I'm not ashamed of my scars. I'm ashamed of the world for not understanding.-Unknown.
Naruko glared at the feline. The damn cat was a demon! A real demon! Spawn of the devil and all that.
The damn thing had landed some good scratches right across her cheek, tearing her mask slightly. Her team was a little interested to see if she was going to remove the mask.
She gave a sigh, and grabbed it. Surprisingly, even Kakashi seemed curious as to what she was doing. She smirked. Such nosy little people these days.
Naruko pulled the mask down…...to reveal another mask under it.
Kakashi coughed into his hand, trying to hide his laughter. Sasuke and Sakura both looked ready to lose it.
"How can you be wearing another mask?!" the pinkette demanded.
Naruko looked at her like she was stupid, "I'm wearing another mask. Layers and all that, you know?"
Kakashi led them into the missions room. Naruko having dumped the cat off on Sasuke, who had somehow managed to get it to calm down. Inside were a few Chunin, Iruka included, and the Hokage. In front of the long desk stood a heavyset woman decked out in fancy clothing and jewels. Madam Shijimi, wife of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
"My wittle Tora!" the woman squealed, taking the cat from Sasuke.
The demon, that had been calm and purring loudly, immediately lost its mind. Naruko smirked at the beast, feeling a strange amount of pleasure at its misfortune.
Naruko sighed. That was the forty-fourth D rank mission in the last month. That damn cat, making up for a good percentage of them.
The woman handed her pay over to Iruka who thanked her kindly. This time however, she didn't leave.
The Hokage looked at team seven. "I have decided to assign you a C rank," he said.
Naruko felt a jolt of excitement run through her, "Thanks Jijii!"
Kakashi inhaled slowly, "Are you absolutely positive about this Hokage-sama?"
The man nodded. "This is a mission that only team seven can pull off at this time. It requires someone who can play an instrument and only three of my ninja can do that. The other two are out on separate missions at the moment," he explained while pulling out a scroll.
Kakashi seemed shocked at the information. "I can't play any instruments Hokage-sama," he mumbled.
The Hokage smiled, "I know! Naruko can though."
Naruko looked away when her teammates turned their questioning gazes to her.
"The Daimyo is having a celebration tomorrow night. He requests that we send a ninja team to guard it and that one of the ninja be the pianist. He offered a generous amount of money for this, because it's a very important gathering. He considers having a ninja that can play the music a money saver and is putting a lot of faith in Konoha because of how well we accomplish any mission he gives us," Sarutobi told the team.
Naruko nodded in understanding, "I think you should give us Tokubetsu Jonin just in case. Someone with good aim, that can fight from a distance without any trouble."
Sakura scoffed, "Hokage-sama wouldn't use that idea! It's stupid!"
The Hokage ignored the girl and smiled at Naruko, "I'm already ahead of you Naruko. Your team will be taking along Shiranui Genma."
Naruko nodded, satisfied. "He's good. Him and his senbon ways."
As if he was called, said senbon master walked in the room. Naruko raised her hand and caught the senbon he spit in her direction. "How do you that?! With your mouth no less?!" she asked looking at the weapon in wonder.
He smirked, "It's nothing really. I'm just good with my mouth."
Naruko snorted and chucked the item back at the man. "I'm sure you are, you perv."
The Hokage laughed at the two. The same thing every time they saw each other.
"So Naruko, do you think you can handle this mission?" he asked the blond.
Sakura decided to interrupt, like she did with everything else. "Naruko would have to take her mask off and she refuses to do that!"
The ninja in the room looked at the girl in wonder. How did she graduate? They turned to Iruka who blushed and looked away.
"It's called a Henge," Naruko pointed out, completely annoyed.
The pinkette snorted, "But if someone hits you, you'll go back to normal."
Some of the ninja had to agree. How could Naruko pull it off without being hit?
The blonde laughed. "I can do a different kind of Henge that allows me to retain my appearance no matter how many hits I take. It'll only break when I release it."
She didn't tell them, that it also lets her transform into objects and such. She didn't like that though, because blocking her mouth could happen at any moment. So, she mixed the jutsu with the Kage Bunshin. Let the Bunshin choke.
The Hokage grinned, "Very good Naruko. You will be leaving within the next hour, so please go home and prepare yourselves for a three day mission. You'll also be escorting Madam Shijimi home. Keep her safe."
Team seven and its addition bowed, and left quickly.
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Naruko sighed as she looked at a magazine full of beautiful women.
"What are you doing?" the voice of Sasuke asked from beside her.
"Trying to find a good face to use. It has to be beautiful, but not overdone, because I refuse to wear makeup. A natural beauty is good. Also, the body has to have the right definition and shape. With slightly calloused fingertips, from years of piano playing, but a soft body that doesn't look like it's been working out. I think I'll make the hips larger than normal to make it more realistic," Naruko said as she flipped through the pages.
She paused on a picture of a woman whose face was quite beautiful. High cheekbones, a small pointed nose and full lips. Naruko decided to use her for the facial part of the Henge. Flipping some more pages, she found the hairstyle and finally, the body she needed. The woman had a thin waist, but huge hips that flared out with saddlebags and a large posterior.
Putting the magazine back in her bag, Naruko paused in her step and made a handsign. "Henge."
There was no smoke for this jutsu like there usually was for the other ones. In fact, Sasuke watched as Naruko grew, in many ways.
Her small height of four feet eight inches, increased more than a foot. Her clothes changed into a fancy silken dress that filled out, the more Naruko changed. Her chest was of medium size, but the hips were a standout against the dress, stretching the fabric, making it rise. The blond hair turned black, with no highlights that was styled into a bun. The mask blended into pale skin with ice blue eyes.
There was no jewelry or makeup. Nothing else to try and enhance the appearance. But Sasuke had to admit, It was fine the way it was. Though, he would've preferred it if Naruko had showed him the real her and not the amazing Henge. But, such was life.
They hurried to catch up with the procession. Naruko argued with Genma about her appearance, when he commented that she looked girly.
"Hello! Civilian women aren't really into working out! They watch their weight yes, but they don't exercise! Why bother with that when you can throw it all up?!" was the blonde response.
"Besides, I know for a fact that you like feminine partners. Be it a girly girl or a girly guy," the Genin added with a huff.
Genma just snickered.
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Naruko looked around the room. It was decorated in a fanciful way, with lavish purple silks and gorgeous antiques that were meant to catch the eye. Possibly to start a conversation about how they were acquired.
The Fire Daimyo was an interesting man. Naruko wondered how he and his wife found each other amongst the sea of weird. They were so odd on their own, but together, they seemed to be the perfect couple.
The ninja were given a room to stay in. All except Naruko, because she was a 'guest'. Sakura wasn't too pleased about it and of course, voiced her opinion.
Genma, who was not used to the Banshee, kept asking Kakashi what the hell was wrong with for keeping her on the team.
The Copy Ninja had no legitimate answer to that, so he pretended that he didn't hear.
"I'm not Gai, Kakashi," Genma frowned.
Kakashi looked up at him, "Did you say something?"
The elder Jonin glared at the smart answer that came from the prodigy. "Ha ha."
The next day, all kinds of people showed up for the fancy get together. Elites, officials, and even some of the Konoha civilian council. Naruko rolled her eyes at the sight of them. Bastards.
The party, is you could call it that, started around five. Naruko, began playing the piano in the far corner of the room. She had nothing in mind, and just payed what came to her. The music varying from soft and gentle, to more upbeat and cheerful.
A few hours into it, she was asked by some girl if she knew Mikado?
"For the traditional Parasol Dance?" the disguised girl asked.
"Yes. We have a Koto and it would be nice to add the piano to the dance," the girl smiled happily. A creepy kind of happy.
Naruko sighed, wishing she had had time to practice for it. "I can. When the Koto begins, I'll add the proper key to accompany it when the time is right."
The girl thanked her and merrily skipped away.
Naruko shook her head. They are so lucky I know what I'm doing.
True. You play very well for someone your age.
Prodigy, hello!
Whatever Kit.
The seven dancers lined up in the front of the room, with their parasols. The kimono's were beautiful and the parasols were equally so. The Koto began, playing the soft tune of Mikado in the perfect fourth. Naruko joined in with a perfect fifth, which always complimented each other. The two sounds blended in a melody that just seemed to make the dance even more beautiful.
Naruko was impressed with the dancers. They were in perfect sync. Their steps were light and quick. No mistakes whatsoever. Not even a stumble. How strange for a civilian group to be so good in balance and performance.
Strange indeed.
They had to be between the ages of twenty and thirty. All in perfect condition for their respective ages.
Something wasn't right. Naruko continued to play as she focused her eyes on them. Thank Kami she could play without looking! That was talent!
One of the women was frowning, she noticed. Her frown seemed to be one of anger when her eyebrows tilted accordingly. Naruko noticed how the girls movements were more on point than the others. She was doing perfectly, but had an edge that the others didn't have.
Naruko watched as the woman's eyes roamed the room. Her gaze freezing of the Daimyo, and intensifying.
What's her problem?
Naruko looked around the room to the various shoji screens around the room. Looking at the black one closest to her, she made eye contact with her sensei, and nodded her head toward the dancers.
She received a nod in return.
So there was something off about them! Naruko watched as the dance came to an end. The dancers all bowed as the music drifted off.
She began playing a dark tune. One that seemed announce that something bad was about to happen. That seemed to do it, as the woman Naruko had been watching for most of the dance, moved at a speed that a civilian just didn't possess.
The others jumped into action and that was when Naruko stopped playing, dropped her Henge and created dozens of Kage Bunshin, who began escorting people out of the building.
Kakashi and Genma were attacking the 'leader' Naruko guessed, while Sasuke was defending Sakura from four enemy ninja all on his own. The useless girl was just cowering there. Doing nothing!
A high pitched scream grabbed her attention and she flashed over to the ninja, who was threatening Madam Shijimi, cutting his head off in the process. his red clad body fell to the ground in a heap. Naruko made another batch of Kage Bunshin to escort the Daimyo and his wife to safety.
"Protect them at all costs!"
She moved onto Sasuke, who had taken out one of his assailants with his fireball jutsu. Sakura was still doing nothing!
Naruko threw a collection of kunai at the enemy, diverting the attention one, which gave Sasuke enough time to use another fireball on him. All that remained were ashes.
She Shunshined behind the one and aimed a kick for her head. The girl dodged and backed away, leaving Sasuke to fight the remaining one by himself.
Naruko and the girl exchanged blows. Naruko cursed at the chicks flexibility. It was getting really annoying!
"What does a Genin like you think you can do to me? I'm a Jonin!" the woman boasted.
Naruko smirked from under her mask, "All the better for me when I chop your head off like I did to the one in red."
The girls eyes widened as she looked over to the decapitated head. An enraged shriek met Naruko's ears. "Kisuke! You bitch!"
The woman's movements became jagged. Undisciplined. Before Naruko could comment, something pierced her back and she grunted. She glanced back to see two ninja, behind her and two sword protruding from her stomach.
The woman laughed, "Now you'll pay you bitch!"
Naruko looked around, wondering how she'd get out of it. The sword swung toward her neck, just as her eyes landed on Kakashi. That was it!
Naruko disappeared and reappeared behind Kakashi with a hand at his neck. She briefly noticed that she felt no dizziness, but ignored the questions that popped into her mind. She looked over to where she had been. The sword that had been aimed at her head, instead ran through the necks of the two who had been behind Naruko. Who didn't expect her to disappear. Who never noticed the sword removing their heads.
Naruko moved away from Kakashi who had turned slightly to see what she was doing. She waved a hand, ignoring his worried look when he saw the swords rammed in her back.
Naruko walked toward the kunoichi who had just killed her teammates and pushed one of the swords from her gut. Pulling it out from behind, she got into a stance and charged.
The kunoichi noticed her and screamed in anger. "How did you move so fast?!"
Naruko didn't answer and swung her sword. The kunoichi blocked and aimed a kick for the blondes face. She rolled away and threw a shuriken.
The woman dodged, spinning her body at a ridiculous angle. Naruko took the chance to make some Kage Bunshin who charged the kunoichi.
Naruko watched as they fought, trying to think of something to use to beat the annoying bitch. Something that would stop her.
Naruko remembered the reaction to the news of her comrades death. Maybe they were more than that.
"Are you mad that I killed your friend? Pathetic!" Naruko taunted, looking the kind of reaction that would give her what she needed.
"Yes bitch!"
"Aw! Too bad! He was so weak too! Quite a looker though," Naruko laughed.
The kunoichi destroyed the last Kage Bunshin and ran at Naruko who stood still. "He was mine!"
The blonde made a hand sign, hoping that her idea worked. "Oiroke no Jutsu to Otoko!"
The woman froze as an image of her dead love appeared before her, naked. She jerked as blood poured from her nose. Her body was thrown back by an invisible force.
Naruko took the chance and rushed forward, still looking like the man from before and stabbed her opponent through the heart.
"Minako!" a voice wailed.
Naruko returned to normal and sighed. The only enemy left was the one Kakashi and Genma were fighting. Naruko felt a small bit of pride, that the strongest enemy, was a woman. A kunoichi. A ninja.
She looked over at Sasuke to see him walking toward her. Sakura was unconscious on the ground.
"Are you okay Butch?" Sasuke asked, looking worried.
Naruko nodded with a wince. She turned her back to him and asked, "Can you pull this out? My advanced healing will heal around it and then I'll have a permanent hole in my gut."
Sasuke nodded and grabbed the sword, pulling it from her as fast as possible. She gasped. "Fuck that hurt!"
She looked down and growled, "Bastards ruined my best breastplate! Dammit! They really pushed those fucking swords in hard!"
Naruko ignored Kyuubi who was snickering at what she said. There was no time to be perverted. That was for later.
She looked at Sasuke, "Let's go help the Jonin. They seem to need it."
Kakashi and Genma sighed as Sasuke and Naruko joined their fight.
The kunoichi was pushed back and surrounded. With Sasuke's superior weapon mastery and Naruko's clones, they had made the outcome easy. In the end(A/N:I tried so hard, and got so far!XD), she was drained of chakra and tied up in special ninja wire.
Kakashi asked Sasuke and Naruko to detail their fights and they could tell he was angry about Sakura's lack of participation.
Genma actually voiced his opinion, "You need to replace her immediately! Has she ever done anything on your missions?"
"Only when we paint fences. other than that, she finds some excuse to not do anything," Naruko grumbled, toeing the floor.
"Kakashi, if you don't bring this to Hokage-samas attention, I will," Genma threatened.
Kakashi sighed, knowing that he was right. "Let's just finish the mission."
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Kakashi and Genma waited for the Genin to leave the room before they spoke to the Hokage.
"So you defeated the A rank missing ninjas Miyabi and Minako Kosuke of the Senshi Daihachi? You know the interference of them and their group makes this an A rank mission?" the Hokage asked with a sigh.
The Jonin nodded in sync.
"Well, the mission was completed and I have to say I'm impressed with how your team did so well Kakashi," Sarutobi smiled at the Jonin.
Genma nudged Kakashi's arm and Kakashi grunted. "Hokage-sama. I, Hatake Kakashi, Jonin of Konohagakure no Sato, would like to petition you for the removal of Haruno Sakura from the ninja program."
Genma cleared his throat, "And I, Shiranui Genma, Tokubetsu Jonin of Konohagakure no Sato second the motion for the removal of Haruno Sakura."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. He was going to have so much work ahead of him.
Damn you Minato!