Everyone Has A Dark Side [NejixOC]

Yumegakure

"There hasn't been a report back from that squad I sent to deal with a disturbance in the Land of Dreams." I frowned, reviewing the file. Nothing had come in since their arrival report. Two of them were Anbu, the other a Jonin. "Get Shikamaru and Neji. They're going to come with me." I said, taking a drink of my coffee.

Shizune looked shocked. "Why are you going with them? Can't you send someone like Kakashi in your place instead?"

I shook my head, "my clans from the Village Hidden Among Dreams. I know how dangerous that area is. Besides, anyone else I send as a backup will not be able to even enter the village." I opened a few other files and began to work on them. Shizune nodded reluctantly and left. I did not want to leave the village for any period of time, but this needed to be dealt with. I began to work through the files as quickly and effectively as possible. A sharp knock came from my door. "Come in," I answered, shuffling through more papers, assigning shinobi or signing off on forms. Shizune walked in flanked by Neji and Shikamaru. "Perfect. I have a mission for you. I sent a three-man squad out to the Land of Dreams on a mission regarding a disturbance. It's been thirteen days without any sign of them. At five tonight you two will head out in another three-man squad to complete their mission and relocate the missing team. Questions?"

"What's the disturbance?" Shikamaru asked, giving me an odd look as he placed a hand on the back of his head, "and who's our third?"

I smiled at the two, "a suspected human trafficker has been seen around Yumegakure. People have been going missing, only to show up again after months, mutilated and dead." I signed off on another paper. "And I'm going with you."

They both looked shocked. "What? You're coming on a mission with the war so close?" Shikamaru gawked. Neji just stood there, his shocked expression turned into an amused smirk.

"Of course. My clans from the area and no one knows we're coming so you'll need me to get in." I smiled, leaning back in the chair.

"Are you able to be away from the village for so long?" Neji finally spoke up. The same stoic look.

Shizune gave me a harsh, knowing look from behind the boys, "if it's handled in the same fashion as all of her other missions – you should be done quite soon."

"So, we're not giving anyone a heads up that we're on our way?" Shikamaru shrugged.

I shook my head, "no – it's better that they don't know back up is on the way. Don't want to hurt that ANBU ego." Mostly Tamaki's.

That brought Neji's interest back, "you sent an ANBU squad almost two weeks ago that has lost contact. Do you really think that just a three-man squad is suitable for this? It's clear that whoever is behind the kidnappings are not to be underestimated."

I weaved my hands together, elbows on the desk, and rested my chin on them. "Oh, I'm well aware of what their unfortunate outcome may be. And, I expect that with the three of us we can have this wrapped up in a timely fashion. Any other questions regarding my decision?" Shikamaru shook his head while Neji did not move. "Well, I will see you both at five tonight at the gates." The three left my office – Shizune no doubt on a task as I was not planning on leaving until closer to five. I worked as fast as I could to assign shinobi to different aspects of the war preparations and outstanding mission requests. An update had come from Yamato – they had a hiccup at one of their port town visits and were a few weeks behind schedule. Perfect, the longer it took for them to arrive at Turtle island the less opportunity Naruto had to figure out that it was rouse. If he was that smart.

Shizune entered my office again at four in the afternoon, five bouquets of irises in her hands and a package of incense.

"What are those for," I asked flipped the page of a mission's report from the intelligence squad.