Story Title: Lady Thief

Description: Some little girls' dream of beautiful, flawless jewels and usually someday is given a flawless token of appreciation. But one little pink haired trickster steals said jewels from those spoiled little girls… ((Yes… this is an AU))

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters therein. I just like to torture them now and again for my own amusement… Nor do I own, Thief: Deadly Shadows, which inspired this plot or the word taffer, which comes from subsequent game.

Fence: Sort of a black market dealer that is typically in cahoots with the thieves. They usually supply information for a piece of the profit.

Chapter 2: Pink Devil

8 Years Later

The willowy and lithe young woman stood outside of the Cherry Blossom Inn. Beneath the granite hued hood the pinkette couldn't but help smirk at the irony. She had gotten a tip last night from her fence Ino Yamanaka that Lord Sasuke Uchiha, one of the sons of the High Lord Uchiha clan had some sort of quarrel and showed up at a local inn well after midnight and in a foul mood.

Rumor had it that he carried a small blue velvet bag, no bigger than his fist that never left his sight. A solid clue in Sakura's mind that the contents were likely very valuable, but she'd know for certain when she stole it from him. Ino had sent over a floor plan of the inn to her place just earlier that day. Sakura knew it wouldn't be hard to find his lordship. His name and room number could easily be found in the guest register, and lords were such an arrogant lot, she highly doubted he would go under another name. Fingering the tip of the blackjack that lay strapped snuggly to her belt, getting that information would be like taking candy from a baby.

She was certain that guards would be posted around the inn since such a high-class lord was checked in for the night. However there won't be as many posted as there would be in a private estate. That should make things easy, which was one of the reasons she was willing to try it without knowing what the take will be. Lord Sasuke is so ridiculously protective of that bag, there had to be something of value in it.

Sakura glanced down at her working leathers. They were well oiled so that as she moved no sound would escape. Her entire outfit was in various hues of charcoal and smoky granite, colors that could possibly make a person one with the shadows, if they knew how to utilize the skills of her infamous trade. In her 'tool' belt she had a set of lock picks that Mistress Tsunade had given her on her sixteenth birthday and she was certain they would serve her well this night.

A blackjack and a kunai were strapped side by side in her belt and over her right shoulder and against her left hip she carried a short bow, along with a soft quiver and a few arrows, just incase she ran into trouble. She also carried a couple flat stones, just in the event she needed to provide a distraction. Most posted guards were either half drunk, sleepy, or just plain jumpy and all one needed was a little noise in the right direction to get them to move aside, if one couldn't get behind them to knock them out that is.

Coming up to the inn, she took a quick glance at the map in the flickering lamplight before ducking into the shadows. Stuffing the map back into one of her many pouches, she crouched down with her knees slightly bent and moved slowly through the darkness, patience and years of practice lending her feather soft steps an air of liquid silver. Her movements were so fluid that in the shadow she could slip away with nary an inch or two between her and another person and they would be none the wiser.

Sakura slipped past the first guard with nary a blink of a feathery pink eyelash. Heading towards the back, she decided to go in through the basement and make her way up to the top. The pinkette avoided the flickering light given off various lamps and easily made her way past a patrolling guard. She doubted he would have noticed her even if she just waltzed right by, he was truly enthralled in the conversation he was having with himself. Apparently he wasn't happy with his current captain in command.

Careful not to snicker at the man's one-sided tirade, she cautiously traversed down a set of metal steps, doing her best to keep the volume to a minimum. Verdant eyes darted to and fro until she found the metal grate that was her entrance. It slid off its slides easily and she ducked inside before anyone was the wiser.

Glancing around and taking in her surroundings, she licked her thumb and forefinger and extinguished a candle as she glided past. Climbing over stacked barrels of wine she skirted around bags of potatoes and onions until she found a door situated by the boiler and could recall from her quick glance at the map this was where she could make her grand entrance. Gently she tugged on the handle and her lips upturned slightly when she found it locked. Dipping her fingers into her 'tool' pouch, she grabbed her favorite set of lock picks and slipping them inside the lock, she made quick work of the catch as it only had a couple triggers.

Sakura whispered with a wicked grin, "I suppose they didn't expect company through the cellar."

With a light tug she opened the door and gave it a soft push. She pressed her back against the wall and peeked around the corner. With the coast clear she noticed that the single hall led to rusty metal ladder. Grabbing a rung, she climbed swiftly, noiselessly. Finding herself in an empty kitchen, she crouched once more avoiding the filtering moonlight, before shimmying out.

Around the corner, she could make out the shadows of the innkeeper who seemed to be tallying up the night's profits. A quick assessment assured her that they were alone. Grabbing the blackjack from her belt she crouched once more, slightly bending her knees as she stealthily came up behind the port bellied and balding man. Slowly she straightened and with a well practice swipe of the instrument in her hand she conked him in the back of the head in the 'sweet spot.'

The innkeeper crumpled to the floor none the wiser. Grabbing his arms, Sakura drug the body into the kitchen and grunted with the effort of dragging his considerable weight. With a sharp glance to assure he was completely unconscious Sakura quickly opened the book, running a gloved fingertip down the list of names.

She smirked when she found what she was looking for, "Lord Sasuke Uchiha: Peony Suite."

"Wouldn't do for you just to sign in as Sasuke would it?" Sakura muttered under her breath derisively. The girl ripped off a piece of blank paper and scribbled a quick note. Returning to the kitchen Sakura pinned the note to the front of the innkeeper's shirtfront. It simply read: Lay off the continental breakfast.

Pulling out the map once more she quickly ascertained her position and the location of the Peony Suite. Taking the east stairwell, the woman moved up the stairs and ducked back into the shadows as she came to the top. Taking a sharp left, her back pressed up against the wall she skirted around the end tables, snatching a few small silver candleholders as she passed by. Sakura stopped as the hall came to an end, and connected with the main corridor that would eventually take her to the Peony Suite.

Sakura's mouth turned into a thoughtful frown when she spied the guard who was obviously half asleep guarding the door. Moving forward slightly, the girl pulled a small river stone from the pouch and with a practiced pitch threw the rock to the opposite end of the hall. It hit the stone surface with a very audible plink.

The guard snorted awake, "What was that? If someone's in there come out now!" The male pulled his sword and began to walk towards the direction of the noise. Swiftly Sakura took his momentary distraction and slipped down the hall and into the door before the man was any the wiser.

Making her way to the bedside stand, her eyes quickly roamed over the contents of a letter left behind.

Meet me in the bar downstairs, the one that connects the noble's suites. –Lord O.

His Lordship was out for a nighttime stroll, the pinkette thought to herself with sour amusement. Sakura grabbed the insignia ring that lay forgotten to the side of the letter easily recognizing the valuable silver material. Dousing the candle flame, she slipped out of the side door and glided down the hall. It led to a wooden stairwell and she cautiously made her way down it. She could make out the sound of hushed voices and the flicker of firelight that danced against the walls.

Emerging from the bottom of the stairs cautiously Sakura pressed herself up against the wall, completely doused in the shadows. Fortunately there was only one guard strolling back and forth between the scattered tables. At the end of the room two comfortable looking chairs held two lords. They were facing the fire and were conversing quietly amongst themselves. Sakura's green eyes narrowed on her goal. A small wooden table separated the two yellow chairs with a dull flower print. On the surface lay the blue velvet bag.

Patiently Sakura skirted her way around the scattered tables avoiding any light that could potentially reveal her presence. At one point a guard passed no more than a hand's width away from her and she held her breath, careful not to make the slightest noise.

"I'd rather just take five good men and take the Sharingan Ruby for myself. I know father wants to pass it on to Itachi so that he can take up the mantle of leadership as father is growing old, but he's too busy playing cops and robbers… I want to ascend the board as the next in line for the title of High Lord," the spiky raven-haired male complained.

"Patience Sasuke. Even as we speak, I have put into motion the events that will lead to my family line taking the High Lord position. I can't stand the Head High Lord Uzumaki's weak rule over Konoha, let alone that brat of his," the other unknown lord laughed contemptuously.

As they spoke Sakura reached out and snatched the velvet bag. Quickly she backed away and began to make her way towards the exit/entrance door to the inn's tavern. However she began to listen to their words attentively as soon as they mentioned the Uzumaki's family.

"How can I have patience Orochimaru?" The male ran an irritated hand through his spiky hair, "My brother has recently taken the position of sheriff in this city with some silly statement about getting to know how the city runs thoroughly and to get a feel for how the citizen's feel about the lords. Who cares how they feel? They're nothing but a bunch of useless peasants! And all of the High Lords agree that it's a wise course of action and applaud his efforts. I have to make certain that my brother doesn't get his hands on the ruby. If he does then I've lost all ground…"

Sakura paused mid step at the mention of a precious ruby. Each High Lord clan had a stone, which was passed on traditionally through the family, and the son who was to inherit the stone, would succeed the next High Lord position in the family. They were very valuable and were highly guarded relics. No thief had ever attempted something as insane as trying to get one of the stones for themselves. She knew that if Sasuke were able to get a hold of the stone his father would pass him the mantle of leadership just to avoid the trouble that accusing his own son of theft would cause. At the edge of the bar Sakura waited for the next bit of conversation, her gut telling her that something important was about to be said.

"I understand your impatience, however, if you are so concerned about obtaining the family stone as soon as possible then I highly suggest you hear me out before you rashly go charging into your father's estate…." Lord Orochimaru paused and smirked at the young boy, "There's a supply cart that arrives at the estate every night. My sources tell me that they never bother to check the cart… for visitors. If you'll put out the torch under the lion's head… the cook will open the side entrance for you… it seems your parent's don't supply him with a… satisfactory salary."

Lord Sasuke's voice was thick with suspicion, "You have all this figured out… you already knew I wanted to get my hands on the Sharingan Ruby."

"Of course… I always stay at least three steps ahead in all of my plans…" Lord Orochimaru's voice faded as Sakura made it to the entrance door.

As she made quick work of the lock on the door Sasuke's rage filled voice echoed throughout the tavern, "It's GONE!"

Shoving the door open Sakura melted into the shadows as she left the tavern, her take filling her pouches.

-o-

Lord Itachi glanced at his angry little brother. Apparently someone had not only stolen that velvet bag he toted around, but they had also filched the insignia family ring from his bedroom. The older dark-haired Uchiha male told his brother sharply, already irritated with his sibling's attitude, "It was not any of the hired guard. They've all been searched and questioned. The one who was posted at the door told us that he heard some strange noises and that he went to check it out, but he didn't see anything suspicious…"

Lord Orochimaru added, his fluid voice breaking the sudden silence, "One moment it was there, another it was gone. It seems to me to be the work of a master thief."

Itachi interjected with a wry smile, "I'm going to have to go with that assertion. Someone knocked the innkeeper out and drug his body into the kitchen so that if a patrolling guard happened to pass by that they wouldn't notice anything amiss… the only clue we were able to secure was a note pinned to the shirt of the innkeeper…"

"Ohh… what did it say?" Lord Orochimaru queried intrigued.

Lord Itachi replied with his usual stone cold visage, "Lay off the continental breakfast…"

Sasuke's eyes bugged and Orochimaru released a hoarse laugh, "The city is too large to try and find a match for the thief's writing style. I imagine you'll try to trace the criminal through the fences'."

The stoic male nodded, cold visage never changing, black eyes cool, "Yes. We have a few contacts that provide us with information through those establishments… for a price of course…"

"Of course…" Orochimaru nodded knowingly, "that lot is all the same. You can find any information that you wish for the right price…"

The elder Uchiha spared a glance for his still angry sibling, "But for me to be able to ask for any information… I need you to tell me what was in that bag…"

Sasuke's face reddened even further but he responded in clipped tones, "It was another signet ring, pure gold. It had an A stamped at the top, and at the right side, the shape of a cloud carved on it… can't miss it, it's very unique."

"Alright well, it's nearly morning now. I'll take several of my men and we'll try to see if we can't track down the taffer," Itachi tipped his head at the other two lords before exiting the premises.

Lord Orochimaru glanced at the smoldering male, "Do you think that it was wise to tell your brother what was in that bag?"

"At this moment I could care less whether it was the wise thing to do or not," Sasuke's voice was encased in cold ice as he continued, "That thief made a fool of me… I will see that whoever it was… pays… dearly. Not only that… but whoever it was had to have heard at least a part of our conversation. We need to take care of any loose ends…"

Lord Orochimaru smirked darkly, "You've got a point…"

"We'll just let my foolish brother do all the footwork for us," Lord Sasuke replied with a dark smirk before chugging down the last of his wine.

-o-

Sakura waited until the next evening before she made her way to Ino's shop. The pinkette glanced at the red handprint on the door of the place of business. The sign of an illegal establishment. All thieves and black market dealers kept a tight ring with one another all for the sake of profit.

The pinkette slipped into the shop and strode towards the counter, her hood shadowing most of her features. Ino glanced up at the young thief. A cynical smile twisted her beautiful features into one of sardonic amusement, "You're lucky that I feel that you are too profitable to sell out…Forehead."

The lady thief grinned at the other woman, "Oh…"

"Darling only you are crazy enough to steal from a prestigious High Lord family member," Ino leaned over the counter and fixed Sakura with an eager smile, "… so what did you get?"

From the folds of her pouch she withdrew the velvet bag along with the few bits of silver she had snagged. The blonde female let the contents of the blue case spill out and gave small whistle, "Pure gold… and just as Lord Itachi described it… I'll have Shikamaru melt this and formed into a nice nugget so no one is the wiser."

"Akatsuki," Sakura murmured and then glanced up at the other woman, "Those stupid nobles act like us thieves have no honor when they're doing their best to kill off all their own family members just for more power…"

"Oh… you hear an interesting conversation?" Ino smirked at the girl.

"You could say that. Sounds like something may go down concerning the Uzumaki family. Keep your ears peeled for any information concerning that," the pinkette paused and then continued in a lower voice, "I didn't like what I heard between Lord Sasuke and his good ol' friend Lord Orochimaru…"

"That Lord Orochimaru is slimier than an eel," Ino's voice pitched into a hushed tone, "everyone knows he's vying for a spot on the High Lord's Table. But still… I've never understood your fascination with the Uzumaki Lords…"

Sakura surprised Ino by changing the subject, "Do you have a map for Lord Fugaku Uchiha's estate?"

Ino's blue eyes widened, "What? Are you insane…?"

The pinkette dipped her head with an amused smile twisting her lips, "I've come to the conclusion long ago that I'm legally insane... However I got a nice lead on the Sharingan Ruby and I can't pass it up."

Ino handed Sakura the pouch full of silver coins that was her payment for the stash and nodded, "Well… I figured you might go for something in one of the High Lord's estates one day… lucky for you… I do happen to have the layout for that very estate…"

"How much will it cost me?" the pinkette mumbled.

"Nothing," the blonde shocked her by saying. Ino was known for her strict dealings and high priced information, "The only thing I ask is that whatever you filch from their place you bring to me… and we'll make our deal then… If you happen to get the Sharingan Ruby, I'll even drop all the debt your Mistress owes me…"

Sakura muttered immediately without even thinking about it, "Done."

Ino left the counter and went to the back room and came out with a folded parchment. She handed it to Sakura across the counter and smiled, "Good luck Forehead I'll see you soon…"

-o-

"You're going to what!" Tsunade's voice raised several decibels.

"You heard me," Sakura replied her green eyes pieces of hard flint as she met her master's troubled eyes, "I'm not going to pass up such an opportunity."

"The dogs of the watch is out looking for anyone who makes one little misstep just because of the take from Lord Sasuke last night," Tsunade leaned back in her chair once more, her fingers pulling the cigarette from her mouth and stubbed it the ashtray, "I knew stealing from any of those stuffy Uchiha's was a bad idea. Now big brother is sniffing around…"

"Ino is the last fence you owe any money. She'll drop it all if I get my hands on the Sharingan Ruby," Sakura continued smugly, "besides… it's causing so much strife in the Uchiha clan… since they can't seem to figure out who should get it… I'll take it for myself."

"Well if anyone can do it… I suppose you can," Tsunade cast a worried glance at the young woman.

"I've always said I'll repay you for what you've done for me," Sakura replied, glancing out the window at the nearly moonless night, her green eyes cold.

"You plan on doing it tonight don't you?" Tsunade queried thoughtfully.

"But of course…" Sakura rose to her feet, tossing the pouch of silver towards her mentor, "you've always told me to strike hard and fast."

The young thief left the apartment complex and made her way down to the shipping yard and quickly found the cart that would inevitably make it's way to the home of the unsuspecting Uchiha clan.