Chapter 21

"You sent her into town?"

"Yes," Haku answered.

The young man's brow twitched, hands clenched. "You… sent that girl into a town where our next target is."

"Yes."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "What were you thinking?"

"That she could gather information. Don't worry, I gave her the basic details of the mission."

"What, so she could be a spy? Again, Haku, you're giving her too much credit."

The teen sighed, looking up at his partner. "You need to start trusting Lacey more. Hasn't she been traveling with us long enough?"

"In case you haven't noticed I've been verylax towards that dancer in the last few months."

"That's only because she had a near death experience and you're afraid it'll happen again."

"I am not afraid."

Haku sighed. "You may be lax, but you still keep a tight leash so nothing happens. I get it. You're like that with me sometimes, but I trust Lacey to get the job done. In case you haven't noticed in the past five months since the Akine incident she's been more discipline and managed to rise to the level as a Chuunin. Besides, we'd stick out roaming around looking for information. This is a high society environment we're going into, not a poverty stricken or middle-class community. Out of all of us, she won't stick out."

"You better be right."

Lacey laughed, waving goodbye to the stand owner and shifting the pack onto her back. It was growing heavier, but the supplies were needed. And it helped her blend in with the local market. Something caught her eye, moving towards a table and looking over the laid out jewelry. "The finest gold in the area," the merchant said.

"They are very pretty, but are much too expensive for me," she answered kindly.

Eyes meeting with the man behind the counter they shared a smile. His grinning caused his crows feet to become more prominent. "A traveler, I see?"

"Yes, just passing through. I have family on the other side of the island, but this town is so beautiful I had to stop."

"We take pride in our appearance."

"So I have come to find-"

"Stop! Thief!"

All heads turned, watching as a man shoved through the crowd, holding something close to his chest. He was growing closer and closer, everyone parting not knowing what to do. He was intimidating, that was for sure, but the reason for no one interference was partly due to the higher society not wanting to dirty their hands. The thief thinking that there was a clear shot to the safety of the forest on the outskirts made his guard dropped. Turning to watch the area in front of him, a leg swung around into his view catching the neck before being slammed into the ground. The air rushed from the lungs as Lacey wasted no time pressing down on his back and wrapping the wrists up in some rope she had just bought.

Everyone stared in surprise that a small thing like herself had brought the burly man to the ground, ninja rushing in to subdue the trashing criminal and dragging him away. "That was impressive," spoke the man. "Where did you learn how to do that?"

"I travel a lot, so it's not uncommon I would come across a problem every now and again. So I learned a thing or two in self defense."

Thinking to himself for a moment, the merchant stuck out his hand. "Yupa."

Their hands shook. "I'm Lacey."

Something sparked in his eyes for a second. "Well Lacey… I think I may have a proposition for you if you can spare some time."

Her interest was caught, but that didn't mean she was wary of the situation. "What kind of proposition?"

"You did what?" Zabuza questioned.

"I found a lead," the dancer said.

"From who?" Haku asked.

"A merchant in the market."

"They just, what, happened to decide to confide in you out of everyone else?" the man asked.

"Well, no… I may have stopped a thief in town."

Zabuza groaned. "And this is why you don't go alone."

"I only drop kicked him! That's hardly a reason to get angry or raise suspicion. I only said that I was a traveler who knew self-defense. It's not like I pulled out a kunai on him."

She had a point, but the rogue would never admit it. "Explain what you discovered."

"Yupa is a gold supplier in town. Over the last few months they have been dealing with thefts and assassinations by an unknown party. Many have been his clients and he's afraid that he'll become one of the targets since he's had a connection to all of them."

"We cannot be concerned with the life of one man when there are others on the line."

"Will you just listen?" Zabuza cocked a brow in amusement. "I'm not asking to guard him. I'm just saying that Yupa has information that could be useful."

"It could be a trap."

"I know. But he didn't give me a reason to not trust him."

"So what did he propose?" Haku asked.

"He knows who I am."

Their eyes widened. "How is that possible?" Zabuza questioned.

"Because he's the one who hired us. If we agree to this job he wants to actually meet the rogues. I was only given the brief since there was a fear of being watched."

"Well at least he's smart," the man grumbled.

"So, will you meet him?"

"When and where is the meeting point?"

"Tomorrow night. I'll approach him in the street and he'll lead me to the checkpoint. You two will have to follow so there's no suspicion."

"He sure has everything planned out. What's to say he takes you hostage?"

"Yupa has been planning this for a while now."

"But that still doesn't explain how he knows all of this, these tactics."

"Because he's a former rogue."

There was a moment of silence. "What?" he exclaimed.

"Retired. Look, that's all I know. If you want to learn more you'll just have to meet him."

The man huffed. "Fine. Tomorrow, meet with him and we'll follow close behind. If this is a set up and he was lying all along-"

"I'm willing to face the consequences," Lacey cut him off.

Zabuza smirked at the fact she was learning.

It was cold out when Lacey came to the meeting place, tugging the jacket Haku had bought for her tightly around her. The breeze cut through the dancer, causing a few strands of her hair to come loose from the ponytail. "You came alone."

Turning, she watched Yupa emerge from the shadows. "No, but do you honestly think they would reveal themselves that easy? You should know, having been a rogue yourself… unless you're lying."

The older man smirked, chuckling lightly. "You may not be a Ninja, but you've got wit. I assume that's how you've managed to stay alive this whole time."

"Something like that."

"I like you. Your friends have nothing to worry about. This situation is very real."

"Why would a rogue be interested in setting something right? Those who I have come across could care less about order. What happened?"

"If you haven't noticed I'm doing this for my own benefit. Because of these rogues it's been affecting my business."

"You're a smuggler."

His smirk widened. "Exactly."

"So selling jewelry is all an act."

"In a sense. Those items are priceless."

"But it's a good profit for you because it's blood money."

"You're smart. Good quality to have for a beautiful young woman like yourself." Lacey fought to keep from blushing. "This also involved my customers. If they are affected then so am I. I don't make a profit."

"So eliminate the threat and things will go back to normal."

"In a sense. Some colleagues and I run this town, even if it is a richer society. They don't even realize they are being controlled."

"Yeah, well, nobles aren't always the smartest ones in the bunch."

"Speaking from experience?"

"I've only met one family Household that could say otherwise."

He nodded. "So, is that enough reason for your friends to come out or are we going to stand here all night? I would like to stay out of the watchful eyes of the rogues."

"You're saying we're being watched?"

"There's a possibility."

Of course. There always was. "Well, I don't know. Whether they want to come out or not is up to them. I don't make the rules."

A gust of hair came from behind, the dancer not needing to turn around to see who it was. "Yupa, I'm assuming," Zabuza spoke gruffly.

"Zabuza, Demon of the Mist. The pleasure is all mine. Who is your partner?"

"Haku. Is there a place we can talk in private?"

The older man nodded. "Follow me."

They were moving away from the village and into the forest. There was no path to guide them, but Yupa seemed to know what he was doing. Though the rough terrain of roots, rocks, and uneven ground made it difficult to stay balanced. Lacey would've fallen over if it wasn't for Zabuza firm grip on her arm. "Here we are."

Zabuza was immediately on guard when there was nothing. "What is this?" he growled. The ex-rogue knocked on a tree trunk, causing a section of the ground to pull away. Yupa descended the stairs into the ground. "I don't like this," the rogue grumbled under his breath.

"Well, you wanted to meet him," Lacey pointed out. "If you don't do this then the deal is off.

"We could end up dead."

"Fine, then I'll follow." She pulled her arm out of his grip. "Since I'm not that big of an asset if I die it's not a big deal."

The two watched as Lacey descended into the shadows. "I'm surprised you didn't say anything."

"What?"

"Well, to me she seems pretty important to y-"

"Shut it, Haku," Zabuza grunted. Eventually, the young man entered, Haku close behind. The door closed right behind them.

It was completely pitch black, Haku having to guide Lacey through the space so she didn't fall. And no one dared asked as to why the ex-rogue did not light a torch or perform a Jutsu. If anything, Zabuza was wary more than ever.

"We have to be quiet," Yupa finally said under his breath.

"Why?" Zabuza snapped. "Because the enemy is right above us?"

"Because the only ones awake are the guards. You'll meet the others in the morning."

His brows furrowed. "Others? Why kind of operation are you running here?"

Yupa chuckled under his breath. "You'll see. We cannot turn on any sources of light for it will give away our doors and draw attention." Coming to a hole in the wall, the curtain was pulled back. Eyes having adjusted to the darkness they could just make out three mattes and blankets. "I'll come for you in the morning. Sleep well."

He disappeared, Lacey lowering herself onto one of the beds. "I don't like this," Zabuza grumbled.

"When do you not say that?" the dancer said.

That earned her a pointed glare. "If your observational skills were average you would realize that we're in an enclosed space if we're attacked, underground without a clear exit, and putting our faith in an ex-rogue."

"Zabuza has a point," Haku mumbled. "Rogue have hunted each other in the past. This could very well be a trap."

Her shoulders shrugged. "Who do you think he meant by 'others'?" she asked.

"Could be more rogues. His thugs, anything. Which is why at the first sign of trouble we're gone, you hear me?"

"Loud and clear," Lacey mumbled. Slowly, her eyelids began to close. The dancer was not worried. Knowing her comrades they would be standing guard and trusting that Yupa in fact needed their assistance she fell asleep. Zabuza would most likely force himself to stay awake all night.

A/N: I don't own anything