To Have a Mother [Hiatus]

Episode Ten: Stick to the Plan

Later that day, the squads arrived at a restaurant in Tanzaku Quarters to discuss the mission with their client, whom they were told was a noble of the land. Their destination was a hole-in-the-wall ramen shop in the corner of town. With spider webs woven on the ceiling and the smell of cheap ramen in the air, it was the last place the group would have imagined a noble would be.

"So, where is this guy, huh?" Naruto asked. "I don't see any fancy robes or jewels in here!"

"Yes," Shino scanned the room. "There's no one but commoners and a few guards. I see no one of nobility here."

"Good question..." Kakashi replied, just nearly as perplexed.

"Maybe we're supposed to meet a guard?" Naruto suggested. "Rich people make other people do their work, right?"

"Yeah, but it's his own son we're talking about." Kiba rolled his eyes. "Why would someone not come personally if their child was kidnapped?"

"Seriously Naruto, who wouldn't care about their family?" Sakura added.

"You'd be surprised." Sasuke mumbled beneath his breath.

Just then, one of the guards stood up. He was an older man in the red jōnin guard's wear with the crest of a lion, belonging to the noble family he serves. He smiled warmly at the groups' jōnin, yet a glint of worry lingered in his green eyes and he waved to them.

"Leaf ninja!" he exclaimed. "We have been awaiting your arrival!"

"We were supposed to meet the guards of the Lord?" Shino asked.

"That's what I just said!" Naruto replied, annoyed.

"It makes sense." Sasuke folded his arms. "Noblemen and their priorities."

"Hey!" the blond whined, "Stop ignoring me!"

And yet, despite the boy's pleas for recognition, everyone seemed to disregard and leave him behind as they met the three guards at their table. Naruto huffed, eventually following them.

The guard bowed in greeting before sitting down and speaking with urgency. "My name is Akane, and I am the leader of this squad. I serve under the Hiroshima family, who's heir has been kidnapped." He showed the ninja a picture of a little boy with dirty blond hair and honey brown eyes, falling around what seemed like six years old. "Eijirou Hiroshima disappeared in the night two days ago. There was no sign of struggle in the child's bedroom, and no noise was heard by any of the household members, guards, or other servants throughout the night."

"Maybe, he kidnapped himself." Naruto shrugged, slouching back on his chair.

"Yes, of course, Naruto." Sakura face palmed herself. "An innocent child planned a whole elaborate scheme to kidnap himself for kicks."

"Hey, you never know, Sakura!" Naruto retorted, "If I was the heir to some stuffy lord who'd send a few guards instead of showing up in person when I'm missing, I'd run away, too!"