Part 9: The line between spy and comrade:

In Mesua's hands is a legal document. There are more of them, half a dozen at least, in her briefcase sitting on the desk. However, this one document in particular is very important. She slides the document across a large oak desk to Tsunade, who gives each paper a flippant glance. The action causes Shizune to frown and sigh. The assistant leans forward from her place just to the left of the godaime.

"You should really read that over," Shizune warns. At her feet, her pig squeaks in agreement.

Tsunade snorts and waves a hand. "It's fine. We got the best lawyers in the business. There's no way this contract isn't in our favor."

"While I am flattered by your faith in me," Mesua begins. "I still would advise you to read over the document as best you can. This is a business transaction. You should always read these documents before signing them."

"I never read these documents before signing them," Tsunade declares with a slight cackle of humor. "Besides, I've read so many drafts of it already that I could state the thing from memory by now." She flips to the last page of the stack and signs at the bottom line. Below her signature is another line, and the godaime turns to her assistant. "Sign it." Shizune does, but with a sigh of irritation. With her part of the document complete, Tsunade hands the papers back to Mesua.

Mesua nods as she accepts the papers. "Very well, if this is your wish, Godaime-sama." She bows. Mesua then places the document back into her briefcase, safe inside a manila folder. "I will deliver this to the Uchiha Corporation this afternoon. If all goes as planned, it will be signed and notarized by the evening."

At this comment, Tsunade's form slackens. She releases a tense groan. "I can't believe we made it through this. I thought for sure they would back out at the last second there." She rests her elbows on the desk and rests her head in her hands. "Thank the gods that this didn't completely blow up in our faces."

Shizune laughs awkwardly from beside the godaime. "Indeed, we were really lucky. It seems that meeting and seeing the Orange Kyūbi and Phoenix Princess in action actually helped seal the deal." She gives a weak smile to Mesua.

The other woman does not match this smile. Her face is blank, but her golden eyes flash. "It would seem so," is all the lawyer adds.

The godaime laughs once; it sounds forced. "Please, we got lucky." She leans forward, onto her arms that are resting on the large desk, and her eyebrows draw together. "That was a disaster, and we're still no closer to figuring out how it happened."

Mesua bows her head a bit. "My apologies, Godaime-sama."

Tsunade doesn't acknowledge the words. "I think we all can guess just who might be behind it, but the idea that they were able to place four different seals within our compound and leave them unnoticed..." She trails off and ends with a slight moan. "How did we not notice any of that?"

"You don't think, it could be… A spy?" Shizune offers. Her voice is hesitant but riddled with concern.

The godaime hums. "Most likely."

"Our security on such matters is fairly intense," Mesua counters. "A breach that goes unnoticed would most likely mean that the person of consequence is of high position and already deep within the agency."

Tsunade snorts. "You're just full of good news, aren't you?"

Mesua bows her head again. "My apologies."

Tsunade waves her hand. "No, no, you're probably right. If you have your suspicions, then they're valid. I would never doubt you on this."

"Wait," Shizune cuts in. "Do you mean we have a spy in one of the higher circles?" She sounds both amazed and terrified.

"It is hard to say; I believe that there is a possibility of someone selling information on the Demon Protection Agency to our enemies. I do not think this is so much that they work for those enemies, but rather that they favor the material gain," Mesua clarifies. A small frown crosses her face. "Another concern I have is that they are looking for a political or professional gain in their endeavors."

"So basically, you think they are trying to overthrow me through our enemy. I might be a target." Tsunade gives the woman across from her a hard look.

"I fear for your safety always, Godaime-sama."

The comment is said in a very serious tone, but the godaime snorts and looks away. "You're more paranoid than all the members of the Black-Ops combined, I swear," Tsunade accuses. Mesua makes no indication that she denies this claim, which makes the godaime shake her head with a wry grin. "With you, the entire Black-Ops, and that damn fox brat watching my back, I doubt I'll ever be in any real danger. In fact, you kids will probably never let me get any action for myself."

"You forget that I am much older than you, Godaime-sama," Mesua corrects, but that is all she says to the accusations.

This time, Tsunade barks with laughter. "Forgive me if you don't look it. A face like that, I can't help but think you're no older than mid-twenties."

The atmosphere lightens considerably, and Shizune smiles. "Oh, please," the assistant teases. "It's not like your being all that honest about your real age either." She laughs, and the pig by her feet mimics the noise like it too is laughing.

Tsunade's good humor doesn't fade at the jibe. Instead the godaime fakes a glare at her assistant and points her thumb at Mesua. "You can't really be comparing my real age to hers can you? Besides, I've always been this young and beautiful."

By now, even Mesua has a small smile on her face. "Indeed, Godaime-sama. You're beauty is not something to be affected by time." The complement makes Tsunade beam with a smug expression.

Shizune starts giggling. "But, my godaime, you are nearly in your late fifties aren't you?"

The mention of the number makes Tsunade drop her pleased look for something far more outraged. "What? How dare you; I'm barely twenty-eight," she insists with a scowl.

A loud, boisterous laugh comes from just outside the godaime's office room. In seconds, the doors fly open and a distinct blond comes in. His face is bright with his trade mark grin. "Twenty-eight? You can't be serious Tsunade-baaba. I mean, I'm twenty-four." He approaches the women with another cackle. "This is because you always lie about your age, right? You use that aging jutsu to look young, when really, you're just an old hag."

Tsunade is practically glowering at the blond man before her. "You watch your tongue you damn brat, or do I need to punch you through a wall again?"

The blond doesn't look intimidated though. "Try me, hag." He sticks out his tongue. There is a teasing glint in his bright eyes.

"Naruto," the godaime growls. She shakes her fist at him, but does not move from her chair.

"Be nice, Naruto-kun," Mesua warns. There is a slight upturn to her lips.

Naruto waves the warning off with shrug. He comes to a stop in front of the desk and grins at Mesua with a slight tilt of his head. "It's fine. She's old, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have a sense of humor." That comment earns him another growl from Tsunade. Naruto laughs. "Although, there is a point when people get so old they can't take a joke. You're living proof of that," he adds while poking Mesua on her cheek.

The woman in question keeps her face blank, but her eyes flash. "Rather than loosing my sense of humor, it is more likely I have just developed a better taste for it. Consider my sense such a superior taste of humor that I am able to tell actual, good humor from those deemed more distasteful."

The smile falls from Naruto's face. "Are you saying I'm not funny?" He looks more lost than insulted.

Tsunade snorts. "In the nicest way possible, damn brat." She crosses her arms and leans back in the big desk chair. "Now, is there something you wanted? You don't have training or a check-up today. Shouldn't you be at work?"

The question makes Naruto twitch and all three women watch as he reaches up and crosses this arms behind his head. The blond looks away from everyone in the room to stare at the farthest wall. His smile becomes more forced than humorous. "No," he drags out. "I took an early lunch break. Besides, can't I just come by? What's with the third-degree?"

The godaime raises a brow at him. Naruto doesn't see it though, as he is still looking everywhere else. "Something you want to tell me, brat?"

"We could leave the room," Mesua offers without blinking. She collects her briefcase and moves away from the desk. Shizune nods and follows Mesua's lead towards the door. On their heels is the small pig, trotting just behind them. They get about half-way across the room before Naruto rushes over to grab Mesua's forearm.

"No, wait, actually…" Naruto trails off. The flash of fear before on his face fades away to unease. Naruto looks at the ground, squeezes Mesua's arm, and then releases her. "I-I wanted to talk to you, Mesua. I need a favor."

She doesn't reply at first. Instead, she studies his body for a moment and then looks back at the other two women. Tsunade has a deep frown on her face; her concern is obvious. Shizune is looking lost and worried about the Naruto's submissive attitude. Neither woman comments though.

Mesua returns her attention to Naruto. "You wish to ask a favor of me," she repeats back to him, but it is not a question. There is no inflection in her voice, but her eyes are sharp. "Yes, of course. If that is what you wish; I do not mind." She pauses to tilt her head just slight to see his downcast face. She studies his expression as best she can. "This would not have to do with your plans tomorrow, would it?"

The blond stiffens. He glances his eyes up to see the woman, but he doesn't move his face from facing the wood floor. Naruto clenches his fist once before forcing his body to relax again. His answer is not verbal, but it comes through as clear as any words.

The lawyer hums. "I understand." She turns to Tsunade, who is leaning forward on her desk. The godaime's concern is clear across her face. She looks away from Naruto's form to share a look with Mesua.

"There is no need for worry, Godaime-sama," Mesua assures, and her tone conveys the lack for alarm. Tsunade doesn't look pleased by this statement alone, though, so Mesua continues. "Some affairs have come up in Naruto's private life, and he is nervous." She smirks just a bit at the godaime. Beside Mesua, Naruto stiffens again.

"You see, Godaime-sama, Naruto-kun has a date tomorrow night."

There is silence in the room for a moment. Then, Tsunade barks out in a fit of laughter. Her form relaxes back into the large chair as she snickers in humor, the worry from before lost. Shizune resists laughing at first, but soon she too is giggling with the godaime. Mesua does not laugh, but the smirk on her face does not excuse her from the humor all women feel at Naruto's expense.

Naruto flinches and glares back in forth between the indulged godaime and the smirking lawyer. "It's not funny," he insists, face flushed red. "And it's not a date."

Mesua blinks a few times, her face void of any emotions as she looks at the blond man. "You are going to dinner together as a pair, are you not? Temari-san has often insisted to me that such events constitute what a date is."

"Temari is just being mean and nosy, as usual," Naruto clarifies. He seems to roll his eyes upward for a moment in thought, then sighs. "Besides, it's with the Teme. So, definitely not a date."

"But you are nervous and excited towards the event. Is that not another sign that it is a date?"

The male fumbles a bit with his words, but the blush returning to his face speaks volumes. His hands come together, pointer fingers tapping each other in an unheard rhythm, and brings his arms closer to his chest. Naruto looks at his busy hands with a pout. "It's-it's not like that," he insists still, but his voice is back to a meek tone. "Sasuke.. he's.."

"Sasuke?" Tsunade parrots. A frown comes across her face. "Wait, wait, Uchiha Sasuke?"

"As in, vice-president of Uchiha Corporation?" Shizune asks.

"As in, your childhood rival?" Tsunade adds, the frown growing more broad across her lips. "You're going on a dinner date with him of all people? I thought you hated his guts."

"I don't hate him," Naruto denies. His face has a wonderful flush to it and there is a nervous twitch in his eyes. "He's just a bastard. And it's not a dinner date!" Here, the blond pauses to stare at the wall again. "Besides, I thought he hated me. He's the one who punched me at senior year graduation."

"He punched you first," Tsunade clarifies. Her expression is open and eyes dull. The godaime does not look impressed.

"Well, yeah. I told him I was bi and he punched me. And that just set off a big fight. We haven't talked since."

The admission is followed by silence. Shizune gives Naruto a small frown, her arms crossing in front of her body and feet shuffling across the floor. Still at her desk, Tsunade is scowling and leaning forward onto the top of the table, her slim eyebrows drawn together downwards. Mesua's face is blank and shadowed, but her golden eyes glimmer with an internal light. None of the women say anything, but they all stare openly at Naruto. The male is staring at the wall again, face no longer flushed but instead downcast.

Mesua speaks first. "Why did you agree to go to dinner with him, if he does not respect you and your preferences in significant others?" Her voice is even; it barely sounds like she is asking a question.

Naruto's head snaps back around to stare at Mesua. "He's an asshole, but, I don't hate Sasuke. Before graduation we were friends and rivals. I don't know why exactly he got so mad at me, but after that fight we stopped talking to each other. I haven't even seen him in years. And, well, he called me at work Monday and asked to see me and I just…" The blond man sighs. "I want to be friends again. If there's even a chance he doesn't hate me anymore, then that's enough."

Tsunade sigh while rubbing her forehead. "I get it, you stupid brat. You never change." She says it like she's exasperated with the situation, but the smile forming on her face is counter-productive to her tone. She sends the nervous man an amused smile. "You're not the type to give up on anyone, but especially your friends— even if they're shitty ones. But listen here: don't overdue it. It's been years since that fight, and you two aren't kids anymore. I expect you to handle your differences more maturely this time around. So don't break anything."

The nervous look is overcome by irritation as Naruto scowls at the godaime. "Geez, you just never let that go, do you? I'm not going to start a fight with the Teme. Besides, I wouldn't risk the destruction of Ichiraku over that bastard. Give me some credit here."

This time, it's Shizune who speaks up. She starts with a small grin on her face. "Oh, he's taking you to Ichiraku Ramen?" Beside her, the pig snorts twice.

The tone makes Naruto stiffen. "Y-yeah. I mean, it was his idea?" Naruto looks confused at Shizune's growing smirk. "What?" He tries when he realizes all three women are staring at him again.

Mesua hums. "Well, while I cannot say I understand the situation completely, I suppose attention should be paid to this attempt to reconnect. The fact you do not hold a grudge for his previous denunciation is expected. However, given what I know of the Uchiha and their business practices, the fact that he chose to meet at your favorite restaurant is intriguing in of itself."

Naruto's face is bright red again. "I didn't come here for you to make fun of me."

"I am not meaning to," Mesua replies with a slight tilt of her head. Her expression shows a little confusion at his accusation. "In any case, I still do not know what you want from me in this situation."

"I was hoping for your help in getting… prepared?" His face contorts around the last word, as though he isn't sure it is the correct word choice.

Tsunade snorts. "You want Mesua's help with romance—" Naruto glares at the godaime. "—fine, fine, friendship? You can't be serious. She's the last person to go to about such matters."

Mesua's face is uniform blank. "Godaime-sama is right. I am not reliable in social matters. I am ignorant on how to treat others and how to speak to them; I do not understand most social norms. Social constructs are not within my skill set." Her expression shows no anger or remorse for these statements. Her voice is void of emotions. Behind her eyes, gold dances and swirls, but Mesua is directing this stare at nothing.

Naruto releases a nervous laugh, his hand coming up to scratch at the back of his head. "Yeah, well, it's not really anything like that." He coughs. "It's different."

"Different?" Mesua repeats.

"Yeah, sort of. Listen, I'm asking for your help. And it's something only you can do."

Mesua blinks. The intensity of her eyes fade; the gold changes from a spark to something warm and cloudy. "Something… only I can do." She looks down at her feet, encased in pointed heel shoes. The color is dark and sophisticated against her pale skin.

"Right," the blond confirms. "So, will you help me?"

Mesua glances at Naruto to Tsunade for a moment. Her face shows little, but it's clear she is thinking of something. Eventually, she focuses her gaze back in on Naruto. "Of course, that is what friends do for each other." She smiles up from long lashes. "Or so I am told." Her small smile is matched by a relieved smile from Naruto.

Tsunade interrupts with a groan. "You don't even know what you're agreeing to. Honestly, you two are so dramatic." She shakes her head. "I'm sure that this conversation can continue this on your own time, but right now we all have jobs to do. Mesua has a contract to take care of, and you, brat: you should actually go to your place of work. Earn a living, for once."

Naruto scowls back at the godaime. He clicks his tongue once. "Sure, now that we aren't mocking Naruto…" he grumbles, but it is clear enough for everyone to hear. Before any woman can respond though, he bounces back with a determined grin. "Kick me out now, Tsunade-baaba, but we both know that one day this will be my office." He points a finger at the godaime and her desk. "I'll be sitting in that very chair. Believe it."

"Keep dreaming, brat," Tsunade barks back, but her tone is not right for the insult. Naruto doesn't seem to believe her either, as he just laughs. Tsunade pounds her fist on the wood desk. "Alright, enough, all of you out of my office. Go do your jobs, or something," she grumbles while sinking back into her seat.

Mesua bows deep at the godaime in farewell, while Naruto gives a mock-salute. The two exit together out of the double doors and take a right past the guards stationed outside. Naruto waves to them too, but neither of the fully-masked beings wave back. It's not an uncommon reaction though, so the blond doesn't dwell on this.

The two walk out of the office area and back into the common area of the Demon Protection Agency. Around them, the debris from weeks before are non-existent. The main hall comes into view, and the walls and floors are perfect. There are no signs of construction or even cracks along surfaces. Everything is neat and in place; it's a fairly normal day at the Demon Protection Agency. The event of the week before may as well never have happened.

The two are near the entrance when Mesua stops to turn her attention back to Naruto. Noticing her gaze is on him, Naruto pauses to raise a brow. "Yeah?"

"I was just curious to know what it is that you wished me to help you with," Mesua states with a near blank expression, the only tell a slight turn of her lips.

"Oh," Naruto replies, eyes widening. "Right, right. Sorry, I almost forgot," he lies, but neither comments to it. "Okay, well, it may seem weird but... could you..."

Mesua raises one trim, dark eyebrow. She watches him start the sentence four different ways before intervening. "It might be best to just state your request."

The advice makes Naruto pause and chuckle. "Okay, right to the point. I forget how direct you are with language. So... Will you fight me?"

Mesua tilts her head back. The gesture makes it easier for her to look right into Naruto's face while also appearing to glare down her nose at him. "I may need more detail than that. Believe it or not, that was perhaps too direct." she replies.

"I just need you to fight me before I go see Sasuke tomorrow."

"I am picking up on that, yes," Mesua agrees. "But why?"

"So I don't fight with him at the shop."

Mesua returns to tilting her head to the side and raising a brow. "You just told our Godaime–sama that you would not fight him in the restaurant."

"And I won't," Naruto agreed with a quick succession of head nods. His blond hair waves wide as he moves his head a little too fast. "Especially if I fight you beforehand."

"Your logic still alludes me, Naruto-san."

The blond groans up the ceiling before returning a small frown to Mesua. "If I fight you, I'll be too tired to fight Sasuke."

"I was not aware that this is how that works."

Naruto shakes his head. "No, what I mean is that I want to get out any lingering frustrations before I talk to him. I want your help by letting me take out some past frustrations on you."

"You would like for me to be your punching bag." Mesua's face is void of emotion.

Naruto recoils at the statement as if she had slapped him. He frowns, but it's clear that he's not frowning at Mesua. "It sounds pretty bad when you put it that way. But, I just need someone to help me cool my head before it get's heated."

"I do not understand," Mesua replies. "Is your relationship with Uchiha-san that bad?" She pauses to think. "I am still unclear on the dynamics of most relationships, but if you and Uchiha-san are always fighting with each other, do you think it is wise to reacquaint yourself with him? Would it not be better to avoid someone who angers you?"

Naruto's eyes cloud over a bit at her questions. He doesn't meet Mesua's gaze, instead choosing to stare at something off in the distance behind her. "That's not quite it..." Naruto starts after a minute, but then shakes his head. "I mean, yeah, somehow Sasuke always managed to push all my buttons without even trying, but we didn't always fight. He's an asshole, but he can be fun too. I don't know. It's really complicated..." Naruto sighs while scratching the back of his head.

"There was a time when no one even cared about me or what I did, but Sasuke paid attention. He would always call me out on all the stupid stuff I did. And trust me, I was a pretty stupid kid." Naruto stops to chuckle, still not looking at anything in particular. He shakes his head, blue eyes closing briefly at a memory. "He made me a better person, if you can believe it. At a time in my life when I thought nothing I did mattered, Sasuke made it matter. Even if it was by being a jerk. He was always there, pushing me to be better. He was a goal I didn't know I was trying to reach. Before I knew it, he was my best friend..." Naruto stops to look Mesua in the eyes for the first time since starting his speech.

"He was my first friend, Mesua. The first important bond I'd ever made. Do you understand?"

Mesua matches his stare full force. She doesn't say anything for a long time, but it is not an uncomfortable pause. Mesua's expression says nothing, but her eyes are alive and dancing. "Yes," she murmurs at last. Her gold eyes swirl like molten. "I believe I do understand." She moves an inch closer to Naruto's strong form. "I've already lost so many over the years, bond or not… My first bonds, I could not cope without the twins… And, if I lost my first friend... If I lost you Naruto, I know the pain would be unbearable. I imagine it would be similar to the phrase 'my breaking heart.'"

Naruto snorts at her phrasing, which breaks the building tension just a bit. "A little dramatic there. And I think the phrase you're referring to is 'breaking my heart.' It's from a song."

"Is it?" Mesua replies with two slow blinks of her eyes. She tilts her head, looking away from him and to her right. "I thought for sure I had used it appropriately. These phrases and idioms are proving difficult. I fear I will never understand modern language."

Naruto laughs again, but it's short and rough. They stand in silence for a few more long minutes.

Mesua is the one to break the moment first with a few quick blinks and a small smile. "In any case, I agree to your request. There is no reason I can think of to deny you. I will help you prepare for your date tomorrow."

Naruto snaps back with an expression mixed with shock and anger. "It's not a date," he yells louder than necessary. This outburst causes several of the workers around them to stop and turn attention to the blushing blond. His head whips around to all the unwelcomed eyes, and each face he sees seems to make him blush deeper. "It's not," he insists to everyone still staring at him.