-AN-

Life ain't so bad when you've got a few good friends.

-Story Start-

*BANG BANG BANG*

With a groan, Naruto rolled over in his sheets to see his clock. It was barely six in the morning, just who would be waking him up this early? Someone better be on fire or dying. Hearing the banging continue, Naruto really considered just letting them wear themselves out. Today was supposed to be a free day, only recently returned from a short mission with his team the day before. And somehow Anko had hunted him down last night as in her words, 'he was a good drinking buddy.' Hah. He needed to tie her up and drop her off with Kurenai one of these days. Or with a therapist.

"Naruto get up! It's an emergency!" Sakura's voice called out and Naruto sighed. Great, someone who wouldn't go away if he ignored them long enough.

"Maybe he isn't home?" A voice he didn't recognize right away, but a woman's none the less. Huh.

"He's home, his plants are on the balcony. Hold on." Sakura knew him a little too well, and did he hear keys jingling? Shit, right, all his teammates had a key to his place. Rolling to his feet and kicking his sheets back to the bed, he pulled on a pair of grey sweatpants and made his way to the door. Best to see what they wanted quickly before he got yelled at.

"Ano, Sakura, is that a good idea?" That was Hinata. Couldn't miss that girl's voice.

"We don't exactly have a lot of time here."

Naruto grunted, unlocking his door and pulling it open with a huff. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, providing just enough light so he could see who had come to ruin his morning. Sakura was giving him an irritated look, while Hinata was just behind her right blushing up a storm. Right, he had forgotten a shirt. Whoops. On Sakura's other side was Bushy Brow's teammate, Tenten. She gave him a good once over before whistling. "Yo, what's the rush?"

Sakura hooked a thumb over her shoulder, "Emergency mission, Lady Tsunade wants us in her office ASAP."

"Got it, com'on in while I change." Turning away from them and making a clone to head to the kitchen, he left for his room to change and gather supplies.

Leading the other girls inside her teammate's apartment, Sakura was already following the clone into the kitchen, "Got any cinnamon tea?" At least Hinata was polite enough to close the door behind them all.

Naruto clone nodded, "Yeah, second cupboard."

"Got it."

Tenten was grinning as she and Hinata came and sat at the kitchen island, only a bit surprised at the cleanliness of the place. "My, sure looks like you're here often."

"Someone had to look after this idiot's plants while he was gone."

The clone gave her a bored look as it heated water in a kettle with a little assistance from a low level fire jutsu, "And I've thanked you everyday since I've gotten back." Turning to the other girls, the clone nodded to them, "Tea?"

Tenten shook her head, "No thanks. Appreciate the offer though."

Hinata seemed to consider it before nodding, "Can I have the same as Sakura?"

"Coming right up."

Sakura tossed two packets to the clone, "Oi, who said you could offer my stuff to others?"

"I buy it, it's technically mine."

"But you bought it for me. Ugh, guess I should praise you for being a good host."

"That'd be nice."

Tenten chuckled, shaking her head as Sakura and the clone bickered back and forth, "God, you fight like siblings."

Sakura moved to join them at the island, giving a tired sigh as she waited for her tea, "He's like the annoying little brother who doesn't know any better."

"Ehhem, I'm older actually. So you're like the annoying little sister that always tags along when she shouldn't."

"Anyone remind you lately that you're an ass?"

"Yeah, Anko actually. You and her would get along."

"Keep me far away from that nutcase please and thank you." Sakura had enough to say about the weird friendship between her teammate and the Snake Mistress, but she had enough tact to keep it to herself. Naruto needed friends, real ones. Anko at least seemed to actually want to be that. For whatever reasons the older woman had.

The kettle began to whistle and the Naruto clone was quick to set about making the tea and preparing paper to go cups with practiced ease. One was placed before Hinata while another was placed before Sakura. A third was left on the counter before the clone walked to he balcony. Opening the door, it set about quickly bringing all of the plants there back inside before re-closing the sliding door. Striking a post and winking at them all, the clone dispelled. Right on cue, Naruto himself opened his bedroom door, stepping out into the hallway dressed in his black and orange tracksuit. "Anko's not a nutcase, just full of energy." He slid through the kitchen to grab his cup and motioned to the door, "Should we go?"

Sakura nodded, playing with the tea bag for a moment before placing the paper lid back in place. Should be ready by the time they made it to the tower, "Yeah, let's get a move on."

The group made for the door, Naruto letting all of the girls out first before turning and locking the door behind them. Following along behind the girls as they made the street and headed for the tower, Naruto reflected on the last few days. It had been, nice, having a friend in Anko. He hadn't expected them to get along so well, but it was easy. Sure, there was a lot of playful flirting he could probably do without, and sometimes it seemed deeper than that. But she was turning into a good friend who knew a bit about who he really was. Next to him, Sakura huffed and nudged him in the ribs, "Huh?" Must have gotten lost in his thoughts.

"I said, think you might know what this is about? Our last mission was just a patrol, nothing serious, but it was along the north border."

"Nope. Your guess is as good as mine."

Sakura grinned as she nudged him again, "I don't know. I'm the smart one, I think my guess is worth a little more than yours."

"Yup, you plan and I blow things up, the perfect team."

Watching the pair joke back and forth, Tenten chuckled and leaned into the quiet Hinata, "Well, nothing to worry about there huh? His crush seems long gone." Keeping her voice low, she was rewarded with a nice blush out of the shy girl. They all knew about Hinata's own crush on the tall blonde, and it had been cute for a while. But even Tenten wanted to tease her from time to time.

Hinata does eventually blow into her cup, deciding the aroma from it was becoming heavenly, "How have you been Naruto? You've been so busy lately."

"Hm? Yeah I'm good, Granny just likes loading me up with work is all."

Sakura smacked him a bit harder this time, "You need to respect Lady Tsunade more."

"You need to respect her less. Trust me."

The four descend into silence as they reach the tower, Sakura taking the lead as they head inside and find the stairs leading up. They slow as they find a waiting Anko leaning against the wall outside of Tsunade's door. Naruto holds up a hand in greeting, "Yo."

"Heya Whiskers, you get called in for this too? It's a real party now."

"If you're here someone must really be in trouble." Naruto and Anko bump forearms together before the older Jonin seems to notice the rest of the group.

"You girlies aren't normally a team. Hmm, odd." Anko finally shrugged as she joined Naruto in following Sakura into Tsunade's office. "I bet this is going to be a doozy."

"Emergencies usually are. Morning Baa-chan!"

Tsunade sighed, Shizune pausing in her work to stand behind her longtime mentor, "Stuff it brat, this is serious." Eyes watching the group of five walk in, closing the door behind themselves, Tsunade pulled free a scroll and tossed it to Anko. "You don't have much time to spare, but the gist of it is this. You're pulling an extraction of one of our spy assets." She notes Anko and Naruto both standing a bit straighter at that. "One of our local lords here in Hi no Kuni keeps a small harem for himself, one of the ladies is your target. More information is in the scroll. Anko, you're heading this. However, Naruto, Jiraiya tells me you've made good headway into familiarizing yourself with his network, correct?"

Naruto nods, "Yes."

"Good, you were listed as our in, so you're going along. Anko, pick his brain for methods and plan viabilities. Naruto, Jiraiya told me to mention the name Iori? Ring a bell?"

"Yeah." Naruto paused, looking uncertain for a moment. "Should a Tea Service be an option on this mission?"

The three girls who seem a bit out of the loop note Shizune looking away from the group, obviously bothered, but Tsunade nods slowly, "In the worst case scenario, yes. The information at risk is double S-class. It can not get out, period."

Naruto nods, "Understood."

Tsunade waves to Anko, "Get going, I expect either your team back here within 72 hours or some type of holding update within that time. Any longer than that and you will be considered missing in action and appropriate responses will be issued."

Anko and the rest saluted quickly, "Yes Hokage-sama." The group turns to leave quickly, Anko clearing her throat to gain their attention, "Meet at the west gate, 15 minutes max. We're travelling light."

"Understood." Four voices answered her, and then they were gone. Behind the older woman, Tsunade clears her throat.

"Anko, a moment."

"Hm, yes Lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade's face conveys that she is being careful about the information she is about to give out. Finally eyes boring into Anko's own with an intensity that worries the younger woman, "I understand you are the senior officer here. However, Naruto has multiple connections and contacts in the area. If it seems like it would be better for him to lead at times, let him or make him. I won't accept failure in this."

Anko nods quickly, storing the oddity of Tsunade's seeming worry for later, "Of course Lady Tsunade, I won't let my ego get in the way."

"Good, now go. Bring our asset home."

Anko nods, hurrying away and towards the gate. She'd puzzle out this new mystery later.

-b-

Having hit the road before main traffic had even picked up, Anko led the way for nearly half an hour in silence as the team of four behind her were equally focused. There was however the problem that she needed to brief them, and get some information out of their resident enigma box. That meant she needed to pause for a short while. Looking through the trees, she spotted a clearing not far off of the main road and dashed for it, forcing the others to follow her. "We're gonna take a short break. We need to get things situated and lay some groundwork." Coming to a stop in the middle of the clearing, Anko stood before the three young women and Naruto.

"So here's the deal. We have two operatives on payroll within this Lord's manor. But, due to some recent events one now needs to be extracted. Which means we'll have to go undercover in order to infiltrate, assess the situation, and remove out target peacefully. At least one of us will have to meet with them and plan a method for extraction safely." Anko turns to Naruto who doesn't look confused about this at all, "You know what this means, yeah?" At this point, she was only asking him for the benefit of the others. She had a guess that none of the younger girls had run an operation like this before.

Naruto didn't disappoint her, sighing and stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets, "Yeah. Extraction of personnel is preferred, but information is a must. Done it a few times with Jiraiya while on the road."

Anko raises an eyebrow as the other girls look at him quietly, "How many?"

"Five, you?"

Sighing and wishing this was a portion of ninja work these younger kids didn't have to get involved with, Anko crosses her arms, "This sort of op? Eight. Three of which required their tea."

Naruto offers her an understanding look, "Two of mine did the same."

Anko thinks about it, before pointing at the boy and walking around to the girls, "You explain things. You know the area yeah?"

"Yeah." Naruto took her place at the center of the small clearing as every turned to watch him. Taking a deep and steadying breath, Naruto focused on them. "First things first, something to get out of the way." Making a single ram seal, Naruto is surrounded by smoke. In his place is his sexy form, toned down into something more real, hair down and braided nearly to his lower back while his clothes remained the same. Here he pulled a fake pair of glasses from the pack on the small of his back and put them on. He held up a hand as Sakura looked ready to say something, "Jiraiya and I pulled missions and requests from the Land of Fire and Konoha all throughout my trip. Because of Jiraiya's responsibility within our spy network, I was drawn into it as well. My, talent, with transformation techniques allowed my to infiltrate several high end brothels and less savory places from time to time. I used to give Jiraiya shit for always hanging around brothels and love cafes, come to find out some of our best informants live and work such establishments. So, guess who got to spend more than a little bit of time learning what it meant to be a lady of the night?" Getting wide eyes and gasps from the younger girls, Naruto waves them off. "That aside, I'll save the long story for later. Right now we're focused on one particular asshole named Lord Marimoto. Mostly a functional idiot who thinks more with his little friend than his brain. But, his family has been rich since almost the end of the warring nations period and he curries a lot of favor because of that. That includes more than a few members of the Daimyo's own court. That said, since it's his manor we're infiltrating then most likely we're after one of two of our assets there, a woman named Iori. She's a favorite of his and thus, stays pretty close to him at all times." Naruto pauses to look at the group, "Questions so far?"

Sakura held up a hand, "I remember what your transformation used to be. How can you handle this with just that?"

Naruto really had to consider how much to give out right now, before deciding the full story would take way to long. "Consider it as a complete transformation, complete with all working parts and monthly benefits included." Here his fun personality came out a bit, winking at the astonished Sakura as Hinata and Tenten looked intrigued. "Anything else before I continue?"

Tenten raises a hand, "Have you been in the area we're going before?"

"Yeah, I did a few months here specifically. Our other asset here, Koyoko, she'll hopefully be of help in getting Iori out. Also, in this form I go by Kasumi. Don't forget it." Seeing nods all around, Naruto continues, "Koyoko is the sickly sort and prone to being bedridden occasionally. But it'll make getting in contact with her much easier as she's usually alone."

Anko hums at that, "That wasn't in the scroll."

Naruto nods, "Wouldn't be. Koyoko makes sure no one outside of her most trusted know anything about her health. Instead the manor believes her to be a religious fanatic that regularly goes into isolation for fasting. Part of why Miyamoto likes her, he thinks he can convert her by the power of his dong."

Tenten chuckles and Sakura sighed and berates the species that is men, "Sounds like a real charmer."

"Like a said, functional idiot. Also, there is one more woman who frequents the manor that you have to watch out for, and not in a good way. Name's Ruri, an Iwa native with a jealousy and mean streak both a mile wide. She hazes new girls if she even thinks they're looking to take her place. Steer clear of her, and if you can't, swallow your pride, kiss her ass, and let her get her way."

Hinata hums as the others take the information in, questions of her own coming to mind finally, "Do you think we'll have a chance to safely remove Iori from the manor? Can we just do a quick night time extraction?"

Naruto shakes his head almost immediately, vetoing that idea right away. "This close to Konoha and with ninja guards also on Miyamoto's payroll, it'd be pretty obvious who nabbed her. To many potential problems."

"I agree." Anko nods as she chews on a thumb, "Can we fake her death and pull her that way?"

Considering the possibility but not being a medic, Naruto turns to Sakura, "That's your field. Think you can fake someone coming down with something deadly well enough to fool ninja and possibly other trained professionals?"

Sakura put a hand to her chin as she considered the request, "Maybe something less deadly but highly infectious? We'd need to fabricate a vector though."

Hinata raises a hand, getting raised eyebrows from Naruto and Anko, "Juken. I can temporarily stop a heart and make it look like a natural heart attack or a stroke."

Anko shivers, "The girl has claws after all. Scary."

Naruto points to her with a grin, "Good idea, I like it. But that'd mean we'd have to get you inside."

That brings Anko up short. Right, village politics, "Right. Putting this particular princess in danger might be a bad idea." The Hyuuga were no joke, Hinata deciding to be a ninja or not, if she got caught on a mission like this it could spell the same sorts of disaster.

Shrugging and eyeing the Jonin, Naruto sighed, "And the alternative?"

Anko had to agree in the end, "How do you feel the asset would respond? Do you know her well enough?"

"We…I know her well enough. Iori will do what is needed. Without a doubt." They both go quiet again, while Tenten finally voices another question she had been waiting to ask.

"You've mentioned a Tea ceremony more than once. What do you mean?" Seeing both of them go quiet, the weapon user sighed, "That bad?"

"Well, depends." Anko took over, deciding this was her place to explain. "When we say to put on a Tea Ceremony in this context, we're talking about offering a specifically poisoned tea to spies who cannot be retrieved. Sometimes in conjunction with putting someone else down at the same time."

Sakura got it right away, "Double suicide…" She didn't want to consider what might drive someone to take that outlet. It worried her more that Naruto had had to either convince someone or offer to someone such an option. Multiple times at that.

Anko pulled them all from their thoughts, raising a hand as she walked to stand beside Naruto, "Alright, question time over. I need info from you three. Do you have any experience with infiltration at all or brothels?" She isn't surprised at all that the Hyuuga Princess doesn't raise a hand, nor the Hokage's apprentice, but Tenten's raised hand does surprise her a bit. That however does limit their options. "Maybe we can organize Sakura and Hinata as a sort of quick reaction med team. Or, pose as a doctor and apprentice while myself, Naruto and bun girl go inside?" Anko has already turned to Naruto who considers it.

"I could make some clones to stash away with them, that way we can signal them at a moments notice."

Sakura likes the idea, plus it keeps her well within her specialty. "It'd make a more legitimate response if you do go with a false drugging. And I can give Hinata a crash course on some medical knowledge."

Clapping her hands and looking up at the sky, she could see much more of the sun now. "Okay, we'll plan more as we run. Naruto, know somewhere close to the manor that we can set up shop?"

"The manor is situated on a hill, around which is a small town. I have a place we'll have to visit first, but there's an inn we can drop Sakura and Hinata at."

Anko turns to leave, motioning the others to follow. "Alright, we have a working plan then, let's get a move on and deal with the particulars later." Jumping into the trees and hearing the others follow along, she mentally rose her estimation of Naruto. She hadn't believed he had been ready for a mission like this before with their previous information extraction. But this time he seemed much more focused. She'd wheedle more information out of him later, when she got some time. If she got the time.

-b-

Anko had been sure that she was ready for whatever weirdness that was about to befall her team as they set out to their next destination. Having dropping Sakura and Hinata off in an inn with several Naruto clones as protection, Naruto had led the way among the streets to where he said he had a way in to the Miyamoto manor. Much like herself and Tenten, Naruto had changed into appropriate clothing for the occasion. A floral orange and blue yukata that hugged the new curves of his body. Some light makeup that he had no business being so good at applying, and what was that scent? Peaches? Just what in the world?

She had to hand it to him though. They all turned heads as they walked, Naruto leading the way down a somewhat narrow street with the Manor in the background high on the hill overlooking the town. This was very much a pleasure district, and Naruto was also very much a known variable here. Case in point, a pair of girls were smiling and waving down to him from a building they were passing.

"Kasumi! Welcome back, are you staying for a while?"

"Sorry no! Just a quick visit for some friends!"

"Aw, you always have the best stories though!"

"I'll try to visit! Promise!" Waving and weaving through the crowd, Naruto chuckled as Anko and Tenten both looked at him, eyes screaming questions. "I'm kinda popular here." Adjusting his glasses, Naruto wondered if he would have time to come back and visit one day.

"Oh really? We couldn't pick up on that?" Anko grinned as she walked in her own purple and green get up, internally grinning as a couple of passing men nearly snapped their necks to get a better look. "I thought you said you were a virgin?"

"I am." Naruto waved to another group of women walking along the street, before diving into a rather well light establishment calling itself the Aviary. "We're here."

"Where is here? We're supposed to be at the manor, not a whorehouse."

Naruto waved as a matronly woman was walking towards them from a dark hallway. There was a counter before them, the room done up in bird motifs and filled with a smokey though flowery aroma. "Attempting to go straight to the manor would be a very bad idea. This is easier and faster. Plus, we might get some extra information." Naruto turned to focus on the older woman who's eyes lit up upon seeing him. She was a full figured woman with short black hair in a pixie bob, dressed in a flowing Kimono of pinks and reds and decorated in hummingbirds. "Ah, Mama, been a while!"

"Kasumi dear! It's been to long, I was beginning to worry for you!" The woman dubbed Mama came around the counter, hugging Naruto and kissing each cheek lightly before holding the shorter female Naruto at arms length, "My look at you. Have you gotten bigger again? Kami sure has blessed you." Chuckling, the Matron looked over Naruto's shoulder at the pair of actual women behind him, "Who are your friends? Is this your apology for leaving me?"

Shaking his head, Naruto motioned between the three. "Anko, Tenten, this is Mama Nanako. Mama, Anko and Tenten, some really close friends of mine."

"Oh I hope not too close, poor Nabiki would be heartbroken if someone took you away from her." Seeing Naruto pout cutely, Nanako looked the two over before nodding and turning back to Naruto himself, "So, if you're here is this a long stay or just a short visit? If you're looking for work for your friends I'm sure I can find something for them." Nanako turned and motioned behind the counter, "Come come, follow me and we can talk. Yumi! Man the desk will you!"

From somewhere in the back a younger voice answered, "Yes Mama!"

Naruto let the Matron lead them, a sad smile on his face, "Sorry to say, I'm looking for Iori, I got a letter saying she wasn't feeling well and she really wanted me to visit. She's not here is she?"

Nanako was already shaking her head, leaded the trio through her halls and into her office, motioning to a couch as she came around to her desk to root around for something, "Oh dear you know where she is. That man just can't get enough of her. Probably why she's fallen ill." Finding what she was looking for, a scroll was pulled from her desk as she came back and sat across from the three on a separate couch, "I'm guessing then you'll need passage to the Manor? That'll be a bit difficult but I should be able to manage."

"That'd be appreciated Mama."

"Hmmm, your first visit in so long and already needing a favor. I suppose I can put it on your tab, you've done well for me after all." The older woman looked over Anko and Tenten, a curious eyebrow raising at the sight of them finally. "Maybe leave me the sporty one, she's a little small but I have some clients who would love her. Hmmm, give her a panda theme. Maybe some darker eye shadow. Say girl, how are you with ropes?"

Chuckling nervously and waving a hand to regain the plotting Matron's attention, Naruto did his best to ignore the vibrating Tenten. "I was hoping they may be a sweetener to help me buy some time to visit Iori. You know Lord Miyamoto loves to…browse."

"Oh you remember him well enough dearie. Hmm. Well, they do look like they might fit his normal tastes. Well, the purple haired one anyway. But alright, spoil my fun though I hope you don't hold it against me for trying."

They were interrupted as shorter woman poked her head into the office, eyes wide as she spotted Naruto between two women she didn't know. "Oh, the rumors were true! Kasumi is back!"

Nanako waved her off, "Be on your way Masaki, I'm talking business."

"Hai! I gotta go tell the others!" And then the black haired girl was gone, with Nanako turned tired eyes to Naruto.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to stay for a few days at the least? You know they'll be disheartened if you don't give them a little time."

Knowing the mission came first, Naruto faked considering it. "Perhaps, after I visit with Iori, I'll come back for a couple of days. No work though! Just to visit."

"Ah splendid. I knew you'd help an old woman out." Nanako whistled sharply, and another girl came in through the door within moments. This one was tall but very slender, dressed in black and white and bearing striking auburn hair, "Kaori, be a dear and pass a message to the Lord's Manor. We'll be sending along a Palanquin with some new samples."

Kaori bowed deeply, "Yes Mama." Just as quietly as she came she was gone, and Nanako turned back to Naruto.

"I have to warn you Kasumi, things have been. Tense." Here the older woman leans in, prompting Naruto to do the same, "Word is there's been a bit of a falling out between the Lord and one of the Daimyo's upper court. Apparently Koyoko took another man to bed during a recent party, and Miyamoto is not taking it well."

That had Naruto's eyebrows shooting up in his hairline, "Koyoko? Really? I thought she was head over heels for Miyamoto?" Which Naruto knew to be true. Dumb as a box of rocks or not, Koyoko apparently really did like the guy. That she might have taken to someone else just didn't sound right.

"So did I dear. There's some suspicion of force involved. Best to do, if you are visiting Iori that you give a check in with Koyoko as well. A favor for me? She was one of mine."

Naruto nods easily, "Of course. I'll check on her." Were they actually here then for Koyoko and not Iori? The information only said one of their informants inside, but didn't stipulate which one. Had something happened to Koyoko?

"That'a girl." Nanako stood, though motioned for the three to stay seated. "Rest here and relax, I'll send someone along to bring you out to the palanquin when it arrives. And Kasumi dear, I hope you'll repay this favor soon, yes?"

"Of course, you know I will." Naruto and the others watch her leave, before Tenten turns to Naruto while Anko leans back to relax.

"Well you're certainly comfortable with her, and she's a real piece of work."

Naruto shrugs, "Mama takes care of the girls under her care and they all love her for that. She can be trusted." Naruto puts a finger to her lips, motioning for silence before darting eyes around the room for emphasis. "I sure hope Koyoko is okay though, I hope nothing bad has happened to her."

Anko can play along, relaxing while she can now that they had a route into the Manor, "I'm sure she'll be okay. You can chat her up all you like when we get there." Code and unsaid, it was up to Naruto to make contact with their spies. The situation did not look good, with so little information leaving the Lord's home. But time was getting short, just shy of two and a half days left before they had to have some type of report for Konoha.

Either that, or wait for the hunters to find them.

-AN-

So Naruto spent time in brothels as part of his training, but to what end? Just what did Jiraiya teach this guy while he was gone?