Bait & Switch (Ayato, Miyamoto)

Not that Denkiteki would ever dare suggest Shina was his secretary in any way, because if he did, it would be the last thing to come out of his mouth.

However, it was an undeniable fact that he was her superior, even if he didn't act like it. An agreement made a long time ago between the two had resulted in them shelving their personal relationship at the workplace, not that it had mattered when it came down to it. In the end, Den came out a lot less than he should and so went unnoticed even when he was out with her. His absence from Hoshigakure's social scene coupled with her own prickly demeanor of not letting people into her life had ensured a pseudo secret relationship neither had truly decided upon but ended up with anyway.

Which made it easier for them to work together really, or rather made it easier for her to work in his place while he was off doing whatever top security things he did in his capacity as Kage. A smirk touched the brunette's face as she imaged Denkiteki sunbathing in Sanctuary while she covered his ass out here but the smirk left her face soon enough. If he was sunbathing and hadn't invited her, the snake sage was in big trouble.

Looking at the files of the two chunin whom she was supposed to meet with today, the fuin user found herself growing slightly. She knew both of them, though neither on a personal level - which was just how she liked things. Nothing in the files suggested they were the best pick for this mission but perhaps Den knew something she did not.

At any rate, it was neither her place nor her prerogative to question the Kage, she had orders and the orders were to simply convey a message. Messengers had been sent out to both chunin asking them to appear at the university so all Shina really had to do was wait until they arrived. Making herself comfortable in the Kage's chair, the brunette flashed a smile towards the window, barely catching her reflection in the glass.

The seat of power suited her, she decided. If only it didn't come with the fuckload of trouble it did.

Summoned to the Unseen University...that was different for a mission request. Miyamoto made sure to dress in his best cleaned uniform, checking to see that everything was in place. His missions and life since he became a Chuunin have grown exponentially. As soon as he was happy with how he appeared he began the trek to the University, holding his mission documents in a pouch for safekeeping. Along the way he noticed that the usual hustle and bustle of the market was considerably lower. He picked up a few things here and there, feeding a couple of needy children along the way. He eventually made it to the Unseen University gate where two queensguard were keeping watch. As he approached, one held a hand up as the other instinctively had a hand on his weapon.

“Why are you here child, this is no place to play games…” The guard asked as he walked to Miyamoto.

“I am here on official business of the shinobi of Hoshigakure.” Miyamoto quickly stated before handing the guard the document.

After a quick read, the guard led Miyamoto through the gate to another guard already waiting. They quickly ushered him inside and up a few flights of stairs to the door of an office that had the symbol of the village engraved boldly on the door. Miyamoto assumed this is where the Kage did business, he took off his hat once inside and removed his cloak. The guard looked at Miyamoto’s weapons as Miyamoto was about to walk in, he quickly thought about the well being and safety issues that most people of public office held. He disarmed himself as the guard did not say a word. After handing over his weapons he walked into the office to see a young woman behind the desk rather than the Kage that he knew of. He showed no signs of shock as walked to one of the chairs and saluted the woman. He waited for further instruction before doing anything.

“I am Miyamoto Terumi, Chuunin and loyal servant of the village. I am at your mercy.” He said quickly, with a polite bow.

Today he had made himself presentable to the best of his abilities. The combat attire of black woolen breeches and gray flak jacket, that he was so fond of had been left at home. On its place, he wore long-sleeve elaborate robes as black as the night sky. The robes were tied with a purple linen sash around his thin and free of muscle fat waist. Over them, he wore a white sleeveless surcoat reacting to his ankles.
 
The invitation appeared innocent enough at first glance, but still, he was more than a bit surprised when the letter had mentioned that he was summoned by request of the Kage himself. Truth be told he had never come to know Denkiteki Hayato in person.

On one hand, Ayato never felt the need to seek to attach himself to higher ups to win their favor. Flattery and easy courtesies were not his way of doing things. Whatever he had managed to achieve was through his effort alone. On the other, Denkiteki Hayato gave the impression of taking care of things from the background, doing the sort of work that eyes of the many would never gaze upon. And still, they would be safe, because of these unknown and unacknowledged deeds.

The guards by the entrance simpled nodded to him, a moment before they stood as still as stone by either side of the door. Their arms moved, almost in unison, pushing the door open. The image of a brunette woman sitting in an elaborate chair at the end of the chambers came into view. Not Denkiteki Hayato as he had expected. Shima Ayato immediately recognized...they had met, he and the female Jounin once before, they had not spoken to each however and the meeting was not for very long. 

Does she remember? Unlikely. Ayato had never introduced himself formally to her. Additionally, he had also grown a good three inches in height since then, now standing close to six feet tall. His hair had grown longer as well falling past his shoulders in thin black locks. Combined with his sprout in height, it made him appear older than he actually was. His face was the same though, Ayato had been born plain of face and sharp of features. Was it enough? Shima would remember a scoundrel dressed in dusty combat attire, not a long-haired youth wearing an elaborate eastern attire smelling of lavender.

The lost in thought Hyuuga nearly didn't see Miyamoto Terumi standing at the foot of the room. Ayato did not avert his eyes from the brunette woman as he padded across the floor, his steps echoing softly in the empty and spacious room. When he reached where Miyamoto stood, Ayato gave his teammate a courteous nod before turning to address Shima."Ayato Hyuuga, Chuunin of Hoshigakure." The taijutsu user proclaimed and gave a bow of respect to his superior officer.

"You've sent for me, Lady Shima." Ayato stated immediately after, with the cold and distant courtesy that defined him. 

WC: 470

Shina groaned internally, already sure this was going to be a formal event. The song and dance and bloody ceremony this country was so afflicted with. When the child chunin showed up, he would find Shina in her standard issue shirt and trousers, shinobi sandles and a jounin vest that, upon closer inspection, would be perhaps a bit big on her. It wasn't her fault Den couldn't separate the laundry, the brunette paid him back by wearing all his shirts and jackets before sullying her own. Anything that put off laundry for longer right?

"Mercy, I don't think I'm familiar with the concept," she grinned wickedly for a moment before speaking out. "Relax kid, you aren't meeting Den today. I'm afraid its just me." Just as she'd finished speaking, another dolled up shinobi arrived, rivaling the dressage of the now thankfully gone Princess Tehniyat. Shina somehow managed to keep a straight face as he stiffly nodded to the kid before turning to her. A better shinobi would have corrected him when he got her name wrong.

Shina was not a better shinobi.

"Nice to see you too, Atato," she grinned before turning to business. "Glad you could both make it. You won't be seeing the Hogokage today unfortunately but it was he who recommended the both of you based on your mission records and general services to the city. Atato seems to be held in high regard at the palace while the Hogokage found Miyamoto's reports of his last chunin mission particularly enlightening." Realizing that she hadn't offered the boys a seat, the brunette briefly considered making them stand throughout the whole meeting but then decided that would be too cruel even for her. Ripping off a shinobi's limb was nicer them making them stand for an extended period of them when there were empty chairs within reaching distance.

"Please sit down, by the way. This isn't the palace so take a load off. I promise not to report you."

Miyamoto saw that Ayato had joined them in the room finally as he was returned a salute from the woman behind the desk of the Kage. He had to admit, her choice of clothing for such a formal thing as handing out missions was a bit off but he paid no real attention to it. Her comment on having no mercy and the unmistakable smile afterwards made Miyamoto twitch slightly. He shrugged it off as he stood up as Shina seemed to look towards Ayato’s direction. Ayato however seemed to know this woman so it was a bit curious. Within a few seconds of silence it seemed that the greetings were over as the woman told them both that they could take a seat. Miyamoto took a seat, still sitting at attention he looked around the room as it seemed to be in immaculate condition. He remained quiet as he was here to listen to Shina for his mission, his job did not require him to be outspoken.

Once both boys were seated - the mischievous glint in Shina's eyes growing as Ayato bristled visibly at the realization of his mistake - the jounin began. Pulling out another folder from underneath the desk, she laid it open to a picture of the blonde prince decked out in full ceremonial garb. A regal hand waved to the adoring public as his blue eyes gazed upon the city of Hoshi from the palace balcony.

"No prizes for guessing who this is," she spoke, the disdain for royalty clear in her tone. "Prince Arthur Pendragon, originally from Suna and related to our own royalty by marriage, or at least it would have been marriage had Princess Lissandra lived. Quite unfortunate really two fiances and an Aunt dead and now he's missing."

The brunette would push the file forwards, knowing it would have all the details the boys would need, including the prince's last known location, maps used by search parties to locate him thus far and any information they had on the Jaws of Grima organization which currently occupied a large enough portion of the shadowlands to be worrisome.

"Simply put, we need to find him, and fast. The Hogokage has had scouts out in Shadow country, and has looked himself but so far, we've come up short. The prince is our diplomatic envoy to Suna so if we don't find him or his body, our relation with the Sand is screwed worse than a camp follower in heat. " Perhaps she shouldn't have used such language in front of at least one ninja who was a child but hey, maybe he wouldn't understand it.

As he and Ayto took their seats Miyamoto leaned in as Shina then explained why they were called to the offices of the Kage for.  Pulling a file out and showing them a picture of one Prince Arthur Pendragon.  The sarcastic remark of no prizes will be given if they guess who it was made Miyamoto shut his mouth almost instinctively as She went on to explain the history behind the prince and how he was now missing.  Miyamoto was about to stand up and walk out, he was summoned to the office of the Kage and he was being given a history lesson he cared not for.  A quick glance to Ayato showed that he also had some frustration inside of him so he leaned back into the seat and kept listening...for now.

When Shina finally spilled the beans about the whereabouts of the prince’s last known location along with maps with markings already indicated on them Miyamoto leaned in and looked over the documents as well.  The Jaws of Grimma, The Shadowlands, and the fact that he was an envoy to Sunagakure made Miyamoto grit his teeth. The final remark about a camp follower in heat did not totally escape his grasp of meaning as he looked up to Shina and with a lengthy sigh he would look over to Ayato then back to Shina.

“So our mission is to simply find the prince and bring him back if alive.  If he is dead we need proof and bring that back. Kill whatever bad guys there are that are either holding him or have killed him...Is there any sort of time frame we need this completed by...this kind of mission seems like black ops work.. I know I can keep the lid on this type of thing, but how much of this information is public knowledge?”  Miyamoto said referring to the fact that they have never been summoned for an off the record mission like their sensei Kyousuke had apparently just come back from.

He waited for his partner to speak up as he leaned back in the chair looking over a few of the documents.


WC:350

Ayato shifted himself uncomfortably in his seat, his long black shadow falling upon the picture of a blond haired male the wench had laid out on her desk for the same to see. Truth be told he was more surprised than worried to hear that a Prince was missing. And not it wasn’t because this City have more of those than Ayato had hairs on his chests, but rather he wondered what sort of madness could have a led a prince of Hoshi - by marriage or not - to gallivanting into a land full of bandits, monsters of the night and worse.
 
Perhaps this Arthur Pendragon may have fancied himself a great warrior with no peer. He was from Sunagakure after all. Why it was then that shithole buried in the sand no sending help, and it was only Hoshigakure. It seemed that the end game of this mission was to push this whole ordeal under the rug - in a subtle manner before word got out and diplomatic relations fell apart. Something felt off. After all pride or not, more scouting parties and from both borders of the Shadow Country would be twice as effective. Peculiar. But loyalty is the foundation Hidden Villages are upon, not once Ayato had disobeyed an order - and even though he had his doubts this would be a bad time to start.
 
Ayato drummed his fingers on the wooden arm of his chair and went to examine the files. When he was done, he knew from where to start. “I don't mean this as a brag, but we have completed a good number of missions, myself and Miyamoto. Without making a mummer’s farce out of any of them. ” Ayato made sure not to leave this part out. Even though his record spoke for itself,  the overall performance, the effort he put during those times - sometimes it was more important than the completion of the mission itself.

Especially in this case, where their efforts could be for nothing. Perhaps it was too late and the target might have been dead already, rotting in a ditch with a kunai through his eye socket. The odds for this were higher than the prince camping out in the woods, whistling as he fed the fire of his camp with fresh wood. Of course, Shina must have known all of this already, and sometimes what was left unsaid was better understood. Instead, Ayato went at this in a roundabout way. "The target's current status remains undetermined, yet it is safe to make the assumption that Arthur Pendragon is not held a prisoner. When a person from the top of the pile is captured alive he can be ransomed back for a good amount of gold or Ryo. However, in the amount of time that has passed since he has been missing, the village had received no such demands." Ayato finished calmly and considered what to say next.

Status of the target aside, from the reports of the scouting parties as well as his last known location, it was clear that he was nowhere near the border. And this indicated that they had to go deeper into that wasteland, where a confrontation with the Jaws of Grimma would be inevitable. Perhaps he should have said this aloud, but he preferred to not state the obvious and cut to the chase.

"The Jaws of Grimma will be no problem, I assure you. A group specializing in guerrilla tactics may appear ferocious against knights, but prepared shinobi with combat experience would cut through them like an axe through porridge." Some had deemed those brigands demons in human skin, but Ayato knew better. He had fought them after all - they were just men, dressed in deerskin rugs. People were quick to call otherworldly or magical what they did not understand but everything could be explained with chakra.

The Chuunin straightened his back. "Say the word, Lady Shina and we are your men." Ayato said, adding ice in his voice. We are going to find him - he might have added, but then the temptation to add dead or alive would be too strong to withhold.

WC: 678

"Correct," Shina confirmed Miyamoto's first statement about either locating the lost prince or his body. He was almost correct with his second statement too. This would have been Black ops work if they had proper Black Ops or the Prince himself was a discrete enough personality. "As for this being public knowledge, I'm afraid Prince Arthur was - is maybe - a bit of a jackass. He rather preferred riding around town with his sword out, returning covered in bandit blood and bellowing victory chants. I must say i was only unfortunate enough to see it once but for some reason, he had many fans. And he put on a show for them. He called it "giving heart", more like giving people gas."

The brunette was no fan of royalty and lately she had stopped caring who knew it. It was made clear to her that she would never be promoted to a Queensguard herself, so why bother. Shina had a job to do and it didn't require licking the dainty feet of people too far gone to realize how pointless they were. There had been improvements, at least the new Regent was a ninja who didn't shudder at getting her hands dirty but one Queen did not a country's royalty and nobility make.

When Ayato spoke of his heroics, the jounin merely hardened her chocolate gaze. Would you like a round of applause, her steely expression seemed to say before it morphed into a more matter of fact one, answering his questions. "The Hogokage believes that even if Prince Arthur is held captive, it might not be for ransom but the pleasure of killing him slowly. He made a rather idiotic move challenging them one on one publicly and if I know anything of these ninja -" and she did a fair bit, having practically been raised by them." They're petty fucks and unintelligent to boot. Even the prospect of a large ransom could not surpass the need for physical vengeance."

That being said, the boy may well be right and the prince may not be a hostage. he may also be long dead. When both Chunin seemed to have agreed that they would be ready to go when given the signal, the stood from her chair. "How fast can you pack?" she asked, a hint of humor in her voice. If a shinobi wasn't read to leave the country at a moment's notice, then he or she had no business in this line of work. "Don't pack sunscreen, I heard the blood of Grima makes for excellent skin protection."

With the signal given, she would motion for them to keep the file and let them know they were dismissed.

(Exit Shina)