The Escort Mission (HB, Suzaku)

Haruka walked out of the kazekage's office and started making her way over to the gates leading out of the town, she had received a mission and had been allowed to pick what available genin she wanted to assist her, with her as the team leader. She had picked her three genin for the job, who would be summoned to the Kazekage's office before being ordered to meet with Haruka at the gates. The three genin she had picked was her rival Yanagi, her music loving friend Sho and Sabaku, one of the other promising new genin, he was kind of a loner but he was skilled.

As Haruka waited for the man he was escorting and her team-mates to arrive, she decided to pass the time by practising her hand to hand skills, punching and kicking the air. After a few minutes, she realized that someone was approaching and turned to look at them, identifying him as Sabaku Oh, you're here? Great. Are you ready for the mission? Sabaku didn't say anything for a few second, then when he did speak it was rather underwhelming Yes Haruka sighed and leaned against the wall, waiting for the others to get here.

A strange tune suddenly floats through the air.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6fbiFzmmlT0

"Yohohohoho, we got a mission, huh Desert Rose?" A mescheif filled voice pipes up from above Haru.Leaning down so he's visible, Sho grins, waving at the other guy."Yo, you!! Sabaku, right?" With a slight bring, he jumps, landing carefully and resumes his music.

Yanagi soon came running down the path. Wait, running wasn't entirely accurate...so she was jogging? She came jogging down the path towards them, waving her hand over her head. She smiled. "Hey, guys! Sorry I was almost late!" She came to a stop when she got near, stretching a bit. "So what's on the agenda?"

She looked around with a cheerful smile at those gathered, and noticed a person she hadn't seemed before. She got a little embarrassed, and brushed her foot on the ground slightly as she offered a slight wave of greeting.

Haruka waited in silence for either her team-mates or their escort to arrive, Sabaku was just fine with retaining the awkward silence, not wanting to say anything. But thankfully, the sound of music from a familiar-sounding instrument broke the silence, Haruka smiled widely when she saw him and hugged him when he came down Hey Sho, thanks for coming! Sabaku just completely ignored him.

Then, not so long after, Yanagi came jogging over, Haruka grinned at the sight of her close friend and rival It's no problem, you're still not the last one we're waiting for. Haruka noticed the way she seemed kind of shy around Sabaku, Haruka thought it was kind of cute but didn't say anything.

Haruka was asked by Yanagi what was on the agenda, to which Haruka smiled, as petty as it was it made her feel good to be in charge Our mission is to escort an important official. He's not from the Land of Wind, so he'd not used to surviving in the desert. We're to protect him from any bandits or animals that may come after him until we reach the exchange point in the Land of fire, where Leaf village ninja will take over. Any questions?

Sho grins as Haru hugs him, and winks."Oh my.....You've gotten forward...But not in public, please." Laughing, he gives her a friendly hug back. Looking up as Yanagi appears, the boy grins."Ello, beautiful Desert Breeze.How're you?" Noticing the shyness, hesmiles. D'aaaaawww,adorable.Hearing the mission, Sho blinks."He?" The young ninja staggers back dramatically, clutching his chest."No!!!My dreams of being considered a mighty defender by a beautiful outsider, ruined!!!!The misery!!!!!" He rears his head back, shaking both fists at the sky.All in all, a hilarious sight.

Yanagi smiled gently at Haruka as she said that Yanagi wasn't even the last one they were waiting for. Haruka then told her that their mission was to be an escort for an official, because he wasn't from around the Land of Wind, so they needed to help him survive getting through the desert, and bandits, and animals...and they were headed to the Land of Fire?! Yanagi beamed a little.

"No, it seems pretty straightforward, Haruka. I'll try my best!" She adjusted the bandages around her hands and fingers, and then looked at Sho after he called her a Desert Breeze. She blinked, tilting her head, but attempted a smile. "Hello, Sho. It's a nice day today." She looked back around at everyone, smiling. "You know, the Hokage was actually here in the village a few weeks ago...I think he likes Lady Gin," she said with a soft giggle.

Haruka rolled her eyes at his words before hugging her back, but she was used to it, which was saying something considering she hadn't even known him like a month ago. Then, while she was explaining the mission, Sho had a very strong reaction to the fact that their escort was a man, and that his dream of being the brave defender of a pretty foreigner was ruined Hahaha. Don't worry Sho, if this mission goes well it will open up the route for more of it's kind. Your dream isn't over yet.

Yanagi then said that the hokage visited Lady Gin, and that he might like Lady Gin, Haruka was straight-faced for a second, but then she dropped the facade and giggled childishly like Yanagi Really? Hahaha, no way! Subaku had been staring at Haruka during these two actions, Haruka herself was paying him no attention so she didn't notice, but maybe one of the others noticed how he was glaring daggers at him.

At this point, Sho had fallen onto the grown and was writhing like he'd been poisoned.However, at Haru's words he suddenly pops back up, as if springs had been hidden in the pockets on his backside, and clenches his fist with such intensity tgat his eyes seem to become fire."My dream, resurrected!!! I can imagine it now....A bandit closes in on the delicate flower, but I blow him away!!She is so overjoyed that she swoons onto me..."Here he 'swoons'(aka flops inelegantly)onto Haru's shoulder,"And shell hold me close, before looking up at me and saying,'Sho, you are brave and strong....please, stay by my side!!!' It wasn't exactly clear weither he was serious, or just messing with them.... More then likely, it was both, with a healthy helping of the second. At Hana's news he blinks, then grins mischeviously."Oh? I suppose someone should let her know...."More like tease her.Seeing the glare, Sho nattows his eyes.

Yanagi giggled lightly as Haruka exclaimed in reaction to her telling them that the Hokage liked their Kazekage, and continued to have a bit of a laugh when Sho started acting dramatically once more. He went on about his fantasy of meeting a beautiful woman that was in need of his assistance. Then he talked about letting her know. Yanagi giggled again.

"No, silly! I only noticed because I'm pretty sure he was flirting with her. Besides, even if she didn't catch on, she should get a chance to figure it out herself." Yanagi smiled.

Haruka just laughed at Sho's strong reaction to her response, supporting him when he flopped onto her shoulder, she wiped a tear from her eye Maybe I'll be the girl. Assuming of course that you wouldn't fall over trying to support me, short stuff she patted his head, laughing some more. He then suggested telling her about it, which for Sho would mean teasing her about it, but Yanagi said that he shouldn't. She also said that her guessing it was because he was flirting with her, but she should find out for herself, Haruka shrugged Yeah, you're right... she still giggled slightly though.

Sabaku cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, then addressed Haruka Permission to speak freely? Haruka nodded There's no need to ask, we're all friends here. Sabaku thought about what he wanted to say for a second, then spoke That's the problem. You're a Chunin, despite being the same age as me and that girl, so I expected you to be quite mature despite your age. But you're not trying to assert your authority over any of us, despite the fact that you outrank us, you're treating us like equals. Plus, except for me, it seems you've just invited your friends over, rather than choosing people who are qualified. Frankly, from my perspective, it doesn't seem like you're worthy to be a squad leader. He left it at that.

Sho clutches his chest."You be the girl? Be still my heart!...Hey, I'm not that short!!"Told he shouldn't the genin sticks his tongue out at the girls, waggling it like a annoyed lizard."Spoilsports...." Then the guy speaks. Snorting, Sho tunes his shamisen."Oh, I wouldn't say we're unqualified, friend.These two ladies are quite the taijutsu practioners, and I have my own talents.As for her treating us? A real leader doesn't choke and push, but guides, helping those under them. Look at our Kage.Do you see her screaming for anyone's head?Yet, we're thriving. Authority don't come from fear, or pure obediance,but respect.But, hey, sincerely? Thanks for having the guts to stand up."

Yanagi blinked and looked at Sabaku, the silent guy who hadn't said anything until now. He started calling Haruka out on the way she was carrying herself as the team leader, and said that he didn't think she chose qualified people for the team, or that she was qualified to be team leader at all. Yanagi froze, her temper rising. She was surprised she was this angry, but rival or not, Haruka was her friend. She restrained herself from smacking Sabaku through a few trees, and glared at him. It would suddenly be a lot hotter.

"Sho's right. How dare you question her leadership skills just because she's nice to us? A leader doesn't crack a whip at people to have them get things done. A leader works hard with their team to get the best result. I know it might be unprofessional, but you're a hundred years too early to try and tell Haruka and I anything about a pecking order."

She had an upset expression on her face. It might have looked a little cute, but she was clearly pissed off.

Sho challenged Sabaku, saying that he and Yanagi were in fact very talented and that real leaders help the people they are leading, rather than just pushing them around. Although he was challenging him, Sho didn't have any anger towards Sabaku, much unlike Yanagi. Yanagi seemed very angry at the disrespect towards her rival, saying that a leader didn't need to talk down to her team to be a leader and then saying that he wasn't good enough to talk to them about pecking order.

Sabaku just observed how passionately she defended Haruka, she obviously had quite a lot of respect for their leader I'm just telling you how I feel. Maybe She'll prove me wrong. Although I think I am right in saying that her choice of team-mates is poor, seeing how she chose someone who is so obviously not able to control her emotions. At this point Haruka had to step in Enough. Apologize to Yanagi. Sabaku blinked, then sighed Sorry, Yanagi. While all this was happening, their escort had actually arrived, but they didn't want to interrupt the drama so they just stood there awkwardly.

Sho raises a brow at Haru getting a little upset. Woah...fiery... Almost literally so, infact...The musician waggles his shirt, huffing slightly, but grinning. She may be much angry at the moment, but it was still cute seeing the girl all worked up. At Saba's last comment he narrows his eyes."OK, guys, let's just chill, eh?" Then their team leader steps in. Sighing as the questioning ninja apologizes, Sho sees their escort, waving with a grin.

Yanagi glared at Sabaku as he tried defending himself, and said that he was only more validated since Yanagi wasn't handling her emotions very well. She suddenly got very quiet. That might have been for the better, though, as Haruka asked Sabaku to apologize to her. He did, though he obviously didn't mean it. She noticed their escort had arrived, and looked to Haruka.

"...I'm sorry, too. But disrespecting someone like that just because you think you're smart enough to see an entire person from a glimpse is ridiculous." She looked to the escort, and mustered up her kindness again. "Ohaiyo, escort-san. How are you doing?"

Haruka nodded, showing that she understood how frustrated Yanagi was, but then she too noticed the escort and quickly turned around to face him. He was an older man who stood at around Sho's height with a very slim frame. Haruka could definitely see why he would rather pay for shinobi to guard him rather than go on his own We're very sorry for ignoring you. Are you ready to go? the escort nodded Yes, thank you... he hesitated for a few seconds, trying to remember her name, since he had been informed of the names of his bodyguards, including the team leader ...Haruma Haruka blinked, pretending not to be bothered by it.

Sho pats Yana on the shoulder. No point getting worked up too much over guys like this....Grinning as the old man greets their esteemed leader, Sho makes a elaborate bow."Ey there, Sir. I'm Sho, master entertainer and foolsmasher. I'll be one of your bodyguards today!!!"

Yanagi smiled politely to their escort, bowing slightly in greeting when he introduced himself. Haruka apologized for ignoring him because of the whole incident with Sabaku, and Sho introduced himself. She was back to her regular, shy kind of approach, but made sure to speak clearly.

"Hello. I'm Yanagi. Pleased to meet you." She tightened the bandages on her arms, ready to leave now.

Sabaku gave the escort a polite bow My name is Sabaku. The escort nodded, regarding the three who introduced themselves Sho, Yanagi, Sabaku. I know who you are, I read your reports. Although, I think they got your names wrong on the report this was not true, he just remembered the names wrong They got your name right though, Haruma. Haruka sighed, the "Haruma" jokes weren't gonna stop any time soon Actually sir, my name is Haruka

The escort thought about it for a second, realising his mistake Oh, sorry about that. Then Haruka would look around Alright, is everyone ready? Let's go, it'll take a week, so the sooner we start the better. Normally it would take the shinobi 3 days, but since they had to travel at the escorts pace it would take them way longer. Haruka lead the group to the Camel and helped the escort onto it's saddle, starting to take off.

Sho smirks slightly at the name messup. Oooooh, teasing material:acquired."Ayeaye, milady Haruma!!!" Following along, he strums on his shamisen, humming along, before singing so badly it had to be on purpose."Oh, the sand blows, the wind hisses, its too hot, I miss my missuuuuuuusss!! Yowling like a hungry cat, I complain, give me some fooooooood!"

Yanagi's smile was struggling as she listened to Sho's singing, and after a while it finally cracked down her resistance. She smiled over to Sho, though it was slightly twitching in her effort to sustain it. "Sho, maybe you should let one of us sing? If we know the lyrics we might be happy to sing along," she said, casting a glance over to Haruka. She was trying to grant them some mercy, but if Haruka thought that was a worse idea to have them sing, then she didn't want to entrap her into it.

Haruka shot Sho a dirty look as he capitalised on his new teasing material, drawing a line across her neck with her finger, he'd probably get the message. As they walked through the desert, Sho started singing badly on purpose, Haruka grimaced and was just about to make him stop when Yanagi suggested that someone else sang while he played. Haruka nodded to her thankfully Alright, sure, sounds fun. Either of you two in? Sabaku just gave her a look, like he'd rather bury himself in the sand, their escort on the other hand just smiled That sounds delightful, could you start us off, Sho?

Sho gulps, rubbing his own neck,at the look. Note to self...tease her when she's in a better mood...Laughing at the reactions to his singing, the mescheivous musician nods at the escorts request."Sure."Picking a old sand village song, he sings the intro to get his playing on track, this time singing for real."Look...see how the sand flows, and how the sun paints our home...hmmhmmhmm....." Music pours out from the instrument, cheery and strong.

Yanagi smiled brightly when Haruka agreed to sing so that Sho wouldn't have to. When Sho started off one of the old village songs, she started singing when he trailed off, a little apprehensive about the appeal of her voice for singing, but trying her best at it anyways. She was at least fairly sure that she was singing better than Sho, anyways.