A.N: If you are reading this, Welcome back to The E.S.S and its 4th chapter. Let's keep this short with saying I hope you are all enjoying this story.

Thank you everyone who reviewed and MM9223: Not necessarily. Sai is, well, an open person and does what wants, sometimes just on a whim. Also, I didn't know fully myself who I was going to make the spy or hired hand and with help from each name you gave and my best friends you'll know who it was and whom see needs to be warily of.

On with this story.

Sai's POV

I walked the streets in search of a perfect background before sunrise and it was also to let me think. I had a lot to think about since I'm always home alone, well, now that Ino is in full swing for a fashion show and Sakura has been leaving early to cook for and wake up her child of a boss for the past two weeks, I think I've been lonely.

I looked around before selecting town square in its true moment of silence.

I don't have an exhibit for awhile and I haven't been able to work in the silence of our apartment. I walked further and found a seat on one of the many benches placed about this city.

Opening my sketch pad I flipped past pictures of Ino, Sakura, some of both and other pictures of scenery, abstracts or other people to a nice clean sheet and in mere moments the page was filled with lines as I began to think.

When did I become like this? I've done what I've wanted since I was a preteen, I dated Ino in high school and that was fun but, we decided it was more fun to be best friends after graduation then when we moved we realized we needed a roommate. So after renting the apartment, we made a flyer.

We only printed one, but it was blown away that day when we were on the balcony about to leave and hang it up. Then about an hour later someone called.

I was expecting some weirdo to be on the other side of the door but, when we opened it a girl our own age with pink hair was standing there with the lost flyer and that was all it took for us to say yes.

"Am I lonely because they're spending so much time with other men?" I looked at my page as the dawn broke then my eyes shot up in search of anybody but, no one was there. I looked at the picture one last time before closing my sketchbook and hurrying home that Image raised the hairs on my neck.

Who or what did I draw standing in front of me just now?

Sasuke's POV

I knew it was time to get up even without having to be told as the sun rested on my face 'I was up late and I'm tired.' I mentally told myself as if it would make it better when that knock sounded through my door 'Noooooo why are you here again? Just quit already.'

"Mr. Uchiha you need to get up." I pulled the blankets over my head "5 more minutes." I said rolling to the side. Silence filled the air so I didn't know if she walked out or not but, I was too lazy to check.

The bed jolted and my eyes shot open to see her lying down in my bed "I suggest you get out of my bed now." I said very calmly and she smiled "In 5 minutes."

I felt my eye twitch as she shut hers and snuggled in under my blankets. I yanked my blankets toward me and they didn't move far and I realized she was holding tightly to them as if she could a smile on her face as if laughter was tightly sealed behind her lips.

"Secretary Haruno." I warned as she just laid there smiling so I pulled again, harder this time, and she budged letting go and rolling toward me as I rolled away before I ended up on the floor looking up at the ceiling.

She poked her head over the edge her hair hanging down almost touching me as I glared at her as she smiled "5 minutes is up." She giggled and patted my knee before rolling off the edge of my bed landing on her feet.

I glared at her as she walked off "I swear."

Aside from this morning today was actually productive as we went to a board meeting, went to meet with the head of the Hyuga, Nara and Sabaku companies. Each one went by smoothly except for the look they all gave me upon seeing the woman beside me at attention who always seemed to be writing something at random points in our conversations.

When lunch came we all went out to eat and were seated in the finest restaurant in all of Konoha, that my secretary declined the invitation to, we sat there listening to Naruto tell us about his business trip.

I looked at Hinata talking to Neji Hyuga, her cousin who is the successor to their family business, Gaara Sabaku seem to be listening but not honestly paying attention and Shikamaru Nara was, well, resting his eyes.

I felt oddly out of place, though I'll deny it, since each of my friends had their secretary beside him and mine had run away. 'Why should I care? Not like I need her or any ones help.'

"So, I heard someone has been arriving to work on time every day recently." I looked up at Neji then looked at Naruto who smiled sheepishly. "You heard correctly." I said returning my attention to Neji he leaned forward resting his chin on his left hand propped up on the table as he rested the other on his drink "A little bird also mentioned that pinkette is the reason."

This time I shot Naruto the deadliest glare I could muster "She has nothing to do with it." Naruto looked away a fox like smirk forming on his face "You know you enjoy the company." I leaned back "I'm not fond of being thrown out of my own bed."

Naruto raised his brow "She threw you out of bed today?" I got silent and looked to the side a scowl forming "Not necessarily."

Everyone seemed to be staring holes into me even Shikamaru was looking at me "What do you mean?" he asked and I looked at our lazy but, genius friend "Let's change the topic, it's not worth mentioning." I grabbed my drink and took a sip.

"What's not worth mentioning?" My eyes turned to her and the bag in her hands "How you kicked him out of bed." Naruto said and her cheeks seemed to tint a soft red "Oh, I forgot about that." She gave a small laugh "He said to wake him in 5 minutes so I-" I cut her off "Didn't you have somewhere to be?" she looked at me and pursed her lips once more a brow raising.

"I did what I needed to do boss," she placed her hands on her hips "Also, what I do on my lunch break is my business." She shook her head "I just came to let you know, OH GREAT ONE," she tossed a hand up with a small shake of her head again and rolled her eyes "I'm off for the rest of the day, courtesy of Mr. Itachi, Have a nice day."

She bowed to the others "Have a wondrous lunch." She turned to leave, but stopped as if debating something. She turned toward us again and with a glance at me she hurried to Naruto and whispered something to him.

His mouth dropped and he busted into laughter before she grinned and waved bye and hurried away.

We all looked at the fleeing pinkette then to the laughing Naruto "What?" I asked and he looked at me with hid fox like grin "She crawled into bed with you?" everyone looked at me jaws dropped I felt myself pale but, my face was hot "No!"

Naruto snickered "Don't take it so hard, I mean, I'd lay down in bed if someone said wake them in 5 and I was tired too."

I want to strangle her, fire her, and throw her off a cliff! That infuriating woman just gave my best friend ammunition and a loaded gun.

"Say another word and I'll fire you." Naruto shut up and silence filled the room.

Sakura's POV

"That man." I grumbled as I hurried over to the bus stop and hurried to buy sake and flowers. I got there and looked at the stop I needed since I was coming from a different bus this year.

I memorized the stops just as the bus screech to a stop and I hopped on making sure to keep my things near. I looked at the cars that passed and counted each time we stopped. Once the seventh stop came I stood and was the only one who departed here.

I walked a good mile before I came to the small town my grandparents once lived in and the nostalgia washed away any troubles I carried from my job, parents and boss.

I walked the streets taking in the only happy part of my childhood when I spotted the house I was heading to.

I ran to the house, up the rose bush path and to the door where I pressed the doorbell. I waited a little before the door opened and the familiar face of the 30 year old pale blue haired Yukki Kato. "You made it!" I smiled and nodded "Hi Yu, are they ready?" she nodded and let me in "They're bickering like always." I gave a soft giggle at that.

We walked into the living room to see the woman who sparked my interest in pursuing a medical degree although taking nurse courses was all I could manage under the very scrutinizing eyes of my parents.

"Hi Tsunade! Jiraya!" I gave a bow and smiled at them Tsunade was the greatest medic known in the entire world and none have surpassed her. Next to her is her second husband Jiraya and they've been friends for a long time; they got married 5 years ago.

"You look weary child." She said and I nodded "My boss is a slave driver." This made her smile "I guess this means it's time to go." She stated as her eyes showed the sorrow hidden from her features.

We all got into the car and Jiraya drove us to the graveyard. After a moment Tsunade got out of the car and each of us carried something toward the grave the very familiar Shizune stood at.

She looked at us with a sad smile and waved at us "Hi." I said and hugged her to help ease some of the ache in her heart. Tsunade looked at the grave marker and she knelt and began placing all the things we brought.

Tsunade looked at the sake "I feel this is meant more for me than him." She looked at me and I smiled and we continued the ceremony till Tsunade was ready to part again.

"I'm going to stay behind." I informed them and they all nodded knowing where I was going. "Be safe." Tsunade called out to me and I nodded "Always am." I waited till they drove away and walked to my grandparent's grave markers which were cleaned and had a small cake on each one.

"I see my parents beat me here." I said to them and sat down "I have so much to tell you guys, but I wouldn't know where to start." Reaching into the bag beside me I placed simple pickled plum rice balls and green tea on their markers.

"I work for a company that has a son, my boss, who hates pink. Well, I've made it this far and that's something." I pull my knees to my chest and rest my chin against them "Aside from work my best friends have been in good health and my parents, well, let's just say they're my parents."

I wrap my arms around my legs and sigh "I miss you guys."

I sat there longer than I had intended in the silence of the day and was now running after the bus that left without me. "Gah!" I threw my hands up and slowed down to a stop "You've got to be kidding me. How do you not see a pink haired girl chasing a bus for a mile?"

The worst part is since this isn't a well known place and this rode doesn't really lead anywhere else but here the chances of me getting a ride were close to none and I dropped my cell phone cracking it.

"Goddamnit . . ." either I walk back or keep waling forward. I look at my feet and then at either direction of the road "Maybe Yukki can drive me back." I decided and began to trek back to the small town with throbbing feet even after I took my heels off.

The sun was getting lower and the wind was picking up "Where the hell is that bus stop? I couldn't of run farther than I assumed, could I? I slowly picked up my pace before I was running down the road scanning for the bus stop.

I was so frustrated I threw my shoes into the air and watched them spin higher and higher before gravity did its job and brought them tumbling down straight when I saw the lights on me and a vehicle, I didn't realize was driving at me, was the target.

I flinched as they made contact and ran forward at the stopped car, I quickly ran to the car and straight to the driver's window and I only saw my reflection on the tinted surface before it rolled down and the man who gave me a ride home from the market.

He smirked at me and I turned red "I'm so sorry I hit your car with my heels." He shook his head sending his silver hair that seemed gray as the sun dipped below the horizon casting shadows to show where his mouth is beyond mask that covered the lower half of his face.

I noticed another man in the car with him; he had black hair and a beard. "Hi." I waved and then looked back to the driver remembering why I was standing there.

"Oh, I promise to pay you for the damages." I quickly said before adding "Let me grab my shoes first." I walked to the hood and grabbed the one still on it and then I ran around picking up the one that fell to the floor. 'This is so embarrassing.'

I stood and I heard a door open "Why are you out here anyways?" he asked me and I looked over where he stood leaning on his open door I was about to answer when instead I asked him a question "What about you?"

"I'm here for the scenery." He said gesturing around and as I stood I knew without looking that this was indeed a beautiful place, Sai told me when they came with me last year. "Oh."

I hurried back to him "I broke my phone so I can't give you my number to contact me for the money to pay for the dent and scratches b-" he patted my shoulder "don't worry about it nothing, it's not something we can't handle ourselves besides, you seem like you could use another ride."

I raised my brow "What makes you think I need a ride?" he looked at his friend "Just an assumption." I opened my mouth as the sound of a car racing down the road drew my attention to behind me.

"Someone's in a hurry." I mumbled and then turned to him "Why lie? I do need a ride." He opened the backdoor "Let's go then." I gave him another nod as he got in the driver seat and closed his door.

I walked to the open door and as I lifted my foot to get in and the speeding vehicle I suddenly recognize came to a halt and the driver's door shot open and Ino tackled me to the floor.

"You demon! I thought you had been kidnapped or murdered! Why didn't you call us? Why didn't you answer our calls?" I smiled at her and patted her head "I kind of broke my phone."

She helped me up and I saw Sai shaking his head at me "Why didn't you stay by the bus stop?" Sai scolded me with the question and I smiled "I chased after the bus farther than I thought." I turned and looked back at the open door and the car waiting there "Give me a sec."

I hurried to the window as I closed the door "Seems my worry wart best friends came in search of me." His eyes seemed hard as they looked beyond me then at me "What a brush of luck you have." I nodded "Thank you though for offering to help me, you're a good guy but here is where we depart."

I stood and backed up a little "Drive safe, uh, I never got your name." he glanced at me and nodded "It isn't important, till next time little Sakura." The car gave a roar and took off then I frowned 'I don't recall telling him my name.'

I shrugged and jumped into the back "Thanks for searching for me or I would've bummed a ride from them." they both looked at me "What did we say about strangers?" I giggled rolling my eyes at them "Everyone's a stranger till you say hello."

They sighed "Sometimes I think you have a death wish or a carelessness of your own life." Ino muttered as she buckled in and turned the car around driving after the car I could no longer see. I exhaled, buckled up and closed my eyes. 'They wouldn't hurt me . . . I mean he gave me a ride once before and I'm still intact. They're worrying over nothing.'

? POV

"She does have luck with her today." my partner commented as he lit a cigarette "She is, however, to trusting in others." I replied as I sped down the road "We almost had her too." I grumbled think about it she was willing to just get in and let us driver her home as if we were old friends in another life.

"Shikamaru met her today, said she's truly an interesting person for being such a down to earth person." I didn't even look at Asuma "I'll stake out tonight, you need to go home and be with the family."

Silence filled the air and I knew it was due to her not knowing he did this "If I need to I can have Sasori grab her since he exceeds in the art of kidnapping." Asuma look at me and nodded "I do have things to take care of other than watching a young woman who is as harmless as a fly."

I gave smirked "I'll probably go out for drinks with Obito before returning to my day job for a few days." We shook our heads "Sometimes I wonder why we even do this." I said to him and he nodded "I think it's nice to use the old skills given to us once in awhile."

We let the silence settle as we neared the city limits and weaved through night time traffic and toward his home where his wife and child awaited his return.

We reached his home and I pulled over letting him jump out "See you in a few days Kakashi." I nodded and once the door shut, I took off for some needed r and r.

Pulling my mask down I pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Smoking these wasn't because I liked them but it helped calm my inner demons and put me at ease "Mikoto can wait for her favor; I am a detective before I am a hired hand."

Tossing the cigarette out, I pulled my mask back up, and headed to the small bar not far from here where I knew Obito was and made the call.

It took but a ring and he answered "What is it Hatake?" his tone flat "I need someone picked up in exactly three days." Silence filled the line before to he spoke once again, "Where shall I take this person?" I made a turn and pulled into the parking lot "Take her to the normal spot."

He chuckled "Been awhile since I had to pick up a girl." I nodded "Indeed but, she's easy to spot anywhere." I heard as shuffling the sound of typing "Just give me her name and I'll get her." I looked at the neon lights of the open sign "Sakura Haruno." Which the sound of typing he said bye and we hung up. I turned off my car and got out.

"Little Haruno, I think it would be wise to quit before Sasori finds you," I could help the small smirk on my face "The clock is ticking."

A.N: Let me know your thoughts below and I'll do my best to answer you all even if it's in the Author's Note on top.

May you be well.