Hideo woke up at 5 a.m thinking about his next mission. A B-Rank mission, his biggest mission so far. The Chuunin got a little nervous and stepped out of his bed. Putting his clothes on to take a morning walk with his dog. Before he left he took a warm bath with champagne and lots of bubbles in the water.

Hideo closed the front door, trying to be as silent as possible. He opened the umbrella he brought with him. It was raining cats and dogs, but he liked the sound of the rain touching the solid ground. Seiza ran around Hideo of happiness.

The couple sat down on a bench in the empty park. The Inuzuka threw a stick a bit further so Seiza could catch it and bring it back. Several hours went by and they were still doing the same thing over and over again. Hideo looked at the shadow of the trees and saw that it was almost 10 a.m. He would meet up with Sousetsu around 10 a.m in the park. Hideo looked around, searching for his partner.Finally he sensed his presence nearby. "Oi, Sousetsu! You ready for the tough mission?" Hideo spoke to his friend.

As Sousetsu had finished dressing himself, he looked himself up and down in front of the mirror in the corridor leading to the front door. He ruffled his hair a little and left without a word escaping his mouth. After the door was locked he looked at the morning sky and sighed. "A B-Rank. Man, this is gonna be trouble. It's nine A.M. Hideo will be at the meeting point soon. I hope all goes well." Sousetsu spoke as he grew even more hesitant as he now had to prove his worth as a shinobi, taking a step up in missions.

B-Rank missions commonly found combat. It was up to himself and his partner Hideo to see the outcome. He made his way slowly to the rendezvous point taking in the possibilities and figuring out solutions to the worst case scenarios. A rather pessimistic day for Sousetsu no doubt. As he approached Hideo he had seen the canine companion as well, causing Sousetsu to smile. "That's right! I promised Seiza and Hideo that we would become stronger. This has to be a successful mission." Sousetsu said to himself as he recalled their first meeting together at the hot springs.

He appeared before the two before long and smiled following his greeting. "Hey there! Let's get the mission underway then." He retrieved a scroll from his pouch which contained the missions statement. Sousetsu began to read the details aloud. "Two shinobi of Konohagakure, both Chuunin ranking, were reported trying to leave the village in the last week without their headbands or checking in with the trafficking agents at the village gates. More recent reports claim that the two shinobi were seen in a neighboring town. It is assumed that the two have attempted to defect, but more evidence is needed to convict them of such a crime. If incriminating evidence of located, apprehend all parties involved. If no evidence is found, escort both shinobi back to the village for further questioning." Sousetsu looked at both of his comrades to be sure they were listening and understood the mission at hand.

In addition, "The two shinobi have been supplying independent groups of unaffiliated ninja with information on Konohagakure infrastructure and wall guard rounds. At night, they can be observed speaking with these suspicious shinobi. Recklessly engaging them during this event will result in both parties attempting to flee." Sousetsu finished as he deposited the scroll back into his pouch. He began fitting his attire once more and nodded to the two before leaping to the trees, making their way to the neighboring town in question. "Hideo. To sum up our mission, we have to identify the defectors, locate incriminating evidence of their attempted defection or other crimes, and apprehend both of them. I would very much suggest we keep it 'recon' and take one down before we face the other. What do you think?" Sousetsu shared, thinking of the best solutions he could with the little time they had to reach their destination.

Hideo was pumped with exitement inside but didn't show it too much. The young man stared to Sousetsu while he was reading the mission out loud. " Two shinobi of Konohagakure, both Chuunin ranking, were reported trying to leave the village in the last week without their headbands or checking in with the trafficking agents at the village gates. More recent reports claim that the two shinobi were seen in a neighboring town. It is assumed that the two have attempted to defect, but more evidence is needed to convict them of such a crime. If incriminating evidence of located, apprehend all parties involved. If no evidence is found, escort both shinobi back to the village for further questioning.

The two shinobi have been supplying independent groups of unaffiliated ninja with information on Konohagakure infrastructure and wall guard rounds. At night, they can be observed speaking with these suspicious shinobi. Recklessly engaging them during this event will result in both parties attempting to flee." His comrad informed him. Hideo looked towards their destination and nodded.

Seiza brought back the stick Hideo had threw for her. She was now barking for a pet from Sousetsu. The Inuzuks rolled his eyes and looked at his comrad one more time as a request to leave to the town where the the Chuunins would be at night. "We could stay in the neighbouring town for today and then search for them at night, to be less suspicious we could also have our backpacks on us like we are traveling through the town." He said not sure if it would be a good plan or not. He stared at Sousetsu with his blue shining eyes as if he was waiting for his thoughts and approval. "Also B Rank mission most likely have combat in them right? As we are now Chuunin we can handle something bigger, like this right?" Hideo said a little lost in thought if they would make it back or not. Most of the time he didn't care what might happen but this time he did. He had a partner who he can not leave alone to die there. Even now, Hideo doubt his own powers. This was a test for him, a test if he indeed has gotten stronger and if he was going to fail he would pay the price with his death probably, but he did feel more safe with Seiza and Sousetsu around who were both strong. They might even be stronger then him.

Seiza stopped Hideo from thinking negative with barking at him. The Inuzuka came back on earth and was now fully aware of the situation. He just had to go for it, weak or not. He accepted the mission and he will not, he can not turn back now.

As they brushed past the leaves, Sousetsu thought about suggestions from Hideo. "We could stay in the neighbouring town for today and then search for them at night, to be less suspicious we could also have our backpacks on us like we are traveling through the town." Sousetsu thought about this over and over in his head. The possible outcomes, the risks. If they were to do that they would have to try to hide their chakra to the best of their abilities and also separate to make them look as different strangers. This could become dangerous if one of them ran into the enemy in daylight. On the other hand, they could do so and possibly discover the enemy during the day time and return for a night raid, better than searching aimlessly at dark. He then pondered at the following question, "Also, B-Rank missions most likely have combat in them, right? As we are now Chuunin we can handle something bigger, like this right?" He simply smirked at this remark.

As the branches passed them swiftly Sousetsu turned his head slightly and gave his thoughts to Hideo and Seiza. "To answer your theory on 'touristy' idea. It will work to our benefit if we find the shinobi during the day and leave, only to come back for a night raid. We don't want to become too suspicious as we cannot hide our chakra to a small enough portion for them to sense. Also, if you are worried about a little fight I'm here with you. We were given this mission because of our abilities. The Hokage would never have given a mission if there was not a chance of success. Think about that. I have your back, will you watch mine?" Sousetsu finished with a question with a positive attitude towards the two companions. They were basically a three man cell thanks to the Inuzuka member.

Sousetsu was indeed worried of the outcome as they grew near to the neighboring town in question. He put on his best optimistic expressions and tones to keep morale up high, believing in it himself. When they reached the town, Sousetsu nodded and walked in a direction separate to that of Hideo and Seiza in order to find at least one of the shinobi in question. He passed many civilians and many food stalls before he reached the darker parts of town. The type of place where bounty hunters and wanted men would lurk. He kept his face hidden and facing the ground with his hands in his pockets as he listened to hear a whisper in the wind of the missing ninjas.

Sousetsu and Hideo seperated to search for one of the requested Chuunin. He knew one was a woman and one was a man. The dog and her master went to look in the other part of the town, the more busy one. There were so many people, everyone looked alike. He tried to remember how one of them looked. The Chuunin forgot it, but luckily, he also had the mission scroll on his. The young man unrolled the scroll, ' Shizuka Fushayami, Appears to be a young woman with relatively pale skin and brown hair and long bangs. Her eyes are brown, and she typically has a disinterested or otherwise indifferent expression. She stands at 167cm and has a moderate physical build. She typically wears tan or brown colored clothing, though this information is subject to change after her speculated defection. These reports are four days old.' he read in his mind. So that was how the female looked. Hideo his eyes wandered down to the other description. ' Kaito Asara, He appears to be a young man with slightly tanned skin and moderately long auburn hair. His eyes are blue and he normally has some sort of smile or other enthusiastic look on his face. He stands at 177cm and has a moderately muscled build. He typically wears green or black colored clothing, though this information is subject to change after his supposed defection. These reports are three days old.' Hideo looked at his ninken and nodded as request to start to search.

They walked around going in bars and clothing shops with the looks of the traitors on their minds. Hideo tried to look not as supsicious when he walked in a special looking bar. The people in there looked like stereotype criminals. There was a wanted bord on the wall. Hideo thought he would be less noticable when he acted like a bounty hunter. Seiza just looked at her master and knew what he was doing so she acted tough and rough as well.

His plan didn't really work and everyone looked nasty at him and his companion, Seiza. Hideo walked all the way to the bar and sat down. He ordered some sake. A voice appeared behind him, "Kiddo, aren't you a bit young to be in this place, huh?"

The Chuunin turned around having the emotionless expression on his face. He didn't say a thing and turned back to the waiter. "You shouldn't ignore me!" the person yelled at the Inuzuka. Seiza was already showing her teeth to the big guy. As much as Hideo also wanted to fight, he couldn't do mich without letting his chakra noticable, so he just tried to ignore him. However, the criminal looking man even got more iritated by his attitude. The scar faced male turned Hideo around and grabbed his by his collar. Seiza, who was now growling, got stopped by Hideo. He stood up from his chair, his closed eyes now met the man's pair.

Hideo still had his glass in his hands, turned around, lay the glass on the bar and pushed his pray away from him, not revealing his true strenght. The man had to find balance again, but failed when Hideo now placed his finger upon the man his chest and pushed him out of his balance so he felt on the hard floor of the bar. Hideo looked around and saw everyone coming closer. The Chuunin quickly ran away leaving some money behind for the drink.

Seiza and her owner got away pretty easy. Hideo and his dog vanished in the crowd. "Damn... I shouldn't have done that..." hideo whispered to himself while looking for Sousetsu.

As Sousetsu pushed further into the depths of the black market, he came across shady characters hovering around an alleyway. As he appeared to walk by and not caring what they did he quickly and silently returned to the side of the entrance of the alleyway. The smaller figure seemed to speak calmly to the bigger shadow who appeared to be quite annoying and persistent in their topic of discussion. "We will meet thirty metres south of the town after midnight..." the feminine sounding one spoke. As they departed from each other the feminine was approaching the Chuunin and had to make haste to turn another corner to hide once more.

As the mysterious character passed Sousetsu he noticed that it was one of the targets. The woman known as Shizuka Fushayami, the genjutsu user with knowledge and tactics that exceeded most. Sousetsu wrapped his arm around the target and began a sleeper hold. The struggle lasted a few seconds before the genjutsu user withdrew a kunai and stabbed Sousetsu's forearm piercing the skin and weakening the hold. Sousetsu quickly used his other arm and continued his stronghold but applied quick pressure causing the knockout to come almost instantly. "Shit...Better find Hideo and Seiza." Sousetsu said covering the wound trying to stop the bleeding. No doubt the other target would be enraged by this and expecting his companion to arrive at the destination after midnight.

After applying medical care to his forearm, the bleeding still trickled down his hand. The wound would still linger for a while as Sousetsu's injuries were known to be worse than average. He tied up Shizuka with rope around the hands, tight enough to leave no room for hand signs and blindfolded her for her genjutsu's to be useless and inactive until they got back to Konaha.

He hoisted the shinobi on his shoulders, sweating and the pain throbbing from his arm and made his way for the nearby outskirts using alleyways to keep away from the naked public. Once there, he placed the young woman by a tree and checked his injury once again. It was bad, and Sousetsu felt he couldn't perform hand signs for jutsus. He felt as though he became the hindrance that was never wanted. He brushed off his feelings as he was still on a mission and dashed off to find his companions.

Reaching the town center, he scanned the area in hopes of finding Hideo's trademark coat and canine companion. He noticed a small mob of people searching for someone also in anger who rushed to the area in which Sousetsu was in before hand. He looked over his shoulder only to find Hideo and Seiza and smirked as he rushed to meet them. "Hideo! Seiza! I have found the genjutsu user. I have her held up on the outskirts of the village. She is unconscious and and bound up. I also have information on a meeting they were supposed to have shortly after midnight thirty meters south of the town. We will formulate a strategy until then, but for now we must go back to the captive and make sure she is safe from others." Sousetsu grinned and then showed signs of hurt as he groaned and looked towards his arm. The blood still trickled down his arm. "We'll fix it up when we get there. C'mon!" Sousetsu said eagerly. With his wound they seemed to obvious in the crowd and subtlety was a major factor in their mission.

Hideo his eyes widened when he heard that his psrtner had already found one of the traitors, while he had a bar fight. The Chuunin was quite disapointed that he didn't do any good, at all. So he lifted his head up thinking of another chance to do at least something.

His mind was racing throught all the situations that could happen in the meeting. Thinking of what he might do in a worse case scenario. Hideo hoped he didn't have to kill someone, since 'it' happened, he refused to kill any living thing.

The Inuzuka got back to earth when he saw blood dripping off Sousetsu his arm. Hideo gazed at the wound. He felt sorry he wasn't there to help, so this wouldn't have happened. "Sorry, i wasn't there to help.." Hideo said while staring at his friend's wound. "Let's head to the woman." The grey haired boy said and looked in the corner of his eye to see someone suspicious. He turned around very casually with his closed eyes, like if he was gazing at the sky.

While turning back to Sousetsu, he spoke, "I don't feel very comfortable here..." He opened his eyes to see where they were. No wonder, he felt so awkward, they stood with their back against the one of the big guy from the. bar fight. Hideo looked quickly to the sides to see if it really was him. "Can we move to another place where i didn't have a fight?" Hideo asked kinda nervous to the Senju.

The Inuzuki glanced at his arm and spoke, "Sorry, i wasn't there to help.." to which Sousetsu gestured that it was ok. "It was my fault for going ahead without you. I seen the opportunity and acted on my own." A man seemed to tower behind the two. From Hideo's expressions it appears he knew the man and not from a friendly place. Sousetsu sighed a little and used his body flicker technique to leave for the woman in custody. She was still where he had left him and still unconscious at that. Sousetsu checked her pulse and looked for any wounds but instead, came across a scroll. Sousetsu's curiousity overcame him and glanced inside the scroll. "She's fine. More importantly, this is information on the village hidden in the leaves. This the evidence we need to prove they're guilty." Sousetsu spoke with delight.

The woman awoke and asked where she was but was responded with another blow to the neck by Sousetsu, knocking her out once again. I don't want a genjutsu user conscious or else we could be in trouble." Sousetsu exclaimed, justifying himself. Sousetsu tended to his wounds and explained to Hideo what had happened to him. The woman had stabbed him while trying to knock her out. The story went on but most notably the part with the meeting kept coming up as the topic that needed to be dealt with.

After his wounds finally stopped bleeding Sousetsu sighed with relief. "I have already thought of a plan to deal with the situation. You are the key, Hideo. You must use the transformation technique as this young woman and go to the meeting. There might be other small fry there but the main threat is this woman's partner. I will not be far and will act as support if needed to. Your goal is to confirm with these people that you are handing out information about the village hidden in the leaves. Once that's done, apprehend the other wanted shinobi when he is most vulnerable. The other guys wont linger in a fight." Sousetsu explained affirming the plan to Hideo.

He looked at Seiza and stroked the dog while waiting for a response but was met with a bark before. The dog was worried and began licking Sosuetsu's hand in which he returned with a smile and a little chuckle.

Spoiler:

190/200 chakra

Sousetsu explained everything and told Hideo that he had to use his tranformation technique to get their prey. He then had to confirm that they really are handing out information about the village. Hideo got kind of nervous, not because of the fight that might take place. He got nervous cause well he didn't knewchow the woman act. The Inuzuka didn't see her handle things with her partner, but he can't say no so he just nodded in response. "Say, how did the woman act when she was talking with her partner?" Hideo asked to get more information to make it not that suspicious.

He walked over to the now unconsious woman. The Inuzuka opened his eyes slightly to see her face. "I can open her eyes yes? To see how they look?" Since she was a genjutsu user Hideo had to know if her eyes were something special. His fingers opened the eyes of the traitor slowly, staring at them and remebering every detail of her body. The man stood up, placing his hands on eachother to perform the jutsu. "Transformation Jutsu." He would say and make him change into the chosen person. "Would this be good enough?" he said in the same voice as always.

"Now tell me how did she act and what does she sound like when talking to her friend. Was she a bit agressive or just like me, speaking with no emotions? I never met her nor heard her talking so you'll have to inform me about that so everything will go smooth. Do i maybe have to change something about the transformation? Or is it well enough to trick them?" Hideo asked for more detail of the woman so they won't fail to trick the traitor.

Hideo walked around in the form of the woman for a while getting used to it. Seiza would look at Hideo as if he was not himself, that actually is true. He was now Shizuka, the one who deserted Konoha and leaked information to other villages.

"About the plan, what if something went wrong? We sill need a plan B to be sure of succes." Hideo stated while looking at the ceiling, thinking of another plan. "Isn't the best thing just fight? Even if some small fry is involved, i mean we are with three and they would probebly too... But we are Chuunin level and they just have one Chuunin that we know of.

The male traitor also knows ninjutsu and taijutsu and his element is Katon. Mine are Fuuton and Suiton. Fuuton isn't good against Katon, though..." He tried to find his weakness and finally came up with something. "Wouldn't he be intimidated when we already have his partner as a hostage?"

Sousetsu laid his back against the tree as he was asked how the woman acted. Sousetsu wasn't really within earshot for most of the conversation between the two traitors but thought of what he did hear and went with that. "Shizuka has a very indifferent and professional personality. She does not often get worked up, though it is possible for her to become such in times of particular distress. Her partner seems to have an irritating personality that might trigger her anger when proved to be too much. She was weak, thus means she uses brains over brawn." Sosetsu explained from his analysis. Hideo then looked at the woman thoroughly, although Sousetsu was uncomfortable when Hideo looked into her eyes, but it seemed that she was still unconscious leaving her genjutsu techniques nullified.

When Hideo transformed he was near perfect and identical to the woman to the naked eye. It did seem accurate so Sousetsu nodded in agreement. He held his arm once again as the pain returned, throbbing. Hideo seemed concerned that his role was perfect which Sousetsu confirmed with another gesture of raising his thumb and smiling. "Straighten your back more when walking. She was formal." Sousetsu added to the demonstration. Hideo seemed more anxious to fight than to dress as a woman, which Sousetsu giggled a little. "This shinobi we are after will most likely be her counterpart. He will be stronger than her, that is no doubt. With my injury I cannot provide much support for you. It will be a one on one scenario--" Sousetsu was interrupted by a barking canine to which he looked at Seiza. He giggled, "Sorry. Two on one. Plan B will be revealing myself with the woman. This may cause the shinobi to erupt in anger, clouding his judgments causing him to slip up. He will still be dangerous though. It will be best to stick with plan A and take him out as quick as you can, Hideo. Sousetsu said in a more serious tone.

The time was drawing near and a figure could be seen making its way to the rendevouz point in the near distance. "Seiza, stay with me. Hideo, now is the time. I will be watching closely just play it cool and do not hesitate." Sousetsu exclaimed with caution. He waited for the outcome within the forest surrounding the area accompanied by Seiza and one of the targets.

Hideo nodded with a firm look on his face. Now was the time to act. He would wear a long cape with a hood over his face. The Inuzuka walked towards her partner. Looking him straight in the eye. "I see you are indeed on time, Kaito. You do remember the reason we both are here, i hope." Hideo said in a serious tone, like it was business. "I have information about the Village Hidden in the Leaves." Kaita nodded in response. The traitor stood pretty far away from the Inuzuka, so he asked if Kaito would come closer. "I only trust you with it."

Hideo stepped closer until they were just a metre seperated and took of his hood to let the traitor know it was his partner. He looked to the ground with closed eyes. The Inuzuka looked back up when the transformation stopped and threw the cape around Kaito to keep him from moving. Hideo also kicked him down on his knees. Since the man knew taijutsu, he couldn't do much on the ground. He also couldn't do any damage with his ninjutsu because his hands were tied to his body with the clothing.

The other shinobi grabbed kunai and shuriken to get to action, but Hideo had a kunai as well and held it up to their teammates throat. "Move any closer and he's done for." He could say before the others reached him. Everyone stopped and had anger in their eyes. None was brave enough to try something, but one was brave enough to ask where Shizuka was. Hideo nodded to a bush nearby as a gesture for them to come out and let them show where Shizuka was.

When the plan was set in motion Hideo approached the crowd in a cloak and called for the figure to come forward after some talking of the reason they were there. The enemy didn't seem to have any idea who he really was so all went well in Sousetsu's eyes. The plan was confirmed and that was the signal to start their capture mission that was up to Hideo to perform. With Kaito being lured into the bait Sousetsu had seen Hideo reveal his true self and caught him off guard, tossing his cloak around the enemy and have him on his knees before him. With the crowd withdrawing their weapons another signal was given to Sousetsu, "Let's go, Seiza!" Sousetsu announced to take action.

The dog and Chuunin appeared before everyone with the other enemy in custody. Sousetsu confronted the small militia with the ninja over his shoulder. "You did not get your information, therefore you failed. Retreat while you can. We have taken these two into custody and will be escorted to Konahagakure." Sousetsu announced. One of the militia tossed a kunai towards Sousetsu only to be blocked by his water palm blade technique. He prepared a combination of materialized water and chakra to form a blade-like weapon within his grasp, deflecting the kunai. He suddenly vanished to appear behind the man who had thrown it and placed his jutsu upon the man's throat. "I will kill you if you stand in my way again. Sousetsu said in an almost happy tone. The deranged exclamation had placed fear in the mans heart and ran for his pathetic excuse for a life. The others soon followed him.

He then approached the man that was apprehended by his comrade, Hideo. He knelt down before him and smiled slightly. With a quick motion, Sousetsu cut along vital points in one of his arms, leaving it useless until medical help was tending to it. He bandaged the areas that the trickling blood seeped from and tied his feet and arms so that he could not use his taijutsu. "Hideo. Seiza. Let's bring these two back to Konaha and hand in the mission as a success. We are done here." Sousetsu sighed with relief. He nodded to Hideo with a grin and petted Seiza one last time before grabbing the young woman and made his way back to the village hidden in the leaves. "By the way. Great job you two! I couldn't have asked for better partners." Sousetsu smiled being responded with a bark of cheer from Seiza almost instantly.

Spoiler:

180/200 Chakra

Hideo grinned when he saw the man his eyes filled with fear. "Now now, Sousetsu, you shouldn't play with their feelings..." the Inuzuka said in a very sarcastic tone and waited until the Sousetsu tied the traitors feet and hands. His partner grabbed the woman and started to walk. "Wait, i have to carry the big guy..." Hideo said sighed and grinned afterwards.

Sousetsu was telling Seiza and Hideo that he they were good partners. "Well, we can't complain about you either!" the Chuunin said with a big grin upon his face. Thei first B ranked mission was a succes and Hideo was quite proud of that. He petted Seiza and lifted the traitor on his shoulder to carry him back to Konoha.

~ End ~