THIS IS THE SHIPPUDEN OF SHADOWS OF HEROES. WELCOME!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO! MASASHI KISHIMOTO DOES! I don't own any of the OCs, except the following:

The Tsukuyomi Clan

Nero

A/N: This is in Ruriko's POV for a while, I believe… So yea. :D

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PART II, Chapter Nineteen: Tsukuyomi Ruriko! You Suck at Stealth!

Kicking up sand with black, knee-length boots with slits in the sides, my black thigh-high shorts connected to legs made of fish net billowing around my legs and the breeze that made my fish net shirt flutter, save for the dark purple breast cover and hood that made up the v-neck of my shirt.

My black hair tied in a high ponytail, a portion of it hanging over my right eye, as lavender as it was when I was born.

Tsukuyomi Ruriko was the name my mother gave me. And that was the name that I yelled at the top of my lungs as I landed on the cliff that hung over top of my house.

"Guess who's back?" I roared and flipped off the cliff, landing on the ground below and making sand fly up. I whipped around to see Kazuya stepping out the door, looking up with the same old, beaming grin.

He wore the same sand Jounin vest over a dark brown turtleneck with short sleeves, matching light tan arm warmers that only covered half his middle finger and thumb to go with dark brown pants and black ninja boots with black padding on the front, his forehead protector glinting in the afternoon sun.

"I heard you coming on the roof. I was just going to go meet Nero and Akira for tea. How did your mission go?" He asked, tilting his head. I smirked, putting my hands on my hips and thrusting my thumb at my chest.

"I just picked up the best dirt on Akatsuki ever! I'm heading in to report it to Hioshi before I go on my next mission! Mind waiting up for me so I can come with?" I asked.

"Sure thing. Hurry up, though. You know how Akira gets." Kazuya sighed, exasperated at the thought of Akira's nagging. I smirked.

"Got it." I bolted into the house, racing up the stairs. I had pretty much gotten faster at climbing those damned stairs to meet Hioshi every day. He'd become my boss now, in charge of the special information squad of Sunagakure.

I ran down the hall, throwing the door with the DO NOT DISTURB sign on it. Hioshi was already standing up, dressed in a pale blue shirt to his elbows, baggy black pants, a muffler hanging around his neck, hiding his chin and bandages around his wrists, black gloves hiding his hands. He glanced up, somewhat tiredly, but I could see his smirk of satisfaction.

"Afternoon. Glad you made it back in one piece." He mused. I reached into my kunai pouch, whipping out a scroll and tossing it to him.

"Ne, wasn't so hard… It was heavily protected, but I'm a master at eating the baddies." I replied with a wide grin. Hioshi chuckled and caught the scroll, glancing at it, then at me.

"Next mission is from the Kazekage himself." He replied. I blinked.

"Seriously? What could Lord Gaara want that I could get him?" I asked, grinning. Hioshi waved his hand in my face.

"Get outta here. He'll be expecting you sometime today, so don't mosey on around here." He said. I huffed, spun on my heel and headed out. I joined Kazuya on a stroll through the village. Today, the sun was beating down on us, making me thankful that I changed my outfit.

"I hope you were careful," Kazuya pointed out, tilting his head, "I can't have you dying on me now after all that work we put into making you a Special Jounin."

"Ha, you can't get rid of me that easily." I winked, making him chuckle. We turned a corner toward a small café in the busier parts of the village. Sitting at a round little table, Akira and Nero were waiting.

Akira had grown, unlike me. His black hair was longer now, just about shoulder blade-length and had taken on an inky black color. He wore his headband on his forehead, causing some short strands of black hair to stick out over it, giving him a childish appearance. He wore a dark beige coat to his ankles in the back, cut off to show his belly and the sleeves hung to his fingertips while the collar buttoned shut. His black were black and billowy, matching his shoes that had a girlish heel.

Nero, I'm sad to say, he grown very much and was pretty good looking. A black cloak with purple dots on the fringe, cut up sleeves and, of course, no shirt. His black pants were bandaged at the knees, his chain decoration adorning his left arm and his maul strapped to his back. His damned cloak read: GOT BEER.

"Ruriko! Kazuya!" Akira exclaimed, jumping up and flailing his arm about like an idiot. I sweat dropped and Kazuya just rolled his eyes as we approached them. I noticed Nero was smoking, puffing smoke into the air in thick dark curls.

"Are you trying to look cool? Cuz that's gonna kill ya!" I snapped, making a grab for the cigarette, but he caught my wrist, shaking his head.

"Hell no. Why would I care what you people think? I smoke cuz I like it." He replied, his voice having grown mature and slightly deeper. I winced and took my arm away from him, messing with my wrist before plopping down. Kazuya took a seat, ordering us some tea.

"So," Kazuya began casually, "What's on the agenda for everyone?"

"I got some serious training to do," Akira announced, tapping his headband, "They're sending me to Konohagakure so I can meet another medical ninja. I think they said her name was Haruno Sakura? Man, I hope she's cute. Maybe she'll look like the Hokage!"

"Pervert." I accused. Kazuya rolled his eyes, then looked at Nero, who looked back at him flatly.

"They're making me teach an academy class to train to become a Jounin sensei…" He drawled.

"Ew, brats." I mumbled.

"Hell yea." Nero agreed, sucking on his cigarette and puffing smoke into a cloud in the air.

"What about you, Ruriko? Any big missions?" Kazuya asked. I sighed, leaning back in my seat and throwing my feet up on the table.

"Gotta meet the Kazekage. He's gonna give me the update on my mission." I replied. Nero crinkled up his nose, leaning on the table top.

"What the hell would he want with you? Aren't you just an observation girl?" He asked. I blinked and flew forward, slamming my fist on the table.

"Shut up, Nero! My job is a lot harder than it looks!"

"I'd have to agree," Kazuya put in with a nod, "She could get killed or kidnapped at any time, but the latter of the two is more probable since she holds a large amount of knowledge of criminal organizations."

"Hell yea." I agreed with a grin. Akira laughed.

"But I bet it's fun. Any of those criminals hot?" He asked. I blushed.

"What kind of question is that? They're all a bunch of blood thirsty- Actually, yes," I cut in with a grin, "Several, such as a couple members of Akatsuki, my favorite of all organizations! Like a guy from Iwagakure, his name is Deidara! He's freaking cute, from his picture. I found a picture of a guy named Uchiha Itachi too and he totally made me blush."

"We're talking about criminals." Nero deadpanned.

"I don't think they care." Kazuya sighed as Akira and I gushed over them. Hey, men were men! Criminal or kage, they were great looking. However, our gush was cut short.

"Hey," Nero said, getting up, "I have to stop by the Kazekage's anyway for my student list. Walk with me." Akira and I shared looks, glanced at Kazuya, who waved for us to go and we beamed, running with Nero to the Kazekage's Palace. It wasn't so much a palace, but we called it that since it was the biggest building. Walking inside the echoic lobby, we headed up a flight of stairs to the second floor, where Sand Jounin were lining the hall, guarding it.

People were such a spazz since they're Kazekage was the youngest, but I didn't see why. Lord Gaara could protect himself just fine. He was a powerful individual and I respected him a lot. Unfortunately, Nero didn't. Nero thought he was a little brat, but he never said so in front of him.

We walked into the Kazekage's office to find him sitting in his seat, signing some papers while his brother, Kankuro, stood nearby at attention. Gaara glanced up with pale green eyes past deep red hair.

"Tsukuyomi. I'm glad you're here, Ruriko. Your mission came in this morning," He said, then pulled a file out, handing it to me before looking at Nero, "As well as your student list." Nero didn't take it nicely from him like I did and stuck it in his cloak, looking away.

"Will you put that thing out?" Kankuro demanded, gesturing to Nero's cigarette. Nero stared at him, then puffed smoke in his direction, making him cough.

"Nero!" Akira elbowed him. I sighed, then looked at the Kazekage, who shook his head, then looked up at me.

"Your mission is to spy on Akatsuki members, Deidara of Iwagakure and Hoshigaki Kisame of Kirigakure. This is an A-ranked mission and it takes place in Tanzaku town, just outside the walls of Konohagakure. I need you to drop that medical file off before you begin your actual mission." He informed. I stared at him, my heart pounding.

This was the biggest mission I had ever gotten and my heart was swelling with excitement. I'd finally be able to see Akatsuki members in real life! Oh my gods! This was amazing! I wanted to thank the Kazekage for the honor, but Nero interrupted me.

"Hell no." He stated. I blinked and whipped around.

"Nero!" I cried. Nero glared at me, then at the Kazekage.

"She can't go on that mission! If Ruriko goes on that mission, they'll kill her as soon as they find out! Ruriko's stealth level is pretty damn low and this mission will get her killed!" He protested. Gaara frowned, folding his hands on his desk.

"I'm aware of that, Nero, but as a Special Jounin of the Criminal Information Squad, she is required to take dangerous missions. If the situation becomes threatening, she may retreat with the information she has gathered, but she must go on this mission." He explained. Nero slammed his fist down on the desk, making Kankuro jump and make a go at him, but Gaara held up a hand, rising to his feet.

"Nero. I understand your concern. Ruriko's efforts, however, have been extremely important. With her help, we've been able to stop two attacks by Akatsuki, saving the village and its people, unless that doesn't impress you at all." He stated, the dark black around his eyes making him seem threatening. Nero gritted his teeth, then took his cigarette out and dropped it on Gaara's desk.

"If she dies, I'm coming back here." He stated and spun on his heel, storming out the door. I gasped, quickly snatching the cigarette.

"I'm so sorry, Lord Kazekage. Thank you so much for this chance. I'm in your debt." I bowed quickly and ran after Nero, Akira at my heels.

"Nero! Nero, you asshole! How could you do that?" I yelled angrily, but Nero whipped around, grabbing me by the shoulders.

"I don't care about this stupid village or anyone in it. If you die, I'll kill them all myself, Ruriko." I stared at him as he glared at me.

"Nero," Akira snapped, shoving him back, "Get a hold of yourself! Ruriko's going in the same direction as me. I'll stick close to her and make sure she's all right." Nero seemed to relax, but just a bit. He frowned.

"If you die…" His voice trailed. I snorted and punched him in the arm.

"I can't believe you're doubting me… I swear I'll come back. I give you my word." I stated, glaring at him seriously. Nero studied me for a second, then turned his back.

"Fine… Knowing you, you'll stick by your word…" His voice drifted as he walked away, still looking rather pissed. I clenched my fists, gritting my teeth. Why did he still treat me like a little kid? I had grown up since our troubles with the Chuunin Exams… I'd gotten stronger, enough to punch a great hole in the great. My lightening ninjutsu was infamous in our village. So maybe my stealth sucked, but I was still working on it.

"Calm down," Akira soothed, putting a hand on my shoulder, "You know he's just worried because he likes you."

"I know… And that makes me hate him so much."

"Ruriko…"

"Come on. We've got a mission." I muttered and turned the other way, leading Akira out of the building. We gathered up the necessary supplies and headed out. I told Hioshi about the mission and he gave me some medical tape as well as some information on Akatsuki in a scroll that I kept in my shirt. It was one of those small, mini ones, so it fit pretty well behind the dark purple of my torso. In a matter of hours, Akira and I were off to Konohagakure.

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A/N: Pretty short for a first chapter, but… Yea. xD Gonna post the next chapter in the same night! O.o Wow! Anyway, you still have time to stick those Shippuden bios in, but if you don't already have them in, you may be waiting for a bit… I have a lot of the Shippuden already planned from a while back, soo… Yea. :'D Anyway, thanks uber much for reading and your reviews are loved!