Scroll 4: Enter the Wheel Nin

There was moderate bit of commotion in and out of the Ichiraku ramen shop. Inside the modest ramen joint, there would be causes of both distress and joy for the pair working. A behemoth of a man, whose bald head was inches from the ceiling, had a huge stack of empty bowls, and was still eating; asking for more as he finished the bowls served. He wore various pieces of colorful armor over his body; all fluffed out as if he was storing a large number of things on himself. It was amazing to watch him eat, with jaws of infinity it would seem. He was standing, as his weight would crush any of the seats available.

Outside of the shop, right next to the right wall, was an odd lithe, short ninja. He was sitting behind a table that had been produced out of the air, and laid across it were a number of gambling devices. Cups, cards, a mini-roulette table and dice were the tools he worked with. The masculine ninja had a pair of sunglasses covering his eyes, much like Shino's, but bigger. His hair was tucked back into his odd clothing collar. He was wearing a button-shirt that was un-buttoned and flapping in the wind. He wore no undershirt, and a pair of shorts that barely reached his knees. His feet sported a pair of black sandals, three straps each. A few of the children were trying their luck at his games and losing, but none of them lost any money, as the man wasn't charging them. Any adults, be they civilian or shinobi, which crossed the tables lost anything they bet.

If this commotion didn't awaken the occupants of Kensuke's upper rooms; the sound of Chouji Akimichi running past would. The chip-loving ninja had heard of the strange man in the Ichiraku shop was challenging his eating abilities.

Yukari was, for once, able to sleep in; as sleeping in until 8 in the morning was for Konoha ninjas. Her brother and she had a harsh night, as the seal on her back, the seal that had once depicted the kanji of Uzaruki, but had since been forcibly changed into mild curse mark gave her physical pain and nightmares when her hormones raged out of control. She had triggered it when she had fantasized about a couple of Shinobi (Shino and Kakashi). Once, where she bared her tattoo proudly, she hid shamefully behind cloths; all because Kabuto medically altered her sacred tattoo to become the kanji for oniitori, (demon bird), during the Sand-Sound Invasion a year ago.

It was an event that was kept secret even from Naruto; because, even the Lady-Hokage would not know the outcome if Naruto knew that Konoha had two cursed Nin in residence: Sasuke Uchiha and Yukari Uzaruki. Alas, the curse mark that Kabuto bestowed on Yukari was erratic and hard to predict; as the trigger was her highly active hormones.

Tsunade was still researching ways to either null or eliminate the curse mark. But until then, she had resorted to using a seal to keep the erratic curse mark under control.

In as such, there was a nearby Med-ANBU nin to administer the seal-chakra command, effectively knocking her out.

"Ugh…what hit me?" Yukari sat up slowly and placed a hand to her throbbing head. "Stupid noise, what the piss is going on!"

It just so happened that Kensuke had picked a place to monitor the activities of the Kyuubi, as Naruto was known to the ANBU, and that place was none other that right across the feeding trough of the nine-tailed demon: you guessed it; the Ichiraku. The ramen shack was the favorite place of the Jinchuuriki and his sister-figure, Yukari.

Right now the activities going on in the shack had awakened the sleeping beauty-ish beast. Yukari stumbled out of bed and slammed open the second story window just in time to see Chouji's oh-so-familiar fat-ass – she'd never say the word 'fat' to his face in fear of her life – enter the humble ramen shack that she had often – fondly - ate at.

"What the hell? IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO LUNCH TIME, CHOUJI-SAN, WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING EATING THERE NOW?" Yukari's voice was heard by those around and causing the scene. She, thankfully, was dressed appropriately by her now-departed-for work brother, so her normal one-piece sleep shirt was not in action. Her blue-black Nin shirt covered her upper torso and arms to the elbow. Still, the upper torso that hung out the window was a view indeed.

The Gambling Ninja looked up as Yukari shouted and smiled, pausing as he lowered his glasses. "You sure are just what the doctor ordered; mind telling me your name my beautiful dem-…lady?" He bridged cards and dealt them to a few kids as he spoke, having narrowly avoided saying exactly the wrong thing.

The Gambler's smile was arrogant and big, as his sunglasses slid back up eyes that held a knowing glance. He had a special interest in Yukari, anybody that did basic interrogation or psychology could tell that much.

"Beh, I'm Yukari Uzaruki, and you must be a newbie if you don't know that little fact." She wasn't her at her nicest when her nightmares attacked like it was wont to do, and last night was just what it had done. She wasn't the lucky one to have a nice, neat little seal to hold the curse inside of her psyche, like Naruto. No, hers was inherited by a jutsu-rape.

"SEE THE RED EYES! I'm sure as HELL ain't a bloody Uchiha, those jerks!" Her rigid middle finger flew to her crimson orbs to emphasize her point.

A handful of parents scowled in her direction and covered their children's eyes and ears as the tried to find a way to get steer away from the crazy kunoichi.

"So what are YOU doing to that poor old Teuchi-san's business! If I found out you're trying to run him into the dirt, I'll rip you a new one! That's Naruto-nee-chan's favorite place! I promised him to watch out for it!"

She was leaning out the window now, and her now-long hair slipped out of the window and lay on the roofing. Her fish-net and blue shirt covered trunk was better than her once belly-shirt style that she had months ago. This was her new look, and today it was staying. It was her mood, so there. She looked top-notch sexy with her spiky twist of her hair popping from behind her head. At least the long raven-black hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

Inside, the large man and Chouji were racing as they ate, having started on a whole new stack of bowls. It was both awesome and sickening to watch, as no human body should be able to consume this much of anything.

"Teuchi-sama! Are you ok in there! Not drowning in bowls, are you!"

Chouji and she had, amazingly, a standing rivalry in eating at the Ichiraku Ramen Shack, now that Naruto was gone. Yukari kept Chouji on his toes when it came to eating ramen, which surprised both Chouji and Shikamaru.

"So that's the name of the family those eyes are from. Now I know who else I can hate. Yo! Skiminachi!" He hammered his hand on the wooden side of the food shack. "Stop transforming your lips and get up. We've got business to attend to."

With that, the large man, now identified as Skiminachi, stopped instantly and turned to Chouji. As he spoke, his voice was deep and resonant as though he sang a lot and often.

"You are a worthy opponent. One day we shall battle again to determine whose stomach is greater." He turned to Teuchi. "Thank you very much for gracing my senses with your pious creations. As is what is due…"

He pulled a bag from his hip and set it on the counter. It was FULL of money, more than enough to pay for what he had eaten. The large man bent and walked outside, standing next to the slip of a gambler. They held up one hand to each other, moving them ever so slightly in a code-language. He pointed up to Yukari, nodded, and pointed in the general direction of the holding cells; and then at least the gambler spoke his arrogant tones.

"At least I think so…"

"Think so what! YOU WANNA GO AT ME! ALRIGHT! YOU ARE SO ON!"

Inside Chouji had stopped his eating frenzy as well, allowing Ayame and Teuchi to finally make headway on cleaning the bowls of their patrons. It was a good thing too; as they only had five clean bowls left. Chouji paid his due and walked out, glancing at Yukari as she slammed open the door to her brother's apartment – which bounced off the wall to slam shut – and stomped over to the brash-talking gambler and his friend. Yukari's attire was one completely changed from younger days.

Her entire body was firstly covered in a mesh-wire suit, one; that if worn alone, would make even the Great Pervert Jiraiya see double. (Of course there were much hotter figures in Konoha, ones curvier than hers, but thanks to Naruto and eating ramen, she had a well-toned and lithe body.)

Over that she wore her regular blue chuunin t-shirt and her tan vest. The vest zipped up to the chin. Her flare-leggings fluttered in the wind as she walked, and her thighs and torso were safely covered by navy-blue shorts. Her ankle-length black ponytail swayed along her back as she stomped to a halt in front of the pair. It seems today the she awoke in what the Rookie-9 affectionately called; bitch-mode, and was cruising for a fight. It was a shame that she was dressed up with everything but her nin band and her kunai pack.

"You seem to stir trouble, don't you, I say let me grant your wishes." Yukari then finally noticed the overly large man that intimidated her just like Ibiki Morino did. After all, the Morino ninja was in charge of Special Interrogations, so he was AIMING to be scary.

"Oh…uh, hi there…my you're one big guy…" her tirade-mode effectively shut down, Yukari found herself in a mildly embarrassing situation: pestering tourists of Konoha. The Hokage hated when she did that. She also found herself up against a large opponent, which made her give thought to what she was doing.

The big man clapped a hand to his stomach and let out a rumbling laughter as he noticed Yukari's reaction. He spoke to his much smaller friend next to him.

"It is a good thing BaRoKenDo agreed to stay behind a distance, as she would have fainted at the sight of him. I apologize for unsettling you, I meant no harm." He patted Yukari on the shoulder, much like some man would a child.

The smaller man next to him was brimming to the cheeks red. Not because of Yukari's form-fitting clothes and appearance - although he did have some nice, erotic ideas - but because he wanted to laugh. The gambler couldn't hold it in anymore and broke out laughing, his hand up and a finger extended as he pointed at her, bent over with laughter. It was almost like he was going out of his way to be rude; as nobody was this obnoxious. The big man sighed and rolled his eyes; knowing that either one of two things would come next.

"Huh? Excuse me? ARE you laughing at me?"

Nearby, Chouji was now traffic-ing hurrying villagers to a safer distance. Her Akimichi friend knew that Yukari was going to lose it at being laughed at.

"You, sir are GOING TO GET IT!" Yukari hand a five-series of hand signs reflexively and summoned a flock of small birds that was nearby to pester the laughing gambler. It was no big thing; just a prank of her own. She sent the harmless birds to squawk and hassle the target laughing Gambler.

"Welcome to Konoha, sir! Feel free to register a complaint with the Hokage's Office before you leave!"

The group of birds, five in all, gave their last chirps and flew off. With that, Yukari made a show of dusting off her hands and turning towards the inner of Konoha, as if she was done with these annoyances. She had things to do today and it was already late. However, something had given her pause as she looked back over her shoulder to give one last glance at the gambler. The kunoichi shrugged and continued onward down the large path.

The gambler did two series of hand signs at once. His body turned into a tiny pair of dice that rolled out of the way and popped back up. The other pair of signs was perfect for the situation. Not by any depth did he explore, but for that moment as she used chakra openly, he was in her head and saw events of the past day through her eyes, the way she had seen and heard them. Then, as she stopped, he was out. He turned to Skiminachi and nodded.

"Yeah, they're here. And no…" he interrupted his large friend before he asked, "She isn't." was the answer to the unvoiced question 'Is she useful to us now?' about Yukari.

They moved off toward the ANBU station where the kids were being held, walking at a normal pace. He hoped she wasn't trained too much in infiltration justus, because most people took extreme offense to mental penetration.

XXX

Yukari's attention was promptly taken away from the duo as trio from the Ebisu team nailed her. Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon leapt off the rooftops and body-piled her; sending her face-flat onto the dusty Konoha road.

"AHA! I got you, Onee-san! It's time to collect our prize!" Konohamaru crowed triumphantly as he sat squarely on her back. Firstly the friend of Naruto, the Third-Hokage's grandson was now leeched onto Yukari during Naruto's absence. She should have kept her guard up; but alas, the pre-genin trio of kids got the jump on her and now was in the process of claiming their so-called prize. Konohamaru reached for her ankle-long braid and plucked three strands of hair from it, making Yukari yelp from the sting.

"THE HECK ARE YOU DOING, KONOHAMARU-KUN!" Yukari's voice rang out.

"Onee-san is lazy today! We have defeated the number one kunoichi and have taken her hair to prove it!" The brown-haired kid was off and running, having his laughing partners to follow after him. His blue scarf was waving like a taunting battle flag behind him.

"YOU SO ARE DEAD, YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Yukari was on her feet again, chasing after the obnoxious trio as they took to the rooftops. The chase went on for a while until it led her over to the ANBU station. Yukari gave up at this point, deeming it worthless to chase further after the pipsqueaks.

"Darn it, Konohamaru you little idiot, I'll get you back later!"

XXX

Skiminachi, the big man that had intimated Yukari before, was sitting outside behind a table of his own. He had only spectators; and many of them at that. ANBU were on the skirts of the civilian onlookers, making sure he was keeping his peace. The large man was cooking though, with different pans and pots; the table provided the source of heat. Whatever it was he was cooking, Skiminachi was in his element. The armored giant paused to look at Yukari as she arrived.

"Ah, hello Yukari-san. What brings you here?"

Skiminachi's gambling ninja friend was nowhere to be seen. It mattered not, as he reached into various places under plates of armor, pulling out a bottles of either spice or liquid ingredients and adding it into his concoction. A few times he would pull out a foreign ingredient entirely. This man, it seemed, wasn't only new to Konoha; but to the Land of Fire.

"ACK! You again, what are you, a rin-nyou! A cooking ninja! Huh, that figures…" Yukari leapt off the roof and blushed slightly. Seeing him here was weird, she thought, and then again, many things are weird. Just how he got to the ANBU station before her was most possibly due to the fact that she zigzagged her path while chasing Konohamaru on the rooftops.

"I hope I didn't piss your friend off…I didn't mean any harm. I'm friends with the village's number one prankster…so I do a few of my own." She smiled as she canted her head sideways, and placed her hands on her hips to continue. "Sorry I can't stay and chat, but you ought to know a ninja's life is busy!" Giving a bow of her head Yukari walked into the ANBU way-station to check up on those bizarre kids from yesterday.

The large cook laughed, responding to Yukari's first words.

"True enough, I cook and I love it. Often times my enemies find that they are the ingredients…" He winked to her as she left and spoke to himself - whether Yukari heard him or not he didn't care. "Rarely is Shozaku-san angry, and always is he gambling on consequences of actions. You did exactly as he wanted, little vixen…" He chuckled to himself.

Inside Yukari might find that she had been beaten here. The Gambler was leaned up outside of the door to the holding cell that the children were housed it. His covered eyes were up off the floor as he quietly rolled a pair of a 10-sided dice. He didn't see Yukari walking up, so intent was his eyes on something else.

Kensuke, Yukari's older brother, was not here at this station; so Yukari guessed that probably was working with Anbu Bird-Unit – looking after and deciphering missives sent via bird. So another ANBU, Hirokaisu in codename, handed the red-eyed kunoichi the report of the children's behavior since the attack the evening before. Yukari smiled gratefully and read the writing on the paper while walking towards the holding room in which the kids were.

Not only did she have business with the three kids, but another unlucky ninja as well: a hapless Oto Nin. The male ninja was an ungrateful jerk that had once been in league with the Sound Village. Kabuto had sent the idiotic Sound Ninja after her two weeks back to convince her that she could save Sasuke by joining with Otogakure. She would have to be a complete dumb-ass to believe that. Yukari gladly ratted out the unlucky idiot to her sensei, Otou, and the ANBU had him within prison on the same day. It was a shame that he was rigged with mind-erasing jutsu that once triggered, would render his mind blank – which was a shame since Interrogation would have loved to root around in his head.

"Hm…so the kids were ok last night and noth-…huh?" Yukari looked up from her paper to stare at the Gambler sitting in front room she had business in.

"Uh...the heck? What are you doing in here!"

The report as she read it; was sparse. The three kids had been sleeping since they'd gotten there. The most colorful part of it was when a med-nin tried to go in and administer first-aid. The Chained-Kid struck out violently at the person and had yelled and cursed. Aside from that, the trio of children could be heard arguing at random times throughout the night, but they were mostly complacent. The bottom of the report suggested the children be removed later by force if nothing had been learned by night time. Shozaku looked over at Yukari. He stood up and smiled that annoying, arrogant, knowing smile.

"I am only exactly where you lead me. But I'm not trying to provoke you now. I was just waiting for them to stop talking. And they did when you walked up and started talking to me. How'd I get in here? I told those nice ninja over there…" the Gambler pointed towards the six or so masked and unmasked ninja within sight. "That I had business with these little children and that they had escaped and I'm bringing them home. Which is all true, just not the whole truth. What are you doing here?" He slammed his hand on the wall behind him, and a few squeaks could be heard – sounds coming out like 'ow.'

Yukari was really confused; ok so the kids did belong to a village and somebody had come to claim them. I guess that could be allowed.

"What am I doing here…I was just looking up on how they were…those brats ripped my apartment a new one…and got feisty, big problem there…so I just was seeing if ANBU would punish them. I guess they won't now that they are accounted for…"

Yukari's blood rose in temperature as she spoke. The curse-mark was reacting to something; and it affected her blood. This side-affect, however, came out of left field, as the fire grew in the pit of her stomach; making her burn with desire. Something about this situation and the bald-gambler-nin was agitating her curse mark and it growing to be a distraction very fast. She pressed her legs together, which caused her sway to one side. She shook her head to clear her thoughts as she caught herself.

"Oh, yea whatever…I suppose I'll let ANBU handle it…" Her voice slid out of her throat huskily. Being slightly over-heated, she looked once more at him, then turned to hide her blush. The Gambler leaned over and spoke into her ear so that nobody else would be able to hear them.

"I wasn't all too sure at first. I don't know exactly what but I have a general idea of what's going on in you right now. I'm also pretty sure you're not insane. If you ever need a place to not feel so constricted; where more than one person can help you can find me easily." And then he just made it look like he'd reached out an arm to help steady her and leaned back. "I didn't think the sight of me revolted that many people. But fine, be lazy. Never see the kids again." Shozaku smirked as he opened the door and walked in. Now that the kids knew he was there; growling and two other muffled voices could be heard.

THAT set Yukari off; being called lazy. She turned back around, her feathers obviously ruffled and marched right into the room, her hands spinning hair-strands of chakra like a web before launching it at the Gambler, pinning him to the wall. Her mouth was set in a mischievous smirk as she loomed over the spider-webbed Gambler.

"You wanna see LAZY! OIROTE NO JUTSU!"

Here she transformed into her Sexy Centerfold Jutsu. Since there were kids around, her now-size D chest was covered in a black bikini. A milky-white cloud covered her neither regions. Even though Naruto had taught her the jutsu, Yukari had tweaked it to create herself in an even sexier form.

"Awh, such a mean thing to call a kunoichi lazy, mister…such cruelty!" Her voice had softened into a sultry whisper as she leaned over and placed a finger on her lips.

"How can you be calling me lazy, when I'm just as strong as Naruto-chan." Her red eyes were nearly hearts at this point as she pouted her lips. The Gambler just laughed and smiled, speaking aloud.

"Although I do appreciate the view you've provided me with, you realize what you're doing is more or less a fantasy of mine? A scantily clad hot woman and me, restrained?" He leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Although I would appreciate it if you let me back down quickly or covered up: preferable both. You're giving the little girl some nasty flashbacks and she'll either break down or explode. I'll explain her reasons later if need be."

Shozaku had no idea who this was 'Naruto' kid was, or why she would have an obsession with being stronger than him. When he'd been a part of the known continents, according to these ninja, he'd been kicked out of every village as a known thief and swindler. His age and look had changed, or some of the older ANBU might have recognized him from when he was a small child.

Yukari changed back into slender herself and waved away the spider-web of hair. She blinked and blushed at what he said. This was a first; the first time that Naruto's Centerfold jutsu had failed to knock out a male opponent.

"Well, it's…that's surprising…" Yukari looked over to the kids and blinked again, like an owl. "You have got to be a strong ninja, ne?" She turned back to him and canted her head sideways.

"Just what are you? You…you aren't…an enemy are you!" Yukari stepped back and fingered a kunai, yet didn't attack. It was most odd that this uppity Gambler had the nerve to withstand a potent perverted jutsu of Naruto's; normally a KO for all males, and a huge distraction for females.

"Nope. Not unless you want me to be. As for my immunity against perversion; imagine that the jutsu you just did is only a single jutsu. I've had the misfortune of fighting a particular ninja whose entire fighting style centered on them. Unless you intend on traveling with me, I don't really care to talk about that story. Which reminds me, where can I find your Kage?" He went from serious to Jiraiya-like perversion in no time flat. "By the way, you do have a very attractive body." He added with a wink.

In the background, the Chained-kid was being comforted by her friends, as she was sitting back against the wall with her eyes shut tight.

"T-tr-travel with you! Oho! So you're in need of a ninja. I KNEW YOU WERE A PERVERT! Oh that's just great!" Yukari face-palmed her forehead as she spun around muttering herself.

"Oh all the things to get bizarre like this…huh, hey, kid, are you ok?" She looked at the kid with Chains and knelt down by her. "You need medicine or something? Or is it this pervert that's bothering you? I can call ANBU in here and they'll kick his butt out, if that's what you want?" Yukari was distracting herself from the perversion of her making.

Is this how Naruto made Sakura feel, by being a pervert or hanging with one? Yukari thought to herself and figured she would never know.

"I won't let 'em take you if you don't wanna go…"

"We could use ninja, true enough. But we're looking for permanent residents, and you seem to have a good life here." Shozaku stopped himself before he rambled on. He was a little annoyed, and when he got that way he tended to say too much. He paused and let Yukari talk to them.

"Yeah, she'll be fine. You doing that just made her think of her father and it made her feel bad. Shozaku, remember what Kentarou said! And Gilligan, stop biting your nails!" Wydra, the first girl, finally spoke up as she turned to Yukari and smiled. The kid in chains, now openly and alarmingly identified as a girl, was calm again and still staring at Yukari.

"Come on kids, we've got a lot of people waiting for us outside the village. Wydra, Skiminachi will lead you out. I've got to meet the village leader for something." The gambler, now known as Shozaku, sounded less…perverted now, like there was a lot on his mind. The third kid, identified as Gilligan, was staring at Yukari with an odd interest.

"Are you sure you don't need for the kids to stay here?" Yukari queried further.

"No, we're good for now." He picked up a particularly strange looking die and tossed it into the air. A poof was heard and a ninja came into its place. The person was short, but obviously of age, with dual pairs of Nunchaku strapped to his waist. He was pale as a ghost, with Kakashi-white hair. He wore the typical ninja get up, but instead of being black; it was all white and cloudy.

"Joma, stay here and guard the kids. Keep the lights on and eyes open." And with that he walked out after Yukari. "So who's Naruto?" He figured he'd make small talk as they walked towards the Hokage's office.

"Ah, Naruto is a good male friend of mine. I mean, yea, I'm a girl and all, but he's a prankster and has got one heckofa goof-off side, but he's deadly serious on becoming the next Hokage." Yukari hadn't seen the dice-turned Ninja, but the ANBU had. But no move was made; as the ANBU just watched them like a hawk; ever so curious.

"He's two years younger than I and an orphan because…" Yukari slapped two hands over her mouth to shut herself up.

Even thought Naruto had told her all about the Kyuubi, the village law still applied to her. Not one word of the Kyuubi could be spoken of openly in the Village. It was the top secret that Yondaime's sacrifice was to seal the Nine-Tailed fox spirit in his child, making that child an orphan in the process. Yukari was one of the sparse few to know about it and as such, she was forbidden to talk. But that didn't stop her from befriending Naruto at all; in fact, she idolized him nearly to the point of obsession. But she had a healthy outlet; training like there was no tomorrow to become as strong as him. It was her Will of Fire that drove her dream. But she'd still never win against him if it came down to toe and toe.

"Naruto is my best friend, and he needed one because his parents died when he was born. He's had it harsh ever since he was a toddler…and I was there to be his friend. He's an awesomely strong ninja too!" Yukari smiled to herself as they reached the Hokage's office with little problem. "I mean he's got to be this village's strongest ninja."

Shozaku nodded as he took this all in. He got what all she said and in mostly the way that she meant it. He'd had a friendly rivalry going with a few other ninja back in his own village. But that was all in the past now.

"Sounds a lot like Kentarou. Is Naruto still ar-?" He paused mid-word as they reached the Hokage's office. He laughed his ass off and knelt a moment, saying something about a 'tiny one room shack with shitty roofing.' After his laughter passed, he stood up and shook the remaining mirth off.

"I mean no offense…really…I was laughing at something else that this place reminded me of. So…should I knock or what?" he wasn't sure of the way this village worked, and had enough sense not to screw-around when meeting a village leader.

Yukari smirked, led the way in and made her way towards the Hokage's office, hoping to catch the hag either sleeping or drinking sake. Naruto had told Yukari all about Tsunade's habits and it cracked her up. Yukari had made it a point to hassle the old lady while Naruto was gone.

"Naruto's training out in the world now. I don't know where, but he's gonna be strong when he gets back…I'm going to get strong enough to kick his ass! TSUNADE! HERE I COME!"

There was an OINK as Yukari slammed the door open and Ton-Ton, the pig, flew across the room and went KAPOOSH into Yukari's stomach. However, Yukari used a substitute jutsu and the piece of wood clattered to the floor.

"YOU CRAZY PIG! You can't catch me, NYAH!" Yukari's voice taunted from the open window.

The pig grunted and put on its fighter's eyes. Meanwhile, behind the desk, Shizune and Tsunade were sweat-dropping at the scene, before Tsunade focused on the Gambler.

"How interesting…why is a gambler following one of my best kunoichi around? Just who are you and what do you want?" Tsunade ignored the wild taunting of Yukari and Ton-Ton as her brown eyes narrowed in on Shozaku.

"My name would be Shozaku the Dicer. I met her down at the ANBU station when I went to see where the little kids were being kept. From you? I mostly just want two things as soon as possible, preferably before nightfall: that is to have the kids on their way out of the village and permission to make a small grave shrine in the village. I and those who follow me are going to be moving a lot and we'd prefer to leave the marking where it won't be often bothered or destroyed." He stood with his back straight, sunglasses still on.

Shizune had finally caught a hold of Yukari AND Ton-Ton, and had kicked them outside while Tsunade opened up the conversation with Shozaku.

"Just what exactly is this grave marker for? Are you planning to join up with Konohagakure? As for the children, they seem to be a little rambunctious, but in good health. I assume they were just passing through the village before they decided to attack one of my ninja?"

"About the last question; I honestly have no idea why they did that. No, none of us are really planning to join up with Konohagakure. We wouldn't even be here if we weren't tracking those kids down to bring, at least one of them, home. The grave marker, we haven't found an honorable place, since our village fell, because everywhere else didn't have the right feel. Our village leader died recently, and we haven't had a time to stop and do anything to honor him until about now. If there's any serious damage the kids caused that I don't already know of, we'll fix it for you."

There was a bit more to his story, but he had answered her questions. Shozaku mostly wanted to get the kids under the protection of those who he knew he could trust and rely on against the enemies he had been fighting.

Tsunade nodded and smiled as she thought. This man did not look like any enemy of the Rock, Sound, Akatsuki or even a Missing Nin. The Hokage pulled out a sheet of paper and began writing her essay, short and brief, but it explained what was going on.

"The kids did nothing more than make a rumble heap out of an apartment wall, nothing too serious. I had my ANBU on them just to make sure they didn't do anything more than that. As for your jounin-oyabun (demi-hokage) I give my sincere apology. If you need anything in this village that would help, just ask me or the ANBU at the station…" Tsunade wrote an essay of pardon for the children and held it out to Shozaku. "At least spend the day with me in the local gambling resort, Shozaku-san." Tsunade wasn't known for being the Legendary Sucker for passing opportunities for gambling!

Shozaku laughed and smiled. He could sense her eagerness to lose money to him. He hadn't lost a game in years, because if he couldn't win by natural talent, he cheated to no end. And he rarely lost. He took the offered essay and nodded.

"Thank you Tsunade. This'll make things much easier on us. I'm not sure if there's anything you can help with really, all of our biggest problems have been taken care of. I might drop by the local gambling resort later tonight if time allows. For now though, I've got a group of people waiting outside the village; one of which is over-protective of his little sister. Again, thanks…" He smiled and turned to leave, completely forgetting if there was certain etiquette to follow when you were done talking to a village leader. He looked around the hallway, seeing if Yukari was still around.

Yukari was indeed there, and had rolled forward; for she had had her ear against the door, and Ton-Ton had mimicked her. When Shozaku had opened the door, the red-eyed kunoichi had fell inwards; and was caught red-handed in the deadly glare of the Hokage.

"Uzaruki-san!" Tsunade's voice rumbled like thunder.

"Uh, sorry, have no time! Gotta train! See ya old hag!" Yukari jumped up to her feet, grabbed Shozaku by the wrist and tore out of there running. She stopped when they had gotten back outside.

"Whew…that was a close call, I swear, Naruto-kun gives me the worst habits!" Yukari's head was then impacted by the chunk of wood Yukari had used in her substitution jutsu. Tsunade had used it to throw out the window and at Yukari; and as always, the Hokage's aim was on mark as the raven-haired kunoichi's head felt the impact of wood.

"OW!"

"AND DON'T COME BACK UNTIL YOU LEARN SOME PROPER MANNERS, UZARUKI-SAN!" Tsunade's voice could be heard from even the inside the closed window.

Shozaku was laughing as he was pulled along. He could've stopped the missile, as he had seen the wood-log falling, but he figured the jest was all in good fun and didn't mind. He gave Yukari a pat on the head and spoke oddly.

"There should be a pocket-sized version of you so I can have one, and besides, all that I would've told you anyway. I just didn't know you would've gotten yourself kicked out of the room. Well, if you're bored, I've got to go down to your ANBU station and get the kids out. We've still got a few long hours before nightfall, but the sooner the better…" He turned towards the station, waiting a moment to see what Yukari would be doing.

She stood up, rubbed her head and laughed as well; after all she was a ninja and had been pain-tolerant trained since the age of three.

"I guess, hahahah! With Naruto-nee-san gone, somebody's gotta keep that old h…-the Lady Hokage in good spirits!" She joined Shozaku and headed, once again, to the ANBU station where the kids were being held.

If one looked over the entirety of Yukari's personal file, one might find out that she virtually was Naruto's twin sister in personality. A sense of pride, determination, humor and honor all were traits of the two ninja. While Naruto was inherently mischievous, Yukari learned to be by association with Naruto. However, both ninja had the power to change peoples' lives. Naruto had to learn to do it; and Yukari inherently. One had a demon sealed away inside him, and the other had a curse mark. Indeed, it was most intriguing to even the Hokage.

"So your leader fell in battle, that's terrible…Sarutobi-Hokage-sama died a while back. It was a horrible event…when a leader dies…many, if not all, are saddened to the soul." Yukari looked solemn for a moment. "Thankfully, Tsunade-sama decided to fill the position again."

"I know that Tsunade is really old for her delicious appearance. I'm pretty sure she wanted to gamble against me to test my mettle; but I try not to gamble against people that I'm pretty sure can kick my ass, because I never lose and they get mad that they never win. Yeah, he fell in battle only four or five months ago, and we haven't really had much time to stop and mourn until now. I'm glad though; back during his traveling days, he said Konoha was the nicest village. Ah, here we are." He said as they arrived at the ANBU station, again, without problem.

"Well, I heard once that Tsunade-sama is known as the legendary Sucker, so I wouldn't be surprised that she wanted to gamble. Shizune-senpai tells her not too, but Tsunade-sama does it anyway!" Yukari clasped her hands behind her back and smiled. "Well, I guess you don't need me anymore, since I'm so LAZY…" She drawled out the word on her tongue. "I suppose I better go do SOMETHING before I turn…or Hokage-sama changes me…into a slug!" She smirked and waved at Shozaku and turned towards the east training grounds.

"Have fun training; hopefully you'll get strong enough to beat what's-his-name."

"NA-RU-TO!" Yukari pronounced out with a smile.

Shozaku knew the boy's name now, and he was teasing her. As she walked out of ear shot, he muttered to himself.

"As entertaining and sexy as you are, kunoichi-san, we hopefully won't have to meet again. It'll probably mean very bad things…" The gambler went inside to extract the kids; handing the ANBU the paper Tsunade had given him. Being both a leader of sorts and a very perverted person, he was having a hard time keeping thoughts of the women he'd met that day out of his head.