The Tale of Team 11

Chapter 3

A raven haired male walked through the doorway carrying a cardboard box. As he walked past the wooden frame, a bucket full of bright hot pink paint fell down. The male stared unamused as paint dripped down his face. “Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny. Now where are you two so that I can give you an award?” He spoke flatly, voice dripping with sarcasm. Akane and a young child jumped out from behind the couch, laughing. “Oh man! We got you good Hotaru!” The redhead howled in laughter.

Even Ai and Kohaku had trouble holding in their laughs. Kohaku, attempting to be the mature adult cleared his throat. “Akane, Hikari, that’s enough you two. We do have a mission after all. Oh and Hotaru?” The said male turned towards the brunette. “Hot pink really isn’t your colour.” His comment caused the other three to burst out laughing again. Hotaru however only sighed. 'My team consists of idiots...' Once the redhead had stopped laughing, she turned to the child. “Hey Hikari, nice prank. We make a great team” She knelt down. “Come here.” She whispered. The blonde child approached the redhead. Akane gazed around to see that everyone was doing chores. She whispered something into the child’s ear causing Hikari to brighten. Akane winked before walking off. Hikari giggled before she ran off.

Ai dusted the furniture as she hummed to herself. She recalled how this situation had come to be.

.:.Flashback.:.

“Alright Team 11! Here’s your first mission.” Kohaku called out as they stopped in front of a house. Akane snorted. “What are we going to do? Babysit?” Kohaku grinned. “Precisely! Now, I do have to warn you, little Hikari here is a troublemaker.” Akane smirked, “A troublemaker eh?” She questioned. Kohaku nodded. ‘”Yes. I’m sure you and her will unfortunately get along…famously. Okay, maybe I wasn’t thinking when I chose this mission but anyways! Let’s begin. Hotaru, I wish you luck.” The ravenette raised a brow. “Why?” Kohaku merely chuckled, a knowing glint in his amber orbs. "No reason.” Ai sweatdropped. “It’s hard enough dealing with one troublemaker.” She whispered with a sigh.

The team walked into the living room only to see a young blonde with sapphire blue eyes. At seeing the others, she jumped up. “Pleasure to meet you!” She held out her hand for a handshake. Akane smirked and walked forward before Kohaku could. “The same to you.” She took hold of her hand and shook it. The young girl seemed to have a puzzled look but quickly shook it off. Akane reached behind her back and pulled out a flower. “A flower for a beautiful young maiden.” The girl dubbed as Hikari took the flower warily before it suddenly squirted her with water. She dropped it with a squeal.

Her blue eyes glared at the redhead as she glared back. The duo suddenly burst out laughing. “Nice one! How did you know?” The blonde giggled. Akane smirked. “Oldest trick in the book. I’m surprised you fell for mine.” She responded. “Ah, I guess I didn’t think that you were a fellow troublemaker like Kitsune, Bara.” She replied.  “Bara?” Akane questioned. Hikari nodded her head. “Yeah! Bara, it’s my nickname for you. Just as the blue-haired girl over there is Tenshi and the black haired male is Okami!” Ai smiled at her nickname but Hotaru merely raised an eyebrow. “Okay then, my nickname for you will be Hana.” Hikari giggled. “Okay!”

Yes truly, Hikari was like a little ball of light. She was cheerful and seemed to be able to brighten anyone’s mood. Her name fit her well. Ai turned her gaze to Akane. 'I’m glad the two get along so well…At the same time, I’m fearful of the trouble and chaos that they may create with their pranks.' She sighed before continuing on with her chore.

Hotaru swept the floor. He had long since removed the paint. His scowl deepened at the thought. 'Those brats…' Even still, he couldn’t help but smirk at their pranks. They were rather humorous, that is, when he wasn’t the victim. He stopped in his sweeping as he stared at Akane, narrowing his eyes. Unfortunately because of their rivalry between each other, the redhead often made the raven the victim. Due to the friendship between Hikari and Akane, the young girl often agreed and helped. Joy. Hotaru continued his chore, sneaking glares at their sensei who was just lounging about and doing absolutely nothing. 'Lazy idiot.'

Kohaku turned the page of his Icha Icha novel. 'This story is absolutely brilliant! I have to thank senpai for showing me it. I wish I could meet the mastermind behind this. Then again, I’m sure Jiraiya is busy being a legendary sannin and all. Plus he has to write more of these books!'  He turned another page as he tuned out the other noises. He focused only on the storyline. 'Leading a team sure is tiring, but it’s worth it! I could go without Hotaru and Akane’s arguing though.'  He sighed but brightened once more as he continued reading the book.

Akane smirked as she finished the final detail. “This prank will be hilarious! Oh! Just imagine his face! Ha! Hana! Let’s go” She snickered as she walked off with Hikari following her like a lost puppy. As they walked, her gaze shifted to Hikari. She smiled fondly. This mission actually turned out not bad. At least I got to meet Hikari here. Once their time babysitting was over, Akane was a bit reluctant to say goodbye to her new partner in crime. “Bye Hana!” Akane shouted. Hikari laughed. “Bye Miss Bara, Miss Tenshi, Mister Okami and Kohaku!” She replied waving. The squad walked back to the Hokage’s tower to report on their mission.

~~~

“What?!” Akane shouted. “Aw come on Old Man! Another boring mission? The only mission that’s been fun so far was babysitting Hana!” She complained. Kohaku hit the girl on the back of the head. “My apologies for her rude behaviour” He spoke, glaring slightly at the redhead. Akane pouted. “Hmph!” She turned away childishly. Ai sweatdropped at her behaviour whilst Hotaru rolled his eyes.

“Very well. I shall allow you to go on a C rank mission” 'I let Team 7 go, I might as well allow this team considering Kohaku’s teacher was...' Akane brightened up. “Really?!” Hiruzen nodded his head. “Here is the mission.” He slid a beige folder over to Kohaku who picked it up and began scanning over the contents.He nodded his head. “I see…” He turned to Team 11. “I’ll see you at the gates.” He then body flickered away.

.:.Omake/Extra.:.

Everything was silent. “He never specified what time!” Akane suddenly shouted. Hotaru scoffed. “He left a note, idiot.” The raven passed the redhead a note. Akane read the note. “5 a.m sharp?! Last time he said that, he ended up being late! Gah!” She scrunched up the note and threw it. The note ended up hitting Ai who turned and stared at Akane. “Akane!” She scolded before going into a lecture. Hotaru smirked at the two before he turned to leave. The Hokage stared at the two bickering sisters with a sweatdrop. 'This team is about as odd as Kakashi’s ─ if not worse. Old age must be getting to me...' Hiruzen sighed, rubbing his temple and exhaling his smoke.