IMPORTANT A/N: This story will be going on a few month hiatus while I edit, consolidate, and finish writing this fic. We're nowhere near done, but I'd like to have a decent idea of where I'm going without publishing something I'm not confident in.

I may be uploading the next chapter too since it's decently important but maybe later.

For now, please enjoy :)

Chapter 26

Time passed quickly after that.

Things were going productively, in Charlie's humble opinion. Her friends were talking to her again, and her chakra control was improving by the day. Sai was quickly adapting to acting like a real human, and Minato... Minato was great.

They had agreed to take things slow. As things were, she was still a little iffy on whether or not a true relationship would... y'know, work. Things needed to iron out first. Like the fact that he didn't have a body of his own. Like the fact that she didn't look her actual age, until they were alone in her mindspace. Like the fact that everything was going to come to a head soon.

And why was everything coming to a head soon?

She had sensed it before anyone told her. Minato had told her that maybe it was her own latent abilities awakening, or that perhaps his own abilities were finally starting to make their appearances- however it happened, she could feel it when new people started to flood into the village. The shinobi started coming in first- she could tell, because their chakra signatures were sizeable. Always in groups of four, and always with one signature larger than the rest.

It was exam season. Exam season.

"I feel just as unprepared for it as I was a year ago," she grumbled, clenching her fists and resisting the urge to kick her feet like a child.

Minato smirked above her, one arm pinning her wrist to the ground. Her other was held tight and unuseable to her body- the one she was missing, back in real life. It was hard going- to fight without it, to live without it. "You're getting better," he encouraged.

Charlie sighed as he leaned back on his haunches and allowed her space to get up. "Not nearly as good as I could be." As productive as she had been, she could barely use Breakthrough. She could do a messy shunshin again, though not yet in the heat of a fight. She could walk on trees again. But this wasn't where she wanted to be by this point.

"What's the name of that list you have? Seven Backup Plans for the Future?" Minato chuckled.

She glared. "None of those backup plans account for me losing an arm, Minato."

"And what does the Hokage have to say about Plan D?"

The redhead scoffed, getting to her feet as the blond followed suit. "He's not concerned with anything. You should've seen how he waved his hand at me this morning. I could've wrung his neck."

"Did he not send anyone to Suna?"

"Oh, naturally not!" She grit her teeth. "And Gaara's already here, anyway. I can feel how pissed he is all the time- his chakra signature just flares, constantly. And I'm sure Rasa's already dead, anyway." Plan D started the same as all the other plans: minimizing deaths, maximizing profits. She had tried to get the Hokage to send someone to the Kazekage tow warn him of his incoming death months ago, but Hiruzen had been reluctant.

"First of all," the old man had said, "the Kazekage would not believe us. As tenuous as our alliance is, he might even take it as a threat. And second of all, if we preserve his life, then that Gaara that you're so concerned with will not inherit the hat, potentially for a long time. And thirdly, the Kazekage was behind much of the boy's pain in the first place- sustaining him would only stunt his growth. Finally, upon realizing their faults after the fact, we form a treaty with them- which will be much more beneficial in the future."

Ugh!

"The audacity!" Charlie sighed, banging her head against her palm. The Hokage had made many good points, but it was hard to justify allowing someone to be killed just because it benefitted them.

"May I make a prediction?" Minato asked tentatively as they began their spar again. She grunted her assent as she ducked under his arm and pivoted on her foot to slam her knee into his hip. He huffed, off balance, and grabbed her leg before she could lower it, pushing and letting her fall unceremoniously on her backside. She pouted as he grinned boyishly. "My prediction is that Hokage-sama will allow himself to be hurt, or even killed. I think he will allow this part of the plotline continue unfettered."

"Why?" She frowned, then squeaked as he lunged at her. She rolled out of the way just in time, though his hand closed around her ankle. She grumbled under her breath as he effortlessly pulled her closer, and they wrestled a bit before she managed to kick him onto his own back.

"It gives an excuse for a new Hokage, one," Minato said, throwing his feet up defensively as she leaped at him. She kicked them out of the way, and landed rather hard on his gut. "It is a significant part of the plotline, two," he gasped, winded. She locked her legs around his neck just the way he taught her, and grinned savagely as he struggled under her. "And it allows him to incapacitate Orochimaru, three," he finished, face slowly turning red as her thighs cut off oxygen.

Eventually, he tapped her hip and she released him, feeling rather proud. "Yeah but he could always step down anyway. Plus, he could be really useful in the future even if he's not acting Hokage."

A pensive expression crossed Minato's face then. "Charlie, I know you want to save everyone... and I think it is a noble goal, believe me- but the Hokage knows what he is doing. He's lived for a very long time, and his strategic thinking is second to none, not even you. If this is what he wants, I'm not sure you should involve yourself with it."

She bit the inside of her cheek. "I know, I just..." she looked down, scuffing her shoe. "I just don't want anyone to die."

He stepped forward and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "Neither do I."

And she realized then that even though Sarutobi Hiruzen was like a grandfather to her, he was a grandfather to him first.

"So..." she mumbled, rolling off his torso and lying on her back. Their shoulders were close enough to brush together, but only just, and he grabbed for her hand as though it wasn't enough. "Instead of Plan D... what do you think about a Plan H?"

Minato sighed. "Another plan?"

"Okay, no, hear me out before you judge me," she grumbled, turning to glare into the side of his face until he gave her an exhausted smile. "Plan H will be different from the other plans."

"How so?"

"First," she held up a finger. "I'll let everything continue as normal until Sasuke's match. I'm going to take out Kabuto as soon as the feathers start falling."

Minato choked. "C-Charlie, I'm not sure you'll make it to the second step," he coughed. Clearing his throat, he then said, "You know as well as I how strong that boy is."

"Whatever soul he had is long gone, Minato," she defended. "Plus he creates a lot of problems in the future. Besides, you'll help me. Won't you?" Her eyes widened and she held them open, letting tears gloss them.

The blond man stood strong for about seven seconds. "... Do I even want to hear the rest of your plan?"

She grinned, blinking away the water. "After that, I'm breaking that blockade and helping Hokage-sama kick Orochimaru's ass."

Cerulean eyes turned dark. "Absolutely not. If the Third couldn't kill him, you won't be able to either."

"All he had was Enma," she reminded him. "And I know what is going to happen in the fight. And... there's another person that I'm bringing with me." She told him the rest of her plan eagerly. This was her element, after all: planning. It just so happened to help that she knew the future.

Around five minutes later, the stressed blond's shoulders finally eased. "If that works... if you can get that person on board... then I suppose the village will owe you a large debt of gratitude," he mumbled, running an exhausted hand over his face.

She smirked. "Nobody needs to know what happened except the council. Best if they trust me unequivocally."

Minato raised an eyebrow as the redhead leaned back and stared at the sky. "You're quite the plotter."

She glanced at him- and winked.

The next morning, after another several hours of exhaustive training and planning with Minato, she opened her eyes to sunlight steaming between the blinds. "Shit, I think we took a lot of time up," she mumbled to herself blearily and glancing at the clock.

It was already 9 AM.

With a muttered curse, she leapt from her warm cocoon and stumbled to the bathroom for a three minute shower and to brush her teeth. She dressed in her usual attire- black sandals, black tactical pants, mesh top, black bandeau- and threw her hair into a ponytail. Her hitai-ate found its home holding back her fringe from her face.

Over her time in this world, she'd realized that it was easier to just have multiple sets of the same thing. Most people did the same. And as uninclined as she was to bother with fashion, having everything black was just easier.

Plus it kind of matched her ANBU gear.

She groaned to herself as she felt Sai's presence nearing her door. His chakra felt like the stillness of a pond and like ink bleeding into water. It was quite recognizable.

"You're getting quite good at that," Minato remarked pleasantly as she raced to the kitchen for something to eat.

'Another mystery I've yet to solve,' she thought to herself. Why was she getting so much better at sensing chakra? It wasn't like she'd complain- but it was odd, especially since she'd written off chakra sensing almost completely after the first few weeks.

But it was unimportant for now, because Sai was knocking in a measured fashion on her door.

No doubt, he was wondering what she was up to.

She grabbed a pear and put a protein bar in her pocket for later before shuffling to the door, pear in mouth and hand fighting to clip her kunai pouch to her belt.

Charlie threw open the door in a hurried manner and smiled weakly at the person waiting on her welcome mat.

The black haired boy stared at her blankly. "You were late," he said. "I thought you may have slept in."

"Sorry you had to come all the way out here," she told him, linking their elbows and pulling him from the door. 'Sleeping in' was as good an excuse as any. She couldn't exactly tell him what she was actually up to.

In her opinion, the less Sai knew, the better. She wasn't a fool- as much as she was crawling her way into his heart, he was still under Danzou's thumb, and would be until she was able to destroy Root. She had little doubt that he was reporting each and every thing to the old geezer. "So, where to, buckaroo?" she asked as they spilled out onto the street. The sky was bright and shining, and she smiled at the scent of ozone and pine. Being outside was the best way to start the day.

"We are going to the administrative building," Sai replied. He gave a small smile.

She paused momentarily in her steps. "Ah? How come?"

"Danzou-sama says that it is time for your first mission," the boy recited. "He is now satisfied with your progress."

"Is he now? Will you be going with me?" This wasn't ideal. Was the elder thinking of having her outside the village during the Crush? She fought back the urge to bite her fingernails.

"I do not know. Perhaps." They said nothing more, and sped off down the road towards the squat gray building.

Sai cordially opened the door for her once they arrived, and she praised him with a grin. He was learning so quickly. They took the stairs up to Danzou's office, and the boy rapped thrice on the oaken door. "Enter," came the old man's frigid voice.

Charlie wiped the grimace off her face as the two of them passed into the room. It was dimly lit with torches on the walls, and the window behind his large desk had its shades drawn. How eerie. Nerves were crawling in her stomach like worms. "Good afternoon," she managed to the village elder seated behind his desk.

The old man nodded, and cut straight to the chase. "You have shown decent progress during your training with Mole. I have decided that you are fit for duty. I sent in my report this morning, and Hokage-sama has already found a mission fit for the both of you. You are both to report to his office posthaste." Charlie suppressed a laugh- posthaste?

"Mole, you are dismissed. Mouse, I will go over in depth the report Mole has made of you." The boy turned on his heels and walked out silently, robotically, and Charlie watched him go. "Please, sit." He indicated to the single chair sat in front of his desk.

Slowly, she obeyed, sitting primly on the edge. Danzou put on a pair of reading glasses, glancing over the manilla file in front of him with harsh eyes. She wondered if he wouldn't have an easier time reading if he turned on the actual ceiling lights. "Your taijutsu has improved exponentially. What you lack in physical strength, you make up for in speed. Your fault lies in your lower-than-ideal stamina. Your ninjutsu is also improving. Your control over your chakra is better than any your age, and you've managed to learn a wind jutsu despite your impediment. You use your high reserves efficiently. Your fault lies in, well, the obvious. You also show promise in sealing, and excel in survival skills."

'There's that word again- impediment. If I don't talk to this man ever again it would be too soon.'

Danzou continued after she said nothing. "This, as well as your intelligence and mental fortitude, qualifies you for your first mission. This is a trial run of sorts. Trust that I had thought you would've improved more by now, but I am sufficiently satisfied that you won't die. Provided you return successful, you will face true ANBU training- which is not to be taken lightly. Is this clear." He said the last part as more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, sir," she replied, feeling the urge to wring his throat. She stood, bowed a little, and made her way out.

Her brain, as usual, began to whirr. 'So let me get this straight. Danzou sends a report of my progress to the Hokage, a week before the exams start? And the Hokage instantly finds a mission for me?'

It all made sense, and she paused in the hallway, fury and horror coalescing in her gut. Her fist clenched by her side. 'Both of them are getting me out of the way for the chuunin exams. Danzou so I wouldn't interfere with Orochimaru's plans, and the Hokage so I wouldn't interfere with- his death?!'

She started to walk, and then she started to run. 'Oh, don't worry, Hokage-sama, you don't have to worry about the chuunin exams if I get to you first!' Flashes of Minato's face flew in front of her eyes. Both of them knew that the old man had faults, but deep down, she knew neither of them were okay with standing by the wayside and letting him perish. Even if that was what Hiruzen wanted.

Charlie watched as a bead of sweat ran down his temple. Good. He ought to be nervous. She stood next to three others clad in black, all of them wearing their masks. Thankfully, there were still eyeholes through which he could see her displeasure.

He cleared his throat. "Your mission is to infiltrate the base of an organization that is terroristic in nature by the border. We've been keeping a close eye on it as of late, and it seems they are close to making their move. The Daimyou wants it gone."

"Do we want them captured or killed," came a smooth, familiar voice from beside her. Charlie glanced over- it was that woman, from her very first day. Spider.

"We want all but one taken out. This-" he raised a picture of a hulking man with black hair and a black mask covering his face- "is whom we presume to be the leader. We want him captured, ideally. We don't even have his name yet." They all nodded. "Spider will be squad leader. You set out in an hour."

He handed the dark haired woman the mission scroll and inclined his head, to which the others mimicked.

The three others clad in black disappeared in an instant, leaving the lone redheaded girl to stare intensely at him. "Hokage-sama... what are you trying to do?"

The Hokage frowned, finally tired of her attitude. "... My job. You would do well to remember yours."

"I know mine quite well, thank you," she said frigidly, and disappeared before she did something she'd regret. 'The real shit starts in about a month. If this mission takes that long, then- then-'

"Focus, Charlie." There was little inflection in Minato's tone as he admonished her.

'How I hate bureaucracy.' If that was how he wanted to play it, then fine. She would abide by his rules for now. But she would be damned if she wasn't back in the village before shit went down for real.

An hour wasn't that much time to prepare for a long term mission such as this one, but it was enough if you were prepared. And Charlie was nothing if not prepared. First, she stopped by her locker so she could grab her backpack (prefilled with her gear and food). ANBU weren't meant to be seen or identified, so she wouldn't gear up until right before she was meant to leave.

Then, with a knowing gleam in her eye, she set off towards her second destination. There was just one person she needed to pass a message on to, and she had a feeling she knew where to find him.

"Our goal is to get to the border in three days," Spider said, a lone tanned finger trancing the route they would need to take. The team was huddled about a mile from the village, fully geared up. "Despite the nice weather recently, it's still quite a long ways to go. We will be going at it hard.

"I have plenty of soldier pills, but I do hope that you all brought something else to eat for yourselves. We won't have time to hunt. Finally, let's introduce ourselves and our specialties since I see we have a newcomer. I specialize in poison, as you may have guessed from my name. I'm also adept at medical ninjutsu. Next." Spider turned to glance at Mole.

"My technique is with ink. It allows me to create beasts that can fly or attack. Assassination is my specialty," the boy said in a monotone.

Tiger shifted on his haunches. He was a bit brawnier than most ninja she'd seen, but he carried it well. "I am a taijutsu master. I also specialize in assassination, but I am at my best as a bruiser of sorts."

Spider turned to Charlie, and she could almost sense the smirk on the woman's lips. "And the newbie."

"I am good at taijutsu, and I'm pretty damn fast. I'm alright at enhancing my strength with chakra- better than most, I guess. I am also good at sealing. Most of my strength lies in my brain though- I am perceptive as well as a chakra sensor, and I never forget. Anything."

"Anything?" Tiger hummed, a teasing lilt in his tone.

"Anything," she confirmed. "Usually this means books, but it works on my surroundings too."

Tiger chuckled. "Alright. Weird quirk."

"Since this is your first mission, don't try anything heroic," Spider interrupted, rolling up the map and rising to her feet. "You are in the supporting position, meaning you do what we tell you to. Don't run off on your own, don't kill anyone without our say-so, and keep your mouth shut. You're basically job shadowing."

Charlie almost snorted- 'Well, we know how well my last job shadow turned out.'

Instead, she waved her hand. "I've got it, I've got it," she said.

"Good. Let's go." The four of them disappeared, leaving the forest floor far below as they took to the trees.