Chapter 7: Hiding in Plain Sight

"Would you mind if we take this inside? I'm afraid your friend might have attracted some attention," Iroppoi suggested, looked around, seeing things they could not.

"Yes, of course," Marugo granted. "I'll talk to Teinei—"

"That wouldn't be best," Iroppoi interrupted calmly. "It would probably be better if Kurisutaru talked to him."

Marugo glanced amongst the three before nodding. "Good idea. Kurisutaru, explain things to Teinei and then join us in the living room."

Kurisutaru nodded, waiting for the two to disappear inside before leading Teinei to her room to explain. He watched her anxiously, arms folded as he stood in front of her. She hung her head, trying to gather her nerve to explain to her snarky friend as she motioned for him to sit.

Filling her lungs, Kurisutaru looked him in the eyes. "I know you're mad, but I want you to listen to me. Iroppoi has been my friend for years—"

"Years?"

"Yes, years. He first came here to find Lady Tsunade for help, but she wasn't here. When he left, he was tricked by Orochimaru into working for him." She watched his still-angry features consider her explanation as he waited for more. Sighing, she said, "Look, I don't expect you to be friends with him or anything like that, but I'm asking you to not fight with him. I'm also telling you that we have to make sure he doesn't see blood."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"It would not end well… All I can tell you is that he has some form of Multiple Personality Disorder and it occurs when he sees blood."

"You want me to trust a Sound Ninja that works for the assassin of our Hokage that has a split personality?" he asked angrily.

Kurisutaru watched him for several moments, knowing an immediate answer would frustrate him further. He looked away, closing his eyes to control his anger. "Do you trust me?" she asked softly.

"Do you even have to ask? Of course, I do. I trust you with my life," he answered quietly. He looked at her from the corners of his eyes, not turning his head to look at her.

Kurisutaru raised a hand to his chin, gently guiding his face to look in her eyes, telling him, "Then, that's all you have to do. You don't have to trust him; just trust me." She searched his indecisive face, torn between his hate and distrust of Sound Ninjas and his undying trust and loyalty to Kurisutaru and Marugo.

Teinei took her hand, removing it from his face, closing his eyes to avoid the powers of persuasion she could unintentionally hold on him with her eyes. "All right, fine. It's not like I have much of a choice in this, anyway."

"Thank you," she said, relieved, "Now, let's go downstairs."

Kurisutaru turned to leave the room, Teinei just a few paces behind as they joined the other two in the living room. Iroppoi's stance was rigid, defensive, but calm as he watched Teinei. His burning hatred couldn't hide from the Sound Ninja, especially not at its strength.

Iroppoi stood from the couch and bowed respectfully to Teinei and Kurisutaru. "Thank you for allowing me in here without raising alarm."

Teinei fought the desire to scoff angrily and said tightly, "Thank them, not me."

Smiling to himself, Iroppoi said, "Of course; my apologies."

"What brings you here to Konoha?" Kurisutaru asked.

Iroppoi's eyes glanced around the room. When they fell on a spot near the front door, he carefully pulled his hands together for a series of hand seals. "It's just a sound barrier, Teinei. Don't be alarmed, it's just precautionary," he told the apprehensive shinobi. Once the jutsu was set, he lowered his arms and they disappeared under his black cloak. "First, I would like to apologize about Lord Hokage Sarutobi. He was a good man." He watched the two Tetsu nod for him to continue.

"But I'm afraid this isn't a social visit to your Village. Lord Orochimaru sent me as well as several of his followers here. Unfortunately, we are all in disguise and arrived at different times to avoid suspicion so it would take time for me to hunt them out for you. It was also done to avoid failure in case of treason." Iroppoi smirked in spite of himself.

"Why were you sent here? Orochimaru already attacked during the Chuunin Exams when he killed Lord Hokage. Wasn't that his goal?" Marugo sat on the couch, folding his arms loosely.

"That wasn't his only goal. He wants Konoha for himself. We're here, primarily, so gather information on your defenses and attack from the inside when the time comes. His plan involves killing Lady Tsunade, of course. But that fact isn't what bothers me the most. It seems one of the infiltrators noticed something during the last attack." Iroppoi closed his eyes, feeling the others' eyes burrowing into him. "A potential problem we are to seek out and take care of."

"And why would that bother you?" Teinei asked bitterly.

"Because the person they described is similar to that of Kurisutaru," Iroppoi said, his patience wearing thin. "Of course, anyone suspected of being our target is to be observed to confirm the final trait. As for the possibility that it's you, I believe is low, but be prepared."

"What's the final trait?"

"I can't answer that, I'm sorry." Iroppoi presented a respectful, apologetic bow. "I can tell you this: the only choice for them to escape death would be to join Lord Orochimaru."

"And in the meantime?"

"In the meantime, war would ensue between our Villages. It won't be pretty, I can promise you that."

Kurisutaru nodded in thought. "And I don't suppose you have anything I can use to track your friends, do you?"

Iroppoi shook his head. "Even if I did, you know I couldn't give it to you."

"Right, I understand. You'll know them if you see them, though, right?"

"It may take a moment, but yes."

"Can you move around the Village without disguise?" Marugo asked.

"I suppose so, as long as it doesn't give us away. In addition, there can be no accidents on my part, since that would raise security," Iroppoi told them. He watched as Teinei glowered suspiciously at his cloak, trying to see the possible array of weapons hidden underneath. Removing the cloak, he passed it to Teinei. "Search it as thoroughly as you like. If I'm to help you, I need some level of trust."

Teinei eyed it carefully before intercepting the cloak. He looked back to Iroppoi to see if there was anything else. His pants were just as black as his cloak and the only shirt he wore was standard, mesh under-armor. Around his neck hung two necklaces, a cross dangling at the end of each, one slightly smaller than the other.

"You're welcome to stick around here, if you like, Iroppoi," Kurisutaru offered. She sized him up with her eyes. "I have to train soon, and you're welcome to come, but do you want to eat first?"

Iroppoi seemed to shift uncomfortably. He finally answered, "Yes, please, if it's not too much trouble."

She immediately swept into the kitchen to return with a large bowl of ramen with two eggs on top, setting it in his lap. He watched the bowl, unsure whether to accept the food or decline. Hunger pains tore through his stomach, causing him to instinctively begin eating, wolfing down the dish with uncontrolled haste.

Kurisutaru waved at Naruto from across the training grounds. He appeared to be training hard, alone. "Hey, Naruto!"

"What are you doing?" Iroppoi hissed, trying not to sound angry.

"If I don't call him over, it'll seem suspicious. He's being taught by Master Jiraiya and speaks to lady Tsunade almost daily," she answered quietly. "Just keep your sunglass on and you'll be fine."

"I'm not worried about that, but Teinei's apprehensiveness could pose a problem."

Teinei's figure was disguisedly rigid as he followed several paces behind the two. Marugo was not accompanying them at the moment. His excuse was that he had business to take care of, though he didn't specify what he was doing or where he was going.

"Hey, Kurisutaru!" Naruto called, waving in return.

"Want to come along to train with Kaki, Uindo, and I?"

"Sure!" Naruto retrieved his belongings and ran over, the group walking to the next training area where Kaki and Uindo stood, waiting.

"Hey, Nut!" Kaki greeted. "Who's the guy with the shades?"

"An old friend," she shrugged. "Let's get started, shall we? Naruto's joining us."

"How are we dividing teams?" Kaki asked.

Uindo looked amongst themselves, deciding. "To make things even, I'll fight with Kaki and Naruto will fight with Kurisutaru."

"I wanted to be against you today," Kaki huffed to Uindo.

"Too bad; you're on my team," he answered.

"Ready, Naruto?" Kurisutaru asked, stepping onto the battlefield. "Remember, we're not Genin."

"Are you kidding? Of course, I'm ready!"

"Then, let's go. Good luck," she smirked, turning to throw three shuriken at each of her teammates before she vanished in a blur.

Naruto turned just in time to catch Kaki's attack, defending against the kunai with his own. "I won't go easy on you," Kaki warned with a smile.

"Good!" Naruto grinned.

A deafening crash sounded from the other side of the field, quickly followed by several quiet crashes. Kurisutaru was encased in a large vortex of wind, like a small tornado, at the instruction of Uindo. He was throwing kunai trough the coursing air, only to have another kunai force it out each time. He looked skyward to the tornado's top as the kunoichi rose from it. Kurisutaru's hands were completing a jutsu as the wind slowed and water formed from it, the humidity of the air. The water took the forms of large needles and hardened into ice before darting towards Uindo.

Kaki had left his standoff with the distracted blonde to assist Uindo. Naruto watched the jutsu in awe. "That's awesome!" He looked back to Iroppoi, seeing his features twisted in distress.

"Damn it!" Iroppoi muttered.

"What is it?" Teinei asked.

Iroppoi nodded at Kurisutaru, causing Teinei and Naruto to follow his gaze. "I was afraid of this… It is her we're looking for."

"You're kidding me," Teinei growled, shocked.

Unable to hear them at their distance, Naruto simply looked at Kurisutaru closely to see what they were focused on. His eyes finally found what the bystanders had been staring at.

"What the--? Kurisutaru has the Sharingan?"