It was a warm day for April. Or perhaps I was just used to the crispness of Kirigakure. I'd begun to miss my foggy home of five years as soon as the plane took off. I had become accustomed to traveling at this point that was true, but my current location was much different from any other. It was suffocating to be back in Konoha.

With ease I tore my eyes from the window of a moving car. "Schedule?" I demanded of the person sitting in front of me driving our black vehicle.

The girl fumbled through a schedule nervously. "Y-yes ma'am. Um well at nine you have a meeting with Calvin Klein. They want you to do the contract signing then. By ten we need to be at the studio for an interview. Two is a lunch date with friends Naruto and Sakura. Lastly at four you have a simple advertisement shoot. A company paid highly for you be their new face."

I nodded slowly, going over the schedule in my mind. "Cancel the lunch date with Naruto and Sakura."

"In all do respect ma'am you've canceled it every time you come to town. Would't it be good t-"

"You speak to much." I scolded. "You are my secretary, not my mother."

Someone sitting next to me stirred. A blue blanket fell off his shoulders. His amber eye peered out from beneath rich chocolate hair. He placed a hand over mine. "I know you're tense Zena but she only means well."

I let out a sigh. "Don't scold me as well Utakata."

"It will be good for you. I'll come if you wish." He started to rub small circles into my hand.

Reluctantly I nodded. "I don't wish to be in this town."

"Are you sure you want to go through with the contract with Calvin Klein then? Their main studio is here. You may have to move." Said Utakata.

"It's a million dollar contract. I couldn't refuse. Still, to think it's been five years..."

"And look at where you've come." Said Utakata. "Tobirama was smart. He had you do the editorials and interviews first. Things that wouldn't pay but would get your name out. Now he's letting you do the showroom business and you remain famous but bring in the bills. And..."

"And?" I asked

Utakata gently took my chin in his hand and placed a kiss on my forehead. "You're best friend is the top male model and actor of the year."

That brought an unwilling smile from me. "Though I do wish he wasn't quite as conceited. You have such diva syndrome."

Utakata laughed at my words and the car stopped. "Well, I'll let you off here for your signing. Tobirama texted you when you were asleep and said he was there already. We'll meet at Au Bon Pain for lunch with your friends?"

"Wear your sunglasses." I called getting out of the car. As soon as I stepped out the black car behind me sped away. I felt utterly alone. Alone and cold. How dreary a place this city was.

"You okay?" Asked Utakata as our car pulled up to the Cafe. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

I nodded yes and pulled my hand away to put on large sunglasses. My style was simple. Black leggings, black heels, and a black jacket over a white tanktop. Nothing that stood out because the last thing I wanted was someone spotting me and causing trouble.

My secretary opened the door for the both of us and we climbed out. Utakata was dressed casually in a blue plaid shirt and skinny jeans and the same identity-hiding sunglasses. He took my hand as we walked into the cafe, promising to be done in an hour so I wouldn't miss the advertisement shoot.

It was hard to miss Naruto and Sakura sitting at a table in a corner. The rest of the Cafe was empty as requested by Utakata ahead of time.

To my surprise, Naruto and Sakura were far from alone.

Hinata, Itachi, Sai, Shikamaru, Deidara, Hidan, Kankuro, Sasori, Konan and Pein were all sitting around three tables pulled together. Utakata game me a small reassuring smile when I hesitated and I made my way forward.

Naruto saw me first. He seemed confused by something because his eyebrows drew together. Soon every face in the group was on us, all of them reacting differently. I raised a hand in a wave. "Yo. Been a while."

Removing my sunglasses so I could better see, recognition flashed in their eyes. Naruto was the first to speak.

"Holly shit." He stood up as I walked over. "Look at you!"

"Naruto!" Sakura scolded.

I rolled my eyes. Same old Naruto. He gave me a big hug. The kind where you were picked up with the force. "It's been forever! I couldn't notice you! Five years. I was afraid you'd cancel on me AGAIN." He grinned.

I nodded. "You've grown up too. I like your hair longer. Very handsome."

He smiled sheepishly. "You think so?"

Utakata and I took a seat at the table.

"It's nice to see everyone's well. Wasn't expecting such a crowd." I said.

"When we heard you didn't cancel this time everyone wanted to see you. It's not the same just watching you on the telly." Said Sakura. "Though when you did that last movie with Utakata... I forgot it was even you!"

"Sometimes it's hard to recognize myself." I said lightly. "Anyways, what has everyone been up to?"

Naruto spoke up first. "I'm part of a law firm now with Sai. Making so much money I can afford to eat ramen every night!"

"Yes. Naruto seems to always eat alone." Smiled Sai.

"Eh? What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. It's no surprise you don't have a girl, being dickless."

"What was that bastard?" Naruto growled.

Sai continued to smile. "Ino prefers to cook me dinner at her house."

"I am still working on my medical." Said Sakura, drowning out the two boys. "I'm an intern at Konoha Hospital now."

"The little ladies good." Hidan grinned. "Went in last week."

"Gang fight?" I asked.

He looked confused. "Why would you think that?"

I hesitated, not sure. It just sounded familiar for some reason. Like words someone had spoken in a dream.

"Because he works as a bouncer at a bar, he comes in a lot. People like to pick fights." Giggled Sakura.

Hidan smirked. "Bastards can't judge right!"

I glanced at Hinata, waiting for her to speak. "U-um I'm running the Hyuuga Corps. W-with help of course. It's going very well."

I smiled. "Good job. You surpassed Neji then?" I asked. Everyone thought he would take over the company.

When the room grew quiet I knew something was amiss. "Hm?"

Hinata would not look up from her napkin. Finally Shikamaru spoke. "Four years ago Neji's car was hit when he was driving Naruto and Hinata home. We didn't know you hadn't been informed..."

I put a hand over my mouth. "He... is he alright?"

"He didn't make it." Whispered Hinata. "He was supposed to take over the company. Not me. The d-doctors said that when the car was hit, he shielded Naruto and I. He saved us."

"He's still alive." Naruto said firmly, placing a thumb over his heart. "Here."

Nobody had the heart to speak. I mulled it over in my mind. Another person lost. Who would have thought it would be Neji? Of corse nobody had informed me. I was unreachable. Still to think that not even through the rumor mills. I hadn't known the older hyuuga well but he had always been there. To think he was gone so suddenly...

Utakata brought me back to the world by wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

I shook my head. "You will have to take me to pay homage Hinata. I'm sure he'd be very proud of you though. You've come far."

I wouldn't cry. I hadn't done such a shamefull thing for years. Utakata squeezed my shoulder. I tried to lighten the mood.

"You're on vacation Shikamaru, right?" I asked the spiky kid. "I read about your success with the new nuclear plant. They said it only took you two years to finish your masters while working full-time."

Shikamaru leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Yes. Troublesome. Things are going well. Bought a house for the wife."

I blinked. "Wife?"

"You didn't see the wedding invite did you?" Shikamaru regarded me with a sigh. "Figures."

"Someone else sorts our mail for us." Explained Utakata. "It was probably thrown out before it got to us. Sometimes our secretaries are careless."

"Secretaries? Making it big I see. This bastard knocked my sister up so they had to tie the knot. Or so he says." Said Kankuro, slapping Shikamaru on the back.

I smiled. "Didn't see that one coming. Temari's awfully spirited for a guy like you Shikamaru. Perhaps that's why it works. Anyone else have some little ones on the way?"

Pein and Konan shifted under my gaze.

"Hm?" I nudged Konan.

"Not yet." Said Pein. "We're waiting until I am finished with my masters."

I nodded. "Sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding."

"It is okay." Said Konan. "We understand you must be very busy. We received your gift though. Very thoughtful."

I smiled, hoping she wouldn't ask me if I remembered what it was. I'd left the responsibility of thinking up a good wedding gift to my secretary.

Deidara nudged Sasori. "Me and my man here are running an art shop. It's the best one in town."

"Yes. We save money on labor because we both spend all our time there." Said Sasori.

"Sasori's there about twelve hours a day. That's what happens when you don't have a girl hmm?" Deidara teased.

"Wanna die?" Offered Sasori.

I hid a laugh. Those two hadn't changed.

The only one who had yet to speak was Itachi. I gave him a curious look. "How have you been, Itachi?"

"Well. The company is easy to run with such excellent models as you two. Though we wish you would come back full time Utakata. We were afraid when Zena acted in your last movie that she'd leave us as well. We are revealed you chose to stay Zena."

Utakata chuckled. "The movies pay more. I still fit in shoots when I can."

"His fame has brought about more problems than it's worth." I said. "Was it last week Utakata? At the restaurant?"

Utakata let out a breath of air. "I got a chunk of hair pulled out. Girls can be fiesty."

The group laughed at his expense.

"How about you?" Asked Sakura. "We haven't heard from you in years! Tell us everything!"

I shrugged. "Well I got busy with shoots. I finally gained a Demon rank, in the top nine of the world. It's kept me more than busy. My last contract expired so I just signed with CK."

"When exactly did you two start dating?" Asked Konan.

I laughed. "Well according to the media our anniversary is, oh what was it..."

"January second, four years ago. We hooked up at that gala remember?" He reminded.

"Ah right. But are you sure it was a gala? I thought we were seen at a temple kissing?" I said.

"But despite what the media says we aren't dating." Said Utakata.

"You're not? But you look a lot like you are." Sakura pointed out.

I shrugged. "I'm not supposed to tell you this but-"

"I'm dating a girl who lives here in Konoha. Her name is Hotaru."

They exchanged looks.

"It's complicated." I explained. "It has to remain a secret because according to the media we're dating. But she's a sweet girl. Only nineteen. Utakata took her on as an apprentice. Of course She had to chase him down."

"And you?" Asked Ino.

"I've kept myself distracted."

Pein cleared his throat. "Have you heard from him lately?"

The table went deathly silent. Deidara and Sasori even stopped fighting.

I don't know how I knew who he was talking about so fast. Utakata gave my leg a squeeze and I forced that fake smile on my face. The one I perfected for work. "Not for five years. How is he?"

"Well. Sabaku has become the worlds ninth most expensive brand since he took over." He said. "I saw Gaara about a week ago. He's busy with his en-"

"Are you ready to order?" Asked Kankuro loudly. "We waited for you. Ahhh man I'm so hungry!"

I regarded him with suspicion.

"Ah yeah. Waiter!" Sakura loudly ushered someone over. "We're ready now!"

Utakata shrugged. They must have figured Gaara was a sensitive topic. It was. We hadn't spoken since July fifteenth five years ago. Not since... well I didn't want to think about it.

Everyone ordered in turn, finally getting to Utakata and I.

"Two waters. Three lemons in one." said Utakata, ordering for the both of us.

"That's all you're getting?" Naruto asked, confused.

I nodded. "I'm on a liquid Diet."

"But why? You're so thin!" Sakura protested. "Coming from a nurse it isn't very healthy. You must be near the double digits."

I took her words as a compliment. "It takes a lot to be at the top."

"Still... you look so different." She said, eyeing me over.

I had changed a bit. In the five years we departed I grew my hair out longer, dropped fifteen pounds, gained an inch and a half in height, and I suppose the most dramatic change was inside.

"I think I'm better this way." I said calmly, not letting my defensive stance reveal itself.

The waiter arrived, placing the drinks in front of us. The I picked up my glass of water and then set it down. I sighed. "How many lemons are in this?" I asked the waiter.

I could smell the sweat on his skin. Disgusting. I swished the water around and glanced up when he didn't answer at first.

"T-two ma'am."

Utakata motioned to the cup with his free hand. "Did I not request three?"

"You did. I'm sorry. I'll bring another lemon slice right away."

"Remake it." Said Utakata.

The table was quiet, watching the boy nervously take the glass away.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "You coulda just took another one."

I gave him a curious smirk. "Is it not the duty of the inferior to please the superiors?"

He didn't respond but I could see in his eyes that he was surprised. And he didn't agree.

But they let the matter slide. We shared stories and mostly I just listened. None of my stories were that great even in my head. It was actually really nice to be back in this environment. It was like old times. Like I had never left. It couldn't last but for now I'd allow myself to be happy.

Finally the time came when Utakata and I had to leave. Naruto stopped me. "How long will you be in town?"

"Well because I just signed a contract with CK, probably months. Utakata's returning in a week or two or perhaps even more to work on his newest movie but I'll be staying in the hotel suite until it's time to return home."

"You can't!" Protested Naruto. "You can stay with me! It'll be cheaper than a hotel."

I shook my head. "I can't intrude like that. Besides you're so messy Naruto!"

"Am not! Tell her I'm not Sakura!"

"He is." She sighed.

"Naruto may not work, but you can stay with us." Said Konan with a smile.

I shook my head. "I can't."

"We have a spare room." Pein said.

Utakata gave a nod of encouragement.

"No really, cost is no problem for me. And I am very high maintenance."

"Are you sure?" Asked Konan.

" Positive. Thank you anyways." I smiled.

Utakata glanced down at his phone. "It's getting late Zena."

"Ah right. Sorry to leave so soon. I've got another appointment. Oh, but here let me exchange numbers with you all, er..." I opened my phone. My contact list was full. "Utakata I'm deleting your number so I can have room."

"You don't have it memorized though do you?" He smiled.

"Never needed to. You're always with me."

We exchanged numbers and as I stood Konan picked up her purse. "We should get going too. Pein has a five o'clock class at the University."

I said my goodbye's and paid the tab and walked outside with them. Before they climbed into their car I stopped Konan. "Hey Konan, You wouldn't happen to be staying in a house by the ocean up north would you?"

She gave me a confused look. "No. Pein and I are renting a house in town."

I nodded and let her leave. As they drove off I felt troubled. So they didn't live by the ocean where it rained all the time. Hidan wasn't in prison. Itachi and Sasuke were still single. Shikamaru didn't sound like he lived in the country with his wife. Nothing was as Gaara had predicted five years ago. Somehow that made my heart ache.