Embracing the Darkness

Chapter 1

"Because stars are dead and so are my dreams."—Uchiha Nobara, Definitely a Sadist by @Naburi

Embracing the Darkness

Father has entrusted us with a mission to Konoha, and with the way Tayuya is glaring already, I can tell that we're already messing up.  I hold back a sigh as continues, clicking her tongue in annoyance as she would have always done to anyone or anything that annoys her.

Toujou, on the other hand, fidgets as he slightly tilts up his head to glance at the kunai lodged on the tree just above his head.

"We don't tolerate uninvited guests here.  Now identify yourselves!" the man demands.

There are two of them, both wearing the Leaf hitai-ate. Guards.  But that's no surprise since this is Konoha's entrance gate and the fact that we are strangers.  But what's unusual is that we're called uninvited, when in fact we are not.

Toujou turns to explain.  Typical of him to keep things neutral.  "Er, um, well, my name is Toujou and—"

Tayuya shoves him back, flipping out her pass.  And typical of her to cut things short and quick.   "We're here for the exams. And what do you know? Konoha ninjas are pretty damn rude!"

Toujou clears his throat, blocking his teammate's sarcasm.  "...And this is Tayuya, my teammate.   Please excuse her.  As you know, we're here for the exams.  We're from the Rock Country."

One of the guards eyes us.  "And her?"

I pull on Tayuya's shirt when she suddenly perks at what they referred me to.  Knowing her over the years under Orochimaru's Hideout, I know well enough what she's about to do.

"Yūki."  I give them a close-eyed smile, ignoring the taunting want to correct my gender.

"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you."  He scratches the back of his head then and returns my smile.  "Sorry about this.  We've been attacked by numerous rogue-nins lately, so we didn't want to take chances.  I hope you understand."

"Don't worry."  I give them another smile.  Toujou does the same and nods.

"Well, you may enter then.  And head to the Hokage's building to apply for the Chūnin Exams."

"Thank you."  I nod.  Tayuya just glares, obviously still pissed about this matter.

"Good luck!" they call behind us.

"We will!" Toujou responds back with a grin over his shoulder.

"They should go fuck themselves," Tayuya grumbles.

Technically, Tayuya and Toujou are one of my best companions, one of the few that can actually work in sync despite the small disadvantage of Tayuya's cursing habits.  That's why Father sent them instead of anyone else from his experiments or the Sound Five, because he also knows that I work best with Tayuya and Toujou's trust in me despite being their junior by two years.

Our original mission is to keep watch on his new vessel as disguised genin participants, but I also keep something else in mind.

Konoha is as warm as it's said to be.  The streets busy itself with people, buying from corner to corner, seemingly too friendly with each other.  Like usual, Tayuya is annoyed, but Toujou just blends in with the crowd and smiles at some random strangers.

Until I smell a particular scent in the air, assaulting my senses.  The same strange rose-scented fragrance out in the distance, lingering behind.  Faint.  "That smell..."

Toujou glances at me.  "You mean the one coming from the flower shop, Yūki-sama?"

Tayuya hits him on the head.  "I think Yūki-sama was referring to the ramen shop, smartass."