Sakura's mind was groggy as she woke up—almost as though she lived through five centuries of chronic exploding tags setting off. She sat up with an audible hiss of pain, a hand flying to her head in a futile attempt to stifle the throbbing. If anything, she made it worse.

Mumbling foul language under her breath, Sakura's dead brain decided to finally survey her surroundings. A curtained window lay to her (and the bed's) left, where dim lighting filtered through the cracks in the fabric. There was a small bed stand next to her, and a wooden desk on the other side of the room, next to a door that Sakura supposed must have led to the bathroom.

Sighing, she peeked outside. The light seemed to suggest it was morning, nearing noon, perhaps.

Then the door opened without pretense. Sakura couldn't react fast enough due to her headache, but when she saw who it was, she was never happier.

"Kakashi-sensei," she said, giving a weak smile.

He was carrying a basket of fruits, his notorious book propped up in the other hand. "Yo," he greeted, lone eye crinkling into the familiar smile.

"How long was I out?" She asked, totally unsure if she wanted to know.

"Whole night since we got here."

"I supposed this is Hotel Yuki? What happened to the suite?"

"They ran out of rooms, it seems. They gave us this one free of charges under Karyuri's name."

Sakura's mind clicked suddenly. "Where is she?"

Kakashi shrugged, seemingly not caring. "Not back."

"Oh." Sakura didn't feel like having a conversation, which was rare. It was partly due to her headache, and partly due to the fact that she didn't have any good chat starters to bring up. As a makeshift impromptu, she questioned about their mission. "What about the ring?"

"What about it?"

"Well…" Sakura didn't know how to word it. She thought she deserved some praise or acknowledgement for it, to say the least. "What do we do with it?"

"We give to the Godaime when we return to Konoha."

"Which will be…?"

"When you feel little better, and when we're sure Taiso's men are not tailing us."

Sakura frowned. "How do we do that?"

"Scouting, maybe?" Kakashi mused, shutting his book at last and setting the basket down on the table. "You stay here nicely and heal yourself while I go gather some information on what's been going on in this village. Fair game."

Sakura nodded in understanding, but there were still things welled up inside her that she wanted to but couldn't say. She wanted to hear Kakashi praise her for getting the ring. She wanted to hear him ask how she was doing. She wanted to see him do something for her that showed he cared. Instead, all she heard herself mumbled was, "Sorry."

Kakashi paused in skinning an apple with a kunai. "Come again?"

"I'm sorry," Sakura said a little louder.

"For taking up my bed and making me sleep on the floor? Damn right you ought to be."

"No, that's not it!" Sakura grumbled, getting irritated at her lack of abilities to word a simple sentence. "I mean that—I'm sorry if, you know—if I was of any burden to you…or our mission…whatever…something like that…okay, I'll shut up."

Kakashi didn't make a move, but he simply stared at her from where he stood. His expression was unreadable (well, 90 of it was not visible), so Sakura decidedly stared at the floor, deeming a suspiciously white stain there the most interesting thing in the entire room.

"Want some apple?" Kakashi asked finally, arm extending the peeled one to her. Sakura sighed and held out a hand to catch it.

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Sakura spent most of her day wandering around in the village market. Ignoring her more-than-occasional throbs of pain in her head and almost an overwhelming sense of nausea, she was able to get around pretty okay. By mid-afternoon, she thought to stock up on another yukata, should infiltration be of need again, along with new sandals, a portable bath set, and…the first volume of Icha Icha Paradise.

It was not something she wanted to do initially—demeanoring herself to Kakashi's level of reading literary porn, but she felt seriously neglected. Perhaps she was doing it for some attention or whatnot, or maybe just to see for herself what was so interesting about Jiraiya's writing…either way, it wouldn't have mattered, right? She was seventeen.

Speaking of which, Kakashi was still nowhere to be seen. She's not seen him since he gave her the apple earlier in the morning. He'd told her he went scouting, but Sakura couldn't ignore the inevitable feeling of loneliness that settled inside her stomach upon his absence.

She almost felt disappointed.

Frowning at her own thoughts and shrugging them off in the process, Sakura glanced at her wallet. Still some money left. She could go for some drinks…

"Sakura?"

Said girl turned around out quickly. "Genma?"

The shinobi in question stood in the usual slack, with a toothpick dangling form his mouth, as usual.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, bewildered and almost dropping her bag of supplies.

"Sent of info track," Genma droned, sounding not particularly interested. "From Godaime-sama, of course. Care to guess who I'm info tracking for?"

"Uh…?"

"You and Kakashi," Genma scoffed. "Fuck, I was on break too."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? What information?"

Genma sighed, a hand scratching the back of his head in exhaustion. "We'll talk in the bar. Kakashi should already be there."

"How--?"

Genma dangled a scroll from his fingers, and Sakura recognized it to be a messenger scroll. With a sigh and thwarting her idea of going to the bar alone out the window, she trudged after Genma's back.

The bar was noisy—as Sakura expected it to be. Even in this village, it seemed thugs and whores hung out like bees and honey. Upon first entering, Genma had already made "eye-contact" with several females, who glared at Sakura…for some reason. She ignored them uncle she saw them give looks to another man sitting by the back tables.

Kakashi.

Ok, this she could not ignore. She returned the females' glares with equally ferocious ones, until Genma said very kindly, "Sakura, you look like you're constipated. Do you need some Ex-Lax?"

Sakura didn't respond.

-----------------------------------

"Did the Godaime give you two any warnings so far?"

Sakura shook her head, taking another sip out of her Aqua Velna. "What are you talking about?"

Genma reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small folder, sliding across the table toward Kakashi and Sakura. Both leaned in. Placed in front of them was a picture of Kayuri.

"Kayuri-senpai?" Sakura asked, confused as to what Genma was getting at. "What is this about?"

"Godaime and Shizune ran a check on her—her mission here is unauthorized. There's no record or approval of it. She actually was reported missing from Konoha about two weeks ago, after we found out she's been denied of another assignment here for another one where she was needed as a medic."

Sakura blinked and glanced at Kakashi beside her. He was slumping back in his seat, and was not even looking like he paid any attention.

Genma went on. "I was told to check out her records—no family history. Has a huge, almost surreal success rate for missions, assassinations, retrieval and even as a medic. I don't know about your old days, Kakashi, but I don't think even you had a straight record as hell-like as hers."

Kakashi's eyes settled on Genma for a moment, expressionless. "Well, I wasn't notorious for being an 'Akai-Kage.'"

"That's not the point. Me and Shizune went to ask about her fromm her teammates. Take a look at this." He fished out something else from his inside pocket and slapped it on the table.

"…A diary?" Sakura mused, picking up the black, leather bound volume. "It's locked."

"Seal, actually," Genma corrected. "We searched her room in the headquarters, and besides this and some regular paperwork for ANBU, it was basically empty. Mayu Kagae, who's on her team confirmed that she saw her writing in it once."

"Did you try cracking the seal?" Kakashi asked, examining the diary himself now.

"Godaime tried," Genma sighed dejectedly, shaking his head. "Nothing."

"Tsunade-sama couldn't get it?!" Sakura said, thoroughly shocked. The table was silent for a moment as all three contemplated on how those facts will impact their mission.

"What does this mean?" Sakura asked finally, in a small voice.

"It means you and Kakashi will have to watch yourselves around her," Genma explained, shrugging. "Not much more I can say. Tsunade just came to give you a warning. Konoha doesn't particularly believe she's a traitor or anything. She was right alongside Kakashi during the war against Orochimaru, and her slate of records are all in favor of justifying her side with Konoha."

Sakura squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. Kayuri, an enemy?

"Well, we have to finish our mission," Kakashi said. "Kayuri's not supposed to part of it."

"But she came with you this far," Genma went on. "Don't you think it was too coincidental that she met up with you after your mission statement was handed out? Didn't you find it weird that the Godaime wasn't the one issuing to you the change in plans? And on such short notice, too. She didn't even tell you that you guys had an ANBU escort."

Sakura's mind clicked. What Genma said made more sense than she wanted it to, much the facts were there. She just really did not want to deem Kayuri guilty.

"What could she be up to, then?" Sakura asked.

"I don't know. We found records of her being here quite a while back—another unauthorized investigation. No paperworks, no mission statement, nothing."

"So you think she's here for personal reasons?" Kakashi questioned, shifting in his seat.

"Possibly. Nothing's been determined back home yet. You need to watch your step around her, that's for sure."

"But she's not stupid," Sakura argued. "She has to know the consequences, right?"

Genma didn't answer in words. Instead, he slid another piece of paper to Sakura and Kakashi. It was a few seconds before anyone made a move.

"She's resigning?" Sakura almost shouted, incredulous. "Why?"

"I don't know. It wasn't submitted. We actually found this in her trash can. Seemed like she was debating whether or not she wanted to send this in."

Sakura was at a loss for words. This was too confusing.

"In any case," Genma began again. "I'm here to keep an eye on things."

"How long are you staying for?" Kakashi said.

"Until your mission is finished. Tsunade has back-up ANBUs waiting on standby in Konoha should there be need. I think she's blowing things out of proportion. I know a stray ANBU is dangerous, but with you guys, I really don't see the point of me being here."

"Well, what are you gonna do?"

"Ooooh, check her out." Genma was not listening anymore. He was too busy sending kisses to a nearby blonde chick.

---------------------------------------------

Sakura was sitting in the hotel's backyard, watching the ants crawl by next to her feet. The setting sun was now casting a golden glow over the rooftops, but that didn't stifle the cold. As suspected in these areas.

The gates behind her creaked open, and she didn't need to turn around to know it was Kakashi.

"Want an apple? There's still a lot left from this morning," he offered, and Sakura heard an unmistakable crunch.

Wait—he was chewing?

Her eyes widened, and she spun around so hard she heard her neck crack.

Kakashi stood there almost gleefully, and arm extended out to her, holding an apple…and his mask was on. He was chewing underneath his mask. She caught the fruit as he tossed it to her, proceeding to seat himself next to her on the steps.

Sakura stared at the red apple with waning interest. "You know an apple is a sign of man's original sin."

"It also keeps the doctor away," Kakashi deadpanned.

"What do you think about Kayuri?" Sakura blurted out, not really caring about what the words came out to be.

Before he could respond, Sakura and Kakashi both tensed. Someone was approaching. They were on their feet within moments, eyes fixed on the roof behind them, trying to locate the source of the third chakra. It was filled with killer intent.

The target was spotted with ridiculous ease, as the owner was hopping from rooftop to rooftop, obviously not even bothering to conceal themselves. A swish of black cloak was then followed by a swift landing as the figure descended before Kakashi and Sakura.

The hood came off. Akage Kayuri. Speak of the devil.

What was more, even through the black of her cloak, it was caked in blood. The stench nearly made Sakura hurl; she wasn't even wearing the stuff.

"Where were you?" Sakura asked, seeing no sign of questioning on Kakashi's part.

"My mission," Kayuri replied through her mask, sounding as if she wanted to be anywhere but there. She turned around and tried to walk away, but Sakura's arm extended out to grab her shoulder.

Kayuri caught it before contact.

Her gloved grip was so hard Sakura could swear any second her wrist would snap. Yet she made no sign of pain, simply stare at Kayuri with a fiery expression.

"I have to warn you, Sakura, right now--"

"Bring it on," Sakura growled before her brain could register.

Kayuri's deadened eyes revealed no surprise.

She was too fast. Sakura was falling behind. Every move made by the ANBU looked like a blur to her, and the odor of blood did nothing to improve that. The most she could do then was block each punch sloppily.

And the sun was setting. Kakashi simply watched from the roof.

Sakura watched Kayuri's expression as she fought. Her eyes were pained, Sakura decided. She as definitely hiding something, no mistake now.

A kick in her guts soon sent her mind reeling back, however, and Sakura was forced to draw back as a kunai missed her by inches. She drew out her own automatically, using it to deflect more Shurikens. Kayuri seized the chance. She charged forward, swerving around Sakura's kunai swing to double back and jam her foot into Sakura's back.

The medic's vision blurred temporarily—she blamed it on the drug Taiso had given her for weakening her so. She suddenly found herself wishing it could all end. Maybe Kayuri was just too good for her.

Sakura stumbled forth nevertheless, and Kayuri was there before she could react. A knee was slammed into her jaw, and Sakura reeled back, reading into the ANBU's moves. As soon as Kayuri appeared behind her once more, Sakura's footing secured behind her and her body jerked back to direct a chakra-filled punch.

She missed. Not quite. It didn't hit Kayuri's chest—it lodged itself in her shoulder. Akage had dodged at the last moment.

But now the glint in her eyes was unmistakable.

Sakura's heart thudded wildly for a moment, and she blinked when she thought she saw Kayuri's eye color glow a bright shade of rainbow.

Then it was gone.

The wind roared.

Sakura only caught a brief glint of a bloodstained katana drawing out—her guts squirmed with an incredibly intense killer intent—she saw the katana snake toward her chest—she shut her eyes and waited for the contact—

It never came.

There was a sound of metal clashing against metal, but Sakura felt no pain. Slowly, her eyes opened to see Kakashi standing beside her, his metal plated glove redirecting Kayuri's attack. By the way his hand was shaking slightly, Sakura supposed the weapon must have been held with quite some force.

"You intend to bring a sparring match into a bloodbath, Kayuri?" Kakashi asked casually, but both Sakura and Kayuri could see through his lazy tone. "Your killer intent is obvious."

"Not directed towards you," she replied, not removing her katana. "Don't get the wrong idea here."

Kakashi's other hand backed Sakura away. It then uncovered his Sharingan.

Kayuri still did not move. What was wrong with her? Sakura was confused beyond mentioning, debating whether or not she wanted Kakashi or Kayuri to win. Neither seemed plausible.

"Sharingan, huh?" Kayuri growled. "Same old same old. Guess variety is not in your vocabulary, Kakashi?"

Sakura disregarded Kayuri's lack of suffix for Kakashi's name.

"And you?" Kakashi droned back. "Is there something you're not telling us?" He pulled out her diary.

Kayuri's eyes widened. In a swift movement that was equivalent to a blink of an eye, she lunged forward, Kakashi back. Her hand caught the hem of his shirt, her foot slid to the other side.

The katana never left contact with the back of his hand.

When the scene froze next, the diary was gone.

"Give it back," Kayuri hissed.

"I can't do that, you see. We're in a little pinch here."

"I'm under suspicion, then? I bet Konoha already sent someone," Kayuri scoffed, finally letting her weapon go. Her tone changed to the normal voice when she spoke next, "I guess I'll stay here for a while. But seriously, don't get the wrong idea."

With a casual wave, Kayuri sauntered back inside, shrugging off her cloak along the way.

Kakashi stared after her with a sense of foreboding. He glanced down at his hand. The steel plate had been cracked in two, and blood was dripping from the flesh.

His eyes narrowed.

Kayuri…who was she?