Disclaimer: As much as I would like to….I don't own CM characters of Sakura…..onward you fools!


Somewhere in America

In a paneled room, with men in dark suits hiding in the shadows, three people stared at each other from across a table.

"I can assure you, she is one of the best….." the only woman in the room spoke, her deceptively delicate hands steepled in front of her. She sat at the opposite end of the table. Far enough away to give the illusion of safety. No one wanted to acknowledge the fact; a table would do little to keep them safe from her.

One of the men- a weasley looking man, with too much weight around his center to be in the field, and eyes too shifty to be trustworthy- shifted in his seat and snorted.

"Yes, yes, one of your best….she's a child!" he voiced his opinion with barely concealed disgust.

If the blonde woman heard or took offense to his contempt she didn't show or acknowledge it, "On the contrary- as stated in the file we provided- she is twenty-two. That is hardly a child. Even in your country."

At the other head of the table, the man who had up until now been silent, steepled his fingers and watched his Head of Security and the blonde. Under low brows, he studied the woman.

"Will she be able to help them?" he finally asked, his quiet but firm voice cutting through the other man's tirade that had begun.

"Most certainly. She has seen things your men- even the most trained- haven't seen in their entire careers. She has survived things, you yourself couldn't imagine- even with all of your secrets and hidden shadows."

"Then we will let her help," he responded, ignoring his advisor's splutters.

Turning to his outraged subordinate, he spoke decisively, "Call Strauss, tell her that we will be adding an extra member to their team for now. If you must give a reason, tell her its someone to watch the team as a result of recent events."

Pretending not to see the smug tug of the woman lips as she stood, he nodded to her.

The woman stood, her height always surprising the man. She looked down, her eyes gleaming.

"I hope you're right Tsunade. I'm putting a lot on the line for this."

She inclined her head fractionally, the jewel in the middle of her forehead casting an eery glow in the low light.

"Of course. We'll be in touch?" despite wording it as a question, the look in her eyes made it clear she expected to be kept in the loop.

"Certainly," he assured her, "She will directly answer to you, but we would like her to update us as well."

She slid the folder toward him, her red painted fingers glinting in the low light. It was now close enough for him to see the young girl's face clearly and read some of the information that was visible on the first page of a slim file.

"Best know what you're dealing with…."

"You're telling me that everything I need to know is here?"

Her brown eyes sparkled with mirth while she looked up in pretend thought, "Everything you need to know…" she replied with humor.

He almost laughed with her. Sometimes he forgot she could keep secrets even better than his whole government.

She turned to leave, her hair- which was held in low pigtails, softening her face- swaying in an indiscernible wind.

His Head of Security had left as well- giving the imposing woman a wide berth- muttering and grumbling the entire time.

Now that he was alone, he slumped back into his seat. Rubbing his forehead he picked up the slim folder.

"What on earth have I gotten myself into?" he asked as he looked into the eyes of a green-eyed girl.


Somewhere else in America

In a nondescript hotel room, a young woman lay in a large tub, bubbles surrounding her lithe body, head thrown back against the head of the apparatus. Pink hair hung in wet sheets, slicked back with the previous action of dunking herself under the water. Her eyes shut, long black lashes casting slight shadows on high cheekbones.

A shrill ringing broke the peaceful silence of the bathroom. In an instant, heart pounding, she was up; holding a curiously shaped knife in her hand, half sitting and half crouching.

Something lighting up caught her eye. Sighing heavily to relieve some of the tension in her muscles, she shook her head in chagrin. Damn American technology.

She carefully answered the small device, careful not to break it- something she had learned could be easily done.

"Sakura speaking," she stated, her tone reserved. It was a contrast to her cherub face and light voice.

"Sakura! Did you think the cell phone was a threat again?" came the teasing reply backed by the sound of muffled conversations.

"Tsunade!" Sakura sat up, her free hand resting lightly on the side of the tub, "How did the meeting go?"

A chuckle sounded from the other end, "It's done. You're going to be joining the BAU. You'll be there officially to add your skillset to the team. Unofficially they want you watching the lead, and keeping them safe. Honestly, they don't know what's hitting them."

Sakura smiled and sunk back into the bath, "You make that sound like we're infiltrating…."

"Well, we are! But we're infiltrating for their own good so it's ok!"

Suddenly, from Tsunade's end cheering erupted while the woman cursed loudly.

Sakura recognized that sound, "Tsunade! Are you gambling? Where are you?"

A laugh and the sound of someone drinking something permeated the din, "Well my dear dear girl…..I took a detour to Las Vegas…don't worry Shizune will cover for me."

Sakura shook her head at her mentor's antics, "Well, Tsunade…..let's hope that they don't think I take after you in that department….."

"Well you most certainly do not!" huffed the older woman, "Have you ever lost a poker game?"

Sakura's shapely mouth pulled into a wide grin, "Not that I remember….."

Tsunade cursed again, "Yea, yea, you should probably get some sleep…..it'll be a big day tomorrow!" She ended the phone call with a shout to one of the dealers.

Sakura smiled as she cautiously sat the phone down. She stood, making sure to try and rinse away some of the bubbles.

While she was beautiful, both of face and physique, her body was riddled with scars. One stood out starker than most, to the side of her abdomen, seeming to go in one side and out the other. Raw, pink and puckered. Twisting the skin around it in a parody of what her normally smooth skin should look like. The others; some white and faded, some pink and raised, others simply discoloration stamped into her skin. Her hands, knuckles rounded and scarred seemed to bear the brunt of the abuse.

She stepped out, drying herself off leisurely. She wiped the steam off of the mirror.

"BAU here I come."


A/N: Holy moly I forgot how much I loved this plot bunny, and how many ideas I have. Chapter one: edited and complete. Chapters every fucking thing else: in progress and in no sense of order and look more like a collection of one-shots. Give me time to make sense of my ramblings and they'll be here!