Mission: T.e.m.p.t.a.t.i.o.n
Chapter 5: Team Alpha, Assemble! Part II
Mayonaka Hosenki:Yo sir! Awesome sir! This is Mayonaka Hosenki, formerly Random Admin Gem, enthusiastically introducing to you the 5th chapter of Mission: T.e.m.p.t.a.t.i.o.n. As a reader, I know how boring it is reading the author's "opening remarks" yet I choose to continue filling in nonsense as to keep you hanging for the incoming chapter… Unless, you already scrolled down, which I doubt you did if you are still reading this :D
Nevertheless, I have an ongoing NaruSakuIno High/Chat series on YouTube and am contemplating whether I should post its storyline here at . I started writing this a day after I posted the 1st part of chapter 4 while brainstorming for our class' Romeo and Juliet musical play and I lost inspiration afterwards. I know the characters are too OOC but I plan to bring out some of their canon character when they are already comfortable with each other. The first few chapters of this story focused more on Naruto, Ino and Yaru. For those who are anticipating the storylines of the other members of Team Alpha, don't get too excited because I don't think I'll be writing about their background stories anytime soon.
Well, enough of my blabber. I shall not bother you any further. Please enjoy the 5th chapter of Mission Temptation.
DISCLAIMER: Naruto is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto adapted and directed by Hayato Date and produced by Studio Pierott and TV Tokyo. I-L-M-A is in no way affiliated with Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, Masashi Kishimoto or any other copyright-protected works that this fanfiction happens to cross with. ("I shall not bother you further" she said. Pffft.)
Naruto stood there dumbfounded as Yaru strode his way to a vacant seat. The rest of the room's occupants were equally shocked, with the exception of Temari who was barely able to restrain her laughter. The blonde was deeply shaken for he took great pride with his mocking and pranking skills and did not expect his insult to be used against him. Temari knew this and smirked at Naruto, who in turn glared at her. He chose to claim his seat back instead, plotting his revenge for later.
As not to make the atmosphere grow tenser between the two young men, Kakashi cleared his throat and stood up like a businessman about to give a solemn speech "All your tantrums aside, I would like to formally start the meeting with introductions."
"Hatake Kakashi, 32. Nicknamed Sharingan no Eiyu. Department Commander of the Black Curse Undercover Forces and elective professor at Konoha College for Civilians." Beamed the silver-haired ANBU.
"Senju Tsunade, 36. Nicknamed Konoha no Namekuji Tsunade-hime. Fifth and former Hokage of Konoha. Department Head of the Black Curse Undercover Forces." Tsunade briefed nonchalantly.
"Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto, 18. Nicknamed Mayonaka no Shadow. Captain and only remaining original member of team Alpha. Sophomore student of Konoha's Prestigious High School." Said Naruto, grimacing us he forced the third sentence out.
"Haruno Sakura, 16. Heiress of the Haruno household. Sophomore student of Konoha's Prestigious High School." Finished off with a courteous bow from the pink habanera.
"Tsuchi Kin, 15. Last of the Tsuchi clan and benefactor of Hebinuke Orochimaru. Freshmen exchange student from Sound Secondary School to Konoha's Prestigious High School." Smiled a nervous Kin.
"Subaku no Temari, 17. Eldest of the Sand Siblings and matriarchal heiress of the Subaku Lawsuit . Junior student of Konoha's Prestigious High School." Temari then fanned herself for a dramatic effect.
"Ichiraku Ayame, 17. Heiress of the Ichiraku Food Serving and Processing Incorporation. Junior student of Konoha's Prestigious High School." Came the introduction of the all-too-friendly brunette.
"Yamanaka Ino, 16. Heiress of the Yamanaka Household. Sophomore student of Konoha's Prestigious High School." Muttered a very shy Ino.
"Tohsana Yaru, 20. Nicknamed Bomb-dropper Daisy." Finished by the last member of the team.
"We're all here then! I know that this introduction system is too formal and uptight but I guarantee that you will all have your own way of getting to know each other once this meeting is over."
"But for now us, the superiors will have to brief the mission for you. You can read the folders in front of you as we discuss." Added Tsunade.
Team Alpha shuffled to browse the files that the busty ANBU was referring to before they perked up their ears to listen as the superiors discussed the mission.
"Mission: T.e.m.p.t.a.t.i.o.n is classified as a class Z mission which was handed down by the Kagelord to our Hokage, who he then expects to entrust it to our force's most trusted elite team. This mission was originally intended for the Team Alpha consisted of Uzumaki-Namikaze, Arashima, Bakuma, Hosenki, Tentionmaru, and Strife but before the mission was even given, 5 of the members… died."
As Kakashi said the last word, Naruto flinched, which didn't go unnoticed by the others. The cerulean-eyed male would be lying if he said that he was unaffected by those unfortunate events that went by. He cannot easily look at his new teammates and label them as trustworthy comrades. He won't back out of the mission, for the sake of whoever and whatever is in danger. But he won't go soft on these newbies right from the start, specially one lad that just seems to piss him off with every move.
No. They would have to gain his trust and friendship first.
Everybody had their eyes on the tense blonde. This was their first meeting as a team and mysteries in their circle are already waiting to be solved. If they'd want to solve the mystery of this task as fast and successful as they can, they'd have to clear themselves from the mystery in their group first. This goal was in the minds of all members of Team Alpha, including Naruto. And seeing as his uptight attitude would be a big obstacle for this goal, he decided to relax and let the sharingan-user continue.
"Jiraiya-sama doesn't want to hand this job down to any other team except for this squad where Naruto still remains, thus the last-minute recruitment. You are all young yet very experienced in the same fields as the former Team Alpha members. And in our convenience, we have been able to convince our friend, Daisy here, to joins us. Now, I'll let Tsunade cut to the most important details of your mission."
"Hm. Mission: Temptation is something which requires the members of Team Alpha to exercise utmost caution and alertness. Just recently, a big economy player with the name of Akatsuki, which is based in Kirigakure, has been involved in casualties, prostitution, and activities in the Black Market but we have close to no intel on them. Your mission then is to get employed in the Board of Directors' office while providing data for our village."
The faces of the new females of the team lit up, for they thought that it was that easy. While Naruto remained unfazed, Sean took notice of this change in the girls' mood.
"I advise that the ladies don't get too sunny about this mission. This intel gathering mission's harder than you might originally think." stated Yaru, scratching the back of his head as not to leave his comrades with the impression of him being an arrogant smartass. The response he got was a snort from the fierce Subaku matriarchal heir and melting glares from Kin, Sakura, and Ayame. Oh well, still better than getting lashed at by the ladies, he thought.
"We'll leave the discussion of hazards to you. If any of you want to bring it up anytime later, it's completely fine. We were just tasked to discuss the general instruction to you. For additional details, refer to the files in front of you. Those are VERY confidential to the extent that we were not allowed to get even a peek at it. Since we already did what we have to do, Kakashi and I will leave your team to have a little get-to-know talk." Tsunade motioned to the silver dog.
"Good luck on your first mission together. Team Alpha, dismiss." Finished Kakashi as he followed Tsunade out of the room.
One could count and tell you how long the newly-found comrades sat there in the same uncomfortable atmosphere, but a narrator would most likely be choking and wheezing if he did. They can't have any more of these awkward moments, lest they want to fight the opposite party individually. Somebody needed to break the silence.
Soon.
Anytime now…
In just a few minutes.
Just wait some more please.
Oh for crap's sake, will somebody play hero and break the damned silence already?
"Ah fuck this." Muttered Yaru to himself as he stood up. "I guess I'm speaking for everyone when I say we're not yet comfortable being in the same room as a group. I think it's either we call it a night and go our own ways OR try to at least talk with someone in our team. It'll be a good start. Better get moving on someone you think you'll be comfortable talking with." He finished his statement with a small smile. A minute passed and the other members were still fiddling around. The brunette lad cannot help but sigh and sweatdrop, deciding to make yet another move.
"Okay so I guess I'll leave you ladies and gentleman to think some more while I go have a stroll with Yamanaka-san here." The hazel-eyed lad stood up and walked over to a confused Ino. Guess she's not used with getting talked to the way I did, Yaru thought as he offered his hand to the blonde beauty sitting in front of him. Ino hesitated for a bit, tensing up from the extra attention. She didn't mind, but this guy was a criminal, and criminals weren't meant to be trusted. But there's something about him that, as much as she wanted to deny, makes her want to succumb to the temptation of being held in those strong, lean arms. She let her hand rest on his before getting gently pulled up by the lad.
"Lead the way, Daisy-san." Ino said, pulling her hand way from the brunette. Yaru cringed a bit at the nickname she chose to address him before walking towards the door, a destination in mind and Ino at tow.
The remaining occupants of the room got the clue and contemplated on who they would try to get along with, except for Naruto. He's not yet ready to deal with any other girl than his former teammates. Unlike Yaru, he'd be more comfortable being alone or brooding than talking with girls. Long ago, he would've reconsidered the thought of leaving any girl, but being an ANBU has quite removed the gentleman side of him.
Since all the ladies of the room are still deep in thought, he took the chance to leave the room. He has yet to know where he'd like to go. That would be for Tsunade to tell, as he would ask her the location of his deceased comrades' graves.
Lucius Hall [1720 hours]
Black Curse Undercover Forces Department
West Wing Ground Floor
ANBU Black Ops HQ
Konoha District 5
Here we find the Yaru and Ino striding down one of the many hallways of the head quarter's West Wing. Ino was a bit confused, for they have already been wandering around the building in complete silence for 10 minutes. For the first time, she looked at his face and made out a look of… embarrassment? Could it be, Ino pondered, that the lad himself is uncertain of where they are going?
"Um, where are we going, Daisy-san?" The blonde asked, and Yaru seems to panic.
"Er…" The brunette was frantically searching for words, a weird yet amusing scene for Ino.
"We're lost, aren't we?" Yaru was utterly embarrassed as he was found out by her female comrade. He chuckled nervously and scratched his head as he turned towards the amused blonde.
"Heh, sorry Yamanaka."
"At least you're honest. Let's just ask the people here where the exit is, okay?" smiled Ino at the brunette, who just nodded in response. They asked a nice lady about the exit and it turns out that they are not that lost after all.
"Good job Daisy-san, you have a sense of direction after all."
"You talk as if I intended for us to get lost in the first place. And stop calling me by my codename, Ino. You're sounding too formal. We're just trying to be friends, yeah?"
"Well, if you say so, Yaru-kun."
The brunette raised an eyebrow in surprise at the honorific added to his name by Ino but as the evil genius he claim to be, he wouldn't let it go without a well-deserved comeback.
"I am so flattered Boar-chan."
And this time, it was the blonde's turn to blush. Both of them accidentally looked at each other's eyes, before laughing at their given nicknames yet again. It was a good start, they thought. If they could already joke around at the first day, then they'd easily get along.
ANBU Memorial Park [1730 hours]
Blue Tears Memoirs Department
North Wing Ground Floor
ANBU Black Ops HQ
Konoha District 5
On the grave of Rukia Arashima fell the tears of a grieved lover. Blonde hair disheveled from distress in contrary to the color of the setting sun. Screams of agony disturbed the peace of the dead. Naruto Uzumaki was mourning. He was mourning not only for a fallen comrade. No, he was also mourning for a friend, a sibling, a precious someone. He might have been better off dead like those that lie under their graves. Physically, he was as alive as any other living human. But deep inside, it was torment. Torment that was too much even for his jaded heart to handle. Never yet in his life had he ever felt this betrayed. Sure, there were those times that their team had been deceived. But this was different. Way different.
He dared to look at the tombstone yet again, hoping that it would wake him up from a bad dream. Yet as he read the engravings, he felt a pang in his heart. For the umpteenth time, realization struck him like lightning. He clutched his chest as he wept and screamed. Rukia… Rukia is dead. He can't accept it. It was over. Rukia is no more. He was now alone. Back to square one. By himself, against the world.
Savannah Residences [1750 Hours]
Rural Area
Konoha District 5
Even as the duo walked down the busy streets of Konoha District 5, their laughter never ceased. After 30 minutes of joking around and cooking up new nicknames for each other, they have arrived at their destination. Much to Ino's surprise, it was a place all-too-familiar to her.
"How did you know about Claire?"
"Claire? Pardon me but the name doesn't quite ring a bell?"
"It's the name I gave to the lake, idiot." Said Ino, giggling at the brunette 'idiot' before sitting on the edge of Lake Claire. Yaru smiled before taking his seat right next to her. He was glad that he chose this place. Lake Claire caught his eye earlier when he was still with Kakashi and he actually planned on going back after the meeting.
He did come back, but with company. A beautiful one, if he must add. Out of all the other girls in their team, Ino caught his attention the most. There was a mysterious era about her during the meeting. She was shy earlier yet, here they were, already comfortable with each other. He felt as if they had some similarity, Ino and he.
Yaru was brought out of his musings as he felt a tugging on his sleeve – Ino's tugging nonetheless. He looked down at Ino, whose body was now facing his, instead of the lake. Yet she was looking downwards, her body now tense. He was confused for it was a sudden change of mood.
"Is anything wrong, Ino-chan?" Ino visibly cringed at the honorific that he added to her name. She then looked up to him, a small frown now plastered on her face. "You know my father, Inoichi Yamanaka, don't you?"
Now it was his turn to cringe. No wonder her name sounded so familiar.
"Ah, how did I come to forget my former sensei's daughter?"
Dundundundun! I'm on my way to posting a new chapter! Hopefully my muse doesn't disappear when I sleep. It's 1:15 in here and I feel a bit sleepy. Maybe I'll type a draft just so the ideas won't float away easily. Till the next chapter…
Ja ne!
"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky." ~Rabindranath Tagore