A/N: Special mention to cmwiki for figuring out the pop-culture reference in Chapter 4. And a big thank you to Lix Lorn the Eeveetrainer for being a helping hand.
A Fox among the Hounds
C-rank
A week had passed since Kiba and his team left for their mission, and as the days went by, Naruto was beginning to get more and more aggravated. Despite all their progress in skill and teamwork, Asuma still kept them on D-rank missions- -mainly chasing Tora, Madame Shijimi's demon cat, weeding gardens, picking up litter, and babysitting the village children , including the cheeky Konohamaru, Asuma's nephew who both idolized Naruto and considered him a "rival".
With all that routine work of menial chores, Team Ten's patience was wearing thin, it was no surprise that someone eventually snapped. Strangely enough, it was not Naruto, but Shikamaru.
"I've had it!" shouted the normally composed Nara. "Everyday it's chore after chore after chore, and I can't take it anymore! If I have to chase that flea-bitten cat one more time, I will skewer him with my shadow and fling his pelt back at his whale of a mistress, so help me God."
Everyone who witnessed Shikamaru's breakdown was floored. Then again, no one had ever seen a Nara male loose his composure. Even Iruka, who usually had a rebuke ready, was rendered speechless.
Both Naruto and Hinata turned a worried glance to Asuma, afraid of how the normally laid-back man would respond to such a disrespectful outburst.
To give Asuma some credit, after he got over the initial shock, he calmly stepped up to the mission desk and said, "I guess there's a change of plans, 'Ru. What C-ranks do you have?"
Upon hearing the request, Iruka finally found his tongue. "Asuma, a-are you sure they're ready for this? This is a C-rank, we're talking about. And they're just fresh graduates."
Even Shikamaru, who had regained his wits after his outburst, had the decency to be embarrassed. "Sensei," he began guiltily, "I didn't really mean it. I was just stressed out."
"Nonsense," Asuma said, clapping a reassuring hand on the Nara's shoulder. "I completely understand your predicament, and I suppose it's high time you guys had some field experience." Turning to Iruka, he said, "'Ru, if you've taught these kids well, which I'm sure you did, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about."
"That's not the problem," Iruka answered, "What's bad is that we only have one C-rank left."
"How's that a problem?" Asuma asked, confused.
"It's an escort mission-"
"Still not so bad!" Naruto piped up.
"Will you let me finish?" Iruka scolded. "If you guys take this mission, you'll be escorting three Iwa-nin from the Fire Country-Earth Country Border Garrison to the Fire Capital Natsu-bi to sign a peace treaty between Fire Country and Earth Country. And as you all know, the peace situation between Iwa and Konoha has always been on shaky ground, and one wrong move could easily dissolve the treaty and send us plunging into yet another Ninja War."
"If this mission is so risky, why is it still classified as a C-rank?" Hinata asked.
"C-rank missions are further divided into two types," Iruka explained, "There's C-plus, normally assigned to Chuunin, and C-minus, normally assigned to Genin. This one I have right here is definitely C-plus."
Asuma bit down on his cigarette. "I suppose I would have to back down-" At this, Iruka heaved a relieved sigh. "-but I already promised my team a C-rank. And I think this one will be a perfect learning experience for them."
Iruka opened his mouth to argue, but the Jonin cut him off. "There some things you just can't learn in the Academy, 'Ru, and this is one of them. Don't worry, they're in good hands."
"For your sake, I hope you're right," Iruka replied as he handed the mission file to Asuma. "Because war will be the least of your worries, should something happen. Good luck and Godspeed."
The Fire Country-Earth Country Border Garrison was a huge, imposing structure located between two mountains. As soon as Team Ten arrived, they were immediately greeted by the Fire Country ninja assigned and told to wait in the receiving room for their Earth Country counterparts.
Minutes ticked by, and the only sounds in the room was the faint whisper of Naruto and Hinata quietly conversing with each other, and a light snore coming from Shikamaru.
Just then, the door opened with a creak, and Naruto and Hinata immediately cut their conversation, and roused Shikamaru from his nap. Sure enough the Fire Country ninja had returned, this time, with three other ninja wearing the distinctive crimson headband and flak vests of Iwa. "Your clients," he said rather tersely, before leaving the room yet again.
At the arrival of their clients, Team Ten immediately stood at attention and Asuma stepped forward to commence the introductions. "Greetings," he said in a formal tone, "My name is Asuma Sarutobi, a Jonin of Konoha and your guide for the rest of your journey. Accompanying us is my Genin team who will provide whatever assistance you require. Their names are Shikamaru Nara-"
The ponytailed boy merely raised a hand and grunted.
"-Hinata Hyuuga-"
"Pleased to meet you all," Hinata said with a bow.
"-and Naruto Inuzuka and his ninken Aomaru."
"A pleasure," said the blond, while Aomaru barked his greetings.
"Likewise," replied a hulking bearded man, who bore a caricaturish resemblance to Asuma- if Asuma had a potato for a nose. "My name is Kitsuchi, a Jonin of Iwa and the leader of the delegation. Joining me are Roshi-"
A middle-aged man with red hair and beard stepped forward and bowed.
"-and Deidara," Kitsuchi finished, pointing to the youngest member of the trio, a teenage boy with blond hair and some eerily familiar features.
"Are you sure they're up for the job, un?" asked the one called Deidara, "They kinda look a bit green to me, especially the stupid-looking Yellow Flash wannabe with the facial tattoos."
Naruto's temper instantly flared. "Who are you calling stupid-looking, Ladyboy?"
"What did you call me?" the other blond seethed.
"Ooh! Ooh! Dude looks like a lady~!"
Deidara lunged for the Inuzuka. "You little brat! I'll burn you good, un!"
"Deidara, stand down," Kitsuchi barked. "And as for you Inuzuka, is this the way you treat foreigners in your village?"
"Of course not!" Naruto burst out. "He started it," he said, pointing to Deidara, "Calling me stupid and whatnot."
"That is enough!" Asuma ordered. "Naruto, I will not tolerate this kind of unprofessional behavior from anyone on my team. And Deidara, if you are to voice your concerns, at least do it tactfully."
"You're not the boss of me!" snarled the blond Iwa-nin, "I'm the Tsuchikage's grandnephew, un!"
Roshi stepped in to intervene. "Please excuse him," said the older man, "Young Deidara has some unresolved issues involving Konoha-nin." Asuma simply responded with a curt nod.
Hinata was confused. "Um… Pardon my question, but if Deidara does not like Konoha-nin, why is he assigned to a diplomatic mission?"
"I'm a bodyguard, uh duh!" Deidara snapped as if was the most obvious thing in the world.
"No way!" Naruto exclaimed, "You're not that much older than us!"
"Deidara may be young," Roshi quipped with a proud grin, "But he is one of the best Jonin in our village. In fact, he was hand-picked to be personally trained by none other than the Tsuchikage himself."
The blond Inuzuka was genuinely impressed. "Wow…"
"Putting all these aside, I suggest we start moving. Time is of the essence," Kitsuchi said staidly.
"It's best if we get some rest first," Asuma interjected. "It will take us three days to reach Natsu-bi from here."
Kitsuchi nodded. "Very well. But we leave first thing tomorrow morning."
It was daybreak when Team Ten and the Iwa delegation left the garrison and made their trek towards Natsu-bi, and so far the journey had been uneventful. Despite the mundaneness of the trip, the road to the Fire Capital was rather picturesque. Two days into the journey, a large, temple-like building could be seen peeking out in the distance, and what was peculiar about said building was that there seemed to be no neighboring structures in the vicinity at all.
Immediately, the three Genin were captivated by the strange building, and even Deidara was not spared. He soon found himself sneaking curious glances at the odd edifice.
"Huh…" Asuma said with a light chuckle, "Seems that you kids have taken quite a shine to the Fire Temple."
"You know this place, Asuma-sensei?" Naruto asked.
"What ninja doesn't?" said the man with a hearty laugh. "The Fire Temple is one of the most famous ninja temples in the Elemental Countries."
"It doesn't look so impressive, un!" Deidara grunted.
Roshi looked at him with a knowing smirk. "Is that why you were sneaking glances at it?"
The group continued their path when suddenly Asuma motioned them to stop.
"What is this time?" Kitsuchi snapped, obviously irritated. "Another landmark for us to see, Sarutobi?"
"No…" Asuma muttered lowly. He turned to Hinata. "Activate your Byakugan."
The Hyuuga obeyed and relayed what she saw to her sensei. His expression hardened immediately. "Kids, take the Iwa-nin, and get away now."
"But Sensei," Naruto protested, "We can't leave you behind."
"Now is not the time to argue, Naruto!" Asuma snapped. "Take the delegation and flee while you still can!"
But it was too late. A bolt of lightning shot out of nowhere, knocking everyone to their feet. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Asuma Sarutobi," sneered a white-haired man. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"
Asuma's hands flew to the hilt of his trench knives. "And who might you be?"
"A thousand apologies for my rudeness," said the stranger, a dark smile warping his features. "My name is Furido. But I think you know me better as Kazuma."
A/N: And Kazuma has entered the fray; looks like shit is going down. For those of you who are not familiar with this guy, Kazuma is a filler character who appears as the main villain of the Fire Temple Arc, and I can tell you that he is one bad mama-jama.
This is probably the shortest chapter in this series, but I hope it's worth the wait. Like I said, real life is a big factor in the delays, and as a working person, I cannot stress how true that is. Anyway, I hope you readers will enjoy this short, yet hopefully entertaining chapter.
N & B's Explanation Corner
Shikamaru's a genius, he wouldn't throw a tantrum.
Shikamaru's also a twelve-year-old kid, and throwing in some inklings of realism, any kid, no matter how smart they are, will get antsy if they keep on doing something they think is too menial for them, more so if they are of higher intelligence. Also, there is a big difference between IQ and EQ. According to science, people with high IQ have the tendency to have a lower EQ.
What's with Asuma's nonchalance about accepting a C-plus rank mission for his team?
For the record, Asuma is aware of the consequences should his team fail. However, as a teacher, it is his job to educate and there is no teaching method better than a hands-on one. Also, AFatH!Team Ten has better team dynamics than Canon!Team Seven, not to mention they're escorting foreign ninja who are more than capable of defending themselves.
What's with the rude, angry Deidara?
Looking back, the original AFatH seemed too light and soft, as did the introduction of AFatH!Deidara. Revised!Deidara will still be one of the good guys, but like Revised!Neji, he will be keeping some shades of his canon personality.
Hope that clears things up!