Chapter 11: Mission
As the sun rose over the distant horizon, an alarm clock rang inside a lonely apartment in Konoha. A girl, a teenager at most with blonde hair tied into four different buns gazed out of the window.
She sighed, then brought a headband and wrapped it across her forehead. She took a deep breath, took one last glance at the sun and headed out of her apartment.
As Temari walked through the streets, her eyes diverted towards a lone alleyway. There, her friend Shikamaru stood. With a yawn, he stepped out of the shade of the building and approached her.
"Well, you're up early..."
Temari gave him a slight smile before she walked forward. Shikamaru followed behind. She glanced at him, he shrugged in response.
"Well, you are a guest in our Village. So I thought I'd escort you to the gates"
"Yeah, Yeah"
Shaking her head, they continued. Soon, they were at the gates. Shikamaru squinted his eyes as he spotted a lone figure clad in black resting against the side of the gate.
Temari too was puzzled. But the familiar blonde hair was too striking, they could recognise that color from a mile away.
"Naruto... What is he doing here?"
Shikamaru blurted out as they stopped near him. Naruto opened his eye and walked toward them.
"I heard you're going back to Suna... I have some business there, mind if I tag along?"
Naruto asked, his voice subtle. Temari glanced at Shikamaru, who just shrugged and walked away.
"That idiot"
She whispered. Shaking her head, she gazed back at Naruto.
"Sure"
Naruto nodded, and they took off. As they ventured through the muddy pathway, Temari's eyes drifted across the road to his figure.
A sly smile crept up her lips as she mentally compared their heights.
'He's grown a lot from that scrawny brat I met in the past... and, a bit... Handsome?'
She glanced away and mumbled something under her breath. Naruto didn't fail to notice her behaviour and gave a side eye to her.
"You visit often?", He decided to strike up a conversation.
She raised a brow. "Huh?"
Naruto tilted his head toward her, and their eyes met. "I mean... Do you come to Konoha from time to time? I wasn't here for 3 whole years, so I don't know much about the political circumstances between the Sand and the Leaf"
That was not true, at all. Naruto was well aware of the peaceful treaty between the two villages. He had done his homework before arriving at his home Village.
But he had nothing else to discuss about, so Naruto chose this topic.
She smiled at him. "Yes, I do... Well, as for politics, I don't roll with that. The higher-ups deal with it, but I'd say the Sand and the Leaf have a good relationship now. Proof is right here you know? Me and You walking together is a result of that"
Naruto smiled at her, his aura completely different from the usual cold one he carried. He seemed much less dangerous... And more approachable than ever.
Temari was a bit surprised.
Naruto's lips parted, and he asked:
"What is it?"
She abruptly looked away, her cheeks turned a shade of red.
"Well... Usually, you seem so indifferent that I'd thou-"
"I was emotionless?"
She hesitated for a brief moment before she met his eyes and nodded. A slight chuckle left Naruto's lips as he gazed forward.
"I'm only human, Temari. I have emotions, like everyone... It's just that, I know how to control them. Maybe better than most... or maybe, better than anyone"
The air suddenly shifted, the breeze becoming more windy as it grazed against their hair, ruffling them. Temari found it hard to take her eyes off his face, which seemed to be more vibrant than ever.
"You should do it more"
Naruto glanced at her as he raised a brow. "Do what more?"
She sheepishly gazed away, her cheeks turning more and more red.
"S-Smile"
Naruto stayed silent. As they walked, a shop appeared around the corner. Naruto patted Temari's shoulder, making her turn toward him.
"Let's get something to eat, what do you say?"
Temari, who was finding it troubling to look at him, whispered "Sure", and hastened her steps toward the shop. A small sigh escaped Naruto's lips as he followed her trail.
***
Leaf Village, Hokage's office.
Tsunade slammed the desk as she rubbed her temples. Across the desk, Sakura and Kakashi stared at her, worry clearly written over their faces.
"Damn them Akatsuki... Where's Naruto? Sakura! Bring him here, tell him it's an urgent matter!"
Sakura nodded, before she left, however, the door opened and revealed Shikamaru. Sakura turned her head toward him.
"Shikamaru, have you seen Naruto?"
Shikamaru scratched the back of his head and gave a questioning look. "Didn't he tell you that he's leaving?"
Tsunade raised her head and gave him a stern look. Shikamaru gulped, he knew that look... And he knew there was nothing but trouble.
Tsunade appeared before like a blur and firmly grasped his shoulder.
"WHERE. IS. HE?."
Her voice was barely a whisper, but it sounded like a clag of a wardrum to the Nara's ears.
"H-He went with Temari to Suna first thing in the morning. He said he had... Some sort of business there"
Tsunade'a fiery eyes landed on Jiraiya, who was standing near the corner, seemingly terrified by her.
"What business?" Her tone was poisonous.
Jiraiya sighed and replied:
"I don't know... He gave the Sand a visit the day before we arrived at Konoha"
Tsunade sat at her desk and heaved a weary sigh. Kakashi and Sakura stared at each other and nodded.
"Lady Tsunade. If you allow us, we would like to catch up to Naruto and Temari and inform them about the mission on the way... From there, we can continue the mission, with your permission of course"
Tsunade stared blankly at her desk before raising her head, she gave an acknowledging look at the duo.
"Good. Then, I hereby hand the mission to team Kakashi. Your task is to go to the Sand village, find out what happened to the Kazegake and inform me about the details. That will be all, dismiss!"
With orders received, Kakashi and Sakura swiftly departed from the Village to pursue Naruto and inform him about the mission handed out by the Hokage.
***
Naruto took a bite out of the Dango as he leaned his back on the wooden table behind him. Temari too beside him, ate her rice cake in silence.
Naruto gazed at her, and she turned her head in response.
"Naruto! Naruto!!!"
Naruto's face morphed into it's usual stoicism, and he glanced ahead. Two figures were approaching them at swift speed, one white haired and one pink haired.
Temari raised a brow as she stared at them.
Author: Apologies, things got out of hand.... I was listening to 'Summertime Sadness'
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Defilement
Defilement I like Temari, alright! She's cool
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone