I don't own Naruto.
Hinata smiled as she signaled us to come into the Hokage's office.
"Hey lady Hinata." I greeted.
"Give me the stats." Naruto ordered.
"So far, we know that its not just Komechi involved." I explained. "He have partners going by the names of Daichi and Takeo."
"Is that all the information you picked up?" Naruto questioned me.
"No, another thing is that they go by the name, The Terrifying Trio and we found a base on the outskirt of the Midwest Region, near the Fire Country. I'm betting that there are more than one of those base's around." I continued to explain.
"Great job you two and that was some good information." Naruto smirked.
"We infiltrated the base but, there was no good information laying around." Neji stated.
"It's fine but for now do whatever until the next mission." Naruto said, dismissing us.
"Rae?" I heard my name being called.
I turned around as Neji continued to walk, exiting the the Hokage's office.
"Yes lady Hinata?"
"Um. Can you do me a favor?"
I just looked at Hinata then felt the Hokage glaring at me.
It felt like he was saying (I dare you to say no.) I choked out a laugh then rubbed the back of my head.
"Yes ma'am." I smiled.
"I got a lot of work to do so, can you get me a dozen of Roses from Ino Yamanaka's flower shop then deliver them to Hanabi at the Hyuga Complex?"
I nodded then headed out the door. As soon as I closed the door behind me I let out a heavy sigh. (The Hokage's glare was scary.) I said to myself as I thought back to the feeling. I let out another sigh then head down the stairs and exited the building.
"Everything is going accorded to plan. Now all we got to do is wait for Yokozawa and Yamanaka to reunite so we can start on the second part of the plan." Naruto said with a grin.
"Lady Tsunade would be very proud of you, Naruto." Hinata smiled then kissed him passionately.
Naruto blushed then smirked after Hinata broke the kiss.
(Ino Yamanaka. I haven't seen her in a while. I honestly thought she was still training with her father.) I said to myself as I walked silently under the moon light. I finally reached the Yamanaka's Flower shop and spotted an unfamiliar pretty girl standing at the door. It looks like she was locking it up.
"WAIT!" I yelled as I ran up to her.
I stopped in front of her then sniffed the air. (Not making it noticeable.) "There's someone upstairs." I said to myself.
"May I help you."
"Can I get a dozen of Roses before you close up?" I asked as I looked up and noticed that the girl was Ino.
Ino smiled "Of course."
We both walked inside the flower shop then, I sat down at the table near the front. "Ino Yamanaka."
"Hm." She looked at me with a confused look.
"You don't remember me, do you?"
She just looked at me.
"That's a shame Yamanaka." I pouted.
"Your eyes look very familiar."
"They are familiar. Who is the only guy you knew with emerald green eyes and black ear length spiky/messy hair with a green tent to it."
"Rae Yokozawa?" Ino said with a low tone.
"In the flesh." I said with a smile.
Ino squealed then pulled me into an embrace.
"I can't believe you forgot about me."
"I would never forget about you Rae, its just that you've grown up so much in the past 4 to 5 years that I didn't recognize you. Your voice is deeper than it use to be."
"I'm a grown man now." I smiled.
My statement caused Ino to laugh.
"You also look different from when we were younger, I didn't recognize you until I actually got a good look at your face and, your hair is longer than it was the last time I saw you."
"We're both grown ups now." Ino smiled back at me. "So. How have you been Rae?" She asked as she tried to stir up a conversation.
"I've been good. What about you?"
"I've been great." She smiled.
"That's wonderful." I smirked back.
"Gosh Rae, the last time I seen you I was waving goodbye to you as I went away with my father for personal father/daughter training time."
"I remember that day. I was so angry but also so excited for you."
Ino blushed.
"So what rank are you now?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I'm a Jonin, what about you?"
"Due to me leaving for my training with Kakashi I never got the chance to take the Jonin exam, so I'm just a Chunin."
"I remember our first mission together. It was very exciting." Ino continued smiling as she thought back.
I blushed. "Yea we always went on multiple missions together. We was also dating back then."
Ino's blush deepened then faded away. "Yeah, but when I came back from my training I heard you left to go training with Kakashi so I started doing solo missions. Then I was assigned another partner and now I'm engaged."
"Engaged?" My jaw dropped in shock.
Ino noticed the expression on my face. "Don't be like that Rae. I didn't know if you was coming back or not."
"You didn't... Never mind." I sighed deeply. "Hn, well can I get those Roses so I can go."
"Don't be mad Rae."
"I'm not mad." I lied.
"Don't lie to me." She frowned.
"If your happy then I'm happy." I said as I gave a fake smile.
"Rae." Ino said then pulled me into another tight embrace. "But I've known you long enough to know that you don't smile like that. So don't give me fake smiles." She whispered harshly in my ear.
Ino broke the embrace then started getting the flowers. "Who are these for anyway?"
"Lady Hinata asked me to buy those then deliver them to the Hyuga Complex."
"Oh." Ino said as she put the last flower into the vase. "Here." Ino smiled as she handed me the vase.
Ino's smile disappeared as she just noticed that Sai's chakra was in listening distance. He has been ease dropping on their conversation.
"We should go out sometimes Ino, just like the old days."
"Sorry, but my fiance wouldn't like that."
"We're just going out as friends and nothing more."
"If I be seen around Konoha with you, people might start expecting things."
"I don't care, Ino. People can expect all they want, we're just friends."
Sai took that as his cue then crept down the stairs.
"Hey Ino, want to go for round two?" He said then snaked his arms around her waist. Sai then acted like he just noticed me. "Who is he?"
"Sai, this is my old mission partner Rae and Rae, this is my fiance Sai."
"What is he doing here this late at night."
"That's none of your concern." I looked at him.
"Rae." Ino gave me this 'don't be rude' look.
Sai sneered.
"Anyways, so what about my offer Ino."
Sai looked at her.
(Damnit Rae.) Ino said to herself. "I told you Rae, my fiance wouldn't like that."
I gave her this look that she couldn't read.
"Stop trying to hit on my 'wife' and just leave." Sai spat.
I looked at Sai. "She's not your wife yet." I said then walked past Ino. "Well it was nice talking to you again." I said as I completely walked off.
Ino watched me disappear into the night. (This isn't going to be good.) She turned around and noticed that Sai went back upstairs. (I feel bad things coming my way.)
"Kakashi. It's time to start the second part of the plan. Deliver this mission scroll to Yokozawa."
Kakashi nodded then left the Hokages office.
"Here's your coffee. You look very tired." Hinata said as she handed Naruto a cup of coffee.
"I am tired Hinata. It's 6:50 am. I should still be asleep." Naruto groaned.
Hinata smiled at Naruto then went to finish doing paper work.
"Thank you, Hinata. I don't know what I would do without you. I love you." Naruto said without looking at her.
Hinata blushed. "I love you too, Naruto."
"Ouch" I said as I rubbed my forehead then sat up.
It was around 7:00am when I woke up with a sleeping Akira clenched at my arm. (When did this get here?) I asked myself as I looked down at the mission scroll that was on my bed. I opened it then looked at it. A hologram of Naruto popped up.
"Yokozawa. This is an A rank mission, your partner is Yamanaka Ino because she is one of my best medics and you'll never know, you might need her." Naruto then winked, causing me to blush at the thought that Naruto know all about Ino and my past together. "Plus I need you two to head out at 12pm sharp. The place y'all will be going to is the Midwest region. Objective- Find another Base and get more information on The Terrifying Trio."
I was shocked to see that Ino was my partner. (I thought Neji was my permanent partner.) I said to myself as I got out of bed, got dressed then headed out the door. I silently walked to Ino's flower shop. I noticed that the door was locked so I jumped up to her window stand. I then noticed that Ino was asleep with Sai's left arm around her. I turned my back towards her window and sat there, waiting for her to wake up.
(Why does it feel like Rae is so close to me.) Ino asked herself as she slowly started to wake up. Ino sat up on the side of her bed then rubbed her eyes. She fully opened her eyes then looked up at her window. Ino blushed when she noticed that it was me. Ino opened the window.
"Rae. What are you doing here?" Ino asked me.
I didn't turn around to look at her. Instead, I just held up the mission scroll.
"Meet me down stairs." She motioned me to go to the front door then went down the stairs.
When Ino reached the door she unlocked it then opened it, letting me in. I walked in then sat at the same spot I sat at last night.
"Hey Rae." Ino said then sat down beside me.
I just looked at her then passed her the scroll.
(Can't say hey back? So rude.) She said to herself as she opened the scroll. Again, the hologram of Naruto popped up.
"Yokozawa. This is an A-ranked mission, your partner is Yamanaka Ino because she is one of my best medics and you'll never know you might need her." Naruto winked, causing Ino to blush at the thought that Naruto know all about our past together. "Plus I need you two to head out tonight at 12:00 sharp. The place y'all will be going to is the Midwest region. Objective- Find another Base and get more information on The Terrifying Trio."
Ino handed me back the scroll then we both stood up.
"I can't believe it. We are partners again." Ino squealed in front of me.
I just walked past her.
"Rae." Ino said in a hurtful tone.
I walked out of the flower shop then started leaving.
"Wait Rae!" Ino walked outside. I ignored her outburst and continued walking.
"Rae?" Ino said as she was now walking beside me.
"What do you want Yamanaka?" I said in a somewhat annoyed tone.
Ino stopped walking then looked at me. "Are you mad at me Rae?"
I stopped walking. "Is it that noticeable." I said in a sarcastic tone.
"Are you mad because of what I said last night?"
I just looked at her.
"I'm sorry Rae." Ino slowly walked up to me then leaned up against my chest.
I rested my chin on top of her head, closed my eyes then sighed. 10 minutes flew by and yet neither one of us moved. We wasn't really worried about getting caught because it was rare to see someone awake in Konoha at 7am.
"Ino? Rae?" Sakura looked at me and Ino.
Well I guess I spoke to soon. Ino and I blushed in embarrassment as we separated from each other.
"Um. Hey Sakura." Ino's blush deepened.
"What are you doing Ino and is that Rae Yokozawa?" Sakura looked at me.
"Nothing and yes." Ino said shyly.
Sakura just looked at us then shook her head in disappointment.
"Sakura I have been assighed a mission so I won't make it to work tonight."
"Okay, thank you for letting me know."
"No problem." Ino smiled.
"Well, since Rae is here to keep you company I'm going to take my leave." Sakura said as she walked towards Ino.
I turned around then walked off.
"Be careful about what your doing Ino." Sakura said as she fully walked past Ino.
Ino turned around to face me but I have already walked away. She sighed. "Not a great way to start my morning." Ino said to herself as she walked back into her shop.
(I can't believe that Rae and Ino were that close to each other. I hope that Sai doesn't find out.) Sakura said to herself as she went to work.
"Rae, is that you?" I heard Akira call as I walked into my house.
"Yea, its me."
"Where have you been?" She walked up to me then kissed my cheek.
"I had to run an eran."
"What kind of eran?"
"One based off of a mission."
"So, the Hokage assigned you another mission."
"Yeah, you can say that."
"When do you have to leave?"
"12pm sharp."
"When will you be back?"
"I don't know. Depends on how successful the mission goes."
"Well before you go, let me give you a good luck present" Akira smiled.
I just looked at her as she pulled me into the back.
11:30am came around and I was already full dressed. I looked down at Akira and seen that she was still asleep. I went into the kitchen, grabbed something quick to eat then ate it as I left out of my house. I sighed as I smelled Ino's chakra nearby. I walked into the wood towards the direction where I sensed her. I spotted Ino then she waved at me but I just brushed past her, going towards the Gates of Konoha.
"Rae." Ino said with a low tone.
As soon as we stepped out of Konoha, I jumped into the closest tree to me then started heading in the direction of our objective. Ino caught up to me and was now right beside me. "Rae, can we talk?"
"There is nothing to talk about."
"Yes there is."
"You know what Yamanaka, how about you just turn around and go back. I can handle this on my own, I don't need your help."
"I'm not leaving you to do this mission alone Rae."
"I did A ranked missions by myself before. Just go back to Sai. He need you more than I do."
Ino sighed (I knew things was going to get bad. I was not expecting it to be this soon.) 8 hours has passed and the woods got darker by the hour.
"Can we take a break and rest for the night?" Ino cautiously asked me.
I thought about it then stopped in mid air and landed on the ground. Ino did the same thing but sat down in front of a tree. I started a fire then used its light to see the woods better. I looked around then noticed that we were near a lake. I freely took the canteens to the lake and filled them up then caught 14 fish. Ino watched as I boiled the water and cooked the fish. When the food was finished, I used my ice jutsu to create a sculpture of a lion. Ino continued to watch me and watched in amaze as I created the sculpture. I grabbed the rectangular box on my belt then pulled out the yellowish tan slip. I stuck the slip on his back then his fur started to come out. Ino was somewhat shocked as she watched the fur come out of the ice. My creation came to life then roared loudly.
"Hey Yori."
*Hey Rae.* Yori then turned around and faced Ino.
Ino got scared as Yori slowly walked towards her with his fangs showing. "Rae can you get your lion." Ino then tried to jump up.
Before she could move Yori jumped in front of her. He could smell her fear, he knows that she's afraid.
"Be nice Yori." I said without turning around to face them.
*Fine.* He sniffed her then licked her face.
Yori turned around and walked up to me then sat beside me. *Who is she.* Yori looked at me.
"Yori, that's Ino. Don't hurt her, she means a lot to me" I said in a low tone.
Yori looked back at Ino then turned his glaze towards the fire.
*Since she means a lot to you, I promise to protect her at all cost and that goes for all of us.* I smirked then grabbed two of the 14 fish and gave them to Yori.
"Here, eat up." I said then sat the fish down in front of him.
*Thank you* Yori started eating.
I grabbed a piece of fish then started eating it. As I ate I felt Ino's eyes on me.
"Come eat."
Ino knew I was talking to her and walked up beside me then sat down. Ino grabbed a fish then took a bite.
"Okay, here I go." Ino said to herself then sighed. "So Rae. Tell me about Yori."
"What is there to tell."
"What is he?"
"He's obviously a lion." I said in a sarcastic tone.
Ino sighed. "I know that. I mean like, he was ice and now he's not ice."
"He still is ice."
"How?"
"My ice jutsu is very unique. With my six different colored slips, I can bring my creations to life. But when they come to life, they turn real on the outside and stays ice on the inside."
"So, how can Yori eat if his insides are ice."
"Well, his insides aren't really ice. His skin is ice."
"How is he so warm if his skin is ice."
"His fur plus his insides makes his body warn. He has blood running through him and he has all organs. That goes for all of my animals."
"Can I meet all of them?" Ino smiled at me.
I sighed then stood up and created an ice sculpture of a jaguar, cheetah, snow leopard, cougar and a savor tooth tiger. I pulled out each slip then stuck them onto the right animal. All my animals came to life then roared. "Ino this is Hideo." I pointed to my snow leopard, "This is Isamu." I pointed to my jaguar, "This is Saburo." I pointed to my savor tooth tiger, "This is Michi." I pointed to my cheetah, "This is Jiro." I pointed to my cougar, "And you already know Yori." I said then pointed to my lion.
(Where is Ryuu?) Ino asked herself as she looked at each animal. "Its nice to meet you guys." Ino laughed as my animals surrounded her, getting her scent. "They are very beautiful Rae." Ino said as she rubbed each one of them.
"Thank you." I said with no emotion.
Ino smiled.
"Here" I gave my pets (except Yori) the last 10 pieces of fish.
As they started gobbling down the fish I then realized that I was tired. I pulled a small black square shaped box out of the pouch that's attached to my belt. I pushed the red button on top of the square then threw it on the ground. A tent popped up and it had already set itself up.
"Hideo, Jiro, Saburo, Yori, Isamu, Michi. You may sleep but stay alerted at all times."
They gave me a sign that said they understand. I smirked then went inside the tent. Ino noticed my sudden movements then stood up. She went in front of the tent then peeked inside. There was an empty spot for her to lay at. She smirked then laid beside me. At first I was facing her way but as soon as she laid down I turned my back to her.
Ino sighed. "Rae can we talk." Ino then slid closer to me.
"Yamanaka, please stay on your side." Ino frowned.
"You was just being nice and talked to me, now you're going to start back acting like a jerk." I ignored her out burst then fell asleep.
She sighed then turned her back towards me and fell asleep.
*Hey Yori, who is that girl?* Saburo sat down beside Yori.
*Yeah, who is she?* Hideo said as everyone surrounded Yori.
*I don't know for sure but Rae said that she meant a lot to him. So I told him that we will protect her at all cost.*
*So is she Rae's mate?* Jiro looked at Yori.
*I don't know.* Yori said as his senses kicked in.
*We'll just have to wait and find out.* Isamu looked at Jiro.
*People are coming this way.* Yori said as they all then jumped into their defensive mode.
Rae also sensed the people nearby but choose to ignore it knowing that Yori and the others can handle it.
*They are coming from four different directions. Hideo, you and Isamu get the left side. Michi, you and Jiro get the right side. Me and Saburo will get in front and behind us.* Yori and the others then got into position.
As the others got into position the intruders reached the tent. "There are two people in the tent sir." A masked man said into an earpiece.
"Kill them." The man on the other side of the earpiece yelled.
The masked man looked at everyone in his crew.
"Komechi said to kill them both."
*They are Komechi's servants.* Saburo said Yori.
*That gives us more than enough reasons to kill them.* Yori replied.
*Ready when you are.* Isamu and Hideo said in a union.
*Lets stop staling." Michi and Jiro yelled out.
*Yeah, you two are right. Now!* Yori yelled then him and the others ambushed the group of guys.
I don't own Naruto or any characters (other than my ocs)