Disclaimer - I do NOT own Naruto

It wasn't hard to find her customers. They sat quietly in the back corner on the far side of the tea house. Their broad-brimmed hats were pulled low over their faces. As Katsumi approached she could see that the black cloaks they wore were adorned with red clouds. Only one organization wore black cloaks with red clouds, Akatsuki. That immediately made Katsumi wary. She would have been more than happy to go her whole life without encountering one of these dangerous men.

Katsumi quietly placed the tray on the table and began to place the tea and sake in front of the appropriate clients according to Yuri's instructions. Once she finished, Katsumi smiled brightly and informed them that their meal would be delivered soon.

Holding the tray under her arm, Katsumi turned briskly on her heels and headed towards the door only to feel a hand pinch her rear. She stopped dead in her tracks and turned her head slowly to face a man with long blonde hair that covered one eye. She reined in her anger as she spoke to him in flat monotone, "I would…request… that you keep your hands off me for the rest of your stay. I would hate to ruin such a relaxing moment for travelers."

Katsumi quickly crossed the dining room and entered the kitchen. She set the tray down and told them she was stepping out for some air. As she stepped into the alley her muscles relaxed a bit. She really hated men who had no respect for women. After a few moments she rolled her shoulders a bit before entering the tea house again.

Picking up the tray now loaded with food, Katsumi made her way back across the dining room. Again she began to place out the order as Yuri instructed. She was startled when the stranger on her far left suddenly spoke to her, his voice thick and raspy yet easily understood.

"You are new here, are you not?"

Katsumi glanced towards him before deciding to answer honestly. "I travel a lot and Yuri-san is kind enough to give me a job whenever I pass through. I have just never been here when you visited his establishment."

"And he decided to send you to serve us instead of one of his regular employees?"

Suddenly it clicked in Katsumi's mind. It was rather strange that a random new employee was sent to serve hunted men. 'They think I might be trying to kill them,' she thought. She finally faced the man directly, ever cautious of the remaining men at the table.

"Unfortunately, he decided this was the best arrangement. Apparently your presence has a negative effect upon the staff of this establishment."

A deep chuckle radiated behind her, "A negative effect? How is that possible since we have never done anything to this place?"

Katsumi turned to face the third member of the group before responding. "From what I can gather you tend to frighten the waitresses or they flirt and fawn over you. Seeing as they cannot serve you to the best of their abilities Yuri-san sent me instead."

"If you knew what we were capable of you would be frightened as well," the gravelly voice spoke again.

Katsumi stared blankly at the figure for a moment before answering quietly, "I have seen too much in my lifetime to be easily frightened." She bowed slightly before adding, "I apologize if my service has been lacking."

As she turned to leave she once again felt a hand on her ass and she snapped. Quick as lightening the tray was on the table, the blonde's hand held firmly in hers, and a chopstick pinned in the sleeve of the cloak only centimeters away from his arm. Katsumi's eyes narrowed as she leaned in slightly and spoke in a low tone that oozed killing intent.

"Let me make one thing very clear. I may not be a shinobi, but I do know how to take care of myself. I don't care who you are or what you're capable of, the next time a part of you touches me you are going to lose it. Do I make myself clear?" No one moved and the room became deathly quiet. When the silence was finally broken it was the by the fourth man in the group.

"Deidara, we are not here to make trouble. I suggest you keep your hands off her, it would be a shame if you died so early in your career with this organization." The one now known as Deidara snickered.

"I was merely appreciating fine art. But seeing as you don't approve of my," he let his visible eye trail her body, "appraisal I'll keep my hands to myself." Katsumi's eyes narrowed before she quickly withdrew her makeshift weapon, picked up the tray and headed towards the kitchen. As she crossed the room she could feel four pairs of eyes drilling into her back. As she parted the curtains she heard the man with the deep voice make one final comment to his companion that almost made her heart stop.

"You are getting soft Itachi."

"Hn."