It didn't take as much effort or time as she thought it would in order for her to settle things down in the village. The Hokage was generous enough to establish a comfortable apartment complex near her headquarters; she suspected the Hokage did it to keep an eye on her. Either way, she did not complain, happy to have a haven to return to.
What amazed her was the flurry of village life; she came to enjoy the excitement bustling within the open marketplace. There, she found herself growing accustomed to the sounds and smells drifting around her. It seemed…she had finally found a place to call home.
However, she knew such peace could not last. If she wanted it to remain, she would have to find a job to keep up with the steady pace of her newly established life. Unwilling to let such a golden opportunity slip her by, she quickly set out to find an honest occupation. Unfortunately, her skills were limited, straining her job selection.
It would take another day of futile searches before she would finally stumble across the humble ramen stand. Weary and downcast, she trudged into the stand, taking one of the many empty stools. The minute she sat down, she was wrapped in warmth, and was rapidly taken in with Ramen Ichiraku.
A kindly old man looked to see who had come to stop by for a quick eat. He was surprised by the new face; most of the people who stopped by were regulars, and even if some were not, he knew most throughout the village.
This women was either not from this area, or she was new to the village. And even that was unheard of.
Letting curiosity get the best of him, he walked over to the young woman seated at the barstool. Upon quick inspection, he noted her slumped form, as if she was defeated. There was a heavy burden wrapped around her and felt pity swell his heart. She reminded him of the orange-clad blonde who frequented his stand.
"What can I get for you?" he asked kindly, lacing the question with a smile.
The woman slowly looked up before quickly averting her eyes. She mumbled a few words, but it was much too soft for him to catch. It didn't help that the few customers around were raucous!
"I'm afraid I didn't hear, dear. Would you mind repeating it?" he asked gently.
"I would like…shrimp ramen." she uttered softly.
"Coming right up!"
In a matter of a few minutes, he had the water boiling. A generous amount of thin noodles simmered, softening. Shrimp and vegetables were added. Dashes of local spices gave the noodles robust flavor. The smell was absolutely heavenly. He stirred the ramen a few times before pouring it into a large bowl. With flourish, he cracked an egg and stirred it into the hot soup; it would cook slowly. He set the bowl before the young girl before turning his attention to other customers.
"Enjoy the meal!" he exclaimed before sauntering off.
Aiko stared at the mouth-watering dish before her. She snapped the wooden chopsticks, picked slivers of noodles, and slurped it quietly. She was surprised; the dish was good, and it was the first decent meal she had in quite some time. In no time at all, she emptied the ramen bowl. Satisfied and warmed by the soup, she waited for the tab.
So warm…and such a happy place…
She needed a job though, and it would not do to dally around. Sighing, she took out her purse. Though the funding was enough to last her a few months, she could not spend it all; she needed to save some in case something should occur!
"What is troubling you child?"
Surprised by the sudden question, she froze and cursed herself as she felt a blush coming. She didn't want to bear her forlorn face to the public, but it seemed it was too late.
"Ah…nothing much. I was out looking for a job. Didn't know it would be such a hard thing to find." she mumbled.
"A job, eh?"
"Yes. I moved here very recently."
"That explains why I've never seen you before!" the man exclaimed jovially. Aiko couldn't help but smile; the man's energy was truly infectious.
"But I like it here. It's has a kind of warmth that draws me in." she said softly. The man nodded his head, understanding what she meant.
"Well…if you like it here and you need a job…why not come work here?" he asked, meaning every word.
Aiko stared at him, regarding him with awe and gratitude. Surely the old man was jesting, but she could find no hint of malice in his question. She didn't know how to react, save for blushing some more. The man was sent from the gods to help her!
"I…I don't want to trouble you…" she murmured, unsure of the sudden turn of events.
"Now, now! You won't be trouble at all! During certain days, it gets so busy that my assistant and I can't handle all the customers! It would be wonderful to have another pair of hands helping us."
"Really? I…then, yes. Yes, I would love to be of service." Aiko said, her saddened demeanor disappearing rapidly, replaced by her rare, yet radiant, smile.
"Then it's settled. I want you to starting first thing tomorrow. Come by at nine sharp! We open at eight, but my assistant usually sets everything up. You can start training at nine."
"Don't worry! I definitely won't disappoint you! I learn fast and-"
"Hush. There's no need to prove yourself. You'll do so in time." the old man said sagely. Aiko had the grace to blush again; it was rare for her to reveal such emotion.
"Thank you."
Aiko snapped out of her reverie; the day she was hired was one of her fondest memories. However, no matter how wonderful the memories, it wouldn't do to get fired within less than a week in the job. Happy to be of some use, she turned to greet the new customers. Of course, life had a funny way of getting her at every turn.
For who else would she meet on the first official day of working at Ramen Ichiraku? She would have seen the bright,, blonde hair within a mile away, and was rapidly feeling a headache coming. Despite the migraine, the brat's presence was welcome. Even if he was annoying, she couldn't help but be drawn by his vigor; he had qualities she greatly admired.
Alas, her musing came to an abrupt end when he pointed her out, his eyes bugging out in surprise. Her eyes narrowed and a vein began throbbing on her forehead.
Why that loudmouthed brat! Pointing at me like that! she thought quietly. Well, she would show him!
"You better stop doing that brat 'cause I work here now!" she said good-naturedly.
Naruto's eyes closed as if he were in mourning; he was being theatrical again. "Whatever. Just take my orders. Pork ramen!"
The others ordered their meal with less vigor, she noticed. She was quick to go about completing the request; it wouldn't do to piss off customers on her first official day on the job!
Humming quietly, she mixed the ramen broth just like the old man taught her, putting in the right mix of sauces and spices. However, her happiness was quickly thinning into uneasiness. She couldn't exactly pinpoint where it was stemming from, but felt a prickle between her shoulder blades; someone was staring at her.
Suddenly self-conscious, she turned a quick peek and noticed the lecherous old man, who had accompanied Team 7, staring at her. At the Black Lotus, men used to stare at her like that all the time. Their eyes would turn into glass, glazed over with lust. And many of them were just like that old man, bold with their stares.
She was always in that cage, like some trapped animal, something exotic the hunters had brought back for the locals to ogle. And each time men stared at her, she wanted to flee and scrub her skin from the such tainted looks she had received. And the women! The women sneered as they stared down at her in a condescending manner. A whore for a living! And shame burned in her so vividly, her throat constricted and she was choking on her own shame! A brand, an invisible brand, marked her for nothing more than a mere whore.
But hadn't she moved on beyond her damnable past? Was she not making an honest living?
She felt her blood boiling. Wasn't it enough that men had treated her like an object? Now that she had her first official chance at obtaining freedom, she felt some unpleasant aspects of her past haunting her. Her cheeks reddened with anger, furious that a man would stare at her like so blatantly, like a piece of meat!
Slowly, she exhaled, hoping to calm her anger. When she felt she was calm enough to serve, she turned to the four customers and placed steaming bowls of ramen on the table. Unfortunately, the last customer happened to be the lecherous old man. And he had the audacity to give a feral grin! Her cheeks reddened with anger once more, and it seemed he mistook them as her blushing!
Misunderstandings, arguments, and connections were made that night.
He took a leisurely stroll across the red light district, comfortable in the shadows the dim lighting provided. The sickly, sweet smell of opium was faint, but nonetheless there in the nighttime air. And such pitiful figures shuddered, enraptured by the delusions formed from such drugs. He sighed, wondering why people insisted on throwing their lives away through such needless endeavors.
"Hey…want a favor?" a raspy voice asked, floating from the dark alley.
He resisted the urge to roll his eye, wondering how people came up with such stupid lines to entice the public. He was surprised that it was a petite woman who came forth, clutching her stash rather securely. Her eyes were rimmed red, and watery; they were…dead. And gods, her entire body shook that he feared she would crumble in a twitching heap!
"Perhaps some other time." he said before disappearing from her sight. The woman was still standing there, clutching the bag tightly.
Sighing in relief, he continued his stroll. Passing drugs, he moved on to something he was all too familiar with: sex. Erotic novels and the very act of consummation…how could he deny it when it was so ingrained in him?
Sounds of pleasure echoed across thin walls, and through translucent curtains, he could see figures coupling. And here he walked, amidst the den of sin. Gods it was disgusting!
He was not privy to the bodily lust, the need to fulfill sinful desires. It was so hard not to dash into one of many bountiful establishments, pay his fee, and take someone for a ride. He had done it before, ages ago…but this was different. He had hoped he matured somewhat through his tenure as a shinobi.
Missions and sex simply never went hand in hand, one always complicating the other.
And besides, his attention was in tune with more important things than his raging libido. Discipline was very important during such missions, and it would do well to adhere to it. There was an innocent man on the line, and it wouldn't do to let everything go downward spiral just because he couldn't help but indulge himself!
Here, in this tainted world, was a caged innocent; he feared the innocence would be tainted, however. For how could Iruka survive and come out unchanged? This hellhole never left anyone free.
He always felt dirty, treading the soiled grounds, suffocating slowly. And each time he returned home, he had to wash himself thoroughly to rid of the invisible grime, the thin veil of human stains covering him. What would he do if he had to stay in such a place until he outlived his purpose as a sex-slave? He shuddered, thinking about the lonely dolphin suffocating in its cage.
They were all suffocating…
Efficient. RECON (reconnaissance, but often a pun for reckon), a subdivision of the ANBU, was immaculate in every aspect of their missions.
Raido* was tempted to let out a low whistle, scanning the entirety of the map. The map was finely detailed from measurements down to where each piece of furniture lay. Exactly how much effort was put into making this so precise?
Saying RECON was good was an understatement; they were the first task force to be shipped out, ready to garner information. Skilled and deadly, each individual was a proven assassin, but his or her specialty lay in the ability to spy; it was the best intelligence network created. They were the lifeblood of the ANBU, providing the entire elite group valuable information for every mission.
Rolling up the map, he tucked it away safely, confident in his precise memory. If anything, Aoba** was always on standby. Taking a deep breath, he traced the map in his mind, allowing himself to visualize everything before venturing into it.
Blending into the shadows, he crept close to the Black Lotus, assessing the building. Concentrating his chakra on the soles of his feet, he began making his way towards the roof. If the map was correct - and he believed it to be so - the roof was the safest place to penetrate the brothel. His hands softly felt the roof, feeling for loose screws. Four distinct crews stood out within the myriad of others. Grinning to himself, he unscrewed them and lifted away the trap door.
With sharp eyes, he looked about, making sure he was completely alone. There was no one within the rooftops but himself; it seemed everyone else spent their time cavorting about on the grounds. At this particular moment, he was thankful the caged beauties provided a distraction. Calmly, he lowered himself into the building.
Straight down from where he was facing, he would be headed towards the cages holding male youths. He made a sharp left and looked for the waiting room that would lead directly into the main room. Concentrating his chakra on his feet once more, he walked onto the ceiling, hoping to evade any detection and complications he would face if he were caught.
Even from outside the Black Lotus, one could clearly see the wealth the building radiated. But the waiting room…was breathtaking. He always felt uncomfortable whenever he was surrounded by wealth, and this was no exception. Desiring to flee rather quickly, he scanned the room, leaving no space for mistakes. He waited, trying to sense another's chakra; it was unsettling to know how easy it was for him to infiltrate the building. Wary, but knowing he didn't have much time, he opened the door towards the main room.
It was a complete contrast to the building, sparse in decoration and rather simple. Mahogany desk, slick leather chair, filing cabinet, a decanter of amber liquor, and papers. It looked like a regular office.
Light-footed, he treaded across the plush floor towards the desk. While the rest of the room was immaculately kept, the desk was a disaster. Paper was strewn everywhere in stacks, some stained with ink, and others scribbled with messages. Pens and scrolls were carelessly rolled across, landing precariously on the edge of the desk. Circular tea stains were scattered both on sheets of paper and the desktop itself.
He decidedly ignored the mess and concentrated on the required documents of Iruka's contract. It would be more sensible if the contract were placed in the filing cabinet, so he quickly began sifting through the different folders. Quick scans, then slower searches produced nothing. It seemed the desk held all the answers.
Sighing, he scanned the topmost layer, hoping to see Iruka's name. However, before he could go any further, he noticed on document holding disturbing accounts. Feeling numb, he slowly lifted the single sheet from the rest of the pile.
He began to read some of the lines, and his worry grew worse.
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Established Black Lotus - brothel
Current area located within outskirts of Konoha - provides greater access
Shinobi occasionally drop by - mostly men
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To who it may concern,
The Black Lotus is part of a prestigious organization of the Underworld, a prominent member of the Council. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the name not be tarnished to the public eye. Its influence is only growing, but it is a slow process. Thus, further gains are inhibited by certain realms reality provides.
Similarly, your country's power is inhibited by a certain obstacle. If you so desire to bring glory back to your people, we request that you aid us in our quest. The end results will not only cement our status, but yours as well.
Under current jurisdiction, your daimyo has chosen not to expand your militaristic powers. Furthermore, our Hokage has made it clear that we are not to expand any further. However, such prohibitions will only hinder our process of reaching our intended, albeit independent, goals. Thus, collaboration seems the most fitting act.
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Raido knew he had read enough and he quickly slipped the important documents in the inner pocket of his vest. Realizing the document he held was far more pressing, he knew he would have to address Iruka's situation later.
Knowing what must be done, he quickly concentrated his chakra, making sure no other chakra source was around. He had no trouble reaching the halls and making it onto the rooftop. However, it was there that he met his very first obstacle. It seemed he was not alone. Cursing himself for not noticing, he prepared to fight.
"I will not let you pass." the stranger said quietly.
"I have no intention of backing down. I suggest you move aside." Raido bit out.
The stranger, obscured by the night, was slowly revealed under the moonlight. Raido's eyes widened when he saw the forehead protector the stranger had donned: the Sand. Then, his eyes narrowed, and cemented all his suspicions regarding the allegiance between the brothel and the Sand Country. It would not do to let the enemy go free.
"Already figured it out, have we? Well…let's waste no time."
The Sand ninja quickly dashed forward, but Raido's quick instincts helped him evade the attack. It began like that for some time, the Sand attacking and Raido defending himself. To put it simply, the attacks were merely tests.
But he's too fast. His attacks have no pattern at all. They're…random.
He was a second too late in dodging the last attack. The kunai dug deeply into his shoulder, and he could only bit his lip from crying out. His hand clutched the wound tightly, desperately pressing the wound to prevent more blood from seeping out. The Sand ninja smirked, relishing the first blood drawn.
"Weak. But this will end soon."
Raido briefly wondered what had happened to Aoba, but the thought disappeared as a shuriken dug into his thigh, drawing more blood. His bottom lip started bleeding, cut from his sudden bites to keep from screaming into the night.
You're thinking too much. Body. And movement. All that matters is that you move!
Before the Sand ninja could strike him with another kunai, he sped away. His task, first and foremost, was to deliver the document, not lose time in needless fighting. There were some tasks that outweighed others.
Concentrating all his chakra onto his lower torso, he sped across the red light district. However, he knew it would be a hard race as the other ninja had no injury, and was chasing after him. It would be a brutal game of cat and mouse.
His left eyesight was blurring around the edges and stars danced in his eyes. Blood seeped out even faster. And gods, his heart beat to an inhuman tune. His breathing turned from panting into ragged, desperate breaths.
If he did not make it, the document would go down with him, lost forever. Konoha would remain ignorant of what danger was close by. That was his incentive to continue.
Chakra. His eye narrowed as he concentrated, hoping to locate the source. It was frantic and coming straight for him. However, what he saw did not make him wary; it made him frantic as he saw the state of one of his mission comrades.
"Raido…what happened?" Kakashi asked calmly.
Raido collapsed into a heap, unable to support himself any longer, his chakra all but spent. He turned to see if the Sand had followed him thus far, and knew his suspicions were confirmed when he saw the stranger. Kakashi looked in the same direction and his eyes narrowed, deducing the stranger must have left Raido in such a state. Before a confrontation could occur, the Sand quickly left; he knew when he was outnumbered.
"He did this to you." It was not a question, but an observation, as Kakashi continued to study Raido's injuries.
"Yes. Yes, he did. But…that's not important. They're not serious enough to kill me. What's important is that…this gets to…the Hokage…as soon as possible." Raido's words came out in shorts gasps as he fought to catch his breath.
He dug into his vest and found the precious document. Handing it to Kakashi he motioned for the ninja to go. Without further word, Kakashi left Raido to tend to his injuries.
It seemed there was more to this than anyone had first suspected.
The catalyst was merely Iruka.
*Raido: He's a jounin. And he's the one who has that weird scar across the left side of his face.
**Aoba: "A Jounin. Apparently quite talented, he was present at the Urgent Meeting the 3rd Hokage called regarding Orochimaru. He was also amoung the five Jounin left at the Leaf Village Fight Stadium after the Sand and Sound Ninjas were killed, with Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai and another Ninja." (source taken from the website Naruto Guide)
Author's Note: Wow! It's been a super long time since I last wrote a chapter! I'm REALLY sorry! I needed some ideas and just plumb ran out of them. And I didn't want to write a crap story, so until inspiration came, I waited. Really, really sorry. Gotta thank shadoewhunter, Nicky, Ice Dragon3, Lady Geuna, The Magician of Black Chaos, NickDWolfwood2, slate, Shiranai-Kyuri, Cayenne, Groovy Blue, Keiro, Iktia Jigoku, Seph Lorraine, lily day, Raspberry Jam, mimerz, Spirit and Essence, Kami Beverly, Muchacha, Nirvana Angel, Bishiehuggler, Silver Ruby, InsomniaProductions, Miko, and TheTrueSilver! YOU ALL ARE AWESOME! So thank you for the support! I really hope this is up to par for you guys!