A short update... If you're lucky and I can steal the computer away from my sister then I'll post more.

I don't own Naruto. ^.~


After Rai rested for a while he picked up Ayame and decided to finish the journey home to Konoha.

When Rai finally reached Konoha it was still dark. Tsunade was taking advantage of the peace and quiet, sleeping on her desk.

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune exclaimed bursting into the office.

Tsunade snapped up.

"What?! Where?! What's wrong?!" Tsunade cried.

"It's Rai!"

"Rai Kabau? The Anbu Black Op?"

"Yes."

"What about him?"

"He's back and he has Ayame with him. They're waiting outside."

"Send them in."

Rai walked in, looking better than how Tsunade had left him. Before he was pale and looked weak. He seemed much better now.

Ayame was a mess. Her clothes were dirty and stained with dirt and blood. Her hair was a tangled mess and she was cradling her right arm in a poorly made sling.

"Tsunade-sama...I-I'm so sorry!" Ayame started going on her knees, bowing, "It's all my fault. I was so easily deceived and couldn't even protect myself. I've caused you and the village so much trouble. I blame myself for the death of the Anbu, Kabuto killed. I feel guilty that I cared more about getting away from there than getting the scroll back."

"Ayame." Tsunade said standing up and walking over to Ayame.

Ayame closed her eyes preparing for the worse. She deserved it after all the trouble she cause. She was used to the yelling....When she would mess up back at the layer she would be yelled at and punished by Orochimaru.

"It's not your fault. It's my fault for not protecting you better. I want to apologize to you for not doing a better job."

Ayame jerked her head up and looked up at the kind face of Tsunade.

"Tsunade-sama....I never asked you to take on my burden. I don't deserve an apology."

"That's true, but Orochimaru is a former shinobi of this village, so it's our burden to bear. We have to stop any of his plans. So, it's ok that you didn't get the scroll, it's ok that you got captured. All that matters right now is that you're safe."

Tsunade helped Ayame up.

"After we're done here, come with me to the hospital and I'll take a look at your wrist. What happened to it anyways?"

"Orochimaru broke it when deflecting my chidori...."

Tsunade nodded and turned to face Rai.

"Rai...."

"Tsunade-sama....I apologize for my insubordination. Please punish me as you see fit." Rai said going down on one knee.

"Please don't punish Rai-kun. He was only trying to save me. If anything, punish me." Ayame begged.

"I'm not punishing anyone. Rai, you did a wonderful job on the rescue mission. Though you disobeyed me, I'll over look it this once....If it happens again...."

"It wont happen again. I promise." Rai said smiling standing back up.

"It better not... Rai, I have a new job for you. I want you to be Ayame's personal body guard. No mask, no anbu outfit. You're undercover as her friend. Ok?"

"Right."

"This ok with you Ayame?" Tsunade asked.

Ayame nodded.

"Ok, now let's go take a look at that wrist."

While Ayame sat waiting for the results of her injury she sat pondering. She had to list the facts. Ayame was weak, she knew that much and she needed to train. She knew that Orochimaru was going to kill her if he found out about the fact she lacked the skill to read the scroll. There was also a few unanswered questions. What did the scroll contain? Is Sasuke really on her side? If so why? He never seemed to like Ayame....As she thought about these and more Tsunade returned.

"The bones in your wrist a slightly in the wrong place. I'll set them and use a bit of chakara to mend them back together. Your wrist will be sore for a while and I suggest to limit it's movement, but it should be well in enough in a few days that you can go on a mission for us."

"Thank you Tsunade-sama!"

Tsunade wrapped Ayame's wrist up tightly, gave her some pain medicine and dismissed her.