Author's Note: Ok, so I very well may get some technical things wrong, stuff that doesn't quite match up with the Naruto story line. Some of that will be because I wanted to but, not all of it, so feel free to mention anything you notice. I'm not actually trying to change anything, the story is supposed to be after the manga maybe, or maybe just kinda in there somewhere. It doesn't really tie into anything. I may use a few honorifics but, even though I should, I obviously won't be using them very often, pretty much only when I feel they are necessary (if this reeeeaaallly bothers you let me know and I will possibly attempt to change it, if you can convince me, I'm lazy with a Z). I will stop rambling now and let you read, of course that requires that you read this part .

Ps. I didn't specify about the mission so that I could make the first chapter mysterious. Dumb I know, but there you are. Anyway, I tell you in this chapter so it wasn't mysterious for long.

Warning: So, I forgot this last time. There is mild language, at least I think it's mild; hence, the teen rating. I'll probably have to eventually mark this mature but, not yet.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto. If I did, it would have loooooots of problems. But still….

Fair Trade

Chapter 2

Tsunade's eyebrow was twitching at a once per every two second rate. Her anger was verging on palpable. Her reason? Well, she's Tsunade, what did you expect? Seriously though, her anger was not unwarranted. The Elders were a group of bigoted, socialite, prejudiced, grudge holding, ass-wipes. Ok. Exaggeration. But they were not a wonderful group of people.

Old people do not understand the meaning of the words: the appropriate time. They think they can do whatever they want, whenever they want. She growled. No, I do not count. I am not old. I'm reasonable and level headed. Not to mention I can kick these geezers' ass's three times around the city without working up a sweat. She was lying to herself; quite a bit, actually. But it did make her feel better.

Tsunade, sitting at the head of the table as her station dictated, leaned forward and crossed her arms on the table's cool and smooth surface. "I do think that Kakashi will be the right choice for this mission. Who better to assassinate—" the Elder on Tsunade's left, three seats down said.

"I'd have to agree," said the Elder across from her. "We cannot send a whole team and the sharingan is essential, crucial."

"Well, I don't see any reason why not. We'd have to ask him of course but, there should be no reason for the man to decline—"

"Why, yes, that should be helpful information, we will have to tell him before he leaves."

"And, knowing Kakashi, he'll be ready to go within minutes."

"Wonderful plan, truly wonderful. Being his father's son he shouldn't need any help from us. All we have to do is send him off."

And there it was. The source of Tsunade's anger. They all remembered Kakashi as his father's son, instead of as the ninja he was. Kakashi should not be judged by these old cronies who were blinded by their own experiences. Age may bring wisdom, but it also brings complacency, and breeds discontent and unhappiness. Bah. Some old people cost more than their worth. Especially the self-righteous ones. Tsunade tilted her head down and to the side in an attempt to muffle her growing rage.

"I have made it perfectly clear that this mission is a suicide mission, correct?" The heads of those around the table nodded. "And everyone agrees that the mission is important enough to lose the agent." Again more nods. Tsunade's voice rose in volume, "And everyone is willing to lose the infamous Copy Nin because the mission seems so important." Less vigorous nodding but, still, they all nodded. She deflated into her chair.

If it were someone they liked personally the answer would be different. Anyway, it's not even their decision, its Kakashi's. Sighing she looked around the room. "Kakashi has already been briefed. He has agreed to die for Konoha, as a Konoha shinobi."

Relief and excitement crossed the faces of the attending Elders. The older lady sitting directly in the center to the left clapped her hands together once and rose from her seat. "It's all settled then," she said. "All that's left is to gather as much intelligence in the next few hours as we can, and wish Kakashi fare-well." She stepped back from the table pushing her chair with her.

The others followed suit, Tsunade paused before standing as well. "It's decided." She spoke quietly to herself. She looked around the now vacated room. Standing straighter she marched to the sliding door. "SHIZUNE! Meet me in my office with sake!"

When answered with an immediate 'yes, ma'am', Tsunade shuddered. She had already won more in today's lottery than she should have. All signs pointed to misfortune. She sighed again. It was becoming an annoying, yet comforting, habit. She headed for her office.

Tsunade paced across her office floor, hoping that she could settle herself enough to talk to Kakashi. To order him to his death. She shook her head violently as if trying to banish the thought. But it wouldn't leave. The thought, the image, played in her head. The voices of the Elders played and replayed, taunting her. She liked Kakashi. As a friend of course, but he was a close friend. And to be completely honest she wanted to tell him and all the Elders to: suck my dick, hell, noooo, he's not going anywhere. Not if I have anything to say about it. But, we do need the information, and I can't really stop him, he's agreed and the Elders have agreed but it just makes me so—

"Tsunade-sama?" While she'd been preoccupied with her own thoughts a young, in his late-twenties, shinobi had entered. She stopped pacing and faced him, eyebrow raised.

He started in a rush, "Listen, I know I'm just supposed to write stuff down and keep my mouth shut but, I don't like this sending Kakashi to his death thing. And from your reaction, I'd say you don't like it much either."

"No, I don't like it. But what am I supposed to do? Kakashi agreed; insisted actually. We both know how he is, now that he doesn't have direct responsibility for a team, and Naruto and Sakura are really growing up, his life means less to him again. He lost his strings, his attachment. If Naruto were here, or even Sakura we might be able to get him to reconsider but with the way things are now," she sighed (again), "we have no chance of stopping him."

"Well, I have an idea." Chocolate eyes met Tsunade's hazel ones.

"Planning to share, or just stand there."

"Give him this." The young man held out a purple and green, wax sealed scroll.

"Nope. No way in Hell Am I Gonna LET YOU GIVE HIM THAT!"

The man didn't even flinch. "Well, it's not your decision. I could always just give it to him."

Tsunade's pupils were dilated and her breath hissed between her clenched teeth. Today needs to be over. Right NOW. "So, then, we give him the scroll, then what? You die there instead of him? That isn't really a better option. I—"

The man smiled. "I can get out. This thing," he waved the scroll in his hand, "was made for a reason, you know? No, I can't get in. I can't kill the new Mizukage, but I can escape. I can get out alive. It's perfect." He smiled, bringing his hand up to his head and scratching habitually.

"Fine, damn it. Fine." She held out her hand. "Give me the scroll before I realize how stupid everyone is being." The scroll exchanged hands.

"You have to make sure he knows how to engage the seal. And how to activate it using his blood and—"

"I know. I'm in possession of one of these damn things. I'll make sure he knows what he's doing." Pointing to the door, she spoke, "Now get out of here and teach children or something." And with that, the man left through the door he had entered.

Tsunade smiled. Well, it's better than nothing.

=^.^=

He had finished talking to Tsunade at approximately 8:45 am, which meant if the meeting of the Elders had been called quickly, he wouldn't have long to wait. Four hours of discussion tops, another hour for the Hokage to cool off, and another for any and all useful information to be gathered. That meant he'd get his assignment tonight and he could leave at first light. This was best. No time for emotion. Even weak emotion, any emotion would become a hindrance.

Stretching, he turned his body this way and that to relax after the cool down run he'd done after training. He gazed from his balcony over the wall and the forest at the sunset. It was a quiet night, anything could happen. He breathed deeply, his self-inventory running through physical and mental checks. He was ready for this. He was prepared for whatever awaited him.

At a light noise to his right he turned. An ANBU held out a sealed missive. Kakashi took it, nodding ever so slightly. This is it, he thought, no more waiting. After scanning the page he flashed his hands through a few signs and transported himself.

In the Hokage's office, he stood at attention before her desk. She sighed. She's been sighing a lot lately. Odd, he thought. The Hokage leaned back in her chair arms crossed beneath her breasts. "I don't like this. I do not want to send you on this mission, but it seems I have been out voted."

She handed him a flat file folder with no more than ten pages in it. Information of this kind was scarce. "You head out in the morning. Any and all preparations or plans are left to your judgment. And this." She held out the purple and green, wax sealed scroll. "Before you leave put a drop of your blood on the wax seal and let it dry. The seal inside is seven pronged and will activate similarly to Naruto's. Do not use this until the last minute. Not until after your mission is complete. Hopefully, this will save your life."

Kakashi looked down at the scroll in disbelief. Tsunade nodded. It was legit. He tucked it into the pouch on his left hip. "Thank you." They both knew the significance of hope, even hope that was full of holes and covered in shadows.

Tsunade cleared her throat and stood straight, "Thank you, Kakashi. Konoha sends you to The Land of Mist and Fog."

Another Author's Note: Thank you first reviewers, Kick-Aft and Ruon jian! I love you! In a totally not sexual way. Yes, I actually said that. Yes, I'm very weird. Please excuse my behavior. Anyway, if you haven't reviewed please do. If you have, don't feel any pressure but I'd love to hear from you again. Sorry about the short chapters, I haven't the patience to write longer ones (again if you wish to convince me otherwise, feel free). And 'beta'ing. Yep. I believe that is it. Until next time, whenever that happens to be.