It was a middle of the day and the sun was insane making Akai‘s head go dizzy. She entered Hokage‘s office and felt a little bit relieved as the air conditioning was on there. She was standing in front of the desk and waiting to hear what the problem was. Despite the hotness outside, Akai was eager to start a new mission, her eyes burned in windy fire. Then the Hokage started:

“Welcome, welcome! Well, I see you‘ve been doing well with your duties by now, but are you ready for your first REAL mission?“Hokage asked by curving a smile onto the lips. Akai felt a bit confused, she has done some missions before, weren‘t those a real mission? She just tried not to show her confusion as hard as she could and tramped with her foot.

“I am ready! Bring it on!!“ When Akai was being loud, Hokage just rolled the eyes thinking maybe it is too early to give a mission like that to a little crazy brat like Akai. Well, Hokage decided to give it a shot though.

“The problem is, that the rate of robbery and burglary has increased in our village, in one store in particular. The shopkeeper of a weapon store, Lady Chiyo, has contacted us due to a recent string of break-ins and burglaries. Because she is a lady and a business woman, she cannot defend herself or her shop, however, the sheer massiveness of the store's stock makes it a popular target for many different burglars. So, I appoint this mission to you, because I couldn‘t find anyone more comforting for Lady Chiyo than another nice girl like you. Now, go and get that burglar and we will think how to scare the crap out of him later.“ That‘s what Akai liked the most about Hokage, that no matter what the situacion, there will always be a smile on the face, a little joke and, what matters the most, believing in shinobi of the village. Akai just nodded her head and headed out of Hokage‘s office.

Akai stopped by her home for a minute to take some clothes and something to eat as she doesn‘t know how long the mission would last. She won‘t be able to go home whenever she wish though. After doing so, she moved into market district and found the weapon shop. Boy, that shop was huge compared to others. When Akai entered it, she was stunned, never seen so much weapons before, there were some kinds she didn‘t even know what they‘re for. Then she noticed a small lady standing by the stall, she seemed so little and fragile and when she greeted Akai, her voice resembled that one of a child. Sure thing, she couln‘t defend herself well. Akai started with her usual introduction.

“Good day, Lady Chiyo, my names is Akai Hyuuga, the daughter of Horu Hyuuga, I‘ve been sent by Hokage to help you defend the store and catch a burglar!“ Akai bowed while speaking. “So, from where do we start?“

Lady Chiyo was packing a huge sword-kind of weapon at that time, she made a quick glare at Akai while doing her job. Akai was standing there confused, waiting for Lady Chiyo to give orders. The lady sighed.

“Eh...Are there no men left in the village? Why Hokage is sending me a GIRL? How you gonna deal with an ugly muscular man yourself? I should probably give you some cleaning to do and send you home..“

Hearing that Akai was getting furious, she was gesticulating her hands, waving her fist with a huge weapon in it she was examining earlier. That gave some creeps to Lady Chiyo, who was backing down for a bit.

“Allright, allright..i‘m taking back what I have said..the burglar is your, you can have it... She sounded a little scared, but then got a grip of herself and explained the situation. “You should change the outfit first, you have to hide yourself somehow, because I tried to catch the burglar myself, but he just would run away when when saw me. He actually comes when he thinks no one is here.“ Well, the point was quite taken, Akai was already at the back of the shop, trying to figure out her new invisible outfit.  The clothes Akai brought from home were not suitable, because they were bright and colourful.  That was not a problem, she found some bandages in the shop, thus, wrapped herself in those leaving only her eyes showing. Those were a bit constraining her moves though.

“Well, how do I look?“

“You look awful.. Lady Chiyo was laughing at Akai‘s idea. “Oh well, but let  us hope that little trick will do he job.“

The time was flying fast, almost the night had come, Lady Chiyo was already leaving locking the store with Akai in it. Akai hide herself behind a huge sword-like weapon and waited. Birds, cats and insects outside were the only things she heard. No signs of breaking in and taking things. Despite the urgent need of sleep, sshe was staying up all night. No one showed up though. Only in the early morning Akai heard something, more like the doors opening. She jumped out of her hiding place and started shouting:

“Surrender yourself, you low scumbag! Under the orders of Hokage, you won‘t be stealing stuff anymore and will be punished!“Akai was screaming like crazy until she saw Lady Chiyo standing next to the door and holding a key, all shaking and scared. “Eh?! Is this you?! What are you doing here so early?!!“ Lady Chiyo got angry and pointed her index finger to a little wooden table hanging on the wall.

“Are you stupid or something?! Do you notice things sometimes?! The time table says that the shop opens 8 in the morning, NOW IS 8 IN THE MORNING!!!“ Then lady went to her stall and started preparing weapons for customers mumbing under her nose. “What‘s up with those shinobi lately, do they even go to some trainings and learning? Seems like they just come out of nowhere without no skills.."Hearing that Akai felt ashamed and dissapointed with herself, she owed an apology.

“Please forgive me Lady Chiyo, I‘m always such a mess, but in the end everything turns out to be allright. I promise it will work this time as well.“ Saying this, Akai moved to her corner and waited until the day of work ended. Lady Chiyo went home again, leaving the girl protecting the shop. Akai was staying on alarm, but again, only the noise of cats, birds and insects. The half of the night had passed.

Suddenly, about 3 o‘clock Akai heard something strange. Sure thing someone was trying to sneak in the shop by scratching the window. As soon as she heard this, Akai turned her Byakugan on, to see if that really was a person or not. Her presumption turned out to be truth. The man was really getting in through the window. When he did, he looked around and, hadn‘t noticed anyone here, started taking weapons. Akai jumped out of her hiding place prepared to attack him. However some shuurikend were aiming at her at that moment as the burglar was so eager to escape.  Although Akai was faster, she dodged the shuurikens and shouted.

"Kanashibari no Jutsu!!" The burglar suddenly couldn‘t move and his eyes were filled with fear. Akai came closer and quickly took the burglar. She found the rope at the back of the store and tidied him tightly that he couldn‘t move. Akai sat near him and giving him some lessons how it is not good to steal waited till morning comes. When it did, Lady Chiyo came again, she was quite surprised, that the girl caught the burglar after all.

“Well, I shouln‘t judge the book from it‘s cover anymore.“ She just said, but Akai took that as a compliment and carrying the burglar on her back headed out to inform the Hokage.

Jutsu used

Spoiler:

W.C 1368/1000