Okay, next chappie! Sorry it was later than usual...I've been a bit busy...this one is more of a filler than anything, actually...

Chapter Five: Hired–

Kakashi played idly with his glass as Zareth detailed the job he had for the three ninjas.

"Once you've entered the compound," he said, "you'll be cut off completely from any outside communications. There are disruptors, unless you are on the right frequency; this, of course, would mean that the guards would hear everything you say, because that is the one they use. The target will be in the sub levels, three floors below entry level. The exact location is unknown, but you might be able to hack into the mainframes and find blueprints to lead you to the security room."

"Uh…Zareth," Kakashi interrupted, still fiddling with the empty glass. "Is this a rescue? Or an assassination?" The man looked surprised, then calculating.

"Assassination. Does this change things?" Kakashi set the glass on its side and twirled it around.

"Just the price."

The jônin knew that the figure Zareth had mentioned was quite generous. A green-scaled creature with three fingers and a triangular head had been surreptitiously eavesdropping and had nearly choked on its drink when the price was stated. He had also looked terrified once Zareth mentioned the place the target was located and had hurried away immediately. That spoke of danger.

When the bounty hunter looked questioningly at him, Kakashi elaborated. "I don't usually accept assassinations," he lied easily. "Unless, of course, the price is right."

Zareth considered this for a moment, then stated a figure substantially higher than the previous one. Kakashi gave the glass another twirl, then sat back in his chair.

"Done."

"If the target is looked up, then what's the point?" Ino demanded. Lee had wandered off a while ago and was now listening sympathetically to an extremely demonic alien with protruding horns, hooded eyes and pointed fangs. It was obviously drunk and was moaning sorrowfully to the listening sixteen year old as it rested a narrow head on the bar.

"No, no," Zareth hurriedly explained. "The rooms are for his protection. Extremely difficult to get into."

"Oh." Then Ino's eyes narrowed.

"We want half the money now, and the rest to be paid immediately as soon as proof is offered of our success."

Again, surprise registered across Zareth's face. He glanced at Kakashi, but the silver-haired shinobi was immersed in twirling his glass.

"One-third, now, the rest on completion," he countered finally. Ino nodded to concede.

"Very well," Zareth said, rising to his feet. "If you'll excuse me for a moment?" He nodded to the two of them, glanced at Lee doubtfully, then hurried away.

Ino looked at the jônin. "Something is off about his story," he murmured. She nodded. "We'll go along with it," Kakashi added. "For now."

Lee listened with rapt attention as the alien bemoaned his fate while downing large glasses of weird green liquid that gurgled and bubbled in the mug ominously. He really didn't understand a single word the demonic looking creature was lamenting about, but he remained fascinated with the individual that looked to him as an oni stepped out from the lower reaches of Hell.

Sobbing, it threw gangly arms around the surprised ninja. He patted it on the back consolingly. Moments later, the speedster was aware of subtle probing toward his kunai pouch. With a short cry, he launched backwards while shoving the alien away from himself.

"How dare you attempt to steal from me while I was trying to comfort you in your time of need? I won't– "

He was cut off as Kakashi rose hurriedly from the table. "Lee! Just let it go," he commanded.

"WHAT?!" he cried. He pointed a finger at the being who was beginning to rise off the floor and clenched his other hand. Everyone was watching now. "To allow such a terrible and despicable act go by unpunished would be completely against my way of ninja! Master Gai says that it is in the springtime of youth that one must do what is right the most and so I will! Konoha Whirlwind!" The blue beast of Konoha launched himself at the alien in a familiar move. Twitches had developed in both Kakashi and Ino's eyes as they watched the creature crash into a table. Apparently, the boy hadn't gotten over his disapproval of Kakashi's "acquisition." Lee straightened with a grin and grabbed his drink. Downing the contents in one gulp, he slammed the glass down on the bar.

"Oh, s– – – ."

Just as Kakashi uttered those words, Lee's eyes widened. "W-what?" He looked at the glass as the world turned kind of fuzzy and tipsy. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something familiarly pink.

Didn't I just drink that?

Reaching for it, the boy stumbled as his hand fell short. "Waz goi' on 'ere?" he demanded, staggering about. Suddenly, he spotted the demon alien climbing our of the broken table pieces.

"You! It wush you! You did thish at m– Whoa!" He words were cut off as he tripped over a barstool. That happened to be three feet away.

Kakashi sighed.

Kakashi Hatake leaned back on the lumpy bed in the dingy hotel room they had acquired earlier. Lee was sitting on the floor beside it, head clutched tightly in his hands. The older man didn't blame him in the least – Ino was pissed."

"And just what the hell were you thinking?" she shrieked, looming over him with flashing blue eyes. "Why didn't you at least check to make sure it was your drink? Who knows what--"

The Copy Nin closed his eyes and tuned her out. He was starting to feel extremely sorry for Asuma, having such a screechy, demanding girl on his genin team…not even Sakura was that bad.

About an hour later, he bounded to his feet, startling Lee as he came out of the "refresher unit" (as these people called it) and Ino, who lay on the other bed.

"Time to go!" he announced cheerfully.

"Yes, sir!" Lee shouted, enthusiastically shoving a fist into the air. There was a slight pause. "Uh…go where?" he questioned a bit sheepishly.

"Idiot," Ino muttered, obviously still angry. "If you hadn't run off and decided to get drunk, you might know."

Lee looked ashamed. "You are most correct, Ino. To make up for my careless actions, I shall run two hundre-"

"Uh, never mind that now," Kakashi broke in, knowing where this was leading. Kami, the kid was as bad as Gai. "For now, we have an A– rank mission to complete."

Lee immediately plopped down and whipped out a notebook and pencil from thin air and looked expectantly at the silver haired ninja. Ino rolled her eyes at that but looked at him as well.

"Right. Lee, for your benefit, we are going on an assassination mission. The target is…uh…"

"A smuggler who transports illegal goods," Ino sighed.

"Exactly, what she said. Anyway, the compound we must infiltrate is heavily guarded." He crouched down and showed them a data pad Zareth had given them with the first part of their payment. Kakashi had watched the man closely and now knew the basics of operating the device. "This is a picture of the compound's exterior. Zareth recommended that we enter through here – " He pointed. "We will, of course, observe and enter where we feel is the least risky. This is a picture of the target." The building disappeared to reveal a hairy creature with a snarling face. "The target is three floors down from the recommended entry level. As we have already seen, most of the insane inhabitants that live here do not venture to ground level if they can help it. Screw that. It will be easier to get down to the right floor of the building while we're outside of it than inside. Less chance of running into security guards." He rose to his feet, pocketing the data pad.

"So. Any questions?" There was silence. "Good. Let's go."