"Well first we need to gain entry into the Ball," Naruto says unruffled by the Hyuuga. "The best way to do that would be to break up into pairs each with their own assignments." Looking around the table he quickly begins formulating a possible plan. "One Team will take point in this 'Mission' and establish contact with the target while the rest of us act as support," he tells them. "Since we could probably only manage to maybe slip two pairs in as guests the rest of us will have to pose as staff meaning we'll need uniforms."
"And exactly who do you propose should be the guests on this 'Mission' as you call it?" Neji asks.
"We'll need two boys and two girls obviously," Naruto replies. "And since this will be a formal Ball they need a firm understanding of proper etiquette and a certain social grace," he adds with a smirk looking at both Sasuke and Neji, "Since this will require a diplomatic approach I think both you and Sasuke would be perfect for the guys." Both boys glare at him causing him to smile pleasantly at them before continuing. "Now since the girls will also need to be able to play the part of debutantes I think Hinata and Ino would be the best choices."
"Why does Ino-pig get to go and not me," Sakura demands. "I'm just as pretty and graceful as she is."
"Because," Naruto says sharply cutting her off. "Ino is a Clan Heir and you're not," he reminds her, "And she like Hinata has at least attended a couple of diplomatic functions and knows what is expected."
"Fine," Sakura pouts as Ino gives her a triumphant smile.
"Now that that's settled," Naruto begins again, "Ino and Neji will act as Sasuke and Hinata's immediate back-up while the rest of us will pose as the wait staff and provide additional support."
"Wait why does Hinata get to be Sasuke-kun's partner and not me," Ino whines.
"Because while you have more experience in these situations than Sakura Hinata has more experience than you," Naruto answers. "Any other questions," he asks giving her a rather pointed stare. Seeing as how she has no further objections he continues. "I'm sorry to say this Lee," Naruto says addressing the green clad Genin. "I'm going to have to ask you to make a couple major changes to your appearance."
"What's wrong with the way I look?" Lee asks rather loudly. "I will not have my Flames of Youth," he begins only to be cut off by a sharp stare from the blonde Assassin.
"Your hair and eyebrows," he begins looking the boy over carefully, "Along with the way you're dressed mark you as Gai-Sensei's student."
"What's Gai-Sensei have to do with this," Lee demands defending his teacher and idol.
"Gai is too well known in the Shinobi World," Naruto tells him as if explaining things to a small child. "We have to assume that the Guards will be Shinobi and if they see you they'll know you're also Shinobi and the Mission will be in danger."
"What do I have to do," Lee asks hanging his head in defeat. As much as he worships his mentor and hero he knows that the man would never approve of doing anything that puts a Mission or the safety of their Teammates in jeopardy. With that matter settled the Genin continue working out the remainder of their plan and which role the rest of them were to play in it.
0o0o0o0o0
The Training Building that they are currently using houses several key rooms that would be associated with an actual Ball or any other Political Party that a Lord or Noble might throw. These rooms include a fully functioning Kitchen complete with staff, a fully stocked Wine Cellar, a Cloak Check Room, a Security Room and several bathrooms for added realism. The purpose of the Building is to completely simulate a large party environment as accurately as possible so as to make the training as real and as difficult as possible.
The four Jounin Senseis along with the current and former Hokages and the Heads of each of Konoha's most prominent Shinobi Clans, minus Hiashi, watch the Mock-Ball from the second floor balcony of the Meimeikira Banquette Hall. "I must say I'm impressed," Inoichi Yamanaka comments as he looks down at the sea of human activity below them. "I never would have imagined it possible to pull something this elaborate together on such short notice."
"It wasn't all that difficult," Hiruko Meimeikira tells him. "After all this very building was originally built specifically for this very type of exercise."
"Still it is impressive," Tsunade adds. "I had no idea a building such as this even existed in Konoha," she tells him, "It is truly spectacular."
"I thank you for your kind words Hokage-sama," Hiruko replies. "I believe they are ready to begin," he informs the others as Sasuke and Hinata's names are announce to the rest of the room as they make their entrance.
0o0o0o0o0
In the kitchen Choji and Sakura help prepare the food for the "Party" while attempting to conceal their roles in the completion of their objective. Their part in the "Mission" is fairly simple but requires careful timing as they attempts to drug nearly every portion of the food they can with specially designed laxative take from the Meimeikira Poison Stores.
Meanwhile down in the Wine Cellar Kiba is attempting the same thing with wine being served to the "Party's" guests while Akamaru keeps a lookout for potential trouble. Since none of the Genin has any hope of passing for eighteen without the use of the Henge Technique and therefore are unable to pose as Wine Servers he had to sneak into the Wine Cellar itself and drug the wine at the source while avoiding being detected by any of the actual severs coming down for a new bottle.
0o0o0o0o0
With Neji and Ino now being announced as they enter the room Sasuke and Hinata begin making their way around the outer edge of the dance floor searching for their contact while attempting to appear as if they are merely making the rounds. To maintain their deception they regularly stop and occasionally interact with the other "Guests" before moving along to the next group holding a conversation.
As they pass Anko talking rather animatedly with Ibiki and another female Naruto offers them some snacks from his serving tray while strongly suggesting that they try the pâté. As they accept the tiny morsels he moves past them to continue his duties. They both carefully place the snacks in their mouths while moving the tiny earpieces they feel around their tongues to clean them off.
0o0o0o0o0
Shino and Shikamaru both man Cloak Check Room and alternate between checking in the Guests' cloaks and monitoring the others movements in the adjacent Security Room. During their briefing Naruto informed them that the security room in the building was located on the other side of the wall from the Cloak Check Room. While ordinarily this wouldn't be the case in an actual Lord or Noble's home they could use this minor design flaw to their advantage considering that the Security Room wasn't supposed to be in use during their own exercise.
After cutting out a section of the wall, which would of course have to be repaired later, large enough for them to slip through they were able to watch everything that went on in the "Ball" itself and monitor everyone's current location. Acting as the "Eyes" of the group they are able to relay instruction through the small radios they smuggled in.
0o0o0o0o0
No matter how many times she looked at him TenTen still could not believe the difference that a haircut and plucked eyebrows had made in Lee's appearance. 'He actually looks pretty good,' she thinks stealing yet another brief glance at her Teammate from across the room. His now short spiky black hair seems to accentuate his now normal eyebrows while is "borrowed" uniform cast the Taijutsu expert in a new light. While Lee is currently dressed in the black suit and white gloved uniform worn by rest of the "Party's" male servers she was wearing the skirted suit uniform of the female servers.
"Status report," Shikamaru's voice calls over her radio breaking her from her musings.
"All clear," she whispers relaying her response. Looking over the "Guests" in her designated area as the others also confirm their status she can't help the faint amused smirk that briefly graces her face as she thinks about the mass carnage about to play out once the laxatives in the food and drinks begin to take effect.
0o0o0o0o0
Kurenai waits in a corner of the crowded Ballroom catching the occasional glimpse of the Genin moving around the room. She can't help but smile at the shear ingenuity it most have taken for them to not only come up with such an elaborate strategy in only one day but at how well they all seem to be playing their parts in this "little" exercise. 'Asuma and the others most be so proud of them," she muses to herself wondering what if she herself would be able to accomplish something of this magnitude with her own Genin Team once she ever got one. While it was true that the Hokage had offered her the chance to lead her own Genin Team she hadn't felt ready for such a responsibility, but now she was seriously reconsidering that decision.
Her private musings are cut short as Sasuke and Hinata make their way over to speak with her. "Lovely party isn't it," Sasuke asks with Hinata on his arm.
"It is quite nice," she replies with a pleasant tone. "Although I must admit that I'm not much for such fineries."
"Nor I," Sasuke tells her continuing to make small talk. "Personally I prefer a quiet evening at home with a good book," he adds slightly emphasizing the last three words.
"Ah… to sit by a fire while enjoying a good book," she responds giving the proper reply.
"Perhaps you would care to join us in the garden," he suggests. "There we might discuss our mutual love of literature," he adds smoothly.
"That would be lovely," she answers accepting his other arm as they make their way towards the double doors leading out of the building.
As they begin making their way to their destination two "Guards" move to cut off their exit only to be intercepted by Ino and Neji. A seemingly drunk Ino attempts to engage them in some meaningless conversation while Neji, playing the role of the irritated escort to perfection, attempt to apologize for his "Date's" behavior. By the time the Guards are able to remove themselves from the party's Guests their targets are no longer in sight. Moments later all Hell seems to break loose as nearly every Guest begins moving in mass in a near stampede towards the bathrooms both in the building and in the compound itself.
0o0o0o0o0
"That is just priceless," Tsume laughs watching the once crowded Ballroom quickly empty of Guests struggling against involuntary bowl movements.
Inoichi holds his face in his hands as his two best friends try their hardest not to laugh at the man's discomfort. While is proud of what he hopes are his daughter's acting skills he is embarrassed that the others had to witness her performance.
"You must be proud of Ino," Kushina tells him only to receive a saddened nod. "The Drunken Date is a time honored distraction among the Meimeikira Clan and she preformed the role admirably," she informs him.
"So it was Naruto that put her up to that," Inoichi asks causing his former Teammates to lose their battle and finally burst out laughing.
"I don't know if he put her up to it," she replies, "Although I'm fairly certain he suggested it."
"I think all of the children preformed very well," Mikoto interrupts before her sister says anything that might endanger her nephew further. "They showed a level of maturity and professionalism well beyond their years."
"They certainly did at that," Tsunade says with an amused smile. "Although I'm curious what they did to create such large distraction."
"Spiked the food and wine with some laxatives," a voice answers causing them all to turn around bringing them face to face with not only an amused Kurenai but also all twelve of the Genin. "But underhanded I'll admit," Naruto continues, "But highly effective."
"Damn pup," Tsume says placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "That was just pure genius," she tells him wiping the tears from her eyes from laughing so hard, "Your old man would have loved it."
"He does have his father's flare for pranks," Kushina says with motherly pride.
"And Minato-Sensei's knack for leading others it would seem," Kakashi adds with an eye smile seeing the others standing behind the young Assassin as if awaiting instructions.
Gai's eyes fall on his prized student and even though he'd watched the boy perform his role in the exercise far better then he could have hoped for he can't help the twinge of pain that still lingers seeing Lee's new look. "We are all very proud of all of you," he tells the Genin in a much more subdued voice causing his students to worry about their Sensei.
"Gai-Sensei," Lee begins moving closer to his idol only to be stopped as the man holds up his hand.
"It's alright Lee," he tells the boy. "You all played your roles admirably and for that you should be proud," says before offering his famous "Nice Guy" pose.
"Gai is correct," Itachi interrupts sparing the older Jounin. "You have all shown great maturity and remarkable growth in dealing with this exercise."
"As a reward we will give you all the next three days off before resuming your normal duties," Asuma tells them earning cheers from the Genin who all quickly bid farewell to the adults before racing off to get a head start on their first day off since Graduating from the Academy.
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And cut… Damn this was a bugger to write and I think this is actually the first time I've done anything so elaborate for just a simple filler chapter. I hope that the exercise met with everyone's approval. I know I set the stage for a more modern Western Ball and not traditional Japanese party but honestly I felt it fit the situation better.
I'll try to get back to the actual story as soon as I can and to avoid taking so long between updating this story. Also not only will Lee's new look will remain for the duration of the story but he'll also be getting a change of clothing courtesy of both his Teammates.
Once again thank you all for being so patient and until next time…
Later
Raven