They Are Just the Cleaners

Yay! Thanks to those who reviewed! You guys are awesome! Here's chapter 2, hopefully not too full of mistakes... enjoy!

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Chapter 2: Enter the Fox
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He parked his yellow mustang in the crowded parking lot and hopped out of the car. Today he was very excited. He took a few steps forward and kicked his foot back, effectively slamming shut the car door behind him. He all but skipped toward the large structure before him. Oh yeah, today was going to be a good day. He focused his eyes ahead and abruptly stopped. He stood still, looking at the building, completely perplexed. No way… Reaching into his pocket he fished out a crumpled piece of paper. He opened it, smoothed out the edges, and read silently. He looked back up to the building and then back down to the piece of paper. He repeated this process about two more times before crumbling the paper back up and shoving it back into his pocket. This was indeed the place.

Looking at the edifice, he frowned. He was underwhelmed to say the least. It looked like a regular office building. He had expected something sleeker, something darker, something… shinier? Yeah, shinier. Something more FBI-ish. Anything but… this. He sighed and adjusted his black belt that held up his slightly loose black trousers and shined his simple silver belt buckle. He laid the palms of his hands flat on his chest and smoothed out any wrinkles on his crisp cobalt blue button down shirt. He glanced down at his watch and noted his was ten minutes early. He sighed at the accessory’s opulence. It was a Rolex Date Just in steel, a gift from his aunt when he graduated from the academy. He wasn’t spoiled, he really wasn’t. Well... maybe just a little.

He eyed the structure warily. Though the building was unimpressive, he was still excited. He reached into his shirt and pulled out a small silver link chain that hung around his neck. On the chain was a long rectangular jade crystal with two small silver orbs on either side. His aunt gave it to him when he came to live with her when he was twelve, she told him it was good luck and he wore it ever since. He brought the jewel to his mouth and laid a soft kiss on the gem. Stuffing the jewelry back into his shirt, he slapped on one of his trademark grins, marched up to the double doors, swung them open, and walked in.

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He rushed down the hallway at nearly lightening speed. He stopped to help yet another innocent bystander he carelessly knocked over in his rush. Apparently he needed to be at least thirty minutes early next time. He failed to calculate the endless amount of security checkpoints and various verifications and re-verifications. Granted, next time it would not take as long now that he had his ID card, but still… damn! Not to mention, though the outside of the building was ordinary, the inside was extremely elaborate and confusing. Basically, this place was a freaking labyrinth, with different halls, different levels and different color codes for each department.

He had to ask three different people for directions. Great way to leave a first impression, Uzumaki, he thought bitterly. He stopped when he reached the end of the hall that now split into two directions. He rechecked his watch, Fifteen minutes late! Damn it! He absently brought his hand to the back of his neck and scratched. He pouted slightly trying to recall the directions the last receptionist had given him. Did she say left down the yellow hall, right down the purple, right down the red, and then a left down the orange or right down the blue? (1) He bit his lip and scrunched his features. Well, he was always partial to the color orange.

He walked warily for a few moments until he noticed the familiar name of his new department, Hostage Rescue Team or HRT. He smiled when he thought about his aunts words.

~oOo~

“Your parents would be so proud of you”, she cried as she squeezed the life from his toned frame.

“Ugh…-cough- old hag! You’re killing me! –wheeze-”

She slowly released her hold on the young man and promptly whacked him upside his head.

“Brat! What did I tell you about calling me that?!” she screeched, “I am not an old hag!”

In reality she was pushing her sixties but didn’t look a day over thirty. While she was still in her twenties she was drawn to the benefits of using all natural products in daily life. Not only in diet, but in beauty and general well being as well.

She had gone to school and double majored in biology and chemistry, while minoring in phytology.(2) Afterward she spent a few years traveling throughout Asia, picking up various bits of information from many of the ancient eastern cultures. She combined all of her knowledge and transformed her lifestyle. After implementing a new exercise regimen, and adopting a strict healthy diet, she began dabbling with various concoctions for her skin and hair. After several people asked her to help them look “as fantastic as she did”, she became a personal life consultant and even began selling some of the beauty products she mixed for herself. Eventually demand increased and to make a long story short she was now head of her own health and beauty empire, manufacturing products from cosmetics to food to exercise DVDs and any other lifestyle needs. She was a health and fitness guru beyond fame and fortune, but she was far from having everything she desired.

She cupped his face gently as her deep honey colored eyes began to mist. “You look so much like him…” she trailed off sadly, intently searching his familiar features. God, the older he gets the more he becomes his spiting image.

He placed his hands on top of hers and squeezed them gently to offer comfort. “Auntie it’s-”

“I know, I know, ‘Its ok'. You shouldn’t be comforting me, damn it!” she shook the tears from her eyes and softly slapped him on the head, “This is a happy occasion! You’re finally an agent!”

Rubbing the sore spot on his head, he cocked and eyebrow and was about to say something when she cut him off. “Excuse me, I mean special agent.”

He smiled broadly, “I didn’t go through all that extra training for nothing”, he quipped. “I’m going to be the best agent in the bureau! They are going to call on me for their most dangerous covert missions. And then when my record is legendary I will become the head of the F.B.I.!”

“Brat, who do you think you’re going to be?! James Bond?” she asked, chuckling slightly.

“Maybe…” he answered, waggling his eyebrows while his grin widened.

She stared at him for a moment and gave him a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. His smile immediately fell from his lips; he knew what was coming next.

“Of course…” she started despondently, “It’s never too late for you to come and work for me…” she trailed off in a small voice.

Dedicating much of her time to her career, she missed out on building up her personal life and thus she was left alone. When her brother and sister-in-law were killed, the only family she had left was her twelve year old nephew. Finally having someone to shower with all her pent up love and affection, not to mention her money, she gave Naruto any and everything he would ever need or want. Whether he asked for it or not. She wanted him to be safe and happy, and selfishly, always around. She didn’t want to have the last of her family wrenched away.

He sighed and pulled her into a loving embrace, resting his chin atop her blonde head. “Don’t worry… I’ll be fine, promise”, he said in a soothing voice.

“I don’t know if I could bear to lose you too”, she choked. This time she was unable to stop the flow of tears that fell freely down her cheeks.

He stroked her back gently in small calming circles. He knew all too well the dangers of going into the “family business”. He lost both his parents in the line of duty, but he appreciated what they did. He admired the sacrifice they made while protecting their country and he wanted to do the same. He wanted to be as brave and as highly regarded as they were.

“Besides,” he began, trying to hide a developing smirk, “If I have to work with you, I would probably end up killing myself.”

-Whap!-

“Brat!”


~oOo~


Ok, now where is room D56A? he rolled his eyes at the absurdity of the FBI’s organization system and started paying attention to the room numbers. Quickly placing the pattern of their numbering system, he calculated that the next door would be… Yep! This was room D56A.

As he reached out to grab the door handle he heard a steady pounding behind him, getting louder and louder. He turned around to see a young man with brown spiked hair running toward him.

“Hey! Is that… -pant- is it …-pant- room D56- …-pant- D56A?” The young man gasped out between breaths.

Naruto swallowed his chuckle along with his sigh of relief. At least he wasn’t the only one late. He grinned broadly, “Yeah, it is.”

“Oh thank god!” the younger one expressed before he collapsed into himself, placing his hands on his knees while he took in much needed air. “I’ve been looking –pant- for this place –pant- for 40 minutes!”

This time Naruto could not stifle the laugh that bubbled up at the boy’s expense. The brunet glared up at him, or at least he tried, he was too damned tired, so he dropped his head and continued to suck in as much air as possible. Naruto immediately noticed that he offended the new arrival and stuck his hand out in greeting.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to offend you; it’s just that I had some trouble too. My name is Naruto by the way.”

“Heh, that’s ok”, he responded, still panting with his hands on his knees, head facing the floor. He stuck out a shaky hand and grasped the blond’s, “Name’s Konohamaru.”

“Well Konohamaru,” Naruto started while helping the brunet to stand up straight, “Let’s go shall we?” he finished while fisting the gleaming handle and swinging the door open.

As they took a step forward they came face to face with a tall bald man in a long trench coat. He had scars running in all directions across his face and spoke in a gruff commanding voice. “Ah, so we have two more…Names?”

The shorter if the two spoke first “K-Konohamaru S-Sarutobi” he stuttered.

The intimidating man looked own at the clipboard he held in is hand and scanned the paper on top. “Ah, ok step in.” He watched the young man take a hesitant step forward then proceed to shrink into the room behind him, grabbing the first seat he saw. “And you are?” the man, who’s ID tag said Ibiki Morino, questioned, turning his scrutinizing gaze to the blond.

“Naruto Uzumaki”, the tanned man replied confidently.

Ibiki rechecked his clipboard and lifted one brow. “Uzumaki, huh?" After a few moments of silent contemplation he locked his serious gaze with the excited one before him. "You may not enter.”

“What?!” the fair haired one screeched indignantly, “Why not?!"

“You were late.”

Naruto’s eye twitched. He went through rigorous training, dedicating his body, mind and soul to becoming the best. And he was. The first in his graduating class, he was the best at everything. He set a goal to be as good as his parents were and here he was at the pinnacle of his dedication and they were going to take it away from him because he was a few minutes late?! Well, he conceded that he was more than a few minutes, but was this not the organization that was in desperate need of good agents?! He could and would be the best agent they had, if they let him in the freaking door. Naruto eyed his nervous companion who twitched in a chair near the door. He mirrored the confused expression Naruto was throwing in his direction.

“We came at the same time!!!” he shouted, pointing at the trembling brunet cowering in his seat, “How does he get to go in and I don’t?!”

Ibiki reached behind him and pulled the door until it was almost fully closed. He placed a firm hand on the younger man’s shoulder, his long trench coat swished as he pivoted sharply and turned him away from the door. “Sorry but you just don’t belong here”, he murmured lowly into the blue eyed man’s ear.

“The hell I don’t!” he shouted defiantly, turning toward the man next to him, “Do you know how long it took me to get here and now you’re telling me I went through all that for nothing? This is what I trained for! This is-”

“Sorry, but I what I said is true. You. Do Not. Belong. Here.” He reached out and grabbed Naruto’s hand and shook it firmly, “Have a nice day”, and with that he turned on his heel and disappeared through the door.

Naruto stood there dumbfounded for a few moments before he noticed something in his hand. He looked down to the hand that Ibiki shook and noticed a small black envelope. Well this is new.

He glanced around the hallway to see if anyone was around and slipped into the nearby restroom. He stepped into the last stall and tore open the envelope. Inside was a small black business card. He pulled it out and studied it. It was all black with a large silver nine in the middle. Underneath the nine in small silver type was an address, a date, and a time. He looked at his watch. He had to be there today... in twenty minutes... and the place was practically across town.

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He grinned as he exited the building. It was mush easier to get out than it was to get in. He easily spotted his car in the crowded lot and marched forward.

He took out the card and rechecked the address. He furrowed his brows in confusion as he absently slid the key in to his driver’s side door and opened it. That is the abandoned warehouse distract, isn’t it? He shrugged his shoulders, lowered himself in to the vehicle and buckled his seatbelt. He put the key in the ignition and started the car but didn’t shift out of park. He thought for a moment. Hell, this was his first day as an official FBI agent and he was readily following a piece of paper telling him to go to an address in a part of town he knew was abandoned? What if this was some kind of test to see how good he would be. Maybe he should go back inside and interrogate that Ibiki guy and tell him that he didn’t fall for his little ploy. He was Naruto Uzumaki, damn it! Or maybe the test was in this mystery place. Maybe it was some dangerous simulated exercise that had to be practiced safely, away from civilians, calling for a deserted location. Well he’d show them, he was going to be the best agent that ever graced the FBI with their presence. He had twenty, he glanced down at his clock, no, thirteen minutes to get there and he would not fail. I am after all, he looked himself in his rear view mirror and shifted into reverse, Naruto Uzumaki. And with that he peeled out of his space and the parking lot at top speed.

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He made it to the location with three minutes to spare. Normally he would have praised the miracle of the freeway for letting him speed and getting him there with time to spare, but knowing this was the FBI, he grimaced at the thought of his extreme lateness. Damn government and their stupid organizations. He glimpsed at the worn numbers on the crumbling brick building to confirm his location. Yes, this dilapidated, two story brick building with one red rusty steel door and boarded up windows was the place. Did he mention it looked like a run down piece of crap? What is with the FBI and its horrible building choices?

He swung the car door open and got out looking around for any other signs of life. Nothing was there. He did however notice that this was not just one singular building but a worn down complex that was rather vast. But absolutely nobody was there. He looked at the card one more time just to reassure himself. He sighed and shoved the card back into his pocket, making his way toward his destination.

He cautiously ambled up to the rusty door and stood. He slowly placed his hand on the dull silver doorknob. Just as he was about to turn it, he heard a buzzing noise and the knob glowed red around each fingertip that was in contact with the metal. He yanked his hand off in surprise and the door swung open. He stepped into the darkness suspiciously only to be stopped by another obstruction. He turned around to leave but the door he previously stepped through quickly shut behind him and on the inside, it was knob-less. He turned and felt around to gauge what he ran into, feeling with his one of his hands splayed out and the other knocking. He begrudgingly realized he was face to face with yet another door that was also without a knob.

“Shit!” he hissed. He knew he should have gone and interrogated that Ibiki guy. Now he was trapped in some abandoned building that looked like it would cave in at any moment, probably with him inside. This is just some colossal joke. I am probably going to be in here for a couple hours until someone deems it worthy to let me out and laugh his ass off at my stupidity. God, how can I be so fucking naïve?!

His inner berating was cut off by a small clicking noise followed by a low hiss. He turned to face the new “door” and noticed red neon letters stating “Present card” running across the surface with and arrow pointing to the left wall. There he noticed a soft purple light surrounded by complete darkness. He shoved his hand into his back pocket and felt around for the card, grateful that he didn’t opt to leave it in the car to show off his memory skills. He stepped to the left and placed the card face up under the light. His eyes widened a fraction at the complete elaborateness and secrecy of this test as the black light dimly illuminated the card and new words began to reveal themselves.

Room 1, huh? He stood there expectantly for another minute. Now what? It was another thirty seconds before the new door slowly and loudly retracted into the ceiling revealing another dark hallway. He groaned with the realization that if the regular FBI headquarters was difficult to navigate through, this test building must be a bloody nightmare. How late was he this time? An hour? He sighed and stepped forward in search of Room 1.

After his second step into the hallway the overhead lights started to flicker on with a soft hum. One at a time they settled to a faint glow that lit the endless hallway until a single door at the end.

After many careful steps and paranoid glances, Naruto reached the door. It was silver with bold black letters. Room 1. That was easy. Maybe a little too easy, he thought warily as he stared at the door handle. Well, I can’t stand here forever. With that his hand landed on the handle and he pushed the door open.

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1.) I realize that I am definitely over blowing the FBI's level of elaboracy(O.o is that a word?), but...it's more fun that way XD

2.) In other words botany, but I thought phytology would sound more college like