October flowed as quickly as September while Naruto moved and got settled in to his new home. Despite having deserted him on Saturday evening, Shizune called Naruto Monday morning to offer her assistance in picking out new appliances. Readily admitting his ignorance on the subject, Naruto eagerly accepted. His decision proved to be fruitful, as Shizune was much more knowledgeable about the household machines. She helped him figure out what he required, and find the pieces to fill said need, within his price range. She also convinced him to buy an older computer, telling him he would need to learn how to use one if he wanted to be Hokage. After they were done shopping, Shizune's bargaining skills left the salesman almost in tears. Her negotiations led to him acquiring an upright refrigerator/freezer, oven with flattop range, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, dryer, 40-inch widescreen TV, and a late model desktop computer, with delivery, installation, and removal of the old appliances. And all for less than the total listed prices of all the household machines. When he asked her about it, she looked embarrassed as she explained she had acquired her haggling skills settling Tsunade's gambling debts. The young man had just grinned in amusement.
After the appliances were installed, Sakura was able to bribe Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji so they would help Naruto move. Together with Hinata, the six Chunin easily packed most of Naruto's belongings into five medium size boxes. Hinata, Ino, and Shikamaru took the boxes, while Sakura carried Uzumaki's desk, and Choji and Naruto balanced his armoire between them. Between the six of them, and Naruto's general lack of possessions, they got him unpacked and put away quite quickly.
November turned cold, and business increased for the ninja of the Konohagakure. There were many D Rank missions dealing with harvesting crops, and preparing homes for winter. But escort missions also became more important, as bandits grew desperate for food and money. The large number of jobs meant Naruto and Hinata were not able to spend as much time together as either would have liked.
December fell harshly on the Land of Fire. Although there was rarely any snowfall, the final month was generally cold and wet; and this year was proving more so than usual. Though still busy, the new couple began to make their plans for Yuletide.
"Good morning, Hinata!" Naruto shouted when he saw his girlfriend. Despite the emergency call, he was happy to see her. And her face instantly brightened when she heard his voice. She diverted her course, and they continued running, side-by-side.
"Did the Hokage call you too?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered quietly, "Did she give you any reason for our summons?"
"No," he shook his head. The couple continued in silence, until they reached their destination. They paused outside the Hokage's office, confused. Unlike normal, neither Raido nor Genma were waiting, so they were unsure how to proceed. After waiting for half a minute, Naruto grew impatient, and knocked brashly on the door.
"Come in," Tsunade's exasperated voice carried loudly into the hall. After exchanging worried looks at her tone, they hurriedly entered the room.
"Good, it's you two," the leader of the Leaf shinobi appeared relieved to see them.
"I have a mission for you," she informed them without small talk or her normal banter with Naruto.
"Really?" Hinata attempted to hide her disappointment. Naruto was not so tactful.
"What? But Gramma Tsunade, it's only three days until Yuletide!" he complained loudly, "You're gonna send us out now?"
He expected her to grow angry in return, but she only nodded.
"Why? Can't it wait until later? Or send someone else?"
"This mission comes from a very wealthy and powerful client, so we cannot refuse," the medical Sannin explained, "And the mission requirements say it must be completed before the 21st, so delay isn't an option. And you two were specifically requested."
"Well, then, what is our mission?" Hinata asked, resigned.
"You'll be recovering a stolen item," she said, and both teens nodded, now understanding why the mission needed to be completed before Yuletide, "I don't have any more details, but I do have the address in the capitol where you are to meet the client. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at noon. You will receive the rest of the information then."
"The capitol," Naruto boggled, "but that's like a day away, even at our best overland run!"
The Hokage nodded without sympathy, "If you leave by eight, you should get there between six and seven tomorrow morning. I'll alert the Merchant's Quarter safe house; you two can get some breakfast and a few hours sleep before you meet the client."
The Hokage scribed the location of the hideout, as well as a quick note to the caretaker. She handed the paper, and the mission request form to Hinata.
"This probably isn't necessary with you two, but for the sake of protocol and playing it safe, Hinata is in charge of the mission. I trust that won't be an issue," Tsunade fixed a canny eye on Naruto. But he just grinned.
"No problem at all," Uzumaki said honestly.
"Alright, then you two had better get moving," she instructed. Hinata bowed, and then they both ran from the room.
The location for the appointment turned out to be top-end, traditional restaurant. Even Naruto felt remarkably out of place. The establishment put the Golden Shoe to shame with ease. There were precious metal inlays in much of the ornate woodwork, and the decorative urns and tableware were all antiques. The lunch patrons stared at the two shinobi with disdain over their meager and common apparel. But the greeter, dressed as a traditional geisha, did not appear concerned. After confirming their identities, she slid gracefully away into a side hallway. She returned moments later, and bowed to them.
"If you would please follow me?" she requested softly. Hinata bowed politely in return, and they followed her out of the main dining area. She led them to a smaller, private room, and elegantly opened the door. She dipped her head low as they cautiously entered, and closed the barrier behind them.
The bodyguards were the first things they noticed. Six burly men, each taller than Naruto, and composed of more muscle than the both of them combined, stood at the sides of the room, watching the Konoha agents. The warriors wore ornate breastplates, carried long lances, and had katanas hanging from their left hips.
But the samurai only held their interest for a moment. Their client was seated in the middle of the room. The noblewoman had an expertly painted face, which hid her age and identity. Her kimono was exquisite; with gems woven into the cloth which was an even mixture of silk and silver threads. The sleeves extended well past her wrists, and the long train pooled around her bent legs. Her hair was hidden by an elaborate headdress, composed almost entirely of gold and ebony, and so large Naruto was surprised she could hold her head upright. When she saw the pair of ninja, her grey eyes sparkled and she smiled slightly.
"You may go," the aristocrat instructed her guards. The soldier nearest her turned to face her, while the others struggled visibly not to move.
"Milady, what do you mean?" he demanded. Her shaded orbs became fierce as her attention shifted to him.
"I need to speak with these ninja in private," she stated imperiously, "So you will leave, now."
"But your safety..." he hesitated, but then strengthened his resolve, "We cannot leave."
Hinata expected her to grow angry, but the noble instead displayed calculating amusement.
"You are only supposed to question my instructions to preserve my wellbeing, is that not correct?" she asked innocently.
"Yes, mistress," the lead guard answered cautiously, and his man fidgeted.
"Then let me ask, do you honestly think that the six of you are better protection than two Chunin rank shinobi?"
When he did not answer, she continued, "Or perhaps you are suggesting I cannot trust the ninja of this country?"
The warriors all began to glance at the teens nervously, worried that they felt insulted. But Hinata hid her amusement behind an impassive mask; while Naruto wore his confusion openly.
"Of course not," the sentinel protested.
"Then there should be no issue with you leaving me in the care of these ninja," she concluded. Despite the phrasing, this was definitely an order.
"Of course, milady," he bowed uncertainly. Glaring at the young couple in warning, he directed his men to follow as he exited. Once there were gone, the lady rose smoothly to her feet.
"Will you excuse me for a moment?" she asked. Without waiting for an answer, she glided behind the screen at the back of the room. Hidden from view, but backlit against the barricade, she removed her crown, and placed it gently on the floor. Now free, her hair flowed well past her shoulders. She undid her kimono much less gently, and Naruto boggled as it fell to the floor. Her nude form silhouetted against the painted, paper divider, she collected a basin of water. She dunked her face, and scrubbed away the formal makeup.
"Busybodies," the noblewoman sighed, her tone and speech far more casual, "One little kidnapping attempt, and they get all worried."
She opened some sort of case or trunk, and began to dress.
"It's great to see you both again," their client said warmly after she finished putting on her underclothes and a pair of loose pants. She was already moving back towards the edge of the screen as she pulled the long-sleeved shirt over her head.
"I'm sorry, but have we met before?" Naruto asked, scratching his right temple.
"Naruto, that is..." Hinata started to explain, but the princess cut her off.
"Straightforward and oblivious as always, Naruto," she chuckled. She quickly rounded the barrier, and wrapped her arms around the young man. Her grey eyes flashed lecherously and her now longer orange hair fluttered around her face.
"Nyoko?" Naruto goggled at the Daimyo's daughter.
"I'm sorry I missed your birthday party," under her seductive tone was a current of genuine regret, "But I can give you your gift now."
She pushed herself up onto her tiptoes, aiming her lips for his. But before she connected, Naruto vanished in a puff of smoke, reappearing behind Hinata.
"Nyoko, stop joking, I'm..."
"So it is true," Nyoko's voice cracked from her warring emotions, "You did finally make this guy wake up, Hinata. Congratulations."
She hugged the younger woman too, but then stepped back with a mischievous grin.
"But you better watch out for this guy. He's a bit of a player. He didn't even break things off with me, before he took up with you."
"Nyoko!" Naruto switched between glaring angrily at her, and glancing nervously at Hinata, "You shouldn't say things like that. You'll give Hinata the wrong idea."
"You never did answer my question," she taunted, pointedly.
"You weren't serious," he didn't look at her, and did not sound certain.
"I told you I was," she countered; upset he had not believed her.
"Nyoko," Hinata interrupted; her professionalism strained by her emotions, "You summoned us for a mission. If that truly is the case, we should get down to business."
"There is a mission," Nyoko settled, looking oddly serious, "And you're right, time is of the essence. Please, sit down, and I'll explain."
She kneeled back on her original pad, and Hinata followed suit on one of the other cushions. Naruto was less delicate; he just plopped down, cross-legged.
"Would you like any lunch? Or maybe just some tea?" she offered.
"Won't it be a problem if someone sees you like that?" Naruto asked.
"No. Makoto; that's the girl who brought you in; she's a friend from school," the princess explained, "She's the one who smuggled my clothes in here."
After they ordered some refreshments, Nyoko's expression grew melancholy.
"In this city, there is a toymaker, named Nicholas. He is incredibly talented; his creations of porcelain, wood, and metal are more beautiful and durable than the mass-produced plastic junk most kids play with these days. For almost forty years, he has provided joy to the children here. He is very well loved."
"And he is very generous. Every year, he chooses twelve children, and makes each child a very special toy for Yuletide. He always chooses children who need joy, or have earned a reward. Usually his gifts go to the sick, or kids who have lost their parents. Last year, a boy saved his teacher from an accidental fire; he was one of Nicholas's recipients. And just once, many years ago, he picked a spoiled rich girl, who was also very lonely."
Their client blinked back tears as she said that, and they understood suddenly why this was important to Nyoko.
"But three days ago, he did not open his shop," she continued after a moment to compose herself, "That's not unheard of, sometimes Nicholas gets caught up in his work and does not open until noon. But he never opened his shop at all on Tuesday, and did not open again Wednesday morning. People started to get worried, so the soldiers were sent to check it out. There were signs of a struggle in his workshop, and Nicholas was missing."
"So we need find this guy before Yuletide, or the kids won't get their presents," Naruto concluded.
"No," the princess of the Honokata clan shook her head, "It's more than that. Nicholas is like the heart of Yuletide for the capitol. If his secret gifts, those symbols hope and generosity... if they aren't delivered, everyone's spirits will be crushed. That's why you need to find him."
"You make this guy sound like some kind of saint, Nyoko," Naruto was awed.
"Maybe he is," she smiled again
"Why us?" Hinata asked.
"I know you; I trust you. Hinata, your eyes can see things others might miss. And Naruto, if worse come to worst, you can search the city en masse with your Shadow Clones," and then the high school royal grinned ironically, "And I did want to see the two of you, together. So I killed two birds with one stone."
Hinata nodded, now all business, "We need to see the workshop, Nyoko."
"I'll take you."
Nyoko lead them quickly through the crowded streets. Contrary to Naruto's expectations, the two ninja received much more attention than the princess. He decided most of the people had never seen Nyoko out of her formal makeup and dress, and could no more recognize her than he had.
The shop was in the Merchant's Quarter; only a few minutes jog from the safe house. It was simple and unassuming, with a plain white facing, and simple blue lettering over the door reading 'Toys'. There was an open/closed sign on the outside of the tightly shut window shades, with the closed side showing. Nyoko did not pause at the door, she turned the handle as soon as she could reach it, and swung the door inwards. Two nervous looking warriors, not nearly so large or well equipped as the young lady's bodyguards, turned to look at them.
"Princess Nyoko," the pair of samurai dropped to their knees. As Naruto closed the door, the older soldier looked up at them.
"Where are your bodyguards, milady?" he asked, his eyes narrowing in concern and suspicion.
"I already went over this with Kentaro," she sighed regally, "I am in the care of these two skilled Leaf Shinobi. If that was good enough for my chief guardian, I don't see where it is any of your business, Ryouma."
"Of course not," he bowed his head again.
"I will take them in back," she informed the soldier-police, "As you were."
But before she could fulfill that action, Naruto darted towards the shelves, looking at the action figures.
"Wow," he exclaimed, "look at this stuff. I would have given anything to have had models like this growing up..."
The warriors tried to hide their amazement at his behavior, but Hinata just smiled sadly.
"We should check out here first," Hinata told the others. Naruto moved on to the shelves holding play weapons, but a subtle shift in his posture told the mission leader that he was hunting more seriously. She activated her Kekkei Genkai, and looked around behind the counter. The cash box was untouched, but there were some odd scrapes on the floor.
"Did you find something?" the princess of the Land of Fire joined her.
"These scratches look new," the Hyuga clan heiress answered, "But I don't know if they mean anything."
Naruto joined them, and as he crouched down, started sniffing at the air.
"Do you two smell that?" he asked. Both girls shook their respective heads.
"What is it?" Hinata queried in response.
"I don't know. It's an slippery, greasy smell," he wrinkled his nose again, leaning forward, "It's kinda familiar, but I don't know where from."
"Alright," Hinata considered that, then looked back to their client "Please show us the backroom, Nyoko-sama."
Nyoko graciously swept aside the curtain, leading them into the workshop. There were three entrances to the room, the one they had just used, a door leading to the alley behind the shop, and a set of stairs leading up to the second floor above the showroom. Except for the three doors, every inch of wall space was covered with shelves. These were the first indicator of the crime; two of the sets of shelves were immaculate, every raw material organized and labeled. The other walls of storage were a mess, pieces of wood and bins of gears shoved haphazardly into place, and some broken parts littering the floor before the ransacked shelves.
"It's stronger in here," Naruto noted, wandering around the room with his nose stuck out.
"Argh," he growled, shaking his head in annoyance, "I wish Kiba and Akamaru were here, they'd be able to tell what this is, and maybe follow it."
Hinata stepped over to the table. Like the shelves, part of the surface was neat and clean, with the tools organized. But the other half of the table was messy, with drops of oil and equipment and parts just throw anywhere. Mingled with the oil were hints of another, redder fluid.
Naruto's foot shattered a fragment of glass on the floor, and both ninja looked down, and then up. There was a skylight in the ceiling above them, with a pair of panes broken inwards. Hinata's eyes tracked from the broken window to the pattern of the broken glass on the floor. She looked over at Naruto and Nyoko, her Byakugan still active.
"They came in through the skylight," she pondered, "Nicholas must have been out front. They dragged him back here. They gathered some of his equipment and supplies, and took him."
"But why?" Nyoko asked plaintively, "Why take a toymaker and his tools of the trade?"
"Maybe someone needs a Yuletide gift," Naruto suggested. Nyoko glared at him, but Hinata considered it.
"Hey, I've met people who think they own the world," he countered the princess's doubt, "The sort of people who would kidnap someone to get something they feel they are entitled to get."
Their client nodded. Hinata's eyes darted over to her partner, suddenly fierce.
"Naruto," she whispered, "I see someone one on the roof. But his clothes are blocking my Byakugan."
"Maybe they needed more materials," Nyoko suggested under her breath.
"I'll go find out," Naruto said at full volume.
"Naru..." before Hinata could finish her protest; Uzumaki had hopped onto the table, and propelled himself through the hole in the skylight.
"Ryouma," Hinata called to the guard whose name Nyoko had used. Both soldiers hustled into the workshop.
"Please, watch the princess," she requested, "and call for backup if you are uncomfortable with just the two of you."
Without waiting for their answer, she jumped skyward. As she landed lightly on the tiles, she quickly spotted her targets. Naruto was two rooftops away, while their mystery intruder was two more ahead of him. Faster and more sure-footed, she quickly caught up to her boyfriend.
"He moves like a ninja," Naruto told her, and she nodded her head. Anyone could buy an imitation stealth shozoku, and many did. But their quarry had the grace of a shinobi. Anxious to get back to Nyoko, the Hyuga Chunin put on another burst of speed, leaving Naruto behind and closing on the fleeing stranger. As she grew closer, the masked shinobi suddenly split in three, and they turned as one to face her. When they saw her, they hesitated. Hinata moved past the duplicates, aiming her chakra laced fingers for the real ninja in the middle.
"Hinata, STOP!" Naruto shouted, and she pulled up short.
"Naruto, why did you..." she started to ask, but he answered before she could finish.
"That's Kankuro."
The Sand Shinobi chuckled, and removed his mask. Underneath, he wore his war paint, but without his usual headpiece, his red hair was showing.
"How'd you know it was me, kid?" the older Jonin asked.
"I recognized Crow and Black Ant," he pointed his thumb at one of the two humanoid puppets, "Because of the sound they make, and their smell."
Kankuro flicked open two scrolls, and the rebuilt puppets vanished.
"What are you doing in the Land of Fire?" Hinata did not appear entirely convinced.
"Yeah," Naruto remembered, "Why were you at the toymaker's shop?"
"A toymaker?" Kankuro's eyes narrowed. When both of the Leaf Shinobi continued to stare at him, he held up his hands in supplication.
"I'm here on an official mission," he told them, handing Hinata a scroll, "Fully authorized by your Hokage and the feudal lord of the Land of Fire. I'm chasing a trio of rogue puppet users from the Sunagakure. Your leaders agreed I was uniquely qualified for this job, so they gave me a pass."
She handed the paperwork back, satisfied; and Naruto relaxed too.
"I almost had them in the Land of Greens," he continued, "I caught two of them, and managed to mess up their marionettes pretty good. But then the third one caught me in some kind of plant jutsu. They wanted to finish me off, but I could still control Crow and Salamander, so they decided to run instead."
"I've been tracking them for the last week, one of their puppets was leaking oil where I hurt it. But in the end it looks like they ran straight here," after concluding his tale, he focused on Naruto, and inquired, "So what are you to doing here?"
"Looking for a missing person," Uzumaki answered without hesitation.
"The toymaker you mentioned?"
"Yup," the blond Chunin nodded. Hinata's lips curled inward and her eyes half closed as she began to suspect something.
"You're thinking the same thing I am," Kankuro told the girl, "That my renegades with the damaged puppets are related to your missing craftsman."
The young woman nodded.
"You mind if I take a look around that shop?" he asked, "Maybe I can spot something you two wouldn't know to look for."
"Yes, I think that is a good idea," she agreed.
There were still only two guards with the princess, when the three ninjas dropped back into Nicholas's workshop.
"See, I told you it would be fine," Nyoko told them pointedly, and then ordered, "You may return to the store."
With a bow, the two warriors complied. The princess turned her attention to the newcomer.
"Is this our prowler?" she asked her friends
"Yup," Naruto confirmed, stepping between them to broker introductions, "Nyoko, this is..."
"Kankuro, Jonin of the Hidden Sand, and brother of the Kazekage," she interrupted, offering her hand.
"Right," the blond Chunin was shaken by that but recovered, and continued, "Kankuro, this is..."
"Nyoko Honokata, princess of this country," the puppet master concluded for him, "I've seen her file, too."
Nyoko's eyes sparkled with amusement, while Uzumaki sighed in dismay.
"Kankuro is tracking some people who may be our kidnappers," Naruto forced out, determined to add something to the conversation.
"Right, so I better take a look," the Sand Shinobi walked over to the table. He examined the splattered oil on the table.
"That's why the trail went cold," he commented, "They must have done a patch job here."
"A patch job?" Hinata prompted, "Not the complete repair?"
"It's not likely," he told her, "With the amount of damage I did to their automatons, it would probably take close to a week to fix. That's probably why they took him."
Next he moved to the shelves. At first, the Sand puppeteer only looked mildly interested, until his eyes fell on one of the bin. He quickly snatched out one of the small gears it held, and turned to face the other shinobi, his face showing his shock.
"What did you say the victim's name was?" he asked quietly.
"We didn't," Hinata answered, "but it is Nicholas."
"Nicholas?" he sampled the name, "Nicholas.... It couldn't be..."
"Kankuro, what is it?" Nyoko asked.
"This is a torque modification gear," he held up the part, "It was invented by a certain shinobi, and he was the only one to use its full potential."
"Before Granny Chiyo and Sasori, there was a puppet master named Rasu Niko. When he was active, he was nicknamed Monzaemon the second. He was a master of both puppet creation and combat. Some people still say he brought back the art of puppet Ninjutsu from the brink of extinction," Kankuro paused, clearing his throat.
"Sorry, I'm not good at explaining, I got a little off track. Anyway, Rasu Niko, was a great puppet maker and shinobi, until he had a mental breakdown. One day, he just couldn't kill, or even fight, any more. He wanted to be decommissioned, but the third Kazekage did not want to lose his skills in makin' puppets. So instead, he had Rasu swear a bunch of blood oaths so he couldn't betray the Land of Air, or teach our jutsu to other ninjas. After that, Rasu up and vanished. That was forty-three years ago."
"And Nicholas's shop opened around the same time," Nyoko noted.
"So you think our toymaker and your puppet ninja are the same person?" Naruto asked.
"If you reverse the family and given names," Hinata told him, "Rasu Niko becomes Niko Rasu. Nikoras..."
"And then there's these gears," Kankuro tossed the component back in its bin.
"OK, but so what?" Uzumaki asked.
"Remember how I just said that it would take a week to fix the puppets?"
Naruto nodded.
"Rasu Niko could do it in half that. But the real issue isn't repairs," Kankuro's eyes tightened, "Part of the reason I could handle them, even though it was three on one, was because their puppets were third rate. If they can force Rasu to upgrade them, they would be a lot more than I can handle alone. It wouldn't be a stretch to say their combat power would quadruple."
Naruto and Hinata exchanged worried glances.