"We always imagine eternity as something beyond our conception, something vast, vast! But why must it be vast? Instead of all that, what if it's one little room, like a bath house in the country, black and grimy and spiders in every corner, and that's all eternity is? I sometimes fancy it like that."

-Crime and Punishment

Saya took a breath, inhaling with short, quick spurts. But no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't release a single one. Standing there, trying to calm herself, she wondered what it must feel like to laugh. She wondered what it would feel like to let a burst of hysterical giggles burst from her thinned lips, whether she could still understand the warmth of that kind of simple happiness. Because, now that she thought of it, she hadn't laughed, truly laughed, since she'd gotten that letter. The letter she believed to be false, mistaken, completely misunderstood.

That had been three months ago.

"This has to be a mistake," she said quietly. She was very afraid. Afraid that if she should talk at all, the people around her would shatter and so should the world. All that she would be left with would be a mangled mess of a reflection, a mirrored image of what should have been, but what wasn't even there to begin with. Instead, she would be left in the dark.

And god, how she hated the dark.

"We are not mistaken, Sotaicho," the man sitting across from her said gravely. "Our source is anything but unreliable, and though we haven't witnessed Takyui Saito committing such atrocities, we are more than sure this information is, in fact, correct."

"No," Saya said firmly. "I have shadowed him since I received the tip. Not once have I seen him out of line."

The elders sat in thoughtful silence, leaning deeply into their chairs. They were grouped on Saya's right, and to her left were her most trusted taichos. Each were grave-faced, staring either at the table before them or at each other. Their dusty sapphire uniforms reminded Saya of the jewels that sat at her sister's vanity, glinting in the sunlight as Misa delicately slid them into her hair.

The memory laughed.

"We have reason to believe he's been dealing information through other means besides verbal communication."

She sat and watched as she dug her fingers deeply into the finely grained wood of the table. It was curious that she left indents where she trailed her fingers.

When had her touch become so terrible?

"He also spends a curious amount of time with the Misa-dono."

"That is because they are seeing each other," Saya murmured.

"All the more reason to believe it to be his cover," one man said. His hair was closely cropped and his burly arms rested calmly on the table. She looked up from her musing and let her gaze wander down the row of her captains until her eyes met with Katsutoshi's. Their gazes connected, and briefly, she thought she saw something she shouldn't.

"Who is this source you are relying on?" She demanded softly. "I assume it is one of our own, else you wouldn't be so sure."

"He wished to remain anonymous. He wants no part in Saito-san's execution, only wishing to protect the village."

"Tch." She folded her arms and leaned back. "I don't like it. This isn't just anyone we're talking about here. He's a vice captain, your vice captain, Arata-taicho." She stared pointedly at him. "What do you think of this accusation?"

"I don't want to believe it's true," he replied carefully, "He's been nothing but honest and, dare I say, kind." The older man chuckled before wistfully continuing. "The lad never stops working. He takes care of his subordinates and is noble to the blood. I don't see him being a traitor, he's too proud."

"My point, gentlemen," Saya folded her fingers, eyeing the elderly on her side. She watched them mumble behind hands to one another before one spoke out. Saya internally cringed that it would be him arguing against her.

"Sayuri-dono, the allegations against Takyui-san are most grave, and we cannot but help take such matters seriously. We understand your hesitation towards such repercussions, but these charges cannot be ignored." The man flicked back a strand of salting hair, the rest tied back to keep from his face. Though wrinkles had yet to claim his features, the faint lines of crows feet had begun to emerge along the edges of his eyes.

"If it's all the same to you, Daichi, I would like to have matters further investigated before one of my best men is cut down by his own comrades" She did not smile as she said this, but nor did she frown. She sat solemnly still, awaiting to hear his rebuttal.

"Perhaps it is best to take action before misfortune falls upon us, Sayuri-dono. Who knows what the enemy already knows about our home?"

Oh, playing at that was he? The old coot knew what he was doing, she'd give him that. A few men murmured uneasy questions about, fearing an enemy that had yet to be seen. He was spreading fear like the plague.

"Daichi, unless I have missed something vital, could you please enlighten me as to which enemy it is that you speak of?" She waited, but before he could reply, "No. There are plenty of enemies awaiting our demise, but Saito-san has yet to reveal one at our gates. Killing him would only create discord among the noble families, one which he is a part of, and thereof provide an opening that you so imploringly believe to be established." She paused, measuring her words before uttering them. "It would also upset my sister should anything foul happen to him."

A very empty silence ensued.

"Then perhaps we should tread with caution, Sotaicho."

Saya looked sharply at Katsutoshi, who smiled adoringly over at her.

"You agree, Katsu-kun?" She watched as he nodded faintly.

"Of course. We wouldn't want to make the mistake of murder, now would we?" He folded his fingers on the table, closing his eyes with the same smile. "Besides, without evidence, how will we know for sure that anything is amiss?"

All eyes were turned from him to Saya as she regarded him thoughtfully.

"I agree," Daichi concluded after the elders chattered. "We agree with both Sayuri-dono and Sato-taicho. We will investigate these alleged charges further before taking any action."

Saya released a shallow sigh, her heart fluttering deep into her core.

"Agreed?" She asked.

"Agreed."

It was just like she remembered it, only, it wasn't.

The gates were still thick with dead anemone and coral that had long been dried out, and the market that wove between the village was just as broad, surrounded by casually built wooden houses that were covered with tiled roof. Almost every walkway and every doorway had a wood or wind chime that rang in the breeze, even the light tussled one that blew as she walked deeper into the village. The taste of the sea ripened on her tongue and sharpened her senses until she could hear even the faintest rumble of waves.

She walked between both Itachi and Kisame, Yin lingering just to the side of them as Fuu led the way. When they had tread through the village limit, a small assortment of men confronted them with steely eyes and rigid words, asking them of their purpose. Fuu and Yin warned them of their mission, agreeing to the men accompanying them to the headquarters of the correction unit. They were quite a sight, Saya imagined, and it was no surprise that they caught the villager's eyes. The market was always a busy place, filled with peddlers and craftsmen, children playing and stealing while mothers chastised them with jabbing fingers.

It was as if an execution were taking place considering how quiet it had gotten, all eyes concentrating on their small parade. Though, Saya wondered whether it was the Akatsuki cloaks that earned so much attention, or that fact that their previous head in-command was walking beside them in unholy silence. There was a mumble of gossip sliding around the crowds as men and women uneasily walked out of their path, making way for their procession.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"I'm I seeing this right, honey?"

"It's the Sotaicho."

"Ex-Sotaicho, you fool."

"What is she doing here?"

"What is she doing with those men?"

"Who is it here, I can't see anything!"

"It's the ex-Sotaicho, and she's with Akatsuki men."

"Akatsuki? What's that?"

"Who are those men?"

"Who's the ex-Sotaicho?"

"Baka! Didn't your mother ever tell you the story?"

"Shut up! They can probably hear you."

Saya internally frowned, but otherwise smiled slyly as they froze the traffic of the usually vivacious street. It wasn't as if everyone was watching their every move. There were families who had blown off the spectacle and continued their shopping, as well as thieves who had taken the opening to snatch a pretty comb or shiny pear.

It didn't make it any less heart-stumbling for Saya as she recognized familiar faces and petty scowls that were directed her way, as well as the way of Itachi and Kisame. Neither of the girls were greeted either, and were regarded rather coldly as they traveled through the streets.

"I've heard of this village," Kisame said. "There's shinobi in the Bingo book from here."

"It's not isolated," Saya continued her smile, "Just not popular. There aren't any tourist spots, and the village is under the protection of the correction unit."

A rather strong gust of wind howled by, clattering the chimes around them into a frenzy. Somewhere a child giggled among the hushed voices of the villagers, echoing along the buildings before being swallowed whole by the wind.

They came across a path that diverged from the road, branching off to a separate direction near the beach and noticeable cliffs. The trail was made of pebbles and wood, sand filling the cracks between and smothering any hope of weeds to poke through. Tall grass inhabited the sides of the path, bending with each breath of the wind, only to arise and bend once more. There was a slight incline, and with each step Saya's heart fluttered erratically in her chest. She couldn't help but feel a heavy mist of nostalgia sweep over her, almost clouding her sight in an array of damaged memories she tried not to recall.

"Sayuri-dono, if you want to beat me at taijutsu, you'll have to drop that sword."

"Still can't catch that bug can you, Sa-chan?"

"A lonely woman-"

"Saya, I have high hopes for you."

"Jin, look at that driftwood! Let's grab it for Katsu."

"You shouldn't have done that, Saya-chan."

"Saito…!"

"Sa-chan…I don't think I can ever forgive you."

"…Jin!"

"Imatsura Sayuri, you are hereby charged with murder in the first degree. You have the choice of death by execution, or to forever be banished from the village of the wind."

"If I ever get the chance, I will dest-"

"You look sorta funny, Saya."

What?

"I said, you're not lookin too hot, Saya-oneesan."

Saya looked from the grass to Fuu, who smiled back at her with a Cheshire smirk.

"Still hotter than you, pipsqueak," she said offhandedly. Fuu bristled with fisted palms, pouting. She opened her mouth to yell back at her but was intervened by someone else.

"So what's this Kensei guys relationship to you?" Kisame cocked his head to the side to look back at Saya. She remained impassive, making no attempt to answer him with any sort of explanation.

"It's Katsutoshi, Katsutoshi-sama. And he's Saya-onnesan's best friend!" Fuu said with renewed enthusiasm.

Kisame didn't hear Saya argue against it, but he thought he might've heard a muttered 'tch' under her breath.

"Katsutoshi-sama is the commander of the correction unit, and is Saya's successor."

"Yin-chan's right, ya know? He makes sure the village is safe from outsiders and makes sure the captains catch the bad guys. Katsutoshi-sama became our next leader right after Saya-"

"Right after she defected." Yin finished gracefully.

Saya's eyes fell half-lidded as they trekked the rest of the way to the manor, the waves now audible to everyone's ears as they crashed against the distant shore. They came to a stop but not before Kisame could let out a low whistle.

"Nice place."

Saya looked up to the high-topped house that had once meant something akin to happiness to her. But now as she saw it, it was only a empty building waiting to gobble her up.

"Welcome home, Saya-chan!" Fuu giggled with twirled hands.

Two armored guards stood stoically on either side of a stretch of wood stairs leading up to the plat- formed house, watching as Fuu nodded to either one of them. The guards that had accompanied them spoke to the guards quickly before escorting them forward and along the gradient. Itachi and Kisame spoke to one another, but Saya couldn't quite catch the words from her place behind them. As she stepped up, one of the guards glanced over to her with what looked like a pout, but when she looked directly at him he turned back ahead and remained silent.

With a shrug she brought each foot ahead of her and was greeted with the sight of a multitude of walking captains and chatting soldiers as they walked about the expanse of the large balcony. All in uniform and all recognizable faces. She lowered her eyes for a moment, but gripping her pants in a fit of spite, she looked back up violently and glared ahead of her without regard to the stares that were beginning to be directed towards her.

She strode to the place between either Akatsuki men, ignoring the loud quips pointed her way from some of the unrestrained captains.

"They're just rays of sunshine, aren't they?" Kisame chuckled as one particularly pointy insult was thrown into the air. Saya shrugged with upturned palms, pasting on a strained smile.

"What can I say? I told you boys I was popular."

"Don't you mean infamous?"

"Details, details." She waved him away, dispelling the anger that simmered just below her façade. They were led past the men and through an expanse of hallway until they reached a wide threshold. The silence had once again pervaded what wasn't being said by any of the eight, excluding the occasional whisper from passing guards. However, these men seemed more keen on Itachi's and Kisame's cloaks than the face of the sotaicho they'd never met.

"Here we are!" Fuu swept her arms before her, motioning towards the next room. The ceilings raised far above the high beams and the walls widened much further to either side, reminding Saya of the vast parties that were once held there. The smell of sandalwood and vanilla hit her suddenly along with another fit of memory-infused nostalgia. The odor grabbed her heart and ripped it from her throat as her eyes drifted towards the large banner of her family's insignia. The blue cloth along with the navy cushions ahead, the two captains watching their entrance, and the one man behind them…

She wanted to scratch out her eyes.

No, she wanted to rip out her hair.

She wanted to grab something and smash it.

She wanted to cut through a pillow or bite on a leather leash.

She wanted a knife so she could cut up that infuriating smile that lifted the man's cheeks.

She wanted to cry and to growl, to fall down laughing and just die.

Saya wanted so many things so suddenly, she felt as though she might break into a thousand pieces and wither away.

Instead of doing any of the things she wanted, though, she stood there behind Fuu and Yin with a smile to match his own.

"Ah, Saya-chan. It's good to see you after so many years."

And that damn voice was still just as sickeningly sweet.

"Kastutoshi-sama!" Fuu skipped past the captains and fell down beside a plump cushion, grinning like a fool. "We found Saya-oneesan and even the funny guys with the cool cloaks." Her eyes resembled glittering sapphires as she watched Katsutoshi in absolute adoration.

"Well done, Fuu." He patted her head as she glowed. Lowering his hand, he turned his head minutely so he once again faced Saya and her companions, a spark of something wicked igniting behind his calculating orbs. "You may leave." He waved away the two captains, who bowed to him and marched past the four still standing in the entranceway, the guards had left them once they had escorted them to the doors. One of captains looked at her blankly while the other watched her with something she couldn't recognize, though, it felt as though whatever he felt was closer to melancholy than anger. After they left, Yin stepped forward and took a seat on one of the cushions beside the large but low table.

"Please, come in," Katsu bade them, "Have a seat. Would like some Snow Drop tea?" He motioned towards the array of cups and a large kettle.

"The jinchuuriki." Itachi said with a chilled command.

"Ah." Katsu tilted his head and touched his chin with two fingers. "I suppose diplomacy hasn't much of an effect when it comes to business matters such as these." With a delicate touch he adjusted the spectacles that had been sliding off his nose.

Sometimes it was freighting how time changed people.

Saya had always been something different, whether one should perceive that as good or bad. Since she had left the Village of the Wind, she hadn't much changed; though, her face had matured from that of someone who has yet experienced utter defeat to that of someone who had. Not quite as young as she was before her banishment, her eyes now harbored a veteran soul bearing the intensity of a warrior with a goal and restless spirit. Regardless of what had aged her, though, Katsutoshi could still not refrain from admitting her to be eye-catching.

She'd changed most definitely, though.

It was not in her looks as much as he could see it in the way she stood there beside S-classed criminals. It was the way her eyes had hollowed, the way she tipped her head slightly as if bored with what she saw, and yet she watched simply because nothing else was quite worth her time. It was the way she held herself in that lax countenance, the only stiffness being in her shoulders that he recognized as her attempt to restrain balling her fists hard enough to draw blood.

It was pleasing that this meeting had such an effect on her.

But then what was with that smile on her face?

That smile seemed amused, something he hadn't counted on after so many years of her exile. He imagined her to be livid, or maybe mad with grief. He imagined her to be drowned in drink and to haggardly stumble in while just barely being able to throw a punch his way.

He imagined her to be weak.

However, he had not, in any way, thought that she'd still be so…

Formidable.

It very nearly made him frown.

Saya, however, thought Katsutoshi hadn't changed a bit. Still he wore his long, dark hair in a metal plait on the back of his head, leaving only stray strands to fall in his face from his long bangs.

He was still long and thin, though, his forearms were now sinewy with muscle, and he seemed to bear an arrogance far stronger than his previous persona. His glasses were a guise he still used to hide the fiendish glint that shined in his ashen eyes, a wickedness that seemed to be hidden behind a slather of delight and tactful resignation that came with being a leader of diplomatic standing.

"Hello, Sayuri," he said again, folding his fingers.

"Yo." She drawled, grinning a bit while giving him a mock salute. She looked to either of the men beside her and shrugged. "I don't know about you, but I could go for a cup of tea." She walked forward and plopped down on one of the cushion seats, leaning her arms on the table top and idly placing her palm on her cheek, staring on at the captain commander across from her. "But not Snow Drop tea. I'd prefer a cup of Masala Chai. You can handle that, can't you?"

He smiled crookedly at her, noting how the Akatsuki men joined her and sat stoically beside her. The taller man, though, seemed like he had something to say and only held back from saying it because he thought it would be better to observe. They were both Akatsuki, just as he had been informed, and they seemed even more dangerous up close.

"Of course."

With a wave and beckon a young woman entered from a side shoji screen, bowing and taking his order before exiting in the reserved manner most servants held. Fuu coughed into a hand as they sat in silence for a few strained moments, playing with a strand of her hair.

"You look well, Saya-chan." He said conversationally.

What he means to say, Saya thought, is 'why do you look so well'?

"Yep. I heard that sea salt preserves the clarity of skin so I've taken to the habit of eating a spoonful a day, just to be on the safe side. It's not so bad, though. I'm pretty good at swallowing bitter things" She replied. "You look much the same as you did, Katsutoshi."

"Please, let's refrain from formalities, Saya-chan"

"Katsutoshi-hime."

Katsu regarded her with eyes filled with fathomless loathing as well as amusement.

"Ne, Saya-oneesan. You shouldn't be so disrespectful to Katsutoshi-sama." She leaned onto the table much like Saya. "Otherwise we might slight your throat." She giggled into her hand as if it were the funniest thing she'd ever uttered.

"Just kidding!"

The attendant returned carrying a tray of steaming tea cups, replacing the cold ones and then excusing herself once again. Saya watched as she closed the door, figuring that she must have been new because she couldn't place a name to the face. The scent of the chili and spice in the tea floated within the room, reminding Saya of just how much Katsu hated spicy things

"So, how have you been-"

"We heard you captured the Gobi no Irukauma." She said in a slanted tone. "How'd you manage that?"

"Efficiently and quickly, of course." He informed her. "It was by no means easy, but of course your organization already knows that, doesn't it?" He looked at Itachi without turning his head.

Itachi stared back at him unflinchingly.

"Hn. We are here to collect the jinchuuriki." He closed his eyes. "That's all."

Katsu hummed a chuckle and leaned into a hand.

"Of course, I never suspected this to be a social call. After all, we didn't part on very good terms, did we Saya-chan?"

She smiled at him, taking a sip from her cup.

"They were less than favorable, but that's besides the point." She watched him over the steam of her tea. The heat on her face nearly made her sneeze, which would have been sort of silly with the tension of things. Instead, she immediately thought of something off topic in order to confuse her senses, and an image of a figure on a cliff caught her attention.

With little effort, she pushed away her memory along with the urge to sneeze and confronted Katsutoshi with a smiling face.

"Is it?" He asked. "I suppose. Before we continue any further, I don't think we've been formally introduced." He said, pointedly making a gesture to either of the opposing men. "My name is Sato Katsutoshi, and I am the captain commander of the correction squad here." A glare flashed across his glasses. "I humbly make your acquaintance."

Both men waited in silence before Kisame minutely glanced over at Saya.

"Does he always talk out of his ass?"

Saya stifled a chuckle while Fuu spurted out a gulp of tea she'd been taking.

"Don't you dare talk about Katsutoshi-sama that way!" Fuu screamed, jumping up from her seat and pointing a finger at Kisame.

"What are ya gonna do about it, brat?" He asked, grinning maliciously as she prepared to pounce.

"Enough." Katsu said in an amused tone. "Sit down, Fuu."

Fuu immediately plopped back down into her seat, simmering with a bloodthirsty glare at the mist shinobi. Kisame only grinned back at her, hoping she would make a move and provoke him into a fight.

"Now, may I ask who either of you two gentlemen are?" Katsu requested, his voice just a tad too light to be considered polite.

"Uchiha…Itachi." Itachi said lowly.

"Tch, Hoshigake Kisame."

"Stop acting like an idiot." Saya said with a twitching lip. "We both know you know who they are."

Katsu adjusted the glasses on his nose before smiling back at her.

"You always were smart, Saya-chan. It was manners that dictated me to request such information."

"Compliments will get you nowhere, so stop talking shit and get to the point." She said good-naturedly.

"Always so terse, Sa-chan. Fine, if that's the way you want it." He nodded to the two guards that still stood at the doors, and they retreated back to the winding hallway. "Now then, what is it that you would like to know?"

"I would like to know if you're good for the trade. My presence here for the jinchuuriki." With a movement, she tipped back the rest of her tea and stamped the cup onto the table. Kisame grunted at her, making a face at her behavior.

"I am always good for a deal, Sa-chan. You should know that better than anyone." His smile was mildly wicked as he stared her down.

"You're right, I do." She flicked the cup so it fell onto its side, spilling a dribble of red tea. The color made it seem as if a drop of blood was flicked on the table, but it went otherwise unnoticed. "So what do you want from me?"

"Now Saya, we both know that's not the right question to ask, is it?"

Itachi watched as Saya and Katsu spoke with one another, the violent undertone behind each of their words just as sharp as a kunai. He also wondered if this man, Sato Katsutoshi, thought he, Uchiha Itachi, was ignorant. Of course he would notice the surrounding chakras that circled around the room they were in, revealing that this was no simple meeting or chat.

Kisame thought much the same as his hand twitched to wield Samehada

"…You know, Katsu, it's amazing how much you kiss your own ass."

Again, Fuu jumped up from her cushion only to be patted back down by Katsu, who regarded Saya coolly.

"Ah, Saya-chan. You still have a way with words as well."

"If I have a way with words then you must have absolute tact with they way you keep beating around the bush." She leaned back on her arms and sniffed as she noted a shadow along one of the screens. Tch, did he really thing she was so gullible?

"Your anger is understandable." He conceded. "However, back to my main point. The correct question to ask is…"He tilted his head to the side with a knowing smile, "How did I know where to find you, and why did I call you here in the first place?"

They waited a moment while a stutter echoed from somewhere in the distance. A guard passed by the door, sneezing into an open palm.

"You know, asking questions just because you want to answer them is really pig-headed." Saya said ruefully. "Brings back some memories."

"Your humor is just the same, too." The surrounding shinobi made little noise, but that didn't mean they went unnoticed. Katsu must have known this, so it was either he wanted them to know their situation or he didn't care if they knew. "I have your answer, though." Katsu continued, resting his gaze on Itachi for a moment. "In exchange for the jinchuuriki, I require a tidbit of information."

"Nothing on Akatsuki, bub." Kisame said dryly.

"I want nothing of the sort," Katsu said pleasantly, "Actually, only Saya-chan can give me the information I want, and it has absolutely nothing to do with her present dealings."

"Then what do you want?"

Katsu shifted towards Itachi, his head cocked slightly in thought as he nestled a thumb to his cheek. Saya's eyes remained detached as he remained silent, her inner turmoil with the situation raging so terribly that she thought she might break before their very gazes. An intense and sudden longing for solitude and sake claimed her heart, shuddering an intoxicating desire through her being. She hated this, all of it, but she promised herself she would deal with this man. It wasn't just a matter of Akatsuki business, as the two men she stood beside might have perceived this meeting. This was the chance Saya had been hallucinating about for the past ghostly years of her exile, and she wasn't about to let nerves dominate the moment.

"Saya-chan," Katsu said, a shuffle from behind the side doors sounding off like an alarm, "Would you be so kind as to tell me where it is that you've hidden the Maō Gijutsu?"

His voice was so sweet, it could have curdled a gluttons stomach.

"That," she said, "is none of your damn business."

Both Itachi and Kisame sent glances down at her, her smile was shining as she glared back at Katsu.

"Oh? I think it is. Besides, I'm sure I have better uses for the information it holds than you do, Sa-chan."

"Tch, you don't even have the slightest idea." She mumbled to herself, though, everyone around her caught the words. She straightened up before continuing. "What makes you think I've hidden them? Maybe, Katsu, they're right before your eyes."

"Then you have them?" He asked calmly.

"Nope," she chirped back. " I was just stating the hypothetical. It's no business of yours, but I haven't hidden them. I threw them into a fire long ago when I realized their information would do more harm then good should anyone other than me decide to take a peek."

"This is getting boring."

Saya sent a vicious glare to Kisame.

"Who the hell asked you, Fish-Face?" The twitching eyebrow from her frazzled nerves revealed just how on-edge she was to the rogue shinobi, though, it seemed Katsutoshi noticed this too.

"A little shaken by my request, Sa-chan?" He mused.

"Fuck it." She spat. "I'm done playing this game of cat-and-mouse with you, Katsu. I don't have the scrolls and even if I hadn't gotten rid of them, I wouldn't tell you." With a twisted frown, she stood up and stared heatedly into his eyes. "I don't care what you wanted with them, 'cause you won't get your hands on them anyway. And I know you know I know how you knew where I was, because we both know you know how to sense chakra, so you can stop this high-and-mighty act before I shove it up your-"

"Ah, language, Sa-chan."

"And stop it with the 'Sa-chan'! You have to right to act so familiar, and I'm sick of these games." She growled.

Kisame was guffawing inside his mind, the pure fury of the woman he'd come to know as potentially level-headed and daringly sly adding wood to the proverbial fire of his amusement. It was surprising, hella surprising but no less entertaining (And he wouldn't admit it, not even to himself, but he also found it completely alluring).

Itachi, too, might have found it amusing if it hadn't been for the particular situation they now found themselves in, and regardless of the woman's temper, he wondered just how this Katsutoshi would handle their so-called agreement now that he had nothing to his benefit.

"Now, Sa-chan," Katsu said with a terrible softness, "That's not very nice. Still…" He switched his gaze to Itachi. "If what you say is true, and the demon lord technique is lost forever, then I suppose my dealings with you is finished. However, that is not so for your friends." He adjusted his galsses again before going on.

"Although Sayuri doesn't have the means for trading with me, you men most certainly do. How about a new offer, hm?" His eyes narrowed with a smirk. "I will give you the five-tailed beast in exchange for Saya-chan." He laughed. "A more than fair trade, no?"

This man was seriously starting to grate on Kisame's nerves, despite the brief pleasure he enjoyed while witnessing Saya's eruption. He could deal with guys who didn't act like snakes, slithering around until the enemy was weakest, then going for the kill. Sure, it might have been considered the shinobi way, but it sure as hell wasn't a fair fight, and personally, Kisame preferred fights that didn't require cowardice. This man had obviously been waiting to turn Saya against them, and vice versa, for whatever it was that he was after, and it made Kisame want to lop his head off.

"No deal." Itachi said soundly, his eyes unflinching as always.

Saya regarded him before looking back over at Katsu, her hatred boiling down to a simmer.

So that was it. She understood it now.

"That's too bad," Katsu tutted. "You know, it's not unknown for notorious criminals to sneak into the correction units base in attempt to assassinate the captain commander. In fact, it happens every now and again." With a snap, the doors on all sides, even the ones leading to the outside hallway, slid open with various clacks, all shaped soldiers with swords drawn ready. There were no captains among the hoard, but Saya was nearly sure that a few lieutenants were thrown into the mix as well as a few notable individuals she'd dealt with in the past.

"You planned this all along." She told him.

"Planned what?"

She gave him a knowing look.

"You're not Katsutoshi."

"Yes, I am." He explained to her. "The thing is, Saya, you never knew who Katsutoshi was. Maybe if you looked a little harder, you would have seen it."

"Maybe if you looked a little harder, then you would have seen it."

Saya shrugged and threw a shoe over the side of the room, letting it land in the garden just outside her room.

"Whatever Jin. How was I to know it would be under the table, hm? Maybe you hid it there from me." She grinned up at him as he stood over her, a slight grin marring his features as he looked down at her. His shaggy black hair dusted across his vision as he looked into her eyes, the mirth in them humbling him and warming his blood.

"You know, Saya, it's not every day you orchestrate a treaty for ensuring the peace between two warring villages." He teased her. "Maybe you should take this a bit more seriously."

"What I should take seriously, Jin, is the fact that I haven't eaten in almost two days, and I'm about to pass out from delirium." She held a dramatic hand over her face, dropping back to fall against the cluttered ground. "Good thing that banquet tonight is sure to have plenty of fibrous meat." Then, peeking an eye open, she looked up again at him. "You know, it's not very proper for a man to be in a lady's room."

"That's funny, Saya. But you forget I've already been in here since we were in diapers."

"Yeah. Besides, when have I ever been a lady?"

She twirled a piece of hair thoughtlessly before Jin shuffled his feet.

"Saya, I want to talk about something with you." He watched her seriously as she paused and listened. "It's about Katsu…I think-"

"Sotaicho."

Jin looked sharply over to the open door, a kneeling soldier with on fisted palm against the floor bowed politely with strict decorum.

"What is it?" Saya called without looking up.

"There has been a development concerning Takyui Saito. You must be debriefed immediately."

Saya leaned against her elbows while looking at him.

"What development?"

"The…" The man looked dubiously over at Jin. Saya caught the look and shook her head.

"It's fine, continue."

The man nodded once before relaying his information.

"The information you sent me to collect, Soataicho. Takyui Saito has been confirmed to be dealing with the amassed criminal organization known as Fangu. He has been caught collaborating with several of their members and not once reporting to any of his superiors of foul play. Therefore, I have found that he is indeed a traitor."

Saya sat up completely, a hard look plastered on her face.

"You are sure of this?"

A brief pause.

"Absolutely."

Saya stood quickly, slinging an arm into her haori and dawning her scarf around her head.

"Call the captains to order." She instructed the man.

"Yes, Sotaicho."

She stopped just before the door as the man stood and strutted away. Jin had been watching her face the whole time, as the usual aloofness melted to detached callousness. There was a misery in her eyes that haunted him, and the despair set in the lines of her mouth had him tensed.

"This is what you were talking about?" He asked her.

"Yeah." She said quietly.

"You know, there are other ways to deal with this. You can ask him face to face."

"And if he lies?"

"You should be able to tell."

She looked back at him with a tender, defenseless expression.

"I will try. But if the other captains decide otherwise, then you know what I'll have to do."

"You could ask someone else to do it." He offered, but already knowing what she would say to that.

"No. That would be cowardly of me. I will do it myself if it has to be done at all."

She went to walk down the corridor, but was stopped when Jin's hand rested on her shoulder.

"No matter what happens, Saya" He said with a smoldering stare that penetrated her shield completely, "It is not your fault if he has to be executed. It was his choice if he is guilty, and you are not to blame for protecting this village." She didn't smile at his words, she only dropped her head.

"It's not the village I'm worried about," She said so low he hardly heard her. "It's the woman I'll have to talk to…to tell her that her fiancé was killed by her own sister."

She knew he was right. This maliciousness was always there, though, she used to think it was distaste for the otherwise brash life he had to live amongst the correction squad. She had believed he thought he was too dignified to fight, to follow orders and live amongst killers everyday.

Well, she got one thing right: He was much too dignified to follow orders, especially from her.

"So what, now you're gonna sick all these underlings of yours on us?" She asked, reigning in her fury and detestation.

"That's the idea." He said with that damn smile.

"Quaint."

"I thought so."

"Tell me, did you really even catch the five-tails?"

"Yes." It was not Katsu who said this, but Yin, who had remained seated and silent throughout the entirety of the ordeal.

"Well then, at least this trip wasn't a waste of time," Kisame chuckled, standing before Itachi stood as well, his hand reaching back towards Samehada. "So where is the beast?"

"Like we'd tell you!" Fuu burst out, jumping up with a beaming smile.

"In the western cliff caverns, detention cell number twelve." Yin replied, her eyes dully focused on the wall across from her.

"Yin-chan!"

Saya looked down at Yin with a quirked brow.

"Why tell us that?" She wondered aloud.

"It doesn't matter," Katsu said airily, "You won't get a chance to pursue. In fact, you just might be dead before stepping a foot out this room?"

"Fat chance." Kisame smirked, wielding his sword.

Instead of adrenaline running through her veins, Saya felt an ebb of queasiness clutch her stomach. She wanted her justice, she had wanted to use Akatsuki's facilities in order to get back in shape and somehow invade her old home. She had wanted to convince them that it was necessary, and then, she had wanted to confront Katsu and bring him to his knees, not for the sake of the village that shunned her, but for the sake of the memory of her best friend, her sister, and the man she murdered.

But this had moved way too fast.

Somehow, Katsu had found her, and eager to take the chance, she calculated her chances at achieving the same ends to the given means. Sure, she had worked up a sweat or two. Sure, she had kicked the habit of utter intoxication, and after a few weeks worth of mobility and a couple of good training sessions, she'd been in better form than she had been in a while.

So letting that eagerness take over her better judgment, she'd complied. Though, after the tidbit of information the girls had thrown at Itachi and Kisame, she assumed there wouldn't be too much of a choice in going to the correction units base anyway.

But behind all that, behind the eagerness and otherwise obvious bait Katsu had used to lure them there, when Saya really confronted her wounded pride, she had to admit she had her doubts of being able to handle Katsu.

It wasn't that she didn't necessarily have the skills, oh no, she certainly had that. The problem was, just how rusty had those skills gotten? She hadn't had a real fight yet, and with the lack of a properly working chakra system, she couldn't help but wonder now if she could take Katsu at all in her current state.

It was maddening. It had been weeks now, but still, how would she use the techniques she had always relied on? Katsu had probably developed over the years, and she had stayed the same, besides her taijutsu. But hand-to-hand combat wouldn't shake Katsu, she knew that, and besides:

She wanted to take him down with a sword.

All this ran through Saya's mind in those brief and tense seconds before those soldiers around them caved in, and even in the face of all these doubts, she grinned.

No.

It didn't matter whether or not she'd gotten enough of a warm-up before now. She would be ready when the time came, no matter what. Fighting was like breathing to her, after all. She'd started sparring when she'd turned seven, and had killed her first target when she'd turned eleven. Her father had beaten the principles of a warrior into her head day in and day out, especially once her mother had passed away. Once she saw a move, or a technique, or read a line from a script, she could always recall it to the tiniest detail. Even when her brain was fogged by liquor she could still recall most things.

But all that didn't matter anyway, because when the time came when she could face Katsutoshi one on one, she wouldn't need any of that. All she would need was her anger, and hurt, and the memories of the people she loved to fuel her drive enough to take back what he had taken from her all those years ago.

All she would need were the memories, and then, maybe, if she lived long enough afterwards, a strong cup of sake.

So it took me forever to update this, but you might've noticed that. I was bored with the way I was writing, and a bit with Naruto itself, so I couldn't find the inspiration to write. But then, after watching 300 and Kiss the Girls, I decided I needed to ignore a few scholarship applications and commit myself to continuing with the next bout of this fic.

Anyway, I hope to conclude this arc-thing in two more chapters, and then set the story up with little snippits of what happened throughout the years of Saya's companionship with our beloved shark and weasel duo.

Oh, and just out of curiosity, what do you guys think would fit Saya had she not been a shinobi?

A) A blacksmith/Metal worker

B) A cook

Or

C) A fisherman….or in this case, lady

Thanks for your input, and the cool reviews you left me. Rereading them also gave me the motivation to type up a storm.