I own nothing and no one

On another note

The sequel to "From the Ashes" is up

Prankster

Kakashi felt the knot of tension that had formed between his shoulder blades loosen as he crossed the border into Fire Country. It had been a long mission. He could tell his comrades felt the same way. Unconsciously, the group quickened their pace. Still, no matter how glad the copy-nin was about going home, he felt it was an unforgivable lapse that he did not detect the approaching shinobi until the other was right on top of them.

"Watch out!" the shapeshifter shouted, shooting out of the bushes. "Coming through, gang way, man with a baby, sorry," that last was offered to one of the chuunin. Hiraku had used the man's head as an impromptu hand vault. He dived into the foliage on the other side of the small clearing, quickly vanishing from sight.

The group of ninja just stared blankly after him, now useless weapons in hand. Then Kakashi blinked. "Was that Kazama?" the jounin asked. His comrades didn't have the chance to answer. Once again the bushes parted, causing them to tense.

It was Itachi and Kisame of course. The Akatsuki pair was once again on the trail of their elusive prey. They looked a bit disheveled. Hiraku wasn't exactly making their pursuit easy. The fish-like man looked around wildly. "Which way did he go?!"

The Uchiha, on the other hand, was more focused on his partner. "Kisame."

"The former mist nin noticed his partner's regard. "What has he done to me?" he demanded. "Is it my hair?" One hand shot up to his head, pulling the spiky locks in front of his eyes. Kisame twisted, trying to see his back. "Is there a sign?"

"Kisame!" Itachi's firm voice cut through the other's rising hysteria.

"What?!"

"Your clothing is disintegrating."

A girlish shriek escaped Kisame's lips as the damage became obvious. His clothes were falling off in pieces. If this kept up, he would soon be butt naked.

Itachi sighed before throwing his own cloak to his partner.

Gratefully the older man plucked the garment out of mid-air, using the material to cover his much larger form to the best of his ability. He looked furious. "I am going to kill him," Kisame hissed.

"Alive Kisame," the Uchiha reminded him. "We need Hiraku-kun alive."

It was some time before the shell shocked Leaf nin made it back to Konoha. If a patrol had not stumbled across them, they may have stood there indefinitely.

NCNCNCNC

I do intend to continue this while typing "Rises the Flame"

No promises though

I write when the mood strikes me.