Disclaimer: They aren't mine, we all they don't belong to us, because if they could, it would be the catfight from Hell. I lay odds 3 to 1 on myself.

Please review, it's good karma, and you can never have too much good karma. Just like chocolate.

OK, this's the promised sequel, and while I have a vague outline of where I think it might go, I am asking everyone who stuck through Wonderland to give me suggestions, ideas, inspirational pep talks, anything. Those of you familiar with my Blackanubis9 penname know I'm not so great with finishing stories, but with a little inspiration, I have high hopes for being 2 for 2. Besides, I can't give props to people who never review.

Ch 1

Three years later:

She had been careful to return in the middle of the night. Three years had been plenty of time to decide exactly how she wanted to approach Hatake. The plan was simple: reconnaissance. There had never been an exact date set for her to return, so no one would be the wiser if she snuck around the village for a few days to spy on him. When it was finally time for them to talk about what they wanted to do, she wanted it to be on equal footing, and for that she needed some idea of how he had changed.

She wanted so badly to talk to Naruto, to let him know she was back, see what he knew, but the man couldn't keep a secret to save his life. Worst case scenario, Hatake had known him since he was a kid, and she refused to put Naruto in the middle by making him choose where his loyalties were. If she had to, she would give Naruto up, and if she was lucky enough, Hatake would never know she was back. If Naruto ended up being the only precious person she had left, then there was nothing too big to sacrifice to keep him happy. Even if it was herself.

In what had become a habit three years ago, she cursed the Hatake name.

Being gone and learning tricks from other villages, picking up skills here and there was yet again paying off. Knowing Hatake was a master at picking up and identifying others' chakra, she suppressed hers until she was invisible, only using enough to let her body run its' usual processes. She had long ago learned to not depend on chakra on a daily basis, so the inability to use it for a few days was no big deal.

She found an apartment to rent for a week, hoping she would be ready to let everyone know she was back by then. While she wasn't hurting for money, it made more sense to hide in the bad part of town, where people tended to mind their own business. Then it was a simple matter of watching his place. She hadn't obtained the apartment until the early afternoon, so she had to wait for several hours before he returned.

And, oh, the sight of him made her heart leap for a second before splitting in two to join her toes. It had been so much easier to exist when she didn't think of him; being able to finally see him made her feel so many things that she couldn't untangle them. He looked good, that was the first thing her brain decided. Just as sexy as always to her. It wasn't fair that while she had pinned away for the first few months, and the mission keeping her on the road constantly, had whittled her down to the point of being too lean, he seemed to have come out of it just fine. While the logical part of her knew she had to stick to the plan and wait before showing up, she wanted nothing more than to crash through a window and feel his arms around her.

Seeing that the senbon-lover, what was his name… Genma, that was it. Genma was there, so she assumed the night would only show her two shinobi drinking until they passed out. Satisfied that she would learn nothing of value, she set off for the Hokage Tower. There was always the next night.

"Show her in, Shizune."

Tsunade was looking at her expectantly when she walked in, taking a seat directly in front of her Hokage.

"It's been a few years, Kristen. I assume you found your apartment in order; Naruto has been looking after it even though he no longer lives in the building."

"Really? Did he move in with Hinata or something?"

"Hn. They're going to be getting married next year, as soon as she takes over her duties as clan head. I'm surprised you didn't find him before coming here. But you have plenty of time for that, so give me your final report."

Kristen ignored the piercing gaze she was being given, refusing to let her expression give away anything. It was easy to do now; three years of practice made it second nature.

"Lightening is in a state of unrest, with several factions vying for Daimyo and Kage positions. The competition is pretty even across the board, but none of them seem to be worthy of backing. Sound and Mist are already backing those they have made secret alliances with, and obviously they are the worst factions. The situation needs to be very carefully monitored, because I doubt that even if someone gets in power they'll be able to keep it for long. I would suggest waiting and letting the factions eliminate each other before taking any action. It wouldn't do to give Sound or Mist any indication as to our opinion on the politics there, as it would only ensure whoever we gave our support to would end up dead a whole lot faster. Fortunately, Lightening is taking up most of Sound and Mist's attention, so we're off their radar for the time being now that we've made it clear we aren't making a move. There's no way to tell how long it'll last, but I would strongly suggest refraining from any missions into Lightening. Only ANBU or satellites like myself would be able to move around without being caught."

"You have files on the factions?"

"Them and the few loners who have managed to stick around. I gave it to Shizune. I trust you will allow my bodyguard entrance when he arrives?"

Tsunade sat back in her chair and glared at Kristen, irritated at the topic.

"It seems that you have no intentions of letting me do otherwise. All of your previous messages were short and vague when it came to him, so now would be the time to plead his case. You do realize how involved it is to allow a non-Leaf into the village?"

"Yes, I do. But as I told you before, he did not grow up as a shinobi. There will be no issues with prior loyalties, because his loyalty is to me. And the day that stops being the case, he expects me to follow through with my word and cut his throat. I do not deal with betrayal well."

"Obviously, or you would have been here for the last three years."

Kristen's eyes narrowed coldly at the personal remark, one that was presumptious and unwelcome.

"Yes, it seems that the only person I can trust to not hurt me is the only one who had nothing to do with me being here." Kristen let Tsunade's implied guilt set in, and continued only when she saw her Hokage's expression turn dark. "I met Ryuku in Tea. He grew up a farmer, and there's nothing really remarkable about his childhood. I was on a mission to take down a group of bandits that had been pillaging the surrounding area, robbing the farmers once they came back from selling their crops. The number of bandits I was told I would be dealing with was only half of what I actually found. I completed the mission, but I had to take a month to recover at one of the farmer's homes. Ryuku had lost his parents to their raid the year before, and he had been struggling to keep the farm going, even with the help of his neighbors. I spent the month there, helping out as I could, but I could tell he hated it. So, I offered to let him come with me. He could sell his farm in pieces to his neighbors, and I would train him to be my backup. That was two years ago. He has been nothing but unquestionably loyal since, and we owe each other our lives several times. We're even keeping count."

"He has no skills other than as a bodyguard?"

Kristen took a quick look around the room, her chakra flaring out quickly to check for unwanted eyes or ears. Tsunade's eyes widened when she realized what Kristen was doing, even more so when Kristen leaned forward so she only had to whisper.

"The skills of my cover are well known, but every shinobi who has seen him has died. It is vital that his abilites remain in absolute confidence, because if people knew, every nation would be trying to get their hands on him. Because I have made him into the perfect counter of a ninja."

"How?" Tsunade could not quite keep the awe out of her voice.

"Simple." Kristen leaned back and spoke in normal tones. "You are aware that certain summons seem to add their individual characteristics to their summoners, like Orochimaru and Hatake Kakashi, right? Well, I have always found summons to be very fascinating, so I have made it a hobby of mine to learn about them. That's how I got mine, the one I used to keep in touch with you. And I found the perfect one for him." She leaned forward and whispered once again.

"His summoning contract is with Shuikaku, a leech. Not only do the leeches drain the remains of anyone we don't want found, but he took on many of their characteristics. He can leech the chakra used to power techniques to boost his own chakra. As long as he is fighting ninja, he has an unlimited supply of chakra, and they can't figure out why everything they try seems to fail as soon as it hits him. The best part is, because they deal in blood, there is no scroll to carry around, because the contract can only be taken from the body of the summoner, from the actual blood of the summoner." Kristen sat back once again and smiled smugly at the Hokage.

"You see how perfect it is. I only found it by accident, as it is one of the so-called 'lesser' contracts. But it suits my purposes perfectly, and it has gone a long way to keep him alive while I get his skills up to par. He only has a normal amount of chakra, and he heavily favors taijutsu. Being a farmer's boy did his body good."

At Tsunade's raised eyebrow, Kristen leered at her lecherously.

"Hey, I'm single unwillingly, and the boy is gorgeous, so if I'm going to live with eye candy, I'm going to take advantage of it."

Tsunade leaned forward over her desk and leveled a grave expression at her.

"Are you involved with him? In any way?"

"Only as a fellow soldier. He's only 24, and I prefer my men older and knowing exactly what they're doing. Besides, for better or worse, I can't seem to stop loving someone who doesn't deserve it."

They both heard the bitter tone, bordering on resentment.

"Is being in the same village and possibly working missions with him going to be a problem?"

"I'll admit the general plan is to avoid him even knowing I'm back as long as possible, but my feelings have no bearing on a mission, so if it has to be done it won't be a problem. Don't expect me to interact with him before that, though. If I can spend the rest of my life without him seeing me, I'll consider my karma paid in full."

"You love him and have no desire to see him? That doesn't make a lot of sense."

"Hokage-sama, I may love the man, but I have stayed alive on my own for three years by having a very good sense of self-preservation. Hatake-san was a threat to that before I even left. I can't help the fact that my heart is apparently masochistic. I just refuse to let him hurt me again, and the easiest way to keep that from happening is to avoid all contact."

"That include all of Team 7 and Rookie 9?"

"With the exception of Naruto, it includes anyone that is on friendly terms with him. I have Ryuku, he and Naruto are more than enough companionship for me."

"How long before your guard arrives again?"

"Three weeks. The room I rented is big enough for both of us. Hell, I may let him stay in my old apartment, make people think I let it lapse or something. I haven't decided what to do with it yet, but I have time and plenty of money, so I'm not worried about it. I take it you're going to let him in, then? I do require his services when I take off to maintain my satellite status. He has become part of my alias, but I'm sure you know that from the new bingo book."

Tsunade sighed and rolled her eyes.

"You know as well as I do that you are singularly stubborn among shinobi and kunoichi, but I have not had cause to regret indulging in your inclinations yet. Do not make me regret this one, or you will find yourself cursing karma and your heart will find out just how masochistic it really is."

Satisfied with the quick flash of fear she observed in her kunoichi's eyes, she waved her off.

"You will begin mission rotation once your guard gets here, so stay out of trouble until then, and let Naruto know you're back for Kami's sake!"