Day 10

Accusations

--

Temari looked up at the clouds, knowing that she wasn't the only one in Konoha doing so. They drifted by while she lay cradled in the branches of an outlying tree. She looked down at Konohagakure from the cliffs above the Hokage sculptures. This was the usual watchpoint for Hinata-chan and she'd hoped to catch up to her concerning the possible pursuit of Okama Seiya. There were watchpoints set up all around Konoha, none of which had spotted her former ally. Still, there was no doubt that she would soon be departing for Suna to correct her mistake.

Everything became more sour by the day. She hadn't known of the scroll's existence, while Gaara had taken measures to protect it years ago. The secrecy left a bitter taste in her mouth.

A chakra presence behind her made itself known, but she didn't move. She kept her gaze fixed on the clouds above her, watching the billowing monoliths pass by. Shikamaru was right, this was relaxing. She felt frustrated, at a dead end, but just lying back, staring at the sky, it didn't seem as bad as all that.

"Temari," the presence behind her spoke and she looked up.

"Shikamaru, what brings you here?"

"You were right about Hidan," he noted sourly, looking at his feet. "His tomb isn't safe anymore."

Ah, her three favourite words: you were right. She always had time for them, especially coming from him. The tomb had been a surprise to her, but the tenuous protection even more of a shock, she had expected Shikamaru to concoct an inescapable trap, not a hole in the ground. "Obviously. Have you taken my advice?"

He swung himself onto the branch next to her, sitting an appropriate distance away and meeting her gaze evenly with intense eyes. Temari felt a little twinge in her spine, like his stare had struck something inside her. She kept her face impassive.

"No one with the appropriate clearance is available. Tsunade-baachan is hip deep in problems and Sakura is too busy training." His lips barely moved as he spoke, she noticed, like he was too lazy to even move them properly. The sounds were just little quirks and pouts running across his mouth.

Temari's eyes snapped back to his, realising that she was staring at his lips. The notion was disconcerting. This stupid bet was messing with her mind, as was no doubt his intention. That was alright, because she knew that he wasn't impervious to mindgames, either. "Why don't you just do it by hand? Brain matter isn't very cohesive, once the membrane is pierced you could easily just strain the matter through your fingers and do an initial search for any abnormalities."

To her delight he turned a light shade of green as she spoke. Her choice of words was no doubt evoking numerous images in his mind, and she considered it only appropriate revenge for his own mental games. Shikamaru rocked back and forth gently, like he was trying to settle his stomach. "You're not serious."

"Maybe," she said with a shrug and a smirk. In truth she was completely serious, and would have offered to do it herself if it wasn't for the personal nature of the autopsy. It had kept her fascinated through the years to hear about the immortal Hidan, immortality was simply impossible. If it was possible then she doubted Orochimaru would have continued in his degenerating state, or Kakuzu collecting his hearts, or Sasori turning himself into wood and metal. Perfect immortality was simply unachievable, and when she thought about it she imagined finding a shimmering jewel among his brain matter, revealing his secrets. However, she had learned over the years that sharing such thoughts with Konoha-nin often led to revulsion and fear.

Temari glanced at Shikamaru, who still looked unwell. The poor man really thought that he wanted her. In reality, he just hadn't seen enough of her to be scared away yet. Maybe 39 days was enough for him to get a look at the real her and change his mind. She gave him a sly smile.

"I'm serious. I'll do it myself, if you like."

"No, thank you," he said forcefully, his skin turning a shade paler. "I'll wait for Sakura."

"Whatever suits you," she shrugged. Crybaby. How did people get to be jounin without the guts to fiddle around in someone's brain? Sure, it wasn't exactly on the exam, but she'd seen enough internal organs on the outside for them not to worry her anymore, and she was sure that he had, too. "So if you didn't come here to request an off-the-record dissection, why did you come here?"

"Why is it always about illegal surgery with you?" he asked mockingly. "We haven't seen each other in three years, and this is the closest thing you've had to a break since getting here."

Temari looked at him in surprise. This was new. The usual deal would be that one or the other would pretend there was work to do and then sort of segue into playing shougi or drinking. He never just walked up to her and said 'let's hang out', that wasn't how it worked. Much less when she was deliberately trying to gross him out.

"You're supposed to be in cryptology," she said, buying herself time to get her mind around the situation. She didn't even really know how to hold a social conversation, or 'catch up'. The only people that she shared her personal life with were her brothers, and even then to a bare minimum. Every now and then they would check on the three criteria (not dead, not dying, not planning to die) and then move on with their lives. Shikamaru usually understood that.

"Shiho's covering for me," he said.

"You're aware that the attacks you're investigating are on my homeland?" she asked. "I'd like them resolved."

"We're at a dead end, need more information," he replied. "Tell me what's been going on."

"I've been killing people, then disposing of the bodies in the correct manner."

Shikamaru scoffed, but smiled. "Troublesome woman. There must be something else going on in your life."

Temari considered his statement. She's already met the three criteria, what else did he want to know? Her family situation was, for the most part, classified. Her work as a hunter-nin was classified. He shouldn't even be calling her by her name or seeing her face, even that was classified. She felt completely put on the spot, Nara always knew how to make her feel out of her depth.

"Kankurou moved into puppet making," she blurted out, the thought suddenly popping into her mind. That had been going on. "He's very good, he made my new fans."

"I wondered why you switched," he intoned, looking a little proud of her for the statement.

"They were my birthday present two years ago," she continued with more confidence. She could get the hang of this. "He'd come across the idea while researching the fighting styles of the lost Whirlpool Village and decided to make me a pair. They're more effective in mid range combat and more practical to carry."

"Mm," he commented, looking thoughtful. She realised that she hadn't left much of an opening for him to say something back.

"What about you? Still using your fake tags?" Even Temari had to admit that trick was hilarious. "Or have you progressed to brute tackles?"

"I said I was sorry," he scoffed, looking away with a groan. "Naruto borrowed Asuma's knives, I still use them, but I use real tags now. I have a few more tricks up my sleeves, too."

That piqued her interest. Shikamaru's unique fighting style always fascinated her, kept her on her toes. She had thought that his shadows were pathetic at first glance, his tactics cheap tricks. That was simply a lack of appreciation. It was a pity they'd been banned from sparring, or she would have insisted on seeing these new tricks personally.

"Hopefully I can see your new moves on our mission."

Shikamaru rubbed his neck, looking downward. "It's troublesome, but I don't think I'm coming to Suna. Tsunade still has me trapped in cryptology."

"They stole from your property, she can't expect you to stay here."

"You would," he said with a raised eyebrow.

Temari felt something brush her hand and looked down. She wasn't sure who had inched across, but they were no longer sitting an appropriate distance apart. His fingers were almost wrapped around hers. She felt colour rising in her cheeks, both from his highlight of her bias and their uncomfrtable proximity.

"That's why I'm not Hokage," she said, trying to act nonchalant as she eased away from him a few inches. It wasn't casual enough for her to miss his smirk. The idea of him not coming to Suna sparked just a little irritation in her. Not at him. Not even at the Hokage. It just didn't seem fair. "I could arrange for Gaara to request you on this case."

"No," he said with a shake of his head and a glance cast over the village. "I'm working in cryptology."

Temari eyed him carefully, assessing his motivation. It wasn't like him to deliberately take on work, but then the alternative she had offered him was also work.

"Whatever." She stood up, noting with a smirk of satisfaction that his eyes followed her legs as she went. "I have to find Hinata-chan."

"Try ANBU headquarters, she spends most of her time there." He seemed unperturbed by her sudden departure, simply flicking her the day's shougi piece. She tucked it safely in her obi with the others and flitted away toward ANBU HQ.

--

Sakura furrowed her brow, concentrating everything she had into the palm of her hands. Her forehead protector had long since fallen from her hair, and she could smell nothing but sweat and cut leaves. The sun was sweltering, making things harder. She had trained hard before, but never with anything so mentally exhausting.

Anxiously she opened up her palm and stared down at the leaf, which was cut halfway through. No progress since the morning. She turned red eyes on Naruto, a frown etched onto her face. This was interminable, and it was wearing her down.

"You're doing great," he assured her. That had become his mantra since he had first stopped her assault with the phrase.

"Stop saying that," she breathed, too tired to yell like she wanted to. She leaned against the tree she had been pillaging, bone tiredness setting in. It was rapidly approaching the point where she gave up. Ten years as a medical ninja and she had done just fine without wind element, surely she could continue without it. It wasn't worth it if it took up half her life, she'd never had this much trouble mastering an element, aside from her first.

"I mean it," he affirmed seriously, making her look up into his eyes. He was so rarely serious, but when she saw the sparkle of pride in his crystal lue eyes, she knew that he meant it. "You're doing great."

"I'm not getting anywhere," she sighed, yanking another leaf off the tree.

"You are," Naruto insisted. "You've just got to..."

He struggled with words for a few seconds before apparently abandoning the idea and apprehensively approaching her. Sakura was too tired to resist as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and enclosed her hands in his, the leaf folded between their palms. A blush coloured her cheeks as she realised how much the feeling of his broad shoulders supporting her eased the weariness in her body. She leaned back into his body involuntarily, her palms still pressed flat together.

"Just concentrate," he murmured in her ear. "A thin line."

Exhaustion overwhelmed her brain, no longer focussing on keeping her body upright. All that could pour out through her hands was that thought. A thin line. She forced the chakra out, the last remnants of her chakra swirling between her hands, encapsulated in his warmth. She let out a gasp of effort as she reached her breaking point. Naruto caught her and eased the pressure off her bones as she almost collapsed.

Sakura closed her eyes momentarily trying not to fall asleep, then opened them and weakly looked into her hands. The leaf lay flat, cut perfectly in two. The realisation shocked new energy into her body and she shot out of Naruto's arms like he burned.

"I did it," she said, an irrepressable grin spreading across her face. She caught Naruto's eye and he grinned with her. "I did it."

"I told you that you were doing great!" Naruto declared happily.

"I...I..." she sighed, energy sapped from her again, her body held upright by elation. "I can't do anymore today. Shishou needs me at the office."

"We'll do more tomorrow," Naruto confirmed.

Sakura started off toward the office, her feet practically flying with happiness. As she hit the edge of the training field she stopped, looking back toward Naruto.

"Naruto!" she called, waiting for him to turn and notice her. When he caught her eye she smiled despite herself. "Thank you."

--

A dove flying overhead made Tsunade groan internally, resting her chin on her fingers. Another foreign message. Any minute now a messenger would burst into her office with more bad news. She'd stopped hoping for good news some time ago.

"Bad day?" The voice behind her was smooth and calm, it always was. She looked over to the window, not even feigning surprise at his presence.

"They all are," she said tersely. Kakashi just smiled at her, leaning back casually against the balcony railing. The Hokage pushed a stack of papers aside, she had more important things to focus on than festival arrangements. "Do you have news on Okama, since the ANBU are just wasting my time?"

"She's still within the city limits, Hokage-sama," he replied gently. "She has not made any appearance since the attack on the Daimyo."

She rested back in her chair, closing her eyes. Dead ends and brick walls. If they didn't make some progress soon she was going to go mad. Temari had better be working until she bled on this case, Konoha needed it. If nothing else, she couldn't spare the jounins who were now acting as 24 hours protection for the Daimyo, which even she wouldn't have the gaul to call a paranoid overreaction. She needed Shizune here for this.

"What do you think?" she asked, opening her eyes. "Does she really intend to harm the Daimyo, or was the scroll her only target?"

"She could have easily killed the Daimyo if she'd wanted to," he said, finally coming to stand in front of her. "I doubt that she holds any further intention to make trouble for him, it would be bad strategy to put all of his guards on full alert if she was planning a real attack."

Tsunade nodded. The Daimyo was a reasonable man, wise beyond his years. Surely he'd be satisfied in a few days and return to trusting his personal guard with his safety. She couldn't blame him for his knee jerk reaction, it was a horrible shock for all of them.

"I agree, it isn't historically accurate for her. Neji's squad needs to be reassigned."

"I see he hasn't taken your orders concerning Hinata to heart."

Tsunade just rolled her eyes. She didn't usually take well to her orders being ignored, but considering their family situation she wasn't about to chase them down about it. If anything was going to get her into a diplomatic mess, it was bullying Hyuugas, and she didn't need it. Of course, the Hyuugas weren't the ones running Konoha.

"They'll take the orders differently if I have to send them to Suna. Gaara had better not think I'm letting the Okama case go when she leaves Konoha borders." She took a sip of the sake on her desk, deliberately ignoring the fact that she was breaking her rule. The liquid burned all the way down her throat, easing the nausea that was building in her gut.

"You're sending ANBU after her." It was a statement, not a question. He was eyeing her critically and Tsunade felt chakra building in her fist, sick of being questioned. As Hokage it was her right to make decisions.

"You're a suspect," she replied evenly, calming her temper. It wasn't exactly protocol to discuss battle tactics with lead suspects, regardless of their position. "That information is for the use of ANBU only."

Kakashi nodded respectfully, wandering back to the balcony. This time she joined him, leaning on the railing to look out over the village. The sun was high in the sky, offending her slightly distorted senses and illuminating every crevice of the town. An air of discomfort had settled over the citizens, the attack only inflaming an underlying problem.

"Things will settle down before the festival," Kakashi assured her, as if reading her mind. "It's everyone's favourite time of year."

"Nothing will settle down," she hissed, her poor mood seeping out through her voice. "Nothing will settle down until Okama Seiya is caught and gutted. No one is sleeping well, not just the shinobi, with the attacks on civillians in Wind, everyone is scared for their lives. This isn't going to go away."

"There's no evidence linking Okama Seiya to the attacks on Wind," the white haired shinobi said cautiously.

"Tell them that." Tsunade gestured broadly to the village with her sake before taking another swig. "There's too much going on. It's unease now, but one more push and it will turn into panic."

The sound of heavy footsteps above them made both shinobi pause. The thudding came closer and neither was surprised when the office door burst open. Sakura stopped dead when she saw Kakashi, her face a shocking shade of white. She was breathing hard from the short run, bordering on hyperventilation. Tsunade stepped forward, concern suddenly washing through her body. Something was horribly wrong.

"Tsunade-shishou..." There was a note of pleading in her voice, her whole body wracked with uncertainty and fear. Her eyes shot to Kakashi and back to the Hokage. Biting her lower lip she held out a sheet of paper. "We've received a reply from Mist. Their scroll is gone, and so is one of their shinobi."

Tsunade took the paper from her. She felt all the colour drain from her face as she looked at the brand new Bingo Book entry. Her stomach flipped, bile rising in her throat. The masked face of Ketsu Uruhana stared up at her, student of the Yondaime Mizukage, Jiraiya's nephew. She looked at Kakashi, her mouth suddenly dry, unable to force words from her throat.

Tsunade weakly turned the sheet around, revealing it to her most trusted confidante. She finally managed to speak, the words tasting like ash in her mouth.

"I can't ignore this."

"I won't ask you to, Tsunade-sama," Kakashi replied with a respectful bow, not a single sign of shock on his face. Then he was gone, instantly just a distant figure on the rooftops.

"Find him!" Tsunade roared, jerked out of her shock. She turned on Sakura. "Get ANBU and find him!"

--