What to Do Now

She may not have been physically hurt but after she was allowed to leave the interview she felt like her body had been beaten to a pulp. There was something about that guy… Ibiki, it was like he could get into your mind and it was creepy. Now her new friends had taken Anju and her comrades for a very late lunch at Naruto's favourite restaurant called Ichiraku Ramen Bar. It only took Anju one bowl of Teuchi's famous made ramen to realise why it was the best place to come. This stuff tasted so good and she was going to eat until her stomach was about to explored. Her ambition was taken away though when Tadashi took away the sweet bowl of goodness from her.

"Please Anju it's your fourth bowl of this stuff, slow it down a bit." He tried to enforce. Her only response was a sour look on her face when she stole the bowl back from in and continued to eat; but at a slower pace. Naruto seemed very pleased that he had introduced another person to the love of his life while everyone bowed the heads in defeat that another ramen crazed lover had entered their presence. They just hoped the girl wouldn't mind offering to take them to other restaurants once in a while that severed different food. Earlier, the ninja's had been called away for different reasons, leaving just the Tsukiko clan all by themselves. Right now it was time for them to get serious.

"So Tadashi? What we going to do now we're in Konohagakure?" Jin asked as she chucked a chunk of beef to her animal friend, who was happily dozing in the corner. They had all gone through a rough patch. The strangers all had to go through interviews with Tsunade and Ibiki. Tadashi had almost blown the whole thing when he saw the increase of hostility towards his sister as they watched secretly in the men's bathroom. Thankfully, Kakashi had stopped him just in time to inform him of Ibiki purpose and that he was just testing her. Still, despite Anju suffering the worse effects of the interrogations everyone felt totally drained out of them. But now that was all over and the Hokage had signed a letter of approval to say the strangers were okay, they could live in the village for now. However, they were certain they would have to face more tests if they were to prove their loyalty. But right now they had to worry on finding a place to live for the time being.

"Well, I have a bit of money saved up which I think will be enough for all of us to stay at a motel for a few days, a week if we're careful." Tadashi answered as he thought the progress through his head. At this Anju head shot up in alarm which was quickly followed by his two team mates, who could only stare at him with their mouths dropped open. "What?" He asked, not sure why he was being looked in this way.

"But Tadashi! You've been saving up since the day you were born man!" Hansuke objected and bashed the table with his fist out of anger, making everyone that was sitting near him jump a little. "You can't just spend it all away like…"

"Hansuke, I admire your passion but sometimes you get a little carried away." Tadashi was quick to interrupt his best friend. After seeing the people he loved looking at him with mixed expressions of angry and guilt, he could on shake his head with a small smile plastered on his face. "Honestly guys, it's nice to know you're thinking of my future happiness but it's just money, theirs billions of it out there, I'm sure I'll be able to find more." He laughed and it seemed to calm everyone down a bit, except Anju who suddenly felt very greedy about having three bowls. This was going to be much rougher then she thought.

Nearly a week past and the Tsukiko clan were running out of options. Their funding was nearly used up and the four people seemed no closer to earning a job; especially Anju. News spread like wild fire across the streets of the hidden leaf village and it didn't long for people to find out who Anju really was. As soon as she stepped into a shop and introduced herself she was quickly sent away. From the brief details she knew that the Uchihas had not been much liked in their prime and things had only been made worse from Madara's and Sasuke mess ups. But despite her confidence with people being beaten into the ground even further, she didn't give up. The week hadn't been so bad, Naruto and his gang had introduce her to his other friends (Ino has taken speical liken to Tadashi) and they seemed to adopt her in with open arms, though she felt a bit of a stiff relationship with Neji and hoped it was just a temporary sit back. The group had offered to help but they had to turn them down, they needed to do this on their own. Her group needed the money more than anything but when they just had enough money for one more day she knew she had to take drastic measures. She risen earlier before anyone else and changed into her clothes. Sitting at the end of the bed as placed a little box on the top of her knees that she had hidden at the bottom of her back. Her fingers traced over the smooth wooden surface as she push the lid open. Inside laid a simple silver necklace, a ruby laid in the centre of the crescent shape symbol that hung from the chain. It was the most valuable item she had and the only person who knew she had it was a stranger she met in the woods.

A ten year old Anju was swimming in the sea that was close to her camp. She was supposed to be collecting fish for the camp fire but she couldn't help but just have a playful look at the bottom of the shore. Plus, her father had shunned her in front of her people again and Tadashi had allowed her the day off from training so she decided to take a mini vacation by herself. Her food bag was soon filled up with shiny shells she had found hidden under the sand. During her search, something shining in the light caught her eye. With a few strokes she dusted the sand away to reveal the piece of jewellery. Instantly she grabbed it and placed it into her bag with all the rest of her worldly treasures. After a while of searching, she finally broke her head above the surface, so she could regain the oxygen in her lungs. Like a pro she swam back to the beach and trotted up to where she had placed her stuff. She had placed a genjutsu so no one would see her stuff or see her if she sat in it. Immediately she began making shell bracelets and necklaces. She usually made hundreds and sometimes brought in a bit of extra money when she sold them at markets. But her main purpose was to make lucky charm bracelets for her family. She knew it was a silly children's superstition but it made her feel a bit happier that there was magical guardian protecting those she loved. A shadow suddenly appeared before her and she jumped up onto her feet, grabbing her katana in the process when she turned around to face the intruder.

"Nice sword." The man commented. Getting a clear look at him, she could not make out anything about his face since he had a giant hat covering his face and a black coat with red clouds on it. "Not to mention the genjutsu you placed over here, I nearly missed it." He commented as she scanned the area like he was inspecting a piece of artwork.

"What do you want?" Anju finally asked her voice firm and steady as she addressed him.

"I just came looking for an object I dropped around here, a silver necklace with a red jewel in the centre of the moon. Have you seen it?" He asked. At the description of the piece of jewellery, Anju bent down and began searching through the pile of shells her hand gripped on to the silver chain.

"This is?" She asked as she tossed the item towards him. The man caught it effortlessly and the only way Anju could tell he was examining it was by the way his hands ran over the chains and the symbol. It looked like he was confused by something.

"Strange?" He finally muttered as finished inspecting it.

"What?" She inquired, suddenly not afraid of the man's presence but curious.

"Nothing." He commented as his attention turned from the necklace for a few seconds towards her again. "You keep it." He spoke, tossing the object back to her. She caught it with her free hand and looked at the piece of beauty the lay in her hand. Just as she was about to ask him what he was up to he was gone.

Even though it was early morning the streets were alive with shop owners setting up their shops ready for the day. Anju made her way down the streets trying to remember the directions to the pawn shop, her fingers playing nervously with the moon that hung from her chest. However, it didn't take long for Anju plan to backfire (as usual) when she accidently stumbled on to an unexpected scene.

"I don't care what you say old lady, you owe me money." A tiny man that was quite plump and well deserved stood before an old woman with two guys standing behind his back. As Anju got closer she saw that the woman was barely able to stand with her weak frame supporting her and what looked like heavy shopping bags in her arms.

"But I don't have the money! You said I didn't have to pay you back until next month." The old woman protested and Anju couldn't help but feel a bit impressed that the woman was standing up to the big men.

"Well times are getting rough, so I need to the money earlier than expected." The tiny man smiled as he signalled to the two blokes behind him and they moved in on the old woman.

"Hey back off!" Anju shouted and stepped between the old woman and the two men. The man laughed at her and when they saw the small girl step in front of them which annoyed Anju enough for her Sharingan to activate on its own accord. When they saw her eyes they both jumped back. "What do you think you're doing? Picking on a defenceless old!" She snapped at them.

"She may be an old woman but she had a debt to pay!" The small man who was in charge of the gang of bullies seemed to be taken back by her but was not afraid. The long lost Uchiha could feel her teeth gritting against one another. Her hand reached for the necklace and with one good yank, threw the ruby at the man.

"Here, that should pay it off!" She snapped at them and the men were quick to scatter off.

"Oh my dear thank you for your help." The old woman muttered behind her and Anju turned and gave a polite smile.

"It's okay, would you like me to help you take those home?" Anju asked, as the woman's arms shook with the weight. The little lady was happy to hand them over to her and with the bags on one hand and the grandmother hanging on to her on the other, the girl led her home. She tried to be polite and engaged the woman in small conversation but her mind kept drifting towards the necklace. It had been her last chance to get some money in for her family but she knew what business men like that man she had met on her travels and sure she could have just scared the man away but they would have come after the woman later on. It was better just to give them payment and they would be on their way. She guessed she could have kicked his ass but she didn't know if she would get in trouble for that since she wasn't a register ninja. Still, she worried how her family were going to survive.

"What's the matter dearie? You look miles." The woman commented catching Anju attention away from her inner thoughts and plastered a fake smile on her face. But before she could say she was fine the woman interrupted her. "Sweetheart I've been around for a long time; I know a fake smile when I see one." Great! The village is full of mind readers, Anju secretly joked to herself.

"It's nothing, just some money worries." She answered, giving only a bit of the truth. Finally the woman directed her to a street with small cottages. Oh Tadashi would love it down here, Anju wondered to herself as her eyes trailed every detail of the houses. In the end, they reached a small a house that was paved with pretty flowers.

"It was nice meeting you today madam." Anju beamed at the old woman and was just about to take off when a tiny wriggly hand tapped hard on her arm, and then began rummaging through her purse.

"It here's for your troubles dear, I don't have much but I hope it's enough to help you through today." She exclaimed before digging her hand out with a handful of cash. Oh! Was all she could think about when she saw the green pieces of paper crumbled in the woman's hand. The Tsukiko princess was very touched by the woman's gesture but kindly push the hand away.

"It is very compassionate of you but I think you need the money as much as I do, why else would you be loaning money from a brute." Anju smiled back before she left the woman to continue with her day.

Well, this day was as unsuccessful as all the others. Anju thought as she cross out another failed job attempt on the newspaper. Her day was nearly up and it seemed that her luck was against her once again. She still had at least three other places to try but she doubt she would have any success. All she could hope for was that her friends had more luck then she did. Her head was so deep into the pages of the paper that she did not realise she was walking straight into someone until she suddenly found herself on the floor.

"Lady Uchiha I was just looking for you." A familiar voice echoed through Anju head and was finally able to recognise him when she looked up to see the accustomed bandager and long scar that ran across his face.

"Ibiki! Sorry I hadn't meant to bump into you." Anju blurted out quickly as she tried to make her way to feet and was kindly offered assistance from the head of interrogations who offered her a hand. She quickly thanked him for his help but was confused by something he said. "And it's just Anju, not Lady Uchiha… hey why did you call me that anyway." She questioned as suspicion took hold over that.

"The Hokage has asked me to escort you to the tower, with force if necessary." He answered (he totally avoided the question) after this Anju senses were finally placed on full alert. Her eyes scanned the area and she caught two shinobi on either side of her, blocking her left and right while up above she had hooded figures trying to hide in the shadows; the woman really did mean her words. If only I'd listen to Tadashi taking my katana everywhere, she thought to herself. She had no choice but to blindly follow him.