(A/N) Ah, something that isn't murder. Or, y'know, sealing someone away and then destroying the seal, which is kinda murder anyway. Assume a month or so has passed since the Kakuzu incident. Tenten decided she wanted to date Mei, for those of you who are wondering. It's November next month, so this is the last update until December! See you then!

"Well that's one person down," Jiraiya remarked, staring at the grave marked simply with 'Juzo', the name of the partner Itachi had before Kisame.

"It appears Yagura got to him before we did," Shino said cooly, eyeing the fairly freshly turned dirt.

"Yep," Jiraiya agreed. "Well, looks like our job here is done, let's go into town-" Shino tuned the pervert out, staring at the grave. It was recent, which meant Itachi was probably still around here.

"We shouldn't," Shino contested once the pervert had finished his tirade. "Itachi is likely in town himself, searching out his next partner, Kisame, the tailed beast without a tail."

Jiraiya pouted. "Fine. We'll call your girlfriend-"

Shino interrupted him. "She is not my girlfriend."

"Close enough," Jiraiya dismissed. "Call her and we can go!"

Shino stared blankly at Jiraiya. "You may wait. I believe she is on a date currently, therefore you can wait until she is finished."

Jiraiya frowned at him, but Shino held firm. "Fine," he said, plopping down. "We'll wait."

Shino inclined his head, sitting down next to a tree and closing his eyes to meditate. He'd contact Tenten in a few hours. They had time, they could wait and not interrupt her date.

She came to check in at the usual time, looking somewhat flushed, but happy.

"Date go well?" Shino guessed, opening his eyes and standing up.

She nodded quickly, glancing around for Jiraiya. "Is Jiraiya around? And weren't you going to reach Mist today?"

Shino gestured towards the grave. "We did. Juzo is already dead."

Tenten stretched her senses out, and located Jiraiya immediately, his chakra was large enough to be a beacon, then found a larger chakra source. "Kisame's here. Which means Itachi likely is as well."

Shino inclined his head. "I had guessed as much."

Tenten sat down, putting her chin in her hands. "Keep thinking that if we'd gotten here just a bit sooner we could have saved the Uchiha clan. We already killed one, the clan is almost extinct."

"It was extinct except for Obito anyway in our timeline," Shino reasoned.

"Every clan was extinct in our time," Tenten said, sighing. "I just don't want more people dead than necessary. It feels like there's been enough death."

"I suppose." Shino mused. "Talk to them if you wish. I trust your judgement. I will inform Jiraiya you have gone to scope out the situation."

"Thanks," Tenten said, smiling. "I'll send a kestral if they're open to any sort of non-death idea."

Shino nodded to her, and Tenten stood up, heading for the town.

Kisame and Itachi weren't hard to find, especially not for a sensor. Even a weak one would be able to sense the veritable ocean of chakra Kisame had.

She approached non threateningly, henging into civilian clothing. She even brought dango, remembering an offhand comment from Sasuke about Itachi liking sweet things.

"You can drop the henge," Itachi noted dryly as soon as she got within close earshot. The two were sitting on the edge of a pier reaching into the ocean. A rather pretty view all things considered.

"I'd rather not," Tenten replied easily. "Never know who might be watching and all that." She set the dango down, then sat fearlessly beside Itachi, Kisame on Itachi's other side.

Itachi hummed a vague agreement, focusing in on the dango.

Tenten opened the package she'd received, offering him a stick. "Don't even try and pull the distant 'I don't like anything and I'm a complete bastard' thing. I could see you staring at it."

Itachi glared at her, and she smirked. He took the dango.

"Would you like some as well, Kisame-san?" Tenten asked, offering a stick to the man behind Itachi's back.

"Sure," Kisame rumbled, looking rather amused. He took the offered stick, and chomped down on it. Tenten took one for herself, and they ate in silence for a while.

Tenten discreetly set down a silencing tag on the pier next to her. "Wanted to ask you about something."

Itachi tilted his head to look at her. "You're a Konoha nin, are you not?"

Tenten set down an obscuring seal next to the silencing seal, and dropped her henge. "Yes."

Itachi frowned at her. "Weren't you traveling with that Aburame? Several members of Akatsuki have found their death at your hands."

"Ah, yes, that would be me," Tenten admitted somewhat sheepishly. "I didn't come for a fight," she added quickly, noting Kisame's hand inching toward his sword.

"Then why did you come?" Kisame rumbled, hand still close to his sword, which vibrated cheerily.

"To make an offer." Tenten collected her thoughts quickly, then continued. "If you'll take the offer, I can likely get both of you refugee status from Kiri. Itachi, you'd need a new identity, and to pick a Kiri type skillset, but I can't imagine that'd be too hard."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "I am rather recognizable."

Tenten had to agree the point. "I know a seal that can change hair color, and one that can change eye color, if you wish. I also," Tenten paused, trying to gauge his reaction. "Have a seal that can permanently seal the Sharingan. It takes a while to prepare, but I can do it. It was made at the request of an old friend."

Itachi actually looked to be seriously considering it. Tenten had only made the offer as something of a joke, but it looked like he might actually do it. Tenten honestly didn't know what to do with that.

"Think about it," Tenten said quickly. "It can't be undone, and will last until death, so be careful."

Itachi inclined his head to her. "We will consider your offer."

"I'll give you three days then find you again," Tenten said, flashing a slight smile. She picked up the tags, leaving the dango. She then flashed away, appearing back near Shino. "Can you guys stay here for three or so days? I made them an offer and I'll be back here in three days."

Shino inclined his head. "We will remain here."

Tenten flashed him a grateful smile in response.

"We have considered your offer," Itachi informed her. "I will go by Risu. And I would like for you to seal my eyes."

Tenten stared at him for a long moment. She had prepared the tag already, having figured it'd be good to have just in case, but now she had to use it. She pulled it out. "Are you sure?"

Itachi nodded. "I am sure. If I may have brown hair and eyes?"

Tenten pulled out the appropriate seals for that. "Alright. If you're sure. This one will go on your forehead, and it'll sting a bit. The other two will be on the back of your neck." Itachi bowed his head foreward, and Tenten stuck the seals on, then the one on his forehead went on.

Tenten didn't like it, but it was better than death.

"Jiraiya and Shino are nearby, you'll have to travel with them for a bit before reaching Konoha," Tenten said, swallowing. She gestured in the way the camp was. "Shino knows what's happening. I have to go." She disappeared in a flash, collasping on her bed with the intention to sleep for the next 12 hours or so.

(A/N) Something other than death. Thank stars. We're back to our regularly scheduled death with Sasori next time however, so stay tuned for that.