Chapter 17: Mission and Omissions

I hope everyone had a nice holiday, I know I sure did. Here's hoping you all like the story in 2014 as much as you did in 2013. Now let's get to the long awaited Wave Mission. Not to spoil too much but for those wondering; yes, Zabuza and Haku are going to survive, I just hope you all like my plan for what happens to them afterwards.

Without further ado, let's get the first chapter of 2014 underway.

Well, they did warn me I suppose, Naruto thought. He was referring to what Iruka and Anko told him after he and his team had passed Kakashi's test.

"This is gonna be awesome!" Naruto exclaimed as he entered the breakfast nook.

"What's going to be awesome?" Iruka asked, although he had a feeling that he already knew what Naruto meant.

"My team and I get our first mission today," Naruto said, proudly.

Anko, was trying her hardest not to laugh at Naruto's excitement.

Iruka, on the other hand, was going to try to explain the missions genin do to make sure Naruto wouldn't be too disappointed. "Now Naruto, genin fresh out of the Academy are only eligible for certain types of missions."

"I know Nii-san, we'll start off simple and work our way up," Naruto said.

"That's true gaki, but there is something you need to know about D Rank missions," Anko finally got out.

"What's that Nee-chan?" Naruto asked.

"D Rank missions aren't exactly exciting. Most of the time they seem more like torture than missions," Anko explained.

"Can anything really be that bad?" Naruto asked.

"How about you tell us what you think at dinner," Anko said.

Torture is right, but I suppose someday I'll look back on this and laugh, Naruto thought.

"Personally, I think it's pretty funny right now, just knowing how pissed off you three get when you're assigned these missions, especially this one," Kurama told Naruto.

Well, I'm glad someone is enjoying this, Naruto thought before cutting the link between him and Kurama; he would need to be completely focused on the mission now.

"Do you three have the target in sight? over," came Kakashi's voice over the earpiece Naruto had.

"This is Sasuke. I see the target and I'm in position, over," came Sasuke's voice.

"This is Sakura, I'm in position, over," came Sakura's voice.

"This is Naruto, what they said, over," Naruto said, not trying to hide his annoyance.

"Now go!" Kakashi ordered.

With that the three genin shot out from their hiding places and rushed towards their target. After a fierce battle, where the teammates managed to get in each other's way, Naruto managed to subdue the target… a runaway cat.

"Do you have confirmation on the target?" Kakashi asked the genin.

"Yes, there is a red ribbon on its ear, it's Tora, over," Sasuke said. Even if there wasn't, we've gone after the stupid thing at least twice a week, we can pick this vile creature out of group of least one hundred lookalikes, Sasuke thought.

"Copy that," and although none of them could see him, the members of Team 7 could tell that Kakashi was enjoying himself at their expense.

Oh Tora, my precious kitty cat," A large woman cooed, if you could call it that, while squeezing the life out of Tora.

I wonder if she'll ever figure out that she's the reason that damn cat runs away so often? Naruto asked himself.

I almost feel bad for it, almost, Sasuke thought.

Kill it or me, but I never want to get this mission again, Sakura said mentally.

"The mission to find Madam Shijimi's lost cat, Tora, was a success," Kakashi reported to the Sandaime and Iruka, who was assisting with the mission assignments.

Fire Daimyō's wife or not, I still don't see how finding a lost cat is a mission, Naruto added mentally.

"Excellent work Team 7, now for your next mission…" Hiruzen started.

Ugh, here it comes, the genin thought.

"…I think you're ready for a C rank mission, what about you Kakashi?" Hiruzen asked.

"I think you might be right, Hokage-sama," Kakashi agreed.

What just happened? the three genin asked themselves.

"Send the client for Team 7 in," Sandaime told his secretary over the intercom.

"This is who I get for protection, a bunch of brats," a voice said.

The genin turned and came face to face with their client, an old man with a bottle of sake in his hand.

We have to protect an old drunk? Sakura mentally asked.

These missions just keep getting worse, Naruto thought.

Must remember my goal, must not think about how I'm pissing my time away on bullshit missions, Sasuke told himself.

"Alright, I'll make this simple: I'm the Super Bridge Builder Tazuna, and I need the three of you to protect me on my way back to Wave Country," the now identified Tazuna said.

"From what exactly?" Naruto asked, something seemed off about this man.

"From bandits obviously, is this kid really a ninja?" Tazuna asked Kakashi.

"Don't worry Tazuna-san, my team may be new but they get the job done. Also, I'm a jonin and I'll be there in case anything goes wrong," Kakashi explained.

"Naruto, C rank missions involve protecting our clients from bandits and highwaymen, you really should have studied this," Sakura told Naruto.

Bandits and highwaymen are gonna go after this guy, the only thing of value he seems to have is that bottle of sake and I doubt they'll trouble themselves for one bottle. I know this guy isn't telling us something, the first part of his response sounded rehearsed, Naruto thought.

"Well now that that's been settled, Team 7 leaves for its mission tomorrow morning at 8:00a.m. Until then, you're dismissed," Sarutobi told the team.

I better keep my eye on this Tazuna guy during the trip, Naruto thought.

"So you got a C rank mission too, Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked as he met up with the Hyuga Heiress for their private training.

"Yes, I believe all three teams received one, Naruto-kun," Hinata told her boyfriend.

"Well, I hope your client isn't like the one Team 7 got stuck with," Naruto said more to himself than to her.

"What do you mean Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked.

"I think Tazuna-san is hiding something, I mean I get that there are bandits and highwaymen and all that, but if I were a member of either group I wouldn't target this guy. He isn't carrying valuables, hell he doesn't even have pockets; he's a bridge builder," Naruto explained.

"It does sound like he's hiding something, but unless you can prove he's deceiving your team and the Hokage then there isn't anything you can do about it," Hinata told him.

"I know, I read up on contract law, but I still don't have a good feeling about this," Naruto responded.

"Well, I wouldn't worry about it just yet, maybe he's just a wealthy merchant in disguise," Hinata suggested, although if her tone was anything to go by she didn't believe it either.

"Maybe, but what about your mission, what is Team 8 doing?" Naruto asked.

"We're just dealing with bandits who have targeted a town near the Capital," Hinata said simply.

"Sounds like fun, I know you'll do great," Naruto told her.

"Arigatou Naruto-kun, but I'm still a little nervous," Hinata said.

"I guess that's normal for one's first C rank mission, I probably should be nervous but I'm too suspicious of this Tazuna guy," Naruto explained.

"That was what Kurenai-sensei said, not about Tazuna-san obviously but about my nerves. Thank you for trying to reassure me Naruto-kun," Hinata said.

"Hinata-chan, I know I've never told you this but I have absolute faith in your abilities as a kunoichi, and I know your team does too so you shouldn't ever doubt yourself," Naruto told her.

That statement was one of the nicest things anyone had ever said to the young heiress. "Naruto-kun…" Hinata said as she found herself leaning forward.

"Hinata-chan…" Naruto said as he leaned in towards Hinata.

"Hinata-sama, your father requests your presence," an arrogant, and right now, smug voice called out.

"Ah, of course Neji-nii-san," a now flustered Hinata answered.

"I hope you weren't waiting too long Neji-san," Naruto said to the Hyuga Prodigy.

"Uzumaki-san, do you really think I would be so petty as to wait and watch until I could embarrass you both?"

That's exactly what I think, but I suppose I should be diplomatic about this, Naruto thought. "Not at all, Neji-san. I just noticed your presence a few moments ago and since you didn't make yourself known right away, I was under the impression that your message could wait," Naruto said.

"I am sorry to disappoint you Uzumaki-san but I only waited because I thought you two were discussing something important," Neji explained.

"I'm disappointed that you think so little of me as to believe a weak lie like that could fool me, Naruto thought. Looking over at Hinata he thought; How is Neji able to change Hinata-chan back into an insecure little girl, and more importantly why does he go out of his way to do it?

"If there is nothing else Uzumaki-san, then Hiashi-sama has requested Hinata-sama's presence," Neji reminded the blonde.

"Of course, good night Hinata-chan, and to you as well Neji-san," Naruto said, his voice switching from tender to curt in mere seconds.

"Good night Naruto-kun," Hinata said

"A pleasant evening to you Uzumaki-san," Neji said, as he and Hinata left the clearing that had become Naruto and Hinata's unofficial training ground.

"Guess I should head home," Naruto said as he left the clearing too.

After Naruto had gotten home, Anko took the opportunity to ask, "So gaki, how does it feel to get your first C Rank Mission?"

"Honestly Nee-chan, I'd feel much better about it if everything about this client didn't scream 'liar'," Naruto answered.

"What do you mean Naruto?" Iruka asked as he entered the living room.

"Iruka-nii, you saw the guy. Maybe it's just a sign that means I would be a crappy bandit or highwayman, but if I was a member of either group I wouldn't bother trying to rob the guy," Naruto explained.

"True, he didn't appear to have anything of value on him," Iruka said.

"Iruka-nii, he didn't even have pockets," Naruto said cutting his surrogate brother off.

"Sounds fishy to me," Anko said.

"Honestly, I'm just trying to convince myself that Tazuna-san is being cautious, but he gave of the impression of a student who was lying about not doing their homework," Iruka finally admitted.

"I don't want to be suspicious of Tazuna-san, but if he's worried about bandits and highwaymen why didn't he stay in Wave, it isn't like they have a Ninja Village to protect him. I get that one should prepare for the worst, but I don't see his trip home being much more dangerous," Naruto explained.

"I understand what you're saying otouto, but without proof you've got no choice but to give this guy the benefit of the doubt," Anko said.

"I know, I guess I'll just have to be extra careful," Naruto said.

"Good answer, now how about dinner," Anko said changing the subject.

With that, the evening proceeded just like any other at the Namikaze household.

Team 7 met at the front gates at 8:00 as ordered, even Kakashi was on time much to the shock of Sasuke and Sakura. Unfortunately, they were waiting on their client. After about fifteen minutes Tazuna finally arrived, apparently hung over.

"You're late!" Sakura yelled, it had become something of a reflex during her short time as Kakashi's student.

"Actually Sakura, as the client it's impossible for him to be late. You technically can't be late for a mission that won't start without you," Naruto explained, which earned him a glare from his pink-haired teammate.

"Don't cloud the issue with facts Naruto," Kakashi told his blonde student. He continued, "Sakura does have a point though, we do need to get going."

As soon as the group left through the front gate Sakura asked a question.

"Tazuna-san, something has been bothering me: Wouldn't it be easier to hire ninja from Wave instead of coming all the way to Konoha?"

"Wave doesn't have ninja Sakura; it enjoys natural protection from the sea. It's true that smaller ninja villages are out there but most of exist only because they have allied with one major village or another. The Five Great Nations: Earth, Wind, Water, Lightning, and Fire are the five superpowers in the Shinobi World, and are the only villages that are allowed to grant the village head the title of Kage," Kakashi explained.

"The Godaime Mizukage is a woman named Terumi Mei; the Sandaime Tsuchikage is Onoki; the Yondaime Raikage is a man called A; the current Hokage, the Sandaime is Sarutobi Hiruzen; and I have no idea what the Kazekage's name is but I know he is the Yondaime Kazekage," Naruto decided to add.

"How did you know that dobe," Sasuke asked, slightly impressed.

"Ichiro-jiji and the other monks heard this while they were in Iron Country, apparently some people are freer with information in neutral territory," Naruto explained.

"And that is something the Hokage will need to know about later, we can't have any of our secrets getting out, but for now let's get going," Kakashi said.

As the group was headed down the main road, both Naruto and Kakashi noticed something was off. Kakashi decided not to mention it but Naruto decided to test Sasuke and Sakura's attention to detail.

"Let's play I Spy, I'll go first," Naruto said, not giving anyone the chance to object. Naruto started by saying, "I spy with my little eye something that doesn't make sense."

"What kind of a clue is that?" Sakura yelled.

"Just play along Sakura, you see soon enough," Naruto told her.

"Ugh, fine, is it the lack of footprints on the dirt road?" Sakura asked.

"No."

"Is it the lack of other people?" Sakura asked again.

"No."

"I don't know maybe it's that puddle," Sakura said as she got fed up, still upset that Naruto knew things that she didn't.

"Yes, as a matter of fact it is," Naruto answered.

"Puddles aren't exactly uncommon around here Naruto," Sakura deadpanned.

"They are with the weather we've been having," Naruto responded.

"What do you mean dobe, the weather lately has been great and… shit," Sasuke said as it finally hit him.

The conversation/game had not gone unnoticed by the two chunin level shinobi in the puddle and had prompted them to strike. The two had decided that if they were going to get caught they were going to complete their mission first, and so they made a beeline straight for Tazuna. Unfortunately for them, they underestimated how fast Kakashi was since he had taken the both of them out almost as soon as they started charging.

"Naruto, could you do that memory thing of yours on these two, they'll be out cold for a while and we need info now?" Kakashi requested.

"Yeah sure, but what specifically do you want to know?" Naruto asked.

"Just confirmation of something I already suspect: their intended target," Kakashi told him.

"Alright, here it goes," Naruto said as his arms became transparent and he swiped them through the two chunin. After looking through their memories he turned to Tazuna and asked, "Tazuna-san, is there something that you want to tell us?"

And that's another chapter down, I apologize that it is so short, but the introduction of Zabuza and Haku deserves its own chapter. Does anyone besides me think I made Hinata sound a little too naïve in this chapter? Let me know in your reviews

Because you're my readers and I love you so much I think I should warn you that I might not be able to do updates as regularly (weekly) as I would like for a while. I might be able to but I just want to give you the heads up just in case.

Read and Review and I'll see you next time.