The Kazekage of Suna scowled as his stomach growled almost painfully. Not even pausing, he reached for another stack of scrolls, looking up only when the scrolls weren't there.

Baki held up the scrolls. "Not until you eat."

Jade-pale eyes snapped with irritation, his expression stony.

"You've been up since 3 a.m. and have had exactly one meal in all that time." Baki continued. "If you can call three rice balls a meal."

Gaara blinked slowly, his facial set looking menacingly. "I have a lot to do."

Baki tossed the scrolls to an assistant. "You do more than you have to. Perhaps because you miss your siblings?"

The pen in the red-head's hand creaked, then snapped into pieces. He stared at the ink staining his hand ruefully. He accepted Baki's offer of a towel with ill grace. "I guess this little incident makes denying your charge impossible."

"You barely even visit your residence anymore." Baki said gruffly. "The council worries."

Gaara growled low and wiped the ink off his fingers, grimacing at the blue stain on his pale fingers. He remembered when Hanabi had been stained blue. And how she had managed to stain him first. He still had some sand in his gourd that was blue actually.

"Perhaps if you were to request assistance from Konoha to look into the bandit situation between the borders of Wind and Fire?" Baki gestured for another servant to put down the steaming bowl of stewed meats. "You could say that you were sending teams as well and a joint effort would be appreciated. Then perhaps requesting someone familiar with Wind country?" His tone trailed off suggestively.

The tempting smell of spices and hot stew had Gaara's mouth watering and suddenly it dawned on him that he really was hungry. The red-head started in on his meal quickly and then nearly choked on a bite as he had a sudden thought. Coughing, he grabbed his tea and nodded, pointing mutely at Baki.

"What?" The one-eyed former sensei asked.

"Good idea!" Gaara muttered. "I'll write to the Hokage immediately." He said, then dug back into his stewed dish.

Baki nodded and backed away, having done all that he could. Mentally he patted himself on the back even as he wondered, whom would the Hokage send? Kankuro or Temari? Or would Gaara specifically ask for one of them?

o.O.o.O.o.O

Michi blinked owlishly at Lord Hyuuga, holding up the wad of tissues he'd just pulled from Hanabi's top.

Hanabi, though, wasn't just standing there. No. She glared at her father's furious face, Anko's sneering one, and then marched over and kicked at Neji's shin. The prodigy was laughing so hard he should have made an easy target, but he still effortlessly eluded her strike.

Only to get nailed by Anko as she pushed him into his uncle. Both men righted themselves without effort and turned their Hyuuga-proud eyes on her. Anko pointed at both of them. "Out." She ordered.

But Hiashi had had enough of being bossed around in his own home. He drew up to his full height, his pale gaze flashing with rage and anger. Baring his teeth at his wife he gave her a hard look.

Anko nodded, grabbed Neji's arm and dragged him from the room. She looked over at Hanabi. "If you survive the next few minutes, we'll talk." She was a woman who needed to have the last word. And very little scared her, in truth, she wasn't even frightened now.

It was just better for her marriage to let Hiashi have his way in some things. Right?

o.O.o.O.o.O

Mizutori Rinako was having a bad day. Her bad day had a name. Shihei.

As if on cue. "I'm tiiiiired!" The petulant voice sounded behind her. "Why can't we stop at an inn and get a proper meal? And a proper bed? A fire place and …"

"It's still summer." Rinako finally snapped. "What the hell do you need a fire place for?"

Shihei paused in his litany a moment, then scowled behind her back, sticking out his tongue. She turned and shot him a spiteful look and he wondered for a moment if she could see behind her. "Well?" She prodded him. "What do you need a fire place for?"

The young blond shrugged. "Don't all rustic inns have fireplaces? Besides you could heat up my bath water for me with a fireplace."

Rinako felt the small muscles at the side of her left eye begin to spasm. Taking a deep breath she turned and kept going. Mentally running through her litany of 'you can't kill him …you can't kill him …you can't kill him …'

Her nin-dog woofed up at her and she shook her head ruefully. "No, we can't just leave him behind." She told her dog loudly.

Behind her was the predictable gasp. "You were talking about me! Weren't you? You were, weren't you?! Well it doesn't matter, because I'm stopping HERE! I need a rest break and you are a horrible guard for ignoring my needs so badly."

With that Shihei dropped his pack. Rinako sighed and looked up at the sky. "It took you until nearly supper to quit today. You must be getting stronger. Yesterday you 'stopped' only an hour after breakfast. Yep. Definitely an improvement."

With that, she kept walking, having learned that the kid would only let her get so far ahead before he started wailing and then would run to catch up with her.

o.O.o.O.o.O

Shiho felt the displacement of air, letting her know someone had entered her work area. Hoping it was a certain shadow-using shinobi, she smiled brightly as she looked up. The smile quickly faded into a sharp frown. "What do you want now?" She asked waspishly.

But Ino wasn't in the mood to talk. Instead she was looking around the room, her face mutinous. "Is he here?"

"Since you have not specified the name of the 'he' in question, my assumption is that you are looking for Nara. Who is not here. Instead of the head of my department, who also happens to be a 'he' and if you are looking for him …then that he stepped across the hall but will be back later." Shiho matched the blonde's frown.

"Don't play stupid with me!" Ino snapped, her hands on her hips standing over Shiho's desk. "You and I have only one 'he' that we both know."

Behind her thick glasses, Shiho's eyebrows raised as she stood up. "I never play stupid, I wouldn't know how. Unlike you!"

All of a sudden something sad passed behind Ino's eyes as she blinked several times in quick succession. Others might have missed the signs, but Shiho was trained to deal in spotting patterns, especially subtle ones. Swallowing hard, she realized she'd hurt Ino's feelings. "What's wrong?" She asked, her natural helpful personality superseding the petty desire to leave the insult standing.

Ino's bottom lip barely quivered, but again Shiho saw it. She groaned. "You're not stupid you know."

The blonde's face tightened as she fought her embarrassment, drawing up haughtily. "And you shouldn't let yourself be played like that. It's unseemly for a kunoichi of the Leaf village. You fell right for it." She lied, pretending she'd not had her feelings injured in the first place.

Shiho sighed and leaned against her desk. "Number one, you weren't acting. I may not be on your level as a kunoichi, but even I know how to read a face."

Ino sighed and perched herself on Shiho's desk too. "Shikamaru and I had a fight."

"I gathered." Came the droll response. Suddenly the cryptologist perked up, smiling brightly. "And you thought he'd come to see me?"

The blonde blew out a frustrated breath. "Don't get so excited. This was the seventh place I looked for him. He's not gone to any of his usual places."

"Oh." Shiho sighed, sinking dejectedly back into her chair. "Of course it was."

Ino sighed and debated with herself before giving in. "Okay, okay, it was only the fifth place. I checked his usual haunts, but nothing." She looked over at the other girl, but Shiho had her head bent back over her papers. "Ignoring me won't make me go away, even Shikamaru figured that one out eventually."

"Is that how you got him?" Shiho asked quietly, looking up.

Ready to blast the other girl, Ino paused at the earnest look on the other kunoichi's face. Sighing, she shrugged and admitted the truth. "I don't know."

o.O.o.O.o.O

Michi stared at the closed door of the library and then back at Hanabi's father. He turned to look once more at his teammate. "Should I worry?"

"Yes." Hiashi said roughly. "Now get out."

The young shinobi nodded, then pursed his lips, not moving. "Nothing was happening you know." When Hiashi turned his stone-cold gaze on him, the young man gulped, but didn't back down. "And I know that you know that."

One eyebrow rose mockingly, but Michi still didn't break and run, though he was starting to sweat a bit. "Why aren't you gone yet?" Hiashi said in a frosty tone of voice, the threat evident behind the words.

Hanabi sighed. "It's okay, Michi."

The dark-haired youth nodded, but still didn't move. Finally, he managed to tear his eyes away from the threat and look at Hanabi. "He looks mean."

"MICHI!" Hanabi hissed, struggling not to laugh.

Hiashi sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Fine. You've defused my anger, knowing that …what? I wouldn't go into a complete rage and kill you or my own child over this fiasco?"

Michi shrugged and finally headed for the door. "Sir, no disrespect intended. You have a reputation as a cold bastard. Not one that goes into a killing fury. Still, I couldn't leave Hanabi alone to face you with making sure of that."

Hiashi was several steps away when Michi reached the door, and then he wasn't. Sea-foam green eyes widened as Hiashi stared into his face from an inch away. Moves that fast should be allowed! "You are not skilled enough or wise enough yet to deal with me one on one." His hand reached out and caught a sweat drop from Michi's brow and flicked it away. "Don't forget that."

"Y…yes sir." Michi stammered, then shot Hanabi an apologetic look before slipping from the room.

Hiashi sighed and straightened his robe. He too looked over at his daughter. "I thought Yugao, then Ibiki were using questionable reasoning to make that young man the leader of your genin team. It appears the boy has depths I had not yet seen."

Hanabi nodded and opened her mouth.

"No." Hiashi said sternly, his brows snapping together. "That was not something that I need nor want your opinion on."

"Hai." The kunoichi nodded nervously.

Her father came and circled her, inspecting the skin-tight mesh body suit along with the short cream-lilac skirt that skimmed the middle of her thighs. He stopped in front of her and eyed the low-cut top with its mismatched bosom. Hiashi held out his hand and blushing, Hanabi reached in and pulled out the remainder of the tissue paper, handing it to him reluctantly.

"This outfit will be burned." He announced with utter authority.

Hanabi nodded, knowing better than to argue with him. In fact, before this whole series of events had started with a list and an idea to marry off her father, she would never have dreamed of acting like this in front of him. Was he changing, or her?

"I will not have this." Hiashi growled. "And while I am grateful for your assistance in gaining a nanny that Hinata will use with the babies, I will still not abide by this kind of behavior. I have long been tolerant of your 'adventures' and small pranks, seeing these as a way to increase your ninja skill set …but it ends now."

"Yes father." Hanabi nodded.

"You are fourteen now. A genin and a kunoichi of the Leaf Village. Act like one." His voice was commanding.

"Yes father."

A grunt was her answer as her father circled her once more. "It is fortunate that your team leader, this Michi is just as young as you. He was misguided in his efforts to rectify your …unfortunate …choice of clothing, but at least his intentions were good. A few years from now and having his hand down your …" He paused, feeling a headache coming on. "Well, his intentions will be different in a few years. Do you remember the talk we had following your sister's wedding?"

Hanabi looked up, blushing slightly. "Hai."

"When a young man gets to a certain age, Hanabi …certain hormones come into play that cause a change. Young men that you have grown up with will become nearly strangers to you and their thinking will change."

Rolling her eyes behind his back wasn't a good idea, not when the bloodline limit of the clan was the Byakugan. Still, Hanabi felt like it. She listened as her father outlined sex in the most austere and circumstantial language. Finally, he came to a conclusion, dismissing her from his presence.

Hanabi had the door open when Hiashi stopped her. "Daughter. I don't mean to imply that all men are animals. But you see, Michi will grow and change. And …well, a provocative outfit like that …well, you don't want a man attracted to that."

She should just nod and walk out. Hanabi knew it down deep in her bones. She needed to leave now. Agree with her father's old-fashioned and outlandish ideas and leave. Unfortunately she couldn't keep her mouth from opening.

"I wouldn't want a man who isn't attracted." Hanabi found the words spilling forth, seeing the precipice before her and yet unable to stop herself from going over it into freefall. "I certainly wouldn't want any man not attracted to THAT, as you put it. Attracted to me physically that is. But you don't have to worry about Michi. He's not attracted, to me anyway."

Hiashi's face went red as his daughter dared to talk back to him.

"And in a few years, Michi still won't be attracted to me." Hanabi smiled at her father, completely unable to help herself. "But he did mourn when he found out Neji was getting married."

Red went to white and back to red again as Hanabi waited for his response. Nerves jangling as she watched her father, one of the most powerful clan leaders of the village. In his day he'd been on par with the best shinobi Leaf had to offer. He was still dangerous, even retired from active duty to run his clan.

A long, tense moment passed. Finally Hiashi pointed at her ruthlessly. "BURN THAT DAMNED OUTFIT!"

o.O.o.O.o.O

Rinako peered over the edge of the hill, flat to the ground and filthy with bush debris. Damn it! She thought to herself, disgusted. What was that caravan doing on this trail? She deliberately chosen one that was usually ignored by traders as being too steep for wagons …so what were they doing here?

She'd have to get closer to find out. But should she attempt it?

Inching her way backwards down the small rise until she was sure she couldn't been seen by the caravan, she moved with utter confidence, yet very cautiously. Crouching a dozen yards away, she moved a bit faster until she could take stock of her situation.

Rinako had chosen this path toward Konoha, though it was highly circular and certainly not direct. She'd even sent a message back to Kumogakure to that effect, though she'd hidden her exact whereabouts. She wanted the Raikage to think she was working on the mission he'd given her.

The longer it took for the Raikage to discover her treason, the longer her family had to live. A vision of her mother and two younger brothers tore at her, but she ruthlessly pushed the memories away. She was signing their death warrants with her actions. But her mother was a former jounin herself, and one brother was nearly a genin. The other studying and training to become a shinobi. They knew the life. It was part of them.

And to each of them, Kumogakure was everything. They would understand, wouldn't they? Even as death took them, they'd understand why she did this. Right?

With these morbid and dark thoughts in her mind, Rinako arrived at the camp and looked over at Shihei. "We have a caravan coming this way. It is one that usually stops in the Cloud village. I need to find out why they took this route."

Pausing, Rinako went over to her pack and pulled out extra weapons. "You don't mind if I go scouting some more, do you? It's for your protection, I assure you. Dinner will be delayed a bit, but it can't be helped. Oh, and no fire tonight, not with that caravan so close. So no heated bath water, so sorry about that."

A mumble was the boy's only response.

Rinako nodded. "So glad you approve. But don't worry, I'm leaving my nin-dog to watch over you." Kirohu whined at her, but settled himself down next to the boy.

With that, the kunoichi took off at a fast, but stealthy clip.

Hidden in the leaves of the bush, bound and gagged, Shihei watched her go with wide, wide eyes. He wriggled, but was unable to move much at all.

Kirohu sniffed the air to make sure all was well, and then settled down to guard the young noble. Happy that Rinako had muzzled the kid at long last.

o.O.o.O.o.O

"And then the guy behind the counter realized I'd been standing there the whole time." Ino giggled, sitting on the floor with her back against a bookshelf. "You should have SEEN his face!"

Smiling, Shiho shook her head. "You're making that up." She accused lightly as she sat next to the other kunoichi.

"No, no, I promise!" Ino held up one hand solemnly, her lips trying to suppress her smile. "The clerk was talking about 'these two kunoichi, one blonde and one pink-haired' and how shameless they were in following the other student."

Shiho shook her head in wonder. "I can't imagine any guy ignoring you so that you had to chase him."

Ino sighed and gave a rueful look. "Uchiha Sasuke, to be exact."

"No!"

"Yes." The blonde girl shrugged. "What can I say? I had lousy taste back then, but I got better!"

Reminded that Shikamaru was Ino's fiancé, Shiho looked away then shrugged. "I should have known I didn't stand a chance to catch his eye."

"He respects you." Ino muttered and nudged the other kunoichi, knowing without asking that they were talking about Shikamaru again.

"He's marrying you." Shiho nudged the blonde back.

"I'm not as smart as he is." Ino looked over at the other girl, putting her head down to rest on her drawn-up knees.

Shiho shrugged. "Fat lot of good book learning does me."

Ino sat back up, drawing a deep breath. "Now. Look at you. You're not wearing a single one of your new outfits. I went to a lot of trouble just to find the right three looks."

The cryptologist blushed lightly, looking away. "The outfits are nice. But I put them on …and I'm still just me."

"There's nothing wrong with that." Ino protested.

Shiho threw her arm out, indicating her work space and all the books and scrolls. "This is me. I never get to go anywhere. No one comes to see me much, they just send the codes they want broken …or made. I can make them too, you know." She paused with a sigh. "Shikamaru has been the only young shinobi to come into my office in a long, long time. Then there was all the fuss with the code and he brought in Naruto and someone else. But that's a rarity in my field."

Ino shook her head. "Take a vacation. You have the right. Go somewhere!"

"With whom?" Shiho scoffed. "Besides, I'm not really encouraged to even take a step outside of Konoha." She tapped her forehead. "I have too many codes up here. I'm not important in and of myself, but only for what I know."

"Bullshit. You're important. Smart. And you have everything it takes to be pretty if you'd try." Ino sighed. "I'm sorry, but Shikamaru is mine." She said bluntly and honestly.

Shiho nodded, blushing. "I'm no danger to that."

The blonde reached over and shoved Shiho's shoulder. "Stop selling yourself short. You just need to get out more. And have you thought about contacts?"

"Too much trouble."

Ino paused, blinking. Had the other girl meant to sound like Shikamaru? No, probably not. It must be a smart-people thing. "You sit here and talk about wanting things to change, well …you're smart enough to know that you have to go to some trouble to make that happen." Ino stood, brushing off her bottom and held out a hand for the other kunoichi. "And tomorrow you're making an appointment with the eye medic. I know him, he's a good guy."

"Single?" Shiho couldn't help but ask, laughing as she let the blonde help he up.

"Yes. But trust me, you don't want him." Ino's mind boggled at the visual. "He's three times your age!"

"He's got to be better than the other guy you tried to foist me off onto."

Ino drew back, surprised. "Most girls find Kiba very attractive. Rough, but attractive."

"And he knows it." Shiho murmured, remembering at how Kiba had looked at her as if he EXPECTED her to fall all over him. Like she needed that!

"Look. Does Sh …does Shikamaru ever talk about me? When he comes over here?" Ino couldn't help but ask the question.

Shiho shook her head, then saw the hurt expression on the blonde's face. Hurrying she reassured her, "But he doesn't talk about anything personal. Not with me."

Ino nodded and smiled wanly. "I'll come by and let you know when your appointment is with the eye medic. And Shiho? Thanks."

Nodding, the cryptologist watched the blonde head for the door. Hurting, she knew that she'd never win Shikamaru's affections like Ino had obviously done. Still, despite everything, she kind of liked the talkative kunoichi. "Ino?"

"Hai?" The blonde stopped and turned in the doorway.

"If Shikamaru doesn't want to be found, he wouldn't hide anywhere he would know you would look. So look for him where you would never expect to find him." Shiho told her with a soft smile.

Ino nodded her thanks.

o.O.o.O.o.O

Two hours later, after helping Hanabi burn her outfit, Anko stared at Hiashi's library door. It was still closed tightly.

Yugao stepped up beside her, having just returned for her postpartum medical appointment. "I've heard."

Anko nodded. "He's hiding now, I can feel it."

"Blow to the ego to know your daughter is ready to grow up like that." The blue-haired kunoichi said quietly. "What are you going to do about it?"

The spiky-haired jounin shrugged. "I sent several servants out to buy out three entire baby boutiques of their most expensive items. Ordered a new bedroom suite and dining room set."

Yugao looked surprised. "How very female. Civilian female at that. Isn't that a tad low key? Especially for you? I think I'm rather dissapointed."

"It was fun, more fun than I'd thought actually." Anko smiled. "Then I personally took Hanabi shopping and got her one of those new push up bras and helped her pick out a new outfit."

"But Hiashi wanted her to burn ..."

Anko smiled nastily. "He wants her to act like a Leaf kunoichi. Dress like one too. Hiashi told her to get rid of her new outfit, he didn't say she couldn't find a new new one!" She smiled and put her hand on her hip, posing provocatively. "So be it."

Whistling, Yugao nodded. "I'll warn Neji."

o.O.o.O.o.O

Michi nodded in appreciation as Hanabi twirled for him. She was wearing dark-tan shorts that came to mid thigh and weren't too tight to restrict movement, but rode down low enough to emphasize her slender frame and taut abdomen. Her midriff was bare, but her top was far more conservative than the last one.

"Is that all you?" Michi nodded toward her bosom.

Hanabi grinned. "In the flesh, so to speak. Great advances in bras these days. No tissue needed at all."

"Good." The dark-haired shinobi murmured, smiling. "I like the top."

"Me too." Hanabi fingered the soft blue cowl neck top that was layered under a mesh piece, then over that was a dark-tan t-shaped brief top. There was no cleavage showing at all. But a nice, if small, shape.

"Ossu." Rokuro said languidly as he walked up to them, greeting Michi. He looked over at Hanabi. "Nice outfit." He told her, right before hitting her in the face.

o.O.o.O.o.O

Hanabi's new look is taken from a great picture of fanart that evikted made. The artist has graciously given me permission to use the new outfit for Hanabi in this story. Please go check it out! The link is on my account page.

As always, reviews are encouraged and encouraging!