A thief … of the Grass?

Almost a week into their stay in Konoha, the guests are gathered to see Tsunade. Is there a thief among them?

Taiki ducked a punch, then feigned a kick before rushing in with his open palm, landing it squarely in the chest of one of his genin, Endoh Shun. Shun, visibly grimaced for a second, then started laughing, his trademark. His mother, although nothing close to a shinobi, was a very cheery soul who cared more about hair styling than anything. Shun felt his chest and took a deep breath, then focused his charka. Taiki started forming hand signs, then placed one hand over his right eye.

"Eye of the Sparrow." Taiki said, feeling the power within his eye, which turned from dark brown to green.

Shun ran forward, preparing a combo, and Taiki focused on his target. Suddenly, he saw five images of Shun, all in the same line, in differing motions.

Pick your spot, pick your spot… Taiki told himself. About three seconds later, he dodged the attack – barely, then watched Shun prepare another attack. Shun was shorter than Taiki, with a fairly solid build for a child his age. He preferred taijutsu more than any other fighting style, especially punches. He was defeated soundly by his classmates in Ritsu, the village of the Grass, but it didn't deter him. He loved to fight, and just the possibility of a fight erased any pain he felt. Taiki already knew Shun's reason to become a chunnin: just to see his genin fight. It was all Shun was about, and as primitive as it was, Taiki had to admit, at times, a little skirmish did get the blood going.

Shun closed in his distance, and Tiaki found his spot. He was about to strike when a voice called out.

"Taiki-sensei! Shun! We need to see the Leaf's Hokage right away! There has been a theft!" Michiya said, standing almost twnty feet away. The announcement was enough for Shun, who didn't stop his motion and threw a punch at Taiki. Taiki ducked at the last minute and held his hand up.

"Come on Shun. We can spar later." Taiki began to leave, then felt a hard punch to his neck. He tried to slap upside Shun's head, but the playful genin ducked and started laughing as he followed his chunnin.

Tsunade flared her nostrils as she decided what words to say. She had to choose carefully. Being in an important position like this meant a lot. She looked up to see the Grass guests seated, awaiting her words.

"There has been a theft in the jewelry shop last night. No one knows who it was, and I need to make sure none of you were involved."

She gave a look around the room, studying everyone's face. None looked suspicious, the only face differing being Shun's, who had a smile on his face. Tsunade disregarded him, knowing the nature of the crime. It was done by someone who was apart of a clan, it had to be. More work was done cleaning the scene of the crime than stealing.

"None of you?" Tsunade watched as the group shook their heads.

"When was this again?" Kaito asked.

"Last night. About two hours after you came." She replied. After a few moments, she was about to dismiss them, but noticed a look of contemplating on Taiki's face.

"What is it?" Tsunade asked, turning her body toward him.

"I'm wondering if she is here." He answered.

"She?" Sutari asked. After a concerned look from Taiki, she knew.

"Maybe a he too." She continued. "Is the whole clan…?"

"Clan?" Tsunade asked.

"The Ksuya Clan. The Clan of the Hidden Hand. It's a small clan that specializes in stealing and infiltration. They can get past even the most sophisticated systems. They're sort of mercenaries. When I said 'she'," Taiki said, "I meant Ksuya Zinata. She should be … about sixteen by now. She's a very talented ninja that grew up in the Hidden Hand's house, but was kicked out because she didn't want to complete any missions. I met her one day while I was with my students."

"She was the one that was challenged by Takumi? Her?" Michiyo asked. Taiki nodded.

"She's good, real good." Taiki said, looking at Takumi's direction. He had his usual expression. One of boredom and detachment. It was no secret to anyone who knew Kurokawa Takumi: He wanted to be with his brothers, both who'd become successful shinobi's. In all, he was the youngest of four. The oldest Kurokawa, Jimiya, was an adult by the time Takumi was born, so he didn't have much time to spend with him. The next oldest, Yamashita, was an anbu by now and Ishikawa, the next youngest was a hunting-nin. Taiki knew them both, and was the most apprehensive around Yamashita, who frequently messed with Taiki as a child.

He really didn't mean to intimidate the young Taiki, but he enjoyed messing with his head a little. If anything, Takumi hung around him the most, laughing all the while. Ishikawa was a different story. Being the closest in age to the young Takumi, he was the one disciplining him and keeping him in line. On a few occasions, his decisions kept Takumi alive.

It was easy to say Takumi was one of the better students in the Grass class. On a few occasions, he showed signs of genius with his genjutsu, surpassing even the chunnin at times. But, what really drove Takumi was seeing the death of his father. Kurokawa Chiori was one of the better transporters, after becoming a chunnin. He simply escorted people from village to village, ensuring their safety. One day, as Takumi was preparing a party with his family, he remembered there being a commotion outside, and seeing his three brothers and father begin to fight a small clan of masked men.

The fight quickly turned in favor for the House of Kurokawa, and Ishikawa struck the final blow, or so they thought. While the Kurokawa walked to examine the bodies, Takumi sensed something – or someone nearby.

"Watch out!" he heard his mother shout. The four men all turned to in different directions, checking the scene. There was no alert, and for a moment, Takumi sensed that everyone's guard was down.

All it took was a moment. Chiori screamed in pain as an arrow hit him in his lower back specifically, his kidney. It didn't help that the tip of the arrow was poisoned. Yamashita and Jimiya chased the shooter, but to no avail. They came back, shaking their heads. They couldn't catch them.

Chiori lay down on his bed, breathing heavily. The poison was taking its effect almost instantaneously. His mother, a nurse, worked feverishly to extract the poison, but the wound was too deep, and the poison had been ingested. It was only a matter of time. She turned to leave, and Takumi remembered that look on her face. One of complete helplessness. She began weeping and Yamashita and Jimiya both began to follow her outside. Takumi looked at Ishikawa, who began to fight back tears. It was the only time he remembered seeing any of his brothers showing that kind of emotion.

"This clan, I've never heard of them before. Not even in my bingo book. They must be a relatively new clan." Tsunade said. "I'll dispatch a team to search them out. How many of you know what they actually look like."

"My gennin and I have seen her before." Taiki said. Then, Sutari spoke up.

"I remember them now. My mother collects art and I remember fighting them off when they tried to steal some. A few wear masks, and a few hide some of their face. But their calling card if you will is their bright clothing." She said.

"Okay." Tsunade said. "Karubo, take the two older ones around town. The other three can go with the rest of the group."

Taiki's gennin showed looks of disappointment, even the usually amused Shun. There wasn't much to do in Konoha for a group of genii. The only event so far was probably the chunnin exam.

Karubo was a sturdily built man, standing about six feet tall. He wore a black robe with a white belt and black shoes. He had almost pale skin with slanted brown eyes. He wore the headband of the Leaf on his forehead, the most traditional manner. On his back was a sword, which he enjoyed using.

"This clan, are they dangerous?" Kuroba asked. "I've heard about many new clans, but they aren't very harmful. Is the clan of the Hidden Hand any threat should they be here?"

"If they're anything like Zinata, then yes. They are lightning fast and can take your shoes off of you without you knowing. I'm just going off of what I saw her do." Taiki answered.

"Yeah, not only are they fast, but they love to strike in groups. You won't see many of them walking alone. That much I know." Sutari spoke.

The town was up and running today, with business going as usual. Kuroba led them to the jewel shop that was robbed. It looked reasonably clean and untouched, but as they entered, they noticed that something was missing.

"The Yuya Dianmond. I was awoken by commotion as I slept. As I came in, I saw the diamond was gone. It doesn't mean much to you, but that jewel has been in my family for generations. I don't want to be the one to lose it." The shopkeeper said.

Kuroba nodded. "I'll make sure to get to the bottom of this."

Taiki thought of his eagle Chikoi.

"I think I have a way of finding them." Taiki said. "I think."

"Chikoi?" Sutair asked. He nodded. Karubo asked them who Chikoi was.

"My pet eagle. I know birds aren't known for their sense of smell, but if we had a picture…"

"Sorry, don't have any pictures."

"I'll still give it a try." Taiki said, whistling. A few seconds later, the eagle appeared in the front door. It screeched, and Taiki nodded.

"Seems like he may have seen where they went." Taiki said. He gave a small smirk to Sutari and Karubo, both of whom gave a smile in return. Without speaking, they knew what to do.

"Mr. Suzuki-san, we will do our best to recover your jewel." Karubo said before they left.

Takumi sat bored again, throwing stars and reflecting them back and forth with his charka. He felt something, but wasn't sure what feeling it was. It just felt like a burning feeling within himself. Not a physical, but more emotional. The kind you get when a fight is imminent. He quickly formed hand symbols and sat there for a few seconds before leaving.

"If I can't leave Konoha," he told himself. "I'll at least get in on some action."