A/N: It's a little late, but here's chapter 7 (would have had it up sooner, but I got pretty busy with the new semester starting...) As always, Read & Review...

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Chapter 7

"Atsukami Ren"

"Uh…excuse me…pardon me…sorry…"

Kaori's pretty face wrinkled into a look of frustration as her polite attempts to squeeze through the huddled masses failed, leaving her stranded amidst the mob of people surrounding the village square. She balanced herself on her tiptoes, trying to crane her head above the taller men around her. Unable to see anything beyond the back of their heads, Kaori dejectedly groaned, blowing a few wisps of her unkempt hair from her eyes. She was growing more irritated at her teammates for leaving her in this situation, and finally began to force her way out of the crowd. After a few polite shoves and several not so polite elbows, she eventually emerged from the pack and made it to the bubble of open space nestled in the center of the busy square. The eager group of merchants and customers behind her, she began scanning around the area and quickly caught sight of Kintarou's massive figure hovering above a few villagers. She angrily marched towards him, knowing Takeo was probably already there.

"So nothing?" Kintarou frowned, turning his head as he noticed Kaori approaching.

"Nope, no sign of him yet," Takeo replied.

Kaori pushed herself between the two to interrupt.

"Where have you two been?" she hissed.

"Hm? Scouting around for Ren-san," Kintarou answered. "That's what we agreed to, Kaori-san, remember?"

"Yes, I remember," she fumed. "But you guys left me in the worst spot. Trying to find him at the merchant's corner is almost impossible. There were so many men around, I couldn't – shut up, Takeo-kun – that I couldn't get a good enough look at them."

Takeo had opened his mouth to speak, but an instinctive elbow from Kaori cut him off before he began.

"We haven't had any luck either," Takeo said with a grin.

"It's five minutes after noon," Kintarou commented. "He has to be around here somewhere."

After several rough days of walking through the Earth Country's rocky terrain, the trio had finally arrived in the small trade village of Geyser earlier that morning. Trying to avoid drawing any unwanted attention, they had agreed not to use any ninja skills while inside the Earth Country's borders. Unfortunately, this made the journey to Geyser longer and made searching for the defector, Atsukami Ren, even harder.

"Come on, Kintarou, just give me a minute to use Katsugan," Takeo prodded. "I'm sure I can find him."

"No," Kintarou replied. "We're supposed to avoid suspicion. If any other shinobi are around, they're sure to notice you using that jutsu. Someone standing in the middle of the street with his eyes closed in concentration is sure to draw attention."

"We're also supposed to meet the guy at noon," Takeo reminded him. "It's already past that, and the longer it takes to find him, the worse off we are, right?"

"Kintarou-kun, maybe you should let him," Kaori suggested.

Kintarou sighed heavily as Kaori's pleading eyes looked up at him.

"Fine," he relented. "But do it up there."

Takeo followed Kintarou's pointing finger and shielded his eyes. The midday sun shone almost directly above a tall water tower rising above the center of the town. Most of the small platform surrounding the large wooden barrel of water was within the bright glare of the sun. Anyone looking up at the tower from below would definitely have a hard time discerning anyone up there. Takeo turned and nodded at his team leader. He glanced around briefly and then calmly approached the splintered ladder climbing up the tower's supports. Kaori and Kintarou, meanwhile, agreed to split up and continue the search from the ground (after Kaori volunteered Kintarou to search the merchant's corner this time).

Takeo paused a step short of the ladder and casually leaned against one of the moldy wooden beams that somehow supported the heavy container of water. When he was sure no one was looking, he quickly turned and lifted a sandaled foot onto the first step, pressing down with most of his weight to make sure it wouldn't crack. Once he was satisfied, Takeo took a final glance over his shoulder and then scurried up the ladder to the top. A minute later, as Kintarou and Kaori continued to look below on the ground, Takeo found himself gazing out across dozens and dozens of villagers. He brushed a few beads of sweat from around his eyes and tugged at his jacket, trying to draw in a cool rush of air to his suffocating body. The faint blue aura enveloping his eyes grew brighter as the people on the streets a hundred feet below began to come into focus. Takeo glanced from head to head and from face to face, looking for the tiniest bit of green from the leaf Ren was supposed be wearing. After scanning through nearly half of the townspeople gathered in the square, he came upon a tall, lanky man sitting sadly beneath the overhang of one of the shops. The man's bushy silver hair made Takeo chuckle a bit, until Takeo's eyes stopped on the torn and shriveled leaf fastened to the collar of the man's brown sleeveless vest. Immediately, Takeo studied his location and then hurried to the ladder, being careful to release the chakra from his eyes before descending. He found the shop again once he was on the ground and cautiously made his way over to the man's location. As he stopped a foot or so away, the older man gazed his glassy hazel eyes up at Takeo, watching him yawn and gently fall back against the side of the shop.

"Geez, it's hot," Takeo exhaled wearily.

"Mmm…" the man grunted in agreement.

"Yeah, it's no wonder that leaf on your collar is all shriveled up," continued Takeo. "I bet it was nice and green though."

Hearing this, the man nervously rose to his feet and moved within inches of Takeo's face.

"You're from Konoha?" he whispered.

"Yeah. I'm your escort, Ren-san," Takeo replied softly.

Relaxing a bit, the man looked away and shot worried glances in either direction. He hurriedly turned back to Takeo.

"Just you?" he asked.

"No, there's three of us," Takeo answered. "We should hurry and find my teammates, and then get out of here."

"I agree," Ren nodded.

Gingerly leaning down to grab the tiny satchel on the ground, Ren paused a moment to gaze around at the village. Takeo nudged him and then the two headed back towards the open area within the village square. On cue, Kintarou and Kaori both returned a few seconds later. With the four of them finally gathered, Takeo briefly introduced Ren to the others.

"It's a pleasure, Ren-san," Kintarou said politely. "I think it's best if we head back to Konoha immediately. There is no telling who may be on to your defection."

"Oi, relax Kintarou," Takeo murmured. "Give the old guy a bit to rest."

"There's no time to rest," he responded. "It's much safer to leave immediately. The longer we stay, the greater the chance there is for danger."

"Ah, Kintarou-san," Ren said, noticing their debate. "I would like to stop by my house to get my things."

"You didn't bring them with you?" Kintarou asked incredulously.

"Nope, sorry," Ren replied. "I didn't think it would seem very normal if I was sitting around town with my bags packed, so to speak."

"I see," Kintarou sighed. "Well, we really can't afford to go and retrieve them. I can assure you that we have ample supplies for the return journey."

Kintarou tapped gently against the large pack strapped to his back.

"I understand…" Ren sadly nodded. "But if I could just grab a few personal things, then. I promise it won't be much."

"I'm sorry, Ren-san, but I'm afraid we can't—"

"Lighten up, Kintarou," Takeo said gently. "It's only a few extra minutes, right? Ren-san is doing us a favor, putting his own life on the line for Konoha's sake. The least we can do is let him take a few of his memories back with him."

"But…"

"Kintarou-kun," Kaori began. "He's right. It won't be too much longer."

"Fine," Kintarou relented. "Lead the way, Ren-san."

"Thank you," Ren smiled.

"Let's just hurry," Kintarou replied.

Ren nodded and began leading the three Konoha Chuunin out of the village square, passing carefully through the heavy traffic of villagers. Politely clearing a path through the crowd, the four silently marched behind Ren. At the back of the line, Kaori suddenly turned. She lightly tapped Takeo on his shoulder to draw his attention, but he was already looking at her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I-I felt someone following us," Kaori quietly said.

Takeo glanced around behind her. "Don't see anyone."

"Obviously they're not going to follow us in plain sight," Kaori snapped.

"Want me to take up the rear?" Takeo offered.

"Thanks, but I can handle it," Kaori stated. "I don't need your help."

"Okay, okay. I'll keep my eyes open," Takeo replied. "And I suppose I should tell our leader."

Takeo quickly whispered Kaori's worries to Kintarou, who immediately had his "I told you so" expression out for Takeo to see. He motioned for Takeo and Kaori to continue on as if they hadn't noticed. As the four reached the outskirts of the village, Ren led them down a small gravel path towards a tiny brick house. Stopping just outside of what remained of a narrow rock wall, Kintarou bent down to one knee as Takeo and Kaori walked past. After fiddling around with something by his sandals, he joined the others in front of the building. The three were less than impressed with Ren's home.

"You live here?" Takeo asked as Ren made his way past them.

"Yes," Ren nodded. "I know it's not much, but it's more than enough for me."

"You live by yourself, then?" Kintarou inquired.

"Oh yes," Ren immediately answered. "Thankfully it'll only take me a few minutes to gather my things."

"I'll help you, if you'd like," Kaori offered.

"That would be great," Ren smiled.

"Takeo and I will keep guard outside," Kintarou called.

Ren led Kaori inside his small home while Takeo and Kintarou started pacing around the tiny yard surrounding the house. Kintarou busily swiveled his head back and forth, keeping watch over the majority of the front. Takeo hopped gently onto the remnants of the rock wall and began scanning around Ren's residence, too. The heat was still getting to him, and he brushed his forehead dry with his jacket sleeve. A soft breeze cooled his skin and he flipped a few locks of his sweat-dampened hair from his eyes. As he did, he caught a glimpse of several pale yellow sheets flapping gently in the wind. Takeo turned his attention towards the short stretch of rope tied between a young tree sapling and the side of Ren's house.

"Still did his laundry," Takeo laughed quietly.

He wiped a few more droplets of sweat from around his eyes and began to turn. A flash of color stopped him. Takeo looked again at the garments hanging on the line and glimpsed something small and red beneath one the sheets. Slowly, he walked over beside the laundry hanging neatly on the line and immediately saw what had captured his gaze. The brief gust had ruffled a few of the sheets enough where the item they'd been concealing was no longer covered. Hanging between a pair of the sheets was a faded red piece of clothing, which Takeo took in his hands.

"A skirt?" he muttered.

Leaving it hanging on the clothesline, Takeo guardedly headed around the side of Ren's house. Kaori's gentle voice floated through the half open window as he walked past. He glanced inside briefly, seeing Kaori and Ren both digging through a large trunk, but stopped when he felt something beneath his feet. Takeo bent down and clutched the raggedy looking figure lying half-hidden within the patch of dead grass. After checking the object over, he hurriedly returned to the front where Kintarou was still vigilantly keeping watch. Takeo motioned over towards him and Kintarou reluctantly moved beside him.

"What is it, Noppo?" he asked. "We should be keeping an eye out for trouble."

"I know," Takeo nodded. "Just thought that as team leader, you might want to know what I found."

Takeo shoved the object in his grasp into Kintarou's bandage-wrapped hand.

"A-A doll?" Kintarou frowned. "I hardly see why this toy is so important. This mission isn't the time for jokes."

"Listen," Takeo sighed. "I found it behind Ren's house. I also saw a girl's skirt hanging with his laundry on the side of the house."

Kintarou furrowed his brow and began scratching the black scruff on his chin.

"Ren-san said he lived alone, though."

"That's why I brought this to show you," Takeo said. "It seems a girl lives here, too."

"Why would Ren-san lie about something like this?" Kintarou wondered aloud.

"We can ask him," Takeo answered, pointing at Ren and Kaori exiting the house.

"All set," Kaori announced as she and Ren walked towards them.

"Good," Kintarou replied. "Ren-san, Takeo and I are curious about something."

"What is that, Kintarou-san?" Ren inquired.

"Are you certain you're the only resident of this establishment?"

Ren's eyes nervously glanced around. He shook his head and forcibly laughed a bit. Kaori looked puzzled as both Takeo and Kintarou moved in front of Ren.

"Ren-san?" Takeo said.

"He's gonna blow it," a hoarse voice said angrily.

Hidden within a group of tall, thorny shrubs, several shadows shifted around, beginning to stand.

"Relax," a gruff voice urged. "Ren knows what happens if he doesn't do his part. And he wouldn't do anything to put them in danger."

The figures camouflaged from sight looked on as Ren stood silent. Sweat pouring down his anxious face, Ren avoided Kintarou's gaze.

"Ren-san," Takeo repeated. "Who else lives here?"