Scroll 26: Sunset Scenes

Yukari had panicked when she realized she had missed out on whatever it was that the Hokage said when she had zoned out. Was it important, a critical piece of the mission? What it more instructions, or simply a pep-talk? Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, the red-eyed girl was zoned out again – forgetting the fact that she had a restraining order in effect.

With her ninja gear packed and ready to go, Yukari decided it best to report straight to the Wheel-Nin camp so the mission could get underway.

Before she got to the village exit, she had to go through an area of low rooftops. Yukari jumped onto a seemingly random rooftop when her feet were yanked out from underneath her.

"OH SHIT!" The Kunoichi yelped as her world turned upside-down. She landed on the down slope of the roof; her arms and legs tied up in a rope-trap. Paces away and on adjacent rooftops; Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon and Mai revealed their hiding places.

"Yukari-sama!" Moegi cried in surprise. The raven-haired kunoichi had fallen right into a rope-binding trap that had been laid in practice by the four pre-genins.

"What is the meaning of this? Konohamaru-chan, this better not be another one of your pranks! I have to report for a mission!"

The blue-scarf wearing Hokage-grandson looked fairly surprised. "Uh, sorry, Yukari-boss, we were practicing our techniques!"

"Yea, Lady-boss, Mai-chan wanted to learn how to lay a simple restraint trap and we were teaching her." The dopy voice of Udon matched Konohamaru's in shock. "We didn't expect anyone to be stupid enough to fall for it."

"Well, I got caught. Congratulations; your trap works. Now let me out of here!" Yukari's arms and legs were twirl-wrapped with tan-colored rope. Their trap rope was the same color as the rooftop – similar enough to easily overlook if one was not paying attention.

"Uh…ok!" Mai flinched as she moved to dispel the trap that held her sister. Konohamaru stopped her, however, as his face went from surprise to mischievous.

"No. Yukari-sama needs to learn a lesson. Naruto-boss wouldn't have fallen for our stupid trap, but you did, Lady-boss. I think we get a reward." Yukari, being upside down, stared murder at the three pre-genins. Before she could say anything more, Shozaku rolled up onto the roof; standing on the other side of Yukari and across from Konohamaru and the rest.

"I thought I heard something good happening up here." He smiled widely as he looked down at Yukari. Where there was mischief in Konohamaru's eyes, there was...a rather lecherous-mischievous look in Shozaku's blue ones.

"What're you kids doing this for?" He sounded serious enough to anybody that didn't know him. The gambler was mostly hoping he could get the kids away as quickly as possible to as to best use the situation to his advantage.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Udon had screamed as Shozaku appeared from no where. The snotty-nosed genin's scream elicited a scream from Moegi, and then from Mai, causing the youngest Uzaruki to take off in fright. Moegi stopped screaming and promptly followed the younger girl, hoping that her young charge wouldn't slip and fall off the roofs. Udon stumbled away from Shozaku and took off after Moegi.

"Moegi-san, wait for me!" Udon cried out to the red-haired Akimichi girl.

"Hey, you guys, wait, where are you going!" Konohamaru quickly lost his superior, triumphant face and took off after his team and Mai. "Naruto-sama is gonna kill us if he finds out we left Boss-Lady tied up like that! WAAIIT!"

Yukari's murderous face slowly slipped into a face that would – if real life physics could allow it to happen – produce the huge sweat-drop of annoyance. Seconds ticked by as the now-quiet roof grew even quieter as the pre-genin team showed no sign of returning.

"…"

"…"

"Uh…I…don't…think they're coming back…" Yukari muttered to herself. Overhead, a crow gave its comical cry:

'Ahoy...AHOY…KKAHOOOY!'

Yukari laid there, her ponytail dangling in the air as the rope pinned her to the tilted edge of the yellow-tan roof. She shifted from her side to her back as she looked up at Shozaku. Shozaku then would step up over Yukari, planting both feet on either side of her waist. The gambler finally looked down at her with an open, lecherousness smile upon his face.

"So…Yukari-chan, you seem to be pretty tied up there. That doesn't look good for you at all." He crackled his knuckles, much in the manner of a person about to do some serious physical exertion.

"W…wait a minute, Shozaku-san, wh-what are you gonna doo…" Yukari's face grew red as her psych already felt a few things her mind played out for her. Both scenarios included physical contact, but as to which path the gambler would take was fairly obvious to Yukari, judging on the lusty look on his face.

"C-can we talk about this first!" the red-eyed girl wriggled, trying to loosen her bonds – bonds that had restrained her legs and pinned her arms behind her back. It was a sight to see as her chest was slightly pushed out; her arms were pinned behind back and front torso was unprotected.

"Wha-what are you going to do!" Her face flushed red as the pit of her stomach roared with arousal. On her covered back, between her shoulder blades; her curse mark pulsed once. It was so close to being activated, but she didn't care.

Shozaku smiled, kneeling and positioning himself so that he straddled Yukari. Given how acute the situation was, she could feel his eagerness for the situation to intensify pressed against her, though he didn't lean into her just yet. He just smiled down; enjoying the sight.

"Now, me? I plan on having a bit of fun." Shozaku smiled slyly and listened to her talk; laughing as she wriggled. He reached over and re-tightened the restraints, not enough hurt, but enough to keep her there for longer. "And what did you want to talk about? I think if there was something you wanted to talk about, you would've said it already. You really don't have to ask me. I mean...does your silence mean you're giving me the option to go on?" Now, the bulge in his crotch would press against her lower abdomen as he sat on her stomach and leaned forward; his face inches from hers as he smiled again. Shozaku placed his hands on her sides, as he waited for an answer.

"Sho…za…ku…-san." Yukari stuttered out; the thousand and one thoughts in her head spinning around like an active Sharingan eye. "I'll bet you can't guess what I taste like."

Her face turned as red as her eyes as her mouth blurted out the words that her mental spin wheel arrow landed on – which, hilariously for her, told Shozaku nearly everything he needed to know.

It was a scene worthy even for a premier edition of Jiraiya's 'Icha-Icha Paradise' novels as Yukari laid there on the tilting roof-side; Shozaku straddled over her in dominance, and the setting sun on her right, highlighting the pair in scarlet-orange romance. Shozaku wouldn't be called a liar if he were to state that he now stood over the most delectable kunoichi in all of Konoha village at the moment. Her blushing cheeks went nicely with the light the sun cast on them both. Shozaku chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're asking a man who's never lost a bet in his life to guess something?" As he spoke he leaned a little more to the side, and whispered into her ear:

"I may not be a cook, but I'm pretty good at…" He'd lick along the side of her neck slowly, savoring the salty taste of her skin. "…tasting things. I've also got a pretty good…" He'd continued, shifting his hips back just a bit, rubbing against her as he did. He moved his hands down along her sides, making her breath catch. His thumbs hooked into the sides of her nin-pants and tugged them downward a few inches. "…feeling I can guess your taste juuuuust riiiiight…"

He'd end the word 'right' by nibbling on her ear; before she would find his eyes looking straight into hers: red versus a dull-glowing blue.

Yukari's whole body shuddered as his tongue caressed the side of her neck; never once regretting instant bet she had just blurted out. Moaning from the back of her throat, Yukari tilted her head back as the Gambler continued tasting her skin as she felt his fingers tug at the edge of her dangerously short shorts.

"Ohhhhhh Shozaaaaku-chan…sooo good." She'd sigh out lustily. "Bu-but you hav-haven't guess yet, G-gambler…" Her breath suddenly became ragged and short, as Yukari would find herself on overheat as things between her and Shozaku spiraled into uncontrolled ecstasy. The kunoichi never wanted it to end; her face flushed more as she stared into his blue eyes, her tongue darting out to wet her lips.

"These things take time, Yukari-chan. Lots…" Those gambling hands would slide up her sides some, his palms resting against her waist as his fingers stretched across her ass. "…and lots…" He'd give her a good squeeze. "…of time. Besides, if I guess now and I'm wrong, then I lose. We just can't have that, can we?"

Shozaku would smile naughtily, noticing her wet her lips before he leaned in and helped her; his tongue tracing along her lips. The gambler had full control of the situation, but he could still make her beg for more. So he withheld his kiss from her, and spoke; his lips barely touching hers. "And if I do guess right, our little game would end. Do you really want the game to…" the tips of his fingers would brush along the edges of her inner thigh as he spoke the next words. "-end so soon?"

Yukari's hips would arch upward; grinding against his crotch as she purred this time; reveling in the heat that she and Shozaku were throwing at each other. Feeing his fingers dig into her ass, she chuckled from the back her throat – the tension and frustration mounting higher and higher.

"Oh no, I wouldn't want you to stop anytime soon, Gambler-san." She breathed out, letting her tongue slip lazily out of her mouth to trace along his lips. "Ending it so soon would be no fun at all…" She licked his lips yet again. "Seeing as I'm not going anywhere fast, there's no need to worry about ending anything yet. Besides –chuckle– I wanna make you lose it…"

As to what 'it' was, Yukari didn't quite know. 'It' could have been the bet she made or his control, or her control – or even something else entirely.

He'd grind back against her, slowly; back and forth. "You would be the first, I haven't lost a bet for a loooong…" as he dragged out the word 'long', he'd squeeze her ass and push her against him, grinding hard for a moment. "…time. And I think I can make you go somewhere pretty quickly." Shozaku said, a lone finger tracing its way up the inside of her leg, across her crotch on the outside of her shorts, before stopping at the edge and slowly tugging them even further downward. Anymore further off, and he'd have complete view of her underwear. His other hand began to slide up her stomach, fingers moving under her shirt.

"Now…where should I start trying to guess…" He'd lick along her lips, sucking her lower lip in for a moment. "Where do you want me first, Yukari-chan?"

"DON'T WORRY, ONEE-SAN, WE'LL SAVE YOU!" A voice rang out from above and Mai jumped down onto Shozaku's back and giggled like the school-girl she was.

"OOOOO Mai, you brat! I wanted to see more! It was just getting to the good part!" Konohamaru's slightly angry voice came next.

"Konohamaru-kun, shut up, if Yukari-sama knows we've been spying on her now, she'll kill us!" Moegi hissed just a bit too loudly.

"Boss-Lady, are you ok down there!" Udon's nasal words asked with concern. "We'll leave if you want us to, isn't that right, Konohamaru-boss?"

Yukari's two-hundred degree fever broke with a snap as it plummeted to below freezing. Feeling Mai's landing through Shozaku's points of contact on her body brought her temperature up to sixty again as his lips were planted firmly against hers. Mai had pushed the Gambler down enough so he and Yukari kissed – a solid, ten-point kiss.

"OOOOOHHH!" The four kids said together from above. Below Yukari and Shozaku came another, youthful filled voice:

"OH YUKARI-CHAN! THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL!" Lee's voice rang out from below.

He, Tenten, Neji and Gai-sensei had just happened to turn the corner when Mai had landed on Shozaku's back, making him kiss Yukari. Konohamaru and the others would see Lee standing on the dusty road below, his face buried against his green arm as he wept with youthful joy.

"Hai! Way to go, Uzaruki-san!" Gai-sensei posed his epic pose: giving her the thumbs up with his gleaming smile. "It's wonderful to enjoy the days of your youth!"

Next to the pair of green-clad ninjas, Tenten's face flushed at her team's reactions and averted her gaze, sparing Yukari more embarrassment. Neji just stood there and stared blankly as the sunset scene played out on the roof top above.

XXX

"Hatake-san, Danzo-sama requests a few words with you." An ANBU, wearing a black, six-lined mask, a black jacket with no hood would jump into Kakashi's field of vision, and then up to him.

"Now? Great, just great." Kakashi forced himself to a stop and turned to the ANBU who was mostly like a ROOT agent on Danzo's side. "Fine, I'll follow you, and hope that I'm not too late in getting to the Wheel-camp." Kakashi exhaled in monotony and nodded towards the ANBU.

They didn't have to travel very far, as it appeared Danzo was outside walking, enjoying the sunset. The ANBU led Kakashi up to him, bowed respectfully, and disappeared in typical ninja style.

"I am glad you could arrive so quickly." Danzo said, turning towards the Hatake nin. "I have an urgent matter to discuss with you regarding your recent activities."

Kakashi bowed politely to the face half-wrapped in white gauze. "Hai, Danzo-sama. I have a short time before my presence is needed elsewhere for a mission, but I can listen to what you have to say."

It irked him to no end that such a darkly-mysterious faction leader like Danzo wanted to speak to Kakashi. Such an event wasn't that unusual, but the Sharingan-user was what Danzo needed and as such, Kakashi had to respond to the request. It was good that the two were out in the open; so slanderous accusations could not be made against each one another.

Ironically, Danzo had wanted them out in the open for another reason, though the accusations were a part of it. It would be much harder, and look worse for the Hatake, if Kakashi refused what Danzo was going to ask. "I have recently received word that you a non-leaf ninja gave you a scroll of information." The man would stop here, and gauge the Hatake's reaction.

Kakashi, seeing the trap as Danzo spoke, instantly formulated his responding words to answer.

"Yes, I admit that a non-Leaf ninja passed a scroll of information to me recently. It was one of the many contacts I have going with the head of the Uzaruki Clan, Hibachi-dono. I had recently informed him that his eldest daughter had been assigned a mission and that she was going to be gone from the village for some time." Kakashi spoke the truth here, as indeed he had a series of messengers linked to the Uzaruki clan since he worked with Yukari. Another truth was that he did receive a scroll from a non-leaf ninja; as that messenger was from the Bird Clan that hailed outside from the Village hidden in the Leaves.

"Did you want the message that Hibachi-dono wrote to his daughter, Danzo-dono (lord). I hardly think it would be worth your time to concern yourself over such a trivial matter."

Danzo laughed, shaking his head. "Ah, always a master of words; Hatake-san. No, I think you know very well of which I speak, and know that I currently have no reason to place my interest on the Uzaruki clan. Earlier today, not too long ago, in fact, you spoke with a non-leaf nin in the hospital. I am told you have been given a scroll of importance, one that could have an affect on many people." He paused once more, not saying too much beyond that outright, waiting for Kakashi's reaction.

"Yes, I was given a scroll containing contents; but it is required for my upcoming mission, so it cannot be decoded at the moment." Kakashi nodded stiffly as he was pushed into answering.

XXX

When caught in the act, approach the nearest female in the area because, if you've been blue-balled, you should make everybody else as awkward as you are. The Gambler thought. Shozaku, seeing his chances ruined, decided to go with what could possibly be a more embarrassing and shameless route. He leaned in and whispered to Yukari, in a completely non-seductive manner:

"This is probably going to get worse, want me to cut you loose so you can get away?" If she nodded yes, he'd free her. If she didn't respond quickly enough, he'd launched Mai into the air and off his back; then turned around to catch her and then tickle her like crazy.

"Your punishment for spying on your older sister, when she is clearly busy and having fun; will be a tickling until you pee!" he laughed, then vanished. Unfortunately for Mai, hands made out of paper money were still at her sides, tickling her all the while. The gambler wasn't joking; he intended to tickle her until she peed or somebody blasted the hands apart.

Shozaku appeared near Gai and Lee, giving Gai's outstretched hand a high-five, before walking over to Tenten and putting his arm around her shoulder. "Now, my lovely kunoichi, did you turn away because you didn't want the ending ruined for you; or because it was too awesome to take in all at once? I know, hard choice right?" He knew he was about to get hit, hard.

Yukari's face was red with both fury and embarrassment. Having been interrupted at a crucial moment of personal fun, the kunoichi; now free from the rope-trap, slid out from beneath Shozaku to go after Konohamaru and his team. She would leave Mai there to take her punishment – the crystal-eyed girl laughing until tears came to her eyes. Yukari only managed to arm lock Konohamaru and Moegi; Udon giving her the slip as he wiggled out of her reach.

"ONEE-SAAAAAAAN!" Mai's calls of laughter echoed off the roof tops. Yukari didn't care as she jumped down off the roof and landed next to Team Gai, giving Shozaku a deadly glare as he got frisky with Tenten.

"Yes, the energy of youth is strong in you, Uzaruki-san!" Gai-sensei grinned even brighter as the gambler's high-five encouraged it. Tenten blushed as she turned to look Shozaku in the eye; being stunned enough to forget what she was going to say.

"I don't know who you are, but I suggest you remove your hands from Tenten-san."

As soon as Neji's cold voice exited his mouth, any residual arousal Yukari had was instantly squelched. Neji and his cold demeanor still scared the piss out of her. She stared at a still-weeping Lee as she gave up trying to hold the squirming Konohamaru and Moegi, releasing them from their headlock prison.

"Mai-chan!" Moegi leapt back onto the roof to kick off the tickling hands – the Akimichi girl was just in time too, as Mai was a hair away from peeing herself.

"That was mean, Boss-man!" Konohamaru stood up and scowled at Shozaku. "How could you do that to Mai-chan! You apologize right now!"

"Kid, I rarely take orders from my superiors; I'm not about to take suggestions from somebody I barely met. Well, at least not from a boy. I would be willing, however, to obey any orders…"Shozaku would turn back to look at Tenten. "…that you should feel free to give me! HEY GAI-SENSEI, I'M GONNA BORROW YOUR STUDENT FOR A BIT, OKAY? THANKS!" With that, the gambler would pick up Tenten and run off around the corner, cackling like a madman.

As he did so, the money-hands dispersed and floated off into the wind, one of the bills floated into Yukari's hands – it had the letters 'LC' written on it. Shozaku had no idea where he'd go with Tenten, but he didn't intend anything serious because he needed to be back at camp soon. He was just having fun before everything got serious for awhile.

Gai, Lee, Neji, Tenten, Mai, Moegi, Udon and Konohamaru watched in confusion as they all went under Yukari's mild genjutsu. What they would see was this: Shozaku was running off with a huge log; laughing like a psycho. Yukari's body would blimp out and explode into a cloud of glitter, the pieces sparkling – mixing with the floating money – in the setting sun and distracting the group long enough to let Shozaku make his get away.

So just where was the real Yukari? She had used a Henge and turned into Tenten – the very same Tenten that Shozaku had run off with. She was scooped up into his arms as the Gambler quickly exited the scene.

In total, the combined efforts of Yukari's henge, explosion-sparkle trap and log genjutsu; and Shozaku's crazy-man antics left a very confusing aftermath for those that had mistakenly interrupted their make-out session.

XXX

"Ah, a problem quite easily solved. I will see to it that a person with skills in decoding is sent to travel with you then, so that both of our goals may be accomplished. It is good we were able to agree on such a thing, yes? If you will excuse me, I have somewhere else to g…" Danzo said, as Shozaku ran past carrying Tenten in his arms. "Who was that?"

Both Shozaku and Tenten – who was secretly Yukari in a Henge jutsu – whizzed past Danzo and Kakashi; giving Kakashi the excuse needed to pardon himself from Danzo's intensive interrogation.

"I ought to go see if that kunoichi is ok." Kakashi bowed to Danzo and vanished; following after his clever kunoichi and the Gambler.