Wow! Three chapters uploaded in one day… I have no life. ;D

I don't really hate Shikamaru but I felt that there are way too many Sakura/Ino bashing fanfics and wanted to mix it up. In truth, I love Shikamaru… don't hate me.

DISCLAIMER: Naruto is not mine… it belongs to someone else… not me :(

OoOoOoOoO

"Enter." The strained voice of a blonde Hokage echoed through the large, wooden doors.

Kaida sent a glare to the smart ninja next to her. "Ladies first." He scowled, entering the room. Kaida followed shortly after.

"Shikamaru-san, I'm so glad to see that you're okay." Naruto smiled, turning his gaze to Kaida. "Kaida-chan, I trust there were no difficulties."

"There never is Hokage-sama." The girl beamed.

"I beg to differ, Hokage-sama." Shikamaru grunted, "It has come to my attention that you have a missing Nin under your employment."

"What?" Naruto shrieked, "Who? Where?"

"Kaida-san, right here." Shikamaru beamed.

"No." Naruto grunted, losing his excitement, "Kaida-chan is no such thing."

"Is she not from Kagegakure." The last word spoken earned an evil glare from both Kaida and the new Hokage. "I also believe that we have come across another member from said village."

Naruto's face turned from utter horror to surprise and then to excitement again. "Kaida, is this true?" his smile beamed, eagerly awaiting he girl's reply.

"Yes, Naruto-kun. I have indeed found Hiroshi." Kaida's own pride was now emanating through the round room.

"Oh, goodie!" the blonde Hokage smiled, "I am so happy for you, I don't know what to say."

"Arigato Naruto-kun. I am sure that the shock has still not set in for myself either."

They were interrupted by the sound of someone very impolitely clearing their throat. Both Kaida and Naruto looked sharply towards the ninja who stood, completely oblivious to the predicament.

"Ah, Shikamaru-san." Naruto muttered, "I forgot. I need to assure you that these ninja from Kage are indeed no threat to us. In fact, Kaida has completed a small number of missions for me during her stay in the village. I do not wish for this knowledge to disturb you, it is indeed none of your concern. We are under no immediate danger from these two…" He sent a happy look to Kaida, "…spectacular ninja. I do, however, require you to keep this highly confidential information to yourself. I will be having a work with Kakashi-sensei about it soon as well."

Shikamaru was stunned; he had never once in his life seen Naruto act so… serious. "Hai, Hokage-sama."

"Jaa, Naruto-kun, I must be leaving." Kaida grunted, "I need to find Hiroshi an apartment."

"Hai, Bye then Kaida-chan. I hope to see you in my office tomorrow though." Naruto chided, waving as she climbed out through the window.

Once in the open, Kaida was soon accompanied by Hiroshi. He muttered a gentle "Hello" and the two were off to find him an apartment.

"So, Roshi-kun… Do you have anything in mind?" Kaida chimed, pausing for an answer.

"Quiet." Was all he said in his deep voice. He received a knowing glance before the two made their way to an almost empty sector of the village.

OoOoOoOoO

"Okay ma'am, here are your keys, the room is on the second floor" Kaida nodded, taking the silver key in her hand and guiding Hiroshi up the stairs.

"Come on Roshi-kun. This place is really nice. I stayed here for a few days once." The silent man followed reluctantly before the pair reached the room with a matching number to that of the keys.

"Here you go." Kaida placed the key into his bandaged hand and led him into the bare room. "I'll leave you to get acquainted with your room and neighbours while I go and find you some furniture. Don't worry, you can pay me back later." And with that, she left.

Hiroshi watched the door for a second or two before taking the chance to look around the room. It was not small but it had a certain cosy essence to it. He felt at ease in the bare apartment. After taking in his new surroundings, Hiroshi noted the almost unnatural silence of the apartment. He could not hear anything nor anyone. He liked it.

It took him a minute or two to realise that he did in fact have a neighbour, one neighbour. The quiet chatter ran through his senses before he decided to pay said neighbour a visit. Hiroshi stepped through the door, gently closing the thin piece of wood before taking the not so long trek to the next door.

After reading the number, 217, he knocked briskly on the door that separated him from the unknown man.

The cream coloured door opened to none other than the very same man Hiroshi had seen before. He wore a dark blue sleeveless shirt that covered not only his neck but also half his face. The man had one eye open and the other closed. "Yes?" the man asked sleepily. He looked Hiroshi up and down, grunting in acknowledgment of their previous meeting. "Come in."

Hiroshi complied, stepping through the threshold and into the apartment. He followed the man into what appeared to be the kitchen before taking a seat at the small, wooden table. "So… what brings you here?" Hiroshi noted the smirk that he could see under the man's mask.

"Apartment." Hiroshi grunted, gesturing in the direction of his new home with a flick of his head.

"Tea?" the man said, holing up a kettle. Hiroshi nodded curtly. The man began to pour two cups. "Okay, since it seems that you don't particularly like talking, I'm going to ask the first question." The man smiled sweetly in a failed attempt to keep the conversation light. "Who are you?"

"Hiroshi." The bandaged man grunted, "From Kage."

"Okay. Why are you here?"

"Kai-sama brought me."

"Kai-sama?" the man turned, showing Hiroshi an enraged eye, the two dark tadpoles swimming quickly around his pupil. "What is your connection to Kaida-san."

"Captain."

The man closed his eye, rubbing his brow in frustration, "And why are you two not in Kage anymore?"

Hiroshi just shook his head, grunting as he stood from his seat. "No tea. Leaving." He muttered, patting his bandages down flat before leaving. The door slammed, leaving the grey haired ninja standing there, confused and annoyed.

"Wai-" the man said, opening the door to find the expressionless mask of an ANBU member.

"Hatake-san, the Hokage-sama has requested your audience." The woman spoke through her mask, "If you'd please." She gestured to her side. The man shook his head, choosing to teleport himself there instead.

OoOoOoOoO

Hiroshi stood, stunned as he stared into the not so empty room that was his apartment. He looked from left to right, studying the unique furniture that decorated the large room. "Kai-sama." He grunted, smiling to himself as his friend poofed into sight.

"Roshi-kun." She grinned, obviously happy with her choices. "How do you like it?"

"Perfect." The man grunted, smiling enough to see through the dense mesh that covered his mouth. Kaida smiled even wider, bounding over to the bandaged ninja and hugging him tight.

"Great. So do I!" she cheered, "I have good news Roshi-kun."

"Hn?"

"When I was shopping for this," she gestured to the interior of the room, "I ran into Neji-san. He told me that Naruto-kun wanted to see me so I went to his office. Guess what he said Roshi-kun, Guess!"

"Dunno." The man chuckled, humouring the girl, of course he already knew.

"He told me that I was to go on a mission tomorrow, I am to take you. Our mission is to escort a prince the Kazekage in Suna, a prince!" she beamed, "He's like Royalty!"

"Yes." Hiroshi grunted, pleased with the innocence of the captain in front of himself.

"We are leaving tomorrow morning, sunrise." Kaida chided, "Meet me at the village gate. I trust you can get there by yourself." She chuckled, nodding her head. "Well, Roshi-kun. I'll be going now. See you tomorrow." She leapt through the large glass window and took off leaving a content Hiroshi standing in the newly furnished room.

OoOoOoOoO

Two tall figures stood guarding the gates of Konoha. Both sported a navy blue hitai-ate over their foreheads. The dark haired one frowned as he listened to the many complaints of the blonde who stood in front of him. The guard with lighter hair just watched with a mirthful smile accenting his gentle face.

"They are so late!" the blonde boy growled, "I didn't pay top dollar for this kind of service!"

"But Riku-sama, they are two of Konoha's best ninja." The brunette smiled, "They could be busy with some intense ninja jobs.

"I don't care." The boy grunted, "I could be a ninja if I wanted to, the only reason I'm in need of an escort is because of my overprotective older brother." The blonde shook his locks, "I just wish he wouldn't be so paranoid."

The two guards smiled weakly, both nodding their heads, knowing the same feeling.

A dark shadow covered the gate, all 60 meters of it. The three looked up to see a figure standing just outside of Konoha. She had long brown hair, falling gracefully around her petite body. A toothy grin was plastered on her face. "It is me, Kaida! Reporting for duty!" she grunted, standing at attention. The two guards just fell to the ground laughing, whereas the boy glared at the girl who stood playfully awaiting.

"Who the hell are you?" the boy growled.

The girl tilted her head, "Did I not just say? I'm Kaida… reporting for duty?"

"But what are you doing here? Girls should remain inside the village at all times. You could get hurt." He huffed and turned around, deciding that the girl was not worth his time.

"Wow. This guy's thick." Kaida grunted, looking to the guards. Both shook their heads, trying to get the message across. "Hey guys? Where's this royal package that I'm transporting?"

The blonde turned around sharply, "You? Where have you been? You're 2 hours late!"

"I've been waiting for you." The girl growled, "In the tree. I've been there the whole time."

"Prove it!" he grunted.

The girl grinned, "Okay. 'I'm the royal Prince Riku, here to be escorted to Suna. I'm meeting with the Kazekage.' Hn?" Kaida mimicked, "I was just hoping that maybe there was another person going to Suna to meet the Kazekage and I wouldn't have to escort you."

"I fail to see how a fragile little girl like you can defend me better than I can defend myself." He grunted, crossing his arms like a stubborn child.

"I'm not doing it alone. I have Roshi-kun." Kaida chided, gesturing to an empty space, "Roshi-kun!" a large bandaged man poofed into view, causing the mouths of the three men to drop simultaneously. After pausing for a moment, the girl jumped up, "Shall we be off then?" she glanced around quickly before turning away from the village. "Ja-" the girl spun around; something catching her clothing had prevented her from continuing forward at a comfortable pace. "Hn. Kakashi."

"Kaida-san. Just where do you think you're going?" the man asked, flashing a friendly smile.

"I'm going on my mission to protect my village. Roshi-kun is coming too." She growled, annoyed with the carefree ninja. "Why do you care?"

"Ah, Hiroshi-san, I didn't see you there." The man smiled, turning to the bandaged man and then back to Kaida. "I care because it is my mission to make sure that you don't run wild and betray my village."

"Naruto-kun never worried about that before. Why should he send you now?" she grunted, completely unfazed by the accusation.

"You just got your comrade back. He might corrupt your loyalty." The man continued to smile, an unspoken friction growing between the pair.

"You're shit!" she growled, yanking her shirt out from his hand and huffing as she stomped into the forest.

"Shit." Hiroshi repeated dragging the prince along behind him. Kakashi frowned before running after them.

Flashback

"Kakashi-sensei." Naruto smiled in greeting, his usual playfulness completely lost from his features.

"What is it Naruto-kun?" the white haired man said, all seriousness.

"It's about Kaida-chan." The blonde smiled, "I should probably explain the events that have happened on your past mission."

"Yes, that would be much appreciated." The man was all ears how, waiting for an explanation from the person he trusted the most.

"Kaida-chan was originally from the village hidden in the shadows, Kage." Naruto's head shot to the side in shock. His eyes rested on a small blue bird, perched on the windowsill. He relaxed slightly, "I shouldn't be telling anyone about this." He muttered, rubbing his head.

"Kaida-san." Kakashi muttered, "She cannot be trusted."

"No." the blonde Hokage's head shot up, "She can. She has left Kage; she assured me that her allegiance is to Konoha. Hiroshi-san's appearance does not change her loyalties."

"But what happened to Kage? Ninja are never supposed to leave. How can she be trusted?"

"Kaida-san has also assured me that Kage is of no concern. We are safe from the village."

"But she hasn't told you anything important? The location perhaps?"

"N-no." the blonde became silent, "I trust Kaida-chan. She won't betray me or this village."

"Not even for her own?" Kakashi was feeling angry at the obvious trust the Hokage was bestowing on the unknown girl. "I don't trust her."

"That is your choice, Sensei." The blonde muttered, "If it will ease your mind, I sent Kaida and her partner, Hiroshi-san on a mission tomorrow morning."

"Hn. I will be taking my leave then." And with that, the white haired Jonin was gone.

OoOoOoOoO

Really loved writing this chapter.

Extremely excited to get the next chapter out… can't wait

Very nervouse to recieve rewiews from all…

Intoxicated by anticipation

Entertaining myself by writing this extremely lame chat box

Would give anything to give up school and become a full time fanfictioner… haha lol

Did anyone catch onto my smart subliminal messaging? Hah

KitsuneNEH is dying out here!