Shiro stepped out of the van onto the sidewalk by a road that was relatively free of traffic. As it was evening, the streetlights were lit, and the windows of the buildings shone with warm light giving the city a sparkling glow. The darkness was rejuvenating to his spirit. Shiro looked up, memories of leaping through the air from rooftop to rooftop back in Konoha flowing through his mind. The thought of home reminded him with a pang on just how long this mission truly was.

But he wasn't alone, the chunin noted with comfort as his two friends emerged from the van their eyes eagerly drinking in the sights. Kakashi appeared next, his book finally tucked away. Though the traffic was slow, there were still a number of citizens walking the streets. Shiro noted the elegance of their clothing, and the type of buildings that lined the wide road. They were in a wealthy shopping district it seemed, and entertainment he added in an afterthought on spotting some restaurants.

One final bang of the van doors signaled Akida's appearance. Shiro acknowledged the other ninja with a fleeting look before facing away to stare disinterestedly across the road.

"Where are we?"

"Where you're supposed to be," Akida answered. "Our Headquarters for operations in this country is straight ahead of you."

Straight ahead? Shiro looked across the road, and blinked. He was staring at a restaurant, and a sizable one at that. Through the arched window panes decorated with red drapes, and round teapot lanterns that hung outside, he could spot well-dressed diners enjoying their dinner, and chatting amiably with each other.

"A restaurant?"

"A very popular one at that," Akida said walking forward and stopping alongside him. "It wasn't meant to be a serious business at first. However it eventually grew in popularity, and the decision was made to adopt the business. It's become a favorite nesting spot for some of the big wigs of France."

"So I was right. It is a pit of snakes."

Shiro felt Akida turn, and stare at him for a moment before chuckling. "You're like me in that aspect."

Sensing a dark note in his voice, Shiro gave the special jonin a sideways gaze. Akida met his eyes with a smile. "I have my reasons to dislike officials, and anything related. What about you?"

"Like you, I have my reasons." Shiro gave him a brief searching expression. "But I think they have less weight than yours."

Akida flashed another smile at him, and cocked his head while his eyes roved up and down his cloaked frame. "You'd make a good interrogator. Have you been trained in the subject?"

"Basic training. It was enough for most purposes."

A partially hidden gleam illuminated the tokubetsu jonin's eyes with excitable fervor. "I wonder had you been an enemy that fell into my hands, how long it would take you to break. Have you any torture resistance?"

Akida seemed oblivious to the looks given by Shiro's teammates. The young chunin faced the other ninja fully. "My time with Orochimaru was enough to develop it naturally."

Akida turned away with a satisfied expression.

"If you are fantasizing over torturing me," Shiro narrowed his eyes. "Should I be troubled?"

"You're a fellow Leaf ninja, I wouldn't dream of harming you." Akida laughed a moment later. "Well I would, but then torture is like a physical attraction. Just like a man would fantasize over physical intimacy with a woman he finds attractive, so does an interrogator lust over a victim that is hard to break. And I think you'd be very hard to break. Now follow me."

"How is that fellow not under watch?" Kotetsu muttered staring after Akida's form.

"He seems slightly unstable," Izumo said with narrowed eyes. "But-"

"Slightly?" Kotetsu interrupted in exclamation. "Who tells someone you're going to be working with that you'd like to torture them. That's twisted."

"But," Izumo continued as if he hadn't heard. "If he's been chosen to be part of the squad that will assist us, then he must be trustworthy. Also he was Kakashi-san's student. For a brief while."

"He was a child then." The white haired jonin said eliciting several surprised looks. During the whole time had been with them, the jonin had been mostly silent. "He could have changed. He has changed."

"That's comforting," Kotetsu snorted. "Still, he'd have to be loose to try anything with us around, and his teammates. Wait, he is loose. What do you think, Shiro?"

Shiro smiled amused. Wanting to provoke a reaction from the brash spiky haired ninja, he reached out in an attempt to ruffle Kotetsu's hair much like he did to Naruto. The other ninja immediately batted his hand away with an indignant huff to Izumo's chuckle.

"I have no intention of lowering my guard around anybody, friend or foe. But it's too early to worry. The mission hasn't even started."

"You do make an exception for us right?"

"Yes, Ko. You, Izumo, and Iruka are the ones I fully trust."

"What about me?"

It was Kakashi. The jonin's visible eye was half crinkled in a smile, but Shiro perceived honest curiosity for his answer.

"I trust you as a fellow Leaf ninja, and to watch my back in battle, that's all."

"Maaa Shiro-kun. You're harsh." His eye lost its playful gleam. "Akida is waiting."

The whole group looked across the street at where the interrogator stood watching them with his head cocked, and a small smile.

"Yeah," Kotetsu grumbled. "We should be moving. Don't want to keep our loose screw waiting lets he decide to screw us."

"That was terrible, Ko," Shiro told him promptly, shutting down the man's hopeful grin. Izumo clicked his tongue, and shook his head slowly.

After glancing both ways down the street, they across to where Akida was waiting.

"Have you been talking behind my back?" the jonin interrogator asked with a playful smirk. "I couldn't notice those dark looks."

"Of course not," Shiro answered. "We wouldn't dream of doing so."

Still wearing his smile, Akida patted him on the shoulder twice before moving past. The jonin interrogator led them into the restaurant through a side door.

"Are the staff here our own?" Shiro inquired as they walked down a corridor passing the active kitchen in the process.

"Yes." Akida answered. "It brings far less questions on who are all these people that go keep entering the place."

After emerging into a broad hallway that seemed to be fairly close to dining room, judging from the murmur of voices, Akida directed them into a small compartment. At his touch, a hidden switch showed itself. Upon pressing it, the compartment rumbled suddenly before the shinobi felt it moving downwards.

"Welcome to our Headquarters in France," the jonin interrogator announced as the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open. "You'll find the size a bit overwhelming compared to the amount of personnel about. We're a bit understaffed here, and a lot of the shinobi you'll meet are only here to collect missions or deliver reports."

The room on the other side indeed seemed far too large in comparison to the meager amount of personal about. The room was much like the Mission Center in the Hokage tower. Several shinobi in grey fatigues sat around the crescent table sorting through stacks of paper. A short way off was a section walled in by glass where three more shinobi seated at desks working at computers. Everything seemed almost silent, dead, bare.

"The door ahead on the other side of the room leads to a hallway that connects to our Archive Center, Armoury, and Interrogation room." Akida continued. "To the left is our resting lounge. That door on the far right leads to the personal quarters."

"This is a very dreary atmosphere," Shiro commented looking about.

"That's how it is. We can't afford the extra manpower. Our forces are already spread thin trying to keep pace with this world. Now with the discovery of the Magical world, we're spread even thinner trying to infiltrate two fronts, not to mention the latest development with Orochimaru. We're trying to compensate by adopting young orphans, and training them in our ways."

"That could pose a problem." Shiro gave a slight frown at the idea. "These children won't have the same loyalty ingrained in them than if they were born in the village."

"That's why we take the very young ones. They're much easier to mold. We also never reveal the existence of our homeland to them. The only other option is to request more forces from home, but we can't leave the village weak. At least these new frontiers are keeping the peace between the villages, for now anyway. We have too many of our shinobi on the Outside for any village to afford a war. And if we're discovered here, it's over for all of us, so mutual cooperation is required."

"It won't last," Shiro stated. "There will always be forces at play looking to bring about conflict."

"Like Orochimaru?"

Shiro gave the jonin who was wearing an innocent expression, a dark look. Akida led them into the lounge that was even barer than the main room. There was only one person seated at one of the few tables about. Shiro recognized him immediately. It was one of the shinobi that had briefly assisted him the first time he had set foot in the Outside. Hiraku Kanayama.

The grey haired man looked in their direction upon entry. There were a few wrinkles on his face that otherwise remained lean; a testimony to his fitness. He was of middle age, with his hair done up in the traditional samurai ponytail.

"So you brought our guests, Akida," he said rising to his feet. He peered at Shiro as they approached. "I remember you."

"So do I." Shiro dipped his head in greeting. "Hello again, Hiraku-san."

"How do you know him, Shiro?" Izumo asked.

"He was one of the shinobi that assisted in familiarizing myself with the Outside when I was chasing that missing nin."

"You learned the basics, and the language quickly," Hiraku complimented him. "And call me Hiraku or by my first name. Customs are different here, and I don't care for the respectful affixes."

"As you wish, Hiraku."

"Who are the rest of your team?"

"This is Kamizuki Izumo," Shiro said indicating the brown haired ninja, "and he is Hagane Kotetsu. The last is-"

"Hatake Kakashi." The middle aged jonin finished. "Who hasn't heard of the famous copy cat ninja." He turned back to Shiro. "As you might guess, the Hokage tasked me with accompanying you. Per his instructions, I will be under your command. You have already met Akida. The last two members are currently out. They'll be back eventually. In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable. I'll have dinner brought down, and I can show you your rooms if you wish to rest."

"What can you tell me of a French wizard named Jean Claude Delacour?" Shiro asked.

"Ah, your client. We have a complete file on him in our archives here. Shall I fetch it?"

"That would be appreciated. Is it possible to meet with him now? I'd prefer it if I could proceed with the mission."

Hiraku checked his wrist watch. "That can be possible, but I don't recommend it. It's currently seven thirty. His residence is about a three hour drive from here. It'll be a late hour to visit someone. You'll be better visiting him tomorrow."

Shiro nodded with disappointment. "Then his file will have to do.

Haraku eyed him silently. "You're tense." The jonin stated, but he didn't pursue the matter. "Stop at the armory. Your gear will need a little changing to deal with these wizards. Akida will fill you up. I will fetch Delacour's file in the meantime.

"Thank you."

Hiraku nodded. "Akida take them to the armory, and outfit them," he directed.

"Yes Kanayama. This way."

The armory was a small storage space packed with lockers, a few racks, and some crates. Shiro found himself staring at the weapons on display.

"You use firearms," he stated more than asked.

"This is not the Shinobi Continents," Akida answered as he busied himself with checking the tags on the crates. "We can't afford to cling to our old ways if we want to keep up here. The only times we use our abilities are in places we are certain we won't be seen. There are unwanted eyes everywhere. Do you want to keep your old vest?"

Shiro raised a brow at him questioningly.

"We've changed our uniforms according to which group we're dealing with," The special jonin clarified. "For magic, we use these vests." Akida abandoned the crates, and walked to a locker from which he pulled a vest of similar design to the ones currently worn by Shiro, and his group.

The vest was dark green, and much thinner plus it lacked the shoulder padding. It had various symbols across it that connected with each other in weaving patterns. The scroll pouches that were normally on the chest were now positioned diagonally on the sides of where the ribs would be. Unlike the standard leaf vest, the top ends were open allowing the user to quickly grab the needed scroll. In addition, the neck-guard was missing.

"Since wizards don't fight with physical weaponry, we've lowered the protection of these vests, and made them easier to wear. We've also added a special seals to counter magic. We've discovered that when their magic makes contact with our chakra, the effect is nullified, however the chakra required to dissipate their spells depends on the strength of the spell. You don't want to block their attacks using chakra or you'll find yourself drained before the battle really begins. That's why we developed these seals. Each seal on the vest allows you to store part of your chakra. When you are hit with a spell, the seals will automatically activate using the chakra stored to absorb the magic."

"So it's much like a limited substitution jutsu," Kotetsu said.

"Yes, if you want to look at it that way," Akida agreed. "The vests have already been filled with chakra, but anytime a seal is drained, it is recommended to fill it again with your chakra if you are in a safe spot. These vests have a limit of five seals. It takes about one average offensive spell to drain a seal."

Shiro stared at the new vest. On one hand he couldn't deny the usefulness if he ever got into a fight with a wizard, but on the other, he was loath to relinquish the standard uniform he had worn for years.

"And what vest do you use for dealing with the common Outsiders?" he asked.

Akida closed the locker, and opened another one. "We use these. We've modified the so called Kevlar vests used by Outsiders, and adapted the material into our own design."

The vest shown was again the classic green of the Leaf. Like the magical counterpart, it lacked the standard neck-guards, and the extra padding around the shoulders was gone. It was also much thinner, and bare of any pouches.

Shiro felt the new vest. "This looks too thin to protect against blades."

"Kevlar is surprisingly resilient, but you are right. Against any clean slash, or thrust, the vest is useless, but it's suitable against small blades, and firearms. Remember we don't fight using our old methods here. We wear it under our clothes for most operations. Our clothes also have protective fibers interwoven in the cloth. Now this-" Akida withdrew a third vest, "is what we wear for the combat heavy missions."

The third vest was the most akin in looks to the standard Leaf one. The neck-guard was back, and a large array of pouches were situated on the vest.

"We use this vest for missions that have a high risk of firefights. The many pouches allow us to carry ammunition, and the thick Kevlar design protects us from bullets. Now if you want to keep your design, I can create the seals on your vest, but it will take at least an hour, and I won't be able to fill them all with chakra."

"That's fine," Shiro said. "I have plenty of time to fill it with my own chakra."

"You'll have to use a lot," Akida warned. "Filling up one seal takes about a quarter of your chakra."

Shiro nodded, and took off his vest. Akida took it, and looked at the others questioningly. Izumo shook his head.

"I'm sure they are nice to wear, but I am comfortable with my old vest."

Kotetsu voiced his agreement while Kakashi lazily waved his hand. Akida shook his head with an amused smile.

"You Homeland shinobi are all the same. Take off your vests, and place them over there if you want me to add the seals."

Shiro took off his vest while Kotetsu, and Izumo followed his example. However Kakashi declined the protection. The white haired jonin left the room silently. Akida collected their vests, and then scurried off much like a burglar clutching his loot leaving Shiro alone with his two friends.

"So these are what guns look like," Kotetsu murmured as he began inspecting the weapons.

Shiro snorted. "I won't deny their effectiveness, but they are far too noisy."

"I've heard you can silence them."

"Even with a silencer, a shinobi with keen hearing can still detect the burst of air as the weapon fires." Shiro fell silent for a moment. "I don't like this world," he confessed. "It feels… too different than what I am used to."

"I understand what you mean," Izumo said. "it is completely different, but I find it exciting.

A sudden click snatched their attention towards the weapon rack. Shiro blinked once with surprised eyes before snickering. "You are lucky, Ko that those guns aren't loaded. What you just pressed was the trigger. Remember that when you feel about, and don't ever point the muzzle at yourself."

"I'm not that brash," Kotetsu protested.

"I think the word you meant was stupid," his friend jabbed humorously.

"Shut it, Izu."

Shiro chuckled. "So what do you plan on doing to pass the time?"

Kotetsu replaced the rifle he had been examining. "Izumo, and I are planning on having Hiraku give us a tour of the city. Do you want to join us, Shiro?"

The young chunin shook his head. "I'll pass. I've got information to study."

"Always with the business mindset."

"A city is nothing new to me. I've been here once already. I know how this world works. A city is just that. A place of structures, and people."

Kotetsu waved a hand at him. "Details, Shiro. You are generalizing things. When it comes to sights, it's the details that count."

Shiro cracked a smile at him. "True, but in any case, I won't be going."

The armory door opened, and Hiraku appeared holding a brown folder. "Here's the file. If you need any more information, you can ask me or the Archive manager."

Shiro took the folder with a brief word of thanks.

"Hiraku, my teammates wish to see the city. Would you mind entertaining them?"

"No, I wouldn't. Before that though, would you like dinner?"

Shiro shook his head. "I'll skip dinner." He looked at his two friends. "I'll be in the Archives."

Following Akida's directions, Shiro found the Archive center easily enough. It was much like a library with rows of shelves divided into labeled sections. Shiro found a table, and busied himself with studying his client's file. There also some pictures in the folder. Shiro briefly studied the one that was his client. Jean Delacour was man in his early forties with black hair, and a small elegant moustache. His eyes shone with an honest passion. The next pictures however momentarily stunned him. For a long moment he held his breath as he gazed at the utterly beautiful women shown.

Finally regaining himself, Shiro flicked through the rows of text in the file before staring at the pictures again. So that was Delacour's wife. His eyes lingered on the next picture. And that was the objective of his mission. Shiro raised the photograph staring at the beautiful girl depicted in it. That must be Fleur Delacour, his client's daughter which he was going to guard. Shiro swallowed slightly, before suddenly flicking the picture back into the folder. The sight of her had made him feel like a young boy entranced at the sight of a girl. His mouth curled into a slight sneer at the thought. His client's file mentioned that they were of a different race.

Shiro abandoned the table to comb the Archive for information related to the subject. After a brief search, he found the information. The Veela were semi-human magical beings. The most prominent trait was their otherworldly beauty which acted as an allure that was known to be almost irresistible to males.

Shiro replaced the information. The picture alone had invoked feelings a shinobi shouldn't have, and that was a mere picture. "Kami," he muttered. He'd be spending an entire year besides her in person?

"Oi Shiro?"

Shiro perked his head. Kotetsu was calling him. Making his way towards the calls, he found the brash chunin with Izumo.

"There you are." Kotetsu exclaimed upon his appearance. "We're going to be leaving now to see the city. Dinner was fantastic. We brought you some."

Shiro gave the plate that lay on the table a dispassionate glare. "Thanks, Ko. See that the both of you enjoy yourselves."

"Are you sure you don't want to come?"

"Quite sure," Shiro assured him with a smile. "I much prefer focusing on a mission than spending my time in enjoyment."

A slightly sober expression dawned in the eyes of both his friends. There was a reason he was like that.

"Make sure you eat though."

Shiro waved them off. "Yes, I will. I'll have the both of you on my back if I don't."

"Too right!" Kotetsu declared with a laugh. Shiro bid them goodbye with a smile. He stared at the empty space of their presence not wanting to release the moment of camaraderie just yet. Eventually he returned to his work.

So his client's daughter must be threatened in some way if he was tasked to protect her. Shiro tapped a finger on the table in thought. Jean's file had mentioned the name of another prominent wizard he was on bad terms with; Alphonse Moreau. Shiro got up, and searched the aisles again. He found Moreau's file easily enough. The Leaf certainly had been busy with information. With Moreau's file in hand, he returned to his seat.

How long he sat there, he didn't know. Everything was silent like the inside of a crypt. Occasionally he caught faint snatches of audio of the other shinobi moving about their work. Finally Shiro leaned back. He pushed files in front of him away. Just how many times had he gone over the same thing? Ten? No, it must have been a lot more. Shiro stared dully at the table in depressive silence. He could only pour over a document so many times before it lost its effect.

The door swung open. Shiro raised his eyes, and gave an inner grimace. Akida's smirking features met him. The other jonin was carrying his vest. Akida walked towards him, and placed the vest face down on the table allowing him to see seals engraved on the back.

"I've filled two of the seals already. The rest is your job now."

Shiro gave him a surprised look. "Thank you." He reequipped the vest feeling a sense of security. Meanwhile Akida was studying the papers he had on the table.

"How many times have you gone over these?"

"Enough to remember everything. What gave you the impression?"

Akida surveyed him slyly. "I marked the time you entered the Archive. It's been nearly two hours. If this is all you've been looking at, you must be a very dedicated shinobi."

Shiro gave no response, and leaned forward pulling Delacour's file towards him again. Akida's hand suddenly stopped the paper. Shiro met his eyes in a quiet challenge.

"Instead of scouring an empty well in the futile hopes for non-existent water, why not pay a visit to Delacour's estate?"

"I'd be more than pleased if it wouldn't be past midnight when we arrive."

Akida smiled. "But that doesn't matter does it as long as you have something to do?" Shiro stared at him silently. "It's either sit there in the hopes of an antidote that's already run its course, or find another one. I'll get the van ready shall I?"

Without waiting for a response, Akida left the room. Shiro slumped back in his seat with a frown. Was he really that easy to read? Or was it merely because the other had years of experience in the matter. To be analyzed correctly by someone he was leery of was unsettling, but Shiro couldn't deny the restlessness he felt. Sleep was out of the question, and sitting in silence pouring over information he had memorized was no longer keeping the demons of his past at bay. It was an easy decision to make. Though Shiro didn't relish the thought of being in the other ninja's company, it was better than the alternative.

He returned the information he collected, and set off after Akida.