The ANBU Chronicles

File #1; Chapter 11

Sasori and Genma had been nursing their drinks, taking small sips and were constantly on alert for Gensou. It was getting a bit boring, admitably. The place was very modern with neon, strobe, and black lights everywhere and positioned so that they complimented each other and didn't daze the guests and clubbers. There was a DJ up in a booth spinning tracks and off to one side, they could see the door that led out to the tropical garden that Gensou had recently added to the club. Sasori was tapping her foot to the music when one of her favorite songs came on. It was a song that had a bit of a reggae feel to it and one that she liked a lot. The song was called "Wind" and as soon as she heard it, she looked at Genma, pleading with him to dance.

"Please Genma, please dance with me?"

"I don't dance."

"Please?"

When he shook his head, Sasori rolled her eyes and looked over to the dance floor. She finished her drink and went out there to dance. She moved her hips to the beat and stepped lightly to the rhythem. Sasori liked to dance. Back before Arashi had become the Raikage, Sasori and Arashi had gone out to the clubs before and danced the night away. Nowadays, they settled for small get-togethers at each others apartment. Sometimes, it was just the two of them and other times, they invited some of the Steel nin and Cloud nin. Arashi's cousin, Saetayoru Rangetsu, was a very good dancer and had helped teach Sasori a few good moves. Arashi's other cousin, Saetayoru Subaru, partied with them when she could find a baby-sitter for her two children, usually Kakashi.

Sasori loved this song and was a bit sad when it was over. She was about to head to her stool when a powerful presence invaded her space and gripped her hand gently. The next song started.

Take me down, 6 underground

The ground beneath your feet.

She turned to find herself face to face with a markedly handsome man. He had long black hair with cerulean, periwinkle, and platinum white highlights that was swept back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. His eyes were an icy blue and pupil-less. His suit was a nice one- black, tailored to fit him and he wore a simple dark blue shirt with a white silk tie.

Laid out low, nothing to go,

Nowhere a way to meet.

"Miss, I saw you dancing by yourself and it compelled me to come over here and dance with you," the man said, raising her hand to her lips. He kissed her hand and then said," I am Hirata Gensou, owner of this establishment."

I've got a head full of drought,

Down here, so far off from losing out,

Round here

Sasori hadn't expected to find Gensou so early in the evening or rather, she hadn't expected him to find her. The surprise leaked onto her face but she fought it back and... just went with it.

"Something wrong?" he asked in a silky voice.

"Your eyes... they remind me of the reflecting pool in my garden back home," she said, sweeping her fingertips lightly across his cheek.

Overground, watch this space,

I'm open to falling from grace.

It was a lie but Gensou took it as truth, believing her. He placed a hand on her hip and took her response as a yes. In turn, she laid a hand on his shoulder and the two danced, moving in time with the music.

Calm me down, bring it round,

To way high off your street

I can see like nothing else

In me, you're better than I wanna be

Gensou was an proficient dancer as Sasori found out. She was great dancer by herself and she wasn't very good when she had a partner. However, despite her tensed and ready-to-react muscles, she managed to move fluidly and follow his cues. Gladly, Sasori let him lead since he was easily the superior dancer of the two.

Don't think 'cos I understand

I care, don't think 'cos I'm talking, we're friends.

"So tell me about your home," Gensou said politely.

"I grew up in Wind Country, where water is a luxury," she said half-truthful.

"So you live here in Wave Country?"

"No, I live in Waterfall Country with my husband. So much more beautiful there with the rainforests and such."

Overground, watch this space,

I'm open to falling from grace

Heiko watched jealously from her place in the crowd. Her back was against the wall and every man who asked her to dance was summarily rejected with a sweet smile and a snarl if they pressed the issue. Right there, plain as day, was Heiko's downfall. Her jealousy. It glared like an open wound to Kyosuke, one of Gensou's top minions. Heiko smoldered, her anger rising with each passing second. She wouldn't try anything in front of Gensou but as soon as the btch was alone...

Talk me down, safe and sound

Too strung up to sleep

Genma had been happily watching Sasori from the sidelines but his face fell as he saw her get scooped up by Hirata Gensou himself. Part of it was shock and as he figured out later, another emotion. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. But as he watched the two dance, he felt a pang of jealousy ensnare his heart. Gensou had dipped Sasori low and she was looking at Genma with an upside-down expression not even 4 yards away. Their eyes made contact for just a moment. Genma felt a curl of rage within him as he saw Gensou press his lips to Sasori's throat and then look over at him. It took all the willpower he had not to kill Gensou at that exact moment.

Wear me out, scream and shout,

Swear my time's never cheap

Heiko continued to watch the sensual and skilled display with smoldering anger. She chewed on a manicured nail absently. Why had Gensou called her when he wasn't going to do anything with her except flirt with other women? Was he testing her... or teasing her? Her jealous mind worked and pure venom seemed to drip from the evil smile she had on her face. 'I bet she's never seen a ninja in her entire life,' Heiko thought. She would corner the woman and show her how terrifying ninja could be. At least, she was one up on the woman.

I fake my life like I've lived

Too much, I take whatever you're givin'

Not enough

Gensou brought her back up and caressed her cheek with his knuckles. His eyes shifted to the slightly rattled Genma and he thought smugly,' So that must be her husband.' He lifted her hand up and pressed it to his lips again as the song wound down to it's final lines.

Overground, watch this space,

I'm open to falling from grace

"Your husband is lucky to have such a treasure at his side Miss.... Missus...?"

"Shiranui Sasoriko. My husband is Shiranui Genma," she supplied altering their real names a bit.

Usually ninja would use an alias but no ninja in his or her right mind would tell their target their real name. Thus, no ninja expected it.

"That explains the scorpion pendant and motif, Sasoriko-san," he said with a small smile," I think I shall buy drinks for the two you."

Sasori led him to Genma and preformed the proper introductions.

"Genma dear! Look what your Sasoriko-chan found! Hirata-sama, this is my husband, Shiranui Genma," she said," Genma, this is Hirata Gensou."

"Please, call me Gensou and your drinks are on the house."

Gensou flagged down the bartender with a nod of his head. The bartender refilled their plum wine and gave Gensou a glass of scotch. Sasori took her alcohol down a bit fast while Genma and Gensou nursed their drinks slowly. They talked a lot about Gensou and his businesses, Genma's so-called fortune in the soap business, he and Sasori's house in Waterfall country and other endless drivel. Sasori stood and politely excused herself to the ladies' room.

"I'll be back gentlemen!" she said cheerfully, waving her fan at them.

Sasori found the women's room in no time flat and pulled open the door. She ducked in, relieved to find it somewhat empty. She went through a second door into the bathroom and looked about. On the left hand wall, there was a mini-bar where a few women sat and joked about lousy dates with the female bartender. On the right half-wall, there was a row of sinks and behind them, the bathrooms themselves. For the most part, Sasori had ducked in to regain her composure and make sure that she still looked stunning.

Someone followed her in which wasn't surprising given it was a bathroom she had just walked into. However, even as Heiko advanced on her, Sasori thought nothing of it.

-End Chapter 11-